Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. An estimated 184,000 cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed last year. I rise today in support of every breast cancer patient who has ever undergone a mastectomy and then been told by her insurance company that she has to leave the hospital in 24 hours or less before she has had time to recover. I'm reintroducing the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act today. It's a bipartisan bill that overwhelmingly passed this House last year by a vote of 421-2. Simply, it ensures that after breast cancer surgery, a woman will have 48 hours to recuperate in the hospital, no matter which State she lives in or what insurance coverage she has. It does not mandate that the patient has to stay in the hospital for 48 hours, but the decision should be made by patient and doctor and not by an insurance company. A Lifetime TV petition has been signed more than 23 million times, with people directing their stories to their Web site. We have information from 50 States. The last thing any woman should do at this time is to fight with her insurance company. This should not be negotiable. Ultimately, that decision should be up to the patient and her doctor. Before this session of Congress is over, we must take Federal action and pass the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act into law, and take away this barrier to quality breast cancer care.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I want to say thank you to Chairman Miller for his commitment to this effort. For generations, during times of great crisis, Americans have stepped up and served their country and their communities. Today, with soaring unemployment, rising health care costs, and a financial system turned upside down, we face one of those moments. When the National Community Service Act was enacted in 1990, we saw powerful new opportunities to inspire civic engagement to transform our communities. And today, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, yes, the GIVE Act, renews and enhances these opportunities by providing Americans of all ages, from middle schoolers to baby boomers, the chance to reach their full potential as engaged and active members of their community. The Summer of Service initiative is geared toward middle school students and provides a new opening to reach many young people who we know will benefit from the opportunity to spend a summer in service in their communities, a right of passage, as students make the transition from middle to high school. Through a competitive grant program, States and localities can offer students an opportunity to participate in a structured community service program, earning educational awards of up to $500 upon completing 100 hours of service. Research shows that, among those students who participate in in- service learning, teens from disadvantaged communities who serve hold more positive civic attitudes. Students who engage in volunteering are more likely to be successful at school and avoid risky behaviors, such as drugs, alcohol, and crime. This legislation also provides a long-awaited increase to the Segal AmericaCorps Education Award, tying it to Pell grants to ensure that it stays in step with rising tuition rates. It will make it easier for older Americans to give back as well, to share their experience and expertise through Encore Fellowships and Silver Scholarships. This is a transformational moment in our Nation's history. So today, with these efforts we hope to mark a new beginning, ready to meet that responsibility again to the greater good and to our shared community. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act of 2009. This bill would take an important step towards encouraging more health professionals to enter the field of geriatrics and care for our aging population. In 2011--just two years from now--the first baby boomers will turn 65. By 2030, the number of Americans 65 and older will have nearly doubled, to over 70 million. Our nation currently has too few health care professionals who specialize in geriatrics to treat older adults with complicated illnesses, and that problem is going to dramatically worsen in the very near future. Yet there are currently fewer than 9,000 geriatric physicians practicing in the United States, far below the 36,000 or more needed to effectively care for the nation's booming population of seniors by 2030. The numbers are similar across health care disciplines, including nursing, social work, psychology, pharmacy and psychiatry. Geriatric specialists are the foundation of high-quality, comprehensive health care for our older adults. This kind of specialized care is complicated and demanding. For example, about 80 percent of the senior population has one or more chronic conditions. In 2002, older people made up 13 percent of the U.S. population yet accounted for 36 percent of all hospital stays, 49 percent of all days of hospital care, and 50 percent of all physician hours. Despite this growing need, many health care professionals inclined to study and practice in geriatrics are dissuaded from doing so because treating the elderly carries financial disincentives for them. Currently, over 86 percent of medical school graduates carry educational debt, and the median debt burden for graduates of public medical institutions has risen to over $119,000 while that for private school graduates has increased to nearly $150,000. The Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act of 2009 would address the national shortage of geriatric specialists by enabling geriatric specialists to participate in the existing National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, encouraging more health care professionals to be certified in geriatrics. This program currently forgives up to $25,000 on behalf of an individual for each of the first two years of obligated service. In its April 2008 report, ``Retooling for an Aging America,'' the Institute of Medicine recommended that ``Public and private payers should provide financial incentives to increase the number of geriatric specialists in all health professions.'' The Geriatics Loan Forgiveness Act would provide a very important incentive for health care graduates to enter geriatric specialties early in their careers and become part of the workforce that we need to provide quality health care to America's seniors.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to our communities and to generations that follow, to preserve our nation's scenic beauty, wildlife, and outdoor recreation. The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Acadia, and the Blue Ridge Mountains are just a few of our country's natural treasures admired around the world. Yet there are many more, so critical to our natural heritage and to our basic well-being. The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S-22) will save many of those other special places and sustain America's unique greatness as a nation of unparalleled natural treasures. One of the many important achievements of this package of 160 public lands bills is Congressional designation of 86 Wild & Scenic rivers in Arizona, California, Idaho, Massachusetts, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming. From our own experience in Connecticut we know the special value of a Wild & Scenic river designation. Take for example our Eightmile River Wild and Scenic River designation signed into law last May, championed by my colleague Joe Courtney. An unprecedented level of protection has now been produced for one of New England's outstanding river systems, and Wild & Scenic designation was the catalyst for getting it done. In CT like New England we are many separate towns with our own identities and agendas. Getting towns to work together on regional