John Larson

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, today we will vote on a historic piece of legislation that will refocus American foreign policy and forge a true partnership with Pakistan and its people. H.R. 1886, the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2009, will triple U.S. economic assistance to Pakistan, with a focus on the rights of women and religious minorities, strengthening democratic institutions, and improving Pakistan's public education system. I am especially proud to pass this bill because of its focus on public education. The Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act will help Pakistan develop a national curriculum for public, private and religious schools and will expand educational opportunities for women and girls. I recently read a very important book; Three Cups of Tea is an inspirational story about a journey to Pakistan and the feats of one of the most inspirational people of our generation: Greg Mortenson. Upon my visit to Afghanistan several months ago, I saw the truth in Mortenson's message: that the poverty and lack of opportunity in countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan can incite hatred against the United States and lead to acts of terrorism. That is why I am proud of my colleagues for realizing that sticks, alone, will not fight terrorism. We can also fight terrorism by building schools, buying books, and helping children--especially girls--increase life's prospects through education. I commend Chairman Berman for introducing this important bill and urge my colleagues to join me in passing it and helping bring peace, stability, and opportunity to Pakistan's people.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch). Chairman, you have done an outstanding job, along with the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz), in outlining what this bill does. Before I begin, because this has been such a nonpartisan effort in so many respects and a commitment, first and foremost, on the part of the Oversight Committee to take a bill, whose genesis evolved out of the last session, and make it a better bill and perfect it, to those ends, along with Mr. Lynch and Mr. Chaffetz, I would especially like to thank Chairman Ed Towns. Mr. Towns has done such a great job in marshaling this bill forward, along with Diane Watson. I would further like to thank, on their staff, Mike McCarthy, Adam Bordes and Bert Hammond of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee; Austin Burns of the majority leader's staff; and Barney Frank, Mel Watt and Dennis Moore for their ongoing efforts to reform the regulation of our markets and financial sectors and for their input into this legislation; my good friend Todd Platts, who also assisted in this; and Frank LoBiondo, who was a cosponsor of this bill almost 2 years ago. I especially want to single out for their efforts two reform-minded freshmen who have come to Congress, John Boccieri of Ohio and Glenn Nye of Virginia, and especially to Amy O'Donnell of my staff and Jackie Sheltry. We refer to this bill in the short form, just frankly, as providing an independent Inspector General for the financial services industries that are in such desperate need of this oversight, and I think the chairman outlined it well. The genesis of this bill actually took place from conducting a public forum back in my district and listening to former Republican mayor of South Windsor, Connecticut, John Mitchell, and our attorney general of the State of Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal. When we were looking at speculation in the market and what was happening with the CFTC and oil commodities, when we realized that the more and closer we looked at who was regulating these agencies, it was somewhat a case of the foxes guarding the henhouse. Many have asked when we went home over this break and since the financial collapse on Wall Street, people have been astounded in trying to answer the question of, how could it be that Bernie Madoff was scamming thousands of innocent Americans into giving up their life savings? Where were the regulators? Where were the agencies? Where were they when speculators were wreaking havoc on the oil markets? I can think of no sector where honesty, independence and transparency are needed more right now than in our financial and commodity markets, yet the regulators of these markets have been allowed to work with no oversight of what they are doing and whether they are fulfilling their mission to protect the American consumer. That's because the Inspectors General, as the chairman outlined, who should be working on behalf of average Americans, were working for the heads of the agencies they should be overseeing. As I said earlier, this is a classic case of the fox watching the henhouse, and it's having a profound impact on the work of our regulatory agencies. We have done a review, and this is something that we pointed out at the committee. The review found that offices of the Inspector General, that independent offices where they are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate, completed over 117 investigations in 2008 while their nonindependent counterparts completed just 12. That's 117 versus 12. The Inspector General of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission released information, showing that despite the recent economic crisis and the turbulence in the oil market, his office completed just two investigations and updated one from October of last year through March. Simply stated, an independent watchdog ensures better performance from a government agency. I commend the committee because what they've done is provide greater accountability and transparency. I also commend United States Senator Dodd, who will also be taking this bill up on the Senate side as well. Again, I thank everybody on the committee and especially Ed Towns for his hard work and dedication to make sure this bill got to the floor.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express strong support for H. Res. 435--Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. I applaud the leadership and continued efforts of Chairman Mike Honda, as well as my colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus for bringing this Resolution before us today. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month was established in 1977 by the efforts of Representatives Norman Mineta and Frank Horton, and Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga who introduced resolutions asking for a Presidential declaration that the first ten days of May honor the rich history and contributions of our nation's Asian Pacific Americans. In 1992 Congress expanded the commemoration to a month, in order to fully recognize the impact that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) have on our great nation. From the early 1800s to today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played a critical role in the development of this country. This year's theme: ``Lighting the Past, Present and Future,'' is fitting as the world's attention turned to the United States to see the historic inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama. President Obama's diversity reflects the richness and strength of our nation. We must reaffirm our commitment to the promise of a future for all Americans by eradicating racial and ethnic health disparities, enacting comprehensive immigration reform, providing educational opportunities for the underserved and creating jobs. I am proud that we ensured full equity for the Filipino veterans who proudly served under the American flag during World War II when we passed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I also applaud my colleagues for the recent passage of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which enables the Department of Justice to assist the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes based on race, ethnic background, and religion, and extends protections to more Americans. From the construction of the transcontinental railroads to the heroic contributions in World War II and beyond, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made lasting contributions in every facet of American society. We must continue to acknowledge the great achievements this vast and diverse community has provided this nation and I urge my colleagues to support to this resolution.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Richard C. Proto, former Director of Research for the United States National Security Agency. A great civil servant to our nation, Mr. Proto was born and raised in Connecticut, and he attended New Haven public schools growing up. He played with the Wilbur Cross 1958 New England High School basketball champions and received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Mr. Proto went on to receive his Master's degree in mathematics from Boston College in 1964 and joined the NSA following graduation, where he remained for 35 years. During his time with the NSA, Mr. Proto received the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Service and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal. After his retirement in 1999, he remained an advisor to the intelligence community, the national laboratories, and the Institute for Defense Analysis at Princeton, until his death in July of 2008. In a formal ceremony on May 18, 2009, the United States NSA dedicated its Symposium Center to Richard C. Proto, in honor and recognition of his dedicated service to the agency. During the ceremony, Mr. Proto was praised by his former colleagues and recognized for his creation of the still-relied upon ``Proto Algorithm.'' Mr. Proto's family was present and participated in the ceremony. Family members included his brother, Neil Proto, sister, Diana Proto Avino, and four of Mr. Proto's cousins. His parents, Matthew and Celeste Proto, were active in Connecticut's civic and political life. Celeste immigrated to the United States in 1916 from Italy. Mr. Proto's pride for his Italian heritage led him to also found the Antonio Gatto Lodge of the Sons of Italy in Laurel, Maryland. I am honored to join with others in praise for this remarkably-gifted and dedicated public servant from Connecticut. Mr. Proto's strategic and practical aid to the protection of our nation and our country's troops--from the Cold War to the Gulf War--is deserving of recognition and admiration. I ask my colleagues to join with me in honoring the life of this great man.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. I want to start by thanking Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Frank, and Senator Dodd for their tireless work on this effort, as well as Congressman Conyers, and also thank and point out the work of Congressman Issa and his staff in working in conjunction on this. The American people have been demanding answers about the collapse of our financial system. Today, this House votes on legislation to finally get to those answers. Shortly after our financial system began to show signs of collapse back in September, like many Members here, I went home to my district. I stopped by Augie and Ray's, which for me is where it begins and ends in my hometown in East Hartford. People simply have one question: How did this happen? The questions I heard were no doubt similar to what my colleagues heard all across this Nation. Unfortunately, the answer is not so simple. Most Americans do not know what a credit default swap is, what derivatives are, or what naked short selling is all about. I could go on. But they do know that their savings are dwindling. They have lost their jobs, their homes, and in many cases their health care as well. And they rightly want and demand an explanation as to why. I knew then that we needed a commission to provide answers and a narrative for the American people, and one, frankly, for the Congress as we move ahead with commonsense reforms to make sure this doesn't happen again. Our economy has suffered through the bursting of three major economic bubbles: the savings and loan debacle of the 1980s, the dot.com bubble of the 1990s, and now the real estate bubble. It is time we learned something from these crises. Our Nation faced a similar challenge after the stock market crash of 1929. Congress formed a panel, the Pecora Commission, that uncovered the fraudulent