Phil Hare

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for the very kind words. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 995, a bill to extend the authorization for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. I introduced H.R. 995 along with my colleague Congressman Mark Kirk to provide the time necessary to raise the private funds and navigate the approval process in order to bring this memorial to life in Washington, D.C. Without this bill, the charter for the memorial will expire in October of this year. I would like to thank Chairman Rahall for quickly moving this legislation through the Resources Committee; and Lois Pope, the Chair of the Disabled Veterans LIFE Memorial Foundation, who has worked tirelessly to establish this memorial since 1996. I also appreciate the efforts of Congressman Kirk and Congressman Dennis Moore to ensure the memorial is funded and dedicated by 2010, and all the other Members who have made this legislation a priority in the 110th Congress. There are more than 3 million disabled veterans living today and millions of veterans from past and future conflicts who will be honored by this long overdue memorial. It is my hope as a member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs that this memorial will only be the beginning of our recognition of the incredible sacrifices of our veterans. This memorial cannot repay the sacrifice of our disabled veterans, but it will serve as a reminder of the debt that we owe to each and every one of them. Transcending conflicts, service branches and generations, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial will express America's lasting gratitude to the men and women whose lives were forever changed in service to our country. Due to its proximity to the Capitol, the memorial will remain in the sight of America's lawmakers, serving as a constant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the sacrifices of our disabled veterans. The memorial will be a setting for school groups to learn about disabled veterans, the cost of freedom and the challenges faced by those with disabilities. Most importantly, it will be a place for disabled veterans to come and know they are recognized by a grateful Nation. I am proud to be a freshman legislator in the 110th Congress because we are changing this country's priorities. In our recently passed continuing resolution, we increased veterans health care by over $3.6 billion, and we are taking swift action to hold those who are responsible for the inexcusable conditions at Walter Reed accountable. Congress has a responsibility to plan for the long-term well-being and health of our troops, and I am committed to taking care of our veterans when they are in conflict and when they return home. This bill is a critical first step in honoring the sacrifices our military men and women have made and continue to make for our country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 995 and join me and the other 28 cosponsors to ensure this memorial is built and dedicated as soon as possible.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Thank you, Mr. Michaud. And I want to thank you for your leadership on this whole issue of trade. I was here last week, as you know, and we were talking about the Employee Free Choice Act. And I spoke then as a former labor organizer about the difficulties working men and women have in being able to join the union. Tonight I am here, and I want to tell a brief story, if I could, about what I think this whole trade situation boils down to. In my district, we have a city called Galesburg, Illinois. It was the home of Maytag, manufacturing washers, driers and refrigerators; 1,600 very talented men and women worked in that factory. On two different occasions, the workers of that plant gave pay concessions back to keep that plant open. The State of Illinois, my home State, gave Maytag $24 million in State taxes for renovations to keep the factory there. The plant, about 8 months later, announced that it was moving to Sonora, Mexico. The CEO said it was because of several things, but the bottom line was they could make more money manufacturing in Sonora, Mexico, for cheap labor. And 1,600 of those people are out of work, and 1,000 more recently followed a few weeks later in Herron, Illinois, from another Maytag facility. And the CEO of that corporation said, ``You just have to understand, Congressman, I am in the business to make money for my shareholders. I don't really care about the people of this city and the educational system and what happens to them, and the small businesses that feed into Maytag. I am here to make money.'' Well, I am here tonight to say a couple of things on this whole issue of trade. First, let me say, I said this on the campaign trail, Congressman. I am a card-carrying capitalist; I believe in trade. We have to have trade. I am not a protectionist, an isolationist. But I do know this. As my colleague, Representative Kagen, said, we have to have some fair trade. Under this NAFTA agreement, it was tough enough to lose those jobs, but we negotiated that; we, meaning our trade folks, negotiated a 5- year head start for those Maytag jobs in Mexico, gave the Mexican government a 5-year head start on refrigerator products. Now, how are you going to compete? I went to an editorial board, and I remember saying to the publisher of the newspaper, if your competitor across the river had a 5-year head start on subscriptions and advertising and being able to get the news out each and every day, and you could not publish for 5 years, do you think you would be at a distinct disadvantage? He said, ``Absolutely.'' So here is what I think we need to do, in plain and simple language from a former clothing worker: I think we have to stop this exportation of manufacturing jobs across this country. And