Gary Peters

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Albanian diaspora of southeast Michigan and to raise the concern they have expressed to me. Respect for people of diverse cultures is an American value and has made our Nation great. Our national heritage reflects the cultural contributions of a wide range of ethnic groups. I am fortunate to represent the Ninth District of Michigan, a district rich in ethnic and religious diversity and one that includes many families from the Balkan region. In my time as a Congressman and resident of the Ninth District, I have developed a strong bond with the Albanian American community. This is a people that strongly value community service, family, and education. These are the values we can all admire and strive to instill in our children. The Albanian American community of southeast Michigan is relatively new to our country. Most are first- or second-generation Americans. However, this community has established strong roots in southeast Michigan, establishing churches, community centers and small businesses. These places preserve and celebrate Albanian culture. They help enrich the lives of fellow Albanian Americans and the broader community alike. Saint Paul's Albanian Church in Rochester Hills, Michigan, a city in my district, boasts nearly 5,000 members and is a shining example of how the Albanian diaspora has taken root in southeast Michigan. These roots are nourished by the community's focus on family, a value deeply embedded in Albanian culture, and one that I greatly respect. As with many new immigrant communities, the entrepreneurial spirit runs deep among our Albanian Americans. Our Nation has provided many Albanian Americans with their first opportunity for business success. Members of the community have embraced these opportunities and worked tirelessly for the success of their endeavors, helping to grow our economy and create jobs in our region. The community's affinity for entrepreneurship is coupled with a deep appreciation for education. Albanian Americans recognize the invaluable return on investment that educational achievement brings to the next generation. I am particularly proud of the Albanian American community's patriotism, love for America and participation in the American democratic process. Albanian Americans truly are full participants in the American democratic system. They understand that the essential element of a thriving democracy is active engagement. Albanian Americans' unwavering dedication to democracy does not stop at our borders. The Albanian community is working tirelessly to bring attention to the needs of the emerging democracies in the Balkan region and to strengthen U.S.-Balkan relations. I am proud of the relationship the city of Rochester Hills has formed with Tuz, Montenegro. For example, the Albanian American diaspora in Michigan and the city of Rochester Hills recently worked together to provide school supplies to the cities of Tuz, and I commend them for these efforts. While many are aware of the efforts made by the Albanian American community to assist refugees during the Kosovo conflict, it is important to highlight important work still being performed by the Albanian American community. The Albanian diaspora continues to seek further recognition for the Republic of Kosova and has been vital in helping former refugees rebuild their lives. The recent independence of the Republic of Kosova and the induction of Albania into NATO are a testament to the Albanian American community's progress. The Albanian community in Michigan remains concerned with events and issues currently affecting their brethren and families overseas. Some particular concerns of my constituents I want to raise today relate to recent reports of inequities in the Montenegrin justice system. In particular, reputable human rights organizations like Amnesty International have reported that several Albanian American citizens convicted in connection with the Eagle's Flight case have been subject to torture and physical abuse. These incidents and reports have caused tremendous anxiety and uncertainty in the Albanian American community. It is my hope that the Montenegrin Government will work diligently to protect human rights and the rule of law in the exercise of justice in the future. Whether fighting for justice, advancing democracy, supporting our schools, or working hard to strengthen our economy, Albanian Americans in my district and across America are helping to make our Nation even greater. It is an honor to represent a prominent Albanian American community here in the United States Congress.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, my district is the home of the first freestanding Holocaust Museum in the United States of America. For 25 years, it has stood as a reminder of the horrific consequences of extremism and hate. Just a few months ago, the founder of that museum, Rabbi Charles Rosenzvieg, passed away. Although he is gone, his life's work will educate future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust so that such senseless violence should never again be repeated. Last month, this body passed a resolution honoring his life and memory. So it is with an especially heavy heart today that I come to the floor to urge the passage of Resolution 529, a resolution condemning the violent attack on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum on June 10. The Holocaust Museum exists as a place to reflect and to mourn murderous prejudice and hatred. Yet, yesterday, a senseless attack, motivated by the same prejudice and hatred, resulted in the tragic death of a security guard, Stephen T. Johns. It is a sad reminder that we must all remain vigilant in continuing the work of Rabbi Rosenzvieg--to purge discrimination and hatred from this world. I thank Congressman Klein for sponsoring this important resolution.