Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. We need to make sure that we hold Speaker Ryan's feet to the fire and make sure that he keeps his promise to the American people that this body will pass a budget, which we have yet to do. Our Nation's working families are working hard to keep their fiscal house in order. It is long past time for the House Republicans to do the same, while also making sure that we protect American consumers. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how we got into the worst economic crisis and nearly crashed the banking system in the first place. If we leave policymaking to the Republicans who are in the majority here, they would take us back to a time when we had a Wild West of regulation that left consumers twisting in the wind and banks to be able to make any decision they wanted and run over consumers all across America. We saw how well that worked out in 2008. Now we have come through the worst economic crisis we have ever had since the Great Depression--73 straight months of job growth in the private sector. We need to continue that progress, not go backward.

Mr. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Mr. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of American consumers who are too often denied access to justice and forced into arbitration by contracts they were unable to negotiate fairly. The Federal Arbitration Act was enacted to resolve disputes among businesses of equal standing; not to restrict consumer access to our courts. The horrific distortion of this law has allowed certain actors to tip the scale in their favor and create an uneven playing field in the pursuit of justice. It is our responsibility to guarantee every American equal access to justice and protect the public from unfair and pernicious business practices. For this reason, I strongly support my colleague, Representative Hank Johnson's bill, the Arbitration Fairness Act. This bill would require that agreements to arbitrate employment, consumer, civil rights or anti-trust disputes be made only after the dispute has arisen. Consumers can only properly evaluate their options, and make a truly voluntary choice, after a dispute has arisen. Arbitration undeniably serves an important role in our legal system, but its use must be a choice, and not a mandate resulting from a one-sided contract. Americans deserve to choose whether court, arbitration, mediation, or any other method of dispute resolution works best for them. I urge my colleagues to join me in guaranteeing all Americans this meaningful choice by cosponsoring the Arbitration Fairness Act.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, good luck--mazel tov--to my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. This was President Obama's and congressional Democrats' landmark law, which has helped 20 million Americans--1.7 million Floridians in my home State--get quality, affordable health care. It is a law that outlawed discrimination against people like me--a woman and a cancer survivor--who could have been prevented from obtaining care before the ACA ended that injustice. It is also the anniversary of the EARLY Act, a law that I was proud to author, which passed as part of the ACA. The EARLY Act empowers young women with the information and resources they need to understand their breast health and the risks that they face. As a cancer survivor and a mother, these two anniversaries are near and dear to my heart. I will continue working with my sister survivors, with the healthcare and cancer communities, along with Vice President Biden's inspirational National Cancer Moonshot, to expand care; protect more of our daughters, sisters, and mothers; and, finally, beat cancer once and for all.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Southeast Chapter of Florida Head Huggers, also known as ``Caps and Wraps,'' as they celebrate their five-year anniversary. This wonderful group of ladies meets every Thursday to knit and crochet caps, wraps and blankets, which are donated to adult and pediatric cancer patients who are undergoing treatment. Since the group began in January 2011, Caps and Wraps has donated more than 20,000 ``handmade hugs'' to local hospitals and oncology offices to ensure that cancer patients are provided with warmth and comfort. As a cancer survivor, I offer my heartfelt appreciation to Chapter founder, Aline Zucker, for her kindness and generosity. I commend the Southeast Chapter of Florida Head Huggers for their commitment and compassion to the cancer community.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Women's History Month. This month is our chance to recommit ourselves to the principle that, when women succeed, America succeeds. Women make up almost half of all workers in America, and working mothers are the primary breadwinners in 40 percent of families. More than ever, women's success is essential to our Nation's economy. As we begin Women's History Month in 2016, I encourage this body to meaningfully address the challenges that still exist for women and our families. I am pleased that the National Women's History Month Project is highlighting two incredible Floridians as they honor women in public service and government: Nadine Smith, an LGBT civil rights activist and the executive director of Equality Florida; and my good friend, Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, the first woman to chair of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a Presidential adviser. I am so grateful for the contributions these extraordinary women have made to our country, and I am thrilled that they are being recognized in this year's celebration.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt next Tuesday, a case challenging the Texas law that has deprived women of their constitutional right to make their own healthcare decisions. I was proud to join 163 of my colleagues in an amicus brief in support of women's health centers. Texas is home to 5.4 million women of reproductive age, and this appalling law would leave only 10 clinics open in the entire State-- 10--in Texas. As a mother of two daughters, I find this unacceptable. It is a moral outrage when legislatures full of mostly male politicians interfere in women's healthcare decisions. From Texas to my home State of Florida, to this very body, we are seeing an unprecedented attack on women's health, and I will not be silent about it. These laws have not and will not make women safer. They are intrusive and invade women's personal, most private decisions. It is my deepest hope that the Supreme Court overturns this offensive Texas law.