Betty McCollum

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and service of Maplewood Police Sergeant Joseph Bergeron, who will be laid to rest tomorrow at St. John's Cemetery in Little Canada, Minnesota. Last Saturday morning Sergeant Bergeron was killed in the line of duty while responding to a carjacking. On behalf of all Minnesotans, I extend our prayers and our deepest sympathies to Sergeant Bergeron's wife Gail, and his twin daughters, Alexandra and Samantha, all extended family, and friends. Sergeant Bergeron gave his life while working to keep us safe, and his heroic sacrifice shall always be honored and remembered. To the officials and residents of Maplewood, especially the members of the police department, I extend my condolences at this time of great pain and loss. The City of Maplewood is an outstanding and resilient community. The loss of a devoted police officer is a tragedy felt by every resident. Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize St. Paul Police Officer David Longbehn, who was seriously injured while apprehending the suspect in the death of Sergeant Bergeron. I commend Sergeant Longbehn for his courageous service, and wish him a full and speedy recovery; and for all our men and women who wear a police uniform, a safe watch today.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 24, the ``Marine Corps Identity'' bill. This bipartisan legislation would change the name of the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. For over 200 years, the Marine Corps has fought side by side with the Navy. Yet, despite having served in every armed conflict in America's history, the Marines are not recognized at the department level. When the parents of fallen Marines receive a letter of condolence from their country, the Marine Corps name does not even appear on the official letterhead. For too long, recognition of the United States Marine Corps has failed to match the remarkable sacrifice of its men and women. By adding just three symbolic words, H.R. 24 will finally honor the Marine Corps as a coequal branch of America's Armed Forces. For veterans in Minnesota and across the United States, and for our Marines currently serving overseas, I am proud to co-sponsor and vote to pass this important and overdue legislation.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the staff and owners of The Saint Paul Hotel on the occasion of its Centennial Anniversary, which will be celebrated this weekend on April 17th. Since its grand opening on April 18th, 1910, The Saint Paul Hotel has served as a geographic and cultural landmark for Minnesota's capital city, as well as a gathering place for Saint Paul's many visitors and residents. In 1908 local businessman Lucius P. Ordway recognized the need for a major hotel in the growing commercial hub of Saint Paul. Mr. Ordway partnered with the city's Business League to purchase a parcel of land near downtown Saint Paul's Rice Park and finance the hotel's construction. Less than two years later, the Saint Paul Hotel was opened for business. It immediately was recognized as the premier hotel in the region, and less than one month after its grand opening celebration the hotel was named ``Best in the West'' by the National Hotelman's Association. After falling into disrepair in the 1950s, civic and business leaders undertook an extensive renovation to return the hotel to its original glory between 1981 and 1982. Since then, The Saint Paul Hotel has won dozens more awards for outstanding service and accommodations, and it has become, once again, one of the foremost luxury hotels in the Midwest. Throughout its history, The Saint Paul Hotel has hosted a number of American Presidents, foreign dignitaries and heads of state, performing artists, writers, athletes, and numerous weddings. It has contributed a century's worth of memories to Saint Paul and the surrounding community. Madam Speaker, please join me in rising to honor the Centennial Anniversary of The Saint Paul Hotel and its contributions to the rich history of the city of Saint Paul and the State of Minnesota.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1216, a resolution congratulating Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin on his 10th year of service as Chaplain of the House of Representatives. Reverend Coughlin was sworn in as the fifty-ninth Chaplain of the House of Representatives on March 23, 2000--the first person of Roman Catholic faith to hold the office. In his decade of service, he has opened House proceedings with prayer, provided pastoral counseling and arranged memorial services for the House and its staff. Over the years I have come to know Reverend Coughlin and value his service to the House of Representatives. This resolution is a fitting honor, and I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Reverend Coughlin for his decade of faithful service.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the victims of the 1995 terrorist attack on Oklahoma City that killed 168 people. This act of terrorism was committed by a man who viewed the Federal Government as such a threat it justified mass murder. I applaud my colleague from Oklahoma for her resolution because it serves as a reminder that right-wing anti-government extremist groups are on the rise today. Only 2 weeks ago, members of a so-called Christian militia in Michigan were arrested by the FBI for plotting to kill law enforcement officers in the hopes of inciting an anti- government uprising. A national civil rights organization has documented a growing number of hate groups in America and states they are ``driven largely by an angry backlash against non-white immigration, economic meltdown and the climb to power of an African American President.'' In one word: racism. Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center states: ``Individuals associated with the Patriot movement during its heydays in the 1990s produced an enormous amount of violence, most dramatically the Oklahoma City bombing.'' Today Mr. Potok states: ``As the movement has exploded, so has the reaches of its ideas, aided and abetted by commentators and politicians.'' Only last month a Fox News media commentator, with Members of Congress next to him, rallied a tea party crowd by disparaging Congress and calling the crowd ``all these Tim McVeigh wannabes here.'' To that, the crowds cheered and applauded. When Members of Congress compare health care legislation to ``government tyranny,'' ``socialism'' or ``totalitarianism'' in the hopes of scoring political points, it's like pouring gas on the fire of extremism. Members of this House, Democrats and Republicans, have a duty and obligation to end the dangerous name-calling that can only inspire extremist militias and phony patriots. In the most free, prosperous and greatest democracy on Earth, it is time to return to civil, decent debate of public policy. I don't want another ``Oklahoma City'' to ever take place again. And just as we would not give aid and comfort to al Qaeda, let us not allow the words of elected leaders to give comfort and comfortable excuses to extremists bent on violence. Words have power for both good and evil, and I implore my colleagues to temper their rhetoric and not allow the words of a Member of Congress to ever be used by a violent militia or phony, hate-filled patriot to cause violence. The victims of the Oklahoma City bombing were women at work, men in line for government services, and children in a day care center. And these families were torn apart, and they struggle to heal. A community was devastated, but it is again filled with hope and memories. And I hope with this resolution every Member of Congress will reflect upon the victims of Oklahoma City, as well as our duty as elected leaders in a proud and free country. [From the Southern Poverty Law Center, Apr. 2010] Rage on the Right--The Year in Hate and Extremism (By Mark Potok) The radical right caught fire last year, as broad-based populist anger at political, demographic and economic changes in America ignited an explosion of new extremist groups and activism across the nation. Hate groups stayed at record levels--almost 1,000--despite the total collapse of the second largest neo-Nazi group in America. Furious anti-immigrant vigilante groups soared by nearly 80%, adding some 136 new groups during 2009. And, most remarkably of all, so-called ``Patriot'' groups--militias and other organizations that see the federal government as part of a plot to impose ``one-world government'' on liberty- loving Americans--came roaring back after years out of the limelight. The anger seething across the American political landscape--over racial changes in the population, soaring public debt and the terrible economy, the bailouts of bankers and other elites, and an array of initiatives by the relatively liberal Obama Administration that are seen as ``socialist'' or even ``fascist''--goes beyond the radical right. The ``tea parties'' and similar groups that have sprung up in recent months cannot fairly be considered extremist groups, but they are shot through with rich veins of radical ideas, conspiracy theories and racism. ``We are in the midst of one of the most significant right- wing populist rebellions in United States history,'' Chip Berlet, a veteran analyst of the American radical right, wrote earlier this year. ``We see around us a series of overlapping social and political movements populated by people [who are] angry, resentful, and full of anxiety. They are raging against the machinery of the federal bureaucracy and liberal government programs and policies including health care, reform of immigration and labor laws, abortion, and gay marriage.'' Sixty-one percent of Americans believe the country is in decline, according to a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. Just a quarter think the government can be trusted. And the anti-tax tea party movement is viewed in much more positive terms than either the Democratic or Republican parties, the poll found. The signs of growing radicalization are everywhere. Armed men have come to Obama speeches bearing signs suggesting that the ``tree of liberty'' needs to be ``watered'' with ``the blood of tyrants.'' The Conservative Political Action Conference held this February was co-sponsored by groups like the John Birch Society, which believes President Eisenhower was a Communist agent, and Oath Keepers, a Patriot outfit formed last year that suggests, in thinly veiled language, that the government has secret plans to declare martial law and intern patriotic Americans in concentration camps. Politicians pandering to the antigovernment right in 37 states have introduced ``Tenth Amendment Resolutions,'' based on the constitutional provision keeping all powers not explicitly given to the federal government with the states. And, at the ``A Well Regulated Militia'' website, a recent discussion of how to build ``clandestine safe houses'' to stay clear of the federal government included a conversation about how mass murderers like Timothy McVeigh and Olympics bomber Eric Rudolph were supposedly betrayed at such houses. Doing the Numbers The number of hate groups in America has been going up for years, rising 54% between 2000 and 2008 and driven largely by an angry backlash against non-white immigration and, starting in the last year of that period, the economic meltdown and the climb to power of an African American president. According to the latest annual count by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), these groups rose again slightly in 2009--from 926 in 2008 to 932 last year--despite the demise of a key neo-Nazi group. The American National Socialist Workers Party, which had 35 chapters in 28 states, imploded shortly after the October 2008 arrest of founder Bill White for making threats against his enemies. At the same time, the number of what the SPLC designates as ``nativist extremist'' groups--organizations that go beyond mere advocacy of restrictive immigration policy to actually confront or harass suspected immigrants--jumped from 173 groups