Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that the United States does a lot of trading back and forth with Pakistan. Today we understand, in fact, that Osama bin Laden may be hiding in the hills in Pakistan, so let's get this record straight here. This is about only having Cuba to pay cash in advance, cash in advance for any products that are shipped. It also says that the U.S. Government has created unreasonable obstacles to American businesspeople in their trade with Cuba, which can average $2 billion in agricultural products. Let me give you an example. Today Cuba has increased its purchases of rice from Vietnam because of the payment restrictions imposed by the United States. That is $200 million that could be directed towards our farmers and not to Vietnam. Talk to the folks from Arkansas. Talk to the folks from Louisiana. Wouldn't it be better if our rice farmers, in fact, could be the beneficiaries of that market? Let us end this foolishness of making a restriction on our farmers to sell their agricultural products to Cuba. Cuba is the only country in the world on which we put these kinds of restrictions.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, this year we fought to make sure Americans do not just get more of the same from this Congress for its agriculture policy and the farm bill. And we should be proud of the results: genuine reform-oriented legislation reflecting our new priorities. By closing a loophole that even this administration labeled tax abuse, we are stopping foreign-based tax dodgers and fulfilling some of this bill's most important obligations. By sponsoring a marker farm bill for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States, I sought to highlight our regions and, I believe, serve the entire country. We secured a major increase in conservation support for programs like EQIP and the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program, and we made sure that there was a place in this bill for specialty crops. What are specialty crops? Fruits and vegetables that are farmed in my part of the country, in Middle Atlantic States, in California. This is related to healthy diets in this Nation, crops that are so crucial nationwide, from New England to California. And with an agreement on the implementation of mandatory country of origin labeling, this bill represents a victory for consumers and a positive first step toward improving food safety in the United States. Most importantly, we are addressing a top priority: nutrition. The Food Stamp Program is one of the most effective programs to help low- income Americans secure an adequate diet, to help children and families to reach their full potential. This bill represents a real strategy to stop the erosion of the food stamp benefits and actually take us in the right direction, a long overdue improvement for our most vulnerable populations. Today food stamps are feeding 40 percent of all rural children, yet the current benefit of approximately $1 per person per meal is appallingly inadequate. This bill increases the minimum standard deduction to $145 for 2008. It then indexes it to inflation. It increases the maximum benefit. And we are taking steps to improve benefits for working families with child care costs, indexing to inflation the asset limit, which has effectively barred many poor households with modest savings from receiving any benefits a all. For many long years, we have failed to meet our obligations, failed to act while too many Americans have gone without adequate healthful food. Today in the Congress we should take pride in acting, finally, to improve domestic nutrition. Let's pass a responsible farm bill. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I rise to strongly oppose the Flake amendment. This year, the Congress has worked diligently to reform the earmark process and significantly increase transparency. We targeted a decade of abuse, while still protecting Members' ability to direct critical funds to important projects and to ensure they remain in the public interest. This earmark meets that obligation. The East Coast Shellfish Research Institute is a nonprofit entity. It distributes funds to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Lab in Milford, Connecticut, to conduct vital research about the shellfish industry. I understand that the gentleman from Arizona is from a State that is landlocked. For those of us who are in Connecticut, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas and other areas that this lab meets the needs for, we rely on a healthy shellfish industry. This is a small investment. It goes a long way and pays big dividends for this entire country. We keep the industry competitive, spurring significant sustainable growth, and strengthening communities around the country. The Milford Lab and others performing similar research, such as Stony Brook University and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, are national assets. They provide shellfish hatcheries with pioneering research and the tools to fight predators and disease, keep business profitable to promote efficient, environmentally sound farming techniques. The shellfish aquaculture industry is an economic powerhouse and a potential source of tremendous growth. The east coast, which relies on this industry, is home to more than 13,000 small shellfish farmers. Yes, the annual harvests are valued at nearly $80 million. The per-acre yields from shellfish aquaculture are among the highest of any form of agriculture. And I might add, this is agriculture; we just farm fish. And the industry provides thousands of jobs in rural areas. It supports related industries such as boat building, outboard repair, tourism and shellfish processing. You know, today the U.S. now imports 80 percent of the seafood that we consume. Some of the worst food safety scares in recent weeks have come from seafood shipped from foreign shores. We should be building American businesses and providing an environment where more home-grown, safe seafood can reach the American public. These funds will turn research into results, making scientific information and innovation possible, benefiting shellfish producers nationwide, not only in Connecticut, but Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina, Washington State and, yes, other northeastern States. You know, if my colleagues truly believe in supporting families and farmers, harnessing innovation, strengthening our economy, this policy is common sense. I urge my colleagues to oppose the Flake amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 703 on H.R. 3074, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``aye'' when I should have voted ``no.''