and unscrupulous activities that brought about the Great Depression and laid the groundwork for the regulation that has served this Nation for decades. It is time in this century for a new commission to help develop the framework of a modern regulatory structure for the 21st-century global economy. Americans have lost their homes, their jobs, their life savings. We owe them not only an explanation of how this happened, but a path forward that corrects the circumstances that created the crisis. We have got to do this by looking back not just conveniently over the last 8 years, but at the last 28 years. And as Pecora said, ``We must shed the fierce light of public scrutiny'' on the dark markets, on the schemes and negligence, and the unintended consequences that have been perpetrated on our financial system. Why? So we can build a regulatory framework for this century that protects the American worker and that protects the American investor.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 230, resolution honoring the significance and impact of Cinco de Mayo. I would like to begin by applauding the efforts and leadership of the author of the resolution, Congressman Joe Baca, as well as the rest of my colleagues in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for bringing this bill before us today. Mr. Speaker, since 1862 the holiday has traditionally commemorated the victory of a poorly armed Mexican militia over a larger, better equipped French army at the Battle of Puebla. Today, however, Cinco de Mayo in the United States has become a celebration of Hispanic heritage not unlike Saint Patrick's Day for Irish-Americans. To be sure, Mr. Speaker, Irish-Americans and Hispanic-Americans have much in common. We are bound together by Catholic, working-class experiences. Our relatives came and continue to come to this country from largely rural, uneducated backgrounds. Our struggles were, are and continue to be twin struggles for equality, as well as political and cultural recognition. From Bernardo de Galvez to Admiral David Farragut to Cesar Chavez, Hispanic-Americans have made significant contributions to the development of our nation. In just the last election, Latinos represented 9 percent of the electorate and provided the margin of victory in large swaths of the country, voting for President Obama by a margin larger than 2-to-1. And because Hispanics constitute the majority of our nation's newest Americans, Madam Speaker, I cannot speak here without at least mentioning the subject of immigration. As Mr. Fareed Zakaria affirms in his acclaimed book, The Post-American World: Foreign students and immigrants account for almost 50 percent of all science researchers in [our] country. In 2006 they received 40 percent of all PhDs. By 2010, 75 percent of all science PhDs in [our] country will be awarded to foreign students. When these graduates settle in the country, they create economic opportunity. Half of all Silicon Valley start-ups have one founder who is an immigrant or first generation American. The potential for a new burst of American productivity depends not on our education system or R&D spending, but on our immigration policies. Immigrants are America's great strength. If we remain true to our history; if we remain the most open and flexible society the world; if we continue to absorb cultures, devour ideas and feed off the energy of poor immigrants we will thrive. This is America's genius. Hispanics are another great chapter in the larger history of our immigrant country. They make America more American. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Mr. LARSON

Mr. LARSON. Mr. Speaker, on April 29, 2009, I missed the vote on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 372 (rollcall vote 219), providing for consideration of H.R. 1913, to provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' for H. Res. 372.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me recognizing Mr. David Dwyer of Bristol, Connecticut. Mr. Dwyer is a lifelong Connecticut resident and has been employed by UPS for over 37 years, where he remains a member in good standing of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 671. He has also been a member of the Forestville Fishing Club, the oldest fishing club in America, since 1978. From 1984 through 1987, Mr. Dwyer served on the club's Board of Managers, and served as Second Vice President from 1987 through 1994. In 1994, Mr. Dwyer was elected President of the Forestville Fishing Club. During his tenure, among other notable accomplishments, he presided over the expansion of club boundaries and successfully completed the Grannis Pond Revitalization Project in 2009. I wish to congratulate Mr. David Dwyer on his 14 years of dedicated and devoted service as President of the Forestville Fishing Club, and encourage all of my colleagues to join me in wishing him the very best in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: In Concert In the home of The World's Greatest Democracy . . . Up upon a hill, our nation gathers as one twice yearly . . . In Concert, on Memorial weekend . . . And on The Fourth, as her birthday begins . . . For treasured moments, which now live on . . . All in our hearts, which are now born . . . As when, upon Capitol Hill . . . one family . . . The Colbert's, have brought such moments to instill . . . you and me . . . All, In Concert . . . The Colbert family . . . And PBS, have so entertained us on TV . . . As all of our hearts are so thrilled . . . With such laughter and joy, and such tears so filled . . . With some of our nation's, and the world's greatest talent billed . . . As a city gathers on her west lawn . . . As before the world's greatest dome, a masterpiece soon dawns . . . As The United States Capitol, shining moments on a hill! Beamed across our nation, to give to all such a thrill . . . When, on a Memorial Day weekend . . . As a national, we are all so moved to tears . . . As we so see, the true meaning of courage so here . . . As we watch our Armed Forces, most selfless stories appear . . . For no greater glory, or gift could be! Then Arms and Legs, and precious Lives indeed . . . All so we may be free, as we fall to our