Rubén Hinojosa

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, legislation that will reduce childhood hunger by increasing access to nutritious meals year round, improve the nutritional quality of meals children eat in and outside of school, and support school and community efforts to reduce childhood obesity. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, nearly one in four children in the United States is food insecure: that is more than 16 million children who face hunger each day. In the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, approximately 85 percent of the students in our region are eligible for Free and Reduced Price Meals under the National School Lunch Program. In the State of Texas, 24.3 percent of children live in food insecure households--the second highest rate in the country--compared to 18.9 percent nationwide, according to 2006-2008 data from USDA and Feeding America. Childhood obesity is also an issue of great concern for the State of Texas. This critically important issue has been linked to the lack of nutritious foods in our nation's schools and communities. According to a report issued by Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2010, Texas ranked seventh in child obesity among the states. Approximately 20.4 percent of Texas children are obese. In order to keep health care costs down, our nation must do more to prevent obesity and diabetes in our schools and communities. Reducing the prevalence of obesity and diabetes will have an enormous positive impact on my constituents' quality of life, while making their health care more affordable. We know that children who are hungry or obese are more likely than their peers to suffer from hyperactivity, absenteeism, and low academic achievement. This bill will help improve child nutrition for millions of children, particularly for low-income children who need to be healthy and ready to learn to succeed in school. The passage of S. 3307 is the first step in addressing child nutrition. The second step is restoring cuts to future SNAP benefits. I urge my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to vote for S. 3307, an investment of $4.5 billion over 10 years that supports our children in thriving physically and academically and in leading healthy lives.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1638, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National GEAR UP Day. As subcommittee chairman for Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness, I want to thank my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), the father of the GEAR UP program, for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to ensure that low-income students enter and succeed in postsecondary education as well as in life. I am proud to have joined Congressman Fattah on the Education Committee back in 1998 to be an original cosponsor of this great GEAR UP program that he introduced. In supporting the goals and ideals of National GEAR UP Day, it is important that we recognize national teachers and counselors and program staff for their tireless work on behalf of our neediest students. Throughout the year, these extraordinary individuals provide essential college preparatory services to over 670,000 students in over 5,000 schools across 46 States, as well as in the District of Columbia, and American Samoa, Micronesia, and Puerto Rico. I am extremely proud of GEAR UP students in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas for setting ambitious career goals and for making their education a top priority. Our region serves approximately 18,000 students, and these young people are studying hard, taking rigorous courses, graduating from high school, and preparing themselves to earn a college degree. In my congressional district, we are fortunate to have talented and committed individuals who have made GEAR UP a huge success. I personally want to thank Tina Atkins, the director of the Region 1 GEAR UP program, as well as Dr. Martha Cantu, director of the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg for their GEAR UP program, and business and community leaders in our region who have done a terrific job in educating and encouraging GEAR UP students and their families to reach for the stars. On March 30, 2010, President Obama signed the Health Care Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 into law. With the enactment of this law, President Obama and Congress are taking bold steps to ensure accessibility and affordability in higher education.

