Michael Fitzpatrick

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley).

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, in closing, approximately 10 years ago there was a pilot project where HUD worked through the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program and backed reverse mortgages for senior citizens in America. Many, many seniors throughout this country were able to access reverse mortgages to, as you have heard through the testimony here today, stay in their homes, to retain the memories of their home, homes where they raised their families, graduated their children and a place where they just simply want to retire in. This has been a pilot project that has worked, and I have heard from many, many seniors in my district who need this product and have asked that I sponsor this legislation and make the reverse mortgage product more plentiful and more available to them as they live out and retire in the homes that they have raised their families in. So in closing, Madam Speaker, I would just ask that my fellow Members of this chamber support this bill and pass it this evening.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the legislation just passed, H.R. 2892, and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) for his leadership on issues regarding the National Flood Insurance Program. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday of this week, the House passed by voice vote H.R. 4133, the National Flood Insurance Program Further Enhanced Borrowing Act of 2005. This important piece of legislation will empower residents of the gulf coast by increasing the National Flood Insurance Program's ability to borrow $5 billion in additional funds from the United States Treasury to cover claims resulting from the recent devastating hurricanes of Katrina and Rita. Today, the Senate amended and passed H.R. 4133, raising the amount the NFIP can borrow from the Treasury from $8.5 billion to $18.5 billion, an increase that will remain in place until our return after the December recess. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is a necessary stop-gap measure to ensure the solvency of the National Flood Insurance Program. For this hurricane season alone, FEMA estimates that more than 225,000 Katrina and Rita claims will be filed with a total cost exceeding $22 billion. This total for one hurricane season, Mr. Speaker, will surpass the total amount paid by the National Flood Insurance Program since its inception in 1965. Mr. Speaker, I represent a section of Philadelphia, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that has sustained two floods during the last year. In each of those occasions, FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program administrators have been there, paid the claims that they are obligated to pay. The residents of the gulf coast area and region deserve no less. FEMA is quickly running out of money. The flood insurance program must be able to handle the claims resulting from the catastrophic losses. Historically, whenever the National Flood Insurance Program has borrowed from the Treasury, it has been paid back in full. We need to act to enable this stop-gap measure to cover claims from the gulf coast. We should not think of this as a new obligation. Instead, it is a necessary step to keep a legal promise that Congress has made to homeowners and business owners when Congress passed the National Flood Insurance Act. We have a moral obligation to honor our commitments, Mr. Speaker, and to provide the coverage we promised to provide, to help victims. They need help to rebuild their homes and their lives. I ask my colleagues for their support and seek adoption of the Senate language in this bill.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today I will introduce legislation to reaffirm Congress' support for conservation easements, one of the most powerful and effective tools available for the permanent conservation of private lands in the United States of America. I am proud to represent southeastern Pennsylvania, a region that takes pride in its heritage and the preservation of its open spaces. However, in my district, Mr. Speaker, land available for preservation exceeds local resources. That is why we need conservation easements. That is where partnerships between private landowners and conservation charities come into play. By allowing landowners to receive a tax incentive by using these easements to donate the land for preservation charities, the private sector can supplement government attempts at land preservation. On January 27 of this year, Mr. Speaker, the Joint Committee on Taxation released recommendations to limit the use of conservation easements by eliminating the charitable contribution deduction with respect to personal residence properties. In addition, the amount of charitable deductions for qualified properties would be lowered from the current rate of 100 percent to 33 percent of the fair market value of the easement. I, as well as many of my colleagues here in the House, feel that this would be a terrible mistake. Mr. Speaker, Congress should reaffirm its commitment to environmental protection and historic preservation by passing this resolution. I call on my colleagues to review my legislation and to support its passage.