Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from New York, a member of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Nadler.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. If the gentlelady will yield. I'm not in a position to speak for the Judiciary Committee, but the distinguished Chair of the Judiciary Committee obviously will be one of the conferees, and if such an opportunity exists, then I would urge the gentlelady to speak with he and the Chair of Financial Services. I think the gentlelady brings up an outstanding point that's true throughout the Nation where people are in need of appropriate legal representation.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 190 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my friend, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. General Leave

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 190 provides for consideration of H.R. 1106, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009, under a structured rule. While the rule waives clause 10 of rule XXI regarding PAYGO, there is only a technical violation of clause 10 by section 204 of the bill. Because of the timing of cash flows of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the provision increases direct spending in the first 5- year period, but more than offsets that increase in the 10-year period. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1106, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009, takes a vital step toward reviving our housing market, stemming the tide of home foreclosures and putting our Nation's economy back on track. This bill would first give bankruptcy judges the ability to modify, at their own discretion, mortgage loans on a homeowner's principal residence if the homeowner meets specified, stringent criteria. Further, this legislation would also help veterans and other homeowners avoid foreclosure by allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Housing Administration and the Department of Agriculture to guarantee and/or insure mortgage loans modified either out of court or in a bankruptcy case. This bill would also provide a safe harbor from liability to mortgage servicers who engage in loan modification workouts or other loss mitigation. Many services, Mr. Speaker, have claimed that fear of litigation or uncertainty about what modification actions may be permitted under their agreement have kept them from partaking in loan modifications or other workouts. With the safe harbor provisions in this legislation, they will no longer have any excuse. Additionally, this bill makes much-needed changes to the HOPE for Homeowners program in order to encourage greater lender participation. It puts the HUD Secretary in charge of running the program, reduces fees and eliminates other administrative burdens, and changes the profit-sharing provisions to induce more loan writedowns. Finally, this bill makes permanent the temporary increase in deposit insurance coverage for both the FDIC Deposit Insurance Fund and the National Credit Union Administration Share Insurance Fund. This provision will enhance the liquidity and stability of our banking institutions and help restore confidence in our financial system. Some have criticized the bankruptcy cramdown provisions in this bill, and I share some of their concerns, claiming that they will cause massive losses to financial institutions, increase the cost of borrowing for other homeowners or lead to a sudden surge of bankruptcy filings. I am not certain that this is the case. Modifications will be at the individual discretion of a bankruptcy judge who will make the determination of whether a borrower has acted responsibly and their claim has any merit. This provision will maximize, not lessen, the value of troubled mortgages for the lender, and will avoid the decline in property values in neighborhoods where homes have been foreclosed on. It is preposterous to think that individuals would willingly submit themselves to the arduous process, negative stigma and long-lasting effects of filing for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy will remain as it has always been, a last resort. Under current law, bankruptcy judges already have the authority to modify loans on virtually every secured claim, including vacation homes, investment properties, private jets and luxury yachts, except for primary family residences. This loophole is outdated and in my view absurd, and it must be rectified. Some may also argue that we are bailing out reckless borrowers at the expense of those who were prudent and responsible. However, many individuals who have duly made every single monthly payment and lived within their means are seeing their home values drop and no longer have the ability to refinance due to the rapidly declining market. Some who are being swept up by the foreclosure crisis are victims of bad lending practices and some who played by the rules and acted responsibly are now finding themselves underwater through no fault of their own. Throughout this Nation, Mr. Speaker, millions of families are in danger of losing their homes. And while it is easy to think that the foreclosure crisis affects no other than those directly involved, the truth is this crisis has had and will have a rippling effect all across the country. Not only are individuals' livelihoods gravely impacted, but as foreclosures go up, surrounding home prices go down, tax revenue for vital public services falls, financial institutions are saddled with losses, access to credit shrinks and our economy grinds to a halt. This legislation helps put a stop to this deadly spiral. In my home State of Florida, Mr. Speaker, estimates show just in Florida alone that approximately 160,000 homes can be saved as a result of court supervised modifications. Additionally, a recent report by Credit Suisse estimates that the safe harbor provisions alone will lessen foreclosures by 20 percent. Just this past Wednesday, President Obama announced his comprehensive homeowners' affordability and stability plan. This legislation is the first step toward putting this plan into action. Mr. Speaker, I do not pretend that implementing this legislation will prevent every single foreclosure. In fact, there are some cases for which foreclosure is the correct action. However, this bill will help ensure responsible individuals stay in their home and will mitigate the destructive impact of foreclosures on families and communities. This bill addresses our Nation's foreclosure crisis in a meaningful and responsible fashion by reforming our bankruptcy laws, clearing legal impediments to loan modifications, improving the HOPE for Homeowners program and ensuring confidence in our banking system. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to my very good friend from Florida, the gentlewoman, Ms. Castor, an immediate past member of the Rules Committee that left us for greener pastures.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, my good friend from North Carolina refers to the President's constant statements five or six times during his joint resolution speech of calling for responsibility and accountability, and what she says is that he never pins it on anybody. My recollection of his speech was he said, ``including me,'' when he was talking about responsibility and accountability. If that's not pinning it on somebody, I don't know what is. Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased at this time to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Ohio, my colleague and former member of the Rules Committee, Ms. Sutton.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire, please, as to the amount of time remaining on each side?

