Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, last spring, China passed the anti- secession law to give Chinese leaders the right to use force against Taiwan if they suspect separatist activities in Taiwan. In addition to the enactment of the anti-secession law, China's rapid military build- up has given the Taiwanese people a sense of fear. China's deployment of more than 700 missiles along the southeast coast indicates that China still stubbornly clings to a military solution of the Taiwan issue. In response to China's provocative actions, we need to emphasize that military intimidation over Taiwan is not a solution to the cross strait relations. China must respect the aspirations of Taiwan's 23 million people who want the freedom to determine their own future. China has no justification to change the status quo either through the anti- secession law or military intimidation. Last spring, the House of Representatives went on record in expressing our grave concern over China's anti-secession law by passing H. Con. Res. 98 authored by Chairman Hyde in a vote of 424-4. I was proud to vote for this legislation, and I commend my fellow colleagues for the overwhelming decisive nature of the vote in demonstrating the House's sincere interest in preserving peace in the Taiwan Straits through the ending of the anti-secession law. In other important issues, China must not block Taiwan's attempts to gain international recognition or return to international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Taiwan is a free and democratic nation and deserves to be treated properly and with respect by the international community. Taiwan's exclusion from the United Nations has deprived the identity of 23 million people. President Chen is a man of peace and he has reaffirmed his commitment to maintain the status quo on many occasions. In the last six years, he has kept his pledges and offered many goodwill gestures to China. His goal of reducing tension between Taiwan and China remains unchanged. Let us hope that China will reciprocate Chen's olive branch by renouncing the use of force against Taiwan and resuming dialogue on an equal footing and without pre-conditions.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud Congress for including $1.8 million for Tourette Syndrome research in H.R. 3010, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006, and to encourage the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to continue its partnership with the Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA). The Tourette Syndrome education program provides intensive training and education about Tourette Syndrome for the public, physicians, allied healthcare workers, and teachers. Its objectives are to increase recognition and diagnosis, decrease the stigma, increase the provision of and improve the nature of treatments, decrease negative impacts on families, and improve academic outcomes for children with this disorder. In May 2004, Chairman Regula indicated in a letter to the CDC Director that the money Congress was appropriating to help those with Tourette Syndrome should be sole-sourced to the Tourette Syndrome Association. He respected TSA's expertise, and I congratulate him for recognizing that they would be the entity best able to undertake the following kinds of successful and efficient use of the funds. It is my sincere hope that CDC will continue to work in partnership with TSA, so they can build upon the successes they have demonstrated to date. TSA, in partnership with the CDC, completed the first year of the program on August 31, 2005 and began the second year on September 1, 2005. In the first year, TSA offered 25 expert medical education programs, as well as five major education-allied professional programs. The medical programs trained 2,149 physicians, nurses and medical- related allied professional while the education programs trained 745 teachers and school-based allied professionals. These program sites were well distributed across the country. An April 2005 analysis found that 73.5 percent of the physicians who responded to TSA's evaluation reported that over half of the material presented in the training was new to them. The Tourette Syndrome Association also videotaped Dr. John Walkup's presentation on ``Diagnosis and Treatment of Tourette Syndrome'' which has been made available on TSA's website as the first of several Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs. To learn more about Tourette Syndrome or to view this presentation please, visit http:// tsa-usa.org. All ready for year two of this program, the Tourette Syndrome Association has scheduled twenty medical education programs and seventeen education programs. TSA also plans to videotape Dr. Jorge Juncos offering training for neurologists in both English and Spanish for a future CME presentation on TSA's website. It is in the best interest of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to continue its partneship with the Tourette Syndrome Association, so that this established program will continue to reach medical and education specialists across the country.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, again I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this rule to provide that suspensions will be in order at any time on the legislative day of December 18, 2005. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the amendment and on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts, who has very well articulated some of the differences that exist in this body. Our ability to work through those differences is why we come to work. We recognize and know that we began this year with a presentation of the State of the Union by the President of the United States who clearly outlined those things which would be important goals for the year, not only for Congress but for the American people and certainly those things that deal with the war in Iraq. My party, the Republican Party, has been very conscientious about those things which we believe we told the American people that we would do last November. We reiterated we would not raise taxes, as the Democrat Party wanted to do. We indicated that we would not cut and run from the war, which is what many people in the Democrat Party want to do. We recognize that those things that are ahead of us are very difficult choices that have to be made. We have concentrated our activities on an attempt to streamline the budget process and make ourselves available to working with government for more efficiency. We accomplished for the first time this year a chance for all of our appropriations bills to be done by the July 4 break. Given the world as it was, that was a great idea. But we then were struck with a number of the largest hurricanes that have ever hit the United States of America, the largest storms in the history of the world. We have worked through adversity. It has not been easy. It has caused great consternation throughout the United States. But I am pleased to tell you that this Congress has still come to work, we have debated the ideas, and it is the Republican Party that has the responsibility as a result of our being the majority party to come up with a plan of how to lead. We have attempted to work as much as possible with the President of the United States and with our colleagues on the other side of the Capitol in the United States Senate on those things that would empower America. One of those things which we think we have done a very good job on is to say that we disagree with the rhetoric that says we have to raise taxes; that we have to increase spending; that we have to have government to be the answer. We still reject those ideas here on what we think will be the last day of the first session of the 109th Congress; I still reject that in the face of adversity from the Democrat Party and those elements today who bring their case forward. We respect those thoughts and ideas. I respect very much the disagreement that we have in the Rules Committee on a regular basis. The articulation not only by the gentleman from Massachusetts but by others is very measured and very well said. However, we simply disagree with that; and that is why we will proceed the way in which we do. I respect our colleagues who bring adversity and their thoughts to the floor, and we will continue to do that today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for the opportunity for us to be here today and his collegial support of this rule. The gentleman very clearly understands as a result of his career that he has spent not only serving as a member of professional staff but also as a Member of Congress that Congress does engage in a lot of issues and ideas. I would submit to him two things: Number one, that the process that we are going through is not perfect. It has existed this way because we have chosen the form of government that we have whereby two bodies get together on pieces of legislation that are of importance. This is something that we have lived through for a long period of time. I would say to the gentleman that I respect his disagreement about how we should do everything in the day, and in the light of day and hold everything for days and let everybody know. In fact, almost every single piece of any bill has been debated and voted on. There are positions that Senators and Members of this House have taken that I hope are included. I hope that even though they may not be something that was completely understood by one body or another, they were well thought through thoughts and ideas that would be contained. I believe that the idea of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one that has been debated in this country for over 10 or 12 years. It is time for resolution. For someone that does not understand that putting this on the DOD bill would be appropriate, I wonder who uses more energy than anyone, and it would probably be the Department of Defense. I think there is an intrinsic interest in us making sure that our own security of this country is participated in by and as a result of this being on the bill. Mr. Speaker, lastly, I disagree with those who say that we need a change of leadership. I do recognize that the other side, the Democrat Party, has different ideas about how to do things. But I am proud of my leadership, and I believe that the service of Dennis Hastert and those that are committee chairmen and those that are part of our leadership have stood the test of time to make sure that we are open and ready to do business, that we have the leading-edge thought process of this great Nation, that we are open to hearing from those who can help lead us to the greater pathways, and lastly, that we work with those constitutionally elected officials in a process to make sure that our Constitution is alive and well and a model to the world. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of Dennis Hastert and his leadership of this House of Representatives and those Members, whether they be from Iowa, Texas, California or Massachusetts, who come to this great body for service to this great Nation. Once again, I am proud of that which we do. Amendment Offered by Mr. Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 631 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. This resolution provides that certain specified measures may be considered under suspension of the rules at any time on the legislative day of Sunday, December 18, 2005. Mr. Speaker, we are gathered here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Washington, D.C., December 18, 2005. We have had our priest to open up this beautiful House today, asking that America and Americans understand our responsibilities. We are here today because we still have work yet to be done, but there are people that we need to give thanks to. Mr. Speaker, our families expected us home weeks ago, but we are here because we have an obligation and a duty. Mr. Speaker, we are here today under protection of members of the Capitol Hill Police Department, members of the United States military who protect our great country, our staffs, as well as the people who work for the United States House of Representatives who serve with honor and distinction. We deserve to give them thanks for all that they have done on what surely will be the last day of this first session of Congress. But there is still much work left to be done, and we recognize that we are here to do that. The Republican leadership of this House has set forth yet again a positive legislative agenda for the remainder of this week and the balance of this first session of the 109th Congress. The goal of this plan is to address a number of outstanding issues that still remain on Congress' calendar before we adjourn, and we must utilize this schedule to make sure we maintain our commitment to improving America's economic and national security. One of the things, Mr. Speaker, that sets America apart from other nations is that we do not expect others to do the work for us. We take part and get it done ourselves, and that is what this Congress is doing. Over the past year, we have passed a number of important new education, health care, trade, tax and national security bills that will keep America safer and healthier, create new jobs and improve our economy. This rule will allow the House to consider a number of additional bills today under suspension of the rules that will ensure that Congress can complete more additional work necessary before we go home for the holidays. This rule makes in order the consideration of eight bills under suspension of the rules. These bills will accomplish important domestic goals such as reforming the Federal deposit insurance system and reauthorizing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant program through March 31, 2006. The suspension authority allows us to consider necessary and noncontroversial items such as H.R. 4501, which amends the Passport Act in order to comply with the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004; a bill to authorize the transfer of items in the War Reserves Stockpile; and H.R. 2329, to allow an officer of a foreign government to receive an award under the Department of State Rewards Program under certain circumstances. This rule also recognizes the importance of democracy throughout the world. H. Con. Res. 284 expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the 2005 presidential and parliamentary elections in Egypt. Another resolution, H. Res. 545, expresses the sense of the House of Representatives on the arrest of Sanjar Umarov in Uzbekistan. Finally, we have a great opportunity today to honor a very dear friend of mine and a friend of this House, Helen Sewell, as part of the suspension calendar today. This resolution honors Helen for her outstanding service to the United States House of Representatives throughout her work in the Republican cloakroom. During this time, Helen has not only touched the lives of countless Members who have served in this body but also counts President Ford, former President George Herbert Walker Bush and George W. Bush as good friends. It is an honor to stand here today and to join my colleagues in recognizing Helen Sewell for her over 70 years of service in the United States Congress. All of these bills scheduled for consideration today by the House leadership are on behalf of the American public who enjoy broad support from both Members of the majority and the minority parties. This rule simply provides us with the tools needed to ensure that all of this important work is completed before we adjourn and leave Washington to join our families and our communities to celebrate the holidays. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this noncontroversial and balanced bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, we have had an opportunity again today to hear wonderful debate on the floor of the House of Representatives, the gentleman from Cleveland, speaking about some of those things which he deeply believes in. I also have a deep belief that we should be drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The American way of life, our ability to have energy independence, the opportunity for us to be able to explore for and find energy will determine, in my opinion, the success or failure of the economy of the United States. I do understand that many people who talk about this new way of life simply want us to ride bicycles and to destroy our economy to where we are no better or no worse than a Third World nation. America, I believe, has set itself on a course where we believe that there is no problem bigger than a solution, and that we will find those avenues through research and development that can lead us on. An example of this would be we have utilized technology in our past for some 25 years. We have used about 21 million barrels of oil a day. It has been about constant what our utilization has been in the United States, and yet we continue to grow our economy. We continue to utilize these things with an increased population through efficiency. The gentleman from Ohio had a chance to vote for a comprehensive energy bill just this year, a comprehensive energy bill that would put the Federal Government at the apex, at the forefront of making sure that we would lead the way through the government of finding and utilizing new technologies. The government will create a critical mass as a result of the spending which we will do to change government buildings and the way we do business to the most efficient forms that are available to us now and to create the future. But I would say that this body, Mr. Speaker, needs to be mindful of a future that we are not afraid of, that the past which some of our Members would want us to go to find this opportunity for a new world with tribes and with global people who have been incapable of solving their own problems and addressing change is not the direction we should go. We need to support an economy. We need to move forward to make sure we are solving the world's problems. Poverty and