Kirsten Gillibrand

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, in honor of Earth Day, I want to share with you some of the experiences I had this week when I was in New York. I met with a number of students from the New York Harbor School. Robert Kennedy, Jr., joined me. We were celebrating the achievements and efforts this school has made to make a difference for our future. The school is focusing on teaching the next generation about the environment and offering an environmental education so that we can create the stewards of our air and water into the next generation. I was pleased to stand with Bobby Kennedy and these outstanding young people to discuss the importance of progressive environmental policy. I will partner with them and be a strong advocate for a greener New York and country. What was so exciting about these children is that they were telling me about the work they were doing to ensure a cleaner Hudson River, what they were doing to make sure we can have a cleaner environment and air. Their curiosity was extremely compelling and inspiring. We talked about how the work they were doing would allow for their communities to be safer, to be able to have a clean Hudson River so they can eat fish out of it someday, and to have air that is cleaner. They really did understand the relationship between the communities around them and what they could do to have an impact in the future. I met with Murray Fisher, the founder of the New York Harbor School. I met with him in Washington, and then I talked with him and his students in New York. The Harbor School brings innovative environmental and maritime-focused learning to the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn--taking graduation rates from 20 percent, before their program began, to 75 percent this year. The student body of the school represents the most at-risk young people--80 percent come from households that are actually under the poverty line. The skills these children have been learning--measuring water quality and studying aquaculture--will enable them to be part of a green future, part of the energy revolution. It was inspiring not only to see young people so engaged and enthusiastic about environmental education but realizing in speaking with them that they now understand what it takes to have a cleaner New York and the impact it can have in their own lives. I asked a young girl what she hoped to do when she graduated. She said she wants to be a marine biologist. I asked a young man if this is something he thought could make a difference. He said: I think so because it can change the quality of water and air that we have. They see a future for themselves to be the stewards of our environment. Too often, the young people of low-income New York neighborhoods live with the risks of polluted environments. There are many brownfields sites across New York City, and the majority are located within the low-income people-of-color communities. Brownfields are clustered in these communities due to a history of industrial use, illegal dumping, or improper storage and handling of commercial products. These incidents have led to health hazards that further diminish the limited opportunities afforded many New Yorkers. For example, in the Bronx, we have the Nation's leading rate of asthma. In the Bronx neighborhood of Hunts Point, for example, we have one in four elementary children who suffers from asthma. I have been to the Bronx and to the community health center there, and I have met with parents. They do worry because the air quality is poor, and they have this historical environmental degradation. We need to do better by our communities and make sure every child in America has a chance to achieve his or her God-given potential. That means having clean air to breathe, safe water to drink, and a community that is healthy. When we bring our environmental education into our schools, such as the Harbor School, we are teaching children that they can have an impact on their environment and that it actually creates opportunities for them. The current economic challenges we face in New York and around the country are significant, but the programs that are offered by the New York Harbor School can really make a difference. Unfortunately, many of these programs are in jeopardy due to budget cuts, and schools are being forced to scale back environmental education. No Child Left Inside, introduced by Senator Jack Reed this week, would provide for environmental education in schools; it would provide the critical funding that is necessary to ensure our children receive the kinds of hands-on education that connects them with the environment and prepares them for our future. Despite all of the economic challenges our country is facing, we must not lose our focus on the important investments that are required to assure New York's and our Nation's leadership in the years to come. The environmental problems that many of our communities face are also opportunities for the young people of the Harbor School to be the problem-solvers of the future and to be able to make a difference in their own communities. Bobby Kennedy recognized early on that State and Federal environmental legislation cannot only be positive for air, land, and water, but also good for the economy and job creation. He said to me: We can turn every American into an energy entrepreneur, every home into a power plant, and fuel our country through our own energy initiatives, rather than Saudi oil. I thought that statement was extremely inspiring. He is saying that through energy entrepreneurialism and innovation, we can transform this economy not only into a green economy but into an energy