Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 85th Anniversary of the 1925 Commemoration of Menlo Park. On May 16, 1925, Thomas Alva Edison and 600 guests came to Menlo Park to celebrate the inventor's historic accomplishments by commemorating Menlo Park. Eighty-five years later the Township of Edison, New Jersey and the non- profit Edison Memorial Tower Corporation will host a special celebration at the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park to honor both the inventor and the community named in his honor. The event will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday May 16, 2010. This is a great opportunity to learn about Thomas Edison's life, his work, and his legacy of invention. A great-grandson of the inventor will share stories about his famous relative, and community leaders will exhibit plans to restore Menlo Tower, build a new museum, and redevelop the parkland in Edison State Park. The Edison Community and the Edison Memorial Tower Corporation encourage contributions and attendance at the event in order to help honor the memory of Thomas Edison and support the spirit of innovation that defines Menlo Park. The Edison Memorial Tower Corporation is a nonprofit organization that works to preserve, promote, and manage the Edison Memorial Tower and Museum in the Menlo Park section of Edison Township. The Corporation strives to honor Edison's memory and educate the public about Edison, his significant accomplishments at this site, and his impact on modern research and development. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the Edison community's continued efforts to improve Menlo Park and honor the enduring legacy of Thomas Alva Edison, and wish them the best on this historic anniversary.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the cultural impact of Shen Yun Performing Arts, a dance and music company that promotes traditional Chinese heritage throughout the United States and the world. The group will be coming to New Jersey in coordination with the New Jersey Falun Dafa Association, and I would like to thank them for sharing their art with my home state. Shen Yun's performances are marked by their beauty and grace and the dancers' ornate costumes. Each dancer adheres to a strict training regimen that requires a thorough knowledge of Chinese dance and customs. The production showcases 5,000 years of Chinese history while bringing the audience a thrilling experience. Their show combines the energy of dance and music with the wisdom of famous Chinese legends in a manner that both educates and entertains its spectators. Shen Yun Performing Arts has made incredible strides in its short existence. In 2009 alone, they performed in front of over 800,000 people, four times more than in their first year, in almost 100 cities worldwide. They have been featured in such esteemed venues as Radio City Music Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and Le Palais de Congres in Paris, France. Madam Speaker, I would once more like to thank Shen Yun Performing Arts for their contribution to the advancement of the arts and their tireless promotion of Chinese culture. Their efforts have breathed new life into Chinese traditions and provided thousands with an indepth look into their heritage.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thomas P. Fote and congratulate him upon receiving the New Jersey Governor's and New Jersey Jefferson's Environmental Stewardship award. This award recognizes outstanding volunteers who pioneer and promote energy conservation and environmental action. Mr. Fote's years of selfless work to improve New Jersey's environment make him a highly deserving recipient of this honor. Mr. Fote serves as Legislative Chair of Jersey Coast Anglers Association where he has built a coalition to stop the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from ocean dumping. Because of his efforts residents of New Jersey benefit from improved ocean water and a safer, cleaner coastal environment. Mr. Fote also serves on the Policy Board of the Barnegat Bay Estuary Program. Under his leadership, the Barnegat Bay's water quality has improved while the program's administrative costs have remained low. As an unpaid volunteer, Mr. Fote selflessly donates much of his time to these critical environmental efforts. Mr. Fote is also a retired Army captain who bravely served our country in Vietnam. His lifetime of service to New Jersey and our nation is an example to us all. The Governor's Volunteer Awards are being presented for the first time this year in a new partnership with the New Jersey Jefferson Awards. Mr. Fote's volunteer work is especially deserving of an inaugural award from these two long standing and highly respected volunteer recognition efforts. Madam Speaker, it is my hope that this body will join me in honoring Thomas P. Fote for his exceptional service and congratulate him upon receiving the New Jersey Governor's Environmental Stewardship award.