Virginia Foxx

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, although the war on terror is far from over, this past weekend's successful elections in Afghanistan were a clear sign that we are on the right track in winning the war. More than 12 million people in Afghanistan stood strong in the face of the Taliban and voted in their parliamentary elections. But we should not be surprised. Earlier this year, Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai came to Washington to ensure the American people that these elections would be a resounding success in the face of terrorists, and he was right. Even though Taliban terrorists killed five candidates and four election workers leading up to the election and on Sunday murdered another 15 people, election turnout was still impressive. Despite the danger, the Afghani people's thirst for democracy was great. The vote was also a major milestone for Afghan women who have long been oppressed. There were 580 female candidates, or 10 percent of the total. Mr. Speaker, I am proud that the Afghanistan nation is strengthening and unifying the body of its parliament, allowing the Afghanistan citizens to operate as a collective action.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Boustany amendment which seeks to include important protections for religious organizations in this bill. As I stated in my remarks during consideration of the rule, this Nation is second to none in charitable giving and in helping others in need. This is not just a religious tenet, but an American principle, and we as Americans must continue to encourage and foster that spirit of giving and serving others. Not allowing those organizations, who have proven they are some of the best at feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and housing the homeless, to provide early childhood education for our children is just wrong. A secular group, such as Planned Parenthood or the Sierra Club, that receives government money is currently free to hire based on its ideology and mission, but still use Federal funds for certain programs and activities they provide. Yet, groups that are religious in nature are not allowed to hire according to their ideology and mission? Because an organization has among its purposes and basic tenets to serve others is not a reason to discriminate against them.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, as we consider the rule, I want to speak on some important amendments that are going to come up to provide important protections for religious organizations. If we do not insert these important protections for these organizations, we will be dictating to them whom they can or cannot hire. We must maintain the integrity of religious entities. The Constitution of the United States explicitly states that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Not allowing our churches, mosques, and synagogues to hire people of like mind and similar beliefs is not only an affront to their very core but contrary to this great Nation's Constitution. I am proud to be an American for so many reasons, first among them because I am able to think, speak, and believe whatever I want freely, as stated in the first amendment to our Constitution. Denying religious organizations the ability to hire an employee because of his or her beliefs is to take away that employee's right to think, speak, and believe as he or she so chooses. We are not talking about allowing religious organizations to brainwash children to think as they do. We are talking about allowing religious organizations simply to be able to provide the same services and programs as nonreligious organizations. Our children deserve the very best education; and if a religious organization is going to provide that education better, then we must not stand in the way. Are we going to deny many of the poorest and less fortunate children the opportunity to learn in these early childhood education programs simply because it is a church that is administering it? This is about our children, and denying them exemplary services just because the organization providing them happens to be a religious one is just cruel. I think we all know firsthand the impact that our churches have and how much they contribute to our communities across the Nation. And we all know how much they give back to their communities. This Nation is second to none in charitable giving and at helping others in need. This is not just a religious tenet, but an American principle. We need to support this rule.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, we had a distinguished group with us on our trip, and I am very privileged to recognize the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) who is going to share some of his observations of the trip with us now.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I think I will be joined by some colleagues shortly, I hope. Congress recently returned to Washington following a busy month of work in the district. For a majority of August, I traveled throughout North Carolina's 5th District and conducted scores of meetings with veterans, teachers, and many other constituent groups. During this time, I gained valuable insight into the needs of the people I serve and look forward to continuing to address their concerns. The needs of my home district have always been and continue to be my number one priority. However, as a Member of Congress, it is my duty to educate myself on internal affairs and foreign policy, especially when it pertains to the Middle East. While our foreign neighbors may be far away from northwest North Carolina, our relationships with them affect everyone. For 1 week in August, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Israel with several colleagues. This educational trip gave me the opportunity to witness how America's national security interests are directly tied to developments in the Middle East, and specifically to Israel's own security. Strategic cooperation between our country and Israel, in intelligence-sharing, fighting the war on terror, strengthening homeland security, promoting democracy, and increasing technology development is vital to the well-being of my constituents and, indeed, all Americans. For most of the 1,500 years before the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, the land of Israel