Doris Matsui

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my colleague on the Rules Committee, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis).

Ms. MATSUI. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and the underlying legislation, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2009. The subprime housing crisis is the root cause of the current economic recession. It has led to the collapse of our financial system, increasing unemployment, and a housing and credit crisis. Even more so, it has had a devastating effect on our families, our neighbors and our communities. My home district of Sacramento ranks among the hardest-hit areas in the country. I have heard countless stories from my constituents who have been victims of predatory lending and were steered into high-cost bad loans. Now, many of these homeowners are seeking assistance and modifying their loans to more affordable loan terms. Yet many of these individuals are now being tripped by scam artists posing as so-called foreclosure consultants. As such, I have an amendment that has been included in the manager's amendment, and I thank the chairman very much for including this. This amendment directs the GAO to conduct a study of current government efforts to combat fraudulent foreclosure rescue and loan modification scams and to educate consumers of these scams. I will also soon be introducing legislation to direct the FTC to use its authority to initiate a rulemaking process relating to unfair or deceptive practices and foreclosure rescue. Madam Speaker, these harmful activities must end. This bill is a step in the right direction. The bill establishes standards for home loans, while holding lenders and brokers accountable. It also prevents lenders and brokers from steering future homeowners to high cost, subprime loans just to make a quick extra buck. Madam Speaker, Congress needs to be a partner with the communities in which we serve. We must continue to work together to find a comprehensive strategy that will protect our homeowners.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of S.J. Res. 8, a bill to nominate David M. Rubenstein to the Smithsonian Board of Regents. As a Member of the Board of Regents' Governance and Nominating Committee which selected Mr. Rubenstein to join the Board, I wanted to express my support for moving his nomination. Mr. Rubenstein is a native of Baltimore and graduated magna cum laude from Duke, and from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was editor of the law review. Mr. Rubenstein is Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Carlyle Group, one of the world's largest private equity firms. David is widely respected for his business prowess. The Smithsonian, like many institutions during these challenging economic times, faces serious funding issues . . . and it is more important than ever to have Members of the Board with financial expertise. As part of our Governance efforts, we specifically adopted policy changes that turned the corner toward stronger oversight and accountability, including adopting regent description. These expectations of Regents include overseeing the Smithsonian's mission, as well as attending regular committee and full Board meetings. As such; we searched to find someone like David Rubenstein. Someone who is committed to giving back to his community; he is,on the Board of Directors of Duke, the Kennedy Center and the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, among others. And who has committed to moving the Smithsonian forward during these challenging economic times; he has helped the Carlyle Group grow to a firm with 33 offices around the world. Today, Mr. Rubenstein is being nominated for the vacant seat that Anne d'Harnoncourt held. Anne was a great colleague on the Board and truly committed to the Smithsonian's mission. She was also chief executive officer of the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 1982 until her death in 2008. An acclaimed author and internationally respected art historian and administrator, she has been a part of the Smithsonian Institution since 1974. Serving on the Board of Regent's from 1995 until 2007 and was awarded Regent Emerita status. Her early death was a tragic loss to the arts community and to the Smithsonian, and she is missed. Her dedication to the Smithsonian's mission of the increase and diffusion of knowledge is something that David Rubenstein shares. And I look forward to serving with him on the Board of Regents to promote the Smithsonian's mission in the 21st century. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, as the Sacramento River Cats 2009 home opener approaches, I rise in tribute of their 2008 season in which they defended their title as Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A Champions. After marching through the Pacific Coast League playoffs, the River Cats defeated the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees to win the Bricktown Showdown for the second consecutive year. As the River Cats prepare for the 2009 season, I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in recognizing their remarkable 2008 accomplishments. The River Cats were consistent all year and finished atop the Pacific Coast League Southern Division at the end of the regular season with 83 wins and only 61 losses. Their opening playoff series matched them up with the Salt Lake City Bee's. The River Cats made quick work of the Bee's, defeating them in four games by scoring