Joe Courtney

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. I will not yield because I sat and listened to representations about that plan which are inaccurate in terms of what it's going to do, in terms of patient choice, but certainly, and more importantly, in how providers are going to be treated. Because the AMA and the American College of Surgeons came out loud and clear in support of this measure and for good reason, because they know that we have a system which is in desperate need of reform. In conclusion, regarding this resolution before us, when we make choices, both as policymakers in the legislative branch and the executive branch, the key is that we need good data. We need to see where we're going as a Nation, and the people who work at the Bureau of Labor Statistics provide decision-makers and policymakers that opportunity with the great work that they do. I think it's wonderful that on a bipartisan basis we're able to come together, celebrate and recognize the great work that they do. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 30) commending the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the occasion of its 125th anniversary.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on Senate Concurrent Resolution 30 into the Record.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 30, which commends the work of the Bureau of Labor Statistics as it celebrates its 125th anniversary. Since its founding in 1884, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has served as the principal factfinding agency for the Federal Government for all matters in the fields of labor, economics, and statistics. In this capacity, it has collected, analyzed, and disseminated essential labor- related data to all levels of government, various Federal agencies, and the American public. As an institution, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has evolved throughout its 125 years. Originally serving a broad fact-finding mandate, the Bureau has since developed into many specialized arms that study a multitude of labor issues, including wages and prices, the state of industrial relations, unemployment, demographic shifts, and workplace safety conditions. The Bureau has stringent criteria for its data and analyses in order to ensure that it is not only accurate but relevant to society. As a result of rapidly changing economic conditions, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has developed a reputation for responsiveness, swiftly adjusting its measures and indices to provide citizens and policymakers of this Nation with high-quality statistical data. In its commitment to disseminate this valuable information, the Bureau of Labor Statistics established a Web site in 1995. Since that time, a variety of data access tools have been developed, providing increased access to the statistical data it analyzes and develops. Today, the use of the Web site is over 1,000 times what it was when it began, with more than 20 million users in the months of this year alone. The data and analyses provided by the Bureau are invaluable, contributing to policy development process as well as the allocation of Federal funds and private payments. I commend the work of the Bureau's many economists, mathematical statisticians, information technology assistants, and administrative specialists as they celebrate an impressive 125-year legacy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this important resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COURTNEY. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COURTNEY. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COURTNEY. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, again, the resolution which we're focused on is about celebrating 125 years of great work by the people from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Obviously the discussion, because the rules of our House permit it, sort of went off into different areas. I would like to just quickly note two things: number one, the Bureau of Labor Statistics would demonstrate or would show that we've had serious job losses over the last 6 months; but it would also show that in the final quarter of 2008, the GDP of this country dropped by 6 percent, the biggest drop since the Great Depression. Obviously, it was the policies which preceded that downturn that have created the situation and the environment that we're in right now. Given the fact, as the Bureau would show, we have exhausted almost every tool in the monetary toolbox in terms of lowering interest rates, it was critical for our country to step in and use fiscal policy as a way of turning this country around. And if we look at the bipartisan Governors conference, which met this past weekend, Republican and Democratic Governors all acknowledged that the fiscal relief that came through Medicaid payment boosts, through increases in education spending through the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, through increased funding in title I and special education literally made the difference of whether dozens of States were able to balance their budgets in this critical downturn. Go ask a Realtor in this country whether or not the stimulus bill, which provides a first-time home buyer tax credit, has, in fact, revived the real estate market, because they will tell you a resounding ``yes.'' I know in my district we saw a 4 percent increase in home sales; and every single Realtor that was interviewed--in the reporting, again, that came out from the government on