Timothy Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the observance of October 2005 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month provides an important opportunity to raise the level of awareness and education among American women about the importance of annual mammograms and monthly breast self-examinations in the fight against breast cancer. Like most American families, Long Islanders are all too familiar with the loss of a loved one to some form of cancer. Breast cancer in particular remains the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 40 and 55. My sister-in-law, Abby Irwin, was among them, having died at the age of only 41 after a courageous eleven-year struggle against breast cancer. This year alone, over 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. In fact, a woman is diagnosed with a new case every three minutes. And one out of every eight women who live to the age of 85 will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. However, there is good news: the survival rate of women who have breast cancer is 96 percent when detected in the early stages. I am very grateful that my mother, for instance, is a twenty-year survivor. She is one among two million survivors nationwide. By observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we can do even more to promote the effectiveness of life-saving mammograms and monthly breast self-exams as the keys to early detection and prevention. Furthermore, we can recognize and applaud national and community organizations for their work in promoting awareness about breast cancer, providing information, and offering treatment to its sufferers. In my Long Island, New York district, I am proud to have an active and involved Breast Cancer Advisory Board that includes leading researchers, advocates and support personnel as well as survivors. Mr. Speaker, I encourage each of my colleagues to join in paying tribute to the survivors, volunteers, and health care professionals who combat breast cancer and save lives each day. Until we find a cure, we should continue to do all that we can to increase research funding and expand prevention awareness for all women who are at risk today.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, too many American families have experienced the loss of a loved one or know someone close who has suffered from some form of cancer. Breast cancer in particular is the leading cause of death among between 40 and 55, including my sister-in- law Abby Irwin, who died at 41 after an 11-year struggle. Two hundred thousand new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year alone, including 1,100 in my district. The good news is the 96 percent survival rate when breast cancer is detected early. In fact, a study being published today in the New England Journal of Medicine found that mammograms contributed to a 65 percent drop in breast cancer deaths in the last decade. Back home on Long Island, I am proud to have an active breast cancer advisory board with leading researchers, advocates, and survivors. I found their insights and ideas to be invaluable assets. We should continue to do all that we can every day, not just during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to encourage the survivors, volunteers, and health care professionals to keep up the fight against breast cancer. Madam Speaker, by raising awareness, we bring ourselves that much closer to the promise of a cure.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to rise with the New York Congressional Delegation to recognize an American hero. Today I am introducing legislation to name a post office in my district--in Patchogue, New York--in honor of Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy. Lieutenant Murphy, U.S. Navy, was killed in Afghanistan when he and three other SEALs were ambushed by Taliban insurgents. Many of you may recall the reports during the week of June 27 about the heroic rescue attempt of Lt. Murphy's unit, when an Army MH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down by a rifle-propelled grenade in the Kunar province with 16 special operations troops aboard. Lt. Murphy was only 29 years old when he died. Already having achieved his dreams of attending Penn State University and becoming a Navy SEAL, he had deferred another dream of attending law school until his tour had ended. He was also engaged to be married upon his return in November. Lt. Murphy was universally admired and loved. His parents, teachers, and commanding officers all praise his intelligence, dedication and kindness. Perhaps the commanding officer of the Navy's SEAL Recruiting program who mentored Lt. Murphy and prepared him for SEAL training best summed up this young hero's essence when he said: He achieved something most of us don't have the courage to attempt . . . He was a very focused young man with a terrific attitude, quiet intensity and determination. After learning of his tragic loss, Lt. Murphy's father reflected on what the memory of his son left behind: We were just honored to have him as a son for 29 years. He's our herd, and I think he is everybody else's hero . . . He squeezed more life in 29 years than I will ever see.'' This past summer, my district lost a beloved friend and our nation lost one of its bravest sons to the War on Terror. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all Americans, I thank the House for honoring St. Murphy's service, valor and ultimate sacrifice for this Nation by renaming the post office located at 170 East Main Street in Patchogue, New York as the ``Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy Post Office.''