in 2008 to 309 last year. Virtually all of these vigilante groups have appeared since the spring of 2005. But the most dramatic story by far has been with the antigovernment Patriots. The militias and the larger Patriot movement first came to Americans' attention in the mid-1990s, when they appeared as an angry reaction to what was seen as a tyrannical government bent on crushing all dissent. Sparked most dramatically by the death of 76 Branch Davidians during a 1993 law enforcement siege in Waco, Texas, those who joined the militias also railed against the Democratic Clinton Administration and initiatives like gun control and environmental regulation. Although the Patriot movement included people formerly associated with racially based hate groups, it was above all animated by a view of the federal government as the primary enemy, along with a fondness for antigovernment conspiracy theories. By early this decade, the groups had largely disappeared from public view. But last year, as noted in the SPLC's August report, ``The Second Wave: Return of the Militias,'' a dramatic resurgence in the Patriot movement and its paramilitary wing, the militias, began. Now, the latest SPLC count finds that an astonishing 363 new Patriot groups appeared in 2009, with the totals going from 149 groups (including 42 militias) to 512 (127 of them militias)--a 244% jump. That is cause for grave concern. Individuals associated with the Patriot movement during its 1990s heyday produced an enormous amount of violence, most dramatically the Oklahoma City bombing that left 168 people dead. Already there are signs of similar violence emanating from the radical right. Since the installation of Barack Obama, right-wing extremists have murdered six law enforcement officers. Racist skinheads and others have been arrested in alleged plots to assassinate the nation's first black president. One man from Brockton, Mass.--who told police he had learned on white supremacist websites that a genocide was under way against whites--is charged with murdering two black people and planning to kill as many Jews as possible on the day after Obama's inauguration. Most recently, a rash of individuals with antigovernment, survivalist or racist views have been arrested in a series of bomb cases. As the movement has exploded, so has the reach of its ideas, aided and abetted by commentators and politicians in the ostensible mainstream. While in the 1990s, the movement got good reviews from a few lawmakers and talk-radio hosts, some of its central ideas today are being plugged by people with far larger audiences like FOX News' Glenn Beck and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn). Beck, for instance, re-popularized a key Patriot conspiracy theory--the charge that FEMA is secretly running concentration camps--before finally ``debunking'' it. Last year also experienced levels of cross-pollination between different sectors of the radical right not seen in years. Nativist activists increasingly adopted the ideas of the Patriots; racist rants against Obama and others coursed through the Patriot movement; and conspiracy theories involving the government appeared in all kinds of right-wing venues. A good example is the upcoming Second Amendment March in Washington, D.C. The website promoting the march is topped by a picture of a colonial militiaman, and key supporters include Larry Pratt, a long-time militia enthusiast with connections to white supremacists, and Richard Mack, a conspiracy-mongering former sheriff associated with the Patriot group Oath Keepers. What may be most noteworthy about the march, however, is its date--April 19. That is the date of the first shots fired at Lexington in the Revolutionary War. And it is also the anniversary of the fiery end of the government siege in Waco and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1186 to support designation of April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving is a growing danger on the nation's roads. According to the recent National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey, 80 percent of all traffic incidents and 65 percent of all near-crashes involve some type of distraction. Cell phone usage is a growing culprit, causing an estimated 2,600 deaths and nearly 330,000 injuries every year. Strong federal action is needed to address this serious public safety issue. Last year, Transportation Secretary LaHood convened the first- ever Distracted Driving Summit. This led to the formation of FocusDriven, the nation's first nonprofit devoted to combating distracted driving, and the creation of www.distraction.gov, the federal government's official Web site to educate the public about the dangers of distracted driving. The designation of Distracted Driving Awareness Month is an important part of this public awareness campaign. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained at the time of the vote on H. Res. 1186. I had intended to vote for this important resolution. I applaud Secretary LaHood's efforts to ensure driver safety and support the designation of Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, beyond the walls of this Capitol, there are millions of Americans who can't afford health insurance and they live in fear of getting sick. Millions more are discriminated against by insurance companies because they have preexisting medical conditions. In my own life, as a child and as an adult, I've lived without health insurance. A dear, dear niece of mine has a preexisting condition that makes her uninsurable. Passing health insurance reform is not a political game. It's personal. It's about real people's lives. When we pass this bill, we will save lives. Families will be protected. Millions of Americans will no longer live in fear. Today I will vote to end discrimination against people with preexisting conditions. Today I will vote to extend health care to 32 million Americans. And when this bill becomes law, health care security will finally become a reality for the American people.