Betty McCollum

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, first I would like to thank the staff, the committee staff on both the Republican and the Democratic side, and I would like to thank the floor staff for their patience, their hard work, their dedication and their help to me this evening. Mr. Chairman, my amendment ends tens of millions of taxpayer dollars being wasted on sponsorship for NASCAR race cars by the Department of Defense. With trillion-dollar deficits, this amendment is where the rubber meets the road for my Republican tea party colleagues who want to cut wasteful spending. Defense Department waste is nothing new. Many Americans remember in the 1980s the Pentagon was spending $400 for a hammer and $600 for a toilet seat. Now we have the Army spending $7 million for a decal on a racing car. Talk about taxpayer sticker shock. For $7 million the Army buys a decal on a race car and a few driver appearances. But it's not only the Army spending millions of dollars. The Air Force sponsors a NASCAR race car for millions. So does the National Guard. Incredibly, over the past decade hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars have subsidized race car owners and millionaire drivers in the name of military recruitment. Now here's the $7 million question: Does slapping a sticker on a race car convince a young man or a young woman to volunteer to serve our country in the Armed Forces? Not according to the Marine Corps. Fact. In 2006, the Marine Corps dropped its sponsorship of NASCAR. A Marine Corps spokesman said, We don't have a tracking mechanism to track how many people contracted because of seeing an advertisement on the hood of a car. Fact. The same year, the Coast Guard dropped a $5 million NASCAR deal. Fact. In 2008, the Navy dropped NASCAR sponsorship, saying, ``it's not always easy to measure a return on investment.'' Unbelievably, that year the Navy also paid one driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., the outrageous sum of $800,000 in taxpayer funds--twice the salary of the President of the United States--just to make public appearances. For all the tough budget cutters in Congress, you should know that the Citizens Against Government Waste has endorsed this amendment. So I would urge my Republican colleagues who are cutting homeless veterans, cutting law enforcement officers, cutting firefighters, why not cut some real waste and at the same time free NASCAR from its dependency on the American taxpayer? This amendment gives Members a clear choice: a vote to end wasteful spending or a vote to keep wasting the American people's money. I urge a ``yes'' vote to end the funding to NASCAR. I want to stress again, many parts of the military were using NASCAR sponsorship as part of their driver recruitment. They found that they could not track the success of this program, so they ended it, using their resources towards something that they knew that they could track, knew that they had something that was successful. So, Members, I urge you to end the taxpayer funding to NASCAR. Let's put the dollars to work in the Department of Defense for something they know is trackable and accountable. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, Congressional Republicans often assert that their aggressive budget cutting is in line with the desires of the American people. The cuts Republicans propose for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011 include eliminating support for homeless veterans, cutting nearly a billion dollars from programs for law enforcement and first responders, and gutting environmental protections that keep our air, water and food safe. As House Republicans continue their march to weaken our communities, kill jobs, and make our most vulnerable citizens bear the burden for tax cuts for the wealthiest citizens, there is another target for cutting--the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, CPB. In this bill, House Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) is working to eradicate all funding for CPB and eliminate federal support for public media. This attack on unbiased reporting, cultural programming, and educational television and radio would have dire consequences in my home State for Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television, not to mention the Minnesota taxpayers who rely on public broadcasting every day. CPB's funding is directed to local public broadcasting stations, which provide commercial-free, high-quality programming to millions of Americans every day. Public broadcasting outlets target underserved audiences, children, minorities, and low-income Americans with non- biased news and cultural programming. Public broadcasting is one of the most valuable community assets, and it is a prime example of the numerous benefits that come from investment from the federal government. Every month, over half of all Americans utilize public broadcasting--170 million people--through 368 public television stations, 943 radio stations, and hundreds of online services. Federal funding for CPB costs $1.35 per American ever year, while the rest of the funding comes from private donations. Public broadcasting is a vital educational resource for teachers, parents, and children. In addition to providing a valuable community good, a majority of Americans value public media and advocate that the federal government continue its support. Last year, Americans rated public broadcasting as an ``excellent'' use of taxpayer dollars, coming in second to defense spending. Eighty percent of those who were surveyed believe that funding for public broadcasting is money ``well spent.'' A vote in support of CPB funding is a vote for the American people. Public broadcasting is what our citizens want, and Chairman Rogers and the rest of the Republicans should listen. Members from the Fourth District have contacted me to speak out in support of public broadcasting and against this egregious attack. A St. Paul student, age 14, just called me today to tell me that she is the voice of the future and very supportive of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. A resident from St. Paul told me, ``Thank you for standing up for public broadcasting. You are right when you say the Tea Party would like nothing better than to eliminate the one place where we go to find balanced reporting. I am a sustaining member of both public television and radio and find it to be a source of hope in this media-fallow country.'' A college student in St. Paul wrote me to say, ``I am deeply concerned about proposed legislation in the House that would eliminate federal funding for PBS and NPR. It is vital to our country and our public discourse that we have some forms of independent journalism that are unbiased and free from corporate interests. Not only does public media provide a trusted news and entertainment source for adults around the Nation, but the educational children's programming helps get youngsters from all backgrounds off to a good start. I grew up watching Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, and Nova on what was then Channel 2 (now TPT). Now, as a college student at the University of Minnesota-Morris, I still depend on PBS and NPR every day. I fear that cuts to federal funding for public media will have an especially adverse effect on smaller and rural stations, like Pioneer Public TV, which are more dependent on federal money. It pains me to imagine a time when public media isn't available to future generations of Americans as a source of nonpartisan information available to all.'' Another St. Paul resident said, ``I am a current supporter of the MN TPT, and would hate to see this wonderful service eliminated because someone in Congress thinks it is unnecessary. Many people can't afford cable or satellite television--I can only afford the lowest basic service--and the programming on TPT is educational, entertaining and innovative. Please fight to keep the funding! Thank you!'' As you can see, residents of the 4th District of Minnesota are strong supporters of this essential service. Federal support for CPB keeps our citizens informed, educates our children, and makes our communities stronger. I will fight against these ``dumb-cuts'' because Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television are critical community assets that deserve federal support. Given Republicans' frantic attempts to slash federal spending in even the most detrimental ways, eliminating CPB is a very real possibility. In my position on the House Appropriations Committee, I will do everything in my power to prevent public broadcasting stations nationwide from being forced to shut their doors, but I cannot do it alone. I urge my colleagues to protect this valuable public good and vote against H.R. 1.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I want to make it clear that while the Congressman says the amendment eliminates the U.S. Forest Service's International Programs, it does not. The amendment only calls for a reduction in the budget of the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, State and private forests. Should this shortsighted amendment pass, the agency would decide what to cut within its budget. That being said, the gentleman from Kansas has unfairly maligned an important agency that's doing unsung work. The U.S. Forest Service's International Programs plays a unique role as one of the few Federal agencies working with international governments and NGOs to, one, stop the flow of illegal wood that is undercutting our U.S. timber industry and costing us jobs. Another example, protecting western Canada's boreal forests in partnership with Ducks Unlimited to ensure future generations of hunters will have access to waterfowl habitats. This area is the second most productive breeding ground for ducks that migrate to the United States. The examples of working with China and Russia are important, working with China and Russia to address such invasive species as the emerald ash borer and the Asian gypsy moth, both of which currently are threatening millions of forest acres in my home State of Minnesota and have devastated parts of the eastern part of the United States. Similarly, all wildlife salmon migrate from the rivers of the West Coast of North America to eastern Russia to the Pacific Ocean. The Forest Service is working with the Russians to improve the watershed management on these rivers in eastern Russia to preserve the wild stock of this important species for future generations. One of the things that disturbs me most is the way that a program has been described that allows students to interact with one another and learn about forestry management, biology, and how we are interconnected in this world. There are no Mexican students that go on field trips here in the United States, but there is an exchange of classrooms in Canada and the United States and in Mexico where teachers online follow the migration of the monarch. Students learn about, yes, insects. They learn about the trees that are important to them, and they learn biology. These are very, very important programs. They should not be maligned. And this amendment, while it does not eliminate the program, should still be opposed.

