Michael Fitzpatrick

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say good riddance to an outdated, antiquated tax that has long outlived its usefulness--the long distance telephone tax. This tax is known to many Americans only as another indiscernible line on their phone bill which reads as an access fee or charge for service. But in fact, this tax began as part of the War Revenue Act of 1898 as a temporary means to finance the Spanish American War. Interestingly, this wasn't the only onerous tax in the War Revenue Act. The Act also gave us the much debated estate tax. Back then, the excise tax was designed to be a luxury tax for people who owned telephones. Today, the war is ancient history and if you ask anyone walking down the street to join you in shouting ``Remember the Maine,'' I'd expect you to get quizzical stares. Today, there is no specific purpose for this tax. Telephones are a virtual necessity--not a luxury--and the revenues collected by this tax flow into the general fund. But this once temporary tax remains and costs American taxpayers, our small businesses and families almost $6 billion dollars a year. On the tax, Gene Kimmelman, director of Consumers Union is quoted as saying, ``this is the poster child for how messed up our telephone pricing system is today. It makes no sense to have to pay a tax to fight a war that was over more than 100 years ago.'' Well today the tax has been repealed. Americans will soon be able to file for a refund as part of their 2006 tax return for the past three years of charges and the Treasury Department estimates that $15 billion will be refunded to the American public. I encourage all Americans to take advantage of this opportunity to get their returns and I call on my colleagues to set their sights on ending this tax's equally unnecessary counterpart, the local telephone excise tax. These are outdated, out-of-touch taxes and they should all be removed from the tax code.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Hobson for his work during consideration of the Energy and Water Appropriations Act to include language in the final version of the legislation to block funds that would have allowed an ill-advised policy directive by the Department of Energy to go forward. The policy directive would have prevented contractors to the agency from continuing to provide defined benefit pension plans and comprehensive healthcare coverage to their employees. Chairman Hobson's language blocks federal funds from implementing this directive. The Department of Energy's policy directive amounts to nothing more than an attack on organized labor unions and their members. Not only did the policy directive allow only a scant 90 days for the new restrictions to be executed, but no labor unions were consulted on the proposed policy prior to its promulgation. The Department of Energy failed to clear its policy with the Department of Labor to determine whether it is consistent with the requirements of the Service Contract Act and the Davis-Bacon Act. Moreover, while this policy sets a significant precedent by having one of the largest federal departments prohibiting certain employers from offering workers the security of defined benefit pension plans and comprehensive health coverage, it was not cleared by the Office of Management and Budget. The Department of Energy should not be driving pension and health care policy--especially when it does so without due deliberation and input from stakeholders and agencies with expertise on these issues. Additionally, the House is currently in the process of crafting a reform of our Nation's pension system. It is disconcerting that an Executive agency would undertake a policy directive that could contravene the actions of the Congress in what should be a legislative matter. It is my hope that the House will maintain its position in opposition to the Department of Energy in respect to this policy initiative, or any other legislative vehicle that would allow its execution as we enter negotiations with the other body in conference.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, today I rise in support of the amendment proposed by my good friends in the northeast corridor, Congressman Castle and Congressman Holt. This amendment would provide a much needed increase of $50 million for public transportation security. Mr. Chairman, just today hundreds of my constituents were trapped on a completely shut down northeast corridor of the Amtrak system. It turned out, as we know now, to be a power outage. It could have just as well have been an attack on the infrastructure. Attacks in London, Madrid and Russia emphasize the great and immediate need to strengthen security on public transit systems. I advise everyone to heed this warning. An APTA survey found transit agencies around the country have identified more than $6 billion in transit security funding needs. The Federal Government must be a full partner in the effort to ensure the security of the Nation's transit users. Terrorists do not only target the sky, Mr. Chairman. This amendment recognizes the need for greater Federal resources for rail and public transportation security. Americans use public transportation vehicles over 32 million times each weekday. This is more than 16 times the number of daily travels on the Nation's airlines. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 198, the DeLauro Amendment to H.R. 5427, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Andrews

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. CHAIRMAN, on Rollcall No. 197, the Markey Amendment to HR 5427, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment Offered by Ms. DeLauro

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 201, the Markey amendment to H.R. 5427, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 196, The Deal Amendment to H.R. 5427, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Markey

