Al Green

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the 75th birthday of a respected community and business leader, Howard Jefferson. Born in Mississippi, on this day in 1937, Mr. Jefferson rose from humble beginnings to preeminence in Houston, Texas. He excelled in school, graduating from Southern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. In 1962, he was the recipient of the prestigious Academic Year Fellowship in Science and Mathematics from the University of Texas. Mr. Jefferson received a Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston in 1967. A born scholar and educator, Mr. Jefferson finished his education and quickly rose to the position of Assistant Superintendent in the Houston Independent School District, where he supervised over 120 schools and eight area superintendents. He later retired and went on to become the Chairman of Protectors Insurance and Financial Services, LLC as well as the Protectors Health Partners, LLC. Mr. Jefferson has held leadership positions on various boards and commissions, including President of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Houston Branch, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Houston Housing Authority, Chairman of the Veterans Advisory Committee, Vice President of the Houston Principals Association, Vice President of the Mustang Little League Football Team and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Operation PULL. He has also been a member of numerous boards and commissions, including the Harris County Board of Education, Shell Oil Company Diversity Advisory Board and City of Houston Urban Policy Advisory Board. Mr. Jefferson's leadership and community service have been consistently recognized by his colleagues. Amongst other honors, Mr. Jefferson has received the State of Texas NAACP Heroes Award, the NAACP Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award, National Baptist Association Humanitarian Award, Houston Lawyers Association Outstanding Services Award, Houston Black Fire Fighters Service Award and had a day pronounced in the city of Houston in his honor by Houston mayor Lee P. Brown. Mr. Speaker, I am blessed to have the opportunity to pay tribute to a man who so selflessly acts as an agent for change and a coalition builder. He is an exemplar for all those who aspire to selflessly serve others, and most of all he is a friend.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the memory of a pillar in the Sunnyside community in Houston, Texas, Bishop Robert C. Jefferson, Pastor of the Cullen Missionary Baptist Church. With exceptional dedication, Bishop Jefferson served his community and advocated for the betterment of society. Bishop Jefferson was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on January 12, 1942. He accepted his calling into the gospel ministry in March 1976 and was ordained at Mount Horeb Baptist Church in Houston under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend Johnnie Jones. In March 1977, he founded Cullen Missionary Baptist Church and faithfully served there for the rest of his life. A champion of the downtrodden and underserved, Bishop Jefferson founded and was active on a host of community organizations. He was a Founding Member of Ministers Against Crime, an organization that is active in issues involving inequities and civil rights in the Greater Houston Area. He was also the Founder of Sunnyside Up, Inc., a community development project; Founder/President of A Brand New City, Inc; Founder/President of the Cullen Christian Child Development Center; the former Second Vice President and Director of Religious Affairs of the NAACP Houston Branch; and a former member of the Houston Independent School District Board. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Bishop Jefferson will be dearly missed by his wife, Myrtle, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as his four daughters, Lola, Vanessa, Lisa and Robertine. He will be remembered in the City of Houston as a dedicated community leader and a principled man of God.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, a great and noble President, Abraham Lincoln, proclaimed that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth. It was government of the people, by the people, for the people, that gave us Social Security and Medicare. But I regret to inform you today, Mr. Speaker, that government of the people, by the people, for the people is at risk--and it is at risk because there is a new concept that is evolving. It is government of the money, by the money, for the money. It is the notion that he who has the gold rules, changing the Golden Rule, Father. I want you to know, dear friends, that if we do nothing, we will find ourselves with a new form of government. The Republic is at risk. We must do something about government of the money, by the money, for the money. The DISCLOSE Act is one thing that we can do. We must act and pass the DISCLOSE Act.