Carolyn McCarthy

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4757, Our Lady of Peace Act, and the assistance it offers States for automating their criminal history records. I would like to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) for working with me from the beginning and giving suggestions on how to make this a better bill. I also thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), the distinguished ranking member, for working with me in helping pass this bipartisan bill through the Committee on the Judiciary. I also thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) for all his hard work throughout this process. He and I actually started talking about this kind of legislation quite a long time ago, and I am glad to see that it is on the floor today. It is not every day that the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) and I are on the same side of a gun debate, but we believe that this legislation helps close a loophole in our law that allows disqualified individuals to obtain a firearm. In March of this year, a priest and a parishioner in my district at the Lady of Peace Church were fatally shot during mass by a disturbed gunman with a history of mental health problems and a restraining order issued by his mother. However, he was able to purchase a firearm 2 days before the attack because most States do not provide mental health and other disqualifying records to the FBI NICS database. The 1968 Gun Control Act bars nine categories of individuals, including those who are deemed mentally ill, from having a firearm. However, when a Federal background check is performed, only Federal databases are addressed. That means that the Federal background check is only as good as the records in it; and since many of these records are kept by the States and rarely provided to the FBI, the Federal background check may never spot the disqualifying factor, therefore allowing the purchase to proceed. Right now, 35 million records of people who are prohibited by law from owning a firearm are missing from the various databases that make up the NICS system. That means it is nearly impossible to stop those under a restraining order, the severely mentally ill, and illegal aliens from passing a background check and obtaining a firearm. The Our Lady of Peace Act seeks to enforce the 1968 Gun Control Act by providing States an incentive to automatic and shared disqualifying records with the FBI. In addition, it authorize grants to help States automate and improve criminal history records, mental health records, restraining orders and records of domestic violence misdemeanors. It also requires Federal agencies, like the INS, to provide the FBI with records of individuals disqualified from purchasing a firearm. This legislation helps make the instant background check system truly the instant system we are looking for. Whether a gun owner or not, this legislation will appeal to everyone who believes we should enforce our current gun laws and keep firearms out of the wrong hands. What I will say is what we have been seeing, especially in the last week or so in the vicinity of our area, we should be doing more to enforce the laws on the books. That is something I have been trying to do since elected to Congress. It has been my privilege and my honor to work with all Members bipartisanly to get this done. I think it is important, and I hope that we can all work together in the future to do more because there is more to be done. The bottom line is as long as we keep guns out of the hands of those that should not have them, we will be saving lives; and that is what we are all here about. That is what we all care about. I urge support of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As you can hear from the debate and a lot of people that might even be watching this debate, back and forth, even though we all support this legislation, it is strange to hear that the NRA and certainly all of our gun groups have worked together. I think that is the important key that we are talking about. We worked very hard to make sure that the privacy of citizens would also be protected. Again, people have to understand that we are not picking on one particular group. Anyone that is denied access to getting permission for a gun only comes up as denied, so we do not go pinpointing, especially on mental illness or other things. They are just plainly denied. I think that is an important part because I think people out there are misunderstanding, and they actually thought we were targeting people with mental illness. We are not. We just want to make sure that people that should not own guns do not get their guns and people that should be able to have guns have the right to own guns. We will continue to work together on this. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell). (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5599. This legislation makes several technical fixes to the Impact Aid program. First, the bill clarifies Department of Education policy that small school districts can use other local school districts to determine their eligibility for heavily impacted payments. This corrects a technical error in the 2000 reauthorization of Impact Aid. Second, the bill maintains the eligibility of a school district in South Dakota for heavily impacted status for 1 year. Third, H.R. 5599 permits Central School District in Oklahoma to file their fiscal year 2002 Impact Aid application despite having not filed this application before the deadline. This legislation is similar to other bills this House has passed when technical fixes to the Impact Aid statute were needed in the past. I urge all Members to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint Resolution 114 and the need to protect the United States from any threat posed by Iraq. However, my support for the resolution is coupled with several concerns associated with potential