Anna Eshoo

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act. Our Nation should be first in the world in science, technology, engineering and math. I'm pleased that we are in agreement on the urgency of this goal. However, this legislation has two big problems which are highly detrimental to our mutual goal. The first problem is that this legislation takes unnecessary, unfair steps to reduce legal immigration, such as cutting the Diversity Program. The Diversity Program is one of the few existing pathways for African applicants to enter our Nation legally. Cutting this program will not enhance our Nation's STEM competitiveness. The second problem is that this legislation allows American employers to pay inferior wages to foreign STEM graduates--forcing American workers to compete on an unlevel playing field. We can do better than the STEM Jobs Act. Representative Lofgren's legislation, the Attracting the Best and Brightest Act, ensures that students who earn advanced STEM degrees in America stay in America and contribute to our Nation's prosperity. It creates a new visa category for applicants with advanced STEM degrees, and importantly, takes steps to protect the wages of Americans--a consideration which absolutely must be taken into account. The Attracting the Best and Brightest Act does not contain the harmful immigration provisions of the STEM Jobs Act. Rather, it represents a commonsense solution to a very real problem. I am pleased that Republicans, Democrats, and the Administration all agree we should do more to ensure that our Nation benefits from the talents, skills, and ideas of our advanced STEM graduates. However, the STEM Jobs Act legislation takes the wrong approach, and I regrettably urge my colleagues to oppose it.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the long and productive life of Chuck Huggins, who was born in Vancouver, British Columbia to American parents in 1925 and died peacefully on August 19, 2012, with his beloved wife and family members with him at his home in Larkspur, California. Charles Newel Huggins, known to everyone as Chuck, served his nation during WWII as an Army Paratrooper with the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment and participated in battles throughout Europe. He graduated from Kenyon College, and with his wife Mime moved to Menlo Park, California, where he began working for See's Candies which would be his career for 55 years. He helped sell the company to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Company in 1972, and was appointed President and CEO of the See's Division. He grew the company beyond all reasonable expectations, and estimated that he consumed over 300,000 pieces of candy in the process, before retiring in 2006 at the age of 81. Chuck lived happily with his wife Mime for 48 years and adored their children and grandchildren. After Mime died, he married Donna Ewald, and they enjoyed 15 joyful years together. Chuck was an extraordinary man. He was known to everyone for his generosity. He loved music, travel, history, jazz, singing, drumming, the Bohemian Club, and he was quoted as saying he and Donna had ``serious fun.'' Next to his family, generosity was his biggest love, and he was famous for it. Countless San Francisco Bay Area charitable events have occurred with a little gold box at each place . . . and diners rushed through dinner for the delicious See's chocolate treat. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our most sincere sympathy to Donna Ewald Huggins, Chuck's beloved wife, and to his son Peter Huggins, his wife Sue and their four children, Evan, Ryan, Tye and Dia; his son Charles ``Chip'', his wife Pam and their children Anna Morris (Matt), Chuck and Mimi; daughter Anne Huggins Walton and her husband Bart; and daughter Shelley Huggins Dutton, her husband Peter and their children Ella Campbell (Alex) and Taylor, as well as Chuck's sister Ruth. Chuck's passing is a hardship for his family and for those of us fortunate enough to have known him and called him friend, as I did. An unknown author of his Los Angeles Times obituary wrote, ``Following Chuck's example, be kind to someone every day and make it a `Wonderful World' in his memory.'' Chuck Huggins served his country and loved it, and gave back so much to his community, strengthening it. His example of citizenship will stand tall through the ages as the highest standards of all.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sean Cole, a 1992 graduate of Sacred Heart Preparatory. The School is proud to offer the Athletic Hall of Fame to honor him for his athletic achievements. The award recognizes contributions of alumni athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators of Sacred Heart Preparatory. Individuals like Sean Cole who are inducted into the Hall of Fame have made significant achievements in his sports of soccer and baseball and exemplified the principles of sportsmanship and Christianity as illustrated in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Sean Cole, an athlete who lives a life which embodies the goals and criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. He lives the five commitments of faith, respect, social awareness, community building and personal growth, and his contributions to his sport have strengthened our community and our country immeasurably.