Gene Green

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it's official. The July 12 issue of U.S. News and World Report has named Houston's MD Anderson Cancer Center as the number one cancer treatment facility in the nation. Since 1941, MD Anderson has consistently delivered on its mission to provide innovative and compassionate treatment, cutting-edge research and educational outreach with regard to both common and rare cancers. MD Anderson's clinical research program is the largest in the nation, allowing more than 11,000 patients access to promising and innovative therapies and diagnostic tests in 2003. This stellar reputation has attracted more than 600,000 cancer patients from all corners of the U.S. to Houston for the multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment pioneered by MD Anderson, which has since become the established method of cancer treatment in all hospitals today. MD Anderson is part of Houston's Texas Medical Center, which is comprised of more than thirty academic, research and patient care institutions delivering top-notch medical care to Texans and the thousands of Americans who flock to Houston each year to be treated by the best. And the recent rankings by U.S. News and World Report prove that the Texas Medical Center continues to offer some of the best medical care in the country. In gynecology, both MD Anderson and Methodist Hospital rank within the top twenty-five health centers for women's health. Ranking fourth in the nation, the Texas Children's Hospital continues to lead the way in pediatric care. Both the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's and Methodist Hospital rank in the top twenty for the treatment of heart disease and heart surgery. Methodist also ranks number ten in neurology and neurosurgery, and in the top forty for orthopedics. Two hospitals in the Texas Medical Center rank within the top fifteen in urology, with MD Anderson holding the number ten spot and Methodist ranking number thirteen. Methodist shares top billing with Memorial Hermann in the treatment of kidney diseases, with both hospitals ranking in the top fifty for this speciality. Both kidney diseases and hormonal disorders are complications of the rising diabetes epidemic, and the rankings also recognized Memorial Hermann as a top hospital for endocrinology. These rankings prove what Houstonians have known all along--the Texas Medical Center is armed with the research, treatment and patient care options to help Americans tackle whatever health condition ails them. I am extremely proud to have the Texas Medical Center in Houston and congratulate all of its hospitals on this national recognition and on all of their many accomplishments in health care.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I will not take my 5 minutes; I just want to put a statement in the Record. I rise in support of this bill for the Subcommittee on Commerce, State, Justice, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies and to say congratulations to both the chairman and ranking member for their efforts. I know there are particular projects, and I would like to put a special word in for NOAA's Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Program. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this bill to fund the Departments of Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary. In crafting this legislation, our appropriators faced the difficult task of adequately funding many national priorities. On balance, they did a remarkable job and have produced a bill worthy of our support. For sure, there are programs that we would all like to see funded at higher levels. One of particular interest to me and my constituents in Houston is NOAA's Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Program. This program exists to protect important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, or historical values and are threatened by development or conversion. In Houston, we are involved in an effort to preserve the Buffalo Bayou, which is the historic waterway on which the Allen Brothers founded Houston in 1836. NOAA's Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Program has allowed us to partner with the Trust for Public Land to conserve critical tracts of land along the Buffalo Bayou in order to further our conservation efforts. Ultimately, we seek to revitalize the Buffalo Bayou in a manner that balances the need to conserve the Bayou's wetlands and waterways with the recreational and business development needed to transform the Buffalo Bayou into an active and vibrant urban waterfront center. While the House bill provides only $3 million for the Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Program, I am hopeful that our appropriators will see it fit to raise that funding level during conference. An increased funding level would allow the federal government to continue its investment in areas like the Buffalo Bayou that have been recognized by this Congress and conservation groups alike as nationally and historically significant areas worthy of preservation.

