Donna Christensen

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1113, which authorizes a land exchange at Fort Frederica National Monument in Georgia, has been amended by the Senate to clarify that the proposed land exchange is only exempt from a narrow and specific provision of law. Even with the passage of this legislation, there is much work left to be done with this proposed exchange. Appraisals and archaeological surveys of the lands in question have not been completed. As such, the value and historic significance of the proposed lands have not been established. Furthermore, the National Park Service testified that the noncontiguous parcel that would be acquired through the exchange will likely increase the administrative and operational costs of the national monument necessitating an evaluation of this question as well. It is important to note that H.R. 1113 authorizes but does not require a land exchange at Fort Frederica National Monument. Before any exchange could occur, the National Park Service would be required to complete appraisals and historical surveys, as well as comply with the requirements of NEPA and the National Park Service management standards. These legal and administrative procedures are in place to ensure that the exchange, if it does go forward, is in the public interest. Mr. Speaker, that being the case, we do not object to consideration of H.R. 1113, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1446 is a bipartisan proposal which was introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), our colleague, which originally passed the House on October 20, 2003. This bill has been returned to the House with a Senate amendment that makes a number of changes to the bill. These changes do not detract from the overall goal and direction of the legislation, and we do not object to them. The California missions are important historical and cultural resources that preserve and interpret a rich and varied history of exploration, conquest and settlement. The small grant program authorized by H.R. 1446 will be used for secular purposes which preserve those qualities of the missions that are historically and culturally significant. Mr. Speaker, we support the passage of H.R. 1446 as amended by the House today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

Ms. CHRISTENSEN

Ms. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 is misnamed as it relates to my congressional district, the U.S Virgin Islands, because of changes it makes to our Economic Development Program. These changes could ``likely cripple our Economic Development Commission (EDC) program, robbing it of many of the incentives it uses to lure mainland businesses to the islands, if companies decide to pull their investments, jobs and money out of the territory.'' The conference report contains a new provision, not previously considered by either the House or Senate, which poses a serious risk to our EDC program. The Government of the Virgin Islands strongly opposes this provision as currently drafted. This provision, which was added in a closed door meeting with House and Senate tax writers over this past weekend and unveiled in the draft conference report late last Monday night, would require V.I. taxpayers to be physically present in the Virgin Islands at least 183 days in any tax year in order to be deemed a ``bona fide V.I. resident'' under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The new provision eliminates the alternative 3-year 122-day test included in the original Senate bill. The new provision also restricts the type of income that can qualify for EDC benefits to V.I. source income. It would eliminate the possibility that some of an EDC beneficiary's U.S. source income that is ``effectively connected'' with a V.I. trade or business could qualify for tax reduction under the EDC program. The 1986 Tax Reform Act specifically permitted the Virgin Islands to reduce tax liability on income ``effectively connected'' with a conduct of a V.I. trade or business even when such income is sourced outside of the Virgin Islands in certain circumstances. Neither the House nor the Senate bill contained any provision on source of income rules. Mr. Speaker, we recognize and accept that the genesis of this new provision is the fact that there have been participants of our EDC program that have taken positions that they are bona fide Virgin Islands residents when they did not in fact spend a significant amount of time in the territory. We also acknowledge that there have been situations where individuals have received EDC tax exemptions even though they continued to live and work in the United States. We agree that the rules governing this situation need to be clarified and made certain. And to that end, we look forward to working with the Treasury Department in crafting reasonable regulations which accomplishes these goals while preserving the essential elements of our program which was designed to promote fiscal autonomy for the Virgin Islands. We encourage the Treasury Department to develop reasonable rules, post haste, that will ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the Virgin Islands EDC program and promote both tax compliance and economic growth. Without such rules, the impact of the conference report language on legitimate businesses in the Virgin Islands or on local government revenues could be enormous, creating the financial equivalent of a massive hurricane leveling the islands.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4520 for the damage that it does to our EDC program and the loss of jobs in my territory.