unilateral action against Iraq. The September 11 attacks on the United States demonstrated the will of misguided, vengeful leaders whose determination to harm Americans seem boundless. Clearly, Saddam Hussein is one of these leaders. This dictator harbors terrorists, invokes chemical warfare upon his own people and openly defies United Nations Security Council Resolutions. His support of international terrorism, and pursuit of stockpiling weapons of mass destruction poses not only a threat to the United States, but also to the world. Since 1998, this body has voted on four separate measures that appropriate funds for Iraqi opposition forces, as well as call upon Iraq to allow U.N. inspectors immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to areas they wish to inspect. Today's resolution takes a step further and acknowledges that sanctions, weapons inspection and containment have failed. It recognizes that Iraq and Saddam Hussein present an unrelenting hostility to the United States. And we know when it comes to the United States, Hussein has a very prolific partner in hate: al Qaeda. In fact, Saddam Hussein has openly praised the September 11 attacks. The resolution before us authorizes United States military force under two circumstances: (1) In order to defend our national security against a threat by Iraq, and (2) enforce U.N. Security Council Resolutions relevant to Iraq. Disarming Iraq is necessary to ensure our national security. I was encouraged to hear President Bush emphasize that Iraq can avoid military force if all weapons of mass destruction are destroyed. I hope that Saddam Hussein will heed this advice. I was also encouraged to hear President Bush stress the importance of seeking a coalition, as I believe the support of the United Nations Security Council is critical. The President must persist in his efforts with the U.N. to approve a tougher inspection resolution. If inspection efforts fail, a U.N.-sanctioned military force is the best course of action, as it would garner support in neighboring countries, and enhance the chances of post-war success. If the U.N. were to fail to authorize force, then the President should come back to Congress and let us have a say about whether we go in unilaterally. Finally, I was glad to hear the President pledge to rebuild a post- war Iraqi economy. This is very important, as the cost of military action must not only be weighed economically, but regionally. Although this is one of the most difficult votes a Member of Congress will cast, I'm afraid it is an inevitable action needed to protect the United States from Iraq and the destructive weapons it seeks to acquire and use. Today, each and every member will vote their conscience. Regardless of how we each vote, at the end of the day we must remember one thing: that we represent the people of the United States and we must come together as a body, and a people, just as we did on September 11.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a dear friend, colleague, and fellow New Yorker, Congressman Benjamin Gilman, on a successful 30 years of leadership. Let me begin by personally thanking him. For his vision, for his forceful leadership, for his compassion under the most challenging circumstances, and for his tireless dedication to the state of New York. Together Congressman Gilman and I teamed up to introduce our bipartisan bill, H.R. 253, the ``Tax Relief for Families with Children Act.'' It was a pleasure to be able to work with him and to put partisanship aside to create a bill that would benefit families in New York and nationwide. In his tenure in Congress he has fought endlessly to support legislation that will improve the quality of education received by all children in our country. He has also introduced legislation to help fight the increase in juvenile violence and has been a longtime advocate of foreign aid programs to reduce hunger and support family planning. The House of Representatives is losing a great force by the departure of Congressman Gilman. I appreciate all that he has done for the state of New York and the nation as a whole and wish him the best of luck with his retirement.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, we have seen many Members of Congress pass through these halls. Many have done some great things but, in my opinion, very few have left this place being defined as one of the ``great ones.'' We have just lost one of the ``great ones'' with the passing of Patsy Mink. Legislating and getting things done here can be very frustrating. But I would advise that whenever we think frustration is getting the best of us, we need only remember what, in spite of adversity, Congresswoman Mink accomplished during her tenure because of her dedication, perseverance, and never ending fight for what she believed in. From her earliest days, she advocated for noble causes. When she was segregated into International Housing at the University of Nebraska, she sought to change discriminatory policies and succeeded. After receiving her law degree from the University of Chicago, she was in disbelief over the simple fact that her gender disqualified her from positions she applied for. Instead of accepting defeat, she opened her own practice and became the first Asian-American woman lawyer in Hawaii. In her first run for the U.S. Congress in 1959, her defeat to Daniel Inouye didn't deter her from running again. In 1964 she ran for U.S. Congress again and won, making her the first woman of color to be elected to Congress. Most significantly over 2.7 million young women participate in high school athletics compared to just under 300,000 in 1971. This is because of the key role Congresswoman Mink played in the enactment of title IX. Title IX bans gender discrimination in schools that receive federal funding. Young women can now look to the memory of Patsy Mink to thank for the chance to participate in school athletics. The passing of one of the ``greats'' leaves a major void in not only Congress itself but also in each one of us. We need move on from this day forward with as much heart and devotion as Congresswoman Mink did every day of her life.