Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

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. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6432) to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the animal drug user fee program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support of this legislation and urge that it be adopted. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I certainly heard what my colleague from Indiana said, and I'm certainly willing to work with him on what he's suggesting. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I just wanted to say that I understand the gentleman's concerns who just spoke, Mr. Buyer, the gentleman from Indiana, and I, too, am very concerned about counterfeit drugs entering the U.S. marketplace. I think the FDA should have the authority to seize and destroy counterfeit drugs. And as the gentleman knows, we are working with him to address this issue in a larger bill that will empower the FDA to protect the consumers from dangerous products, including counterfeit drugs. So I hope that we can continue to work with the gentleman on this matter.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) who, I must add, has been such an outstanding spokesman on FDA issues over the years, and particularly promoting generic drugs. I yield to the gentleman 3 minutes.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time as well, and I yield back the balance of my time and urge support for the bill.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca), who is the author of this resolution.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H. Res. 896, a resolution expressing support for Primary Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month, and for the need to pursue research on this debilitating disease. Primary lateral sclerosis, or PLS, is a rare neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive muscle spasms and weakness. As many as 2,000 Americans suffer from PLS, which usually affects adults during midlife. The causes of PLS are unknown and the disease currently has no cure. However, some individuals with PLS can increase their comfort level and ability to function through therapy and treatment. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal motor neuron disease within the same family of disorders. H. Res. 896 encourages Congress to continue support for further work on PLS. It would promote further research into the causes, treatment, and eventual cure for PLS, and seek to increase awareness about the disease. Earlier in the session of the 110th Congress, the House passed H.R. 2295, the ALS Registry Act, and this bill would help to establish a central registry for ALS and other motor neuron disorders like PLS, so that research efforts are timely and targeted. Finally, this resolution, Mr. Speaker, recognizes those who have already made efforts to support individuals who suffer from PLS. One such individual is Hardy L. Brown, co-publisher of the Black Voice News, who has personally dedicated himself to raising funds for ALS research and has now been diagnosed with PLS himself. I would like to thank my colleague, Representative Baca, for his hard work in bringing this resolution before us today, and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H. Res. 896. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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 resolution under consideration.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 896) recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for primary lateral sclerosis, supporting the goals and ideals of the Hardy Brown Primary Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PALLONE

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

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 296, which designates August 2008 as National Heat Stroke Awareness Month for the purpose of raising awareness and encouraging prevention of heat stroke. As we approach the hottest days of the year, it is important that we take the time now to recognize the serious dangers of heat stroke. Whether it is a child who will participate in preseason camps to prepare for the fall athletic season, or seniors who take a walk outside, the threat of heat stroke is high. We need to make sure everyone is properly hydrated. This is particularly true for our students, as approximately 70 percent of student athletes arrive on the field already dehydrated. Heat stroke is extremely preventible, yet about half of those who contact it will die from it. This resolution before us aims to increase awareness of this deadly condition. It urges national and community organizations, the media, coaches, student athletes and others to widely disseminate information on heat stroke. This resolution also recognizes and applauds the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation for its hard work and commitment to educating the public on the fatal effects of heat stroke. The foundation is named in honor of 13-year-old Kendrick Fincher, a child who died tragically of heat stroke while attending football practice. In an effort to prevent the reoccurrence of such a tragedy, the foundation has dispensed over 130,000 water bottles and informational pamphlets to children and athletes throughout the United States. I want to thank my colleague, Representative Boozman, for his hard work in bringing this resolution to the floor. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H. Con. Res. 296. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 296) expressing support for the designation of August 2008 as ``National Heat Stroke Awareness Month'' to raise awareness and encourage prevention of heat stroke, as amended.