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Dr. Kenneth L. Saunders, Sr., and to thank him for his 21 years of service with the North Stelton A.M.E. Church in Piscataway, New Jersey. His enthusiasm has doubled the size of his congregation and strengthened the larger community. Before accepting the call to the ministry, Reverend Saunders served in the U.S. Army, where he earned an honorable discharge for service above and beyond expectations. He later went on to receive his master in theology from the Trinity Theological Seminary in New Burgh, Indiana. In addition, Dr. Saunders holds doctorate degrees in divinity, philosophy in communications, sacred letters, and humanities. Reverend Saunders's journey towards becoming a man of God started when he began singing in the Youth Jubilee Choir of the Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church in Jersey City. The combination of his love for music and spreading God's word inspired him as a young man to organize a quartet called The Sunset Harmonizers. His love of song continues today, as a member of the Singing Pastors of Piscataway. Among the many awards and honors he has received, Reverend Saunders was presented with the Excellence in Ministry Award by the New Brunswick Chapter of the Association of Black Seminarians. He was also designated the Humanitarian of the Year in 1998 by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of Rutgers University. Even with all these awards and accolades, Reverend Saunders considers his loving relationship with his wife Shirley and his son Kenneth Jr. to be his greatest achievement. Madam Speaker, I would once more like to thank the Reverend Dr. Kenneth L. Saunders for his leadership in the community and service to New Jersey, as well as congratulate him on his 21st anniversary with the North Stelton A.M.E. Church in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Christian Brothers Academy of Lincroft, New Jersey which is celebrating 50 years of service and Catholic education in the Lasallian tradition. Founded September 14, 1959, Christian Brothers Academy began with a freshman class of 150 boys and a faculty of six Christian Brothers, led by Brother Bernard McKenna serving as principal. Today, the academy remains an all-boys private high school with a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, with offerings in honors and advanced placement studies. The Academy has achieved numerous honors in education and extracurricular activities, making them one of the premier institutes of Catholic education in the area. The Academy has grown in size, now serving over 900 students, 77 teachers, 54 executive and support staff, as well as over 9,000 committed alumni. It occupies a one hundred and fifty acre campus in Lincroft, NJ and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Christian Brothers Academy is comprised of a community of scholars, volunteers and employees dedicated to developing a thriving educational environment, focusing on the holistic development of their students. The Academy is active in community service and outreach, stressing fraternity and camaraderie amongst all students, as well as the development of a community-centered work ethic and the ideals of Christian charity. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope my colleagues will join me in honoring the Christian Brothers Academy and their 50 years of service to New Jersey students and the community at large.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor CAPT Robert R. O'Brien, Commander of the United States Coast Guard Sector New York. On April 6th of this year Captain O'Brien celebrated the anniversary of his enlistment in the Coast Guard in 1970. During Captain O'Brien's 40 consecutive years of brave service he rose from an enlisted member to commander of the Coast Guard's largest operations unit. Captain O'Brien enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1970 at the rank of seaman apprentice. In 1976 he was assigned as Officer-in-Charge of the USCGC Blackberry at Oak Island, North Carolina. In 1978 he was assigned to St. Simon's Island, Georgia, and then in 1979 he was promoted again to Chief Boatswain's Mate on the largest Aids to Navigation Team in the Atlantic Area. In 1980 he was named Chief Warrant Officer of the Aids to Navigation Team on the Long Island Sound. In 1983 Captain O'Brien continued his accelerated rise through the ranks, receiving his commission as a Lieutenant. Over the next several years he was assigned to various posts around the country including the Marine Safety Office in Galveston, Texas; Supervisor of the Marine Safety Detachment in Marietta, Ohio; the Marine Safety Office in Detroit, Michigan; the Fifth Coast Guard District Office in Portsmouth, Virginia, and the Marine Safety Office in Hampton Roads, Virginia. In 1999 Captain O'Brien was promoted to Commanding Officer of the Marine Safety Office in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2002 he left for Washington, DC, to serve as the Coast Guard Liaison to Navy's Military Sealift Command where he participated as an advisor in weekly senior staff meetings at Coast Guard headquarters. In 2003 he was promptly promoted again to Captain and assumed command of the Marine Safety Office in Hampton Roads. In July 2005 he was promoted one final time to his current position as Commander of the Sector Hampton Roads. His rise from an enlisted service member at the lowest rank to his senior position is an increasingly rare and difficult feat in the United States armed services. Throughout his career Captain O'Brien has been recognized for his excellent service, receiving the Meritorious Service Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Coast Guard Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon, and three Coast Guard Good Conduct Medals. Captain O'Brien's dedication to service is an example for all Americans. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope my colleagues will join me in honoring CAPT Robert O'Brien for his brave service to our country, as well as congratulate him for completing his 40th consecutive year in the United States Coast Guard, and wish him the best as Captain O'Brien will begin in October of this year a most well-deserved retirement.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize James B. Ventantonio, the Somerset County Business Partnership's 60th Annual Outstanding Citizen of the Year. Mr. Ventantonio will be presented with this award on May 5, 2010, in Martinsville, New Jersey. The Somerset County Business Partnership is comprised of talented community leaders, volunteers and employees dedicated to developing a thriving economy and enhancing Somerset County's quality of life. Based in Bridgewater, New Jersey, the SCBP is committed to providing leadership on key business and community initiatives, assuring the opportunity to attain business and personal goals, and achieving results that benefit and assure prosperity in Somerset County. Mr. Ventantonio has held a leadership position in nearly every quality of life initiative in Somerset County for more than two decades. He served as Chair of a number of organizations in Somerset County, including the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce, the Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Somerset County Ballpark, and the Somerset County Business Partnership. Mr. Ventantonio continues to be a member of numerous non-profit and municipal boards and agencies. Mr. Ventantonio began his career with the Somerset/Sussex Legal Services, and continues to be a staunch supporter of providing legal services for those who cannot afford representation. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope my colleagues will join me in honoring Mr. James B. Ventantonio for his commitment to my constituency, as well as congratulate him on receiving the 60th Annual Outstanding Citizen Award.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Rufus C. Goodman in recognition of his retirement as Pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Neptune, New Jersey. Reverend Goodman will be honored by his parishioners, colleagues, and dear friends at his retirement celebration on Friday, April 9, 2010. This celebration is well-deserved in light of the Reverend's 49 years of service to Mt. Carmel and Neptune Township. As Pastor of Mt. Cannel Baptist Church, Reverend Goodman conveyed the power of faith and hope to his parishioners through countless sermons and counseling sessions. During this time period, the church witnessed tremendous growth in membership and public service endeavors. With the Reverend's support, the church developed the Community Room for worship services, town meetings, and various social events. His tremendous dedication to his followers has served to promote faith, peace, and harmony throughout his community. In addition to serving his parishioners, Reverend Goodman has made lasting contributions to his local community. As president of the Asbury Park-Neptune Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Reverend Goodman oversaw the awarding of scholarship awards to graduating high school students for their academic achievements. While serving as secretary of the Neptune Township Welfare Board, Reverend Goodman generously offered assistance to families in need of food, shelter, and clothing. Furthermore, he provided counseling for unemployed parents seeking employment to care for their families. During local riots in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the courageous Reverend met with participants to listen to their complaints and convey his words of peace and harmony. Finally, Reverend Goodman was instrumental in the development of the Motivational Center, a center that works with various organizations to offer referral services, clean clothing, showers, and meals for the poor and underprivileged. His years of work with such community initiatives have had a profound impact on numerous families across several generations. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in congratulating Reverend Goodman on his retirement, and for his years of dedicated leadership to the American people.