Peter Roskam

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. ROSKAM. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 140th Anniversary of the incorporation of Lombard, Illinois, in the heart of my Congressional District. In 1837, Sheldon Peck and his family settled on 80 acres in what was then known as Babcock's Grove. In 1869, the Village of Lombard was incorporated. In the years since its humble founding, Lombard has become a center of culture and commerce, serving as a home to businesses, professionals, churches and organizations that have made this a vibrant and thriving community. Over the years, Lombard has developed a well- deserved reputation as an enjoyable place to live, work and raise a family. On the occasion of this 140th Anniversary, we join together to celebrate Lombard's legacy of growth and prosperity, and to look ahead to the opportunities facing our local community and our nation. Today both marks 140 years of working together to build a brighter future, and reminds us that our work continues. Madam Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, please join me in recognizing Lombard Village President Bill Mueller, the Village Board of Trustees and the citizens of Lombard in wishing them happiness on this special occasion.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated public servant from my Congressional District, Mayor Tony Arredia of Des Plaines. After nine years as Mayor, Tony has decided to retire. Tony was born and raised on the west side of Chicago, and he attended Mount Carmel High School. In the private sector, Tony brought his talents and relational skills to bear as he worked for Continental Bank and the Asbury Court Retirement Community. In his first experience with elected public office, Tony served two terms as the 8th Ward Alderman of Des Plaines. Then, in 2000, Tony was appointed to replace Mayor Paul Jung. Over the years, Tony has been an insightful observer, keen in his understanding of the long-term challenges facing the City. Throughout his career, he has tackled these challenges with deft skill, deep understanding, and strong personal integrity. While constant change has brought a steady stream of new difficulties for Des Plaines to confront, one thing has remained the same. Mayor Arredia has kept a steady hand to the wheel, advising the City Council and working tirelessly for the benefit of the community and her residents. Tony Arredia has been an advocate for the people of Des Plaines since his very first days in office. Tony truly embodies the meaning of a public servant as he approaches his job with compassion and humility. In his time with the City, he has shown true leadership to bring economic development to the area and to achieve important progress in flood preparedness and relief. Tony has improved all of our lives and left an indelible impression on the City of Des Plaines. Madam Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, Tony Arredia is a remarkable leader who has dedicated his life to serving the people of Des Plaines. Please join me in recognizing his extraordinary service and wishing him every happiness in the well deserved respite of his retirement.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlelady for yielding. A couple of minutes ago, our friend from the other side of the aisle, the gentleman from Oregon said, and I wrote it down, ``We need to resist the temptation to tinker with this.'' Wow. I don't really have a category for that. Think about the experience that we're coming off of where this body failed to properly vet the stimulus package that ends up passing with an 1,100-page thud and all of a sudden people are unable to answer the simple question, did you read it or did you not read it? And we have an AIG debacle that has completely confused and created a great deal of consternation across the country. Nearly half the bills that are being contemplated in this omnibus, Madam Speaker, have not been contemplated by the House, and that is considered ``tinkering''? I think that this is acting as a coequal branch of government. And we ought not to give up this authority, we ought not to give up this responsibility, and we need to vote against this rule so that this House can do the right thing.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. A couple of minutes ago we heard from the gentlewoman from California, the Speaker of the House. She said this isn't complicated. And you know what? It's really not complicated. It was just a few short weeks ago that the House Republican leader, John Boehner, came out here with, I don't know, was it a thousand pages? It was a whole lot of pages in the stimulus package. And he gave a poignant observation, and he made a challenge and he said nobody on that side of the aisle has read this bill. He dropped it, and like a thug those pages hit. And there was silence on the other side because you know what? The other side, Mr. Speaker, could hardly give you eye contact because they hadn't read the bill. And now, lo and behold, we come up with one shuffling answer after another as to how it is that this policy gives AIG the ability to walk away with taxpayer money. The list of excuses knows no end. So the Speaker is right. This isn't complicated. This is what happens when we abrogate responsibility, when the Congress doesn't read bills, and when we create what my predecessor calls the ``greased chute of government.''

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe).

Mr. ROSKAM. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In a nutshell, this is an amendment that is meant to follow on some of the themes that President Obama articulated in his inauguration where he said--and I'm paraphrasing--``Programs that are good, we are going to continue to do, but those that are not so good, let's not do them.'' Toward that end, this is an attempt to give us a diagnostic tool to make sure that we have a clear understanding of what's working and what's not working. So, in a nutshell, Mr. Chairman, the amendment directs the Office of Management and Budget to evaluate all programs authorized by the entire legislation under the Program Assessment Rating Tool or some successor standard to that. It also directs the GAO to conduct a review of the National Civilian Community Corps program, and it strikes one of the underlying provisions of the bill which, in my view, and I hope in the majority's view, we can do a little bit better, which would have eliminated the Community Corps' annual reporting requirement, and it would have said let us evaluate this in 2014. But instead, with the amendment, if it's adopted, Mr. Chairman, it will say let's continue on an annual basis with the evaluations. So I think it's short, sweet, not meant to be controversial, and it's my understanding that it is perceived in that way. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ROSKAM. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey, thank the gentleman from Tennessee, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Yes.

Mr. ROSKAM. I want to thank Chairman Oberstar and the members of the committee. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas.

