Marsha Blackburn

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Burton Grant and the Hope Clinic for Women. In March 1983, a group of concerned citizens in middle Tennessee sought to give the growing number of women who sought abortions another option to an unplanned pregnancy. Dr. Burton Grant, a well-respected radiation oncologist, led the group in providing a compassionate and viable alternative for women facing one of the most important decisions of their lives. Today the clinic has helped more than 19,000 women. In the past 2 years, Dr. Grant has enabled this haven of empathy and safety to become a licensed medical facility offering services such as obstetrical ultrasound and pregnancy and STD testing. The Hope Clinic is a fully fledged alternative to the abortion clinics. Without Dr. Grant's endorsement, his integrity and his impeccable reputation, this clinic would never have reached its full potential as a beacon of hope in the middle Tennessee community. As the Hope Clinic for Women celebrates its 20th anniversary, it is with deep appreciation that I honor Dr. Grant and his service to the Nation.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) mentioned Jesus Christ in this budget, and I kind of think Jesus Christ would have liked it. In our house we always had a saying, if 10 percent was good enough for God, 10 percent ought to be good enough for the budget; and this budget is going to save millions of Americans billions of dollars over the next 10 years because it puts in place a new, lower 10 percent rate, and that is a good thing when we leave money in the pockets of American taxpayers. Mr. Chairman, I rise to support this budget and am pleased that it includes funding for tax relief by the President. Implementation of the President's economic growth package would create thousands of jobs and reduce taxes for 1.7 million Tennessee taxpayers, many of who are family and small business owners. Indeed, it is important to note without enacting this package, an additional 1.4 million taxpayers will have to pay the alternative minimum tax. This tax was originally enacted in the 1960s to preserve fairness in the code; but over the last 10 years, this tax has started to affect many middle-class families. Over the next 10 years, these families would have to pay more than $37 billion in extra taxes. I am sure they will not think that is fair, and I am sure they will not be happy with the other side of the aisle who are blocking reform because they do not think we can save even a penny on a dollar of waste, fraud, and abuse in this budget. The President's growth package raises the exemption level of the AMT to save these taxpayers from these additional costs. Mr. Chairman, I know this House wants to provide tax relief to the families of America, especially in this time of economic uncertainty.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 975 the Bankruptcy Reform legislation being considered. I have heard from credit unions and banks in Tennessee and their message is clear: bankruptcy is all too often used as a first resort, rather than as a last resort. This makes it increasing difficult for them to operate. In 1998, bankruptcy filings exceeded one million for the first time in our Nation's history. And in 2002 that number increased by 150 percent to 1.5 million. And the upward trend is expected to continue. H.R. 975 is a compassionate bill: People who seek bankruptcy because of job loss, medical problems, divorce or other personal problems--will be unaffected by this legislation. Those who have the means to repay their debts should do so. I'd like to thank the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee for his hard work in bringing this to the floor today and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a true Tennessee legend and a national treasure. Eddy Arnold is the most successful country music singer of the 20th century. His body of work, including 28 number one singles, spent more weeks at the top of the country music charts than any other artist in the field. This March, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville honored the Ambassador of Country Music for donating his personal effects and memorabilia. This selfless donation constituted the largest collection dedicated to a single individual ever received by the museum. The ``Tennessee Plowboy'' generously offered more than 2,000 photographs, 5,000 radio recordings, tuxedos, guitars, and his coveted Entertainer of the Year Award from 1967. In a brilliant career that spans 7 decades as a guitarist, songwriter and singer, Eddy Arnold has made immeasurable contributions to the popularity of country music with such hits as ``I Hold You in My Heart'' and, my favorite, ``Make the World Go Away.'' Now he has made an immeasurable contribution to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. For that, Tennesseans and, no doubt, country music fans across the country, are deeply grateful. Eddy Arnold, a living country music legend and my constituent, has enhanced his genre and the culture of America. I want to thank him for his dedication to the arts and for his invaluable gifts to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the HEALTH Act of 2003, because I know what runaway health costs and a broken health care system look like. In Tennessee we are battling to fix our own system, a statewide, nearly-universal health care service run by the government called Tenncare. H.R. 5 means doctors in your neighborhood, not 50, 100, or 500 miles away in a metropolitan area. H.R. 5 means lower insurance premiums for working families and for small businesses. This bill will not take away anyone's right to compensation. What it will do is prevent our community doctors, our community doctors from being targeted by profiteering lawyers. I encourage all of my colleagues to join in supporting the HEALTH Act of 2003.