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership and the leadership of the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott) with regard to the National Flood Insurance Program and the willingness of assistance to flood victims throughout the United States. Mr. Speaker, no one could have anticipated the sheer amount of devastation that was brought upon this Nation in the wake of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Cities, towns, entire communities along the gulf coast were practically wiped out and off the map due to high flooding, pounding wind and constant driving rain. Although Congress took immediate action to pass a supplemental relief package to assist the impacted communities along the gulf, one important program in particular remains in need of our attention and of our support, the National Flood Insurance Program. I am pleased to bring to the floor today H.R. 4133, the National Flood Insurance Program Further Enhanced Borrowing Act of 2005. This important piece of legislation will empower residents of the gulf coast by increasing the National Flood Insurance Program's ability to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to cover claims resulting from these recent and devastating hurricanes. Congress authorized the National Flood Insurance Program in 1968 following a series of historic hurricanes in the mid-1950s and 1960s. At that time, Mr. Speaker, affordable flood insurance was not generally available from the private insurance industry. The concept that gave birth to this program was the idea that the Federal Government would make flood insurance available to the people if their local governments agreed to adopt and enforce measures to make future construction safer from flooding. The National Flood Insurance Program provides insurance at actuarial, risk-based rates, including consideration for catastrophic losses. Currently, more than 20,000 communities in all 50 States and U.S. territories voluntarily participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, and the program insures in excess of $800 billion in assets, which breaks down to more than 4.7 million policies for homes, for businesses and other non-residential properties. Since 1986, the National Flood Insurance Program has been financially self-supporting for the average historic loss year, but during periods of high losses, the NFIP has borrowed from the United States Treasury. Each time the NFIP has had to borrow from the Treasury, the loans have been repaid with interest from policyholder premiums and related fees, and at no cost to this Nation's taxpayers. However, the impact of Katrina and Rita will place a historic strain on the National Flood Insurance Program. Simply put, the National Flood Insurance Program was not designed to handle a series of events such as those we have experienced throughout the current hurricane season. For example, Mr. Speaker, and this statistic is staggering, since the program's inception, the National Flood Insurance Program has paid out a total of $15 billion in claims to cover more than 1.3 million reported losses. For this hurricane season, FEMA estimates that more than 225,000 Katrina and Rita NFIP claims are likely to be filed, exceeding $22 billion, a number far surpassing the total amount of claims paid throughout the entire history of the National Flood Insurance Program. Although the President signed into law H.R. 3669, which increased the borrowing authority by $2 billion, current flood insurance claims projection for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita indicate additional borrowing authority will be necessary. My legislation will temporarily increase FEMA's borrowing authority for flood insurance by $5 billion. Mr. Speaker, FEMA is quickly running out of money. We need to act now to enable this stopgap measure to cover claims from the gulf coast. We should not think of this as a new obligation. It is not. Instead, it is a necessary step to keep a legal promise that Congress made to homeowners and business owners when Congress passed the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. We have a moral obligation to honor our commitments and to provide the coverage we have promised to provide and help flood victims who need to rebuild their homes and their lives. I ask my colleagues for their support and seek passage of this important legislation.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, it is my honor and privilege this week to host the players, staff and families of Bucks County, Pennsylvania's own Council Rock-Newtown Little League team to our Nation's Capital. This past August, the CR-Newtown team defeated the Toms River American Little League team of Toms River, New Jersey, to qualify for a seat at the 59th Little League World Series. Their victory marked the first mid-Atlantic championship for Pennsylvania since 1960, and their 20 post-season victories that led the team through the series has made Bucks County as well as Pennsylvania proud of their achievement. I know that the team will remember this summer's season for the rest of their lives. They put their all into their sport, suffering injury and playing the underdog. Every one of the players on the team has done a wonderful job, and I am proud to acknowledge their achievement today. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating them on their historic season.