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ROSKAM. You know, in a nutshell, this is an effort--and I don't know of any controversy about it, I think it enjoys quite a bit of support--but it's an effort to create a tool to evaluate the success of the program. Let me just read the amendment. It's very, very brief. It says, ``The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall conduct a study to evaluate the programs authorized by this Act, including the amendments made by this Act, including the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) or a successor performance assessment tool that is developed by the Office of Management and Budget.'' You know, the genesis of this was really coming out of President Obama's inaugural speech, where he said let's look at programs that are working and get behind them. If they are not working, then let's make some decisions and abolish those programs, quite frankly, that are not working. So this would simply require all the programs authorized under the legislation to be reviewed by OMB and their Program Assessment Rating Tool, and that is just an effort to rate the effectiveness of Federal agencies and programs by assessing purpose, planning, management and accountability. And in the interest of transparency, it will ensure that the authorizations of H.R. 1262 are analyzed for effectiveness. Really, in this area where Americans, I think, are trying to look with confidence about what their government is doing and how things are being spent this, I think, serves everybody's interest. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act: Requesting Member: Congressman Peter Roskam Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Department of Education, National Projects, Safe Schools and Citizenship Education, Economic Education Exchange Program Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Center for Civic Education Address of Requesting Entity: 5145 Douglas Fir Road, Calabasas, CA 91302 Description of Request: I rise in support of funding I helped secure in H.R. 1105, the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, for the Cooperative Education Exchange Program activities under the Education for Democracy Act. The Cooperative Education Exchange Program in economics is an important one that provides American educators the opportunity to join their counterparts from countries making the transition to a market economy. This provides these emerging areas with the benefit of assistance to education leaders in those foreign countries. It also provides the tremendous opportunity for us to have a voice in shaping these rising economies, and enabling us to think afresh about our own system, giving us the added benefit of enhanced critical self-evaluation. I am proud to support this program that has cast a wide influence--teachers and students from 43 states and DC have been able to engage teachers and students from more than 30 emerging democracies on the principles and institutions of a market economy and their interaction with a democracy.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2009. As I have stated on the floor previously, I am a true believer in the need for increased transparency through the earmark process--whether in appropriations, authorizing or tax-writing legislation. It is important that the Illinois taxpayer can judge for themselves the funds that we spend at the federal level. I appreciate this opportunity to discuss how taxpayer funds are spent in my congressional district. As a Member of Congress I was elected to this body to fight for the needs of my constituents. My constituents elected me to Congress because I am serious about accountability and transparency in the budget process. I take a deliberative approach to project requests to ensure that any request with my name on it is worthy of federal funding. The key ingredients I look for in any project are job creation, opportunities to support Illinois' efforts in keeping us globally competitive, a guarantee that the project will not rely solely on federal funding and can instead become viable in the private sector. Most important to me is to ensure taxpayer dollars are returned back to my constituents, who pay more to the federal government than they get back in government funded projects. Illinois taxpayers receive less federal funding per dollar of federal taxes paid compared to almost any state in the country. In 2005, Illinois citizens received only $.75 in the way of federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid. This ranks the state 45th nationally and highlights the importance of my work to advocate for the priorities of my constituents on the federal level. This is why I stand here today to advocate for the following projects I have secured in H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of FY09: FY09 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Justice, OJP Byrne Discretional Grants--$50,000 for Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital's Preventing and Addressing Domestic Violence Program (3815 Highland Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515) With the growing numbers of reported domestic violence in DuPage County and throughout Illinois' 6th Congressional District, Advocate Good Samaritan seeks to strengthen and expand its current domestic violence program to ensure that both current and expected needs are met. One in three American women is abused at some point in her life by an intimate partner. Domestic violence creates multiple health problems among victims and causes 100,000 days of hospitalization and 30,000 Emergency Room visits annually. With such startling statistics, Advocate Good Samaritan has teamed up with the Downers Grove Police Department to move forward on a comprehensive approach to addressing domestic violence in the community. The federal funds I have obtained will be utilized to expand the successful partnership by providing internal education and debriefing/ consultation on domestic violence cases in order to increase awareness. This funding will allow Advocate Good Samaritan to provide customized trainings internally within Advocate (including parish nurses) and to local agencies which serve as strategic points of entry (emergency departments, local police departments, and faith-based organizations). This will increase its outreach efforts to community organizations, including a major focus on large corporations in the community and the training employers to recognize and work with employees who may be victims of domestic violence. Other plans of expansion include an expanding website, a regional domestic violence awareness program, and purchase and distribution of educational materials to increase awareness among and educate the public about domestic violence. Along with matching funds from the hospital of $25,000, Advocate will also be able to leverage its involvement in the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence for additional funds. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Justice, COPS Law Enforcement Technology--$200,000 for the DuPage County Sheriff's Department (501 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187) One of the lessons learned from the tragedy of September 11th was the inability of first responders and public safety agencies to communicate. To meet the requirements of the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, the State of Illinois is in the process of implementing a statewide interoperable radio system (STARCOM21). Subsequently, the DuPage County Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) awarded a contract based on the state bid to purchase the interoperable radio equipment for public safety agencies in DuPage County. In recent years, DuPage County has experienced a number of natural disasters including tornados, floods and last August, a major storm that cut a swath across the entire county impairing first responder communication among municipal police, fire agencies and other public safety agencies and hampering rescue efforts. Over 8,000 9-1-1 calls were received during the storm. Chicago and O'Hare International Airport are located at the northeast border of DuPage County and it is vital for DuPage County police and fire agencies to communicate via radio with Cook County and Chicago in the event of a major urban or terrorists' threat at O'Hare or in Chicago. A radio system connected to STARCOM21 will enable regional communication. The objective of the ETSB project is to provide 6,000 users (first responders, police, fire, homeland security & public works) with a seamless 700-800MHz interoperable radio platform throughout the county and the state via STARCOM21. Each participant in the ETSB (which includes DuPage and portions of Cook, Kane & Will Counties) is required to purchase their own radios (6,000 countywide) under this new system at a cost of $5,213 per radio. To Federal funds obtained for this entity will be used to purchase 40 radios for municipalities in DuPage County that will be compatible with the new statewide interoperable radio system (STARCOM21). This funding will be leveraged with a state grant DuPage County obtained of $430,000 that will cover the purchase of 83 of the required 411 radios needed. The Sheriff's Office will assume all operations costs of the new radio system and the cost of purchasing the remaining radios. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Justice, COPS Law Enforcement Technology--$75,000 for the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (675 Village Court, Glencoe, IL 60022) The Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) Emergency Services Team (EST) is responsible for law enforcement coverage of 68 member towns with a total population of approximately 1.8 million residents. In 1982, severe flooding nearly devastated several small communities along the shores of Lake Michigan north of Chicago. Public safety resources, especially those of law enforcement agencies, became stretched to the limit. Although neighboring communities responded with assistance, police leaders realized they needed an organized system with pre-planned deployment procedures. The following year, fifteen police agencies in Illinois' northern Cook and southern Lake Counties established NIPAS through an intergovernmental mutual aid agreement. This authorized neighboring agencies to work together in times of need. Whether faced with a natural disaster, or the unexpected results of a special event, NIPAS member Police Departments may request assistance that is needed when the individual Police Department cannot respond accordingly on its own to an event. They can use NIPAS in three key areas: call for additional patrol cars, call for the NIPAS Mobile Field Force, and call for the NIPAS Emergency Service Team. Federal funds I have obtained in this bill, along with Representative Schakowsky (IL-9), will be used for the purchase of atmospheric detection equipment for the NIPAS Emergency Services Team--needed equipment sorely lacking at NIPAS member Police Departments. Atmospheric detection equipment is needed to allow NIPAS law enforcement officers the ability to respond to crimes or other incidents involving hazardous environments, explosive devices, arson materials, and narcotics. Communities in my district whom have advocated a great need for such equipment included Bartlett, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Hanover Park, Mount Prospect, Roselle, Streamwood, and Villa Park. Funding this one Regional Law Enforcement project will allow 8 Police Departments in IL-6 Police by equipping and training 10 police officers with one Congressional appropriation project. The project will also train and equip additional 71 Police officers outside of my district to respond to mutual aid request for emergency services related to HAZMAT incidents within my district. This mutual aid format response mechanism will save millions of dollars compared to each Police Department trying to deploy its own duplicative and smaller/ineffective (due to the cost of equipment) HAZMAT emergency services team. NIPAS is matching this federal funding with $150,000 of their own money. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Justice, DJP--Juvenile Justice--$175,000 for the DuPage County Area Project (DuCAP) (2037 Bloomingdale Road, Suite 206, Glendale Heights, IL 60139) Federal funds I have obtained will be used for DuCAP's Providing Positive Choices for Youth program. This will improve the futures of at-risk youth impacted by gangs and youth violence. Funding will strengthen four existing community-based youth organizations and will create additional community organizations focused on underserved communities in the western suburbs of northern DuPage County. DuCAP has historically been successful in addressing the issues of at-risk youth and their families. DuCAP's track record and experience over the past 18 years has demonstrated that developing and nurturing grassroots, community-based organizations creates stronger, more responsive communities. The residents of these communities can mobilize resources to fill voids in services, and create opportunities for youth engagement, that serve to limit involvement in gangs, youth violence, and substance abuse. FY09, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Education, Elementary & Secondary Education (Includes FIE)--$238,000 for the Streamwood High School--School District U-46 (355 East Chicago Street, Elgin, IL 60120) Federal funding will be utilized for School District U-46 execution and implementation of the Manufacturing Career Exploration project. A 12-week pilot program will be implemented at Streamwood High School and then be expanded to the additional five high schools in the school district. Manufacturers in the western suburbs of Chicago share a widespread and common need for a skilled workforce, especially for those who want to build careers in manufacturing. Many manufacturers are employing advanced technologists that require a workforce with skills and the ongoing learning and skills upgrades. Firms report that many good potential entry level workers need basic math and English skills. Manufacturers report existing workers and skilled workers shortages. The forecasts indicate that many more jobs will go unfilled in America unless we train our young students now. Good jobs in manufacturing exist but we need a pipeline of students trained to fill these jobs. The Manufacturing Career Exploration project offers a comprehensive solution in this manufacturing facility heavy area of the country. The skills taught through this program will allow the future U.S. workforce gain the appropriate knowledge required to succeed in the growing advanced manufacturing sector, and more broadly, in the increasingly competitive global economy. The precision metalworking industry offers a variety of jobs from basic parts layout to computer numerical controlled programmers, from machinist to mangers, from mold makers to engineers, from salesperson to human resource directors, each with its own educational requirements. Regardless of what position it is looking to fill, industry looks for qualified applicants who have a first-hand knowledge of machine tooling. It is for this reason that the need for this task- oriented, problem solving, knowledgeable, worker be developed within a high school curriculum. The Streamwood Manufacturing Career Exploration has three major objectives: 1. To demonstrate the inter-relatedness of precision metal working, math and communication. 2. To ensure that all students in the Streamwood High School Plan are oriented toward the world of work and higher education. 3. To ensure that all students in The Manufacturing Career Exploration are oriented toward the world of work and higher education. With no consistent funding available at the Department of Education, these federal funds obtained will be useful in kick starting the program off the ground and allow for continued growth as the program in the future seeks to leverage funds with private industry in the area to keep the program on track. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Education, Higher Education (Includes FIPSE)--$381,000 for the College of DuPage (425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137) The College of DuPage is looking to be a lead institution in becoming more veteran friendly; working to identify issues and seeking the means to aid veterans in their transition to civilian life. Therefore, the federal funding I have obtained, along with Senator Durbin (IL), will be utilized to implement curriculum, clinical training and on-going professional development coursework to prepare professionals to counsel returning veterans. This curriculum will include: Phase I--A certificate for Master's prepared clinicians offered through the College of DuPage Human Services Department. Phase II--Training of College counseling staff that could assist in the development of a Counseling Center. Phase III--Faculty conversion of curriculum for online delivery in accordance with accreditation stands of the Human Services Department. Phase IV--Implementation of the Associate in Applied Science Degree option, which will train students to assist graduate clinicians in the field of Veteran Counseling. As our military personnel return home, one of the biggest challenges will be to transition the veteran into family life, education, and the workforce. In addition, significant numbers of veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffering brain trauma injury and delayed stress syndrome. This program is designed to get ahead of the curve in training professionals who can help the men and women address these needs. The funding will allow a variety of government initiatives to improve, including but not limited to: Enhance services to ease transition of returning veterans into civilian life Increase access to education and academic success Partner with entities for on-going support Proactively address employment and workforce development needs. This project supports current federal initiatives specifically addressing the concept of supporting community colleges at a local level to focus on education, job retraining, and helping those who have given so much for our country. The federal funds obtained will allow the College of DuPage to respond to the needs of returning service men and women and the acknowledged shortage of health care workers. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--$95,000 for Access Community Health Network's Martin Russo Health Center (245 South Gary Avenue, Suite 200, Bloomingdale, IL 60108) I have obtained federal funding for the Martin Russo Health Center in my congressional district will be utilized to implement a model community-based heart health program for low income women. This program will offer a continuum of care to address heart disease, including preventative interventions, risk screenings, care management for women with identified risk factors, and cardiology consultation. The specific model to be implemented includes: Prevention--provide education and address risk through smoking cessation, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active. Risk reduction--help women lower their blood pressure and reduce their cholesterol levels. Care management--provide medical care management for women at risk for a heart attack due to underlying conditions such as congenital heart disease, heart attack and stroke history, diabetes, and hypertension. Bio-psychosocial approach--screen for and attend to behavioral health conditions, including substance abuse and depression. Pharmaceutical advocacy--help women develop strategies for obtaining affordable medications, through benefits counseling and leveraging 340B pricing. Cardiology consultation--offer an integrated continuum of primary medical care and cardiology consultation as needed. Nowhere in the greater Chicago area is there a one-stop resource that truly welcomes low income women to obtain, under one roof, the full range of education, prevention, risk assessment, medical management and specialty care services. This program has the ability to reduce emergency room abuse by addressing issues early--before they lead to complicated, expensive and permanent debilitation. Access Community Health Network will be matching this project by at least 50%, with the costs that include $110,000 for the cardiologist, $290,000 for behavioral health services (other medical providers), $140,000 for medical care management, and $460,000 for community education and outreach campaign. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Facilities and Services--$143,000 for Adventist GlenOaks Hospital (701 Winthrop Avenue, Glendale Heights, IL 60139) I obtained federal funding for Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights, IL to be used for the purchase of new and updated surgical equipment, including minimally invasive technology. The current equipment is 25 years old and the demands of technology in the treatment of their patients has increased drastically. This equipment will provide the medical technology necessary in treating the patients at the hospital with the best possible outcomes, as well as becoming an important component of their key involvement in disaster preparedness for their service areas. The need for these funds by the hospital are great, as Adventist GlenOaks Hospital is the only Medicaid Disproportionate Share hospital in DuPage County--with a steady increase in Medicaid patients each year. The hospital serves a disproportionate number of state and federally funded patients as well as a significant number of uninsured patients in comparison to other facilities in DuPage County. In 2007, the hospital provided over $6.3 million in community benefits and charity care. The total cost of the purchase of the equipment is $3 million. The GlenOaks Foundation has taken on the Surgical Services Department as their targeted fundraising project for the coming year and the $143,000 in federal funding going to this project will further help leverage their fundraising efforts in the private sector. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Facilities and Services--$190,000 for the DuPage Convalescent Center (400 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187) As the senior population in our communities continues to increase, it is ever more important to ensure these seniors have access to programs that will allow them to continue a healthy lifestyle that implements numerous preventative health measures. A particular focus on strength training has the added benefits of bone strengthening, improved balance and stability, greater endurance and energy, sleep improvement, prevention of falls and subsequent disability, improved neuromuscular coordination, enhanced cognitive functioning, improved energy metabolism, improved weight management, and improved ADL (activities of daily living) ability. As such, I obtained $190,000 for the DuPage Convalescent Center's (DPCC) Wellness Center in this appropriations bill. The federal funds will establish dual Wellness/Fitness Centers inside the Convalescent Center (1920 square feet). One will be adjacent to the Physical Therapy/Rehab Department that will serve the long and short term population at DPCC. The second area will be located on the Ground floor with direct access to an entrance and parking accommodations so that seniors from the community will have easy access. The Wellness Center would serve approximately 430 short-term residents during their stay on the sub-acute unit with an anticipated enrollment of approximately 80% of this population once they return to the community. In addition, about 65%-70% of residents enrolled in current Physical Rehab programming will be able to participate in the Wellness center and this roughly translates to about 120 long-term convalescent center residents. The federal funding will go specifically for the purchase of equipment and upgrades to the Wellness Center. DuPage County will provide the funds for staffing the center with a full-time Fitness Specialist and a part-time Case Manager. The County will also collaborate with local townships and municipalities and senior agencies to help provide transportation services for eligible seniors. This comprehensive Wellness Center will enable seniors to live in the community for as long as they can, which coincides with current federal initiatives that have dollars focused on successful aging in place, decreasing healthcare costs and helping improve quality of life. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Education, National Projects, Innovation and Improvement Teach for America as authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act--$4,965,000 for the Reach Out and Read National Center (56 Roland Street, Suite 100-D, Boston, MA 02129) Too many children today arrive on their first day of kindergarten unprepared to learn, which places them at a disadvantage before even starting school. An extensive body of research now clearly documents the importance of early language and literacy skills in preparing children for later success in reading and in school. Yet today, a large number of children and their families do not receive the support and assistance they need to develop these essential skills and prepare to start kindergarten ready to learn. This is why I was supportive of federal funding for this important national program. Through Reach Out and Read, nearly 50,000 doctors and nurses have been trained nationwide in ROR's proven strategies of early language and literacy development. Pediatricians and other healthcare providers guide and encourage parents at every pediatric check-up to read aloud to their children from the earliest months of life. Currently, more than 3,500 clinics and hospitals are implementing the program, reaching more than 25% of America's at-risk children. Specifically, Reach Out and Read: Makes literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric primary care, so that children grow up with books, language skills, and the ability to read; Trains doctors and nurses to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud, and gives books to children at pediatric check-ups, with a special focus on disadvantaged children and those growing up in poverty; and Helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills by building on the unique relationships between parents and their children's pediatricians. ROR is nationally and internationally respected, with proven results, deserves Congressional support. In 2007, Reach Out and Read received one of the five prestigious United Nations' Confucius Prizes for Literacy, the only American program to be so honored. In 2006, the White House Conference on Global Literacy, hosted by First Lady Laura Bush, highlighted nine successful literacy-promotion models, of which Reach Out and Read was again the only American program showcased. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Education, National Projects, Innovation and Improvement Reading is Fundamental as authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act--$24,803,000 for Reading is Fundamental (1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009) Reading is Fundamental (authorized under Title V, Part D, Subpart 5) prepares children to read by delivering free books and resources to those children who need them most. RIF's book distribution program hands out 16 million books annually to the nation's youngest and most at-risk children. In the President's proposed fiscal year 2009 budget, funding for this integral program was eliminated. This successful program directly benefited over 146,000 children in the State of Illinois in 2007, which is why I advocated that instead of eliminating funded in the FY09 budget, to allow federal funds to flow so that we can continue to reach underserved children from birth to age 8 and better prepare them for their educational future. All RIF programs combine three essential elements to foster children's literacy: reading motivation, family and community involvement, and the excitement of choosing free books to keep. Therefore, I am proud to stand up in support of this most important national project. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Education, National Projects, Safe Schools and Citizenship Education, Civic Education Program for activities authorized under the Education for Democracy Act--$25,095,000 for the Center for Civic Education (5145 Douglas Fir Road, Calabasas, CA 91302) I rise in strong support of the federal funding I played a role in obtaining for this most important national program. The Education for Democracy Act's domestic and international civic education programs-- which reach approximately 5 million students each year--has been demonstrated by independent research and evaluation. In addition, economic education exchange programs supported by the Act reached 2.9 million students in 2006-2007. These programs make a significant contribution to our country's commitment to strengthening freedom and democracy in the United States in emerging democracies throughout the world. Over the course of my first term in Congress, I visited classrooms in my district on a weekly basis. Every teacher I met during the course of my visits touted the success of the civic education programs, the benefits to their students, and the need for Congress to continue supporting such a successful program. As such I supported federally funding this project in the FY09 Appropriations Bill. The Education for Democracy Act funds valuable initiatives that have been proven to increase students' fundamental understanding of democracy, improve the school environment, and increase academic achievement. Independent evaluations testify to these initiatives' success in promoting civic and economic knowledge; intellectual and participatory skills; and civic dispositions such as civility, tolerance, respect for the rule of law, and a reasoned commitment to the fundamental values and principles of constitutional democracy. FY09 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy/Vehicle Technologies: $209,330 for Storage Tanks & Dispensers for E85 and Bio- Diesel for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (3S580 Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60187) In 2001, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County embarked on a 10-year initiative to convert its entire fleet of vehicles from standard gasoline or diesel-powered engines to vehicles that run on alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied propane (LP), ethanol (E85), and soy bio-diesel. I am proud to partner with the DuPage Forest Preserve District in this important initiative. This effort represents the sort of good-government work that the American people expect. In the long-term, this full-fleet conversion will save the District hundreds of thousands of dollars on future fuel purchases, in addition to greatly reducing tailpipe emissions and ozone pollution. Furthermore, continued application of this technology will serve as a catalyst for even wider usage and availability to the general public. Previously, the District used $612,000 to fund the CNG and LP portions of this alternative fueling station. I secured this funding for the District to complete these other phases of the project and advance the transition to an all alternative-fuel fleet by adding E85 and bio- diesel fuel dispensers, and to allow other governmental agencies in the region to fuel their alternative fuel vehicles at the site. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Army Corps of Engineers/Construction: $7,500,000 for the Des Plaines River, through the City of Des Plaines, Illinois (1420 Miner Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016) In the past couple of years we have seen severe flooding in the Chicagoland area. This past September we were inundated with one of the worst rainstorms in our history, prompting the President to declare our area a federal disaster area. That is why I have secured this important funding for the expansion of Big Bend Lake and for lowering the normal lake level. These changes will provide an additional 587 acre-feet of storage for enhanced flood mitigation. The overall project helps 33 municipalities in Cook and Lake Counties in Illinois. The Des Plaines River has a long history of flooding that has caused significant economic losses. Recurrent flooding along the Des Plaines River causes estimated average annual damage in the amount of $25,228,500 (69% traffic damages, 20% residential damages, 8% commercial/industrial/ public damages, 3% emergency services costs). Statutory authorization for this project is provided in the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-53), and a Project Cooperation Agreement has been signed by Army Corps and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. I am grateful that the American people have entrusted us with these precious resources to advance this project and enhance our region's flood mitigation and Great Lakes water quality initiatives. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Army Corps of Engineers/Construction: $28,709,000 for the McCook and Thornton Reservoirs, through the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (100 East Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60611) The recurrence of major flooding in the Chicago area, particularly in recent years, has demonstrated the great need for the advancement of the Chicago Underflow Plan (CUP), the regional flood control element of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. This funding will be used to continue on-going design and construction of the McCook Reservoir, a key component of the TARP, a long-term comprehensive flood pollution control solution for Chicago and its 51 surrounding communities. The McCook Reservoir is currently under construction, and when completed will have a total water capacity of 7 billion gallons, provide more than $90 million per year in benefits to 3.1 million people in 37 communities, and protect more than 1 million structures. Completing the McCook and Thornton Reservoirs and bringing them fully on-line is crucial to local communities, the health of Lake Michigan and its tributaries, and to the economic development of the region. I am pleased to support this project, and to have secured funds for it. The larger effort will provide a series of underground tunnels and storage reservoirs designed to address combined sewer overflow discharges. Without timely completion of the project, communities will face decreased drinking water allocations, significant decreases in water quality and thousands of homes will be vulnerable to flooding. This system has been enormously effective in achieving its goal as evidenced by the elimination of 85% of the combined sewage pollution in a 325 square mile area. Statutory authorization for this request is provided in Public Law 100-676, and the project was included in the President's FY2009 budget request in the amount of $34,000,000. This is clearly the sort of good and necessary infrastructure project that the American people need and desire, which is why I am pleased to have served a role in securing these funds. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) Army Corps of Engineers/Construction: $5,750,000 for the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal Dispersal Barriers, through the U.S. Army Engineer District, Chicago (111 North Canal Street, Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60606) Our Great Lakes are an environmental treasure for our region, and it is incumbent upon us to provide for their healthy preservation for future generations. Accordingly, I worked with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to secure funding for this important initiative. Historically, the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River were separated naturally by a landmass, but since the completion of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, aquatic species can move freely between the two water systems. A temporary dispersal barrier (Barrier I) has been operating for nearly six years, and construction of a permanent barrier (Barrier II) will be completed this year. Without these barriers, Lake Michigan, and the rest of the Great Lakes, would be vulnerable to aquatic invasive species like the Asian Carp. Funding is needed for the operations of both barriers and to begin construction of the conversion of Barrier I into a permanent barrier. This project is authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-114, Section 3061), and the President's budget recommended $6.25 million. Providing these funds serves my constituents who enjoy the Great Lakes, and every American who travels to the Great Lakes region to enjoy these national treasures. FY09 Interior and Environment Appropriations Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) EPA/STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project: $500,000 for a Public Well in the Village of Bartlett, Illinois (228 S. Main Street, Bartlett, IL 60103) I am pleased to have secured funds for the people of Bartlett, Illinois. These much-needed funds will expand the availability of clean water for my constituents. Due to new industrial and residential development, the Village must install a new well to meet the maximum daily demands of residents and businesses on the west side of town. The addition of a new well in Bartlett is essential to expanding the Village's ability to efficiently provide potable water to residents living in current and future residential developments as well as the surrounding industrial and commercial business parks. The new well will also increase the availability of water for the local fire protection district responding to fires on the west side of Bartlett. The well would require a radium and barium removal system to be installed in order for the well water to meet the current federal standards of the Environmental Protection Agency. Because the project is a public well, it is eligible for funding under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (from the STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project account), authorized by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Village of Bartlett demonstrated an ability to commit more than $1,000,000 to the project, far in excess of the 45% commitment required for federal funds. It is my honor to have secured federal funds for a worthy project such as this, and I believe that this project serves as a good example of how federal funds can leverage local dollars to serve the American people with tangible quality of life enhancements. FY09 Transportation-HUD Appropriations Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) HUD/EDI: $142,500 for Marklund Philip Center for Children in Bloomingdale, Illinois (164 S. Prairie Avenue, Bloomingdale, IL 60108) I am honored to partner with the Marklund Philip Center for Children, and humbled to be a part of their work through this funding. This educational facility in Bloomingdale, Illinois, houses a pediatric nursing facility for infants, children and medically fragile adults, an education program for children ages 3 to 21, and a respite care program. Serving among others infants and children with severe and profound developmental disabilities who are Medicaid-eligible, this facility provides a tremendous service and benefit to the surrounding community. In such a time of upheaval in our public life, the people at Marklund serve as shining example of service for those in need. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) FHWA/Transportation and Community and System Preservation: $475,000 for the Busse Woods Trail and Illinois Route 72 Bicycle Overpass in Elk Grove Village, Illinois (901 Wellington Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007) I am pleased to be able to stand alongside Elk Grove Village having secured these funds to provide a greater measure of safety for our friends and family, and enhance the regional trail system that benefits our area. Federal funding provided for this project will be used for the construction of a bicycle overpass to replace the existing at-grade path crossing the six lane arterial roadway at the signalized intersection of Illinois Route 72 and the Interstate 290 ramps. The roadway carries in excess of 40,000 vehicles per day and the ramps carry nearly 15,000 vehicles per day. These heavy traffic volumes coupled with the high vehicular speeds from vehicles exiting the interstate create a hazardous crossing for bicyclists and pedestrians. The proposed overpass would link the trail systems of the Illinois Prairie Path and the Fox River Trail systems and would remove vehicular conflict with bicyclist and pedestrian traffic on this regional trail system. Part of the State's transportation improvement plan, these safety enhancements will improve the regional trail system, and represent a commonsense solution to which our public resources can be applied with great benefit. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) FTA/New Starts-Fixed Guideway: $4,800,000 for the Metra Union Pacific West Line through Metra (547 W. Jackson Boulevard, 13th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661) In a regional area plagued with congestion, and a nation struggling with dependence on foreign energy, projects like these are needed catalysts for growth in transportation options for the American people. I was glad to have worked in a bipartisan fashion to secure these funds. Metra's Union Pacific West (UP-W) Line project will build upon the recent extension to Elburn and create needed capacity while continuing to deliver safe, reliable and affordable service to Metra riders. This funding will provide new corridor improvements key to addressing freight congestion. The UP-W Line extends nearly 44 miles west from Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago. Along that corridor, it serves 18 outlying stations within Kane, DuPage and Cook Counties. The line currently offers 59 commuter trains per weekday, 29 inbound and 30 outbound, with passengers making approximately 30,000 daily trips. The substantial residential growth in this region is fueling a corresponding demand for increased service; employment in the UP-W corridor is expected to increase more than 100 percent by 2030. SAFETEA-LU authorized the UP-W Line improvements, and this federal funding will allow Metra to offer UP-W Line commuters more express trains and more reverse commuter trains. I was pleased to work on securing these funds because I believe these increased services and options will add to our region's economic potential and serve as an example for how efficient public transportation can serve the public interest so well. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) FTA/New Starts-Fixed Guideway: $4,800,000 for the Metra STAR Line through Metra (547 W. Jackson Boulevard, 13th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661) I have been so pleased to be a part of this STAR Line project because it truly represents a foundational effort to provide new and creative forms of transportation. This funding is needed for preliminary engineering of the STAR Line. There is considerable support among my colleagues and myself in the Illinois Delegation for this bold, new initiative that will link more than 100 communities in the Chicagoland region with new service and provide new connections between existing commuter rail lines, as well as a potential new station at O'Hare International Airport. Metra's proposed STAR Line goes beyond providing a service to a single corridor or portion of the suburban areas. Rather, the STAR Line establishes key rail connections throughout the northwest, west, and southwest suburbs, and also offers the basis for expanded suburban rail service in the future. The STAR Line holds the potential to provide a long-needed alternative to the automobile for nearly 1.2 million employees who commute to work at businesses located along the proposed alignment. It also provides an effective and proven transportation option to nearly 1.6 million residents who today live in an area chronically plagued by highway congestion. By linking nearly 100 suburban communities around Chicago, the STAR Line would fill a critical void in inter-suburban travel with this revolutionary system. This project is vital to the region in terms of alleviating traffic congestion, providing new commuting opportunities, and linking communities and places of business with new service. This project was authorized in SAFETEA-LU. I am glad these funds have been made available because this project demonstrates the sort of growth-oriented effort that my constituents and the American people expect when investing public resources. Congressman Peter J. Roskam (IL-6) FTA/Alternatives Analysis Program: $237,500 for Alternatives Analysis for Pace Suburban Bus Service in Arlington Heights, Illinois (550 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005) This effort is a worthy one, and one for which I was glad to advocate and secure funding. Pace will use these federal funds to perform the federally required Alternatives Analysis study on the proposed ``J- Route'' Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. This project will create a high-speed transit option for commuters in the western suburbs of Chicago between Schaumburg, O'Hare Airport, Oakbrook and Naperville. BRT is based on signal priority for buses at traffic signals along arterial routes, roadway improvements, real-time travel information signs at significant stops along the route using the Intelligent Bus System already installed on all Pace buses, and dissemination of real- time travel information to passengers, dispatchers, planners, and customer relations staff using a variety of electronic media. The federal government has supported the capital costs of public transit improvements for decades, and this project would enhance Illinois' transportation infrastructure while promoting economic growth. I am pleased to have secured funding for such a project that will do much to add to the service Pace offers and the opportunity it provides to its users.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the incorporation of Wheaton, Illinois, in the heart of my Congressional District. In 1836, the vibrant community of Wheaton found its roots when Erastus Gary and brothers Warren and Jesse Wheaton purchased a plot of land from the federal government. They quickly set about building a town and, through the enterprising spirit that continues to characterize Wheaton to this day, secured a rail line through the center of the town. By 1859, the City of Wheaton was officially incorporated. In the years since its humble founding, Wheaton has become a center of government and commerce, serving as the Seat of DuPage County and home to businesses, professionals, educational institutions, publishing houses, churches and organizations that have had an impact all over the world. Throughout the State of Illinois and across the nation, Wheaton has developed a reputation as a wholesome place to raise a family. In fact my wife Elizabeth and I are proud to call Wheaton home and the place where we are raising our four children. On the occasion of this 150th Anniversary, we join together to celebrate Wheaton's legacy of growth and prosperity and to look ahead to the opportunities facing our city and our nation. Today both marks 150 years of working together to build a brighter future, and reminds us that our work continues. Madam Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, please join me in recognizing Wheaton Mayor Michael Gresk, the Wheaton City Council and the citizens of Wheaton, and in wishing them happiness on this special occasion.