revolution where we are creating not only the products through energy sources-- whether it is fuel cells, hydropower, wind, solar, biofuel, or cellulosic ethanol--but we have the opportunity to transform manufacturing in this country to create the new products that are going to run on these new energy sources. It is a recognition that there is extraordinary opportunity here to make an opportunity for every individual, every home, and every business to be part of the energy solution. As a country, we have undertaken infrastructure projects with the understanding that once the upfront costs were incurred and building was completed, private investment would follow, creating lucrative paths of commerce. This has been seen throughout New York's history. In the early days of America, we had one very audacious building project called the Erie Canal. It was going to connect Lake Erie to the Hudson River, opening markets of the eastern seaboard to inland goods. Even some visionaries, such as Thomas Jefferson, didn't think it was a very good idea, calling it ``a little short of lunacy,'' and ultimately it fell on New York State, under Gov. Dewitt Clinton's leadership, to fund the project. The Erie Canal contributed immensely to the economic growth and wealth of New York. From New York City through Buffalo, it made an enormous difference to open Upstate New York and western New York to commerce, and that legacy continues to be with us today. That is why the vision of President Obama on new infrastructure is so important. Today, we have high-speed rail, which is a great opportunity for mass transit. If we can have high-speed rail from New York City to Niagara, again it would open not only downstate to upstate but upstate to the rest of the eastern seaboard. It is very exciting to be able to create these opportunities for long-term economic growth. The same thing is true with the power grid. When T. Boone Pickens talks about his windmills, he cannot build them if he doesn't have anyplace to plug in. We cannot have electric cars that can transform the entire automotive industry if we don't have a place to plug in. That is what President Obama's vision is in terms of building the new electric grid, so we can have sustainable, renewable energy and be able to use the new technologies and innovations to drive a new economy. New York is in the enviable position to lead the Nation's green movement. We have had a history of energy independence. We have had hydropower for well over 100 years, whether you are talking about the Hudson River Valley or Niagara Falls. We have some of the greatest agriculture in the whole Nation, so we can be a source for cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels. We have some of the greatest entrepreneurs of this generation, from fantastic SUNY schools to terrific engineering schools, including engineering students from RPI, where we are at the forefront of photovoltaic energy, wind, and solar. We are in a position to lead the Nation's recovery through energy independence. I celebrate Earth Day today by commending the great work of the Harbor School and the extraordinary leadership of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and also to talk about our future because when children are interested in learning about the environment and they create a relationship to the environment, whether it is through cleaner air or cleaner water or being that young engineer who figures out how to build an electric car for $25,000 so all of America can get the equivalent of 240 miles per gallon, that is a vision of the future that I see, and that is the vision of how we are going to turn the economy around and create jobs. I will work with President Obama to make sure we create good-paying jobs all across New York. Thank you, Mr. President. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I rise today to speak in favor of the Serve America Act. This important legislation will engage hundreds of thousands of Americans, from our young people to our seniors, in a new era of public service. This act represents the best in the American tradition. I have seen the wonderful work it has already done throughout New York. More than 76,000 New Yorkers are working to meet local needs, strengthen and repair communities, and increase civic involvement through 233 national service projects all across New York. These New Yorkers tutor and mentor children, manage and staff afterschool programs, patrol neighborhoods, provide disaster response, and work to protect our environment and build nonprofit groups all around our communities. Just yesterday, I met with 30 nuns who came from Long Island to visit with me, and the work they had done in our community was for those who really need the help the most. They were helping our seniors, and they were helping women who have English as a second language who need to learn English, and they were advocating for world peace. What is so great about this act is it is for all of us who are not nuns. This act brings a new wave of community activism to bear on our country's needs. It inspires me when I think about all the wonderful diversity of people and projects this will deploy to all parts of our country. The Serve America Act will provide more than 250,000 opportunities nationwide by investing approximately $6 billion in new service initiatives and existing service programs. These programs include a brandnew national service program to create Youth Engagement Zones to Strengthen Communities program, providing competitive grants to assist programs targeted at high-need, low-income communities and community- based or State entities to engage students and out-of-school youth