hunger are still problems in this world. We have opportunity today, as we handle bills, to solve some of the most basic problems through research and development, through medicine, and the opportunity for us to go to world leaders like Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, a leading edge in technologists and research and development people, people out at Stanford University Medical Center, like Dr. Bill Mobley, who are looking at genes and gene therapy and the opportunity through research and development to solve problems. These problems, Mr. Speaker, are what America develops and spends their precious resources on to help the people of the world. Yes, we know that there are people who want to go back and who want us to ride bicycles everywhere we go and to have an economy that is far different and do not do trade with the world, and isolate America, and cut and run from the war, and do not accept the responsibilities of the world leadership. Mr. Speaker, I reject that thought process. I believe it will be done through the constant prodding and leadership of this House of Representatives, through our Speaker, Dennis Hastert, and through committee chairman like David Dreier from the Rules Committee, who give of themselves some 27 years of service as Mr. Dreier has given. Yes, we will even talk about years of service for Helen Sewell, who for over 70 years came to work almost every day for the benefit of America's future. This is simply an experiment that we are engaged in, Mr. Speaker. There is no blueprint. There is no direction to say how we will handle things in the future, for we know not, any of us, what lies ahead of us. But I have the confidence that the Republican Party and the things which we have done and will do will lead this great Nation, and the people will understand a vision, and we shall not perish. In God we trust. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I, like my wonderful colleague, Mr. Hastings, am here doing the work of the American people. We are proud of what we are doing. It is just 1 week before Christmas, and we have a lot of work left to do. That is why we are here. We are here to work. There are a number of my colleagues who showed up for work today prepared and ready. We know they miss their family and friends. Nathan Deal of Georgia, Tom Price of Georgia, and John Shimkus of Illinois are just an example of three Members of Congress who, even on a weekend and even a week before Christmas, show up. So it is my hope that this same spirit we all talk about today, of accomplishing our work on behalf of the American people, the importance of completing our work because we said we would do it, to be responsible to the people of this whole country, all the people, that that spirit will carry through because that is why we are here today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 623 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Massachusetts has very appropriately talked about this important act, this TRIA legislation; and I would like to take time to thank the ranking member of the Financial Services Committee (Mr. Frank of Massachusetts) for not only his work for a long time on this bill but for working clearly and closely with industry and consumer groups to make sure that what we had control over of here in the House that we passed. I do admit that there is frustration. There is frustration on my part, too, as the gentleman is well aware. And I will tell you that the process that has taken place may not be perfect, but I want to thank the gentleman not only for his support of the work that we were able to accomplish but for sticking with it. The good part is there will be a process here today and the gentleman will be able to speak very clearly about his thoughts on that, and we will move forward.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), my friend, pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, this resolution provides that certain specified measures may be considered under suspension of the rules at any time on the legislative day of Saturday, December 17, 2005. Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership of this House has set forth a positive legislative agenda for the remainder of this week and the balance of the first session of the 109th Congress. The goal of this plan is to address a number of outstanding issues remaining on Congress's calendar before we adjourn that maintain our commitment to improving America's economy and national security. Over the past year, we have passed a number of important new education, health care, tax, trade and national security bills that will keep Americans safer and healthier, create new jobs and improve our economy. This rule will allow the House to consider a number of additional bills today under suspension of the rules that will ensure that Congress can complete some additional important work before we adjourn for the holidays. This rule makes in order the consideration of nine bills under suspension of the rules. These bills accomplish necessary and noncontroversial goals, such as extending funding for the operation of State high-risk health insurance pools, providing for collection of human cord blood stem cells for medical treatment and research, and improving the proficiency testing of clinical laboratories. The suspension authority will also allow us to consideration legislation to authorize appropriations for the Department of Justice, improve medical benefits for patients, extend important educational programs and help NASA to continue its human space flight, aeronautics and science programs. Perhaps most notably, it provides for consideration of the conference report to extend the applicability of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act. Extending TRIA is a goal upon which I have worked very closely with my friends and fellow House conferees, Chairman Mike Oxley and Chairman Richard Baker, and I commend them for their hard work in preparing this bill for President Bush's signature. This