Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Mr. Nadler of the Judiciary Committee and Mr. Crowley of the Ways and Means Committee each control 6\1/2\ minutes of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the resolution. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1499 honors the achievements of Dr. Robert M. Campbell, Jr. to provide children with lifesaving medical care. I want to thank the sponsor of the bill, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Florida, for sponsoring this bill, and also her tireless efforts to get cosponsors and what's necessary to bring this bill to the floor on an expedited basis today. I will leave it to the Congresswoman to talk more about Dr. Robert M. Campbell, but let me just say that he is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, affiliated for many years with the University of Texas, and also now director of the Thoracic Insufficiency Center at the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. In collaboration with other specialists, he helped identify thoracic insufficiency syndrome, which is associated with a rare condition of congenital scoliosis, fused ribs, small chests, and missing ribs. After 14 years of advocacy, the Food and Drug Administration approved the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib in 2004 through Dr. Campbell's efforts, so I want to applaud his work. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz). If I could say, not only on this bill but on so many bills related to health care, she has really been out front and has taken a leadership role. I want to commend her for that.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1499) honoring the achievements of Dr. Robert M. Campbell, Jr., to provide children with lifesaving medical care, as amended.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Sudhir M. Parikh, a resident of New Jersey and honored member of the Indian American community. Dr. Parikh recently received the 2010 Padma Shri award from President Pratibha Patil of India, honoring distinguished Indians and people of Indian origin for their contributions to a wide variety of fields in public life. I applaud Dr. Parikh's achievements and dedication and recognize his work as it serves as an inspiration to us all. Dr. Parikh is a nationally acclaimed and respected allergist and immunologist and has used his time, money, and influence to advance the goals of the Indian American and Indian communities. With the Padma Shri award, Dr. Parikh becomes the only Indian American to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, and the Padma Shri. The Ellis Island Medal is the highest civilian honor presented to a U.S. immigrant for community and social service. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award is the highest honor the Government of India presents to non-residents. Publisher of Parikh Worldwide Media, Inc., the largest Indian American publishing group in the United States, Dr. Parikh's priority is to use the media to empower second-generation Indians assimilating to American society. His work with the media has a dual purpose: to expose mainstream America to the accomplishments and quality of the Indian American community and to encourage young people to pursue the American Dream. Dr. Parikh has also helped construct an influential Indian American lobbying force in Washington D.C., arranged several high-level meetings between U.S. and Indian lawmakers, and secured critical votes on multiple Indian issues. Dr. Parikh has worked closely with members of both houses of Congress and the Administration to develop a close, strategic relationship between the United States and India. Under his guidance, the Friends of India Caucus was created in the Senate. Dr. Parikh was also actively involved in the U.S.-India Civilian Nuclear Agreement. He currently serves as founding board member and Vice Chairman of the Indian American Republican Council, President of the Indian American Forum for Political Education and the board of the Federation of Indian Associations. As a community activist, Dr. Parikh has donated to charitable organizations in both the United States and India. Most notably, he accompanied former President Bill Clinton to Gujarat in 2001 following the devastating earthquake and in 2004 launched a humanitarian program to help tsunami victims. Dr. Parikh has worked to establish trauma centers in India and supports the One Teacher School in tribal regions. Moreover, Dr. Parikh has donated considerably to the Indian Independence Day Parade, the American India Foundation, Share and Care, and the Nargis Dutt Foundation. Dr. Parikh is one of the largest benefactors of both the Vraj Temple and the Vaishnavaite Temple. Madam Speaker, please join me in leading this body in acknowledgement of the extraordinary contributions of Dr. Sudhir Parikh. He is a greatly valued citizen of the state of New Jersey, and I am honored to recognize him today.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 611) supporting the goals and ideals of ``Fragile X Awareness Day,'' as amended.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to yield, initially, such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare). I thank him for all that he has done to move this resolution to the floor and to draw attention to fragile X.