Donna Christensen

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 176, the Shirley A. Chisholm-U.S. Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007 and urge my colleagues to support its adoption. As an original cosponsor of this important bill, I want to congratulate my friend and colleague, the Honorable Barbara Lee for her hard work in getting the bill to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, U.S.-Caribbean educational exchanges have been on the forefront of multilateral discussions in recent years. Many believe that education exchanges are an excellent means to developing and protecting democratic values. And while the U.S. has not particularly focused on educational advancement in the Caribbean, other nations have. Thousands of Caribbean students participate in exchange programs to distant parts of the globe, yet the U.S. has no specific exchange program for Caribbean scholars. This legislation would establish in the State Department's Office of Public Diplomacy a U.S.-Caribbean educational exchange program for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, as well as scholars. It would also enable the U.S. Agency for International Development to develop a regional strategy to expand existing early education initiatives. And the legislation would allow both State Department and USAID to use public-private partnerships to implement the program. The State Department has repeatedly advocated educational exchanges as one of the best means of public diplomacy. For decades, the Caribbean, our ``Third Border,'' has been one of the U.S. staunchest allies with strong democratic traditions. We've seen how critical the adherence to these democratic ideals has been given how quickly the governments of the region were able to maintain order and rebuild in the wake of the recent devastating hurricane seasons. Furthermore, the leadership in these affected countries was cultivated right here in the U.S. In fact many of today's Caribbean leaders have received post- secondary education in the United States, and have used their different fields of training to strengthen Caribbean democracy and community involvement. From 2003-2005, 217 Caribbean leaders participated in U.S. exchange programs that centered on innovative ways to fight drug trafficking, anticorruption and good governance policies. We should continue these efforts and expand them to include the future leaders of the Caribbean. As the only member in Congress whose district is in the English speaking Caribbean, I am well aware of the exciting possibilities that H.R. 176 holds. Mr. Speaker, our Caribbean neighbors are among the most stable democracies in the world and some of our oldest friends. Too often we take them for granted though and don't give to them as much as we demand from them. While it will not solve all of the problems with our relationship of late, H.R. 176 will serve as a meaningful gesture of good faith and friendship going forward. I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 176.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 180, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important and timely legislation to authorize States to divest from companies in Sudan, and to prohibit new federal contracts with companies doing business with the genocidal regime in Khartoum. Current estimates indicate that as many as 450,000 people have been killed and over 2.5 million have been displaced due to the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. The security situation on the ground is continuing to deteriorate and the violence is spreading to surrounding countries. As a member of the CBC and an African American, I joined my colleagues in support of H. Res. 333, in the last Congress, to designate the weekend of July 15-17 as a National Weekend of Prayer and Reconciliation for Darfur. The tragic and unforgivable/unforgiving genocide occurring in Darfur is as significant as acts of terrorism on which we are more focused. Over a million people, driven from their homes, now face death from starvation and diseases as the Government and militias attempt to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching them. These acts of genocide, civil terrorism, and inhumanity must stop! And the legislation we are considering today will go a long way in achieving this result. The Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 requires the Secretary of the Treasury to create a list of companies who have a direct investment in or are conducting business operations in Sudan's power, mineral, oil, or military equipment industries. The list will be published in the Federal Register six months after enactment, and every six months thereafter. Many of our constituents are standing up and demanding that their hard earned money not be used to support a pariah government that is killing its own people. In passing H.R. 180 today we will be doing our part help protect the Sudan divestment movement at the State level and to help it continue to grow. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this bill.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 16) recognizing Virginia's James River as ``America's Founding River,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 16 would grant the recognition of the House to Virginia's James River as ``America's Founding River.'' The resolution was introduced by our colleague, Representative Jo Ann Davis of Virginia. The James River rises in the Allegheny Mountains and flows to the Chesapeake Bay. It is one of the longest rivers in our country to lie in a single state. Mr. Speaker, Native Americans gave the name of their great chief Powhatan to the river that nourished the tribes along its banks. In 1607, when English colonists established their first permanent settlement in America, they named the river--and their new town--after King James the First. The James River sustained those early settlers, supported the growth of the first colonial capital in American, and provided a route for the first westwardbound pioneers. The land along the James was home to many of our founding fathers and presidents, and great mansions still grace its shores. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 16 would grant the recognition of the House to the historic, economic, recreational and environmental importance of the James River and encourages the people of the U.S. to celebrate the contributions of the river to our Nation's history as part of the ceremonies and activities during Jamestown's 400th anniversary. The resolution also reminds us of our commitment in 2000, as part of the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act, to improving water quality in the bay's tributaries, including the James, and calls on us to recommit ourselves to protecting and restoring that great river. Mr. Speaker, we have no objection to H. Res. 16, and urge its passage.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act has frequently been hailed as one of the most important pieces of Federal Indian legislation. Despite the success of this law, in this instance, the law is impeding two Tribes located in Oregon and their efforts to engage in non-gaming economic development. In this case, the Secretary of the Interior transferred approximately 20 acres of land to these tribes via a quitclaim deed. But because it was transferred pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination Act, it contains a reversionary clause. This clause requires the land to revert back to the United States if the land is not used for economic development purposes. Although the Tribes intend to use the land for economic development purposes, they are unable to obtain conventional financing because of the reversionary clause. Senator Smith of Oregon introduced S. 375 to address this issue and our colleague Representative Darlene Hooley is the sponsor of an identical measure in this body. The legislation simply directs the Secretary of the Interior to reissue a quitclaim deed that is not subject to the Indian Self-Determination Act. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. The Senate bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks on the 10 measures previously considered.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 2107) to create the Office of Chief Financial Officer of the Government of the Virgin Islands, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule and the conference report on H.R. 1, which implements the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. And I am proud to be associated with this bill as a member of the Homeland Security Committee and as a member of the conference. I want to join my colleagues in applauding our committee Chair, Bennie Thompson, for skillfully leading the House conferees and working with the Senate to reach a compromise between the Senate and House negotiators on this legislation that strengthens the safety of all Americans against terrorist attacks and catastrophic disasters. H.R. 1 was the first bill we Democrats passed when we assumed leadership of this Congress, and this conference report fulfills our promise to fully implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. With this conference report, we will see greater distribution of homeland security grants for States, territories, and high-risk urban areas based on risk, while still ensuring that all of our districts have funds available for basic preparedness. It creates a dedicated grant program to improve interoperability at local, State, and Federal levels. The conference report requires 100 percent screening of maritime cargo within 5 years, and it also recognizes the important role that the private sector plays in securing our Nation by engaging the private sector to strengthen and secure 85 percent of the Nation's infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, I also want to congratulate Leader Pelosi and all of our leadership for their steadfast commitment and dedication to making protecting our homeland one of the top priorities for Democrats. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this conference report.

Ms. CHRISTENSEN

Ms. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 not because it is a perfect bill but because of the many good things that it does for poor people and minorities in our country. I want to begin by commending Chairman Peterson and Subcommittee Chairman Cardoza for their willingness to work with me and other members to address concerns we had with the bill. I am especially pleased that the bill includes language to correct an apparent oversight in the 2004 Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act that defined a State to exclude the Virgin Islands or any of the other smaller territories; which meant that my district, the Virgin Islands has been denied any specialty crop block grant funding by the USDA. Mr. Speaker, the Virgin Islands once had a significant history of agricultural production. A substantial portion of our current agricultural production now consists of vegetables (e.g., cucumbers, lettuce, and tomatoes), fruits (e.g., bananas, mangoes and papayas) and horticultural specialties, including ornamental plants. The Government of the Virgin Islands and in particular our Department of Agriculture, believes that there are considerable opportunities to expand production of these specialty crops. As an island economy, we must import a large portion of its fruits and vegetables for its own residents and for the 2 million tourists who visit the Islands each year. We see great opportunity to increase local production of fresh specialty crops to serve both its residents and visitors. The eligibility for us to receive specialty crop block grant funding would greatly assist us in our efforts to expand and enhance specialty crop production in the Virgin Islands. The bill before us provides $365 million in mandatory funding to expand the specialty crop block grant program, meaning that our farmers will not have to rely upon annual renewal of the program through the appropriations process. I am also very pleased the Farm Bill Extension offers significant improvements to the Food Stamp Program, 1890 land-grant institutions, and improved access to programs for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, including language and funds to address outstanding claims from Pigford v. Veneman. Mr. Chairman, as I noted at the outset, this bill is not a perfect bill. But as the old saying goes, we should not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. This is a good bill for the American people and I urge my colleagues to support its adoption.