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the memory of a trailblazer, Dr. Zeb Ferdinand Poindexter, Jr. With exceptional distinction, Dr. Poindexter served his community and acted as a role model for young people from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Poindexter was born in Forth Worth, TX on April 5, 1929. He excelled in school, graduating from Wiley College with a B.S. in 1949 and then Texas Southern University with an M.S. in Endocrinology in 1952. Dr. Poindexter, upon completion of his Master of Science, served our great nation as a Second Lieutenant and later Captain in the United States Air Force. Later, he and the University of Texas (UT) took a bold and historically meaningful step forward when he was accepted into University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston. He became the first African American to receive a doctoral degree from the school in 1956. Dr. Poindexter's graduation from and association with the University of Texas (UT) literally changed the image of UT. His indelible example can continue to impact future generations of UT graduates, should UT take another bold and historically meaningful step forward by naming the School of Dentistry in his honor. It would symbolize his commitment to UT, and memorialize UT's commitment to inclusivity and diversity. After receiving his degree from UT, Dr. Poindexter opened the first dental clinic in south Houston. The clinic still stands as a landmark to his achievement in the Sunnyside neighborhood. After establishing his practice, he went on to form the Zeb F. Poindexter, Jr. Chapter of the Student National Dental Association, and become the first black member of both the University of Texas Dental School faculty and the Houston District Dental Society. Dr. Poindexter's leadership and community service have been consistently recognized by his colleagues. Amongst other honors, Dr. Poindexter became the president of the Gulf State Dental Association, life member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, board member of the Urban League, and received the University of Texas Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1990. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Dr. Poindexter will be dearly missed by his wife of 58 years, Ruby Poindexter, son, Dr. Zeb F. Poindexter, III, and daughters, Merlene Russell and Eleanor Patricia Dixon. He is also survived by his sisters, Revodia Johnson, Vandetta King, his brother, James Poindexter, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He will be remembered in the city of Houston as a dedicated public servant and principled leader.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the memory of an exceptional public servant and psychiatric nurse, Doris B. McMillan. A loving mother, godmother, grandmother and great- grandmother, Mrs. McMillan devoted her life to serving her family and community. Mrs. McMillan was born in New York City on July 8, 1928. She was educated in New York City, graduating from the Psychiatric Institute of Nursing in Rockland County and then completed her graduate studies at Long Island University Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University and Glassboro State College. After Mrs. McMillan completed her studies, she started her career as a school nurse in New Jersey with the Cape May County Special Services School. Mrs. McMillan excelled in her profession, she went on to work as a nurse at the Atlantic County Jail, and also became the supervisor and director of nursing at Harborfields Juvenile Correction Facility. Mrs. McMillan worked tirelessly for the underserved in society, frequently serving as an advocate for female inmates in county jails. In addition to her lifelong service in her community, Mrs. McMillan volunteered her time with several organizations, including The Red Cross, The Advisory Commission on the Status of Women and the American Association of Retired People. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Doris B. McMillan leaves to cherish her legacy a host of friends and family members, including her beloved son, Minister Robert Muhammad of Houston.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I thank the chairman; I thank the ranking member; and I thank all who support this piece of legislation. This is but a reaffirmation of our support to our ally Israel. I think that it gives us an opportunity to make it clear that Israel has the complete support of the United States of America. Israel has been one of the beacons of democracy in the neighborhood. It does have elections, and it does have opportunities for government to change. These are the kinds of things that we value in this country: the rights of people to make a difference in their own lives. Aside from this, we have a duty, when one country has been threatened with complete elimination, to do what we can to prevent this. I think that this is a part of that prevention that will help make a difference.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the State of Israel is the premiere functioning democracy in the Middle East and has been a steadfast ally of our great nation since its inception. I would like to congratulate the state of Israel on the 64th anniversary of its independence. The citizens of Israel have persevered in the face of great adversity to establish and maintain a free and democratic nation in their homeland. Israel was founded on the principles of a shared destiny of the Jewish people and their cultural heritage. Despite the acts of violence and wars that have ensued, Israel has persisted in its pursuit of its right to exist in the Middle East. Israel has also played the important role of a refuge for the Jewish people, as well as African peoples, who have suffered great atrocities. I speak from my heart, having personally witnessed the beauty and majesty of Israel and its people. I have prayed before the Wailing Wall and gazed at the skyline of Jerusalem. Let us today reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our great friend and ally, Israel.