Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding. On Monday, the House will not be in session. On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business, with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for legislative business. On Friday, no votes are expected in the House. We will consider several bills under suspension of the rules. The complete list of suspension bills will be announced by the close of business today. In addition, we will consider Senate 1707, a bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2010 through 2014 to promote an enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people; the conference report on H.R. 3183, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010; and additional motions to go to conference on appropriations bills.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, on July 21, 2009 I was absent for two rollcall votes. Had I been here, I would have voted: ``yes'' on rollcall vote 598 and ``yes'' on rollcall vote 599.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman from Texas. Madam Speaker, at this point in time, we have no further speakers.

Mr. CROWLEY. I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise this evening in support of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, and let me thank both our friend from Texas for his comments, as well as my friend from Michigan, Mr. Levin, for his comments as well with regard to this legislation. This legislation was first enacted in 2003 under the leadership of former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and my good friend, Tom Lantos. Tom spent his life fighting for freedom and democracy for those who could not fully defend themselves. He is greatly missed here in the House of Representatives, but his legacy remains, and I have been proud to help carry on his efforts to secure democracy in Burma. Former Chairman Lantos would be pleased that we are considering the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. This legislation will reauthorize the current sanctions on imports from Burma's military regime for an additional 3 years, as well as maintain the ban on the importation of jade and other gems from Burma. I introduced the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act because we must show the military regime currently ruling with an iron fist in Burma that there are consequences for their actions. Burma's military regime has carried out a brutal campaign against its own people. It has destroyed 3,000 villages, forced over 1 million people to flee as refugees, and has used rape as a weapon of war, and has pressed millions of civilians into forced labor, modern day slave labor. The junta has also rejected recent diplomatic outreach, which would have been well received in the global community. Specifically, the junta refused United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's request to release political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the nonviolent movement for democracy and human rights in Burma. Not only did the junta refuse Aung San Suu Kyi's release, they even refused Ban Ki-Moon's request to meet with him. The Burmese regime must be stopped. If passed, the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act will supplement President Obama's actions on May 15, when he renewed investment prohibitions against the Burmese military regime that began during President Clinton's term in office. The United States is not alone in using sanctions as part of a diplomatic strategy to help promote change in Burma. The European Union renewed its Common Position on sanctions; and Canada, Australia, and New Zealand and others have unilaterally imposed their own restrictions. Aung San Suu Kyi and the other legitimate leaders of Burma have also called on the world to impose sanctions on their own country, just as Desmond Tutu and the leaders of the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa called for sanctions on South Africa in the 1980s. We must maintain our sanctions against the junta in Burma, and I call on all my colleagues to vote for the renewal of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. And with that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a worthy organization, one committed to special needs children and their families. The Moses and Aaron Foundation's significant and enduring efforts under the direction and visionary leadership of President Rabbi Yaacov Kaploun and Executive Vice President Yehuda Kaploun deserve the highest praise, as do the philanthropists who have given of themselves to fulfill its mission. The Moses and Aaron Foundation Special Fund for Children, an all volunteer organization, is dedicated to assisting children with disabilities and their families with a wide range of programs including social, physical, financial and wheelchair assistance, as well as counseling and guidance. It also provides scholarship funding to educational institutions: collects; purchases; and distributes clothing for children in need and remembers them with presents at holiday time or when hospitalized. The Foundation has arranged for sound and musical equipment in other institutions and has distributed gifts to thousands of children during the holiday seasons. The corporate and individual supporters of the foundation include Metropolitan Lumber Company, Mr. Robert Gans, and the Croton Watch Company. Concert Chairmen Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gans, Mr. Avi and Dr. Laura Greenbaum, Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Rothman, Mr. Mark Selden and Patti Shlesinger. On Saturday night August 1st, 2009 at the Sullivan County Community College, Lock Sheldrake, New York, the Moses and Aaron Foundation under the Honorary Chairmanship of Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, will sponsor its thirteenth Barmitzva Summer ``Chazak-Strength'' Concert honoring and paying tribute to special and outstanding children and their families. The Guests of Honor will be the Special and Outstanding children, many of whom will perform with the entertainers on stage. More than forty organizations, camps and schools serving the physically and mentally disabled children will be represented. The Chazak Concert and the Moses and Aaron Foundation's other programs demonstrate a caring and compassionate concern for the quality and dignity of life of others and merit the appreciation of all those who have benefited from its services. The program will feature a musical tribute in memory of Mr. Izzy Taubenfeld of Sameach Music, a lifelong friend and member of the Chazak family. The Moses and Aaron Foundation was founded in memory of Rabbi Dr. Maurice I. Hecht of New Haven, Connecticut, and Aaron Kaploun, both of whom led lives of exemplary community service. It is in this sentiment of communal dedication that the Moses and Aaron Foundation has devoted itself to serving the needs of a unique group in the community. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the Moses and Aaron Foundation an organization which exemplifies the generosity of spirit in American Society.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, on June 25, 2009, I was absent for eight rollcall votes because I was in a meeting at the White House with President Obama on immigration reform. If I had been here, I would like the Record to reflect that I would have voted: Yes on rollcall vote 453, Yes on rollcall vote 454, No on rollcall vote 455, No on rollcall vote 456, Yes on rollcall vote 457, Yes on rollcall vote 458, No on rollcall vote 459, and Yes on rollcall vote 460.