in service learning and addressing the specific challenges of each of their communities. The Learn and Serve America Program provides grants to schools, colleges, not-for-profit groups, and it currently engages more than 38,000 New York students in community services linked to academic achievement and the development of civic skills. Third, we have the Summer of Service Program, which is a national coalition of major youth-serving organizations that is committed to engaging youth in service during summer months. In this act, we would be allowing our veterans who still want to serve their country the chance to lend a hand in supporting our deployed troops and their families. We also give our seniors, our most experienced citizens, the chance to work with and teach our children. We will improve the opportunities for at-risk urban youth, giving them additional volunteer and educational programs to teach them skills and build their self-confidence. It also gives young people career paths in the professions where we really need their leadership and their time and talents--in math, science, engineering, and health care. This bill starts a chain reaction of promise, service, achievement, knowledge, and advancement. It is the future of our country. I have seen so many people in areas around New York where their options are limited. This legislation will provide paths to service and excellence for the young people in these neighborhoods. Just last month, I was visiting students at Nazareth High School in Brooklyn, NY, and I met with parents who had lost their child to gun violence. I also met with students who lost their classmate. What the students said was: Senator, we have problems with gangs here in our community, and we need an answer to those gangs. We think the best thing you could do is help us with afterschool programming, giving us opportunities to learn new skills, help with our homework, to do arts and crafts, to do sports, to have opportunities to have job training, to learn about public service. That is exactly what this act does. It authorizes the grants programs that help these kids in these low-income areas to do things after school until their parents come home from work. It gives them the opportunity to work with their seniors, to clean up their neighborhoods, to create new mentoring relationships, to work with YMCAs and girls clubs and faith-based groups. From our urban youth to our most experienced citizens, this legislation will help all of them give more back to their communities. This legislation helps retirees who are willing to be involved in public service. It will enhance the incentives for our retirees to give a year of service and allow educational awards to be transferred to their children or their grandchildren. It also establishes Encore Fellowships to help our retirees transition to longer term service by helping them work in the not-for-profit sector as a second career. Our veterans, who have so proudly served this country, also want to continue to give of themselves. This bill allows them to help support our deployed Armed Forces and their families, helping young people at risk, and assists our veterans in developing educational opportunities. We also are going to fill the needs that are essential for our country's economic future. Everywhere I travel around my State, from Buffalo to Brooklyn, everyone is talking about the need for job creation. This bill allows us to invest in the new areas of renewable fuels, energy independence, technology, and medicine so we can begin to focus our youth on the math, science, engineering, and technology they need to be at the forefront of these new careers. What this act does is provide those opportunities for these students to participate in service projects that help them learn the skills they need in these green jobs and in the health care and technology arenas. In this time of economic crisis and uncertainty, so many people feel the need to contribute to the greater good. We will harness these millions of hearts and minds to do exactly that, to allow America to reach its potential. It is a critical step in moving forward the promise of our citizens and of our country as embodied in the Serve America act. I encourage all Senators to support it fully. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to recognize the sacrifices of the servicemembers who lost their lives on October 23, 1983, when terrorists bombed the barracks housing American and French troops in Beirut, Lebanon. On that day, 241 American servicemen lost their lives: 220 Marines, 18 Navy personnel and 3 Army soldiers. I would like to pay special tribute to two servicemembers from my district--Corporal James J. Jackowski of Salem, and Corporal Ronald L. Shallo of Hudson. Their ultimate sacrifice is a debt that can never be recovered or repaid--only honored. While our great nation suffered from that attack, the families of fallen servicemembers continue to feel the pain from that day. A candlelight vigil honoring those who fell in Beirut that day will be held October 23, 2008 near Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC. My thoughts and prayers are and will be with those family members on this 25th anniversary of that dreadful day. Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues today in expressing my deepest sympathy to the family members of all of the fallen servicemembers from the Beirut bombing and wish them solace in their time of healing.