Betty McCollum

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1913). This bill makes a profound statement that this country will not tolerate violence motivated by bigotry and ignorance against its citizens. I commend Chairman Conyers for bringing this legislation to the floor. The message of this bill is clear: the United States will not tolerate hate crimes. These crimes are unlike other violent acts of randomness. Targeting people because of their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability is a form of domestic terrorism. Such violent crimes send a chilling message to entire communities that they are not welcome and that intolerance and ignorance is alive and well. Since 1991, the FBI has received more than 118,000 reports of hate crimes and we know that crimes of this nature are frequently underreported. Current federal law covers crimes committed based on a person's race, color, religion, or national origin. H.R. 1913 extends federal protection to include hate crimes committed because of a person's gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. This bill allows the federal government to provide needed federal resources to state and local law enforcement officials to prosecute hate crimes and also authorizes grants to law enforcement agencies that have incurred expenses investigating and prosecuting hate crime cases. Some opponents of H.R. 1913 have suggested that this bill legislates against thoughts and ideas. This is absolutely false. H.R. 1913 provides local authorities more effective means to prosecute violent acts of hate, not thoughts or speech. In fact, this bill explicitly includes First Amendment free speech protections for persons accused of acts of hate. My first vote as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives was for equal rights on housing and employment for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) community. As a Member of Congress, I have now voted for similar federal four times. The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act must become law so that all Americans can fully participate in and enjoy the rights of a democratic society. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Budget Resolution Conference Report (S. Con. Res. 13). As a member of the Budget Committee, I would like to thank Chairman Spratt for his continued leadership, and President Obama for advancing a budget that embodies our national values. The serious problems caused by eight years of failed policies, including record deficits, doubling of the national debt and the smallest rate of job growth in three-quarters of a century, will not be solved overnight. Families across the nation, and in Minnesota, are struggling to make ends meet. Unemployment has soared to 8.5 percent, while health care costs are rising and housing prices continue to decline. This budget is a new beginning. It charts a course toward economic recovery and signals the end of an era of disinvestment in America's families. Instead of ignoring the economic crisis, this agreement confronts it head-on by making strategic investments in education, health care reform and energy independence to help restore growth at home and keep the U.S. competitive in the global economy. Today's students are tomorrow's workforce, which is why this resolution makes significant investments in education from early childhood programs to college affordability. This budget also recognizes that health care reform cannot wait: nearly one out of every six Americans is uninsured and many more are underinsured. This resolution takes steps to make health care coverage affordable and available to all, while also improving the quality and safety of patient care. In addition, this budget makes historic investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and the clean energy research programs America needs to start down the path of energy independence. After eight years of masking the costs of war and natural disasters, this plan ushers in a new era of honesty and accountability in budgeting. President Obama and this Congress have included estimates of these costs for every year in the budget. The budget resolution is a blueprint for the future of our country, which recognizes the needs of America's families and will help to restore widely-shared economic prosperity for generations to come. As an important first step in this direction, the budget calls for tax cuts for families who make less than $250,000 and permanently extends the middle-income tax cuts adopted in 2001 and 2003 for middle-income Americans. This plan will also place restraints on areas of unsustainable spending and cut the deficit in half by 2014. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. Con. Res. 13.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Thank you, Chairman Gordon. Mr. Chair, I rise today to voice my strong support for the National Water Research and Development Initiative Act and for the manager's amendment. My State of Minnesota claims over 10,000 lakes and is the headwaters of the Mississippi River and is part of the Great Lakes chain of lakes. We have Lake Superior on our northern shore. Improving the coordination of Federal research is important for my State and for our country, and we need to do a better job of making use of data to make good policy. This amendment includes three important provisions, and I would like to talk about them briefly. The first part of my amendment, which is included in the manager's amendment, clarifies the bill's focus to include both water quality and quantity. Federal jurisdiction on water policy tends to create a division between the two, but the science often overlaps. To achieve the goal of coordination of research across all Federal agencies, it's important to support a comprehensive research agenda, and this legislation does that. Second, in the area of water quality, this amendment adds research objectives related to chemical impairments in our water supply, specifically contaminants of emerging concern. These contaminants include pharmaceuticals, personal care products and the endocrine disrupting compounds. Researchers have found that exposure to these contaminants can produce deformities and reproductive problems in aquatic species and insects. Today we know enough about these contaminants to be worried, but not enough to provide good information to our State health officials and to our constituents. Research on these contaminants must be a Federal priority, and this legislation moves in that direction. Finally, the amendment will link the existing work of the 54 federally funded research centers with the new Federal water research plan called for in H.R. 1145. The National Institutes for Water Resources are located in the institutions of higher education all across this country. This research network is underutilized as a resource. This amendment would make it a priority for the National Institutes for Water Research to support the goals of H.R. 1145, and it will increase coordination among the centers so they are more effective partners in Federal water quality efforts. This amendment promotes a Federal approach to water research. It is comprehensive, effective, and it is one that leverages all of our Federal research partners to work together. I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment and the bill. And, again, I thank Chairman Gordon for his leadership on this issue and his staff for all the work that they have done on this important issue.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, as a member of the National Service Caucus, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigoration, and Education or GIVE Act. President and First Lady Obama have encouraged a renewed spirit of service and active citizenship in America. The GIVE Act answers that call to service by reauthorizing and expanding the National and Community Service Act of 1990. H.R. 1388 will increase national service opportunities for many more of our citizens. This bill expands AmeriCorps, an existing and outstanding service-learning program with a proven track record of integrating academic study with community service. It also creates four new service corps in the areas of clean energy, education, health care, and veteran service and adds new programs to enable middle and high- school youth and retirees to serve their communities. Finally, this bill expands the National Civilian Community Corps to include disaster relief and energy conservation and provides funds to help non-profits recruit new volunteers. The GIVE Act more than triples the number of federal volunteers serving in our communities so that an estimated 250,000 Americans will be able to participate in a year of service by 2014. These extra volunteers will help their neighbors endure these tough economic times by improving education, providing food and other services to the disadvantaged, and rebuilding towns and cities after disasters. This bill will also strengthen the economy because every dollar invested in service produces up to $3.90 in direct, measurable benefits. Volunteerism