Louise Slaughter

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart) for yielding me the customary 30 minutes. Mr. Speaker, an important part of our job is to encourage the purchase of U.S. goods and services by others in the international community, especially now when the economy is limping along and failing to replace the 1.1 million jobs lost since the Bush administration took office. Hopefully opening up foreign markets for American products will lead to the creation of good, high-paying jobs here in the United States. However, we must be mindful of the consequences of free trade agreements such as the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement. Last week this body considered the free trade agreement, FTA, between the United States and our ally Australia. Serious questions were raised about the impact patent protection language might have on the ability of the United States to reimport lower cost drugs from other countries and the impact on the Australian government's low-cost pharmaceutical drug program. According to the Wall Street Journal, urged by the drug industry, the U.S. Trade Representative is seeking to strengthen protections for costlier brand-name drugs, defending the U.S. companies from foreign competition of foreign producers of generic drugs. So far the USTR has successfully added this safeguard to the trade agreements with Jordan, Chile, Singapore, Australia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Morocco. The U.S.-Morocco agreement contains patent protection language which restricts Morocco for 5 years from approving generic-drug applications if the application is based on the data of the original manufacturer. What impact will this 5-year ban have when enforced? Will this interfere with a developing African nation's ability to get affordable, generic pharmaceuticals to fight public health crises like the HIV infection? In response to these serious concerns, the USTR points to a letter of understanding between the United States and Morocco. In the letter, both countries agree that the patent provisions ``do not affect the ability of either country to take necessary measures to protect public health by promoting access to medicine for all, and in particular concerning cases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other epidemics as well as circumstances of extreme urgency or national emergency.'' This mutual understanding is promising. However, it is not directly part of the free trade agreement or the implementing legislation. According to Robert Weissman of Essential Action, ``This statement of understanding expresses noble sentiments, but is unlikely to make much, if any, material difference in the implementation of the agreement.'' I hope Mr. Weissman is wrong. Approximately 16,000 Moroccans are infected with HIV, and the pandemic of HIV and AIDS is devastating the nations of Africa. Will Morocco be able to purchase or produce less expensive, generic anti- viral and other medications needed to fight HIV infection? Of the 40 million people with HIV or AIDS globally, less than 10 percent have access to drugs that have transformed many cases of HIV infection to a chronic illness, from a death sentence. In most of the developing world, drugs to fight HIV infection and AIDS are far too expensive for most. Any barrier to access to more affordable generic medicine denies essential health care to the poor. Women are nearly half of the 40 million infected with HIV, and the infection rate of women is climbing faster than the infection rate of men in many regions. Irene Khan, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, told last week's World AIDS Conference that ``gender inequality is driving new infections among women and girls like never before.'' Mr. Speaker, more free trade agreements are in the works. The U.S. Trade Representative has negotiated with six Central American countries and has just initiated negotiations with Thailand. The consequences of trade agreements go far beyond merely eliminating trade barriers, such as tariffs. These agreements enforce significant public policy decisions made not by Congress, but by the Trade Representative. Congress has a narrow role in trade agreements, so I urge my colleagues to carefully consider the language in this and all future agreements. Free trade must be fair trade. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), a valued member of the Committee on Ways and Means. (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. SLAUGHTER

