Ginny Brown-Waite

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Gerald Virgil Myers who, on July 6 of this year, will celebrate his 92nd birthday. Mr. Myers is a dedicated father, grandfather and veteran. Today, we celebrate his life, career and this momentous occasion. Gerald Virgil Myers is part of our ``Greatest Generation''; he served our country honorably in World War II earning both the silver and bronze stars for his service, as well as the Purple Heart. He served in the 80th infantry division, which was responsible for discovering and liberating the Buchenwald concentration camp. He recently returned to Germany to attend the 65th anniversary celebration honoring this occasion. Mr. Myers also served in the Battle of the Bulge. He returns to Luxembourg annually to participate in the festivities marking the end of the conflict. Mr. Myers has even been named an honorary citizen of Luxembourg. In his post military career, Mr. Myers made a living as a sales manager for Quaker Oats and Allied Feeds. He retired to Lakeland, Florida where his son, Gary and daughter, Ronna live close by. He is a grandfather to literally dozens of grandchildren and great grandchildren; most of whom live nearby as well. In his spare time, he does his part to keep our Nation's history alive. He frequently visits local school groups and shares with them stories of his service to our country. He also enjoys crafting his own stained glass. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Myers on the occasion of his 92nd birthday and thanking him for his dedicated service to our great Nation.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1294, expressing support for designation of the first Saturday in May as National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day, to honor those who are serving and those who have served in the noble and self-sacrificing profession of explosive ordnance disposal in the United States Armed Forces. Although clearly a work of Hollywood drama meant for entertainment purposes, the Academy Award-winning film, ``The Hurt Locker,'' has brought new attention to our Nation's EOD technicians. While the action shown in this film is intense and very gripping, there is no question that when it comes to explosive ordnance disposal, truth is even more compelling than fiction. For this reason, I, along with my colleague from Oklahoma, Representative Boren, introduced House Resolution 1294, to recognize the real contributions that explosive ordnance disposal technicians have made to our Nation's military since the United States first began its bomb disposal program over 69 years ago. On average, there are over 4,000 brave men and women serving as explosive ordnance disposal technicians within the four services. EOD techs are responsible for the location, identification, neutralization, and disposal of hazardous explosive items and devices. They are on the front lines in the global war on terrorism, protecting their fellow troops from conventional explosives, nuclear weapons, and improvised explosive devices. As my constituent and the executive director of the EOD Memorial Foundation explains, EOD technicians ``are people who voluntarily take that long walk into uncertainty'' every time they go to dispose of a bomb. This resolution also supports observing the first Saturday in May as National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day. This date was selected to coincide with the annual EOD Memorial Ball. This year's ball, which happens to have been the 42nd annual one, was held in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on May 1, and I understand that it was a wonderful success, selling out all of the tickets that were available. Because the EOD Memorial Foundation is headquartered in my district in Webster, Florida, I have had the great honor to meet many of these warriors. I have learned that the ties that bind the EOD community together extend far beyond the battlefield. The EOD community is a family, and when even one part of that family is lost, the rest of them come together to support and assist those left behind. In 2009, 16 EOD technicians lost their lives serving our Nation in battle. Another EOD warrior was killed taking apart an IED just within the last week. This resolution honors those men and women who courageously, selflessly, and graciously face the real dangers posed by traditional and improvised explosives. With that, I urge my colleagues to join myself and Mr. Boren in honoring those American warriors and supporting House Resolution 1294.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Adriana Selvaggio. A devoted mother and renowned physician, Dr. Selvaggio has committed the majority of her adult life to serving others. Born to Italian immigrants, Dr. Selvaggio came from a modest upbringing. Her father was a baker and worked hard to support her and her five brothers and sisters. After graduating from Hampton High School, at the behest of her parents, Dr. Selvaggio postponed college to help support her family. However, she never lost sight of her desire to further her education. She eventually left home to pursue her degree at Penn State University. She completed her bachelor's degree in science in just two years. Completing her bachelor's degree in just two years was only the beginning of Dr. Selvaggio's long list of accolades and accomplishments. She applied that same