Corrine Brown

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Republican do-nothing congress. With all the problems we're having in our Nation's transportation and infrastructure, we had a full committee meeting today on Amtrak food and beverage service. We could have been talking about critical rail issues that we left out of the surface transportation bill, like positive train control, the railroad rehabilitation improvement financing program, or the freight congestion plans. Or we could have been talking about real debt restructuring of Amtrak. We could even have gotten crazy and talked about how we were going to finance future transportation bills or hold a markup on a Water Resource Development Act. And if we really want to talk about food, we could have had a hearing on the repeated instances of needles being placed in airplane sandwiches. Most importantly, we could have had a hearing on the near fatal plane collision that happened just 2 days ago at Washington National Airport. Once again, the Republican House fiddles while America is burning.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 125th Anniversary of the Historic Town of Eatonville, the Oldest Incorporated African American Municipality in America. Eatonville is a source of pride for the entire State of Florida and it gives me great pleasure to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives. Eatonville is a town rich in black history, tucked away just north of the city of Orlando and home to more than 2,000 people. Eatonville is known as one of the first incorporated black towns and was formed after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Eatonville is named for Union Army Captain Josiah Eaton. He owned the land and sold it to a group of African-American men who wanted to start their own city. On August 15, 1887, twenty-seven registered voters--all African- American men--met and voted to incorporate their parcels of land, creating the first African-American town in America. The city thrived in music and arts and in 1897, the Robert Hungerford Normal and Industrial School was founded. For years, the school was the most important school for blacks in the state of Florida. Boys and girls from all over the state came to Eatonville to learn about great poets, writers, painters, and composers. It stayed a private school until 1950 when the courts gave it to Orange County as a public trust, and is now known as Robert Hungerford Preparatory High School--Orange County's first all-magnet high school. Eatonville hosts the annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival. Indeed, the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of Arts and Humanities in Eatonville, Florida is simply a prize for Eatonville and for the State of Florida. People come from throughout the country and from around the world to visit and to participate in this great annual event, to celebrate not only the legacy of Zora, but of the cultural contributions made by African Americans around the globe. There have been twenty-three annual festivals and I have yet to miss one! Please join me in honoring the Town of Eatonville, and I look forward to celebrating this town and its rich history for many years to come.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Dr. John Evans Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana. I was saddened to hear about the untimely death of President Mills. My thoughts, prayers and condolences go to his wife, Ernestina Naadu, son, Samuel Kofi Atta Mills and the people of Ghana. The world has lost a leader, visionary and champion for democracy. President Mills pledged his life to education and the betterment of his beloved Ghana. He was born in July 1944 in the Western Region of Ghana. He was a master student who began his schooling at the revered Achimota Secondary School in Accra. He later went on to earn his bachelors and law degrees from the University of Ghana at Legon in 1967. Upon the completion of his PhD in African and Oriental Studies from the University of London, President Mills was selected as a Fulbright Scholar at Stanford University School of Law. After setting a strong foundation he returned home to educate and impart his lessons on the youth. President Mills dedicated nearly 25 years to higher academia as a professor in numerous areas such as law, tax and African studies. He was passionate about teaching and politics. First serving in the capacity of Vice President from 1997 through 2001, Dr. Mills was sworn in as President and Commander in Chief of the Republic of Ghana in January of 2009. I join with President Obama and various world leaders as we remember President Mills, who was often referred to as a calm politician and gentle giant. In 2009, President Obama and the First Family traveled to Ghana in his first presidential visit to Sub-Saharan Africa. President Obama praised President Mills for making Ghana a ``good news story'' that had good democratic credentials. Under the leadership of President Mills, the United States and Ghana deepened our partnership in the promotion of good governance and economic development. President John Evan Atta Mills is credited with leading Ghana through a period of stability and economic growth in the midst of unforeseen global circumstances. He is quoted as saying ``Every leader has a period of service''. Though his service has come to an unexpected end, as we reflect upon his life and legacy, we can appreciate his tireless efforts that have come to fruition. A shining star in West Africa, Ghana was and still remains a trailblazing nation for the region and continent, with its strong tradition of democracy. Epitomizing humility in leadership, President Mills was a calming and stabilizing force for not only his people but the continent as a whole.