Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Specifically, the language says: ``Industry, government, and academic leaders cite increasing the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce as a top concern.'' This is in the American Community Survey Reports. ``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,'' and it goes on to elaborate. This amendment gives an added opportunity to focus in, to hone in on teacher training and reaching out to those very hungry minds in the minority communities who are eager to be part of the changing fabric of America that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math. From financial services, to homeland security, to space and aeronautics, to manufacturing, to the Silicon Valleys of the Nation, STEM is crucial. I would like to now acknowledge both the committee staff on the majority and minority who assisted us, and I would like to acknowledge my staff, Lillie Coney, for her excellent work on these matters. With that, Mr. Chairman, I ask for support of the Jackson Lee amendment.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk. I thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Johnson for the opportunity to speak on my amendment to H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015. My amendment included in the Rule to H.R. 1806 would improve the bill by addressing the STEM education gap for K-12 students. Jackson Lee Amendment #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. This amendment also leverages the collaboration among higher education, businesses, local private and public education agencies to support STEM efforts at schools located in areas with unemployment is 1 percent or more above the national rate. Robotics competitions and other similar competitive opportunities have proven to be one of the most successful paths for engaging young minds in STEM education. Competitions such as FIRST, a national robotics competition that engages 400,000 students each year and awards millions of dollars in scholarships are paving the way for future STEM success. This Jackson Lee amendment focuses on reducing the STEM gaps that currently exists between K-12 students attending schools in different geographic regions or who come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Only 1 out of 10 high schools in the U.S. offer computer science programs It is estimated that the education systems in 25 states do not count computer science classes toward high school graduation. Both economists and business leaders have identified that the future of the American economy will be in STEM fields, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates will create more than 9 million jobs between 2012 and 2022. The STEM gap is more pronounced when considering minority groups. U.S. Census 2010 data from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Census Bureau, showed that underrepresented minorities earned 18.6 percent of total undergraduate degrees from 4-year colleges, but only 16.4 percent of the degrees in science fields and less than 13 percent of degrees in physical sciences and engineering. Many historically underrepresented groups, including low income urban, rural and Native American communities have difficulty accessing STEM education and job training opportunities. Jackson Lee Amendment #17 would have increased awareness among underrepresented groups in STEM employment and education opportunities by providing information on certification, undergraduate and graduate STEM programs. One of the most enduring difficulties faced by underrepresented populations 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. Jackson Lee Amendment #18 would have made sure that the issue of reducing the skills and education gap of underrepresented groups in STEM degree programs is considered as current STEM education federal programs were reviewed. Jackson Lee Amendment #19 could have furthered the skills development and training of teachers who provide instruction in K-12 STEM courses where 40 percent of the students are on free or reduced lunch programs or in areas where unemployment is 1 percent or more above the national average. Although most STEM specific education occurs in college and graduate school, interest in STEM fields must be fostered from a young age through successful K-12 programs. Many schools serving low-income students lack the resources to provide continuity of STEM K-12 education, and as a result, students lose the opportunity to develop the skills that will prepare them for higher STEM education. Jackson Lee Amendment #21 was an effort to identify no-cost or low- cost summer and after school science and technology educations programs and have that information broadly disseminated to the public. Throughout primary and secondary education, skills retention is one of the most pressing concerns facing underrepresented students. Without access to after-school and summer programs, even those students with a passion for STEM risk falling behind their peers. Jackson Lee Amendment #22 made grants available to local education agencies to support training in STEM education methods to teachers to improve their instruction at schools serving neglected, delinquent, and migrant students, English learners, at-risk students, and Native Americans as determined by the director. Jackson Lee Amendment #23 establishes within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources an Office of STEM Education Gap Awareness with the duties of reducing the STEM gap in K-12 and post-secondary education among underrepresented populations. The Jackson Lee amendments are intended to bridge the STEM gap in rural and urban areas where opportunities for training in STEM that can enhance the productivity of businesses large and small are lacking. The Brookings' Metropolitan Policy Program's report ``The Hidden STEM Economy,'' reported 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. There will be STEM winners and losers not because the skills needed are too difficult to obtain, but because people are not aware of the jobs that are going unfilled today nor do they know what education or training will create job security for the next 2 to 3 decades. I am very aware of the importance of STEM job training and education. A third of Houston jobs are in STEM-based fields. Houston has the second largest concentrations of engineers (22.4 for every 1,000 workers according to the Greater Houston Partnership). Houston has 59,070 engineers, the second largest populations in the nation. STEM jobs are at the core of Houston's economic success, but what we have done with STEM innovation and job creation in the city of Houston is not enough to satisfy the regions demand for STEM trained workers. Houston anticipates that in the next 5 years the gap in the number of people with STEM skills and training will not keep up with the number of positions requiring those skills. This is not just true for Houston, Texas--it is true for every region of the nation--whether you live in a rural community or urban center. By 2018 the United States will need: 710,000 Computing workers; 160,000 Engineers; 70,000 Physical Scientists; 40,000 Life Science workers; 20,000 Mathematics workers. STEM Computing Jobs are critical to America's future: Software engineers; Computer networking workers; Systems analysis; Computer researcher or support workers. Types of STEM Engineering Jobs: Structural Engineers; Mechanical Engineers; Software Engineers; Electrical Engineers; Automotive Engineers; Aeronautical Engineers; Naval Engineers; Architects. Types of STEM Physical Sciences Jobs: Biologists; Zoologists; Agricultural; Food Scientists; Conservation Scientists; Medical Scientists; Climatologists. Types of STEM Life Scientists [PhDs]: Political Science; Economists; Anthropologists; Archaeology; Cultural Researchers; Language Experts (Linguistic and Language Skills). Types of STEM Mathematics: Teachers; Physicists; Cryptographers; Statisticians; Accountants. In order to ensure that underserved populations reach the level of STEM education and opportunity they choose to pursue, I believe it is integral to create an office that will focus on closing the STEM education gap. I ask that my colleagues from both sides of the aisle support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES Act of 2015, a bill that was originally written to provide much needed support for our nation's res arch and development activities in science and engineering. I thank Chairman Sessions and Ranking Member Slaughter for the opportunity to speak on the Rules for H.R. 1806. The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 as written raises serious concerns among the representatives from the scientific, academic, and business communities. The groups that oppose the bill include the American Physical Society, the American Geophysical Union, the American Anthropological Association the Association of American Universities, and the Consortium of Social Science Associations. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Ranking Member on the House Science Committee, the committee that authored the bill, will be offering a Managers Amendment to this bill. The Administration has also signaled that it will not support the bill in its current form. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the bill: reduces funding for several scientific disciplines; curtails the ability of federal agencies to pursue climate science; and adds burdensome new requirements to the way the National Science Foundation operates. Perhaps most worrisome, the legislation would prevent the federal government from using Department of Energy-sponsored research to make policy. My amendments offered for inclusion in the Rule to H.R. 1806 were simple and would have improved the bill by addressing the STEM education and training gap. These Jackson Lee amendments focus on reducing the STEM gap that currently exists between people of different geographic regions and socio-economic backgrounds. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports that as many as 1.4 million new computer science jobs could soon be available in the United States, but only 400,000 students will be enrolled in programs at colleges and universities that would prepare them to take these jobs. This disparity is often referred to as the STEM gap. Only 1 out of 10 high schools in the U.S. offer computer science programs. It is estimated that the education systems in 25 states do not count computer science classes toward high school graduation. Both economists and business leaders have identified that the future of the American economy will 130 in STEM fields, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates win create more than 9 million jobs between 2012 and 2022. The STEM gap is more pronounced when considering minority groups. U.S. Census 2010 data from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Census Bureau, showed that underrepresented minorities earned 18.6 percent of total undergraduate degrees from 4-year colleges, but only 16.4 percent of the degrees in science fields and less than 13 percent of degrees in physical sciences and engineering. Many historically underrepresented groups, including low income urban, rural and Native American communities have difficulty accessing STEM education and job training opportunities. By including all of the Jackson Lee Amendments in the Rule the committee could have made significant progress in reducing the STEM gap underserved populations with the chance to participate in the economy of the future. Jackson Lee Amendments offered on H.R. 1806, included: Jackson Lee Amendment #3, which the Rules Committee has included in the Rule for the bill would create 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. This amendment also leverages the collaboration among higher education, businesses, local private and public education agencies to support STEM efforts at schools located in areas with unemployment is 1 percent or more above the national rate. Robotics competitions and other similar competitive opportunities have proven to be one of the most successful paths for engaging young minds in STEM education. Competitions such as FIRST, a national robotics competition that engages 400,000 students each year and awards millions of dollars in scholarships are paving the way for future STEM success. Jackson Lee Amendments Not included in the Rule: Jackson Lee Amendment #17 would have increased awareness among underrepresented groups in STEM employment and education opportunities by providing information on certification, undergraduate and graduate STEM programs. One of the most enduring difficulties faced by underrepresented populations 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 remain stubbornly wide. Blacks and Latinos account for only 7 percent, of the STEM workforce despite representing 28 percent of the U.S. population. Jackson Lee Amendment #18 would have made sure that the issue of reducing the skills and education gap of underrepresented groups in STEM degree programs is considered as current STEM education federal programs were reviewed. Jackson Lee Amendment #19 could have furthered the skills development and training of teachers who provide instruction in K-12 STEM courses where 40 percent of the students are on free or reduced lunch programs or in areas where unemployment is 1 percent or more above the national average. Although most STEM specific education occurs in college and graduate school, interest in STEM fields must be fostered from a young age through successful K-12 programs. Many schools serving low-income students lack the resources to provide continuity of STEM K-12 education, and as a result, students lose the opportunity to develop the skills that will prepare them for higher STEM education. Jackson Lee Amendment #21 was an effort to identify no-cost or low- cost summer and after school science and technology education programs and have that information broadly disseminated to the public. Throughout primary and secondary education, skills retention is one of the most pressing concerns facing underrepresented students. Without access to after-school and summer programs, even those students with a passion for STEM risk falling behind their peers. Jackson Lee Amendment #22 made grants available to local education agencies to support training in STEM education methods to teachers to improve their instruction at schools serving neglected, delinquent, and migrant students, English learners, at-risk students, and Native Americans as determined by the director. Jackson Lee Amendment #23 establishes within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources an Office of STEM Education Gap Awareness with the duties of reducing the STEM gap in K-12 and post-secondary education among underrepresented populations. The Jackson Lee amendments are intended to bridge the STEM gap in rural and urban areas where opportunities for training in STEM that can enhance the productivity of businesses large and small are lacking. The Brookings' Metropolitan Policy Program's report ``The Hidden STEM Economy,'' reported 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. There will be STEM winners and losers not because the skills needed are too difficult to obtain, but because people are not aware of the jobs that are going unfilled today nor do they know what education or training will create job security for the next 2 to 3 decades. I am very aware of the importance of STEM job training and education. A third of Houston jobs are in STEM-based fields. Houston has the second largest concentrations of engineers (22.4 for every 1,000 workers according to the Greater Houston Partnership). Houston has 59,070 engineers, the second largest population in the nation. STEM jobs are at the core of Houston's economic success, but what we have done with STEM innovation and job creation in the city of Houston is not enough to satisfy the region's demand for STEM trained workers. Houston anticipates that in the next 5 years the gap in the number of people with STEM skills and training will not keep up with the number of positions requiring those skills. This is not just true for Houston, Texas--it is true for every region of the nation--whether you live in a rural community or urban center. By 2018 the United States will need: 710,000 Computing workers; 160,000 Engineers; 70,000 Physical Scientists; 40,000 Life Science workers; 20,000 Mathematics workers. STEM Computing Jobs are critical to America's future: Software engineers; Computer networking workers; Systems analysis; Computer researcher or support workers. Types of STEM Engineering Jobs: Structural Engineers; Mechanical Engineers; Software Engineers; Electrical Engineers; Automotive Engineers; Aeronautical Engineers; Naval Engineers; Architects. Types of STEM Physical Sciences Jobs: Biologists; Zoologists; Agricultural; Food Scientists; Conservation Scientists; Medical Scientists; Climatologists. Types of STEM Life Scientists [PhDs]: Political Science; Economists; Anthropologists; Archaeology; Cultural Researchers; Language Experts (Linguistic and Language Skills). Types of STEM Mathematics: Teachers; Physicists; Cryptographers; Statisticians; Accountants. In order to ensure that underserved populations reach the level of STEM education and opportunity they choose to pursue, I believe it is integral to create an office that will focus on closing the STEM education gap.