is growing in America. From 2002 to 2007, one million more citizens across the country started dedicating their time to worthy causes. Twenty-seven percent of all Americans are now volunteering. My state of Minnesota has 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. American men and women who choose to better their communities and themselves by responding to the nation's critical education, safety, homeland security, and health needs exemplify the values of America. I want to thank every American volunteer and urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to add my voice in opposition to plans by American International Group Inc. (AIG) to reward their executives with ``job performance'' bonuses worth over $165 million at a time when the American people, including my constituents in Minnesota, are making huge sacrifices to make ends meet. Yesterday, I joined my colleagues in co-signing a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to express my objection to AIG's payment of these ill-timed executive bonuses. I want to go further and call on the Administration to repeal AIG's latest federal stabilization infusion of $30 billion until they retrieve the $165 million in bonuses, provide assurances that bonuses will no longer be disbursed without Congressional oversight and agree to turn over regular disclosure forms to account for how taxpayer funds are being used. We must demand the highest level of transparency and accountability, especially since American taxpayers have provided over $170 billion in funding to AIG and control approximately 80 percent of the company. The purpose of the funds is to stabilize and prevent the devastating collapse of the financial markets, not to reward executives whose performance deserves an ``F'' grade for their failure to protect investors and consumers. For traders--whose recklessness and greed greatly contributed to the financial crisis--to think they can profit at the expense of the taxpayers is unconscionable. This latest irresponsible act by AIG has further compromised the public trust. I am pleased that President Obama has responded so quickly by pursuing every legal avenue to block these bonuses. Like the President, who yesterday expressed that he is ``choked up with anger,'' I am angry and so are the millions of families bearing the brunt of the economic meltdown. These monies must be recovered immediately and AIG must provide documentation as to which executives were to receive the bonuses so we can determine if these awards violate recently enacted federal restrictions. In January, I voted for House passage of H.R. 384, the TARP Reform and Accountability Act, to strengthen accountability and oversight of the Troubled Asset Relief Program and require tough, sensible restrictions on executive pay. And recently, Congress passed the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, which President Obama signed into law, to curb multi-million dollar packages and limit bonuses. We must work closely with the Obama Administration to rigorously enforce these requirements and close potential loopholes so that taxpayers are protected.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (H.R. 1106) and to congratulate Chairman Frank, Chairman Conyers, and Speaker Pelosi for their quick action to help American families. The last eight years of disinvestment in American families have pushed the economy into a deep recession. Unemployment is rising and home values are falling while the costs of health care and food continue to rise. Thousands of my constituents have been laid off and can no longer afford to meet the basic needs of their families or pay their mortgages. The dream of homeownership has become a nightmare for too many. Many home buyers are falling behind on their payments because of dropping home values and the financial crisis through no fault of their own. Many could make their mortgage payments until they lost their jobs or their incomes dropped. Others were victims of predatory lending by unscrupulous mortgage brokers and are now struggling with unaffordable subprime loans. An estimated 14 million homeowners owe more than their home is worth, and many cannot refinance into an affordable mortgage. As a result, a record number of Americans are losing their homes to foreclosure every month. Foreclosures hurt everyone--including our families, neighborhoods, and communities--resulting in lost tax revenue for local governments, reduced property values for neighbors, and often abandoned properties require an increased police presence in our neighborhoods. The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 is a comprehensive approach to break the cycle of foreclosures and declining home values. This legislation offers fair and effective solutions to help families who are facing foreclosure today and those at risk of foreclosure in the future. To accomplish this, H.R. 1106 improves the Hope for Homeowners program by reducing fees that discourage lenders from voluntarily refinancing mortgage loans. This bill would also provide bankruptcy judges with the authority they need to modify loan terms for families who are already in the bankruptcy process--a provision that could reduce foreclosures by 20 percent at no cost to taxpayers. Bankruptcy courts currently have the power to modify loans for corporations, commercial real estate and even vacation homes; extending this option to save the primary residences for families is necessary and equitable. Last week, President Obama announced the Comprehensive Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, a bold strategy to help up to nine million families restructure their mortgages to avoid foreclosure. The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act is a key step in putting President Obama's plan into place. The collapsing housing market is one of the root causes of the present economic crisis. Until the housing sector is stabilized, there will simply be no recovery in America. H.R. 1106 is a major step in addressing the crisis in the housing market I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise today to express my strong support for the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009. I thank Chairman Oberstar and the House leadership for their hard work on this timely legislation, which will modernize our nation's wastewater infrastructure to ensure our water supply is clean and safe for America's children and families. A growing economy and population over the past decades have stretched the availability and compromised the quality of America's water supply. Our country has outgrown the capacity of our wastewater systems. Sewage overflows and toxic spillage are contaminating our water supply and posing grave threats to human health and the health of our water ecosystems. By authorizing $13.8 billion in federal grants for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $1.8 billion for sewer overflow control grants over the next five years, the Water Quality Investment Act will put 480,000 Americans to work and help bridge the gap between the number of wastewater infrastructure projects that need assistance and the amount of funding available. Over the next five years, Minnesota will receive over $250 million to modernize its water systems, thereby helping to protect and restore the more than 10,000 lakes that help define our state. This legislation also takes bold steps to clean up the Great Lakes, one of the nation's greatest natural resources. The Great Lakes make up the largest system of fresh, surface water on Earth, providing 90 percent of America's fresh surface water and 18 percent of the world's fresh water supply. In 2006 alone, over 23 billion gallons of sewage entered the Great Lakes due to failing wastewater systems. This threatens human health and compromises the environmental integrity of these precious water bodies. This legislation authorizes $750 million over five years for the Great Lakes Legacy Act, which supports projects to restore and protect the water quality of the Great Lakes. Water is a scarce, precious resource and we must use it with great care. By passing the Water Quality Investment Act, Congress is working to ensure that our water can remain clean and safe for generations to come. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize former Vice President Walter Mondale as he receives the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers from the Government of Japan. This prestigious decoration is the highest honor given to foreign civilians by the Japanese government and is being bestowed to Vice President Mondale for his contribution to enhancing friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 1993 to 1996. No public servant is more deserving of this honor than my friend and fellow Minnesotan Walter Mondale. For five decades, Minnesotans have supported the man they warmly call ``Fritz'' as he served as Vice President of the United States under President Carter, Minnesota's U.S. Senator from 1964 to 1976, and State Attorney General. His contributions in areas including education, social justice and international human rights have forever changed Minnesota, our nation and the world. Walter Mondale's career in public service is distinguished, however, not by the greatness of his titles, but by the goodness of his heart. He used his positions of authority to tirelessly promote cross-cultural understanding, economic justice and civil rights. While his accomplishments are many, his greatest legacy may be the model of principled and diligent public service that continues to inspire America and fill Minnesotans with quiet pride. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me and all Minnesotans in congratulating Vice President Mondale on this distinct and much- deserved honor.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 154, which honors John D. Dingell for holding the record as the longest serving member of the House of Representatives. This resolution pays tribute to a man who has given his life to public service. Prior to Congress, John served with dedication as a Congressional page, National Park Ranger, a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and a county prosecutor. On December 13, 1955, John won a special election to replace his father in the House or Representatives and has been reelected 27 times to represent the families of Michigan. He has served honorably as dean of House of Representatives since the 104th Congress. I first met Congressman Dingell when I was elected to the House of Representatives in 2000. It has been a true honor to serve as a Representative along with such a distinguished gentleman. Throughout his tenure in the House, John has fought tirelessly for working families. As a member, ranking member, and chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, he has been a leader in protecting the environment and health of all Americans. As the Congress looks towards reforming our healthcare system, we must thank John for paving the way by increasing access for family and children. Every year since 1957, John has introduced a bill that would provide national health insurance for all Americans. The passage of the Children's Health Insurance Program signed into law in 1997 and an expansion of the program in 2009 could not have been done without him. John has also been instrumental in the passage of environmental legislation including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. I want to take this time to recognize John's wife Debbie who has been his dedicated partner during his service to our great nation. Congratulations John. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for the TARP Reform and Accountability Act (H.R. 384). I thank Chairman Frank and the House Leadership for their hard work on this legislation, which brings focus, accountability, and transparency to the implementation of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, TARP, to make it an effective tool to stabilize and revive our economy. Our country faces the bleakest economic forecast since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Today, millions of Americans are struggling to find jobs, keep their homes, and pay their bills. Last fall, to prevent the collapse of our financial markets, the 110th Congress swiftly passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA). With this measure, Congress entrusted the Bush administration's Treasury Department with $350 billion from the Troubled Asset Relief Program to purchase bad debt--including mortgages--from financial institutions in order to thaw credit markets and increase confidence in the financial system. Unfortunately, in implementing the TARP, the Bush Administration failed to address housing foreclosures, resume the flow of credit, or perform oversight of financial institutions receiving assistance under the TARP. As the 111th Congress considers releasing an additional $350 billion in TARP funds to the Treasury Department under the Obama administration, we must be assured the additional money will be spent responsibly and transparently. The TARP Reform and Accountability Act addresses fundamental flaws in the implementation of ``TARP I'' by closing loopholes and enforcing strict accountability and transparency. The act ensures that TARP funds aid American families at risk of losing their homes as originally intended by Congress by mandating foreclosure relief and making improvements to the Hope for Homeowners program. In addition, stringent executive compensation limits for all past and future TARP assistance will prevent taxpayer dollars paying for corporate bonuses. Once again, I thank Chairman Frank for his leadership and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important, timely legislation.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, as a Co-chair of the Congressional Mentoring Caucus, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 41, supporting the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month. A mentor by definition means a trusted friend or guide. Mentoring relationships between adults and youths are very important, especially because of the focus on the needs of our young people. Caring parents, teachers, counselors, and religious leaders are all mentors, and are in a position to positively influence a child's present and future. We all have an important role to play in improving the lives of children in our communities--after all, it takes a village. Our youth are yearning for guidance and direction from caring adults and mentoring enables everyday Americans to make a difference and help children grow up to become responsible and productive citizens and meet their full potential. A study by Big Brothers Big Sisters showed mentored youth are 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 53 percent less likely to skip school, and 33 percent less likely to get in fights. National Mentoring Month was conceived as a means to recruit mentors and help close the mentoring gap. Last year, more than 375,000 individuals sought information about local mentoring programs that need more volunteers. I am proud to announce Joellen Gonder-Spacek, executive director of the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, MPM, has been honored with the Manza Excellence in Leadership Award by MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership. She was recognized for her leadership and commitment to service through MPM's community initiative to promote mentoring for at risk youth in Minnesota. This program has made significant improvements in the lives of children and, over the past 14 years, MPM has become a mentoring leader in the State and the Nation. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this resolution and to look for opportunities to be mentors as well.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 which will provide health care coverage for an additional 4.1 million children. Every child in America should have the right to health care, and this bill will bring us one step closer to that goal. It is unacceptable that more than 47 million Americans, including 11 percent of American children, are without health insurance. Many hard- working families in Minnesota and across the nation have lost their jobs, 2.6 million jobs in the last year. For every 1 percent increase in the unemployment rate, it is estimated that as many as 1.5 million Americans will lose their health care coverage. Expanding SCHIP will expand health care access for children at a time when too many American families are losing employer-sponsored health care. In these tough economic times, by helping families gain access to health care, we can give families the resources they need to give their children a better future. The bill provides access to health care for 4 million children in America who are currently uninsured and preserves the coverage for all 7.1 million children currently covered by SCHIP. It is supported by 80 percent of the American people and over 300 organizations--including large majorities of Democrats, Independents and Republicans. The bill will extend coverage to 4.1 million additional low-income, uninsured children, covering a total of 11 million, and is likely to be one of the first signed into law by President Barack Obama. Last year, President Bush vetoed this vital health legislation that was passed by both chambers of Congress. The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was created in 1997 to provide health care coverage for children in families that earn too little to afford health insurance for their children themselves but too much to qualify for Medicaid. This bill will give states the resources and incentives necessary to reach and cover millions of uninsured children who are currently eligible, but not enrolled. It will also improve SCHIP benefits-ensuring dental coverage and mental health parity. This bill is largely paid for by increasing the tobacco tax by 61 cents, and will help keep kids and families healthy while saving taxpayers money in the long-run. Expanding SCHIP is an important step forward, but we still must keep fight to make healthcare available and affordable for all Americans. As we reform our health care system, we need to focus on accessible, patient-centered care that focuses on wellness and prevention, while improving the quality of patient care. will continue to fight to expand SCHIP and make health care available and affordable for Minnesota children and their parents. As we start the new Congress and the new administration I can think of no better way to bring about change than by investing in our children's health care. It is morally right, and crucial for the future of our Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this important bill.