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, today in the U.S. Virgin Islands, on my island of St. Croix, residents from all walks of life will gather to remember and pay tribute to Frank J. Fox. Frank Fox was the president of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce from 2002 to 2003. But his service to St. Croix and the entire Territory did not begin or end there. He lent his time and talents to a variety of task forces, commissions and committees such as the Governor's Economic Development Committee, The Cruise Ship Task Force, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Navy League, the Landmark Society, Our Town Frederiksted, and St. Croix Friends of Denmark to name but a few. He was also a member of Rotary Mid Island. But even beyond these Frank and his beloved wife, Beverly were everywhere. They truly adopted St. Croix as home, and did everything they could to make it a better, and more vibrant place for everyone. Mr. Speaker, Regrettably, due to pressing matters up here, I will not be there at the memorial service. And I know that this is where Frank would insist that I be. Frank lent his expertise to me, during a very difficult political time--when I had introduced and was shepherding the bill to create a Chief Financial Officer for the Virgin Islands. Often as he offered his opinion or advice, he would preface it with ``For whatever it is worth.'' I can tell you, and others who benefited from his counsel would attest, whatever he said was worth a lot! I had the pleasure of serving with Frank on the VI EpsCor (Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research), where he was the first Chairman. He gave generously of his time, and expertise, and led us through a very successful launching in which the University received the first ever grant to a territory. He will be fondly remembered for all of the above, but never more than every August when we as a community gather to greet new teachers. It was during his tenure as Chamber president that this activity, which is now tradition, began. It demonstrates the depth of his insight into what is important to the future of the Virgin Islands, and more importantly his commitment to that future. He knew and showed us through his life and service, the importance of the ``village,'' and its responsibility to our children. Mr. Speaker, we were all shocked to hear that this man, so full of life, had left us. We will always be grateful for his friendship, and for his service to our community. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Beverly and his family. And we thank her for sharing this wonderful man with us so generously.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 211 to authorize a single new National Heritage Area in New Mexico. While the bill combines a number of Heritage Area in New Mexico. While the bill combines a number of Heritage Area proposals, I am particularly pleased to see my legislation, H.R. 1594, to provide for a study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing my home island of St. Croix as a National Heritage Area was also included in this package. The island of St. Croix has a long, distinguished, and varied history, including being the site where Christopher Columbus first stepped onto what is now American soil. There is significant interest in preserving and enhancing the natural, historical and cultural resources of the island on a cooperative basis and such a study would provide guidance on how we can best achieve those purposes. Even though each of the U.S. Islands can make a good case for designation as a National Heritage Area, the island of St. Croix with its two historic towns--Christiansted built in 1734 and Frederiksted built in 1752--is richly blessed with all of the attributes that would justify this designation. The town's historic architecture matured over a 100-year period. The town of Christiansted is one of the finest examples of Danish architectural designs in this hemisphere. Its history can be traced back some 4,000 years to 2500 B.C. In 1493 Columbus arrived at what is now the Salt River National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve, making it the only site under the American flag where his men went ashore, as well as the first recorded hostile encounter between Europeans and Native Americans. Frederiksted has the distinction of having been the first jurisdiction to have raised its flag in salute of the new Republic of the U.S.A., and indeed the first designed flag was done by a resident of that Island. Mr. Speaker, S. 211 as amended, also includes important legislation to conserve and interpret important cultural and historical resources in Pennsylvania, Ohio and South Carolina. Many of our colleagues, including Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and a new Member of this Congress, Tim Ryan of Ohio, have worked long and hard to shepherd these measures through the legislative process. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Full Committee Chairman Pombo, Ranking Member Rahall, as well as Subcommittee Chairman Radanovich for their efforts in moving S. 211 to the floor of the House today. I urge our colleagues to support S. 211.