Joe Courtney

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor issued its updated numbers regarding inflation, and what it showed was some good news: that in fact prices were flat; they fell 0.1 percent. Producer prices the day before was reported only went up 1.2 percent. But not every sector of the U.S. economy is so lucky. If you are a self-employed individual, if you are a small business, the Department of Health and Human Services issued another report that showed that health insurance premium costs are going up at a frightening rate: in the State of Connecticut, where I come from, a 21 percent increase; in California, 35 percent. Across the country we are still seeing a broken health insurance marketplace that lands the hardest on the self-employed and the individuals who are trying to go out and get coverage for themselves and their families. We need reform which will spread coverage, create large purchasing pools, and give Americans the same benefit that every Member of Congress has who participates in the Federal employee health plan. This Thursday we have a summit where both parties need to come together and give people the same relief that Members of Congress receive every day through their health insurance plan.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate George Crouse for being named the New England High School Coach of the Year by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). This is a fitting title for a man who has served as a tennis coach at Stonington High School for 37 years and has amassed more than 600 wins in the process. George Crouse is a consummate professional and enthusiastic coach whose achievements continue to amaze his colleagues both in Connecticut and around the country. His commitment to the academic success of his student athletes in the classroom, exceed only his record on the court. Since 1973 he has coached boys and girls teams at Stonington High, with the girls team having achieved a 341-96 record while reaching four consecutive Class S state championships. He was named the Connecticut Coach of the Year for both boys and girls tennis in 1998 and 2008, respectively. The dedication he shows to his athletes is matched only by his passion for the sport of tennis. He is a member of the USTA Connecticut board of directors and operates the Stonington-Eastern Connecticut Community Tennis Association. In addition to coaching the teams of Stonington High, George coaches squads on the USTA Jr. Teams, leading them to state and sectional championships. George is also a public servant, serving in numerous volunteer roles and also as a member of the Stonington Board of Selectman. I am grateful for Mr. Crouse's service and dedication to the town of Stonington. I am proud to call him a constituent and a friend. The years of hard work that he has dedicated to improving the lives of countless athletes and members of his community will continue to define his life and his work.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Tolland High School boys soccer team and the boys cross country team for winning the Connecticut Class M Championships, respectively. Their success is a fitting capstone to the determination of a group of young adults who started the season with the shared goal of a state championship. Winning a championship was significant for the Tolland Soccer team on its own, but even more so after spending the entire season targeted by all opponents as a top ranked team. Playing in the competitive CCC East Conference while matching up against primarily class L and LL schools, Tolland posted a record 13 shutouts. And when it mattered most on November 21st, the team defeated Granby Memorial High School 2-1 to complete the only undefeated season of a Connecticut high school boys soccer team in 2009. Tolland soccer was not alone in helping the town mark a noteworthy year. For a program boasting numerous historical achievements, the Tolland cross country team have solidified their mark in school history. Led by captains Kyle Sprague, Marcos Rodriguez, and Bryan Fowler the team won their second consecutive Class-M state championship on October 31, 2001. The team finished with an undefeated record of 17 wins and zero losses, with six runners earning all-conference status. These back to back championship wins are a testament to the teamwork, dedication, and skill of these scholar athletes. I would like to congratulate their coaches, Jim Leahy and Brandon Elliot along with the entire Town of Tolland, the Recreation Department, and the Board of Education for fostering a healthy program of youth and scholastic athletics. To the parents, who for the past ten years have driven to hundreds of games and held pasta parties for young and hungry athletes, their role was also critical to this team's success. This group of young adults have set the bar high for future Tolland teams, and met their goals through grit and determination. I wish all the players good luck with their future endeavors, and may they always appreciate the lesson that true rewards are achieved through surmounting significant challenges.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the passing of a great educator and true champion for the arts hi eastern Connecticut. Dr. Bruce Bellingham of Coventry, esteemed professor, consummate musician and beloved husband, passed away on January 3, 2010. A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Dr. Bellingham was deeply dedicated to allowing people of all ages to understand and appreciate music in that same manner that he did. He was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, the Viola da Gamba Society of Great Britain, an associate member of Early Music America, and President of the Viola da Gamba Society of America. He joined the University of Connecticut faculty in 1974 and was a Professor Emeritus of Music History in UConn's School of Fine Arts. His passion for the music and culture of the past was matched only by his contributions to the present. In 1976, Dr. Bellingham directed the Storrs Collegium Musicum, where music of the late Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods was performed on original or masterfully recreated instruments of the era. Around this same time, he founded and conducted the Willimantic Orchestra. In 1983, he celebrated the 150th anniversary of Willimantic's incorporation by bringing local talent together to perform Burton Leavitt's operetta The Frogs of Windham. Dr. Bellingham was also a passionate volunteer who used his great knowledge of culture and history to meaningfully engage members of his community. He was a long-time patron of the Jorgenson Center for the Performing Arts and founding member of its CoStars volunteer organization. He actively participated in youth outreach programs at Jorgenson and taught at UConn's Center for Learning in Retirement as well as the Adult Learning Program in West Harford. Dr. Bellingham and his wife, Deborah Walsh Bellingham, were recipients of the School of Fine Arts Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2009 for their support and service. Dr. Bellingham will be dearly missed by his students, fellow educators, and the artistic community of eastern Connecticut. The depth of affection for Bruce was visibly on display January 10, 2010 at his memorial service at von der Mehden Recital Hall on the University of Connecticut campus that filled to capacity. I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning the loss and honoring the life of Bruce Bellingham.