Bill Pascrell

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of an outstanding individual, William ``Bill'' Joseph Burke, Sr., Esq. Mr. Burke will be recognized on June 16, 2009 with the Ram of the Year Award for his dedication to the Fordham University family. It is only fitting that William ``Bill'' Joseph Burke, Sr., Esq. be honored, in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected body on Earth, for he is a true embodiment of the American dream and sets a great example in giving back to his community. The job of a United States Congressman involves so much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to learning about and recognizing the efforts of individuals like Mr. Burke. As a fellow alumnus of Fordham University, I am proud to bestow this honor onto William ``Bill'' Joseph Burke, Sr., Esq. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Bill's family and friends, all those whose lives have been influenced by Bill, the students, faculty and alumni of Fordham University and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service of William ``Bill'' Joseph Burke, Sr., Esq.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker, just a short while ago I returned from Afghanistan. The fifth largest contingency in NATO is from Italy, so we have many reminders through history and specifically now of what our relationship is between the United States and Italy. So we rise to support this resolution, H. Res. 430, expressing our deepest sympathies to the citizens of Italy. This earthquake was devastating, Mr. Speaker. It ruined a large part of the Abruzzo part of Italy. The magnitude of this earthquake is understood by many Americans. The university town of L'Aquila, along with 26 other surrounding cities, towns, and villages, suffered massive destruction. You already have heard of how many people were killed; 15,000 buildings destroyed. They were historic. They were cultural landmarks. Seventy thousand people were displaced. So we extend our deepest sympathies. The homes and churches can be rebuilt, but we can never replace loved ones. Despite the aftershocks that continued to devastate the region for days after, rescue workers demonstrated true heroism by pulling over 100 survivors from the wreckage. Their efforts, along with those of humanitarian aid organizations around the globe who continue to work tirelessly to return people to their homes and rebuild the region, deserve commendation. After traveling to Italy earlier this year, I can attest to the resiliency and the strength of the Italian people. And I remind us again of the 2,350 troops that fight alongside our brave men and women in Afghanistan. It is trying times like these that allow us to recognize the deep and binding ties between our nations, the United States of America and Italy. This tragedy only brings our two nations closer together. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the many organizations in the United States, including the National Italian American Foundation, NIAF, who are continuously working to raise funds to aid the rebuilding efforts in Abruzzo. The Italian American community's support and solidarity with the nation of Italy has only increased in the aftermath of this natural disaster. I also want to commend the Italian Ambassador, Giovanni Castellaneta, for his leadership and commitment to the Italian American community. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this resolution to offer our sincere condolences to the nation of Italy for its tremendous loss as well as pledge our continued support to the Italian Government. I will do so also this afternoon when I greet President Berlusconi. The G-8 summit is being held July 8, 9, and 10, and that has been moved to L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region to redirect funding to that region to help with the general reconstruction. Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, of course, and our President, President Obama, will be there with our Italian friends. I urge the passage of this legislation. I want to thank the chairman and the Speaker. I want to thank the ranking member for all of your courtesies. This is something we need to get involved in, to commend American organizations for reaching out to our brothers and sisters.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, this is truly bizarre. We're talking about life-and-death issues--and I know technically you can speak about anything. But we're talking about life-and-death issues. We have seen witnesses disappear, go underground so that law enforcement cannot protect us. Yet the gentleman, my good friend from Georgia, gets up and talks about something which has absolutely nothing to do with what we're talking about. But I guess that's par for the course. So I thank the ranking member. I thank the chairman. I thank Mr. Cummings for getting this legislation. And Mr. Cummings has done us all a great favor. Nothing is going to help law enforcement more than our trying to help with the protection of the witnesses out there who view these crimes. Criminal street gangs have been a major concern all across this country and in New Jersey; and truly, law enforcement cannot do its job without this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I don't believe that there is a more significant thing that we can do in reversing the losing battle that we face at this point and attacking street crime and ending modern-day organized crime on the streets. You need viable witnesses who are not left to chance and risk and will not be frightened or intimidated. In a 2007 survey conducted in New Jersey by the State police, respondents in 4 out of every 10 New Jersey municipalities--that's 43 percent--reported the presence of street gangs in their jurisdiction during the previous 12 months, not only in cities but in suburban communities. As a former mayor, I know how tough it is for our cities and communities to deal with gang problems all across the United States of America. Gang members are involved in violent and drug-related crimes and recruit young folks in our public schools. Catching and punishing the perpetrators of these crimes is oftentimes difficult, if not impossible. Gangs are so pervasive in many communities that the threat