Niki Tsongas

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, my Republican colleagues have put forth spending proposals that they assert promise savings. But deep cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and the discretionary budget really just shift those costs onto seniors and children. I have heard from hundreds of constituents urging opposition because, to quote a constituent from my hometown of Lowell, the impact would be ``devastating.'' This dangerous game has already cost private sector jobs in my district as contractors wait for Congress to pass a long-term budget. Many in this body have proven willing to compromise to solve our debt crisis. We have already enacted $10 billion in spending cuts as a show of good faith. But House Republicans continue to insist upon ideological policy changes that even some Senate Republicans say ``go too far.'' It is time for this body to listen to the American public and reject ideological policies that would destroy Medicare as we know it, eliminate women's health services like breast and cervical cancer screenings, and make it easier for polluters to contaminate our drinking water.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, last year, I heard from a single father from Haverhill, Massachusetts, who put his life savings into purchasing a home. After a reduction in his salary forced him to modify his mortgage, his servicer stopped returning his phone calls, lost his documents, and refused to provide him with any information to help him modify his loan. He wrote to me saying, ``My bank told me that they had not received the application documents I had sent at the beginning of the modification process. It was ridiculous, as I have the original documents on file with the fax receipt. Nonetheless, I faxed everything again.'' Over the course of an entire year, he called and re-sent his documents, speaking with multiple people, none of whom could give him an answer or even find that he had a modification in place. This story represents just one of the many that I have heard from constituents. We should be doing far more to ensure that these lenders are playing by the rules. Instead, my Republican colleagues have sought to terminate every step taken by the Federal Government to help homeowners like my constituent, leaving them at the mercy of unscrupulous lenders such as these.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the underlying bill. I was an early and strong supporter of the President's bipartisan commission on the debt; and while I do not agree with all of the commission's recommendations, I recognize that their report to the President offered an important starting point for debate on an issue that affects the lives of every American, as well as future generations. In the report, the commission warns against disrupting our fragile economic recovery: ``We need a comprehensive plan now to reduce the debt over the long term. But budget cuts should start gradually so they don't interfere with the ongoing economic recovery. Growth is essential to restoring fiscal strength and balance. We should cut red tape and unproductive government spending that hinders job creation and growth. But at the same time we must invest in education, infrastructure, and high-value research and development to help our economy grow, keep us globally competitive, and make it easier for businesses to create jobs.'' The bill before us fails to heed this sound advice, making shortsighted decisions that will sabotage our short-term recovery and undermine our long-term competitiveness. The reckless decisions made in this bill will lead to lost jobs in my district and throughout the Nation. Some of these job losses are obvious. Deep cuts to COPS and SAFER funding will ensure that we will lose thousands of police officers and firefighters protecting our communities nationwide; but other losses may be less obvious but just as painful. For instance, this legislation imposes deep cuts on the food Food and Drug Administration. Every single drug, vaccine, biologic and medical device must be approved by the FDA before it can ever be offered to patients. This means that not only do patients rely on the FDA but also American pharmaceutical and medical device companies that need an efficient and effective FDA to ensure that they can continue to innovate, grow, and create jobs. We are lucky to have a medical device industry in this country that is on the cutting edge of technological advances in medicine. What we should be doing is modernizing the FDA to make it more efficient, transparent, predictable, and rigorous; and to do that, we need to ensure that the FDA has all the necessary resources to conduct proper and speedy review of life-saving devices that not only benefit patients but our innovative businesses so that many of them can get to work putting people to work. For these private sector firms, cutting FDA resources means slowing down their approval process, driving some of them overseas, and losing many jobs here in our country as well. Likewise, cuts to local funding included in this bill will harm communities I represent, particularly the deep cuts to the Community Development Block Grant program. When I have asked leaders in the cities I represent how we can best help their recovery efforts, the answer has been unhesitating and unequivocal: CDBG funding. Last week, the city manager in my hometown of Lowell wrote, saying, ``This is probably the most valuable tool that the Federal Government offers cities to address economic development, infrastructure, and community needs.'' What is most discouraging about the attack on CDBG funding is that it does just what my colleagues say they support: it provides local flexibility, allowing stakeholders to decide what makes sense for their communities, while ensuring an extremely efficient use of funds. For example, last year in the city of Lowell, every $1 in CDBG funding generated more than $16 in additional funding. Over the years, Lowell has successfully used CDBG funds to redevelop a historic building into a much-needed senior center, turning a blight into a landmark and prompting the entry of private businesses nearby. It has used funds to spur the development of a mixed-use development that is bringing in millions of dollars in private development and restoring architectural treasures key to the city's identity. And it has provided seed money to nonprofits like the United Teen Equality Center, recognized nationally for the revolutionary work they're doing every day to curb gang violence in the city of Lowell. All of these actions have improved the quality of life and created jobs for Lowell residents, and none might have been made possible without this modest Federal investment. So I do not support the underlying bill, and I encourage its rejection.