Mike Honda

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the fifty-fifth anniversary and the lasting legacy of the historic Supreme Court Case, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Handed down on May 17, 1954, the Warren Court's unanimous decision stated that ``separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.'' As a result, de jure racial segregation was ruled a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The case overturned earlier rulings going back to Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896 by declaring that state laws that established separate public schools for black and white students denied black children equal educational opportunities. This victory paved the way for integration and the civil rights movement. Despite this historic victory, over half a century later, we still find huge disparities in the education and opportunities our children are provided at different schools. There have been some advances. Notably, the U.S. Supreme Court ushered in a new chapter in education with its 1974 unanimous decision in Lau v. Nichols, which enumerated the educational rights of English language learners and established that education is a civil right. The court ruled that simply providing all students with equal facilities, books, teachers, and curriculum was not sufficient to guarantee that all students had equal access to a quality education. Sadly, today we are still not fully providing equity in our schools. Education is at the very center of our democratic meritocracy, and it is imperative that every American child be afforded a true opportunity to achieve their highest potential. To reach this ideal, we must establish an education system focused on each child's needs, providing the support they need and wisely funded. We need equity in the education system, wherein resources are allocated based on need, not the current parity-based funding formula that fails to address the needs of each child. Establishing a system that provides funding according to the needs of each child will get us closer to achieving equity. An equitable, need- based system will provide teachers with insight into the educational needs of each student in their classroom. Equitable funding will direct funds based on the needs of each student. Equitable funding will provide the resources to ensure each student will achieve individual success. I have re-introduced the Educational Opportunity and Equity Commission Act, H.R. 1758, to begin the process of overhauling the country's education system and to finally address the disparities among America's schools. This legislation creates a national commission charged with gathering public opinions and insights about how government can improve education and eliminate disparities in the education system. Importantly, the Commission's composition would change the nature of the debate because it will be comprised of parents, teachers and experts on equity, civil rights, education policy, school finance, economics, and taxation. All users and beneficiaries of America's education system will work together from the ground up to develop a school reform road map. As we mark the fifty-fifth anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, we celebrate the advances we have made and re-affirm our commitment to provide a world-class education to each American child. We must ensure sufficient funding to provide a 21st century education to every child based on the child's individual needs, not categorical averages. I hope you will join me in challenging our leaders to fulfill on their obligation to advance the learning of every child.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. I thank the gentlewoman from Texas and always count on her support for the issues that we care about together. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and to commemorate the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, what we call CAPAC, I feel privileged to be here tonight with my colleagues to speak of the Asian and Pacific Islander American history and accomplishments. Additionally, I will be highlighting those issues affecting our community and the priorities for CAPAC. In celebrating the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I want to give thanks to the late Congressman Frank Horton from New York and my good friend, former Secretary Norman Mineta, along with Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Masayuki Matsunaga of Hawaii. It is because of their efforts that May is now designated as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The first 10 days of May coincide with two important anniversaries: one, the arrival of the first Japanese American immigrants on May 7, 1843, to the United States, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. In 1992, Congress passed Public Law No. 102-450, the law that officially designated May of each year as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Today the Asian Pacific Islander community is quickly expanding. Currently, there are approximately 16.2 million APIs living in the United States. By the year 2050, there will be an estimated 43 million Asian Pacific Islanders, comprising 10 percent of the total U.S. population. My home State of California has the largest Asian population at 5 million. The States of New York and Texas followed at 1.4 million and close to 1 million, respectively. The population is also growing in States beyond the usual hubs of New York and California. We are also seeing growth in other areas in our country such as Virginia, Nevada, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Florida. I encourage my congressional colleagues to learn more about the Asian American Pacific Islander populations in their districts and become a member of CAPAC. At this moment, Madam Speaker, I yield to my colleague from California, the gentlewoman, Laura Richardson.

Mr. HONDA. I have a couple of comments to what you had shared with us. One is I'm very, very pleased that you have taken the initiative to join CAPAC, not only because you believe in it, but also there are folks in your district that need to be represented. Your knowledge and your understanding of the communities; that it has to be disaggregated to understand the different necessities and needs of each community rather than looking at one monolithic community, is greatly appreciated because, as you mention, about the census, it is about the census that drives us constitutionally to make sure that we count every person in this country. The fact that you express that there are different strategies of housing based upon family structures; that many times one family per household does not necessarily exist and that many families do live together to be with each other and give each other support, I wanted to thank you for that observation. And one not very known fact about Patsy Mink. When she led the effort to pass the title IX legislation, that she did in fact open up quite a bit of avenues for women, but also I still remember the great tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield to Member Sheila Jackson-Lee. I believe she wanted to address the floor.