work ethic and determination to her studies at Temple Medical School and Boston University Hospital. Highly regarded by her colleagues as one of the country's top doctors in the field of Nephrology, she has opened several dialysis centers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Recently, Dr. Selvaggio completed her eight- year term as the president of UPMC Shadyside's medical staff. She was the first female to serve as president in the hospital's 135-year history. Dr. Selvaggio is married to Dr. Steven Heilbrunn. They are the proud parents of two remarkable children, Max and Evi. Dr. Adriana Selvaggio is truly a woman of great courage and perseverance. She has built a legacy that will be talked about in medical classes and passed down through generations. Her son, Max, said this of his mother's character, ``To this day, my mother is more proud of the strong willed character that her adversity has built than the accolades she has earned having overcome them. The profound content of my mother's character is something that I will praise and cherish for the rest of my life.'' The medical world is lucky to have her as their colleague, her children are blessed to call her Mom and I am grateful to know her as a great friend. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me today in honoring the character and achievements of Dr. Adriana Selvaggio.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009. As Members of Congress, we do have a responsibility to provide the best support we can to our Nation's veterans. With provisions for caregiver support, rural health improvement and mental health benefits, there are many reasons why I support this legislation. I could speak at length about these important and necessary benefits. However, in the interest of time, I would like to highlight just one: health care for women veterans. While more and more women are joining the military, the VA's health care services for women veterans have not kept pace. Although approximately 14 percent of our troops are female, as a female veteran recently said in an interview with Good Housekeeping magazine, it is as if women are ``Martians, abnormalities descending on the VA health system.'' In fact, of the country's 153 VA medical centers, only about half even have a gynecologist on staff. This is despite the fact that between 23 and 29 percent of all female veterans seeking medical care through the VA have reported experiencing sexual assault. Is it any surprise, then, that the number of female veterans being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder rose from 1 to 19 percent in only 4 years? For this reason, my colleague, Representative Herseth Sandlin, and I introduced H.R. 1211, the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act. Although the Senate has not acted on our legislation, I am happy to see some of the key provisions, like studying the barriers preventing women veterans from receiving VA health care and developing a plan to improve that care for women veterans both immediately and in the long term, that actually made it into this bill.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Elwood and Patricia Treadwell of Groveland, FL. On April 2, 2010, Mr. and Mrs. Elwood celebrated 50 years of marriage. Elwood Treadwell, better known by his friends and family as ``Woody'', attained the rank of colonel while serving in the military. In his civilian life, his career has taken him as far north as Niagara, New York where he worked as a structural engineer, to sunny Florida where he currently works for the Walt Disney World Transportation Department, in the Magic Kingdom's ferry boat section. Patricia Treadwell's passion for animals and devotion to those in need also took her to Niagara, New York. She devoted countless hours to training dogs for the Guiding Eyes program. So far, Woody and Patricia's marriage has spanned 5 decades, 10 presidents, a moon landing and the Challenger explosion. They can remember where they were when Martin Luther King Junior gave his famous address on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and on the day President Kennedy was assassinated. In the past 50 years, technology has also evolved in ways that few could have imagined: the invention of the Internet and cell phones has made it easier than ever to connect with loved ones. Over the span of their lives together, they have raised two children, and are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren. They have supported them with their love and have given them the tools to take on our ever changing world. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Treadwells on 50 years of wedded bliss. I wish them the best over the next 50 years as they continue to walk through life together.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats on the other side of the aisle believe that the American citizens can no longer be trusted to manage their own health care in the best way that they see fit. You must now do things in their socialist way or face the wrath of the IRS. Unfortunately, the size of the Federal Government isn't the only thing that's going to grow as a result of this bill. So will your insurance premiums, because the cost of insurance will grow. That's right. The bill increases premiums for every American who has insurance. Our national debt will grow. Your taxes will grow. The only thing that won't grow are the benefits that the seniors who are in the Medicare Advantage plan have. They will be losing their doctors because doctors are refusing to take Medicare patients and will once this bill becomes law. Mr. Speaker, this bill cuts Medicare, raids Social Security, and we need to reject this bill.