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Before I begin my statement, I would like to take a moment to remember a great colleague and friend in the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the gentlewoman from Hawaii. She will be greatly missed and always remembered for her compassion and dedication to the people of Hawaii. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5091, the CLASS Act. Under this bill, special education teachers and math and science teachers who have served in a high-poverty school for 5 years are eligible for having up to $17,500 in student loans forgiven. Giving relief to the men and women who teach children in America really is homeland security, and I hope this is the first step to forgiving the loans for all teachers who work in underserved schools. Madam Speaker, I would like also to take this opportunity to personally thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon), and my colleagues for working with us on this, including my language to forgive student loans for the spouses of emergency personnel affected by the September 11 attacks. Unfortunately, due to the tragic events of September 11, many spouses who lost loved ones in the attacks are enduring financial hardships. Charitable organizations have offered some assistance, but the Federal Government must also play a role. That is why I fought so hard to get these loans forgiven. Currently, individuals who die have their loans forgiven, but that is not the case for the spouses who have relied upon the income of their lost loved ones to pay the loans. This legislation authorizes the Secretary of Education to discharge or cancel Federal student loans for the spouses. This relief is only for the spouses of policemen, firemen, emergency personnel, and members of the Armed Forces who died or became permanently disabled in the line of duty on 9-11. Relieving a student loan expense helps financially strained spouses provide for their children as well as themselves during this difficult time. This is a very low-cost, tailored provision that will help the families of our bravest men and women who perished a year ago last month. I thank again the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) for their teamwork on this legislation. I know it has been a tough time getting here, but we all did pull together and we all did work together to get this done because our committee did know this was the right thing to do; and I appreciate all the help that everyone on the other side of the aisle gave me for this. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in my support of this very important legislation, and I ask all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, number one, I would like to say that working on the Committee on Education and the Workforce has been truly a wonderful experience. To me it is a committee that actually has worked very well bipartisanly to get things done. I appreciate that. Sometimes I wish other committees could look at how our committee works to get things done so we can sign legislation into law. I also would like to thank the staff for all of the hard work they put in. A lot of people do not realize how much work the staff does to make this legislation come through. The gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Graham), he and I will be working very hard to make sure that this legislation now moves in the Senate to get signed by the President. Madam Speaker, today we are talking about the next step about providing needy relief to the victims of September 11. It is my hope that the other body will move quickly to pass this important legislation so we can send this bill to the President for his signature. Madam Speaker, I commend my colleagues, especially the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), who have spoken in favor of this bill; and I urge Members to vote in favor of this legislation, H.R. 5091. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind), my colleague who sits on our committee.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today saddened by the death of a dear friend and colleague, the Honorable Patsy Mink. Throughout her public service career, she was a tremendous force in breaking gender and racial barriers by being the first Asian-American woman to be elected to Congress, and the first woman of color. Her dedication and drive had a major impact both at state and national levels. One of Patsy's most influential pieces of legislation, Title IX, which she co-authored in 1972, is credited by many with changing the face of women's sports and societal attitudes about women, and bans gender discrimination in schools that receive federal funding. During my 6 years in Congress it was both an honor and a joy to work with Congresswoman Mink on the Education Committee. I will always remember her as a strong, compassionate woman who was not only a superior colleague but also a great friend. Not only will I miss her intelligence and her wit, but I will also miss her generosity. Congresswoman Mink's generosity was famous here in the House because of the delicious chocolate covered macadamia nuts she brought to late night sessions. Her passing not only leaves a void in Congress, but also the district and the state she represented so proudly and honorably. We will all miss her.