Mr. HONDA. I'd like to thank the gentlelady from Hawaii. It appears that the mainland Asian Americans have to strive real hard to catch up to the contributions that many of the folks from Hawaii had accomplished. You mentioned Patsy Mink. I think a lot of us understand that when we come from humble backgrounds--and she often shared that she was born on a plantation; went for many years without shoes. She understood what it meant to be a woman. And I suspect your background has been very similar.

Mr. HONDA. That was a great contest. I believe that Billie Jean King won, didn't she?

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, today, I will vote against H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009. While I have great faith in the new Obama administration and support many of the provisions within the supplemental, I have a number of concerns that precluded me from supporting the bill in its current form. I recognize that our new administration believes that this supplemental is a necessary carryover from the previous administration, but I cannot support the continuation of the Bush Administration's failed modus operandi in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq, and the mis-proportioned 90-10 doctrine of assistance allocation--that is, 90 percent for military investments and only 10 percent for political, economic, and social development. For the past several weeks, I have been working with Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-chair Grijalva to convene a series of panels featuring Afghan and Pakistani diplomats and security experts to discuss a variety of security issues related to Afghanistan and Pakistan. As I reported to President Obama in early May on behalf of the CPC, this six-part forum has produced a number of recommendations for essential elements that should be a part of our strategy going forward, including: (1) building the countries' infrastructure, industry, markets and workforce; (2) involving local leaders at all levels of decision-making; (3) supporting the countries' most effective indigenous reconstruction, stabilization and conflict resolution strategies; (4) educating girls and integrating women into political and economic leadership; and (5) ensuring oversight so that foreign resources support the goals mentioned above. This Supplemental represents our first opportunity to correct the failed approaches of the past, but unfortunately we have not done so. Going forward, I hope that we can work closely with the President to ensure a policy more aligned with the 80-20 model often quoted by General David Petraeus, which would invest 80 percent of resources into political capacity and institutions with only 20 percent for military. In this regard, I, along with other members of the Progressive Caucus, have presented our findings and specific recommendations to our colleagues in Congress, with the intention of informing and improving U.S. policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Again, while I am not supporting this current Supplemental, I was pleased to hear in our meeting with the President, that his FY2010 budget request will move in this direction.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R 347, which grants the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. More than 20,000 Nisei soldiers enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II, collectively earning 21 Medals of Honor, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, 559 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, nine Presidential Unit Citations, and 9,486 Purple Hearts. The 100th Battalion played a pivotal role in our nation's military history. The unit was the first all-Japanese American Nisei military unit, and was formed from the Japanese--Americans who comprised a large part of the Hawaiian National Guard. These Nisei were sent to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin for combat training and later were moved to Camp Shelby, Mississippi for additional training. Approximately 14,000 individuals served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, including the 100th Infantry Battalion, which became the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in American military history. The 442nd saw the highest percentage of casualties of any unit in the Army, earning it the nickname ``Purple Heart Battalion.'' The 442nd is an example which highlights the stellar performance of these Nisei soldiers. These men fought for the U.S. and its allies across Europe in many key battles. The 442nd fought eight major campaigns in France, Germany, and Italy. Most notably, the 442nd suffered more than 800 casualties to free 211 members of a Texas unit who were trapped by the Germans in the rescue of the Lost Battalion. Additionally, the Japanese American soldiers liberated towns such as Brueyeres, Biffontaine, and Belvedere. They also were among the first Allied troops to liberate the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. Though many of their families were unjustly incarcerated in internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans still fought to prove their loyalty to the United States of America and helped pave the way for full racial integration of the Armed Forces. They adopted the phrase ``Remember Pearl Harbor'' as their motto. This bill will bring long overdue recognition to the unique sacrifice these soldiers made overcoming racial hatred at home, serving honorably overseas, and helping change the course of history with their bravery. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Battalion have earned the Congressional Gold Medal. I am a proud original cosponsor of H.R. 347 and I commend my colleague, Representative Adam Schiff, for his work in bringing this legislation to the floor today. I urge my colleagues to support the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion, and honor the service of our nation's Nisei veterans.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a day that represents freedom, liberty and determination for the people of Mexico and Mexican Americans. H. Res. 230, a resolution introduced by my friend Congressman Joe Baca, recognizes the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo, a day on which we celebrate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. While the Mexicans were outnumbered, they defeated a well-equipped French Army that had been undefeated for almost 50 years. The holiday of Cinco de Mayo is mainly a regional celebration in Mexico, while for Mexican Americans it represents heritage and pride. Hispanics are the fastest growing minority community in our Nation. In 2007, the Hispanic population in the United States reached over 45 million, 13.2 million of whom live in California, and it continues to rise. Hispanics now own a record number of small businesses, creating millions of jobs across our country. This Cinco de Mayo, let us thank the members of our Latino community for their important contributions to American culture and society. Please join me in celebrating Cinco de Mayo and appreciating the values, traditions, and contributions of Mexican Americans.