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to honor the memory of a noble public servant and spiritual leader, Delores Thomas Hadnott. With singular dedication, Ms. Hadnott devoted her life to faithfully serving her community. Ms. Hadnott was born in Arcadia, LA on December 31, 1951. Her parents instilled within her the importance of education and the drive to help others. In 1972, she received her B.A. degree in Sociology from Grambling State University in only three years, while serving as salutatorian, class president and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. After Ms. Hadnott completed Management Training at the University of Houston, she started her thirty-six year career with the American Red Cross--Greater Houston Area Chapter. Ms. Hadnott excelled in her position, becoming the office director of the southeast branch office in 1987. Ms. Hadnott worked tirelessly to advocate for the betterment of Houston and under-served individuals. In addition to her lifelong service in her community, Ms. Hadnott acted in several roles at the Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. Through her unselfish hard work and virtue, she eventually became the assistant church secretary, a member of the finance committee, program coordinator for the Mission Society and a Sunday school instructor. Ms. Hadnott's leadership and community service have been consistently recognized by her colleagues. Mayor Lee Brown honored her on May 9, 2002 when he proclaimed it Delores Hadnott Day in the City of Houston. In 2006, she received the 42nd Annual Founders' Day, Sojourner Truth Crystal and Professional awards. In 2009, I had the honor to present her with the 2009 Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Delores Thomas Hadnott will be missed dearly by her daughter, Crystal Denise, son, Lawrence Oliver, stepson, Lawrence Isaiah, grandson, Ashton Josiah, and daughter-in-law, Shakwanna. She will be remembered in the City of Houston as a dedicated public servant and valued community leader. May she rest in the peace she has so richly earned.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Houston Chronicle reports today that a proud father announced over his Facebook page that his baby was born. The baby was born on April 14, 2012. The baby weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces, and was 20 inches long. He was a proud father announcing the arrival of his baby. I regret to say, Mr. Speaker, that the Chronicle goes on to report that yesterday the mother of this child, while taking the child in to receive medical attention, was killed. A proud father announces the arrival of his baby, and the mother is killed days later. What kind of country are we becoming? I don't know what the motive is for this, but I do know the results. I know that a baby will not have its natural mother there to care and to nurture. I know that the mother won't be there on the first day of school, won't be there to see the first step that the child will take. The mother won't be there to turn on the light and protect the child from the creatures of the night, to pitch the ball and catch the child after a fall. I don't know what the motive was, but I know that a mother won't be there when the child walks across the stage to graduate from high school, when the child is married, and the first child is born to the next generation. The mother won't be there. Regardless as to what the motive is, we must stop this senseless violence. I don't know what the race of the perpetrator was, but I do know that people of goodwill want to see this person prosecuted, and I want to see this person prosecuted to the fullest extent that the law permits. This senseless violence has to stop. Prosecution alone won't do it. I think we do have to say more and do more, and let the country know that this is not the America that we see in our future. We have got to condemn all of this senseless violence. This senseless violence goes beyond race. It goes beyond status. This senseless violence has to be denounced by every one of us, and every one of us tries to do it as regularly as we can. I just want to join the choir of people who are saying that we will not tolerate it, we demand prosecution, and we understand that we must end this foolishness. Because if we don't end it, it will be our end.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning with good news and bad news. This news comes by way of my hometown newspaper, the Houston Chronicle, and I'm proud that they have printed and published the news that I'm about to share with the public. The bad news is that Mr. Yondell Johnson was accosted and beaten on the streets of Houston, Texas, simply because of his race. This is bad news for anyone in our great country, a country that believes in liberty and justice for all. The good news, however, is they were prosecuted and they were convicted in a Federal court pursuant to the James Byrd hate crime law, and I'm honored to tell you that that law passed here in this Congress in 2009 and was signed into law. It is properly styled as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. It was supported by many people and organizations expressing goodwill. The NAACP supported it, the ADL supported it, a good many Members of this Congress supported it, and many others supported this law. This law allowed the prosecution to take place in a Federal court, when these three men would have been charged in a State court, and if convicted, faced misdemeanor charges. In this, the greatest country in the world, no one should have to fear for life or liberty simply because of who you are, simply because of your race, your ethnicity, your gender, your sexuality. It shouldn't happen in this country. The truth is that in this case there was some testimony with reference to one of the defendants having dated a person of African ancestry. There was testimony that he did not appear to be the kind of person that would be considered a white supremacist. But here is another truth that we have to deal with. The truth is that there is confusion about the hate crime law. There's a misunderstanding. This law does not allow you to impose dastardly deeds upon persons simply because you are of the same race as the person that you are assaulting. The truth is that if you assault and target a person because of race, it