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Reverend Douglas Paul Jones, on the occasion of his twentieth anniversary as Senior Pastor of the Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in the City of Pontiac, Michigan. Since June 18, 1989, when Pastor Jones was first installed, he has been a tireless leader--both within the church, and in the greater Pontiac community. Throughout Pastor Jones' tenure at Welcome Missionary Baptist Church, he has grown the membership of the church by more than three thousand members. As the Senior Pastor of the church, he has touched countless lives through developing well respected ministries and mentorship programs supporting men, women, and young adults, as well as those individuals struggling with drug addiction, domestic violence and HIV/ AIDS. Outside of the church, Pastor Jones is a member of various chambers of commerce, business associations and youth programs. Of note, he founded the Greater Pontiac Community Coalition with the mission to collectively exercise actions and advocacy to generate individual, social, and institutional change. His outreach sews the fabric of the religious, social, educational, business, and artistic communities together with the steadfastness of a person of faith and foresight of a true leader. Pastor Jones, I congratulate you on this significant anniversary. I salute your untiring commitment to Welcome Missionary Baptist Church and the greater City of Pontiac community. I am proud to call you not only a partner in serving our community, but also a dear friend. I look forward to the next twenty years working with you and the congregation at Welcome Missionary Baptist Church.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, today, we are considering important legislation that will support efforts to strengthen, to modernize and to rebuild the capacity of the Department of State to fulfill its core diplomatic mission. This legislation will also increase the arms control and the nonproliferation capabilities of the State Department; it will reform the system of export controls for military technology; and it will improve the oversight of U.S. security assistance abroad. As we expand our diplomatic capabilities, we must remember that trade is the driving force of both our economy and of our international diplomacy. In December of 2004, Congress passed the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. As of June 1, 2009, this initiative now requires that travelers have passports for all land and sea crossings, including travel to and from Canada and Mexico. We need to know exactly how these new passport requirements are affecting our economy. Obviously, prudent security measures must be undertaken to keep Americans safe, but we also need to assess whether these measures are working and how they affect border State businesses. My amendment will require such an assessment. Congress can then determine whether corrective action is needed to change the requirements or to provide relief to border State businesses or both. The Peters amendment would require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress within 18 months of the passage of this act a report on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: on the flow of people, goods and services across the international borders of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region. The amendment stipulates the report should pay specific attention to the effects on small businesses and and the measure's effectiveness in strengthening border security. Increasing the security of our borders must be a top priority from Congress. We must also ensure that implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is carried out in a manner that increases our national security but does not unnecessarily hinder trade and strain our small businesses. With our Nation's fight through a recession, it is particularly important that we assess the effect measures approved by this body have on our economy. I greatly appreciate the support from my friend and colleague from New Mexico, Congressman Teague, for his office's assistant on this important amendment and help on issues of importance to both our northern and southern border regions, and I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PETERS. Madam Chair, my amendment is a commonsense measure that ensures that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative's effects on small businesses are known and reported to Congress in a timely manner. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative must be implemented in a way that strengthens our national security, maintains robust trade and tourism with our neighbors, and protects our Nation's small businesses. I would like to thank Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Berman and Rules Committee Chairwoman Slaughter. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PETERS. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, today the House will consider the CARS Act of 2009. This legislation is critical, not only to spur growth in America's auto industry, but to save and create jobs throughout the economy. History shows that one of the quickest ways to end a recession is to sell more automobiles. New car sales constitute a major percentage of the Nation's consumer spending, and increasing vehicle sales also stimulates demand for raw goods, from which automobiles are manufactured. Production of glass, steel, plastics, and other primary materials will be increased as more new cars are sold, creating jobs throughout the economy. Similar programs have shown proven results abroad. In Germany, sales were boosted roughly 40 percent. Many other nations have acted to strengthen their economies with policies designed to sell more automobiles, and the U.S. should not be left behind. We must pass the CARS Act today to create a recovery, not just for our auto industry, but for the entire economy.