Gabrielle Giffords

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today deeply disappointed that proposed legislation to deal with our failed immigration laws fell short today on a procedural vote in the other body. An impressive bipartisan coalition of Senators--including Arizona Senators Kyl and McCain--worked tirelessly for the past several months to craft immigration reform legislation. Unfortunately, their efforts were not fruitful. Doing nothing to address our nation's immigration crisis is irresponsible. The Federal Government cannot continue to shirk its responsibility to protect our borders. Today's failure leaves the burden of dealing with illegal immigration on State and local governments. My district in Southern Arizona deals with the negative impact of illegal immigration every day. I will not relent in my efforts to find ways to remove the unfair burden placed on local law enforcement, health and social service agencies and our public schools. I urge my colleagues and the leadership of the House to come together in a bi-partisan fashion to craft smart immigration reform that is tough, practical, and effective. We must roll up our sleeves and exhibit the leadership that is needed on this critical issue. The House has already made some progress. I applaud our efforts to address the problems we face along our border in our Homeland Security Appropriations bill. This includes adding more border patrol agents and increasing the use of technology to secure our border. I also urge fully fund federal programs, such as SCAAP, that reimburse local law enforcement agencies for the apprehension and detention of illegal immigrants. The cost and burden of illegal immigration remains primarily on the shoulders of local and state governments, especially those on the border. The fight for Comprehensive Immigration reform goes on and it must remain a top priority in Congress. We must pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 564, I was at the White House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 51 Offered by Mr. Campbell of California

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 565, I was at the White House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Campbell of California

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in order to express my congratulations to the bipartisan coalition of Senators that succeeded in reviving their efforts to pass a comprehensive immigration reform package this year. I applaud the decision made by my colleagues in the other Chamber to bring their bill back to the floor for debate. There will be an opportunity for amendments, from both sides of the aisle, in order to craft a final version of this legislation. It is also time for the House to get an immigration reform package to the floor so that the President will get a bill to his desk soon. In southern Arizona, immigration reform is not just a political debate. Funding that this bill promises will go directly to the front lines, to places like Douglas, Elfrida, Bisbee, Tubac, and Naco. Passing comprehensive immigration reform will ensure that in Arizona and elsewhere along the border our communities will have the resources available to secure our border and relieve communities from the burden of illegal immigration. My district knows first hand what happens when people in Washington turn their heads away from the issue of illegal immigration. I urge all of us to keep working toward legislation that will create a comprehensive immigration policy. We must work alongside our colleagues in the Senate to craft a solution that is in the best interest for all Americans.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I think it's important to really focus on the substance of this bill, and I rise today in strong support of this Homeland Security bill. I represent southern Arizona. My district, the 8th Congressional District, shares 120 miles with the country of Mexico. We are facing a security and immigration crisis in my district and across the Nation. The flood of illegal immigrants and drug trafficking continues to place an undue burden on not just our health care system but our schools, our first responders and on our local law enforcement. Currently, the Tucson sector is the most porous section along the U.S.-Mexico border. On average, every day the Border Patrol apprehends about 2,000 illegal immigrants and approximately 2,500 pounds of drugs. While most illegal immigrants are coming here for economic opportunities and don't want to do harm to anyone, probably about 10 percent are involved in criminal activities. Nationally, the Border Patrol arrests 1 million illegal immigrants annually and seizes over 1 million pounds of marijuana and 15 to 20 tons of cocaine. Smugglers' methods, routes and modes of transportation are potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited by terrorists attempting to do the American people harm. Border security must be strengthened, and all of the options for accomplishing this must be on the table. Success requires a multifaceted approach. We need to build fences, we need to deploy sensors, we need to utilize the latest technologies, such as UAVs, and take advantage of advanced technology in terms of detection. I'm pleased that this legislation makes border security a priority and provides the funding that we badly need along the U.S.-Mexico border. The improved border security that this bill will fund is a crucial component in passing comprehensive immigration reform that is tough, practical and effective. I hope to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation later that includes components of border security, along with comprehensive immigration reform. Now, the bill that we are discussing today provides $8.8 billion for the Customs and Border Protection agency, which is $50 million above the President's request, and $647 million, nearly 8 percent, above fiscal year 2007. It provides funding for 3,000 additional Border Patrol agents, and this will bring the total number of Border Patrol agents up to 17,819 by the end of fiscal year 2008. This bill also funds the SBI, the Secure Border Initiative. This is going to be rolling out in Sasabe in southern Arizona, and it funds this initiative at the President's requested level of $1 billion. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to justify how it plans to use these funds to achieve operational control of our borders. So I urge my colleagues to pass and I urge the President to sign this very important legislation. Our border communities urgently need this funding to stem violence and lawlessness and prevent terrorism that could possibly impact the United States along the southern border. I urge the Members on both sides of the aisle to move forward on this legislation.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I intended to offer a clarifying amendment to the underlying bill. As currently constituted, funding is appropriated for Customs and Border Patrol to construct, renovate, equip, and maintain buildings and facilities necessary for enforcing our immigration laws. My amendment would have added the word ``structures'' in addition to facilities and buildings. This minor change would have made it clear that the Customs and Border Patrol can focus on the physical infrastructure needs of our border security apparatus with the funds appropriated by this bill. Securing our borders, as we know, requires a multifaceted approach. We need to do more than just maintain facilities and buildings. We need to build fences. We need to deploy sensors, and we need to take advantage of all the advanced technology and equipment that is being developed right now. Currently, the Tucson sector that I represent has more apprehensions than all other sections of the border combined. Every single day our Border Patrol apprehends, on average, about 2,000 individuals and over 2,500 pounds of drugs. This is the most porous part of the U.S.-Mexico border. While most illegal immigrants come here to look for work and opportunities, approximately 10 percent are involved in criminal activities. So, border security must be strengthened, and all options for accomplishing this must be on the table. Nationally, the Border Patrol arrests about 1 million illegal immigrants annually, seizes about a million pounds of marijuana and 15 to 20 tons of cocaine. Smugglers' methods, routes and modes of transportation are potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited by terrorists attempting to bring weapons into our Nation. The Border Patrol must be allowed to deploy and sustain an appropriate mix of personnel, equipment, technology and border infrastructure in order to protect our Nation. As Congress moves forward in this process, I urge my colleagues to allow the Customs and Border Patrol to take the necessary steps in order to secure our border and to secure our citizens. This would expand the opportunity for Customs and Border Patrol to secure our Nation and protect our communities.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1441) to prohibit the sale by the Department of Defense of parts for F-14 fighter aircraft, as amended.

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1441, a bill that will put an end to military surplus sales that may inadvertently be helping to sustain Iran's Air Force. First, I would like to thank Chairman Lantos and Chairman Skelton for their leadership on this issue. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this critical national security issue. The background to this problem begins in the 1970s when our country sold F-14 Tomcats to Iran's pro-Western secular government. Iran was a close ally of the United States at the time and needed the capabilities of the F-14 in a dangerous part of the world. Times have changed, unfortunately. And Iran has now called for the destruction of Israel and is refining uranium in what many observers from the non- proliferation community believe is an attempt to develop the fuel necessary for an atomic weapon. Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism and is likely responsible for arming insurgents in Iraq. Iran has ignored the calls of the international community for greater transparency in its nuclear power research and development, and the United Nations Security Council recently imposed stricter economic sanctions on Iran as a result. When the United States Navy retired the F-14 fleet last September, that left Iran as the only nation still flying those aircraft. Iran has been trying to get around United States sanctions and export controls to secure the parts necessary to keep the F-14 flying. Recent undercover investigations and reports have made it clear that Iran may have been successful. Following an undercover investigation, the GAO reported in 2006 that acquiring surplus military hardware not properly demilitarized is disturbingly easy. In January of this year, the Associated Press reported that front companies were able to secretly purchase military parts for resale in Iran. Iran is the only nation still using the F-14. There are no other legitimate buyers overseas. In order to address this issue, I worked with my colleague from New Mexico, Mr. Pearce. And after a joint trip to Israel, we introduced H.R. 1441, which will prevent the United States Government from selling approximately 10,000 parts that are unique only to the F-14 Tomcat. This legislation will prohibit the military, as well as any other private company, from selling F-14-specific parts. It is also, Mr. Speaker, a complete ban on all international sales of parts specific to the F-14. We cannot take the risk that components unique to the F-14 could be resold to Iran. The text of this bill was included in the fiscal year 2008 defense authorization bill, H.R. 1585, as section 1049. The House Armed Services Committee approved the language in its markup of that bill, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs has already marked up the specific bill and has reported it favorably. Mr. Speaker, we must take the responsibility to ensure that our military hardware never falls into the hands of nations hostile to the United States and can never be used against our men and women in uniform and not used against our allies. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1441. I include for the Record an exchange of letters related to this bill between Chairman Skelton of the Armed Services Committee and Chairman Lantos of the Foreign Affairs Committee. June 8, 2007. Hon. Tom Lantos, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman, On March 27, 2007, the Committee on Foreign Affairs ordered reported favorably H.R. 1441, ``The Stop Arming Iran Act.'' This legislation contains subject matter within the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Armed Services, and thus, was sequentially referred to the Committee on Armed Services by the Parliamentarian for the House. Our Committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 1441 and the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over this legislation, the Committee on Armed Services will waive further consideration of H.R. 1441. I do so with the understanding that by waiving further consideration of the bill, the Committee does not waive any future jurisdictional claims over similar measures. In the event of a conference with the Senate on this bill, the Committee on Armed Services reserves the right to seek the appointment of conferees. I would appreciate the inclusion of this letter and a copy of the response in your Committee's report on H.R. 1441 and in the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Very truly yours, Ike Skelton Chairman.

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Arkansas for his comments, and I indeed think that this is an important piece of legislation that will further support our interests abroad and make sure that parts like the F-14 Tomcat are not sold to the Iranians.

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight a very important issue facing our Nation that is addressed in this legislation, mental health care for our troops. The mental health implications of extended and repeated combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan are now only beginning to be understood. Among Vietnam-era veterans, the lifetime rate of PTSD, sometimes taking decades to appear, is 30 percent. According to the VA, the current rate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is already 20 percent. The mental health needs of the generation of combat veterans that we are creating will face this country for decades to come. We must realize that the nature and scope of warfare has changed, bringing a new level of stress to combat deployments that is fundamentally new. Even in the Green Zone of Baghdad soldiers are repeatedly attacked and regularly attacked. The troops must cope with ongoing severe stress for months to come. Experts tell us that extended periods of stress like this, with no way to alleviate it, create the conditions where PTSD is most likely to develop. According to a recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine, 95 percent of troops in Army and Marine units report having been shot at during their deployment, and 95 percent report seeing dead bodies, 89 percent report being ambushed or attacked. One in five is currently suffering from depression, anxiety or stress while deployed. Twenty percent are now facing marital problems, including divorce or legal separation from their spouse. The after-effect of these extended and highly stressful combat deployments will continue to affect their families, the military and our communities for many, many years to come. I believe that we need to shift towards preventive care. What we know from our experience is that PTSD not being treated can start a downward tragic cycle of addiction, isolation and despair. This bill improves a mental health training for military case managers working with outpatient facilities like Walter Reed so they can identify problems early. This way we can help provide treatment before returning servicemen are discharged and left to fend for themselves. This bill also creates critical new funding to best identify practices. Mental health is critical for our troops, and I am very interested in passing this legislation. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight a very important issue facing this country that is addressed in this legislation: mental health care for our troops. The mental health implications of extended, and repeated combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan are now only beginning to be understood. Among Vietnam-era veterans, the lifetime rate of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, sometimes taking decades to appear, is about 30 percent. According to the VA, the current rate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is already 20 percent. The mental health needs of the generation of combat veterans that we are creating will face this country for decades to come. We must realize that the nature and scope of warfare has changed, bringing a level of stress to combat deployments that is fundamentally new. Even the Green Zone in Baghdad is attacked regularly, and the lives of troops stationed there are literally at risk every single day of their deployments. The troops must cope with ongoing, severe stress for months on end. Experts tell us that extended periods of stress like this, with no way to alleviate it, create the conditions where PTSD is most likely to develop. According to a recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine, 95 percent of troops in Army and Marine units report having been shot at during their deployment, and 95 percent report seeing dead bodies. Eighty-nine percent reported being ambushed or attacked. One in five is suffering from depression, anxiety or stress while deployed. Twenty percent face marital problems including divorce or legal separation from their spouse. The after-effect of extended and highly stressful combat