Kathy Castor

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I am pleased to yield the customary 30 minutes to my colleague from the Rules Committee, Mr. Hastings from Washington. All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1174.

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, we're going to do everything we can in our power to help American families across this Nation that, yes, are facing foreclosure. In this package we bring today we will help the folks who are facing those adjustable rates and keep them out of foreclosure. But I don't think we should turn a blind eye to the significant increase in foreclosures, the rate of foreclosures that has happened since 2003 under the Bush Administration. In 2003, 734,000 foreclosures; 2004, 835,000 foreclosures. More in 2005 and 2006. 2007, a record-breaking 1.5 million foreclosed homes in America. This Neighborhood Stabilization Act will address those vacant foreclosed homes in our neighborhoods. I am going to call upon my colleague from the Rules Committee, Ms. Matsui from California, to further address the issue. I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California.

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to an outspoken advocate for the hardworking families of Ohio and all Americans, Ms. Kaptur of Ohio.

Ms. CASTOR. We have a list of additional speakers, so at this time I cannot yield additional time.

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott).

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, we have just completed our third motion to adjourn the business of the House today, in addition to other procedural motions to delay action. While we will not be deterred, we are going to continue to fight for families throughout America who are suffering in this housing crisis. We are going to provide the tools that our communities need to purchase these foreclosed homes and turn them into affordable housing for families. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), the Chair of the Financial Services Committee.

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would note for the record that the Committee on Financial Services heard from local government officials and housing experts across this country during committee markup and after that. There is no secret that communities across this country need a little bit of help in turning those dilapidated, empty, foreclosed homes into productive, safe, secure housing for families. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, just for purposes of clarifying the record, I think it is important to note that a number of amendments were considered in the full committee, the Committee on Financial Services. And indeed, in the Rules Committee, we considered a number of amendments, and have accepted consideration of seven amendments in this bill that will be voted on later on. Three are Republican amendments. Now I know the other side has focused a lot on delaying tactics and procedural maneuvers today, and they would love to open this up and have hundreds of amendments considered. A number of amendments filed with the Rules Committee were duplicative. We have tailored this structured rule in a fair manner. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and I would like to thank the chairwoman of the Rules Committee, Chairwoman Louise Slaughter, for her leadership, for her perseverance in moving this critical legislation. She has been fighting for the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act for over 13 years. So we will herald her leadership today on behalf of American families and all hardworking folks across this country. I am fortunate to serve on the Committee on Rules under her leadership. The folks across this country should be very proud that we have such a dedicated chairwoman leading the committee in the people's House. I'd also like to salute Congresswoman Judy Biggert for her participation and perseverance as well in moving this legislation and fighting for it for so many years. Madam Speaker, this New Direction Congress already has done a great deal to strengthen antidiscrimination efforts for our Nation this year, such as legislation that outlaws inequities in medical coverage for mental health care. Today, we will end another form of discrimination in the workplace and by health insurance companies. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act protects our neighbors from being denied health coverage or being hired or keeping a job based upon their God-given personal genetic traits. In my district in Tampa, Florida, the University of South Florida Regional Genetics Program has been doing great work in genetics research. Now they can do so much more. People will be more willing to participate in genetics research. The testing, the genetic counseling for families with genetic conditions, now they will not be so afraid and hiding because they fear they would be discriminated against if someone learned that they might have an inclination for breast cancer or diabetes or some other disease. The scientific research opportunities are endless, and under this bill people will be protected and employers will not be able to request or purchase genetic information about employees or their families. Any information found indirectly may not be used against an employee or disclosed. Further, this legislation would outlaw health insurance companies' ability to cancel, deny, or change the terms of individual plans based upon their genetic background. This is a civil rights issue and a privacy issue, and this legislation is an absolute necessity to provide protection for Americans in the workplace and within their health coverage. The cost of health care in America is burdensome enough without an added concern that coverage may be unethically jeopardized based on genetic information. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying bill and again salute the leadership of Chairwoman Louise Slaughter and Congresswoman Judy Biggert.