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Chairman, I would like to express my support for the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill. This bill takes an important step in providing affordable education and quality health care. The strength and the future security of our country depend on our investment in health, education, and insuring that the needs of our workforce are addressed. H.R. 3043, as drafted, includes increased funding for many programs important to our state and local education, health, and labor agencies. The bill addresses increases in funding at all education levels from early childhood to higher education. Although most of these increases are still below FY 2005 levels, it is the beginning of reversing the decline in Federal funding which has not been compatible with increased costs related to NCLB (which imposed new and stronger mandates on our State and local education agencies). H.R. 3043 provides for $1.6 billion over last year's level to fund NCLB programs, especially for Title I programs to help poor children. The bill also provides for increased funding for Head Start centers, as well as special education grants that benefit 6.9 million children with disabilities. I would like to extend my support to the Gwen Moore-Tom Cole-Bobby Scott-Carol Shea-Porter amendment that will put a stop to the harmful Upward Bound (UB) evaluation that is being conducted by the Department of Education. The Upward Bound program has been threatened both financially and administratively and I am hopeful that my colleagues will not support provisions that threaten to eliminate this long- standing program. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment that would eliminate the Absolute Priority program, which is an evaluation tool used by the Administration to justify the elimination of the UB program. As the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, I would be remiss if I did not mention the positive direction that this bill takes the health and well being of Americans, and the important steps it takes to bolster our health care infrastructure. This bill increases funding for critically important programs, such as HCOP and other provider training programs, as well as for critically important Federal agencies and offices, such as the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and SAMHSA. Unlike the President's budget, this bill represents the positive direction we need and should take to ensure that our health care system--at every level, from research, to training, to actual care--has the capacity and resources to adequately treat the millions of Americans who access it. I am enthusiastic about provisions in H.R. 3043 that provide funding in my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, for follow-up glaucoma screening and perinatal care. These programs are an important part of bridging the gap for the elderly, low income and uninsured individuals. Despite its numerous amendments and three days of debate, the bill as written provides funding for programs that help to improve our Nation's education, health care and labor programs. I urge my colleagues to support its final passage.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Yes. Not only that, but Congressman Clyburn's district will be hosting a disparities conference, as well as the Tri- Caucus, the Hispanic, Black and Asian Pacific Caucus this weekend. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to join my colleagues to call attention to some critical unmet health care needs that this 110th Congress is called upon to address. And I also want to applaud our chairwoman, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, for making this hour available to us and to thank Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones for her leadership as well. Before I speak about the children's health insurance program, which is up for reauthorization, I want to remind this body that we have not yet appropriated the level of funding that would make a dent in the health disparities that result in 100,000 unnecessary deaths every year because of our country's failure to address them. We worry more about a few dollars that may be less than necessary than we worry about the unnecessary loss of life that happens every day in this country, although we have the wherewithal to stop them. Until our country funds disparity elimination adequately, people of color will continue to get to health care services late, if at all, and become disabled or die prematurely from preventable causes. This Congress will have the opportunity to do just that by passing the Healthcare Equity and Accountability Act, introduced by the Black, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific Caucus last week. That is the way to improve health for everyone and to begin to drive down the skyrocketing cost of health care. Mr. Speaker, I also want to call our attention to the now chronic underfunding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, or ADAP. As we have underfunded it every year, the gaps have grown and the waiting lists for lifesaving medicines have grown longer. Some of those waiting in line have died because of our neglect. This Congress, led by Democrats who have always understood the challenges faced by the HIV/AIDS community, more than half of which are people of color, needs to correct this