Judy Biggert

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1239, commending the University of Connecticut Huskies for their historic win in the 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women's Basketball Tournament. On April 6, 2010, the University of Connecticut Huskies defeated the Stanford University Cardinals 53-47 in the NCAA Division I women's basketball national championship in San Antonio, Texas, capturing the Huskies' seventh national title. As a Stanford graduate, I was disappointed, but the undefeated Huskies overpowered each of their regular season opponents as well by more than 10 points, certainly a very worthy opponent. In large part, the Huskies' success was due to senior center Tina Charles and junior forward Maya Moore. Tina Charles was chosen as the Naismith Award winner, Wooden Award winner, United States Basketball Writers Association player of the year and Associated Press player of the year. Moore was chosen as the State Farm Wade Trophy player of the year and as the Women's Final Four Most Valuable Player. While these two women were recognized for their outstanding play, the entire team deserves our praise and for the unparalleled success of the team as NCAA Division I national champs. However, this program would not be what it has turned out to be today without the outstanding efforts of the head coach Geno Auriemma. During his illustrious tenure, the coach has transformed a program from only one winning season to a team with a record that includes seven national championships, four undefeated seasons and a record 78 consecutive wins. Not bad. While athletic success is what brings us here today, the University of Connecticut is also known for its excellent academics. The University of Connecticut is the State's flagship institution of higher learning and was founded in 1881 as the Storrs Agricultural School and became the University of Connecticut in 1939. In fact, the university has more than 70 focused research centers where faculty, graduates students and undergraduate students conduct research on everything from improving human health to enhancing public education and protecting the country's natural resources. I extend my congratulations to the university, the president of the University of Connecticut, Head Coach Geno Auriemma and his staff, and the hard-working players and the fans. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1585, the Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act, or the FIT Kids Act. I want to thank my good friends, Congressman Ron Kind of Wisconsin and Congressman Zach Wamp of Tennessee, for sponsoring this piece of legislation and for their tireless work to reduce childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is an issue that has now reached epidemic proportions in the United States. In 2008, 17 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 19 were obese and approximately 70 to 80 percent of overweight or obese children remain obese in adulthood. Unfortunately, these obese children are more likely to develop diseases such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. As we all know, both diet and exercise are important to the maintenance of a healthy weight. Unfortunately, most of today's children live sedentary lifestyles; in fact, less than one-third of high school students currently meet recommended levels of physical activity. The FIT Kids Act requires States and localities to provide information to parents and families on the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including eating habits, physical education, and physical activity. It does not require physical education in schools. School districts would also collect information on how schools are promoting good nutrition and physical activity, whether the school has an age-appropriate physical education curriculum, the amount of time that students spend in physical education, a description of the facilities available for PE, and information on any local health and wellness councils. And, finally, the bill would authorize the National Research Council and the Department of Education to conduct two important studies on physical activity. As a cosponsor of H.R. 1585, I believe that physical education will play an important role in attacking the childhood obesity crisis that is negatively impacting our young people. And we will also learn, as we are learning more about the brain, how PE in school really helps to develop that brain. When I was in the Illinois General Assembly, I worked really hard to ensure that the schools in the State of Illinois had access to daily physical education. I am proud to say that Illinois still has a mandatory PE requirement for all elementary and secondary students in school, and it really is the only State that has mandatory PE. I have also had the privilege of working with the local Naperville, Illinois, chapter of the nonprofit organization PE4life, whose mission it is to inspire active, healthy living by advancing the development of daily health- and wellness-based physical education programs for all children, not just for those who are athletically inclined. Now, I went over there, and I rode a bicycle, racing against these kids--the kind of bicycles where you see this road before you, and you've got to stay on it, and these kids are whipping along, and I'm falling off the edge of the road; but this is the kind of thing that's fun for kids to do in order to learn a healthy lifestyle. The other thing that something like PE4life does is it tracks their fitness from the time they get on those bicycles in September to the time they get off a lot of these machines in order to see how they have become personally more fit, and it inspires them to care about their nutrition and everything. So it is my hope that other States will follow Illinois' lead by making physical education a priority in all of their schools. So, once again, I want to highlight the excellent work of Congressman Kind and Congressman Wamp on this important piece of legislation, and I hope that we will begin the work of dramatically reducing childhood obesity. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1585, the FIT Kids Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT. At this time, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop).

