Mark Foley

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) for introducing and honoring Pope John Paul II. I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I am grateful we are discussing it today, the 25th anniversary of his papacy. As a Roman Catholic whose grandmother came to America from Poland, nothing has made me or my family more proud of our heritage than has Pope John Paul II. For the last 25 years, he has been a constant reminder that everything is obtainable if you pour your heart and soul into the work and trust in God's guidance. Faced with adversity since his own childhood, Pope John Paul II has always persevered and uplifted those cast aside by society, giving them hope through his compassion and through his example. Whether it was surviving the Nazi reign in Poland, or helping heroes like Ronald Reagan end the grip of communism on the world, Pope John Paul II never met a fight that was bigger or more powerful than his vision and his faith. And while past religious beliefs were often barriers, Pope John II accomplished a mission to bridge those divides no matter how daunting the task or how deep the divide. He has elected the first non-Italian pontiff in 455 years. He was the first pontiff from Poland, and the first pontiff from a country headed by a Marxist and atheist government, all circumstances that would pose huge challenges for anyone. My Polish grandmother, who came to America, knew some of those same entrenched barriers and stereotypes that this great man had to overcome at the start of his election. But in the 25 years since that election, Pope John Paul II has long surmounted those challenges and has become the world's leading voice against oppression, tyranny and injustice. Cardinal Ratzinger said, ``You turn to young and old, rich and poor, powerful and humble, and always showed according to the example of Jesus Christ, a particular love for the poor and the defenseless.'' In his prayer this weekend in St. Peter's Square, ``I renew in the hands of Mary, beloved Mother, the gift of myself, of the present and the future, everything will be done according to your will. Supreme Pastor, stay among us so that we can proceed with you securely to the house of the Father.'' Mr. Speaker, he is a real-life hero and a role model in a world that has far too few, and I join my colleagues in honoring Pope John Paul II in commemorating his 25th anniversary.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the call of the Private Calendar be dispensed with tomorrow.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure and high honor to have Bishop Wenski visiting with us today. The Bishop was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, and grew up in Lake Worth, my hometown, where he attended Catholic school at his home parish, Sacred Heart. Bishop Wenski has provided for the pastoral and spiritual needs of the Haitian communities of south Florida. Through the 1980s, he conducted a circuit-riding ministry that led him to help establish Haitian-Catholic communities from Homestead in the south to Fort Pierce to the north, Immokalee to the west and Fort Lauderdale to the east. In late 1996, he spearheaded a relief operation that delivered over 150,000 pounds of food to Caritas Cuba, the social service arm of the Catholic Church in Cuba, for distribution to people left homeless by Hurricane Lilly. This was the first time that Cubans in Miami participated in a humanitarian relief effort directed to their native land of Cuba. In 2001, Governor Jeb Bush appointed him to the Florida Council on Homelessness. Bishop Wenski speaks Haitian, Creole and Spanish fluently and preaches and celebrates mass regularly in both languages. He also has knowledge of Polish, the language of his immigrant father and Polish- American mother, as is my family of Polish-American descent. Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Wenski as coadjutor bishop of the Dioceses of Orlando on July 1, and I know the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Keller) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Feeney), among others, join me in welcoming their new bishop of Orlando. He is the only native Floridian serving as bishop in our great State of Florida, and Bishop Wenski's motto is: All things to all men, Corinthians 9:22.