Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Lunar New Year and to applaud the significant contributions made by Chinese Americans to American life and culture. Yesterday, Thursday, February 19, marked the first day of the ``Year of the Goat.'' The Lunar New Year, or ``Nian,'' is a tradition that has been celebrated for more than a thousand years by the Chinese and other persons of Asian ancestry. The Lunar New Year is cause for celebration in communities all across our country but might I say that no city does it better than my home city of Houston, which will be hosting the Annual Lunar New Year Houston Celebration this coming weekend. Celebrants will be treated to a variety of festivities, including parades, festivals, art exhibits, and musical performances. Mr. Speaker, Americans of Asian Pacific ancestry have positively influenced our country through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service. They have enhanced and shaped our national character with centuries- old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural customs of their communities. Asian Americans have enriched our culture and economy and made significant contributions in every area of American life from the arts and humanities, to the natural and social sciences, to business and the economy, in government, sports, the military, and technology and innovation. Notable Chinese Americans who have distinguished themselves in the field of the arts and humanities include the two-time Academy Award winning cinematographer, James Wong Howe; Ang Lee, the Academy Award winning director; Maya Lin, the architect who designed the iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial; I. M. Pei, the famous architect and designer of the Louvre Pyramid; Amy Tan, the best-selling author of The Joy Luck Club; Yo-Yo Ma, the world-renowned cellist; and the legendary Bruce Lee, who revolutionized the martial arts film genre. In the field of business, American life has been enriched by the contributions of Steve Chen, the co-founder of YouTube; Jen-Hsun Huang, the co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA, the computer graphics card company; Min H. Kao, co-founder of Garmin, the GPS software giant; William Wang, the founder and CEO of Vizio; and Jerry Yang, co-founder of Yahoo! Mr. Speaker, Connie Chung made history as the first Chinese American woman to co-anchor a major network's national news broadcast, as did Norman Bay, the first Chinese American United States Attorney; and Thomas Tang, the first Chinese American federal judge. Many contemporary Chinese Americans have risen to occupy some of the most important positions in the nation, including my colleagues, Judy Chu and Grace Meng, the first and second Chinese American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; Dr. Steven Chum, Nobel laureate in Physics and United States Secretary of Energy from 2009-2013; Hiram L. Fong, the first U.S. Senator of Chinese ancestry; Ed Lee, the Mayor of San Francisco; and Gary Locke, former Secretary of Commerce, Ambassador to China, and only Chinese American ever to serve as a Governor. Mr. Speaker, Kurt Lee was the first Asian American Marine Corps officer and he was followed by John Liu Fugh, the first Chinese American officer to be promoted to the rank of Major General in the United States Army and Coral Wong Pietsch, the first female Chinese American Army General; and it is a source of great pride that the Congressional Medal of Honor was awarded to Francis Wai, so far the only Chinese American to have been so honored. In the fields of science, engineering, and medicine, Chinese Americans have made significant contributions that have fundamentally changed the way we live and work, including those of Min Chueh Chang, the co-inventor of the first birth control pill; Charles Kao, the 2009 Nobel laureate in Physics who pioneered the development and use of fiber optics in telecommunications; Yuan-Cheng Fung, the founder of modern biomechanics; and NASA astronauts Leroy Chiao and Edward Lu. Mr. Speaker, according to most recent data reported by the Census Bureau, there are more than 423,609 businesses owned by Chinese Americans generating $142.8 billion in economic output towards the U.S. economy, along with creating over 780,000 jobs. As the Member of Congress from the 18th Congressional District of Texas, I am honored to represent a district rich in cultural and ethnic diversity and with a vibrant Chinese-American community. Mr. Speaker, there are more than four million Chinese-Americans in the United States and Texas is home to more than 167,000 of them; of this latter number, approximately 25 percent, or 43,940, Chinese- Americans live in Harris County, making it the tenth largest community of persons of Chinese heritage in the nation. Mr. Speaker, Chinese-Americans have made much progress in the United States since May 10, 1860, the date the first transcontinental railroad was completed. That massive construction project transformed our country for the better and could not have been completed had it not been for the labor of Chinese immigrants. Despite the enormous progress made challenges still remain of person of Chinese ancestry, particularly the nation's antiquated immigration system which needs to be reformed to make it fairer and more humane. Celebrating the Lunar New Year helps us to remember how much our country has benefitted from the energy, creativity, and service of Chinese Americans. I encourage all Americans to take part in activities marking this important occasion.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I proudly, over the last 2 days, voted for a temporary extension of the small business tax exemption and the food inventory charitable exemption because I realize that America has many needs that have to be addressed, food stamps that have been denied to many people with a $40 billion cut in the last Congress by my friends on the other side of the aisle. I realize that if we continue in the mode of a permanent tax exemption, where will the funding come from? Social Security? Medicare? Medicaid?--a variety of needs that our community has. So today I want to make sure that the $1.5 trillion debt that we have, that is now $440 billion, that we continue to be responsible and be concerned about our children's education and about health care and about many other things. So today we must stand, considering all the needs of Americans. Finally, let me say that I represent an area that is trying to protect Freedmen's Town bricks laid or bought for by freed slaves. I believe we should come together in the city of Houston with our Freedmen's Town coalition and those citizens in that area and let's resolve this. Let's do trenching, preserve the bricks, and provide a quality infrastructure program that I have helped fund by Federal dollars.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Congressman, thank you so very much. And, again, my greatest appreciation for your annual tribute to the NAACP. We are reminded of its great history. You are the carrier of this dream and this celebration. We are appreciative that you have come to this Congress and done many things, but you brought us to a moment every year to be able to honor this storied organization 106 years old. So let me thank my good friend Congressman Green, my next-door neighbor in Houston, and a friend of many of the same friends. We know the work of the NAACP local chapter in Houston, Texas. Now, the leading President is, as I call him, Dean James Douglas. Many presidents before, of course, have ably served our local chapter, but we come today to acknowledge the grandness of the NAACP. And as my colleague, Congressman Rangel, just mentioned, it is an organization that is everywhere in all ways. It is well to note that many of the successes that we have had in freedom, justice, and liberty have come about through the NAACP. President Truman was the first President in 1948 to speak to the NAACP. But it was not just an oration, if you will. The NAACP seeks to work, collaborate, and get things done. It was that close relationship with President Truman that generated a commission that in the late 1940s, after World War II, where soldiers came home to a second-class citizenship. Soldiers who left the hills and valleys of America, the farms, and the urban centers of America, African Americans, colored boys, who went into World War II came out as a second-class citizen. You will hear stories of soldiers coming back home being forced off trains or in the back of the train or the back of the bus, not being offered food at a train station, even with the uniform on. So heroes that had fought in the war and managed to survive and come home still came to a segregated America. It was in that backdrop that President Truman spoke to the NAACP, and they called for a commission to address the question of civil rights in America. Out of that