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ken Walsh, a member of the faculty of St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart in Atherton, California, who is being honored with the Henry Schimpf Award for his selfless service contributions, commitment and dedication within the St. Joseph's community. Like the man for whom the award is named, Ken Walsh has touched and improved the lives of so many while at St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart, and embodies the kind of patient, humble, selfless teaching methods we should all aspire to practice. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ken Walsh, an educator who lives a life which embodies the goals and criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. He lives the five commitments of faith, respect, social awareness, community building and personal growth, and his contributions to his students have strengthened our community and our country immeasurably.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Denise Sheldon, a 1993 graduate of St. Joseph's School and a 1997 graduate of Sacred Heart Preparatory. The School is proud to offer the Athletic Hall of Fame to honor her for her athletic achievements. The award recognizes contributions of alumni athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators of Sacred Heart Preparatory. Individuals like Denise Sheldon who are inducted into the Hall of Fame have made significant achievements in her sport of volleyball and exemplified the principals of sportsmanship and Christianity as illustrated in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Denise Sheldon, an athlete who lives a life which embodies the goals and criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. She lives the five commitments of faith, respect, social awareness, community building and personal growth, and her contributions to her sport have strengthened our community and our country immeasurably.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an extraordinary man, Donald Harvey Seiler, who passed away on August 3, 2012. Don was a native San Franciscan and was educated at the University of California at Berkeley where he earned his BS and MBA degrees, and a member of Lambda Phi Fraternity. After graduation from Berkeley, he worked as an accountant before founding Seiler and Company in 1957. He served on the boards of Ross Stores, Inc., and Greater Bay Bancorp., and was active as a volunteer in the Jewish community. He served as President of the Board of Beth Am in Los Altos Hills and in other roles on the congregation's board, and as president and campaign chair on the board of the Peninsula Jewish Community Center. He served on the board of the Taube-Koret Campus for Jewish Life, the Council of Jewish Federations, the Jewish Home for the Aged, the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, Mount Zion Hospital and United Jewish Community Centers. Don's philanthropy and leadership extended to education, medicine and environmental causes. He funded the Public Accounting Chair at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business in 1995, and served on the boards of the Peninsula Community Foundation and the Stanford Medical Center. He and his wife Ruthie chaired the board of Stanford Hospital's Friends of Cardiovascular Medicine. He received the Public Service Award from the California Society of CPAs , the Robert Sinton Distinguished Leadership Award from the Jewish Community Federation, and the Professional of the Year Award by the Jewish Community Endowment Fund. He was also honored with the Avenidas Lifetime of Achievement Award. Don met his wife Ruthie in college and they were married for 62 years. They traveled widely and shared a long and loving marriage. They moved to the mid-peninsula in 1960 where they raised their children, Carol and Matt. Don was the loving grandfather of Cory and Mark Roberts, Matt and Allie Seiler, and the brother of Stuart Seiler and his wife Gaye. He also leaves his daughter-in-law Susan. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of Donald Harvey Seiler and in extending our most sincere sympathy to his wife and family. He was a great and good man, one who gave so generously of his considerable talents and extensive resources to benefit others. Don Seiler's life defined what a great citizen is and can be.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I inadvertently vote ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 114 (to prohibit the use of funds for the salaries and expenses of personnel of the Department of Agriculture to provide benefits described in section 1001D(b)(1)(C) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a(b)(1)(C)) to a person or legal entity in excess of $250,000) when I meant to vote ``yes.'' I would like to correct for the record that I wanted to vote ``yes'' on rollcall vote 114.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nancy Sullivan Stretch, a 1957 graduate of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Atherton, California. Nancy is being honored on October 20, 2012, with the coveted Spirit of Mater Alumni Award which recognizes alumni who ``radiate Mater's spark of divine spirit and who employ life in a manner representative of the Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, Goals and Criteria. Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a personal and active faith in God; a deep respect for intellectual values; a social awareness which impels to action; the building of community as a Christian value; and personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.'' Nancy is being honored for spending her life working toward fulfilling the goals and criteria of a Sacred Heard education. She served for eight years as Board President of Creativity Explored, a San Francisco organization devoted to supporting people with developmental disabilities in their quests to become working artists. She serves her parish as a Eucharistic Minister and founded the ``Peanut Butter Brigade'' which prepares hundreds of brown bag lunches and distributes them to the homeless of San Francisco. Her volunteers include small children, teens, adults and seniors. Nancy also served her community as an Assistant District Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Nancy Sullivan Stretch, a woman who has lived a life which embodies the goals and criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. She lives the five commitments of faith, respect, social awareness, community building and personal growth, and her contributions have strengthened our community and our country immeasurably.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Carmen Arellano Lee, a 1954 graduate of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Menlo Park, California. Carmen is being honored on October 20, 2012, with the coveted Spirit of Mater Alumni Award, which recognizes alumni who ``radiate Mater's spark of divine spirit and who employ life in a manner representative of the Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton Goals and Criteria. Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a personal and active faith in God, a deep respect for intellectual values, a social awareness which impels to action, the building of community as a Christian value, and personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.'' Carmen Lee founded the Peninsula Network of Mental Health Clients, an organization composed of clients receiving care provided by public mental health providers and serves as advocates for them. In 1990 Carmen secured funding and began the Stamp Out Stigma (SOS) program to put a human face on mental health patients and issues and dispel the myths and stereotypes surrounding patients and their illnesses. Since 1990 SOS has delivered more than 2,000 public presentations. Carmen is a committee member for the California State Mental Health Planning Council, People in Recovery for the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association and the Federal Government's Task Force on Suicide Prevention. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this tireless, fearless woman who knows of what she speaks. She has felt the stigma and works to stamp it out. She has experienced the curse of mental illness and works as an advocate for others afflicted by it. If we could clone Carmen Lee, communities across our nation would be better places for those suffering from mental illness.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Trevor Schaffer, a 1998 graduate of St. Joseph's School and a 1992 graduate of Sacred Heart Preparatory. The School is proud to offer the Athletic Hall of Fame to honor him for his athletic achievements. The award recognizes contributions of alumni athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators of Sacred Heart Preparatory. Individuals like Trevor Schaffer who are inducted into the Hall of Fame have made significant achievements in his sports of soccer, baseball and basketball and exemplified the principals of sportsmanship and Christianity as illustrated in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Trevor Schaffer, an athlete who lives a life which embodies the goals and criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. He lives the five commitments of faith, respect, social awareness, community building and personal growth, and his contributions to his sport have strengthened our community and our country immeasurably.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 733, which was originally named the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, which has now been renamed to be the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act of 2012. I first introduced this bill in the 110th Congress in honor of a very dear friend, Ambassador Richard Sklar, who was a victim of this devastating disease. Pancreatic cancer is a disease from which very few people survive. It's essentially a death sentence. It's because of the families, their friends, neighbors, doctors, and coworkers who have advocated for much better research and treatments that we've made it to the finish line legislatively and that we are here this evening. Sadly, the outcomes for those with pancreatic cancer have remained relatively unchanged since the passage of the National Cancer Act nearly 40 years ago. Only 6 percent of people diagnosed with the disease live longer than 5 years. Let me say that again. Only 6 percent of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live longer than 5 years; 75 percent die within a year of diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal types of cancers, even as survival rates for other cancers have increased. The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, which I introduced with my wonderful colleague, a real gentleman of the House, Representative Leonard Lance, directs the National Cancer Institute, the NCI, to develop a long-term strategic plan for addressing the disease, bringing together the finest minds in our country with the best expertise in this area. The plan will be used by the agency as a roadmap for navigating the best way forward in research for early detection, for new diagnostic tools, treatment therapies, and even cures. While