Steve Chabot

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1095, a resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act. On April 4, 2008, just 11 days ago, this Nation joined together to pay tribute to the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and recognize his contributions to this Nation. Thus, it's only fitting that we recognize one aspect of Dr. King's legacy, passage of the Fair Housing Act, which was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on April 11, 1968, just one week after Dr. King's tragic assassination. The act, which prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, and later handicap and family status, was another tool to give meaning to the rights and protections afforded to all citizens by the Constitution. Passage of the Fair Housing Act was a fitting memorial to Dr. King, as his name was closely associated with fair housing legislation since the 1966 ``open housing'' marches in Chicago. At the same time, Senator Edward Brooke, the first African American ever to be elected to the Senate by popular vote, helped facilitate this Act's passage by describing his difficulties finding housing for his new family following his service in World War II. The first official appointed to administer the act was former Governor George Romney. Secretary Romney assumed his position of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development after serving as Governor of Michigan, where he successfully campaigned for the ratification of a State constitutional amendment that prohibited discrimination in housing. Since its enactment, the Fair Housing Act has prevented both countless instances of specific discrimination as well as broader patterns or practices of discrimination in housing programs. In addition, the act serves to punish those who attempt to disguise their discriminatory motives by giving false information to potential homebuyers, or by manipulating zoning codes. It prohibits sexual harassment in housing, and enables the disabled to more easily assimilate into our communities. Madam Speaker, I would be remiss if I didn't also commend and recognize the chairman of the Judiciary, Mr. Conyers, both for his remarks, and also working with myself in a bipartisan manner on the issue that he raised about those that find themselves at risk of having their homes foreclosed upon. And I agree with him that we ought to give the bankruptcy judges additional powers to modify those particular agreements so that they can have a better chance of retaining their homes. That certainly would move forward those that find themselves at risk of losing their own homes. Again, I want to thank the chairman of the committee for working with us in a bipartisan manner on that issue. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution today, and in celebrating the 40th anniversary of passage of the Fair Housing Act. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, House Democrats' fiscally irresponsible budget will impose on American workers and businesses a $683 billion tax hike, the largest in U.S. history. With our economy slowing and many families losing their homes, the last thing Congress needs to do is to take more money from these hardworking Americans. Tax relief, not a tax increase, is the best stimulant to our economy. Socking 116 million Americans with an average tax hike of over $1,800 is an irresponsible fiscal strategy. Working families would be hit especially hard by the Democrats' irresponsibility. A family of four with two children that currently earns $50,000 annually would have to pay an additional $2,155 in taxes under the Democrats' plan. That would amount to a 191 percent increase in their tax bill. The last thing our economy needs right now is the largest tax increase in history. House Republicans are dedicated to protecting working families, investors, and small businesses from the irresponsible tax hike that is being foisted upon us.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Chairman, I rise to express my deep disappointment with today's debate in the House. With our Nation facing record high gas prices, the majority leadership in the House has chosen to debate legislation not on securing reliable and affordable energy, but on beaches. I suggest a better use of our time and the American people's time would be to have a serious debate about energy. How are we going to make energy more affordable in the short term? How are we going to make energy more affordable as the Nation needs to be more independent in the long term? What will be our primary fuel source in the future, and how do we get there? Instead, in recent months we have periodically debated shortsighted and fatally flawed legislation that purports to fix our energy problems simply by raising taxes by billions of dollars on domestic energy companies and hoping for the best. That is not an energy policy, that is a tax increase on every American family. Energy companies will inevitably pass on their additional costs to consumers at the pump. We should be debating legislation to streamline the Federal permitting process that has stifled construction of new oil refineries. We haven't built one in 32 years. We could be talking about benefiting consumers by simplifying our Nation's fragmented gasoline supply. The number of regional boutique fuels restricts the movement of our fuel supply and raises costs on Americans at the pump. We could be debating the merits of opening Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, ANWR, and the Outer Continental Shelf for energy exploration. We know that combined these areas have nearly 100 billion barrels of oil. Previous Congresses, urged on by their radical environmentalist allies, made the decision to keep these vast reserves off-limits. As a result, we see oil now at $110 a barrel. It is time we revisit the very important issue of being able to go after resources we have available to us in Alaska and in the Outer Continental Shelf. What about encouraging the construction of nuclear power plants? We