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Congressman Michael McNulty, the distinguished Representative of New York's 21st District, as he prepares to conclude 20 years of service to the people of Upstate New York in the House of Representatives. In Congress, Michael McNulty has been more than simply a colleague to me over the past 2 years, but also a mentor and friend. I have benefited greatly from his constant advice and counsel as I navigate through my first term in Congress. He has always been there to offer an encouraging word or friendly piece of advice. For that and many other reasons, I will miss his presence here in the House Chamber. Congressman McNulty started on his path to service when he became an Eagle Scout at the age of 12, displaying at an early age his leadership and dedication to public service. He then went on to become the youngest Town Supervisor in New York State when he was elected as Supervisor of the Town of Green Island at the age of 22. Congressman McNulty's service in elected office spans almost four decades, as supervisor and mayor of the Village of Green Island, a member of the New York State Assembly and a Member of this House since 1988. In Congress, Michael McNulty has distinguished himself by serving his constituents on several important committees, including for fifteen years on the Ways and Means Committee, where he is currently the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Security. As Congressman McNulty leaves us here in Congress, he goes home to spend more time with his lovely wife Nancy, their four daughters and five grandchildren, who I know he adores. Our loss is truly their gain, and I am sure that they are thrilled that he will be able to spend more time with them back home in New York. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman McNulty for his friendship and his service to the people of New York and the United States. I wish him every success in all of his future endeavors.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Air Force, I want to recognize Colonel Francis M. ``Mike'' Mungavin for his 40-plus years of dedicated service to our country. In his most recent assignment, he serves as the Commander, Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service and Director of Recruiting, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. In this role, he exercises command and oversight to over 450 military and civilian personnel worldwide at over 45 main operating locations and serves as the principal advisor to the AFRC commander on all matters relating to recruiting. Colonel Mungavin enlisted in the Air Force in November 1968, and served 10 years prior to receiving his commission through the Deserving Airman Commissioning Program. Prior to entering Recruiting Services, Colonel Mungavin served as member of the security forces for 32 years on active duty, as a civilian and within the Air Force Reserve Command as a Traditional Reservist and Air Reserve Technician. During this time, he conceived, developed, implemented and commanded the Air Force Reserve Patriot Warrior Program providing our security force troops with required ground combat skills training. Since taking command of Air Force Reserve Recruiting, Colonel Mungavin has developed and executed numerous initiatives resulting in the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) exceeding its annual recruiting goal for eight consecutive years. As the second largest Air Force Major Command, AFRC has been manned at greater than ninety-nine percent for the past seven consecutive years reversing a decade-long trend of failing to meet congressionally mandated end strength levels. He is directly responsible for accessing more than 72,037 airmen helping to transform the Air Force Reserve recruiter into the most productive within DoD. Mike could not have been such a tremendous leader without the love and unfailing support of his lovely wife of 37 years, Arlene, and their two sons--Nick and Ryan. Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues in expressing our sincere appreciation to Colonel Francis ``Mike'' Mungavin for his outstanding service to both the United States Air Force and our great nation. We wish him the best as he transitions into retirement. Colonel Mungavin is a true professional and a credit to himself and the United States Air Force Reserve.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of Moses-Ludington Hospital in Ticonderoga, New York. The hospital was founded in 1908 by Horace Moses, a businessman and Ticonderoga native, to provide medical care to the people of Ticonderoga and its surrounding area. The hospital began with 15 beds and has since grown to encompass a 24 hour emergency room, outpatient surgery, radiology, and dental services. It has the distinction of being the most remote Critical Access Hospital in New York State, providing valuable life-saving treatment to many of my rural constituents in Essex, Warren, and Hamilton Counties. Although it remains a small rural hospital, Moses-Ludington Hospital employs 300 upstate New Yorkers and houses specialists in Cardiology, Dermatology, EMG testing, Hematology, Neurology, Oncology, Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery, Podiatry, Sleep Apnea, and Sports Medicine. In addition, Moses-Ludington provides long- term and temporary rehabilitative care through Heritage Commons Residential Healthcare, housing for seniors and persons with disabilities who qualify for Federal housing assistance through Lord Howe Estates, and adult care through the Moses-Ludington Adult Care facility. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I offer my congratulations on behalf of the people of New York's 20th Congressional District to the entire Moses-Ludington community on this milestone. I wish them continued success as they work to provide high quality healthcare to the rural communities of upstate New York.