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the resolution and join the growing chorus of the Members of Congress who are coming down to the floor today disappointed in the recommendations of the Base Realignment Closure Commission. I cannot understand why, in a time that we are fighting a global war on terror, a war where we are actively engaged on two fronts and obligated to also increase domestic defense against terrorism here at home, the Department of Defense has suggested, in fact recommended, that we close bases across the Nation. More troubling is the fact that the Department of Defense has moved ahead in this BRAC round by applying a Cold War model to a post-Cold War security environment. Remember, the Department of Homeland Security has not been consulted, Mr. Chairman, on the impact these base closures pose to our domestic security. Mr. Chairman, the world has changed enormously since the last BRAC round. Our threats are not static as they once were. Today we face an asymmetric threat from an enemy that knows no borders nor rules of warfare. The threat of international terrorism requires us to have the best tools available to respond to threats on our allies, our interests, and our homeland at a moment's notice, and I am afraid that the current BRAC recommendations hamper our ability to do so. Take, for instance, the recommendation that the largest joint reserve base on the east coast should be closed. The Willow Grove Joint Reserve Base directly borders my district in Pennsylvania. Hundreds of my constituents rely on that base for their National Guard training. Thousands of my constituents rely on the customer traffic the servicemen and women stationed at Willow Grove provide for their local businesses that surround the base. And, on a larger scale, both my constituents and Americans from New York to Baltimore benefit from the base's protection. Willow Grove's strategic position allows its air assets to protect the ports of Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore. It serves as a FEMA alternative site, providing a staging ground so Federal resources can be distributed in the event of a natural disaster or a terrorist attack. Militarily the base has a great track record of achievement by training combined arms jointly for over a decade, practically setting the standard for interoperability between branches of the armed services. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to welcome to our Nation's Capitol and to this House Chamber Father Joseph Logrip of Immaculate Conception Parish in Levittown, Pennsylvania, and to thank him for offering this morning's prayer, a custom dating back to the Continental Congress, and one that is deeply embedded in the history and tradition of this body. Father Logrip is a teacher, a pastor, and a spiritual leader. He has been a friend and mentor for me and for thousands of others. Father Logrip's contributions both in Bucks County and throughout our Commonwealth have made him an invaluable spiritual leader for Pennsylvanians of all faiths. Under his guidance as pastor, the Church of Immaculate Conception in Levittown, Pennsylvania has grown in size and in faith, and it has enriched the lives of its parishioners and also the community around it. Father has devoted his life to the well- being of his church. He is a man of the people in a working-class community. He is a great communicator, and he is a spiritual man who conveys his spirituality in a very gentle and unassuming way. We thank him for his service and for traveling to the Nation's Capitol this morning and for offering the morning's prayer.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, last week I had the great honor of hosting the Soroptimist International, the Indian Rock Chapter of Pennsylvania, here in the Nation's Capital, a women's organization devoted to improving the lives of women and families across the globe. I was also honored to have the distinguished gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Kelly) joining me to address the group on a variety of issues important to women and their families. The Soroptimists do great work by serving as an international voice in advancing the need for improved medical care, poverty relief, and job training for women everywhere. However, during our discussion, one issue took precedence, the need to recognize the plight of victims of domestic violence and to increase the Federal Government's responsibility to support its victims and to punish its abusers. Domestic violence is a scourge on our social fabric. Although much has been done since the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 to reduce domestic abuse, more must be done to break the cycle of violence that has affected the lives of millions of women and children across the Nation. According to the Department of Justice, each year 1 million women suffer nonfatal violence by an intimate partner. The American Psychological Association reports that nearly one in three adult women experience at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood. These are statistics that cannot stand in a civil society in the 21st century. We must do more to increase awareness of the needs of battered women and their families. We must do more to stop domestic violence before it begins through education at an early age for boys and girls, and we must make sure that battered women and families receive adequate assistance through shelters, transitional housing assistance and other Federal programs. Mr. Speaker, I am a proud supporter and sponsor of this bill. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an important time for women, men, parents, teachers, for all of us, to recognize a problem that continues to plague our society. As Americans, we owe a shared responsibility to help our neighbors and our communities. Let us all take this time to help victims of domestic violence and finally end this cycle which destroys lives and families.