Chet Edwards

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, David Obey would be the first to say our democracy is bigger than any one of us, but I come here tonight to say that in the history of Congress, he is truly one of its giants. It is hard to imagine Congress without him. He has been a giant of courage, a giant of ethics, a giant of insight and wisdom as an institutionalist who believes in this House with all of his heart and soul, and a giant in the fight for everyday citizens who often don't have a voice speaking for them. I want to pay special tribute to Chairman Obey for what he has done so quietly behind the scenes for America's veterans. He has been their unsung hero. In the 4 years that he has chaired the Appropriations Committee--these past 4 years--we have ended up, under his leadership and in partnership with Speaker Pelosi, with 3,000 new VA doctors, 13,000 new VA nurses, and 145 new VA community clinics. All of that means better care, more timely care, more quality care for America's heroes and their families. It means respect to those who serve--respect with our deeds and not just with words. The greatest tribute I can pay as a father to Dave Obey is he has truly made a difference for my family and for the American family. Perhaps the greatest tribute he could hear, though, is that, I would say if Archy the Cockroach and Richard Bolling were here today on the floor of this House, they would say, Mr. Chairman, job well done. It has been a privilege to work with you and to learn from you. You will have left this country a better place. For that, we all thank you and salute you.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, on behalf of a friend who works every day to bring wounded warriors and Make a Wish youth to our Capitol, I would like to include the following in the Congressional Record at his request. Dedicated to Oprah Winfrey, the Promise of American . . . and what dreams, courage and faith are made of. Your life and your example, are one more watershed moment in time . . . in the healing and the growth of America! May God Bless you always, as you have blessed so many others with your kind heart. I ask that this poem penned in honor of Oprah Winfrey by Albert Caswell be placed in the Record. `O What a Gal! `O . . . What a Gal! `O what a Woman, `O what a Lady . . . who so stands before us now! `O . . . what A Great American Tale. . . . And `O, what a journey, through life in her profiles in courage, so now . . . `O, The American Dream . . . `O, The Promise of what all of this so means . . . to be American and so very proud! `O, from the bottom to the top . . . `O, as against all odds . . . even with all that discrimination and hatred, she would not be stopped! From fields of slavery of yesteryears, `O . . . as her loved ones in heaven, now watch over her with tears! Oprah! Teaching us all, with your lessons of life . . . of answering its quest and its call! To be a champion of what is right! With your heart of kindness, all in your search of the truth as you went out into that night . . . All in your warmth and love, as you fought that fight! Teaching us all . . . that, `O . . . Black is Beautiful! All on her pilgrimage of truth and caring, sharing, loving and teaching . . . she brought her light. `O, the proof of what one life can mean! An American Heroine, as now almost like an American Queen . . . `O, in this our world . . . and in our lives! Will we so find the courage? . . . The Sacrifice? . . . To Fight, To Fight The Good Fight? To make a difference, with these our so short lives! `O, an American hero . . .touching our hearts, bringing your light! Oprah Winfrey, is a Winner . . . A Light . . . A Great Beacon of Hope . . . of which shines this night! The power of hope and courage . . . All determination, and faith can so nourish what is right! `O, Win your Heart is open! Win you believe! Win . . . your heart is Free! There's nothing you can not so be! Win . . . you stop to believe! Win . . . you take from pain and heartache, and rebuild . . . we all can be Free! Children, Win . . . your . . . Free! There's nothing, that you can not so do! There's nothing, that you can not so be! Listen my children, as your future dreams you are building . . . remember, Oprah Winfrey!

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, as I leave Congress after 20 years, I would just like to share a few personal observations about our democracy and our country. First and foremost, I believe we still live in the greatest country in the world. We are a blessed Nation, and we have more freedoms and opportunities than most citizens of the world could ever imagine. The proof that all is not wrong in our country today is that our immigration challenge is not that people are trying to leave our country; it is that millions of people from all parts of the globe would do almost anything, including risking their lives, to come here. Several years ago, I learned a lot about our country from a D.C. taxicab driver. In hearing his accented English late one night when I arrived at National Airport, I asked him when he first came to our country. He answered 20 years earlier. Then I asked him if he had a family, and he answered, yes, a wife, two sons and a daughter. I asked if they had come with him when he came here 20 years ago, and he said, no, they came 3 years earlier. He went on to explain. Imagine this: For 17 years he came to our country for 10 months out of