Ms. McCOLLUM. I rise today to let the American people and all Minnesotans know that this continuing resolution is an unprecedented assault on our public health and environment. We know that the Federal budget is in crisis, and we know we must make tough choices; but those choices must be prudent, wise, and invest in our future. It should not put the basic health of Americans at risk. The Republicans' plan before us proposes to cut $3 billion from the EPA's budget, the largest percentage cuts to this critical agency in 30 years. The bill also proposes radical policy language to keep the EPA from carrying out its historic mission--a mission to protect the health of the American people--by limiting the EPA's ability to enforce the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. The EPA needs to be allowed to do its job, and it needs the resources to do this job. This bill would cause the EPA to lay off 80 percent of its employees who are responsible for protecting public health. State clean water programs are gutted by $2 billion in the Republican budget. Our local communities are struggling with their own budgets, and these vital funds allow for communities to hire engineers, construction workers, to upgrade water plants and drinking water projects. It is the EPA's investment in clean water that allows parents to know that if their child walks up to a drinking fountain anywhere in America, they can have the peace of mind that that water is safe for their child to drink. These irresponsible cuts jeopardize that peace of mind. The EPA does important work, and the work that the EPA does saves lives. I strongly oppose these reckless Republican cuts and radical deregulation proposals that endanger our communities. Congress needs to make difficult choices. Mr. Chair, I believe that these are foolhardy choices to shortchange clean air, clean water, and the health of our families. On Monday, I received over 1,000 valentines from Minnesotans, and those valentines were dedicated to the EPA. My constituents understand the important work that the EPA has done to protect our water, our land, and their health over the past 40 years. And it's work that they feel must continue. This continuing resolution would turn back all the tremendous progress we have made in cleaning up our environment, and I firmly reject it and urge my colleagues to do as well. Mr. Chair, with that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, with the passage of H.R. 359, House Republicans voted today to give corporations and other special interests even more power to influence America's elections. I strongly oppose this legislation and will continue working to restore transparency and balance to our country's broken campaign finance system. H.R. 359 terminates the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, which was created in response to the campaign corruption exposed by the Watergate Scandal. The voluntary PECF allows taxpayers to set aside $3.00 of their federal taxes so that eligible candidates spend less time fundraising from special interests. H.R. 359 eliminates an important option citizens now have to support fair federal elections and takes another, worrisome toward corporate control of U.S. elections. Many non-partisan organizations strongly oppose H.R. 359 and are raising alarm about the consequences of its passage. The League of Women Voters said the Presidential Election Campaign Fund ``has substantially reduced corruption and the appearance of corruption in the executive branch'' since its creation, and ``has given average citizens and small donors a critically important role to play in funding presidential campaigns and provided more meaningful choices to voters.'' Minnesotans agree. My home state has one of the most successful public campaign finance models in the nation, one that has provided real incentives toward limiting campaign spending. The bill before us today is a direct contradiction of Minnesota values, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it. H.R. 359 is the second major assault on free and fair elections in the past year. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission declared corporations have the same free speech protections granted to individuals. I completely disagree with the Court's decision, but the result of this decision is now clear--the floodgates are open to waves of special interest money in federal elections. The few protections that existed in law have been removed. In response, Democrats in Congress introduced the DISCLOSE Act to ensure Americans knew who was paying to influence their vote and to prevent foreign corporations and governments from funding U.S. elections. I voted for the DISCLOSE Act (H.R. 5175) when it passed the Democratic-led House in 2010. Unfortunately, Republicans in the Senate blocked the DISCLOSE Act from passage. America's elections are for the American people. Unregulated corporate spending and new barriers to citizen-contributions will lead to more of the negative campaign ads and less citizen inspired democracy. I strongly disagree with the drive to corporatize America's elections which is an obvious priority for my Republican colleagues. It is fundamentally anti-democratic to fight to protect corporations' right to free speech while voting to prevent citizens from making their voices heard in the political process.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 519, a bill that would prevent vital upgrades to security around the United Nations building and break America's promise to pay legally- mandated U.N. dues. This legislation does not--as my Republican colleagues claim--reduce the deficit. In fact, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office determined that ``implementing H.R. 519 would have no effect on the federal budget.'' Unfortunately, H.R. 519 would undercut America's global leadership at a time when international cooperation is urgently needed to safeguard America's interests. I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation. The United Nations Tax Equalization Fund (TEF) compensates American employees of the U.N. for U.S. taxes paid. Surplus credits remain in the TEF until the U.N. is instructed by the U.S. how they should be applied. The Department of State has instructed the U.N. to use $100 million of these credits to increase security around the U.N. complex during the current U.N. building renovation, based on recommendations from the New York Police Department. As the host nation, the U.S. is responsible for the security of the U.N. Ignoring this problem, as the bill would have us do, endangers American lives, and the lives of our foreign guests. Under current law, the remaining $80 million in credits will be applied to offset upcoming U.N. assessments for critical peacekeeping operations in Haiti and elsewhere. This reduces the need for appropriated funds and lessens the burden on American taxpayers. If this bill is enacted into law, America would fail to pay its U.N. dues. Choosing to break promises the American people have made to the world could come at a high cost. With new competition on the world stage from China and other emerging nations, and during a time of hope and uncertainty in the Middle East, this is a terrible time to play political games with America's global standing. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing H.R. 519, and preventing an ideological and imprudent assault on America's commitments to the United Nations.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I firmly believe that we can fight terrorism and keep our communities safe without sacrificing the rights and liberties that generations of Americans have fought so hard to secure. H.R. 514 fails this critical test, and I will vote to oppose it. Without a single hearing, committee vote, or even the opportunity to offer amendments, this legislation extends provisions that give the Federal Government sweeping authority to spy on U.S. citizens. One such provision allows the government to obtain ``any tangible thing'' in its anti-terrorism investigation--including library or bookstore records-- regardless of its relevance to the case. Another provision allows federal law enforcement to obtain wiretaps without being required to identify the person, building, or business being spied upon to a secret court. During the Bush Administration, the Justice Department used this authority to illegally wiretap American citizens. Evidence of past abuses demand that the Patriot Act be reformed with stricter oversight and better safeguards to ensure security does not come at the cost of our Constitutional freedoms. The threat of terrorism is real and persistent. My first priority as a Member of Congress is to keep America safe. Be assured I will continue working with President Obama and my colleagues in Congress to ensure that all levels of law enforcement have the tools and flexibility they require.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that passed in 2010 is the law of the land. It extends historic protections to millions of Americans, ensuring access to quality health care. I voted for this law and I am grateful for the support I received from my constituents in Minnesota's fourth district for my work on reforming our nation's broken health care system. Access to quality health care is essential for all Americans. I firmly believe health care should be a right for our citizens, not a privilege or a luxury only for the most fortunate who can afford it. I am committed to working to ensure all Americans have the health protections they need and access to the quality health care they deserve. The health reform law we have in place does this. Today the U.S. House is debating the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. The Republican-Tea Party majority officially titled the bill before us, H.R. 2, the ``Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act.'' They use the word ``killing'' five times in a bill that isn't even two pages long. Not only is the bill's title offensive and disrespectful, it is untrue. The fact is the health reform law does not kill jobs, its patient protections save lives and create jobs. More than 200,000 health care related jobs have been created since the law passed in March of last year. This Tea Party Republican bill strips away patient protections for children, seniors, and adults with pre-existing medical conditions. It replaces tough legal protections for patients with a uniquely Republican solution--nothing. Republicans strip away protections for millions of Americans, add $230 billion to the federal budget deficit according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, and restore a broken health care system which empowers insurance companies, not patients. I want Minnesotans to know exactly what repealing the existing health reform law would