Diana DeGette

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, many have said that adult stem cell research can be a substitute for embryonic stem cell research. To those people I would say that is simply not true. I support adult stem cell research. I support cord blood research. I support anything that could help cure all of the diseases that affect Americans. But those who say adult stem cell research will be a substitute are demagoguing that issue for political gain and that is wrong. Dr. Harold Varmus summarized it for all of the hundreds of researchers and the people who have done studies when he said just this week: ``Compared to adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells have a much greater potential, according to all existing scientific literature.'' Some researchers have said well, maybe we can find cures through adult stem cell research. Some researchers have said maybe we could do embryonic stem cell research in alternative ways, but those methods have shown no promise whatsoever. By way of contrast, recently researchers were able to create beta cells in mouse pancreases which then became insulin-producing islet cells. Even more recently, researchers were able to take embryonic stem cells and make nerve cells to help with nerve damage and paralysis. Adult stem cells cannot be used for that purpose. So in fact, the only promise for many diseases like the ones I mentioned, is embryonic stem cell research. That is why, Mr. Speaker, it is all well and good if people want to vote for S. 3504. It is all well and good if they want to say they support these other kinds of research, but in truth the only research that the tens of millions of Americans will rely on is embryonic stem cell research. In closing, our President has said that he will veto this legislation, H.R. 810, and sign S. 3504. I will say this to the President: In 6 years in office, over 1,600 bills he has signed, he has signed bills that make our budget deficit the worst in our country. He has signed bills that allow us to go to war against other nations. He has signed post office namings, and so many other bills. This bill, Mike Castle and I, we drafted this bill to be very narrow. We only allowed embryos which are created to give life for in vitro fertilization clinics and are then slated to be destroyed as medical waste to be donated voluntarily by the donors to be used for embryonic stem cell research. This is the pro-life alternative. This is the alternative that lets people, once they have had their babies for in vitro fertilization, say, I don't want my embryos thrown away. I want them used for medical research. I want those embryos to be used to save lives. I just have one personal thing to say in closing. When people say that a 12-celled embryo is more important than patients today, I think of my 12-year-old daughter who suffers from type I diabetes. I think of the medical test that she does every day, sticking her finger. I think of the insulin that she must have to stay alive, and I say to the President, and I say to those that think that those embryos are more important than they are, I say, you know, come walk in her shoes for a day. Come walk in the shoes of Lane Evans, our colleague who cannot appear on this floor because of his debilitating illness. Come walk in the shoes, unfortunately you couldn't walk in the shoes of our colleague, Jim Langevin, who was paralyzed in a tragic gun accident and never walked again. And you tell all of those people that an embryo which is going to be thrown away for medical waste is more important than those people. And that is why tens of millions of people will be watching this vote, and tens of millions of people will be watching the President this week. I suggest that the most important vote we can take is a vote for life and a vote for 810. I want to thank my colleagues in the House for passing this bill. It was a bipartisan effort. And I want to urge them to think about that later this week if, as expected, a veto override vote comes to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, S. 3504, the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006, which as we mentioned just passed the Senate a few moments ago, is important in the sense that it is Congress' way of saying that we need to ensure that the scientific research that we do is ethical, that what we do to try to cure diseases is always ethical. I, frankly, very rarely find myself agreeing with people like Mr. Smith and Mr. Weldon on this issue. But in the case of S. 3504 I do, because I don't agree we should have fetal farming. None of us agree that we should have fetal farming. It is wrong, and it is unethical. But nobody should again convince themselves that this bill has anything whatsoever to do with the great promise that embryonic stem cell research holds. In addition, S. 2754 which came over here just on the heels of the other legislation, this bill is also attempting to give cover to those who say that they want to support research, but they don't support embryonic stem cell research. As I will discuss moments from now when we bring up that bill, that bill is no substitute for embryonic stem cell research. In fact, the greatest promise for creating cures to diseases that affect millions of Americans is H.R. 810 which, as we just now learned moments ago again, has now passed the Senate by a solid majority, bipartisan Members who consider themselves pro-choice and Members who consider themselves pro- life. The reason they support embryonic stem cell research is because the vast majority of scientists agree that research holds the cure to potentially curing diseases that affect 110 million Americans and their families. I have a 13-page letter signed by many, many groups, universities, patient advocacy groups, all kinds of folks, and this letter says: ``We, the undersigned patient advocacy groups, health organizations, research universities, scientific societies, religious groups and other interested institutions and associations, representing millions of patients, scientists, health care providers and advocates, write you with our strong and unified support for H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. ``Of the bills being considered simultaneously, only H.R. 810 will move stem cell research forward in our country. This is the bill which holds promise for expanding medical breakthroughs. The other two bills are not substitutes for a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 810. ``H.R. 810 is the pro-patient and pro-research bill. A vote in support of H.R. 810 will be considered a vote in support of more than 100 million patients in the U.S. and substantial progress for research.'' I include this letter for the Record. July 14, 2006. U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Senator: We, the undersigned patient advocacy groups, health organizations, research universities, scientific societies, religious groups and other interested institutions and associations, representing millions of patients, scientists, health care providers and advocates, write you with our strong and unified support for H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. We urge your vote in favor of H.R. 810 when the Senate considers the measure next week. Of the bills being considered simultaneously, only H.R. 810 will move stem cell research forward in our country. This is the bill which holds promise for expanding medical breakthroughs. The other two bills--the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act (S. 2754) and the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act (S. 3504)--are NOT substitutes for a YES vote on H.R. 810. H.R. 810 is the pro-patient and pro-research bill. A vote in support of H.R. 810 will be considered a vote in support of more than 100 million patients in the U.S. and substantial progress for research. Please work to pass H.R. 810 immediately. Sincerely, AO North America, AAALAC International, AARP, Abbott Laboratories, Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis, Adams County Economic Development, Inc., AdvaMed (Advanced Medical Technology Association). AMDeC-Academic Medicine Development Co., America on the Move Foundation, American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Nursing, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for Dental Research, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Anatomists, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, American Brain Coalition, American Chronic Pain Association, American College of Cardiology, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. American Society for Cell Biology, American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, American Society for Microbiology, American Society for Neural Transplantation and Repair, American Society for Nutrition, Affymetrix, Inc., Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Alliance for Aging