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. (Mr. GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Geriatric and Chronic Care Management Act, an important piece of legislation that would authorize Medicare coverage of geriatric assessment and care management for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Americans are living longer than ever, with the average life expectancy rising to 80 years-old for women and 74 years-old for men. While this is a positive development, there are costs associated with the aging of America. As seniors live longer, they face greater risks of disease and disabilities, such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer, stroke and heart disease. Geriatricians are physicians who are uniquely trained to help care for the aging and elderly. By promoting a comprehensive approach to health care, including wellness and preventive care, geriatricians can help seniors live longer and healthier lives. It is critical that our nation have a sufficient number of geriatricians to help manage the aging of the baby-boom generation. Unfortunately, there are currently only 9,000 certified geriatricians, and that number is expected to decline dramatically in the coming years. Of the approximately 98,000 medical residency and fellowship positions supported by Medicare in 1998, only 324 were in geriatric medicine and geriatric psychiatry. The Alliance for Aging Research estimates that the U.S. will need approximately 36,000 geriatricians to counter the aging population. However, significant barriers exist that prevent physicians from entering geriatrics. A MedPac survey found that Medicare's low reimbursement rates serve as a major obstacle to recruiting new geriatricians. Due to their higher level of chronic disease and multiple prescriptions, seniors require additional care to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Medicare's reimbursement rates do not factor the complex needs of elderly patients. Because geriatricians treat seniors exclusively, they are especially affected by Medicare's low reimbursement rates. The legislation I am introducing today would remedy this problem, so that Medicare beneficiaries can more effectively manage their chronic diseases. The Geriatric and Chronic Care Management Act would utilize the existing Medicare fee-for-service system to provide a new, limited assessment and care management benefit to beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions. I urge all of my colleagues to join me as cosponsors of this important legislation.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Lance Corporal Pedro Contreras. Lance Cpl. Contreras was a constituent of the 29th District of Texas, and a true hero, who died on June 21, 2004 while serving his country in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Pedro Contreras joined the Marine Corps on May 7, 2001, five years after graduating from Galena Park High School. Lance Cpl. Contreras was a rifleman assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Pendleton, California, where he earned several honors, including the National Defense Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Pedro Contreras leaves behind his two parents, Jose and Angela Contreras, and three brothers. I know his parents, family and friends are devastated by this loss, but they should be proud of the great man Pedro Contreras had become and that he died a hero while serving his country. His loss will be felt by all of our community, and I ask that you remember the Contreras family in your thoughts and prayers.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the work that Chairman Hobson and Ranking Member Visclosky have done on this legislation. And as always, my colleague Congressman Chet Edwards from Texas has been a champion for the significant port, harbor, and flood control needs of the great state of Texas. The House Subcommittee on Energy and Water has done the best they could with the inadequate allocation for energy and water projects that they have been given. This bill provides $4.8 billion for the Corps-- $712 million (15%) more than requested and $252 million (5%) more than this year's level. Unfortunately the Administration does not often agree on the necessity of investing in water infrastructure. The Corps of Engineers' work keeping our ports and harbors expanding and maintained is absolutely essential to our national economy. When crafting the U.S. Constitution our founders recognized the necessity of functioning ports and waterways to interstate and international commerce, so they gave the federal government the responsibility for maintaining the navigable waters of the United States. Without the proper resources, we will fall behind this Constitutional responsibility. In particular, I wish to thank the Subcommittee of Energy and Water and its leadership for providing $24 million in construction general funding for the Houston-Galveston navigation channels and $14 million for operations and maintenance. We will try to increase those numbers in conference with the Senate, particularly the operations and maintenance account, which if left underfunded year after year will undermine the benefits of the investments we have made. I also wish to thank the Subcommittee for including $750,000 in construction general funding for Hunting Bayou and $340,000 in General Investigations funding for Greens Bayou. Both of these watersheds have experienced major flooding over the past years and are crying out for investment to protect the hundreds of thousands of residents and thousands of businesses in those areas. And finally, I want to note that while this bill does not yet provide general investigations funding to begin a study of a federal project for Halls Bayou, a tributary of Greens Bayou, that project is authorized as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1990. Also, there is a section of the pending House Water Resources Development Act of 2004 (H.R. 2557) that would reclassify Halls Bayou as a section 211 reimbursement project under the Water Resources Development Act of 1996. Again, I thank the subcommittee, its leadership, and particularly Congressman Edwards of Texas for their fine work on this piece of legislation. I urge support of H.R. 4614.