Ginny Brown-Waite

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I would like to yield 1 minute to my friend from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield 45 seconds to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentlewoman from Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, it is not just the border States that are affected by illegal immigrants who come into our country. They are not all coming here for jobs, folks, and I think we are very naive if we believe that. Some are coming here to form terrorist cells. And a fence may not be the perfect answer, but it is the answer that this Congress voted on last year.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, when I talk to my local sheriffs back home, one of whom actually burned out the battery on my cell phone, what they want to do is do what people expect them to do, and that is help the very overtaxed, no pun intended, ICE employees who are out there trying to apprehend the criminals, the criminal illegal aliens. In Florida, we were able to train 35 State and local law enforcement people under this program, under the 287(g) program. It is a good program, and, believe me, it is very much wanted by many local sheriffs, sheriffs who also get elected like we do and who get frustrated when ICE is unable to come to the jail with the frequency that they need to, who are frustrated because the citizens want illegals who have criminal records, they want them off the streets, off their lawns, and they want to once again be able to reclaim their communities, very often, from a lot of illegal activity. The 13 jurisdictions that use the 287(g) program are very happy with it. We need to adequately fund it, and I commend my colleague from Virginia for introducing this amendment. It is a good amendment and one that I think the American people certainly would want to have well- funded because of its efficacy. Again, I commend the gentlewoman.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 451, on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 473, my vote did not register. Only after they closed the vote, was I told of that fact.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 421, a resolution to honor the achievements of women in space exploration. In the 1960s, a courageous group of women challenged themselves, and the stereotypes of our Nation, to become the First Lady Astronaut Trainees. These women were all accomplished pilots with a dream to explore the unknown. Thirteen of these women--``the Mercury 13''--were chosen to be part of America's space team, breaking boundaries with their passion and determination. Though the program was discontinued before these women could actually fly in space, they paved the way for future female astronauts through their hard work and relentless efforts. Finally, NASA got the message and began recruiting women again, starting with the class of 1978 astronauts and culminating in the first American woman in space in 1983. Without the efforts of the Mercury 13, women with skills and interest in science and exploration would have had a much tougher time breaking through gender barriers. The Mercury 13 women saw roadblocks as challenges to overcome. I hope that all of the young women in my district and across America may be inspired to make change by their example. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in very strong support of the H-Prize bill that we have before us, H.R. 632. This legislation encourages the best of what this House can offer, and that is ingenuity and the genius of the American inventor. We have always known that when the American people in our free markets put our minds to a problem, there is no stopping them. When we faced the challenges of World War II, for the run-away inflation of the 1970s, American genius and the free market prevailed and delivered our solutions. Today's challenge is for us to reduce our dependence on foreign oil sources. Our goal is to create a free market diversified portfolio of energy sources, so that we are never again reliant on one single source for our energy needs. Whether with wind, solar, nuclear or biofuel, this Congress' goal should be to protect the environment with as little prejudice for or against alternative energy sources as possible. One might ask why? As we are already seeing with ethanol, we should never forget the law of unintended consequences. By forcing ethanol into our gas tanks, Congress has unfortunately raised the price of our gas and the price of feed for our livestock. Listen up, America. Our experience with ethanol should be a cautionary reminder of the burdens government regulation places on our economy and the everyday lives of American families. What is so brilliant about the H-Prize is that, unlike most of the programs coming out of Congress, this bill doesn't mandate a specific form of technology or add additional regulatory burden. Indeed, instead, the H-Prize encourages the inventor and the market to generate the ideas and solutions. Mr. Speaker, Republicans pretty much have been shut out of debate and denied amendments, but this bill was one of our ideas from the last Congress which I voted for then, and I certainly will vote for now. I commend you for moving a free market approach through to the floor so that the 110th Congress can also do the right thing.