came the--because it was in the realm of World War II, out of that came an important announcement that really, I think, was the predecessor to desegregating America. That, of course, was the executive order that desegregated the United States military. That is the clout of the NAACP. Through the years--through the years--the NAACP certainly has a long history, starting in its early birth. But I want to carry it forward into the 1950s and into the utilization of Thurgood Marshall. Now it is called the NAACP Legal Defense Fund that separated it out, but it was these lawyers of the NAACP that rose to defend those in the civil rights movement who were the foot soldiers and the actors of the civil rights movement, meaning acting on the issue, the activists. And they had the cerebral opportunity, if you will, the cerebral leaders, the lawyers, that came together to provide them the legal armor that they needed. Certainly we know that Thurgood Marshall had a very fond expression and appreciation for the NAACP. So we come through these years in the 1950s and the 1960s. And the kind of continued support that the NAACP provided in lasting and embracing--lasting and embracing--so it embraced the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which I had the privilege of working for. It embraced various other organizations. It embraced the various faiths in our community, and it embraced any organization that was moving toward justice, as Dr. King said, bending that arc toward justice. The NAACP was there with its many chapters, and it was there with providing the education of so many of these individuals that were, in fact, I call them, foot soldiers in every hamlet of America. Now we come, if I may cite him, in the civil rights movement, again joining with those marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, being a mighty vehicle, if I might, a lobbyist. I understand Congressman Clarence Mitchell was called the 101st Senator. He was a lobbyist for the NAACP. He was on the cutting edge of every single civil rights legislation for a period of, I believe, 40 years. I may be exaggerating the timeframe, but he was there for the '64 Civil Rights Act, there for the '65 Voting Rights Act. Clarence Mitchell of the NAACP was an advocate, not a lobbyist, on behalf of the NAACP, and met and stood, if you will, to debate not on the floor of the Senate with the Strom Thurmonds and others who had a different opinion about desegregation of this country. Let me take note of the fact that today I had the privilege of seeing an unveiling of a stamp in honor of Robert Robinson Taylor, the great- grandfather of Valerie Jarrett. And what I would say is that even his success in the backdrop of being the first graduate of MIT, African American graduate, you can be assured that the NAACP was moving along to add to the civil rights aspect of the great outstanding success and leadership that this gentleman, Mr. Taylor, has shown. So the NAACP has been there to make a pathway. The NAACP has been there to embrace. The NAACP has been there to collaborate. The NAACP has been there to stand with you when you need them to stand with you. I close by indicating that we have had a challenging year of addressing issues of criminal justice reform, and I am very grateful that the NAACP has also taken up this issue and will be a partner on this issue of criminal justice reform, working with many of us as we commit to America--not just African Americans--that we will answer the question dealing with justice, equality, and liberty. I pay tribute, finally, Mr. Green, to the leader of ACT-SO, who lost her life, in the local chapter of the NAACP. I want to honor her and thank her for the years that I knew her and her service to young people in the ACT-SO program in Houston, Texas. To her family, I want to thank her so much for the work that she did and the lives that she touched. That is the NAACP. Tonight, I say, ``I am the NAACP.'' Congratulations for 106 years. Thank you, Mr. Green, for yielding.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Alabama, and I thank her particularly for her persistent leadership and for her generosity with inviting so many Members to her district. We have enjoyed meeting her local officials, and we have enjoyed meeting the leadership of that great city and its great history. We make a personal commitment to her that as we travel through Selma--and it captures the essence of a town of great history--that we recognize that there is a need to invest many dollars to preserve this great city and to preserve its history. We thank her for her leadership. To the manager, the gentleman from Michigan, let me thank you very much for your eloquent statements. Isn't it important, Mr. Speaker, to see the number of leaders of our leadership--the majority leader, the minority leader, the whip, and the minority whip--here on the floor of the House joining us in this momentous occasion? Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of working for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, obviously at a very, very young age. It was in that atmosphere, out of their office on Auburn Avenue in Georgia, that I got the sense and the feeling of the moment of the history of Selma. In the fictional yet truthful movie ``Selma,'' we are reminded of the song ``Glory.'' Today is an example of ``Glory.'' It is an example of the coming together of peoples around what is right, and it is a recognition that foot soldiers, though unknown even some 50 years later, are deserving of being pulled from the ashes of their last words to be able to say to them, ``Thank you.'' That is what this Congressional Gold Medal means to me and means to so many who were among the 600-plus that could be called the foot soldiers. Obviously, by working for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, I knew at that time Ambassador Andrew Young, Hosea Williams, James Orange, and a litany of others. Certainly, as our Congresswoman from Selma has done, we pay tribute to our leader John Lewis who, himself, was brutalized as he attempted to exercise a simple right protected by the Bill of Rights, and that is the right to freedom of speech, freedom of access, and freedom of movement. Today, Mr. Speaker, I join in the words of President Johnson on March 15, 1965, looking back over Bloody Sunday. He said: I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy . . . At times, history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point in man's unending search for freedom. So it was at Lexington and Concord. So it was a century ago at Appomattox. So it was last week in Selma, Alabama. Yes, it was simply just last week in the thinking of so many of us as we stand on the floor of the House.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. I thank the gentlewoman. Might I say, as we vote on this, we vote together. Might I say, as much as we vote, can we do it in action and vote to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act by simply restoring section 5, giving the Supreme Court what it needs, but recognizing the importance of protecting the right to vote? In the name of Jimmie Lee Jackson who died trying to protect his mother and grandmother, in the name of Viola Liuzzo, and in the name of Reverend James Reeb, I ask that we stand here today and vote for this legislation to honor them, but vote for reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. Mr. Speaker, I rise today not only as a proud supporter, but as a cosponsor, of H.R. 431, a bill authorizing the award of the Congressional Gold Medal to the ``foot soldiers of Selma,'' those heroic souls who risked their lives for freedom and to secure the right to vote for all Americans by their participation in marches for voting rights on ``Bloody Sunday,'' ``Turnaround Tuesday,'' or the final, completed march from Selma to Montgomery in March 1965. I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Terri Sewell of Alabama, for introducing this legislation paying fitting, and long overdue, tribute to those brave and determined men and women, boys and girls, persons of all races and creeds, who loved their country so much that they were willing to risk their lives to make it better, to bring it even closer to its founding ideals that all persons have dignity and the right to equal treatment under the law, and in the making of the laws, which is the fundamental essence of the right to vote. I also want to thank Congresswoman Martha Roby. Mr. Speaker, on March 15, 1965, before a joint session of the Congress and the eyes of the nation, President Lyndon Johnson explained to the nation the significance of ``Bloody Sunday'': ``I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy. . . . ``At times history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point in man's unending search for freedom. ``So it was at Lexington and Concord. ``So it was a century ago at