Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I have been on the Homeland Security Committee since the heinous and vile acts of 9/11. I have often said that I was at Ground Zero, and I had the misery of seeing the recovery that was still occurring at that time. I take no backseat to the concern and love for this Nation, as I know that neither do my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. But, Mr. Speaker, this legislation is divided in a simple premise: no to refugees, stop the refugee program, turn your back on children, women, and old people broken and bent. This side is saying that America's values can parallel the love, respect, and commitment to the national security of this Nation. ISIL is determined to divide this bipolar world; divide it between Muslims who share the distorted and profane interpretation and those who live every day under the sun who love freedom. We do not define the faith by those who kill us and maim us. As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said: ``The only thing we have to fear is fear itself''-- nameless, unreasoning, and unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert, retreat, and advance. This is the extensive, extensive review that only a small number of Syrians go through that are able to get in this country from refugee camps. That is the only place they come from. This is the extensive one. I say to the President, certify it now. But what this legislation does is requires that the 5-year-old Syrian girl that has lived most of her life in a Jordanian camp must be certified by four or five individuals who are already in the process of the certification. There are 60 million individuals who are displaced across the globe now. Twenty percent of them are Syrians fleeing the conflict that has taken 240,000 lives. Right now the FBI has 50 terrorist cells being investigated. They cannot count them as Syrian refugees. This is the wrong direction. Let us follow our values, Mr. Speaker. Vote that bill down and bring refugees who are already certified. This bill is unnecessary. It stops the refugee program. Where is our mercy?

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 4038, the ``American Security Against Enemies Act of 2015'' (America SAFE Act). This is the latest attempt to attack the President. It is cheap and unworthy of this august body to engage in politics when our aim should be lofty and thoughtful policy. President Obama has accomplished tremendous successes in restoring our nation's leadership and integrity around the world following the disasters of the previous administration. He inherited 2 wars including the Iraq war, an unprovoked and unjustified invasion, which today is a strong contributing force to the situation that exists in Iraq and Syria. The President has led where others have only talked--he has used soft power in an impressive and masterful way that thwarted Russia in its ambitions, and to bring Iran to the negotiation table resulting in the curbing of that nation's nuclear weapon ambition. Now the President's work to make sure that United States remains a leader in the global community by meeting the obligation to receive refugees from Syria and Iraq. This bill is doing damage to our national interest. The American SAFE Act requires a FBI background check for every refugee from Iraq and Syria who apply for asylum in the United States. In addition, H.R. 4038 provides that no refugee from Iraq or Syria can be granted asylum in the United States unless the Director of the FBI, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence each make an independent determination and concur unanimously that the applicant for asylum poses no threat to the national security of the United States. I understand that the proponents of H.R. 4038 are responding to the legitimate apprehensions of many Americans shocked by the horror and carnage of the terrorist attacks that occurred last Friday, November 13, 2015, in Paris. Mr. Speaker, this nation stands in unyielding solidarity with the people of France, which like the United States, is one of the most welcoming and freedom loving nations in the world. Right now, our prayers are with the victims of the terrorist attacks and their families. Every American can empathize with the people of France because we remember the terrible and heart-breaking events of September 11, 2001, the first and worst attack by an enemy on American soil since Pearl Harbor and which took the lives of more than 3,000 innocent persons. On that day Americans of all races, religions, and creeds, in every region of the country were united in their shock and sadness and anger. But we were united in our resolve to help each other, to defend our homeland, and bring to justice those responsible, and only those responsible, for their crime against humanity. In the 14 years since that heart-wrenching day, our nation has learned much from our initial responses to the attacks of September 11; we have a much better idea today of what types of actions work, which do not, which go too far. And the best way to honor those who lost or gave their lives on September 11, and to the victims of terrorism in France and other peace loving societies, is to apply the knowledge and wisdom we have gained from experience to meet the challenges and threats the civilized world faces today from radical jihadists. Last September, the Homeland Security Committee, which I have served on since its inception, held a hearing at Ground Zero during the week marking the 14th Anniversary of the September 11. Homeland Security Committee Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Thompson and Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigration Ranking Member Lofgren are dedicated public servants whose actions are always motivated by their commitment to keep our nation safe and secure. It is safe to say that this motivation is shared by every Member of this House. But that we all agree on the end to be achieved does not mean that we always agree on the means that should be employed. Mr. Speaker, this is one of those occasions because while I yield to no one in my commitment to protecting the homeland and keeping the American people safe, I cannot agree that H.R. 4038 achieves that goal or is in the best interests of the United States. On March 4, 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt assured the nation in his Inaugural Address that ``the only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.'' I would not oppose this bill if I believed that it was needed. This is not to say that the actions H.R. 4038 requires should never be taken; only that they are not needed at this time and employing them would not be an exercise of American leadership but of fear and retreat. Our nation is better than that. But it is good that we are debating H.R. 4038 because it provides us another opportunity to remember who we are, what we believe, and what makes our nation exceptional. ISIS/ISIL aspires to bring about a bi-polar world, one divided between those Muslims who share their distorted and profaned interpretation of one of the world's great religions on the one hand, and everyone else on the other. We in the United States seek a peaceful world in which every person on earth is free to worship in peace, live in freedom, and enjoy the blessings of liberty. In other words, like the French, we believe in ``liberte, egalite, fraternite'' (liberty, equality, and fraternity). ISIS/ISIL would have none of this--the world they want is one where murder can be justified because you do not believe as they would have you believe or live as they would have you live. Women and children, religious minorities--including other Muslim beliefs that differ from their views, have suffered under ISIS/ISIL's reign of terror. The reign of terror unleashed by ISIS/ISIL is the source of refugees who are fleeing from something so all-consuming and destructive that they leave with nothing but their children in their arms and the clothes on their bodies. Before September 11, few Americans could imagine that kind of terror. Our allies in Europe understand that kind of terror--from the stories of those who sought refuge from the Nazis prior to and during World War II and after the war when escaping the totalitarian states of the Soviet-dominated Warsaw Pact. Fear of the stranger has always existed, but civilization and institutions ease that fear by providing law and order to people to assure protection from want; violence; and war by expending resources to address conditions that would result in those societal destabilizing influences. Each nation decides where it stands on principle, law, and conscience. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4038 is not necessary at this time because our nation already has in place the world's most rigorous screening process for refugees seeking asylum. Mr. Speaker, there are other alternatives to the draconian approach of H.R. 4038, takes such as the bill introduced by Ranking Members Thompson and Lofgren. The President is another solution for those who seek reassurance that every precaution is being taken--he is in a position to certify to the Congress and the American people that the process is prudent and careful in its actions regarding refugees seeking entrance into the United States. It is helpful to recount briefly the critical elements of that screening process. Every applicant for asylum must: 1. register with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; 2. provide background information, including what caused him or her to flee their home country (a ready means of comparing information provided by more than one million refugees to further verify the validity of the information provided); 3. meet one of five legal qualifications: threat of violence based on race, religion or faith or national origin; political beliefs; or membership in a targeted social group. 4. undergo a rigorous background check during which investigators fact-check the refugee's biography to ensure consistency with published or documented reports of events such as bombings or other violence; 5. be subjected to biometric tests conducted by the Department of Defense, in conjunction with other federal agencies (the U.S. military has an extensive biometric data base on Iraqis from its time in Iraq); and 6. sit for intensive in-person interviews, which may take months or years before they are conducted. Mr. Speaker, over the past several years intelligence and law enforcement agencies have established and perfected an intense form of screening for Syrians called the ``Syrian Enhanced Review.'' If, during the screening process, a person from Syria gives response that raise red flags he or she is selected for more intense examination by U.S. intelligence agencies. The demographic breakdown of those Syrians who have been approved for refugee status to come to the United States is as follows: children, 50%; persons over the age of 60, 25%; combat age males, 2%. Mr. Speaker, we must be careful not to engage in ethnic or religious profiling. Unless someone has been profiled it may be difficult to understand what collective guilt looks, or worse, feels like when it is heaped upon members of a group--no matter their age or their condition. Here in America we have learned through bitter experience that it is morally and politically wrong to regard an entire group of people as unworthy of compassion, regard, concern, or consideration because of their race or religion or ethnicity. As I stated at the outset, I do not question the motives of those who prevailed upon the House leadership to rush this bill to the floor for a vote today. H.R. 4038 was introduced on Tuesday, November 17, and is on the floor for a vote less than 48 hours later, Thursday, November 19. This is fast--too fast for such a serious decision and without considering the arduous process that is in place to screen all refugees not just those from Iraq and Syria. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4038 only addresses the refugee process for those who are Iraqi and Syrian. In its own way, it acknowledges that the process in place to vet refugees is difficult so much so that no terrorist would choose it as a means to enter the United States. Unlike Europe where people from the Syrian and Iraqi conflict could walk by land to Europe by the tens of thousands, the United States is not accessible by foot. We will not take any refugees who are now in Europe. Our nation welcomes millions of tourist, business travelers, and students from around the world at our airports and seaports each day. The United States Refugee Asylum process is not comfortable and it takes at a minimum 2 years. The persons who apply must remain where they have registered until the process is completed, which involves a series of in person interviews, physical health status checks, collection of biometrics and other data as well as investigations by law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The last thing a terrorist would want is to be a refugee--living in the harsh environment of a refugee camp for two years. Refugees are the victims of terrorists--ISIS/ISIL does not love them--they want to murder every last one of them, because they will not bow to them. We should be stirred by the defiance and courage that refugees exemplify--braving the unknown because they yearn to breathe free. In truth ISIS/ISIL has killed more Muslims than any other group of persons because they practice their faith as they see fit and refuse to worship falsely. This bill troubles me because it asks the impossible of professional law enforcement, national security, and intelligence agency personnel-- by requiring a l00% guarantee that each person poses no threat. No professional security or law enforcement professional will give anyone a 100% guarantee about anything. They will not provide a l00% guarantee because they believe that something or someone is a threat--they will not provide a guarantee because it is grossly unprofessional to do so and we should never ask them to do this. On its face H.R. 4038 would end any hope of asylum in the United States for any refugee from Iraq or Syria. If this is what the leadership wants then they should say it plainly and have a debate about profiling as a national policy. I cannot support this bill, but I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find common ground.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, this is a long list of the vetting process that desperate refugees who happen to come from camps in Jordan and Lebanon--and who happen to be Syrian--go through. It is more than 21. In fact, the last one says: Prior to entry to the United States, applicants are subject to screening again from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Applicants undergo, in No. 20, a second interagency security check. That is after 19 other security checks. I want to thank Lutheran Services, Catholic Charities, and Interfaith Ministries for recognizing the importance of the face of America to be a refuge for those who are worn and desperate. I want to join my colleagues to say that we all have a responsibility for national security. I hope the Senate will engage in vigorous debate, that the President will announce to the world that we are fighting ISIS. We are joining allies and taking it to the fight, but we must do other things besides denying and stopping innocent refugees from coming in, a small, small number: Secure our airports; ensure that the back side of the airport is secure; make sure that no foreign fighter is able to come into the United States, and I have introduced legislation for this. We are not for not protecting. We are for protecting, but we must do it in a way that America has been able to stand up and be respectful or recognizing, of course, all of those who come and struggle. Mr. Speaker, Happy Thanksgiving. I know we are a great country, and I know they know that we are.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Watson Coleman for her leadership in tonight's special order as we grapple with the horrendous terrorist attacks in Paris and Beruit as well as today's attack in Nigeria, claimed by Boko Haram. In the past week alone, we have seen lives lost in Nigeria, France and Beruit. Our prayers are with the victims and their families. The Paris, France attacks last Friday, November 13, which claimed 128 lives and many more injured, as we know was claimed by ISIS. There were also 43 killed during a suicide bombing in Beruit, Lebanon with over 200 injured. Just today in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, authorities inform us that an 11 year old suicide bomber targeted a market and detonated a bomb killing her, 30 others and injuring over 70 market goers. The terrorist group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attacks as retaliation for President Buhari's commitment for combatting violent extremism in Nigeria. The recent events underscore that we cannot let fear rule us but rather we must fight back against those who threaten our well being and security. At the same time, we must work on creating resources for victims of terror and those who have been displaced as a result of conflict and sectarian violence. This is why I introduced H. Res. 528, legislation that enjoyed bipartisan support of my colleagues including Representatives Chu from California, Dold from Illinois, Hahn from California, Kelly from Illinois, Fudge from Ohio, Watson Coleman from New Jersey, Sewell from Alabama, Bernie Thompson from Mississippi and my good friend Ms. Wilson of course from Florida. My resolution seeks to create a Victims of Terror Protection Fund for the displaced refugees, migrants and victims of Boko Haram's terror in the region. It is our American value to fight for those who are seeking refuge and needing protection. As founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Nigerian Caucus, I have been spending a lot of time on this issue since the Chibok incident. The past week has been a very trying time for the world family as we grapple with the reality of terrorists wreaking havoc in our world. One only needs to look at the current news events across the globe to appreciate the imperative of countering violent extremism, empowering and protecting victims of terror, refugees and displaced persons. In the past three months alone, ISIS has claimed responsibility for crimes, atrocities and terroristic attacks, claiming lives in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Beirut and Paris. Daesh-ISIL also known as ISIS and other terrorist networks that have pled allegiance to ISIS such as Boko Haram today pose the gravest extremist threat faced by our generation and those of our children. But we must not be moved by their evil ways, for eventually, the arc of the moral universe always tips on the side of justice, of peace, of equity of the rule of law. This is why I remain steadfast in my commitment to combatting violent extremism and protecting victims. As a result of terrorism in the region and Boko Haram in particular in Nigeria, recent reports inform us that Nigeria has the highest number of displaced persons in Africa and the third largest in the world following Syria and Columbia. The recent coordinated attacks in Paris, following military interventions by at least two United Nations Security Council permanent members: Russia and France, highlights the fact that we are dealing with an enemy of humanity and compels us to launch an international and coordinated strategy to diminish ISIS to protect our children and our children's children. The recent events underscore the importance of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism to degrade and permanently destroy ISIS and its vitriolic ideology that is inflicting pain on innocent people. The humanitarian crises triggered by sectarian and ideological violence has plagued our world at a disheartening rate, comparable to or surpassing the numbers from World War II according to some estimates. According to one United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR's) annual Global Trends report, which is based on data compiled by governments and non-governmental partner organizations, and from the organization's own records, over 60 million people have been forcibly displaced across the globe. Moreover, according to a report by the International Displacement Monitor Center, an estimated 3,300,000 persons have been displaced and 5,500 killed as a result of the violence wreaked by Boko Haram. One United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report asserts that as the most populous nation in Africa with 174,000,000 persons, 1,500,000 people have fled their homes to escape Boko Haram. In April, 2014, 276 girls were terrorized and kidnapped from their dormitories in Chibok by Boko Haram. In addition to the still missing Chibok girls, approximately 3,300,000 persons are displaced in the Lake Chad Basin which sits on the edge of the Sahara which encompasses Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria. We must not forget these girls, refugees and displaced persons and must work to provide the support they will need to recover from the trauma they have suffered. The victims will be in dire need of humanitarian assistance which the Victims of Terror Protection Fund can provide. The Victims of Terror Protection Fund should be modeled after the cases of Khazistan and Equatorial Guinea where prior kleptocracy initiatives have been created to benefit communities and victims in need of support. A kleptocracy is when a government in power exploits or steals national resources, which unfortunately has happened all too often across the globe. The United States Department of Justice through its Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative has identified the forfeited ``Abacha loot,'' funds stolen by former Nigerian dictator Sanni Abacha. As we understand it the ``Abacha loot'' is the largest kleptocracy forfeiture action ever brought in the United States resulting in a $450,000,000 judgment of the forfeited assets facilitated by Justice's remarkable Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. The Abacha Administration embezzled Nigerian public funds under among other false claims, that the Administration was investing in national security measures to protect Nigeria and the Nigerian people. As we all see now, as a result of or in part because of the Abacha Administration's failure to invest in and implement security measures, the security in Nigeria and the region is tenuous, with the country and region currently under continuous threat by the ISIS affiliated group Boko Haram. Boko Haram and other sectarian terrorists have trafficked, kidnapped, murdered and caused the displacement of millions of children, women and men. Recovered victims displaced by terrorist activity as well as refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons fleeing for their lives will be in dire need of protection and support. A Victim of Terror Protection Fund can supply health aid, educational support, employment training, economic empowerment, dignity and overall improved social welfare of these victims. I continue to have a deep appreciation of the