Russ Carnahan

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, I wanted to call attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Kyrgyzstan. Since the ousting of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's government on April 7, 2010, the southern Kyrgyzstan region along the Uzbekistan border has been plagued with ethnic violence. Instability and waves of violence have continued in Osh and Jalal-Abad, resulting in killings, rapes, beatings, and widespread pillaging and destruction of homes and communities. Moreover, there are reportedly at least 400,000 displaced persons, of which many are ethnic Uzbeks seeking refuge in Uzbekistan. Those remaining in Osh are isolated and living in fear of the next violent clash. Meanwhile, the Kyrgyzstan interim government continues to struggle to stabilize the region. I am encouraged by recent actions taken by the U.S. Government and the international community in response to the humanitarian crisis. Last week, the State Department announced $32.267 million in aid programs for humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and community stabilization. I look forward to working with the Administration to help ensure that taxpayer resources are spent efficiently, transparently, and effectively to help those Kyrgyz and Uzbeks most in need and establish lasting stability. Additionally last week, the UN Human Rights Council condemned the ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan and called on its interim government to conduct a complete and transparent investigation into the events of April 7 that led to the ouster of the previous government, as well as the ongoing ethnic violence. Healing the wounds of ethnic violence and achieving long-term stability will not be easy in a region with such burgeoning ethnic tensions. It is important that the international community, including the United States, remains committed to addressing the humanitarian needs and achieving meaningful and sustainable progress in Kyrgyzstan.

Mr. CARNAHAN

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

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

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1388) supporting the goals and ideals of National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on June 1, hurricane season began in the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane forecasters have predicted an above-average year for tropical storms and hurricanes for 2010. As we enter hurricane season, it is therefore very timely to consider this resolution recognizing the importance of hurricane preparedness. Hurricanes are among the most powerful forces of nature we experience. As the tragedies from past storms have taught us, it is vitally important that Federal, State, and local governments work together to better prepare the coastal communities for these powerful storms to minimize the loss of life and costly physical damage. Part of this effort is educating the public about hurricanes and hurricane preparedness. The National Hurricane Center at NOAA is a critical resource in this effort. In addition to providing us with the hurricane forecasting information that coastal communities all rely on, the National Hurricane Center also focuses considerable effort in educating coastal communities about hurricane preparedness. This includes recommendations from what supplies to have handy if you live in a hurricane-prone region to encouraging people to craft personal evacuation plans in the event of a storm. These seemingly small steps can make an enormous difference in saving lives. We don't have any hurricanes in my home State of Missouri, but these same lessons of preparedness for deadly weather can be seen in the Midwest. Living in ``Tornado Alley,'' we know all too well the consequences of not being prepared for action when the tornado warnings go off. Unfortunately, all too often the results from being unprepared is a loss of life. It really is hard to understate the importance of adequate preparation and preparedness in these regions of our country that are susceptible to dangerous weather. I want to thank my friend from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart) for introducing this important resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I just want to add again my thanks to the gentlelady from Illinois for her leadership on the High-Performance Buildings Caucus and for being here to speak on behalf of the prior resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, small businesses are the engines of our economy, and their success is critical to our economic recovery and long-term economic growth. Sixty percent of new jobs are created by small businesses, and over half of this country's economic growth since World War II has been from innovation and new technologies. We can and should empower the businesses and entrepreneurs who make our economy go by creating favorable conditions for businesses to start, to expand, and to put people back to work. That's why I urge my colleagues to support the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act designed to increase small business lending, help small businesses hire new workers and expand their operations. When I talk to small business owners back home in Missouri, the number one issue they identify as an obstacle to hiring people is access to credit. We must continue to focus on promoting our small businesses to grow this economy and to get people back to work.