issues is very tough. But the Wild & Scenic process brought the watershed towns together and they worked hard for several years. With the support of the designation process, they scientifically identified the river system's outstanding resource values such as its high ``Water Quality'' and diversity of ``Unique Species.'' They built community awareness of the river's importance and community involvement in the Wild and Scenic process. The commitment to protect the river was widespread among citizens and made official through overwhelming town votes for designation. Today, thousands of acres have been conserved and a long term management plan for the entire Watershed developed and adopted. Now, through its Wild and Scenic designation, the Eightmile has a federal partner and special federal protection. It is a model of communities taking strong action together to realize a common vision. It is also a model of how small amounts of federal funding can help inspire local action and leverage substantial non-federal resources. I am so pleased to see Congress taking action through the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to realize our common desire to keep America the beautiful. As Wild and Scenic designation is a great asset for our state, this bill will help create many more invaluable assets for our entire country.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, with this bill today we are fulfilling our responsibility as representatives of the people to fund critical programs and to invest in a framework for job creation. We all know why we are here. The previous administration refused to compromise and work toward a sensible approach. While advocating for billions upon billions of dollars to save Wall Street, the Bush administration blocked every new penny for Main Street, critical dollars for energy research, health care, education, law enforcement and biomedical research. We have rejected those devastating cuts, and so today we have a final package that will keep the government running and finish last year's business. It should also be clear that this bill works in harmony with the economic recovery package, making investments that address the country's immediate needs while investing in our long-term economic strength. While Republicans express outrage on the floor of this House, the fact is that this bill is a product of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations. Every funding decision in this funding bill was made with Republican staff in the room and with their collaboration. This bill represents a real commitment to getting our economy back on track, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I rise in support of this economic recovery package--a bold, urgent plan to create American jobs and to move to long-term economic growth. Every day reminds us of why this recovery package is so critical and urgent, and it reminds me of why we serve in this institution. Last month, the economy lost 600,000 jobs. States are facing major midyear budget shortfalls. They have already begun to furlough employees. This week, we worked with President Obama and with the Senate to create 3.5 million jobs to get our economy moving--putting resources in the hands of people who need relief and who will spend it quickly, giving 95 percent of working Americans an immediate tax cut, expanding the eligibility of the child tax credit, benefiting over 16 million children, $20 billion to increase the food stamp benefit, which will reach 14 million families immediately, putting Americans back to work with $100 billion for building roads, bridges, mass transit, energy-efficient buildings, and clean water projects. No investments are more critical than those that we make on our human capital. We got this right. Let's get it right today and support this bill.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, at a time when more and more mothers and fathers are huddled around their kitchen table worried about how to cope with a job loss or pay their most basic expenses, we have an opportunity today, an opportunity to ensure that 11 million children can get affordable health care coverage through the Children's Health Insurance Program. In my home State of Connecticut, unemployment keeps rising, and people are going from worried to scared. At such a time, it is our most basic economic and moral responsibility to provide health care to the most vulnerable among us. In this country, where 9 million children are uninsured, we cannot let another day go by without passing this legislation. This is a smart investment in children, in their health and in their success at school and in life. It provides critical dental and mental health care for children, prenatal care to make sure every child has the best chance at a healthy start. It will help to discourage millions of children from smoking, a smart step towards a healthier Nation. We must shore up this vital safety net. We can afford it. It is a simple choice about fulfilling America's promise for our Nation's children and giving a small measure of peace of mind for their families. I might say to my colleague on the other side of the aisle that, on a bipartisan basis, overwhelmingly, this House voted to pass the children's health insurance bill. The United States Senate overwhelmingly on a bipartisan basis voted to pass the children's health insurance bill. It was the former President of the United States who decided to veto that legislation when a majority of the American public supports health insurance for our children. Today we have an opportunity to right a wrong. Let's pass the children's health insurance bill. Let's get it to the President's desk. Let's get it signed, and let's give relief to the millions of families out there who are struggling. Members of this body have health insurance, and their children have it. Why shouldn't the children of working and middle class Americans?

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 11,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the U.S., resulting in nearly 3,900 deaths. At a time when proven prevention tools are available, it is especially tragic that any woman should die from this disease, yet cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. Even for women who survive this disease, it often causes a significant emotional burden and can lead to early menopause and loss of fertility among women in their child-bearing years. And it affects women of all ages: While the majority of cervical cancers are detected in women between 35 and 64, more than 30 percent of cases are diagnosed in women younger than 34 and women over 65. Despite these sobering statistics, we have made significant progress in this country in reducing the burden of cervical cancer. Since the mid-20th century, deaths from cervical cancer have declined by an estimated 70 percent, due to the Papanicolaou (Pap) screening test. In 1990, Congress created the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to improve timely access to screening and diagnostic services for low-income, uninsured, and underserved women. According to the Centers for Disease Control, since 1991 NBCCEDP-funded programs have diagnosed 2,161 invasive cervical cancers and 114,390 precursor cervical lesions, of which 42 percent were high-grade. More recently, researchers have identified HPV as the main cause of cervical cancer, and an HPV vaccine and screening test have been developed. The simple fact is that cervical cancer is almost completely preventable through vaccinations, Pap testing, and testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV). Yet, as with so many other diseases, cervical cancer often strikes those who are least able to take advantage of these tools: Those who have either never had a screening test (either a Pap test alone, or in combination with an HPV test), or have gone many years without one, are the most likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Unfortunately, in both the U.S. and around the world, this means that poor women, and those who face barriers to obtaining quality health care, are disproportionately affected by cervical cancer. And the disparities are huge: Hispanic women are twice as likely as white women to be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and African-American women are twice as likely as white women to die of the disease. Asian-Americans, Native Americans, and women in certain areas of the U.S. are also at increased risk. Cervical cancer is an even greater burden outside of this country, with about 500,000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, more than half of whom will die from this preventable disease. Let us redouble our commitment to ensuring that all women are educated about cervical cancer and have access to proven screening and diagnostic tools so that one January, we can look back and say that we have won the fight against cervical cancer.