Gregory Meeks

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2421) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of Mother's Day, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Let me again thank the gentlewoman from West Virginia for her hard work on bringing this bill. I think there's no more appropriate thing to do than to celebrate mothers, as we will this Sunday, and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day, as we will in 2014, as well as raising money for those causes that will help women. Let me likewise just say that I would not be standing here today in the well of the House of Representatives if it wasn't for many lessons that were taught to me by my mother. And though she is no longer with us, there is not a day that goes by that she is not in my thoughts and in my heart and I don't hear her. In closing, I must say on a personal note that I must give a special thanks to my wife and what she does on a daily basis mothering our children. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, April 29, 2010. Hon. Barney Frank, Chairman, Financial Services Committee, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Frank: I am writing regarding H.R. 2421, the Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act. As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains jurisdiction over bills that raise revenue. H.R. 2421 contains a provision that establishes a surcharge for the sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the bill, and thus falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. However, as part of our ongoing understanding regarding commemorative coin bills and in order to expedite this bill for Floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action. This is being done with the understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation in the future. I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 2421, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the record. Sincerely, Sander M. Levin, Chairman.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this historic legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Affordable Care for America. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in support of this critical legislation to ensure that each and every American has access to affordable, quality healthcare. This bill will put Americans and small businesses back in charge of their health care choices and make coverage affordable for everyone. Premium tax credits and cost-sharing assistance will be offered to low- and middle-income Americans, which will be the largest tax cut for health care in the history of this nation. My constituents in the Sixth Congressional District and across the country will be provided the opportunity to make informed decisions about their health insurance and purchase the plan of their choice. It is extremely important that every hard working American receives affordable high quality healthcare. This critical legislation will extend coverage to 95 percent of all Americans when passed. For the Sixth Congressional District this means that 54,000 residents who currently do not have health insurance will receive coverage. By passing this historical legislation we will be able to provide the people of the United States the proper healthcare they deserve. No American should be denied the right to better and affordable health care coverage. No American should be discriminated against by insurance companies based on pre-existing conditions, health status and gender. No American should be forced into medical bankruptcy because their Medicare access was terminated. I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to vote ``yes'' so no American is told ``no'' again.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. I want to thank the ranking member of the full committee as well as the ranking member of the subcommittee for the cooperative spirit in working together in getting this bill to where it is today. Thank you for working in a very bipartisan manner to this point. At this time, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) who is the author of this bill and who has been a longtime supporter for the people of Haiti.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes. Today, Madam Speaker, we consider an issue that is close to all of our hearts. Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake on January 12 of this year. The country, which was finally making strides to more stable economic and political growth after so many failed governments of the past, was rocked by a natural disaster of historic proportions. The images from the disaster are fresh in our minds. The immediate needs of the people are clear, and the desire of the global community and the average American citizens to help Haiti recover as fast as possible are clear and give us all hope. Earlier today, I joined with President Obama and other members of this House at the White House in restating America's commitment to stand by our brothers and sisters in Haiti, and to lend them a hand up to get back on a path to economic growth and social healing. In speaking with President Preval today, I told him that Haiti debt relief was but the first of a broader set of initiatives that we will undertake to enable the people of Haiti to rebuild their country, their lives, their businesses, and their communities. As Chair of the International Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee, I am proud to have moved this bill successfully in a strongly bipartisan manner. I thank the woman whose name will appear on this bill who has worked very hard to make this bill happen, the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Housing, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) who has been a long and strong supporter for Haiti. Forgiving Haiti's debts to the World Bank, the IMF, the IDB, and IFAD is good policy and is the right thing to do. But forgiving these debts alone will not deliver the desperately needed tents to provide shelter from the impending rainy season. Debt relief alone will not rebuild roads, hospitals, churches, schools, and the physical infrastructure that Haiti needs to get back to work. Debt relief alone will not heal the physical and psychological wounds of the injured and traumatized or develop the human capital the