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, as we begin Nation Fire Prevention Week, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 476, a resolution paying tribute to firefighters who have died in the line of duty, and recognizing the importance of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation which assists families of firefighters killed on the job. On September 11, 2001, the country watched brave firefighters from New York and around the country risk their lives to save others. Firefighters have a special dedication to their jobs, community and fellow man. They willingly put their lives at risk to save the life of someone unknown to them. To do this, they train hard physically, mentally and emotionally--they are the consummate professionals. They are fearless men and women, who face death with each call. In fact, approximately 100 firefighters die each year battling what they refer to as ``the dragon.'' As the name implies, ``the dragon'' is a firefighter's vernacular for a fire. The dragon does not discriminate when it come to who or what it destroys, man, women, child or firefighter. Duty-related incidents include structural fires, wild land fires, vehicles fires, hazardous material fires, rescues and responding to the scene of an emergency. From 1981-2001, New York lists the highest number of firefighters in the country who were lost in the line of duty. New York is at the very top of an extremely unfortunate list. Last year alone there were 347 dedicated firefighters who died in the World Trade Center disaster. Overall, the dragon kills about 4,500 people per year, more than all natural disasters combined. Another 27,000 people are injured, not to mention the emotional and financial injuries incurred by the families of fallen firefighters. The families of firefighters live a life of uncertainty as to whether their loved one will come home each day after work. When a family receives the dreaded news that their loved one will not be returning home chaos sets in, and these survivors desperately need support. As part of an effort to remember America's fallen firefighters and to provide assistance to their survivors. Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) in 1992. The foundation is a nonprofit organization located in Maryland which receives funding from private donations from individuals, organizations, corporations and foundations, as well as federal grant money. NFFF provides resources to families of fallen firefighters, such as a grieving network, special scholarships, and important information to families regarding federal, state, and local benefits. These benefits include lump sum death payments, workers' compensation, funeral benefits, pensions and retirement programs and private support. NFFF also provides services such as regional training sessions to help fire departments handle a line of duty death, and an Annual National Tribute which honors survivors of firefighters who died in the previous year. This year's ceremony is scheduled for October 5 and 6, and will honor 445 firefighters, including those killed at the World Trade Center. Last September, the entire world watched with bated breath as firefighters unselfishly and effectively did their jobs. These acts of honor and bravery were in sharp contrast to the cowardly acts of violence perpetrated on America. Our lives depend on firefighters and we are beholden to them for so very much. I support this Resolution which reminds us all of what a difficult job firefighters have, and the sacrifices their families make. I am proud to honor the lives lost, the thousands of firefighters who continue to work tirelessly and bravely, as well as their families.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S.Con.Res 110. The women and men who make up America's flight attendant workforce deserve recognition for their role as safety professionals. As the eyes and ears of the aircraft cabin, flight attendants have historically provided detailed information on countless safety issues. Flight attendants are a highly-trained, highly-skilled workforce, charged with the safety and security of passengers, other crewmembers, and the aircraft itself. On September 11, 2001, twenty-five flight attendants onboard the four hijacked flights provided the government with vital information, and with little more than their own ingenuity and bravery, fought the armed hijackers and performed their duties as safety professionals to the end. Since that day, safety in the air is of paramount concern to millions. We now understand the vulnerability that flight crews have felt for years. But today, more than 12 months after the attacks on our nation, flight attendants are no more prepared to defend the flying public today than they were on the morning of September 11, 2001. Air Tran flight attendant Susan Cosby began developing her airline's voluntary defense training program within days of September 11. In a visit to my office, Cosby posed this question, ``Flight attendants have always been expected to save lives in emergencies. Why should defending the flying public from the threat of terrorism be any different?''' Now more than ever, it is crucial for us to recognize the importance of flight attendants. It is my hope of America's 100,000 flight attendants, that the Congress will quickly pass meaningful security training legislation.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I in rise support of H. Con. Res. 464, a resolution to commemorate the passing of one year since the cowardly, brutal attacks of September 11. I would also like to express my condolences to the families who lost a loved one, along with my reverence for the heroism of New Yorkers, and the American people. On September 11 as the horrific events unfolded, I watched brave firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel from New York and around the country risk their lives to save others. I watched hospitals prepare for the wounded and our armed forces go on high alert. I watched a stricken nation respond by rushing to donate blood and volunteer their time to help the injured. These are acts of honor and bravery that no barbaric act of violence can penetrate. The citizens of New York, and all of America did everything within their power to