Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

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

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize the service of our former colleague, a Member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Hyde, who served in the House of Representatives from January 3, 1975, to January 3, 2007, and served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, as well as chairman of the International Relations Committee. Mr. Hyde's life was a good, long life and a complex life as well. Mr. Hyde graduated from high school and earned a scholarship to play basketball at Georgetown University. He participated in the 1942 NCAA basketball tournament. As a college basketball fan, I think that may be the height of his career. But that was only the beginning. He went on to serve valorously in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 in the South Pacific, New Guinea, the Guinean Gulf, and continued in the Reserves well into the 1960s. Mr. Hyde was elected to serve his constituents in Illinois' Sixth Congressional District, I think where he certainly contributed mightily and tremendously to the advancement of the Congress, as well as our country. I had the great opportunity to serve with Henry Hyde as a member of the International Relations Committee, a somewhat junior member, then a mid bench member. I always enjoyed the banter with the chairman; quick- witted, and incredibly intelligent, steeped in history, understood every bill that was before him, and understood where he stood on those issues. And although Mr. Hyde and I did not agree on every political issue, I admired his tenacity. I admired his demeanor. I admired the way in which he handled himself, both in committee, on the floor, and as a person. I also had the opportunity to travel with Mr. Hyde on a trip to a country that is near and dear to both himself and myself, the country of our ancestry, Ireland. I know that he was proud of the work of the advancement of peace and justice in Ireland, in all of Ireland, and worked mightily towards that end. But Mr. Hyde had numerous accomplishments. And I'll leave that to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to advance today. But I would urge the adoption of this resolution, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, there are a few key numbers to remember today: 25 million, the number of American families who will be hit by the AMT this year without any action; $2,000, the minimum increase in income taxes for those 25 million Americans hit by the AMT; $9 trillion, our national debt today; $30,000, the share of the national debt by every man, woman, and child in America due to the reckless fiscal policies of President Bush; $0, the cost of this Democratic tax cut to the American public as Democrats are weaning this country off credit card-onomics; four, the number of votes so far this year on legislation to fix the AMT in 2007; zero, the number of votes Republicans in the House have taken to provide tax relief to those 25 million Americans. The game is up. The American people are watching. Either we are going to stand together today to provide 25 million middle-class Americans a tax cut while not adding to the share of the deficit owned by our children and grandchildren, or we can stick with the failed policy of the past and continue to stall and do nothing. The choice is easy. America can no longer live off credit card- onomics. We need to manage our House like we expect our constituents to manage their homes. Support this bill. It is tax relief without tax recklessness.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank my friend and colleague from Massachusetts. I had a wonderful speech I was prepared to read to you today, but, quite frankly, I'm outraged by the discussion that has taken place here. There is the discussion of 19 days left to get this legislation passed as though a gun is put to our heads that either we pass the Senate bill or this does not get extended. That's hogwash. That's not the way in which we should make legislation. The notion that 100 Senators came to the floor and passed this bill is hogwash. They hot- lined this bill. It went to the floor without debate. The only debate that has taken place on this issue has taken place here on the floor of the House of Representatives. Chairman Frank in cooperation with the ranking member on the minority have worked diligently to get a qualified bill to this floor, that New York wants, that our country wants and deserves. We should not allow a hole in the middle of Manhattan to lie as a monument to Osama bin Laden, because that's what we're doing by not allowing for a reset provision in this legislation. This is not about New York City. That provision is the Osama bin Laden protection provision. We should pass the House version of this bill and reject the Senate bill. Pass the House version. I would also note that not one Republican Member from New York State has been to the floor to defend your position on this issue. During negotiations on providing appropriations for Fiscal Year 2008, the Republicans have opposed providing the emergency service workers who are sick from the pollution they were exposed to at Ground Zero with the care they need. And today, many are expected to oppose this legislation, which would enable New York City to rebuild at Ground Zero. But I hope that does not happen. Because Americans believe that those who served on the frontlines at Ground Zero, and are sick due to their service, should be cared