William Owens

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the American Nephrology Nurses Association as well as all those involved in the annual Kidney Disease Awareness Week, which will take place this year from August 9th through August 13th. There are over 400,000 Americans who have irreversible kidney failure, and the only treatment for this disease is dialysis or kidney transplantation. However, transplants are limited due to the shortage of donors, and the majority of patients who suffer from this forgotten ailment must undergo regular dialysis treatments. The leading causes of end-stage kidney disease (ESRD), a disease that 24,000 New Yorkers suffer from, are hypertension and diabetes. An additional 15,000 people in my State suffer from these two ailments and are at risk of ESRD. Despite these staggering numbers, debilitating kidney diseases are typically forgotten. Our area nephrology nurses play a fundamental role in providing our sick with dialysis and related treatments in my community and across the entire country. I applaud them for their efforts to contribute to the overall health of our nation. Madam Speaker, I thank the American Nephrology Nurses Association for their work to treat these diseases and urge every American to observe Kidney Disease Awareness Week this August.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I offer House Resolution 1467 and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital of Plattsburgh, New York in the wake of the 100th anniversary of the admission of the facility's first patient on June 22, 1910. CVPH was created in 1972 by the merger of Physicians Hospital with Champlain Valley Hospital. This association of private and charitable hospitals increased the level of access to quality health care for our community, and the CVPH Medical Center has remained the foundation of Plattsburgh's health for decades. CVPH, through its board, management and employees, has proved their dedication to our community's health by instituting ambitious programs to expand their services. In their relentless mission to provide our region with education, awareness, and strength--in addition to the gold standard of health care for which they are known--the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital is a vital part of our community that cannot be replaced. CVPH has always endeavored to find new ways to increase and expand the level of care it offers. From advanced cardiology services and mental health care to its community outreach efforts, our facility knows that the best approach to the overall health of an area involves every part of every individual. Madam Speaker, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital on their 100th anniversary, as well as my undying appreciation for the consistent level of service they provide our region.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Lewis County chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars and to congratulate the group on their 50th anniversary. For over a half century, the VFW has served as the foundation for local veterans outreach and assistance, as well as a major supporter of our community in Lowville and surrounding areas. Just as our soldiers pledge to leave no man or woman behind, the Lewis County VFW carries on that promise to our current and future veterans, helping all of us make good on the pledge to provide real opportunities to our troops upon their return from service. The Lewis County VFW embodies what their national organization strives for--providing services that extend beyond the realm of veterans helping veterans. Their outreach and service in our region is invaluable and encourages community participation and volunteerism from both those in the armed forces and civilians alike. From help in community food kitchens, work in blood drives, and assisting our veterans to receive their hard-earned benefits, the Lewis County VFW in New York's 23rd Congressional District truly knows how to accomplish their mission in making our area a better place. Our local VFW in Lewis County increases civic pride and its 50 great years of serving our community is nothing short of remarkable. I would like to again thank them for their service and wish them the best moving forward.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I represent the 10th Mountain Division, which is located at Fort Drum in my district, and I rise today to honor the brave men and women of the Armed Forces who are serving both home and a broad to prevent future terrorist attacks against our homeland. After 8 years of failing to identify a clear plan in Afghanistan and provide the resources necessary for our troops to succeed, we are now taking the fight against the terrorists to their own turf, and we have them on the run. Democrats have worked with this President to successfully kill and capture hundreds of al Qaeda and Taliban leaders in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Last week, a suicide bombing attack on a convoy in Kabul reminded us of the brave sacrifice the men and women on the front lines of this fight are making. Two officers from the 10th Mountain Division, both lieutenant colonels, were among those killed. Lieutenant Colonel Paul R. Bartz and Lieutenant Colonel Thomas P. Belkofer were part of a team that was conducting training and setting conditions for the 10th Mountain Division deployments to Afghanistan later this year. This is a heartbreaking loss for the Fort Drum community, and our hearts go out to their families.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding career of Mr. Derek Muirden, a veteran of the armed forces and one of northern New York's most recognizable voices, for his decades of service to the North Country For years, Derek has produced quality programming for Mountain Lake PBS, Plattsburgh's public television station and has reached millions of viewers in New York, Vermont and Quebec. Derek has been a regional storyteller for decades through the many series he has produced and hosted including: People Near Here, Roadside Adventures, Roadside Recipes and Rustic Living. He is also noted in the region as a documentary filmmaker with productions such as: A Castle in Every Heart: The Arto Monaco Story, Voices of Scotland, Then Again: Reliving History at Fort Ticonderoga and Reach for the Sky: Inside the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Mr. Muirden is admired by many throughout our community for his in depth and entertaining reporting of the history of the North Country. He is held in high regards by many in our region because of his balanced reporting and his dedication to preparation and professionalism. Creating hundreds of hours of television chronicling our region, he is a prolific producer and host of programs that capture the unique feel and environment of the Adirondacks and our North Country region. Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate and thank Derek Muirden for his decades of effort to immortalize our community and honor our Nation. He is a great entertainer and a source of pride for our region, and the North Country would not be the same without him.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, our middle class families and small business owners need fast action if they are to pull themselves out of the recession. The health care legislation that passed the House floor Sunday evening does just that. Beginning this week, health care reform will begin to impact my district in upstate New York. My constituents' number one concern is to create jobs. For our small business owners, tax credits of up to 35 percent of insurance costs are now available, allowing them to free up funds to hire new employees and expand. The bill will help our seniors pay for their medication, closing the Medicare part D doughnut hole within a decade, and improve the system for over 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries in our communities. No longer will our neighbors have to worry about losing or being denied quality insurance because they get sick. The bill will end rescissions and denials based on preexisting conditions. The bill will make our health care more efficient, providing new investment in training programs for primary care professionals and fund 12 new health care facilities in upstate New York. Health care reform will set our college graduates off on the right foot, allowing 65,000 young adults in my district to obtain coverage through their parents' plan until they are 26.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1099) recognizing the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, as amended.