every year, working two jobs at a time, washing dishes and any other minimum-wage job he could find here. He said he would save a little bit every year for his family nest egg and enough to return to his home to be with his family for 2 months each year. As the father of two young sons, I was floored, and said he could put millions of dollars in the back seat of that taxicab that night for me if I only would agree to be away from my wife and sons as much as he had been from his family, and it would not even be a temptation. I asked him why he did it, and I will never forget his answer. He said, I had a hope and a dream that some day I might be able to raise my three children in a country where they could have just two things-- religious freedom and the opportunity to be whatever they wanted to be. Now, he said, my family is together here. I am a U.S. citizen. My sons are studying to become engineers and my daughter will be a doctor. This hardworking immigrant taught me a lot that night in his taxicab about the American Dream and what is so special about our country. I realize our democracy is not perfect, and I am well aware of the imperfections of those of us who serve in it. But sometimes in the midst of our daily lives, we Americans need to stop and think about our many blessings as citizens of this great country. In a time of widespread cynicism toward government, I believe it is also worthwhile to ask ourselves what is the role of our Federal Government. There can be no better foundation for that answer than the Preamble to our Constitution: ``We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.'' As with any statement of principle, our Founding Fathers left honest room for disagreement on the specifics of interpretation, but I would like to make several personal observations. The preamble first begins with the words ``We the people.'' Those words make it clear that the cornerstone of our democracy is the people--not politicians, not Presidents, not any institution or special interest. I believe one of the frustrations toward government today is that ``we the people'' don't feel government is listening to or working for us. There is a sense that the voice of the special interest is too often drowning out the voice of everyday citizens. There is much truth in that observation, and I have concerns that the recent Supreme Court decision to let corporations and unions spend unlimited, unaccountable, untraceable amounts of money in campaigns will make the voice of everyday citizens even less audible. If outright bans don't meet the limits of a flawed judicial decision, that at the very least transparency must be required. ``We the people'' have a fundamental right to know who is spending millions of dollars to influence who is elected to our Congress. ``In order to form a more perfect union.'' I believe the greatness and goodness of our country is that ours is a history of each generation trying to reach ever-closer toward the ideals of liberty and justice for all. Rights that were once just the domain of white male landowners have slowly but surely been expanded to more and more Americans. The barriers of race, religion, gender and sexual preferences have with great pain and sacrifice slowly been knocked down. This road of progress has been paved with detours and roadblocks along the way, but it has inevitably been a road of progress toward a more perfect Union. I am proud that in 2008 our Nation broke the racial barrier for the highest office in our land. But I temper that pride in 2010 with the disappointment that the issue of race is still an issue for anyone over a century-and-a-half after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Let us not, however, let the imperfections of our Union blind us from seeing our blessings and our progress toward becoming a more perfect Union. ``Establish justice.'' In a society that is often critical of our legal system, I am grateful that we live in a country that presumes innocence until guilt is proven and that offers the fundamental right to a jury trial. While frivolous lawsuits do occur and should be stopped whenever possible, reason should dictate that we not limit the constitutional right of the citizen to a jury trial and that that right should not be based on one's wealth. It is not fair to begin the work of Congress in this House on this floor with the words of our Pledge, ``with liberty and justice for all,'' and then proceed on the House floor moments later to cut legal aid for low-income citizens. ``Insure domestic tranquility and provide for the common defense.'' In a world where evil and greed will always exist, defending our citizens' lives and property must always be a top responsibility of government. That is why I am so grateful for the noble calling of those who choose to serve our Nation in law enforcement and in military uniform. Those who defend us from criminals here at home or from threats from abroad have chosen a noble calling in life and should always be treated with our words and our deeds as the true heroes they are. The record will show that in the past 4 years under the Democratic leadership of Speaker Pelosi and with the leadership of Chairman Obey and Chairman Filner and others, this Congress has made unprecedented strides in our investments in better health care and benefits for our veterans. We did so while recognizing that we can never fully repay our debt of gratitude that we owe those who have