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, the CARS Act of 2009 is critical not only to spur growth in America's auto industry but to save and create jobs throughout our country. History shows that one of the quickest ways to end a recession is to sell more automobiles. New car sales constitute a major percentage of a nation's consumer spending. Increasing vehicle sales also stimulates demand for raw goods from which automobiles are manufactured. Production of glass, steel, plastics, and other primary materials will be increased as more new cars are sold, creating jobs throughout the country. Many other nations have acted to strengthen their economies with policies to design and to sell more automobiles, and the U.S. should not be left behind. Many Members of the House have recently expressed their desire to support auto dealers in their States. There is no better way to help car dealers going forward than to pass this important legislation. We must pass the CARS Act today to create a recovery not just for our auto industry but for the entire economy.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud co-sponsor of H.R. 1913, the ``Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.'' According to FBI statistics, 118,000 hate crimes have been reported since 1991. During the same period of time, reported bias motivated crimes based on sexual orientation has more than tripled, yet the federal government currently has no jurisdiction to assist states and municipalities in dealing with even the most violent hate crimes against gay and lesbian Americans. The FBI's 2007 Uniform Crime Reports showed that reported violent crimes based on sexual orientation constituted approximately one out of six hate crimes committed in 2007, with 1,265 reported for the year. The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 will provide assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies and amend federal law to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of violent, bias-motivated crimes. This important legislation is backed by a number of major law enforcement organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National District Attorneys Association, and the National Sheriffs Association. This bill will strengthen existing federal law by expanding its jurisdiction to provide protections for crimes directed at individuals because of their gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. The bill only applies to bias-motivated violent crimes and does not impinge public speech or writing. This bill includes an explicit First Amendment free speech protection. Pastors, Sunday school teachers, and religious leaders cannot be prosecuted for the content of their speech. Many religious groups have expressed support for the bill, including the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Interfaith Alliance, the Presbyterian Church, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the United Methodist Church, and the Congress of National Black Churches. I am proud to support the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 because it is grounded in fundamental American values: recognizing the dignity of every person, protecting religious freedom, and freedom of speech. This legislation protects people from violence based on who they are, and has explicit protections to ensure that the law does not punish what people think, feel, or believe, but rather actions that physically harm others. I urge passage of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 283, a resolution that I authored to honor the life, achievements and contributions of Rabbi Charles H. Rosenzveig. The late Rabbi Rosenzveig, who passed away in December, was a scholar, teacher, Holocaust survivor, and a founder of the Nation's first freestanding Holocaust Memorial Center in Oakland County, Michigan, the county which I have lived my whole life and now have the honor to represent here in Congress. This resolution is important to the people of Michigan and has been sponsored in a thoroughly bipartisan fashion by Representatives Levin, Camp, Dingell, Ehlers, Hoekstra, Upton, Kildee, McCotter, Miller, Rogers, Stupak, and Schauer. I would like to commend and thank Chairman Berman, Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen, and Vice Chairman Ackerman for their sponsorship of this resolution and their leadership in moving it through the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rabbi Rosenzveig lost his mother, father, brother and sister in the Holocaust before fleeing to Poland and then the Soviet Union before immigrating to New York City in 1947. He led his class at the prestigious Yeshiva University in Manhattan and was ordained in 1951 as a rabbi. He served his congregants at Congregation Mt. Sinai in Port Huron, Michigan, for decades before leaving the synagogue to devote his entire energy and spirit to the Holocaust Memorial Center of West Bloomfield, Michigan, which he founded in 1984. Rabbi Rosenzveig traveled and spoke extensively to raise the awareness of resources needed to grow the Holocaust Memorial Center, allowing the center to move from its original home in West Bloomfield to a large state-of-the-art museum in Farmington Hills, Michigan, that also houses the Museum of European Heritage and the International Institute of the Righteous. The Holocaust Memorial Center, which has educated millions of visitors, stands to enlighten future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust and nourish a social consciousness whereby, as Rabbi Rosenzveig used to say, the ``righteous acts of the few become the standard of the many.'' Rabbi Rosenzveig was an extraordinary American who devoted his life to serving others. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet him, and I was taken by his wisdom, vision, sincerity, and deep sense of caring for all people. Please join me in paying tribute to a great teacher, scholar, leader, and the founder and director of the Holocaust Memorial Center. I am pleased that the House is considering this bipartisan resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support the passage of House Resolution 283.