a total of 39 runs. The second round pitted the River Cats against the Texas Rangers AAA affiliate, the Oklahoma City Red Hawks. The River Cats prevailed, 3 games to 1, led by post-season MVP Chris Denorfia who went 17-35, with 12 runs scored and four homers in the post-season. By defeating the Red Hawks, the 2008 River Cats won their second straight Pacific Coast League title and their fourth in the last six years. After claiming the Pacific Coast League title in Oklahoma City, they stayed in Oklahoma City for one more game, the Bricktown Showdown, an annual match up to declare the AAA champion. Led by six different pitchers, the River Cats stifled the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees offense en route to a 4-1 victory. The game and championship season concluded in dramatic fashion when River Cats infielder Brooks Conrad turned a line drive double-play on an outstanding diving catch. For another year, the leadership of Art Savage, the River Cats President and CEO, the entire front office, Manger Todd Steverson, and the players on the field played a vital role in the team's success. On and off the field, the River Cats organization once again was the envy of the entire Pacific Coast League. Their success and professionalism was reciprocated by the Sacramento fans, as the River Cats led the Pacific Coast League in attendance for an astounding 9th year in a row. Madam Speaker, as the River Cats prepare for another successful season, I am honored to pay tribute to the many hard-working men and women of the River Cats organization who brought so much joy and pride to the people of Sacramento. Their successes are truly remarkable. I ask all my colleagues to join me in celebrating the River Cats 2008 championship season.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, members of the International Cruise Victims are on Capitol Hill this week to raise awareness of cruise safety issues. Over 13 million Americans will take a cruise this year. However, few passengers are fully aware of the potential for a crime to occur, and those who are victimized often do not know their legal rights and whom to contact for help. Those who have come to Capitol Hill this week have lost daughters, parents, aunts and husbands, and some were victims of sexual assault or other crimes on the high seas. Due to the absence of law enforcement officials on ocean voyages, it can be difficult or impossible to properly resolve many of these crimes. That is why I have introduced the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 with Senator Kerry. This bill has been informed by three congressional hearings and the stories of the individuals who bravely came forward. I want to thank Ken Carver, Laurie Dishman and the many others who have come here to bring awareness to this issue.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 296.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 296 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. MATSUI. For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida, my good friend, Mr. Diaz-Balart. All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume. General Leave

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy).

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 296 provides for consideration of Senate amendments to the bill H.R. 1388. The rule makes in order a motion by the chairman on the Committee on Education and Labor to concur in Senate amendments to H.R. 1388. The rule provides 1 hour of debate on the motion controlled by the Committee on Education and Labor. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a vital piece of bipartisan legislation, legislation that directly affects all of our communities and the lives of millions of Americans, legislation that has seen broad support in both this House and by our colleagues in the Senate. This legislation strengthens our communities, helps educate future generations, teaches our youth to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, and fosters a growth of respect and compassion throughout our entire society. The Senator Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will help launch a new era of American service and volunteerism. The bill answers President Obama's call for Americans of all generations to help get the country through the economic crisis by serving and volunteering in their communities. The bill has been named after the ``lion in the Senate,'' Edward Kennedy, to recognize his lifetime commitment to national service and to making America a stronger, more collective nation. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act reauthorizes for the first time in 15 years our country's investment in community service and volunteerism. As a cochair of the National Service Caucus, it is a pleasure to call attention to the tremendous work of those involved at every level and in every program of the corporation. Mr. Speaker, service and volunteerism are the bedrock of our emergency preparedness and national security. In times of strife, the American people have always shown a spirit of service and ingenuity. Investing in service and volunteer programs prepares us to handle any crisis. We saw firsthand the importance of having trained volunteers in the wake of the 2005 hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Following the devastation in the gulf coast, more than 92,000 national service volunteers contributed over 3.5 million hours of work to the recovery effort. They repaired