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Boucher) for their leadership in offering this substitute, and I am proud to join them. I rise in strong support of this substitute for two reasons. Unlike the underlying legislation, it contains a meaningful deterrent to price gouging, and it provides an effective strategy to expand refinery capacity. We can all agree there were some good provisions in the first energy bill, but Katrina exposed its shortcomings, as well as vulnerabilities that still exist in the energy market. We can also agree that the hurricane made it harder to meet the challenge of delivering relief to families struggling to pay their energy bills and that a rash of price gouging compounded this problem. Our substitute takes direct aim at these challenges by creating a strong deterrent to price gouging that keeps gas prices stable. The underlying bill sets an $11,000 fine for price gouging. That may sound like a lot to the average middle class family, but it is not much to the Exxon- Mobils of this world who earn record profits. In contrast, this substitute deters price gouging at every stage of production, not just the retail phase, but at all phases in the chain of supply, and this will strengthen those measures. Mr. Speaker, now is the time that we must stand up to profiteers by assuring hardworking American families that Congress is standing up for their interests, not the oil companies'. I urge my colleagues to support this substitute that protects American taxpayers and our national security.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. In its present form, yes.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago, the price of a gallon of gasoline in America was $1.94. The day before Hurricane Katrina struck, it was $2.61. This difference shows that exorbitant increases began even before Katrina wreaked havoc on our economy. The day after Katrina, prices jumped to $3.07. Today, our constituents are looking toward their elected representatives to rein in gas prices once and for all. Earlier this year, we passed up a golden opportunity to protect Americans from price gouging when we enacted the first energy bill. If we pass this energy bill in its current form, we pass up that opportunity a second time. Let us not make the same mistake twice. In that spirit, we offer this motion to recommit, which attacks soaring gas prices head on. Our motion achieves this objective by investing new authority in the FTC to investigate, enforce and then punish price gouging and market manipulation. Specifically, our motion prohibits the sale of crude oil, gasoline, natural gas or any other petroleum distillates at a price that is considered either unconscionably excessive or indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage of the circumstances to increase prices unreasonably. Any violation will result in new civil penalties, and will be enforced with up to triple the damages of the profits gained by the violation. Unlike the underlying bill, this motion has teeth by reining in scrupulous practices of the oil and gas executives, interested more in padding their bottom line than helping middle-class families make ends meet. I urge my colleagues to stand up to the oil companies and show hardworking Americans that we are in their corner. Now is the time we must act, to prove that their interests are paramount, not the oil companies'. Our price gouging provisions are superior to those of the underlying legislation, and our provisions are in effect at every stage of the oil and gas production, covering everyone in the supply chain. Let us put an end to price gouging once and for all. Do not let another opportunity go by without giving middle-class families the relief that they so desperately need and deserve. If you want to do the right thing for America here and now, vote for the motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Schwartz).

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, ``payback'' has more than one meaning for our troops. For dozens, perhaps hundreds, of their families, it referred to a glaring oversight by the Pentagon that led to grave disappointment, dismay and continuing frustration. Until the Pentagon finally issued regulations yesterday, 1 year after Congress imposed its deadlines, many troops and their families were not reimbursed for their body armor, combat helmets and protective gear. We ask our troops to risk life and limb to defend us, and yet, unconscionably, we made their families pick up the tab. With their lives on the line, our troops cannot afford to focus on the mission with distractions and worries about family debts incurred to help America's war effort. We have spent over $200 billion in taxpayer funds to carry out the war in Iraq. The first priority for this money should be supplying our troops with protective gear they need to survive combat. I commend the Senate for voting last night to shift control of this money directly to unit commanders in the field. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to measure up to the valor and sacrifices of our troops by expanding these rules to also cover rifle scopes, additional radios and more armor for Humvees before we approve another dime in yet another supplemental funding bill.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize a great American patriot and good friend, retiring Major General Thomas P. Maguire, for his extraordinary accomplishments throughout a distinguished career. As GEN Maguire steps down as New York's Adjutant General, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of New York and a grateful Nation to express our gratitude for his diligence and exceptional leadership through our State's most trying times. GEN Maguire assumed command of New York's National Guard in August 2001, just one month before the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and WorId Trade Center. Under his command, the National Guard was thrust into unprecedented responsibilities in contributing to and strengthening our homeland security. His leadership was a critical component of restoring the safety and way of life for New Yorkers after September 11th. It is for these reasons, and many others, that General Maguire should be recognized as a patriot and a great man. Tom graduated from Holy Cross College in 1969, just as I began my college career at the same school. He left with a Degree in History and as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program. In 1970, he earned his wings, beginning a long and distinguished career that included 250 combat flights during his tour of duty in Vietnam. His military decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters. Upon his return, GEN Maguire served as a flight instructor before joining the New York Air National Guard's 137th Tactical Air Support Squadron in 1974. In the years that followed, GEN Maguire excelled in various commands and as a forward air controller, brigade liaison officer, standardization officer, air operations officer, Deputy Commander for Operations and Vice Commander before assuming command of the 137th in 1994. He is also a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Under GEN Maguire's command, New York's National Guard has not only performed its military mission with excellence, but it has also been an integral part of our state's emergency response force and contributed to many international disaster relief missions. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all New Yorkers, I thank and congratulate Major General Maguire for his outstanding service and a highly distinguished career. We wish him and his family continued success and a bright future in the years ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bipartisan substitute and in unwavering opposition to the underlying Threatened and Endangered Species Act of 2005, which does not defend endangered species as it purports, but rather protects the special interests of private industry and landowners. I am concerned about the environmental and fiscal health of our great nation and the path chosen by many of America's leaders whose policies are painfully lacking in promoting conservation. Although Americans may debate the need to update the Endangered Species Act of 1973, TESRA is absolutely not the answer. In fact, TESRA is a step back, furthering the degradation of species and compounding man's conflict with the environment. What exactly is the urgency by which the majority has brought this issue at this time? America is still in mourning as we enter the early stages of rebuilding the Gulf Coast and fighting a war in Iraq and Afghanistan costing our nation hundreds upon hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars. Particularly egregious is that TESRA will cost nearly $3 billion in new spending in just the next 4 years, which will be used not to protect threatened and endangered species, but rather the interests of private landowners. Taxpayers should be outraged by the fiscal irresponsibility of this Congress. If we have $3 billion to give away, let's give it to families in need by renewing TANF or to expand rather than cut Pell grants so that students who wish to attend college can meet the financial demands. In my district, hardworking families are struggling to absorb the high costs of fuel into their budget while putting food on their tables and sending their children to college. Mr. Chairman, the narrow-vision and short-term policy decisions made by this Congress do not reflect middle-class values. At what point will a clean environment and healthy future for our children and grandchildren become a priority? The American public deserves a future that includes true protection of our endangered species and the development of fuel sources that are clean, renewable and promote conservation and energy independence. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to reject the underlying legislation to reform the ESA and support the bipartisan substitute.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, Ben Bernanke said: ``Every effort needs to be made to try and offset the cost of Katrina and Rita by reductions in other government programs.'' He suggested following through with eliminating or severely cutting 154 health care, education, and infrastructure priorities as proposed in the President's budget in order to meet his goal of cutting the deficit in half in 5 years. What would these cuts entail? A $4.3 billion cut from the Education Department's budget and $2 billion from the Health and Human Services budget, just to name a few. But what did Mr. Bernanke not suggest might help this President reach his deficit reduction goals? Any hint of rolling back tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans who earn over $400,000 or scaling back the estate tax cut which has no impact on 98 percent of American families? Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that we find ways to pay for the hurricane damage, but we cannot afford to hold sacred the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the values, priorities, or needs of middle-class Americans. They deserve better.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Natural Disaster Student Aid Fairness Act. Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita have caused destruction of monumental proportions. First and foremost, our priority should remain delivering food, water and other aid to those most in need. During this time of national crisis we should tap every available resource of the Federal Government to make sure that we are providing relief in every corner of the devastated Gulf Coast region. This relief extends to the colleges and universities that work so hard to provide our young people with the skills they need to succeed. This important legislation would allow the Secretary of Education to grant waivers to colleges and universities affected by these disasters that participate in Federal Campus-Based Aid programs such as SEOG and Federal Work-Study. This would waive the requirement that participating institutions of higher education provide matching Federal funds provided to the institution for these programs. I am pleased to see the speed at which legislation is being considered to help students in the affected regions and applaud the spirit of bipartisanship in addressing these important issues. I commend the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jindal) for introducing this legislation, and I thank the leadership for calling this legislation to the floor so quickly. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill in a difficult hour. I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote for it.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) requiring the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of waterfront facilities transferring liquefied gas, LNG, and proposed shipping routes for LNG tankers. I appreciate Mr. Markey's leadership and advocacy for the safety and welfare of Americans potentially affected by ``siting'' or expanding floating and shore- based LNG terminals. Importantly, the Markey amendment does not refute the need for more LNG terminals or a greater supply of natural gas. Rather, the amendment simply requires an assessment of whether terminals are safely located and sufficiently remote from city centers and highly populated areas. It also directs terminal owners and operators how to best mitigate risks. The Coast Guard is a firm pillar of our homeland security and national security defenses. It is therefore uniquely prepared to assess the risk of siting LNG terminals upon our Nation's waterways and shorelines. Well-versed in the safety and security needs of our local ports and harbors, we must build upon the Coast Guard's success as the trusted steward of our shores. Accordingly, Mr. Chairman, the Markey amendment gives the Coast Guard the right to challenge the safety of an LNG proposal during the siting or expansion process. To that end, I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote for the Markey amendment in order to give the Coast Guard the last word in terminal siting and thereby maximize Federal preparedness against possible accidents or terrorist attacks upon LNG terminals.