E. Shaw

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. There are many good things in this highway bill. One that I would like to highlight at this particular point came out of the Committee on Ways and Means which I had the privilege to offer, and that was the provision that repeals the 4.8 cents-per-gallon of fuel receipts from the use in motor boats and small engine equipment be retained in the general fund. As a result, the full fuel tax will be credited to the Highway Trust Fund and subsequently transferred to the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund where it belongs. It increases the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund receipts by .7 billion dollars over 6 years. Anyone who is concerned about the waterways, as I know the gentleman in the chair is certainly concerned about the Chesapeake Bay, these are very important dollars that are desperately needed in these areas; and I congratulate my colleagues on the Committee on Ways and Means for including that. Unfortunately, when this comes up to a final vote sometime tomorrow on the highway bill, unless there is a dramatic correction in the way the funds are distributed, I will be forced to vote against it. In my 24 years in Congress, I have never voted against a roads bill. I have supported it; and, as a matter of fact, I very much enjoyed the time that I spent on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The committee has been frustrated by the reduction in the funding that they had anticipated and, as a result, they have treated the donor States very, very unfairly. Right now, the donor States are guaranteed approximately 90 percent of the monies that they pay into the Federal fund. This is dramatically reduced. States such as Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, California, Arizona, and that is not a complete list, are going to find themselves losing up to 25 percent of their gas revenue that will no longer come back into their State. I would ask my colleagues from New York and Massachusetts to look carefully at what is going on here. Even though the New England States and many of those States will be gaining, it is still wrong. It is wrong. Those of us in these States that are donor States are all fast- growing areas. We have a desperate need for highways and improvements. I would like to support this bill, and I will, if the gentleman from Georgia's amendment is passed by the House. I would be proud to stand by my colleagues and vote for this bill, even though we would only receive back approximately 90 percent of what we paid in, but at this time we just have to wait and see. Mr. Chairman, I would ask at the appropriate time that all Members not only just consider their own district but also consider the fairness of their vote. This matter must be corrected, and I would hope that the committee would look very, very hard at the amendment that is offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) at the time that it is voted on, whether it be this evening or tomorrow morning.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, and I rise in support of this resolution, support of our troops and particularly pay my great admiration to the 124th Infantry, Bravo Company, that just returned safely to Palm Beach County, Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 557 and to offer my gratitude to all the men and women who have worked, and who continue to work, so hard to serve their country in Iraq. In particular, I'd like to extend my respect and admiration to Captain Joseph Lyon and the reservists of the 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry, Bravo Company, who have returned home safely to West Palm Beach from service in Iraq. The contributions of these brave soldiers can be seen every day in the numerous improvements in the Iraqi economy and society. With the aid of the Coalition forces, the transfer of power to the people of Iraq is progressing smoothly. Iraqi forces are gradually relieving and will completely replace coalition forces in all aspects of the reconstruction. I am thankful to all who have helped the Iraqi people establish a stable and peaceful country. By doing so, we defend our people from the danger of Iraq returning to being a haven for terrorists. Today, Iraq is a safer place and is on the road to establishing their own democracy to serve as an example in the heart of the Middle East. I urge all my colleagues to support H. Res. 557.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize one of America's greatest artists, A.E. (Bean) Backus, who I'm proud to say was a native and lifelong South Floridian. On canvas, he captured the very essence of our State's natural beauty. I count myself among Bean Backus' admirers for portraying Florida as it was and as it should be. From his earliest days on the Indian River, when he was given a set of watercolors at the age of eight to a lifetime body of work of over 6,000 paintings, Bean has left his indelible mark on all who have followed in the Backus style. His works are collected and exhibited in Florida and around the world, each telling a story of South Florida's unique natural heritage. Most of it has disappeared from daily public view, left only to preserves and weekend nature trips, but through Bean it is kept alive in the homes of those fortunate to own a Backus or visit one in a museum. If you squint your eyes and use your imagination, you can see Florida the way Bean Backus saw it. Today, the land where shopping centers and housing developments stand surrounded by traffic was once