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Mrs. Jane Elaine Callery of Ashford, Connecticut who was recently honored by President Obama and the National Science Foundation with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Mrs. Callery holds a B.S. in elementary education, an M.S. in general science, and a C.A.S. in administration and supervision from Central Connecticut State University. She also has a C.A.S. as a secondary science specialist from Southern Connecticut State University. In addition, Mrs. Callery is a member of the Connecticut Alpha Delta Kappa Society. Mrs. Callery has taught science at the Capital Region Education Council, CREC, Two Rivers Magnet Middle School since 2002. In the 7 years prior, she taught middle school science, served as science and technology specialist for kindergarten through eighth grade, and taught science, mathematics, and language arts at various schools in the Newington Public Schools system. She taught sixth grade science, which integrates earth, life, and physical sciences, at CREC Two Rivers and is currently the science curriculum and instruction specialist for all 12 CREC magnet schools PK-12. She also serves on the Science Advisory Committee for the Connecticut Mastery Test Program and is a past board member of the Connecticut Science Teachers Association. Mrs. Callery is an inspiration to her students, teaching them to generate hypotheses and test their ideas using the same methods as actual scientists. It is this approach that has endeared her to students, parents and colleagues alike. Mrs. Callery also encourages her students to practice the lessons they learn in the classroom when they go home. She has even helped to sponsor a ``Super Saturday'' for mathematics and science, during which students led visitors in science discovery experiences.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) for celebrating its 35th anniversary. Several Connecticut town leaders founded COST in 1975 to provide a strong voice for the state's smaller municipalities in both our State's and the Nation's capital. COST is a grassroots advocacy organization comprised of nearly 120 member municipalities. The organization offers valuable information and training resources to help municipal leaders meet the challenges they face as chief executives of Connecticut's smaller non-metro and suburban areas. It is the only organization dedicated solely to the interests of Connecticut's small suburban and rural municipalities. Through meetings, conferences, and events, COST brings together the leaders of small towns with legislators to foster discussion about issues that are most important to Connecticut's small communities. The organization provides information to towns regarding public policy and pending legislation, and how they will affect small towns and their citizens. COST members benefit from connecting with other municipal leaders across the State, sharing ideas, and discussing the similar challenges that they face. Participating municipalities save money by working collectively to advocate for State and Federal aid to towns in Connecticut. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in honoring the Connecticut Council of Small Towns in celebrating its anniversary. Many of COST's member towns reside within my district in eastern Connecticut and highly regard the organization for providing a voice for them in all levels of government. We thank COST for its service and look forward to working with the organization in the future to help Connecticut's communities succeed.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, the best social program is a job. It provides individuals and families with the means to support themselves. It also provides dignity and confidence to know that they actually have a viable future. That's why in eastern Connecticut we were very pleased a couple of weeks ago that the stimulus bill released money for the incumbent worker training program, a program which will provide 800 new jobs with funds directly sent to small- and medium-sized businesses, which is part of, again, the tried and true program that the stimulus bill expanded. The president of Willimantic Savings Institute, Rheo A. Brouillard, who's going to have 200 new workers as a result of this program, said, The grants have assisted us in hiring of entry-level employees and enabled us to provide them with new skills needed to more readily advance their banking careers. The Norwich Bulletin, the largest newspaper in New London County, indicated that this is an excellent program, and this is what the stimulus package was intended to do. Putting people to work is the best way to build a strong and vibrant economy. We need to build on the stimulus bill with these types of programs: first-time homebuyer tax credit, Cash For Clunkers, incumbent worker training programs. Steadily but surely we are turning this economy around, and we need a new jobs package to build on that success.