Lynn Woolsey

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize World Malaria Day which was April 21. Malaria kills almost 1 million people every year, and afflicts as many as half a billion. Just think of this startling fact, Mr. Speaker: every 30 seconds, a child in Africa dies from malaria. We owe it to the children and we owe it to mothers to do more to eradicate this preventable and treatable disease. We must support programs that provide bed nets and safe indoor spraying. Malaria doesn't just affect the sick, it keeps kids out of school, it keeps adults out of the fields and away from the workplace, and brings down the economy. Sick parents can't care for their children. Malaria prevention is key to preventing smart maternal health policies worldwide. I urge my colleagues to support funding for international malaria and survival programs to keep the world's children and their mothers healthy.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1240) supporting the goals and ideals of Global Youth Service Day, as amended.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1240 into the Record.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1240, a resolution to support the goals and ideals of Global Youth Service Day. Global Youth Service Day is an annual worldwide event that highlights and celebrates the ongoing contributions of youth to their communities through volunteer service and service learning. Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world, and over the past 21 years it has brought together more than 40 million people in thousands of communities worldwide. This past weekend it was observed for the 22nd consecutive year in the United States, and for its 11th year globally, in more than 100 countries. Mr. Speaker, service learning extends the classroom into the community, providing young people with the opportunity to give back locally. It is also an academic tool that builds real-life applications into student curriculum, keeping students engaged in their education. High quality service learning that is integrated with academic curriculum increases students' cognitive engagement, motivation to learn, school attendance, and academic achievement. Global Youth Service Day takes that one step further by promoting projects that encourage youth to work collaboratively across national borders to address global issues, to increase intercultural understanding, and to promote the sense that we are all global citizens. There are countless benefits associated with volunteerism and service. Evidence shows that there exists a conclusive correlation between youth service, character development, lifelong adult volunteering, philanthropy, and other forms of civic engagement. Opportunities like Global Youth Service Day provide avenues for youth to apply their knowledge, idealism, energy, creativity, and unique perspectives to improve local communities by addressing critical issues such as poverty, hunger, illiteracy, education, natural disasters, climate change, and so very much more, Mr. Speaker. As part of Global Youth Service Day here in the District of Columbia, Greater D.C. Cares organized 7,000 volunteers as part of its annual Servathon to restore national monuments, landscape parks and playgrounds, prepare and distribute food, and paint murals on schools in 100 locations within the metro area. In Detroit, Michigan, more than 125 students from an inner city Detroit school educated their classmates and families about having a healthy diet and nutrition and incorporating exercise in their daily lives. In Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Speaker, the local YMCA coordinated with over 100 community partners and 1,000 young people in feeding the homeless, in yard work for the elderly, community gardening with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, among many other things. Both young people and their communities will benefit greatly from expanded opportunities like these which allow youth to engage in volunteer community service and service learning worldwide. Mr. Speaker, this resolution serves to recognize and commend the significant contributions of youth of the United States and to support the goals and ideals of Global Youth Service Day 2010. I thank Representative Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut for introducing this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 375 into the Record.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 375, which supports the goals and ideals of Workers' Memorial Day. A number of recent tragedies serve to remind us of the importance of occupational and mine safety. In early February, six workers were killed and 26 injured in a natural gas explosion at the Kleen Energy Power Plant in Middletown, Connecticut. On April 2, seven workers were killed in an explosion and fire at the Tesoro Refinery in Anacortes, Washington. On April 5, 29 miners lost their lives in a massive explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia. This incident was the worst U.S. coal mining disaster in 40 years. And, finally, Mr. Speaker, today our thoughts and prayers remain with the friends and families of those 11 miners who went missing after an explosion last week at the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Seventeen workers were also injured, and we wish for their speedy recovery. Too many workers in this Nation are subjected to dangerous conditions at work and have sacrificed their lives and health as a result. Everyone is entitled to a safe and healthy workplace. Every family deserves to know that when they send their loved one off to work, that loved one will come home that evening. Mr. Speaker, with this resolution we remember and we honor all of these fallen workers, and we redouble our commitment to make our Nation's workplaces safe and healthy for all workers. I thank Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson from Texas for introducing this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the author of H. Res. 375.

Ms. WOOLSEY. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 seconds.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Braley), who has played a significant part in making this bill come forward.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased and honored to yield 4 minutes to the chair of the Education and Labor Committee, the number one champ for workers in our Congress, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare).