a place where roseate spoonbills fed and the only sound was the rustling of the Everglades' grasses. Wetlands have become parking lots, and marshes became mansions along our once pristine waterways. Thanks to Bean's visual legacy, their memory is kept intact for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Recognized as the ``Dean of Florida Landscape Painting'', he is the standard to which other Florida landscape artists aspire. His subtle mastery of light and color are copied by many but equaled by none. His Fort Pierce studio was always alive and open, with 50 students, children's art classes, the curious, those who just wanted to debate the news of the day or perhaps wanted to pick up a brush and try painting. Bean Backus is the inspiration behind the much acclaimed African- American artists known as The Highwaymen, and counted them among his friends. His compatriot, the legendary author Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, was also a close friend. Though a frequent dining companion of Ian Fleming of James Bond fame, he was most comfortable sharing a sunrise breakfast with the fishermen, workers and tall tale tellers in his hometown. Today, we can best appreciate Bean Backus at the gallery named in his honor in Fort Pierce that receives tens of thousands of visitors each year. It boasts the largest permanent collection of Backus paintings and annually each spring showcases a large selection of additional Backus paintings from private collections. According to Bean's wishes, admittance has remained free and is supported solely by private donations. Mr. Speaker, occasionally when the light is right, in the early hours you can almost see Bean at his easel near a window in the gallery recreating the best of Florida for the world to enjoy. Thank you Bean Backus for keeping alive the real Florida, forever.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, last December the Palm Beach County Hispanic and Latino community lost one of its most beloved and outstanding leaders. Luciano Martinez, or ``Lou'' as we knew him, dedicated his life to helping others and founded the Hispanic Human Resources Council, helping thousands of individuals climb the ladder of success over many years in our local area. Lou had the biggest heart and the most fertile mind finding unique ways to bring much needed services to the fast growing Hispanic and Latino population in Palm Beach County. Without his tireless work, Head Start would not be available to launch children into a better education, mothers would not have quality day care to permit them to work and provide for their children, many low income families would have never experienced the joys of purchasing their first home, and a host of immigrants would be unable to adjust to a new and different lifestyle. Because of Lou all of the above did happen. Most important to Lou was the desire that while new arrivals adapted to a new culture; traditional Hispanic and Latino values and customs honed over thousands of years remained the centerpiece of family life. This desire to encourage individual identity, instilled pride in their common heritage to form a foundation for future generations to build upon, never forgetting the past. Mr. Speaker, Lou was born in Havana, Cuba, raised in Florida and arrived in Palm Beach County fresh with a degree from Florida International University. His leadership skills were quickly recognized, and after many years of helping the less fortunate, Lou in 1977 founded the Hispanic Human Resources Council and served as its Executive Director for more than 26 years. His talent led others to call upon him to serve on a multitude of community leadership positions; Board of Directors of JFK Hospital, the American Red Cross, and The Forum Club. In helping children, he served on the Pre-K Early Intervention Committee, Child Advocacy Board of Palm Beach County, and the Governor's Conference on Children and Youth. The Su Casa Housing Program helping to establish home ownership is a model program that is copied elsewhere. There was so much more to the life of Luciano Martinez, he touched the lives of so many people, making life a little easier and less stressful. The smiling caring face of Lou was ever present, always ready to go the extra mile on behalf of his neighbors. His legacy is most apparent in the laughing happy children of Palm Beach County who continue to be under the care of the Hispanic Human Resources Council. The classrooms and playrooms in the West Palm Beach centers are filled with the memories of thousands of children who have passed through those doors, the hundreds who are there today, and the many more who will enter in future years. I am confident the spirit of Luciano will always be looking out for them from afar. Mr. Speaker, Vaya Con Dios Luciano Martinez. Well done, mission accomplished.