country needs so desperately. As our agencies, from USAID to the Treasury Department, to the State Department, to our Armed Forces, to average citizens from around the country, lend support to Haiti in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, we must not lose sight of the longer-term needs of this country, its government, and its people. Indeed, we are now moving to the second and third phase of a long and arduous process; namely, moving from the immediate rescue and survival concerns, though they are still critical, to reconstruction and ultimately long-term economic recovery. Doing this will require leadership of the Haitian people and government as they take ownership for the future they care to build. It will also require effective coordination of our aid and development efforts to limit waste, duplication and, ultimately, loss of goodwill. As we do all of this and as implementation is planned, special attention needs to be paid to the need to rebuild Haiti's human capital. Several of our government agencies are already at work doing this, and I will keep pressure on them, as I am sure others in this House will, as well as the development banks and international financial institutions, to ensure that they invest heavily in developing the people of Haiti and the institutions of Haiti, to enable them to effectively govern and set their own path to a brighter future with dignity and independence. Lastly, I will keep the pressure on the international institutions to deliver the necessary resources to Haiti without adding to that nation's long-term debt burden. In over 200 years of independence, Haiti has always been saddled with unsustainable debts, whether extraordinarily high debt obligations owed to the French as a condition of independence in the early 1800s, as is often brought out by Congressman Green of Houston, or from international institutions unscrupulously saddling the people of Haiti with debts diverted by dictators in the second half of the 20th century, or over $1 billion in debts still owed today, despite the country having earned $1.2 billion in debt forgiveness from the international institutions last year. The people of Haiti have worked far too long and far too hard to repay debts they had little say in accruing and which have yielded very little benefit to the average citizen. This cynical game of debt accrual and debt forgiveness must end, and as Chair of the International Monetary Policy Subcommittee, I will be doing my part to see that happens. The people of Haiti deserve better than that and deserve a chance to invest in their own futures. March 8, 2010. Hon. Barney Frank, Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Frank: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 4573, the Debt Relief for Earthquake Recovery in Haiti Act of 2010, introduced by Rep. Maxine Waters on February 2, 2010. This bill contains provisions within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the interest of permitting your Committee to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, I am willing to waive this Committee's right to mark up this bill. I do so with the understanding that by waiving consideration of the bill, the Committee on Foreign Affairs does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. Further, I request your support for the appointment of Foreign Affairs Committee conferees during any House-Senate conference convened on this legislation. Please include a copy of this letter and your response in the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Sincerely, Howard L. Berman, Chairman.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation, and to insert extraneous materials thereon.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4573) to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the United States Executive Directors at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and other multilateral development institutions to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to cancel immediately and completely Haiti's debts to such institutions, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes the hardworking gentleman from the great State of Texas, the Honorable Al Green.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from the great State of Texas, Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee. (Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. MEEKS of New York. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Let me just first thank the chairman of the committee, Barney Frank, Ranking Member Bachus, and again my ranking member on the International Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee, Mr. Miller. We came together because of the hard work and dedication that the gentlelady from California put forward in writing this bill to make sure we did the right thing for the people of Haiti. This is one of those times where you are proud of being a Member of Congress, working together for the good of human beings. Though oftentimes we say that Haiti is poor, when I think of Haiti, they are rich; rich in spirit, rich in human capital, rich in hope. These are a people suffering the most unimaginable tragedy, which still have the hope and desire of moving forward, who have overcome and survived all of the things that Mr. Bachus and others have said today, when you think about it, from the very beginning of their independence. Indeed, the people of Haiti are a rich people, and we are doing the right thing today and sending the right message to the people of Haiti, that we will stand by you, not just for the short haul, but for the long haul. Madam Speaker, I am proud to be a Member of Congress and proud of my colleagues who have worked so hard to get this bill done, and I am proud that we are doing the right thing by the great people of Haiti.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. It is my honor to yield 2 minutes to the chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, a longtime fighter for Haiti, the gentleman from New Jersey, the Honorable Donald Payne.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. It is my pleasure now to yield 1\1/2\ minutes of that to the gentlelady from the great State of Florida, the Honorable Corrine Brown.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, how much time do we have remaining?