homes, neighborhoods and lives. The assistance from trained volunteers following the devastating storms represents only one example of the many accomplishments that our service volunteers achieve every single day. Since September of 2005, over 4,070 National Civilian Community Corps, or as we call it NCCC, members have served more than 2.1 million hours in the gulf coast on over 830 relief and recovery projects. Last year, NCCC members from my hometown of Sacramento served thousands of hours to help fight the fires that devastated the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Californians, and in doing so helped protect thousands more. AmeriCorps NCCC members are disaster-trained and available for immediate deployment in the event of a natural disaster anywhere within the United States, just as they were in the gulf coast and in California. Through programs such as AmeriCorps State and national, Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA, and NCCC, service members address critical needs in our communities. In fact, these programs continually put back more into the community than we put into them. The Serve America Act shows Congress' support for their heroic and continued efforts and ensures these programs continue for years to come. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will expand these opportunities as well as health care access, provide seniors with help living independently, enhance services for veterans and help build a green, energy-efficient economy. Mr. Speaker, in 2007, more than 61 million Americans spent over 8 billion hours volunteering. Overall, about 27 percent of Americans volunteer, and the number of volunteers increased by 1 million from 2002 to 2007. Additionally, with increased numbers of Americans losing jobs, many are turning to service as a way to contribute to their communities and learn new skills. Now is precisely the time when we should make national service more accessible to the millions of Americans who want to serve their country by contributing to their communities. As a result, I hope that my colleagues will support the rule and the underlying legislation. I look forward to the passage of this bill and the historic moment when President Obama signs this into law. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, this reauthorization, the first in 15 years, takes programs and infrastructure that have touched so many lives and builds off its foundation to greatly increase the quality and improve the quantity and quality of service that we as a Nation work to provide. National service is a proven return on our investment. With this bill, we will broaden those involved in service across the country, and in doing so, foster the value of civic engagement and duty that can change a life in a community. This bipartisan legislation is truly a win-win for all those involved and for our country. It makes excellent improvements in an already successful Corporation for National and Community Service. It improves access and support for organizations and grant applicants, and most importantly, reassures our valued servicemembers that Congress supports them and their work in our communities. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sam Burns, a dear friend and tireless community leader who recently passed away. Sam served as the head of the Sacramento Convention Center and Visitors Bureau and was an admired advocate for drawing tourism into Sacramento. As his family and friends gather to honor and remember his wonderful life, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in saluting one of Sacramento's most well-respected figures. Sam was a prominent leader in the Sacramento Region, and his death leaves a tremendous void in the community. When Sam was hired by city leaders in 1972, the Memorial Auditorium was the largest local venue for conventions. Under Sam's leadership, a new Sacramento Community Center opened in 1974, finally putting Sacramento on the map as a convention host. With an $80 million expansion in 1995, the Community Center was renamed Sacramento Convention Center Complex and is now home to dozens of major events, conventions, and community gatherings each year. Sam was a strong supporter of all that Sacramento has to offer, from the prestigious Crocker Art Museum to Old Sacramento and the city's riverfront. The high quality of his work and his dedication to Sacramento led to the expansion of his duties in 1993, when he was named to lead the Community and Visitor Services Department. Sam became responsible for drawing large crowds to Sacramento as he promoted the Sacramento Jazz Festival and other city events. Sam's passion and commitment resonated in his work and will not soon be forgotten by the Sacramento community. His positive impact is seen across our city in the expansion of downtown hotels and the numerous conventions held each year. Sam was a wonderful public servant and ambassador to Sacramento, but he was an even better husband and father. He leaves behind his lovely wife Betsy and three children, Brandi, Michael and Brett. Madam Speaker, as Sam Burns' family and friends gather to honor his wonderful legacy and many contributions, I am honored to pay tribute to him. Those of us who were privileged enough to call him our friend will deeply miss him. I ask all my colleagues to pause and join me in paying respect to an extraordinary man, Sam Burns.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 250.