Mr. HINOJOSA. These investments in education will undoubtedly provide thousands of GEAR UP students throughout the country with the financial aid and support they need to succeed in college. As our Nation strives to build a world-class educational system, to increase graduation rates at all levels and to lead the world in the proportion of college graduates by the year 2020, it is critical that we continue to invest in successful Federal programs like GEAR UP. Today, I urge my colleagues and our Nation to support H.R. 1638 and to encourage greater numbers of low-income students to pursue their dreams by supporting the goals and ideals of a National GEAR UP Day.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price) may be recognized only on the legislative day of Thursday, September 23, 2010, to offer the resolution that he noticed on Thursday, September 16, 2010, without further notice under clause 9(a)(1) of rule IX.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. Res. 1611, a resolution designating the week beginning September 19, 2010, as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week. As never before, our Nation's Hispanic-Serving Institutions, known as HSIs, play an invaluable role in educating millions of Latinos and low-income students. It is critically important that we recognize their contributions to our Nation's higher education system. As subcommittee chairman for Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness, it is indeed a privilege for me to congratulate HSI college presidents who strive for excellence and support our students in reaching their full potential, and to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of HSI faculty, administrators, and students. In these tough economic times, it is imperative that youth and adults receive a high quality education and are equipped with the 21st century skills to thrive in our Nation's economy. By providing accessibility and affordability to Latinos and other minorities in higher education, HSIs are creating pathways out of poverty and access to high-skilled, family-sustaining jobs and lifelong learning. On March 30, 2010, it was an honor for me to join President Obama for the signing of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. For the first time, Congress has provided $1 billion for HSIs over the next decade to increase the representation and boost the academic achievement of Latinos in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, known as STEM. This is a big, big deal for the Latino community. I wish to thank Congressman Raul Grijalva from Arizona for being the original sponsor of this resolution, H. Res. 1611. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, I respectfully ask President Obama to issue a proclamation designating the week beginning September 19, 2010, as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week. Madam Speaker, as our Nation strives to build a world-class educational system, increase graduation rates at all levels, and improve college access, persistence and completion, this resolution commends HSIs for preparing youth and workers for success in work and in life. I strongly urge my colleagues in Congress to support this resolution and ask all Americans to observe National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 500, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for two reasons. The first is to thank my colleagues here in the House of Representatives, and, secondly, to ask for their continued assistance. As many of you may know, Hurricane Alex hit south Texas the first week of July. It was followed by a subsequent tropical storm that dropped more than a foot of rain on my region, which is represented by Congressmen Ortiz, Cuellar and myself. Even more rain, 30 inches, fell in the mountains of Monterey, Mexico, and over the next 2 weeks, the Rio Grande River swelled to record levels, causing flooding along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. The Texas border, from Laredo to Brownsville, is home for over 2 million people. The international bridges in this region carry the bulk of U.S. land trade between the United States and Mexico. The border region is primarily protected by a Federal levee and floodway control system operated by the International Boundary and Water Commission, better known as the IBWC. Although it is responsible for over 500 miles of levees just on the U.S. side and seven dams, for decades it received approximately $5 million a year for maintenance of those levees. As a result, a Corps of Engineers assessment in 2005 showed that hundreds of miles of the levee system were inadequate, too low or to weak to be certified. Several of the dams were also of great concern. When the report was published, my border colleagues and I knew we had to work hard and fast to protect the millions of people we represent. We began working with the IBWC, the Corps of Engineers and local officials to get the information we needed to make our case to Congress. We thought outside the box. Hidalgo County, with 750,000 people, one of the fastest growing counties in the Nation, worked with IBWC and the Department of Homeland Security to develop an ingenious plan to combine the Federal effort to fix the levees with the effort to build a new border fence. The resulting border-wall concept met DHS's criteria for a fence and reinforced the IBWC levees. The county believed so much in this project and its urgency that it raised bond money and gave $82 million to the IBWC to expedite the repairs, even though these structures were totally a Federal responsibility. Hidalgo County is one of the poorest in the Nation and should not have had to spend their scarce resources on a Federal project. They deserve to be reimbursed. In Washington, we met with the appropriators from both sides of the aisle to make our case. I want to particularly thank Congressman Frank Wolf, Congressman David Price, Congressman John Lewis, Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Congressman David Obey for understanding the need and providing us with $400 million over the last 4 years to make the badly needed repairs. As a result, the river levees in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties were repaired. Dams and floodways near Presidio were repaired, although not before we suffered flooding that cost the lives of U.S. and Mexican heads of the International Boundary and Water Commission who died in a helicopter crash while surveying the damage. All along the U.S.-Mexico border, repairs have been made. I have a few pictures that demonstrate what this meant during Hurricane Alex. Here is a map showing what we would have experienced in Hidalgo County if the levees had not been repaired. Everything in blue would have been a humongous lake of approximately 150 miles. It would have looked like New Orleans did under Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina. This blue area of water would have covered most of the major population area, endangering hundreds of thousands of people and causing billions and billions of dollars worth of damage. Despite historic levels of 20 and 30 feet over flood stage, which makes the Rio Grande cresting at 59 feet, the cars on the new Anzalduas Bridge show the daily traffic coming north from Mexico. As you can see the Anzalduas Bridge, it shows that the water all around us is holding up very well because of the wall and the strengthening of the levee system. Look at this. Unfortunately, despite our progress and historic funding, IBWC internal floodways north of the river still have not been repaired. Levees in this area did not hold and communities have been flooded. This picture shows a section of the Rio Grande River with no levees and the resulting flooding that occurred. This final picture is of the Anzalduas Dam. Record river water flows forced the IBWC to divert river water into the spillway that leads to the floodway. For weeks, water releases from all of the upstream dams have been diverted into the floodway because there was too much water for the dams to hold back. The record river flows have weakened dams like Amistad and Falcon which were of concern to the Corps back in 2005. Although they held this time, they may not the next time. In conclusion, I want to thank Congressmen Ortiz, Cuellar, Reyes, Doggett, Rodriguez and the other members of the Border Caucus for their help. I appreciate the assistance Chairman Barney Frank and his staffer Tom Glassic provided with our flood mapping and insurance issues. I close by saying that I want to thank all the Members of this body who responded to our pleas, and I urge them to help us finish the job and complete the system. It is much less expensive than cleaning up after a natural disaster.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, I request a leave of absence from the House of Representatives for July 13, 2010 and the balance of the week, due to the effect Hurricane Alex and the tropical depression that quickly followed are having on my district, TX-15, in South Texas.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 416, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. I am glad that we are in Congress acknowledging their efforts through this resolution. I urge all my colleagues to support this important resolution. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, June 17, 2010. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. John Boehner, Minority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington,

