Phil Hare

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2790) to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the office of the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health, as amended.

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House today is considering H.R. 2790, a bill I authored to elevate the current position of Physician Assistant Advisor to a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services in the VA Central Office. I would like to thank my good friend Representative Jerry Moran for leading the effort with me, as well as Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for their cosponsorship of this legislation. I'd also like to acknowledge all of my colleagues on the Veterans' Affairs Committee who joined as cosponsors and the American Academy of Physician Assistants for their tireless work on this bill. Mr. Speaker, there are currently 1,600 physician assistants serving the Veterans' Health Administration, including many veterans, National Guard, and Reservists. PAs are a critical component of the health care delivery system and are responsible for roughly one-quarter of all primary care patients seen in the VHA. The change from the current role of PA Advisor, who works part time and is based in the field, to a full-time Director is necessary in order to ensure that PAs are being appropriately and effectively utilized throughout the VHA. Right now the PA Advisor is being left out of strategic planning discussions and long-term staffing narratives, leaving PAs with no voice and no advocate. Additionally, there is a severe disparity throughout the VA facilities in how PAs are being used, what medical services they can perform, and even whether facilities can hire physician assistants. Most importantly, the unnecessary restrictions and widespread confusion are causing the VA to miss a clear opportunity to improve the quality of health care for our veterans. One of the biggest challenges facing current and future PAs in the VA system is their exclusion from any recruitment and retention efforts or benefits. The VA designates certain positions, such as physicians and nurses, as critical occupations, which are given priority in loan repayment and scholarship programs. Since PAs are not designated as a critical occupation, they are excluded from these moneys, despite the fact that the VA has determined that physician assistants and nurse practitioners are functionally interchangeable and equal in the work that they perform. The underutilization, the lack of recruitment and retention efforts, and pay disparity are all leading PAs to not consider the VHA as a viable employment option. Physician assistants are very important for veterans living in rural areas, like a large portion of my congressional district. Veterans that live in underserved areas made the same sacrifices as their urban and suburban counterparts. With a disproportionate number of these brave men and women being cared for by PAs, it is critical that we establish a system that will best serve their needs so as not to compromise care to our veterans. Considering the fact that nearly 40 percent of all VA PAs are projected to retire in the next 5 years, the VA is in danger of losing its physician assistants workforce unless some attention is paid to this critical group. This bill will allow the Director of Physician Assistant Services to become an integral component within the VA system to proactively solve the many issues facing PAs and give PAs a fair and long overdue voice. Mr. Speaker, this commonsense legislation promotes quality medical care for our veterans. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my friend from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) for such time as she may consume.

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2790, as amended.

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support H.R. 2790, as amended.