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for his efforts to bring this resolution to the floor today honoring a great American, a great writer and a great human being. As the cosponsorship indicates, there is a Connecticut thread through this resolution because at the time of his passing, Frank lived in Roxbury, Connecticut, where a memorial service was held just a few weeks ago. Congressman Chris Murphy attended that service and would have liked to be here but had some business back in his district, so I want to at least convey his strong support for this resolution because of the strong feeling within northwestern Connecticut where Frank resided and just the love and affection that the people of that State, which was kind of his adopted State, had for Frank. As the resolution indicates, Frank had an amazing American life. He was born in the U.S. but moved as an infant back to Ireland. He was raised in Limerick which became the subject of ``Angela's Ashes,'' a book that won prizes from all over the world, was translated into 17 languages and was read in over 27 countries. He later moved back to the U.S., served in the U.S. Army, actually through the GI bill got his education, became a teacher, and then, again, an amazing story of becoming an undiscovered pearl as a writer late in life when he published ``Angela's Ashes'' in his sixties, and again became an internationally acclaimed author. It's a book that's about a very sort of small slice of humanity. It is a story about childhood poverty in Limerick, a relatively small to medium size city in Ireland back in the 1950s. You would think it would have a very small audience. But because of Frank's amazing gifts, he was able to write a story that really touched people from all over the world about the challenges that families face under the most difficult circumstances. And ultimately, although a very harsh account of his life, it is an inspiring book as well about his mother, Angela McCourt. He then wrote a second book called ``Tis'' which was a story really about immigration coming back to the U.S. really as almost a native Irish citizen at the time and fending his way through America. Again, it is a story which was full of some pretty rough scenes, but at the end of the day, it really is an American story about someone coming to this country, being able to have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and to have the tools and opportunity, again, to become an extremely successful teacher. And that was the third book, ``Teacher Man,'' which is a story about him going into the public school system of New York City. His story about his first day in the classroom is something that every teacher I have ever talked to has described as one of the most amazingly accurate accounts of the fear that you feel walking into a classroom and trying to figure out a way to connect and in his instance, again, someone with a heavy Irish brogue, a kind of a timid soul going into a tech school to teach creative writing and English composition, it is hilarious. I recommend it to anyone who has the time to read that amazing story. Frank, again, as someone who had a second career in life as a writer, was somebody who shared that experience. He raised money for charities all over the U.S. He supported people in the community like Chris Murphy and myself out on the campaign trail. I would just close by saying that one of my most vivid moments as a new Member of Congress is the day we invited Frank to come to the Hill. We set up a little breakfast at the Members' dining room and invited Members to come. He sat there in a room with complete strangers. Obviously, Members of Congress have pretty big egos and like to talk themselves. But you could have heard a pin drop. He told stories, told jokes and charmed people for an hour and a half. And it was just magic. That really was what Frank was. He was somebody who because of his amazing imagination and his humanity and sense of humor was able to walk into a room full of strangers and just completely charm them and transform them. It's a memory that I think the Congress does well to memorialize and honor today. As we deal with issues like immigration and education, his example, I think, is an inspiring one for all of us who are involved in these challenges. His life really tells us that we are a great country and we can succeed if we give people the opportunities to blossom and show what they are really made of. With that, I urge support of the resolution.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the deployment of 102nd Infantry Battalion and the 250th Engineer Company. On November 15, 2009, Connecticut sent off 700 soldiers from the two Connecticut National Guard units to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The logistical and tactical work that the Connecticut soldiers will do in Iraq and Afghanistan is critical to the Nation's success in the two conflicts. The 102nd Infantry will deploy to Afghanistan to partner with the Afghan security forces to assist, train and mentor the Afghan Army, Police, and Border Police forces in order to strengthen, stabilize and legitimize the Government of Afghanistan. The 250th Engineer Company will work in Iraq to provide bridging support for theater mobility, and to ensure rapid emplacement of bridging assets in the event that routes in their area of operations become impassable. The Connecticut National Guard currently has nearly 500 Soldiers and Airmen mobilized and deployed to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan in support of counterterrorism missions. This is the largest single deployment of Connecticut Army National Guardsmen since the Korean War and will bring our total number of deployed Soldiers and Airmen to 1,200. The 250th Engineer Company, commanded by Captain Charles Taylor of Hamden is based in my district out of New London. The unit's motto is ``No Bridge too Far,'' which refers to its primary mission of supporting our combat forces by literally building bridges over otherwise inaccessible terrain and rivers. In Iraq, the 250th will be a part of the drawdown of our forces and equipment there--a massive, historic undertaking in the history of our military. This will be no easy feat--about 3.1 million pieces of equipment of all sorts, over 100,000 vehicles, military and civilian, 24,000 short tons of ammunition, over 120,000 containers of supplies, and around 120,000 U.S. military personnel that have to be moved out of Iraq, mostly through Kuwait. This past weekend, I had the honor of joining many of my colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, state officials and Adjutant General Thaddeus Martin in a moving and well attended ``send off' ceremony for the 102nd and 250th. The ceremony, of course, was one of mixed emotions. On the one hand, these men and women represent the best of what our State and Nation has to offer. They have trained and worked to be the very best at what they do--and we are so proud of them. However, on the other hand, Connecticut is sending its own to do a hard and dangerous job. The eyes of Connecticut and the families of these soldiers are on them, eagerly awaiting their safe return. But soon, the eyes of the world will be on them. And all of us in Connecticut will be so proud to watch the work that they do. Their missions in Iraq and Afghanistan are critical to America's mission to secure and keep the peace in the world's most troubled regions, and all of us from Connecticut are proud to say these dedicated men and women are our fellow citizens.'' I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in honoring these men and women who defend our Nation every day. We thank them for their service and look forward to welcoming them home again after a successful deployment.