David Scott

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution just considered.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia

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

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I could not be more eloquent than my good friend from Massachusetts, Mr. McGovern, our distinguished co-Chair of the Congressional Hunger Caucus, because he spoke so well. But one salient fact that shows the significance of the Food and Nutrition Services and the work of our United States Agriculture Department in this area is the fact that when we look at child nutrition, and specifically our School Lunch Program, it has been documented in all too many cases that all too often that meal, that one meal from our School Lunch Program is the most nutrient meal that all too many of our young people receive each day. That shows the value of what the Food and Nutrition Service is doing. We certainly commend the resolution, commend the work of Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts, and our United States Agriculture Department.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, now it is with great pleasure that I'd like to yield 6 minutes to the cochairman of the Congressional Hunger Caucus and an outstanding leader in this Congress, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to pay tribute to the outstanding and important work of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service on the occasion of its 40th anniversary by supporting H. Con. Res. 164. Mr. Speaker, since 1969, FNS has fulfilled its mission by providing children and needy families with better access to food and a more healthful diet through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition education efforts. In this time of great economic recession, the employees of FNS have demonstrated their extraordinary commitment to public service by ably serving a record number of Americans in need through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In recent months, nearly 35 million people have found it necessary to make use of this safety net program. In addition, FNS serves specific sectors of our population by providing school meals; funding and commodities for food banks and soup kitchens; and specialized programs for Native Americans, the elderly, infant and children, and pregnant women. For their exemplary efforts on behalf of Americans in need, I congratulate the employees of the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Agriculture Department and encourage the speedy passage of H. Con. Res. 164. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 164) recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Food and Nutrition Service of the Department of Agriculture.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution just considered.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, as has been mentioned by each of our speakers, we certainly applaud the Hunters for the Hungry program for the great job that they're doing, but this should serve as also a wake-up call and a challenge to more Americans, more organizations where, as the gentleman from Massachusetts pointed out with his statistics, there's so much more that we must do to reach that goal, that we have no American, no American child, no one in this country going to bed hungry at night for we are the wealthiest country in the world. And so the Hunters for the Hungry program and H. Res. 270 presents not only an opportunity to celebrate the Hunters for the Hungry program but to accept the challenge for us to do more to make sure no American goes to bed hungry. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I also would like to take a moment to extend my commendations to my distinguished friend from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) for this very worthy, worthy resolution. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize for 2 minutes my distinguished friend and colleague from the great State of Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) who has a sterling reputation for working to make sure that no American goes to bed hungry in our country.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I come before the House today to encourage the passage of House Resolution 270, which recognizes the establishment of Hunters for the Hungry programs across the United States and recognizing the contributions these programs make to decrease hunger and help feed those in need. Hunters for the Hungry is a unique and innovative program that addresses hunger in communities nationwide. All across this country, hunters can donate their game and their fowl to Hunters for the Hungry, which processes the meat and provides it to food banks and other feeding programs. This cooperative effort between hunters, processors, and the hunger community is an innovative example of how groups can work together toward a single, worthy goal: working to make sure that no American goes hungry. When the House Agriculture Committee considered this resolution in the 110th Congress, it received unanimous support; and I strongly encourage the passage of this resolution. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 270) recognizing the establishment of Hunters for the Hungry programs across the United States and the contributions of those programs efforts to decrease hunger and help feed those in need.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, as we close out on this bill, I just cannot think of more appropriate words at this time than those words that were said by one of our great Founders. It might be very appropriate now as we look at the crisis facing the dairy industry. That Founder was Alexander Hamilton, Mr. Speaker. And Alexander Hamilton said these words: that the greatness of our Nation and the Federal Government of our Nation shines at its brightest at our moment of crisis. Well, this is a crisis, Mr. Speaker. It is a very special, unique crisis that is facing a very special and beloved industry--ice cream, milk, our cheeses, our butters--our dairy farmers. All across this country from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific Ocean, from Texas to Vermont and Connecticut, there is no industry that represents the grandeur and the greatness of America as our dairy industry. And it is time for this Federal Government to do precisely what Alexander Hamilton spoke of when he said, At the time of crisis is when our Nation shines at its most brilliant. Let this Nation, let this Federal Government shine on the dairy industry now. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Connecticut just spoke. He has been putting in a tremendous amount of energy in coming before our committee and in giving us expert testimony as he did last week. I just want to commend you, Mr. Courtney, on what you are doing. Your constituents are certainly prouder than ever. I join with you in making sure that we adequately respond to the pressing needs. Now, Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to another distinguished gentleman, the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch) as much time as he may consume. He is one of my colleagues who also came before our committee and who has been putting in tireless hours on this great, great crisis in our dairy industry that we are facing.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I now yield as much time as he may need to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is timely that the House considers this resolution, this very important resolution, in support of the goals of National Dairy Month today because our Nation's dairy farmers are providing healthy, nutritious milk and dairy products to millions of American families, even as the families of dairy farmers are facing very tough economic times, very challenging times, Mr. Speaker. The U.S. dairy industry is an important contributor to our Nation's agriculture economy. The United States leads the world in cows' milk production, accounting for more than $284 million in farm receipts in 2007. Dairy farmers across the country are producing the milk and dairy products that we give to our children and to our grandchildren, knowing that they are getting the nutrients that they need for strong bones and for growing bodies. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, our Nation's dairy farmers are feeling the severe pain of very difficult and trying economic times that they're experiencing right now. We are committed to doing everything we possibly can to help our dairy farmers through this very challenging time as quickly as we can. Dairy prices remain at historically low levels, and many farmers cannot even get the credit that they need to stay in business. We must help our dairy farmers. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry and food security, I have scheduled the second in a series of three hearings this week to take a very thorough look at the difficult economic conditions facing the dairy industry and to look at the options that we have to help our Nation's dairy farmers. Help them we must, and help them we will to weather these financial difficulties until the economy can recover. We must get our dairy farmers back on their feet where they rightfully belong. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this resolution that will, in some small way, give due recognition to the hard work and to the sacrifices of our Nation's dairy farmers. It will also highlight the importance of dairy products and healthy and balanced diets for the American people and for the people of the world. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 507) supporting the goals of National Dairy Month, as amended.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. I thank you, and with that I will certainly support the bill and urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, let me thank Chairman Waxman for the excellent job he has done in providing leadership and for expanding the renewable energy standard to reflect the interests of my constituents in Georgia, and certainly the Energy Star home labeling program. As you know, Mr. Chairman, there is one issue that I have discussed with you that I am very concerned about that we are working our way through, and I would like to enter into a colloquy with you. I am concerned about the jurisdiction of derivatives. I serve on the Agriculture Committee and the Financial Services Committee. We feel very strongly that any language in this dealing with the regulation of derivatives certainly should be handled by the Financial Services and Agriculture Committees, and you and I have discussed that, and I would like to know how that is done, particularly in view of the fact that 95 percent of the 500 largest global corporations use derivatives for risk management. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. I thank Chairman Skelton for giving me this opportunity to speak on behalf of this very important and timely bill. I also want to commend President Obama and Speaker Pelosi for the leadership they have provided. This is my 8th year in Congress, and for each of these 8 years I have worked hard on this bill of concurrent receipts. I can't think of a more important bill that we could offer at this time as we approach the Fourth of July when this Nation celebrates its independence and freedom. At the forefront of that, the reason we are able to celebrate this independence and freedom is because of the soldiers and our veterans. And we have long felt that it is not fair nor right if our soldiers are injured and disabled, and if they have to leave service, why should they have to choose between a retirement pay and disability. What we are saying with this measure is the right thing to do, is to make sure our soldiers have both. I urge a unanimous vote for this. Every Member of this Chamber should vote ``yes'' on this important bill.