Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Just to emphasize, finally, whether it is seaways, dams, highways, or tollways, whether it involves other modes of transportation, transportation projects are major engines driving the economy. That is why we are here on the floor. It is important for the local communities to be drivers of that. The metropolitan regions will not be able to maintain economic vitality without this investment. Finally, the Jackson Lee amendment clearly speaks to the global aspects of the Secretary of Transportation having the ability to work with our local and State governments. I ask my colleagues to join me in restating that the Secretary of Transportation has authority to work with local and State entities on the proposed projects that they have and for these projects to continue to grow and develop to ease traffic congestion. Madam Chair, Let me thank Subcommittee Chairman Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member Price for their leadership on this important legislation and for the opportunity to explain my amendment. The Jackson Lee Amendment adds at the end of the bill the following new section providing that: Sec. ___. None of the funds made available by this Act under the heading `` Federal Transit Administration--Transit Formula Grants'' may be used in contravention of section 5309 of title 49, United States Code. This amendment is identical to the Jackson Lee Amendment to H.R. 4775, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for FY2015 adopted by the House last year by voice vote. In particular, the Jackson Lee affirms the importance to the nation of projects that create economic development, particularly in the transportation area. Pursuant to section 5309 of title 49, the Secretary of Transportation may make grants under this section to State and local government the authority to assist in financing capital projects, small startup projects, including the acquisition of real property. This section further supports capacity improvements, including double tracking, and it specifically relates to work that deals with projects on approved transportation plans. That is key; section 5309 of title 49 grants to State and local governments the authority to undertake capital projects, which means that when local governments propose their projects, the Secretary has the authority to go forward on them. It's instructive to consider what some of the nation's leading transportation and economic development organizations have to say about the importance and economic impact of investments in local light rail capital projects. It is well documented that nothing enhances the competitiveness of a nation in this increasingly globalized economy, than investments in transportation infrastructure capital projects. Whether it is the seaways, dams, highways, or tollways, and whether it involves other modes of transportation, transportation projects are major engines driving the economy. And it is important for the local community to be the drivers of that. Metropolitan regions will not be able to maintain its economic vitality without the ability to create and preserve infrastructure that supports the movement of people and goods throughout our country. The Jackson Lee Amendment clearly speaks to the global aspect of the Secretary of Transportation having the ability to work with our local and State governments. Houston is the fourth most populous city in the country; but unlike other large cities, we have struggled to have an effective mass transit system. Over many decades Houston's mass transit policy was to build more highways with more lanes to carry more drivers to and from work. The city of Houston has changed course and is now pursuing Mass transit options that include light rail. This decision to invest in light rail was and is strongly supported by Houstonians by their votes in a 2003 referendum and by their increased usage of light rail service made possible in part by transportation appropriations bills. Specifically, Harris County voters passed a massive referendum proposal that was to set the stage for transit for the next 20 years. It included a first stage of four light rail lines, to be complete by 2012, and a master plan for a 65-mile system, to be complete by 2025. An April 2014 report by the Houston METRO on weekly ridership states that 44,267 used Houston's light rail service, which represented a 6,096 or 16% increase in ridership from April of the previous year. This increase in light rail usage outpaced ridership of other forms of mass transit in the city of Houston: metro bus had a 2.3% increase over April 2013; metro bus-local had a 1.3% increase over April 2013; and Metro bus-Park and ride had a 8.0% increase over April 2013. In a story published February 5, 2013, the Houston Chronicle reported on the congestion Houston drivers face under daily commute to and from work. According to the Chronicle article, in 2011 Houston commuters continue to enjoy some of the worst traffic delays in the country, and Houston area drivers wasted more than two days a year, on average, in traffic congestion, costing them each $1,090 in lost time and fuel. Today, those figures have increased to 3.5 days a year wasted in traffic congestion, costing them each $1,850 in lost time and fuel. To put it in simpler and starker terms: A driver in Houston could see 154 movies this year or purchase 21 tickets to a home Texans game with the money wasted because of poorly maintained or traffic-clogged roads. Expanded light rail is critical to Houston's plan to meet its transportation and environmental challenges, ease its traffic congestion, and improve its air quality. Places most likely to see immediate benefit from light rail in Houston are the 50,000 students that attend the University of Houston and Texas Southern University. Funds made available under this deal should be available to support local government decisions of the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority and the city of Houston to expand rail service. When we put our minds to it, we can get things done. In Houston, we built a port 50 miles from the ocean, created the world's greatest medical center in the middle of open prairie, and convinced the federal government to base its astronauts in a hurricane zone 870 miles from the launch pad. Each of those achievements shares a common element: elected officials have advocated, built public support, and brought the agencies together. Members of Congress should respect the decisions of state and local governments when it comes to deciding how they will spend funding made available for public transportation under this appropriations bill. I ask my colleagues to again support the Jackson Lee Amendment and affirm the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to work with local governments to develop local transit projects that will relieve traffic congestion, efficiently move people and goods, create jobs and maintain America's status as the leading economy in the world. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as the Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus and a senior member of the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, I rise in strong support of S. 802, the ``Girls Count Act of 2015.'' I support this legislation which authorizes the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International development to: (1) support programs that will contribute improved civil registration and vital statistics systems with a focus on birth registration; and (2) promote programs that build the capacity of developing countries' national and local legal and policy framework to prevent discrimination against girls, and help increase property rights, social security, land tenure, and inheritance rights for women. In addition, this bill authorizes the Secretary and the U.S. AID Administrator to cooperate with multilateral organizations to promote such programs. As co-chair of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Algeria Caucuses, I have long advocated for the rights for women around the world. In the current Congress, I introduced H.R. 69 and H.R. 57, two bills that promote women's rights. H.R. 69 is a bill awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Laureate for Peace, in recognition of her devoted service to education, justice, and equality. Malala Yousafzai is an inspiration to young people in the United States and children who must struggle to receive an education. In a speech before the United Nations, she called for a global struggle against literacy, poverty and terrorism. She closed her remarks by saying ``One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world.'' The Taliban remains unrepentant while she remains defiant and said that the day she was shot ``weakness, fear and hopelessness died.'' While her road to recovery proved to be amazing and complete, she has not been deterred in pursuing her goal of education rights for young girls in her native land and for this, her life continues to be threatened by the Taliban. H.R. 57 requires that activities carried out by the United States in South Sudan relating to governance, post-conflict reconstruction and development, police and military training, and refugee relief and assistance support the human rights of women and their full political, social, and economic participation. According to the United States Census Bureau's 2013 international figures, 1 person in 12, or close to 900 million people, is a girl or woman age 10 through 24. The Census Bureau's data also illustrates that young people are the fastest growing segment of the population in developing countries. Even though most countries have birth registration laws, four out of ten babies born in 2012 were not registered worldwide. Moreover, an estimated 36 percent of children under the age of five worldwide (about 230,000,000 children) do not possess a birth certificate. A nationally recognized proof of birth system is important to determining a child's citizenship, nationality, place of birth, parentage, and age. Without such a system, a passport, driver's license or other identification card is difficult to obtain. The lack of such documentation can prevent girls and women from officially participating in and contributing to the formal economic, legal, and political sectors in their country. The lack of birth registration among girls worldwide is particularly concerning as it can exacerbate the disproportionate vulnerability of women to trafficking, child marriage, and lack of access to health and education services. A lack of birth registration among women and girls can also aggravate what, in many places, amounts to an already reduced ability to seek employment, participate in civil society, or purchase or inherit land and other assets. Girls undertake much of the domestic labor needed for poor families to survive: carrying water, harvesting crops, tending livestock, caring for younger children, and doing chores. Mr. Speaker, to help ensure that women and girls are considered in United States foreign assistance policies and programs, that their needs are addressed in the design, implementation, and evaluation of foreign assistance programs, and that women and girls have the opportunity to succeed, it is important that girls be counted and have access to birth certificates and other official documentation. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in strong support for S. 802.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, which celebrates and recognizes the significant contributions made by Caribbean Americans that have strengthened our country and made it better. This month also marks the 53rd anniversaries of independence for the Caribbean nations of Jamaica and of Trinidad and Tobago. Although a half century has passed since they gained their independence, the struggle they waged to win their freedom still stands as a testament to the ideals of our own great nation. I am privileged to represent a large segment of Houston, Texas, which is home to more than 300,000 Americans of Caribbean heritage, making it one of the largest, most diverse, and vibrant Caribbean-American communities in the nation. Mr. Speaker, Americans of Caribbean heritage have made a positive impact on virtually every aspect of American life, including the arts, science, business, education, athletics, military, and government. For example, in the area of government and public affairs America has benefitted from the contributions of Colin Powell, a former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice; former Members of Congress Mervyn Dymally of California, and Shirley Chisholm of New York, and current Congresswoman Yvette Clarke of New York; and Kamala Harris, the Attorney General of California. Caribbean Americans have enriched American art and culture with the legendary performances of Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Cicely Tyson, Nia Long, and Cuba Gooding, Jr.; the writings of authors W.E.B. DuBois and Malcolm Gladwell; the music of Beyonce Knowles, Lenny Kravitz, Rihanna, and Wyclef Jean; and the prowess of great athletes like Carl Lewis, Tim Duncan, Patrick Ewing, Sandra Richards-Ross, and Ndamukong Suh. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that this Saturday, June 6, the city of Houston will be hosting the 5th annual Caribbean American Heritage Month Festival, which celebrates the rich culture of the Caribbean with a showcase of beautiful costumes, music, food, and enjoyment for all. I also wish to recognize the leadership of the Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas, which works to assist Texas Caribbean Organizations achieve their goals and to advocate on behalf of the peoples of Caribbean descent. I congratulate the Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas, the Caribbean Heritage Organization in my home city of Houston, and the many community organizations and volunteers across the nation for their efforts in making Caribbean American Heritage Month the success that it is. During this month I hope all Americans will join with me in celebrating the remarkable history, culture, and contributions of Caribbean Americans to our nation's past and future.