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Town of Prattsville, New York, which will be celebrating its 175th Anniversary on August 17th of this year. Named for Zadock Pratt, a tanner and former Member of Congress from Upstate New York, this community in the Catskill Mountains was originally known to the Mohawk Nation as the Onteora hunting grounds. In the early 18th Century, the area was settled by German immigrants and named Schoharie Kill. Throughout the 19th Century, Prattsville thrived as a mill town and commercial hub for the Catskill region. Prattsville remains a ``gem of the Catskills'' to this day and is a haven for hikers, artists and sportsmen alike. I congratulate the people of Prattsville and offer the best wishes of this House as they celebrate their community next month.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to rise today on behalf of Louis E. Tessier, the Supervisor of the Town of Lake George, in recognition of his 80th birthday on July 19, 2008. I extend my congratulations on this special occasion to Lou, his wife Mary, his daughter, Rene, and to his entire family. Mr. Tessier has a distinguished career in public service. He was elected into and has held his office since 1984. He served as the Warren County Budget Officer from 1992 through 1995 and as the Warren County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors from 1996 through 2000. He has served on a long list of many of the county's committees--everything from Airport to Youth Programs. During his career, he has also been appointed to the following: Board of Directors of the Warren-Hamilton Counties Action Committee for Economic Opportunity, Inc.; Warren County Sewer Commission; County Jury Board Member; Advisory Council for Warren-Hamilton Counties Office for the Aging; Warren County Traffic Safety Board; Warren County Deferred Compensation Program; Warren County Representative of the Adirondack Park Centennial Committee; Industrial Development Agency; Warren County Labor/Management Committee; Inter-County Committee of the Legislative Bodies of the Adirondack Representatives; Adirondack/Glens Falls Transportation Council; Warren County Local Development Corporation (LDC); Warren County LDC--Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; Inter-County Solid Waste Coordinating Committee; Bi- County Ad Hoc Committee for Burn Plant Negotiations; Negotiating Committee for Burn Plant Acquisition; Warren County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, Alternatives to Incarceration Service Plans; Sub- committee on Revenue Enhancement; Airport Consultant Selection Board; Lake Champlain--Lake George Regional Planning Board; Bi-County Ad Hoc Committee for Hartford Landfill Negotiations. Please join me, the Town of Lake George, the people of Warren County and New York's 20th Congressional District in wishing Supervisor Lou Tessier a very happy 80th Birthday.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to announce the birth of the newest upstate New Yorker, Henry Nelson Gillibrand, and to announce his birth to the Members of the 110th Congress. I want to thank the Members for all their encouragement and good wishes. And I want to thank the friends and all the constituents of upstate New York, from the 20th District of New York, for their good wishes and their prayers.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend two organizations from my home district, the State Employees Federal Credit Union (SEFCU) and American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter, who are partnering to sponsor a community blood drive to help save lives in my district on Monday, June 23. The blood drive will be held at the Saratoga Springs Public Library in Saratoga Springs, New York. The theme for the event is ``Give Some Red and Help Save Some Green.'' In keeping with its commitment to the community and the environment, SEFCU will plant a tree for every donor who gives blood on the 23rd. This is one in a series of blood drives within the ``Give 'n Take'' Campaign, which schedules community-based blood drives throughout the calendar year to highlight the importance of donating blood. I note its significance because: Only about 5 percent of the population in the United States donates blood, though about 60 percent of the population is eligible. Just one pint of blood can help save as many as three lives. Approximately every 2 seconds, someone in America needs blood. Every day, about 34,000 donations are needed to help save the lives of cancer patients, accident victims and children with blood disorders in the United States. Approximately 1 out of 3 people will need blood in their lifetime. Type O blood can help anyone in need. All patients can receive Type O during an emergency when there is no time to test a patient's blood type. Donors can give blood every 56 days. The American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter is dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. It is led by a volunteer board of directors with 250 other volunteers and 10 paid employees. The local Red Cross is supported by community donations and provides services to Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Hamilton and southern Essex counties. Last year the Red Cross ran 650 aquatic courses and 1,048 first aid and CPR courses, collected over 19,000 units of whole blood, helped deliver 230 emergency messages for members of our armed forces, and assisted more than 1,200 neighbors who were affected by local disasters. I am proud to call on residents in New York's 20th Congressional District to join these two partners to help save lives.