Susan Davis

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 68) authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks in the Record on this concurrent resolution.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 81, I was unavoidable detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, we have lost a dear friend and colleague in the House of Representatives. The world has also lost a great humanitarian. As the only Member of Congress to survive the Holocaust, Congressman Lantos had a deep understanding of the value of freedom and the need to pursue human rights around the globe. He brought life experiences to his work that nobody else could. On a personal note, I was extremely saddened when I heard the news of his passing. After arriving back in Washington today and seeing the flags at half mast, it set in that he won't be with us any longer. I will miss him. He was always very gracious during my conversations and dealings with him. I would listen closely when he spoke because what he had to say was always important. I urge my colleagues to honor Chairman Lantos' memory and fight for human rights and justice around the world with the same passion that he did.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Chairman, last year Congress passed a budget reconciliation bill that allows servicemembers to get a deferment on their student loans when they are activated, but that particular deferment only applies to repayment of the principle and existing interest on these loans. It does not prevent new interest from accruing while our servicemembers are on active duty. One Reservist told me that while he was granted a deferment on his loan, he was told that the interest would continue to accrue while he was away and would be added on to his loan when he returned. Servicemembers such as this Reservist already have enough to worry about when they are called to active duty without this added burden. This amendment will cover all active duty servicemembers, including Reserve units and the National Guard. According to CRS estimates, this will help the average servicemember save between $1,200 and $1,500 over the course of a 12- to 15-month activation period, with even more savings for those activated for longer periods. In addition, and the best part, the CBO scored this amendment and found that it will not cost the American taxpayer any significant amount. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 908. I want to thank my colleague from Minnesota for sponsoring this important resolution. I want to share with you an inspirational story about a young man from my district in San Diego. Eduardo Corona was only in the ninth grade when he got into trouble with the law. Because of this mistake, he faced up to 6 years in a juvenile correctional facility. Instead of going to that facility, the judge met with him and spoke with him and allowed Eduardo to participate in a mentoring program called Reality Changers. I have had an opportunity to meet with the young people in that program and I can tell you, they are inspirational and very engaged in their lives and hoping to change the community someday. Reality Changers brings at-risk youth in San Diego together with their mentors, half of which are college students from the University of California at San Diego, and for about 3 hours a week over a 4-year time, these mentees study with their peer mentors, they take weekly practice SAT tests, do homework together, listen to guest speakers and take part in leadership development seminars. In addition to that, Reality Changers also sends its participants, all of which come from low-income families, to a summer program at UCSD where they take college level courses and prepare for higher education. With the help of his mentors in Reality Changers, Eduardo was able to turn his life around. In just 30 days, and this is kind of remarkable to me as I had a chance to work with some of the issues that he had to deal with, Eduardo doubled his GPA to 3.8. He attended UCSD's summer program and won two awards in mechanical engineering. And although he is just a sophomore in high school, he has already earned college credit and is well on his way to becoming the first member of his family to attend college. In fact, I need to tell you that all of Reality Changers' participants who have completed this 4-year program have gone on to a 4-year university. Not bad, considering all of these young people are the first in their families to attend college. I think Eduardo's story really tells us and proves that with the right role models and people who truly care about them, our society's most challenged youth, challenged in many different ways, can turn their lives around and become leaders in our community. But we know that Eduardo fortunately and even programs like Reality Changers are not unique to San Diego. At this very moment, there are countless mentors across the Nation who, through their hard work and dedication, are making miracles happen every single day. And so that's why I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support this resolution that Congresswoman McCollum has brought forward and join all my colleagues here, and I am pleased to see them, to support House Resolution 908. In addition to this resolution, I ask all my colleagues to join me in support of increased funding for our Nation's mentoring programs, because we know that with that help, we can replicate Eduardo's success all around the country.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. I thank my colleague. Mr. Speaker, on November 6, we passed the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act, and today we reaffirm our commitment to those who volunteer to protect the United States by putting forward a final product that reflects our commitment to veterans and servicemembers. I want to thank the hard work of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee for the hard act. My colleagues have highlighted a number of provisions. I wanted to just do two. One provision adjusts how the Social Security Administration calculates income for SSI eligibility to help military families keep their SSI benefits. I really want to thank a number of my families in my district in San Diego who shared their stories with me and gave me this opportunity to help make a change in this legislation. And the second I believe has already been mentioned, and that removes a date of service requirement, preventing those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to fully take advantage of the federally supported Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond program. This legislation, I believe, Mr. Speaker, demonstrates our Nation's appreciation for our military families and veterans, and I encourage my colleagues to vote for it.