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the commissioning of the USS New York, LPD 21. On October 22, 2009, the House passed H.R. 856 to congratulate the captain and commissioning crew for the vessel entering the service of the U.S. Navy. The USS New York honors those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001, and adds to our Navy's capabilities to protect our Nation. With its hull constructed using steel from the World Trade Center, the ship will serve as a memorial to September 11. The ship's main passageway was dubbed ``Broadway'' and features an insignia with references to the Statue of Liberty, the Twin Towers, the New York City Police Department, and the New York City Fire Department. Its galley hosts a pre-September 11 neon outline of New York City. It is the newest entry to the U.S. Navy's fleet of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships and will be deployed to provide amphibious assault capability anywhere in the world. CDR F. Curtis Jones, USN, a New York native, captains the ship. I also want to take a moment to recognize an important connection between the USS New York and my State. RSL Fiber Systems, LLC of East Hartford, Connecticut was proud to be a part of this project, manufacturing the signal and navigation lights used on board the vessel. The ship contains five RSL lighting systems, which boast the breakthrough technology of fiber optic illumination systems. The Connecticut based company was selected to provide remote source lighting and the lighting control systems to the U.S. Navy for shipboard use on the LPD 17 class, the Navy Experimental Craft Seafighter, and the DDG 1000 class ships. The ship's motto is, ``Strength Forged Through Sacrifice. Never Forget,'' serving as a powerful symbol of September 11. The vessel pays tribute to those who lost their lives and reaffirms Congress's commitment to fighting terrorism and recognizing those men and women who risk their lives and fight for our freedom every day. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in congratulating those who helped build the ship, and honoring those who defend our Nation every day.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, AARP, an organization of 40 million Americans over the age of 50, announced the results of a poll regarding the Affordable Health Care for America Act. It found that by a two-to-one margin AARP supports this bill. And what's not to support? This is a bill, for those who care about Medicare, which will close the doughnut hole, the infamous 100 percent deductible for seniors who are paying for the part D benefit that doesn't pay benefits after hitting $2,300 in care. It eliminates copayments for preventive services, cancer screenings. But, most importantly, the actuaries for the Center for Medicare Services found on Friday that it extends the solvency of the Medicare trust fund by 5 years. So instead of going in a negative direction, we are strengthening the Medicare trust fund, which will ensure that Americans will have one of the most successful health programs ever created--Medicare for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren. AARP, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society all support this bill, and the Senate should do the same and pass this measure and send it to President Obama for his signature.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, 45 percent of Americans suffer from some form of chronic disease, leaving them exposed to preexisting condition discrimination. The Commonwealth Fund found that 12.6 million non- elderly adults were, in fact, discriminated against by insurance companies because of preexisting conditions in the last 3 years. This health care reform bill will abolish the barbaric discriminatory practice of denying insurance and charging more for insurance to Americans based on medical underwriting. Like Jim Crow laws, like separate but equal laws, like laws denying women the right to vote or own property, the practice of denying coverage because of a person's internal biology, high blood pressure, diabetes or cancer will be forever abolished. Section 211 of this bill ends this practice permanently in 2013; and section 106, which I wrote with Mr. Andrews' help, immediately provides relief by amending existing law to shorten the look-back period for group health plans from 6 months to 30 days and reduces the exclusion of coverage for preexisting conditions from 18 months to 90 days. This balanced, well-thought-out reform of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 will provide tangible, real change for Americans terrified of losing their coverage because of a layoff or a job change. What does the Republican plan do? Does it adopt section 106 or 211? No. On page 145 of the Republican bill, they call for--are you ready--a GAO study of the issue of preexisting conditions. The time for delay and dilatory studies is over. It is time to act. As U.S. President Abraham Lincoln once said, it is time to make a more perfect union, and pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the extraordinary life of Ronald Aliano of Norwich, Connecticut, who passed away on October 31, 2009. Ron was an optimist who saw no barriers to achievement and believed that with hard work, anything was possible. He loved the city of Norwich, and pursued his vision to revitalize the city by insisting on quality development and improvements. When Ron became a Norwich resident in 1972, he founded Professional Ambulance Service of Norwich, Inc., now known as American Ambulance Service, Inc., which provided excellent patient care for the residents of eastern Connecticut. Fourteen years later, Ron formed the American Wharf Development Corporation. This organization was responsible for the development of Hollyhock Island, a parcel of land at the head of the Thames River, which is now a world-class boating facility. In 1996, he formed the American Professional Education Services, which has become the largest American Heart Association training center in New England and a well- respected medical training center. Ron could have chosen to live comfortably with the revenue he generated from those endeavors. Instead, he committed his life to charitable contributions and civic involvement. Ron served in various capacities on the Norwich Community Development Corporation, Norwich Harbor Management Commission, Integrated Day Charter School Foundation, State of CT Harbor Management Association, Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, and Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Ron has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years including the 1988 Norwich Citizen of the Year, 1988 UCONN Alumni Distinguished Citizen, 2000 Connecticut Business Ethics Awards, and the 2001 Merit Award for Public Education Eastern Connecticut EMS Council. I am honored to pay tribute to Ronald Aliano, whose presence will always be felt in Norwich. His dedication to the community continues to be an inspiration to myself and the residents of eastern Connecticut. I offer my sympathy to his friends and family, and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and service of Ronald Aliano.