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and in remembrance of former Representative Mike Oxley. As a valued member of this Chamber, Representative Oxley represented Ohio's Fourth District for over twenty-five years and served as Chairman of the Financial Services committee. As only a freshman Member of Congress on his committee, Chairman Oxley met with me and helped me pass the Life Insurance Fairness for Travelers (LIFT) Act, which prohibited discrimination by life insurance companies based on travel to Israel and other countries without an actuarial analysis of risk. It was one of the first bills I passed in Congress, and his respect and inclusion of the minority Members of our committee taught me that things could indeed get done across the aisle. It is a lesson I have not forgotten. Many remember Representative Oxley for his tireless efforts in passing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This law was and continues to ensure our confidence in public corporations and financial reporting in the private sector. However, more than his legislative accomplishments, I remember him for his involvement in the Congressional Baseball Game--an annual tradition that brings Members of both parties together for a good cause. No matter what he was involved in, Chairman Oxley was a fair and decent man who ensured all Members felt respected. As a cancer survivor, his loss to cancer is even more heartbreaking and makes me more determined to fight to defeat this deadly disease. Mike Oxley's work, integrity and passion for public service bettered both the Congress and our nation. It is with great pleasure that I honor Representative Oxley.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, nearly 5 years ago to the day, I rose to offer my support for one of my closest friends and our former colleague, Gabrielle Giffords. That day, many of us, from both sides of the aisle, mourned the six Americans whose lives were taken by a deranged gunman in Tucson, Arizona. Since then, it has become eerily commonplace for a Member to lead a moment of silence to honor their murdered constituents: a colleague of ours whose life changed forever, twenty 6-year-old children, a Federal judge, worshippers in church. How does Republican fervor over the right to own a gun trump the right not to be murdered by someone who shouldn't have a gun? President Obama's executive actions are a critical step to reducing this national epidemic. They are well within his legal authority and will help keep guns out of dangerous hands. They are so critical because of Republican inaction on closing loopholes, which a majority of Americans support, and their failure to rise above the NRA's fearmongering. Democrats will continue to bring meaningful, commonsense solutions to this floor so we can keep our Nation safer.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud original cosponsor of House Resolution 518, Honoring and Praising the American Jewish Committee on the Occasion of its 109th anniversary, and to more broadly commend and celebrate the work of AJC. Thank you to my colleague Representative Al Green for organizing this special order hour. Originally founded to raise awareness about the targeting of Jewish communities in Russia, AJC has become a leading voice and advocate against racism and prejudice here in the United States and around the world. Rooted in the Jewish values of tikkun olam--repairing the world--and of being a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, AJC has been a key actor in pivotal movements and legislative victories including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act, and for comprehensive immigration reform. As we continue to work to fulfill the complete visions of those movements, AJC will continue to be on the front lines. AJC has partnered with governments all over the world to promote tolerance and understanding and successfully worked to restore and preserve Jewish historical and cultural centers from India to Morocco to Argentina. This work is critical not only for supporting Jewish communities and historical memory abroad, but also for the broader goal of promoting intercultural and interreligious understanding in the face of hatred and violence. On a more personal level, as a young legislator in the Florida House, the American Jewish Committee took me on my first trip to Israel in 1995. That mission was nothing short of transformative. Although I felt a connection to the land of Israel as a Jew, that trip was the first of many that has deepened my connection to the land, to the history and reinforcing my steadfast commitment to supporting the state of Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship. With threats coming from across and within her borders, our support for this relationship has perhaps never been more important. So again, I commend the American Jewish Committee for its work on behalf of the Jewish community, on behalf of Israel, and on behalf of all the people its work impacts.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express strong support for the people and nation of Israel and to wholly condemn the horrific acts of violence targeting innocent civilians. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. All people have the right to live in peace and security, and every nation has the right to take actions to protect its citizens. As chaos envelopes Israel from all borders, we must stand stalwartly with our strongest ally in the region. Over the past month, unprovoked Palestinian attacks against Israeli civilians, including children, police officers, and members of the IDF, have increased to shocking levels. Perhaps even more disturbing are the Palestinian leadership's recent incitements to violence. In a September 30 address, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the United Nations, saying that Palestinians would no longer be bound by their commitments to the Oslo Accords. One day later, Palestinians ambushed two Jewish Israelis, Rabbi Eitam and Naama Henkin, murdering them in front of their children. Since then, barbaric terrorist attacks against civilians, including stabbings, rock throwing, and deliberate car crashes, have become all too commonplace. We have seen a 15-year-old teenager stabbed in Jerusalem, two rabbis stabbed and killed in the Old City, five people attacked with a screwdriver in Tel Aviv, and a driver intentionally hitting civilians at a bus stop, then getting out of the car with a sharp object and causing more bloodshed and destruction in broad daylight. These are only some of the innocent victims of this deplorable violence. Rather than showing leadership and calling for common civility, President Abbas and other Palestinian leaders have chosen to further incite violence. President Abbas has perpetuated false accusations about the Israeli Government's treatment of Palestinians and undermined the Israeli Government's assurance that it seeks to maintain the status quo on the Temple Mount. Mr. Speaker, I continue to support the United States' longstanding policy of supporting our partners for peace in the region to reach a two-state solution. However, the Palestinian Authority's words and lack of action to quell the violence calls into question those partnerships. I call on the international community to speak out against these brutal terrorist attacks. In addition, we must put pressure on those who are taking inflammatory actions that deliberately fuel tensions. Just yesterday six countries submitted a resolution to UNESCO with the sole intention of delegitimizing Jewish history in our own Holy Land. This is disgraceful. I applaud the efforts of this administration to oppose this harmful and incendiary resolution. We must unequivocally condemn terrorist attacks and actions wherever and whenever they take place. These violent attacks against Jews in Israel are part of growing anti-Semitism around the globe. Tragically, over the past few years in particular, we have seen a rise in anti- Semitism from the streets of Paris to the streets of Miami Beach in my district. Around the world, we have seen the spread of a violent and depraved ideology aimed at crushing the values that we hold dear: the freedom to practice and celebrate our own diverse religions and cultures; the right to express ourselves in print and in speech; the right to live in our homelands and walk in our streets with dignity, respect, and safety. We must stand up and speak out whenever these rights are threatened. As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, I am proud to advocate for strong funding and cooperation with Israel on matters of mutual interest. As our strategic and democratic ally, we must bolster efforts to ensure that Israel has the necessary resources she needs to be secure and confront the violent threats against her. The rise in violence in Israel and of anti-Semitism more broadly is deeply troubling to me, as a lawmaker who values and respects the strong U.S.-Israel relationship; but it also impacts me more personally, as a Jew who feels a significant and historic connection to the land of Israel. No nation on Earth can be expected to sit back and take these kinds of attacks on her citizens without responding. President Abbas and Palestinian leaders must take clear and meaningful steps to stop this violence and encourage unity and a return to the path toward a peaceful two-state solution. There is absolutely no justification for violence against innocent civilians under any circumstances, and I call for those responsible for these vicious terrorist attacks to be brought to swift justice. I proudly and firmly stand behind Israel's right to defend herself against malicious, brutal terrorist attacks from outside her borders and from within, and call on others here and around the world to do the same.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Thank you.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Because I want to engage as we used to do. And I know that you do this as well. But I just want to follow up on what you just said because the gentleman from California posed the question and stated the fact that millennials today really aren't starting new businesses. You would think--and we envision them to be the start-up generation. They are living in a start-up era, but, yet, they can't see it. To use the vernacular of the gentleman of Florida, Congressman Meeks, when we were throwing things around on the House floor 10 years ago, let's put the cookie on the bottom shelf here. If, as you just said, they are saddled with the burden of significant debt coming out of college when they get a degree, it is very difficult for them to see a pathway to develop that small business, to envision being a pioneer of the next great industry. So we are literally saddling them with a heavy burden as they leave what is supposed to be the jumping-off point for the next phase of their lives. We are supposed to be passing them the baton so that they can move America forward. It is just not fair. It is not right. And our friends on the other side of the aisle are part of the problem.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I wanted to share my own personal story very briefly. You know, I happened to get married fairly young at 24 years old. Graduating from a public university, the University of Florida, without debt, the progress I was able to make at the beginning of my adult life, at the beginning of my professional life, enabled me to have a much longer ramp and see many more possibilities because I didn't have that debt. My husband and I were able to buy our first house right after we got married, and we have been able to make sure that we can make choices that will maximize our opportunities to ensure that our children, when we had them and now are raising them, have opportunities. It is so sad that the millennial generation really doesn't see it, doesn't believe it, and that is because there is obstacle after obstacle being thrown in their way right from the start of their most formative years.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Unbelievable.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Will the gentleman yield?