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. I want to thank my distinguished chairman for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, while the holiday season is a time of joy for most Americans, it can be a very difficult period for our servicemembers and their families. When I sit down with members of our all-volunteer force, whether it's in my district or in the mess halls in Iraq, I'm very aware of the stress military service can have on our servicemembers and, of course quite specifically, on all of their family members as well. The stress of being deployed over the holidays can only be more difficult. Mr. Speaker, a vital component of our strong national defense is the ability to care for members of our force, as well as recruit and retain men and women to serve in the military. To quote the first Commander in Chief, ``The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation.'' With this bill, current and future generations of servicemembers will know that their Nation cares for their sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, why is this bill important to men and women in uniform? It provides a 3 percent across-the-board pay raise for our troops. The compensation we provide our servicemembers must remain competitive with the private sector. We were also successful in making major improvements to the Reserve Montgomery GI Bill. For the first time there is a 10-year portability in benefits for Reservists so they can continue to receive educational assistance after they separate. Additionally, this bill will help services recruit and retain desperately needed health care professionals by prohibiting any further conversion of military medical professionals to civilian positions. Mr. Speaker, most importantly, the mental health needs of our troops continue to grow, and this bill includes a number of provisions that will improve access to quality care for members and their families. The creation of Centers of Excellence on TBI and PTSD is just one example. This report also includes a number of the recommendations from the Dole-Shalala Commission, including an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover family members of those on active duty so they can care for wounded servicemembers on extended leave for up to 26 workweeks. Family members will no longer have to choose between keeping their jobs and caring for a wounded loved one. This bill addresses one of the concerns Members have heard from their constituent Reservists, early retirement. The bill would reduce the age at which a member of the Ready Reserve can draw retired pay below the age of 60 by 3 months for every aggregate 90 days of active duty performed under specified circumstances. Mr. Speaker, there is so much more I wish we could do for our men and women who serve, but I feel that this bill represents the best efforts of this body to provide for our Nation's Armed Forces and their families. I would like to thank my predecessor, Representative Snyder, and ranking member, Representative McHugh, and the Personnel Subcommittee staff for all of their hard work on this conference report.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. As a representative with a bustling port in San Diego, I fully recognize the importance of this historic occasion, and I am very proud to join my colleague in honoring the Port of Los Angeles and celebrating its 100th anniversary. As my colleagues have cited, the Port of Los Angeles is a bastion for commerce and the economy for the region, and it provides one out of every 24 jobs in Southern California. Madam Speaker, we know that seaports are gateways for domestic and international trade connecting us to the rest of the world. And because ports are naturally located on coasts and inland waterways, they really play a special opportunity to act as environmental stewards and caretakers for our precious coastal resources. Just last year the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach jointly released the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, which aims to reduce emissions by 50 percent over the next 5 years. It's true, every single one of our districts benefits from the imports and exports that flow through the Port of Los Angeles. So I want to urge my colleagues to join me in bestowing this well- deserved honor on the Port of Los Angeles after 100 years of successful operation, and I particularly want to commend my colleague for bringing it forward.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Chairman, I rise in support, but I am sorry we are not debating a more inclusive gender identity bill today, which I would have supported, and let me tell you why. Employment discrimination strikes at a fundamental American value, the right of each individual to do his or her job without facing unfair discrimination. Transgendered people are among the most marginalized and vulnerable groups within the LGBT community. I worked with a nationally known landscape architect as a member of the San Diego School Board that San Diegans know today as Vicki Estrada. Vicki Estrada spent the first 50 years of her life as Steve Estrada. Soon after Steve became Vicki, she was assured by a leader within the California Department of Transportation, where Vicki worked as a contractor, that she would be treated no differently. Vicki had only a few problems with her transition, for two reasons: She had an internal advocate and the comprehensive protection of California State law. Others, Madam Chairman, are not so lucky, which is why it is so important for us to provide inclusive Federal protections. I urge my colleagues to join me in continued support of the entire LGBT community, and I also urge them to join me in supporting this bill.