served our Nation in uniform and their families. ``Promote the general welfare.'' On this principle there can be much honest disagreement, and I respect that fact. Perhaps what is most important in this idea to me is that it underscores that we Americans are not just individuals separate from one another, but that our Founding Fathers recognized the welfare of one is not distinct from the welfare of all of us. ``We the people'' truly have common bonds as American citizens. My personal view is that government cannot ensure success for individuals. That requires hard work and solid values, and those come from our families and our faith, not from the government. Yet I do believe that the general welfare of ``we the people'' is enhanced if government and private enterprise work together to give those willing to work hard and play by the rules a fair opportunity for just a few things in life for themselves and their families. A good job, a decent home and a safe neighborhood, affordable health care, a quality education for their children, and retirement security. Government cannot guarantee these outcomes, but it should work to provide a fair opportunity to all willing and able to work hard for them. Government should provide a helping hand to those who are willing to help themselves. The general welfare, to me, really means opportunity. And it is my belief that the ultimate goal of government should be to provide every child in America--every child--a fair opportunity to reach his or her highest God-given potential. That is what Head Start, public school funding, college student financial aid, and many other Federal programs are all about. These programs are helping hands, not handouts. They're investments in opportunity for our citizens and our country's future. For those who cannot help themselves because of their physical or mental health care problems, we the people are a compassionate people, and the general welfare, along with our basic sense of decency and faith, dictate that we help those who cannot help themselves. That is a proper role of the Federal Government. For those who believe there's virtually no role for the Federal Government much beyond national defense, I would point out that our Founding Fathers realized over two centuries ago that the failure of the Articles of Confederation was that they committed ourselves to being a country of separate States, more than one union. That's why our Founding Fathers committed to adopting a new Constitution with stronger powers vested in a Federal Government. Our Founding Fathers so long ago understood that the general welfare of our citizens could not be effectively served by simply that loose association of States. There are some today who envision turning the clock back to a system that didn't work over two centuries ago and certainly would not work today in today's more complex society and economy. Despite its imperfections, I believe the Federal Government plays a vital role in providing for the general welfare of we the people. At the same time, I would say that the general welfare of our children and grandchildren demands that the Federal Government do a better job of living within its means. While deficits are to be expected in times of war and recession, long-term deficits must be brought down. This should be one of the highest national priorities in the years to come. After having turned serious deficits from the early 1990s into the surpluses of the late 1990s, Congress, in my opinion, made an enormous mistake in letting expire the pay-as-you-go rules, passing massive unpaid-for tax cuts in 2001 and 2003, and in expanding Medicare prescription drug programs in 2003, with none of these being paid for. This is not rocket science. It is simple math. Massive tax cuts passed in 1981, in the face of a major defense buildup, led to historic, unprecedented deficits. Two decades later, the same mistake was repeated when Congress passed massive tax cuts, the first ever of their kind during a time of war. Those of us who opposed those tax cuts predicted they would lead to deficits. Those who supported the tax cuts, if you'll check the record, said they would not lead to deficits. We were right, unfortunately, and they were wrong. It is my hope that the free lunch philosophy of no-pain balanced budgets has been discredited enough by now so the next Congress can realistically make the tough choices needed to get our fiscal house back in order. Republicans in Congress need to stop peddling the disproven that tax cuts pay for themselves. They do not. Democrats in Congress need to understand that spending must be cut, that no cuts will be done without pain, but that ultimately uncontrolled deficits will harm low- and middle-income families even more through slower economic growth and the crowding out of education and health programs by increasing interest payments on the national debt. Most importantly, the partisan finger-pointing should stop and the bipartisan work should begin. It should begin to ensure the general welfare of we the people is served by a physically sustainable Federal debt level. The choices will be difficult, but if they are made on a bipartisan basis, the people of the country will understand the necessity of those tough choices, just as they did in 1983 when President Reagan and Speaker Tip O'Neill worked together to save Social Security. ``Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.'' Our forefathers understood that freedom is God-given and should be protected as the divine gift it truly is. Our troops have, for over two centuries, protected our freedoms from threats from abroad. Here at home we must continue to be faithful stewards of the freedoms of religion, speech, press, and association. It is no coincidence that the first words of the Bill of Rights are dedicated to the principle of religious liberty built upon the foundation of what Thomas Jefferson called the sacred wall of separation between church and State. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Religious freedom is the first freedom. It is the freedom upon which all other freedoms are built. Mr. Madison and Mr. Jefferson understood that religion should be based on a pedestal high above the reach of politicians. I believe America's model of religious liberty is perhaps the greatest contribution to the world from our experiment in democracy. It has been built upon the bedrock of church-State separation. And for those who misunderstand that principle, church-State separation does not mean keeping people of faith out of government. It does mean keeping government out of our faith. All of human history has proven that if politicians are allowed to regulate and get involved in religion, they cannot withstand the siren songs of using religion as a means to their own political ends and of stepping on the rights of religious minorities by trying to ingratiate themselves with the religious majority. If I could offer only one piece of advice to the press, the public, and to future Members who will serve in Congress, it would be to be aware of those who, whether motivated by good faith or by political gain, would try to help religion by chiseling away at the wall of separation between church and State. God doesn't need their help or government's help. If He chose to give each of us the right to believe or not to believe, it would be sacrilegious for politicians to limit that divine right. Government can make a lot of mistakes that can be corrected, but if the Pandora's box of intermingling government and religion is ever open, it will unleash divisions among us that we cannot even imagine. Human history has proven that lesson over and over again. Mr. Madison and Mr. Jefferson got it right in the first 16 words of the Bill of Rights, and it would be wrong to undo those words or the principle they represent. In the short run, I have some serious concerns about our democracy. Partisanship is too prevalent, especially since solving the major challenges facing our country--the deficit, health care, energy, immigration reform, and competing in the world economy--will require bipartisanship to not only pass effective legislation but to secure public support for those laws after their passage. Sound-bite politics of television and radio interviews and talk shows and campaign ads make it difficult to develop responsible solutions to complex problems. Thirty-second campaign TV ads are seldom a template for responsible problem-solving. The stovepiping of news sources, where citizens are hearing the news they want to hear, reinforcing their already held views, is digging deeper the lines of political division in our country. The demonizing of those who think differently is creating coarseness in our political discourse that neither serves our democracy nor sets a positive example for our children. If adults don't treat each other with respect, can we expect any different from our children? The loss of centrists--Republicans and Democrats alike--in Congress will make it more difficult in the years ahead to find the common ground of compromise. A parliamentary government can work with one party on one end of the political spectrum and another on the other end with few in between, because the party in the majority in that type of government has the power to implement its programs. However, in our American democracy, built upon the principle of checks and balances, bipartisanship is needed to pass laws on major issues and then to earn acceptance of those laws from the public. The financial problems of major regional newspapers have reduced the impact of one of the key checks and balances of our democracy--a vigorous and free press. The financial power of corporations, unions and special interests, especially under the Citizens United Supreme Court case, to spend unlimited, nontransparent millions in congressional races without any accountability to the public who funds those races could seriously undermine the integrity of not just campaigns but of voting decisions made by Members of Congress. Despite all of these challenges in the short term, I am confident of America's long-term future. Our people and our democracy are resilient. When Americans face hardship, we find a way to endure and overcome those hardships. They always have. We always have and always will as a people. When our democracy gets off center, we the people find a way to bring it back in line. In every generation, including that of our Founding Fathers, there have been predictors of doom. In every generation, they have been wrong. Americans have faced a revolutionary war, a civil war, two world wars, and a great depression. In each case, we the people found a way to meet those challenges and overcome them. While I have met some famous people over the past 20 years of my public service, I have seen the soul and spirit of America through the lives of everyday citizens. It