Al Green

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to join with persons across this great Nation and this world to express my condolences for those who have suffered as a result of Hurricane Katrina. I also want to commend all those people who have worked hard to lift up their fellow man during this time of crisis. This disaster is one unlike anything we've ever seen before. At one point 80 percent of the city of New Orleans was under water. Up to 1 million families have been displaced. There are estimates that 400,000 to 500,000 people could lose their jobs because of the hurricane. And despite the magnitude of these numbers, they still don't do justice to the human suffering we have seen on television and in person. But out of every tragedy comes the opportunity for each and every person to show his or her humanity through acts of compassion. That is why I am so proud of my fellow Texans and my fellow Houstonians. Our elected leadership, coalition of community groups, ministers and clergy have come together to make sure that we do everything in our power to help the quarter of a million evacuees we have taken in. In the Houston area alone, we have taken in over 100,000 of our neighbors to the east, 15,000 of which were sheltered in the Astrodome, which is in my Congressional District. Several organizations in the Houston area are leading the disaster relief effort. Some of the help is coming from volunteers with Operation Compassion, a massive relief effort led by Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and spearheaded by the Second Baptist Church. The thousands of volunteers from 131 local congregations have assumed primary responsibility for feeding the masses of storm victims who have taken refuge there. I commend them and others for extending their good will towards others. As we in Congress look towards our next steps, we must ensure that our top priority remains caring for those who have lost loved ones, lost their homes, and lost their means of providing for their families. They have, through no fault of their own, become the least, the last, and the lost of our society. It is our responsibility to help them back on their feet. To do so they will need food stamp assistance and access to Medicaid. They will need temporary emergency housing and the Federal assistance to help them rebuild their homes and their lives. We have taken important first steps by passing a $10.5 billion disaster relief bill last Friday, followed by an additional $51.8 billion for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security today. But these are only the first in a long series of actions that we will need to try to repair the physical damage caused by Hurricane Katrina as well as the lives of those affected by the hurricane. I ask that all of my distinguished colleagues and the people of this Nation join in the effort to help rebuild and sustain the lives of the Hurricane Katrina victims.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to join with persons across this great nation and this world to express my condolences for those who have suffered as a result of Hurricane Katrina. I also want to commend all those people who have worked hard to lift up their fellow man during this time of crisis. This disaster is one unlike anything we've ever seen before. At one point 80 percent of the city of New Orleans was under water. Up to 1 million families have been displaced. There are estimates that 400,000 to 500,000 people could lose their jobs because of the hurricane. And despite the magnitude of these numbers, they still don't do justice to the human suffering we have seen on television and in person. But out of every tragedy comes the opportunity for each and every person to show his or her humanity through acts of compassion. That is why I am so proud of my fellow Texans and my fellow Houstonians. From Governor Rick Perry, Mayor Bill White, and Judge Robert Eckels on down, everyone has come together to make sure that we do everything in our power to help the quarter of a million evacuees we have taken in. In the Houston area alone, we have taken in over 100,000 of our neighbors to the east, 15,000 of which were sheltered in the Astrodome, which is in my Congressional District. Several organizations in the Houston area are leading the disaster relief effort. Some of the help is coming from volunteers with Operation Compassion, a massive relief effort led by Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and spearheaded by the Second Baptist Church. The thousands of volunteers from 131 local congregations have assumed primary responsibility for feeding the masses of storm victims who have taken refuge there. I commend them and others for extending their good will towards others. As we in Congress look towards our next steps, we must ensure that our top priority remains caring for those who have lost loved ones, lost their homes, and lost their means of providing for their families. They have, through no fault of their own, become the least, the last, and the lost of our society. It is our responsibility to help them back on their feet. To do so they will need food stamp assistance and access to Medicaid. They will need temporary emergency housing and the federal assistance to help them rebuild their homes and their lives. We have taken important first steps by passing a $10.5 billion disaster relief bill last Friday, followed by an additional $51.8 billion for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security today. But these are only the first in a long series of actions that we will need to try to repair the physical damage caused by Hurricane Katrina as well as the lives of those affected by the hurricane. I ask that all of my distinguished colleagues and the people of this nation join in the effort to help rebuild and sustain the lives of the Hurricane Katrina victims.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Mississippi. I would like to extend my sympathies to all of the persons who have suffered. Mr. Speaker, I am not asking for help for the survivors because they are black, of the black race; I am not asking that they be helped because some of them are of the white race. I am asking for help because they are all of the human race, and that is the race that counts. I believe, Mr. Speaker, that we must do something that is critical: We must not continue to call them refugees. Because, Mr. Speaker, these are tax-paying Americans. They have earned the right to be called American citizens who are in need of our help. So I beg today that we extend the hand of friendship and that this Congress spend whatever is necessary to restore their lives.