do. If this Republican bill were to become law it would mean: Stripping 32 millions of Americans of health insurance and new consumer protections; Allowing insurers to deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions, apply restrictive lifetime coverage limits, impose cost sharing on preventative care, and retroactively cancel a policy when an individual gets sick; Eliminating tax credits for as many as 99,000 Minnesota small businesses providing their employees health insurance; Refusing 11,400 young adults in Minnesota the option to remain on their parents' health insurance until they turn 26; Maintaining a perverse payment system that rewards providers for the volume of services delivered, rather than the quality of those services; Jeopardizing the early retiree health coverage provided by 210 Minnesota employers and unions currently receiving financial assistance through the ``The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program''; and Risking the Medicare benefits and prescription drug coverage seniors and people with disabilities depend on to meet their health needs. H.R. 2 is more than political posturing. It is legislation that sends a clear message to the American people: Republicans care more about protecting insurance company profits than protecting the rights of patients. I will oppose this bill and I will oppose and battle against every effort made in the 112th Congress to defund, sidetrack, or stall the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act. I am not alone is opposing H.R. 2. Hundreds of national organizations and dozens of Minnesota groups oppose this blatantly partisan effort to repeal health reform. Here are a few excerpts from letters I received over the past few days. The Minnesota Medical Association: ``the MMA opposes efforts to repeal the ACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) and urges you to vote against it.'' Catholic Hospital Association of Minnesota: ``I strongly urge you to maintain support for efforts to improve and strengthen our nation's health care system by opposing the legislation before the House to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).'' Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota: ``We strongly encourage you to vote against repeal of the ACA and work toward ensuring that implementation includes the needs of people with epilepsy and other chronic health conditions.'' Minnesota Hospital Association: ``On behalf of the 148 hospital and 17 health system members of the Minnesota Hospital Association, I am writing to express our opposition to legislation that would repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).'' Today, as the debate on this ill conceived and mean-spirited bill is taking place, I received the following message from a consortium of small business leaders from across the country: The House of Representative's introduction of a bill to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is an affront to our nation's small business community. The country's 28 million small businesses stand to benefit greatly from many provisions of the new healthcare law, particularly the tax credits and health insurance exchanges. These two provisions will help drive down costs and offer small business owners more choices when purchasing insurance. These critical provisions and many others would be abolished if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. This would be a huge setback to entrepreneurs who need solutions to the broken healthcare system, not a continuation of it. America's 22 million self-employed would also suffer, as a repeal of the ACA would deny them the opportunity to pool together and purchase insurance at an affordable price through state exchanges. It is important to remember that the Republican's dangerous and destructive health repeal agenda can only work if Americans are silent and passive, allowing live-saving rights and protections to be stripped away. Repeal will not happen today, even if this bill is passed, but over the course of the next two years Republicans and their corporate benefactors will use every legal and political channel available to deny citizens their health care rights. They will not stop. But I will not stop either. I will not stop fighting for the health care rights for all Americans. I urge all Minnesotans and all Americans to stand up and join me in the fight to protect the historic patient rights all citizens have gained through the Affordable Care Act and that starts with a vote against H.R. 2.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 is the law of the land. It extends historic protections to millions of Americans, ensuring access to quality health care. I voted for this law and I am grateful for the support I received from my constituents in Minnesota's Fourth District for my work on reforming our nation's broken health care system. Access to quality health care is essential for all Americans. I firmly believe health care should be a right for our citizens, not a privilege or a luxury only for the most fortunate who can afford it. I am committed to working to ensure all Americans have the health protections they need and access to the quality health care they deserve. The health reform law we have in place does this. Today the U.S. House is debating the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. The Republican-Tea Party majority officially titled the bill before us, H.R. 2, the ``Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act.'' They use the word ``killing'' five times in a bill that isn't even two pages long. Not only is the bill's title offensive and disrespectful, it is untrue. The fact is the health reform law does not kill jobs, its patient protections saves lives and creates jobs. More than 200,000 health care related jobs have been created since the law passed in March of last year. This Tea Party Republican bill strips away patient protections for children, seniors, and adults with pre-existing medical conditions. It replaces tough legal protections for patients with a uniquely Republican solution--nothing. Republicans strip away protections for millions of Americans, add $230 billion to the federal budget deficit according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, and restore a broken health care system that empowers insurance companies to make heath care decisions, not patients. I want Minnesotans to know exactly what repealing the existing health reform law would do. If this Republican bill were to become law it would mean: Stripping 32 millions of Americans of health insurance and new consumer protections; Allowing insurers to deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions, apply restrictive lifetime coverage limits, impose cost sharing on preventative care, and retroactively cancel policies when an individual gets sick; Eliminating tax credits for as many as 99,000 Minnesota small businesses providing their employees health insurance; Refusing 11,400 young adults in Minnesota the option to remain on their parents' health insurance until they turn 26; Maintaining a perverse payment system that rewards providers for the volume of services delivered, rather than the quality of those services; Jeopardizing the early retiree health coverage provided by 210 Minnesota employers and unions currently receiving financial assistance through the `The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program'; and Risking the Medicare benefits and prescription drug coverage seniors and people with disabilities depend on to meet their health needs. H.R. 2 is more than political posturing. It is legislation that sends a clear message to the American people--Republicans care more about protecting insurance company profits than protecting the rights of patients. I will oppose this bill and I will oppose and battle against every effort made in the 112th Congress to defund, sidetrack, or stall the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act. I am not alone is opposing H.R. 2. Hundreds of national organizations and dozens of Minnesota groups oppose this blatantly partisan effort to repeal health reform. Here are a few excerpts from a letter I received over the past few days. The Minnesota Medical Association: ``the MMA opposes efforts to repeal the ACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) and urges you to vote against it.'' Catholic Hospital Association of Minnesota: ``I strongly urge you to maintain support for efforts to improve and strengthen our nation's health care system by opposing the legislation before the House to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).'' Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota: ``We strongly encourage you to vote against repeal of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) and work toward ensuring that implementation includes the needs of people with epilepsy and other chronic health conditions.'' Minnesota Hospital Association: ``On behalf of the 148 hospital and 17 health system members of the Minnesota Hospital Association, I am writing to express our opposition to legislation that would repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).'' Today, as the debate on this ill conceived and mean-spirited bill is taking place, I received the following message from a consortium of small business leaders from across the country: ``The House of Representative's introduction of a bill to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is an affront to our nation's small business community. ``The country's 28 million small businesses stand to benefit greatly from many provisions of the new healthcare law, particularly the tax credits and health insurance exchanges. These two provisions will help drive down costs and offer small business owners more choices when purchasing insurance. These critical provisions and many others would be abolished if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. ``This would be a huge setback to entrepreneurs who need solutions to the broken healthcare system, not a continuation of it. America's 22 million self-employed would also suffer, as a repeal of the ACA would deny them the opportunity to pool together and purchase insurance at an affordable price through state exchanges.'' It is important to remember that the Republican's dangerous and destructive health repeal agenda can only work if Americans are silent and passive, allowing live-saving rights and protections to be stripped away. Repeal will not happen today, even if this bill is passed, but over the course of the next two years Republicans and their corporate benefactors will use every legal and political channel available to deny citizens their health care rights. They will not stop. But I will not stop either. I will not stop fighting for the health care rights for all Americans. I urge all Minnesotans and all Americans to stand up and join me in the fight to protect the historic patient rights all citizens have gained through the Affordable Care Act and that starts with a vote against H.R. 2.