knees! As out across this great nation, we are all brought to tears . . . Reminding us all, the true cost of freedom so very dear . . . And then, on The Fourth of July . . . As our Nation's birthday party, so fills the skies . . . With fireworks exploding on, and off the stage . . . As we see Jerry's, Yankee Doodle Dandy talent made . . . All there in the glow of our nation's beloved Dome, it plays . . . As we're all so reminded to celebrate . . . And why we're so blessed . . . To but live in these here United States! As all ``In Concert,'' as they create! As children, babies, men and women get up to dance . . . All in Freedom's beloved stance! Whether, country . . . or rock and roll . . . These giants up upon that stage, touch all of our very souls . . . And that most magnificent National Symphony, And those Military Bands and Choirs continually . . . Take our hearts even higher! For in this city, surrounded by consequence . . . There, is no greater place . . . on these holidays to be so hence! Then, up there upon Jenkins Hill . . . On The West Front of The Capitol, letting all of your hearts be thrilled. In Concert . . . Dedicated to A Great American Family, The Colbert Family . . . Jerry and his son Michael . . . The Talent, The National Symphony, The Military Bands, The Choirs, The Crew, and PBS who have given so much to our nation.--Written by Albert Cary Caswell, 2009.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. I want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina, Madam Chair, and commend him for the outstanding job that he has done and, most notably, as we heard from the President the other day, the civility in which you and Mr. Ryan conducted the hearings. Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are honorable people. They put forward proposals in an honorable fashion. They have done so for several years. This President and this administration inherited a deep and cavernous hole--from which it will take great effort, but we will make a steady ascent out of--not without having to face the largest deficits in the history of this country that were thrust upon this new President and this new Congress. Yes, it was tried in the past to send more money, tax dollars back to the Nation's wealthiest 1 percent. Yes, they were lax in terms of oversight and review in what transpired on Wall Street that has brought this Nation the great difficulty that it is working through now. The answer isn't the way it's been done in the past. The answer is in the hope that this administration and, under the tireless work of Mr. Spratt, that we provide the American people--not the Nation's wealthiest 1 percent, not the barons on Wall Street--but the American people with an opportunity to invest in their health care, to invest in their energy systems. The other ``do nothing approach'' of wanting to continue to export $200 billion abroad annually to pay taxes to Russia and the OPEC nations and Venezuela is counterproductive. It doesn't help grow our economy here, it doesn't invest in the American people, it doesn't give them what they need in terms of health care and in education. And they are inextricably tied and linked to our future. In a knowledge-based society, what we need is the budget that has been put before us today--that brings values back and educates our people, puts them back to work and gives them energy that will allow us to be independent from our foreign competitors.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, on April 2, 2009, I missed one vote regarding H.R. 1256, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on final passage (rollcall vote 187).

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, today I was unable to attend four votes due to my presence at a funeral in New Jersey. I would have voted ``yes'' for the following missed votes: On the motion to table H. Res. 312, on raising a question of the privileges of the House (rollcall vote 175); on agreeing to H. Res. 305, a measure to consider H. Con. Res. 85, to set forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2010 (rollcall vote 176); on agreeing to H. Res. 306, providing for consideration of H.R. 1664, to amend the executive compensation provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (rollcall vote 177); and on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the End GREED Act (rollcall vote 178).

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Lt. Clifford Saucier for his 39 years of dedicated service with the Southington Police Department. Lt. Saucier began his career with the Southington Police Department in March 1969 as a supernumerary officer. In February of 1970 he joined the department as a full time patrolman and was a member of the first class to graduate from the Connecticut Police Academy (POST). Throughout his 39 years of full time service, Lt. Saucier demonstrated his commitment to the badge, the department and the community he serves. During his tenure, Lt. Saucier held diverse positions while attaining the ranks of detective, sergeant and lieutenant. He served as the Crisis Incident Commander, chief hostage negotiator, police union president and interned with the State's Attorney's Office as a criminal investigator. Throughout his career Lt. Saucier has continuously displayed his commitment to improving himself and his peers by receiving training in over twenty disciplines, giving lectures and collaborating with other agencies. His service has been recognized by civic and professional organizations, receiving the ``Honorable and Exceptional Merit Award'' from the Southington Police Department, the ``Distinguish Service Award, Man of the Year'' from the Southington Jaycees and the ``Public Safety Citation'' awarded by the B.P.O.E. Southington Lodge No. 1669. I thank Lt. Saucier for his 39 years of dedicated public service to the First District of Connecticut, and I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating him on his retirement.