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. I congratulate Chairman Miller, the driving force behind this effort, who, with great tenacity and great leadership, has given this issue the priority that it deserves. Together, with his colleagues on the Education and Labor Committee and our dedicated partners in the Senate, Chairman Miller has brought gender-based pay discrimination front and center in this Congress, and as a result, we finally have the opportunity to send powerful legislation to the President's desk today. We are here because Lilly Ledbetter got shortchanged, shortchanged by her employer, the perpetrator of consistent pay discrimination lasting years; and shortchanged again by the Supreme Court. A jury found that, yes, Lilly Ledbetter had been discriminated against by her employer. They awarded her $3.8 million in back pay and damages. But then under Title VII, this award was reduced to $360,000, and ultimately zero when the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against her in 2007, drastically limiting women's access to seek justice for pay discrimination based on gender, requiring workers to file a pay discrimination claim within a 6-month period only, regardless of how long the pay inequity goes on. When women still earn only about 78 percent of what men earn, this ruling has essentially rolled back efforts to ensure equal pay and left women with little remedy. As Justice Ginsburg suggested in her dissent, Congress has an obligation to correct the court's decision. That is why we must pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, clearly stating that Title VII statute of limitations runs from the date a discriminatory wage is actually paid, not simply some earliest possible date which has come and gone long ago. Instead, you would be able to challenge discriminatory paychecks as long as you continue to receive them. But we cannot stop there. I strongly urge the Senate to build on this vital foundation. Take up the Paycheck Fairness Act, which this House passed in tandem with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to face gender discrimination head on and eliminate the systemic discrimination faced by women. Mr. Speaker, that process starts in earnest. With the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, we can begin to ensure pay equity. We can help families gain the resources they need to give their children a better future, the great promise of our American Dream. Let us make good on that promise, pass this bill. Let us make sure that women who face the discrimination that Lilly Ledbetter faced have the right and the tools to fight against it.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, the American people have been paying for the Republicans' party for the last 8 years. It is time now to get back to America's middle class. I rise in support of this economic recovery plan. It is a bold plan. It creates jobs and moves to long-term growth. We must act now to help a middle class hit hard by job insecurity, stagnant wages, rising health care costs, and a financial market in crisis. We have an urgent responsibility to invest wisely, target limited resources to proven initiatives that we know will boost employment, support economic growth, and provide critical relief. That means expanding eligibility of the child tax credit by reducing the threshold from $12,000 to zero. Over 16 million children would benefit. It means child care, Head Start, a serious infusion of resources to No Child Left Behind, and IDEA, investing in our long-term growth so future generations can compete. There is $40 billion for infrastructure funding, transit funding, additional billions for water, housing and school projects to put Americans back to work at a time when we are facing staggering unemployment. We need to put the resources in the hands of people most likely to spend them quickly. There is $100 billion in unemployment benefits and job training, $27 billion for rural development through health care, public safety services, and an additional $150 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program, supporting food banks stretched thin by rising food prices and surging demands. Anyone looking for immediate and significant impact need look no further than Food Stamps, which generate $1.73 in new economic activity for every dollar invested. This bill provides $20 billion to increase the Food Stamp benefit which could reach 14 million households less than a month after the bill is enacted. Leading economists have said that increasing Food Stamps is one of the most efficient ways to prime the economy's pump, and it also helps part-time workers. No investments are more critical than those we have to make in human capital. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I rise in strong support of the Children's Health Insurance Program. In this transformational moment, we stand poised to reauthorize this bipartisan program which provides critical health care coverage to more than 6 million children who would otherwise go without care, including more than 13,000 in my home State of Connecticut. With an economy shedding jobs like never before, we have an economic and a moral responsibility to cover the most vulnerable among us. In this country, where 9 million children are uninsured, we cannot let another day go by without passing this legislation, a smart investment in children, in their health and in their success at school and in life. Dental, mental health care for children, coverage for pregnant women, more efficient administration, higher quality care for children, reducing childhood obesity, meeting our commitment to fiscal responsibility. The choice before us today is a simple one. It is about fulfilling America's promise as a place of hope, possibility and opportunity for our Nation's children.