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, it is my intention to withdraw, however reluctantly, the amendment. But I would like to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for giving me this opportunity to discuss what I believe is a critically important issue for our democracy. My amendment is straightforward. Entities that received Federal funds may not use those funds, be they bailouts, earmarks, grants, or payments for contracts, toward the election or defeat of a Presidential candidate. I understand what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle hope to accomplish with the underlying bill today. They want to protect taxpayer dollars. Saving taxpayer dollars is a noble goal, particularly in these tough economic times. Unfortunately, this bill eliminates the voluntary fund that taxpayers elect to put toward campaign financing and does nothing about the much larger share of taxpayer dollars that can now go to campaign financing with no say from taxpayers. If we are truly serious about protecting taxpayer dollars, it is these dollars we should be concerned with. We should ensure that corporations and other entities receiving taxpayer money cannot turn around and use that same money to finance Presidential campaigns. The Supreme Court, in Citizens United, allowed corporations to have unlimited influence in elections. It removed longstanding protections that prevented corporations from making large contributions to candidates and drowning out the voices of everyday Americans trying to participate in our democracy. In the wake of Citizens United, public financing of Presidential elections is all the more important to ensure a level playing field for candidates running for office and to preserve the voice of the American taxpayer. By eliminating the Presidential Campaign Fund, my colleagues across the aisle would increase the influence of special interests in the elections, leaving Presidential candidates beholden to large, private contributions. If my colleagues insist on eliminating this important and completely voluntary fund, let us at least make sure that corporations receiving taxpayer money through bailouts, earmarks, and other Federal funds are not able to then use these taxpayer funds towards influencing Presidential elections. Let us level the playing field and protect all American voters by ensuring that these large, private contributions to political candidates aren't funded using taxpayer money. Mr. Chairman, I reluctantly ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deep sympathy for the victims of the tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, this past Saturday. Like all of us, I mourn for the grievous harm that came to those who attended Congresswoman Giffords' Congress on Your Corner; for our colleague, Gabby, a courageous and conscientious lawmaker whose recovery and good health we all yearn for today; for a 9-year-old child bursting with innocent enthusiasm and great promise; for a respected jurist engaged in a simple act of friendship; for a kind and accomplished staffer; for a loving husband who instinctively shielded his wife from the rain of bullets, and for a husband, also lovingly protective, who was unable to stave them off; and, finally, a widowed retiree still giving to her community, all so abruptly and violently losing their lives; and for those who are thankfully recovering, all engaged in the abiding promise of democracy, coming to talk with their Congresswoman, gathering in the parking lot of a local supermarket on a Saturday morning. This horrific incident has raised many serious questions about appropriately identifying and caring for those who suffer from mental illness, about the accessibility of violent weapons, about the tone and language of our politics today, and about the solemn obligations of elected office in a democratic society--of those serving, of their staff, and of constituents eager to participate and be heard. But today we honor with our words those who tragically lost their lives and those harmed by this senseless act of violence. We pray for Gabby and all those still recovering; and we remember their families and loved ones now struggling with the immensity of their losses. In the days ahead, however, we must honor and remember them with our actions.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule to consider legislation to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Don't Ask, Don't Tell remains the only Federal statute mandating a person be fired based on their sexual orientation. Since this policy became law, thousands of dedicated, honorable Americans have suffered discrimination while thousands more have been discouraged from even considering the military. Don't Ask, Don't Tell removes highly skilled, trained, and capable servicemembers out of the military at a time when we need them for multiple deployments to fight two wars. The Pentagon's study of Don't Ask, Don't Tell confirms that lifting the ban on gay and lesbian soldiers serving openly in our Armed Forces would not adversely affect our military's readiness or strain unit cohesion. This report comes months after nearly a year of careful study, which included thousands of conversations with enlisted personnel, officers, and military commanders. The results of this study showed that there is no longer any remaining justification to continue a policy that prevents some of the best and brightest from honorably serving in our Armed Forces. All our servicemen and -women are first and foremost Americans, protecting freedom throughout the world. We cannot with any true moral standing discriminate against distinguished and courageous members of our own military for the simple act of living an authentic life. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the rule and the underlying legislation.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to cast a vote on the following rollcall votes: Rollcall 581 to designate the Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building; rollcall 582 to support the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day; rollcall 584 for the Claims Resolution Act 2010; rollcall 585 to honor and recognize the exemplary service of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 349th Air Mobility Wing, the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, and the 615th Contingency Response Wing civilians and families serving at Travis Air Force Base, California; rollcall 586 to honor and recognize the National Guard on the occasion of its 374th anniversary. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' for all votes. I am a cosponsor of the Lance Corporal Arredondo Post Office legislation and the resolution honoring the National Guard, and I have consistently voted to recognize and honor the service and sacrifices of our nation's servicemembers and military families. I commend the National Guard, which has served our nation with distinction and honor for 374 years and deserves the greatest respect and gratitude.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Senator Steven C. Panagiotakos from the Fifth District of Massachusetts for his exemplary service to the citizens of the City of Lowell and the towns of Tyngsboro, Westford, Groton, Dunstable and Pepperell as a Massachusetts State Representative and Senator. Senator Panagiotakos was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate in 1996. Prior to that Senator Panagiotakos served two terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and two terms as a member of the Lowell School Committee. Rising through the ranks to become Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Senator Panagiotakos was charged with the oversight to develop and guide the Commonwealth's budget through one of the worst fiscal crises since the Great Depression. Senator Panagiotakos has exhibited a lifelong commitment to the City of Lowell and the communities he represents. Known for his leadership style of compromise with Democrats and Republicans, he was able to help secure funding for local projects such as the Hamilton Canal District, the Emerging Technology Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, the redevelopment of the Lawrence Mills and the Julian D. Steele public housing project. Senator Panagiotakos and his wife, Christine, along with their two daughters, Giana and Alexandria, live in the Highlands neighborhood in Lowell, just two streets over from his childhood home. As Senator Panagiotakos said it best, ``The thing that made me the most proud was not being called `Senator' or `Mr. Chairman,' but when they said `Steve Panagiotakos, from Lowell.''' Upon his retirement, I wish to thank him for his friendship, recognize him for his unyielding leadership in the Massachusetts Senate, and congratulate him for his distinguished career.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Senator Susan Tucker from the Fifth District of Massachusetts for her exemplary service to the citizens of the City of Lawrence and the towns of Andover, Dracut, and Tewksbury as a Massachusetts State Representative and Senator. Senator Tucker was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1982 and to the Massachusetts Senate in 1992. While in the Senate, she served as Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, and as member of the Committees on Education, Ways and Means, Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, Financial Services and Revenue. Senator Tucker has exhibited a lifelong commitment to advocacy and community service, and earned a reputation as an innovative and responsive leader. Known for her willingness to take on any challenge, she worked tirelessly to eliminate auto insurance fraud and address the foreclosure crisis in Massachusetts. Senator Tucker has received numerous leadership awards from state-wide groups recognizing her contributions to the betterment of life for citizens of the Commonwealth. In 2008, she was awarded the Pioneer Institute's Better Government Award for taking on auto insurance fraud, and in 2009 she was named Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Association for Families for her dedication to improving the lives of foster and adopted children. Senator Tucker and her husband, Mike, reside in Andover and have two grown sons, as well as the loves of her life, granddaughters, Secoya and Autumn. Upon her retirement, I wish to thank her for her friendship, recognize her for her inspiring leadership in the Massachusetts Senate, and congratulate her for her distinguished career.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today in recognizing the 75th anniversary of Social Security. Social Security has provided basic economic security for generations of Americans. A woman from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, a city that I represent, recently wrote me to say, ``I am retired and dependent on Social Security to survive. Please protect the benefits I've worked so hard for for many years.'' Over the years, Democrats have fought to improve and strengthen Social Security. As a result, the Social Security Trust Fund has reserves of $2.6 trillion, which will continue to earn interest and pay benefits until 2037. But imagine if Social Security benefits had been invested in the stock market during the recent Wall Street crisis. Seniors would have lost billions of dollars in Social Security income, along with any retirement savings they had when the economy collapsed. Despite what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would argue, subjecting Social Security to the whims of Wall Street is not the answer. We must be committed to strengthening Social Security so that our contract with American workers endures for generations.