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, last fall, 2008, this country got a lesson in how central the housing market is to the American economy. When housing prices started to fall, the financial markets soon followed, and we are today now in the deepest recession since the Great Depression. In the stimulus bill last February, we included a first-time homebuyer tax credit, which by all accounts has been a smashing success in terms of increasing home sales and stabilizing housing prices. The market, though, needs a little bit more time to nurture, and that is why, as has been said earlier, there is strong bipartisan support for extending this tax credit. I, along with Congressman Calvert from California, put together a letter with 165 signatures in support of extending the tax credit. I salute the chairman and all the leadership who worked hard on a bipartisan basis to make sure that we are going to continue to grow the real estate market. That's how we got into this recession and that's how we are going to get out of it. I urge strong support for the measure.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor retired National Guard Command Sergeant Major William W. Chapman II of Willington, Connecticut. I rise to recognize his being named an Honorary Grand Marshal, one of the most prestigious salutes to a veteran in the United States. Sergeant Major Chapman has served over 35 years in the Marine Corps, Army Reserve, and Connecticut Army National Guard. He joined the military at age 17 because he felt the need to serve his country. During the Vietnam War, Chapman served as a Marine in Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan. He was deployed after 9/11 as part of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom serving for some of this time in Tikrit, Iraq. He recently retired from the Connecticut Army National Guard, and is the recipient of a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Meritorious Service Medal, and three Army Commendation Medals. He was named Connecticut Army National Guard Honor Soldier of the year in May 2008. Chapman is a former Captain and trainer with the Connecticut Department of Correction, DOC, having retired after two decades of civilian service in 2002. He is also a member of the DOC Military Peer Support Program, which assists employees and their families during deployments. Chapman will be featured in the 10th annual Connecticut Veterans Day Parade in Hartford on November 8. Over 4,000 people will march that afternoon near the Connecticut State Capitol to honor our nation's servicemen and women. Chapman's dedication and sacrifices as a U.S. soldier and public servant will be remembered for years to come. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me, and the people of Connecticut in thanking Sergeant Major Chapman for his distinguished service to our country and wishing him the best in his new endeavors.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, as we enter now an historic moment in our country's progress towards creating a fair, a more just, and a better economy for ourselves and for our children, I want to offer for the record a quote--a fee quote--from a business in my district with 60 employees which underlines why we need to move forward. This is one of the good guys. He employs 60 people with good wages and benefits, and for 2010, he has been told that his health insurance premiums are going up 32 percent. We have heard for months now about how we're moving too fast and about how we've got to take our time, but the fact of the matter is that it is time to act so we can have an economy that can address creating new jobs without taking on enormous new benefit costs, which is the reality today, particularly for small businesses and for the self-employed. If you care about growing this economy, if you care about giving the risk-takers of America the opportunity to go out and to pursue their dreams, we have got to create a stable marketplace, which H.R. 3692 will do with a national health insurance purchasing exchange.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Benjamin P. Lathrop who is retiring after years of service to the City of Norwich, Connecticut. I rise to recognize him on his retirement after 4 years of service as Mayor, and over a decade of service to the community as a whole. Ben has dedicated his life to public service, and is a veteran of the Air Force who served our nation during the Vietnam War. He has served as Mayor of Norwich since 2005 and previously on the Norwich City Council from 1997, the final two terms as President Pro-Tem. A perpetually enthusiastic booster for the city, Ben's good cheer, kindness, and dedication have helped him unite the people of Norwich and set the stage for further progress in the years to come. Ben founded both the Mayor's Cup Challenge and the Norwich Ambassador Program. He has volunteered in community groups such as the American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes, and as a mentor at the Norwich Public Schools and the Greeneville School. Ben has served on many of Norwich's boards and commissions, notably as a member of both the Greater Norwich Area and Eastern Connecticut Chambers of Commerce. We will honor his service on November 19 with a dinner, the proceeds of which will benefit Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut and Thames Valley Council for Community Action Inc. Ben's dedication as a citizen of Norwich, and his passion as the city's Mayor will be remembered for years to come. He truly believes in the importance of community, and wears his love for his city on his sleeve. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me and my constituents in thanking Mayor Lathrop for his service and wishing him the best in his new endeavors.