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, in picking up the USA Today's money section: ``Economy: Good News, Prices Tame, Jobless Claims Down.'' Coca-Cola's earnings up 12 percent. IBM earnings rise 3 percent, will add jobs. Apple swings to a quarterly profit based on back-to-school sales. Intel sees quarterly profits soar. Harley Davidson cruises to record profits. These are as a result of this administration and this Congress's passing tax relief for American families. The Committee on Ways and Means will be considering additional tax relief for corporations to keep domestic employment higher than it is currently to save jobs in America. Now, despite the pessimism you have heard from the nine Presidential candidates on the other side of the aisle, we are winning the war both in the economy and we are winning the war in Iraq. I wish the nine people running for the high office of President would be more supportive of this administration, more supportive of our troops in Iraq, and more supportive of the economy. America's best days are yet ahead, not behind us; but the other side would lead you to believe the worst is yet to come. Let us be positive. Let us be optimistic. This is a great Nation. We have great opportunities.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Gary Carter on his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On Sunday, July 27, 2003 Gary became the 14th catcher to be enshrined into the 256-member club. Mr. Speaker, Gary brings with his induction a phenomenal record of talent and service. After being selected in the third round of the 1972 free agent draft by the Montreal Expos, Gary made the Major League Baseball (MLB) club in 1974. A year later, he was selected as an All-Star and named the Sporting News National League Rookie of the Year. From there, ``The Kid''--the nickname he acquired because of his ever-present smile and youthful passion for the game--led the Expos to their first, and so far only, playoff appearance in 1981. In 1985, he was traded to the New York Mets. That year, he proved a steady hand in leading a young Mets team to a second-place finish. However, it was the following year--1986--that proved to be the crowning achievement in Gary Carter's illustrious career. That was the year the Mets rocketed to the top of the National League East, capturing the division title and eventually the World Series Championship over the Boston Red Sox. Gary remained the Mets' catcher through 1989. After single-seasons with the San Francisco Giants and then the Los Angeles Dodgers, he returned in 1992 to the team that gave him his first shot in the majors--the Expos--where he finished his star-studded, 19-year career. After retirement, Gary continued to work in the game as a broadcaster for the Florida Marlins and the Montreal Expos. In 2002, he was named a minor league catching instructor for the New York Mets. What has always impressed me the most about Gary is not only his on- field accomplishments, but his steadfast commitment to his community in Florida. Gary has been a key player in helping to raise more than $6 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by hosting golf tournaments at various Palm Beach County courses. The Gary Carter Foundation based in West Palm Beach has been instrumental in having thousands of dollars in computers, software and books donated to Palm Beach County schools as well as gifts to local children who make strides in the ``Reading Counts'' program. For all of his wonderful contributions both to baseball and to our community, I want to offer this tribute in the Congressional Record to our friend, a community leader and Hall of Famer--Gary Carter.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great enthusiasm to honor and congratulate the East Boynton Beach Little League team and their tremendous accomplishment of competing in the Little League World Series. Their 9-to-2 victory over New England on August 23, 2003 earned them the eighth National Title for the State of Florida and the first for Palm Beach County. This amazing feat earned them a spot in the World Series Title Game against Japan. In 1939 Carl Stotz founded Little League Baseball in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Since the inception of the Little League World Series in 1947, the tournament has grown to encompass not only national teams, but teams from all around the globe. It has become the culmination of the world's largest tournament in any sport. East Boynton and Japan were the remaining two teams that survived from 7,000 Little League all-star teams that began play in July. The East Boynton Beach Little League team was extremely impressive in the way they displayed their extraordinary skills on the field. Their ever-present smiles and the joy they expressed reminded every baseball fan of what the game is all about. Their skills and attitudes both on and off the field are a direct correlation to the teaching and dedication showed by their coaches and parents. My hat is off to coaches Ken Emerson, Joe Irene and Tony Travis; and players Patrick Mullen, Matt Overton, Devon Travis, Richie DeJesus, Jordan Irene, Andrew Weaver, Ricky Sabatino, R.J. Neal, Michael Broad, Cody Emerson and Benny Townend. Again, Mr. Speaker, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the East Boynton Beach Little League team. They made Palm Beach County, the State of Florida, and our nation very proud.