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 15 seconds.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me join my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and thank him for his leadership in making sure that this bill would come to the floor. Along with the ranking member, Mr. Conyers; subcommittee chairman, Mr. Sensenbrenner; and myself as the ranking member, we are grateful for the leadership of our colleagues in working through the human trafficking legislation. I would associate myself with the words that all of us have said very often. Tragically and heinously, sex trafficking, human trafficking, and the trafficking of children keeps on giving in an ugly, horrible, disastrous way that ruins the lives of innocent victims for they are used over and over again. I stand here recognizing that Houston ranks very high among those cities that have the scourge of human trafficking. In fact, as I rise to support S. 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, I recognize that human trafficking is a scourge that impacts greatly on my home district in Houston, Texas. Houston currently ranks number one among the U.S. cities with the most victims of human trafficking. On the House bill, I congratulate Congressman Poe, my neighbor in Houston, and Carolyn Maloney, a member from New York, who worked together to bring about this bipartisan legislation. I want to thank my colleagues as well from the Homeland Security Committee. Judge Poe joined us in the first human trafficking hearing that I held in Houston, Texas, to further emphasize the coming together of law enforcement and social service advocates for the importance of this legislation. In fact, as I recall this bill being written, there were so many different groups from faith organizations putting on walks to talk about trafficking. Houston recognized that they had a problem they need to fix. In the backdrop of this legislation, as it was making its way through the House, we even had a massive human trafficking raid, if you will, where there were 20 to 30 persons in a home just a short distance from downtown. A couple of the individuals were minors. We know what their end would be. Twenty-five percent of all human trafficking victims are in my home State of Texas. Currently, 30 percent of all human trafficking tips to the national rescue hotline come from Texas; but this is a national problem. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that one of every seven endangered runaways reported to the center are likely victims of minor sex trafficking and that at least 100,000 American children are victims of sex trafficking each year. It is our duty to rescue these children, shelter them, and help them recover from the trauma that has been inflicted upon them. It is also our duty to prevent those crimes before they happen and to provide law enforcement with the tools they need to combat human traffickers. This bill will be a significant weapon in the war against sex trafficking which, unfortunately, is the fastest growing business of organized crime in the United States, generating an estimated $9 billion annually. Mr. Speaker, we have said it continues to generate income and revenue. I am very glad that there are a number of legislative initiatives incorporated into this final legislative document and that this will go to the President's desk and be signed. I am glad it includes language I submitted in the Judiciary Committee that puts Congress squarely on the record in the sense of Congress, that we stand together on the issue of opposing human trafficking and viewing it as a dastardly deed. Although not perfect, this is a comprehensive bill that includes a variety of measures intended to strike at the problem of child sex trafficking through prevention, law enforcement, and rehabilitation services for victims. What I like most of all is that it puts the United States Congress and, ultimately, the President of the United States and the laws of the land on the side of children and on the side of victims who have been trafficked or victims of sex trafficking. The bill strikes at the demand for this business by adding criminal prohibitions for those who solicit and advertise human trafficking. Law enforcement across the U.S. has identified online sex acts as the number one platform for buying and selling of sex with children and young women. These men can sit idly and relaxed in their homes and victimize individuals. This is an important step forward for law enforcement, to have the tools to reach those predators wherever they are. This legislation provides the tools to rebuild the lives of those exploited by this business, and it specifically addresses the needs of thousands of homeless children, many of whom are on the streets of Houston. I say to them today that they will be embraced with a document that stands on their side, many who have fled physically and sexually abusive homes, only to be victimized again by sex traffickers. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted that this bill is moving, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great privilege to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney), whom I have worked with over the years on issues dealing with women's rights and the abuse and misuse of children and certainly her work on the issues of sexual abuse and sex trafficking of children and women. Congresswoman Maloney is a member of the Financial Services Committee and an original cosponsor, along with Congressman Poe, of this legislation in the House.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the Members who have spoken and highlighted a number of points that I want to reinforce. I want to reinforce what my good friend from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) have said: that we are now looking the pimps and the johns straight in the eye and really focusing on demand. But connected to demand are those lives, those lives that we want to restore and give them a new opportunity in life. We want them to not be bruised. We want them to have the ability to restore their lives as young as under 10, 11, or 12, teenagers or young women. This particular legislation, which I want to highlight, promotes rehabilitation by encouraging the development of specialized court programs for victims of child human trafficking. As the chair of the Children's Caucus, I realize how vulnerable our children are all over the world. And what I am most interested in is the outpatient treatment, life skills training, housing placement, vocational training, education, family support services, and job placement. When you find a homeless teen or one who has been victimized, they are empty. They are without any substance to know that they have something of quality to save and to mold and to build. The rehabilitation part of this particular legislation--and I do want to acknowledge the gentleman from Texas, Senator Cornyn--is a very, very important part of this legislation. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of now yielding 4 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty), the author of H.R. 246 that protects children from being criminalized, which is included in this bill, and I thank her for her work.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 15 seconds.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, so many important points have been made, and I would just like to quickly summarize by adding my appreciation, again, to the sponsors and to the speakers today, Congresswoman Maloney and Congresswoman Beatty, and, of course, the speakers of our friends on the other side of the aisle. I want to emphasize something that I think should pierce our hearts, which is that children should be protected. There are several elements that I think are important to make mention of regarding these children being protected. One, I would like to acknowledge the responsibilities of the Attorney General to create a system to monitor the issuance and enforcement of mandatory restitution. Remember, these children have been victimized over the years and really have been thrown to foster care or other agencies where moneys were not available. These restitution orders will compensate victims not only of human trafficking but also related immigration and child pornography cases. The establishment of a domestic victims fund will also improve the conditions for our children. We worked on a cybersecurity bill, an important part of this bill that establishes a national cyber crimes center to manage and provide data essential for this effort. It authorizes the U.S. Marshals Service to provide assistance to State, local, and other Federal law enforcement agencies. It has