Ed Perlmutter

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Well, I would say to my friend from Minnesota that I appreciate your comments, although I would disagree with you. When it comes to a situation where tenants are expected to be in a property, whether it is a multifamily apartment house or something where there is this expectation on the lender, I would agree with my friend's points. But not here, not where there has been a covenant that it is going to be owner occupied. And often, that covenant comes along with a reduction in the interest rate, so there is consideration for it. So I appreciate your point about not being too narrow and legalistic, but this is an important point, and it is one that deals with the contract itself and the certainty of the contract. Secondly, the lender may have somebody else who is ready to come in and buy, and there are a lot of people who want to buy these homes, too. I would say to my friend from Minnesota, and they shouldn't be deprived of the opportunity to purchase them. The lender also may want to continue to lease the property out to the individual who is occupying the home. So there are a number of reasons why, at 30 days, I think we are giving substantial time to these individuals to vacate the premises. That should be the cutoff date. I would also remind my friend that, in the manager's amendment, Mr. Filner has an amendment that is part of it that gives notice to the tenant at the outset of the foreclosure that something is going on with the property so that there is not a surprise. So I would urge a ``yes'' vote on the Perlmutter amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Chairman, the amendment that I propose to the House today is twofold. The first part deals with a section of the bill that provides 90 days for tenants to stay in a home or an apartment house that has been foreclosed upon. The purpose of this amendment, and it is very narrowly drawn, is only as to those properties that are owner-occupied homes where the owner has covenanted with the lender that they are going to occupy the house. What happens is often the owner moves out, leases the property to someone, foreclosure begins. The lender has no chain of title, no connection with this particular tenant, nor is there any expectation that there would be a tenant because the owner said ``I am going to live there.'' Under the law today, there is no additional time beyond the foreclosure for a tenant to remain in that owner-occupied house. Under the bill that is proposed, that timeline is extended to 90 days beyond the foreclosure. My amendment shrinks that back to 30 days. So it is 30 days more than the law allows today, but less than what is proposed in the bill, because the lender has never had any dealings with that particular tenant. This is not like a multifamily apartment house where the lender expects that there are going to be tenants or an investor type of a loan where the lender expects a tenant to be in place. Ninety days is probably a reasonable amount in that situation, but not here, so I have asked to shrink it down to 30 days. That is the first part of the amendment. The second part of the amendment is something I talked to Mr. Miller about, which is to clarify the language about when acceleration of a loan can occur. Now what we have said is acceleration occurs upon a default in payment or a due-on-sale clause or a material violation in the contract. So those are the two sections of this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the Cost/Productivity Improvement Program at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, a former chemical manufacturing site being cleaned up by the U.S. Army near Denver, CO. The Cost/Productivity Improvement Program is an innovative effort instituted by the Army and Shell Oil Company, who are responsible for the cleanup of the site. The Program encourages employees to be proactive in improving the efficiency, safety, and quality of the transition of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal into a premier urban national wildlife refuge. Construction and fieldwork are due to be completed in 2010, one year ahead of schedule and within budget. This achievement is due in no small part to cost savings suggestions by employees that were implemented through the Cost/Productivity Program under the leadership of the Army, Shell and their contractors. Not only has the program resulted in a savings of $67 million dollars over 10 years, with $4.5 million saved last year alone, it is an innovate example of a successful public-private partnership. The program has resulted in the promotion of ``green'' practices, including recycling and native vegetation reseeding. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to the Cost/ Productivity Improvement Program and the Army, Shell and their employees and contractors at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. I have no doubt this program will continue to improve practices, while continuing to inspire employees and workers as they complete the environmental restoration and transformation of the site into a national wildlife refuge for generations of Americans to enjoy.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Kristian Yeager who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Kristian Yeager is a senior at Arvada High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Kristian Yeager is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Kristian Yeager for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Leah M. Varnell who has received the Golden Ethics in Business award. Leah Varnell is the executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties and received this award because of her vision, bravery, and sense of social responsibility to those children who face the worst of all situations. The dedication demonstrated by Leah Varnell directly benefits her community, and is exemplary of high personal and professional standards. She serves as a leader who inspires those around her to continually strive for a safer environment for America's children. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Leah Varnell for winning the Golden Ethics in Business award. I have no doubt she will continue to exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her career to all future undertakings.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Dr. Melinda O'Rourke who has received the Golden Ethics in Business award. Dr. Melinda O'Rourke is an ophthalmologist and Vision Health International volunteer and received this award because of her sense of global and local volunteerism and dedication to bettering the lives of those from all social classes and nations through health care. The devotion demonstrated by Dr. Melinda O'Rourke directly benefits her community and many throughout the world, and is exemplary of high personal and professional standards. She serves as a leader who inspires those around her to continually strive for better health care, both for those who can afford it and for those who cannot. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Dr. Melinda O'Rourke for winning the Golden Ethics in Business award. I have no doubt she will continue to exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her volunteer career to all future undertakings.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Megan Scheltinga who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Megan Scheltinga, of Hope House, received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Megan Scheltinga is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Megan Scheltinga for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Tania Prescott who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Tania Prescott, of Hope House, received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Tania Prescott is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Tania Prescott for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Gabby Rivera who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Gabby Rivera is an 8th grader at Arvada Middle School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Gabby Rivera is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Gabby Rivera for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Elizabeth Porras who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Elizabeth Porras is a senior at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Elizabeth Porras is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Elizabeth Porras for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Olga Repnitskaya who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Olga Repnitskaya is a senior at Arvada High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Olga Repnitskaya is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Olga Repnitskaya for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Norma Rodriguez who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Norma Rodriguez is a senior at Arvada High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Norma Rodriguez is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Norma Rodriguez for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Justus Reid who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Justus Reid is an 8th grader at Arvada Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Justus Reid is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Justus Reid for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication he has shown in his academic career to his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Derek Riemer who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Derek Riemer is an 8th grader at Oberon Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Derek Riemer is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Derek Riemer for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication he has shown in his academic career to his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Vitaliy Pshickenko who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Vitaliy Pshickenko is a senior at Arvada High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Vitaliy Pshickenko is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Vitaliy Pshickenko for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication he has shown in his academic career to his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Johanna Serrano who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Johanna Serrano is a senior at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Johanna Serrano is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Johanna Serrano for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Ricardo Munoz who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Ricardo Munoz is a senior at Wheat Ridge High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Ricardo Munoz is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Ricardo Munoz for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication he has shown in his academic career to his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Rachel Olsson who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Rachel Olsson is an 8th grader at Faith Christian Academy and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Rachel Olsson is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Rachel Olsson for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Joey Meyer who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Joey Meyer is an 8th grader at North Arvada Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Joey Meyer is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Joey Meyer for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication he has shown in his academic career to his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Anissa Miller who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Anissa Miller is a 7th grader at Drake Middle School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Anissa Miller is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Anissa Miller for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Matt Miller who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Matt Miller is a junior at Arvada West High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Matt Miller is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Matt Miller for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication he has shown in his academic career to his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Walter Peterson who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Walter Peterson is a sophomore at Arvada West High School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Walter Peterson is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Walter Peterson for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication he has shown in his academic career to his future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Megan Oller who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Megan Oller is a senior at Arvada High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Megan Oller is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Megan Oller for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Whitney Nelson who has received the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Whitney Nelson is an 8th grader at Oberon Middle School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Whitney Nelson is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential that students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations once again to Whitney Nelson for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication she has shown in her academic career to her future accomplishments.