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate LGBT Pride Month and the remarkable progress that has been made in making our country more diverse and tolerant and embracing of differences in the 17 years since the cruel murder of Matthew Shepherd, a college student from Laramie, Wyoming. As a country, America has made and continues to make great progress in the area of social equality, as evidenced most dramatically by the seismic shift in public support for marriage equality over the past decade. Today, supporters of marriage equality dramatically outnumber opponents by 61%-35%; a near total reversal from 2004, when opponents outnumbered supporters 58-39 percent. Our country made progress in bringing our LGBT brothers and sisters, mother and fathers out of the shadows with the repeal of ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'' which I was proud to support. Our nation is now stronger and our people are safer thanks to the sacrifices made by these brave Americans, who no longer need to choose between service and silence. There have been other changes for the better. In April 2015, President Obama issued a landmark Executive Order prohibiting discrimination against LGBT persons in the workplace. This civil rights victory ensures the tax dollars used to pay government contractors support contractors that are committed to equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of sexual orientation. This legislation marks a major shift from a time when the U.S. Civil Service Commission prohibited the hiring of LGBT persons to a time when the Secretary of Defense has selected an openly gay man as his chief of staff. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 46th anniversary of the LGBT Civil Rights Movement, where activists such as Frank Kameny led the struggle for the voices of the LGBT community to be heard. Frank Kameny's courageous demonstrations inspired others to resist mistreatment and we witnessed in 1969 what happens when a community says enough is enough. Our country has made progress since the Stonewall uprising of 1969, and with the support of equal rights for all communities by leaders such as President Barack Obama, more and more voices are being heard. Mr. Speaker, although more remains to be done to realize the full promise of America that all are equally treated and protected by the law, it is undeniable that America is closer to realizing that promise than it was during the dark days of Stonewall. So there is much reason for joy and optimism when my home city of Houston celebrates Houston Pride Week later this month, from June 21- 28, 2015. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the 16th largest LGBT community in the nation is located in the Houston metropolitan area, which I am privileged to represent. The Houston LGBT community is culturally diverse, economically dynamic, and artistically vibrant. Houston Pride Week has been an annual event for the last 36 years, since 1979, and promotes the individuality of Houston's ever-growing LGBT community. The Pride Festival and Parade are at the center of the Celebration and are annually attended by more than 400,000 people from Houston and around the world. Mr. Speaker, progress is made through the efforts of courageous leaders who actively engage their communities and face adversity to ensure that the rights of all are clearly recognized and protected. People like the legendary Bayard Rustin, who organized the 1947 Journey of Reconciliation which inspired the Freedom Rides of the 1960s and helped Dr. King organize the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and who was the driving force behind the historic 1963 March on Washington. Texas natives such as Sheryl Swoopes, a 3-time WNBA Most Valuable Player and champion for the Houston Comets, Houston Mayor Annise Parker. These leaders have set an example of what can happen when we lift the limits of inequality and support our fellow Americans in their pursuits of their inalienable rights. Other members of the LGBT community whose contributions have enriched American culture and made our country better include the great poet Langston Hughes; Mandy Carter, 2008 national co-chair of Obama Pride and lifelong activist; Billy Strayhorn, the musician and gifted composer whose 30-year collaboration with Duke Ellington gave the world some of the greatest jazz music ever; Tom Waddell, army medical doctor and Olympic athlete; and James Baldwin, one of the towering figures in the history of American literature. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to acknowledge the achievements of just a few of the countless number of Americans who overcame prejudice and discrimination to make America a more welcoming place for succeeding generations of LGBT community members.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the gentleman for his support for both of my amendments. And I, again, would indicate that every opportunity we have to grow the economy and expand to those populations not fully included, this Congress should take an opportunity to do. I see, in this amendment, opportunity for jobs, for partnerships, and certainly opportunities for growing the engineers and other talented persons whom we need for, in essence, a new America with a new economy, technologically-based. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. May I inquire how much time is remaining?

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Let me conclude, Mr. Chairman, by saying that women- owned businesses have increased 20 percent between 2002 and 2007. They currently total close to $8 million. According to the most recent available Census data, minority-owned businesses employ nearly 6 million Americans and generate $1 trillion in economic output. My home city of Houston, the home of the Johnson Space Center, is also home to more than 60,000 women-owned businesses, 60,000 African American-owned businesses, and multitudes of minority-owned businesses. I would offer to say that, if we can include this amendment, that outreach to these entities under this commercial space exploration legislation will be adding more jobs to the American economy. I ask for the support of the Jackson Lee amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. The other thing that I would offer to suggest, as this bill moves to the Senate, is the investments that are made, the profits that may ultimately be made by commercial space exploration, it would be appropriate to use those moneys to invest in R&D and the Federal Government for it to continue its very important, unrestrained research that has been so mighty to helping so many different people under NASA. I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding, but I would ask the question: Can we not provide a safety matrix for commercial space exploration as we have done in the public sector?

