Timothy Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to H.R. 4153 into the Record.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 4153, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act Technical Amendments, makes a number of technical changes to the College Cost Reduction and Access Act in order to ensure that the Department of Education and other relevant stakeholders reflect congressional intent when implementing the law. Mr. Speaker, during this Congress we have made significant commitments to our Nation's students and families by putting resources in the hands of those who need them most. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act, as passed and signed by the President, does more to help Americans pay for college than any effort since the GI Bill, at no new cost to taxpayers. Specifically, the legislation provided a landmark investment of $20 billion in additional funding for Pell Grants, reductions in the interest rate on student loans, and the creation of programs to help students manage debt, as well as encourage individuals to pursue public service. Providing this critical funding is a large part of our efforts to increase access and affordability to higher education. Our work on reforming and strengthening higher education is not finished for this Congress. I look forward to working with Chairman Miller and the rest of the Education and Labor Committee on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which we are set to mark up in committee tomorrow. The technical amendments contained in this bill include: ensuring that the mandatory Pell funding is available for the full award year, which is the current fiscal year and the following fiscal year, to match the availability of discretionary Pell funding. It clarifies the definition of untaxed income and benefits to ensure that it does not include those items in the calculations that were removed from the list under the College Cost Reduction Act. It clarifies that students who were in foster care anytime after age 13 are independent for purposes of calculating eligibility for Federal student aid. It clarifies that married borrowers' income-based repayment payments shall be determined solely on the individual borrower's loan information and the individual's income without considering spouse's income or any loan debt they may have if the married borrower files taxes separately. It ensures that members of the National Guard who are serving full- time are considered active duty for purposes of student loan deferment benefits. It conforms language in the TEACH grant program to ensure appropriate implementation. And it moves the funds provided to HBCUs and MSIs to title III of the Higher Education Act. Mr. Speaker, swift passage of H.R. 4153 will ensure that students and families will fully benefit from the program's funding and intent provided in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. I urge my colleagues to support this provision. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I also thank her for her leadership on this very important bill. Mr. Speaker, a congressional override of this Presidential veto is absolutely imperative to ensure the safety and viability of our Nation's water infrastructure. For the President to veto this legislation under the guise of fiscal responsibility is hypocritical at best. The tab for the President's endless war in Iraq is now in excess of $600 billion and counting. Just the interest on the amount we have borrowed to fund the war is $25 billion per year, an amount that exceeds the authorized level of this legislation. This veto is a stark reminder that the hundreds of billions of dollars spent on the war in Iraq has been at the expense of pressing priorities here at home. In the 5 years since the war began, over $45 billion has been spent on restoring the infrastructure in Iraq. This is double the $23 billion price tag a bipartisan majority of Congress seeks now to address a 7- year backlog of much-needed projects. When it comes to domestic priorities, the President has decided against investing in America. He has vetoed expanding health care for children, he has vetoed research for life-threatening diseases, he has vetoed benchmarks for Iraq, and has threatened vetoes on investments ranging from education to law enforcement. Are these vetoes the priorities of America, or are they the misplaced priorities of an administration hopelessly out of step with the American people? Mr. Speaker, the Water Resources Development Act benefits all Americans and their families who use and enjoy our Nation's waterways. My district benefits from the good work that the Army Corps of Engineers does for coastal communities by helping small towns deal with multiple concerns ranging from erosion to longstanding environmental challenges. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1495 will go a long way towards supplying the Corps with the resources it needs to protect coastal communities by modernizing project planning and approval. We simply cannot afford to let another year go by without passing this legislation. I urge my colleagues to override the President's veto.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. I thank my colleague from New York for yielding. On behalf of my colleagues of New York's congressional delegation, and as one who represents families of the first responders and victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks, I'm proud to rise as the sponsor of the House companion to this important legislation. I also wish to thank my 11 cosponsors and the distinguished chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Conyers, as well as the Democratic leadership for expediting the consideration of this bill. The Procedural Fairness for September 11 Victims Act of 2007, as its title implies, ensures fairness for the victims of the terrorist attacks by correcting a shortcoming in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and by reversing an unintended consequence of the bill that established the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. Although