patriotism, resilience, and commitment of the Nigerian people under the leadership of their newly democratically elected President Muhammadu Buhari. As an emerging democracy, Nigeria is a country that has faced its set of challenges, conflicts, and contradictions analogous to the human condition itself. Boko Haram and ISIS are existential threats to the human rights, well being and security of the Nigerian people, their regional neighbors and the global community in general with their penchant to commit genocide. Part of the strategy to help address the scourge of Boko Haram's atrocity would be through the creation of a Victim of Terror Protection Fund and accessibility of military technical assistance to Nigeria and its regional neighbors pursuant to the UN Security Council and neighboring African countries call for accelerated military collaboration to combat this extremist group. I commend the U.S. Administration's announcement that it is deploying 300 U.S. troops to Africa to set up a drone base to track fighters from Boko Haram, which continues to seek to destabilize Nigeria and neighboring countries during its blood thirsty assault on innocent people. The U.S. forces' presence will be critical to combatting Boko Haram, which now appears to continue to wage its vicious insurgency in Nigeria and now spilling into neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger and leaving an estimated 20,000 people dead. Our global strategy for ending the suffering, preventing displacement and creating durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons in Africa requires a multi-pronged strategy which would involve a sustained humanitarian response, government and civil society capacity building, and the creation of resilient political and security infrastructures and landscapes. My proposed Victims of Terror Protection Fund is one of the strategies for addressing the growing African migrant and refugee crisis. I commend President Obama's and President Buhari's commitment to Nigerian security and their collective efforts to tighten vigilance in vulnerable places. I hope the United States continues to build a stronger alliance with President Buhari and Nigeria. To succeed, at all our objectives to protect victims and combat violent extremism, in Nigeria, Syria and around the world, we must have continued U.S. support in protecting victims of terror, technical training, logistical and infrastructural capabilities and professionalizing its military force to battle Boko Haram.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York and the gentleman from California. I think many of us will come to the floor and emphasize that we stand with both Mr. Royce and Mr. Engel for this very strong statement of commitment by the people of the United States to stand with the people of France. My heart cried and my soul was disturbed as the video began to unfold and the most heinous acts of attacking innocent persons, persons who had gone to a stadium to be with friends and relatives; maybe fathers with young sons; maybe families with two or three or four children, maybe brothers and sisters, as was noted by one of the soccer players whose sister was lost, who had come to see him play; maybe as the beautiful young woman from California experiencing her dreams, a beautiful designer--I pay tribute to her courage and inspiration--who just was enjoying the ambience and culture of France in the beautiful outdoor cafes that many travel to France just to experience. She lost her life, a beautiful flower, someone that America can be proud of, someone who was going to be a young lady who would obtain her dreams. They didn't care about that. All they cared about was the vile violence of killing. So I am very much in solidarity, as we move forward, to not allow and tolerate ISIS-ISIL continuing their violent ways. I want peace, Mr. Speaker. All of us want peace. But ISIL must be eliminated, and we must do things differently here in this country. We have been vigilant. We have changed our ways since 9/11. We do ``see something, say something.'' But I believe as we proceed, we must act not out of fear, but of rational thought. We must deal with the radicalization of young people; and the efforts of the administration, countering violent terrorism, extremism, has been an effective tool of meeting Muslim communities all over America, letting them know that if they see something, they can say something. We must address the question of vulnerabilities in places like airports and large venues, not be shameful about enhancing security, but recognizing that our values of democracy and freedom and access are very important. I think we can do that. We did it after 9/11 with the USA PATRIOT Act, and we have continued to do it. It is our heritage to be free and to have a democratic process. It is our heritage to our friends who first established these tenets of democracy that we followed here in the United States. So, to the people of France, we know that you will act, but we ask you to be mindful of the wonderful leadership that you have given of democracy and freedom and the tenets of liberty. We know that liberty and freedom are not free, but it is important to be able to acknowledge these horrible and outrageous and heinous acts. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 524, and I call upon America to be vigilant, diligent, but not to act in fear. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in sorrow and outrage but in strong support of H. Res. 524, a bipartisan resolution that condemns ``in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Paris, France, on November 13, 2015, that resulted in the loss of at least 129 lives.'' The first two decades of the new millennium will forever be known for barbaric attacks on innocent civilian populations by terrorists on a scale not seen since the end of World War II. If the succeeding decades are to redeem the first two, then the civilized world must act in concert, with one accord and one resolve, to defeat the terrorists who refuse to make peace with the modern world and instead make war on people who wish only to remain free and enjoy the blessings of liberty. Mr. Speaker, we stand in unyielding solidarity with the people of France, which like the United States, is one of the most welcoming nations in the world. Right now, our prayers are with the victims and their families at this terrible time. Mr. Speaker, for centuries Paris has been known to the world as the City of Light. The title is richly deserved because Paris has been a world leader in the march of human progress in the arts, culture, science, democratic theory and governance, and in embrace the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. Those who think that they can terrorize the people of France or the values that they cherish underestimate a nation that has faced and prevailed against far more sinister and lethal adversaries. And they will again, but they will not confront these adversaries alone. They will be joined by the United States and the other countries of the civilized world. The French are justly proud of their national motto, ``Liberte, egalite, fraternite,'' (liberty, equality, fraternity) and no act of terrorism by cowardly perpetrators will succeed in leading them to renounce their heritage of freedom and justice. It is a heritage that we here in the United States share. And that is why the civilized world must and will rededicate itself to combating and defeating radical jihadism. And as has been done many times throughout the long and special relationship between the United States and France, we will face and overcome threats to our way of life together. We will not bow and will never break; we will not falter or fail. We will respond. We will endure. We will overcome. The terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday were horrific acts on innocent civilians perpetrated by depraved individuals who misuse the peaceful religion of Islam for their own misguided purposes. Their horrible and heinous acts are their responsibility, and theirs alone, and for which they can be assure that they alone will be held accountable. We will never forget what happened on Friday, November 13, 2015, which will be forever known in France and throughout the civilized world as ``Black Friday.'' And we will always remember the many innocent lives cut short by the outrageous and heinous acts of terrorism that shocked and rocked the people of Paris last Friday and earned the lasting enmity of peaceful and freedom loving people around the world. I ask a moment of silence for the victims killed and injured in the terrorist attacks last Friday in Paris.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in sorrow over the loss of so many innocent lives cut short by the outrageous and heinous acts of terrorism that shocked and rocked the people of Paris last Friday and earned the lasting enmity of peaceful and freedom loving people around the world. Right now, our prayers are with the victims and their families at this terrible time. And we stand in unyielding solidarity with the people of France, which like the United States, is one of the most welcoming nations in the world. Mr. Speaker, for centuries Paris has been known to the world as the City of Light. The title is richly deserved because Paris has been a world leader in the march of human progress in the arts, culture, science, democratic theory and governance, and embraces the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. Those who think that they can terrorize the people of France or the values that they cherish underestimate a nation that has faced and prevailed against far more sinister and lethal adversaries. And they will again, but they will not confront these adversaries alone. They will be joined by the United States and the other countries of the civilized world. The French are justly proud of their national motto, ``Liberte, egalite, fraternite,'' (liberty, equality, fraternity) and no act of terrorism by cowardly perpetrators will succeed in leading them to renounce their heritage of freedom and justice. It is a heritage that we here in the United States share. And that is why the civilized world must and will rededicate itself to combating and defeating radical jihadism. And as has been done many times throughout the long and special relationship between the United States and France, we will face and overcome threats to our way of life together. We will not bow and will never break; we will not falter or fail. We will respond. We will endure. We will overcome. The terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday were horrific acts on innocent civilians perpetrated by depraved individuals who misuse the peaceful religion of Islam for their own misguided purposes. Their horrible and heinous acts are their responsibility, and theirs alone, and for which they can be assured that they alone will be held accountable. But that will come another day; today I ask a moment of silence for the victims killed and injured in the terrorist attacks last Friday in Paris.