Department Of Labor, Health And Human Services, And Education, And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

Floor Speech

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - July 17, 2007)

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Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of this bill, which makes needed investments in our family security and therefore our national security. I want to congratulate Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Walsh for bringing forward a good bill, a bill that makes critical investments in America's families and in our country's future. This is my first year on the Appropriations Committee, and I am honored to have an opportunity to be part of this subcommittee.

The investments in this bill will affect every family in America. Today, we ensure our children have an opportunity for quality education, help families and students afford college, and increase access to community health clinics.

As Mr. Obey says, this bill is about the country we want to be, and that is the country we deserve to be.

For too long the Bush administration has been negligent in its underfunding of education and health care, putting enormous strains on local governments, on schools and on local taxpayers. Today we move in a new direction by investing in families, prioritizing what matters: the education of our students, health care research in diabetes, cancer and heart disease, job training for those who are affected by our changing economy and for our returning veterans, energy assistance for our elderly, and early childhood education.

When we make responsible and necessary investments in our children and in our communities, we strengthen our families and we strengthen our Nation by ensuring our global competitiveness.

Once again, I thank Chairman Obey for his leadership on the committee, for his commitment to strengthening America and bettering the lives of Americans.

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