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 199, the Andrews Amendment to H.R. 5427, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment Offered by Ms. Berkley

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 200, the Berkley Amendment to H.R. 5427, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Markey

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues tonight as we unveil the Suburban Caucus' agenda for America. Tonight we bring to the House floor strong forward-looking legislation that would help America's families in some of the fastest growing areas of our country. I, along with our fellow caucus members, understand the issues that suburban families face each day because each one of us lives in the suburbs. I grew up in a place called Levittown, Pennsylvania, which sits just a few miles north of Philadelphia. The majority of my district is situated only 2 hours from New York City. My district borders the Delaware River right across from Trenton, New Jersey, and I am proud to represent neighborhoods in Northeast Philadelphia. These are all suburban areas, places removed from cities, but impacted by them on a daily basis. The suburbs have held a sentimental sway in America since the fifties. Thousands of my constituents have migrated away from New York and Philadelphia to live in my district in search of a change of pace, the purchase of a new home, more space to raise a family, a new economic opportunity. However, increased urbanization has blurred the line between city and suburb, creating new challenges that were unheard of only a decade before. My constituents, like millions of other suburbanites, face transportation challenges, threats from increased crime, environmental concerns, financial worries, and concern over the state of their children's education. In many ways they share the same concerns their neighboring cities have, and those concerns need to be met with attention from Congress. The Suburban Caucus is dedicated to addressing these issues, and I am proud to be a member of the caucus and to take part in tonight's discussion. Mr. Speaker, my most important job is my role as a father of six children. In a world that moves and changes at a dizzying pace, being a father gets harder all the time. Technology is one of the key concerns I have as a parent, specifically the Internet and the sites my kids visit, register with, and use on a daily basis. The Internet is a wonderful invention. It has opened a window to the world right in our homes. However, with the limitless possibilities that window offers, we must be mindful of what we view and let into our homes. One of the most interest and worrying development of late has been the growth in what are called ``social networking sites.'' We have all heard of them in one way or another. Sites like MySpace, Friendster, and Face Book have literally exploded in popularity in just a few short years. MySpace alone has just over 76 million users and ranks as the sixth most popular English language Web site and the eighth most popular site in the world. Everyone can use these sites. Companies and colleges, teachers and students, young and old all make use of networking sites to connect with people electronically, to share pictures, information, course work, and common interests. These sites have torn down the geographical divide that once prevented long distance social relationships from forming, allowing instant communication and connections to take place and a virtual second life to take hold. For adults, these sites are fairly benign. For children, they open the door to many dangers, including online bullying and exposure to child predators that have turned the Internet into a virtual hunting ground for children. Mr. Speaker, the dangers our children are exposed to by these sites are clear and compelling. A Department of Justice survey found that one in five children have received an unwanted sexual solicitation from online interests in the past year alone. Mr. Speaker, one in five children. The FBI reports that child pornography cases have increased more than 2,000 percent over the past decade. And MySpace, which is self- regulated, has removed an estimated 200,00 objectionable profiles since it started in 2003. Look closely at local and national news stories and you will see a troubling increase in cases of child sexual assault where sites like MySpace and Friendster were a key component in the crime. That is why just this evening I introduced the Deleting Online Predators Act, H.R. 5319, as part of the Suburban Caucus agenda. Parents have the ability to screen their children's Internet access at home, but this protection ends when their child leaves for school or for the library. The Deleting Online Predators Act requires schools and libraries to monitor the Internet activities and implement technology to protect children from accessing commercial networking sites like MySpace.com; and chat rooms which allow children to be preyed upon by individuals seeking to do harm to our children; and visual depictions that are obscene or child pornography. Additionally, the legislation would require the Federal Trade Commission to design and publish a unique Web site to serve as a clearinghouse and resource for parents, teachers, and children for information on the dangers of surfing the Internet. The Web site would include detailed information about commercial networking sites like MySpace. The FTC would also be responsible for issuing consumer alerts to parents, teachers, school officials, and others regarding the potential dangers of Internet child predators and others and their ability to contact children through MySpace.com and other social networking sites. In addition, the bill would require the Federal Communication Commission to establish an advisory board to review and report commercial social networking sites like MySpace.com and chat rooms that have shown to allow sexual predators easy access to personal information of and contact with our Nation's children. Make no mistake, our children on the Internet are at risk. Predators will look for any way to talk to children online, whether through sites like MySpace, instant messaging, or even online games. The best defense against these people is to educate parents and children of the dangers that come along with the Internet and by protecting our children during the school day. There may be no one silver bullet solution to this problem, Mr. Speaker, but this legislation takes a strong step forward in deleting the presence of child predators online. It is a step that must be taken and an action that families across the Nation expect and deserve from their United States Congress.