Michael Fitzpatrick

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish Ms. Charlotte Landreth-Melville, a resident of historic Bristol Borough in my home of Bucks County, Pennsylvania a Happy Birthday as she turns 90 on June 25th. During her 90 years, Charlotte has seen sixteen U.S. presidents take the oath of office, has honorably served her country in World War II as a member of the Women Marines, has traveled the world, and has started her own small business. Charlotte has enjoyed quite a healthy, exciting life. Over the course of her life, she has climbed to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, trekked through the Sahara Desert, lived on a houseboat in India and bicycled all across Europe. One way or another, she still managed to find time to remain active in her local community as a contributor to the Bristol Pilot Newspaper. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to speak on Charlotte's behalf today, and I wish her the very best on this momentous occasion. Charlotte's free spirit and dedication to her country and community make her a perfect role model in today's society. I wish her many more years of good health, success and happiness.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commemorate the 60th anniversary of Levittown, Pennsylvania, which is the place that I have called home my entire life. Located in historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania, construction of Levittown began in 1952 and was completed in 1958. One of the first planned communities built in the United States, it became a popular first home for thousands of returning veterans from World War II and Korea. Over the course of its rich history, Levittown has developed into a model middle class community. Now it is home to over 50,000 residents with schools, churches, and businesses that help create a sense of community and foster a warm environment for families to live and to work, to raise their families and to retire to. Levittown's residents have worked in our steel mills, built our communities, and served in our military, all while raising their children and their grandchildren. It was a pleasure growing up in such a close-knit, hard-working community. I'm proud to say that I'm from Levittown, raising my own family there. The highest honor of all is being given the chance to serve Levittown in the United States Congress. I will continue to listen to and work with members of my community to ensure that all of their voices are heard. Congratulations to all who have called Levittown home over the last 60 years. With such a rich history, Levittown deserves our recognition and praise. I'm honored to live amongst these great families and wish them all the best on this momentous occasion.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Bruce Katsiff, Director and CEO of the James A. Michener Art Museum, who is retiring after 23 years of dedicated service to the museum and the Bucks County community. The Michener Museum is an important part of my district's art and cultural identity and this is due in no small part to Mr. Katsiff's leadership and vision. In fact, it was he who changed the name from the James A. Michener Arts Center to the now nationally recognized James A. Michener Art Museum. In 1989 when he began as director, attendance at the museum averaged 8,000 visitors a year. Now, 120,000 people come to see the exhibits each year and the museum ranks among the top art museums in the greater Philadelphia region. Bruce's love of art goes back to high school, where he discovered photography and participated in his first exhibit at the age of 17. He then studied photography at Rochester Institute of Technology, earned a Master of Fine Arts at the Pratt Institute and completed postgraduate work at the University of Oxford. Mr. Katsiff's keen business sense blended well with his passion for art. Under his guidance, the museum flourished in size and staff. Just this month, the Edgar N. Putman Event Pavilion was opened to establish the museum as a premier destination for facility rentals in our area. For Bruce's final project, the museum will host an exhibition from the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, of Old Master paintings and tapestries, including oil paintings from legendary artists such as Botticelli and Titian. Because of all that Mr. Katsiff has accomplished, I know that he will leave this position in high spirits. Thanks again to Bruce Katsiff for all that you have done for not only the Michener Museum, but for the entire Bucks County community. I am honored to serve as your representative in Congress, and I wish you many more years of continued success.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment and urge my colleagues to support a clarification of the Clean Water Act. Mr. Chairman, Republican administrators of the EPA--from William Reilly to Russell Train--have all expressed support for protecting our streams, rivers, wetlands, lakes, and other waters of the United States from pollution and from destruction. The rider in this bill will perpetuate the current confusing and cumbersome bureaucratic situation. I would suggest it's time to take a step forward, not take a step backward, and I urge my colleagues to oppose the rider and to support the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, I rise this evening to offer an amendment that levels the playing field and promotes fairness for veterans when it comes to contracting with the Federal Government. According to the most recent census, there are almost 22 million veterans living in the United States and over 2.4 million of them now manage their own company. Providing opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses I believe utilizes the talents and training of our Nation's heroes and can help end epidemic levels of veteran unemployment. Unfortunately, not all of our servicemen and -women have found opportunities upon their return home. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that the unemployment rate among veterans, including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, was at a staggering 21.9 percent. These numbers are unacceptable. These brave men and women who have served our country deserve every effort from this body to give them the tools they need to provide for themselves and their families. It should be the explicit policy of this Congress and all government agencies to support our veterans and our veteran entrepreneurs. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, the amendment I am again offering to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act would give veteran-owned small businesses the preference for contracts equal to that of any group eligible for a preferred consideration except for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. The practice of the Federal Government providing preferences to encourage government to do business with certain groups is very well established. This amendment does not look to restrict or change the current preference process. It merely serves to level the playing field for our veterans. This amendment would also preserve the current policy of giving greater preference to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. This exact same amendment was unanimously passed in last year's Military Construction and Veterans Affairs act. It was signed into law as part of last year's budget process. As our Nation continues to emerge from this Great Recession, we need to create an economic climate that encourages innovation and also rewards hard work. By serving this great Nation nobly, often in far-off and dangerous locations, our Nation's veterans have displayed exceptional determination and leadership skills. Character traits like these are paramount for long-term economic prosperity and for private sector success. I and many of my colleagues have made a commitment to our constituents, and to the American people, to do everything possible to create jobs and to do everything possible to help returning veterans. The self-discipline and innovation of our veterans could lead our economic recovery. Ultimately, this amendment would give our veterans a level playing field to help spur economic growth and help spur job creation. With many servicemen and -women returning home from their combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and nearly a quarter of veterans saying they are interested in starting or buying their own small businesses, we need to preserve accountability of these contract programs. In order to do so, we define small businesses by using the current definition outlined by the Small Business Administration, and eligible businesses must be registered with the Department of Veteran Affairs where the VA Center for Veteran Enterprises maintains a database of certified and registered veteran-owned businesses. In addition, this amendment would apply to all Federal contracts authorized by this act and would be applied to any portion of State or local projects receiving Federal funds. In many cases, this law will simply be reinforcing existing practices and ensuring that this will continue to be the policy. Let this Congress once again bring fairness to the government contracting system and ensure that our veterans, who put their lives on the line and their lives on hold to defend our freedoms, make sure that they are receiving the same preferential contracting status that this Congress has given to others. I urge my colleagues to support this important amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Warminster based production team responsible for the anti-bullying album ``All About Bullies . . . Big and Small.'' Congratulations to Steve Pullara, Jim Cravero, Gloria Domina, Kevin Mackie and Patrick Robinson for their Grammy award winning production for best children's album. Your album is inspiring to us all, and it paves the way in the fight against bullying amongst our nation's youth. Today, bullying is a serious problem in our schools, and it has manifested into cyber bullying in our homes. Statistics show that nearly 77 percent of our children have been bullied at some point in their lives, and some of these cases have even led to suicide. In order to prevent bullying throughout our nation, it is necessary to apply unique and creative methods that resonate with younger generations. Featuring 37 songs, poems and short stories performed by prominent American artists, ``All About Bullies . . . Big and Small'' sends a powerful anti-bullying message to its listeners. Thank you once again to the producers of the album for doing their part to make not only Bucks County, but the entire nation, a better, safer place for everyone. I am honored to represent these Grammy winners in Congress, and hope they will continue their efforts.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Fire Police Captain David Wintz. David has served Bucks County, Pennsylvania, as a member of the fire service for 50 years, and he's a hero to the Bristol Fire Company and the entire Bucks County community. David joined the fire service as a young man and exhibited a passion for public service that eventually led him to be appointed fire police captain. A long-time resident of Bristol, he was a model citizen and an invaluable asset to our community. He volunteered at every community event and borough festival and was known to everyone in town. He was a mentor to the fire service crew and role model to everyone who knew him. David passed away of a heart attack that he suffered in connection with his duties on the scene of a chemical fire at the Dow Chemical Plant in Bristol just 2 days ago. Although tragic, his noble death was befitting of his heroic life. The untimely loss of Captain Wintz is only the third line-of-duty death experienced by the Bristol Fire Company in 157 years of its existence. David Wintz spent his entire life in service of his beloved Bucks County community. He's a hero to everyone, including myself. I join everyone in the Eighth District of Pennsylvania in thanking Mr. Wintz and his family for a lifetime of service. We will never forget what you've done for us.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment that will help get our Nation's veterans back to work. According to a Department of Labor report from June of 2011, 1 million veterans were unemployed. The brave men and women who serve and have served our great Nation deserve every effort from this body to give them the tools they need to provide for themselves and their families. The amendment I have offered today to the National Defense Authorization Act would help provide veterans with opportunities by giving a leg up to veteran-owned small businesses. Our government has in place policies that give businesses owned by certain classes of individuals an advantage in receiving government contracts, and this amendment does nothing to change that. My amendment simply levels the playing field by giving veterans and veteran-owned small businesses the exact same preference that is being given to others. It also preserves the ability to give service-disabled veteran-owned businesses a preference above all others. This is the exact same amendment that was agreed to by voice vote during the debate on last year's Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. I appreciate the continued strong bipartisan support for this policy. I think that it shows that we, as a Congress, are united in supporting employment and business opportunities for the men and women who have served in our military.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize this year's ``Women Who Make a Difference'' being honored by the YWCA in my home of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Since 1954, the YWCA of Bucks County has worked to empower women and provide a wide range of educational programs to the disadvantaged and vulnerable populations in our community. After accepting nominations from the community, the YWCA has chosen the following women to receive this year's honors: Anne Clark, Yolando D'Arcangelo, Jeryl DeGideo, Susan Eckert, Mynetta Edwards, Kim Everett, Kathy Feldcamp, L.J. Herman, Jo Klienmann-Wood, Jacqueline Garnett Neal, Sally Pollock, and Kathleen Rosso-Gana. All of these women have made a big difference in my Congressional District. Their overall empathy for others has helped our neighbors fight life threatening diseases and overcome physical challenges. Their enthusiasm for learning has inspired our youth, and their sense of duty has compelled them to assist total strangers in crisis, sometimes putting their own lives at risk. The hard work and dedication that these women have shown has made Bucks County a better place for all of us. Thanks again to the YWCA and all of this year's honorees.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of United Way of Bucks County, an organization that strives to better the lives of countless people in my Congressional District. United Way was founded shortly after World War II, just as Bucks County began to experience a rapid growth in population. Fearing this new influx of local residents would place too much of a burden on existing charitable agencies, a group of determined citizens began meeting to discuss the struggles that the new community faced. Although small at first, these meetings eventually led to the creation of United Way of Bucks County in 1952. Over the years, United Way has worked with many different people and organizations in order to identify and resolve pressing neighborhood issues. Since 1952, United Way has worked with various schools, government agencies, businesses and neighborhood associations in an effort to foment public policy and much needed community change. Today, the organization allocates over $1 million to 31 different agencies that support 52 local programs in Bucks County. Undoubtedly, United Way of Bucks County has become a vital attribute to our community, and I am honored to speak on behalf of its members and affiliates today. Thank you for 60 years of public service, and dedication, I am proud to have such an admirable organization work on behalf of the constituents in my Congressional District.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor five awardees who are receiving the Philadelphia Dialogue Forum and Peace Islands Institute's 8th Annual Friendship Award. On behalf of the 8th District of Pennsylvania, I would like to congratulate Kail Ellis, Natosha Warner, Dennis O'Brien, Richard Negrin and Dan Gottlieb. Thank you all very much for your fortitude and perseverance in a mission worth striving to accomplish. In today's society, it is especially important that we all do our best to work together. I greatly appreciate the efforts of the Philadelphia Dialogue Forum and Peace Islands Institute in working to create links of understanding, acceptance, hope and trust amongst different communities, especially the communities in Bucks County. My Congressional District is very diverse, but it's the efforts of organizations like these that make our community unite. By bringing people together in conferences, lectures, festivals and community service projects, local residents are given the opportunity to interact with one another and work to promote common values. It is more of these efforts that our country really needs. I am honored to be speaking on behalf of the Philadelphia Dialogue Forum and Peace Islands Institute today, as well as the five awardees who have dedicated their time to promoting peace and tranquility in our society. I look forward to hearing about what you all have accomplished in the future, and I am grateful to represent you in Congress.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America. Hadassah is a voluntary women's organization whose members dedicate their time to creating a stronger relationship with Israel, while ensuring Jewish continuity in the world. With over 300,000 members in total, they are one of the largest women's volunteer organizations in the world. Hadassah was founded by Henrietta Szold in 1912, a woman whose life's work was shaped by the ignorance, injustice, and anti-semitism she faced every day. In founding Hadassah, Henrietta gave the Jewish people a means to unify and fight back against these trepidations and hatreds. Ultimately, she played an integral role in unifying Jewish people all over the world, something that was desperately needed in the midst of the Shoah (Holocaust). From the time of its establishment, Hadassah has managed to accomplish many goals. In 1918, the organization sent medical units across the globe to provide American medical care to people of all races, creeds, and ethnicities. Hadassah was also instrumental in organizing the rescue of thousands of children during Germany's darkest years, bringing them to safety in the land of Palestine. This act, along with many others helped to further the development of the modern state of Israel. The Hadassah Organization's humanitarian efforts have become a pivotal part of our society and should never be forgotten. I am honored to be speaking on the organization's behalf today, and on behalf of the thousands of people Hadassah managed to help over the last 100 years.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to acknowledge the great work of the volunteers of Yardley, Pennsylvania, especially the students at Pennsbury High School who have been selected as one of the 2012 Make a Difference Day winners. Make a Difference Day is a celebration of the power of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA Weekend, this annual day of service mobilizes more than three million volunteers to create change in their community. This group of outstanding volunteers from Yardley has made a substantial impact on their community by conducting a book drive and stocking the shelves of the library at the Feltonville Intermediate School. The leader of the project, Neha Gupta, founded Empower Orphans, a non-profit that has used $325,000 in donations and grants to clothe and feed impoverished Indian children, create a sewing center, and set up libraries at four different schools. But even within a few miles of her home in Bucks County, Neha, now 15, sees children in need. In the months leading up to Make a Difference Day, Neha and a group of volunteers gathered 3,000 titles and bought colorful furnishings for the library. Then, on Make a Difference Day, the team cleaned up the library, decorated it and stocked the shelves. Since October's project, Neha has started an Empower Orphans club at her high school and plans to hold a Make a Difference Day Project every year. I want to congratulate Neha and the students of Pennsbury High School and thank them for their service and dedication to our community. I am honored to represent you in Congress.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tom Hebel, who on April 19 will receive the Heritage Conservancy's 2012 Business Leader Conservation Award. Tom has been a supporter of the Heritage Conservancy's land and historic preservation mission for over 10 years, and all in Bucks County appreciate his efforts. Upon graduating from Penn State University, Tom worked his way up to become the manager of a small landscaping contracting company called Royer Nurseries in 1981. With hard work and dedication, Tom helped the little Doylestown-based company expand by adding a garden shop, two hoop-style greenhouses, a plant sales yard, and a gravel parking lot. Tom acquired ownership of the business in 1993 and changed the name to Bucks Country Gardens. With innovative craftsmanship, the business rapidly expanded, and many claimed it to be ``the best garden center and landscape design firm in Bucks County.'' Today, the garden center totals approximately 24,000 square feet of enclosed space, and it occupies nearly 7 acres. It is home to a full- service lifestyle center and a landscape design firm. The company has provided top-of-the-line service to its customers and will continue to strive to achieve the best for its employees, all because of the work of Tom Hebel. For the past 10 years, Tom has managed to use the wealth of his knowledge and resources to better the Bucks County community as a strong supporter and advocate of land preservation. Tom is a distinguished small business owner and a lifelong contributor to the beautification of Bucks County. I congratulate Tom Hebel today on this well-deserved recognition, and I wish him many years of continued success.