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2010. The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill makes fundamental investments that are vital to our nation's security. It tightens our nation's borders, allows for installation of the latest explosive detection systems at airports nationwide, protects our ports and critical infrastructure, and provides grants to meet the needs of our first responders. It also increases funding for the Urban Areas Security Initiative, which is very important to my home city of New York, by almost $50 million, matching the President's request, for a total allocation of $887 million. In the months following the September 11th attacks, I spearheaded the creation of the High Threat Urban Area Account Program, which later became the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). I undertook this effort because, at the time, there were no Federal domestic security grant programs that provided funding solely on the basis of threat and risk. While I recognize that the threat of terror lingers everywhere, there are, unfortunately, several cities and areas that are more vulnerable to attack. New York, my home city, is one of them. This is not a distinction we are proud of, but it is a reality we face. Al-Qaeda has already attacked my city twice. And, for me, it became all the more personal when my cousin, a New York City fireman, died during the September 11, 2001 attacks trying to help people out of Tower 2 at the World Trade Center. What happened on September 11th can never happen again, and that is what the UASI program is about. The grants go to cities and states under the greatest threat of attack. In New York City, the grants have been used to train and better equip first responders, and provide them with better communication systems to assure preparedness, in addition to improved monitoring of critical infrastructure. Late last month, four men were arrested in a plot to bomb two Bronx synagogues. According to authorities, they had planted bombs in cars outside the two synagogues, and were planning to shoot down military planes at an Air National Guard base in upstate New York. New York's Office of Homeland Security later provided Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funds in order to resolve the vulnerabilities of the synagogues. Additionally, it was Federal homeland security dollars that assisted the New York Police Department in their excellent investigative work to stop this act of terror before it occurred. Madam Speaker, the threat of terrorism remains very real, making it essential for cities that face the greatest risk to have the tools and resources necessary to stop attacks before they occur. Cities, like New York, remain a major target for terrorists, and programs like UASI help us fight terrorism and ensures that our first responders have the equipment they need to protect the American people. I would like to thank the gentleman from North Carolina, Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, for his leadership, hard work, and dedication to the urban area initiative and I urge adoption of the bill.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, on June 25, 2009, I was absent for eight rollcall votes. If I had been here, I would have voted: ``Aye'' on rollcall vote 453; ``Aye'' on rollcall vote 454; ``No'' on rollcall vote 455; ``No'' on rollcall vote 456; ``Aye'' on rollcall vote 457; ``Aye'' on rollcall vote 458; ``No'' on rollcall vote 459; ``Aye'' on rollcall vote 460.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, on June 19, 2009, I was absent for one rollcall vote. If I had been here, I would like the Record to reflect that I would have voted: ``yea'' on rollcall vote 411.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a chapter of an organization that has helped millions of Americans around the country. The Peachtree Chapter of The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is now celebrating its 15th year of accomplishing great things in Co-op City. The Peachtree Chapter has continued to provide assistance to retired persons and carrying out the work of the national AARP, which is in its 51st year of operation. In 1993, Bernard Aronowitz founded the Peachtree chapter. Meetings were initially held in St. Michael's Church, where members established an Executive Board. However, as membership increased, the chapter moved to the Dreiser Auditorium. It was here that the chapter, which was previously known as the Co-op City chapter, adopted the name Peachtree, after a typo by Washington. The four presidents that have led the chapter, Bernard Aronowitz, Joseph Mattice, Caroline Smith and now Josephine Collins; have furthered the efforts of the chapter to bring help to the elderly population of Co-op City. The chapter has provided the citizens of Co-op City with support in the challenging times over the past 15 years. The chapter has touched many lives with its commitment to public service. As a Representative from the Bronx, I know what great change and improvement the Peachtree Chapter has provided and continues to provide for all the citizens of the area. I send my best wishes to this great chapter, and the organization it represents and I know it will continue to provide service to the community for years to come. Congratulations to the Peachtree Chapter of AARP in Co-op City on 15 great years of service.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleague from California, Congressman David Dreier, to introduce legislation to amend Federal tax law to allow for the immediate tax write-off of the first $15 million (or $20 million in those select cases where the production is made in a distressed community) of production expenditures for qualifying domestic film and television productions. This provision, Section 181 of the Internal Revenue Code, was first enacted in the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and extended in 2008. It was added to protect the U.S. television and film industry that is increasingly filming in foreign locations, such as Canada. In so doing, Congress recognized the important contribution our television and film production industries make to sustaining jobs in communities across the country. These productions provide good jobs not just for actors, writers and directors, but also for the local carpenters and electricians, the drivers and equipment operators, the caterers and hotel keepers who provide services to these productions. Adoption of Section 181 also represented Congressional recognition of the fact that this vital sector faces increasing competition from foreign production companies whose governments subsidize television and film production. In 2001, the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration reported that made-for-television production of ``movies of the week'' in the U.S. had declined by 33 percent since 1995 and that production at foreign locations increased by 55 percent. The Directors Guild of America noted at the time that ``globalization, rising costs, foreign wage, tax and financing incentives, and technological advances, combined are causing a substantial transformation of what used to be a quintessentially American industry into an increasingly dispersed global industry.'' Section 181 of the Internal