Research, Alliance for Lupus Research, Alliance for Stem Cell Research, Alnylam US, Inc., Alpha-l Foundation, ALS Association, Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American College of Surgeons, American Council on Education, American Council on Science and Health, American Dental Association, American Dental Education Association, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Aging Research, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, American Lung Association, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, American Medical Women's Association, American Pain Foundation, American Parkinson's Disease Association, American Parkinson's Disease Association (Arizona Chapter), American Pediatric Society, American Physiological Society, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Public Health Association, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Society for Virology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Human Genetics, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, American Surgical Association, American Surgical Association Foundation, American Thoracic Society, American Thyroid Association, American Transplant Foundation, Americans for Medical Progress, amFAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, Arizona State University College of Nursing, Arthritis Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, Rocky Mountain Chapter, Association for Clinical Research Training, Association for Medical School Pharmacology Chairs, Association for Prevention Teaching and Research, Association for the Accreditation of Human Research, Protection Programs, Inc., Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency Medicine, Association of Academic Departments of Otolaryngology. Association of Public Health Laboratories, Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, Association of Specialty Professors, Association of University Anesthesiologists, Assurant Health, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Athena Diagnostics, Aurora Economic Development Council, Axion Research Foundation, B'nai B'rith International, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology Industry Organization, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation on Health Care, Boston Biomedical Research Institute, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, Boston University School of Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Broadened Horizons, LLC. Children's Research Institute (Columbus), Children's Research Institute (Washington), Children's Tumor Foundation, Childrens Hospital Boston, Christopher Reeve Foundation, City and County of Denver, City of Hope National Medical Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilitites, University of Colorado System, Colfax Marathon Partnership, Inc., Colorado Bioscience Association, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Colorado State University, Association of Academic Health Centers, Association of Academic Physiatrists, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Physicians, Association of American Universities, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, Association of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Neurobiology Chairs, Association of Anesthesiology Program Directors, Association of Black Cardiologists, Association of Chairs of Departments of Physiology, Association of Independent Research Institutes, Association of Medical School Microbiology and Immunology Chairs, Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs, Association of Medical School Pharmacology Chairs, Association of Professors of Dermatology, Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics, Association of Professors of Medicine, Brown Medical School, Buck Institute for Age Research, Burns & Allen Research Institute, Burrill & Company, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition, California Biomedical Research Association, California Institute of Technology, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, California Wellness Foundation, Californians for Cures, Campaign for Medical Research, Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc., Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Health System, Center for the Advancement of Health, Central Conference of American Rabbis, CFIDS Association of America, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Charles River Laboratories, Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, Children's Memorial Research Center, Children's Neurobiological Solutions Foundation, Columbia University, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, Community Health Partnership, Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals, Connecticut United for Research Excellence, Inc., Conquer Fragile X Foundation, Cornell University, Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, (CANS), Creighton University School of Medicine, CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy), Cure Alzheimer's Fund, Cure Paralysis Now, CuresNow, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Dartmouth Medical School, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, DENTSPLY International, Digene Corporation, Discovery Partners International, Doheny Eye Institute, Drexel University College of Medicine, Drexel University School of Public Health, Duke University Medical Center, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. FD Hope Foundation, Federation of American Scientists, Federation of American Societies for Experimental, Biology (FASEB), Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc., Fertile Hope, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, Florida Atlantic University Division of Research, Ford Finance, Inc., Fox Chase Cancer Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Friends of Cancer Research, Friends of the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research, Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research, Friends of the National Library of Medicine, Genetic Alliance, Genetics Policy Institute, George Mason University, Georgetown University Medical Center, Guillain Barre Syndrome Foundation International, Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, Hadassah, Harvard University, Harvard University School of Dental Medicine. Jacobs Institute of Women's Health, Jeffrey Modell Foundation, Johns Hopkins, Johnson & Johnson, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Joint Steering Committee for Public Policy, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology, KID Foundation, Kidney Cancer Association, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Eli Lilly and Company, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Emory University, Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University School of Medicine, FasterCures. Harvard University School of Public Health, Hauptman- Woodward Medical Research Institute, Inc., Hereditary Disease Foundation, HHT Foundation International, Inc., Home Safety Council, Howard University College of Dentistry, Howard University College of Medicine, Huntington's Disease Society of America, IBM Life Sciences Division, Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing, ImmunoGen, Inc., Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Nursing, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Institute for African American Health, Inc., Intercultural Cancer Council Caucus, International Foundation for Anticancer Drug, Discovery (IFADD), International Longevity Center--USA, International Society for Stem Cell Research, Invitrogen Corporation, Iraq Veterans for Cures, Iris Alliance Fund, Iron Disorders Institute. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Lung Cancer Alliance, Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., Lupus Foundation of Colorado, Inc., Lupus Research Institute, Lymphatic Research Foundation, Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University, Malecare Prostate Cancer Support, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, Marine Biological Laboratory, Marshalltown [IA] Cancer Resource Center, Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MaxCyte, Inc., McLaughlin Research Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Medical University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing, MedStar Research Institute (MRI), Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. Miami Children's Hospital, Midwest Nursing Research Society, Morehouse School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Alopecia Areata Foundation, National Asian Women's Health Organization, National Association for Biomedical Research, National Association of Hepatitis Task Forces, National Caucus of Basic Biomedical Science Chairs, National Coalition for Cancer Research, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, National Committee for Quality Health Care, National Council of Jewish Women, National Council on Spinal Cord Injury, National Down Syndrome Society, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias. New York Presbyterian Hospital, North American Brain Tumor Coalition, North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research, Northwest Association for Biomedical Research, Northwestern University, Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oral Health America, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing, Oregon Research Institute, Oxford Bioscience Partners, Pacific Health Research Institute, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson's Action Network, Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Partnership for Prevention, Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, Society for Neuroscience, Society for Pediatric Research, Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center, Memory Pharmaceuticals, Mercer University, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. National Health Council, National Hemophilia Foundation, National Hispanic Health Foundation, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, National Marfan Foundation, National Medical Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Osteoporosis Foundation, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Pharmaceutical Council, National Prostate Cancer Coalition, National Quality Forum, National Spinal Cord Injury Association, National Venture Capital Association, Nebraskans for Research, Nemours, New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research, New Jersey Dental School, New York Blood Center, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York State Association of County Health Officials, New York Stem Cell Foundation, New York University College of Dentistry, New York University School of Medicine, Pittsburgh Development Center, Princeton University, Project A.L.S., Prostate Cancer Foundation, Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum International, Quest for the Cure, RAND Health, Research!America, Resolve: The National Infertility Association, RetireSafe, Rett Syndrome Research Foundation, Rice University, Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins, The Rockefeller University, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Rush University Medical Center, Rutgers University, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, sanofi-aventis, Scleroderma Research Foundation, Secular Coalition for America, Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation, Inc., Society for Advancement of Violence and Injury, Research (SAVIR), Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, Society for Education in Anesthesia Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Society for Women's Health Research, Society of Academic Anesthesiology Chairs, Society of General Internal Medicine, Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, Society of University Otolaryngologists, South Alabama Medical Science Foundation, South Dakota State University, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Spina Bifida Association of America, Stanford University, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Medical, Center College of Medicine at Brooklyn, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Stem Cell Action Network, Stem Cell Research Foundation, Steven and Michele Kirsch Foundation, Stony Brook University, State University of New York, Strategic Health Policy International, Inc., Student Society for Stem Cell Research, Suicide Prevention Action Network-USA (SPAN), Take Charge! Cure Parkinson's, Inc. The Georgetown University Center for the Study of Sex Difference in Health, Aging and Disease, The Gerontological Society of America, The J. David Gladstone Institutes, The Jackson Laboratory, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, The Medical College of Wisconsin, The Medical Foundation, Inc., The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University School of Public Health, The Parkinson Alliance and Unity Walk, The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc., The Rockefeller University, The Schepens Eye Research Institute, The Scientist, The Scripps Research Institute, The Smith- Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, The Society for Investigative Dermatology, The Spiral Foundation, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Buffalo, Targacept, Inc., Temple University School of Dentistry, Texans for Advancement of Medical Research, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Texas Medical Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, The Arc of the United States, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, The Biophysical Society, The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, The Burnham Institute, The CJD Foundation, The Critical Path Institute (C-Path), The Endocrine Society, The FAIR Foundation, The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, The Food Allergy Project, Inc., The Forsyth Institute, The Foundation Fighting Blindness, The George Washington University Medical Center. The University of Iowa College of Dentistry, The University of Iowa College of Public Health, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, The University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry, The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, The University of Tennessee HSC College of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, The University of Toledo Academic Health Science Center, Tourette Syndrome Association, Travis Roy Foundation, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Tulane University, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Union for Reformed Judaism, Union of Concerned Scientists, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, United Spinal Association, University of California System, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, University of California, Davis, University of California, Irvine, University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, University of California, San Francisco, University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing, University of California, Santa Cruz, University of Chicago, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, University of Colorado at Denver and HSC School of Dentistry, University of Colorado at Denver and HSC School of Nursing, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, University of Florida, University of Florida College of Dentistry, University of Georgia, University of Illinois. University of Michigan School of Dentistry, University of Michigan School of Nursing, University of Michigan School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry, University of Montana School of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health, University of North Dakota, University of North Texas Health Science Center, University of Oregon, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, WE MOVE, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, WiCell Research Institution, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Kansas Medical Center School of Nursing, University of Kentucky, University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, University of Louisville, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, University of Maryland at Baltimore, University of Maryland at Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Nursing, University of Miami, University of Michigan, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan Medical School. University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester School of Nursing, University of South Carolina Office of Research and Health Sciences, University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of South Florida, University of South Florida College of Nursing, University of Southern California, University of Southern California School of Dentistry, University of Utah HSC School of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, University of Washington, University of Washington School of Dentistry, University of Washington School of Nursing, University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Van Andel Research Institute, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, Washington University in St. Louis Center for Health Policy, Wisconsin Association for Biomedical Research and Education, Woodruff Health Sciences Center at Emory University, Wright State University School of Medicine, Yale University, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale University School of Nursing.

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, we rushed over here literally from the Senate floor. I do have other Members who would like to speak on this bill, but they are not here yet. I intend to close for my side.

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Carnahan).