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the 10th anniversary of Marian Middle School in St. Louis. Ten years ago, a group of Catholic sisters established Marian Middle School to provide a stable learning environment for economically disadvantaged girls in the St. Louis Public School District. Marian strives to prepare girls in grades 5 through 8 for a college preparatory high school education. Marian Middle School is the only all-girl, private school environment available to students in the St. Louis region. This unique resource offers a learning experience that, just 10 years ago, was unavailable to middle-school-aged girls in St. Louis. Marian Middle School has experienced strong growth since its founding. With a capacity of 80 students, Marian recently relocated to accommodate for its growing enrollment. Marian's resources have also expanded, allowing the school to offer numerous afterschool enrichment programs and activities. Marian strives to provide a challenging curriculum and a balanced range of extracurricular opportunities. The 10-hour school day certainly challenges students, but it also allows Marian to achieve its goal of educating the whole person. True to its call to assist the economically-disadvantaged, Marian determines tuition on a case-by-case basis. Tuition at Marian corresponds with the financial situation of the student's family. This method testifies to the generosity and sincerity of the mission of Marian Middle School. Graduates of Marian Middle School currently attend 10 different college preparatory high schools in St. Louis. On the 10th anniversary of Marian, I think it is appropriate to pay tribute to a unique and successful academic institution.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Chairman, during this time of record unemployment, granting a $35 billion contract to a company that has received over $5 billion in illegal subsidies, according to the WTO, makes no common sense. In the end, this is about what is fair for the American taxpayer, fair for companies. Tens of thousands of Boeing employees and suppliers throughout the U.S. have been affected by these continual subsidies provided by European governments that have put American workers at a disadvantage. I call on every Member of this House to support full and fair competition in the tanker program to support American workers.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, 8 years of failed economic policies under the Bush administration left a deep economic hole for the new Obama administration, but three things are clear: It will take some time to dig out; we have made steady progress; and there is much more to do. But yesterday the Joint Economic Committee released its report showing progress with new jobs created and decreasing unemployment in my home State of Missouri. Now is not the time to reverse direction. We must remain focused on the real measure of recovery, and that's jobs. We need to move beyond bickering to real solutions that will put real people back to work. I urge my colleagues to once again take up the job-creating America COMPETES bill that would strengthen U.S. scientific and economic leadership, support employers, and create jobs through investments in science, innovation, and education. We can't let partisan gridlock hold us back while countries pass us by to invent, build, and sell us the technology that will power the next century. Ensuring the U.S. competes globally is a commonsense way of creating jobs.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. My constituents in Missouri have had enough excuses and delays from big banks and Wall Street. That is why my Democratic colleagues and I have been fighting for commonsense regulatory reform and consumer protections, holding big banks accountable for their actions and ensuring that the crash like we experienced in 2008 never happens again. Wall Street reform, which has passed this House, implements protections for consumers so that big banks can no longer gamble with America's economy like it was their own private casino. Bailouts would be a thing of the past. Before and since this recession, Republicans have repeatedly sided with big banks and Wall Street over consumers, stable community banks, and Main Street. Now is the time to hold big banks accountable, no more standing in the way. Now is the time for comprehensive financial regulatory reform with strong consumer protections. Enough is enough.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate retiring President of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, John J. Flynn, for his lifetime of service to the St. Louis and International union community. As President, Flynn understood the priorities of the International Union and consistently worked to support and improve employment, training and educational opportunities for BAC contractors. Moreover he supervised the International Unions programs and ensured that all activities were in accordance with policies established by the International Unions conventions and constitution. For more than 60 years, Flynn used the discipline and persistence that he learned during his early years as a boxer to help him become a true advocate for the members of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers and all workers. Although he has been honored with numerous awards for his service, no award can accurately reflect the tremendous impact he has had made on the union movement. I am pleased to congratulate John Flynn for his lifetime of service and unwavering dedication to the labor community. I wish John and his wife, Joyce, the very best.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, due to being unavoidably delayed, I missed the vote on the passage of H.R. 5014, to clarify the health care provided by the Secretary of Veteran Affairs that constitutes minimum essential coverage (roll No. 260). I would have voted in favor of this bill, which passed overwhelmingly by a margin of 417-0 had I been present to record my vote.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, I can't think of a better time than now to invest in America's can-do spirit. I would like to thank our chairman, Bart Gordon, for his years of devotion working to ensure that America is prepared to compete globally. America has been at the forefront of every technological innovation of the last century, and most of our jobs since World War II have been created by new technology and innovation. I believe we can continue to lead the world in innovation and technology, and my constituency in St. Louis, Missouri, can play a major role in that effort. Earlier this morning, I spoke with Missourians closely watching our progress on this landmark innovation jobs bill, America COMPETES, including Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Missouri. Because of America COMPETES, these two great universities will be able to work locally with teachers to spark interest in math and science for future generations, as well as to continue research looking into the next breakthrough technologies. Today, I also heard from Chuck Gerding of Gerding Enterprises, a small specialty manufacturer from Dittmer, Missouri, who has been assisted by the Missouri Enterprise Program that helps small- and medium-sized manufacturers. America COMPETES would strengthen the Missouri Enterprise Program, helping manufacturers compete in the global economy and hire more workers. The section of this bill I am particularly proud of will strengthen regional economies through Energy Innovation Hubs to help advance the U.S. transition to a clean energy economy and to support the growth of new sectors of the economy and jobs that come with them. In order for the U.S. to remain competitive, we need to invest in the technologies now that will create jobs immediately and make our economy stronger for the long term. The America COMPETES Act will strengthen how America competes and empower American innovation.