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. I want to commend and thank Chairman Miller for his tireless commitment to this issue--I know that we could never have come this far without his tenacious leadership, we are grateful--and to Speaker Pelosi, whose vision and leadership have made pay equity a priority in this Congress. Earlier this week we convened the 111th Congress. We welcomed our new colleagues to the floor, we celebrated this institution's proudest achievements and honored its great potential. Together, we look to the challenges before us with a great sense of responsibility. Today, the economy weighs heavily on most Americans. Families across this Nation are struggling with job insecurity, declining incomes, foreclosures and a financial system in crisis. Women, who account for nearly one half of the workforce, feel the effects of this faltering economy with particular force and poignancy. Incomes for women-headed households are down by 3 percent since 2000. Unmarried women have an average household income almost $12,000 lower than unmarried men, and half of all women are in jobs that do not offer retirement plans. Retired women are more likely to be poor than elderly men. With our economy in crisis, so many women are on the edge financially. They feel as if their economic freedom is under assault. Almost 60 percent of women say they are concerned about achieving their economic and financial goals over the next 5 years, 15 points higher than for men. But we know that it does not have to be this way. Today we face a transformational moment with a new Congress, a new administration. We have a chance to finally provide equal pay for equal work and make opportunity real for millions of American women. The status quo will not do. The Department of Labor's own data shows that today women still earn 78 cents for every dollar that men earn, and the marketplace alone will not correct this injustice. We need a solution in law, just as our country has done in the past, to bring down discriminatory barriers. As the National Committee on Pay Equity tells us, pay disparity's long-term impact on women's lifetime earnings is substantial, can cost a woman anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over her lifetime. That lack of pay equity translates into less income toward a pension, in some cases Social Security benefits. It is no coincidence that 70 percent of older adults living in poverty are women. I am so proud that, together with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Paycheck Fairness Act is among the first legislative proposals this Congress has chosen to consider. It says something profound about our priorities as an institution and our goals for the months ahead. It says that we are a Nation that values the work that women do in our society. The Paycheck Fairness Act closes loopholes that have enabled employers to evade liability, stiffens penalties for employers who discriminate based on gender, protects employees from retaliation for sharing salary information, with some exceptions. It establishes a grant initiative to provide negotiation skills training programs for girls and women. It addresses a real problem with concrete solutions. Last year working women filed over 800 charges of unlawful sex-based pay discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. We all know Lilly Ledbetter's story. For so many years she was shortchanged by her employer. This week, a New York Times editorial said that by acting today, we can, and I quote, ``signal a welcome new seriousness in Washington about protecting civil rights after 8 years of erosion.'' This is our moment to fight for economic freedom and to eliminate the systemic discrimination faced by women workers. Because what we know is at stake, had the Paycheck Fairness Act been the law of the land when Lilly Ledbetter decided to go to court, she would have had a far better opportunity to receive just compensation for the discrimination that she endured. That is why President-elect Obama has said about the Paycheck Fairness Act, and I quote, ``This isn't just an economic issue for millions of Americans and their families. It's a question of who we are as a country--of whether we're going to live up to our values as a Nation.'' Pay equity is not just another benefit to be bargained for or bargained away. It is about giving women the power to gain economic security for themselves and for their families. This body took a major step when it passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act last summer. We return today to carry that momentum forward, finish what we started. I have always been proud to serve in this institution, and I revere those lawmakers who, before us on previous days, took a stand for health care, for the elderly or for the Civil Rights Act and for the Family and Medical Leave Act and made such an impact on people's lives. That is the whole reason why we are here. It is my hope that the House acts today to pass both the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act to again make history for this country.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I rise in support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and I commend Chairman Miller for his leadership and for his tireless efforts that have brought us so far. We are here today because Lilly Ledbetter got short-changed, short- changed by her employer--the perpetrator of consistent pay discrimination lasting years--and short-changed again by the Supreme Court. A jury found that, yes, Lilly Ledbetter had been discriminated against by her employer, and they awarded her $3.8 million in back pay and damages. Then under Title VII, this award was reduced to $360,000, ultimately to zero, when the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against her last year, drastically limiting women's access to seek justice for pay discrimination based on gender, requiring workers to file a pay discrimination claim within a 6-month period only, regardless of how long the pay inequity goes on. When women still earn only about 78 percent of what men earn, this ruling essentially rolled back efforts to ensure equal pay and left women with little remedy. Justice Ginsberg suggested in her dissent, ``Congress has an obligation to correct the Court's decision.'' That is why we introduced and passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act last year, clearly stating the title VII statute of limitation runs from the date a discriminatory wage is actually paid, not simply some earliest possible date which has come and gone long ago. Instead, you would be able to challenge discriminatory paychecks as long as you continue to receive them. Earlier this week, Lilly Ledbetter wrote to the entire Congress, ``I may have lost my personal battle, but I have not given up. I am still fighting for all of the other women and girls out there who deserve equal pay and equal treatment under the law.'' Madam Speaker, ensuring pay equity can help families gain the resources they need to give their children a better future, the great promise of the American Dream. Let us make good on that promise, pass this bill, and make sure women who face the discrimination that Lilly Ledbetter faced have the right to fight against it.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today to extend my sincere congratulations to the West Haven Head Start Program as they celebrate their 30th anniversary. Over the course of the past three decades, the West Haven Head Start Program has empowered thousands of our youngest children by ensuring that they are prepared with the tools and skills they need as they enter elementary school. We all know how important early childhood education is to our children. Study after study has shown that in their first 3 years children develop the foundation for their language, social-emotional, and brain development. Everything we have seen points to the fact that quality education and early engagement--from parents and teachers alike--are fundamental to the future success of our children. Head Start was built on that foundation and there is no greater example of its impact on our children and families than the West Haven Head Start Program. The Head Start Program, here in West Haven and across the country, has become the cornerstone of our efforts to close the achievement gap, combat poverty, and provide every child with the opportunity to thrive. Housed at the West Haven Community House, West Haven's Head Start Program provides services to hundreds of preschool children from disadvantaged families every year. Parents are engaged through regular parenting classes, peer networking, and special family events. Children participate in arts and crafts, individual and group play, and literacy activities designed to promote physical, mental, social, and emotional development. I have had the opportunity to visit this program many times during my time in Congress and I cannot begin to describe the excitement of these children--their desire to learn and ability to absorb all the information around them are extraordinary. The Head Start Program provides them with an opportunity that may otherwise not be available to them. To give these youngsters the gift of knowledge is invaluable and I could not be more proud of the work that is done at the West Haven Head Start Program. Thirty years--this is a remarkable milestone for this outstanding program and to support their efforts has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my time in Congress. The West Haven Head Start Program has made all the difference in the lives of countless children and their families. As they mark their 30th year, I am honored to have this opportunity to congratulate program director Linda Michaels, as well as her staff and wish them all the best for continued success.