Bob Ney

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the time remaining. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Michigan for standing up tonight for this resolution, standing up for the American people. I want to thank the gentleman from California (Chairman Pombo) for this resolution and also the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Oxley) for expediting this, also being a cosponsor, but expediting this to the floor. Mr. Speaker, national security has to include economic security. This is an important resolution. Never in a million years would China let us do this type of deal over there, and do not fool yourselves about that. This deal is not good for America. It is not good for American workers. As we near our birthday of this country, let us not give a gift to the Chinese Government. Let us give a gift to the American people and support this important resolution.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 312) recognizing National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the United States.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 312 which recognizes National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the United States. It is offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller), my colleague and friend, who could not be here this moment to carry it. He has done a lot of great work on it. It has very good sponsors, also the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Oxley); the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), our ranking member; of course myself and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters); the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Harris) and other supporters. This resolution is a testament to the benefits of a strong and robust housing market in this country. A home is more than just the symbol of the American dream. It is the backbone of our American way of life. Over the past 3 years, the housing market has driven the national economy as Americans bought and refinanced homes in record numbers. Many regions were spared the worst of the recent recession due to the strength of some local housing markets. Today, the housing sector directly accounts for about 14 percent of the country's total gross domestic product. Building a home involves multiple segments of our economy, including builders, bankers, mortgage lenders, realtors and numerous other people that are involved in this whole process. June is National Homeownership Month, and so many of our partners celebrate this because in America, every citizen, regardless of race, creed, color or place of birth, has the opportunity and should have the opportunity to own a home of their own. Homeownership creates community stakeholders who tend to be active in charities, churches, and neighborhood activities. Homeownership inspires civic responsibility, and homeowners are more likely to vote and get involved with local issues. Families owning a home offer children a stable living environment, and in many cases it influences their personal development in many positive, measurable ways, at home and also at school. Homeownership's potential to create wealth is impressive, too. For the vast majority of families, the purchase of a home represents the path to prosperity. A home is the largest purchase most Americans will ever make in their lifetime. It is a tangible asset that builds equity, good credit, borrowing power and overall wealth. Today, nearly 70 percent of American families own their own homes. And minority homeownership rates, although they have reached an all- time high of almost 50 percent, that is not good. We have to work on that and give it special effort to get those homeownership rates higher. While many gains have been made, lagging minority homeownership rates are a serious concern to this House. Minority households are expected to account for two-thirds of household growth over the coming decade. Improving the ability of such households to make the transition to homeownership will be an important test of the Nation's capacity to create economic opportunity for minorities and immigrants and to build strong, stable communities. Last Congress, the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, I am pleased to report, assisted in the successful enactment of 17 housing-related bills. Through bipartisan cooperation with our ranking member, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters); the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley); and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), who worked on a good piece of legislation, we were able to enact these pieces of legislation today to make existing housing programs work better. Our work continues, however, in the 109th Congress. The Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity will hold a hearing this Thursday on the recently introduced Zero Downpayment Pilot Program Act of 2005. This was introduced by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott). This legislation, which was first introduced last Congress, would provide a program to eliminate the downpayment requirement for certain families and individuals who buy homes with FHA-insured mortgages. Changes have been made from last year's bill that would make it a pilot program and limits the program to 50,000 loans. It is also my hope to look into the recent legislation introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), which deals with the issue of reverse mortgages. More specifically, it would remove completely the statutory limitation, or ceiling, and the aggregate number of mortgages that may be insured. In the area of rural housing, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Davis), who will be speaking later on the floor, has taken the lead by looking into creative ways to reform the Rural Housing Service. On March 1, I introduced, along with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski) and many others, the bipartisan Responsible Lending Act, which aims to stop abusive lending practices while allowing the mortgage market to continue to offer affordable credit. I have taken a great deal of time to investigate and find solutions to problems of abusive and predatory lending practices, especially