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield, myself such time as I may consume. I rise in objection to the Democratic motion to instruct. Let me first state that if it is such a politically expedient way in which to do things, why do they drop the date of allowing this credit to continue? The Democrats actually have a window. It is right after the election of 2004 where the $1,000 credit drops to $700. I do not know why we would frame a bill that has such an expiration date. If it is such a great idea, let us continue to give this credit past the election of 2004 to many families who desperately need this help in raising their children. As a result of their bill, millions of low- and middle-income families will receive a smaller child tax credit right after the election. The House-passed bill ensures that the child credit remain at the $1,000 level throughout the decade. The Democratic motion to instruct does not eliminate the marriage penalty and the child credit until 2010. And even then it only does so for 1 year. Under the Democratic motion, millions of children will be denied the child credit simply because their parents are married. The House bill benefits middle-income families by eliminating the child credit immediately. The House bill does not deny that credit to military families. Military families, including those who are deployed abroad, are already receiving a refundable child credit and will continue to receive a refundable child credit under the House-passed bill. The Democratic motion to instruct would only increase the refundable child credit for some military families by allowing them to take into account tax-free income when they compute their refundable credit. The House-passed bill provides more tax relief to military families because it includes $806 million of military tax benefits that were not passed by the other Chamber. These provisions passed the House on numerous occasions, and they are waiting action in the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me first state, and I want to be emphatic here about the payroll tax provisions. Payroll taxes are there for the purposes of ensuring the solvency of Social Security and Medicare. The payroll taxes that are contributed by those workers earning $26,000 and below are there for their future, to protect them in their old age, to provide health care benefits, and to provide a retirement payment month by month. Those payroll taxes that are paid by those workers earning less than $26,000 and the payments they receive once they retire are proportionally higher than those paying a higher amount of money. We have blended the system to allow those taxpayers who have been struggling with incomes to retire at least with a check that gives them some security and safety. I have heard a lot of talk around here about getting rid of payroll taxes; let us suspend payroll taxes. And yet, at the same time, I hear from the same people advocating that we have to preserve and protect Social Security and Medicare. I agree we need to preserve those. But sometimes I hear the arguments made by the other side of the aisle, and it really does not wash with common sense. If somebody goes to McDonald's and there are two burgers for a dollar, they cannot go to the window and say, you know what, I earn so little money, give me the burger and I am not going to give you the dollar. We are clearly taking care of people in the lower rungs who are working hard by earned income tax credits and other devices. There are things offered in the school programs such as free and reduced lunches. We have community centers set up for families for health care benefits. In so many of our bills we are providing community health services for those who are either disenfranchised or do not have insurance. We have worked hard in a bipartisan fashion to provide for the vulnerable in our society. And this constant harangue, if you will, that we are so mean-spirited on this side of the aisle, strikes me as just a political attack, rather than a sensible debate on public policy. If their tax credit is so good, why do they not extend it past 2004? Maybe there are some Senators who need to vote for reelection. Let us give it and let us take it away after we have been successfully reelected. So as we debate this, let us continue to discuss this, and I agree with the gentlewoman from California. Those people that are making $26,000 or below are paying sales tax. Regrettably, we cannot afford to deduct sales taxes from our income tax. If one lives in a city or a county or a State that has an income tax, you can deduct that income tax against your liabilities for Federal income tax purposes. So if we are going to have this conversation, maybe we should get into the discussion of sales tax deductibility. So I continue to assert that we have provided for particularly military personnel, and I continue to rise in objection to the Democratic motion to instruct. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, does the gentleman have any further speakers?

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I will proceed immediately to allow the gentleman to have the remainder of his time, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank my colleagues for their courteous debate. Obviously, we know the hour is late. I know the people in Hawaii probably enjoy us speaking, but those who are working for the House chamber certainly need to get home to their families, and I certainly want to congratulate the Members for caring about all American families. There is no question people are struggling at all ends of the spectrum: teachers, police officers, married couples, single individuals. We hope to find balance in the tax bills, and we certainly think we have found balance in most of them. We can disagree on certain provisions, but I do again appreciate them taking time to come to the floor and addressing their concerns, and as we continue to negotiate these bills, I am certain we will reach some reasonable compromises that will benefit all of society. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) and the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Young) who have worked and labored over this bill for quite some time. I want to thank them for their dedication to a number of key principles in this bill; but I first must take some exception because it seems no matter what we are talking about on this floor, it is always not enough. There is never enough provided for the bills that they would like to pass on to the taxpayers. We keep hearing about deficits, and I know they know a lot about deficits on the other side because for 40 years they rolled the deficits up to a $5.7 trillion mortgage on America's future. We talk about giving some tax relief to American taxpayers, but we have a disconnect because we talk in this Capitol like it is our money rather than theirs. Now, the first case of anthrax and the first death of anthrax happened in my county, in Palm Beach County, JFK Medical Center. So I know firsthand the efforts our local public health officials and the CDC and others had in grappling with this emerging concern and epidemic, at least at that time, a concern that panicked many Americans. And thanks to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) and this committee, they have added substantially to the budgets for the Centers for Disease Control, for Community Health Centers, for the National Institutes of Health. In almost every one category we look at, significant and substantial increases in every category. Monies for special education grants, more money for title I. Prioritizing Reading First fully funds the program at the requested level of $1.15 billion. Improving teacher quality. It is not about how many teachers we have. It is the quality of those teaching. My father was a teacher and principal in the public school systems, so I know a little bit of what I speak. And when I see the improvements to help teachers grapple with the ever-changing dynamics, we are particularly proud of the fact that this bill does, in fact, have increased funding. Yes, an increase of 4 percent from fiscal year 2003. Now, I guess if the other side had their choice, it would be 20 percent; and we would pass the bill on to those same taxpayers that they are seeming so critically concerned about when it comes to deficit spending. If you are in college and you have a Pell grant, we are maintaining that level at the highest maximum grant in the program's history. Infectious diseases, enhances CDC resources for preventing and controlling emerging infectious diseases. Threats such as SARS, West Nile Virus and monkey pox; 24 million of new, additional dollars in that category alone. Homeland security, bio-defense program supported at $1.625 billion dollars in NIH. Ryan White increase of $24 million for a total funding of $2 billion. How can anyone say this bill does not meet the test of time? Faith- based and community initiatives increasing the compassion capital fund at $50 million, and mentoring children of prisoners at $25 million. Abstinence education, which is important. So as we scan the bill and as people listen to our voices, I hope they will not be dissuaded by some of the harsh rhetoric. Yes, we are having some tax relief for taxpayers. We are, in fact, having a chance to give those very hardworking Americans a chance to make their ends meets, to pay their bills, to be able to spend on their families. I do not think that there is anything wrong with a firefighter and a teacher who work side by side, husband and wife, who are raising kids, to have a little bit of tax relief. In fact, I do not hear anybody from the other side of the aisle offering to rebate their tax funds to the Treasury. I think it is fair to help balance the budget. I think it is fair to help fund programs that are important to America. I think it is important to give tax relief to American families. I think we can do it all. This is not about single choices. This is about balancing our priorities and our needs. This bill, the full committee bill on Labor-HHS and Education does that dramatically, does it efficiently, does it effectively, and provides for the kind of programs that I think Americans have long come to expect of their Federal Government.