Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of some great Americans in Michigan's Eighth District, the Durand Patriots. The Durand Patriots are a non-profit organization working hard to support our fighting troops abroad by providing them with some of the comforts of home. Since October, 2001, the Durand Patriots have shipped over 500 packages to active military personnel. Last year alone, the Durand Patriots raised $25,000 for the purchase of convenience items and holiday gifts to be sent to our troops. In their latest undertaking, the Durand Patriots came to the rescue of a local soldier, CW3 Mike Mogg, when he lost all of his possessions in a fire in his Baghdad living quarters. The Durand Patriots sent over fifty boxes of supplies to Chief Warrant Officer Mogg and his unit to replace their lost possessions. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the support of the Durand Patriots to our armed forces. Their commitment to helping boost military morale by ensuring that our fighting men and women have the comforts of home while they protect America, showcases the best of the American spirit.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Charter Schools Institute's 2004 Colloquium taking place in Brighton, Michigan on May 7, 2004. The NCSI 2004 Colloquium is a celebration of the families, teachers, local leaders and others who chose charter public schools because of their proven ability to help our nation's school children attain academic and personal success. The National Charter Schools Institute has joined together with sponsors and supporters including the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers, the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, the Black Alliance for Educational Options and the Programs for Educational Opportunities to bring this Colloquium to Brighton to benefit charter school representatives throughout the state of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, America's charter schools are our partners in our quest to provide a quality education to all of our children. I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the benefits of the National Charter Schools Institute 2004 colloquium to the school children of Michigan, and to ask them to join me in celebrating National Charter Schools Week.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishment of the Michigan State University Debate Team. On April 6, 2004, The Michigan State University Debate team placed first at the National Debate Tournament held at Catholic University in Washington, DC. The National Debate Tournament is the premier debate tournament in the country. Only seventy-eight of the nation's very best Universities are invited to compete at the highest level of collegiate debate. The MSU Debate Team has had a long history of success in national debate competition finishing in the Final Four of the National Debate Tournament in 1968, 1998, 2001, 2002 and 2003. In 2000, the Michigan State University finished as a runner up in the competition. However, despite their previous success, the 2004 championship marks the first championship in the school's history. The Michigan State Spartans are only the third public school in the fifty-seven year history of the competition to take the first place honors. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the accomplishment of the Michigan State University Debate Team. I am extremely grateful to represent one of the premier universities in the country and delighted to share their successes with you.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of the United States. The Royal College was created in 1984 and is located in Detroit, Michigan. Today, the Royal College of Physicians provides invaluable publications and continuing education to physicians across the globe. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, is truly an international organization. With locations in Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons is committed to providing better health care around the world through their commitment to the science of medicine and surgery. This commitment has led the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons to be one of the most highly respected Royal Colleges in the World. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say the hard work and dedication of the Royal College takes place in my home State of Michigan. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the tremendous work of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and to join me in celebrating their 20 years of service.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, my primary objective being named to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the 107th Congress was to improve Michigan's minimum rate of return for highway dollars from the current 90.5 percent in the reauthorization of TEA-21. Sadly, the bill reported from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, H.R. 3550, while increasing the overall pot of money to $284 billion over six years, decreases the amount of programs or ``scope'' that the minimum rate of return applies to, effectively decreasing our share to about 79 percent of every road dollar. The amendment offered by Mr. Isakson of Georgia on the House floor would have corrected this flaw and at least allow Michigan and other donor States to continue receiving the same rate of return on the same scope of projects as in current law. The net effect of this amendment would have been an additional $300 million to meet Michigan's needs. While I voted in favor of this amendment, it was defeated by a vote of 170-254. Given the fact that under H.R. 3550, Michigan will receive less of a percentage of road dollars than they do today, I am voting against it on final passage. Michigan's roads and infrastructure have taken a back seat to other States for far too long. Enough is enough--it is time these Federal road dollars go to Michigan projects and create Michigan jobs. I am hopeful that we can work to make the final product better for Michigan's citizens in conference committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the anniversary of the Lansing Civic Players, a community theater in Lansing, Michigan, as 2004 marks their 75th year of continuous operation. After three-quarters of a century enduring trials and tribulations, the Lansing Civic Players still continues to achieve the goal they set out for: To provide the people in the Lansing area with good community theatre. In the fall of 1929, two amateur theater productions were established in the Lansing area: The Players Guild, started by Elva Schell and the Civic Theatre, created by August Fischer. In October 1929, the two groups decided to join resources, and the Lansing Civic Players Guild was born. The first years were a struggle for the group. The members of the Lansing Civic Players Guild performed all necessary functions. They were the actors, the ticket salesmen, and the set builders. They did it all. They had very little money, but they had a determination to bring quality theater to the Lansing area. The group began work on their first play, ``The Trial of Mary Duggan.'' It was at this time the royalties for the show were pulled, and the Lansing Civic Players Guild was left without a play. But as they say in show business, the show must go on. The group rushed to find a new production, and on May 24, 1930, they performed ``Captain AppleJack.'' This performance had over 1,000 people in attendance, including the Governor of the State of Michigan, and is still a record setting attendance to this day for the theater. Today, the group operates their business, the building, rehearsals, and costume shop out of a fire hall which they acquired in June, 1977. The Lansing Civic Players have performed at three area high schools since inception, and currently perform at the Hannah Community Center. They have received awards for longevity from the Community Theater Association of Michigan as well as the Lansing City Council. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Lansing Civic Players and the impact they have made on mid-Michigan.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on the legislative day of Thursday, March 18, 2004, the House had a vote on H. Con. Res. 364, a resolution that would express Congress' recognition of more than 50 years of strategic partnership between the United States and the Marshall Islands. On House rollcall vote No. 71, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 522 to express the sense of the House of Representatives that there is a critical need to increase awareness and education about heart disease and the risk factors for heart disease among women. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, killing almost twice as many as all forms of cancer. Yet according to a recent survey conducted by the American Heart Association, only 13 percent of women consider heart disease their greatest health risk. Lack of knowledge and awareness of symptoms of heart disease is dangerous and can be easily addressed. This resolution goes right to this point. It encourages all women to recognize the dangers of this disease and take steps to make healthy choices that can reduce the risk of heart disease in the first place. Men and women alike are far more likely to make sound life-style changes when they are educated about the risks of heart disease. This resolution also commends First Lady Laura Bush and the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for the fantastic work they have done in this area to raise public awareness about this disease. The First Lady and the NIH have taken a creative approach with this public education campaign using a variety of different media to get the word out about heart disease. I applaud the work that they have done to heighten awareness of this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 522) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there is a critical need to increase awareness and education about heart disease and the risk factors of heart disease among women.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. I want to thank the gentleman from Arkansas, as well, for bringing this to the people of America's attention. It is an incredibly important health risk for women that has gone unnoted for far too long. I thank the gentleman for bringing this important piece of legislation to the forefront and for getting that message out. I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) for his cooperation today in reaching across the aisle, really on two pieces of legislation today that will have a positive impact on the health of Americans around the country.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 522.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3926) to amend the Public Health Service Act to promote organ donation, and for other purposes.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill, H.R. 3926.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3926, the Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act. This legislation, introduced by the Subcommittee on Health chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), and I pause here for a moment, Mr. Speaker, to commend the gentleman from Florida's (Mr. Bilirakis) effort on this particular bill. He is such a distinguished Member of our body, respected by both sides of the aisle, and his compassion for those in need is unparalleled, and I would hope that we could note for the record his great effort in this particular cause. This bill reflects a great bipartisan effort and one that passed the Senate late last year. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in supporting this important legislation. As most of us know, there is a great unmet need for donated organs and tissue right here in the United States. According to the United Network of Organ Sharing, there are 84,138 people who currently are waiting for transplant, while only 12,133 individuals had donated their organs between January and November of 2003; 23,387 individuals did receive a transplant within that same time frame, but close to 6,000 individuals died while waiting on the list. H.R. 3926 responds to this public health crisis by effectively targeting our limited Federal resources towards areas we think will do the most good. This legislation authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for the purposes of covering travel and subsistence expenses incurred by living organ donors. Hopefully, this assistance will help ensure that no potential living organ donor is prevented from donating simply because they cannot afford the associated travel costs. Additionally, H.R. 3926 includes a new grant program that will help to replace organ donation coordinators in hospitals and organ procurement organizations in an effort to increase donation rates. Finally, the bill provides the Secretary with $15 million in new resources to help State governments and public and nonprofit private entities develop innovative new initiatives designed to increase organ donation rates, including living donation. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3926 enjoys strong support within the transplant community and will help us in our efforts to ensure that every American has access to a donated organ or tissue when they need it. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the other side of the aisle for moving this bill so quickly, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on the legislative day of Tuesday, February 24, 2004, the House had a vote on S. 714, legislation that would authorize the Bureau of Land Management to convey land to Douglas County, OR. On House rollcall vote No. 27, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for clarifying. In addition, it is not the chairman's intent that small rural cancer centers across the country would be detrimentally impacted under the new Average Sales Price reimbursement method for their drugs based on their inability to buy in volume like their suburban neighbors. And if we found that to be the case, we would swiftly review the specific impact such a payment methodology had on access to care in these rural areas.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his attention on this matter.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership on this for the millions of seniors who today have no access, no access to prescription drugs that will have that when this bill is signed into law. I thank him for each and every one of them. For the purposes of colloquy, it is certainly not the chairman's intent that the cuts to oncology practices across the country would go below such a level that would cause practices to close, thus jeopardize access to care for thousands of cancer patients, and should we see that CBO's projections were wrong and that oncologists were found not to be made whole for their drug reimbursement under the new Average Sales Price that we would swiftly reverse this payment methodology?

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding efforts of the National Association of Broadcasters for their partnership with the Armed Forces Relief Trust Fund. The Armed Forces Relief Trust Fund serves as an umbrella organization incorporating the four Military Aid Societies from the Army, Navy- Marine, Air Force and Coast Guard collecting and distributing donations that help reduce the burden on families of our military men and women. The partnership with National Association of Broadcasters will help create and broadcast public service announcements to encourage Americans to donate to the Armed Forces Relief Trust Fund. While our military men and women are serving our country, it is paramount that the American people band together so that we can ensure that no family incurs hardships while their loved one is away. Military aid programs, funded by private donations, provide services like college tuition for children and health care for pregnant wives, services that could have been provided if their family member had not been called to duty. Last year alone, the four military aid societies provided over $109 million in grants and interest free loans to 145,000 families. I am confident that with the help of the National Association of Broadcasters the Armed Forces Relief Trust Fund can far exceed the number of families it was able to help last year. As an increasing number of Americans answer the call to duty, more and more families will be asking the Armed Forces Relief Trust Fund for help. The public service announcements developed by The National Association of Broadcasters will help to increase donations and insure that the trust fund has the solvency to answer this call. Mr. Speaker, the continued support of the brave men and women serving this country is extremely important to me. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the National Association of Broadcasters and the Armed Forces Relief Trust Fund for their assistance to our troops.