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Francine Block, who is receiving the Bucks County Women's History Month Award today. Since 1982, the award has been presented every year to a woman in the county who ``has made the biggest difference.'' Candidates are active volunteers, role models and social advocates. For 25 years Francine has worked eagerly in the fields of education and college admissions. Currently, she is the President of the American College Admissions Consultants. Formerly, Francine served as President of the Pennsylvania Association for College Admissions Counseling. Previously a high school English teacher in the United States and the United Kingdom, Francine has gone on to work with college applicants from all over the world. She has contributed to numerous books and has been interviewed by CNN, CNBC, NBC, the Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine. Francine Block has also held many other critical posts in the field of education throughout her lifetime. She is the National Assembly Delegate to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and previously was a member of the Admissions Advisory Board of Penn State University. Locally, she serves on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Bucks County and the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. I had the honor to serve as Francine's Solicitor while she served as Chairman of the Board of the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. Francine Block has devoted her life to promoting higher education and making certain that parents and students have the best available resources to apply to colleges and universities. She is an inspiration to all of us, and it is my pleasure to honor her today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Doylestown Township's Chief of Police, Mr. Stephen White, who on March 2nd 2012 retired after a 40-year career in law enforcement. For Chief White, public service runs in the family. Steve's grandfather was a prominent Philadelphia police officer for a number of years, which truly inspired him to pursue a career path in law enforcement. After earning a bachelor's degree in international relations from St. Joseph's University, White started his career by working for the Capitol Police in the Nation's Capital. On February 16th 1974, Steve White settled in Bucks County and began what would be a distinguished career, first working as a patrolman for Doylestown Township. He quickly moved up in the ranks and was promoted to Sergeant the following year. After three years of hard work and dedication to the force, he became a lieutenant, and on January 12th 1988 Steve was promoted to Chief of Police, where he remained until this year. As Chief, he served as the Township's Emergency Management Coordinator, flawlessly supervising a staff of 21 officers and 3 civilians with a budget of just over $3 million. Over the course of his career, Chief White has received numerous honors and awards. He was inducted into the International Police Association's Hall of Fame in 1999, and was named an extraordinary Member in August 2007 by the FBI National Academy Associates. Previously, he served as President of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. Chief White has devoted his life to making his community a safer and better place to live. I am honored to speak on his behalf today, and I am proud to be his representative in Congress. I wish Steve many years of continued success.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Corrine Cody, who passed away on Saturday March 3, 2012. Mrs. Cody was originally from Queens, New York, but she moved to Bucks County Pennsylvania with her husband and children in 1966 and remained in Doylestown for 45 years. Corrine worked for the Central Bucks School District for almost 30 years, where she taught elementary students for 15 years, served as principal for several years, and finished her career as a teacher in the gifted program. Mrs. Cody was incredibly passionate about teaching. One of her greatest accomplishments was creating the Central Bucks School District's program for gifted students. At one point in her career, Corrine actually decided to leave her job as principal at Paul W. Kutz Elementary School because she believed she could do even more to help children reach their full potential. She would go on to become the coordinator of the social studies and science curriculum for all C.B. elementary schools. Her teaching and activism went beyond the classroom too. Corrine worked closely with the Peace Valley Nature Center to start a program that would teach fifth and sixth graders about clean water, storm water runoff, and other aspects of the Bucks County environment. As a member of the Bucks County League of Women Voters, she was instrumental in the formation of the Kids Voting program in Central Bucks. Corrine also played a huge role in the development of the Doylestown bike and hike trail, which many of my constituents take advantage of today. Mrs. Cody leaves behind an inspirational legacy on generations of Bucks County children. I am proud and pleasured to speak on her behalf today, and am grateful for all that she did for our area.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chair, over the course of the last two years since the President signed the Affordable Care Act into law, bipartisan opposition to many portions of this legislation has steadily grown in this chamber. Today, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting Access to Healthcare Act as part of a deliberate, transparent, and comprehensive plan to fix America's broken and expensive health insurance system. While I favor a full repeal of the Affordable Care Act, this effort represents removal of the most harmful provisions of President Obama's flawed law. The PATH Act does this by enacting much needed medical malpractice tort reform to reduce healthcare costs and it repeals President Obama's unaccountable Independent Payment Advisory Board, IPAB, which would limit Medicare patient access to health care services. As the House puts forward ideas to protect and save Medicare, the Administration has decided it can better serve seniors by cutting benefits for seniors by more than $575 billion, and creating a panel of unelected, unaccountable Washington bureaucrats tasked with cutting Medicare even further. More than 230 of my colleagues in the House from both parties and over 380 groups representing doctors, patients and employers have joined us in opposition to the IPAB. I urge the Senate and President to stand with us against this overreach of government power and make the Protecting Access to Healthcare Act law. Congress must work to reform health care in a way that reduces costs for both patients and providers while preserving the quality of care that Americans deserve.