I was not yet in Congress, many of my colleagues who were here at that time will recall when this body passed the bill creating the compensation fund in 2001. Shortly thereafter, the Justice Department administered how the fund could allow victims of the terrorist attacks or their families to apply for financial assistance following the loss of loved ones who perished on that tragic day. The Justice Department also designated the Southern District of New York as the only court in which 9/11 claims could be litigated if victims and their families chose to opt out of the fund. As a result of this designation and a flaw in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, families of the victims, as well as the defendants in the 9/11 cases, cannot gain access to testimony or documents from witnesses who did not live within 100 miles of the Southern District of New York. But there's really no logical reason why victims and their families should be prevented from securing documents and witnesses just because they happen to be more than 100 miles outside the Southern District. It is obvious that many of the victims aboard the four airliners that crashed and those who were killed inside the World Trade Center and at the Pentagon, as well as those who witnessed these horrific events, resided well outside of this 100-mile radius of the Southern District of New York. And it should be assumed that many of the families of the victims who are involved in the 9/11 claims, or those who will seek compensation at a later date, as well as the witnesses, still live in the same locations across the country. Therefore, geography simply should have no role in how they seek compensation. In response to this problem, this bill amends the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act to provide for nationwide subpoena power to all parties involved, victims, their families and the defendants, when litigating 9/11 claims. Simply put, this bill establishes a full measure of justice by allowing subpoenas to be served anywhere in the country, ensuring that all the parties involved in the 9/11 suits can gain all of the information necessary to try these cases fully and fairly. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle can agree that justice requires that all the parties to cases arising under the Victims Compensation Fund have access to all the testimony and documents relevant to their claims, regardless of where the witnesses or documents are located in the United States. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the Procedural Fairness for September 11 Victims Act of 2007. Once again, I want to thank the Judiciary Committee for reporting this measure to the floor so promptly, and I thank the leadership for moving it.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, it is with honor and with a profound sadness that I rise to recognize Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy of the United States Navy, who last week was posthumously awarded our Nation's highest award for valor: the Medal of Honor. Among my greatest privileges was attending last week's ceremonial presentations of the Medal of Honor to his family at the White House and the Navy Memorial. Known fondly as ``Murph,'' Michael was born on May 7, 1976, in Smithtown, New York, and grew up in Patchogue, in my district on eastern Long Island. He was raised by a family of policemen, lifeguards, firemen, and teachers who instilled values reflecting that public service is a noble calling. In high school, Lieutenant Murphy life-guarded at the Brookhaven town beach in Lake Ronkonkoma, a job he returned to each summer through his college years. He graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 1994. Lieutenant Murphy attended Penn State University, where he was an exceptional all-around athlete and student. He excelled at ice hockey, graduated with honors, and was accepted to several law schools, but instead wanted to serve his country as part of the world's most elite fighting force: the U.S. Navy SEALs. Slightly built at 5 feet, 10 inches, he attended SEAL mentoring sessions at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and was accepted to the Navy Officer Candidate School in 2000. Lieutenant Murphy was commissioned as an ensign and after 6 months completed Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training in 2001. He then attended Army Jump School, SEAL Qualification Training, SEAL Delivery Vehicle School, and earned his SEAL Trident by 2002. Lieutenant Murphy was later deployed to Qatar and to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2005, Lieutenant Murphy was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE as assistant officer in charge of ALFA Platoon and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Madam Speaker, the Congressional Medal of Honor commemorates Lieutenant Murphy's actions as the officer in charge of a four-man SEAL unit in support of Operation Red Wing, tasked with finding a key Taliban commander in the mountainous terrain of northeastern Afghanistan. On June 28, 2005, shortly after inserting into the objective area, the SEALs were spotted by three goat herders who were initially detained and then released. It is believed they reported the SEALs' presence to Taliban fighters. A fierce gun battle ensued on the steep face of the mountain between the SEALs and a much larger enemy force. Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself, Lieutenant Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his teammates. He had moved into the open where he could gain a better position to transmit a call for help. This deliberate and heroic act deprived him of cover and made him a target for the enemy. While continuing to be fired upon, he made contact with Bagram Air Base to request assistance. He calmly reported his unit's location and the size of the enemy force while requesting support for his team. He was shot in the back, causing him to drop the transmitter. He picked it back up, completed the call, and continued firing at the enemy closing in. Severely wounded, he returned to his men and continued the battle. In response to Lieutenant Murphy's call, an MH-47 Chinook helicopter, with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers aboard, was sent. As the Chinook drew near, a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter, causing it to crash, killing all 16 men aboard. On the ground and nearly out of ammunition, the four SEALs continued to fight. After 2 hours Lieutenant Murphy, Matthew Axelson, and Daniel Dietz had fallen. Over 30 Taliban were also killed. The fourth SEAL, Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell, was knocked unconscious and over a ridge by the blast of a rocket-propelled grenade. Though severely wounded, he evaded the enemy for nearly a day and was rescued by local nationals who cared for him until U.S. forces arrived for him 3 days later. Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy was buried at Calverton National Cemetery, less than 20 miles from his hometown. His other awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, and National Defense Service Medal. Throughout his life, he was known for his unwavering loyalty and an instinctive responsibility to help others. With unwavering courage in the face of certain death, he gave his life for his country and teammates, reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the Navy's highest traditions. Madam Speaker, our Nation is blessed to have a military full of great Americans like Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy who are serving with great distinction. He epitomized the selfless devotion to duty our young men and women have demonstrated time and again in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hostile regions. My heart goes out to the Murphy family and the people of Patchogue, New York, for they have lost one of America's very finest.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize Dr. Merlon Wiggin, an accomplished and exemplary resident of the first district of New York. Dr. Merlon Wiggin is a proud Long Island native and the founder of East End Lighthouses, Inc. a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. The organization's mission is to encourage the historic preservation and restoration of lighthouses, lightship, and lifesaving station artifacts throughout America. The East End branch, in particular, works to preserve and restore the offshore lighthouses of Southold Town. Dr. Wiggin is an authority on boating and maritime safety. A graduate of the University of Maine, with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Merlon's expertise and passion for the sea is what led him to initiate the conversion of the former Greenport Railroad Station into a maritime museum. He has authored numerous historical articles and booklets on local lighthouses and is on the writing staff of Long Island Boating World and Peconic Bay Shopper magazines. Among a long list of accomplishments, Dr. Wiggin has served as Director of engineering at Presque Isle Air Force Base and chief of engineering at Plum Island Animal Disease Research Center. He also worked with NASA on its ``Moon Lab'' during the Apollo space missions. Dr. Wiggin is currently the president of ``Peconic Associates'', a local maritime consulting firm, and ``Isocon Ltd'', an internationally recognized research laboratory and biological containment consulting firm. In his free time, Merlon is an avid sailor and is known to race his 30 foot sloop, ``Albion'' on local waters. He and his wife Isabelle reside in East Marion, NY. On behalf of a grateful community, I thank Dr. Merlon Wiggin for his many enduring contributions to Long Island, New York, and this great Nation. I wish him and his family the absolute best for the years to come.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I was speaking at the U.S. Navy Memorial ceremony in honor of my constituent, Lt. Michael Murphy, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor this week and I was not present in the House chamber to vote on rollcall 994.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of nine of my colleagues to introduce the Procedural Fairness for September 11th Victims Act. This bipartisan legislation is an identical companion to a bill introduced by Senator Biden and passed by the Senate earlier this month. We offer this legislation in response to a shortcoming in the Federal rules of civil procedure that has the unintended consequence of restricting witnesses from appearing in civil lawsuits involving September 11th claims. Six years ago, Americans came together to support one another in a time of national crisis. The attacks on September 11, 2001 affected all of us, in all walks of life and in every State across the country. However, for those who were injured or lost loved ones on September 11th, geography is playing a major role in their ability to seek compensation. Shortly after September 11th, Congress mandated that victims and their families who opted out of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund and chose to pursue civil suits could only do so in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. According to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, parties can only subpoena testimony and documents within 100 miles of that district. As a result, many victims and their families cannot bring the witnesses or documents they need for their cases. In response, the Procedural Fairness for September 11th Victims Act will amend the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act to provide for nation-wide subpoena power to all parties involved-- victims, their families and the defendants--when litigating 9/11 claims. Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues agree that justice requires that the parties to cases arising under the Victims Compensation Fund have access to all the testimony and documents relevant to their claims, regardless of where in the U.S. the witnesses or documents are located. Therefore, I encourage my colleagues to cosponsor the Procedural Fairness for September 11th Victims Act and call upon the leadership to move this legislation as soon as possible.