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. That message from the Senate, I guess, means that within moments, sheer moments, S. 2754 will also be up on the House here because, as I said, this entire package is being railroaded through so that it can reach the President's desk in a neat little package. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeGETTE. I just must say, Mr. Speaker, this has got to be a new record of transmission of a bill from the Senate to the House. I was literally on the Senate floor a few minutes ago when S. 3504 was passed, and I had to run to the House to have it considered. I think this bill is just fine. I am not sure that there is a pressing problem in this country right now of fetal farming, but I will support it. Like my chairman, Mr. Barton, I have complete and abhorrent opposition to the idea of people doing fetal farming. I must say, though, that if people are worried about women becoming pregnant so they can be paid for making fetal tissue available for research, I want to point out that the current law already prohibits the sale of fetal tissue. Section 498(b) of the Public Health Service Act says: ``It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly acquire, receive or otherwise transfer any human fetal issue for valuable consideration.'' In addition, a yearly amendment that we do, called Dickey-Wicker, already forbids the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes. So while this bill is completely unnecessary, I guess we will just pass it today and move on. But here is the real reason this bill has been fast-tracked from the Senate, why there is a second bill that will be fast-tracked from the Senate, and that is because of H.R. 810, the Embryonic Stem Cell Enhancement Act, which has been cosponsored by my friend Mike Castle from Delaware and myself. This important piece of legislation expands embryonic stem cell research so that the 110 million Americans and their families who suffer from diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, nerve cell damage and on and on, so that the bill would allow embryonic research to be expanded so that those patients can have hope for cures. Unlike many other kinds of stem cells, adult stem cells and cord blood, embryonic stem cells have shown great promise in being a potential cure for these diseases. That is why a majority of this body passed that legislation on May 24 of 2005. This is why the Senate is poised to pass that legislation with over 60 votes today. H.R. 810 will go directly to the President's desk. Sadly, the President has announced his intention to make H.R. 810 the very first veto of his 6-year administration. He has signed over 1,600 bills, but he has announced he is going to veto a bill that could provide hope for tens of millions of Americans. In order to do that, though, the President will need cover, since 72 percent of Americans support embryonic stem cell research, and that is what this bill, S. 3504, and its companion bill from the Senate will hopefully I guess give the administration cover. There will be no solace, these bills, to the patients of America. These bills are merely a fig leaf to show that the veto that is happening is going to prevent the most promising research that could happen for all these patients, and so while I support S. 3504, no one would support fetus farming. Let us really call this what this is. This is the first in a pair of fig leaf bills designed to give cover to the President, and I, for one, think it is a sad day when we are rushing to judgment on such an important research potential. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Schwarz).

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of our time. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Florida says this is a strange argument, and he has got that right, because this is a very strange bill. What it does is it says the Secretary shall conduct research into these so-called alternatives. But these are alternatives not specified in the legislation. But what is worse is it will take resources away from the already minuscule amount of resources that are being put in at the NIH to enforce the little stem cell research that is going on in this country. Frankly, some of the kind of research techniques that have been discussed on the floor today, including those by my friend Mr. Bartlett from Maryland, are techniques for alternative derivation of cells and so on that would, in fact, involve destruction of embryos. And Dr. Leon Cass, who is the President's own chairman of his bioethics committee, said that it remains to be seen, in his view, whether any of those proposals for alternate sources of stem cells will succeed, and more discussion is surely required of some of the ethical issues. So even their own expert thinks this bill may be unethical. Why would we do this when we have so many scientific advances that are just outside of our grasp? Why would we do this when there are thousands of embryos that are thrown away as medical waste? It would be as if your child was in a car crash, and you decided that the ethical thing to do would be to donate that child's organs so that someone else could live. Why should we not allow people who have these embryos created for in vitro fertilization to donate those embryos which are slated to be thrown away as medical waste, in order that others may live? We have heard the President intends to veto H.R. 810 and sign this bill. No one will be fooled by this fig leaf. The patients of America, the tens of millions of people who suffer from diseases like Parkinson's, diabetes, paralysis, cancer, heart disease, they know, they know that this research holds hope and they know that 72 percent of Americans support this. And I would urge the President to think hard about whether this is where he wants to take the stand for his first veto. I would urge this House to think very, very hard about what they will do in that tragic incidence. Mr. Castle and I asked the President to meet with us, so that we could look him in the eye and explain the bill, and explain the ethical controls that are in the bill, and explain how we too want ethical science but that we want science that is meaningful. He refused to meet with us. I have time tonight. If the President would like to meet with me and Mr. Castle, we would be delighted to explain the tremendous potential of embryonic stem cell research.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 9, the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006. I am honored to have an opportunity to vote for H.R. 9, a bipartisan bill which makes important changes to the Voting Rights Act and extends otherwise expiring provisions for another 25 years. As we reaffirm the Voting Rights Act today, it is worth remembering where we were before its historic initial passage. During the end of the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries, State and local governments, particularly in the South, used multiple schemes to deny minorities, mainly African-Americans, the ability to register and meaningfully vote. These insidious methods included poll taxes, property requirements, literacy tests, residency requirements, the changing of election systems, and the redrawing of municipal boundaries. The real beginning of the end of this disenfranchisement was the enactment of the initial Voting Rights Act of 1965, courageously passed by Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon Baines Johnson. As applied to certain States and jurisdictions, among other provisions, it prohibited literacy tests, authorized the sending of Federal examiners and observers to make sure people could register and vote, and required changes in election laws or systems be approved by the Federal Government to ensure minorities were protected. Over the years the Voting Rights Act has been extended and improved numerous times. Congress expanded its protections to cover language minorities, required elections services, in certain circumstances, to be