Mr. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroes of the Niagara Falls Fire Department and the New York State Park Police. Last Sunday evening, these brave first responders rescued a woman on the verge of ending her own life at the edge of the vast Niagara Falls. Without hesitation, these men put their own lives in danger to save another. Niagara Falls is one of the greatest natural treasures on earth. One of the largest waterfalls in the world, Niagara Falls plunges a dramatic 180 feet, or 16 stories. It is a wondrous site that attracts millions of tourists every year. But with its immense beauty comes immense dangers. Over the years, police and fire personnel in Niagara Falls have performed daring rescues to save people who have gotten too close to the edge. On Sunday evening, a suicidal woman ventured out to a ledge just a few feet from the edge of the mighty falls. Responding first to the scene, New York State Park Police officers Scott Durham and Timothy Coulombe kept the woman calm until rescue personnel from the Niagara Falls Fire Department arrived. State Park Police Lieutenant Patrick Moriarty, Niagara Falls Fire Battalion Chief John Jacoby, and Niagara Falls firefighters Gary Carella and David Beahen all made their way out onto the ledge, just feet from the edge. Mr. Carella spoke to the woman with Mr. Beahen securing him from behind. As the woman suddenly began to slide towards the falls, Mr. Carella lunged to seize her, while Mr. Beahen lunged to catch him. They safely brought the woman to shore amid the cheers of dozens of onlookers who had gathered to watch this dramatic rescue. I want to thank these men, and the personnel from Engine 8, Engine 4, Truck 1 and Rescue 1 who assisted them, for their astounding courage. The rescue only reaffirms what we already know: that the first responders of Niagara County are some of the finest. We should all feel safer knowing that that these brave men and women do such a stellar job, around the clock. I applaud and admire their valor and altruism.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of my friend, Representative Kaptur's amendment, the Farmers' Market Promotion Program. This amendment would make grants to cooperatives, local governments, nonprofit corporations, and other groups that will increase the number of direct producer to consumer market opportunities. This bill is a win-win all around. Farmers will have more markets for their goods. Consumers will have access to fresh-picked produced. And cities, towns, and hamlets--any area fortunate enough to have such a market at its core--will benefit from the economic ripples that will flow through their communities. I have seen the boon these farmers' markets bring at first hand. For many years, the Rochester Public Market in my New York district has both benefited farmers in the adjacent counties while it has become a true gathering place for all our citizens. It's just the place to go-- and with good reason. Who doesn't thrill when the first local tomatoes appear, or delight in the smell of fresh basil while buying just-picked corn that will go to the dinner table the same day? And that's just from the consumer's point of view. For our Monroe County farmers, it represents a fast and dependable way to move their goods to market productively without the otherwise inevitable middlemen. In Buffalo, I have recently spearheaded a similar project on the East Side of the city, which is in dire need of economic stimulus such as this. In April, Congresswoman Kaptur came to the announcement of a major overhaul of the country's oldest public market, which is now in need of revitalization--the Broadway Market. She, along with New York State Agriculture Market officials, Buffalo and Erie County officials, and agriculture leaders helped brainstorm ways we can return the Market to its former glory. We want it to become the finest farmer's market in the state--and after such a fine start, I'm sure it will. The farmers of Erie, Orleans, and Niagara Counties will reap the financial harvest. This Farmer's Market Amendment would provide $6 million to help other communities initiate worthwhile projects like the Buffalo Market by providing the seed money necessary for them to blossom and grow. That is exactly what the Agriculture Appropriations bill should be doing across the country, and why I hope my colleagues will join me in a favorable vote.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding me the customary 30 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I was shocked to learn that House committee was sending mail into the committee members' districts. During yesterday's Committee on Rules hearing on the appropriations bill for the legislative branch, we learned that the Committee on Resources is sending mail to committee members' districts touting the individual Member's accomplishments on that committee. Mailed under the chairman's frank, these laudatory mail pieces are sent out as Committee on Resources reports. But listen to what they say: ``Members of Arizona's congressional delegation are making a difference for Arizonans every day through their work on the House Committee on Resources. Arizona is fortunate to have Congressmen Rick Renzi, J.D. Hayworth, Jeff Flake and Raul Grijalva on these important issues.'' It goes on to read, ``Committee members Renzi, Hayworth and Flake supported the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, which provides resource managers with the tools they need to combat the dangers of overstocked forests.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have four of these committee mailings submitted for the Record.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding me the customary 30 minutes. Mr. Speaker, historically, manufacturing has been a major generator of good, high-skilled, well-paid jobs and remains a staple of local and State economies throughout the Nation. But manufacturing jobs are disappearing. From January 2001 to January 2004, the United States lost 2.5 million manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing's decline and the shipping of manufacturing jobs to other countries threaten the livelihood of millions of America's working families. In western New York, I have seen firsthand the devastation that occurs when communities lose their manufacturing base. Across my district, from Rochester to Buffalo, tens of thousands of high-paying manufacturing jobs have vanished and are vanishing in just the last few years, as companies have been driven out of business by cheaper foreign imports or have outsourced jobs abroad for cheaper labor. Buildings once home to booming businesses and factories now stand abandoned. In western New York and across the country, people are outraged; and they want their Congress to do something. One small way the Federal Government can help is through the Manufacturing Extension Program. MEPs around the Nation work with small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses to utilize technology so that the companies improve and grow. Experts help train manufacturing employees, adopt better business practices, and take advantage of new technology. For every Federal dollar spent on MEPs, the client manufacturing companies have benefited more than $8. That is, every $1 benefits by $8. In New York State, over 1,000 manufacturers have benefited from MEPs. In western New York alone, almost 6,000 small manufacturers have been helped. Just recently, High Tech Rochester, an MEP provider, joined forces with the New York State Research and Development Authority, the Greater Rochester Enterprise, and the Rochester Institute of Technology in a collaborative effort focused on identifying, incubating, and creating renewable energy companies in western New York. These public-private partnerships are the key to revitalizing our economy and creating good manufacturing jobs. Inexplicably, the Bush administration wanted to end the MEP program last year. As the economy hemorrhaged jobs, the administration proposed to slash this program that works by 60 percent for fiscal year 2004, threatening as many as 40 MEP centers across the country. I was proud to join my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn), to protest these ruinous cuts. Reauthorizing the MEP program is one thing that we can do, but we should be doing more. Congress could require the Secretary of Commerce to develop a revitalization program for the electronic component sector. Such a plan would evaluate the potential impact on the domestic electronic component sector if all America's new weapons and security equipment purchased by the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security contain domestically manufactured electronic components like computer chips. This could bring new life into this manufacturing sector, resulting in good, new jobs for hard-working Americans. I offered an amendment in the Committee on Rules to require the Commerce Secretary to develop a revitalization plan, but the Committee on Rules refused to allow it. I also offered an amendment expressing the sense of the Congress that the Federal Government can be a partner not only in research and development of new products, but also revitalization of key sectors of domestic manufacturing. The Federal Government can take proactive steps to help revive the domestic electronics component sector by adopting Federal procurement policies that promote or require the use of domestic-made goods. The Committee on Rules also refused to make this amendment in order. The changes in our Federal procurement policies could reignite the lagging high-tech sector. Why in the world do we not want to do that? Why are we stopping here with very little, albeit important measures? The ripple effect of such policies would be enormous and would help domestic manufacturers to compete with foreign manufacturers in private sector activities. Such an initiative could create jobs in the manufacturing sector. Mr. Speaker, it is a truth that for most workers in America who have lost good-paying jobs, the second job not only pays less salary, but fewer or no benefits. Consequently, the standard of living is falling in the United States. It is high time that the Congress began to debate that and have a better understanding of what we, the Congress, can do. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon).

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

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.