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleague Congressman Cliff Stearns of Florida in the passage of H.R. 2023, the Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act of 2004. Mr. Speaker, as a medical doctor I know of nothing more important to a patient than the ability to access his/her medication. The bill before us today underscores this critical component in the continuum of care as it relates to asthma and school-age children. I am grateful to Mr. Stearns for introducing this important piece of legislation and will be working forward to its impact in African American and medically underserved communities. As you know, Mr. Speaker, asthma is the 6th-ranking chronic condition in the U.S., and the leading serious chronic illness of children in the U.S., and has a significant impact on African Americans. Not only do African Americans have a higher asthma prevalence rate than Caucasians, but they are also more likely to be hospitalized or die due to asthma. Data released in 2003 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the lifetime prevalence rate is 29 percent higher in African Americans than in Caucasians. The asthma attack prevalence rate in African Americans is 37 percent higher than in Caucasians, and the asthma attack prevalence rates in African-Americans are highest among children under the age of 5. The CDC also noted that African Americans have nearly four times the asthma-related emergency room visits than Caucasians and that African Americans are more than three times more likely than Caucasians to be hospitalized for asthma. Finally, African Americans are three times more likely than Caucasians to die from asthma and more African American women die from asthma than any other group. A recent study by Guido R. Zanni and Jeannette Wick, entitled Counseling Inner-City Youth with Asthma, found that approximately 1 in 13 school-age children is affected--an increase of 72.3 percent since the 1980s. Asthma-related absenteeism amounted to 14 million missed school days in 2000. The researchers noted that the inner cities have unique challenges with asthma-causing agents: Tobacco and cooking smoke, indoor allergens, bioaerosols and other air pollutants, respiratory infections, and stress. Up to 59 percent of inner-city pediatric asthma sufferers live in homes with environmental tobacco smoke. Sensitivity to allergens is typical of pediatric asthma. Most inner-city children (94 percent are highly sensitive to inhalant allergens, and 76 percent are sensitive to 3 or more allergens. Approximately 36 percent have cockroach sensitization. Combining cockroach sensitization with regular exposure significantly increases asthma-related hospitalizations, emergency room visits, school absenteeism, and lost sleep. The researchers noted some of the causes of nonadherence to asthma medication regimens by school-age children are created by parental health beliefs, the use of multiple care providers, the lack of a comprehensive asthma-management plan, psychosocial stressors, inadequate attention to triggers and early warning signals, and inadequate environmental allergen control. They also noted that many schools have a zero-tolerance drug policy, forcing students to smuggle and take their asthma medications discreetly or leave their medications at home. Mr. Speaker, I believe that H.R. 2023 is a step in the right direction towards eliminating health disparities by making grants available to States, with a preference to States that require public elementary and secondary schools to allow students to self-administer medication to treat that student's asthma or anaphylaxis under specified conditions. Again, Mr. Speaker, I believe that this bill is a measure that safeguards the health of children with asthma and urge my colleagues to support it.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleague Congressman Robert Menendez of New Jersey in the passage of H.R. 918, the Patient Navigator, Outreach, and Chronic Disease Prevention Act of 2003. As you know, Mr. Speaker, I have come to this floor on numerous occasions to express my outrage concerning racial and ethnic health disparities in this Nation and legislative solutions to address them. For years, research has told us that minorities and low-income populations are the least likely to receive the health care they need to live a long, healthy life. We've done a very good job of identifying this problem and finally we have a bill that will begin the process of solving them. The bill we are passing today while greatly modified enjoys strong support from the American Cancer Society, the National Association of Community Health Centers, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the National Hispanic Medical Association, the National Medical Association, Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Coalition, the Intercultural Cancer Council and their Caucus, the National Council of La Raza, 100 Black Men of America, the National Rural Health Association, Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum, the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, and the National Patient Advocate Foundation. This bill addresses what many of us believe are the root causes of health disparities in minority and underserved communities: Lack of access to health care in general--and particularly lack of access to prevention and early detection--as well as language and cultural barriers to care. In the 2002 IOM report Unequal Treatment: Confronting racial and ethnic disparities in care, research explained that there are a number of explanations for the higher rates of disease among minority populations, including higher rates of uninsured, reduce access to care, and lower quality of care. But all of these barriers point to the same underlying problem, minority patients are less likely to receive early screening and detection, so their disease is found at a much later stage and they have less chance of survival. This bill we're passing today will be the process to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, income, or geography, will have access to prevention screening and treatment, and that they will have an advocate at their side, helping them navigate through today's complicated health care system. The bill before us ensures that navigators are available to help patients make their way through the health care system--whether it's translating technical medical terminology, making sense of their insurance, making appointments for referral screenings, following up to make sure the patient keeps that appointment, or even