Pedro Pierluisi

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. I yield myself 15 additional seconds. The intention of H.R. 2499 is to sponsor a fair process of self- determination in Puerto Rico, not to predetermine the outcome of that process. I have to say, in the 21st century, it is about time that this Congress, at the very least, ask the 4 million American citizens if they want to continue having the second-class citizenship they're earning and they're having today. Vote in support of H.R. 4599.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).

Mr. PIERLUISI. That is correct.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

Mr. PIERLUISI. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands.

Mr. PIERLUISI. The matters that are being raised in this motion are premature. They are irrelevant, actually, because all that H.R. 2499 does is to consult the people of Puerto Rico on the four available options that they have regarding our status--the current status of the territory, statehood, independence, and free association. The people of Puerto Rico have not yet expressed by a majority that they want to join the Union as a State. I hope that it comes about, and when it comes about, Puerto Rico will comply with the Second Amendment in the same way that all the other States must comply with the Second Amendment. The same goes for the English language. That shouldn't be an issue. It shouldn't be an issue now in Puerto Rico, and it will not be an issue, if the time comes, when we become a State. Puerto Rico now has two official languages--English and Spanish. Ninety percent of our parents want their children to be fluent in English. We are proud of having English as a language, and we want to improve it. In fact, I have two bills pending before this Congress for that very purpose. So both issues are being unfairly placed--at least that is what the motion seeks--in the ballot that the people of Puerto Rico will be having in front of them. What the motion seeks is to somehow tell the people of Puerto Rico, You can have statehood, but just English only and only if you comply with the Second Amendment. I oppose this motion because it is untimely, and it is premature. The day will come when we will debate these issues, but that day is not now. I yield 1 minute to the majority leader, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. PIERLUISI. I yield the gentleman from Alaska 1 additional minute.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Grayson).

Mr. PIERLUISI. It is time. It is time for this Congress to hear from the people of Puerto Rico. A lot has been said about this process of self-determination. And what is self-determination? It is to allow the people of Puerto Rico to express their wishes on their political destiny. H.R. 2499 does exactly that. The only possible options that the people of Puerto Rico have concerning the subject matter are the following: remaining as a territory, which is called a Commonwealth, but the label does not change the status. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a Commonwealth, yet it is a State. Puerto Rico is a territory. And there is a clause in the United States Constitution that provides and has so been interpreted by the Supreme Court, the United States Supreme Court, that this Congress has plenary powers over the territories, including Puerto Rico. And we do not fail to exercise them on a daily basis, for better or worse, to the people of Puerto Rico, who do not have voting representation in this Congress, who do not vote for the President, and who do not participate in Federal programs on an equal basis with their fellow citizens in the States. That is one of the choices. And this bill, this plebiscite, the plebiscite in H.R. 2499, provides for that. If the people want to remain under the current status, they can, like they should be. Now if the people of Puerto Rico say we no longer want to be a territory of the United States, we should know that, all Members of Congress. This bill then asks them their choice among the only three options that are accepted under U.S. and international law: statehood, independence, and there has been some talk about free association. Let me tell you something. I agree with Congressman Serrano. Libre asociacion is that term in Spanish. In Puerto Rico everybody knows what libre asociacion is. In fact, there is a faction within one of our main parties that advocates for that. And what is that? Simple; what Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Palau already have--an association between Puerto Rico and the U.S. as sovereign nations that is not a territory of the United States. That option is included. So all the options are there. It is only fair to ask the people of Puerto Rico to express themselves in a way that is not binding on this Congress. We will always have, the Congress will always have the last word on this topic, as it should be. So that's why I have put forth this bill before this Congress on behalf of the people of Puerto Rico as the only elected Representative of the people of Puerto Rico, and I ask for your support. Vote for H.R. 2499.

Mr. PIERLUISI. May I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Mr. PIERLUISI. In listening to the gentleman from Illinois, I keep hearing that he wants Puerto Rico to become independent, that he sees Puerto Rico as a nation. So be it. That's a dignified status, and that is one of the options that this bill provides for. In crafting the bill, we tried to be as inclusive as we could, recognizing that Puerto Ricans, people born in Puerto Rico, might be interested in participating in this plebiscite, might want to return to Puerto Rico; and for the purpose of being as fair and as democratic as we could, we drew the line on requiring birth in Puerto Rico. More than that, we think it would be too encompassing and not necessary. So I oppose this amendment. I believe that the current bill is fair; it might not be perfect, like any piece of legislation. You draw lines when you're legislating, but this is a reasonable line. I oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I rise so that the record will reflect the following point about the Medicare Advantage program and its application in Puerto Rico. For a variety of reasons, relatively few Medicare beneficiaries in Puerto Rico are enrolled in Part B. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac) has determined that, as a result, fee-for-service reimbursement rates for providers on the Island are artifically low and unstable. Over the past year, I have worked with the House Committee on Ways and Means to examine ways to address this problem. In the report accompanying the health care reform bill it approved, the Committee candidly acknowledged the problem and urged CMS to use its existing authority to adjust the reimbursement rates in Puerto Rico. I strongly supported this language and believe it is still operative. Working with Committee leadership and my colleagues, I will do everything within my power to ensure that CMS uses its current authority to make certain that reimbursement rates to MA providers in Puerto Rico are fair. The language included in the House Ways and Means Committee report is: The phase-down of MA payments to FFS costs applies equally to all 50 states and the territories, however, Puerto Rico is a unique situation that the Committee expects that the Secretary will use authority under current law to examine. Specifically, very few Medicare beneficiaries in Puerto Rico choose to enroll in Part B; instead, MA plans buy down the Part B premium for enrollees and therefore many Medicare beneficiaries enroll in MA to receive all of their Medicare services. With only a small population enrolled in Part B through traditional Medicare, the county FFS expenditures calculated by the Secretary are artificially low and unstable from year-to-year. Therefore, the Committee expects that when calculating county FFS rates in Puerto Rico, the Secretary will use utilization and expenditure data from MA plans under current authority and adjust these rates and risk scores appropriately.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1047) commending The Ohio State University Buckeyes football team for its victory in the 2010 Rose Bowl.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise, extend, and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1047 into the Record.