was the independent home of the Jewish people. Since then, it has been occupied by many powers, from the Romans to conquering Arab armies to the Ottomans to the British. Despite these periods of foreign occupation, there has always been a continuous Jewish presence, and the land of Israel remained the focal point for the Jewish people. The United States and Israel have long maintained a strong friendship since the modern Jewish state was founded in 1948. In fact, we were the very first Nation to recognize Israel, just 11 minutes after its founding. Our two countries share much more in common than many realize. We believe in freedom and equality and share many basic rights, such as free elections, a free press, and freedom of religion. We were both founded by people seeking freedom from tyranny, and we both continue to serve today as symbols of liberty in a world plagued by oppression. Mr. Speaker, I would like now to recognize my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Marchant), who has joined me and allow him to share some of his perspectives on this trip that we took in August, and then I will come back to the podium and speak some more.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. We all know that it is important to have people from very different perspectives serving in the Congress, and I think that the points of view that will be presented here sound very similar, but also each one of us has our unique perspectives on what stayed with us as a result. One of the people who was with us on our trip was our distinguished deputy whip, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), and I would like to ask the gentleman to share some of his views now.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor) so much. He has helped put many things that a lot of us are concerned about into perspective, and we are grateful to him for that. I am going to talk a little bit more about Israel and give some facts about what is happening in Israel in its short history, but let me say that we know that Israel is one of the only countries in the Middle East that the United States can truly count on. It is not a fair weather friend. When terrorists strike American targets in the Middle East, Israel always stands by our side. We are truly fortunate to have a strong friend in Israel. During our trip, we had the opportunity to travel to the countryside, visit military bases, universities, children's homes, holy sites, and strategic locations. One of the first things that struck me was just how much has been accomplished by the Israeli people in their nation's short history. I witnessed capitalism at work and saw how it has enabled the country to prosper. Israel has an amazing network of roads, a national water system, and has developed other impressive infrastructure. It is really hard to believe that they have accomplished so much in just 55 years. So often when we hear about Israel, it is only in conjunction with conflicts affecting Israel. My visit made me aware of so many facts that are never mentioned or discussed by the media. I want to share a few of those with my colleagues. The Middle East has been growing date palms for centuries. The average tree is about 18 to 20 feet tall and yields about 38 pounds of dates a year. Israeli date trees are now yielding 400 pounds a year and are short enough to be harvested from the ground or a short ladder. Israel, the 100th smallest country, with less than 1,000th of the world's population, can lay claim to the following: The cell phone was developed in Israel by Israelis working in the Israeli branch of Motorola which has its largest development center in Israel. Most of the Windows NT and XP operating systems were developed by Microsoft Israel. The Pentium MMX chip technology was designed in Israel at Intel. Both the Pentium 4 microprocessor and the Centrino processor were entirely designed, developed, and produced in Israel. Voice mail technology was developed in Israel. Both Microsoft and Cisco built their only R&D facilities outside the United States in Israel. The technology for the AOL Instant Messenger ICQ was developed in 1996 by four young Israelis. Israel has the highest percentage in the world of home computers per capita. According to industry officials, Israel designed the airline industry's most impenetrable flight security. U.S. officials now look, finally, to Israel for advice on how to handle airborne security threats. Israel has the highest ratio of university degrees to the population in the entire world. Israel produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation by a large margin. In proportion to its population, Israel has the largest number of start-up companies in the world. In absolute terms, Israel has the largest number of start-up companies of any country in the world except the United States. Israel is ranked number two in the world for venture capital funds, right behind the United States. Outside the United States and Canada, Israel has the largest number of NASDAQ-listed companies. It has the highest average living standards in the Middle East. The per capita income in 2000 was over $17,500, exceeding that of the United Kingdom. Twenty-four percent of Israel's workforce holds university degrees, ranking third in the industrial world, after the United States and Holland. Twelve percent hold advanced degrees. In 1984 and 1991, Israel airlifted a total of 22,000 Ethiopian Jews, called Operation Solomon, at risk in Ethiopia, to safety in Israel. Relative to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation on Earth. Immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedom, and economic opportunity. Israel is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain in its number of trees, made more remarkable because this was achieved in an area considered mainly desert. Israel has more museums per capita than any other country. Israeli scientists developed the first fully computerized, no radiation, diagnostic instrument for breast cancer. An Israeli company developed a computerized system for ensuring administration of medications, removing human error from medical treatment. Every year in U.S. hospitals, 7,000 patients die from treatment mistakes. Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce with 145 per 10,000 as opposed to 85 in the U.S., over 70 in Japan, and less than 60 in Germany. With over 25 percent of its workforce employed in technical professions, Israel places first in this category as well. An Israeli company was the first to develop and install a large-scale solar-powered and fully functional electricity generating plant in Southern California's Mojave Desert; and as other people have alluded to, all of the above things have been done while Israel has been engaged in creating a very strong national defense with an implacable enemy that seeks its destruction and an economy continuously under strain by having to spend more per capita on its own protection than any other country on Earth. Others have alluded to Israel's size. The entire country is smaller than the State of New Jersey. In fact, Israel is only 9 miles wide at its most narrow point. This helps illustrate how vulnerable the country is in terms of its security. This point was also emphasized when we visited the Golan Heights. Israel became painfully aware of the location's strategic importance during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 when over 2,000 Israelis were killed. From atop this high mountain, enemies can launch rockets and artillery fire on the villages below. Israel's control of this piece of real estate is vital to its security interests. We also had opportunities to walk the streets of Jerusalem and witness how closely the Jews and Arabs live together. This particular journey was also personally meaningful because I experienced the rich spiritual heritage of the Holy Land. It was humbling to see firsthand where Jesus Christ, King David, and King Solomon walked. I was also able to visit the sites of the Last Supper and Christ's crucifixion. These were very moving experiences. As my colleagues have mentioned, we met with a broad spectrum of Israeli and Palestinian officials, including Prime Minister Sharon and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. By talking to these leaders, we were able to gain fundamental insights on security, peace negotiations, and defense cooperation. Israel has proved that it is willing to form a lasting peace with any country that has extended its hand in friendship. Indeed, one of the things that struck me most is that Israel does not say that it has an army. The media says it has an army; but in Israel, the people who protect Israel are called the Israeli Defense Force. Defense force. I think that is so important. Words are significant, and by calling folks who protect the country its defense force, it emphasizes that it wants peace and is not a country that is bent on fighting with its neighbors. In the war on terror, American and Israeli interests are the same. We are both committed to stopping the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and curbing state-sponsored terrorism. For years, we have worked together for a more stable and peaceful Middle East. Unfortunately, Israel has had to deal with war and terrorism since it was established in 1948, and has recently suffered through 4 intense years of violence that has targeted innocent civilians through suicide bombings on buses, in restaurants, and in shopping malls. I am saddened to report that Israel has endured more terrorist attacks than any other country in the entire world. The perseverance of the Israeli people, who constantly live their lives in the face of hatred and terrorism, is truly an inspiration to all of us who love freedom and democracy. The United States can learn a great deal from Israel's experience in fighting terror. As we have already spoken of, just prior to my arrival in Israel, Prime Minister Sharon made the decision to disengage from Gaza and the northern West Bank. Israel has withdrawn thousands of citizens from their homes and communities and relocated them at tremendous emotional and financial cost to the Israeli Government. Disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank hold enormous potential in advancing the peace process if the Palestinians demonstrate they can govern themselves and curb terrorism. Yet, while this movement has been supported by a majority of the public, it has been an emotionally painful undertaking that carries great political and security risks for Israel. Prime Minister Sharon explained that he was willing to take these risks because he believes that disengagement is in the best long- term interest of Israel. After my rigorous and informative experiences overseas, I am more convinced than ever that it is crucial that the United States continue our strong support for Israel. The country is a beacon of democracy in a sea of violence and hostility. Both of our nations have a mutual interest in deterring terror, promoting democracy and stability throughout the world, and seeking peace in the Middle East. Israel's ability to function and defend itself against terrorism is in no small part due to unwavering support from the United States. Our country has a moral obligation to strengthen our fellow democracies, especially when they are in turbulent and dangerous regions in the world. It is in our national security interest to continue to support Israel financially and morally. I want to end my remarks by quoting from a speech given by Prime Minister Sharon to the United Nations General Assembly on September 5, 2005. His final remarks are those that I think all Americans can agree with. ``In a few days time on the Hebrew calendar, the New Year will begin, the 5,766th year since the Creation. According to Jewish belief, the fates of people and nations are determined at the New Year by the Creator, to be spared or to be doomed. May the Holy One, blessed be He, determine that this year, our fate and the fate of our neighbors is peace, mutual respect, and good neighborly relations.'' That is a hope that all of us can share.