pancreatic cancer is one of the most devastating of all recalcitrant cancers, or those with a high mortality rate and few treatments, it's certainly not the only cancer that needs increased attention. That's why I've worked closely with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to expand our legislation to include all recalcitrant cancers so that we can make progress in other areas, too. I'm exceedingly proud to say that this bill enjoys the bipartisan cosponsorship of 293 Members of the United States House of Representatives. I want to thank Chairman Upton, Fred Upton, whom I cajoled, whom I pestered, whom I pleaded with, whom I constantly kept after. He reminded me that I needed patience. I kept reminding him that I've been at it for 6 years. But he listened, and I appreciate that and I salute him for it. To the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Waxman, to the staffs of the majority, both the Health Subcommittee, the full committee majority staff and the minority staff, I want to thank them as well, because without them we really cannot get our work done. I also want to say how proud I am and grateful I am for the efforts of the pancreatic cancer advocates who had the courage to share their painful stories with their Representatives and educate them about the importance of this legislation. I would also like to make mention of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who is the author in the other body and has been a marvelous advocate and carrier of this legislation. And last but not least, I'd like to pay tribute to Erin Katzelnick-Wise of my staff, who, for all of this time--over three Congresses--has worked diligently and vigorously and loyally on this bill. I look forward to seeing H.R. 733 signed into law by the President so that we can begin the important work of finding a cure for pancreatic cancer, as well as the other cancers that take the lives of our fellow Americans every day. I think with the passage of this and the signature of it, the American people will say, at last, at last the Congress has acted on a bipartisan basis on something that is of utmost importance and urgency to the American people. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to add to the comments that I made earlier that this is really highly unusual that a bill would enjoy such high co-sponsorship. So, to the advocates that may be tuned in tonight, I, again, want to pay homage to them for their advocacy, for their tenacity, for their turning their real pain and loss into something that is worthy of those that were lost. Almost 1,000 bills were referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee during this, the 112th Congress. There was no other bill that enjoyed the high number, 293 bipartisan cosponsors. This Congress has been really torn a part by so much disagreement, a high amount of nonpartisanship, people all over the country really scratching their heads and saying, can anyone ever come together in Congress to get something done for the American people. And while I wish there were so much more, I think that this stands tall and is an eloquent statement about my colleagues that signed on to this as cosponsors. And I thank, again, the leadership on both sides of the aisle, the staff that is so wonderfully responsible for the beautiful work that's done and, again, close my comments by paying tribute to the Republican leader on this legislation, Representative Leonard Lance, who is a genuine gentleman, an outstanding legislator, a good friend, and a man of real integrity. I say bravo to all of the advocates. God bless you all. I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Dorothy Rumsey Miller, a lifelong resident of Contra Costa County and native of Richmond, California, who passed away on July 8, 2012, at the age of 97 years old, surrounded by her devoted family after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Dorothy Rumsey Miller is survived by four children, including our distinguished colleague in the U.S. House of Representatives, her son Congressman George Miller III of California's 7th Congressional District, his wife Cynthia and three exceptional daughters, Laura Miller of Martinez, Gretchen Miller of Martinez, and Kat Miller of Mexico; four wonderful grandchildren, George Miller IV (Wendy) of El Dorado Hills, Stephen Miller (Kathleen) of Lafayette, Michael D'Aloisio and Sam D'Aloisio (Barbara) of San Francisco and ten beautiful great- grandchildren and two nephews. Dorothy Rumsey Miller was the daughter of Sea Captain John Rumsey and Laura Rumsey. She graduated from Richmond High School and attended the University of the Pacific. She was an accomplished and dedicated artist, who for more than fifty years, painted with her Point Richmond artist group where her passion and love of arts and the water were expressed on her canvases. As an entrepreneur she successfully opened and managed Rumsey's restaurant, and went on to be one of the proprietors of Mama's Mercantile, both in Martinez. Dorothy was an avid reader of all books, including eastern and western spirituality. In her earlier days she volunteered at Loaves and Fishes, and the Special Olympics. As one of the original Women of the Waterfront, a group which helped develop the Martinez Waterfront Park, Dorothy's daily walks brought her great peace and solace throughout her life. Dorothy's greatest joys were her children, her family, and her friends. The Miller home was always a safe haven and a warm gathering place for the young and old seeking her sage