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of this Amendment and the underlying bill, which provides important protections for consumers against unfair credit card billing practices. This amendment, which I am proud to be cosponsoring, simply states that when a credit card holder makes a payment it has to be allocated to the balance with the highest interest rate first. Like many of my colleagues, I meet regularly with constituents who are struggling. In Michigan, unemployment is rising, home prices are falling, and many families are struggling with increased debts and financial insecurity. While I am new to the Congress, I am not new to the business of advising families on what's in their financial best interest. For twenty-two years I was a financial adviser, and my advice to anyone attempting to pay off outstanding debt was clear: pay off the highest interest accounts first. But current credit card billing practices don't always make that possible. This straight forward, common sense amendment protects consumers by requiring any payment beyond the minimum payment to be applied to the highest interest balance, thus ensuring that families that are working hard to pay their bills and get out from under their credit card debt are not stuck in a hole paying off low interest debt while the compound interest on their higher interest debt keeps piling up. Mr. Chair, this amendment and this bill provide important protections for America's families during this time of economic uncertainty. I urge my colleagues to adopt the Gutierrez/Peters Amendment and vote in favor of the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize The Honorable Baroness Caroline Cox of Queensbury on the occasion of her visit to Michigan during the week of April 24, the day set to commemorate the 1915 commencement of the genocide of the Armenian peoples. During her visit, Baroness Cox continues her tireless mission to educate and promote awareness of the present-day status of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and oppressed peoples around the world. In particular, Baroness Cox will be visiting Oakland University in Michigan's 9th District where she will lecture and celebrate the University's Institute for Research, Education & Advocacy for Children's Health--R.E.A.C.H. The mission of R.E.A.C.H. furthers and embodies the life's work of Baroness Cox. Using her formal educational training in nursing, sociology and economics, Baroness Cox has been a prolific author and advocate of human rights around the globe. The Humanitarian Relief Trust which she established in 2005 provides resources, aid and training to peoples living in extreme poverty and under oppression. She is known for her personal and hands-on work targeting the ``no-go'' areas of the world to provide humanitarian aid and relief. Though she spends nearly half her time on international missions, she cherishes her role in the British Parliament as the ``voice of the voiceless.'' Baroness Cox, I welcome you to Michigan's 9th District and salute your untiring and steadfast commitment to improving the human condition in some of the most challenging areas of the world--Sudan, Burma, Nigeria and East Timor, among others. We are fortunate that you have so ardently acted on your ``inherent tendency'' to help others and made it your life's mission. Your wise admonition to us all rings as true today as ever, ``We can't do everything . . . however, we can all do something.''

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, which is observed by communities around the world on April 24th. It is of great importance that atrocities past are not forgotten, but rather serve as a solemn reminder of the importance of our continued vigilance and opposition to genocide today. On April 24, 1915, the Ottoman Empire arrested Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople, marking the beginning of an eight year campaign against Armenian civilians. By the genocide's end in 1923, roughly one and a half million unarmed men, women and children were rounded up, stripped of all their possessions and means of support, and sent on death marches or to concentration camps. Nearly a century later, these events still resonate across the world. I am proud of the United States' strong and continued history in standing up to and opposing genocide. I am proud to join with so many of my colleagues who have weighed in on this issue and have called on Turkey and Armenia to have an open and honest dialogue about their past. Madam Speaker, as we observe the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, it is important that we pay our respects to the hundreds of thousands of lives senselessly lost. My thoughts and prayers on this day will be with the Armenian community in Oakland County, Michigan and throughout the world.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the budget resolution. Like the President, I came to Washington this year at a time when we are both inheriting record budget deficits, and battling the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. I am a strong believer in fiscal discipline, and I understand that the current budget deficits are unsustainable. However, I also know that it is next to impossible to bring our nation out of a deep recession and balance our budget at the same time. This budget is a blueprint for generating economic expansion. As our economy begins to grow again, deficits will be reduced over time. This budget makes a great deal of progress on deficit spending, cutting the record budget deficit inherited from the last administration in half over the next five years. The budget also reaffirms the commitment of this Congress to the PAYGO rules, which require that new spending and tax cuts be offset by cuts in spending or new revenue so new measures do not increase our deficit and our national