Rahm Emanuel

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Just one second.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. About a week ago, this Congress passed the most comprehensive update of the GI Bill of Rights for both Active Duty, Guard and Reserve soldiers. We follow up that legislation with what we are doing today to also update our laws as relates to active duty soldiers and their families. The fact is, as my colleague from the Philadelphia area said, this war is different. We have noted the difference. We need to adjust our policy and our legislation and our laws to the fact that this war has gone on longer than anybody predicted, cost more in lives, treasure, and reputation than any war in America's past. So today we take another small step to change our laws to reflect this different kind of war to make sure those soldiers and their families are represented in the laws we pass today. Now many will talk about some of the benefits, and they should. I want to talk about one particular provision that I put in here with my colleague from Indiana, who you will hear from later, Congressman Ellsworth, about how we pay for this, because it doesn't add one penny to the deficit. It closes down a tax loophole used by KBR, a company, that it set up offshore in the Cayman Islands a subsidiary, and it never paid Social Security taxes, Medicare taxes, unemployment insurance taxes to 10,000 workers. Never paid any of those taxes on any of those employees. This legislation shuts that down. Those employees were over there. And what happened? This company gave contaminated water to our soldiers, who ended up, many of them, in the hospital getting health care by the basic facilities we have over in Iraq. Our soldiers got contaminated water, our taxpayers got ripped off because they had to cover for another company what they didn't pay in their fair share, and a company was set up offshore to do all of that.

Mr. EMANUEL. It's ironic that it took 4 years to close this offshore loophole. But we are shutting it down and paying for all these other benefits to ensure that this company and other companies like it who set up in the Cayman Islands do not go around the law of the United States to come in under budget, knowing the fact they never paid their fair share of taxes. It's a small step. It also is an indication we need to start changing the law because there is over 12,000 companies in the Cayman Islands alone set up over there, avoiding their fair share of taxes while the American taxpayers have to pay their portion. So I am pleased that we are doing this, giving the benefits to the GIs and their families, but, most importantly, closing down an egregious loophole to do that.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join with the people of Portage Park and all of Chicago in congratulating Washington D. Smyser Accelerated School on their 75th Anniversary. This milestone will be marked by a 75th Anniversary Gala at Biagio's Banquets in Chicago, Illinois. During the past 75 years, Smyser Accelerated School has educated thousands of children and has been an anchor for generations of families in the Portage Park community. The Smyser School mission to provide high quality educational services to all children within the Portage Park community has been evident through their role in the community as well as through recognition by the Illinois State Board of Education. Smyser School has also been selected as one of 508 ``Spotlight Schools'' in Illinois. Spotlight Schools have a high poverty rate, yet maintain a high academic performance. The Spotlight Schools recognize low-income students and schools that overcome limited resources to show impressive academic performance. The Smyser School philosophy is that all children are entitled to an outstanding education rich in opportunities and rewarding experiences. They are committed to providing all children with a love of learning and pride in Smyser School as well as their community. They provide their students with opportunities for academic, athletic, and artistic growth while instilling values that will serve its students throughout their lives. These activities and experiences teach students the importance of academic achievement. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Smyser School's faculty and staff for the contributions they have made to their community. They are shaping today's youth and tomorrow's future. As their representative in Congress, I am proud to congratulate Smyser School's alumni, students, teachers, and staff on its achievements over the last 75 years, and I wish them the best of luck and continued growth in the future.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I was absent from the Chamber for rollcall vote 320 on May 14, 2008. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues from Wisconsin and from Pennsylvania. This is about our eighth war funding supplemental, emergency spending for the war. But what's intriguing about this one is that, in every other war supplemental, we've asked the American taxpayers to give the Iraqis approximately $50 billion to rebuild their country, schools, hospitals, roads, electricity, all so Iraq can rebuild after the war. And this is the first supplemental that we've asked to rebuild America. These kids lives, approximately the same amount of money. Over the last eight funding bills for the war, we've dedicated approximately $50 billion of American money to rebuild Iraq's schools and roads. We're asking approximately a little over $50 billion to help these kids, our GIs, to rebuild their lives, to get the education that they've earned, to start on a new life for them and their family, whether they be Guard, Reserve or active duty. So there has been no conscience, no problem when it came to Iraq's roads. They got the money. There was no problem when it came to Iraqi schools and hospitals. We said that was our moral obligation, to help Iraq get back on their feet. What moral obligation do we have to our own GIs to get back on their feet? Where is the decency to these kids who we've sent, not once, not twice, some of them three times who signed up to be Guard or Reserve and then we've implemented a stop-loss program that totally changed the contracts?