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield such time as he may consume to a sponsor of this bill, Mr. Wamp of Tennessee.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1276, recognizing the continued importance of volunteerism and national service and commemorating the anniversary of the signing of this landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Albert Einstein once said, ``A person starts to live when he can live outside himself.'' Regardless of one's age or background, education or interests, experience or abilities, every American should have the chance to serve because all have something to contribute to the greater good. The Serve America Act increases opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve; supports innovation in the nonprofit sector; and ensures good management, cost-effectiveness, and accountability in organizations receiving tax dollars. The Serve America Act established a Summer of Service program to provide education awards for rising sixth through 12th graders, a Semester of Service program for high school students to engage in service learning, and Youth Empowerment Zones for secondary students and out-of-school youth. It authorizes Nonprofit Capacity Building grants to provide organizational development assistance to small and mid-size nonprofit organizations. In addition, it ensures that programs receiving assistance under national service laws are accountable by continuously evaluating them for effectiveness in achieving performance and cost goals. Today we recognize the anniversary of the signing of this legislation and encourage Americans to continue to answer the call to serve. I support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I had to come down to the floor just to support this resolution. I served as the co-chair of the 107th Women's Caucus, along with Juanita Millender-McDonald, and as we sat down to plan the events for the year, the first name that appeared on our list was Dr. Dorothy Height. We had that event over in one of the hotels on the Hill, and it was the most interesting thing that I have been to. Dorothy Height was in her hat, as she always wore a hat. We all arrived in our hats. And I still have that hat hanging on my coat hanger in my house here in Washington, and every time I see it I always think of her. Here was a person that had such a dramatic effect on our country. Such a strong personality, but everything that she did was with such great graciousness. And think of the times that she saw in her 98 years and what transpired in this country. And I think that Juanita Millender-McDonald would have been the first one down here too if she had not also passed on. So that was a great year and it started off with a great event to have this wonderful person, Dorothy Height, be the speaker at our first event. And she did that with such grace, such gentleness; yet she always was very strong on her beliefs. And I would call her a change agent, but she did so with the civility that we don't often see, almost the white gloves mentality and the hats and the type of person that she was. So I just wanted to come down and say that I really support that resolution and thank you for doing it.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I would yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1182, congratulating Radford University on its 100th anniversary. Radford University was founded in 1910 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford. Classes began in September of 1913, and in 1979, the school became Radford University. During 2010, Radford is celebrating its centennial anniversary with numerous programs and events. On March 24, the university observed the Centennial Charter Day Celebration. Located in Radford, Virginia, Radford University is organized into six undergraduate colleges and one college of graduate and extended education. Radford University aims to create a challenging, supportive, and engaging educational culture that is anchored in the liberal arts tradition and is ethically responsible to the needs of the 21st century global society. The university has more than 200 clubs and student organizations and competes in 19 NCAA athletics. In addition, Radford has a national reputation for excellent academics. In 2007, Radford unveiled ``7-17, Forging a Bold New Future,'' with a goal of establishing Radford as one of the top 50 master degree-granting universities in the Nation by 2017. In 2009, the university was ranked in the South's top 25 master's level public universities and named one of the Top Up-and-Coming Schools by U.S. News & World Report. I am honored to congratulate Radford University on the occasion of its 100th anniversary and to recognize the university for 100 years of excellence in higher education. And I extend my congratulations to the university, the faculty, the staff, the students, and the alumni. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Washington, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the sponsor of this bill.