began that process in 2005 with the passage of the Energy Policy Act. But as we stand here today, we haven't built a new plant in decades. European and Asian nations are building them by the dozens. India has nine new plants under construction. Japan is building five more. And China has plans to build 30 reactors. We in this country have plans for exactly zero on the way. Let's talk about how we intend to compete with China, which is canvassing the globe in its quest to ensure a reliable supply of oil. Reports indicate that the Chinese are forming energy partnerships with rogue nations like Iran and Cuba. And Cuba is purportedly planning to allow the Chinese to drill for oil off the Florida Keys, off our Florida Keys. Shouldn't we be talking about boosting domestic production simply so we wouldn't have to rely on the mood of Third World dictators like Hugo Chavez? Wouldn't it be nice if prices didn't spike at your neighborhood gas station when terrorists decide to blow up a pipeline half a world away, or when there is instability in Nigeria? Some may argue, and they might well be right, that oil isn't the long-term answer. It is a finite resource that may be scarce in the near future as developing nations like China and India continue to expand and industrialize; maybe so. But shouldn't we consider boosting our oil and natural gas supplies, increasing our energy independence that might just buy us the time necessary to develop the next fuel source? Maybe hydrogen fuel cell technology will take us into the next century. Maybe it is some other renewable resource. It could be a combination, or maybe something we haven't even discovered yet. We don't know. We do know that America has substantial reserves of oil and natural gas that we have locked up, we have placed off-limits. These resources could be the bridge that allows America to cross over the choppy waters of OPEC and Third World dictators to the secure footing of affordable and secure energy sources of tomorrow. Let's talk about these important things. Let's not talk about beaches.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from New York, the distinguished chairwoman of the Small Business Committee, Ms. Velazquez, for bringing this bipartisan measure to the floor recognizing the plumbing industry and supporting the goals and ideals of National Plumbing Industry Week. Like many of our small businesses today, plumbing contractors face difficult times and many difficult issues; a burdensome regulatory system, confiscatory taxation policy at virtually every level of government, rising energy prices, and often the unavailability of affordable health care for their employees and families. Congress can and must help these entrepreneurs, and we will continue to work with the chairwoman and my colleagues on the Small Business Committee to address these obstacles to the success of our Nation's small business plumbing contractors. As Chairwoman Velazquez has pointed out, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association is the oldest trade association in the American construction industry. I congratulate the association for its contributions over the years and encourage the industry to continue its good work, especially in training and mentoring our future industry leaders in that field. I have no doubt that our friends and neighbors in the plumbing industry will continue to make strides in the design and installation of energy efficient equipment that will carry us through the 21st century. I again want to thank my colleague, Chairwoman Velazquez, for working in a bipartisan manner on this issue, as we do virtually on every issue in the Small Business Committee. I thank her for bringing this resolution to the floor today. I am happy to join her in supporting it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1077, a resolution you introduced calling on the government of the People's Republic of China to end its crackdown in Tibet and to enter into a substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama to find a negotiated solution that respects the language, culture, and religious identity of the Tibetan people. Madam Speaker, freedom, dignity, and respect are universal rights that should know no boundaries. When these rights are nurtured and protected, peace, prosperity, and harmony flourish among people and nations. When these rights are restricted, repressed, and ignored, each of us has an obligation to speak out, otherwise the world suffers. Tibet has a long history of language, culture, and religion. Since the late 1500s, the teachings of the Dalai Lama and Buddhism have played integral roles in Tibet and throughout the world. The fact that Tibetans have lived under repressive conditions since China's crackdown in 1958, which led to the deaths of more than 10,000 Tibetans and sent the 14th Dalai Lama into exile, is inexcusable. The fact that China has failed to live up to its commitment to improve its human rights record is intolerable. The continued attempts by the Chinese Government to placate the international community with promises cannot go unchallenged any longer. If China wants to be recognized as a world leader, it should start acting like one. A good first step would be to allow for vigorous political debate rather than suppressing it. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution and thank the distinguished gentlewoman from California, Madam Speaker, for her work on this issue.