Al Green

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it has been said that the SEC has 3,800 employees, and this is correct; it does have 3,800 employees. But it also has to be said that they oversee 35,000 entities. It must also be noted that they have to police 11,450 investment advisers. It also must be said that they have to monitor 7,600 mutual funds. They have 5,000 broker dealers that they have to keep an eye on. And they also have 10,000-plus companies that they have to monitor. Yes, 3,800 employees, but they are overworked already and they are overwhelmed with what they have to do. I might note, also, that if we go back to the 2008 levels, we're talking about over $200 million in cuts to the SEC. The SEC needs help, not hurt. This piece of legislation, if it is implemented to its fullest thought intent, will indeed hurt the SEC. Let's talk for just a second about who the SEC employees actually are. These are the first responders to possible financial disasters. They are the ones who have to catch the Madoffs of the world, as has been indicated. And I must add, also, that it was under the 2008 levels that Madoff was able to make off with about $80 billion with his Ponzi scheme. We need to protect the SEC. Let's make sure that we don't cut jobs in an effort to save the economy--and these are jobs that are actually needed. So let's not just cut any jobs. Let's make sure that we protect the jobs that are going to help protect the financial security of the United States of America.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it was my privilege to have participated in the 22nd Delta Days, an annual Legislative Conference held in our Nation's capital today by the distinguished service organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. It is also my honor, during this Black History Month, to recognize a trailblazer in academia and a role model for thousands of Black women, the Honorable Gwendolyn E. Boyd. Due to her accomplishments both in the classroom and in the community, she was recently appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Ms. Boyd was sworn in to this position by Senator Barbara Mikulski. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd is a native of Montgomery, Alabama. She was educated in public schools and received a four-year scholarship to attend Alabama State University where she graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. degree in Mathematics with a double minor in Physics and Music. Additionally, Ms. Boyd was the first African American to earn a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from Yale University. Gwendolyn Boyd is an engineer and the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. She was appointed by the President of Johns Hopkins University as Chair of the Diversity Leadership Council, a position she has held since 2001. Ms. Boyd is a member of the Capital City Chapter of The Links, Inc., a Life Member of NAACP, the Alabama State University Alumni Association and the Association of Yale Alumni, as well as a participant in various engineering organizations for minorities. From 2000-2004 Gwendolyn Boyd served as the 22nd National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., an international service sorority with over 200,000 members in over 950 chapters throughout the world. She currently serves along with Patricia Lattimore, former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Administration and Management, as the Sorority's National Social Action Co-Chair. Very active in ``giving back'' and helping promote an agenda for the positive growth and development of our youth, Ms. Boyd uses her many talents and skills to the benefit of the community. This includes freely sharing her time while she encourages their interests in careers in math, science and engineering and in their overall success. It is my honor to recognize this accomplished woman and commend her many achievements.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the President for his message last night, and I especially would like to focus on one aspect of the message. The President indicated to us that sitting together was important. It has great symbolism, and it's a positive thing; but he also indicated to us that this is not the final step in the process. Sitting together can never, never replace working together. So it is what we do today-- last night he said tomorrow--sitting together tonight, he indicated, but working together tomorrow; this is where we have to focus our energies and efforts. We must work together. And if we're going to work together to fulfill what I believe is a great challenge--and that is America first, to make America number one--if we're going to make America first, America number one, we absolutely have to focus on education. Education is important because the jobs, as we go forward, will require much more education than we have been allowed to have and have good jobs in the past. We must focus on education to have the good jobs that we want. And jobs are a priority for all of us. Some statistical information is available to help us better understand why we need to focus on education. Currently, about 25 percent of our students are completing high school. Over the next 10 years, half of all new jobs will require more than a high school education. If we compare our 15-year-olds to 15- year-olds around the world, we find that we are 20 when it comes to science literacy; China is number 13; Korea 3. The U.S. is number 28 when it comes to mathematics literacy among our 15-year-olds; China is number 1; Korea number 3. The U.S. is ranked 16 when it comes to reading literacy among 15-year-olds, China is number 1, Korea number 2. We must focus on and maintain an educated workforce. An educated workforce requires that we understand that we have to have quality teachers and that we are going to have to make sure that these teachers will invest in education themselves because they see it as a means by which they can have a livelihood. I understand that most teachers don't teach simply because they want money. They teach because they want to be with children, and they want to see children learn. This is important. But teachers have to feed their