of violent reprisal against members of a community or gang members who want to leave severely hinders law enforcement investigations. H.R. 1741 would provide a crucial missing link that prevents many of these crimes from being solved in the first place. This legislation will allow the Justice Department to begin offering grants to local communities to implement local witness protection programs. What have we come to? When we talk about witness protection programs, we think we're talking about something 20 years ago, 40 years ago. We're talking about now. We're talking about in our own neighborhoods. We're talking about in our own families. That's what we're talking about. Ensuring witness safety, short- and long-term relocation, and financial and housing assistance are essential to the effective investigation and prosecution of gang-related crimes, Mr. Speaker. The Federal Government must reach out to assist local police departments in keeping our communities and our schools safe. This bill will provide a critical service to many needy communities. I thank those folks who brought it to the floor, particularly Mr. Cummings, my good friend from Maryland. I'm glad we could stay, most of us, on the topic at hand.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. I think all of us should read Secretary Napolitano's speech yesterday at Aspen, where there were bipartisan group folks studying the security of this country. She laid out five principal areas of concern if we're going to protect America and its neighborhoods. It is a great guidepost to inclusive security. I ask that we do this. I also ask to consider, Mr. Chairman, in the future the issue and the quality of resilience, which Joshua Cooper Ramo presented in his book which was just published in March. If we truly want to protect America, what about the resiliency and how much can we take that into consideration, God forbid we have another attack.

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak in strong support of H.R. 2200, the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act, as this is a necessary piece of legislation that is long overdue. In fact, we have never fully authorized the TSA since the enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001. I want to particularly thank Mr. Thompson, who chaired this and led this legislation through committee; along with Peter King, the ranking member; Ms. Jackson-Lee as the subcommittee chairwoman; and Mr. Dent from Pennsylvania. I want to congratulate all of them for working hard to have a bipartisan piece of legislation. We recognize that the safety of the American people must be our number one job. Nothing that we do here can supercede that. The bill authorizes $7.6 billion in fiscal year 2010 and $8.1 billion in fiscal 2011 for the activities of the TSA, including key increases, many of which have already been mentioned. As an original member of the Homeland Security Committee, one thing I observed was that ever since TSA was created in 2001, its focus has been almost solely on aviation security, to the detriment of surface transportation taken by millions of Americans each day. A strong aspect of this legislation is beginning to put surface transportation security on an equal footing with aviation security, with key surface transportation security enhancements. I'm glad to see that this authorization also addresses the long unattended issue of airport perimeter security, whose vulnerability to infiltration I have tried to highlight for many years. I think that this is important. We're looking at it. We're studying this issue so we do not overreact but make sure that the perimeters are just as much protected as the inside.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland, the gentlewoman from Oklahoma. This resolution, H. Res. 471, is a resolution that deserves all of our support. The legislation expresses our sympathies to the five victims and their countless friends and families of the violent acts that took place at Camp Liberty in Iraq in May. Many of us have been there many times. These are senseless deaths. In a book that just came out 2 months ago, Joshua Cooper Ramo, ``The Age of the Unthinkable,'' wrote, Our old way of war is increasingly useless. It is senseless to aspire to periods of peace on Earth during the lifetime of anyone who reads the book unless we begin to change how, where, and why we do fight. These deaths took place at a very particular spot at Camp Liberty, and both the gentlewoman and the gentleman who spoke of the names and places where these five soldiers came from are on the Record. One of these soldiers, one of these brave men, came from the city I have lived in all my life. Army Sergeant Christian Bueno-Galdos was 25 years old. I honor, and we all honor, his sacrifice and his service. It exemplifies the deep sense of commitment that so many immigrants have for America. He was the youngest of four. He was born in Peru, and came here when he was 7 years old. He and his family settled in a gray house in a neighborhood I grew up in--Paterson, New Jersey. It was just across the street from the county road department in south Paterson. He attended high school at Passaic County Tech. After graduating, he considered studying premed but instead decided to serve his country and joined the U.S. Army Reserves. It was in this service to his Nation that Sergeant Bueno-Galdos became a citizen of the United States of America. He went into the service before he was a citizen. His dedication and love for this country was so great, he voluntarily signed up for a second tour of duty. How many times have we heard this? Then, on May 11, Sergeant Bueno-Galdos tragically lost his life, and Paterson and New Jersey and the United States lost a fine citizen. His parents first considered laying him to rest in their home country of Peru. But upon reflection of their son's love of America and commitment to this great Nation, Sergeant Bueno-Galdos was laid to rest in New Jersey with full military honors. So we extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt gratitude to his surviving wife Greisyn, his mother Eugenia, his father Carlos, and his three siblings. Sergeant Bueno-Galdos was a courageous soldier, a loving husband, a son, a brother, a fine American citizen. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten in Paterson. We have already erected a monument on Memorial Day for him. But my friends, today something else happened. We promoted from Lieutenant Colonel, Mike Jaffee, who is now a full Colonel in the Air Force. Dr. Jaffee is a neurologist, psychologist. He's a leader in the Department of Defense to respond to traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder. Isn't it ironic that these killings took place in a stress area where American soldiers were trying to help those in need? Twenty percent of those who have fought, who have been on the front lines, whether in Iraq or Afghanistan, have posttraumatic stress disorder. Most are misdiagnosed, most are undiagnosed, and the stigma is slowly peeling away. They need our help. Their families need our help. So not only did we go into a war unprepared, but we did little for those who put their lives on the front line while we, supposedly gray men, decided where they would go and when they would return and how many times they would return to the battlefield. We are fools, to say the least. We need to think about what's going on. These brave men and women have taken the entire burden while we act as if nothing happens. These senseless deaths will not be forgotten. I ask all of us to vote for this legislation and remember their families God bless America. Thank you.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of an outstanding organization, The Passaic County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc., which will celebrate its 25th Anniversary on May 25, 2009. This milestone marks a quarter century of supporting those most in need of assistance to get their lives on track, and thereby become a productive part of the greater community. It is only fitting that The Passaic County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc. be honored in this, the permanent record of the greatest democracy ever known, for all the assistance it has provided to individuals and families in the Passaic County area. Passaic County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc. was incorporated as a nonprofit prevention agency on May 25, 1984. Founded by Father Alan Savitt, a Catholic priest from the Paterson Diocese who still serves as executive director, the Council began working from a 200 square foot trailer in Clifton. After renovating an historic building on the City Hall property, the Council was granted a no cost lease from the city of Clifton and moved into its permanent home. This facility serves the citizens of Passaic County as a Prevention Resource Center, providing prevention educational outreach services and assistance programs to those in need. Programs range from those like BABES (Beginning Alcohol and Addiction Basic Education Studies) and Forest Friends, serving elementary school children, to high school peer counseling programs, and from drug free workplace and counseling to WISE (Wellness Initiative and Senior Educators). In addition to providing educational services and referral programs, the council also provides a focus for those interested in advocacy, public policy and prevention legislation. When the group first began, the county government provided funding for operating expenses, but as the years have gone by, sources of funding have begun to run dry. Through the hard work of the staff and friends of the Council, grants and partnerships have been secured to help make ends meet. Over the years, the Council has received governmental, charitable and foundation grants to help fund its innovative programs and partnership efforts with numerous worldwide, national, statewide and regional programs. Father Savitt and long-term employee, Sister Pauline Kuntne, have shouldered the heavy burden of fundraising with enormous fortitude. The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to learning about and recognizing the efforts of service-minded organizations like the Passaic County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Father Alan Savitt and the staff and volunteers of the Passaic County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc., all those who have been touched by their caring professionalism, and me in recognizing the outstanding contributions of this group to the Passaic County community and beyond.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of an outstanding individual, Chief Joseph Intile, who is being recognized May 20, 2009 on the occasion of his retirement as Chief of the Bloomfield, NJ Fire Department, after thirty years of dedicated service. It is only fitting that he be honored in this, the permanent record of the greatest democracy ever known, because he is the embodiment of the patriotism and community spirit that make our nation so great. Chief Intile joined the Bloomfield Fire Department on March 27, 1979 and since then has brought much distinction to the department and to his position. Most notably, he guided the Bloomfield Fire Department in becoming the first Fire Department in the northeastern United States to achieve international accreditation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Commission of Fire Accreditation. Chief Intile is one of the most decorated and honored Fire Chiefs in the State of New Jersey. He holds a Masters of Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He is a member of several highly respected professional organizations, such as the National Fire Protection Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Society of Executive Fire Officers, National Fire Academy Alumni Association, New Jersey Career Fire Chiefs Association, and the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Association as well as many others including my own Congressional Public Safety Advisory Committee. During his tenure in the Bloomfield Fire Department, Chief Intile achieved Executive Fire Officer status from the National Fire Academy and Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Commission on Fire Officer Designation. He has attained Fire Official, Fire Inspector, and Incident Management Level 3 ranks from the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. He has received five Live Saving Awards from the Township of Bloomfield, three Public Safety Awards from the John I. Crecco Foundation, as well as recognition from the New Jersey General Assembly, the Essex County Board of Freeholders, and the New Jersey State Senate. The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to being able to acknowledge great Americans like Chief Joseph Intile. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Joseph's family and friends, the members of the Bloomfield Fire Department, all those who have been touched by him, and me in recognizing the outstanding contributions of Chief Joseph Intile to his profession and his community.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act. My friend from Texas, I think he is still my friend, my friend from Texas would have to admit that we already have a sucking sound and that is we have been sucked into waste after waste after waste, which is costing us a tremendous amount of money, and this is preventible in the 21st century. I want to thank Congressman Chandler for sponsoring this critical legislation, and Chairman Miller, of course, for his leadership on the entire issue. Most of the students in this country attend a school that was built over half a century ago; in my district it is even worse than that, complete with leaky roofs and faulty electric. You can't just shove this off to the side saying it is trivial and unimportant. This is outdated technology which is costing us millions, in fact billions, of dollars. This legislation would provide the dollars and grants for fiscal year 2010 to local school districts so that they can make the repairs, provide the modernization, and green their facilities so that our kids can learn in safe, modern, well-equipped and environmentally friendly school facilities. Many of these schools are not safe, and the States don't have the money, local communities don't have the money to make them safe. This is not acceptable to anybody, regardless of which side of the aisle you are on. The legislation builds on the principles of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It will create 100,000 new jobs in making these places safer, in making them more cost efficient. Joe Zarra, the superintendent of the Nutley School System in my district, has launched an ambitious plan to green the town's elementary schools. He already started a couple of years ago, using cutting-edge technology to reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and the school district's utility bills. That is critical. I agree with my friend from Texas that the health issue is a critical issue. The patient is in the emergency room, particularly with the numbers out today on Medicare and Medicaid. But this too is a very important issue. H.R. 2187 will help school districts across the country undertake similar projects and ensure that our children learn in modern environments where they can truly reach their potential.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the work of an outstanding individual, Mr. Slavco Madzarov who will be recognized on May, 5, 2009 by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark as ``Humanitarian of the Year.'' It is only fitting that he be honored in this, the permanent record of the greatest democracy ever known, for his story is a true embodiment of the American Dream. Slavco Madzarov was born in Maravci in the Republic of Macedonia on August 16, 1957. After earning an Associates Degree in Skopje and completing his mandatory military service in the Army, Slavco left Macedonia to come here to the United States of America to find a better opportunity to fulfill his potential. Slavco arrived here in December 1987, settling in Paterson, NJ. Three years later, he married the love of his life, Kamenka, and they moved to Clifton, NJ, where they still reside with their children, daughter Blagica, now 16, and son Steven, now 13. Slavco and his wife are naturalized citizens of the United States. Within a few years of coming to the United States, Slavco opened his own business. Slavco Construction, Inc., specializes in removing asbestos and professionally executing technical and specific construction tasks. Slavco Construction, Inc. has grown rapidly and is recognized as one of the most respected construction firms in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. The company prides itself on abiding by environmental construction regulations. Slavco's talent, hard work and dedication have allowed him to celebrate the 18th anniversary of Slavco Construction, Inc., as a company in continual growth. Slavco has made the most of the opportunities that have been possible for him, and he is always willing to help others in return. He spends much of his energy, good will and financial resources to improve the lives of the residents of New Jersey and also those in his homeland of Macedonia. Slavco has completed Community Emergency Response Team training, conducted by FEMA, and is a member of the President's Citizens Corps. In addition, he is an active member of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the President's Club, and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association. Slavco has received awards and honors from the Passaic County Sheriff's Department, the Polish-American Children's Foundation, Passaic County 200 Club, New Jersey Civil Service Association, the Sheriff Jerry Speziale Foundation for Community Service, and the Giblin Association. He was named Man of the Year by the Greater Paterson Leadership Council. In a resolution passed by the New Jersey General Assembly, Slavco was recognized for his numerous and significant contributions to the State of New Jersey. He has been granted an Honorary Chieftainship in Nigeria and has participated on a mission to the country in 2003 to review and analyze the socio-political and economic situation there. In the Macedonian community, Slavco is a member and supporter of the Macedonian Orthodox Churches Sts. Kiril and Metodij in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, and St. Nikola in Totowa, New Jersey. He is an avid soccer fan, and is a supporter of the Macedonian Soccer Club of Clifton, New Jersey, and the Miravci Soccer Club in Macedonia. Since its founding in 2004, Slavco has strongly supported the United Macedonian Diaspora, the only Washington, DC-based international organization representing Macedonians and Macedonian communities around the world. Slavco is the recipient of the September 14th Golden Plaque Award from the municipality of Sveti Nikole in Macedonia. Slavco and his family frequently visit Macedonia. The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to learning about and recognizing the efforts of individuals like Slavco Madzarov. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Slavco's family and friends, all those who have been touched by him, and me in recognizing the outstanding contributions of Mr. Slavco Madzarov to his community.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I want to state for the record that on May 5th I was in my district attending the funeral of my Aunt Julia Taglibue Monda who recently passed away at the age of 96, and I therefore missed the three rollcall votes of the day. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 231, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 299--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 4 through 10, 2009, and throughout the year. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 232, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 338--Supporting the goals and ideals of National Community College Month. Lastly, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 233, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 353-- Supporting the goals and ideals of Global Youth Service Days.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I hope folks are watching and listening. We had a debate on credit cards. You heard the debate last week. Now you know who is on the side of the consumer and who is dealing in gibberish. Secondly, we have a debate today on the Anti-Predatory Lending Act. There is no doubt about this. To insinuate that the primary problem is with those who borrow the money is outlandish and cannot be backed up with any data whatsoever. So I rise in strong support of H.R. 1728, which would curb the abusive and predatory lending that led directly to the subprime mortgage crisis and the recession we now face. I want to thank Chairman Frank for his hard work on this legislation. In my county of Passaic, New Jersey, one out of every 21 homes is in foreclosure. In my hometown of Paterson, New Jersey, 2,700 mortgages are currently in default; that is one out of seven. And to hear the other side--or many on the other side, that is--is outlandish. You cannot support what you're talking about. My district office receives dozens of calls every day from my constituents who cannot pay their skyrocketing mortgages and fear imminent eviction. For years, as the housing bubble grew, unscrupulous brokers, in a quest for higher commissions and higher profits, preyed on the American Dream of homeowners by signing borrowers, many of them unqualified, up for risky, adjustable rate, subprime mortgages. That is what we are talking about today. That is what we are going to correct. Subprime, high-interest and high-fee mortgage lending grew from 8 percent of the total mortgage lending in 2003 to 28 percent in 2006. Additionally, of the subprime mortgages originating in just 2004 to 2006----

Mr. PASCRELL.--in those 2 years, Mr. Chairman, 90 percent came with an exploding adjustable interest rate. How do you blame that on the borrowers? Seventy percent came with a prepayment penalty. How can you blame that on the borrowers? Seventy-five percent included no escrow for taxes and insurance, and over 40 percent were approved without fully documented income. They didn't ask it. They didn't even ask it. They are responsible to lenders. By 2007, according to the Joint Economic Committee, these subprime mortgages were being foreclosed at the rate of 10 times more than fixed rate mortgages. I hope we support this legislation, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam. Speaker, May 4th, I remained in my district due to the death of my Aunt Julia Taglibue Mondawho recently passed away at the age of 96, and I therefore missed the two rollcall votes of the day. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 229, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--H. Con. Res. 93--Recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo. Lastly, had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 230, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--H Res. 230--Recognizing the 61st anniversary of the Independence of the State of Israel.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, that was, to my good friend from Alabama, the best apologist presentation that I have heard in a long time. The very same people stood on the floor of this House and condemned folks trying to get a part of the American dream in buying a house and then finding out they couldn't afford it, condemned those people. Not the folks who loaned them the money, not the many unscrupulous people. I have heard it before and will hear it again, I am sure. There has to be a balance, and I would agree. The question is we've gone out of balance, and no one can deny looking at the data of the past 20 years that we have reduced our standards, there have been financial products that nobody has overseen, and I place the blame on both political parties. Neither party is privy to virtue on this. We'll stand for the consumer this time. Hopefully we'll get it past this House and we will get it past the Senate. That's necessary. We have before us here legislation which would give consumers protection against credit card abuses. That's what we are targeting here. And this is at a time when Americans are sick and tired of being the victims of a crafty and fatally opportunistic financial sector. You may defend that sector. You have all of the right to do it. Thank God we're in America. Americans are discovering that even if they pay their bills, their interest rates still get jacked through the roof. Even if you pay your bills. The credit card industry and some Members have been quick to condemn this legislation. But today, I ask those who have spoken against the legislation, what possible detriment is there in increasing transparency in the imposition of fees? How can we possibly be against empowering Americans for taking control of their credit card finances?