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this bill and want to commend the chairman and the staff for an excellent bill which signals a new direction and reflects our priorities as a Nation. The goal of this bill has always been to make a strong investment in our future, to take seriously our responsibility to the American public. I'm proud to see that this bill will provide $10 million to the Sexual Assault Service Program directly for rape crisis centers, State and territorial sexual assault coalitions and culturally specific programs and tribes. This is the only Federal funding stream dedicated entirely to providing direct services for victims of sexual violence. That is vital because, without a consistent and a specialized funding stream for direct services, rape crisis centers are stretched to the limit trying to meet increased demand for services with reduced government funding. We are finding other ways as well to strengthen services to victims of all domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, by significantly boosting funds for the Office of Violence Against Women, $430 million, or $60 million above the President's request. We know these programs are both necessary and effective. Since the Violence Against Women Act was first passed in 1994, reports of domestic violence have decreased by half. But as long as domestic violence continues, we must continue fighting to ensure women have the tools to fight back. The bill also works to strengthen local law enforcement $3.2 billion to protect our communities and our quality of life, including COPS grants to put 2,800 new police officers on the streets, drug courts, Byrne grants for local crime prevention programs, and a competitive youth mentoring grants program to prevent juvenile delinquency. Mr. Chairman, this bill reflects a commitment to our longstanding responsibilities and true fiscal responsibility. Together we can meet our obligations as a Congress and a Nation to the American people.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the FY08 Labor/ HHS & Education Appropriations bill. I want to commend the Chairman and the staff for an excellent bill which signals a new direction and reflects our priorities as a Nation. The goal of this bill has always been to make a strong investment in our future--to take seriously our responsibility to the American public, on the issues that affect people every day from our health to our children's education to the scientific research that will find the cures of tomorrow, from protecting workers to providing the training they need to make it in today's economy. I must say that this time around, our bill does not disappoint. To help States serve 6.8 million unemployed and 13 million jobseekers, the bill provides a $227.4 million or 1.9 percent increase over fiscal year 2007 for employment, training, and worker protection programs. On worker protection, the bill provides a $45.5 million increase to key programs to improving safety and health for 113 million workers. On education, the bill provides historic increases in No Child Left Behind, 8.4 percent above 2007, including $1.9 billion more for Title I grants to schools. For students with disabilities, the President's budget proposed to cut IDEA Part B grants by $291 million or 2.7 percent below the fiscal year 2007 level. In contrast, this bill provides a $299 million or a 2.8 percent increase over last year. More importantly, this bill reverses a 2-year decline in the federal contribution toward the rising costs of special education for 6.9 million children with disabilities. It also makes real progress toward college affordability with a significant increase in Pell Grants, allowing us to raise the maximum Pell Grant by $390 to $4,700 and benefiting over 5.5 million students without reducing or eliminating other student financial assistance programs. In the area of medical research, the bill provides continued investment at the NIH and CDC for innovative programs that save lives. With a $750 million increase over last year, NIH will be able to support another 545 new and competing research grants over last year's level and 1,262 over the President's request. The bill also provides much-needed investments in programs that support low income people: An increase of $500.8 million or 23.2 percent above last year for LIHEAP to secure energy assistance for approximately 1 million more low-income seniors and families than last year. $660.4 million for the Community Services Block Grant allowing states to expand critical services, such as housing, home weatherization, parenting education, adult literacy classes, and emergency food assistance. And a down payment of $75 million or 3.6 percent in child care assistance, the first increase in discretionary spending for this program in more than five years. Mr. Chairman, this bill reflects a real commitment to our longstanding responsibilities and true fiscal responsibility. Each of us should support the FY08 Labor/HHS & Education bill--a bill each of us can take home and proudly share with our constituents. We will accomplish a lot of good with this bill, but I especially want to highlight and commend Chairman Obey, for the ``Reducing the Need for Abortion Initiative'' included in the bill, which parallels legislation spearheaded by Representative Ryan and myself. With close to $650 million in increased funding over last year and approximately $1.4 billion for programs such as Title X, Healthy Start, teen pregnancy prevention, adoption awareness, after school programs, and child care programs for new parents attending college, just to name a few, we are promoting policies so critical to reducing the need for abortion in this country. This bold initiative represents a considerable investment in preventing unintended pregnancies and supporting new parents. It is strong on prevention, strong on family income supports, and it makes clear that we are serious about addressing the issue of abortion head on. That, for all of us, it is a matter of conscience. Again, Mr. Chairman, I am proud to be a Member of this subcommittee, its Members, and the work we have done this year. With this bill, we make opportunity real for millions of Americans and we give people the tools they need to grow and thrive tomorrow.