placed the U.S. Marshals in a very effective manner. Let me note the fact that there are mandatory minimums. In a very small way in this bill, we will be looking at sentencing reformation and reform in the following months. What I would say is that our children are enormously important. This is a very important bill. And I think it is very important that we move this legislation and view it as an embracing of our children and protecting of our women, standing as a country against the violence of sex trafficking and child trafficking. Might I also say that this bill encourages and forces training for our law enforcement, something that we view as very important as we are going forward, to investigate human trafficking as well as training for those essential to our criminal justice system. I might, as I close, indicate that we have finally come full circle to be able to stand again on the floor of the House and acknowledge that if you engage in these activities, we will find you wherever you are, and we will prosecute you. And the idea that you can hide as a pimp or a john is no more, and the idea that children are left to their own devices after they have been victimized is no more. We look to reunite families, to strengthen families, to provide for these children, and, as my colleague has just said, not to criminalize the children but, tragically, first to restore the victims' lives. I ask my colleagues to support the Senate bill, the underlying bill, the bill on the floor of the House. I thank the members of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, the members of the Judiciary Committee here in the House, both the chairman and ranking member, and the members of our committee as we work through this process, and all the Members who put forward outstanding initiatives that are now a part of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is a scourge that greatly impacts on my home district in Houston, Texas. Houston currently ranks #1 among U.S. cities with the most victims of human trafficking. Twenty-five percent of all human trafficking victims are in my home state of Texas. Currently, thirty percent of all human trafficking tips to the National Rescue Hotline come from Texas. Obviously, Houston does not shoulder this threat alone. Human trafficking impacts our whole nation. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that one of every seven endangered runaways reported to the Center are likely victims of minor sex trafficking, and that at least 100,000 American children are the victims of sex trafficking each year. It is our duty to rescue these children, shelter them, and help them recover from the trauma that has been inflicted upon them. It is also our duty to prevent these crimes before they happen and to provide law enforcement with the tools they need to combat human traffickers. This bill will be a significant weapon in the war against sex trafficking, which unfortunately is the fastest growing business of organized crime in the United States, generating an estimated $9 billion annually. Although not perfect, S. 178 is a comprehensive bill that includes a variety of measures intended to strike at the problem of child sex trafficking through prevention, law enforcement, and rehabilitation services for victims. This bill addresses the demand for this business by adding criminal prohibitions for those who solicit and advertize human trafficking. Law enforcement officials across the U.S. have identified online sex ads as the number one platform for the buying and selling of sex with children and young women. The legislation provides the tools to rebuild the lives of those exploited by this business. It specifically addresses the needs of thousands of homeless children, many who have fled physically and sexually abusive homes, only to be victimized again by sex traffickers. The bill promotes rehabilitation by encouraging the development of specialized court programs for victims of child human trafficking. These court programs will provide: outpatient treatment, life skills training, housing placement, vocational training, education, family support services, and job placement. These programs will largely respond to the practical needs of those victimized by human trafficking. It is our duty to provide the tools to reclaim these stolen lives. The bill goes further by encouraging through grant programs to the States that establish safe harbors for children who have been victims of sex trafficking. These safe harbors play a critical role in preventing youth, forced into the sex trade, from being re- victimized and stigmatized a second time by the criminal justice system. Mr. Speaker, with this bill we are stating clearly: these children are not criminals. They are victims of one of the most heinous types of crime, and they deserve to be rescued and treated so that they may have the opportunity of overcoming their horrendous traumas. The bill also allows victims of sex trafficking with related criminal charges to be eligible for acceptance in Job Corps program, an important process for reintegration into society. Victims of sex trafficking deserve and need restitution for rehabilitation. This bill requires the Attorney General to create a system to monitor the issuance and enforcement of mandatory restitution orders. These restitution orders will compensate victims not only of human trafficking, but also related immigration and child pornography cases. The establishment of a Domestic Trafficking Victims Fund will also improve services to children who have been rescued, in the form of long-term rehabilitative services, relief that is long overdue. The requirement to monitor enforcement of restitution orders will in turn provide a strong basis for determining the next steps necessary to ensure that victims are justly compensated for the traumas inflicted on them by their traffickers. The necessary reporting must also identify current gaps in research and data. This information will be helpful in formulating effective strategies in deterring children from becoming victims of trafficking. It requires the Government Accountability Office to report on both federal and state enforcement efforts to combat human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The bill provides significant support for law enforcement officers to identify and rescue the victims of human trafficking. The bill establishes a National Cyber Crimes Center to manage and provide data essential for this effort. It authorizes the U.S. Marshals Service to provide assistance to state, local, and other federal law enforcement agencies in locating and recovering missing children when requested to do so by those agencies. Given the Marshals Service's well-established history, reputation, and success in locating missing persons and fugitives, this requirement makes perfect sense. We must not underestimate the task ahead for law enforcement to effectively combat human trafficking. In my home state, it is well known to both state and federal officials that Mexican cartels facilitate, control, and benefit from nearly all human smuggling activity along the Texas-Mexico border. As I've already mentioned, domestic human trafficking is a nine billion-dollar business. This legislation provides law enforcement with the tools to prosecute these crimes and to rebuild the lives of those exploited by this business S. 178 gives block grants to states to assist law enforcement with the expenses of wiretaps, the use of experts, and essential travel. The legislation requires better coordination between law enforcement and a variety of other entities, including: child advocacy centers, social service agencies, state governmental health service agencies, housing agencies, and legal services agencies. When it comes to recovering and rehabilitating our missing children, we must utilize every available resource. Several provisions in this bill encourage and foster training for law enforcement to investigate human trafficking as well as for training for those essential to our criminal justice system, such as physical and mental health care providers, federal prosecutors, and judges. S. 178 empowers women who have been the victims of rape by providing incentives to states to pass laws allowing termination of parental rights of rapists. In addition, the bill seeks to hinder demand by prosecuting not just the trafficker, but also--for the first time--those who patronize and solicit children for illicit sexual acts. Without the consumers of the human sex trafficking, there would be no victims. And, S. 178 would criminalize the act of using the Internet to advertise human trafficking. While the Internet has enriched out lives significantly, it has also provided