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight that we are currently celebrating National Employ the Older Worker Week. This week, which is sponsored by the American Legion, has been observed for over 40 years. It is appropriate to recognize and appreciate this growing demographic workforce. After all, our country is witnessing major growth in the number of Americans that are nearing the traditional retirement age. It is estimated that by 2008 nearly half of the workforce will be over 45 years old. As our population continues to grow older, these citizens will play an even more important role in our economy. Older workers bring many assets to the workplace, including good work ethics, motivation, experience, and knowledge. My hat goes off to our older workers who are learning new skills and are exercising the many skills they already know in order to give back to society. I am a firm believer that every single person at any age has certain gifts and talents from God. I am pleased our older workers are committed to sharing their talents with others. It is my hope that employers around the country will continue to recognize the many benefits of hiring older workers and expand job opportunities for these fine citizens.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, like so many of my constituents, I have been extremely saddened by the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Katrina. To date I have supported the $10.5 billion in aid and voted for several bills to help ease the strain of this difficult time. It is understandable that some have questioned my vote against the $51.8 billion relief supplemental. I believe taxpayer money should be spent wisely. My concern is that huge sums of money are being spent with little assurance the money is really helping those in need. Some estimate the Federal Government will be asked to spend as much as $200 billion on relief. But my support depends on tight controls and accountability measures. That is why I voted the way I did. It is also why I have co-sponsored legislation to create a chief financial officer for the Federal Government's Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Without this level of oversight and accountability, we will waste precious tax dollars, and every dollar wasted is a dollar that is not going to assist a displaced family in need. We also need to examine what the role of Federal Government should be in disaster relief. I will continue to support measured, commonsense solutions, but I will not support out-of-control Federal spending without proper oversight. We will not help the people affected by this storm by wasting taxpayers' money.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, this week we have had a lot of focus on various sad issues, but there was a wonderful situation that occurred in Washington this week: people came from all over the country for a program called Angels in Adoption. There was a wonderful couple from the fifth district who came to receive the Angels in Adoption award, George and Brenda Ball. I nominated them for this award and had the opportunity to talk with them and meet with them while they were here. They are a wonderful couple who have taken into their home a lot of children who need love and care, and I would like to share parts of an article written about them from the Winston-Salem Journal and hold them up to ourselves and to others for the great work that they are doing. They live in a little town called Tobaccoville, and here is part of the article: ``When George and Brenda Ball hear of a child in trouble, they open their arms. Never mind that, before they married in 1980, he had already raised five children and she had raised three. Never mind that they are great grandparents in their 60s. Their house still rings with the voices of children. Over the past 19 years, they have cared for about 30 foster children and adopted seven of them, most with special needs. They plan to adopt their current foster child, an 18-month-old girl . . . `` `I see it as an award for Forsyth County and North Carolina and for all the foster parents and adoptive parents,' Brenda Ball said. `I'm just thrilled to death.' ``The Balls took in their first foster child, Kelly, in 1986. `We just didn't have any children in the home,' Brenda Ball, said. `We kept hearing all these horrible stories about children being abused and neglected.' ``The decision to adopt Kelly was a hard one, she said. `We weren't sure we were ready to commit the rest of our lives to having children around,' but they did not want to put Kelly through any more heartache so they decided to keep her. Kelly is now 21 and married. After Kelly, the decision to adopt became easier. ``Next came Eugene, 22, who now lives nearby with his biological mother. The Balls have always encouraged their adopted children to stay in touch with their biological families and are willing for them to be reunited if the parents are able to care for them. ``With Kelly and Eugene in the house, Brenda Ball decided to retire from her job in reservations with U.S. Airways. George Ball is retired from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools, where he was an assistant supervisor in housekeeping, and from the Air Force. `` `We made the decision that, with all their needs, it was more important to be here for them,' Brenda Ball said. `We just decided that children needed us more than we needed the money.' ``And the children kept coming. The Balls asked for children with medical problems because they knew they could handle them. Most of their adopted children had mild to severe medical problems caused by premature births and the effects of alcohol and drugs that their biological mothers used when they were pregnant. ``George Ball, 68, roller blades and plays basketball with the children. His wife stays on the move. ``The Balls have served as surrogate parents to the children in their neighborhood. `I never know when I cook a meal how many will sit there or how many shifts will run,' she said. ``She is happy to think that her children are not among the many who have to worry about where their next meal will come from, or who move every month when the rent comes due, or who lie awake at night listening to their parents fight over drugs. `There is nothing sadder than a kid wanting a family,' she said. `That is why I have ended up having eight.' '' We are so fortunate to have wonderful people like George and Brenda Ball and all the Angels in Adoption, and I salute them tonight.