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Colonel Kathleen M. Spencer, a soldier who has served her country with honor and distinction. Colonel Spencer is retiring at the end of this month following 30 years in the United States military. First commissioned in the U.S. Air Force on June 23, 1977, Colonel Kathleen M. Spencer received her B.S., cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts. Upon her entry into the Air Force, she was commissioned a munitions officer. Colonel Spencer served honorably in 16 different assignments throughout the United States, including a 3-year stint in Germany. She will complete her military career as the Chief of Munitions at Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii. During her career, Colonel Spencer served as a munitions maintenance officer and supervisor, as a munitions staff officer and an instructor to Squadron Officer School. She has also held multiple commander positions, served as a military assistant to the Executive Secretary in the Pentagon, as a chief of logistics, and deputy director. Retiring with numerous decorations for her years of service, Colonel Spencer is especially proud of her Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, her Air Force Commendation medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. Madam Speaker, it is service members like Colonel Spencer who help make our military the finest fighting force in the world. This Congress congratulates Colonel Spencer on her retirement and wishes her the best in her future endeavors.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member and certainly the chairman of the Veterans Committee. I rise today in support of H.R. 612, the Returning Servicemember VA Health Care Insurance Act. This measure provides much needed expansion to the availability of VA health care to certain American soldiers returning from combat. Currently these individuals only have 2 years in which they can access medical services at the VA. Unfortunately, conditions associated with service in a combat theater can sometimes take longer to manifest themselves. In response, the measure provides a 5-year window of health care for our veterans. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. Many of the young men and women in our Armed Forces have been away from their loved ones for very long periods of time. During this time, they have endured harsh conditions and tremendous physical and mental strains. The very least that Congress can do is to give these brave individuals 3 additional years of health care. I think it is the right thing to do, and I know that both the ranking member as well as the chairman fully support this effort to extend the health care for the additional time. I think it is a good public policy.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, in 2005, the Department of the Army authorized the creation of the Army Combat Action Badge. This important badge provides recognition to our soldiers who personally engaged the enemy in combat. However, the Army's current policy limits eligibility to those who meet its criteria after September 18, 2001. As such, the Combat Action Badge overlooks thousands of veterans who made similar sacrifices in previous wars. I've heard from many veterans who feel slighted by the Army's failure to recognize their own heroism. In response, I've reintroduced my legislation, H.R. 2267, to expand eligibility for this award to those soldiers who served during the dates ranging from December 7, 1941, to September 18, 2001. This expansion would be a fitting tribute to countless individuals who made sacrifices for our country.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, when I was a child and I misbehaved, my mother would give me a stare that could curdle milk. Believe me, when I saw that stare, I knew how angry she was. Well, after reading the Senate amnesty giveaway plan, I now know how to give that same look, and so do my constituents. Rather than doing what the American people want, securing our borders, the Senate has thrown open the barn doors and given away the farm. Our Nation already faces huge deficits in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Now the Senate and President Bush want to give away to anywhere from 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants the possibility to get welfare benefits, Social Security and Medicare. My constituents back home in Florida work hard each and every day to pay their taxes and to keep America strong. In contrast, the Senate amnesty plan rewards illegal behavior and gives away our constituents' hard-earned Social Security and Medicare dollars. Listen up, America. The Senate amnesty plan is a tax amnesty bill. This is bad legislation.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to publicly condemn the recent remarks of Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader of the United States Senate. For the leader of one of the greatest legislative bodies in the world to concede defeat in Iraq is a sad commentary on the state of politics in our Nation. Our troops are the finest fighting force this world has ever known. Our generals are among the finest military minds in the world. My faith is with these brave men and women who put their lives on the line each day in battle, and not on the political choices of a Washington, DC politician. The American public does not want our troops to shuffle out of Iraq with our tails between our legs. America wants to achieve victory in the global war for freedom, a battle whose center is in the Middle East and in Iraq. Defeatist comments like ``the war is lost'' should be condemned by any freedom-loving Member of this body.