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Rising health care costs and inadequate coverage burden many Americans, women in particular. It's unfair and it's wrong. Women can be denied and charged a higher insurance premium than men for just having what's called a preexisting condition. Let me give you an example of what that preexisting condition is. In 2006, attorney Jody Neal-Post tried to get health insurance but was rejected. Why? Because of treatment she received after a domestic abuse incident. Her insurer told her that her medical history made her a higher risk, more likely to end up in an emergency room and need care. 1.3 million American women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year, and 85 percent of domestic violence victims are women. We can help the one out of every four women who are victims of domestic violence by stopping them from being victimized again by their insurance companies. We can protect our grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, and daughters by ending this abusive practice now. Pass health care reform now.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in support of H.R. 2701, a bill to authorize appropriations for intelligence-related activities in fiscal year 2010. This bill strengthens the safety and security of every American family with targeted investments in our intelligence capabilities. By containing not a single earmark, H.R. 2701 authorizes only essential spending to support our troops overseas and improve America's national security. I support this bill because it will prepare America for the threats of tomorrow, with strategic investments in our cybersecurity infrastructure here at home, and human intelligence gathering in emerging areas of concern such as Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Most importantly, this bill will keep America safe without sacrificing American values. It prohibits private contractors from participating in CIA interrogations, requires the video recording of interrogations, and expands Congressional oversight of all intelligence activities to prevent the abuses of the past decade.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H. Con. Res. 248, a resolution that would require the President to precipitously withdraw American troops from Afghanistan by December 31, 2010. While I welcome today's robust debate on such a critical issue, there can be no doubt that abandoning Afghanistan and the region in this moment is against America's national interests. I have supported America's engagement in Afghanistan since my vote in 2001 to authorize military action against those responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11th. After years of inattentiveness by the Bush Administration, President Obama inherited a deteriorated security environment in Afghanistan. General Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, completed a review in August 2009 that confirmed conditions to be rapidly declining, with the Taliban insurgency gaining ground and the allied NATO effort losing the support of the Afghan people. Stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan directly impacts the safety of our citizens, and violent extremism poses a real and significant threat to global security. For this very reason, our efforts in Afghanistan have received overwhelming international support, with over 40 nations--NATO and non-NATO alike--contributing troops. I support President Obama's strategy to provide our service men and women with the resources they need for success, to increase the commitment of our NATO allies through renewed engagement, and to build up the Afghan security forces so that our troops can come home. This work will not be quick, nor will it be easy. Still, one thing is clear: Afghanistan cannot be allowed to once again become a sanctuary for terror and extremism.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to join my colleagues today in recognizing the extraordinary American response to the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010. I am proud to support H. Res. 1048, H. Res. 1059, and H. Res. 1066. Each of these resolutions honors the courage and sacrifice of the Americans who rushed to aid the people of Haiti in their time of need. The United States, with its swift and steadfast response, has once again demonstrated the common decency and compassion of its citizens. When the lives of our neighbors are at stake, Americans do not hesitate. In the first 10 days after the catastrophic earthquake--the worst to strike Haiti in 200 years--over 14,000 members of the Armed Forces, thousands of U.S. Army Reserve rescue workers, and hundreds of government and volunteer personnel were on the ground to provide immediate assistance to the Haitian people. While American search and rescue teams pulled survivors from the rubble, and Federal employees raced to distribute water, food, and medical supplies, the American public donated hundreds of millions of dollars to support relief efforts. Remarkably, a recent poll found that nearly half of American families had donated, even in the midst of this difficult economic recession. As I express my gratitude today to every American that has taken part in the disaster response, it is not without a heavy heart. Haitians and the Haitian-American community have endured unspeakable loss, and the road to recovery will be long and difficult. America must continue to stand by Haiti and lead the international effort toward its recovery.