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, many people have spent time since Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf coast attempting to place blame on various agencies and elected officials. I would like to take a moment to focus instead on the positive developments that are occurring down there. Day by day, we are seeing improvements, both big and small. After Katrina, 80 percent of New Orleans was covered in water; now the flood waters have receded to 30 percent and are continuing to recede. Over the weekend, trash collection began in the city, and those who remained behind are already cleaning up their neighborhoods. In Biloxi, Mississippi, the harbor opened for the first time since Katrina hit. The Coast Guard is now allowing limited commercial traffic, an important step in the recovery of the region. Utility companies are now reporting that around 131,000 homes and businesses are still without power, down from over 800,000. I am hopeful that some of the other side of the aisle will set aside their partisan barbs and start focusing on the progress that is being made. Finger-pointing does not help the families who lost their homes or loved ones.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, sexual predators lurk in the shadows of our neighborhoods and prey on those who are innocent and defenseless. Many sex offenders are living under the radar of local law enforcement and continue to elude the criminal justice system. But we are bringing forth legislation that strengthens the critical need of protecting the safety of our children. H.R. 3132, the Children's Safety Act, addresses the growing epidemic of violence against children and enhances their safety from convicted sex offenders through coordinated State sex offender registration and notification programs. One of the most crucial problems is that over 100,000 sex offenders are ``missing.'' They have not complied with sex offender registration requirements. This legislation remedies this crisis by ensuring compliance and enforcement. Child exploitation and sexual abuse are a growing predicament. This bill tightens mandatory minimums for crimes of violence against children. It expands the category of crimes to include juvenile sex offenses, possession of child pornography, and a new definition of sex offense. It is time to shed light on this most egregious crime and tighten the outlets sex offenders use to desecrate our world.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize that this upcoming Saturday is Constitution Day. This annual observance of our Nation's founding charter was made official by President George W. Bush on December 8, 2004. However, Constitution Day has been celebrated for the past 8 years with the recitation of the Preamble by students, military servicemen and -women abroad, and others across the country. This is a special occasion, as it will mark the first simultaneous recitation of the Preamble. In reciting the Preamble, we join as a Nation to celebrate not only a document but a way of life, and to acknowledge freedoms given by God that no State or power can take away. Our Nation's Founders knew well the need for a government that would not impose burdens upon the people, but would enable them to secure the blessing of liberty. On this Constitution Day, I remind the Congress of our duty to preserve a strict interpretation of this document. The Framers of the Constitution knew what they were doing. They knew the dangers of a State that grows out of control and imposes its will on the citizenry. We owe it to our constituents to maintain an independent judiciary that is coequal with the other two branches of government, a judiciary that seeks to interpret the law, not write it. As we observe Constitution Day, let us honor the Constitution's Framers and embrace their foresight and wisdom by teaching this monument to liberty.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, soon after the country became aware of the devastation that Katrina caused on the Gulf Coast, the personal attacks on our Nation's leaders began. We have heard constant criticism of the Federal Government for the past week, and we need to get past pointing fingers. The fact of the matter is that progress is being made. We know that. More than 45,000 lives have been saved, including over 23,000 saved by the U.S. Coast Guard alone. Over 273,000 citizens have been evacuated. Nearly 600 shelters have been established, housing 182,000 people, and more than 71,000 personnel are on the ground who have helped deliver more than 11 million meals and 18 million liters of water. We are making progress, but the task is not over. Water is being pumped out of the city, and the evacuation of New Orleans is almost complete. Our personnel are working 20-hour days to ensure that every person is safe and sound. The bottom line, Mr. Speaker, is that while some people choose to point fingers, America is doing what it does best: coming together for one another and helping each other during times of disaster.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for President Bush's nominee for Chief Justice, Judge John Roberts, Jr. Judge Roberts has a distinguished record, a brilliant legal mind, and is uniquely qualified to replace the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Judge Roberts graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University in only 3 years. He then went on to graduate magna cum laude from Harvard Law School where he served as editor of the Law Review. Judge Roberts also clerked for our late Chief Justice Rehnquist. Judge Roberts has argued 39 cases before the Supreme Court, earning him a reputation as one of the finest advocates in the Nation. Only a handful of the 180,000 members of the Supreme Court bar come close to this record. Since 2003, he has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. District. This court is regarded as the second most influential court in the Nation. Judge Roberts was confirmed unanimously for this important position by the United States Senate. Judge Roberts is the kind of judge we need. He will apply the law as written and decide the case on its merits, regardless of his personal political views. Mr. Speaker, it is clear Judge Roberts offers all we could ask for in a Chief Justice nominee. Therefore, I urge the Senate to hold fair and speedy hearings in order to fill this important vacancy as soon as possible.