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Well, what hasn't happened is a focus in a bipartisan way on making sure that we make college affordability a top priority. I will tell you that I know my husband and I are at the intersection in our family of wanting to make sure that, as we send our twins, two at once, off to college 2 years from now, we will be able to, one, be able to supplement as much as possible their college education so that, knowing what we know about the potential for them to have that debt burden when they graduate, we can relieve that possibility, and trying to figure out how the heck we are going to add that double-whammy expense when they start college and at the same time being pretty panicked about how much debt they will have to go in themselves if we can't really make sure--and families all across--less about me and more about the sort of average middle class family that is trying to make sure that they can make ends meet for their whole family and make sure that they can send their kids off to start their lives, which is why President Obama and congressional Democrats have proposed that the first 2 years of college be free. I will tell you that I have a lot of folks at home in south Florida who have said to me, ``You know, if I only had to worry about my kid's junior and senior year and how we were going to pay for that and we knew that at least they could get an AA degree.'' Over 100 years ago, when we established free universal access to public education in elementary grades and eventually secondary grades, no one would question. That was considered controversial back then. No one today would consider universal free public education, except maybe some of our friends on the other side of the aisle. Actually, I take that back. But you wouldn't question, you wouldn't think, that universal access to public education should be free. We are at the point now in the 21st century where there shouldn't be any question that the first 2 years of college should be free, and we need our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us in that.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Absolutely. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding, and I say to my friend from Ohio that it is good to get the band back together. It is really incredible that it has been 10 years. I don't really want to think about the birthday that I just had and where that puts me. I guess a few years after we started the 30-Something Working Group at least I and our former colleague Kendrick Meek from Florida passed the status of being 30-something, and we were 30-somethings in spirit while we were doing that for a little while. I am a little longer past being a 30-something now, but it is absolutely critical that we have an opportunity now to pass the torch, Mr. Ryan, to the next generation of 30-somethings who are focused on making sure that, as we go from generation to generation, as Democrats, we are focused on making sure about those cornerstones of a middle class life that we talked about 10 years ago, making sure that you don't have to choose between buying your groceries or filling your gas tank so you can get to work, which then, if you can't, would cause you not to be able to afford your groceries. Now, 10 years later, Mr. Swalwell--I had young children back then. Mr. Ryan was single, and now he has young children. My twins are actually 2 years from going to college, so the student debt crisis that has been looming and has existed and has overly burdened so many Americans is now something that my family has trepidation about. So it is incredibly timely that we relaunch this working group and make sure that the issues that are important to that next generation get the attention and the focus on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Will the gentleman yield?