in the subprime market. As the legislative process moves forward, we will continue to work to improve and refine this bill, I would note. While homeownership is a desired goal for many Americans, I would be remiss if I did not mention that today we know there are people who are not ready to own their own home, and we cannot forget about that. So it is therefore prudent that we continue to pursue alternatives to make sure that affordable rental housing is available. I am working with members of the committee to craft solutions that will address the effectiveness and efficiency of the government's role in the administration of the section 8 program. We had some roundtables, which the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) and others participated in; and I think those are good, effective ways to bring people to the table so they can have an energetic give-and- take about section 8 and where we are. I recognize there are key questions regarding funding of the Housing Choice Voucher Program. It is my hope to focus strictly on proposals to reform the program to make it a viable alternative in the future. The longer we wait to address the increasing costs of the section 8 program, the greater the risk there is to the section 8 program as well as other programs in HUD that will most surely suffer with some additional problems. I would also note in this process that I think we have to come to an agreement in terms of what we are going to do with section 8; but I believe the whole community in the United States, housing authorities and others, needs to catch their breath. We cannot have one proposal one year that will completely alter it and the next year we see the same thing. So that is why I think the roundtables are productive ways to look at changes we can agree to. We have much to achieve together for the American people, and our best hope for being successful is to work in close concert with each other, guided by the same high standards and principles and motivated by the same goals. Those are a few things, Mr. Speaker, that have gone on here in the House as we mention H. Res. 312 for recognizing National Homeownership Month. I appreciate my colleagues who do so much to try to help people in homeownership, and I support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume in closing to once again thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) and also reiterate that the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller) has been very active and has been a great member on the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. Along with a lot of our other colleagues, he has done a wonderful job on the committee, and it has been a pleasure having him on the committee. We also appreciate this resolution.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to request that the Bush administration review, under the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation's bid to purchase Unocal. Mr. Speaker, at a time of rising prices on global oil supplies, ready access to energy resources is vital to our economic security. It is imperative that the United States protect its access to these energy resources in order to protect our economy and our national security. This committee, chaired by Treasury Secretary Snow, may block this foreign acquisition of an American corporation if it finds that there is evidence that the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation might take action that threatens our national security. Such a review is not unprecedented. Mr. Speaker, in 2003, the committee reviewed a bid by Hong Kong-based Hutchinson Whampoa to purchase Global Crossing, and earlier this year the committee reviewed the sale of IBM's personal computer business to the Chinese firm, the Lenovo Group. Should the committee determine that this acquisition threatens the national security of the United States, it could ultimately issue a suspension or a denial. Whether the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation's actions, through the takeover of Unocal, will threaten our national security is not yet known; however, they justify a thorough review.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation, House Resolution 312, and to insert extraneous material into the Record.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on June 22, 2005, due to a death in the family, I was unable to be present for rollcall vote No. 293, on agreeing to the Watt amendment to H.J. Res. 10; for rollcall vote No. 294, on moving to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair; for rollcall vote No. 295, on moving to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair; for rollcall vote No. 296, on final passage of H.J. Res. 10; for rollcall vote No. 297, on ordering the previous question to H. Res. 334; for rollcall vote No. 298, on agreeing to H. Res. 334; for rollcall vote No. 299, on agreeing to the Baird amendment to H.R. 2985; for rollcall vote No. 300, on agreeing to Represenatative Jo Ann Davis's amendment to H.R. 2985; for rollcall vote No. 301, on agreeing to the Hefley amendment to H.R. 2985; for rollcall vote No. 302, on agreeing to the motion to recommit H.R. 2985; and for rollcall vote No. 303, on final passage of H.R. 2985. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 293, ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 294, ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 295, ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 296, ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 297, ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 298, ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 299, ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 300, ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 301, ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 302, and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 303.