families, too. I support making sure that teachers get a decent day's pay for a hard day's work. I support teachers and making sure that the teachers are available to educate our children. If we're going to have America first, we have to have a first-rate health care system. We had a great sickness-care system. We were among the best when it came to sickness care. We spent a hundred billion dollars a year treating persons in emergency rooms, in facilities outside of primary care facilities. But if we're going to be number one, we had to move away from the $2.5 trillion that we were spending annually on health care, which translates into $79,000 a second--17.6 percent of GDP--and by 2018 it would have become $4.4 trillion per year--more than 20 percent of GDP-- $139,000 a second. To have America first, we've got to educate our people and we've got to have them receive quality health care. Quality health care can never be underestimated because of the way it impacts the workplace. America can be first. I stand for America first. I love America. And I stand here today to say to my colleagues across the aisle that I am willing and ready to reach out and work with you to help make America first because if America is first, not only is the United States a better place, but the world would be a better place because of the values that we hold so near and dear to us. We believe in liberty and justice for all. We believe in government of the people, by the people, for the people. We believe that every person ought to succeed on his merits or fail on his demerits. That's what America gives to the world--the notion that there is a fair system that allows anyone to rise to the top, to reach the zenith of life, the best that life can offer. We take this to the world, and I want America to be first so that the world can benefit from what America has to offer. Thank you, Mr. President, for your message. And I assure you I have taken the challenge that you have accorded us. I will work with others to make sure that we get beyond the symbolism of sitting together and move to working together which will make the difference in the lives of the people in this country and, indirectly, the people around the world. God bless you, Mr. President, and God bless the United States of America.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it has been written many centuries ago that if we know the truth, the truth will set us free. The truth is, Mr. Speaker, that repeal of the current health care law means that we will reinstate conditions that existed prior to the repeal. The truth is that prior to the law that we currently have, we were spending $2.5 trillion a year on health care. That's $79,000 a second. That's 17.6 percent of GDP. The truth is that if we had continued at that pace, we would spend by 2018 $4.4 trillion per year, more than 20 percent of GDP, $139,000 per second. The truth is that health care was going to bankrupt this country. CBO has estimated that this bill that currently passed that is in place now and is law, the health care bill that's law, saves about $1 trillion over a 20-year period, more than $1 trillion, to be more appropriate. This bill, if it becomes law, will reinstate the past that we have tried to overcome. This bill will bring back, reinstate, preexisting conditions. And as has been said, and for edification purposes, pregnancy is a preexisting condition. This bill will reinstate the doughnut hole that we have been trying to close to help seniors with their pharmaceuticals. This bill will reinstate kicking children off of the policies that they're on now with their parents until they are 26 years of age. This bill will reinstate a condition wherein approximately 45,000 persons per year were dying from a lack of insurance. That's one person every 12 minutes. This bill will take us back in my State to 6 million persons being uninsured without the possibility of having insurance, will take us back to 1.1 million persons in Harris County, Texas, being uninsured, 20 percent of the children in the State of Texas are uninsured. This bill will take us back to a time and the place that we tried to escape. And I thank God that this so-called repeal will not become law because I believe that this bill, if it becomes law, will hurt too many people. And there are some I have actually heard say, it would be good for it to become law because then people could understand the pain that this bill will invoke. I don't agree. I do not agree because I don't want people to suffer unnecessarily. I believe we do have a duty to be our brother's keeper. And by the way, it's easy to be your brother's keeper when you don't have to keep your brother. It is difficult to do the right thing to make sure that every American has health care. In a country wherein we will take the bank robber who is harmed in the process of robbing a bank and give him aid and comfort, in a country wherein we will give our enemies in mortal combat aid and comfort if they should become wounded, in a country wherein we will give the person on death row who is to meet his Maker next week aid and comfort if he gets sick this week and then send him to meet his Maker next week, in this country, the richest country in the world, if we can give aid and comfort to the bank robber, if we can give aid and comfort to the mortal enemy of this country, if we can give aid and comfort to those who are on death row, we can give aid and comfort to those who are among the least, the last, and the lost. I believe that we've made a mistake today. This is why I voted against repeal.