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support and as a proud cosponsor of this resolution, recognizing the importance of the Federal Government's continued support for research into the rare bone marrow failure disorder for which there is no known cure known as Diamond-Blackfan anemia. I am very proud to represent Manny and Maria Arturi of Remsenberg, NY, located in my district. After the loss of their daughter Daniela Maria nearly 12 years ago, the foundation they created and that bears her name continues making great strides toward the ultimate goal of finding a cure. When a tragic disorder like this strikes infants within the first year of their lives, it is all the more important for Congress to go on record voicing our unwavering support to raise awareness and broaden support for funding rare disease research. Accordingly, this resolution demonstrates we support giving experienced doctors the resources for the most complete care for those patients. And by encouraging the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control to coordinate a multidisciplinary approach toward a cure, this legislation brings hope that other parents will be spared from the kind of devastation felt by the Arturis once they learned of their child's diagnosis. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution as well as other measures that will ultimately bring about a cure for Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3648, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. I am proud to be a cosponsor of similar legislation that also gives a much-deserved break to homeowners and their families facing enormous tax liability made more painful by the housing crisis. Nearly 3,000 homeowners in Suffolk County, New York in my district are facing foreclosure. One out of every 180 families in my district will join 2.2 million families nationwide whose subprime loans have already failed or will end in foreclosure. Adding insult to injury, most of them have to pay a tax when a lender forgives some part of their mortgage. The IRS treats that forgiven debt as income, and can even add interest and penalties. To be relieved of debt at one moment, but then to be charged shortly thereafter with a huge tax bill is a tremendous shock and burden. We can all agree that middle class families who lose their homes should be spared any further penalty by the IRS. Mr. Speaker, losing your home is bad enough. The last thing any family in today's housing market needs is for the IRS to make their struggle more of an uphill climb. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3648 and commend the leadership for expediting its consideration by the House today.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker I rise to introduce a bill that would designate a permanent location in Washington, DC, for a memorial known as Dark Elegy, dedicated to all victims of terrorism. Pursuant to the Commemorative Works Act, my legislation authorizes Dark Elegy as a commemorative work, making it eligible to be located in the Washington, DC, area on land owned by the National Park Service or Government Services Agency. Dark Elegy is currently located in Montauk, New York--in my home district of eastern Long Island--and has been exhibited around the Northeast for the past 16 years. The memorial was created by one of my constituents, the artist Suse Lowenstein, and consists of larger-than- life sculptures depicting the reaction of 76 mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, and relatives as they responded with shock and grief upon learning of the death of their loved ones after the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Mrs. Lowenstein's son, Alexander, was one of 35 Syracuse University students aboard that flight. Sadly, the creation of Dark Elegy spanned a growing number of terrorist attacks around the world. It is a striking and solemn coincidence that this work of art was dedicated on September 11, 1991-- exactly one decade before the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. If you are not familiar with Dark Elegy, I ask you to view ``Remembering the Moment,'' which will tell you more about the legacy of Dark Elegy than any written statement could ever convey and can be accessed at the following website: www.darkelegy103.com. Dark Elegy was created to remind the world of the devastation that terrorism leaves in its wake. It will serve as a lasting testament to the victims of terrorism worldwide in the unending struggle to eradicate this menace from the globe. In addition, it is intended to stand as a beacon for all peace-loving people throughout the world to unite. Madam Speaker, it is my goal to help find a permanent home for Dark Elegy that can be visited by as many people from as many nations as possible. From its current display in my district, this memorial has assumed a unique role in both healing and remembrance for many individuals and families. It has been visited by families affected by terrorism including families of the victims of the September 11th attacks and by families of murdered children whose loss, while not terrorism-related, was equally painful. It is through their voices that the Lowensteins repeatedly heard, and continue to hear, the expressed belief that Dark Elegy should be placed somewhere prominent where people from all over the world can visit and experience it themselves. It is important to note that establishing this memorial would not cost taxpayers any additional public funds. Once a permanent location is found, the artist and her family will donate the memorial to the public. Also, the artist and her family will personally finance the casting of each figure in bronze assuring the longevity of the sculptures that make up the memorial. It is their strong belief that this is an appropriate use of the money paid to them from the Libyan Government following the Pan Am 103 tragedy in 1988. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in cosponsoring this legislation, and I call upon the committees of jurisdiction and our leadership to consider it pursuant to the Commemorative Works Act and related legislation in order to secure a permanent location for this worthy and poignant memorial to all victims of terrorism.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2693, the Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act. Millions of Americans enjoy the convenience of microwave popcorn. However, few are aware that those bags of popcorn may contain diacetyl, an artificial butter flavoring and a deadly chemical when inhaled in high levels. You earlier heard about Eric Peoples from Chairman Woolsey who worked at the Jasper Popcorn Company. Mr. Peoples has the debilitating disease of popcorn lung and as a result has only 24 percent of his lung capacity. Everyday activities are no longer possible for him. Another worker at the Jasper Popcorn Plant, Linda Redman, started working at the plant in 1995. Within 2 years, her breathing was so impaired that she had to quit. I believe that Eric and Linda's pain may have been prevented if OSHA had acted to issue a standard to limit workers' exposure to diacetyl. OSHA has still failed to issue a standard, even though it was some 7 years ago that it was determined that worker illnesses were related to the chemical diacetyl. H.R. 2693 is a simple bill. It requires OSHA to issue an emergency interim standard within 90 days to protect workers at popcorn and flavoring manufacturing plants to minimize diacetyl, and it requires OSHA to then issue a final standard within 2 years. An emergency standard will help protect the thousands of workers who come into contact with diacetyl every day. The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, the leading industry association for the flavoring industry, recommended similar actions as far back as 2004. The simple and sad truth is that OSHA has failed to do its job, and thus in this case Congress must act to protect workers. These workers deserve a safe workplace. As Eric Peoples said, ``I played by the rules. I worked to support my family. This unregulated industry virtually destroyed my life. Please don't let it destroy the lives of others.'' So I ask Members to join me in promising that we won't stand by and let this industry destroy the lives of others. Let's pass H.R. 2693.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight as a proud cosponsor of the Foreclosure Tax Relief Act. I commend its cosponsor, my colleague from Ohio, Mr. Space, as well as the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Rangel, for agreeing to take up legislation that would give a tax break to middle-class homeowners who have been caught up in the subprime mortgage fallout. Nearly 3,000 homeowners in Suffolk County, New York alone, that's one out of every 180 homes in my district, have joined 2.2 million families nationwide whose subprime loans have already failed or will end in foreclosure. Adding insult to injury, they face massive tax bills once any portion of their mortgage is cancelled. The IRS treats that forgiven debt as income and can even tack on interest and penalties. In response to this unfair phantom tax, the Foreclosure Tax Relief Act would set the tax exclusion for middle-class families up to $50,000 in forgiven debt on first mortgages and primary residences. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support foreclosure tax relief legislation.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Chairman, let me start by thanking both Chairman Frank and Chairwoman Waters and their staffs for working with us on this amendment. Very simply, my amendment would make it easier for those who owned fixed-foundation homes on leased land to receive a reverse mortgage. Current law allows seniors who own fixed-foundation homes on leased land to receive a reverse mortgage only if the lease is for a term of not less than 99 years or if the lease is for a period of not less than 10 years beyond the maturity of the mortgage. While this language covers some seniors, many elderly Americans who own a permanent- foundation home in a senior community where the land is leased are not covered by either of these two categories of leases. My amendment would remove the provision in the bill that allows for a reverse mortgage if the lease term is for 10 years beyond the maturity of the mortgage and replace it with language that both clarifies and expands eligibility. Specifically, my amendment would broaden eligibility to seniors who have a lease term that ends no earlier than a minimum number of years beyond their actuarial life expectancy. This amendment is a commonsense solution to a problem that affects many seniors, both in my district and across the country; and I urge its adoption. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. I would have no objection. In fact, I would welcome it.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 300th anniversary of one of the most beloved and historic villages in the First Congressional District of New York, the Village of Sag Harbor. Sag Harbor is a village of two square miles, settled in 1707 and rich in American history; from its early Algonquin Indian inhabitants to historical Revolutionary War battles which took place on the land. Sag Harbor is further distinguished by being the first official port of entry in the State of New York. It was officially established as a state port of entry in 1789 by the First Congress of the United States and approved by President George Washington, just one day before New York City. The area grew in those early days as a result of its thriving whaling industry. Local men, together with foreign whalers, brought culture and customs from distant lands to Sag Harbor. During this time period Sag Harbor became a truly international port town, where diverse cultures came together. Sag Harbor was even prominently mentioned in Herman Melville's novel Moby Dick. Today finds the village of Sag Harbor split between the Long Island towns of Southampton and East Hampton. With a population of about 2,300 friendly residents, bustling main streets and beautifully scenic areas, Sag Harbor Village has become a premier tourist destination in the United States. It is with great pleasure and pride that I rise to recognize the unique contributions of the Village of Sag Harbor, and to commemorate its 300th Anniversary.