we have to be not just angry about it; we have to say: I am more than angry. I am now going to do something that we haven't done before. I am going to raise my voice and I am going to tell my elected Members of the Congress of the United States that if you vote to send our jobs overseas, we are going to vote to send you back to your district permanently, because in this business, we are supposed to be here to represent people. The job of a Member of the United States Congress, to me, is standing up for ordinary people, and I am tired of seeing our jobs shipped overseas. And, more importantly, the American people hopefully watching and listening tonight are tired of their tax dollars being spent to subsidize those jobs being sent to Sonora, Mexico, where, by the way, the people down there have no trade unions, don't have enough money to even purchase the products that they are making. And I believe that all of us, whether you are a Republican or Democrat or Independent, have seen the hemorrhaging. In textile, in my industry, thousands of jobs are gone, not because people couldn't do it, but because they can't compete against 18 cents an hour. It is impossible. Not simply because these people were getting benefits and other things that they desperately needed so they can do like I did and buy a home and put their kids through school and go to college and do the right thing; these are veterans of our country who have fought and defended it. They come back and had a job that was taken away from them, not because of anything they did wrong. So here is what I propose: How about a little corporate responsibility? But how about, let's tell our trade negotiators that we want trade, but let's make it fair and free? Let us don't negotiate our manufacturing jobs overseas. And, by the way, let me just say, I have a lot of agriculture in my district, and farmers are the last group brought to bear on the trade negotiations. They are never brought to the table. I think we have to have, as Representative Kagen said, an administration and a Congress that says to the trade negotiators, look, we want trade; we want to be able to negotiate a decent standard of trade for our folks. But we will not do it by simply abdicating our manufacturing base, whether it is in steel or textile or automobiles, whatever it is, because there are hundreds of thousands of people in this country, and not every one of them is going to sit behind a computer terminal the rest of their life and work. They want to be welders. They want to produce steel. They want to produce automobiles. They want to cut men's suits like I am wearing tonight that, by the way, was made in Chicago, Illinois, by working men and women. So I would just encourage everybody this evening as we have this debate on trade that, from my perspective, I ran on this issue, and I am going to be a Congressman on this issue. I am not going to vote for a trade deal that is going to send one more job overseas. I am not going to vote for a trade deal that abdicates the responsibility, and to go back to my district and as some people say, well, you know, we are in a global economy. It is high tech. Well, I understand I am in a global economy. I wasn't born yesterday. But I also know, to those men and women from Maytag that don't know what they are going to do for their health care now that it is gone, for health care, their pensions that are on the line that they are losing, those people from KSIH that lost their jobs simply because they happen to be a union plan and maybe made a bit too much money; I say to those folks that, today, this Congress needs to stand up for working men and women. It needs to say we want trade in this country. We will work very hard to make sure that we have the ability to export our products, but at the same time, the one product that we are no longer going to export in this country is the men and women and their futures and their children, because there is no place for that in fair and free trade. With that, I just want to thank the gentleman for allowing me to speak this evening for a few moments on this issue. I believe very deeply in this. The great news about being a freshman is sometimes we don't come with the best prepared speeches. I think we speak a lot from the heart. But I can tell you this much, from a former clothing perspective, in our union, there is a movie called, ``The Inheritance,'' that talks about how the union was formed. And at the very end of it, a little old man looks into the end, and I would say to our friends on the other side of the aisle who don't want to work with us on this straight policy, he says, ``You think this is the end? My friend, this is only the beginning.'' This 1-hour tonight is the beginning of changing trade policy in this country and in this Chamber. And I am honored to be part of it.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. I thank the gentleman. Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Employee Free Choice Act, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this vital and important legislation. For 13 years, I cut suits at Seaford Clothing Company in Rock Island. I would not be here today as a Member of the United States Congress if it weren't for my union. My membership in my local union, Local 617, gave me access to higher wages, good benefits and invaluable workplace safety protections. My union helped me send my kids to college, it helped me buy a house and to begin to build a secure retirement. But, sadly, more and more Americans are seeing these opportunities slip away. Worker productivity is up, but wages are declining. Corporate CEOs are enjoying record profits, yet average workers are struggling to pay their home heating bills, affordable health care, and save for college for their kids. Current law allows employers to refuse recognition of a union when the majority of employees sign cards saying they want a union. In addition, there are weak penalties for employers who intimidate, coerce or fire workers who try to organize a union or secure a first contract. The bipartisan Employee Free Choice Act levels the playing field between employer and employee relations by requiring employers to recognize a union formed by a majority sign-up, stiffening the penalties for employers who violate the law, and providing an arbitrator if labor and management cannot agree on a contract. In closing, let me just say that I chose to join a union. I was able to make it from the cutting room floor of the Seaford Clothing factory to the floor of this Chamber. I urge Members to give every American that same opportunity by voting ``yes'' on the Employee Free Choice Act.