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Dr. John Evans Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana. I was saddened to hear about the untimely death of President Mills. My thoughts, prayers and condolences go to his wife, family and the people of Ghana. The World has lost a leader, visionary and champion for democracy. President Mills pledged his life to education and the betterment of his beloved Ghana. He was born in July 1944 in the Western Region of Ghana. He was a master student who began his schooling at the revered Achimota Secondary School in Accra. He later went on to earn his bachelors and law degrees from the University of Ghana at Legon in 1967. Upon the completion of his PhD in African and Oriental Studies from the University of London, President Mills was selected as a Fulbright Scholar at Stanford University School of Law. After setting a strong foundation he returned home to educate and impart his lessons on the youth. President Mills dedicated nearly twenty five years to higher academia as a professor in numerous areas such as law, tax and African studies. He was passionate about teaching and politics. First serving in the capacity of Vice President from 1997 through 2001, Dr. Mills was sworn in as President and Commander in Chief of the Republic of Ghana in January of 2009. I join with President Obama and various world leaders as we remember President Mills, who was often referred to as a calm politician and gentle giant. In 2009, President Obama and the First Family traveled to Ghana in his first presidential visit to Sub-Saharan Africa. President Obama praised President Mills for making Ghana a ``good news story'' that had good democratic credentials. Under the leadership of President Mills, the United States and Ghana deepened our partnership in the promotion of good governance and economic development. President John Evan Atta Mills is credited with leading Ghana through a period of stability and economic growth in the midst of unforeseen global circumstances. He is quoted in saying ``Every Leader has a period of service''. Though his service has come to an unexpected end, as we reflect upon his life and legacy, we can appreciate his tireless efforts that have come to fruition. A shining star in West Africa, Ghana was and still remains a trailblazing nation for the region and continent, with its strong tradition of democracy.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the Third Congressional District of Florida and myself, I rise now to offer my heartfelt condolences and pay special tribute to the life of, Ms. Anne Mitchell Felder, a woman of many talents and passions, who honorably served our country in The United States Army, and who worked as an educator and was a faithful servant to her community and church. Anne Mitchell Felder was a hero, humanitarian, community leader and friend. We are inspired when we recall the accomplishments of a woman whose lifetime of service and dedication served many and whose lasting influence changed the lives of those around her. Beginning her career as an educator at Lincoln High, in Bradenton, Florida for six years, Anne Mitchell Felder went on to serve in The United States Army's, Women's Army Corps (WAC), where she became a medical laboratory technician at the Reception Center in Ft. Benning, Georgia. A recipient of the WAC three-year Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, the Army Commendation Ribbon, and Victory Pin, Ms. Felder was a hero. She returned to civilian life to follow her passion of educating the young minds of tomorrow by teaching at Jones High School for over 22 years, teaching mathematics, serving as Guidance Counselor and later as Dean of Students. A religious woman who remained active in her church, The New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando, Ms. Felder was secretary to the Charter Trustee Ministry from 1992-1996 and most recently a member of District Five and the Sanctuary Sunday School Class. A woman for whom education was important, Anne Mitchell Felder received an Associate of Arts degree from Bethune-Cookman College; a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College; a Master of Science Degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University; and studied at Columbia University in New York. And, she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an honorary society for students in education. She also understood and valued her obligation and duty to serve our society and those in need and did so through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated where she was a Golden Life Member, a 60Years-Plus Member, and a charter president of the Orlando Alumnae Chapter, who enjoyed the status of a Delta Dear. The life of Anne Mitchell Felder was one of accomplishment and service. We are aware that a life well lived is a life well shared. As an educator and hero, she gave of her talents and gifts to benefit the community, the nation, and her family. In her passing, we pay tribute to an exceptional leader whose courage, strength, and love of her community left an indelible legacy for future generations. She will be remembered and respected because she had an awesome gift of teaching and providing love and support to those who knew her. We offer our prayers for her immediate family and host of loving relatives and friends whose lives have been forever changed by this exceptional woman. We thank our Heavenly Father for allowing us to be blessed with the time spent with Anne Mitchell Felder, our friend, mother, sister, and hero. Anne Mitchell Felder is survived by her daughter Vicki-Elaine Felder, and brother Thomas Watson Mitchell.