Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to reconsider the vote. Motion to Table Offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to reconsider the vote. Motion to Table Offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend Dr. B. Lyn Behrens, who is retiring after nearly two decades of guiding Loma Linda University Medical Center into a regional, national and international role in modern medical technology, trauma care and cancer research. An innovator and pioneer throughout her career, Dr. Behrens became the first pediatric resident at Loma Linda University Medical Center in 1966, just 2 years after completing her medical degree at the Sydney University School of Medicine. She became the first female dean of the medical school in 1986, and in 1990 she became the university's first female president. Over the next 10 years, Dr. Behrens became the CEO of Adventist Health System, and then president of Loma Linda University Medical Center, making her the top leader of all of the institutions affiliated with the university in San Bernardino County. Loma Linda now has a staff of 13,000, with 4,000 students from 80 countries. I first became closely acquainted with Dr. Behrens when we joined Dr. James Slater of Loma Linda in the quest to create the Nation's first proton beam treatment center in the late 1980s. That facility, which has treated more than 12,000 cancer patients, has become a model for Federal/local cooperation in research and medical technology. Although Dr. Slater was the driving force behind this medical breakthrough, Dr. Behrens marshaled the resources and staff of the medical center to provide crucial support for the effort. Following her first love of pediatrics, Dr. Behrens led the creation of the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, the only dedicated children's hospital in the Inland Empire--one of the fastest growing major urban areas in the United States. As with all of Loma Linda's institutions, this is a true teaching hospital, and will soon have a state-of-the-art pediatric and maternal health sciences campus. As an outgrowth of the children's hospital, Dr. Behrens led Loma Linda in creating the Rehabilitation, Orthopedic and Neurosciences Institute, which provides innovative rehabilitation for those who have lost limps, and is an international leader in research on the development of longer lasting artificial joints. The institute includes a park and playground with 26 different play features designed for interaction between able-bodied children and disabled children. Growing in many other ways under Dr. Behrens' leadership, the university has added a Behavioral Medicine Center, a school of pharmacy and a school of science and technology. The university and medical school have reached out to the community and region in many ways, creating clinics to serve low-income patients and counseling programs for after-school children and at-risk teenagers. Loma Linda has also established an international reputation for excellence under Dr. Behrens' leadership. Adventist Health International provides administrative support to hospitals and clinics in 12 developing nations, and provides medical support in 48 other countries. The most prominent efforts are in Kabul, Afghanistan, where Loma Linda provides direct support for that nation's only teaching hospital, and in Hangzhou. China, where the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital is the first in China to receive endorsement of quality care by the Joint Commission for International Accreditation. It goes without saying that Dr. Behrens has taken a leadership role in many medical societies in California and across the nation. Her accomplishments have recently been recognized by the California Hospital Association. which awarded her the Ritz E. Heerman Memorial Award for outstanding contribution in the improvement of patient care in California. Madam Speaker, after more than 40 years as a leader in medicine and health education, Dr. Behrens is retiring next month. Please join me in thanking her for a lifetime of public service and congratulating her on the many accomplishments that have helped make Loma Linda University Medical Center one of the nation's finest institutions of medical research and education.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, our friends on the other side of the aisle are fond of saying that a budget is a moral document. It shows what we care about. I couldn't agree more. The majority's bloated budget blueprint is a clear demonstration to families across America that the Democratic majority in Congress is intently focused on dipping its fingers into their pockets to take more and more of their hard-earned money. It shows that the Democratic majority will raise taxes, without hesitation, to support its addiction to spending. And it shows that Democrats in Congress are not interested in making difficult choices, setting priorities, or rooting out waste in government spending. What we are considering today is the Democrat majority's ``more, more, more resolution.'' More spending, more budget gimmicks, and more taxes. As my colleagues well remember, we held the line on spending last year thanks solely to the President and Republicans in Congress. The President's budget requested this year $59 billion, or a 6.3 percent increase, in discretionary spending over the present fiscal year. Most people would think $59 billion is plenty, but it's not enough for the ``more, more, more budget.'' We hear our Democrat colleagues pay a great deal of lip service to the poor. But here's what failing to extend these tax cuts in the years ahead will do to the poor: Six million low-income American families will no longer qualify for earned income tax credits; Low-income families with one or two children will no longer be eligible for the refundable child tax credit; Roughly 12 million single women with children will see their