Statements For the Record

Today, 25,000 girls - some as young as ten years old - will be robbed of their future when they are forced to marry much older men. It isn't marriage when a ten year old girl is given to a forty year old man. That is sexual abuse.

The practice of child marriage is wrong and it must end. The United States must take a stand against child marriage.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010 (H.R. 4853). This important legislation will extend middle class tax cuts, help spur economic growth in America, and assist the vast majority of Americans, many of whom are struggling through a recovering economy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Senate Amendments to H.R. 4783, the Claims Resolution Act, and Cobell and Pigford II settlements now included.

Madam Speaker, I introduced House Resolution 771 on September 24, 2009 to recognize the 3,000 Americans diagnosed with Mesothelioma each year and raise awareness about this rare form of cancer. After more than a year of work, a coalition of support came together to mark September 26, 2010 as the first ever ‘National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.' I have to thank 58 of my colleagues - both Democrats and Republicans - who co-sponsored this resolution and all the advocates for their work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of extending emergency unemployment. This legislation, of which I am a proud cosponsor, is a common sense, non-controversial measure that will help American families.

I rise today to congratulate the faculty, students and staff of Saint Paul College on the occasion of the 100^th Anniversary of the school. Founded in 1910, Saint Paul College is an outstanding community and technical college that is a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system (MnSCU). Saint Paul College has further distinguished itself by earned the nation's top ranking among community colleges according to the 2010 September/October edition of Washington Monthly Magazine.

I rise in strong support of the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 (H.R. 5297). This legislation will extend much needed credit and reduce taxes for small businesses all across the country.

Small businesses are the engine of job creation in our economy and are playing a crucial role in helping America recover from the worst recession in 75 years. Still, small main street businesses are struggling to expand due to a lack of credit. The Small Business

I rise to pay tribute today to one of Minnesota's outstanding community leaders and a longtime resident of my Congressional District, Marcia Avner. This month, Marcia Avner is transitioning from her position as Public Policy Director for the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN), a position she has held for the past 14 years, to Senior Fellow at MCN, where she will continue to do what she has done best for so many years; advising and training emerging nonprofit sector advocates at both the state and national levels.