Appomattox. ``So it was last week in Selma, Alabama.'' The previous Sunday, March 7, 1965, more than 600 civil rights demonstrators, including our beloved colleague, Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, were brutally attacked by state and local police at the Edmund Pettus Bridge as they marched from Selma to Montgomery in support of the right to vote. ``Bloody Sunday'' was one of the defining moments in American history because it crystallized for the nation the necessity of enacting a strong and effective federal law to protect the right to vote of every American. No one who witnessed the violence and brutally suffered by the foot soldiers for justice who gathered at the Edmund Pettus Bridge will ever forget it; the images are deeply seared in the American memory and experience. Mr. Speaker, what is so moving, heroic, and awe-inspiring is that the foot soldiers we honor today faced their heavily armed oppressors fortified only by their love for their country and each other and the audacious faith that their cause was just. The example set by the foot soldiers of Selma showed everyone, here in America and around the world, that there is no force on earth as powerful as an idea whose time has come. So it is fitting and proper, Mr. Speaker, that we honor today the heroes--the foot soldiers--who won the Bathe of Selma and helped redeem the greatest nation on earth. But we should not forget that this victory came at great cost and that many good and dear persons lost their lives to win for others the right to vote. Men like Jimmy Lee Jackson, who was shot by Alabama state trooper as he tried to protect his mother and grandmother from being beaten for participating in a peaceful voting rights march in Marion, Alabama. Women like Viola Liuzzo, a housewife and mother of five, who had journeyed to Selma from Detroit to join the protests after witnessing on television the events at Edmund Pettus Bridge on ``Bloody Sunday'' and who was shot and killed by Klansmen while driving back from a trip shuttling fellow voting rights marchers to the Montgomery airport. Persons of faith, goodwill, and non-violence like the Reverend James Reeb of Boston, a minister from Boston who heeded the call of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to come to Selma and who succumbed to the head injuries he suffered at the hands of his white supremacists attackers on March 9, two days after Bloody Sunday. Mr. Speaker, in the face of all this hostility, violence, brutality, and hatred, the foot soldiers of Selma would not be deterred--would not be moved--would not be turned around. They kept their eyes on the prize and held on. And help came the very next week when President Johnson announced to the nation that he would send to Congress for immediate action a law designed to eliminate illegal barriers to the right to vote by striking down ``restrictions to voting in all elections--Federal, State, and local--which have been used to deny Negroes the right to vote.'' On August 6, 1965, that legislation--the Voting Rights Act of 1965-- was signed into law by President Johnson and for the next 48 years did more to expand our democracy and empower racial and language minorities than any act of government since the Emancipation Proclamation and adoption of the Civil War Amendments. But our work is not done; the dreams of Dr. King and of all those who gave their lives in the struggle for justice are not behind us but still before us. In the wake of the Supreme Court's 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, which severely crippled the Voting Rights Act, we have seen many states across our nation move to enact legislation designed to limit the ability of women, the elderly, racial and language minorities to exercise their right to vote. In Texas alone, new voter ID laws are estimated to have prevented or deterred as many as 600,000 citizens from registering to vote in 2014. To honor the memory of the foot soldiers of Selma, we must rededicate ourselves to a great task remaining before us--to repair the damage done to the Voting Rights Act by working to pass the Voting Rights Amendments Act of 2015, which I am proud to be one of the original cosponsors. Mr. Speaker, as I have stated many times, the 1965 Voting Rights Act is no ordinary piece of legislation. For millions of Americans, and for many in Congress, it is sacred treasure, earned by the sweat and toil and tears and blood of ordinary Americans who showed the world it was possible to accomplish extraordinary things. As we honor the foot soldiers of Selma by voting to pass H.R. 431 awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal, let us resolve also to restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965, so that it remains a lasting monument to their heroism and devotion to the country they loved.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the President has issued an AUMF, which is the authority to determine the questions of war and peace, particularly in light of the dangers we face with ISIS. In spite of that, we are holding hostage the funding of the armor of security for this Nation, the Department of Homeland Security, the committee upon which I have sat since the horrible, heinous act of 9/11. We take our work very seriously. We know that we oversee the national security of this Nation, along with the very important aspect and leadership of our Defense Department. Every day, we are mindful of the roles that individuals play who are a part of the Department of Homeland Security. Rather than looking to be concerned about the dangers of unaccompanied children, as our Republican friends seem to be, challenging the President's thoughtful executive actions within the context of his constitutional authority, we are now using those reasons for holding hostage the very armor of domestic security. Mr. Speaker, let me tell you, the TSA officers that I see as I travel around this country are front liners. I speak to them all the time. They have protected this Nation from various attacks--or potential attacks, might I say--stopping threats that many of us are not even aware of. These very faithful workers, along with border security workers, will have to work without pay. There will have to be a reordering of the strategies of the Secretary of Homeland Security. Mr. Speaker, 40,000 Border Patrol agents; 50,000 TSA personnel; 13,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, officers; 40,000 Coast Guard; and 4,000 Secret Service officers will be threatened by this. And so, Mr. Speaker, I demand that we do the right thing, with 8 legislative days left. Fund the Department of Homeland Security. Speak in a tone that is that of America. Defend our Nation. Protect our Nation. Stop this politicizing of the funding of the Department of Homeland Security. I ask the Republicans to join me in an important patriotic effort. Fund the Department of Homeland Security.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, over the last 24 hours, we have heard that a wonderful young woman from Arizona, whose family is now mourning, lost her life somewhere in Syria at the hands of a violent and barbaric group by the name of ISIS. I hope that it brings all Americans together around the importance of eliminating this dastardly group, and to begin to look inwardly to make sure that we attack this cancer at its beginning and to be able to stop the radicalization that comes about through the Internet and many of the young people in this country. I introduced earlier this year the No Fly Foreign Soldiers Act to ensure that those who may leave this country and then attempt to fly back are, in fact, detected. There are many things we can do on the end of passing law, but we must also respond that we not attack any religion for just its beliefs and begin to educate people about the values of many different religions. That is what this young American sought to do. She went to save the vulnerable. And so we must isolate ISIS as it is and stand with those who recognize the greatness of America and the diversity of our religions and the diversity of the people. I sadly offer my sympathy for the Muslims that were killed at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. We must fight those who are here attempting to do harm and must recognize that we have a goodness in our country and emphasize the fact that we live and can live in harmony. But ISIS must be our target, not those whose faith may be considered a faith that we do not understand or maybe even disagree with.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee and a former member of the Science Committee I am in strong support of, H.R. 810, The NASA Authorization Act of 2015.'' Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson for their work to bring the NASA Authorization Act of 2015 before the House for consideration. There is historic congressional support for NASA in Congress, and I am at the forefront of that support. I served on the House Science Committee for 12 years; and I am in strong support of the NASA Authorization Act of 2015, as the best way forward to strengthen NASA into the future and to avoid dismantling the manned space program. This legislation will protect American and Texan jobs, saving more than while, driving innovation, and ensure our Nation's youth are encouraged to pursue careers in science, exploration, engineering, technology, and math. 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. It is our job as members of Congress to make sure that NASA continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, keeping our Nation on the forefront of innovation and exploration. This bill authorizes programs and projects at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15). This authorization bill's funding is consistent with the funding $18,010,200,000 In appropriations for NASA in the Consolidated and Further Appropriations Act, 2015 bill passed at the end of the 113th Congress. NASA continues to be the world's premier space organization. This bill seeks to maintain sustainability of purpose and budget for NASA programs, continuing the congressional commitment provided in previous reauthorizations in 2005, 2008, and 2010 to space exploration, both human and robotic. This legislation makes clear that a human mission to Mars is the goal for NASA's human spaceflight program and requires the development of a roadmap to achieve that goal, as well as biennial updates. In the near-term, the primary tasks for NASA human spaceflight include: Realizing the research potential of the International Space Station (ISS) with an Office of Science & Technology Policy-led strategic plan for all science agencies to conduct research on the Station. Continued commitment to develop the Space Launch System and Orion Crew Vehicle to serve as a backup system to support the ISS if necessary. NASA will be able to engage in the educational and outreach activities necessary to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curriculum and inspire the next generation of explorers. The authorization will assist in building at least one Commercial Crew system (with NASA funds) to carry American astronauts on American rockets safely, reliably, and affordably to and from the International Space Station so that we are no longer reliant on Russia for crew access. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining a steady cadence of science missions, including a Europa mission with a goal of launching by 2021. The bill directs NASA and the NASA to provide Congress with a report assessing the long-term goals of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, which includes the Mars 2020 rover. To reflect the increase in the number of newly discovered planets outside our solar system, the legislation also directs NASA and the NAS to provide an exoplanet exploration strategy. This bill stresses the importance of completing and expanding the Congressionally mandated near-Earth object survey to detect, track, catalogue, and characterize near-Earth objects 140 meters in diameter or larger. This authorization addresses an issue of great importance to a sustained and healthy space program. The bill provides NASA with the agility to develop a plan to better position the agency to have the facilities and infrastructure necessary to meet future requirements including those set forth in the human exploration roadmap. It is the responsibility of this Congress to ensure that the future of NASA is one of continued progress and that space exploration remains a part of our national destiny. NASA inspires our children to look to the stars and dream of what they too may achieve one day. Space exploration allows us to push the bounds of our scientific knowledge, as we carry out research projects not possible within the constraints of planet Earth. I look forward to the reintroduction of the REAL Space Act this Congress and ask that my colleagues support this important measure. In recent years, we have seen other nations joining in the space race with varying levels of success. We applaud these efforts, which include: The European Space Agency's success in landing a vehicle on a comet that was speeding through deep space; and China's landing its first rover ``Jade Rabbit'' on the surface of the moon. Exploration of space remains critical to United States leadership and economic trendsetting position in the global economy. The future is space, and I support NASA's continued progress to ensure the United States retains its leadership in this vital area of human exploration. I ask that my colleagues join me in voting for H.R. 810.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee and a former chair of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, I rise in support of H.R. 719, the ``TSA Office of Inspection Accountability Act of 2015.'' Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson for their leadership in bringing this legislation to the floor. H.R. 719 will save the taxpayers hundreds of thousands dollars annually by requiring the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to conform its personnel classification practices to existing Federal law and regulations regarding criminal investigator positions. According to a report by the Homeland Security Department's Inspector General (IG), about half of the employees in the Office of Inspection (OII) are classified as criminal investigators even though their duties do not involve responsibilities that can be characterized as criminal investigation activities. Instead, the responsibilities of these employees primarily consist of administrative duties such as investigating cases of TSA employee misconduct and conducting internal reviews. Classifying these employees as ``law enforcement'' personnel, however, makes them eligible for premium pay and other significant economic benefits. If TSA fails to reclassify criminal investigator positions as noncriminal investigator positions or non-law-enforcement positions, this will cost taxpayers as much as $17,000,000 over 5 years. This money could be utilized to ensure that law enforcement agencies, which identify, apprehend, and prosecute criminals, have the tools, resources, and training necessary to do their job efficiently, effectively, and economically. Mr. Speaker, I have always strongly supported providing the resources needed by law enforcement and first responders and will continue to do so in future. But we have an obligation to the American people to be responsible stewards of the public trust and it is not responsible to provide premium pay and benefits intended for law enforcement personnel to employees who do not perform the dangerous duties of law enforcement officers. This bill will obligate the Assistant Secretary of TSA to reclassify criminal investigator positions in the Office of Inspection as noncriminal investigator positions or non-law enforcement positions if the individuals in those positions do not, or are not expected to, spend an average of at least 50 percent of their time performing criminal investigative duties. This is an important step to bring transparency to the office of inspector with regards to the work of TSA personnel and law enforcement investigative task. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 719, which directs the Office of Inspection to reclassify its current criminal investigator positions to conform to the requirements of applicable law and save the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. R. 720, The Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2015, which improves intergovernmental planning and communication during security incidents at domestic airports. As a former chair and ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee Transportation Security Subcommittee, I understand how important this bill will be in enhancing safety and protection in the air transit industry, not just for our citizens but for our Transportation Security Officers working in the line of duty. This legislation, which requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to devote more resources for planning and communication during and in case of threats or emergencies, is prompted by the tragic death of Gerardo I. Hernandez, a Transportation Security Officer who was killed in the line of duty at Los Angeles International Airport on November 1, 2013. At just 39 years old, Gerardo Hernandez was the first TSA officer to lose his life in the line of duty in the 12 year history of the agency. He died from several gunshot wounds inflicted by an assailant while on duty at the Los Angeles International Airport Gerardo Hernandez was among those thousands of TSA employs carrying out their mission to keep the airways safe for traveling citizens, and their work across the nation cannot be understated. Seven victims were treated at the scene of the attack and three victims who were wounded by gunfire, including two TSA officers, identified as 54-year-old James Speer and 36-year-old Tony Grigsby needed hospital treatment. On average, TSA officers screen 1.7 million air passengers at more than 450 airports across the nation, which averaged over 637.5 million passengers in 2012. H.R. 720 will help ensure that all screening personnel have received training in how to handle potential shooting threats. The bill also requires TSA to verify that all airports have plans in place to respond to any security threats, and provide technical assistance as necessary to improve those plans. The bill also directs the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Cybersecurity and Communication to report to Congress the capacity of law enforcement, fire, and medical response teams' communication and response to security threats at airports. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the implementation of H.R. 720 would cost about $2.5 million in 2015. Of the $2.5 million, an estimated $1.5 million would serve to provide additional technical assistance to airports, and the remaining $1 million would be used to evaluate the interoperability of communication systems used by emergency response teams. Mr. Speaker, it has been almost 14 years since our country suffered the tragedy of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We will never forget how that day changed our lives, and the lives of every American generation to follow. Security measures in airports across the country have been enhanced dramatically, and the resulting inconvenience is a small price to pay for the protective measures needed to keep the travelling public safe. It is people like Gerardo Hernandez who do their best to make the necessary screening as least intrusive and burdensome as possible, consistent with the mission of ensuring the security of all members of the flying public. TSA officers willingly risk their lives to make sure the job gets done, and for that we owe these men and women a debt of gratitude. In honor of Gerardo Hernandez's contribution to his country, I strongly support this bill and urge all my colleagues to join me in voting for its passage.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 710, the Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend from Georgia for his concern and for his commitment and thank him for his service on the Homeland Security Committee. I also want to acknowledge our chairman and our ranking member of the full committee and Mrs. Miller who now serves as the chairwoman of the Border and Maritime Security, on which I served as the ranking member in the last Congress. The bill passed the House unanimously in the 113th Congress, and I am pleased it is being considered by the House again today. Mr. Speaker, might I add my appreciation to the House leadership, in particular the Speaker; majority leader; and, of course, our leader and minority whip. The SAFE Port Act of 2006 directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement a biometric credential program, now known as the TWIC program, to ensure that individuals with unescorted access to secure areas of ports and vessels were vetted and carrying proper credentials. Mr. Speaker, I had a TWIC card. I remember being there as the TWIC card was being implemented and watching various workers come to a central point and sign up for the TWIC card. We had great hope and inspiration on that TWIC card. Establishment of this program was viewed as critical to ensuring protection of our ports from a so-called insider security threat; however, in the years since it was established, the Department of Homeland Security struggled to realize the security benefits that Congress envisioned. I know that the former director of the Transportation Security Administration, Mr. Pistole, was very concerned. It should be noted their efforts are an important part of their work, along with others. In fact, the Government Accountability Office has examined the program and identified serious shortcomings that may undermine the program's intended purpose and make it difficult to justify the program's costs and particularly the costs to workers. I saw that firsthand. I also saw the challenges of workers who had many unique scheduling for their work hours to be able to get a TWIC card. In response, I introduced H.R. 710 and its predecessor last Congress with the support of Subcommittee Chairman Miller as an original cosponsor to ensure that Congress receives an independent, scientific assessment of the program and to require the Secretary to issue a corrective action plan in response to the assessment. Ranking Member Thompson is also a cosponsor, but this is bipartisan legislation. The required assessment should give Congress the information it needs to determine how best to proceed with the TWIC program. The bill has been refined over time to ensure that the long overdue rulemaking for TWIC card readers would not be affected by the bill and to refine the scope of the assessment we are seeking. There is great interest in that final rule; particularly, there is interest in how many ports and vessels will be required to install readers for biometric cards. If the final rule requires only a limited number of vessels and ports to have biometric readers, as has been previously proposed by the Department, we will still--we will still-- certainly need to have a discussion about what this means for the approximately 2 million truckers, longshoremen, and port workers who today carry TWICs as part of their jobs. For those of us who live around and near our ports, such as the Houston port, we know that this will have a great impact. In closing, I again thank my friend for his concern and presence here on the floor today and in support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I just want to make the point that this bill was generated by the GAO report which found a number of concerns, and I just want to mention one or two. The reliability of data collection retention was done in an incomplete and inconsistent manner, this report wanted to inform us of--this was a GAO TWIC report--and it commented on some of the illnesses or ailments of this process. It reported that transaction data did not match underlying documentation, installed TWIC readers and access control systems could not collect required data on TWIC reader use, and TSA and the independent test agent did not employ effective compensating data collection measures. Also, pilot participants did not document instances of denied access. Finally, TSA and the independent test agent did not collect complete data on malfunctioning TWIC cards. This legislation, the underlying legislation, H.R. 710, is to be a helper. It is to help correct our path to make the document, the TWIC card that all of us are quite familiar with, the best effective data- collecting document and system that it can possibly be. I am very grateful that, again, my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee have supported this legislation, and I ask my colleagues to join us in making what is good much better and best to be able to secure the Nation and provide for the homeland. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 710, the ``Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act.'' This bill passed the House unanimously in the 113th Congress and I am pleased it is being considered by the House again today. The SAFE Port Act of 2006 directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement a biometric credential program, now known as the TWIC program, to ensure that individuals with unescorted access to secure areas of ports and vessels were vetted and carrying proper credentials. Establishment of this program was viewed as critical to ensuring the protection of our ports from a so-called ``insider security threat.'' However, in the years since it was established, the Department of Homeland Security struggled to realize the security benefits that Congress envisioned. In fact, the Government Accountability Office has examined the program and identified serious shortcomings that may undermine the program's intended purpose and make it difficult to justify program costs, and particularly the costs to workers. In response, I introduced H.R. 710 and its predecessor last Congress, with the support of Subcommittee Chairman Miller as an original cosponsor, to ensure that Congress receives an independent scientific assessment of the program and to require the Secretary to issue a corrective action plan in response to the assessment. The required assessment should give Congress the information it needs to determine how best to proceed with the TWIC program. The bill has been refined over time to ensure that the long-overdue rulemaking for TWIC card readers would not be affected by the bill and to refine the scope of the assessment we are seeking. There is great interest in that final rule, particularly there is interest in how many ports and vessels will be required to install readers for biometric cards. If the final rule requires only a limited number of vessels and ports to have biometric readers, as has been previously proposed by the Department, we will certainly need to have a discussion about what this means for the approximately 2 million truckers, longshoremen and port workers who today carry TWICs as part of their jobs. In closing, I want to express my appreciation to Chairman Miller for the bipartisan nature of the work on this bill and express my appreciation to her staff for their cooperation. I am proud to represent a portion of the Port of Houston and know firsthand the importance of this issue to the maritime workers, truckers, and others who access our Nation's ports every day. It is imperative that we get this right on their behalf. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 710, a bipartisan bill that is essential to ensuring that the Department of Homeland Security has an effective program in place to help secure our ports. Identical legislation that I authored was approved unanimously last Congress. Today, with this legislation, we have the opportunity to send another strong message to the Department. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, the Ranking Member of the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee, and the author of the legislation, I rise in strong and enthusiastic support of H.R. 710, the ``Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act.'' H.R. 710 is identical in all substantive respects to H.R. 3202, which passed the House during the 113th Congress on July 28, 2014. The Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit to Congress and the Comptroller General (GAO) a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the transportation security card program at enhancing security or reducing security risks for maritime facilities and vessels. I reintroduced H.R. 710, in response to this GAO TWIC Report on the Weaknesses in the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Reader Pilot program that impacted the accuracy, and reliability of the system. The GAO report stated that data collection and retention was done in an incomplete and inconsistent manner during the pilot, further undermining the completeness, accuracy, and reliability of the data collected at pilot sites. Problems identified included by the GAO report included: 1. Installed TWIC readers and access control systems could not collect required data on TWIC reader use, and TSA and the independent test agent did not employ effective compensating data collection measures. 2. Reported transaction data did not match underlying documentation. 3. Pilot documentation did not contain complete TWIC reader and access control system characteristics. 4. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the independent test agent did not record clear baseline data for comparing operational performance at access points with TWIC readers. 5. TSA and the independent test agent did not collect complete data on malfunctioning TWIC cards. 6. Pilot participants did not document instances of denied access. 7. TSA and the independent test agent did not collect consistent data on the operational impact of using TWIC cards with readers. 8. Pilot site reports did not contain complete information about installed TWIC readers' and access control systems' design. H.R. 710 addresses the problems outlined in the GAO report by directing the Secretary to issue a corrective action plan based on the assessment that responds to the findings of a cost-benefit analysis of the program and enhances security or reduces security risk for such facilities and vessels. Following the assessment the Comptroller General, within 120 days must review the extent to which the submissions implement certain recommendations issued by the Comptroller General, and inform Congress as to the responsiveness of the submission. The bill also prohibits the Secretary from issuing a final rule requiring the use of transportation security card readers until the Comptroller General informs Congress that the submission is substantially responsive to the GAO recommendations, and the Secretary issues an updated list of transportation security card readers that are compatible with active transportation security cards. Mr. Speaker, my congressional district is located in Houston, Texas, which is home to the Port of Houston, one of the world's busiest ports, and one of its most critical infrastructure projects. According to the Department of Commerce in 2012, Texas exports totaled $265 billion. The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours' sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. In 2012, ship channel-related businesses contribute 1,026,820 jobs and generate more than $178.5 billion in statewide economic impact. For the past 11 consecutive years, Texas has outpaced the rest of the nation's ports in exports and ranked: 1. 1st in foreign tonnage; 2. 2nd in total tonnage; and 3. 7th in container ports by total TEUs in 2012. The Port of Houston is the largest Texas port with 46% of market share by tonnage and the largest Texas container port with 96% market share in containers by total TEUs in 2012. It is the largest Gulf Coast container port, handling 67% of Gulf Coast container traffic in 2012 and ranked 2nd in terms of cargo value (based on CBP Customs port definitions). The Government Accountability Office (GAO), reports that the Port of Houston, its waterways, and vessels are part of an economic engine handling more than $700 billion in merchandise annually. The Port of Houston houses approximately 100 steamship lines offering services that link Houston with 1,053 ports in 203 countries. The Port of Houston hosts a $15 billion petrochemical complex, the largest in the nation and second largest worldwide. The Port of Houston petrochemical complex supplies over 40 percent of the nation's base petrochemical manufacturing capacity. What happens at the Port of Houston affects the entire nation. When Congress enacted the SAFE Ports Act in 2006, we directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement a biometric credential program to ensure that individuals with unescorted access to sensitive areas in ports and vessels were vetted and known. However, under the Homeland Security Committee's oversight responsibilities we learned that, as implemented by TSA and the Coast Guard, there are weaknesses in the program. For this reason, I introduced H.R. 710, with the support of Mr. Thompson, the Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member, and Mrs. Miller, Chair of the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee as original cosponsors, to ensure that Congress receives an independent scientific assessment of the program and to require the Secretary to issue a corrective action plan in response to the assessment. The required assessment should give Congress the information it needs to determine how best to proceed with the program. I want to point out that in the last Congress when this bill was marked up in Committee, language was integrated to ensure that clarified that pending rulemaking would not be impacted by the bill and refined the scope of the assessment we are seeking. H.R. 710 retains this language. The Department has said that the final rule for biometric readers will be published in January 2015. There is great interest in the Department's final rule for biometric readers, particularly as it relates to the number of ports and vessels that will be required to install readers for biometric cards. If the final rule requires only a limited number of vessels and ports to have biometric readers, as has been previously proposed by the Department, we will certainly need to have a discussion about what this means for the approximately 2 million truckers, longshoremen and port workers who today are required to carry biometric cards to do their jobs. I want to express my appreciation to Chairman Miller for the bipartisan nature of the work on this and all the bills that originate in her Subcommittee and thank her and the Committee staff for their cooperation and assistance in shepherding this vital legislation to the floor. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to strongly support this bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, just yesterday I joined my public school system, my director of the city health department, and a number of health professionals to again remind parents and others around the Nation, and really to remind now, as I speak, my colleagues, vaccines save; and to be able to emphasize in the backdrop of this outbreak of measles, starting first with 7 States and 114 cases coming out of the case in Disney, and then now 17 States with 121 cases, to recognize the importance of research and responding to infectious disease. We understand measles. We understand the science of it. We know that we can protect people against it. We know when they should get a booster and what age a child should begin their first shots, certainly after 1 year old. We understand that an 8-month-old is in jeopardy if he or she is exposed, as is someone with low immunity. We also know that the measles vaccine has worked, and it has been effective. I want to thank the Centers for Disease Control. In a conference call, they indicated that they are going to make new efforts to work with various health facilities and health entities across the Nation to establish protocols to talk to parents about vaccines. We can save lives, and we must do so together.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 596 a bill to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This is the 56th attempt by House Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act. After 55 attempts it was my hope that this new Congress would begin its work in a more productive manner. We should be addressing the need to eliminate sequestration, the importance of raising the minimum wage, provide universal access to child care, and the passage of a jobs bill that rebuilds our nation's infrastructure. Instead we continue to waste precious legislative time on fighting this effort to hurting Americans who need affordable, assessable and available healthcare. The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land. Instead of attempting to repeal and undermine this law, we should use our time to work together to make improvements where necessary and ensure its smooth implementation. Many of those most in need of the healthcare coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act live in the Districts of many members on both sides of this argument. Texas, my own state, leads the list of states with the highest percentages of uninsured residents. Those states with the highest percentage of uninsured base on a report by the Bureau of the Census ``Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: Texas with 22.1 percent, Florida with 20.0 percent, Nevada with 20.7 percent, Georgia with 18.8 percent, Alaska with 18.5 percent, Oklahoma with 17.7 percent, and Arizona with 17.1 percent. The highest concentration of the uninsured is the poor. The Affordable Care Act provides to states at no cost options for residents to enroll in healthcare programs through Medicaid. Unfortunately, some states like my state of Texas has rejected this important component of the Affordable Care Act for those in the state in most need of healthcare. Other states that have not adopted the provisions of the law that expand Medicaid include Texas, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana, Alaska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kansas, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Missouri, Virginia, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Maine. Instead of focusing on protecting and caring for the health of our constituents, we are allowing partisan games to interfere with serving the best interest of our Districts. There are 20 days before enrollment in the online Marketplaces will begin, the House majority is bringing this bill to deter the implementation of this key provision of the Affordable Care Act. This latest attempt to prevent implementation of Obamacare would stop any premium tax credits from being provided until the HHS Inspector General Office certifies there is a program in place that ``successfully and consistently verifies'' household income and coverage requirements for those applying for these credits. Conveniently, there is no way that this new requirement would be met in a timely fashion because the HHS IG office does not have the resources, staff or expertise to undertake such a certification. Therefore, since the new requirement will likely not be met, the Affordable Care Act will be drastically inhibited. The impact of the enactment of this GOP bill would be to delay millions of qualified Americans from getting health coverage. The new requirement would deny millions of our hard-working constituents from getting the premium tax credits they are clearly eligible for beginning on January 1, 2014. This is how the income verification program under the HHS regulations works to hinder the Affordable Care Act. To get tax credits to make their health insurance affordable, individuals will have to submit their projected annual household income. All income data submitted through the Marketplaces will be checked with IRS data, Social Security data, and current wage information. If there is an inconsistency between income projection claims and proven past income, the Marketplaces will require additional documentation from applicants. In addition, Marketplaces will check employer coverage information from the applicant and their employer against data from the: Office of Personnel Management and the SHOP Marketplaces (where available) as well as other data sources approved by HHS to verify eligibility for the tax credits. If applicant information and other data do not match, the Marketplaces will ask for further supporting documentation. Furthermore, all payments of premium tax credits are reconciled by IRS the following year. The income data submitted is reconciled against the actual wages and health coverage information on the individual's income tax return. If there is an inconsistency, the applicant pays back the excess, subject to statutory limit. There is l00% income verification and reconciliation on this back-end. I cannot understand the continuous rejection by the Republicans against the Affordable Care act when the idea of everyone paying something towards their healthcare was a Republican idea put into practice in the State of Massachusetts by the former Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney. Instead of focusing on the issues that the American people want addressed--we are having the same discussion to repeal the Affordable Care Act in efforts of my colleagues to repeal, obstruct and undermine this law. What is even more frustrating is that while there is so much energy in trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act, there has been no plan or suggestions posed on how to replace it. I want to once again highlight the benefits of the Affordable Care Act so we can once in for all end the attempts to try and repeal this law that benefits so many Americans. Because of the Affordable Care Act, Americans are already seeing lower costs, better coverage, and patient protections that Republicans want to repeal: 13 million Americans benefited from $1.1 billion in rebates sent to them from their health insurance companies last year. 105 million Americans have access to free preventive services, including 71 million Americans in private plans and 34 million seniors on Medicare. Millions of women began receiving free coverage for comprehensive women's preventive services in August 2012. 100 million Americans no longer have a life-time limit on healthcare coverage. Nearly 17 million children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage by insurers. 6.6 million young-adults up to age 26 have health insurance through their parents' plan, half of whom would be uninsured without this coverage. 6.3 million Seniors in the `donut hole' have already saved $6.1 billion on their prescription drugs. 3.2 million Seniors have access to free annual wellness visits under Medicare, and 360,000 small employers have already taken advantage of the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit to provide health insurance to 2 million workers. Because of the Affordable Care Act 3.8 million people in Texas-- including 2.2 million seniors on Medicare now receive preventative care services. Over 7 million Texans no longer have to fear lifetime limits on their healthcare insurance. Texas parents of 300,731 young adults can sleep easier at night knowing that their children can remain on their health insurance until age 26. The protection provided by this law is a guarantee to 5 million Texas residents that their insurance companies will spend 80 percent of their premium dollars on healthcare, or customers will get a rebate from their insurance company. In my state, there are 4,029 people who had no insurance because of pre-existing conditions, but today the Affordable Care Act has provided them with access to coverage. The Affordable Care Act means that many Texans are free of worry about having access to healthcare insurance. However, the list of benefits from the Affordable Care Act is not completed. In 2014, the Affordable Care Act's final provisions will become available to our citizens. Insurance companies will be banned from: discriminating against anyone with a pre-existing condition, charging higher rates based on gender or health status, enforcing lifetime dollar limits, enforcing annual dollar limits on health benefits. In 2014, access to affordable healthcare for the self employed or those who decide to purchase their own coverage will be easier because of Affordable Insurance Exchanges. There will be a one stop marketplace where consumers can do what Federal employees have done for decades-- purchase insurance at reasonable rates from an insurer of their choice. This will assure that health care consumers can get the care that they need from the medical professionals they trust. This Congress has work that needs to be done, and it has work that should be taken up to restore workers, their families and communities to sound economic health, not play partisan political games. I urge my Colleagues to put partisan politics aside and join me in voting no on the passage of this bill.