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, by now, we all know the many flaws with the health care bill that is going to be rammed through this House, and there certainly are many. It cuts Medicare by one-half trillion dollars. It raises taxes, jeopardizes patient access to health care, and puts an unelected bureaucrat, or many bureaucrats, in charge of your health care. I want to tell a brief story about something that happened to me this weekend. I was in a local drugstore with a friend of mine waiting for a prescription, and a woman came up to me and she said, Are you Ginny Brown-Waite? And I said, Yes, ma'am. And she said, I want to talk to you about the health care bill. She proceeded to tell me, she said, I am about to lose my job, which means I will lose my health care. And I thought I knew what she was next going to say, and she totally shocked me. She pointed to her daughter, who she told me was 9 years old, and she said, But I don't want you to vote for that bill, Congresswoman, because I don't want this child and her children paying for an out-of-control health care system in America. I believe that she really speaks the way most Americans believe.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. You know, earlier this afternoon, our Democrat colleague, Mr. Skelton, a decorated war hero himself, came down to the floor and he posed the question, ``Have we forgotten 9/11?'' I think that this resolution perhaps sends the wrong message that this Congress has forgotten 9/11, and also the wrong message to Americans. Just as our young men and women are always ready and always there for us in the military, we must show equally steadfast loyalty to them. Over 1.4 million men and women are bravely serving our Nation in active military duty today. I have attended sendoff ceremonies for the troops from my district headed overseas, and I have welcomed them home. I have rejoiced with those mothers and fathers and wives who, after months of not being with their loved soldier, are able to spend time with him or her. I have also wept for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I have wept with their families. They made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, for our safety. Every single soldier that I have spoken to who has been to Iraq and Afghanistan would say that they would go back again. They believe in the mission. It is pretty sad that Congress doesn't. They believe in the work that they're doing out there, and they need our support, not this resolution, which is, I believe, a demoralizing resolution to our troops. Rather, I would encourage my colleagues to vote against this resolution because by voting against this resolution I believe you will be voting for our troops.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I want to make it clear from the start that there are some items in this bill, some provisions, that everyone in this Chamber could probably support. Providing tax relief to small businesses is really a good idea, but this very fact raises an important question: If the majority recognizes that lowering taxes for businesses is good for employment and is certainly good for the economy, then why do they insist on dramatically raising taxes everywhere else every single chance the Democrats get? I also think that it is worth discussing the nefarious accounting gimmicks in this bill. I voted for the principle of PAYGO because I believed in it; but no sooner did the Democrats finish patting themselves on the backs for passing PAYGO than they turned around and came up with waiving it and, in this instance, kind of Bernie Madoffing it, if there is such a word. I think I just created a new word, Madam Speaker. I don't want to get too far into the technical weeds here, but this bill is PAYGO-compliant only because of some accounting gimmicks. In the fourth quarter, move a little first quarter money into future years, and presto-change-o, the bill becomes PAYGO-compliant. The American people know we can't spend the same money twice; so let's take a closer look. The official cost estimate of the bill does not include a $20 billion transfer from the general fund to the highway fund, meaning we will have to find that money someplace else. We will have to find that general revenue money someplace else, probably from China. The cost estimate doesn't reflect $142 billion in a new spending authorization for transportation projects that we don't have a source of revenue to pay for. Maybe that's why we were only given a few hours to read the bill before the vote is to take place on it. While we're on the subject of transportation funding, I did hear Mr. Oberstar say that the Senate was going to fix this, but the bill before us is not one that is good for transportation for the various States.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentleman. Certainly, California and Illinois get half of the funding. That leaves the rest of America to ask, What's in it for us? Well, the answer is zero. Florida is a donor State and already pays far more in transportation taxes than what it gets back. Quite frankly, I cannot support the bill that is before us today for that reason and for several other reasons.