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. So I was at a birthday party for some young kids not too long ago, and everybody is playing the normal games that all little kids play. But there is one kid--and this is typical at every kid's birthday party--that sees the cake and starts scraping the icing off the cake, and he leaves the grubby mess for everybody else. That's exactly what this bill does. According to the CBO, an entity that everybody pauses and recognizes as authoritative, the CBO says, yeah, you may get a short-term sugar buzz off this. But in 2013, because of the passage of this bill, you're going to have negative growth. From 2013 to 2019, what we're basically going to be foisting on this economy is that grubby, nasty birthday cake without any of the icing. We can do much better than this. I think the President expects us to do much better than this. And I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I think we have a ``stop the presses'' moment. I think there is new news that has come upon this Congress that we can celebrate, take this bill out of the record and hit the reset button, because the good news is that President Obama's own economic team or those that are poised to become that economic team have said there is good news for a new idea. And the new idea is this substitute that is offered by Mr. Camp and Mr. Cantor that says for half the cost it can have twice the impact. That is powerful. And if we are truly in a spirit of bipartisanship, if we are truly, as the President says, in a moment where authorship doesn't matter, then we need to stop the presses. Mr. Chairman, we can create 6.2 million jobs in 2 years based on this substitute. And where I come from, that is good every day all the time.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. I thank the gentleman for yielding. So much material and so little time. You know, we heard the President in his speech talking about putting aside petty recriminations, and he characterized that as, actually, childish arguments. And I think that some of the tone that I have heard tonight, we can rise above. You know, I find it ironic that the gentleman from California referred favorably, maybe for the first time in his career, the first time in my hearing, favorably quoting and referring to Republican economists as ``persuasive.'' I had never heard that from him before, Mr. Chairman. But I would like to quote from our President. In his State of the Union Message, he said something that I think actually brings us all together, it's really poignant, and I think it's beautiful. In fact, it says it has been risk takers, the doers, the makers of things who have carried us up the long rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. The market's power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched. Here we are, on the verge of the majority spending $825 billion in a spending plan, the likes of which we have not seen before, with only $40 million in tax relief for small business. When the President came in, he seemed surprised at those numbers, by comparison, $40 million to the risk takers that we all say are the economic engine that are going to move us into the future. We can do better, and I think it's incumbent upon us to take up that challenge.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important community service organization located in Elmhurst, Illinois in my congressional district called Special Kids Day. Special Kids Day was created in 1990 as a holiday event for children with special needs and their families to visit Santa Claus without obstacles. This venture has evolved into a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing celebratory events for children with disabilities and their families in an environment designed to accommodate their special needs. On the first Wednesday each December, Special Kids Day holds their flagship event. Volunteers help children get their picture taken with Santa and distribute goodie bags with toys and candy. Other surprises from face painters to balloon animals help make these events a memorable time for special needs children. All of this allows these children and their families to enjoy the magic of the Christmas season without some of the challenges of making a trip to the mall at the holidays. Today, the Special Kids Day organization has grown to include dozens of volunteers who serve hundreds of families in the Chicagoland area. For the first time, Special Kids Day also began holding a Carnival Day at the Annual Elmfest in Elmhurst this year. Madam Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in honoring the time and effort of Special Kids Day volunteers. This organization's selfless, charitable spirit is what makes Illinois' Sixth District such a pleasure to represent.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Saint Francis Spartans football team for their remarkable victory in the Class 5A Illinois State championship on November 29, 2008. Saint Francis' road to the State championship is a great story of success through hard work and determination. In the previous two seasons, the Spartans struggled vigorously to overcome many obstacles. This year, all their hard work paid off. The steadfast Spartans pulled off a tremendous turnaround, ending the regular season with a record of 9-1. In Saturday's championship game, the Spartans faced off against the top-ranked, 9-0 Metamora Redbirds. The Redbirds entered the game with a 27-game winning streak. Despite the steep challenge ahead, the Spartans stayed focused on the game. They tenaciously persevered, beating the Redbirds 49-35 and breaking the record for the most points scored in the 5A title game. Madam Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in commending the Saint Francis players and coaches for their intensity and dedication throughout the season. Their incredible performance in the State championship is a tribute to long hours of hard work, both on and off the field. Spartans, your families, your school, and your community are extremely proud of what you've accomplished. I wish you all the best in the future. Go Spartans!

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I want to applaud the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) with his passion and his clarity really, but really want to urge a little bit of caution. And I think the reason for caution was on display today in the House Financial Services Committee on a different issue. We had some hearings on some oversight as it relates to the $700 billion bailout. And it was really, in my hearing, and during the time that I was there and watching on television also, it was really overwhelming to watch Members of Congress talking to members of the administration and almost talking past one another, you know, interpreting things differently, and I don't think that's what the legislation meant and so forth and so on. And so here we are $700 billion later, and administration and Capitol Hill talking past one another. And I think we're on the verge of doing that same thing here if we're not careful, because I represent a district, the western suburbs of Chicago, with a lot of auto supply manufacturers. But there's no guarantee that that money that we're contemplating tonight is going to get to the folks in my district. There's no guarantee that the type of pressure that has been put on the auto manufacturers is going to come to fruition and actually come up with something good. What happened to the December 2 deadline? What happened to the December 2 moratorium by which there was going to be a new declaration and a new plan? And it has now been postponed now to the end of the first quarter. So clearly, there is an urgency here to work. Clearly, there is an urgency to get something done. But heaven help us if we pass the same type of statute that was enacted with such urgency only 2 months ago.

Mr. ROSKAM

Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to be added as a cosponsor to H.R. 2205.