Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I rise in strong opposition to this legislation, which would remove consideration of inflation from congressional budget baselines. Instead of beginning this year by putting forward legislation to create jobs, spur growth, and address the economic challenges that we face, the majority is trying, yet again, to achieve their ideological goals, this time by playing an accounting trick on the American people. At its heart, this bill is a backdoor attempt to enact the same radical cuts the majority attempted last year and to further reduce the spending caps agreed to in last August's Budget Control Act. By eliminating inflation from our official budget considerations, this bill represents a freeze on all discretionary programs that, over time, would become a devastating cut to critical programs. Within 10 years, all discretionary programs would see their funding slashed by as much as 20 percent. Among the priorities that would be gutted are scientific and medical research, financial aid for college students, assistance to elementary and secondary education, and investments in water and sewer systems. No discretionary program would be spared the axe. Disaster assistance, food safety, medical care for veterans, meals on wheels, community health centers, support for law enforcement and nutrition programs, all of these across the board would be slashed by leaving inflation out of the budget equation, and millions of middle class families would be harmed. Why don't we index tax brackets? This dangerous cut aside, this legislation makes no sense from an accounting standpoint. Why don't we all put our heads in the sand, this bill argues, and just pretend that inflation does not exist? Now isn't that foolish? Then we can just pretend to be fulfilling our responsibilities to the American people. Closing our eyes to inflation is not a solution. This is not a serious bill. It does nothing to cut the deficit. Do you want to try to cut the deficit? Let's look at the tax cuts for the oil and gas industry. Let's look at ending the subsidies to those multinational corporations that take their jobs overseas. Do you want to do something about the deficit? Then let's cut the Bush tax cuts for the richest 1 percent of the people in this Nation. This does nothing to cut the deficit. And like every other initiative from this majority, it does nothing to address the top priority of the American people, and that is jobs, growing the economy, and investing in the economy to put us on a glide path to economic sustainability in the future. I urge my colleagues to oppose it.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I rise in strong opposition to the repeal of the CLASS Act. We are at another start of another session of the Congress, and this majority is following the same playbook as last year. The American people are waiting for this institution to do something--anything--to create jobs and restore our economic prosperity instead of putting forward ideological bills that have nothing to do with jobs and that are intended to roll back health care and senior care in America. Right now, less than 10 percent of Americans over 50 have long-term health care insurance, even though a large percentage of individuals will need long-term care services at some point. Some studies indicate that up to two-thirds of Americans that live beyond 65 will need long-term care. The CLASS Act, a bipartisan addition to the 2010 health reform, seeks to help provide access to quality, affordable insurance for long-term care. The program must be actuarially sound and legally solid. Why would we repeal this bill? It is time for the majority to stop playing games and to get serious about fixing the economy. America needs more jobs, not less health care. I urge my colleagues to stand up for seniors and oppose this repeal.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I thank the ranking member. And I want to say a thank you to my colleague, Congressman Dicks, and to the chairman, Mr. Rogers, also to the staff, both majority and minority, for their tireless work in this effort, including David Pomeranz, Steve Crane, David Reich, Lisa Molyneux and Letty Mederos, Susan Frost as well. They did unbelievable work in this effort. I rise in support of this budget for FY2012. It funds the government at a level consistent with the Budget Control Act without many of the damaging and extraneous ideological riders that marked earlier efforts. Make no mistake, there are real cuts here, including hard cuts to vital programs like the LIHEAP program, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Still, I believe this legislation has been improved. In terms of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, the agreement restores $2.9 billion in cuts made in the chairman's draft. These restorations are key investments in job creation, education, and the health and well-being of families that will lead us to recovery. We know, especially as over 13 million of our fellow Americans look for work, that investments in human capital like job training and reemployment services are part of the core, essential role for government. They help responsible people succeed. And I am pleased that this agreement restores the 74 percent cut to job training programs that was proposed in the original chairman's bill, which was never considered before the committee. Health care is no longer shortchanged. With an aging population and a nursing shortage before us, we need to make wise investments in our health workforce. The programs that help to train primary care doctors, nurses, and other health providers, cut by 61 percent in the majority's draft, are now only cut by 6 percent. Funding for vital mental health services, once cut by 17 percent, are now only cut by 3 percent. And this agreement retains key investments in the Affordable Care Act implementation and in title X. I'm glad to see the National Institutes of Health receive a funding increase of $299 million; and a new National Center for Advancing Translational Science, as proposed by Director Francis Collins, is established. NIH can now keep funding life-saving research and pushing the frontiers of medical knowledge. Perhaps no other investments we make are as important as the ones we make in our children. This agreement includes a $16 million increase for the Childcare and Development Block Grant, providing desperately needed aid to working parents for safe and reliable child care. It provides a $424 million increase for Head Start, allowing our kids to continue a path to academic success. It includes a $60 million increase to title I, supporting schools serving low-income children, and a $100 million increase to IDEA, supporting children with special needs. One of the hardest issues for this conference has been Pell Grants. The agreement maintains the maximum grant amount of $5,550. For too many students I have met, even a $100 cut would have derailed their prospects for higher education. At the same time, we have made some targeted cost-saving changes to the program that should eliminate the funding shortfall for this year and perhaps next year as well. I am pleased to see that the virtual elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service proposed in the majority's draft has been rolled back. Instead of ending AmeriCorps, it will continue. I intend to support this conference agreement and would encourage others to do so as well.