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Greg First of Dade City, FL. for most of his life, Greg has been a faithful servant to his community; volunteering himself to many causes which have helped to enrich the lives of many. Born to Jimmy and Mary First in Bedford, Ohio, Mr. First moved to Zephyrhills with his family at the age of 10. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School, he attended the University of Maryland and served in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1972. Mr. First has volunteered himself, quite literally, having donated a total of 16 gallons of blood while director of public relations for Blood Net, in addition to volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Relay for Life, and a local Hospice. He has kept up the spirits of Zephyrhills residents as an announcer for Main Street Parades and high school football games. A three-time president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. First has been a Christian Radio DJ, a lifetime Am Vet Member, and he even started his own local news website, ``What's Up Zephyrhills?'' Madam Speaker, on February 26, the Conservative Club of East Pasco will honor Greg's achievements with the Lincoln Heritage Award. I ask you to join me today to honor him on the floor of this house. May we all give back to our communities as much as Mr. First has.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Greg First of Zephyrhills, FL. For most of his life, Greg has been a faithful servant to his community, volunteering himself to many causes which have helped to enrich the lives of many. Born to Jimmy and Mary First in Bedford, Ohio, Mr. First moved to Zephyrhills with his family at the age of ten. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School, he attended the University of Maryland and served in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1972. Mr. First has volunteered himself, quite literally, having donated a total of 16 gallons of blood while Director of Public Relations for Blood Net, in addition to volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Relay for Life, and a local hospice. He has kept up the spirits of Zephyrhills residents as an announcer for Main Street parades and high school football games. A three-time president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. First has been a Christian Radio DJ, a lifetime Am Vet member, and he even started his own local news website, ``What's Up Zephyrhills?'' Madam Speaker, on February 26, the city of Zephyrhills will honor Greg's achievements. I ask you to join me today to honor him on the floor of the House. May we all give back to our communities as much as Mr. First has.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, 100 years ago Zephyrhills, FL was founded as a colony paradise by Howard B. Jeffries for his fellow Union civil war veterans. Originally named Abbot after the owner of the town's first drug store, Zephyrhills is now home to 11,000 proud residents. Tradition holds that the town of Abbot's name was changed to Zephyrhills because of the cool, gentle, zephyr breezes from neighboring Greer and LeHeup Hill. The name officially changed to ``Zephyrhills'' on March 10, 1911; with it, the town of Abbott officially moved from an A to Z in the alphabet. Zephyrhills residents are proud of the many accomplished men and women who have brought notoriety to their hometown. Zephyrhills High School coach John Clements has the distinguished record of being one of only five coaches in the United States with over 400 recorded wins; ``The Bulldogs'' baseball team now plays on the John F. Clements field in his honor. Having played professional baseball prior to coaching for ZHS, John, along with Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland, Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, and NASCAR driver David Reiutmann, is among the list of athletes that call Zephyrhills their hometown. Zephyrhills is also proud of its local beauties. Begun in 1956, the Lions' Club's ``Miss Zephyrhills'' pageant is a favorite feature during the annual Founders Days. It has become a launching ground for the statewide ``Miss Florida'' competition. Many former ``Miss Zs'' love their hometown as much as any other resident, 1978's winner, Diana Kennedy, summed up her experience saying, ``I was very proud to represent Zephyrhills and I know the experience made me feel like Miss America. I remember being involved in the community; throwing out the first baseball and attending parades. Of all the titles I held, representing my hometown was the most rewarding.'' One hundred years ago Howard B. Jeffries founded a town. Zephyrhills has become a community based around family, neighborhoods, small businesses and longstanding traditions. I congratulate Zephyrhills on this momentous occasion and wish them continued prosperity and lasting memories throughout the next one hundred years.