Kathy Castor

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I thank my colleague from the Energy and Commerce Committee for yielding me time. In December of 2008, the communities surrounding the Tennessee Valley Authority's coal-fired plant in Kingston, Tennessee, suffered one of the worst environmental disasters in the Nation's history--5.4 million cubic yards, or over 1 billion gallons, of coal ash sludge covered the neighborhood after a dam break. This was along the Emory River. It damaged 42 homes. That disaster raised a lot of questions and concerns about how coal ash is stored all across the country. In that case, the TVA had used an above-ground, unlined storage pond that broke loose after a heavy rain. Some States have appropriate storage standards, like my home State of Florida. They're appropriate. But the problem is some States do not have the appropriate standard, so I believe EPA was right to begin an appropriate national review of guidelines for proper coal ash disposal. The problem here is the GOP bill stops that effort in its tracks. The GOP bill is too liberal and too permissive. I have relayed to EPA that many actors in the field recycle coal ash material. In my hometown of Tampa, we send a lot of coal ash for the building of the new Panama Canal expansion. And it's used in wallboard. This needs to be encouraged. We want to see the beneficial reuse industry flourish. Recycled fly ash should not be labeled as hazardous, and I think it shouldn't even be labeled as special waste, and I encourage the EPA to take this approach. In fact, I proposed an amendment to support this approach after discussion with industry leaders, but the Republicans ruled it out of order. Without it, the GOP bill goes too far. They're abdicating their responsibility to protect communities from disasters like Kingston. The bottom line is that we all have a responsibility to ensure that coal ash is disposed of in ways that protect communities across the country and protect human health. The GOP bill does not take that approach and does not take its responsibility seriously. It could allow a disaster like TVA's Kingston catastrophe to happen again. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, the debate on the GOP pollution bills has been very heated at times. The debate has exposed very divergent views between the parties here in Congress on the importance of clean air and on the value of good health for all Americans. Despite our differences on how we treat air pollution, my amendment offers us an opportunity to come together on a bipartisan basis, specifically to protect the health of our older neighbors--America's seniors. The passage of my amendment will not prevent the passage of the underlying bill. If the amendment is adopted, it will be incorporated into the bill, and the bill will proceed to a vote. The amendment I offer today will ensure that we respect the health of our older neighbors, our parents, and our grandparents by protecting the quality of the air that they breathe. Seniors are more susceptible than others to the harmful impacts of dirty air and pollution, and our neighbors need to understand what is in the air that they breathe, so my amendment proposes to do two things: One, require waste incinerators located within 5 miles of a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or a hospital to simply use the most effective pollution control methods available. Two, require polluting boilers to notify surrounding communities of toxic emissions. Without my amendment, the GOP bill will cause a dramatic increase in the emissions of mercury, dioxins, acid gases, and sulfur dioxide near populations that are particularly vulnerable to pollution. Madam Speaker, the Clean Air Act protects us all from some of the most carcinogenic and dangerous pollutants. Mercury damages the developing brain and reduces IQ and the ability to learn. Sulfur dioxide is known to interfere with breathing, and as a result, is especially harmful to seniors. Some seniors are so sensitive to dirty air and pollution they require oxygen tanks to aid their breathing, and a variety of health conditions afflicting seniors is aggravated by poor air quality. Any increase in hazardous air pollution will disproportionately harm our older neighbors at a time in their lives when they are the most vulnerable. We can save lives, and we can save money by requiring that these waste incinerators that are located near our older neighbors use the most effective pollution control methods available. When it comes to the health and health care costs for older Americans, my colleagues, we've got to be smarter. It is not wise to aggravate the respiratory ailments of our older neighbors who likely are on Medicare, just as it is not wise for the GOP to advocate for ending Medicare as we know it. It doesn't save any money. The nonpartisan CBO explained that the GOP plan to dismantle Medicare would simply shift costs to seniors without addressing the underlying issues. Actually, the GOP pollution bills here can be viewed as handing our parents, our grandparents, and our older neighbors higher medical bills tied to dirtier air. So let's be smart. Let's ensure that waste incinerators located in areas where our seniors live use the most effective pollution controls. Other industries have done it, and this small industrial subset should not receive a special interest ``carve-out.'' Madam Speaker, while our older neighbors would be disproportionately affected by this GOP bill in its current form, they're not the only ones. Young people and pregnant women are also extremely vulnerable to an increase in the toxic emissions that this GOP bill promotes. This Congress has a duty to prevent such harm from happening when the evidence is so clear. One sure way that we can help our families take adequate steps to protect themselves and their children is to ensure they're fully aware of the dangers that they face from specific pollution sources. So this amendment also requires large boilers to notify their local communities of emissions that are likely to increase because of this GOP bill. That way, families can take adequate steps to protect their children from mercury, dioxins, particulates, and sulfur dioxide. This information will also enable our local communities to make determinations on where to locate playgrounds and schools. We must ensure that our families and communities have all the information they need to make the best decisions for the health of their children, and that they have a complete understanding of the location and scale of the threat posed by air pollution. Madam Speaker, the GOP bill blocks critical health protections against air pollution. The EPA estimates that the GOP's anti-clean air bills together mean over 30,000 more premature deaths, over 19,000 additional heart attacks, and over 200,000 asthma attacks that otherwise would have been prevented. We shouldn't let it happen.