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Congress debated and passed H.R. 3045, the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). I voted in opposition to the trade agreement because of my concerns regarding the full ramifications of its passage and because I am a proponent of trade policies that enhance the welfare of participating countries. Any free trade agreement entered into by the United States should be fair. CAFTA, however, is neither free nor fair. CAFTA will cost American jobs, is unfair to American workers and exploits cheap foreign labor. As we consider future trade agreements, I believe it is particularly relevant that we learn the lessons from NAFTA. We have learned that the promises of U.S. economic prosperity, curbed undocumented immigration, robust markets and massive job creation went unfulfilled. I fear that NAFTA is a precursor for what can be expected under CAFTA. NAFTA promised millions of new jobs and a trade surplus for the United States that was never realized. Instead the U.S. has lost over one million lobs to Mexico and Canada. More specifically, the rise in the U.S. trade deficit with Canada and Mexico through 2004 has caused the displacement of production that supported over one million U.S. jobs since NAFTA was signed in 1993. Jobs have been displaced in most states and many industries in the United States. In my home state of Texas alone, more than 170,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost. The loss of these jobs has contributed significantly to the expanding burdens of unemployed workers in our state. Why do these trade agreements cost us American jobs? Free trade agreements can create an environment that encourages corporations to relocate and take American jobs with them. By making it easier for the Central American countries to export certain products and because they have cheaper labor and weaker labor rights protections, CAFTA would encourage U.S. businesses to relocate. Though supporters tout Central America as a market for U.S. goods, it is not. CAFTA amounts to nothing more than an outsourcing agreement. Adding insult to injury, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs designed to help those who lose their jobs due to trade agreements remain underfunded and ineffective. Congress has not provided adequate funding for this program to meet the needs of thousands upon thousands of workers who have been displaced by trade. You cannot have trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA that displace American workers and yet do not provide them with any assistance when they need it. Not only is CAFTA wrong for the U.S. economy and American workers, its exploitation of cheap foreign labor is morally deficient. CAFTA disbands internationally accepted labor standards and provides no repercussions or penalties for those that violate workers rights. In fact, CAFTA does not require nations to bring their laws into compliance with International Labor Organization (ILO) core labor standards, even though the ILO and U.S. State Department have documented numerous areas where the CAFTA countries' laws fail to comply with even the most basic international norms. This trade agreement merely encourages nations to enforce their own labor laws, no matter how weak those laws may be. I strongly believe that workers' rights are human rights. They are critical to improving living standards and quality of life both here and abroad. Unfortunately, CAFTA will demand an honest days work without guaranteeing an honest days pay. If we were serious about helping workers in CAFTA countries, we would have gone back to the drawing board, negotiated a better deal for American workers and improved CAFTA nations' labor standards.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my concern regarding the passage of H.R. 5, the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low- cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2005 also known as the medical malpractice bill. Although some believe that ``reforming'' medical malpractice litigation will ultimately serve as a solution for skyrocketing healthcare premiums, it is my belief that this legislation is both misguided and harmful to the American people. One of the most contentious provisions within H.R. 5 is a $250,000 cap on awards for non-economic damages. Placing such a cap allows corporations the opportunity to build into their bottom line a certain amount of liability. Currently, we have a judicial system that creates a fine balance between free corporate enterprise viability and consumer protection. The medical malpractice bill will disrupt this equilibrium in the name of reducing ``frivolous'' lawsuits without taking into account the implications for those making legitimate claims. This bill has the potential to reduce the incentive for corporations to remedy defective products,and instead may allow those entities to easily assume the loss incurred by ultimately accounting for the cost liability, a sum inevitably less than their sometimes lucrative profits. I respect the efforts of all of my colleagues to address the concerns of their constituencies. However, I would be remiss in that duty if I did not oppose legislation that erodes consumer protection and the ability of the courts to determine appropriate punitive measures for negligent defendants.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I want to express my full support of H.R. 3070, the NASA Authorization Act of 2005. This bill is truly a product of the spirit of cooperation fostered by the Chairman and ranking member of the Science Committee, Mr. Boehlert and Mr. Gordon. Although reservations of the initial draft led the House Science Democratic Caucus to offer H.R. 3250, an authorization alternative, Mr. Gordon, as well as our Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee ranking member, Mr. Udall, never terminated negotiations with Chairman Boehlert and Subcommittee Chairman Calvert. The evolution of H.R. 3070 reflects the strong character and leadership necessary to allow this great body to produce legislation beneficial to all of the American people. It encompasses important provisions from both bills and reinforces the bipartisan congressional support for NASA. As one of the Members that represent NASA workers at Johnson Space Center, I am proud to support the version of H.R. 3070 brought before the House today. H.R. 3070 provides focus and direction not only to accomplish the important mission of manned space exploration but also to bolster resources for robust aeronautics and basic research programs. It addresses the necessity to strengthen business, community, and educational partnerships and provides guidelines to ensure NASA's success. I ask that all of my colleagues follow the lead of our Science Committee chairman and ranking member, and I urge the unanimous support of H.R. 3070.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I would like to start by thanking the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) for her dynamic leadership on this issue. She has taken the bull by the horns, and she has done yeoman's work. I am so honored that she has brought this to our attention. I would also like to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) because they have really demonstrated how bipartisanship can efficaciously cause us to reach a consensus that will cause great things to happen in the United States Congress. Those who say that there is no bipartisanship in this Congress are not familiar with the good works of this committee and especially the good works of these fine men, the chair and the ranking member. Mr. Chairman, I want to make note that these institutions are not black and brown institutions. This is important because these institutions serve a multiplicity of ethnicities. They are the epitome of diversity. They are dearly needed because of the people that they serve. They do not get the children of the best and the brightest. They many times will get the children of the least, the last and the lost. They literally take the essence of mental clay and mold it into the quintessential manifestation of intellectual cloisonne. They are providing the bootstraps that we need in this society so that we can have good productive citizens who will pay taxes and will become part of the main stream that we so desire.