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the members of the Central Labor Council of New Haven, Connecticut as they raise a toast and salute a very special member of Connecticut's labor movement, and my dear friend, Nicholas Aiello. One of the first organizers in the City of New Haven, Nick has long been a strong voice on behalf of working families and is known to many as one of the architects of Connecticut's labor movement. One of fourteen children, all of whom were garment workers in New Haven's shirt factories, Nick was no stranger to hard work, low pay, and less than ideal working conditions. As Nick recounts in Anthony Riccio's The Italian Experience in New Haven: Images and Oral Histories, ``When New York got completely organized, the `runaway shops' came to New Haven. They ran to New Haven where there were no union shops. And they would open up a storefront. They'd put twenty, thirty machines on the fourth floor and most of the stitching plants were on the fourth floor with no elevator. Conditions were horrible . . . Then in the 1930s came the Amalgamated and they started organizing drives in the area.'' It was with Amalgamated that Nick began as an organizer, taking to the streets of New Haven, rallying workers, and demanding better from industry management. He would go on to become a business agent for Amalgamated and still today remains involved with the Central Labor Council of New Haven. Nick is a pillar of Connecticut's labor movement and has earned the respect and admiration of labor and community leaders alike. Much has changed from Nick's days in the factories, however, he wanted to make sure that future generations understood the battles that were undertaken to ensure the rights of America's workers. A few years ago, Nick spearheaded the Greater New Haven Labor History Project--an organization whose mission was to collect, preserve, and share the history of working people in the Greater New Haven Area. Nick was determined to see this project succeed and, like in his early organizing days, went door to door to garner support. The response was extraordinary and today its members and staff create traveling exhibits and install them in community venues; preserve and maintain an archival repository of individuals' papers and local union records, documents and artifacts of historical significance; organize public events such as workshops, walking tours, book-signings, film festivals, and talks by esteemed labor historians; offer Records Inventory Services and access by appointment to many of their historical archives; as well as conduct projects such as oral history interviews with retired workers. In addition, the group also presents the August Lewis Troup Award annually to individuals in recognition of their personal contributions to the labor community. None of this would have been possible without Nick's persistence and unyielding determination to see it become a reality and he continues in his efforts by serving as the President of the Greater New Haven Labor History Project Association. I would be remiss if I did not extend a personal note of thanks to Nick for his many years of friendship and support. He has been in my corner from the very beginning and even today he still volunteers some of his time in my District Office. I could not be more appreciative of all of his good work on my behalf. For his many contributions to our community and particularly for his invaluable efforts with the Connecticut labor movement, I am proud to join the members of the Central Labor Council of New Haven in extending my heartfelt thanks to Nicholas Aiello. I extend my very best wishes to Nick and his son, Michael, for many more years of health and happiness.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, at a recent horse sale in Kentucky, Breeder's Cup winner Royal Delta sold for $8.5 million as part of the sale of the late Saudi Prince Saud bin Khaled's farm. Three of the Saudi's other horses also sold for seven figures. A total of 22 horses were sold that day for $1 million or more, compared with only eight sold in 2010. Every millionaire who purchased these horses benefited from a Republican-sponsored taxpayer subsidy written into the last 2008 farm bill. It allows them to recover the cost of the horse. Even as they call for more budget cuts, Republicans used that bill to transfer wealth--nearly $500 million--from the pockets of ordinary taxpayers to the coffers of wealthy racing interests. This is just one example of how Republicans will go to absurd lengths to support the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans while turning their backs on the middle class and working families. Now they refuse to take up a payroll tax cut extension and expansion that would mean $1,500 for 160 million people while they protect the tax breaks for 350,000 millionaires. They refuse to extend unemployment insurance to save 200,000 jobs. Our Nation deserves better leadership than this. Republicans need to stop giving out handouts to millionaire racing horse owners and start addressing the needs of the vast majority of American families.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer a motion that would exempt country of origin labeling from the regulations affected by this legislation. This is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill it or send it back to committee. Instead, we will move to final passage on the bill, as amended. We have had a heated debate over this act. I have very strong concerns about it. But however one feels about the legislation before us, we should all be able to agree on fundamental principles. First, that it is the responsibility of this institution and of government to see that the health and the safety of American families are protected. This includes protecting Americans from unsafe and contaminated food. And, second, the consumer should be able to know where the food and products they buy come from so that they can make informed decisions about their purchases, as they should be able to in a free market. That is what country of origin labeling does, and it is why my final amendment simply exempts country of origin labeling from the underlying bill before us. It gives us an opportunity to come together in a bipartisan way to protect the health and safety of our constituents and to give the American public the information they need and clearly want to make informed decisions for their families. More than 40 other countries we trade with have a country of origin labeling system in place, and the majority of American consumers continue to support country of origin labeling. We know that food-borne illnesses are a major public health threat. They account for roughly 48 million illnesses, 100,000 hospitalizations and over 3,000 deaths in this country every year. Every year one in every six Americans become sick from the food that they eat. Our youngest and oldest Americans are the most vulnerable to these illnesses, and right now roughly 80 percent of the seafood and 60 percent of the fruits and vegetables consumed in the United States have been produced outside our borders. Amid all this imported food, our ability to ensure that food products are safe and not contaminated is dwindling. The FDA inspects less than 2 percent of the imported food in its jurisdiction. Yet, 70 percent of the apple juice we drink was produced in China, roughly 90 percent of the shrimp that we eat was produced outside of the United States. Across this 2 percent, the FDA finds a frighteningly large number of shipments with dangerous food safety violations, including the