respond unselfishly and effectively to the attacks. More often than not, the very last fiber of human strength was tested. New Yorkers and all Americans rose to the daunting challenge as one proud, resolute nation. Throughout the past year we have witnessed the rebirth of a new America. A stronger more resilient nation that is determined to eradicate all forms of terrorism. Those who oppose our way of life may try to destroy our buildings, but they will never destroy the sense of pride and love for this country cherished by Americans. Although the tragic events of September 11 will forever bring sorrow to the families who lost loved ones, they will also serve as a reminder of how Americans unite during difficult times. This Resolution reminds us all how difficult it is to kill the American spirit. Honoring the lives lost, as well as thousands of rescue workers that worked tirelessly and bravely throughout this difficult time, is a fitting reminder of what this country stands for. We never forget our own, and we will always fight to continue our way of life.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Reverend Marvin Williams' devotion to the Christ's First Presbyterian Church of Hempstead. Reverend Williams has an admirable background. He has an undergraduate degree from Old Dominion University, and Master of Divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center. Williams expects to receive a Master of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in December 2002, and anticipates earning a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in the area of Biblical Studies in December 2003, after successful completion of his dissertation project. The Reverend has touched many lives through his ministering. Over the past 16 years, he has served in varying capacities, including chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve, Director of Christian Education at the Brookhaven Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and adjunct professor at Nyack College. His service in the pastorate has included the Renaissance Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee; the Roseville Church of Newark, New Jersey; and the North Church of Manhattan, New York. Reverend Williams has ministered to Christ's First and the surrounding community for the past 8 years. Word of his wisdom and strong belief spread quickly, and the church rapidly expanded to include a large number of congregants. His preaching reached a global level through the Worldwide Ministries Division of the Presbyterian Church (USA), an organization that distributed his sermons in Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. Our community was lucky to have Reverend Williams in our midst for the past 8 years. His sermons and lectures have taught us a great deal about God, charity, the church and our community. We wish him well in his future endeavors, and we will miss him greatly.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Congregation Tree of Life, located in the 4th Congressional District of New York. This synagogue has been a major component of the Jewish community of Valley Stream for half a century. Since first opening its doors in 1952, the congregation has grown both in number and in spirit. Today, 120 families belong to the synagogue. They gather in large crowds to participate in a variety of weekly, monthly and yearly activities. Although the shul has a high attendance rate for regular Shabbat services, it also hosts monthly Oneg Shabbats and family dinners three times a year. A crowd also gathers Sunday mornings for Minyan, and 8 times a year, the synagogue hosts special speaker breakfasts to discuss matters of interest to the community. Congregation Tree of Life has different holiday celebrations throughout the year. On Hanukah, there is a candle-lighting ceremony and festive dinner complete with latkes and jelly doughnuts. A Hanukah fair is held before the holiday starts so the congregants and other members of the community can shop for the holiday. On Purim, members gather to hear the Megillah reading. The synagogue is dedicated to continuing education. In the Fall, adult members meet with the Rabbi to discuss different issues and how they relate to Judaism. Twice a year, bus trips are held to visit Jewish sites of interests in different cities. Past visits have included the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC and Philadelphia. The members are committed to helping others, both in the community and abroad. Besides participating in UJA and Israel Bond appeals during the High Holidays, the synagogue has a committee that visits the sick in local hospitals. The contribution this synagogue and their members have made to our community is obvious. I congratulate everyone at Congregation Tree of Life on the anniversary of such a wonderful gathering place for our Jewish community.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, due to a death in my family, I was absent for votes on July 18, 2002. Had I been present, I would have opposed H. Res. 489, supported the amendment offered by Mr. Moran (VA), and supported final passage of H.R. 5121. I would have also opposed the previous question to H. Res. 488 and opposed H. Res. 488.