Sander Levin

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill just passed by the House.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, after half a century of growth and change, Roseville remains a warm, family-oriented community. Roseville has a broad spectrum of residents who have lived here their whole lives and are the history of this city. They have a vibrant school district, a healthy business district, dedicated local elected officials, and active community volunteers. Roseville has a wonderful history. The roots of this farming community go back to the days before Michigan gained statehood in 1837. A Congressional appropriations in 1828 provided funds for the construction of a military road connecting Fort Detroit and Fort Gratiot (now Port Huron). The completion of the Gratiot turnpike in 1831 brought settlers of Belgian, English, French, German and Irish descent. Orange Township encompassed the present cities of Eastpointe, Fraser, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, and part of Warren. In 1836, William Rose was appointed the areas first postmaster. He established a permanent office in 1840, called the Roseville Post Office, after his father Denison Rose, a hero of the War of 1812. In 1846, a wooden plank toll road (now known as Gratiot Avenue or M- 3) was constructed, connecting the community with Detroit and Mount Clemens. One of the tollgates was located at Gratiot Avenue and Utica Road, the intersection known as ``The Junction.'' Along with the tollgate were a toll house, general store, wagon and blacksmith shop, and the Junction Hotel, built in 1836. Roseville was also home to the state's first commercial airport, the Roseville Airport. It was also known as Packard Field and Hartung Airport. The airport originally set on the land now comprising Eastgate Shopping Center, the first shopping center of its kind in Michigan. The City of Roseville is now a community of nearly 48,000. While the city is almost fully developed, a proactive approach to attracting and retaining businesses over the years has led to reinvestment and expansion of existing properties. Retail is a main attraction with over 60 miscellaneous stores available and over 96 restaurants. From the recreation programs for the very young, to the newly renovated community center for senior citizens, Roseville continues to provide outstanding opportunities for its residents as well as the business community. As the City of Roseville celebrates this important occasion, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating its citizens as they celebrate the past and focus on the future.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, we are going to pass this legislation. To say we are not going to have legislation regarding these energy provisions or the R&D tax credit or others is really a straw man. The question is whether or not we are going to exercise our constitutional responsibility and act on a bill that is paid for. The basic difference between the Senate and the House is not over rural schools. Mr. Rangel has already made that clear. It is not a question of tax relief. You so strangle fiscal responsibility that when we try to pay for something, you say that isn't tax relief. That's a strange logic. The tax provisions here have essentially passed the Senate before, and the additional one is extension of a provision that the President has already agreed before to allow to go into effect later. So let me not be personal but very direct. If you want to simply say the Senate shall rule, run for the Senate. If you want to exercise responsibilities as Members of the House, stay here. This is a bill that is solid substantively. It is not political. It involves a basic question of whether we want to try to be fiscally responsible in passing beneficial legislation. We should be fiscally responsible.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, on Friday, September 26, 2008, the Sterling Heights' Firefighters Union will host their Annual Dinner-Dance, honoring their 2008 retirees. This yearly event honors Sterling Heights firefighters for their dedication to protecting the public and recognizes their commitment to the community in which they serve. I am pleased to be associated with this fine organization and this wonderful evening when so many friends gather. I rise today to pay tribute to the careers of three retiring firefighters. Ronald McClain became a Sterling Heights firefighter on May 21, 1979. In May of the following year, he successfully completed the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) curriculum, becoming one of the department's first paramedics. On June 24, 1986, he was assigned to acting sergeant position and maintained that post through June 21, 1988. Ronald McClain received several other promotions throughout his career, including promotion to Firefighter on April 18, 1992, Lieutenant on July 5, 1994, Fire Captain on July 31, 1998, Battalion Chief on July 1, 2002 and Chief of Operations on October 21, 2003. In addition to these promotions, he also received the Outstanding Firefighter of the Year Award in 1991 and the Fire Chief's Award in March of 2002. Ronald McClain retired from the Sterling Heights Fire Department on February 29th of this year after nearly 29 years of dedicated service. He has continued his public service by becoming the chief of the South Lyon Fire Department. George Binno became a Sterling Heights firefighter on January 9, 1978. In 1982 he became certified as an Emergency Medical Technician. In July of 1989, he was named Sterling Heights Fire Department's Employee of the Month. Throughout his career, George Binno was promoted three times: Fire Lieutenant on June 21, 1994, Fire Captain on August 16, 1997, and Battalion Chief on January 18, 2001. He received the Fire Chief's Award for his involvement in the implementation of the ICS and Radio Committee, and received the 5-Year Safe Driver Award in 2003. George Binno retired on February 29th of this year after 30 years of dedicated service. Fred Golda became a Sterling Heights firefighter on September 5, 1989. Over the years he was an ardent participant in the fire department's Open House. He also assisted with facilitating and coordinating the department's Civilian Fire Academy. Fred Golda received the Fire Chief's Award four times for letters extolling above and beyond responses to several incidents. Throughout his career, Fred Golda was promoted several times: Fire Sergeant on July 27, 2002, Lieutenant on November 10, 2003, and Fire Inspector on January 21, 2005. He was honored with the 5-Year Safe Driver Award and the Meritorious Unit Citation for quick actions in the extrication of a DPW worker from a trench in November of 2003. Fred Golda retired on September 4th of this year after 19 years of dedicated service. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing these three heroes who have dedicated their lives to serving the public with valor, commitment, and honor.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Southfield Veterans Commission and Southfield Public Library for their outstanding participation in the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress Veterans History Project collects and archives the personal recollections of U.S. wartime veterans, to honor their service and to share their stories with current and future generations. The Southfield Veterans Commission and Southfield Public Library have worked together to ensure that veterans from the city of Southfield and surrounding communities have their stories included in and honored by the project. Their efforts have become a model for other organizations and communities. Under the leadership of chairman Dan Brightwell, the commission has collected the histories of over 70 local veterans. Each week, members of the commission volunteer their own time and skills to interview and record the stories of each veteran and prepare the histories to be archived at the Library of Congress. These interviews have preserved extraordinary stories of individual service and important moments in our Nation's history. They include the first-hand accounts of a young man at Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941; a 21-year-old Army nurse lieutenant treating the wounded on Fiji islands; a Marine fighting on the island of Pelilu and Guadalcanal; a Tuskegee Airman shot down over Germany and captured as a prisoner of war; a 19-year-old Army private storming Normandy beach, and veterans from the most horrific battles of the Vietnam conflict. The Southfield Public Library was named as a Partner Archive to serve as a local repository for Veterans History Project interviews. The library provides space each week for the collection of veterans' histories and has created an online archive where residents can easily view and enjoy local veterans' stories. This Veterans Day, November 11, 2008, I am proud to recognize the Southfield Veterans Commission, the Southfield Public Library, and the local veterans who have contributed their stories to the Veterans History Project at a special event, ``Honoring Southfield's Veterans,'' at the Southfield Public Library. This special celebration brings together the Southfield community to honor local veterans for their service to their fellow citizens and country and the work of the local volunteers to preserve their stories so that future generations can learn from their service and sacrifice.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. I want to spend these 2 minutes talking about a lot of forgotten people in this country, the people who are looking for work, laid off through no fault of their own. This bill would address their needs. If we don't act, over a million Americans are going to exhaust their unemployment benefits before the end of the year. The unemployment rate in California has skyrocketed, now 7.7 percent with 1.4 million people looking for jobs. In Florida, the unemployment rate is 6.5 percent; 600,000-plus people looking for work. And in my home State of Michigan, over 400,000 people are out of work through no fault of their own. The answer to the agony of the unemployed from the minority is stony silence. It is inexcusable. We need to pass this bill and address the needs of the unemployed. I will read just from one letter, someone from Southfield, Michigan. ``I am 54 years old and finding that there are no jobs available to me. I do not want to be part of the statistics of those who lose a home or worse. The unemployment benefits give me more time to secure a job so that I and others like me are not a burden to the system.'' We should stand up for those people and pass this bill.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act. I do so because this legislation is necessary to protect 25 million middle class families from a tax that was never intended to apply to them, including more than 53,000 families in my district. But the bill before us will also increase the Federal deficit by more than $64 billion. Earlier this year, we passed an AMT patch in a fiscally responsible manner. We paid for it by closing loopholes and improving the fairness of our tax code. The minority argued that we should just borrow more money, ignoring the ballooning deficit and mounting debt, and the Bush administration's reckless fiscal policies. At no time did we hear the minority oppose our offsets on the merits. At no time did they argue we should not close these loopholes. They just engaged in absurd ideological arguments and claimed that closing a loophole is a tax increase. Today we will take this action to protect 25 million taxpayers because it's the necessary thing to do.