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, 5 years after the September 11th attack, our nation remains vulnerable to an attack, an attack that could come through our ports. Our maritime system consists of more than 300 sea and river ports with more than 3,700 cargo and passenger terminals nationwide. Additionally, thousands of shipments to the United States originate in the ports of nations that may harbor terrorists. Although Customs and Border Protection analyzes cargo and other information to target specific shipments for closer inspection, it still physically inspects only a small fraction of the containers under its purview. We cannot allow the threat that our current port security system allows to continue. Terrorists have already attacked our Nation once. There is every reason to believe that they will try again--possibly with a weapon of mass destruction; a weapon that could be smuggled into our ports. That is why I support the three tiered approach H.R. 4954, the ``SAFE Port Act of 2006'' takes to address port security. We must secure our ports and the containers that travel through them at home, abroad and in transit to the United States. H.R. 4954 takes important strides to accomplish this by requiring the Department of Homeland Security to deploy nuclear and radiological detection systems at 22 important seaports by the end of FY07. Additionally, this legislation puts an emphasis on training--a key component to readiness. Our port police, local law enforcement, and longshoremen need an established training program with set guidelines from Homeland Security to deal with security breaches and terrorist attacks. This bill will create one. For containers in transit to our shores, this legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop standards for sealing containers en route to the United States. The SAFE Ports Act boosts private sector investment into security by devoting $25 million a year to forge private/public partnerships to bring new technologies and techniques to market faster. For overseas ports, this bill realizes that our homeland security does not end at our borders. Instead, we need to take a global approach to the way we protect our nation, including our ports. This legislation requires DHS to gather more information from cargo importers. It codifies the existing Container Security Initiative which enables DHS to examine high risk maritime cargo at foreign ports. H.R. 4954 represents an important step in enhancing our homeland security systems. As a representative from Southeastern Pennsylvania whose lies within an hour's distance or less from the ports of Philadelphia, and Newark. Additionally, my own district is home to a deepwater port that is badly in need of enhanced security measures. I am voting for this act so that my backyard and the backyards of my constituents will not become the site of the next terrorist attack. I call on my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as we stand here on this Chamber floor, thousands of seniors in my district and millions across our country are suffering through piles of Medicare drug plan offers; and in far too many cases, these seniors are faced with a difficult dilemma. They are suffering under the weight of too much information, with too little time in which to make a choice on what drug plan they will use under the Medicare prescription drug program. Their decision is by no means simple. The drug plans our seniors choose will define their health care options for years to come. If they do not make a decision and wait until the May 15 deadline passes, they will face penalties and higher prices for the drugs that they need. This week the Bucks County Courier Times, a daily paper in my district in Pennsylvania, mentioned the drug program dilemma faced by one senior. Mary Ann Morgan was fighting through the details and complications of the new program. She said, ``It's the same as if you're going to buy a stock. The fine print is hard to figure out.'' Traditionally, Medicare's assurance has been that for the elderly and persons with disabilities that they will not be alone when confronted with the full burden of their health care costs. However, the Medicare prescription drug benefit has changed, and if the nearly 3,000 seniors I have met through 12 town halls can represent a sample of opinion, many seniors do not yet understand the prescription drug program and do not plan to sign up for coverage. Despite the administration's long public information campaign, for many months polls have consistently indicated only 37 percent of those eligible for Medicare say they only partially understand the program. Sixty-one percent state they simply do not understand the program. Approximately one in four seniors, 24 percent, say they plan to join the program, while 54 percent say they do not plan to join, and 22 percent have no opinion. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projected that 39.1 million Medicare beneficiaries would have creditable prescription drug coverage for 2006. Of this total, HHS projected that 29.3 million beneficiaries would be enrolled in part D plans, and nearly 10 million beneficiaries would have creditable drug coverage under qualified plans such as employer- or union-sponsored plans. Mr. Speaker, the most recent enrollment figures released just last month indicate that only 19.7 million beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medicare part D prescription drug plan, a number that falls short of the hoped for estimate of 29.3 million. This rate of enrollment cannot be viewed as a success. Members of Congress must act to modify the original plan. Mr. Speaker, I contend that there is a simple solution to this problem. Our seniors need more time, and Congress should provide it to them. Congress changed Medicare to give our seniors more choice in what has historically been a highly structured government program. Congress cannot in good conscience allow thousands of seniors to suffer penalties simply because they could not make an informed decision for their health care coverage and do so in time. It is for these reasons that I introduced H.R. 4399, legislation that will extend the initial year's enrollment period an additional 6 months, until November 14, 2006. My legislation would also extend the enrollment period for an additional 4\1/2\ months for all subsequent years. And, finally, under my legislation penalties would be suspended for 2 years when seniors enroll late in the program. I call on my colleagues to join as a cosponsor of H.R. 4399 to give Mary Ann Morgan and thousands of seniors like her more time to make the best use of the choice that they have been given.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time of the gentlewoman from Tennessee.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to welcome Reverend Steven Cherry to the House Chamber this morning as our guest chaplain. It is my further honor to welcome the residents of Heritage Towers, a retirement community located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where Reverend Cherry serves as Executive Director. They are in the House Chamber as I speak to lend their support to the Reverend as well as to see our body in action. Welcome to the Nation's capital. I have had many opportunities to visit Heritage Towers and meet with the 350 residents who call the community home. I also have had the chance to speak with Reverend Cherry about the mission of Heritage Towers and how it is not just a retirement community but a place where seniors can enhance not only their minds and bodies but their spirit as well. Reverend Cherry is tasked with the challenge of maintaining the high quality of the services Heritage Towers offers. He is well-equipped to meet that challenge. Reverend Cherry has served as the finance chairman for the Berwyn United Methodist Church and as a board member of the Central Bucks YMCA. In his ecclesiastical role, Reverend Cherry has served as the pastor of many churches, including the Radnor Church in Rosemont and the Iona Methodist Church in Lebanon. Mr. Speaker, Reverend Cherry has shown his dedication to service and community action throughout his career. Heritage Towers is lucky to have him as Executive Director, and the House is honored to have him with us today.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the unused time of the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen).

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of Georgiana Coles, a resident in my district who will be honored on April 20 for her work not only as a successful business leader but also as a dedicated land preservationist. She will be honored by the Heritage Conservancy, a nonprofit land and historic preservation society, for her significant contributions to preserving vast swaths of pristine open space in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. My district, Mr. Speaker, is renowned for its landscape as well as its history. It is rumored that Oscar Hammerstein composed the lyrics to ``Oh What A Beautiful Morning'' for his musical ``Oklahoma'' while looking over the bucolic acreage of his farm in Bucks County. However, today, continued development threatens to uproot those same pastures and fields that inspired Hammerstein's lyrics. Georgiana Coles and her family own a highly successful nursery in my district that covers over 800 beautiful acres. Over time, the Coles family has expanded their operations, not simply to expand their business, but to protect prime land from development. By purchasing 180 acres of the Bradshaw Farm in Solebury Township, as well as 132 acres in Buckingham Township for preservation, Georgiana Coles has demonstrated her unquestionable dedication to preserving Bucks County's natural history. I want to recognize Georgiana Coles for her hard work and continued dedication to the preservation of open space. I and the residents of the 8th Congressional District of Pennsylvania thank her.