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support to the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention/Matthew Shepard Act (H.R. 1913). On the night of October 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard was brutally tortured and murdered by two assailants because he was a gay man. It has been over ten years since America was shocked by that despicable hate crime, and the time for action is long overdue. Today we take a significant step towards protecting Americans from being violently attacked simply for being who they are. Hate crimes continue to spread fear throughout targeted communities to this day. Last year, 18-year old Angie Zapata, a transgendered woman, was murdered by an assailant who defended himself by saying ``it's not like I killed a straight, law-abiding citizen.'' While Angie's murderer was recently convicted for this hate crime, Colorado is the exception in hate crime laws. Most states do not extend hate crime legislation to protect transgendered Americans, leaving some of the most vulnerable members of society with inadequate protections. Protecting citizens from violence is one of the fundamental roles of government. This legislation is necessary to ensure that no American has to live in fear of violence simply because of who they are. In 2008, the FBI reported a 6% increase in violent crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans, despite a 1% overall decline of hate crimes in the U.S. As we mark the ten year anniversary of Matthew's horrific death, and the one year anniversary of the brutal murder of Angie, we must commit ourselves to decide that now is the moment when we push back against the forces of hate. Opponents of the Matthew Shepard Act have claimed that its passage will result in the criminalization of protected speech--even the imprisonment of preachers for condemning homosexuality. This could not be further from the truth. The Act expressly states that it does not prohibit ``any expressive conduct . . ., or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution.'' This means that nobody can be prosecuted under the law for expressing their beliefs about homosexuality. The Act specifically targets people who commit violent acts motivated by the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of another. It also affirmatively protects free speech ensuring that Americans remain free to engage in moral debate, without fear of retribution. The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act will help guard against groups and individuals who seek to terrorize entire communities through brutal violence against targeted individuals. With its passage, we will bring about the changes needed to make clear, once and for all, that hatred of LGBTs and other minorities is no longer a conceivably legitimate excuse for violently attacking another person.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Nowruz, a holiday which marks the traditional Iranian new year. Over 1 million Iranian Americans and the people of Iran celebrated Nowruz on Friday, March 20, and I introduced a resolution which recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz. It expresses also appreciation to Iranian Americans for their contributions to society and wishes Iranian Americans and the people of Iran a prosperous new year. I'm proud to represent a civically engaged Iranian American community, and I'd like to commend the initiative and instrumental support given by the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans and the National Iranian Council, who I have had the pleasure of working with on this resolution. Once again, Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and celebrate Nowruz.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, today, the House of Representatives considered H. Res. 290, a resolution honoring the lives and mourning the tragic loss of four Oakland police officers who were killed in the line of duty. I commend the valor of Sergeant Mark Dunakin, Sergeant Ervin Romans, Sergeant Daniel Sakai, and Officer John Hege. These men were not just police officers, but fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, and friends. My heart goes out to those closest to them, that they may find comfort and peace in their friends and families. Police officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe, and their heroic deeds do not go unnoticed by their communities. Candlelight vigils and prayer ceremonies throughout California as well as the huge swell of public emotion at the passing of these four brave police officers show that Americans understand and value the sacrifices made by police officers. I stand in solidarity with these supporters, and vow that we will not forget these four brave men. We will keep them in our hearts as we strive to make cities and communities safer and bring crime rates down. We will keep them in our minds as we attempt to do a better job of reforming convicts and rehabilitating parolees. As we consider this resolution today, let us rededicate ourselves to the protection of our communities and our law enforcement, so that the deaths of these four men will not have been in vain.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, the GIVE Act. In this time of economic crisis, when people all around our nation are suffering, an increase in service and volunteerism is what we need for a better, safer, kinder country and world. It is more important now than ever before to support and reinvigorate the spirit of service in our country. As the recession intensifies, as more families are left without food, health care, or homes and as our schools suffer, the GIVE Act offers solutions to restore confidence and put our nation on a path to recovery by rebuilding cities, creating green jobs, improving communities, and establishing new service corps for every walk of life. President Obama has asked us all to expand and create new opportunities for service and to recommit ourselves to the spirit of service that has always characterized our Nation. President Obama understands that the benefits of service are immeasurable. Other than the obvious personal gains that can be derived from volunteering, the concept of volunteerism is a simple one--service to our neighbors, near or far, that need a hand in this time of economic hardship. America is facing challenges today. We have seen higher unemployment, more people without insurance, more homes in foreclosure, and the number of people in poverty rise all as a result of a struggling economy, a lack of skills training, and poor education. The GIVE Act will help fund service programs for high-need, low-income communities which will in turn provide training programs, support social entrepreneurship, and help engage citizens in service-learning to address the specific challenges faced by their communities. As a teacher and returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I cannot tell you how happy I am to see us focus our attention on national service. The GIVE Act's strength lies not only in the number of programs it expands and creates, but in its desire to provide service opportunities for people of all ages and for future generations. It takes important steps to incentivize service, grow the number of Americorps volunteers nationwide to 250,000, and assist students in the pursuit of public service careers. The GIVE Act is an incredibly important and comprehensive piece of legislation that reflects our values as a nation. I urge my colleagues in the House to support this legislation and those in the Senate to quickly pass it so that we can expand federally funded national service opportunities.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to give voice to several of my constituents' stories about how they are being impacted by the economic downturn. One constituent, Robert, told me about how he and his wife lost nearly 60 percent of their retirement funds. They have no pensions, no 401(k)s, and no health care coverage. Another constituent told me how he lost his job 4 months ago and is now drowning in college loans and bills. These stories are all too common. Every one of us is feeling the effects of the economic downturn. But I, along with my colleagues in Congress, will advocate for you and your family's needs every day.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, each February we celebrate Black History Month. This year, with the inauguration of President Barack Obama, the centennial of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, our celebration of the unique contributions of African Americans to our communities and our Nation is particularly meaningful. Black History Month gives us a chance to reflect on those individuals who have changed the course of American history. We remember political leaders, such as Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr. who fought valiantly to bring civil rights and social equality to African Americans. We honor athletic heroes, such as Jackie Robinson and Willie Thrower, gifted artists such as Louis Armstrong and Ray Charles, and scientists and inventors such as George Washington Carver and Benjamin Banneker, who for decades showed African Americans that they could make a mark in the world. Race relations in our Nation have come a long way since the days of its founding, and even since the 1960's when equal rights were equal on paper only in many places. Last month, amid adoring cries and astronomical crowds, Americans inaugurated their first African American President: President Barack Obama. In years past, we have been able to read our children stories of great accomplishments made by African Americans. We have been able to encourage our children, showing them by example that they can achieve anything they set their hearts to. This year, parents and teachers around the country will read to their children not only the stories of Douglass, of Parks, and of Booker T. Washington, but also the story of an African American boy who grew up to become the President of the United States. The story of the Black people in America continues to develop with each passing year, and this year proved a climactic chapter, full of hope and opportunity for the future. As the proud founder and chairman of the Congressional Ethiopia and Ethiopian American Caucus, one of my goals is to increase awareness around the United States of the important contributions that members of the Ethiopian American community have made to our society. I am truly grateful for the diverse contributions of African Americans to our Nation and I encourage everyone to take time to learn more about their achievements during Black History Month. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 83, which recognizes the significance of Black History Month, and I thank my friend Representative Al Green for introducing the resolution.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, as a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I am honored to formally recognize the work of the Peace Corps on the 48th Anniversary of its inception and to help kick off National Peace Corps Week. Countries from all over the globe will celebrate past contributions to the international community from the Peace Corps as well as look forward with anticipation to what the future holds for the organization. During National Peace Corps Week, we salute and honor the men and women of this Nation who have selflessly served abroad as Peace Corps Volunteers, as well as those current Volunteers who continue to carry out the Peace Corps mission: world peace and friendship. The Peace Corp provides a unique opportunity for Volunteers to travel the world and help some of the most impoverished people in the world while improving oneself. I fondly remember my time as a volunteer in El Salvador after answering President John F. Kennedy's call to service where I built schools and health clinics. The experience meant much to me personally and professionally, the beginning of my lifelong commitment to public service. I returned with a passion for teaching, and quickly put my skills, including fluency in Spanish, to use in Santa Clara County schools. Most importantly, I returned to the United States with a deeper understanding of humanity and a personal commitment to speak on behalf of the marginalized and powerless. Since President John F. Kennedy's call to service in 1960, over 195,000 people have served as Peace Corps Volunteers spanning 139 countries. I hope that these numbers can be greatly expanded as a new era of hope and service begins. Today, a renewed call to service has been issued by President Barack Obama challenging Americans from all walks of life to bear the torch of peace and good will that many Americans in the past have carried proudly to other countries. I am greatly encouraged by President Obama's commitment to expand public service by building upon the Peace Corps and creating innovative programs that inspire