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I will be brief. I want to, first of all, express my support for House Resolution 611 and the goals and ideals of Fragile X Awareness Day and again thank all three of the previous speakers: Mr. Hare, the prime sponsor; Mr. Delahunt; and also Mr. Harper. As we know, fragile X syndrome can result in impairments that range from learning disabilities to more severe cognitive or intellectual disabilities. And I wanted to mention that scientists and researchers acknowledge a link between fragile X syndrome and autism or autistic- like behaviors. In fact, up to one-third of all children diagnosed with fragile X also have autism, and fragile X-associated disorders encompass a spectrum of conditions that impact individuals and families throughout the lifecycle. So it is really important that we put this resolution to the floor. Tomorrow, Thursday, July 22, we'll celebrate the 10th annual Fragile X Awareness Day. Families, patients, and advocates across the country will convene local events and fund-raisers to raise awareness of fragile X-associated disorders. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, tonight I join my colleagues on the House floor to remember the 36th anniversary of Turkey's illegal occupation of Cyprus. On July 20th 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus in violation of international law and at great cost to the citizens of Cyprus. Turkish troops established a heavily-armed force which occupied the northern part of Cyprus and continues to occupy close to 37 percent of Cyprus' territory. The invasion forced nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots to flee their homes--making one-third of the Cypriot population refugees in their own country. Today, Turkey continues to illegally occupy northern Cyprus with a force of 43,000 troops. This unbelievable number of troops amounts to almost one Turkish soldier for every two Turkish Cypriots. This military occupation flies in defiance of international pressure to achieve a peaceful settlement. Beyond the military occupation of northern Cyprus it is important to consider the mass colonization which has resulted in 160,000 Turkish mainland settlers illegally living on property owned by Greek Cypriots or even U.S. citizens. Once again this illegal colonization comes despite international pressure on Turkey to take action to stop the illegal occupation and ensure the return of properties to their rightful owners. In fact, since 1974 more than 75 resolutions have been adopted by the U.N. Security Council and more than 13 by the U.N. General Assembly calling for a withdrawal of Turkish troops and the return of refugees to their rightful homes. However, the Turkish government continues to remain defiant, plainly ignoring these calls to withdraw. In recent months we have continued to see Turkey pursue policies that not only hurt its relations with nations that should serve as true democratic allies, but also policies that hurt regional relations and stability. I have been an outspoken opponent of Turkey's irresponsible regional relations, which in many ways negatively affect the U.S. Whether it is the illegal blockade on its border with Armenia, the failure to take proper recourse to investigate a domestic group that incited a deadly incident with Israeli troops, their continued violations of Greek airspace or their illegal occupation of northern Cyprus, Turkey disrespects international law and regional partners of the United States. There comes a time when the United States must say enough is enough and take principled steps to prevent further destabilizing actions. As a member of the Hellenic Caucus, I have long advocated for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Cyprus and called on Turkey to support a settlement that comes from the Cypriots themselves. The United States must do its part to foster a united Cyprus. It is in the best interest of the United States, and I believe all involved parties to ensure that the goal is a reunified Cyprus where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots live together in peace and security. A successful settlement effort must build on the work towards a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality that represents U.N. Security Council resolutions. In the end, Cyprus must have a single sovereignty and single citizenship which all Cypriots can enjoy. Now is the time for Turkey to show that they are willing to take a sincere approach to allowing a peaceful resolution to the dispute. The leadership in Ankara must show that the will and support behind a peaceful settlement is in the best interest of Turkey and that it is fully supported. Without such a signal by the government of Turkey, a final settlement will continue to dwindle as Turkish settlers pursue the policies of their home nation. It is now thirty-six years since the illegal Turkish invasion and subsequent occupation of Cyprus. However, the resolve has never been greater to ensure that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike benefit from a united nation that affords them the stability and security that all citizens deserve. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus has shown their willingness to work constructively with the Cypriots towards a reunified island. It is time for Turkey to do the same. Last Congress, I introduced the bipartisan American Owned Property in Occupied Cyprus Claims Act. Through this legislation, Americans who are being denied access to their property and even their ancestral homes will finally be able to seek restitution. I am currently working with different stakeholders to strengthen this bill before reintroduction. Madam Speaker, as we remember the 36th Anniversary of Turkey's illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus, I remain hopeful a united Cyprus can become a reality. However, the United States can not be complacent in this goal.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Augusta L. Beverly, a citizen of Neptune Township, New Jersey, who on July 25, 2010 will celebrate her 100th birthday. As her Representative, I would like to honor her remarkable life and her upcoming birthday. ``Gussie Louise,'' as Mrs. Beverly is affectionately known, has been an influential member of Neptune Township since 1982. She is an active member of the Neptune Senior Center where she participates in the Forever Young Club, the Neptune Seniors Club, ceramics classes, and many special events. Mrs. Beverly is one of the original members of the center and helped create many of the center's activities and groups. Mrs. Beverly was born in 1910 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Otto and Katy Ludwig. She was taken from her parents in 1915 and separated from her two sisters, Ann and Barbara. An orphan by the age of six, Augusta had a difficult early life. She worked on a farm in Locktown and then served as a maid in Matawan and had little opportunity for education. After six challenging years, young Augusta was taken in by the Bennett family where she served as a companion for the elderly Mrs. Bennett. The family allowed young Augusta to go to school and travel with them. Augusta stayed with the Bennett family for 10 years. In 1932, Mrs. Beverly met her future husband, Joseph Beverly, on the bridge next to the Old Grist Mill in Tinton Falls. After their marriage, the couple eventually settled in Eatontown where they had three children--Joseph, Norman, and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Beverly were happily married for 12 years until 1945 when Mr. Beverly lost his life fighting at the Battle of the Bulge. During the war, Mrs. Beverly epitomized ``Rosie the Riveter'' and worked at the Steiner's Factory in Long Branch and then worked the night shift for the Bendix Corporation. She remains very proud of this part of her life. After residing in Florida and then Pennsylvania, Mrs. Beverly moved back to New Jersey in 1981 where she could be near her children and grandchildren. She has made a lasting impression on all of their lives and now has nine great- grandchildren who love her very much. She is an adored family member and is an inspiration to her community. It is wonderful that Mrs. Beverly will be celebrating her 100th birthday at the place that means the most to her, the Neptune Senior Center. Madam Speaker, please join me in leading this body in acknowledging the extraordinary longevity of Augusta Beverly. She is a highly valued citizen of the state of New Jersey, and I am honored to commemorate her life today.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madame Speaker, I rise today to honor New Jersey Lions 16-B District Governor Joyce Palmer for an outstanding level of dedication to the betterment of her community. District Governor Palmer has been a member of the New Jersey Oceanport Lions Club for 14 years, in which six of those years she has served as Secretary and five years as President. District Governor Palmer's generosity, time, spirit and commitment to serving others are evident in her work with the Oceanport Lions Club ``Project Michael.'' District Governor Palmer and her husband were approached by the parents of Michael, a five year old child in need of costly medication for his prosthetic eye. Ms. Palmer's compassion was exemplified as she quickly contacted the prescriber of Michael's medication in California and shared his compelling story. Sympathetic to Michael's case, the manufacturer mailed a year's supply worth of medication for free. Under the direction and leadership of District Governor Palmer, the Oceanport Lions Club organized a spaghetti dinner to raise funds to help offset Michael's medical expenses. District Governor Palmer's dedication to Michael did not end there. Soon after, she became the co-chairperson for ``Project Michael,'' uniting five New Jersey Lions Clubs committed to raising more money to fund a new prosthetic eye for Michael as he grows up. District Governor Palmer considers becoming a Lion her greatest life achievement because her position enables her to help those in need. Not only does District Governor Palmer serve her community as a Lion, she has held multiple leadership positions on a district level as Cabinet Secretary, 16-B Public Relations Co-Chair, member of 16-B State Sight Committee, member of 16-B Katzenbach Committee, and member of Women's Development & Participation. She became a Certified Guiding Lion in 2008, participated in the reorganization of the Jackson Lions, and deservingly won Lion of the Year in 2001-2002. Furthermore, District Governor Palmer has represented the club at eight State Conventions, nine Charity Balls and was awarded later the Melvin Jones Fellow by the Oceanport Lions Club. Madam Speaker, I would once more like to thank District Governor Joyce Palmer for her outstanding life achievements and dedication to her community. She has truly inspired so many people with her community leadership and commitment to providing vision for those who are unable to see.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lawrence Sykoff for his contribution and commitment to his community, and the subsequent honor he has received from the American Cancer Society (ACS) in appreciation of his efforts. Lawrence Sykoffis is a valuable member of my district. I would like to congratulate him on being the honored individual at ACS's Annual Golf Classic 2010. Lawrence Sykoff has been the Headmaster of Ranney School since 1993, a private elementary school in Tinton Falls, NJ, committed to high quality education. Mr. Sykoff is a highly influential force in the field of education, having been a teacher and administrator for over 35 years, as well as an active member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, and the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS). The publications he has written for NAIS and doctoral dissertation on child education marks Mr. Sykoff as an exceptionally dedicated intellectual leader in the field of education. Moreover, in addition to his successful professional career, Mr. Sykoff is an active member of his community. He is on the Board of Trustees of the Count Basie Theatre, the Board of the Riverview Medical Center Foundation, as well as on the Board of the American Cancer Society. I, myself, have honored Mr. Sykoff on two occasions with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his community service. He is unquestionably deserving of our praise and attention. Madam Speaker, I would once more like to thank Lawrence Sykoff for his immeasurable contributions to my district and his community, and to again congratulate him for the honors he has received from the American Cancer Society in this year's Annual Golf Classic.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jeffrey and Suzanne Citron for their immeasurable contributions to their communities, and the subsequent honor they have received from the American Cancer Society (ACS) in appreciation of their efforts. The Citrons are valuable members of my district and assets to their communities. I would like to congratulate them on being the honored individuals at ACS's Annual Golf Classic 2010. Jeffrey and Suzanne Citron are married, have two children, Kyra and Noah, and are both extremely successful business leaders and philanthropists. Mr. Citron has always been a visionary entrepreneur, even right out of high school, beginning on Wall Street at the age of 17. He revolutionized financial services in the '90s when he founded the computerized trading system known as Island ECN, allowing traders to cut out the middleman in the stock market. He was the CEO for Datek Online Holdings until 1999, and then became the CEO and founder of the VoIP company, Vonage. Founded in Edison, New Jersey, and now located in Holmdel, Vonage is a publicly traded company on the NYSE as of 2007. Mr. Citron has now retired from Vonage and enjoys spending time with his family. His wife, Suzanne, is also a vigorous philanthropist. Mrs. Citron herself has been a former member of the ACS' Peer Review Committee for Institutional Research Grants, and has also been on the society's Jersey Shore Region Board of Advisors. Together, the Citrons have founded the Charles Laffite Foundation in 1999, which is dedicated to education, medical research, children, and the arts. Their commitment to their communities and the betterment of it, as well as their entrepreneurial business intellect, is a credit to the state of New Jersey and the nation as a whole. Madam Speaker, I would once more like to thank Jeffrey and Suzanne Citron for their immeasurable contributions to my district and their communities and to again congratulate them for the honors they have received from the American Cancer Society in this year's Annual Golf Classic.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, the gulf coast catastrophe underscores the need for comprehensive energy and climate reform to rein in Big Oil and reduce our reliance on dirty and foreign fuels. For too long under the Bush administration, Big Oil was able to operate with complete disregard for safety; and instead of standing up for the people, businesses and the environment, House Republicans continued to side with Big Oil. The Democratic-led Congress is moving America in a new direction for energy independence, working to lower costs for consumers, making America more secure, and launching a cleaner, smarter, more cost- effective energy future that creates millions of clean energy jobs and reduces global warming.