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution reconfirming the commitment of the United States and this House to support the people of Israel in their struggle for a lasting peace. Specifically, our resolution supports the principles of peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict the President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Sharon laid out when they met on April 14 of this year. In absence of a viable Palestinian peace partner with whom to negotiate, Mr. Sharon has taken an unprecedented step forward by planning to unilaterally disengage from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Since these settlements are seen by many as an obstacle to peace, this is a clear indication to the Palestinians that Israel is willing to make this effort to get the stalled peace process moving again. Peace will not be possible, however, without the combined commitment by Israel's neighbors and the Palestinian people to stop terrorism and stop supporting terrorism. From my firsthand experience, from actually my first visit with the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) in 1993 and a visit since, it is clear that there can be no lasting peace with Israel if it has to constantly worry about combating terrorists against Israeli citizens. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the National Flood Insurance Program is literally a lifeline to thousands of my constituents, restoring their homes and properties after devastating floods that have become too common for Houston and Harris County, Texas, residents. I support S. 2238 on the suspension calendar today. There are over 172,000 homes and businesses with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies in Houston and Harris County, over 37 percent of the 461,000 statewide in Texas. These federally backed NFIP policies are vital to our area because private insurers would not make flood insurance available at any kind of affordable price. H.R. 2238 reassures residents, realtors, insurers, and lending institutions that this Federal backing of the NFIP will be extended by 4 more years until September 2008. The reform included in this legislation will mean major changes for the Houston area, which has many homes with repeat flood insurance claims. It is important to treat NFIP policy holders fairly because they may now receive FEMA buyout and mitigation offers once they have 4 separate claims of $5,000 each (or 2 claims exceeding the value of the home), and if they refuse, their premiums will increase by 50 percent, and an addition 50 percent after each following claim of $1,500, until the premium equals the ``market'' premium. These reform provisions have a noble goal of reducing flood premiums for most policy holders and assisting residents who repeatedly flood. But asking someone to leave their home through a government buyout offer can be a traumatic process, especially if the buyout offer does not allow for a smooth relocation of the flood victim. After Tropical Storm Allison in Harris County in 2001, we had ``fair market'' buyout FEMA offers so low that people would have been unable to purchase another home outside of the floodplain. So after Allison, we had to scramble to find additional Federal, State, and local sources of funding to assist these people, since FEMA's policy would not allow for purchase offers greater than ``fair market value.'' That kind of uncertainty for a homeowner facing 50 percent higher insurance premiums for refusing a government buyout is just not fair. In response to these experiences, I authored a provision included in this bill to require FEMA to offer additional funds if ``a purchase offer made under [this law] is less than the cost of the homeowner- occupant to purchase a comparable replacement dwelling outside the flood hazard area in the same community, the Director [of FEMA] shall make available an additional relocation payment to the homeowner- occupant to apply to the difference.'' [S. 2238 Section 102(g)(4)]. I wish to extend my thanks to my colleagues who assisted me in this effort, Chairman Oxley, Ranking Member Frank, and Congressman Bereuter. Their willingness to listen to the concerns of my constituents over this legislation is much appreciated. Because of the efforts of Chairman Oxley, Ranking Member Frank, and Congressman Bereuter to ensure that homeowners receive a fair price for their homes, I support this legislation and look forward to working with them on a fair and efficient implementation of a reformed, National Flood Insurance Program.