Americans to volunteer and serve. In addition, President Obama supports the expansion of the Peace Corps to 16,000 by 2011, the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary. I am in total support of the expansion of this worthy and necessary organization. Today, I honor the Peace Corps and its brave Volunteers for their service to our Nation and to the international community. For years, the volunteers of the Peace Corps have helped developing nations fulfill their needs for trained men and women, championed the cause of charity and philanthropy, found common ways to address global challenges, and set forth a dialogue of understanding between Americans and locals from other countries. Peace Corps Volunteers set a universal standard for how we are to embrace the realities of an ever-shrinking world. With a bleak economic outlook and an international community under pressure, the Peace Corps mission is more vital than ever. I look forward to helping President Barack Obama fulfill his promise of renewing America's reputation worldwide and revitalizing America's commitment to service.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I rise today in support of H.R. 44, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, which recognizes the great suffering and loyalty of the people of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II. On December 8, 1941, concurrent with the attack on Pearl Harbor, Imperial Japanese forces invaded and seized control of the island of Guam, a United States Territory. Guam was occupied for the following thirty months, during which time its people were subjected to executions, beatings, rape, forced labor, and forced marches. In the final months of the occupation, all residents were interned in concentration camps. The Guam Meritorious Claims Act of 1945 provided some relief to residents of Guam, but in 2004, the Guam War Claims Review Commission determined that there was a lack of parity in war claims for the people of Guam compared to other war claims programs authorized by Congress for similarly-affected U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals. The Commission felt that the U.S. government had a ``moral obligation'' to provide redress for the people of Guam, which is the goal of H.R. 44. As an original cosponsor of the bill, I support this objective wholeheartedly. I am proud to honor and recognize the patriotism shown by the people of Guam and the sacrifices they made during World War II and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 44. This is long-overdue legislation to compensate eligible residents of Guam for deaths and injuries suffered during the Japanese occupation.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 554, the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act. I commend Chairman Bart Gordon and the other members of the Science and Technology Committee, on which I am proud to have once served, for the hard work and thoughtful consideration that went into this bill. I am pleased that this bill includes numerous provisions that I originally proposed in my own legislation, the Nanotechnology Advancement and New Opportunities (NANO) Act, H.R. 820. Nanotechnology has the potential to create entirely new industries and radically transform the basis of competition in other fields, and I am proud of my work with former Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert on the Nanotechnology Research and Development Act of 2003 to foster research in this area. But one of the things policymakers have heard from experts is that while the United States is a leader in nanotechnology research, our foreign competitors are focusing more resources and effort on the commercialization of those research results than we are. Both H.R. 554 and my own bill would focus America's nanotechnology research and development programs on areas of national need such as energy , health care, and the environment, and have provisions to help assist in the commercialization of nanotechnology. In recent months, there has been much discussion about potential health and safety risks associated with nanotechnology. Uncertainty is one of the major obstacles to the commercialization of nanotechnology-- uncertainty about what the risks might be and uncertainty about how the federal government might regulate nanotechnology in the future. Both my bill and H.R. 554 require the development of a nanotechnology research plan that will ensure the development and responsible stewardship of nanotechnology. Other important areas that are addressed by both H.R. 554 and H.R. 820 include: the development of curriculum tools to help improve nanotechnology education; the establishment of educational partnerships to help prepare students to pursue postsecondary education in nanotechnology; support for the development of environmentally beneficial nanotechnology; and the development of advanced tools for simulation and characterization to enable rapid prediction, characterization and monitoring for nanoscale manufacturing. I am also pleased that H.R. 554 will require that the NNI Advisory Panel must be a stand-alone advisory committee. This is a concept I originally proposed in 2002 in the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Advisory Board Act (H.R. 5669 in the 107th Congress). I would like to thank the members of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Nanotechnology (BRTFN), a panel of California nanotechnology experts with backgrounds in established industry, startup companies, consulting groups, non-profits, academia, government, medical research, and venture capital that I convened with then-California State Controller Steve Westly during 2005, for the important recommendations included in its report, Thinking Big About Thinking Small, many of which are reflected in the bill we are considering today. I would also like to thank Scott Hubbard, who was the Director of the NASA Ames Research Center at that time and who served as working chair of the BRTFN, and all of the staff at Ames whose hard work made the task force run so well and helped produced a great report. The report is available on my Web site at http://honda.house.gov/issues/links/brtfn_report_final.pdf. Again, I congratulate the Science and Technology Committee and Chairman Gordon for their work on this bill and thank them for incorporating so many of the provisions from my bill into H.R. 554, and I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation to reauthorize the nation's nanotechnology research and development program.