Rochester, NY –Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28) was honored today with the highest honor awarded by the Rochester Institute of Technology, the Presidential Medallion, at the Robert F. Panara Theatre on the campus of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

Slaughter received the award in appreciation of her efforts to benefit Rochester-area students and residents, especially those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

The RIT Presidential Medallion has been part of RIT history for the past 30 years and remains one of RIT's most prestigious awards. It is given to individuals, groups or companies that have contributed either continuously or through a single act.

Today I spoke on the House floor (full video here) about a bill I have co-sponsored to pressure China to end its practice of currency manipulation.

This important piece of legislation is a long overdue step in stopping China’s unfair trade practices.  I take this issue very personally since many of my friends and neighbors have been disproportionately hurt by the explosion of cheap foreign imports into the United States.

Recently I’ve been hearing from people who somehow believe that the Republicans have a sensible alternative health care plan. I’d like to set the record straight by telling you a little bit about the proposal from Congressman Paul Ryan, the highest ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee. His plan would gradually eliminate Medicare as we know it, instead providing seniors with an $11,000, income related, risk-adjusted annual payment to purchase a “Medicare Certified” insurance plan.

This Wednesday was National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the enormous health benefits, both physical and mental, that girls and women gain from participation in sports.  From combating obesity, to preventing heart disease, to promoting mental health, regular physical activity has an undeniably positive effect on the health status of girls and women.  We need to make an investment in the public health by ensuring that regardless of age or socioeconomic background, girls and women are afforded the opportunities they need to engage in physical activity, whether in school, or their communities.

President Obama has announced his intention to send 30,000 more American combat personnel into Afghanistan, bringing the total number of U.S. troops there to 100,000 by next summer. During his speech, the President failed to set out concrete goals and a firm exit strategy. I cannot support this escalation without those guarantees. I am extremely concerned that Afghanistan will rapidly become one more military quagmire that sacrifices American lives and drains our funds.

Today I joined with members of the House Trade Working Group to strongly urge a new direction in United States trade policy ahead of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva on November 30th.

My district has seen more than its share of job losses as a result of unfair foreign competition and dumping. Once-great companies have downsized, moved to China and other countries, or simply closed their doors leaving people struggling to make ends meet. The ripple effect on small local businesses has resulted in even more job losses which is not anything Western New York can afford right now.

In June I was able to block a legislative provision that would have superseded FOIA and suppressed the release of photos documenting prisoner abuse under the Bush Administration. Unfortunately, that same measure has just been inserted into the conference report for the DHS funding bill. Despite my best efforts, it seems likely that this measure may be headed for a vote before the House and Senate.

As the debate over health care reform continues, I want to take this chance to clear up some of the confusion about the terms that are being thrown around. With three bills in the House, and two more in the Senate, plus many additional ideas and proposals under discussion, there are bound to be terms that need explanation. Today I want to talk to you about the public option, triggers, and pilot programs.