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to yield 2 minutes to the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, a longtime fighter for Haiti, the Honorable Barbara Lee.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. It is my honor to yield 1 minute to the distinguished Chair of the Financial Services Committee who has led us this far, the gentleman from Massachusetts, the Honorable Barney Frank.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. I yield 2 minutes to the Chair of the subcommittee for the Western Hemisphere, the gentleman from New York, the Honorable Eliot Engel.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to one who is called from the Caribbean, the gentlewoman from the great State of New York, the Honorable Yvette Clarke.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Peter Hakim for his tremendous work in leading the Inter-American Dialogue for over 16 years. It is impossible to fully express in words what he has accomplished as President. As a leader, Peter has facilitated discussion, cooperation and understanding of some of the toughest issues confronting our hemisphere and generated conversations among leaders that inevitably bettered our ability to work together. Whether on drug policy, immigration, the plight of Afro-Latinos or countless other issues, I have seen the fruits of his labor and I believe the legacy of success will be a model for future leaders to follow. Although Peter will now move on as President Emeritus, I am heartened to know that Michael Shifter will continue the momentum. Michael's role at the Dialogue has already shown us his exemplary work on the policies affecting the Americas. His work as president of the organization will no doubt be exemplary as well. The list of Peter's accomplishments is long and my time is short, but I will end with this: I wish all the best to Peter and look forward to Michael Shifter now running with the baton.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. If this wasn't so serious, it would be laughable. Eight years they had a chance, the other side here, to get this economy right. Eight years. And they are the ones that drove it into the ground and dares criticize when someone is turning it around so we are going in the right direction. Eight years. This didn't happen overnight when we started losing jobs. When President Bush left office we were losing 750,000 jobs a month. What did they do? Nothing. Then you have President Obama come on board, started turning things around, and what do they do? Criticize. Criticize progress of creating jobs again. Criticize trying to create an opportunity for America to have good health care again. Criticize the fact that we are able to improve bridges and roads. Criticize the fact that we are going to be able to approve the money to help the unemployed. Eight years of driving the economy into the ground. One year. President Obama had 1 year to make sure that we begin to restore America to the prosperity that we had 8 years prior to the Bush administration. Let's continue to move in the right direction.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable woman. Ms. Pat Fisher, who is my office manager, who is retiring next week after 33 years on the Hill. She came into my office not too long ago and said, You know, I've been thinking about it. I served 11 years with your predecessor, Floyd Flake, and 11 years with his predecessor, Joe Addabbo, and now 11 years with you, and it's time for me to go home to my family. And she has done it with such grace and such style. She is indeed a treasure and comes here with her father, who served in this House for 50 years. They love this place. But let me tell you that Pat Fisher, she is a time-honored treasure who will truly be missed. She has been the gatekeeper for the Sixth Congressional District of New York for 33 years. And not only will Washington and this House miss her, but the 640,000 people who comprise the Sixth Congressional District of New York. We will miss her dearly. We wish her well and much success. Our loss will be her husband, Joe's, gain, and the rest of her family's: her daughter, her son, and her grandchild. We wish you all the luck in the world. Thank you for your service to this great Nation and to the Sixth Congressional District.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Chair, I rise in strong opposition to the Republican substitute. In fact, when you look at it, it's nowhere near H.R. 4173. Let me tell you what H.R. 4173 does. It strengthens protections for consumers and updates the regulatory structure, brings transparency to the previously unregulated derivatives market, and ensures that no one would be permitted to survive simply because they're ``too big to fail.'' That's what 4173 does. Now, we all agree that the financial industry is, in fact, the lifeblood of America's economy and is a global leader in size, innovation, and employment. And I believe it is essential to sustain this industry while making it accountable for its actions, and that is exactly what H.R. 4173 accomplishes. For the sake of restoring America's economy, we must restore a strong and accountable financial sector. Therefore, I am against the Republican substitute and for H.R. 4173 because it will ensure that the financial industry will get back on solid footing and back to the business of lending to American families and industries, while guaranteeing that financial firms will bear the risks that they take without recourse to the taxpayer. I support H.R. 4173 because of the impact the financial crisis has had on middle America. Our small businesses cannot access credit. Retirees are forced to go back to work because their pensions are depleted and they have upside-down mortgages. And in my community, we have an astronomical unemployment rate. Finally, let me emphasize that these reforms that are in H.R. 4173 strengthen our system of capitalism and free enterprise. To those who criticize this legislation as antimarkets, I would counter that this legislation is good for consumers and good for businesses because investors are staying out of the market right now and companies across the Nation are struggling to stay in business, let alone creating desperately needed jobs. By strengthening protections for consumers and investors and bringing transparency and accountability to the marketplace, we are restoring the cornerstone of a healthy and sustainable economy of the free world.