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support a pro-growth, pro-jobs plan. The President's tax proposal is critical to our Nation's economic health. Critics describe tax relief for working families, small businesses, and investors as a ``cost'' we cannot afford. Viewing this as a cost is shortsighted and simply bad economic theory. If we look at the reality of the President's proposal, the reality of what tax relief will do, we know that this plan will generate enough jobs and tax revenues to reduce the so-called costs by 56.8 percent. A key component of the President's plan for growth is dividend tax relief. If anyone doubts the need or wisdom of such a cut, I would refer them to a recent Washington Post commentary by Charles Schwab, who said he ``can't think of any other tax policy that would, at one stroke, be more beneficial to ordinary investors.'' He predicted immediate benefits, with a stock market rise of 10 to 15 percent. Debates about cost are simply missing the point. Mr. Speaker, it is clear this plan will assist in jump-starting our economy. I encourage all my colleagues to join in passing this important legislation.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the good doctor from Florida's legislation, H.R. 534, and against the Greenwood substitute. I also want to thank my chairman on the Committee on the Judiciary for moving the legislation through our committee and bringing it here today. I am very concerned by the language of the substitute and its ramifications. Leon Kass, the distinguished bioethicist, notes that under the Greenwood language, embryo production is explicitly licensed and treated like drug manufacturing. Furthermore, it would establish an unworkable system of embryos in labs all over the country and puts Federal law enforcement in charge of making sure that no egg is ever implanted in a woman's body. Our law enforcement officials simply cannot carry out the directive. The language of the base bill is narrowly tailored. Simply, the language ensures that women are not exploited so their eggs cannot be mass harvested as commodities for research purposes. And the language prohibits the creation of cloned human embryos for experimental research or productive purposes. I urge my colleagues to oppose the substitute and to support this important legislation.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the President's jobs and economic growth package because of the immediate benefits that it will provide for our small business owners. Under current law, businesses can only deduct a fraction of new investment expenses and are forced to wait years to deduct the full cost. The President's jobs and economic growth package will help reduce this anti-investment bias by immediately increasing the amount of investment that can be deducted from $25,000 to $75,000 per year. Increasing by 300 percent the amount that small businesses can invest in their company will have an immediate and positive impact on our Nation's economy. This package is projected to return an average of $2,042 to over 23 million small business owners this year. This legislation will help increase the bottom line, and I hope my colleagues will support it when it comes before the House.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, February is American Heart Month, which attempts to educate people on the dangers of heart disease and other heart related medical problems. It is in recognition of this important issue and the way in which it affects women that I come to the floor to speak today. One in two American women will eventually die of heart disease or stroke. One in Two! This is compared with one in twenty-seven who will die of breast cancer. This is a stark and alarming fact that most women have not heard. For my state, that means that every year around 11,500 women in Tennessee die from causes brought on by Heart Disease. But there are things that women can do to decrease their risk. The first of these is to stop smoking, which is the single greatest risk factor for a heart attack in women. Check your cholesterol level and blood pressure, High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, causing it to enlarge and weaken over time. High blood pressure also increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive heart failure. In addition, try to get out and exercise. Even modest levels of low- intensity physical activity are beneficial if done regularly and long term. Making exercise a priority is hard for today's busy women, but the rewards are great. Obesity also puts women at risk for heart disease, even if other risk factors do not exist. This is because excess weight strains the heart and raises blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Even losing ten or more pounds will help lower your risk for heart disease as well as many other health problems. I urge women to get regularly scheduled check ups and to recognize the signs of heart disease. Take advantage of American Heart Month and visit a health fair in your community. These fairs provide an opportunity to have your cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure checked. In addition, you can get information from specialists on various health related issues such as fitness, heart healthy diets and much more. Whatever you do, please take the time to visit a health care specialist and find out how you can keep yourself and your family healthy and safe from heart disease.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

