Patrick Murphy

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dalton Pepper, a member of the Pennsbury High School boys' basketball team and 2009 Pennsylvania player of the year. Dalton has excelled as a student athlete in Bucks County, and I am eager to see him continue that legacy next year at West Virginia University. Dalton's hard work and dedication led him and his teammates to four straight undefeated league championships and into their fourth PIAA AAAA State playoff. He was recently named The Associated Press' 2009 Pennsylvania Class AAAA boy's basketball player of the year. These performances earned Dalton a position on the Pennsylvania all- state team. His high school career record of 2,207 points, nearly 1,000 rebounds and a 104-20 record is an extraordinary accomplishment. The recognition and awards Dalton has received throughout his high school basketball career are no small feat. For his leadership and determination, he has gained respect from his coaches and teammates, not to mention the admiration of our community, which has cheered him along throughout his career. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in recognizing Dalton Pepper for his hard work and dedication to the Pennsbury High School boys' basketball team--he sets an example for student athletes everywhere and I am proud to represent him.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights, which will provide real relief to Americans who are being hit hard by unfair credit card practices. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney has been fighting for three years to bring these predatory practices to light, and I commend her tireless efforts. Mr. Chair, college students are particularly vulnerable to credit card targeting and marketing. As they walk through campus, they come across offers ranging from free food to clothing just for filling out a credit card application. But after the free gifts, too many students are left with piles of debt and nowhere to turn. For too long, credit card companies have had special deals with universities to let them market to students. Through these deals, schools receive large cash payments in exchange for handing over students' personal information and providing access to their campuses. Right now, with their families at home struggling, more students are turning to credit cards to fill the gap between their tuition bill and student loans. As a result they are racking up debts that take years to pay off. A Sallie Mae study recently reported that college seniors are graduating from school with an average of more than $4,100 in credit card debt. I strongly support today's bill, but as it progresses I hope to see a provision included to bring accountability to the deals credit card companies make with schools. We should require that companies report the terms and conditions of agreements with schools and call for a GAO report to show the impact these agreements have on overall credit card debt. I offered a bipartisan amendment with Congressman Petri from Wisconsin to do just that, but unfortunately it fell to procedural hurdles. This provision would provide much needed transparency--and hopefully help prevent students from falling too far behind before they graduate. I hope as this bill makes its way through Congress, our amendment will ultimately be incorporated. Mr. Chair, this bill is an opportunity to do what's right for American consumers. I will continue to look for ways to provide more transparency to these practices--something that the American people are desperate for right now. With this bill, we are taking a large step toward decreasing credit card debt. I urge my colleagues to keep the debt of college students in mind as this bill moves forward.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor and strong supporter of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. Ten years have now passed since a University of Wyoming student was tied to a fence and fatally beaten just because he was gay. In the time since, we've seen a Texas man dragged to his death by a truck just because he was black and a woman brutally beaten and killed with a fire extinguisher just because she was transgendered. We've even seen young children at day camp shot just because they were Jewish. Passage of comprehensive federal hate crime legislation that would allow the Department of Justice to assist state and local jurisdictions unable or unwilling to prosecute violent, bias-motivated crimes is long overdue. Mr. Speaker, as a former Constitutional law professor at West Point, I want to make something perfectly clear. Nothing in this bill impinges the right of an individual's freedom of speech as guaranteed under the First Amendment of the Constitution. The ability to think or express sentiments repulsive to most members of society absent the fear of legal recrimination is part of what makes this country great and free. The ability to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those who cause injury or death to an individual because of who they are or what they believe is also what makes this country great and free. Ensuring that states and local law enforcement throughout the United States have the resources they need to go after the perpetrators of these crimes is not just something we owe to the victims and their families. It also helps to free the rest of society--particularly members of the group to which the victim identified--from being intimidated by the hatred of a few. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and send a clear message that those who injure or kill another human being because of who they are will be brought to justice for their crimes.