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Mary Foley Reilly of Spring Lake, New Jersey. Mrs. Reilly will be honored as the 2010 Citizen of the Year by the Greater Spring Lake Chamber of Commerce at a celebration on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Her reception of this prestigious honor is well-deserved in light of her contributions to the retail business community in Spring Lake and the greater Monmouth County area. Mrs. Reilly owns and operates The Irish Centre, a destination store at the Jersey Shore that has specialized in the sales of Irish merchandise for the past thirty years. The Irish Centre, now located at two separate locations in the Irish-dominated town of Spring Lake, is known for dealing in high end, ``heirloom quality'' merchandise. As an active entrepreneur, Mrs. Reilly hand selects much of the merchandise in her store, and specializes in handmade, authentic Irish products. Her achievement as a successful businesswoman brings great pride and joy to Spring Lake Township and the State of New Jersey. Mrs. Reilly has also made great strides in bringing our Irish- American citizens closer to their ancestral homeland. Over the years The Irish Centre has sponsored concerts, lecture series, fine art shows, and readings run by the finest Irish talent. Furthermore, Mrs. Reilly has continuously supported and publicized numerous parades, festivals, and fundraisers in promotion of Irish heritage. Her attempts to remain connected with her ancestral homeland helps to preserve the Irish heritage in our culturally diverse state and nation. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in congratulating Mrs. Reilly for her reception of the 2010 Citizen of the Year recognition, and also for her leadership and service to the Irish- American community.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of the life of Mrs. Sylvia Yvonne Drakeford. Mrs. Drakeford, a resident of Englewood, New Jersey, passed away on March 6, 2010 after decades of public service with the Englewood City Department of Education and Department of Recreation. During the past 30 years, Mrs. Drakeford served as the Playground Supervisor for the Department of Recreation. As supervisor, she was instrumental in restructuring the city's camping trip program to include affordable, package deals for the city's children. Prior to her time at the Department of Recreation, Mrs. Drakeford served as a teacher's aide at Cleveland and Quarles Schools in the City of Englewood for 27 years. For 15 of these years, she spent the first half of the day educating schoolchildren, and the second half entertaining them as the coordinator of the schools' After-School Program. Mrs. Drakeford's contributions to the city touched generations of Englewood residents. Mrs. Drakeford leaves behind a loving and adoring family. Her son Teddy Drakeford, whom I have known for nearly two decades, was a valued staffer in my office from 1996 until last year. He recently left my office to continue his mother's proud legacy of working with children. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in honoring Mrs. Drakeford for her lifetime of dedicated support to the children and residents of Englewood.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. This is the last step that we must take to make health insurance reform a reality in this country for millions of Americans. For far too long, the Federal Government has allowed insurance companies to get away with the most abusive practices that prevent people from getting the medical treatment that they need to be healthy. Earlier this week, we said ``no more.'' Just as the leaders of the civil rights movement did before us, this House took the courageous step to put an end to the blatant discrimination that millions of Americans suffer from every year at the hands of insurance companies. We said that we aren't going to let insurance companies put profits before people anymore. We've said that we're going to put patients and their doctors back in charge. I know already I'm hearing from the other side of the aisle, Let's repeal and replace this bill. What I want to know is what do they want to repeal first? Closing the doughnut hole in Medicare so that seniors can afford their medicines? Or stopping insurance companies from dropping people's health insurance when they get sick and need it most? Or letting dependents stay on their parents' health care policy until the age of 26, especially amid a recession when it's hard for people to even find a job? Or maybe even providing small businesses with tax credits to help them afford health insurance for their employees. Madam Speaker, in the last few days I have heard from so many people here in Washington as well as at home about how important this bill is and makes a difference in their lives on a daily basis and is going to be good for them and their families. We've already taken a great step forward on behalf of the American people. Republicans shouldn't let us take it back. We can't let that happen. Let's just keep moving forward. Let's take this last step. Let's finish the job and pass this bill on behalf of America's families. Vote ``yes.''