traffickers with a ready tool used to further the heinous trafficking of minors for sex. Finally, the bill will help to foster better collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement in the fight against sex trafficking. Specifically, S. 178 directs that a task force be established within the Violent Crimes Against Children Program to facilitate such coordination. This bill attacks the scourge of human trafficking by undercutting demand, providing law enforcement with the tools they need for intervention, and by providing rehabilitation and recovery for the victims of human trafficking. I had hoped that before S. 178 was presented to the President, it would not contain provisions that extend the use of mandatory minimum sentences. Frankly, I am surprised that the final bill includes additional mandatory minimum sentencing provisions. Mandatory minimums have led to mass incarceration and a one- size-fits-all philosophy in sentencing that we should reject. But the overall value of the bill in protecting child sex victims and adult and child trafficking and sex victims is crucial. I support the vital purpose of this bill. On balance however, the many other positive provisions this legislation provides to combat human trafficking counsels in favor of its passage. Nevertheless, we must be vigilant in monitoring the execution of this bill after it becomes law, and effectuate modifications if necessary. The health and welfare of so many of our young people depend on it. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 300,000 children in this country are at risk of being trafficked. Mr. Speaker, it is for these innocent children that I strongly encourage support for this legislation. With that, I ask for Members' support on this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Foster Care Month and acknowledge the foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and other community members who ensure that every child has an opportunity for a brighter future. I am honored to be a founding member of the Congressional Caucus for Foster Youth, a caucus that allows Members to gain a better understanding of the current state of foster care throughout the nation and identify potential federal policy modifications that could improve outcomes for the children in our country's foster care systems. In my home state of Texas there are more than 69,000 children in foster care, which is nearly 14.9 percent of the 463,000 children and youth in foster care nationally. Nearly two of every three (65%) of children who are not placed in a permanent home emancipate themselves from the system and are often left unemployed, without a place to live and resort to homeless shelters. 2015 marks the 103rd anniversary of the Children's Bureau which works to support, assist, and improve the lives of children in foster care. Throughout its history, the Children's Bureau has published the Minimum Standards of Child Welfare, which acknowledges the importance of keeping children in their own homes or providing a ``home-life'' experience with foster families as well as overseeing the temporary placement of 8,000 European children in WWII. Before the creation of the Children's Bureau, children in foster care would often be placed in the hands of private religious organizations. Mr. Speaker, it is vital that we continue to create more programs, and hold more events and activities to educate and inform Americans about children successfully placed in permanent homes, debunk myths about the process, and acknowledge the thousands of children who could potentially become a part of these statistics. Through these efforts we can increase the rate of adoption, decrease the rate of homelessness among the youths in this group, and help develop future leaders and innovative thinkers of tomorrow. I would like to take a moment to recognize the families who have opened their hearts and homes to foster children. Foster parents play a critical role in the lives of some of the most vulnerable youth in Texas and across the country. They help hold our nation's social fabric together by ensuring that thousands of young people in this country stay on track towards successful futures. This month, we celebrate them and their efforts to change the lives of these children. National Foster Care Month is an appropriate time to recognize and commend all those who are helping to improve the lives of children in foster care. But it also serves as a reminder that more must be done. These children deserve to grow up in a loving home that is safe, happy, and most importantly one they can call their own.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, what about those Houston Rockets. In the 18th Congressional District, in the Toyota Center last night, we reclaimed the name Clutch City. Let me thank the young men of the Houston Rockets, the Rockets organization. For the first time in 18 years, the Rockets are in the Western Championship. Oh, I know that it is not the championship of the National Basketball Association, but it is really good for Houstonians. We had a rockin' good time. For those who were able just to be on the streets, those who were inside the arena, those who were at various sites around the city, I watched my constituents have just a great amount of joy. It is my privilege to thank the owners, the coach, and, yes, all of the team. We know there are great stars on the team. We know that they work as a team, and that is what makes the Houston Rockets great. I am here today saying, what about those Rockets, with a red coat on to salute the Houston Rockets and push them on tomorrow night to be champions again. I thank them for being the right kind of role models for our young people and letting them know that academics and sports go together. The National Basketball Association realizes the importance of young people having role models but young people staying in school, and they are staying focused on that. So I am rooting for the Houston Rockets. What about those Houston Rockets. Clutch City.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I think by the spirit and the tone of this Special Order we can see that there is hope and a pathway for collaboration. Let me thank Mr. Payne, who has evidenced those collaborative efforts through his leadership on homeland security and successful leadership, passing any number of legislative initiatives in a bipartisan manner. I also am delighted to join Congresswoman Robin Kelly. And she is right. She had a very successful Diversity Dinner last week, and I am sure it outdid the one the year before, and there was a lot of cross- pollination, good feelings, and discussions about very important issues. We found that America is a diverse nation, and we are happy when we have the ability to understand each other's cultures or understand the background that each of us have come from. Our own neighborhoods make us different, our own faith modes are different, our family members' mode is different, where we went to school. Yet in this place, the American people ask us, as both Mr. Payne and Ms. Kelly are saying today, to walk a pathway of bipartisanship, but really towards success. So allow me just briefly to comment on one or two points regarding diversity. I would highlight that one of the areas is where I formerly served as a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. In years past, we have gathered around science, technology, engineering, and math, and we have gathered around transportation infrastructure. I hope in our words tonight that we will find a way to forge a way forward for transportation infrastructure, because every one of us needs not only good roads, highways, and dams, but we need good public transportation, as evidenced by the heinous and unacceptable tragedy last week with Amtrak. I might add that I am a space chauvinist, a NASA supporter. Many centers are around the Nation. It is a job creator, as is infrastructure, and I would hope that we would write a bill and have Republicans and Democrats support the value of human space exploration. What a pathway for bipartisanship. We haven't gone that way, Madam Speaker, but I am hoping that the words we offer tonight will see us do that. Let me focus on my last point and indicate that we have a moment, a significant moment in history. This is a great cause, and that cause is to find a pathway for criminal justice reform. Yesterday marked the 61st anniversary of the landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, a decision that overruled the separate but equal doctrine of Plessy v. Ferguson and gave needed momentum for the fight for reform, equality, and diversity in our Nation's schools and, I would say, society at large. Many communities