provided in a language other than English, and overruled the 1980 Supreme Court case of City of Mobile v. Bolden, allowing plaintiffs to prove violations of voting rights laws by showing a discriminatory effect as opposed to requiring a showing of discriminatory intent. The results of the Voting Rights Act have been dramatic. The registration of African-American voters in the 11 States of the former Confederacy increased from 43.1 percent in 1964 to 62.0 percent in 1968. The gap between African-American and White registration rates shrank as well across much of the South. For example, in Mississippi this gap decreased from 63.2 percentage points in March 1965 to 6.3 percentage points in 1988. Having a meaningful opportunity to exercise one's right to vote is no longer simply an abstract idea we talk about, but is instead a goal we strive to achieve for all. The evidence shows it is a mark we are increasingly meeting and all Americans should be proud of what we have been able to accomplish. As we celebrate our progress, however, it is important to remember that challenges remain. Whether it is because of outdated election machinery or long lines at the polls, many people still find it difficult to vote. Too often these impediments are faced disproportionally by minorities and low-income citizens. The Federal Government must continue the role it started in earnest back in 1965, and continued through the Help America Vote Act of 2002, of working to ensure that all Americas are free to exercise their right to vote. Through its involvement and commitment of resources, I know we will succeed.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Chairman, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces, or ICACs, are Federal-local partnerships that help track down the perpetrators of online child exploitation. Ninety percent of this important work occurs at the local level by ICAC investigators all across the country. Their jobs become more important every day as the incidence of child pornography rises to nearly epidemic proportions. I want to consider these chilling statistics: In fiscal year 2003, ICACs received 3,741 reports of Internet crimes against children. In fiscal year 2004, that number was 24,138. But, Mr. Chairman, in fiscal year 2005, that number was 198,883, an increase of 5,216 percent in just 2 years. The increase is not just a result of better reporting. It reflects an unthinkable rise in the worst kind of crimes. The ICACs are in need of more funds for three reasons: number one, to increase investigations; number two, to enhance law enforcement training; and, number three, to conduct forensic analysis. The budget for ICACs has increased incrementally the last few years; and, Mr. Chairman, I want to commend you and the committee for adding $5 million to the Internet Crimes Against Children Tasks Forces, but, frankly, with these increases in the crimes, even if we tripled the ICAC budget, it would still barely manage to keep up with online child pornography. The extra funding is critical for training, for investigations, for forensic exams, and to stop these terrible perpetrators from committing these crimes against children. Mr. Chairman, the problem of online child pornography is growing. This amendment will simply increase the budget by $3 million. And I ask my colleagues, what lengths are we willing to go to to save them? I urge a ``yes'' vote on the DeGette amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work being done by Bayaud Industries, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating employment and training services to individuals with mental, emotional, physical, and economic disabilities and challenges in the City of Denver and throughout Colorado. Celebrating its 37th anniversary this year, Bayaud has been able to help over 5,000 individuals find jobs and currently serves over 300 each year. Bayaud uses an integrated approach to help those who have had minimal success in the mainstream work environment mostly because of the stigma associated with disability and mental illness. This approach includes a comprehensive vocational evaluation to assess skills and capabilities, work adjustment and personal adjustment training, and general office skills training. Bayaud also provides job placement services for its clients, and even works with the City of Denver to help move people from welfare to work. Helping those who are disabled to find and keep work is good for both individuals and our economy. Employment gives people a sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction that they are contributing to their community. Sadly, according to the National Mental Health Association, ``the unemployment rate in the United States for individuals with disabilities is approximately 75 percent; the unemployment rate for individuals with psychiatric disabilities is even higher at 80 percent.'' With training and assistance from organizations like Bayaud, people with disabilities are able to hold a job and contribute to the economy of our country. Mr. Speaker, Bayaud Industries should be considered a model for how we help all our citizens become productive. Bayaud is ensuring that the disabled of my community are able to play a vital role. I commend the important work this organization is doing and I know that both those in the disabilities and business communities have benefited greatly from the good work it has done for over the past 37 years.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the exceptional leadership and invaluable contributions of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Center of Colorado, ``The Center,'' on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. It is fitting that we recognize The Center for its record of extraordinary service in providing support and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, GLBT, communities in the 1st Congressional District and throughout Colorado. The Center has been on the front lines of progress since its inception and has proven to be a powerful force in transforming the landscape of our State. Founded in Denver in 1976, The Center is a statewide, nonprofit community center and is one of the oldest organizations serving GLBT communities in the country. It is a powerful advocate on a broad range of issues that affect GLBT people in our State and is a catalyst for community organizing and providing needed support services. Health and wellness is a key focus of The Center. Its Healthy Living Program offers extensive health care services including free HIV testing in conjunction with Denver Health, low-cost hepatitis vaccinations, free mammograms for uninsured women, health care provider referrals and access to mental health services. It also devotes sizable effort to community health education as well as disease prevention. The Lesbian Cancer Support Service strives to increase early detection and a higher rate of cancer survival in lesbian and bisexual women. The Center also maintains Rainbow Alley, a drop-in center designed for GLBT youth that provides heath care services, counseling and referral. Youth have access to a medical clinic, computer lab, kitchen and the Terry Mangan Library, all of which are drug, alcohol, tobacco and hate free. The Center's advocacy and legal initiatives have done much to advance the cause of civil liberty and provide necessary assistance to those who experience discrimination, harassment and unequal treatment. The Legal Initiatives Project, CLIP, was founded in 1992 to challenge a discriminatory amendment to the Colorado Constitution. Amendment II would have precluded any action by the State or local governments designed to protect GLBT people. Amendment II passed by a slim margin, but due to CLIP's leadership, a lawsuit was filed and injunctive relief was granted to prevent the measure from taking effect. The decision was appealed to the United States Supreme Court and a national coalition of civil rights groups joined CLIP to uphold the lower court ruling. In a historic decision--Romer