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, we are on the floor today debating yet again another set of amendments to FISA, another set of amendments that limit the ability of law enforcement and intelligence communities to make this Nation safer, another set of amendments that have no chance of becoming law. What these amendments do confirm is that we are a litigious society, that some are willing to put lawsuits over safety. Prior to the passage of the Protect America Act, our intelligence community told us that they missed more than two-thirds of all overseas terrorist communications because of gaps and inconsistencies in the law. In August, we closed those holes, giving law enforcement and the intelligence communities the tools and resources they need to stay one step ahead. Disappointingly, 26 days have passed since those provisions expired. For 26 days now, our law enforcement and intelligence communities have had to revert back to the status quo. They have had to revert back to a status that allows terrorists to have the upper hand. And yet this Chamber continues to bring legislation that we know will not do the job, all the while, knowing that there is a solution, a bipartisan solution, to this predicament. The bipartisan solution lies in the legislation passed by the Senate 30 days ago. These amendments continue and build on the authorizations provided by the Protect America Act, ensuring that surveillance continues on foreign targets outside the United States. Immunity is provided to our communication partners, FISA applications, and orders are processed in a more timely manner, and lengthening the periods of emergency authorization for electronic surveillance. Yet this bill is mindful of our Constitution and the protections it affords to U.S. citizens, whether they are inside or outside the United States. Moreover, the authority provided by the bill sunsets in 6 years, allowing Congress to revisit if issues arise. I urge my colleagues to not make the safety of the American people a partisan issue. There are many things that we can disagree on, but the safety of this country should not be one of them. Let's not send the message that litigation is more important than patriotism, but that we are committed to standing as one in doing what is necessary and needed to keep this Nation safe.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to recognize two great high schools in my congressional district. The ladies of Mount Notre Dame, once again, with their usual style, grace, and determination won the Ohio Division I basketball championship. This win puts them in the history books, as it makes them the first Ohio team ever to win three consecutive State titles. With time running out and the game tied, freshman guard Kathryn Reynolds scored at the buzzer, clinching the championship for the Cougars 69-67. Coach Dante Harlan, top scorers Tia McBride, Ashley Fowler and the rest of the team are to be congratulated for their achievement. Well done, Cougars. I also want to recognize the 32 students in the Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble who were selected to participate in the Choral Salute at the 2008 Olympic Games in China. For more than a year, these gifted students have been preparing in rehearsals and planning fund- raisers to pay for the trip to Shanghai and Beijing, China. They are to be commended for showcasing their talent and also for the time and hard work they have dedicated to this journey. I am proud Winton Woods will be representing Ohio's First District this year in the Olympics.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 951, a resolution condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on the people of Israel. When Israel withdrew from Gaza back in 2005, there was hope that this was an opportunity for peace. Sadly, this has not been the case. Instead, Hamas and other terrorist groups, with the support of Iran and Syria, have fired more than 4,000 rockets and mortar shells into Israel from Gaza, killing, maiming, and traumatizing innocent Israeli civilians. This unprovoked disregard for human life must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. I support passage of this resolution, H. Res. 951, and urge my colleagues to do so as it supports the sovereign right of Israel to defend its territory and stop the rocket attacks on its citizens. It further calls on all nations, including Egypt, to take affirmative steps to stop the flow of rockets and other materials and equipment used by terrorists into Gaza and other Palestinian territories. Finally, it reaffirms the strong and unyielding friendship between the governments and the people of Israel and the United States.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise as one of the founding members of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, and I also want to thank the gentlelady from Nevada, Shelley Berkley, for her leadership in that capacity as well, as well as our colleagues Robert Wexler and Dana Rohrabacher who are the other founding members. I most recently traveled to Taiwan this last January, the week prior to the Legislative Yuan Elections, and I rise in support of House Resolution 278, a resolution recognizing Taiwan's fourth direct democratic presidential election to be conducted later this month. This resolution sends the right message at the right time. As one of the very few democracies in Asia, Taiwan should be recognized for its courage and commitment to allow its citizens to choose its future. It is a democracy that maintains a multi-party political system, and one that recognizes and respects individual liberty and human rights. Just across the Taiwan Strait is the People's Republic of China. It most certainly is not a democracy. It maintains an abysmal human rights record. It does not recognize the rule of law. It practices religious persecution. It warehouses political prisoners. It carries out a coercive abortion policy. And it has more than 800 missiles pointed directly at Taiwan. It is against this backdrop that Taiwan forges on with its elections. I am disappointed that the stronger language contained in the introduced version of the bill, which referenced the acts of intimidation and pressure by China, were eliminated. It is better to speak the truth rather than to worry about offending China's sensitivities. Intimidation, pressure, and outright bullying will not go away by ignoring it or by being silent about it. Notwithstanding this concern, I am supportive of the resolution, and I would urge its passage today.