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in reluctant opposition to the Markey amendment. The screening he wants to impose is not possible at this time, and technology is not developed to screen some of the large pallets. The airlines inspect all packages now, but the current screening technologies or pallets involve x-ray technology and not the explosives detection. And I have watched airlines load those huge pallets into the cargo holds of the planes, and they are much bigger than what the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) talked about. This may be the size of our passenger, but the ones I have watched are the size of the Speaker's desk, and we just do not have the ability to do that. The fiscal year 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations Act requires 20 percent random cargo inspection for the first time. It is now set at 10 percent; so we are doubling it. But, again, with the research and development funding in here, we will be able to get to where we can screen those large ones. But we are also doing the ``known shipper.'' So much cargo is shipped through known shippers, whether UPS, FedEx, DHL, name it. And they are the ones that are doing it, not unlike we are beginning to do with passengers where they have access for passengers that are known passengers and they go to the head of the line or a separate line. We are doing the same thing with cargo. So there is reasonableness to what we are doing. The bill also provides 100 new cargo inspectors and $50 million in cargo security R&D funding in addition to the $55 million provided last year. So we are trying to get up to the technology level so we can do it. And I just do not want to make sure we throw the baby out with the bathwater that we require standards not only of the TSA but also of our airlines that they just physically cannot do. I also represent a seaport, and in all honesty, we have a hard time inspecting 5 percent of containers coming into our ports. I would find it amazing if we could even get the 10 percent of our containers that come in much less the 20 percent for air cargo. I appreciate the gentleman from Massachusetts' (Mr. Markey) dedication and I am glad he keeps pushing us because without that maybe we would not go further. But I know there is an effort by a lot of Members to make sure we do go further every year.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, aviation security is a top national security priority. This critical sector of interstate commerce must continue for our entire national economy to function. As the representative of one of our Nation's largest hub airports, Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, I can say that the ability of commercial aviation to function properly is at risk due to the inconsistent performance of security functions by the federal government. First, I have been pushing for increased Bureau of Customs and Immigration Enforcement personnel coverage for Houston Intercontinental for several years now. The situation has been improving unevenly, with wait times still reaching 90 minutes during peak times of the year. Why is the wait so bad? Because we only have 59 out of 86 authorized inspectors for Houston, according to the last workforce report. That in itself is unacceptable, but with a new international terminal set to open in January 2005, we must make sure that the federal government is living up to its responsibility to safely and securely process incoming passengers. This new facility is going to require a doubling of our international arrival screening capacity, and we will have to resort to legislation if the Bureau cannot do its job properly. In addition, with Transportation Security Agency cutbacks forced by our budget deficits, Houston Intercontinental is at serious risk of losing its ability to properly process passengers boarding commercial airline flights. This is not a mere matter of inconvenience to air travelers. These delays have a serious economic impact on the aviation industry which has to extend the times planes sit on the ground, reducing operating margins. As numerous press and financial reports demonstrate, aviation operating margins are already under a tremendous amount of stress from $40 per barrel oil, international turmoil, and continuing glut of capacity resulting from post-September 11th aviation bankruptcies. Put simply, hundreds, perhaps thousands of employees are at risk of being laid off, furloughed, or facing salary and benefit freezes and cuts if the federal government does not properly perform its responsibility to provide security for interstate commerce. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with you ensure smooth operation of the Bureau of Customs and Immigration Enforcement at Houston Intercontinental.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank both the chairman of the committee and the ranking member for doing a job that is very tough. I rise tonight to address a problem that is important for first responder training in very urban areas. I represent a district in Houston, in Houston's energy and port complex, a supercritical infrastructure for our Nation's economy. Houston is currently the only city in America that meets all 15 Federal threat criteria for a terrorist attack, and as such a coordinated public safety effort in the Houston area is critical. Houston Community College, a Historically Black and Hispanic Serving Institution, has planned a public safety institute that would help in coordinating the training of all our local first responders, both city, county, fire, police, everyone, port security. The public safety institute would do a great deal in providing that uniformity of training from local and regional police and EMTs, private sector, port, trains, even Federal agencies such as the Coast Guard, FBI and Border Patrol. Houston Community College is hoping some day to have 40 percent Federal funding with a 60 percent State and local and private match. I know there is no construction funding in this bill except for Federal law enforcement centers, but I would hope we would see something like this cooperative effort, particularly in a city in an industrial area like Houston.