presence of pathogens and chemical contamination. Families should be able to know where their food is coming from. Just this morning, a Japanese food producer announced the recall of 400,000 cans of infant formula after traces of radioactive cesium were found in the company's milk powder. And after the Fukushima disaster earlier this year, Americans were concerned about the safety of seafood imports. I do not want to single out any one country. Sadly, food-borne disease outbreaks are frighteningly normal, both here and abroad. We recently experienced a listeria outbreak in cantaloupes which sickened at least 139 people and killed 29 more. Germany saw an E. coli crisis this summer that killed dozens and sickened thousands. In 2010, we saw a salmonella outbreak in crushed pepper that sickened 272 people, and another salmonella outbreak that resulted in the recall of over half a billion eggs and almost 2,000 Americans becoming ill. Country of origin labeling does not lead to American job losses or bankrupt the food industry; it simply lets consumers know where their food comes from. That is particularly important in this economy, when not only food inspectors, but food producers are stretched thin. Consumers should be able to know when they are buying foods that were grown, raised, or produced right here in America. They have the right to know where their food was produced and to make their own choices about the food that they buy. In the past, there has been a bipartisan consensus that country-of- origin labeling is a good idea, that it keeps families safe, and that it supports American farmers. In fact, the chairman, my counterpart on the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Rehberg of Montana, has been a leader in ensuring strong country-of- origin labeling. We should continue that bipartisan commitment today. Exempt country-of-origin labeling from the REINS Act. I urge my colleagues to stand up for public health, consumers' right to know, and American businesses. Support this final amendment.

Ms. DeLAURO. I am opposed in its current form.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, while this body wastes its time debating yet another bill that does nothing to create jobs or help the middle class, the American people are looking for action from us. We need to stop supporting handouts for wealthy corporations and pass an extension of the payroll tax and unemployment benefits immediately. Despite saying for months, if not years, that tax cuts are their most important priority, the majority has failed to act on a critical extension of the payroll tax, even though it would save the average American family $1,500 a year; 400,000 jobs will be lost if we do not pass this payroll tax extension. The majority has also failed to act on extending unemployment insurance benefits, even though UI has kept 900,000 kids out of poverty last year. In fact, the number of Americans in poverty would have doubled last year if the unemployment insurance benefits had not been extended. And at least 200,000 jobs will be lost if the majority blocks an extension of benefits. But instead of acting on these two important priorities, what does the Republican majority spend its time on? We have seen them protect wasteful tax breaks for corporate jet and race horse owners, corporate subsidies for Big Agriculture, Big Oil, special tax treatment for Wall Street millionaires and billionaires, and now this misguided bill, which would undermine our regulatory system to the detriment of everything from food safety to protecting the environment without doing anything to create jobs. Time and again, the majority has shown that they will go to any lengths to side with the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans, while turning their backs on middle class and working families. To take one more example, this past week Democrats introduced a payroll tax cut for 160 million people, offset by raising taxes on 350,000 millionaires. But the Republican majority instead put forward a package that would slash the Federal workforce, raise Medicare premiums, curtail the social safety nets. Instead of just having America's wealthiest families pay their fair share of taxes, the majority would rather see more lost public jobs and less support for middle class families, all in order to continue a tax cut that independent economists agree is critical for our economy. Keep in mind the Republican mantra in recent memory has always been that tax cuts never, never need to be offset. And a year ago they said the same of a payroll tax cut. They've now changed their tune. American families deserve better leadership than this. Right now, Congress should be doing everything in its power to create jobs, rebuild our schools and infrastructure, support our small businesses, get our economy moving again. That means passing an extension and expansion of the payroll tax cut; that means passing an extension of the unemployment insurance benefits. Working to create jobs, that's our job. We do not have the luxury to waste America's time catering to the wealthiest interests in our society and considering ill-conceived bills such as this one.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, this legislation will delay workers' attempts to unionize and will deny Americans their fundamental right to bargain collectively. In the next 3 weeks, we have jobs legislation to consider, middle class tax cuts and unemployment benefits to extend, a 2012 budget to pass. The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations Subcommittee has not even seen a bill yet; and yet just as they have all year long, the majority has chosen to waste precious time--time that we should be spending on the people's business--to continue their misguided war against workers' rights. Once again, the majority has put forward a bill that has no other purpose than to roll back hard-won gains by American workers and erode the right of collective bargaining in this country. The legislation before us attempts to deny the right to form a union by imposing excessive delays on the process, stifling the flow of information to workers, and looking the other way while workers' rights are being violated. How long is this majority going to persist in this wrong-headed crusade against hardworking American men and women, the same hardworking men and women who built the middle class of this Nation? Last month the CBO found that wages have stagnated in this country and median income has fallen in recent times, even as the income of the top 1 percent has tripled. It is no coincidence that this has happened while union membership has decreased. But the majority persists in trying to squeeze middle class workers and accelerate this race to the bottom. This is not the American way, and it is not what the American people want. In Ohio last month, they rejected yet another Republican attempt to eviscerate the right to collective bargaining. It is time to stop these attacks on basic American rights. It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work on creating jobs, reducing the deficit, and restoring economic growth to this Nation. Say ``no'' to this legislation.