Carolyn Maloney

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 185th anniversary of Greece's declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire. Against incredibly difficult odds, the Greeks defeated one of the most powerful empires in history to gain their independence. Following 400 years of Ottoman rule, in March 1821 Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the traditional Greek flag at the monastery of Agia Lavras, inciting his countrymen to rise against the Ottoman army. The bishop timed this act of revolution to coincide with the Greek Orthodox holiday celebrating the archangel Gabriel's announcement that the Virgin Mary was pregnant with the divine child. Bishop Germanos's message to his people was clear: A new spirit was about to be born in Greece. The following year, the Treaty of Constantinople established full independence for Greece. Greek Independence Day is an appropriate time to reflect upon the strong ties between Greece and the United States and the strong commitment to democracy shared by both nations. The Greeks of 1821 fought for independence from the Ottoman Empire while drawing inspiration from the ideals and institutions of the fledgling United States. During their war of independence, the Greeks also received support from many Americans, including Presidents James Madison and James Monroe and Representatives Daniel Webster and Henry Clay, each of whom gave memorable speeches in Congress in support of the Greek revolutionaries. Just as our defeat of the British army was remarkable, so too was the Greek triumph over the Ottoman Army, a momentous achievement in world history. New York City is home to the largest Hellenic population outside Greece and Cyprus. Western Queens, which I have the honor of representing, is often called Little Athens because of the large Hellenic population in that neighborhood. New Yorkers celebrate Greek Independence Day with a parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, along with many cultural events and private gatherings. These events, hosted by the Federation of Hellenic Societies and other Hellenic and Philhellenic organizations and friends, remind us of the Hellenic-American community's many contributions to our Nation's history and culture. On April 2, the president of the Federation of Hellenic Societies, Nikos Diamontidis, along with the organization's officers and board members, will join Parade Committee Chairman Dinos Rallis and Secretary Petros Galatoulas in reminding New Yorkers of the glory of Greece and the hope of freedom and human rights for all. The grand marshals of this year's parade are Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Andrew Athens, Paul Stapholopoulos, and John Rangos. Relations between the United States and Greece remain strong with a shared commitment to ensuring stability in southeastern Europe. I hope permanent solutions can be found for ending the division of Cyprus and finding a mutually agreeable name for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Greece continues to be the home of wonderful artistic achievements including the annual Eurovision song contest, which this year will be held in Athens. I also am pleased to note that Greece hopes to open its Acropolis Museum by the end of next year. This museum will give visitors the opportunity to experience and learn about the Acropolis in a new and exciting way. I hope that the Elgin Marbles, which have been on view in the British Museum, will soon be returned to their home. As a founder and cochair of the Hellenic Caucus in Congress, I ask the Nation to join me in celebrating Greece's independence. Additionally, it is my sincere pleasure to pay tribute to New York's Hellenic-American community for its many contributions to our city and Nation. Zeto E Eleftheria. Long Live Freedom.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Rangel motion to instruct conferees on the alternative minimum tax. It also calls upon this body not to increase the debt and the deficit of this country, which is a burden on our children and grandchildren and a growing burden. The AMT was originally enacted to ensure that the truly rich pay their fair share, but now it has a very unintended effect, and it is hurting millions in the middle class. Twenty million taxpayers will be hit by the AMT this year, 17 million of whom are in the middle class, and these are the jobs that are growing this economy. It has jumped from 3 million in 2004 to over 20 million this year. It is hurting the middle class. It is unfair. It should not be this way. Support the Rangel bill. There is the deficit. The deficit is out of control. The Republicans have raised the debt ceiling four times. It is now over $8 trillion. This budget before us proposes to increase the total national debt from $8 trillion at the end of the last year to over $11 trillion in 2011. That is more than double what it was when this Republican administration came into power. This means that each man, woman and child in America owes over $30,000, and on the interest alone to the national debt, the interest alone will be over $247 billion. That is 50 percent of the discretionary spending in this country. It is a burden we cannot continue to carry. I am just warming up on this issue because I am concerned about my children. This administration is setting records, but they are the wrong kinds of records for the future stability of this country. We have a record debt, over $8 trillion and galloping forward. We have record deficits. We have a record trade deficit, the largest in the history of our country. Both the debt, the trade deficit, and the deficit have hit historically high numbers. And what is truly troubling to me is that foreigners are buying our debt. About 80 percent of the deficit is financed by foreigners. This is not the right direction. Vote for the Rangel motion to instruct.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions to American civic and public life of Mr. Timothy J. Rooney, the the 245th Grand Marshal of New York City's world famous St. Patrick's Day Parade, which marches up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on March 17 every year. Timothy J. Rooney is a scion of the Rooney family, which is prominent in the worlds of business and professional athletics. He is the proud son of Arthur Rooney, the founder of the National Football League's fabled Super Bowl-winning franchise, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Rooney family also owns and manages the Yonkers Raceway in New York, a premier harness racing venue that is currently being refurbished. Since his family assumed ownership of the raceway in 1972, Mr. Rooney has served as the track's president. Mr. Rooney has long been active in Irish-American circles. He was honored by the New York-based, United Irish Counties organization in 1975, and the Rooney family's dedication to the people of Ireland and contributions to Irish-American relations and to the Irish-American community have been honored by the American Ireland Fund in New York and Palm Beach, FL. In 2004, the Knights of St. Patrick presented Timothy Rooney with its Lifetime Achievement award. He has been recognized with many other civic honors as well, including the Terence Cardinal Cooke Award from the New York City Catholic Youth Organization. Mr. Rooney's leadership in the business world reflects his many diverse interests. A partner for 10 years at Chaplin, McGuiness & Co., Mr. Rooney is an associate member of the New York and American Stock Exchanges. He is president of Delta Electric, an electrical contracting corporation in Westchester County in New York, and served as a partner in an investment banking firm before assuming the reins at the Yonkers Raceway. Mr. Rooney's leadership in the racing industry has been well- documented. He is one of the owners of a stud farm in County Kildare in Ireland, and he serves as a director of the United States Trotting Association. He is the business manager of the family-owned Shamrock Farm in Maryland, one of the oldest horse breeding farms in the Terrapin State. Mr. Rooney is also a devoted family man. He and his wife June are proud parents of 5 children and are devoted to their 17 grandchildren as well as 1 great-grandchild. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Mr. Timothy Rooney, the grand marshal of New York's 2006 St. Patrick's Day Parade, the largest parade held in our Nation's greatest metropolis.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of NOW-NYC and the recipients of the 2006 Susan B. Anthony Awards and the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Award. Whether it's fighting against the appointment of Judge Alito, demanding an increase in the availability of Emergency Contraception or working to end the statute of limitations for rape in New York State, the members of NOW-NYC have been leaders in standing up for women's rights. The Elizabeth Cady Stanton Award is presented to a woman of outstanding achievement who has made important contributions toward creating a more equal society and has served as a role model for other women. The Susan B. Anthony Awards honor women who have accomplished something remarkable. Each of this year's recipients has, in her own way, spoken up, spoken out, gotten involved and made a difference. They are our role models and heroines. Councilwoman Gale Brewer, recipient of this year's Elizabeth Cady Stanton Award, is an outstanding member of the New York City Council, representing Manhattan's Upper West Side. She is a strong ally, a good friend and a champion of women's rights and human rights. Brewer has been instrumental in passing numerous laws, the most recently being the Human Rights Bill, which protects domestic partnerships from discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. In 2000, the Daily News hailed her as ``One of 50 New Yorkers to Watch.'' When the crime rate in their North Brooklyn neighborhood began to rise, Oraia Reid and Consuelo Ruybal started helping women take back the night by offering them a safe way home. In 2004 they founded RightRides, a not-for-profit organization that offers free late-night rides home to women in several Brooklyn neighborhoods and parts of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Their creative response to improving women's safety so impressed Mayor Michael Bloomberg, that December 12, 2005 was named ``RightRides For Women's Safety Day.'' Nancy Lublin has proved that one person really can change the world. Recognizing that what you wear can make the difference between getting the job and getting shown the door, she created Dress for Success, which provides business attire for low income women who are seeking jobs. For many women, that would have been enough. But Nancy saw another need--the need to encourage kids to get involved in their communities and to recognize their achievements when they do. So she agreed to become CEO of Do Something, an organization founded in 1993 by Andrew Shue (of Melrose Place) and Michael Sanchez, childhood friends who wanted to make community service as cool as sports. Do Something has distributed over 1 million dollars through its Brick Awards to young people who are making a difference in their communities. In 1998, CNN dubbed the BRICK Awards ``the Oscars for young people in service''. Former NOW-NYC President and current Chair of the Board, Jane Manning has taken her activism to the courts as well as to the streets. A graduate of Yale College and NYU Law School, Jane served as Assistant District Attorney for six years and currently defends women's rights as a human rights attorney for the non-profit organization Equality Now. A dedicated advocate for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and trafficking, Jane launched NOW-NYC's campaign to repeal New York's statute of limitations on rape cases and works closely with human rights groups to bring an end to the human rights epidemic of trafficking in women. Recently she represented a coalition of feminist organizations before New York State's highest court, arguing as amici curiae to reverse an appellate court decision that would have made the defense of extreme emotional disturbance almost universally available to men who kill their wives or girlfriends. In a unanimous decision, the court reversed the lower court's decision and ruled in favor of the feminist groups. Finally, I want to congratulate Kathleen Ham, a symbol of courage to rape victims around the country. She is one of the reasons I fought so hard to pass the Debbie Smith Act. In June of 1973, Kathleen Ham was brutally attacked and raped in her New York apartment. Although the suspect was immediately apprehended while fleeing the scene, the trial resulted in a hung jury. In 2005, DNA technology linked the man charged in her rape definitively not only to her rape but also to at least 23 other rapes in Maryland and New Jersey over the past 32 years. Knowing that this serial rapist must be put behind bars, Ms. Ham courageously decided to take the stand once again, and to go public with her identity and story. When she came forward, nine other women also came forward to say that this man had raped them. Their stories are being used to illustrate the absurdity of New York's five year statute of limitations for rape. Mr. Speaker, I request that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to the 2006 Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Award winners.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, today I pay tribute along with my dear friend and colleague, Representative Henry Hyde, to the wonderful people of Italy. In the hours and days following the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, hundreds of thousands of Italians rallied in Rome in sympathy with and in support of America. Prime Minister Berlusconi visited the United States and in his public statements expressed these same sentiments. He rightly stated that these attacks were attacks against all nations. A great honor bestowed upon visiting heads of states to the U.S. is the opportunity to speak before a joint session of Congress. During that appearance, he emphasized goals we all share; promoting democracy and protecting human rights. He called for continuation of the global efforts to fight terrorism. Italy is a great ally of the United States, and I believe we should continue efforts to bring the people of both nations closer together. As the representative for thousands of Italian Americans, I know, as they do, that our society has benefited strongly from the many contributions made by this vibrant community.