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the great city of Deerfield Beach, in Florida's 22nd Congressional District. All Floridians can be proud of the rich history and cultural contributions Broward County's northernmost city has made over the past 77 years. Today, visitors from around the world travel to Deerfield Beach for some of the most pristine beaches in the state of Florida. In fact, the City was awarded the Blue Wave award as a premier tourist destination in the year 2000. When travelers visit our fine city, they will find not only exceptional beaches and natural beauty, they can also enjoy any one of our four sites on the National Register of Historic Places: the 1920 Old School House, the 1923 James D. and Alice Butler House (now the Butler House Museum), the 1926 Deerfield School (now Deerfield Beach Elementary School), and the 1926 Seaboard Coastline Railway Station (now the Tri-Rail Station). Deerfield Beach also has beautiful, well-maintained parks, boat ramps, tennis courts, and playgrounds. For all of these reasons and more, many people chose to call Deerfield Beach home. The city has grown to almost 65,000 residents who make their living in one of the more than 5,000 businesses ranging from small ``mom & pop'' retailers, to major nationwide corporations. The city has indeed seen phenomenal growth and prosperity mark the last few years and as such, I would like to extend my congratulations and support to The Honorable Albert Capellini, Mayor of Deerfield Beach. Mr. Speaker, may everyone who participates in the 57th Annual Founders' Days Festival of Deerfield Beach enjoy all this wonderful city by the sea has to offer.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 520, I call up from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 743) to amend the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide additional safeguards for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries with representative payees, to enhance program protections, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present to the House the Social Security Protection Act of 2003, bipartisan legislation that fights fraud and abuse in the Social Security programs. In April, the House overwhelmingly passed this bipartisan bill by a vote of 396 to 28. In December, the Senate passed an amended version of the Protection Act unanimously. They did this by unanimous consent. Today, we have an opportunity to pass this essential legislation so that it be sent to the President and made law. Workers, retirees, individuals with disabilities, survivors and their families have paid for and deserve better protection under Social Security and the enhanced vigilance against waste, fraud and abuse this bill provides. First, this bill protects nearly 7 million beneficiaries who cannot manage their own affairs and rely on representative payees appointed by the Social Security Administration. It does this by raising payee standards, increasing oversight, and imposing stricter penalties on those who would mismanage the benefits entrusted to their care. Second, this bill denies Social Security benefits to fugitive felons and probation/parole violators. Third, it provides tools to further safeguard Social Security programs, including new civil monetary penalties for those who withhold information to get benefits and improving collection of overpaid benefits. Fourth, this legislation closes a loophole in the law that has allowed an isolated group of public employees to receive full Social Security spouse and widow benefits that no other identical working spouse in America receives even when both pay into the Social Security program. Finally, the bill helps people with disabilities by giving greater access to qualified representatives when applying for benefits, by improving work incentive programs, and by expanding eligibility for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to encourage more employers to hire individuals with disabilities. And, accompanying all of this, the taxpayers will save $800 million over the next 10 years. I thank Senators Grassley and Baucus of the Senate Finance Committee who offered to work with the Committee on Ways and Means and, of course, the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) as we have done this on a bipartisan basis as they developed their amendments to the House- passed bill. This amendment made a number of enhancements to the bill. First, it increased overpayment collection by authorized recovery across Social Security and Supplemental Social Security Income program lines. It provides for a 5-year nationwide demonstration project providing direct fee withholding for qualified nonattorneys who help individuals through the complex disability application process. It provides additional time for the Social Security Administration to test initiatives to help individuals with disabilities return to work as well as extended funding for services that help individuals with disabilities return to work and keep working. It provides for the ability to restart disability benefits based on their parent's work if an individual disabled in childhood tries to work but must later stop. Lastly, enhancement and simplification of the Supplemental Security Income program, especially for members of the military and their families. This bipartisan legislation has support of many organizations because it does what is right for the Social Security program, the people who pay into it and the people who benefit. It was developed in cooperation with the Social Security Administration and the Social Security Inspector General. It is also supported by AARP, Citizens Against Government Waste, the National Conference of State Social Security Administrators, the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, the Association of Administrative Law Judges, and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives. This bill probably will not make the front page of your newspaper on kitchen tables tomorrow morning. That is unfortunate, as Social Security is one of our Nation's most important programs and constitutes our government's largest expense, consuming approximately one-quarter of our Federal budget and growing. It deserves our Nation's attention. Protecting the most vulnerable beneficiaries and stopping Social Security from hemorrhaging precious dollars through fraud and benefit misuse is important and serves as a shining example of what Members of Congress can achieve for the American people when we work together. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and give workers and beneficiaries the protections that they deserve. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger), a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to point out at this time that even under this bill, the offset is only $2 for every $3 of pension received, whereas those of us who are going to depend on Social Security, those that depend on Social Security, the offset is a dollar for dollar. So the teachers that people are talking about and public employees that this might affect, they are still getting a much better deal than people who have paid into Social Security. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority leader.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I tell the gentleman from Texas that I know he feels passionate about this and I can agree with his motivation with regard to this, but the simple fact arises that there is an offset for those where we have a spouse and a worker both paying into Social Security. We simply bring them pretty close down to where some people who are paying into Social Security and work every single day and pay under the Social Security program, and still we give the people he is talking about a better deal than the people who have really labored under Social Security only. Mr. Speaker, I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In just a brief response to the gentleman from Maryland, he correctly described my intentions, but the bill has not yet been prepared. As soon as we get some figures back, I intend to work closely with the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) and other members on our Committee on Ways and Means to make this a bipartisan effort on the Government Pension Offset, where it is still very much a work in progress, and we want to be sure that we can get it right. If it can be bipartisan, I think the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) and I have both learned that we can accomplish a lot more by working together than working separately. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would have to correct the previous speaker when she says they do not get any of their survivor benefits and advise her that, yes, under this bill, the teachers that she is referring to get one-third of the survivor benefits, even after the offset, whereas if you have a similar situation where a teacher teaching where there is not this loophole and pays into the Social Security system, generally in that same example they get zero. So I just want to be sure the record is correct on that. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady) a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in looking at what is right, it is right to protect beneficiaries from representative payees who would misuse these benefits. We all agree on that, whether you are from Texas, Georgia, California, or New York. It is right to deny Social Security benefits to fugitive felons and probation parole violators. We can all agree on that. It is right for this Congress to pass a bill that deters waste, fraud, and abuse. That is in this bill, and that is the right thing to do. It helps individuals with disabilities gain access to representation, and it encourages disabled beneficiaries to return to work. That is the right thing to do. Now we get to the hard question: Is it right to close a loophole that enables some teachers in Georgia and Texas to contribute just a few dollars to Social Security to receive nearly $100,000 in additional lifetime spousal benefits? I strongly believe this loophole should be closed. Let me give an example which I think would be very helpful to the Members in deciding how they are going to vote on this issue. Any worker, corporate, executive, otherwise, or school teacher who pays into both Social Security and a retirement plan will receive both benefits based upon their work. However, no worker will receive a full spouse or widower benefit; those benefits are reduced or eliminated dollar for dollar by the earned Social Security benefit. Public employees who contribute to a public employee pension plan instead of Social Security actually face a lower, a lower offset under this bill of their spouse or widow benefits than workers who paid into Social Security their whole career. And that is only $2 for every $3. So these people who did not pay into Social Security are getting a better deal than people who paid into Social Security their whole working lives. Also, this bill has bipartisan support and the support of key stakeholders, and it does save us money. This same identical bill was passed, almost identical bill, was passed by the House by a vote of 396 to 28. It passed. And then it passed by unanimous consent in the Senate with some minor changes, which is the reason we are back here today. If we were to look at the arguments that have been made today as to what is fair and what is not fair and apply those same arguments as to spousal benefits, surviving spouse benefits to people who have paid into Social Security all their working life, it would cost the Social Security Administration $1 trillion and would bankrupt the system. This is what we are facing: basic fairness. I say, apply the law as this bill outlines it. It is fair. It is the right thing to do. I urge passage of the bill.