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. I thank the chairman for bringing this important legislation to the floor in all due speed, because it was necessary. What is at stake here is really the full faith and credit of our system. When those in the private sector and on Wall Street and the great barons of capital can laugh up their sleeves at the American public that sacrifices on a daily basis, who find themselves unemployed, unable to educate their kids, out of work, and we are going to sit idle and allow them to receive these bonuses? This is wrong. And if we expect to govern as an institution, we have to do the extraordinary and set it right. These are difficult and unchartered waters and unchartered times and it's time for us to act on behalf of the American people. Thank you, Mr. Rangel.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act. I would like to thank Congresswoman McCarthy and Congressman Miller for their persistent advocacy on such an important priority for our country. The GIVE Act will build on the President's call to action for public service by increasing opportunities available to citizens to help their communities and enhancing incentives for participation. This bill will amend and extend programs that promote active community engagement. It will strengthen programs like Learn and Serve and AmeriCorps and will establish the Summer of Service program, which will reward middle and high school students that participate in eligible community service activities with money toward their college education. In Connecticut, these programs have had an impact on thousands of our residents. Over 3,700 students participated in Learn and Serve activities last year and across the state we had 549 AmeriCorps volunteers. These programs offer vital services for our residents. Hartford's AmeriCorps program provided classroom support to 633 students last year, giving them one-on-one tutoring and helping them to improve their reading skills. The Learn and Serve program has also provided great benefits to Connecticut through programs that promote Civic engagement, environmental awareness, and fire-safety. The GIVE Act is really a stimulus bill. It is estimated that every dollar spent on service initiatives is worth three dollars of investment in a community. These dollars go to repair community centers, build homes and bring back the neighborhoods that have been hit hardest by the economic downturn. This money will go to our students to provide them with the resources they need to go to college and the skills that will help them land jobs when they are done. This legislation speaks to what is at the heart of American values. America is strongest when we are united and work together. The GIVE Act encourages just that. Once again, I would like to express my support for this bill and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the GIVE Act.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of a dear friend and one of Connecticut's most dynamic and charismatic leaders. He was known universally as Mayor Mike. A great light left us when Michael J. Peters passed away on January 4, 2009. His engaging personality, his great sense of humor and his devotion to his city, his friends and his family, will forever endure. I was fortunate to know him and to be a direct beneficiary of his friendship and loyalty. I was equally honored to be at his funeral surrounded by friends, family and dignitaries, but it was through the remarks of his sister Geraldine and his son Chris that the essence of this great and beloved man was captured. Madam Speaker, I submit to the record of this great Nation these eulogies of Mayor Mike Peters of Hartford, Connecticut, a great American and a great example of devotion and service above self, done with a smile. Eulogy Given by Chris Peters Good morning. I would first like to say on behalf of my mother, my brother, my sister and my entire extended family thank you so much for such a genuine and unbelievable outpour of support over the last several weeks. Your prayers and well wishes helped us all get through this difficult time. My father was an example to us children of what hard work is and what it takes to raise a family. For most of our childhood my dad worked two jobs to support our family and to give us a roof over our heads. His main and most notable career was as a firefighter but with the schedule being as it was for a firefighter he had days off that allowed him to bring in additional income. One such job was delivering oil for John McCarthy Oil. Although it was against the oil company's policy, my father would often bring me on deliveries with him and he would let me hold the nozzle as we filled the tanks at people's homes. I remember once the tank had overflowed and I was sprayed from head to toe with fuel . . . that was the end of that. I think he realized at that point why there was such a policy but because he worked so often, any chance he had to hang out with us he took advantage, even if it meant bringing me to work and dousing me in a highly flammable liquid. Having a firefighter as a father was such a cool thing as a kid. It's most kids' dream to be a firefighter when they grow up and having him work at Engine 15 right up the street from where we grew up; I was able to show off all the time. Bring my friends into the firehouse and look at the trucks and watch him slide down the pole. He gave us so much to be proud of way before he ever became the Mayor. He was an umpire for our little league in the south end (he had a very tight strike zone by the way) and was instrumental in organizing fund raisers for the league and helped shape my love for baseball by making sure my brother David and I were Yankee fans at a very early age. I've been told (mostly by him) that he was quite the ball player when he was younger. I think he was proud of my 4 year career in the McGinley Craffa little league and he was happy to get 4 more years out of David, who by the way, was much better than I. Watching a Yankee game with him on a warm summer night, windows open and a warm summer breeze blowing in, is something my brother and I will sorely miss. His bond with my sister Michelle was something very special between a daughter and her father. In High School, Michelle did what a lot of young teenage girls do; she gave our father a lot of grey hairs. Although we joke about the trouble Michelle got into, truth is