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, it is difficult for me to summarize in 1 minute the attributes of this first-rate conference report, but let me just say this: For a period of time before I came to the Congress, I was the senior administrator in a college. I had a very simple rule when I was faced with a decision. That rule was: Is the decision I'm about to make in the best interest of students, will it help students? And by that measure, the answer to this question is an emphatic ``yes.'' We should be supporting the rule. We should be supporting the underlying legislation. This legislation helps students realize their dreams, and that's what this Congress should be about. This is about student aspiration, and this is about the Congress providing the resources to see to it that students can get their slice of the American Dream. And by increasing the Pell Grant maximum, by reducing the rate that students will have to pay when they borrow, and by streamlining the needs analysis system so that students have a more realistic measure of their ability to pay, we will increase access, we will enhance affordability. We should support this rule and support this conference report.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and I thank him for his leadership on this very important piece of legislation. It is imperative that we go to conference on this bill and that we pass the College Cost Reduction Act. It provides us with an unprecedented opportunity to help students afford college and to do so at no new cost to the taxpayer. Let me emphasize that point: At no new cost to the taxpayer. We just heard this bill described, I believe, as containing unprecedented new spending, and I think it is important to point out that it is not new spending, it is redirected spending. With this bill, the Congress is making a choice that we think it is important to take Federal resources, scarce Federal resources, and devote them to assisting needy students in meeting the cost of attending college, and it is more important to do that than it is to see to it that the student loan providers maintain what are already very healthy profit margins. I think that is a choice that the American people would support us in making, and it is certainly a reasonable choice. If you were to look at today's front page article in the New York Times, an article that talks about how colleges are not raising tuition but they are raising fees, it underscores one of the central realities of higher education today, and that is, as public support for higher education is reduced, the burden falls on students and their families to make up the difference. We now have an opportunity to assist students and families with making up that difference. This bill significantly increases the Pell Grant maximum, something, by the way, that the President has spoken quite favorably of doing. He has been promising an increase in the Pell Grant maximum since the campaign of 2000. It was not until the Congress acted with the continuing resolution for fiscal year 2007 that that increase became a reality for the first time. And now with this bill, we will dramatically increase the Pell Grant maximum to offset increases in tuition, increases in fees, and declining public support for education in other areas. It also cuts student loan interest rates, which is very important. It is a point that continues to be missed by our friends on the other side. Access and affordability isn't just about the cost of attendance when the student is undertaking the cost; it is about looking at their future obligations. What this bill does is it enables students to make clear decisions about what they can afford and what they can't afford and have an expectation of what their future obligations are that is much more reasonable. This is an investment. This is the kind of investment that we need to keep this Nation strong, to keep this Nation safe, to keep this Nation competitive. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I thank again the chairman for his leadership.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica, as well as Subcommittee Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Baker and the committee staffs for their hard work and leadership on this important legislation--the first water improvement and conservation package in seven years. Following several earlier impasses, I want to take this opportunity to commend the spirit of bipartisan and bicameral compromise on this important measure. This bill benefits all Americans and their families who use and enjoy our Nation's waterways, public beaches--including over 300 miles of coastline along my district--and for U.S. businesses that depend on healthy and viable waterways throughout the country. My district benefits from the good work that the Army Corps of Engineers does for coastal communities by helping small towns deal with multiple concerns ranging from erosion to longstanding environmental challenges. WRDA will allow the Corps to continue work on several projects on eastern Long Island that will protect the TWA Flight 800 Memorial, restore the quality of the Long Island Sound watershed, protect the famous Montauk Lighthouse, and continue environmental monitoring of the Atlantic coast of Long Island. In addition, H.R. 1495 will go a long way toward supplying the Corps with all the resources it needs to protect coastal communities and vacationers by modernizing project planning and approval. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and ranking member again for their hard work on this issue, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure that we get a WRDA bill to the President as soon as we can. We simply cannot afford to let another year go by without passing this legislation.