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues from the Ways and Means Committee for including provisions from H.R. 337 and H.R. 551 in the HEART Act. These are two important bills that I have been championing since I came to Congress. The first bill addresses a glitch in the SSI program. Because eligibility for SSI benefits is based on a family's income, military families lose benefits when additional pay is added to their income. A military family struggling to make ends meet loses benefits for their children if they receive jump pay, hazardous duty pay or a number of other pays considered ``unearned income.'' I think I speak for my colleagues when I say these pays are not unearned but hard earned. The second bill addresses qualified veterans mortgage bonds. And as a Californian, I join with other colleagues in the desire to provide veterans who signed up for service after 1977 with a better opportunity to achieve homeownership. Why should a veteran who served in Iraq be treated any differently than somebody who signed up before 1977? Correcting this flaw in current law will allow those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to have great opportunities towards owning a home in California's high-cost real estate market.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from California as well. Mr. Speaker, I was honored for the opportunity to introduce the Purple Heart Equity Act along with Representative Virginia Foxx, Minority Whip Roy Blunt, Chairman John Murtha, and a number of other bipartisan sponsors. We came together, and this is a unanimous bill because honoring the women who have won the Purple Heart is something that we can all stand behind. As commander of the Continental Army, as has been mentioned, George Washington wanted to recognize soldiers whose sacrifices and distinction forwarded the cause of independence. As a result, he created the Military Merit. He also designed the award, shaped it like a heart in the color purple. And after the Revolutionary War, this award was actually abandoned. But in honor of the bicentennial of Washington's birth, President Herbert Hoover revived the award in 1932, and it maintained its original design and became more known today, of course, as the Purple Heart. In that same year the Military Order of the Purple Heart formed with the mission of fostering a positive environment among wounded veterans as well as providing services to all veterans and their families. But when the organization was federally chartered in 1958, few women actually had won the Purple Heart. So, under the current law, male members today can invite their wives to join the Ladies Auxiliary of the Purple Heart, but there is no place in this organization for the husbands of female members. So that's why H.R. 1119 is important today, because it adds the word ``spouses'' to the Federal Charter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. And with this small update, the husbands of female members will have the option of joining the organization just as the wives do. Just a little bit more history, Mr. Speaker. The first woman to be awarded the Purple Heart was Lieutenant Annie G. Fox after she was killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Since then, the Military Order of the Purple Heart has identified at least 97 female Purple Heart recipients who have joined the organization. It has been 66 years since Lieutenant Fox earned the award, and now it is time, certainly time, that we act to fully honor the courageous women who are bestowed with the Purple Heart. H.R. 1119 honors and recognizes these brave women and future recipients of the Purple Heart. This is the least, certainly, we can do for the women who sacrifice for our country. And, finally, H.R. 1119 will allow the siblings of all who belong to the organization to join as associate members. By passing this legislation today, we certainly honor every family whose son or daughter or sister or brother has won the distinguished Purple Heart.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, 45 years ago, President Kennedy compelled the Soviet Union to remove offensive missiles from Cuba without a shot being fired. The Soviet missiles represented a true threat, but President Kennedy knew that the consequences of war were severe and that there was a viable option short of direct military confrontation. The Iranian threat, while certainly a continuing and growing concern, cannot be compared to the danger of Soviet efforts during the Cold War. The President's perceived rush toward the possibility of military conflict with Iran highlights the executive's inability to find real solutions to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons or supplying weapons to our adversaries in Iraq. We must exhaust every economic and diplomatic opportunity before even considering a military response. This administration has reduced our leverage around the world, but there is still time to build an international consensus around this issue. Congress has a constitutional responsibility in this debate. I hope Members will urge the President to take the moral high ground and deal with Iran through international pressure, not unilateral action.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I was on a leave of absence on October 25, 2007 due to the San Diego wildfires. The following list describes how I would have voted had I been in attendance. Rollcall No. 1001: Motion to Adjourn--``nay''; rollcall No. 1002: Motion to Adjourn--``nay''; rollcall No. 1003: On the House Now Considering H. Res. 774--``yea''; rollcall No. 1004: Tabling motion to reconsider--``yea''; rollcall No. 1005: Motion to Adjourn--``nay''; rollcall No. 1006: Ordering the Previous Question--``yea''; rollcall No. 1007: Agreeing to the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3963--``yea''; rollcall No. 1008: Motion to Recommit with Instructions--``nay''; rollcall No. 1009: Passage of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, H.R. 3963--``yea.''