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time, and to both chairmen who have brought this bill to the floor, I congratulate them for this landmark legislation. During the rule debate, it was a little depressing to me to hear so many people refer to the fact that our seniors would not be able to figure these programs out. These people we are talking about survived the Depression, they fought in World War II and Korea, they taught us how to read and write, they taught us how to ride our bikes and drive our cars. They are our parents. They are smart enough to figure this out. I come from a district in Florida, the fifth largest population of Medicare recipients in the Nation, the fifth largest Medicare recipients in the Nation. When I go to town hall meetings, they do not ask for anything free. They want a break. They want a discount. They want an opportunity to shop. They want freedom in the marketplace. But they want security to know they will not go broke. This bill provides that. The bill provides for a discount card that I helped author, along with Senator Hagel, which provides immediate access to discount pharmaceutical prices. Real reforms in Medicare allowing generics, something I have heard about on this floor repeatedly from the other side of the aisle. We have to get generics to the market place sooner, faster, quicker, cheaper. That is in this bill. This bill provides for increased rural funding for hospitals, which is an incredibly important thing for people in my community and rural communities like Glades, Okeechobee, Hendry, and Highlands County. These are Medicare reforms that will save billions of dollars. Yes, this is an historic night, not one to be celebrating fear and animosity or negative pessimism about our seniors, but rejoicing in the fact that we are helping them provide for themselves and their families. Yes, there is a phenomenal opportunity tonight to pass a bill that will help seniors in my community. And the instructions they gave me when I first ran for office and have continued to give me is do not make it free, do not make it cheap, do not make it for political purposes, make it so it works. This bill works, and I applaud the leadership for giving us a chance to make history tonight on the floor of the House.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding me this time and for his leadership on this issue. I want to respond briefly relative to the mandate which is constantly mentioned throughout the debate. We do not mandate that the States adopt. In fact, the Treasury has been working with the States to try and find ways for compliance. Obviously, in some States it requires legislative consent, and many of the legislators have returned home to their districts. Some are working with private providers, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and others, getting a waiver for them to make the changes to comply. So I think we have to make certain as we discuss this issue it does not sound like a forced issue on the States. We are working cooperatively with those States. Mr. Speaker, the amendment of the gentleman from Washington would in fact delete the health care provisions contained in the bill before the House. These provisions are extremely important and reflect a good- faith effort to make sure the previously adopted 65 percent tax credit for health insurance purchased by eligible TAA and PBGC beneficiaries is able to be used by all qualified individuals. What will the effect of the Democratic amendment be? It will virtually deny tens of thousands of laid-off workers any chance of getting the 65 percent tax credit for payments they made for health care. It will mean in about 21 States, which was mentioned by my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller), in 21 States there would be no qualified plan and, consequently, no tax credit for laid- off workers. So their amendment is, in our view, antiworker and antihealth care. Let me restate the effect of removing from the bill the health care provision. The waiver provision will mean substantial numbers of additional policies will be in place for workers and their families while States continue, again let me underscore, States continue to work on developing compliant program options. Not mandates, develop compliant program options. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, an additional 12,000 individuals will exercise the waiver option in 2004 and utilize the tax credit to obtain health insurance for themselves and their families that would not be available under present law. A lot of families would be covered under this option. The choice here is clear: if we do not provide TAA and PBGC beneficiaries with an option they control in States which do not offer compliant policy, these people will simply be unable to take advantage of health insurance tax credits. We intend in our bill to provide a benefit to these eligible individuals when we pass the trade act. Let me inform my colleagues that we changed and improved the provisions that are now in the committee bill. First, the waiver will apply only to preexisting conditions and guaranteed-issue protections. It is narrowly tailored to remove obstacles to an individual's access to a qualified option. Second, the waiver will only apply in States that do not have a qualified option. Thus, the provision would benefit those who have no other opportunity to obtain health care coverage. And third, the waiver period is shorter. The waiver is a temporary provision designed to provide immediate access to health care tax credits. It is only available until December 31, 2004, which will allow States time to establish a qualified insurance plan.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, let me commend the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Dunn) for her excellent work on this important bill. It is a little disingenuous to use the deficit as a reason not to pass this bill. When we inherited this Congress in 1994, they had racked up $5.7 trillion worth of debt. So let us not start blaming the national debt on this bill or the Republicans. Now they are holding up the Gates family as a paragon of virtue on this issue; yet 2 years ago the Clinton Administration was pursuing the same Gates family for monopolistic practices. Now they use Warren Buffett. Now Warren Buffett, of all people, has billions of dollars. He can step up to the voluntary tax payment window if he so chooses. The people we are talking about today have paid excise taxes, property taxes, capital gains taxes, income taxes. It is being described here as they are getting an unfair or free ride. These are the hard-working Americans. We learned in our youth to strive to struggle and make something of our life and maybe we could pass on those virtues and values to the next generation. The rich know how to shelter their income. They are very good at creating trust and remainderman trust. In fact, one of the premier families in America, the Kennedy family, has 40 or 60 or 80 trusts