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the poor will always be with us, but our job is to help raise the standards. I've got to tell you, if it were not already invented, I would say this Congress invented the words the ``do nothing Congress''--do nothing. Today is the second day that we are debating the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Let me be clear that not one single person who has come to this floor debating doing away with it doesn't have insurance, because we have the best insurance. In fact, my blood pressure is up, so I went downstairs. Because I have insurance, I was able to test my blood pressure and get some additional medication. In fact, later I was able to go to the dentist because I have insurance. Yet what we are debating is you at home not having health care, because we--everybody in this House, every Member who has come to this floor--has health care. Every single President, since Theodore Franklin Roosevelt, for 75 years has tried to push some form of universal health care, and I want to thank President Barack Obama. They like to say ``ObamaCare.'' I want to say, ``President Barack Obama cares, and he was able to accomplish something.'' Let's be clear that the President proposes, and the Congress disposes. So it had to be the Congress. It was the Democratic Congress, the Democratic Senate, and the President that passed the bill. Instead of discussing health care repeal, we should be debating VA construction. In my State as of July 1, the VA paid an additional $500,000 to rent a portable operating room for a project that is 95 percent complete, but we haven't had a chance on the floor to take up VA construction. We have 31 times that we're taking up repealing health care. I visited that facility last month, and I found out that it would have been a health risk not to expand the program for the veterans in that area. People often say, ``What did the Democratic House, President, and Congress do?'' We passed the largest VA budget in the history of the United States of America. We took care of the veterans. We had a far- reaching budget. We gave care to the caregivers of our veterans. It goes on and on. I really do believe to whom God has given much, much is expected. He expects us to work to empower the American people with jobs and health care. Basically ``do nothing'' is the label of this Congress, the Do- Nothing Congress.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. And you will not pay that penalty unless you do not--if you can afford it and you don't have it, then you're going to pay some minimum amount?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Can you explain that to people who are watching? Because, basically, it is just for those small, less than 1 percent, who do not try to get coverage.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Thank you very much for leading this discussion on health care. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. And as we begin to discuss repealing the health care law tomorrow, I would like to discuss just how exactly the Affordable Care Act benefits all Americans. Although not a perfect bill--and I've been elected in Congress for 20 years and I've never seen a perfect bill, but a perfect beginning. And the reason why it's not perfect is because you make compromises throughout the process. This is a perfect start. Attempting to obtain universal health care has been a primary goal of every single President and Congress since the days of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who fought for quality access to health care and health care insurance reform for all Americans. And now, 75 years later after the Supreme Court ruling just over a week ago, our Nation has finally attained that goal. After 75 years, every single President has tried to implement some form of universal health care. In fact, millions of Americans have already come to rely on the wide- ranging and lifesaving benefits of the Affordable Care Act. And let me say that as far as Obama health care is concerned, let me clear something up. It's President Barack Obama. And let me be clear, he does care. Let me say again, President Barack Obama does care. He cares deeply about the health and well-being of every American. Before Congress passed the Affordable Care Act, nearly one in five citizens in the wealthiest country on Earth had little or no hope of affordable insurance or getting access to regular health care. And when fully implemented, the Affordable Care Act will cover an additional 30 million Americans and 3.8 million African Americans who otherwise would remain uninsured. Already under the Affordable Care Act, 17 million children with preexisting conditions can no longer be denied coverage, 105 million Americans no longer have a lifetime limit on their coverage, 32 million seniors received free preventive care in 2011, 54 million Americans in private plans have received free preventive services, 6.6 million young adults up to the age of 26 have attained insurance through their parents' plan, 5.2 million seniors and disabled people saved an average of $704 each on prescription drugs, 360,000 small businesses received tax credits to help them afford coverage for 2 million workers, and 13 million families received insurance premium rebates averaging $151 in 2012. In my congressional district of Florida, 6,900 young adults in the district will receive health care insurance, 6,200 seniors received prescription drug discounts worth $3.6 million, and the average savings is $600 per senior. And 20,000 children and 80,000 adults now have health care insurance that covers preventive services without co-pay, co-insurance, or deductibles. Every American who has benefited from this needs to let their local Representatives, their Senator and their Governor know. We all have a dog in this fight. The Republican Party is constantly complaining about a tax and how this law will raise taxes. But I'd like to reply to them the American taxpayers are already paying a hidden tax right now. Every single time one of the millions of our citizens who lacks health care insurance receives emergency care, that cost is passed on to paying customers through higher fees and premiums. So the question is, how can we begin to bring our country's health care costs down? And this law is the first step in achieving this. In closing, as I always say, you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I have one question before I leave. The question of tax penalty is a very debatable question. But my concern is anyone that has insurance is not affected, veterans are not affected.