Bobby Rush

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, unfortunately I have been out on medical leave. I have been unable to cast votes; however, I would like the record to reflect my intentions had I been present. Had I been present for rollcall No. 414, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 415, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 416, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 417, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 418, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No.419, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 420, I would have voted ``nay'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 421, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 422, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 423, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 424, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 425, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 426, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 427, I would have voted ``nay''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 428, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 429, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 430, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 431, I would have voted ``nay''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 432, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 433, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 434, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 435, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 436, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 437, I would have voted ``nay''.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008. Mr. Speaker as you know this bill provides up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits to those individuals and families struggling to find work. The relief this measure brings to the 3.9 million Americans and the 221,000 residents of my State of Illinois is monumental and much needed. When I look at my own congressional district, I am saddened. I am saddened that the plight of this economy is taking such a toll on those who are out of work or just plain down on their luck. The statistics are staggering and upsetting. While the national unemployment rate stands at 5.1 percent, the State of Illinois is suffering a 6.1 percent unemployment rate, and the Chicagoland area is suffering a 5.8 percent rate of unemployment. Moreover, minorities are disproportionately suffering in this time of rising job loss. Nationally, African Americans account for 8.8 percent of the unemployed; while the rate in the State of Illinois is 10.3 percent, and specifically in Chicago a rate of 10.6 percent. Hard working families and people struggling to make ends meet are calling on us to make them the priority. With the price of gas and food climbing exponentially, rising home foreclosures, and businesses reducing their employment rolls--we in Congress have a responsibility to ensure the well being of our citizens. The families of the First Congressional District, the State of Illinois and indeed the Nation, cannot wait on the Bush administration for help any longer. Chicago is suffering, Mr. Speaker, Illinois is hurting, America is in need of drastic relief of the Bush economic policies and we cannot afford to let these continue on our watch. We Democrats have worked tirelessly this Congress to push issues and effect positive change in the economic lives of not only my constituents but the entire country. We have continually been met with resistance by our friends from the other side of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, I support the immediate extension of unemployment benefits and strongly urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 5749.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. The reflections I continue to share happen in communities big and small, everyday, all across our nation. Like Chicago, the city of Los Angeles is having its own unprecedented wave of deadly gun violence. Earlier this month, during the weekend of June 7 and 8, the Los Angeles Times reported that 14 people lost their lives to violence with most of those dying at the hands of a gun. That's 14 people who lost their lives in one weekend in only 48 hours! Why no national outrage over this senseless violence? Even though the headlines read that many of these deaths ``appear to be gang-related,'' those who died-- regardless of their age, their economic status or their race--are children of God. They had lives that mattered to somebody. They certainly mattered to me. Americans of conscious must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will we say `enough is enough, stop the killing!'

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. On Monday, June 16, the first day of summer vacation for Chicago Public Schools, 14-year-old Ulysses Simmons was fatally shot. He is the 27th CPS student slain since last fall. According to news reports, young Ulysses was killed over his bike. He had just gotten his first job, working with young children this summer at a local church. ``When will this killing stop,'' asked his grandmother. ``It needs to stop.'' Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45'' and the dozens more unnecessary accidents and injuries related to guns. I join Ulysses' grandmother in saying: When will we say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, unfortunately I have been out on medical leave. I have been unable to cast votes; however, I would like the Record to reflect my intentions had I been present to vote. Had I been present for rollcall No. 388, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 389, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 390, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 391, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 392, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 393, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 394, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 395, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 396, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 397, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 398, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 399, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 400, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 401, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 402, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 403, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 404, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 405, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 406, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 407, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 408, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 409, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 410, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 411, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 412, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 413, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. And while I normally highlight a death related to guns, I thought this next incident was worth mentioning. In Columbia, South Carolina, a 4-year-old girl, while at a Sam's Club, took a gun from her grandmother's purse and shot herself in the chest. The grandmother has a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon. She was not charged with a crime. The child underwent emergency surgery and apparently, thankfully, will survive. Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45'' and the dozens more unnecessary accidents and injuries related to guns. When will we say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, every day, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. I grieve, daily, in solidarity with those I serve in Chicago over the senseless loss of life from guns, especially among our children. There are thousands of other communities across our Nation that, likewise, see their children cut down by perpetrators wielding the merciless barrel of a gun. Today, it's my sad responsibility to extend my condolences to the family and friends of 13-year-old Taylor Paschal-Placker and her 11- year-old best friend, Skyla Whitaker, who lost their lives on Sunday, June 8. Both were shot while walking not far them their homes in the small, rural town of Weleetka, Oklahoma. As law enforcement officials continue to investigate this crime, these children's families and their close knit community of 1,000 are grieving and frightened while a murderer remains at large. Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will we say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, every day, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. Young lives are being cut short because of gun violence and families on both sides of the gun are dramatically affected. Last week, authorities charged Edgar Ceasar Diaz, 15, of Waukegan, Illinois with six counts of first-degree murder that, if convicted, could land him in jail for the remainder of his life. His family is in pain over what their son is charged with. Diaz is accused of the April 25 shooting death of 18-year-old Miguel Celis also of Waukegan. Celis died of a gunshot wound to the chest fired from a .38-caliber handgun that was recovered from Diaz, according to reports. His family is in mourning. Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, unfortunately I have been out on medical leave. I have been unable to cast votes; however, I would like the record to reflect my intentions had I been present to vote. Had I been present for rollcall No. 387, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 386, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 385, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 384, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 383, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 382, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 381, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 380, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 379, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 378, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 377, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 376, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 375, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 374, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 373, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 372, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 371, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 370, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 369, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 368, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 367, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. Con. Res. 70, the Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report for 2009. I want to commend Chairman Spratt for his outstanding work in moving this blueprint for fiscal responsibility to fruition. This budget is a recipe for fiscal integrity, reaching balance in 2012 while maintaining a smaller deficit in 2009 and over the next 5 years as opposed to the Bush Administration proposal. With the adoption of this budget resolution, this Congress will reject the misplaced priorities of the Administration by restoring funding to vital programs for our Nation's citizens. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have been an ardent supporter of the Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, and I am particularly pleased that this budget takes significant and necessary steps to strengthen the safety-net for those families most in need, including boosting funding for home energy assistance to help millions of low-income families and funding housing assistance for low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled. I am further pleased that we increase funding to make college more affordable, thereby reversing the Administration's underfunding of education in our Nation. This budget substantially increases veterans' funding, invests in renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, provides funding for green collar jobs, rejects the Administration's cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, expands children's health insurance coverage and accommodates additional middle class tax relief. Mr. Speaker, S. Con Res. 70 will serve as an important guide as we set spending priorities for our Nation over the next few years and I am pleased to join in support of it.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support for H.R. 3058, the Public Lands Communities Transition Act. This legislation will provide crucial funding to school districts located in Federal forest counties. Without these funds, these school districts will have to make large cuts to their educational services and programs. It is imperative to address the fact that these counties have little to no local tax base to levy for their school districts. Therefore, any assistance from the Federal Government is essential. Mr. Speaker, with the passage of this bill, we will ensure that the education of our children will not fall victim to devastating cuts in these areas. Adequate education should be provided to all of our children, regardless of where they live. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill with bipartisan support. Mr. DeFazio. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act. This legislation provides much needed mortgage refinancing assistance to combat the symptoms of our stressed, strained, and stagnant economy. H.R. 3221 provides relief and stability to hard working Americans who find themselves threatened with losing their homes. Specifically H.R. 3221 authorizes the Federal Housing Administration to provide lower cost government-backed mortgages for borrowers to avoid foreclosure. This bill is not intended to bail out borrowers; instead, it is a surefire way to sustain our economy by giving homeowners a chance to pay their loans in a reasonable and responsible manner. And provides financial counseling for families to remain in their homes and expands home loan opportunities for low-income families and veterans in high cost areas. This bill is what our communities need. Just in the great state of Illinois; out of 1.7 million serviced loans in 2007, already over 500,000 are seriously delinquent or more than 90 days past due. It will insulate our neighborhoods from the effects of widespread foreclosures and crime. It will prevent our residents from experiencing the crippling hardships that are strongly associated with our struggling economy. And it will make the American dream of homeownership for all a reality instead of a nightmare. Madam Speaker, H.R. 3221 is critical at this time of economic uncertainty. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this important legislation.