Deborah Pryce

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, it is a distinct honor for the central Ohio delegation to rise today to commend the leadership and accomplishments of Karen Holbrook during her tenure as the President of the Ohio State University. Holbrook became Ohio State's 13th president in October 2002, and has served the University and the greater university community nobly for 5 years by guiding Ohio State towards ever-increasing prominence in research initiatives and funding, higher academic standards, and enhanced community partnerships. Ohio State has steadily risen in national rankings of universities since 2002, climbing to 19th among the Nation's public universities in U.S. News and World Report's 2007 edition of ``America's Best Colleges.'' Under Holbrook's watch, the quality of the student body has also increased dramatically. Fifty-two percent of Ohio State's incoming freshmen in the fall of 2007 are expected to be in the top 10 percent of their high school class and 90 percent will be in the top 25 percent. Average ACT scores have also increased. Thanks to better- prepared incoming students and a nationally recognized First-Year Experience program, freshman-sophomore retention has risen to 91.5 percent, well above the average among similar universities. The completion of the South Campus Gateway project, a mixed-use development of retail, entertainment, offices and housing, has revitalized the edge of campus through the Campus Partners initiative. These improvements have enhanced student life, revitalized an urban neighborhood and provided high-quality destinations for the campus community and visitors alike. With annual research expenditures now at $652 million a year, Ohio State is ranked 8th among public research universities in the Nation by the National Science Foundation based on the amount of sponsored research. Also, the University has risen from 5th to 3rd among public universities in industry-sponsored research. Holbrook presided over the creation of the Undergraduate Research Office to encourage and enable undergraduate students to connect to research projects as part of their educational experience. As a result, more than 300 students now participate in the annual Denman Undergraduate Forum. Finally, Holbrook has led the University into strong partnerships in the community, especially with renowned research institute Battelle, which includes the Metro High School for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math, the Urban Arts Center, WOSU@COSI (a collaboration of the university's public media stations and the Center for Science and Industry), and the Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs. These partnerships and initiatives are already bearing fruit, and their impact and importance will only increase down the road. It is truly a pleasure to have worked with President Holbrook over the last 5 years and to have joined her in efforts that increased the prominence and reputation of a great institution. The Ohio State University is a better place because of Holbrook's leadership, and for that, all Buckeyes are forever in her debt. Go Bucks! Beat Michigan!

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 15-year- old Lizzie Palmer, a constituent of mine from Columbus, Ohio, for her powerful and emotion-provoking video production, Remember Me. For those who have not seen it, I respectfully recommend you do so. A 5-minute montage of photos of American soldiers and their families, Lizzie's video does not editorialize on the War in Iraq. It does not choose sides in the debate on the War on Terror. It is not a political statement. Rather, it conveys the very message that so many of us in this body recite day in and day out on this very floor: support the troops. Yet it conveys her support for the troops in a thoughtful, dignified and mature manner that fully transcends the way in which the phrase is often used as a tagline by so many on both sides of the debate. Unfortunately and unwittingly, however, Lizzie herself has become embroiled in America's debate on the war. The deep-seeded and sincere emotions that so many Americans feel about the War on Terror have now entered her realm, and have somehow cast her video as controversial, where no controversy should exist. On YouTube, Lizzie's video has been watched more than 12 million times, and nearly 6,000 viewers have posted their comments and reactions to it. While most postings come from people deeply moved and appreciative of Lizzie's creation, the site also now serves as host to our nation's bitter divide on our presence in Iraq--a vitriolic and rancorous debate over America's foreign policy. Inciting such a debate was never Lizzie's intention. According to Lizzie, she created this video to express her gratitude to the American men and women of our nation's all-volunteer force. She simply wanted to express her appreciation to our soldiers who day in and day out perform their duty professionally and proficiently, without qualification and without complaint. Just as she does not pass judgment on why they are there, we should not seek to use Remember Me to further our own agenda. Those who do so have entirely failed to grasp the simple but fundamental message Lizzie is conveying to our soldiers: we support you without qualification. We should honor them all, and thank them for their thankless task at hand. We all sit stateside, out of harm's way, opine on the efficacy of our mission in Iraq, and all claim to have the best interests of our troops at heart. But sometimes it takes the clearer vision of a 15-year-old--a vision unfettered, unencumbered, and unclouded by the politics of the world around us--to help remind us of what is truly important in this debate.