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased at this time to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida, my fellow Floridian and classmate, my good friend, Ms. Brown. (Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren), a member of the Judiciary Committee who has worked tirelessly in producing this particular document along with Chairman Conyers and Chairman Frank and other members of their respective committees.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I do have one more speaker, and I will be prepared to close.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time. This is a good rule for a critically important bill that addresses our current housing market crisis. My friend from North Carolina speaks of the leadership of this committee being from California and Nevada, the Democratic majority. It is true that Speaker Pelosi is from California and it is true that Senator Harry Reid is from Nevada, but they are two people. There are other people in the leadership in the majority, Senator Durbin from Illinois, Mr. Clyburn from South Carolina, Mr. Larson from Connecticut, the distinguished majority leader, Steny Hoyer, from Maryland. What we are talking about here is a universal problem insofar as this country is concerned. And I'm just back from an anti-Semitism conference in England, where I read, very actively, regarding their home crisis in the United Kingdom. We are also experiencing a whole global set of circumstances. Mr. Speaker, in today's Daily Summary, the quote is made from the majority whip's office that Confucius said, ``The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of its homes.'' I can think--and I'm sure every Member here can think--of all of our families through the years that among the things that they wanted was an opportunity to have a home. When my good friend from North Carolina speaks about returning to welfare, I didn't, when I was a boy, think that it was welfare after the Second World War when the Federal Home Administration, old FHA, and the Veterans Administration built a monument to middle class homes in this country, many of them still standing, many of them giving the foundation, a safe and inhabitable environment for people to raise their children as a result of those particular programs, followed by their successor, the Housing and Urban Development Department. I, as a young lawyer, participated in a variety of methods that gave low and moderate income families an opportunity to have a safe and inhabitable environment under programs such as 221D-3, 221H, a variety of programs rehabilitating properties, building homes for seniors, and giving everybody a chance. I would like to add an anecdote. The value of my home in my neighborhood in Miramar, Florida, has decreased substantially. Other Members in this body are experiencing the same thing. I have paid my mortgage for 11 years every month on time. If my home value decreases another 6 percent, I will have an upside down or underwater mortgage, having done nothing but the right thing. But there are seven of my neighbors that I know of that are in foreclosure. And fortunately our homeowners association is mindful of the need that we have to work together. This is a collective thrust, this piece of legislation. This is something to help us all. That's what Americans do. It is not a giveaway. It is not welfare when I look out for my neighbors and they look out for me, it is the potential to lay the foundation for us to get out of a crisis that is in an enormous one for this entire Nation. Nearly 6 million households in America face foreclosure. My State of Florida has the second highest foreclosure rate after California. It's just plain old common sense for Congress to pass a bill that will help working families who have played by the rules and acted responsibly to stay in their homes and to continue to pay off their mortgages. We can't run away from this crisis. We must rebuild. And we must help those in need. Neighborhoods in the district that I'm privileged to represent, as well as around this Nation, are struggling, homes are being foreclosed, and we have an opportunity to mitigate the destructive impact of those foreclosures on families and communities. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this rule so that we may support a bill that will give millions of Americans the opportunity to stay in their homes and not be forced out on the streets. In defense of some of the services, in my district, Ocwen Financial Services has been doing loan modifications on their own, and their return rate for foreclosures is substantially less than the norm. There just are some good ones out there. The credit unions and the community banks have been doing responsible lending. They did not take advantage of people who may not have known what they were doing or who should have known and took advantage of the system to buy homes that they should not have bought. It's just that simple. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule. And I beg of us all to understand the critical need that we have to work together in this country, Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives. Everybody in this Nation must face this problem. And, yes, we must act responsibly; and yes, we must act with accountability. And that's what this measure, as authored by the distinguished Chair of the Judiciary Committee and the distinguished Chair of the Financial Services Committee, working in conjunction with their colleagues--I might add in a bipartisan way. There are few people here that have had as many markups as they had in Judiciary and Financial Services. And when they come before the Rules Committee, all I hear of them is the fairness of Congressman Conyers and the fairness of Congressman Frank. So to say that these measures are not bipartisan or that others are not being listened to is just absolutely wrong. Let us pass this measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, one of the greatest privileges we have in the House of Representatives is an opportunity to come before this body and take cognizance of the extraordinary work of people in our constituency throughout the United States. When they depart life, very occasionally we come here to say something about it. In the last 2 months, Fletcher Gibson, Ronald Dallas, Pat Larkins, and Andrew DeGraffenreidt, constituents and personal friends, some fraternity brothers of mine, have departed this life. I take this opportunity that's given to us by our citizenry to express my condolences to their families. Each in their own way were legendary, iconic figures in Broward County, and I deeply appreciate the service they gave to humankind, and I honor them and offer condolences to their families.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the debate team of Lake Worth Community High School in Lake Worth, Florida. The team recently competed in a 22-school tournament and took home five awards. Pierre Dorsainvil won best presiding officer; Shermeka Scott, best speaker and best presiding officer; Gia Cerease, original oratory; and Jennifer Price, first overall for declamation. I am very proud of these fine young people for their skill as debaters and for the many hours of hard work and dedication that resulted in their supremacy over so many other schools. I am delighted, though not surprised, to know that a school in my district is providing an excellent education in the fine art of oratory. It is a skill that my esteemed colleagues and I value very highly, and I hope that some of these talented students will join us in Congress some day.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor the life and legacy of Martha S. Putney, of Washington D.C. Mrs. Putney passed away December 11, 2008, at age 92. Mrs. Putney was one of the first black women to serve in the Women's Army Corps during World War II. She is also a renowned historian and made strong contributions to the African American history literature. Martha Settle was born in Norristown, Pa. She attended Howard University in Washington D.C. from which she earned a bachelor's degree in 1939 and a master's degree in history in 1940. Martha encountered racial barriers when trying to start a teaching career. Unable to find a job, she entered the government's War Manpower Commission as a statistical clerk. In 1943 she was one of the first black women to join the Women's Army Corps, then less than a year old. In the Army, she experienced segregation and racial discrimination. In 1946, Martha Putney left the women's Army Corps with the rank of first lieutenant. She married William M. Putney in 1948. She eventually began her dreamed teaching career after earning a doctorate in European history from the University of Pennsylvania in 1955. She became a history teacher at Bowie State College in Maryland, where she chaired the history and geography department until 1974. She then taught at Howard University in Washington D.C. until 1983. Dr. Putney wrote ``Black Sailors: Afro-American Merchant Seamen and Whalemen Prior to the Civil War,'' in 1987 and ``When the Nation Was in Need: Blacks in the Women's Army Corps During World War II'' in 1992. She also published a number of scholarly articles on African American history. Madam Speaker, Mrs. Putney was an outstanding mother, soldier, teacher and author. I know the Members of the House will join me in expressing our sincere condolences to Mrs. Putney's son, William M. Putney Jr. On behalf of Congress, I thank Mrs. Putney for her great contributions to our nation and for her role in educating our children.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution expressing growing concerns about the recent rise of anti- Semitism in South America, and the accompanying acts of violence and hatred against members of the Jewish community there. Throughout my life, and throughout my tenure in Congress, I have always condemned the unconscionable spread of anti-Semitism wherever it has raised its ugly head. There is never an excuse to single out members of the Jewish community for attack, to destroy their sacred property, to boycott their businesses, or to perpetuate physical harm. From Asia to Africa to Europe to the Middle East, too many leaders have too often used anti-Semitism to deflect attention from their own failings, or to stir up their domestic populations for political gain. We see the pernicious tidings of anti-Semitism, this time in South America. In Venezuela, Bolivia and Argentina, Jewish communities in recent weeks and months have been the subject of vicious attacks, verbal abuse, and government-supported expressions of extreme intolerance and intimidation. My resolution highlights some of these recent attacks, including the January 30th assault on the Tiferet Israel synagogue in Caracas, Venezuela, in which armed men using tear gas violently ransacked this house of worship. While I am pleased that eleven suspects have been arrested, I am disturbed to learn that a majority of these men are police officers. Indeed, the Venezuelan government of late has fostered a climate of hatred, openly questioning the loyalties of Venezuela's Jewish community, and using recent events in Israel to score cheap political points by assailing members of the Jewish community. Madam Speaker, I could tell a similar story about events in Bolivia and Argentina, where Jewish children have arrived at their schools to find swastikas painted on walls and graffiti admonishing Jews to leave the country. These attacks are not isolated incidents of a few bad apples, but rather reflect the systematic use of violence and intimidation in the place of dialogue and debate. Anti-Semitism is not a legitimate form of public protest. It never has been and it never will be. We cannot, in good conscience, allow these acts of hatred to go unnoticed and unreported. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution to condemn these acts of violence and to encourage the Venezuelan, Bolivian, and Argentinean governments to take all necessary steps to ensure that anti-Semitism is not tolerated in South America.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a new leadership body in Zimbabwe, and reaffirm the need for a global commitment to supporting this country on its long road to recovery and stability. Yesterday, Zimbabwean President Joseph Mugabe swore in his longtime rival Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister. This political marriage was not made in heaven, but in the midst of social unrest, corruption, fuel shortages and unprecedented levels of unemployment, some see this union as a symbol of long-awaited change. Others however, fear that this co- leadership is in name only, and that Mugabe's nearly three decades of oppressive rule have yet to come to an end. Under the Mugabe regime, voter bribery and intimidation, violence, press censorship and skyrocketing inflation have become all too familiar. Once hailed as the bread basket of Africa, Zimbabwe is now a nation of impoverished millionaires where 10 million dollars buys a loaf of bread if you are lucky, and where the vast majority are forced to make do with a few crumbs. Cholera, a disease that has not plagued the United States in nearly a century has spread to every area of Zimbabwe, and claimed thousands of lives because of contaminated food and water. The Shona tribe of Zimbabwe has a famous proverb: water that can be spoiled can also be purified. Madame Speaker, yesterday also marked the 19th anniversary of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela's release after 27 years of unjust imprisonment. His freedom signified the beginning stages of the Apartheid era's demise, and Mandela would spearhead reconciliation and equality as the first fully democratically elected President of South Africa. Although Zimbabwe's fate under the new Administration is uncertain at best, the fact that Mugabe--a man who said that only God could remove him from office--swore in Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister should not go without notice. Whatever the future brings, two things are clear. Years of mismanagement under the Mugabe regime have spoiled Zimbabwe's economy, markets and the everyday livelihoods of its people. And, years of international cooperation will be needed to purge the corruption and violence from Zimbabwe's government, military and industries. Madam Speaker, Zimbabwe, other African countries and the rest of the world must work to create the incentives and frameworks that are needed to place and keep Zimbabwe on a path to peace, and sustainable development.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deep regret for the loss of life and destruction of property that is occurring in Australia as a consequence of wildfires, and to extend my condolences to the Australian people. Although wildfires are common during the Australian summer, strong winds, extreme temperatures and dry conditions have combined in recent days to fuel fires, which have ravaged Australia's southern State of Victoria with unparalleled force. Despite the prompt and earnest efforts of rescue crews and firefighters, 181 deaths have been confirmed and, according to yesterday's edition of Australia's Sydney Morning Herald, police fear that as many as 300 people have already passed. More than 750 properties spanning 350,000 hectares of land have been destroyed. Whole communities have been decimated; in the town of Marysville, which was hit by a 60-mile-long fire front, it is feared that 100 of the 519 residents have been killed. Tragically, these numbers are likely to deteriorate further, there being approximately 23 fires which remain uncontained. Encouragingly, the size of the tragedy has been matched by the size and speed of the response. I extend my sincere appreciation to the emergency rescue crews, firefighters and Australia's Federal and Victorian Governments for their well-coordinated response to this calamity. The loss suffered would have been far greater were it not for the skill, dedication, compassion and sacrifice of these emergency responders. I also extend my best wishes to law enforcement authorities as they investigate the causes of this tragedy. Unfortunately, preliminary investigations indicate that some of the fires may have been deliberately lit. I have full confidence that the Australian authorities will bring anyone responsible for this death and destruction to justice, and take such other action as is necessary to minimize the likelihood of future calamities of this nature. Madam Speaker, the fires that continue to burn in Southeast Australia have caused loss and destruction on a catastrophic scale. The Australian people will truly be in my thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks. I wish the affected communities the very best as they fight to retain and rebuild their lives, and encourage my colleagues to do so as well.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I thank the gentleman for yielding. As the gentleman knows, we're very focused on fiscal discipline, and we're very concerned about our ever-increasing deficit. Now, we look forward to working with Chairman Spratt and our new President on a budget that's going to reduce spending and bring down our deficit, and we look forward to working with the gentleman and his colleagues on fiscal issues in the future. As you well know, among other things, our goal continues to be to find a balance for the need for action during an economic crisis with our desire to go through the legislative process. I could go at length with my good friend regarding how we got where we are, but in anticipation of the need to continue the rest of the business of the day, I'll leave it at that.