David Scott

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First of all, let me say that this is very much bipartisan legislation in that it has been sponsored by both Democrats and Republicans. I am very, very pleased to have as an original cosponsor on this and to have worked very closely with Mr. Luetkemeyer, who has done an admirable job in providing leadership on a much, much needed piece of legislation, which is H.R. 4367. As I said, I am proud to be an integral part of moving forward a very timely, reasonable, and vital piece of legislation. Let me just say at the outset, Mr. Speaker, that our banking system, our retail system, our credit unions all sit at the center--at the epicenter--of this Nation's great economic system, which is facing tremendous challenges. As Mr. Luetkemeyer said, we are faced with people who are basically scam artists, those who will go in and remove the labeling off the ATM machines, knowing that the penalty is upwards of one half a million dollars, and then will try to bring class action lawsuits against these financial institutions in very tough economic times. So this legislation has been developed to address this and to fix this so that our banking industry and our financial services industry will not have this threat over them. What it would do is repeal the requirement for both a physical placard as well as an electronic notice disclosing the transaction fees on the ATM screens. Currently, as it works now, if an ATM machine does not display a physical placard, a financial institution--a bank, a credit union or our retailers--can be subject to a class action lawsuit, which would potentially amount to, as I said, one half a million dollars, or 1 percent of its net worth. This penalty has the potential of prompting bogus lawsuits against financial institutions simply due to a lack of the physical placard, even when the electronic notice is shown to a customer, perhaps because the placard was removed by a third party. So you can see that this is not fair for these institutions to be faced with up to a half million dollars in penalty fees, especially in these tough economic times. At the same time, many of these institutions continue to struggle to maintain standard operations while being faced with our current economic climate. Mr. Speaker, let me just talk about that for a moment because there have been 31 bank failures in this country this year alone. About 3 weeks ago, three banks shut their doors, including the Security Exchange Bank in Marietta, Cobb County, Georgia, which is located in my district. As a matter of fact, in Georgia alone, 78 banks have closed their doors since our crisis began. Georgia leads the Nation, unfortunately, in bank closures. That's why I am so particularly concerned about it and so pleased to have this measure pass, because this sensible legislation that we consider today would remove the threat of legal action against financial institutions--a bank or a credit union--simply for the lack of the physical placard at one of its ATM machines. Passage of this bill, as Mr. Luetkemeyer pointed out, will still provide the consumer with the protections that they need because a notice informing them of any fees will still be required upon the start of a transaction on the ATM screen. In addition, consumers will still be able to benefit from the convenience that the estimated 445,000 ATMs in operation in this country provide. I'm very proud to have worked on this bill. It's very timely. It's very important for our economy that we move with this bill. The bill certainly deserves the strong bipartisan support that we have, and it's been a pleasure to work with Mr. Luetkemeyer on it. I urge my colleagues to support this measure today. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, in closing I certainly would just like to say how important this legislation is. As the chairman of our Financial Services Committee, Chairman Bachus, just stated, these are sophisticated individuals. These are people who know the system. That's why I refer to them as scam artists. This is a racket, and it's a racket that we need to put out of business that's causing tremendous headaches, tremendous difficulties for the heart of our fine economic system, which is our banking system, our commercial system. This will go a long way in helping to take away a very superfluous but serious enough threat. The other thing about this that's very fine is we hear a great cry among the American people for great bipartisanship. Here's a great example of Democrats and Republicans working together for the good of the United States of America. Thank you very much for working with me on this, and I appreciate having an opportunity to work with you. And since I have no other speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Lucile Johnson on her remarkable 100th birthday, June 19, 2012. Lucile has lived in Atlanta for all 100 years of her wonderful life--she was blessed with 65 years of marriage to her late husband Earl Johnson, and she is the proud and loving mother of 6 children, grandmother of 15, great grandmother of 20, and last but certainly not least: great great grandmother of 1. Lucile has been a driven and caring person her entire life and worked diligently at the Biltmore Hotel in Atlanta for many years to provide for her family. As a passionate member of her community, Lucile graciously chose to volunteer with her church missionary group in feeding the homeless of Atlanta for decades. Lucile is the matriarch of her ever-growing family and has helped to raise many of her grand children and great grandchildren. The comfort and advice she provides to her family is truly treasured and matchless. Mr. Speaker, Lucile Johnson is an outstanding member of the community in my District and has served as an exceptional role model for her family and many others. I am delighted to join her family, friends and many admirers in wishing her a very happy 100th birthday and continued good health and happiness for years to come.