Deborah Pryce

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, on the legislative day of Tuesday, October 5, 2004, the House had a vote on rollcall 494, on H.R. 163, a bill to provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' The House also had a vote on rollcall 495, on H.R. 2929, a bill to protect users of the Internet from unknowing transmission of their personally identifiable information through spyware programs, and for other purposes and rollcall 496, on H.R. 5011, a bill to prevent the sale of abusive insurance and investment products to military personnel. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on both.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, as a woman, a former prosecutor and judge, and Federal representative for Ohio's 15th district, I rise today in support of H.R. 5107, the Justice For All Act. Sadly, for far too many women, the grief of rape and other forms of sexual assault is compounded by the lack of apprehension, prosecution and conviction of the perpetrator. As my community has recently witnessed first hand with the arrest of accused serial rapist Robert Patton, Jr. in the Columbus area, linking DNA obtained at rape scenes to the DNA of felons already convicted of crimes through the FBI's combined DNA Index System is often the best change we have to close a painful chapter in the lives of women who have been the victims of rape and sexual assault. It is also the best chance to put rapists behind bars before they have a chance to repeat their crimes. Last year, the Federal government provided $100 million to speed up the processing of untested DNA through the Department of Justice and the DNA Index System. And recently, the House passed legislation to increase this amount by over 75 percent to $176 million--mirroring the President's budget request. Funding is critical, but it is only part of the solution. Making needed improvements to the way the system operates is also essential. That's why I signed on as an original cosponsor and plan to vote for the Justice for All Act today. This legislation will not only increase the amount of funding available for DNA analysis, but it will also lift some of the barriers that currently stand in the way of ensuring DNA technology is used effectively and efficiently. Specifically, it will focus on eliminating the backlog of DNA samples collected from crime scenes and convicted offenders and improving the DNA testing capacity of federal, state, and local crime laboratories. These two initiatives will have a direct effect on crime fighting in my state of Ohio, which has an extensive backlog of DNA samples that need to be tested. I pledge to continue to work with my colleagues to further identify the gaps in our system and push for, and implement, effective solutions. And I call upon our partners at the state and local level to do the same. Together, with the support of law enforcement and the citizens in our community, we can put into place a speedier and fairer justice system for victims of rape and sexual assault, always keeping in mind our ultimate goal of preventing these heinous crimes in the first place.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I want to begin by commending the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. He has led this committee with great strength since he took the helm; we have enjoyed working with him, and I want to thank him for his attention to this important issue. I also want to extend special thanks to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez). He has been a great partner over the last few years as we have worked this initiative together. We represent different parts of the country, and we belong to different political parties, but we have put many differences aside and have joined together for a great purpose here today. We joined together because we understand that cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases can affect anyone in any part of the country, of any race and of any income level. Madam Speaker, even with the tremendous advancements we have made in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses, we understand that in far too many communities across this country navigating the health care system can be a significant barrier to gaining access to quality and affordable service. Before I continue, I want to take a moment to extend my appreciation to my staff and the staff of the committee for their excellent work and the help they have given us. And I want to highlight the American Cancer Society, the National Association of Community Health Centers, and the National Rural Health Association for their tireless efforts to educate our colleagues about the importance of this issue. Madam Speaker, each and every day Congress is in session, our colleagues on both sides of the aisle debate important issues. Sometimes we agree and other times we disagree. But at the end of the day, we share the same goal: to return to our districts with something positive to tell our constituents about. Today, every Member of this body will have the opportunity to report to their constituents something positive: that this Congress has taken a significant step to ensure that our friends and neighbors across America have the tools and resources they need to make good decisions about their health and the health of their children. Madam Speaker, last year, I had the opportunity to meet two gentlemen who pioneered the concept that this legislation is based on, the patient navigator concept. Dr. Harold Freeman and Dr. Elmer Huerta were two of the most humble, kind gentlemen I have ever had the good fortune of getting to know. Let me tell you a little about what they do. First, they recognized in their own work as doctors in underserved communities that navigating the health care system can be an insurmountable barrier for many, many people, especially when they are poor, underserved, and uninsured. All we have to do is step in and help them. Step out of our homes into communities and we will find families and individuals who struggle to find access to the health care that they need, both preventive and treatment. The concept of these doctors is a great one. The