Mrs. BIGGERT. Seeing that I have no further requests for time, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support of H.R. 3553, the Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act of 2009. This bill would amend the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, also called NAHASDA, so that a disability income is not counted against Native American veterans when determining eligibility for NAHASDA housing benefits. Currently, Native American households with incomes below 80 percent of an area's median income are eligible for housing assistance under this program. Unlike similar programs for non-Native American households, NAHASDA counts Veterans Affairs disability payments or survivor benefits as income when determining eligibility for housing assistance. As a result, many Native American families of disabled veterans can lose their eligibility for housing aid if their disability benefits place them beyond the 80 percent threshold. Interestingly, the Internal Revenue Service does not consider disability payments as income. Yet without changes included in this bill before us, Native American veterans who have been left disabled as a result of their service to our country will remain limited in their access to affordable housing on the reservation. H.R. 3553 simply amends the definition of ``income'' under the law to exclude payments for disability compensation. The bill would not affect any tribe's current funding under NAHASDA, and the Congressional Budget Office has said that there is no cost to this bill. Mr. Speaker, we must meet our commitments to our troops both in the field and when they return home. This legislation will help extend existing housing resources to Native American veterans, allow them to return to the reservation, and will provide their families with access to stable housing. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor of House Resolution 1257, which recognizes April as Financial Literacy Month, and I would strongly urge my colleagues to support it. I would like to begin by thanking my good friend and fellow chair of the House Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus, Mr. Hinojosa, for sponsoring this legislation and for his continuing efforts to improve financial literacy rates in America. Since 2005, when Mr. Hinojosa and I formed the caucus, financial literacy has grown from an interesting offshoot of economic education to a key element in numerous efforts on and off the Hill to protect consumers, improve financial security, help manage debt, assist in retirement planning, and prepare our children to prosper in today's sophisticated marketplace. We've also seen financial literacy programs become successful centerpieces of campaigns to bring independence and family security to impoverished and underserved populations, women, minorities, and even victims of hurricanes or domestic violence. For example, with help from the Allstate Foundation and the National Network to End Domestic Violence, thousands of abuse victims nationwide have benefited from the Economic Empowerment for Domestic Violence Survivors program. It empowers victims of domestic violence with a financial strategy to escape abusive households and help provide them with resources and training to achieve independence. Mr. Speaker, Financial Literacy Month is a chance to recognize and support the work of countless organizations like these around America-- and the leadership of groups like the Jumpstart Coalition, Junior Achievement, and the Council for Economic Education--for all they do to educate American consumers and, most importantly, our children. It's also an opportunity to recognize how much more work remains to be done. According to the FDIC, as was mentioned, approximately 60 million people in the United States are either unbanked or underbanked. Sixty percent of preteens do not even know the difference between cash, credit cards, and checks, and yet only 26 percent of new students are actively learning financial planning from their parents. And according to the national Foundation for Credit Counseling's latest consumer survey, one-third of adults, or more than 75 million people, are not putting any part of their income towards retirement, up from 28 percent in 2008. These are troubling numbers. And in today's economic climate, the financial challenges and choices facing consumers have only grown. That's why, as Congress reviews our national education guidelines and takes up far-reaching changes to our country's regulations, we must keep in mind one of the most important benefits of financial literacy as expressed in this resolution today before us: Financial education is the first line of defense against financial fraud. When it comes to preparing against economic uncertainty, recognizing deceptive practices, building credit, or making dozens of other day-to- day financial decisions, nothing protects consumers and their financial security more effectively than arming them, even as young students, with a sound foundation in financial literacy. Consumers benefit most from more financial options, not fewer, and with the right information and education, individual Americans are best equipped to avoid financial pitfalls, analyze risk, and make financial decisions that hold the greatest benefit for their future and that of their families. With that, I would just like to once again thank my good friend and colleague, Mr. Hinojosa, for bringing this resolution to the floor, and I would like to also recognize the hard work of his dedicated staff, especially Greg Davis, for all their efforts. And finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage all of my colleagues and their staffs to attend this year's financial literacy day fair on Capitol Hill. As Mr. Hinojosa mentioned, but I think it bears repeating, it's going to be held next Tuesday, April 27, where Members will be able to find a broad array of financial education materials and ideas for reaching out to constituents on this important issue. This year, it is being hosted on the Senate side, in Hart 902, by Senators Akaka and Enzi, and invitations should be arriving soon to each office. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1257, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield as much time as she may consume to my friend and colleague in the Financial Services Committee, Ms. Jenkins of Kansas.