advice and loving ways. Through her wonderful wit, eccentricity, humor, counsel, and spirit she was able to share her wisdom and laughter with her children. Dorothy was predeceased by her sister Laura Carey and her distinguished husband, State Senator George Miller Jr. who passed away in 1969, while serving California's 7th State Senate District. Senator Miller was a highly respected legislator, recognized for his warmth, vigor, vision, courage and tremendous accomplishments as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join my colleagues--Leader Nancy Pelosi; Representative Mike Thompson; Representative Doris Matsui; Representative Lynn Woolsey; Representative Barbara Lee; Representative John Garamendi; Representative Jerry McNerney; Representative Jackie Speier; Representative Pete Stark; Representative Mike Honda; Representative Zoe Lofgren; Representative Sam Farr; Representative Dennis Cardoza; Representative Jim Costa; Representative Lois Capps; Representative Brad Sherman; Representative Howard Berman; Representative Adam Schiff; Representative Henry Waxman; Representative Xavier Becerra; Representative Judy Chu; Representative Karen Bass; Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard; Representative Maxine Waters; Representative Janice Hahn; Representative Laura Richardson; Representative Grace Napolitano; Representative Linda Sanchez; Representative Joe Baca; Representative Loretta Sanchez; Representative Bob Filner; and Representative Susan Davis--in extending our deepest condolences to Dorothy's children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, and friends, as well as her caregivers who were so loving and dedicated to her over an extended period of time. We celebrate Dorothy's life and her accomplishments, and we are proud to honor her memory in the House of the People. Our nation has lost a beloved citizen who made her community stronger and our country better.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an exceptional woman, Dorothy Mae Jaroch, who passed away on June 12, 2012, at the age of 88. Her youngest son, Pete, cared for her in her final weeks and was by her side at the moment of her passing. Dorothy Mae Jaroch was a devoted wife, an exceptional mother, a loving grandmother, a beloved sister, a teacher and a leader. She will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her, and I count myself among those so blessed. Dorothy Mae Jaroch, a longtime resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, was born and raised in Lenexa, Kansas. She attended Spring Hill High School, and after completing her academics there, Dorothy married Lieutenant Commander Eugene Jaroch in 1945. She moved to San Francisco to join her new husband, Eugene with the tune ``Sentimental Journey'' by Doris Day with the Les Brown Orchestra in her heart and mind. Together, they travelled extensively throughout the country, danced in harmony and were very much in love. Dorothy, a longtime friend of the Religious of the Sacred Heart at Oakwood, was dedicated to helping others, always making them feel that her home was also theirs. Her greatest attribute was her unswerving faith in God and the goodness of people, and her legacy of compassion serves as a positive example for us all. Dorothy is survived by her children Eugene Paul, Steven, Peter and Suzanne; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her husband, Eugene, the love and light of her life, passed away twelve years ago. Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in extending our deepest condolences to Dorothy Mae Jaroch's family and to all those who were blessed by her friendship. Dorothy Mae Jaroch was an exceptional citizen whose pursuits strengthened our community and bettered our country.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. I'll just make some closing comments because I don't have anyone else who is here to speak to this. Mr. Speaker, I think that everyone who has spoken has really spoken beautifully about this issue, about what the Internet represents not only to individuals, businesses, students, how it has changed how we live, how we work, how we learn, and the jobs that it has produced, what it has done for our national economy, but also what it has done relative to exporting democracy. Of course, the United States is front and center in this. It's a very interesting thing to me to examine those countries that are thinking another way and want to impose that thinking on the Internet. There are far more closed societies where freedom of thought, freedom of expression is not valued the way we do and other democracies do. So we need to form partnerships with other countries around the world to make sure that the democratizing effect that the Internet actually holds will continue. I'm proud to join again with my colleagues, with Mr. Walden, the distinguished chairman of our subcommittee, and Representative Bono Mack, who led the effort with this resolution. I'm proud that we're all together. And I always want to thank our staff, both on the majority and the minority side of the aisle, for the work that they do on the committee. I thank you all, and I salute you. I look forward to a unanimous vote of the United States House of Representatives in support of a free and open Internet. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 3 minutes to my distinguished colleague from California, Representative Zoe Lofgren, who is respected in the House for her knowledge, not only of technology, but of all the wraparound issues that are a part of it.

