Joseph Pitts

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, last week an 80-foot spruce tree was delivered to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building. Originally billed as the Capitol Holiday Tree, this beautiful spruce has been officially changed back to its historical name, the Capitol Christmas Tree, by the Speaker of the House, in time for the lighting ceremony to be held this Thursday. Predictably, the Speaker's move was unwelcome to the adherents of political correctness who constantly demand ``mainstream policy'' from our leaders. So what is the mainstream on this issue, Mr. Speaker? A poll conducted last week provides some revealing numbers. Eighty-one percent of those polled expressed opposition to religion being excluded from public life. Eighty-three percent think nativity scenes should be allowed on public property. Ninety-three percent think the phrase ``In God We Trust'' should remain on our currency. We would do well to keep these numbers in mind the next time the left wing attempts to arbitrarily define the mainstream for everyone. And I applaud the Speaker for taking a commonsense stand in calling our Capitol Christmas Tree what it is.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, the third-quarter economic numbers released last week are worth noting. When you consider the total devastation inflicted on our gulf coast region, combined with the temporary spike in petroleum prices, the fact that our economy remains robust is a strong testament to our free-market policies and commitment to reducing the tax burden on all Americans. The overall growth of the economy, measured in total gross domestic product, was even better than expected, growing at a rate of 4.3 percent, the 10th consecutive quarter of GDP growth above 3 percent. Heading into the Christmas shopping season, the consumer confidence index rose to 98.9 in November, up 14 points from the previous month. In November alone, we added 215,000 jobs to our Nation's payrolls, a total of more than 4.4 million new jobs added since May. These numbers, along with the other positive indicators, should provide strong incentive to us this week as we take up legislation to extend expiring tax cuts.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and in strong opposition to the underlying resolution. I too am a Vietnam veteran. I flew 116 combat missions in B-52s in Vietnam, and I was deeply troubled to hear my colleague from Pennsylvania, a fellow Vietnam veteran, yesterday call for the immediate withdrawal of our troops from Iraq. It brought to my mind the outrage that I and so many of my fellow veterans felt so many years ago as a young Air Force officer in Vietnam when we would hear the politicians in Washington undermining the war effort for political purposes. For the past few weeks, much of the criticism of the war in Iraq, Mr. Speaker, has been nothing more than an attempt to undermine our Commander in Chief. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of our troops in the field. How do you think this call to immediately withdraw will affect our brave soldiers fighting on the ground overseas and their families at home awaiting their return? I will just say it is demoralizing and insulting to them. It emboldens the terrorists. We should not misrepresent the mission in Iraq. Our troops are not occupiers. They are liberators. They are there serving the cause of freedom and freedom is not free. It is costly. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule and opposition to the underlying resolution. I am a Vietnam veteran. I flew 116 combat missions in B-52's in Vietnam. I was deeply troubled to hear my colleague from Pennsylvania, a fellow Vietnam veteran, yesterday call for our immediate withdrawal from Iraq. It brought to mind the outrage I, and so many of my fellow veterans, felt so many years ago, as a young Air Force Officer in Vietnam, when we would hear the politicians in Washington undermining the war effort for political purposes. For the past few weeks, much of the criticism of the war in Iraq, Mr. Speaker, has been nothing more than an attempt to undermine our Commander in Chief. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of our troops in the field. How do you think this call to immediately withdraw will affect our brave soldiers fighting on the ground overseas and their families at home awaiting their return? It is demoralizing and insulting to them. And what do you think such comments like those made yesterday do for our terrorist enemies in Iraq? It emboldens them and puts our troops at greater risk, Mr. Speaker. How dare some of my colleagues on the left misrepresent our mission in Iraq. They call our troops occupiers rather than liberators, and it seems they're more interested in demonizing Bush than defeating terrorists and defending freedom. History has some lessons to teach us. One is written in words on the mall. It says ``freedom is not free.'' While we respect those who disagree with us and who may even protest, we should always remember that our freedoms were not won with poster paint. They were won by the blood of patriots. Winning and protecting freedom is costly. That's what our troops are doing in Iraq. As a combat veteran who served in an unpopular conflict during another painful time in our history, I can tell you that our troops will always remember which politicians supported them, and which undermined their efforts. Walking away from Iraq before the job is done would be surrendering Iraq to terrorism and an incredible insult to the many brave men and women who have sacrificed so much. If the war against terrorism is lost, it will not be lost by our magnificent troops on the battlefield. It will be lost right here at home in the halls of Congress by politicians who lose their resolve.