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Justina Cassavell, daughter of Jeanne and Michael Doyle of Upper Black Eddy, Bucks County, Pennsylvania and someone who is helping to shape the next generation of Americans. Justina's dedication as head coach of her girls cross country team has allowed her student athletes to excel both on and off the field. She was recently named the Express-Times Newspaper 2008 Cross Country Coach of the Year. This is the sixth time she has received this honor in eight seasons. Justina was also inducted into the NJ Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame on March 29th of this year. As head coach of the Voorhees High School girls cross country team since 1997, Justina has led her team to numerous victories, including its seventh straight Hunterdon- Warren NJ championship, third straight North 2 Group 3 sectional title, fifth NJ State Interscholastic Athletic Association Group 3 state title, and second Meet of Champions crown. The recognition and appreciation that Ms. Cassavell has been shown is no small feat, considering she is a part-time coach. Present and past students alike have called her the ``inspiration'' in their lives, as she teaches them to believe in themselves and to strive to be great in all that they do. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in recognizing Justina Cassavell for her hard work and dedication to her student athletes--she sets an example for students and teachers everywhere and that is something we should be encouraging more and more.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thomas B. White Sr. and his family, who have selflessly served our country by enforcing the law in Southeastern Pennsylvania for over 100 years. Thomas B. White Sr. started his career with the Philadelphia Police Department on March 16th, 1909, and retired in April 1941. He was born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in 1896, where he worked primarily on the Philadelphia Police Department's foot traffic unit. James ``Bud'' White, Tom's son, became employed with the Pennsylvania State Police in 1937 and was there until 1942, when he was transferred to the Philadelphia Police Department. There, Bud served on the patrol, accident investigation, crime scene, and stake out units. He worked in this capacity until 1962, when he joined the Philadelphia School District Police. Bud remained until retirement in 1972. Joseph P. White, Bud's son, began his career with the Philadelphia Police Department in 1966. He worked on the uniform patrol and juvenile aide/gang control units until 1970, when he joined the detective division. After serving in the major crimes/dignitary protection unit, Joe retired in 1988. Ann Thomson Wisnewski, Joe's cousin, became employed with the Philadelphia Police Department in 1970, where she served as one of the first female police officers. Ann worked in the juvenile aide division, dignitary protection unit, and stakeout unit, before retiring in 1980 as a sergeant. Kevin J. O'Rourke, Ann's cousin, started his career in the Philadelphia Police Department in 1973, and worked on the patrol and vice units. He also served in the District Attorney's Office until 1990, where he was promoted to Detective Sergeant in the special investigations and homicide unit. Kevin then went on to serve with the Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General, Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, and Pennsylvania Gaming Commission before retiring in 2008. Stephen J. White, Kevin's cousin, became employed with the U.S. Capitol Police in 1972, where he served until 1974. The same year, he started working as a patrol officer with the Doylestown Township Police, before being promoted to Sergeant in 1975, Lieutenant in 1978, and then finally Chief of Police in 1988. He continues to serve in this capacity today. Through multiple generations, the White family has contributed enormously to our communities in Southeastern Pennsylvania. I have the utmost gratitude for their 100 years of dedication and service. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize the White family for their extraordinary accomplishments, and am extremely honored to serve as their Congressman.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, it was a great charity event. There are a lot of challenges facing our country right now where our focus is, but we took time out for the kids to make sure that we raised money. These kids could not afford to play the game of hockey, which really demonstrates and embodies the sense of teamwork and goal setting. It was great to be with those kids, with the first African American NHL player, who was also there. And I would also like to highlight the cooperation of the Washington Capitals. I would like to say that our colleague from New York (Mr. Weiner), who got the puck of the game, who was our goaltender, a lot of folks did say that he had cat-like reflexes. He reminded me of a young Mike Richter, who most folks understand is a New York Ranger, won the World Cup for Team America that was played at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. But Mike Richter is from the suburbs of Philadelphia, and I was proud of that comparison of Anthony Weiner to Mike Richter. I sometimes question the athletic ability of Mr. Weiner, but that day he really showed his skill.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. I will yield.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Southampton Fire Company #1 for 100 years of distinguished service. Since their inception in 1909, Southampton Fire Company #1 has remained an all-volunteer fire department. On December 10, 1909, the first meeting of the Southampton Fire Company was held, and four years later they were incorporated with 88 charter members. They utilized a variety of firefighting equipment through the years, such as a horse-drawn button hand pumper in 1913, a Ford Model T/Hale fire engine in 1921, and an 85-foot Hi-Ranger Snorkel elevated platform truck in 1965, the first of its kind in Bucks County. A major renovation of the firehouse was dedicated in May 2000 to the ``past, present, and future members of the Southampton Fire Company #1, in recognition of their unselfish service to the citizens of Upper Southampton Township.'' Now, on the Fire Company's 100th Anniversary, we also extend our greatest thanks and appreciation for their unwavering service. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in recognizing the Southampton Fire Company #1 for their 100 years of service to our families in Bucks County. I am honored to serve as their Congressman.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rabbi Jon E. Cutler--the only Jewish Chaplain currently serving in western Iraq. And as a former paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division who served in Baghdad 5 years ago and the first Iraq war veteran to serve in this great body, it fills me with tremendous pride to be Rabbi Cutler's Congressman. Rabbi Cutler has set an example for all of us--not just through his spiritual leadership--but through selfless service to our community and our nation. In Iraq, Rabbi Cutler serves as the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Chaplain, and assists the entire Al Asad Marine Air Base. Prior to his service in Iraq, Rabbi Cutler served as the pulpit rabbi of Tiferes B'nai Israel in Warrington, Bucks County, Pennsylvania for the past 8 years. As the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Chaplain, Rabbi Cutler supervises 20 Christian chaplains and chaplain assistants, and has worked to create a center for Jewish troops who are serving in Anbar Province. The congregants of Tiferes B'nai Israel even contributed to this effort, sending tiles and paste to be used for the chapel floor. As the Rabbi for Tiferes B'nai Israel in Warrington, Rabbi Cutler worked tirelessly to unite his congregants, both old and new. He strived to make new members feel welcome while respecting the needs and wishes of long-standing members. Before he was deployed to Iraq, he also proudly received his Navy commander pins on the pulpit at Tiferes B'nai Israel. Commander Cutler has been a chaplain in the U.S. Navy Reserve for 23 years. He was the only Jewish chaplain serving with the Marines in Desert Storm, and after 9/11, he was called to the Pentagon to counsel family members who lost loved ones during the tragic events of that terrible day. When not serving our troops in Iraq or his congregants in Warrington, Rabbi Cutler has served as an instructor at Gratz College for Jewish education and a visiting professor at Philadelphia University. He received his B.A. and M.A. in religious studies from Temple University, and holds a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling from Hebrew Union College. Rabbi Cutler was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, PA. Rabbi Cutler has contributed enormously to the citizens of Bucks County and given so much to so many servicemen and women serving abroad. He leads by example and is committed to service, spiritual leadership and education. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Rabbi Cutler for his outstanding work, and am extremely honored to serve as his Congressman.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Francis M. Gorski for his 50th year of active service to the Lingohocken Fire Company. He and his family have been extremely dedicated to serving Wrightstown Township and the community as a whole. Lingohocken firefighters are able to become ``Life Members'' after twenty-five years of service and let others take over. That was an option for Mr. Gorski twenty-five years ago, but instead he has remained hard at work--as so many have come to expect. Mr. Gorski is one of the most active members of the department, responding to 70-80% of their calls. He has responded to calls that many individuals his age would no longer respond to--including calls at 3 o'clock in the morning. He volunteers his time for Lingohocken on top of the time he spends running the family business with his two younger brothers. He has served at almost every rank in the company including chief, and is currently serving as deputy chief. His dedication and work ethic are examples for our community and country to follow. Those at the company--and in our entire community--are extremely proud of the accomplishments and outstanding level of service Mr. Gorski provides to the people of Wrightstown Township and Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Mr. Francis Gorski for his exceptional services to his community and am extremely honored to serve as his Congressman.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as we begin in this Congress a potentially transformational debate on the future of health care, I think it is time that we start dispelling some of the myths about American health care. So let's start with this one. If I told you that the country which spent the most money on health care also ranked among the highest in wait times for care, opponents of health care reform would scream, ``Well, that is what you get with socialized medicine.'' The sad fact is that I'm describing our own health care system. A recent study published in Business Week showed that amongst the six top industrialized nations, the U.S. ranked fifth in medical wait times. We ranked behind New Zealand, Britain, Germany and Australia. In addition, 26 percent of Americans reported going to the ER for treatment because they couldn't get in to see their doctor, and ER wait times for heart attack patients has nearly doubled in the last 5 years. So when you hear these anecdotes about people waiting for care in other countries that guarantee health care, know the facts. Americans wait longer.