Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, on Veterans Day, I was pleased to join my many friends and colleagues honoring our veterans, our soldiers, and their families. We stood in front of the Houston City Hall with many, many veterans and their families, local elected officials and Members of Congress, United States Senate, and many, many soldiers and veterans. And we simply said thank you, thank you to them for putting on the uniform. A number of us mentioned that it was only days away from a contentious election, and I specifically said how grateful I am that I live in a nation that allows a contentious election but yet to have the right to peacefully transfer power. Let me also take note of some of the seismic changes that we faced in Texas. I am excited about the newly elected officials in Harris County, the new district attorney, the new sheriff, tax assessor, the new judges that will come, all of them elected by the people. To my community, from Dallas to San Antonio, Galveston and Beaumont, with a new sheriff, the first African American woman, I say that this is democracy. In an hour or two, I will discuss some of the elements that undermined democracy. But I celebrate our soldiers, Mr. Speaker. I honor them for wearing the uniform to give me a sense of freedom and to allow democracy to work.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Afghanistan, I rise to congratulate and extend best wishes to the people and Government of Afghanistan on the 97th anniversary of their independence. It was 97 years ago, on August 19, 1919, that King Amanullah Khan declared Afghanistan's independence from the British Empire. Afghanistan has faced many challenges for almost a century since its independence but through the perseverance and resilience of its people and their leaders, Afghanistan has forged strong relationships with the international community and with its neighbors. In celebrating the 97th anniversary of Afghanistan's National Independence Day, I say to the people of Afghanistan that you have a friend and partner in the United States as you work to build a better future for your children and grandchildren.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, first, I rise to acknowledge the brave Houstonians' law enforcement from many different jurisdictions who came to the aid of nine individuals who were shot randomly by a shooter in the last couple of days in Houston in a southwest shopping center, a place where many go for groceries, visit small businesses, and do their daily business, where many people are at work. Out of nowhere came a shooter whose home was ultimately investigated, where many items of military apparel and a load of guns were there to provide fear, I guess, in his decision to go on a shooting rampage after having a calm dinner with his family the night before. This was an attorney, and our law enforcement are still investigating. My appreciation to the work and the detailed work that they are doing, and as well my appreciation and applause for the resiliency of Houstonians who came to the aid of their neighbors. Then those who are recovering, I express my concern. But we will draw together and find a way to end this senseless violence and to begin to heal this Nation. Russia is Impacting and Attempting to Undermine the Fabric of Democracy

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise as well to make it very clear that we do not have to speculate as we begin to see unfolding the Russian hacking of a number of governmental entities and, yes, the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and many others. There is no doubt that Russia is impacting and attempting to undermine the very fabric of democracy in this country. Now, I believe that we should engage with all nations the values of this Nation of democracy. The rights of freedom, a Declaration of Independence that guarantees unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are wonderful values, and we should not be afraid to engage with despotic regimes who disagree with us--Russia being one. We should be alert and realize that, as we go into this election process, every well-informed citizen should be able to see something and say something. All of our law enforcement and intelligence community should be sensitive to the possible destruction and undermining of our democratic process. Today it has been announced and determined that Russia did have something to do with the downing of that flight over Ukraine. How sad for those families and how hurting for the people of Ukraine to be able to know that they, as a sovereign nation, in a time that one would be advocating for peace and living harmoniously with their neighbors--that their very large neighbor, in addition to taking Crimea, would also be threatening their skies and their people. This is serious. The electoral political system that we have come to depend upon requires us to be diligent without ceasing that every vote of every American is counted. However they vote, there should be no aftermath of a foreign entity having hacked into any process that would deny America her precious right to vote and the decision on those who will serve them and certainly the Presidency of the United States. Let no candidate be so close to the Russian apparatus that we do not follow the trail and investigate wherever it is necessary to ensure the sanctity of that process. Let me also say that it is important, as this Congress begins to deal with the confusion of the continuing resolution, that it be noted that we have not addressed the question of gun violence, ending gun violence, closing the loophole that is so important in a background check that allows people to get guns because they get it without the background check being completed; or in the issue of terrorism, that those who are on the terrorist watch list have random access to buying guns. Simple legislation that could be passed. I think it is crucial in America that we do so because the violence has many roots--housing, health care, poverty--but certainly it has the tool, and that is guns. That is automatic weapons like AK-47s and others more sophisticated. America has a right to the Second Amendment, but the people of America have a right to safety and the prevention of gun violence in their community. Continuing Resolution

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me also talk about Houston, Texas, and the tax day floods. It is important that the CR covers the floods of Houston and covers Baton Rouge, as well as the water crisis in Flint. Let us do what the American people ask us to come here for: to be an umbrella on a rainy day, helping people, coming to their aid, clean water in Flint, providing for the people in Greenspoint, the reimbursement of the city of Houston, and helping the people of Baton Rouge get on their feet. Let us help America as we should.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the people of Israel in mourning the loss of Shimon Peres, a statesman, a lover of his country, but a lover of people around the world, one who, in 1976, won a Nobel Peace Prize for laying out one of the unique and important although, unfortunately, short-lived framework for peace. He was one who believed in a two-state solution, respected by Israel and its people, but also the leaders and people around the world. I had the privilege of meeting him on a number of occasions, and I might say that his calm voice was a welcome intrusion in, sometimes, a world of discord. Although he stood by his nation in time of war, and may, in times of analysis, have many thoughts about his leadership as President and Prime Minister, several times, and many other positions, one can say that clearly he loved his country, but he loved the people of the world and he loved peace. I give my deepest sympathy, again, to the people of Israel, his family and friends. We in the world and, of course, this Nation have lost a dear and beloved friend who truly believed in peace.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member. I think it is important to state on the floor of the House that President Obama has been an outstanding Commander in Chief. I have served on the Judiciary Committee proudly for the tenure I have had in the United States Congress and on the Homeland Security Committee since the tragedy of 9/11. I am committed to engaging in efforts to develop policies that anticipate and respond to new and emerging challenges to the security of our Nation and to the peace and safety of the world. However, I will never forget September 11. 