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman. I thank the managers of this bill, including the majority leader. I just want to say that I come from Space City. Houston, Texas, has as its motto--its defining moment besides railroads--is Space City. I served 12 years on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and I had a strong commitment and continue to have a strong commitment to human space exploration--in particular, the research that is garnered out of that mighty effort. I have traveled to most of the NASA centers across the Nation, and I have seen outstanding researchers. There is no reason for any of us, Democrats or Republicans, to oppose the idea of space exploration and, in this instance, commercial space exploration. What I will say to you, Mr. Chairman, and to my good friend, the majority leader, let us walk step-by-step together. Certainly, I am concerned as someone who offered and wrote legislation to promote more safety on the International Space Station-- proudly so--legislation that was ultimately passed and I believe has made the space station more enduring, to be able to suggest that this bill limits to a certain extent the safety requirements that I believe would make this industry a better industry, to say also that we are highlighting or offering the commercial space industry over the investment in NASA, which I have great concern, as we look forward to the implementation of the Orion and the opportunities for further space exploration. I would want to make sure that this legislation does not undermine our work with NASA and, frankly, that the safety elements that are so important, not only to the civilian population--because I have commercial space entities in Texas just a few hundred miles away from Houston, Texas, but I also have the NASA Johnson Space Center--and I would want to know whether or not there is a conflict between the safety requirements that we have to implement and the safety requirements and security requirements in commercial space exploration.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Let me thank the manager of the bill, the chairman of the full committee, and the ranking member of the full committee for the hard work they do on issues that are important to our Nation and their service to this country. Let me also thank the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards) for her astute leadership on many of these issues. Let me as well indicate my commitment to space exploration. As I said earlier, I hope that we can work on a number of issues, but I hope we can work together on what I think is an important economic engine for the Nation, first starting with John F. Kennedy's challenge to all of us and developing, through President Johnson, the NASA centers across America, and the enormous research that has been done by NASA over the years. I remember debating this question of funding for NASA really in the 1990s and 2000s, talking about the research of heart disease, cancers, HIV/AIDS. I say that to say that, as we move into commercial space exploration, we certainly want to make sure that opportunities are given to all of America. This is commercial, yes; but the provisions of commercial space work are enhanced by the government in the resources that we have. My amendment is to provide that recognition and to conduct outreach to the small-, minority-, and women-owned business community. It requires that the provisions of the bill that address future legislation should include work on how to effectively conduct outreach to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and minorities. As we have all worked hard to encourage small-business owners to produce jobs, this is a great entrepreneurial effort, and therefore, I support the initiatives that would increase an outreach to small businesses and create more jobs. There are approximately 6 million minority-owned businesses in the United States--representing significant aspects of our economy--and many, many more women and small businesses and other minority-owned businesses.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Johnson for their efforts to advance our nation's space exploration horizon. I am a firm believer that commercial and government unmanned and manned space exploration complement each other. The Internet was initially a federal government research and development project that transitioned to a commercial and public resource that has in less than 2 decades fueled economic opportunities for thousands of U.S. companies large and small. The transition to commercial space exploration will need the collaboration and support of the Federal government to be sure that it is inclusive, safe and profitable. The commercial space industry must yield opportunities for all U.S. businesses, which is why I am offering Jackson Lee Amendment Number 5. The Jackson Lee Amendment requires that the provisions of the bill that address future legislation also lay the foundation for the commercial space industry to include work on how to effectively conduct outreach to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and minorities. I have worked hard to help small business owners to fully realize their current and future potential. That is why I support entrepreneurial development programs, including the Small Business Development Center and Women's Business Center programs. These initiatives provide counseling in a variety of critical areas, including business plan development, finance, and marketing. Outreach is key to developing healthy and diverse small businesses in all sectors of the economy. There are approximately 6 million minority owned businesses in the United States, representing a significant aspect of our economy. According to the most recent available Census data, minority owned businesses employ nearly 6 million Americans and generate $1 trillion dollars in economic output. Women owned businesses have increased 20% between 2002 and 2007, and currently total close to 8 million. My home city of Houston, Texas, the home of the Johnson Space Center, is also home to more than 60,000 women owned businesses, and more than 60,000 African American owned businesses. Just as the national highway system and rural electrification has led to opportunities for communities to participate in the national economy, so will federal investment in our nation's infrastructure and capacity in space exploration pave the way for a new era of economic growth and opportunity. I ask my colleagues to vote for the Jackson Lee Amendments. I would ask that my amendment be accepted, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, my appreciation to all of those who are on the floor today. My amendment speaks to discussions that this Congress has had over many, many years on the question of science, technology, engineering, and math and, in particular, working with more vulnerable communities. My amendment would facilitate the participation of HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions, National Indian Institutions, in fellowships, work-study, and employment opportunities in the emerging commercial space industry. I remember some years ago that we developed a fellowship for graduate and Ph.D. candidates at Texas Southern University to interact at NASA Johnson. It was a very effective effort, and certainly, well-received by those who were able to participate. That is, again, investing in universities and colleges that interact, again, with vulnerable populations or do outreach to minority students and expose them, again, at graduate level and undergraduate level to science, technology, engineering, and math. For over two decades the Nation has known that the economy will be driven, not by the hammer and anvil, but by the ingenuity and hard work of our Nation. Therefore, the imagination that fuels invention is so valuable to the well-being of our Nation. My amendment would follow in that spirit by increasing awareness among underrepresented groups in STEM employment and education opportunities and, I would hope, would create partnerships between the commercial space industry and our HBCUs, our Native American Institutions, Hispanic Serving, and allow work-study and employment opportunities in this growing and emerging commercial space industry. I believe it would be an excellent partnership and would be an excellent contribution to the economic engine of this Nation. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, Article 1 Section 8 of the United States Constitution states that ``The Congress shall have Power to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts . . .'' Too often the interpretation of these words are only about patents and inventions, but it extends to our nation's federal investment in areas of science that open up new avenues for economic and technological advancements. I thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Johnson for their work to advance the scientific horizon of our nation. Jackson Lee Amendment Number 6, made in order by the Rules Committee, would facilitate the participation of HBCU, Hispanic Serving Institutions; National Indian institutions, in fellowships, work-study and employment opportunities in the emerging commercial space industry. For over 2 decades the nation has known that the economy will be driven by the hammer and the anvil, but by the ingenuity and hard work of our nation's people. The imagination that fuels invention--is so valuable to the wellbeing of our nation that the founders placed it as a key responsibility of the legislative branch. My amendment would follow in this spirit by increasing awareness among underrepresented groups in STEM employment and education opportunities in the commercial space industry. One of the most enduring difficulties faced by underrepresented populations in the STEM field is a lack of awareness and understanding of the connection between STEM and employment opportunities. In 2012, a survey found that despite the nation's growing demand for more workers in science, technology, engineering, and math grows, the skills gap among the largest ethnic and racial minorities groups remain stubbornly wide. Blacks and Latinos account for only 7 percent, of the STEM workforce despite representing 28 percent of the U.S. population. All of our nation's citizens must be able to tap into, what has been described in the Brookings' Metropolitan Policy Program Report as, ``The Hidden STEM Economy.'' This report stated that in 2011, 26 million jobs or 20 percent of all occupations required knowledge in 1 or more STEM areas. Half of all STEM jobs are available to workers without a 4 year degree, and these jobs pay on average $53,000 a year, which is 10 percent higher than jobs with similar education requirements. Houston, Texas, the home of the Johnson Space Center, has the second highest concentration of engineers (22.4 for every 1000 workers according to the Greater Houston Partnership). Houston has 59,070 engineers, the second largest population in the nation. This Jackson Lee Amendment will open up an avenue to allow underrepresented groups in the STEM economy a means of learning about the commercial space industry through the development of fellowships, work study, and employment opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. I ask my colleagues to vote for the Jackson Lee Amendments. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as the author of H. Res. 92 and the Co- Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, it is with great pride and deep appreciation for the opportunities this great nation affords to its citizens that I rise to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Project Head Start, one of the signal achievements of the Great Society and boldest initiatives launched by the nation in the War on Poverty. Launched in the White House Rose Garden on May 18, 1965, by President Lyndon Baines Johnson, the aim of Project Head Start was bold and audacious in its scope and design. As President Johnson stated in announcing the opening of a new front in the War on Poverty with the launch of Project Head Start: ``We set out to make certain that poverty's children would not be forevermore poverty's captives. . . . ``This means that nearly half the preschool children of poverty will get a head start on their future. . . . ``These children will receive preschool training to prepare them for regular school in September. . . . ``They will get medical and dental attention that they badly need, and parents will receive counseling on improving the home environment.'' Conceived as an eight-week summer program designed to provide pre- school training not just to prepare 5 and 6 year-olds to enter regular school the following September, but also to give nearly half the preschool children living in poverty ``a head start on their future.'' At its launch, the Head Start Program, administered by the Office of Economic Opportunity and wonderfully and skillfully led by its Director, Sargent Shriver, consisted of 2,500 projects, covering 11,000 Child Development Centers, serving about 530,000 poor children in every state of the Union. Mr. Speaker, President Johnson recognized that the bleak future waiting for children trapped in poverty was not a phenomenon concentrated in the inner-cities of the large urban cities of the North but could be found in every region in every state in the nation. That is why the Head Start Program was launched not as a mere demonstration project limited to a handful of counties, but as a program national in scope serving every city, suburb, and rural area in the United States. Mr. Speaker, the Head Start Program provided pre-school training to prepare poor children to enter regular school and help put them on an even footing with their classmates as they entered school. But it also had an even higher aim and loftier purpose, and that was to assist children prepare for the challenges they will face in life and to combat poverty's great weapons--hunger and malnutrition; illness and poor health; ignorance and cultural deprivation. Project Head Start was from the start a national undertaking, utilizing the services of 41,000 professionals, including teachers, doctors, dentists, nurses, nutritionists, employing more than 47,000 persons, who were assisted by more than 500,000 volunteers. Based on its initial success as a summer program, the following year, in 1966, Head Start was funded as a primarily part day, 9 month program, largely through existing community action programs. In later years, the Head Start Program would be expanded to serve children with disabilities, Native Americans, homeless children, and to provide bilingual and bicultural migrant and seasonal programs serving 6,000 children in 21 states. Today, the Head Start Program serves nearly a million poor children, including: 160,829 enrolled in Early Head Start for 3-year olds; 910,833 enrolled in Head Start; 20,627 American Indian/Alaska Native children enrolled in Head Start; 4,722 American Indian/Alaska Native children enrolled in Early Head Start; 32,082 children of migrant or seasonal workers enrolled in Head Start; and 40,853 homeless children enrolled in Head Start. Additionally, the Head Start Program serves 136,120 children with disabilities, 15,632 pregnant women, and provides services to 771,840 