Mr. GREEN of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight in support of this legislation to fund the Department of the Interior. Both the authorizing committee and Committee on Appropriations have addressed troublesome issues within the National Park Service, such as the egregious spending on foreign and domestic travel and a number of partnership construction projects that were underway without the committee's knowledge. And I am particularly pleased that the bill implements spending restrictions on those issues without keeping the National Park Service from continuing its mission. I applaud the Committee on Appropriations and particularly the gentleman from North Carolina (Chairman Taylor) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks), ranking member, for their restoration of $15 million in funding for the National Heritage Areas. For several years I have worked to establish a National Heritage Area along Buffalo Bayou in Houston, Texas. In 2002, Congress threw its support behind the proposed Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Area by authorizing a National Park Service study into the feasibility of establishing a Heritage Area along Buffalo Bayou. And I thank the chairman and ranking member of the subcommittee for including the language in the committee report encouraging the National Park Service to use additional funds for this study. Make no mistake, this study is fully authorized by Congress, and is thus a prime candidate for partnership funding; and I am hopeful that the chairman and ranking member will work with me as we move forward in this process to include a hard earmark in the conference for this project not only for the Houstonians but also in particular the Nation as a whole for this worthy National Heritage Area. Amendment Offered by Mr. Hunter

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, H.R. 4545 is a well-meaning but ineffective attempt to address a serious problem, the problem of multiple blends of fuels required under our Clean Air Act. I believe the map that was shown earlier illustrated that we do have too many boutique fuels in our country to be able to have it and with the dwindling refinery supply to be able to do all this mixture of fuels. Supplies can be tight during high demand and prices will rise. But waiver authorities for specific areas and capping the number of boutique fuels are not a solution when compared to the provisions in the comprehensive energy bill we just passed. EPA already gives out waivers from the oxygenate requirement. The comprehensive energy bill contains a comprehensive study of the boutique fuel options and markets. The comprehensive energy bill contains limited liability for MTBE. If you are worried about supply and prices of boutique fuels, support the comprehensive energy bill. This legislation is an unnecessary distraction when the real issue should be the bill that this House just passed. H.R. 4545 pales in comparison with the comprehensive energy bill when it comes to dealing with boutique fuels.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise again to support comprehensive energy legislation. I think it is ironic that we are having to do this for the third time when gas prices are at historic high levels in our country; and I do not know what message it will give to two thirds of the Senate to say we need a national energy, one that applies for more energy, domestic sources of energy. I know we need more energy, whether it be from crude oil for our gasoline in our cars. We need lower natural gas prices. We have some of the highest in the world. And yet we still have people in this country who do not want to produce in our own Nation. The nation of Cuba can drill 60 miles off Key West, and yet the Governor of Florida does not want American companies drilling with zero emission platforms 100 miles away. Obviously ANWR is an issue. We need to drill domestically and produce it, and that way we will not become dependent on foreign oil. I support passing this bill, again, Mr. Speaker; and I would hope that the bipartisan majority of the House would support it also. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my ranking member and good friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), for yielding me this time. I rise again and again in support of a comprehensive energy legislation, and I will continue to stand as long as it takes for us to have a sane energy policy to make our economy stronger and more secure in the short- and the medium term. Energy-producing States actually have a stronger interest in energy production, but consuming States need to realize that the U.S. energy market, gasoline, natural gas and electricity, does not develop by magic. It takes exploration, production, refining, pipelines. We do have an energy crisis, and we are seeing the offshoring of the chemical manufacturing industry, rising electric prices, rising heating and cooling costs, and rising gasoline prices at the pump. Cuba is drilling 60 miles from Key West; and, yet, the Governor of Florida does not want, and we do not allow, American drilling companies to drill within 100 miles of Florida, even for zero-emitting platforms. We are not exploring or producing from our own domestic opportunities. I support renewable energy and hydrogen energy and everything else; but, Mr. Speaker, those things are 25 and 50 years away. What we need to do is address something on a short- and medium term. A bipartisan majority of this House should approve the Energy Policy Act again. The H.R. 6 conference report contains a narrow liability provision applicable only to the claims of defective products. The provision preserves all other negligence, nuisance and trespass claims, each of which is alleged in these pending MTBE suits. The fact is that the bill does not block recovery of these damages, and I have heard that time and time today. MTBE was de facto mandated to clean many of our cities' air; and while tasting and smelling bad, it is not a health threat. In fact, it has cleaned up a lot of our cities. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. National Research Council, Canada's Priority Substance Assessment Program, the European Union, the World Health Organization, the International Agency For Research on Cancer, and even the California Science Advisory Board have determined that MTBE should not be considered a carcinogen or a developmental or reproductive toxic. Mr. Speaker, MTBE is a small part of this bill, but we need to make sure if we tell people to produce it and it cleans our air, we need to not punish them for it.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the men and women of the 147th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air National Guard, the Ace-in-the-Hole Texans, for inviting me to speak at their annual Dining Out recently in Houston. The 147th Fighter Wing is based at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Every day the 147th continues to guard the skies over Houston and our Nation and protect the millions of residents in southeast Texas from drug traffickers, terrorists, and other airborne threats. They are on call 24/7 and keep guard over the fourth largest city in the United States and the vital energy infrastructure that powers our Nation. They also perform an essential readiness mission by training many of our Nation's pilots as they prepare to protect our national interest overseas. Houston is fortunate to have such a committed and patriotic group of men and women living and working in our community. In addition to giving me the chance to meet many of the individuals of the 147th Fighter Wing, it was also an honor to meet and be joined at the dinner by Lieutenant General Wayne D. Marty, the Adjutant General for the State of Texas at the dinner. I would like to thank the 147th and their wing commander, Colonel McNeely, for their hospitality. I was impressed with the fun these men and women can have as a team. They gave me this T-shirt to wear that shows the F-16 that these Texans in the 147th fly when protecting their community and our Nation. The Ace-In-the-Hole 147th Texans.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Americans and people across the world respect and admire Ronald Reagan. My greatest admiration is for his steadfast opposition to communist threats to our national security and the security of our allies. Many credit Ronald Reagan for winning the Cold War, a bipartisan war begun under President Truman and lasting forty-five years under bipartisan U.S. governments. When President Reagan spoke out against the evils of communism, as he often did, he spoke out for all Americans: Republican, Democratic, and Independent. In this long running struggle, President Reagan excelled by working with America's strong belief in freedom and our patriotic love for our country. He was instrumental in keeping the nation united against the threat that Soviet communism posed to our national security, an important and difficult task after the domestic and foreign policy conflicts of the 1960s and 1970s. President Reagan's ability to lead a united America, during eight years of bipartisan government is conclusive proof that he was a natural leader who knew to treat all Americans with dignity and respect. The sincerity of his patriotism and his beliefs were crucial for uniting America against the threats of communism. Any American leader could learn from him. Reagan was also inspiring for an America hit by tragedy. His underlying faith in America and Americans shone through in a powerful speech after the Challenger tragedy. He made it clear, when directly addressing the millions of American schoolchildren who had watched the disaster, that tragedy was a painful setback, but was no reversal. The President said on January 28, 1986: ``The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.'' That also applies today. By bringing America to common terms during international tyranny and national tragedy reinforced the strong, shared goals of the American people: to live in freedom, to excel in technology, and the belief in something larger than ourselves. Today we mourn the passing of an American giant.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday May 13, 2004, I was unable to be present for the final two votes of the week, rollcall vote No. 175 on House Concurrent Resolution 414 and rollcall vote No. 176 on House Joint Resolution 91. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both rollcall No. 175 and No. 176. I strongly support House Concurrent Resolution 414, which expresses the sense of Congress that all Americans are encouraged to observe the anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education with a commitment to continuing and building on the legacy of Brown. I also strongly support House Joint Resolution 91, which recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, legislation which has been of great benefit to the Nation's men and women of the Armed Forces.