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the high cost of America's health care system and also to highlight a solution to this problem that not only reduces the number of uninsured in the United States, but gives consumers the ability to rein in the high price of health care on their own terms. Everyone in this Chamber and across the Nation knows that our Nation is in the midst of a health care crisis. The crisis not only affects patients, but our health care professionals as well. Rising health care costs have left nearly 45 million Americans without health insurance and thousands of small businesses struggling to cover their employees. In my home State of Pennsylvania, over 50 percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed said their family has had difficulty paying the cost of health care or obtaining insurance for their dependents. Since 2001, the cost of health insurance has risen 59 percent. In 2004, employers who offered health insurance benefits were paying an average of 11 percent more for health insurance premiums, making that year the fourth year of double-digit increases in premiums. Last year, President Bush spoke of the need to create an ownership society in America. His idea was simple: Pass laws to enable our families to take greater ownership in their investments, their financial security and their future. The idea of an ownership society has already resulted in a booming housing market, impressive job growth and historic economic productivity. I come to the floor today to say that the ownership society can also change health care as we know it today through the use of Health Savings Accounts. Designed as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, Health Savings Accounts are tax-free accounts that empower consumers to take control over their own health care expenses. The principle is simple: If a person has a health insurance plan with a high deductible of at least $1,000 for an individual or $2,000 for family coverage, that person can make pre-tax contributions to a savings account specifically designed to handle health insurance. Health Savings Accounts are portable, interest-bearing financial instruments. Like a 401(k), contributions to HSAs are made with pre-tax income. Like an IRA, the account grows tax-free and can also be moved from job to job. There is no penalty for the removal of money from an HSA, and if an individual does not use any money from an HSA over the course of a year, the money is not lost. Instead, it is rolled over into the next year and without penalty. Due to the ability of account holders to contribute 100 percent of their deductible in pre-tax income into an HSA, consumers gain an added benefit by having health insurance plans with higher deductibles. The higher the deductible, the more they are able to invest without a tax penalty. For business owners, especially small businesses, HSAs allow employers to lower health care spending and simultaneously reap a tax benefit. These incentives will motivate more businesses to take advantage of Health Savings Accounts. I can relate to you a first-hand account of the success of HSA for small businesses. Last week, I hosted a Small Business Forum back in my State of Pennsylvania that brought together small business owners and employees from across my district to discuss the issue of the cost of rising health care premiums. The gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Manzullo) and I heard from George Donovan, the principal of a small architectural firm that employs 30 people. Mr. Donovan testified that the health insurance he pays accounts for nearly 50 percent of his total insurance costs. Three years ago, his firm's health insurance premium was $120,000 per year. By switching to an HSA, he was able to cut that amount by half, to just $60,000, in his first year. Like many employers, George Donovan does not believe in employing individuals without health insurance. He found through staff interviews that health insurance is the number one criteria for accepting a job or for staying with his firm. By all measures, his adoption of HSAs has helped his bottom line, as well as allowed him to retain trained and talented staff. Health Savings Accounts empower Americans across the country to make informed choices. Instead of being tied into a traditional plan that limits choice and keeps the consumer at arm's length from the health care market, Health Savings Accounts allow individuals and businesses to take an active role in choosing how to spend their money. According to Andy Laperriere in a Wall Street Journal article of January 24 of this year, ``health care is the only sector in the economy where there is almost no price transparency and no price competition.'' Laperriere's article is correct. How many of us actually understand the cost of a medical test or procedure? Most of the information in a medical or hospital bill is too complicated to understand, and most health insurance plans compound that confusion. HSAs create an economic incentive for consumers to shop for care competitively, become involved in the market and save more money with HSAs. Since you are able to keep that money that you do not spend in your HSA, it makes sense to purchase the best care at the lowest possible price. Therefore, the widespread use of HSAs will create an educated class of consumers that will cut administrative costs, lower overhead and reduce the cost of health care for the majority of Americans. Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues to support Health Savings Accounts and legislation that will expand and support their use. The best way to lower the cost of health care is to make the consumer an active participant in the market. Health Savings Accounts do just that, and bring us one step closer to an ownership society.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the issue of health care insurance in America, its rising costs and a solution that will help to reduce the cost for many Americans. Our Nation is in the midst of a health care crisis. This crisis affects Pennsylvania's health care professionals, their patients and the doctor-patient relationship. This crisis is especially acute in my district in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Last week I held a small business committee forum in my district. The health care crisis and how it affects small businesses was the topic of the forum. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) was kind enough to come to the forum and to apply his many years of experience to the issue, and I thank the gentleman for his contribution and for his insights. Pennsylvania's health care problems are among the worst in the Nation. Doctors in Pennsylvania are faced with some of the highest medical malpractice insurance rates in the country. Because they cannot afford to pay for malpractice insurance, many Pennsylvania physicians are practicing defensive medicine or simply shutting their doors, moving to other states or retiring. Young doctors establishing a new practice are reluctant to consider Pennsylvania because of malpractice insurance problems. Over 50 percent of Pennsylvanians say their family has had difficulty in paying the cost of health care or obtaining health insurance coverage. Since 2001, the cost of health insurance has risen 59 percent, and employers who offer health care benefits are paying an average of 11 percent more for health insurance premiums than they did in 2004. This is the fourth year in a row of double digit increases with no end in sight. From a national perspective, the statistics are staggering. The Labor Department has recently reported that 3.7 million new jobs were created since May of 2003, marking 25 consecutive months of positive job growth for the U.S. economy. Unfortunately, there are 41 million Americans who are without health care insurance. Nearly 60 percent of the 41 million uninsured Americans are employed by small businesses or are dependent on someone who is employed by a small business. As health care costs continue to increase, fewer employers and working families will be able to obtain coverage, and the number of uninsured will inevitably rise. For a Nation of the 21st Century, and in a country that boasts the world's largest and most productive economy, this is simply unacceptable. The skyrocketing cost of health care is making employer-sponsored health coverage harder and harder for businesses, especially small businesses, to provide to their employees. This fact makes it nearly impossible for many hard working families to receive affordable care that they need and deserve. I am proud to say the House Republicans have a plan to increase and improve America's access to affordable and high quality health care. Association Health Plans will help employers, especially small business owners, afford quality health care for their employees and their families, will improve the quality of life and provide much needed health security. AHPs address both health care access and cost by allowing small businesses to create associations that may jointly purchase health insurance for their workers at a lower cost. Specifically, AHPs establish eligibility requirements so that all AHPs are required to offer fully-insured and/or self-insured benefits. AHPs encourage broad participation and coverage by prohibiting discrimination of any kind against certain ``high-risk'' individuals. AHPs will cover specific diseases, maternal and newborn hospitalization and mental health issues. AHPs will be exempt from costly and burdensome state health insurance regulations to enable greater and more effective coverage. AHPs will be financially strong and responsible by reserving enough funds for potential costs and other obligations. AHPs have enjoyed the support of a wide coalition, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the American Farm Bureau, the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Latino Coalition, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Women Business Owners and the National Restaurant Association. These organizations have endorsed AHPs because AHPs will reduce health insurance costs for employers. For example, insurers selling directly to small employers typically incur administrative costs of 20 to 25 percent. By contrast, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated that small businesses that obtain insurance through AHPs will save an average of 13 percent. Other estimates have indicated cost savings could be as much as 25 percent. AHPs will significantly reduce the number of uninsured Americans. AHPs, according to a study by the Research Corporation, estimates that up to 8.5 million uninsured workers and dependents could gain coverage from AHP legislation. And this study confirms even a small cost savings can result in large increases in purchasing power for all of our small businesses. The CBO has concluded, Mr. Speaker, that Association Health Plan legislation would extend insurance coverage for up to two million uninsured American workers with no cost to the government. I encourage my colleagues to support the Small Business Health Insurance Act, H.R. 525, when it comes to the floor this week.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of Chairman Young's exemplary work on the Water Resources Development Act. In addition, I stand here to endorse The Chairman's Manager's Amendment-- which contains my bipartisan legislation--H.R. 1983. H.R. 1983 called for a new flood mitigation study of the Delaware River covering four states: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. I would like to thank the effort and support of my bipartisan coalition of the Delaware River corridor: Representatives Dent, Hinchey, Kelly, Menendez, Smith and Holt. This is the first piece of legislation I introduced as a member of Congress. I would like to thank Chairman Young again for including H.R. 1983 in the Manager's Amendment because this bill is needed for my constituents who were devastated by two floods in only six months.