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I am opposed.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will close by asking, in the spirit of the original bipartisan adoption of the Clean Air Act 40 years ago, that we come together on a bipartisan basis to adopt this important amendment to protect the health of our seniors and children all across America.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I move to strike the last word.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Waxman amendment and in opposition to this GOP bill. Mr. Chairman, all Americans should be concerned with the GOP push to roll back America's fundamental environmental protections and health protections. This GOP bill strikes at the heart of American values. We are not a smoggy, Third World country. This is the United States of America; and over the past decades since the passage of the Clean Air Act, businesses have flourished and the air and water has gotten cleaner. These are not mutually exclusive. That's why this GOP bill takes a step backward. It fundamentally weakens the Clean Air Act and grants unnecessary breaks to toxic air polluters. Now, Mr. Waxman's amendment is very important because it targets one of the most dangerous and toxic neurotoxins, that is, mercury. We know that babies born to women exposed to mercury during pregnancy can suffer from a range of developmental and neurological problems, including delays in speaking and difficulties learning. Children suffering from the chronic effects of mercury exposure may never reach their full potential. This clearly has a profound impact on the affected children and their families, but it also has a long-term societal impact. It was in 1990 when the Congress, in a bipartisan fashion, amended the Clean Air Act and targeted the particular, the specific, polluters coming from specific sources. These specific polluters, some of them created jobs, acted to bring in modern technology, the scrubbers. They took the mercury out of the air. There are many examples in my home State of Florida of these manufacturing plants and utilities that have taken the mercury out of the air by installing the up-to-date modern equipment. But there have been some businesses that have been very resistant to this, and they need to get with the program because it has been since 1990 when the law has said it's time to clean it up. Now what year is this? This is 2011. Now, I would offer that after 20 years, these businesses have been on notice that they can use the American know-how and modern technology to clean up their plants, just like a lot of their other competitors have done. Now, I've heard the argument that, boy, this is bad for business. But I'll tell you, coming from the State of Florida, clean air and clean water are good for business. Our tourism industry relies on clean water and clean air. And for the plants in the State of Florida that have cleaned up, it has really improved the commercial fishing industry, the recreational fishing industry, billion-dollar industries in my State. If they had not--if the Congress had not acted in a bipartisan way decades ago to say we're going to clean up the air and the water, I don't think we'd have as many visitors coming to my beautiful State for their vacations and fishing. And fishing is important because we have so many that go out in the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic or out in the Keys and they fish and they bring it home to eat. Now, because mercury is not cleaned up to the greatest extent that we can clean it up, the Florida Department of Health has advised here, and I'm reading from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Advisory: ``The Florida Department of Health has advised the public to limit their consumption of fish from hundreds of waterbodies throughout the State due to unacceptable risk of mercury exposure. As a result, these waterbodies have been listed as `impaired' for mercury.'' This doesn't mean it's unsafe. But it means that you can't go overboard. But you know what? We have the technology to continue to clean up so that people can eat all the great Florida seafood that is available to them. There is no reason to take a step backward. Other businesses have done this. They have cleaned up. So earlier this year, after a decade of analysis and work by the EPA and interaction with businesses and other stakeholders all across the country, the EPA finalized standards to cut emissions of mercury and other toxic air pollution from these particular polluters. Their goal was to finally put these rules into effect this coming April. But, unfortunately, we're running into opposition from the most anti- environmental Congress in history. People, this amendment is straightforward. It states that the bill does not stop EPA from taking action to clean up toxic air pollution from these particular sites. If that facility is emitting mercury or other toxic pollutants, we're not going to proceed. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge the House GOP leadership to bring the American Jobs Act to the floor. One of the primary reasons we've got to work together on a jobs strategy is to modernize and repair schools all across the country. This will create thousands and thousands of jobs. Small business contractors, electricians, and others can repair our schools. Back home in Florida, the school districts are having to delay maintenance. Teachers are being laid off, and schools are unable to invest in the modern science labs that will help prepare our kids for the jobs of the new century. Yesterday, Vice President Biden visited Oakstead Elementary, north of Tampa, which is an A school. It opened 5 years ago, was built for 700 students, but they have over 1,000 students at Oakstead. And even with the overcrowding, the school district has had to release eight teachers. That is not smart. ``To keep this a grade-A school, we're going to have to keep teachers in the classroom,'' the Vice President said. Mr. Speaker, I urge my GOP colleagues not to block the American Jobs Act. Our small business owners and contractors are ready to modernize schools, and parents like me want dedicated teachers in the classroom.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of her 100th birthday milestone, I rise to commend the life and leadership of Mrs. Rhodes-Lawrence. Mrs. Rhodes-Lawrence is a great example of a dedicated community advocate and leader. In her 100 years of life, Mrs. Rhodes-Lawrence has been a part of major historical landmarks for our Nation and the world. In 1911, the year she was born, the first trans-continental flight from New York to Pasadena took off and landed successfully and a gallon of gas was only seven cents. Long after living through the Great Depression and two world wars, Mrs. Rhodes-Lawrence had two children, who gave seven grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. She has made remarkable contributions to our community and her church, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Rhodes-Lawrence, a Lee, Florida native, was deemed Mother of the Year at St. Paul's and has been the on the Deaconess Board, Senior Women's Ministry, choir, and founder of Young Adult Choir. The Tampa community is proud to recognize Mrs. Rhodes-Lawrence for her contributions and leadership to our community.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of his 80th birthday milestone, I rise to commend the inspirational leadership of Reverend Willie G. Dixon. Reverend Dixon is a wonderful example of how a local leader can help shape future generations and make a difference in their community. Reverend Dixon's accomplishments are worthy of recognition by the entire Tampa community. A native of Tampa, Florida, Reverend Dixon entered the Air Force upon completion of high school. After serving our country, Dixon was honorably discharged and enrolled at Tennessee State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. He then moved back to the Tampa area, where he was employed by the Hillsborough County School Board as an elementary school music teacher and band director for six years. Reverend Dixon then went on to pursue a career helping ex-offenders at the Zephyrhills Correctional Institution. As an ex-offender placement specialist, Dixon assisted inmates preparing for release and later served in the same capacity at Pasco-Hernando Community College. While employed in this career, he continued to work in area school systems until his retirement from the Sarasota County School System in 1991. While teaching in Hillsborough and Sarasota County, Reverend Dixon realized that a large percentage of his students were African American repeat offenders who were unable to gain reentry into society financially and socially. Dixon developed a strong desire to help these youths that experienced difficulty getting back on track after release due to a number of factors such as broken homes, various types of abuse and lack of education. In response to this calling, Dixon formed COACH Foundation, Inc. and the COACH Faith Based Ministry. COACH Foundation, Inc. has numerous programs that help inmates make a smooth transition into society and become productive citizens. These programs include after-school programs, job training, counseling, affordable home-ownership as well as many other services that benefit the community. Reverend Dixon's individual efforts continue to touch lives with his partnership with the Abe Brown Prison Ministry and weekly bible study with inmates at the Zephyrhills Correctional Institution. The Tampa Community is proud to recognize Reverend Willie G. Dixon for his efforts and outstanding contributions towards educating and guiding youth in Tampa. Reverend Dixon's determination and commitment to improving the lives of others have made him an inspirational community leader. I ask that you and all Americans recognize such a remarkable citizen for his service to our community.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and career of Lee Roy Selmon, a Hall of Fame football player and a pillar of the Tampa Bay community. As a player, Lee Roy Selmon was one of the greatest Buccaneers of all time, and his post-football career was equally distinguished. The youngest of nine children, Lee Roy Selmon would join two of his older brothers on the defensive line at the University of Oklahoma in 1972. Referred to as a ``Gentle Giant'' by his peers, he would go on to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, leading Oklahoma to two national championships in 1974 and 1975. In 1999 Sports Illustrated magazine selected Selmon as a member of their NCAA Football All-Century Team. In 1976, Selmon would join the Tampa Bay community as the first-ever draft pick of the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He proceeded to distinguish himself as one of the greatest NFL players of all time; during his career with the Buccaneers, he was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls and named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1979. The Buccaneers retired his number, 63, in 1986, and in 1995 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2008, Lee Roy Selmon became the first-ever inductee into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor, a fitting distinction for the original Buccaneer. Lee Roy Selmon's professional accomplishments after his retirement from football are numerous; he was a philanthropist and a banker, an athletic director and an entrepreneur. The University of South Florida football program will forever bear his mark--as the Athletic Director during the Bull's emergence as a Division 1-A football team, the program greatly benefitted from Selmon's able stewardship. Above all, those who knew Lee Roy Selmon speak of his decency, his kindness, his gentle nature, and his integrity as often as they speak of his athletic and professional accomplishments. He was undoubtedly one of the Tampa Bay area's greatest ambassadors. The Tampa Bay community is proud to honor the life of Lee Roy Selmon, a great athlete and a man of character. His greatness and his humility continue to inspire those who knew him, and I ask that you and all Americans join me in honoring such a remarkable man.