deployments continues to affect military communities and families long after the service member has returned home. I believe the most important shift is to move toward preventative care. What we know from decades of experience is that PTSD, left untreated, can begin a tragic downward spiral of addiction, isolation and despair. This bill improves the mental health training for military case managers working with outpatients at facilities like Walter Reed, so they can identify potential problems early. This way, we can help provide treatment before returning servicemen are discharged and left to fend for themselves. It authorizes critical new funding to identify best practices and build up our clinical knowledge of PTSD and how best to treat it. And it creates a mechanism to improve the transition from the DoD health system into the VA system, so that service members will not fall through the cracks. Not every American chooses to wear the uniform and serve this country. Not every family stays up lonely nights and waits for a father, husband, mother, wife, or child to come home. Not everyone hears the call of their country and says `send me.' But for those who do, we owe it to be there for them when they get back. I will be proud to vote for this legislation that supports our troops and brings a new focus on critical mental health issues.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. I thank the gentleman. I rise today to raise serious concerns about the amendment to H.R. 1585 that would require background checks for all civilians entering military installations. I certainly appreciate the need to secure our installations, especially considering the recent events in your home State of New Jersey. But I would like to bring a unique situation to your attention. My southern Arizona district is home to Fort Huachuca, a critical national asset that is home to Army Intelligence and Electronic Testing and was recently designated the Joint Center of Excellence for Human Intelligence Training. Fort Huachuca occupies over 73,000 acres of rugged desert terrain. The geography of the area forces the citizens of Elgin and Canelo, along with the surrounding communities, to rely on access through the fort to get to their ranches and homes. This amendment would cause significant hardship to the surrounding community that has had access to the installation for decades. I believe that this is not a unique situation, and there may be other circumstances where the restrictions placed on military installations could be onerous.

Ms. GIFFORDS. I would like to ask that the gentleman work with me to address the unique circumstances of the Army installations in southern Arizona.

Ms. GIFFORDS. I thank the gentleman for his support.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 331, I placed my voting card in the machine and pushed the button. I don't know if it locked me out or if I didn't press hard enough. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of comprehensive immigration reform that is tough, practical and effective. I urge my colleagues to work together in a bi-partisan manner so that we can move legislation to the floor as soon as possible. Our inability to solve the Nation's immigration crisis is taking a major toll on the high-tech business sector and crippling their ability to have the workforce they need. As American companies struggle to compete in the global information-economy, they are continually seeking the brightest minds to develop new innovations and technologies. Sometimes, those minds are in other countries. Many of these individuals studied at top U.S. colleges and universities but have returned to their native country. H-IB visas allow American businesses to hire temporary skilled foreign employees in specialized occupations when they are unable to find a qualified U.S. citizen for the job. These specialized occupations include architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, law, accounting, business specialties, theology and the arts. Each year, the number of H-IB visas are capped at 65,000. Applications for 2008 were only open for 1 day, after 150,000 applications were filed on April 1. Robert Breault, president and founder of the Breault Research Organization of Tucson, called the cap on applications ``a catastrophe.'' Southern Arizona's ``Optics Valley,'' as well as other high-tech corridors, depend on foreign workers with advanced degrees-- degrees often earned in U.S. universities--to supplement the workforce. Our high-tech companies are competing in a global marketplace. To keep pace, they must hire the best employees. As comprehensive immigration reform legislation begins to take shape, congress must ensure that the number of H-IB visas is increased.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak in support of the McNerney- Giffords-Crowley amendment to the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007. I want to thank Congressman McNerney and Congressman Crowley for their help in crafting this amendment. It has been a pleasure to work with both of them. A Hispanic-serving institution is defined as an institution of higher education that has at least 25 percent Hispanic full-time enrollment, and at least 50 percent of the school's student population must be eligible for need-based financial aid. This amendment will establish a new program in the National Science Foundation to award grants to Hispanic-serving institutions on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis. These grants will enhance the quality of undergraduate science, math, engineering and technology education. This will increase student retention and graduation rates for those students pursuing degrees in these critical areas. Specifically, this grant program will support faculty development, which is critical; stipends for undergraduate students participating in research; and initiatives to improve courses and curriculum in science, math and engineering and technology. In 2005, Mr. Chairman, a group of bipartisan congressional