Mr. EMANUEL. We have an obligation to these children to restart their lives. At the height of 1949, the original GI Bill of Rights for World War II was 1 percent of our GDP. This is far less. And look how well that paid off for this country. Everybody knows somebody who went to school on that GI Bill. We are doing right by those kids who are doing right by us. You have compared this war with the equivalent of what we've done in World War II. Well, let's make it the equivalent by giving these kids a GI Bill. They've earned it every day doing something that not one of us have done in this context. And yes, we've asked those who are the most well-off in this country, people we all know, to pay a little so these kids can go to college and pursue their dream that they made possible for us because of their sacrifice. And I know a lot of those people, and they're willing to pay a little more to make sure that these kids have an opportunity for the American Dream.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 322, recognizing the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel. Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, marks a day when Theodor Herzl's prophetic words became reality: ``If you will it, it is no dream.'' Since its founding on May 14, 1948, the modern State of Israel has established itself as a dynamic and democratic nation with a thriving economy, a pluralistic political system, and a vibrant cultural and intellectual center. The Israeli people have contributed greatly as scholars, innovators, educators, and more, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to recognize their accomplishments as well as those of Israel. Israel has been a vital ally of the United States since the beginning of its existence, sharing democratic values, friendship, and respect and enjoying a strategic partnership. America and Israel shall remain close friends for years to come, particularly as Israel continues to seek peace with her neighbors. H. Con. Res. 322 reaffirms these bonds of friendship and cooperation and expresses a commitment to strengthen these bonds. On the Jewish calendar, Israel's Independence Day falls on the 5th of Iyar, corresponding this year with May 8, 2008. This day is a joyous time to reflect with pride on the work of the men and women who knew that one day the dream of the State of Israel would become a reality. Madam Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 322 and wish to extend warm congratulations and best wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate this 60th year of Israel's independence. I wish them peace and prosperity in the years to come, kein yehi ratzon.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Maestro Riccardo Muti on being named the next music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO). Maestro Muti will become the 10th music director to take the baton in that capacity for the CSO. Maestro Muti will succeed Daniel Barenboim, who held the position of music director at the CSO for fifteen years when he left in 2006. I am proud that Chicago will have a world-class maestro to follow in the footsteps of legends like Sir Georg Solti as music director. Maestro Muti's background is impressive and commands immense respect in the musical community. He has conducted many important orchestras around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Orchestre National de France, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, and more. Maestro Muti already has some familiarity with our City's outstanding orchestra, having conducted the CSO at Ravinia in 1973 and returning to Symphony Center in 1975 as well as three decades later in 2007. When he begins his tenure as music director in 2010, I know that he and the CSO will continue to excel in the years to come. Madam Speaker, I congratulate Riccardo Muti in his new position as music director at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and wish him the best of luck as Chicago's new maestro.