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and highlight the distinguished career of Colonel Gregory B. Canney. Colonel Canney's career spanned 26 years that began in Florida at Eglin Air Force Base and ended in Tampa at MacDill Air Force Base. Colonel Gregory B. Canney is the Commander, 6th Dental Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. As the Commander, Colonel Canney was responsible for providing top quality dental restorative and preventive care to the 6th Mobility Wing and its 36 mission partners. Colonel Canney ensured the world-wide deployment of over 10,000 active duty members from the 6th Air Mobility Wing and two combatant commands. Colonel Canney interfaced with command, wing, group and squadron leaders on dental matters and managed a $400,000 annual budget and 53,486 annual dental visits. Colonel Canney was born in Groton, Connecticut. He completed his undergraduate education at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA. He entered the Air Force directly from the University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine in 1980 and served 10 years. After a break in service, he resumed his Air Force career in 1995 and has enjoyed a total of 8 assignments. He is guided by the credo ``attitude is everything.'' Living by that credo is what led Colonel Canney to receive several major awards and decorations such as the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters. As the Deputy Group Commander for the 6th Medical Group, Colonel Canney has directly impacted the careers of hundreds of troops in all Healthcare Corps and will influence several generations beyond the tenure of his career. The Tampa community and MacDill Air Force Base are proud to recognize Colonel Canney for his outstanding career and his many significant contributions to the Air Force and our country. His determination and hard work have made him an inspirational leader within our Nation's Armed Services. I ask that you and all Americans recognize such a remarkable patriot for his service to his country.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the inspirational leadership of ADM Eric T. Olson. Admiral Olson's service is worthy of recognition by the entire Tampa community, the United States Armed Services and every citizen of our great Nation. A native of Tacoma, Wash., Olson graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1973 and qualified as a Naval Special Warfare, SEAL, officer in 1974. He has served operationally in an Underwater Demolition Team, SEAL Team, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team, Special Boat Squadron, and at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He has commanded at every level. Olson has participated in several conflicts and contingency operations, and has served as a SEAL instructor, strategy and tactics development officer and joint special operations staff officer. His overseas assignments include service as a United Nations military observer in Israel and Egypt, and as Navy Programs officer in Tunisia. He served on the Navy staff as assistant deputy chief of Naval Operations (Plans, Policy, and Operations). Olson earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and studied at the Defense Language Institute. He is a Joint Specialty officer and Political-Military Affairs sub-specialist with emphasis on Africa and the Middle East. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal and Silver Star. Admiral Olson became the first Navy SEAL to take the helm at Special Operations Command. It is only befitting that such a decorated and committed SEAL played an integral role in the successful raid on the Abbottabad compound that ended the search for Osama bin Laden. In addition to being the first three- and four-star Navy SEAL, Admiral Olson is currently the Bull Frog, the longest serving Navy SEAL still on duty. At four-star flag rank, Olson is the highest ranking Navy SEAL to hold the Bull Frog title. The Tampa community and MacDill Air Force Base are proud to recognize Admiral Olson for his outstanding career and his many significant contributions to the Navy and our country. His determination and hard work have made him an inspirational leader within our Nation's Armed Services.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to work together to resolve our debt reduction strategy, and I rise to urge my GOP colleagues to abandon their efforts to end Medicare as we know it. For 45 years, Medicare has been that fundamental promise to our parents and our grandparents that if they work hard, if they play by the rules, and if they pay into Medicare, they're going to be able to live their retirement years in dignity, and that their children will have economic security because we won't be worried about the economic challenges that a diagnosis or an emergency situation or health condition would bring. It's fundamentally unfair that the debt racked up over the last decade with two wars put on a credit card, tax breaks for special interests, and other special provisions, and now the GOP is looking to end Medicare as we know it and to undermine that fundamental promise. We're not going to stand for it. We can work together on a more reasonable solution, and I urge my colleagues to do so.