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. The question is if you go to the hospital--and I was on the plane with one of the business persons and he was talking about it, and I said, you know, you are already paying. If someone on this plane passes out, they're going to the hospital, they're going to service them, and it is called, what, cost shifting? So you are already paying the cost of the most expensive way to provide health care. And many people do it. They wait until Friday, 5 o'clock and they go to the emergency room, which is the most expensive way to provide it.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Last question. These Governors, Texas you mentioned, Florida, these Governors are saying, we are not going to take advantage of the expansion. As a private citizen, what can I do? Because the President, just like the Governors, they can only propose. But the legislators are the ones that dispose. The President brought his proposal to Congress, but we had the ultimate decision as to what the final bill would look like. And that is as true in the State houses also.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Where are the health care providers and the people that provide the additional services? How should they weigh in?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I want to thank you again for your leadership on this matter. You've worked throughout the process in keeping us informed. I think you're the only physician----

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I understand. But you are the only female physician in Congress.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Well, you are certainly mine, and I thank you for your leadership.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I wholeheartedly support the Veterans' Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012, H.R. 4114. While this committee does not control the amount of the COLA, it is critical that we pass the bill so that it can be put in place when the Social Security COLA is enacted. It is so important that the payments that our veterans, their families, and survivors receive keep pace with inflation and better enable them to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that last year's veterans COLA increase was 3.6 percent for 2012 and that we can likely expect an increase for 2013. The exact figure will be tied directly to the Social Security COLA, whose beneficiaries will also see the same increase in their payments. As it has since 1976, Congress, through the passage of the Veterans' Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, directs the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase the rates of basic compensation for disabled veterans and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation to their survivors and dependents. This bill will benefit disabled veterans, their families, and their survivors from the World War I era through the current conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of the over 3.5 million veterans who receive disability compensation benefits depend on these payments not only to provide for their basic needs, but for those of their spouses, children, and parents as well. Without an annual COLA increase, these veterans, their families, and survivors will likely see the value of their hard-earned benefits slowly eroding. Mr. Speaker, I think we would be derelict in our duties if we fail to guarantee that those who sacrifice so much for this country are able to receive benefits and service that keep pace with their needs and inflation. We fund the wars; let's fund the warriors. Let me repeat: we fund the wars; let's fund the warriors. I urge my colleagues to support the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of- Living Adjustment Act of 2012, H.R. 4114, without delay. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, last month we were honored with the presence of over 400 Montford Point Marines in the Capitol to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. From 1942 to 1949, almost 20,000 African American Marines experienced basic training at Camp Montford Point near the New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina. These heroes fought on two fronts, at home against discrimination, and across the sea to defend our Nation. This highest civilian award in the United States was first presented during the Revolutionary War to George Washington. It is fitting that this latest award should go to those men who, years before Jackie Robinson and Rosa Parks, joined the Marines to defend their country. During this week when we are going to be debating the Affordable Care Act, we need to discuss a project that affects veterans health in my State of Florida. On July 1, the VA paid an additional $500,000 to rent a portable operating room for a project that is 95 percent complete in the Miami VA Medical Center. When this