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, it was my honor today to be recognized by Global Action for Children with the Champion for Children Award. Launched in 2003, the Global Action for Children is a nonpartisan, results-oriented coalition dedicated to advocating for orphans and highly vulnerable children in the developing world. I intended to give the following remarks, but was unable to do so due to Congressional business. I would like to enter my remarks for this event into the Congressional record. Comments on the Champion for Children Award Good afternoon. It is an honor to receive this award from Global Action for Children. Long after I am gone from Washington, if there is one thing people say about me, I hope it is ``she was a champion for children.'' I would like to thank Jennifer Delaney for all of her work and for the hard work of her staff. I first worked with Jennifer in 2003 on the original PEPFAR bill to secure funding for AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. Jennifer's dedication and commitment to fight for children around the world--and to build the partnerships necessary to be successful--is an inspiration. She is a tremendous resource for Members' offices and I am very proud to be here with her today. I would also like to congratulate my colleagues from the Senate--Senators Lugar and Dodd--on their awards today. Their commitment to children is well known and I look forward to working with them in the 111th Congress to make the needs of our planet's next generation a priority domestic and foreign policy issue. I came to Congress eight years ago. During my time as in the U.S. House there have 80 million newborns and young children around the world have died from mostly preventable or easily treatable diseases--80 million children. Four million mothers have died from pregnancy related causes, most of which could have been averted with access to basic healthcare. Nearly 10 million more children will needlessly die across this planet from malnutrition, dirty water, treatable infections, and global apathy. This is a tragedy of enormous proportions that we can help to stop--we MUST help to stop. For all the mothers and fathers in the room today, do you think a mother or father in Bangladesh, Zambia or Guatemala loves their newborn or toddler less than we love our children? Every parent loves their children and wants them not only to survive but thrive and succeed. In the 111th Congress, let us work together--policy makers, global health advocates and citizens--to make the policy improvements and funding investments to save the lives of millions more newborns, children and mothers. Let us work to make child survival and maternal health the global health priority of this Congress. As President-elect Obama looks at the foreign policy landscape there needs to be some major reforms in the manner in which development assistance is delivered. We need a new comprehensive strategy and the tools to execute that strategy. We need to invest the hard earned tax dollars of our citizens in building a better world--a safer world--a more peaceful world. And, we need to see outcomes for our investments that can be demonstrated. Here is an investment idea and an outcome I'd like to see this Congress act upon: How about investing a billion dollars to save the lives of a million newborns and children? Do you think the American people would support a billion dollar investment that saved a million young lives? I think they would. Congress, working hand-in-hand with the Obama Administration, needs to refocus our strategy for development assistance to focus on the basics. In addition to focusing on child survival and maternal health, we need to increase investment in agriculture development to reduce malnutrition, increase family incomes and reduce the demand for emergency food aid. Let us help to expand access to clean water, preventing water born illnesses. We must maintain our commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS while not backing away from the need to assist orphans and vulnerable children grow up healthy, productive and safe in their communities. Finally, we need a foreign policy that recognizes that hundreds of millions of children around the world are confronting violence, absolute poverty, hunger and lives of misery on a daily basis. Think of the children in Gaza, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Zimbabwe and how they are suffering. Their lives will forever be shaped by violence. We need to work to make the world safe for children and that means aggressive, smart diplomacy that works to prevent political crisis and conflicts. If we are truly a superpower we need not simply stand by and watch the escalation of violence and suffering, we must work to prevent it. Let start making the world safer for children by advancing a child-based development agenda--such as the emergency presidential intitiative for the world's children being proposed by Global Action for Children here today. This is exactly the type of bold commitment the United States should and can make to the world's children. Let me conclude by speaking about commitment. Every parent knows that bringing a child into this world means a commitment until that child becomes an adult. It means meeting the child's physical needs, creating a safe environment, sharing love and protecting your child from harm. This is universal across all cultures. A similar type of commitment on the part of states to children is embodied in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Yet, the United States, along with Somalia, are the only two nations on the face of the Earth which have not ratified this treaty, not formalized our commitment to our own children and the world's children. This is an embarrassment that I hope is addressed by the U.S. Senate this Congress. Every child--where ever he or she is born--is a child of God and a blessing. Therefore, every child should be recognized as possessing the human dignity and basic human rights we all share and we all expect for our own children. If this is in fact true and you believe it, and I know you do--then we've got lots of work to do. Thank you all for making the world's children a priority and for recognizing that their rights and their well-being are as important as our own children's.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 43, which recognizes the efforts of 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 commitment to others. This King Day, as part of inauguration festivities, President-elect Barack Obama has encouraged all Americans to not only use this day to volunteer, but to also make a long-term commitment to community service. 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. As we begin this new Congress and new White House Administration, I can think of no better way to strengthen our country than to help create 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. I also want to thank every American who will volunteer on Monday and those that continue to serve throughout the year.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise today to express strong disappointment in the Treasury Department's failure to exercise oversight and accountability in its implementation of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, TARP, that Congress specifically required in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, EESA. American families are struggling as we face the most major economic crisis since the Great Depression. Thousands of Minnesotans have lost their jobs or face foreclosure on their homes. Late last year, Congress, in consultation with the Bush administration, acted swiftly to pass EESA to aggressively address the financial crisis. The Troubled Asset Relief Program under this legislation was enacted so the Treasury Department could buy bad assets of financial institutions--including mortgage debt--to thaw credit markets and increase confidence in the financial system. The first $350 billion dollars of funding under the TARP were disbursed to the U.S. Treasury Department with the understanding that the funds to financial institutions would be tied to strong oversight and transparency to ensure maximum effectiveness in helping struggling Americans. Unfortunately, the Treasury Department has ignored the original intent of the TARP. Instead of buying bad debt and stemming housing foreclosures, the Treasury has enacted the Capital Purchase Program, which