2,977 men, women, and children were murdered by 19 hijackers who took commercial aircraft and used them as missiles. I stood on the front steps of the Capitol and sang with Members of this Congress ``God Bless America.'' I visited the World Trade Center in the months and weeks after this heinous tragedy and grieved continuously each year as we commemorate, sadly, 9/11. 9/11 will always be remembered, and the loss of these families will always be painful and piercing. Just recently, the Judiciary Committee had a hearing on the bill the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. The supporters of the bill offered powerful and compelling testimony in favor of ensuring that 9/11 families have access to their day in court against the parties directly and vicariously liable for the injuries that they suffer. Now, I also take into consideration the concerns of the administration, which deal with undermining sovereign immunity and opening up U.S. diplomats and military servicemembers to legal action overseas if foreign countries pass reciprocal laws. In addition, the President has said that JASTA would upset longstanding international principles regarding sovereign immunity, putting in place rules that, if applied globally, could have serious implications. However, 9/11 families may sue a country designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, such as Iran today. The only thing that this bill would allow is that U.S. citizens be able to sue countries without that designation. Let me suggest to our friends that, under the facts that we know, 19 of these attackers on 9/11 were Saudi citizens. They did not represent the government. This is not giving permission to sue the government under its government actions as much as it is to recognize that these were citizens who operated outside of that realm and to allow these citizens of the United States to have relief. You cannot deny the citizenship of these individuals. I would also suggest that these individuals are common criminals, and why should individuals who have been harmed be prevented from addressing the common criminality because they are from a different country? I would make the argument that we are not finished with this at this point. I hope there will be further discussions. I do believe that if countries decided to take up and sue legitimate actions of the United States in defense of their nation, they would have the full power and force of law of the United States to be defended. I don't believe that will happen. I do believe that we should continue further discussion on this very important topic. But as well, having been a senior member, again, on the Homeland Security Committee during the many meetings that we had with the 9/11 families and ultimately passing the 9/11 legislation as I chaired the Transportation Security Subcommittee, I believe that listening over and over again to the devastation and the need to ensure there are laws to protect this Nation, that this measure provides the extra opportunity to address the common criminality of individuals whose citizenship lies in one place or another. We should stand, however, in protecting U.S. diplomats, military service, and intelligence community members, and I believe this country has the power to do so. I believe, at this point, the matter of the 9/ 11 families should be addressed, and we should address it today.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the House now has before it the President's Veto Message accompanying S. 2040, the ``Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act,'' which would authorize private litigation against foreign governments in the federal courts of the United States based on allegations that such foreign governments' actions abroad made them responsible for terrorism-related injuries sustained on U.S. soil. I have stated on numerous times that I believe that President Barack Obama is one of the best and most consequential presidents in American history; his stewardship of American foreign and national security has kept our nation safe and restored its reputation as the most respected nation in the world. President Obama has been an outstanding Commander-in-Chief exhibiting exceptional judgment, judgment marked by vision and purposeful, conduct that has been steady and restrained. Mr. Speaker, I take seriously the decision whether to override a presidential veto, particularly one relating to national security and foreign policy but, as it is a duty imposed on the Congress by the Constitution, I do not shrink from the responsibility. I have not voted to override a veto during his tenure. Mr. Speaker, seventeen days ago, we observed the 15th anniversary of the day our nation faced the greatest loss of life on U.S. soil from a terrorist attack. The years that have passed since that day have not dimmed my memory or diminished my resolve to see an end to terrorism not only in the United States, but around the world. As a Member of Congress and a senior Member of the Committees on Homeland Security and the Judiciary, both of which deal with national security issues, I have long been committed and engaged in efforts to develop policies that anticipate and respond to new and emerging challenges to the security of our nation and the peace and safety of the world. I will never forget September 11, 2001 when 2,977 men, women and children were murdered by 19 hijackers who took commercial aircraft and used them as missiles. I stood on the East Front steps of the Capitol on September 11, 2001, along with 150 members of the House of Representatives and sang ``God Bless America.'' I visited the site of the World Trade Center Towers in the aftermath of the attacks and grieved over the deaths of so many of our men, women, and children. I want to thank and commend the work of our first responder community on that day and every day since September 11 for their efforts to protect their communities and our nation from acts of terrorism. Mr. Speaker, September 11, 2001 will always be remembered as a day of tragedy and heroism, heartbreak and courage, and shared loss. But the loss remains especially painful to those whose loved ones died or were injured by the criminal acts of terrorists on that fateful day. On numerous occasions in the months and years after September 11, I met with family members of 9/11 victims and witnessed their devotion to our nation and empathized with their pain, loss, hurt, and desire to obtain justice for their loved ones. Mr. Speaker, in 2007, after many years of tireless struggle, Congress passed H.R. 1, the landmark ``Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007,'' the first bill passed by the Democratic- led 110th Congress after regaining the majority. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I worked very hard in getting this bill passed. H.R. 1 was signed into law on August 3, 2007 and implemented the 33 recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, a body comprised of ten of the most distinguished citizens in this country. Many of the families fought hard for this bill. As a senior member of the Homeland Security, and Chair of its Transportation Security Subcommittee, I worked closely with my colleagues across the aisle and in the Senate to strengthen the provisions in H.R. 1 designed to improve transportation security planning, information sharing, and to prevent terrorist from travelling to our country. After passage of H.R. 1, several 9/11 families brought suit if U.S. courts seeking relief for injuries alleged to have been caused by perpetrators of the September 11 attacks and allegedly sponsored by certain nation-states. Each of their law suits were dismissed by the courts for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction since under current law such actions were barred by the doctrine of sovereign immunity except those brought against nation-states listed by the U.S. Department of State as ``state sponsors of terrorism.'' This is what led to the introduction of the ``Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act,'' which would allow private litigation against foreign governments in U.S. courts based on allegations that such foreign governments' actions abroad made them responsible for terrorism-related injuries on U.S. soil. Thus, the ``Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act,'' amends the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 to create a limited new exception to the Act's general grant of foreign sovereign immunity. Mr. Speaker, this past July the Judiciary Committee, upon which I sit, held a hearing on S. 2040, the ``Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act,'' at which the bill's supporters offered powerful and compelling testimony in favor of insuring that 9/11 families have access to their day in U.S. courts against the parties directly and vicariously liable for the injuries they suffered. As the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigation, I am committed to doing all that I can to ensure that they receive their day in court. I am sensitive, however, to the concerns raised by the Administration regarding unintended consequences that may result if the bill is passed in its current form. In particular, the Administration, allied nations, and others point out that enactment of S. 2040 in its current form may lead to retaliation by other countries against the United States. Additionally, the Administration raises the legitimate concern that if enacted in its current form, S. 2040 may hamper cooperation from other nations because they may becqme more reluctant to share sensitive intelligence out of fear that such information may be disclosed in litigation. I am hopeful, however, that after this vote, these legitimate concerns can be addressed and resolved no matter the outcome and I look forward to continuing to work with the Administration, the bill's sponsors and supporters, and representatives of the 9/11 families to ensure that the 9/11 victims receive justice without substantial harm to our national security interests. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I will vote to override the President's veto of S. 2040. I thank the House and Senate sponsors of this important legislation, my colleagues Congressmen Peter King and Jerrold Nadler of New York, and Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Charles Schumer of New York, for their tireless efforts on behalf of fairness and justice for the 9/11 families.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the Kildee Amendment to H.R. 5303, the ``Water Resources Development Act,'' which authorizes variety of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water resources development projects, feasibility studies, and relationships with nonfederal project sponsors. Specifically, I would like to congratulate my colleague Representative Dan Kildee who represents Michigan's 5th District on his amendment, which bring much needed relief to the people of Flint Michigan who have gone without safe potable water for over 2 years. The Kildee Amendment provides $170,000,000 in funding to repair and replace the damaged water pipes that are the source of the toxic lead and chemical laced water flowing to Flint, Michigan homes. For the past two years, Flint, Michigan has lived in a state of fear of the water flowing from the faucets in their homes. It is beyond shocking and unacceptable that tens of thousands of citizens have been exposed to toxic levels of lead in their drinking water. The trust and ability to protect our citizens' basic right to clean water has been shaken nationally by the severity and length of time this disaster has been allowed to fester without Congressional action. Each of us in this body has a duty to ensure justice and protection of our citizens. This was not a disaster in hiding, it was in plain sight for 2 years, but Congress refused to act until forced to do so by a deadline that they could not control. We must not let the plight of Flint and the provision of relief let us forget that we must: address the harms caused; get an accounting of what happened; understand how the water was poisoned; make the lives of people damaged by this tragedy whole; find justice for those lives that may have been lost; and determine and provide for the long-term health needs of those impacted. Flint, Michigan like so many communities across the nation really felt the brunt of the financial crisis created by the abuse of new home lending practices and deceptive investment schemes that hid the weaknesses in the economy until the great recession spread across the nation beginning in late 2008. The financial damage done to communities like Flint in the form of steep declines in property values, which caused significant declines in property tax income. This was not just Flint's problem, but a national reality--for financially strapped cities, towns, school boards, and municipal governments. This shared economic crisis resulted in new leadership being sent to Congress and to governors' mansions across the nation. Michigan was one state that turned to new leadership to solve problems and restore fiscal health to the state and local economies. Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan was sworn into office in 2011 to solve problems and restore fiscal health to his state. On December 1, 2010, Michael Brown took office as Flint's state- appointed emergency manager. One of the first acts of the newly elected leaders in the state of Michigan was to drastically change the powers that could be exercised under the state's emergency manager law to include special provisions regarding the declaration of a local government financial emergency. Over the 22 years the original emergency management law had been in place only 7 jurisdictions had been under emergency management, but following the 2011 changes to that law 10 jurisdictions were placed under emergency management. On Election Day in 2011 the state declared that an emergency financial manager should assume control over the city of Flint. The conditions in Flint are a cautionary tale on what happens when money has more value than people in the minds of those charged under public oath to serve, defend and protect Constitutional Rights. On April 25, 2014, the city of Flint switches water supply from Lake Huron, which cost the city about $1 million each month to the Flint River to save money. The Flint River had long been known by residents to be contaminated by industrial pollution. The water out of the Flint River was not safe, but it could have been treated to prevent the erosion of lead pipes that contaminated the water, the introduction bacteria and other toxins into the homes, schools, workplaces, and churches of the community, but that would have cost money. Shortly after the switch citizens began to complain about the color, taste, order, and reported rashes. In August and September 2014, city officials issued boil water directives to citizens after a coliform bacterium was found in the water. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-comprised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections if exposed to water born bacteria. Several deaths are under investigation because they may be linked to the polluted water sent to Flint residents' homes. In October 2014 the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality blames cold weather, aging pipes, and a population decline for the poor water quality. In January 2015, the Detroit water systems offers to reconnect Flint, and would waive the $4 million connection fee, but 3 weeks later the state appointed emergency manager declined the offer. In February 2015, a memo from Governor Snyder's office plays down the problem and states that the water is not an imminent ``threat to public health.'' In February 2015--the same month the governor's office declared that the water was safe tests revealed that it contained 104 parts per billion of lead in drinking water drawn from taps in the home of Lee Anne Walters one of today's witnesses. The Environmental Protection Agency requires action when levels reach 15 parts per billion of lead contamination, but scientist state there is no safe level of lead contamination. On February 27, Miguel Del Toral an EPA expert reported that the state was testing water in a manner that would profoundly underestimate lead levels. On March 12, 2015, Veolia a consultant group hired by Flint reports that the city's water meets state and federal standards, but fails to report on lead levels. Elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. While the state declared the water safe to drink and the EPA received assurances that testing was being performed and the results showed no worries, behind the scenes something very different was happening in state offices located in Flint Michigan. On January 9, 2015, e-mails among Flint government employees at the Department of Technology, Management and Budget, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance. The emails revealed that employees at government departments in the city of Flint were concerned about Flint's water quality and in response the state paid for water coolers to be placed in government offices located in the city of flint on each occupied floor, and positioned near the water fountain, so state workers could choose which water to drink. The core concern of the emails was the levels of a group of chemical compounds called ``TTHM'' or ``total tri-halomethanes, that were identified in the