that increase in sales--attributed the stimulus package and the first-time home buyer tax credit for the fact that we are seeing that turnaround. Now as we see the infrastructure dollars filter their way through the bidding process, which every State must conduct for surface transportation projects, we are going to see an uptick in construction and building trades from the stimulus package. The other brief mention and the second point I want to make is, again, I respect Dr. Broun for his profession and many of the doctors that serve in the House of Representatives. But as we listen to some of the hysterical statements about the health care reform initiative, I would point out that the American Medical Association, the largest trade group which represents doctors all across this country, came out foursquare in support of the House health care reform bill.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Scott for bringing this resolution, which I sponsored along with 70 other Members, and for bringing it to the floor. His leadership with the farm bill last year that extended the milk subsidy program, which was probably the number one priority of dairy farmers, was critical in terms of trying to keep farms afloat that are hanging on by a thread. Also, he changed the system of the milk subsidy program to include input costs into the formula for the first time, which, again, is a critical benefit for folks going through a very challenging and difficult time, as the chairman described it and as Mr. Thompson described it. Usually, Mr. Speaker, these types of resolutions--let's face it--are kind of fluffy. They're here to kind of put the spotlight on a product or on a segment of the economy. Everybody kind of gets up and does a little boosterism for, maybe, their regions of the country; a voice vote is taken, and it's probably forgotten pretty quickly. This year, there is an urgency surrounding the crisis that exists in dairy all across America that, I think, makes this resolution, which is an opportunity to put the spotlight on the challenges that dairy farmers are facing, important for all of us in the Congress and certainly for all of us in the country. As has been said earlier, we have seen a collapse of dairy prices over the last year. Back in June 2008 when the farm bill passed, the price per hundredweight across America was, roughly, $20. Today, that has literally fallen in half. Exports have fallen by 57 percent, which many experts believe is one of the reasons prices have reached a level where sustainable economics exists for dairy farmers across the country. That export market, along with the world recession, has made it impossible for the normal market forces to keep prices at a level at which farms can sustain their overhead and their input costs. In the Northeast, particularly in New England, we are seeing the effects of this drastic, dramatic collapse. Ten percent of farms in Connecticut, particularly in eastern Connecticut, which I represent, have gone out of business, and that number has been reflected in other parts of New England. The one thing about a dairy farm going out of business is it's not like an up-and-down cycle. When they go out, they go out for good, and you lose a characteristic of a State's look and its economy that you can never recover again. That is why it is so important for Chairman Scott to be holding the hearings that he is holding with the Agriculture Committee, to make sure that we do everything we possibly can in this emergency right now to provide immediate support and relief. The ideas are out there in terms of whether or not we need an emergency boost to the milk subsidy program and in terms of whether or not we need to have the Department of Agriculture use its administrative powers to raise the base price for dairy. It is imperative, again, that we pass this resolution, but that we also do everything we can as a Congress to keep the pressure on. Recently, I was home in Connecticut, and I and Congresswoman DeLauro, the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture in Appropriations, met with a number of farms, Greenbacker Farms, Cushman Farms. These are farms that go back literally to the colonial days of our country which are now facing a death spiral in terms of having to borrow to pay operating costs just to keep the bills paid and their workforces going to work every day and with paychecks. If we do not intervene, we are going to lose a part of our economy that we can really never recover again. There is a bumper sticker out there that some of you may have seen and that some of you may have on your cars, like I do on my car, which says, ``No farms, no food.'' At some point, we, as a Nation, have to recognize that if we do not come up with agriculture policies that allow for sustainable farms in our country, then we are going to lose, not just those wonderful families and parts of our economy, but also critical parts of our food supply. You only have to look at recent events, in terms of the damage that has been done to American citizens from unsafe food imported into this country, to know the stakes could not be higher. So I applaud the chairman for bringing out this committee. I appreciate the bipartisan support for this resolution. Obviously, it's a resolution which deserves our support, but we need to follow up on it with real acts and with real action by the Congress to make sure that we deal with this emergency crisis that exists here today. I hope the strong support that we're going to see around this resolution will be reflected in those efforts.