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday the front page of The New York Times reported a survey of insurance brokers across America who have now predicted that the increase in insurance rates for small businesses in 2010 will be 15 to 23 percent. Last year it was 7 to 12 percent. So if your premium as a small business for a worker was $4,500 in 2008, it will be $5,500 in 2010. That is the Halloween surprise for small businesses in America today. There is no group in America that takes a harder hit than the self-employed and small group markets who have no mechanism to pool their risk that large employers and people in the Congress benefit from, as members of the Federal Employee Health Benefits plan. This bill will create a national purchasing exchange so that the risk-takers in America will actually have the opportunity to provide and buy affordable health insurance for themselves and their employees. It is for America's capitalism and for America's entrepreneurs that the need to fix this market is the most critical, and that is why it is time to stop listening to the voices of ``no'' and move forward with real health care reform that will make America's economy grow and be viable.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Chair, I want to applaud my friend, Chairman Jim Oberstar, and his committee for putting together a strong bill that invests in the needs of our Coast Guard. This bill makes many key investments in the ability of our Coast Guard to protect our nation, guard our waterways, and make sure it is ``always ready'' to respond. However, I rise today in reluctant opposition to this bill because of the very significant changes it makes to the admissions process for the United States Coast Guard Academy. As many of my colleagues know, the Coast Guard Academy is located in my district, in New London, Connecticut. Established at Fort Trumbull in 1910 first as the School of Instruction to the U.S. Revenue Cutter Academy and then as the U.S. Coast Guard Academy after the consolidation of the Life Saving Service and the Revenue Cutter Service in 1915, the Academy has been a part of New London at its present site since 1932. Over its last century in New London, the Academy has helped to train, educate and shape generations of young leaders of the Coast Guard. Today, the Coast Guard Academy is a highly competitive educational institution. Called ``the best kept secret in higher education'' by the Princeton Review, it is a challenging school that attracts driven, committed leaders who go on to serve our nation in the many diverse roles played by our Coast Guard today. In fact, the number of applicants who said that they were not seeking admission to one of the other service academies--that the Coast Guard Academy was their first choice--rose from 61 percent of the class of 2009 to 66 percent of the class of 2011. As of July 2009, the Coast Guard Academy had 973 cadets enrolled representing 43 states and 15 foreign nations. For the newest class, the class of 2013, 1,672 completed the application process, 411 were offered appointments to the Academy, and 288 cadets--17 percent of those who applied--were sworn in. Nearly 80 percent of Academy graduates go on to graduate programs, with most paid for by the Coast Guard, and 85 percent of graduates choose to serve beyond their required five-year commitment. The Academy is particularly proud of its high recruitment of women cadets. Of the total corps of cadets, 27 percent are women: 23 percent female in the class of 2010, 30 percent in the class of 2011, 28 percent in the class of 2012, and 29 percent in the class of 2013. Its success in this area sets the Coast Guard Academy apart from other service academies, and is worthy of recognition. However, there are two areas in which both the Congress and the Coast Guard Academy agree that there is some work to do--the recruitment of underrepresented minorities in the cadet corps, as well as a lack of geographical diversity. I absolutely believe that, as a publicly funded institution, the Coast Guard Academy should represent a cross-section of our society, reflecting the racial, gender and geographic composition of our nation. Any young person, regardless of race, gender or geographic location, should have the opportunity to serve our nation as an officer in the Coast Guard. In my ongoing discussions with the leadership of the Coast Guard Academy, they have made clear that some of their top priorities include increasing diversity, both of underrepresented minorities and geographical regions, and spreading the word about the excellent education it has to offer to a wider audience. While involving Members of Congress in the application process may be one of the answers to these challenges, there are likely other ways to achieve these goals that should be considered as well before taking this step. For example, the Academy has significantly increased its efforts to get the word out about their unique institution and what they have to offer to underrepresented minority and geographic populations. For example, they are specifically directing recruitment efforts through mailings, advertising on online college search websites, and ramping up efforts to get recruiters in cities and regions with high minority populations, as well as those states and regions not typically represented at the Academy. There is some indication that these efforts are paying off. For instance, compared to last year, inquiries to the Academy by minority students are up 40 percent to 1,800. And, online applications from minority students are up 34 percent to 317. In addition, the Coast Guard Academy recently released a comprehensive Strategic Plan focusing on diversity, leadership, and character development. This plan outlines a clear goal of achieving 20- 25 percent representation by underrepresented minorities by 2015, and in faculty and staff by 2020. This plan is getting off the ground now. Even without congressional nominations, there is much each of us can do to contribute to the makeup of the Academy. For example, we can all include Coast Guard Academy admissions information our offices distribute related to service academy nominations, and direct interested constituents to the institution. And, we can ensure that our websites include information about the Academy. Earlier this year, a survey of congressional websites showed that over half made no mention of the Coast Guard Academy and did not post a link or other information about the institution. In March, I circulated a ``Dear Colleague'' letter urging that Members make sure their websites reflect this important information--and I will continue to work with my colleagues to encourage them to do so. I strongly believe that any change to the application process or the character of the institution must be carefully considered, hand in hand with the Academy, before moving forward. The manager's amendment to this bill included a provision to require the Government Accountability Office, GAO, to evaluate the Coast Guard Academy's efforts to improve minority and geographic diversity. While I strongly support this review and look forward to its findings, I am disappointed that this kind of evaluation was not done first before pursuing changes to the existing admissions process. To this end, I reluctantly oppose the Coast Guard authorization bill, and hope to continue to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as the leadership of the Academy, to address these concerns.