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, last fall we had to take emergency action to try and stop the falling stock market and weakening credit markets. But I was not pleased when it took a subpoena threat to force financial institutions to release program details about the TARP, the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Mr. Chairman, most folks in America are not aware, but the Federal Reserve, shortly before Thanksgiving, announced a half a trillion dollar effort to purchase MBS, Mortgage-Backed Securities, and contracted with four outside investment firms to manage it. With another $500 billion, half a trillion dollars at stake, Mr. Chairman, we cannot let or allow history to repeat itself. We demand the details of the Fed's MBS program, and it is our duty to demand the information about how the Federal Reserve will run this program. For example, the Fed has refused to make clear details about how they chose the four firms and who will manage the purchases. They have refused to share how much those firms are getting paid. And it is still unclear what steps have been taken to ensure strict conflict of interest provisions are put in place so that these four firms are not given an unfair market advantage because of their role in the mortgage backed securities program. Despite half a trillion dollars at stake, Mr. Chairman, there are still too many things we do not know. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is simple. It will force the Fed to do three things. First, it will force the Federal Reserve to disclose the details of the request process used to select the investment managers. Second, it would force the Fed to disclose the details of the contracts reached with these four investment managers, including price. And, third, it will force the Fed to disclose the steps that each investment manager has taken to ensure that the program is free of conflicts of interest or an unfair advantage. Despite many requests from my office and news organizations, we have been unable to get the information relating to these contracts. With $500 billion and the public trust at stake, this information is not too much to ask or an undue burden on the Federal Reserve. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate any colleague from New Jersey's support of our bill and the effort for transparency and accountability. At this time, Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join thousands of families in my district who are struggling in this economy and frustrated at how this Congress is handling this rescue package. A few days ago I stood shoulder to shoulder with Democrats and Republicans in this chamber and the families and businesses in my community to try and prevent an economic disaster. While the bill we considered on Monday and the one we are voting on again is neither perfect nor popular, we have to do something on behalf of our Nation and its citizens. We have to fight for the families now at risk of losing their homes, the seniors who could lose their pensions and the students who are losing their shot at a college education. Madam Speaker, I hope that our chamber can change the Senate's bill so that it does not include extraneous provisions that are unrelated to rescuing our economy. We worked through the weekend last week and I am willing to do it again. We have the opportunity to do this right. I believe this bill will ultimately protect middle class families, seniors on fixed incomes and students who want to go to college. I believe it also provides property tax relief, incentives for alternative energy and help for small businesses to create jobs. These are provisions that will help families back at home and put our economy back on track. On Monday we were derailed by too much bitter partisanship and the Senate's decision to tack on tax cuts for things like wood arrows, rum and race tracks will only make it harder to achieve the unity we need to help this great country. I am for tax cuts--and have cosponsored more than two dozen in the last 22 months, but as I have said before, unrelated spending has no place in emergency legislation. Madam Speaker, I urge the leadership of this House to strip the unnecessary provisions, pass this bill and send it back to the Senate with a message: we cannot afford to wait to do what's right.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bucks County resident Donald ``Mac'' Macgregor. On July 4th, 2008, Mac retired after a 35 year career as the director of the Bucks County Youth Center. During those 35 years, Mac revolutionized the detention center and its program, setting a high standard for working with delinquent children requiring secure care. Madam Speaker, Mac has served his community and has helped troubled children his entire life. In addition to serving as a Juvenile Police Officer with Upper Moreland Township, Mac also operated, along with his wife Bonnie, the first group home in Bucks County with 6 delinquent youths. Mr. Macgregor came to the troubled Bucks County Youth Center at a time when his predecessors faced near riots within the facility. With his unique innovative approach that showed how respecting children can help them respect themselves, Mac turned he facility into a leading youth center that has helped many Bucks County kids turn their lives around. In addition to bringing a new approach to troubled youth care, Mac also oversaw the construction and planning of the award winning Bucks County Juvenile Detention Center. This state-of-the-art facility has become a must-visit for all Pennsylvania municipalities who are looking to improve their youth detention facilities and programs. Madam Speaker, Mr. Macgregor's commitment to working with troubled children is an inspiration to the Bucks County community and the nation as a whole. During his many years of service, he has created a new way of thinking about and treating delinquent youth that has changed countless lives for the better. I would like to thank Mr. Macgregor for his life-time of dedication to our community.