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Holy Rosary Church, its staff, and congregation as they commemorate their 100th Anniversary. This is a remarkable milestone for this community treasure and certainly cause for great celebration! In the late nineteenth century, Italians began to settle in the City of Ansonia and within a few short decades the Italian population had risen to the hundreds. Families began to seek their own religious center and so they approached the Assumption Parish to request the use of the church and it was graciously granted. The first mass was celebrated on October 4, 1908 and as this was the first Sunday of October, it was also Rosary Sunday--and so the title was found, the Holy Rosary Church. The Holy Rosary Church has not only been a center for religious worship, but a vehicle through which their members could give back to the community. The St. Ann's Society for women, the St. Joseph's Society for men, and the Children of Mary Sodality for young women were all quickly founded following the establishment of the church and they were later joined by the Catholic Men's Club, the Catholic Women's Club, the Rosary Guild, and the parish's Catholic Youth Organization. The societies can be credited with bringing the annual feasts honoring patron saints to their neighbors as well as succeeding in raising the capitol funds needed not only to purchase the property on which the church resides, but also to completely renovate the church several times throughout its history. Our churches play a vital role in our communities-- providing people with a place to turn to for comfort when they are most in need. The members of the Holy Rosary Church have also given much to the City of Ansonia. Throughout the years, as their membership grew so did its commitment to the enrichment of this community. By strengthening our bonds of faith, the Holy Rosary Church gives its members a place to find their spiritual center and to solidify and support their values. In its 100 year history, the Holy Rosary Church has built a strong foundation and its success is due to the dedication and commitment of each and every member of its congregation. Through their ministry and outreach efforts, they have left an indelible mark on our community and continue to enrich the lives of others. That is why I am so pleased to stand today to offer my sincere congratulations as they mark this very special centennial anniversary. The families, parishioners, and staff have much to be proud of as they celebrate this 100th anniversary year.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to join the New Haven Democratic Town Committee and all of those gathered this evening in paying tribute to one of New Haven's most outstanding public servants and my good friend, State Representative William R. Dyson. After 32 years of dedicated service, Bill has decided to step down as State Representative from Connecticut's 94th Assembly District. This evening, friends, family, community leaders, and colleagues extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to Bill as he brings his career in state government to an end. Visionary, community leader, activist, teacher, advocate, mentor, and friend are just some of the descriptions one could use for Bill Dyson. He is one of those rare individuals who has dedicated a lifetime to public service. As an educator and one of Connecticut's most respected lawmakers, Bill has been a powerful voice in the State legislature as well as in the New Haven Public School system. In the more than 3 decades that Bill served in Connecticut's House of Representatives, Bill has served on a variety of committees and caucuses including many years as the chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He has been a champion of the arts, securing funding which has helped New Haven's rich arts community to flourish and is perhaps best known for his leadership on issues dealing with children, ex- offenders and the mentally ill as his work on their behalf has translated into meaningful public policy. During his tenure he was often the strong voice of reason in what at times could be a chaotic session. I have no doubt that his colleagues will long remember his booming voice--commanding their attention and calling for common sense dialogue. His straight-forward, no nonsense attitude garnered him the respect of his colleagues and constituents alike. Bill is a reflection of all that we hope our political leaders will be and his presence at the Capitol will certainly be missed. I must also take this opportunity to thank Bill for his many years of special friendship--one which harkens back to my own service in city government. Bill is an extraordinary man whose impact on our community and our public policy cannot be understated. He has left an indelible mark and a legacy--both political and personal--that is sure to inspire many generations to come. It is for these reasons and countless more that I am honored to stand today to pay tribute to my dear friend, the Honorable William R. Dyson, as he is recognized by the New Haven community for his outstanding contributions. He is one-of-a-kind and I wish him many more years of health and happiness as he enjoys his retirement.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, the first of November will mark an important milestone for an outstanding organization in my community-- the 10th Anniversary of Sister's Journey. Founded by my dear friend, Linda White-Epps, as she coped with her own battle with breast cancer, Sister's Journey has been an invaluable source of comfort, compassion, and support for women diagnosed with this disease for the last decade. The diagnosis of breast cancer can be overwhelming--not only for the woman who has been told she has this battle to face but for her loved ones as well. It is important for women to know that they are not alone and that there are others who are facing comparable challenges, asking the same questions, and enduring similar hardships, physically and emotionally. That is what Sister's Journey is all about. In facing her battle with breast cancer, Linda White-Epps saw the need in her community for a group that could help women to heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She recognized the need for education and advocacy, for women to share the trials and tribulations of cancer, and to celebrate survivorship. What began as a monthly support group meeting has grown into a community educator and a strong voice of advocacy for early detection and quality treatment for every woman fighting breast cancer. But perhaps the organization's greatest contribution has been that of the Sister's Journey annual calendar. With each month comes the face and the story of a woman still facing breast cancer or who has survived--each page highlighting their personal journeys. The calendar has proven to be a tangible example of the encouragement, support, and vision that is Sister's Journey. Though Linda lost her battle in 2003, today her legacy--Sister's Journey--is carried on by her family; her mother Phyllis White, and her daughter, Dawn White-Bracey, who serves as its current President. Today as members gather for the annual Pink Tea, we celebrate the remarkable 10 years this organization has been supporting those struggling with the ongoing challenges of breast cancer. I am proud to stand today to pay tribute to Sister's Journey and their decade of good work. We all hope for a time when breast cancer will no longer be a threat to our health, until then, our community could not be more fortunate than to have Sister's Journey for those in need.