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the past 36 hours have been a very trying time for the world family as we grapple with the reality of terrorists wreaking havoc in our world. One only needs to look at the current news events across the globe to appreciate the imperative of countering violent extremism, empowering and protecting victims of terror, refugees and displaced persons. In the past three months alone, ISIS has claimed responsibility for crimes, atrocities and terroristic attacks, claiming lives in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Beirut and Paris. Daesh-ISIL and other terrorist networks that have pledged allegiance to ISIS today pose the gravest extremist threat faced by our generation and those of our children. But we must not be moved by their evil ways, for eventually, the arc of the moral universe always tips on the side of justice of peace of equity of the rule of law. This is why I remain steadfast in my commitment to combatting violent extremism and protecting victims. Today, I introduced legislation expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the creation of a Victims of Terror Protection Fund. I urge support of this legislation. As a result of terrorism in the region and Boko Haram in particular in Nigeria, recent reports inform us that Nigeria has the highest number of displaced persons in Africa and the third largest in the world, following Syria and Columbia. As we know, the recent coordinated attacks in Paris, following military interventions by at least two United Nations Security Council permanent members: Russia and France highlights the fact that we are dealing with an enemy of humanity and compels us to launch an international and coordinated strategy to diminish ISIS to protect our children and our children's children. Moreover, the recent events underscore the importance of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism to degrade and permanently destroy ISIS and its vitriolic ideology that is inflicting pain on innocent people. As we all know, humanitarian crises triggered by sectarian and ideological violence has plagued our world at a disheartening rate. According to one United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR's) annual Global Trends report, which is based on data compiled by governments and non-governmental partner organizations, and from the organization's own records, over 60 million people have been forcibly displaced across the globe. Moreover, according to a report by the International Displacement Monitor Center, an estimated 3,300,000 persons have been displaced and 5,500 killed as a result of the violence wreaked by Boko Haram. One United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report asserts that as the most populous nation in Africa with 174,000,000 persons, 1,500,000 people have fled their homes to escape Boko Haram. In April, 2014, 276 girls were terrorized and kidnapped from their dormitories in Chibok by Boko Haram. In addition to the still missing Chibok girls, approximately 3,300,000 persons are displaced in the Lake Chad Basin which sits on the edge of the Sahara which encompasses Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria. We must not forget these girls or displaced persons and must work to provide the support they will need to recover from the trauma they have suffered. The victims will be in dire need of humanitarian assistance which the Victims of Terror Protection Fund can provide. The Victims of Terror Protection Fund should be modeled after the cases of Khazistan and Equatorial Guinea where prior kleptocracy initiatives have been created to benefit communities and victims in need of support. A kleptocracy is when a government in power exploits or steals national resources, which unfortunately has happened all too often across the globe. Here, the United States Department of Justice through its Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative has identified the forfeited ``Abacha Funds,'' funds stolen by former Nigerian dictator Sanni Abacha. Indeed, the ``Abacha Funds'' is the largest kleptocracy forfeiture action ever brought in the United States resulting in a $450,000,000 judgment of the forfeited assets facilitated by Justice's remarkable Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. The Abacha Administration embezzled Nigerian public funds under other false claims, that the Administration was investing in national security measures to protect Nigeria and the Nigerian people. As we all see now, as a result of or in part because of the Abacha Administration's failure to invest in and implement security measures, the security in Nigeria and the region is tenuous, with the country and region currently under continuous threat by the ISIS affiliated group Boko Haram. Indeed, Boko Haram and other sectarian terrorists have trafficked, kidnapped, murdered and caused the displacement of millions of children, women and men. Recovered victims displaced by terrorist activity as well as refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons fleeing for their lives will be in dire need of protection and support. A Victim of Terror Protection Fund can supply health aid, educational support, employment training, economic empowerment, dignity and overall improved social welfare of these victims. I continue to have a deep appreciation of the patriotism, resilience, and commitment of the Nigerian people under the leadership of their newly democratically elected President Muhammadu Buhari. As an emerging democracy, Nigeria is a country that has faced its set of challenges, conflicts, and contradictions analogous to the human condition itself. Yet, resiliency flows through the veins and into the hearts of the Nigerian people. That is why I urge my colleagues to support the victims through the protection fund to protect, support and address the unprecedented migrant and refugee crisis across the Mediterranean triggered by violent extremism, conflict and natural disasters. Boko Haram is an existential threat to the human rights, well being and security of the Nigerian people and their regional neighbors with its relentless drive to commit genocide. Part of the strategy to help address the scourge of Boko Haram's atrocity should be through the creation of a Victim of Terror Protection Fund and accessibility of military technical assistance to Nigeria and its regional neighbors pursuant to the UN Security Council and neighboring African countries call for accelerated military collaboration to combat this extremist group. This is why I commend the U.S. Administration's announcement that it is deploying 300 U.S. troops to Africa to set up a drone base to track fighters from Boko Haram, which continues to seek to destabilize Nigeria and neighboring countries during its blood thirsty assault on innocent people. The U.S. forces' presence will be critical to combatting Boko Haram, which now appears to continue to wage its vicious insurgency in Nigeria and now spilling into neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger and leaving an estimated 20,000 people dead. In light of these atrocities and its pleading of allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS), we must remain vigilant of Boko Haram, since both groups are fighting to establish a caliphate across the Middle East and in Africa. Our global strategy for ending the suffering, preventing displacement and creating solutions for displaced persons in Africa requires a multi-pronged strategy which would involve a sustained humanitarian response, government and civil society capacity building, and the creation of resilient political and security infrastructures and landscapes. This proposed Victims of Terror Protection Fund is one of the strategies for addressing the growing African migrant and refugee crisis. I commend President Buhari's commitment to Nigerian security and his directive to local authorities to tighten vigilance in vulnerable places. I hope we continue to build a stronger alliance with President Buhari and Nigeria. To succeed at all our objectives, Nigeria must have continued U.S. support in protecting victims of terror, technical training, logistical and infrastructural capabilities and professionalizing its military force to battle Boko Haram. Nigeria has emerged from so many trials and tribulations stronger, more united, more focused, and committed to reestablishing the stability, peace, security, growth, and development of the country. I invite all Members including those who have supported previous efforts, letters and resolutions related to combatting terrorism and Boko Haram and the promotion of U.S. Nigeria relations to join me in sponsoring this resolution expressing a sense of the House of Representatives regarding the Victims of Terror Protection Fund.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 1073, the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2015. As a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security as well as the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Investigations, I am well aware of the importance of our nation's critical infrastructure and for this reason I support H.R. 1073. The bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 by adding the definition of ``EMP'' to mean: (1) an electromagnetic pulse caused by intentional means, including acts of terrorism; and (2) a geomagnetic disturbance caused by solar storms or other naturally occurring phenomena. Directs DHS to: (1) include in national planning frameworks the threat of EMP events; and (2) conduct outreach to educate owners and operators of critical infrastructure, emergency planners, and emergency response providers of the threat of EMP events. The bill also directs DHS to conduct research and development to mitigate the consequences of EMP events, including: an objective scientific analysis of the risks to critical infrastructures from a range of EMP events; determination of the critical national security assets and vital civic utilities and infrastructures that are at risk from EMP events; an evaluation of emergency planning and response technologies that would address the findings and recommendations of experts, including those of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack; an analysis of available technology options to improve the resiliency of critical infrastructure to EMP; and the restoration and recovery capabilities of critical infrastructure under differing levels of damage and disruption from various EMP events. DHS will make recommendations to Congress on a strategy to protect and prepare the critical infrastructure of the nation against EMP events, and provide biennial updates on the status of developing a defense against EMP strategy. Electricity and the national electric grid are of vital importance to our national and domestic security interest. There were 3 strategic imperatives that dives the Federal approach to strengthen critical infrastructure security and resilience: refine and clarify functional relationships across the Federal Government to advance the national unity of effort to strengthen critical infrastructure security and resilience; enable effective information exchange by identifying baseline data and systems requirements for the Federal Government; and implement an integration and analysis function to inform planning and operations decisions regarding critical infrastructure. Effective security for our nation's critical infrastructure requires a national unity of effort based upon strategic guidance from the Secretary of Homeland Security. I introduced H.R. 85, Terrorism Prevention and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with critical infrastructure owners and operators and state, local, and territorial to take proactive steps to address All Hazards that would impact: national security; economic stability; public health and safety; and or any combination of these. The Jackson Lee bill, just as H.R. 1703 is intended to do, would reduce vulnerabilities associated with potential terrorist attacks that target critical infrastructure by supporting a coordinated partnership among federal agencies; critical infrastructure owners and operators and local, state, and tribal authorities. Last, Friday's terrible attacks in Paris only illustrates the inhumanity of those who are America's enemies--the enemies of all of those who cherish freedom. I join my colleagues in the House in offering my deepest sympathies to the people of Paris especially to the families of those killed. Our commitment to our national security should and must extend to the security needs of our allies in the struggle against violence and terrorism--France. I ask my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 1703.