Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Colorado, the vice chair of our committee, Ms. DeGette. (Ms. DeGETTE asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, at this time, I would yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Massa).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I would yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack).

Mr. PALLONE. I do not, but I was going to ask how much time remains.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I would yield myself a minute and a half. I just want to stress how important this bill is and also that it is, essentially, the same bill that we passed in the last Congress. It was bipartisan. It was passed in both houses with a fairly large margin. The only thing that stood in the way was President Bush's veto. Now we do have a new President. We know that he has supported the legislation. It is so crucial for the children of this country, for the 4 million or so now who are eligible but for whom there is no funding, who will be covered by this legislation. It is fully paid for. Particularly now, when we have a recession and when we know that so many people are losing their jobs and, as a consequence, their health insurance for themselves and for their families, what could be more important than making sure that those families' children are covered by this legislation? I must say I'm very proud of the fact that we are here in the first week, essentially, of this new Congress passing this bill. I know the other body is about to pass it as well and that we will be able to send it to the President and have it be one of the first accomplishments of his Presidency and of this Congress. I know Mr. Stark already thanked the various staff members, so I won't thank them again. But I do want to pay particular attention to Bridgett Taylor because I know that she worked on this legislation for 2 years or more and was even there when we first passed the SCHIP bill 10 years before that. And it has always been one of the things that she cares so much about. But I want to thank all of the staff people and all of my colleagues for all of the work that they've done on this legislation.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green). (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barrow).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, we inquire of the time that is remaining.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I would yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have some additional speakers, though. I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, the deepening effects of the economic crisis have made their way to the kitchen table of every American home, leaving families worried about their financial future. That's why we need immediate passage of an economic recovery plan to avoid a deeper economic downturn and restore jobs. In addition to giving the economy a short-term boost, we must spur economic growth and competitiveness for the long-term stability of this country. This economic recovery package is an opportunity to invest in tomorrow by making major changes to our Nation's approach to energy, health care, education and infrastructure. Addressing our Nation's infrastructure challenge will create jobs in the troubled construction and manufacturing sectors, while helping to spur long-term economic growth. Highway projects could create 630,000 jobs, while green school construction and maintenance and repair initiatives for schools could create 250,000 jobs. Madam Speaker, we must work quickly and in strong bipartisan fashion to create and save 3 million jobs.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, at a time of great economic anxiety, this new Congress faces enormous challenges. In the next 6 weeks we're going to craft and hopefully pass an economic recovery package that will create and save millions of jobs and will help jump start our economy with investments in some of our Nation's top priorities. At a time when millions of Americans are losing their health insurance, Washington needs to provide critical assistance to States so that they can continue to provide health care services through Medicaid. If Congress does not act, States will have no other choice than to begin dropping coverage. That is an immediate health care concern that we should deal with as part of any economic stimulus package. But we also have an opportunity to modernize our health care system with new computer technology that will greatly reduce health care costs and will improve care for every American. Madam Speaker, I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in crafting a bipartisan plan that will help rebuild our economy so that we can get people back to work.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedicated and admirable work of the home health aides who serve my state of New Jersey and to commemorate Home Health Aide Recognition Day of 2008. Home health aides provide a variety of invaluable services, including personalized care, home support services, physical exercise programs, and transportation assistance. The home health aides provide these services in the comfort of a patient's own home, thereby preserving the dignity and independence of an individual. In addition, providing this type of specialized care allows patients to remain at home longer, which can help prevent costly hospitalizations or institutionalizations that increase the financial burden on the patients, their families, and our health care system. Over 40,000 certified aides make home health care available to every community in New Jersey, every hour of the day, and every day of the year. I am proud to acknowledge their essential and irreplaceable role in the health care system of New Jersey. I would also like to recognize the organizations who sponsored this day and the meaningful contributions they make to our state's health care system: the Home Care Association of New Jersey, the New Jersey Hospital Association, the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the Home Care Council of New Jersey, the Health Care Association of New Jersey, and New Jersey Association for Homes and Services for the Aging. Each day, compassionate home health aides in every region of my state deliver excellence in patient care. The services they provide enable New Jersey residents of all ages to remain in, or return to, their home and neighborhoods despite severe illness or disability. The Home Health Aid Recognition Day honors their extraordinary work, and their unique ability to enhance the quality of life for thousands of New Jerseyans. Madam Speaker, I am honored today to recognize these wonderful health professionals and the vital role they play in our communities.