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, It is with great pleasure that I rise today to join family, friends, colleagues, and the New Haven community in extending recognizing my good friend, the Reverend Bonita Grubbs, as we gather to celebrate her 20th Anniversary as the Executive Director of Christian Community Action. It has been through her outstanding leadership and vision that Christian Community Action has grown into an invaluable resource for those most in need. Christian Community Action is a non-profit ecumenical social service organization whose mission includes providing emergency food, housing, and support to New Haven's poor while encouraging them to attain self- sufficiency. Christian Community Action is also a vocal advocate for the most vulnerable of our citizens--working to change the systems that perpetuate poverty and injustice. For twenty of its thirty year history, Bonita has been at the helm of this institution where she has led the way in expanding its programs and services. She has a unique combination of compassion, generosity, and vision which has enabled her to ensure that this agency can continue to meet the changing needs of the poor. More than just her professional contributions have made Bonita one of our most respected community leaders. She has served on the Boards of the Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund, the International Festival of Arts and currently serves on the Boards of the Hospital of Saint Raphael, Connecticut Voices for Children, the Connecticut Housing Coalition, Quinnipiac Bank and Trust, and the Connecticut Center for School Change. She has been a member of the Judicial Review Council for the State of Connecticut as well as president of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. Ordained to the Christian Ministry within the American Baptist Church in November of 1987, Bonita has also served as the Interim Pastor of the Christian Baptist Church in Hamden, Connecticut. Bonita understands the importance of being involved in one's community and has made an extraordinary effort to enrich the lives of those less fortunate. Her work with Christian Community Action as well her myriad of volunteer efforts have changed the face of the New Haven community and brought much needed attention to the needs of the poor. Bonita knows that the prosperity of a community lies in the willingness of its members to give back and she has done much to strengthen the bonds of our community. I must also take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to Bonita for her many years of special friendship. She has been a source of inspiration to me and so many others. I am honored to take this moment to stand and recognize the Reverend Bonita Grubbs for her 20 years of dedicated service to Christian Community Action and her outstanding contributions. Every community should be so fortunate as to have such an accomplished and devoted advocate. mentor, and friend.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, we all know our economy is rapidly deteriorating and we have a responsibility to act. Today we passed an economic stabilization bill that we worked to benefit everyone, allowing individuals and businesses across the country critical access to the credit that they need. The package also included tax provisions to bring further relief to the middle class, protecting hardworking Americans from the encroaching alternative minimum tax, expand the child tax credit, and create jobs through renewable energy and research and development tax credits. Yet we must do more to help those in need. So far this year, 760,000 jobs have disappeared. The Labor Department reported today that the economy shed 159,000 jobs in September, the ninth straight month of job losses and the most in more than 5 years. The unemployment rate is now at 6.1 percent, the highest level in 5 years. This August, Connecticut unemployment reached 6.5 percent, the highest since 1993, and wages remained stagnant. The legislation we consider today will provide 7 additional weeks of extended benefits for workers in every State, extend eligibility to 20 weeks, and provides another 13 weeks for workers in States with the unemployment rate of 6 percent or higher. With 800,000 workers currently set to exhaust their extended benefits in October, this could not be more urgent. In the long run, we need to provide real stimulus to help the middle class, create jobs by investing in infrastructure and renewable energy and provide the middle class with much-needed tax relief. Extending unemployment insurance is one of the best options to stimulate the economy. It is good economics, and it is basic human decency.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, as we approach November, American Diabetes Month', I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the significant daily challenges faced by those struggling with chronic diseases such as diabetes. At a time when our Nation is facing urgent crises from the economy to foreign policy, some Americans may wonder why it is important to worry about diabetes. The fact is that diabetes has become one of the most urgent public health crises of the 21st century. More than 24 million children and adults in the U.S. are already bearing the daily consequences of living with diabetes, and the numbers continue to grow. Diabetes comes in 2 main forms: Type 1 diabetes, or ``juvenile diabetes,'' often develops in children, adolescents, and young adults; and Type 2 diabetes, which typically develops after age 40, but is appearing with increasing, and alarming, frequency in children. Although the causes of type 1 diabetes are not entirely known, it is not caused by obesity or by eating excessive sugar. There is a crucial and continuing need for research on the causes, prevention, treatment and cure of Type I Diabetes. That is why I am so pleased to have supported the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, which extended the Special Diabetes Program and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians through September 30, 2011, and provided $300 million for type 1 diabetes research. According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, an estimated 15,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the U.S. each year. These are children like 8-year-old Sophie Baum, a young constituent of mine who was diagnosed with diabetes as a baby and spent her first birthday in the Intensive Care Unit being treated for her illness. Sophie has benefited from research advances such as the insulin pump and continuous glucose sensor, but must contend with the complexities of life as a diabetic, in which every trip to the kitchen table or even a birthday party requires counting carbohydrates and calculating the right amount of insulin. I am pleased to submit her story, as told to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, in the record below. We must also take steps to better prevent and manage Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90 to 95 percent of cases of diabetes. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, the risk for Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with the epidemic of overweight and obesity that threatens to overwhelm our increasingly strained health care system. According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, medical costs for diabetes in the U.S. amount to $174 billion per year, and nearly \1/3\ of every Medicare dollar is spent on people with diabetes. The good news is that, in many cases, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. The NIH-funded Diabetes Prevention Program showed that modest weight loss (5 to 7 percent of body weight) and 30 minutes of exercise 5 times per week can reduce the risk of diabetes by 58 percent. Sophie's story and the overwhelming national statistics on diabetes speak for themselves. Therefore, let us commit to a comprehensive approach to addressing diabetes and other chronic diseases through prevention, education, treatment, and research that we hope one day will find a cure. Hi, my name is Sophie Baum. When I was a baby--not even 12 months old--one of my baby teachers, who had diabetes, noticed I was drinking a lot, and stealing other kids' sippy cups. She thought I looked sick, so she told my mom to take me to the hospital that night. We went to the hospital, where they did a lot of tests, and figured out I had diabetes. I spent my first birthday in the intensive care unit. The nurses were feeling sad that I was in the hospital, so they bought me a doll. I was given a glucometer so I could check my blood sugars. I was on insulin shots for a long time, but I was given a bear, and it showed where you can put the shots in. I had to eat meals at the same time every day. When I was 2, I got an insulin pump. It was much easier to have the pump instead of sharp shots going into my body, and I could eat any time I wanted. One day, when I was three, my parents heard a beep. They turned around and realized that I had taught myself to check my blood sugar, and I've been doing it myself since then. When I was 6, I got a continuous glucose sensor, which tells you what my sugar is every 5 minutes and sends it to my pump by radio. After a while, the radio transmitter broke. We got a new one that was exactly the same. Then I got a new, smaller one that looks like a mushroom. In fact, it works a little better. So I actually wear 2 devices at all times. One gives me insulin, that's my insulin pump, and the other checks my blood sugar, that's my sensor. My parents call me the bionic girl. I have pump packs that hold my insulin pump. I recently got a new one with dogs on it, and there's another one that comes with it that is for your doll. I got it because my doll likes to have diabetes, like me. At school, I check my sensor a lot, and if it says I am going low, I have to check my blood sugar on my glucometer. If I get too low, I could have a seizure or pass out. If I get too high too often, I might have kidney, eye, or heart problems later on. It's hard to have diabetes, because I can't have a lot of sweets at birthday parties, like cake and anything that does not have the carbohydrates marked on it like any homemade stuff or if somebody through out the wrapper. I will explain what I mean by that: every time I want to eat something, I have to figure out how many carbohydrates are in that food. And then I can calculate how much insulin to give myself. At home, my mom uses a scale to weigh out every single thing that I eat, then she knows how much insulin I will need. It's hard when we go to a restaurant to eat, because my mom and my dad have to guess how much insulin I will need. If I give myself too much insulin, my blood sugar will be too low in a few hours. If I don't give enough, then my sugar will be too high. So, my parents and I think about carbohydrates for every bite of food that I eat. Eating, for me, is very complicated! Scientists have been working on a cure for diabetes, but for that they need money. In the past four years since 2003 my family team, Team Sophie, has raised over $90,000. This year my family and I raised $16,000 and we would like to raise more next year. Thank you for listening to my story and for supporting

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Our first goal as Members of Congress is to rescue the economy, get it moving again, and make sure the middle class and small businesses get on their feet. I hate that near criminal mismanagement of our economy and near criminal contempt for our values has forced us to act today. Today's financial crisis could lead to an economic meltdown unseen since the Great Depression, and I have a responsibility to avert it in the interest of the country, though I know it will be unpopular. For too long, the policies of this administration and the previous majority in Congress put middle class families at risk. I am under no illusions about how we got here. And I act today not to help the banks, but to help hardworking, struggling middle class Americans, small business people. If we do not act, unemployment will rise, small businesses will not meet payroll, and a credit freeze closes the door on families who need loans to pay for schools, cars and housing. The administration offered a plan; it was unacceptable. This legislation, while imperfect, offers a different approach. It should be coupled with investing in job-creating infrastructure, new green jobs, and measures that give consumers more income.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the HEART for Women Act (H.R. 1014) to help improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease in women, which often manifests itself differently in women than in men. It is critically important that we develop a better understanding of these differences and the reasons behind them, and spur the development and use of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies that are most effective for reducing the death rate for heart disease in women. We have made some progress on this front. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation) provides low-income, under- insured or uninsured middle-aged women with screening and knowledge to prevent cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease ranks as America's number-one killer and, with one in three female adults facing some form of cardiovascular disease, this program shows how prevention can make the difference between life or death. The WISEWOMAN program has proven to be tremendously successful in reaching those women most at risk for heart disease and stroke. In fact, 3 out of 4 of the women screened by WISEWOMAN have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke, and women who have participated in WISEWOMAN are more likely to quit smoking and make other lifestyle changes to reduce their cardiovascular disease risk. It is a good investment, too. A recent study found the WISEWOMAN program to be very cost-effective because of its success in reducing risk for chronic diseases. In this study, the program extended women's lives at a cost of $4,400 per estimated year of life saved, as opposed to a much higher cost of $26,000 per estimated year of life saved by heart bypass surgery. Unfortunately, even these effective, proven programs reach only a fraction of the women who could actually take advantage of them. Through 2007, CDC funded 14 state health departments and two tribal organizations to offer WISEWOMAN programs. It makes common sense to bring this effective program to women in all 50 states. The HEART for Women Act would do just that. The HEART for Women Act is co-sponsored by a majority of Members of Congress, including almost all of the women in the House, and has the support of the American Heart Association, the Society for Women's Health Research, WomenHeart, the Association of Black Cardiologists, and the American College of Cardiology. I commend the Energy and Commerce committee for supporting this important bill and congratulate my colleague Congresswoman Capps for her leadership. This represents an important step forward in ensuring that women all across our country have the help they need to live the healthiest, most productive lives possible.