mr. pallone, for two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new jersey is recognized for two minutes. mr. pallone: thank you, madam speaker. i want to thank chairman waxman for his tireless work on this tobacco legislation. today is long overdue and he should be so proud of his -- the fact that this is finally passing today and going to the president's desk. as we pursue serious and historical health care reform, this legislation comes at the right time. smoking kills. smoking also is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and a host of other illnesses. almost half a million americans die from their own cigarette smoking a year, and even more alarming, studies have estimated that more than six million children alive today will ultimately die from smoking. when president obama's call for health care reform, he cited the need to use our resources wisely and efficiently. tobacco is a health care issue

mr. pallone: to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. pallone: thank you, mr. speaker. the house in the next few weeks is about to unveil a health reform plan that will seek to cover all americans, reduce costs, and basically improve the quality of our health care system. when i talk to my constituents, they tell me how it is increasingly difficult for them to find affordable health insurance either because their employer will not provide it or they go on the individual market and simply too expensive. the current system is simply unsustainable. we want people to be able to keep their health insurance if they like it, and if they can afford it. but we must provide alternatives for people that can't find health insurance or find it increasingly difficult to afford the health insurance that they want. i think this is a real priority for the american people and it will be a priority for this congress because we understand that the average american increasingly sees health insurance as an economic issue. something that's making it increasingl

mr. chairman pallone and members of the subcommittee i am pleased to do to the fresh produce industry has been a leading proponent of strong federal oversight of food safety. my name is tom stenzel i am ceo of united fresh produce association we have been privileged to testify 10 times in the last two years before this committee or other members of congress perhaps only runner up to caroline on this panel. [laughter] our board of directors jittery 2007 adopted a series of principles calling for mandatory science based regulation by the federal government and we congratulate you of the full committee to present the draft of the food safety enhancement act of 2009 for consideration. my written statement contains a number of suggestions for strengthening the bill i will focus on three key areas of concern. let me start by repeating the policy principles to protect public health and to ensure consumer confidence produce safety standards must allow for a commodity specific approach based on the best available science of us consistent and applicable to the identified commodity no matter grown i

pallone and chairman waxman's bipartisan efforts on this issue. and i look forward to having a product that all the members of this committee can support. and thank you, mr. chairman, for the time. >> thank you, mr. deal. mr. waxman, chairman waxman. >> thank you very much, mr. chairman. this subcommittee and our full committee is beginning the process today of passing critically important legislation designed to revamp our nation's food safety system. the food safety enhancement act of 2009 and this hearing marks a key milestone. over the past few years, a series of food-borne disease outbreaks of spinach, peanuts, and peppers just to name is few have laid bare some major gaps in our antiquated food safety laws. oversight work by gao and by our own oversight committee has always helped us understand where we need to focus our efforts to bring our food safety laws into the 21st century. the draft legislation that is the subject of today's hearing is based on the fda globalization act of 2009 introduced by chairman emeritus dingell, chairman pallone and chairman stupak and i commend them for their work on that bill and their continued efforts in shaping t