families. In my home state of Texas, the Head Start Program serves 661,000 poor children under the age of 5, including 2,471 homeless children, 8,370 children with disabilities, and provides services to 53,333 families. And in my home city of Houston, a remarkable organization called AVANCE has been serving the needs of low-income children and families since its founding in 1973. AVANCE offers Head Start, Early Head Start, Parenting, Healthy Marriage, Fatherhood, and other programs designed to prepare and help low-income children, students, and families reach their potential. Mr. Speaker, not only has the Head Start Program been a great benefit to its direct beneficiaries, it has provided substantial economic and social benefits to the nation as a whole. Research studies have shown that for each dollar invested, the Head Start program yields a rate of return on investment (ROI) of 7-9 percent and the program is responsible for the direct creation of 236,591 jobs, with an average annual salary of about $31,000 for Head Start teachers with baccalaureate degrees. Mr. Speaker, another societal benefit of the Head Start Program is the improved health of the children and families it serves. Research has shown that the mortality rates for 5-9 year-old children who had attended Head Start are 33-50% lower than the rates for comparable children not enrolled in Head Start. Moreover, Head Start children are less likely to fall victim to childhood obesity and are at least 8% more likely to have had their immunizations than children who did not attend preschool. Mr. Speaker, the Head Start Program has been an unqualified success for the more than 31 million children and parents it has served since its inception in 1965. And so it is that we can look back with pride on the 50 year record of this bold and innovative program. But we cannot yet be satisfied because our work is not done and will not be done until every eligible child is afforded the opportunity to get a head start in life the program provides. Today, only 42 percent of eligible low-income preschoolers are actually served by Head Start and less than 4 percent are in Early Head Start. But we should not let the fact that we have more work to do to strengthen the Head Start Program detract from the joy and happiness we are justified in deriving from its half century of success and its vindication of our optimistic belief in the capacity of Americans to solve pressing national problems when people of goodwill work together in the spirit of cooperation rather than conflict. The record of the Head Start Program shows that it can be done and that President Johnson was right--the Head Start Program was and is ``one of the most constructive, and one of the most sensible, and also one of the most exciting programs that this Nation has ever undertaken.'' And its reward for this bold act is the collective service and contributions to the betterment of society made by the 31 million children that have been served by the program over the past 50 years. I thank the 100 colleagues who co-sponsored H. Res. 92, and especially the 65 members who joined me as original cosponsors of the resolution. I also wish to express my thanks and appreciation to Chelsea Ukoha and Gregory Berry of my staff for their exceptional efforts and work on this wonderful tribute to a program that has contributed so much to the richness and vitality of our country.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember all those brave and heroic men and women of the Armed Forces who gave the last full measure of devotion in defense of our country. Each May, veteran and service organizations come together to hold events around the country to demonstrate their gratitude to current and former men and women in uniform and their families for their service to our country. The month of May is a time when a grateful nation acknowledges and affirms the debt owed to those brave men and women who risked their lives to preserve the freedoms we too often take for granted. It is important that we recognize and celebrate the tremendous role military personnel have played across the globe. Texas is home to more than 130,000 active military personnel and more than 1,600,000 veterans, 30,000 of which are from the 18th Congressional District of Texas. It has been an honor to represent these constituents and I am extremely proud of their service. As we acknowledge our former, current and future military men and women, it is essential that we provide them with the resources necessary to help wounded warriors, veterans, and their families' transition to civilian life. That is why I was proud to cosponsor and help shepherd to passage H.R. 1344, Helping Heroes Fly Act, that was signed into law in 2013 and which facilitates expedited passenger screening at airports for service members who are severely injured or disabled, along with their families. I also introduced H.R. 76, the ``Helping to Encourage Real Opportunity for Veterans Transitioning from Battlespace to Workplace Act of 2015,'' which provides strong incentives for employers to hire, retain, and employ veterans in positions that take maximum advantage of their skills and experience. Mr. Speaker, in closing I recognize by the name the 53 brave men and women from my home city of Houston, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and gave the last full measure of devotion to their country. They are: Krystal Fitts, Jorge Luis Velasquez, Cody Norris, Jacob Molina, Pedro Maldonado, Edwardo Loredo, Matthew Catlett, Zarian Wood, Andrew Roughton, Edgar Heredia, Joshua Molina, Steven Candelo, Scott McIntosh, Orlando Perez, Jeremy Ray, Benjamin Garrison, Rodney Johnson, Matthew Medlicott, Alan Austin, William Edwards, Eric Salinas, Danny Soto, Roy Jones, Terrence Dunn, Hector Leija, David Fraser, Benjamin Rosales, Kenneth Pugh, Alberto Sanchez, Walter Moss, Michael Robertson, Howard Babcock, Timothy Roark, Ivica Jerak, Phillip George, Keith Mariotti, Clinton Gertson, Dexter Kimble, Jesus Leon-Perez, Thomas Zapp, Eric Allton, Andrew Houghton, Juan Torres, Pedro Contreras, Adolfo Carballo, Scott Larson, Leroy Sandoval, Armando Soriano, Keelan Moss, A. Esparza-Gutierrez, Tomas Sotelo, Brian Matthew Kennedy, and Brian Craig. God bless them. And may God bless the United States.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, this morning, I ask all my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 92, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Project Head Start, launched in the White House Rose Garden on May 18, 1965, as bold and audacious in its scope design and as a project to launch against those who lived in poverty. President Johnson said: ``We set out to make''--and to contain certain--``that poverty's children would not be forevermore poverty's captives.'' This means that nearly half of the preschool children of poverty will get a head start on their future. These children will receive preschool training and prepare them for regular school in September. They will get medical and dental attention that they badly need, and parents will receive counseling. Again, we have set out to make certain that poverty's children would not be forevermore poverty's captives. Today, 160,000 enrolled in Early Head Start, 910,000 enrolled in Head Start, 20,000 American Indian-Alaska Native children, 4,000 American Indians, 32,000 migrant or seasonal workers, and 40,000 homeless children. We must continue this infrastructure, and I want to thank AVANCE and the Harris County School District in my district because they believe in helping children. Mr. Speaker, I conclude by thanking those who have fallen in battle for the United States of America as we memorialize them on Memorial Day.