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Joey Ragland, a true public servant. For years Joey was an outstanding citizen and member of the Liberty, Ohio, community. He loved the people of his community, and they, in turn, entrusted him with the position of township trustee. He quickly earned the respect of his peers and flourished in such a position of high trust. In February, Joey was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Though his struggle with cancer was extremely difficult and accompanied by unbearable pain, Joey never once complained. Just as he had done in his role as township trustee, he continued to put others' needs before his own, until his death last month. On June 30, Joey was to be married to his adoring fiancee, Margaret Brown. We extend our greatest sympathies to Margaret and to Joey's entire family as they mourn this incredible loss. While words may do little to comfort them, I hope they will remember Joey for what he was: a model citizen, a strong leader, and a kind and decent man. His commitment to the people and community of Liberty will not be soon forgotten. May God rest his soul.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement in June 2005, we rise to thank Mr. William Dellar for over 30 years of outstanding service to the United States government, most recently here in the U.S. House of Representatives. Bill began his career with four years of military service in the United States Marine Corps. He continued his government service starting in 1979 at the United States Department of Energy. He followed that with service at the Naval Sea Systems Command, the Naval Air Test Center, and the United States Coast Guard, honing his procurement skills throughout this time. Bill brought his expertise to the House in 1999 as Associate Administrator of Procurement. His passionate customer service, organizational knowledge and resourcefulness, and his leadership on numerous initiatives have benefited countless Members and staff over the years. Among his many other achievements, Bill was instrumental in leading the merger of the Office of Finance and the Office of Procurement into a single business unit, resulting in resource savings, process efficiencies, and enhanced customer service capabilities. Bill has also established the framework for the implementation of a Center of Excellence concept geared toward providing streamlined enterprise system solutions to all CAO customers and stakeholders. Over the past 6 years, Bill has been instrumental in managing the award of contracts for numerous customer-focused requirements, such as the House Fitness Center, the Modular Furniture Program, Postal Operations and a 21st century state-of-the-art enterprise resource planning system. On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to Bill for his many years of dedication and outstanding contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives. We wish Bill many wonderful years in fulfilling his retirement dreams.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, I hereby offer my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and community of Rudy J. Zatezalo; and Whereas, Rudy J. Zatezalo was a retired press operator with Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corporation; and Whereas, Rudy J. Zatezalo was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Bellaire, the Knights of Columbus, and the Bellaire Lions Club; and Whereas, Rudy J. Zatezalo bravely defended our country in the Army during World War II; and Whereas, the understanding and caring to which he gave to others will stand as a monument to a truly fine person. His life and example inspired all who knew him. Therefore, while I understand how words cannot express our grief at this most trying of times, I offer this token of profound sympathy to the family, friends, and colleagues of Rudy J. Zatezalo.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Jonathan Olivito has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Jonathan Olivito has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Jonathan Olivito has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Jonathan Olivito must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award. Therefore, I join with the residents of Carrollton, the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio, Jonathan's family and friends in congratulating Jonathan Olivito as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, the 216th was mobilized in January 2004 and supported the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq from March 2004 to February 2005; and Whereas, the 216th conducted four hundred and fifty combat patrols and completed over three hundred and fifty missions at forty separate locations in north central Iraq and An Najaf; and Whereas, the 216th played a critical role in improving force protection at forward operating bases and fixed check points as well as in preparation of Iraq's national election. Therefore, I congratulate the Ohio National Guard's 216th Engineer Battalion on their receipt of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services during military operations against an armed enemy.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Tamala Longaberger has been appointed by President George W. Bush to chair the National Women's Business Council; and Whereas, Tamala Longaberger will oversee the bipartisan federal advisory body to provide advice to the President, Congress, and the United States Small Business Administration on economic issues important to women business owners; and Whereas, Tamala Longaberger has served as the chief executive officer of the number one maker of handmade baskets, Longaberger Company, for ten years; and Whereas, Tamala Longaberger should be commended for her service in the Newark, Ohio and surrounding areas and to the Republican Party. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Tamala Longaberger for her outstanding appointment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Ryan Keith Geltmeier has devoted himself to serving others through his membership in the Boy Scouts of America; and Whereas, Ryan Keith Geltmeier has shared his time and talent with the community in which he resides; and Whereas, Ryan Keith Geltmeier has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with enthusiasm, confidence and outstanding service; and Whereas, Ryan Keith Geltmeier must be commended for the hard work and dedication he put forth in earning the Eagle Scout Award. Therefore, I join with the residents of Sandyville, the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio, Ryan's family and friends in congratulating Ryan Keith Geltmeier as he receives the Eagle Scout Award.