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, every American remembers the financial hardships they faced when WorldCom and Enron went belly up. I certainly remember the broken investment accounts of my constituents and the people of Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District. And it is extremely troubling that little known players in this crisis, Moody's and S&P, rated Enron and WorldCom at investment grade just days prior to the filing of their bankruptcies. Two firms dominate the ratings market with SEC approval and this, Mr. Speaker, creates an uncompetitive marketplace, stifles competition from other rating agencies, lowers the quality of ratings and allows conflicts of interest to go unchecked. It is bad for the market and it is hurtful to individual investors. Last week, I introduced the Credit Rating Agencies Relief Act of 2005, H.R. 2990, which will inject greater competition, transparency and accountability in the credit rating industry through market-based reform. I encourage my colleagues to review and to cosponsor H.R. 2990.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as we continue to discuss the best ways to strengthen retirement security for our Nation's seniors, I have looked into numerous programs to lessen the burden that our seniors face in rising health care costs, transportation, and homeownership. As a long-time Bucks County Commissioner and now as a Member of Congress, I have received many phone calls, many letters from seniors looking to find ways to stay in their homes and pay their bills. How many seniors do the Members know who are struggling financially because they do not have a steady income stream coming in, but are sitting on a valuable asset that is not working for them, an asset that they cannot cash in: the home that they want to stay in for their retirement? Last week, Mr. Speaker, I introduced H.R. 2892. This legislation is bipartisan and is endorsed by AARP. It will eliminate the volume cap on the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, commonly referred to as the FHA-insured reverse mortgage program. A reverse mortgage is a unique loan that enables senior homeowners to remain in their homes and be financially independent by converting part of the equity in their homes into tax- free income without having to sell the home, does not require them to give up title, or to take on new mortgage payments. The funds from a reverse mortgage can be used for needs that every senior faces like health care costs, prescription drug costs, in-home care, prevention of foreclosure, paying off existing debts, home repairs, modification, or simple daily living expenses. Reverse mortgages are aptly named because the payment stream is reversed. Instead of making monthly payments to the lender, as with a regular mortgage, the lender makes payments to the senior homeowner. This unique loan enables senior homeowners who are house rich but cash poor to convert part of their equity in their homes into tax-free income and allow the homeowner great flexibility in choosing how to receive the money. They can opt to receive a lump sum, fixed monthly payments, a line of credit, or a combination of the three. No monthly payments are required during the term of the loan, and it is paid back only when the resident sells the home, passes away, or has permanently moved out of the home. A key part of the reverse mortgage program is mandatory counseling. To make sure that no one rushes into a mortgage that they are unprepared for, the program requires mandatory counseling prior to applying for a reverse mortgage to ensure that the homeowner has a plan to use the payments in a responsible and beneficial manner. The reverse mortgage program has been successful and popular with senior homeowners, so much so that the rapid growth in these mortgages created a near crisis this April when concerns arose that the cap was going to be reached, leading to a suspension of the program. While the cap was raised from $150,000 to $250,000 in the 2005 emergency supplemental appropriation bill, this is just a temporary solution. AARP stated that the only complete removal of the volume cap, which is my bill, H.R. 2892, will prevent the possibility of future program disruptions that will be detrimental to seniors. The importance of sustaining the FHA reverse mortgage program was further emphasized to me this past Monday while I was visiting in my district in Pennsylvania with several senior homeowners who recently obtained reverse mortgages. Their stories are the same. They have worked their whole lives to obtain this home and to pay for the home. They have raised their children in the home. They have retired into their homes, and they live on Social Security income with basically no remaining savings. They have converted the equity in their home so that they can repair their homes, they can increase their standard of living, and they can live out their senior years with dignity in their own home. Mr. Speaker, I think every Member of Congress can agree that seniors must have the option to stay in their homes as long as they wish. Lifelong homeownership is the American Dream. My legislation, H.R. 2892, would provide relief for those seniors faced with losing their homes. As we celebrate National Homeownership Month, it is fitting that Congress enact legislation that will allow existing homeowners to remain homeowners. Today I call on all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in this vital effort and to co-sponsor H.R. 2892.