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

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler). I simply urge adoption of this measure.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 46) honoring the life of Al Hirschfeld and his legacy.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 46, introduced by my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), honors the life of legendary illustrator Al Hirschfeld. Madam Speaker, Al Hirschfeld passed away at his home in New York City on January 20 at the age of 99. During his remarkable career that spanned three-quarters of a century, Al Hirschfeld drew caricatures of giants of the performing arts world that appeared primarily in the New York Times, but also in a variety of books and periodicals. An A-list of museums and galleries feature his works, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the St. Louis Art Museum, which is in his hometown. His drawings, easily recognized by their distinctive flowing lines and the hidden word ``Nina,'' the name of his daughter that appeared in each of his works, turned generations of his own fans into connoisseurs of all art and theater. Indeed, in June of 1990, I had the opportunity to meet some of his family members to observe and admire his work firsthand and even to go on a search for some of those Ninas that were hidden in his caricatures when his exhibit was at the Tennessee Botanical Gardens and Fine Arts Center in Nashville. By passing this resolution, this House can express the sadness of the City of New York, and indeed all of America, from Al Hirschfeld's passing last month. Therefore, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 46. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, it is a pleasure to rise in support of H.R. 4 and the wonderful work that has been done in welfare reform over the past several years. Coming from a State legislative body and working on this issue in my State, I know how difficult it has been for us to get relief from some of the Federal rules, and I really commend our chairmen and those who have worked tirelessly to loosen those rules so that we can continue to pull more children from poverty and create environments where those children and their families can dream big dreams and have wonderful adventures in life. I also want to commend the chairman and the committee that has worked on this. What we are doing in the bill we have before us is to address the needs in alternative child care, making it easier for us to provide child care for second- and third-shift workers so that those moms and dads can go and work and be productive in their jobs knowing that their children have a safe environment.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our Fort Campbell family as they prepare to send America's best overseas. Fort Campbell has already suffered the loss of four very brave men who fought for our freedom. They were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mark Osteen, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Thomas Gibbons, Staff Sergeant Daniel Kisling, and Sergeant Gregory Frampton. They were killed during a training mission. It is my privilege to represent much of Fort Campbell and many of the brave men and women who call it home. As we speak, the 101st Airborne Division, America's famed Screaming Eagles, are gearing up for deployment. They will be taking our thoughts and prayers with them as they serve the forces that guard our country and protect our way of life. They have been ever vigilant and ever ready to defend this great Nation, our values, and our allies since World War II. We have asked them to make certain sacrifices to advance freedom in the past, and once again they stand ready and willing to risk themselves in our defense. I was very touched today as I read some of their thoughts as they planned for departure. ``This is the culmination of what we do,'' Sergeant Greg Weaver stated. ``This is our job.'' And from Private Jerokiah Darr, ``I don't know exactly what we're up against. All I know is we're the best-trained division in the Nation.'' And Specialist Eric Reason said, ``We've got the best Army in the world, and I'm confident in it.'' Mr. Speaker, Fort Campbell comprises much of my district. It is located in Montgomery County, Tennessee. It is an honor and a privilege to represent those men and women, and it is an honor for me to take time this evening to pause in our deliberations and to honor those men and women and the families of Fort Campbell.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, in almost 30 years of experience as a business, community, and political activist, Mary MacRae has given her best to virtually every endeavor and it shows. As a successful business owner and president of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Mary is an advisor to Members of Congress and a mentor to entrepreneurs everywhere. Few others can lay claim to as long a list of accomplishments as Mary. While at NAWBO, Mary helped found the Women's Resource Center, a source of training, counseling and technical assistance for start-up and existing women business owners in Tennessee. This single accomplishment has the potential to help thousands of women start and run a business. Mary exemplifies the value of public service and she does so with humility, grace, and plenty of hard work. Tennessee and America are better for her determination and her service to others.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning in support of the nomination of Miguel Estrada. If Miguel Estrada were considered for Federal bench on merits alone, we would not be still debating his qualifications. He would already be serving. Estrada was given the very highest recommendation by the American Bar Association, not what those who seek to tar and feather him would consider a right wing organization. While we prefer our Tennessee law schools, we do know that some consider Harvard to be a pretty good alternative. Mr. Estrada not only graduated from Harvard, but was the editor of the Law Review. Again, Harvard is not what Estrada's critics would consider a right wing organization. And in what can only be described as a stellar career, he went on to clerk for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who is also not considered by those on the left to be part of the right wing. I think my point is clear. Partisan politics are behind the attacks on his character and the delay in his nomination. With the country on alert for terrorist attacks, a potential conflict in Iraq, and effort on the way to enact economic stimulus, it is time to stand behind this extremely qualified candidate.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 19) recognizing the 92nd birthday of Ronald Reagan.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Joint Resolution 19, introduced by our distinguished colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), recognizes the 92nd birthday of President Ronald Reagan. Last Thursday, February 6, Ronald Reagan became the first President to reach the age of 92. This resolution honors the man whose very name represents an era, a leader who saw in America that shining city on a hill when we had lost our sense of national purpose. Reagan's legacy transcends the decade in which he served. He has become the standard bearer of expectations for modern-day Presidents. And as time passes, history is judging him well. Those who once doubted Reagan's vision have come to recognize his greatness. During two terms in office, Reagan bounced back from a would-be assassin's attack with humor and courage. In an all-too-familiar scene, he comforted a Nation coping with the loss of our Challenger 7, and he kept his promises. Reagan campaigned on tax relief, and he delivered tax relief. In the process, he fueled record growth and expansion. Reagan's accomplishments were not just on do the domestic front. At the Brandenburg Gate, he defied the diplomats and said what millions of Americans were thinking: ``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.'' Today, we know that Communist Russia was shaken to its core by this new type of a leader, one who was not afraid to stand tall for freedom. Now I hope this House will join all Americans in honoring President Reagan's 92nd birthday and, more importantly, his remarkable life. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Joint Resolution 19. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), the distinguished sponsor of this resolution.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for introducing this very worthwhile measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Beauprez).

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart).

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Chocola).