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize and honor Arthur B. ``Artie'' Hill, Sr. on his lifetime achievement in the community. Arthur B. ``Artie'' Hill, Sr. was born in New York City on April 2, 1922. ``Artie'' Hill, Sr. graduated from John Jay College in 1966 and received his MPA degree from City University of New York in 1973. On September 16, 1946, Arthur B. ``Artie'' Hill began his career in law enforcement as a patrolman, retiring after 27 years of service as assistant chief, commanding officer of the Special Operations Division. Arthur B. ``Artie'' Hill, Sr. began a career of over 17 years at UPS on January 15, 1973 where he held several management positions throughout the company, eventually retiring on September 30, 1990 as Vice President of Public Affairs. Arthur B. ``Artie'' Hill served as an alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York in 1980 and 1984. Arthur B. ``Artie'' Hill is a distinguished member and affiliate of numerous organizations, including his service as Director of the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, the Apollo Theater Foundation and AmeriChoice Northeast Managed Heath Care Systems of New York, Inc.; Trustee of North General Hospital; Life Member of the NAACP; Member of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity ``Boule,'' Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, National Association of Guardsmen, Comus Club Inc., National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), 100 Black Men, 369th Veteran's Association, Shriners and Prince Hall Masons; In May 2008, the North General Hospital's Board of Trustees opened the new Arthur B. and Patricia Hill VIP Patient Room on the Hospital's sixth floor. Hill is a former board member and long-time supporter of North General Hospital and has helped ensure that the people of Harlem continue to have access to excellent healthcare. At 87 years old, Arthur B. ``Artie'' Hill, Sr. remains a tireless advocate for a number of causes in the community. I would like to take a moment to have the House of Representatives recognize and honor Arthur B. ``Artie'' Hill, Sr. on his lifetime achievement in the community.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. The camera of history is rolling, and I am so happy to play a part in it, because just as we created history in the thirties with Social Security and in the sixties with Medicare, we will create history tonight in passing H.R. 3962. Dr. King once asked the question, How long? Well, because of H.R. 3962, how long before all Americans have access to affordable and quality health care? Not long. How long before we end discrimination for preexisting conditions? Not long. How long before we ensure that no Americans fear bankruptcy or financial ruin due to illness? Not long. How long before we close the doughnut hole, helping all of our senior citizens? Not long. How long before we begin to control the escalating prices of insurance and health care? Not long. How long before all Americans, all of us, can have access to quality health care? Not long.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. I thank the gentleman from West Virginia. You know, I have been listening for a while, and if ever there was a bill or position I think that we should agree upon, it's this piece. I heard Mr. Hensarling say on the floor that we are losing small businesses by the thousands, and I agree with that. People are losing jobs, small businesses, which is the backbone of America. And I've heard my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk often and defend the backbone of America, our small businesses; without them, the average everyday American is in trouble. And so it is that as you look at the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce Export Center, which supports the needs of small and midsized freight- forwarding businesses--small business--that surround John F. Kennedy Airport and that aims to provide economic and industrial relief to New York City communities that are grappling with an exodus of export and freight-forwarding jobs and businesses, we're losing the jobs, small businesses are closing. The average everyday American is asking those of us in Congress to help them. John F. Kennedy Airport, once the premiere airport for shipping cargo, has fallen, causing the loss of thousands of jobs. As a primary employer, the freight-forwarding firms in Queens County employ approximately 41,000 people directly. Studies project that for every 1,000 air transport jobs that are lost means there are an additional 470 jobs in associated industries that are also lost. So it seems to me that the perfect remedy to save jobs in various areas is to help keep small businesses running and thriving. It's estimated that the industry has already lost 4,000 jobs in the areas surrounding John F. Kennedy Airport. This issue became even more pronounced after the tragic events of 9/11, which had a devastatingly negative impact on the airlines and related industries in New York City. In an effort to help sustain the 1,300 small and midsized firms located off the airport site, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce opened the Export Center. The center's incubator, one of its main features, happens to encourage minority and female entrepreneurs to operate freight- forwarding businesses by offering technical assistance from a major university business center, keeping them in business and lowering their costs through the collective use of facilities. If this project is earmarked, the funds would be administered by the Minority Business Development Agency under the Department of Commerce, whose goal is specifically--this is what they're there for--to foster the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in America. It aims to address the historical disparity in the number of minority businesses and the large gap that still remains so that small businesses and minorities can get involved in the great American Dream of owning a business and creating jobs in a community in which they reside. It specifically encourages the development of entrepreneurship programs that increase the success of minority- and women-owned businesses. The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce Export Center does exactly and supports the goals specifically that the program within the Department of Commerce is charged to do. So there is a perfect match here to create jobs, to get people to become small business owners, to maintain low overhead. I think that that's what the American people want. And by doing this, we are saving jobs not only in one area, but in many areas. To me, that is something that should be applauded, not something that should be taken away. We match the very definition of what the Department of Commerce has talked about, a perfect match. And we give, in this process, daylight so that the American people can understand we're trying to help them.