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I was a nurse for over 30 years before I came to Congress and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) and I talk about it. We are still nurses. We just happen to have a side job as being a Congressperson. That is the way we look at it here. That is why I take the nursing shortage very personally; and also why, last December when we passed a version of the Nurse Reinvestment Act, I was happy that we started looking at the issue because it is an important issue to all of us. But we still need to do more for our nurses. That is why I and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono) introduced H.R. 4654, the Nurse Retention and Quality of Care Act. This is a bill that provides $20 million in grant monies to hospitals to help them become magnet hospitals. On Long Island where I live, we have an RN vacancy rate of 8 percent and an 16 percent LPN vacancy rate. In addition, 126,000 nurses are needed nationwide. One solution to keep and retain nurses immediately would be to help hospitals obtain magnet hospital status. Magnet hospitals are hospitals that have reorganized care to be more hands-on, team-oriented, patient- centered, and as a result are attracting more nurses. I and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono) wanted to give hospitals a chance to become better workplaces for health care professionals. Even in times of nursing shortages, magnet hospitals enjoy low turn-over and job satisfaction. The average length of employment for registered nurses in magnet hospitals is 8 years, twice the length of employment in nonmagnet hospitals. Magnet hospitals give our nurses the ability to make their own schedules, which, by the way, is one of the biggest contentions with nurses in hospitals today. In addition, nurses are on all administration boards and continued education for all levels of nursing are provided. As a result, magnet hospitals report lower mortality rates, higher patient satisfaction and greater cost efficiency. The patients experience shorter stays in hospital and intensive care units. Best of all, nurses are enjoying their jobs again. The nurses I spoke to at my Long Island magnet hospitals say that their quality of life has dramatically improved due to the changes made, and I think this is something that we are starting to really address now. With this particular bill, we are looking at all of the aspects of what our nurses are facing on a daily basis. We have sicker patients in the hospitals today. The job has gotten harder and harder. Higher tech has come in, but yet there is one thing all nurses have in common, and this is the compassion to take care of the people. That is why we went into nursing in the first place. Mr. Speaker, I rise today thrilled that the Nurse Reinvestment Act now includes our magnet hospital language, and it has truly become a bill that will help all nurses, but this is a win-win situation. Not only is it good for our nurses and our hospitals, but it really is good for our patients, and again, that comes back down to those that need us the most, especially when they are sick. I commend my colleagues in both Houses for their diligent work negotiating for a better bill and urge all Members to support this important piece of legislation.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, under normal conditions, I certainly would be supporting this bill. I do not think any of us on the committee have anything against it. But, again, I will talk about the process of how we came upon this. When I came here to Congress, certainly I thought we would be working together to try to get a good bill out. Now, obviously, I came to Congress under very different circumstances. I was just an average housewife living in Mineola, but I actually thought the government worked under the democratic process. I can offer an awful lot of amendments, and they can be voted down; but at least I can have my day and be able to talk about a bill. However, because my colleagues and I were not given an opportunity to debate this bill and approve it, I must voice my opposition to the process by which this bill came to the floor. I had intended to offer an amendment to this bill that forgives student loans of the spouses of the victims of September 11. Due to the tragic events of September 11, many spouses who lost a loved one in the attack are enduring financial hardships. Charitable organizations have provided some form of relief, but the Federal Government must do more. We must provide student loan relief to all spouses affected by the terrorist attack on September 11. Currently, an individual who died has their loan forgiven, but not the spouse, who may have relied on the working spouse to pay those loans back. My bill authorizes the Secretary of Education to discharge or cancel Federal student loan indebtedness to eligible spouses. By the way, we worked very hard to keep those costs down. We had the CBO score how much this might cost, which was the next step, and it was under $500,000. We actually said it would probably cost $300,000. This includes the spouse of an individual who served as a policeman, fireman, other safety or rescue personnel, or in the Armed Forces who died or became permanently disabled in the line of duty due to the injuries suffered under the terrorist attack. In addition, our bill closes the loophole that does not allow for a loan to be forgiven if it has been consolidated. Under my bill, we close this loophole and allow spouses to have their student loans forgiven whether or not the loan had been consolidated. It has been 10 months since this terrible tragedy has taken place. Have we really forgotten our pledge to help these victims any way we can? Let us stop the politics surrounding this legislation today. We must do everything in our power to help ease the financial burden our brave men and women may endure while they fight overseas to rid the world of terrorism. Relieving the student loan expenses helps financially strained spouses provide for their families during this difficult time. But, again, let us come back to the democratic process. I could have brought this amendment up in committee. It could have been voted down. I would have accepted that. But at least I would have had a voice heard.