Providing for Consideration of H.R. 3043, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act...

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3043, DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - November 06, 2007)

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Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, the bill under consideration today represents the core of what the American people send us here to do. It invests in children's health and encourages our young people to serve their communities. It helps people train for the workplace and provides funding for crucial education programs. It represents the best of what government by the people can do.

That is why I am pleased to support the rule and the underlying legislation, Madam Speaker. I am particularly encouraged by the investments it makes in children's health and in national service.

Today's appropriations package fully funds the National Children's Study. This Study is a perfect example of the kinds of long-term health initiatives that the government is perfectly positioned to lead.

It will examine 100,000 children from before birth to age 21. The data generated by the Children's Study will help us develop cures for diseases like autism, asthma, childhood obesity, and diabetes.

The Children's Study is the first of its kind, Madam Speaker. But we do not have to wait decades for the Study to change lives. In just a few short years, it will begin generating useful data on premature birth, common birth defects, and prenatal links to autism.

I am pleased that today's appropriations package invests so wisely in the National Children's Study, and I urge all my colleagues to support it as a result.

Madam Speaker, the conferees also recognized the importance of our National Service Programs. Over the last few years, service members have provided humanitarian and educational assistance to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. More recently, they have offered their services to help calm the wildfires that have devastated my home State of California.

I am pleased that the conferees appropriated high funding levels to help sustain and grow our service programs. National Civilian Community Corps received over $24 million in funding. Currently, there are only three of these campuses in our Nation, and I am glad that this funding will help build two new campuses.

I am also pleased to see that the other important programs--like Learn and Serve America, Volunteers in Service to America and AmeriCorps State and National programs--all received high levels of funding. These National Service Programs are essential to the health of our communities and Nation.

Madam Speaker, today's legislation is about making our priorities clear. Protecting children's health and encouraging national service are not choices we have as Members of Congress. They are responsibilities. I am pleased that today's legislation fulfills our collective responsibilities as representatives of the people.

I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying legislation.

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