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Tomorrow is June 1, and it marks the very start of the hurricane season in the United States. First, I want to take a moment to thank our first responders--those police officers, those firefighters, those EMS personnel, and all of our emergency personnel--who risk their lives to save Americans' lives. I also want to stand and thank and recognize another group of first responders, those who are our brave and talented--and at many times courageous--local broadcasters of television and radio and the journalists, many of whom are the first right after the first responders, sometimes before the first responders, bringing to the American people vital, life-saving information. So it is very important that as we begin this hurricane season that we take a moment and say a word for our local broadcasters of television and radio. I know firsthand how important this is, for I represent a district in Georgia that had a devastating, history-making flood and storm situation in 2009. I represent Cobb County and Douglas County, which were two of the hardest-hit counties, along with Fulton County. We lost 10 lives. Seven of those lives that we lost were from one county alone, in Douglas County. Many of you might have seen the devastation at the Six Flags Over Georgia, which is an amusement park. It was completely under water. We lost over 500 businesses and homes in that area. Most importantly, we would have lost so much more if we had not had the timely, vital, life-saving information from our local radio and television broadcasters. A broadcaster's commitment to public service is never more apparent than during a time of crisis. During an emergency, no other service can match the ability of broadcasters to deliver the comprehensive, up-to- date warnings and information affected by citizens. Just think, we have senior citizens, many of whom live alone, and their only contact with the outside world is that radio or that television letting them know what is coming and how to prepare for it. Television broadcasters reach millions of households across the country every day, and radio reaches more than 241 million Americans each week. Yet, if we are to improve disaster preparedness in our Nation, we have got to make sure that local stations of television and radio have the necessary tools to continue to communicate with people and to communicate with each other in these times of crisis. So as the 2012 hurricane season gets under way and as local communities continue to face erratic weather conditions, I know that every American feels safer in knowing that their local broadcasters are dedicated and committed to saving lives by providing critical news and information to our local communities. It is so important that we always remember that we must prepare for the storms before--before--the hurricanes are raging, and we thank our local broadcasters for helping us to prepare for the storms before the hurricanes are raging.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, again, it is certainly a pleasure always to work with the gentlewoman from Illinois on this issue. We brought this issue up awhile back, and we were very successful in getting a 5-year extension, the way this should be dealt with. The Senate, unfortunately, chose not to immediately pursue that, so we came back 2 weeks ago and asked for a 30-day extension, to our good graces and the good grace of the Senate. They doubled that and came back with a 60-day extension, but yet we still need the 5-year extension, so we hope that this is a sign of us moving in the right direction. We are very pleased that the Senate is moving with the House in the right direction on this very important plan, and this is an important plan. We are now just 2 days from the start of the hurricane season and, as a matter of fact, as I was here before 2 weeks ago, I said we needed to make sure we prepared for the storm before the hurricane is raging and that we were just a couple of weeks away from the start of the hurricane season. But we had an early arrival. We had Beryl come in. So you see how pressing and how urgent this is. This piece of legislation is perhaps the most important piece of legislation that we can pass right now of major benefit for the American people. They will be able to go to sleep tonight to know that at least for the next 2 months this National Flood Insurance Program will be in place. And this will be a great sigh of relief, but that still leaves the heavy lifting to do. We have got the 5-year program and we have got to do that. I do want to say thank you and my hat is off to Senator Reid and Senator Coburn, who came to an agreement. I think it's a good agreement. It's an agreement that we certainly accept here, too. And what we understand happened in the Senate was that the Senate amendment, which was offered in the Senate Banking Committee by Senator Tim Johnson, was to make sure that those homes that are second homes or vacation homes would not receive subsidized rates, and we think that's fair. That's a part of what's in our 5-year plan as well, so that is very much appreciated there. As we look forward now, all we have to do now is pass this out now and move forward in good faith with the Senate to let's move with dispatch and get the 5-year plan. Now, the reason we need the 5-year plan is because of the continuity, of the dependability, so that people will know well in advance exactly