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report and commend the leadership as well as my colleagues involved in negotiating this landmark agreement. Referring to the House of Representatives, Alexander Hamilton once said, ``Here, sir, the people govern.'' Today, that quotation no longer rings hollow. The people are once again in charge of the people's House with this legislation. We followed through with our campaign promise by restoring integrity, transparency, and accountability in the way we do the people's business. Members of Congress, lobbyists, and special interests will share the responsibility to disclose information that sheds light on how the influence of money in politics shapes the outcome of legislation. In particular, I am proud to support transparency in reporting ``bundled'' campaign contributions, as championed by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen), of whose legislation I am an original cosponsor. This agreement will help avert corruption and back-room dealmaking that undermines this institution and the faith our constituents have in the way we do business. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this conference agreement.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, HR 2831. Although women have made great strides towards income equality in the workplace, a gap still exists. According to the Census Bureau, women continue to make 77 cents to every dollar that their male counterparts earn. No one knows this fact better than Lilly Ledbetter. She worked hard at a Goodyear tire plant for 19 years. Initially, Ms. Ledbetter was paid the same as her male colleagues but over time her salary did not continue to rise at the same rate as male colleagues. However, like many employees, she was unaware of the discrepancy for years. By the time she discovered it, the Supreme Court said she was too late to receive justice, a finding that overturns 30 years of established case law. The Supreme Court held, that the plaintiff must file suit within 180 days of the initial so called discrimination. This may seem like a reasonable amount of time, but for wage discrimination cases, this is often not feasible. Many employers forbid workers from discussing their salaries and employees are often not even aware that they have been discriminated against until after they leave their job. This finding stands in stark contrast with 30 years of case law, which has found that the 180 day ``clock'' starts anew with each discriminatory paycheck. This bill codifies by starting the clock for filing a discrimination charge starts when a discriminatory pay decision or practice is adopted, when a person becomes subject to the pay decision or practice, or when employees affected by the pay decision or practice, including whenever receive a discriminatory paycheck. During her testimony in June at an Education and Labor Committee hearing, Lilly Ledbetter said: What happened to me is not only an insult to my dignity, but it had real consequences for my ability to care for my family. Every paycheck I received, I got less than what I was entitled to under the law. Sadly, Ms. Ledbetter's case is not unique, in fact from 2001-2006, some 40,000 wage discrimination cases were filed from workers, much like Lilly Ledbetter. This bill will finally give workers the ``what they are entitled to under the law''. I thank Chairman Miller and my colleagues for bringing this legislation to the floor so quickly.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 9/11 Conference Report, which will go a long way toward protecting this Nation from the ever-present threat of terrorism and safeguarding our families from future attacks. The 9/11 Commission gave us a nonpartisan blueprint for how to wage and win the global war on terrorism. This conference report helps us meet the unresolved challenges we have faced over the past 3 years since the commission issued its recommendations by expanding cargo screening at our ports, making air travel safer, and taking many other important steps to protect America from terrorism. I am proud to represent many of the brave first responders who answered the call on September 11, 2001. I believe that this conference report honors the memory of the victims and rescue personnel who fell on that tragic day. Mr. Speaker, I also firmly believe this legislation represents the single most important measure we can take to prevent future terrorist attacks. I commend the leadership and all of my colleagues who helped negotiate this agreement. Our Nation will be safer from terrorism as will future generations of Americans.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the H.R. 2929, which I voted for, and which overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives. This common-sense legislation limits the use of funds to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq or to exercise United States economic control over the oil resources of Iraq. In December 2006, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group released its recommendations for U.S. policy in Iraq. Included in those recommendations were two important provisions--the first advises the President against seeking permanent military bases in Iraq and the second encourages the Iraqi Government to take control of their own oil resources. Accordingly, H.R. 2929 solidifies those recommendations and sends a very clear message to the Iraqi people that the United States is not an occupying force. The perception that the United States plans to keep a permanent military presence in Iraq and use its oil resources has only fueled the insurgency and violence against our troops. That has been exacerbated by President Bush's recent comments that our military presence in Iraq could extend 50 years into the future. In response, this legislation puts Congress on record opposing any permanent bases or attempts to control Iraq's oil revenues and helps take the target off our troops' backs. Mr. Speaker, I oppose this war. I believe it is long past time to bring our troops home and end our involvement in this civil war. Although our withdrawal from Iraq will not happen tomorrow, this legislation is one way we can help put an end to our involvement today.