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, as our nation continues to deliver relief to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, we pause to remember the victims of an earlier American tragedy on the fourth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. While grasping to comprehend the enormity of the natural disaster that has befallen the Gulf Coast region, Americans to this day still struggle to make sense of the terrorists' ruthlessness, their hatred of our core values of liberty, democracy and equality, as well as their capacity for the horrific atrocities they carried out against innocent men, women and children 4 years ago today. As we remember our loss on September 11th, we are also reminded of the strength of the human spirit when other crises arrived. Since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, we have witnessed a world united in action and sharing a common goal of helping those most in need in the aftermath of tragedy, including the tsunami in Southern Asia, the terrorist attacks in Spain and England, and now in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Our Nation continues to heal from September 11, 2001, but with firm resolve, we have moved forward to rebuild--never bowing to terrorist demands or allowing an unwelcome sense of vulnerability to permeate our lives. With even greater respect and admiration for our first responders, medical professionals and other heroes across our Nation, we honor their valor and sacrifices as they ease mankind's suffering and elevate humanity to new heights. On this day, Mr. Speaker, we will always remember and honor the Americans lost at the hands of terrorist attackers. This year, once again, we extend our deepest sympathies to their families, friends, and loved ones.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Pell Grant Hurricane and Disaster Relief Act. Hurricane Katrina created a disaster of monumental proportions. First and foremost, our priority should remain saving of lives and delivering aid immediately to those most in need. As long as this crisis continues, we should tap every available resource of the Federal Government to make sure that we are providing relief in every corner of the disaster zone. This relief extends to young Americans who work so very hard and, with the help of Federal assistance, were able to realize their dream of attending college. This crucial legislation would allow the Secretary to grant waivers to students who were forced from school by a natural disaster such as Katrina. This would waive the requirement for them to pay back Federal Pell grant aid when they withdraw from school. It is hard enough for them to get into college without this disaster throwing up yet another barrier to achieving the dream of a college education. I commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Keller) for introducing this legislation, and I thank the leadership for calling this legislation to the floor so quickly. And I also thank my colleagues on the Committee on Education and the Workforce for supporting this measure when we considered the Higher Education Act in July. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill in a difficult hour. I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote for it. I also would like to say a word about the bill that the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) are introducing today. It is every bit as important that we pass that bill in a timely fashion as it is that we pass the gentleman from Florida's (Mr. Keller) bill. It is particularly important that we allow families to adjust their expected family contribution. One of the problems with the financial aid system is that the information that is used to determine eligibility is often a year behind reality. That system works when reality does not change that much from year to year; but when it changes as dramatically as it has for so many people affected by this tragedy, it would place students in a thoroughly disadvantageous position if they were unable to change their financial contribution. So I urge speedy consideration and passage of that bill as well as of the gentleman from Florida's (Mr. Keller) bill.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 308, a bill supporting the goals of National Marina Day, and urging that marinas continue providing environmentally friendly gateways to boating. In my district on Eastern Long Island, business associated with local marinas is important to vacationers and residents alike. The tourism and fishing industries are two of the most important contributing elements of the local economy, and marinas help these economic engines create much needed revenue throughout Brookhaven and the five East End Towns. There are more than 12,000 marinas nationally that benefit local communities by providing safe and reliable gateways to boating. The marinas of the United States serve as stewards of the environment, and they actively protect the waterways that surround them for current and future enjoyment. The Marina Operators Association of America has designated August 13, 2005, as National Marina Day to increase awareness among citizens and elected officials about the many contributions that marinas make to communities, and it is important that Congress support this initiative. As vacationers throughout the country flock to the coasts for well- deserved vacations, it is important that we recognize the significance of marinas. I'd therefore echo the Marina Operator's support for National Marina Day and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today in support of H.R. 3200, the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005. As our brave men and women continue to put their lives on the line for our Nation, we owe each of them the peace of mind they were promised, and to make it easier for their families with the knowledge that they will be cared for in a catastrophe. Active duty personnel fulfill a critical mission in our fighting forces, and they should feel comfortable knowing that their loved ones will be provided for in the event of debilitating injury or death. I am pleased that we are expanding current benefits to adequately care for military families. The Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Act was passed to provide peace of mind for active duty personnel. However, since the creation of life insurance for those in the armed forces, benefits have not kept up with need, and it is now appropriate that we increase the maximum payments to families from $250,000 to $400,000. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are working to correct this problem by offering this bill, and by expanding benefits to our active duty forces and providing a safety net for military families who suffer the unthinkable loss of a loved one.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, this coming Saturday marks the ninth anniversary of an American tragedy, the loss of 230 souls aboard TWA Flight 800. Bound for Paris, France, flight 800 fell from the sky just south of Moriches, Long Island, only minutes after its departure from JFK International Airport. Many of us recall exactly where we were on that evening of July 17, 1996, an indelible memory of when we felt the tremendous shock, fright, and sadness upon learning all aboard Flight 800 had perished. But from great sorrow and hope new beginnings can rise. The overwhelming outpouring of support and good will after Flight 800 spoke volumes of America's compassion, resolve, and greatness. On this solemn occasion, we extend our thoughts and prayers to the families of the passengers aboard Flight 800. We will always remember the profound loss that each of them continues to live with in the long years since that terrible night 9 years ago. Mr. Speaker, may God bless every one of them.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to oppose this bill which would give a pass to employers who do not meet workplace safety conditions. We could have taken this opportunity to help hardworking Americans feel a little safer in the workplace, or we could have made today's priority giving some relief to middle-class families who are struggling to keep up with record-breaking gas prices, tuition increases, and health care costs. Instead, this administration has once again chosen in favor of the corporate sector and the special interests. Their reward in this bill comes at the expense of hardworking employees who depend on OSHA to keep an eye on their working conditions. But when former executives win appointments to regulate the same industries in which they used to work, sound science and smart public policy usually tack a back seat to political favoritism and ideology. This bill creates a new loophole around the 15-day deadline for contesting OSHA citations. It is yet one more corporate handout that could have been better spent on job training, reversing the tide of outsourcing, or raising the minimum wage. Meanwhile, hard-working Americans are increasingly faced with workplace conditions in which critically important safeguards are watered down, emerging problems are ignored, and enforcement is scaled back. If OSHA already has the authority to review missed deadlines on a case-by-case basis, why would we need a bill that changes this process in a one-sided way that could further disadvantage workers, encourage litigation, and undermine health and safety protections? Madam Speaker, I believe the Senate got it right last year when it declined to consider this or any of the other three proposed rollbacks of OSHA's responsibility to hard-working Americans. I encourage my colleagues to vote against all four of these bills.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a fallen hero from my district who gave his life for our Nation. Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, a U.S. Navy SEAL, age 29, was killed in action last week when he and three other SEALS were ambushed by terrorists during a reconnaissance mission in Afghanistan. Lieutenant Murphy was from Patchogue, a town on Long Island which will never forget the ultimate sacrifice of one of its favorite sons. A common thread ran through Lieutenant Murphy's life, his selfless and steadfast dedication to others. Growing up as a life guard, he watched out for local residents in the town of Brookhaven. After he graduated from Penn State, he chose his country first. He turned down acceptance to two law schools to pursue his dream of defending this country as a highly trained member of the special forces. But Lieutenant Murphy's dedication would not have stopped there. He planned on joining the FBI's counterterrorist unit after he left the Navy. Lieutenant Murphy died doing what he loved, as he once described military service to his father. It is fitting that he be awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his valor and sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers remain with Lieutenant Murphy's family and his fiance. We owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of providing sufficient funding for Amtrak so as to preserve Amtrak's incomparable service. It is a vital engine of America's economy, particularly for those of us living on the northeast corridor. As an Amtrak rider myself, I strongly support preserving this safe, reliable, and cost-effective way for America's commuters and families to travel throughout the country. This bill would deny them that option, an approach that flies in the face of common sense and even the President's stated goals of growing the economy. The events of September 11, 2001, proved America relies on rail, and Amtrak in particular. As planes sat grounded everywhere, goods, services, and people continued to move, thanks in large part to Amtrak. This bill says that when it comes to passenger rail, we have not learned enough from that day. Abandoning Amtrak would discard a system that we have never fully funded or given the chance to operate at full capacity. We rank a lowly 25th on the list of countries that provide commuter rail funds, behind countries like Estonia, Belgium, and Slovenia. Amtrak deserves better than that. We move 850,000 commuters a day on Amtrak, and they rely on it to get to and from work. Therefore, I urge all of my colleagues to preserve Amtrak as an affordable option for America's families well into the future.