legislation represents a fiscally responsible response to the threats that acts of terrorism pose to the American economy. It also includes important taxpayer protections and will ensure that this important program does not expire and leave the marketplace for terrorism insurance in uncertainty. After the tragedy of September 11, the marketplace for terrorism insurance largely disappeared. This lack of terrorism coverage terminated or delayed billions of dollars in commercial property financing, threatening business operations and development and job creation and our overall economy. TRIA has proven its ability to stabilize the market, and it will continue to provide essential protection for businesses of all sizes in our country. I urge my colleagues to take the opportunity later today to follow up on this program's successful record and to reauthorize TRIA so that the program does not lapse and hurt businesses and policyholders around this great Nation. Like TRIA, all of the bills scheduled for consideration by the Republican House leadership on behalf of all Americans enjoy broad support from Members of both the majority and the minority parties. This rule simply provides us with the tools needed to ensure that all of the important work is completed before we adjourn to our families and communities to celebrate for the holidays. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this uncontroversial and balanced rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their thoughtful comments this morning about the circumstances, as we are here on December 17, almost a week before Christmas. I would like to thank all my colleagues for coming down and speaking clearly. There is a lot of frustration, but I believe the process is important for us to follow through. I am proud of what we are doing. We can accomplish it all together. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the amendment and on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Highland Park Scots Tennis Team for winning its third straight State Championship. On Saturday, November 5th, the Scots defeated New Braunfels High School 10-3 for the title. This program and its coach have shown an incredible amount of character since losing to San Antonio Alamo Heights in the 2002 state finals. They have not lost a single match since then, winning a state record seventy straight team matches. The team of twenty-five varsity players (thirteen boys and twelve girls) is so filled with talent that Head Coach Dan Holden had reserve players who are nationally ranked on the sidelines, a testament to the depth of this team. Coach Holden has not only prepared his players for the championship match, however; he has also helped them to seek higher education. This two-pronged approach to coaching is what Coach Holden calls his ``Win-Win'' strategy. He kept practices shorter than normal so that the players could have time to work with their personal coaches to improve their abilities for U.S. Tennis Association Tournaments. These tournaments provide excellent recruiting opportunities for college scouts, in turn providing the exposure necessary for the players to impress scouts in the hopes of earning a college scholarship. Proof of his success is evident. For example, Tyler Taransky, a senior at Highland Park, came back to Highland Park for his last year after a brief foray into the world of full-time competitive tennis and home schooling. As a result, he helped to lead his team to victory one last time before enrolling at Texas A&M, where he will play tennis next fall for the Aggies. For his efforts, the United States Professional Tennis Association named Coach Holden the 2004 National High School Coach of the Year. He was also honored as the Dallas Morning News' 2004 All-Area Tennis Coach of the Year. In closing, I would like to congratulate Coach Dan Holden and the Highland Park Scots' Team Tennis on their outstanding achievement. Their competitive spirit and domination in their field are truly inspirational.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Scots of Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas for winning their first State Championship in almost half a century, defeating the Marshall High School Mavericks by the largest margin of victory in Texas High School eleven-man Football Championship history. I am proud to represent Highland Park as part of the 32nd District of Texas. Head Coach Randy Allen and his team put on an impressive display at Tyler's Rose Stadium in front of over 14,000 fans plus several thousand more who couldn't get in due to a lack of seating. It was a fitting end to their first-ever undefeated, untied season of 15-0. Highland Park dominated the competition throughout the season on their way to their first State Championship appearance since 1957, with only one game in the entire season decided by 7 points or less. This team and its fans have certainly waited a long time to reach this point. They have come extremely close to reaching the final game several times in recent years, but have always come up just a little shy. Twice in the past 10 years the Scots have seemingly been within arm's reach of the championship game, losing in the semifinals in both 1996 and 2003. After having come so close with such talented teams, they and their fans were very ready to return to glory. Their avid fans came out in droves to support them in the championship game, even prompting the operators of the Rose Stadium to erect more seats at the last minute to accommodate up to 2,000 more fans. They also lobbied successfully to have the game broadcast live so that all of the Highland Park faithful who were unable to get tickets to the game could at least watch from afar as their beloved Scots brought home their first championship in 48 years. The 2005 Scots, dubbed the ``Band of Brothers,'' fielded quite a large and talented team. It consisted of 116 total players, including at least one national standout. Matthew Stafford, the Scots quarterback, broke the school's passing record on the team's road to victory by throwing for over 8,000 yards in his three seasons at the helm. Stafford, considered by some to be the top recruit in the country at his position, will attend the University of Georgia next year. Another notable performance was that of senior Jake Feldt, who scored an incredible five touchdowns in a valiant effort for his team during the championship game. In closing, I would like to honor the Highland Park Scots Football Team, HP coach Randy Allen, and the Community of Highland Park for their spirit, dedication, and winning attitude in their best season in a historically competitive program.