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. My thoughts and prayers are with those who suffered through the storm and continue to suffer through its aftermath. I especially pray for those who have lost loved ones and hope they can find some comfort in this time of distress. I commend the many volunteers, health care workers, law enforcement officials and military personnel who have been working selflessly around the clock to help those who have been devastated by this hurricane. I hope that my constituents in North Carolina's Fifth Congressional District and other Americans will join me in making a contribution to a charitable organization. The outpouring of generosity and support from our communities has been amazing, but we must do more. The people affected by this storm need our help right away. A donation to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and other charitable organizations will help provide the resources necessary for these people to survive. Again, I extend my thoughts and prayers to the victims of this hurricane and their loved ones. May God bless you all.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor and recognize the important work being done by the Mebane Charitable Foundation, headquartered in Mocksville, North Carolina. The foundation, which was established by former UNIFI CEO G. Allen Mebane IV, works to promote high-quality early childhood education opportunities for children in North Carolina and supports several nonprofit initiatives in Davie and Yadkin counties. The foundation awards private grants ranging from $500 to $1 million to a number of organizations such as communities and schools in Wilkey County, Davie County Partnership for Children, Davie County Schools, Big Brother Big Sister services, Habitat for Humanity, the Yadkin 4-H, Salem College, and many, many more. The foundation's founder, Allen Mebane, was inspired to become involved in strengthening education while he was operating a textile plant in the late 1960s. When the time came to hire the plant's workforce, he realized that many applicants were illiterate and unable to run the plant's machinery properly. Mr. Mebane knew something had to be done. Therefore, he encouraged his staff to improve their literacy by attending day or night classes at the plant. And as an added incentive, he paid them for doing so. Mr. Mebane has long understood that a strong education is vital in today's changing economy, especially as northwest North Carolina is evolving from an agricultural and manufacturing center to a high-tech area. We are not simply competing with our neighbors in Iredell or Forsyth counties, he explained to the Davie County Enterprise Record. We are competing with other countries. In Japan, children attend school year round. They are required to take algebra in the 9th grade, calculus in the 10th grade. That is our competition, he said. Mr. Mebane argues that we must strengthen technical education programs in order to remain competitive in today's economy. Alan Mebane started the Mebane Charitable Foundation because he wanted northwest North Carolina to remain well educated. ``An educated workforce is the biggest drawing card we have for bringing industry to Davie County, and we have to develop industry to grow the tax base and keep Davie students employed here,'' he said. The Mebane Charitable Foundation is taking a number of steps to improve educational opportunities for students in Davie and surrounding counties. Beginning in January 2003, it focused its grant-making on three projects. The first, an early childhood development program, is working to develop social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of all children, especially those through the third grade. This program seeks to lay a strong educational foundation early on so that children continue to be successful throughout their school years. The second project, a program for teacher-training and professional development, is establishing accountability goals for teachers and enhances their teaching skills in areas such as reading and phonics. Finally, the Davie and Yadkin County program teams with nonprofit organizations to strengthen the organization and other local operations. The Mebane Foundation's grant-making aims to increase the nonprofit community's presence in Davie and Yadkin counties. But the Mebane Foundation does not simply focus on the award of money through grant-making. It also serves as a leader in the community. The most visible example of this is the work they are doing with the Davie County schools. Eighty-five percent of North Carolina is rural with limited economic development opportunities and within 50 miles of larger urban hubs where most people migrate to work every day. Yet the Mebane Foundation realizes that even rural America can have public-private partnerships developed in support of pre-K to 12th grade education. The private sector has historically supported hospitals, colleges, and universities; and the Mebane Foundation is encouraging the private sector to support pre-K through 12 education as well. Michelle Speas, CEO of the Mebane Foundation, stated: ``The public schools belong to all of us and help educate over the generations the leaders of the richest and most diverse populace in the world. Whether you are a corporation, private foundation, community foundation or community leader, every rural county has at least one major player that can make a difference in the local public schools.'' Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Allen Mebane and the Mebane Charitable Foundation for working to improve education through the private sector and wish them continued success for many years to come.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise the Republican leadership and my Republican colleagues in the House for the tremendous work we have done ahead of the August recess. The work we have done will have an immediate positive effect on the lives of my constituents. First off, we enacted effective immigration control with the passage of the REAL ID Act. We also took action to stem the tide of China's unfair trade practices. We are taking the necessary first steps to ensure our domestic manufacturers have a level playing field to compete on. The passage of the National Energy Policy also symbolizes new economic opportunities for my district. Not only does it decrease our dependence on foreign energy supply, it will boost our economy by providing up to $10 billion in tax incentives for renewable, reusable energy sources. This will create new markets and possibilities for our farmers. Today we will greatly improve health care by passing H.R. 5. Health care dollars should be spent on patients in the operating room, not on lawyers in the courtroom. Mr. Speaker, these are just a few of the many great accomplishments we have made. As we head into August recess, I look forward to building on that progress with my Republican colleagues.