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have?

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), who has been a recognized intellectual leader on telecommunications and the Internet for a long time in the Congress.

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I'm very pleased to join with all of my colleagues. This is an unusual happening on the floor, and I hope there are lots of people tuned in from C-SPAN listening and watching, because it is one of the few times that we've come together in a true bipartisan, 100 percent bipartisan way. I want to pay tribute to the gentlewoman from California, Representative Bono Mack, for her leadership on this. And I'm very, very pleased to join her and all of the members of the Energy and Commerce Committee on H. Con. Res. 127. As I said, this is bipartisan and it's bicameral, and it demonstrates the bipartisan commitment of the Congress to preserve the open structure and multistakeholder approach that has guided the Internet over the past two decades. The distinguished chairman of our subcommittee said that he hopes the administration will remain on this. The administration was there before the Congress took action. There is no light between the administration, the executive branch, the Senate or the House, and that's the way it should be. Through this open and transparent structure, Mr. Speaker, the Internet has literally transformed into a platform supporting thousands of innovative companies, applications, and services, not just in the United States, but in communities around the world. I'm very, very proud, because my congressional district is very much a part of Silicon Valley, and many of these companies helped to launch these innovations. In fact, since 1995--this is really stunning-- venture capital funds have invested approximately $250 billion--with a B, dollars--in industries reliant on an open Internet, including $91.8 billion on software alone. But later this year, the World Conference on International Telecommunications--at the committee, we call it WCIT, that's a lot easier--will take up proposals that represent a really fundamental departure from the International Telecommunications Regulations adopted in 1988. Nearly 25 years ago, this treaty provided a framework for how telecommunications traffic is handled among countries, but much has changed since that time. In addition to proposing new regulations on broadband services, several nations, including Russia, are set on asserting intergovernmental control over the Internet, leading to a balkanized Internet where censorship could become the new norm. While there's no question that nations have to work together to address challenges to the Internet's growth and stability, such as cybersecurity, online privacy, and intellectual property protection, these issues can best be addressed under the existing model. It's absolutely essential that the United States defend the current model of Internet governance at the upcoming Dubai conference this December because the very fabric of the free and open Internet is at stake. So I urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution which reflects, as I said a few months ago, a viewpoint already shared by the Obama administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. delegation to the WCIT, and unite in opposition to proposals that threaten the innovation, openness, and transparency enjoyed by Internet users around the world. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Doyle), a highly regarded member of our committee.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. To the distinguished ranking member and my good friend, thank you for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I am very troubled about this bill. Instead of considering legislation that would create jobs and stimulate economic growth, the House is going to take up and vote on a bill that does the exact opposite. In fact, it has the enormous potential of delaying the implementation of new spectrum and public safety law. Now, I don't know if you vetted your own effort, so to speak, but it was not all that long ago--it was earlier this year--that Congress passed and the President signed into law landmark legislation that implements a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. The legislation also made more spectrum available for mobile broadband services. This was the last recommendation that the 9/11 Commission had made. Congress finally made good on that recommendation, which was to establish a nationwide interoperable public safety network. Why? Because on that fateful day in New York, when police and fire went into those Twin Towers, their communications systems did not allow them to communicate with each other, to talk to each other. We finally, on a bipartisan basis, resolved that. Also, at the time of the passage of that legislation, Mr. Chairman, we all praised it. We described the billions of dollars in new investment as well as the hundreds of thousands of jobs that would be created as a result of the legislation, calling it an economic game changer. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the bill that you dragged to the floor today, H.R. 4078, which is what we are considering, suggests that this legislation could delay this critical investment and the job creation that comes with it. My rhetorical question to the majority is: Do you even know what you're doing? I don't think the left hand knows what the right hand is doing. Now, I offered an amendment at the Rules Committee, which was not made in order, that would have exempted the legislation I'm referring to: that any agency rulemaking that creates jobs or protects public safety, including the provisions of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 that pay for the creation of a nationwide public safety broadband network through voluntary spectrum incentive auctions, be exempt. That was not made in order. So all I can do is come to the floor and use the voice that my constituents have entrusted to me to stand up for things that really make sense for our country, bipartisan legislation, which your legislation today really screws up--in plain English. With the auction of this prime spectrum expected to raise over $25 billion, the passage of this legislation, H.R. 4078, will not only delay access to this critical revenue, but on top of that, you've brought to the floor really bad policy. That's why I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the final passage of this legislation, because it messes up the good work that we were able to bring forward with, really, I think, a political advertising message. This is not serious legislation. What is serious about it is the damage that it will do to legislation that, on a bipartisan basis, we worked so hard on to make law. This essentially comes behind it as the wrecking crew.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, one of the privileges we have in the House is to commemorate the lives of great Americans and the contributions they have made to our communities and our country. Today, it is an honor to pay tribute to Robert F. Lautze who passed away on May 8, 2012, after a long life of service and celebration. He was a resident of the Bay Area and lived most of his life in San Carlos, California, a community I've represented as a San Mateo County Supervisor and as a Member of Congress. Rob was eighteen minutes older than his identical twin, Richard, and for years they were known as ``Rob and Rich'' or the ``Lautze brothers.'' Prior to World War II, they left their hometown of San Francisco and together became star athletes on the basketball court at Santa Clara University. Thus began a life-long relationship with the University where both Rob and Rich would each serve on the Board of Regents, the Board of Trustees, and as President of the Alumni Association. During World War II, they joined the Navy, became officers, and served aboard ships in the Pacific. When they returned, they celebrated a double wedding and joined an accounting firm in San Francisco that became Lautze & Lautze. To this day the firm has kept this name even though the brothers retired over twenty years ago. Many years ago, the Lautzes gave a young college graduate his first job at their firm, and when the new employee thought he might have a vocation in the priesthood, they encouraged him and gave him support. Paul Locatelli became a Jesuit priest, the President of Santa Clara University, and a celebrated American educator. He often said one of the reasons he became a priest was the example and support of Rob and Rich Lautze. Rob's contributions to the community were numerous--the Kiwanis Club, the Burn Wound Center at St. Francis Hospital, the Hanna Boys Center, the Little Sisters of the Poor, and as a member of the board of the Marianists Province. He was one of the first treasurers of his beloved parish of St. Charles Catholic Church, served in the Knights of Columbus, and coached the boys' basketball team with his brother. Rob was the proud father of five children: Karen, Mary, Susie, Rob, and Steve. His first wife, Alice, known as ``A,'' passed away in 1983, after over 35 years of marriage. In 1984, he married fellow parishioner, Patricia Murphy Laute to whom he was married for 28 years, and was the beloved patriarch to Patty's sons and family. Mr. Speaker, Rob Lautze called life a ``simple equation.'' He counted his blessings often and out loud. He served so many in so many ways, and at the same time he quietly helped friends and neighbors with personal challenges. He was gentle in spirit, generous, and kind. He loved to laugh and in every picture of him there is a genuine smile--as well as a discreetly held cigar. Rob Lautze was a beloved member of our community who lived his faith, loved his family, and served his community and his country. We celebrate his life, and I'm proud to honor his memory in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House to join me in expressing our sympathy to the Lautze family. Our nation has lost a beloved citizen who made our community stronger and our country better.