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. It illustrates our commitment to restoring middle class prosperity, a clear and practical approach to strengthen our economy, achieve energy independence and give families the opportunity to reach for the American dream. By expanding the child tax credit, lowering its floor to $8,500, we can finally make a direct and a critical impact for all families with children: $3 billion benefiting 13 million children. That is 2.9 million children newly eligible and more than 10 million who would see their credit increased. I believe with the child tax credit we make opportunity real for American families. Today, amidst our current financial crisis and an economy that continues to shed jobs and produces less income, these 13 million children come from families with parents who work hard every single day and struggle every day just to get by. We have a responsibility to make our economy work, a responsibility to help ordinary Americans face today's economic challenges. Expanding the child tax credit is a great way to do it. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, as we try to prevent our financial markets from breaking down, we can never forget the middle class families across this Nation who bear the brunt and continue struggling every day just to get by. I believe our government has a responsibility to help get our economy back on track and make opportunity real in our communities and for our families. But with soaring energy prices, rising foreclosures and a Republican economy that continues to shed more jobs and produce less income, middle class families are at great risk. There were more than 490,000 new filings for State jobless benefits last week, the highest number of weekly claims since shortly after 9/ 11. In Connecticut, unemployment climbed to 6.9 percent in August, topping the national average. That is why I support this economic recovery package, targeted investment to jump-start this economy and create quality jobs. This bill makes a serious commitment to our national infrastructure. According to State transportation departments, there are $18 billion in ready-to-go infrastructure projects across the country. This bill provides $12.8 billion for those projects that can start right away, begin creating quality jobs and rebuild our Nation's aging highways, roads and bridges; $6.5 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $1 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to repair, rehabilitate and expand water systems, many of which are over 50 years old; $3 billion for the States to immediately fund much-needed school maintenance, and still more innovative green infrastructure, Amtrak maintenance and public housing construction projects. This is about making a direct and an immediate impact, creating jobs, jobs that cannot be outsourced, spurring economic growth and putting our Nation on a better path, not just for today but for the future. I urge my colleagues to support this economic recovery package.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey. After too many long years, this is a historic moment. After too many lost opportunities, this is our chance to make a difference and to take an important step toward meeting our commitment to the women of America. I want to thank my colleague, Chairman Dingell, with whom I introduced the very first version of the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act over a decade ago. It is his partnership and that of our colleagues, Chairmen Pallone, Stark, Andrews, Miller, that helped to make this day and this vote possible. I want to say thank you to the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Barton, for his support, and for the bipartisan support of this effort. More than 12 years ago, I first met Dr. Kristen Zarfos. She walked into my office in Connecticut and told me that HMOs were forcing her to discharge her patients before they were ready, sometimes just hours after mastectomy surgery. Dr. Zarfos' experience inspired me to get involved. Her tireless work with patients in my State of Connecticut and with a network of doctors she knew around the country gathered support for this bill from the grass roots all the way to the Congress. Today, a woman's chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime is one in eight. Almost everyone knows someone who has suffered from this disease. If you have watched a loved one fighting for her life, you understand how important it is to have not only the loving support of family as I did during my fight against ovarian cancer, but also adequate recovery time in the hospital after surgery so you have the professional care to begin healing and to avoid infection. A mastectomy is not an easy surgery; it is physically and emotionally traumatic. That is what the Breast Cancer Patient Protection bill is all about. It says that when it comes to mastectomies and lumpectomies, adequate recovery time in the hospital should not be negotiable. The last thing any woman should be doing at that time is fighting with her insurance company. This bill does not mandate a 48-hour hospital stay if a patient chooses to go home sooner, nor does it set 48 hours as a maximum amount of time a woman can stay in the hospital. It simply ensures that any decision in favor of a shorter or longer hospital stay will be made by the patient and her doctor, and not an insurance company. It would also ensure women have access to second opinions and adequate hospital stays after having a lumpectomy. Some may argue that the time for a bill like this has already passed, that States are beginning to address the issue, but the truth is that drive-through mastectomies continue to today. At the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing this spring--and I thank, again, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone)--breast cancer patient Alva Williams testified that she had a mastectomy on March 6, 2006 and was sent home several hours after surgery. Her insurance company would not cover an overnight stay. Ms. Williams had family to take care of her at home, but they had no medical training. She developed an infection in her incisions. Recovering from the infection caused Ms. Williams' chemotherapy treatments to be delayed by 6 weeks. All across the Nation women continue to suffer the same way that Alva Williams suffered, physically and emotionally, and yet without the care they should rightfully be getting for the insurance premiums that they have paid. And all across this Nation people everywhere are saying, ``No more.'' Twenty-three million Americans have signed Lifetime Television's petition calling for the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act's passage. Now with 222 cosponsors in the House and Senators Snowe and Landrieu leading 19 cosponsors in the Senate, strong bipartisan support exists for these most basic patient protections. I urge my colleagues to support the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act. Make this day a powerful turning point. We have a tremendous opportunity today to make it clear to women, to cancer patients, and to their families that we value your health. I again thank my colleagues, and urge the support of this bill.