F. Sensenbrenner

Mr. SENSENBRENNER

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1458, a bill to require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located. A notary public administers oaths and serves as an impartial witness when certain documents are signed. Many States require these documents, such as affidavits, deeds, and powers of attorney, be notarized before they can become legally binding on parties. Since the point of legal notarization is to deter fraud, a notary must positively identify the signatory to a document and ensure that he or she signs the document knowingly and willingly. Notaries are currently licensed by individual States. However, legal disputes are not always confined to the geographic and judicial domain of a single State. The bill ensures that lawfully notarized documents from one State are also acknowledged by sister States in interstate commerce. The bill also clarifies standards by which electronic seals are to be recognized. This is especially important as more lawyers and business people notarize documents electronically. I emphasize that H.R. 1458 does not conflict with the 10th amendment's defense of States' rights. In fact, the bill promotes States' rights through its compatibility with the full faith and credit clause of article IV of the Constitution. The bill address an obscure but important subject in the legal and business realms, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), the author of the bill.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4997) to permanently authorize amendments made by the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 for the purpose of permitting waivers of the foreign country residence requirement with respect to certain international medical graduates, as amended.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. 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.R. 4997 currently under consideration.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4997, the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act, reauthorizes for 2 years the program under which physicians on J-1 visas can work in underserved areas. The program expired on June 1 of this year. Each year numerous foreign doctors come to the United States to complete their residency training. Many do so using the J-1 visa. One of the requirements for physicians who use the J-1 visa is that the participant return to his or her own country for 2 years upon completion of the training program in the United States. The purpose of this foreign residency requirement is to encourage U.S.-trained physicians to return to their country and to improve medical conditions there. Since 1994, Congress has waived the 2-year foreign residency requirement for physicians who agree to work in an underserved area of the United States, as designated by the Department of Health and Human Services. Each State receives 30 such waivers a year. The waiver program allows States to recruit physicians to areas that have trouble attracting newly trained American physicians. Because of this waiver program, many communities that might otherwise have no access to medical services now have physicians nearby. It also responds to an overall shortage of physicians in the United States, which is a disconcerting trend. A 2-year reauthorization of this program in its current form also gives Congress time to consider whether future changes may be needed to the program. For example, larger States like Texas have expressed a need for additional waivers beyond the 30 currently allowed. It is important that we consider ways to address this problem without putting the small States at a disadvantage. By reauthorizing the waiver program, we will provide States with some relief for the physician shortage they are facing, particularly in rural and underserved areas. I urge Members to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the author of the bill, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran).

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 4044) to clarify the treatment of certain charitable contributions under title 11, United States Code.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. 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 Senate 4044 currently under consideration.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4044, the Religious Liberty and Charitable Donation Clarification Act of 2006. During the 105th Congress the Religious Liberty and Charitable Donation Protection Act of 1998 was signed into law by President Clinton. This bipartisan measure, introduced by Senator Hatch, sought to protect the rights of debtors to continue to make religious and charitable contributions after they filed for bankruptcy relief. In addition, the act protects religious and charitable organizations from having to turn over to bankruptcy trustees donations these organizations received from individuals who subsequently filed for bankruptcy relief. As many of you will recall, a major overhaul of the Bankruptcy Code was enacted last year as the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act. The clear intent of that act was not to disturb the rights of debtors to continue to make charitable contributions or to tithe pursuant to the 1998 act. Nonetheless, at least one court has construed Bankruptcy Code section 1325, amended by the 2005 act, to prohibit chapter 13 debtors with above-median incomes from making charitable contributions or tithing. To address this judicial confusion, this bill simply clarifies that a chapter 13 debtor who is subject to section 1325(b)(3) of the Bankruptcy Code, may make charitable contributions or tithe to the same extent determined in accordance with Bankruptcy Code section 1325(b)(2)(A)(ii). S. 4044 is a bipartisan measure that makes good sense. Donations are used by religious or charitable organizations to fund valuable services to society which serve the common good. This principle, for example, is recognized in the Internal Revenue Code's provisions concerning the deductibility of certain charitable contributions. Individuals who, for religious or other reasons, wish to donate to such organizations, even if they are in bankruptcy themselves, should not be deprived of this right. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, just very briefly, bringing this bill up in passing shows that the U.S. House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis has a much bigger heart than the Internal Revenue Service. Some people may have doubted that in the past. We are here to show them that they are wrong. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1785) to amend chapter 13 of title 17, United States Code (relating to the vessel hull design protection), to clarify the distinction between a hull and a deck, to provide factors for the determination of the protectability of a revised design, to provide guidance for assessments of substantial similarity, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. 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 S. 1785 currently under consideration.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1785, a bill to amend the Vessel Hull Design Protection Act. The version before us is the manager's amendment to the bill. In addition to the vessel hull design amendments, S. 1785 includes the text of three other intellectual property bills that have been the focus of considerable bipartisan discussion and deliberation. These bills are not controversial and therefore have been included as a part of the manager's amendment. First, S. 1785 amends the Vessel Hull Design Protection Act by requiring courts to examine the statutorily protected components of a vessel, the hull as well as the deck, separately when determining whether a third party has infringed on a design. This change responds to a Fifth Circuit Court case which, if allowed to stand, will render the statute meaningless, thereby encouraging knock-off artists to sell boats with inferior-designed hulls to consumers. The Judiciary Subcommittee on the Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property reported this bill favorably to the full committee on March 1, 2006. Second, S. 1785 includes the text of House Concurrent Resolution 319, which commemorates the Bayh-Dole Act on its 25th anniversary. This is the law that enables inventors to retain their property interest in patented products that are subsidized by Federal financing. The concurrent resolution was unanimously approved by the Judiciary Committee earlier this year. Third, S. 1785 includes the text of H.R. 5120, a bill that amends title 35, United States Code, to conform certain filing provisions within the Patent and Trademark Office. This legislation allows the director of the PTO to accept a pharmaceutical patent extension request for not later than 5 days after the current statutory deadline, which is 60 days from the date that the Food and Drug Administration approves the drug for use. The applicant must prove to the director's satisfaction that the delay in filing was unintentional. In any event, the director retains the discretion to grant or to deny an extension. It is not automatic. The Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property conducted a hearing on H.R. 5120 on September 14. Finally, S. 1785 includes the text of H.R. 2955, the Intellectual Property Jurisdiction Clarification Act. This measure responds to a recent court case by reaffirming the plenary authority of the Federal Circuit to hear all patent appeals, which was the clear intent of Congress since the circuit's creation in 1982. This bill was reported by the Judiciary Committee on April 5 of this year by a voice vote. Mr. Speaker, S. 1785 incorporates timely bipartisan legislation to enhance public safety, commemorate the Bayh-Dole Act and make other needed clarifications and improvements to U.S. intellectual property law. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation and send it to the other body to ensure its timely consideration and passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Jenkins).