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1434, recognizing June 2010 as National Homeownership Month. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this important resolution, and I commend my good friend and colleague, Congressman Gary Miller from California, for its introduction. This year's theme is Protecting the American Dream. American families deserve the opportunity to achieve and sustain the dream of home ownership. This administration and Congress have been taking the necessary measures to help existing homeowners stay in their homes, to offer a second chance to millions of responsible families, to encourage wise and affordable home purchases, and to stabilize our households, neighborhoods, and communities. The House of Representatives passed the Federal Housing Administration Reform Act of 2010. Sponsored by Chairwoman Maxine Waters of California, the bill also helps families realize the American Dream of home ownership, protects Americans from mortgage fraud, and saves taxpayers money. The legislation ensures that the Federal Housing Administration remains viable and continues to provide qualified borrowers with access to prime credit. FHA insurance has been particularly important for minority communities, for low-income families, and for first-time home buyers, and will continue to help my congressional district, which is 80 percent Hispanic and poor. The Homebuyer Tax Credit the House has extended several times has increased home sales and helped stabilize the housing market. Estimates suggest that this credit and several extensions will have resulted in 1 million additional home purchases and saved an average of $21,000 in equity for American homeowners who indirectly benefited from the stabilization of house values. In my capacity as chairman of the Congressional Rural Housing Caucus, I have managed to collaborate with my colleagues in obtaining a substantial amount of money for the USDA Section 502 Single Family Direct Loan program. Recently, I worked closely with the USDA's Department of Rural Housing Service on additional commitment authority for the Section 502 Single Family Guaranteed Loan program. The House of Representatives and USDA's Rural Housing Service have done our jobs. It's my sincere hope that the Senate will act quickly on the 502 Single Family Guaranteed Loan program so that banks can close on loans. The House has passed antipredatory lending legislation and is now in conference with the Senate on legislation that will increase consumer protection by reforming our financial services regulations and legislation. Moreover, the House of Representatives has passed legislation reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program that will help Americans in their times of need. Hundreds of thousands of first time home buyers will be unable to close on their homes if they are located in floodplains and require flood insurance. I humbly ask that the Senate reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program as quickly as possible. Mr. Speaker, dozens of communities across the Nation have planned events and activities throughout June to highlight the benefits of home ownership and share information on ways families can remain successful homeowners.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5569, extending the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010, making it retroactive to May 31, 2010. I commend Chairwoman Maxine Waters for introducing this timely bill. Congress must extend authority for the National Flood Insurance Program to write or renew flood insurance policies which are required in order to obtain a mortgage in a 100-year floodplain. Now that the National Flood Insurance Program authorization has lapsed, property owners in federally designated areas across nearly 20,000 communities nationwide are unable to obtain a mortgage or flood insurance to protect their properties. We are well into hurricane season. Congress must pass this legislation. Congress must reauthorize as soon as possible the National Flood Insurance Program to provide my constituents in Texas and all other constituents across the United States access to a program they will need should they become victims of a hurricane. I encourage my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, I would like to submit a letter from the American Bankers Association in support of H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act. American Bankers Association, Washington, DC, June 9, 2010. To: Members of the U.S. House of Representatives From: Floyd E. Stoner, Executive Vice President, Congressional Relations & Public Policy Re: H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act On behalf of the members of the American Bankers Association (ABA), I am writing to express our support for H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act. As proposed, Treasury would invest in community banks through a new program that would be separate and apart from the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). This legislation will serve as another tool for community banks to meet the needs of small businesses in their communities, and we urge the House to pass this legislation. Even with the general economy starting to improve, there are still many areas of the United States that struggle under the weight of the severe downturn. Since banks are a reflection of their communities, they are suffering with the communities they serve. Yet even in areas beset by poor economic conditions there are strong borrowers. Meeting the needs of these borrowers has been made more difficult as regulators pressure many banks to increase their capital-to-asset ratios. Given the severity of the downturn, it is difficult if not impossible for community banks to find new sources of capital. Thus, the only option for many banks is to shrink, which can mean making fewer loans. H.R. 5297 would allow banks to avoid that result and continue meeting the needs of their communities. With an improving economy and public investments, such as those proposed in H.R. 5297, lending can increase faster in some of the hardest hit areas of the country. Community banks, which are the life blood of many communities, can provide the needed capital. While we are supportive of this legislation, we believe the fund could be more effective if it recognized the dynamic nature of a bank's loan portfolio. Roughly 20 percent of a community bank's small business loan portfolio is repaid each year. Under H.R. 5297, a bank would not be viewed as increasing its small business lending until it made enough loans to replace that 20 percent. Recognizing all of a bank's small business lending would make the program more attractive to many community banks. The program's success also will hinge on whether it is made available to banks who actually need the capital. If the program is made available only to those banks who do not need it, the program will fail. There are many viable community banks that would benefit greatly from a comparatively modest investment by the government to help them weather the current economic storms. Past initiatives have left this group of banks on the sidelines and, in many cases, have made it more difficult for them to attract private capital. We encourage you to support making the Treasury program available to banks that are viable on a post-investment basis. The bill also includes a State Small Business Credit Initiative, which we find very promising. Efforts like this in Michigan, for example, have shown great promise over the years they have been in place. Under the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), the MSF deposits the cash into an interest bearing account with that lender and this account will then be pledged as collateral on behalf of the borrower. Based on an amortization schedule, the MSF will draw down the account as the loan principal is paid. In the event of full default, the lender will have rights to the account less a liquidation fee. The proposed State Small Business Credit Initiative would function in a similar manner and, we believe, could provide much needed support for loans made by participating banks. As with the Small Business Lending Fund, ABA recommends that all viable community banks be allowed to participate. While we shall continue to work with Congress as this legislation moves forward, we believe that the legislation can serve as a real tool to help community banks meet the credit needs of their communities. We support passage of H.R. 5297.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010. This legislation will help small businesses survive and thrive in the current economic climate by providing the Secretary of the Treasury temporary authority to make capital investments up to $30 billion to banks and savings associations with assets of less than $10 billion and to their parent holding companies, provided they also have assets of less than $10 billion. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 5297 increases the availability of credit for small businesses. It provides funding to eligible institutions that serve small businesses that are minority- and women-owned and that also serve low-and moderate-income, minority, and other underserved or rural communities. This legislation ensures that all eligible institutions may apply to participate in the program established under this title, without discrimination based on geography, which is very important to the great State of Texas. H.R. 5297 requires eligible institutions receiving capital investments under the program to provide outreach in languages other than English describing the availability and application process to receiving loans from eligible institutions through the use of print, radio, television, or electronic media outlets which target organizations, trade associations, and individuals that represent or work within or are members of minority communities. The Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 contains provisions promoting financial education and literacy and would-be borrowers.