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Chemical Abstracts Service, an American scientific institution and world's largest compendium of information on chemical substances. Located in Columbus, Ohio, adjacent to the campus of Ohio State University, what is now called Chemical Abstracts Service, or ``CAS'' as it is popularly known, was founded in 1907 when a collaboration of leading chemists partnered with the American Chemical Society to begin publishing a new journal called Chemical Abstracts. One hundred years later, Chemical Abstracts is recognized around the world as a leading source of indexed scientific literature and contains more than 27 million bibliographic records related to the chemical sciences. Its sister resource, the CAS Registry, comprises more than 32 million unique entries for chemical substances. These two massive and integrated databases, along with a wealth of related resources on chemistry and chemical reactions, form the backbone of today's Chemical Abstract Service. Scientists, information professionals, and academicians around the world access these databases daily through online services that have revolutionized the way scientists conduct research. Speaking of the value of CAS services, 2005 Nobel Laureate in chemistry, Dr. Robert Grubbs, said, ``CAS databases streamline the investigative process, allowing you to take an idea and rapidly find the important and necessary information before you forget about the idea or it loses its excitement. That really is invaluable.'' This year CAS celebrates its 100th anniversary as a strong, vibrant national scientific treasure: fully electronic, web-enabled, and still growing every day. This month, CAS is being designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark and it is my honor to recognize this great scientific institution and wish CAS good luck for its next 100 years.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I was detained in a meeting in the Senate during rollcall vote 398. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary Pauline Cunningham McNeal, and pay tribute to her on her 100th birthday, July 9, 2007. Born in Madison County, OH, Mrs. McNeal now resides in London, OH. She will gather with her loved ones on July 8, 2007 to celebrate her 100th birthday. Mrs. McNeal continues to impress her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and even great-great grandchildren, with her active lifestyle that includes cooking, yard maintenance, and bingo four to six times a week. As a member of the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, she seldom misses Sunday services, and participates in their annual chicken and noodle dinner. Mrs. McNeal is also well- known for her delicious lemon pies and her famous chicken pie casseroles. Mrs. McNeal's vibrant personality and active lifestyle make her an important part of our community. Mrs. McNeal serves as an inspiration and joy to those who know and enjoy her friendship and love. On this very special occasion, I salute this amazing woman for her long life, and her dedication to her family and her church.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. I thank the gentleman, my friend Mr. Wilson, for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 292, legislation I introduced to encourage schools to celebrate National Garden Month by including outdoor learning in their curriculum. Mr. Speaker, I want to make special thanks to my friend, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) for cosponsoring this bill and helping me get it to the floor. Mr. Speaker, the National Garden Association has designated April as National Gardening Month, during which people across the Nation take out time from their busy schedules to plant seeds and bulbs and trees to beautify their lawns and gardens and, ultimately, the communities in which they live. However, this annual ritual does more than just enrich the aesthetics of people's yards. Research has shown that gardening positively impacts environmental attitudes, interpersonal skills, self- esteem and even nutritional attitudes. That is why it is important that we expose our children, especially school-age children, to the benefits of nature and gardening through outdoor learning. April is a fitting month for consideration of this measure as we celebrate both Earth Day, and in many States, Arbor Day. With conservation and environmental stewardship in the air, we should seize this opportunity to encourage children all across America to step away from their televisions and turn off their X-Boxes, get outside, get some fresh air, and become the young scientists in the living laboratory that is all around us. More so than any one generation before it, children today are instilled with the values of environmentalism and conservation. H. Res. 292 builds upon and nurtures this value system and serves as a win-win for all. With the long-term health of our environment becoming an increasingly hot topic, it is imperative that we teach our children to appreciate, respect and protect our environment. While doing so, it improves and beautifies the planet around us. It also is essential to the physical, emotional and mental development of our children. The practice of gardening has proven to improve landscapes and environmental health, nutrition and personal health and family and community bonds. This bill will introduce more children than ever to gardening and horticulture. For a more beautiful America, and for healthier and happier children, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate our ranking member yielding the time. And I want to thank Chairman Frank and Ranking Member Bachus for making this bill a priority in this new Congress. I want to especially thank Chairman Frank for assuring that the goodwill and the hard work that went into this bill in the last Congress has not gone to waste. And I want to thank my good friend, Carolyn Maloney, for this is not the first bill that we have worked on nor will it be the last. The National Security FIRST Act is not a compromise between Democrats and Republicans, it is a product of bipartisan consensus. We often pay lip service to bipartisanship in this Chamber, but today we have a chance to pass a sincerely bipartisan product. Americans were appalled by the Dubai Ports fiasco, as they should have been. And the answer to the Dubai Ports problem could have been an overreacting, overreaching, protectionist response. It is often joked that legislative bodies do two things well: Nothing and overreact. But that is not the case here. Instead, this legislation puts national security first, while not sacrificing job creation and important relationships with our trading partners. America is a good investment. The National Security FIRST Act makes important changes to CFIUS. Responsibility is restored by requiring the chairman and the vice chairman of CFIUS to put their signature on every deal. A formal