taxes increase by $1,100 a year. As disconcerting as all of this may be, the real 800-pound gorilla sitting in the corner of the room is the problem, and that is entitlement spending. Presently, mandatory spending and interest on the national debt consumes nearly two-thirds of the Federal budget, and it is rising at an alarming and unsustainable pace. If we ignore the 800-pound gorilla, we are walking away from the dire needs, desperate needs, of the American public. Mr. Chairman, our friends on the other side of the aisle are fond of saying that a budget is a moral document--it shows what we care about. I couldn't agree more. The majority's bloated budget blueprint is a clear demonstration to families across America that the Democrat majority in Congress is intently focused on dipping its fingers into their pockets to take more and more of their hard-earned money. It shows that the Democrat majority will raise taxes--without hesitation--to support its addiction to spending. And, it shows that Democrats in Congress are not interested in making difficult choices, setting priorities, or rooting out waste in government spending. What we are considering today is the Democrat majority's ``More, More, More Budget Resolution''--more spending, more budget gimmicks, more taxes. For the first time in history, the discretionary budget that is being proposed by this majority will exceed one trillion dollars. As my colleagues well remember, we held the line on spending last year thanks solely to the President and Republicans in Congress. In spite of the desire of our Democrat colleagues to spend far more, this Congress passed appropriations bills that totaled roughly $933 billion in discretionary funding. The President's budget requested a $59 billion, or 6.3 percent, increase in discretionary spending over the present fiscal year. Most people would think that a $59 billion increase in spending would be enough. But not this majority. They are proposing a whopping $82 billion, or nine percent, increase over current year levels. In addition to the tens of billions of additional taxpayer funds they're proposing to spend next year, this majority intends to play budget games and increase advance appropriations by another $2 billion above what was provided this year. The notion of advance appropriations is arcane budget talk so I'll try to break it down into real English. The majority is committing an additional $2 billion in funding for next year--remember, we don't pay for it this year, we pay for it next year. My colleague from New York, Mr. Walsh, correctly pointed out during consideration of the fiscal year 2008 Labor/HHS bill that advance funding is a dangerous proposition because if Congress does not keep providing at least the same level of advance funding year after year, drastic cuts will be needed to live within the allocations each appropriations subcommittee receives. I want to address another troubling aspect of this budget proposal. We have heard--and will continue to hear--our friends on the other side of the aisle talk about how this budget cuts taxes. Nothing could be further from the truth. By failing to make permanent the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, this budget actually increases the tax burden on American citizens by $683 billion over the next five years. That's a pretty big number, but let me break this number down in a manner that makes sense to the average family sitting around their kitchen table. Under this budget, the average American family of four that earns $50,000 per year will send an additional $2,100 to Washington in 2011. We hear our Democratic colleagues pay a great deal of lip service to the poor, but here's what failing to extend these tax cuts does to low- income Americans: 6 million low-income Americans will no longer qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit; low-income families with one or two children will no longer be eligible for the refundable child tax credit; roughly 12 million single women with children will see their taxes increase by $1,100 per year; and about 18 million seniors living on fixed incomes will be subjected to tax increases of more than $2,100 per year. As disconcerting as the rampant spending is, let's not lose sight of the fact that this budget ignores the 800-pound gorilla sitting in the corner of the room--entitlement spending. Presently, mandatory spending and interest on the national debt consumes nearly two-thirds of the Federal budget and it is rising at an alarming, unsustainable pace. In 1990, we spent the equivalent of $893 billion of today's dollars on entitlement programs--mostly Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Today we are poised to spend $1.6 trillion on those same entitlements. For those who like to talk in percentages, that represents a 74 percent increase in inflation adjusted dollars. We ignore this sleeping giant at our own peril. So my friends, let's ask ourselves this question: who will pay for this budget? The simple answer is our children and our grandchildren. They will pay for it in the form of higher taxes because this budget refuses to make permanent the tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 that spurred roughly 6 years of economic growth. They will pay for it in the form of reduced future prosperity because Government will continue to spend and spend and spend. They will pay for it because their Government would consume more and more of what they earn rather than allowing them to invest, create jobs, and improve their quality of life. In short, Mr. Chairman, this ``big government, Washington-knows- best'' budget suggests that politicians and bureaucrats in Washington are better stewards of the public's money than the very families who send it here. My advice to the American taxpayer is this: Hold onto your wallet because the big spenders in Congress are coming to take more of what you can earn. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to reject the majority's bloated budget resolution. It's time to put Uncle Sam on a diet.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I very much appreciate my colleague's courtesy. Almost all that I was going to say about UCLA's prowess in athletics has already been stated for the Record. Having said that, Madam Speaker, many a person looking at the wondrous world of athletics oftentimes thinks only of the 11 banners that involves John Wooden's era as coach of UCLA's basketball team. As has been suggested, one would really miss the point of the fabulous work done at the UCLA campus, way beyond athletics, in academics, et cetera. But indeed, the women's water polo team set the standard by winning the 100th championship when they won one more time. It is a fabulous item to be associated with UCLA and to get this recognition from so many great friends. In the meantime, I want you all to know that my dog Bruin very much appreciates the attention. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the UCLA Bruins for being the most accomplished athletic program in NCAA history, having won 100 NCAA championships. Many observers might presume that for UCLA the only game in town is men's basketball. Many walk into Pauley Pavilion and see 11 championship banners, experience the legacy of John Wooden, and presume that's all there is. But for UCLA, that is only the beginning. The UCLA men's tennis team won the first NCAA championship for the Bruins in 1950 and the last 58 years have been witness to an unprecedented record of success. Including the 11 men's basketball titles, UCLA's championship record extends across 16 different programs including multiple titles in men's volleyball, 19; men's tennis, 16; women's softball, 10; men's track and field, 8; men's water polo, 8; women's gymnastics, 5; women's track and field, 5; and women's water polo, 5. UCLA's 100th championship came from the women's water polo team, which won its third consecutive NCAA Division I championship on May 13, 2007. The Bruins, coached by Adam Krikorian, finished 28-2 and have been 90-6 over the past three seasons. Courtney Mathewson scored three goals and Jillian Kraus added two more as the Bruins beat rival Stanford. Kelly Rulon was selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Rulon, Mathewson, and Kraus were joined by Emily Feher and Kacy Kunkel as members to the NCAA All-Tournament First Team. These championships reflect the philosophies of great Bruin coaches like basketball icon John Wooden and volleyball legend Al Scates. Their commitment to hard work, discipline, and sportsmanship has created a legacy of victory unparalleled in college sports. Additionally, the contributions of all the fans, students, alumni, and staff have been instrumental over the years in helping UCLA achieve 100 championships. The list of Bruin athletes who contributed to the school's heritage of victory is a rollcall of the greatest athletes of our time: Lewis Alcindor, Arthur Ashe, Evelyn Ashford, Jimmy Connors, Gale Devers, Mitch Gaylord, Florence Griffith-Joyner, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Karch Kiraly, Jackie Robinson, Bill Walton, and others. I'm especially proud that UCLA is a public university committed to diversity and fulfilling the promise of Title IX. Since 1982, Bruin women teams have contributed 30 championships to UCLA's total. This is enough to put them 11th on the NCAA's all-time champions list. One hundred championships is a reflection of the teamwork that is the hallmark of UCLA athletics and its strong tradition of combining excellence in athletics with excellence in academics. UCLA's commitment to hard work, discipline, and sportsmanship has created a tradition of victory unparalleled in college sports.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, as we begin our work in the new year, I want to take a few moments to reflect on the passing of a good friend of mine. Richard Henry ``Dick'' White, Jr., a fixture in Washington for four decades, lost his fight against cancer on December 21, and his death took a whole lot of sunshine from the world. Like many who came to Washington, Dick White expected to stay in Washington for a very short period of time. A 1955 journalism graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Dick arrived here in 1965 as a correspondent for the Tulsa Tribune. But rather than return home, he moved to public service, and that work caused him to become a congressional staff member over the next 14 years. He was the top staffer for Ed Edmonson of Oklahoma and Dale Milford of Texas. He left the Hill in the late 1970s to serve as Washington representative on a number of farm-related issues. He later served as the vice president for the Tobacco Institute, and most recently maintained a small public affairs consulting business. Mr. Speaker, it has regrettably become vogue in politics to suggest that lobbying, that is, representing the American people in Washington, is less than an honorable profession. Well, anyone who knew Dick White would strongly disagree. He represented his clients, small businesses, tens of thousands of farmers, hundreds of thousands of workers, with integrity, humanity and a wealth of knowledge. His service helped thousands of Americans be treated fairly when Congress considered policy changes that would affect their livelihoods. I came to know Dick White as a friend after his marriage in 1991 to one of my senior staff members, Letitia Hoadley. To say this pair was a devoted couple is putting it mildly. For the past 15 years they have been inseparable and tenderly have cared for each other through good times and bad. Dick White was always welcome in my office as a member of our extended staff family. But his optimism and good humor made him welcome anywhere he went. He always added a bit of sunshine on any visit, and left everyone feeling more positive