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join all of those who have gathered to extend my sincere congratulations to my dear friend, Andrew Esposito, as he celebrates his retirement after more than four decades with Ironworkers Local 424. Andy's contributions to his union, his brothers and sisters of the labor movement, as well as his community have left an indelible mark that will not soon be matched. The son of Italian immigrant parents--the second youngest of ten children at the end of the depression era--Andy learned early on that hard work and natural talents garnered success. Throughout his childhood, Andy was drawn to athletics and the skills he honed in the local parks and recreation centers made him a formidable player by the time he joined his high school team. He played three sports and captained the noted 1955-56 basketball team to a winning season, a feat which is still spoken of today. Andy's love for sports has been a lifelong passion. After his own playing days ended, he did the next best thing--he coached and refereed. Andy became an official with the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, IAABO, and refereed both high school and college ball throughout Greater New Haven. His dedication was recognized with a multitude of awards and commendations including the Outstanding Basketball Official of the Year as well election into the Hall of Fame. While living in East Haven, Connecticut, Andy coached bitty basketball and was one of the founders of the town's midget football league. Andy also volunteered to coach the first wheelchair basketball team in Connecticut, the Spokebenders; a team that has since gone on to attain national recognition for their abilities on the court. In addition to coaching and refereeing, he served 25 years as Chairman of the John P. Criscuolo Memorial Scholarship Awards dinner, a benefit to raise funds for high school scholar athletes in Greater New Haven. These are only a few examples of the innumerable ways Andy volunteered on behalf of his community and how his generosity and kind heart has touched the lives of others. After serving honorably in the United States Army and marrying his high-school sweetheart, Andy spent several years searching for work for which he had a passion. In the late 1960's he found work with Ironworkers Local 424 and his life would forever be changed. Though he would choose no other for his life's work, Andy's many years of ironworking were long and hard. In 1994, his dedication and contributions to Local 424 were recognized with his election to the position of President/Business Agent. He served in this position until 2000 when he was elected Business Manager/Financial Secretary/ Treasurer. During his tenure he also served as Labor Co-Chair of Ironworkers Local 15 & 424 Annuity, Health & Welfare & Pension Funds, as well as President of the New Haven Building Trades. From his beginnings to today, his commitment to unions, fairness, and justice for men and women in the workplace has never wavered. I have known Andy for many years and I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank him for his constant friendship and support. I consider myself fortunate to call him my friend. Throughout his life, Andy has demonstrated a unique commitment to his work and his community. He has made Greater New Haven a better place to live, work, and grow. I am proud to join his wife, Marie, their sons, Mark and Gary, as well as daughter-in-law, Karen, and their grandchildren, Gary and Danny as well as all of the family, friends, and colleagues in congratulating Andrew Esposito on his retirement and wishing him all the best for many more years of health and happiness.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to rise today to pay tribute to a very special community group, the Amity Club, as the membership gathers to celebrate its 75th Anniversary--a remarkable milestone for this outstanding organization. During the first part of the 20th century, New Haven, Connecticut was home to the largest per capita population of Italians, constituting almost half the population of the entire city. At this time, Italian immigrants established strong roots in New Haven, working hard and raising large families. Most of these immigrants came to the United States with only a rudimentary primary school education, yet they had much higher dreams for their own children. They understood that education was the cornerstone of success and it was one of their central reasons for immigrating to the United States. It was from this same commitment to education and success that the Amity Club was established. In the early 1930s, Frank Rubino, an architect who had become a leading building contractor and real estate developer in New Haven, was an active member of the Kiwanis Club yet he was one of few Italian members--as was the similar case in most of the City's service organizations. He was deeply proud of his American citizenry but he was as deeply loyal to his Italian heritage. Though there were a multitude of small Italian clubs throughout the city, they existed more for social purposes. Frank soon became convinced that the city needed a strong, service-oriented organization, with its membership made up of professional and business men of Italian background who shared his passion for their Italian heritage as well as his pride in being an American citizen. In fact the name AMITY was proposed not only for its dictionary meaning of ``peace and friendship'' but because it also combined the country they called home, AM for America, and the country of their strong ancestry, ITY for Italy. Central among their work would be to provide scholarships to deserving students so that they could secure a college education. As one of their first acts following its official recognition as an association, the Amity Club members formed the Amity Trust Scholarship Trust Fund. Over the years, it has consistently grown and its funds have helped thousands of young students earn their college degrees and pursue their dreams. In addition to these scholarships, Amity Club members have been involved in innumerable service projects throughout the city, all aimed at improving the quality of life for all residents. Our communities would not be the same without the efforts of volunteers and service organizations like the Amity Club, who, for generations, have made a difference in the lives of others and worked to make our towns and cities better places to live, learn, and grow. I am proud to stand today to recognize the extraordinary contributions of the Amity Club and to extend my sincere congratulations to them on their 75th Anniversary. In all that they have accomplished and continue to accomplish, the Amity Club has not only met the expectations founder Frank Rubino had for the organization, they have far exceeded them.