deficiency in funding for this important program. And, also, Mr. Speaker, very soon we will be reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program. We need to do so fully. Now when we have the opportunity to do the right thing for America's children with whose welfare we are charged, we are poised to shortchange them, to let them down, and to leave them without access to health care. That is unbelievable. There are 9 million uninsured children, of which 6 million are at or below 200 percent of poverty and eligible for SCHIP. I think we should cover all of them, but current proposals don't even cover one-third of those who are eligible. This Congress should do nothing less than cover all 6 million eligible children, and we must do so with robust programs to foster their mental, dental, and nutritional health. Investing in our children is investing in our future. The CBO has said that it would cost at least $60 billion to cover all of those eligible children. We are told there are not enough offsets, not enough money to cover the costs. Well, there are no offsets for the civil war in Iraq, which we are funding while our children are being caught in the crossfire, and there were no offsets for the tax cuts to the wealthiest individuals in this country, both of which are funded in part with money borrowed from Communist China. If we can go into bad debt for those, then we can certainly go into good debt for our children because it is an investment that pays back invaluable dividends. I am willing to bet, Mr. Speaker and colleagues, that we will have to set PAYGO aside for some measure that is deemed important, probably even before this Congress adjourns. So let's do it now for America's children. There is no one and nothing more important than they. There is one other alternative, and that would be to provide funding to cover all 6 million children for a shorter period of time and revisit that program 2 or 3 years from now when we should be out of Iraq and the tax cuts for the rich would expire. That, I think, is another viable alternative. We know that the President has said that he will veto a bill if it costs what he considers too much and even the modest proposals from the House and Senate fit that bill. I think that that is a fight the American people would want us to take on because our children are just that important. And so using his own words, I would say ``bring it on.'' Let's not let there be any more Deamonte Drivers, the 11-year-old who died because he could not get an $80 tooth extraction. We are a better country than that. Thank you, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1851, to reform the housing choice voucher program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. I commend the Honorable Maxine Waters for her leadership on this issue of pressing socioeconomic concern. In 1937, we had a Nation still suffering from the Great Depression. In fact, in 1937, the economy fell into a recession which caused high unemployment and left many wondering how they would put a roof over their family's heads at night. In response to this problem, the United States Housing Act was enacted, which helped hard-working American families to stay off of the streets. This bill also helped to push the United States policy of spending on infrastructure to help the economy, as promoted by the principles of Keynesian economics. In today's economy we are seeing a new problem emerge--the growing income gap. According to a January 27, 2007, CNN report entitled, ``Mind the gap: Income Inequality, State by State,'' Americans whose annual income places them in the top 5 percent of the income bracket ``saw their incomes rise as much as 132 percent between 1980 and 2003. The bottom 20 percent of families, meanwhile, saw their incomes rise by no more than 24 percent.'' With such inequality today's housing crisis becomes obvious--the ``haves'' are purchasing more real-estate and thus driving housing costs to levels far above the budget of ``have-nots.'' Just as the Federal Government took the lead and helped struggling American families in 1937, we must step in and make sure their efforts are applicable to today's specific housing crisis by amending Section 8 of the United States Housing Act 1937 to address the problems of 2007. In my district of the Virgin Islands I see multimillion dollar estates constructed in areas of previously low to moderate income. Often times this works to drive up property values and drive out those who can no longer afford to live in the area. It has driven up housing costs and even rental prices. This bill will help address this issue by adding 100,000 new Section 8 vouchers, and by expanding their use for home purchase as well as rent. It will allow a public housing agency to authorize a family in crisis to occupy housing immediately so they are not left on the streets while a slow moving bureaucratic agency ``evaluates'' them. H.R. 1851 also includes provisions to address existing inadequacies in the programs that have created long waiting lists and a program that has more applicants than available housing. By passing H.R. 1851, Congress will take a much needed step towards improving a much needed program. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and help make a good program stronger and better.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker just a little over a week ago I traveled to Fort Bragg in North Carolina to see yet another 100 men and women of the Virgin Islands National Guard off to Iraq. Among those who left on Sunday and are now deployed, there are several who are doing their second tour as well as a father and his daughter. It was not easy, but I put my best face forward while there because I knew that it was much harder--extremely difficult--for their families. Mr. Speaker, the only reason I could smile and be upbeat in my message to them is because I knew Democrats would be here today, passing this measure to set a time limit for our troops to be deployed in Iraq and to begin their return home. And so Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this resolution as the first step to ending U.S. involvement in the civil war that Iraq has become. And I will be here in full support on the efforts that will follow to close Guantanamo and to ensure that the White House responds in a timely and appropriate manner to what they are being directed to do in H.R. 2956 today. And I hope we will insist that he does so long before January 2008. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to once again applaud your leadership and that of Chairman Ike Skelton. Because of H.R. 2956, ``The Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act'', and the measures that will follow, I am confident we will see a day, in the not too distant future, when no other American or son or daughter of our allies will die for a war we cannot justify.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act. I commend the Honorable George Miller for introducing this much needed piece of legislation and for his leadership on this issue and education in general. As you all know, college costs in America are simply out of range for far too many Americans. The University of the Virgin Islands, a Historically Black University in my district, costs $10,000 per year while the median income of a Virgin Islands resident is $32,613. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to see the problem. It is further amplified when examining my alma mater, the George Washington University. Tuition at George Washington for an undergraduate starting this fall will be $39,210 per year--a hefty sum when considering that the median income of need-based federal loan borrowers in 2003-2004 was $45,000. This welcome legislation will raise the maximum value of the Pell Grant Scholarship by $500, thus increasing its purchasing power and benefiting roughly 5.5 million low- and moderate-income students. And this is only the beginning. The College Cost Reduction Act will also cut in half interest rates on need-based student loans which so often become an unnecessary burden over the heads of those just starting out in their respective professions. In lowering the interest rates from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over the next five years, we are saving the average student borrower $4,400 on their overall loan. The sad reality is that many students from middle class homes miss out on obtaining a secondary education because of a failure on our part. Many middle class students have guardians that make too much money to qualify for Federal grants but not enough to actually provide needed financial support. Every one of our children and indeed every American strive to reach the American dream. As their representatives, we must support them in this pursuit by granting middle class Americans every opportunity possible to obtain affordable higher education. This legislation will expand eligibility of grants by almost 600,000 students, thus, helping to end the unfair burden many students from middle class homes now face. Colleagues, I urge you to support this needed legislation. The College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 will be the single largest increase in secondary education support by the United States Government since the GI Bill--and it will not cost the American tax payer one cent. Our young people are America's future. It is critical that we invest in that future.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 2643, the proposed Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations for the Department of Interior, Environment, and other related agencies. I commend Chairman Norman Dicks, and his Appropriations Subcommittee for the work he has done in responding to the needs of the Department of Interior in carrying out its mission to protect our Nation's resources. As Chairwoman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs which has jurisdiction over all U.S. territories, I want to especially acknowledge the work of Chairman Dicks to increase funding to Interior's Office of Insular Affairs so it can respond to the changing needs and priorities of our U.S. Insular areas and the relationships we have with the freely associated states in Micronesia. The Subcommittee on Insular Affairs convened an oversight hearing in February over that portion of the President's proposed Fiscal Year 2008 Interior budget which had a direct effect on the Department's ability to assist our U.S. territories and freely associated states. In addition to the Department officials, the governors of American Samoa and Guam, and the Resident Representative of the CNMI provided testimony in support of the work of the Office of Insular Affairs with a caveat that more resources should be given to them to enhance the work it does for U.S. territories. I am pleased that the Appropriations Committee was able to increase such resources for the Department to expand its efforts in assisting economic development. I also point out that the increases in this budget will respond to specific requests, such as strengthening the judicial systems in the Pacific, addressing the needs of Marshall Islanders adversely affected by our nuclear testing program carried out in the 1950s. Notwithstanding the above, I would be remiss if I did not express my strong disappointment that my requests for funding for critical infrastructure needs in my own Congressional District was not included in the bill. While I recognize that the subcommittee had difficult choices to make, I look forward to continuing to work with the Chairman and Ranking Member should there be opportunities to fund additional priority projects as the bill moves forward. The Department of Interior's budget meant to benefit development and accountability in our U.S. territories is a small portion of what is being considered today. However, the increases carry out the mandate of the Interior Department is significant to improving the lives of our fellow Americans in those outlying jurisdictions. Again, I applaud the work of the Appropriations Committee and urge passage of H.R. 2643.