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I express my opposition to this sham bill that is particularly harmful to senior women. I have seen much in my lifetime, but nothing like the blatant disregard for America's seniors by House Republican Leadership. Prescription Drugs is a life and death issue affecting millions of seniors. This body should not be forced to debate a bill severaly lacking in substance and without even the opportunity for a discussion on an alternative. Unfortunately, there is no room for discussion. There is no room for options. There is no chance for an open, constructive and spirited debate on what America's seniors need most--a Prescription Drug Benefit under Medicare. The bill before us today is nothing but a SHAM proposal, which does nothing to provide a real, guaranteed prescription drug benefit to our nation's seniors. I was a nurse before I came to Congress. Let me tell you what this bill does not do for America's seniors. This bill does not bring down the cost of prescription drugs. This bill does not guarantee a prescription drug benefit for seniors; and This bill does not guarantee coverage for any drug prescribed by their doctor. What the bill does do, however, is to provide benefits to insurance companies. As a nurse, the worst aspect of this bill to me is that the higher your drug bills get, the less help you get with paying those bills. Our seniors deserve a plan that is guaranteed and affordable. They should not have to worry about coverage gaps, or which pharmacy they can go to for their prescription drugs. And they certainly shouldn't be limited to which drugs their doctor can prescribe. We owe our seniors more than vague promises. We owe them a prescription drug benefit that will be there whenever they need it, and for whatever drug their doctor prescribes. We owe it to the American people not to support this sham Prescription Drug Bill.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, the Americans with Disabilities Act will celebrate its 12th anniversary on July 26, 2002. The importance and significance of this Act, and its impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities, is certainly remarkable and noteworthy. Prior to the passage of the Act, it was common place to dismiss qualified job applicants on the grounds of their disability, or for disabled individuals to be effectively excluded from the mainstream of American life. With the passage of the Americans with Disability Act 12 years ago, however, we now have the most comprehensive Federal civil- rights statute protecting the rights of people with disabilities. This Act ended the discrimination faced daily by the disabled by requiring employers to make reasonable accommodations for affected workers and assisted the disabled to become an active member of society by requiring public services, such as mass transportation, to be just as accessible to people with disabilities as they are to able-bodied people. Since its inception, the Act has withstood various attacks based on myth and half-truth, the very basis of which affirms the need for the ADA. I was pleased to learn that a 1996 poll by the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation indicated that 75% of respondents believed public attitudes towards disabilities and the disabled had changed since the Act was introduced. The greatest barrier to many talented individuals achieving their goals is the very perception of their disability, and that is why we must continually work to remove these barriers. As a nurse for 30 years, I agree more needs to be done to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in society. I understand that although education and employment opportunities have improved since the Act's inception, our work is not yet finished. I congratulate those who worked so hard to make the Act a reality as well as the continued efforts of so many to press for further improvements. Mr. Speaker, whether in the case of an athlete, a school child or an adult pursuing a new career path, I believe this Act has been an invaluable tool and a demonstration of a more mature, compassionate and understanding, American society. I am honored to be in a position to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act and to play a part in ensuring its continuing legacy remains.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, tonight I have been listening to my colleagues, and they are talking about privatization of Social Security. I am actually here to speak about the attempts to privatize our air traffic controllers. I do not know why everyone keeps thinking that privatizing is the best thing in the world. When I started working down here in Washington, I have to fly a lot, and with that, I certainly see what goes on in our airports; but I also had the opportunity to spend time in the tower. I spent time at JFK Airport in New York; and it just so happened when I was there, a terrible storm came in, and what happens an awful lot of times in our towers, with the equipment that they are using, it fails and yet our traffic controllers were right there and were using the equipment or the hand stuff that they have used for 20 years; and to watch these men and women work, they are absolutely wonderful. When we start talking about privatization, this is not the answer. We have dedicated people keeping our skies safe, and if anybody needs any reminder about that, think about September 11. Our air traffic controllers around this Nation landed over 5,000 planes within a certain amount of hours without any kind of incident. Think about that. My concern also is if we are going to think about privatizing our air traffic controllers, is it going to be a bottom line. These are dedicated people. I spend time with them because they are always saying the equipment is not working. This past weekend we read about the FAA putting new equipment into some of our airports, and then they are the first ones to say it has got bugs in it. We are going to put it in anyway, and we are going to work the bugs out. I personally would rather have the men and women of air traffic controllers working the bugs out before they have to lean on using it. With that, my colleagues on this side of