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry of the New York National Guard who are being honored on St. Patrick's Day in New York City. I know that my distinguished colleagues will join me in extending our appreciation and gratitude to all of the brave members of the armed forces serving in the National Guard and the Reserve, who are so courageously and selflessly dedicated to their fellow Americans. The National Guard in an integral part of a great tradition in American military history that began during the American Revolution. At that time, our Founding Fathers placed the country's security in the hands of citizen-soldiers who trained and organized into militias in their home colonies. To this day, members of the National Guard must be ready to serve their state and their country, often at a moment's notice. The members of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry continue to uphold a distinguished tradition in both battle and disaster response. As part of the famous Irish Brigade during the Civil War, the members of the 69th Infantry were renowned for their tenacity on the battlefield, leading Confederate General Robert E. Lee to bestow upon them the nickname of ``The Fighting 69th.'' In acknowledgement of its proud heritage, the Fighting 69th participates each year in New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade. The Fighting 69th are infantry soldiers--the ``guns on the ground''-- whose mission is to engage and destroy enemy forces in close combat. In addition to the Civil War, its members have also fought in the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II, where its soldiers served valiantly in the battles of Makin, Saipan and Okinawa, and its members just completed a tour of duty in Iraq, returning to the U.S. six months ago after serving with distinction. Sixteen soldiers in the Manhattan- based 69th National Guard Regiment have died in the Iraq War, including a member who was one of the New York firefighters who raised the American flag above Ground Zero, Christian Engledrum. In April, six members of the 69th Regiment were awarded Purple Hearts after being wounded by roadside bombs in Iraq. The unit patrolled the infamous road to the Baghdad airport and was stationed primarily in the Sunni Triangle, where most of the insurgent attacks have taken place. In a speech at Fort Drum, New York, Vice President Richard Cheney paid tribute to the Fighting 69th, thanking its members for their ``toughness in confronting insurgents around Baghdad.'' Nine members of the Fighting 69th are continuing to serve on active duty in Iraq today. The members of the Fighting 69th also have mobilized during times of emergency in their home state of New York. The Battalion Commander, Lt. Col Geoffrey Slack, informs me that the Fighting 69th was the first National Guard unit to arrive on the scene following the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. In the hours after the attacks, the Battalion assisted medical teams treating the wounded and provided significant assistance to rescue and recovery operations, continuing in this mission for nearly a year. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of its tremendous contributions to civic and public life, I request that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to the Fighting 69th Regiment of the New York State National Guard, who are great New Yorkers and great Americans. All Americans should be grateful for the dedication demonstrated every day by the men and women of the Fighting 69th as well as all of the brave individuals serving in National Guard and Reserve units throughout our nation. Their members' dedication to our country serves as an inspiration to us all.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, this bill reforms the process by which the government reviews foreign acquisitions of companies doing business in the United States for national security concerns. These reforms are badly needed. Even prior to the Dubai ports debacle, the nonpartisan Government Accounting Office had identified several serious problems with the process by which the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States reviews foreign acquisitions. The need for reform was dramatically illustrated by the failure of CFIUS process in the Dubai ports deal. Not one of the twelve agencies involved managed to identify the Dubai ports deal as one which ``could affect the national security'' of the United States--even though it involved acquisition of port management at 20 ports on the East Coast and Gulf by the government of Dubai. As a threshold matter, the bill creates the CFIUS by statute and specifies the membership. It adds the Director of National Intelligence to the present group, so that the concerns of the intelligence community are represented. The bill requires a 45-day investigation of national security concerns by CFIUS, and a , recommendation to the President, in all cases of acquisition by foreign governments. This was Congress' clear intent in enacting the Byrd Amendment. But as the GAO reported, and as we have seen in the Dubai ports case, the Administration has found several ways to evade doing an investigation through strained interpretations of the statutory language. The bill also requires that sign off at the Deputy Secretary level or above for any transaction that is not subject to a 45-day investigation but which is subject to a mitigation agreement to resolve national security concerns raised. These agreements need to be reviewed at the highest levels. The bill also requires CFIUS to consider and specifically respond to a list of factors that might affect national security. The present statute allows but does not require such consideration. Most important, the bill adds to the list of factors that must be considered whether the transaction affects critical infrastructure. According to the GAO report, the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Defense all believe that a deal's effect on critical infrastructure should be considered in the CFIUS process but Treasury has prevented such consideration. The bill requires an annual report to Congress on transactions completed and a quarterly report on pending transactions. Although the present law expressly permits Congress access to all information in the CFIUS process, Treasury has refused and continues to refuse Congress access to key information. These reports will provide, among other things, information on the nature of the transaction, the national security concerns raised by any agency; how those concerns were mitigated; and whether such acquisition was completed or not, as well as any Presidential decisions made under the statute. Perhaps the most dangerous transactions are those that escape the CFIUS process altogether through withdrawal, as the GAO reported. To correct the problem created by companies that withdraw before completion of the CFIUS process but proceed with the transaction, the bill requires that CFIUS impose restrictions on the company after withdrawal to address any national security concerns raised, set specific time frames for the company to refile, and track actions taken by the company during the withdrawal period.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to S. 2271, the USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006. Although this legislation makes some improvements to the version of the bill I voted against in December, it still does not do enough to protect the civil liberties of innocent Americans--civil liberty protections that I tried to include by seeking permission to offer an amendment that would have strengthened the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Unfortunately, the Rules Committee refused to even allow this amendment to be debated when the House first considered this legislation last year. Despite these revisions, libraries, businesses, and doctor's offices still could be forced to turn over the records of patrons with insufficient judicial oversight or independent review. This lack of oversight by the courts extends to the recipients of Section 215 orders and National Security Letters who were unable to force a review until a year had passed. Finally, this bill does not force government agents to inform the owners of homes subject to ``sneak and peek'' searches within seven days. I continue to have strong concerns that Congress is relinquishing its oversight duties by making permanent fourteen of sixteen provisions included in the original PATRIOT Act passed in 2001. We all want to prevent terrorist attacks by apprehending suspected leaders and participants before they have the chance to act on their plans. However, we should not cast aside the Constitution in the process. I do not think it is too much for our constituents to expect their elected representatives to be diligent in protecting their rights. I urge my colleagues to vote against this legislation.