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

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. 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 the subject of the Senate amendment to H.R. 743.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I would just speak to the gentleman who just spoke when he referred to what I talked about in taking offense of fraud and abuse. If the gentleman would read the bill, he would see what I am talking about is a completely different section. This is the area where caregivers are receiving checks and misappropriating them. It has nothing to do with spouses. This is a very large bill, and I would suggest that the gentleman read it and understand it, and then he would not misinterpret what I have just said.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding me this time. Anyone watching this debate today must wonder, what in the world is the Congress doing to the schoolteachers? What in the world is going on here? I think a few things need a little bit of explaining. We have two people, a man and a woman, working and receiving and paying into the Social Security Trust Fund. When one dies, the surviving spouse gets either surviving benefits or their own Social Security, whichever is higher. If we take a situation now and say, well, let us look at people who are not covered under Social Security. If they work 1 day under Social Security, they get both their survivor benefits and their pension plan. This is not fair. If we were to allow this to happen for all American workers under Social Security where they could receive both their pension and the survivor's benefits, within 10 years we will have a $1 trillion deficit in the Social Security Trust Fund and we will be bankrupt. This bill passed this House with only 28 people in the whole House voting against it. It passed the Senate under unanimous consent. There are some wonderful parts of this bill that we need to address. The problem with the noncovered workers, we are simply putting them on a level playing field with those that are covered. It is the right thing to do. It is the fair thing to do. This House has already been through this. We have had a vote. The Senate has passed it by unanimous consent, and we should have a similar vote. So when my colleagues come down to vote, look also at other provisions within the bill which are tremendously important to all of us. Waste, fraud, and abuse, paying in to fraudulent caregivers, all of these things are covered throughout this bill. The amount that we are talking about, it affects some, and only a few and I might say a minority of the schoolteachers in Texas, but it does affect some of them, there is no question about that, but it in no way discriminates against them. They still are at an advantage, because they can work 5 years under Social Security, pay into for 5 years, and then they will receive the higher of their benefits or survivor benefits. But those people who give up their job and work 1 year in the cafeteria or something of this nature under a job that is not covered under Social Security, then they will collect, for paying 1 year into this, they will collect approximately $100,000 in Social Security dollars. It is wrong. It is not fair. Mr. Speaker, let us pass this rule. Let us pass this bill and send it to the President for signature.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the fine presentation that the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) gave as to the importance of this bill that is before us. I was privileged to have introduced the Congo Basin Forest Partnership Act, along with the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), to authorize funding for the Congo Basin Partnership fund. The partnership strives to preserve and protect millions of acres of land in Africa by establishing a network of national parks. The partnership is focused on 11 key landscapes in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of Congo. I have traveled to Africa on numerous occasions, and I have had the experience of seeing the immense beauty and wonder that this continent holds. And I have also witnessed how the poaching and clear- cutting of forests devastates the people, the land, and the wildlife of Africa. One of America's greatest assets is our national parks and conservation systems. I can think of no better way to help Africa and the African people than to provide them with the tools to conserve their great continent, just as we do in our national parks. Conservation efforts through the partnership not only provide protection for lands and wildlife, but also provide critical means for human development, political stability, and economic growth in Africa, areas that remain tremendously important to the success and to the future of Africa. This initiative has received widespread support, as the gentleman just pointed out, from Democrats, Republicans and leading organizations, including Conservation International, the World Conservation Society and the World Wildlife Fund. I urge Members to support this most important bill. This bill perhaps is not on the top of the list of too many Members of Congress, but I had the privilege of traveling there with my wife in the company of Michael Fay and David Barron and going up the Congo River, traveling by airplane, by piro, by pickup truck, and then piro again and walking into an area by foot with the assistance of some wonderful Pygmy people and being able to watch and actually view these magnificent creatures, the silverback gorillas which are pictured on that easel. Would it not be a poor commentary on humans of this planet if we were responsible for the extinction of the animal most closely related to us as humans? It would absolutely be an indictment, I think, of what we are doing. As was properly pointed out, Gabon has made strides in this area. I did go down and meet with President Bongo in Gabon and have discussed and have had the opportunity to view some of the wildlife area in that wonderful country. This is terribly important to the future of the globe. Africa is very much a part of the future of the globe. We see the indiscriminate destruction of the habitat by clear-cutting. These profits are going to Indonesia, France, Japan and other countries that are harboring the companies that are buying the logging rights and then destroying the future of this place. I have seen parts of gorillas hanging in marketplaces for sale as a delicacy. I know firsthand where these magnificent animals are actually used for camp meat by the loggers. Even though it is illegal, they still do it with absolute immunity. This is a good step but it is only a first step. I think that we need to do more and more and figure out ways that we can attach Federal aid to the preservation of forests throughout the continent of Africa. The environment and ecotourism is the future of Africa in a very large way, and to preserve that will preserve Africa for the world and for the American people.