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Stanford University Women's Water Polo Team on winning back-to-back NCAA Women's Division I Water Polo Championships in 2011 and 2012. The Stanford University Women's Water Polo Team has combined talent and competitive spirit with the highest ideals of good sportsmanship to establish itself as a truly exceptional group. With admirable dedication, the Cardinals worked diligently to achieve the ultimate proficiency in water polo, and as a result, ended their season with a 6-4 victory over the University of Southern California Trojans to earn their second consecutive and third overall NCAA Championship. The Cardinals went into the tournament after falling 8-7 in overtime to UCLA in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament championship match. Stanford led UCLA 3-2 after the first quarter and carried a 5-4 advantage at halftime. The team used the loss to rally going into the NCAA tournament, blowing past their competition with a 17-5 victory over Pomona-Pitzer, and a 12-3 victory over UC Irvine in the initial tournament games. Stanford held a lead over USC throughout most of the championship game 3-2. Neither team led by more than a single goal, and USC's only advantage came when they scored the opening goal. Kaley Dodson and Pallavi Menon both contributed a pair of goals while Kiley Neushul and Kaitlyn Lo are credited with a goal each. More impressively, Menon played with a torn ligament in her elbow. Cardinal Goalie, Kate Baldoni, achieved the high honor of Most Valuable Player of the NCAA tournament. With 15 saves in the championship game and 29 saves in the tournament, Baldoni allowed only 9 goals within the 3 games. This victory marked Stanford's 103rd NCAA championship trophy overall and third in women's water polo. Going into the season, Stanford was ranked the No. 1 team in both the Collegiate Water Polo Association Varsity Top 20 Preseason Poll and the MPSR's Preseason Coaches Poll. The Cardinals did not disappoint, finishing the season with a 26-2 record despite the absence of two key players. Both Annika Dries and Melissa Seidemann redshirted this year in order to train for the 2012 Summer Olympics with the U.S. National Team. As both young women return to the team next season, their U.S. National Team teammate Maggie Steffens will join them at Stanford, where the future for this team is exceptionally bright. Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Coach Josh Tanner, seniors Pallavi Menon, Alyssa Lo, Cassie Churnside, and Monica Coughlan; their teammates Kate Baldoni, Jillian Garton, Alexis Lee, Victoria Kennedy, Kaitlyn Lo, Lexie Ross, Kelsey Suggs, Lizzie Peiros, Kaley Dodson, Emily Dorst, Kiley Neushul, Catherine Carpenter, Cory Dodson, and Ashley Grossman; coaches Susan Ortwein and Kyle Utsumi; and Stanford fans everywhere. Bravo to the Cardinals for a thrilling season, and for demonstrating the highest standards of teamwork and sportsmanship. They have brought added distinction to California's 14th Congressional District and stand out as the best in America.

Ms. ESHOO

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

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Chairman, this is the, I believe, sixth time that I've come to the floor during this Congress to call for disclosure and full transparency throughout the Federal Government. So this is not my first time on the floor on this issue. I've risen on many bills, and I will continue to because I think it's really critical to help restore the confidence of the American people in their government and how it operates. I maintain the view, and it's shared by the majority of the American people, that transparency in the use of our tax dollars is absolutely critical. I want to pay tribute to my colleague, Mr. Ellison, for offering this amendment, and together we support it and offer it to the full House. I believe that with public dollars come public responsibilities. There are thousands of companies who do business with the Federal Government, and they receive billions of dollars--of public dollars-- for their services and products. And I think that all of our constituents deserve to know whether and how they spend these dollars and whether they are used to influence our elections. The amendment I'm offering with Congressman Ellison will provide this transparency by requiring that post-award contractors or subcontractors--which is very important, we don't want to interfere with the contracting process whatsoever, but once they have been awarded a contract--disclose all political contributions. This should be the norm of the day. Disclosure is extraordinarily powerful because it puts the American people in the driver's seat. Constituents deserve to know who is involved in their elections and what their purpose might be. I think it's sad that just a few days ago the United States Senate killed the DISCLOSE Act. It was a sad day for the Congress. But I think the American people are taking note. Anyone who supports the Citizens United decision, which I don't, legalizing corporate expenditures, should know that eight out of nine Supreme Court Justices endorsed prompt disclosure. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote: Disclosure permits citizens and shareholders to react to the speech of corporate entities in a proper way. Now, Republicans supported disclosure before they were against it, and I would hope that my Republican colleagues would come back into the fold. There's no reason to oppose transparency and disclosure unless someone really wants to hide anything. And I don't think any of us wants to hide behind the hiding. It just is not good government. The American people, the people that we are here to represent and have the privilege of representing, deserve more information and not less. We can bring this about by adopting this policy. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. Parliamentary Inquiry