for. Because Americans believe that New York City must be rebuilt-- stronger, prouder and better protected. Because Americans believe that in doing so we will send a message to al-qaeda that we won't back down. And that's what today's legislation is about--letting every terrorist organization know that you cannot break us. And if you try, we will only grow stronger. Let us take note, it was Chairman Frank's work on the terrorism risk insurance act that has moved the Bush Administration from an absolute position of opposition to being supportive of extending this program for 7 years. He successfully moved a bi-partisan bill earlier this year, in light of many Republicans ready to acquiesce to the President to kill this terrorism Insurance program. I welcome the new positions of the White House and many Republicans in this chamber today to finally support a real terrorism insurance bill, it is a welcome change. Now, let's talk some basic facts. We all know the Government will step in if there is another large scale attack like 9-11 on our country again. What TRIA does is actually put the private insurance markets on the hook to pay part of the damages, meaning TRIA is a cost savings to the taxpayer and ensure that the insurance industry does what it is suppose to do--insure. TRIA saves taxpayers money. Now onto a specific provision of to day's bill that I want to highlight. Part of today's bill includes a provision to honor those who were killed on 9-11, and protect the memories of others who, God forbid, may be killed in future attacks on our soil. This new language, language that was included in the House-passed TRIA bill, creates a re-assurance to insurers and developers to rebuild on previously hit sites. This is important because we all know al-Qaeda returns to the scene of their crime; they hit the Twin Towers in 1993, and they returned in 2001. And knowing their mentality, they will try to return again. Those that ignore that, ignore history and fact. The impacted site in Lower Manhattan cannot continue to be a hole in the ground, or a sick tribute or trophy to Osama bin Laden--wherever he may be. Rather, we need to rebuild there, letting the terrorists know they can knock us down, but we will always pick ourselves up stronger. We need to pass this bill and get the Senate working on a strong compromise bill to ensure a real TRIA, one that won't let Osama bin Laden continue to use the pictures at Ground Zero as a recruiting tool against our soldiers in Afghanistan or for attacks against Americans in this country or anywhere in the world. We have seen the White House veto threat against this bill as it is ``expanding'' the terrorism insurance program. Rebuilding at previously hit sites is not expanding the terrorism insurance program--it is the reason for the terrorism insurance program. If you are serious about supporting TRIA, vote for this bill and ensure Osama bin Laden and his evil partners view September 11, 2001 as the worst day in their lives, not the best.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank my good friend and colleague and the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee which I so proudly serve on. I want to thank all those involved in this debate this evening. This has been a very good debate and one that I think has been fairly conducted. I think, though, it is important to look back on the historic nature of this particular agreement. I say that coming to you as one who has not been a purist on this. I have not been blind in voting for or against free trade agreements. I have looked at free trade agreements and I have weighed them and I have balanced them. I want to remind my colleagues, some of whom are new and don't know who I am and what I am about, I did not support WTO for China. I did not support PNT for China. I did not support a number of the free trade agreements in the past. But when you look at this free trade agreement as I have, I support this fair trade agreement, this fair trade agreement, because it is the right thing to do. This is a good agreement. It is worthy of the support of every Member of this House. On May 10 of this year, the chairman of this committee and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade, along with our Speaker, reached agreement on a new template moving trade forward in this Congress. You have to remember that the agreement with Peru was reached in the last Congress. The Peruvian government agreed to that agreement. We had a change in government. We adopted a new template. The Peruvian government took that template, reopened their agreement and passed it again this year. They adopted the labor standards and the environmental standards. The labor standards include freedom of association, the right to collectively bargain, elimination of forced and compulsory labor, abolition of child labor, and elimination of employment discrimination, not to mention the advancements we have made in environmental protection. They are not just environmental and labor rights, they are part and parcel with human rights. They are part of their rights and the values of our country that we'd like to have. Now, just briefly on Peru. Peru has been a country that has been developing, and this is an opportunity for them to develop a middle class, a stronger middle class that will want more of our U.S. products. As we mentioned earlier, they already have duty-free and quarter-free access to the United States. This is about opening up their borders to what we make. Once again I want to thank the chairman for your hard work, Mr. Levin as well, the Speaker and the other side of the aisle for this joint effort that's been made in a bipartisan way. I wholeheartedly support this agreement.