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand today to join the many who have gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Marrakech, Inc., a wonderful organization dedicated to providing an array of services to persons with disabilities. This is a remarkable milestone for this very special organization. Marrakech was founded in 1971 with the establishment of the first halfway house in Connecticut for women with mental retardation. What began as a pilot program has grown into a respected organization and recognized leader in the development of innovative programs and services for people with challenging behaviors, families with complex needs, youth who are at risk, and people without disabilities who are unemployed and underemployed. Marrakech, Inc. began as a crusade to prove a point, the brainchild of two young Yale undergraduates, Susan Waisbren and Francie Brody. It was all because of a young woman named Valerie Chain who Susan had met through Yale Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Susan and Francie came to know Valerie's friends as well. They soon realized how capable these young New Haven women with mild mental retardation were, and how they would thrive in a halfway house. Thus began their mission of creating an environment which would highlight the talents of these women and promoted their ability to self direct their lives. Marrakech House opened as a summer pilot program and eight young women, including Valerie, spent the summer in a sublet, supervised apartment on Crown Street. Forty years later, Marrakech, Inc. subscribes to a practice that assures that each person who is referred for services has a highly individualized service plan. One of Marrakech, Inc.'s goals has always been normalization, achieving a level of independence that would allow all people to become more a part of the community. Susan once said, ``Normalization does not mean merely adjusting to society's norms. It means educating the community to expand its definition of `normal.' '' Yet, after the first summer of Marrakech, she added, ``We never really wanted normalization. We wanted something better. Too often, normalcy in our society means conformity and compromise. We strove for consciousness, tolerance, and imagination.'' In its forty year history, Marrakech has transformed the lives of thousands. For all of the good work that they are doing in our community and in the lives of their clients, I am proud to rise today to extend my sincere congratulations to Marrakech, Inc. on their 40th anniversary. I have no doubt that this extraordinary organization will only continue to enjoy great success in all of their endeavors on behalf of our community.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained addressing matters related to a historic snow storm in Connecticut and so I missed rollcall vote No. 816 regarding H. Con. Res. 13, ``Reaffirming `In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes''.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained addressing matters related to a historic snow storm in Connecticut and so I missed rollcall vote No. 817 regarding S. 1280, the ``Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. A recent graph in CQ Weekly dated October 28 depicts the progress made so far on this year's appropriations bills. Only one box--that's for the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee-- is blank. With 9.1 percent unemployment, we need a vigorous debate over this bill. Its jurisdiction includes job training, K-12 and higher education funding, and health care services. And yet unlike the other 11 appropriations bills, Labor-H is the only appropriation bill that has seen no action. Instead, the chairman has posted a draft bill on the Internet representing his own preferences for the people's budget. But the chairman, by himself, is not the subcommittee; and simply posting a wish list without ever bringing it to the subcommittee or the full committee for a markup is not an acceptable substitute for public debate and amendment. This kind of action represents a clear violation of the majority's pledge to follow the regular order or the regular process. If no House markup is held, this would be the first time in nearly a decade that the subcommittee has failed to report a bill. It is time for the chairman and the majority to keep their promises and hold a markup for the Labor-H bill. The issues that face that subcommittee are far too important to be left to the chairman's personal wish list.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have this opportunity to rise on the floor of the United States House of Representatives to pay tribute to an outstanding veteran and Connecticut native, Colonel Leon M. Tannenbaum, USAF (Ret.), for his exemplary service as a fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Today, as he celebrates his 93rd birthday, I am proud to highlight one mission in particular which showcases the staggering courage and bravery Colonel Tannenbaum and his colleagues demonstrated during this tumultuous time in our nation's history. Based at New Castle Army Air Base in Wilimington, Delaware, then 1st Lieutenant Leon Tannenbaum was a member of the 2nd Ferrying Group, Ferrying Division, Air Transport Command. A large part of their mission was the delivery of airplanes to the European Theatre. One of the most stirring performances of the 2nd Ferrying Group fliers occurred during the later part of July and first week of August, 1943. It was the unprecedented spanning of the treacherous North Atlantic route in the P-47, single-engine aircraft. While commonplace today, any trans- Atlantic flight in the World War II era was a heroic feat. In fact, as a comparison, today's routes between the United States and Europe can be made in mere hours, whereas this mission took twenty-one days to complete. On July 23rd, 1943, ten P-47s left the Republic Factory in Farmingdale, New York and nine successfully reached their destination, Prestwick, Scotland. In addition to Colonel Tannenbaum, the pilots who undertook this mission included, Captain Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona; 1st Lieutenants Morgan C. Walker of Maryland, Gerald R. Keyser of Ohio, Charles E. Rigney of New Hampshire, Rowland B. Armacost, Bernard J. Jendrezewski, Junior F. Klein, Rozier C. Murphey; and 2nd Lieutenant Louis Brawer. Though 1st Lieutenant Armacost's plane crash landed in Greenland, the other nine miraculously overcame intense weather and maintenance factors to complete the mission. As a point of fact, there were many missions involving trans-Atlantic aviation of twin-engine aircraft during World War II; and some that involved the successful completion of the flight in spite of the loss of one of the plane's engines. What makes Colonel Tannenbaum and these other nine pilots stand out is that this is the first, last, and only mission involving the single-engine P-47. Participation was voluntary and the inherent danger was obvious--lose your only engine over the North Atlantic and you would almost certainly perish with your plane. Yet each of these men, understanding the importance of the delivery to the war effort and demonstrating unique and incomparable bravery, chose to accept the mission. It is in this story of courage and valiance that we find the true definition of hero. Today, Colonel Tannenbaum celebrates his 93rd birthday, marking a milestone achieved by few. As he reflects on his many contributions to his country and community, I am honored to have this opportunity to thank him, on behalf of a grateful nation, for his invaluable service and recognize the unique contribution he made during that fateful mission in 1943. His is a story that is sure to inspire generations to come and he has left a legacy of military service to which many will aspire.