patient navigators are angels who guide individuals through the health care system. It is truly one of the most creative and innovative ways to address the health care needs of these individuals, who may otherwise avoid seeing a doctor when they are healthy and avoid treatment when they need it, when they are sick. Whether based at hospitals, community health centers or cancer centers, these programs literally put in place patient navigators to help individuals find their way through the often complex health care systems that they are confronted with. These navigators, like Leka Murdock whom I met during my visit to the Ralph Lauren Cancer Center in Harlem, assist people who come through their doors with obtaining coverage through the Medicaid system or other sources, they obtain cancer screenings or counseling about disease prevention, or they make referrals for treatment or clinical trial options should an abnormality be detected. For people who may otherwise not know or be able to access the system, patient navigator programs offer them the tools and resources they need to make the good decisions about their health and the health of their children. They help break through the red tape that often prevents them from getting the information and the treatment so needed. That is why the gentleman from New Jersey and I partnered together to introduce, garner support for and move forward this legislation that will create innovative demonstration projects in communities across the country based on this concept. This bill will link sustained health promotion outreach efforts with patient navigator programs. Specifically, the bill will make funds available to community health centers, cancer centers, rural and frontier serving medical facilities and other eligible entities to increase and promote chronic-disease- prevention screening, outreach and public health education, as well as provide patient navigators to help patients overcome the barriers and complexities in the system. It is my hope that this legislation will serve as a springboard for launching many more navigator programs. These are extraordinary programs, and they are making real differences in the lives of people who are suffering, people who may not otherwise even know that they are sick. Or if they do, people who may not do what is necessary to get better. These are the people we need to reach, and this bill is a healthy start. By furthering this collaboration between the private and the public sectors, we will maximize our resources and close in on that day when cancer and other chronic diseases no longer threaten the lives of our loved ones. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, in the past 10 years, the Republican majority in this House has created a stronger, safer and more prosperous Nation and we celebrate that today. At the heart of that prosperity stand our Nation's small businesses. Under our Republican-led House, the number of small businesses has exploded, most notably female-owned companies. From 1992 to 1997, women-owned firms increased by 16 percent, accounting for a quarter of all small businesses. Today, nearly 40 percent of all small businesses are owned by women, a number that is increasing at double the rate of all U.S. companies. By cutting red tape and providing tax relief and regulatory reform, House Republicans have made it possible for Americans, women especially, to become independent entrepreneurs. Less time tangled up in red tape and buried in paperwork means more time at home with their children, the ability to hire more workers, even the possibility of opening another store or factory. Mr. Speaker, the Republican majority understands the tremendous potential of the American entrepreneur. I look forward to the next 10 years, seeing American dreams become realities in our communities across this country.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, September 10, 2004 marks a significant milestone for a major international motor vehicle company located in my congressional district. Twenty-five years ago, the first Elsinore motorcycle rolled off Honda's Marysville motorcycle plant assembly line with 64 associates, marking the beginning of Honda's manufacturing presence in Ohio. From motorcycle production, Honda became the first Asian automaker to manufacture vehicles in the U.S., a 1983 Honda Accord produced on November 1, 1982. Engines and transmissions are among the other products Honda has added to the Ohio production list over the last 25 years. In 2003, Honda was the top manufacturer of motor vehicles in the state. The company's facilities produced 677,000 automobiles and 108,000 motorcycles and ATVs last year alone. Today, that Ohio presence represents 16,000 jobs at Honda, investments of $6.1 billion in plants and equipment, as well as 154 Ohio supplier companies that employ more than 40,000 Ohio residents. Over this time period, Honda's Ohio manufacturing facilities have produced 10 million automobiles, 830,000 motorcycles and 1.2 million ATVs. In 25 years, Honda has never laid off one employee, a remarkable achievement. A recent study of Honda's economic impact provides some further insight into the company's presence in Ohio and its positive impact on the state economy. Among the findings, in 2003, seven jobs were created for every individual directly employed by Honda. That results in 128,000 additional jobs and means $3.30 is generated for every $1 Honda pays in wages. Total statewide earnings were $4.85 billion in 2003. In addition, state and local taxes paid by Honda and its associates total $1 billion. Across the U.S., Honda employs more than 25,000 associates. Their facilities include eight factories and ten research and development facilities. In the U.S., Honda's capital investment exceeds $7 billion with more than $12 billion in parts and materials purchased annually from 580 suppliers in 33 states. Honda's philosophy of respect for the individual is the cornerstone of placing responsibility and accountability with each associate. That philosophy and accountability has allowed its U.S. workforce to produce the highest quality products at an affordable price and great reliability. Honda's involvement in the communities where its facilities are located has been another key to its success because it has treated state and local leaders as well as parts suppliers as equal partners. Honda is a great example of a company that has invested and reinvested significant financial and human resources in its plants, equipment and associates here in the U.S. I want to offer my congratulations to Honda on the occasion of the 25th anniversary and look forward to another 25 years of growth and success in Ohio and throughout the U.S.