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me this time. I rise because this outstanding bill we are voting on today is so important to my constituency. Skyrocketing insurance premiums have been diminishing our Nation's health care delivery system for far too long. Women have been affected severely as OB/GYN doctors have stopped delivering babies because financially it does not make sense for them to practice in that area. The physicians who bring life into this world are too often forced to reject high-risk patients out of fear of future litigation. Trial lawyers continue to harass America's doctors. Physicians continue to face the burden of skyrocketing insurance premiums. As a mother and grandmother, I know this is not acceptable. The HEALTH Act of 2005 will provide the means to take action and thwart the efforts of greedy trial lawyers. In turn, this will help Americans, specifically women, obtain better access to the health care they need and deserve. More doctors will stay in business, creating more treatment options, less expensive care, and better access to health services for all Americans. Health care dollars should be spent on patients in the hospital, not on lawyers in a courtroom. This bill will direct more health care dollars to treating and curing patients, which is what our health care system should be about. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I urge our Senators to drastically improve America's health care system by passing this bill as soon as possible.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to applaud the House for passing H.R. 525, the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005 yesterday, which will help provide better access to health care coverage for small businesses. Small businesses and self-employed citizens have long been an integral and valuable part of the American economy. We should assist in their growth and improvement in whatever ways we can. The primary achievement of this bill will be the establishment of certified Federal Association Health Plans, or AHPs. AHPs will increase small business bargaining power with health care providers and allow them to offer the kind of health care coverage that big business has long been able to provide. Second, AHPs will give employers freedom from costly State-mandated benefit packages. Taken together, these features of the new AHPs will enlarge the number of insured Americans up to 8 million people. As Republicans, we are working to increase the number of insured Americans, since as many as one in seven Americans is uninsured. Moreover, the most recent U.S. census statistics show that increases in the number of uninsured employees comes solely from declining coverage in the small business sector. The Small Business Health Fairness Act is a strong step in the right direction, and I am pleased to have passed it.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the Senate bill under consideration.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the global war on terror is being fought at home and abroad by the bravest of Americans. Lance Corporal Brian Parrello, a 19-year-old serving with the Second Marine Division from Passaic County, New Jersey, was one of the most heroic of our fellow citizens. Lance Corporal Parrello was killed in the city of Hadithah in Iraq on New Year's Day of this year. I know I speak for all American citizens when I say that we have boundless appreciation for Lance Corporal Parrello's service to our Nation. There are many ways we can remember his immeasurable efforts to rid the world of the scourge of international terrorism. One small, but meaningful, way we can memorialize Brian's selfless courage and his priceless life is through this legislation. To get a sense of Brian's patriotism, I want to impart some words that his older brother Matthew Parrello shared with the local newspaper following Brian's passing in January. Matthew told The Bergen Record newspaper that Brian ``wanted to serve his country, and he loved what he was doing. He was proud to be a Marine, and he loved the guys he was serving with.'' Matthew said Brian had considered joining the military during high school. During his senior year, in February of 2003, Brian enlisted in the Marine Corps. He began active duty September 22, 2003, three months after his high school graduation. Sean Poppe, Brian's high school football coach, said Lance Corporal Parrello ``possessed a strong desire to excel in whatever he did.'' Indeed, Lance Corporal Parrello gave his excellent life to this Nation. Madam Speaker, America owes the greatest of debts to heroes like Brian Parrello. No reward, decoration, or compensation can approach what Brian Parrello devoted to his country. However, I appreciate the Senator from New Jersey's efforts to remember Brian's life through this legislation that would name a post office after him in his hometown of West Milford, New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I strongly support Senate 904. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of New Jersey (Mr. Garrett), the author of the House version of this honor for Brian Parrello.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 904) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1560 Union Valley Road in West Milford, New Jersey, as the ``Brian P. Parrello Post Office Building''.