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and dedication of a man who has been a pillar in his community for more than half a century. For the past 50 years, Albert A. Grenier has dedicated much of his personal time to the Baltic Fire Department and the residents of Baltic, Connecticut. This year marks his 50th year as a volunteer firefighter for the department, and I am honored to offer my sincere thanks and gratitude for his many years of service Albert Grenier joined the Baltic Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in 1959 where he put his life on the line regularly to protect his community and the families of Sprague, Connecticut. During his many years as a volunteer firefighter, Grenier also worked for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. As a member of the Baltic Fire Department, Albert embraced several leadership roles recruiting new volunteers, maintaining the department's facilities, and competing on the department's recreational Water Team. Most notably, he was a key player in establishing the Emergency Squad in 1961, which acted as a foundation for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams we see in use today. While always a public servant, perhaps the most important role Albert has played is that of husband, father and grandfather. For the past 57 years, Albert has been happily married to his wife Rita Fortin, with whom he raised three children. Albert and Rita have been blessed with five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Madam Speaker, our communities are safe because of dedicated volunteers like Albert Grenier We are grateful for his extraordinary contribution to our region and look forward to his continued efforts in the years to come. I ask my colleagues to join me and the residents of Baltic in recognizing his decades of service.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to welcome Stephen C. White, as the new president and chief executive officer of Mystic Seaport Museum, in my Congressional district. The Board of Trustees of the Museum conducted a national search of many qualified candidates and found an individual capable of building on the Museum's many accomplishments during its 80-year history. Mystic Seaport Museum, the Museum of America and the Sea, hosts nearly 300,000 visitors each year, including 30,000 children attending with school or youth groups. Prior to joining the Museum, Steve served 18 years as headmaster of Fay School, the country's oldest junior boarding school. During Steve's tenure, Fay School established a dynamic strategic plan and a comprehensive master plan for future campus development. Under Steve's leadership, Fay dramatically increased its endowment and, most recently, completed a $20 million campaign designed to support key elements of the strategic plan, including compensation, scholarships, program development and campus expansion. A native of Camden, ME, Steve has long enjoyed a connection to the sea, sailing wooden boats with his grandfather and father. He found his call to education through the sea as well, having spent summers as a director of junior sailing programs at Camden Yacht Club and Ft. Worth Boat Club. He's also made two trans-Atlantic crossings on a sloop from Connecticut. Steve is excited to get back to his maritime roots as he takes on the position of moving Mystic Seaport forward. Steve has a B.A. in English and Education from Hartwick College. Additionally, he has completed coursework at Columbia University/ Teachers College through a Klingenstein Fellowship. He currently resides on Cape Cod with his wife, Maggie, and is planning to relocate to Mystic soon. As Mystic Seaport celebrates its 80th year, the team there continues to strive toward achieving the vision the founders laid out in 1929-- that the Museum be educational in purpose, national in scope and an inspiring force for the future. Based on my work with Steve White during his first few months in office, I am confident that he has been an excellent selection to continue working toward this vision, and I look forward to working closely with him as he does so.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the exemplary work of the men and women of the Enfield Fire Department who have given tirelessly of themselves in defense of the community they love so dearly. In addition to their selfless acts of heroism, the department has seen fit to establish a memorial which honors the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. For more than 100 years, the men and women of the Enfield Fire Department have put their lives on the line every day to protect their community and the citizens of Enfield. The department was founded on October 15, 1896, after a group of individuals joined together to investigate and combat fires that had been deliberately set. Since that day, more than a century later, the department has continued to serve and protect the people of Enfield with honor and distinction. In addition to their service to the community, the Enfield Fire Department has taken it upon themselves to create a memorial garden commemorating those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. On September 11, 2008, the memorial was dedicated with a public ceremony and parade attended by hundreds of Enfield residents. Each year residents of the town will gather to honor the memory of those whose lives were lost on that most fateful day. The Enfield Fire Department continues its tradition of service to their community, and thanks to their efforts the people of Enfield will never forget that most tragic of days in our Nation's history. The admirable efforts undertaken by the Enfield Fire Department to memorialize the tragedies of September 11, 2001, should inspire each and every one of us to better appreciate the sacrifices made on that fateful day and I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Enfield Fire Department.