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, today we are one, and we are resolute. We are one because we understand that there really is but one race, and that is the human race. We are one because, as Dr. King put it, all of humanity was created by one common Creator to live in harmony--from a bass black to a treble white. We are one, and we are resolute. We are resolute in our belief that one day our friend, our sister, will return to the floor of this Congress, to this Hall, and she will stand at this podium, and she will be welcomed by her colleagues as she returns and takes her rightful place in the Halls of the Congress of the United States of America. We are one, and we are resolute because we believe that an innocent baby was taken from us. That innocent baby, though she is not with us in the physical, will forever be with us in the spiritual as long as we remember who she was and never forget that we cannot allow the innocent to be stolen from us without our taking the time to pause and be grateful for the time that we had with the innocent. We are one, and we are resolute. We must also be resolute in a basic premise that Dr. King called to our attention, and that is that we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters, or we will perish together as fools. We are one, and we are resolute.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I extend sympathies and well wishes to my colleague, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of the 8th Congressional District of the State of Arizona. I wish a speedy recovery for this remarkable woman who has dedicated her life and career in service to her constituents. I would also like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims who were fatally wounded: nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green, Congressional Staffer Gabe Zimmerman, Federal Judge John Roll, and Arizona citizens Dorwin Stoddard, Phyllis Schneck, as well as Dorothy Morris. To the people of Tucson, Arizona affected by this random, senseless act of violence, my thoughts and prayers remain with you. As they work through the ineffable tragedy which befell this community on Saturday, January 8, 2011, I must commend the tireless efforts of Pima County's first responders, as well as the efforts of bystanders in their role to restore and maintain order during this tragedy. With their efforts, lives were saved. America is mourning both for the victims of this tragedy and for the assault against our constitutional right to peaceably assemble. That our citizens can fall under attack while upholding our Democratic values is deplorable. We must never allow an act of violence to thwart this right. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of the Resolution before this chamber today which condemns this indiscriminate act of violence and honors Representative Giffords as she fights to recover.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I was there when the President of the United States of America signed into law the health care act that is sought to be repealed. I was within 20 feet or so of the President; and at the time he signed it, there was a feeling of great jubilation, but also there was a feeling of great consternation because, as he signed it, in ink, I knew that it was written in tears, written in the tears of the many parents who saw their children with preexisting conditions and could not get insurance for the illness that their children had; signed in ink, written in tears, but it was also written in sweat, the sweat of the many persons who toiled for more than 50 years to get health care for all Americans; signed in ink, written in sweat, tears and in blood, written in the blood of the millions of people who suffered because they couldn't get health care, and also of the many who died because they could not get the insurance that would afford them health care. I was there. I knew what the circumstances were. At the time the bill was signed, we were spending $2.5 trillion per year on health care; $2.5 trillion is $79,000 a second on health care. That was approximately 17.6 percent of our GDP. And by 2018 it would have become $4.4 trillion per year, which would have been more than 20 percent of GDP and $139,000 a second. Signed in ink, written in blood, sweat and tears. I knew where we were at the time it was signed. In my State, we had 6 million uninsured, 1.1 million in Harris County, and 20 percent of the children in Texas uninsured when that bill was signed. Still in America we have millions that are not getting the proper attention that they need, but there is the potential to get it because of this bill. At the time it was signed, we had more than 40 million people uninsured. The bill covered some 30-plus million people. We had 21 million people who were working full-time and did not have insurance; 45,000 people per year were dying because they didn't have insurance. That's one person every 12 minutes. Twenty-one million people were working full-time and did not have insurance. That bill brought people under the umbrella of health care and health insurance. The greatness of America is not going to be measured by how many great buildings we build and how many people we can cut out of health care. It's not going to be measured by the people that we can put in the streets of life. The greatness of America will be measured by how we treat people in the streets of life. This bill addresses people in the streets of life, real people who can die because they don't get the health care that the richest country in the world can provide. I respect those who vote however they choose. But as for me, I am going to stand with those people who need health care and who are going to get it under this bill because preexisting conditions no longer exist. And for edification purposes, for those who do not know, pregnancy was a preexisting condition at the time the bill was signed. For those who do not know, children under the age of 26, many of them required to get health care because they couldn't stay on their parents' policies, they can now stay with their parents. The doughnut hole for seniors is being closed with this bill. The doughnut hole, for edification purposes, is that point in time when a senior has to pay for all of the pharmaceuticals that a senior might receive and need. And these pharmaceuticals are expensive. This bill addresses these things. This bill is a lifeline for many persons in this country. I will support it and I will say more about it in the future. I stand with the American people who need health care.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. ``If after such consideration two-thirds of that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent together with the objections to the other House by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that House, it shall become a law.''