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Thank you, Mr. Waxman. I'm listening to the debate on the other side of the aisle, and I just can't believe what I hear. We passed, the House Democrats, the majority, passed a comprehensive permanent fix to the SGR, and we only had one Republican vote on the other side. I heard the gentleman from California say it's not someone else's problem. That's true. It's also the Republican problem. You have a responsibility as Republicans to help us out, and you're not helping us out at all. When this jobs bill that included the SGR, and that was a 2-year fix, passed a couple of weeks ago here in the House, we had just a handful of Republican votes; and that's what it's been all along, Republicans not willing to do anything for any kind of permanent fix for this SGR for the physicians' reimbursement rate or not voting for 2 years. Now, we're down to 6 months because that's all we have left. And I don't like it anymore than anybody else, but I'm going to vote for it today; and I hope that all of you will join us in voting for it. When you talk about the fact we have a problem here, the problem is you're not willing to help us out. I heard the gentleman from Tennessee who is a physician say, well, it's got to be paid for. Well, where are the cuts that he's proposing to pay for it? In other social programs and other jobs? That's the problem here. We had a comprehensive jobs package that included this SGR. It would have had a summer jobs program. It had a lot of things to put Americans back to work, bring jobs back from overseas, tax cuts, and changes in the Tax Code that would have made a difference. But we don't get any Republican support. We don't get anything. All you do is sit there and say that you want to solve this problem, but don't put up any votes or come up with any solutions whatsoever. So we're forced today to deal with this and we're going to vote for it, but if I keep hearing more and more about permanent fix, there's no support on the other side of the aisle for permanent fix. Don't kid those doctors and make them believe that you're going to vote for some kind of permanent fix. You never have. I don't see it. I remember when you were in the majority and we kept kicking the can down the road. We inherited this mess from all of you. So don't sit here and talk about what you're going to do to make a difference. You're not helping at all. You're not solving the problem. You're part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the lifetime achievements of Stanley Marks, an outstanding member of his community in Manalapan, New Jersey, and a devoted family man. He continues to epitomize the concept of responsible citizenship by giving back to society in many ways, making him worthy of this body's recognition. Mr. Marks' commendable achievements make him a deserving recipient of the 2010 Homeowners of Covered Bridge Person of the Year Award. Stanley Marks was born in 1939 in Brooklyn, New York, where he spent his entire youth and much of his adult life. After graduating from the Boys High School, he joined the RCA Institute and studied electronics. In his professional life, Mr. Marks has worked for the Avion Corp. as well as a prominent Long Island City electronics distributor. In 1998, he moved to New Jersey and joined the Covered Bridge community in Manalapan. Mr. Marks has lived there ever since. A committed family man, he has been married for over 50 years to his wife, Jackie. They have two children and four grandchildren. Mr. Marks has dedicated much of his life to serving each community of which he has been a part, both in New York and New Jersey. He has been committed to a variety of important causes through his support of various community organizations. Mr. Marks was a member of the Mill Basin, New York Civic Association and the chancellor commander of Harmony Lodge #709 of the Knights of Pythias Domain of New York. Currently, he is the vice chancellor of the Covered Bridge Lodge #536 of the Domain of New Jersey. Mr. Marks has also served as the president of the Covered Bridge Homeowners Association. He is presently a member of the association's board of directors. In his work with the Covered Bridge Homeowners Association, Mr. Marks has actively worked to improve the quality of life of his fellow residents. He has also been involved with Meals on Wheels and has helped organize transportation for the handicapped. Madam Speaker, I would once more like to thank Mr. Stanley Marks for his contributions to the community and congratulate him again on his 2010 Person of the Year Award from the Homeowners of Covered Bridge. Mr. Marks' professional accomplishments, work for the betterment of society, and dedication to family should be an inspiration to us all.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kathleen T. Ellis and Robert Sickles for the laudable achievements that make them the well-deserved recipients of the YMCA's 2010 Champions for Children Distinguished Citizen Service Award. Both are successful local business leaders and committed community activists. Ms. Ellis is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of New Jersey Natural Gas, the principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources. NJ Natural Gas provides energy to almost 500,000 residential and business customers in the heart of NJ's vacation spots. She has also led a robust career prior to joining NJR in 2004; Ms. Ellis served as the Director of Communications to former Governor James McGreevey from 2002-2004, and as Manager of Communications and Director of State Governmental Affairs