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, Kurt Vonnegut once said, ``I can think of no more stirring symbol of man's humanity to man than a fire engine,'' and I agree. Last week, my district in San Diego bore witness to extraordinary displays of humanity and resiliency as wildfires swept through our region. We owe a debt of gratitude to the firefighters, National Guard and military personnel who fought and continue to fight the fires on the ground and in the air. Some of them lost their homes, others were seriously injured, and all made enormous sacrifices to ensure public safety. The firefighters with whom I spoke, it has been mentioned that they came from throughout the State and beyond, said Mother Nature outdid them on this one, but they do not feel defeated, and instead they were anxious to get back to work performing their job. In addition, I think it bears repeating that San Diego County and City leadership should be commended for coordinating a quick and effective response. And I agree, San Diego region should be used as a model for the country. There is much that we have learned and much that we can also teach. Last week, firefighters caused the largest evacuation in California's history. As residents fled the fires, volunteers from all walks of life came forward to help the evacuees. I saw such a tremendous outpouring of compassion and support at the evacuation centers. San Diegans rolled up their sleeves and found a way to help their neighbors during this crisis. At Qualcomm Stadium, I spoke to a volunteer who is a professional tour guide. He realized he could put his organizational skills and strong voice to work at the relief center. The coordinators at the stadium agreed and assigned him to training volunteers. I also saw staff from the City's Park and Rec Department organizing entertainment for children and families, volunteers passing out food, and even massage therapists helping evacuees to relax. Although the majority of fires are now under control and many residents have left the evacuation centers, the San Diego region faces a lot of hard work in the months ahead. Our prayers go out to the many families who lost their homes. As the shock and heartbreaks subside, we must do everything in our power to ensure that full recovery is within sight as soon as possible. And as we think ahead, Mr. Speaker, to the precarious nature that we are in and the inevitability of future massive fires, we must also engage in the most serious discussions of lessons learned. I support House Resolution 778.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I was on a leave of absence on October 24, 2007 due to the San Diego wildfires. The following list describes how I would have voted had I been in attendance. Rollcall No. 995: Motion to Recommit with Instructions on Celebrating America's Heritage Act, H.R. 1483--``yea.'' Rollcall No. 996: Passage of Celebrating America's Heritage Act, H.R. 1483--``yea.'' Rollcall No. 997: Previous Question on the Rule providing consideration of Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, H.R. 505--``yea.'' Rollcall No. 998: Providing consideration of Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, H.R. 505--``yea.'' Rollcall No. 999: Motion to Recommit with Instructions on Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, H.R. 505--``nay.'' Rollcall No. 1000: Passage of Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, H.R. 505--``yea.''