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Paul Hamm for his historic 2004 Olympic gold medal in the individual All- Around exercise, for his silver medal on the high bar exercise, and for being a member of the silver medal-winning U.S. men's Olympic gymnastics team. Paul showed to the entire world courage, fortitude, and the American spirit of determination in overcoming adversity during his all-around competition. After the fourth of six rotations, Paul was a distant 12th, but he did not give up. He willed his way through flawless executions on the parallel bars and the high bars to retake first, claim the gold medal, and make history. However, this was not the first time that Paul has made history. Paul also became the first American man to win the individual all-around world title last year at the 2003 World Championships in Anaheim, California. Hamm completed a clutch performance on the difficult high bar routine during the final rotation to secure the title. He was only the second American to win a medal in the all-around world competition. Paul also secured a gold medal for the floor exercise, helping to lead his team to a silver medal. In 2003, Paul was named by the International Gymnastics Federation as the Gymnast of the Year. Without question, gymnastics has no better representative. Paul was born in Wisconsin, but chose to train for the Olympics at The Ohio State University. Paul is now a distinguished resident of Columbus, and his community is proud of all that he has accomplished. Again, I congratulate Paul for the dedication and hard work he has demonstrated over the years, and for the incredible achievements that he has made both personally and with his team while representing our great nation on the world stage in Athens.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Morgan Hamm, member of the silver medal winning U.S. men's Olympic gymnastics team, for his contribution and leadership to this team's historic performance. Along with his twin brother Paul, Morgan made the Olympic team for the Sydney games as its youngest member at the age of 17. After the Sydney Games, Morgan smashed a nerve casing in his left shoulder and struggled with this injury for two years. However, while only partially recovered, Morgan overcame adversity and showed his determination by winning the floor exercise title in the 2002 U.S. National competition. At the 2003 U.S. Nationals, he won another floor title, and later that year, helped the U.S. to a silver medal in the team competition at the World Championships. As a two-time Olympian, Morgan has provided a strong leadership role to his team and helped the United States secure its first men's gymnastics medal in twenty years. While Morgan was born in Wisconsin, he chose to train for the Olympics at The Ohio State University and is now a distinguished resident of Columbus. His community is proud of all that he has accomplished. Again, I congratulate Morgan for the dedication and hard work he has demonstrated over the years, and for the memorable achievements that he has made both personally and with his team while representing our great nation on the world stage in Athens.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 754 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 754 is an open rule which provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided between the gentleman from Ohio and the gentleman from Wisconsin on H.R. 5006, the fiscal year 2005 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill and against provisions in the bill except as specified in this resolution. After general debate, any Member wishing to offer an amendment may do so as long as it complies with the regular rules of the House. The bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph, and the rule authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have preprinted their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule permits the minority to offer a motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, we have before us today a funding package that fulfills our promises to hard-working Americans and their families. Before I summarize the main components of this package, it is worth taking a big-picture view of the context in which we consider this incredibly important legislation today. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues in this Chamber and all Americans listening to this debate today need no reminder that the world has changed dramatically since the terrorist attacks on our Nation. While we hang our flags a little higher and wear our stars and stripes a little more often these days, we do so in part as a response to the tragedy that took place on our soil on September 11. The war against terror has brought us many new challenges; namely, how best to protect our homeland and keep it safe from future acts of terrorism. That is not an easy job. Yet each day that goes by without an act of terror in America's neighborhoods offers us reassurance that we are doing what is necessary to protect our Nation from harm, and each day monumental steps are being taken an ocean away in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere to nab terrorist cells and offer citizens of these nations new opportunities to live their lives free of fear and full of promise. Mr. Speaker, as I see it, we cannot have a discussion about domestic priorities without taking a look at the bigger picture, without recognizing up front that we do, in fact, live in a different world today, and that we have sizable commitments to fulfill that we did not have a few years ago. Like so many of my colleagues, I hear quite a bit from my