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, today marks the thirty-sixth anniversary of the Turkish invasion and subsequent occupation of Cyprus. Since the late 1970s, the UN, with US support, has promoted negotiations aimed at reuniting the island. Despite high hopes for reconciliation in 2008, and despite some progress in that direction, the normalization process appears stalled. We have a moral and ethical obligation to stand with Cypriots to reunify their island as a single sovereignty, with a single citizenship based on human rights, democracy and fundamental freedoms. It is time to acknowledge and rectify abuses against Greek Cypriots whose rights have been ignored or violated over these many years. It is time to find common ground and help Cyprus build a unified economy. According to the Peace Research Institute in Oslo, a successful federalist settlement could lead to an additional ten percent GDP growth within seven years. I have spoken out on this issue before, and will continue to press for the day in which we have a reunified and prosperous Cyprus where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live together in peace, security and stability, free from foreign aggression and intervention.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, 2.5 million Americans have lost their unemployment benefits--more than 33,000 of them in my home State of Massachusetts. I have heard from many of these struggling families. From Chelmsford: ``My UI benefits have just run out. A UI check is food and other necessities while I draw down savings to keep my house.'' From Lowell: ``I have always had a very good job. I work hard, pay taxes, and I certainly have not been living in excess. Last July, my company had to cut staff, and my entire team was let go. I have never had a problem finding a job, but this search has been extremely difficult. Unemployment benefits helped me to stay on track with life's basic necessities, such as food, gas and insurance. Losing them has caused desperate action on my part.'' From Westford: ``Please extend unemployment benefits for all Americans. I know many solid citizens who are actively and vigorously job hunting to no avail, including my wife. Help.'' I urge my Senate colleagues to pass this desperately needed extension.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chair, I missed rollcall vote No. 445 to require all funds authorized under H.R. 5114 to be expended in a manner consistent with the manual on Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' I have consistently voted to hold Members of Congress and their staffs, Federal employees, and other representatives of government to the highest ethical standards.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

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

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to all those who wear and who have worn the uniform of the United States of America. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, it has been my honor to work with my colleagues to provide our veterans with the resources and care they so justly deserve. To that end, I would like to highlight just two of the many programs this Congress has enacted in its efforts to provide better support to our veterans. Since the post-9/11 GI bill went into effect in August 2009, $1.2 billion in education benefits have been paid to veterans students, including members of the Guard and Reserve and, in some instances, their wives and children, providing them with the skills they need in a global economy. Through provisions in the End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010, we are working toward a goal of ending veteran homelessness in 5 years. To all our veterans, it is you and those who came before you who have made our freedoms possible. Thank you for your courage, commitment, and sacrifice, knowing that service in war is a life-changing event that we must ever honor.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding and for your leadership on this important legislation. I rise in support of the Fiscal Year 2011 National Defense Authorization Act and the accompanying manager's amendment. This bipartisan legislation supports the ongoing efforts of our Armed Forces to keep our country safe, to maintain our resolve against extremists, and to sustain nuclear weapons nonproliferation. It provides our men and women with the crucial tools they need to protect our country and to effectively find and hold accountable those who wish us harm. Equally as important, the NDAA includes protections for our servicemembers, such as lighter weight body armor that will keep our servicemembers safe but will lighten the burden we ask them to carry. This bill also expands legal rights for servicemembers who have been victims of sexual assault, and it improves training related to the prevention of and to the response to this crime. I also look forward to the long overdue repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The unanimous support that this bill received in committee is a testament to our continued commitment to provide the technology, equipment, and manpower required to protect our country at all times. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5136.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to cast a vote on rollcall 260. I would like the record to reflect that I would have voted ``aye'' in support of H.R. 5014, a bill that clarifies that health care provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs meets minimum essential coverage requirements for individual health insurance under the newly enacted health care reform law. Our Nation's veterans and their families have sacrificed so much and it is our obligation to ensure they receive the benefits and health care they so rightly deserve.