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. In response to your question, whether I have heard this in my district, absolutely. The average debt that an individual carries in student loan debt is about $29,000. That is crushing debt for years to be burdened with. Even President Obama, not long prior to becoming President, he and the First Lady had both talked about how they only just had paid off their student loan debt just before he took office. Imagine into your not even late fifties, late forties, still paying off your debt from college and postgraduate school. It is just outrageous. Yet Republicans--and let's make sure that we zero in on brass tacks here--Republicans have consistently denied Americans the opportunity to reform the student loan program so that we can ensure that when they are paid a salary that it is in line with how much they have to actually pay back out of their monthly paycheck to actually make sure that they can make ends meet.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Broward County Public Schools and the School Board of Broward County as they celebrate their centennial anniversary and the school system's impressive history of educational excellence. As the second-largest public school system in Florida and the sixth-largest in the nation, Broward County teachers and administrators continue to demonstrate their commitment to the betterment of our South Florida community. This remarkable system includes 238 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 99 charter schools. Their impact on our state and this nation reaches far beyond the 265,000 young students and 175,000 adult students currently enrolled in one of their programs. Indeed, this school system is a cornerstone of South Florida's growing and vibrant economy. Broward County Public Schools continues to prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century. The school system educates students from 204 different countries who speak 184 different languages. Through innovative initiatives and a focus on the needs of our diverse community, they stand as beacon of the American ideals of educational achievement, upward mobility and the resolve to succeed. It is with great pleasure that I honor Broward County Public Schools, the School Board of Broward County, and its Superintendent, Mr. Robert Runcie.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015. This bill is possibly the most dangerous bill for women's health to come to the House floor of this Congress. State and Federal investigations of Planned Parenthood have produced no evidence of violations of laws or medical standards, and independent auditors confirm the videos referenced were heavily altered. What really happens in Planned Parenthood clinics every year is this: 2.7 million Americans receive critical health services, 78 percent of which live below the poverty level; doctors deliver approximately 400,000 pap smear exams; and women receive nearly half a million breast exams, including screenings to 88,000 women whose cancer was detected early. This legislation threatens those services and the health of patients, including 7,000 women in my district annually who rely on Planned Parenthood for health care. As a woman, mother, and breast cancer survivor, I refuse to take that threat lying down. Republicans' own investigations turned up nothing; yet some of their Members are willing to risk women's lives just to score political points. Enough is enough. I urge all Members who truly value women's health to vote against this outrageous witch hunt.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the motion to approve this agreement. After a thorough review process, I believe it is in the best national security interests of the United States and our allies for Congress to support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. I have been a public official for nearly 23 years. This is the most consequential vote I have taken and the most difficult decision I have ever faced. I have spent the review period methodically going through the agreement, raising concerns with the administration, and speaking with independent sources, including nuclear nonproliferation experts, economists, and foreign ambassadors. I also held a series of meetings and spoke with many constituents who fervently hold very strong and differing positions. My goal was to determine whether the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the most likely path to prevent Iran from achieving their nuclear weapons goals. This agreement is clearly not perfect. It is one tool that we have to combat Iran's nuclear ambitions. Ultimately, my support is based on substance. Importantly, my Jewish identity and Jewish heart weighed heavily in my decisionmaking process. As we listen to Iran's leaders call for the destruction of the Jewish people in Israel, history offers a brutal reminder of what happens when we do not listen. Iran continues to be a leading state sponsor of terrorism, but an Iran with a nuclear weapon or Hezbollah or Hamas with a nuclear shield is far more dangerous. With the JCPOA in place, we will have Iran's nuclear program under the most intrusive monitoring and inspection mechanisms in place, while we continue to combat Iran's terrorist reach. I have personally spoken with the President and my colleagues about steps that we must and will take to continue strengthening Israel's and our other allies' intelligence and military capabilities. Opponents say we must press for a better deal, but after thoroughly investigating this prospect, I am left with no evidence that one is likely or even possible. I heard directly from our allies, top diplomats, and analysts from across the political spectrum that the sanctions regime that we have in place now will erode, if not completely