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, you know, I hear from the other side about the American Dream, but I want to say, the American Dream doesn't mean that the government shouldn't get involved to end discrimination. We have a long history in this country of the government getting involved to end discrimination. And that's a big part of this health care reform, because right now, people who have preexisting conditions cannot get health insurance, or, if they can, they have to pay prohibitive costs which are not acceptable and make it impossible for them to get health insurance. What we're doing in this health care reform bill is ending discrimination, so that if you have a preexisting condition, if you've had cancer, you can still get health insurance. Immediately after this bill becomes law--and it actually has become law; the President signed it--children cannot be excluded from policies because of preexisting conditions. And gradually that will occur for every American, that they cannot be discriminated against. People are discriminated against now. Women are charged more than men. That's not right. That's not part of the American Dream. We are ending discrimination with this legislation, and I was so proud to see the President sign it on Tuesday.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I am amazed when I hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. They seem to ignore the fact that our health care system is in crisis. Millions of Americans are going without health insurance. Rising health care costs are bankrupting so many American families. Now, Democrats today have proposed a bill that will lower health care costs, give almost all Americans quality health care coverage the same as Members of Congress--and I am going to repeat that--the same as Members of Congress, and put an end to insurance company abuses. When we pass this bill, 32 million more Americans are going to be able to see a doctor on a regular basis. America's seniors are going to be able to get more help to afford their prescription drugs, which will keep them healthy and out of the hospital. The bottom line is that Americans will be healthier, fewer people will get seriously ill and incur outrageous medical bills for hospital and nursing home care. And, healthier people save the government and the health care system significant money even beyond the CBO projections. Madam Speaker, passage of this bill will lead to a healthier and a stronger America, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ron Stark of Middletown, New Jersey. Mr. Stark will be honored as the ``2010 Irishman of the Year'' by the Monmouth County, New Jersey Division, 2nd Division, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. This prestigious honor is well-deserved in light of his tremendous contributions to the organization's continued efforts to preserve Irish culture in the United States. The Ancient Order of Hibernians works tirelessly to connect those individuals of Irish origin who are generations removed from their ancestral homeland to Ireland. As a member of Division 2 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for the past twenty years, Mr. Stark has been actively involved in preserving Irish music through his participation in various bagpiping competitions. Mr. Stark began playing the bagpipe in 1997 and has competed as a Grade 4 Senior Soloist, and with a Grade 5 band which won 4th place in a 2001 competition. This achievement helped the band receive a Grade 4 upgrade from the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association. Mr. Stark has piped with fellow AOH members at various Hibernian functions over the years, and is now involved with a group of dedicated AOH members who are looking to form a Division 2 Bagpipe band. His achievements as a successful bagpiper serve to further preserve the Irish heritage in our culturally diverse state and nation. Mr. Stark has also made great strides in bringing our Irish-American citizens closer to their ancestral homeland. During a 2004 trip to Ireland, he played the bagpipe during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Galway City with his sons, Daniel and Liam, and met with extended family members who still live on the same land where his grandfather was born. His attempts to remain connected to his ancestral homeland help to foster American-Irish cooperation, and will help preserve the presence of Irish culture in the United States, which is important to millions of Irish-American citizens. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in congratulating Mr. Stark for his reception of the ``2010 Irishman of the Year'' recognition, and also for his leadership and service to the Irish-American community.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John Fuller of Long Branch, New Jersey. Mr. Fuller will be honored as the 2010 Hibernian of the Year by the Monmouth County, New Jersey Division (2nd Division) of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. This prestigious honor is well- deserved in light of his tremendous contributions to the organization's continued efforts to preserve Irish culture in the United States, and its efforts to provide a continuing bridge with Ireland for those individuals of Irish origin who are generations removed from their ancestral homeland. Mr. Fuller, a first generation Irish-American, has been a dedicated member of the Monmouth County Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (Div. 2) since 2003. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Commodore John Barry Committee of the AOH State Board. Furthermore, he is one of the founding members, and a current organizer, of the Annual Sea Girt Irish Festival. This festival has grown into one of the largest Irish cultural events in the State of New Jersey. With fellow AOH members, Mr. Fuller has been actively involved with St. Ann Church in Keansburg, New Jersey. As a career public servant, Mr. Fuller has worked tirelessly for Senator Frank Lautenberg and other public servants across New Jersey on State and Federal issues that are important to the Irish-American community. His active participation with the Ancient Order of Hibernians-Division 2 serves to further preserve the Irish heritage in our culturally diverse State and Nation. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in congratulating Assistant Commissioner Fuller for his reception of the 2010 Hibernian of the Year recognition, and also for his leadership and service to the Irish-American community.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of the life of Mrs. Sylvia Yvonne Drakeford. Mrs. Drakeford, a resident of Englewood, New Jersey, passed away on March 6, 2010 after decades of public service with the Englewood City Department of Education and Department of Recreation. During the past 30 years, Mrs. Drakeford served as the playground supervisor for the Department of Recreation. As supervisor, she was instrumental in restructuring the city's camping trip program to include affordable, package deals for the city's children. Prior to her time at the Department of Recreation, Mrs. Drakeford served as a teacher's aide at Cleveland and Quarles Schools in the city of Englewood for 27 years. For 15 of these years, she spent the first half of the day educating school children, and the second half entertaining them as the coordinator of the schools' after-school program. Mrs. Drakeford's contributions to the city touched generations of Englewood residents. Mrs. Drakeford leaves behind a loving and adoring family. Her son Teddy Drakeford, who I have known for nearly two decades, was a valued staffer in my office from 1996 until last year. He recently left my office to continue his mother's proud legacy of working with children. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in honoring Mrs. Drakeford for her lifetime of dedicated support to the children and residents of Englewood.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, we need health care reform now, and failure to act is not an option. Doing nothing on health care reform doesn't mean that nothing happens. People will continue to lose coverage, to pay more in premiums, to be banned for preexisting conditions, to have caps on coverage, and other discriminatory practices. By doing nothing for 8 years, the Republicans essentially endorsed these things. It isn't a choice, Madam Speaker, between the reform plan we have or nothing. The real option is how everything will continue to get worse.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

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

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, this Sunday will mark the anniversary of the tragic massacres that took place against Azerbaijani citizens of Armenian heritage in February of 1988, in the town of Sumgait, Azerbaijan. This 3-day rampage, carried out by Azerbaijani nationals, left dozens of Armenians dead, a majority of whom were set on fire alive after being beaten and tortured. Hundreds of innocent people received injuries of different severity and became physically impaired. Women, among them minors, were abused. More than 200 apartments were robbed, dozens of cars were destroyed and burned, dozens of art and crafts studios, shops and kiosks were demolished, and thousands of people became refugees. Madam Speaker, these crimes were never adequately prosecuted by the Government of Azerbaijan, and most of its organizers and executors were simply set free, many of whom are presently members of the Azeri Parliament. Despite the attempt by the Government of Azerbaijan to cover up these crimes, enough brave witnesses came forward to give an accurate account of the offenses. The Sumgait massacres are just another in a long line of Azerbaijan's aggressions against the Armenian people. The events in Sumgait were preceded by a wave of anti-Armenian rallies that shook the city in February 1988. Almost the entire territory of the city, with a population of 250,000, became an arena for mass violence against its Armenian population. The attacks also marked the beginning of a larger campaign of ethnic cleansing targeting the Armenian people, culminating in the war launched against the people of Nagorno Karabakh. The war claimed nearly 30,000 lives and left over one million refugees in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. The continued hostilities in Azerbaijan and the military aggression against the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh in 1992 through 1994 led to the disappearance of a 450,000-strong Armenian community in Azerbaijan within a span of just a few years. As this April marks the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we also pause to remember the crimes committed in Sumgait and the pogroms conducted against the Armenian people in Azerbaijan. Madam Speaker, this anniversary reminds us yet again of the historical injustice the Armenian people have faced, unfortunately, throughout their history. As we join with the Armenian people and all people of goodwill in remembering these atrocities, I strongly urge Azerbaijan and Turkey to cease their blockade and aggressive posture against the Armenian people and work to achieve a lasting peace. It is time for the United States to do all that it can and to use its geopolitical influence to send a message that ethnically charged genocides, illegal blockades of sovereign nations and the constant harassment of the Armenian people will not be tolerated.