Mr. HARE. I thank the gentleman. Madam Chairman, there has been a lot of talk here about the last election. And my friends on the other side of the aisle were talking about the secret ballot. The reason that they lost the election wasn't because they had the secret ballot. They lost the election because they lost sight of what they were here to do, stand up for ordinary people, fight for them. It took the Democrats a little less than 2 weeks to raise the minimum wage. My friends on the other side of the aisle had this Chamber for 12 years and couldn't get it done. We are standing here today, and I mentioned earlier that I organized a plan. I have been there and I have done that. I worked on the J.P. Stevens boycott, where the foreman would literally follow the employee to the restroom to make sure she or he was not taking an unauthorized break. Someone would show up at the hospital, if they were injured, at the emergency room to tell the employee, if you don't show up for work tomorrow, you are fired. My friends, we have heard a lot of talk today, but actions speak much louder than words. For 12 years, my friends on this side of the aisle have had a chance to improve workplace safety and they haven't done it, a chance to strengthen workers' rights. And you would swear today that they are the champion of ordinary people giving them the breaks. Well, for 12 years we have watched. Today, we act. I will put my card in. I will vote ``yes'' for all of the people who want a fair shake, an opportunity to join a trade union, to have health insurance and better benefits. It didn't take us 12 years, my friends, to understand. And trust me when I tell you, we will pass this legislation. And as the end of the movie ``The Inheritance,'' the movie that formed my stance on unions, an older man looks into the camera, and he says, you think this is the end? My friends, this is only the beginning.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, last week British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that he plans to withdraw 1,600 British troops this summer. The administration's response, this is good news, because it shows that some good things are happening in Iraq. Nice spin. But one has to wonder why our closest ally in this war is pulling out troops at the very same time this administration wants to send 21,500 additional U.S. soldiers into Iraq. The British say they are withdrawing their troops because the Shiite- dominated southern region is relatively calm. That is, indeed, good news. But if the British really believed, as this President does, that expanding number of troops in Baghdad would lead to the same results there, wouldn't they choose to move these troops into Baghdad rather than pull them out completely? No matter how the Bush administration tries to spin it, the British withdrawal is not good news for the administration's troop escalation plan. Why should we be sending thousands more of our troops to Iraq when Britain and other coalition members are pulling out? It is time the administration stops spinning and instead answers these questions.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, part of our job in Congress is to ensure that every American has the right to a higher education. Unfortunately, a provision in the Higher Education Act makes it difficult for people of low incomes who attend schools with low tuitions to receive the assistance they need. I rise in strong support of the Pell Grant Equity Act, which provides low-income students the opportunity to go to college by eliminating the ``tuition sensitivity provision.'' This provision prohibits maximum Pell grant awards to students attending low-tuition institutions of higher education even if their income is low enough to otherwise qualify for the maximum award. As implemented by the U.S. Department of Education, ``tuition sensitivity'' is intended to reduce the Pell grant for low-income students who attend very low tuition schools as a cost-saving measure. Unfortunately, the students most negatively impacted by this policy are the poorest students who still cannot afford the lower tuition. As I have been saying throughout my district this past week, education is an investment not an expenditure. We must invest in our students now or be forced to pay more later. We can start this investment by passing the Pell Grant Equity Act, allowing approximately 96,000 of our poorest students to receive the financial assistance they need in the upcoming academic year.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve to know where we stand on the President's troop escalation plan, and this week every Member of this House will have an opportunity to explain why he or she supports or opposes President Bush's plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq. The resolution that we are debating this week is a straightforward two-page bill. First, it highlights our continued support for our troops in Iraq. And second, it voices opposition to the President's troop increase plan. The American people don't want Congress to continue to shirk from its responsibility to oversee the Bush administration's implementation of this war. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened in the Senate, where a bipartisan resolution opposing the President's troop escalation plan is being kept hostage from the Senate floor by Republicans who seem content to allow the President to conduct this war any way he sees fit. Mr. Speaker, the American people have unequivocally called on Congress to discuss this situation in Iraq and to take action to change our course there. Here in this House, we have begun the process this week.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California. I rise today in strong support of this resolution. Recently at a town hall meeting that I had, a man approached me, pulled out a picture of his son, said that he had just died in Iraq 6 months ago. His wife won't come out of the home. He said, ``I want you to promise me that when you go to Washington, you will do everything you can to make sure that this never happens to another family.'' Three days later, I called the family of Senior Airman Daniel Miller of Galesburg, Illinois, who lost their son to a roadside bomb explosion outside of Baghdad 2 weeks prior to when he was supposed to be coming home. I hope and pray I don't ever have to make another phone call to another grieving family. That is why I come to the floor this evening in strong opposition to the President's decision to deploy 21,500 additional troops in Iraq, and I strongly support this resolution. The current situation in Iraq is grave, and it is rapidly deteriorating. The sectarian conflict is the principal challenge to stability in Iraq, and caught in the middle of this civil war are approximately 140,000 of our bravest troops. Over 3,000 troops have already lost their lives, while over 22,000 have been wounded. Our current strategy has not made significant impact on reducing the violence. In fact, December 2006 was the third deadliest month since the war began. The cost of this war, both in the number of lives lost and the amount of dollars spent, has had a profound effect on Illinois and my congressional district. Out of the 3,128 deaths, 95 have been from Illinois, and eight soldiers from the 17th District. But not only will an increase in troop levels not solve the fundamental cause of violence, it places us at a great disadvantage here at home. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the troop surge could require as many as 48,000 troops and as much as $27 billion, which is five times the amount of the President's request of $5.6 billion. Also the U.S. military will be forced to deploy many combat units for their second, third, and even fourth deployments in Iraq, and extend the redeployment of others. Currently as we sit in debate on this resolution, 16,000 single mothers are serving in Iraq. This troop surge would only extend the time their children are left at home alone, with their mother or their father. Since the military is already short thousands of vehicles, armor kits and other protective equipment, a troop surge threatens the readiness of our forces. In fact, if you saw the paper recently, a soldier was quoted saying he had to go to the junkyards to dig up pieces of rusted scrap missile and ballistic glass so they could armor the vehicles and make them combat ready. While only a first step, this resolution is a good start. It does not give up on our troops or declare defeat in Iraq, but offers a new forward direction towards a nonpartisan goal of bringing our troops home safely, quickly, and securing stability in the region. Already, this Democratic-led Congress has had 52 oversight hearings on various issues related to this war, and many of my colleagues have introduced several bipartisan measures that promote political and diplomatic engagements. A person this evening said, Where do we go from here? I would strongly suggest that this administration try something it hasn't tried yet: diplomacy. It can work. You just have to have the courage to try. In the coming weeks, I am hopeful that Congress will consider a comprehensive measure such as H.R. 787, the Iraq War De-escalation Act, of which I am a cosponsor. In addition to requiring the responsible redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq and allowing basic force protection, it launches a comprehensive regional and international diplomatic initiative. I am thoroughly convinced that the only way we will attain peace in this region, in Iraq, is through diplomatic initiatives. This legislation also makes the Iraqi Government responsible for their own destiny by establishing benchmarks concerning Iraqi military readiness to police their own country without United States assistance. Finally, as a veteran myself, I also hope as we move forward we will adequately prepare for the return of thousands of new veterans. Our number one priority should be to fully fund the cost of veterans health care and PTSD benefits. This administration's budget calls for cutting prosthetics by $2 million and severely cuts funds to the VA at a time when it is proposing an increase in troop levels. Without full funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, our veterans are left without the services they were promised when they pledged to defend this Nation. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this resolution as the first of many steps towards bringing our troops home and securing our success in Iraq. As I told the gentleman at my town meeting, I promised him I would do everything I could so this would never happen again. That journey begins this evening