fall apart. Moreover, our partners will not come back to the negotiating table, and neither will Iran, and no one opposed to this deal has produced any evidence to the contrary. I cannot comprehend why we would walk away from the safeguards in this agreement, leaving Iran speeding toward a nuclear weapon. Safeguards like 24/7/365 access, monitoring all of Iran's previously declared nuclear sites, eliminating 98 percent of Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile, and the unprecedented standard of monitoring every stage of the nuclear supply chain. Even if Iran cheats, we will know much more about their nuclear program, allowing us to more effectively eliminate it if that ever becomes necessary. As a Jewish mother and as a Member of Congress, nothing is more important to me than ensuring the safety and security of the United States and Israel. I am confident that supporting this agreement is the best opportunity that we have to do that. Mr. Speaker, we have an expression in Judaism, may the United States go from strength to strength, and as we say in synagogue, the people of Israel live--am Yisrael chai.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to condemn House Republicans' secretive attempt in the dead of Wednesday night to permit the display of the racist Confederate flag in national parks and cemeteries. In the wake of the Charleston murders, our Nation is moving toward the removal of the flag from public places. Later today, the State of South Carolina will remove the flag from its capitol grounds. And yet, while this is happening, the Republican majority has sought to associate itself and this body with the racist legacy of the Confederate flag. To add insult to injury, yesterday, when House Democrats tried to bring up a resolution removing any State flag displaying the Confederate battle flag from the Capitol except in very limited circumstances, the majority turned their backs and ignored the cries of millions of Americans who are calling for its permanent ban. Republican leadership ought to be ashamed for associating themselves with this symbol of racism, hatred, and intolerance. This body should move swiftly to relegate the Confederate flag to museums and the ashbin of history.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the congressional version of the Women's World Cup Soccer team, the softball version. I am here with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, my teammates, my sisters who played valiantly in the 7th Annual Congressional Women's Softball Game. Congratulations to the women Members of Congress who beat the press in a shutout game, defending our title in back-to-back victories as Congressional Women's Softball Game Champions. I want to thank my teammates on both sides of the aisle. They have become my sisters and my friends throughout the whole season. It is always so amazing to think about what we do over 3 months with the incredibly busy schedules that so many of us have, coming out to practice at 7:00 in the morning, two or three times a week. We did not have a smaller turnout for practice than 10 Members at each practice at 7:00 in the morning. And our hard work paid off. This is a game that, I know, many of you know is near and dear to my heart. I know that many of you know this. It bears repeating just because of the reason that we play this game. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 7\1/2\ years ago, and today I am cancer free at 41 years old. It is really timely for us to be able to focus some attention on breast cancer in young women, given the USPSTF recommendations and the discussions that we are having around making sure that we pay attention and help young women focus on their breast health. That is what this game is all about. We are so proud to tell you that since we started this game 7 years ago, we have raised about $700,000 for the Young Survival Coalition. $200,000 of that was this game. Without the leadership and dedication of our board of directors and our organizing committee, this game and the money we raise would not have been possible. I want to specifically thank our board president, Kate Yglesias Houghton, and all the members of board: Atalie Ebersole, Natalie Buchanan, Tori Barnes, and Kristen Buckler. Also, a huge thank you to the members of the organizing committee: Jill Agostino, Sean Bartlett, Gary Caruso, Kayla Dunlap, Katharine Emerson, Ben Gerdes, Jenna Glazer, Kathryn Hamm, Erika Kelly, Jim Kiley, and Dana Paikowsky. A special shout-out to Eddie Perlmutter, who was one of our assistant coaches, and to our cheerleaders. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Alabama (Mrs. Roby), who for the second time this month and for the second time in the last couple of weeks is actually standing next to me.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, we are really so gratified to have been able to have spent the last 3 months practicing every morning at 7 a.m. Our team--I just keep repeating that over and over, and maybe it will come true--is bipartisan. It is an opportunity every year for us to come together and bridge the divide around a cause that is so meaningful and important for so many women all across America. I thank all of you every year for your support and for the turnout and for the love and affection that we have for one another in that we are able to put aside our differences. As a breast cancer survivor myself--diagnosed at 41--I just can't thank my colleagues enough for their time. I will close by saying that the Member team is the defending champion; and, tonight, we will keep the trophy. Go, Members. Beat the press. Beat cancer. Please join us at 420 12th Street Southeast, at the Watkins Recreation Center. The first pitch is at 7 p.m. It is a great game. Come by. Eat hot dogs. Cheer us on.