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, as we've heard, every year about 5,000 workers are killed and 4 million are injured on the job, with an additional 50,000 dying each year from occupational diseases. There are about 4 million cases of reportable workplace injuries and 3.7 million occupational illnesses and injuries on an annual basis. While coal mining remains one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, every single day hardworking miners show up to the mines in order to provide for their families. We need to do whatever we can to ensure that they and other workers return home safely each and every night. To honor those who have sacrificed their lives, their health, and their loved ones who sacrificed the lives of those that went to work and didn't come home, we must do more. We have to do more than talk. We have to bring OSHA and MSHA into the 21st century. That is my commitment to the workers of America. That is what I'm working on with the support of my subcommittee in Education and Labor, the Workforce Protection Subcommittee, and our chairman, George Miller. That is what we know must happen. So I urge my colleagues, in closing, to support H. Res. 375, support the goals and ideals of Workers' Memorial Day, and I thank Congresswoman Johnson and Congressman Braley and those that worked with her on this amazing resolution. It is so important.

Ms. WOOLSEY. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 561) congratulating the Onondaga Community College Lady Lazers for winning the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Women's Lacrosse Tournament.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 561 into the Record.

Ms. WOOLSEY. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Onondaga Community College Lady Lazers for winning the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Women's Lacrosse Tournament. On May 10, 2009, the Onondaga Community College Lady Lazers team celebrated their National Junior College Athletic Association Division I championship title with a solid winning score of 9-7 over Monroe Community College. This was an especially notable victory for the Lady Lazers, winning the national title in their first year of existence. Winning the championship game was the conclusion to an outstanding season where their only loss all season was to Monroe College during the regular season. Getting to avenge that loss, resulting in the winning of the championship, made the triumph even sweeter for the team of young athletes. Each Lady Lazers team member is a proud representative of the community college which is located in the heart of Upstate New York, near the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence Seaway as well as the Adirondack Mountains. The community college takes pride in a history of excellence and athletics with more than 200 athletes who participate in one of the institution's 11 competitive teams. Lady Lazers attacker Lauren Welch was named first team NJCAA All- American in addition to being named the Region III Player of the Year. Midfielders Amanda Cizenski and Emily Pierson were also named First Team All-Americans. Welch, Cizenski, and Pierson were also First Team All-Region selections. I congratulate these residents as well as the fans all across the great State of New York for their support, dedication, and pride in the Lady Lazers champion team, and I wish them great success in the 2010 season. I thank Representative Maffei for bringing this resolution forward, and I urge my colleagues to support this measure. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Maffei), who is the author of this resolution.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 561, congratulating the Onondaga Community College Lady Lazers for winning the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Women's Lacrosse Tournament. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 563) congratulating the Onondaga Community College Lazers for winning the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous materials on H. Res. 563 into the Record.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Onondaga Community College Lazers for winning the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament. On May 10, 2009, the Onondaga Community College Lazers men's lacrosse team defeated Nassau Community College with a final score of 9-8 during the finals of the NJCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament at Herkimer County Community College. The game that secured the Lazers' victory was remarkable, as it marked the third national title for Onondaga Community College's men's lacrosse program. The victory was also especially sweet as it concluded an undefeated season for the team. In addition to winning the NJCAA division championship, the 2009 men's team also won its fifth consecutive NJCAA Region III championship as well as its ninth consecutive Mid-State Athletic Conference title in 2009. I congratulate Head Coach Chuck Wilbur on winning eight consecutive Mid-State Athletic Conference championships, five consecutive Region III championships, and three national championships. Chuck was named the NJCAA Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in 2009, the third time he was given that honor. I also wish to congratulate attack man Jerome Thompson and midfielder Jeremy Thompson, who were named the offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively, by the NJCAA Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association. In addition to Jerome Thompson and Jeremy Thompson, midfielder Ed Prevost, defenseman Pete Mumford, and goalie Jon Fiorillo were all named to the NJCAA All-American First Team. In 2009, Mr. Speaker, Onondaga Community College became the first college in NCAA history to achieve two simultaneous national championships in men's and women's lacrosse, with both the men's Lazers team winning the title along with the Lady Lazers team. Onondaga Community College is very proud of its athletes as well as its academic programs. I congratulate each member of the team, and I congratulate the community college family on winning the NJCAA Division I championship, and I wish them great success in 2010 for their men's lacrosse season. I thank Representative Maffei for bringing this resolution forward, and I urge my colleagues to support this measure. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentleman from New York (Mr. Maffei) for such time as he may consume.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1280 into the Record.