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, to counter the negative effects of soaring natural gas prices on the economy and consumers, Representative Gene Green (D-Houston) and Representative Lee Terry (R-NE) introduced legislation to simplify the siting of onshore Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals. ``In June 2003, Alan Greenspan testified before the Committee that LNG was critical for the future stability of our economy. It would be a great help to provide LNG with the same regulatory certainty we provide natural gas pipelines.'' According to the National Petroleum Council, the United States is on course to pay an additional $1 trillion in natural gas costs over the next 20 years due to shortages. Along with increased domestic production and an Alaskan natural gas pipeline, LNG projects promise to help stabilize prices, but the permitting process for LNG facilities is uncertain and disputed, without clear lines between State and Federal authority. ``We need LNG, and we must make LNG terminals safe and secure. Current safety and security procedures and other proposals will be fully considered during this debate.'' ``Unless we get LNG right, our Nation's $454 billion chemical industry and 1 million jobs could go the way of the steel industry. Electric power and heating bills are also crunching consumers. The Nation needs to address LNG in a meaningful way, and this legislation moves us on the right track.'' A summary of The Liquefied Natural Gas Import Terminal Development Act of 2004 is attached. Talking Points Q: Why give FERC all the authority? A: Like natural gas pipelines, LNG sites are national significant energy projects involving international and interstate commerce. FERC has stringent siting restrictions in place for LNG currently. FERC believes they have this authority, but because interest in LNG projects have exploded, it may be necessary to spell FERC's authority out. Q: What about state agencies that want to stop them? A: We think they are making political plays. There are little if any air emissions or water discharges. The facilities have tough safety standards under FERC and tough security standards under the Coast Guard (Maritime Transportation Security Act). We are saying that the states cannot question a ``public interest'' determination by FERC, because that is an interstate commerce determination. Q: What about local zoning regulations? A: FERC has tough siting standards that almost certainly preclude a site violating zoning standards. (There must be a buffer zone that is great enough so that flammable vapors will not reach beyond facility property lines. FERC also enforces DOT and National Fire Administration regulations that limit siting to appropriate areas.) If we need language to reassure on local zoning, we are open to that. We are not trying to change LNG siting standards--we just stop states from arbitrarily blocking projects. Q: What about security? A: All facilities will be covered by the Maritime Transportation Security Act. In addition, there are extraordinary procedures beyond that law for security, including ship inspections, escorts and site security coordination with local law enforcement. One proposal is using American crews on LNG tankers. We are open to adding security measures to the bill if the debate we have indicates more measures are needed.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have given their lives serving their country in Iraq and Afghanistan. As Memorial Day approaches, I hope that each man, woman, and child in this country pauses to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our Nation. Over the past two years, five young men from the district I represent have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan: Staff Sergeant Brian Thomas Craig, died in Afghanistan on April 15, 2002; Sergeant Keelan Moss, died in Iraq on November 2, 2003; Private First Class Armando Soriano, died in Iraq on February 1, 2004; Private First Class Leroy Sandoval, Jr., died in Iraq on March 26, 2004; and Sergeant Gregory Wahl, died in Iraq on May 3, 2004. No words can express our gratitude for the sacrifices these young men made to defend our country. All those who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan are heroes, and we will forever be grateful for their sacrifice. As this Memorial Day approaches, I once again ask my colleagues and my fellow Americans to join me in remembering those who have served, those who are serving, and especially those who have given their lives serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I look back to the year 2000 and I see a different country from the one we live in today. In 2000, we entered a new century having enjoyed a decade of unprecedented economic growth. During the 1990s we got our priorities together, erased the Federal budget deficit, and put in place the fiscal discipline that created a $5.6 trillion surplus. That $5.6 trillion surplus gave us the ability to tackle problems and ensure the solvency of Social Security and Medicare. The election of President Bush, however, ushered in a new era of misguided priorities that have failed. Without a doubt, our country is worse off now than it was 4 years ago. We stand now, this administration has taken that $5.6 trillion surplus and turned it into $4 trillion of red ink. Their insistence on tax cuts we cannot afford has starved our States, forcing them to cut countless services. We have lost 2.8 million jobs, most of them in manufacturing. Today, 44 million Americans are uninsured. We have an administration that cuts people from overtime pay and prohibits lifesaving stem cell research. Mr. Speaker, this administration's track record shows a derailment. The American people deserve a stable economy and a reliable health care system.