accompanying a patient to a referral appointment. Mr. Speaker, I also want to acknowledge that the original concept for the legislation comes from Dr. Harold Freeman's ``navigator'' program, which he created while he was Director of Surgery at Harlem Hospital. It is our hope that Dr. Freeman's navigator concept and its laser shape focus on comprehensive modeling of prevention services will eventually be fully translated in legislative terms. To this end, it is my sincere desire that this body would move expeditiously in holding hearing on H.R. 3459 the Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act of 2003. It is our firm belief that H.R. 3459 expands and accents the comprehensive components that Dr. Freedman's navigator program embodies. As you know, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3459 enjoys the support of 104 Members in this body, was created by the Congressional Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific American, and Native American Caucuses, and included the introduced version of the bill before us today. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Karissa Willhite of Mr. Menendez's office and John Ford and Cheryl Jaeger of the Energy and Commerce Committee along with other staff that enabled this bill to come to the floor. It urge my colleagues to vote for its adoption.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join the gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. McCarthy) in urging the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 34, a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that private health insurance companies should take a proactive role in promoting healthy lifestyles. Madam Speaker, we know as a society that our lifestyle choices disproportionately account for the excess death and disease burden in this country. Recent studies have documented that of the top 10 killers in America, many such as heart disease, injuries, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, strong perinatal conditions and lung diseases can be reduced or eliminated through healthy lifestyle choices. I want to take this opportunity to commend and thank the gentlewoman from Missouri for introducing this important piece of legislation. As chair of the Health Brain Trust of the Congressional Black Caucus, I know that it can help my constituents, African-Americans in this country, all people of color and all Americans who are fortunate enough to have health insurance. Recently, the Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities at the University of South Carolina noted that, in the 20th century, public health advances eradicated diseases through sanitation, immunizations, health education and advances in medical technology. This led to enormous improvements in people's lives. However, the 21st century has brought a new set of public health challenges which include tobacco- and alcohol-related diseases as well as sexually transmitted ones. We have also seen that sedentary lifestyles and diets high in calorie-rich foods have produced a generation of Americans who are increasingly obese. The health problems associated with weight-related diseases are multiplying by epidemic proportions. Madam Speaker, between 50 and 66 percent of African-American women can be classified as being overweight. More than 2.8 million, or 13 percent of African-Americans, also have diabetes. Finally, we and other people of color suffer disproportionately from complications and death due to this illness. We also know that lifestyle choices relating to poor nutrition and obesity can be associated with three of the other 10 leading causes of death, heart disease, stroke and cancer. It is clear that we need all hands on deck to address this health care crisis in our country. That is why I am urging my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 34 which urges private health insurance companies to do more to encourage people in the United States to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle to prevent expensive and painful illness; two, to provide discounted premiums to those who exercise regularly; and three, to encourage frequent screening for diseases that are easily treatable in their early stages. We still have to do more to cover everyone and to pay providers for their time spent in counseling patients on good disease prevention and health promotion, but, Madam Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 34 is a step in the right direction by giving the insurance industry a stake in the fight to eliminate health care disparities, to ensure better health for all Americans and to reduce the skyrocketing costs of health care. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, we have no objection to the consideration of this legislation. We believe it will not harm the integrity of the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution which congratulates the American Dental Association for sponsoring the ``Give Kids a Smile'' program. I want to say that the participation of dentists in the second annual ``Give Kids a Smile'' program, which was established and sponsored by them, the American Dental Association, and held this year on February 6, 2004, serves as a reminder to people in the United States about the need to end untreated childhood dental disease and, in doing so, also prevent adult dental disease. This activity was participated in by more than 37,000 volunteers, including more than 15,000 dentists who provided free education, screening and care services to an estimated 1 million children. We want to thank the American Dental Association for doing this and thank the National Dental Association for their support. This bill was favorably reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce last week by a voice vote.