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the distinguished gentleman. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Let me thank the distinguished gentleman from Georgia. He is right. We serve on the Judiciary Committee. He serves with great distinction as the ranking member on the Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law Subcommittee, and I have the privilege of working and serving with him on the Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee. Although we have been working on these issues for any number of years, he is a practicing lawyer, a graduate of the distinguished Thurgood Marshall School of Law, which I have the privilege of representing. We know that we are now in a significant moment of history, and that is, if I might use language that is not particularly legislative, we can't fool around. There are issues that the American public, I believe, want remedies for, and that is persons who are civilians and persons who are law enforcement officers. The police accountability hearing that we just held, Mr. Speaker, held in front of the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday--and we thanked Chairman Goodlatte and we thanked Ranking Member Conyers for heeding our voices asking for this hearing. It was a hearing of information, but I think it did evidence that there is a divide that must be bridged. Today, I stand on the floor to acknowledge and honor, Mr. Johnson, a fallen officer in my district. None of us want to consent to actions against law enforcement officers in the line of duty protecting our communities and our Nation. At the same time, I believe that we have the opportunity to confront serious issues developing a roadmap for better police community relations. In addition to the legislation that I know Mr. Johnson has already elaborated on--and I support him in his efforts--we will be looking at legislation that deals with holding the standard matrix to provide a roadmap of training for police officers and law enforcement officers from deescalation, to ideas of interaction with community, professional training, educational training. We will also, hopefully, pass the CADET bill, which talks about gathering the appropriate data related to excessive force being used by civilians or police officers and using that material to be able to formulate the right kind of approach to protect all. In addition, I just introduced today the Private Prison Information Act, which indicates that the same requirements for the Federal prison system should be for the private, nonpublic prison system providing reports of injuries or behavior that should be reported, and we hope that bill will move quickly. We have also introduced a good time, early release bill that argues for the early release dealing with incarcerated persons responding to mass incarceration, which we believe is very important. This deals with a certain age. I am also introducing, Mr. Johnson, a bill that indicates 1 day for 1 day; if you have 54 days of good time, then you get 54 days. Now, it is not the case. Let me just say this, as I yield back to you, we will not pass legislation unless we can all understand each other's pain. The horrific pain of losing law enforcement officers and them not going home to their families, I mourn--the horrific pain of a Michael Brown or Eric Garner and a Tamir Rice and a Walter Scott and any number of others--and, of course, Freddie Gray. What we need to do is, in understanding that pain, not be accusatory and get bills before the Judiciary Committee to make our system the best justice system in the world. That is what I would like to see happen. I know that you, as a practicing lawyer and who have addressed these issues, would like to see that happen as well. I would like to join you on the floor over and over again for these kinds of Special Orders, to speak to our colleagues about getting something done, passing comprehensive criminal reform, getting it done to answer the pain of all Americans. We honor those who have lost their lives, and we honor the men and women in uniform who wear the uniform on our behalf, to be able to walk alongside us in dignity.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on the rule for H.R. 2262, the SPACE Act of 2015. Article 1 Section 8 of the United States Constitution states that ``The Congress shall have Power to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries . . .'' It does not say that the Congress shall have the right to ignore. The United States space program has existed for over half a century and my commitment to providing NASA with the resources to carry the agency forward with its ambitious agenda of research, exploration, and discovery is unwavering. NASA continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, keeping our Nation on the forefront of innovation and exploration. It is the responsibility of this Congress to ensure that the future of space exploration remains a part of our national destiny. It inspires our children to look to the stars and dream of what they too, one day, may achieve. The Jackson Lee Amendments made in order by the Rules Committee are intended to improve the Space Act. My amendments are simple and will improve the bill. 1. Jackson Lee Amendments to H.R. 2262 This Jackson Lee Amendment Number 8, would facilitate the participation of HBCU, Hispanic Serving Institutions, National Indian institutions, in fellowships, work-study and employment opportunities in the emerging commercial space industry. My amendment would increase awareness among underrepresented groups in STEM employment and education opportunities in the commercial space industry. One of the most enduring difficulties faced by underrepresented populations in the STEM field is a lack of awareness and understanding of the connection between STEM and employment opportunities. In 2012, a survey found that despite the nation's growing demand for more workers in science, technology, engineering, and math, the skills gap among the largest ethnic and racial minorities groups remains stubbornly wide. Blacks and Latinos account for only 7 percent, of the STEM workforce despite representing 28 percent of the U.S. population. 