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Chairman, my amendment is very simple. It provides a voice to veteran-owned small businessmen on the newly created Small Business Innovation Research Board. The advisory board will oversee the design and award process for SBIR grants. By including a veteran-owned small businessman or -woman on the board, we will ensure that the criteria used towards small business grants will include areas for which our veterans specialize, areas such as weapons development and destruction, communications networking, and many more skills that have been uniquely acquired through their military service. When I was first elected last year, I formed a constituent-based Veterans Advisory Board in my district. Over the past year, I have worked very closely with these men and women to find new ways to better serve them and the veterans of our district throughout our Nation who have sacrificed so much for this great country. It is for this reason that I strongly believe that veterans need advice on the SBIR advisory board and why I have been working with the board to draft legislation to address the problems of homeless vets and to ease the transition from active duty to civilian life. When our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines leave service after multiple deployments abroad and a tremendous sacrifice by them and their families, the least we can do is to ease their transition and help them get their businesses off the ground. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to support my amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Chairman, I yield back my time.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment, and I yield myself as much time as I may consume. First, I would like to thank Chairman Miller and Chairman Hinojosa and Congressman Bishop for their leadership on this bill. This reauthorization of the Higher Education Act will strengthen the American Dream by allowing millions of young people to better afford college. I also would like to thank my colleague Congressman Mike McNulty and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy for their thoughtful work on the issue of campus safety. Thank you, also, to Security on Campus, Inc., the leading advocacy organization for campus security. Our country's number one priority is to protect our children from harm so that they can grow up and fulfill their God-given potential. A parent's worst fear is to send their child off to college and to have them become a victim of violent crime. Tragically, this happens far too often. The 10-year span from 1997 to 2006 registered, on average, 20 homicides every year occurring on college campuses. Furthermore, numerous college students, the majority of them young women, have been abducted, leaving their family, friends, and community searching for years in hopes of solving their case. Mr. Chairman, this issue has significantly affected the community that I represent. On March 2, 1998, Suzanne Lyall, a 19-year-old sophomore at SUNY- Albany, was kidnapped and never seen again. Nearly 10 years later, her case remains unsolved. My amendment is intended to prevent more parents from experiencing the pain that Suzanne's parents, Doug and Mary, must face every day. The amendment that I am offering would ensure that all institutions of higher education have a standing policy outlining the roles and responsibilities for campus, local, and State law enforcement agencies if a violent crime happens to occur on campus. This amendment will minimize confusion and delays during the initial investigation of a violent felony, such as a kidnapping. The first few hours and days after a crime is committed are the most critical for solving a case, and the questions involving police jurisdiction should be settled before a crime occurs, not after. My amendment will help facilitate the prompt and sufficient investigation of serious crimes. In addition, the amendment's provisions have already been signed into law in California, South Carolina, Tennessee, and my home State of New York. Over 60 percent of postsecondary schools have fewer than 2,500 students. And thankfully, such horrific crimes are rare at small schools. However, many of the small schools do not have a full police force, and the school security force may not be sufficiently trained to handle such a complex investigation. This amendment will give peace of mind to students and to parents by giving them the knowledge that the best investigative procedures will be followed to solve such terrible crimes. Mr. Chairman, at this time, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would also like to add that bringing attention to the issue of campus safety has been a priority of mine since I entered Congress. Last year, I introduced, and the House passed, House Resolution 303, which called on the President to declare April 6, which is Suzanne Lyall's birthday, National Missing Persons Day. This day will allow all Americans to honor those who remain missing and to remember their families and loved ones who hope and pray every day for their safe return. April 6 is approaching, and I join with Suzanne's parents in strongly advocating for the creation of this national day of remembrance. The amendment that I offer today will hopefully prevent future school tragedies from happening. I urge all my colleagues to join me in honoring Suzanne by voting ``yes.''

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Speaker, I missed one vote on Tuesday, January 29, 2008. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following way: Final passage of New England National Scenic Trail Designation Act, H.R. 1528 (Rollcall No. 28): I would have voted ``yea.''