lawmakers asked the experts at the National Academies for steps that policymakers must pursue in order to ensure the United States remains globally competitive. Their report, entitled Rising Above the Gathering Storm, which we refer to frequently on the Science Committee, found that the United States will stand to lose in terms of global competitiveness unless we act immediately. One of the recommendations was to increase the participation of minorities in STEM education fields. That report stated that ``increasing participation of underrepresented minorities is critical to ensuring a high-quality supply of scientists and engineers in the United States over the long term. And as minority groups increase in percentage within the United States population, increasing their participation in those STEM fields is critical.'' In my home State of Arizona, 50 percent of the population 18 years of age and younger are Hispanic. My amendment will ensure that Hispanics, our Nation's largest ethnic minority, and many blacks, whites, Asians and Native Americans who attend Hispanic-serving institutions will be able to more fully contribute to American innovation. It will expand the number of students graduating with the credentials to enter the critical fields that impact American competitiveness, those STEM fields. This amendment truly benefits all of the United States of America. In my district I have three Hispanic-serving institutions, Pima Community College, Cochise Community College and, of course, the University of Arizona South. All three of these institutions support this amendment which would give them the opportunity to improve their STEM education programs. Dr. Karen Nicodemus, who is the president of Cochise College, told my office, ``As President of a rural Hispanic-serving institution, I applaud and strongly support any and all efforts to fund and expand undergraduate student access to the STEM areas. Directing resources to a growing but historically underserved student population is essential, essential to fully engaging and preparing them for the 21st century,'' Mr. Chairman, which we know is so critical. According to Dr. Roy Flores, who is the chancellor of Pima Community College, ``Our ability to increase minority graduates in science, technology, engineering and math degree programs will determine our relative position in the global economy.'' This amendment, Mr. Chairman, is all about keeping America globally competitive in this 21st century. I encourage all of my colleagues to support it.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member Hall. I rise today to enthusiastically express my support for H.R. 362, the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act. The purpose of this legislation is to improve our national corps of teachers in both math and science, both by recruiting new teachers and also by supporting the current ones. To build a world-class science and technology workforce, we need to have a world-class math and science education system, and H.R. 362 will help accomplish this goal. According to the Nation's report card in 2005, only 30 percent of eighth graders performed at or above the proficient levels in math. Only 32 percent of eighth graders and 18 percent of 12th graders performed at or above the proficient levels in science. America must do better. The National Academy's ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' report, presented to us in committee, states that ``without fundamental knowledge and skills, the majority of students scoring below proficient'' levels will ``lack the foundation for good jobs and full participation in society.'' America must invest in this national teaching force, especially in rural and poor areas. Karen Nicodemus is president of Cochise Community College in my district in Arizona. She states that although the shortage of high- quality and high-qualified math and science teachers cuts across all educational systems, we feel it in the rural areas more than in other areas. We do a disservice to our brightest students in high school in those rural and poor areas by not investing and making sure that we have a qualified workforce. To remain competitive in the 21st-century global economy, it is critical that we reform math and science education in America. All children, especially those in rural and in poor areas, should have the opportunity to become leaders, should be able to take our country to the next level. It is an honor to be on this bill.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you Ranking Member Hall. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for H.R. 363, the Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Act. In 2005, a bipartisan group of congressional legislators came together and asked the National Academies for a list of the top 10 action items that policymakers must take in order to assure that America stays globally competitive. Their report, which was reduced, called ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm,'' found that the U.S. would stand to lose our global competitiveness if we did not act immediately. One of their recommendations was to invest in research in an effort to ``sustain and strengthen the Nation's traditional commitment to long-term basic research that has the potential to be transformational to maintain the flow of new ideas that fuel the economy, provide security, and enhance the quality of life.'' This bill does exactly that. This legislation provides early-career awards for scientists and engineers at the National Science Foundation and at the Department of Energy. Young researchers and scientists can shift paradigms, break out of traditions, and think of new ideas within their field; and it is this outside-of-the-box thinking that we must promote. The early-career awards in this bill awards young scientists for engaging in both high-risk, but also high-reward, research that is transformational and innovative. This bill does not fund all science. This bill focuses on fostering the most innovative of elements in the scientific enterprise. With countries such as India and China becoming more and more competitive, we have to take every action possible to ensure that the United States of America stays globally competitive. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for bringing this bill forward. I am honored to be a sponsor.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, the insufficient border security in my district in southern Arizona is unacceptable. Our inspection infrastructure is deficient, and this is the critical reason why the Tucson Sector has more drugs seized and illegal immigrants apprehended than any other sector bordering Mexico. The U.S. Border Patrol agents in southern Arizona seize an average of 2,670 pounds of drugs and apprehend 2,000 illegal immigrants every day. We must end this crisis and secure the border now. Currently, we have no idea how much contraband or how many people are actually coming across. However, what we do know is that Tucson has become the largest land corridor in the country for marijuana and the most heavily used route in the Nation for illegal immigrants. While all of Arizona requires additional border security measures, some communities are affected more than others. The current make-shift checkpoint on I-19 just north of Tubac creates an intolerable situation for nearby residents. Human and drug smugglers can easily circumvent or penetrate it, and there has been a recent increase in violence and crime. Residents, tourists and business people have also been inconvenienced by the checkpoint in Tubac because it has led to a massive increase in traffic. A Federal law that prohibited Arizona's development of a permanent checkpoint in southern Arizona was rejected by the House of Representatives last year. However, at my request U.S. Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar agreed that no permanent checkpoint will be planned for the Tucson sector without significant and direct community involvement. Southern Arizonans must work with our law enforcement agencies to create a plan for securing our borders and reducing the violence against citizens and immigrants. Chief Aguilar, Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert Gilbert, and I have agreed to form a working group of residents along the I-19 Corridor to collaboratively decide what future security measures need to look like. A permanent checkpoint on I-19 can only be successful in reducing the total number of drugs and undocumented individuals if several additional measures are taken. These measures include active community involvement in the planning for the checkpoint and an overall network of border security technology that includes surveillance cameras, an array of sensors and vehicle x-ray technology similar to what exists at our ports of entry. I believe strongly that decisions are best made at the local level. The recent change in Federal law provides citizens and law enforcement officials an opportunity to work collaboratively to secure our border, protect our communities, and foster a secure and vibrant economy.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, this month marks the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy AURA. In 1957, seven universities banded together to form a new type of consortium that would establish a national astronomical observatory available to all astronomers on a merit basis. This new consortium, AURA, sought access to the clearest skies and best observing sites available. They established their headquarters in Tucson, AZ, and over the ensuing years built the Kitt Peak National Observatory and a sister observatory in Chile known as the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. The establishment of AURA took place in an environment in which the National Science Foundation was only 5 years old and the establishment of a space agency was still to come. AURA saw the need for the astronomical community to organize itself, to work toward common goals, and to create scientific opportunities for all. AURA and other public observatories helped advance the field of U.S. astronomy. From these beginnings, AURA has extended our view of the universe and ourselves with its visionary planning for what is now the Hubble Space Telescope, which AURA operates from its Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. It also paved the way for the giant ground based telescopes known as the International Gemini Observatory, in Hawaii and Chile. AURA has helped astronomy move to a central position in national and international scientific research with increasingly strong ties to many other areas of the physical sciences and the fundamental questions that they address. For example, on the largest scales in the field of cosmology, astrophysics and particle physics increasingly view the universe as the ultimate ``high-energy laboratory'', which may be the only way to address questions about the fundamental nature of matter and space itself. Observations made at AURA observatories both on the ground and in space have revealed the existence of both dark matter and dark energy. At the other extreme of scale, astrobiology is synthesizing research in astronomy, biology, and chemistry and is emerging as a field in itself. Again, observations at AURA's observatories are beginning a quest to search for the presence of life and ultimately understand its origins both within our solar system and in our galaxy. Looking to the near future and the advent of the James Webb Space Telescope and a Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope, we hope to see the light from the first stars in the Universe, to catch galaxies as they are first assembling, investigate the nature of dark matter and dark energy, understand how black holes are formed, and take a census of extrasolar planets with masses extending from that of Jupiter down to masses comparable to that of the Earth. With the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope, we hope to observe the Sun at the smallest scales possible and understand the fundamental workings of our closest star. These questions are not just at the forefront of astronomical research, but are ones that have captured the public's interest and imagination. Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in commending AURA for its accomplishments over the past fifty years. From a humble idea born in Tucson, AZ, to the outer reaches of the universe, AURA has made a major contribution to U.S. science and to our cultural heritage.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call on all Members of the House to listen to each other's concerns so that we can reach an agreement on comprehensive immigration reform. I am proud to be a cosponsor of the bipartisan legislation authored by Congressman Gutierrez and Congressman Flake, H.R. 1645. Recently, I held a teleconference forum with District business leaders, law enforcement officers, I.C.E. and Border Patrol agents, and representatives from the Arizona Department of Corrections and Governor Napolitano's office. Their concerns included needing more help with the burden of incarcerating illegal immigrants, having trouble finding workers, and requiring assistance with a quick, easy-to-use employee verification system, among other issues. Over the next two weeks in the district, I will be holding additional community forums, so people can tell me what they think needs to be done about our Nation's immigration crisis. I look forward to hearing from members of my community on every side of the issue--immigrant rights activists, business leaders, the Minutemen, law enforcement, ranchers, and local residents. Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar will also be joining me in the District to hear from folks on the front lines of this issue. After listening to a range of experts and local residents, I will recommend possible improvements before we vote on any legislation. What is clear to me is that the illegal immigration crisis is complex and impacts almost every aspect of our lives in Arizona. Therefore, a piecemeal approach will not work. If we truly want to secure the border and end illegal immigration, we must pass a common-sense bill that will address every part of the problem.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Chairman, we have before us today an excellent piece of legislation, the Wounded Warriors Assistance Act, that I believe will help untangle problems in military health care such as the ones that we recently saw at the Walter Reed Hospital. This legislation came before us in the Armed Services Committee recently, and I am convinced that the provisions will dramatically improve the treatment for our brave, wounded servicemembers and their families by the Department of Defense health care system. One issue of particular importance that was addressed in this bill is the mental health services and screenings that we will provide to our troops. I want to thank Members for supporting my amendment, that directly impacts mental health treatment for our men and women in uniform. Ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are creating a brand-new generation of veterans, many have seen extreme stresses of war. According to the VA, post-traumatic stress syndrome rates are starting to appear about 20 percent. You look back during the Vietnam War era, those rates were close to 30 percent. So, I believe we are just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg. PTSD is an issue that will face thousands of American combat veterans for years into the future. This legislation will help ensure that these soldiers don't face this problem alone. I am proud to vote with my colleagues from the Armed Services Committee to report this bill favorably to the House. I will be very pleased to vote for this outstanding piece of legislation when it appears here on the House floor. I want to thank Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member Hunter, for bringing this piece of legislation forward, and, of course, the staff of the Armed Services Committee for their dedication to this issue. In closing, not every American signs up to put on the uniform. Not every American puts their life on the line for our principles and our values. But for those Americans that do, we owe it to be there with them when they need help.

Ms. GIFFORDS

Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased that we in the House of Representatives finally have a comprehensive immigration reform bill that we can debate, and I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation authored by Congressman Gutierrez and Congressman Flake. Members in this chamber now have the opportunity to pass a bill that will secure the border and end our nation's illegal immigration crisis. Given that the challenge of illegal immigration is complex, the solution must address all aspects of this problem--border security, the hiring of illegal immigrants, labor shortages in certain sectors of our economy, and the millions of illegal immigrants currently living in the United States. A piecemeal approach will simply not work. If we truly want to end illegal immigration, the only option is to pass a comprehensive bill that is tough, practical, and effective. I stand here today ready to work with members of both parties, ready to listen to everyone's concerns, and steadfast in my conviction that, if we can put aside partisanship and compromise with each other, we can reach an agreement. In my district in southern Arizona, the need for reform is critical. In 2006, 4,000 illegal immigrants a day crossed the border into Arizona. Our schools, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed. Our environment and homeland security are threatened. In the weeks ahead, I will be holding several forums on this legislation in my district, so I can receive feedback from the folks on the front lines of the immigration crisis. After listening to a range of experts and local residents, I will recommend possible improvements before we vote on this bill.