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Smita N. Shah, P.E., a prominent Indian-American businesswoman, activist, and philanthropist, who was one of a select few to receive the prestigious 2007 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Over the years, I have had the honor to befriend this young woman and seen firsthand her good works and intelligence that makes her so worthy of this award. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor award is presented to influential leaders of various fields and ethnic backgrounds who have greatly contributed to American society. Established in 1986 by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, NECO, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor pays tribute to the heritage of those individuals that compromise America's unique cultural mosaic and extraordinary individual achievement. Past medalists include six U.S. Presidents as well as Nobel Prize winners and leaders of industry, education, the arts, sports and government. As the daughter of two immigrants from India, Ms. Shah grew up in Chicago where she excelled as a student and is still remembered fondly as an active member of her community. Through her constant study and hard work she earned an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. Ms. Shah continued her education when she received a masters of science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and completed an advanced management program at Oxford. Upon completion of school, she started her own engineering firm. Though the firm started off with just 3 employees, it has since expanded to 55 in just 9 years. Ms. Shah has also set herself apart through her commitment to public service, which started with an internship in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President of the United States in the summer of 1994 and continued with her service as a member of the White House advance team from 1993 to 2001. She went on to become a member of the White House Millennium Council to Save America's Treasures from 1998 to 2001. In 1996, she was the youngest delegate to the Democratic National Committee, DNC, from the State of Illinois and participated in the 2004 DNC as well. In Chicago, because of her strong belief in community building, Ms. Shah goes out of her way to work with organizations that help to promote ethnic diversity. She serves as chair of the Delhi-Chicago Committee, a part of the city of Chicago's Sister Cities International Program, where she works to expand relations between Chicago and New Delhi, helping to preserve and encourage her own cultural ties to India. In 2004, Senator Barbara Boxer presented Ms. Shah with a Women Making History Award for her dedication to her community, to her culture, and to the preservation of American ideals. Madam Speaker, Ms. Shah is an asset to the United States and her efforts are deserving of this prestigious award. Ms. Shah fully embodies the commitment and values that the Ellis Island Medal of Honor represents. It is an honor for me to recognize this great American and a good friend.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank my friend from California for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I was not here in Washington 6 years ago this evening. I was stuck in New York. Because of such bad weather, we couldn't get out of New York. I was forced to be on a plane the next morning. At 9:10 in the morning I was two planes from take-off at La Guardia, speaking about the Port Authority of New York, when we were informed the plane would be turned around and brought back to the terminal because of the attacks of two planes on the World Trade Center in New York. In many respects my thoughts are, life goes on. We see it all around us. Life does go on, but it doesn't diminish the loss that we all suffered on that fateful day 6 years ago, as a Nation, as to me as a New Yorker, more personally for me, as my first cousin Battalion Chief John Moran who was killed that day. Though on that day we saw the ugliest side of humankind, we also saw the brilliance of the human spirit, of the American spirit, and, if you allow me to say, the spirit of New York. We more than pulled through since that day 6 years ago. We see it today in the eyes and the faces of our servicemen and women who today around the world defend our freedoms. But I, for one, am not satisfied that Osama bin Laden is being hunted like a dog and is living in a cave somewhere in Afghanistan or Pakistan. I, for one, believe that 6 years is long enough to have let this animal roam freely in those areas. We need to bring that man to justice and all those who are responsible for this, that vicious attack on our country that day. We, as Americans, should not lose sight of that or be distracted. We need to find Osama bin Laden and all those responsible for the attack that day and bring them to justice.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleague from California, Congressman Wally Herger, to introduce legislation to amend Federal tax law to allow for the immediate tax write-off of production expenditures for domestic film and television productions with aggregate costs under $15 million or $20 million in those select cases where the production is made in a distressed community. This provision, section 181 of the Internal Revenue Code, was first enacted in the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. 