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, service and sacrifice of General Vang Pao, who passed away yesterday evening in Clovis, California. General Vang Pao was a historic Hmong military leader who led his people against communist forces during a turbulent time in Laos from 1961 to 1975. In this country, General Vang Pao served as a civilian leader who continued to lead the Hmong American community for nearly four decades. My heart-felt sympathy goes out to General Vang Pao's family and to all the Hmong-American families in Minnesota and across the U.S. Over the years, I had the honor of joining General Vang Pao at many events such as: the Hmong American New Year celebrations and the July Soccer Festival celebrations in St. Paul, as he had always come to the Twin Cities to join the Hmong community for those events. Most recently, I had the great honor of joining him for the grand opening celebrations of the Hmong Village Center on the Eastside of St. Paul on October 30, 2010. Although frail from his failing health and sitting in his chair, the General was in good spirit and spoke eloquently to a large gathering crowd at the celebrations. Sadly, this was the last time I saw him. General Vang Pao's influence has touched the Hmong-American community deeply, and I know the community will continue to share and cherish the memories of his legacy for future generations to come. In honor of General Vang Pao's lifetime of service to his people and loyalty to the U.S., I am pleased to submit this statement for the Congressional Record.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, last Saturday in Tucson, Arizona our colleague, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, was shot by a disturbed gunman while she was meeting her constituents. This shooting resulted in the death of six Americans who were participating in the most common of events in this democracy, a meeting with their congresswoman. Fourteen additional Americans were wounded in the attack, including the critical wound suffered by Congresswoman Giffords. On January 10, 2011, dozens of concerned and compassionate Minnesotans visited my St. Paul District Office to express their support for Congresswoman Giffords, the victims, and the people of Tucson. They also expressed their heartfelt condolences to those who were killed. With the consent of the concerned citizens who I have the honor to represent, I submit the eloquent words of Minnesotans who send their prayers and support for Representative Gabrielle Giffords and all of those whose lives have been hurt by this senseless act of violence. I join them not only in praying for healing and peace, but I will continue to dedicate myself to working to make a more peaceful and less hostile America. The following comments were made by Minnesotans who visited my St. Paul district office on Monday, January 10, 2011. These messages of support and sympathy were transcribed directly from their individual handwritten notes. ``My prayers and thoughts are with the Congresswoman and her staff. This act of horrific violence was a response to the everyday work that public officials do on a daily basis to serve their constituents. Congresswoman Giffords and her staff's work exemplifies this. I hope that the Congresswoman can continue to do this important work.'' Henry Parker, St. Paul, Minnesota. `` `It is here my daughters, that love is to be found, not hidden away in the corners but in the midst of occasions of sin. And believe me, although we may more often fail and commit small lapses, our gain will be incomparably the greater.'--Saint Teresa of Avila'' Loren Cramer, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``I'm so sorry to hear of this violent attack in Tucson. I hope for and pray for Giffords and others.'' Mary Doran, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Keep up your work. We need you now more than ever.'' Jason Garrett, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``God bless America. Thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.'' Nicole Ly, Oakdale, Minnesota. ``Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your staff, and your family during this difficult time. You have the nation behind you with an outpouring of love and well wishes.'' Shelly Schafer, Woodbury, Minnesota. ``Although Congresswoman Giffords may have been the target, all citizens who engage their elected officials have become unsettled by this act. Civil war < Be civil.'' Mary Jane LaVigne, Birchwood Village, Minnesota. ``I am so sad to hear about the shooting. I pray for your recovery. I want you to be strong and continue to be the fighter that you are so you can continue to walk and serve the people of America. Thank you for your service. Your district is giving up a lot for America and my thoughts are with you.'' Kao Ly Ilean Her, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``My heart goes out to the Giffords family. I was born and raised in Tucson, and now serve in the Minnesota House. To think our public servants are under attack is so sad. We pray for you Gabby. We pray for the victims.'' Nora Slawik, Maplewood, Minnesota. ``Our thoughts and our prayers are with all the victims of the Arizona shooting!'' Susan Zumberge, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, the other victims, their loved ones, and the people of your congressional district. We hope that if any good will come of this horrific event, it will be that people will once again realize that our fellow citizens, regardless of political views, are human and deserve to be treated with respect and civility. Our words can have consequence so far beyond our intent.'' Steve Schaus & Angela Braun, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``My heart is terribly heavy with this horrific event. For any public servant to be struck down while serving the people is an appalling affront to every citizen. For innocent and random people to be struck down in this way is an affront to all humanity. Let us all pray for the families of the victims, and work for peace among all people.'' Ross Willits, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Gabby, you are in my thoughts and prayers as you recover. I am deeply saddened that someone like yourself who has willingly given of themselves has become a victim of such a senseless act. We pray that the rhetoric that inflames will be replaced by words of cooperation and collaboration in our houses of Congress. Blessings to you and your family.'' Jeanne Sedgwick, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``There are no words at my command to express my sorrow at what happened and my warm best wishes to all you so affected by truly cruel and senseless violence.'' Elmer Pierre, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Rep. Giffords: Please accept my deepest condolences. I also wish you immense strength and courage.'' Heather Meyers, Eagan, Minnesota. ``As someone who has been involved in politics for years and met many members of Congress, I was horrified as I watched the events of this past weekend unfold. I was deeply saddened by this attack and I want to show my support for the victims and their families. I hope and pray for a speedy recovery and I believe that Congresswoman Giffords' service and devotion to her country is truly heroic. You are in the hearts and minds of all Americans. God bless.'' John Moore, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``I offer prayers for Representative Giffords, her family, and all others affected by this senseless, terrible tragedy. The wounded and killed, especially Christina Green and her family. May you be comforted and strengthened by the prayers of our nation.'' Florence Steichen, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``We need better gun control measures and an increase in civil discourse--sending prayers to the families who lost loved ones in this senseless act of violence and also to the family of Congresswoman Giffords for her speedy and full recovery.'' Lyn Burton, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Congresswoman Giffords: Thank you for your service. Thank you for your support of health care reform. Prayers for you and your family for strength in adversity.'' Mary J. Pohl, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``The rhetoric of violence, scapegoating and demonization must end! My sympathy to Rep. Giffords, her family, her staff and all victims of violence in Tucson.'' Richard Lee Dechert, Maplewood, Minnesota. ``My prayers, thoughts, and heartfelt sympathy go out to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords's family, friends, and supporters. My daily prayers will include the wishes for the long term recovery of Congresswoman Giffords. I express my heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the Federal Judge, the young girl and all others who died or were harmed by this uncaring perpetrator.'' Fred Gates, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Please know that you are loved and supported in vastly greater measure than the distortion and hatred that made this unspeakable tragedy possible.'' Lori Stee, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``My thoughts are with Rep. Giffords' family as they support Gabrielle's recovery and with the others affected by this violent act. We are incredibly lucky to live in a country where political violence is extremely rare. The rhetoric that creates a context for violence must cease. Hate is not a response for disagreement.'' Anne Claflin, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``I extend my deepest condolences to Congresswoman Giffords and all the victims of this senseless tragedy. There are consequences to the violent rhetoric that plagues the political landscape today--it's the innocent and the brave that suffer.'' Dr. Mary de Leon-Denton, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. ``My prayers are with you and especially I pray that somehow, someway, some good will come of this horrible tragedy.'' Michael Michauk, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Congresswoman Giffords, I give you my deepest and heartfelt support to the service and honor you give to our country. The needless violence and anger that has been shown in our country over politics has to stop. It is sad that something like this had to happen in order for the dialogue to begin to change how we promote change with deepest prayers and sympathy to all harmed.'' Aaron Crawford, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``In this time of great sorrow and shock, my great hope is that all this will serve to wake up those in our nation who don't believe that gun violence is a huge problem that needs to be addressed--yet again. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you--and with our country!'' Julie B. Goldstein, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``To Congresswoman Giffords, her family and those injured and killed: This morning I received a note from two constituents--St Paulites in the summer and Arizona snowbirds in the winter. Gene and Ginny shared their affection for `our dear Gabby'. The road ahead is difficult for all of us. I wish you strength in your recovery and wisdom for all Americans as we reconcile the meaning of this tragedy with our own actions as citizens. To be truly free from violence and persecution, we must persist in our efforts to maintain an open society where we can disagree peacefully and move forward together. My best to you and your families.'' Minnesota State Rep. Erin Murphy, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``To Congresswoman Giffords, victims, and their family and friends: My heart goes to all of you, and I continue to pray for all of you. Public service is noble work, and it is difficult. Thank you for all you do, and know the goodwill of the people of our state and country is with you at this very difficult time. Together, we will heal and find grace in our democracy.'' Minnesota State Rep. Kate Knuth, New Brighton, Minnesota. ``My heart bleeds for all of you. Courage.'' Ted King, Minneapolis, Minnesota. ``May you experience a speedy recovery. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.'' Peter Austin, Minneapolis, Minnesota. ``May you heal and feel better in time. You are in our prayers. May God be with you. You are in our thoughts as you recover from this tragic event.'' Paehin Young, Minneapolis, Minnesota. ``Thank you for all your service to the country. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your staff. We need more people like you.'' Sam Dougherty, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Our prayers go out to those affected by this attack'' Kevin Weingart, Coon Rapids, Minnesota. ``My thoughts are with you and your community in this time where senseless violence has changed how everyone feels. Public servants and those who engage in our government and the political process should not fear for their safety. I hope that everyone affected by this tragedy can come together in solidarity. Thank you for your service and bravery.'' Meagan Bachmayer, Minneapolis, Minnesota. ``May the sun rise in your hearts and souls. Our deepest condolences, warm wishes and never-ending prayers are with you.'' Jill Curran, Larry Wichlans and Family, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``I feel so saddened by the events in Tucson, AZ. My sincerest sympathies go out to all the victims. God bless, Gundy.'' Gundy Gunderson, Oakdale, Minnesota. ``A truly tragic moment in our nation's history. My prayers and support are with the victims and our nation's leadership as we struggle with the complex issues that led to this violent event.'' Cheryl Westman, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Thank you for doing this, our prayers are with the Giffords family. This is not what our country is about. It is time to come together.'' Jody Prip, New Prague, Minnesota. ``Blessings of hope and prayers for each one of the innocents killed and injured in this tragedy. This feels the same as the tragedies of Bobby Kennedy, MLK and 9/11. God help us all--if we calm down--we will get through this.'' Robert F. Riesert, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Following the violence, it has been a painful and angry weekend-- much of it emailing my own vitriolic reaction to personal friends. Expressing fear for our country and the safety of our representatives was a helpful and immediate necessity. The shock remains although many of us, as was Gabby herself, feared the new language and images presented often now in a repetitive fashion filling the airwave and filling especially vulnerable minds with pictures of weapons as political tools. We shared emails then too, as we heard and watched the rhetoric become louder and scarier. Helpless to counteract these emotional appeals, we signed petitions condemning them. We still wait helplessly for the apology that will not come. We pray for cool down and safety.'' Janyce Kovash, St. Paul, Minnesota. `` `Violence is a cycle,' said Dr. King. When met with senseless actions against public servants and the public at large, we must strive to do justice to the sacrifice and heroism of so many--by reaching out to those who serve and thanking them by tamping down the rhetoric and respecting those of all political persuasions. And also by answering the call to justice and caring for our friends and neighbors. We will never have a satisfactory answer to the question `why?' but we can use the moment to consider for fully `how?'--How do we ensure that this never happens again? My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives, especially Gabe Zimmerman, who gave his life in service to the people of Arizona. It could have been any of us. I also wish Rep. Giffords a speedy recovery and hope to see her return to the House and serve her constituents.'' Devin Driscoll, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Please accept my deep sympathies for your current situation. We as, U.S. citizens, are a very special society. Those that attempt to steal our lives, and the lives of our friends, will find that we are strong in the face of adversity. The actions against the U.S. citizens in Tucson, including Rep. Giffords, are a tragedy that I hope is never repeated. Trusting in God's healing and your full recovery.'' Jim McKie, West St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Thank you for all of your work and service. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and we hope you have a speedy recovery.'' Warren Claflin, South St. Paul, Minnesota. ``This weekend's events were a sad reminder of the consequences that can arise when political rhetoric becomes hateful or violent. Angry, upset and unbalanced people respond in unpredictable ways. Thank you, Rep. Giffords, for your service to your district and your country. Thank you to the staff that helps you in this work. No American should ever fear violence as a consequence of participation in our democracy.'' Paul Rohlfing, lives in Minneapolis, works in St. Paul. ``Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family from the St. Paul Federation of Teachers in St. Paul, Minnesota.'' Julie Hawkins, Inver Grove, Minnesota. ``I feel anguish at this terrible violence (senseless) and the resulting loss of life and hurt. Gun violence is too prevalent in our society and too many unstable people have too easy access to guns. I do lay some blame on radio shows with hosts that stoke the flames of people's anger and sit back and say they have no responsibility. Please continue to get stronger and the keep the faith.'' Julia Fish, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``In these challenging times, know that the thoughts, prayers, and best wishes of all Americans are with you and your family. We mourn the loss of life, and share your vision of a healthier and stronger country. One of my close friends works in Congresswoman McCollum's office in St. Paul. I know how hard our public servants work, and you must be so proud of the bravery of your young staff intern, Daniel. I am sorry beyond words that this happened. Peace to you, and all who were impacted by this tragedy.'' Adam Robinson, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Our thoughts and prayers are with the families involved in this terrible tragedy. Hopefully this will become a time of healing, and a time when the vitriol between opposite sides ceases. We pray that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and all the wounded recover. Our condolences go to those who lost their lives in Tucson. We pray for the safety of all public officials, and the continuing health of our nation.'' Tom and Susan Pugh, South St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Our thoughts are with you as you recover from this brutal and senseless attack. I am confident you will continue to serve the people of Arizona and the United States. To the families who are struggling with this unimaginable loss, the thoughts and prayers of the nation are with you.'' Samantha Gemberling, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``I wish Congresswoman Giffords, and all others who were wounded, a steady and complete recovery. I also wish to extend my sympathy to you who lost family members. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.'' Cheryl Kenney, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``My prayers are with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and all who have been injured or killed in this vicious act of violence against persons serving US citizens as part of this great democracy--also with all who love them. To be engaged in dialogue on the issues--to engage civilly in our civic process needs to be returned to our democracy from citizens to the media to the halls of Congress. Committed to civil civic engagement and to prayers for our prayers for our nation as we move forward from this tragedy, I remain,'' ``Ginger'' K. Virginia Hidsfrom, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``My family and I were stunned to hear of this senseless violence. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Our heartfelt condolences go to the families of those killed, and we pray for ongoing strength for those wounded and their families.'' Kathleen Proctor, Lauderdale, Minnesota. ``To all in Tucson, AZ affected by this senseless tragedy: You have support from us in Minnesota by way of encouragement during your time of pain and grief. We will advocate for a return to civil discourse in the US rather than vitriolic campaign language that goes on. May your pain and anguish turn into positive communication among people in every community of our country.'' Joanne Tromiczak-Neid, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``My heartfelt wishes and prayers to Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, and constituents she proudly represents. My heart, mind, and soul grieve for those who have died and have been injured by this senseless act of violence. May we, as citizens of the United States, and as members of our global world, continue to foster peaceful solutions to violence that surrounds us.'' Mary Tacheny, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``My prayers go out to you, you who were injured or killed, your families, your friends, your loved ones. My prayers go out to you, you who witnessed the violence, you whose lives won't be the same. I pray for the person who did this. Only God understands. I pray for our country to find peace. God bless you all. May somehow, some good come of this.'' Laura K. Kochevar, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``I thank all public servants and especially their staff for their dedication to the people they serve. As a former staffer, my heart goes out to all the families directly affected by this tragedy. Also I send the thoughts and prayers to every Member of Congress and their staff to get through this and pray that our country will learn from this and stop the incendiary rhetoric. Thank you.'' Kathleen Murphy, St. Paul, Minnesota.. ``We