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Bar Association of Bucks County for its 125 years of service and dedication to the legal professionals of Bucks County. In 1683, William Penn established the first courts in the county, holding an orphan's and common pleas court in Falls Township, Pennsylvania. Twenty five years later, in 1708, Bucks County appointed its first Deputy Attorney General. In 1812 the first ``old'' courthouse was built, followed by the second ``old'' courthouse in 1877. This second courthouse was demolished in 1960 to construct the courthouse we still use today. In 1853, seventeen attorneys formed an organization of legal practitioners, creating the Association of the Bar of Bucks County. The organization was incorporated in 1883 and had grown to 40 members. They worked then, as they do now, to improve the welfare of the judicial system, the courts, the administration of justice and service to the public. Now with more than 700 members, the Bucks County Bar Association has made huge advancements. It now has its own legal journal, the Bucks County Law Report. They also have established a lawyer referral program, Legal Aid Society, and mock trial and law day programs. What once consisted of just 40 members now has 30 committees within the organization. The Bar Association of Bucks County has come a long way since it was incorporated over 100 years ago. Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Bucks County Bar Association and its service and dedication to the residents and legal professionals of Bucks County.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to recognize MEECO on their 60th anniversary. MEECO, Incorporated is a privately-held, family-owned manufacturing business headquartered in Warrington, Bucks County, PA. They produce and sell quality gas analysis measurement tools to industries across the globe allowing them to efficiently and safely manufacture their products. MEECO has played an important role as a small business in our Bucks County community and the world. They employ more than 3 dozen hardworking people from the Bucks County area and have succeeded through an approach that focuses on product innovation, global expansion, and progressive management and manufacturing practices. MEECO shows no signs of slowing down after winning 2 R&D 100 Awards for its products from R&D Magazine, developing a highly successful, award-winning spin-off company called Tiger Optics and recently celebrated the strongest financial first half in the company's history. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating MEECO, Incorporated for their success and their high business standards. I thank them for the work they do on behalf of our community and across the world.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate Community Options National Disability Awareness Week. This year, it takes place from October 20 through October 24 and I am proud to recognize it. Since 1989, Community Options, a national non-profit organization headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, has worked to provide housing, support services and advocacy assistance to help empower people with disabilities. Through emphasizing the dignity of every person and freedom of self determination, their success has been an inspiration. Community Options has helped more than 1,300 individuals with disabilities in various States. With a history of quality, cost effectiveness and a reputation of encouraging individual choice and flexibility, they have also begun to spread their help to countries all over the world. Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating Community Options National Disability Awareness Week and give thanks to Community Options for making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and enabling them to live a full empowered life of their choice.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the James A. Michener Art Museum as it celebrates its 20th anniversary on September 20th, 2008. As a major repository of Bucks County's artistic heritage, the Michener Museum has preserved our region's artistic heritage through an extensive permanent collection, local exhibits, scholarly publications and innovative educational programs. To date, the museum has had 291 exhibits, featuring 250 artists from Bucks County. Membership has expanded and annual attendance has grown from just 10,000 to 125,000 in 2007. The museum reaches out to local students and teachers as well, with 14,000 students expected to visit the museum this year and outreach programs such as Artists on the Move and Teacher Enrichment classes. In the last 20 years, the James A. Michener Art Museum has become a pillar of culture in Bucks County and I am proud to serve as their Congressman. Please join me, Madam Speaker, in congratulating them on 20 years of excellence.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Riegelsville Fire Company for 110 years of distinguished service to the Riegelsville, Durham and Nockamixon communities. On September 27, 2008, they will not only be celebrating this anniversary, but also welcoming their newest fire engine, Engine 42-1. In 1898 the Phoenix Fire Company formed as a bucket brigade, named after the first piece of equipment they bought--a Phoenix Steam Pumper. Later in 1918 they changed the name and became incorporated as Community Fire Company #1. Today, 90 years later, they are still protecting the families in this community with the same honor and selfless service. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in recognizing the Riegelsville Fire Department for their 110 years of service to communities in Bucks County. I am honored to serve as their Congressman.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise for the purpose of a colloquy with the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews). Mr. Andrews, I rise today in favor of a health care system that works for those in need. I am proud that this legislation promotes fairness for those with mental illness. I am also proud that it will not preempt stronger State laws, laws such as Pennsylvania Act 106 which has saved countless lives in our Commonwealth. I stand with a leading Republican State representative from my district, Gene DiGirolamo, a leading advocate for mental health parity and someone who has worked tirelessly for health care laws that are fair and just. Mr. Andrews, just to clarify, does the parity legislation leave intact Pennsylvania's Act 106 protections for those seeking treatment of substance abuse and similar protections in other States?