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I was unavoidably detained and missed the votes on: Adjournment Resolution (H. Con. Res. 336--Sine Die Adjournment) Although H. Con. Res. 336 passed by a vote of 196-153, I respectfully request the opportunity to record my position. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 652. H. Res. 1776--Rule providing for consideration of H.J. Res. 105-- Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011. Although H. Res. 1776 passed by a vote of 184-159, I respectfully request the opportunity to record my position. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 653. H.R. 2142--Government Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Performance Improvement Act of 2009 to require the review of Government programs at least once every 5 years for purposes of assessing their performance and improving their operations, and to establish the Performance Improvement Council. Although H.R. 2142 failed under a suspension vote by a vote of 212-131, I respectfully request the opportunity to record my position. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 654.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, life has prepared me for this vote. When you have had to sit at the back of the bus, in the balcony of the movie and have had to stand in a line for colored only, then you are prepared for this vote. I assure you that I don't need a survey to tell me what is right when it comes to human rights. We cannot truly have a first-class military with second-class soldiers. I close with this: I will not ask people who are willing to die for my country to live a lie for my country.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm that I support House Resolution 1377 honoring the accomplishments of the Honorable Norman Mineta. Former Congressman Norman Mineta is an outstanding leader and a noble American. Former Congressman Mineta lived through a dark time in our Nation's history when we forced Japanese Americans into internment camps based solely on their heritage. He was forced to leave his home and eventually sent to the Heart Mountain Internment Camp near Cody, Wyoming. This injustice is in part what prompted him to champion the struggle against social injustice and oppression. Congressman Mineta addressed the injustices Japanese Americans endured during World War II with H.R. 442, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which passed with his leadership. He persisted in fighting for justice and equal rights for all. He has a human rights legacy worthy of being honored by this august body. Hence, today as we honor him for his accomplishments, we are reminded of the moral imperative to fight against human indignities and injustices. Former Congressman Mineta not only understood the value of acknowledging our past mistakes but also took meaningful actions to ensure that history does not repeat itself. Former Congressman Mineta reminds us that collaborative efforts with the Asian American community can produce a greater America. This is evidenced by his founding the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) which continues to use collaborative efforts to promote ideals for the well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islanders, as well as all Americans. The history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will continue to shape our Nation as their contributions make America a greater nation. This is why Asian American and Pacific Islander issues must continue to be a part of the great American debate. Today, we honor Former Congressman Mineta for his accomplishments which have strengthened our entire nation. His legacy continues to remind us that liberty and justice for all can indeed be a reality for all.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in supporting H. Res. 1751, a resolution mourning the loss of life and extending condolences to the families affected by the fire in northern Israel. Thank you to my colleague, Representative Ron Klein, for offering this resolution. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones who have lost their lives in the fires in northern Israel. We stand by Israel during this difficult time and pledge our assistance in the wake of this tragedy. On December 2, 2010, a massive wildfire broke out in the northern region of Israel, near the city of Haifa. The four day fire ravaged the Carmel mountain forests, forcing the evacuation of over 17,000 residents. One of the worst forest fires in Israel's history, this inferno claimed as many as 40 lives. The fire damaged about 5 million trees and 12,000 acres. In a country where only 7 percent of the land is forested, the loss of precious woodland was felt as a national loss. In total, the fire caused about $74 million in damages, including 250 homes. In response to this tragedy, the United States and the international community stepped in to help Israel battle the flames. The U.S. answered Israel's request for assistance by providing much needed supplies, technical expertise, and equipment. I applaud the individuals, businesses and philanthropic organizations across the United Sates and throughout the international community who have responded to the devastation in Israel with an outpouring of generosity and support. With help from the United States and our friends worldwide, Israel will overcome this challenge. We pledge our continued support as Israel works to restore damaged communities, replenish wildlife, and plant new forests.