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, a few years ago, I had the honor of coming to the floor of this House to congratulate Cincinnati's Elder High School for winning the Ohio State Division 1 football championship 2 years in a row, quite an accomplishment. Today, I want to recognize and commend Elder High school seniors Matt Brannon and Ben Combs and a group of about a dozen fellow Elder students for doing something every bit as worthy of recognition. These young men, on their own initiative, raised the necessary funds to ship care packages to Elder alumni who are serving our Nation in uniform overseas. In the words of Matt Brannon, ``I want to help people who are risking their lives for us.'' Such patriotism should be an inspiration to us all, and Elder High School can be proud that they are educating and instilling in their students the highest values. Thank you, Elder Panthers. Well done.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, rather than spinning our wheels on this issue, there is a much more important issue that we should be dealing with today, and the very safety of our Nation is at issue. I'm disappointed that we have reached the point in this House that reasonable minds could not prevail on an issue that involves the very safety of the American people. Last August Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Protect America Act. This critical legislation closed the gaps which had previously caused the intelligence community to miss more than two- thirds of all overseas terrorist communications, finally allowing the United States to stay one step ahead of the terrorists. The Senate amendments to H.R. 3773 would enable law enforcement and the intelligence community to continue their counterterrorism efforts, including working with telecommunications companies and allowing officials to gather intelligence from potential foreign terrorists outside the United States. At the same time, this bill is mindful of our Constitution and the protections it affords to U.S. citizens, whether they are inside or outside the United States. Furthermore, the authority provided by the bill would sunset in 6 years, allowing Congress to revisit any issues that might arise. We cannot afford to let the terrorists, particularly those who are conspiring abroad, to have the upper hand. Our law enforcement and intelligence communities must have every resource available to do their jobs in keeping this Nation safe. I urge my colleagues to support the United States, not the terrorists, by passing the Senate amendments to H.R. 3773. And I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule and to the underlying bill before us. Last August, Congress passed and the President signed into law a bill that provides our law enforcement and intelligence community with the tools needed to protect this country, to protect the United States. The events of September 11, 2001, exposed gaps in our intelligence- gathering activities, particularly those occurring outside the United States. Since that tragic day, the administration has worked with Congress to ensure that every tool in our arsenal is available to those who are charged with keeping our country safe, including working with telecommunications companies and allowing officials to gather intelligence from potential foreign terrorists outside this country. These two aspects of the PAA have been critical in protecting the United States from actual or potential terrorist attacks or sabotage. Oversight by the FISA Court and minimization procedures approved by the courts ensure that such activities do not go beyond their scope. Last night, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation that would maintain these critical features enabling the intelligence and law enforcement communities to continue with its critical work. I urge my colleagues to defeat this rule and immediately take up and pass the Senate bill so that law enforcement and the intelligence communities continue to have the necessary tools to keep the American people safe.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I support and strongly urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 289 which recognizes the 99th anniversary of the NAACP. For almost a century, the NAACP has fought to bring justice and racial equality to this Nation. It is appropriate that we review that history. In 1917, the NAACP won a major legal victory in the Supreme Court which held that States could no longer restrict and officially segregate African Americans into particular residential districts. The same year, the NAACP fought for the right of black Americans to be commissioned as military officers during World War I. In 1920, the NAACP held its annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia, which at the time was one of the most active areas for the Ku Klux Klan. As a result, the NAACP showed the world it would not be intimidated by racial violence. In 1935, NAACP lawyers Charles Houston and Thurgood Marshall won a major legal battle to admit students to the University of Maryland. During World War II, the NAACP led the effort that resulted in President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's ordering a nondiscrimination policy in war-related industries and Federal employment. And in 1948, the NAACP convinced President Harry Truman to sign an executive order banning discrimination by the Federal Government. In 1954, under the leadership of Special Counsel Thurgood Marshall, the NAACP won one of its greatest legal victories in Brown v. Board of Education. In 1960 in Greensboro, North Carolina, members of the NAACP Youth Council launched a series of nonviolent sit-ins at segregated lunch counters. The history of America's modern struggle to live up to our constitutional principles was written in large part by the NAACP. And it continues to champion the cause of social justice today for all Americans. The NAACP has served as the voice of those who were muzzled by fear. It served as the voice of those who were handcuffed and jailed under segregationist policies. And it carried the weight for those whose backs were nearly broken in brutal beatings fueled by racial hatred. It did so peacefully and with dignity. And as a result, America is a better place. I am pleased to join my colleagues on this concurrent resolution honoring the historic contributions made by the NAACP to the cause of civil rights in this Nation. And I would like to conclude by acknowledging and recognizing and honoring the leadership of a gentleman in my district, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King but who has been ill recently. He has been a leader in our community and really across the entire country in the civil rights movement, and we all keep him in our prayers and hope that he recovers quickly. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 852, a resolution which establishes January 2008 as National Stalking Awareness Month. And I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) for his leadership on this issue. I also thank the ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) for his leadership, as well as the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott). Last year, 2007 represented the first national effort to recognize January as National Stalking Awareness Month. I would encourage all of my colleagues to continue their support for this resolution since stalking is much more dangerous than many people believe it is. Unlike the glamorized stalking scenes depicted in some Hollywood movies, in reality stalking is dangerous and considered a criminal act in all 50 States and in the District of Columbia and by the Federal Government. More than 1.4 million Americans are victims of stalkers in this country every year. Stalking victims are both men and women from all socioeconomic backgrounds, and they are often stalked by intimate partners. Additional statistics released by the National Center for Victims of Crime are even more disturbing. These statistics reveal that 81 percent of female stalking victims are also physically assaulted. One out of every five stalking cases involves the use of a weapon, and one-third of stalkers are repeat offenders. They have done it before. These statistics indicate that stalking is not as harmless as some would lead us to believe in the movies or on television shows. We must continue to bring attention to the dangers stalkers pose in our communities and the services and the resources available to respond and address this criminal activity. Passage of H. Res. 852 is an important step in accomplishing this goal. I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) for their leadership on this issue. I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 916, a resolution recognizing Catholic Schools Week and honoring the contributions that Catholic schools make to our Nation's country and to the youth of this Nation in particular. Having been a product of the Catholic school system in Cincinnati, Ohio, myself, having attended Holy Family School and then St. Catherine School and then LaSalle High School, and having had both of our children attend Our Lady of Lourdes School, my wife attended Mother of Mercy, as did our daughter in high school, my son is a senior at St. Xavier High School, and coincidentally they happened to win the State football championship in Ohio this year for the second time in the last 3 years, I can say firsthand that Catholic school systems in our community and all over the country are providing significant leadership in the great education for our youth. I also happened to be a school teacher at St. Joseph School in the west end in Cincinnati after I graduated from college. And Catholic schools provide a comprehensive and wide-ranging education to all of the students. Not only do Catholic schools promote the intellectual and physical cultivation of our most important asset, our country's youth, but they also lay the groundwork for a strong, moral upbringing resulting in well-rounded contributing members of our society. The Cincinnati Archdiocese consists of 117 schools totaling over 47,000 students. I am proud to say that several of these schools are located in Ohio's First District, including two schools, Our Lady of the Visitation and St. James School in White Oak who recently received the 2007 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award from the Department of Education. I want to urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I want to thank those here today for their leadership in bringing this forward. And I might note, Mr. Gingrey of Georgia mentioned the issue of life and the moral issues that are instilled in many of us from our Catholic upbringing. I happen to be the principal sponsor of the ban on partial birth abortion, and we had many, tens of thousands of people who came here yesterday to advocate on behalf of innocent, unborn children. And we had many come by our office yesterday, older high school students, St. Xavier High School students, St. Ursula, Mother of Mercy, Our Lady of Lourdes, many schools came by. And I want to thank them for doing that and their showing that the morals, the values that they are being taught in those schools really are sinking in. And I just want to thank those in the leadership position here for bringing forth this issue. And I think it is appropriate that we honor the Catholic school systems all across the country for the invaluable work that they do for our country.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I would just like to commend two freshman Members. I think this is another example that shows bipartisanship on the Small Business Committee, to the credit of the chairwoman, Ms. Velazquez, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire), a freshman Member, and Mr. Buchanan, a freshman Member from Florida, working together to benefit veterans and small businesses in this country. So I think I'd like to see that spirit illustrated in the rest of the Congress, and I want to thank again Mr. Altmire and Mr. Buchanan. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Buchanan.