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the introduction of the Nanotechnology Advancement and New Opportunities (NANO) Act. The NANO Act is a comprehensive bill to promote the development and responsible stewardship of nanotechnology in the United States. The legislation draws upon the work of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Nanotechnology, a panel of California nanotechnology experts with backgrounds in established industry, startup companies, consulting groups, non-profits, academia, government, medical research, and venture capital that I convened with during 2005. Nanotechnology has the potential to create entirely new industries and radically transform the basis of competition in other fields, and I am proud of my work with former Science Committee Chairman Sherry Boehlert on the Nanotechnology Research and Development Act of 2003 to foster research in this area. But one of the things I have heard from experts in the field is that while the United States is a leader in nanotechnology research, our foreign competitors are focusing more resources and effort on the commercialization of those research results than we are. In its report Thinking Big About Thinking Small, which can be found on my website, the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Nanotechnology made a series of recommendations for ways that the nation can promote the development and commercialization of nanotechnology. The NANO Act includes a number of these recommendations. In addition, the bill addresses concerns that have been raised about whether the federal government is doing enough to address potential health and safety risks associated With nanotechnology. The NANO Act requires the development of a nanotechnology research strategy that establishes research priorities for the federal government and industry that will ensure the development and responsible stewardship of nanotechnology. This strategy will help to resolve the uncertainty that is one of the major obstacles to the commercialization of nanotechnology--uncertainty about what the risks might be and uncertainty about how the Federal government might regulate nanotechnology in the future. The NANO Act also includes a number of provisions to create partnerships, raise awareness, and implement strategic policies to resolve obstacles and promote nanotechnology. It will: create a public- private investment partnership to address the nanotechnology commercialization gap; establish a tax credit for investment in nanotechnology firms; authorize a grant program to support the establishment and development of nanotechnology incubators; establish a Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for ``nano-CAD'' tools; establish grant programs for nanotechnology research to address specific challenges in the areas of energy, environment, homeland security, and health; establish a tax credit for nanotechnology education and training program expenses; establish a grant program to support the development of curriculum materials for interdisciplinary nanotechnology courses at higher education institutions; direct NSF to establish a program to encourage manufacturing companies to enter into partnerships with occupational training centers for the development of training to support nanotechnology manufacturing; and call for the development of a strategy for increasing interaction on nanotechnology interests between DOE national labs and the informal science education community. I look forward to working with Science and Technology Committee Chairman Gordon to incorporate these provisions as his committee works to reauthorize the Nation's nanotechnology research and development program.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague Congressman Bobby Scott for his leadership in seeking to bring transparency to the operation state and local prisons. Congressman Scott's legislation, the Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2009, compels state and local governments to report deaths of prisoners in state prisons and local jails, and juvenile correctional facilities. This reporting is an incredibly useful oversight tool, and ensures accountability and transparency in our state and local facilities. The data that will be reported under the bill will allow public officials and those in the nonprofit sector to track mortality rates as related to illness, suicide, homicide, drug and alcohol use, and other causes of death. This data is crucial if we hope to reduce deaths in custody, and promote safer custody through the reduction of suicide, drug abuse, violence, and the provision of proper medical care. Again, I applaud Congressman Scott for his efforts and leadership and urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I thank my Chairman, Mr. Obey, for his hard work and the hard work of his staff on the Appropriations Committee's portion of the bill, and I thank the other committee chairs and staff for their work on the other portions of this bill. This recovery package is the first crucial step in a concerted effort to create and save up to 4 million jobs and jumpstart our economy while transforming it for the 21st century. As a former teacher and principal, I firmly believe that education is the key to our nation's future. H.R. 1 makes bold investments to provide children with a 21st century education, create hundreds of thousands of education related jobs, and build a top-notch workforce trained for jobs of the future. The bill includes $20 billion for school modernization, $79 billion in state fiscal relief to prevent the layoff of teachers and other cutbacks in education, $13 billion to help disadvantaged students reach high academic standards through Title I grants, and $13 billion to help special needs children succeed through IDEA special education grants. I had suggested some specific ideas that could provide a significant ``bang for our buck'' and stimulate the economy in the short-term while also making a long-term investment in education, which unfortunately did not make it into the bill. In particular, I think there is value in the idea of prizes for educational innovation in areas of high need such as multimedia video lessons, individualized interactive learning software, rigorous assessments that measure critical thinking and problem solving, longitudinal data systems, and affordable portable computers. Small investments in prizes for achievements in each of these areas, $10 million for each for a total of $50 million, can leverage private contributions immediately and produce teaching tools that will be useful for years to come. I plan to continue to seek support for this and other novel approaches to education funding in the coming year. As a representative from Silicon Valley, I am pleased that the bill renews America's investment in basic research and development and in