towards the day. Beyond his public affairs interests, Dick was an avid follower of college sports, including Oklahoma football. He loved to travel, especially to the Caribbean. But his greatest joy was to spend time at his weekend cottage in Southern Maryland where he enjoyed boating, gardening and swimming. He loved to entertain. He would revel in a swimming pool full of kids. He was a great listener, and was considered a great grandpa by every boy and girl who was lucky enough to spend time with him. Even as Dick battled cancer in the last few years, he maintained his positive nature, hearty laugh, infectious smile, always a part of Dick's life. In his last summer he purchased a small boat, hired an instructor, and provided a sailing school for neighborhood kids. Dick White is survived by his loving wife Letitia and her family; his daughter, Ann Calvert Brown; son-in-law Stephen Brown; and grandchildren Suzanne Noel Brown and Daniel Calvert Brown. He is also survived by siblings, Miles White of San Antonio, Texas; Elizabeth White George of Belfair, Washington; and Robert White of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as well as their families, including numerous nieces, nephews and their children. Mr. Speaker, Dick White, a man of all seasons, gave all who knew him a reason to believe in the value of friendship as we go forward in life. He would have told us not to mourn his passing, but rather to celebrate the life he lived in his time with us. In that spirit, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a wonderful husband, father and friend to all and to express our warmest good will to his family.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. As we are closing this down, I would like to join you and use this moment to express my deep appreciation for the fine work in our committee of David Morrison. Thank you.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker) for a unanimous-consent request. (Mr. WICKER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, in the last several days we have said all that we perhaps need to say about the omnibus. We have discussed every inch of it. We all know about the amendment on the Senate side. And, because of that, I am going to give up my 20-minute speech. I would like to take just a moment nonetheless to ask the Members to join me in paying a very special tribute to one of the most beloved and respected staffers on Capitol Hill. After 3 years as my staff director, Frank Cushing is leaving the committee at the end of the year to pursue other opportunities. With more than 25 years of Capitol Hill experience, Frank leaves behind a record of integrity and service that few can match. I got to know Frank in 1995 when he served as my clerk on the House VA-HUD subcommittee of appropriations, a position he held until 2003. In very little time, I saw that Frank was one of those rare staffers who not only loves and respects this institution, but he in turn is respected and trusted by Members on both sides of the aisle. Prior to his service in the House, Frank held numerous positions in the Senate, including staff director, both majority and minority, of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and clerk of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. More than one professional on both sides of the aisle have said to me, and I would quote them, ``You are fortunate if you have been trained in this business by Frank Cushing.'' Frank, we are going to miss you. We want you to know that, as we express our love for you and for Amy, the entire body wishes you well and wishes your family Godspeed. Thanks, Frank. Mr. Speaker, we are now just 6 days away from the Christmas holidays. I know the Members and staff are eager to get home to their families so I intend to be very brief in my remarks today. The House is considering a yearend omnibus spending package that, I must confess, is a much better product than what we considered Monday evening. I reluctantly opposed both amendments passed by the House 2 days ago because they failed to provide for our troops in harm's way in Iraq. Fortunately, the Senate has now addressed this oversight. The Omnibus returns to the House a much better and complete bill. Because this spending package adheres to the President's top line on spending, and it contains funding for our men and women in uniform in both Iraq and Afghanistan, I intend to support this legislation. And, I'm pleased to say that all indications are that the President will sign it. Before concluding my remarks, I want to thank Chairman Obey and the fine committee staff for their tireless efforts this year. Few people realize the tremendous amount of work that goes into the appropriations process each year. The Appropriations Committee is the workhorse committee. Chairman Obey and our staff have worked very long hours to produce this legislation, and they deserve our gratitude. David, it is time for you to go home to Wisconsin and for me to go to California for a few weeks. It's time to let the staff catch up on some long overdue family time for the holidays. Mr. Speaker, I am going to take almost no more time except to recognize a couple of my colleagues for unanimous-consent requests. I first recognize the gentleman from Florida, my chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Bill Young. (Mr. YOUNG of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I have said all I need to say about this bill except to echo the chairman's remarks regarding John's service. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays), the ranking member of the Budget Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the ranking member of the Financial Services Subcommittee of Appropriations, Mr. Regula of Ohio. (Mr. REGULA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, can you tell us how much time there is on each side.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.