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 concurrent resolution under consideration.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. While Americans suffer pain at the pump, Republicans and President Bush insist on the same old energy policies that put us on this dangerous path to record high gas prices. Instead of looking towards the past, Democrats have been exploring both immediate and long-term solutions to America's energy crisis. To help consumers suffering right now, this House has passed legislation cracking down on price fixing and price gouging by retailers. We also forced the President to suspend sending oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This week, House Democrats will bring a bill to the floor that will end rampant speculation that is driving up gas prices by closing the Enron loophole. These are all solutions that should help lower prices today. But we have also passed landmark legislation that will lead to more efficient vehicles when we enacted the first new vehicle fuel efficiency standards in 32 years. These new standards will help drivers with up to $1,000 a year in gas when it's fully enacted. Madam Speaker, House Democrats are proposing both short- and long- term solutions to high gas prices, and it's time for congressional Republicans to join us in our efforts.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I would urge passage of this bill, Michelle's Law, in honor of Michelle Morse on a bipartisan basis.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Hodes), the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Michelle's Law was introduced by my colleague from New Hampshire, Representative Paul Hodes, in honor of Michelle Morse, a 20- year-old student who was attending Plymouth State University when she was diagnosed with colon cancer in December of 2003. Michelle's doctors recommended that she leave school temporarily so she could undergo surgery and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, if Michelle followed her doctors' advice and dropped out of school to receive treatment, she would no longer be eligible for health coverage under her mother's policy. The truth of the matter, Mr. Speaker, is that most college-aged students are only able to keep their parents' health insurance if they attend classes full time. Under most health care plans, when a student becomes seriously ill or injured, he or she is unfortunately left with very few options. Students are forced into the difficult decision of continuing with a full-time course load while they try to seek treatment, or withdrawing and losing health care eligibility. No American should be faced with such a choice, in my opinion. Unfortunately, Michelle had to choose. Michelle and her family decided that she would remain in school full time while she received treatment for her cancer. After enduring a rigorous course load and successfully graduating, Michelle lost her battle with cancer in November of 2005. After Michelle's passing, her mother decided that no other family should have to make the same tough decision. Thanks to her efforts, New Hampshire passed a law that allows students to take a 1-year medical leave of absence while maintaining their dependency status. The bill before us today would afford the same protections for students nationwide. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes'' for this important piece of legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

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. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2851) to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that dependent students who take a medically necessary leave of absence do not lose health insurance coverage, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I couldn't agree more with what Mr. Dingell said, but I do also want to point out to the minority leader that this is about kids. In fact, many adults smoke, and I'm sure they're very much aware of what they're doing. I suppose you could argue that, if people want to kill themselves and they're adults, then let them do so, but every day, approximately 4,000 kids, children, try a cigarette for the first time, of which 1,140 become new daily smokers. According to my calculations, this means that since 1996 almost 5 million children have become tobacco addicts and that one-third of those kids will end up dying prematurely from tobacco-related illnesses. So I say to the minority leader: Forget about the adults for the time being. We've got to stop the kids who are not aware and who don't understand the dangers of tobacco. They shouldn't start smoking. I think that's really what this is all about. This is a very important day, and I do resent the fact that the minority leader is belittling it by saying this is a boneheaded idea. I want to thank Mr. Waxman. He has been at this for I don't know how many years--12, 15, 20 years. Twelve years after the FDA first published a comprehensive rule that would protect children from the harmful effects of tobacco, we are finally one step closer to actually implementing its provisions and protecting millions of Americans, and particularly the children, from a lifetime of addiction and of poor health. Madam Speaker, it's hard to believe that tobacco products are exempt from the basic health and safety regulations that apply to other consumer products, but in fact, they are. Presently, the FDA is prohibited from regulating tobacco products, one of the most dangerous products available to consumers, and that's why we have to act today. Imagine that the FDA regulates toothpaste but not cigarettes. They monitor cereal but not chewing tobacco. Ironically, the FDA regulates both over-the-counter and prescription medications to help people quit smoking; yet it has no authority over the cause of the addiction. By passing this bill today, we're one step closer to changing all of that. In closing, I just want to say that this is a very important bill, and I urge its passage.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands, but I do have to remark that it is wonderful to see our colleague, Bobby Rush from Illinois, back here today. Thank you for being with us today. I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.