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition of any effort to eliminate the Election Assistance Commission. Elimination of the EAC appears to be part of the GOP's nationwide assault on voters' rights, and will exacerbate the current issues we face in federal elections. With a number of states adopting new voter Registration and ID laws that will restrict and suppress votes, this is the wrong time to eliminate an agency that seeks to avoid the problems we faced during the 2000 election in the state of Florida. The EAC is necessary in order to ensure the fairness and integrity of federal elections. Now, more than ever, we need an agency like the EAC, so that we can ensure that our democracy functions freely and fairly. The EAC is an independent, bipartisan agency that carries out grant programs, provides for testing and certification of voting systems, studies election issues, and assists local and state election officials by issuing guidelines and other important information to help them comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requirements. The EAC is composed of experts who are former state and local election officials and familiar with the challenges of election administration. The federal government should not eliminate the information gathering, information sharing and advisory role of the Election Assistance Commission. These functions have been crucial at improving federal elections, and should be strengthened rather than eliminated. Like many other states around the country, the Florida legislature has moved in a dangerous direction to curtail voter's rights, and we will need the EAC come 2012 when we see the sad consequences of restrictive voting laws. The new Florida law makes it difficult for those who recently moved between counties to cast their votes. The new law also limits voting accessibility by shortening the window for early voting from 14 days to 6 days. This will make it even more difficult for working Floridians and elderly voters, resulting in longer lines at the polls on Election Day. Lastly, the new law negatively impacts voter registration efforts in Florida by limiting the ability of third party groups to effectively register legitimate new voters. The EAC works with all of these issues, and if we eliminate it today, we will face serious challenges in the 2012 election as we seek to resolve the problems that may ultimately arise as a result of new election laws like we have in Florida. This bill would transfer EAC duties to the FEC, which is already overburdened. The FEC says they need more resources to absorb the EAC's duties. Other costs would simply shift to already overburdened state governments. The FEC does not have the capability or the expertise to successfully administer the certification program that is currently implemented by the EAC. The EAC creates national standards for improving accessibility for all Americans. Local and State officials still struggle to ensure accessible elections for all. For instance, a GAO report on the 2008 election said that there were significant problems for persons with disabilities in gaining access to the polls. Physical barriers remain in far too many cases. In fact, 31 states reported that ensuring polling place accessibility was ``challenging.'' The EAC should be strengthened to ensure that we have in place strong standards that will improve the voting experience for all Americans. The EAC has already played a central role in improving the accessibility of voting for the country's more than 37 million voters with disabilities. Furthermore, the EAC's certification program is helping state and local governments save money. The EAC uses its oversight role to coordinate with manufacturers and local election officials in order to ensure that the existing equipment meets its durability and longevity potential. This saves state and local governments from the unnecessary expense of new voting equipment. Mr. Speaker, eliminating the EAC at this time would be a regrettable mistake. We need to take steps to safeguard our democratic process, and agencies like the EAC should be strengthened in order to protect Americans' right to vote.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the importance of the primary care workforce and support provisions included in the Affordable Care Act to expand the number of primary care physicians, especially in my home state of Florida. One of the smartest things we can do in health care today is to bolster primary care and family medicine. Your primary care doctor is your family doctor; the one you and your family see for checkups, and the doctor who is most likely to understand your health care needs. It is widely understood that if we are going to be more efficient in America with our health care dollars, we need to focus on prevention and boost the number of primary care doctors. There is a great demand for primary care physicians across the country and training new doctors in a community teaching setting is vital. Training doctors is an especially critical issue in my home state of Florida. We have a significant doctor shortage. Florida has great medical schools and are turning out quality medical school graduates, but that is not enough because we do not have a sufficient number of residency slots. Florida is short nearly 3,000 new GME positions to meet current physician demand. Florida is the third most populous state, but ranks 44th in the nation in terms of the number of residency positions under Medicare. Those numbers reflect a brewing crisis situation. Not only does Florida have the largest and fastest growing percentage of citizens over 65, we have a rapidly aging physician population--25 percent of Florida's physicians are over 65. We need to do everything possible to train new primary care doctors all across the country, but especially in Florida. H.R. 1216 will take us backwards and that is why I strongly oppose its passage. Before we take up legislation to terminate an initiative that encourages the training of new doctors in primary care, family medicine and internal