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Hall, the ranking member on the Science Committee, for allowing me this 1 minute. I also would like to thank the chairperson, Mr. Gordon, for his outstanding years of service and commitment. This bill is about science, it is about technology, it is about education, but it is also about jobs, and it is about jobs at a time of high unemployment. It is about jobs and families that will benefit from having stability within the family unit. I concede that there is more that I would like to see in the bill, but I am in a position where I must now stand for what is obtainable, and we need to go after the jobs in this bill. I am begging my colleagues to please understand that in this time of high unemployment, let's keep Americans working. Let's make sure that every family has an opportunity to have a breadwinner. Let's vote for this bill, and let's improve upon it with other legislation that may follow.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. The constabulary, if you will, now understands the importance of treating this as a serious issue, and much progress has been made. However, there is still much to be done. We still have about 9,000 requests for help that go unnoticed and unanswered on a daily basis. We still have victims who continue to suffer in silence: 29 women lost their lives in Harris County; 136 Texas women were killed; 11 Texas children were killed; 92 percent of homeless women suffer physical and sexual abuse. So I will just simply close with this: I am honored to be a cosponsor, and I am honored that the resolution is being presented. And I beg that all of my colleagues would please support this resolution because you are supporting families across the length and breadth of the country. You are keeping them together, and you are helping to prevent someone from being abused.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I would like to start by thanking the gentlelady and the ranking member. I would also like to thank my friend, the sponsor of this resolution from Texas, Mr. Ted Poe, a former State district court judge in the State of Texas, former prosecutor in Harris County, and someone that I have known for more than 20 years. He and I have worked on this effort. It is a collaborative effort and this is his year to sponsor and I cosponsor with him. And I will be honored to sponsor next year and he will, of course, work with me as a cosponsor of this resolution. But I want to say this about Mr. Poe: This is something that he does, not because it happens to be legislation. I know him from his days as a prosecutor, and these cases concerning domestic violence were cases that he took seriously. And I know him from his many years as a State district court judge, and I can honestly say, as I look toward him, that these were cases that he took seriously. So this is more than just another resolution for Mr. Poe, and for me as well. This is something that we take seriously because we, as judges, we have seen what the results of domestic violence can do to a family, what it can do not only to the person who is actually the victim, but the entire family becomes a victim of domestic violence. And I am just honored to have this opportunity to cosponsor the resolution with Mr. Poe this year. The resolution has 41 Democratic and Republican cosponsors. Clearly, it is bipartisan. It is a resolution that receives wide support annually, and it is a resolution that transcends more than party lines. It also transcends lines of ethnicity. It transcends the lines of religion. It transcends the lines of business, the lines that tend to put us in various categories. This resolution transcends all of these lines because the violence that is perpetrated transcends all of these lines. It goes into all walks of life. It doesn't matter what your economic status is, your social status is. Domestic violence can impact people at all levels of life. And this resolution hopefully will put enough focus on it, such that we will continue to admonish persons who engage in this kind of invidious, abhorrent behavior, admonish them to seek counseling, to try to get yourself in a position such that you can treat your fellow human being as a child of God meriting the same kind of consideration that you would want your daughter or your mother, if you happen to be a male. I would also add that there have been Federal efforts that should not go unnoticed. This started about 20 years ago and has continued, and we have had more than just this month. We also had the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, which created a new culture as it relates to domestic violence. It helped the police and the judges and the prosecutors to understand that this was more than a personal event that took place. It was something that impacted society as a whole. And I am looking forward to supporting the reauthorization of the Violence Again Women Act in 2010. Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, this provides emergency shelters, crisis intervention programs, and community education. I am also proud to mention the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act because this act provided $225 million for violence against women in the sense that it helped to fund programs that will help women who find themselves being victimized. The awareness of domestic violence is growing. I have indicated that judges and prosecutors and police officers----