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to walk the Halls of Capitol Hill these days without running into signs just like this one, reminding us of the size of our national debt, put outside their doors by members of the Democrat Blue Dog Coalition. Their message: ``It's Time to Put Our Fiscal House in Order, Reduce Our Deficit.'' I agree with them. And I am glad to see this bipartisan support for deficit reduction. By bringing the Deficit Reduction Act to the floor this week, the Republican leadership has provided the Blue Dogs with an opportunity to vote for the very policy they promote with their signs. The Deficit Reduction Act would result in some $50 billion in budget savings over 5 years. It is a significant step in the right direction, and it is welcome policy for those of us committed to fiscal responsibility. If the owners of these signs are serious about debt reduction, then they should vote for the Deficit Reduction Act this week. Otherwise, their signs are little more than false advertising and ought to be taken down.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) for introducing this important legislation. In its decision, the Ninth Circuit said: ``We hold that parents have no due process or privacy right to override the determinations of public schools as to the information to which their children will be exposed while enrolled as students.'' Parents, not schools, certainly not the courts, hold the primary responsibility for educating their children, especially when it comes to more sensitive subject matters like sexual, moral, and religious instruction. But the Ninth Circuit, the same court that ruled the phrase ``under God'' in the Pledge is unconstitutional, would strip parents of this fundamental role in their children's lives. Make no mistake: if this ruling stands, not only will parents lose the right to choose what lessons their children will learn; it will not be long before they will not even be allowed to know what is being taught in the classroom. I rise in strong support of this resolution and urge its adoption.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Veterans Day. On this holiday, it is certainly appropriate that we recognize the sacrifice of our brave veterans that have fought to protect our freedom in years past. But Veterans Day also provides a good opportunity to note the progress our military is making today. Today, we are at war. Our troops are fighting in the cause of freedom. Just 3 years ago, Saddam Hussein wielded a brutal totalitarian regime over an oppressed people. Today, Saddam is in jail and Iraqis have adopted a constitution upholding the rule of law. Our effort to train and deploy new Iraqi security forces is also progressing. As of October, over 206,000 Iraqi forces have been trained and equipped. Similar progress has been seen in Afghanistan. Each day we continue the rebuilding of these war-torn countries. As a veteran, I am proud to say our military is not about occupation; it is about freedom, our freedom and freedom around the world. Mr. Speaker, as we take time tomorrow to remember our living veterans, let us also recognize the noteworthy accomplishments of our troops serving today and not forget the words on the Mall--``Freedom Is Not Free.''

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, some liberals opposed to the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court claim that Judge Alito is ``outside the mainstream'' because he supported the spousal notice provision of the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act. Mind you, this was not paternal notice; it was spousal notice. This was not spousal consent. It was spousal notice. Polling showed nearly 75 percent of the Americans support this provision. So what is the mainstream in America today? In 2004, 13 States included on their ballot a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union between a man and a woman. All 13 States passed the measure by wide margins. Today, it is up to 19 States. The polls overwhelmingly support this definition. A Zogby poll showed 77 percent of Americans support a law requiring a pregnant woman be given information about fetal pain prior to an abortion. Other polls show nearly 90 percent support including the phrase ``under God'' in the Pledge of Allegiance. A 2005 Gallup poll shows 75 percent of Americans think that State government entities should be allowed to display the 10 Commandments. Let us not allow liberal interest groups to arbitrarily define the mainstream for us.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, like millions of parents across the country, we were shocked last week by the ruling of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. This ruling denies parents their right to have a say in the content their children are taught in school. In its decision, the Ninth Circuit said, ``We hold that parents have no due process or privacy right to override the determinations of public schools as to the information to which their children will be exposed while enrolled as students.'' Mr. Speaker, parents, not schools and certainly not the courts, hold the primary responsibility for educating their children, especially when it comes to more sensitive subject matters like sexual, moral, or religious instruction. But the Ninth Circuit, the same court that ruled the phrase ``under God'' in the Pledge of Allegiance to be unconstitutional, would strip parents of this fundamental role in their own children's lives. Last week we addressed an errant court ruling on eminent domain and private property rights. Should this ruling stand, we will need to correct this wayward court yet again.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share the outrage of the people of Indonesia with my colleagues regarding a case of horror that occurred this past weekend. While walking to school on the morning of Saturday, October 29, in Central Sulawesi, three teenage girls were attacked by Islamic extremists. The attackers murdered the young ladies by hacking them with machetes and eventually severing their heads from their bodies. Why this attack? They had done nothing wrong. They were simply teenage girls walking to school. As this horrible tragedy affirms, the Indonesian government must crack down strongly and firmly on these barbaric extremists in Indonesia. Otherwise, these terrifying events will continue. Photos are too graphic to show, but they show a young girl wearing a Princess Diaries t-shirt who will never again have the chance to dream like many little girls do of being a princess. Extremists have robbed her of her dream. I urge the Indonesian government to spare no resource in rooting out these extremist perpetrators and other human rights violators from Indonesian society.