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, today we members of the Congressional Black Caucus, under the leadership of our chairwoman, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, are taking time to commemorate Juneteenth and reflect on this historical event in 1865 when the news of their emancipation was finally received by 250,000 enslaved in Texas, 2 years late. And as we do so, it seems appropriate that we reflect on the inequities that continue to plague the African American community, the remedies for which are also too late. And so, as we take the floor of the seat of government in our country, we say the time is now. Again, better later than never for this 110th Congress to bring another message of freedom to African Americans, freedom from economic blight, from lack of access to quality and comprehensive health care, from substandard housing, and from the issue that is the subject of our discussion tonight: rundown, poorly equipped, and understaffed schools and the overall inequities in our Nation's educational system. June also marks the celebration of graduation season across the Nation. And as we cheer millions of high school graduates, we must not forget the 1.2 million students who left school this year without a high school diploma. Dropouts are twice as likely to be unemployed. Even those who work, for those who work the pay is low. Opportunity for advancement is limited, and health insurance is essentially unavailable. This is a particular problem in communities of color. For African Americans and Latinos, the dropout rate approaches an astonishing and alarming 50 percent and affects all communities, large or small, rural or urban, including our territories. This high rate of high school dropout and the consequent unemployment disproportionately affect African American males. According to the last U.S. Census, the fraction of black men with a high school education or less is about 50 percent, nearly half of the black male population. A report published by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation last year indicated that the employment for what they call less educated black men has been in decline during the last decade, and this, despite the fact that opportunities exist to reverse this because of discrimination in hiring. The racial difference in the labor force participation rates are sharpest for those without a high school degree. Only half of prime-age black men without a high school degree are in the labor force. Mr. Speaker, education is everyone's issue. However, the current administration seems to have an opposing view as they propose to completely cut funding for the Dropout Prevention Program. The Youth Activities Program, under their fiscal year 2008 budget proposal, would lose $100 million of funding compared to 2006, and Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities grant program would almost be cut by $150 million. This funding needs to be restored. These programs are part of the solution to the dropout problem. So we in the Congressional Black Caucus are issuing a call to action across our Nation to reduce the dropout rate and raise the graduation rate above its current level of 70 percent. Keeping our people in improved schools must be a part of the debate and be addressed as we move to reauthorize and fund an amended and improved No Child Left Behind. Today the Campaign for High School Equity met on the Hill to address and help us address this very issue. Among the reasons cited as causes of the persistent dropout rates are lack of parental involvement and one I heard in focus groups of young men in my own district: poorly devised and presented curricula that don't keep or stimulate our students' interests. We urge the appropriators to include incentives to address this issue, to improve graduation rates and to ensure an increase in funding for key programs like Upward Bound in the 2008 appropriation. This program also helps to reverse our Nation's dropout rate. Another factor that is indirectly related is one that was the subject of Bob Herbert's column last Saturday, lack of employment for teens during the high school year and in the summer. We are at the lowest national teen employment rate in the past 60 years at 33.1 percent, according to one study from Northeastern University. Again, this bleak outlook is primarily affecting Black teens. As Mr. Herbert said: ``This is the flip side of the American dream. Kids who grow up poor and never work at a regular job tend not to think in terms of post-graduate degrees, marriages, careers, and the cost of educating the next generation. A steady job could make all the difference. Along with the paycheck comes a sense of the possibilities. Kids develop a clearer understanding of the value of education and are more likely to stay in school.'' No Child Left Behind created widespread pressure to improve academic achievement. While many districts have struggled to meet benchmarks set by this legislation, far too many of our children, especially African American children, are still being left behind. We need to apply the same pressure, focus, and funding to improve the educational environment and experience and to provide the tools that are needed for education success in all of our schools. The enslaved Africans in Texas waited 2 years to finally hear the word that they were free. Let us not have our young children and people wait one minute longer for the education they need and the future they deserve.