renovation was first proposed, two minor projects, each costing $10 million, were sponsored to fulfill the requirements of the project. I visited the medical center last month and heard directly from the administrators of the facility about the project. The planners on the ground soon realized that patients could have been put at risk due to contamination of the operating rooms by the construction on the other side of the room. Veterans health care was being put at risk, and rather than let this happen, it was decided by those who know the veterans health the best-- those at the health facilities--to combine the projects into one and rent the portable operating rooms. We need a procedure to give the Secretary the ability to correct these kinds of projects and not waste taxpayers' money. I will soon be introducing legislation to give the Secretary the help he needs to save taxpayers money. In the last Congress, our Democratic leadership in the House and the Senate, with President Barack Obama, we were able to pass the largest increase in the veterans budget in history. We also passed advanced appropriations for the VA health care so that veterans would not be subject to the deadline that Congress seems to miss every year to pass a proper budget. It allows the VA to plan for the following year's health care needs and reassure veterans that they will be able to get the care that they need. We also passed the caregivers law to help those who are taking care of the members of the military, funded PTSD and TBI mental health programs, homeless programs and rural health care in the veterans homes. It is the least we can do for those who have given so much to protect our freedom. We did not just talk the talk but walked the walk. And since we're discussing repeal of the health care law tomorrow, I would like to briefly discuss how, in fact, the Affordable Care Act benefits our Nation's veterans and all Americans. Although not a perfect bill--and no bill is since there are many compromises made-- this is a perfect start, and attempting to obtain universal health care has been a primary goal of every single President and Congress since the days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who had fought for quality, accessible health care insurance reform for all Americans. And now, 75 years later, after the Supreme Court ruling just over a week ago, our Nation has finally attained that goal. Millions of Americans have already come to rely on the wide-ranging and lifesaving benefits of the Affordable Care Act. And let me just say, I keep hearing ObamaCare. Let me just be clear. Obama cares for the American health care. Before Congress passed the Affordable Care Act, nearly one in five citizens in the wealthiest country in the world had little or no hope of affordable insurance and access to regular health care. When fully implemented, the Affordable Care Act will cover an additional 30 million Americans and 3.8 million African Americans who otherwise would remain uninsured. Already under the Affordable Health Care Act, 17 million children with preexisting conditions can no longer be denied coverage; 105 million Americans no longer have a lifetime limit on their coverage; 32.5 million seniors received free preventive service in 2011; 54 million Americans in private plans have received free preventive services; 6.6 million young adults up to the age of 26 have obtained insurance through their parents' plan; and 5.2 million seniors and disabled people save an average of $704 each on their prescription drugs; 360,000 small businesses received tax credits to help them afford coverage for 2 million workers; 13 million families will receive insurance premium rebates averaging $151 in 2012. However, instead of debating a health care repeal, we should be debating a construction reauthorization bill to deal with the waste of taxpayer dollars, like I indicated in Miami--$500,000 this month for a portable operating room. In closing, let's get to work. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I had much higher hopes for this transportation reauthorization bill and long for the days that our committee worked together in a bipartisan manner, but this is a good day for the traveling public and for the American economy. This transportation bill will strengthen our infrastructure, provide quality jobs, and serve as a tool to put the American people back to work. Although I would have preferred a long-term bill with much more funding for infrastructure, and I'm disappointed that we did not include a rail title or give our local transit agencies the flexibility they asked for during these economic times, this bill will give States, local governments, and other transportation stakeholders some stability to plan and build critical transportation projects. This bill provides steady funding for both highway and transit programs, maintains the 80-20 split between highway and transit, speeds up the permitting process for projects, includes important safety measures that will save lives, and maintains OSHA oversight of hazardous materials. I am also pleased that this legislation includes the RESTORE Act, which will help gulf States like my State of Florida recover damages and plan for and prevent future oil spills. Florida's economy is based on tourism and would be destroyed overnight if an oil spill reached our beaches. This isn't a perfect bill, but I am going to vote for it. I want to thank the Senate, and I want to thank Senator Boxer, Mr. Mica and Mr. Rahall, and all for working together. My understanding is that this is a clean bill and we can vote for it. No riders are included is my understanding. So I will vote for it, and I will recommend my colleagues vote for it too.