that we have this program in place. If I may, and with just my short time here, in case some of the people do not know why this 5-year plan is so important, I do want to state exactly what it does. First of all, it does, in fact, extend the flood insurance program for 5 years. It will also delay, for 5 years, the mandatory purchase requirement resulting from new flood maps. The bill certainly requires annual notification to homeowners who are living in flood zones about the risks to their community. As I noted last week, a couple of weeks ago, many people move into areas, and they don't even know that they are in a flood zone, so it's very important that we will notify people. Our bill, this 5-year program, lets people know every single year because you have people moving in, you have people moving out. Every year there will be a notification as to whether or not they are in a flood zone. The other important part about this is we have noticed, particularly in my own home State of Georgia where we had such a devastating flood in the year 2009, it was the worst flood we had there since we started taking records of that. As I mentioned, we lost lives. Seven individuals lost their lives in one county in my district. The application of flood maps all across this country, in every corner of this country, our flood maps are outdated. Well, this bill will make sure that they are dated--so that many of our constituency who are at the risk of flood damage are at that risk without any knowledge--by making the flood maps current, by making sure that information is imparted to individuals who move in and out of communities every year that they are in a flood zone. Most importantly, most importantly in these tough economic times, under our 5-year plan, individuals will be able to purchase their flood insurance in installments instead of one lump sum. This has caused many people not to be able to be have the flood insurance, because prior to this bill, this 5-year plan, as of right now, to get flood insurance, you have to do it as a lump sum. That's why this 5-year plan is important, and it's important for the Senate to move so that we can get this done right away. But this is good news for the American people. We do have 2 months, as the hurricane season starts, and I think we have a good agreement here and good energy to move forward, the House and the Senate together, and put the 5-year plan in place. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. I only have myself to close.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Again, let me thank the gentlelady from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) for her outstanding leadership on this. It's been a joy to work with her. The American people are certainly appreciative of her efforts in leading this fight. I also want to thank Ms. Maxine Waters, who is our subcommittee ranking member; and I also want to extend congratulations to Senator Harry Reid and Senator Tom Coburn. I also want to just say a word for the bipartisan relationships that have developed on this bill. This is how we move bills forward. This is how we've got to move the country forward, and this is what the American people are looking to us to do. This is not a Democratic or a Republican Congress. It is a Congress of the American people. And the progress of this flood insurance bill is indicative of that fact. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Will the gentlelady yield?

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. I misspoke when I referred to Ms. Waters as the ranking member of the Housing Subcommittee. That honor goes to the Congressman from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez). So I just wanted to correct that. Ms. Waters was the former chairman of the Housing Subcommittee. All of us worked together in such a way, but I did want to correct that as Mr. Gutierrez as the ranking member

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The National Flood Insurance Program plays a very, very key role in our Nation's efforts to prevent and recover from flood disasters. Floods are now the number one natural disaster in the United States in terms of lives lost and property damaged. Now, here is exactly what the National Flood Insurance Program does: First, it identifies areas of flood risk; secondly, it encourages communities to implement measures to mitigate against the risk of flood loss; thirdly, it provides financial assistance to help individuals recover more rapidly from flooding disasters, and it lessens the financial impact of flood disasters on individuals, on businesses, and all levels of government. In recent years, a series of short-term reauthorizations and temporary suspensions of the NFIP have eroded confidence in the program among our stakeholders--including State government, tribal governments, local communities, individual policyholders, mortgage lenders, and the private insurance industry. In addition to disrupting the program's day-to-day operations, short-term reauthorizations and temporary suspensions--like what we're doing here in 30 days--creates significant uncertainty regarding the Federal Government's long-term commitment to underwriting and indemnifying flood losses. So in the absence of such a commitment, our stakeholders are less likely to make the necessary investments that are needed to successfully sustain, strengthen, and grow the program, thereby undermining the program's effectiveness and efficiency over time. As my colleague, Mrs. Biggert, mentioned earlier, Congress last passed a bill to extend the National Flood Insurance Program authorization on December 23, 2011--5 months ago--as a part of the full-year omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2012. Even