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association as they pay tribute to one of their outstanding members and my good friend, Joe Geremia. Joe's extraordinary contributions to Connecticut's agriculture industry have gone a long way in ensuring that the needs of greenhouse growers are not only heard but acted upon. In fact, just last year, Joe was recognized for his incredible work by the State of Connecticut when he was named the 2010 Outstanding Young Farmer. With an estimated three hundred commercial greenhouse businesses, housing eight million square feet of production space, greenhouse production is a critical piece of Connecticut's agriculture industry. Today, the production of flowers and plants is the biggest segment of Connecticut agriculture, accounting for nearly three-fourths of all crop agriculture. This makes Connecticut second in the Nation in terms of the proportion of ornamental horticulture to crop agriculture. Agriculture is not only Joe's occupation, it is in his blood. Coming to America just after the turn of the century, Joe's grandfather raised vegetables on the family's sixteen-acre farm. His passion for growing was passed on to his children and eventually on to Joe who got started in the business working with his father. In the beginning, Joe's father had just half an acre in greenhouse production. Just after leaving high school, Joe jumped into the wholesale greenhouse business with both feet--and he has never looked back. What is so wonderful about Joe is that he is always looking to learn, to expand his knowledge and apply all of that to his business. He traveled to the Netherlands to learn about the latest greenhouse, agriculture, and distribution technology as well as Ontario to observe their vegetable production research and learning systems. He brought the best of these lessons back to his own business and shared them with his fellow greenhouse growers. His dedication to finding solutions to agriculture's challenges is probably best evidenced in the research greenhouse that he built at Connecticut's Agriculture Experiment Station's Lockwood Farm where, in partnership with the Station and the University of Connecticut, Joe and scientists are investigating methods of eliminating wastewater and reducing fertilizer in run-off--a win-win by providing the industry with more efficient and cost-effective irrigation methods while also protecting the environment which they depend on for success. One of the issues that Joe has devoted much of his time to is energy efficiency and it is through these efforts that I have gotten to know Joe so well. Over the last few years, he has retrofitted his greenhouse to be heated with biomass boilers instead of traditional oil. Utilizing this technology, Joe has not only created new business choices for himself, but has created new business for local arborists and landscapers whose wood waste products would otherwise be left to decay. I have been so impressed with his work that I have taken every opportunity to get our federal officials, like USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, out to see his operation. He is leading the way for Connecticut's agricultural future. I am proud to stand today to join the Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association as well as his wife, Dawn; their children, Madeline, Luke, and Liam; and the many family, friends, and colleagues who have gathered to recognize the outstanding efforts of our friend, Joe Geremia. Congratulations Joe--with your enthusiasm, commitment and energy, there is nothing that you will not accomplish.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise today to join the many family, friends, and colleagues who have gathered to pay tribute to my dear friend, Phyllis Marino, as she is honored by the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee with one of their 2011 Women's Leadership Awards. Phyllis has been a mainstay of the New Haven political arena for as long as I can remember and today her many contributions will be recognized with this very special award. Each year, in the spirit of the late Governor Ella Grasso, the Democratic State Central Committee selects ten women whose extraordinary leadership and contributions have made a difference in their communities. The annual Women's Leadership Awards celebrate the innumerable ways in which women, through their work in the political arena, have helped to shape our communities. The letter nominating Phyllis for consideration said it best--``In life, never mind in politics, you meet very few people who do what they do every day because they believe in a cause and not to benefit themselves--a person who truly gives of themselves with no expectation in return. She is also a person of conviction . . . and her word is her bond no matter what the consequences.'' I could not describe Phyllis better than that. Her involvement in the New Haven community came at a very young age. Like so many of us, Phyllis learned the value of community service at the feet of her parents. She stuffed envelopes, campaigned door-to- door, and made thousands of phone calls on behalf of candidates and issues. As a young adult, she was charged with managing headquarters and political operations throughout the city. Phyllis earned the most distinguished of reputations and for many years she has been the one that newcomers turn to when they want to get involved. She has guided countless young people to success and has served as an inspiration to them all. Her history with city of New Haven, its residents, and the many changes they have witnessed over the years makes Phyllis an invaluable resource to anyone who wants to get involved in New Haven's political arena. I would be remiss if I did not extend a personal note of thanks to Phyllis. I have known Phyllis most of my life--our fathers were good friends and worked together in the community. Phyllis has long been one that I can always count on for support and encouragement. People often invoke the phrase ``I stand on the shoulders of giants''--for me one of those giants is Phyllis Marino. I am proud to join her son and daughter-in-law, Pat and Pam; her daughter, Andrea; grandson, Gennaro; and all of those who have gathered today to congratulate Phyllis Marino as she receives this well-deserved recognition.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise today to join the many family, friends, and colleagues who have gathered to pay tribute to Connie Drega as she is honored by the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee with one of their 2011 Women's Leadership Awards. Connie is the quintessential volunteer and has devoted countless hours to improving the quality of life in her hometown of Middlefield, Connecticut. Each year, in the spirit of the late Governor Ella Grasso, the Democratic State Central Committee selects ten women whose extraordinary leadership and contributions have made a difference in their communities. The annual Women's Leadership Awards celebrate the innumerable ways in which women, through their work in the political arena, have helped to shape our communities. Connie has been a member of the Middlefield Democratic Town Committee for more than thirty years and has been involved with the local Democratic Party for even longer. She is a past Treasurer and is always involved in their fundraising efforts. Be it the annual Baked Potato Booth at the Durham Fair, a spaghetti supper, or organizing meetings and other opportunities for the public to discuss their issues with local leaders, Connie can always be found in the background, quietly ensuring that everything is in order and running smoothly. At 84-years young, Connie is involved in almost every facet of the Committee's activities. Every month, she calls through the membership to remind them of meetings and she has served on the nominating committee, assisting in identifying and recruiting folks to run for local office. She herself served on the local Board of Finance for several years and today acts as the Deputy Registrar, another volunteer effort where she helps to ensure elections and referendums are conducted with the highest of integrity. In addition to her work on the Town Committee, Connie is also very involved in her church, St. Colman's, as well as at the Middlefield Senior Center. She is also a member of the Middlefield Community Services Council, a group of local residents whose mission is to reach out and support those members of the community who are facing difficult circumstances. In fact, Connie was honored by the Durham-Middlefield Exchange Club with their Golden Deeds Award which recognizes ``exceptional contributions by a resident to the betterment of our communities.'' Connie Drega reflects the very spirit in which the Women's Leadership Award are given and I am proud to join her family, friends, and colleagues in congratulating her as she receives this very special and well-deserved recognition.