deploying new technologies, including broadband internet access, into the marketplace. Internet connectivity is essential to giving everyone in America an equal chance to succeed. One particular area deserving attention as we move forward is the usefulness of broadband access for first responders. President Obama's inauguration was incident free because the Washington region's first responders had access to a dedicated wireless broadband network. Establishing similar systems around the country could generate jobs and enhance public safety. Silicon Valley has been focusing an ever greater portion of its resources on developing clean, efficient, renewable energy solutions, and so I support the inclusion of investments and incentives for the development and deployment of both renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The steps we can take to help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels will both save people much needed money and put people to work. Some are as simple as installing attic insulation in insufficiently efficient homes, others are more technically advanced efforts to research and develop new energy technologies. I am glad this bill includes all of these. I appreciate the inclusion of $300 million for Diesel Emissions Reduction Act programs. These grants and loans will put people to work retrofitting vehicles and manufacturing the needed equipment. Again, this is both a good government measure, in that it will help achieve clean air goals, and it is a temporary stimulative effort. My only regret is the bill does not include even more funding--my state of California alone can make use of $1.6 billion. If there is an opportunity to increase the funding for DERA during conference, I would support that effort. In Silicon Valley, we face many of the same transportation challenges as other communities across our nation--deteriorating roads and bridges, traffic congestion, limited transit capacity, and limited state and local funds that are keeping construction workers out of work. H.R. 1 will create more than 800,000 jobs nationwide through investment in transportation, with $30 billion for highway construction and additional funding for transit and rail to reduce traffic congestion. In these difficult economic times, all Americans are worried about the rising cost of health care. H.R. 1 invests $20 billion in health information technology, which will bring Silicon Valley innovation to the health care field to cut red tape, prevent medical mistakes, and help reduce health care costs. As the saying goes, ``an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,'' and this bill makes a real investment of $3 billion in prevention, which will help reduce health care spending, saving billions of dollars per year. I note that a few diseases are singled out in the bill, and I have some concerns that all of it could be taken up by HIV/AIDS programs, and look forward to working with Chairman Obey and Secretary Daschle to ensure that some of the funding is available for the Division of Viral Hepatitis in CDC. I would like to express my thanks to Chairman Obey for including of $1 billion in sorely needed funding for the decennial census, particularly for the $150 million for expanded communications and outreach programs. Not only is this funding essential for good government, but it will put people to work right away in essential jobs. This funding is by definition temporary because the Census is a periodic effort, so it meets all the criteria for an economic stimulus. Finally, I would like to highlight an area that is at the core of our current economic crisis, housing affordability and the freeze up of the credit markets. Well meaning efforts to develop affordable housing are currently facing significant challenges in getting started because they cannot find financing in today's credit markets. The Ways and Means Committee has included some provisions related to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit programs in the bill, including a grant program to help fill the capital gap and get construction on these projects started. I support the inclusion of appropriations for this grant program to the level needed so that these tax credits can provide the benefit they were designed to deliver. Again, I thank Chairman Obey, Chairman Rangel, Chairman Waxman, and all of the other committee chairs and their staff for their hard work on this legislation and their efforts to help all those across our nation who desperately need the programs included in this bill and who are calling upon us to return our nation's economy return to health.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2, the State Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. Over the last 2 years, it has become necessary to fund the Children's Health Insurance Program in some States through supplemental appropriations as program wait-lists grew and children waited for care. Now, with the country in the midst of the severest financial crisis in decades, parents are more concerned than ever about the health and well-being of their children. The bill before us today represents an investment in our Nation's safety net; by preserving and expanding the program to provide coverage for 11 million children over the next 4\1/ 2\ years, the bill alleviates some of the stress placed on men and women faced with unemployment. My home county of Santa Clara was the first in the Nation to ensure that every child with parents at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level has real access to regular health care as a result of being insured. The county's Children's Health Initiative raises its own money to add to State and Federal funding in order to keep all the children of my district healthy--last year, the program enrolled over 144,000 children and serves as a model for 17 other California counties. This innovation is threatened by the county's $220 million projected budget deficit for fiscal year 2009; and we in Santa Clara County face the possibility of deep cuts in our healthcare system totaling nearly $100 million. The budget woes of the State of California limit the assistance it can provide, and so without this reauthorization of SCHIP, the financial burden on the county would be significantly heavier. I'm proud to vote today for legislation that will provide our program and our county's children with much needed stability for the next 4\1/2\ years. As the chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, it is particularly gratifying to see the inclusion of a provision in this bill that will allow States to waive the 5-year waiting period for Medicaid and SCHIP imposed on pregnant women and children who are legally