has dumped billions into the banks in the hope of thawing the credit markets. This decision was matched with a complete failure to conduct oversight for the funds. Treasury has implemented none of the oversight of financial institutions that was called for in EESA. Reports released this month from the Congressional Oversight Panel, COP, created by Congress to act as a watchdog, state, ``The recent refusal of certain private financial institutions to provide any accounting of how they are using taxpayer money undermines public confidence.'' The Treasury Department's failure to hold financial institutions accountable means that American taxpayers have no idea what these institutions have done with hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayer money. This is outrageous betrayal of the public trust and the intent of Congress. While I appreciate the need for flexibility to go forth in response to this crisis, there is no excuse for an absolute failure to ensure accountability in the use of a massive taxpayer funded account. As Congress debates whether to release the second half of the TARP funds, an additional $350 billion, I urge the highest scrutiny and strongest demands of oversight for the Treasury Department and its plans for the remaining funds. The American people deserve nothing less. I appreciate Chairman Frank and President-Elect Obama's calls for increased accountability and transparency in the implementation of the TARP and look forward to working with the 111th Congress to enact timely, effective policy to address the foreclosure crisis, protect taxpayers, and boost our economy.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, the resolution before the House today, H. Res. Israel's bombardment of the citizens of Gaza, sanctions the incursion of Israeli troops into Gaza to clear this occupied territory of Hamas fighters regardless of the human cost, and calls for ``supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process'' while innocent Palestinian women and children are being killed in Gaza. This resolution strongly and justifiably condemns Hamas, but the resolution's intent and substance are void of any relation to the hellish reality that is being inflicted on the citizens of Gaza right now or the deprivation inflicted upon Gaza families by Israel's harsh denial of food, medicine and fuel over the past year. This is only the latest battle in a long war for respect and security between Israel and the Palestinian people. Israeli citizens have suffered for years under an intermittent but terrifying rocket bombardments launched by militants in the Gaza Strip. Since 2001, 20 Israelis have been killed by these rockets, hundreds injured, and the lives of many thousands more disrupted by the constant fear of random and indiscriminate violence from the sky. When this summer's tenuous cease-fire broke down, the rocket attacks increased precipitously, prompting Israel's current military operation in Gaza. I recognize Israel's right to protect its citizens from the persistent and growing threat of rocket attacks. However, as an unwavering proponent of peace, and as an advocate for the rights and security of the Israeli and Palestinian people, I seriously question the proportionality of Israel's response and regretfully predict that Israel's military action will produce only short-term security gains while severely undermining the prospects of peace in the months and years ahead. Despite the fact too many Israeli citizens are under great stress from Hamas rockets, these weapons do not represent an existential threat to Israel. Rather than a serious military challenge, these rockets are like a drug gang that uses drive by shootings as a tactic to terrify a neighborhood. When is the solution to this type of terror for authorities to lay waste to the neighborhood? Recent weeks of Israeli air and ground assaults have resulted in nearly 800 deaths, half of these innocent civilians. A population of 1.5 million Gazans, already weakened by previous months of economic blockade, are suffering from a lack of food, water, electricity and essential medicine. With border crossings closed, civilians are literally caught in the crossfire between Hamas militants and the Israeli army with no ability to escape. The difficult situation that existed in Gaza prior to Israel's attack has quickly deteriorated into a humanitarian disaster. The world is watching as Israel's bombardment in Gaza continues to escalate. Public opinion around the world is hardening against Israel as desperate images of destruction reach the media. For example, a high-ranking Vatican official has compared the conditions in Gaza to ``a big concentration camp.'' An Israeli official condemned the comments and chastised the Catholic leader's words as ``far removed from truth and dignity.'' But after 13 days of warfare it is reported by officials in Gaza that more than 750 people are dead, of which 40 percent are women and children. Last night, the United Nations Security Council voted and approved a resolution for ``an immediate, durable and fully respected cease-fire'' leading to a ``full withdrawal'' of Israeli forces from Gaza. The resolution also called for humanitarian aid to pass into Gaza and an end to trafficking of weapons into the occupied territory. The United States, represented by Secretary of State Rice, did not join the 14 other nations approving the measure, our Government abstained. The Bush administration has failed to successfully work for an immediate cease-fire. And this resolution fails to call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. What this resolution does do is allow Israel to continue its efforts to eliminate the threat of Hamas, which will only lead to further civilian deaths. With nearly 800 Gazans already dead and Israel's international image equally bloodied, there is no victory left for either side to achieve, the present battle has become a competition for biggest loser. An immediate cease-fire is the only option. The current fighting must end before the foundations of the peace process are undermined any further and the prospects of a two state solution are dealt a final blow. The United States Government must recapture its role as an honest broker in the Israel-Palestinian conflict and urgently commit its full energy and resources to achieving a ceasefire and sustaining its engagement to ensure the causes of the present violence--arms smuggling, rocket fire, economic blockade--are resolved. The continued isolation of Gaza is an unacceptable option in light of the depravation and increasing desperation of the mothers, fathers and children of Gaza. If the humanitarian needs in Gaza are not quickly and comprehensively addressed, the world faces the prospect of a radicalized generation of Palestinian youth--over 56 percent Gazans are under the age of 16. America should lead an international effort, initiated immediately after declaration of a ceasefire, to heal and rebuild Gaza. The memory of the present conflict cannot be erased from the minds and hearts of Palestinian youth, but we can ensure those memories include a generous and meaningful response from the world. The goal of the United States, and the world, must be to work for peace. And the path to peace will never be forged through violence. For these reasons, it is my intention to vote present on H. Res. 34.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Paycheck Fairness Act, H.R. 12, which addresses gender-based wage discrimination. This is a historic day in the fight for equal rights for women, and I would like to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House leaders for making pay equity for women among the first votes in the 111th Congress. Families are struggling with the current economic crisis, making it more important than ever that women, who are often the head of the household and make up nearly half the workforce, are compensated fairly and equitably. Leading the legislative session with measures to reverse gender-based wage bias is a clear signal of the level of commitment American families can expect from this Congress. The disastrous economic policies of the Bush administration failed to address major workforce equity issues over the last 8 years. It is unacceptable that on average, women only make 78 cents for every dollar earned by a man, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That could mean a difference of $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in lost wages. Furthermore, the wage disparity grows wider as women age and threatens their economic security, retirement, and quality of life. The new Congress and the incoming Administration must act quickly to protect America's workers from wage discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act seeks to level the playing field between men and women. This bill will strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and close the loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay. The bill will give women the same access to recover back pay and damages as victims of other types of pay discrimination. Furthermore, it protects employees who discuss pay information from retaliation by their employers and does not doesn't allow courts to accept poor excuses for unfair pay practices. There is no question that our top priority is to get Americans and our economy working again. The Paycheck Fairness Act recognizes that equal pay is not only an issue of fairness for women, but also one of fairness for working families. In these tough economic times, this bill could make all the difference for working families to make ends meet in their everyday lives. Through these efforts we can help give families the resources they need to give their children a better future. Pay equity should not be a benefit that needs to be bargained for, it is a promise that the government must ensure. I urge my colleagues to support this bill to ensure economic security for women, their families, and our communities. Through this legislation we can ensure a better future for our daughters, granddaughters, and generations to come.