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2314, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009. This act recognizes the past injustices suffered by native populations, and with this act the United States can begin to move forward with a more positive government-to-government relationship. American Indians and Alaska Natives have the right to govern their own affairs and determine their membership. Native Hawaiians should also have the right to self-governance and self-determination. H.R. 2314 establishes a process for federal recognition of one Native Hawaiian governing entity and authorizes negotiations between the state of Hawaii, the U.S. government, and the new entity on future issues. It begins to reconcile the past injustices suffered by native populations and allows us to move forward with a more positive relationship. Opponents of this bill attempt to argue that Congress is creating race-based governments. Clearly, they fail to understand the sovereignty of tribal nations. H.R. 2314 is not based on racial status, rather a political status that has existed for centuries. The bill does not exempt the governing entity from the U.S. Constitution, from federal law or from taxation. It does not transfer land or establish gaming or authorize secession. It simply and formally recognizes the sovereignty of Native Hawaiians, which should have happened a long time ago. In the 110th Congress, I voted for a similar bill (H.R. 505) that passed the House with bipartisan support on October 24, 2007, but was never considered by the Senate. As a member of the Congressional Native American Caucus, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2314, and I urge the Senate to pass this legislation.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I and the following members rise in recognition of the late U.S. Representative John Murtha's lifelong dedication to members of our armed services: Representative Bruce Braley, Representative Tim Walz, Representative Keith Ellison, Representative James Oberstar, Representative Leonard Boswell, Representative David Loebsack, Representative Collin Peterson, and Representative Tom Latham. Chairman John Murtha was a passionate legislator and decorated ex- Marine who never stopped fighting for our men and women in uniform. In 1974, Murtha, then an officer in the Marine Reserves, became the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to the House of Representatives. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Congressman Murtha was a tireless advocate for our troops, military families, and our veterans on Capitol Hill. At a time when we are mourning his passing, it is important to recognize Chairman Murtha's work to ensure that veterans receive support. The undersigned members would like to call attention to the work he did to secure the benefits promised and earned by 22,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel in our states. In January of 2007, the Department of Defense authorized Post- Deployment Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA) program, which provides additional pay when a soldier deploys more frequently than DOD policy requires. For the two years since the authorization of PDMRA, the Pentagon's implementation of the program has been slow and incomplete. As result, thousands of National Guard and Reserve members who have served multiple and extended tours in Iraq and Afghanistan did not receive the pay to which they are entitled. This problem has affected National Guard and Reserve personnel in every state across the nation. Members organized to bring attention to this problem and to find a resolution. The undersigned members have sent letters to the Pentagon, organized events, and met with armed services personnel for years and asked for the Chairman's assistance and leadership. Chairman Murtha heard our request and took action. He made phone calls directly to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Army Secretary Pete Geren. He included language to remedy the delay in the FY10 Defense Appropriations bill, and in numerous letters to the Department of Defense since 2007 Congressman Murtha supported his colleagues in making it clear that further delay in resolving this issue was unacceptable to our members of the armed services. Because of the Chairman Murtha's support, the Department of Defense issued Army policy guidance for cash reimbursements for PDMRA for Reserve and National Guard personnel, which represents a crucial step in finally resolving this issue. The late Congressman John Murtha has shown throughout his time in the military and in Congress that he is a dedicated leader on fighting on behalf of military families.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Philip Brunelle who received the Minnesota Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Committee's 2010 Local Legend Award. Philip Brunelle is a renowned conductor, organist and choral scholar. In 1969, with his partners, Brunelle founded the non-profit choral music organization Plymouth Music Series now known as VocalEssence. VocalEssence presents concerts which feature the 130 voice VocalEssence Chorus and its core group, a 32-voice professional mixed chorus called the Ensemble Singers, along with guest singers and instrumentalists. VocalEssence stands apart from other choral groups because of its range, variety and quality of performance. Mr. Brunelle has been awarded the 2010 Local Legend Award for his work with the WITNESS Collection. WITNESS is an initiative that began in 1991. It seeks to bear witness to the musical contributions of African American artists through concerts, recordings and educational programs. This initiative has grown to include; an annual concert, a 4-volume collection showcasing 100 years of classical compositions by African American composers, educational outreach programs that strive to teach students about African American contributions, and the Teachers Guide that enhances educational outreach initiatives. It is a privilege to recognize this valued leader before the United States House of Representatives. I salute Mr. Brunelle on behalf of his selfless dedication to music and the history of African American Artists. Madam Speaker, in honor of Philip Brunelle, I am pleased to submit this statement for the Congressional Record.