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Academy at the Farm School, a Pasco County, Florida charter school that is being recognized for academic achievement at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The Center for Education Reform has selected the School as an Exemplary Charter School for the past year. The Academy at the Farm School is one of six from Florida, 53 nationwide, and was chosen from over 4 thousand eligible charter schools. Founded in 2002 as an inclusion school for exceptional student education students, the School is designed to place these gifted students in a regular classroom setting. In addition to its focus on academic success, the School also focuses on learning about the environment. One of the most successful institutions in Florida, the School has a grade of A and has met 100 percent of the criteria required for adequate yearly progress. Additionally, it was one of only four schools in Pasco County to have achieved adequate yearly progress. With a student to faculty ratio of only six to one, there is a strong focus on individual teaching and learning. All the teachers at the School are certified, with 30 percent of them having advanced degrees and a total of over 225 years experience. The Academy received a letter from former Florida Governor Jeb Bush recognizing the fourth graders as one of the top 100 elementary schools in the State for improvements in writing. They also received a letter from Governor Bush for being named one of the top 50 combination schools in the State that made the most year-to-year progress. As is the case with many successful educational institutions, the Academy at the Farm School is headed up by strong leaders and administrators. Dr. Michael Rom, the School Administrator, is the former Provost at Pasco Hernando Community College and is highly respected in the education and professional world. He and the seven teachers attending the event in Washington were original staff members of the Academy and have continued their commitment to Pasco County children and families. Madam Speaker, educational leaders like Dr. Rom and the teachers at the Academy at the Farm School should be recognized for their outstanding accomplishments. Their record of success has proven them worthy of being named an Exemplary Charter School by the Center for Education Reform. I congratulate them on the award and know that they will continue to focus on educational achievement into the future.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service and Subtropical Agricultural Research Station (STARS) in Brooksville, FL. for the past seventy-five years, STARS has worked in cooperation with the University of Florida to improve animal production. Their hard work to develop superior animal production systems for the subtropical regions of the United States has established them as leaders in beef cattle and water quality research. STARS began in 1932 with nearly 2,100 acres as a gift to the Federal Government by Colonel and Mrs. Raymond Robins. The STARS program would eventually grow to its current size of 3,800 acres and produce significant research for the categorization and conservation of tropically adapted beef cattle. Their current projects include environmentally focused analysis that will help determine the impact of the cattle on the waters of Florida and their sustainability. Given its status as the only station located in the South, the STARS program remains a unique and significant research facility. This is extremely significant because of the fact that nearly 40 percent of the entire Nation's cattle herd is located in the southern United States. STARS also serves as a satellite repository to the National Animal Germplasm Program for tropically adapted beef cattle. Madam Speaker, I applaud all the men and women who have contributed to the success of the STARS program over the past seventy-five years. These individuals exemplify how working tirelessly on animal production and water quality research can greatly enhance the quality of life for America. This program continues to enhance scientific knowledge of beef cattle, and I commend those involved for their efforts to produce research at the forefront of American agriculture.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I reluctantly rise today to speak against H.R. 1684, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year '08. I say reluctantly because even though I was cynical about the campaign promises made by the other side to implement the remaining 9/11 Commission reforms, I never dreamed that the American people would be betrayed the way I believe they are today. Mr. Chairman, the majority of members on our committee rolled over and played dead, letting their other committee counterparts in the House pick this bill clean of many good security measures in a manager's amendment that will strip them out and gut the bill. Yet the majority has the audacity to come to the floor with this skeleton and call it a good bill. My constituents will be horrified when I tell them that a provision that was worked out in the Homeland Security Committee to include in the base bill was stripped out. That language would have required employers at critical infrastructure sites to verify Social Security numbers of their employees before hiring them. Do you know why constituents all around the Nation should be outraged? Because 2 years ago, a power plant in Florida unknowingly had a painting contractor who hired illegal aliens. Several of them had pending criminal charges and had been deported multiple times. These workers had access in and around the nuclear power plant. Let me repeat that. A nuclear power plant had illegal aliens with criminal records wandering around in them. Does that not scare you? It scared me, and that's why we added this amendment to fix it. I wonder if the majority thought of the residents near any nuclear facility and the sheer devastation a criminal or terrorist act in that facility might cause. Were they