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chair, over the course of the last 2 years since the President signed the so called Affordable Care Act into law, bipartisan opposition to many portions of this legislation has steadily grown in this Chamber. I have called for a full repeal of the law, however, it is vital that the most damaging sections be repealed here and now. One of the most clearly flawed aspects of the Affordable Care Act is the creation of the Independent Payment Advisory Board. As the House puts forward ideas to protect and save Medicare, the Administration has decided it can better serve seniors by cutting Medicare by more than $575 billion to create a panel of unelected, unaccountable Washington bureaucrats tasked with cutting Medicare even further. More than 230 of my colleagues in the House and over 380 groups representing doctors, patients and employers have joined us in opposition to the IPAB. I urge the Senate and President to stand with us against this overreach of government power and pass the Protecting Access to Healthcare Act.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the JOBS Act. This bill is a package designed to jumpstart our economy and restore opportunities for our small-business job creators. It represents a combination of several job creation measures aimed at increasing capital formation, spurring the growth of startups and small businesses, and paving the way for more small-scale businesses to go public and create more jobs. The JOBS Act will provide certainty to small business owners and entrepreneurs in terms of access to capital and the federal regulatory environment.environment. Because without access to capital, businesses cannot expand, and without regulatory certainty, capital disappears. Dr. Tim Block is the President of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center in my home of Bucks County. He had this to say when I shared the JOBS Act with him this afternoon: ``We appreciate the support for nurturing entrepreneurial development and investment. Innovation is going to drive the future of the economy in southeast Pennsylvania and around the United States. Capital is the lifeblood that sustains these dynamic entrepreneurs who are harnessing innovation to create new companies and new jobs.'' Mr. Chair, it is risk-takers like Tim and the companies he works with that hold the keys to a lasting recovery and a strong American economy if we only give them the tools they need. Most of this Act enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support in the House, as well as from the President and successful entrepreneurs such as Steve Case, of the President's Council on Jobs and Economic Competitiveness. In addition to parts of this bill, I have joined my colleagues in the House since last January in sending over 30 pro-growth jobs bills to the Senate for their consideration and they have piled up there like cordwood. If we are going to jumpstart a real and lasting economic recovery, I am urging the Senate to immediately take up and pass the JOBS Act, which I expect to receive widespread support tomorrow, as well as the other measures that have passed the House with bipartisan support.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, Daniel J. Mabin, World War II veteran, Korean War-era veteran, passed away this afternoon in Pennsylvania. Dan was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and he was the loving husband of his wife, Sheelagh. He was preceded in death by his beloved son Sean. Dan was a member of what has been called ``the Greatest Generation any society has ever produced,'' and he certainly earned that distinction by defending this country through two conflicts. Sheelagh was his English war bride, whom he brought to America and settled in Levittown, Pennsylvania. When he left the service, Dan worked hard to support his growing family, often working several jobs. Dan was someone who loved his country and cared deeply about its future. During his life, he served his community and worked to better the lives of those around him. He imparted these values to his children, who have gone on to contribute greatly to their communities as well. I had the honor and the pleasure of knowing Dan. He's left a lasting impression on those he touched. May his soul rest in peace.