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. I want to thank my colleagues from Virginia for having this time set aside for all of us to come to the floor today and express our real sadness in losing our friend, Jo Ann Davis. Mr. Speaker, in many ways Jo Ann was not just my friend, but in some ways my sister here. I came to the Congress in 2001 with Jo Ann; and at the beginning, because our names are the same, we got a little confused. In fact, people confused one particular bill with our names, and it took us awhile to sort that out. We had a good laugh over that because sometimes we didn't always agree on everything. But I can say that of so many people that I have met and had a chance to spend time with, I really enjoyed my time with Jo Ann. She was just such a strong woman who didn't always have an easy time, particularly as we saw her suffer through cancer. But she was so desirous, I think, of telling people a little bit about how she was doing and yet at the same time letting us know that she was okay. Well, you know, she wasn't always okay, but she wanted us to know that. The first experience that I had with Jo Ann is when we had an opportunity to travel to Afghanistan together, and one of the first codels, soon after we had a chance to go in and see how our military was doing there, and what was happening and trying to help develop the new Afghani Army. We had quite an amazing trip. In spending all that time in the air and on the ground and really having a chance to talk, I felt like I got to know her as a true individual with great values, connected with family, and someone who was so devoted to her community. We both represent a military community, and I think we shared a great deal of that together. I wanted to just say thank you for what Jo Ann gave me over these last years and helping me to also talk about my values and what is important to me. Family was very important to her. My husband and I reach out to Chuck and the family, and we wish them all the condolences in the world that we can bring to them and thank them for being the wonderful family that they are.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Servicemember Student Loan Interest Relief Act--a bill to ease the financial burden on our men and women in uniform. When servicemembers of the Armed Forces are deployed overseas, the last thing they want to worry about is how they will be able to afford their student loan payments when they get back. But that is the reality for thousands of our Nation's servicemembers today. Although current law grants servicemembers a deferment on paying back their student loans while they are on active duty, the interest on these loans still keeps accruing during their service. When our men and women in uniform return from months and sometimes years of service, many of them come home to student loan debt that has ballooned during their absence and that they will have to struggle to pay back. The Servicemember Student Loan Interest Relief Act stops student loan interest from accruing as long as a servicemember is on active duty, up to maximum of 5 years. This bill will apply to active duty servicemembers of any branch of the military, including reserve units and the National Guard. According to the Congressional Research Service, the legislation I am introducing today will save the average servicemember between $1,183 and $1,479 over the course of a 12-15 month activation period, with even more savings realizable for those activated for longer periods. Military service requires those who serve our country to make tremendous sacrifices--personally, professionally, and financially. Let us give our brave men and women the peace of mind of knowing that after defending us on the front lines, they will not return home to bill collectors and creditors breaking down their doors. Help me serve our Nation's bravest while they are off serving us. Support the Servicemember Student Loan Interest Rate Relief Act.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act, H.R. 1188 and to encourage my colleagues to lend their support. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as many as 7.5 million Americans are affected by psoriasis--a chronic, inflammatory, painful, disfiguring and disabling disease for which there is limited treatment and no cure. Ten to thirty percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. On average, there are 17,000 people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in each congressional district. Cristy Boisvert is one constituent in my district living with psoriasis. Cristy was diagnosed with psoriasis when she was six months old. Growing up with psoriasis was difficult. Her mother spent countless nights applying medication to her scalp, followed by countless mornings washing the greasy mess out of her hair before school. In junior high, Cristy played on the basketball team. One day she wore shorts to practice, which revealed the flaky psoriasis plaques on her legs. Her friends stood around making fun of her. They called her ``Fungi'' because they said it looked like mushrooms were growing on her legs. You can only imagine how much those words hurt her. When Cristy was 20, she began to think about whether she wanted to have children. She reflected back on all of the grief that living with psoriasis caused her and questioned whether she wanted to take the risk of passing that down to another human being. Cristy is now in her 30s, and she is ecstatic about the fact that she can do something positive about psoriasis. As an active member of the National Psoriasis Foundation, she is working to ensure that young people in the future will not have to endure the same ridicule that she did. The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act will expand psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research and ensure access to care and treatment for these diseases. Despite the serious adverse effects that psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have on individuals and families, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are under- recognized and under-funded by our nation's research institutions and public health agencies. On average, the NIH has spent less than one dollar for each person with psoriasis in the last ten years. H.R. 1188 calls on the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to