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, on Monday, July 27, 2009, I was returning from a congressional delegation to Iraq and Israel and regrettably missed three recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: On rollcall No. 647, on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 593, Recognizing and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union as the 50th State, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall No. 648, on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 1376, the Waco Mammoth National Monument Establishment Act of 2009, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall No. 649, on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 1121, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Town of Blowing Rock Land Exchange Act of 2009, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, when a Member of Congress is sworn into office, you get a pin, you get a voting card, and you get access to a health care purchasing exchange that's operated by the Federal employees health plan. Every Member of Congress has the ability to buy into or to choose a plan through the Federal employee health plan which, when you boil down the health care reform bill that has passed the Ways and Means Committee and the Education Committee, is exactly what is going to be before this House. For example, the minority leader from Ohio has, as a Member of Congress, the opportunity to choose 13 different plans under the Federal employee health plan. That's what the Obama health care proposal plans to do for all Americans. So when the time comes for the vote, ask your Member of Congress whether they're prepared to give to the people of America exactly what the people of America give to Congress, and that vote should be ``yes.''

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I also rise tonight to discuss the issue of health care. And again, we've just heard remarks which are part of a campaign really to try and, I believe, and I say this respectfully, mislead and scare people about what it is that the committees of this Congress are taking up and deliberating on. I'm on one of those committees, the Education and Labor Committee. And what my message would be here tonight is that Americans should not be alarmed. In fact, they should feel reassured about the fact that we are finally, in a serious, coherent way, trying to address a broken system. I know it's broken. I come from the State of Connecticut. Earlier this week, on Monday, there was a hearing at the State of Connecticut Department of Insurance where Blue Cross/Blue Shield came in asking for a 32 percent rate increase for its individual health insurance policies that they sell in the State of Connecticut. That's the status quo. That's the so- called patient-driven health care system that we have right now. Thirty-two percent increase. You can't blame that on Barack Obama. You can't blame that on a government-controlled system. That's the marketplace that exists today, and it is bankrupting individuals and families at an alarming rate. Twelve thousand Americans a day are losing their health insurance. What the bill is that we are offering and as part of this effort which the President will be talking about tonight is a way of trying to control those costs and to try and create some sort of stable system for individuals and American families. Let me give you an example. For a single woman, working at a convenience store, earning about $25,000 a year, if she went out today, before the 32 percent rate increase that Blue Cross is asking for, and tried to buy an individual insurance policy in Connecticut, it would be $381.22 a month for a premium through the Blue Cross plan. It has a $1,500 deductible, 20 and $30 copays for primary care and specialist physicians, respectively, and an annual prescription drug benefit of only $500. The bill that we're working on, which was reported out by the Education and Labor Committee on Friday, for an individual who's earning $25,000 a year, their monthly premium would be $158, less than 50 percent of what an individual is paying today, and that's without some kind of outrageous skyrocketing premium increase which Blue Cross is asking for today under our broken system. How do you do this? Well, the answer is very simple. And Members of Congress can answer it better than anybody because they should just look in the mirror and see the system that we have today for Members of Congress. We have the opportunity to be part of a purchasing exchange, a purchasing allowance which allows millions of Federal employees across the country to spread risk, to spread cost, and to offer a broader range of choices, private plans which Members of Congress have that opportunity to pick from. And that moderates, it stabilizes the cost of the system and allows the system to operate without these harsh pre-existing condition exclusions which if a person has a heart condition or a diabetic condition, which today in the individual market completely and totally excludes them from buying insurance at all. Now if you ask your Member of Congress about their health insurance plan and the cost of increase which took place over the last year, you could ask a Member from Ohio, where the minority leader comes from, and what it would show is that there were increases from 2008 to 2009 of only $10 a month for many of the plans. One of the Ohio plans which was offered to Members of Congress actually reduced its monthly payment. And this is because it's just a basic market principle, and that is what the Democratic plan is proposing for all Americans, which is that we will create a large purchasing exchange which will spread risk, which will protect individuals from pre-existing condition exclusions, and which will moderate and stabilize premium costs so that you would not face the 32 percent rate increases that insurance companies like Blue Cross are asking for back home in my State, the State of Connecticut. We also add a public option as one of the choices that can be selected by Americans who participate in this purchasing exchange. Private plans and a public option as a way of keeping the system honest and making sure that we get every efficiency possible. But no one has to choose that public option. And no provider, no doctor, or hospital has to participate in it. You would think, from the descriptions on the other side, that people are going to be marched at gunpoint into a government plan. The opposite is completely true. There will be open choice. There will be private plans that will be offered under that purchasing exchange and it will, again, allow people the benefits of spreading risk and spreading costs just like Members of Congress have today. Every taxpayer and every citizen of this country should ask that question of their Member when the time comes to vote: Are you prepared to stand up and vote for a plan which will give us what we give you?