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the many family, friends, colleagues and community leaders who have gathered to pay tribute to one of our most influential and successful business leaders, Ronald Shaw, as he celebrates his retirement from Pilot Pen Corporation of America after more than three decades of dedicated service. When one thinks of industry leaders, Ron Shaw is a name that comes to mind immediately. If you know Ron, it is not difficult to believe that he began his career as a stand-up comedian--opening for the likes of Rosemary Clooney, Dean Martin, Connie Francis, and even Liberace. Ironically, it was through learning to ``sell himself'' that he developed his keen business sense. Knowing that the life of a stand-up comic was not conducive to his new found family life, Ron left the stage to, as he says, ``get a real job.'' Joining Pilot Pen in 1975, the company has flourished under his leadership. In the three decades during which Ron has been with the company, sales have grown from $1 million annually to nearly $200 million. It has been through his vision and leadership that the company has continued to expand both in size and markets. Look around you and very shortly you will inevitably find one of their many products. From the pens we use every day to your child's Magna Doodle, Pilot Pen products are everywhere. It is no wonder that Ron is one of only six Americans to have served on the Board of Directors on any publicly held Japanese company. From local companies such as Laticrete International, the Shubert Theater, and the University of New Haven to national organizations like the Anti-Defamation League, Larry King Cardiac Foundation, and the City of Hope National Medical Center, Ron has dedicated countless hours to industry and civic organizations focused on enriching the lives of our citizens. Ron has always wanted to make a difference in the lives of others--especially our young people. Inspiring our youth was the impetus behind the writing and publication of his book, ``Pilot Your Life.'' Wanting the book to serve as a career guide to college graduates, he hoped that in reading about his own experiences, they could learn from his mistakes and take advantage of some of the opportunities he did not. Ron has always held a strong belief in the American Dream--the opportunity to build your own business and make your own success--his parting advice in his book and a lesson that he certainly imparted to his own children, all of whom are small business owners today. I have been fortunate to know Ron for many years and have always been grateful for his special friendship. For his many outstanding contributions, both professional and personal, I am pleased to join his wife, Phyllis, his children; Steven and his wife Carrie, Susan and her husband Michael, as well as Alan and his wife Nancy, his five grandchildren; Lauren, Bryan, Stephanie, Jacob, and Yael; and all of those gathered this evening in extending my sincere thanks and heartfelt congratulations to Ronald Shaw as he celebrates his retirement. My very best wishes for many more years of health and happiness.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to join family, friends, and colleagues in paying tribute to an extraordinary woman and my good friend, Amy Sullivan, who lost her long battle with cancer earlier this month. Amy was a very special part of so many lives and was taken from us all too soon. Graduating with a degree in English Literature and Theater Arts from Upsala College followed by a 2 year acting program at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater, Amy began her career as a performer. She went on to become a program director for the American Theater Wing and a special assistant to Broadway producers Robert Whitehead and Elliot Martin. After she completed her master's degree in Arts Administration from the Yale School of Drama, Amy worked in a variety of positions-- always working to promote and further the arts in Connecticut. She lectured at the Yale Drama School, served as a panelist for the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, and was an active member and Trustee of several Connecticut arts organizations including the Florence Griswold Museum and Young Audiences of Connecticut. It is no wonder why she has been recognized by the State of Connecticut as well as on this very floor for her outstanding and invaluable contributions to the arts and arts education. Named Executive Director of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut in September of 2003, it was Amy's passion for the arts and commitment to education that allowed the O'Neill to return to its original splendor. Named in honor of America's sole Nobel Prize winning playwright, Eugene O'Neill, the O'Neill is a non-profit organization that is home to six distinct programs: the O'Neill Playwrights Conference, Music Theater Conference, Puppetry Conference, National Theater Institute, Critics Institute, and the Monte Cristo Cottage, O'Neill's childhood home located in neighboring New London. At The O'Neill, writers and directors, puppeteers and singers, students and audiences alike take their first steps in exploring, revising and understanding their work and the potential of the theater they help create. The O'Neill has established a distinguished reputation as the pre-eminent developmental laboratory for new works and new artists. Sharing the vision of founder George C. White, Amy's determination and leadership led to the creation of a new development conference for Cabaret and Performance, the initiation of an accredited National Theater Institute summer learning program, as well as the renovation and re-opening of the Monte Cristo Cottage. All of this accomplished in just 3 short years. In January of this year, Amy stepped down from her position at the O'Neill and just a few short months later, Connecticut's arts family lost one of its strongest and most beloved advocates. I was fortunate to have known Amy on a more personal level. I first met Amy when she worked with my mother, Luisa, at the St. Francis Home for Children in New Haven and, most recently, it was Amy who presented me with a very special award honoring Connecticut's ``uncommon women.'' Advocate, mentor, friend, mother, and wife, Amy was an extraordinary woman whose passion, commitment, and dedication touched the lives of many. She will not only be missed by those who knew her but by all of those, present and future, in the arts community she so loved. I extend my heart-felt sympathies to her husband, Bruce, her son, Dan, family, friends, and colleagues as they mourn the loss of Amy Sullivan and remember all that she gave to our community.