Melissa Bean

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Chairman, as a small business owner and a member of the Small Business Committee, I appreciate the need for entrepreneurs and small business owners to have access to affordable capital. That is why I speak today in support of the Velazquez amendment to restore funding for the SBA 7(a) small business loan program. Small businesses are the growth engine for our Nation's economy, and it is important for the Federal Government to encourage domestic hiring and expansion. This amendment will help achieve that goal by returning 7(a) loan fees to their previous affordable level. Access to affordable capital is an important alternative to higher- interest personal credit cards, which, while helpful, have become the number one source of financing for U.S. entrepreneurs for lack of options. Since October 2004, loan costs have increased by up to $3,000, and program utilization and loan capital have dropped drastically by almost half a million dollars. We have been told today that the SBA is processing more loans than ever before, that is true, but the loans being processed are significantly smaller. After the new fees were put in place, the average amount received by individual small businesses has dropped by approximately $75,000. The small business community creates up to 80 percent of the new jobs in this country. The SBA estimates that a new job is created for every $33,000 in small business loans. Thus, $79 million in Federal investment has the potential to create 500,000 jobs in this country. First, let us correct the rhetoric. These are not subsidies or handouts that we are talking about. These are loans at affordable interest rates, and if one is for deficit reduction, then they should support this amendment, which reduces the overall cost to the bill by $32 million per the Congressional Budget Office. It is time that Congress steps forward to support the small business community through access to affordable capital. The Velazquez amendment will reduce fees to small business owners and lenders and create an environment which will foster critical domestic job growth and the local economic expansion so vital to the Eighth District of Illinois and to communities across the Nation. I urge my colleagues' support of this amendment.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the military family organizations and veterans service organizations that do so much to support and serve the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. This Memorial Day, Americans gather to remember the fallen, and acknowledge the contributions of our service personnel. Because of the contributions and sacrifices of our fellow Americans, we are able to enjoy the freedoms and security of this great country that we do today. We are so fortunate to live in America, and to be able to call these people our own. On this day, our thoughts also turn to those who contribute to the needs of our men and women who wear the uniform of the United States Military. Mr. Speaker, the family members of America's men and women in uniform have always been one of our nation's greatest assets, and often our unsung heroes. Perhaps now as much as ever, the support of our military families on the Homefront is crucial to maintaining the spirit of our warfighters. Now, all across the country, groups of military families and their neighbors are continuing to work to support their loved ones stationed overseas. As more National Guard and Reserve units are deployed abroad, far from their homes, many of their families have organized to send much needed gifts, messages from schools, basic supplies difficult to come by in Iraq or Afghanistan, or elsewhere. These families do so generously, in addition to the extra burdens of taking care of a family while a parent is away, either out of love of their family or on the part of a serviceperson they have never met. Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize the work of our veterans service organizations. These patriots and committed veterans who continue to serve long after their orders have expired are the living embodiment--and the conscience--of the American spirit. And their service extends beyond the military. These groups with household names like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars are friendly faces in our communities. Across Illinois' Eighth District, like countless other communities, these organizations provide leadership and guidance, they are a role model for our children, and they are a constant reminder of the call to--and value of--public service Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions--and sacrifices--of our military spouses and families, and the continuing service of members of America's veterans service organizations. They provide so much, so selflessly, to strengthen our military and the values we all hold so dear. America absolutely is stronger--and richer--because of their service.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Chief Joseph Marvin and his twenty-seven years of service to the Woodstock Police Department in Woodstock, Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Chief Marvin has been intricately involved in community building programs for over two decades. He has served as the Coordinator of Community Services and Chairman of the Crime Prevention Committee in Woodstock. These programs and his involvement in them have improved the lives for generations of Woodstock residents. Serving his community as a police officer gave him the awesome responsibility to be a first responder, community leader and a role model for his family, friends and neighbors. I know that in his retirement he will continue to have a lasting impact and positive influence on the City of Woodstock. I would like to thank him for his service to and presence in the community and wish him the best of luck in his much-deserved retirement. Also, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions of all police officers like Chief Martin who selflessly work for the good and of their communities, giving of themselves so that we may all enjoy the peace and safety they provide.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 207, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Jones of North Carolina