v. Evans, 517 U.S. 620 (1996)--the Supreme Court held that Amendment II was unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In 2000, CLIP merged with The Center and became its legal services program. It accomplishes its mission through the CLIP Legal Hotline, civil rights litigation and mediation, media work and public education. CLIP focuses on cases and issues that move the civil rights agenda forward serve the most oppressed and disadvantaged in the GLBT communities. We are indeed fortunate to have The Center in our community. It is an invaluable resource and I am deeply appreciative of the good work The Center does in addressing systemic inequalities and providing continuity and stability in the efforts to secure greater equality, justice and participation in our democracy. The Center has helped provide a place at the table for GLBT people. It has provided needed health and community services. In summary, The Center's leadership and engagement has made a real difference in peoples lives and thereby in the communities it serves. Please join me in commending the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Center of Colorado. It is the strong leadership and meaningful service it provides on a daily basis that continually enhances our lives and builds a better future for all of our people.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to House Resolution 861. Calling this a true debate on Iraq is a joke, and the Republican majority knows it. The Majority Leader has admitted the true motive--to use this issue in the fall elections against the Democrats. Shame on him and shame on the Republican majority for callously restricting what should be a full debate about the most important issue facing our country. Shame on them for trying to set a political trap and not allowing amendments or a full debate. If we were allowed a fair process, the facts would be revealed. And the facts are not pretty. After the tragedy and horror of September 11, 2001, everyone saw the threat posed by Al Qaeda. I voted for the authorization for President George W. Bush to use force against the Taliban in Afghanistan who were harboring Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. I am a strong supporter of the war on terrorism. When President Bush came to Congress and asked for authorization to invade Iraq, he made no case that that country was an imminent threat to the United States, or, in fact, related to our international fight against terrorism. So, I opposed the authorization for President Bush to use military force against Iraq in 2002, and that vote was the proudest vote I have taken in nearly 10 years in Congress. Despite the paucity of evidence to invade a sovereign nation, Congress authorized President Bush to go forward and we invaded Iraq. Instead of remaining focused on combating terrorists, the true imminent threat to our country, we got detoured into Iraq. Our courageous men and women in uniform did a tremendous job in the effort to defeat Saddam Hussein. I have supported them every step of the way and continue to support them as I stand here today. Having toppled its government, I felt we had an obligation to see Iraq transition to a new democracy. Like most Americans I was patient as Iraq struggled to establish a new civil society and government after years of oppression. In the three years since the invasion, Americans have provided security and rebuilding assistance. Despite the gross mistakes, mismanagement, and misjudgments of our civilian leadership, Iraq is now a sovereign, free country, a country with a new constitution and a new government. At this point in time, we have done what we can. We've given the Iraqi people an opportunity. It is now their opportunity to grab freedom. It is now their country to lose. Unfortunately our efforts have come at a tremendous cost. Major General John Batiste, a commander in Iraq and military aide to Mr. Paul Wolfowitz, noted that ``Rumsfeld and his team turned what should have been a deliberate victory in Iraq into a prolonged challenge.'' 2,500 of our best and brightest young people have paid the ultimate sacrifice to our country. About 18,000 have been wounded. All Americans are forever in their debt. In addition to the heartbreaking human toll, there is a financial one as well. We have now spent or appropriated, according to the Congressional Research Service, about $320 billion on the war in Iraq. Enough is enough. Enough devastation for mothers and fathers who have lost children in Iraq; enough heartache for their loved ones and friends; enough young lives cut short; enough being forced to shortchange domestic priorities like health care and homeland security because billions are being spent on Iraq. We have given the Iraqis a chance. That is all they can ask of us and that is all we can ask of ourselves. As such, it is time to shift troops to the periphery of the conflict and redirect some resources currently being used in Iraq back to America. Despite what the Republican majority suggests through this Resolution, saying it is now time to begin redeploying troops and that President Bush needs to develop a plan to do so is not arbitrary. It is, in fact, a reasonable calculation that the cost of Iraq is no longer worth any benefit we may achieve by continuing our armed presence there. The majority of the American people have made it clear they feel it is simply not worth more blood to achieve perfection in Iraq. They are right. It is time we in Congress listened.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I too ask unanimous consent that my name be withdrawn as a cosponsor of H.R. 2048.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, nearly 1 year ago today, we witnessed a truly historic event on the floor of this House: Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle joining together to put patients first by passing H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Two months later we were further encouraged when the majority leader of the other body announced his support for our bill. At that point, it appeared that the hopes of so many patients and caregivers would finally be realized as this critically important research would obtain the funding necessary to reach its true potential. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, that is the last we heard of this bill; 364 days after passage of the bill in the House, the other body remains silent. They have proceeded to work on numerous other bills, including the designation of 46 post offices, but they have refused to put patients first. In the meantime, in the last year, 1.5 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes; 55,000 were diagnosed with Parkinson's; and 8,700 with multiple sclerosis. It is time for the other body to put patients first and pass H.R. 810.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the history and invaluable contributions of an exceptional organization in the 1st Congressional District of Colorado. It is both fitting and proper that we recognize this organization for its educational leadership and record of extraordinary service benefiting underrepresented young people in Colorado and the Denver area. It is to commend this exemplary organization that I rise to honor the Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The growing importance of innovation in science and engineering to our economic well-being and to a better quality of life for our citizens is well documented. Currently, there is much discussion and concern in this Congress about the ability of the United States to sustain its scientific and technological superiority. Sustaining our leadership hinges upon expanding our human capital to meet the technical challenges of a new economy and its increasingly global and complex systems. In this regard, cultivating students with the requisite skills to enter the pipeline of future engineers and scientists has become a priority. Over 25 years ago, a group of committed African-American engineers anticipated the future. They recognized