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. Further, the incentive is not available for films that cost more than $15 million to produce--or $20 million if the film is made in certain distressed, low-income or Delta Regional Authority designated communities. 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 have 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 Herger from 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 2008. 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. Madam Speaker, I rise today to observe the passing of a friend and a man for whom I held a tremendous amount of respect, Tommy Makem. Tommy was an internationally celebrated folk musician, actor, artist, poet, songwriter, and storyteller from Ireland who took pride in sharing the Irish culture with those around the globe. He immigrated to the United States in 1955 seeking work as an actor and settled in Dover, New Hampshire. After a brief period as an actor, Tommy Makem went on to join a band of Irish decent, The Clancy Brothers, where he rose to international fame. Tommy broke out on his own following his time with The Clancy Brothers and educated generations on the history, traditions, and customs of Ireland through his music, art, and poetry. He wrote hundreds of songs including, ``Four Green Fields,'' ``Gentle Annie,'' and ``The Rambles of Spring,'' which have been played in Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Royal Albert Hall and across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Tommy Makem's illustrious career has awarded him an honorary doctorate from the University of New Hampshire, gold and platinum albums, and a host of other awards such as the Gold Medal of the Eire Society in Boston, the Genesis Award from Stonehill College in Massachusetts, an Emmy nomination for a New Hampshire public television series, as well as the first Lifetime Achievement Award in the Irish Voice/Aer Lingus Community Awards and a listing as one of the top 100 Irish Americans in the Irish American Magazine five years in a row. The World Folk Music Association awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. His enduring memory and music will live on, as will the power and energy of his unyielding spirit. He remains a true inspiration to me and million of others around the world.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. The Asian Longhorned Beetle is a continuing and growing problem in Queens County in New York. We appreciate your working for additional resources. I have heard from my constituents, like Jimmy Lanza of Woodside Queens, who are begging us for more resources to beat the beetle and protect the trees and green space of Queens County and New York City. I thank the Chair for her great work on this issue, and this overall excellent bill.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate predident Pratibha Patil on her historic election. On July 19, 2007, delegates from the Indian Parliament and various State legislatures elected Pratibha Patil the new president of India. She is the first female elected to the office of the presidency since India gained independence from the British in 1947. This is a monumental achievement for this emerging democracy, and it demonstrates the progressive ideals and forward-thinking ways of the people of India. President Patil represents the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), the present coalition of ruling political parties that has had a strong and lasting presence in the Government of India since 2004, and she is a member of the Indian National Congress, which led the nation to Independence. She won by nearly two-thirds of votes cast by the election body, representing the overwhelming support that President Patil has garnered while being a member of the UAP. She has had a long history in elected office, her first victory coming in 1962 when she was elected the state of Maharashtra's legislature. Since then, she has demonstrated great skill in governing on both the state and national level. The turning point in her political career came in 2004 when she was elected the first female governor to the state of Rajasthan. As President, Patil will not only serve as the First Citizen and Head of State of India, but she will be the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army and hold all executive powers of the Central Government. The election of President Patil represents the merger of diversity and equality within the Government of India. She is not only the first woman president elected in the country, but also the first Maharashtrian to hold the position. As a strong advocate of India-U.S. relations, I believe the election of President Patil signifies the pluralism that drives and provides efficient functioning of democratic systems. I wish President Patil great success. She is a role model for all women around the world, and I hope her presidency helps to diminish some of the lingering discrimination against women in India. I also look forward to working with her and the Indian government on further developing a strong and lasting relationship between our two great democracies.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this legislation and want to commend you and the ranking member and your staffs for the hard work that has been put into this bill. I would also like to engage you, as you mentioned, in a colloquy. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased the committee included $15.8 million to hire and train new air traffic controllers. This will go a long way in helping to ensure the safety of our skies. However, I believe that more needs to be done. I note that we have 1,100 fewer fully certified air traffic controllers than we did on 9/11. Mr. Chairman, my concerns were underscored by a recent incident at La Guardia Airport, which is in my district in the Seventh Congressional District in Queens. As you know, La Guardia Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Nation. Over 1,000 flights a day and 27 million passengers a year frequent the airport. On July 5 of this year, two planes nearly crashed on the runway. While a catastrophe was narrowly avoided this time, many questions remain as to the cause of the incident, including whether it was due to a staffing shortage, a lack of well-qualified air traffic controllers, or simply pure human error. I believe we must examine the incident at La Guardia while we also examine the larger issue, which is determining how we must address the impending air traffic controller shortage. That is why I believe that Congress must fund a study by the National Academy of Sciences. This study would examine what factors are contributing to air traffic safety concerns, including human factors, increased traffic activity, and the technology and equipment at our Nation's airports. Ultimately the report will recommend how to address this issue, particularly with regard to staffing standards and whether we need to train more air traffic controllers. I intended to offer an amendment today to fund this study, but it would have been subject to a point of order. So instead, Mr. Chairman, I am hoping we can agree to work together as this legislation moves forward to find a way to address this issue and potentially fund this study.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, if I could just respond, I want to thank the chairman, and as you know, if we don't address this issue, the next incident at La Guardia may not be a near miss, but rather a tragedy, one that I hope we would avoid. And I would imagine if it were a tragedy, we would be having a different conversation than this colloquy. I appreciate the gentleman for his time. Amendment No. 21 Offered by Mr. Hensarling

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I want to thank my friend from Connecticut for managing the time on the minority side for this important resolution. In particular, I want to thank my good friend from New York State, Vito Fossella, for introducing this important resolution commemorating and celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of New York, a history that is replete with so many tales, not tales but facts, about the contribution of Catholics in New York, in particular about the institution known as the Archdiocese of New York, having at one time encompassed the entire State of New York and New Jersey, and now having a smaller imprint, but no less significant an imprint today. We think of the storied individuals who fervently shepherded their flock in the Archdiocese of New York, starting with R. Luke Concanen in 1808-1810; to present day, Edward Michael Cardinal Egan, who took the reins of control in 2000 and continues to this day. We look back historically, particularly during the Civil War, the Archdiocese had a very long history going back to that point in time, and during the war Archbishop John Hughes, who was a fervent defender of the Union and a personal friend of then-President Abraham Lincoln, he wrote to President Lincoln and Secretary Seward about the most effectual means for carrying on that war. At the Union's request, he visited Europe to exert his personal influence, especially in high circles in France, for the benefit of the national cause at that time. Another national cause the Archdiocese was strongly involved in was with the first wave of immigrants, predominantly Irish immigrants, to New York. The archdiocese developed programs to care for and assimilate those new immigrants to America, and was a precursor to the Irish Emigrant Savings Bank, later to become known as the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank and Emigrant Savings Bank today. These organizations over the years have developed into a strong base of charitable giving to keep the traditions of protecting the poor and the neglected, something that the Archdiocese of New York continues to do today. In fact, the Cardinal and the archdiocese have been very outspoken proponents of comprehensive immigration reform to help those least amongst us in society today, something they continue to do in the strong 200-year tradition of the Archdiocese of New York. It was also mentioned before that Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first saint born in the United States, also a New Yorker and the founder of the New York City Catholic school system, and the contributions that system has made to our country. Speaking as a product of there, having graduated from Power Memorial High School in 1980, which is no longer with us, but there are still many high schools that bear the names of the many cardinals and leaders of the archdiocese throughout the years, and others who have made significant impacts on the Archdiocese of New York, a tremendous system that to this day continues to produce some of the brightest minds in not only the city of New York, but in the country, and also continues to provide access to the least amongst us to give them opportunities that others had before them. So I stand here on the floor congratulating Mr. Fossella for introducing this resolution and to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Archdiocese of New York, a diocese that will go on for many, many years to come. We congratulate Cardinal Egan, Cardinal O'Connor, Cardinal Cooke, and all those who came before them, and all the men women who have contributed in so many ways to its survival and its flourishing throughout the history of New York City and our country.