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, a number of folks have mentioned on the other side, brought up stories about talking about the Speaker and what Democrats claim. In 2005, when the Republican Congress passed the President's energy bill, let me tell you what some folks said. The minority leader at that time says, ``This will lower energy prices for consumers.'' The minority whip, Mr. Blunt, said, ``Vote for lower gas prices and increase energy independence for America.'' This is what was offered and was sold when you did your energy bill. That's what you claimed. My colleague from Illinois, Congressman Shimkus, says, ``I do believe that it will help us become more independent of foreign oil, will expand our use of renewable fuels, and will make our electricity production and transmission more reliable. All of which will help slow price increases.'' That hasn't been accomplished by any stretch of the imagination. When you passed it at that point, gasoline was at $59 a barrel. Today, as you know, it's 124 bucks a barrel. So it hasn't accomplished any of that goal. This is all what you claimed in your marketing at that point when you had an energy bill on the floor in 2005 because you only had one strategy. You didn't want to do anything about conservation. You didn't want to do anything about renewable energy sources and investment in future technologies. And you didn't want to do anything, as my colleague from West Virginia told you, that there were over 9,800 permits out there, force American companies to start drilling in those permits rather than holding those permits here in the United States where we have some of the energy. There's plenty of that to go around. What we've done is put a budget together that breaks with the past. It offers a change in the sense it puts our budget in balance. It invests in education over what the President does. It invests in energy technologies for the future, and also, it ensures that the middle class gets a tax cut. This is a budget that's not only in balance but is in balance with our values and our priorities here. Now, you all have come up with a unique slogan, change you deserve. That's what you've marketed. All you've offered is more of the same, more of the same of $3 trillion of debt, the largest increase in debt in the shortest period of time in American history. That's the change America deserves? You've offered 10 million children without health care to go walking. Is that change you can deserve? You've offered an energy policy that has continued to rely on just drilling without looking at conservation, without looking at future technology. Is that change you can deserve? The American people deserve better, and they're offered here in a budget that is in balance with our priorities, balance with our economic goals. We put resources towards our education, towards energy technology and towards, in fact, making sure the middle class get a tax cut. In 2005, when you controlled the House, the Senate and the White House, you put together an energy bill that led America to where it is today. I think the American people deserve a change.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, picking up on what my colleague from Connecticut said, which is nobody says this is a panacea, but all experience shows, both the Harvard study and the Department of Energy study, shows that about 20 percent, which would be about $25 a barrel drop in price, would occur because of this. There is plenty of blame to go around. Nobody is suggesting this is going to resolve the energy crisis. It is a short-term alleviation of high prices that would, in fact, allow us to take the steps that we have not taken for 20 years. And also in the last 5 or 6 years, when the Vice President derided conservation, you acknowledged on the floor the importance of conservation. It was dismissed as part of our arsenal in our energy policy. When those of us who talked about investing in new alternative energy, wind, solar, thermal, it was also dismissed, and continues to not only be dismissed, but vetoed. That, too, is unilateral disarmament by the United States. So you are right. There is plenty of blame to go around. But there are plenty of solutions to also be picked up. Conservation was denied as a national policy. And we have paid the price as a country. Alternative energy was denied and denied for years and issued veto threats by the President of the United States. And we pay the price because of that policy. This is a short-term solution, $25, which means a lot to Americans, a barrel, but it gives us the breathing space to do what we need to do and take care of America's energy independence. Now no one is going to claim that in 2005 when you all did pass your energy bill, let me quote your minority leader, ``the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is a balanced, bipartisan bill that will lower energy prices to consumers and spur our economy.'' Nobody is claiming that. This gives a short-term alleviation to allow us to tackle a problem that has been festering for 25 years and denying what all of us should have done in Washington, invest in long-term, alternative energy and technologies that will give America its leg of independence, as well as adopt an energy policy of conservation, it would also save.