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. I again thank the chairman for bringing this resolution out. There is probably not a more difficult and challenging enterprise to operate today than running a food bank. We're obviously in a time where our economy is extremely weak. The demand for food bank help is up and the ability of people to provide donations for food bank services are down. In Connecticut, over 350,000 people were served in the last year by our food banks--a number that is way higher than the prior year. And as was recently reported in the New London Day, the largest paper in southeastern Connecticut, while there was a growing need for food assistance in 2008 and 2009, traditional donations are way down. There is only one area where we have seen an increase, and that is in the area of wild game that was donated by hunters who are part of this program which is being given accolades with this resolution. In my district, hunters and constituents like Warren Speh and Bob Jean have donated more than 10,000 pounds of deer meat that was hunted at Bluff Point State Park in Groton alone as part of an effort to manage the deer population and also donated that food to the local food bank in the New London area. So they are a perfect example of what this program is about. Again, I strongly support this resolution's effort to put the spotlight on the great work that these people are doing and urge adoption by the full membership.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 123) recognizing the historical and national significance of the many contributions of John William Heisman to the sport of football.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 123 into the Record.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution filed by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) to recognize the significance of John Heisman and his tremendous influence on American football. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1869, John Heisman grew up and learned the game of football at Titusville High School. He began his collegiate football career at Brown University. However, he completed his playing years as a lineman at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Heisman began his illustrious coaching career at Oberlin College after he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He then went on to coach at Akron, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Tech, the University of Pennsylvania, Washington and Jefferson, and Rice University. With his stern and innovative coaching style, he posted a 71 percent lifetime winning percentage. Most notably, he won 33 straight games when he coached the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. To this day, it is still one of the longest winning streaks in college football history. While coaching the Yellow Jackets, he led his team to a 222-0 victory over the defenseless Tennessee Cumberland College. Heisman's football inventions revolutionized the game. He instituted the game divisions broken up into quarters, the center snap, and the T and I backfield formations. Most impressively, he established the forward pass. Without his contributions, American football would not be the same game that we experience today. Late in his life, Heisman became the first athletic director of New York's Downtown Athletic Club. In 1933, John Heisman helped to organize the first Touchdown Club of New York, and in 1935 he inaugurated the first Downtown Athletic Club trophy for the best college football player east of the Mississippi. Two months after his death on October 3, 1936, the trophy was renamed the ``Heisman Memorial Trophy'' in his honor. The Heisman Trophy is now one of the most prestigious athletic awards in the Nation. Mr. Speaker, once again, I want to express my support for House Concurrent Resolution 123 and thank Representative Thompson for bringing this resolution forward. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COURTNEY. We have no further speakers. Again, I salute Mr. Thompson for bringing this resolution forward, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. I thank the Chair for her response and her staunch support of our State and national dairy farms. I now yield to my distinguished colleague from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairwoman for yielding. I rise this evening to engage in a colloquy with the chairwoman of the subcommittee about the desperate state of the Nation's dairy industry which has experienced a disastrous collapse in prices over the past year. During the July recess, I had the honor of accompanying Chairwoman DeLauro on a visit to the Greenbacker Dairy Farm in Durham, Connecticut. During that visit, we heard firsthand from dairy farmers all across Connecticut about the difficulties that they are facing, particularly regarding the cost of production and the rapid decline of dairy prices over the past year. I ask the chairwoman if she could speak to this issue and what relief might be available to these farmers.