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, we yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the request to suspend the rules and pass House Resolution 921, which agrees to the Senate amendment to H.R. 4253, the Military Reservist and Veterans Small Business Reauthorization Opportunity Act of 2007, subject to an amendment. I would like to thank Chairwoman Velazquez for working in a cooperative and bipartisan manner to bring this resolution to the floor, which, again, incorporates a number of provisions of a bill authored by Mr. Buchanan from Florida, a freshman member of the Small Business Committee. The provisions of this resolution are substantially similar to those contained in H.R. 4253 passed by the House in the last session. For the sake of brevity, interested parties can refer to the December 5, 2007 Congressional Record for that statement. The resolution makes necessary technical changes to the Senate amendment. The House bill required the establishment of an interagency task force to improve business advice given to veteran-owned small businesses. This resolution restores the requirement that the interagency task force include the advice from veteran service organizations. It makes no sense to try and improve veterans services to veterans without actually consulting them. Reservists have their own set of operational problems, especially if they own a business or are a key employee in a small business. These Reservists are making a sacrifice to the health of their business in order to protect the liberty and freedom of all Americans. The least we can do is provide the small businesses owned by or employing these Reservists sufficient access to advice and capital to enable their businesses to survive during their absence. The resolution before us today does just that. In particular, the resolution ensures that small communities where a Reservist-owned business is a major source of employment will have access to economic injury disaster loan funds from the SBA to pay employees and meet other expenses while the owner is on active duty. Small communities that rely on one employer should not have to suffer because the owner of a business has elected the noble obligation to serve our country in uniform. Finally, the resolution adopts a modified form of the reduction in costs for guaranteed loans made to veterans under SBA's 7(a) loan program. I commend the chairwoman for taking an approach that helps veterans obtain loans without unduly increasing costs to the American taxpayer or other borrowers under the 7(a) loan program. No one can dispute the sacrifice that America's veterans have made and continue to make in defense of our country. While the repayment of that debt may never be fully compensated, we can never fully pay back those that have served this country so honorably in uniform, we can certainly provide them with the needed assistance to prosper in civilian life. Today's resolution will do that. I want to thank the chairwoman again for working to make this possible and thank Mr. Buchanan for his leadership on this issue. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of S. 863, the Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007, and I want to thank and commend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) for his leadership on this bill as well. In January of this year, I introduced a companion bill, H.R. 846, that would create a new criminal offense and enhance current Federal penalties for fraud associated with major disasters and emergency benefits. Madam Speaker, August 29, 2005 was a day that this country will never forget. The images of destroyed homes, neighborhoods, communities, displaced families and friends, and lives literally torn apart by Hurricane Katrina especially will not easily fade from our memories. The devastation in the gulf coast region reminds us of a tragedy that we would expect to see in Third World countries, not in our country, and particularly not in regions known for their history and their character. Since Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma devastated the gulf coast more than 2 years ago, Congress has provided more than $117 billion in relief to the region, including reconstruction efforts, medical services, human services, including funds for unemployment and housing assistance, crisis counseling, and various other needs of the victims. In addition, charities like the Red Cross and Salvation Army have contributed several billion dollars more to the effort, and many, many volunteers contributed their time. To no one's surprise, almost immediately after FEMA and private charities began administering funds to victims, reports of fraud began to surface, such as noneligible persons filing false claims for benefits, and the creation of phony Katrina-related Web sites designed to exploit those who wished to make legitimate disaster relief contributions. More elaborate and organized schemes have also come to light, including a group in Bakersfield, California, which conspired with employees of a Red Cross call center to defraud the charity by obtaining false claims information in order to collect assistance payments through Western Union. These scams don't just affect disaster victims, but the charities, donors and taxpayers who provide this assistance. Federal law enforcement officials, including the Department of Justice, responded to the problem. In September 2005, the Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force was formed to mobilize the resources of the Federal Government, including Department of Justice, Homeland Security, Treasury, the FBI, FDC and other Federal partners, as well as representatives of State and local law enforcement. Since its formation in 2005, the task force has assisted 41 United States Attorneys to prosecute more than 768 people to date. In addition, the Task Force Joint Command Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, continues to receive more than 700 calls each month through its nationwide hotline and has screened and referred more than 14,000 leads to law enforcement