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time and for his leadership on this bill. I also congratulate the leadership on both sides of the aisle, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 3505. The Financial Services Committee passed it out in October. This bill has a number of provisions that I strongly support and which I have worked in a bipartisan way to get into this legislation. As a representative from New York City, the financial center of the United States, I am concerned about the burdens that regulation and reporting requirements impose on our financial institutions, particularly those that are not mega-institutions but are mid-sized and smaller. I know that the vast majority of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle share this concern, and we have worked together to address it in this legislation. Last year, we passed regulatory relief by an overwhelming majority in the House but it failed in the Senate. I voted for that bill, although I thought it could use some improvement, and this bill is improved by the addition of several provisions dealing with issues that are of special concern to me, such as the extraordinary burden of compliance under which our financial institutions are required to operate. Wherever I go in my district, smaller institutions tell me how hard and costly it is to comply with the new requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act, to file currency transaction reports, and to comply with the new requirements of the PATRIOT Act Know Your Customer requirements. They say these requirements in many cases are redundant and are excessively burdensome. The burdens are particularly heavy for smaller institutions. I worked with Representative Renzi to develop the language in this bill that eliminates unnecessary currency transaction reports so that banks can focus on suspicious activity reports, or SARS, which are a much more useful tool, according to law enforcement, to track money laundering and terrorist financing. This measure was proposed by the Treasury Department and law enforcement. We heard from FinCEN, the lead agency on money laundering, that the masses of useless CTRs being filed impeded law enforcement and were often not even looked at. And the General Accounting Office, the independent body that reviews government activities, confirmed that in a report last year also supporting streamlining the process. The banking regulators also expressed strong support for this proposal. OCC and OTS both agreed with FinCEN that the CTR filing process had become counterproductive in terms of national security. This bill also includes other provisions relieving the unnecessary burden on community banks, including increased commercial and small business lending authority for Federal savings associations, regulation of thrift trust activities in a manner comparable to bank trust activities, and an exemption from annual privacy notice requirements for financial institutions that do not share customer information. This bill also contains regulatory relief for credit unions, taken from the Credit Union Regulatory Improvement Act, which I have cosponsored for several Congresses. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I look forward to the passage in this House and hopefully in the other body also.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, March 8, International Women's Day, is an occasion marked by women around the world. On this day, women on all continents, despite cultural and political differences, come together to reflect on progress made while recognizing the continuing need to fight for equality, justice, and peace. Today, I join with my colleagues in welcoming a delegation of Iraqi women in celebration of International Women's Day. Although these women represent a broad range of backgrounds, they all share a common goal of realizing their country's transition to democracy and the benefits of peace. The Iraqi delegation is led by Nasreen Berwari, minister of Municipalities and Public Works, who has fearlessly worked to encourage the women of Iraq to seize political opportunities in the post-Saddam Iraq. I have had the pleasure of meeting today with two remarkable women who are contributing to Iraq's future by serving in its government. These women will have the opportunity to participate in a job shadowing program so that they might take back to their own country some of the experiences of women in government here in the United States as it embarks on the road to democracy. During this historical moment for the country of Iraq, it is vitally important that women's equality and rights are assured. Every country that protects its women is a stronger country, and Iraq will be a stronger country if women are able to preserve their representation in the new Iraqi Government. Because March is Women's History Month, it is my hope that the international community will recognize the struggles of women throughout history as well as the struggles women continue to face today while celebrating the contributions of women to the world. Despite many gains, women are still fighting against oppression and are still relegated to the status of second-class citizens throughout the world. As a strong defender of international family planning, I am a longtime supporter of organizations, such as the U.N. Population Fund, that have been, and continue to be, leaders in the movement to stabilize global population and improve the status of women. Statistics show that when the status of women is improved, the status of the family is improved and, in turn, the entire community flourishes. With this in mind, I will continue to fight to ensure the protection of women across the globe. Even in the face of adversity, women throughout history have shown courage and determination in their fight for peace and equality. Today, on International Women's Day, we honor the legacy of those women who made great strides in the advancement of women's rights and recommit ourselves to the challenges ahead.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the humanitarian work of our nation's oldest continuing Wall Street law practice, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. Founded in 1792, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP not only has a long-standing tradition of providing their clients with unparalleled service and legal expertise, but also serving their community. No better example of this came in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, with the creation of ``The 9/11 Project.'' ``The 9/11 Project'' was established in October 2001 to provide representation to the families of 70 union-member workers who died in the World Trade Center attacks. Coordinated by New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, the Project depended on the tireless energy and commitment of volunteers from nine New York City law firms and two financial service firms, as well as the support of officials from Local 100 of the Hotel and Employees and Restaurant Employees Union and Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, the Management of Windows on the World, and the Association of the Bar of New York. Since successfully representing these families before the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, lead attorney, Debra Steinberg, has also worked to develop legislation to provide permanent immigration status to those family members who remain in immigration limbo following the attacks. Working with Mrs. Steinberg, Congressman Peter King and I introduced H.R. 3575, the September 11th Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act in the House of Representatives. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator John Corzine and is S. 1620. Today, I ask all of my colleagues to join the effort started by ``The 9/11 Project'' and support this legislation. These 9/11 families have already suffered enough and deserve our support to remove them from the immigration limbo that they are currently in.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, as a proud member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, and the representative of a large and vibrant community of Armenian Americans, I rise today to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Freedom Movement. On February 20, 1988, the people of Nagorno Karabakh officially petitioned the Soviet government to correct the historical injustices of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin by reuniting the area with Armenia. Six days later, one million people demonstrated in Yerevan's Opera Square. Unfortunately, the central Soviet and Azerbaijani leadership violently reacted to this peaceful and legal request by engaging in full military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh. In 1991, the people of Nagorno Karabakh voted overwhelmingly to establish an independent republic. However, Azerbaijan continued to perpetrate horrific crimes against Nagorno Karabakh including indiscriminate bombing and artillery attacks. Since 1994, a cease-fire, which has held through today, was reached with help from Russian and European mediators. Today, Nagorno Karabakh continues to strengthen its statehood with a democratically elected government, a court system, an independent foreign policy, and a commitment to educating its citizens. Just last year, Nagorno Karabakh held its fourth parliamentary elections which were declared to be free and transparent by election observers. I will continue to join with my colleagues in supporting assistance to Nagorno Karabakh, which has a vital role in achieving a peaceful and stable South Caucasus region. I commend the people of Nagorno Karabakh for courageously defending their right to live freely on their ancestral land. On this anniversary, I reiterate my unwavering support to Nagorno Karabakh's freedom, democracy, and economic development.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my gratitude to the YWCA USA and acclaimed performer Queen Latifah for their joint efforts to create National Women's Confidence Day this Spring. This day will help raise public awareness and celebrate the positive impact of confidence in women's personal and professional lives. The impact of cultivating confidence in the individual lives of women across America cannot be understated. Self-confidence, coupled with self-respect, are vitally important characteristics that empower women and help them to become successful in all areas of their lives. When women are confident, society benefits. Our Nation's history has been shaped by women whose strong will, determination, and self- confidence has allowed them to break down barriers, speak their minds, and stand up for their beliefs. I hope my colleagues will join me in celebrating National Women's Confidence Day on the first Tuesday in April. This momentous day will serve as a reminder for women to believe in themselves and remain confident every day; an opportunity for women to get involved in helping other women live more fulfilling lives and; a fitting tribute to women who contribute through education, self-empowerment, mentoring, and volunteer work to helping others gain confidence and self-esteem. Again, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the YWCA USA, Queen Latifah, and others who support cultivating women's confidence. I invite everyone to join me in celebrating the positive impact confidence has on women's personal and professional lives this Spring, on National Women's Confidence Day.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, the American people are not aware that indoor tanning is dangerous. While many people understand that tanning outside is harmful, they mistakenly believe that tanning in a salon is a safe alternative to sunbathing. It's time we examined the labeling requirements for tanning devices. Today I, along with my colleague from Florida, Representative Ginny Brown-Waite, introduce the Tanning Accountability and Notification Act, which would require the FDA to determine whether the current labeling of indoor tanning devices communicates sufficient information about the risks indoor tanning devices pose for the development of irreversible skin damage, including skin cancer. According to a 2005 survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), in their quest for a sunless tan, almost 30 million Americans visit indoor tanning salons each year. Of these 70% are women between the ages of 16 and 49. The dermatologists have concluded that indoor tanning is not safe. One of the reported side effects of indoor tanning is an elevated risk of skin cancer. According to the AAD, regular tanning bed use was associated with a 55% increase in the risk of developing melanoma, especially in women between the ages of 20 and 29. FDA and numerous leading United States' and international health care organizations have expressed concerns that the consuming public is not aware that indoor tanning devices emit ultraviolet radiation that is similar to and sometimes more powerful than UV radiation emitted by the sun. This legislation will ensure Americans make informed choices about preserving the health of their skin.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a unique and valuable organization that for the past 50 years has been partnering with employers to build successful workplaces and empowering workingwomen to achieve their full potential. The Business and Professional Women's Foundation will be celebrating its 50th anniversary all year long starting on its incorporation date, February 27, 2006. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in saluting the Business and Professional Women's Foundation's record of helping workingwomen and their families in the areas of research, education, knowledge and policy. Established in 1956, the BPW Foundation is a nonprofit research, and educational institution governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. As a national convener, the foundation has influenced, informed, and educated presidents, Members of Congress, state officials, policymakers, women of influence--making research and educational resources available that accurately portray the challenges and important role of workingwomen. This year, the Business and Professional Women's Foundation will actively engage workingwomen and employers in dynamic discussions, innovative research projects, and exciting educational opportunities. These activities will empower workingwomen and help build successful workplaces. Even as the BPW Foundation embraces its 50-year history as a research and education institution, it is setting the stage for a whole new phase of growth and engagement. The 50th anniversary celebration will highlight the history of the BPW Foundation and its many milestones in the areas of research, education, knowledge and policy. The BPW Foundation has made its mark over the past 50 years, making a tangible difference in the lives of American workingwomen and their families. To date, $6 million in scholarships, grants, and loans have been awarded to more than 8,000 women and valuable research has been published that assists employers to improve work environments and workingwomen to pursue career advancement. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to pay tribute to the Business and Professional Women's Foundation. As the first foundation to conduct research about workingwomen, their 5 decades of commitment to workingwomen has made an incredible difference in women's lives. I am confident that they will ``Light the Way'' for future generations of workingwomen. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in thanking the BPW Foundation for their contribution to our country.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, Coretta Scott King was a major reason that our Nation advanced from the backward ways of segregation. Her passing is a tremendous loss for all of America. Mrs. King was a civil rights hero--she was active in the cause before she married the great Dr. Martin Luther King, and she helped shape the movement as his wife, and later, his widow. As my friend and colleague, the great champion of civil rights John Lewis, said yesterday, ``She was more than the devoted wife of a great minister . . . she was a leader in her own right.'' With dignity and with strength, Mrs. King helped lead the civil rights movement for decades. For many, she was the face of the movement. We are saddened by the loss of a great American and we are so thankful for her life. As Black History Month begins today, I hope we will all use this month and beyond to honor Mrs. King, her husband and all of our civil rights heroes, and to live their message of peace and equality, everyday of our lives.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of Mr. Charles S. Warren on the occasion of his retirement as chairman of New York, City's Community Board 8. A tireless and dedicated community activist and civic volunteer, Charles Warren is a consummate New Yorker who has distinguished himself throughout a remarkable career in the public and private sectors. A highly regarded attorney in private practice, Charles S. Warren has also distinguished himself through his public and community service. After earning a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Florida, an L.L.B. from Columbia University Law School, and an advanced L.L.M. degree from the New York University School of Law, Mr. Warren launched a remarkable career in public service. He became the chief legislative assistant to the senior United States Senator from New York, the late Jacob K. Javits, serving as the top advisor to that eminent statesman. In this capacity, Charles Warren was the principal drafter of the 1973 War Powers Resolution and developed extensive expertise on issues ranging from housing and urban development to environmental protection and conservation. Because of Mr. Warren's outstanding reputation, President Jimmy Carter reached across party lines to tap him to serve as director of the Office of Legislation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. He was subsequently promoted to the position of EPA administrator for Region II with jurisdiction over New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As Region II administrator, Charles S. Warren supervised implementation and enforcement of critical environmental laws and oversaw the awarding of grants and contracts valued at more than $500 million for various environmental protection and related programs to states, communities, and other recipients. Mr. Warren then went on to distinguish himself in the not-for-profit and private sectors. He served as the senior vice president for the Public Broadcasting Service's flagship public television station, WNET/ Channel 13. He went on to be named a partner at the Manhattan law firm of Berle, Kass & Case. Since 1994, he has been a Partner at the highly regarded firm of Bryan Cave LLP, where he currently serves as the deputy director of the Environmental Client Group. Mr. Warren's practice includes regulatory, administrative, environmental review, permitting, and enforcement matters, and his clients have included banks, railroads, industrial and commercial corporations and local and regional authorities. It is for his volunteer service as a member and chairman of Community Board 8 for which Mr. Warren is being honored by his fellow Board members and community residents on the evening of January 30, 2006. Community Board 8, which encompasses Manhattan's Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island, serves as the representative town meeting of the historic and nationally prominent neighborhoods that lie within its boundaries. It thus provides a voice to community residents and their concerns running the gamut of issues from land use to traffic to sanitation and beyond. After joining the Board in 1985, Mr. Warren became a dedicated and energetic representative for his fellow citizens. His leadership abilities were recognized when he was elected chairman of Manhattan's Community Board 8 in January of 2003. He has just concluded 3 years as chairman. Community Board 8 residents are fortunate that Charles S. Warren will continue to serve their interests as a member of Community Board, where he currently serves as the co-chairman of its Transportation Committee. Throughout a career of professional and voluntary activity, Charles S. Warren has fought for and secured immeasurable improvements to the quality of life of his fellow New York County residents. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of his tremendous contributions to civic and public life, I request that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Mr. Charles S. Warren, a great New Yorker and a great American. Charles Warren's dedication to public and community serves as an inspiration to us all.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, this legislation improves the availability of Federal housing monies to Native Americans. It makes the requirements applicable to Indian tribes and their housing entities under the Housing Act of 1949 consistent with the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act; allows Indian tribes to have access to YouthBuild program grants; and makes technical corrections to NAHASDA to remove impediments to getting funds that serve no purpose. There is no question that this bill, and any bill that improves Federal housing assistance to Native Americans, is sorely needed. Native Americans have an overall poverty rate twice that of the rest of the United States. In particular, they face a dramatic shortage of safe and adequate housing. Some 90,000 Native-American families are homeless or live in very poor conditions. Even among those who have housing, about a third of Native American homes lack adequate sewage systems, and 8 percent do not have safe drinking-water systems. For that reason, this bill--introduced by Mr. Renzi and Mr. Matheson--has received strong bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. The House passed the bill by voice vote on April 6, and the Senate passed its version on November 8, also by voice vote. Our passage of the Senate version today sends this to the President's desk. Essentially, this bill ensures that Indian tribes seeking housing assistance from the Federal Government are not caught between conflicting and preclusive requirements of different Federal agencies administering different Federal acts. Also, the bill makes Indian tribes eligible for Youthbuild grants. These grants are part of a HUD program that provides job training and academic assistance to low-income young people. Again, this is sorely needed by Native American youth. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3402, the Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act which provides for the comprehensive reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, VAWA. The Violence Against Women Act, VAWA, is a truly bipartisan success. Since VAWA was enacted in 1994, we have made great strides toward ending domestic violence and preventing the cycle of abuse in our communities. States have passed more than 660 laws to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline has answered over 1 million calls. We have come a long way since the initial passage of VAWA. But there is no doubt we have a long way to go. All Americans should feel safe in their communities, their workplace and their homes. Yet domestic violence remains a serious problem across the country, and every year thousands of Americans become victims in their own homes. Nearly one in four women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime. And slightly more than half of female victims of intimate violence live in households with children under age 12. Growing up in a violent home may be a terrifying and traumatic experience that can affect every aspect of a child's life, growth, and development. To end the cycle of violence and promote healthy families, we must ensure that communities have resources to prevent abuse and provide victims of domestic violence the support they need. We are on the way to making that a reality. The Violence Against Women Act provides aid to law enforcement officers and prosecutors and helps to reduce domestic violence and child abuse by establishing training programs for victim advocates and counselors in addition to a host of other areas including tightening criminal penalties against domestic abusers and creating new solutions to other crucial aspects of domestic violence and sexual assault. In the past, in the present, and in the future, VAWA has been, and will continue to be a critical tool to combat violence. But even with VAWA's great successes and promising future, we know that our work is not yet done. There are solutions to preventing the 960,000 incidents of violence that are reported against a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend each year. The country must not tolerate the violence, abuse, and sexual assault that pervades our society. We must continue to fight for measures that will provide better economic security for victims of violence, increase protections for battered immigrants, promote awareness in underserved populations, enhance protection of victims' personal information and develop programs designed to prevent domestic violence before it occurs. Together, we can eliminate domestic violence from homes across the country and ensure that our children grow up in healthy, peaceful communities. Passage of H.R. 3402 marks our continuing effort to do just that.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, America's servicemen and servicewomen are the bravest, most valiant and skillful soldiers on earth and because of them, our military is the best in history. As the daughter and brother of war veterans, I am particularly supportive of our Nation's soldiers. The men and women serving America deserve the full support of our Nation. This is why it is particularly distasteful and dangerous when elected officials in Washington play politics with legislation that affects our troops serving right now in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. It is tremendously disappointing that the leadership from the other side of the aisle has decided to play politics with this bill. They have taken a straightforward bill to fund our military, knowing that it is destined to pass, and hung politically controversial and unacceptable legislation to it. They have given us a withering Christmas tree. This is politics at its distasteful worst, and it must be rejected. I am voting ``no'' on this bill because of the bad governance it represents and because of the bad policy attached at the last minute. Opening part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling creates environmental harm in pursuit of a band-aid for our Nation's energy problems. Instead of putting adequate resources into developing alternative energy sources, which could solve our long-term problems, some in the Congress and the administration find it easier to go rushing into a treasured wildlife sanctuary for a short-term stopgap. They were unable to get what they want through the normal legislative process. So, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle used a ploy-- they attached their legislation to a defense bill, literally in the middle of the night. As if that weren't bad enough, this bill has also been saddled with an irresponsible gift to drugmakers, shielding them from liability and giving victims only phantom protections. This is another proposal that did not go through the regular legislative process and could not have passed on its own merits. Added on to all of that is a one percent across the board cut that will affect homeland security, education and health care programs. It will even chop $4 billion from the defense budget that supports our troops. Again, this did not go through the regular process and could not have passed on its own merits. Though I cannot vote for this bill on principle, I am glad that it includes the restoration of $125 million for sick and injured 9/11 responders. The money was taken back from the responders at the president's request in the Labor-HHS appropriations bill we passed recently. My colleagues in the New York delegation and I worked hard to ensure that the 9/11 heroes can keep the assistance many of them so desperately still need. We were informed shortly before Thanksgiving that the Speaker would find a way to salvage the funds, and I thank him for following through with this action. Despite the positive aspects of this bill, the other side of the aisle has attached--literally at the last minute--many unrelated items, which makes it impossible to support its passage. Such actions shouldn't be tolerated by this House. I wish to be associated with the comments of my friend and colleague, Mr. Obey, who has spoken strongly in opposition to the process under which this final bill was created.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the deposit insurance provisions of this legislation which implement reforms that are long overdue and that I have worked on for a long time. I strongly support the Safe and Fair Deposit Insurance Act of 2005, which provides for establishment of the Deposit Insurance Fund and for the merger of the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund into it. I also support the Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005, which revises requirements for deposit insurance. Unless this bill passes before year end, community and regional bankers could face higher deposit insurance premiums, taking capital out of communities and sending it to Washington. Congress has been considering major reforms to the nation's federal deposit insurance system for several years. From the time I joined this Committee at the close of the S&L crisis, I have been committed to legislation and oversight of the banking system, including deposit insurance reform, that ensures we will not repeat that crisis. Just this year the House voted 413-10 to pass deposit insurance reform as a stand-alone bill, H.R. 1185. As an original cosponsor of H.R. 1185, as well as its predecessor in the 108th Congress, I am a long-time supporter of this reform bill. It is long past time to merge the insurance funds. Additionally, eliminating the 23 basis point cliff and providing a new premium system that takes into account the past contributions of institutions are major steps forward. The mechanism for determining credit for past contributions is based on an amendment I cosponsored with former Rep. Bereuter last Congress. This provision is critically important as premiums banks pay to the FDIC limit their ability to make loans in the communities they serve. This balanced amendment is now part of the legislation. In the House bill there was debate over what number should be the new limit of insured funds. The budget reconciliation conferees crafted a compromise that will provide safety and stability to our nation's financial system by giving the FDIC increased flexibility to administer deposit insurance. It will also benefit consumers by raising coverage levels for certain retirement accounts and adjust coverage for inflation. For over 70 years our constituents--both banks and accountholders-- have depended on the deposit insurance system to protect their savings and maintain the safety and soundness of the banking system. We should pass this legislation to ensure the future of deposit insurance and our banks.