Luis Gutiérrez

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5872) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Maryland as much time as he may consume.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2894) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the ``Star Spangled Banner'' and the War of 1812, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2894, the Star- Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act, and applaud my colleague, Mr. Ruppersberger, for bringing this bill to the floor. The Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 silver coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' and the War of 1812. The issuing of this coin will begin during the 2012 calendar year. ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' was taken from the poem titled ``In Defense of Fort McHenry'' written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, a 35- year-old amateur poet and distant cousin of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Key wrote the poem after seeing the bombardment of Fort McHenry at Baltimore, Maryland by the Royal ships in the Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812. The American victory and the sight of the large American flag graciously above the fort came to be known as the Star-Spangled Banner Flag. The Star-Spangled Banner, throughout the course of American history, has played a significant role in the democracy and freedom of this country. It symbolizes our strength and respect for those who have fallen to preserve the future of our nation. That is why, Mr. Speaker, commemorating the bicentennial of the Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812 is important. I urge all Members to support its passage. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, April 4, 2008. Hon. Barney Frank, Chairman, Financial Services Committee, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Frank: I am writing regarding H.R. 2894, the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act. As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains jurisdiction over bills that raise revenue. H.R. 2894 contains a provision that establishes a surcharge for the sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the bill, and thus falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. However, as part of our ongoing understanding regarding commemorative coin bills and in order to expedite this bill for Floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action. This is being done with the understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation in the future. I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 2894, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the record. Sincerely, Charles B. Rangel, Chairman.

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5614) to authorize the production of Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle ultra-high relief bullion coins in palladium to provide affordable opportunities for investments in precious metals, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent from this Chamber today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 299, 300, 301, 302 and 303 and ``no'' on rollcall votes 298, 304 and 305.

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. I congratulate the gentleman from Ohio on that wonderful speech.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5512) to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe the weights and the compositions of circulating coins, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to the author and chief proponent of the bill, Mr. Space from Ohio.

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5512, the Coin Modernization and Taxpayer Savings Act of 2008, and I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Space) for all of his hard work and perseverance in getting this very important piece of legislation to the House floor. It's not every day that the House considers legislation that has the potential of saving U.S. taxpayers over $100 million a year, but that is exactly what we're doing today with H.R. 5512, and Mr. Space should be proud of his efforts and accomplishments on this bill. Since March of 2003, increasing metal prices, caused by high world demand for core metals, have driven the costs of copper and nickel up by 300 percent, while zinc has increased 450 percent. As a result, the cost of producing our Nation's circulating coins have increased dramatically. In fiscal year 2007, it cost nearly 2 cents to make each penny and 10 cents for each nickel, needlessly costing the American taxpayers over $100 million last year alone, but by simply bringing the cost of producing pennies and nickels down to their face value, H.R. 5512 will save the government nearly $1 billion over the next 10 years. In brief, H.R. 5512 requires the U.S. Mint to immediately take steps to lower the production costs of pennies, requires the Mint to research an alternative composition for the nickel in 2 years, and grants the Mint the authority to research lower cost alternative metal content for all U.S. coins. First, H.R. 5512 requires the Mint to begin production of a steel penny within 9 months of enactment. This should result in immediate and substantial savings to taxpayers. The bill also gives the Mint the flexibility to research other low-cost alternatives to a steel penny within the same 9-month period and report to Congress any alternative recommendation. Second, the bill requires the Mint to begin producing a nickel-coated steel nickel in 2 years, unless the Mint develops a less costly alternative and recommends such an alternative to Congress or the cost of producing the nickel in its current form is below the coin's face value. Finally, H.R. 5512 confirms that the Mint has the authority to conduct research and development into alternative composition that will lower production costs for all U.S. coins. This provision, along with the bill's requirement that the Mint issue a biennial report to Congress on the current status of coin production costs and an analysis of alternative content, will ensure that we avoid situations of negative seignorage for U.S. coins in the future. Bottom line, Madam Speaker, if we continue under the status quo, with each new penny and nickel we issue, we will be contributing to our national debt by almost as much as the coin is worth. These losses are mounting rapidly, and we need to act immediately to lower the costs of producing the penny and the nickel. H.R. 5512 will give the U.S. Mint the authority it needs to make the necessary changes to our coins without creating an undue burden on the relevant industries or causing a disruption in the minting process. For these reasons, I urge all Members to support its passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent from this chamber today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 205, 206, and 207.

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent from this Chamber today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 183 and 184, and ``nay'' on rollcall vote 185.

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent from this chamber yesterday afternoon, March 12, 2008, due to an urgent family matter. I would like the record to show that, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, and 134.