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased that on Thursday we're going to have this health care summit because I do think there's an opportunity for us to work together on a bipartisan basis to achieve health care reform. I think we need to achieve three things. First of all, we need to lower prices, or at least prevent the type of price increases we've seen in insurance premiums. We're hearing 20, 30 percent increases in many parts of the country. Secondly, we have to try to cover as many Americans as possible. There are at least 30, 40 million Americans that have no health insurance right now. And lastly, we have to get rid of discriminatory practices where people pay more or can't even get health insurance because of preexisting conditions or because of gender differences. If we can accomplish the goal of all three of these items on a bipartisan basis, we can come up with a bill that can pass here and go to the President. I believe that all of us would like to see health care reform on both sides of the aisle. We just need to sit down and work on it and get it done this year because the American people need health care reform.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the economic meltdown was one of the most disastrous economic events in the Nation's history. The banks were the main culprits, but the Republicans in Washington aided and abetted them by deregulating finances and turning the other way when problems surfaced. Now the House has passed the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. It ends bailouts by helping ensure taxpayers are never again on the hook for Wall Street's risky decisions. It protects families' retirement funds, college savings, homes and businesses' financial future from unnecessary risk by executives, lenders, and speculators. And it also protects consumers from predatory lending abuses, fine print, and industry gimmicks. Mr. Speaker, we passed this bill in the House. It must pass in the Senate and go to the President. But we as Democrats are making a difference in trying to prevent another economic meltdown.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Dr. Ronald L. Owens and to congratulate him on his 20th Pastoral Anniversary with the New Hope Baptist Church in Metuchen, New Jersey. His presence in the church has uplifted his assembly and caused membership to grow tremendously. Its growth has been so large that the church now has a full time staff of five to six associate ministers, and more than thirty active ministries devoted to serving the community. In his twenty years with the New Hope Baptist church, Dr. Owens has dedicated his life to service and leadership. As the first ever Chaplain of the Metuchen Police and Fire Departments, Pastor Owens counsels those who have experienced crisis and loss. He is also the President and CEO of the House Of Hope Community Development Corporation of New Jersey, a non-profit organization that provides permanent housing to families in need. Dr. Owens has held numerous positions with Baptist groups, including a period as the General Secretary for the General Baptist State Convention of New Jersey, an association of over 400 member churches. Pastor Owens has been commended by several organizations for his efforts in the community. He was given the NAACP Merv Alexander Political Award for his leadership in Middlesex County. The YMCA of New Jersey also decorated Dr. Owens with the Minority Achievers Award. Alpha Phi Alpha, of which Dr. Owens is a life time member, presented him with the Martin Luther King award for outstanding academic achievement and community service. In addition to all of these tremendous achievements, Pastor Owens has retained a loving relationship with his wife Cheryl and raised two daughters, Tracy and Kimberly. Madam Speaker, it is my hope that my colleagues will join me in thanking the Reverend Dr. Ronald L. Owens for his leadership and service to New Jersey, as well as congratulate him on his 20th anniversary with the New Hope Baptist Church.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Virginia S. Bauer of Red Bank, New Jersey. Ms. Bauer will be honored as a ``Woman of Distinction'' by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore for her dedication and commitment to the families and victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Ms. Bauer, a widow of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center, worked closely with congressional leaders and the White House to pass legislation for September 11 victims in 2002, and initiated efforts to enact federal tax relief for surviving family members. Currently, Ms. Bauer is assisting in the creation of a new development plan for the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan. Ms. Bauer also serves as senior vice president of Covenant House and is a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Girl Scouts is an organization dedicated to providing a nurturing environment for young girls to build character and skills for success in the future. It was founded by Juliette Gordon in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, and has since grown by over three million members worldwide through its many regional chapters. The organization also honors women who represent diversity and leadership in their communities. The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore will present Ms. Bauer with a ``Woman of Distinction'' award on April 13, 2010. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope my colleagues will join me in thanking Ms. Bauer for the work she does in supporting my constituency, as well as congratulate her upon receiving the ``Woman of Distinction'' award from the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore.

Mr. PALLONE

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