that were established to pass the money into different hands to avoid, I am sure, the estate tax liability. These are families that have properly prepared, but it has been expensive. It has been time consuming, and it is complicated. We can have a debate and pick sides. The Democrats are obviously offering a $7 million package in a minute; so I do not know the difference between a $7 million estate or a $10 million estate, but somehow they reconciled that $7 million may not be rich. They keep claiming today in this debate they are for the little guy. If they are little and have worked hard and have earned some money, there is a penalty box for them under their plan. They take away what they have earned. They give it and redistribute it to someone else. This is about fairness. This is about family farms. This is about a lot of people. But to sit here and speculate somehow we are going to implode or explode the deficit is simply wrong.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, Lisa Barkovic from my staff is with me. She, as well as your staff, I know have done a tremendous job in organizing several of our events. I was remiss for not recognizing our individual staff. She is on the floor with me today. I know we have worked very closely with the gentleman's office; and the professional staff, those who work in our offices, do a tremendous job in helping us get ready for floor activity. I wanted to share that with the gentleman and with her, as well.

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman very much for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, the tourism and hospitality industry is important to the State of Florida. I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 172, a bill I introduced along with my colleague the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), recognizing the 20th annual National Tourism Week. I see the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) has joined us on the floor today. The gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) and I from Florida both have worked with our colleagues to try to educate them about the importance of travel and tourism. It is the lifeblood of many States, like Florida and California, New York, and Nevada, to just name a few. There are currently 7.4 million people in the food service, hospitality, and travel-related industries that rely on America's vibrant and thriving travel industry, which generates $170 billion in travel-related payroll. National Tourism Week was first established in 1983, when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution designating the week to be celebrated in May, 1984. This annual event gives us an opportunity to recognize the significant importance that the travel and tourism industry has on our economy. As America's third largest retail sales industry, $96 billion was generated in tax revenues for our local, State, and Federal governments in 2002 alone. In addition, there were $7.5 billion in balance of trade surplus for the United States, making the industry one of our largest service exports. It is clear, every congressional district is impacted, that is, every district with a restaurant, and all have them; a hotel, and all have them; a museum, and I am certain most have them; national parks; stadiums; theaters; campgrounds; and beaches. All obviously help local economies and local communities thrive. As some of us begin our summer travel, let us remember the tremendous impact that the travel and tourism industry makes on all of our lives. I want to spend a moment, too, to commend this administration, President Bush; and the Secretary of Commerce, Secretary Evans; Brenda Becker, Assistant Secretary of Commerce; Senator Ted Stevens; as well as my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), in our recent quest to put $50 million in the budget in order to help stimulate, if you will, international tourism back to the United States. As I am sure the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) will tell us, our States have been hurt badly by September 11 and terrorism in general. People are nervous and they are fearful. We are doing everything we can to ensure airline safety and that when they arrive at a destination that they will be safe. But we have lost, in Orlando alone, some 35 percent of the business that was occurring in that region of the State; so this is a very important issue. It is an important topic. It is one we are wrestling with. Also, the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) talks about his idea that he brought to us that hopefully will catch on where each Member of Congress writes in a book, if you will, a destination that they favor; they may not want to be that specific, but some of the joys and bounties and benefits of living in that community. I know I have some of the greatest beaches. I have the Everglades. We have agricultural tourism, ecotourism. Certainly, we have things throughout the State, like Busch Gardens and Universal Theme Park and Disney. We have the Latin music industry, where the capital of the world is Miami. We have South Beach. I could go on and on, but now I am going to get in trouble because I am probably missing some of the important destinations: Destin; and all of the beaches in Jacksonville. But suffice it to say that tourism is an important, important industry. Whether one is the CEO of a company or doing dishes in a restaurant, as I did when I was 13 years old, we are all playing a critical role in people's impressions of our State, whether they had a good visit, whether they enjoyed themselves, whether they will return again. So I salute everyone, from the bellboy to the bell hop to the rental car agencies, who make the traveling experience fun, productive, and enjoyable for America's families and those visitors from outside the Continental United States. With that, I thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) for his indulgence and certainly thank the committee for reporting this to the floor. I urge all Members to support this 20th Annual National Tourism Week represented by House Concurrent Resolution 172.