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, due to being unavoidably delayed, I missed the vote on the Velazquez/Gutierrez Amendment No. 5 to H.R. 2499 (Roll No. 238). I would like the Record to reflect that I would have voted against this amendment, which failed overwhelmingly by a margin of 11-387, had I been present to record my vote.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Chair, I would like to thank Chairman Markey for his leadership and all the others involved in this legislation, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, and also, in particular, Representative Welch and the other sponsors of the bill that have really led this effort. This is a bill that will help in this tough recession which our country has been going through by also providing incentives to help generate our economy, to get it moving again, and do it in ways that are smart--smart by providing incentives to encourage homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient by providing up-front rebates for home energy savings investments, such as improved insulation, upgrades to HVAC systems, and energy-efficient windows. It will also create more green jobs. These are green jobs that can't be outsourced or sent overseas, and most of the products that are used are going to be used by small businesses here that manufacture those products and goods here in our country. It is going to help grow our economy. It's going to help grow green jobs. It's also going to help as we look at making our environment a better place for all of us going forward. I strongly support it and support the manager's amendment.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in solidarity with my colleagues who, this week, have come forth under the leadership of Representative Ted Poe, founding co-chair of the Victims' Rights Caucus, to speak out against violence perpetrated against women. Violence against women is one of the most pervasive forms of violence throughout the world today, affecting an estimated one billion women and girls. It is a reprehensible violation of fundamental human rights and a crime against humanity. According to the United Nations, approximately 1 out of every 3 women in the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. The World Health Organization reports that in some countries, up to 70 percent of women report having been victims of domestic violence at some stage in their lives. Violence against women has come to be systematically used as a tool of war in some regions, where women are publicly raped, beaten and murdered. In Rwanda, up to half a million women were reportedly raped during the 1994 genocide. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, nearly 60,000 women were raped in a campaign of ethnic cleansing during the war. Women have become ``prey,'' according to the New York Times, in Guinea, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo it is reportedly more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier. Shocking stories such as these provide only a snapshot of the complete scope of this deplorable problem and are exemplary, sadly, of the experiences of vast communities of women and girls every day. It is critical that we in Congress, along with other governments, multilateral organizations and nongovernmental organizations throughout the world, take a strong stand against these crimes. We must not allow violence against women to become a socialized norm. In 1994 the Violence Against Women Act was sign into law by President Bill Clinton, in an effort to comprehensively acknowledge and address the severity and importance of this insidious problem within the United States. This landmark Act enhanced judicial and law enforcement tools to combat violence in all forms, improved existing services and provided for additional services, economic security, and protection for victims. This legislation has since served as an example globally on how issues affecting women can be successfully incorporated into public law and social consciousness. Freedom from violence, abuse and intimidation is a basic building block of empowering women. And, when women have a voice, communities and countries are made stronger, more economically prosperous, and more stable. In 2009, the International Violence Against Women Act was reintroduced, to extend the provisions of VAWA to tackle violence worldwide. This bill would ensure that all women are protected under the same policies and approach now codified for women and girls in the U.S. IVAWA seeks a comprehensive international strategy to reduce and prevent violence against women and girls. This includes assistance to reduce international violence, enhanced U.S. accountability and training of foreign military, police and judicial officials on preventing and responding to violence, and addressing violence in humanitarian relief, peacekeeping, conflict and post-conflict operations. We in Congress, along with our international partners, must stand up now to take bold action on ensuring that women and girls are no longer targets of brutal violence; violence that destroys families and communities, and has lasting detrimental effects on productivity, health, and many other areas of women's daily lives. Furthermore, we must work tirelessly to give women a voice to impact the issues that affect them and be agents of change in their societies. When women thrive, families, communities, societies and economies thrive. When women and girls are victimized, families, communities, societies and economies suffer and are profoundly weakened, and the cycle of violence is perpetuated. Violence against women and girls is an assault against us all and we must end it now.