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, our Founding Fathers devised a system of government which has served us well for more than 200 years. Ultimately, though, no constitutional system can survive unless it is respected by those who have sworn to protect it. We will find out in the coming weeks whether the liberals in the Senate value demagoguery more than the Constitution. Judge Samuel Alito has every qualification and character trait you could want in a Supreme Court Justice. He has reverence for the Constitution, he has the humility to remember that his job is to judge, not to legislate. He has a brilliant mind, a compassionate character. He comes from humble origins, which will keep him rooted in the real values of this country. This is precisely the kind of person we need on our Court. Unfortunately, there are a handful of Senators who are so obsessed with a few controversial issues that they seem bent on tearing down good people no matter what the cost to our democracy. I urge the other body to proceed fairly toward an up-or-down vote on Judge Alito's nomination.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, earlier this month a human rights conference was held on Capitol Hill on the issue of the Dalits of India. We learned that India's caste system was established 3,000 years ago. It allows a powerful few to dominate the many, but not everyone has a caste. A group once called the Dalits, ``the untouchables,'' have none. They are literally outcast, some 250 to 300 million people. Often the Dalits are treated worse than animals, denied access to water, food, health care, even clothing, because they are deemed unworthy of these things. The vast injustice done to these people is indescribable. The Dalits are attacked not only physically, but various community members, sometimes even the police, attack them. India is a great friend to America. As the world's largest democracy, it holds limitless potential; but just as slavery and the unequal treatment of African Americans blemished our record for much of our history, so the treatment of Dalits will hold our friend India back. Countries that protect the rights and freedoms of all people are more stable and more prosperous. Once America came to accept that all citizens were equal and deserved equal opportunity to build a better life, we became a stronger Nation, and our calls for freedom elsewhere carry more credibility, because we grant it to all of our citizens. If they free the Dalits, India's will, too.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say today we live in an age of heroes. Not so long ago it seemed like we did not have heroes anymore, but today heroes seem to be plentiful. Our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are risking their lives every day so that people half a world away can live in peace and democracy. Our first responders on September 11 proved that hundreds of people can rise up jointly in one great act of heroism. Todd Beamer and the other heroes of Flight 93 are soon to be featured in films. Difficult times require heroes, and America has always risen to the challenge. Today we are remembering another difficult time, the era of Jim Crow and racial bigotry, and we are remembering that gentle and humble woman who would not give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama; that one act of courage sparked a boycott which led to a movement which has changed the lives of every American. Rosa Parks was a real, genuine hero, the kind of American our Nation has always produced when tough times required it. Today I am sure she is hearing the words, well done, good and faithful servant.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, the war on terror is slow going. In Iraq, suicide bombers and terrorists continue to spread fear across the Sunni provinces in the center of the country. Many of our soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice. Some folks here at home wonder where the war is going. It is important to step back and look at the big picture. Just this week, millions of Iraqis have once again exercised the right to vote, a right denied them for decades. And yesterday, the Tyrant of Baghdad was brought to trial. Two things we take for granted here at home: the right to choose our own government and the guarantee of real justice in a court of law. Saddam Hussein is at long last standing trial for his crimes against humanity. The chickens are coming home to roost for those who have painted the past with blood, and the people of Iraq with their ink- stained fingers are creating a new tomorrow according to popular will. No matter how difficult life remains in Baghdad and the Anbar Province, the future is now full of hope. Mr. Speaker, we are the good guys in this war. We are helping create a better world. God bless our troops and the citizens of the new Iraq.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, the SPDC rules Burma with an iron fist. It has prevented the democratically elected leader of the nation from taking power, and nearly 1 million people have been driven from their homes and now live in the jungles hunted like animals by the SPDC military. They are called IDPs, internally displaced people. I say to the people of Burma: Other human rights issues may get the headlines, but you are not forgotten. We stand with you. We will continue to work with you for as long as it takes to ensure that the people of your nation are able to live in peace and freedom. On September 21, Assistant Secretary of State Eric John said that the Bush administration led by Ambassador John Bolton will put Burma on the Security Council agenda this month. This is an important step towards resolving the tragedy in Burma and calling on the SPDC to account for its atrocities. Seventeen years after the formation of the Burma's main opposition party, the NLD, the U.N. is waking up and taking notice of the plight of the Burmese people. I hope the U.N. will act.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, the left is howling about how hurricane relief money is being spent. They want to stop money from going to certain groups. The government has offered to help defray the cost that faith-based groups have incurred in helping victims of the hurricanes. Many have been able to cover costs through donations of goods, money, and volunteers. But in many cases, these groups help more people than they were capable of helping because the government asked them to. But to serve an extremist agenda, some have called on the government to ban faith-based groups from the publicly funded relief effort. Their call would shut out the poor in churches and synagogues and mosques simply to suit their erroneous reading of the Constitution and to pad their fundraising numbers. First, they want to keep poor kids in big cities from going to good schools with scholarship vouchers, now they want to stop aid from going to the poor. So much for compassion.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, Iraqis are not yet fully capable of defending themselves against the terrorists. But they are getting much closer. In Tal Afar 5,000 Iraqis led 3,800 Americans in taking back the town from terrorists. The force killed 157 terrorists, captured 440, seized 34 weapons caches. The victory is a watershed moment in the war against terror. It was the largest urban offensive in Iraq since Americans led the Fallujah offensive last year. It is proof that with proper training Iraqis can do it better than us. In Fallujah, the Americans withdrew and the terrorists reappeared. In Tal Afar, though, Iraqis are weeding out the terrorists and seeding the town with security forces. This will become the model for future operations in towns like Ramadi. Upcoming elections and the permanent establishment of the Iraqi constitution will lend legitimacy to this young democracy and move them closer to victory. Another ally in the cause of freedom.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, much has been said about leadership in the Katrina response. Some elected leaders failed because they were not decisive and did not make tough choices when the times called for them. We should not repeat those mistakes. True leaders make tough choices and inspire shared sacrifice when times get tough. President Bush outlined an unprecedented Federal commitment to cleaning up the mess left by Hurricane Katrina, and this body will give him a plan that largely reflects what he wants. The devil, as it is said, is in the details. How do we pay for this? We cannot just throw money into programs and ideas. A successful plan to rebuild the region will be limited in scope, targeted to specific needs, and its cost offset from other areas of the budget. It is wrong to use this tragedy as an excuse to pile more debt onto future generations. Let us help Katrina's victims but let us also tighten our belts and pay for it today.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday a judge in San Francisco ruled the Pledge of Allegiance, which we just said, is unconstitutional. Again, it is disturbing how a judge can strike down a voluntary act of patriotic expression. Any reading of the founding documents reveals that the first amendment was written to guarantee the right of expression. That should allow for public displays and proper expressions of faith in the public square. It also certainly allows for voluntary expressions of patriotism. But certain judges are ignoring it. The Constitution established the judiciary as a coequal branch of government, not as the final and supreme authority. The hearings on Judge Roberts' nomination to the Supreme Court underscore the importance of confirming judges who understand this. We must maintain the proper checks and balances which our Founders designed. It is time for Congress and the President to stand up to the courts which have seized so much power to themselves. Ultimately, the survival of our constitutional Republic will depend on it.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, many of us were appalled at the red tape that hindered the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Hundreds of surgeons and paramedics were stranded in a state-of-the-art mobile hospital without patients to treat, prevented by Louisiana State officials from mobilizing their taxpayer-funded hospital closer to the disaster zone. State homeland security officials prevented the Red Cross from trucking in supplies in the immediate aftermath. Police shut down a key bridge after the hurricane hit, preventing escape by victims of the storm. Churches in Louisiana asked by FEMA to take in victims of the hurricane have received no financial assistance from the agency, because FEMA cannot offer assistance to uncertified faith-based groups. Survivors sleep on the floors of these churches while FEMA is storing unused cots in Louisiana warehouses. The worst thing that can come from all of these hearings, investigations, and commissions is more red tape of the sort that has slowed current relief efforts and probably cost many, many lives.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 881.