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1099, recognizing the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. I would like to thank my colleague from Iowa (Mr. Braley) for putting this resolution together. Madam Speaker, I don't know if you have ever been to the Marine Corps Memorial that sits nearby off Arlington Boulevard and George Washington Parkway atop a knoll overlooking all of the memorials on The Mall, the Washington Monument, and this Capitol building. If you haven't, I highly recommend going for a thoughtful visit. The memorial is a larger-than-life statute depicting one of the most famous images generated during World War II--Joe Rosenthal's Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of the five marines and one Navy corpsman raising the American flag over Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iowa Jima. At daybreak, the sun rises over the Capitol, illuminating monuments to America's history of perseverance for freedom. I can think of no better backdrop to this monument than that for which these brave men and women fought--the capital of the free world. The battle of Iwo Jima lasted from February 19 to March 26, 1945, and was among the most bitter battles in the history of the Marine Corps. Over 70,000 participated, nearly a quarter of those were wounded, and almost 6,000 marines made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their last measure for America in this famous battle. And while the Marines suffered the most casualties in this confrontation, by far, this effort was directly supported by the Navy, which suffered roughly 2,800 casualties, and elements of the Army, which suffered 37 casualties. Madam Speaker, 22 marines, 4 Navy corpsmen, and 1 Navy landing craft commander received the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed on an individual suffering in the United States Armed Forces, for their service during the Battle of Iwo Jima. It was Admiral Nimitz who stated, ``Among Americans who fought on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.'' It is hard to imagine or even truly understand what that experience must have been like. The Battle of Iwo Jima was a military victory critical to the assault on Japan, which led to the eventual triumph in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to recognize and commend all members of the United States Armed Forces participating in the Battle of Iwo Jima for their service and sacrifice, with particular honor and gratitude given to those gallant Americans who gave their lives in defense of the United States and freedom, by voting in favor of House Resolution 1099. If any of my colleagues haven't had the opportunity yet, I recommend that they stand at dawn, or during one of the Marine Corps Tuesday Sunset Parades, and reflect upon the Battle of Iwo Jima and the sacrifices our servicemembers have made during all of America's wars to protect the freedoms we enjoy this very moment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OWENS. I yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague and the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Braley).