doesn't matter what your race is, and you are committing a hate crime. The truth is that you can be of the same race and commit a hate crime. The victim and the perpetrator can be of the same race and you will still have a hate crime. We need to rid ourselves of this foolish notion that this law was passed in some way to assault persons who are of an ethnicity or a race that we have traditionally, in this country, found to be engaged in some of these kinds of activities. It's not targeted at any given race; it's targeted at people who commit crimes against other people simply because of who these people are. I remind you that an injustice against any one of us is a threat to justice for every one of us, and we all have a duty to make sure that we don't send out some silly notion that this law was designed for one race of people. This law was designed for every person who would commit a hate crime against another person. So I'm saddened to say this morning that the bad news is Mr. Johnson had to fight off several persons, stood his ground for 10 minutes, but indicated that he thought he was going to die as they assaulted him. That's the bad news. The good news is that the law has worked, that this law is bringing new meaning to the notion of justice for all. This law will not allow those who would commit dastardly deeds and be prosecuted in State courts for misdemeanors to go unchecked. They will now face felony charges in our Federal courts. This is the way it should be in the greatest country in the world. Mr. Speaker, God bless all listening, and God bless the United States of America.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to say thank you to the many persons who supported the Homes for Heroes Act that passed the day before yesterday. This is an important piece of legislation that will place a person in HUD whose sole responsibility it is to monitor homelessness among our veterans. We believe that in solving the homelessness problem, we can also solve a lot of other problems that they have. I would like to thank all of the persons on the committee, especially my chairman of the committee, Mr. Bachus; my ranking member, Mr. Frank; Ms. Waters, who has helped me for years with this legislation. I would like to thank Mrs. Biggert and Mr. Gutierrez, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee. I would also thank Mr. Cantor, because I did have a chance to visit with him about this, and he helped to promote this legislation. Ms. Pelosi, of course, is a big supporter of our veterans, as is the case with Mr. Hoyer. Also, one additional person that was very helpful, Mr. Hensarling. He and I had a great conversation about this, and he was very supportive and mentioned it in open mic at one of our hearings. So I thank everyone. Our veterans are better served. God bless the United States of America and thank God for our veterans.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Oregon.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Thank you. And reclaiming my time, I am grateful for my colleague and the staff members that worked with us. And with that said, Mr. Chairman, I don't believe there will be a request for a vote if the amendment is accepted. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I have an amendment at the desk, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I will be very brief because I understand that time is of the essence. I've had an opportunity to work with my colleagues across the aisle, and our staffs have worked together. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would simply make it clear that the FCC will not be impeded in any way as it relates to notifying the public about dangerous conditions. We all know about the hurricanes that hit the gulf coast and that we have tornadoes in other areas of the country. This is a very simple, commonsense amendment. I believe my colleague will agree with me, and I don't believe there will be a need for a vote.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to say to all who are within the sound of my voice or may be viewing what is said that I am exceedingly grateful and I thank God for Reverend Al Sharpton. Reverend Sharpton has been involved in the Trayvon Martin circumstance for some time now. That is not unusual. What may be considered unusual is that he is involved at a time when he has lost his mother, and he is acting under some courageous circumstances that require courage, I might say, under these circumstances. I admire what he does, but I especially admire the fact that he is doing it under these circumstances, and today he is funeralizing his mother. So to Reverend Al Sharpton, I want to express my gratitude; and I would like to just take a very short brief moment of silence and express my sympathies silently to Reverend Sharpton and his family. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of my colleagues who have supported what the Justice Department is doing. It is exceedingly important that people understand that this is a bipartisan effort across the length and breadth of this country. This transcends the lines that can divide us. This is not about being a conservative. It's not about being a liberal. It's about justice for Trayvon Martin. I believe that people of goodwill come in all stripes, they are affiliated with all parties, and people of goodwill want to see justice done. My colleague before me expressed that it has been 31 days and there has not been an arrest. We are now hearing more about what may have happened. I say ``may have happened'' because we have not had an eyewitness to come forward and give statements. It's important to note that what we're hearing is not coming by way of eyewitness testimony. Someone has had someone say something that they are repeating. My hope is