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of provisions in this bill that appropriate $110 million to the Department of Homeland Security's research into shoulder-fired missile defense for our passenger airlines. I have been working closely with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel) to address this very real threat to our passenger jets from shoulder-fired missiles. The global black market has been flooded with hundreds of thousands of these weapons that are now in the possession of 27 separate terrorist groups around the world. Al Qaeda used them in 2002 to attack an Israeli airliner in Kenya, and terrorists in Iraq came close to shooting down a DHL freight plane leaving Baghdad in 2003. According to the FBI, more than 500 civilians worldwide have been killed in successful missile attacks against commercial aircraft. The State Department has stated that one of the leading causes of loss of human life in aviation has been from shoulder-launched attacks. Our commercial aircraft passengers deserve from Congress vigilance and commitment to their safety. Mr. Chairman, the technology to defend American passengers from this threat is almost a reality. Right now DHS-sponsored programs to apply the Department of Defense's research and technology to our domestic passenger jets are nearing their last phase of development and are ready to equip test aircraft for operational evaluation. This research brings us very close to leveraging the proven technology that has successfully protected our military personnel to commercial aircraft and their customers. Cutting support for this program would be short-sighted at a time when we are just around the corner from a cutting edge defense against terrorists' anticraft missiles. Now is the time instead to move aggressively forward to address this threat. Mr. Chairman, the President, the DHS, and the State Department all agree that this is important research with important ramifications. I urge my colleagues to support the President's full request for funding of this research and to work together with all of our colleagues in moving beyond the pilot phase to fully protecting our airlines and their passengers from anti-aircraft missiles.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the families and spouses of our United States Armed Forces. Mr. Speaker, the family members of America's men and women in uniform have always been one of our Nation's greatest assets, and often our unsung heroes. Perhaps now as much as ever, the support of our military families on the Homefront is crucial to maintaining the spirit of our warfighters. I would like to pay special recognition to the work of the Kious family of Mundelein Illinois. While Kevin Kious served as a Navy Seabee in Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his son Marshall and wife Debbie organized a care package program called ``Treats For Our Troops'' which accepts and delivers hard to find supplies to our forces stationed overseas. Now, Mr. Kious is back home, but Treats For Our Troops--and countless other family-run efforts--still continues to send a small piece of home to our brave men and women across the globe. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions--and sacrifices--of our military spouses and families like the Kiouses who selflessly do so much for our country while their loved ones answer their nation's call to service.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a constituent and friend of mine who has visited hundreds of classrooms and spoken to thousands of students about his life in German concentration camps during the Holocaust. Sam Harris--born Szlamek Rzeznik--has taken his remarkable life story and made it a driving force in his effort to help America's children learn the value of tolerance. In September 1939, when Sam was 4 years old, he and his siblings were taken from their home and confined in the Deblin Ghetto in Poland. Three years later, they were sent to the concentration camp at Deblin and then at Czestochowa until that camp was liberated by Soviet troops in 1945. Only Sam and 2 of his sisters survived their time in the camps, and Sam is among the youngest remaining survivors of the Holocaust. Currently, Sam volunteers with the Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois, discussing genocide and the Holocaust with elementary, middle and high school students to ensure that history does not repeat itself. Part of their effort is the creation of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, due to begin construction in the near future. It is important to note that this will not be simply a museum. It will also focus on education as a means to prevent hatred and bigotry. So it is fitting that Sam Harris and his Holocaust Memorial Foundation colleagues remain focused on the future, not only with their museum but also on using the classroom as a forum to help understand and deter genocide. Sam said to me that if children were to take one thing from him, it should be this: ``When there is a bully in the play yard, they should step forth and stop the bully.'' That is advice that we all can live by, whether we are in the schoolyard, in the boardroom or in Congress. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me today, Holocaust Remembrance Day, not only to honor the memory of the 6 million people killed during the Holocaust, but to thank people like Sam Harris and the Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois for their tireless work in the promotion of tolerance and understanding.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Chairman, reauthorizing the Perkins Act gives Congress the opportunity to restate our belief in vocational and technical education, a partnership between academics, the business community, and our constituents for more than 40 years. As a graduate of Oakton Community College, I have a special appreciation for the value our community college system provides to our communities. OCC prepared me for and complemented my entrance into the computer industry and that education served me well over my 20-plus-year career in the high-tech field. Like community colleges across the country, those in Illinois' Eighth District, The College of Lake County, McHenry County College, Harper College and Elgin Community College, provide opportunities for all Americans, from young people starting out their careers to those who are transitioning their careers later in life to adjust to the economy of a global workforce. We should absolutely put our full support behind such flexible and proven programs. H.R. 366 will allow our local schools and community colleges to plan for the future and to continue supplying trained workers to industries of all types. Like much of the legislation brought before this body, however, the Vocational and Technical Education For the Future Act has room for improvement. Merging Tech-Prep into the basic State grants calls into question the Federal Government's commitment to math and science education and could allow targeted funding to be used for other purposes and allow Tech-Prep to fall by the wayside. The Senate version of this bill is more receptive to high schools', community colleges', and industries' needs; and I hope that Tech-Prep will be retained as a separate program in the conference report. Vocational and technical education programs help Americans to continue their education and expand their skill sets in their chosen professions. Encouraging innovation through a more educated workforce has helped our economy adapt to changing times and will continue to do so in the future. Reauthorizing the Perkins Act is a step in the right direction.