the need to expand the pool of talent entering our colleges and universities. In 1980, they founded the Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists (CABPES) with the express purpose of increasing the representation of minorities in the fields of engineering and applied sciences. CABPES has been in the vanguard of cultivating talented youth and it has become a learning gateway for students from all walks of life desiring to expand their horizons. Its commitment to the future is longstanding and our communities are well-advised by its example and the foresight of its founders. Professional mentoring sets CABPES apart and a cadre of dedicated parents and committed volunteers are responsible for its outreach and educational programs including: the Junior Engineers, Tomorrow's Scientists Program which concentrates on developing student interest in engineering and applied sciences; the Math Enrichment Program which tutors students with their mathematics assignments; the SAT Preparation Program which prepares students for the college entrance examination; and the Widening Our World Program which gives CAPBES' students the opportunity to use their computer skills and develop leadership abilities through community service. These programs have served to enrich the learning experience by providing an environment that offers real-world perspective, dialogue and exchange. Students have gained a richer and deeper understanding from practitioners who not only impart a passion and enthusiasm for their disciplines, but convey the sense of wonder that accompanies discovery and scientific endeavor. We are indeed fortunate to have CABPES in our community. It is an invaluable resource and I am deeply appreciative of the good work CABPES does in making science and engineering careers more attractive to all our students, particularly the under-represented. CABPES' programs help improve performance in the classroom and its mentors provide solid role models that encourage achievement. We owe a debt of gratitude not only to CABPES' founders, its board, volunteers and management professionals, but to its private sector partners as well. Their engagement and support of this organization make a real difference in the lives of our young people and thereby, in the communities CABPES serves. Please join me in commending the Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists. It is the strong leadership and meaningful service this organization provides on a daily basis that continually enhances our lives and builds a better future for all Americans.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of a remarkable woman in the 1st Congressional District of Colorado. It is both fitting and proper that we recognize Dianne Reeves for her preeminent artistic achievement and her excellence in numerous creative endeavors. Dianne Reeves has used her talent, skill and energy to create an inimitable musical and artistic presence for which she has received international acclaim. She came to our community from Detroit, Michigan where she and her sister Sharon were raised by their grandmother. Dianne inherited a love of music from her parents and as a child, took piano lessons and sang at every opportunity. While singing with the George Washington High School big band, she was spotted by jazz trumpeter Clark Terry at the National Association of Jazz Educators Conference in Chicago where the band took first place in the 1974 jazz festival. She studied music at the University of Denver before moving to Los Angeles in 1976. Dianne experimented with various musical genres including Latin American music and toured with Eduardo Del Barrio's group ``Caldera.'' She sang with the Billie Child's ``Night Flights'' jazz band and later toured with both Sergio Mendez and Harry Belafonte as his lead singer. In 1987, Reeves was the first vocalist signed to the reactivated Blue Note/EMI label. Reeves has recorded with Daniel Barenboin and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic and she has also recorded and performed extensively with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Over the course of numerous recordings and hundreds of live performances, Dianne Reeves has burnished a reputation as a versatile and vivacious singer who has been compared to such masters of jazz as Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Carmen McRae and Sarah Vaughn. Dianne Reeves is in a class by herself. She won her fourth Best Jazz Vocal Grammy Award for the soundtrack to the critically acclaimed Good Night, And Good Luck, which chronicles Edward R. Murrow's confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy. Dianne is the only artist to have three consecutive recordings win in the jazz vocal category--A Little Moonlight, The Calling: A Tribute to Sarah Vaughn and In the Moment, She is an Ella Fitzgerald Award recipient and was awarded the Denver Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. She was the first Creative Chair for Jazz of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed throughout Europe and Asia. Reeves is the first internationally renowned jazz artist to perform in Qatar and recently, she was the featured performer at UNICEF's Annual Gala in New York City. We are indeed fortunate to have an artist of such consummate reputation and international acclaim in our community. She has mastered a wide range of styles and interpretation, all of which reflect both a perceptive and unique artistic ability and skill. Her artistic sensibilities are set apart by a fidelity to the spirit of various compositions and renderings of notable artists; by an intimate expression of mood and emotion and a style of singular elegance, sophistication and grace. We owe much to our artists as they have the unique ability to distill our cultural essence from our collective experience. Please join me in commending Dianne Reeves, a distinguished artist. Her gifts enhance our culture and her contributions have enriched the American Experience.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to S. 2271, the ``USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006. I am strongly committed to fighting and winning the war on terror. The most solemn obligation of government is to protect the citizenry, and we need to make sure that law enforcement has the powers it needs to do so. At the same time, governments throughout history, including our own, have abused their authority in the name of promoting such security. Americans should feel comfortable that while government is protecting them from others, their private lives are protected from unwarranted government intrusion. The right to privacy is one of our most precious rights, a hallmark of the American experiment. I opposed the initial USA PATRIOT Act in 2001 because it threatened our civil liberties. As I have said before, while the compromise makes some improvements to the original USA PATRIOT Act, it does not go far enough to preserve civil liberties. It will remain too easy for the government to fish through the private information of innocent Americans. This includes medical, gun, library, and financial records. Institutions that receive requests for information are still prevented from talking about them, and their ability to successfully challenge these ``gag orders'' is limited or nonexistent. Government's power to conduct secret searches of one's personal effects without prior notice, so called ``sneak and peak'' authority, remains too expansive. S. 2271 only makes three changes to the prior act. First, it allows recipients of Section 215 orders to challenge accompanying ``gag orders.'' However, it delays any action for at least one year and makes a successful challenge virtually impossible. Second, it clarifies that recipients of Section 215 orders and National Security Letters (NSLs) do not have to disclose to the government the identities of attorneys consulted to assist in responding to these requests. Finally, it seeks to exclude libraries from the reach of NSLs. Unfortunately, there is considerable disagreement about whether the language in S. 2271 actually will accomplish its goal of clarifying that libraries are not subject to NSLs. These changes, taken as a whole, are at best small improvements which, most significantly, do not address the larger concerns I discussed earlier. As such, I cannot endorse S. 2271 and this reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act. I am pleased that Senator Specter and others have said they will revisit the USA PATRIOT Act to deal with the many problems that remain. I look forward to a new bill that more properly balances our need to protect civil liberties and provide tools necessary in fighting terrorism.