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the great accomplishment of one of my constituents, Vanessa Brown of Co-Op City, the Bronx. I wish to recognize Ms. Brown for her outstanding achievement in being selected the district winner in the 26th Annual Congressional Art Competition for her inspiring and uplifting piece entitled ``A New Starry Night.'' Ms. Brown is currently a high school junior attending Lehman High School in the Bronx. She has demonstrated a commitment to pursuing her gift and to further developing her abilities, making her a deserving recipient of this honor. I am proud that this year my district is well- represented in this competition by Ms. Brown's work and I look forward to viewing it in these halls for the months to come. Each year, Congress affords our Nation's most talented and budding artists the opportunity to have their work displayed in the Cannon Tunnel leading to the U.S. Capitol. This beautiful display is experienced daily by Members of Congress, their staff, our country's residents, and welcomed visitors from all around the world who are awarded the privilege of witnessing our young people's artistic endeavors and talents. Madam Speaker, I salute the authentic, creative voice of Ms. Brown and I wish her continued success and all the very best in the future.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ms. Thelma Bertie of the Bronx, NY, and to recognize her on the celebration of her 90th birthday. Ms. Bertie is an 87-year resident of New York and has exhibited steadfast commitment to American ideals by faithfully voting in every local and national election since reaching voting age. I commend her on this great dedication to her civic duty and I wish her a joyous day with many more happy moments ahead beside her loved ones. Ms. Bertie has asserted herself as an active and conscientious citizen and has earned appreciation for her contributions to the community. Her life and accomplishments are true inspirations to the lives of all those she touches and I am honored that my district is called home by such an outstanding citizen. Ms. Bertie truly understands the value of being not only a New Yorker but an American as well, and the entire Bronx community is privileged to count her among its residents. Madam Speaker, I join to congratulate Ms. Bertie on this birthday milestone and I wish her good health and fortune in the future.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by my good friend from New York, Ms. Lowey, the chair of the Subcommittee on the State Foreign Operations Committee. And I think we have to make something really clear, perfectly clear; that in this bill, in this bill there are 10 provisions, 10 provisions that specifically outlaw or prohibit the use of U.S. funds in foreign assistance for abortion or the promotion of abortion. We have it right here on these charts. Ten provisions, in total, that prohibit the spending of any U.S. funds on the promotion of abortion or abortion. This amendment and this legislation is not about abortion. It is about prevention. And there's an opportunity here for our colleagues to support prevention. Here we have the gentlelady from New York, what she's trying to do is prevent 52 million unplanned pregnancies each year, 29 million abortions each year, 1.4 million infant deaths each year, 142,000 pregnancy-related deaths each year, and over a half a million children from losing their mothers each year. That's what this amendment is about. That's what the gentlelady is trying to accomplish. The other side of the aisle is saying that they're for family planning. Well, here is your opportunity to demonstrate that. Here is your opportunity to show, not only the Congress, but the United States and the world, and especially the developing world, that you are for family planning and helping to extend not only life, but the quality of life in many of these countries. I think we ought to be applauding what the gentlelady from New York is trying to do today, as opposed to trying to derail that. If you are for family planning, here is your opportunity. If you're for prevention of transmittable sexual diseases here is your opportunity to stand up. Stand up for family planning and support the gentlelady from New York in her motion, in her amendment and the underlying bill as well.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ms. Thelma Bertie of the Bronx, NY, and to recognize her on the celebration of her ninetieth birthday. Ms. Bertie is an 87-year resident of New York and has exhibited steadfast commitment to American ideals by faithfully voting in every local and national election since reaching voting age. I commend her on this great dedication to her civic duty and I wish her a joyous day with many more happy moments ahead beside her loved ones. Ms. Bertie has asserted herself as an active and conscientious citizen and has earned appreciation for her contributions to the community, Her life and accomplishments are true inspirations to the lives of all those she touches and I am honored that my district is called home by such an outstanding citizen. Ms. Bertie truly understands the value of being not only a New Yorker but an American as well and the entire Bronx community is privileged to count her among its residents. Madam Speaker, I join to congratulate Ms. Bertie on this birthday milestone and I wish her good health and fortune in the future.