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Mark S. Ginda, who, after three years of service as Commanding Officer at Naval Submarine Base New London, will be moving on to his new position at the Defense Liaison Division in Washington, DC. Captain Mark Ginda has served our nation through his service in the Submarine force since 1982, when he graduated from the United States Naval Academy. He went on to serve on the USS George C. Marshall (SSBN 654), USS Alexander Hamilton (SSBN 617), USS Sand Lance (SSN 660) and commanded the USS Pasadena (SSN 752). Back on shore, Captain Ginda served as an instructor at Naval Nuclear Power School, flag aide to the Commander of the Atlantic Fleet, directed readiness preparations at Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN in Guam, helped to coordinate intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) resources at the United States Strategic Command. In August 2006, Captain Ginda became the 48th Commanding Officer of Naval Submarine Base New London. Since then, he has overseen one of our nations most historic and important naval bases, which covers 680 acres, serves as home to 70 tenant commands, and supports the officers and crew of nearly one-quarter of our attack submarine fleet. He has done so with enthusiasm, with passion and with a dedication not only to strengthening the base for the future, but with a renewed commitment to our nation's most import asset: the young Americans who serve our nation. In his three years there, Captain Ginda has overseen a flurry of activity unmatched in the recent history of SUBASE New London. From a new crane facility at the waterfront, to a long-needed renovation of the Liberty Center for bachelor sailors, the completion of an initiative to improve housing options and a number of other critical projects, there isn't a corner of the base where Captain Ginda hasn't had an impact. Under his leadership, SUBASE embarked on one of the most ambitious demolition projects in the Navy, pulling down more than 35 buildings and structures through a more than $18 million undertaking of projects that will trim down the excess infrastructure at the base and lower operating costs. He's also been a commander who takes things into his own hands, and recently manned the controls of a backhoe and helped demolish buildings. More important than the bricks and mortar, however, has been Captain Ginda's efforts to improve the quality of life for the sailors, and their families, stationed at SUBASE New London, and breath new life into the base not just as a military facility--but as a home to its residents and a contributing member of the southeastern Connecticut community. Not too long ago SUBASE New London was threatened with closure. While advocates and supporters from across the state joined together to reverse this decision and keep the base open, there hung over the base a sense that it was a ``relic,'' that it was somehow an outdated and gloomy place in which to serve. Each and every day since arriving at the base, Captain Ginda worked to reverse that perception by reconnecting the base with the community around it, by looking forward at what the base could be, and by ensuring that the base is able to accomplish its most important goal--the support of the sailors and families who make up our submarine force. Not too long after Captain Ginda took command of the base, I was honored to be elected as the representative of the second Congressional district of Connecticut. As a new member from the other side of the district, it was important for me to get up to speed fast on the needs of the base and the challenges it faced. From day one, Captain Ginda made sure to reach out to me, and take the time to walk me through his vision for the base and ensuring that no question of mine went unasked. His help, and counsel, was instrumental in making sure I had the knowledge I needed to come to Washington to advocate on behalf of the base and its importance to our nation. I am so grateful for his assistance and the close working relationship he has had with me and my office. I am also especially thankful for the warm friendship that he and his wife, Terry, have shown and their efforts to ensure that I felt at home as a member of the SUBASE New London community. Madam Speaker, it has truly been an honor to work with Captain Ginda, and I have no doubt that his legacy will be felt at the base and in the region for some time to come. He has been a terrific resource for me and my office, a trusted advocate for his base, and a respected partner in the southeastern Connecticut community. I ask all my colleagues in joining me in thanking Captain Ginda for his service to the Navy, recognizing his tireless efforts at SUBASE New London, and in wishing he and Terry good luck as they prepare to move on to this next step in their lives.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of Mr. Skelton's outstanding work on the underlying bill and also to support that portion of the en bloc amendment which sets up a mental health screening demonstration project cosponsored by Congresswoman DeLauro, Congressman McMahon of New York and myself. This is an issue which addresses probably the most concerning issue that Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, spoke to the Armed Services Committee about, which is the stress levels of our troops who have been repeatedly deployed in military conflict. General Odierno had a number of us over in December. Again, his number one concern was the uncomfortable and outrageous amount of suicides which is occurring in theater. I was with General Bagby in Europe a couple of weeks ago, who again stated that that is the biggest challenge facing our Armed Forces in Europe, who, again, are made up of many troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. And the present system of screening for returning troops is simply to fill out a questionnaire. That is not enough. This amendment will set up a demonstration project with a face-to- face evaluation with a mental health professional. This is the type of process that we need to deal with this unprecedented challenge. Again, I urge strong support for the en bloc amendment which includes this important component.