are all saddened by this tragedy. As Speaker Boehner said, `An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve.' We all stand with you and your staff in solidarity as we grieve this incident and work to make sense of this senseless event. We thank you for your sacrifices in service to the people of Arizona's 8th District. May you all have a speedy recovery and also never forget those who were lost, and use the memories we have as a guide and inspiration for the future. Godspeed, Gabe Zimmerman, Christina Green, Judge John Roll, Dorothy Morris, Dorwan Stoddard, and Phyllis Schneck.'' Melissa Jamrock, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Change-makers walk a difficult and scary path. But one that gives us hope and energy. Thank you for walking, for walking yours with courage and pluck. My heart aches for the violence, pain, and fear that has been done to all of you and us. I send you my heartfelt wishes for healing, safety, and peace.'' Sheri Smith, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Love will conquer all. Remember you have the support of the people. Be well.'' Chuck Repile, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``My deepest sympathies for Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, and their families during this difficult time. I wish the Congresswoman and all those injured a speedy recovery.'' Cameron Erickson, Eagan, Minnesota. ``To all parties involved: This is a tragedy in every sense. Not only for Rep. Giffords, Chief Justice Roll, and the other civilians involved. Now, more than ever, it has become apparent we are a broken, divided nation in need of repair and healing. We must disconnect from hateful political rhetoric and campaigns and come together in this time of tragedy. God bless the Giffords.'' Louise Dickson, North Oaks, Minnesota. ``To all AZ residents: This is truly a tragic time, not only for the families of those directly affected by this horrible incident, but all residents of the 8th district and the state. They have lost their representation and voice in DC and in government--the foundation of our country. That a mentally ill young man did not get the help needed, was allowed to legally purchase a weapon, and used it against innocent citizens--is wrong. That our political discourse has gotten so angry that it fed this young man's delusions is wrong. We must always remember there are other Loughners out there. May all those wounded hail those who died and may we all learn from this.'' Laura Neritt, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Thank you and thanks to all our U.S. representatives for your dedicated service. Our freedom sits with all of us as you represent we all the people. I pray for your good health and protection.'' Carol Gariann, Shoreview, Minnesota. ``My condolences to the shooting victims, their friends, and families. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, and all who feel the pain of this tragedy.'' Mark Jenkins, Maplewood, Minnesota. ``My condolences go out to the families of the victims of this horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to you all.'' Kenneth Sinn, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Rep. Giffords--you are right. We will be mellowing the rhetoric. Let's listen to the Pima County Sheriff.'' Rick Cardenas, St. Paul, Minnesota. ``Like Congresswoman McCollum, I am shocked at this event and want you all to know I am thinking of you. Some good may come from this evil, however, as people are now discussing the role inflammatory speech may play in today's America.'' Bernice Vetich, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, this House and this entire Nation extend our support, love and best wishes to our colleague, Representative Gabrielle Giffords, and to all those wounded in Saturday's shooting. We also mourn the deaths, the tragic senseless deaths of six Americans who were participating in street-corner democracy with their Congresswoman. My Minnesota constituents feel the pain and loss inflicted by a few seconds of gun violence. A St. Paul constituent visited my office on Monday and wrote a note to Congresswoman Giffords, and the note said: ``I pray for your recovery. I want you to be strong and continue to be the fighter that you are so you can continue to serve the people of America.'' I too am praying for you, Gabby, for Mark, for your family, and for all of the families who are in pain and those in mourning. May such unspeakable acts of violence end in this country, and may all Americans find the strength to live in peace.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former Minnesota Twins pitcher and 2011 inductee into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, Mr. Bert Blyleven. Mr. Blyleven pitched for 22 years at the major league level, including 11 seasons as a member of the Minnesota Twins. During his career, he amassed an astonishing 3,701 strikeouts and used his magnificent curveball to help pitch two teams to World Series victories, including the 1987 Minnesota Twins. Since 1996, Bert has been a proud member of the television broadcasting team for the Minnesota Twins and has delighted hometown fans with his color commentary. Mr. Blyleven is a mainstay of the Minnesota sports community and his election to the Hall of Fame is long overdue. He is hereby circled.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rules package proposed by the new Republican majority in the House. The very first vote in the 112th Congress reveals the extent of the Republicans' fiscal hypocrisy. The new House rules create a huge loophole that allows Republicans to pass billions in additional tax cuts without finding savings elsewhere in the federal budget. These rules are a major step backward in our effort to solve the federal budget crisis. No Member who votes for this fiscally reckless rules package is serious about deficit reduction. The public backlash against the new Republican rules started days before today's vote. In a December 29, 2010 editorial titled ``Deficit Hypocrisy,'' the New York Times said the new rules proposed by the incoming majority ``will codify the Republican fantasy that tax cuts do not deepen the deficit.'' The bi-partisan Committee for a Responsible Budget expressed ``serious concerns'' about the Republican rules package saying that ``because many of these new rules would apply to only the spending side of the budget (replacing rules that applied to both the tax and spending side), this new rules package could actually weaken, rather than strengthen, our ability to deal with the debt.'' By exempting the cost of tax cuts and the repeal of the health care reform law from budget restrictions, the Republican majority makes it clear that they embrace--not oppose--deficit spending. H. Res. 5 enables Republicans to return to their discredited economic policies of the past decade that exploded deficits with tax cuts, two wars and a huge new prescription drug entitlement program all financed with borrowed money. What the Republicans do oppose and promise to cut are the investments that strengthen American communities and support the most vulnerable citizens in our Nation. Under the new rules, the American middle class will be forced to live with less while the wealthy and special interests have it all. In the weeks ahead, Republicans will target America's middle class with unsustainable cuts to education, transportation, public safety, clean energy and advanced research and technology. The Washington Post editorial board said that the rules reflect ``about as upside-down a set of priorities as can be imagined.'' I reject the skewed priorities expressed in this rule package. I refuse to abandon America's families and communities when they most need the support of their government. And I will continue fighting for the federal investments our communities need to compete in the 21st century.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3082, a continuing resolution that would fund federal government operations on a temporary basis through March 4, 2011. Regrettably, one of the last votes of the 111th Congress has become the first vote of the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I take seriously my annual responsibility to assess funding priorities, perform oversight, and allocate federal dollars where they are most needed and will make the greatest impact. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate are choosing to abandon this important work. They are blocking action on a fiscal year 2011 funding package that would respond to the current needs of the American people and make critical investments in our communities. Due to Republican obstruction, the House is forced to consider this appropriations measure, which places the Federal Government on auto- pilot for two months. All difficult decisions are being delayed until another day. Critical federal agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense are being subjected to enormous--and avoidable--uncertainty. And the uncertainty created by this short-term continuing resolution goes far beyond Washington. Every state and community across the country will be debating whether they are able to move forward with critical investments, such as the Central Corridor Light Rail in Minnesota. This temporary appropriations measure underfunds critical priorities in every area of American life from education and agriculture, to transportation and energy. It is inexcusable to withhold necessary investments in the American economy while adding to the deficit with tax cuts for the wealthiest in our society. But that is exactly what Congress is doing this month as a result of the reckless game of brinkmanship my Republican colleagues are playing with the American people.