prior to this action, we in the House took decisive action to extend the flood insurance program the way it should be by approving a 5-year flood insurance reform reauthorization bill last July that passed this House on a strongly bipartisan Republican and Democratic vote of 406 22. Unfortunately, the National Flood Insurance Program is set now to expire May 31, just over 2 weeks from today, and guess what? June 1 also happens to mark the official start of the hurricane season in this country. This lets you know how we have got to put pressure on the Senate to act responsibly. Here we are attempting to pass a 30-day extension just 2 weeks before the devastating hurricane season starts. Urgency is necessary here. This is why reauthorizing of the National Flood Insurance Program before it expires is essential to our Nation's efforts to prevent and recover from flood disasters. So I'm pleased that the bill that we have before us does extend the program for 30 days, but it is not a perfect bill, as I said. I believe that many in this Chamber--just about everybody in the House of Representatives--would prefer to see the Senate take up and pass our bill for the 5-year extension, H.R. 1309. Short of that, I believe that many on our side would prefer to take up a flood extension bill that will provide a clean extension. In addition, there is the possibility--count it, with 2 weeks to go, who knows--the Senate simply may not agree to an extension that only runs 30 days and includes authorization provisions. We just learned last evening that the junior Senator from Oklahoma, Senator Tom Coburn, objected to the majority leader's request to take up and approve a clean, short-term extension bill that would extend the program until December 31, 2012. So here we are, 2 weeks before the hurricane season starts, and the flood program runs out, and still no action from the Senate. I think it is also important to note that while this body repeatedly has voiced concern with spending, particularly with spending that is not offset with cuts, the Congressional Budget Office has indicated this bill will cost $2 million over 5 years, an amount that is not offset in this bill. Despite some of these shortcomings, I believe it is of utmost importance that we avoid any lapse in the program. Any lapse, regardless of the duration, would cause significant dislocation in our very fragile housing market for borrowers unable to complete mortgage closings, for insurance agents that sell national flood insurance policies as a part of their business, and for insurance companies that may be forced to reevaluate their voluntary participation, our National Flood Insurance Program's own Write Your Own program. All are very vital. Finally, we have a broad coalition of stakeholders who support the bill, who support the 5-year extension, including industry insurance trade groups, floodplain managers, the Realtors who are holding their annual conference in Washington, D.C., this week, many other groups. In addition, FEMA's Administrator, Mr. Craig Fugate, recently sent a letter to Congress urging approval of the extension. So here we are, we've got to pass this 30-day extension. In conclusion, I just want to add that, thanks to Mrs. Biggert and to Ms. Waters, we were able to do something that was vitally needed. As many of you know, my State of Georgia was devastated with floods; and one of the things that did come out of this is, during the hardship times, very difficult for individuals to pay for the flood insurance in a lump sum. As we have made part of our extension effort, they can now pay in quarterly installments, and that's a great thing. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. I yield myself such time as I may consume to respond very briefly. There is a great urgency here. There is a very serious cry coming from the American people. That cry is saying, Help us, and the kind of help we need is to prepare for the storm before the hurricane is raging. We live in storm alley. Now, I can tell you from firsthand experience that I represent a district in the State of Georgia where in 2010, I believe it was, we had the worst flood in over 500 years. I represent the Chattahoochee River, which overflowed. I represent one county in which we had 10 people who lost their lives, and seven of those people were from one county in my district, in Douglas County. Cobb County had losses. We got on, I guess we call it, Air Force Two with Vice President Biden, and we flew down with FEMA and Homeland Security, and we toured that place. I'm sure you all saw on CNN and Fox and MSNBC-- and on all the news stations--where Six Flags Over Georgia, the amusement park, was totally under water. So I can speak for my community and my area as those of us in the House have spoken--over 400 strong. Why in the world the United States Senate is sitting on the reauthorization is a mystery amidst the cry coming from the American people. Now our season is on us. Hurricane season starts in 2 weeks. Let me just tell you that I've heard from one of the individuals on the other side, and I wanted to respond to some of those concerns as to why this bill is so important. Our reauthorization bill would require annual notifications to homeowners who are living in flood zones about the risks in their communities. Many people move into these areas, and they don't even know they're in flood zones. What we've got in this bill is that they will be notified every year. They need that information so they can make the adjustments. I mentioned the affordable insurance coverage. I need not mention the flood maps, themselves, many of which all throughout this country are outdated, that leave many of your constituents and my constituents--I hope the Senate is hearing because they're their constituents as well--at risk for flood damage without even their knowledge. Let's hope that this message gets across to the Senate that we need action. The American people are crying for help, and we need to give it to them immediately. We've got 2 weeks to do it, and we dare not let this hurricane season come upon us with the National Flood Insurance Program's having expired. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. I would inquire if the lady from Illinois has any more speakers.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I will close with my remarks. I'm hoping that perhaps Members of the Senate may be watching C SPAN and watching us in the House. If not, I just simply urge their constituents to give them a call and ask them to move. It would be great to move on H.R. 1309. Because even if you do this temporary one, it's 30 days and we're right back here in another 4 weeks at the time that hurricanes are raging. We are really playing with fire here, and we're not doing the American people justice, and we're not doing right here. As the gentleman from Louisiana just mentioned, vivid in our minds has got to be Katrina. We can talk about Andrew in Florida or you can talk about Hazel up in New York. Our whole country is coastline, and flooding is the worst natural disaster in our country in terms of loss of life, in terms of property. Folks need this financial assistance from this flood insurance program. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to move and do the right thing. I urge the American people to contact their Senators and let them know we do not need to be standing naked in the face of fierce hurricanes without help and without support simply because the United States Senate failed to act in the best interest of the American people. With that, I yield back the balance of my time. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I unintentionally voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 253 when I intended to vote ``no'' on the motion to consider H. Res. 656, providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 4970, to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. I reiterate my strong support for the protection of women from acts of violence and my opposition to the reauthorization as currently written and brought forth.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on January 14th, 2012, Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou successfully won reelection and will be inaugurated for a second term on Sunday, May 20th. The day will be one of a celebration of democracy, however, like every day in Taiwan, it is one clouded by the ever-present, potential danger lurking a mere 100 miles to its west. The People's Republic of China and its more than 1,400 missiles will continue to target Taiwan. While Taipei and Beijing have made strides in terms of trade, investment, travel and tourism, as well as political strides via the repatriation of fugitives; the government of mainland China still espouses its belief in a right to take Taiwan by force. History is riddled with such fateful attempts in this conflict such as Mao Zedong's bombings of Taipei-administered islands Kinmen and Matsu in the 1950s. In contrast to Taiwan's culture of democracy, mainland China's political culture is a closed one. The leadership and its central planners listen to few, the least of which include its own people. There is little nuance, dialogue or meaningful negotiation unless backed by the threat of brute force. The government of the People's Republic of China extends its intimidation tactics beyond its borders and against its regional neighbors, nations like Vietnam, the Philippines and others who lay at least some seafaring claim to the waters of the South China Sea. We cannot let stand such intimidation and let Taiwan suffer the same fate. It is in our national strategic interest and in that of Taiwan's for us to continue our providing our steadfast support and in supplying Taiwan with defensive capabilities as under our obligations in the Taiwan Relations Act. Being sufficiently armed and defensively capable is sadly the only way that Taipei can interact with Beijing on what can at least pass for a perceived position of strength. The United States of America and the American people must continue to have the guts and vision to step forth and provide our democratic friend and ally access to the tools it needs to defend itself and free way of life. Yet, while we must acknowledge the real concerns, the ever-looming storm on the horizon in this conflict, we must also take note of the successes of democracy. Taiwan continues to hold free and fair elections and we will do our part in supporting such continued success. So, on this day, please join me in congratulating President Ma on his inauguration. But even in celebration, we will not fall complacent; we will continue to urge our government to continue providing our support of Taiwan and our commitment in providing access to the defensive tools it needs to safeguard its democracy.