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Title X of the Public Health Services Act reaches our most vulnerable populations and is a primary source of reproductive health services for low-income women, lowering the rate of unintended pregnancies, reducing the need for abortion, and decreasing infant mortality and morbidity. It is good public policy. For many women, Planned Parenthood is their only source of health care. In some States like Wisconsin, Utah, and my own Connecticut, Planned Parenthood is the only title X provider. It sees 65,000 patients a year in Connecticut and provides critical family-planning infrastructure in our State. This amendment would be devastating, especially for the thousands of women whose sole source of medical care is these clinics. This amendment plainly discriminates against the uninsured, leaving the most vulnerable in our society in the most helpless situation. If we truly do value, if we value, as we say we do, women's health, we cannot sabotage title X, we cannot strip Planned Parenthood of funding, and we cannot pass this amendment.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, better known as PDUFA, and to express my concern about the path this Congress took to reauthorize it for the next 5 years. As we all know, this is an important law affecting millions of Americans and their health every day. We have an obligation to examine it closely and debate it in great depth. Yet, by considering the bill under suspension, this Congress has neither explored nor understood its full ramifications. As we move ahead with PDUFA, this reauthorization clearly offers powerful reforms and poses still greater challenges. There is a lot to be proud of in the bill, adding new transparency, providing new resources to ensure the safety of the drugs and devices that we count on every day to fight disease and to stay healthy. To be sure, it is certainly stronger than the bill that passed on the Senate side, and that is a good thing. This bill expands the FDA's ability to monitor the safety of drugs and medical devices after they have been approved and marketed, and increasing by $225 million over 5 years the user fees the agency can use for post-market safety monitoring. The FDA would be required to revisit the drug several years later for further analysis. And for riskier drugs, there would be regulation limiting prescribing authority to trained physicians. In addition, by providing funds for the active analysis of large medical databases, this bill will also help us quickly detect drugs with major short and long-term safety problems. However, there are significant improvements we could have made to the bill if it were taken up under regular order and amendments were debated. This bill, for example, does not provide any mandatory recall authority for the FDA to immediately pull products off the shelves after they have been found to be dangerous. I do not need to remind my colleagues that many of the high-profile drugs recently taken off the market had to be removed voluntarily, and that was only after significant damage had already been done. So Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to look at this bill a little closer. You will get an idea of just how much influence the drug industry has on this Congress. Indeed, there were a number of very strong provisions in the original subcommittee draft bill that were unjustifiably weakened during the markup process. For instance, this bill creates a new risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for new drugs that would create specific requirements and criteria for each drug. Under the original draft, drug or device companies would have been subjected to a $20 million maximum fine for a single violation, and a $100 million maximum fine for several violations. These figures were reduced, however, to $250,000 and $1 million as the bill moved forward. As you know, this is mere pocket change for drug companies, and provides virtually no deterrent to companies that choose to ignore the new process. In addition, the original draft would have granted the FDA discretion to ban direct consumer advertising for a new drug for up to 3 years, yet this provision was weakened as well, making it completely voluntary, while giving the FDA zero authority to require changes. Worse still, if a drug company chooses to volunteer for the review system and pays a fee, it can run its advertisements regardless, rendering the system utterly useless. And finally, when it comes to addressing significant conflicts of interest at the FDA, the language here is actually weaker than what the FDA itself proposed earlier this year. The agency, in fact, would have prevented any Members with conflicts of interest from voting on an advisory panel, and would have prevented any Member with more than $5,000 worth of investments from even serving on the panel. This bill, however, allows the FDA to grant waivers overriding its already lenient current conflict-of-interest rules. Today the pharmaceutical industry argues that interaction between drug companies and doctors who serve on these advisory committees are beneficial. Well, we know it is beneficial to the drug companies. It is time to end the influence drug companies have in our doctors' offices and at the FDA. By providing additional resources and boosting the FDA's post-market surveillance activity, this bill takes us in the right direction. But we got here the wrong way, under suspension of the rules. As a result, with no debate and no amendments, the final legislation serves the American people poorly. It is no surprise that drug companies are always working to improve their bottom line. They are big businesses with stockholders to please. But we have an even bigger responsibility to meet. We have a tremendous obligation to protect the public health and to ensure a safe America for everyone.