are waiting for that kind of evenhandedness in justice in the criminal justice system. This does not mean that we throw targets at our friends in law enforcement. It means that we find ways for there to be an acceptance that we all can stand improvement, correction, enhancement, educational opportunities, tactics, and training. There is no shame to any of that. As I stood with our officers and families who were on the grounds of the Capitol on May 15, as I joined them for the police memorial for those who had fallen in duty, there were faces from all backgrounds, and we were singularly noting the tragedy of lost officers. At the same time as we mourn those officers, we know that there are officers who will look to work with us as we move this criminal justice system along. I would just like to acknowledge that as we do so, we can find bipartisanship, because the cost of incarceration, for example, is almost prohibitive. Madam Speaker, $75 billion is spent on local, State, and Federal incarceration. We have the largest percentage, 2 million people, incarcerated across America. We can do better, and part of that is expanding community-oriented policing, building trust, a bill that I introduced, H.R. 59, that would create a pathway for ensuring that communities feel that they are being protected but not feel differently that they are being, if you will, put in a certain category to be utilized as a basis for revenue raising in our communities. Then we heard FBI Director Comey, and I agree with him. The science of doing a better job is data and statistics. So I introduced the CADET bill, Collection and Analysis of Data to Educate and Train Law Enforcement Officers. What it simply means is give them the numbers, the statistics, to know how they can do a better job at planning, going forward, how they police. Let there be information for us to be able to design the right kind of policing tactics that work for law enforcement and for the community. It is right out of the FBI Director's playbook. He said that we are operating without data, without statistics, and, frankly, that is not what we should be doing. Tomorrow we will be holding a hearing on the issue of police accountability and gaining the facts in the Judiciary Committee, but there is much more for us to do. For example, what are the educational requirements? What are the various resources used for mental health? And psychological needs and training and nonviolent conflict resolution received by police forces, police officers, the feasibility and emphasis of making greater use of the technological devices, such as body cameras. But I want more technology, laptops. Many law enforcement have laptops. We might need to move to iPads to be able to give them quicker response times and quicker support systems, to be able to ensure that we have the right tools to work together. And yes, you cannot breathe life into the reform of a criminal justice system if you do not have a component dealing with our youth, so I have introduced, of course, the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization bill and the antibullying Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act to be able to address a sort of a cause and a release for our young people. Madam Speaker, I would offer to say that there is much work that we can do. We will be looking at the legislation that many people have passed. I want to conclude on this note, to simply acknowledge the ranking member, John Conyers, on the Judiciary Committee that wants to join together with me to embrace the legislative initiatives of our Members to get the right kind of omnibus bill going forward for the American public to see criminal justice reform. I want to thank my colleagues for allowing me these comments and, as well, the bipartisan approach that you have taken. Madam Speaker, yesterday marked the 61st anniversary of the landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the decision that overruled the ``separate but equal doctrine'' of Plessey v. Ferguson and gave needed momentum to the fight for reform, equality, and diversity in our nation's schools and society at large. Although much progress has been made in narrowing the gap between the nation's founding ideals and the objective reality, recent events demonstrate that we still have a ways to go before the dream of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is realized in the areas of criminal justice reform, economic opportunity, and workplace diversity.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, on this day that we honor the fallen, who have been given the duty and obligation to protect and serve, the Nation's law enforcement officers, I also stand here to mourn those marines and those Nepal rescue workers who died on the side of a Nepal mountain, attempting to bring help and food and opportunity and survival to those who have been struck by this horrific earthquake and one that has followed. Many have died, and it is only the kind of integrity of Americans that, wherever there is need, we answer the call. The same today, as thousands of law enforcement officers gather on the west steps, we know that throughout our communities, where there is a need, they will come. Earlier this week, I submitted into the Record the numbers of Houston police officers who died in the line of duty. I honor them, and I honor those who have fallen and those who serve. As I end this 1 minute, I end it with a moment of silence. In honor of all of those who have fallen, our soldiers and our law enforcement officers, we thank you for your service. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Let me thank the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Texas; and the ranking member, the gentleman from Washington; and the manager who is managing, my dear friend from Rhode Island, for their leadership on many, many issues. All of us have encountered the very energetic small business community. Included in that, of course, are women and minority-owned businesses. They are a vital part of our community. In the State of Texas, we are very much engaged with our military bases. Over the years, we have had any number of them, very large facilities. In my own community, we have the Ellington base that we have retrofitted and improved and added a number of assets. This amendment speaks to the compatibility between the Department of Defense and its needs and the small and minority and women-owned businesses and asks the Secretary of Defense to outreach to these minority and women and small businesses, as a way of ensuring the growth of their businesses and the utilization of their services for that of the DOD. The Jackson Lee amendment will help the United States maintain the most talented, diverse, effective, and powerful workforce in an increasingly globalized economy. Why? Because our small businesses located in our neighborhoods and our communities are there to create opportunity and to create jobs--as a practical matter, the Department of Defense has the discretion to choose whether a contract can be insourced or outsourced. We would ask that they look at the minority businesses in the area as they make those determinations. Since March of 2009, it is understood that certain Federal contracts that were formerly completed by civilian contracts would be looked at in a different way. We ask that the assessment of the value of small businesses be considered and, in particular, be considered on how many jobs are created and also the importance of a healthy and diverse small business community. I would ask my colleagues to support this amendment and just want to particularly say that, in my home city of Houston, Texas, it is home to more than 60,000 women-owned businesses and more than 60,000 African American-owned businesses and thousands upon thousands of Hispanic businesses. In fact, just this past week, I visited two of my manufacturing companies, one of them a member of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I ask my colleagues to support the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk; it is listed as #55 on the roster. The Jackson Lee Amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct outreach for small business concerns owned and controlled by women and minorities prior to the outsourcing of military contracts related to local military bases. I would like to thank both Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith for their dedication and hard work on this important piece of legislation which ensures that our men and women in uniform have the resources they need and deserve. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have sponsored legislation that promotes economic opportunity and inclusion for women, veterans, and minority businesses. The Jackson Lee Amendment will help the United States maintain the most talented, diverse, effective, and powerful workforce in an increasingly globalized economy. The Jackson Lee Amendment requires the Department of Defense to consider the impact that changes to current outsourcing guidelines will have on small minority and women owned business by requiring them to engage with these businesses. Promoting diversity is more than just an idea; it requires an understanding that there is a need to have a process that will ensure the inclusion of minorities and women in all areas of American life. As a practical matter the Department of Defense has the discretion to choose whether a contract should be in-sourced or out-sourced. Since March of 2009 it is understood that certain federal contracts that were formerly completed by civilian contractors would be returned to federal employees. It is important to find balance between contracts that should be conducted by the federal government versus civilian contractors. As it stands the policies implemented by the DOD has the unintended consequence of harming small minority and women owned businesses by taking away civilian contracts that are not inherently serving a federal government purpose such as janitorial services, painting buildings, mowing lawns and related activities. These service contracts which tend to be the bread and butter for minority and women owned business are slowly being withdrawn and returned to the federal government. 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. My amendment would require the Department of Defense to utilize a similar outreach program prior to outsourcing. 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 is home to more than 60,000 women owned businesses, and more than 60,000 African American owned businesses. The Department of Defense (DOD) estimates that during the Vietnam War, the ratio of contractors to soldiers was 1 in 10. This rate increased to about 1 contractor for every soldier during Operation Iraqi Freedom. These contracts generate billions of dollars in revenue for the companies to which they are awarded. A mandatory DOD outreach program would make women and minority owned businesses aware of all of the contract opportunities available to them. Small businesses deserve a fair shot at federal contracts. They have a chance to compete for overseas contracts with the Department of Defense as well as access to international contracts with the United States Agency for International Development. In addition, I believe that work needs to be done to modernize key contracting developmental programs designed to increase opportunities for women, minorities and low-income individuals. Programs like the Outreach Program that I support through my amendment will reduce the current barriers and ensure small businesses have access to perform federal contracts. This can save taxpayer dollars, because the increased competition for government contracts will lead to better prices and better quality. The vibrancy of our economic prosperity depends on the ability of our nation's small business community to adapt to opportunities at home and aboard. Outreach programs that are properly designed and implemented, strengthen the national community, promote its economic well-being, and maximize the benefits of our great diversity. The Jackson Lee Amendment ensures that the Department of Defense reaches out to small minority and women owned business to hear their concerns and recognizes the important role they play in revitalizing our economy. I urge all members to support the Jackson Lee Amendment.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Let me thank the Chairman for his kindness. May I ask the Chairman how much time is remaining?

Ms. JACKSON LEE. I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis).

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

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, let me conclude by first thanking the gentleman from Colorado. I think, Mr. Chairman, it evidences that the appreciation for small businesses reaches from States like Texas to New York to California to Missouri to Colorado and Florida and many other places. I would ask my colleagues to support this important amendment investing in our small businesses, women-owned and minority businesses of America. Mr. Chairman, I conclude by saying I want to also thank my colleagues for my amendment being in en bloc amendment No. 4, and I will later include a statement into the Record regarding amendment No. 75. With that, I ask for support of amendment No. 52. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, again, let me offer my appreciation to the chairman and ranking member for including my amendment, No. 75, in en bloc amendment No. 4. I want to thank, also, my good friend from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin). Both of us serve on the Committee on Homeland Security. He serves on the Armed Services Committee, but we see that there are overlapping issues. My amendment simply makes an important contribution to the bill by ensuring that changes made to DOD computing systems using software bought and modified for agency operations will not result in the disruption of DOD operations. I would like to offer this amendment in recognition of a great unsung hero of the modern computing age, Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, who was one of the first programmers, who invented the first compiler for a computer programming language and was a visionary who worked to make machine-independent programming languages possible. Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper is not very well known outside of the world of computing, but I salute her work in advancing the science of advanced computing systems while she served as a member of the armed services.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. The Jackson Lee amendment will provide the Department of Defense chief privacy officer with the tools it needs to plan and execute updates and changes to the DOD computer networks. In this world of hacking and the importance of securing our infrastructure of cybersecurity, I believe that this amendment will contribute to the improvement of the DOD and protect against cyber attacks. Again, I thank the chairman and ranking member for including my amendment. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith for their work on this bill and their devotion to the men and women of the Armed Forces. I also thank them for including in En Bloc Amendment #4 the Jackson Lee Amendment (No. 125), which makes an important contribution to the bill by ensuring that changes made to DOD computing systems using software bought and modified for agency operations will not result in the disruption of DOD operations. I would like to offer this amendment in recognition of a great unsung hero of the modern computing age. Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper who is one of the first programmers who invented the first compiler for a computer programming language, and was the visionary who worked to make machine-independent programming languages possible. Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper is not very well known outside of the world of computing, but I salute her work in advancing the science advance computing systems while she served as a member of the armed services. The Jackson Lee Amendment will provide the Department of Defense Chief Privacy Officer with the tools it needs to plan and execute updates and changes to DOD computer networks. There is no entity like the Department of Defense so the agency will need all of the resources necessary to prepare to transition its computing networks using software and components purchased and modified for specialized purposes. The importance of DOD functions for the security of our nation makes the importance of modernizing their computing systems of value to the nation and the demands they will face today and into the future. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 125 will ensure that changes made to DOD computing systems using software bought and modified for agency use will not result in disruption of DOD operations. I thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for including this amendment in this En Bloc Amendment #4 and I encourage all Members to support it.