2. Jackson Lee Amendment on Minority and Women Owned Businesses The Jackson Lee Amendment requires that provisions of the bill that address future legislation also lay the foundation for the commercial space industry include work on how to effectively conduct outreach to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and minorities. I have worked hard to help small business owners to fully realize their potential. That is why I support entrepreneurial development programs, including the Small Business Development Center and Women's Business Center programs. These initiatives provide counseling in a variety of critical areas, including business plan development, finance, and marketing. Outreach is key to developing healthy and diverse small businesses. There are approximately 6 million minority owned businesses in the United States, representing a significant aspect of our economy. According to the most recent available Census data, minority owned businesses employ nearly 6 million Americans and generate $1 trillion dollars in economic output. Women owned businesses have increased 20% between 2002 and 2007, and currently total close to 8 million. My home city of Houston, Texas, the home of the Johnson Space Center, is also home to more than 60,000 women owned businesses, and more than 60,000 African American owned businesses. Final Jackson Lee Amendment Seeks Funding To Continue Space Exploration R&D The taxpayer has invested in space exploration for decades. This investment is reaping benefits for the commercial space industry today. 3. The Jackson Lee Amendment not included in the Rule would have provided revenue for research and development work to continue on challenges that hinder manned and unmanned space flight. Many of the startup companies entering the space industry have few resources to dedicate to basic research. There are still critical areas of research that must be done to make space flight as safe as commercial transportation systems are today. Although commercial transportation is not 100 percent without risk, it is much safer than it would have been without dedicated and focused basic and applied research to address safety issues. While the government supports the aspirations of companies large and small to become part of the commercial space industry, it should still be the responsibility of NASA to pursue research that can save lives and improve space travel. If the future we envision is one where thousands of businesses will benefit from commercial and government space exploration and investment efforts then investing today in tomorrow's economy makes good sense. Although I believe the Jackson Lee Amendments will improve the Bill, there exist troubling aspects of the bill: First, it is regrettable that the SPACE Act will restrict the ``learning period'' of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation of spacecraft. This learning period should be extended for a shorter period than the ten-year extension through 2025 included in the bill. Second, a voluntary industry consensus standard would provide a strategy that improves the overall safety of the industry as opposed to performance-based regulations. Finally, I have concerns about the ability of U.S. companies to move forward with innovative space initiatives without authority to ensure continuing supervision of these initiatives as delineated in the Outer Space Treaty. Thus, I hope we can all work together in addressing these troubling aspects of the bill. I ask my colleagues to vote for the Jackson Lee Amendments.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, let me take a moment to thank both of my fellow Texans and to acknowledge that I know that there is a difference of opinion, but no one can disagree with the crucialness of America's competitiveness and of the necessity for creating a workforce that can compete. Allow me to acknowledge Congressman Johnson for the steadfast commitment and service to the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. I had the privilege of serving with her in the early stages of my membership here in this august body, and I want to thank her personally for the great strides and successes that she has had in expanding opportunities for the most vulnerable in our community. Mr. Chairman, my amendment speaks to this issue, and it continues to seek to address the STEM education gap for K-12 students. Jackson Lee amendment No. 3 creates State and regional workshops to train K-12 teachers in project-based science and technology learning, which will allow them to provide instruction in initiating robotics and other STEM competition team development programs. I now serve on the Homeland Security Committee, and I note that the extent of technology in securing this Nation is without comparison. It is necessary. It is crucial. This amendment also leverages the collaboration among higher education businesses and local and private/ public education agencies to support STEM efforts at schools located in areas where unemployment is 1 percent or more above the national rate. We want to get right to the core of the most vulnerable and the most needy students. Robotic competitions and other similar competitive opportunities have proven to be one of the most successful paths for engaging young minds in STEM education. I have held a robotics competition, and it is absolutely amazing to see the young people's minds and hearts gather around it. My amendment has that capacity to it. Of course, it responds to the fact that only 1 out of 10 high schools in the U.S. offers computer science programs, and it is estimated that the education systems in 25 States do not count computer science classes toward high school graduation. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I want to focus just a little bit on competitions regarding this amendment, competitions such as FIRST, which is a national robotics competition that engages 400,000 students each year and that awards millions of dollars in scholarships, paving the way for future STEM success. I submit for the Record a document entitled, ``Disparities in STEM Employment by Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin.'' [From census.gov, Sept. 2013] Disparities in STEM Employment by Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin (By Liana Christin Landivar) american community survey reports Introduction Industry, government, and academic leaders cite increasing the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce as a top concern. The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine describe STEM as ``high-quality, knowledge-intensive jobs . . . that lead to discovery and new technology,'' improving the U.S. economy and standard of living. In 2007, Congress passed the America COMPETES Act, reauthorized in 2010, to increase funding for STEM education and research. One focus area for increasing the STEM workforce has been to reduce disparities in STEM employment by sex, race, and Hispanic origin. Historically, women, Blacks, and Hispanics have been underrepresented in STEM employment. Researchers find that women, Blacks, and Hispanics are less likely to be in a science or engineering major at the start of their college experience, and less likely to remain in these majors by its conclusion. Because most STEM workers have a science or engineering college degree, underrepresentation among science and engineering majors could contribute to the underrepresentation of women, Blacks, and Hispanics in STEM employment. This report details the historical demographic composition of STEM occupations, followed by a detailed examination of current STEM employment by age and sex, presence of children in the household, and race and Hispanic origin based on the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). The report concludes with an examination of the demographic characteristics of science and engineering graduates who are currently employed in a STEM occupation.