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, with the conclusion of the 111th Congress, a career of extraordinary public service in the House of Representatives comes to an end. My colleague, friend and mentor-- Chairman David Obey--is concluding his career in Congress representing the families of northwestern Wisconsin that began in 1969. For twenty terms, David Obey has been a liberal champion and a fierce defender of workers and their families. He has been a passionate and effective legislator for right of all Americans to access quality health care and education. And, in the realm of U.S. foreign policy, Chairman Obey has a lifetime record of always striving to advance human dignity, peace, and the highest ideals of the American people around the world. It has been my privilege to serve in this House with Rep. Obey for the past ten years--one-quarter of his congressional career. For the past four years, I had the honor of serving on the House Appropriations Committee, calling the gentleman from Wisconsin ``Mr. Chairman.'' I have watched David Obey work--work hard, tirelessly, and with tremendous determination and intellect--to advance an agenda that makes the lives of regular Americans the highest priority of the federal government. Chairman Obey always fought for the less fortunate, the vulnerable, those struggling for an opportunity to succeed, and to ensure those who have made this country great with their toil and sacrifice in the factory, the farm field, or on the battlefield. He fought so they too could live and retire with security, respect, and dignity. It is often said that Mr. Obey was tough and rough on the outside, but I always found him to be a kind, warm soul who knew the importance and magnitude of his responsibilities and carried them out with the humble expertise of a legislative master. ``I started as a shy boy from a troubled family of modest means,'' Rep. Obey once said. Well, that shy boy has made a lifetime of contributions to our country that will be judged by history as both profound and far reaching. People who will never know David Obey are living better lives with more opportunities because of him. The State of Wisconsin and the United States are better places because of his years of service in the U.S. House. As a Wisconsin Progressive in the tradition of Robert LaFollette, Rep. Obey has never shied away from calling out injustice or just plain dumb policymaking. In his book, ``Raising Hell for Justice,'' he reminds citizens and policymakers that ``federal budgets that pay for tax cuts for millionaires with budget cuts in education, Medicaid, child care, and health care are not just unfair; they are immoral.'' This quote was again put to the test only last week as Chairman Obey voted against extending massive tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. I was proud to join Chairman Obey in opposing this tax cut for the wealthy that only continues the disturbing pattern of income re-distribution away from working families and towards a class of economic elites. As the longest serving Member of Congress in Wisconsin history, I know David spent far too much time away from his wife, Joan, and their family. I wish David, Joan, and their sons' families many happy days together in the coming years. In conclusion, let me simply say--Mr. Chairman, you have served our country so very well. It is personally difficult to see you leave, but your lifetime of service will live on in the lives of millions of Americans whose lives you have helped to improve. As a colleague and a friend, you have made me a better legislator and for that I am grateful to you.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2965, the Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010. This will be the second time this year that the House votes to repeal the military's ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Opponents of repeal are out of touch with the American people, out of touch with the American military, and out of excuses. For years, Republicans in the House and Senate have claimed that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would threaten unit cohesion. America's troops and military leaders disagree. In the Pentagon's comprehensive review of this issue, 70 percent of service members surveyed believed that repealing ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' would have no negative effect on the performance of their units. The military's top leaders, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen--both appointed by President Bush--have strongly advocated for repealing ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'' At a time when our military is fighting two wars, ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' is hampering our Armed Forces, and harming our national security. According to a GAO report, the military had discharged over 750 mission-critical service members by 2003 because of ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'' including over 320 service members with language skills-- such as Arabic and Pashto--that are critical to our success in Iraq and Afghanistan. As reported by the Washington Post, there are an estimated 66,000 gay Americans currently serving in the military; that's 66,000 American troops who could be discharged tomorrow simply because they are gay. Mr. Speaker, today I will vote to end a policy of open discrimination against a group of courageous Americans--men and women who proudly serve in the Armed Forces and put their lives on the line to defend our country. For thousands of gay and lesbian veterans who have been discharged from the military over the years, Congress has acted too late. Nonetheless, it is time to honor their service by providing a new generation of patriotic gay and lesbian Americans the opportunity to serve our country proudly and openly. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 2965, and I call upon Members of the Senate to do the right thing by repealing this destructive policy once and for all.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, last night, I voted against a fiscally irresponsible $858 billion tax cut package. Every penny of this budget- busting bill will be borrowed--much of it from China--and the burden placed on the backs of our children and grandchildren. To keep the economic recovery on track and meet the needs of struggling American families, I do support extending middle class tax cuts and unemployment insurance. But Republicans in Congress held these priorities hostage until millionaires and billionaires were guaranteed tax cuts that they don't need. Tax breaks for the wealthy are a luxury Americans can't afford. This is simply wrong. With unemployment nearly at 10 percent, Members of Congress should be focused on getting all of America back to work, not padding the trust funds for a precious few. The tax package the House voted on last night was even worse than the one negotiated by the President and Republicans in Congress. The Senate got into the holiday spirit and sent the House a Christmas tree bill loaded down with special interest ``sweeteners.'' Why will NASCAR owners open their stockings this year to find a $40 million tax break from the American people? Why are Hollywood producers getting a $162 million in special breaks paid for by the American people? Why do rum makers in Puerto Rico get $235 million? Middle class Americans shouldn't be forced to use the nation's credit card so the special interests receive everything on their wish lists. America needs honest and responsible policymaking. The federal budget is in crisis and tough decisions are necessary. This tax cut package makes no tough decisions. Instead, kicks the hard choices down the road and makes solving America's fiscal crisis much harder.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. I would like to thank Chairman Waxman and I would like to thank Representative Pallone for their help with this bill, as well as my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Congressman Terry. House Resolution 1600 acknowledges the critical role of physicians assistants by designating a week in 2010 as National Physician Assistant Week. Forty years ago, the position of PA was created in response to a national health care workforce shortage. Over 20 years ago, I had the honor and the privilege in Minnesota of helping to write the rules for PAs to function and provide health care in Minnesota. I was the consumer member on the board, and I had a great learning curve working with doctors, PAs, hospitals, health care clinics, and patients from all over Minnesota in making sure that PAs were able to address this workforce shortage. And today, they continue to be an integral part of our health care system, practicing in all health care settings and specialties. Physician assistant service will be vital as more Americans, our health care system and we prepare for an aging population--the baby boomers. PAs work, as has been mentioned, side by side with physicians, nurses and other professionals in providing high-quality, cost-effective health care. They work in rural and underserved communities and ensure patients can receive the care that they need when they need it. I want to thank the physicians assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants for all the work that they do to care for patients and to keep America healthy. Lastly, I sincerely want to thank my colleagues for their bipartisan support so we could bring this bill forward. Thank you to Chairman Waxman again for bringing this resolution.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, every year in the world's poorest countries, millions of girls are forced into marriage. Girls as young as age 8, but often 13, 14, and 15 years old, are sold by impoverished parents to settle debts or they are given away to become the wives of men who are years or even decades older. For a young girl, a child, to be forced into marriage to an adult man can only be described as a life of slavery, child molestation, and servitude. This is not marriage. It is a violation of the most basic human rights of a child. On the floor today is S. 987, the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act, a bill that was passed unanimously in the United States Senate. Let me repeat. This bill passed unanimously. Every Republican and every Democrat in the Senate supported it. I want to commend Senators Richard Durbin and Olympia Snowe, along with the other bipartisan cosponsors, for their tremendous efforts to protect vulnerable girls. It is my honor to be the sponsor of the companion bill in the House, and I want to thank my Republican colleagues, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. LaTourette, Mr. Schock, and Mr. Latham, for their bipartisan support for ending child marriage. According to UNICEF, child marriage is ``the most prevalent form of sexual abuse and exploitation of girls.'' One in every seven girls in the developing world is forced into marriage sometime before the age of 15, millions of girls every year. A 13-year-old that is forced into marriage will not go to school. She is most certainly guaranteed to be a victim of domestic violence. She is condemned to a lifetime of poverty, and she is more likely to die or be disabled in childbirth, and because she is a child, her infant is more likely to die. HIV infection, maternal death, child death, gender-based violence, and extreme poverty are all deadly obstacles to development that destroys families, weakens communities, and destabilizes countries. Child marriage contributes to all of these destructive problems. The photo I have with me was taken by a brilliant photojournalist, Stephanie Sinclair, who documented child marriage in Afghanistan. This 11-year-old girl in this photo, Ghulam, is not seated with her grandfather. The man next to this child is her husband-to-be. This little girl's father gave her away to be married because he was too poor to care for her. Ghulam's value to her husband comes from her ability to work in the field, care for animals, and because she's a virgin. In this country, a man treating an 11-year-old as his wife would be imprisoned as a sexual predator, a pedophile. In Afghanistan, an 11-year-old's abuser is her husband. It does not matter where in this world an 11-year-old girl is; she