Albio Sires

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Members, I rise in support of H.R. 2. I am proud to be a Member of Congress at a time when I can help the nearly 13 million American workers that will benefit from an increase in the minimum wage, including the almost 2.8 million Hispanic workers whose quality of life will be greatly improved by this legislation. For the past 9 years, America's working families have not received a pay raise. Today, minimum wage employees working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, earn $5,000 below the poverty level for a family of three. How can we allow so many hardworking families to live in poverty? Increasing the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour will give our working families an additional $4,400 a year. This will help them meet critical needs such as rent, health care, child care, and food. I urge all Members to please support this legislation. In this 110th Congress, we must reaffirm the American Dream that rewards hard work with good pay and the opportunity to support strong and healthy families. An increase in the minimum wage will help us achieve this goal. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1. My district in Northern New Jersey was greatly impacted by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It has been over 5 years since that terrible day and we are still mourning for those who were lost. I can think of no better way to honor the memories of those who were lost and to honor those who were injured than to pass H.R. 1 today. Two and half years ago the bipartisan 9/11 Commission released their report and submitted 41 recommendations to Congress. As of today, many of those recommendations have not been implemented and therefore we have not done everything we can to help secure our nation. One of the most important recommendations is to change the distribution of homeland security funding for high risk States and regions. My district has been named one of the areas in the country that is most susceptible to terrorist attacks. The risk that we live with every day should warrant more federal funding in order to help ensure security. The cities and towns in my district need to know that they can count on funding for overtime, equipment, and all of the other demands that are put on our communities due to these threats. Mr. Speaker, this bill is long overdue. I strongly support H.R. 1 and I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6. Throughout history, there has been an ongoing struggle to put the people's interest ahead of special interests. With this legislation, we put an end to this age-old struggle. The 110th Congress has been given a mandate by the people and make sure their's are the voices that are heard. To do this, we must ban gifts and meals from lobbyists and the organizations that they represent. We must ban lobbyists from planning, organizing, financing and participating in travel for Members or staff. We must protect the American taxpayer by requiring full disclosure of earmarks so that they know how their money is being spent. We must ensure that the business of the people is completed in a fair and open way. As we start the 110th Congress, we must govern our own chamber in a manner that represents the interests of our constituents. This is why I proudly rise in support of this measure and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank you and to thank Mr. Pallone for those kind words. I would like to express my deep gratitude to my wife, Adrienne, my stepdaughter, Tara, my friends and especially my neighbors in the 13th Congressional District of New Jersey, who have honored me by allowing me to represent them in Washington. Mr. Speaker, when I left Cuba with my family 45 years ago, I could never have envisioned that I would be standing on the floor of the House of Representatives to give this speech. This day for me truly embodies the promise of this Nation, the promise of its founders, the promise of its many immigrant communities, the promise which means that anyone, no matter the circumstances of birth or class, can rise to become a Member of the greatest democratic body in history. Mr. Speaker, it was the community of West New York that welcomed me and my family so many years ago. I have tried, tried every day to give back to my neighbors for their generosity, first as a teacher and a coach, then as a mayor and as a State assemblyman. The people of the 13th District have provided me with the greatest privilege of all, to represent them in the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the honor and the privilege of serving in the House of Representatives and the faith that my constituents have placed in me by sending me here on their behalf. It is the trust of the people of New Jersey that has enabled me to be here today, and I intend to honor that trust every day that I serve as their representative. Mr. Speaker, thank you very much.