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Defense Sexual Trauma Response, Oversight and Good Governance Act (The Defense STRONG Act). Sexual assault in the military has reached epidemic levels. While 1 in 6 women will experience sexual assault in her lifetime, the numbers are much higher in the military, where as many as 1 in 3 women leaving the services report that they were sexually assaulted. By the Pentagon's own estimate, as few as 10 percent of sexual assaults are reported. Additionally, while 40 percent of sexual assault allegations in the civilian world are prosecuted, this number is a staggeringly low 8 percent in the military. As a strong advocate for women in the military and a strong advocate for equal opportunity in the workplace, I believe that the military should be a place where women are supported and can succeed. We ask women who serve in the military to put their lives on the line for our country, and they shouldn't fear or experience harm from their fellow service members. A recent New York Times article chronicled the experience of a female Captain deployed in Camp Taji, Iraq. This young Captain stated that she stopped drinking water after 7 p.m. so she would not have to go to the latrine at night alone, out of fear of attack from a fellow male soldier. ``It got to the point that I felt safer outside the wire,'' she said, referring to operations that take soldiers off of their heavily fortified bases, ``than I did taking a shower.'' While the military has made strides to address this problem, victims of sexual assault in the military still report a lack of confidentiality, protection and support, and lack access to advice and counsel from a military lawyer once an incident is reported. The military has not established the proper infrastructure to deal with sexual assaults. Sexual Assault Response Coordinators and Victim Advocates in the military receive very little training and have little experience dealing with sexual assault. The DOD allows contractors to serve in these positions part-time, making them ill-equipped to deal with incidents that arise. As the 2009 Defense Task Force Report on Sexual Assault in the Military Services reported, one military victim advocate explained, ``I would truly be unprepared if a sexual assault were to occur and my services were needed.'' . . . She said, ``It is my opinion that active duty Unit Victim Advocates are not prepared to deal with sexual assaults and could potentially deter individuals from coming forward.'' Women report receiving inadequate support and experiencing backlash when they tried to seek care while they were in the services. A GAO report from 2008 stated that ``many individuals do not come forward in the military out of fear of punishment because they have done something (i.e., drinking) that they could also get in trouble for.'' The same report concluded that victims were reluctant to report attacks due to the belief that nothing would be done, they would not be believed, or that reporting an incident would negatively impact their careers. The systems in place to prevent and respond to sexual assault lack sophistication, and the culture around sexual assault in the military needs to be fundamentally changed. This is why I am introducing the Defense STRONG Act. My bill strengthens the legal protections for victims of sexual assault in the military: (1) It requires that they have access to a military lawyer, and can maintain their right to confidential reporting even if they receive legal counsel; (2) It ensures that conversations between victims and Victim Advocates are confidential and immune from discovery by military lawyers if the case goes to court. My bill also strengthens the systems in place to prevent sexual assaults and provide support and guidance for victims that do report an incident: (1) It standardizes the training of service members, Commanders, Victim Advocates, and Sexual Assault Response Coordinators; (2) It requires that service members are trained around sexual assault prevention and response as they move up in the military structure; and (3) It requires Victim Advocates and Sexual Assault Response Coordinators to be full-time positions, and prohibits DOD contractors from fulfilling roles. Sexual assault weakens the readiness and morale of the military, and erodes trust between service members. The Defense STRONG Act strengthens the sexual assault prevention and response program in the military services, strengthening the military as a whole.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. I thank my colleague Mr. Andrews, and I rise today in support of the IMPROVE Acquisition Act of 2010. I applaud the efforts of my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee and believe we have made a real step forward in improving the acquisition process, a process beset by issues such as cost overruns and ever-changing requirements. This is good legislation that reflects a bipartisan effort to combat waste, increase efficiency, and get good value for our taxpayer dollars. It builds on what we started last year when we enacted a bill aimed at weapons systems acquisition reform. This bill addresses systemwide problems that weren't impacted by that law. I'm delighted to report, for example, that this bill requires better communication with and stability for our industrial base. I also applaud legislative mandates that require contracting for best value and provisions that enhance the Defense Department's ability to control costs while, most importantly, protecting our soldiers. My thanks to the Acquisition Panel members and staff for their hard work, careful study, and dedicated effort to the task at hand, and I urge passage of this landmark legislation.