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, a senior member of the Homeland Security, I rise to speak on H.R. 3996, Surface Transportation Extension Act II of 2015,'' which reauthorizes federal-aid highway and transit programs for two weeks through December 4, 2015. Mr. Speaker, instead of this 14-day temporary extension, I would have strongly preferred that we were debating a final Conference Report on H.R. 22, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015, which provides for what used to be the customary six-year reauthorization of surface transportation programs to provide certainty and stability to the needed effort to repair, rebuild, and revitalize the nation's crumbling infrastructure. The Senate Amendment to the Conference Report on H.R. 22, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015, passed by a vote of 65-34, nearly a two-thirds majority, while the version of the bill passed by the House version of the bill, which included two Jackson Lee amendments, passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 363-64. Mr. Speaker, I reluctantly support this emergency but temporary measure because as the Department of Transportation has reported, if we do not act now highway trust fund balances will reach dangerously low levels by November 20 and result in a reduction of payments to states by an average of 28 percent. Many states have already canceled or delayed planned construction projects, threatening 700,000 thousands of jobs, including 106,100 jobs in my home state of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Highway Trust Fund was created in 1956 during the Eisenhower Administration to help finance construction of the Interstate Highway System, which modernized the nation's transportation infrastructure and was instrumental in making the United States the world's dominant economic power for two generations. Our national leaders then understood that investing in our roads and bridges strengthened our economy, created millions of good- paying jobs, and improved the quality of life for all Americans. It is currently composed of two accounts that fund federal-aid highway and transit projects built by states. Federal funding from the trust fund accounts for a major portion of state transportation spending. The Highway Trust Fund is financed by gasoline and diesel taxes, which until the last decade produced a steady increase in revenues sufficient to accommodate increased levels of spending on highway and transit projects. However, those tax rates--18.4 cents/gallon federal tax on gasoline and a 24.4 cents/gallon tax on diesel fuel--have remained unchanged since 1993 and were not indexed to inflation so the value of those revenues has eroded over the years, and, combined with the fact that vehicles have been getting increasingly better mileage, the revenues deposited into the Highway Trust Fund beginning last decade have not kept pace with highway and transit spending from the trust fund. Consequently, since 2008, Congress has periodically had to transfer at the 11th hour general Treasury revenues into the trust fund to pay for authorized highway and transit spending levels and avoid a funding shortfall. The total amount to date is more than $74 billion. Obviously, this practice is economically inefficient and injects uncertainty in the highway construction plans, projects, and schedules of state and local transportation agencies, not to mention the anxiety it causes to workers and businesses who economic livelihood is dependent on those projects. Mr. Speaker, the last transportation authorized by Congress for 4 years or more, SAFETEA-LU, expired on September 30, 2009, at the end of FY 2009. Because Congress and the Administration could not agree to a new reauthorization, it was necessary to resort to stop-gap temporary extensions on no less than eight occasions spanning a period of 910 days before Congress finally enacted the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act'' (MAP-21 Act) on July 6, 2012, which reauthorized highway and transportation programs through Fiscal Year 2014, a little more than two years, or until September 30, 2014. MAP-21 was intended as a short-term measure to give Congress and the Administration breathing room to reach agreement on a long-term reauthorization bill. Yet, as Mr. Levin, the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Committee, has often pointed out, since gaining the majority in 2010, our Republican colleagues have failed to take any action to sustain the Highway Trust Fund over the long-term and shore up vital infrastructure projects and has not held even a single hearing on financing options for the Highway Trust Fund. Mr. Speaker, it is long past time for this Congress, and especially the House majority, to focus on the real problems and challenges facing the American people. And one of the biggest of those challenges is ensuring that America has a transportation policy and the infrastructure needed to compete and win in the global economy of the 21st Century. To do that we have to extend the reauthorization of current transportation programs and to authorize the transfer of the funds to the Highway Trust Fund needed to fund authorized construction projects and keep 700,000 workers, including 106,100 in Texas on the job. But that is only a start and just a part of our job. The real work that needs to be done in the remaining days of this Congress is to reach an agreement on H.R. 22 that the President can sign that is fair, equitable, fiscally responsible, creates jobs and leads to sustained economic growth.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great American and one of the beloved and respected persons ever to serve in this body, Howard Coble of North Carolina, who died yesterday evening, November 3, 2015, in Greensboro, North Carolina, at the age of 84. First elected in 1984 to the 99th Congress by the constituents of the 6th Congressional District of North Carolina, Howard Coble would go on to win reelection to the 14 succeeding Congresses. When he retired at the end of the 113th Congress, Howard Coble held the distinction of being the longest serving Republican from the state of North Carolina to serve in the House. Congressman Coble, served in the U.S. House longer than any other North Carolina Republican, died late Tuesday. He was a respected member of this body and respected by all who knew him. His presence will be greatly missed and we all mourn his loss and extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Born March 18, 1931 in Greensboro, North Carolina, John Howard Coble joined the United States Coast Guard one year after graduating high school where he served on active duty for five years and an additional 18 years in the Coast Guard Reserves. After his honorable discharge, Howard Coble attended Guilford College on the G.I. Bill, from which he graduated in 1958 with an A.B. in History, and then went on to earn his J. D. in 1962 from the law matriculated to the University of North Carolina School of Law. After graduation, Howard Coble worked briefly as an insurance agent before spending much of the next two decades in the private practice of law and as an Assistant United States Attorney. Before his election to Congress in 1984, Howard Coble served in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1969, and again from 1979- 83, and as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Revenue from 1973-1977. In Congress, Howard Coble served on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and its Subcommittees on Aviation, Highways, and the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Mr. Speaker, it was my great privilege to serve with Howard Coble for 20 years on the Judiciary Committee; for many years we were colleagues on the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet. While we served on different sides of the aisle and were often on opposing sides of major issues, there were many times we were able to work together to craft sound public policy and advance the public good in the areas of patent reform, copyrights and intellectual property, and privacy protection. Mr. Speaker, a dear colleague has fallen but he will not be forgotten. I will always remember Howard Coble as a thoughtful, helpful, kind, and honorable colleague; a true southern gentlemen. Mr. Speaker, Howard Coble was a good man, a good legislator, a great friend who was respected by Members on both sides of the aisle. He will be missed.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, from Monday, November 2, 2015 through Tuesday, November 3, 2015, I was attending to representational duties in my congressional district. Had I been present I would have voted as follows: 1. On Roll Call 582 I would have voted AYE (H.R. 1853--To direct the President to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization, and for other purposes) 2. On Roll Call 583 I would have voted NO (H. Res. 507--Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 22, the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015; providing for proceedings during the period from November 6, 2015, through November 13, 2015; and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules) 3. On Roll Call 584 I would have voted NO (H. Res. 507, as Amended-- Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 22, the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015; providing for proceedings during the period from November 6, 2015, through November 13, 2015; and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules) 4. On Roll Call 585 I would have voted AYE (H. Res. 354--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the safety and security of Jewish communities in Europe.) 5. On Roll Call 586 I would have voted AYE (H.R. 22--Swalwell of California Part B Amendment No. 2 to Rules Print 114-32) 6. On Roll Call 587 I would have voted NO (H.R. 22--Gosar of Arizona Part B Amendment No. 5 to Rules Print 114-32) 7. On Roll Call 588 I would have voted NO (H.R. 22--Ribble of Wisconsin Part B Amendment No. 14 to Rules Print 114-32) 8. On Roll Call 589 I would have voted AYE (H.R. 22--Brown of Florida Part B Amendment No. 15 to Rules Print 114-32) 9. On Roll Call 590 I would have voted AYE (H.R. 22--Lynch of Massachusetts Part B Amendment No. 29 to Rules Print 114-32) 10. On Roll Call 591 I would have voted AYE (H.R. 22--Takano of California Part B Amendment No. 31 to Rules Print 114-32) 11. On Roll Call 592 I would have voted AYE (H.R. 22--Brownley of California Part B Amendment No. 32 to Rules Print 114-32) 12. On Roll Call 593 I would have voted NO (H.R. 22--Radewagen of American Samoa Part B Amendment No. 34 to Rules Print 114-32)