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to a topic that I have discussed in this Chamber several times in recent months. As we enter the dog days of summer here in Washington, D.C. and the temperature continues to rise, so too does the rhetoric we hear from the other side of the aisle. Democrats continue to say Republicans are out of the mainstream. However, from where I stand, I see nothing but hollow allegations and a complete lack of any legislative agenda for the American people from the other party. Meanwhile, Republicans continue to pursue a commonsense solutionist agenda that addresses important issues like securing our homeland, supporting our troops, growing the economy, and looking out for families and small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a minute to read a quote from the minority leader, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), from a recent press conference she held: ``It is important for us to take down their numbers, to take down their numbers on Social Security, to take down their numbers on credibility. That was very important. If you are the challenger, you are not going to go up against the leader in full strength. You have to take them down first and then you move out in a positive way.'' This quote has troubled me greatly over the past week. I strongly disagree with this type of leadership. While Republicans remain committed to moving forward with a positive, commonsense agenda, Democrats continue to rely on obstruction and partisan rhetoric. Republicans are concentrating on progress, and our results are hard to argue with. New jobs figures show that 146,000 new jobs were created in June. The economy has created over 3.7 million jobs since May 2003, and we have seen steady job gains for each of the last 25 months. There are more Americans working than ever before. The unemployment rate fell to 5 percent in June, the lowest it has been since September 2001. The energy bill passed by Congress will create nearly half a million new jobs in the manufacturing, construction, agriculture and technology sectors by reducing our dependence on foreign oil while exploring different sources of renewable fuels and nuclear energy. This legislation will also help eventually lower the cost of gasoline, a drag on profits that is hitting small businesses hard. Republicans have been working diligently on behalf of small businesses. According to a small business survey, over 80 percent of small businesses spend an average of $25,000 annually on attorney consultant fees and life insurance premiums in an attempt to avoid the crushing blow of the death tax. We are working to repeal the death tax because we feel this money could do more if it remains in the hands of business owners and not in the hands of the government. In addition, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 that President Bush signed into law will reduce the number of abusive and frivolous bankruptcy filings that have hurt the economy and small businesses by raising the cost of credit. Republicans are improving our Nation's transportation and infrastructure. House Republicans passed the highway bill which will fund our Federal highways and help increase the quality of our transportation and infrastructure. This will allow small businesses to move products more efficiently and economists estimate that for every $1 billion spent to improve our highways, 40,000 new jobs will be created. House Republicans are working to facilitate job training for American workers. Hundreds of thousands of new jobs are being created under our watch, and we are dedicated to providing adequate job training for all Americans who seek it. The Job Training Improvement Act will break down barriers for millions of job seekers by streamlining bureaucracy and making sure more time is spent training for the jobs of the 21st century. In addition, the Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act will strengthen and improve the framework of current vocational and technical education programs, add new accountability measures, focus on academic achievement, and streamline Federal funding to help States and local communities make the most of Federal resources. Republicans are also dedicated to national security and the war on terror. We are promoting responsible government spending and are committed to upholding vital American programs like Social Security. Democrats are committed to rhetoric that does nothing to keep America safe or grow our economy. It has even come so far that the minority leadership is willing to contradict themselves in order to block growth. On March 6, the House minority leader stated on Fox News Sunday that ``we must stop robbing the Social Security Trust Fund of its money to pay for other things.'' Yet in the June 24 edition of Congress Daily she stated, ``There is nothing wrong with Social Security lending money with the prospect of returning it.'' This week, I sat down in my office to do some reading and came across a series of editorials from leading Republican and Democrat Members. It was the sharp contrast in our ideologies that I saw when reading these articles that made me want to come to the floor tonight. One of the Democrat's editorials claimed that the first 6 months of the 109th Congress will be remembered as legislatively unproductive. This is not only untrue, but it demonstrates the complete unwillingness of the House minority to acknowledge and join in the effort for progress in America. Republicans are proud of our vast accomplishments in the first half of the 109th Congress and we hope we can work with our friends on the other side of the aisle to bring forth ideas for the betterment of the Nation. I am proud of our accomplishments not just because they represent good policy but also because so many of them attracted bipartisan support. More than 40 rank-and-file Democrats voted with us to enact some of the most important measures of this Congress--despite opposition from their leadership. I want to thank those on the other side of the aisle who acted in this Nation's best interest and put politics aside. We are working towards solutions that will create a stronger America that we can hand down to future generations with pride. We want to preserve vital programs like Social Security, continue to create jobs, lower taxes for hardworking Americans, and address the security issues facing our country. I look forward to the day that the minority joins us in a bipartisan effort to strengthen our Nation and stops attempting to block progress for the sake of partisan politics. In the meantime, I hope the American people will examine the record so that they can see which party truly is out of the mainstream. When they do, they will come to one and only one conclusion--that the Republican principles of progress and solutions are benefiting the entire Nation, while the Democrat tactics of obstruction and stonewalling contribute nothing. It is the Washington Democrats, Mr. Speaker, that are truly out of the mainstream--not the Republicans.