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of my bill, a Resolution Recognizing the Accomplishments of Juan Antonio ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez in Professional Golf and His Work on Behalf of Children. The bipartisan resolution I introduce today, congratulates and recognizes Juan Antonio ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez for his continued success on and off of the golf course, for his generosity and devotion to charity, and for his exemplary dedication to the intellectual and moral growth of thousands of low income and disadvantaged youth in our country. Madam Speaker, sports figures, through their perseverance, discipline, and good behavior, can serve as examples of excellence, dedication and devotion to our youth. Chi-Chi Rodriguez was born in Rio Piedras, PR, on October 23, 1935, and rose from the most humble of circumstances as the fifth of six children of an agricultural laborer and a housekeeper. These hardships did not harden him, but motivated him to become a great sportsman, humanitarian and role model. Chi-Chi joined the ranks of golf professionals at the age of 24, reportedly standing at 5'7'' and weighing 117 pounds and has had a stellar career in the sport of golf, earning an impressive record of 38 professional wins, including 8 PGA Tour wins and 22 Senior PGA Tour wins. His Senior PGA Tour records for most consecutive victories, at four, and most consecutive birdies, at eight, still stand. In 1979, Chi-Chi Rodriguez helped create the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, and the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Academy in Clearwater, FL, which have collectively raised more than $4 million to help thousands of low- income and disadvantaged youth reach their life potential through educational opportunities and support programs, including a public partnership school, a community service program, a nine-hole golf course and others, which has been recognized by receiving the 1986 National Golf Foundation Award for best Youth Program in the United States, becoming the 758th President Bush's Point of Light, and receiving the Robie Award for Humanitarianism presented by the Jackie Robinson Foundation, among others. His devotion to others knows no bounds. In addition to all he already does, he also joined with the FBI Agents Association to lead the Chi- Chi Rodriguez G-Man Desert Shootout Tournament devoted to raising funds for College scholarships for the children of FBI agents killed in the line of duty. In 1989, the United States Golf Association, founded in 1894, granted Chi-Chi Rodriguez its highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, in recognition for his distinguished sportsmanship in golf and in 1994, Chi-Chi was inducted to the first class of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame for ``world class athletic ability,'' for being ``a role model in his community'' and for having ``a strong record of humanitarian efforts.'' In 1992, Chi-Chi Rodriguez was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame, ``Golf highest honor'' and in 1973, he was a member of the U.S. Team that won the Ryder Cup in Muirfield, Scotland. Chi-Chi Rodriguez has received countless other distinguished awards and recognitions such as the 1974 Charlie Bartlett Award of the Golf Writers Association, the 1981 Richardson Award of the Golf Writers Association of America, the 1982 Father of the Year Award, the 1986 Card Walker Award (Outstanding Contribution to Junior Golf), the 1986 Salvation Army Gold Crest Award, the 12th Roberto Clemente Cup (1986), the 1986 Byron Nelson Award, the 1986 Hispanic Achievement Recognition Award, the 1987 Byron Nelson Award, the 1987 Senior Tour Arnold Palmer Award, the 1988 Fred Raphael Golf Achievement Award, the 1989 Old Tom Morris Award, the 1990 ``Caring for Kids'' Award, the 1991 Jackie Robinson Humanitarian Award, the 1993 Civilian Meritorious Service Medal presented by the Department of Defense, the 1997 International Network of Golf Award, the 1998 Ford Achievement Award, and the 2003 Paul Runyan Memorial Recognition Award, among others. He is also a published author who has authored and co-authored several books and articles about golf, such as Chi Chi's Secrets of Power Golf in 1967, Everybody's Golf Book in 1975, Chi Chi's Power Pack, in 1982, Every Golfer's Guide to Lower Scores by Chi-Chi Rodriguez, in 1990, and Chi Chi's Golf Games You Gotta Play, in 2003, among others. He is very proud of his philosophy on life, which can be summarized by his personal expressions ``For me, satisfaction comes from knowing that I was put on this planet to leave it better . . . .'' and ``A man never stands taller than when he stoops to help a child.'' Please join me in recognizing that Chi-Chi Rodriguez embodies the spirit of generosity and humanism of his fellow Puerto Rican, Roberto Clemente and that as a native of Puerto Rico, Chi-Chi has proven to be an important role model and source of pride for all Puerto Ricans, as well as all Latin Americans and all immigrants to the U.S. from across the globe. My resolution congratulates and commends Chi-Chi Rodriguez: (1) for his successes in golf in the United States and throughout the world; (2) for his exemplary conduct as a private citizen; (3) for a life devoted to service to others, in particular, for his help to low income and underprivileged youth, and to the children of FBI agents killed in the line of duty; and (4) and in gratitude for his service as a role model and an inspiration for our youth, the people of Puerto Rico, and the United States. Madam Speaker, let me conclude with this. One of the great honors of the Members of this House is to recognize our fellow citizens who stand out as exceptional individuals. It is my great honor to present this legislation for consideration in the House of Representatives with the hope that the example of Chi-Chi Rodriguez can be known across our Nation and that he may serve as a role model for us all.

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 88, 89 and 90.

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent from this Chamber yesterday and today. I would like the Record to show that, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, and 77. Motion to Recommit Offered by Mrs. Bachmann

Mr. GUTIERREZ

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent from this Chamber today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 43, 44, and 45.