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of S. 551, the Southern Ute and Colorado Intergovernmental Agreement Implementation Act of 2003. This legislation is necessary to allow the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to be treated as a state for purposes of administering the Clean Air Act on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation in southwestern Colorado. Under this bill, both Indian and non-Indian areas within the Reservation can be regulated by a single entity, a joint State/Tribal Commission, composed of three members from the tribe and three members from the State. This makes good common sense and will allow the State and the tribe to properly implement the Clean Air Act. S. 551 will not alter anyone's duty to comply with the Act nor would it alter any rights of any citizen to bring an action to enforce the Clean Air Act. S. 551 will implement the Intergovernmental Agreement that was negotiated between the State and the tribe. I understand that the Attorney General of Colorado, Ken Salazar, has been a key negotiator in negotiating this agreement. Without his work, it would not have happened. The State of Colorado, the tribe, and the Attorney General's Office are to be commended for this effort. I urge my colleagues to support Senate 551. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I am a cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 496, and I rise in strong support of the resolution which calls on Congress to support badly and immediately needed humanitarian assistance to the Caribbean countries which were devastated by the recent hurricanes, as we provide aid to the people of Florida; and our hearts go out to them as well. Mr. Speaker, Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Gaston, Ivan and Tropical Storm Jeanne have caused widespread damage in large numbers of our neighboring Caribbean countries. We have seen the tragedy in Haiti where Hurricane Jeanne resulted in more than 2,000 deaths, many more still missing and over a quarter of a million people homeless. In Grenada, Hurricane Ivan destroyed 78 percent of the island's electrical system and homes as well as hospitals, schools and their spice industry. And Hurricane Frances has caused an estimated $125 million in damage to the islands of the Bahamas. More than 440,000 individuals have been displaced throughout the region. These storms left a path of destruction across a region that is our third border and which was already stressed and whose economies were already heavily burdened in part by our own homeland security needs. They do not have the capacity to respond. These countries, which include six of the top ten most indebted countries in the world, are in desperate need of our assistance for everything, emergency health services, water, shelter, food and infrastructure. To put the situation into perspective, the U.N.'s Office For the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in an October 1 report pointed out that Grenada, one of the smallest countries in the western hemisphere, bases its economy on tourism and agriculture and imports most of the food that it consumes. The majority of the island's 102,000 inhabitants make their living out of these two vital sectors which were severely hit by Hurricane Ivan. The negative impact of the disaster has been enormous at all levels and in all sectors, disrupting the livelihood of every single Grenadian and causing serious damage to the backbone of the country's economy. Mr. Speaker, President Bush and the administration have announced they will provide $50 million to assist the region, specifically Haiti, Jamaica and Grenada, with small amounts for the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. That is not enough. Much more will be needed to help the entire region. Because so many of the economies of the countries in the region have been severely damaged because vital income-producing crops were destroyed, and replanting and new seeding processes will not yield salable produce for several years, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus have called for an appropriation of $500 million for reinforcement and alternative economic development. Mr. Speaker, my district is part of the region. We know the devastation of hurricanes, not only to the physical structures but to the emotions and to the families, and the difficulty of recovery. Even with the strong and resilient spirit of the people of the Caribbean, things are very, very difficult today. I join my colleagues in urging this body to support the adoption of this resolution as well as our request for additional funding for the region.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1630 as it is being brought to the floor today is not the same bill that passed the Committee on Resources in July. An issue was raised by the majority on the acquisition of the private lands within the park, but I am pleased that the language has been worked out and that it is language that is acceptable to both sides. So, Mr. Speaker, we will support this new amended version of H.R. 1630. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)