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. This Thursday, something exciting is going to happen right down the street, Pennsylvania Avenue. The White House door is open. The leadership of both the Senate and the House, Democrat and Republican leadership, come together to talk about what Americans want to have happen: reform to health care. Now, everyone knows that our health care system is failing, and it's failing for Democrats and Republicans and Independents and children and young and old and for people all across this country. And I'm excited that we're going to sit down and try to work things out in a compromise, because people need to have access to health care. There are some principles that I've heard from the people that I represent back home. We must cover as many people as possible with affordable coverage. We must do away with discriminatory practices such as preexisting conditions and unfair practices such as caps and rescission. But most of all, people in Minnesota want a system that rewards quality and value. That's the best thing for taxpayers, the best thing for patients, and the best thing for America.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4495, which designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 100 North Taylor Lane in Patagonia, Arizona, as the ``Jim Kolbe Post Office.'' Jim Kolbe served the people of Arizona in Congress for 22 years, including 2 decades on the House Appropriations Committee. He chaired the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Agencies during his final 6 years in Congress, which is when I came to know him. I traveled with Jim in 2005 as part of a Congressional Delegation to Africa and worked with him to promote human rights and economic growth in the developing world. Jim is now the Senior Transatlantic Fellow for the German Marshall Fund, where he continues to contribute his expertise to the Caucus for Congressional-World Bank Dialogue. H.R. 4495 is a well-deserved honor. Today I have the privilege of joining my colleagues in paying tribute to this distinguished public servant by designating the ``Jim Kolbe Post Office'' in Patagonia, Arizona.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 725, the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2010. Our history has been richly shaped by native cultures, and it is only appropriate we protect these important contributions of Native Americans and other indigenous people. American Indian and Alaska Native arts and crafts are devalued when unscrupulous merchants promote and market products as ``Indian made'' when they are not. To address this problem, Congress passed the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 (PL 101-644), which is a truth-in-advertising law that makes it illegal to sell or produce any imitation Indian art or craft. Despite these efforts, the sale of counterfeit Indian arts and crafts continues all too often and very few cases are investigated. Those who produce imitation Indian products should be investigated and punished, and the punishment needs to be sufficient to deter this fraudulent practice. These amendments strengthen penalties and allow Federal, State, and local law enforcement to investigate and enforce cases of imitation Indian goods. As a member of the House Arts Caucus and of the Congressional Native American Caucus, I value the importance of Indian arts and crafts to the preservation and strength of Native American culture and tradition. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 725.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in support of H. Res. 1021, expressing condolences for the people of Haiti in the aftermath of last month's tragic earthquake. This catastrophe devastated an already impoverished nation. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti, their relatives, and the entire Haitian- American community. Today, Congress conveys its solidarity with the people of Haiti in their hour of need, and we honor the men and women from around the world who have come to their aid. I applaud President Obama's swift and resolute response to this humanitarian crisis. The United States Government, in cooperation with the Government of Haiti, the United Nations, and the international community, has mobilized every available resource to save lives. The American people have once again shown their generosity to those in need around the world. In the midst an economic downturn, families in Minnesota and across the United States have donated over $200 million to help our neighbors in Haiti. Yesterday, I joined my colleagues to unanimously pass H.R. 4462, a bill that would make such charitable donations to Haiti tax deductible. This legislation will encourage even more Americans to join the relief effort. Despite the rapid and robust global response, the months and years ahead will be extremely difficult for the people of Haiti. In the short term, the United States must continue to provide food, water, shelter, and medicine to victims of this catastrophe. It is also clear that Haiti needs a long-term strategy for recovery, and America and the international community must help. As a member of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to support a comprehensive recovery and development strategy to help Haiti rebuild its infrastructure and increase economic opportunity for its citizens. As Haiti's neighbor, and as the wealthiest nation in the world, the United States must lead the international effort to help Haiti back onto its feet.