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to announce the passing of a friend and true community leader from the town of Columbia, Connecticut, Adella Urban. Adella passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2009. Born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1933, Adella spent her childhood years in Newington before graduating from Newington High School. After high school, Adella continued her education receiving numerous certificates in municipal government, which became one of the two great loves in her life. After settling in Columbia, Connecticut, Adella took a job as secretary to the Selectman in town where she remained until 1971. She then spent a decade as a reporter for the Hartford Courant before returning to municipal government in the town of Mansfield. In 1985, she assumed the role of First Selectman in her beloved Columbia, a position she would hold for 18 years. It was in that role as First Selectman, that she flourished as both a leader and public servant. Always Columbia's strongest advocate, Adella was tireless in her efforts to improve the lives of her fellow citizens and the town she loved. Perhaps the greatest testament to her public service was the fact that she passed after collapsing while speaking to second graders at the Horace Porter School in Columbia about the history of Columbia. Although always the dedicated public servant, it was her role as mother, grandmother and eventually great-grandmother that she loved most of all. She is survived by her five children; Richard, Andrew, Marisa, Stefan and Christian, ten grandchildren, and one great- grandchild. While we will mourn her passing, hers is a life that will be celebrated and honored by the people of Columbia and the state of Connecticut for years to come

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations and best wishes to Amarjit Buttar who is retiring after two decades of dedicated service to the state of Connecticut's Worker's Compensation Commission. Amarjit and his family first came to America in 1965 to attend law school at the University of Michigan. After getting his degree, he moved to Vernon, Connecticut more than three decades ago and has since been an active member of the community. Amarjit serves as a justice of the peace and is active in various local organizations. He has also served as president of the New England Sikh Study Circle and as Chairman of the World Sikh Council, America region. In 1995, he was appointed to serve on the Vernon Board of Education. Later that year, he was elected to serve a full four year term and was chosen as Chairman of Board of Education following his re-election in 1999. At that time, he was one of the first Sikh-Americans elected to public office. He is a passionate advocate for strong public schools, since it made a huge difference in his own life and that of his children. He remains an active contributing member of the Board of Education, being reelected most recently in 2005. Amarjit has also been an active participant in local, state and national Democratic politics. Always present at local and state political conventions, Buttar was chosen to be a delegate at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts in July 2004. At the Workers' Compensation office, Amarjit provided technical and legal assistance to all who interact with that very complex system. Claimants, claimant family members, staff, attorneys, even the chairmen themselves all relied on Amarjit's accurate, compassionate and cheerful help to make the system work and achieve real justice for injured workers and the companies they worked for. Amarjit is also an avid fan of the University of Connecticut Basketball program. The father of two UConn graduates, Amarjit worked with State Representative Claire Janowski and other legislators to rename the stretch of Route 195 that leads to the UConn campus the ``UConn Husky Way.'' For those of us who know Amarjit and consider him a friend, we know that his retirement will not mean an end to his public service. I ask my colleagues to join with me and in congratulating him and wishing him well in his future endeavors.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, as our country embarks on a great national debate about health care, we are already seeing the fear-mongering beginning, that people are going to lose their health insurance. Let us be very clear. As President Obama says, if you have health insurance and a doctor, if you like your health insurance and your doctor, you will keep your health insurance and your doctor. And there is no group for which that is more true than our military personnel and our veterans. Recently, at the Groton Navy base, I was at the PX being approached by individuals asking if President Obama was going to take away their TRICARE and their veterans benefits. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, we are going to be strengthening veterans benefits and TRICARE under the great leadership of the VA Secretary, Eric Shinseki. So let the message be clear. Before all the fear-mongering, and before all the misleading information begins, if you are serving our country, if you are wearing the uniform of our Nation, your health care will be protected and strengthened under President Obama's health care reform effort.