Michael Fitzpatrick

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker I rise today to honor Chief Barry Pilla. Day to day, we Americans are protected by the men and women in law enforcement who stand ready to serve. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their service and our peace of mind. On the occasion of the retirement of Northampton Township Police Chief Barry Pilla on July 1, 2013, we acknowledge his ability to achieve the goals he set for the department, while leading it with integrity and honor. For more than 40 years, Chief Pilla dedicated his life to citizen protection and a safe community. He also created a work environment that fostered professional development and resulted in accomplishment. His life was dedicated to public service, beginning with the United States Army in 1968, followed by an exemplary police career. We join Northampton Township in thanking Chief Barry Pilla for his life's work and offer him our sincerest wishes for new adventures and many happy retirement years.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, which has earned the number one ranking among the Nation's pediatric hospitals in the latest U.S. News and World Report Honor Roll of Best Children's Hospitals. CHOP programs also were ranked within the top four in each of 10 specialty areas in the U.S. News survey. This recognition is a milestone for the largest and oldest children's hospital in the world and a credit to the dedication and expertise of the staff, whose mission is defined by the hospital motto: Hope Lives Here. And hope is what was involved in the recent double lung transplant performed by CHOP physicians on 10-year-old Sarah Murnaghan, whose plight received national attention. I also acknowledge the patient care provided at the satellite Children's Hospital in Chalfont, Bucks County, an outpatient facility serving the families of Bucks County and eastern Montgomery County. And so I congratulate the entire staff of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for this achievement and look forward to your many years of continued service and success.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Sally Ride. On June 18, 1983, Dr. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger--the first of her two flights as mission specialist. The former astronaut, physicist, educator and space advocate left behind a legacy of accomplishments when she died last year at the age of 61. Her legacy continues to inspire and motivate young women with an interest in science, technology, math and engineering, while the company she founded advances those interests. We acknowledge Dr. Ride's advocacy for young women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math- a precursor to the ``STEM'' programs we know are so important today. As a strong proponent of STEM education and allied programs I will continue to applaud Dr. Ride's effort to encourage interest in science, space, and the technical fields by blazing a path for other women to follow.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, we are pleased to acknowledge the 275th anniversary of Sellersville Borough, one of three original villages in Richland Township, Bucks County. Founded by German farmers between 1720 and 1730, one of the early settlers, Abraham Wambold, built a home, tannery and grist mill on the banks of the northeast branch of the Perkiomen Creek sometime around 1738. Sellersville never lost its village quality, nor its ties to another early settler, Samuel Sellers, who established Sellers' Tavern, a public house. And years later, the post office was known as Sellers' Tavern until its name changed in 1856. The Borough of Sellersville was established in 1874. Its history is housed in the Sellersville Museum, the one-time Sellersville Public School building, and the first four-year high school in Bucks County. No community would be safe without a fire company and in 1888 the Sellersville Fire Co. began protecting people and property and now celebrates its 125th anniversary. And 100 years ago, Grandview Hospital began serving Sellersville area families with care and compassion. Congratulations to all on a combined 500-year history and your individual anniversaries. May the future be even brighter.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. I thank the chairman for the opportunity to address two amendments which are part of this package. The first is my amendment to protect military tuition assistance, an important tool for members of the armed services to obtain the necessary professional development education and to prepare themselves for the civilian job market upon leaving the service. Last year, approximately 300,000 servicemembers used tuition assistance to pursue their educational goals. Unfortunately, last March, the administration chose to end this program, and it took congressional action to overturn that decision. This amendment would prevent even the specter of ending this benefit from ever happening again. Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines deserve better. Second, included in this package is an amendment requiring the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study on veteran-owned small business contracting and to examine the feasibility of putting a priority on meeting veteran-owned small business contracting goals first, similar to a successful program in the VA. They will be examining how fair contracting practices for veteran-owned small businesses could positively affect veteran unemployment, homelessness and even suicide. Mr. Chairman, the fact is there are 250,000 servicemembers transitioning each year from military life to civilian life. One in seven is self-employed or is a small business owner, and about a quarter of our veterans say they are interested in starting or in buying their own small businesses. They play an important role in our economy. This Congress needs to help them in the transition and in getting America back to work. So I would like to thank the chairman and ranking member on the bill, and I urge support of these amendments.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2167, a bill that I was very happy to work on with the gentleman from Washington. It's an example of us able to work in a bipartisan way on important legislation that will, in fact, institute good, commonsense reforms on an important program for America's seniors. This bill is very simple. It allows HUD to institute some needed reforms to the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program, better known as reverse mortgages, using an expedited process. The legislation requires that any changes to the program being made using the authority contained in this act must be done to improve the fiscal safety and soundness of the reverse mortgage program. There is concern on both sides of the aisle about the financial health of FHA. Last November, FHA released its annual report to Congress on the financial status of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund. There are some significant shortfalls, and the Financial Services Committee and the chairman have been diligently examining the problems there and what actions that Congress may need to take. The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program is one of those areas that must be reformed, and this bill is going to help the HUD Secretary take some critical steps to ensure the long-term stability of that program. Madam Speaker, it is important that we make improvements to FHA's HECM program to ensure that reverse mortgages remain an option for seniors. When used appropriately, a reverse mortgage can help seniors pay off debts; deal with unexpected expenses, including health emergencies; and improve or maintain quality of life. It can be an important financial tool for folks like Robert and Fran Ciaccia of Bristol Township in my district who, because of this program, had access to equity that they used to make their lives and their retirement better--their lives, Robert and Fran, and the lives of countless seniors throughout Pennsylvania that I've spoken to who were able to maintain their home and stay in their home well into their retirement years when they had no other options to do so. FHA insurance makes these products widely available, while protecting against predatory practices. By using the authority granted in this act, the Secretary of HUD has suggested reforms that protect taxpayers by making the HECM program more fiscally sound, while increasing consumer protections for seniors who may want to take advantage of a reverse mortgage. So, Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the gentleman from Washington on this bill.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, Bucks County is in the forefront of Pennsylvania land preservation because of individual leaders such as Gloria Hall, who founded The Friends of the Farmstead in 1986 and helped launch the successful, countywide ``Save the Farms'' campaign. Since 1989, Bucks County's farmland preservation program has saved 157 farms and over 14,000 acres. Gloria Hall has inspired farm families -- and the greater community -- to safeguard the land for future generations. In so doing, she epitomizes environmental stewardship at its best and; therefore, is most deserving of the George M. Bush Farmland Preservation Award from the Bucks County Conservation District and acknowledged by the Bucks County Board of Commissioners on June 5, 2013. I thank Gloria Hall for her dedicated 25-year effort to save Bucks County's farms for future generations.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, for 100 years, members of the Fleming family have farmed Bucks County's rich soil, turning land into bountiful acres of produce for local consumption and wholesale markets. Today, the descendants of T. Herman Fleming carry on the tradition at Shady Brook Farm in Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County. In 1945, the Fleming patriarch's eldest son, Ed, took over the first farm in Andalusia and, in 1960, purchased 90 acres in rural Lower Makefield. The growing tradition continued with Ed's sons, Ed Jr. and Dave, followed by Dave's children, Dave Jr., Paul and Amy, and Wendy, the daughter of Ed Jr., at the helm. Within the circle of highways, homes and office buildings, Shady Brook Farm is a snapshot of both the historic and future farm, a destination for visitors who enjoy the Garden Center, country fresh market and seasonal entertainment. And so we acknowledge the remarkable heritage of the Fleming family on the farm's 100th birthday, with best wishes for continued success.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, Sherry Post of the 8th Congressional District of Pennsylvania is an outstanding and enterprising businesswoman who created a successful company that manufactures nutritional supplements in the Borough of Hatfield. The company, Simple Brandz, was recently certified as a veteran-owned business through the United States Veterans Administration, which will assist in its further growth by expanding business opportunities. She is an 8-year Army veteran, who is recognized as a dynamic entrepreneur and recently received the 2013 Women of Influence Community Achievement Award in the Greater Lehigh Valley. We commend her for outstanding achievement and also her goal of providing manufacturing jobs for other veterans in the region. We congratulate Sherry Post for setting an example of professional excellence and advocacy of women in business, as well as her commitment to the greater community.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, the Quakertown Business and Professional Women's Club celebrates its 60th anniversary on May 28, 2013. The diverse group of working women came together in January 1953, setting a goal of equity and economic self-sufficiency for women by elevating standards, promoting their interests and bringing about a spirit of cooperation among business and professional women in Quakertown. Club members provide support for local organizations: St. Luke's Hospital, Children's Developmental Center, Quakertown Community Day, Quakertown Alive, YMCA and A Women's Place. Also, they proudly participate in the March of Dimes Walk, American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Quakertown Cares, Quakertown Food Pantry, and the Sarah Parvin Soccer Fest. The club annually awards two $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors at Quakertown Community High School. Congratulations to the Quakertown Business and Professional Women's Club for inspiring women to achieve their personal goals and contribute to the greater community.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. I thank my friend for yielding. You know, the one thing that I hear more than anything else when I travel back home to Pennsylvania is the frustration with Washington and the massive divide that they see that prevents us from solving real problems, from solving American problems. And as I've heard from my colleagues here tonight, that feeling is not limited to my communities of Bucks County and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It doesn't take much to see that our Nation is facing some pretty serious problems. It's long been clear to me that we need lawmakers to come together and put aside politics and do what we were elected to do, which is to solve problems. When I served as a local official back home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on a bipartisan board, it didn't take long to figure out that there was no Republican way or Democratic way to fix a bridge or to care for an abused or abandoned or neglected child. It was just the right way to do it. So now, as a member of the No Labels Problem Solvers, I'm proud to be part of the solution and to enthusiastically subscribe to our motto, which is ``Stop Fighting and Start Fixing.'' Once we cross the so- called ``political divide'' and talk to each other, we readily find common ground, balance, and ultimately solutions. I was proud to be an early proponent of the No Labels initiative No Budget No Pay, which passed the House recently and yielded real results--the first budget resolution from the Senate in 4 years. Recently, I wrote an editorial piece with my colleague, Representative Cheri Bustos, that highlighted the importance of bipartisan problem-solving to address wasteful government spending and advance commonsense legislation that we can all agree upon. We must restore faith in our elected leaders. The public's trust has been shaken--and rightly so. As we've seen lately, partisan politics tarnishes everything from national security to tax enforcement. We can no longer afford partisan politics as usual, so we're here to be problem-solvers, going forward to get something done for the good of the people, and there's no time to waste.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to speak about an issue that is of great concern to my constituents back home in Pennsylvania, and it's the matter of the implementation of the President's Affordable Care Act, the implementation which some members of the President's party have described as a coming train wreck. Madam Speaker, that train wreck has arrived. This massive undertaking of enacting such a broad, confusing law has only highlighted the concerns that I and many of my constituents back home have had with this law and what it means for our small businesses and families in Pennsylvania. However, a new concern--possibly greater than the idea of government- run health care--has presented itself over the last several days with the revelation that the Internal Revenue Service has been targeting law-abiding Americans simply because of their beliefs. The IRS now wants to know what we think and what books we read. Madam Speaker, the President's health care law is largely a tax bill. It contains at least 20 new or higher taxes on American families and businesses. That makes it the biggest change to an already-confusing Tax Code in over two decades. And with the implementation of this massive tax bill comes the IRS' new role in running it. By putting politics ahead of fairness, the IRS has violated the trust of the American people at a time when the administration is loading it up with more responsibility and more power. Under health care reform, the IRS will gather extensive information about the financial resources and health insurance status of all Americans. The expansion of the IRS' power will include hundreds of billions of dollars in new taxes, the hiring of thousands of enforcement agents, and a tower of new rules and regulations. I'm deeply concerned with the ability of the agency and the resolve of the agency to lawfully manage this significant undertaking with discretion and with accountability. While the agency reported that new rules are in place to ensure that this type of situation never happens again, like many Americans, I question why this disturbing trend was ever allowed to happen in the first place. The President's health care law does too much to infringe on the rights of the American people and swells the size and scope of an already bloated Federal Government, which has once again proven incapable of acting responsibly. Today, I urge Members of Congress to fully repeal the health care law and, in doing so, take the first step to replacing it with commonsense solutions for all Americans--like allowing people to purchase health coverage across State lines; stopping frivolous lawsuits against our doctors; clearing individuals to receive tax credits just like large businesses; and letting Americans keep control of the health care that works best for them.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, this week marks Police Week, an annual tribute to those serving in law enforcement, with May 15 set aside as Peace Officers Memorial Day, as designated in 1962 by President Kennedy. We honor those who dedicate their lives to safeguarding their fellow citizens, with May 15 the day to remember the fallen with deepest gratitude and prayers. We cherish the memory of all heroes and public servants, and especially for Pennsylvanians, Montgomery County police officer Brad Fox who lost his life last September on the eve of his 35th birthday. Prior to becoming a police officer, Brad Fox was a United States Marine staff sergeant who served his country for 10 years, including tours of duty in Iraq. We join those who hold these honorable individuals in the highest esteem as we, again, acknowledge the service and sacrifice of all law enforcement officers throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and this great Nation.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, The Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce has been a beacon in the business community for more than a half-century-- helping to inspire achievement and success among its members through a myriad of educational programs, events and camaraderie. Chamber membership is its strength. The organization has grown and thrived because of its members, notably those entrepreneurs and business owners who were among the first to join and who remained active for more than 50 years. The group of original members began as the Chamber began--with hope and expectation--leading the way for others. Those who signed on in the earliest days, proved to be consistent, loyal and supportive to the Chamber membership and the wider business community. Business leadership sparks economic growth and success inspires, and for their role in the budding Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce we are grateful and will continue to cherish our friendship and business relationship. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the duration of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce for 50 years of outstanding service to the business community in Pennsylvania's 8th District. The Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce was founded in the hopes to advance the values of free enterprise, and since 1963 has dedicated itself to enhancing and promoting business in the Lower Bucks County region. Incorporating more than 1000 member companies, today the LBCCC has earned the accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As a lifelong resident of Bucks County, I greatly admire the work being done by the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. Their commitment to representing small, medium and large businesses and firms is commendable, and I am honored to represent the chamber in Washington, along with several member businesses that have maintained membership for all 50 years, Begley, Carlin & Mandio, LLP, Bucks County Courier Times, Bucks County Technical High School, Burton & Browse LLP, The Dow Chemical Company, Farruggio's Bristol & Philadelphia, Auto Express, First Federal of Bucks County, First National Bank and Trust, Company of Newtown, General Machine Products Company, Inc., Hellyer Performing Arts Center, Inc., Intercounty Media Group, Hal Lefcourt, APR, Lucisano Brothers, Inc., PECO, Pennsbury School District, United States Steel Corporation, United Way of Bucks County, and WBCB Radio Station (1490 AM). I am pleased to congratulate the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce and recognize those member companies who have been with the Chamber for 50 plus years. I thank them for their commitment to the chamber and the business community, and wish them success in the future.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness for the 2 million individuals in the U.S. that have autism. Autism is a brain disorder that affects the mental development of children all across the United States. Autism is a disease that is being thrust into the national spotlight. One in every 88 children in the United States is now affected by it. That number is a ten-fold increase in prevalence over a period of just 40 years. Indeed, autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States. Some solace is found in the fact that many organizations are making great strides in promoting awareness of autism. One that is active in my district is the Autism Cares Foundation, located out of Richboro, PA. It is organizations such as this that are on the front lines of combating the challenge that autism is presenting to this country. I am proud of the people at Autism Cares and those in organizations like it that are committed to building awareness and outreach as they continue to serve families living with autism.