she wasn't all that bad. Now that I look back on it, it was more the concern my father had for her and the love he felt for his only daughter. Those years of rebellion helped shape a very special bond between the two of them. My father's love and commitment to making sure he showed her the way helped shape Michelle into the incredible person she is. A fantastic mother whose children will most certainly miss their Gampy. As my brother and sister and I got older my father transformed into something different. He became our friend, someone you could tell anything to. He was my best friend, the person you wanted to do things with, anything, go to a game, dinner or just drive around the city and talk about anything. He married his high school sweetheart Jeannette and if you're not familiar with their relationship I can tell you theirs is one of true love and dedication. My mother spent every day in the hospital over the last 3 months with my father. She has sacrificed so much to sit with him and root him on. She is truly a Saint who lost her true love. My heart will forever be broken for her. Most of you here today know how he lived. Vibrant, larger than life, caring, loving and concerned for anyone who needed help. He loved to laugh and make people laugh. He had an incredible ability to find the positive in any situation. Always optimistic with a heart bigger than the city. He kept his home phone number listed after he became the Mayor, he would get all kinds of calls at all hours of the day and night and he would always return the call. No matter how strange the request. One night around midnight or so, he got a call from a woman on Yale St. whose cat was stuck in a tree, she knew my dad was a firefighter and begged him to call the fire department and get them to her house to retrieve her cat from the tree. My father calmed her down from the comfort of his bed, told her the fire department doesn't really do that sort of thing and she should go to bed and that her cat will come down on its own and then he asked her ``by the way, have you ever seen the skeleton of a cat in a tree before?'' The point was well taken and sure enough he called her back the next morning and her cat was ok. This was how he lived, finding humor in situations, compassionate towards the needs of others no matter how extraordinary the request. This is how he lived, with a smile on his face and love in his heart. Now I would like to tell you a little bit about how he died. (adlibbed) I want you all to know that my father died peacefully this past Sunday surrounded by his family, we were all there and I believe this gave him great comfort. We believe he is in a better place now, no longer suffering. Over the last few days many people have been telling me how sorry they are about my father's passing but I'm deeply sorry for all of you as well. I feel like we are all in the same boat. Not only did my family lose a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, husband but we all lost a true champion, a best friend and a confidant. The pain in my heart is no greater than yours. I know this because he meant so much to so many and together we will all heal by remembering him as he was. Happy-go-lucky Mike. His legacy should be carried out by supporting Hartford, eating in its restaurants (hint, hint . . . plug) and getting involved, seeing something that's wrong and doing something about it. He always said no matter if you live in Wethersfield or West Hartford, Simsbury or Rocky Hill, this is your city. We all need to harness his enthusiasm and do our part no matter how big or small because that's truly what he would want. God Bless you Dad and Go Hartford. Eulogy Given by Geraldine Sullivan There were two princes born on Nov. 14, 1948; Prince Charles and our prince, Michael Paul Peters, the firstborn son of Christine and Paul. Michael, Paula, Eleanor, Robert and I were raised in an apartment down the street, at 189 Campfield Avenue, surrounded by a loving, extended family. This is the neighborhood where my grandfather owned a tailor shop, where we attended church before gathering for late afternoon meals, and where my parents instilled values in each of us that would carry throughout our lives: the importance of family, respect, compassion, and humor. Despite our family's limited resources, envy was not tolerated. Ultimately, my brother Michael exemplified these values better than any of us, even though he had his own unique way of showing it. At a young age Mike was able to come up with creative solutions to solve life's most difficult problems. I remember when Michael first entered kindergarden at Naylor School. On his way to and from school, there was a group of first grade thugs who would taunt Mike and threaten him. When he told my parents about the situation, my father spent the evening teaching him how to box and defend himself when attacked. It was a priceless father-son moment. The next day, my father rushed home from work to hear the news. When asked if he was bullied again, Mike answered, ``No''. My father proudly asked, ``Well . . . what happened?'' Mike was equally proud when he responded, ``I took a different route home from school''. That was my brother's way throughout his life. He thought of creative solutions. For example, he worked closely with Don Walsh to develop Mayor Mike's Companies for Kids, where they raised $1 million for youth programs in Hartford. Another one of Mike's greatest attributes was his ability to treat all people with respect. My father, Paul, was unusual for his time in his ability to reach across racial and economic barriers to show respect for others. In fact, he was so concerned about respect, he enlisted Michael to attend proms and dances with any girl who had circumstances that prevented her from having a date. My parents' friends soon learned of this, so when someone's daughter was left without a date to the prom, they called Paul and Christine. Michael attended proms and dances all around the region. Even though renting a tux and buying flowers was difficult on a meager family budget, Mike put on his tux and attended without complaint. He treated every girl like she was the prom queen. He always had an