for the NJ-based energy company PSE&G from 1998- 2002. In addition to all of her commendable business successes, Ms. Ellis has been an incredibly active member of her community, serving the interests of women and children at no compensation for her efforts. She is on the Board of Trustees for the private, nonprofit organization, 180 Turning Lives Around, which has focused on ending domestic abuse and violence in Monmouth County for 30 years. She is also on the board of New Jersey's PAM's List, which is active in raising money for pro-choice women to run for public office, as well as the New Jersey League of Municipalities Educational Foundation and New Jersey Future. Mr. Sickles, better known as Bob, is the owner-operator of the local Sickles Market in Little Silver, NJ, which has remained in business through three generations of Sickles. Although the Market itself was established in 1908 as a seasonal farmer's market, the Sickles' family history extends all the way to a King's Land Grant in 1663. Sickles Market is now a year-round, fresh foods market with 4 production greenhouses and over 10 acres of working farm production, as well as a garden center, all a result of Bob's transformative revamping in 1998 to keep the store open through the winter in competition with big grocery stores without losing its unique local flavor. It is thus unsurprising that Mr. Sickles has been the recipient of many awards in recognition of the Market's distinctive success, including the 2004 Innovator of the Year Award from Garden Center Management & Merchandising Magazine and ``Random Acts of Beauty 2008'' by the Little Silver Garden Club, to name only a few. Mr. Sickles is also heavily involved in his community, hosting Back to Garden and Kids Day events at the Market in order to educate children about healthy living and environmental awareness. In 2008, Sickles Market raised over $300,000 over 5 years for the Holiday Express annual fundraiser, a local charity for the disadvantaged. Madam Speaker, I would once more like to thank Kathleen Ellis and Robert Sickles for their contributions to their businesses and to their communities, and congratulate them again on their 2010 Distinguished Citizen Services awards from the YMCA, which they both highly deserve.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution with my good friend Mr. Shimkus of Illinois that commemorates the 60th anniversary of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and its continuing leadership and achievements in conducting and supporting biomedical research to improve health. The NIDDK leads the Nation's Federal commitment in research, research training, science-based education and health information dissemination with respect to diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases, digestive and liver diseases, nutritional disorders, obesity, kidney disease, urologic diseases, and hematologic diseases. The Institute was originally established in 1950 through the Omnibus Medical Research Act as the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases. The Institute was renamed several times during the ensuing decades, and was renamed in 1986 as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The chronic and costly disease and disorders within the Institute's mission affect millions of Americans, ranging from some of the nation's most common diseases and disorders to those which are rarer. The NIDDK supports research by extramural scientists at academic and other medical research institutions across the nation, in addition to research by scientists in the Institute's intramural program. The Institute has continually pursued research efforts to benefit all individuals burdened by these diseases and disorders: men, women, older and younger adults, children, minority populations who are disproportionately affected by many of these diseases, and those from economically-disadvantaged backgrounds. 60 years of NIDDK-supported research discoveries have dramatically increased vital understanding of the biologic mechanisms and behavioral and environmental factors that contribute to health and disease. This knowledge has propelled the development of intervention strategies. Specifically, this research has lead to the prevention, diagnostic, and treatment strategies for individuals who have, or are at risk for, diseases and disorders within the Institute's mission, leading to remarkable improvements in health and quality of life. The NIDDK has also been a leader in research training and mentoring efforts, from summer programs for high school and college students with special opportunities for underrepresented minorities, to fellowships for graduate and medical students and postdoctoral researchers, to support for early-career and established investigators, in order to ensure that critical biomedical research will continue into the future. In addition, the Institute sponsors education and outreach programs to improve health by disseminating science-based information to patients and their families, those at risk for disease, healthcare professionals, and the general public. The Institute's research and research strategies have also allowed them to be a leader in collaborative and coordinated research efforts and science-based education programs to maximize the Federal investment in research and synergize expertise across the NIH, with other Federal agencies, and with public and private organizations. Today, Mr. Shimkus and I introduce a resolution to commemorate NIDDK's 60th anniversary and commend NIDDK for its leadership in research, research training, and science-based education programs. I urge my colleagues to join us in support of this resolution not only to commemorate the NIDDK's 60th anniversary, but also to show continued support for the Institute in its research, education, and discovery efforts of the future.