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 350th anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Norwich, Connecticut. Founded in 1659 and known as the ``Rose of Connecticut,'' Norwich will be celebrating its 350th birthday and rich history throughout the month of June. During the American Revolution, Norwich supported the cause for independence by supplying soldiers, ships, and munitions. One of the most infamous figures of the Revolution, Benedict Arnold, was born in Norwich. Other well-known Colonial era individuals include Samuel Huntington, Christopher Leffingwell, and Daniel Lathrop. Today, Norwich is a thriving city and a center of commerce and manufacturing, with a wide range of municipal services, a modern industrial park, and a positive outlook for residential and business growth. As part of the celebration, the city will be presenting several events with participants from across the globe. The city green will host various reenactments of history with period uniforms and equipment as they demonstrate lifestyles of days past. There will be historic talks, as well as tours of historical and present-day landmarks, historic homes, factories, gardens, places of worship, and other areas of preservation. Norwich will offer ``museum days'' with free access to all of the city museums, and will also sponsor a time capsule to be opened on the 400th anniversary of the city. The 350th Commemorative Quilt, to be known as a historical work of art, will be on display. Additionally, city citizens will perform in ``Rose on the River,'' a compilation of short plays written by local playwrights. Special musical performances will add to the festivities. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will host a parade and festival to commemorate both Norwich's 350th and the NAACP's 100th anniversaries. Madam Speaker, I am proud and pleased to honor the City of Norwich. Three hundred fifty years after incorporation, from its colonial origins through its modern evolution, Norwich represents the very best of Connecticut. I ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents in honoring and celebrating Norwich's semiseptcentennial anniversary and welcome many more to come.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Again, like the others, I think this is an incredibly important moment right now not only this evening but this summer. The summer of 2009 I think will go down in history really as one of the great movements forward by our country really at the level of when we passed Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. And I, like you and the other speakers here, understand that; and getting this debate started and getting the facts out I think is the best way to make sure that we move forward and get this done. I wanted to just share briefly an experience I had at the Congress on the Corner that I think is important because there clearly will be, as we go further into the summer, forces out there that are going to use misinformation and fear as a way of trying to stop the change that Mr. Klein described a few moments ago. At my Congress on the Corner, which was actually at a somewhat sort of off the beaten track or place, it was actually at a military PX, at the Navy base in Groton, Connecticut, where we set up our tables as active duty sailors, their families and retirees were going in to do their shopping. I had an experience which I just wanted to share with you, which was that many people, because of some urban myth that's out there, and whether it's talk radio or the Internet that is sort of propagating it, is spreading the claim that the Obama health care plan is going to take away TRICARE from our military and from retirees who are eligible for it. I just think it's important on this floor as clearly and as loudly to make the point that that is absolutely flatly untrue, that the veterans' health care system, the active duty health care system is going to be completely unaffected, as Mr. Klein said. It is an example of where the basic principles of this effort, which says that if you like the health care that you have right now, you can keep it. And that is clearly true for the people who wear the uniform of this country or who did and who now are eligible for VA benefits. In fact, between the stimulus package and the budget that has been presented by the administration, what we are seeing is an unprecedented new investment in military health care and in veterans' health care. We have great new leadership at the VA in General Shinseki and Tammy Duckworth, who are totally committed to making sure that this system is improved and, in fact, expanded to keep the promise for people who served in our military. And the efforts that we are going to be talking about over the next 2 months completely leave that system intact in toto. What is ironic, though, is that enemies of reform are using the argument that we are taking away a government-run system at the same time that they are attacking the reform effort as being too much government. Make up your mind. Either one doesn't work and we should get rid of it, or if it does work, well, maybe we should take some good ideas that exist in the military health care system and in the VA and apply them towards the populace at large. We know in terms of electronic medical records that probably the most highly developed and advanced system in American health care is military health care as far as electronic medical records. Doctors in Landstuhl hospital in Germany can track the charts of our soldiers who are recuperating at Walter Reed hospital or other military hospitals around the country. They can just pull it up in ways that in the civilian system don't exist today. Again, I would just argue that rather than using government as sort of an example of inefficiencies, the fact is that the military has shown that they can actually organize a sound, comprehensive system that provides high-quality care. Lastly, I just wanted to, because, again, some of you have already spoken very powerfully and eloquently about the fact that we have an insurance system that has run amok. We come from the insurance capital of the world, Connecticut. Your family and my family have people who worked in the insurance industry. In the good old days, insurance was about pooling risk and sharing risk and using it as a mechanism to help cover people in terms of dealing with accident, disease and chronic illness. Obviously, it has gone off in a different direction. It is about avoiding risk in terms of the way insurance markets are set up. We are not about dismantling the system in toto. But what we are trying to do is reestablish it and go back to its roots in terms of creating health care systems that pool risk and share it and do it in a way that actually gets back to the basic principles of when the insurance was first started. The whaling industry in Connecticut created a situation where the whale ship owners realized they had to do something about losing ships. And that was the birth of insurance in Connecticut. I will spare that history lesson and yield back. Again, my compliments for organizing this debate. And again, I do think this is a summer that historians will write about. And the discussion here is going to be an important part of it. So I yield back to Mr. Murphy.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the gifted students of my district from the Harvard Ellis Technical High School of Danielson, Connecticut. On May 15, 2009, the students won awards at the 6th Annual Plastics Expo held at Quinebaug Valley Community College, QVCC, in Danielson, Connecticut. The expo paired teams of students from six area high schools with representatives from local plastics companies. This is the second time that Ellis THS has entered the competition. Over six months, they worked with their company team of WEB Industries Hartford, Inc., manufacturer of film products, to design, create, test, and market a product using the company's technology. They won for their product, the ``Eagle Air,'' a filter screen that uses three layers of plastic screening to filter out the smallest particles of pollen in the air. The device is translucent and can be adjusted to fit any window. Their presentation included a PowerPoint, prototype models, a video commercial, and a detailed book describing their process. The students won both the ``People's Choice Award'' and the ``Judges' Award.'' The People's Choice Award was determined by the vote of the audience and the Judges' Award was determined by a team of three judges chosen for their expertise in engineering, design, and marketing. Team members included Andrew Conkey, Abigail Corcoran, Victoria LaMonda, Sara Rondeau, Cameron Fisher, Elana Shong, Holley DeParasis, Nicole Carlson, and Justin Fortier. The group leaders were Kathy Burr and Laura Burke. The team MVP was Nicole Carlson. The Department of Commerce, Quinebaug Valley Plastics Institute, and the QVCC College Career Pathways Program supported the event to promote workforce development. Madam Speaker, I am proud and pleased to honor these nine students and their team leaders for their innovative creation, sound business practices, and teamwork. These students have a bright future and signal that eastern Connecticut is a place for research, technology, and product development. I also commend the efforts of the sponsors of the Annual Plastics Expo in building partnerships between students and local businesses, and in promoting excellence in trade and technology. I ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents in recognizing these contributions.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, for the past 30 years, Kevin Fahey has dedicated his personal and professional life to the students and faculty of the University of Connecticut. This year, he will retire as the President of the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA), the union for professional staff at the university. While he will remain an active member of the UConn community, I rise to recognize his years of contributions to faculty and staff at the university. Kevin joined the UConn faculty over three decades ago and currently serves as the Senior Associate Director in the Department of Student Activities. As Senior Associate Director in the Department of Student Activities, he advises the Student Union Board of Governors (SUBOG), Kappa Alpha Theta, and Tau Kappa Epsilon in academics, community outreach, and personal and professional growth. For the past 15 years, Kevin has also served as the President of UCPEA. Madam Speaker, the success of our education systems relies on the strength and passion of our academic leaders. I can personally attest to Kevin's passion for education, the UConn community, and the students he advises, which has led many to conclude that he ``bleeds husky blue''. While his leadership with the UCPEA will certainly be missed, he will continue to enrich the UConn community and energize its students. I ask my colleagues to join with me and the UConn community in recognizing his decades of service.