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 250 provides for consideration of H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education, or the GIVE Act, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate controlled by the Committee on Education and Labor. The rule makes in order 11 amendments which are listed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. Each amendment is debatable for 10 minutes except the manager's amendment, which is debatable for 30 minutes. The rule also provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a vital piece of bipartisan legislation that directly affects all of our communities and the lives of millions of Americans. Legislation that strengthens our communities helps educate our future generations, teaches our youth to prepare for and respond to unthinkable tragedies and fosters the growth of respect and compassion throughout our entire society. The GIVE Act will help launch a new era of American service and volunteerism. The bill answers President Obama's call for Americans of all generations to help get the country through the economic crisis by serving and volunteering in their communities. The GIVE Act reauthorizes, for the first time in 15 years, our country's investment in community service and volunteerism. As a cochair of the National Service Caucus, it is a pleasure to call attention to the tremendous work of those involved at every level and in every program of the corporation. Service programs not only help each of our communities but also provide training that could lead to future careers. Many individuals who are involved in service at a young age continue in public service careers and in service programs throughout their lives. Mr. Speaker, service and volunteerism are the bedrock of emergency preparedness and national security. In times of strife, the American people have always shown a spirit of service and ingenuity. Investing in service and volunteer programs prepares us to handle any crisis. We must focus on building our national capacity, and harnessing the enterprising spirit of the American people is a good way to do so. In the wake of a catastrophe, a first responder is likely to be a civilian. A neighbor is likely to be the first one to provide assistance. By building up our service and volunteer programs, we are taking proactive steps to bolster our national security and capability to weather a disaster now and in the years to come. We saw firsthand the importance of having trained volunteers in the wake of the 2005 hurricanes, Katrina and Rita. These forever changed thousands of lives and communities in the gulf coast. We also witnessed an outpouring of support and compassion from individuals who were touched by this immense tragedy. Following the devastation in the gulf coast, more than 92,000 national service volunteers contributed over 3.5 million hours of work to the recovery effort. They repaired neighborhoods. They rebuilt lives. Since September of 2005, over 4,070 National Civilian Community Corps--or NCCC--members have served more than 2.1 million hours in the gulf coast on over 830 relief and recovery projects. Through programs such as AmeriCorps State and national, Volunteers in Service to America--or VISTA--and NCCC, servicemembers address critical needs in our communities. AmeriCorps and NCCC members are disaster trained and available for immediate deployment in the event of a natural disaster anywhere within the United States, just as they were to the gulf coast. In fact, NCCC teams have responded to every national disaster, including the recent fires in my home State of California. Disaster relief and emergency response now accounts for over 60 percent of the NCCC portfolio. Over $42 million worth of hurricane recovery resources have come from AmeriCorps and NCCC alone, which is millions more than we have spent on the entire program nationwide. This is a clear return on our investment. These exceptional young men and women are especially trained in disaster preparedness and organizing local volunteers into an effective recovery operation. These programs continually put more back into the community than we put into them. The GIVE Act shows Congress' support for their heroic and continued efforts and ensures these programs continue for years to come. The GIVE Act of 2009 will strengthen the emergency preparedness and response training of our country's NCCC participants. The changes will also help the program continue to grow. The legislation expands the scope of NCCC to specifically include disaster relief, infrastructure improvement, environmental and energy conservation and urban and rural development. The GIVE Act also establishes four new service corps, including a Clean Energy Corps to encourage energy efficiency and conservation measures; an Education Corps to help increase student engagement, achievement and graduation; a Healthy Futures Corps to improve health care access; and a Veterans Service Corps to enhance services for veterans. This bill includes a Call to Service Campaign to encourage all Americans to engage in service and to observe September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. The bill seeks to tap the growing pool of baby boomers reaching retirement that wish to continue serving their country and provides real alternatives to traditional employment at a time when jobs are scarce. The GIVE Act also seeks to engage our future generations in lifetimes of service. Engaging young men and women is vitally important. The Education Awards, which