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the month of March as National Social Workers Month. Social workers serve a critical role in our society, one that is deserving of our attention, respect and commendation. Upon becoming a social worker, one embraces a very simple but essential mission: to enhance the well-being of others and to help meet the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable. In working towards that goal, social workers work in adolescent and youth development; aging and family care giving; child protection and family services; health care navigation; mental and behavioral health treatment and military and veterans assistance. Social workers are key to holding our social safety net together. They work to prevent the vulnerable in our country from falling through the cracks. The Social Work Department at the Clayton County Public School System is a shining example of the importance of social workers. The department works to foster student performance, school completion and success in the workplace by assisting students in attaining the maximum benefits from their education. These excellent social workers collaborate with families and communities to remove barriers that interfere with student performance. Please join me today in thanking the Clayton County Public School social workers, and social workers nationwide for their hard work and dedication. I have great expectations that they will continue to serve us with the same excellence that they have always displayed.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, to ensure our nation's competitiveness in the global arena and spur business development and expansion, it is clearly in our nation's interest to ensure robust federal funding for global health research. We are an innovation economy, and the basic research that federal funding makes possible sews the seeds for the later stage and private sector discoveries that attract philanthropic and venture capital dollars. And global health research is a priority for the American people. According to a May 2011 poll commissioned by Research!America, 74% of Georgians say that global health research is important to the economy. As we consider federal funding for medical research, it is important to keep in mind that investment in global health research brings a rich return to the United States. Throughout the United States, investment in global health leads to industry. In my home state of Georgia, successful start-ups like Geovax are breaking new ground in global HIV/AIDS research. Funding from the National Institutes of Health helped Geovax get off the ground, and now it is an employer that contributes to Georgia's economy and to improving global health. With global health powerhouses including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Task Force for Global Health, The Carter Center, and CARE all based in Georgia, along with the world class scientists within our university system, Georgia is positioned to become a world leader for global health. In this age of globalization, when intercontinental travel is a daily occurrence for thousands of people worldwide, treating communicable diseases in other countries is a must for preventing their widespread occurrence here in the United States. We have witnessed several times this past decade how easily diseases travel, as evidenced by the quick spread of SARS, avian flu and pandemic H1N1 flu from other countries to the western world. The spread of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is also of great concern, as infected individuals can be asymptomatic for years and still transmit the disease. Currently, infectious diseases cost the U.S. $120 billion a year. By funding global health research programs dedicated to the prevention and eradication of communicable diseases in emerging economies, the United States is investing in its own immediate and long-term health, and saving on health care costs for treatment. The landmark government initiative PEPFAR (U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), is showing strong returns. Publicly funded researchers have identified and designed a multitude of preventive measures that reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Recent clinical trials demonstrated that combination antiretroviral treatments (developed by U.S. based pharmaceutical companies) can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by up to 96%. Deploying preventive measures in some of the highest risk countries around the world will certainly help reduce the spread of HIV. These measures will also help reduce the spread of HIV in the United States, where approximately 40,000 people per year are diagnosed, costing the U.S. a projected $12.1 billion in lifetime medical expenses. Investment in global health research and development today will help produce a healthy, competitive and innovative economy tomorrow. At the same time, such research helps to protect Americans, reduce health care costs and meet our nation's foreign policy goals. And investing in global research is a means of saving lives and preventing disability in impoverished nations--it is an immensely powerful form of humanitarianism that can help millions of people throughout the world now and in the future. As we map out strategies for promoting the U.S. economy, we must not falter in our investment in medical research that surely includes research devoted to combating global illnesses. We must capitalize on opportunities for NIH, CDC, FDA, USAID and DOD to support global health research--for the benefit of Americans and the global community of which we are a part.