medicine, please understand our country's need for physicians who are most effective for our families. I urge my colleagues to support a robust primary care workforce. We need to work together to develop modern methods to train primary care physicians-- and the Teaching Health Centers GME program, which my colleagues on the other side of the aisle seek to eliminate, is an innovative new model to help train more primary care physicians and encourage them to practice in communities. Physicians who train in a community setting have a better understanding of the needs of the communities they serve. Many organizations--like MedPAC and the Council on Graduate Medical Education--have called for a community-based GME program, so why do Republicans want to eliminate these opportunities before they start? Residency rotation through rural and outpatient locations provide great training opportunities for physician residents; and it encourages the resident to practice in out-patient or rural communities. If we do not work together to find common sense solutions for our primary care workforce, America will be short of the doctors we need to serve in our communities and our families and neighbors will suffer the consequences. This is why I voted against H.R. 1216 and why I strongly oppose any attempt to eliminate innovated methods for training our future primary care workforce.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I rise in strong opposition to the underlying bill and in support of the DeLauro amendment. Mr. Chairman, hardworking families all across America have been whipsawed in recent years by Wall Street and special interests who have had free rein to place bets on mortgages and place bets on future oil prices. And you know what? We fought back. We fought back, and we passed a Wall Street reform law that outlaws risky financial practices by banks and lenders and that protects consumers. Taxpayers should never, ever again be left on the hook for Wall Street's reckless actions, and yet my GOP colleagues propose to do just that with this bill, let Wall Street off the hook and put consumers and our economy at risk again. This bill significantly cuts the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The CFTC is a major piece of the landmark Wall Street reform law because the law put cops back on the financial beat into areas where the financial industry was left largely unsupervised. And you know who suffered because of that? American families suffered the firsthand consequences of an unsupervised and unregulated Wall Street. And now they're proposing a real double whammy to the American family, because my GOP colleagues are pairing their push to put consumers at risk and threaten their economic security with their GOP plan to end Medicare as we know it and undermine retirement security. I would have hoped that we would have all learned a lesson and that you do not return to the policies of the past that led to the financial meltdown and the economic hardship for all Americans, but it appears that some have not learned that lesson. And you have to ask why, why are we trying to go back to the same policies that led to the meltdown and led to such pain all across the country that started back in 2007? I'll tell you why. I have an article that was published during the debate of the Wall Street reform legislation. It is dated December 8, 2009. The headline reads: ``House Republicans Huddle with Lobbyists to Kill Financial Reform Bill.'' The article continues: ``In a call to arms, House Republican leaders met with more than 100 lobbyists at the Capitol Visitor Center on Tuesday afternoon to try to fight back against financial regulatory overhaul legislation.'' Now, in another article written during the consideration of H.R. 1, the headline reads: ``Industry Looks to Derail Dodd-Frank Enforcement.'' It continues: Republicans ``make no bones about their goal: to defang Dodd-Frank,'' our landmark Wall Street reform law that was put in place to protect consumers and hardworking American families. [From Roll Call, Dec. 8, 2009] House Republicans Huddle With Lobbyists To Kill Financial Reform Bill (By Anna Palmer) In a call to arms, House Republican leaders met with more than 100 lobbyists at the Capitol Visitors Center on Tuesday afternoon to try to fight back against financial regulatory overhaul legislation. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) kicked off the 4 p.m. meeting, along with Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and GOP Reps. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), Scott Garrett (N.J.) and Jeb Hensarling (Texas). ``The message was [House Financial Services Chairman Barney] Frank and the Democratic majority are ruining America, ruining capitalism, and stand up for yourselves,'' said a lobbyist who attended the meeting. ``They said, `Look, you all oppose this bill, but only a few of you have come out publicly.' '' In addition to asking trade associations to get their members in Congressional districts to write letters opposing the legislation, Republicans asked for companies and trade associations to use their Democratic consultants to gather intelligence on where members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Blue Dog Coalition are in supporting the legislation.