Mrs. BIGGERT. I would urge all of our colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 4178 and to commend the sponsor of this measure, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver), for his thoughtful efforts to encourage Americans to save for their children's college education. 529 plans have been around for many years and have become common vehicles for saving and investment; however, given recent market volatility, some families are understandably hesitant to save in these securities-based plans. Therefore, for the first time, H.R. 4178 provides an option for States to expand their 529 programs. The bill allows community banks, which are FDIC-insured institutions, to directly offer consumers a college savings plan. At the same time, savers in these new deposit-based plans will be able to benefit from all of the traditional tax incentives of existing securities-based 529s. As an added benefit, this legislation will protect accounts under the FDIC's insurance fund up to $250,000 per account. For those families seeking lower-risk alternatives, the FDIC-insured college savings plan would provide a guaranteed return. By expanding the options available to those saving for an education, this simple step will help more families prepare for their children's future and provide added financial security in today's difficult economic climate. Again, I thank Mr. Cleaver and his staff for their hard work on this bipartisan measure, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today deeply troubled, not just by this bill, but by the historic opportunity this body has squandered. We had so long to get this right, so many chances to take a step back and listen, really listen, to what the American people were asking us. Instead, true leadership was cast aside in favor of backroom deals, partisan games, and legislative gimmicks. The best intentions on both sides of the aisle never had a chance to turn good ideas into great policy, and we were left with a bill that is so poorly crafted that we are voting to overhaul it the same day it is going to the President. But the American people still have a choice. It is not between this partisan bill and nothing. We can work together to deliver the commonsense reforms that the American people want. Mr. Speaker, I know many colleagues have been struggling with this vote. I urge them to vote ``no'' and work with us to pass reforms we can all be proud of, that we can all vote for. Mr. Speaker, I vote ``no.''

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, the American people have made it very clear that they do not like or want this bill. How arrogant is it for the other side of the aisle to say to them, We know what's best for you, and we're going to pass it anyway. And then how arrogant is it for the other side of the aisle to say, We don't have to take a vote on this bill. We'll just deem it law. In both cases the other side of the aisle is grossly underestimating the intelligence of the American people. The American people know that deeming is a vote on a bill that they don't like. Let's just have an up-or-down vote if we have to have a vote on this, and I vote ``no.''

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I consume to close. Let me just say that Sergeant Christopher Hrbek died preserving the lives of his fellow soldiers and the freedom of this Nation. And I urge that we support this bill to honor that spirit of sacrifice of a true hero embodied by Sergeant Hrbek. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague from New Jersey, the sponsor of this bill, Mr. Garrett.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 267 and join my colleague from California (Mr. Honda) in expressing appreciation to Iranian Americans for their contributions to society and wishing the people of Iran a prosperous new year. Nowruz, meaning ``new day,'' is a 3,000-year-old tradition that marks the beginning of spring and is celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide. Originated in ancient Persia, Nowruz is not limited to a specific ethnicity, religion, or creed. To commemorate the ideals and principles of Nowruz, families decorate a special table called the Haft Seen or Seven S's with items that symbolize significant characteristics associated with Nowruz such as love, life, prosperity, beauty, health, happiness, honesty, and faith. In congratulating Iranian Americans and Iranians throughout the world on this momentous holiday, I think it is important to acknowledge the many significant contributions of these fellow citizens and neighbors to the framework of our great Nation. Ostad Elahi, an Iranian philosopher, believes that it is everyone's duty to be useful in society and placed such importance on service to society that he considered it to be the true meaning of piety and altruism. Iranian Americans continue to hold true to this principle as evidenced by their many noteworthy contributions to this Nation. From science and technology to commerce and trade; academia and medicine to music and the arts, Iranian Americans continue to enrich the social and economic fabric of American society. Madam Speaker, I hope that our colleagues will join in recognizing this holiday by strengthening the ties of mutual respect with one another while advancing a harmonious exchange of ideals with our neighbors. We should mark the coming year with a revival of our shared values, principles, and ethics in the spirit of Nowruz. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT

Mrs. BIGGERT. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 2377, to direct the Secretary of Education to establish and administer an awards program recognizing excellence exhibited by public school system employees, providing services to students in pre-kindergarten through higher education. In short, this bill would create a national recognition program for classified school employees in nine categories, including transportation, food, security, and health and student services. As you may well know, classified school employees provide the support services necessary to keep our Nation's schools open and running on time. These awards would be given annually by the Secretary of Education. Despite the fact that a school's support staff is often overlooked, they are an important part of the education team that we entrust our children to each day. These school employees provide transportation services that enable students to safely arrive to and from school, prepare and serve the food students eat each day, and keep the school facilities in which students learn clean and safe. Those classified school employees who go above and beyond deserve to be recognized for their efforts, and this bill would do just that. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2377. I reserve the balance of my time.