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of a great educator and leader, Alfred ``Al'' Barnes. The Tampa Bay community suffered a great loss on April 22, 2008 when he passed away. Mr. Barnes grew up in the North Boulevard Homes in West Tampa and graduated from Middleton High School in 1956. He went on to Fort Valley State College on a full football scholarship, where he completed his Bachelor of Science. Upon graduation, Mr. Barnes began his career in education. His first assignment was as a P.E. teacher at the all-black Progress Village Elementary. But as segregation ended and Tampa worked to integrate its schools, Mr. Barnes was transferred to the then all- white Riverhills Elementary in 1965. It was a difficult time to be a black man in a white school, but Mr. Barnes' dedication to children and love of teaching moved him onward. In 1969 he became Tampa's first black varsity coach at Hillsborough High School, and for 25 years, he was the human relations specialist at Plant High School, helping at risk students. Over his 40-year career in education. Mr. Barnes taught generations of Tampa students about acceptance and understanding, and his efforts are well remembered by them today. As Olga Barnes, his wife of 45 years puts it. ``The children fell in love with him, and he fell in love with them.'' Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, Mr. Barnes' former student, considers him a role model and appointed him to the Tampa Sports Authority. Carlye Morgan, a member of my staff in DC, is a graduate of Plant and was a member of the Student Advisory Committee, a student club that Mr. Barnes started to promote race relations and leadership at the school. She remembers his capacity to bring students of all backgrounds together to work on common goals. ``He gave me the chance to be a leader at my school and taught me the power of mutual respect and acceptance. And students knew he was the type of teacher they could always come to if they needed help.'' Outside of school. Mr. Barnes loved to scour flea markets for jewelry. A pocket watch and antiques collector, neighbors and friends rarely saw him without a healthy dose of his latest finds glittering back at them. As a member of First Baptist Church of College Hill, his collection of African artifacts was always a hit with the congregation during Black History Month. Madam Speaker. Al Barnes will he greatly missed by me and my community. Tampa is a more loving and accepting place because of his dedication to our children. My thoughts are with Olga, his children Alfred and Zane, and his grandchildren, Luisa, Angelita, Andy, Brian, Kayla, and Kelsey.

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I would like to express my strong support of National Minority Cancer Awareness Week. This week increases awareness about the effects of cancer in minority communities and is dedicated to emphasizing the importance of early cancer detection. Today, minorities are more likely to be diagnosed and die from cancer in comparison to the rest of the United States population. According to the American Cancer Society, African American men have a 37 percent higher cancer death rate than white men, and death rates for African American women are about 17 percent higher than rates for white women, despite the fact that African American women have lower cancer incidence rates than white women. Disparities in breast cancer for minority women are among the most common. Studies have highlighted that African American women are 1.9 times more likely to be diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer than white women. Hispanic women are 1.4 times more likely to be diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer than white women. It is clear that, although there have been efforts to eliminate disparities in breast cancer related care, substantial disparities remain. Today, in accordance with National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, I introduce, the Eliminating Disparities in Breast Cancer Treatment Act of 2008. This legislation will promote the implementation of standardized health care practices for breast cancer patients and help to eliminate inequities based on race, education, income, and health insurance status. In order to eliminate unacceptable gaps in treatment quality, it is necessary that we create real incentives and requirements for doctors to provide the best care. All patients should receive the best treatment for their conditions. Quality care should be provided for everyone, not just patients that know to ask for it.

