Albert Wynn

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. As an old trial lawyer, I know when to stop. Thank you, gentlemen, for the acceptance.

Mr. WYNN. Mr. Chairman, I relinquish the balance of my time.

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to Dr. Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Franklin. This remarkable woman is celebrating her 80th birthday July 1, 2007. As a founding member and first president of Theta Rho Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Sorority, Dr. Foster has had a monumental role in the Chapter's scholarship work and community service. Through the Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Foundation, the Theta Rho Omega Chapter has provided funds for academic scholarships. The Chapter has given more than $90,000 to scholars and community service projects. Dr. Franklin is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and holds a master degree and doctorate degree in education. Throughout her lengthy career, Dr. Franklin has continued to demonstrate a love of education. She has taught in Virginia, Michigan and Chicago. Dr. Franklin's steadfast commitment to others undoubtedly exemplifies her generosity of spirit and dedication to countless educational and humanitarian causes. Dr. Franklin's birthday on July 1st is special because this gracious and admirable woman has devoted herself magnanimously to helping others. She is recognized by her community, her friends, and her loved ones as a pillar of strength and compassion. Dr. Franklin's effort to make the world a better place is truly admirable.

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. WYNN. Mr. Chairman, let me begin by thanking the gentlelady, the chairman of the Committee on Small Business, for her leadership over the years on this very important issue. The amendment I am introducing this evening would require that the Small Business Administration study the feasibility and desirability of providing financial incentives to encourage prime contractors to meet their goals for subcontracting with socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. Specifically, the amendment would commission the SBA to study different types of financial incentives that could help or encourage prime contractors to meet their goals set forth in their subcontracting claims for the utilization of small business companies owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Ironically, you heard earlier this evening about the problem of prime contractors failing to utilize small minority and economically disadvantaged businesses. Given the constitutional constraints that we as legislators have in legislating mandates for achieving these goals for minority and disadvantaged businesses, I believe that we must come up with creative and viable alternatives that can help encourage greater participation in the Federal contracting process by these businesses. One such method to encourage greater participation by small minority and economically disadvantaged businesses would be to devise a means of rewarding prime contractors who meet their small business contracting goals rather than penalizing them. This is similar to the incentives placed in contracts for meeting deadlines and staying within budget. My amendment would simply require that SBA study and report to Congress about different types of financial incentives that could be implemented that would encourage prime contractors to meet their goals for increasing opportunity for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. This would allow us to encourage DB participation rather than attempting to penalize contractors who fail to meet their goals. This is an approach that offers more carrot and less stick. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlelady, the chairwoman of the committee.

Mr. WYNN. I thank the gentleman for his kind comments and for his support of the amendment, and, of course, I thank the gentlelady for supporting the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation because it is time to take a stand against the violence, the violent acts that flow from prejudice. This is not about the thought police, this is not about sermons on morality, this is about the status of our civilization, and it is about our humanity. As human beings, we have the right to be safe from physical attack, no matter our race, our religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. In other words, human beings have the right to be safe from attacks based on who they are. No one should have to be afraid because of who they are. We need to pass this legislation to ensure that this principle is embodied in our law.

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. WYNN. Madam Chairman, I have a parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. WYNN. Would it be permissible to have my amendment considered at the end of the amendments?

Mr. WYNN. I thank the Chair. Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mrs. Boyda of Kansas

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. WYNN. Madam Chair, the amendment that I am proposing will make sure that the biotechnology research and innovation are included under TIP's funding objectives by expanding the definition of enabling technologies in section 204 of the bill to include ``any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof to make or modify products or processes for specific use.'' Biotechnology is an emerging segment of the technology sector often overlooked as an excellent source of manufacturing jobs and research and development. The biotechnology industry is a driving force in the Maryland economy and a rising sector of the American economy. In the United States, the biotechnology industry has created more than 200 new therapies and vaccines, including products to treat cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and anti-autoimmune disorders. The industry continues to develop innovative therapies over 400 products are currently in clinical trials targeting over 200 diseases. The biotechnology industry is comprised of mostly small start-ups that don't have an existing stream of revenue and are years away from product commercialization. It takes at least 8 years, and then up to $1.2 billion to get a biotechnology therapy approved. It is these small companies, many of which will never see a product come to market or turn a product that are undertaking the bulk of early development gambles and working toward innovative cures. In fact, small biotech companies account for two-thirds of the industry's pipeline. In 2005, there were 1,400 biotech companies in the United States, but only 329 were publicly traded. The majority of the Biotechnology Industry Organization's (BIO) members are small companies that have fewer than 50 employees. The U.S. is the leader in biotechnology. The number of products in the late stage pipeline in the U.S. has double the number of products in the E.U. This is largely due to the fact that per capita biotech R&D in the U.S. is 574 percent higher than in the E.U. My State of Maryland is a leader among States in biotechnology research and innovation, and Maryland-based businesses will benefit greatly from the funding awarded under this bill. But not only Maryland; other small startup companies in the biotech industry will benefit by inclusion of this bill. I believe it is a simple, straightforward amendment that just expands and clarifies the fact that biotechnology companies should be included, and I ask support for the amendment.