Mr. OWENS. I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I would like to respond to the comments about the bill and the inability to comprehend it in a short period of time. I am relatively new to Congress. The Senate bill has been available, I think, for better than 80 days. This sounds more like a college or high school student saying I had to stay up all night and cram because I didn't study during the semester. There was adequate time for everyone in the House to read the Senate bill. I certainly did. I read the reconciliation bill in one night. So the claim this is being foisted upon us in a manner which does not allow for its comprehension is simply incomprehensible. I yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Mr. OWENS. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. OWENS. I yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel).

Mr. OWENS. I yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Perlmutter).

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

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

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Oswego High School Lady Bucs hockey team for their victory in the 2010 New York State Girls High School Hockey Championships. On Saturday the 13th of February, high school hockey fans were treated to a great championship game between some of the most skilled players in the state when the Lady Bucs defeated Skaneateles in the final game 3-0. I understand that the Lady Bucs' championship win claimed the school's first team state title since the varsity boys bowling team accomplished the feat about two decades ago. I want to congratulate the championship girls' team of Whitney Daino, Erika Lazzaro, Sage Dudley, Taylar Cianfarano, Kaitlin Friel, Sarah Mancuso, Danielle Faivus, Caroline Dougherty, Karissa Favata, Taite Phillips, Sarah Gosek, Lainey Celeste, Tessa Opet, Devyn Hutcheson, Caty Darling, Madisyn Whalen and Allison Yule on their hard work. I would also like to recognize Taylar Cianfarano for being named the tournament's most valuable player, as well as Devyn Hutcheson, Kaitlin Friel and goalie Madisyn Whalen for being selected to the all- tournament team. I also want to extend my congratulations to head coach Dan Bartlett and assistants Beth Arduini and Andrew Lazzaro, who built upon an impressive legacy to take the team to victory. The elite status of these athletic young women could not have been reached without the combined dedication of these coaches. Madam Speaker, the Lady Bucs' teamwork sets a strong example for the community and reminds us all what is possible when we come together. Again, congratulations to the Lady Bucs on their success.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairwoman Slaughter for allowing me to speak today, along with Representative Pingree. Each month we hear of record profits for insurance companies and their CEOs, while we see health care costs rise for middle class families. One reason for this unjust discrepancy is the antitrust exemption status afforded to big insurance allowing them to create their own market and set their own prices. A middle class family that has to choose between paying doctor bills and feeding their children is not a Democratic or Republican issue, and neither is extending quality care to those who do not have it. I have 27 years of experience in the health care industry, and I can tell you there is no rational, legal, or moral reason to grant these companies this status. In Congress, our top priority should be job creation, and taking away insurance companies' legal trust status will improve our system in the right way by lowering insurance costs for small business owners, and encourage them to create quality jobs. Health care reform is a matter of fiscal responsibility. Without it, our nation is on track to spend 20 cents of every dollar we earn on health care. This current path is unsustainable and unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representatives Perriello and Markey for introducing the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act. The bill is an important step toward creating jobs and strengthening our economy, and I urge support for the rule and for the underlying bill.

Mr. OWENS

Mr. OWENS. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would first like to thank Chairman Gordon and the committee for their work on this important bipartisan legislation. My amendment would expand the cybersecurity strategic R&D plan, created under H.R. 4061, by adding a component to address information sharing between Federal agencies. Information technology has advanced rapidly in the last two decades, benefiting nearly every sector of our economy; but our dependence on IT in many ways increased our exposure to unconventional attacks. H.R. 4061 will help address our vulnerabilities by creating an overall vision for the Federal cybersecurity R&D portfolio. Improving the coordination of cybersecurity research and development activities is the first step in preventing a catastrophic attack on our IT infrastructure. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would improve the strategic R&D plan by including a component on technologies to secure sensitive information shared among Federal agencies. Our Nation's security is at risk without protections in place to safeguard the flow of information within the Federal Government. I believe the amendment I am offering today gets at the heart of addressing this problem, and I urge its adoption. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OWENS. In closing, I want to again thank the chairman, the ranking member, and the committee for their work. I urge support for my amendment and for the underlying bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OWENS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.