Mr. EMANUEL. That is the strategy we are talking about. This is the right thing to do. It has been proven that when we have instrumented this tool, that is to stop purchasing from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, that in fact there will be immediate reduction in the prices at the pump and also a barrel of energy. That is the right thing to do. But let there be no mistake. In every step of the way for the last 6 years, the President of the United States has either issued veto threats or leaned on only one side of the policy, and that policy was dig, dig, dig. In fact, there are 9,300 licenses to drill here in the United States that the energy companies are not using.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month. In 2006, Congress unanimously passed H. Con. Res. 315, a resolution urging the President to issue a proclamation for the observance of an American Jewish History Month. I was an original co-sponsor of that important legislation, and following our action, President Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month as a means of celebrating the Jewish community's history in America in addition to their contributions to American culture. On April 29, 2008, President Bush reaffirmed his commitment of celebrating Jewish American heritage by making May 2008 Jewish American Heritage Month. Since 1654, the American Jews have contributed to American life and society in all walks of life. The achievements of American Jews span all fields including medicine, law, entertainment, public service, technology, and literature. I take this time to celebrate those who have served our nation and propelled it successfully into the 21st century. Throughout more than 350 years, American Jewish culture has become intertwined with American culture. The Jewish faith and spirit in combination with Jewish history and culture serve as an integral part of what this nation is today. Madam Speaker, I am proud to commemorate Jewish American Heritage Month and hope that my colleagues will join me in celebrating the American Jewish community and its commitment to enriching American society and culture.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, in 1993, when professional baseball owners were deciding how to rehabilitate the reputation of baseball after the players' strike, they debated whether to enact a wild-card rule to allow the second place team into the playoffs. Only one owner at the time voted against this, Texas Rangers general partner, George Bush. When the rule passed 27-1, at the time the President said, ``I made my arguments and went down in flames. History will prove me right.'' Since then, nearly a third of the World Series Champions have been wild-card teams, including the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. The rule helped save baseball, as history has shown. And just like his baseball predictions, President Bush sings a very similar tune about Iraq. He says, as recently as yesterday, ``History will prove whether I'm right, and I think I'll be right.'' Really? Five years today since his speech on ``Mission Accomplished.'' And let's take stock. More than 4,000 lives have been lost, tens of thousands of American men and women have been injured, we've spent over 475 billion taxpayer dollars in Iraq, with the price tag continually going up. History will judge whether, once again, George Bush's record and America's reputation will go down in flames. At this rate, he's 0 for 2.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Chicago Cubs on their 10,000th franchise victory. Last night, the Cubs were away from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, located in the heart of the Fifth Congressional District, and beat the Colorado Rockies in Denver to reach this historic milestone. My hometown Cubbies are one of only two teams in MLB history to win 10,000 games. This year marks the Cubs 138th season, and 100th anniversary of our last World Series Championship, but like all Cubs fans, I have faith that this is our year. Almost 142 years ago today, the Cubs played their first game in the National League as the Chicago White Stockings, and they finished in first place in that 1876 season. In 1902, the team officially became the Cubs, and northsiders have been rooting for our Cubbies ever since. The Cubs' home, Wrigley Field, is located at 1060 W. Addison in my district, and is the oldest National League ballpark and second oldest in the majors. Countless memories have been created at Wrigley Field as Chicago families and fans across the country have come to watch the wins and losses of our Cubs. Chicagoans are very excited about our Cubs this year, with the team playing great baseball and sitting in first place in the Central with a record of 15-6. Manager Lou Pinella has done a terrific job with an outstanding complement of players, from pitchers Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, and Carlos Marmol to Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, newcomer Kosuke Fukudome, and last night's hero, Ryan Theriot. Great players have filled Cubs lore over the years, and we will never forget legends like Ernie Banks, Gabby Hartnett, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, Mordecai ``Three Finger'' Brown, Ryne Sandberg, Mark Grace, and others. Last night's victory was hard fought, with the Cubs defeating the Rockies in 10 innings to earn that 10,000th victory. Madam Speaker, as the Representative of Wrigley Field and all the residents of the 5th Congressional District of Illinois, as well as hundreds of thousands of Chicago Cubs fans, I congratulate the Cubs on this wonderful milestone. I'm looking forward to many more victories and hope to see that ``W'' flag flying at Wrigley Field throughout the summer and fall.