constituents back home about the need to balance spending priorities. In fact, many of the candidate surveys I filled out this year for reelection specifically asked, ``If elected, how do you intend to balance domestic priorities with fighting the war on terror and protecting the homeland?'' In 100 words or less, I might add. Now, that is a tall order. But really, that is a very fair question and one that we in Congress, especially Members who sit on our Committee on Appropriations, must take very seriously. So my purpose here today is to assure the American people that while we have incredible demands, expectations and commitments to fulfill as we continue to fight the war on terror and protect our homeland, we remain equally determined to fund critical initiatives here in the United States in a fiscally responsible manner. Today I am privileged to be the first to give my colleagues the lay of the land as to how this Congress intends to fulfill its promises to Americans across the country in the areas of education, health and labor. I am proud to report that the gentleman from Florida, the gentleman from Ohio and their colleagues on the Committee on Appropriations have produced a funding plan that reflects our priorities, meets our goals, and, most importantly, places the greatest amount of funding in the areas where we need it most. Since the beginning of the 108th Congress, we have made tremendous progress in strengthening our Nation's education system. This House has moved forward measures to ensure our schools have the tools they need to meet President Bush's call for high standards and accountability, and while making remarkable progress, our work is not yet done. The legislation before us today recognizes the important role education programs play in the lives of children with special needs by funding special education grants at the highest level in history, at over $11 billion. My friends watching in my home State of Ohio will be pleased to know that since fiscal year 2003, money directed to our State for special education programs has increased by 25 percent. This legislation also recognizes the critical role that teachers play in the education of our Nation's students. We all remember those teachers who inspired us to learn and to succeed. We want to give every teacher tools to inspire their students. That is why this bill provides nearly $3 billion for grants to States to administer professional development programs for their teachers. Of course, educating our Nation's children is a shared responsibility, at a Federal, State and a local level. And I think my colleagues would agree with me that the Federal Government is fulfilling its role in dedicating funds to strengthen our Nation's education system. When we talk about education, often our first thoughts are about the millions of American children who deserve to have good teachers, small classrooms, up-to-date textbooks, and a safe environment in which to learn. And while we can give our children the best of each of those things, if the child does not have his health, these things mean nothing. Same goes for adults who go to work every day to provide for their families. Without their health, productivity decreases, paychecks stop coming, and families struggle. Good health is really the backbone to living a quality life. The Federal Government, through partnerships with State, local, and private entities, have made significant investments in medical research and health programs for years now. A few years ago, Congress fulfilled its commitment to doubling the budget of the National Institutes of Health, the medical research arm of the Federal Government. This truly was a remarkable goal and an even more remarkable achievement to meet such a goal. Since then, Congress has not rested on its laurels. We continue to provide significant increases in funding for NIH, as indicated by the $700 million increase in funds over last year's level. This brings NIH funding to a record high of $28.5 billion. We all know that investments in research yield new treatments, but those treatments are only meaningful if they are accessible to those who need them. The legislation before us today recognizes the unique role that community health centers play in neighborhoods across America. These centers help ensure that the neediest in our communities have access to health care services. President Bush and this Congress are committed to increasing Federal support for community health centers. This bill expands the President's Community Health Center initiative to increase the role of community health centers in our neighborhoods by funding the program at $1.8 billion, an increase of $200 million over last year. Mr. Speaker, I also want to take a moment to highlight one other critical health-related program included in this package. That is the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education program. This program, funded at $303 million, helps our Nation's children's hospitals train future pediatricians. It is a wonderful program that has been increased significantly in funding based on annual evaluations since its very inception. I want to give a special thanks to both the chairman and the ranking member for supporting this critical program again this year. Last but not least, this legislation makes clear Congress' support for job training programs and assistance for dislocated workers. The worker-training portion of the bill restores funding for core job training to over $1.5 billion and provides another $1.5 billion to assist displaced workers. Mr. Speaker, the best part of this package is that it recognizes that we have limited resources to spend, yet still meets America's needs with those resources. It demonstrates that funding America's priorities can be both generous and responsible. Before closing, I would like to once again express my appreciation to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) for their tremendous leadership as they have worked tirelessly this year to assure that Congress spends generously but wisely. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and approve the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), the dean of the delegation from the great State of Ohio and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle), a champion and leader in the area of education.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Today we have a unique opportunity to tell the American people what their government is doing with their money. While this Congress remains fully committed to fighting the war on terror and protecting our homeland, we remain just as focused on meeting the needs of Americans here at home. That is what we are doing today. This carefully crafted package reflects the Federal Government's commitment to ensuring that children with special needs and the teachers who inspire them to learn have the tools they need in school to succeed. This package also reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that critical agencies like the National Institutes of Health can conduct medical research to better treat illnesses and making certain that those treatments get into the hands of the Americans who need them. This package also reflects the government's commitment to seeing that men and women looking for new jobs receive the helping hand and training that they need to bring home a paycheck. Mr. Speaker, the authors of this appropriations package, my good friend from Ohio (Mr. Regula) and his committee, were asked to do a very tough job this year, to balance spending priorities. Once again, they have met this challenge by producing a carefully crafted product that provides considerable increases for vital programs and services while preserving our commitment to spending taxpayers' dollars wisely. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. PRYCE of Ohio

Mr. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it shall be in order at any time without intervention of any point of order to consider in the House S. 15; the bill shall be considered as read for amendment; the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill to final passage without intervening motion except: (1), 90 minutes of debate on the bill with 60 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 15 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Government Reform, and 15 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security; and, (2), one motion to recommit.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I would like to engage in a colloquy with the gentleman. Over the past 3 years, the Agriculture appropriations bill has funded a very important aquaculture research program at the Ohio State University which is in my district but which serves the entire State. I am concerned that language in this year's bill might divert that funding away from the Ohio State University. I support this project in its current form and am proud of the work that has been accomplished. Given that this historical funding arrangement has worked well in the past, I would like to ask the chairman to work with me in conference to ensure that this aquaculture funding continues to be directed toward the Ohio State University.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. I thank the gentleman, Mr. Chairman. Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Lucas of Oklahoma

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, the citizens of Ohio join me in my sincere condolences to Mrs. Reagan and her family during these very difficult times and to express my humble thoughts on the legacy of Ronald Reagan. While we have all heard him called the Great Communicator, he was so much more. He had a commanding presence. He captivated all who listened by his simple and eloquent demeanor, but he was so much more. He was great at communicating, yes, but, more importantly, he communicated great things. His ideas resonated with the American people because they were the people's ideas. His vision for America made sense to us all because we had those same dreams in our very own hearts. His principles were clear because they were the very values we all held so dearly then as we do now: freedom, responsibility, peace through strength. The irony is that Ronald Reagan did not speak to the people; we somehow spoke through him. We saw ourselves and we heard our own hearts in the words that he spoke. He was one of us, and that is why this Nation truly mourns his loss this week. May we all seek to promote the principles that Ronald Reagan embodied, lived and enunciated so courageously over the course of his magnificent life.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, there are no words that can lessen the intensity of families' grief and profound loss after learning that a son, daughter, or relative serving in the Armed Forces has fallen in the line of duty. I have recently written to five central Ohio families who have suffered such a loss as Part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and each time it weighs heavily on my heart. Army Pfc. Kevin Ott, Army Pfc. Branden Oberleitner, Pfc. Nicholaus Zimmer, Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Reese, and Army Master Sgt. George Fernandez were the truest of all patriots. These soldiers will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved them, and their families are in my thoughts and prayers. The unique sacrifice that fallen soldiers share, giving their lives for the development and protection of freedom, place them among those in our history who will be remembered for dedicating themselves to the greatest of all ideals that we as Americans hold dear. America is eternally grateful to these and all of our soldiers for their courageous and dedicated service to our great nation and their valor in bringing freedom to the Iraqi and Afghani people. They have not only worked to bring liberation and justice to these oppressed people, but have also made America safer from the threat of terrorism by rooting out evil where it is hiding around the globe. I am extremely impressed by the poise and sense of duty and purpose with which all our young men and women in the armed forces conduct themselves. Their resolve to finish the job, because it means doing the right thing for the world even in the face of making the ultimate sacrifice, is truly inspiring. This Memorial Day, I will reflect on the sacrifices made by these soldiers and the long list of men and women who viewed their lives as subject to the preservation of liberty. May God bless our troops, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Myrick), my dear friend and colleague from the Committee on Rules.