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, June 30, 2010 will mark a significant date in the history of our country. On that date, in Mobile, Alabama, the Honorable W. Edward Lockett became the 57th Bishop of the CME Church. Bishop Lockett has been a longtime stalwart in the Houston area. He has demonstrated what being one's keeper is all about. He has been his brother's keeper. And I am honored to say that I have had a flag flown over the Capitol of the United States of America to celebrate this great historic occasion for the CME Church for many of my constituents. I will close with this: Bishop Lockett, we thank you for what you have done not only for the Houston community, but for what you have done in the United States of America. I hope and pray that you will continue to do God's work. It is my honor to recognize and pay tribute to Bishop Wallace Edward Lockett of Houston, Texas on his election as the 57th Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church at their 36th Quadrennial Session and the 37th General Conference of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on June 30, 2010 in Mobile, Alabama. The CME is a 139-year old historically African American Christian denomination with more than 1.2 million members across the United States. CME also has missions and sister churches in Haiti, Jamaica, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan/Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. The quintessential public servant, Bishop Lockett has been a strong advocate for those without a voice, strengthening the family and working to better the condition of those in need, both here at home and abroad. A pioneer in Houston's economic development community-based corporation, Bishop Lockett previously presided over the Board of Directors of a successful community-based development corporation, Sunnyside-Up, Incorporated, specializing in substantial rehabilitation of both single and multi-family housing. Under his leadership the organization managed an inventory of more than one hundred homes in the organization's signature ``lease-purchase program.'' Additionally, over 600 units of multi-family housing were purchased, rehabilitated and joint managed. For the past four years, Bishop Lockett and his business partner, Dr. Gideon Adjei (a native Ghanaian), have been involved in developing Crystal Horizon Investment (Ghana) Ltd. This project supports the development and security of 35,000 acres of land for farming, affordable housing, health care facilities, and schools in the Volta River area known as Ocosenbou of West Africa. Prior to his recent election, Bishop Lockett served as the pastor of the 1,500-member CME Metropolitan Church in Houston for over 25 years. During his tenure, more than 45 ministries have been developed, including a charter school middle for males. Bishop Lockett was also instrumental in leading Metropolitan CME Church in directing the construction of a new 49,000 square foot building which houses many of its ministries. While actively involved in church, community, and for profit enterprises, Bishop Lockett also finds time for civic and political involvement. He serves on the Texas College Board of Trustees, (Tyler, Texas). He has served as a member of the Ministers Advisory Council to each mayor of Houston since 1985. Past positions held include President of the Texas State Legal Services Support Center (Austin, Texas), Board Member of the Deep East Texas Council of Government (DETCOG), and President of the Lufkin Branch of the NAACP, Lufkin, Texas. Bishop Lockett also served his country honorably as a member of the United States Air Force working as a team member with the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System. Bishop Lockett attended Florida A&M University, Ohio University State University, and holds a Masters Degree in Business Management and International Marketing from the University of Phoenix. He is a candidate for Master of Theological Studies at Trinity Theological Seminary. Lockett is married to Lillie B. and is the father of three children, Dwayne Demetrius, Vernon Dale and Nicole Tonita. He is the proud grandfather of five grandchildren. A faithful shepherd and servant, Houston and Texas will miss Bishop Lockett. It is truly an honor to pay tribute to Rev. Lockett's distinguished life and a privilege to enter these words into the Congressional Record of the United States House of Representatives. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Bishop Wallace Edward Lockett as the 57th C.M.E Bishop and Presiding Prelate for the Fifth Episcopal District overseeing Alabama and Florida in the 140-year history of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Thank you, Madam Chair, and I thank Ranking Member Capito for her assistance as well. Quickly, I would add two things. One, this bill helps us to stabilize the housing market. There are many persons who seek to buy homes who have not been able to buy homes because the flood insurance was not available, yet required, to make the purchase. We also have persons who are concerned about the hurricane season. We have extended the flood insurance program, but this helps us to stabilize it and stabilize the housing market My final point is this: auto insurance is not something that I necessarily want to have. I don't use it regularly. There are many who purchase it and never use it, but it sure is good to know that you have it in the event of an accident. Flood insurance is something that we need, not because we know it will happen to us but because of the possibility. I thank the chair. I thank the ranking member. I beg that we pass this legislation.