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Billy's Law. I want to thank the many tireless advocates of missing children everywhere, and I certainly want to commend Representative Murphy for sponsoring this very important piece of legislation. Every day thousands of people are reported missing. The good news is that many of them are quickly located by our heroes in the local law enforcement agencies. What happens to those who are not found in the first few very critical days after they're reported missing? In the past, the names were noted in files of local police agencies, but without any leads, investigators were left with few options and their names lingered on this list. Madam Speaker, in 2005, a group of people that included Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, forensic scientists, and other experts gathered in Philadelphia to discuss ways to solve missing persons cases. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System is a result of that effort. Local and State law enforcement agencies need a central database to which they can turn, and that is why I believe NamUs is so important. NamUs has also launched a DNA initiative, which is an effort to make sure we are using DNA technology in every way possible to track down missing persons. Billy's Law provides grants to local law enforcement agencies to improve their access to DNA technology and to NamUs. In my district, Milton and Evelyn Nerenberg have spent years trying to find out what happened to their missing daughter, Audrey. Frustrated that their daughter, too, remains missing, the Nerenbergs came to me for help. They were concerned that the Federal Government was not doing enough to make sure that information gathered in central Florida, for example, where they lived, was being shared with the right people in other parts of the country. They also wanted to make sure that the DNA technology be made available to law enforcement agencies throughout our Nation as well as in Florida. Billy's Law will make it happen. It is very similar to the legislation I previously introduced and that was named after Audrey Nerenberg. Important progress has been made in the past 5 years, but more must be done. Forty thousand missing persons, including Audrey Nerenberg from my district, their families will certainly benefit from this legislation. I have worked in previous Congresses to improve the Federal Government's ability to locate missing persons, and as a cosponsor, I am very pleased to see Billy's Law come to the floor, and I will be proud to vote in favor of its passage. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an American hero, Harry L. Begle of Brooksville, Florida. A decorated war veteran, Lieutenant Begle's service to our nation will forever be remembered by this Congress. Born in Lexington, Virginia, Lt. Begle graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in 1943 and entered WW II soon thereafter. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division and an Assistant Platoon Leader with the H Company 3rd Battalion in the 506th Parachute Division. While deployed outside of Bastogne, Belgium, Lt. Begle's platoon came under attack by a German Infantry. To describe that moment, Lt. Begle said, it was then that ``all hell broke loose''. During the battle, Lt. Begle's hand was struck by a bullet, and his upper body was struck by shrapnel from an artillery shell explosion. The blast caused wounds in his neck and left him in a British Military hospital for several months. Lt. Begle received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his courageous actions in battle. Despite his wounds and time spent away from the front lines, Lt. Begle returned to serve his country abroad once again in 1945, This time in Austria. He was later transferred to the 82nd Airborne Division when the Pacific ended. In 1946, he returned home. He marched in the WW II victory parade in New York where he was greeted with a heroes welcome. He served as a reservist until 1949 when he was honorably discharged. Long after his military days had passed, he continued to protect his fellow Americans, serving as a Washington D.C. Police Officer for 23 years; he retired in 1972. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Harry L. Begle; a beloved and decorated American hero. On behalf of a grateful nation, this Congress, his family and friends, I thank him for his service and sacrifice to our country.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Zephyrhills High School JROTC for their dedication to service on behalf of our nation's heroes and veterans. On February 11th, a signing ceremony will take place by the National Armed Forces Community covenant in honor of the Zephyrhills High School JROTC. Although this presentation has taken place in over 700 communities across our great country, this presentation is significant because it is the first presentation being made to a High School JROTC. As such, this historic ceremony represents an unprecedented commitment to improving the quality of life for our soldiers and their families by the Zephyrhills High School JROTC. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the Zephyrhills High School JROTC. On behalf of a grateful nation, this Congress, and the local community of veterans and active service members, I thank the members of Zephyrhills JROTC for their dedication to this country.