amazing gift of making people feel special, as witnessed by us over the last few days. Our family has been overwhelmed by the tremendous outpouring from people of all races, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds and their stories about our brother. Throughout his life, Mike made powerful connections with people because he treated them with dignity and respect. A third attribute that I'd like to mention about my brother was his ability to get the job done. I remember when he had a paper route, delivering the afternoon paper of the Hartford Times. Every evening when we sat down to dinner, the phone rang with people looking for papers that were never delivered. My father lectured him every night about the importance of being reliable and having a good work ethic. Eventually the phone stopped ringing during dinner and my father was proud that his son finally learned good business practices. Then one day, my parents were driving home from work and their car was stopped at the light on the corner of Preston and Campfield Avenue. When my father looked out the window, he saw the top of the green city sand box slowly rise. Michael was hiding inside and peering out at the exact same moment. They quickly realized that Mike franchised out his route to ten workers while he laid in a sand box hiding and still managed to make a profit. As mayor, Mike knew how to enlist the talents of various people to get the job done. His work with John Wardlaw, federal agencies, and community groups resulted in tremendous improvements in the quality of public housing in Hartford. There are countless stories about Mike's childhood, his days as a fireman, and of course, as mayor of Hartford. The best way to honor him is to share his stories, laugh often, and live by these same attributes that defined my brother: love of family, respect for all, and compassion towards others. One of his favorite sayings was, ``you don't have the biggest house on the block by tearing everyone else's house down''. Michael could not stand seeing people treated unfairly, and at times he took on unpopular political battles to correct what he felt was wrong. To continue his legacy, have the courage to stand up against injustice and work together to make Hartford, this city that Mike loved with his heart and soul, a place where all people are treated with dignity and respect. In closing, I'd like to take a minute to say something, on behalf of my entire family about the love of Mike's life, our sister Jeannette. They met in high school and were perfect for each other from the moment they met. Although he loved to go out and be social, while she was content sitting home under a blanket watching her favorite shows, they had deep love and respect for one another. Jeannette has always been the light of my brother's life. Her unwavering devotion was especially obvious over the last three months. She was there with him, by his side . . . holding his hand . . . praying with him. In the last few weeks, when he couldn't speak, his eyes would search the room looking for her, and he only found peace and comfort when he found her. They're the perfect love story and she remained by his side until his last moments on earth. Jeannette, we love you and thank you for making our brother so happy.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for H.R. 1106: Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. I want to thank all of the members who worked tirelessly on this bill as well as the President for making this a priority in his plan to help families stay in their homes. Our country is faced with enormous challenges and every community has felt the effect of this economic downturn. Digging ourselves out of the hole we have been left will not be easy and will require difficult choices. The housing crisis is not only at the root of the economic crisis we currently face, but continues to be a problem for millions of families facing difficulties in paying their mortgages. In Connecticut there were over 25,000 foreclosure filings in 2008, which was an increase of 84 percent over the previous year. Already in January of this year there have been more than 1,600 foreclosure filings in the state, including 387 in Hartford County alone. This bill will go a long way to decreasing foreclosures and keeping families in their houses. It helps provide opportunities for families to refinance or modify their mortgages and ensures fairness in our bankruptcy courts for homeowners who face this option as their last resort. By allowing bankruptcy judges to modify the terms of mortgage loans, we will give homeowners the same opportunity that others have to restructure their loans for vacation homes. The bill also contains fixes to the Hope for Homeowners program that will provide more incentives for servicers to refinance mortgage loans and reduce fees for participating in the program. Finally, by permanently increasing federally insured deposits from $100,000 to $250,000 we will help restore confidence in our financial system. This recovery will require a number of steps and this legislation is the next step in getting America back on track. I again want to express my support for this bill and urge my colleagues to vote for its passage.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, on March 4, 2009. I missed two votes, that on H. Res. 195 (rollcall vote No. 95) and H. Res. 45 (rollcall vote No. 96). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for both H. Res. 195, Recognizing and honoring the employees of the Department of Homeland Security on its sixth anniversary for their continuous efforts to keep the Nation safe, and H. Res. 45, Raising awareness and promoting education on the criminal justice system by establishing March as ``National Criminal Justice Month.''

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, on February 25, 2009, I missed two votes regarding H. Res. 184, a resolution setting forth the rule for consideration of H.R. 1105 to consider making omnibus appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' for both H. Res. 184, Ordering the previous question (Roll call vote 84), and H. Res. 184, On Agreeing to the Resolution (Roll call vote 85).