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, this bill threatens the health and basic rights of American women. The majority is once again trying to embed their extreme and divisive ideological preferences into law. They are trying to impose their backward view of a woman's role on everyone else, forcing women back into traditional roles with limited opportunities. They need to trust and respect American women. The bill goes beyond prior legislation. It bans working women access to a legal medical procedure. It denies all but the wealthiest women their choice in health services. It puts the government between a woman and her doctor. It allows hospitals to deny life-saving care to women. We should be standing up today for the middle class by working to create jobs, not trying to prevent women access to lifesaving health services. This bill is an affront to women's health. I urge all of my colleagues to oppose it.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I rise to voice my strong opposition to this trade agenda with South Korea. Like the two other NAFTA-style trade agreements before us, we know this deal will lead to the outsourcing of American jobs, potentially displacing 159,000 U.S. workers, according to the Economic Policy Institute. It will provide Chinese businesses engaged in the transshipment of goods through third countries an easy opportunity to take advantage of tariff rates that are intended for South Korean goods. According to the Korea Customs Service, the quantity of products illegally labeled ``Made in Korea'' doubled from 2008 to 2010. These transshipped products come primarily from China and southeast Asian nations. Chinese companies have a history of transshipping goods to the U.S. through other countries so that they can avoid duties that are levied against them for illegal trading practices. Korea's proximity and 16 ports, including the world's fifth-largest, makes them a usual target for Chinese companies. Investigations by U.S. Customs in recent years have resulted in indictments and convictions for a variety of duty evasion schemes that hurt America, including cases concerning steel, wire garment hangers, and honey from China. There are no provisions in this agreement to guard against a potential flood of Chinese products shipped through Korea. That means we can expect an increase of cheap Chinese goods into our market, again to the detriment of U.S. workers, if we pass this agreement. Millions of jobs have been lost or displaced because of our trade deficit with China, and Chinese products from chicken to toys have posed serious public health concerns. What American families need right now is real job creation. We should be focused on policies that will put Americans back to work here at home in good, well-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced. And what we do not need are shortsighted trade deals that open a back door for Chinese companies to exploit. I urge my colleagues: Stand up for struggling Americans and oppose this agreement. District Lodge 26, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO, Kensington, CT, March 22, 2011. Hon. Rosa DeLauro, House of Representatives, Washington DC. Dear Representative DeLauro: I am writing to you, and all members of the Connecticut Congressional delegation, to make certain that we have conveyed clearly to you the position of the International Association of Machinists regarding the proposed South Korea Free Trade Agreement. It is our understanding that you have already declared your opposition to this unacceptable treaty. Thousands of IAM members across the state and the country thank you for your decision to protect working families rather than cave in to global corporate interests. Hopefully, the material in this letter will give you more ammunition with which to actively encourage defeat of this flawed pact. Let me start by stating plainly and without equivocation-- the Machinists Union nationally and in Connecticut is strongly opposed to this proposed agreement. Much has been written about this pact, so I will not repeat arguments unnecessarily. Attached to this correspondence is a statement from our national leadership declaring their opposition. Our main concern, and one that has been borne out by the results of a series of regrettable so-called ``free trade'' agreements, is further loss of US jobs, and a mounting US trade deficit. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that the US will lose approximately 159,000 jobs as a result of this pact. We cannot afford to lose any jobs, and certainly not here in Connecticut. Our state is particularly vulnerable in regards to this agreement. As you may know, South Korea has embarked on an ambitious renewable energy program, and one of their favored technologies is the fuel cell. While neither our state nor our federal government has seen fit to invest significantly in fuel cells, South Korea is now the largest consumer of the technology. Fuel Cell Energy has already located production facilities in South Korea, and there is no doubt that other producers, including UTC Power, are continually evaluating the location of their production in relation to markets. The US State Department, in its 2010 Investment Climate Guide, states: The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS-FTA) would be a major step to enhance the legal framework for U.S. investors operating in Korea. All forms of investment would be protected under the KORUS-FTA agreement, including enterprises, debt, concessions and similar contracts, and intellectual property rights. With very few exceptions, U.S. investors will be treated as well as Korean investors (or investors of any other country) in the establishment, acquisition, and operation of investments in Korea. In addition, these protections would be backed by a transparent international arbitration mechanism, under which investors may, at their own initiative, bring claims against a government for an alleged breach of the KORUS-FTA chapter. Submissions to investor-state arbitration tribunals would be made public, and hearings would generally be open to the public. Such re-assurances about the ease & safety of investing in Korea are, in fact, alarming to workers whose jobs will be the ``collateral damage'' when such investments occur. That includes Connecticut working families. The 35% content provision--allowing goods with up to 65% content produced outside of South Korea to be treated as South Korean exports--makes the agreement a conduit for sweatshop products from all over Asia. These are not provisions that help workers either in the US or South Korea. There has been some small confusion, exacerbated by proponents of the treaty, about where the US trade movement generally stands on this issue. It is true that the United Auto Workers and the United Food & Commercial Workers have stated their support--but labor's