that there will be a thorough investigation. There should be an investigation. My hope is that we will have the opportunity to produce evidence by and through the constabulary to show what actually happened to the extent that the standard that is commonly used to make an arrest is applied to this case. That standard is probable cause. It is not guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, not clear and convincing evidence, but, rather, probable cause. It is whether there is probable cause to make an arrest. We have many laws that are coming into play, and I want to thank Chairman John Conyers. I call him chairman. He is now the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. I want to thank him because he is taking the lead today on a forum that will take place. In fact, he's making it possible for us to have this forum today. At this forum today, there will be some clarity brought to how the Federal Government is involved in these kinds of circumstances. In '09, there was a hate crimes law that was passed. There will be some considerable talk about this hate crimes law that was passed. Federal jurisdiction has been expanded under the '09 law, pursuant to the 14th Amendment and the equal protection provided thereunder. There will be talk about how the Justice Department has a role in these processes from time to time. There will be talk about how financial support can be accorded the local constabulary under certain circumstances. There will be talk about how Federal charges can be promulgated and enforced under certain circumstances. So I will be honored to have an opportunity to be at this forum today so that we can talk more about the Federal role. In the final analysis, here's what we're dealing with. We're dealing with a circumstance wherein there are at least two people who deserve a fair trial. Trayvon Martin is one of the two people, at least, who deserves a fair trial. He deserves a fair hearing on what happened that day. He cannot speak for himself, but there is evidence that speaks volumes about what happened on this occasion. That evidence has to be considered such that some impartial body can make a determination as to whether or not there should be an arrest. If there is an arrest--and I believe that the evidence exists such that there is probable cause--if there is an arrest, then there can be a trial and then there can be the transparency that the United States of America produces whenever we have trials, because there will be an opportunity for all sides to present their evidence in a court of law before a jury if a jury is desired. This is the way we do things in the United States of America. Regardless of his color, he deserves a fair trial. Regardless of what he had on, he deserves a fair trial. And to those who say that hoodies make you a criminal, I say: Be careful, because you're getting dangerously close to saying women can cause themselves to become victims. You're dangerously close, so be careful.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my colleague, Mrs. Biggert, for her support of this legislation as well as many other pieces of legislation that we've had the privilege of working together on. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank you, as well, for your cosponsorship of the legislation. It means a lot to have bipartisan support for our warriors, those who are willing to go to distant places and risk their lives such that we may have better lives. Many of them do not return home as they left. Many of them find themselves living on the streets of life. As a result, we believe it's necessary for us to do all that we can to help them secure the kind of homes, the kind of housing, the kinds of services that they need so that they can reintegrate themselves into American life. This bill, the Homes for Heroes bill, will help to some degree with our goals and ambitions of helping them to have a place to call home. The bill does place a person in HUD whose sole responsibility it will be to monitor homelessness among our veterans. This person is to file an annual report with Congress on the status of homelessness among the veterans in this country and to give us some insight as to how we are progressing in eliminating and abolishing homelessness among our veterans. It's not going to do everything that we need to do, but it is a step in the right direction. If I may say so, I would like to commend HUD for what has been done thus far, because there is a person who does this sort of thing with HUD currently. But what we're trying to do now is institutionalize the position such that administrations may come and go, but the position will still be there, and our veterans will receive the kind of help that they merit and deserve. Mr. Speaker, in our country in 2009, approximately 136,334 people who self-identified themselves as veterans spent at least one night in an emergency shelter or a transitional-housing program. That speaks volumes about the amount of work that we have to do. While 136,000 may not seem like a lot to some people, I contend, if we have but one veteran who is finding himself or herself in transitional housing or sleeping in a shelter or sleeping on the streets of life, I think we have work to do. This bill will help us with our veterans who are doing this, who are sleeping in this transitional housing. I would also add that our veterans compose about 16 percent of the homeless adults while they are 8 percent of the American population. They are 8 percent of the population, but of those who are homeless, they are 16 percent. This, of course, is something that we cannot continue to tolerate. So I'm going to beg all of my colleagues: please, give serious consideration to this piece of legislation. It will not break the bank. It may not do all that we'd like to have done, but it's a step in the right direction, and somebody will be helped as a result of what we do today. I beg to my colleagues, please support this legislation. I thank Mrs. Biggert for the outstanding work that she has done. I again especially thank staffers who worked with us on this piece of legislation. And I can say candidly, Mr. Speaker, that but for the assistance of our staffers, we might not be standing here today. They do make a difference. And I would have the veterans know that behind every Member, we have staffers who are working to help them return to our homeland and reintegrate them into our society. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I would simply close by saying this: Mr. Speaker, thank you again for your support of this legislation. I would hope that my colleagues will give it the kind of consideration that our warriors are giving us when they decide that they're willing to go to distant places and make great sacrifices for us. Please give it consideration. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I do want to concur with those who've announced that bipartisanship is alive and well at the committee level and on the floor of this House today. I'd like to thank my colleagues on the other side, Mr. Garrett and Mr. Grimm, for their cooperation and our ability to work together. I'd also like to especially thank the staff of the full committee and the staff of each congressional office for the outstanding work the staff members have done. It is very difficult to get legislation to this point without the benefit of staff having had a helping hand, and we thank the staff. Mr. Speaker, the passage of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 established a system for regulating the over- the-counter--that's the OTC--derivatives market. Authority is provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the banking regulators, which have been proposing the regulation that will eventually govern the OTC derivatives market. Previously, banks and other financial companies were able to amass considerable risk using OTC derivatives without reporting to the regulator or to the public. The Wall Street Reform Act requires that most derivative transactions, primarily those between dealers, now be centrally cleared and exchange traded whenever possible and that all transaction data be collected and publicly reported at clearinghouses or swap-data repositories. The new rules are intended to allow regulators and the public to better analyze the derivative risk-taking activities of banks and other financial companies. The new rules are not intended to hold in place onerous requirements on companies that use derivatives only as a means to hedge the risk of the company. H.R. 2682 clarifies Congress' intent when passing the Wall Street Reform legislation by more clearly exempting end-users that are only using swaps to hedge or to mitigate commercial risk. H.R. 2682 is also consistent with a colloquy between Representatives Frank and Peterson, as well as a letter from Senators Lincoln and Dodd, which noted that the reform legislation provided the regulators with sufficient authority to exempt end-users from the margin requirements. This bill passed favorably out of both the House Financial Services Committee and House Agriculture Committee with strong bipartisan support. In no way should H.R. 2682 undo any of the important protections of reform legislation. Its purpose is to recognize the end- users' responsibility to use swaps as a part of their businesses. I congratulate Mr. Grimm and Mr. Peters, and I encourage you to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to note that I will be yielding 10 minutes of time to my colleague from the Ag Committee, Mr. Owens.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would simply close by indicating that I concur with my colleagues. This legislation does enjoy the bipartisan support that we believe will help us get a message to our Members that it is a good piece of legislation that should be totally supported by the membership. So, I would ask my colleagues and Members of the Congress to please support this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I yield to my colleague from Florida.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I will simply encourage my colleagues to support the legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 4014 is a good piece of legislation, and it is designed to protect proprietary information, which is exceedingly important in the business world. This bill ensures that when an institution submits confidential information to the CFPB, the information will remain confidential. This bill is in line with existing law for other financial regulators. We have confirmed that the CFPB believes this fix to be acceptable. The bill is identical to legislation introduced by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Shelby. This legislation will give financial institutions legal certainty when turning over data to the CFPB. Mr. Speaker, current law states that a bank does not waive confidentiality and, thereby, should not have to risk its disclosure of information to other parties. These parties are sometimes engaged in litigation against each other. This piece of legislation will assure a party that its information given to the CFPB will not end up in the hands of another party that may be engaged in litigation. This is but one example. This bill is designed to protect proprietary information. I want to thank my colleague for the outstanding job that he has done in presenting this piece of legislation. I thank Mrs. Biggert for, again, showing the bipartisanship that has helped us to bring this legislation to the floor. At this time, I will reserve the balance of my time.