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. I would like to thank, again, the gentlemen from California for their work on this legislation and their work on behalf of students and parents across this country. I urge adoption of the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Chairman, this amendment ensures that hardworking families who are feeling the strain of skyrocketing health care costs can still afford to send their children to college. The amendment applies to the Federal parent PLUS loans. PLUS loans are the non-need- based, federally guaranteed, low-interest loans available to parents for their children's undergraduate tuition, room and board and other expenses. Our neighbors are really getting squeezed these days. They are socked with the rising cost of housing and health care. And many families are very concerned that a college education may be out of reach for their children due to these rising costs. This amendment allows parents to continue to access low-interest PLUS loans even if they have fallen behind on medical bills only up to 180 days. This extenuating circumstance exemption is identical to the one already provided in the bill for mortgage payment delinquencies. Housing and health care are the primary sources of financial hardship for families. Late mortgage payments and uncollected copayments for doctors' visits are among the primary reasons for bad debt. But these short-term and temporary extenuating circumstances should not bar parents from assisting their children with attending college. By adding this amendment to section 4, special rules for PLUS loans, we ensure that hardworking families feeling the strain in this economy of skyrocketing health care costs can still afford to send their children to college. I would like to thank Chairman Miller, Ranking Member McKeon, all of the members on the Education and Labor Committee and the professional staff for their work.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. CASTOR. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida, my colleague from the Rules Committee, Mr. Diaz-Balart. All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I also ask unanimous consent that Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1107.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, today the Congress will build on the new commitment to college and university students and their hardworking families that this new Democratic majority in the Congress has provided. Our efforts to ensure continued access to low-cost student loans for families comes on the heels of the historic College Cost Reduction and Access Act that was signed into law a few months ago that will save college students an average of $4,400 on student loan interest, will increase the Pell Grant, and will forgive loans for those who provide 10 years of public service to their community. This is the single largest investment in college financial assistance since the GI Bill in 1944 and comes at no new cost to taxpayers. The new Congress promised to make college more affordable for all Americans, and we have delivered on that promise. Our next step today is to ensure that families can continue to access the loans they need to pay for college. And let me provide you with one example from my hometown in Tampa, Florida: a student at the University of South Florida, a large public university of over 40,000 students. This student is a communications major and is one semester away from graduation. But she has reached her loan limit. She can't access that Stafford Loan that provides the lowest interest rate available out there. She is the first in her family to ever attend college. She only lacks 11 credit hours to graduate, and she plans to graduate this summer, but she has been forced to apply for a higher interest rate, private loan, to cover the expenses of her summer tuition. Well, this legislation is ready-made for her and thousands of other students across America and their families. It gives them that extra-added flexibility to be able to put the money to good use and graduate on time rather than end up paying higher loans and interest rates. You see, Madam Speaker, we're not just Members of Congress. We are also parents ourselves. And we are also concerned about the increasing cost of college, especially given the fact that college costs have been increasing more rapidly than available grant and financial aid, Federal loans, and families' ability to pay. Well, our efforts today will restore the American Dream for many families. And we know and appreciate that many families are facing extreme financial strains. The economic downturn, the cost of housing, the cost of health care, gas prices have hit our families hard. Families are really being squeezed in this unfortunate Bush economy. But there is a reason to hope because we will continue to fight for a new direction for our country, a direction that values access to education, values better jobs, and values an opportunity for all Americans. With that, Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule. Mr. McKeon. Madam Speaker, this rule will allow consideration of a bill that takes a critical first step in addressing disturbances in the student loan financial markets brought on by broader market turmoil. We've all read the headlines and spoken with our constituents about this difficult economy. Our economic confidence has been shaken, and people are nervous. But what may be overlooked is that students and families thinking about how to pay for college are in a particular bind. It's hard enough to pay for college when tuition regularly rises at two or three times the rate of inflation and textbooks can run close to $1,000 each year. Add to that the idea that lenders are scaling back on student loans, and it's easy to see why Americans are nervous about paying for college. Like most challenges to our economy, there's no easy answer to the difficulties in our student loan programs. We will need a combination of actions--maybe some legislatively, others through regulation--that will increase liquidity and restore confidence among investors and consumers. This bill is a first step, and one that deserves bipartisan support. It signals our commitment to a strong Federal Family Education Loan program, and should help ease the minds of students and families. And it does these things without a cost to the taxpayer. Madam Speaker, I am disappointed that the bill is not being brought up under an open rule. H.R. 5715 was developed on a bipartisan basis, and is stronger because of it. The idea that members will not be permitted to collaborate on this effort to protect college students and their families is disappointing, if not surprising given the track record of the 110th Congress. I will oppose this rule because it limits the full participation of all members. But I will strongly support the underlying measure, H.R. 5715, when it is brought to the floor and I urge all my colleagues to join me in telling students and families that we are committed to college access.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1107 and ask for its immediate consideration.