debt. The budget also ends the use of accounting tricks to hide costs of certain spending. For example, for the first time the budget includes both a full-year estimate for the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for the budget year as well as estimates for future costs. The quickest way to restore balanced budgets is to increase growth, and at a time when our economy is simply not functioning this plan has the investments and incentives to make that growth happen. This budget includes substantial middle class tax cuts, and makes critical investments in education, health care reform, and energy independence that are necessary to revive the economy and ensure that our nation leads the globe in next generation technologies. In Michigan and Oakland County, this means investments in programs like MEP, which helps small manufacturers retool and retrain as they implement the next generation of manufacturing practices and green technologies. It also means investments in new advanced vehicle technologies, which will help ensure that the next generation of green vehicles are designed and built in Michigan, not overseas. Madam Chair, I was elected to office along with President Obama because voters were demanding change. This budget delivers on the promises we made to voters last fall, by restoring fiscal discipline, delivering middle class tax cuts, making critical investments in our future, and laying the groundwork for future reforms. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this blueprint for job creation and robust economic growth in America.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 1586, legislation that I helped craft that will reclaim outrageous bonuses paid with our taxpayer dollars that were given out to AIG and other companies that received billions in TARP funds. Million-dollar bonuses to the very people who drove our economy to the brink of collapse is simply unacceptable. When reports of AIG bonuses broke this week, many said there was nothing that we could do because AIG was contractually obligated to pay the rewards. I rejected that notion. Auto industry workers are renegotiating their contracts and making sacrifices as a condition of receiving Federal support. If financial executives had thought that they should be held to a different standard, today they know that we mean business. I am grateful to my colleagues who worked with me to quickly develop a plan to put a stop to these outrageous bonuses. I would like to thank Chairman Rangel, Congressman Israel, and Congresswoman Maloney for working with me to help write this bill, which turned the outrage of the American people into action for the American taxpayer.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 1262, the ``Water Quality Investment Act of 2009.'' The integrity of our water infrastructure and fresh water drinking sources is critical to our environment, our health and our economy. Many older systems around the Great Lakes have combined sewer systems, which utilize the same pipes to collect rain water, sewage, and domestic and industrial waste. In periods of heavy rain or snow, these systems can overflow and allow raw sewage to be released into our rivers, streets, and homes. As many as 850 billion gallons of this waste is discharged into rivers and streams each year because of combined sewer system overflows. While the problems of combined sewer systems are clear, the upfront cost of replacing entire sewer systems is beyond the reach of many municipalities. Communities that have the largest problems are often also the oldest communities. They may be struggling with declining populations, falling tax revenues, poverty, and crime. Yet if their infrastructure fails, the pollution moves downstream to the next community. Because our water infrastructure exists out of sight and beneath our feet, the need for investment is not as obvious as with a crumbling bridge or pothole ridden road. As long as the water comes on when the knob is turned, it is easy to believe that our water infrastructure system is working fine. However, this is often far from the truth. I am fortunate enough to represent a district that has been able to make the investments necessary to address our largest water quality problems. Because my district is the headwaters of the five major watersheds in Southeast Michigan, the communities surrounding my district have also benefited. It is important to remember that water does not stop at political boundaries; problems left untreated flow downstream and impact our neighbors. The public works professionals in southeast Michigan have done a tremendous job to curb water pollution in the area and continue to make major strides in cleaning our waterways. Lead by the efforts of John McCulloch, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, Oakland County has eliminated all of their untreated CSO and continues to aggressively attack our SSO and storm water control challenges. Great progress has been made in Oakland County, but it was not made in a vacuum. The federal Government has been a full partner in this process, contributing over $300 million in grant funds in Southeast Michigan to water quality control projects over the past 15 years. That federal investment has lead to over $1 billion dollars in the Rouge Watershed alone, and the water quality of the Rouge River, the Clinton River and the Huron River has improved dramatically because the federal government has been at the table. Despite all the progress that has been made in my district, there is still more work to be done. That is why it is crucial that we continue to make a strong federal investment in our water infrastructure. H.R. 1262 includes investments in water quality restoration, CSO control, SSO control, and infrastructure repair and I urge my colleagues to support its passage here today.