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman. I know a lot of hard work has gone into the preparation of the underlying bill. We are approaching Memorial Day and then celebrating Veterans Day, as we acknowledge our soldiers on the front line. I hope my colleagues will support the Jackson Lee amendments dealing with the outreach to small businesses and minority-owned businesses with the Department of Defense to deal with HBCUs, which are very, very important in equalizing the research opportunities and working to ensure the protection of the DOD software. I am hopeful that we will have an opportunity to address my issue dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. I put the first center that was not in a veterans hospital in Houston. I believe we need to realize how devastating PTSD is and ensure that we have the opportunity for more funding. The overseas contingency fund needs to be restrained and brought in. I want to support the amendment by Mrs. Dingell to assist those American citizens who are stuck in Yemen. We must address that. I also want to make sure that we do not strike the very favorable language dealing with our DREAMers who want to serve their country. We should have comprehensive immigration form. We should not vote for the Mo Brooks amendment. Finally, let me say, Mr. Speaker--although not dealing with this--let us acknowledge with sadness those who lost their lives in Pennsylvania and do a better job in infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on the rule for H.R. 1735, the ``National Defense Authorization Act of 2015'' and the underlying bill. I would like to thank both Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith for their dedication and hard work on the 2015 NDAA. The U.S. war on terror has been waged for over a decade and the lesson is clear: our adversaries adapt very quickly because they are not constrained by geographic limitations. In the beginning it was only Al Qaeda--now the list includes Boko Haram, Al Shabaab, and ISIS/ISIL. The message is clear--the United States must expand its capacity to meet the terrorist threat where it emerges. At the same time, we must be constantly searching for innovative ways to utilize defense technologies and resources for the betterment of the American people. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2015 takes important steps toward achieving these goals, and I am proud to have authored several amendments which were made in order on this bill. Jackson Lee Amendment #55 calls for outreach for small business concerns owned and controlled by women and minorities prior to conversion of certain functions to contractor performance. Contracts issued by the Department of Defense represent a substantial portion of. These same concerns drove the proposal and adoption of Jackson Lee Amendment #64, which provides guidance to the Secretary of Defense on identifying HBCUs and minority serving institutions to assist them in developing scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematics capabilities. Knowledge of STEM fields will be integral in the coming years, both for a powerful economy and for the Department of Defense to operate at its maximum potential. By identifying and engaging HBCUs and other minority serving institutions, such as Houston's own Texas Southern University, which have strong science and engineering programs, the DOD can greatly expand its pool of qualified applicants. The final Jackson Lee Amendment which was made in order is #125, which ensures that changes made to DOD computing systems using software bought and modified for agency operations will not result in the disruption of DOD operations. Increasing cooperation between the DOD and other agencies has resulted in incredible breakthroughs in operations and efficiency. However, given the importance of DOD functions for the security of our nation, it is imperative that steps be taken to ensure those functions will continue unhindered by any changes to their computing systems. Although I am proud to have these amendments included in the NDAA of 2015, several of my other amendments were not included, each of which would have a substantial impact on the well-being of the men and women of the armed services as well as veterans who bravely serve our nation. Jackson Lee Amendment #76 calls for increased collaboration between the DOD and the National Institutes of Health to combat Triple Negative Breast Cancer. TNBC is a rare from of breast cancer which is highly difficult to detect, and which disproportionately affects African American and Hispanic women. TNBC is especially difficult to treat, because it is unaffected by what are normally the most effective and targeted treatments, as well as being extremely aggressive. 70% of women with metastatic triple negative breast cancer do not live more than five years after being diagnosed. In addition, according to the Army Times, 874 military women were diagnosed with breast cancer between 2000 and 2011. As a breast cancer survivor myself, I believe that we should commit all available resources to combating this horrible condition, including those from the DOD. Jackson Lee Amendment #77 seeks to relieve the terrible realities of post-traumatic stress disorder by authorizing an additional $2.5 million in funding specifically for this purpose. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a devastating condition that affects an estimated 20% of veterans. Less than 40% of individuals suffering from PTSD seek assistance, and those who do often receive care that is only ``minimally adequate''. When untreated, PTSD can cause veterans to lose their jobs, their homes, and even their own lives. Conservative estimates place the suicide rate for veterans at approximately 5,000 per year, and male veterans are more than twice as likely as civilians to attempt suicide. In the State of Texas we have 1,099,141 veterans under the age of 65 and 590,618 who are over the age of 65. There are over 1,689,759 veterans living in our State. These statistics are especially concerning for me, since Houston is both the third largest military retirement community in the United States and the second largest recruiting district among all the armed services. It is clear that our veterans deserve more from us, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that they receive the proper care. A final issue regarding the NDAA is the concerns expressed by the White House over the spending levels and other provisions included in the bill as written. The administration has expressed its objection to funding levels that it considers too low and incapable of adequately providing for necessary force structure and weapon systems reforms, leading senior advisors to recommend that the President veto the bill if it leaves Congress in its current state. I hope that the amendments proposed by myself and by my fellow Members of Congress, as well as by the leaders in the Senate, will address the President's concerns, and that we can resolve this impasse quickly and effectively.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Let me thank the gentleman very much for yielding to me, and let me thank the chairman of the full committee. Mr. Chairman, I rise to support Jackson Lee amendment No. 64, and I am very pleased to have the support of the ranking member and the chairman. This amendment is supported by Mr. Butterfield, who is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, along with Ms. Adams and Ms. Barbara Lee. It focuses on Historically Black Colleges--it is something that I have offered on a number of occasions--and their ability to expand their capacity in science, technology, engineering, and math. It includes Hispanic-serving institutions, Native American colleges, and the National Science Foundation Directorates. It focuses these entities on building their capacities by collaborating with the Department of Defense. We know that the Department of Defense has a myriad of opportunities for research and development, i.e., some of the research that has been done on triple negative breast cancer, which is an amendment that I offered in the last DOD. Certainly, it is well renowned that the Internet had its early beginnings with the Department of Defense, and many other powerful research finds and successes have come from that. I would just say that this amendment is now included in the en bloc, and I thank both the chairman and the ranking member as it now opens the doors for these institutions of higher learning to collaborate with their professors and their students academically to do research or to collaborate where necessary and build capacity on science, technology, engineering, and math. I thank the gentleman for including my amendment. I believe it enhances the educational opportunities of young people, and it moves forward the R&D, which is so vital to this country, by expanding the opportunities to unique institutions which serve a very special population and which have educated these young people from the 1800s.