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I thank my colleague for yielding time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1229. This Republican proposal is very poor public policy. And as a Member who represents a community that is dependent on the gulf coast's economy, frankly, it is appalling for my Republican friends to press to eliminate safety standards on oil companies who want to continue to drill and come closer and closer to our beautiful beaches. Really, it is beyond the pale. And I have to ask, did my colleagues not learn anything from this disaster? In our economy on Florida's gulf coast, we depend on clean water and clean beaches, and when you bring up a bill like this, it feels like a direct challenge to our economic recovery. We have not recovered. The hotels and motels on the beach, the seafood industry, all the mom and pop shops who are dependent on the tourism industry, we are still struggling to come back. We want to adopt the recommendations of the oil spill commission that recommends stronger safety standards, something like that which was passed on a bipartisan basis here in the House last year. Now to add insult to injury, my Republican colleagues recently passed a budget that gives taxpayer subsidies to the Big Oil companies. In the face of a burgeoning debt and deficit and in the face of huge profits by the oil companies, why should the American taxpayers be subsidizing the bottom line of the most profitable corporations in the world? Instead, it is time for a meaningful, comprehensive energy strategy to lower gas prices because it appears that that's what we all are in agreement to do. But to do that, it's not to eliminate safety standards for drilling. That's silly. What we should do is end the giveaways to Big Oil, eliminate the $5 billion in subsidies and loopholes that the oil companies receive each year. Let's prohibit Wall Street speculators from artificially driving up oil prices. Let's develop super-efficient cars and clean alternative energies that will create good jobs in America and then bring down gas prices. Mr. Chairman, finally, I caution the oil companies and their friends in Congress that the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout was only 1 year ago. Most of the necessary safety standards and recommendations of the bipartisan oil spill commission have not been adopted. No one should be pressing for unbridled drilling without ensuring that another blowout disaster would never happen again. Otherwise, many of us on the gulf coast view the blind-eyed push as a serious threat to our multibillion dollar tourism and fishing industries and our coastal environmental resources. Florida's long-term economic health is dependent on clean water and clean beaches and clean oceans. Our economy is struggling right now. I am confident that Florida's economy will recover, but Florida's long- term economic outlook will suffer immensely if we have to suffer through another blowout disaster. Mr. Chairman, we need an honest dialogue on energy solutions based on facts. Americans are clamoring for comprehensive long-term energy solutions so we are less dependent on foreign oil.

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to herald the achievements of Dottie Berger MacKinnon and to acknowledge her valuable contributions to the Tampa Bay community. Dottie is a community activist, child advocate, and former Hillsborough County Commissioner. Dottie Berger MacKinnon is one of the founders of Joshua House, a safe haven for abused, abandoned, and neglected children, in Tampa and she has passionately supported the children served there since 1992. After founding the institution she helped the group establish a $1.2 million endowment through the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay in order to ensure that they can continue the work that she started there long into the future. This is one of the truly incredible philanthropic establishments in Tampa Bay. Joshua House continues to change the lives of the children who pass through its doors today. In addition to her service as a founder of Joshua House, she also served the community as a Hillsborough County Commissioner from 1994- 1998. Her impressive service as a County Commissioner inspired those around her and on May 4, 2011 Dottie will be honored with the Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award by the Hillsborough County Commissioners in recognition of the significant role that she played in improving government through leadership and vision. Not finished with her incredible work for children yet, from 2005- 2009 she worked tirelessly to develop, create and co-found A Kid's Place, a residential care facility for foster siblings. Before A Kid's Place opened in 2009, kids who were taken away from abusive homes were often separated from their siblings. Rescued children now stay at comfortable houses at A Kid's Place for up to a month while officials work to find stable homes for groups of brothers and sisters. Her work with A Kid's Place continues to this day, as they just opened up a fifth residence hall due to her tireless work and fundraising. The achievements of Dottie Berger MacKinnon are truly remarkable, heroic even. She has been recognized as a true difference maker in the lives of the children of Tampa Bay. Although she now battles cancer, she still works unrelentingly in her quest to improve the lives of children in the Tampa Bay area. I stand with the rest of the community in awe of the work she has done and continues to do for the children of Tampa Bay. I am honored to have been invited to the Hillsborough League of Women Voters 2011 Annual Award Luncheon where Mrs. Dottie Berger MacKinnon will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. I can think of no better candidate to receive this honor than Dottie, she is truly an inspiration to everyone in the Tampa Bay community.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I thank my colleague from Colorado. I rise in strong opposition to the rule and the underlying bill. In the State of Florida, we are still recovering from last year's BP oil blowout disaster. We're recovering economically and environmentally from the policies of the past that elevated oil company profits over safety. To add insult to injury, every summer the price of gas goes up, and we see it in Florida because our economy is largely tied to tourism, and we see it and it pains us and consumers know that they are messing around with the American consumer. They understand that the Wall Street speculators are making a profit, maybe 20 percent in the price of gas, and that is not fair. Why don't we start with a meaningful energy policy that addresses those speculators? Instead of continuing oil company giveaways, why don't we start with ending the taxpayer subsidies to the big oil companies? Just in the first quarter of this year, BP has made over $5 billion in profit. Exxon has made over $10 billion in profit. With the skyrocketing debt and deficit, why is it fair for the American taxpayer to be subsidizing the most profitable companies in the world? That is where we should begin this debate today, ending those oil company subsidies to bring down the price of gas and tackling the outrageous profits that go to the oil companies while the consumer is paying through the nose at the pump. My Republican friends are on the wrong track when it comes to energy policy. We've got to prohibit Wall Street speculators from artificially inflating prices. We've got to adopt the oil spill commission's recommendations to make drilling safe before we charge ahead and open up new areas to drill. There are millions of acres to drill. Millions of acres. All we're asking is fairness and safety as they proceed in doing so so the American taxpayer will not have to pay any more.