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on March 18th, the West Point Society recognized the outstanding service of General Wayne Downing (Ret.) by awarding him the General Alexander M. Haig ``Guardian of Liberty Award;'' an honor that is presented to select individuals who exemplify West Point's motto of ``Duty, Honor, and Country.'' I want to take a moment and recognize General Downing's contribution to the United States Army as well as the security of our nation. General Wayne A. Downing, U.S. Army (Retired) is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he earned a Bachelors of Science degree in 1962. General Downing also holds an M.B.A. from Tulane University. A highly decorated combat veteran, General Downing served in a variety of command assignments in the infantry, armor, special operations, and joint units, culminating in his appointment as the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Special Operations Command. He saw combat during two tours in Vietnam and later as a general officer, Downing commanded the special operations of all services during the 1989 invasion of Panama and commanded a joint special operations task force operating deep behind the Iraqi lines during Operation Desert Storm. After 34 years of service to the United States, General Downing continued to serve his nation after his retirement from the Army. He was appointed by the President to assess the 1996 terrorist attack on the U.S. base at Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. From 1999-2000, General Downing served as member of the Congressionally mandated National Commission on Terrorism, known as the Bremer Commission. And most recently, he served the White House as National Director and Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism. There is no question that General Downing's service to the United States is a tribute to patriotism and dedication to service. I now want to read into the Record a letter written by the superintendent of General Downing's alma mater, West Point in recognition of his being awarded the ``Guardian of Liberty Award.'' The letter, from Lt. General William Lennox reads: Dear General Downing: Congratulations on receiving the General Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Guardian of Liberty Award. All of us at the United States Military Academy are proud of your many achievements. Your career of distinguished service is a tribute to your professionalism as an officer and leader of character to the nation. Your accomplishments, past and present, are exceptionally well known. Your receipt of this award is yet another confirmation by the West Point Society of Philadelphia and the Long Gray Line that you have been an outstanding role model for us all. For you, the words from our Alma Mater ring true, ``May it be said, well done!'' The Corps of cadets, staff and faculty and the entire West Point community wish you the very best in the years ahead. Sincerely, William J. Lennox, Jr. Lieutenant General, U.S. Army Superintendent. Congratulations, General Downing.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, since 1830, Members of Congress have had the great honor and privilege of nominating outstanding young men and women to our military academies. Each year, I have the opportunity to meet students who have excelled in both their academic fields as well as their extracurricular activities. Each of these fine young men and women would excel at our finest private and public universities; however, they all share a singular distinction that separates them from their peers--they all share a deep commitment to their communities and their nation and so, they seek nomination to our prestigious military academies. This year the nominating board interviewed over 60 superb applicants from the 8th District of Pennsylvania to our service academies and I want to take time to recognize each one of them by name. I think it is also proper to acknowledge the board members who had the arduous job of interviewing so many exceedingly qualified students that the 8th District has to offer. I congratulate these students on their commitment and dedication. They all make our nation and our world a better place.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4472, the Children's Safety Violent Crime Reduction Act. Every day it seems the American people are confronted by another heinous case of child abduction and assault. These crimes are some of the most jarring to our society and more must be done to reduce their occurrence. Last year, I voted in favor of the Child Safety Act and I am proud to support this bill today. H.R. 4472 will strengthen sex offender registration, community notification and publication requirements. Many of the violent crimes against children are preventable if communities know that possibly dangerous offenders live amongst their neighbors. That is why I am pleased to see that this bill includes the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website--a resource for families to identify sex offenders in their community. Also Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Sensenbrenner for including my legislation, H.R. 4883, the Justice for Crime Victims' Families Act, as part of this necessary bill. As a former County Commissioner for 10 years, I have had the experience of working with my local District Attorney on many important, time sensitive cases. One of the problems I always heard is that the police needed better communication, coordination between their local, state and Federal counterparts. My legislation focuses on the need to help our nation's criminal investigators conduct investigations into abductions and homicides faster and more efficiently and to fill the gap in communication that was expressed to me in the County. My bill would require the Attorney General to produce a report to Congress outlining the current state of coordination in information sharing between Federal, state and local law enforcement, and the sources of funding currently available for homicide investigators. The Attorney General must also examine what is being done to expand national criminal records databases, enhance the collection of DNA samples from missing persons and improving the performance of medical examinations. I am concerned that not enough is being done to give our investigators the best information available in the fastest time possible. We can't hinder our investigators with jurisdictional hurdles and information blockades. My legislation will look for ways to make communication and information sharing more efficient and productive especially for time sensitive cases. I call on my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in recognition of February as National