Mazie Hirono

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. With that, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution and continue to support Impact Aid, which truly represents equal educational opportunities for our millions of children across our country. Happy 60th anniversary, Impact Aid. I yield back the remainder of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am the sponsor of House Resolution 1641, celebrating September 30, 2010, as the 60th anniversary of the Impact Aid program. Hawaii schools received $55.5 million in Federal Impact Aid for fiscal years 2008 and 2009, the most recent years for which data is available. The majority of public school funding in America comes from local property taxes. Unfortunately, in school districts where the Federal Government controls part of the land, districts cannot collect revenue in local property taxes. Hawaii, for example, hosts many large U.S. military bases where thousands of our brave men and women and their families live and work. These bases do not generate property tax revenue to help educate Hawaii's military children and all of our children in Hawaii's schools. In Hawaii, as in other States, our national parks, Federal prisons, Indian lands, and low-rent public housing also decrease the property tax revenue available for schools. Left uncorrected, our children in federally impacted areas would have less funding for education than their peers in areas with no Federal impact. This is patently unfair. In 1950, Congress recognized the need to address this inequity and created Impact Aid, the original civil rights education law. Impact Aid reimburses the school districts for the costs of hosting Federal property and educating federally connected children. Today, just as in 1950, we recognize the Federal obligation to support high-quality education for all children. No matter what type of land you live on, and especially if your family serves our Nation, all our children deserve a high-quality education. Our Impact Aid community crosses all partisan and geographic divides. We have the military community, Indian land school districts, urban and rural communities, Democratic and Republican districts, districts large and small. Today Impact Aid payments support over 11 million children in nearly 1,500 school districts. The need for Federal Impact Aid is especially important now, as Hawaii and school districts nationwide continue to recover from the greatest recession since the 1930s. Impact Aid funds come with few strings attached and help districts support a wide range of vital services, including teacher salaries, tutoring, after-school programs, textbooks, utilities, and other local needs. Today we celebrate Impact Aid for advancing educational equity and recognize that we still have much to do to give all our children a truly world-class education. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Once again, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the recognition of all of the hardworking principals throughout our country, and with that, I yield the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and especially at this time, at a time when we need to be strengthening and enhancing our STEM education. I think that this is a very important resolution to focus our attention on those issues. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 566, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. In closing, Mr. Speaker, it is very clear, and I thank my colleagues for their very strong remarks in support of this resolution, because domestic violence truly knows no bounds; and the women, children, and seniors who are the most vulnerable in our communities, who are generally the victims of domestic violence, need our support and our help. So I again urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1637.

Ms. HIRONO. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1637) supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2010 and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should continue to raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating effects on families and communities, and support programs and practices designed to prevent and end domestic violence, as amended.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green).

Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1637, which supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to be recognized this October. National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an important time to raise awareness of domestic violence and its devastating effects on our families and communities. In addition, this month offers organizations, social workers, and public officials a chance to spread the word about the resources which help victims seek the help they desperately need. I would like to thank Representatives Poe and Green for introducing this important measure. And once again, I express my support for House Resolution 1637. Domestic violence is defined as the willful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. It is an epidemic that affects women, men, and children in every community regardless of age, sex, economic status, nationality, or educational background. One in four women and one in six men will be victims of domestic violence in their lifetime, and 15\1/2\ million children are abused every year. Children exposed to domestic violence are more likely themselves to commit acts of domestic violence when they are adults, and to commit suicide, abuse drugs, and engage in teenage prostitution. It is critical that our communities have the resources they need both to help prevent domestic violence from occurring and to support victims when abuse has occurred. During this month, communities and groups nationwide hold events to increase awareness of domestic violence and the resources available to help victims escape the cycles of violence. Additionally, these events educate the public about ways to prevent and end abuse. We especially recognize the hard work and dedication shown by organizations and individuals that serve victims of abuse and educate the public about domestic violence prevention. Mr. Speaker, I once again express my support for House Resolution 1637 which recognizes the month of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1637 into the Record.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4072) to require that certain Federal job training and career education programs give priority to programs that provide a national industry-recognized and portable credential, as amended.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H.R. 4072 into the Record.

Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4072, the American Manufacturing Efficiency and Retraining Investment Collaboration Act, or AMERICA Works Act. This bill would direct the use of the Workforce Investment Act funds for programs that provide a national industry- recognized and portable credential certificate or degree. It would also encourage industry-recognized credentials that are nationally recognized and portable under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. Since May, the jobless rate has stayed about the same and economists predict unemployment will remain high for months to come. Despite current unemployment, employers continue to report a skills gap. Manufacturing, healthcare, and energy sectors in particular are finding it difficult to match workers with skills and industry-recognized credentials with employers that have job openings. As the economic outlook continues to stabilize, we must continue to take measures to bring about a full recovery, including investments in strengthening our Nation's workforce. One of the best ways to prepare today's workforce for today's fast- paced changing global economy is to offer training in industry recognized skills. This bill invests in training towards industry- recognized portable credentials, to help students build the skill sets needed to fill specialized in-demand jobs. Industry-recognized credentials exist in many sectors of our economy. In manufacturing, industry leaders all across this sector have endorsed a system of skills certification for entry level workers. According to the president of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, addressing the current skills mismatch could reduce national unemployment from 9.6 percent to as low as 6.5 percent. This bill complements current sector approaches that modernize our workforce system, aligning job training strategies that help individuals improve their skills to find good jobs and employers hire skilled workers. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative Minnick and the cosponsors of H.R. 4072 for bringing this bill forward. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Minnick).

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would once again urge my colleagues to support the AMERICA Works Act. At a time when unemployment is high, we need to do everything we can to enable our workers not only to be trained, but to be able to utilize that training anywhere in our country. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would once again urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1645. It takes many people to enable a child to succeed, and school psychologists are definitely among those. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1645) expressing support for designation of the week beginning on November 8, 2010, as National School Psychology Week.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members be granted 5 legislative days to revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1645 into the Record.

Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1645, which honors and recognizes the contributions of school psychologists in our Nation's education system by designating the week of November 8, 2010, as National School Psychology Week. School psychologists are mental health professionals with specialized training who understand that many students face barriers to learning and need additional support to overcome these barriers and improve academic and behavioral outcomes. There are more than 35,000 credentialed school psychologists in this country who are essential in helping children succeed in school. National School Psychology Week reminds us of the integral role school psychologists play daily in our schools to help ensure that our students have an opportunity to reach his or her full potential. I would like to thank Representative Loebsack for introducing this important measure and, once again, express my support for House Resolution 1645. The work of school psychologists helps reduce high school dropout rates, decreases problem behaviors, and promotes academic success. School psychologists work together with youth, parents, and educators to identify and reduce risk factors, create safe schools, and access community resources. Mental health professionals in the academic setting, including school psychologists, can play an important role in increasing a student's engagement in school. The results of this work can be seen in absolute, concrete terms. Research points to higher standardized test scores and better grades as well as decreased absences and discipline referrals. School psychologists are a vital resource in helping us narrow the achievement gap and reducing disproportionate representation of students from diverse backgrounds in special education. Mr. Speaker, I once again express my support for House Resolution 1645 which recognizes the week of November 8th as National School Psychology Week. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1663) supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.

Ms. HIRONO. In closing, I too want to ask my colleagues to support this important resolution, as it affects so many thousands and thousands of people, particularly the African American community. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1663, which supports the designation of the month of September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects between 70,000 and 100,000 Americans and many more around the world. While there is no cure, there have been recent advancements in the search, giving hope to millions affected by the disease. Researchers believe that with continued research and funding, sickle cell disease may become more manageable within the next two decades and no longer interfere with the activity, growth, or mental development of those affected. In addition, education and public awareness can play a critical role in fighting the disease, as early diagnosis can often help those who suffer from sickle cell disease manage its effects. I want to thank Representative Fudge for introducing this resolution. Once again, I express my support for House Resolution 1663, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. Two million Americans have the sickle cell trait, including 1 in 12 African-Americans. Children born to parents with the sickle cell trait have a 1 in 4 chance of having the disease. Sickle cell disease is devastating to those who suffer from it. The rapid destruction of sickle cells can result in anemia, jaundice, gallstones, strokes, and possible liver, spleen and kidney damage. As a result, individuals with the disease often experience considerable pain in their arms, legs, chest, and abdomen as well as shortened life spans. Once again I express my support for House Resolution 1663 which designates the month of September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.