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from California for her leadership and work on this important legislation, supporting the MS Awareness Week. Every week, around 200 people are diagnosed in this country with MS; and, indeed, there's been a spike in diagnoses among our military. That is one of the reasons the past several years we have been able to fight for and obtain funding through the Department of Defense congressionally directed research program. We also have worked with addressing the issue in terms of creating the national registry, so we can help track this difficult disease that has eluded a cure for so long. I am proud to serve as cochair of the Congressional MS Caucus along with my colleague here today, Michael Burgess. He has been a good partner in promoting this. The MS Caucus is a bipartisan group of a 127 Members of this House actively engaged in discussions about access to quality health care, raising awareness, promoting education, and increasing MS research. I want to urge my colleagues here today to not just support this resolution, but if you're not already a member of the MS Caucus, I urge you to join us. I urge you to connect with your local chapters to help support the people that are living and suffering with MS, but also to help find that cure, to move research forward. This year marks the fifth annual MS Awareness Week. The week was created by the MS Coalition and the National MS Society to raise national awareness about MS. I especially want to thank St. Louis' Gateway Chapter of the National MS Society for their unwavering dedication, for their help for people back in my home city, and for their support of my work here in the Congress. I'm grateful for their hard work to provide support and assistance for those living with and affected by MS. This spring, in fact, more than 8,000 Missourians took part in the Walk MS event across the State, raising awareness and funds to help those living with MS every day, for the challenges they face from this disease. Today, I want to again urge my colleagues to support this resolution to help create a world free of MS.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, Federal taxes are very considerably lower by every measure since Obama became President. That's a quote from President Reagan's domestic policy adviser, Bruce Bartlett. Congress and the President have enacted an array of tax cuts which are crucial for efforts to turn the economy around. Instead of a return to tax cuts focused only on the wealthy, these tax cuts are broad based and touch many aspects of American life, from investing in a small business, to buying a home or making it energy efficient, to sending your children to college, to buying a car. These tax cuts are helping families and businesses across the country and injecting consumer demand in the economy and spurring business activity, investments, and job creation. All told, Congress has enacted over $800 billion in tax cuts, including tax cuts hitting 95 percent of American families in the Recovery Act. Building on the Recovery Act's 25 tax cuts, we have enacted job-creating tax incentives to spur hiring for out-of-work Americans, strengthening small business and tax credits, accelerating write-offs to help grow this economy out of this deep economic hole.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, on Sunday, April 11, 2010, the world paused to remember the Holocaust, which took the lives of six million Jews across Europe along with six million other victims of Nazi persecution, devastated societies, destroyed families, and forever left an unconscionable mark upon humanity. Holocaust Remembrance Day is an opportunity to solemnly reflect upon this historic tragedy and memorialize the millions of innocent lives lost in the greatest campaign of terror the world has ever seen. It is an opportunity to remember the atrocities of the past, but also a chance to recall that we must never forget. Holocaust Remembrance Day pays tribute to the unbreakable will of human beings to live in freedom and oppose despotism wherever it appears. It is a reminder of that pledge to never forget and never allow the unchecked cruelty of the Holocaust to be repeated by firmly recommitting ourselves to the fight against anti-Semitism, as well as all forms of persecution, bigotry, discrimination and hatred. In 1993, on the 50th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, for which Holocaust Remembrance Day was designated, then-Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin noted that despite the fall of Hitler ``his successors have arisen in various corners of the world.'' Sadly this statement remains true today. In too many regions of the world today we are still witnessing terrible mass violence, destruction and murder against women, children, ethnic and religious minorities, and lesbian, gay and transgender individuals, and many other groups of people. Reprehensibly, this violence and hatred is too often deeply institutionalized. Holocaust Remembrance Day serves as an opportunity to put on notice the brutal regimes carrying out these crimes that our resolve to defend universal human rights is profound and unwavering. As long as it is necessary we will continue to fight to end intolerance and work toward a more just future for all of mankind, and we stand with supreme confidence that we will be triumphant. The statesman and philosopher, Edmund Burke, famously said that ``The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'' Today we remember the Holocaust because many good men and women stood up for justice and acted to stop Nazi cruelty, and their sacrifice must forever be honored. We remember because the spirit of humanity refused to succumb to evil and be dominated by hatred. And we remember because in remembering the past we can work toward a better future; a future of equality, freedom, peace and prosperity.