is they who give me faith in our future. It is the teacher who volunteers to help students after school; the military widow who asks how she can help other grieving widows; the soldier who misses the births of his two children while he is serving his country overseas; the veteran who continues giving back to country long after his or her service is completed; and the hardworking small business people--farmers and workers--who work hard every day just to provide a better life and hope for their families. I will never ever forget Erin Buenger--a beautiful, little, red- headed girl from Bryan, Texas--in my district--who came to Washington to lobby me for better health care research for rare children's diseases. For 7 years, Erin fought bravely against a rare cancer, neuroblastoma. Yet you would never have known she had had a bad day in her life because she was so full of life. Erin won my heart. She won my heart before she died at the age of 12, but her spirit will always live on to inspire me and those blessed to know her--to inspire us to do better, to be better. As long as we have Americans with the courage, values, and heart of Erin Buenger, who personified the American spirit, our Nation's future will be bright. I would save the last words I will speak from this House Chamber for my family. Throughout my years in Congress, it was my wife, Lea Ann, and our two sons, J.T. and Garrison, who always kept me grounded. Every day of public service has truly been an honor, and I am grateful to the people of Central Texas for that privilege, but throughout the years, it was the love from my family and my love for my family that always meant the most to me. It was their love that reminded me what life and public service should be about. I can never say enough about the personal sacrifices and responsibilities that Lea Ann took on to make my work possible. She has been my personal hero throughout these years, and I love her with all my heart for who she is and what she has done as a wife, as a mother, as a USO cochair, and as a Boy Scout leader. To our sons J.T. and Garrison, it is my hope that somehow I have shown them that trying to make a positive difference for others is part of our mission here on Earth, and that that mission begins with loving our families. Serving the American family has been the privilege of my life, but the joy of my life has always been my family. We the people are fortunate to live in the greatest Nation in the world. God has truly blessed us, and now it is up to us to be good stewards of those blessings. Thank you.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, my faith and my values teach me we do not punish children for decisions made by their parents. That's why I rise in support of the DREAM Act. Common sense tells me that thousands of decent, hardworking young people and our country will be better off by bringing them out of the shadows of our society and giving them the opportunity to serve the country which they call home. In a time of hard-edged partisan politics, have we grown so coarse and calloused that we would send young people back to the countries that are foreign to them and their upbringing? We should debate how to better secure our borders. But in the meantime, in this season of hope, and love, and joy, let us turn to our better nature and let the youth among us live out their dreams. We will be all the better for it.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 319 and want to commend my colleague from Texas (Mr. Carter) for offering this resolution and also for his tremendous leadership day in and day out on behalf of the incredible soldiers and families of Ft. Hood. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of citizens all across America, we rise today to express our deepest respect for the soldiers and families of Ft. Hood, Texas, as we approach the 1-year anniversary of the tragic shooting there. I want to reaffirm to the Ft. Hood families that they are still in the thoughts and prayers of our Nation. It is a tragedy beyond words that Americans who were willing to risk their lives for our country and combat abroad ended up losing their lives here at home in an attack that just 1 year ago would have seemed unimaginable. While the 12 soldiers and one civilian killed at Ft. Hood last November did not die in combat in a foreign country, they gave their lives defending America, and for that, we will always consider them heroes. The spouses, children, and families of the fallen may not have worn our Nation's uniform, but they, too, have served our Nation through their deep personal sacrifice. We will never ever forget that sacrifice. We cannot bring back their loved ones, but I hope that they will forever feel the collective love and gratitude and prayers of millions of their fellow Americans. Mr. Speaker, during this attack last year, Ft. Hood was a scene of unspeakable tragedy, but I know it as a place of great triumph--a place where service to country isn't just an idea; it is a way of life, a place where the American spirit is alive and well. I hope the world will see the Ft. Hood I saw as its Representative in Congress for 14 years through three combat deployments. When I think of Ft. Hood, I think of soldiers, their families, their children, and their neighbors in nearby communities who care for each other and are proud to serve and, yes, sacrifice for our Nation's freedom. Ft. Hood is known as ``The Great Place'' because