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. General Leave

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, as a Member who represents Illinois farmers and rural communities, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2419, the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. The Food, Conservation and Energy Act, which is endorsed by every major agriculture group in my home state of Illinois, is good for our farmers and maintains our ability to provide a safe, affordable and abundant food supply. This bill improves nutrition and conservation programs, and supports biofuel production at great benefit to the Illinois farm economy. Most importantly, it extends a critical safety net to help farmers manage production risks when facing unsustainably low prices or natural disasters. Illinois receives the 4th most nutrition dollars in the nation. I was happy to see that nearly three-quarters of all farm bill spending will go toward food and nutrition programs, including $50 million for food pantries to address the rising costs of food and food shortages. The bill also increases conservation spending to safeguard agricultural lands from the pressures of urban and suburban development, and to protect our natural resources. Finally, the bill makes critical investments in Illinois' rural communities through biofuel production, telecommunications and wastewater infrastructure projects, and healthcare. In this time of economic. hardship, we look to new industries to rebuild the economy of Illinois and the rest of the country. This bill puts $1 billion in programs that will leverage renewable energy industry investments in new technologies and feedstocks. It also provides $320 million for biorefineries producing advanced biofuels, and $300 million for the Bioenergy Program, which directly impact Illinois. I urge my colleagues to support final passage of this comprehensive legislation that funds important programs for rural and urban constituents across Illinois and our Nation.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the modern State of Israel. Since its founding in 1948, Israel has flourished as the only true democracy in the Middle East, and established itself as America's greatest ally in the region. Mr. Speaker, last August I had the pleasure of visiting Israel with several of my colleagues, where I met with top officials and I toured the country. While I have many fond memories of my trip, I was particularly moved by the people's steadfast devotion to their homeland. In the town of Sderot, a constant target of rocket attacks from neighboring Gaza, I met a woman who simply said to me, ``We can't move from here. This is our home.'' Her resilience and perseverance is indicative of the spirit of the Israeli people. Amid constant threat from surrounding countries and terrorist groups, it is critical that the United States stand in solidarity with Israel as she fights to protect her people. Mr. Speaker, my experience in Israel is one that I will never forget, and I look forward to the day when Israel can live in peace with its neighbors.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1154, supporting the mission and goals of Workers Memorial Day, and commend my colleague, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson for introducing this important resolution. Just 2 days ago on April 28th we honored the 20th Annual Workers Memorial Day, when people all over the world gathered to remember the workers who have been killed or injured on the job. April 28th also commemorated the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Since 1970, OSHA has been a driving force in improving workplace safety and health conditions across the country. However, the Bush administration has sought to stifle that progress by downsizing OSHA, favoring employer voluntary programs over real enforcement. A weakened OSHA has real life-or-death consequences for American workers. One such worker is Cintas washroom employee Eleazar Torres- Gomez--father of four--who was killed on March 6, 2007 when he was dragged by a conveyor belt into an industrial dryer. Mr. Torres-Gomez's fate is unfortunately too common--16 workers die every day in our country from work-related injuries. In 2005 alone, over 5,700 workers were killed at work, and the situation is only getting worse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the number of workplace deaths jumped by more than two percent between 2005 and 2006. Last year, Representative Lynn Woolsey and I, along with Senator Ted Kennedy introduced the ``Protecting America's Workers Act,'' which amends OSHA to cover more workers, increases penalties and strengthens protections and accountability. The best way to honor Mr. Torres-Gomez and all the other workers who have been killed at their jobs is to quickly send this bill to the President's desk. Again, I thank Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson for introducing this resolution to honor our workers.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5522, the Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act and commend Chairman George Miller for his tireless efforts on behalf of America's workers. Our Nation was horrified by news of the February 7 explosion at the Imperial Sugar Refinery in Port Wentworth, GA. I think we were even more stunned by the fact that it was caused by ``combustible dust.'' Although, combustible dust explosions are well documented by the Chemical Safety Board, most employers, workers and the general public are not aware that accumulated dust can cause such destruction. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that not enough is being done to keep workplaces clean and safe from this hazard. During a March 12, 2008, hearing in the Education and Labor Committee, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, Assistant Secretary, Edwin Foulke testified that OSHA has established a housekeeping and ventilation standard, as well as developed programs to address combustible dust hazards. While I appreciate these efforts, frankly they are not enough. For one, the housekeeping standard is too vague to be useful, and secondly, these measures are ``voluntary.'' When regulations are voluntary, people do not follow them. In my experience as the former President of UNITE HERE Local 617, most employers do not address hazards if doing so interferes with their bottom line or costs time and money. At this same hearing, witnesses also testified that absent a comprehensive OSHA standard for combustible dust, no one can be confident that dust hazards will be cited and corrected prior to the occurrence of additional accidents. In fact, the Chemical Safety Board ruled that in addition to the Imperial Sugar incident, several other recent refinery explosions in North Carolina, Kentucky and Indiana could have been prevented if the facilities had complied with the safety and engineering practices contained in National Fire Protection Association standard 484 and 654. I have often said in this House how frustrated I am that we wait for an emergency to occur before reacting, rather than working to prevent it in the first place. We tend to pass laws, establish regulations and mitigate hazards after disasters and fatalities have occurred. Today, by passing the Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act, we take a proactive step to protect workers rather than waiting for even one more injury. Specifically, this bill directs OSHA to issue an interim final combustible dust standard within 90 days. The standard would include measures to minimize hazards associated with combustible dust through improved housekeeping, engineering controls, worker training and a written combustible dust safety program. OSHA would then be required to issue a final standard within eighteen months. In addition to items required in the interim standard, the final standard would include requirements for building design and explosion protection. Finally, OSHA would have to include combustible dusts in the Hazard Communication Standard which requires workers to receive information and training about the hazards they face. Again, I thank Chairman Miller and the committee staff for their hard work on this legislation and urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on final passage.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, April 28 marks the 20th annual Workers Memorial Day. I rise with other members of the Labor and Working Family Caucus to acknowledge the millions of workers who have been killed or injured on the job. Since 1970, OSHA has been a driving force in improving workplace safety across the country. However, the Bush administration has sought to downsize the agency. A weakened OSHA has real life-or-death consequences for workers, such as Cintas employee Eleazar Torres-Gomez who died last year when he was dragged into an industrial dryer. Mr. Torres-Gomez's fate is, unfortunately, too common. Sixteen workers die every day in our country from work-related injuries. Last year, along with Representative Lynn Woolsey, I introduced the Protecting America's Workers Act, which amends OSHA to cover more workers, and strengthens protections and accountability. During Workers Memorial Week, the best way to honor our workers is to quickly send this bill to the President's desk.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember one of my finest constituents, Kim Hoa Vermeire Lang. A native of South Vietnam, Kim arrived in the United States at just 6 months of age. She was adopted by loving parents and grew up to be one of her community's greatest volunteers, devoting limitless energy to Prairieview Elementary School, the Vietnamese Culture Camp, and numerous local charities. I had the pleasure of working with Kim when she was an intern for my predecessor, Congressman Lane Evans. She was an outstanding source of support for our entire staff, and her dedication to the people of the 17th Congressional District was invaluable. Sadly, Kim was diagnosed with melanoma in 1993. Throughout her ordeal, she never complained, and enthusiastically carried out her work. On March 28, Kim lost her battle to cancer, surrounded by loved ones at her parents' home. Kim's courage and determination to live life to the fullest is a model for all of us. My condolences and best wishes go out to her husband Joshua Lang, her parents, Ann and Joseph, and all of her family and friends.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. I yield 30 additional seconds to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. HARE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire), a member of the House Education and Labor Committee.