intelligence assessment must be conducted for every transaction. CFIUS must be accountable to Congress through committee notification of individual deals and an annual report on every CFIUS transaction. Investors in the United States deserve certainty that the process by which deals are reviewed is objective, thorough, and straightforward. This bill ensures that we continue to protect the United States' national and economic security while promoting beneficial foreign investment. Mr. Chairman, in my State of Ohio, a State admittedly struggling to keep our manufacturing jobs, international employers provide jobs for more than 200,000 of us. We have seen the benefits of open markets and foreign investment. Honda Motor Corporation's capital investment alone topped $6.3 billion during its time in our State. Honda's North American plants purchased more than $6.5 billion in parts from 150 different Ohio suppliers in 2005 alone. H.R. 556 clearly outlines an objective review process that will encourage future investment in Ohio and elsewhere, just like the Honda investment, and will help protect American companies from possible retaliatory measures by other countries. But, most importantly, the American people can feel confident that this legislation institutes the oversights and protections needed to determine if a foreign investment transaction is really in the best interests of the United States' national security and the safety of our citizens. I want to thank once again Chairman Frank, Ranking Member Bachus, Ms. Maloney, our whip Mr. Blunt, Representative Crowley, and everyone who worked so hard on this issue. I urge support for a clean bill.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. I thank the gentleman for yielding. And I especially thank you for your leadership on the floor through this very important debate, a hard debate for us here in the House of Representatives and a hard debate for this country. But, Mr. Speaker, a new plan is being implemented, a new plan with political, economic and military components. Reinforcements are on their way even as we speak. The Iraqis do need to do their part, we know that. President Maliki tells us that they will. And if we reinforce now, they will take it over. They will stand up because they must, and then we will come home. Mr. Speaker, not everyone believes that this is a good plan. It is sophisticated, it is comprehensive, but not everyone agrees that it is the right plan, and I understand that. This war certainly hasn't achieved its intended results. The President said ``stay the course,'' and some said no. The President now says, ``change the course,'' and the same folks say no. That's fair; we have room in this great Nation to disagree. But if that is the case, that you don't want to stay the course or change the course, then use the tools and the powers available to you to stop the course. The tools are at your disposal, the power of the purse to defund the effort. You could repeal the authorization that most of us voted for this in 2002. You could require troop withdrawal. You have that power and you have that right. But, Mr. Speaker, with the world watching, with Islamic fundamentalists, jihadists, just waiting, and with our troops working tirelessly to protect and defend us, don't pass this pointless resolution. If it meant anything, it would be a different argument, but it won't bring one soldier home sooner and it won't change the course of this war. It has no teeth, no muscle; but most of all, it has no positive value whatsoever for us as a Nation at war. Some people say it sends a message to our Commander in Chief, and I believe that that is true. But that message pales compared to the message it sends to our enemies; our enemies, who pledge that their jihad will last until their religion prevails in the world; not until we are out of Iraq, until their religion prevails in the world; our enemies, who believe it is their religious duty to bring hostility to the West and to America. They are tuned in today, Mr. Speaker, you better believe it, and no doubt they are cheering. But what this message says to our enemies and to the President and to everybody else in the world is nothing compared to what it says to our troops. This resolution says, Your cause is lost. This impatient Congress says, Thanks, but we have had our fill. This resolution says to our troops that your cause is no longer worthy and your friends have died in vain. And today we learn that this is only the first step in the slow-bleed strategy. We can't say in the first paragraph that we support them and in the next paragraph that we can't reinforce them. We can't say that first we honor our troops and their service, and in the next breath say that their cause really isn't worth it after all. Mr. Speaker, our military leaders have a plan. They don't have guarantees, there are no guarantees in war. General David Petraeus asked for these troops. I met him when I was in Iraq. He is one of the country's most qualified, brilliant military leaders. He says this is what is needed. This plan gives our troops the help they need and gives the Iraqi Government a last chance to stand up and take over. This resolution rejects the only plan on the table. If we reject this plan, then what should we do? We will be at the status quo. What should we do to keep this country free from terror for another 5 years? What should we do to show solidarity? Nothing? What we should do, Mr. Speaker, is defeat this resolution. Don't demoralize our troops.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I was absent from the House during the week beginning February 5, 2007. As a result, I was not recorded for a series of votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcalls 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, and 92, and ``nay'' on rollcall 81.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I was absent from votes today, January 16, 2007, due to a memorial service in Ohio. As a result, I was not recorded for a series of votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcalls 24, 25, and 26.