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) selecting Jose Angel Gurria Trevino as their next Secretary-General. Angel Gurria has been a good personal friend of mine for several years, and I am certain that his impressive leadership skills will be a tremendous asset to the OECD. Previously, Gurria served as Mexico's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 1998 and Minister of Finance and Public Credit from 1998 to 2000. During his time in these two posts, Gurria has worked diligently with me and many of my Congressional colleagues in promoting a better relationship with our neighbor to the South. In 1999, he was named Finance Minister of the Year by Euromoney Magazine. The following year, he was chosen Finance Minister of the World's Dream Cabinet by World Link, the magazine edited by the World Economic Forum. We are fortunate that all of the OECD member countries will now be able to benefit from Gurria's brilliance. He has done great work for his native Mexico and his economic abilities can now serve the thirty nations of the OECD. I thank the current outgoing Secretary-General, Donald J. Johnston, for his ten years of service to the OECD. Gurria inherits a good legacy created under Johnston, and I am confident that he will be able to lead the organization to even greater accomplishments. I wish Gurria all the best for a successful start to his term leading the OECD. I congratulate him, his wife Dr. Lulu Quintana, and their three children on Gurria's honorable appointment.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Florida, not only for his leadership but also working so diligently with the Budget Committee, including the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle), our great chairman. Mr. Speaker, tonight is an opportunity for the Republican majority to meet the demands of this great Nation when we talk about the ability to have a plan that will help control spending, where we can move forward to make sure that we better the circumstance that this country is in. Earlier this year, this Congress began engaging Governors from all across this great Nation about ways in which we could make Medicaid spending and Medicaid programs work more efficiently across this government. I participated with the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle) in meetings with Mark Warner, who is a Democrat Governor from Virginia, and Tom Vilsack, who is a Governor from Iowa. We talked about ways that this Congress could go about giving the Governors more flexibility and the ability to manage those processes and programs that they have in place. The Budget Committee, as a result of work that has been done by other committees, one-eighth of the bills which we bring tonight simply talk about ways that we can make sure that the spending that is done tonight is done more efficiently and more effectively, but done in a way that will create better services to the American public. What we find now, as we come to the floor to do the things that literally Governors all across this country have asked for, the flexibility to run their programs without just giving them waivers, but to let them run their own programs, we are told we are cutting services to poor people and how mean we are. The truth could not be further from that which is said, Mr. Speaker. The fact of the matter is that we are going to put more money than ever in Medicaid that will allow States the opportunity to take care of their problems. I am proud of this bill tonight. I support it, and I hope that the American people see it for what it is, a great opportunity to save money.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Dr. Dan Joseph Pickard who passed away on Thursday the 20th of October. I was greatly saddened to hear the news that Dr. Pickard had passed, and I will be keeping his wife, Patty, and surviving family members in my prayers during this very difficult time for the Pickard family. Dr. Pickard led an accomplished life and was a community leader in Dallas, Texas. At the age of 15, Dan became an Eagle Scout. He and I would often talk of our shared experiences in Scouting and care for the young boys who grow and prosper through the program. Upon earning his Doctor of Optometry degree from Indiana University, Dan and Patty moved to Dallas in 1981 to start their professional careers. Dan served as the President of the Dallas Society of Optometrists, and was a valued community leader whom I enjoyed working with on a variety of issues. I knew Dr. Pickard best as the Optometrist for my family and me, who always had a kind word and the best interests of his patients at the forefront of his priorities. Additionally, Dr. Pickard served on the Board of Directors during my term as Chairman of the Board of the Dallas Northeast Chamber of Commerce. Throughout his 5 years affected by Multiple Systems Atrophy, Dan continued to lead a life of support for others, and now he has passed away with dignity and peace in his heart. Dr. Pickard's compassionate professionalism, enthusiasm for life, and sincere friendship will be greatly missed, yet his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of the many people touched by his life. My wife, Nete, and I mourn his passing, and we honor the memory of his vibrant and inspiring life. May God bless the Pickard family during this time of great loss.