Timothy Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1353, which expresses support for the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month. This month is an important part of increasing awareness of the many financial aid options available to young people who are preparing to go to college. With the cost of college rising rapidly every year, it has become increasingly critical that students take full advantage of their options for financial aid, including those of grants, loans, and scholarships. The passage of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, and of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 have all increased the amount of aid available and have improved access to student aid for millions of students and their families. Student Financial Aid Awareness Month helps students and their families get the information they need to make important decisions about financing their postsecondary education. High schools and colleges across the country celebrate Student Financial Aid Awareness Month by providing critical information, aid application deadlines, FAFSA application workshops, money management tips, advice on applying for scholarships, and student loan repayment options. In 2008, 67 percent of students graduating from 4-year colleges and universities, or 1.4 million students, had student loan debt. The average debt level for these graduating seniors was $23,200 in 2008. With an increasing reliance on student debt to finance postsecondary education, it is important that students and their families have the information they need to make responsible borrowing decisions. Student Financial Aid Awareness Month helps achieve this goal. Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for celebrating Student Financial Aid Awareness Month at schools across this country and for all of the benefits this focused effort brings to help families across the country in their pursuits of higher education. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I join Dr. Roe in urging my colleagues to vote for this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1169) honoring the 125th anniversary of Rollins College, as amended.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. I thank the chairman for yielding. My amendment directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop reference materials, standards, instruments, and measurement methods for nanomaterials and derived products. My amendment also calls on the NIST to compile data to help us understand how the properties of nanomaterials correlate with environmental, health, and safety risks. We stand on the precipice of a new wave of scientific and technological advancement through the development of nanotechnology or controlling matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Advancements in this field have the potential to create new materials and devices with a vast range of applications, such as medicine, electronics, and energy production. I am proud to represent Brookhaven National Laboratory, where many of these breakthroughs have been discovered. However, nanotechnology raises many of the same issues as with any introduction of new technology, including concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials. My amendment would ensure that we closely monitor how this new technology affects our health and safety. Mr. Chairman, while we must do all we can to incentivize and nurture innovation and competitiveness, we must also balance and make consistent the commercialization of new technologies with our duty to protect and inform the public. My amendment, therefore, helps establish a commonsense roadmap for the development of nanotechnology standards. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and the underlying bill. Let me also close by taking this opportunity to commend Chairman Gordon for his leadership on this issue and for a very distinguished career in Congress--a career that has reflected a firm commitment to American competitiveness.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart following the loss of Army Sergeant Jason A. Santora, who was killed this past Friday fighting Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. Sergeant Santora was from Farmingville, New York, in my district of eastern Long Island. He graduated from Sachem High School in 2003 and joined the Army in 2006, becoming a member of the elite Army Rangers. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning. Although only 25 years old, he was serving his fourth tour of duty. He served two in Iraq and was 2 months into his second tour as a team leader in Afghanistan's Logar Province. Sergeant Santora's unit was on a mission to target a compound believed to be a Taliban terror nest when it was ambushed from multiple directions by heavy machine-gun fire. He died of wounds sustained in that gunfire and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal. The commanding officer of the 75th Ranger Regiment honored his courage by describing Sergeant Santora as a warrior, a true patriot, and an absolute hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation. Madam Speaker, during the difficult days ahead, my thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Santora's family--his father, Gary; his mother, Theresa; and his sister, Gina. On behalf of New York's First Congressional District, I thank Sergeant Santora for his service, his gallantry, and his selfless commitment. A grateful nation will always remember his sacrifice and honor his memory.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Let me start by thanking Chairman Oberstar for his unwavering commitment to clean water issues, and we also thank Chairwoman Johnson for her leadership. Finally, let me thank my good friend, Congressman LoBiondo, for sponsoring this legislation with me. Congressman LoBiondo and I have worked together on several issues of mutual benefit to our constituents over the years. I think we have formed a very nice partnership. To those of us on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it sometimes feels as if we are part of the last remaining bastion of bipartisanship in this institution, and I am always heartened by the way our committee works closely with each other to produce initiatives that improve our infrastructure, our environment, and the lives of the American people. I appreciate the way our committee has moved forward very quickly on this important legislation. My district encompasses 300 miles of coastline and includes two of the 28 estuaries of national significance, the Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay. I am very proud to represent some of this country's most popular and beautiful beaches and precious water bodies. Maintaining coastal estuarine health is an integral objective toward preserving the Nation's environment and sustaining the economies of our coastal States. The Clean Estuaries Act of 2010 reauthorizes the popular and highly effective National Estuary Program originally designated as section 320 of the Clean Water Act and makes four primary changes to the program. First, the bill increases the accountability for approved estuary programs by requiring evaluation and updating management of their plans on a periodic basis. This requirement increases transparency and encourages adaptive management of the programs by incorporating evaluation results into the period management plan updates. Secondly, approved programs must identify vulnerabilities and impacts due to climate change and prepare adaptation responses as well as raise public awareness of the issues facing the health of estuaries and performance measures and targets. The third important improvement to the program is provisions to enhance Federal agency coordination. As many Federal agencies oversee activities that impact estuaries, our bill requires they participate in the management planning process and incorporate local priorities when practicable. Finally, authorization is increased from $35 million to $50 million per year and requires that each program approved receive a minimum of $1.25 million. This increase in authorization allows the program to keep pace with inflation and provides for the entry of new programs into the NEP program where 38 sites have expressed interest in the past to become an approved program. Our coastal areas support more than 28 million jobs in the United States, and commercial and recreational fishing in these areas generate roughly $185 billion in sales and support nearly 2 million jobs. In fact, estuaries produce more food per acre than the most productive farmland. Approximately 75 percent of commercial fish species depend on coastal areas for their primary habitat, spawning grounds, and nursery areas. In my district, the Long Island Sound produces over $5.5 billion in revenue for State and local economies in the tourism, fishing, and boating industries each year. Setting aside the obvious and vital role that estuaries play to environmental ecosystems, the economic benefits of estuaries alone are reason enough to improve upon the investments Congress has made on behalf of the American people. Estuaries are proven job creators and provide a rate of return rarely seen on Wall Street. Let me once again thank Chairman Oberstar, Ranking Member Mica, Chairwoman Johnson, Ranking Member Boozman, Congressman LoBiondo, and both majority and minority staffs for their hard work and dedication to this issue. I hope my colleagues agree with the merits of this legislation. I ask for their vote today on H.R. 4715, the Clean Estuaries Act.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere condolences to the People of Poland and all Americans of Polish descent who are grieving in the wake of the tragic plane crash on April 10th in which President Lech Kaczynski and dozens of the country's top political and military leaders were killed. One out of every four inhabitants of Riverhead, New York in the first Congressional district of New York claim Polish heritage. This thriving ethnic enclave has been a growing community devoted to family, religion, and tradition since the turn of the twentieth century. After arriving in America, Polish families established family farms and villages throughout the East End of Long Island. Hard work enabled Riverhead's Polish Town to grow as new immigrants added their talents and skills to those of their neighbors, and the community's special character endures today. Madam Speaker, Poland and the United States share a long history of mutual support. In this Congress, General Casimir Pulaski, legendary Polish commander of the American Cavalry during the Revolutionary War, was given our nation's highest honor as an Honorary Citizen. Just as General Pulaski supported America in our hour of need, today we stand with all who are suffering from this terrible loss and pledge our continued support of Poland and its people.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, flying the friendly skies for a commercial passenger is about to get even more expensive. Adding insult to travel delays, fees for checked-in luggage, and taxes already added to airfares, Spirit Airlines announced last week that it will be the first to charge fees for carry-on bags. I am introducing a bill this evening to block Spirit and any other airline from ever being allowed to impose this unfair and completely unnecessary carry-on tax. If Spirit has its way, this fee could cost every passenger up to $45 per item. Such nickel-and-diming the flying public has got to stop. America should know that this tax would not pay for airport security or better infrastructure. One hundred percent of it would be kept by the airlines. If you are a family with young children or a senior who puts your medicine in a carry-on, this fee will hit you the hardest. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this bill to spare Americans from yet another tax on flying and discourage other airlines from ever considering charging it.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, it has now been just 2 days since President Obama signed historic health care legislation into law, and it is already evident that the massive effort to frighten and mislead the American people is losing steam. Just since the bill passed, new polls indicate Americans see through the scare tactics and doomsday rhetoric and are growing in their enthusiasm about health care reform. Had reform been the economic disaster it was portrayed to be, why then did the stock market climb nearly 200 points in the day since the law was enacted? In a town hall meeting I held on Monday, it was evident that my constituents are rejecting the misinformation campaigns that have surrounded our efforts for reform and are instead focusing on what the bill will do for them both in the short term and the long term. The bill before us today is a huge step towards ensuring that Americans who get sick or injured can focus on their recovery rather than worrying about their coverage. Because of this legislation, my constituents are assured that they are in control of their own health care, not a government agency or a faceless insurance agency representative. Mr. Speaker, I commend the Senate for acting so quickly on this vital legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, over the course of this long and passionate debate, amidst the angry and at times even hateful rhetoric, amidst the misinformation of scare tactics, there exists one simple truth, and that truth is that the current system is unsustainable. It is a system that threatens to bankrupt the Federal Government and every other level of government, and it is a system that is already bankrupting businesses, families and individuals. Those who stand in the way of reform are protecting this system. To do nothing is to ensure a future of ever escalating rates, slashed benefits, and, most tragically, illness and disease that go untreated. The bill before us is not perfect, but it does enable us to begin to take action on the most pressing issues that affect the hardworking families we represent. In my district alone, 24,000 uninsured individuals will get coverage, 97,000 families will receive tax credits to defray the cost of coverage, 20,000 businesses will receive tax credits to provide their employees with coverage, and 49,000 young adults will be able to remain on their parents' policies. On behalf of these people and the millions like them, let's pass this bill tonight.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I was not present in the Chamber yesterday afternoon to vote on rollcalls 144, 145, 146, and 147. I would have voted ``yea'' on each measure.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I was not present in the chamber yesterday afternoon to vote on rollcalls 131, 132, 133, 134, and 135. I would have voted ``yea'' on each measure.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and not present in the House chamber on Thursday, February 25, 2010 to vote on rollcalls 66 through 73. I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcalls 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 72 and 73. I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall 71 had I been present.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Boyd for yielding. Let me start by commending our leadership for calling this legislation to the floor to restore the same budget enforcement rules that lead to the record budget surpluses that we enjoyed in the 1990s. While I commend the Senate for finally approving PAYGO, following our lead in passing it at the beginning of the last Congress, I am deeply disappointed that the Senate could not summon the support to add the national deficit reduction commission to this bill. The fact that several Senate Republicans who cosponsored the deficit commission, including the minority leader, voted against their own legislation illustrates the deficit of trust mentioned by the President in his State of the Union and is yet another example of the corrosive forces that fuel growing public cynicism about our political process. Following the Senate's inaction on this issue, I applaud the President's intent to issue by Executive Order a commission to attack the bipartisan deficit, and I am encouraged by reports that the Speaker of the House and the Senate majority leader will call the commission's recommendations to a vote. Madam Speaker, only strong leadership will propel us to overcome the challenges we face. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking my friend Mr. Lynch for his remarks with respect to this legislation. Let me also thank the gentleman from Illinois for his remarks and his support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise as the proud sponsor of H.R. 3250, and I thank the leadership for calling up this bill to name the United States Post Office located at 1210 West Main Street in Riverhead, New York, in my district on Eastern Long Island, as the ``Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn Post Office Building''. It was a journey of a hardworking American family, looking for an opportunity and a better way of life, that brought the family of Private First Class Garfield Langhorn of the United States Army from Cumberland, Virginia, to Riverhead, New York, in the early 1950s. Private First Class Langhorn's mother still lives in this close-knit community--her name is Mary--where she raised her son who proudly answered the call of his country during the Vietnam War. He distinguished himself as a radio operator and as a good soldier. I am proud to represent Mrs. Langhorn, and I commend her for the grace and the dignity with which she carries her loss. On a hillside in Pleiku province, Private First Class Langhorn heard an even higher call than service and duty. His ultimate sacrifice saved the lives of several of his fellow soldiers by selflessly absorbing the explosion of an enemy grenade within his own body. It was an act of valor and heroism for which the Medal of Honor was created, and for which it is solemnly reserved. Today, the Medal of Honor retains pride of place on Mary Langhorn's wall as a tangible symbol of the respect and honor her son earned from the American people. Passing H.R. 3250 today affirms the pride of Riverhead by memorializing one of its most distinguished citizens. As they conduct their business each day, the people of Riverhead who visit the post office will be reminded of PFC Langhorn's extraordinary service and sacrifice and can reflect on the true value of freedom. They will know that PFC Garfield M. Langhorn is a national hero, and the values for which he gave his life, honor, loyalty, and family will again forever be memorialized. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to all of my colleagues in the New York delegation for cosponsoring this legislation, and I again thank Chairman Towns, Mr. Lynch, and the gentleman from Illinois for their support.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for 5 legislative days in which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous materials on S. 1422 into the Record.