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey, and I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this bill.

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 21st Century Servicemembers Protection Act and to address the problem that my buddy and fellow paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division brought to my attention, one that affects our deployed troops overseas when they return home. Mr. Speaker, some cell phone companies and Internet service providers are not allowing deployed troops to suspend or terminate their contracts. Some troops, many troops, have had their credit reports damaged. We owe our brave troops better than this, and we need to do better for folks like Sergeant Patrick Campbell, who spent, on his first day back from deployment, 8 hours in a mall cell phone store the day he got back from Iraq trying to sort out his cell phone contract so he could call his loved ones and straighten out a wrongful credit report. Mr. Speaker, our servicemen and -women must focus on completing their mission and returning home safely. They should not have to worry about creditors harassing their family or if a cell phone company is ruining their credit. This bill also allows our heroes to keep their cell phone numbers so they can better reconnect with their loved ones once they return home. This is crucial when you look at one in five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or TBI, traumatic brain injury, the two signature injuries of the Iraq and Afghanistan war. Mr. Speaker, this is not a Democrat or a Republican issue. This is about doing what is right for our troops. With that, I would like to thank Chairman Filner. I would like to thank Mr. Buyer. I would also like to thank Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin and Mr. Boozman for their leadership and bipartisan efforts on behalf of our veterans, and for including my bill in their legislation. I am a proud Member of the 110th Congress, a Congress that worked in a bipartisan fashion for our veterans, the one that passed the largest increase in veterans benefits in the VA history; the one that passed the new GI bill for our troops, so they get 4 years of college education or technical school, and a Congress that now passes this great bill in the Halls of Congress. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6225. I would like to thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer as well as Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin and Ranking Member Boozman for their leadership on behalf of veterans and for including my bill, the 21st Century Servicemembers Protection Act, in this great legislation. Mr. Speaker, my bill addresses a problem that a JAG attorney in the 101st Airborne brought to my attention soon after my election to Congress. He alerted me to the disturbing fact that some of our troops have had their credit reports damaged during their deployments overseas. They are having trouble suspending or breaking their contracts with cell phone companies or internet service providers--even if they present deployment orders. In fact, the JAG attorney who called me was able to suspend one of his own contracts during his deployment, but to do so he was forced to pay a costly fee. Looking into this further, I also discovered that some financial institutions are slow or unwilling to reduce servicemembers' interest rates during deployments . . . even though these creditors are already required to do so by law. Mr. Speaker, we owe our brave troops, and their brave families better than this. While facing the strain of long deployments, they should not have to face repeated harassment by collection agencies. As we continue to send a new generation into harm's way, it is our duty to protect these brave troops and do right by their families. Our servicemen and women should be allowed to focus on completing their mission and returning home safely--they should not have to worry about creditors harassing their family, or if their cell phone company is ruining their credit. Mr. Speaker, my portion of this bill expands the existing Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to cover 21st century service contracts such as cellular phones, utilities, cable television, and internet access. Quite simply, my measure will allow troops with deployment orders to terminate or suspend their service contracts without fee or penalty and it will force creditors who knowingly or negligently fail to reduce interest rates to face penalties. While I believe this to be a serious problem faced by our troops, most service providers take steps to allow servicemembers facing deployment or change of station to terminate or suspend service without penalty, and I appreciate the input I have received from a variety of industries on this bill. Most companies have programs in place, and train their customer service representatives to deal appropriately with these situations. However, I recognize that mistakes do happen, especially in large companies with millions of customers and many thousands of employees. My intention is not to use the most severe penalties available under this bill to punish occasional innocent mistakes. Instead, the penalties that are included in this bill should be applied proportionally with consideration given to the frequency, severity, and intent of the violation or violations. In instances where a servicemember is only minimally inconvenienced, and the serviceprovider promptly rectifies the situation, no criminal penalty may be necessary at all. However, when the violations are intentional and repeated, the full penalty available should be applied. Mr. Speaker, as a veteran of the United States Army and the war in Iraq, I know how important it is that our troops be able to focus on accomplishing their mission without worrying about credit trouble back at home. This is not a Democratic or Republican issue. This is about doing what's right for our troops. With that, I would again like to thank Chairman Filner and Mr. Buyer for their leadership.