Mr. PIERLUISI. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to congratulate the Ohio State University Buckeyes football team for their victory in the 2010 NCAA Rose Bowl. On January 1, the Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten Conference faced off against the Oregon Ducks from the Pac-10 Conference for the 96th Rose Bowl game. The Buckeyes defeated the Ducks by a score of 26-17, collecting their seventh Rose Bowl crown. The Buckeyes finished their season with an 11-2 record and a fifth national ranking. In addition to winning its seventh Rose Bowl title, Ohio State won its fifth consecutive Big Ten title, playing in its fifth consecutive BCS bowl game. The Buckeyes have played in eight BCS games, the most of any school. The players and coaches deserve to be recognized for their outstanding accomplishments. Congratulations are in order for Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State's quarterback and 2010 Rose Bowl MVP. Pryor threw for 266 yards, ran for 72 yards, and scored two touchdowns, leading all players from both teams in these categories. I also want to extend my congratulations to Head Coach Jim Tressel. Coach Tressel just completed his ninth season with the Buckeyes. Since taking the position, Tressel has led the Buckeyes to an overall record of 94-21, with nine bowl appearances and one national championship. The extraordinary achievement of this year is a tribute to the skill and dedication of the many players, coaches, students, alumni, families, and fans that have helped to make the Ohio State University Buckeyes a great football program. Winning the Rose Bowl and finishing the season with an 11-2 overall record have brought acclaim to the school and to the Buckeye football team. I know the fans of the university will revel in this victory as they look forward to the 2010 season. Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the Ohio State University Buckeyes for their success and thank Congresswoman Kilroy for bringing this bill forward. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may consume the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kilroy), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. PIERLUISI. I now urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution congratulating the Ohio State Buckeyes for their Rose Bowl victory, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1142) congratulating Silver Lake College for 75 years of service as an undergraduate institution of higher education.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise, extend, and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1142 into the Record.

Mr. PIERLUISI. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1142, which congratulates Silver Lake College for 75 years of service as an undergraduate institution of higher education. Founded in the late 1800s by the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, Silver Lake College has emerged as a strong academic environment for students looking for one-on-one attention. The school educates approximately 1,000 students annually, offers a seven-to-one student-to-teacher ratio, and provides 24 different areas of study for its students. The small, intimate setting Silver Lake College champions gives students and teachers opportunities to excel in and out of the classroom. Silver Lake College was founded on Franciscan Catholic values. These values focus on a commitment to community, compassion, peace, and reverence for creation. Through a quality liberal arts education, students at Silver Lake College learn to connect the mind and spirit through Franciscan traditions. Leadership and service ideals are instilled in the student body at Silver Lake College. These ideals are best exemplified by students' commitment to volunteerism. This past February, three student organizations at the school partnered to raise funds for victims of the Haiti earthquake. Students hosted a rock and roll concert and sold food at fundraisers throughout campus, with all proceeds going to earthquake victims. This year Silver Lake College will celebrate 75 years of providing excellent education and cultivating young women and men to be well- rounded young adults with promising career paths. Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for Silver Lake College, and thank Congressman Petri for bringing this bill forward. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution congratulating Silver Lake College for 75 years of service. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PIERLUISI

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1091) expressing support for designation of the week of February 28 through March 7, 2010, as ``School Social Work Week'', as amended.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1091 into the Record.

Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1091, a resolution to recognize the week of February 28 through March 6, 2010, as National School Social Worker Week. School social workers have long played a critical role in schools and in the community as a whole. They are professionals with training in social support and mental health intervention who work with youth to address their emotional, social, and developmental needs. For example, students in elementary school are just beginning to develop their academic skills and their feelings of competence. School social workers help students build their confidence as learners. In middle school, many new challenges arise. During this passage from childhood to adolescence, students are characterized by a need to explore a variety of interests, connecting their learning in the classroom to its practical application in life. In middle schools, school social workers provide leadership to engage all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students navigate the challenges of early adolescence to achieve academic, social, and behavioral success. And in high school, students begin separating from parents to explore their independence and define their individuality. They face increased pressures to engage in risky behaviors involving sex, alcohol, and drugs, and many students seek support in choosing acceptable behavior and establishing mature, meaningful relationships. School social workers help them make thoughtful and appropriate decisions. On top of this, school social workers must be responsive to the range of challenges that young people face every day such as poverty, disability, discrimination, abuse, addiction, bullying, divorce of parents, loss of a loved one, and other barriers to learning. School social workers are also on the front lines when disaster strikes, such as the suicide plane attack in Austin, Texas, that killed a number of people last month, Hurricane Katrina, as well as our traumatic events such as 9/11 or school violence incidents like Columbine. There is documentation of the growing need for school districts to expand mental health and student support services in schools. The numbers indicate that less than 1 in 5 of the 17.5 million children in need of mental health services actually receive any support from qualified professionals. Many students go underserved primarily because the national average ratio of students to school social workers is far higher than the 400 to 1 ratio recommended by the School Social Work Association of America. Mr. Speaker, this resolution serves to recognize the tremendous importance of school social workers and acknowledge the valuable role that they play in guiding our students' success. I want to thank Congressman Kennedy for bringing this resolution forward. I urge my colleagues to resoundingly pass this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.