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 509 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from the Fifth Congressional District of Texas (Mr. Hensarling).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. This structured rule provides for 1 hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. It waives all points of order against consideration of the bill, and provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. It waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute and makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. It provides that the amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the report, offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, and shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and opponent. They shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. Finally, the rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report and provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this rule and the underlying legislation, H.R. 1461, the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005. This bill, cosponsored by my good friend, Chairman Richard Baker, was accepted at its full committee markup last May and reported to the House by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 65 to 5. This balanced rule under debate makes in order a manager's amendment and an equal number of additional amendments from Members of both sides of the aisle, with four Republican and four Democrat amendments also made in order. The purpose of this legislation is simple: to provide for the creation of a world-class regulator to oversee the housing government- sponsored entities that help make America's mortgage and capital markets the envy of the world. Currently, approximately 70 percent of American households own their own home, a fact that is due in no small part to the liquid and strong capital markets that allow families to achieve the American dream of homeownership at rates never seen before. But the same GSEs that help to drive high ownership rates are also among the largest U.S. financial institutions, with approximately $2.5 billion in assets. Between the two largest GSEs, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, nearly half the residential market is either owned or guaranteed. Because of their size and potential to have a disproportionate impact on America's capital markets, they require strong and effective oversight of their operations. The Federal Housing Finance Reform Act, brought forth by Chairman Mike Oxley and Chairman Richard Baker, will accomplish this goal. This bill will provide for the continued strength of our mortgage markets by creating a new, world-class regulator with strong safety and soundness and mission powers to oversee these GSEs. It merges the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, which currently regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, with the Federal Housing Finance Board, which currently regulates the Federal home loan banks, into a single entity. This new entity, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, will be headed by a Director who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. It will also be comprised of an advisory board, represented by the Department of the Treasury, HUD, and two nongovernmental members. This regulator will be empowered to ensure the safety and soundness of GSEs through a number of increased powers similar to ones already given to bank regulators, including the ability to determine minimum and risk-based capital standards, to review and adjust portfolio holdings, to approve new programs and business activities, to mandate prudent management and operational standards, to take prompt corrective and enforcement actions, and to put critically undercapitalized GSEs into receivership, to require corporate governance improvements, and, lastly, to hire examination and accounting experts. This legislation also establishes an Affordable Housing Fund, based on the Affordable Housing Program already in place for the Federal home loan banks. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will now have the opportunity to manage affordable housing programs funded by a percentage of their earnings. These funds will be awarded through a competitive application process to for-profit builders, State housing agencies, and nonprofit organizations; and, this fund will streamline HUD's current affordable housing goals for the GSEs to meet pressing needs in low-income and rural communities. Under this rule we also have the opportunity to discuss a manager's amendment to this legislation, which makes a significant number of improvements to the bill. Chief among these is the recognition that Congress must provide strong, market-based incentives to rebuild the devastated gulf coast region in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The manager's amendment will ensure that during the first 2 years, additional weight will be given to Hurricane Katrina and Rita disaster areas and to those families affected by these catastrophes. Priority will be given for other disaster areas and to areas of greatest impact and geographic diversity. The manager's amendment also recognizes the need for fast action in the gulf region, and speeds up the effective dates of this legislation from 1 year to 6 months after enactment. Finally, the manager's amendment sunsets the fund after 5 years, at which point the Director will report to Congress on whether funds should be extended or modified to improve its efficiency and effectiveness so that Congress can exercise appropriate oversight of this new program. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this legislation to reform and improve oversight of housing GSEs, and I would like to thank Chairman Richard Baker and Chairman Mike Oxley and their colleagues on the Financial Services Committee for their hard work on this important legislation. I encourage my colleagues to support this fair and balanced rule and the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.