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to introduce a bill to ensure the creation of a Disabled Veterans Memorial. This bill would extend the memorial's charter until 2015, allowing the necessary time to raise the private resources and navigate the 10-year approval process required to bring the memorial to life in Washington, DC. There are more than 3 million disabled veterans living today, and millions of veterans from past and future conflicts who will be honored by this long-overdue memorial. The memorial will be located on an impressive 2-acre site within full view of the U.S. Capitol, adjacent to the National Mall, and across Independence Avenue from the U.S. Botanical Garden, at Washington Avenue--Canal Street--and Second Street, SW. Adding to the beauty of our Nation's capital, the memorial will soon become one of our country's treasured landmarks. It will bring together visitors of all ages and backgrounds--a fitting tribute to the brave men and women who stand watch over America. No Federal funds have been or may be used for planning and construction of the memorial. In the 109th Congress this bipartisan bill passed by voice vote, but it was not taken up by the Senate. Therefore it is critical that this legislation be considered this Congress, since the authorization for the memorial expires in October 2007. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the creation of this memorial to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our Nation.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, no one can deny that the situation on the ground in Iraq is grave and rapidly deteriorating and therefore deserves the immediate and undivided attention of this Congress. Last week, the National Intelligence Estimate released a pessimistic outlook on the future of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The NIE offers no hope that under the likeliest of scenarios the level of violence in Iraq will be significantly reduced between the next 12 to 18 months. Additionally, the Iraq Study Group has identified the increase of sectarian violence in Iraq as a principal challenge to stability in the Middle East. In light of the current situation, a military approach is no longer a viable solution to stabilizing Iraq. Our success in Iraq is dependent upon a forward change in direction, which involves input of Iraq's neighbors and the entire international community. Through political and diplomatic engagement we have a serious chance of reducing sectarian tensions, bringing our troops home, and ultimately declaring victory in Iraq. I urge my colleagues in both Houses to put aside partisan differences and honestly debate our strategy in Iraq.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to another great American hero. On July 15, 2006, Specialist Nathan Gurley of Fayetteville, North Carolina, though wounded, fiercely pulled Specialist Josh Eckley of Little York, Illinois and another crew member from a military vehicle that had been hit by an IED while on combat logistics control in Al Anbar Province in Iraq. For his heroism, Specialist Gurley was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the 17th District of Illinois, I thank Specialist Gurley for saving the life of one of our beloved sons. Specialist Gurley and Specialist Eckley represent the best the United States military has to offer in Iraq. These two brave soldiers risked their lives to fight an unrelenting insurgency in one of our country's most dangerous areas. For their service, the American people will be forever indebted. Madam Speaker, brave men such as Specialist Gurley and Specialist Eckley are hard to come by, so for their sake and for all those continuing to fight, it is my sincere hope that at the conclusion of this war their sacrifice will not be in vain.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for bringing this measure to the floor; and I thank the gentleman from the great State of Illinois and coauthor of H.R. 521, my friend, Mr. Ray LaHood, for his leadership and the Illinois delegation for their support. Thanks also to the distinguished chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Mr. Waxman; and Mr. Danny Davis, chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia; and to the leadership for their consideration of this tribute to a great Congressman, Lane Evans. Mr. Speaker, it is with great admiration and respect that I rise today in support of H.R. 521, a bill to designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the Lane Evans Post Office Building. Mr. Speaker, there is no one more deserving of this recognition than Congressman Lane Evans. On January 17, Mr. LaHood and I introduced this bill, and within days we received overwhelming support in favor of this legislation. To date, 82 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle have signed on as cosponsors of H.R. 521. Not only have Members of Congress expressed support for the bill, but it has also been well- received by staff members; one staff member saying ``Anything for Lane'' and another stating, ``He's a great man who I have tremendous respect and admiration for.'' We all know what kind of man Lane is, but for those who have yet to make his acquaintance, I am honored to have the opportunity to share with you the story of a very rare politician. I met Lane on the campaign trail back in 1976. We were two young dreamers with the mutual goal of making a difference in this world. Soon after the election, we became a team. I traveled with Lane from one end of the district to another as he provided his legal services to working families, children and the poor. I can recall many times when Lane offered his services free of charge to elderly men and women in need of a will. It was not too long before the people of the 17th District of Illinois rewarded Lane for his sacrifices, his commitment to hard work and hardworking families. In 1982, Lane ran for the congressional seat of the 17th District of Illinois. At the time, the manufacturing industry of western Illinois was suffering from an economic recession which left many looking for a new direction in representation. Lane's populist message, coupled with his plain-spoken personal integrity resonated with the people, and at only 31 years of age, this young legal services attorney was able to win the majority of the votes, which had been reserved for a Republican candidate for more than a century. Mr. Speaker, Lane has succeeded in politics by following the Marine motto, Semper Fi, always faithful to his principles, to his constituents and to himself. For 12 elections the people of the 17th District sent Lane back to Washington with confidence that he would represent their interests. The secret to Lane's success was the value he placed in their trust. He never took the people who elected him for granted, and it showed. To anyone that walked through his door, Lane and his staff were always ready, willing and able to go the extra mile in assisting them. Although Lane was a man who delivered on his promises to bring jobs, he also had three outpatient clinics built, and what mattered most to the people was the manner in which he represented them. What always struck me most about Lane was the humility he showed. I thank the gentlewoman for allowing me to speak this morning on behalf of the wonderful Congressman, and I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 521. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from the District of Columbia, Ms. Holmes Norton for bringing this measure to the floor of the House. I thank the gentleman from the great State of Illinois and co-author of H.R. 521, Mr. LaHood, for his leadership and the Illinois Delegation for their support. Thanks to the distinguished Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Mr. Waxman and Mr. Danny Davis, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia. And to the Leadership for their consideration of this tribute to Congressman Lane Evans. Mr. Speaker, it is with great admiration and respect that I rise today in support of H.R. 521, a bill to designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the ``Lane Evans Post Office Building''. Mr. Speaker, there is no one more deserving of this recognition than Congressman Lane Evans. On January 17, Mr. LaHood and I introduced this bill and within days we received overwhelming support in favor of the legislation. To date, 82 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle have signed on as cosponsors of H.R. 521. Not only have Members of Congress expressed support for the bill, but it has also been well- received by staff members, one staff member saying ``Anything for Lane'' and another stating ``He's a great man who I have tremendous respect and admiration for''. We all know what kind of man Lane is, but for those who have yet to make his acquaintance, I am honored that I have the opportunity to share with you the story of this rare politician. I met Lane on the campaign trail back in 1976. We were two young dreamers with the mutual goal of making a difference in the world. Soon after the election, we became a team. I traveled with Lane from one end of the district to another as he provided his legal services to working families, children and the poor. I can recall many times when Lane offered his services free of charge to elderly men and women in need of a will. It was not too long before the people of the 17th district of Illinois rewarded him for his sacrifices and commitment to hard working families. In 1982, Lane ran for the congressional seat of the 17th district of Illinois. At the time, the manufacturing industry of western Illinois was suffering from an economic recession, which left many looking for a new direction in representation. Lane's populist message coupled with his plain-spoken personal integrity resonated with the people, and at only 31 years of age, this young legal services attorney was able to win the majority of the votes, which had been reserved for a Republican candidate for more than a century. Following the election, Lane asked me to represent him as his District Director. I was flattered that Lane thought so highly of me and entrusted me with the care of his constituency. I accepted because Lane promised me that I would never have to lie, and I can proudly say that in 24 years he kept his promise. It was not too difficult because even those who disagreed with Lane respected him and his commitment to serving on behalf of the middle class family. Mr. Speaker, Lane has succeeded in politics by following the Marine motto, ``Semper Fi''. Throughout his career, he has been ``always faithful'' to his principles, to his constituents and to himself. For 12 elections the people of the 17th sent Lane back to Washington with confidence that he would represent their interests. The secret to Lane's success was the value he placed in their trust. He never took the people who elected him for granted, and it showed. He prided himself on maintaining a first-rate constituent service program. To anyone that walked through his door, Lane and his staff were always ready, willing, and able to go the extra mile in assisting them. Although Lane was a man who delivered on his promises to bring jobs to the Rock Island Arsenal and build veteran outpatient clinics, what mattered most to the people was the manner in which he represented them. What has always struck me most about Lane was the humility he showed towards everyone he knew. To everyone he was just Lane. He was more than a Congressman to the people of the 17th district, he was a friend. Mr. Speaker, Lane's sincere rapport with people was not limited to the 17th district. As a Vietnam era veteran of the Marine Corps himself, Lane had the remarkable ability to relate to our service men and women. His career in Congress is marked with legislative victories on behalf of the Nation's 24 million veterans. Always a man of great conviction, Lane challenged those who ignored the harmful effects of Agent Orange exposure. Eventually, Lane was successful in his effort to pass legislation awarding compensation to vets exposed to Agent Orange. In the 108th Congress, he built on that legislative milestone by winning passage of a law that delivers health and compensation benefits to children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange who were born with spina bifida, representing the first time children of veterans will receive government benefits. Mr. Speaker, Lane's crusade for veterans did not stop there. He was one of the first Congressional voices to speak out about problems experienced by Persian Gulf veterans, what is now known as the Gulf War syndrome. He also pushed Congress to increase funding for veterans programs, which were so important to him because they delivered needed government services to working class families. At the end of the 109th Congress, Lane retired after serving 24 years as a distinguished Member of Congress. It was a sad day for veterans and the people of the 17th district of Illinois when Lane announced he would not run for reelection, but no one was more disappointed than Lane. In spite of all his legislative accomplishments, Lane still felt there was so much more that he could have done. Mr. Speaker, I am proud that my first legislative action will be to honor my good friend and mentor, Congressman Lane Evans. My only hope is that when I leave this body I can do half the things that Lane has done for the 17th district, the State of Illinois, and the Nation. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 521. Lane, thank you for your support throughout the years. It means more to me than you will ever know.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, during the last election, Democrats had a conversation with the American people. We listened to their concerns; the skyrocketing prices of college tuition and prescription drugs, the dangerously low minimum wage, the persisting security threats to our Nation, gas price gouging by Big Oil, and the disgraceful way the House has been conducting the People's business, and we promised to act quickly to make important changes and take America in a new direction. I am pleased that we can report to those millions of Americans who voted to elect a Democratic majority in Congress, we have heard your concerns and we have taken action. Already less than 100 hours into this new Democratic Congress, we have passed legislation to clean up House ethics rules, implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations, raised the minimum wage, end Federal subsidies to Big Oil, and lower the price of prescription drugs and a college education. Mr. Speaker, great progress has been made already this session, but these first 100 hours are just the beginning. Democrats are committed to continuing to improve the lives of all Americans. That is what we were elected to do.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Madam Speaker, today's college students are graduating with increasing levels of student loan debt. In Illinois, the average Stafford loan debt for students who graduate from a 4-year university is over $14,000. Unfortunately, the cost of college tuition is skyrocketing, forcing more and more students to rely on loans than ever before. Because I believe higher education should provide economic opportunities for our students and not bankrupt them, I rise today in support of H.R. 5, the College Student Relief Act. This legislation will cut interest rates on subsidized loans in half, saving the average student thousands of dollars over the life of his or her loan. Additionally, by making student loans more affordable, H.R. 5 allows many qualified students from middle- and lower-income families to go to college who would not have been able to go to college before. On behalf of the many students in my district, such as those at Western Illinois University with whom I will be discussing this issue this weekend, I will vote for H.R. 5 and will work on the Education and Workforce Committee to find better opportunities for students and their hardworking families.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, last week western Illinois lost one of its sons in the war in Iraq. SrA Daniel B. Miller, Jr. was proudly serving in the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Division when a roadside bomb exploded south of Baghdad. Senior Airman Miller made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge his bravery, recognize his contributions to this Nation, and extend my condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. Senior Airman Miller, 24 years old, was born to Daniel Miller, Sr. of Galesburg and Robin Mahnesmith of Wataga, IL. He was an active member in his church's youth activities, enjoyed fishing and hunting with his friends, and excelled as a student-athlete. He graduated from ROWVA High School in Oneida, IL, in 2001 where he also played varsity football. In 2004 Senior Airman Miller enlisted in the United States Air Force and completed basic training in San Antonio. He was then stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, working with the explosive ordnance division. Airman Miller's experience disarming explosives in the military made him interested in joining the bomb squad of a local police department once his military commitment was completed. Often the target of enemy fire as a member of the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Airman Miller served with bravery and courage as he scoured Iraq for explosives, ensuring the safety of our ground troops. As the oldest of five siblings, Senior Airman Miller had an extremely strong bond with his family. According to ROWVA Principal Andy Richmond, Airman Miller often visited the school after he graduated to ask former teachers how his brothers and sisters were doing. From what I've heard from his family and friends, ``Dan'' was loved by everyone and never asked for praise or recognition. ``Dan was everybody's friend. He cared about everybody and was just a fun-loving young man,'' his father said. On behalf of the communities in western and central Illinois, I would like to extend my thoughts and sincere prayers to the Miller and Mahnesmith families at this difficult time. Senior Airman Miller's courage in serving his country will not soon be forgotten and a grateful Nation stands humbled. My heart also goes out to the families and friends of TSgt Timothy Weiner of Florida, and SrA Elizabeth A-Loncki of Delaware, who were also fatally injured in the same roadside bomb attack.