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, July 10, 2005, in the great city of Houston, TX, my friend and distinguished religious leader Dr. J.J. Roberson will commemorate more than four decades in the ministry with the observance of Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church's Annual Father, Son's and Grandson's Day. Born in New Gulf, TX, in 1918, Dr. Roberson graduated from Wharton County Training School and attended Tyler Barber College where he was certified as a Master Barber. He also attended Southern Business College, Southwestern Seminary, Texas Southern University and Mount Hope Bible College where he earned his Doctor of Divinity degree. Dr. Roberson has been married to his darling wife Elouise Jackson Roberson for 63 years and is privileged to count among those who will be honoring him on this special occasion his sons in the ministry and his extended family. Founded on January 8, 1958, Mt. Hebron, under Dr. Roberson's leadership, has been the mecca of community activism. His church is known throughout the city of Houston as a spiritual soldier who leads by example. Over the years, he has presided over the establishment of a number of sanctuaries, an apartment complex and a state-of-the-art Pipe Organ installed in 1998 with the expansion of the pulpit and the purchase of 75 acres of land in Brazoria County. To date, the membership has grown to more than 1,900 members and 1,058 families. A decorated World War II Veteran of the U.S. Army, Dr. Roberson is presently Commander of VFW Eugene Warren Post No. 471. He is also the President of the Baptist Ministers Association of Houston and Vicinity, 1st Vice Moderator of the Independent Missionary Baptist General Association of Texas, Secretary-Treasurer of the Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas BTU Board, and 1st Vice President of the South Texas Regional Convention. Mr. Speaker, in 2001, Dr. Roberson was inducted into the Religious Hall of Fame in Dallas, TX. That same year, he received the L.A. Simpson Pastor of the Year Award. Over the years, he has received an NAACP Membership Citation, War Against Drugs Commendation and honors from the Sam Houston Area Council and the Boy Scouts of America. In 1986, he received an ``Official Memorandum from the State of Texas'' in honor of Martin Luther King Day. In 1982, the Mayor of Houston issued a proclamation declaring the month of June, 1982 as Building Project Days for Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, Inc. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to such a strong and dedicated leader who has, over the years, been a great friend and mentor. Dr. Roberson has, through his ministry, touched the lives of so many people and we are all the better for having him in our lives.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay a special tribute to my friend Judge Armando V. Rodriguez, who recently celebrated more than thirty-two years as a Judge in the Harris County Justice Court. Judge Armando V. Rodriguez is a native Houstonian who received his Bachelors of Business Administration, Bachelor of Law, and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees from the University of Houston. He has been an active community leader in Harris County for over 40 years and has been an active member of a number of civic clubs and boards. He is truly one of the most dedicated public servants in our great city of Houston. In 1972, Judge Rodriguez received the distinction of being appointed as one of the first Hispanics to preside over the City of Houston's Municipal Court system. In 1973, he was the first Hispanic to be appointed Justice of the Peace by the Commissioners Court of Harris County, and by election has continuously held that office and is currently serving as the Presiding Judge. From 1992 to 1993, he was Vice Chairman of the Justice of the Peace Section of the State Bar of Texas. Mr. Speaker, at the invitation of then President Jimmy Carter, Judge Rodriguez addressed the Conference on Hispanic Heritage in Washington, DC on the future of the Hispanic Community. In the early 1980's Judge Rodriguez and I Co-Founded Houston's Black- Brown Coalition. This organization was designed to bring African- Americans and Hispanics together to work on issues of common interests. In addition, Mr. Speaker, in 1969, Judge Rodriguez founded Fiestas Patrias, a non- profit organization dedicated to promote an awareness of their culture and heritage among young Hispanics. Judge Rodriguez has been the recipient of the Alex Award from the Houston NAACP Legal Program and the Benito Juarez Medallion from then President Luis of Mexico, the highest honor given a non-resident of Mexico for creating better goodwill and understanding between Mexico and the United States. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my friend, Judge Armando V. Rodriguez for thirty-two years of outstanding service to our community.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I rise to support this bipartisan effort to honor NASA with a 50th anniversary commemorative coin. Mr. Speaker, this is a great occasion, and I wish to thank those who have made this great occasion possible. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker), chairman of the Committee on Financial Services; the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson); the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay); the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green); the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney); and the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) for their singular effort to bring this bipartisan bill to the floor. I also wish to thank the many who work at NASA, Mr. Speaker, from the top administrator to the janitors who sweep the floor. They all play a role in making space flight possible. And of course, Mr. Speaker, I thank God for those brave astronauts who leave loved ones behind to traverse the heavens. Mr. Speaker, while we commemorate NASA's 50 years of existence, we must acknowledge that it could not have been done without the hand of God. And if it is God's will, Mr. Speaker, it is safe to say that we have only just begun.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on yesterday this august body amended the Transportation-Treasury-HUD appropriations bill to include $7.7 million to fight discrimination in housing. I stand before this body today, Mr. Speaker, to thank all of the persons who supported this amendment, both Democrats and Republicans because it could not have been done without bipartisan support, and for that, I am thankful. I also thank my staff, Mr. Speaker, because no one does anything without a capable, competent and qualified staff, and I think I have one of the best. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank another group of people. On yesterday, we had another event wherein we had to leave rather untimely. I want to thank those many security persons who work on our behalf. They are not only helpful and respectful, they are also full of care for us. Mr. Speaker, as we rush out, they rush in to uncertain danger. I want them to know that we care about them. Mr. Speaker, I do not know exactly what we pay them, but whatever it is, it is not enough for the service that they render.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in the spirit of a great and noble American, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, who reminded us, Mr. Chairman, that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. And I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have fought injustice in housing. I especially thank the gentleman from Michigan (Chairman Knollenberg); the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver), ranking member; and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), my ranking member on the Committee on Financial Services. I would also like to thank Democrats and Republicans of goodwill who have been engaged in this fight for housing justice because fighting injustice in housing is neither Democratic nor Republican. Fighting injustice in housing is an American cause, and all people of goodwill understand that we cannot allow invidious discrimination to steal the great American ideal of having a place to call home. This is why 37 years ago, Mr. Chairman, this august body passed the Federal Fair Housing Act. However, 37 years later we still have more than 3.7 million Fair Housing violations annually. This is why my colleagues have supported the funding of the Fair Housing Initiatives program and the Fair Housing Assistance program. Mr. Chairman, I thank God for those Democrats and Republicans who have supported the funding of these vital programs that not only educate consumers about housing discrimination but, more importantly, promulgate investigations that produce evidence of discrimination. So today, Mr. Chairman, I call upon Democrats and Republicans of goodwill to restore these vital programs to the fiscal year 2005 levels. If we are to keep real the American ideal of homeownership for all, we need to restore this funding. If we want the American Dream embodied in the adage ``there is no place like home'' to thrive and survive not only for those in the suites of life but also for those in the streets of life, we are to restore this funding. Mr. Chairman, when it comes to housing, we cannot claim justice for all of us as long as there is injustice against any one of us. We ought to restore this funding.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, nearly 70 years ago, Franklin Delano Roosevelt stated in his second inaugural address that ``the test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.'' The FY06 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriation bill has failed that test. Although I commend Chairman Regula and Mr. Obey, our ranking member, for their tireless efforts to provide deserving citizens with necessary programs, this bill is a product of having too little to fund valuable initiatives. The tax cuts enjoyed by the wealthiest 1 percent of our population have left this Congress unable to continue funding essential programs that directly impact the least, the last, and the lost. The cuts in education, energy assistance, and healthcare services are signs of what I believe are an unraveling of our economic tapestry. Our youngest and most vulnerable citizens will be disproportionately affected by Federal fiscal budget constraints in this Labor, Health and Human Services bill. Even at birth, this bill is putting some at a disadvantage. The Maternal and Child Health Block grant program has been cut even though scientific evidence proves the importance of prenatal care. Despite the fact that we recognize the need to provide access to care for young people whose families are unable to provide other sources of treatment, this valuable program has suffered a $24 million cut. Beyond health care, our most vulnerable citizens will continue to bear the brunt of enormous tax cuts in education. Title I funding, aimed at helping low-income children in failing schools improve their reading and math skills, will be $9.9 billion below the No Child Left Behind funding promise. And to make matters worse, the same children who will be unable to benefit from enrichment programs due to a lack of funds will go home in the winter months to cold and uncomfortable temperatures because the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program has been cut by almost $200 million. It is time to take a step back to re-evaluate the path we have chosen for the people of this Nation. I will continue to work tirelessly with my colleagues, community partners, and concerned citizens to ensure that all people are able to receive excellent care at an affordable rate--because one must not place a price tag on the health and well- being of our nation's most vulnerable citizens, our children. I would like to leave you all with some other valuable words that Mr. Roosevelt imparted to us: ``It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all try something.'' I urge all of my colleagues to try another method.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, some prominent members of the Vietnamese community within my Congressional District have asked that I deliver a message to Congress regarding human rights issues in Vietnam. I take this opportunity to express their sentiments on the heels of Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's visit to the United States. I am convinced that while this is a historic and unprecedented visit, I believe that their concerns are equally important. Mr. Speaker, I ask that this statement be made a part of the official Record. Vietnam is a nation that has a record of violating human rights and suppressing religious freedom. This has been recorded in the U.S. State Department's 2004 Human Rights report on Vietnam. The report declares that the governing party, the Communist Party of Vietnam, has restricted the freedom of speech, the freedom of press, and the freedom of assembly, freedoms that our nation holds so dear. The Vietnamese government also continues to hold political and religious prisoners. It prohibits human rights organizations and political, labor, and social organizations from forming or operating. The 2004 U.S. State Department report also found that government security forces have been known to beat, shoot, and even bear responsibility for the disappearance of its citizens. These are not the government activities of a free nation. The United States must not ignore the oppressive practices of governments with which we build economic and military ties, for our relationships with other nations reflect our own national values and beliefs. While it is my sincere hope that relations between the United States and Vietnam will become stronger in the future, we must remember that our Nation prides itself upon protecting democracy and supporting human rights all over the world. Although Vietnam has made steps toward progress, we have seen that it still partakes in practices meant to oppress its citizens. Therefore, it is my expectation that the United States will work with Vietnam to improve its grave human rights and religious freedom records so that we may continue to take steps to strengthen and broaden our ties with that country.