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, due to a personal conflict on Monday, June 27, I was not present in the chamber to cast my vote on rollcalls 322 and 323. Please indicate in the appropriate place in the Record that had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on both measures.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Chairman, today I rise to express my deep concerns about how this bill falls $1.6 billion short in funding our Nation's most critically important domestic priorities--particularly education. This bill is a stunning example of the impact that this Congress's misplaced priorities can have on what most consider to be a basic human right--access to a quality education. We have made a conscious choice: While we give away tax cuts worth $140,000 to millionaires, families earning $25,000 to $30,000 a year won't be able to afford sending their children to college this year. It's an unconscionable choice that defies our priorities and our values of standing up for middle class Americans. Before I was elected to Congress, I spent 30 years as a college administrator. In that time, I came to fully understand how difficult it is for students and their families to afford college. Every day, I worked with parents and their children--scraping up money, grants, scholarships, whatever we could find--to help them realize part of the American dream--the opportunity to earn a college education. But for the fourth straight year, Congress has short-changed students by cutting billions of dollars from the authorized level under law-- $13.2 billion short of what is authorized for FY 06 and over $40 billion short since its enactment in 2001. Another public law we have abandoned is the IDEA Improvement Act, which has been underfunded by nearly $4 billion since its enactment. For our Nation's 7 million disabled children, IDEA Part B grants alone fall short of the President's budget request by over $500 million. At a time when some of the Nation's poorest school districts are fighting to stay open, this bill cuts Title I funding for the neediest of our elementary and secondary schools by $500 million below the President's request. While in the past year alone, tuition has increased an average of 10.5 percent at 4-year public universities, this bill provides only a modest $50 increase in the maximum Pell grant--a full $1,000 short of what the President promised in 2001. And, ironically, at a time when this Administration and Republican Congress talk about morality and family values in public affairs, this bill cuts local public TV and radio funds for childrens' shows like Sesame Street and Reading Rainbow. My specific concerns about the higher education shortfalls stem from my belief that a quality education is integral to the success of Americans and the nation as a whole. As an increasing number of students graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary education and training, we must make the necessary investment to deliver accessible, affordable and excellent education to all Americans. Each year, millions of hardworking American students and their families struggle to cover the cost of attending college, even after exhausting all of the options available to them such as scholarships, student loans, Pell grants, and college work-study. The typical low-income student falls $3,800 short of college costs even after their family contribution, student loans, grants, and work have been accounted for. Today, an affluent student in the bottom percentile of their class is more likely to go to college than an economically disadvantaged student at the top of their class. With college enrollment expected to expand by 14 percent, to more than 15 million students over the next decade, now is the time that Congress must invest its resources towards helping students gain access to college. But under this bill, the percentage of college costs covered by the Pell Grant would drop to a new low of 32 percent. This is compared to thirty years ago when the Pell Grants paid for 72 percent of the cost for a 4-year public college. The lack of a significant increase in the Pell Grant comes at a time when changes to the tax allowance formula used to calculate the Department of Education's ``Expected Family Contribution'' eliminated Pell Grant awards for over 90,000 students, and reduced scholarships for an additional 1.3 million students. For the second year in a row, this bill also freezes funding for Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG) and College Work Study. This is the second year in a row that SEOG and Work-Study have received flat funding. With this bill, we have made a conscious choice--to provide more comfort for the comfortable at the expense of those who are trying to make a better life for themselves.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, the Labor-HHS appropriations bill we will continue debating later today is a stunning example of the impact that this Congress's misplaced priorities can have on what most consider to be a basic human right, access to a quality education. With this bill we have made a conscious choice. While we give away tax cuts worth $140,000 dollars a year to millionaires, families earning $30,000 a year will not be able to afford sending their children to college. It is an unconscionable choice that defies our values. The bill turns its back on priorities like No Child Left Behind and IDEA, which have been cut by $40 billion and $4 billion respectively, as well as College Work Study and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, which are frozen for the second year in a row. Before I was elected to Congress, I spent 30 years as a college administrator. I came to understand just how difficult it is for students and their families to afford college. Every day I worked with them to scrape up the money, grants, scholarships, whatever we could find to help them realize part of the American Dream, the opportunity to earn a college education. Mr. Speaker, with this bill we have made a conscious choice to provide more comfort for the comfortable at the expense of those who are trying to make a better life for themselves. Our students deserve better.