Mr. WYNN. I would be happy to yield.

Mr. WYNN. Madam Chairman, I thank the chairman for his support. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 1868 in the Committee of the Whole, pursuant to H. Res. 350, that amendment No. 2 may be offered out of order.

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the growing crisis in the Sudan. Today, earlier today, the House passed House Concurrent Resolution 7, an important piece of legislation that calls on the League of Arab States to acknowledge the genocide in Darfur, to support the U.N. peacekeepers and to work with the U.N. and the African Union to bring peace to the region. I am proud to have been a cosponsor of this important legislation, and I thank the House leadership for its attention to this crisis. An estimated 200,000 noncombatant civilians, including women and children, have been murdered by the janjaweed militia fighters supported by the Sudanese government; 450,000 people have been killed in the conflict. To date, 2.5 million villagers in the Darfur region have been displaced from their homes. Most Darfurians live in camps today. There is no question that the acts of the janjaweed militia and, by extension, the government of Sudan constitute a level of violence that can only be described as genocide. But now that violence has spread. With the splintering of rebel groups into as many as 12 factions, there is increasing rebel-on-rebel violence with the possibility of return to all-out war. The African U.N. has deployed nearly 7,000 troops to the region. Last year the United Nations Security Council authorized a peacekeeping force of 22,000 U.N. troops for Darfur. Those peacekeepers, unfortunately, are still not in place due to the resistance of the government of Sudan. Today, U.N. negotiations with Sudan continue in an attempt to add at least 3,000 U.N. peacekeepers to the existing 7,000 African U.N. peacekeepers, and to allow the U.N. to use helicopters to safeguard peacekeepers and the refugees they protect. The Bush administration has suspended its pending sanctions against Sudan at the request of the U.N. to give these negotiations time to work. I hope that these negotiations will be successful, and that the peacekeepers can be effective in ensuring that there is no further loss of life and that international aid can get to those who most desperately need it. Humanitarian access to refugees is decreasing, due to the administrative foot dragging by the Sudanese government. Humanitarian groups are under increasing pressure due to restrictions placed on them by the Sudanese government, as well as the deteriorating security situation. We must ensure access for humanitarian workers and continue provide to funding and support that they need to perform their lifesaving mission. The conference version of the appropriation bill approved by the House just a few minutes ago included over $360 million in peacekeeping and disaster assistance for the victims of this crisis. That includes $44 million in international disaster and famine assistance funding for immediate lifesaving needs of victims of the Darfur crisis, including health care, access to water, sanitation and shelter, $150 million for additional food assistance in Sudan and eastern Chad. Most of the humanitarian groups now operating in Sudan are doing so supported by the U.S. Government, with money provided by U.S. taxpayers. We must work in cooperation with the United Nations and with our friends and allies around the world to stop these horrific crimes and to provide a essential aid to the victims of this conflict and to bring peace to the region. We must be prepared to keep the pressure on. The emergency supplemental that we just passed calls on the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare a report on companies that do business in Sudan and determine whether the U.S. Government is currently doing business with them. The point is, that if the time comes for sanctions, Congress will be ready. Congress is also calling on Sudan's neighbors to acknowledge the genocide in Darfur and to take steps to stop it. The bill we passed today calls on the Arab League to declare the systemic torture, rape and displacement of innocent civilians in Darfur as genocide. The Arab League must support and accept U.N. peacekeepers to ensure an end to hostilities and the safe passage of humanitarian aid. The Arab League needs to engage the U.S., African Union and Sudanese government to bring lasting peace and stability to Darfur. I am very proud to have supported this legislation, as well as the conference report, and look forward to working with my colleagues to help bring a peaceful future to Sudan and peace to the lives of the Darfurian refugees.

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 518) to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize States to restrict receipt of foreign municipal solid waste and implement the Agreement Concerning the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste between the United States and Canada, and for other purposes.

Mr. WYNN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material into the Record on the pending bill.