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I too would like to associate myself with the comments from the Congressional Black Caucus. I would want to assure the chairman of the caucus that I think that what we are doing now is most appropriate. Mr. Chairman, let me first say thanks to you and the Ranking Member for your work on this bill. Despite the hard work that went into this bill, I will not be voting in favor of the bill. More specifically, the bill cuts all funding for Area Health Education Centers, Health Education and Training Centers, and Health Professions Training Programs. All of these programs fall under Title VII and are very important to my constituents. These programs have been addressing the needs of medically underserved communities in Texas since 1991 by playing a key role in providing health services and health care professionals for our most vulnerable populations. The bill also cuts funding in other important programs. For example, the bill provides the smallest increase for NIH in 36 years. It reduces the overall Centers for Disease Control and Prevention budget. Further it ends HHS contributions to the Global AIDS Fund. The bill also cuts substance abuse prevention and treatment and produces a continued decline in the number of research grants. While the bill provides a small increase for Head Start, it does not adopt the President's proposal to spend $45 million on new pilot programs under which State governments would take over management of the program in nine States. The bill also freezes appropriations on the Child Care Block Grant at the FY05 level of $2.083 billion, making it the fourth year in a row which this program has been either frozen or cut. Unfortunately, the bill only provides $14.7 billion for the Education for the Disadvantaged Children Program. It saddens me to say that this amount is $115 million less than the current level and $1.7 billion less than the Administration's request. I hope more funding can be provided for this important program during conference. Before closing, I would like to express my dismay with the $100 million decrease in funding for Corporation for Public Broadcasting. A loss in CPB funding would seriously hamper PBS' ability to acquire the top quality children's educational programming that is used in classrooms, day care centers and millions of American households to educate, entertain and provide a safe harbor from the violent, commercial and crass content found in the commercial marketplace. PBS provides valuable services that improve classroom teaching and assist homeschoolers. These could be reduced or eliminated if federal funding is cut. These services include PBS TeacherSource, a service that provides pre-K through 12 educators with nearly 4,000 free lesson plans, teachers' guides, and homeschooling guidance; and PBS TeacherLine, which provides high-quality professional teacher development through more than 90 online-facilitated courses in reading, mathematics, science and technology integration. We must not cut funding for this valuable program. Let me also take a moment to speak on the Congressional Black Caucus Closing Disparities Agenda. Closing the achievement and opportunity gaps in education, assuring quality health care for every American, focusing on employment and economic security, building wealth and business development, ensuring justice for all, guaranteeing retirement security for all Americans, and increasing equity in foreign policy are all important issues that we as members of the Congressional Black Caucus strive to make advancements in every day. The CBC acknowledges the unfortunate fact that disparities between African-Americans and white Americans continue to exist in 2005 in every aspect of our lives and that the historical mission of the CBC has not yet been fully accomplished. It is important to note that providing high-quality education to all public school students is very critical to achieving our objectives in all areas of our Agenda. More specifically, we must continue supporting early childhood nutrition, Head Start and movements toward universal pre-schools. Providing education and assistance appropriate to the needs of each individual student to fulfill the promise of No Child Left Behind, dropout prevention, after-school programs, school modernization and infrastructure and equipment enhancement is important. Increasing the availability of Pell Grants, scholarships, loan assistance and other specialized programs to enable and provide incentives to more African-American students to obtain college, graduate or professional degrees or otherwise receive training and retraining to meet changing job needs is also very important. The preservation and improving of Historically Black Colleges and Universities is also essential to our growth as a people. The following are some of the dramatic disparities that the CBC believes would be reduced by the above priorities: In 2003, 39 percent of African-American 4th grade students could read at or above a basic reading level compared to 74 percent of white 4th grade students, and 39 percent of African-American 8th grade students performed at or above a basic math level compared to 79 percent of white 8th grade students; High school completion rates--83.7 percent for African-Americans, and 91.8 percent for whites; Bachelor Degree recipients--16.4 percent for African-Americans, and 31.7 percent for whites; and Digital Divide--41.3 percent of African-Americans are capable of accessing the Internet, compared to 61.5 percent of whites. Another important area of the CBC agenda centers on health care disparities. The twentieth century saw major advances in health care, health status, and longevity. Despite these gains, differential morbidity and mortality between Caucasian populations and people of color persist; creating what the CBC believes is one of the most pressing health problems affecting America today. Recent reports on racial and ethnic health disparities document the relatively poor health of African Americans, American Indians, Latinos, Asian Americans, and other underrepresented groups when compared to white Americans. Not only are these groups often less healthy, but they also tend to have shorter life expectancies, greatly increased rates of infant mortality, high rates of chronic disease such as diabetes, worse outcomes once diagnosed with an illness, and less access to health care. Among the dramatic disparities the CBC believes could be reduced by taking action are: In December 2004, the American Journal of Public Health reported that 886,000 more African-Americans died between 1991 and 2000 than would have died had equal health care been available; While African-Americans comprised approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population in 2000, they represented 19.6 percent of the uninsured; African-American men experience twice the average death rate from prostate cancer; In 2002, the African-American AIDS diagnosis rate was 11 times the white diagnosis rate (23 times more for women and 9 times more for men); African-Americans are two times more likely to have diabetes than whites, four times more likely to see their diabetes progress to end- stage renal disease and four times more likely to have a stroke; and African-Americans are only 2.9 percent of doctors, 9.2 percent of nurses, 1.5 percent of dentists and 0.4 percent of health care administrators, yet African-Americans comprise 12 percent of the population. As Congressional Black Caucus members, we will continue to work towards closing the gaps in education, health care, and employment. I thank the Chairman for my time.