Revenue Code allows production companies to deduct the cost of qualified U.S. productions immediately rather than capitalizing the costs and deducting them slowly over time. The incentive accelerates the timing of deduction but it does not change the amount of the deduction. In order to qualify, at least 75 percent of the total compensation paid for the production must be for services performed in the U.S. by actors, directors, producers and other production staff personnel. The deduction applies to the first $15 million ($20 million for productions in low income communities or distressed area or isolated area of distress) of a qualified film or television production. The cost of the production above the dollar limitation is capitalized and recovered under the taxpayer's method of accounting. I believe that this was an appropriately targeted provision, designed to encourage television and film producers to stay here in the United States and keep those jobs in our communities. In the last decades, New York City and in particular my home borough of Queens has seen a resurgent television and film production sector bring new jobs and revenue into the community. This bill will help to ensure that those jobs stay here in the U.S. The Center for Entertainment Industry Data and Research's Year 2005 Production Report concluded that Section 181 ``is having a positive effect on television production in the U.S.'' Since 2004, it reported that made-for-television movie production in the U.S. increased by 42 percent, while it fell in Canada by 15 percent. Along with my Republican sponsor, Congressman David Dreier of California and myself who hails from Queens, New York, the television and film industries are both major employers and major tax providers to our local, state and national economies. This legislation works to protect these industries and stem the flood of production to non-U.S. locations. Section 181 will expire in 2009. It ought to be made a permanent provision of our tax code in order to keep television and film production jobs in the United States.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I listened very carefully to the objections. And let me just say that if LaGuardia Airport is forced to close for 10 minutes, it sets off an explosion that affects the entire flight paths of the Eastern seacoast. So whatever does happen, we were very fortunate that we had Captain Sullenberger, who was able to land Flight 1549 safely. This is not just a local concern. This is a concern, I think nationally as well. The number of geese or fowl that disrupt air travel happens more often than the public was led to believe. I think that building a facility for waste transfer within 2,000 feet of the runway is simply ludicrous. We shouldn't be doing that. I think that the City of New York and the Department of Sanitation needs to rethink this one and send it back to the drawing board. Gary Ackerman and myself are calling foul right now. This should not happen. We're sending that message home to our folks back in New York.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a giant of the Queens arts community--Frankie Manning, who passed away on April 27, 2009 at the age of 94. Frankie Manning, the self-described ``Ambassador of the Lindy Hop,'' was an icon of the jazz dancing era. From the start of his career in the 1930s, Frankie was one of jazz dance's most elite dancers, becoming a fixture at venues like the Savoy Ballroom and the Cotton Club. As Frankie became the face of the Lindy hop, he took his signature style on tours through Europe and South America, to the New York World's Fair, and to Hollywood, where his impressive performances graced a number of Hollywood films. Never one to overlook service to his country, Frankie also served in the Army during World War II, serving in the Pacific theater. After years of professional dancing, Frankie also began work for the Postal Service in 1955. Where most of us see retirement as a chance to relax, Frankie did the opposite, turning his retirement into a whirlwind of choreographing and teaching, as he helped bring the Lindy hop back into the national consciousness. He received a Tony award for his Broadway choreography in 1989, and returned to Hollywood to train actor Denzel Washington on the Lindy in the film ``Malcolm X.'' In 2000, Frankie was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Frankie will always be remembered as someone who never lost his love for dancing as he got older. In fact, in just a few weeks he was to celebrate his 95th birthday with a five-day festival and the premiere of a documentary on his life of dance. This event, now scheduled as a memorial, shows just how much spirit Frankie brought to his life and his dancing. My condolences go out to Frankie's family, the dancers he worked with throughout his career, and to his many fans around the world. He brought so much life to the world of jazz dance, and the same energy and charisma to all his endeavors. Frankie Manning will certainly be missed, but I am confident that his spirit will live on.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a former Member of Congress, a long time advocate of women's rights, the first female Vice Presidential candidate, and a great friend and American-- the Honorable Geraldine Anne Ferraro. In the rotunda of the Capitol sit the busts of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucretia Mott. They are so prominently displayed to pay tribute to their hard fight to establish equal rights for women. And, I know they would agree that Geraldine Ferraro was exactly the kind of woman they were fighting for. Geraldine proudly followed in the footsteps of these great women-- continuing the fight to ensure the rights of women and breaking down barriers and stereotypes along the way. Prior to running for election to the House of Representatives, Geraldine Ferraro worked as a teacher and then attorney in the Queens New York District Attorney's office, where she started the Special Victims Bureau. At a time when women prosecutors in the city were uncommon, Geraldine Ferraro was already breaking the proverbial glass ceiling. In 1978, Ambassador Ferraro ran for election to the House of Representatives for New York's 9th Congressional District in Queens, and won. Despite being a new Member of Congress, she made quite an impression on her colleagues, and quickly ascended to become the Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus from 1981 to 1985. During her years in Congress, she focused much of her legislative attention on equity for women in the areas of wages, pensions, and retirement plans. The recent passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act are homage to her tireless work on behalf of women. Her leadership, charisma, and dedication were evident to Presidential nominee, Walter Mondale, who selected Geraldine Ferraro to be his Vice- Presidential candidate on July 12, 1984. She is the first women ever to be nominated as vice-presidential candidate by any major party. Following the path of women who came before her, Geraldine Ferraro has helped pave the way for our daughters to achieve anything they set their minds to. As the current Representative of her former district, I am proud to call Geraldine Ferraro a leader, a mentor, and most importantly a friend.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. As I just stated, I do not expect it will be ready for the floor next week.