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2117, the Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act. This important legislation aims to repeal two of the Department of Education's packages of regulations that will hinder colleges and universities from making decisions that best serve their students. These Federal regulations handed down from the Department of Education are not only proving to be costly, but they're intruding into areas best handled by academic institutions individually and also States. Today, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 2117 to repeal two regulations specifically that affect State authorization of academic institutions and the definition of credit hours. These provisions allow the Federal Government to reach further into the educational authority of the States. The State authorization provision requires institutions offering distance-education programs to meet requirements in every State in which they have a distance-education student. This regulation threatens programs like those offered by Penn State's World Campus and limits access to quality education. Many programs have already started to identify States where they will no longer be able to offer distance education. The credit-hour provision establishes a Federal definition of a credit hour, hindering institutions of higher education from making innovative and sensible core academic decisions related to their curriculum and imposing a one- size-fits-all approach. While I was home in Bucks County last week, Madam Chairman, I had the opportunity to meet with the president of a local college. He was worried specifically about the impact these burdensome regulations would have on his students; and more than 60 higher-education associations and accrediting organizations have joined him in expressing their support for the repeal of these costly regulations. Over the course of the last decade, we've seen the cost of higher education skyrocket, with the rise in tuitions and fees at public 4- year colleges and universities outpacing inflation by 5 percent. The rising cost of higher education will not be solved through more Federal mandates and programs. We must return flexibility to academic institutions and prevent Federal overreach into higher education by passing this bill.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of the senior citizens in Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District who rely on a Medicare system which makes predictable and stable payments to their physicians. I came to Washington, with one of the largest freshman classes in recent history, to make the difficult decisions that for too long have been deferred and delayed. I'm proud to have joined a bipartisan group of my fellow Representatives last spring in passing a budget resolution which addressed the long-term challenges facing Medicare. The budget resolution we supported provides fiscal stability to a program which will face severe cuts and drastic changes in the future without serious reform. However, while these basic reforms to the existing system are being debated, we are currently faced with a more pressing issue, the solution to which has already earned widespread support among lawmakers, doctors, and health care industry groups. The practicality of the sustainable growth formula for Medicare payments has been a subject of much debate in this Chamber since its implementation in 1997. Over the course of the past two decades, Congress has deemed it acceptable to provide for short-term, temporary fixes to ensure that doctors receive adequate payment for the services they provide to Medicare patients. Short-term fixes provide no stability or predictability to these important service providers. In speaking with a cardiologist in my home of Bucks County, he shared his concerns with me over the way Congress has chosen to handle the SGR. He told me that every time a short-term extension comes up for a vote, he is faced with the possibility of having to lay off employees and reducing his practice in the face of potential cuts. The constant threat of cuts to the Medicare reimbursement rate prevents doctors and hospitals from developing new delivery and payment models intended to reduce rising health care costs and denies them the flexibility they need to achieve savings through improved care. Each time Congress enacts a short-term fix, the scheduled cuts in the SGR formula grow deeper and the cost of a full repeal increases. A full repeal in 2005 would have cost less than $50 billion. Today's cost is upwards of $300 billion. In the next 5 years, if nothing is done to correct this predictable crisis, the cost of short-term fixes and the total debt accumulated from the SGR will climb to over $600 billion. With the drawdown of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and the homecoming of many of the brave young men and women who so proudly served our country in those theaters over the course of the past decade, we are presented with a unique opportunity to provide for a permanent fix to the Medicare physician payments, and to do so without adding to our already burdensome national debt. The use of savings from the Overseas Contingency Operations fund to permanently repeal the SGR formula will provide doctors and their patients with the certainty they so desperately need in these difficult economic times. As with so many of the challenges facing our Nation today, we are presented with two clear options: We can choose to ignore the problems posed by the SGR formula to doctors, seniors, and to our fiscal health by continuing the practice of short-term fixes and forced draconian cuts to hospitals and health care providers and apply the savings from the OCO funds elsewhere; or We can choose to use these funds to permanently repeal the SGR and to set our Medicare system on a new path and provide for long-term stability for doctors that promote equality, efficiency, and improved health care services for our Nation's seniors. I understand that we're presented with another opportunity to provide some breathing room for doctors and their patients as part of the middle class tax cut bill that looks to achieve bipartisan support here this week. Let us use the next 10 months to engage in some honest discussion about the real cost and impact of the SGR. Let's get this right before the end of the year. And I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do just that.