Mr. HINOJOSA. Most importantly, this legislation protects and increases American jobs. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 5297 will help small businesses, community banks, the low- and moderate-income, minorities, and other underserved or rural communities, and all of our constituents. It will help our great country move further down the road towards economic recovery and expansion. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important and timely piece of legislation. National Association of REALTORS', Washington, DC, June 15, 2010. U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative: On behalf of the 1.1 million members of National Association of REALTORS', and their affiliates, I ask for your support of H.R. 5297, the ``Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010,'' introduced by Representative Frank (D-MA). This bill will create the Small Business Lending Fund Program (SBLFP) that would increase the availability of credit to our nation's commercial real estate and small business sectors. Nearly $1.4 trillion of commercial real estate loans will mature over the next several years, with a very limited capacity to refinance. If not addressed, the swelling wave of maturities could place further stress on already fragile financial markets and slow our nation's economic recovery. In addition to addressing the issues facing the commercial real estate industry, improving access to capital for small businesses--widely acknowledged as a critical part of growing the American economy--is also greatly needed. In fact, the percentage of small business owners holding a business loan or credit line fell almost 20 percent last year. Unappreciated is the fact that a significant portion of commercial real estate is owned, leased, and operated by small businesses. Unlike the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), the SBLFP contains lending provisions that help ensure community banks have both the incentive and greater capacity to increase total loans to small businesses by decreasing the dividend cost on the capital investment as lending grows. Additionally, we support Amendment #4 (Minnick, D-ID), which would allow commercial real estate loans for properties for lease to be eligible in the SBLFP. As H.R. 5297 is currently written, only owner-occupied commercial real estate loans qualify for this program, which excludes commercial real estate loans on properties for lease--a significant portion of small businesses that need refinancing assistance. In order to help spur small business hiring and growth, NAR urges you to pass this important legislation. Sincerely, Vicki Cox Golder, CRB, 2010 President, National Association of REALTORS'