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, January 26, 2004, the world's newest and grandest passenger cruise ship, the Queen Mary II, makes its first international port of call to one of the world's premier cruise ports, Port Everglades located in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Queen Mary II embarked on its two-week maiden voyage on Monday, January 12 following an extraordinary send-off amid fireworks and hundreds of well wishers from its home port of Southampton, England. Named after her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mary II is a state-of-the-art, luxury passenger vessel. In fact, the Queen Mary II is 1,132 feet in length, 236 feet in height, top speed of approximately 30 knots, and includes a crew of 1,253 and maximum capacity of 2,620 passengers. An impressive list of vital statistics. It is a great privilege to have the Queen Mary II and her crew visit Fort Lauderdale. Port Everglades remains one of the nation's busiest ports in both commercial and passenger traffic. Port Everglades has become a major embarkation point along the east coast. In 2003, Port Everglades experienced 3,072,343 passengers through its cruise ship terminal generating more than $89 million in total annual operating revenue. The continued success of Port Everglades is a testament to the financial commitment of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners and the stewardship of Port Director Ken Krauter. Port Everglades is the port of call for more than 5,400 ships. Port Everglades is home to a number of seasonal or year-round ships representing a wide array of cruise lines; including Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, Imperial Majesty, Mediterranean Shipping, Orient, Princess, Radisson Seven Seas, Regal, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn and Silversea. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Broward County, Port Everglades, and the residents of South Florida, I welcome the Queen Mary II, Captain Ron Warwick, and crew to Fort Lauderdale on the occasion of entering their first port of call, and wish her and her crew many years of calm and safe seas on the many journeys across the Atlantic.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 492 and in recognition of the numerous contributions that Catholic schools bring to our country. The standard of academic excellence promoted in the thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools around the nation provide a vital contribution to the fabric of our educational system. Year-round, these institutions provide a solid, structured education to our young people that is steeped in the traditions of the Catholic church. Today, we congratulate Catholic schools, parents, and teachers for their ongoing contributions and their key role in ensuring a brighter, more promising future for the more than 2.5 million students who attend these schools. We also recognize the particular contribution of Catholic schools to our country's minority population. Nationwide, Catholic schools have a minority enrollment of 26 percent. Mr. Speaker, we owe a debt of gratitude to every individual in our country who dedicates themselves to educating our children. I am proud to recognize today the unique contribution of America's Catholic Schools, and specifically, the great work of South Florida Catholic schools in educating the children of South Florida.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I would point out to the minority leader, who has pounded on that 2006 date several times, every one of the Democrat bills that was out there had that same date. Why does it have that date? It has that date because it takes that long to gear up in order to get a bill moving, whether the Democratic bill or the Republican bill. What is the urgency? I think the gentlewoman from Connecticut pointed this out, and that is within 6 months, low-income people are going to be getting a card that will help them. This morning when the President signed this bill, he said this bill is going to help those who need help the most. That is exactly what it does. That is exactly what it does. That is the way it ought to be. When one goes into a court of law, a court of equity, there is an expression, to seek equity, you must do equity. In other words, you have to go into court with clean hands. We have heard during this debate such terms as representing their constituents, neglecting the will of the people, and abuse of office. They have to come here with clean hands if they are to complain. Did not the minority leader threaten their Members? Why was it one of the Members on the other side of the aisle who was holding out for 3 hours was completely surrounded every single moment by Members of the Democratic Party because he had not yet voted? Why is it that after the time was finally called, four Democrat Members came down to the well of the House and changed their vote? If you want equity, you have to come with clean hands, and that was not done. We should have passed this bill last year, but the other body refused to take it up because it was under Democratic leadership. What is the urgency of this bill? If one is a senior, poor, or if you have huge drug expenses and you cannot afford to buy your drugs, by God to that person it is urgent. It is urgent. I would have stayed here 2 or 3 more days if the clock was to be left open, because that is exactly how I felt. I felt this was so important to those people who desperately need this coverage. I would guess we would have won way over the top within 15 minutes if the minority leader had simply told her Members, you are free on this vote, come here and represent the people, vote for the people, and the gentlewoman's very words, vote for those you represent. That is what we want. That is what we should have gotten; and if we had, we would have been out of here at 3:15, and that is the way it should have been. I praise the Speaker and those of our leadership who kept the clock open. I understand why those who tried to suppress the vote on their own side and failed are upset. And it did take 3 hours to enlighten some of the Members; but it is important that Democrats came back and changed their vote also.