should never be anyone's wife. Today we have an opportunity to put the lives of vulnerable girls ahead of what is all too common at times partisan political games that take place in this House. Today we can show our constituents in the world that the life of every girl has value and limitless potential if they can grow up free from exploitation. It is my firm belief that girls, girls everywhere--in America, in Ethiopia, in Afghanistan--deserve the right to enter adulthood with the freedom to decide for themselves who their husband will be. A girl is not a commodity to be traded. She is a precious member of a community who needs to be valued and allowed to grow into adulthood. This Congress and the American people spend billions of tax dollars on foreign assistance. The U.S. has a direct interest and an opportunity to ensure that girls in the developing world can grow up to be healthy, productive, contributing members of their communities and their countries. Not only do girls deserve the right to choose their future husband; they deserve the opportunity to get an education, to contribute their skills and their talents to develop their countries. This legislation supports and expands the successful models already in place for promoting girls' education, protecting the human rights of girls, and eliminating the practice of child marriage. This bill authorizes existing State Department funds to be used to implement a strategy to protect girls from being forced into marriage. This bill does not spend one additional dollar that is not already appropriated by Congress for health, education, democracy, or other development activities. Earlier this week, I was honored to receive a letter from Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, urging the House to pass S. 987. The letter says: ``Child marriage is a harmful practice that treats young girls as property, stops their education, and robs them of their childhood and dignity.'' The archbishop goes on: ``We thank you for your attention and dedication to passing this bill before Congress adjourns. By doing so, you may help make the difference between lives of opportunity or enslavement for millions of young girls in the developing world.'' Mr. Speaker, child marriage is sanctioned sexual abuse that destroys girls' lives. The choice before this Congress is to do nothing as young girls and children continue to be enslaved, raped, and condemned to a life of abuse and poverty; or we can join the U.S. Senate and vote to pass this legislation and have the United States stand with millions of girls today and tomorrow who seek nothing more than the freedom, the opportunity, and the time to be allowed to be children and grow into adulthood without being forced into marriage. I thank Chairman Berman for his support, and I urge all my colleagues to vote to protect millions of girls in this world from sexual abuse. The Elders Foundation, London, UK, December 13, 2010. Hon. Betty McCollum, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC. Hon. Ander Crenshaw, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Representatives McCollum and Crenshaw: As Chair of The Elders, I am writing to thank you for your leadership and support of the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act (S. 987 and H.R. 2103). The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent on 1 December 2010, and we now encourage the House of Representatives to pass this important measure. As an independent group of global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, we seek to address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. Part of that effort involves speaking out about gender discrimination and the oppression of girls and women, issues we know many members of the House care about as well. Child marriage is a harmful practice that treats young girls as property, stops their education and robs them of their childhood and dignity. Child brides are at far greater risk of dying in childbirth, while their children are also less likely to survive infancy than the children of older mothers. Often married to much older men, child brides are more vulnerable than their unmarried peers to sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS. There is compelling evidence that child marriage is a significant brake on the achievement of no less than six of the eight Millennium Development Goals. UNICEF estimates that in developing countries, 60 million girls now aged 20-24 were married under the age of 18. That number is likely to increase by 100 million over the next decade if these trends continue. In our recent Washington Post op-ed, President Mary Robinson and I told the story of Dhaki, a 13-year-old girl from Ethiopia who was married to a man eleven years her senior. Her husband regularly forced himself upon her. Her cries were ignored by neighbours who shunned her for not respecting the wishes of her husband. Thanks to a local development program, Dhaki has since been freed from this torture and is continuing her education. My fellow Elders and I strongly believe that the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act can provide assistance to developing countries to help them reduce child marriage rates and promote the empowerment of girls and women worldwide. It will help innocent girls like Dhaki who were trapped in abusive, forced marriages that amount to a modern version of slavery. Please consider this letter a public endorsement of this legislation by The Elders. We thank you for your attention and dedication to passing this bill before Congress adjourns. By doing so, you may help make the difference between lives of opportunity or enslavement for millions of young girls in the developing world. God Bless You. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Chair.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Thank you and, yes, you have. I would now like to recognize the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Carnahan).

Ms. McCOLLUM. I thank the gentlewoman from Hawaii. I would now like to recognize the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, tonight I rise with the sad honor of recognizing the retirement of my friend, colleague, Congressman Jim Oberstar. He has served the residents of Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District with distinction for more than 36 years. Jim is the dean of the Minnesota congressional delegation, and all of us, House and Senate, are deeply grateful for his commitment to our State. To many people in Washington, DC, he is Chairman James L. Oberstar of the powerful Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, but to most Minnesotans, he is Jim Oberstar from Chisholm, the heart of Minnesota's Iron Range. For those of you who don't know about the Iron Range, it can be a tough place to grow up--lots of cold weather and a lot of hard work. But it has lots of great people. The hard lessons of his early years served Jim well in Washington. He knew how to fight for people and causes that he served, and he always worked for progress in a way that honored his principles. During his time in Congress, Jim made a career out of creating good jobs and building America. His priority was investing in the future prosperity of his country, literally laying the foundation of a 21st-century American economy, and I am proud to say he has been my partner in building a modern transportation system in the Twin Cities. Next month, major renovations on the Union Depot in St. Paul, a modern multi-modal transportation hub, will create 3,000 construction jobs. Only months later, construction begins on the Central Corridor, the light rail between St. Paul and Minneapolis, creating thousands of more jobs. Neither of these major investments would have been happening without Jim Oberstar. He had the vision to plan for the future. He has also demonstrated his leadership in times of great crisis, and he has been effective. On August 1, 2007, the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed in Minneapolis and 13 people lost their lives. The Chairman raced to action and helped to secure emergency legislation that rebuilt the bridge, reconnected our communities. But he didn't stop there. Chairman Oberstar worked in Congress to call attention to the epidemic of weak bridges all across this country, and he made bridge repair and replacement a focus of the Recovery Act. Because of Jim Oberstar's commitment, thousands of bridges across this country were replaced or rebuilt through the Recovery Act. Millions of Americans are safer today because Chairman Oberstar recognized Minnesota's tragedy was an American crisis. Jim Oberstar not only served; he served well. He not only worked hard; he achieved results. He was a true ranger. His roots of loyalty to the needs of working families in Minnesota and across this country could not be beat. This institution is about to lose a great leader, but it is inheriting a legacy of commitment and fairness and professionalism that should serve as a model for all of us. On behalf of myself and the Minnesotans I represent, I extend my thanks and my best wishes to Chairman Jim Oberstar. Madam Speaker, at this point I will insert in the Record various letters in support of Chairman Oberstar; from Congressman Erik Paulsen, Congresswoman Betsy Markey, State Representative Tommy Rukavina, State Senator Tom Saxhaug, State Senator Tom Bakk, State Senator David Tomassoni, the Honorable Don Ness, Mayor of the City of Duluth, the Honorable Christopher Coleman, the Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, and the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and their Rail Authority. Tom Rukavina, Minnesota State Representative, December 8, 2010. To the Honorable Members of the United States House of Representatives: I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize and praise my friend, Congressman Jim Oberstar, whom I don't have to address as honorable because everyone who has been around Washington DC for the last 36 years knows that goes without saying! Congressman Oberstar in my mind epitomizes what's good about ``politicians.'' He has not only cared about the well- being of his constituents, but has also cared about every one of your constituents here in this great United States of America. His knowledge of transportation issues is legendary, and his stewardship of our natural resources and his concern for our children and grandchildren on issues such as clean water exemplifies his commitment to our future generations. I am personally sad that Congressman Oberstar will not be representing me and his beloved Iron Range in the United States Congress. But I am honored that Congressman Oberstar's legacy and contributions to this country will be recognized by those future generations that he has dedicated his entire life to. Congressman, as many of those Iron Range old-timers that you love to talk about would have said to you, ``dobro srecu, buona fortuna''--in other words, good luck to you as you move forward in life! Warm regards, Tom Rukavina.