Flint drinking water. TTHM are produced when organic matter in natural water reacts chemically with chlorine disinfectants. Chlorine disinfectants are added to drinking water to destroy the microbial pathogens that could make consumers sick or even kill them. Disinfection byproducts TTHM can be minimized in drinking water by reducing organic matter in water before chlorination--in other words through treating the water. While the people of Flint Michigan continue to complain about the taste and smell of the water--which ranged from a dull grey grime to rust color in appearance government officials provided themselves with access to bottled water at the taxpayers' expense. The amount of chlorination added to the water in excess of what should have been created another problem--people were now consuming and bathing in water contaminated with TTHM. The amount of chlorination added to the water in excess of what should have been created another problem--people were now. Flint Mayor Karen Weaver announced that her goal would be to replace 13,000 lead pipes at a cost of $2-3,000 for each pipe for a total of about $42 million. No one knows the reality of undertaking a massive effort such as what will be needed, so the cost could easily be much higher than estimates. Flint cannot be another Katrina where the poor, people of color and marginalized are shutout of jobs as well as the political and decision making processes regarding their homes, neighborhoods or city. Replacing the lead pipes of Flint must include the cost of repairing homes that will be damaged to access the pipes; repaving driveways, or re-sodding lawns that are dug up to get to pipes, and restoring sidewalks that are damaged to access pipe. The repair and restitution of potable water to residents of Flint will not be the end of the story. We must recognize and acknowledge that there will be long term health consequences for every person exposed to the toxic water for 2 years. There are health impacts for children, their parents, and grandparents that cannot and should not be ignored. Our next step must be a public fund to compensate those who have long term health impacts or diminished ability to be productive over the full course of their work careers. We will continue to work to help the people of Flint, Michigan in order to restore them to health and eliminate their fear. In closing, let me again express my appreciation and thanks to Congressman Kildee for his steadfastness in advocating his amendment and to Energy and Commerce Chair Upton, Congressman Conyers, and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence for their tireless efforts to ameliorate the suffering of the people of Flint Michigan.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me associate myself with the words of our leader. Let me also thank Ranking Member Lowey, all of the appropriators, and the chairman of the Appropriations Committee. This is a terrible time to shut the government down. So I rise today to support this CR for a number of reasons. A few months ago, in Houston, Texas, I organized the regional Zika Virus Task Force. The committee members, representing public and private health professionals, talked about active surveillance, were concerned about the number of infections among pregnant women, and talked as well about the issue of mosquito control, research, and a vaccination. I am glad that some of the funds here will be able to help us in dealing with these issues--long overdue. Coming from a flood-ridden State, let me say that I appreciate the funding for Baton Rouge. I thank those who were involved, particularly Cedric Richmond, who, on our side of the aisle, worked so very hard.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. I thank the gentlewoman. Mr. Speaker, I also want to make mention of the Flint dollars. We have worked very hard with the Michigan delegation on the issue of Flint funding. I am glad that the amendment of Mr. Kildee and others passed in the WRDA bill, but we must deal with that question as well. Where we are is that we are keeping hardworking employees and government services going. We are helping our veterans. We are making sure health services are going forward. We are making sure the necessary facilities that our public uses will be open. What a shame to have closed a number of these facilities that are so important. As we go forward, in coming from Houston and in having experienced the tax day floods and the Memorial Day floods, I am looking forward to working with the appropriators for funding--that will help us do a massive study on the bayous in the region--with an amendment that I have submitted to the energy and water bill. Finally, I would say that it is time that we recognize that government worked for the American people, and what we have to do is not borrow to pay Paul. We should have given the $1.9 billion in Zika funding. It is $1.1 billion, but I think we can do better, and I hope we will do so.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his leadership. Let me thank my good friend from New York for his leadership, and the author of the legislation as well. Again, let me compliment the Committee on Homeland Security along with the chairman, Mr. McCaul, and the ranking member, Mr. Thompson, because we find many opportunities to work together in a bipartisan manner as it relates to the security of this Nation. I rise to support the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act, as amended, by Representative Herrera Beutler, H.R. 5065, and again congratulate those who brought this particular legislation forward. I am very grateful that my amendment regarding deionized water passed as an additional aspect of what breastfeeding mothers can bring. Let me say that although we continue to work on challenges, TSA has been on the front lines of this Nation's safety and security since 9/11 and its creation under a large umbrella, which is the Department of Homeland Security. Our committee has given oversight to this particular agency. We have worked to make sure that we close the loopholes, if you will, for the traveling public. Aviation is still one of the largest and most attractive targets of terrorists. We understand the responsibility of the Transportation Security Administration and our TSO officers. Their job is not an easy one. We have placed a lot of rules. We had a moment when there were questions of what could be brought through the checkpoint. In this instance, this is both common sense, and these provisions will help innocent Americans traveling with their young, their babies, their wonderful children or grandchildren the opportunity to make sure that they have the items that these children need. We have seen them traveling on our many planes and traveling across the Nation. I want to support this legislation on the basis of common sense, aviation security, national security, and working together to help our mothers as they travel throughout this Nation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5065 the ``Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act'' which codifies the practices already in place that allow liquids intended for infants and babies on flights. I thank my colleague on the Homeland Security Congresswoman Herrera Beutler for authoring this bill, which requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary to notify Transportation Security Officers and airlines about TSA guidelines permitting baby milk and juice on airplanes and ensure that such special procedures be integrated into TSO security training. I recall during the weeks and months following the September 11, 2001 attacks as the nation came to terms with the new normal of terrorism there was confusion and difficulty for young parents attempting traveling with infants. The issues were centered on the liquids that infants and babies needed, which are included in the bill and include breast milk and juice. During my service as chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, the issue of baby formula was addressed. The ultimate solution was a change in agency policy as it related to the limitation rule regarding liquids that were required for infants and babies. H.R. 5065 would codify the practices that the agency has in place. I am pleased that during the markup, the committee unanimously agreed to add the Jackson Lee Amendment to H.R. 5065 which adds ``purified deionized water for infants'' which is essential for newborns during the first 3 months of life to the list of allowed liquids for infants and babies who travel on commercial flights. I thank the Committee's majority and minority staff for working with my staff on this improvement to the underlying bill. I urge all members to support H.R. 5065.