the aisle and hopefully the other side of the aisle will work to make sure we do not privatize our air traffic controllers. It is not the answer, and it is not cost efficient. The men and women that serve this country, keeping our planes safe and keeping us all safe, certainly deserve, and by the way, if we start looking at trying to get people to work in New York and certain other areas of the country, they do not want to go there. They just do not want to go there because the work is so hard, and yet our people are there every single day, minute by minute, watching every single plane in this country; and the only thing that they are concerned about is the safety of their citizens that are in the planes. We should do everything, everything in the world to make sure that we do not privatize. As I said earlier, privatizing everything is not the answer to the problems that we are facing. What we should be doing is having better working conditions for these men and women and giving them the equipment that they need.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 406 offered by the gentleman of Colorado, Mr. Hefley. Today, we honor some of our nation's most courageous citizens: local law enforcement officers. On September 11, 2001, many New York officers risked their lives to come to the rescue of those in crisis as the World Trade Towers came crashing down. And tragically, many of these courageous men and women perished. In the nine months since September 11, the world watched the United States recover. The remains of the World Trade Center have been cleared away, but the memory of tremendous heroism remained in the trying days, weeks, and months that followed. Our nation will never forget the brave law enforcement officers who selflessly answered the call to duty on that dark September day. Today, we honor law enforcement for their committed response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, but we also give tribute to our local officers for the important work and sacrifice they offer each and every day. In cities, towns and villages throughout our great nation, they protect Americans from violence and fight crime in our streets and schools. We depend on our community's law enforcement, not just times of great tragedy, but in our daily lives. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution and encourage all Americans to respect and honor the remarkable contributions of local law enforcement. They make our nation strong and proud.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, again I would like to stress why it is so important. In my 30 years working as a nurse, I have seen so many different changes in our health care system. But one thing I do know is the same is that each and every person in our senior citizens, who certainly are some of our most vulnerable people, when it comes to their health care, we should make sure that they can get the best. I have to say, I did not want to see this country go down the way where we have a two-class system. When the gentleman had mentioned the middle income, I would be considered middle income on Long Island, and yet I am certainly concerned, will I be able to afford the drugs that I might need to keep me healthy as I get older? So that is why I am fighting. I am fighting as a health care provider, but I am also fighting because I am going to be a senior citizen one day. I thank the gentleman again for his leadership.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. If the gentleman will yield, that is something else a lot of people, especially here in Washington, do not talk about. Like I said earlier, looking at it holistically on what the cost evaluation is, I can tell the gentleman that the longer we keep someone healthier and the less time they have to spend in the hospital, overall we are going to be bringing down our costs as far as stays in the hospital go. That is the most important thing. I think it is every health care professional's dream to be put out of business. We love our job in the health care profession, but we also know that so many things can be prevented. As the gentleman said earlier, we have these wonderful, wonderful miracle drugs out there, but if you cannot afford to take them, they are not doing anybody any good. When these drugs come on the market, our seniors that need these medications should have the right, the absolute right, to be able to get the medications that the doctor prescribes. By the way, let us not forget, it is the doctor that is prescribing the medication to save the patient. So, again, let us let the doctors do the job that they were trained to do and not be dictated by a lot of the pharmaceutical companies. It is amazing. When you fly down here to Washington, I only have like a 40-minute flight, it does not matter what magazine I have anymore, there are pages and pages of advertisements about new drugs. I think people misunderstand. We, the Federal Government, give the pharmaceutical companies a lot of money for research and development. None of us that are trying to get a Medicare prescription drug plan are trying to stymie the pharmaceutical companies from research and development. We are not, because we need to have that stimulation there to keep coming up with bigger and better drugs. But, again, I say, are we going to go into a two-class system, where only those that can actually afford to buy the best medication that is out there do, and those that cannot do not? That is wrong. That is not what America is about. As far as health care goes, everyone should be able to be treated equally and get the same treatment. We as nurses do not care if you are rich or poor. All we want to do is make sure that you are taken care of, the same as whether you are on one side of the room or the other side of the room. It should come down to the same thing with prescription drugs. Everyone should be able to have their medication; everyone.