expand and intensify research on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to coordinate those efforts with the NIH. The bill directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop a patient registry to collect much-needed longitudinal data on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis so we can begin to understand the long-term impact of these conditions and evaluate the effects of various therapies. Of serious concern is that people with psoriasis are at elevated risk for a myriad of comorbidities, including, but not limited to, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and mental health conditions. To help address this, H.R. 1188 authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convene a summit of researchers, public health professionals, representatives of patient advocacy organizations and policymakers to review current efforts in research, treatment, and quality-of-life maintenance being conducted by federal agencies whose work involves psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and their related co- morbidities. Lastly, the legislation also directs the Secretary of HHS to commission a study from the Institutes of Medicine to evaluate and make recommendations to address health insurance and prescription drug coverage as they relate to medications and treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I thank the National Psoriasis Foundation for all of its efforts and leadership over the last four decades, and am grateful to the Foundation and its members and staff for their ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life for those with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in my district. I also would like to personally thank my constituent, Cristy Boisvert, for all her work. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation encouraging teacher development in the schools the most in need of quality instruction. Five years ago, we passed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) with the goals of closing the achievement gap and improving academic performance overall. Schools have found some success during those five years, but I believe we need to make a number of changes to NCLB to make it more supportive for educators. We need to invest in our teachers. Madam Speaker, our teachers are the most important element in our educational system. It is our teachers who connect with our children and inspire them to achieve. I am introducing the Support Our Schools With Quality Teaching Act of 2007 to provide professional development opportunities for our teachers in struggling or at-risk schools. Specifically, this legislation authorizes federal grant funding for schools to invite the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to implement its Targeted High Need Initiative (THNI) in schools in need. The NBPTS trains teachers to become professionally certified. Under the THNI program, teachers at struggling schools undergo a portion of the rigorous curriculum to become a professionally certified teacher. The training comes from certified teachers who provide mentoring and training. Once the program is over, teachers at the school site have the option of going on to complete professional certification without cost to them when they agree to remain at the high-need school. The Support Our Schools With Quality Teaching Act targets funding to the schools the most in need of quality teaching, such as those falling into Program Improvement under No Child Left Behind or those with high student populations from disadvantaged backgrounds. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support professional teacher development in the schools that could benefit from the best possible instruction.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the U.S.-China Language Engagement Act of 2007--a bill to close the knowledge deficit when it comes to our relationship with China. It is little news to anyone that China is on the rise. With a population of over 1.3 billion people and the second largest economy in the world when measured by domestic purchasing power parity, China is poised to become a world power, economically, diplomatically, and militarily. Yet at a time when China's influence on the world stage is increasing, our national understanding of the ``Middle Kingdom'' has not kept pace. While an estimated 200 million Chinese school children are studying our language and culture, less than 50,000 American elementary and secondary students are studying Chinese. The goal of the U.S.-China Language Engagement Act is to provide our schools with the resources they need to offer Chinese language instruction and cultural studies classes. This important legislation would instruct the Department of Education to offer competitive grants to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to develop and implement innovative Chinese language and cultural studies programs. LEAs, in collaboration with institutions of higher education, may use grant funds to carry out intensive summer Chinese language instruction, link bilingual Chinese and English speakers with students and conduct virtual cultural exchanges with educational institutions in China. This bill is part of a broader legislative package seeking to improve our competitive edge and relationship with China. Some may view China's resurgence as a threat. But today, Madam Speaker, I ask you to turn China's rise into an opportunity for United States citizens. Through careful diplomacy, I believe China can become not only a competitor but also a partner. But we cannot have this dialogue if we cannot understand the Chinese people. This is why I come before you today: to ask for your help in ensuring that the lines of communication between the United States and China stay open. Please support the U.S.-China Language Engagement Act and help bridge the language barrier and cross the cultural gap between future generations of Americans and the Chinese.