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I too would like to associate myself with the comments from the Congressional Black Caucus. I would want to assure the chairman of the caucus that I think that what we are doing now is most appropriate.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my support for House Concurrent Resolution 160, a resolution that honors the national significance of June 19, 1865 when slaves in Texas were finally freed. I would like to thank Congressman Davis for his leadership and all of the supporters of this important piece of legislation. On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and announced the freedom of the last American slaves; belatedly freeing 250,000 slaves in Texas nearly two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The day coined ``Juneteenth'' was first celebrated in the Texas state capital in 1867 under the direction of the Freedmen's Bureau. Today, Juneteenth remains the oldest known celebration of slavery's demise. It commemorates freedom while acknowledging the sacrifices and contributions made by courageous African Americans towards making our great Nation the more conscious and accepting country that it has become. Not until 1979 when my friend State Representative Al Edwards introduced the bill did Juneteenth become a Texas state holiday. It was first celebrated as such in 1980. Now 25 years later the United States House of Representatives will pass House Concurrent Resolution 160 as our Nation celebrates Juneteenth. As the Representative of the 9th Congressional District of Texas, I am pleased to join my colleagues in acknowledging the historical significance of Juneteenth as we remain ever-vigilant in recognizing that ``history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of the future.'' Civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ``Freedom is never free,'' and African American labor leader A. Phillip Randolph often said ``Freedom is never given. It is won.'' We should all recognize the power and the ironic truth of those statements and we should pause to remember the enormous price paid by all Americans in our country's quest to realize its promise. Juneteenth honors the end of the 400 years of suffering African Americans endured under slavery and celebrates the legacy of perseverance that has become the hallmark of the African American community and its struggle for equality. As we celebrate the 140th anniversary of Juneteenth, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in reflecting upon its significance. Because it was only after that day in 1865 when General Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, on the heels of the most devastating conflict in our country's history, in the aftermath of a civil war that pitted brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor and threatened to tear the fabric of our union apart forever that America truly became the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan program. The 7(a) loan program is essential for our nation's small business owners. It provides accessible and affordable financing that enables such businesses to grow, which in turn leads to the creation of jobs so desperately needed in the current economy. In the past 10 years, the SBA has approved more than 424,000 loans totaling over $90 billion. These loans have created jobs and economic opportunities for countless Americans. Small business owners are the backbone of our nation's economy. Representing more than 99.7 percent of all U.S. employers, small businesses are the number one job creator in this nation. They employ more than half of all private sector employees and generate 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually. In Houston, 98 percent of the more than 350,000 businesses are small businesses. Funding for this program was eliminated for FY 2005 and the cost of it was shifted to small businesses and community-based lenders. This has caused small businesses to be charged with high upfront fees which keep many from being able to obtain the financing they need. In fact, small business lending has declined every quarter for a total of half a billion dollars so far this year. As policy-makers, we have a responsibility to the communities we represent to help them achieve economic strength. Therefore, we must provide small businesses with the resources they need to grow and flourish. One of the most effective ways to do this is to reinstate funding for the 7(a) loan program. If we fail to do this, the 9th Congressional District of Texas and Congressional Districts all over the country will suffer negative impacts. For these reasons, I support the restoration of funding for the 7(a) loan program to its FY 2004 level of $79 million. I also urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Velazquez amendment.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Today I pay tribute to a noble spiritual leader, a friend and my pastor, Rev. Robert Charles Jefferson. As the founder and senior pastor of the Cullen Missionary Baptist Church, he will, on Sunday, June 12, 2005, celebrate more than 28 years of loyal and dedicated service to not only the ministry but to the people of the great city of Houston, TX, as well. Mr. Speaker, Rev. Jefferson was born on January 12, 1942 in Baton Rouge, LA. After completing his undergraduate education, he moved to Houston, TX, where he completed graduate study at Texas Southern University and InterBaptist Theological Center. For more than 17 years, before accepting his call to the ministry, Rev. Jefferson ran a very successful air-conditioning business. Because he is a great spirit- filled religious leader, in 1977, he was led to organize Cullen Missionary Baptist Church where, since its founding, he has served as senior pastor. Rev. Jefferson is known throughout the community as a ``bridge builder.'' Over the years, he has successfully been able to distinguish Cullen Missionary Baptist Church as a center for community activism as well as a haven for those in need of care. In 1991, he established the Cullen Christian Child Development Center, a daycare center for Christian youth. A few years later, in 1998, his leadership led to the creation of the Cullen Senior Citizens Ministry, Inc., which has provided more than 54 affordable housing units for seniors 55 and older. His housing ministry also recently created: ``Brand New City, Inc.,'' which has built, since its inception, more than 500 houses for low income families and is well on its way to surpassing