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Geraldine ``Jerre'' McPartlin for receiving ``The 2008 Sister Huberta McCarthy, R.S.M. Woman of Mercy'' award. Mrs. McPartlin is the fifth woman to have the honor of receiving the ``Woman of Mercy'' award, and I congratulate her on this achievement. This award has been presented by Mercy Hospital and Medical Center's Women's Board in honor of Mrs. McPartlin's work carrying forth the mission of Mercy Hospital throughout her professional and private life. In 1852 Mercy Hospital and Medical Center was founded as the State of Illinois' first hospital and Chicago's first chartered hospital. For the last 155 years, Mercy has helped treat countless Chicagoans from all backgrounds, income levels, and educations seeking medical care. Jerre, as she is known to her friends and family, was raised on the West side of Chicago and educated at Resurrection Grammar School and Siena High School by the Sisters of Mercy. She began her career working with the local labor movement as a business agent for the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union. This union serves thousands of workers in the hospitality and food service industries in the Chicagoland area. In 1985 she became the First Vice-President of the Chicago Federation of Labor, and in 1995 was named ``Labor Woman of the Year'' by the Chicago Federation of Labor. Jerre has given her time to a long list of worthwhile charities, including Concern Worldwide USA, Misericordia, and Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. She has been a member of the Mercy Women's Board for several years, as well as Vice President of the Women's Board from 2003-2005. Amazingly, she has managed to give so much of her time and energy to others while also being devoted to another sizable organization--her family. Jerre has 12 children, 23 grandchildren, and 8 great- grandchildren, and I am as impressed with the size of her family as her commitment to service. Madam Speaker, because of Jerre McPartlin's tireless commitment to our community, she has touched the hearts and lives of thousands of Chicagoans. On behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Illinois, I thank her for her service to the people of Chicago and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the visit of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict the XVI, to the United States. In addition to commemorating this Pontiff's first visit to our Nation as the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, today also marks the 81st birthday for his Holiness. The theme for the Pope's U.S. visit is ``On Christian Hope,'' and on behalf of the more than 200,000 Catholic residents of the Fifth Congressional District of Illinois, I would like to welcome Pope Benedict the XVI to Washington, DC and the United States. Pope Benedict the XVI was elected the 265th Pope in August of 2005. Since that time he has traveled to nations all over the world spreading the beliefs of hope, peace, and justice. Throughout his life the Holy Father has touched the hearts of millions. From his humble beginnings in Germany through his current role as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, his religious doctrine and his belief in faith, hope, and kindness have guided his commitment to the Church and people around the world. He has connected with Catholics and non-Catholics alike through his dedication for advancement of human rights for all people. The Holy Father has been honored throughout the world as a leader on issues that affect people of all races, religions, and creeds. He is an advocate for the poor and the needy, the hungry and the old, the sick and the tired. The belief that all citizens of the world should have rights is not simply a religious belief, but a human belief and one that we as Americans should honor. Roman Catholics make up over 20 percent of the United States population and over one-sixth of the worlds population. The Roman Catholic Church in the United States operates schools, universities, shelters, and hospitals to help and educate people of this great nation. Madam Speaker, the Holy Father is a dedicated servant to the Church and his followers, and we are proud to welcome him on his first visit to America. I wish him continued success in his efforts for human rights and spiritual advancement, as well as a very happy birthday.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Chairman, let me just say to the simplification of the student loan form--actually, it happened to be my first bill--which is to take the 106 questions, 8 pages long, down to commonsense English, cut it in half, and the good news is that, in fact, the Higher Ed Reauthorization Act will then, in short order--I have all the confidence in Chairman Miller--be on the floor this month to pass. This, like that act, is a second step that we take to make sure that we put a protective wall around the student loan market. What we see today in the mortgage industry, what we see today happening in other parts of the marketplace, should not happen to those students and those families who are trying to send their kids to college. We live in an era where you earn what you learn. A college education is a ticket to the middle class life and to greater economic security and greater economic opportunity. What has happened in the subprime market and what has happened in our marketplace in the financial sector should not migrate into the student loan industry. This legislation ensures that it will not. It has two messages, one to parents and students, that says in this time of uncertainty, know that your government is there to ensure that