ms. tsongas: massachusetts. the speaker pro tempore: close. ms. tsongas: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. mr. speaker, i'd like to offer my support for h.r. 1339, recognizing the great city of salem, massachusetts, as the birthplace of the national guard of the united states. i'd like to thank my colleague from massachusetts, mr. tyranny , to -- mr. tierney, for bringing this legislation of which i am an original co-sponsor before the house. the national guard has provided 370 years of dedicated service to our country. beginning in 1629 when the first militia was organized in the massachusetts bay colony in salem by captain john endicott, the national guard has played a key role in protecting the nation and responding to contingencies around the globe. the national guard is the oldest component of the armed forces of the united states. the pay yots who founded our nation -- patriots who founded our nation followed english tradition and organized their abled body male citizens into militias. all males between the ages of 16 and 60 were ex

ms. tsongas: to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. tsongas: tomorrow is the anniversary of the landmark health care reform bill signed by president obama. it benefits women who for years faced discriminatory practices and borne higher health care costs simply as a result of their gender. because of the new law, women can no longer be denied coverage or charged more for such pre-existing conditions as breast or cervical cancer, pregnancy or of all things being a victim of domestic abuse. women no longer have to share the costs of critical and potentially life-saving preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies. this not only makes care more equitable but it helps reduce the cost of care by ensuring that many diseases are protected early or prevented through their onset through vaccinations and through regular screenings. many advances as a result of health care reform are already making a difference in the lives of women across this country. thank you and i yield ba