Gary Peters

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would yield another 30 seconds to the gentleman.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would certainly like to thank Mr. Upton for his comments and for managing the time on his side, and I would also like to thank Mr. Kildee for putting forth this resolution. Today, we have certainly heard some just incredible testimonials from individuals in this House honoring the incredible work of an incredible public servant and statesman, Mr. Dingell. It certainly is an honor for me to be here and serving with Mr. Dingell, and it is certainly going to be an honor to continue to serve with him in the weeks and years ahead. So it is with great pride that I move that the House suspend the rules and agree to House Resolution 154.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed my great honor to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from California, our Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey).

Mr. PETERS. I yield 1 additional minute to the gentleman.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards).

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I now would like to yield 3 minutes to a colleague of mine, the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin).

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would now yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill).

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to now yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland and the majority leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Hoyer.

Mr. PETERS. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Here in Washington and across the country, Congressman Dingell is known and respected for his legislative accomplishments. But as a lifelong resident of Southeast Michigan, I know that Mr. Dingell's responsiveness and service to his constituents over 53 years is just as impressive. John Dingell has never lost touch with the people that he serves, and being their voice in Washington has always been his top priority. His service to the residents of his community sets an example for other lawmakers to follow, and certainly sets the bar for me, as a new Member of Congress. Mr. Dingell's constituents know that he cares more about getting things done for them than he does about getting honors for himself, and that's why I think it's fitting that, as we are honoring him here on the floor today, he is preparing to actively participate in a hearing being held by the Energy and Commerce Committee's Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee, making sure that the food that our children and our families consume is safe. Mr. Dingell is an inspiration for all of us. I now yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Schauer).

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, before yielding more time I ask unanimous consent to extend the time by 10 minutes, equally split between both sides.

Mr. PETERS. I also, Mr. Speaker, would like to ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Resolution 154.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) for yielding, and for introducing this resolution honoring the distinguished dean of our delegation, Congressman John D. Dingell. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to yield myself such time as I may consume. General Leave

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 1. This recovery package supports the development of new advanced vehicle technologies that will lower emissions, improve fuel economy, and create new jobs across the country. This bill includes $2 billion to build new manufacturing facilities for the kinds of advanced vehicle batteries and battery components that will power the next generation of vehicles. We are facing a global credit crisis, and auto companies around the world are struggling. Foreign governments are taking dramatic steps to help their own auto companies. If we are going to ensure the next generation of green manufacturing jobs are created here in the United States, we have to invest now in these advanced technologies. This bill helps ensure that we do not trade our dependence on foreign oil for a dependence on foreign batteries and other technologies. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is good for Michigan and it is good for America. I urge its passage here today.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, today the House will consider legislation to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program and provide health insurance coverage for more than 11 million children nationwide. The current recession makes this legislation particularly important. Children living in low-income families in Michigan rose a staggering 40 percent between 2000 and 2007. Parents are losing their jobs and their health insurance. And kids who do not have health coverage forgo regular checkups and preventive t reatments. They miss more school days, and are less likely to finish high school. And untreated health problems can severely impact a young child's development. SCHIP provides a lifeline for children so that they can be healthy kids who have the opportunity to grow into healthy productive adults. The SCHIP bill we will consider today is fiscally responsible. It is more cost-effective for taxpayers to provide proper care for our kids rather than footing the bill for unnecessary emergency room visits. Passing this legislation is the right thing to do for our Nation's kids.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 34, the Gaza Conflict Resolution. Israel has been under attack, and like any sovereign nation it has the right to defend itself. I steadfastly support Israel as it continues to undertake operations to ensure the security of its citizens. Israel is America's friend and ally and I support its pursuit of security and its objective of self defense in the face of continued attacks on its existence. Hamas is a terrorist organization and its actions undermine the hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people. The U.S. must do everything it can to help reach a resolution that begins with an immediate end to Hamas rocket fire on Israel and includes efforts to provide for the humanitarian needs of all civilians. The U.S. should continue to be thoroughly involved in the region in order to ensure Israel's security and help achieve sustained peace. In support of these goals, I urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 12. Decades after the landmark Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act, women in my home State of Michigan still earn an intolerable 70 cents for every dollar earned by a man. This discrimination must end. Pay equity is not just a women's issue, it is an economic issue. More than ever, working families are relying on two incomes. When a mother is denied fair pay, she is denied the ability to provide for her family, her husband, her children, and the entire family suffers. My two daughters, Madeleine and Alana, will enter the workforce some day. If I learned that an employer was paying my daughters less than what they deserve, simply because they were female, I would be outraged. And right now our Nation's daughters, our Nation's sisters, our Nation's mothers, are being denied fair treatment and I am outraged, and we all should be as well. This bill creates commonsense measures to ensure fair treatment for women, and I urge its passage here today.