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to join the community of my hometown, New Haven, Connecticut, as friends, colleagues, and community leaders gather to celebrate a remarkable milestone--the 100th anniversary of the New Haven County Bar Association. Founded in the late 18th century and incorporated in 1907, this organization serves as the professional association for judges, attorneys, and legal paraprofessionals throughout the greater New Haven area. As one can see from the historical exhibition currently on display at the New Haven Museum and Historical Society, the legal community has long played a unique and integral role in the rich history of New Haven. From the earliest days of the colony and the Amistad case in the 1840s through the Black Panther trial in the 1970s and Connecticut v. Griswold in 1965, New Haven attorneys and judges have been at the center of legal decisions which have helped to define our Nation. Beyond those cases which garnered national attention, the exhibit also reminds us of the many local lawyers who had a significant impact on the character of our community. Theophilus Eaton wrote the laws of the New Haven Colony in the 1600s, Joseph Sheldon actively hired African- American law students in the 1880s and was influential in the development of the American Red Cross, George Dudley Seymour who was known for his dedication to civic duty in the 1900s, and Mary Manchester in 1938 was the first woman to be named a law partner in Connecticut. Today, the New Haven County Bar Association is more than simply a professional association. It supports its members in many ways, including continuing legal education programs, new attorney mentoring opportunities, annual social events and working to foster relations between its members and the courts. The Bar Association is also the sponsor of the New Haven County Lawyer Referral Service--a not-for- profit public service that, for more than 50 years, has referred members of the public to private attorneys experienced in the appropriate field of law. The Bar Association also works closely with its charitable arm, the New Haven County Bar Foundation, Inc., which provides charitable outreach and educational programming. As members gather this evening in celebration of the New Haven County Bar Association's 100th anniversary, we pay tribute to the many invaluable contributions the legal minds of our community have made locally, statewide, and nationally--but most importantly for the countless hours of hard work they do every day for their clients. While New Haven certainly has had its share of compelling legal cases which have caught the public's attention, more often than not, our lawyers, judges, and legal paraprofessionals are working on cases which--while they may not make national headlines--have a real impact on the lives of those they are representing. For the outstanding work they do every day and for the many contributions they make to our community, I am honored to stand today to extend my sincere congratulations to the New Haven County Bar Association and its membership as they celebrate their centennial anniversary.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the amendment and I thank my colleague from Massachusetts for offering it. By prohibiting any funding in this bill from being used for the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly the infamous U.S. Army School of the Americas located at Fort Benning, Georgia, we can stand up for human rights, we can honor our principles and send a strong message to the world. The School of the Americas has been associated with human rights abuses, with many of its students linked to Latin American coups and vicious death squads. In 1989, graduates from the school killed six Jesuit priests, a housekeeper and her daughter in El Salvador. And today they have a new name, but they have not changed the school's old patterns of abuse and conflict. The institute continues admitting and graduating known human rights abusers. Yes, Colonel Francisco del Cid Diaz, for example, who commanded a unit responsible for a notorious massacre of indigenous people in El Salvador in 1983, then attended the institute on our own soil as recently as 2003. And there are others just like him. It is clear that the institute continually fails not only to fully investigate the prior history of its students but also to track their activity after graduation. That is why nations like Costa Rica, Argentina and Uruguay have terminated their relationship with the institute. It is clear neither those nations nor this one have anything to gain by supporting an institution with such a marred, violent history. One hundred sixty-seven U.S. Catholic bishops agree. They have written Congress in support of this amendment and called for the institute's closure, recognizing that many of its graduates have consistently targeted Catholic clergy and lay workers across Latin America. As a Congresswoman, a Catholic and an American, I believe every action that we take sends the whole world a clear message about our priorities and values as a Nation. I urge my colleagues to support the McGovern amendment, make it clear we are serious about human rights and that the United States of America does not train murderers or killers and that we take the loss of human life seriously.

Ms. DeLAURO. Chairwoman Lowey has made it perfectly clear her intent to allow only for the provision of donated contraceptives. Some of our colleagues have expressed concerns that the language, as currently written, could be interpreted more broadly than intended. Therefore, Chairwoman Lowey is offering this amendment to clarify this provision. This amendment is crystal clear, my friends. It would only allow nongovernmental organizations to receive U.S. donated contraceptives, not funds, for distribution to millions of men and women in desperate need of these products. Mr. Chairman, we cannot reduce abortions without contraception. That is a fact. Contraception is about prevention. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to talk about prevention, that is the focus of this amendment. And let me just say this to all of my colleagues; for those in this body who proclaim to want to protect lives and to save lives and that is your mission, you have but one choice in this debate, and that is to support the Lowey amendment.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment. We have 28 million people living within 50 miles of the Long Island Sound. It contributes more than $5 billion to our economy annually. It provides environmental, recreational, and economic opportunity for our communities. It is an estuary designated by Congress for its national significance. Our responsibility is to keep major and potentially dangerous industrial product out of our fragile sound. That includes the LNG Broadwater facility. This would install a floating vessel, roughly the size of Queen Mary 2, 10.2 miles off the Connecticut coast, 9 miles off the Long Island coast. It calls for the installation of a 25-mile pipeline in the middle of prime territory for lobstering and fishing. It creates an exclusionary zone, prohibits any vessels from coming within a certain distance of the facility itself and delivery tankers. It would fall to the Coast Guard to maintain our security. Their funds are stretched thin. Instead of being able to manage fisheries, conducting lifesaving operations, and dealing with port security, we will be diverting resources to these tankers. It would propose a new security risk. I commend Mr. Bishop and my colleague, Mr. Courtney. This amendment gives DOE the time to address these concerns.