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, as Yogi Berra once said, It's deja vu all over again. No way. It is deja vu all over again. Just a few months ago, the Democrats marched us down here to the House floor to raise the debt ceiling by over a quarter of a trillion dollars. But that wasn't enough. Here we are again, 90 days later, this time for a whopping $1.9 trillion debt limit increase. For the uninitiated, a century ago Congress very wisely instituted a statutory cap on the amount that the Federal Government could borrow. Unfortunately, Congress being Congress, this body raised that cap dozens of times during the 20th century and has apparently carried that tradition into this new decade with spectacular new fashion. As my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are no doubt clamoring over themselves to point out, both parties have done it in times of war and times of crisis, and more recently, this Democrat majority has made spending more of a priority than saving. In short, Madam Speaker, excuses don't make it right. I wanted to mention PAYGO. I actually voted for PAYGO. I was one of 18 Republicans who, when the Democrats took over, I voted for PAYGO. Unfortunately, this Democrat leadership has waived it so often it has become very ineffective. They waive it more than they implement it. So I ask my colleagues, don't be misled by so-called PAYGO language, because it simply isn't real.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Nina Humphries of Zephyrhills, FL. On February 1, 2010, Nina did something that all of us strive to do, but that very few of us will ever accomplish; she celebrated her 105th birthday. Nina Humphries was born February 1st, 1905 in Ontario, Canada. She originally came to the United States to attend nursing school in Buffalo, New York. Widowed by her late husbands George Clayton and Ed Humphries, Nina cherishes the time she spends with her family. She has two children, Anita and Robert, six grand children, and four great grand children. Madam Speaker, on February 5th, the city of Zephyrhills will honor Nina's life achievements. I ask you to join me today in honoring her on the floor of this House. May we all have the good fortune to live as long as she.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of this Senate bill, S. 2949. As Representative McDermott described, it will provide assistance to thousands of Americans returning from Haiti following the devastating January 12 earthquake there. Let me reiterate that we are helping American citizens with this legislation. The bill, entitled Emergency Aid to American Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake Act, will ensure that State and local governments and charitable agencies on the ground in Florida, for example, and elsewhere have the resources to do exactly that. Funding for those local efforts is provided through the Repatriation Program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Each year, that program provides temporary assistance in the form of loans to U.S. citizens and their dependents arriving in the U.S. following an emergency. By law, currently the program is capped at $1 million per year. This bill, which passed the Senate last night, temporarily increases that cap for 2010. As the legislation makes clear, and the Congressional Budget Office score confirms, this increase is entirely paid for by reducing spending in other areas. It does not raise the national debt. This is similar to how Congress responded when demand for repatriation assistance swelled following the American evacuation of Lebanon in 2006. Congress stepped in to provide for the additional funds that were needed and paid for that additional funding through savings. That is the right approach. And, frankly, my constituents would like to see this balanced budget approach applied across the board, not just to the smallest items. For my part, I wish we were cutting funds in the bloated State Department budget to pay for this emergency. As I am sure my colleagues would agree, Congress should be looking for ways to save taxpayer dollars all the time, not just when new spending emergency needs come up. Unfortunately, since we are acting on a Senate bill, these concerns will have to wait for another day. Before I yield, I would like to note the special importance this bill has for the State of Florida. Since so many of our returning citizens are arriving through my home State, I truly appreciate my colleagues supporting this bill and making sure that State and local agencies have the resources that they need to respond to this emergency. The State Department suggests that there were approximately 45,000 U.S. citizens in Haiti and that they were there when the earthquake hit. As of yesterday, some 14,000 had already returned to the United States. I commend all the workers in Florida and across the country, whether with State or local government agencies, the Red Cross, our Armed Forces, or other agencies who are helping fellow citizens as they travel to their final destinations in the United States. The House and Senate are to be commended for acting very quickly on this legislation. Passing the Emergency Aid to American Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake Act today is important to thousands of Americans who have been displaced and who need a helping hand to return home. I encourage support for this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. This legislation will ensure that American citizens returning from the devastation in Haiti in the days ahead will receive the same help and support as those who have already arrived and gotten their way home. It also will ensure that the many individuals hard at work assisting their fellow citizens will get the resources they need to continue these important efforts. I would ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