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Thank you very much, Mr. Scott, and I thank the chairman and the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee for bringing this to the floor. I rise in support of this resolution, marking the 75th anniversary of the man-made famine that killed millions of Ukrainians in 1932 and 1933. Recognizing this tragedy and remembering its victims are important for all of humanity, including 1.5 Ukrainian-Americans. It has special meaning to the people of Ukraine, who continue to struggle toward a more free, democratic, open society, and indeed to all of us who value freedom. During the famine-genocide of 1932-33, 7 to 10 million Ukrainians were deliberately and systematically starved to death. We are familiar in this House with the terrible suffering caused by famines that are the result of natural forces, but the famine of 1932-33 is all the more tragic because it resulted from criminal acts and deliberate decisions by Soviet officials. Despite efforts by the Soviet Government at the time and afterward to hide the planned and systematic nature of this famine-genocide, it is clear that the Soviet Union used food as a weapon. We in this country must persist in standing with those living under oppressive and tyrannical regimes as they struggle for their freedom. During the 109th Congress, we enacted a bill authorizing the Government of Ukraine to establish a memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring the victims of the Ukrainian famine-genocide. The Ukrainian Government and the Ukrainian-American community are working with the appropriate Federal agencies to identify a site for this memorial. I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I first became involved with mental health services over 50 years ago when my beloved late wife, Vicki, worked in the network of child guidance clinics in Oakland County, Michigan. Those clinics tried to fill huge gaps in mental health services which in most cases were not covered by any insurance. Since then the battle has ensued to provide mental health services on a parity with all other services in health insurance, private and public, including Medicare. Twelve years ago, Congress and President Clinton came together to approve legislation that put this country on the road to mental health parity. It was a vital first step. Today, we take another important step towards genuine mental health parity. Fifteen percent of Americans have no health insurance at all. Even Americans who do have health insurance often find themselves unable to receive care because of discriminatory policies in their health plans that require them to pay more and receive less for mental health care than for other services. This bill will change that. This bill is another milestone in the long battle that must continue until everyone has full access to mental health services in our beloved Nation.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the legislation before the House to grant congressional approval of the Great Lakes Compact. Passage of this legislation today is essential to the health of the Great Lakes. With the approval of the Compact, at long last we will close the door to bulk diversion of Great Lakes water. The Compact also establishes a comprehensive management framework to protect this shared resource and requires Great Lake states to control their own large- scale water use. Some will say that the agreement does not go far enough and that Congress should hold off approving the Compact until changes are made. We have to be careful not to let the perfect become the enemy of the good. The agreement before us is the product of years of effort and enjoys broad support from all eight Great Lakes states, the environmental community, conservation groups, and other key stakeholders. The region has come together behind this plan as the best way to protect the Great Lakes. It is now time for Congress to act. There is no question that we're in a much stronger position to protect the Great Lakes with the Compact than without it. I urge the House to join me in supporting this vital legislation.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Albert L. Lorenzo, as he retires from the presidency of Macomb Community College after nearly 30 years of devoted and talented service. It has been a distinct honor working with Al Lorenzo throughout the years. I have come to know him as an active and passionate advocate for the education system, economic development, Macomb County and the State of Michigan. Al Lorenzo became Macomb County Community College president in July 1979. Macomb Community College provides educational services to more than 59,000 students annually and is the largest grantor of associate's degrees in Michigan. MCC is also a leader in workforce training, school-to-work programs and continuing education programs that support the needs of the community. Al Lorenzo helped to create the University Center on Macomb Community College's Center Campus, which facilitates partnerships with institutions of higher education in offering bachelor level course work. He wrote about that experience, ``The University Center: A Collaborative Approach to Baccalaureate Degrees'' in The Community College Baccalaureate; Emerging Trends and Policy Issues. I have had the pleasure of working with Al Lorenzo on key projects to try and advance educational opportunities for Macomb County residents. In 2006, Al Lorenzo served as a member of Governor Jennifer Granholm's Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth in Macomb County. The Commission held a series of public hearings across the county to better understand the area's higher education needs. Its recommendations include stepped-up involvement of Oakland and Wayne State Universities in meeting the county's immediate need for better access to degree programs and support services and authority for Macomb Community College to award bachelor's degrees in specific technical fields. In its report, the Commission stressed that these and other steps should be consistent with the goal of creating a 4-year university in Macomb County. Since that Commission report, Al Lorenzo has worked to increase the involvement of Oakland University and Wayne State University. In 2007, Al Lorenzo led the effort, partnering with Federal, State and county officials, to bring a branch of Michigan State University's Osteopathic College to Macomb's campus, the first of its kind in the Metro Detroit area. In addition to his longtime commitment to Macomb Community College, Al Lorenzo has been an integral member of the community. Active on several corporate boards throughout his career, he currently serves on the boards of the Michigan Education Trust and Citizens State Bank, and chairs the board of Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals. He has been appointed by three Michigan Governors to state policy commissions and asked to serve on numerous national advisory committees. His work has been recognized through 12 major leadership awards and 2 Honorary Doctoral degrees. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the achievements of Al Lorenzo, thanking him for his devoted service and wishing him the best in his retirement. I am confident he will continue to play a role in the area of education, in addition to enjoying a bit of retirement with his wife Katherine and large family.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the energy legislation before the House. We need a comprehensive approach that includes responsible development of additional energy resources, greater energy efficiency, tax incentives to spur alternative energy, investment in new technologies, and relief to American consumers. The bill before the House does that. It is clear that a more-of-the-same approach to energy will not work. If we've learned nothing else from the last eight years, we've learned that we cannot drill our way to energy security. Neither will conservation alone do the job. The legislation before us provides long-term incentives for renewable energy that will give the solar, wind, and biomass industries the stability they need to make investments in additional production capacity. There are also significant incentives for making our nation and economy more energy efficient. The offshore drilling provisions of this legislation open up as much as 400 million acres of land off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts that are currently off limits to drilling. Through this compromise, we will expand oil production offshore, while setting a reasonable buffer zone. The legislation requires electric utilities to produce more of their electricity from renewable energy sources. This is smart energy policy that will create new industries and new American jobs. The legislation increases the tax credit for alternative refueling property, such as E85 pumps, and extends the credit through 2010. Biofuels are an important component of our nation's energy strategy, and U.S. automakers have made significant investments to bring flex- fuel vehicles to market. To maximize the impact of this progress we need to speed the deployment of E85 pumps. This legislation also provides incentives for manufacturers to produce washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers that push the boundaries of energy and water efficiency, and to build them in the United States. Reducing the energy and water usage of a washing machine over time and across millions of households will produce remarkable reductions in energy and water usage, saving consumers billions on their utility bills. In a word, the approach taken by this bill is comprehensive. It addresses both the supply and demand sides of our nation's energy policy. It is a balanced, responsible and long-term approach to addressing the challenges of energy security. I urge all of my colleagues to support this comprehensive package.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent on September 8, 9, 10 and 11 during rollcall votes 567 through 588. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 567, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 568, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 569, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 570, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 571, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 572, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 573, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 574, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 575, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 576, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 577, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 578, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 579, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 580, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 581, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 582, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 583, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 584, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 585, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 586, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 587, and ``yea'' on rollcall vote 588.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I was also unavoidably absent yesterday during rollcall votes 534, 535 and 536. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 534 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a pilot program using mobile biometric identification tools to identify terrorists and other individuals who pose risks to border security; ``yea'' on rollcall 535 to require each federal agency to include a telephone number in its collection of information in order to assist people with filling out government forms; and ``yea'' on rollcall 536 to establish an ombudsman within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act. In 1963, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law in order to promote workplace equality for women. Since then, women have made great gains in workforce participation, compensation, and advancement, but a significant wage gap still exists between women and men. Women working full-time year-round earn on average 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The wage gap is even wider in Michigan: On average, women in Michigan are paid only 67 cents for every dollar earned by a man. Wage discrimination is not just a women's issue--it is a family issue. With a majority of American households depending on two incomes to make ends meet, the wage gap is more relevant than ever. The current pay disparity may cost a woman anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million in lifetime earnings relative to a man performing equivalent work. The cost is often borne not just by an individual, but by all the members of the household who rely on that income. Congress must respond to this injustice. The Paycheck Fairness Act updates and strengthens the Equal Pay Act in light of more than 45 years of real-world experience. Courts have interpreted the Equal Pay Act more narrowly than other employment discrimination laws, counter to the intent of Congress. The Paycheck Fairness Act clarifies that the factors used by employers to justify wage disparities must be related to the employee's work or to the business. The bill also redefines the standard for comparing employees' compensation, reducing a frequently prohibitive burden of proof for plaintiffs. Data collection is key to tracking women's relative compensation in the workplace, but the federal agencies charged with enforcing employment discrimination laws have little information about wage disparities. The Bush administration, furthermore, has halted or tried to halt many efforts to collect data. The Paycheck Fairness Act ensures that the Bureau of Labor Statistics will collect data on wage disparities, and it requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to offer guidance in order to enhance enforcement of federal law. These measures will help shed light on wage discrimination that would otherwise go unseen. This legislation takes vital steps toward realizing the goals established 45 years ago in the Equal Pay Act. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the bill.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I was unavoidably absent during rollcall votes 537, 538 and 539. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 537 to provide for the House to adjourn for the August District Work Period; ``yea'' on rollcall 538 on the Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act; and ``yea'' on rollcall 539 calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to immediately end abuses of the human rights of its citizens.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1108, the Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. I urge the House to vote in favor of this legislation, which takes critical steps to protect the public, especially minors, from the dangers of tobacco use. According to the American Heart Association, cigarette use is the number one preventable cause of poor health and premature death worldwide. It is estimated that smoking causes one in five deaths in the United States, or approximately 400,000 premature deaths per year. Despite laws in every state prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to minors, the U.S. Surgeon General estimates that young people ages 12 to 17 continue to purchase and smoke millions of packs of cigarettes each year. H.R. 1108 contains a number of strong provisions to protect young people from tobacco advertising and access to tobacco products. The bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to ban outdoor tobacco advertising within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds, restrict tobacco vending machines to adult-only facilities, require retailers to verify age for all over-the-counter tobacco sales, and mandate Federal enforcement and penalties for those who sell tobacco products to minors. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act also includes provisions to ensure that tobacco advertising is not misleading to consumers. In the past, tobacco companies have been allowed to use such terms as ``light,'' ``mild,'' and ``low'' without proving that products labeled with these words were less dangerous to health than generic equivalents. This bill requires tobacco manufacturers to prove that products actually impart reduced risk or reduced exposure to users before employing terms that imply these safeguards. In addition, H.R. 1108 contains vital provisions that aim to reduce the harmful health effects of tobacco products for adults who do decide to use them. The bill allows the Food and Drug Administration to regulate the contents of cigarettes and other tobacco products. This authority is of paramount importance. Over 4,000 chemicals, including 60 carcinogens, have been identified in tobacco smoke. It is unlikely that tobacco will ever be an inherently safe product. But allowing the Food and Drug Administration to regulate the chemical additives to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco will help to reduce the health dangers of these products to the extent possible. Passage of H.R. 1108 is an essential step forward in promoting the health of all Americans. Let's pass this important legislation.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde U.S. Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act. Five years ago, Congress passed the first U.S. Leadership Act aimed at combating HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria worldwide. Since that time, U.S. assistance has enabled 33 million HIV counseling and testing sessions, provided antiretroviral treatment to 1.45 million people, and prevented 157,000 infants from contracting HIV through mother-to-child infection. In addition to combating HIV/AIDS, the U.S. Leadership Act has contributed to the treatment of millions of people with TB, and to the distribution of millions of bed nets to prevent the spread of malaria. But there is so much more work to be done. There are currently about 39 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, more than the population of California. Each year, 2 million people die from tuberculosis. Every 30 seconds, a child dies from malaria, a fully preventable disease. From both a moral and self-interested perspective, we simply cannot afford to let the epidemics of HIV, TB, and malaria grow. Our long-term prosperity and security are inextricably linked to our commitment to help build stronger economies and reduce poverty around the world. Promoting public health is a critical component of this effort. Disease cripples not only individuals, but economies as well, preventing parents from supporting their families, and leaving children orphaned with no financial security, limited opportunities for education, and narrow prospects for future contributions. We must also recognize that in a global society, we ourselves are not immune to these diseases. Malaria was rampant in parts of the United States as little as 60 years ago. The World Health Organization estimates that worldwide, more than one third of the world's population is infected with the tuberculosis bacteria. Poorly supervised or incomplete treatment of tuberculosis can be more harmful than no treatment at all, allowing the bacteria to develop resistance to drugs and increasing the hazards of contracting the bacteria for the whole planet. In an ever more integrated world, we cannot wall ourselves off from the reach of these diseases. This bill reflects our commitment to contribute to the treatment, prevention, and ultimate elimination of these diseases worldwide. It ensures a balanced approach to the prevention of HIV/AIDS that includes abstinence, faithfulness, and condom promotion as the three-tiered strategy to prevent HIV infection. The bill also includes key provisions that recognize the inherent link between disease treatment and support of basic needs, such as food, shelter, and economic opportunity. I urge my colleagues to vote for this important legislation. The material previously referred to by Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida is as follows: Amendment to H. Res. 1362 Offered by Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 3. Immediately upon the adoption of this resolution the House shall, without intervention of any point of order, consider in the House the bill (H.R. 6107) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain of Alaska, and for other purposes. All points of order against the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate on the bill equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Natural Resources, and (2) an amendment in the nature of a substitute if offered by Representative Rahall of West Virginia or his designee, which shall be considered as read and shall be separately debatable for 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent; and (3) one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, all of us are aware of the soaring cost of gasoline and the impact it is having on the people we represent. Our constituents want to know what we're doing to provide relief at the pump. Over the initial opposition of the White House, the Congress has already passed legislation to suspend further oil purchases for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve this year, freeing up 70,000 gallons of oil a day for use by consumers. Further action is needed to help the economy and help consumers. The bill before the House today takes the next step. It requires the Energy Department to release 70 million barrels of light, sweet crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in exchange for the same amount of heavier grade crude oil. Light, sweet crude oil contains less sulfur and is the easiest oil to refine into gasoline. Under this legislation, the Secretary of Energy would be directed to deploy 70 million barrels of light crude oil over the next six months. Passage of this bill would also be a shot across the bow of the speculators who have been driving up the cost of oil. More than any other action the Federal Government could take, this proposal has the greatest potential to reduce gasoline prices in the near term. I know that some of my colleagues will object to the use of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for this purpose. They will protest that the Reserve is for use in emergencies. Like a broken record, they will repeat their call to open up the entire Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling. I do not agree. Rising oil and gasoline prices are causing serious damage to our Nation's economy. We have before us the means to mitigate some of that damage and do so immediately. Vast areas of the Outer Continental Shelf are already open to drilling. Less than 2 years ago, and with my support, Congress voted to open up an additional 8.3 million acres for offshore exploration and drilling. All told, the oil companies are using only 10.5 million of the 44 million offshore acres that have already been leased to them. In any case, according to the Bush Administration's own Energy Information Administration, even if we repealed the offshore ban today, oil and gas production would not begin there until 2017 at the earliest; further, lifting the remaining offshore drilling restrictions and I quote from the EIA analysis ``would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030.'' We cannot wait until 2030. The need for relief at the pump is immediate. I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting the legislation before the House.