[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E505-E506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECONCILIATION ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Sunday, March 21, 2010

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to mark 
the passage of this historic legislation and to thank the individuals 
whose hard work made this moment possible. Of course we would never 
have gotten here without the perseverance of our Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, 
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Majority Whip, Jim Clyburn. Also, 
Congressman John Larson, Chair of the Democratic Caucus and Xavier 
Becerra, Vice Chair. I would also like to thank Congressman Chris Van 
Hollen for his leadership and the Committee and Subcommittee Chairs 
whose perseverance brought us to this historic vote today: Chairmen 
George Miller from Education and Labor, Charlie Rangel from Ways and 
Means, Henry Waxman from Energy and Commerce and Sander Levin from Ways 
and Means and Subcommittee Chairs Pete Stark from Ways and Means and 
Frank Pallone from Energy and Commerce. I would especially like to 
thank my regional colleagues, Education and Labor Subcommittee Chairman 
Bob Andrews, Budget Committee Vice Chair Allyson Schwartz, House 
Administration Chairman Bob Brady, Congressman Mike Doyle, Congressman 
Patrick Murphy and Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Delegate Donna 
Christensen who represented the Congressional Black Caucus in critical 
negotiations. This bill will be good for my District, our region, and 
our country. We in the Congress owe a debt of gratitude to our 
President, Barack Obama, who led this historic effort.
  I would be remiss if I didn't thank the staff whose talents are 
rarely seen in public, but without whom this would never have happened. 
First, Liz King in my office, an ardent advocate for my constituents in 
this debate. In the White House, Nancy-Ann DeParle whose institutional 
memory and long-term commitment to healthcare access for all 
contributed to the success of this effort. Cheryl Parker Rose and 
Wendell Primus in the Speaker's office, Catherine Tran in the 
Democratic Caucus, Debbie Curtis and Cybele Bjorklund on the Ways and 
Means Health Subcommittee, Michele Varnhagen on the Education and Labor 
Health Subcommittee and Karen Nelson on the Energy and Commerce Health 
Subcommittee staff.
  On the local level, I would like to extend my appreciation to Marc 
Stier at Health Care for America NOW and Bob Brand a close friend, 
local advocate and veteran in this fight. I would also like to thank 
the countless constituents who called my Washington and Philadelphia 
offices, sharing their stories and raising their voices on behalf of 
health reform for themselves and their neighbors.
  I want to thank and congratulate each and every one of them for 
getting this bill to this point and for giving me the opportunity to 
vote for affordable, secure healthcare for America's families.

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