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, as a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Aviation Subcommittee, and representing the St. Louis region where aviation has been vital in our history and our economy, I rise today in strong support of passage of H.R. 4915, the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010. Although I believe a long-term reauthorization of the FAA is long overdue, I'm happy to see the Senate finally pass an FAA reauthorization bill earlier, so we are one step closer to passage of a much-needed long-term reauthorization. I'm also happy to see this legislation include the provision to amend the HIRE Act so that all States, including my home State of Missouri, can receive funding under the Projects of National and Regional Significance and the National Corridors Program, rather than just 29 States. Both of these programs are designed to be competitive and discretionary programs under SAFETEA-LU where all States could fairly compete for funding. I want to thank Chairman Oberstar, Chairman Costello, Ranking Members Mica and Petri for their work to bring about this compromise to move this forward so that States like Missouri can receive funding under these programs, not only those States that had designated appropriations in SAFETEA-LU. It is critical for all States to be treated the same, to have these opportunities. This is an important compromise as we continue to work toward a long-term surface transportation bill that is so vital to our economy and growing out of this recession our country has been working through. This is important for jobs. I congratulate our leadership and our Members and recommend this bill to all of our Members.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this important health care package for America. Mr. Speaker, today, history was made. Today was for Sharon, from St. Louis, whose husband has Parkinson's Disease, and whose medication costs quadruple every May, when he falls into the donut hole. Today was for Mary, whose has lived in fear of losing her coverage because she knows her son will be refused coverage because of his preexisting condition. Today was for Michelle, who can't afford health coverage for the employees in her small bookstore. Today was for Stacy, whose grandmother died because she didn't have access to preventative care, leaving her family devastated and her grandfather broke from medical debt. An American President once said, ``There has long been a need to assure every American financial access to high quality health care. As medical costs go up, that need grows more pressing. Now, for the first time, we have not just the need but the will to get this job done.'' That President was Richard Nixon in 1974. Indeed, the effort to make sure quality, affordable health care is available to all Americans dates back nearly 100 years, when Teddy Roosevelt called for reform, a call echoed by Democratic and Republican Presidents alike--Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon--and even Missouri's own Harry S. Truman. Today, we have finally fulfilled this century-old mission. No longer will older Americans face financial ruin because they can't afford to purchase life-saving medicine. No longer will parents fear that their children will be denied coverage because they have a preexisting condition. No longer will small businesses be forced to choose between health care or hiring additional employees. And no longer will people die, in the wealthiest country in the world, simply because they cannot afford care. That all ends today, with the passage of this bill to stop the insurance companies from denying care to people who are sick and rein in rising costs to make health care more affordable for families and small businesses, giving everyone access to the kind of health care choices available to Members of Congress. It's about time. We have a healthier America. A healthier America means a stronger, more productive, more competitive America.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, it's an honor to be here and to speak on behalf of this resolution that honors the members of the Agri-business Development Teams that have been operating. These are joint missions that combine some of the best of our military capabilities, the best of our civilian capabilities, and they are operating in some of the most important areas we need to succeed. We've seen the success of these teams on the ground in Afghanistan. We have heard from our military leaders how essential they are to our success. We are very pleased that our Missouri National Guard has been one of the leading groups that has done this. They have worked with our universities, with our rural electric co-ops, and many of our civilian capabilities have been brought to bear from our farming communities in Missouri to help bring more advanced agricultural methods to Afghanistan and to be sure that we succeed in the fight against terrorism.

Mr. CARNAHAN

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, thousands of my constituents have shared their health care stories with me about America's broken health care system, like Christopher from St. Louis. He said, I stayed in a job that I hated for 5 years just for the insurance. Or like Stacy, also from St. Louis. Her grandmother died without preventive coverage 2 years ago, she said, leaving her grandfather broke due to medical debt and her family wondering why her medical problems couldn't have been detected sooner. She wrote, Please vote for health care reform for my grandmother. Well, Stacy and the thousands of others that I represent, I want to tell you I will. The American people have had it with the partisan bickering here, and so have I. The folks who want to play partisan political games with your health care need to get out of the way. The insurance companies have made record profits during this economic recession and are sticking us with higher premiums all across the country. Enough with the obstruction and the delay. This bill has already passed the House. A bill has already passed the Senate with a supermajority. It's time for every Member of this Congress to stand up and be counted, to have a final up-or-down vote. It's time to stand up for millions of Americans. I know where I stand. It's time for an up- or-down vote on health care now.