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness of an issue that harmfully affects many individuals both in my district and throughout the United States. April represents Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which was instituted as a means to spread the word about the frequency and aftermath of sexual assault, as well as to garner support for community programs focused on prevention. April 26th marks the 2nd Annual ``Wear Teal to Work Day,'' an event organized by the Network of Victim's Assistance (NOVA), a community group located in my district with a mission to support, counsel, and empower victims of sexual assault. Several businesses and organizations throughout Pennsylvania have readily agreed to endorse this initiative, and I applaud them for their contributions.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. I thank my friend from Alabama (Mr. Bachus). Mr. Speaker, I rise also to urge passage in support of the bill as we commemorate the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham. It was a Sunday morning. It was September 15, 1963. And I think it's appropriate that we mention their names again: Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair. They were entering their church before the 11 a.m. service when a bomb detonated on the church's east side, and the explosion killed all four young girls and maimed dozens of the parishioners there. The bombing of that church gave further momentum in the struggle to end segregation and helped to spur support for the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act right here in this Chamber. Last month, many of us were honored to commemorate that event and another event that served as a catalyst for action in the civil rights movement. I also joined Members of Congress in the annual pilgrimage across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, the event that marked the beating of peaceful voting civil rights marchers, known as Bloody Sunday, on March 7, 1965. And the pilgrimage was meaningful, as other Members of Congress and I reflected together on how far we've come as a country. Bloody Sunday and the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing remind us of the long and difficult struggle to end segregation; and it is immensely important, Mr. Speaker, that we commemorate these moments and these four little girls, that they led to the advancement of civil rights for the African American community and for our entire country. Again, I urge passage of the bill.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I share this letter on behalf of a constituent of mine named Michael Ellenbogen. I hope his story helps others in a profound and positive way. My name is Michael Ellenbogen. I am living with Alzheimer's disease. I spend almost every waking hour advocating for increased funding for research that will improve the treatment of this dreadful disease. In 2008, at the age of 49, I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease after struggling to get a diagnosis since my first symptoms began at age 39. There are more than five million Americans now suffering from this devastating disease. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds research into critical and devastating diseases such as cancer and HIV/ Aids. Yet there is much neglect and discrimination regarding the allocation of funds for research into Alzheimer's and related dementias. As a person who experiences the devastating impact of Alzheimer's disease every day I hope that research will lead eventually to postponing the onset or slow the progression of this disease, if not prevention and cure. Currently, Alzheimer's disease only receives about $450 million for research from NIH, compared to more than $5 billion for cancer and more than $3 billion for HIV/AIDS. I am astonished at the lack of funding dedicated to addressing the number one health epidemic. Historically, leadership from the federal government has helped lower the number of deaths from major diseases such as HIV/AIDS, heart disease, stroke and many types of cancers. This past experience provides hope that increased efforts directed at Alzheimer's disease will be met with similar success. There are many more Americans living with Alzheimer's than HIV; more funding is desperately needed. If we do not act now this disease has the potential to bankrupt this country. Money allocated today will have an enormous return on investment if it leads to the kind of successes obtained for other diseases. If you have not yet been touched by this devastating and debilitating disease it's just a matter of time. I hope that my advocacy will help prevent future generations having to suffer my fate and that of many others. You can help by increasing NIH funding for research on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. I appeal to members of the House of Representatives, the Senate and the respective appropriations committees: Make the hard choices; increase funding for Alzheimer's disease. Do everything necessary to ensure that Alzheimer's disease gets the exposure, commitment and funding necessary to change the course of the disease before millions more Americans are affected. My work as an advocate has provided opportunities to share my story on a national platform. I have provided public comment during meetings of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services in addition to having my personal essay about overcoming the stigma of the disease featured in the Alzheimer's disease World Report 2012. I have also become a member of the Alzheimer's Association National Early-Stage Advisory Group, helping to raise awareness of the disease and provide insights on the most appropriate programs and services for individuals in the early stage of Alzheimer's and other dementias. I hope that what I am doing now will allow me to leave this world knowing that I have done everything possible to make generations to come have a fighting chance. Do not forget these people or the future generations who will develop this disease. We face dying in the worst possible way. Regards, Michael Ellenbogen.