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, today the House must act decisively and in a bipartisan fashion to begin the process of rescuing an economy that has been spiraling downward for some time. Without action, we are warned the credit markets will freeze up, preventing families from getting car and home loans, students from qualifying for college loans, and small businesses from being able to pay their employees or purchase new products. Over the last couple of days, we have heard that traffic in automobile dealerships is down 50 percent in the last month because people can't get the credit to purchase a new car. We have heard about college students not being able to pay for their classes or their books because they can't get the loan to attend school. If we don't act today, credit markets will freeze and Main Street will suffer. Families living from paycheck to paycheck will see their credit card limits slashed and interest rates increased. This is something we simply can't allow to happen. I hope that we can come together in strong bipartisan fashion to pass this economic rescue package today.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Vartkess Balian. Mr. Balian epitomized the life of a community leader. His contributions enriched the lives of countless Armenians and Armenian Americans. He will be remembered for his graciousness, compassion, and ingenuity. Vartkess Balian grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, in a family that taught him to value his Armenian ancestry. When he moved to the United States, he brought his love of being Armenian to his new home. Championing Armenian issues, Mr. Balian served in various leadership positions at the Armenian General Benevolent Union. Through his generosity and interest in enhancing the lives of Armenian youth, he and his wife, Rita Balian, spearheaded the AGBU's successful New York Summer Intern Program, giving hundreds of Armenian college students the opportunity for professional development and international experience in the United States. Mr. Balian also served as president of the Tekeyan Cultural Association. During this time he established the Vartkess and Rita Balian Press Award to foster excellence in the field of journalism by giving grants to promising correspondents. Dedicating himself to education, Mr. Balian helped found the Friends of Yerevan State University. This organization has raised millions of dollars to improve university facilities and provide for scholarship endowment funds. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in celebrating the life of Vartkess Balian, and extending our sincere condolences and deep appreciation to Mrs. Rita Balian. Mr. Balian's efforts will continue to benefit and inspire Armenian youth and his many international colleagues and friends for years to come.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this week, the crisis on Wall Street hits fever pitch, but families all over the country have been struggling for months. Eighty-four thousand Americans lost their jobs last month, and the number of unemployed Americans is the highest it has been since 1992. Congress responded quickly to the White House's call for a financial rescue package, but the White House should now join us in supporting a solid package for Main Street. On Friday, the House passed legislation to boost our economy, to create jobs and to help provide additional relief to families who are struggling. The economic recovery bill will grow our economy and will create jobs through investment in our Nation's infrastructure, will extend unemployment benefits for the growing number of Americans looking for work and will ensure Americans do not lose health coverage as a result of State budget crises. Mr. Speaker, the majority of House Republicans oppose this Main Street economic recovery package, and I hope President Bush chooses a different course. We have to have the economic stimulus package not only pass the House but pass the Senate and go to the President and have him sign it. This is just as important as the Wall Street bailout.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no intention of yielding to the gentleman because of the disrespect that he has shown. Now, secondly, let me also say this: I do appreciate the fact that the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) has, on several occasions, come up to me in the last few months and talked to me about this legislation. And we've had very reasoned conversations about the legislation. But I will also point out that the gentleman from New Jersey has not. The gentleman from New Jersey has not spoken to me at all about this legislation, and certainly not, in my recollection, in the last year. So if he felt it was so important, the way the gentleman from Virginia did, and has, he certainly had many opportunities to come up to me and talk to me about it. He has not. And I see the gentleman from New Jersey all the time--on the floor, at home, on various occasions. He has not spoken to me. So I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia for at least saying that he has taken the time, had some reasoned discussions about it. That is not true of my colleague from New Jersey, which is why I deeply resent the fact that he's on the floor here today talking about it because it is the first time I recollect him ever talking to me about it. Now, let me say a few other things. First of all, as far as the science is concerned, the science is in the Infectious Diseases Society and the CDC, not with the Attorney General and some political grandstanding that he's doing in Connecticut, nor with my colleague from New Jersey who is grandstanding here today. I am very concerned about Lyme disease. I have been working with the CDC to address the issue. We are awaiting answers from the agency on how best to address this. I have, in fact, talked to many of my constituents about this, even though my own colleague hasn't talked to me about it from New Jersey. And I also would like to say this: As far as the Infectious Diseases Association, they basically are the majority opinion. Many doctors, including my neighbors who are physicians in my hometown, very much agree with the Infectious Diseases Society and don't think that this should be treated with these antibiotics for a long period of time because they're concerned about the impact on people and whether they would be seriously injured or even die from the antibiotics. There is a lot of controversy that involves this issue. It is very involved and it is very controversial. It shouldn't be considered today on a consent calendar. And that was the only point I was trying to make for my colleague from Virginia, that we need to have hearings. And we will have hearings on the issue in general, and we can include this bill as part of that in the next session. But to bring this up today on the consent calendar when they know very well that there is not agreement on this and we couldn't possibly get a UC or have this on the suspension calendar, it's really very upsetting, and particularly coming from my colleague from New Jersey, who has never talked to me about this at all.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Commerce be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1437) expressing support for designation of the month of October as ``American Pharmacists Month'' and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all people in the United States should join in celebrating our Nation's pharmacists for their contributions to the health and well-being of our citizens, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Commerce be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 1283) to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for arthritis research and public health, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.