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3722, the Alien Emergency Medical Assistance Amendments of 2004. This bill would prohibit the federal government from reimbursing hospitals for the emergency care they provide to undocumented immigrants. Under the bill, hospitals could only receive federal reimbursement if they provide the Department of Homeland Security with the patient's immigration status, financial data and employer information. The bill makes the immigrant's employer responsible for hospital costs and directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to initiate deportation proceedings against the immigrant. Mr. Speaker, this bill flies in the face of the medical profession's mission. A hospital's job is to help any individual in need of health care, regardless of the patient's immigration status. We need to let our health care professionals do their jobs, not burden them with additional administrative details that, if imposed, will discourage immigrants from seeking care. We already know the tremendous problems associated with the 44 million Americans who are uninsured. It goes without saying that the uninsured are less likely to seek preventive health care and, as a result, get care at the hospital only when their health problems have reached emergency proportions. This bill would only exacerbate this problem and discourage our immigrant population from seeking health care at all, for fear of being reported to DHS. This would increase the health risk for citizens and immigrants, legal or not. It is unconscionable to me that we would consider denying necessary health care services to individuals solely based on their immigration status. This is a wrong-headed approach to addressing our health care problems and would only serve to decrease access to care. As such, I would urge my colleagues to vote against this bill and, instead, co-sponsor legislation that I have introduced to increase undocumented immigrants' access to quality health care. My legislation, H.R. 3273, would allow state and locally-funded programs to provide preventive and primary health care to undocumented aliens. H.R. 3273 addresses our health care problems at the source and would allow our local hospitals to see that their health care dollars are spent more wisely by preventing emergencies--not treating them. Mr. Speaker, illnesses know no residency. Medical care shouldn't either. I urge my colleagues to reject the misguided Rohrabacher bill and address our health care problems--both in terms of access and funding--at the source by focusing their efforts on prevention.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, Dr. Bob Peterson. Dr. Peterson was recently named Optometrist of the Year by the Texas Optometric Association. He has also been awarded the prestigious William D. Pittman Leadership Award by the University of Houston's College of Optometry, which recognized Dr. Peterson's leadership in the Northshore community. Both of these honors represent the culmination of Dr. Peterson's thirty years of leadership in our community. A fellow graduate of the University of Houston, Dr. Peterson knows the true meaning of service. During his day job as an optometrist, Dr. Peterson works to ensure the healthy vision of his Northshore patients. However, his work day rarely ends at 5 o'clock. He has been a trusted volunteer for Lord of the Streets, working to help Houston's homeless population obtain prescription glasses. He is also a member of the Northshore Rotary Club and the Northshore Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Peterson also recognizes the tremendous importance of education. Having served on the Galena Park School Board and currently a member of the Harris County Board of Education, Dr. Peterson knows the importance of a good education for our children, who are the future of our country. His work on area school boards and for the Education Foundation of Harris County is a testament to his dedication to our children and our future. The Texas Optometric Association and the University of Houston couldn't have chosen a more dedicated, service-oriented optometrist to honor. Dr. Peterson deserves these honors and more for his tireless efforts, both in and out of the doctor's office, to keep our community healthy, strong and productive. I am honored to have him as a constituent and congratulate him on these awards and his outstanding achievements.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to not only this bill but the package of bills. In all honesty, in this bill people do not get sued for malpractice in Federal court typically. It is in State court. Like the State of California, the States can deal with that issue. I rise in opposition to these bills simply because we have more important pressing needs of our health care system, the fact that 44 million Americans are without health insurance. This week is National Cover the Uninsured Week; and coming from the great State of Texas, I find it alarming that over 30 percent of Texans are without health insurance. My hometown, Houston, is the home of the world-class Texas Medical Center. Yet without health insurance, too many Texans do not have access to lifesaving medical research and treatments performed at the medical center. Tackling this country's health care problems does not call for the unsuccessful piecemeal approach that we are considering this week. Passing these three bills would just be like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Our focus needs to be on providing all Americans with health insurance so that they will get the preventive care needed to keep them healthy and out of the emergency rooms. That is the way to keep health care costs down. Unfortunately, policies enacted by this Congress and the States have taken health care in the wrong direction. Our fiscal policies have starved the States of crucial health care funding. State cuts in the CHIP program in Texas have dropped almost 170,000 children, and there is no way to ensure that our children get health care. To get our country's health care system out of this ditch, we have to stop digging. Let us give our children a healthy start and re-enroll them in CHIP. Let us also make sure that their parents can have access to the same care. In other words, pass legislation here to create a CHIP for parents. In my home State of Texas, that policy option alone would provide 67 percent of these parents with health insurance. The uninsured in this country too often fall through the cracks of our health care system. For the health of our Nation, we must provide Americans with health insurance, not last year's ideas that these bills give them.