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, last week I met with a small business owner from Concord, Massachusetts, who showed me several months of his credit card statements. Due to a 1-day late payment after years of on-time payments, his credit card company increased his interest rate by 15 percent, informing him that because of the increase, he will pay off his balance in 2,820 years. Thanks to the Credit CARD Act, such abuses are now illegal but only after more than a decade of trying to move these bipartisan and commonsense reforms through Congress. In response to the law, credit card companies are already devising new ways to exploit their customers, trusting in Congress' inability to respond quickly. The Consumer Financial Protection Agency will give small business owners like my constituent an advocate that can respond to shady practices as they evolve. Groups like the AARP have endorsed the idea of a strong Consumer Financial Protection Agency because it will be able to stand up for the little guy against the giants who have been able to set their own rules.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 62nd anniversary of Israel Independence Day. I was fortunate to travel to Israel in 1982 and still have strong memories of my visit to that tiny strip of land that holds so much meaning for so many. Much has changed since that time, and I have heard repeatedly that it is like a whole new country worth visiting again, which I intend to do. Israel has developed a vibrant and diverse democratic society. It is home to an innovative technology sector with more start-ups than any other country except the United States. I am proud to say that many of these organizations have strong research and development relationships with organizations throughout my home State of Massachusetts and that these relationships continue to create jobs for both Americans and Israelis. Israel has been a place of refuge and opportunity for thousands coming from countries as diverse as Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union. And Israel has provided relief around the world for victims of natural disasters in Haiti, Southeast Asia and elsewhere. It has done all this while being surrounded by enemies. In this environment, Israel has forged hard won peace with both Egypt and Jordan, and despite tragic setbacks, the Israeli people continue to yearn for peace with their neighbors. The strong bonds that exist between Israel and the United States are based on our shared ideals--democracy, opportunity, freedom, and peace--and the mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries will continue long into the future. Again, I rise to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of Israel's independence and to recognize the lasting friendship between our two countries.

Ms. TSONGAS

Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congresswoman Woolsey for organizing this evening. And I rise today because our health care status quo simply does not work for older women and must be changed. The rising cost of health care and the lack of access to essential medical services is a problem for millions of Americans throughout our Nation, but it is uniquely so for older women. Times of economic hardship like we are now facing truly illustrate the impact that our inadequate health care system has on older women. Older women disproportionately rely on their spouses for employer- based coverage in comparison to their younger counterparts and in comparison to older men. That is why over 1 million of them have lost health insurance due to a spouse's job loss during the economic downturn. When an older woman loses her health insurance, it is even harder for her to find health insurance in the individual market, where there is little to no regulation, than her male counterparts. Older women, because of a combination of gender rating, age rating, and discrimination based on health status, face premiums that are roughly four times greater than those who have employer-based coverage. But it doesn't stop there. Women who are on Medicare who do have health insurance are disproportionately low income, have fewer resources, and suffer from more chronic conditions than men. As a result, they pay more in out-of-pocket costs than older men. Therefore, Medicare's ability to provide meaningful and protective health insurance coverage is critical to a senior woman's health and financial security. And that is exactly what health care reform does. In 2007, over 8 million seniors hit the doughnut hole, and 64 percent of those were women. Health care reform permanently closes the Medicare doughnut hole. Breast cancer is a leading cause of death for older women in the United States, yet, 1 in 5 women aged 50 and above has not received a mammogram in the past 2 years. Health care reform improves Medicare to ensure that all prevention, including mammograms, is fully covered. Seventy-seven percent of Medicare beneficiaries living in long-term care facilities are women. Women are three-quarters of all nursing home residents. During a recent visit to a nursing home in my district in Lowell, Massachusetts, I was struck by a recent experience that truly illustrated this point for me. In one meeting, I looked at the crowd of senior citizens who came to ask me questions and express their concerns about the direction in which our country is going and was struck by the fact that I saw only one man in the audience. While I later met a number of very interested male residents, the fact is that the typical nursing home resident is an 85-year-old woman who enters a nursing home because she lives alone and has no available caregiver. It is no wonder then that women are more likely to need long-term care services. And that is why it is so important that we pass health care reform that provides voluntary, long-term insurance to help cover the costs associated with growing older for the millions of senior women who need it. No one should have to make decisions based on their finances rather that what is best for their health. We need health care reform in order to address the need that older women face for quality, affordable health care.