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I would like to voice my support for H.R. 3773, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. There is no more important responsibility that Congress is charged with than protecting the American people. H.R. 3773 seeks to find that most critical balance between protecting our security and protecting our liberty. Without the proposed amendments, FISA Act creates a new ``blanket'' warrant program that would allow the government to conduct surveillance on groups of foreign targets who may contact U.S. persons, including surveillance of communications to and by such U.S. persons. The new blanket surveillance program authorized in H.R. 3773 allows the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General to apply for authority to conduct surveillance of foreign targets, or groups of foreign targets for up to 1 year or longer if necessary. Additionally, the FISA Act allows the DNI and the Attorney General to begin surveillance activities without a warrant if they jointly believe that there is an emergency situation requiring surveillance to commence before a warrant could be issued. This legislation allows our intelligence agencies to do their job effectively without trampling on the civil liberties that are the bedrock of our great society. I hold the principles outlined in our Constitution dear and I will not give up those freedoms easily for a false sense of security. It is time for Congress to stand up for the morals and values that have made this country great, instead of rubber- stamping the policies of the current Administration, which have already cost this country enormously. I urge all of my colleagues to end the political posturing and join me in support of H.R. 3773 so we can ensure that our national security and our civil liberties are protected.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, unfortunately I have been out on medical leave. I have been unable to cast votes; however, I would like the Record to reflect my intentions had I been present to vote. Had I been present for rollcall No. 366, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 365, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 364, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 363, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 362, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 361, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 360, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 359, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 358, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 357, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 356, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 355, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 354, I would have voted ``aye'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 353, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 352, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 351, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 350, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 349, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 348, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rolleall No. 347, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 346, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 345, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 344, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 343, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 342, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 341, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 340, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 339, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 338, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 337, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 336, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 335, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 334, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 333, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 332, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 331, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 330, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 329, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 328, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 327, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 326, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 325, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 324, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 322, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 321, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 320, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 319, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 316, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 315, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 313, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 312, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 308, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 307, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 306, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 305, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 304, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 303, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 302, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 301, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 300, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 299, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 297, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 295, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 294, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 293, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 289, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 283, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 277, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 274, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 269, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 265, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 263, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 258, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 256, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 253, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 251, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 249, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 247, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 242, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 240, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 239, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 238, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 237, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 236, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 235, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 234, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 233, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 231, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 230, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 229, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 228, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 226, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 225, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 224, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 223, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 222, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 221, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 220, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 219, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 218, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 217, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 216, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 215, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 214, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 213, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 212, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 211, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 210, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 209, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 207, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 206, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 205, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 204, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 203, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 202, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 199, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 197, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 196, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 195, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 193, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 191, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 190, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 188, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 187, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 185, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 184, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 183, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 182, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 181, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 180, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 179, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 177, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 176, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 175, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 174, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 173, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 172, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 171, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 169, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 168, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 167, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 166, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 165, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 164, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 163, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 162, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 161, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to praise the contributions of the Caribbean-American community to this Nation's history and development. Since before the 1770's when Jean Baptist Pointe DuSable moved to what is now my hometown of Chicago this community has played a vital and positive role in the development of this country. With over 4.6 million Caribbean-Americans in this country the contributions of this community should not be overlooked. This Caribbean-American community has brought to us such notables as Alexander Hamilton, Sydney Poitier, W.E.B. Dubois, Malcolm X, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Madam Speaker, without the contributions of these individuals the United States would not be the country we see today. Without Hamilton, would we have been the Constitutional Republic that allows us to be here today? Without Dubois when might we have realized that ``The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.'' Without Malcolm X would our youth understand that ``The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.'' Madam Speaker, in preparing for that future I believe it is fundamental that we remember our roots. I thank the Caribbean-American community for their contributions to society and look forward to what is yet to come.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express the astonishment and indignation I felt upon learning of the actions of Dr. Norma Perez, staff psychologist at the Olin E. Teague Veterans' Center in Temple, TX. For those who may not know, Dr. Perez sent an email referring to the increase in ``compensation seeking veterans'' and urged medical professionals to ``refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straight out'' citing, among other reasons, the fact that veterans who have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at the Temple facility have been appealing their compensation and pension judgments ``based on our assessment.'' Madam Speaker, I am appalled. I am appalled that a medical professional at the Department of Veterans Affairs would consider the cost of treatment as a factor in making a medical diagnosis. What is the cost of a veteran's well-being? At what point do we determine that certain medical diagnoses would be too expensive to treat? At what point do we determine that a service induced injury is one that a veteran does not deserve to be compensated for? Madam Speaker, as President Lincoln reminded us in 1865, it is our duty as a nation to ensure that we ``care for him who shall have borne the battle''. We must accept our responsibility and ensure that our veterans have proper and complete medical care and diagnoses that are free of political considerations and are made in terms of their well- being. As a proud former member of the United States Army I am incensed that such a decision was ever considered. I applaud Secretary Peake for his repudiation of this affront to our Nation's veterans and call upon him to ensure that the culture of the Department of Veterans Affairs lives up to its stated goal of ``excellence in patient care, veterans' benefits and customer satisfaction.''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. Yesterday, in Oakland, California, two men were shot and killed in separate incidents. My heart goes out to the family of 35-year-old Curtis Holden. My heart also goes out to the other victim, whose name was not immediately released. There have been 55 homicides so far this year in the city of Oakland. How do we explain these senseless killings to our children? We must replace the culture of violence with a culture of peace. Americans of conscious must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States and, sometimes, no matter how long it takes, some families do manage to gain a measure of justice. Last week, on May 13, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the grieving family of 16-year-old murder victim Ryan Sampson breathed a small sigh of relief after determined police work led to the indictment of two suspected shooters, Samuel Fancher and Jerry Emerson. After nine months, since the July, 2007 gunshot to Ryan's head and torso in an abandoned building a few blocks from his home, his mother and grieving siblings are thankful for a measure of justice. Despite the survival of Ryan's friend, Leroy Moorman, who was also shot in the same incident, reluctant witnesses hampered the investigation. In this case, unlike other unresolved murders that have afflicted Ryan's family, a brave informant finally came forward with credible evidence. Americans of conscious must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, every day, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. Last Saturday, May 17, Brandon Bethea, a 15-year-old Jamaica girl was fatally shot on a Far Rockaway, New York street corner. She was shot while standing with a crowd near the Redfern Housing Projects. Then, 2 days later and a half-mile away, while police investigated Brandon's killing, 17-year-old Tyrese Jones was gunned down in front of a local restaurant. Two more young people, gone before they could even graduate from high school. And on both of these days, 44 other people were shot. Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, every day, somewhere in America, an average of 45 people are shot and killed at the hands of a gun-wielding assailant. This senseless loss of life comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and zip codes. And, far too often, death comes at the hands of a loved one. According to law enforcement authorities, on May 10th in Houston, Texas, death came at the hands of a Salvadoran immigrant husband and father of three young children. Neighbors describe, the father, Salvador, as friendly and hard-working. For reasons we'll never know, Salvador took a rifle and shot his wife, Lupe, and their three children, all under the age of 10. Before he shot himself, Salvador left a Snoopy doll and other plush animals along with a note that read, ``May God Have Mercy.'' So many dreams cut short in an instant of despair. We must stop the senseless murders of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``Enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, every day, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. From coast to coast, the stories ring familiar. In Los Angeles, police said this morning that they are investigating two separate shootings in Pacoima that left two men dead. One man, whose name has not been released, suffered gunshot wounds to his head and body. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died. In a separate incident, in the same area, another man was fatally wounded in an apparent drive-by shooting around 3 p.m. Tuesday. These daily shootings must end. Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``Enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, on December 19, 2007, the last day of the session before the holiday season, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act. The vote was 407-0. Today, with this Motion to Instruct Conferees, we are taking yet another step towards fulfilling our pledge to the American people to protect their children from dangerous products and overhaul the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I am confident that in the coming weeks, we can resolve all of the differences between the House and Senate versions of their respective bills and send a strong piece of legislation to the President that he will sign into law. We have much to be proud of in the House version of consumer product safety reform legislation. H.R. 4040 was introduced by Chairman Dingell, Ranking Member Barton, Ranking Member Steams, and me. This historic bill, of which I am the lead sponsor, authorizes desperately needed resources to the Commission and dramatically rewrites the Consumer Product Safety Act, as well as the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, both of which are administered by the CPSC. After decades of neglect, the House bill restores the CPSC to its rightful place of prominence and gives it the necessary tools to grapple with the global marketplace and protect American consumers, particularly children, from dangerous and defective products. The House bill is the culmination of a deliberative, bipartisan process that entailed countless meetings with consumer groups, industry, and staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, we held five hearings before our subcommittee markup. The full-committee reported H.R. 4040 as amended with a vote of 51-0. As Chairman of the Subcommittee, I am extremely proud of our collective efforts during this process. H.R. 4040 has two titles. Title I specifically addresses children's products by establishing the strictest lead standard in the world for children's products and requiring certification and testing. Title II overhauls the CPSC itself, giving the beleaguered agency much needed resources and strengthening its underlying organic statutes. At both the Subcommittee and Full Committee mark-ups, the bill underwent significant changes: We strengthened the lead standard, raised the age requirement for mandatory testing to 12, required CPSC to appropriately tailor their corrective action plans to fit consumer needs, granted emergency recall authority to CPSC, bestowed enforcement authority to state Attorneys General, banned corporate-sponsored travel for Commission employees, and preserved state common law rights of action. All of these excellent changes were made at the behest of members of the Energy and Commerce Committee who offered their valuable input on how to make the underlying bill better. The House bill is much stronger than the Senate bill in numerous ways, and it is my hope that our friends on the other side of the Capitol will agree to adopt those provisions in the final version that becomes law. Of course, likewise, the Senate bill has provisions absent in the House bill that are worthy of consideration and adoption. Indeed, the final product of a good conference should reflect the very best work of both bodies of Congress. Mr. Speaker, I cannot emphasize enough that ours is a bipartisan bill that, from the very beginning, we drafted in consultation with Democratic and Republican members, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, consumer groups, and industry. I want to sincerely thank the distinguished Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, my dear friend, John Dingell, for his unparalleled leadership. This bill simply would not be possible without his guidance. Of course, I also want to thank my friends, the distinguished Ranking Member of the Committee, Joe Barton, and the former Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Cliff Stearns, for their leadership and unwavering cooperation. I hope H.R. 4040 returns to the floor in a few weeks in the form of a conference report that the House can pass in unanimous fashion, just as we did on the last day of session last year. If we continue our deliberative approach of bipartisan cooperation, I am confident that we can do so and will eventually send to the President's desk a bill that will become law. I am confident that all of us will be able to go home to our constituents and tell them that we have done our job to protect American consumers and their families from dangerous and defective products. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Motion to Instruct Conferees.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, every day, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. We have become too numb to the continued violence that plays out daily. On April 26, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, 19-year-old Helder Tomar was shot and killed in Jenks Park in Central Falls. Unfortunately, this set off a cycle of teenage violence in Pawtucket and Central Falls. According to a local newspaper, a young man said the obvious: ``Death is part of life, but it's supposed to be natural, not by violence, not by strife.'' Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say, ``Enough is enough, stop the killing.''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. The recent news of the death of an aspiring journalism student at Loyola University who was killed, May 4, when someone fired shots into her car on Chicago's South Side is tragic and sad. Twenty-year-old Ishma Stewart, a 2005 graduate of Oak Park-River Forest High School, was an intelligent young lady who completed her studies in only three years. She was expected to graduate from Loyola in December. Another promising life cut short. Another life ended by gun violence. Another family forced to ask why their loved one, who was not involved in guns, drugs or gangs, had to leave tragically and so soon. Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killings!''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, every day, somewhere in America, an average of 45 people are shot and killed at the hands of a gun-wielding assailant. This senseless loss of life comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and zip codes. On March 12, 2008, 23-year-old Anthony Maddox, of Washington, DC, was killed on the steps outside Truesdell Elementary School when small children were still inside. Fortunately, no children were harmed but they were surely traumatized by the fact that a man from their neighborhood, casually socializing with neighbors on a balmy spring night, suddenly lost his life at the hands of a gun. In the words of the late revolutionary patriot, Thomas Paine, ``these are the times that try men's souls.'' These times require action, right now, from men and women like me who are determined to stop the carnage. We must stop the senseless murders of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''