Mr. WYNN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 518, the International Solid Waste Importation and Management Act of 2007. This legislation is a culmination of efforts that began with the introduction of the international waste bill in the 104th Congress and has been introduced by our committee chairman, Mr. Dingell; and sponsored by all the members of the Michigan delegation, including Mr. Rogers, Mr. Stupak, Mr. Upton, Mr. Ehlers, Mr. McCotter, Mr. Levin, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Kildee, Mrs. Miller, Ms. Kilpatrick, Mr. Camp, Mr. Knollenberg, Mr. Hoekstra, and Mr. Walberg. I want to thank and congratulate all these Members for their tireless efforts to move this legislation to the floor. In March this legislation was reported out of the subcommittee which I chair, the Subcommittee on the Environment and Hazardous Materials, and out of the full Committee on Energy and Commerce. This legislation, which has a long history of bipartisan support, is long overdue in providing States and localities control over the amount of international municipal solid waste that they are forced to accept. The extent of this problem is exemplified by the millions of tons of solid waste that is trucked into this country at the rate of approximately 350 truckloads per day. The volume of the international solid waste that comes into this country on a daily basis places an undue burden on the States' and localities' landfill capacities, as well as their roads and infrastructure, solely at the expense of the States and localities. This legislation seeks to address these concerns by providing the States with the authority to place limits on the amounts of international municipal solid waste that they will accept. It will give the States and the EPA clear authority to safely manage solid waste disposal and to control waste volumes in the best interests of the States and the Nation as a whole. In addition, H.R. 518 provides the necessary legal authority for the United States, through the Environmental Protection Agency, to fully implement the 1986 Trans-Boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Other Wastes Agreement between the United States and Canada. These are simple steps that will provide the legislative authority to the Federal and State governments, and are also consistent with the powers enumerated in the United States Constitution and our international trade obligations and agreement. I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this very important and bipartisan bill. Madam Speaker, I would reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WYNN. It gives me great pleasure at this time to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WYNN. Likewise, Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers. Again, I would like to commend Chairman Dingell and the Michigan delegation for their leadership on this issue. I yield back the balance of my time as well.

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. I would like to thank the distinguished chairman. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of D.C. voting rights on behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Maryland, suburban neighbors of the citizens of the District of Columbia, out in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties. We fully and wholeheartedly support full D.C. voting rights.

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, today, the House takes up the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act, a bill that ensures that our troops are properly trained and equipped, that sets strong standards for accountability in Iraq, and that sets a date certain for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq. Our servicemen and women have performed courageously in Iraq, and we are deeply grateful for their sacrifice and unflagging commitment. They have served our Nation admirably, despite inadequate planning and incompetent management by this administration. There is nothing more we could ask of them. They have risen to every challenge, and carried out their mission faithfully, in the highest traditions of military service. This bill honors that service, by ensuring that our men and women in uniform are properly equipped, and properly trained, before they are deployed to combat duty. It sets strong readiness standards, to protect our troops by requiring that their deployment is consistent with Department of Defense guidelines for equipment and training, and that they are fully ``mission-capable.'' It also ensures that they do not serve longer deployments than is the tradition of their service--while including provisions that grant flexibility in the case of a real national-security need. The Bush administration has extended troop stays, brought back our troops for tour after tour, time and again. But the time for more tours, and more troops, and more war, is finished. It is time to bring our troops home. While I'd like to see our troops begin an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, concluding by the end of the year, I have become convinced that the bill before us is the best we can achieve. I commend Speaker Pelosi, for her hard work to build consensus in this House for a new direction in Iraq, and for her efforts to bring our troops home. This bill is a historic step in the right direction in that it sets a date-certain for the withdrawal of troops. After four years of war in Iraq, it is evident that this conflict is not amenable to a military resolution. Rather, we must withdraw, and engage Iraq and its neighbors in the region in a diplomatic initiative, rather than a military conflict. I also believe we must give the Iraqi people an incentive to take responsibility for their own security, to disarm the militias and reduce sectarian violence. This bill gives them that incentive in no uncertain terms. Under this bill Iraq, and the Bush administration, must begin to show real progress, and will be held accountable by this Congress for that progress. The bill requires the President to certify that the Iraqi government is meeting the political and military benchmarks he laid out in January, and hold the Iraqis accountable for making progress towards those benchmarks. The bill offered by this Democratic Congress requires the Iraqi government to take steps to disarm the militias, pursue extremist groups, and start delivering Iraqi Security Forces to protect Baghdad. It requires the Iraqi government to fairly share oil revenues, ensure that elections are free and fair, and begin to responsibly allocate and spend Iraqi government funds to rebuild the nation of Iraq. If the Iraqi government does not take action to disarm the militias, and has not taken steps towards political reconciliation and responsibility for its own security by July of this year, Americans will begin to come home, and will be out of Iraq within 180 days. Most importantly, under this bill, American combat troops will begin to leave Iraq by March 2008, and will be out of Iraq by August of 2008. This is not the bill that many of us want, but it is the best bill we are likely to get, and I am going to support it. It is not a perfect bill. But it is a step in the right direction-- towards ending the war. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this bill, and for a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq. This war has cost us 3,225 American lives to date and almost half a trillion dollars. It's time for a new direction. It's time for our troops to come home.

Mr. WYNN

Mr. WYNN. Madam Speaker, I represent the 4th District of Maryland which abuts the District of Columbia. These citizens are our friends, neighbors, and relatives. It is time to give the citizens of the District of Columbia full representation in the House of Representatives. It is time to end the injustice of ``taxation without representation'' for the District and give these good citizens the right to vote. For 206 years, the citizens of the District of Columbia have paid taxes, served in the military and worked hard for this great country and yet, for over 200 years these citizens have been denied the right to representation. The United States is the only democracy in the world that, to date, has deprived the residents of its capital city full voting representation. We have sent thousands of soldiers overseas and spent billions of dollars fighting to bring democracy to the rest of the world. We must stand on the side of democracy in our country and give our own citizens in the District of Columbia the right to vote and an opportunity for full representation in this great democracy.