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Montford Point Marines, were the first enlisted Blacks ever to serve in The United States Marine Corps. Today we honor these magnificent heroes with the presentation of Congress's highest civilian award, The Congressional Gold Medal. These heroes fought on two fronts: at home against discrimination and across the seas to defend our nation. Beginning in 1942 they served in the Pacific Theater, and fought as valiantly as any Americans ever have. Their courageous lives have helped bring this Nation one step closer to equality. I ask in honor of all of these heroes living and deceased, this poem be placed in the Congressional Record. On Point, Shades Of Black And Green (by Albert Carey Caswell) On . . . On Point! All in those Shades of Black and Green! As a war can so be fought on two fronts sometimes so sadly seen! As had all of those Montford Point Marines . . . All in their most magnificent shades, shades of Black and Green . . . For only The Few, Shall Ever Be United States Marines! As a Nation's dark deep past so convened! All in what discrimination so really means! As throughout all of those generations, and all of those tears and pain upon a Nation! But, To Be A United States Marine! But, some dreams never die as so it seems! To walk so proudly and wear those brilliant shades of Green! And to go so boldly forth, all in your most heroic course! As A United States Marine! And even though what we so did to them was a disgrace as seen, these fine heroes would not so lost pace, these Marines! As they so heroically marched off into that shadow of death with high esteem! While, all of their most brilliant hearts so gleamed! OohRah! Because, discrimination is no match for A United States Marine! With the world at its edge, as Mankind bled . . . To Save The World, all in those magnificent shades of black and green! So that into a future, A King Among could so speak of his Dream! Because, no more fiercer warrior has so been seen! Than, all of those Magnificent Montford Point Marines! As I pity those poor Japanese, who had to so face all of their most heroic screams! As Jesse Owens, had already laid the ground work in Germany it seems! When, the second wave came crashing in as seen! Bringing a setting sun in the land of the Japanese! As what their fine hearts for our country tis of thee would mean! All in that Pride, that which so dwells deep inside of being a United States Marine! As their courage and their faith, put our Nation one step closer to that place! Where all of our forefathers' hearts had so truly dreamed! For all men are created equal all in this golden theme! So on this day, look around you and pray and so say thank all of these Marines! All in their most magnificent shades of Black and Green! Whose courage and undying faith, so made this our world a much better place all of these Marines! Listen closely, can you but not hear the liberty bell! Ringing out for the freedoms that they so fought for across the shores so well! For all these magnificent men where On Point, as our Lord God knows so very well! All in their most magnificent shades of Black and Green! All of these Magnificent Montford Point Marines . . . As time and history would tell!

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate Ms. Suzanne Goss, Government Relations Specialist for JEA (Jacksonville Electric, Water & Sewer) on her election as the new President of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, NACWA. Ms. Goss is an accomplished leader and committed environmental steward who played a prominent role in seeking a sound direction for the implementation of the Clean Water Act. Throughout her career in the water industry, Ms. Goss has exemplified what it means to be a public servant. She is ideally suited to serve as President of one of the nation's leading associations responsible for environmental policies that advance clean water. Ms. Goss will continue to ensure that Florida's, and the nation's, clean water agencies are sustainable, that the environment continues to improve, and that public health is protected. At JEA, Ms. Goss works for an advanced publicly owned water, electric, and sewer utility, providing invaluable services to approximately 420,000 people in Northeast Florida. Ms. Goss effectively engages in complex state and federal legislative and regulatory issues involving wastewater and drinking water with an in-depth knowledge of the affordability concerns of her community and the need for a partnership between all levels of government. She also manages JEA's Grant Program. A member of NACWA's Board of Directors since 2007, Ms. Goss has served as the organization's Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President, and has been a member of many NACWA committees and workgroups. She has played a leading role in NACWA's pretreatment program and is also one of the drivers behind the organization's funding efforts. In 2005 she received the President's Award for her work as Vice Chair of the Clean Water Funding Task Force. Ms. Goss has experience in both the energy and water fields, as JEA provides both services to its customers. As the clean water industry and NACWA increasingly define the ``Water Quality Utility of the Future,'' JEA and public servants like Ms. Goss exemplify the need to break down traditional silos and move toward a watershed approach, as well as a focus on the energy-water nexus. JEA stands as a model for other utilities seeking to adopt these ideas. In addition to her work with NACWA, Ms. Goss is an active member of local, regional, state and national professional organizations. These include the American Water Works Association, the New Water Supply Coalition, the Florida Municipal Energy Association, the Florida Water Environment Association, the Florida Energy Coordinating Group, the Pinellas County Sewer System and the Advisory Council on Environmental Policy and Technology Sustainable Infrastructure. Ms. Goss has selflessly shared her time, passion, energy and ideas to carry out the objectives of the Clean Water Act. It is my sincere pleasure to congratulate Suzanne Goss on becoming President of NACWA, and I am certain her actions will ensure continued water quality progress for the Jacksonville area, the state of Florida and the nation.