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Michael Shampine, U.S. Air Force veteran, city councilman, labor union activist, and my good friend and constituent sadly passed away last Saturday. Mike and I became close friends throughout the past years. His outstanding commitment to labor, his sincere friendship and great sense of humor will be the attributes I will remember the most about him. I do not know anyone who was more committed to his community and his union brothers and sisters than Mike, which was exemplified in the positions he held as president of the Decatur Trades and Labor Assembly and as the business agent/financial secretary of Roofers Local 92. The community of Decatur has greatly benefited from Mike's exceptional years of service, especially in the ways he successfully brought together labor, business and community leaders to solve the city's problems. His efforts and contributions served as an inspiration to all of us. To Mike's family and close friends, I extend to you my sincere condolences and hope the pain and loss you feel will become less with each passing day. God bless you, Mike.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, recently I was at a pharmacy in my district. A man in his late seventies went to the counter to pay for his prescription and found that he had hit the donut hole. The prescription was $350. The people that were there with him passed the hat, and we collected $350. It was enough to pay for 5 days of medication for this man. For him and for the countless other seniors in my district, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4, the Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act. H.R. 4 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries. Estimates indicate that drug prices would go down by 35 percent by the year 2025, and lower prices would prevent millions of seniors from paying out of pocket for their medications. Fighting for affordable health care is the reason that I ran for Congress, and I start that fight today by voting for H.R. 4.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues, Congresswoman DeGette and Congressman Castle, for introducing the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 and for their strong leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, last Thursday was a bittersweet day for me. I had the incredible honor of being sworn in as a new Member of the United States Congress in front of my family, friends and constituents. Yet part of me was sad that my friend and mentor, Congressman Lane Evans, wasn't in my place. Lane served as a distinguished Member of this body for 24 years until Parkinson's disease forced him to retire at the end of the 109th Congress. Lane's battle with Parkinson's is a testament to his incredible spirit that never caused him to ask, Why me, although retiring meant he had to leave Congress when there was still so much he wanted to do, helping veterans, working families and his constituents. Mr. Speaker, Lane is just one of millions of Americans struggling with chronic illnesses that are curable with the advancement of stem cell research. Spencer House is the son of my very good friend Doug. He suffers from diabetes and must take four insulin shots each and every day. But Doug is encouraged by the hope that lies in embryonic stem cell research to offer his son a more normal life. And he is not alone. Poll after poll shows that the majority of Americans support ethical embryonic stem cell research as a way towards preventing others from having to live with illnesses like Parkinson's disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injuries. I am an original cosponsor of this commonsense legislation because the science of stem cell research is clear: Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to treat and cure some of our most debilitating injuries and diseases. Mr. Speaker, today we decide whether to give the American people hope or continue to prolong the suffering of those who struggle with curable chronic diseases. I urge all my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 3.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, the Fair Minimum Wage Act is an important step toward strengthening America's middle class by providing hardworking Americans with the wages they have earned. I rise in strong support of this legislation. As the son of a union machinist and a former employee of a clothing factory, I understand the struggles many Americans face in trying to meet basic needs at minimum wages. Increasing the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour provides a necessary raise to 13 million of America's lowest paid workers. For too long we have ignored the plight of American working families. Providing a more reasonable wage is not only a commonsense issue but a moral one as well, and I am proud that one of my first few votes in the Congress of the United States will be to extend economic fairness and justice to deserving workers.