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a distinguished constituent and a valued member of our country's Homeland Security team, Tom Rice, the federal security director for Port Columbus International Airport. Tom was recently chosen from among 125 peers by the Transportation Security Administration as the Federal Security Director of the Year for the Eastern Region. In bestowing this honor, TSA recognized Tom's contributions in providing operational direction for federal security, demonstrating integrity and innovation, and improving the morale of employees by promoting a culture of achievement among team members. Tom's four decades of distinguished and impeccable service in law enforcement is no secret to central Ohio. After serving for 33 years in the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Tom spent a year at the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction as the acting chief inspector and then had a 5-year tour with the City of Columbus as safety director. Before briefly retiring, Tom also consulted for the Ohio Department of Youth Services. However, with the creation of TSA, Tom was swiftly called to return to duty and was sworn in as the first FSD for Port Columbus and Rickenbacker airports in June 2002. I am thrilled to see his leadership in security recognized nationally by our Nation's top security agency. Passengers at Port Columbus know and trust Tom. And even amid passenger uncertainty due to terrorist threats, his innovative and professional leadership has helped Port Columbus continue to grow and business at Rickenbacker to flourish. I can think of no better person to receive the recognition of our Homeland Security community.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of our colleagues who will be sorely missed next year in the United States House of Representatives, the gentleman from the Buckeye State, Mr. Oxley. Mike Oxley has been a good friend, and we will miss his leadership in this House and in Ohio. For the last 25 years, Mike has represented the Fourth District of Ohio with honor and integrity. In 1981, when he arrived, he brought with him a belief in the hope offered by Ronald Reagan--a hope of economic prosperity guided by the expansion of free enterprise and open markets. Mike Oxley has spent every day of his Congressional career spreading that hope. As Chairman of the Financial Services Committee for the last 6 years, Mike saw our economy through some of its toughest tests. It is a testament not only to the resilience of our economy, but to the leadership provided by Chairman Oxley that our economy and our financial sector have not only endured, but prospered. Ox has been our captain and our coach. He stuck firm to his core beliefs, while never sacrificing civility. We can all learn from Mike Oxley's leadership: When it comes to the well-being of our country, bipartisanship can carry the day. And if and when we do disagree, we should openly and honestly discuss our differences, like statesmen. We have not seen the last of Mike Oxley. Be it in a boardroom or at a Buckeye game, his presence will surely be known. It is an honor to call Mike Oxley a friend, and we wish him Godspeed.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations and adulations to the 2006 Hilliard Davidson Wildcats football team, which on Saturday, December 2, earned the title of State Champions in the Division I Ohio State Football Playoffs, and finished its storybook season a perfect 15-0. No superlative or tired sports cliche can effectively capture the magic of the Wildcats' season. Consistently overlooked and routinely outsized by its opponent, week after week, Davidson utilized its underdog role, its unglamorous but methodical offense, and its blistering defense to knock off yet another favored adversary. Davidson won with discipline, with heart, and perhaps most importantly, with class and dignity. Quietly, Davidson has amassed a 73-25 record under the leadership of Coach Brian White, and has firmly asserted itself as a premier, dynastic program in central Ohio. However, each year, Davidson and other central Ohio high school football programs are largely ignored by the football experts and pundits, and relegated to the shadows of storied, goliath programs in the northeast and southwest parts of the state. This year, however, one by one, the Goliaths fell to David--or in this case, Davidson. In its heart-stopping, double overtime victory on Saturday, Davidson fully entrenched itself in the hearts and minds of central Ohio football fans, and served notice to high school football aficionados across the State and Nation that Hilliard Davidson is second to no one. Throughout its historic championship run, Hilliard Davidson represented the ideal virtues of amateur athletic programs--teamwork, tenacity, competitiveness, and dignity--and its storybook season will be recounted for generations to come in central Ohio. I could not be more proud than to represent Hilliard Davidson High School in Congress, and I congratulate the players, coaches, fans and parents who made 2006 such a memorable one.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise to accept Tuesday's challenge from the gentleman from Florida, who suggested that his Florida Gators will upset the undefeated number-one ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and our soon-to-be-declared Heisman Trophy Winner, quarterback Troy Smith. In his ill-advised wager, the Congressman staked a crate of Florida oranges to a corresponding delicacy from the State of Ohio. I offer up a crate of peanut butter and chocolate buckeyes. But no such buckeye treat will ever reach his palate, for he will never savor the sweet taste of victory. If the gentleman from Florida remains tragically optimistic about his team's chances in Glendale, he should examine the fate of two other teams whose schedules placed them helplessly in the path of the mighty Buckeyes. The agony that permeates through the cities of Austin, Texas and Ann Arbor, Michigan should serve ample notice to the Honorable Gator Fan that Florida's berth in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl is not an opportunity for football immortality, but a certain footnote in Ohio State's storybook 2006 season.