Marfan Awareness Month and to pay tribute the thousands of people across the nation who are living with the Marfan syndrome and related connective tissue disorders. The National Marfan Foundation is celebrating it's twenty-fifth anniversary this year and continues to dedicate itself to saving lives, and improving the quality of life for individuals and families affected by Marfan syndrome and related disorders by raising awareness, providing support and fostering research. This year marks the 15th annual National Marfan Awareness Month, a national awareness campaign which focuses on Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder of the connective tissue that can affect the skeleton, eyes, heart and blood vessels. Because of the disorder, the aorta, the large artery that carries blood away from the heart is weakened and prone to enlargement and rupture, which is often fatal. It is estimated that 200,000 people in the U.S. are affected by the Marfan syndrome or a related connective tissue disorder. Marfan syndrome is often hereditary, but 25 percent of affected people are the first in their family to have the disorder. It affects both male and females and all ethnicities. Thousands do not even know that they are affected and if left undiagnosed, it can result in an early sudden death from aortic dissection. There is no cure for Marfan syndrome, but with an early diagnosis, proper treatment and careful management of the disorder, the life span can be extended into the 70s. Without a diagnosis and treatment, people may die as early as their 20s, 30s or 40s. In addition, to National Heart Month, February was designated National Marfan Awareness Month because of President Abraham Lincoln's Birthday. Lincoln is believed to have been affected by Marfan syndrome because of the many outward signs of the disorder he portrays. People with this condition are frequently taller than other non-affected members of their family with disproportionately long limbs, fingers and toes. They often have an indented or protruding chest bone, a curved spine, flat feet, a high arched palate and loose joints. Other famous people with the Marfan syndrome include Jonathan Larson, the Tony Award-winning playwright of the Broadway musical Rent; Flo Hyman, captain of the U.S. Olympic Volleyball team who won a gold medal in 1984, Charles de Gaulle, Rachmaninoff, and Mary Queen of Scots. Mr. Speaker, according to the National Marfan Foundation, in my district in Pennsylvania there are approximately 190 families that have to live with this disorder and the fear of dying at an early age. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 14,000 people die each year of aortic aneurysms and dissections, 20 percent of which can be contributed to those carrying a genetic disorder such as the Marfan syndrome. Due to lack of medical awareness about the disorder, many people still die undiagnosed and untreated. I rise today to commend those working in my district and State who work tirelessly on this issue in the hopes of one day finding a cure for Marfan syndrome. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me and the National Marfan Foundation in raising awareness of this potentially life threatening disorder. I look forward to working with members on both sides of the aisle to increase federal support for critical research and prevention programs aimed at improving the quality of life for Marfan syndrome patients and their families.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to lend my support to House Resolution 657, which honors the contributions of Catholic schools on America's youth, and more than this, their contribution in enhancing the social framework of our Nation. Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago President Reagan's Secretary of Education, Secretary Bennett, remarked that during the first 150 years in the history of this Nation, that education was not just about the development of the mind, it was also considered to be the architect of the soul, and Catholic schools have never forgotten that second, most important, part of the mission of education. As someone who has benefited greatly from Catholic education, I can say unequivocally that the values taught to me by the Catholic school system prepared me for the challenges and the opportunities I have met during my lifetime. My Catholic education prepared me to stand up and make the hard decisions in life with the comfort of having complete confidence in who I am as a person, and the deep understanding of human dignity that is so easily forgotten in today's overly commercialized, media-driven society. My education taught me the value of developing not only my mind, but my commitment to my family, my community and my faith. The sisters, priests and teachers of Bishop Egan High School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, and my professors at St. Thomas University in Florida helped me develop those core values, and for that I will be forever in their debt. Therefore, I call on my colleagues to join with me in strong support of this resolution, to show their support for Catholic school systems, educators, students, and contributors.