Mr. HARE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act. Many students and families in my congressional district fear that in our struggling economy they will not be able to access the financial assistance they need to go to school. While we have not yet seen this, we know that there exists the potential for a real crisis. I have often said in this House how frustrated I am that we wait for an emergency to occur before reacting, rather than working to prevent it in the first place. I am proud that today this body is proactively putting measures in place to ensure our students and lenders that they have the assistance that they need. This legislation reduces borrowers' reliance on costlier private college loans; encourages responsible borrowing; gives parent borrowers more time to pay off their Federal PLUS loans; it guarantees eligibility for PLUS loans for struggling homeowners who otherwise have good credit; and it provides the Secretary of Education additional tools to safeguard access to student loans. All these provisions are good steps forward and will keep our student loan industry strong, which is why I am an original cosponsor of the bill and was proud to support it when our committee marked it up just last week. However, more needs to be done. I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue to address our Nation's economic troubles. I commend Chairman Miller, Ranking Member McKeon and their staffs for putting together this legislation so that our students and lenders have a safety net during the time of economic insecurity. I urge all my colleagues to support the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HARE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel), the chairman of our caucus.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Eva Geiringer Schloss for her efforts to educate our Nation about the evils of racism and hate. Eva was born in Austria in 1929. When the Nazis invaded, she and her family went into hiding in Amsterdam until they were arrested on Eva's 15th birthday. Eva was sent to Auschwitz, where she endured the daily degradation of the concentration camp that robbed so many of their lives. Eva's father and brother were killed in the Holocaust. She and her mother were liberated by the Russian army. Eva Geiringer Schloss has traveled throughout the United States educating thousands of people about the dangers of unchecked prejudice and hate. A play based on Eva's life entitled ``And Then They Came for Me'' has been presented all over the country and will be performed in my district to mark the Holocaust Remembrance. It is my honor to recognize Eva, a courageous woman who endured unimaginable brutality and has dedicated her life to fighting injustice.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, if I had been born in Colombia, I would probably be dead. As a former president of my labor union, my fight for higher wages, better working conditions, and secure pension could have cost me my life. Thirty-nine trade unionists were murdered in Colombia in 2007, and they are being killed at a rate of over one per week this year. Even more alarming is only around 3 percent of cases result in convictions, illustrating the culture of violence that has existed in Colombia for decades. Inexplicably, President Bush wants to reward Colombia with a free trade agreement. Not on my watch. The right to organize and bargain collectively is essential to human freedom and the passage of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement would greatly diminish our Nation's reputation as a leader in the fight to end human rights abuses worldwide. We should not even consider this agreement until Colombia puts a stop to the violence against union organizers.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, on March 31, 2008, I was unavoidably detained. I would like the record to reflect that had I been present, I would have voted as follows: on rollcall No. 147, To reauthorize and amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall No. 148, To provide for the conveyance of approximately 140 acres of land in the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma to the Indian Nations Council, Inc., of the Boy Scouts of America, I would have voted ``yea''; and on rollcall No. 149, Supporting the observance of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Chief of Staff, Dennis King, who is retiring from the House of Representatives after 33 years of distinguished public service. Dennis, a native of Miami, Florida, first came to Congress as a Special Assistant to the late Representative Dante Fascell. He then served as Chief of Staff for my friend and predecessor, Representative Lane Evans. When I asked Dennis to continue in the same role on my staff, he enthusiastically accepted, saying he felt like he had ``unfinished business to take care of.'' Dennis' decision to extend his service shows his dedication, not only to the people of the 17th District of Illinois, but to working families and to veterans everywhere. Dennis and I have been very close friends for over 25 years. We share the same values. Some might wonder how Dennis, a Duke University graduate with a Georgetown law degree, could form such a close bond with me, a factory worker from West Central Illinois. It's simple. Dennis cares about the people of the 17th District as much as I do. When Congressman Evans hired me to be his District Director and Dennis was my supervisor, he had faith in me from day 1, serving as a mentor and pulling me from the edge of the cliff during the times I lost my way. I will always be grateful for the chance Dennis gave me. And Dennis is also a congenial and friendly person. Current and former staff say they will miss sitting in his office talking about everything from politics to family to sports. No matter what time of day or how busy Dennis was, he always put down whatever he was doing the minute someone walked into his office. The care and attention he gave to every single person is one of the major reasons he's so beloved. Another trait I admire in Dennis is his brilliant political mind. I asked him to be my Chief of Staff because, as a new Member of Congress, I knew I needed someone who understood Capitol Hill inside and out, and whom I could trust to keep me on the right path. Dennis has amazed me with his intuitions, decision-making and loyalty, always choosing the right course for the people of my district and this Nation. It cannot go without saying that when one thinks of Dennis King, one thinks of Lane Evans and vice versa. The two men were like brothers, a friendship that started when they attended law school at Georgetown University. And together they made history fighting for veterans and working families across our Nation. Dennis often mentions how much he learned from Lane, but the truth is that Dennis taught Lane so much as well. He was an integral part of all the great things Lane was able to accomplish. I want to also acknowledge Dennis' family, his wife, Nancy, and his two sons, Steven and Jeffrey. As most of you know, the job of Chief of Staff can take a toll on one's family. The time commitment is great and the stress can be overwhelming. Nancy has demonstrated remarkable patience over the years and remains an incredible source of support for Dennis. Next year Dennis and Nancy will celebrate their silver wedding anniversary, a true testament to their love and respect for each other. I wish them both the best in whatever life brings them. And Dennis, although I say this with a heavy heart, congratulations on your retirement. Thank you for your service, your laughs, your hard work. Your efforts and advice have allowed us to accomplish many great things in my first term and have ultimately made me a much better Member of this body. Your spirit, humor, intelligence and the ease by which you led the Hare team will be missed. Best of luck, and please keep in touch. God bless.