thinking of the children and the working families, the people who trust us to keep them safe? Or were they thinking of just backroom deals with other committee Chairs? I say to the people bent on stripping this bill of the security provisions: Stand up for this bill. Stand up for the good we are doing to safeguard the American people. Do not offer the manager's amendment to strip these provisions out and leave the Nation vulnerable in many areas. There is no way that this House can possibly justify passing an amendment to this bill that will take out provisions like: Denying alien smugglers access to maritime routes. Tough postemployment lobbying restrictions on Department of Homeland Security officials, a Democrat provision being stripped. Implementing the 9/11 Commission recommendation for a single committee overseeing the Department of Homeland Security. Or authorizing better information sharing among Federal, State and local law enforcement partners. These provisions were all stripped from the bill. There is no way that we could support this unless we want to water down homeland security. We should all be concerned about the things that are not in this bill. We could fix the loophole today by giving authorization and leaving the bill the same as it was when it left the committee. That's an important procedure that would protect America's homeland.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman. I rise in strong support of the Castor amendment to the Homeland Security authorization bill. I have worked long and hard to coordinate the agreement between TSA and Florida on their respective worker ID cards for screening port workers. TSA has been dragging their feet, unwilling to compromise so that Florida does not have to discontinue its own card. It wasn't until Senator Paula Dockery, who shares some of my constituents, reached out to me that the TSA finally began to respond and started negotiations. Senator Dockery is now chairman of the committee that I chaired when I was in the Florida Senate, so I am very familiar with the biometric ID program. That is why she reached out to me. Right now, congressional intervention has made sure that they are talking. There is still only one remaining sticking point. I am cautiously optimistic that we can work this out so Florida can be confident that TSA's Transportation Worker ID card is secure enough for our precious ports. Florida has a great system, and TSA needs to recognize that and know that, if anything, Florida's system is above and beyond what TSA is looking at. This amendment commits TSA to continuing the work my colleagues and I have already accomplished, getting TSA to sit down and talk to Florida. Most of the issues have been worked out. I am pleased to support this amendment.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding steps taken by Dade City leaders to renovate and improve their Main Street area. These efforts to revitalize Main Street have made Dade City one of the brightest spots on the Gulf Coast of Florida. On May 18, 2007, Dade City is celebrating its 20th anniversary as part of Florida's Main Street program. Noticing a decline in the beauty and economic vitality of Dade City's downtown in the 1980s, local leaders began to look into joining the Main Street program. Pat Weaver, Otto Weitzenkorn, Helen Brandt and the late Lewis Abraham banded together to find the resources to send representatives to the annual Main Street meeting in Orlando. The Orlando meeting taught these concerned residents how to implement the ``Main Street Four-Point Approach,'' a comprehensive strategy tailored to meet local needs and opportunities. The approach encompasses work in four distinct areas: design, economic restructuring, promotion, and organization. Ms. Weaver and Ms. Brandt returned from the meeting with a plan to develop a strong base of local business owners and citizens to see this concept through to becoming reality in Dade City. In 1985, they received a technical assistance program by the Department of State, Bureau of Historic Preservation through the Florida Main Street program. In April 1987, downtown Dade City was officially designated a Florida Main Street community. On May 18, the Downtown Dade City Main Street program is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a party at one of its highly touted area restaurants. In reflecting on its history, the Downtown Dade City Main Street program has distinguished itself as one of the exemplary models of the Florida Main Street program. In addition, it has been successful in downtown restoration projects such as the Historic Courthouse, the establishment of the Community Redevelopment Agency to fund long-range downtown projects, the facade improvement grant, and for the millions of dollars it has helped bring to downtown construction and restoration projects. Madam Speaker, I applaud all the men and women who have contributed to the success of the Dade City Main Street program over the past twenty years. These individuals exemplify how working tirelessly on downtown renovation and revitalization can reverse the decline of a community. This program continues to remain a vital part of downtown Dade City, and I commend those involved for their efforts to keep Dade City vibrant and unique with its quaint shops and small town atmosphere.