will be increased in this bill, encourage our youth to apply the skills that they learn at volunteerism to a successful education and the lessons they learn in school to improving their communities. The GIVE Act specifically seeks to make a difference, not only by the services that are provided but by who we are engaged in serving. It seeks to exponentially increase the numbers of disadvantaged and at- risk youth participating in service. Each one of these valuable young men and women will take the respect and compassion that they learn at service programs back to their schools and to their families and be a seed of inspiration amongst those who need it most. We cannot pass up the opportunity to better our future generations. Service programs provide an opportunity to give our youth the most valuable lesson of all, positive personal experience. Mr. Speaker, as a result of the great work of AmeriCorps members, extraordinary things are happening all around America. The corporation supports such important nonprofit organizations as Habitat for Humanity, City Year and the American Red Cross. National service participants have built homes, healed wounds, worked in national parks and taught elementary school kids. These volunteers are part of the backbone of our country. With very little funding, service participants leverage millions of dollars and perform crucial work in classrooms and in areas of our Nation hit by disaster. The service programs and new initiatives in H.R. 1388 help address some of our Nation's toughest problems, from poverty and unmet education needs to natural disasters. Just this week, The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal pointed to the rise in the number of volunteers nationwide. Many who have been laid off or are in between jobs have joined volunteer programs to stay connected to their community and learn new skills. Some have even benefited by gaining employment through their work as volunteers. The GIVE Act will expand these opportunities as well as health care access, provide seniors with help living independently, enhance services for veterans, and help build a clean, green, energy-efficient economy. As a result, I hope that my colleagues will support the rule and the underlying legislation. The spirit of service has been renewed at a time of economic challenges, and it is time for our government to foster a continued dedication to our country's prosperity through national service. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my good friend, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Sutton).

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, before I yield to my next speaker, I'd like to make a couple of comments. First of all, we aren't paying volunteers, we're supporting an infrastructure that removes barriers to service. We're making volunteers more accessible and more effective by creating an infrastructure in which everyday citizens can volunteer and be effective, without having resources, prior experience, or formal training. Also, one of the GIVE Act's major themes is to increase transparency and accountability in national service programs, particularly in showing program outcomes. Section 179 of the Act establishes performance measures for each national service program and a framework for ensuring that Federal dollars go to high-performing programs. With that, I yield 3 minutes to my fellow Rules Committee colleague, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis).

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, before I yield to the next speaker, let me just say this is not AIG. The bill on the floor today is the GIVE Act. And to compare AIG to the GIVE Act is absolutely, astoundingly ridiculous. With that, I yield 3 minutes to my good friend, the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say that both sides of this aisle are absolutely outraged about what happened at AIG, absolutely outraged. We agree with you on that, definitely. And we will be taking action immediately. In fact, I have been informed that we will be having a Rules meeting this afternoon. But let's get the GIVE Act through. Let's do the rule on this and move forward. With that, I reserve my time.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I inquire of the gentleman, does he have any speakers?

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, this reauthorization, the first in 15 years, takes programs and infrastructure that touch so many lives and builds off its foundation to greatly increase the quantity and improve the quality of service that we, as a Nation, work to provide. National Service is a proven return on our investments. With this bill, we will broaden those involved in service across the country, and in doing so, foster the values of civic engagement and duty that can change a life and a community. This bipartisan legislation is truly a win-win for all those involved and for our country. It makes excellent improvements to an already successful Corporation for National and Community Service. It improves access and support for organizations and grant applicants, and most importantly, reassures our valued servicemembers that Congress supports them and their work in our communities. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

Ms. MATSUI. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. MATSUI. So you're ready to close. I reserve my time.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 250 and ask for its immediate consideration.