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Thank you very much, Chairman Berman, and to Mr. Pence, for this very timely resolution. This is a time of great thought and deliberation and concern of what the United States must do and say. Our words have got to be carefully calculated to make sure that they are seen as not meddling, as not trying to tell the Iranian people what to do, because, quite honestly, Mr. Speaker, the Iranian people have already spoken. They have decided, and I believe that is our responsibility, if we hold true to the principles of our Founding Fathers. As I was coming over on the floor, I was thinking what I could say, and the words of one of our great founders and patriots beams very deep in my heart as I think and I watch the news reports of what is happening in the streets of Tehran, when that great patriot said, Give me liberty or give me death. That is why the United States of America cannot be silent. It is our foundation. I was reminded of the words of Thomas Jefferson when he wrote that, All men are created equal, and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, and among those life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That is what we stand for. So it is important that we put this resolution forward, and it is important that the world understand that America is indeed that shining light of liberty and of freedom that Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson spoke so eloquently about. We are proud to support the Iranian people, and we condemn the violence.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. This is really the most critical, the most important piece of legislation facing us right now. The situation in Pakistan is very tenuous; it is very critical. We have before us a very significant piece of legislation that has been expertly crafted. Yes, trade is a part of it because trade is important at this time to make sure that we are able to help sustain the economy of Pakistan at this very critical time. Pakistan is in a fragile situation. Military aid is in here, yes, because Pakistan needs this. But we have the safeguards here because, let me just say, the other side mentioned something a little while back about the Department of Defense and their role. Let us go back for an example in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, we do not want another repeat of the very significant problem that the Department of Defense had in Afghanistan with losing-- yes, losing--significant military equipment to the Taliban. The U.S. taxpayers deserve better, and in this bill we are giving them better. We are giving the oversight. In essence, we are making sure that aid that we give to Pakistan is properly used, that oversight is in place, that benchmarks are in place. We're making sure that any entity that is being used, whether it's military or certainly their nuclear weapons, do not fall into terrorists' hands or into other hands. We've made sure, under the leadership of Ms. Lee, who's on this committee, with the chairman's manager's amendment, that we have safeguards in here to make sure that none of these funds are used to even expand their nuclear capacity. This is an extraordinary bill at an extraordinary time. It is heavily bipartisan, and I commend the chairman on an excellent piece of legislation.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Chair, first of all, I would like to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) for his long service in this area of bringing attention to bringing equality to the cultures of Central America, South America, and Latin America. He is to be indeed commended. Madam Chair, the United States and Brazil are strong partners with a common history and ancestry that, unfortunately, includes experiences of slavery, racism, and discrimination against citizens of African heritage. Still, the United States and Brazil, under the joint action plan, are working to learn from each other's experiences in order to combat racism, promote equality, and increase cooperation in a multitude of fields including education, culture, health, and sports. Madam Chair, because combating racism and discrimination requires constant vigilance, I support the gentleman from New York's amendment, which will provide Congress with better information moving towards that end.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding. Mr. Chairman, we strongly support the gentleman's amendment that would require the Secretary of State to make recommendations to Congress on the kinds of change needed to The Hague Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction and, where applicable, to United States law. Mr. Chairman, the purpose of The Hague Convention is to ensure that in situations where a child was wrongfully removed from his or her country or habitual residence by one parent against the will of another parent, the aggrieved parent has an internationally recognized means of recovering his or her abducted child. Unfortunately, many American families have come face to face with the very real limitations of the current The Hague Convention and their efforts to recover parentally kidnapped children taken to other countries. Such was the high profile case involving Mr. David Goldman of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, whose son Sean was kidnapped by Mr. Goldman's wife in 2004. This case has largely languished in Brazil's court since that time, despite the fact that Brazil is a partner with the United States in the Convention's enforcement. The legal process has only moved during periods of intense media attention and diplomatic activity on Mr. Goldman's behalf. Changes to U.S. law and the Convention appear to be warranted to ensure that children can be quickly returned to their left-behind parents and their homes. This report will help us identify legal changes Congress can consider on behalf of the over 1,000 American children who are currently living in other countries as a result of a parental abduction. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is an important step in addressing a problem that will likely get worse in coming years in light of the growing number of transnational births and marriages. We must continue to use the legal tools at our disposal to prevent or resolve these childhood abduction cases. I support the gentleman from New Jersey's amendment.

Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Chair, in closing, I would just like to again urge defeat of this amendment, with all due respect. And I might add, I was on Voice of America yesterday morning. They are fine people. They do a fine service, and this is a great acclamation for them as well. We respectfully speak in opposition to the gentlelady's amendment.