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, today I would like to honor New Mount Moriah International Church for 20 years of service to the greater Pontiac community. New Mount Moriah International Church was organized on April 9, 1989 by Pastor Richard Leaks, Jr. in Pontiac Michigan and on April 16, 1989 held its first service at the Bowen Center in Pontiac, with forty-nine faithful chartering members. On April 7, 1990, the membership unanimously elected Bishop William H. Murphy, Jr. as pastor. Under his capable leadership, New Mount Moriah International Church has flourished and is now home to over fifteen hundred active members and is still growing. New Mount Moriah International Church now consists of three locations; their charter location in Pontiac a beautiful facility at 313 East Walton Boulevard, one in Detroit, and a third newest location in Mt. Clemens. Madam Speaker, the positive impact of the New Mount Moriah faith community can be seen across the greater Pontiac area in more ways than we can count, and we can expect many more years of success from this wonderful institution.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is a commonsense compromise that ensures that everyone who enters into the bankruptcy process will continue to get important credit counseling services, while at the same time giving those who do not have the time to complete the counseling and are in danger of losing their home the opportunity to do so after they have filed for bankruptcy. The amendment is supported by the Financial Counseling Research Roundtable, which is comprised of the Nation's leading nonprofit organizations providing Americans with bankruptcy, housing, consumer credit, and financial counseling. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Conyers for working with me on this amendment and for his leadership in helping to put together this package. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, I do not have any further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield myself such time as I may consume. Today we are considering some important legislation that is going to provide borrowers, lenders and the government with a number of very important tools to address the housing and foreclosure crisis in this country. Much of the focus of this debate has been on the bankruptcy reform portion, which is also the focus of the amendment on the floor right now. Under current law, those filing for bankruptcy must receive counseling services from an improved credit counseling agency during the 180-day period before the bankruptcy filing. H.R. 1106 eliminates the counseling requirement for those who have already received a foreclosure notice because of a concern that the requirement would be a procedural burden for those who file for bankruptcy quickly in order to save their homes. The Peters' amendment would preserve the requirement for credit counseling but would allow those who have received a foreclosure notice to file for bankruptcy so long as they obtained the required credit counseling within 30 days after the bankruptcy filing. This will ensure that everyone who enters the bankruptcy process will continue to receive this very important service, but it also makes clear that no one will lose their home because they could not get access to counseling on time. Credit counseling is an incredibly important service. In some cases the independent credit counselors can review a debtor's finances and recommend options other than bankruptcy that may be appropriate. It should always be our goal to keep people out of bankruptcy whenever possible. In every case, however, credit counselors can provide important tools for budgeting that will help the debtor adjust to living under the kinds of financial restrictions that bankruptcy requires. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PETERS. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PETERS. I would like to yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren) for 1 minute.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the first anniversary of the declaration of independence of the Republic of Kosovo. February 17, 2008 brought an important measure of clarity and vision to the future of Kosovo--and indeed the entire region--with the resounding declaration by the Kosovar people that Kosovo is an independent republic. Almost one year to the day, members and supporters of Michigan's Albanian community will gather on February 15 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Rochester Hills, Michigan to commemorate and celebrate the first anniversary of Kosovo's independence. On that day, I will join Dom Anton Kqira and Honorary General Counsel to Albania Ekrem Bardha, and hundreds more to commemorate this historic occasion. There, we will honor and recognize the determination and perseverance of the Kosovar people, who under the special leadership of President Ibrahim Rugova forged a path for their own future. We will honor and recognize our own community leaders in Michigan, including Dom Kqira and Counsel General Bardha, who tirelessly pressed for official action to address the crisis in Kosovo and we will honor and recognize those leaders of our own country, President William J. Clinton, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and General Wesley Clark (Ret.) among others, who took the action in March of 1999 that laid the foundation for Kosovo independence. Finally, we will honor and recognize the countless members of the Albanian Diaspora community who provided shelter, material and moral support to the nearly 800,000 displaced Kosovars during the crisis. Madam Speaker, as we mark this occasion of the first anniversary of the independence of Kosovo we hold much hope for the future of an independent Kosovo. But, with sober recognition of the work yet ahead, we stand fully committed to meeting every challenge.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I yield 1 additional minute.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from the State of California (Ms. Matsui).