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true humanitarian from my congressional district, Mike Daly. In 2007, Mike retired as principal of the Black Hawk Area Education Center in East Moline, Illinois, ending a remarkable 35-year career in special education and public service. Throughout his career, Mike demonstrated tremendous passion and dedication. He successfully established partnerships between local businesses, service organizations, and the special needs community to provide opportunities for his students, such as competing in the Special Olympics, and always believing that communities should not have boundaries. Mike's tireless efforts have touched the lives of thousands of people and their families, and I am proud to have the opportunity to represent him. Mike, thank you for your work, your commitment to others, and your efforts to make your community a better place for everyone. I wish you the best in your retirement, and may you continue to find fulfillment in helping others.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Chairman, H.R. 2857, the GIVE Act, reauthorizes our national service programs for the first time in 15 years. This legislation strengthens programs like AmeriCorps, Vista, Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America so they can continue their invaluable services and expand into underserved communities. The people of my congressional district are no strangers to community service. We have four effective Retired Senior Volunteer Programs, known as RSVPs, located in my district: West Central Illinois RSVP, Adams County RSVP, RSVP of the Quad Cities, and RSVP of Springfield, Illinois. Together, these programs engage 3,464 volunteers in 577,226 hours of services in 13 counties. I had the opportunity to visit several of these last October and was impressed by their organization, their large number of volunteers, and the variety of services that they offer. Illinois RSVP volunteers serve the young and old, the healthy and the infirm. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, with the Red Cross, police department, and assist with home delivery meal programs. These dedicated volunteers touch the lives of hundreds of people and have a profound impact on the communities in which they serve. I want to thank Chairman Miller, Ranking Member McKeon, and their staffs for their work on this legislation and their efforts to address these concerns.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1007 and join with my colleagues in expressing my condolences to those who have been affected by the shooting incident at Northern Illinois University that killed 6 and injured 18 people last month. I thank my friend and fellow Illinois colleague, Representative Don Manzullo for introducing this resolution. I know that words will not bring those six people back or erase the fear in the eyes of those injured by this event. All I can say is that my heart goes out to the families of the victims, and to the students and faculty who survived--I too mourn with you. Northern Illinois University is less than 100 miles northeast of my congressional district, so news of the shooting hit close to home for me. At a time like this we find ourselves asking ``why?'' and jumping to conclusions about campus security and gun control. However, we seldom talk about the stigma of mental health in our Nation. I find it appropriate that on the same day we are considering this resolution, we are also debating the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, legislation that will make it easier for people to seek and receive mental health treatment. I believe we need to do more on mental health care in this country in addition to other measures to make our schools, our children and our young adults safe. Again, my condolences go out to all those affected by the horrific shooting at Northern Illinois University--may you find comfort in those still with you and my you come together as a community once again and move forward to better times.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5140, the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act. For 7 years the Bush administration has pursued economic policies that have been focused on making the wealthy in this Nation even wealthier, while ignoring the middle class--the backbone of our Nation. Only now as the economy is dangerously close to recession, Congress is attempting to take the burden off the backs of those who need the most relief--hard-working American families. The tax rebates passed in H.R. 5140 will put money back into the pockets of American families, and in turn, back into the American economy. I am extremely supportive of the Senate amendment, which extended the rebates to 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans. During this time of economic uncertainty, no one should be left out of this stimulus package. While today's stimulus package is a good first step to revitalizing our economic well-being, checks in the mail alone are not going to get the job done. Recently, after Maytag and Carhartt, among others, moved their operations from Illinois, yet another plant in my district announced it was closing its doors, costing us another 700 jobs. My constituents need more than just a check. They need fair trade policies that do not provide incentives for companies to outsource jobs to other countries. My constituents need an overhaul of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program and increased funding in order to establish the safety net they deserve. My constituents need unemployment benefits to help them survive long periods of joblessness exacerbated by an unstable economy. I am extremely disappointed that we missed another opportunity to extend unemployment benefits to millions of Americans who are left out of this stimulus package. Today's legislation is a good step toward addressing the hardships felt by many Americans, and I am proud to support it. I strongly urge the President to quickly sign this measure into law.

Mr. HARE

Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, on February 6, 2008, I was unavoidably detained. I would have voted as follows: on rollcall No. 29, Commending the Houston Dynamo soccer team for winning the 2007 Major League Soccer Cup. I would have voted ``aye;'' on rollcall No. 30, Recognizing the significance of Black History Month, I would have voted ``aye;'' and on rollcall No. 31, Remembering the space shuttle Challenger disaster and honoring its crew members, who lost their lives on January 28, 1986, I would have voted ``aye.''