you get a student loan coming up this fall. It's also a message to the executive branch: Do not wait for a crisis. Do not act like you do not have this authority. You have this authority. The Congress, in a bipartisan vote, will make sure you know in no uncertain terms to have the authority to prevent any chaos, any disruption to the student loan marketplace. This legislation, like the reauthorization of the higher ed bill, will build on the facts that we have extended this year and increase Pell Grants for the first time, pass the largest increase of student loans since the GI Bill in 1944. This Congressman knows that when middle class families look at their kids, look at the cost of college that has gone up by $7,500, knows that kids today, when they graduate, graduate with an average debt burden of $18,000 when they get their diploma. This Congress makes sure that middle class families don't fall farther behind making sure their kids have a better and more opportunistic future than they had. A college education is the key to that future, and I am proud that we are taking this action speedily before there is any crisis in the student loan industry.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, to pick up on my colleague's comments about fairness, one of the provisions in this legislation deals with closing the loophole for KBR, a former Halliburton subsidiary, that used the Cayman Islands to avoid paying taxes. And that is, it was discovered that in fact KBR, they're a company that was doing its operations in Iraq, was not paying and consciously set up a company in the Cayman Islands, just a post office box, set up a company to avoid paying Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance, which is how they became the low bid. It is the company, by the way, I'm sure you remember this, that served contaminated water to our troops, costing the taxpayers more money to take care of the health of those troops. They set up an operation in the Cayman Islands, and in fact, their post office was Post Office Box 847, One Capital Place, 4th Floor, Shedden Road, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, KY1-1103. And the reason they were the low bidder? They didn't pay their fair share. And the truth is the American people care about two things when it comes to American taxes: Simplicity of the code and fairness. And this is an example of the unfairness of our code. In fact, if you look at the Ugland House in the Cayman Islands, one building houses 12,000 companies who have established post office boxes or ZIP codes or modems there, and the only purpose they're there for is to avoid paying their fair share of their taxes. And one of the pieces of this legislation is, in fact, to shut down the operation so companies cannot get contracts doing government work here in the United States, paid for by the taxpayers, whose sole purpose is to avoid paying their fair share. The company acknowledges that the reason they set up the Cayman Islands was so they didn't pay Social Security, they didn't pay unemployment, they didn't pay Medicare.

Mr. EMANUEL. And the way this was discovered was on a worker who was laid off with 10,000 employees, went to go collect unemployment insurance and was told no, you don't have the money for that because you didn't pay insurance. He said no, I work for an American company, and then discovered, in fact, he didn't work for an American company. KBR was a company set up in the Cayman Islands for the purpose of avoiding paying their fair share of taxes, and it is right here on April 15, when Americans are facing bigger tax bills, higher costs for health care, higher costs for education, higher costs for gasoline, that in fact those companies that are servicing in Iraq pay their fair share and not use the tax code to avoid their responsibility.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lane Technical High School on their victory at the first Chase Urban Debate National Championship held in Chicago last weekend. I want to specifically congratulate Lane Tech students Andrew Hobaugh and Nick Locke for taking first place in the tournament. Lane Technical High School is the largest public high school in Illinois with a strong tradition of superior education on Chicago's north side since 1908. Lane Tech offers students a superb college preparatory curriculum, with particular emphasis placed upon the technological aspects of a modern education. Lane Tech holds itself to its mission statement to provide all students with a superior academic, technical, and fine arts education that prepares students for success in their post-secondary endeavors of school, career, community and family life. The debate tournament was hosted by the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues, NAUDL, and was held at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management's downtown Chicago campus. Competing against 33 other urban debate teams from around the country Andrew Hobaugh and Nick Locke took first place after beating Atlanta's Grady High School in the final round on Sunday. According to NAUDL, Urban Debate Leagues have proven to increase literacy scores by 25 percent and achieve high school graduation rates of nearly 100 percent. Lane Tech is an outstanding educational institution in Chicago. Year after year, they continue to be committed to improving and educating our youth to secure a promising future. Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand today to recognize Lane Tech High School and particularly, Andrew Hobaugh and Nick Locke for their outstanding performance at the first Chase Urban Debate National Championship.