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

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1024, which expresses support for designating January as Poverty in America Awareness Month. As I'm sure my colleagues would agree, awareness of poverty is something that Congress should never lose sight of, not for one single day. But it also should be noted that poverty can only be eliminated in this country when there are jobs available for every able-bodied man and woman. I know this firsthand because I grew up in poverty. I know that the only way that my mother helped get my brother and me out of poverty was by having a great work ethic and working her way out of poverty. The government does not create jobs; small businesses do. The American people know this even if the majority in Congress does not. That is why CNN is reporting that 75 percent of Americans polled believe that at least half of the stimulus has been wasted, and a third of those believe that it actually has made the economy worse. In a perfect world, the President could hold a jobs summit and everyone would breathe a sigh of relief as they went off to new jobs created. But in the real world, sitting around and talking about jobs does not magically make them appear. In a perfect world, the money to pay for the stimulus and the endless unemployment extensions would come from a magic tree growing on the South Lawn of the White House. But we know that unemployment benefits are no real substitute for a paycheck. We know that the stimulus didn't work. And we know that the closest thing the government has to a money tree is the money that it takes out of taxpayers' pockets. The bottom line is, if they are serious about reducing poverty, the President and my Democrat colleagues need to stop talking about jobs and start working with Republicans to support and facilitate an economy that will create them. Specifically, the Democrats, who control the progress of legislation in this town, should do three things: First, they need to end their obsession with the trillion-dollar takeover of health care, because this single-minded approach is coming at the expense of everything else that matters to the American public. Second, the tax code should be reformed to protect workers' wages, to encourage investment and entrepreneurship, to reward saving, and to provide the American people with the confidence and certainty about their financial future. And third, my Democrat colleagues need to take a long, hard look at their failed trillion-dollar stimulus plan and fix it. Don't just borrow another hundred billion dollars here and there and hope that it works better this time. Raising awareness about poverty is important, and I support this legislation. But before we spend too much time patting ourselves on the back for this feel-good resolution, let us get down to business in a bipartisan manner and really do the hard work of making this economy great again. With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, in closing, I want to reiterate that there still is much work to be done--and undone--to breathe new life into this economy. The Democrats told Americans that if their stimulus passed, unemployment would stay below 8 percent and millions of Americans would continue receiving paychecks. Instead, the stimulus passed and a record 12 million Americans are now collecting unemployment checks. As predicted, that is triggering massive State tax hikes that will continue for years to come. Frankly, Madam Speaker, that is why the stimulus isn't working. Every dollar spent by government is a dollar that first must be taken out of the economy. That dollar of government spending is a dollar that a business owner can use to hire a new worker and it's a dollar that a mother can use to feed her child. My colleagues will say that this is what the stimulus was supposed to do, but what they won't tell you is that the government wastes 50 cents collecting that dollar and fumbling around trying to put it back into the economy. As part of our awareness of poverty, let us also be aware of that.

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

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentleman. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4314, which, according to the majority, ``permits continued funding for government operations.'' That sure sounds a lot better than H.R. 4314, a bill to borrow another $300 billion from China. Or we could also entitle it, H.R. 4314, a license to keep spending like a teenager with a credit card. Madam Speaker, the United States is already paying $250 billion per year in interest payments alone on the debt. We are paying more for that interest by borrowing more. That just doesn't make sense. The argument that we have already spent the money, and when the bill comes in the mail we have to pay it, is misleading. Every American with a maxed out credit card would love to be able to pay his bills by simply raising his limit. That is what we're doing here today, ladies and gentlemen. That includes the 15 million unemployed Americans who are still wondering when the so-called stimulus is going to create or save their jobs. I urge my colleagues to vote against more borrowing and to certainly vote against this bill. America does not want more debt.