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Equal Justice for Our Military Act of 2007--a bill that will give our servicemembers equal access to the United States Supreme Court. We all know that when American men and women decide to serve their nation in the Armed Forces, they make many sacrifices--from lost time with their families to irreplaceable losses of lives and limbs. However, most Americans are not aware that active-duty servicemembers also sacrifice one of the fundamental legal rights that all civilian Americans enjoy. Under current law, members of the military who are convicted of offenses under the military justice system do not have the legal right to appeal their cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. It is unjust to deny the members of our Armed Forces access to our system of justice as they fight for our freedom around the world. They deserve better. As the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel, a long- time advocate for servicemembers, and a representative of San Diego, one of the largest military communities in the nation, I feel an obligation to fight to ensure that the members of our military are treated fairly. Current law weights the playing field in favor of the government, granting the automatic right to Supreme Court review to the Department of Defense whenever a servicemember wins his or her case, but denying servicemembers that same right when the government wins a conviction against them in almost all situations. This is just unfair. In the 109th Congress, I introduced legislation to grant our men and women in uniform access to the Supreme Court in certain situations. Today, I am re-introducing this legislation in expanded form, to allow service members in a broader set of circumstances the right to Supreme Court appeal. This approach has been endorsed by the American Bar Association, the Military Officers Association of America, and many other advocates. I believe strongly that it is fundamentally unjust to deny those who serve on behalf of our country in the military one of the basic rights afforded to all other Americans. I hope that you will stand with me in support of this legislation to attain equal treatment for those who fight for us.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2956. I just returned from Iraq. The trip was only a snapshot of what was happening on the ground, but I heard two messages: One, we need more time to train Iraqi troops and leadership; but two, progress is not evident. We are taking two steps back for every step forward. Our men and women are serving heroically, but it is clear our progress is limited, at best. So where do we go from here? Mr. Speaker, we need a plan that moves beyond the surge to a time frame that says we will continue to support Iraqis in a limited capacity but that we will redeploy the bulk of our forces within a prescribed period of time. We are all concerned about the impact our redeployment could have on our adversaries, and the region as a whole. However, the reality on the ground is that, whether it's in 6 months or 2 years, the size of our current force cannot be sustained. The true focus must be on how we disengage, how we and our allies work together to support our aims for a free and open society in Iraq. Our choices are bad, awful and worse. But this legislation, I believe, will move us a step closer to a day when Iraq's leaders and politicians can take back control of their country and our men and women can return home to their families and a grateful Nation.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of reducing the cost of higher education and increasing access for all of those who dream of attending college, and that includes, Mr. Speaker, our servicemembers. Our servicemembers face extraordinary challenges when activated to go to Iraq or Afghanistan while in college. Under current law, those deciding not to return to school must begin to repay the loan immediately after returning home, and this means, as we all know, that they will receive their student loan bills in the mail within days of returning from a combat zone. Among the other benefits in this bill, the College Cost Reduction Act includes an amendment to give those activated while in college a 13- month deferment before they must begin repaying a student loan. This bill is important, and it's important for this reason, because it provides our servicemembers the protections and the rights they deserve when activated while in college. I urge my colleagues to support the overall legislation.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Veterans Education Tuition Support Act of 2007 or the VETS Act to address some of the difficulties our military personnel when they are activated while attending college. Thousands of military reservists have been activated to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan directly from their college campuses. Unfortunately, students who serve in the military face unique hardships when called upon to defend the United States. Most colleges and universities refund tuition and fees to students when the activation occurs during the academic calendar. However, instances have occurred when a servicemember has not been reimbursed. Servicemembers have also been known to face difficulties reregistering for classes after returning home after activation. In addition, activated military personnel have received collection notices for student loans while serving in combat zones. The goal of the VETS Act is to provide our servicemembers with certain rights when they must delay their educational pursuits to defend our country. The legislation requires colleges and universities to refund tuition and fees for unearned credit, and in addition, guarantee our servicemembers a place when they return home. The bill would also amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to treat student loan debt the same way it treats other forms of debt by capping interest at 6 percent during deployments. Finally, the legislation would give servicemembers 13 months to begin paying their student loans after an activation should they decide not to return to school immediately. The deferment will give them time to readjust back to civilian life should they decide they need extra time to go back to school. Senator Sherrod Brown has introduced the VETS Act in the U.S. Senate and I am proud to introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The VETS Act is centered on the recommendations made by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) based on the experiences of the group's members. Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation to give rights and protections to the servicemembers activated while attending a college or university.