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. I would like to thank my colleague for lending the time. Mr. Speaker, we are having a conversation here about trade and globalization and about how to make sure that, in fact, globalization is a win-win strategy for the American people. And we were talking about Colombia, but what we really are talking about is the effects of globalization on the American economy. And in fact today, if you take a look at The Washington Post Business page, there's a new survey out showing the middle class feeling worse in this period of time than ever before, more squeezed by rising costs. Energy is up nearly 2 bucks a gallon since 2001. Nearly $2 up. Health care costs have doubled. College costs are up 64 percent, and yet the median household income in this country shrunk $1,100. The middle class are feeling squeezed. Globalization can be a good thing. Trade can be a good thing. But if you don't have an agenda to make sure Americans win in that globalization, you're going to get a squeeze on the middle class where they resist the attempts to open up markets to American-made products. What we need here, and what we are seeking here, is a new deal for the new economy for the American workers. And that means when health care costs are up like that, we make sure there's health care security to the American people, which is why it was wrong to veto a children's health care bill for America's children to give 10 million children's parents who work full-time health care. It is why it is wrong that when we have an extension of the hope and lifetime college credit so Americans can get to community colleges, can get the chances for their kids to go to college, it is wrong to allow that tax credit to end. It is why we are trying to make sure that, in fact, American people have a retirement security and a universal 401(k) so those who work full time, 75 million Americans, who do not have a savings plan outside of Social Security have in fact a 401(k) like the rest of us. It's an agenda to make sure there is an economic security plan.

Mr. EMANUEL. No conversation about trade is ever about trade. It's about the standard of living of the middle class of this country. Globalization could be a good thing if you have an agenda, and just trade alone is not an agenda to make sure that the middle class of this country, that built this country since World War II are strengthened to compete and win in this globalized economy. And what we are ensuring today is that we have in fact a trade deal that is not seen as a cost to the American people but seen as an opportunity to succeed in that world, and we today are making sure that there is a win-win strategy to that globalization.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize WBBM-AM, which this year them continued success. will celebrate its fortieth anniversary as an all-news outlet. WBBM-AM, more commonly known as Newsradio 780, became an all-news radio station in 1968 Under the direction of John Callaway. Today, with a power of 50,000 watts, Newsradio 780 is one of the highest rated stations in Chicago, providing listeners with the latest local, national, and international news. On May 6, 2008, WBBM-AM will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a live midday broadcast from Daley Plaza in Chicago, and I am proud to recognize the radio station for serving as a trusted news source for 40 years. Known for its outstanding journalism as well as traffic and weather together on the 8s, WBBM-AM is a resource to Chicagoans at home, at work, and on the way. Madam Speaker, as a listener and a Member of Congress from Chicago, I congratulate WBBM-AM on their 40th year of all-news broadcasting, and I wish them continued success.

Mr. EMANUEL

Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 793, the Reauthorization of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act. S. 793 is the Senate companion to H.R. 1418, a bill that I cosponsored to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize and improve our efforts to combat and treat traumatic brain injury, TBI, at the Federal and State levels. As a member of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, this issue is near and dear to my heart, and I am proud that we are debating this important legislation today. Of troops wounded in Iraq 62 percent have sustained TBI, compared to a rate closer to 20 percent in previous conflicts. Overall in the U.S., there are about 1.5 million civilian cases of traumatic brain injury each year. I have worked hard to make researching and fighting TBI a priority and, in particular, the relationship between TBI and epilepsy. Traumatic brain injury, TBI, causes epilepsy in up to 30 percent of civilians and 50 percent of military head injuries, greatly exacerbating chronic neurological disability. TBI is particularly problematic for soldiers currently serving or recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. In 1996, members of Congress passed the Traumatic Brain Injury Act, which amended the Public Health Service Act to increase resources available to research on traumatic brain injury. Today, we have the opportunity to reauthorize and amend this act to include a broader spectrum of traumatic brain injury programs, especially those at the State level. An expansion and improvement of our traumatic brain injury programs will serve those in this country who suffer from the condition, while providing opportunities for research and development of programs to better prevent and detect traumatic brain injuries. Madam Speaker, traumatic brain injuries affect families across America, and we must continue to invest in programs to prevent, detect, and treat these injuries. I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this important legislation.