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The bill before us will renew the import ban on products of Burma. While there can be concerns about the universal effectiveness of unilateral sanctions, Burma clearly presents a unique situation. There is overwhelming evidence that Burma continues to blatantly disregard human rights and suppress democracy, and it is therefore important to continue the import ban for another year. Under the military regime that rules Burma today, Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest, which the military regime extended yet again in May. She has been detained for 12 of the last 18 years without being charged or tried. The government is also detaining almost 2,000 other civic activists indefinitely and without charge. The detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and these other activists would be reason enough to renew the sanctions. Unfortunately, there are many more examples of human rights abuses in Burma. Government security forces killed and injured hundreds of demonstrators during their suppression of pro-democracy protests in September. These forces have also committed other extrajudicial killings, as well as disappearances, rape, and torture in the past year. Regime-supported organizations and militias have harassed, abused and detained human rights and pro-democracy activists. The government regularly tramples on the Burmese people's privacy and their freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, religion and movement. Violence and discrimination against women and ethnic minorities; recruitment of child soldiers; and trafficking in persons, especially women and girls, persist. Workers' rights remain restricted and forced labor, including that of children, continues to be a problem. The military regime's handling of tropical cyclone Nargis this past spring also underscores the poor human rights situation in Burma. The regime did little to warn citizens about the calamitous cyclone. Almost 150,000 people are dead or missing. Nor did the regime provide adequate assistance to hundreds of thousands who survived the cyclone. While dozens of nations, including our Nation, responded immediately to the cyclone and attempted to provide humanitarian assistance, the government initially denied them permission to enter the country. It continues to severely limit their ability to provide assistance. As a result, the Burmese people unnecessarily suffer. In light of Burma's continuing dismal record and the lack of any concrete steps to provide basic human rights to its citizens or to implement basic democratic reforms, I urge my colleagues to extend the ban on the import of Burmese products for another year. I also hope the European Union, ASEAN and other nations around the world will continue to work with the U.S. to increase pressure on the Burmese regime. This week's ASEAN meetings in Singapore offer the opportunity to do so. I would also like to submit the following letters for the Record: House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, July 9, 2008. Hon. Howard Berman, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing regarding H. J. Res. 93, which renews the import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 (P. L. No. 108-61). This legislation was introduced on June 5, 2008. As you know, the Committee on Ways & Means has jurisdiction over import matters, such as the import ban imposed by the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. Accordingly, certain provisions of H. J. Res. 93 fall under the Committee's jurisdiction. The import ban imposed by this Act must be renewed annually by Congress to remain in effect. Last year, the Committee allowed the renewal legislation to proceed to the floor without a Committee markup. To again expedite this legislation for floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action on this bill and will not oppose its consideration on the suspension calendar. This is done with the understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this, or similar legislation, in the future. I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming our understanding with respect to H.J. Res. 93, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record. Sincerely, Charles B. Rangel, Chairman.

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 93) approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, as amended.

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, it is now my privilege to yield as much time as he shall consume to the lead sponsor of this resolution, the distinguished colleague from New York, a member of our committee.

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time with the hope that we will pass this. And I think Mr. Crowley noted the efforts of our late colleague and close friend, Tom Lantos. He paved the way on this, and I think we need to follow in that path.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. I enthusiastically support this bill. The housing crisis has hit home, hundreds of thousands of homes throughout the country. There is a provision that's going to allow local governments to act. I met a couple of months ago with mayors and city managers in the district I represent in MaComb and Oakland counties. They talk about the impact of foreclosures on the family in the house, on the neighbors, and on the city. And now we're going to provide some assistance for local governments to respond. I trust them to act wisely. I trust them to act wisely. There's another provision in this bill that is important for industrial America. In the stimulus bill, we provided some money for incentives for growth in industry but not for companies that are currently not profitable. We correct that problem in this bill so that those companies that are not currently profitable but are trying to grow, as is so critical in the manufacturing sector, have some help. This bill is a tribute to Mr. Frank and the committee, to Mr. Rangel and our committee that has worked, the minority included on many provisions, and I think is a tribute to the leadership of this Congress that is determined to act when the crisis opens up. I hope there will be a bipartisan vote for this. American families deserve it.