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, 8 years of the Bush Administration's failed policies have left our economy in a deep and cavernous hole. The climb out will be steep. With the strength and courage of President Obama, this Congress and the American people it will be steady. Today we are voting on one bold and historic step out of this hole. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act offers the short term help and long term solutions that this country needs. It invests quickly in our economy to create or save at least 3.5 million jobs nationally--41,000 in my home state of Connecticut, and provide tax cuts for the middle class. And, it puts us on a path towards economic strength and stability for the future with bold reforms and new priorities. This legislation makes a critical investment in our country's greatest resource: our children. We are helping local school districts in the short-term with over $53 billion in aid, to keep our teachers in the classroom. We are also making a down-payment on our country's future. With this legislation, we are helping to build the workforce of the future with funding for Head Start programs and Pell Grants, and modernizing our schools to give our students the tools they need to succeed. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act recognizes the important role our infrastructure will play in our economic recovery. Our roads and bridges are in serious need of repair and our public transportation desperately needs modernization. The funding provided in this legislation for infrastructure will create good paying jobs--many within the next few months. It also invests in the transportation of tomorrow with over $8 billion in funding for high speed rail--taking cars off the road, and improving our environment. With this legislation we will begin to make the tough choices to create a new American energy industry that will create jobs now and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. This investment will help families reduce their energy bills and create ``green jobs'' while advancing American ingenuity and innovation. Our work will not end when this bill is signed into law. As President Obama has said, it will take time and a lot of hard work to get this economy moving. This President, this Congress and the American people have the courage and fortitude to rebuild and recover. Today we begin that journey.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join the House of Representatives in honoring Representative John Dingell as the longest serving member of the House. Mr. Dingell began his service to his country at the young age of 18, when he decided to join the Army. Ten years later, Mr. Dingell, the son of a Michigan Congressman, would soon follow in his father's footsteps; in 1955, he was elected to represent a Michigan district outside Detroit and would continue to serve this district for 54 years under 11 presidents. A friend and colleague from whom I have gained insight and inspiration, Mr. Dingell has provided this chamber with unprecedented leadership, presiding over the House Energy and Commerce Committee for 15 years and heading important issues such as air quality, consumer protection, health care, protection for automakers, and energy policy. He authored notable bills such as the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Today, I regard Mr. Dingell as one of Washington's most skilled law makers, and am eager to work with him as he helps oversee one of the most important reforms in this Congress: health care legislation. Throughout his legislative career and continuing today, Mr. Dingell has been focused and has acted with purpose--a purpose to improve social conditions for not only his constituents, but for people across the Nation. Representative Dingell continues to provide exceptional leadership to the House of Representatives and will serve as an example of democratic leadership long after he leaves this chamber. I am proud to extend my congratulations and thanks to the Honorable John Dingell.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 632, the National Silver Alert Act of 2009. I thank Mr. Doggett for his leadership on this issue. This bill allows for the creation and enhancement of alert plans for missing adults across the nation and is an important step toward ensuring the safe return of missing adults nationwide. According to the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 70,000 Connecticut residents have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Six out of every ten people diagnosed with Alzheimer's will wander from their homes or care giving facilities at some stage of their disease. Of those who wander, 50 percent risk serious injury or death if not found within the first 24 hours. For this reason, it is necessary that systems for timely, local search responses are put into place. The National Silver Alert Act of 2009 provides for the coordination of resources needed by families and law enforcement officials to undertake appropriate search efforts for a missing adult. The bill acknowledges the need to protect the privacy, dignity, independence and autonomy of any missing adult who may be the subject of a Silver Alert, making this bill a truly comprehensive approach. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the National Silver Alert Act of 2009 and to continue to push for legislation that seeks to protect missing adults.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. I want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina. I am glad to associate myself with his opening remarks and those of the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Melancon). Let me say that we were fortunate this past weekend at our issues conference to have the President of the United States address us. He said somewhat tongue-in-cheek, Look at what I have inherited. I think, Mr. Chairman, as you have done throughout your stellar career, you have outlined from a budgetary perspective the God-awful mess that President Obama has inherited. In fact, this is a cavernous hole that he finds himself in, as does our Nation. Mr. Melancon pointed out exactly how deep a hole has been dug and what this problem means to every American, not only from the standpoint of our national debt, but clearly from the number of jobs that have been lost, from the number of people who have lost their homes, and lost their health care. Now you have done a great job as chairman of our committee always bringing forward in detail. But, you know, Harper's magazine did an article just this past month called ``The $10 Trillion Hangover'' in which they specifically, almost but not as succinctly as your charts and graphs have indicated, but spell out how we got to this point. I think Americans all across this great country as our new President struggles to deal with the hole that this previous administration has left us, want to know how we got here and how we make this steady, determined ascent out of this cavernous hole. But the daunting task before this President is laid out before the American public with the 3.6 million jobs lost, with the projected recession in growth, and what we have heard from every single economist that has come before us is the difficult and uncharted waters that we are in. And that doesn't count what we anticipate might happen with the other shoe, credit default swaps and derivatives, and where the bottom is on that. And yet this President, with the help of this Congress and under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi, strives to make that move, that steady, determined ascent by both providing economic investment and economic recovery and, as important, economic stability for all of our citizens. So I commend the gentleman for bringing forward what is at best a very bleak picture for America, but to be counterweighted by the determination of this Congress and Members who have come here to the floor this evening to make sure that there is a steady ascent from the depths of this cavernous hole, dug in unprecedented fashion, where people were asleep at the switch, not watching what was going on, and running up unprecedented debt, where two wars were unpaid for, a Medicare bill unpaid for, tax cuts unpaid for, all to come home to roost. But determined we are as a Nation and as a Congress to make a steady and determined ascent out of the depths of this cavernous hole dug by this previous administration. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.