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, our prayers are with the families who are still displaced, those who have lost loved ones, and those who have yet to locate friends and family. Last week we offered a $10.5 billion down payment on a long-term rebuilding effort, and I hope this initial commitment will send a clear message to the victims that the American people stand ready to help during their time of need. But I am concerned about politics. I have been around long enough to recognize opportunism when I see it. Some Democrats are already using this opportunity to impugn the integrity of the President with blame and finger-pointing. Though it is appropriate to determine what went wrong, I am afraid that they may have another agenda. Now is the time for all of us to work together to help those in need. Lest we forget who they are, here is a hint: They do not work here in the Capitol, they do not run for political office, they live in refugee camps in a dozen States because their homes and lives were destroyed by Katrina.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I am going to support the energy bill later today, but I am amazed that Democrats in this town have convinced the majority party that law-abiding citizens must clean up Congress's mess. When Congress mandated use of cleaner-burning gas, MTBE was the only way companies could obey its orders. Upon learning MTBE was linked to environmental concerns, Congress did not accept responsibility, change the policy, or invest in alternatives. Congress told the companies to clean up the mess themselves. Trial lawyers loved it. Congress's inaction signaled that obeying law warrants a lawsuit. Now they sue anyone who might have even had a thought of using MTBE. Mr. Speaker, these companies did not cover up bad data. They did not set out to save money by cutting corners. They did not even choose to use MTBE over a cleaner alternative. Congress made them do it. The Democrats' own energy chairman in 1990 admits that. He says MTBE ``was the only commercially viable alternative at the time.'' Democrats are quick to blame corporations, but slow to take responsibility for their own foolish actions. Maybe that is why they are still in the minority.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, CAFTA has received a lot of criticism from many on the other side, but sometimes critics can be wrong. Does free trade present challenges to consumers and workers? Absolutely. Is it the death knell for manufacturers or textile makers? By no means. I believe American workers, American products, American ingenuity can compete with any other nation on the planet, and free trade enables us to do it. In so doing, it lowers costs for consumers here and actually creates jobs. That is right, hundreds of thousands of jobs are insourced to this country. We have all dealt with the pain of local factories shutting down and businesses closing, and it is tragic whenever it happens. But the fact is that even without free trade, businesses close. Free trade makes sure we have a flow of capital and jobs coming into the Nation. So should we compete in the global economy or let it pass by? I think we should compete. I choose more and better jobs for our constituents. And, Mr. Speaker, this is also a matter of national security. Vote for CAFTA.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and the bill. Without a doubt, medical liability lawsuits and the extravagant awards drain vital resources from our health care system, and the most important resource being drained is doctors. In Chester County, Pennsylvania, where I live, which happens to be the wealthiest county of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania, we have no more trauma surgeons. One-third of Pennsylvania doctors in high-risk specialties said they plan to leave the State because of the huge malpractice insurance rates. Seventy percent of Pennsylvania doctors have considered closing their practice because of the cost of medical malpractice insurance. A few years back, the Lancaster Health Alliance, another county I represent, was planning to open a new clinic to serve the poor in Lancaster, but a $1.5 million hike in malpractice insurance forced them to abandon the project. In Pennsylvania and many other States, we have a crisis on our hands, and the cost of this crisis is measured in terms of doctors leaving, hospitals closing, new clinics not being built, and patients not being served. H.R. 5 is the right answer for the crisis. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation and the rule.

Mr. PITTS

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, before 2002, the government funded the approval process for pacemakers, catheters, defibrillators, contact lenses, hip prosthetics, and other medical devices using only taxpayer funding. This publicly funded process was a mess. It significantly delayed Food and Drug Administration approval of new, life-saving medical devices and prevent patients from benefiting from this new technology. To end this delay, Congress unanimously passed The Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act in 2002. MDUFMA overcame obstacles at the FDA that prevent timely approval of new life-saving medical technologies without compromising the safety of consumers. Modeled after a similar program used to approve medicines and pharmaceuticals, MDUFMA created a stable funding base for the FDA. It combines industry paid user fees and Congressional appropriations. As a result, the device approval time has been virtually cut in half. The program proved very popular among companies making these devices and the patients who have benefited from them. However, Congress built a trigger into the law. The trigger sun-sets the program on September 30, 2005 when Congress fails to appropriate the amount authorized under the 2002 law. Congress provided the $216.7 million required in fiscal year 2005. But in 2003 and 2004, Congress shortchanged MDUFMA by $40 million. That shortfall will cause MDUFMA to expire on September 30th. We can't allow that to happen. Too much is at stake. H.R. 3243 renews MDUFMA for two years and brings some much needed stability to the program. In 2007 we will revisit a full reauthorization of MDUFMA and finetune the program. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I'd like to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Eshoo, for her hard work on this legislation.