Suzanne Kosmas

Ms. KOSMAS

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I also would like to thank the chairman and the ranking member for their leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, tonight we consider legislation of great importance to Florida's Space Coast and to our Nation, the NASA Authorization Act. I want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues who have suggested that the uncertainty surrounding NASA and our manned space exploration has caused a great deal of anguish and difficult times for my constituents, literally thousands of individuals, families and businesses. This legislation will define NASA's future by building on its past. The legislation mandates one additional shuttle flight next year, which will provide additional job stability for thousands of workers and ensure the long-term viability of the international space station, a national laboratory, 200 miles above our heads, only now complete after 10 years of construction, which has endless research and education possibilities. The bill also directs the development of new NASA-led heavy lift vehicles utilizing shuttle and constellation work, which will make our astronauts have the opportunity for even greater exploration to asteroids and eventually to Mars sooner than the current program. This exploration mission will drive technological innovation as we strive to address its challenges, as well as to inspire our students to become engineers and astronauts. And the bill provides funding to update the infrastructure at Kennedy Space Center so it will truly be America's 21st-century gateway to space. Finally, the authorization bill seeds the commercial spaceflight industry, which includes new entrepreneurial small businesses, along with the giants of aerospace and decades of experience sending our astronauts and cargo into space. This will provide new job opportunities for our skilled workforce and options for researchers and tourists to experience spaceflight. On Friday in my district, about 900 workers will lose their jobs as the shuttle program begins to wind down. We must do everything that we can possibly do to preserve this unique workforce, as was referred to my by colleague earlier. We cannot afford to lose our technological supremacy because we have failed to act. Failure is not an option. Please vote ``yes'' on the bill.

Ms. KOSMAS

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and privilege today to recognize on the floor of the United States House of Representatives Dr. Pam Carbeaner for her extensive community service and her spirit of volunteerism. Dr. Carbeaner has dedicated her life's work to helping people in need. She's had a particular focus on women and children, and she has dedicated her energies to a wide range of causes including eating disorders, children's advocacy, sexual assault, and maternal health. Additionally, she has served the public with her expertise on the Halifax Health Board of Commissioners, which is the governing body of the area's largest health service providers. Dr. Carbeaner currently practices medicine at Halifax OB/GYN Associates in Daytona Beach, Florida, and she resides in Ormond Beach with her husband, Frank, and their three wonderful children, Sarah, Charlie, and Katie. Today I would like to officially thank Dr. Carbeaner for her tireless work and her dedication to the health, wellbeing, safety, and care not only of her patients but also to the countless citizens who her volunteerism has served. She is recognized as an accomplished and outstanding community leader for the greater Halifax region of central Florida. Thank you, Dr. Carbeaner.

Ms. KOSMAS

Ms. KOSMAS. Madam Speaker, on the 36th anrniversary of the invasion of Cyprus, it is important to remind ourselves of the continuing human rights violations that have left the island and its people divided. The occupation that began on July 20, 1974 has resulted in the forced removal of Greek Cypriots from their homes in the occupied zone, the destruction and desecration of Greek Orthodox churches and chapels, and years of suffering for families with missing relatives whose fates may never be known. An occupation force of over 40,000 Turkish troops has allowed for the colonization of the seized lands by 160,000 settlers from mainland Turkey. These settlers are unlawfully occupying property seized from Greek Cypriots that have either fled their homes or been expelled in the wake of the invasion. This unlawful occupation has resulted in the adoption of 75 resolutions by the U.N. Security Council calling for the return of the refugees to their homes and properties and for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from Cyprus. In the face of continuing oppression and hardship, President Demetris Christofias has been partaking in continuing negotiations with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community in an effort to reach a comprehensive settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation as a single sovereignty, with a single citizenship that is recognized as a single international entity. The only acceptable solution must reunite the island, its people, its institutions and its economy while safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all Cypriots and ensuring the withdrawal of Turkish occupation forces from Cyprus. Such a solution would not only serve the best interests of all Cypriots, but it would also serve the interests of Turkey and ultimately the interests of the United States in promoting peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ms. KOSMAS

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5551) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to make a certification when making purchases under the Small Business Lending Fund Program, as amended.