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman for his legislation. It is very, very astute and a very important initiative, the Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act. Again, I thank the chairman of the subcommittee as well for his leadership. He is a fellow Texan. We meet each other on several committees, but we have the opportunity to work together on these important issues. Let me just briefly say how important this is. This is a fill-in-the- gap initiative. And the gap can be dangerous. It can be devastating. What it ensures is that we develop and maintain documentation that provides information on how the Office's research investment aligns with gaps in the enhanced Global Nuclear Detection Architecture and with research challenges identified by the Director, and that defines in detail how the Office will address such research challenges. I have real life, if you will, examples, in the community that I come from. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the maritime border has 95,000 miles of shoreline and 361 seaports. One of those happens to be the Port of Houston. Ocean transportation accounts for 95 percent of cargo tonnage that moves in and out of the country with 8,588 commercial vessels making 82,044 port calls in 2015. In my community alone, Houston, Texas, has a 25-mile maritime line. In the Port of Houston, as we were ranked one of the first in foreign tonnage with 46 percent of market share by tonnage, we know what challenges come about in the potential of cargo being, if you will, exploited by putting in dangerous elements dealing with nuclear equipment. So the idea of Homeland Security focusing on, as this legislation says, gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture, is crucial to supporting the Nation's ports, securing the Nation's tonnage, and securing the Nation. The Securing the Cities Act was legislation that related to the idea of nuclear detection and interdiction of radiological materials. Just last year, the city of Houston was awarded an initial Securing the Cities grant of $3.5 million as the initial installment of a $30 million grant payable over 5 years. This is a very important aspect of nuclear detection. This legislation is a great partner to filling in the gap. The grant that we received in Houston was funded through the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program, which I cosponsored and truly believe is a major element of protection for our cities around the Nation. This is, again, a potentially devastating impact if some nuclear materials were able to come into a port, come into an airport, come into our communities. I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 5391, Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act, to be able to provide more security to the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in strong support of H.R. 5391, the Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act, which will address the threat of nuclear weapons or unapproved material materials from entering the country. I thank my colleague on the Homeland Security Congressman Cedric Richmond for authoring this bill, which requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, when conducting research and development to generate and improve technologies to detect and prevent the illicit entry, transport, assembly, or potential use within the United States of a nuclear explosive device or fissile or radiological material, to: develop and maintain documentation that provides information on how the Office's research investments align with gaps in the enhanced global nuclear detection architecture and with research challenges identified by the Director, and that defines in detail how the Office will address such research challenges; document the rational for prioritizing and selecting research topics; and develop a systematic approach for evaluating how the outcomes of the Office's individual research projects collectively contribute to addressing its research challenges. As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, and serving as a member of this body representing the Houston area, which is home to one of our nation's busiest ports this topic is of great concern to me. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation the U.S. maritime border covers 95,000 miles of shoreline with 361 seaports. Ocean transportation accounts for 95 percent of cargo tonnage that moves in and out of the country, with 8,588 commercial vessels making 82,044 port calls in 2015. The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours' sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. In 2012 ship channel-related businesses contribute 1,026,820 jobs and generate more than $178.5 billion in statewide economic impact. In 2014, the Port of Houston was ranked among U.S. ports: 1st in foreign tonnage, Largest Texas port with 46% of market share by tonnage and 95% market share in containers by total TEUS in 2014, Largest Gulf Coast container port, handling 67% of U.S. Gulf Coast container traffic in 2014, 2nd ranked U.S. port in terms of total foreign cargo value (based on U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Census). The Government Accountability Office (GAO), reports that this port, and its waterways, and vessels are part of an economic engine handling more than $700 billion in merchandise annually. The Port of Houston houses approximately 100 steamship lines offering services that link Houston with 1,053 ports in 203 countries. The Port of Houston has $15 billion petrochemical complex, the largest in the nation and second largest worldwide. These statistics clearly communicate the potential for a terrorist attack using nuclear or radiological material may in some estimations be low, but should an attack occur the consequences would be catastrophic, and for this reason we cannot be lax in our efforts to deter, detect and defeat attempts by terrorists to perpetrate such a heinous act of terrorism. DHS plays an essential role in domestic defense against the potential smuggling of a weapon of mass destruction in a shipping container or the use of a bomb-laden small vessel to carry out an attack at a port. I was pleased to have been one of the lead sponsors of the ``Securing the Cities Act,'' when it was introduced in 2006 and reauthorized in 2010 and 2015. The ``Securing the Cities Act,'' mandated that DHS's Director for Domestic Nuclear Detection to create a Securing the Cities program. The purpose of the ``Securing the Cities Program'' mandated by the legislation is to: 1. Assist state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in creating and implementing, or perfecting existing structures for coordinated and integrated detection and interdiction of nuclear or other radiological materials that are out of regulatory control; 2. Support the creation of a region-wide operating capability to identify and report on nuclear and other radioactive materials out of operational control; 3. Provide resources to improve detection, analysis, communication, and organization to better integrate state, local, tribal, and territorial property into federal operations; 4. Facilitate the establishment of protocol and processes to effectively respond to threats posed by nuclear or radiological materials being acquired or used by terrorists; and 5. Designate participating jurisdictions from among high-risk urban areas and other cities and regions, as appropriate, and notify Congress at least three days before designating or changing such jurisdictions. The 18th Congressional District of Texas, which I represent, is centered in the Houston area, the 4th largest city in the United States and home to over 2 million residents. Last year the City of Houston was awarded an initial ``Securing the Cities'' grant of $3.5 million by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as the initial installment of a $30 million grant payable over 5 years. This grant is funded through the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program, which I co-sponsored and have strongly supported throughout my tenure on the Homeland Security Committee. The grant funding enables the City of Houston and its partners to work with DHS's Domestic Nuclear Office to build a robust, regional nuclear detection capability for law enforcement and first responder organizations. This is an important joint local and federal effort to increase the ability of major urban cities to detect and protect against radiological and nuclear threats. The DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office provides equipment and assistance to regional partners in conducting training and exercises to further their nuclear detection capabilities and coordinate with federal operations. Unfortunately, the age of terrorism makes this a more dangerous and uncertain time than the decades following World War II when nation/ state nuclear arsenals were being created. Nuclear threats are more perilous than what our nation faced during the Cold War because these threats come from non-state actors who often do not have the same level of concern for the wellbeing of their people who may face the consequences of a nuclear attack against the United States. This is why this legislation is needed to address the real threat of loose nuclear material and the possibility that it might find its way into the hands of terrorist or criminals. It is important that we remain constantly vigilant on the issue of nuclear threats that are present in our world today. H.R. 5391, is an essential tool to add to the work being done by DHS to deter, detect, mitigate and defend against domestic nuclear threats. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 5391.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Chairman, we need to make sure that the harbor maintenance trust fund ensures that revenues are collected from shippers that are used to maintain U.S. coastal and Great Lakes harbors. Right now, the State of Texas is dealing with their coastal area. This very bill could have a great impact, but it cannot do so if the moneys are undermined and the fees are used for something else. So I would suggest to my colleagues if there is one place that we can be bipartisan, it is on clean water, and it is on saving lives. I hope that we can do that going down the road in this legislation. I thank the gentleman, Mr. DeFazio.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, let me thank the gentleman, the ranking member from the great State of Oregon, and the chairman, the gentleman from Pennsylvania. I would hope that as we look at these issues we really look at the name of this bill, the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, and know that we have, over the years, had common ground on infrastructure issues that are so important to our respective communities. Mr. Chairman, in April of 2016, we had the tax day flood. Shortly thereafter, we had a flood on Memorial Day in Houston, Harris County. It seems to me to be a constant refrain in our community and in my congressional district. We are a community of bayous and, frankly, need strong structures for the Army Corps of Engineers and a strong Federal partnership on dealing with massive flooding and the loss of life. Water takes on many other aspects. Just a few miles up the road, Austin, Texas, and the surrounding areas are living in a constant drought. They face a constant interaction and conflict with those who are in the agriculture business. It is concerning to me that programs in this bill have been deauthorized. It is concerning to me that a very important issue of pure water has been ignored, and that is funding for Flint. I should think this would be a bipartisan issue. Many of us went to Flint. We spoke to citizens in Flint. We listened to the Representatives from Flint, in particular, Dan Kildee and others, Congresswoman Lawrence, and we listened to stories about sores and the ability to have children who have cognitive impact, and yet we come here today and that has not been done. So I want to raise a concern to find a way in which this can be a bipartisan bill and not have projects that are deauthorized to make sure the harbor maintenance trust fund is where it needs to be.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 122, the Protection of the Right of Tribes to stop the Export of Cultural and Traditional Patrimony Resolution, or the PROTECT Patrimony Resolution. I commend Mr. Pearce and his Democratic cosponsor, Ms. McCollum, for their leadership on this issue. This important resolution condemns the theft, illegal possession, sale, transfer, and export for tribal cultural items belonging to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and American Hawaiians in the United States and internationally. For those of us who have visited reservations, such as those in the State of Texas and Pueblos in New Mexico, we are well aware of the long, long history of Native Americans throughout the United States. For far too long, Native Americans have struggled to protect their sacred and cultural artifacts--such as ancestral remains, funerary objects, and sacred items--from thieves who steal these precious objects, all in the pursuit of profits; and I hope it will now stop. These irreplaceable objects are vital to the survival of tribal culture and to the maintenance of tribal ways of life. Yet, time and again, they are stolen by thieves who come in the dark of the night with axes, shovels, and even power tools to remove them from historical sites, which are often destroyed in the process. In turn, these tribal cultural items are illegally sold domestically and internationally through black and public markets in violation of Federal and tribal laws that protect tribal cultural property rights. The loss of these artifacts harms not only Native Americans but all Americans. It robs our Nation of an incredibly important opportunity to learn from and respect these rich and vibrant cultures. In recognition of these concerns, H. Con. Res. 122 calls upon various Federal agencies to consult with Native American tribes and their religious leaders in order to better understand the problem and, thereby, stop these illegal practices and repatriate stolen tribal cultural items to their rightful owners. This resolution also asks the Government Accountability Office to study the scope of illegal trafficking in these artifacts, both domestically and internationally, which will help identify ways to end illegal trafficking. Further, the resolution expresses support for the development of explicit restrictions on the export of tribal cultural items. Specifically, it encourages cooperation among State and local governments, as well as groups and organizations, in an effort to deter the theft, illegal possession, sale, and export of these items. Accordingly, I support H. Con. Res. 122. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Again, let me thank my good friend, Mr. Pearce, and his cosponsors, Ms. McCollum and Mr. Cole, for their leadership. In closing, tribal cultural objects play a crucial role in ensuring that Native Americans and generations to come retain the opportunity to learn about their rich heritage. They help to connect tribal members to their history, traditions, and personal identity. The story Mr. Pearce told was a moving one and evidences how important this legislation is. The theft of these objects is a direct assault against the vitality of Native American cultures. When they are stolen or destroyed, a piece of that culture is irretrievably gone not only for Native Americans but for all Americans and all others to understand that culture. Our Nation has a responsibility to do everything in its power to protect and return these priceless artifacts. H. Con. Res. 122 recognizes the importance of this responsibility. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to support H.R. 4712, a narrow and commonsense measure that requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to provide an option for green cards and employment authorization documents to be delivered via U.S. mail with a signature confirmation. I congratulate and thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier) for offering this important legislation. Each year, the USCIS sends millions of secure documents to applicants through the U.S. Postal Service, including green cards, employment authorization documents, and travel documents. Currently, the delivery status of these documents is monitored solely through tracking numbers. While we know when a document is delivered to the address on file, we have no way of knowing if the immigration applicant actually received the document; and if we don't know if the secure documents reach the intended recipient, we also don't know if they have fallen into the wrong--possibly criminal--hands. Although specific data is not available, conservative estimates indicate that, every year, thousands of documents--perhaps tens of thousands--are lost in the mail or, worse yet, are stolen. According to USCIS policy, if the U.S. Postal Service does not return a document or a notice and if there has been no change of address, the USCIS will consider the document as having been properly delivered, and the applicant must refile and again pay the filing fee in order to obtain a replacement document. For green cards, the fee is $450 even if the failure to receive the document was no fault of the individual's. This is not only unfair to the immigration applicant, but a lost or a stolen document also raises national security, identity theft, and other fraud concerns. Today's bill makes just one simple but important change in that it requires the USCIS to allow immigration applicants to elect to pay a fee and have their documents mailed with an added level of security by requiring a signature from the person who accepts delivery. The cost will be borne by the applicant; so immigrants can be assured that the document won't be delivered without there being a signature from the recipient. I urge the USCIS to consider other options to address these basic mailing issues, such as holding documents at USCIS facilities for direct pickup by the applicant. But, for today, I am pleased that we have agreement on this bill, which will help ameliorate document mailing and receipt problems and will strengthen the security and reliability of the immigration document delivery. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier), the author of the legislation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In closing, let me again congratulate Congresswoman Speier and Congressman Woodall. I am equally grateful when we have the opportunity to work together. I see this as an opportunity on many, many issues. For example, this legislation, albeit simple in context, has a broad influence and impact. It means that anyone who is intending to do harm by either having stolen mail or by having taken a document that does not belong to them now can be thwarted. In this climate in which we must be particularly sensitive in protecting the Nation against terrorism, domestic terrorism, people misusing documents, or identity theft, this is a very important contribution to thwarting that effort. As has been indicated, it gives individuals who work very hard and who desire the American Dream the opportunity to be documented. I think it fits very well in what I hope will be an ongoing commitment to improving the immigration system to the extent of passing comprehensive immigration reform, because it does recognize that there are people who are desiring to do good who come to this country. For that reason, I ask my colleagues to support this important contribution to those who work hard, who choose to support the values of this Nation, and who work hard as new immigrants and as potential citizens of this Nation. I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 4712. I also thank the Judiciary Committee for its work on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 810, recognizing and celebrating the life and important work of Elie Wiesel in promoting human rights, peace, and Holocaust remembrance. As an author of at least 60 books, plays, and essays, Elie Wiesel enlightened his readers and taught them lessons of history concerning injustice, intolerance, and indifference, pulling from his personal experience as a Holocaust survivor to give a first person point of view of the horrors the faced by Holocaust victims. From 1933 to 1945, two-thirds of the Jewish population living in Europe at the time of World War II were brutally murdered by Nazis during the Holocaust. Families were torn apart; children were separated from their parents; babies were ripped from the arms of their mothers. The Jewish community suffered incredible losses, losses that will never be remedied. Elie Wiesel is a heroic survivor who lived to share his experiences of loss and tragedy. He lost his father at Buchenwald and his younger sister and mother to a gas chamber at Auschwitz, but he and his two older sisters survived. Following the liberation of the concentration camp, Wiesel moved to France and worked as a journalist, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1963. His first and one of his best known works, ``Night'', was published in 1958 and has been translated into more than 30 different languages, allowing the story of his family's deportation to reach millions around the world. In addition to his publications, Elie Wiesel was commissioned to chair the President's Commission on the Holocaust in 1978, and they recommended the creation of the Holocaust Museum. Following this, Elie Wiesel worked as the Founding Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council and put forth incredible efforts for the United States Holocaust Museum to open its doors in 1993. In his desire to fight indifference, intolerance, and injustice, Elie and his wife Marion Wiesel founded the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity. Elie Wiesel was also passionate about teaching and served as a Visiting Scholar at Yale University and a professor at the City University of New York and Boston University, striving to provide insight and knowledge among students. Elie Wiesel has been honored in many ways by receiving a variety of awards, such as the Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States Congressional Gold Medal, the National Humanities Medal, the Medal of Liberty, the rank of Grand-Croix in the French Legion of Honor, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Award. Elie Wiesel's passing on July 2, 2016 is saddening, but the legacy he leaves is one of honor, justice, and determination. Elie Wiesel left behind a voice for the voiceless, ensuring the promotion of peace and tolerance and the fight against indifference, intolerance, and genocide. This man was an inspiration, and though he may be gone, his light and impact remains. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family members of Elie Wiesel who feel this heartbreak more than any other. We promise to keep Elie Wiesel's memory alive; to prevent the recurrence of another Holocaust; and, ultimately, to never forget the lessons we as a people have learned from history and from Elie Wiesel.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. Con. Res. 46, Expressing support for the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust victims live with dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years, and urging the Federal Republic of Germany to continue to reaffirm its commitment to comprehensively address the unique health and welfare needs of vulnerable Holocaust victims, including home care and other medically prescribed needs. The Holocaust resulted in the murder of two-thirds of the Jewish population in Europe at the time of World War II. In addition to this, more Jewish people fled in the face of extermination and left behind friends, personal items, homes, and much more in the effort to preserve their own lives. To this day, there are approximately 500,000 Holocaust victims still alive around the world with 100,000 Holocaust victims currently living in the United States. Of this large number of Holocaust survivors, tens of thousands are 80 years or older and 50 percent will pass away within the next decade while the living victims will experience increased health needs as they become frailer. Even if age were not a factor, many Holocaust victims still alive suffer from permanent and psychological disabilities and live with emotional scars from the systematic genocide of the Jewish people. Furthermore, Holocaust survivors often experience trauma when their emotional and physical circumstances force them to leave their homes and enter into either institutional or other group living residential facilities, and the emotional and psychological scars are heightened in the elder age of these Holocaust victims. Many Holocaust victims are currently living below the poverty line and cannot afford basic necessities such as healthcare, food, transportation and other needs so that they may live their remaining time in comfort and dignity. The government often steps in to assist with these Holocaust victims given that many lack family support networks and therefore require additional support of social services. Additionally, the spokesperson for Chancellor Angela Merkel has stated that Germany accepts full responsibility for the Holocaust and effects thereof. Germany has also acknowledged that the support and funds they have been providing are insufficient to these increased needs of the Holocaust victims, and Germany agrees that resources and support must be expanded to meet these needs. These Holocaust victims have suffered enough, and it is the moral and historical responsibility of Germany to comprehensively, permanently, and urgently provide support and resources for medical, mental health, and long-term care needs of all Holocaust victims. Because of this, we stand in support of working to ensure that all Holocaust victims in the United States and around the world are able to live in dignity, comfort, and security throughout their remaining years.