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary and Homeland Security, I rise to speak on S. 1356, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2016 Conference Agreement. I thank Armed Services Committee Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith for their work and collaboration with the Senate conferees in making the revisions to the NDAA needed to address the substantial and legitimate concerns raised by in the Statement of Administration Policy regarding the original NDAA (H.R. 1735). Mr. Speaker, S. 1356 authorizes $599 billion for the Pentagon and defense-related programs for FY 2016, $5 billion less than both the president's overall request and the original agreement. President Obama vetoed the original agreement on October 22, because he objected to its $38 billion in base defense funding in the uncapped Overseas Contingency Operations account. This had the effect of giving preferential treatment to defense spending over non-defense spending in violation of the Murray-Ryan Budget Agreement and contrary to the spirit of the even-handed pain resulting from sequestration. Because of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement reached last week, conferees were able to identify the $5 billion in reductions needed to conform to the requirements of the Murray-Ryan Budget Agreement. The revised NDAA Conference Agreement reflects the new FY 2016 cap and provides $33 billion of the original $38 billion in added funds for defense, including $8 billion through the OCO account. S. 1356 authorizes $715 million for Iraqi forces fighting the Islamic State, $406 million to train and equip Syrian opposition forces and $300 million for lethal weapons for Ukraine. I am especially pleased that S. 1356 incorporates three amendments that I successfully offered to the FY2016 NDAA passed by the House earlier this year. Jackson Lee Amendment Number 1, which requires the Department of Defense to conduct outreach program to assist small business concerns owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically minorities is incorporated in Section 868(b)(2) of new NDAA Conference Agreement:

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, thank you to President Obama for working with us to get a real defense authorization bill and for us to be able to fix the broken defense bill that was passed previously in this House. I was prepared to sustain the veto, but through a very instructive and positive budget resolution that we passed just last week, we have been able to plus up the defense, and we have been able to plus up nondiscretionary defense spending. Today, I voted for the defense authorization. Included were amendments that I offered that were sustained in the conference report which require the Department of Defense to conduct outreach programs to assist the concerns of small businesses that are owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socioeconomically disadvantaged minorities. In addition, my amendment, which provides guidance to the Secretary of Defense in identifying HBCUs and minority-serving institutions and to assist them in developing and enhancing science, technology, engineering, and math, was also kept in the bill. Finally, my amendment, which requires the Department of Defense to evaluate commercial, off-the-shelf business systems for security, resilience, reliability, interoperability, and integration with existing interrelated systems, was also incorporated. So, in protecting the security of the defense mechanisms, in providing opportunities for small businesses, and in working with Historically Black Colleges and minority-serving colleges, this bill is a good bill. I, again, support the fact that we are moving the defense bill forward and that we are protecting not only our veterans, but we are protecting the men and women who serve us in the United States military.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained on November 2, 2015, through November 3, 2015. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: On rollcall vote No. 582, I would have voted ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 583, I would have voted ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 584, I would have voted ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 585, I would have voted ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 586, I would have voted ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 587, I would have voted ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 588, I would have voted ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 589, I would have voted ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 590, I could have voted ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 591, I would have voted ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 592, I would have voted ``aye.'' On rollcall vote No. 593, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Fred Dalton Thompson, a great American, a man who personified civility; a passionate advocate for good governance, fiscal responsibility, and national security; and United States Senator from Tennessee, who died on Sunday, November 1, 2015, in Huntsville, Tennessee at the age of 73. Born to Ruth Inez and Fletcher Session Thompson on August 19, 1942, in Sheffield, Alabama, Freddie Dalton Thompson came from humble beginnings. After graduating from Lawrence County High School, Fred Thompson then entered the University of North Alabama, becoming the first member of his family to attend college. He later transferred to the University of Memphis, where he earned a dual degree in philosophy and political science in 1964 and won a scholarship to Vanderbilt University School of Law from which he graduated with a J.D. in 1967. After his admission to the Tennessee bar and from 1969-1972, Fred Thompson worked as an Assistant United States Attorney where he successfully prosecuted bank robberies and other cases. In 1972, Fred Thompson managed the successful reelection campaign of U.S. Senator Howard Baker who brought him to Washington and appointed him Minority Counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee. Fred Thompson has often been credited for formulating the question made famous by Senator Baker during the Watergate hearings: ``What did the President know, and when did he know it?'' In addition to service as a United States Senator, Fred Thompson rendered valuable service to the public as Special Counsel to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (1980-1981), Special Counsel to the Senate Intelligence Committee (1982), and Member of the Appellate Court Nominating Commission for the State of Tennessee (1985-1987). In 1994, Fred Thompson was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994 to fill the unexpired term of Senator Al Gore, who had been elected Vice- President and two years later was elected in a landslide to a full six- year Senate term. During his eight years in the Senate, Fred Thompson served on the Committees on Finance, Government Affairs, and Intelligence. He retired at the end of his term in 2002 and resumed his career as film and television actor, starring for many years as Manhattan District Attorney Arthur Branch in the acclaimed television series ``Law and Order.'' Notable films in which Fred Thompson starred include ``In the Line of Fire,'' ``No Way Out,'' ``Days of Thunder,'' ``The Hunt for Red October,'' ``Cape Fear,'' ``Die Hard 2,'' ``Class Action,'' and ``Fat Man and Little Boy.'' Mr. Speaker, I hope it is a comfort to Fred Thompson's widow, Jeri Kehn Thompson, and his surviving children, Freddie Jr. and Samuel, that so many persons are remembering Fred Thompson in their prayers and thoughts. I ask that the House observe a moment of silence in memory of Fred Thompson, the distinguished U.S. Senator from Tennessee.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of H. Res. 293, expressing concerns over anti-Semitic incitement within the Palestinian Authority. I continue to support the safety and security of Jewish people across the globe. Indeed, last week, I signed on to the Royce-Engel letter to President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian National Authority to express my deep concern over the recent wave of violence in Israel and the West Bank. It is imperative that political leaders across the globe help to set the tone for peace by advocating non-violence. Over the past two months, news reports inform us that scores of attacks on innocent Israelis have occurred. This bipartisan legislation condemns these attacks and urges Palestinian Authority leaders to discontinue all incitement and exert political influence to discourage any form of violence by the Palestinian civil society. This legislation also expresses support for individuals and organizations working to encourage cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. This legislation encapsulates the United States' unwavering support as Israel's strongest ally. Indeed, among other things, the 1995 Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, also known as Oslo II, asks all parties to abstain from incitement without derogation for the principle of freedom of expression to prevent incitement by any organization, groups or individuals within their jurisdiction. Moreover, Oslo II admonishes Israel and the Palestinian Authority to ascertain that their respective educational systems facilitate peace between Israeli and Palestinian peoples, working together towards peace in the region. This legislation encourages and recognizes the work of individuals and organizations focused on facilitating the cooperation towards peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Thus, I support and urge continued efforts to urge an end to language that incites any form of violence and I encourage efforts to help facilitate peace between all parties involved.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of H. Res. 254, regarding the safety and security of Jewish communities across Europe. I continue to support the safety of Israeli people across the globe. Indeed, last week, I signed on to the Royce-Engel letter to President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian National Authority to express my deep concern over the recent wave of violence in Israel and the West Bank. It is imperative that political leaders across the globe help to set the tone for peace by advocating non-violence. Numerous attacks on so many innocent lives in Europe alone is so much cause for alarm: Anti-Semitic rhetoric and acts, according to FBI reports involved 870 incidents in 2012 with anti-Jewish bias motivation, including 13 violent incidents, and 625 incidents in 2013 attributed to anti-Jewish bias; an increase in violent attacks on people and places of worship; and an escalation of frequency, variety and severity of the various attacks. Anti-Semitic attacks are threats to the fundamental rights we hold so dear in our nation. Security and diversity of all citizens, societies and countries are sacrosanct in our nation. This is why the United States joined forces with France and the United Kingdom in recognition of the importance of partnership, training and information sharing between government entities and the Jewish community security groups with the eye towards the safety and security of Jewish communities. As a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, information sharing initiatives such as our national ``If You See Something, Say Something'' campaign implemented by our nation's Department of Homeland Security is a critical initiative that will enable prevention of anti-Semitic violent attacks on individuals and communities. This bill is also critical because it urges the United States Government, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, Director of the FBI to engage their European counterparts to partner in the protection of the Jewish community in Europe. This Bill reaffirms the very important U.S. support for the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism with the eye towards fostering and facilitating international religious freedom. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 354 because it supports an end to the dramatic increase of the number of violent anti-Semitic attacks in some European countries. These attacks, increasingly targeting places of ordinary daily life like market places and places of worship must stop. Thus, I support and urge enhanced partnerships between governments and Jewish community groups-which are critical to helping keep Jewish communities secure.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of H.R. 1853, directing the President to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, the empowerment of law enforcement in order that they be able to carry out their mandate in upholding the rule of law and preservation of peace and security are imperatives I believe we must continue to seek to facilitate. Our world today is fraught with global terrorism, with groups utilizing information sharing and technologies to advance their vitriolic causes. This is why organizing, inclusion and empowerment of nations willing to work together to combat domestic and global terrorism is in our global and national security interest. This measure facilitates the United States' and the global community's ability to move swiftly to empower police and law enforcement in our collective efforts of coordinating, preempting and acting swiftly in unison in combatting terrorism, crisis prevention and response. I join this bipartisan measure which seeks to facilitate INTERPOL member states' efforts to promote Taiwan's ability to bid to obtain observer status in the INTERPOL. Indeed, since 1964, Taiwan had maintained full membership, but was ejected 20 years later when the People's Republic of China (PRC) applied for membership. Part of what the United States Administration can do is to take the lead in endorsing Taiwan in obtaining its observer status. The United States has expressed its affirmative intentions in support of Taiwan's participation in appropriate international organizations, as delineated in the 1994 Taiwan Policy Review. For instance, Public Law 108-235 authorized the Secretary of State to initiate and implement a plan to endorse and obtain observer status at the annual World Health Assembly for six consecutive years, owing to Taiwan's significant contribution to the global community's efforts of addressing pandemic control and global public health issues of our day. Indeed, the INTERPOL's constitution allows observer status at meetings by police entities who are not members of the Organization. The current status of non-membership status preludes Taiwan from gaining access to INTERPOL's I-24/7 global communications systems, an important real time information sharing infrastructure on domestic and global criminals. The current state of affairs relegates Taiwan to hearsay or second hand information from friendly nations such as the United States. This impedes Taiwan's ability to move swiftly in information acquisition as it relates to its domestic and global crime fighting efforts. As a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security, global and national security is very important to me. This measure seeks to protect our security interests in Taiwan as well as the global security of the world. Taiwan's inaccessibility to critical information readily made available to its law enforcement forces places our entire world at risk. This measure seeks to facilitate Taiwan's direct and unobstructed participation in the International Criminal Police which promotes global security. I support and urge the support of this measure because it is beneficial for all nations and their police authorities to be able to share information with authorized police authorities in their law enforcement and peacekeeping efforts in combatting local and global crimes, including the contemporary crime of terrorism.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a longstanding member of the Congressional Animal Rights Caucus and champion of wildlife preservation and protection of animals, I rise in support of H.R. 2494, the Global Anti-Poaching Act by Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Royce of California. Earlier this year, in light of the brutal killing of Cecil the Lion, I introduced and sought the support of my colleagues as original co- sponsors of my legislation entitled, Cecil the Lion Endangered and Threatened Species Act of 2015. H.R. 2494 embodies the purpose of my legislation by strengthening partner countries' capacity in countering wildlife trafficking and designating major wildlife countries for protection. Mr. Speaker, my legislation on Cecil the Lion amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the taking and transportation of any endangered or threatened species as a trophy into the United States. This current legislation crystallizes our bipartisan collective efforts to address and tackle a yearly $7 to $10 billion illicit venture that seeks to destroy endangered and troubled wildlife. Currently, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) does not protect the vast majority of wild animals killed and imported. While the ESA allows for the importation of endangered and threatened species for scientific research, propagation or survival of the species, hunters are abusing this limited exception to murder and transport protected wildlife for sport. As a result of this loophole, tens of thousands of wild animals are killed every year by trophy hunters and transported into the United States. The conservation of endangered and threatened species is critically important to the sustainability of our biodiversity, ecosystem and the beauty of wildlife as we know it. Terrorist organizations are not only proving to be a threat to global security but also a threat to our environment and natural wildlife, utilizing the funds from their illicit activity of wildlife poaching to fund their terroristic activities. Vulnerable species are at the mercy of transnational terrorist groups whose actions place these natural inhabitants of the earth in danger of extinction. For example, the population of African elephants has decreased from 1.3 million to 400,000, with 22,000 poached in 2012. Only 3,200 tigers remain in the wild, and these tigers remain in danger of being poached for their skins, bones and body parts. H.R. 2494 works to enforce the United Nations Security Council multilateral sanctions against individuals and entities engaging in illicit trade of wildlife in support of armed groups like the Lord's Resistance Army, al-Shabaab and other terrorist organizations. This legislation supports the efforts of the State Department under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program to dismantle the wildlife trafficking syndicates in the global south from Africa to Asia. This legislation supports the President's Executive Order 13648, geared at combatting wildlife trafficking, through the creation of a Presidential Task Force responsible for our national strategy to combat wildlife trafficking. Indeed, the United States along with 40 countries from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America participated in the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade where we collectively committed to addressing the cultural, social, environmental and economic consequences of the illegal trade in wildlife. Mr. Speaker, this bill seeks to protect endangered species, expand and professionalize wildlife enforcement networks through: assessment of the capacity of existing enforcement networks in member countries; establishment of a central secretariat to coordinate enforcement networks; facilitation of law enforcement and intelligence efforts and information sharing; utilization of the expertise of international bodies and civil society organizations to tackle the issue; and training of enforcement personnel, and the creation and institutionalization of a wildlife enforcement platform based on the rule of law. Indeed, by making certain large-scale wildlife trafficking crimes predicate offenses for money laundering, racketeering, and smuggling, this bill elevates the seriousness of major wildlife trafficking offenses, putting wildlife crime on par legally with other forms of transnational organized crime. Mr. Speaker, as ranking member on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, this bill is a step in the right direction as it enforces existing laws, directs fines, forfeitures, and penalties, all imperative for wildlife conservation. I strongly support H.R. 2494 because it supports on-the-ground efforts to protect species, including elephants, tigers, and rhinos from becoming victims of wildlife crime.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise to pay tribute to a dedicated champion and pivotal civil and human rights leader, Barbara R. Arnwine. On this important Election Day, where millions of Americans exercise their fundamental right to vote, it is exceptionally meaningful to applaud this remarkable hero. Barbara Arnwine has dedicated her life to making our world a better place, and because of her lifetime of achievements and victories, our history will be forever marked with confirmation that we have and continue to advance to a better place. Throughout her 25 years of service as the Executive Director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and nearly 10 years of prior service at the Boston Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and legal aid to the public of North Carolina, we have all benefited from her tireless advocacy and fight for justice. From the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act in 2006, the development and expansion of Election Protection from 2004 through 2008, and steadfastly giving voice to those disenfranchised for criminal convictions and discriminatory practices nationwide, Barbara Arnwine has never backed down but continues to this day to lay the foundation for freedom and justice for every citizen. Not only in the critically important area of voting rights, Barbara Arnwine has left a beautiful and exemplary footprint on all necessary aspects of social justice, including community development, housing and lending, employment law, women's and immigration rights, criminal justice reform, racial profiling, affirmative action, healthcare, LGBTQ rights, environmental justice, and breaking down international barriers of racial oppression, discrimination and xenophobia in Africa and Asia. Barbara Arnwine is not only a phenomenal woman, she is a worldly warrior. It is with great pleasure that I thank Barbara Arnwine for her service to the cause of justice and wish her well as she embarks on her new journey in the continuing struggle for social justice and equal opportunity for all persons.