that number this year. Mr. Speaker, Rev. Jefferson is not one who takes his role in the business of saving lives and souls lightly, and his membership in the Houston Branch of the NAACP, where he has served since 1987 as the Director of Religious Affairs, is indicative of that commitment. Even as he works tirelessly as a full-time pastor, he has managed to fulfill the roles of moderator of the Houston Gulf Coast Baptist Association; president of the Ministry Advisory Council of Houston and chairman of the board of Love Our Kids, Inc. He is the founder president of city- wide summer recreational programs and since 1979, coordinated programs for Houston's Ministers Against Crime, Inc. Rev. Jefferson is the recipient of a number of honors and awards that include, but are not limited to certificates of appreciation from then- Governor of Texas, Ann Richards, and Houston Mayor Bob Lanier in 1992. That same year, he also received the Barbara Jordan Leadership Award in recognition of his uncompromising commitment to diversity and human rights. Over the years, tributes from Texas Southern University, the Houston Defender, Anheuser-Busch Companies and others have all highlighted the accomplishments of one of Houston's greatest spiritual leaders. Finally, Mr. Speaker, when history records the legacy of Rev. Robert Charles Jefferson, I believe he will be touted as a visionary who has dedicated his life to ensuring that no one is left behind.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the people of Israel in celebrating the 57th Anniversary of Israel's Independence. As Israel's Declaration of Independence states, ``The land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people'' and on May 14, 1948, the land of their ancestors was returned to the Jewish people. Shortly after Israel declared its independence, President Harry Truman began what has led to a strong partnership between our two countries by recognizing the provisional Jewish government as de facto authority of the new Jewish state. Today, 57 years after declaring its independence, Israel and the United States continue to share the common values and ideals of advancing democracy and promoting human rights around the globe. As our strongest ally in fighting terrorism, Israel, a country which has had to fight against terrorism and attacks from its neighbors for its entire existence, continues to play a vital role in promoting American interests. In return, we must continue to help Israel in its struggle for security by helping reach a lasting peace with its neighbors so that as future generations celebrate this day, they may do so without fear of the violence that has plagued the Jewish state since its independence. Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege to visit Israel on several occasions, and have seen the struggles Israelis face daily. However, I have also seen their perseverance and determination to create a peaceful and prosperous state. In the short but rich history of the Jewish state, the Israeli people have created one of the strongest democracies in the world, renowned for their scientific, technological, medical and agricultural innovations. Their commitment to promoting human rights, to protecting the rule of law, and to open and fair elections is unparalleled in the region and is an inspiration to oppressed people around the globe. Mr. Speaker, I would again like to congratulate the Israeli people and join them in celebrating the 57th Anniversary of Israel's independence, and look forward to working with them for years to come.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, recently in commemoration of Cinco de Mayo, I joined community leaders and elected officials from the City of Houston in a celebration and parade that paid I tribute to Mexican culture. As the Congressman from the 9th District I was honored to represent my constituents at this annual event. Although Cinco de Mayo marks the Mexican Army's victory over the French Army in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla in Mexico, this holiday has evolved into a way to celebrate the richness of Mexican culture. Within the United States, it is also a way to join with our fellow Mexican- American brothers and sisters and to learn about their heritage. Cinco de Mayo brings our community together. In Houston, we are very proud of the great cultural and ethnic diversity of our city. Today, Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration in which we take time to enjoy the great food, music, art, and people of our Mexican community. Mr. Speaker, with this in mind, I feel that it is very important that we observe this holiday and the opportunity for cultural celebration of the people of this great Nation.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, my heart is heavy as I pause today to pay tribute to my colleague and an outstanding public servant, Joe Moreno who died tragically this past Friday, May 6, 2005. A native of Houston, Texas, Mr. Moreno represented District 143 in the Texas State House for more than seven years after being elected with overwhelming grassroots support in November, 1998. A graduate of St. Thomas High School, he attended St. Thomas University and Texas Southern University. His unexpected death leaves a huge void in the lives of all of us who knew and respected him. As a dedicated community activist, Representative Moreno will be remembered as a champion who never wavered in his commitment to improving the lives of his constituents. An active member of the Resurrection Catholic Church, the Harris County Tejano Democrats and the League of United Latin American Citizens Council, Joe was awarded the prestigious title of ``Legislator of the Year'' in 2003 in recognition of his skills as a Member of the State House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, throughout his career, Representative Moreno has been honored by the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, the East Harris County Manufacturing Association, the Houston Gulf Coast Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Hispanic Contractor's Association of the Greater Houston Area, Inc. During the 79th Legislative Session, he served on the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee as well as the Borders and International Affairs Committee. Finally, Mr. Speaker, this is a sad day, and I hope my colleagues will join me in saluting Joe Moreno, a pillar of the community whose contributions will not be forgotten.