that is what it is: past, present, and future. The actions of one deranged gunman should not, and will not, change that fact. The servicemen and -women of Ft. Hood, their families, and the neighboring communities are a very special, unique family. They make Ft. Hood what it is--a shining star in our Nation's defense, a star that will burn brightly for decades to come. While we honor the sacrifice of our veterans and our troops on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, I hope Americans will remember every day how blessed we are to live in a land where our servicemen and -women and their families are willing to sacrifice so much in service to country. Let us all rededicate ourselves to honoring our troops, our veterans, and their families. Let us remember them not just on Veterans Day and Memorial Day with our words but every day. Today, we send our prayers to those who were wounded, physically and emotionally, by the unprovoked attack last year at Ft. Hood, and we ask that God keep them in His loving arms, those who gave that day, in the words of Lincoln, ``their last full measure of devotion to country.'' Michael Grant Cahill, civilian physician assistant; Major L. Eduardo Caraveo; Staff Sergeant Justin M. DeCrow; Captain John P. Gaffaney; Specialist Frederick Greene; Specialist Jason Dean Hunt; Sergeant Amy Krueger; Private First Class Aaron Thomas Nemelka; Private First Class Michael Pearson; Captain Russell Seager; Private Francheska Velez; Lieutenant Colonel Juanita Warman; and Private First Class Kham Xiong. While these heroes are now in God's loving arms, we here on Earth shall not forget them.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I would like to now yield time to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Chair, I will salute the gentleman from New Jersey for focusing on the need to fund our State veterans cemeteries. I believe in those cemeteries. I think they're an important partnership between the Federal Government and our State governments. So I have absolutely no objection to his wanting to try to find additional funding for State cemeteries. However, I will object and ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment because of the way in which he pays for it. While not intended in any way, it just turns out the money that he would be taking out of the VA minor construction project would come out of these specific projects: A domiciliary extended stay unit will not be replaced in Butler, Pennsylvania; a kidney dialysis unit expansion will not occur in Richmond, Virginia; an ambulatory surgery center will not be completed in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and an urgent care center will not be renovated at Castle Point, New York. So you have an amendment that won't even guarantee that even one dime of this amendment's funding will go to State veterans cemeteries in New Jersey. In fact, the last list I saw the VA has put out officially has the New Jersey project significantly down the list. But regardless of that, I think it's just not right to take funding out of these much- needed health care construction projects. I would like to yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire) for any time he would care to consume.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I once again on this amendment want to thank the gentleman for bringing this before the House. This could save up to $55 million in taxpayer funding according to the Inspector General. It's a good amendment, and I am glad to support it.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. If the gentleman will yield, I appreciate that. I will work in good faith. And let's see if by working with the VA, the majority and minority, see if we can find a way to most efficiently and effectively take care of these great Americans that have suffered such a sacrifice on behalf of our country, and do so without impacting these other important projects throughout the country.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Reclaiming my time, if Mr. Bilirakis would be willing to ask unanimous consent to bring down his amendment, I will make my genuine commitment to work with him, because I salute him for pointing out the important need that needs to be addressed here. I'll work with Mr. Crenshaw, the acting ranking member, Mr. Wamp, the ranking member of the subcommittee, and we will get together with the VA and try to find a pay-for that doesn't take away from awfully important projects such as Mr. Scott's in Virginia and others.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I would be glad to yield.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I want to thank the gentleman. I will support his amendment. I want to make it clear there is nothing, to my knowledge, in this bill intended to allow the exercise of eminent domain without payment of just compensation, but I believe in the principle of just compensation, and I would be glad to support the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I thank the gentleman. I support this amendment. Through no one's malicious intentions, students--our veteran servicemen and -women or their children using the new 21st Century GI Bill--are being punished for mistakes that they did not make, perhaps paperwork mistakes by a school administration or by the VA. The result can be that sometimes students can have halted their additional GI benefits in order to continue college. So this is really an important issue. I salute the gentleman. We are going to see that this issue is solved with his leadership, and I look forward to working with him.