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and all Members working together on this very, very important resolution, House Resolution 231. My grandfather, my father and brother-in-law all served as police officers, and, thank the Lord, they did so without injury or death. But there are thousands who have sacrificed their lives in order to protect the peace and tranquility of our community. The President spoke last week here on our Capitol grounds relative to a tribute to fallen police officers, and it is fitting that we now memorialize this on the House floor. There is no finer occupation, and I am torn between several that I admire greatly, with public education and teachers being one. But law enforcement personnel and fire fighters are true heroes in the sense that they go to work each and every day not knowing what to anticipate at the end of their shift or during their shift. They patrol back alleys, they come across frightening situations. They are constantly putting their lives on the line for the betterment of humanity. Young fire fighters and police officers went racing up the World Trade Center without worrying about their own lives, but making certain they served those who were trapped, and tried to rescue as many as possible. Those are heroes. Whether it is helping a student across a playground or a crossing zone, or intercepting a murderer, or more recently, the 21-year-old police officer that apprehended the Atlanta bomber, these are vigilant, dedicated, risk-taking public servants whose first goal is to make certain we are safe. So I hope, as we vote on this resolution, that those listening to our voices take a moment to thank those serving today, who have made it through without risk of injury or death, thank their family members who sacrifice each and every day, for their husband or wife, for their son or daughter, sister, brother, who choose to do this work and arm themselves to protect the citizens of our communities, give them a thumb's up and a hearty handshake and thanks for their job well done. For those who rest in peace, your sacrifice and devotion to our Nation and the security of this Nation will never be forgotten.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), who is known as Mr. Health in Florida, for the gentleman's help on this important issue. I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 147, a bill recognizing the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Orphan Drug Act and the creation of the National Organization for Rare Disorders. For many years, 25 million plus Americans suffering from more than 6,000 rare diseases and disorders, including Huntington's disease, ALS, known as Lou Gehrig's disease, Tourettes syndrome and muscular dystrophy, were denied access to effective medicines because prescription drug manufacturers could rarely make a profit from marketing drugs for such small groups of patients. A rare disease is a disease that affects a population of less than 200,000 people. Currently, one in nine Americans have a rare disease. Due to the low number of affected patients, the prescription drug industry did not adequately fund research into such treatments. Despite the urgent health need for these medicines, they became known as orphan drugs because no company would commercialize them. On January 4, 1983, Congress passed and President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Orphan Drug Act. This legislation created financial incentives for research and production of such orphan drugs. In addition, a new Federal program at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration encouraged clinical research and commercial product development for products that target rare diseases. As a result of this incredible law, which was produced in coordination with Congress, the White House and the pharmaceutical industry, over 238 drugs, biologics, foods and devices now exist, as compared to less than 40 therapies that existed before the law was enacted. Undoubtedly, this can easily be described as one of the most effective laws this Chamber has ever passed. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an organization which has been committed to bringing a voice to the most underserved medical population in the world, those suffering from rare diseases, the National Organization for Rare Diseases. NORD, established soon after the signing of the Orphan Drug Act, is a federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with orphan diseases and conditions and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD has been and will continue to be committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of orphan diseases and conditions through programs of education, advocacy, research and service. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take a moment to thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Chairman Tauzin), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), and, of course, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for their effective work and advocacy of this issue. I would also like to thank Bradley Schrieber, my legislation counsel, who joins me on the floor today, who first brought this legislation to my attention. For me, it is a personal sense of pride, because it was the first bill that was a freestanding bill that I authored that was signed into law, and I have the momentous pen in my office. I can look back on my career in Congress and know that in some small way we played a critical role in helping those voices who may be in the minority but are suffering just as those who are suffering from better-known diseases, if you will. I am delighted to be part of this, and I am glad it was brought to the floor today, and I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing this very important year for the millions of men and women and children in this medical minority.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, between the Senate's attempt to raise taxes and the Democrats' desire to spend more of your money, we will never see economic growth in this country. There is a reason the Joint Economic Committee calls this bill near-term stimulus and long-term growth. I understand on the other side of the aisle their Small Business Caucus must be very small because they must have missed the business and investment incentives: Bonus depreciation, small business expensing, net operating loss carryback. They must have missed for children and families the child tax credit which increases to $1,000 the credit available for parents trying to raise their children. An expansion of the 10 percent bracket. Marriage penalty relief. These are good things to stimulate the economy. Yet the only thing they can come up with is a complaint that our Chief Executive and Commander in Chief landed his plane on an aircraft carrier. People need jobs. This bill is about jobs. People need tax relief. This bill is about tax relief. I owned a small business. I know how to work our way out of a difficult economy. I wish we had more cooperation. I wish we had more participation.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, today at 12:30 I, along with my Democratic cosponsor, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel), and Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman will introduce our legislation to help Holocaust survivors and their families collect on Holocaust-era insurance policies. Mr. Speaker, I am fed up watching insurance companies thumb their noses at Holocaust survivors. I urge the Supreme Court to rule in favor of the survivors and their heirs in a case pending before the Supreme Court. Holocaust survivors and their heirs are being denied what is rightfully theirs. This is nothing more than white collar theft, and it is morally reprehensible. These heirs and survivors deserve what is rightfully theirs, and we will not give up until they are fully compensated.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 150, I was at the White House for a bill signing. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to pass a very important resolution I will be introducing today. My bill expresses the sense of the House that the United Nations must call for the U.N. to remove Cuba from the United Nations Human Rights Commission. The U.N. Human Rights Commission is the primary world body responsible for protecting the inalienable rights of all people to live free from harm and oppression. However, with some of the world's most egregious human rights violators on the panel, like Libya and Cuba, it is unlikely that it can effectively carry out its mission. Whether it is Saddam Hussein or Fidel Castro, the U.N. has repeatedly protected tyrants, torturers, and murderers. Allowing Cuba to stay on the Human Rights Commission is like honoring Saddam Hussein with the Nobel Peace Prize. Today I was shocked to learn that Cuba once again was put on the panel. For over 40 years Fidel Castro has time and time again shown his reprehensible disregard for the safety and welfare of his own people. His tyrannical regime has forced countless innocent people to risk their lives to seek the shores of the United States. But what is worse is that these people will go to the furthest of extremes to hurt their own people.

Mr. FOLEY

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention a truly stirring song, ``A Tribute to America--A 21st Century Anthem.'' Written by Ann Miller and performed by her son, Ted Maliaris--both from South Florida--this song serves as an inspiration for all Americans during the war on terrorism. ``A Tribute to America'' was written with the hopes of uniting the country after the attacks on September 11, 2001. The purpose of the song was to heal the emotional wounds received that September day. The song continues to accomplish just that. From Francis Scott Key's ``Star Spangled Banner'' during the War of 1812 to Irving Berlin's ``God Bless America'' during World War I, history provides examples of how music contributes to the steadfastness of America in the face of adversity. Even as we sang ``God Bless America'' on the Capitol steps just one day after the terrorist attacks, the United States regained its resolve to defeat terrorism wherever it rears its ugly head. Please join me in recognizing the help that ``A Tribute to America'' has given in the healing process, and in thanking Ann Miller and Ted Maliaris for providing ``A Tribute to America.''