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. PASCRELL. First of all, that is a total report. There have been many reports on the effectiveness of the COPS program, not just that one. But the accuracy of that report is not being questioned by me by any stretch of the imagination. It is a contributing factor to the decline in violent--violent-- crimes. That is what we are talking about. There is a very basic difference between the stealing of an automobile and a violent crime of armed robbery, for instance. When you break down the crimes, sir, you will see that this had a very effective part.

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1139, the COPS Improvements Act of 2009. I want to thank my colleague Mr. Weiner, who understands the significance, the history, the data, and even the science of the success of this bill and this law. Mr. Speaker, after September 11th, as we as a Nation, as a Congress, made a new commitment to homeland security protecting our communities, the fact is that for years under the Republican-led Congress, cops hiring grants were gutted for more than $1 billion a year in the late 1990s to only $10 million in fiscal year 2005 and then zeroed out, zeroed out. Not only do they want them to be outgunned, Mr. Weiner; they want them to be outfunded. That's what they want. They want to take pictures with cops, pat them on the back, and not support them. As a longtime member of the Homeland Security Committee, I have always believed strongly that real homeland security begins in our streets, in our communities, and that means funding for our cops. The whole purpose of the COPS program was to provide community officers to be trained in the streets. Read the legislation. When President Clinton created the COPS program in 1994 with the goal of putting 100,000 new officers out on the streets, it was met with some skepticism, but today it's clear that this program helped turn the tide against crime. In fact, the GAO isolated the effect of the COPS program and estimated that there was a 2.5 percent decline in the violent crime rate between 1993 and 2000 because of this program alone. When you think about it, that's tens of thousands of violent crimes that weren't committed simply because we did the right thing and provided our officers with more support on the streets and the proper training. So I stand here on behalf of the police officers of this country and I stand here on behalf of those folks who work in prosecutors' offices all across America. We're going to help you. We are going to make sure you have assistance and resources to do the job. So three times the current amount and it comes at a time when our States and municipalities need it most. In my district alone, 324 police officers on the streets because of these grants. I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this vital bill and pass this legislation.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I want to state for the record that yesterday, April 1st, I was in my district attending the funeral of my mother Roffie Pascrell, who recently passed away at the age of 95, and I therefore missed the 8 rollcall votes of the day. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 175 on the Motion to Table the Resolution--H. Res. 312. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 176 On Agreeing to the Resolution Providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 85) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2010 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2009 and 2011 through 2014--H. Res. 305. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 177 On Agreeing to the Resolution Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1664) to amend the executive compensation provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to prohibit unreasonable and excessive compensation and compensation not based on performance standards--H. Res. 306. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 178 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended End Government Reimbursement of Excessive Executive Disbursements (End GREED) Act-- H.R. 1575. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 179 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree Honoring the lives, and mourning the loss, of Sergeant Mark Dunakin, Sergeant Ervin Romans, Sergeant Daniel Sakai, and Officer John Hege, members of the Oakland Police Department in California who were brutally slain in the line of duty--H. Res. 290. Had I been present I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote No. 180 On Agreeing to the Amendment--Bean of Illinois Amendment to H.R. 1664. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 181 On Agreeing to the Amendment--Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania Amendment to H.R. 1664. Lastly, had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 182 On Passage To amend the executive compensation provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to prohibit unreasonable and excessive compensation and compensation not based on performance standards--H.R. 1664.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I want to state for the record that today, April 2nd, I was returning from my district after attending the funeral of my mother Roffie Pascrell, who recently passed away at the age of 95, and I therefore missed the first 5 roll call votes of the day. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote #183 On Agreeing to the Resolution Providing for the adjournment of the House and Senate--H. Con. Res. 93. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote #184 On Agreeing to the Resolution Providing for consideration of H. Con. Res. 85--H. Res. 316. Had I been present I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote #185 On Agreeing to the Amendment--Buyer of Indiana Substitute Amendment to H.R. 1256. Had I been present I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote #186 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act--H.R. 1256. Lastly, had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 187 On Passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act--H.R. 1256.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, today, March 31st, I was detained in my district and therefore missed the 9 rollcall votes of the day. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 166 on Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 296--on Providing for the consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 1388. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 167 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 1259-- Dextromethorphan Distribution Act. Had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 168 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H. Res. 282--Recognizing the 30th anniversary of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 169 on the On Motion To Concur in the Senate Amendments to H.R. 1388-- Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 170 on the On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 577--Vision Care for Kids Act of 2009. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 171 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 1253--Health Insurance Restrictions and Limitations Clarification Act. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 172 On Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 279--Providing for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Eleventh Congress. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 173 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 151--To establish the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program. Lastly, had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 174 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 1299-- Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act of 2009.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, on March 30th, I was detained in my district and therefore missed the three rollcall votes of the day. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 163 on the Motion to Table the Privileged Resolution. Had I been present I would have also voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 164 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 20--Melanie Blocker Stokes Mom's Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act. Lastly, had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 165 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 479--Wakefield Act.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. I was pleased to introduce the Vision Care for Kids Act with my colleagues Congressmen Green, Sullivan, and Engel and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen in both this Congress and in the previous Congress. This important legislation will establish a federal grant program to provide for timely diagnostic examination, treatment, and follow-up vision care for children, which will complement existing State programs and allow eye exams for a vulnerable pediatric population that do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP and do not have access to private health insurance. This issue has long been near to my heart. In fact, in 2003, I first championed legislation to create a grant program to provide comprehensive eye exams and necessary follow-up care for children whose families do not have the resources for or access to such care. Preventive vision care is critically important to avoid vision loss, and even blindness, in our nation's children, which can affect a child's physical, emotional, and intellectual development. The CDC states that approximately 1.8 million children under the age of 18 are blind or have some form of visual impairment. Fortunately, in most cases, vision loss can be avoided with early diagnosis and treatment. Eye health has a direct impact on learning and achievement, and unfortunately, many visual deficits are caught only after they have impaired a child's early and most critical education. Consequently, it is a national disgrace that only one in three children receive preventive vision care before they are enrolled in elementary school. This essential legislation will provide the tools to significantly mitigate the effects of visual impairment. In fact, H.R. 577 has the potential to open up a new world of academic and social opportunity for approximately half a million of our youngest children nationwide. As Congress continues its work to improve the health care and educational opportunities available to children in this country, the need to remove outside impediments to learning must be addressed to achieve long-term success. I would like to thank Chairman Waxman and Chairman Pallone, for their thoughtful consideration and support for preventive vision care for children, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Vision Care for Kids Act. Finally, I encourage the Senate to expeditiously consider this essential legislation to provide necessary vision care to our nation's most vulnerable children.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I want to state for the Record that today, March 26th, I was detained in my district and therefore missed the six rollcall votes of the day. Had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 157 on agreeing to the Perlmutter of Colorado Amendment. Had I been present I would have also voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 158 on agreeing to the Hastings of Washington Amendment No. 4. Had I been present I would have also voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 159 on agreeing to the Minnick of Idaho Amendment. Had I been present I would have also voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 160 on agreeing to the Kirkpatrick of Arizona Amendment. Had I been present I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 161 on agreeing to the Goodlatte of Virginia Amendment. Lastly, had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 161 on final passage of the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act.

Mr. PASCRELL

Mr. PASCRELL. After this bill is signed into law, I would be honored to have my colleagues visit the Great Falls where they can all see firsthand the value that urban parks bring to the National Park System and to the local communities. I want to thank Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Rahall and Chairman Grijalva for bringing this bill to the floor. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' I think, Mr. Chairman, when we are involved more in substance rather than process, we get a lot done in the House of Representatives.