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Chairman, I would like to commend Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Lewis for their leadership in bringing the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill to the House floor. I would also like to commend Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member King for their unyielding efforts to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security receives adequate funding to carryout its mission--to help prevent, protect against and respond to acts of terrorism on U.S. soil. I am pleased that for fiscal year 2007-2008, the Committee recommends $2,065,387,000 above the amount requested for discretionary resources. On February 5th, President Bush delivered the fiscal year 2008 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security and it failed to address our Nation's most pressing security needs. It left gaps in our Nation's border, port, mass transit, rail, aviation, cyber and critical infrastructure security. Essentially, the administration's proposed budget failed to aggressively promote the necessity of protection, prevention, and preparation. With the recently foiled JFK terrorist plot and the issues of coordination surrounding the TB case, it is clearly evident that we need to put more resources into the DHS. While we passed supplemental funding for the war in Iraq, protecting our Nation's security must remain a priority. Homeland terrorism is still a prevalent threat. H.R. 2683 makes key investments in areas such as first responder and port security by appropriating $1.97 billion above the President's request. These grants were funded at $4.92 billion in 2004 and have been cut every year since. I am also pleased that the bill appropriation includes $50 million above the administration's request and $797 million above 2007. This will allow DHS to strengthen our Nation's borders beyond our Mexican border and include areas in the Caribbean such as my district--the U.S. Virgin Islands. H.R. 2683 also addresses lessons learned from Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. This includes increase funding for improvements to FEMA's management operation called for after Katrina. The bill also provides $200 million above 2007 for assistance to State and local governments. Overall, this appropriation bill reflects numerous hours of oversight hearings on every aspect of security and terrorism issues affecting our Nation's borders and infrastructure. H.R. 2683 demonstrates to our Nation this Congress is serious about protecting our citizens and I urge its passage. Once again, I would like to thank the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security and the Homeland Security for their hard work to increase funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Chairman, I am so proud of what we are doing on behalf of our veterans today and so I rise in strong support of the Military Construction & Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. In addition to the increase in funding--the largest increase in the entire 77-year history of the Veterans Administration--there are many provisions here that will help the over 6,000 veterans of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Just last week as I was traveling back to Washington, one veteran complained that he was getting no response on his disability claim. I have many other open cases in my office. This bill will reduce the backlog and make good on the promise to take care of any injury related to their military service. There is a major increase in health care funding, and I will work to ensure that some of it is sued to make health care more accessible to Virgin Islands veterans. I also hope we can address the increased reimbursement for travel to and from care. Our veterans have to travel over water and by airplane to get VA provided care. The costs to them and the family member who may have to accompany them is a great burden they should not have to bear. This bill has many other important provisions, but I only want to highlight one other which is of great concern to me as a physician, and that is the funding for programs to address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the other mental health needs of returning men and women of our Armed forces. This is a vital need. We in the Virgin Islands were able to help our first responders after 9/11 and we want to do more to help our soldiers transition safely and fully from the din and stress of war back to peacetime. This bill will help us do that. I want to commend our Speaker for her determination to lead this House and to keep our promise to the men and women who have kept theirs to us--our veterans. I also applaud Chairman Chet Edwards on shepherding this landmark bill to final passage, and Chairmen David Obey and John Spratt for setting the stage to make this victory for all Americans possible.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 65, the Lumbee Recognition Act, and I commend my esteemed colleague from North Carolina, Mr. McIntyre, for his leadership on behalf of the Lumbee Tribe to gain Federal recognition which I believe is long overdue for the Lumbees. More than a century ago, the State of North Carolina had come to terms with a tribe of Native Americans descended by the historic Cheraw and related Siouan-speaking tribe located on Drowning Creek in North Carolina. In 1885, along with State recognition of the Lumbee Tribe came the establishment of a separate school system for Lumbee children to help preserve and respect both tribal ancestry and cultural practices. Shortly after State recognition, the Lumbee Tribe sought to attain Federal Recognition. The issue of Lumbee recognition before this Congress, which began in the late 1800's, is both voluminous and lengthy. What has been made explicitly clear, however, is that the Lumbee Tribe is a distinct self- governing Indian community. Yet for reasons that have been either fiscal in nature or contrary to Federal Indian policy Congress has failed to act. Again, however, the Congressional record is abundantly and overwhelmingly clear that the Lumbee Tribe meet a threshold for Congress to bestow it Federal recognition without prohibitions. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 65.