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation that I introduced yesterday to delay penalties to local governments who are unable to meet the May deadlines imposed by the Help America Vote Act of 2002. As a former county commissioner with firsthand experience with local voting boards, I know how hard it is to maintain the high standards we hold for our democratic process while meeting prescribed Federal guidelines and deadlines. I know that many local governments across the Nation right now are struggling to meet HAVA's requirements at the risk of losing all of their Federal funding. The ``Help America Vote Act'' was written to strengthen our election process, and to bring it up to date nationwide. For many areas this means buying new voting machines. This is no easy task, Madam Speaker, for many areas that are still using the same reliable machines that had been in use for many decades. Local governments need time to make such an important decision, not a deadline with a threat of Federal penalties. My legislation buys more time for local governments who are acting in good faith to follow the letter of the law by extending HAVA's deadlines from May to the general election in November. This is commonsense reform of necessary legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, last week as American soldiers continued to bravely wage the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, the House of Representatives passed a Defense appropriations bill containing a nongermane provision, language that would open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to exploration. The agreement to include ANWR in the Defense appropriation turned what was essentially a bipartisan bill into a fight on the floor of both legislative bodies, placing at risk the timely funding of our troops. Defense appropriations bills are historically the most protected type of legislation considered by the United States Congress. The Defense bill is usually the first piece of appropriations legislation passed by the House and Senate, and its language is kept clean from unnecessary and nongermane add-ons and amendments. That is why the addition of ANWR was so surprising to so many Members. Prior to the vote earlier this week, I wrote a letter to the Rules Committee chairman expressing in the strongest terms possible my opposition and disappointment at the decision to place ANWR in the bill before the House. Mr. Speaker, I was not alone in my concern. Prior to Senate debate on the House-approved Defense bill, a group of high- ranking officers, including General Anthony Zinni, United States Marine Corps, sent a letter stating their concern over ANWR's inclusion in the legislation. They wrote, and I quote: ``With 160,000 troops fighting in Iraq, another 18,000 in Afghanistan and tens of thousands more around the world defending this country, Congress must finish its work and provide them the resources they need to do their job. We believe that any effort to attach controversial legislative language authorizing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the Defense appropriations conference report will jeopardize Congress's ability to provide our troops and their families the resources they need in a timely fashion.'' They continued, saying that ``the passion and energy of the debate about drilling in ANWR is well known, and a testament to vibrant debate in our democracy. But it is not helpful to attach such a controversial nondefense legislative issue to a Defense appropriations bill. It only invites delay for our troops as Congress debates an important, but controversial, nondefense issue on a vital bill providing critical funding for our Nation's security.'' As I speak, our brave men and women in the Armed Forces are serving in every corner of the globe. The work our servicemen and -women do each day will create a safer world, a world where liberty and democracy will take root in regions of the world untouched by freedom and choice. Our military deserves our support and the best equipment, training, armament, and reward our government can offer them. That is why I am here today, to lend my strong support to the legislation. The Senate made the right choice yesterday to strip this bill of unnecessary ornaments. ANWR does not belong in the Defense bill, and I am proud to support the Senate version without it. The Defense appropriation bill being considered by the House today is a good bill. It will enable our troops to stand down as Iraqi security forces stand up. This legislation provides $403.5 billion for our troops during this transition, equipping them with $8 billion to replace damaged equipment, $1.2 billion for force protection, and $500 million to train new security forces in Iraq and in Afghanistan. Also, this legislation provides an essential 3.1 percent military pay increase for our soldiers effective January 1, 2006. This legislation honors our military and is deserving of all of our support. As good as this legislation is, Congress must remain vigilant in our responsibility to support our troops. The Associated Press recently ran an article questioning the amount of money needed to address emergency combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The article reported that the military informally indicated to the House Armed Services Committee that they would need an additional 80 to $100 billion to fund operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This request is made in addition to the $50 billion appropriated through the Defense bill. This request is still being drafted by the Department of Defense and will most likely come to the floor as an additional spending package after we return next year. I call on my colleagues to support this additional funding when it arrives in the House. We cannot afford to leave our military unprotected and underfunded, especially at this important time in our Nation's history. Next week, Mr. Speaker, I will travel to Iraq to see the progress the Iraqi security forces are making to take the fight to the insurgents and to take their nation's future into their own hands. I will also visit our troops to give them our thanks from a grateful Nation for the work that they are doing to fight the terrorists, to secure the nation and pave the way for a new and vibrant democracy in Iraq. Our troops must have a clear understanding that our support for them is unwavering. The American people must know that our support for our Armed Forces is strong. That is why this legislation must pass clean, devoid of any needless add-ons. I call on my colleagues to support the legislation and pass the Defense appropriation bill. With that, Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as we continue to try and find the best ways to improve retirement security for our Nation's seniors, I have looked at numerous programs to lessen the burden that our numerous seniors face: health care, transportation, and homeownership. As a former Bucks County Commissioner and now as a Member of Congress representing Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District, I have received many calls and letters from seniors looking to find ways to pay their bills so that they could stay in their homes. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I had the great opportunity to meet Arthur Gerald, a constituent from New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who took advantage of the reverse mortgage program. Arthur was faced with a horrible decision, whether to sell the home he had built for himself and his wife to pay mounting financial obligations or face certain financial ruin. Arthur told me stories of how he, as a young Broadway actor, moved from New York to Pennsylvania with his wife. His house was more than a home. It became a centerpiece of the community. He built a stage in his backyard to perform plays and shows for his neighbors. His house was a focal point for the community. Listening to his stories, I realized that the house was more than four walls and a roof. It was his life, it was his past, and it was his future. The reverse mortgage allowed Arthur to stay in his home. He harnessed the power of this loan to achieve financial security and independence and to preserve his memories. Today, I am proud to bring bipartisan, AARP-endorsed legislation to the floor that would help even more seniors preserve their homes and their memories. The Reverse Mortgages to Help America's Seniors Act, H.R. 2892, makes necessary improvements to the Department of House and Urban Development's Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program by removing the statutory limitation, or ceiling, on the aggregate number of FHA- insured reverse mortgages that may be issued in any given year. Only a complete removal of the volume cap will prevent the possibility of future program disruption that will be detrimental to America's seniors. A reverse mortgage is a unique loan that enables senior homeowners to convert part of the equity in their homes into tax-free income without having to sell the home, give up title, or take on a new monthly mortgage payment. Reverse mortgages are aptly named because the payment stream is, in fact, reversed. Instead of making monthly payments to the lender as with a regular mortgage, the lender makes payments to the homeowner. The homeowner has great flexibility in choosing how to receive the money: as a lump sum, fixed monthly payments, a line of credit, or a combination of all 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 permanently moves 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 HECM program requires mandatory counseling prior to providing the application and the loan. The HECM program is the oldest and most popular reverse mortgage product, accounting for 90 percent of the total market. Available since 1989 to homeowners aged 62 or older, the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage loans are insured by the Federal Government through the FHA. The HUD HECM program has served its mission at an actual savings to the Federal Government. H.R. 2892 would increase discretionary receipts by about $8 million in 2007 and $39 million annually in subsequent years. The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program has, in fact, been a huge success. So much so that the rapid pace of growth created a near crisis this April when concerns arose about the fact that the cap was being reached and the program would, in fact, have to be suspended. While the cap was raised from $150,000 to $250,000 in the 2005 emergency supplemental appropriation, this was just a temporary solution. My bill would remove the volume limit and prevent the possibility of future program disruption and uncertainty in the marketplace. Reverse mortgages benefit seniors who are land rich and cash poor. Many seniors 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. The funds from their reverse mortgage can be used for needs that every senior faces like health care expenses, prescription drugs, in-home care, prevention of foreclosure, paying off existing debts, home repairs or modifications, or daily living expenses. H.R. 2892 has gained support from both sides of the aisle. I would like to thank the 34 cosponsors, specifically the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson), the lead Democrat cosponsor. I think that Congress can agree, regardless of party affiliation, that we want our seniors staying in their homes, especially in a fiscally responsible way. Home ownership is a key part of the American Dream, and reverse mortgages allow an avenue of relief for those seniors faced with losing that dream. I will leave you with a quote from the AARP: We are pleased to be able to support Congressman Fitzpatrick's bill eliminating the loan cap for HECM-qualified, FHA-insured reverse mortgages. We believe that the reverse mortgage instrument provides older Americans with a valuable option for meeting their expenses, especially for those households that are equity-rich but income-poor. This simple but important step will ensure that this unique financial tool will be available to older homeowners. Madam Speaker, the House must pass H.R. 2892. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2892) to amend section 255 of the National Housing Act to remove the limitation on the number of reverse mortgages that may be insured under the FHA mortgage insurance program for such mortgages.