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th anniversary of the marriage of Annie and Avery Grant, both exemplary and active members of their community. A simple glance at their dedication to civil service in Monmouth County, New Jersey uncovers a long history of local works and an extraordinary drive to improve the state in all aspects of public life. On the day of their golden anniversary, Annie and Avery Grant are indisputably worthy of this body's recognition. Annie Grant was born Annie Williams in New York City on October 27, 1935, and has been recognized as a New Jersey State Notary Public for her many years of tireless service in professional and public life. In 1991, Mrs. Grant was appointed Commissioner on the Monmouth County Board of Taxation, a position she held for 17 years until she retired in 2008. She was the first African-American to hold this position in Monmouth County. Mrs. Grant's accomplishments extend far beyond this office, however, as she has also led a long life of involvement in local politics. In addition to being the 1989 Democratic candidate for Monmouth County Clerk, Mrs. Grant has been the Long Branch Democratic Club's treasurer for 30 years, and was named Woman of the Year in Politics in 1992. Her intelligence and breadth of knowledge is what led me to invite her to speak about Social Security reform at the Democratic Congressional Roundtable in 2005. Avery Grant was born on July 9, 1933 in Memphis, Tennessee, and has led a prolific life of public works. A Vietnam Veteran, Mr. Grant is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, as well as a Professional Engineer, formerly with East Orange and the New York Transit Authority. Additionally, he is tirelessly active in the community of Long Branch, from serving on the Board of Education for over 12 years running to co-founding and editing the Community Newspaper, a bi-weekly, Monmouth County African-American newspaper. He has also been involved in over eight Monmouth County organizations, including but not limited to the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, the NAACP, and EXODUS, a halfway house focusing on substance abuse. His avid dedication to the city of Long Branch and Monmouth County landed him a spot on The City News' list of ``100 Most Influential in New Jersey.'' These remarkable individuals married on June 12, 1960. They have two children, Adrianne and Avery Jr., and seven grandchildren. Their ability to maintain a beautiful, loving family in concert with their incredible efforts in their community is an inspiration to us all. They are valued members of their communities and a credit to the state of New Jersey.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairwoman of the Rules Committee for yielding, and I urge support for the rule, as amended. For far too long, Members on both sides of the aisle have talked about the need to reform the way we pay physicians under Medicare and provide them with a fair and reliable reimbursement. Today, unless we act, physicians are facing a 21 percent cut in their reimbursement, and such a drastic cut will drive physicians out of the Medicare program and make it harder for seniors to see a doctor. Mr. Speaker, if we fail to act, people will be harmed. I've already seen it take place back in my district. I've had patients call me to say that their doctors will no longer take Medicare because of the cuts they are faced with. House Democrats have tried to prevent this from happening. Last year, we passed a bill that would have permanently repealed the flawed formula that results in these annual cuts and replaced it with a more stable payment system. But that bill passed the House with only the support of one Republican, and, unfortunately, the Senate was not able to find the support for a permanent fix. So we've been forced back to legislating by patchwork, a 6-month extension here, a 60-day extension there. But if our Senate colleagues cannot find the votes for a permanent repeal, then we need to provide the longest relief that we can. This bill will provide doctors with a positive update for the rest of this year and next year that will help doctors cover their growing costs and continue to serve Medicare patients, and it will give those of us in Congress more time to work with the physician community to find a workable solution that can pass both the House and the Senate, hopefully with Republican support. The policy in this bill is not everything I hoped for. I know the physician community wanted more, but it's important to pass this to make sure we do no harm, by preventing those drastic cuts from taking effect. So I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes.'' This is a very important piece of legislation.