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I rise today to speak on the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill on the floor. First off, I want to say that whether it's the mayor of Jacksonville, Florida; Orlando; California; or Texas, every single mayor that I've talked to--Democrats or Republicans--support Community Development Block Grants and are very concerned with what we're doing here and making sure that we send funds that they can decide how the community is to use the funds to meet their needs. In addition, I want to talk about transportation. I've been on the Transportation Committee for the entire 20 years that I've been here in Congress, and transportation has always been bipartisan. It did not matter who the President was, and it did not matter who the Speaker was. In fact, when Newt Gingrich was the Speaker and President Clinton was the President, the House passed the transportation bill over both of them and funded the Transportation Committee for 6 years. This House has not been able to pass a transportation bill. For the first time, you see people who really don't want to put America to work because the Transportation Committee is the committee that put the American people to work. When you look at the engineers or architects, they rate America as a ``D minus,'' as far as our infrastructure is concerned. Yet you have people that do not want to put the American people back to work. In my home State of Florida, we received close to $3 billion for a high-speed train from Orlando to Tampa. What did we do? We sent it back. Eighteen States have our money, and they are putting people to work. We're talking about transportation money. When you have people with other agendas besides putting people to work, that is a real problem in the area of transportation. We know that for every $1 billion we invest, it generates 44,000 permanent jobs. Yet you have people in this House with a different agenda, and their agenda has nothing to do with jobs and putting people to work. It is a sad state of affairs. But I've often said you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the Third Congressional District of Florida and myself, I rise now to offer tribute to the career and success of my friend, Mr. Ronald Blocker, who served as the Superintendent for Orange County Public Schools for the past 12 years. A visionary and scholar Mr. Ronald Blocker is a true leader of the Central Florida Community, and the great State of Florida. We are encouraged by Mr. Blocker' s accomplishments while serving as the superintendent since July 2000; it was under his leadership that the graduation rate in Orange County, Florida, is at the highest level it has ever been with the dropout rate at the lowest. A man dedicated to education, Ronald Blocker earned degrees in educational leadership and counselor education from the University of Florida. He worked as a school psychologist and principal. As the districts first black superintendent, Mr. Blocker made a name for himself and in 2011 he was named Florida Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association of District Superintendents. Mr. Blocker has received many accolades and honors including the John M. Tiedtke Lifetime Achievement Award from United Arts of Central Florida; he was named the District Reading Leader of the Year by the Florida Department of Education's Just Read, Florida! Division; named the Florida Art Education Associations Superintendent of the Year; and received the Florida Superintendent's Award for Volunteer/Community Involvement. Recipient of the Chairman's Award from the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Mr. Blocker has made a lasting contribution to the economy of Orange County. His influence in the Central Florida community has not gone unnoticed either, he was ranked eight on a list of the 50 most powerful people in Central Florida and among the top 25 most powerful by a panel of community leaders. He served as the President of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents; a member of the American Association of School Administrators; Florida Association of School Administrators, and the Council of Great City Schools. Described as an ``advocate of children'', and ``a teacher's superintendent'', Mr. Blocker was able to build new schools, and replace and upgrade 128 older facilities. With 33 new schools opened under his guidance and 62 replaced or restored, Mr. Blocker reduced overcrowding and removed 1,000 portable classrooms and raised the Orange County School District to an ``A'' Rating 3 years in a row. Recently by virtue of Orange County and the School Board, he has been honored with the renaming of the Orange County Public School building to the ``Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center.'' Mr. Blocker has worked to ensure healthy revenue that will continue to preserve the quality of education that the Third Congressional District and Central Florida Community deserves and needs, with his high expectations for employees and students. Mr. Blocker' s theme of ``One Vision, One Voice,'' is a message we can all truly stand by.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I have an amendment at the desk.