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Ross. For the sake of our children's future, I'm strongly urging the Senate to ensure that the AMT patch that we're going to be considering this week complies with the PAYGO rules. The House has already passed a responsible AMT bill, which will prevent 23 million taxpayers from being hit by the AMT, while also finding appropriate offsets so that the national debt will not be increased. I have introduced a resolution, H.J. Res. 45, which is a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution. If my constituents in upstate New York have to balance their checkbook every month, so should the Federal Government. The AMT affected 4.2 million Americans last year. If Congress does not act, it will affect 23 million Americans this year, most of them middle-class families. In my district, 66,000 families will be affected if this bill is not passed. Almost half of the 23 million taxpayers that will be affected are married with children. The average AMT taxpayer will owe over $6,000 in additional taxes. Small business owners are going to be one of the hardest hit by the AMT. The reason why we have to pay for this and ensure we follow pay-as- you-go standards is because America's debt is over $9 trillion. Our Federal debt increases by $1.4 billion a day, at an astonishing rate of $1 million a minute. Our national debt is equal to over $30,000 for every man, woman and child and infant in this country. The Federal Government spent over $400 billion last year on interest payments on the national debt. After Social Security, Medicare and defense spending, interest payments on the debt are the third largest expenditure by the Federal Government. The amount of money that we spend on interest payments will decrease the amount of money America will have in the future for spending on our national priorities such as health care, education, energy independence, our troops. Lowering the debt is essential not only for our economic security, but it is essential for our national security. Foreign governments and investors now hold $2.2 trillion, which is 44 percent of all publicly held U.S. debt. That's up nearly 10 percent from last year. China owns the second-most amount of our debt, and oil exporting countries such as Saudi Arabia account for the fourth-most held U.S. debt. Paying for AMT is possible. The House has already passed in a bipartisan way a PAYGO-compliant bill. For future generations, we must be responsible and not add to the national debt. Just to give folks at home an understanding of what this money means, let me just give you a couple of translations. This year we paid $239 billion in interest on the national debt. That same amount of money, if we use it for other purposes, would literally pay for every U.S. family's refrigerator to be stocked for 7 months. It would pay for filling every U.S. family's gas tank for 10 months at today's gas prices. It would pay for providing 4 years of in-state public tuition for 10 million students, and it would pay 1 year's salary for 8 million new teachers. The Federal Government has sent over $709 billion abroad in the form of interest payments since President Bush took office, $155 billion in 2007 alone. The same amount would fund any of the following: 12,000 new elementary schools, 7,000 new veterans clinics, and all road and bridge construction and improvements for the next 10 years. I beseech the Senate to follow a fiscal, responsible and prudent course of action and pay for the AMT.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. Speaker, please let the Record show that I missed one series of votes on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, because I was in my home district voting on Election Day. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following way: Motion to Table H. Res. 799, the Kucinich Resolution--I would have voted ``yea.'' Motion ordering the Previous Question, the Kucinich Resolution--I would have voted ``aye.'' Motion to Refer to the House Judiciary Committee, the Kucinich Resolution--I would have voted ``aye.''

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Mr. Murphy's resolution to strongly urge the President to give our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines the pay raise that they deserve. The military families in my district have sacrificed more than any of us could ever imagine, for mothers and fathers who have to run households while their spouses are deployed over and over again, to parents and grandparents that watch the news every night with dismay, to returning soldiers that have to piece together their lives upon the return from a war zone. These families deserve more than just the cost-of-living adjustment proposed by the President. They deserve a raise. While the 3.5 percent increase that we are able to add to the defense authorization bill is a good start, there is much more that we can and should do. Yet the President may still veto this raise. I urge my colleagues to vote for this resolution, to tell the President to lift his objection to this well-deserved raise for the brave men and women who serve in our military.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. I thank the gentleman and I thank Madam Chairman. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First, I would like to thank my fellow New York colleague, Chairwoman Velazquez, for her leadership on this bill and for her constant effort to help our small businesses grow and prosper in America. Small businesses are the foundation of upstate New York's economy. Small businesses represent over 99 percent of all employers and half of all private sector employees. More importantly, small businesses generate up to 80 percent of new jobs in America. The bill that is on the floor today would allow upstate New York's small businesses to have increased opportunities to compete for Federal contracts against larger companies. Last year small businesses received only 21.5 percent of Federal contracts, which is much too small; and I look forward to this bill's passing on the floor that will allow our small businesses, especially disabled veteran-owned businesses, to compete for Federal contracts. My amendment to this bill is very simple: businesses that continue to break the law by hiring illegal aliens should not be eligible for Federal contracts. Mr. Chairman, we must reward businesses that play by the rules and punish those who do not. It is important that we fix our broken immigration system, and an important component of that is to cut off availability of jobs for undocumented workers, which can only be done when employers refuse to hire them. There are an estimated 12 million illegal aliens in this country; and if jobs are not available to them, then there will not be an incentive for them to come or remain here in America illegally. Hiring illegal aliens is against the law in America, and my amendment ensures that employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens cannot have access to the over $400 billion in Federal contracts that are awarded each year. This amendment will ensure accountability with taxpayers' money by preventing businesses who hire illegal aliens from receiving Federal contracts. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.