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5574, legislation that will reauthorize and strengthen the children's hospital graduate medical education program. I want to thank Chairman Barton and Chairman Deal for their commitment to prioritizing this important measure this year--it's been a great team effort and I appreciate the Committee's support for children's health. I also want to extend a special thanks to Congresswoman Nancy Johnson of Connecticut. We've been strong partners over the years on children's health issues--enactment of Children's Hospital GME back in 1999 is one of my proudest moments working together. We've had great success increasing the Federal investment in this program ever since--from Members on both sides of the aisle. The Ohio delegation has helped lead the charge--in no small part thanks to the efforts of our esteemed Chairman of the Labor HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, Ralph Regula. I am extremely fortunate to have an extraordinary children's hospital in my hometown of Columbus, OH. Strong leadership, a clear vision, and a compassionate team of medical professionals has made Columbus Children's one of the best hospitals in the nation caring for sick children. The CHGME program has helped the hospital--and hospitals all across America--do what they do best--provide the best training to doctors to deliver the best patient care possible. And we can all agree that our children deserve nothing short of the very best. A vote in favor of H.R. 5574 will send it to the President's desk and reauthorize this important program for another 5 years. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank Chairman Oxley, for this effort and for his great leadership of our Committee for the last 6 years. Six very challenging years in which fiscal policy really mattered. A time when security, reliability, transparency, made a difference. Ms. Waters, and Ranking Member Frank and their staffs for their hard work on this legislation. Clinton Jones, Cindy Chetti, and Tallman Johnson on the Majority staff have been invaluable. We are here today to extend a program that works: A program that saves taxpayers money, reduces rents on tenants, and ensures the long- term viability of affordable housing properties. The numbers speak louder than words--In just 7 years, Mark-to-Market has resulted in nearly $2 billion in net savings to taxpayers, reduced rent costs at over 2,700 properties by an estimated $216 million per year, and completed debt-restructuring on over 1,400 properties. Central Ohio has been the beneficiary of many of these projects, including the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing's purchase of 12 HUD-insured properties in urban Columbus, and the continued development of a home for disabled individuals near the Ohio State University, the Center for Creative Living. This bill also includes an amendment I drafted in Committee, which provides relief for properties in rural and dense urban areas and non- profit purchasers, and erases any question of the eligibility of properties damaged by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma or other natural disasters. Our action today shows our commitment to acting before this program sunsets.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the time. Mr. Speaker, 5 years ago this week our Nation suffered an unspeakable terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of almost 3,000 Americans. This resolution is to honor them. No American will ever forget the horror of that day, but neither will we forget what else we saw in the days that followed: The courage, the generosity, the selflessness of ordinary Americans who raced in to help in any way they possibly could. One of those heroes lives in my own backyard. Sergeant Jason Thomas, a former marine who upon learning of the hit on Tower 1, raced to Ground Zero, donning his marine uniform which was in the trunk of his car, to join the search for survivors. His seemingly illogical instinct to race into that danger saved the lives of two Port Authority police officers who were trapped beneath 20 feet of debris when the towers collapsed. Yet he asked for no notice, no thanks, no praise. No one even knew of his bravery. As remarkable as Sergeant Thomas' story is, it is just one of the hundreds and thousands of stories of courage and compassion that came out of that day. Mr. Speaker, the hijackers hoped to terrorize and demoralize our Nation. Instead, they brought out the very best that is in us. Inspired by the heroes of 9/11, today we reaffirm our commitment to defending our liberty from every threat and combating the evil of terrorism wherever it is found. And it is sad that there are so many ``shame on you's'' and finger-shakings going on. And I say shame on those who continue the constant drumbeat to dampen this country's spirit and to demoralize those men and women who are so bravely defending us from the terror that could strike again.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, on the legislative day of Tuesday, September 12, 2006, the House had a vote on rollcall 437, H. Res. 175, recognizing the importance of establishing a national memorial at the World Trade Center site to commemorate and mourn the events of February 26, 1993, and September 11, 2001. I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman, my friend, for yielding. The agreement we have reached at long last tonight will benefit millions of hardworking Americans. This is a landmark achievement. We have attained unprecedented unity, and I am grateful for the hard work of the leadership and for our Members' commitment to getting this done for America. Our friends on the other side of the aisle are already calling this political, but they are wrong. It is another example of House Republicans getting things done for the American people. The bill before us tonight will raise the minimum wage more than $2, to $7.25 an hour, a 41 percent increase, a provision that I am very proud to support. Ohio workers where I live deserve a raise, and tonight that is what we are giving them, and we are doing it in a way that won't stifle job creation; but more importantly, we are doing it in a way that will be able to pass and become law. A clean up-or-down vote would never get through the Senate, the other body, and would never become law. This legislation will also benefit family businesses by burying the death tax for good. Because of this crippling tax that has been on our books for so long, more than 70 percent of family businesses and family farms don't even make it through the second generation, and 87 percent don't even make it to the third. The death tax relief included in this bill will protect these businesses and allow them to continue to create jobs for hardworking Americans. Mr. Speaker, this bill will also support our Nation's teachers. Teachers often contribute more than their time and talent to educate our students, frequently dipping into their own pockets to provide essential classroom supplies. The Apples for Teachers provision which I introduced years ago is expiring, but today we will extend it and these expenses will continue to be tax deductible. Mr. Speaker, this is a vote for our teachers, for our families, for our small businesses, for our farmers, and for all hardworking Americans. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of it.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for yielding me the time and his invaluable leadership on this piece of legislation. His leadership led us very thoughtfully through this process, and we did not have a knee-jerk reaction that so often happens around here. Your valued experience and insights have made this much better legislation. Thank you. Over the last few months, we have heard very much about CFIUS. Media reports of CFIUS transactions such as the Dubai Ports deal have given pause to most Americans and awakened this Congress to the need to reform the process of allowing foreign investment in the United States. Congress has taken a strong position on national security since 9/11, and this legislation updates CFIUS for a post-9/11 world where national security and homeland security need to be considered much more strongly than in years past. National security, however, is not mutually exclusive of economic security. This legislation strives to ensure national security while promoting the creation and maintenance of jobs. This legislation institutes vice chair positions in CFIUS to be filled by the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Commerce. We believe it shows how America continues to think globally for investment and locally for security. While strengthening our security, we have also continued our work to strengthen our relationships and open markets with nations abroad. These countries have a growing appetite for foreign goods and products, American products and American investments. American companies and brand names that we all recognize have grown exponentially because of these market openings, and growing American companies mean growing American jobs. In Ohio, we have seen the benefits of open markets and foreign investment, welcoming into our communities Siemens, Sodexho, Honda, Lexis-Nexis, and many, many more. Honda Motor Corporation has become the largest auto producer in Ohio beginning production in 1979 with an initial investment of $35 million in Marysville, Ohio. To date, Honda's capital investment in Ohio tops $6.3 billion over 26 years. Honda's North American plants purchased more than $6.5 billion in parts from 150 different Ohio suppliers just in 2005. Honda's investment in the people of Ohio keeps approximately 8,500 people employed. When a foreign company looks to invest in the U.S., they are looking to grow their business, and that equals growing jobs in the United States. The U.S. Commerce Department says that foreign firms doing business in the U.S. employed nearly 5.1 million employees in 2004, slightly less than one out of every 20 workers in the private sector. This process of reforming CFIUS has the potential to undercut the United States' long-standing support for capital market access and the free movement of capital. Thanks to the chairman's leadership and a very thoughtful approach to this reform effort, I believe this legislation continues to focus our efforts in securing our Nation, while remaining committed to free trade as one of the greatest engines of prosperity. In recent months, the Treasury Department has made strides in congressional notification of pending deals that could potentially affect national security, but that is simply not enough. This legislation ensures that a Dubai Ports World situation does not happen again in a post-9/11 world. When questions of national security or foreign government ownership arise, accountability is clear, and the transaction moved immediately to investigation. The American people can feel confident that this legislation institutes the oversight and protections needed to determine if a foreign investment transaction is in the best interests of the United States' national security. In a world intertwined by global companies, it is important we continue to protect U.S. national and economic security while promoting foreign investment. This issue touches every American who wants to know that each day they are safe. I want to thank the chairman and Ranking Member Frank, my good friend, Ranking Member Maloney, our whip, Mr. Blunt, and Representative Crowley and everyone who worked so hard on this, and I urge support.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote during the following rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as indicated below: Rollcall No. 375, H.R. 3085--To amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trial segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``yea''. Rollcall No. 376, H.R. 3496--National Capital Transportation amendments Act of 2005, I would have voted ``yea'' Rollcall No. 377, H.R. 3729--Federal Judiciary Emergency Tolling Act of 2005, I would have voted ``yea''.