present in the United States. It is morally unconscionable that pregnant women and innocent children have been made victims of a raucous and frequently misleading immigration debate. Hundreds of thousands of people from Asian countries immigrated legally to the United States in 2007 and 2008; at the very least the children in those families deserve to have health insurance and access to care. CAPAC has consistently joined with the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus in advocating for protection of this vulnerable population and I thank Speaker Pelosi and our other House leadership for redressing this injustice. The passage of this bill protects the health of millions of American children. It is the first step in a long journey toward repairing our healthcare system and providing universal coverage, care, and access to the people of our Nation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to complete that journey. I urge the Senate to act in as swift and responsible manner as we do today and pass this bill.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 11, I was caught in traffic from Dulles, and had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 41, supporting the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month, observed each January. It is a time to celebrate and highlight the positive impact adult and student mentors have on the youth of the Nation. Young people from all walks of life have the potential and ability to succeed and contribute to society. Unfortunately, not all students receive the support necessary to realize their full potential. As many as 15 million young students in our country lack the vital guidance they need to support the emotional, social, cognitive, and academic development that will enable them to reach their maximum potential and become prospering adults. With limited resources and the considerably high teacher to student ratios in our schools, teachers in the classroom face the daunting task of providing students with emotional and personal support in addition to academic instruction. The work accomplished by our teachers is admirable, but teachers alone cannot prepare young students to become fruitful, mature adults. Mentors are critical to helping foster the personal growth of each individual child. Together with parents, mentors provide youth with a wide array of guidance and support to enhance their social and character development. A good mentor is willing to sacrifice for his or her mentee and gives attention in all areas of life. Mentors provide encouragement in student endeavors, private counsel in delicate matters, leadership through difficult times, and advice. Such mentoring produces students who perform better in school academically, become more actively involved in their schools, have more self-confidence, and take responsibility for their own actions. As a mentor, I have seen and experienced the mutual benefits of mentorship both for the student and the mentor. Mentors are doing incredible work and I praise their commitment to our children and their future. However, more mentors than ever are needed, and our Nation faces a shortage of mentors. As a Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to support funding for student-mentor programs and to greatly expand awareness of the benefits of mentoring. Together with my colleagues, I will encourage more adults to mentor young students as well as help train adults and students to support, guide, and lead young students. Students need more caring mentors and our children desperately need access to them. We cannot depend solely on our teachers to guide our children. It is my hope that each child in America will some day have access to his or her own mentor. Although we face a faltering economy and tight budgets, the choice to cut corners on our children's future is not an option. Our children deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential and the opportunity to succeed in every endeavor they pursue. I would like to thank Representative Susan Davis for introducing this legislation and providing this opportunity to renew the commitment of Congress to expanding and enhancing mentoring relationships for our Nation's youth. In addition, I want to thank all the mentors across America for their dedication and generosity.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the great pleasure of supporting of H. Res. 43, which recognizes the hard work of those who serve in their communities on Martin Luther King Day and promotes the holiday as a day of national service. During Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s lifetime, he worked tirelessly towards creating a more just America, seeking to not only heal this nation's racial divides, but to empower all Americans to take responsibility for bettering their communities through service. Recognizing this legacy, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act in 1994, designating the King Holiday as a national day of volunteer service and asking Americans of all backgrounds and ages to honor Dr. King's legacy by engaging in service projects in their communities. Since Congress passed the act 14 years ago, millions of Americans have come together on the third Monday of January to engage in service projects ranging from mentoring children to building homes. By bringing together neighbors who might not normally meet, the King Day of Service strengthens our communities and country by breaking down barriers that have historically divided us and promoting civic engagement. Although participation in the King Day of Service has increased each year, many Americans remain unaware of the service component of the holiday, making it essential for more organizations to promote this fitting tribute to Dr. King's memory. As the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I am proud to join the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the National Service Caucus in co-sponsoring a food drive to support the Capitol Area Food Bank, whose resources are running thin. In Washington, DC alone, 56,000 children are at risk of being hungry on any day of the year. But with the convergence of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal holiday and the Presidential Inauguration, these children face a long 5-day weekend when the school breakfasts and lunches upon which they depend will not be available. I am proud to recognize the millions of Americans inspired by the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to serve their communities and encourage all my colleagues in Congress and our fellow Americans to join their neighbors in community service projects on this important day and throughout the year.