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Monica Pearson is a familiar face to metro Atlanta's residents, though most know her by her former name--Monica Kaufman. For the past 37 years, Monica has anchored WSB TV's Channel 2 Action News. The character and amount of trust she has built as Channel 2's nightly newscaster is laudable, but perhaps more important are the barriers she broke as she developed that reputation. Born and brought up in the Civil Rights era, Monica became not only the first African-American, but also the first woman to anchor a daily evening newscast on WSB in 1975. Throughout her long career, Monica has accumulated an even longer list of awards and achievements. All in all, she has won thirty Local and Southern Regional Emmy awards. When she saw injustice or a story that needed to be heard, she was there reporting on it--first at the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. segments, and later at 4 p.m. Her hard-hitting investigative journalism cuts at all different issues. In 1992 she spoke out on behalf of women and girls in Georgia when she found out that the Georgia High School Association's all-male executive committee did not have a state-wide competition for girls' soccer or cheerleading. She was awarded the Women's Sports Journalism Award for Local Television Reporting from the Women's Sports Foundation and Miller Lite for her report. Monica has been honored for bringing attention to a wide range of issues--from the ``HOT FLASH! The Truth about Menopause'' documentary that won local and national awards in 1994 to the ``Prejudice and Hate: Georgians and the Holocaust'' documentary that led her to win the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust's Humanitarian Award in 1977. Her sense of civic duty, compassion and curiosity has distinguished her from her peers, winning an Emmy Award for Best Feature Program-- ``Monica Kaufman Closeups,'' the National Foundation for Women Legislators' ``Media Excellence Award'' and the Georgia Commission of Women's ``2004 Georgia Woman of the Year.'' While devoting her life to journalism, she has also deeply involved herself in the community. She remains a passionate supporter of the Metropolitan United Way, the organization that helped her move beyond her poor background to become an award-winning newscaster. Since then, she has served as Chair of Atlanta's United Way board, the first African-American and only the second woman. Her dedication to the organization might be due in no small part to the fact that her daughter was adopted through a United Way agency. In her own words, ``United Way literally unites people.'' United Way is not the only organization that has touched Monica's heart. For many years, Monica ran in the Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure. She continued to run in the race and volunteer for the organization until the year she herself was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her reaction to this cancer is a story that truly touched my heart. A very religious woman, Monica did not let fear cripple her-- instead she left everything to God. She prayed, ``Thy will be done, O Lord, not mine.'' ``If you are really strong in your faith, then you don't worry about the outcome,'' she said. The outcome is obvious-- Monica remains to this day a strong, dedicated woman. She is both an inspiration and a role model. Monica will be retiring in July, but I know her character, personality and spirit will not let her keep still. I wish her the very best in her future endeavors, and may we continue to hear of her excellent work for her community. God Bless.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the Congress, Monica Pearson, with WSB Television in Atlanta, Georgia, is indeed a true pioneer and a trailblazer in television news. She broke barriers as an African American and as a woman news anchor for WSB Television starting in 1975. The year 1975 was an important turning point, especially in the South. So it is very important for us to understand the significance of Monica often appearing as a nightly anchor, as the first African American and first woman in the South at WSB Television in 1975. Now, 38 years later, Monica is retiring. Monica Pearson brought a special talent, a sparkling personality, hard work, and a high nobility of purpose that appealed to everybody, to people of all races, and she became endeared to everybody from every walk of life. What a great American story is Monica Pearson. She paved the way for other African Americans and women to become news anchors and to become television journalists throughout the South. So it is most fitting as she announces her retirement that we gather here today on the part of the United States Congress to give her this special commendation. We also give a special commendation to WSB Television and Cox Enterprises management for making that critical decision at that important time in the history of the United States. Because of her talent, because of her hard work, we in the Congress of the United States recognize with high distinction an outstanding American: Monica Pearson, an outstanding American. Madam Speaker, Monica Pearson is a familiar face to metro Atlanta's residents, though most know her by her former name--Monica Kaufman. For the past 37 years, Monica has anchored WSB TV's Channel 2 Action News. The character and amount of trust she has built as Channel 2's nightly newscaster is laudable, but perhaps more important are the barriers she broke as she developed that reputation. Born and brought up in the Civil Rights era, Monica became not only the first African-American, but also the first woman to anchor a daily evening newscast on WSB in 1975. Throughout her long career, Monica has accumulated an even longer list of awards and achievements. All in all, she has won thirty Local and Southern Regional Emmy awards. When she saw injustice or a story that needed to be heard, she was there reporting on it--first at the 6 pm and 11 pm segments, and later at 4 pm. Her hard-hitting investigative journalism cuts at all different issues. In 1992 she spoke out on behalf of women and girls in Georgia when she found out that the Georgia High School Association's all-male executive committee did not have a state-wide competition for girls' soccer or cheerleading. She was awarded the Women's Sports Journalism Award for Local Television Reporting from the Women's Sports Foundation and