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, May 6, 2005, my alma mater, Thurgood Marshall School of Law located in the great city of Houston, will designate the Andrew L. Jefferson, Jr. Endowed Chair in Trial Advocacy in honor of my great friend and mentor, Judge Andrew L. Jefferson, Jr. Born in Dallas, Texas in 1934, Judge Jefferson has lived in Houston since the ripe old age of 2. A graduate of Jack Yates High School, Texas Southern University and the University of Texas School of Law, Judge Jefferson has, over the years, distinguished himself not only as an accomplished legal scholar, but also as a dedicated community leader. A humble man, Andrew Jefferson has had an exemplary career that began in the early sixties when he was a partner in the law firm of Washington and Jefferson. Because Judge Jefferson displayed, at an early age, a remarkable command of the law, he was recruited to serve as the Assistant District Attorney for Bexar County, a position he held until he was appointed Chief Assistant United States Attorney and subsequently Chief of the Criminal Section for the Western District of Texas, a job he held until Humble Oil and Refining Company beckoned him to join their ranks as Trial and Labor Relations Counsel. During the early seventies, he assumed the role of Judge in the Court of Domestic Relations #2 for Harris County, and in 1973 was elected to a full four- year term. At the end of his tenure in the Domestic Court, Judge Jefferson was appointed and then elected to the 208th District Court. In 1975, believing that he could inspire young people to enter the legal profession, the distinguished barrister left the bench and re- entered private practice. In addition to being honorably discharged as a Captain in the United States Army Reserve-Judge Advocate General's Corps, the distinguished gentleman from Texas is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association, the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity, a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Houston Branch of the National Urban League, and a Life Member of the NAACP. Among his many awards and accomplishments, Judge Jefferson has received the Anti-Defamation League National Torch of Liberty Award, the Forward Times Newspaper Community Service Award, the Charles A. George Community Service Award and the League of United Latin American Citizens National Community Service Award from LaRaza. Mr. Speaker, I am blessed to have the opportunity to pay tribute to a great American hero. For those of us who know the Honorable Andrew L. Jefferson, we are always in awe of his ability as a coalition builder to bridge the gap between young and old and those of different cultural backgrounds. I believe that when history records the legacy of Andrew L. Jefferson, it will honor his role as a warrior who never forgot where he came from and always worked tirelessly on behalf of the least, the last and the lost.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary woman in American history. Shirley Chisholm, an outspoken advocate for women and minorities during her seven terms in the House of Representatives, passed on January 1st. This iconoclastic political figure has been lost and forgotten in many of today's civic classes in this country but her ideals have seen a rebirth. Born in 1924 to parents that emigrated from the West Indies, Chisholm was raised in an American society that told African Americans to stay in their place and women to stay at home. Chisholm vehemently rejected this canon which ultimately shaped and fueled her political career-- becoming both the first African American woman elected to Congress and the first black or woman to wage a serious campaign for a major party's presidential nomination in 1972. Shirley Chisholm excelled in academics at Girls High School in Brooklyn, New York, from which she graduated in 1942. After graduation she attended Brooklyn College where she majored in sociology. It was there that she experienced blatant racism. When black students at Brooklyn College where denied admittance into social clubs, Chisholm formed alternate ones. She would go on to graduate with honors in 1946 but found herself turned away by employers time and time again. During this time many black graduates found it difficult to obtain employment commensurate to their education. It was a culmination of these events in her life that led Chisholm to vow to fight against injustices everywhere. After graduation, she would earn a masters degree in child education from Columbia University and later served as director of the largest nursery school network in New York. In 1949, Chisholm participated in local politics, helping to form the Bedford-Stuyvesant political league. She also became active in the Brooklyn chapter of the National Urban League and in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), where she debated minority rights. Chisholm's political career took off in 1964, when she won, by a landslide, her campaign for the New York State Assembly. As an assembly person (1965-1968), she sponsored legislation that instituted programs which provided college funding to disadvantaged youths, and successfully introduced a bill that secured unemployment insurance for domestics and day-care providers. In 1968 Chisholm won a seat in the House of Representatives becoming the first African American woman to be elected to Congress. She found herself one of ten women and nine African Americans in the prestigious body. Representing an entirely inter-city constituency, Chisholm protested her relegation to the Agriculture Committee, an assignment she considered insulting. She would often criticize Congress for being too clubby and unresponsive. It was during these challenging times that Chisholm exemplified one of the most important characteristics of a pioneer--the determination to strive for more and to not accept ``no'' for an answer. With a character that she has described as ``unbought and unbossed,'' Chisholm became known as a politician who refused to allow her colleagues, including the white male-dominated House of Representatives, to deter her from her goals. She remarked that, ``Women in this country must become revolutionaries. We must refuse to accept the old, the traditional roles and stereotypes.'' She subsequently served on a number of committees, including the Education and Labor, and campaigned for a higher minimum wage and increased federal funding for disadvantaged communities. In her first term in Congress, Chisholm hired an all female staff and was an unyielding advocate of social justice, women's rights, the underprivileged and people of all races, nationalities and faith. On January 25, 1972 Chisholm became the first African American woman to campaign for the presidency. She admitted that she stood no real chance of winning but wanted to galvanize minority communities, working class whites and young people into a sizable political force. Chisholm ran as ``the candidate of the people,'' receiving 151 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention that year. During the campaign, she experienced resistance from her colleagues, including the Congressional Black Caucus for which she was a founding member, and was attacked four times on the campaign trail. Chisholm's bid for the presidency was not fruitless--her legacy and work has ushered in a generation of exceptional leaders--from presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, to former U.S. Senator Carol Mosley Braun to Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. Shirley Chisholm once commented, ``There is little place in the political scheme of things for an independent, creative personality, for a fighter. Anyone who takes that role must pay a price.'' Mr. Speaker, I believe obscurity is too high a price for Mrs. Chisholm to have to pay. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for the work that she's done to advance the causes of all Americans and for that legacy our country will be eternally grateful.