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight in strong support of the Stupak amendment to the Interior appropriations bill. This amendment will stop the EPA's ill-advised proposal to allow treatment plants to dump untreated sewage into our Nation's waterways. Mr. Chairman, the EPA's proposed change is just plain a bad idea. In fact, just this morning as we have heard, the EPA recognized just how bad an idea it was and announced that it was reconsidering its proposal. It is a bad idea to permit our water to contain bacteria, viruses, parasites and intestinal worms capable of causing cholera, hepatitis, gastroenteritis and dysentery. The EPA steps backward when it advocates for polluters to discharge halfway-treated sewage into our Nation's waters. Notwithstanding today's EPA decision to reconsider its proposed policy change, it remains necessary to pass this amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the amendment and ensure that the EPA does not change its mind again and attempt to impose an imprudent sewage blending policy on America at some point in the future.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for the time. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1279, and I commend the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner) for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor for a vote today. Madam Chairman, gang violence is on the rise across the United States. Areas once thought safe harbors from crime are now under the threat of expanding gang violence. My district is not home to a center city area. It is considered a suburban area. Bucks County is a quiet pastoral suburb of the city of Philadelphia, an area bordered by farms to the north, business centers to the south, residential areas to the west, and the Delaware River to the east. However, the majority of crime in my district takes place in a very small, concentrated area. But the people of Bristol, Bucks County, are taking the lead in cleaning up their streets. The hard work of Don Billingsley and other neighbor leaders have made Bristol a shining example of the Department of Justice's Weed and Seed initiative to take back neighborhoods from crime. However, Bristol is under threat from gangs migrating from cities just across the river in New Jersey. Madam Chairman, three things are needed to make sure gangs do not infiltrate areas like Bristol: people, money, and strong anti-crime laws. Well, in Bristol, we have the money and we have financial resources through the Weed and Seed program, but what we need are strong laws. H.R. 1279 is the bill that would dissuade gangs from taking up shop in my district. Gang violence is an issue that must be dealt with immediately. The House Committee on the Judiciary reports that over 631 gang-related homicides occurred in 2001, perpetrated by an estimated 750,000 active gang members. Gangs are directly linked to narcotics trade, human trafficking, identification document fraud, violent maiming, assault and murder, and the use of firearms to commit deadly shootings; but the problem does not stop there. Organized crime syndicates like the ultra-violent MS-13 have reportedly agreed to smuggle terrorists over our southern borders. This is now a homeland security issue. H.R. 1279 will apply a RICO-type approach to prosecuting modern street gangs. At the heart of this bill are provisions that allow prosecutors to go after the gangs as an enterprise. Rather than trying to shoehorn such cases into the existing RICO statute, the new gang crime statute is narrowly tailored to address the specific problem of gangs. Gang investigations and prosecutions take time and resources, and those resources will be provided by this bill. Organized crime, Madam Chairman, has been prosecuted in the same way with long and complex trials designed to take out a number of defendants in one single prosecution, and they were successful in ending their spread. Madam Chairman, let us give our police and prosecutors the freedom to end the spread of gang violence.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues and the millions, if not billions, of people throughout the world in celebrating the life of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, and support the resolution and thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) for presenting it. Mr. Speaker, no one at the time in 1978 expected Cardinal Wojtyla to be elected the Keeper of the Keys to the Church. In his election as Pope, John Paul II became the first non-Italian Pope in 405 years of Papal history. John Paul II was truly the People's Pope. Throughout his Pontificate, John Paul II traveled the world, visiting over 115 countries on 170 trips. It was with the people that Pope John Paul II connected the most. He called upon the world to embrace freedom and human dignity. In doing so, the Pope will be remembered for his role as peacemaker, instrumental in the fall of communism in Europe and the liberation of his own native Poland. But the Pope also called on the world's religions to open their doors to each other. Drawing from his own experiences in Nazi-occupied Poland, the Pope advocated interfaith dialogue. He became the first Pope to enter a synagogue and embraced the leaders in Islam. His work to expand communication between the faiths has brought together a generation of the devoted, and our world is a better place for it. During an open-air mass in St. Peter's Square in 1998, the Pope asked of himself, Have you been a diligent and vigilant master of the Church? Have you tried to satisfy the expectations of the faithful of the Church and also the hunger for truth that we feel in the world outside the Church? Although he did not answer then, we can answer for him today. Yes, yes, you have.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1134. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood mitigation program is one of the cornerstones of our country's disaster emergency management system. The flood mitigation program is the tangible manifestation of the Federal Government's ongoing effort to prevent damage and lessen the effect disasters have on persons' lives and property. Through FEMA's measures such as building safely within the floodplains, buying endangered houses, relocating homes, designing and reengineering buildings and infrastructures, and elevating houses and businesses, the effect of floods, hurricanes, and other natural hazards on American lives and communities is lessened. I congratulate the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley), whose Florida congressional district, like my district, has been ravaged by hurricanes and flooding, for sponsoring H.R. 1134. I also commend all of the House Members who have co-sponsored this bill and who have helped bring it to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1134 is necessary legislation. It will amend the Internal Revenue Code so as to provide for the proper tax treatment of disaster mitigation payments. Currently, the IRS has taken a position that such disaster relief payments will be treated as taxable. In a heavy-handed fashion the IRS's fashion truly kicks people while they are down. But H.R. 1134 does more. It not only provides tax relief to individuals who have suffered, often losing their homes and businesses from floods; it will encourage Americans to participate in FEMA's flood mitigation program. Mr. Speaker, I know firsthand the necessity of H.R. 1134. In 1999 when hurricanes hit, I was a county commissioner in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The rains and the flooding were devastating. The flooding along the Neshaminy Creek wiped out over 300 homes and over 100 businesses. I was on the ground dealing with FEMA and with other disaster agencies. We were there. We dealt with the individuals and the families. We encouraged the citizens to participate in these Federal programs that will reduce Federal programs and funding requirements in the future. The Federal Government assured my constituents, Mr. Speaker, that those proceeds would not be taxable. So this is the right bill at the right time, and I urge the passage of H.R. 1134.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 6-- Sense of Congress that the Department of Defense should continue its support of the Boy Scouts of America. I rise as a life-long member of the Scouts, and a proud Eagle Scout. This week marks the 95th anniversary of the incorporation of the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Speaker, the Boy Scouts stand for something-- they stand for what we want all young Americans to be. To be Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful and Friendly. There are not many organizations, Mr. Speaker, that stand for the same values and principles today that they did at the time of their founding or incorporation. The Boy Scouts of America are not an organization that has changed its core values in order to maintain a sense of political correctness in an age of vanishing values. There are not many organizations that exist today, like the Boy Scouts of America that are willing to stand up and tell young men that they should strive to be: Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. Those are the principles of the Boy Scout Law. And it is my sense, and I believe the sense of my constituents and those of the rest of America, that Congress continue to support the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts will be gathering this summer at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, and Congress should resolve to encourage in strong terms that the Department of Defense continue its support of the Scouts today, for the coming national jamboree, and in the future.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 6, which is on the agenda of the United States House of Representatives today, expressing the support of the United States Congress for the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Speaker, I also rise as a lifetime Scouter and a very proud Eagle Scout. As a matter of fact, this week marks the 95th anniversary of the incorporation of the Boy Scouts of the America. It was February, 1910 that the Boy Scouts of America were incorporated in New York. They stood for a set of values. They stood for something. They stood on a set of principles, teaching young men to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful and friendly. If you think about it, there are not many organizations around today who were around 95 years ago that stand for the same things today that they stood for back at the time of their inception, back at the time of their incorporation, teaching young men to be courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent to God. That is what the Boy Scouts of the America stand for. It is what they have always stood for. The Department of Defense, the United States military, have always been encouraged by the United States Congress. Of course, the Congress provides one of the very few congressional charters to the Boy Scouts of America. The Congress has always supported the Boy Scouts. They have always encouraged the Department of Defense to support the Boy Scouts of America, as well. As a matter of fact, this coming year, the Boy Scouts will hold a quadrennial national jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, not too far from the Nation's Capital. This resolution encourages the Department of Defense to continue support of the Boy Scouts of America. I believe it is the sense of Congress and also the sense of the citizens of the United States of America that we continue to support the Boy Scouts.