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, my colleagues, Representatives Fossella, Matsui, Garrett, and I are offering an amendment to increase by $50 million the funding for the high-threat, high-density urban area program. If passed, our amendment would ensure that the program receives a total of $850 million in fiscal year 2008. As many of you know, this initiative, also referred to as the Urban Area Security Initiative, is the only homeland security initiative specifically targeted to assist the cities and States most vulnerable to a terror attack. The Urban Area Security Initiative was created by myself and my fellow New Yorker, Representative Fossella, in the months following the attack of 9/11. Its creation was a bipartisan effort, and it continues to be a bipartisanly supported program. Specifically, I want to thank Representative Price, chairman of the Homeland Security appropriations subcommittee, and the Democratic majority of the Homeland Security authorization committee for their hard work and dedication to the urban area initiative and to keeping Americans safe. Both of these committees understand the threats that America faces, both here at home as well as abroad, and they are working to make the investments that we need to make in order to secure our Nation. Although the majority of this Congress understands the threats in the world that we face, I believe some of my colleagues do not fully understand them. There are some Members in this Chamber who oppose the urban area initiative and all homeland security grant initiatives, calling them, and I quote, revenue sharing, unquote, or secret earmarks. I think that's nonsense. Would my colleagues prefer we return to the pre-9/11 days? As someone who has known personal loss from that day, I for one do not want to. The chief role for the Federal Government is to protect its citizens from attack and the Urban Area Security Initiative, like many other of the important domestic security programs in this bill, help to accomplish this. While some on the other side may try to play cute games with words, our Nation's security is more important than word games or photo ops. I come from the State of New York where my hometown was hit and knows firsthand the act of terror. My own family knows firsthand the striking of terror. That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in strengthening the Urban Area Grant Initiative as a way to maintain our vigilance in the face of continuing threats against America that are both at home and abroad. This amendment is about making targeted, smart and necessary investments to keep our country safe. The Urban Area Security Initiative works. It provides needed resources to the communities at greatest risk of an attack, and it helps to keep those who are defending us on our front lines of terror, our first responders, our fire fighters, EMTs, and police officers safe and protected. This initiative has been a success, and I urge my colleagues to support the Crowley-Fossella-Matsui-Garrett amendment so we can continue to make the right investments in the protection of our homeland.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, due to inclement weather, my flight to Washington, D.C. was delayed, and I regrettably missed rollcall votes 448-450. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner: rollcall No. 448, ``yea;'' rollcall No. 449, ``yea;'' rollcall No. 450, ``yea.''

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent Danny Zhu of College Point, NY. Danny is one of 24 finalists on the 2007 United States Physics Team that have been chosen to compete for the Traveling Team, a group of five students who will represent the United States at the International Physics Olympiad in Iran. These gifted students will show their merit against the best young scientific minds that the world has to offer. Danny is a junior at Stuyvesant High School in New York City, where he excels at the highest skill levels. Outside of the classroom, he is heavily involved in student groups, participating in everything from the robotics club to the school band. He has reached the semi-finals of the Physics Olympiad competition in each of the last 2 years and has placed in the top 10 in multiple national math and science competitions. I am very pleased that a young man from my district could so well personify Speaker Pelosi's Innovation Agenda. It is young people like Danny Zhu and his fellow finalists that will become our next generation of great innovators: the mathematicians, engineers, and scientists who will keep this great country competitive and prosperous in the upcoming decades. I would like to again congratulate Danny Zhu on his accomplishment and thank him for his effort and hard work.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today on a motion offered pursuant to this order, it adjourn to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 28, 2007, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence on House Concurrent Resolution 158, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of the bill, H.R. 2316, the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, cross-references, and the table of contents and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House in amending the bill.