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Chairman, reauthorizing the Perkins Act gives Congress the opportunity to restate our belief in vocational and technical education, a partnership between academics, the business community and our constituents for more than 40 years. As a graduate of Oakton Community College, I have a special appreciation for the value of our community college system. Oakton Community College prepared me for and complemented my entrance into the computer industry. That education served me well over my 20 plus year career in the high-tech field. Like community colleges across the country, those in Illinois' Eighth District--The College of Lake County, McHenry County College, Harper College and Elgin Community College--provide opportunities for all Americans, from young people starting out their careers to older workers continuing theirs. We should absolutely put our full support behind such flexible and proven programs. H.R. 366 will allow our local schools and community colleges to plan for the future and to continue supplying trained workers to industries of all types. Like much of the legislation brought before this body, however, The Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act has room for improvement. Merging Tech Prep into the Basic State Grants calls into question the federal government's commitment to math and science education by allowing targeted funding to be used for other purposes. The Senate version of this bill is more receptive to high schools', community colleges' and industries' needs, and I hope that Tech Prep will be retained as a separate program in the conference report. Vocational and technical education programs help Americans to continue their education and expand their skill set. Encouraging innovation through a more educated workforce has helped our economy adapt to changing times and will continue to do so in the future. Reauthorizing the Perkins Act is a step in the right direction.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 112, I cast a vote of ``yea'' which should have been ``nay.'' It is my wish to correct this matter for the record. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, on March 8, 2005, having been unavoidably detained due to congressional business related to my work on the Financial Services Committee, I was unable to vote on Approving the Journal (Rollcall No. 53), H. Res. 133 (Rollcall No. 54), and H. Res. 122 (Rollcall No. 55). Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on all three measures considered before the House.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, during National Peace Corps Week, in recognition of the Peace Corps on the 44th anniversary of its founding and of the thousands of volunteers who have done invaluable humanitarian service in countries throughout the world. The 7,700 volunteers in the field today have left their families and friends in the United States to serve as teachers, business advisors, information technology consultants, health and HIV/AIDS educators, and youth and agriculture workers. Leaving your comfort zone behind and plunging into work in another country and another culture is a great challenge. I would like to take this time to congratulate the current Peace Corps Volunteers from the Eighth Congressional District of Illinois. Shayne Bell, Heather Breneisen, Brehan Doud, Nina Elisseou, Joshua Friedman, Ryan Giordano, Stacy Greco, Kelly Henshaw, Peter Hicks, Lucie Howe, Kate McCracken, James Norris, Stephenie Park, Kevin Rieder, Diane Sears, John Sears, Debra Stanislawski and Scott Wilhelm are serving in seventeen countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. These eighteen of my constituents have joined the Peace Corps in support of three goals. The first two goals are to help provide interested countries with trained men and women and to promote a better understanding of Americans by people of other countries. In a time when the United States is taking an ever greater role in the international community, Peace Corps Volunteers present the best of what America can offer to the rest of the world. When their time in the Peace Corps is complete, I look forward to those volunteers' return to the United States and Illinois' Eighth district to begin work on what could be the Peace Corps' most important goal: to promote a better understanding of other people and cultures by Americans. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me today to acknowledge the thousands of Americans who serve and have served as Peace Corps Volunteers. They are a great credit to our country, and we should applaud them.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Woodstock, Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the 60th anniversary of their founding. In March 1945, the Woodstock Journal called for business, industrial and professional leaders to form ``a real live-wire chamber of commerce.'' Since that time, northern Illinois has experienced phenomenal growth, in no small part due to the activity of its business community. At the Woodstock Chamber's organizational meeting, a representative from the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce told members that ``The Chamber of Commerce is a voice of business, industry and agriculture.'' That description holds true today, with the Chamber working to ensure a favorable business climate and promoting the area's economic and social progress. Throughout the years, members of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Industry have participated in various community activities, from honoring 4-H Club members and welcoming home World War II veterans in the 1940s to food drives and telethons today. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me today in recognizing the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their substantial and increasing influence on the economic growth and development of the Eighth Congressional District of Illinois. The Chamber's first 60 years have seen great advancement. Let us congratulate them on their part of that achievement and look forward to the next 60 years.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to victims of the tsunami and to the spirit of giving that remains strong in the United States today. The devastation felt by so many Asian and African families was felt around the world, from Aceh to Illinois. My constituents in the Eighth Congressional District of Illinois have already raised more than $45,000 to help rebuild communities in Southeast Asia. Our schools, churches, banks, local aid organizations and local officials have banded together to collect a steady stream of donations. However, their work is not finished. On February 19th, in conjunction with other local officials, Lake Villa Mayor Frank Loffredo has organized a tsunami relief fundraiser and auction expected to dramatically increase the current total of donations. He will be assisted by the generous support of the following officials: Antioch Township Supervisor Steve Smouse, Grant Township Supervisor Kay Starostovic, Lake Villa Township Supervisor Daniel Venturi, Fox Lake Mayor Nancy Koske, Round Lake Beach Mayor Rich Hill, Lake County Board Chairman Suzi Schmidt of Lake Villa and County Board members Judy Martini of Antioch, Bonnie Thomson Carter of Ingleside and Bob Powers of Round Lake Beach, State Reps. JoAnn Osmond of Antioch and Robert Churchill of Hainesville, State Sen. Adeline Geo-Karis of Zion and the Lindenhurst/Lake Villa Chamber of Commerce. All proceeds will be donated to the Tsunami Reconstruction fund through the United Way of Lake County. In addition, Lindenhurst Mayor Jim Betustak, along with Charter One Bank, First American Bank, First Midwest Bank, North Shore Trust & Savings, State Bank of the Lakes and State Financial Bank, founded an effort called ``Banking on Your Support.'' At the end of the month, the Village of Lindenhurst will send proceeds to the American Red Cross. But, of special note, I am particularly proud of the students who have joined in the relief effort. Such displays of compassion, empathy and perspective serve as a model to us all. This demonstration of courage and goodwill by our young people suggests a bright future for northern Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me today in remembering the tsunami victims and in thanking the citizens of the United States and of the Eighth District of Illinois for their generosity and caring. While the devastation wreaked upon Asia and East Africa will be remembered for years to come, we, in turn, must also remember the caring and kindness of our own citizens in response.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our brave men and women in uniform serving around the world and here at home. Our Active-Duty personnel, Guard members and reservists constitute the best-trained and most dedicated fighting force the world has ever known. They are our family members, our close friends and our neighbors, our teachers, physicians and small business owners. They have pledged to us their valued time, their honor, and their lives. Let us now take a moment to recognize them and remember their loss. Mr. Speaker, since 2001, more than 36,000 of my fellow Illinoisans have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Here in Washington, it is our job to make sure that they have not only the necessary training and equipment to complete their mission, but also fair pay, comprehensive benefits, and the best medical care available. As we in Congress work to ensure that the men and women of our Armed Forces are properly equipped and trained, we must never forget the costly commitments made by so many of them to protect and defend the United States and our most valued ideals. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to two service members from my district who have paid the ultimate price in service to their country. Marine Lance Corporal Sean Maher and Army Staff Sergeant Donald Bernard Farmer were both recently killed in action in the Iraq theatre. I ask my colleagues to join with me today in remembering Lance Corporal Maher and Staff Sergeant Farmer and all Americans who have stood and have fallen for our great Nation. While the loss to their families is immeasurable, I can only hope that they take some comfort in knowing the thoughts and prayers of a grateful Nation are with them. Today I can ask my colleagues to never forget the commitments we have asked of our service members and their unwavering dedication to America. Through the actions of this body, let us always strive to honor those who serve and sacrifice in the name of this great Nation.

Ms. BEAN

Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order.