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Mentoring Caucus, I rise today in strong support for designating January 2010 as National Mentoring Month. Thank you to Chairman Miller and Chairwoman Woolsey for bringing this legislation to the floor. I would also like to thank the other chairs in the Mentoring Caucus, Mrs. Davis of California and Mr. Rogers of Michigan, who are original cosponsors of this legislation. We all have an important role to play in the lives of young people around us. Our entire community needs to be part of the process in shaping young lives to become responsible citizens. When caring adults make connections and provide guidance to our youth, it makes a positive impact on their lives. A local newspaper in Minnesota recently ran an article about the enormous difference mentoring makes in someone's life. All of us have experienced that personally. For far too many young people and children, they just might not have a strong adult presence in their lives. Mentors encourage the development of strong characters and healthy identities. That's a fact. We have the data to back that up. Studies show that young adults who have mentors are less likely to experiment with drugs, skip school, or become involved in criminal activity; and at the same time, students are more likely to be confident, make good grades and graduate from high school and improve their self-esteem when they have a mentor. When these students grow up, they are more likely to be better parents, better neighbors, in general, better citizens. Nationally, there is an estimated mentoring gap of 15 million at-risk young people who need and who would benefit greatly from a mentor. In Minnesota alone, there are more than 250,000 students who fall into this gap. I sponsored this resolution to help raise awareness of this gap and of the many benefits of mentoring for both the mentee and the mentor and to encourage more people to volunteer their time and to invest in a child's well-being and their future. Mentorship does not end with childhood. Whether you're asking a neighbor to assist you after you've had your first child or you're seeking a person at work or your place of worship to guide you through these tough decisions, mentoring benefits people of all ages. My life has personally been filled with many mentors from my childhood right up until today. Congressman Bruce Vento--whose seat I now hold--mentored me from my early days in politics until I decided to run for Congress. And you never know where you might find a mentor. Many in this Chamber might have been surprised that one of my closest mentors was Congressman Henry Hyde from Illinois. He helped me understand the history and the greatness of this institution, and he taught me by example that elected officials should always, always respect one another in debate and always respect one another especially when we disagree. I encourage all of my colleagues to look for opportunities to mentor our youth, and they can start by doing that today by voting ``yes'' on this resolution.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, because if we're going to defeat poverty and create jobs and economic opportunity for all Americans, we need to reach out to get to know those Americans who need our help the most, those in poverty.

Ms. McCOLLUM. In the wealthiest country in the world, far too many of our citizens live in poverty, and the number is growing. Mr. McDermott and Chairman Rangel, thank you for bringing this important resolution to the floor. Families in Minnesota and across our country are hurting. The economy may be improving on Wall Street, but on Main Street people are hurting and they're afraid. Unemployed workers are worried about where and how they will find a job and whether they can survive after their unemployment insurance runs out. Our neighbors with jobs are facing hours being cut, facing pay cuts, and they're in fear of also losing their jobs. The housing crisis has driven families from their homes, and the homeless shelters are filled. Families are sleeping in their cars. Access to basic health care and putting food on the table are now a struggle for far too many Americans. More families are falling below the poverty line and they need our help. In 2008, one in eight residents of Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District, which I represent, was living in poverty--over 68,000 men, women, children, and seniors. The number is certainly growing with the economic recession, and that means children are going hungry, parents lack day care and reliable transportation to get a job, seniors struggle to pay rent. And yes, many illnesses are left unattended. Yesterday, I visited a Head Start site in St. Paul, and the staff members there are worried about food insecurity for the children in their classrooms. It is unacceptable that children would go hungry. The role of the Federal Government is to keep our country safe and to provide an opportunity for people to improve their lives. We have much work to do. But because of the Democrats in Congress passing the Recovery Act, an estimated 60.1 million Americans did not fall below the poverty line, including 66,000 Minnesotans.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 860, a resolution supporting the Leave No Child Inside initiative and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights. For our children's physical, emotional and intellectual growth, it is important for them to spend time outdoors and in nature. Unstructured playtime nourishes childhood development by stimulating imagination and creativity and building healthy habits. America's children are spending less time outside, and more time in front of the television or computer. This loss of exercise and exploration negatively affects their physical health, and it causes problems later in life. Nearly 119 million American adults are currently overweight or obese. Childhood obesity has doubled since 1980, costing Americans more than $117 billion per year. We simply cannot afford to leave our children inside. The Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights is a call to fight obesity and to provide and promote quality outdoor activities for our children. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 860.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1002 which recognizes the efforts of who those who serve their communities on Martin Luther King Day and promotes the holiday as a day of national service. During his life, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized the power of service to strengthen communities. In 1994, Congress made Martin Luther King Day a national day of community volunteerism to further commemorate Dr. King's legacy of peace, community, and justice. On January 18, 2010, people of all backgrounds across the country will come together to improve lives, bridge social barriers, and continue the pursuit of achieving Martin Luther King's vision of a fair and equitable society for all Americans. At home in Minnesota, and across the nation, many will volunteer to serve their communities by working at food banks, helping the homeless, and improving schools. Minnesotans have a proud tradition of civic engagement. In a study conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Minneapolis-St. Paul was ranked number one for volunteer rates in a large city. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said ``An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.'' As we begin this New Year at a time when many of our neighbors are struggling to find employment, I can think of no better way to strengthen our nation than to come together and create positive change in our communities. I encourage everyone to get involved this Martin Luther King Day and to browse http://www.usaservice.org for volunteer opportunities. Every American who will volunteer on Monday and those that continue to serve throughout the year deserve our gratitude and appreciation.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the many workers and contractors who are part of Minnesota Community Action Partnership weatherization programs. Minnesota is being honored this week by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of the top five States in the country for its work utilizing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to weatherize homes. The installation of blower doors, energy efficient water heaters and furnaces, improved insulation, and energy efficient windows is vital work that saves energy, saves money, and helps low-income households. During the last year, Minnesota Community Action Partnership organizations have used American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to help weatherize an additional 17,000 homes. These investments are saving families an average of $350 in energy costs this year and keeping them warm during Minnesota's coldest months. I have seen the benefits of this work firsthand through the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties, CAPRW, which serves a majority of my constituents. Under the guidance of Executive Director Clarence Hightower, CAPRW has been able to serve over 200,000 low-income households each year, and over the past 30 years has completed energy improvements on over 13,000 homes. CAPRW invested funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand the number of homes weatherized in our community by more than three times. As a result, the community benefited from new jobs, a cleaner environment, and lower energy costs for working class families. These Recovery Act investments are strengthening our community by allowing Community Action Agencies to build on the legacy begun in 1964 as part of President Johnson's Economic Opportunity Act, which served as a major step in the war on poverty. Today, Community Action Agencies continue to provide a wide variety of services to those living in poverty. In addition to weatherization efforts, local agencies also offer energy assistance, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, training programs for job training, financial literacy, and education, as well as senior nutrition programs. These efforts build stronger communities by providing opportunities for families to work towards economic independence. Madam Speaker, in honor of the recognition by the U.S. Department of Energy of Minnesota's Weatherization Programs as one of the top in the Nation, I am pleased to submit this statement for the Congressional Record recognizing this achievement and the hard work and dedication of our Community Action Agencies in fighting poverty.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173). This legislation will finally bring accountability to big banks and ensure families are protected from high-stakes Wall Street speculation. I thank Chairman Frank, the House Leadership, and all of my colleagues who have worked to shape this important legislation. It was one year ago that our country's financial system stood on the brink of collapse. The failure of large financial institutions such as Bear Steams and Lehman Brothers quickly led to sinking home prices, a collapse in retirement savings, and job losses on a scale not seen since the Great Depression. Today this Congress faces a choice. We can cling to the failed policies of lax regulation that nearly drove our economy off a cliff, or take decisive action to prevent another crisis of this proportion by passing H.R. 4173. This legislation combines eight separate reform measures into one comprehensive package. H.R. 4173 establishes a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency to protect Americans from unfair and abusive financial practices and to bring needed transparency and accountability to the financial system. It regulates the exotic debt instruments that contributed to the unraveling of our financial markets. And this bill reigns in Wall Street excess by banning egregiously high executive bonuses and giving shareholders input on executive compensation. In addition, H.R. 4173 will put an end to ``too big to fail'' financial firms. American taxpayers should never again be called upon to rescue large financial institutions because their failure threatens to bring down the entire financial system. This legislation creates a Dissolution Fund, paid for by the industry, which would be used to dismantle failing financial institutions in an orderly manner and without taxpayer assistance. The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act is vital to our economic security because it will restore confidence in our financial system--an essential step toward rebuilding our economy. Although this bill is not perfect, my constituents and all citizens across the nation should recognize H.R. 4173 as a tremendous step in the right direction. Once again, I thank Chairman Frank for his leadership and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.