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (H.R. 11, which addresses gender-based wage discrimination. This is a historic day in the fight for equal rights for women, and I would like to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House leaders for making pay equity for women among the first votes in the 111th Congress. Families are struggling with the current economic crisis, making it more important than ever that women, who are often the head of the household and make up nearly half the workforce, are compensated fairly and equitably. Leading the legislative session with measures to reverse gender-based wage bias is a clear signal of the level of commitment American families can expect from this Congress. The disastrous economic policies of the Bush administration failed to address major workforce equity issues over the last eight years. It is unacceptable that on average, women only make 78 cents for every dollar earned by a man, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That could mean a difference of $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in lost wages. Furthermore, the wage disparity grows wider as women age and threatens their economic security, retirement, and quality of life. The new Congress and the incoming administration must act quickly to protect America's workers from wage-discrimination. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act seeks to level the playing field between men and women. This bill is named for a woman who worked for nearly two decades at a Goodyear Tire and Rubber facility in Alabama. She sued the company when she learned that she was the lowest-paid supervisor at the plant, despite having more experience than several of her male counterparts. A jury found that her employer had unlawfully discriminated against her on the basis of sex. However, the Supreme Court said that Ledbetter had waited too long to sue for pay discrimination. This legislation will restore the intent of the Civil Rights Act before the Supreme Court decision and will keep employers from being able to run out the clock by keeping discriminatory practices hidden. There is no question that our top priority is to get Americans and our economy working again. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act recognizes that equal pay is not only an issue of fairness for women, but also one of fairness for working families. In these tough economic times, this bill could make all the difference for working families to make ends meet in their everyday lives. Through these efforts we can help give families the resources they need to give their children a better future. Pay equity should not be a benefit that needs to be bargained for, it is a promise that the government must ensure. I urge my colleagues to support this bill to ensure economic security for women, their families, and our communities. Through this legislation we can ensure a better future for our daughters granddaughters, and generations to come.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Minnesota- based grocery retail company Cub Foods for its planned opening of one of the nation's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certified grocery stores in St. Paul, Minnesota. The new store, located in the heart of St. Paul's Phalen neighborhood, will be the first LEED Gold Certified grocery store in Minnesota and the second in the United States. It received an award from the Environmental Protection Agency's GreenChill Partnership at Gold-Level Certification for outstanding use of environmentally friendly refrigeration technology. I want to congratulate Brian Huff, President of Cub Foods; Mark Halvorson, Phalen Cub Foods Store Manager; and Jeff Noddle, Chairman and CEO of Cub Food's parent company SUPERVALU for their outstanding environmental leadership in setting a new standard in the grocery retail industry. As a member of the Congressional Green Buildings Caucus I firmly believe that energy efficiency in our nation's buildings must play an important part in a 21st century energy strategy for the United States. The innovations Cub Foods brings to the St. Paul Phalen community with its new LEED store are exceptional and should be replicated nationwide. The new 62,900 square-foot store has skylights to illuminate 75 percent of occupied spaces and has the first commercial parking lot in Minnesota illuminated using only LED lights. It incorporates a landscape irrigation system that uses 50 percent less water than typical systems. In addition, 75 percent of the building construction waste will be recycled. Such innovations must become the standard for America's buildings as we tackle the challenges of climate change and energy security. In addition, the Phalen Cub Foods store was an integral part of St. Paul's East Side redevelopment project and has created approximately 135 new part-time and full-time jobs for the neighborhood. As we face a global recession, such green projects are a win-win for the environment and our economy. As Cub Foods commemorated their 40th Anniversary in 2008, the commitment Cub is making to the long-term well-being of the environment, their customers and employees truly exemplifies Minnesota's strong tradition of community and responsible stewardship of our community and our planet. I congratulate Cub Foods on its efforts and look forward to continuing our shared fight for a greener building sector and stronger economy.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the inclusion of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health and Addition Equity Act in H.R. 1424, and I congratulate my friend and colleague, Congressman Jim Ramstad, for this achievement. Without his courage and dedication to fairness, this bill would not be before us today. It is long past time that American families have access to the care they need. This bill ends discrimination against patients seeking treatment for mental illness or addiction by requiring that benefits that are offered for physical health are also available for mental health. Mental illness left untreated affects all facets of our society and costs our economy over $150 billion annually. Mental illness affects 50 percent of the homeless population in Minnesota, 70 percent of those in our juvenile justice system, and those with the highest unemployment rates. Health care costs double when diabetes and heart disease patients have co-morbid depression, and patients with mental illness and substance abuse disorders are often less responsive to treatment. In addition, the burden that mental illness places upon the health and productivity of our nation has long been underestimated. One in five adults and one in ten children have a mental illness. And over one- third of our returning service members from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from mental health problems. We have all been affected in some way--ourselves, a family member, a friend or colleague--by mental health or substance abuse. This is an issue I hear about in my district a lot, both from those inspired by Senator Wellstone's passion for this issue and those willing to share their stories to make change. We all know the current system is unfair. People should not have to forego essential treatment because of cost when care could mean improvements to their quality of life and productivity. Parents should not end up with an emergency room bill they can't pay because they rushed their daughter to the hospital after a suicide attempt, or watch their child suffer after being released from a residential center because insurance coverage ended--not because his treatment was over. And our servicemen and women returning from Iraq should not be handed a 1-800 number to treat a mental illness. As we look to reform our health care system, mental health and physical care can no longer be looked at as separate entities. It is morally right, and good for both our economy and our health care system. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and I yield back my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of National American Indian Heritage Month and to recognize the important contributions of American Indians to our history and culture. This year's theme is ``Celebrating Tribal Nations: America's Great Partners.'' For me, this theme recognizes both the opportunities and the challenges facing Native American communities. The United States Constitution recognizes tribal sovereignty and through treaties, the Federal Government has a responsibility to protect the right to self-determination of tribal nations. Congress must do more to live up to the commitments that have been made. Clearly there is work to be done to improve education, increase access to health care, and support job opportunities. This month I had the opportunity to visit several pueblos in New Mexico to learn more about how the Federal Government can be a better partner in improving education and access to health care. First hand I saw inspiring examples of Pueblos coming together for the greater good of their children and elders, and I learned of areas of extreme need in their communities. During the Feast Day, I was invited by tribal members in the Pueblos of Tesuque and Jemez into their homes so I, and others from outside the community, could learn about tribal traditions and share some wonderful food. I saw Head Start centers built by the community to provide the youngest children with educational opportunities. Tribal leaders, teachers and elders shared their plans to implement new language immersion and preservation programs to ensure the continuation of the Pueblo's language, history and culture. Unfortunately, I also saw crumbling school buildings and understaffed health care clinics where it is clear the Federal Government must do more to honor the promises made by treaty. I look forward to working with the tribal communities and my colleagues to address these needs in the next Congress. In Minnesota our culture has been enriched by the contributions of the Chippewa, Ojibwe and Sioux nations. I have been honored to work with alongside Native Americans to increase funding for Indian Education, reduce health disparities, and strengthen tribal colleges, but there is much more to be done. As we join our families for Thanksgiving, we must remember the critical role American Indians played in the survival of the first European settlers in America and in influencing our shared American culture. We can also learn valuable lessons about the strength of community and the importance of conservation and good stewardship of our land from our Native American brothers and sisters. This November, and every month throughout the year, I urge my colleagues, friends and constituents to learn more about the heritage, history and art of the tribal nations in Minnesota and across the country.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of Veterans Day. This national holiday serves as reminder of the enormous sacrifices that brave men and women have made for the ideals and beliefs that all Americans value. Veterans Day is also an opportunity to give thanks to the hundreds of thousands of armed forces personnel serving our country to protect our Nation and to secure the peace around the world. To mark this special holiday, I had the honor of attending both a ceremony for Mexican American Post 5, where I learned of the hardships faced by American soldiers of Mexican descent, and the Minnesota State Veterans Day program to pay tribute to the men and women serving our country in uniform. This year, I also had the privilege of visiting our troops in Afghanistan and Pakistan to witness the tremendous sacrifice they and their families make each day. On the battlefield, the U.S. Armed Forces pledge to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, it must be our promise that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind. Fully preparing our troops, and providing the necessary healthcare, education, and disability benefits to meet the needs of our veterans, is our responsibility and moral obligation. The 110th Congress has honored our commitment to veterans by making their needs a priority. This Congress passed the largest funding increase in the history of the Department of Veterans Affairs, which ensures that our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan receive the quality health and mental health care they deserve. This year, we have also provided tax relief for military families, increased pay for members of our armed services, established a suicide prevention program, improved housing assistances for homeless veterans, and helped military families avoid home foreclosure. Lastly, this Democratic led Congress passed a GI bill for the 21st century that fully restores four-year college scholarships for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, on a par with the educational benefits after World War II. The men and women of the armed forces who have served this country with honor during times of war and peace deserve the best this country can afford. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and President Obama to ensure veterans receive the highest level of care and compensation they have so bravely earned serving this country. This is a commitment to which I hold fast on Veterans Day and everyday. To all veterans, you have my thanks and that of a grateful nation.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, our country is facing an economic crisis and America's families are living with it everyday. If proof is needed, today, the Labor Department released new employment statistics revealing that 159,000 American jobs were lost in September. So far this year more than 750,000 American jobs have been lost. In September alone, more than 1.5 million Americans are working part-time jobs because they cannot find full-time work. The wages of American workers are stalled and with inflation at 5 percent it means most working Americans have effectively taken a pay cut. These are hard times for working families. This report translates into real pain not just for Main Street, but for every family that sits around the kitchen table deciding how to make ends meet. We are seeing jobs at risk, credit frozen, business activity stalled, and the pensions and college funds of hard working Americans at risk. This is an economic crisis and the time for Congress to act is now. On September 29th, the House failed to pass the economic rescue package. I voted for that bill and I have no regrets. As a result of the failure of that bill to pass, the stock market went into an immediate free-fall resulting in a $1.2 trillion loss of value. That translated into seniors losing their retirement, workers losing their jobs, and confidence being lost in the American economic system which exacerbates the downward economic spiral. What Congress is once again attempting to do today is pass an emergency package that will provide $700 billion to the Treasury Department to buy mortgage-backed securities, sometimes referred to as ``toxic paper,'' that is strangling the credit market for companies, small business, and families. This credit crisis is real and we are seeing it manifest itself in the inability of consumers with good credit to get auto loans, banks refusing to lend to banks, and municipalities unable to access financing for needed projects like roads, hospitals and water treatment plants. The entire credit system is frozen and it will require action by Congress to salvage our economy after years excess, abuse, and corruption by Wall Street. The American people, seeing this rescue package with a $700 billion price tag, should be angry. I am angry. My office has received thousands of calls from constituents who are furious, but anger should not be an excuse for inaction. Many of these calls, even the majority, have warned me of the evils of what they call a ``socialist intervention.'' Many advocated that a better solution would be to keep government out of the crisis and let the market solve its own problem even if the outcome is a complete economic meltdown. In my estimation, such an argument is both irrational and irresponsible. The bill before the House today is a critical first step towards stabilizing the economy and preventing financial disaster for millions small businesses, families and seniors. I support this rescue package because Democrats, Republicans, and the Secretary of the Treasury, along with the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, came together and worked tirelessly, putting politics aside, and put the people's needs first in addressing this serious crisis. This bill provides $700 billion to buy mortgage-backed securities. These are assets with value bundled with distressed assets that will be purchased by the government so they can be taken off the books of financial institutions, restoring confidence and trust in the institutions, and allowing for liquidity to return to the credit market. This is not an ideal solution, but it is not a giveaway either. This $700 billion is a Federal investment that will buy assets that possess value and many