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of every working woman who faces pay discrimination in the workforce and call on the House to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. Last week, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to limit the ability of women and other employees to sue their employers for pay discrimination under title VII. The court decided that a victim of pay disparity should be able to document a discriminatory difference in pay within a mere 6 months, despite the typical office secrecy over income. The Supreme Court is essentially rolling back efforts to ensure equal pay. When women still earn only 77 percent of what men earn, this ruling leaves these individuals with no recourse or remedy. The Paycheck Fairness Act will help women confront discrimination in the workplace and give teeth to the Equal Pay Act by prohibiting employers from retaliating against employees who share salary information with their co-workers; allowing women to sue for punitive damages and recovery of back pay; and create a new program to help strengthen the negotiation skills of girls and women. Mr. Speaker, next Sunday, we commemorate 44 years since John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act and still equal pay is not a fact of life for American women. It is time to value the work that women do in our society. Let's pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the many family, friends, and community leaders who have gathered to pay tribute to one of New Haven's most outstanding religious leaders and one of my friends, Reverend Frederick ``Jerry'' Streets. There is no doubt that Reverend Streets has touched the lives of many in the Yale community and beyond. Though he will be missed, the legacy he leaves will continue to inspire others for years to come. Today marks the end of an era as we bid farewell to a real community treasure. Reverend Streets, the first African-American and Baptist to hold the position of University chaplain, will conclude 15 years of service to Yale since being appointed to this position in 1992. Under the University's term limit rules for chaplaincy, he must now pass on his legacy to a newly appointed chaplain. Reverend Streets' commitment to service through religious leadership has been unwavering and his involvement, not only with his chaplaincy and pastoral duties at Yale, but with his congregation at University Church, has been essential to its spiritual growth and prosperity. He expanded the multi-faith dialogue at Yale and had a deep sense of his social responsibility to the surrounding residents of the New Haven community. During his tenure, Reverend Streets did spear-head a rapid growth of religious diversity within the student population. His natural gravitation toward tolerance for all ethnicities and religious freedoms began as a boy growing up on the South Side of Chicago. Here, amid much diversity, he learned the need for acceptance of others which shaped his character and influenced his professional life. Perhaps best known for his development of Yale's undergraduate multi-faith council--a group with faiths ranging from Protestant to Baha'i--he promoted discussions between students of different faiths and helped other chaplains to grasp an understanding of a diverse student population. In addition to his work in our community, Reverend Streets has represented Yale across the globe by lecturing or presenting workshops on issues of global justice and mental health. He has traveled worldwide to places such as Bosnia, Cuba, and West Africa, and served as a delegate to the first global conference of religious leaders to convene at the United Nations. As a spiritual guide, he has nourished the souls of many--often providing much needed comfort in the hardest of personal trials. It was evident through his work that he had a strong devotion and compassion to helping many Yale students restore their faith and bring a sense of balance back to their lives. There is no better example of living faith with commitment and dignity. He will be sorely missed and we cannot thank him enough. It is with great pride that I stand today to join his wife Annette, his children, family, friends, and the Yale community to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to Reverend Jerry Streets for all of the good work he has done. May God bless him and keep him well as he continues in his mission of peace, compassion, hope and tolerance.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am proud that we have come together and finally agree on a fiscally responsible budget. And I am proud of the work that we have done to address our most urgent priorities as a Congress and as a Nation. Last year, the previous majority failed to pass a budget and in the process left us without the framework to pass critical appropriations bills. In 1998, 2002, 2004, we also went without a budget resolution. We have to do better, and that begins today. We have a responsibility in this Congress to do our jobs and to put our Nation back on track. At last we are beginning to get our House in order with a real commitment to spend our tax dollars wisely and with fiscal responsibility, finally honoring our long-standing commitments and making a modest investment in our future. By balancing our budget and even providing for a slight $41 billion surplus by the year 2012 without raising taxes, this plan reflects our priorities and takes our Nation in a new direction. Today we have a budget that makes an investment in children and families for the first time in 6 years. We have a budget that expands SCHIP, the hugely successful children's health insurance program to give kids without coverage the attention and care that they need. We have a budget that ensures new resources for No Child Left Behind to make student achievement a reality, and a new commitment for Pell Grants to make college education more affordable. We have a budget that honors our veterans with the resources our VA facilities need to handle increased patient load, and provide the care our servicemembers deserve. We face great challenges, challenges that the Federal Government has the ability, the capacity, the resources and the moral obligation to help us meet. Let us embrace that obligation, create real opportunity today, and give people the tools they need to grow and to thrive tomorrow.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and so I missed rollcall vote No. 328 regarding ``Holding a Secret Session.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``no''.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I rise today to honor and pay tribute to a dear friend and outstanding community member, Dr. Alida Dietrich Begina, who was taken from us all too soon in late April of this year after losing her battle with breast cancer. As a wife, mother, educator, administrator, colleague and friend, Alida gave so much of herself to others and has left an indelible mark on the lives of all of those she touched. Alida's dedication to education--at every level--was unparalleled. She began her career as an English, Latin, and Spanish teacher in several school systems eventually working her way to administrative positions. She worked in both public school systems as well as alternative education systems, even spending 2 years as an Instructor in English as a Second Language at Indiana Central University in Nicosia, Cyprus. She would end her career as the Superintendent of Hamden Public Schools where she was respected and loved by students, faculty and community members alike. In the 12 years she served in this position, Alida worked diligently to provide Hamden's students with access to the best possible education on which to build their future success. She was a reflection of all that we hope our education leaders will be. Through all of her efforts Alida became one of the most highly regarded administrators in the State, In addition to serving as the Superintendent for the Hamden Public School system, she served as an adjunct professor at both Sacred Heart University and Southern Connecticut State University, where she taught graduate courses for obtaining superintendents' certification as well as curriculum development and theories of learning for administrator certification. Alida was often looked to by professionals and public policy makers for input--the myriad of honors, awards, and commendations that she earned throughout her career are a testimony to her distinguished reputation as a leader in public education. Perhaps most telling was her selection as the only superintendent in Connecticut to design and write the revised version of the Connecticut Administrator Test that is used for certification of administrators. Indeed, I and my staff often called upon Alida's vast knowledge and experience when faced with challenging choices in public policy concerning education. The loss of her expertise and unique perspective on public education and its impact on our young people will certainly be missed by many. One of her most invaluable contributions and lasting legacies is her work to establish the Hamden Education Foundation--a non-profit organization that, since its inception, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars which has been used to fund innovative student programs and scholarships. In addition to several annual scholarships, funds are used for such programs as the purchase of library books and periodicals for all Hamden public schools as well as mini-grants aimed at encouraging teachers and other certified staff to implement exciting and often long-cherished ideas. The Foundation looks to the community to raise the funds it uses--creating a special bond between the community and its young people. I have no doubt that the Hamden Education Foundation and Alida's vision in which it was created will continue to enrich the lives and education of Hamden students for many years to come. Dr. Alida Dietrich Begina will long be remembered for her many invaluable contributions to education, both locally and state-wide. She was a mentor to so many--most notably her two loving daughters, Lauren and Courtney. I stand today to offer my sincerest condolences to her husband, Bill; her daughter, Lauren and her husband Ryan; her daughter Courtney and her husband Daniel; as well as her beloved grandson, Jackson--the inspiration for her two children's books published shortly before her passing. Mere words cannot express the sorrow we all feel at the loss of such an extraordinary woman.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today to extend my sincere congratulations to Bridges . . . A Community Support System, Inc., of Milford, Connecticut, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. This is a remarkable milestone for this outstanding organization dedicated to providing support and mental health services to those in need. Originally founded in 1957 as the Milford Family Counseling Association, the organization's mission initially focused on addressing the mental health needs of children in the Milford community. The organization expanded and so did its scope of services--including adult psychiatric services, drug and alcohol prevention services and opening its doors to the neighboring communities of Orange and West Haven. As the needs of our communities and its residents changed, so did the agency as well as its name. Designated in the 1990s by the State of Connecticut as the Local Mental Health Authority, the organization made its final name change in 1999 to Bridges . . . A Community Support System to better reflect its purpose and mission. Today, Bridges, working with local agencies and organizations, is able to provide a multitude of programs to those most in need. From individual counseling to bereavement support; teenage drug and alcohol prevention to vocational and social rehabilitation services, Bridges and its dedicated staff have continually identified the changing needs of our community. The partnerships they have established allow them to provide comprehensive services to their clients--making a real difference in the lives of thousands of children and families. In building upon the vision first established with the Milford Family Counseling Association, Bridges has been able to provide those coping with the challenges of mental illnesses with one of life's most precious gifts--hope. Through its gift of hope, Bridges has left an indelible mark on our community and the thousands of lives they have touched. In its 50 year history, Bridges has established itself as an invaluable resource as well as respected advocates--not only for their clients, but community leaders and policy-makers alike. Today, Bridges is continuing its legacy of helping people live more fulfilling and productive lives by providing clients with ``Pathways to Health, Hope, and Recovery.'' For its many invaluable contributions to our community and for all of their work on behalf of our children and families, I am proud to stand today and extend my sincere congratulations to the Bridges . . . A Community Support System on their 50th anniversary.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of beginning the process to redeploy our troops in the coming months. I first began calling for troop redeployment early last year when-- despite the removal of Saddam Hussein, significant training of Iraqi police and army units, and the opening for a potential democracy in the Middle East--it became clear, it was time for a new direction in Iraq. I called for our troops to be redeployed within the year as it had become all too evident that they would be caught in the middle of escalating sectarian violence if they stayed. I urged the administration to adopt the recommendations of the Iraq study group to get the most stable result, but the administration rejected that advice and escalated the war. Yet today, as violence in Iraq has only gotten worse with the number of U.S. dead and wounded continuing to grow and countless numbers of Iraqis dying in what has become a full blown civil war, this Administration tries to impose a military solution that cannot work. The escalation, which this administration now says will last until next spring, is simply the wrong way to go. Let us serve our men and women fighting overseas and recognize their sacrifices by charting a new course in Iraq. Over the coming months, we must begin a responsible withdrawal of our troops. Only by moving forward with a redeployment of our troops can we provide the teeth necessary to force the Bush Administration and the Iraqi government to implement the benchmarks they set themselves, including de- bathification, minority rights, and sharing oil revenue. I fully support funding for our troops as we scale down our operations in Iraq. I also believe the United States must stay engaged, leaving a limited number of forces to hunt down Al Qaeda and other terrorist operatives, help train Iraqi forces, and maintain a presence in neighboring countries. It is just as important for this administration to start getting serious about a diplomatic offensive. I believe it must work harder in coordination with Iraq's neighbors and other leading countries to help the Iraqis settle their political differences and provide support for the reconstruction efforts. By bringing the vast majority of our troops home in the coming months we will show both the Iraqis and the world that we are serious, that we believe the military mission is done, and that it is time for the Iraqis to take accountability for their country. Mr. Speaker, by voting to redeploy in the coming months, I vote for accountability in Iraq. We can delay no longer. As a Congress we have a responsibility to support the troops, to honor our commitment to veterans, hold the Iraqi government accountable, and continue to press the President to change course and end this war. I have made this clear before, and I will repeat it again here, today. Too many lives are at stake: I have crossed the Rubicon on this war. Yet the President has chosen another path. While the American people continue to throw their hands in the air, this administration continues to ignore the painful consequences of its disastrous strategy. With his own veto last week, the President made clear his strategy will not change--unless we do something about it, here today. We all know our troops will do anything their country asks--but let us not ask them to sacrifice everything for the wrong mission. We have a responsibility to get it right.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the The Improving Head Start Act of 2007. For 40 years, Head Start has provided comprehensive child development, literacy, and family services to more than 20 million pre-schoolers from low-income and working poor families. It is unquestionably the most effective early childhood development program ever developed. Head Start graduates are less likely to need special education services, to be left back a grade or to get into trouble with the law. They are more likely to go on to college and to have professional careers. At a time when there is an overwhelming need in our country for quality, affordable early childhood education, we can all understand how powerful this legislation could be. I hope we can all understand our shared obligation today--not only to maintain this incredibly effective program, but to help it reach more children in need. As time goes by, we continue to learn more and more about the development of young children--their language development, their social-emotional development, even their brain development--and it all points to the fact that quality education and early engagement, from both parents and teachers, are essential for our kids' success. That is why this legislation is so important. It will increase funding for Head Start teacher and staff salaries and professional development, strengthening training and technical assistance. And it will re-evaluate and update Head Start's current standards and assessments based on the best science. We are going to increase accountability by devising a new system of application review that assesses program quality and leads to re- competition of low-quality centers. We are going to boost cooperation between Head Start and state and local child care programs to increase full-day and full-year services. And we are going to allow programs to convert portions of their grant for use for Early Head Start, which serves children under three years old. Ultimately, though, this legislation is about expanding access to Head Start for more than 10,000 additional children. Ten thousand more children who will be given the tools to perform significantly better on a range of cognitive, language, and social-emotional development measures. Ten thousand children for whom, studies show, there will be a higher degree of parental involvement in the home and at school. Ten thousand children with a real opportunity to thrive and succeed over the course of their entire lives. I want to commend and thank Congressmen Kildee, Castle, and Chairman Miller for their leadership on this critical legislation. Head Start is a strong and effective program. The growth and success of millions of American children and families is living proof. We have a responsibility to embrace their success, support it, and strengthen it for years to come.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth Sandlin).