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 295, to Reauthorize the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation Program. H.R. 295 would authorize the appropriation of $10 million annually from 2017 through 2023 for the Historic Preservation Fund to provide aids for the restoration and preservation of historic structures at Historical Black Colleges (HBCUs). As a member of the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus which promotes and protects the interest of HBCUs by: creating a national dialogue, educating Members of Congress and their staffs about the issues impacting HBCUs, drafting meaningful bipartisan legislation to address the needs of HBCUs, and supporting students and graduates of HBCUs by increasing access and career opportunities. The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Preservation Program works to preserve, and stabilize historic structures on HBCU campuses through projects such as structural stabilization, repairing damaged masonry, replacing antiquated electrical and plumbing systems, abating environmental hazards such as asbestos, repairing termite damage, fixing leaking roofs. Too much of the history of African Americans has been lost due to it not being considered important enough to note by historians outside of the community, and the fact that much of it is held in the records of black churches that may have been destroyed by arson. This is why the HBCU preservation project is so important. Since 2009, no funds have been appropriated for this program to support the preservation and stabilization of HBCU structures. Just as I have supported previous efforts to preserve and repair HBCUs, I also support this measure to reauthorize the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation program. I stand with and thank my colleague Representative James Clyburn for the introduction on this important bill, which encapsulates the sentiments I have about the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I am proud to count Texas Southern University as an institution within my constituency, a great HBCU--located in my Houston, Texas Congressional District. Texas Southern University has a rich history with nine academic units, 1,000 dedicated staff members, and over 9,200 esteemed students. I have continuously partnered with Texas Southern University (TSU) to promote education opportunities and collaborate on community projects. I led the initiative to get more than $13 million in Financial Aid Relief for the students and campus of Texas Southern University. I continue to keep the TSU university community informed about major issues impacting citizens within the 18th congressional district and throughout the U.S. For example, I initiated the digitization projects for former U.S. Members of Congress Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland, both of whom have permanent archives at Texas Southern University. I helped established the Barbara Jordan Medallion to be awarded each year at a ceremony held at Texas Southern University to an individual who advocates for the community. I also assisted with the establishment of several scholarship Endowments at Texas Southern University. I created a partnership with Comcast at TSU's School of Communication, which offers scholarships, internships and in-kind marketing. I established the Center for Transportation, Training and Research in TSU's College of Science, Engineering, and Technology. HBCUs have worked diligently to be where they are today. Martin Luther King once said, The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. Since the 1980s and continuing for more than 25 years, the National Park Service has awarded over $40 million in matching grants and $15 million in earmarked grants to more than 80 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to assist them in repairing historic buildings on their campuses. On September 18, 2009, former Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the 20 HBCUs that were the beneficiaries of historic preservation grants aimed at providing assistance in the repair of historic buildings on their campuses. President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to jump-start our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. Included in this act was $15 million that was competitively awarded to HBCUs for the preservation of campus buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places. HBCUs do not just educate--HBCUs have and will continue to fill an important role in education opportunity and engagement for millions of young people from diverse backgrounds. I ask my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 295, to support Reauthorization of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation Program.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5946, the ``United States Appreciation for Olympians and Paralympians Act.'' H.R. 5946 would amend the Internal Revenue Code to exclude the value of any medal or prize money that an Athlete may win competing in the Olympic and Paralympic games. I support this legislation because it would allow athletes to keep more of the hard earned prize money that they rightly deserve from the coveted and honorable medals won during the Olympics and Paralympics. The ``United States Appreciation for Olympians and Paralympians Act'' is a thoughtful and necessary bill that will assist those who represent our nation in athletic competition. I am proud of the athletes in both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games who competed in Rio de Janeiro. Houston, Texas had the great honor of sending two of our own to the Olympic Games; Simone Biles who won 4 gold medals and one bronze in the sport of Gymnastics, along with Simone Manuel who became the first African American woman to win gold in the sport of swimming. The great state of Texas also had Jimmy Feigen won the gold medal in swimming, Townley Haas, Jack Conger and Clark Smith won the gold medal in the freestyle relay, and Michelle Carter, who is also University of Texas alum, won the gold medal in women's shot put. In the Paralympic Games Jazmin Almlie-Ryan represented her nation and the City of Houston in the sport of target shooting. H.R. 5946 embodies the spirit of bipartisanship that is needed in this Congress. Mr. Speaker, this is why I join with my colleagues in working to reward our athletes who have worked so diligently and represented the very best of our ideals. I urge my colleagues in the House to support H.R. 5946 ``United States Appreciation for Olympians and Paralympians Act.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5147, the ``Bathrooms Accessible In Every Situation (BABIES) Act of 2016.'' This is an important measure that would provide diaper changing facilities in male and female restrooms in public buildings. This piece of legislation simply seeks to provide equal rights to both men and women caregivers. According to a report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, fathers today are more involved with their children. Fathers also need access to childcare facilities. H.R. 5147 would apply to: any public building constructed, altered, or acquired by the General Services Administration a year after the enactment of this measure; and any other public building, not described above, beginning two years after the enactment of this measure. H.R. 5147 would not apply to: public buildings where the restrooms are not for public use; and restrooms in a public building with clear and conspicuous signage indicating where another restroom, male or female, is located within the same sector or corridor of said building. In California, two similar state bills were struck down that would have provided equal access to changing tables for both men and women. Positive reforms are, however, taking place around the country. For example, Miami Dade County, Florida, requires that new and remodeled businesses have baby changing stations that are accessible by both men and women. In San Francisco, California, planning codes require that new or renovated public buildings must install baby changing stations that are accessible to women and men. Yet, there is no federal law or legislation to regulate the equal access of stations tor men and women. H.R. 5147 supplies that standard. This legislation is long overdue. We must support equal access to basic needs and bathroom changing stations for all men and women caregivers For these reasons, I support H.R. 5147 the ``Bathroom Accessible in Every Situation (BABIES) Act of 2016.''