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, as a daughter of the Caribbean and the only member of the House from the English-speaking Caribbean, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 418, which recognizes and welcomes the delegation of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean to Washington, DC, and commends the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, for holding their Conference on the Caribbean. It is with great pride that I join my colleagues in applauding the heads of Government of the CARICOM Caribbean Community of nations for convening their conference on the Caribbean--A 20/20 Vision--here in Washington. The theme of the conference is: CARICOM DEVELOPMENT IN THE 21st Century: Economic Growth with Social Equity. I want to thank and commend my colleague and friend the chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Representative Engel for introducing H. Res. 418 and for shepherding it on to the floor of the House today. Mr. Speaker, the nations of the Caribbean, some of the longest and most stable democracies in the region, have long been among our closest friends and staunchest allies. In recent years, the region was described as America's ``third border'' because events there have a direct impact on the security of the United States. However, while we have made statements about bolstering political and economic stability in the region, the reality is that our friends to the south have been suffering from our benign neglect. Whether it has been our position on Caribbean bananas at the WTO, or our insistence that our Caribbean neighbors make costly upgrades to their air and seaports to comply with our post-September 11th security concerns, to the recently instituted Western Hemisphere Initiative, our Caribbean neighbors have been taking it on the chin economically as a result of policy decisions we have made to address our domestic and foreign policy agendas. I also hope that the recently uncovered plot to blow up a fuel supply line at the JFK Airport in NY, allegedly involving four men from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago will not lead to the belief that the Caribbean is becoming a ``hotbed of terrorism''. In holding their conference in Washington, our Caribbean neighbors hope to strengthen the relationship between the United States and CARICOM by addressing priority areas for future Caribbean growth and development, including issues related to trade, competitiveness and investment, in mutually beneficial and reinforcing ways. They also hope to deepen and broaden the dialogue between the Governments and people of CARICOM and the Government and people of the United States of America that should result in the renewed appreciation of the Caribbean. We--the Congress and the Bush Administration--owe it to these small and vulnerable friends to seriously consider the issues they will raise with us during the conference. These include, trade and competitiveness, immigration, cooperation on security issues including the return of criminal deportees, disaster preparedness and mitigation and health-care including HIV/AIDS. The Caribbean and its peoples have deep and historic ties with the United States and its peoples. It is my fervent hope that through this conference and the meetings that will take place with President Bush and the Members of Congress, including the Congressional Black Caucus, that relations between the United States and the Caribbean will continue to grow closer in the future. I urge my colleagues to support adoption of this resolution.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act--a smart, thoughtful and, more important, ethical piece of legislation that already has passed in the House. This bill will expand needed Federal funding to ensure that the promises of embryonic stem cell research finally become reality in this nation. For the millions of Americans who suffer from the very conditions for which stem cell research could hold a cure, the time has come for us to do more than just offer hope. The time is now for us to find and offer cures to some of the most devastating conditions and diseases that detrimentally affect more than 100 million Americans and their families. Mr. Speaker, this bill also will send a long overdue message to our friends in the global community: that we are re-assuming our place at the helm of the world's forward-thinking, inspirational and smart health lawmakers. As a physician, I have seen what happens to people afflicted with diseases and conditions, like Alzheimer's, sickle cell anemia and Parkinson's, and I have seen the impact it has on their families, friends and loved ones. And, it sickens me to know that a promising public health advancement is being tainted by some of my colleagues who wrongfully and unethically applying a theological argument to this issue. Mr. Speaker, this is not a faith issue; this should not be a partisan issue; it's a public health issue and an American issue. Imagine an America free of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, sickle cell anemia and multiple sclerosis; spinal cord injuries, cancer and diabetes. I call on the President to sign the bill into law and to be a part of the solution--and not the problem. The time simply is now.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to commend my friend and our colleague from California, Representative Loretta Sanchez, for her dedicated and hard work on this legislation over several Congresses. The purpose of H.R. 1175, as introduced by Ms. Sanchez, is to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to increase the Federal cost share of phase one of the Orange County, California Regional Water Reclamation Project. The project authorized by H.R. 1175 will supplement existing water supplies by providing a new, reliable, high quality source of water to recharge the Orange County Groundwater Basin and protect it from further degradation due to seawater intrusion. I thank Ms. Sanchez for her efforts on this legislation and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1175. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.