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

Ms. KOSMAS. I yield myself 3 minutes. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the House approved H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act, which creates important programs designed to increase access to capital for small businesses and which allows them to create new jobs. I would like to thank Chairman Frank, Congressman Gary Peters, Congresswoman Melissa Bean, and Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez for their hard work and effort on this legislation. The bill will encourage new lending by financial institutions, and this will help small businesses access the capital they need to continue innovating, growing, and creating jobs in our communities. During the debate on this bill, the minority offered a good suggestion for the oversight of the Small Business Lending Fund, specifically regarding the disbursement of the funds provided for under the program. Today, we are here to take action on their suggestion to enhance this oversight. I am pleased to sponsor, along with Mr. Driehaus, H.R. 5551, which will require the Secretary of the Treasury to certify, under oath, to the Inspector General that determinations on the disbursements from the Small Business Lending Fund are based on economic need and not political considerations. We believe this enhanced oversight to be a good addition to the already existing oversight for the program, and we believe that it will go further to make sure that the necessary funds are made available to the small businesses in the areas of the country and of the economy that need it the most. H.R. 5551, together with H.R. 5297, will provide much-needed assistance to small businesses across the Nation. I urge my colleagues to support this effort. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Driehaus).

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Driehaus).

Ms. KOSMAS. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. KOSMAS

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1434) recognizing National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the United States.

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).

Ms. KOSMAS. I yield an additional 10 seconds to the gentleman.

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

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. This bipartisan resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Homeownership Month and reaffirms Congress' commitment to helping working families fulfill a fundamental part of the American Dream. Importantly, this resolution recognizes the vital role that homeownership plays, together with safe and affordable rental housing, and building strong communities and families, and it affirms the central role that responsible homeownership plays in our economic recovery. I hope my colleagues will join in support of this resolution that will send an important signal to the American people that creating fair and responsible homeownership opportunities requires commitment and cooperation, and that Washington is up to the challenge. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. KOSMAS

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5569) to extend the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010.

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

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

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentleman from Texas who earlier spoke on this particular issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about this crucial bill, H.R. 5569, the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010, which would extend the National Flood Insurance Program through the end of September this year. The flood insurance program provides valuable protection for approximately 5.5 million homeowners. Unfortunately, the lack of a long-term authorization has placed this program at risk. The program has lapsed three times now since the beginning of this year: for 2 days in March, for 18 days in April, and again since June 1. These lapses meant that FEMA was not able to write new policies, renew expiring policies, or increase coverage limits. This also means that each day 1,400 home buyers who wanted to purchase homes located in flood plains are unable to close on their homes. Given the current crisis in the housing market, this instability in the flood insurance program is hampering the market's recovery, and it must be addressed. This bill would simply extend the current program through September 30, 2010, to address the immediate issue of individuals being able to close on their homes. Soon I will be able to support Ms. Waters in bringing comprehensive flood insurance reform to the floor. This bill passed out of the Financial Services Committee on a simple voice vote in April. Ms. Waters' bill would restore stability to the flood insurance program by reauthorizing the program for 5 years and would address the impact of new flood maps by delaying the mandatory purchase requirement for 5 years and then phasing in actuarial rates for another 5 years. Ms. Waters' bill also makes other improvements to the program by phasing in actuarial rates for pre-FIRM properties, raising maximum coverage limits, providing notice to renters about contents insurance, and establishing a flood insurance advocate similar to the taxpayer advocate at the Internal Revenue Service. In the meantime, we must extend the current National Flood Insurance Program. This country is reeling from major floods in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. And we are now officially in hurricane season. I urge my colleagues to stand with me in support of this important extension, and I thank Ms. Waters and Chairman Frank, and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to make a comment. I want to suggest how important I think this legislation is and to also say as a member of the National Association of Realtors myself for over 30 years, and having been an active member of the realty community assisting friends and neighbors in my community to achieve the American Dream of homeownership, I am pleased to offer a letter of support from the NAR and include it for the Record. National Association of

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. KOSMAS

Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment to enable the Department of Defense and NASA cooperation in the utilization of a unique strategic capability. The NASA Shuttle Logistics Depot (NSLD) employs approximately 300 highly-skilled workers who service and fabricate about 700 individual pieces of shuttle hardware, including avionics, cargo bay hydraulics, and cockpit windows. Due to the scheduled ending of the shuttle program later this year or early next year, the Space Coast is facing the loss of up to 10,000 direct jobs. As part of an effort to maintain this unique workforce, the NSLD has partnered with DoD on several pilot projects, including the fabrication of M2 50 Caliber Machine Gun parts and F-16 wing spar attach fittings, in an effort to diversify work, maintain the unique skills and capabilities, and fulfill DoD needs. In order to allow this important work to go forward, my amendment would direct DoD and NASA to conduct a study on the feasibility of joint usage of the NSLD so that the military can utilize its unique capabilities such as engineering and reverse-engineering analysis and development of innovative manufacturing techniques. The facility could also take part in developing innovative technology and processes to improve product procurement and reduce risk, cost, and cycle time of system delivery. I urge the adoption of this important amendment in order to enable the continued utilization of this unique capability.