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the wonderful life and exceptional accomplishments of a remarkable woman. This distinguished citizen possessed an impressive record of civic leadership and invaluable service, Her achievements in preserving the heritage of Colorado merit our recognition and gratitude, It is to commend this eminent citizen that I rise to honor Barbara Sudler Hornby. When we think about the enduring legacy of Denver and Colorado, we think of Barbara Hornby. Her life was an affirmation of our heritage and its importance to future generations. When we celebrate her life, we celebrate not only the history and edifices she worked so diligently to protect, but the stewardship and conservation of our common cultural heritage, Barbara Hornby was born in Hawaii to U.S. Naval Commander Leo Welch and Barbara Petrikin Welch in 1925. She graduated from the University of Colorado in 1944 and during the remainder of the Second World War, she worked at Ft. Logan, Buckley Field and did research for the University of Denver. Six years later, she married Denver architect James Sudler II and while working in his architectural firm, developed the skills that would serve her well in future endeavors. Following the death of Mr. Sudler, she married former Denver Post senior editor Bill Hornby who shared both her life and her work. Barbara Hornby served as the executive director of Historic Denver and later as both director and president of the Colorado Historical Society. She supervised the development of the four-million dollar Georgetown Loop Historic Mining and Railroad Park. She served on the Denver Landmark Commission, was vice chairwoman and trustee of the Colorado Historical Foundation and was Colorado's Historic Preservation Officer. In 1995, Colorado Preservation Inc. honored her with the Dana Crawford Award and in 2000, the University of Colorado honored her as Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. Barbara's accomplishments affirm that she was indeed the keeper of our sense of place. Through Barbara, we learned to savor the richness, diversity and legacy of our forbearers, She knew that preserving our history gives us roots and an understanding of who we are as Coloradans. She raised awareness of our unique heritage and taught us to take responsibility for preservation. She reminded us to respect our historic edifices and recognize that they are living monuments for future generations. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Barbara for the care in which she protected and preserved our heritage. William Faulkner said, ``The Past is never dead. It is not even past.'' When we consider the life and accomplishments of Barbara Hornby, we see that the past is not dead, that it enriches the present and gives foundation to the future. Our thoughts and our prayers are with Barbara's children, James Sudler III and Eleanor Sudler and her husband Bill Hornby. Please join me in celebrating the life of Barbara Sudler Hornby, as distinguished citizen. The strong leadership she exhibited during her life continues to enrich our culture and sustain our heritage as Coloradans and Americans.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of comprehensive pension reform, a topic that has been weighing heavily on the minds of thousands of my constituents, not to mention workers and retirees across the country. While I agree with many of the provisions of H.R. 2830, I cannot in good conscience support the bill in its current form. In fact, some provisions could make the current situation worse. I don't believe it's fair to rush through this complicated issue, one that is so critical to workers and retirees, without meaningful public debate and thorough consideration of alternatives. I had hoped to support this legislation, but I have many misgivings in its current form. We need to make it harder, not easier, for companies to unload pensions onto the taxpayers. We need to give employers more, not fewer incentives to keep their promises to retirees. And we need to return the PBGC to sound financial footing to protect the retirement security of hardworking Americans. On whole, many provisions in this bill will be a marked improvement over current law, but I cannot support it because we can do much better. For years, workers depended on employer-sponsored pensions to pay their bills and live comfortably in retirement. But now workers and retirees live in fear of losing these benefits, which they have rightfully earned over long careers. Each week it seems another company is considering bankruptcy filing, and too often the first costs they want to unload are promises to pensioners. Nationwide, the pension system is underfunded by $450 billion. We must do what we can to require companies to take all possible steps to fulfill the promises they make to workers. Unfortunately, the bill before us may make the problem worse, and could force even more companies to unload their pensions. The bill fails to shore up the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the government insurer of defined benefit pensions. The PBGC is currently $24 billion in the hole, and if we do not take meaningful steps now, it will require a taxpayer bailout. I support a Democratic alternative that would make it harder for companies to unload their obligations to the PBGC, and help return the agency to solvency. This option was not even given the benefit of an up-or-down vote. Another major concern I have with this legislation is its lack of protection for older workers. Cash balance plans, hybrid plans that have become attractive alternatives to traditional pension plans, can unfairly discriminate against older employees. When companies switch to cash balance plans, older workers often see their promised benefits summarily reduced. Even the Bush administration has recognized these complications, and I would like to see a pension bill with more adequate protections for older workers. This bill also fails to hold company executives to the same standards they expect of their rank-and-file employees. When faced with financial problems, CEOs have made decisions to cut the benefits earned by employees and unloading pension obligations onto the federal government. Far too often, these executives escape with multi-million dollar benefit packages, leaving the company in bankruptcy and workers in poverty. Congress has the chance to require our business leaders to act in the best interest of their firm and their employees, and sacrifice along with them if the financial situation is beyond repair. I am also concerned that this bill does not have sufficient disclosure requirements. Beneficiaries have the right to know the funding status of their pensions, and companies should not be allowed to keep this information from regulators or retirees. Current law allows companies to use accounting techniques to make their pensions seem more solvent than they really are. This needs to stop, but bill does not go far enough. Mr. Speaker, on the same day voters are going to the polls in Iraq, democracy has been subverted in this distinguished chamber. The majority has not allowed adequate time for debate on this measure, refused to allow the consideration of amendments, and did not allow the Democrats to offer a common-sense alternative. This is no way to legislate, and we can do better.