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker I rise today to congratulate the 50th Anniversary of the Grey Nun Academy, a private Catholic school located within my district that serves pre-kindergarteners through the eighth grade. Founded in 1963, the Grey Nun Academy opened in 1963 as the D'Youville Manor Academy in honor of Saint Margurite D'Youville, who founded the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. Since then, The Grey Nun Academy has evolved into a school of 200 boys and girls. In 2009, the faculty of Gray Nun's educational work was recognized on the national level when the school was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the US Department of Education. Grey Nun Academy prides itself in creating a nurturing educational environment that encourages students to learn about themselves, and their faith. As a lifelong resident of Bucks county, I greatly admire the Grey Nun Academy. Their commitment to creating exceptional students is highly valued within the community. Institutions such as the Grey Nun Academy are learning environments graced with dedicated teachers, administrators, and students. Grey Nun provides students with a strong foundation for success that influences their young students well into adulthood. I am pleased to congratulate the Grey Nun Academy on its successes over the past 50 years and I hope that the Grey Nun Academy may provide a safe and compassionate learning environment in the coming years.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I want to speak about one small part of the continuing resolution, but one that has a huge impact on constituents in every district in this Nation: military tuition assistance, a popular program used by hundreds of thousands of troops to further their education and become better leaders, both in uniform and back in the civilian job market. Military tuition assistance, Mr. Speaker, is what the administration chose to cut because of sequestration. The administration didn't have to end this program, but they did. The administration clearly decided to try and make sequester cuts as painful as possible, and our military men and women were being made to suffer the consequences. Instead of cutting waste, they ended a popular benefit for members of the armed services. This administration would rather renege on a promise made to soldiers, airmen, and marines than work together to prioritize spending and get our fiscal house in order. Thankfully, through bipartisan efforts in both Chambers, we were able to right a wrong. Today's vote compels the administration to keep our government's promise to America's servicemen and -women--and quite frankly, it's a shame it ever had to come to this. I thank every Member of this body that has worked to restore the military tuition assistance program. It's a small part of this package, but a huge one for our troops. I urge support of the bill.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, as I visited 100 businesses in 100 days last summer, the families who operate and work in those businesses were frustrated with Washington's inability to live within its means. The Federal Government's overspending is hurting their ability to grow. Why? Because small business owners know that there's no such thing as a free lunch. They know that the Federal Government's overspending will come back to us in the form of higher taxes and unfunded entitlements and a weaker economy. House Republican plans reduce government spending and enact much- needed reforms. Perhaps most importantly, they balance the budget within 10 years. According to a recent op ed in The Wall Street Journal: The spending restraint and balanced-budget parts of the House Budget Committee plan would boost the economy immediately. It is time Washington starts being part of the solution. A balanced budget is good for the country and good for its people.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. I rise to honor the lifetime of service of Harry W. Fawkes, who passed away in Pennsylvania this week. I am fortunate and honored to have known Harry Fawkes and benefited from his leadership. On a personal level, his friendship and advice made me a stronger public servant and a better person. In his role as Republican chairman, Harry was selfless and magnanimous. Everything he did was to the benefit of Bucks County, where he was born, married, raised his family, started his business, and served his community in elected office. Harry was recognized as an effective leader and decisionmaker because he led the party based on principles and worked tirelessly to find common ground. His only request of me as a public servant was to take care of Bucks County. We will never see another like Harry again. Our community has lost a giant of a man--strong in stature, in principle, and humility and graciousness. May he be granted the eternal peace he so rightly earned.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.