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, while I do not oppose H.R. 1642, the Homeless Housing at Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center Promotion Act, I do have some concerns about the bill. This legislation would require that the enhanced-use lease for a homeless veterans housing project at the Sepulveda VA Outpatient Clinic provide sober-living housing exclusively for veterans. The bill also mandates that the housing project be adequately staffed and provide for not fewer than 150, nor more than 250, residents. At first glance, this sounds like a reasonable requirement. In fact, it is my understanding that the original lease proposal by New Directions, which received the support of the local community leaders, contained a veterans-only facility with a sober-living campus. However, when New Directions sought additional funding through the Housing and Urban Development Agency, HUD, due to Federal HUD's governance requirements, they could no longer stipulate in the contract that the facility would be a veterans-only ``with no alcohol on the premises'' facility. New Directions is a residential substance abuse and mental health treatment program created by a Vietnam veteran and former homeless veteran John Keaveney. Since 1991, New Directions has been working in conjunction with other service providers and the Department of Veterans Affairs to help assist homeless veterans. In 1994, New Directions became the first social services agency in the country to provide temporary housing and services to homeless female veterans as well as family members of veterans. To address these issues, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, James Nicholson, on March 8, 2007, sent a letter to the New Directions administration that would operate the housing under a dry-housing model whereby the residents would agree not to use alcohol or intoxicating drugs. With more than 20,000 homeless veterans in that area, it was anticipated that all of the beds could be filled entirely with veterans. Mr. Speaker, here is my concern: the Congressional Budget Office in their April 30, 2007 cost estimate for this bill stated: ``VA is currently in the process of finalizing an enhanced-use lease for the Sepulveda facility with a nonprofit organization, New Directions. However, New Directions cannot reach the specified conditions in this bill. Based on information from VA, CBO expects that under the bill, the Department would be required to break off arrangements with New Directions and search for qualified organizations, a process that could take a few years.'' New Directions has agreed to operate under a dry-housing model, and there is certainly a sufficiently large veterans homeless population in the area to virtually guarantee that the facility will be occupied entirely with veterans. Yet my colleagues wish to impose this legislation which would significantly delay the project. Mr. Speaker, I understand why the local community would want this legislation. However, H.R. 1642 does not address what happens to the hundreds of homeless veterans in the north Los Angeles area who would have been helped by this facility while they wait several years for the VA to begin this process to enter into a new lease. With the passage of this legislation, are these homeless veterans still on the street waiting for a lease with better terms? That's the question that the American public deserves an answer to. I would hope that this body can be offered some assurances that temporary provision will be made for the many homeless veterans during this hopefully brief period of delay while a new lease is negotiated. Then, Mr. Speaker, I would be more comfortable in supporting this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to commend you for working with the community to establish a homeless shelter. Having been a county commissioner, I know how heated those public hearings can be when people think that there is going to be a homeless shelter anywhere in the county, let alone anywhere near their particular residence or business. Having a homeless shelter for veterans only is a very, very laudable goal, and there is a camaraderie there that I understand where you are going with that. My question is, do you have any idea how long it would take to go out to competitive bid? And also, as you know and when you were practicing law you may have participated in this, the unsuccessful bidders very often can drag it on ad nauseam because they did not get the bid. Do you have any estimate of how long this process would take, because I think our goals are mutual of having a facility there for veterans?

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentleman for the response.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, I was unable to be present for votes. Had I been present: For rollcall No. 270--H. Res. 334, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Community College Month, I would have voted ``yea''; for rollcall No. 271--H. Con. Res. 112, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of a National Child Care Worthy Wage Day, I would have voted ``no''; and for rollcall No. 239--H. Res. 272, to commend the University of Florida Gators for their historic win in the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to express my concern that Democrats will not extend tax relief measures critical to the American people. Residents in my State are at risk. Floridians currently have the ability to deduct their sales tax from their Federal tax returns. However, this deduction expires after 2007. As Democrats set the agenda for the coming year, there is talk of offsetting increases in Federal spending by raising taxes for millions of Americans. Frankly, I worry that they will use this important provision to pay for additional spending. Listen up America: Congress needs to make sure that taxpayers do not face unnecessary tax increases. I appeal to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our constituents can keep more of their hard-earned money.