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of S. 1422, the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act, which is almost identical to H.R. 912 which the House passed in February. I am proud to be the principal author and principal sponsor of H.R. 912, and I was delighted to see it garner such support in the House of Representatives. The Family Medical Leave Act has been a great program for working families in this country since it was passed in 1993. No one can question the benefit as provided for working women and men by being able to take time off from work to care for themselves or family members. The intent of the law was to provide for 12 weeks of unpaid leave if an employee has worked 60 percent of a full-time schedule over the past year, which is about 1,250 hours. In order to qualify for FMLA coverage, therefore, an employee has to have logged in 1,250 hours over 12 months to be eligible. While 1,250 hours adequately reflects 60 percent of a full-time schedule for the vast majority of employees in this country, that equation does not work for flight attendants and pilots. Flight attendants and pilots work under the Railway Labor Act rather than the Fair Labor Standards Act, which covers most 9 to 5 workers. Time between flights, whether during the day or on overnight layovers, is based on company scheduling requirements and needs but does not count towards crewmember time at work. Flight attendants and pilots can spend up to 4 to 5 days a week away from home and family due to the nature of their job. However, all those hours will not count towards qualification. The courts have strictly interpreted the law and insisted that crewmembers must abide by the 1,250 hours for qualification even though the intent of the law was 60 percent of a full-time schedule. Airline flight crews have been left out of what was intended to cover them. Therefore, a technical correction is needed to ensure that FMLA benefits are extended to these employees. This legislation seeks to clarify the intent of the law. This legislation simply states that an airline crewmember will be eligible for FMLA benefits if they have worked or been paid at least 60 percent of the applicable total monthly guarantee or the equivalent for the previous 12-month period and a minimum of 504 hours. In keeping with current law, any sick, vacation, or commuting time does not count towards the required number of hours. This brings these transportation workers in line with the intent of the original legislation, and as promised, when the law was first passed. Last Congress, during an Education and Labor Committee hearing, we heard from Jennifer Hunt, a flight attendant for U.S. Airways. Jennifer was denied FMLA coverage when she applied to take time off to care for her ill husband, an Iraq war vet. Jennifer, unfortunately, like many other flight attendants and pilots as well, did not meet the hourly requirement. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation so that flight attendants like Jennifer can qualify for the FMLA. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1422) to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to clarify the eligibility requirements with respect to airline flight crews.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, may I ask if the gentleman from Kentucky has any further speakers?

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, let me just observe that we have been working on this bill now for approximately 2 years. I am delighted that we are now at the point where we are on the verge of passage and moving this bill to the President for his signature. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and with that, I yield back the balance of my time as well.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 897.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 897) recognizing the importance of teaching elementary and secondary school students about the sacrifices that veterans have made throughout the history of the Nation.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 897, and I thank my friend and colleague from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) for offering this legislation. This resolution recognizes the importance of teaching elementary and secondary school students about the sacrifices veterans have made throughout our Nation's history. Our country is built on the backbone of men and women who served in our Nation's military forces. Veterans from all across the Nation sacrifice their time, energy, and lives for freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. In 2008, there were over 23 million veterans in the United States, but much of our Nation's youth do not fully comprehend the commitment our soldiers undergo on a daily basis. Many times, veterans leave combat and reintegrate into society with extreme challenges: post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, drug abuse, and homelessness are just some of the afflictions our dear veterans face. However, there are a number of dedicated organizations that cater and focus direct attention to the needs of our veterans. Last month, we commemorated our veterans on November 11 with Veterans Day. We remembered heroes for their fearlessness, their loyalty, and their dedication. Their selfless sacrifices continue to inspire us today as we work to advance peace and extend freedom around the world. We also remember and honor those who laid down their lives in freedom's defense. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit, and our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their courage and exemplary service. But today, less than half of the Nation's high school seniors possess the basic knowledge of the contribution veterans have made to our Nation's safety and security, and because of this, I recognize the importance of teaching the sacrifices veterans have made for our Nation in the classroom. Madam Speaker, I again want to support this resolution and to thank Representative Guthrie for bringing this resolution forward. I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. In closing, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I want to once again thank Mr. Guthrie for bringing it forward. I urge support of this resolution.