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1090) honoring the life of Ruth Brown and her copyright royalty reform efforts on behalf of rhythm and blues recording artists.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. 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 materials on House Resolution 1090 currently under consideration.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to join with my friend, Ranking Member Conyers, in support of this resolution to honor the life of Ruth Brown, a pioneering rhythm and blues singer who passed away last month. Ruth Brown was a well-known performer who paved the road for other R&B artists. In the 1950s she topped the R&B charts with a series of hits that helped establish Atlantic Records as a leading recording label for pop singers. The label became known as ``the house that Ruth built.'' That means Yankee Stadium is not the only ``house that Ruth built.'' Ruth Brown's style and singing ability influenced numerous other well-known musical artists, including Bonnie Raitt and Little Richard. Later in her career, she was awarded Tony and Grammy honors and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But Ruth Brown's most enduring contributions and her most remarkable qualities might have been her persistence and passionate desire for justice. During her last two decades, she devoted herself to the cause of collecting unpaid royalties for musicians, spending much of her time working with Congress to promote copyright royalty reform. She also helped establish a nonprofit foundation in Philadelphia to help finance medical care for needy musicians. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) for introducing this resolution, and I join him in urging the Members of the House to support this resolution to honor the extraordinary life and accomplishments of Ruth Brown and to extend the House's deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I also yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1998) to amend title 18, United States Code, to enhance protections relating to the reputation and meaning of the Medal of Honor and other military decorations and awards, and for other purposes.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. 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 S. 1998 currently under consideration.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1998, the Stolen Valor Act, which expands existing law prohibiting the fraudulent use of military decorations or medals. The men and women of our Armed Forces risk their lives every day to preserve America's freedom. They sacrifice for our liberties with courage, patriotism and humility. They do not seek fame or celebrity status when told that they are heroes, and they often respond, ``I am just doing my job.'' While we can never fully pay our military heroes our debt of gratitude, America honors their service and sacrifice with military decorations and medals such as the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Navy Cross, and our Nation's highest military decoration, the Congressional Medal of Honor. Unfortunately, the significance of these medals is being devalued by phony war heroes who fabricate their honors and military careers. They do so for greed and selfishness, and disrespect the service and sacrifice of our military heroes, as well as the honor they uniquely deserve. Federal law enforcement authorities have responded to these imposters by launching a dozen investigations currently underway. In Illinois, one man attended numerous Marine Corps functions, military funerals and fund-raisers, posing as a retired Marine Corps colonel. He claimed to have been awarded the Purple Heart eight times, the only marine to have obtained such a distinction, as well as the Navy Cross. It turns out he never served a single day as a Marine. In St. Louis, Federal authorities arrested a man at a local Marine Corps event who claimed to be a decorated officer. He had previously been spotted at the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball wearing a Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars and numerous other medals. He, too, never served a single day as a marine. Perhaps the most egregious example of this fraud was perpetrated by a 10-year marine sergeant who secured $66 million in security contracts from the military based upon fictitious combat experience in Panama and Somalia, with fabricated Silver Stars, Purple Hearts, Bronze Stars and Air Medals. Upon learning of the man's fraudulent combat record, the military revoked the contracts, but by this time he had already fled the country. The FBI estimates that for every legitimate Navy SEAL team member, there are roughly 300 imposters. Moreover, there are roughly only 124 living recipients of the Medal of Honor, yet more than twice as many falsely claim to have received it. The Stolen Valor Act enhances penalties for those who masquerade as decorated war heroes. It expands the existing prohibition against wearing, manufacturing or selling military decorations or medals without legal authorization. The bill also imposes penalties for falsely representing one's self as the recipient of any medal or honor authorized by Congress for the armed services, and increases penalties for violations involving a Distinguished Service Cross, an Air Force Cross, a Navy Cross, a Silver Star, a Purple Heart or the Congressional Medal of Honor. On September 7, the other body passed this bill by unanimous consent. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline).