Nathan Deal

Mr. DEAL of Georgia

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I too yield back and urge the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. DEAL of GEORGIA

Mr. DEAL of GEORGIA. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 265) supporting the goals and ideals of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, as amended.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. And I rise today in support of House Resolution 265, a resolution authored by Representatives Berkley and Burgess, that establishes a National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue which can lead to fragile bones and an increased susceptibility to fractures, especially the hip, spine and wrist. Osteoporosis is a major health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans, or a full 55 percent of people 50 years of age and older. In the United States, 10 million individuals are estimated to already have the disease and nearly 34 million more are at an increased risk for osteoporosis. Of the 10 million Americans estimated to have osteoporosis, 8 million are women and 2 million are men. Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because it can progress very slowly over time without symptoms until a fracture occurs. The consequences of osteoporosis can be devastating, painful, costly and even deadly. Approximately 20 percent of hip fracture patients will die within a year after their fracture, usually from complications related to the fracture. People tend to assume that osteoporosis is an inevitable part of aging. But for the most part, it is preventable. Prevention of osteoporosis should begin in early childhood and continue throughout life. Building a strong skeleton during childhood, adolescence and young adulthood can help people avoid osteoporosis later in life. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends five steps that can optimize bone health and help prevent osteoporosis. First, eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to build and maintain strong bones. Foods rich in calcium include dairy products like milk and cheese and fish like salmon. Very few foods are rich in vitamin D, but milk is often fortified with vitamin D. Sunlight exposure to the hands, face and arms for 5 to 15 minutes, two to three times a week, helps the body produce its own vitamin D. Second, engage in weightbearing exercise. Third, don't smoke or drink too much. Fourth, talk to your doctor about bone health. And fifth, have your bone density tested and take medication as directed by a physician. The activities of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month encourage Americans to take the proper steps to protect themselves from osteoporosis, including talking with their health care professionals about their bone health. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. DEAL of Georgia

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, this amendment relates to the issue of birthright citizenship and is a prohibitive amendment for using funds under this appropriations's bill for the purpose of implementing and granting birthright citizenship. The issue is one that I think has now caught the attention of the American public and rightfully so. The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that some 383,000, or 42 percent of births to immigrants are to illegal alien mothers. Births to illegal immigrants now account for nearly one out of every ten births in the United States. We are in a distinct minority in the world community in recognizing birthright citizenship. There are only 36 countries that do so, 122 do not. Of the 36 that do, the United States, Cuba, El Salvador, Guinea, and Venezuela are in that list. On the other hand, the vast majority of all westernized countries, including every single European country along with Israel and Japan, do not offer birthright citizenship. In fact, Ireland in 2004 changed their law to no longer recognize birthright citizenship. The magnitude of the problem is, in fact, astounding. The Center for Immigration Studies found that illegal immigrants cost the United States taxpayer about $10.4 billion a year. A large part of that expense stems from the babies born each year to illegal immigrants. In my State of Georgia, a normal, noncesarean section child delivery, with no complications, costs an average of $2,720. Born United States citizens, these children are eligible for all benefits of citizenship, including, but not limited to, education, Medicaid, and welfare. In one of their own publications, the Department of Homeland Security states: ``An industry has developed around this practice of crossing the border illegally specifically to give birth, with travel agents specializing in birth tours and clinics providing post-natal care, which includes transportation services. For those seeking entry into this country, it is a small price for legal entry and social service benefits that accrue with citizenship.'' Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), my colleague.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. You know, the real shame of it is that we are even having to talk about this today. We ought to have a better neighbor on the border than Mexico has proven to be. I know they have economic incentives and reasons why they want their citizens to come illegally into our country, but they should not be put in a position of being tipped off to where citizens of this country are who are performing a service that, here again unfortunately is one that the Federal Government itself ought to be performing in a better fashion, and that is patrolling our borders. It is regrettable that the Mexican government sometimes knows more about what is going on on our side of the border than we appear sometimes to know ourselves. The Minute Men have provided a service. It is a service that perhaps should be unnecessary if the Federal Government were doing its job adequately and appropriately. I commend the gentleman from Georgia for offering this amendment, and I urge this body to support it.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 833) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with regard to the importance of National Women's Health Week, which promotes awareness of diseases that affect women and which encourages women to take preventive measures to ensure good health, as amended.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation, and to insert extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 833, authored by Mr. Hinchey, Mrs. Bono and Mrs. Capps, expressing the sense of Congress on the importance of Women's Health Week. Each year Women's Health Week promotes awareness about steps women can take to improve their health. The focus is on the importance of incorporating simple, preventative, and positive health behaviors into women's everyday lives. When women take simple steps to improve their health, the results can be significant. Many of the leading causes of death among women, such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes are preventable and treatable if the warning signs are recognized. Events like National Women's Health Week and National Women's Checkup Day are great opportunities to tell someone you love that their health is important. Remind a mother, sister, spouse, daughter or friend to get regular checkups, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, quit smoking, and follow safety rules. I commend the hundreds of volunteers, women's groups, health organizations, businesses, and charitable organizations who have helped to make National Women's Health Week a success. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution in recognition of National Women's Health Week. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I do have an additional speaker who has arrived. I am pleased to recognize my colleague from Georgia, Dr. Phil Gingrey, for 2 minutes.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and therefore, I would yield back the balance of my time and urge the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Chairman, it is with reluctance that I come today because this is a matter that we would rather not have to deal with on this floor. It relates to the limiting language that was placed in the bill by way of a manager's amendment that was not debated in the subcommittee but was inserted prior to the full committee and taken by voice vote. It relates to the restrictive language that does not allow the Corps of Engineers to upgrade its master plans and water control plans. The bottom line of this is that this is involved in litigation that has been going on at least since 1990 in the Federal courts. Most recently, the Federal courts have ordered by virtue of a decree in the District of Columbia District Court that the Corps of Engineers is to proceed with its NEPA studies. This relates to the water usage along two major river corridors that originate in the State of Georgia and also, of course, supply water into Alabama and Florida. We believe that we should not as a Congress interfere with the actions between States that are in litigation. The courts have actually spoken on the issue. We think they should be allowed to proceed with the actions they have directed the corps to take and that Congress should not inject itself into this matter. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Marshall).

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), my colleague.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, that also includes the right to conclude; is that correct?

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood), my colleague.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price), my colleague.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), my colleague.