Carolyn McCarthy

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Victims of abuse and neglect are more likely to have delays with language or cognitive skills. They are more likely to be arrested for truancy. We also know they have poor health outcomes as adults. Over 35 years ago, Congress enacted CAPTA to create a single Federal focus on child abuse and neglect. The rates of physical abuse have decreased in recent years, but the rates of neglect have remained constant. Difficult financial times can lead to violence, and victims with fewer personal resources become more vulnerable. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this bill. This is for the children of this Nation. I urge Members to support S. 3817.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I firmly support H.R. 5114, the Flood Insurance Reform Principles Act of 2010, and requested to be a cosponsor, with consent from the bill's principle sponsor. Unfortunately, under House Rules, cosponsors may not be added to legislation once a house report has been filed for that legislation. I have worked tirelessly on this issue, both with my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee, as well as Senator Schumer. I remain committed to working on reforming the National Flood Insurance Program, and will support this again, should it return to the House for a final vote. When we reconvene for the 112th Congress, I will work with the bill's sponsor to ensure this important legislation is reintroduced.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. I want to also thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this issue. I also want to thank all of our staff who have worked so hard on this bill. Finally, I would like to thank the nutrition and anti-hunger groups who have helped raise the awareness of this very important issue, including those in my district. In the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee, which I chair, we have worked hard over the last two Congresses on how we should address many of the important issues through child nutrition reauthorization, including how we can reduce childhood obesity. I'm proud that this bill contains provisions from bills which I have introduced, which will promote nutrition and wellness in child care settings and support breastfeeding for low-income women. As a nurse for over 30 years, I have seen firsthand the risks and illnesses that can result from obesity. Childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are all on the rise in the United States. And one of the best tools we have to combat these illnesses is our ability to apply wholesome and healthy nutrition to children in our schools. Childhood obesity is found in all 50 States, in both young children and adolescents. It affects all social and economic levels. There is no silver bullet to solve childhood obesity. However, the School Breakfast and Lunch programs can make a great impact because they may provide more than 50 percent of a student's food and nutrient intake on school days. Given the current harsh financial realities for many families in my district and throughout the Nation, schools have an increasingly important role to play in providing children with nutritious food during their days. We also know how critical it is to reach children as soon as possible. While the bill doesn't include everything our House- passed bill contained, it is a strong, commonsense, and hopefully bipartisan effort to improve access to healthy food to all children. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I'd like to thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this issue. I'd also like to thank all of our staff who have worked so hard on this bill. Finally, I'd like to thank the nutrition and anti-hunger groups who have helped raise awareness of this very important issue, including those in my district. In the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee, which I chair, we have worked hard over the last two Congresses on how we should address many important issues through child nutrition reauthorization, including how we can reduce childhood obesity. As a nurse for over 30 years, I have seen firsthand the risks and illnesses that can result from obesity. During our bipartisan subcommittee hearings, committee members have heard testimony about studies that one in five 4-year-olds is obese, that kids have the arteries of middle-aged adults, and that the number of children who take medication for chronic diseases has jumped dramatically. Some of these reports are shocking, and unfortunately, some are not. Childhood obesity, diabetes and heart disease are all on the rise in the U.S. and one of the best tools we have to combat these illnesses is our ability to provide wholesome and healthy nutrition to children in school. Childhood obesity is found in all 50 States, in both young children and adolescents, affecting all social and economic levels. Low income communities tend to have the highest obesity rates due to factors such as a lack of access to affordable, healthy foods, lack of safe, available venues for physical activity, and a lack of education about nutrition and its benefits. Furthermore, it has been found that minority children are at the greatest risk for obesity. There is no silver bullet to solve childhood obesity. However, the School Breakfast and Lunch programs can make a great impact because they may provide more than 50 percent of a student's food and nutrient intake on school days. Given the current harsh financial realities for many families in my district and throughout the Nation, schools have an increasingly important role to play in providing children with nutritious food during their days. I also hear from folks in schools finding it more and more difficult to meet the increased demand for meals with healthy, nutritious and high-quality foods, without adequate funding. We also know how critical it is to reach the youngest children and infants as soon as possible. I am proud that this bill contains provisions from bills I have introduced which will promote nutrition and wellness in child care settings, and support breastfeeding for low-income women. We know that change for adults is hard, but if we start to educate our kids early enough, we can establish lifelong habits and the values of healthy living and wellness for the future. The bill before us contains provisions which are very important to a great number of children. While the bill doesn't contain everything our House-passed bill contained, it is a strong, commonsense, and hopefully bipartisan effort to improve access to healthy food for children. But by taking a comprehensive approach to nutrition, our children, families and communities will all be healthier. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this bill.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 323 into the Record.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 323) supporting the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live with dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 323, which supports the goals of ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live with dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years. During the Holocaust, which took place between 1933 and 1945, the Nazis and their partners murdered an estimated 6 million Jews and other targeted groups. Those who survived torture and forced labor under Nazi occupation continue to live with the scars of this horrible tragedy. This resolution supports the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live with dignity and comfort in their remaining years. I applaud the nonprofit organizations and agencies that work extensively to honor and assist the Holocaust survivors in their communities. This resolution urges the administration and the Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Administration on Aging, to provide Holocaust survivors with needed social services through existing programs. Lastly, the resolution encourages the Administration on Aging to develop and implement programs that ensure Holocaust survivors are able to age in place in their communities and avoid being institutionalized during their remaining years. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Representative Wasserman Schultz, for introducing this resolution, and once again express my support. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), who is the author of this resolution.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley).

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, the Holocaust was one of the most unspeakable tragedies in history. The amount pain and suffering of those individuals who endured the terror of the Nazi regime can never be quantified. House Concurrent Resolution 323 is an important resolution that calls on our Nation to ensure that Holocaust survivors are afforded appropriate resources in order to live their remaining years with dignity. I am thankful that we live in a country that continues to cherish individual freedoms and maintains an unbreakable bond with Israel. It's imperative that our Nation teach lessons from the past, be a force for tolerance, and build upon shared democratic values and desire for security and stability. With this in mind, I was proud to introduce H.R. 6363, the Supporting Law Enforcement through Lessons of the Holocaust Act earlier this Congress. This legislation creates a new 4-year grant at the Department of Justice, our State and local law enforcement agencies, to carry out the programs that will teach these officers about the implications of the Holocaust for modern day law enforcement professionals. Stories of personal struggle from the Holocaust live on through our historic records, families, friends and survivors of that horrific time. Our Nation owes it to the survivors to ensure their security and safety with utmost priority. With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Klein).

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. I want to thank Ms. Woolsey, who is my colleague on the Education Committee and who has been working with me on this also, and I want to thank Mr. Roe from Tennessee for bringing this up. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1598, a resolution supporting the recognition of National Work and Family Month. I think my colleague, Ms. Woolsey, really spoke about the essence of the bill, so I am going to speak a little bit shorter on this. I want to thank Representative Platts for introducing this resolution with me, and I want to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Kline for bringing this resolution to the floor today under suspension. This resolution highlights the need to focus on a healthy work and family balance. Study after study has shown that finding the right balance between work responsibilities and family obligations is one of the most important things for all of our workers. Workers who have a better work-family balance have better overall health and have less stress. Children also benefit from having their parents available more often. Employees who are able to spend enough time with their families are happier at work and are more productive than those employees who do not have enough time to spend with their families. Achieving a work- family balance is good for all employers, employees and their families. This resolution just basically asks all Americans to consider how to achieve a healthier work-family balance, to increase the quality of life for our employees and their families and improve productivity for our employers. Thank you, and I urge the passage of this resolution.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I certainly thank my colleague. I want to thank Ms. Norton and again my colleague and I want to thank everybody on the committee. I do rise today to ask my colleagues to support H. Res. 1529, commending Bob Sheppard for his long and respected career as the public-address announcer for the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. As someone who has spent my whole life in New York, his voice was very, very distinctive not only to New Yorkers but to many, many of my colleagues across the country. On July 11, 2010, Mr. Sheppard passed away at the age of 99 in his home in Baldwin, which is part of my district, the Fourth Congressional District in New York. Mr. Sheppard was a constant in sports announcing for over 50 years. His distinctive voice was recognized by both players and fans. Each game began with his trademark cadence--as we in New York kind of talk sometimes funny--``Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Yankee Stadium.'' He performed the role as a public-address announcer at Yankee Stadium from opening day in 1951 through the year 2007, and as the public address announcer for the New York Giants from 1956 through the year 2005. At the age of 62, he announced the World Series games, two All- Star games, and has introduced more than 72 Hall-of-Famers throughout his career. He will always be remembered for his clear, concise, and correct announcements and pronunciations, taking pride in the name of every player he introduced. Bob Sheppard utilized his great oratory skills not only in the sports arena but, as was mentioned, as the chairman of the speech department at John Adams High School in Queens and as professor of speech at St. John's University. Bob Sheppard was honored for his 50 memorable years of service as the announcer at Yankee Stadium with Bob Sheppard Day, celebrated on May 7, 2000, and with a permanent plaque in Monument Park behind Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. His voice will always continue to live on as the recorded introduction of Yankees' shortstop Derek Jeter. My resolution serves to recognize the legacy of Bob Sheppard and his distinctive announcing style as a revered tradition not only to the New York Yankees and to the New York Giants, but also, as I said earlier, to the games of baseball and football and the field of sports announcing. I do want to thank my 52 colleagues, cosponsors of the resolution, including many Members who are fans of other teams. I have to say, though, the majority of us were over a certain age that certainly remembered Bob. Additionally, the resolution commends Mr. Sheppard for his 52 years of service in the field of sports announcing and his dedication to spreading his knowledge and skill through teaching speech at both the high school and the college levels. Today, we do salute Bob Sheppard. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from New York, Senator Schumer, for sponsoring this legislation in the Senate. I also want to thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for bringing this bill to the floor with my colleagues, Representative Norton and Representative Bilbray. I rise today to ask for support to rename the post office located in my district at 100 Broadway in Lynbrook, New York, in honor of Navy Corpsman Jeffrey L. Wiener. Mr. Speaker, I know a lot of times we are here renaming post offices. Post offices, whether in an urban setting, whether in a suburban setting, whether in a rural setting, have been a place where people have always gathered. And I think one of the important things that we can do, especially for our young men and women that serve this country and make the ultimate sacrifice, as one of my constituents did, I think it's important that we remember those that have made that sacrifice. Corpsman Wiener was killed in Iraq in the year 2005. But throughout his life, he demonstrated a commitment to saving lives, ensuring public safety in his community, and serving his country. Jeffrey Wiener began serving the community of Lynbrook in 1987 at the age of 14 as a volunteer junior fireman. And we know, our junior firemen, basically working in the community, stay with that and become the volunteer firemen which our communities count on. By the year 2000 he had risen to the rank of captain and became an EMT for Nassau County. In May 2003, in response to the terrorist attacks that happened to New York and to this country on September 11, 2001, Jeffrey chose to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Navy. On May 7, 2005, Jeffrey gave the ultimate sacrifice when he and three other marines from his unit were killed in an ambush and a bombing in Iraq. It is because of people like Jeffrey and his colleagues that we are able to enjoy the rights and the freedoms that we all hold so dear. Jeffrey is survived by his wife, Maria, and his two daughters. This legislation honors the legacy, the sacrifice, and the heroism of Navy Corpsman Wiener by renaming the post office located at 100 Broadway in Lynbrook, New York, as the Navy Corpsman Jeffrey L. Wiener Post Office building. Again, Mr. Speaker, these are very, very little things for the sacrifice that the young men and women across this country do for us on a daily basis. And I think sometimes it becomes very, very easy for people to forget what these sacrifices mean, not only to the family, to the community, but to our country. This is one way, a small way, granted, to honor these lives. I ask my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2039, the Congressional Made in America Promise Act. This bill extends the provisions of the Buy American Act to the legislative branch. It is important that the Congress lead by example and support American manufacturers and businesses. In the global economy, American manufacturers are being pressured from all angles. It is important for this Congress to pursue policies that ensure that our businesses are able to compete in the world economy. There is much to be done, but this bill is a step in the right direction and allows for us to support our manufacturers directly. I look forward to working with the my colleagues to continue to support American manufacturing and a strong, vibrant workforce.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5366, the Overseas Contractor Reform Act. The Overseas Contractor Reform Act will keep any person found to be in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 from receiving a government contract or grant. It is important that we ensure that any individual that receives a contract from the Federal Government, and therefore is a de facto representative of the people of the United States, is of the highest moral standard and complies with all applicable laws. Improving our ability to effectively oversee our foreign contractors will yield numerous benefits. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to improve our contractor system and curtail abuses and excesses when they are found.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. I want to thank Chairmen Peterson and Waxman and Ranking Members Lucas and Barton for bringing forward this important legislation. I also thank my colleague from Pennsylvania, Tim Holden. Mr. Chairman, energy costs in this country continue to rise. For many families these costs are becoming an unbearable burden. I support this bill and believe that it will be a great help to many American families. H.R. 4785 creates the tools necessary to give homeowners control over their energy costs. The loans provided for in this bill will allow homeowners to invest in energy efficiency measures that will provide long-term savings to many, many families. It will help bring down energy costs for homeowners, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help us transition towards a clean-energy economy. Although all Americans are facing the reality of rising energy costs, for our active duty troops and our veterans, the challenges of skyrocketing energy costs can be even more problematic. The members of our active duty military must often balance their household and service requirements. Does this still get your point across? I believe it does. Our veterans, both our new veterans just starting out and our older veterans living on a fixed income, also have unique challenges when it comes to their energy costs. I believe it is important that we give priority in this bill to those men and women who have sacrificed and who continue to sacrifice for our country. This is what my amendment does. Let us make sure that, with all the challenges in life, our active duty members and veterans are able to worry a little less about their electricity bills. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1610. We must never forget the events of September 11, 2001, the victims, the responders, or the survivors. September 11 was a horrifyingly destructive day of national tragedy. Innocent men, women and children of all ages, ethnicities, religions, and nationalities were killed that day by narrow minded, hateful men bent on a worldview of ignorance and oppression. In that darkest hour, however, were revealed some of the brightest lights of the American community. Our firefighters, police and other first responders bravely sacrificed their lives in an effort to save as many people as possible. Individuals from communities around the country raced to New York and Washington, DC to provide whatever help they could. And men and women from every state stepped up to defend the nation and joined the Armed Forces. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11 our country came together with one voice to fight against the ideology of hatred embraced by the terrorists that attacked us. We continue to fight around the world to oppose the advocates of terror and advance for all people the rights that our founders first articulated: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1522, a resolution focusing on the important health issues of breast and ovarian cancer. It is the obligation of this Congress to do everything that we can to support the individuals with these cancers and to lead the fight to find a cure. The lives of too many Americans are destroyed by these cancers--not only the individuals suffering from these diseases, but the family members and caregivers as well. I have been working to raise awareness of inflammatory breast cancer, a area and particularly deadly form of breast cancer. Many people may not be aware that there are different types of breast cancer. Even many physicians are unfamiliar with inflammatory breast cancer. That is why continuing to educate ourselves about these cancers and continuing to raise awareness is so critically important. This resolution will continue to raise awareness of breast and ovarian cancer and encourage continuing education. I want to thank Representative Wasserman Schultz for her work on this resolution and for being a leader on these issues and women's health in this Congress.

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York

Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Lou Sanders for an outstanding career in journalism and longstanding dedication to serving the people of Long Island, New York. As the owner of the Mineola America for 40 years and as the writer of the Mineola America column Around the Town with Lou, Mr. Sanders serves as a staple to the residents of Mineola. For these reasons and many others, I believe he is worthy of recognition. Mr. Sanders earned his degree in journalism at New York University and has been an irreplaceable asset to his community in many capacities. Lou has been elected the position of President of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce five times and has been elected twice for the position of President of the Nassau County Press Association. Lou and his wife Grace started the Mineola America in 1952 and, after 40 years, sold the paper to Anton Community Newspapers. As the current writer of the Mineola America column Around the Two with Lou, Mr. Sanders consistently offers the community encouraging words about the issues affecting Long Islanders' day-to-day life. Lou is a part of what makes Mineola, New York a wonderful place to live, and I am grateful to him for all that he has provided to the community. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing the gratitude of the U.S. Congress for his contributions to society.