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I know this is a priority for the leadership, and we continue to work on that. However, I do not expect it will be ready for the floor next week, nor do I know whether or not there will be a second amendment application in that bill as well.

Mr. CROWLEY. Again, I don't have an answer for you.

Mr. CROWLEY. Thank you for yielding. I appreciate Mr. Buyer's work and efforts on this legislation. I do know there are multiple jurisdictions on this. And it is my understanding that the chairs of the requisite committees are continuing to discuss the legislation. And again, it is a priority for Mr. Waxman, and we hope to have it on the floor, and they are hoping to work through some of these issues.

Mr. CROWLEY. The agenda for the next work period, I have not, again, spoken directly with the majority leader about the schedule after recess. But I would expect we will be working on a budget conference report after the Senate and House will have worked their will next week, in addition to some of the other items you have mentioned, including a D.C. vote as well as stem-cell legislation.

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding and his observations about my district as well. The gentleman makes reference to cap-and- trade as we know it on this side of the aisle. The budget resolution does not provide reconciliation instructions for cap and trade. And it is not our intention to use reconciliation in terms of the process for that legislation. However, it does provide for legislation encouraging alternative energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which we intend to move through legislative process. In addition, we have heard repeatedly the minority's concern about the cost of the cap-and-trade proposal. You just reiterated some of those concerns. Again, the budget does not proscribe the contents of cap-and-trade legislation, which we have left to the relevant committees, including the committee that you and I both serve on, where a hearing at this very moment on cap and trade is taking place. At this point, both those estimates make certain assumptions about a bill that is, in effect, not yet written. We look forward to working with the minority, I personally with you, to address the costs of cap-and-trade legislation as it moves forward.

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman. The gentleman will recall, this bill passed the House 326-102, with 96 Republicans voting ``yes.'' The bill does have broad bipartisan support. We continue to work with Chairman Waxman to have this bill ready for the floor. I have not, again, spoken to the chairwoman of the Rules Committee yet as to how this bill will be brought to the floor. And it could be as early as next week, although we have no confirmation of that yet.

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I have not spoken, again, to the majority leader about this specifically or to the Rules Committee chairwoman about this. I do not know at this time how many substitutes we expect to make in order. Does the gentleman know how many on his side we can expect to be submitted? I do expect that we will complete the consideration of vote on the budget resolution next week, and that the leadership intends to be here until we can accomplish that objective. And, yes, again, that could mean extending into the weekend.

Mr. CROWLEY. There is always the possibility that if we fail to resolve or come to agreement on the budget by the time we hope to before the close of business day next week, that we possibly could work into the weekend to pass that budget.

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, on Monday the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning- hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business. On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for morning-hour debate and 12 p.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. We will consider several bills under suspension of the rules. The complete list of suspension bills will be announced by the close of business tomorrow. In addition, we will consider Senate amendments to H.R. 1388, Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act; H.R. 1664, Pay for Performance Act; and the fiscal year 2010 budget resolution.