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 656, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule, the amendment, and the underlying resolution.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 656 provides for 1 hour of debate in the House, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. It also provides for an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 444 shall be considered as adopted. Section 2 of the resolution provides that in the engrossment of H.R. 444 the clerk shall add the text of H.R. 4409 and H.R. 4410 as passed by the House. Finally, the resolution provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, 8 years ago, many of us stood in this very Chamber and passed one of the most sweeping policy reforms Congress has ever undertaken reforming our Nation's welfare system. We took a risk that day in 1996 in order to change a failing system that encouraged dependency and discouraged self-sufficiency. The tangible results are clear. Since 1996, we have seen welfare rolls plummet from 14 million to 5 million. Thousands who for years found themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty today are holding down meaningful jobs, getting promoted, and saving for their child's education. It is time to be bold once again. For the past several years, the tax policy we have enacted has created over 1 million jobs in the past 8 months, over half of those in the last 2 months alone. The economy grew more in the last 6 months of last year than it had in the previous 2 decades. That is remarkable growth, Mr. Speaker. But still more must be done. There are still many Americans out of work seeking meaningful jobs and rewarding careers. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that when we enact legislation that removes the roadblocks to progress, progress is achieved; when we eradicate programs which foster dependency, we foster independence; and when we create an atmosphere where workers can attain the knowledge and skills to build strong and successful careers, then we empower those seeking a job with the ability to find one. That is precisely what this plan will do by creating personal reemployment accounts. These new accounts offer an innovative approach to provide unemployed workers with the very tools they need to get back onto their feet and into a lifelong career. These accounts are designed to provide unemployed Americans additional flexibility, greater choice and more control over their employment search and to provide a reemployment bonus for those who find a job quickly. Under this plan, an individual who is receiving unemployment benefits can access a personal reemployment account of up to $3,000. The personal reemployment accounts will be administered through the one- stop career centers. These centers are already offering assistance to those seeking employment. At these centers, people can use their personal reemployment account for up to 1 year for intensive services like unemployment counseling, case management and job training. Supportive services like child care, transportation, and housing assistance are also available. One-stop career centers are the embodiment of compassion for those who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own. In the ever-changing, dynamic global economy that we live in, it is natural that some businesses are going to downsize, fold up or restructure, resulting in the laying off of workers. Most of these employees are honest, hard-working people. They want to get back to work, they want to earn their paycheck, and they want to support their families. In addition to extending a helping hand to those seeking a job, this plan prevents fraud and waste as well, which is important to the program's participants as well as to American taxpayers. Currently, individuals out of work are able to take advantage of the one-stop career centers for free. Now they will be encouraged to shop wisely, paying for those services that they truly need out of the funds in their new accounts. This prevents double-dipping and ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, effectively and efficiently. But perhaps the best part of this reward-based plan is that individuals who access a personal reemployment account and find employment within 13 weeks will be able to keep the remaining balance as a cash reemployment bonus. They will get 60 percent of the balance at the time they are employed and 40 percent 6 months later if they are still in the job. Mr. Speaker, this is a common-sense, innovative plan that will empower Americans to find new jobs. It is a plan that will provide out- of-work Americans with access to the resources they truly need: job training, child care, transportation services, or housing assistance, whatever that need might be for that particular individual; and it is a plan that reflects the Republican agenda of creating jobs and getting Americans back to work. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes). (Mr. HAYES asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I would like to read a few statistics on the state of the economy. America's economy grew at its fastest quarterly rate in 20 years, a positively sizzling 8.2 percent. Manufacturing activities have risen to their highest level in nearly 2 decades. Worker productivity is near a 20-year high. More folks than ever before own their own homes. Inflation, interest rates, and mortgage rates are near historic lows. Last month marked the ninth consecutive month of increased employment. The jobless rate is below the average for the 1970s, the 1980s, and the 1990s. But one American out of work is one too many. So today, we will try to empower those who want to work by creating personal reemployment accounts to give these folks the help and the incentives they need to find jobs. Real help for real families, that is what this Republican- led Congress is all about.