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. I rise today in support of H. Res. 879. I want to thank the National Education Association, NEA, and its 3.2 million members for designating November 15 through November 21 as American Education Week. I also wish to acknowledge and thank Representative Minnick from Idaho for introducing this important resolution, and I thank the gentlelady from California for giving me time to speak. As subcommittee chairman for Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness, I congratulate all of our teachers, higher education faculty and staff, custodians, substitute educators, bus drivers, clerical workers, food service professionals, workers in skilled trades, health and student services workers, security guards, technical employees, and librarians for working tirelessly on behalf of our children, parents, and communities. Our Nation's public schools and colleges and universities continue to be the great equalizer and the backbone of American democracy. They open the doors of opportunity to millions of graduates every year. In order to access family-sustaining jobs in our economy, it is imperative that all children, all youth and adults receive a high quality education and are equipped with 21st century skills to thrive in our Nation's economy. As our Nation strives to build a world-class educational system, increase graduation rates at all levels, and improve literacy for adult learners, we must recognize our teachers, our principals, our faculty, and school personnel for their professionalism and extraordinary commitment to care for and educate our children, youth, and adults for a 21st century workforce. I commend President Obama, I commend Chairman Miller and my colleagues for making historic investments in education and for ensuring accessibility and affordability in higher education with the enactment of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. I urge my colleagues and our Nation to observe American Education Week and the invaluable contributions of our Nation's educators. You all make a world of difference in the lives of our students and families. I thank you.

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1409, expressing support for the designation of June 20, 2010, as ``American Eagle Day'' and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States. The American bald eagle has been a part of American culture for hundreds of years. In 1782, the Second Continental Congress established that the bald eagle was the official emblem of the United States because of its uniqueness to North America. It can be seen on the United States seals in public buildings, in schools and even here in the House Chamber. Over the years, the bald eagle has become a living symbol of the United States spirit, freedom, and continual pursuit of excellence. Mr. Speaker, the bald eagle was on the endangered species list a little more than 45 years ago with only 400 nesting pairs in the whole United States. Through conservation, education and careful planning, the American bald eagle has thrived. As a result, the Department of the Interior has taken the bald eagle off both the endangered and threatened species list. The bald eagle has been a national symbol, and its recovery has been a national success story. House Resolution 1409 will not only honor the now-thriving American bald eagle, it will also encourage support of the United States Mint Bald Eagle Commemorative Coin program, which has been a success for the past few years. I want to acknowledge all that the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) and his staff, Matt Meyer, have done to bring attention to the American bald eagle and commend Congressman David Roe for introducing this very important resolution. Mr. Speaker, the American bald eagle is indeed an American icon. I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting H. Res. 1409. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1409) expressing support for designation of June 20, 2010, as ``American Eagle Day'', and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.

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

Mr. HINOJOSA

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5502) to amend the effective date of the gift card provisions of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009.

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.