agencies and field offices across the country. Yet, despite these efforts, it is clear that current criminal penalties are insufficient to deter disaster fraud. For example, in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Louisiana alone, 128 individuals have been charged with hurricane-related fraud. S. 863 would strengthen Federal law enforcement's ability to combat and deter those who would otherwise attempt to exploit another's tragedy, preventing assistance from going to those who truly need it. How? Well, first this legislation creates a new specific criminal penalty to prohibit fraud in connection with any emergency or disaster benefit, including Federal assistance or private charitable contributions, as long as the benefit was authorized or paid in interstate commerce, transported through the mails, or is something of value. The penalty for engaging in such fraud is a fine or imprisonment of up to 30 years. Second, the bill amends the Federal mail and wire fraud statutes to add emergency or disaster benefits fraud to the 30-year enhanced penalties in those statutes. Currently, the 30-year enhancement is reserved only for financial institutions fraud. Finally, the bill directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review existing penalties for disaster assistance fraud, amend the sentencing guidelines as necessary, and report back to the Judiciary Committee of both the House and the Senate. The Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act unanimously passed the House back in the 109th Congress. Tough penalties for criminals who prey on innocent disaster victims are long overdue. I urge my colleagues to support S. 863. I once again thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) for his leadership on this issue. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the congressional district that has so many outstanding high schools. Not only do these schools excel in academics, but they are home to some of the most gifted scholar-athletes in the Nation. Just this fall, Cincinnati witnessed two of our young women's high school volleyball teams, Mother of Mercy and Mount Notre Dame, meet for the second State championship in the last 2 years. After spending much of the season at the top of the rankings, Mercy senior leadership kept them strong at the end. Seniors Missy Harpenau, Stephanie Vorherr, Michelle James, and Kelly O'Connor lead the charge during the final games. Though Mount Notre Dame's standout players, Rachel Adams and Abbie Rees, rallied teammates for wins in the first and third sets, the Cougars couldn't hold on for a repeat of their 2006 success in winning the State championship. Mercy avenged last year's championship loss with a 15-11 victory in the last minutes to finish a great season for Mercy and Coach Denise Harvey, as well as Mercy's fourth volleyball State title in program history. In the interest of full disclosure, Mother of Mercy is near and dear to my heart because my wife, Donna, and my daughter, Erica, and my sister, Carol, are all Mother of Mercy graduates. A third Cincinnati area high school, the St. Ursula Academy Bulldogs, have become a mainstay in the State soccer tournament, advancing to their third finals in 7 years. Down 1-0 at the half, St. Ursula rallied with goals by Tori Huster and Alexandra Berry to beat Strongsville 2-1. St. Ursula finished with a remarkable 20-1-2 record and a third State championship, the other two coming back in 1991 and 1993. And, finally, I have the honor of congratulating St. Xavier High School for its second Ohio High School Division I State Football Championship in the last 3 years. On its way to a perfect 15-0 record, St. Xavier had probably the toughest schedule in the entire Nation, beating State champions from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and national powerhouse DeMatha from locally here in Maryland. St. X also had the distinction of being the number one ranked team in the State the entire year and number one in the Nation in some polls. St. Xavier's victory gave the district that I have the honor to represent its fifth division I State football title in the last 6 years, five out of the last 6 years, including Elder High School, who won it twice. I have two nephews, Joe Del Prince, who graduated last year, scored a number of touchdowns on the team last year, and his brother, my nephew, Mike Del Prince, who scored a touchdown against St. X. Unfortunately, when he scored that touchdown, he was hit pretty hard; and I ended up seeing him in the hospital a couple days later. But he's doing well, and he'll be great as a senior next year. And my brother, Ron, also is an Elder grad, played first singles tennis there some years ago, was on student council, and that kind of gave me my interest in politics, seeing my brother Ron succeed in that respect. But this also, this victory by St. X was their 38th State title in all sports, the most of any high school in the State. St. X was led by a senior class that compiled a record of 40 wins and two losses in their 4 years at the school, including Fred Craig, the Ohio defensive player of the Year, and Danny Milligan, the Ohio co-offensive player of the year, and running back Darius Ashley, who set a division I record by rushing for 271 yards and two touchdowns in the championship game. Just incredible. Kudos to head coach Steve Specht and the entire coaching staff for their tremendous accomplishments. Congratulations, St. X. And, again, in the interest of full disclosure, our son, Randy, is a senior at St. X and one of their great band field commanders under the leadership of Anthony Palm. All of these student athletes have learned invaluable lessons about commitment, teamwork and perseverance that will serve each of them well as they prepare for the future. Both on and off the field they have helped further the tradition of excellence at their schools for which all of Cincinnati can be proud. It is an honor for me to congratulate these young men and women on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.