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I thank my good friend from Georgia for yielding. On Monday, the 9th of February, the House will meet at 2 p.m. for legislative business, with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday, the 10th, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour and at 2 p.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for legislative business. We will consider several bills under suspension of the rules. The complete list of suspension bills will be announced by the close of business on Friday. We also expect to consider S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009; and in addition, pending Senate action on H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we anticipate House action on that legislation.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, for over a decade the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) saved millions of America's low-income families from suffering the consequences of living without healthcare insurance, and exemplified our nation's commitment to equal opportunity. Former President Bush twice prevented this critically important program from benefiting people who fell through the cracks of America's flawed healthcare system. Thankfully, the new Congress and Administration exercised the power and political will to make a different choice. Finally, the American people can rest assured that Congress' vote to provide healthcare coverage to 11 million low-income children will not be in vain. The Senate-amended SCHIP bill authorizes 32.8 billion dollars over 4\1/2\ years to cover the 7 million children who currently rely on SCHIP, and extends coverage to more than 4 million low-income children who are currently living without healthcare. The bill also offers comprehensive and wide ranging care that includes mental, dental, prenatal and maternal health services, increases health insurance enrollment, and fights geographical health disparities by offering additional support to under-funded states. Madam Speaker, the SCHIP program is known by different names around the country. But whether it's called Healthy Families, Health Wave, Healthy Steps, or Kid Care, SCHIP's mission remains the same--providing children from hard working low-income families with the care that they need and deserve. Thirteen years of SCHIP has shown that this program helps to decrease costly emergency room visits and invasive medical procedures. We know that extending healthcare insurance helps to combat the social, economic, and health disparities that continue to divide our nation and hinder our progress. And, we know that healthy children are better equipped to compete in school and help America compete in the global market. The facts are clear. Missed school days from untreated asthma, tooth decay and mental health disorders and other illnesses are also missed opportunities for our children to reach their full potential and successfully compete. However, some House and Senate Republicans were driven by ideological affiliation instead of economic prudence and moral obligation and attempted to halt the passage of this bill despite the fact that 19 states enacted budget cuts to SCHIP and Medicaid for 2009. The 2008 financial crisis clearly exacerbated our long standing healthcare crisis and therefore failing to pass SCHIP would be disastrous in these hard economic times. Last year, skyrocketing gas and food prices, and the plummeting job market made it difficult for low- and middle-income Americans to finance their everyday needs--including healthcare. In 2008, one million additional children enrolled in Medicaid or SCHIP as a result of lost employment issued insurance. In a country where a large portion of people receive healthcare insurance through their employer, it comes as no surprise that when the economy and job market plunge, the number of uninsured Americans soars. And children frequently pay the highest price. This issue hits close to home. My state of Florida was recently ranked 45th in the nation in terms of overall health. Like other low ranking states, Florida has a large uninsured population and a high rate of child poverty. In fact, Florida has the second largest number of uninsured children in the country. What's more, a disproportionate number of Florida's uninsured and low-income children are black, Hispanic and reside in rural areas. However, the targeted provisions in the 2009 SCHIP Reauthorization bill give us reason to be hopeful. Make no mistake. SCHIP and other emergency and supplemental programs cannot repair the problems that are intrinsic in America's healthcare system. State, local and federal entities must execute a coordinated effort to lessen the burden of uninsured people in this country as we embark on the road to long-term economic and healthcare development. President Obama signing the 2009 SCHIP bill into law is a noble beginning to achieving healthcare reform, and sends a strong message to our nation's children. In 1981, the member of the Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health said, ``Children are one third of our population and all of our future''. SCHIP is as much of an investment in addressing the issues of today as it is to ensure the welfare of our nation's economy and competitiveness tomorrow. I am pleased to see that we are giving millions of children the basic health benefits they rightly deserve.