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I appreciate that, and I do respect his principled position on this, not with just this bill but with other bills. I just want to point out the reason we don't spread out earmarks evenly among 435 Members is military bases in the United States are not spread out evenly among 435 congressional districts. So it is logical and it makes sense and it's good policy that Members that represent military bases get more earmarks than Members that don't represent military bases.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I would yield that time to my colleague Mr. Ortiz.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, it's a privilege for me to present the fiscal year 2011 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. I believe this bill and the work we have done since January of 2007 is a work all of us can be very proud of. In this time of war, we have continued our tradition of a bipartisan Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriation bill. It has honored in a meaningful way the service and sacrifice of our servicemen and -women, our veterans and their families. With passage of this fiscal year 2011 bill, the Congress will have increased veterans health care and benefits funding by 70 percent in the last 3\1/2\ years. In addition, we have funded a new 21st century GI education bill that 510,000 servicemen and -women, veterans, and military children have used to further their education. This is an unprecedented increase in Congress' commitment to veterans. In our book, our veterans have earned every dime of this funding. We have, among other things, increased by 10,200 the number of permanent claims processors in the VA to reduce VA case backlogs, provided an additional 145 community-based outpatient clinics, built 92 new vet centers. This bill will add 30 mobile vet centers to serve rural communities. It allowed the Veterans Health Administration to hire an additional 18,000 new doctors and nurses. These resources mean that our veterans have better access to the health care they need and deserve, including improved access in rural areas, increased access for VA health care for low- and middle-income vets. Additionally, these resources ensure that our veterans receive, on a more timely basis, the services and benefits that they have earned. We have also worked hard to make sure that our military knows that the Congress respects the sacrifices that they and their families have made each and every day to keep our great Nation safe. We have heard time and time again in testimony that the best support we can give our military when they are deployed is the knowledge that their families are cared for here at home. We have listened and funded initiatives, such as: $2.8 billion for new military hospitals so servicemen and -women know that their families will get the best possible health care in high quality facilities; New child care centers to serve 20,000 military children; Over $500 million in additional funding for barracks, because Congress needs to show our volunteer forces from day one that we respect and honor their decision to serve. The Subcommittee for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs did not accomplish this alone. There are several key leaders that have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support our efforts. Speaker Pelosi promised our veterans that they would be a top priority for her, and the fact is she has more than honored that promise. Her fingerprints are on every bill that has provided for our military and veterans in the past 3\1/2\ years through our subcommittee, and I thank her for her leadership in these efforts. Also, we would not have seen the historic funding increases that I have just highlighted were it not for the dedicated support of Chairman Dave Obey, who, in my book, is the unsung hero of America's veterans. I must also salute, and want to salute, the VA Committee chairman, Bob Filner, for his strong leadership every day on behalf of America's veterans. He has truly made a difference. Lastly, but definitely not least, our ranking member, Mr. Wamp of Tennessee, has been a vital partner in putting together this bill, and last year's bill as well. Mr. Wamp has a genuine heart for America's servicemen and -women and our veterans, and he has championed their cause. It has been a privilege to work with him, and also with Ander Crenshaw, who has filled in when Mr. Wamp could not be with us in some of our deliberations this year. Mr. Crenshaw has truly been a partner every step of the way in putting together this bipartisan bill, and I thank him for that. I also thank Mr. Farr on the Democratic side, the vice chairman of our subcommittee, who has done an outstanding job for our veterans and our military. Madam Chair, I would like to highlight several key initiatives in this bill. First, this bill continues an initiative begun last year to provide advance appropriation for VA medical care. This will allow the VA to invest taxpayer dollars more effectively and efficiently, and it is a top priority of America's veterans' service organizations. Second, we provide $190 million to new troop housing for Army trainees, over 60,000 of whom are presently living in barracks that don't even meet minimum DOD standards. Our 18- and 19-year-old military recruits don't have many lobbyists running around the halls of Capitol Hill, but they deserve our Nation's respect and support for their decision to serve in our military during a time of war. Third, we provide $200 million for a Guard and Reserve construction initiative, recognizing the vital role these troops are playing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fourth, the bill provides $1.3 billion in emergency appropriations for military construction of facilities in support of our military operations in Afghanistan. Fifth, recognizing the mental wounds of war can sometimes be more painful and long lasting than the physical wounds of combat, we provide $5.2 billion for the VA to continue its improvements in PTSD and mental health care for America's veterans. Sixth, this bill includes funding for 4,048 new permanent VA claims processors in order to help veterans receive their earned benefits on a more timely basis. The seventh initiative I would highlight, this bill also continues to open up VA medical care to more middle-and low-income veterans by 292,000, the number of veterans receiving health care since reopening enrollment in 2009. Finally, we want to ensure that historic increases in funding for the VA are spent wisely. To increase oversight of the taxpayers' dollars, we provide an additional $6 million to VA's Office of Inspector General. Madam Chair, I am going to skip over some of the numbers that we have in this bill, but I would be remiss if I did not thank the committee staff, very professional committee staff, a very dedicated committee staff, for their hard work and long hours during this process: the minority staff, led by Martin Delgado, Liz Dawson and Kelly Shea; and Erin Fogleman and Gilbert DMeza from Mr. Wamp's staff; and the majority staff led by Subcommittee Clerk Tim Peterson, Mary Arnold, Walter Hearne, Sue Quantius and Todd Friedman and Michelle Dominguez on my staff. They don't get public credit for the work, but the work of this bill would not have been done had it not been for their professionalism, and I thank each of them personally. In conclusion, this bill keeps our promise to our veterans. That is what the Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars have said. In fact, they state, ``We offer our strong support for the FY 2011 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill and we hope that the House will quickly pass this critical legislation.'' This bill sends a clear message to America's servicemen and -women, their families, and our veterans. We appreciate and respect their service and sacrifice. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH28JY10.001 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH28JY10.002 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH28JY10.003 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH28JY10.004 Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I want to thank the gentleman both for the points he is making now and also for his focus on oversight. As we have provided these historic increases in veterans' funding over the last several years, and as we have been working together on a bipartisan basis, I think it is also very important that we see that those tax dollars are spent wisely, efficiently, and effectively. I have been concerned for some time that the large increases we have provided the VA health care system have not always made their way down to the individual hospitals on a very rapid basis as quickly as we would like.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Because of that and our work together, we asked the S&I staff to do this study to help us understand the process the Department's using in distributing money and to highlight areas where we can exert more oversight, if necessary, to ensure the efficient use of taxpayer dollars. The report just completed is quite large, and in the coming weeks, staff on both sides of the aisle will be evaluating it to determine how its recommendations can be incorporated into our final bill and report. And I certainly look forward to working with the gentleman on examining that report and seeing how we can incorporate some of its ideas into the final conference report on this bill.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Donnelly) for the purpose of my entering into a colloquy with him.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I want to thank the gentleman for his hard work on behalf of our veterans. He's been a leader on these issues. And thanks to you, Mr. Donnelly, this bill directs $15 million that you referenced to planning the VA health care centers across the country. It's an innovative way to make more services available to veterans locally. I understand that among the locations due to have a new VA health care center is South Bend, in the gentleman's district. And South Bend's demonstrated need for such an expansion of VA health care services was noted by the committee in its report language. Furthermore, the committee expects that this account will be utilized by the VA as soon as possible.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy), who has worked very hard on behalf of our veterans and troops.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hall), who is a leading voice of America's veterans on the Veterans' Affairs Authorizing Committee.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 5822.