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, I am offering this amendment on behalf of Congresswoman Sewell and myself. I wish to thank the Chair and Ranking Member of the Rules Committee for making this Amendment in order. I thank Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Peter A. DeFazio for their efforts to bring the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act to the floor. I thank them all for this opportunity to explain the Jackson Lee/ Sewell Amendments, which makes a good bill even better by ensuring that the national goals of strengthening our nation's transportation and infrastructure is aided by innovation. The work of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in bringing this bipartisan forward thinking bill to the floor is appreciated. This Jackson Lee/Sewell amendment improves this good bill by ensuring that the goals of improving transportation efficiency and safety take into consideration the topic of rest stop, and other parking and the topic of public safety. This Amendment seeks a public safety report to be provided to the House and Senate Transportation Committees on the security of locations that are intended to encourage public use of alternative transportation, as well as personal transportation parking areas. An essential part of the success of public transportation usage is the ability of automobile drivers to park their vehicles in safety. More than 1 in 10 property crimes occur in parking lots or garages. The report will provide an opportunity for Congress to do more to enhance the safety of parking areas that are used by students, women, seniors, disabled, and other vulnerable members of the public. The Bureau of Justice Statistics provides a detailed report on the place of occurrence for violent and property crimes from 2004 through 2008. For example, purse snatchings and pocket pickings typically occur away from home. According to Bureau of Justice Statistics 28.2% of purses snatched occur in open areas such as the street or on public transportation. This amendment will lead to enhanced safety of car pool parking lots, mass transit parking; local, state, and regional rail station parking; college or university parking; bike paths, walking trails, and other locations the Secretary deems appropriate. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that victimization and property crimes occurring between 2004 and 2008 in parking lots and garages include: 213,540 victimization crimes that occurred in noncommercial parking lots and garages; and 864,190 property crimes. The Bureau's report on victimization crimes that occur at public transportation or in stations was 49,910 and property crimes was 132,190. The Jackson Lee/Sewell Amendment will make surface transportation travel safer. More importantly, it will increase Safety of the traveling public, especially women, seniors, students, disabled persons, and children. Madam Chair, I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee/Sewell amendment.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, I am offering this amendment on behalf of Congresswoman Sewell and myself. Once again, I wish to thank the Chair and Ranking Member of the Rules Committee for making this Amendment in order. I thank the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Peter A. DeFazio for their bipartisan work to bring the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act to the floor. This Jackson Lee/Sewell Amendment provides a report to Congress from the Secretary of the Department of Transportation on the ``Internet of Things'' (IoT) and its potential to improve transportation services to the elderly and persons with disabilities as well as assist local, state and federal transportation planners in achieving better inefficiencies and cost effectiveness, while protecting privacy and security of persons who use IoT technology. The IoT refers to the wireless environment that will support networking of physical objects or ``things'' embedded with wireless electronic components, software, sensors, and network connectivity technology, which enables these objects to collect and exchange data on people, places and things. The IoT will introduce the functionality of computing into physical space as computing technology is integrated into devices and systems. It will also challenge the privacy and security of users of the technology if precautions are not taken to ensure that information on these devices is not protected. This Jackson Lee/Sewell amendment will allow Congress to take into consideration how IoT technologies can be used to make public transportation, safer, more convenient to the elderly and disabled, and how it may improve mass and personal transportation efficiency. The ability to include wireless technology into physical things or support communication among digital devices that may be nearby or at distances will offer many benefits to consumers. IoT products are already being deployed for personal, recreational, city planning, public safety, energy consumption management, healthcare, and many other applications. Today, local governments are working to incorporate IoT services into transportation; garbage pickup, as well as the provision of wireless connectivity for their residents. The Jackson Lee/Sewell Amendment will help ensure that we harness the benefits of the ``Internet of Things'' for the traveling public and minimize the threats to privacy and cybersecurity presented by this new and exciting technology. I urge support for the Jackson Lee/Sewell Amendment.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I rise in support of H.R. 3361, the ``Department of Homeland Security Insider Threat and Mitigation Act.'' I am in support of this bill because it amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish an Insider Threat Program, which shall: provide training and education for DHS personnel to identify, prevent, mitigate, and respond to insider threat risks to DHS's critical assets; provide investigative support regarding such threats; and conduct risk mitigation activities for such threats. The Department of Homeland Security will establish a Steering Committee headed by the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis who will serve as the Chair; and the Chief Security Officer of the office as the Vice Chair of the Committee. The Under Secretary and the Chief Security Officer, in coordination with the Steering Committee, shall: develop a holistic strategy for DHS-wide efforts to identify, prevent, mitigate, and respond to insider threats to DHS's critical assets; develop a plan to implement the strategy across DHS components and offices; document insider threat policies and controls; conduct a baseline risk assessment of such threats; examine existing programmatic and technology best practices adopted by the federal government, industry, and research institutions; develop a timeline for deploying workplace monitoring technologies, employee awareness campaigns, and education and training programs related to potential insider threats; consult with the Under Secretary for Science and Technology and other stakeholders to ensure that the Insider Threat Program is informed by current information regarding threats, best practices, and available technology; and develop, collect, and report metrics on the effectiveness of DHS's insider threat mitigation efforts. Threat mitigation is focused on blunting the effectiveness of threats posed by terrorists seeking to carry out attacks in the United States. This is a core mission of the Department of Homeland Security and this bill will support that mission. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this bill.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3505 the ``Fusion Center Enhancement Act,'' which would guarantee improvement of security for the Department of Homeland Security. This bill requires the Homeland Security Department to provide training to appropriate staff of the Department to determine eligibility for access to classified information. At least 88 DHS workers have been on administrative leave pending resolution of claims against them, according to the office of Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa). Four workers had been on leave for three years or more with another 17 on leave for two years or more. The 88 were placed on leave for a variety of reasons. Amongst those reasons it was noted that 13 were placed on leave due to security clearance issues. Earlier this year officials said that a database holding sensitive security clearance information on millions of prior, current, as well as potential federal employees and contractors was compromised, via a Chinese Breach. That database was also breached last year by the Chinese in a separate incident. The bill will ensure that: 1. The Secretary will review all sensitivity level designations of national security positions; 2. Access shall be administratively adjusted and an appropriate level periodic reinvestigation completed, as necessary; and 3. The Inspector General of the Department shall conduct regular audits. With cyber security threats on the rise across the world, and our continued dependence on technology we must be ever vigilant of the threats that we face. It is for these reasons, as well as the previously mentioned cases of threats to DHS security clearance, that I seek the support of my colleagues today to support H.R. 3505. I am confident that my colleagues will heed my advice and realize the need for the enactment of H.R. 3505.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I rise in support of H.R. 3503, the ``Homeland Security Support Fusion Centers Act of 2015.'' State and major urban area fusion centers serve as central points within the state and local environment for the receipt, analysis, gathering, and sharing of threat-related information between the federal government and state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners. H.R. 3503 will require the Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with the homeland security advisors of the states to provide an assessment of fusion center personnel needs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security. H.R. 3503 will amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve the management and administration of the security clearance processes throughout the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security advisors must conduct a needs assessment of Department personnel assigned to fusion centers pursuant to subsection (c) of section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The assessment must include information on: the current deployment of DHS personnel to each fusion center; the roles and responsibilities of Office of Intelligence and Analysis intelligence officers, intelligence analysts, senior reports officers, reports officers, and regional directors deployed to fusion centers; federal resources, in addition to personnel, provided to each fusion center; whether deploying additional personnel would enhance intelligence and information sharing between DHS and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners; fusion centers located in jurisdictions along land and maritime borders of the United States and the degree to which deploying personnel from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Coast Guard to such centers would enhance the integrity and security at such borders; and fusion centers located in jurisdictions with large and medium hub airports and the degree to which deploying personnel from the Transportation Security Administration to such centers would enhance aviation security. The Under Secretary must submit such assessment to specified congressional committees, together with a report on: the number of personnel assigned to fusion centers from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis; the number of personnel assigned to the National Network of Fusion Centers from components and offices of DHS and the methodology for determining the fusion centers to which such personnel are assigned; and an implementation plan for determining how DHS's personnel resources will be allocated to fusion centers in the future. H.R. 3503 will help to ensure the safety of our fusion centers and the personnel that work within these centers. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 3503.