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote during the following rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as indicated below: Rollcall 358, H.R. 2563--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies to address certain water shortages within the Snake, Boise, and Payette River systems in Idaho, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``yea.'' Rollcall 359, H.R. 5061--Paint Bank and Wytheville National Fish Hatcheries Conveyance Act, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Deal for making this a priority, and Ranking Member Brown. I appreciate your words and I associate myself with both of your remarks, and I rise today as a voice for the thousands of families across America who have been touched by pediatric cancer. Each day, two classrooms full of children are diagnosed, two classrooms, and I rise today for the children who will be diagnosed today and for their families who love them. This week, we celebrate Gold Ribbon Days, a time for children and their families to come to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness about pediatric cancer. Some of those children are fighting their own battles. To them, we offer support. Some of these families have lost their children to cancer. To them, we offer compassion. And to some of those children who are survivors, they offer us hope. This morning, I had a chance to spend time with the children and families in town for Gold Ribbon Days. We held a rally right outside the Capitol to tell our stories. We celebrated the fact that this body today would be considering this important resolution that will help raise awareness, education and research. Those families are so thankful, Representative Deal. Thank you so much for allowing us this time. We also celebrated the premier tonight of the much anticipated documentary called ``A Lion in the House.'' This film, produced by two brilliant Ohio filmmakers, is extraordinary. It offers an unprecedented look at the cancer journey of five young people and their families over a 6-year period. For those of us who have traveled on our own journey, this film depicts our experiences, our struggles and our pain. For those of you who have not traveled on this journey, this film will give you empathy and compassion. Never before has such a delicate and serious topic like childhood cancer been brought to the public's attention in such a powerful and meaningful way; real families sharing stories, the very, very private moments, the highs and the lows, the roller coaster of never knowing what lies around the corner, the confusion, the frustration and the darkness, the joy and the pain, the love and the loss. The families we meet in the film, their resilience, courage and wisdom, remind us that while it is human nature to question the sanity and injustice of why such a tragedy has befallen those of us who have been touched by pediatric cancer, we must find a way to channel our pain and our anger into action to change the course of this disease. That is what Gold Ribbon Days is all about, and this resolution is part of our action plan. I want to recognize and thank the pediatric cancer organizations, the advocates, the children and their families who are waging their own battle against cancer. They are the tireless soldiers in our army, and until we rid the world of the scourge that is childhood cancer, we must keep up our strong army and we must keep up the fight, and we shall. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time. I rise today in support of H.R. 5574, legislation that will reauthorize and strengthen the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education program. Mr. Speaker, once in a great while, a program stands out among a crowded field of programs that grabs the attention of policymakers. Back in 1999, together with the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson), we saw such a program and took the reins to bring it to our colleagues' attention. This program, known as Graduate Medical Education, was great at providing teaching hospitals that served Medicare patients with the tools and resources they needed to train doctors and treat patients. But what we realized was that the program did not reach teaching hospitals that treat children. Obviously, Children's Hospitals do not receive much in the way of Medicare payments. In fact, at the time no Federal program provided Children's Hospitals with the resources they needed to train and retain doctors and treat kids. So in response to this inequity, Congresswoman Johnson and I worked with our colleagues to enact legislation that created a discretionary program to pay for Graduate Medical Education at Children's Hospitals. Under the strong leadership of Chairman Ralph Regula of the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriation Subcommittee, Congress has taken the extraordinary step of providing equitable GME funding for independent Children's Hospitals at a level of about $300 million over the past several years. This program has strong bipartisan support and extraordinary support in my home State of Ohio. I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have a state-of-the-art Children's Hospital in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, as was mentioned earlier. At a time when programs are, and should be, scrutinized for their effectiveness and value, I am proud to report on what Children's Hospital in Columbus has been able to accomplish with the funding for the program we are seeking to reauthorize today. In the past 5 years, Columbus Children's has increased the number of physicians trained each year by over 100 percent. It has doubled residency fellowship programs and has launched these programs in areas of local and national shortage, such as pediatric surgical critical care, child neurology, and child abuse and neglect. It has initiated programs for primary care in underserved urban and rural areas. And because the Children's Hospital GME program has provided for the cost of their residency training, just as the Federal Government has always done for adult hospitals, these improvements for education and training of physicians for children have not come at the expense of patient care or research. What all of this means is that the program is working. It is contributing to an improvement in the quality of care that our children receive at Children's Hospitals all across America. And that is exactly what our kids deserve. I want to thank my colleagues, Chairman Deal and Ranking Member Brown, for prioritizing the reauthorization of this important program and commend all of the Children's Hospitals across the country for their extraordinary commitment to the health of our Nation's children. As the motto of Children's Hospital in Columbus states: ``For Every Child, For Every Reason.'' That is what Children's Hospitals are all about and why I am so proud to support this worthy program. I urge my colleagues to support it as well.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. The gentlewoman has been a leader for freedom all around the globe, and this country should appreciate her for that. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege to lead a bipartisan all-female Congressional delegation to Iraq. It was one of the most emotionally overwhelming experiences of my professional life. We met women of enormous courage and hope. They told us that they want to work, they want to vote. They want to be a part of their society, a democratic society. But we also heard about what life was like before the coalition came. We heard about the treatment of women under Saddam Hussein and during torture, oppression, that most of us could not imagine. We were told of the heart wrenching stories of husbands torn from their homes in the middle of the night by brutal, secret police, and the women left behind, usually with children, faced with the impossible burden of providing for their families in a society that doesn't even allow women to work. Some were raped, some were tortured, but that was before liberation. The road to liberation has been a rocky one. But our troops are doing good work every day in Iraq. We saw soldiers building schools and hospitals, vaccinating hundreds of children. They coach soccer. They tutor. They make a difference. They risk their lives every day to protect the newly acquired rights of Iraqis, but especially the women. If I were asked to give one good reason why we should stay in Iraq, I would tell you to stay. We need to stay for the women. Well, I saw women of diverse ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic classes. They were empowering each other with education, with hope, with friendship, just like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. Another courageous woman I met, Nasreen Barwari, the Minister of Public Works, was later the target of an assassination attempt. Her crime, being an outspoken woman in a important position. Thankfully she survived, but her bodyguard was killed. Her female colleague, Dr. Al- Hashimi of the Iraqi Governing Counsel, was not so lucky. She was tragically gunned down. Ladies and gentlemen, if we stay in Iraq, one of the major reasons is to stay for the women. Just over two years ago, I was privileged to lead a bipartisan, all- female congressional delegation to Iraq. It was one of the most emotionally overwhelming experiences of my official life. We met women of enormous courage and hope. They told us they want to vote, to work, to be a part of the democratic process. Some said they wanted to run for office and help create the laws that will build a new Iraq. But we also heard about life before the coalition came. We heard about the treatment of women under the Saddam regime-- enduring torture and oppression that most of us could not imagine. We were told heart-wrenching stories of husbands torn from their homes in the middle of the night by a brutal secret police. The women left behind, usually with children, faced the impossible burden of providing for their families in a society that didn't allow women to work or remarry. Some were themselves raped and tortured. But that was before liberation. The road since liberation has been a rocky one. But our troops are doing good work every day in Iraq. We saw the soldiers building schools and hospitals, vaccinating thousands of children, and putting an archaic infrastructure back in operation. They coach soccer, they tutor--they make a difference! And they are risking their lives to protect the newly acquired rights of all Iraqis--but especially women. If I were asked to give you one good reason why we should stay in Iraq, I would tell you we should stay for the women. If we can make the values of a free society--the rule of law--work for the women of Iraq, we create the conditions for these new democratic values to take root and spread. While there I saw women of diverse ethnicities, religions, and socio- economic classes empowering one another with education, hope and friendship--much like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. In Mosul, we met with the Women's Social and Cultural Society. They had been meeting secretly, but now felt safe enough to be public and actually welcome our delegation. These women, accompanied by their wide-eyed daughters, are creating a new Iraq as they promote social, political and educational equality for all Iraqis. But they're not alone. One of my favorite stories of the trip was of two Iraqi women who arrived one day at a fountain in the town center of Hillah dressed in traditional Muslim women's clothes but with a decidedly non-traditional mission. A courageous woman I met, Nasreen Barwari, the Minister of Public Works later was the target of an assassination attempt. Her crime? Being an outspoken woman in an important public position. Thankfully, she survived, though her bodyguard was killed. Her female colleague, Dr. Al-Hashimi, of the Iraqi Governing Council, was not so lucky. She was tragically gunned down outside her home. The dangers Iraqi women face can't be underestimated nor can the obstacles put in their path to liberation. But these women remain undaunted! We also visited the police academy in Baghdad where 29 women were training to be the first female police officers ever in Iraq. These wonderful women told us how excited they were to be learning skills to hold their first job. Many had barely been out of the home setting before. Their exuberance was infectious. We also went to a residential area in Mosul to talk with a group of neighborhood women--some educated, but many not. We met in the crowded living room of one of the members. All the rooms were packed. The electricity was only on for half of our afternoon together. But that was more than they had had in years. The curiosity of the men on the street outside was so thick you could cut it with a knife. The women's group had many questions for us. ``How do we find our voice?'' they asked. ``How do we organize other women to make an impact? How can we affect the direction of this country?'' They were asking the most fundamental and basic questions of civic involvement--how to construct the foundation of the democratic process. As we left, their children came forward with flowers for us. I think it's fair to say that U.S. soldiers have liberated more women in the last 4 years than anyone or anything else in the last 20--maybe longer. Still, changing 2,000 years of tradition isn't going to happen with stroke of a pen. It will take time and patience. This is not the time for us to abandon these courageous women--not when they have come so far.