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the conference report to the ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006.'' I am thrilled that this legislation includes provisions to provide retirement credit to the members of the National Guard serving on State duty who responded to the 9/11 attacks in New York and at the Pentagon. I, along with Representative King and other members of the New York delegation, introduced legislation earlier this year which would accomplish the same goal, and I am thankful that the committee has worked with us to correct this inequity. I especially would like to thank Chairman McHugh for his steadfast support of these provisions. My friend and colleague Representative King has been invaluable in this endeavor, and I thank him for his efforts. I also would like to commend Chairman Hunter, Ranking Member Skelton, Ranking Member Snyder, and their staffs for their work on this issue. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge Senator Clinton for her support and for introducing the companion legislation in the Senate. In the aftermath of 9/11, the National Guard responded to the call of duty heroically. While others were moving toward safety, the Guard moved into unknown dangers around Ground Zero. They did not know if another attack was coming, but they did not hesitate to respond. All they did was their selfless duty. For almost a year after 9/11, these National Guard heroes streamlined the movement of rescue personnel during the critical first phases of the response and they endured the toxic air conditions of Ground Zero with thousands of responders. However, the National Guard units that served in the disaster zones of New York after 9/11 did not receive Federal retirement credit, while the National Guard units that protected Federal sites like West Point are receiving Federal retirement credit. While protecting Federal sites was an important duty after 9/11, those who risked their lives at Ground Zero, in the most dangerous conditions anywhere in the country, deserve the same fair treatment. By including these provisions in this conference report, we are showing our gratitude to the brave men and women who responded on September 11th by giving them the retirement benefits to which they are entitled. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. MALONEY

Ms. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, this administration, in concert with this Congress under this leadership, has given us five years of record debt and deficits. It seems that with each new month comes a new dubious record--just last week we learned that the trade deficit for October hit another all-time high. This reckless fiscal policy has come on the heels of the thriving economy of the 1990s, when we showed that government can be fiscally disciplined and compassionate to our neighbors most in need at the same time. That time and that economic philosophy is a distant memory, having given way to misguided priorities. Now, instead of fundamentally changing the economic approach that turned record surpluses into record deficits and that has floated us down a river of red ink, we have the bill that is before us. It gives no real help to our debt and deficits, and it targets programs that need help the most. By cutting less than one half of one percent of the projected $14.3 trillion in federal spending over the next five years, we are not returning to fiscal sanity, as supporters of this bill claim. And despite what some on the other side of the aisle might think, slashing programs that help low-income Americans and our seniors stay healthy and help our young go to college is not sound policy. A $12.7 billion cut to student loans will not help educate Americans. A $6.9 billion cut in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program will not keep low-income Americans healthy. And a $6.4 billion cut in Medicare is not beneficial to the well-being of our nation's seniors. Instead, this bill shows a lack of compassion and a lack of vision for the long-term health and productivity of our Nation. It would be more beneficial if we returned to the sound, balanced-budget vision that guided us through the prosperous '90s. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this uncompassionate bill and to instead focus on a revision of our economic direction.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2892, the Reverse Mortgages to Help America's Seniors Act. By removing the cap on the number of these loans that HUD can guarantee, this bipartisan bill allows the program to grow with demand. A reverse mortgage is a creative financing tool that allows seniors to take some of the equity out of their homes without having to sell the home, or take on a new monthly mortgage payment. Because it allows seniors to remain in their homes and provides them an income, it has proved very popular. These funds can be used for the everyday demands that many seniors face and that can become particularly urgent for those surviving on a fixed income, such as paying off existing debts, paying health care expenses, or paying daily living expenses. When the statutory cap of 150,000 loans was reached this spring, there was consternation that the program would be suspended even though it is a win-win: it makes money for taxpayers and benefits seniors. As those events demonstrate, the cap serves no useful purpose and should be removed. There is no reason to deny seniors this benefit if they decide it works for them, especially since it makes substantial money for the government--almost $40 million annually after the first year. I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 2892 and make this financial tool available to any senior who wants to use it.

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2830, the Pension Protection Act of 2005. Any bill that is called the ``Pension Protection Act'' should protect pensions, but the bill we have before us makes things worse in many ways for many current pensioners in this country and for many future pensioners. First and foremost, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation was first created to protect some of the retiree benefits of people if pension plans went bust or the corporations went bust. We are now told that this legislation makes that problem worse. The Congressional Budget Office tells us that this will make it at least $9 billion worse over the next decade. This is an agency that can look out into the future and can see up to $100 billion of liabilities possibly coming their way. Much of which will come because this bill makes it easier to terminate plans. Simply, it makes it easier to put plans into bankruptcy. This bill does nothing to solve the problems we have seen with airline industry pensions because their pension plans can be dumped during bankruptcy just as easily as they can now. This bill does nothing to prevent this. The way we can tell that this legislation does not do the job is the way the Republican Leadership is making us debate the bill by taking the unusually restrictive step of not allowing us to debate substitute legislation. I guess they realize that this bill is so bad that if they allowed us the substitute, it certainly would have prevailed over this legislation. I would have supported the legislation that Congressmen Rangel and George Miller had prepared. I urge my colleagues to vote against this legislation. Its only accomplishment is to make the problems of America's pensioners even worse than they are today.