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of her recent honor, the 2011 Sydney & Thalia Potter Civic Leadership Award from the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, I rise to herald the achievements of Delia P. Sanchez, a champion for children in Florida. Ms. Sanchez is a wonderful example of the power of women to shape future generations and make a difference in their communities. Ms. Sanchez is a lifelong learner. She obtained her bachelor's degree from Florida State University in Social Work with minors in Education and Spanish in 1945 and went on to get her Master's in Social Work at Columbia University in 1947. Until 1991, nearly fifty years later, she took graduate level courses in areas such as Pupil Personnel Services, Education, and Rehabilitation. All the while, Ms. Sanchez was affecting enormous change in lives of hundreds of children in the Tampa Bay area. One of the greatest services that Delia Sanchez provided to the Tampa community was to work with Congressman Sam Gibbons to bring the first Head Start initiative to Hillsborough County. She began her career as a Child Welfare Worker for the Florida State Welfare Board. From there Ms. Sanchez went on to work for the School Board of Hillsborough County as a School Social Worker and a Case Work Consultant, working her way up the ranks to eventually serve as the Administrative Supervisor for Head Start for nine years. Then, in the last three years of her career, she went into private practice to counsel troubled children. Throughout her career and in her retirement, Ms. Sanchez has served as a board member or local representative to a number of community organizations. The list is too large to mention them all, but they range from the University of South Florida's Latin Community Advisory Committee, the Citizen's Advisory Council, the Child Abuse Council, the Ybor City Museum Society, to the National Association of Social Workers. For all of her hard work in education and the lives of children, countless organizations have recognized her. To name a few, Ms. Sanchez is the recipient of the US State Department Fellowship Award, the American Red Cross Service Award twice, the Retired Social Worker Outstanding Achievement Award, the Hillsborough County Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, the National Head Start Association Lifetime Achievement Award and now the Sydney & Thalia Potter Civic Leadership Award. She is also a member of Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honor Society, was named Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers by the Tampa Bay Unit and then again by the Florida Chapter, received an honorary Doctorate from the University of South Florida School of Social Work, and in 1993 she was Hispanic Woman of the Year. Mr. Speaker, Delia P. Sanchez is a woman of the highest regard who has dedicated her life to helping others. I am proud to call her my neighbor, and I join many others to applaud her lifetime contribution to the Tampa Bay community.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, the vote on the Republican budget is one of the most important votes that I and my colleagues will cast as Members of Congress. The vote will tell the story of two distinct visions for America: how we reduce our debt, our economic future, and what we value as Americans. The Republican plan to destroy Medicare, to replace it with a voucher system, and to saddle our older neighbors and hardworking families with nearly the entire burden of reducing the Federal deficit betrays our American values. Medicare has allowed our parents and grandparents and our older neighbors to live in dignity in their retirement years. Medicare has kept families out of poverty for decades. It has worked well. With the baby boomers coming, we need to be mindful of necessary reforms. The Republicans should not use these difficult economic times as a reason to destroy Medicare. After all, the Republican plan will not save any money. It will simply shift the cost to older Americans and their families. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released an analysis, which reads: In 2022, with an increase of nearly $7,000 per year, the Republicans would double the cost per person. Not $1 of that increase in beneficiary cost goes to reducing the deficit. It all goes to cover the higher costs of private plans that the Republicans would force you to join. The President said yesterday this debate over budgets and deficits is about more than just numbers on a page. It is about the kind of future that we want. It is about the kind of country that we believe in, and I agree. Each one of us deserves some basic measure of security and dignity. He said that we recognize no matter how responsibly we live our lives, hard times or bad luck or a crippling illness or a layoff may strike any one of us. There but for the grace of God go I. And let me say, back home in Florida under this Republican plan to end Medicare, life will be very different. We need to reject this pessimistic Republican plan. On this most important vote, I urge my colleagues to save Medicare and keep the promise of health security and dignity for older Americans.