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, we must extend the emergency unemployment benefits. Why? Because the program is structured to assist those who are looking for work. If you are not looking for work, you don't get the extension of benefits. Why? Because 1.7 million people will lose their emergency benefits in 4 days if we do not act now. Over 100,000 will lose their benefits in the State of Texas in 4 days if we do not act now. Why? Because, for every dollar that we spend on unemployment benefits--emergency benefits, I might add--we turn over $1.63 in economic activity. Finally, we must do it because, but for the grace of God, there go I and because Dr. King was right. Life is an inescapable network of mutuality, tied to a single garment of destiny. What impacts one directly impacts all indirectly. It has an impact on all of us. We benefit when we spend the money.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Chair, at this time I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu).

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. If the gentleman yields, I would add that your assumption is correct.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Chair, this amendment is one that will add additional language to the requirement that there be minority outreach in this program. It's important for me to state that I have a district that I represent that is currently about 36 percent African American, 31 percent Latino, 21 percent Anglo, and 12 percent Asian. It's important to note that in my district the ballot is printed in three languages. It's printed in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. This amendment furthers the notion that persons who speak languages other than English will have an opportunity to have materials that are linguistically and culturally sensitive. This amendment would require that appropriate materials, when published, be in languages that are culturally and linguistically sensitive. It also requires that advertising receive the same sort of consideration, given that we are trying to reach markets wherein we do have persons who can better understand what is being conveyed if they have the opportunity to do so in a language that they are comfortable with. By the way, I would add that many people who speak English have difficulty with financial documents, as was indicated by a previous amendment. Imagine, if you will, speaking English, but it is not a language that you are as comfortable with as perhaps another language. This would assist persons with the understanding that they should have, so as to participate in the program. The amendment also would have data disaggregated. We find that the information that we collect too often does not disaggregate as it relates to the Asian American community, and we would have this information disaggregated so that we might ascertain whether or not we have persons who are not only of wealth in the community but also find out about persons who may not be as wealthy as many others. With this said, I will reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Chair, as the designee of the gentlewoman from California, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I yield myself such time as I may consume. While I appreciate the gentleman from Texas' desire to make sure that budgets are balanced and to make sure that we have accountability and transparency, I do have to remind the gentleman that the desire and the need to balance the budget did not start this year, nor did it start last year. We should have had a balanced budget for the 8 years of the prior administration. I think that you find this administration burdened with the problems that were created by the past administration. I believe that in an effort to correct these problems, we will have to take some necessary steps toward helping small business. I hear my colleagues on the other side quite regularly contending that small businesses need help. This is help, and my trust and my hope and my belief is that the small business help will be supported by not only this side of the aisle, but by both sides of the aisle. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Let me simply say in response that the bill anticipates that loans will be repaid. It's not a circumstance where persons are going to receive or businesses will receive loans that are not going to be paid. And the bill causes banks or lending institutions to make the loans because they will receive a better interest rate upon making loans such that they are incentivized to make these loans. So, while the bill will not cure all of the ails of society, all of the ills that we have, it certainly will go a long way towards stimulating small business lending, which is important to the economic recovery. I believe in this bill. I believe that this amendment will help with transparency and accountability. And I also believe that it is time for us to do all that we can to help the small businesses in this country. I believe that this is something we can do, and I believe that it is the something that will make a difference. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. It will indicate what transactions took place, and it will indicate who the banks, the lending institutions, that engaged in the transaction. The borrower's name would not be a part of the information.