Miller Lite for her report. Monica has been honored for bringing attention to a wide range of issues--from the ``HOT FLASH! The Truth about Menopause'' documentary that won local and national awards in 1994 to the ``Prejudice and Hate: Georgians and the Holocaust'' documentary that lead to win the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust's Humanitarian Award in 1977. Her sense of civic duty, compassion and curiosity has distinguished her from her peers, winning an Emmy Award for Best Feature Program--``Monica Kaufman Closeups'', the National Foundation for Women Legislators' ``Media Excellence Award'' and the Georgia Commission of Women's ``2004 Georgia Woman of the Year''. While devoting her life to journalism, she has also deeply involved herself in the community. She remains a passionate supporter of the Metropolitan United Way, the organization that helped her move beyond her poor background to become an award-winning newscaster. Since then, she has served as Chair of Atlanta's United Way board, the first African-American and only the second woman. Her dedication to the organization might be due in no small part to the fact that her daughter was adopted through a United Way agency. In her own words, ``United Way literally unites people.'' United Way is not the only organization that has touched Monica's heart. For many years, Monica ran in the Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure. She continued to run in the race and volunteer for the organization until the year she herself was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her reaction to this cancer is a story that truly touched my heart. A very religious woman, Monica did not let fear cripple her-- instead she left everything to God. She prayed, ``Thy will be done, O Lord, not mine.'' ``If you are really strong in your faith, then you don't worry about the outcome'', she said. The outcome is obvious-- Monica remains to this day a strong, dedicated woman. She is both an inspiration and a role model. Monica will be retiring in July, but I know her character, personality and spirit will not let her keep still. I wish her the very best in her future endeavors, and may we continue to hear of her excellent work for her community. God Bless.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in recognition of our nation's veterans. The brave men and women of the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves deserve our support, gratitude and prayers. We owe a great debt to these Americans for their service, for their courage, and for the sacrifice of their families. I would also like to thank the organizations that support these veterans and their families when they come home. In particular, the American Legion will be celebrating its 93rd birthday this Friday, March 9, 2012. The local American Legion posts in my district, and around the country, play a vital role in bringing our community together. The American Legion supports not only our service members, but also our youth, with programs such as an amateur baseball league, scholarships for college-bound students and more. One of the American Legion posts within my district, Post #145 in Douglasville, will be honoring a very special veteran this Friday-- Pearl Harbor survivor Leonard Santangelo, who is one of only 17 survivors from Georgia. Leonard is a retired Army Corporal, and, at 92, is almost as old as the American Legion itself. He began his military service in 1941, just a few months prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Throughout his military career Leonard has received the American Defense Medal with one Bronze Star, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He served his country through the end of World War II and continues even today by sharing his story with his community--adults and school children alike. It gives me great honor and pleasure to recognize American Legion Post #145 and Ret. Army Corporal Leonard Santangelo for their great service to our nation.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Thank you very much, Ms. Lee. This is indeed a very sad and, at the same time, a very precious time because we're here to talk about a life. A life is so precious. Donald Payne was indeed a very special human being. I served with Donald Payne on the Foreign Affairs Committee; and through his work on the Foreign Affairs Committee, I got to know him. Let me just say to the people of New Jersey, to his family, you've lost a friend, you've lost a husband, a father, a public servant for the Newark area of New Jersey. But I want you to know that Donald Payne's life and his legacy go far beyond there. There was a friend of mine who said, I don't want to hang around the shores with the little boats. I want to go way out where the big ships go. Donald Payne went way out where the big ships go. Nowhere was his impact more meaningful than in the continent of Africa. It was Africa that just pulled his heart, pulled his whole being. Donald Payne became the champion and the foremost advocate for the people of Africa in the Congress of the United States. What courage. I remember the time I was over in Africa going to the Congo, going to the real heart of the matter, going into Kenya, and going into Somalia into Yemen. But there was Donald Payne with the courage at a very difficult time, at a challenging time when al-Shabab was in control of the situation in Somalia. You hear on the news that there is a Congressman who's in harm's way trying to get on an airplane to get out of Somalia at a very hot moment. But he was there in the toughest, meanest, most difficult part of Africa bringing some reason. So all over this world, we can all say that we thank God for sending Donald Payne our way.