support stops there. The AFL-CIO and its affiliates oppose this treaty--period. Just as importantly, the South Korean labor movement also vigorously opposes the pact. Given the claims that workers' rights are enhanced in the agreement, the Koreans' opposition is a sobering reality check. In fact, the International Metal-Workers Federation (IMF), of which the IAM is a part, stated in 2009 that ``Union repression in South Korea is among the worst in the world.'' That article is attached, as is a recent piece concerning a huge struggle taking place at a South Korean shipyard where thousands of workers are losing their jobs, despite contractual commitments from the employer. Incidentally, the conduct of large Korean corporations, even outside of Korea, calls into question their attitude towards workers. Attached is an article describing the ongoing hardship being endured by employees of the South Korean ship building HANJIN in the Philippines. The situation is, in a word, shameful. South Korea, and the rights of workers internationally, is of such importance to our Union and its members that Eastern Territory General Vice President Lynn Tucker recently traveled to Korea for a conference of ship-building unions, to speak to delegates. General Vice President Tucker was appalled at the accounts of abuse of South Korean workers. He asks very pointedly how President Obama can give assurances that the ``re-negotiated'' treaty protects workers, when here in the US workers in states like Wisconsin and Ohio are being trampled into the ground. ``Does Obama know how to get to Wisconsin or Ohio and demand from those Governors a fair agreement for workers? I think not,'' GVP Tucker concluded. Please dispense with any notion that the labor movement is supportive or ambivalent about the South Korea Free Trade Agreement. We urge you to remain steadfast against the treaty and to work on persuading your colleagues to do the same, in the best interests of our great country and our beleaguered state. Thank you. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this matter. I can be reached at 860 459-5381. Sincerely, John W. Harrity.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I rise in opposition to this rule and the trade agreements underlying it--particularly the agreement with Colombia. Nothing is more important to our economy right now than creating jobs and putting America back to work. And yet we have now before us three NAFTA-style trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama that we know from experience will lead to more jobs being shipped overseas and greater trade deficits. In fact, the Economic Policy Institute has estimated this agreement with Colombia will result in the loss of 55,000 American jobs. The Colombia deal is particularly galling because it will do more than just destroy American jobs. It will bring into question whether our Nation continues to be a defender of human rights and workers' rights around the world. According to the International Trade Union Confederation, more unionists are killed every year in Colombia than in the rest of the world combined. Last year saw 51 murders. As the AFL- CIO's Richard Trumka noted: ``If 51 CEOs had been murdered in Colombia last year, this deal would be on a very slow track indeed.'' This year, we have seen 23 more men and women killed. Human Rights Watch reviewed these and hundreds of other cases of antiunion violence there and concluded that Colombian authorities have ``made virtually no progress in obtaining convictions for killings from the past 4\1/2\ years.'' In fact, in only 6 percent of the 2,860 trade unionist murders since 1986 have there been any convictions. That means 94 percent of the killers are walking away. Worse, 16 of the murders this year have occurred after the labor action plan put forward by the administration and the Colombian Government was put into effect. This action plan is a fig leaf, pure and simple. It is not legally binding. It makes promises that the Colombian Government will step up its protections, but it demands no concrete results before this free trade agreement is implemented. According to the National Labor School, if Congress passes the free trade agreement, ``the limited willingness for change will be further reduced and the action plan will be turned into a new frustration for Colombian workers, in addition to causing other serious consequences.'' In other words, more violence--murders-- against trade unionists will be just the cost of doing business. We should not be sanctioning such a system of violence, terror, and abuse. We have a responsibility to protect the human rights defenders and working families in Colombia who are exercising, and only exercising, their fundamental rights. And we have a responsibility to stand up for our American working families who do not need to see any more good, well-paying jobs shipped overseas. I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule and this unconscionable agreement.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, last August we witnessed a flowering of freedom in Eastern Africa. On August 5, 2010, Kenya endorsed a brand new constitution, which guaranteed all Kenyan citizens the rights to security, housing, food, life, freedom from discrimination and the freedom of expression, among others. I rise today to recognize the recent anniversary of this constitution's adoption, and to congratulate the Republic of Kenya on this remarkable step forward. Despite being home to the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize--Wangari Maathi, who sadly passed away last month--Kenya had long treated women as second-class citizens. In the past, female candidates for office in that country have had to carry knives and wear extra garments to fend off the possibility of politically-motivated rape. But the new constitution has dramatically altered the status of women in Kenya. Among the over 40 new reforms is a non-discrimination clause outlawing bias on the basis of sex, pregnancy or marital status. Additionally, women can own and inherit land, and matrimonial property is protected during and after the termination of marriage. Customary law (a traditional practice that has come to be accepted as law), which is inconsistent with the constitution, is now void. This document does much to protect the rights of women within Kenya. But as anyone who lives in a democracy knows, such constitutional mechanisms must be followed by meaningful actions and constant vigilance to actually become reality. The nation of Kenya is facing many trials at the moment. The crisis in the Horn of Africa is killing, starving or displacing over 13 million people. Drought conditions have persisted in the region. Food insecurity is affecting 3.75 million people, excluding refugees, in Kenya, and 4.3 million men, women, and children there desperately require humanitarian assistance. At its peak, Kenya and Ethiopia saw nearly 1,000 people a day arrive at refugee camps to escape the famine in Somalia. Sexual violence against women in these already overcrowded refugee camps is on the rise. There are no easy solutions to this crisis, and we in the United States must step up and do our part to help alleviate this suffering as well. Nonetheless, in face of these adversities, it is heartening to see Kenya's men and women move forward together, as equals and as partners. By empowering Kenyan women and rejecting gender-based discrimination, the new Kenyan constitution has paved the way for a brighter future for the Kenyan people.