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Arlene May Whitbeck was born in Albany, New York on May 21, 1921; and Whereas, Arlene Whitbeck married Robert Krueger on October 25, 1947; and Whereas, Arlene and Robert raised their two children, John and Karen; and Whereas, Arlene Krueger's professional career was spent in the family business, Whitbeck Motors, in Troy, New York, where she succeeded her father as President in 1965; and Whereas, Arlene and Robert retired to Florida in the mid-1970s, but missing their family, now including their two grandchildren, Christopher and Sarah, they have returned to the New York of their roots to enjoy their golden years; and Whereas, Arlene Krueger has exemplified a love of life, caring, and service for her family and neighbors. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in congratulating Arlene Whitbeck Krueger as she celebrates her 84th Birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on May 19, 2005, I was unable to be present for rollcall vote No. 190, on ordering the Previous Question to provide for consideration of H.R. 2361, making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 39, 2006 and for other purposes. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 190.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 216th Engineer Battalion of the Ohio National Guard stationed in Chillicothe, Ohio, for their exceptional service during the war on terror. The 216th completed more than 350 successful missions. They played a critical role in the construction of protective barriers to protect soldiers from enemy fire. And in preparation for Iraq's national election on January 30, the 216th placed concrete barriers at hundreds of voting sites to allow Iraqis to vote in a safe and secure environment. However, their service was not without tragedy. Twenty soldiers of the 216th were awarded Purple Hearts for wounds they received in combat, and three soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice. In recognition of their exceptionally meritorious conduct, the 216th will be awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation during their Freedom Salute Campaign celebration next month. It is with great honor that I have the privilege of recognizing them today. The willingness to risk one's life in defense of the ideals our country was built upon and is the truest test of one's strength and character. These men and women have excelled as patriots, and we are forever in their debt.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, today I stand as co-chair of the Afghan Caucus with the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). Newsweek reporter Michael Isikoff fabricated an incident at Guantanamo Bay where American soldiers allegedly desecrated a copy of the Quran. Yesterday, Newsweek editor Mark Whitaker announced that Newsweek may have ``inaccurately reported'' the incident; yet he refuses to run a retraction. Isikoff inaccurately reported an incident that led to riots throughout the Muslim world. Isikoff inaccurately reported an incident that led to the death of 17 innocent people. Isikoff inaccurately reported an incident that resulted in the international condemnation of the American military. Newsweek's behavior is not merely unfortunate. It is criminal. Journalists wield considerable power, and therefore, must exercise responsibility. Though Isikoff's actions resulted in the death of innocent people, he is evidently accountable to no one. His Newsweek editor, Mark Whitaker, even refuses to run a retraction. Michael Isikoff and Mark Whitaker's fraud explains why the Gallup poll says that media credibility is at its lowest point in 30 years. I call on Michael Isikoff and Mark Whitaker to take responsibility by issuing a full retraction of their fabricated story and an apology to the Nation and to the Afghanis. America's troops are in enough danger without self-righteous, yellow journalists like Michael Isikoff defaming them for a cheap headline.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Mayor Jack Fenton has provided outstanding service and contributions while serving as the Mayor of Zanesville from 1995 to 2005; and Whereas, Mayor Fenton served his community as Assistant Fire Chief from 1978 to 2005 and served as Director of Public Safety for the City of Zanesville and the Zanesville/Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce; and Whereas, Mayor Fenton has worked selflessly and with dignity as an integral part of the community through 46 years of public service. Therefore, I join with Mayor Fenton's family, friends, the residents of Zanesville, and the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in commending Mayor Jack Fenton for his exceptional work and years of service, and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Karen Ranucci is celebrating her 50th Birthday with friends and family; and Whereas, Karen Ranucci has experienced many accomplishments in all aspects her life; and Whereas, Karen Ranucci has exemplified love for her family and friends and must be applauded for her devotion to her loved ones. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in congratulating Karen Ranucci as she celebrates her 50th Birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Bruce Ratner is celebrating his 60th birthday with family and friends; and Whereas, Bruce Ratner is a positive influence on all persons in his life, leading by example; and Whereas, Bruce Ratner has exemplified a love for his family, and must be commended for his dedicated service to the community. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in congratulating Bruce Ratner as he celebrates his 60th birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Cholene Espinoza is celebrating her 40th Birthday today; and Whereas, Cholene Espinoza has been a positive influence on those individuals who have been fortunate to meet her; and Whereas, Cholene Espinoza has exemplified a love for her family and friends and must be commended for her dedication to helping others. Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in congratulating Cholene Espinoza as she celebrates her 40th Birthday.