experts say taxpayers could break even or earn a profit in the end. In the meantime serious oversight, accountability, and government regulations have been added to protect the taxpayer. There is strong language to help homeowners in financial distress to prevent home foreclosure which again makes this bill very important and relevant to American families in trouble. Also, I am very pleased that prohibitions on golden parachutes for executives from companies benefiting from this legislation have been put in place. Finally, this legislation is not the end of Congress's efforts to address the causes of this crisis, only the beginning. Next week I will participate in Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearings to explore the root causes of this economic disaster. Where there is identifiable malfeasance recommendations for criminal investigation and prosecution should be made to the Justice Department. Wall Street's high flyers whose excesses and corruption violated the law must be held accountable. While this package is not perfect, it is Congress's best effort to address this economic crisis. A new provision in this bill that I support is a temporary increase for insured deposits under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from $100,000 to $250,000. This increase in deposit insurance is intended to allow for additional liquidity in lending and restore confidence for depositors that their money is safe. There are other aspects of this bill that were added by the U.S. Senate which I strongly object to because they are giveaways to special interests. Tax breaks for special interests like NASCAR, the rum industry, and the manufacturers of children's arrows is an egregious abuse of the legislative process to pass out favors. These giveaways result in a $107 billion reduction in revenues to the Federal Government meaning more deficit spending. My preference would have been to strip these provisions from the bill. These pork barrel provisions, if absolutely necessary, should have been offset and paid for to eliminate deficit spending. The Senate's irresponsible inclusion of these earmark tax giveaways is an example of how the other body is out of touch with the needs of ordinary Americans. This week, concluding with today's vote, the Congress--Democrats and Republicans--will take action not seen since the Great Depression to intervene to restore confidence in the markets. If successful the result will be to avoid dramatic and damaging pain for America's families of every income level and geographic location. Doing nothing to address this emergency situation would be a decision to condemn the U.S. economy and the American people to years of stagnation and hard times. Following the passage of this bill and its signing into law, there must commence a new era of government responsibility, oversight, accountability, and, when necessary, regulation of the financial markets. The Reagan era of deregulation for markets and labeling government as the problem is over. We have seen how this philosophy has mutated into the grotesque excesses of Wall Street's elite and their massive concentration of wealth. It has infected our economy with a financial pathogen that is now destroying small businesses as well as the lives of families and the communities they live in. The next Congress--the 111th Congress--will have a duty to institute unprecedented and tireless oversight of not only this rescue effort, but all the excess in the market place, from Wall Street to the pharmaceutical industry, and beyond. The Bush administration's abdication of its duty to regulate and its endless campaigns of misinformation on innumerable issues has eroded the trust American's once had in their Federal leaders. From the falsehoods that led this Nation to war in Iraq to the current corruption scandal in the Justice Department, this White House has destroyed the American people's confidence in government. This administration's failure to regulate Wall Street and protect taxpayers is just another example of misplaced priorities and a costly lack of leadership. My vote for H.R. 1424 is a vote to protect the jobs, pensions, college accounts, and the savings of millions of hard working Americans. This important step must be followed with a new commitment to accountability and government oversight. I will be working to make sure this rescue package not only helps restore our economy, but returns every dollar we invest back to taxpayers.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise to pay tribute to the Mancini family and all employees of Mancini's Char House and Lounge in Saint Paul in honor of their 60th anniversary year. Mancini's restaurant has earned a legendary reputation for hospitality, serving a gathering place for generations of Saint Paul families, friends, as well as quite a few local and national sports stars and celebrities. Anybody who comes to Mancini's looks forward to having a great meal and a special occasion. It all began with Nick Mancini, who opened his first small tavern on Saint Paul's West 7th Street in 1948, with strong support from his family--especially his mother's famous spaghetti. It was not long until Nick met his wife Maryann, who was with him every step of the way, until he passed away in 2007. Throughout his entire life, Nick's generous and friendly presence personified Saint Paul hospitality. Nick's greatest pleasure was greeting his customers and making them feel at home. Nick also delighted in serenading diners with his beautiful accordian music. Nick's sons Pat and John now own the restaurant, continuing the tradition of hospitality with the help of the whole family, including their mother, children and Nick's sister Bertha. Their many loyal employees feel like they are part of the family. Hospitality was the cornerstone of Nick's business success, growing through the years from a tiny bar to a 600-seat steakhouse. Mancini's has been a crossroads of who's who in sports, Hollywood and politics. Nick's son John estimates that 300 photographs of notable patrons line the walls of the lounge. Mancini's 1986 major expansion even attracted the attention of singer Tony Bennett, who lent his voice and star power to the celebration. Despite Mancini's great success, the family restaurant has remained focused on its neighborhood roots. Among their most loyal customers are the families who grew up with Nick and his family. Mancini's Sports Hall of Fame pays tribute to nearly 150 Saint Paul athletes who are leaders in teaching, coaching or supporting amateur or professional athletics in Saint Paul. Hospitality continues to be the biggest draw at Mancini's--but their fantastic steaks don't hurt either. In recent years, their famous 12- ounce Mancini's sirloins have been enjoyed worldwide. Through an ambitious effort called ``Serving Our Troops,'' Mancini's has partnered with several other family-owned Saint Paul restaurants, other local businesses and hundreds of volunteers to stage several major picnics for Minnesota National Guard troops and their families. Since 2004, they have donated their time and thousands of steaks to bring Saint Paul hospitality to troops and their families in Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kosovo and Iraq. ``Serving Our Troops'' truly speaks to the community spirit and hospitality epitomized by the Mancini family. Many people talk about supporting our military families, but the Mancini family has gone above and beyond the call of duty in sharing Saint Paul hospitality. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the Mancini family and all employees of Mancini's Char House and Lounge on the first 60 years of a remarkable Saint Paul institution. We look forward to many more.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the North Star Chapter of the Sierra Club on 40 years of protecting and restoring Minnesota's proud natural legacy. The Sierra Club is one of America's most influential environmental organizations, and Minnesota's North Star Chapter is among the oldest and most active in the country. I commend the North Star Chapter on its history of policy achievements and success in mobilizing our communities to action. By engaging citizens in grassroots advocacy, they have worked to deliver essential environmental victories at the state and national level. The environmental and conservation challenges facing the planet today are great. A changing climate, rapid loss of habitat, and deepening fossil fuel dependence will require citizens to become involved in making the change we need on an unprecedented scale. During my time in Congress, members of the North Star Chapter have been valuable partners in defending against a series of assaults on federal environmental protections. Now as we look toward the start of the next Congress and the support of a new Administration, we have the opportunity to restore America's global leadership on environmental policy while advancing a ``green'' revolution here at home. I look forward to continuing our shared fight for environmental protection and restoration in the years ahead.