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., and the gentlewoman from Illinois, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, for organizing this important Special Order on the legacy of the events at Selma, Alabama. As Ava DuVarney's Oscar-nominated film ``Selma'' continues to foster discussion about the history of the Civil Rights Movement and bring the horrific events of ``Bloody Sunday'' to life for a new generation, I believe there is no better time to reflect on our journey, both past and ahead. The march from Selma to Montgomery stands out as one of the defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century. The images are seared into the minds of Americans, and serve as a constant reminder of the violence and injustice that our predecessors faced as they strove for equal representation. Violence that claimed the life of Jimmy Lee Jackson, beaten by state troopers as he tried to protect his mother and grandmother. His death was a catalyst that ignited the community and inspired the march. Violence that claimed the lives of Reverend James Reeb of Boston and Viola Liuzzo of Detroit, who had journeyed to Selma to join the protests after the events at Edmund Pettus Bridge on ``Bloody Sunday'' had been broadcast across America. In spite of all the violence, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his fellow protestors held their heads high and remained committed to their cause, a cause which touched people across the nation, so that when they reached Montgomery the crowd had swelled to 25,000 strong. The actions of those brave men and women were a shout to the world that injustice and oppression would no longer be tolerated. Their struggles ensured that the blood that was shed, the lives that were lost were not in vain. The very next week, President Lyndon Johnson announced to the nation that he would put legislation before Congress to eliminate barriers to the right to vote. We have made great strides towards equality and towards justice since those tumultuous events in Selma, Alabama. We are honored today to serve alongside Rep. John Lewis, who experienced firsthand that fight for rights and representation. This congress counts 44 black members among its number, and thanks to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, millions of African-Americans can proudly cast their votes and make their voices heard. But our work is far from done. The dreams of Dr. King and of all those who gave their lives in the struggle for civil rights are not behind us. They are ahead. In the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling which severely crippled the Voting Rights Act, states across our nation enacted legislation designed to limit the ability of women, the elderly, African-Americans to exercise their right to vote. In Texas alone, new voter ID laws are estimated to have prevented or deterred as many as 600,000 citizens from registering to vote in 2014. Such an act is a direct affront to all those who participated in the march to Montgomery, as well as anyone who values the principles of true democracy. It was exactly these principles that motivated 13 students from Texas Southern University to stage a sit-in in Houston 55 years ago in pursuit of desegregation. Their actions remind us of that guiding ideal that no action is too small, too local to affect change in our society. The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation in American history, and it represents not only the hope, but also the blood and tears of millions of Americans. We must work, through legislation like the Voting Rights Amendments Act of 2014, to strengthen it and protect the achievements of Dr. King, Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, Hosea Williams, and all those who made securing the right to vote for African-Americans their life's work. The freedom to vote is not the only freedom for which we must continue to fight. Across America, our communities struggle for their economic freedom, for the right to opportunity and to financial security. In 2014, black unemployment was twice that of white Americans, and they are more than twice as likely to live in poverty. Median income for a black household was $33,764, a mere 60% of median income for a white household. For these reasons, I will continue to advocate for legislation to benefit the working class, to benefit those members of our community who continue to struggle with unemployment and underemployment. We need legislation that creates new jobs, and legislation that provides our citizens with the training that they need to break the cycle of unemployment. We must understand that the minimum wage is not a living wage, and that, without action, we are condemning those with minimum wage jobs to a lifetime of hardship. Thank you again for this opportunity to speak, and for bringing these issues to the forefront of the conversation. As we move forward with our work, let us remember the lessons of Selma, of the past. Let them serve as our inspiration and strengthen our resolve as we look to the future and continue our efforts to protect the freedoms and opportunities of the American people. Tonight I call upon all people of good will, those who Dr. King called the Beloved Community, to join hands and march toward an agenda of healing, justice and equality in commemoration of those historic events. We march to preserve equality at the voting booth. We march to bring an end to systemic poverty and disenfranchisement. We march because we believe that all lives matter, and that this truth makes our country great.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and deep appreciation for the opportunities this great nation affords to its citizens that I rise to announce that joined by more than 65 co- sponsors, I have today introduced H. Res. 92, a resolution commemorating 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, in addition to providing pre-school training to prepare poor children to enter regular school and help put them on an even footing with their classmates as they enter school, the Head Start Program had an even higher aim and nobler purpose: 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, 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- to 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 invite all Members of the House to join me in sponsoring the resolution celebrating the 50 year record of success of the Head Start Program and urge the Speaker to schedule H. Res. 92 for floor debate and vote at the earliest possible time so that the House may have the opportunity to pass the resolution on or before the May 18, 2015 anniversary date. I thank all of my colleagues who joined me as original cosponsors of H. Res. 92, and 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. Chairman, let me thank the chairman; thank the mover of this legislation; my ranking member, Mr. Johnson; and my ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Conyers, for their leadership and for bringing us together around a universal concept. We all are promoting jobs, Mr. Chairman. Not one of us on this floor wants to in any way undermine jobs. We want people to work, and we want small businesses to have the opportunity to thrive. What I am talking about is the reality of protecting the American people when it comes to unique issues of health care. I am not going to cite the name of this individual, but what I am going to do is to read just a paragraph from Al Kamen, K-a-m-e-n, ``In the Loop'': ``As a matter of fact, I think this is one where I think I can illustrate the point,'' he recalled telling her. ``I don't have any problem with Starbucks if they choose to opt out of this policy as long as they post a sign that says, `We don't require our employees to wash their hands after leaving the restroom.' The market will take care of this. It is one example.'' Now, I have a different perspective, and so my amendment under this legislation asks to make an exception for rules that are dealing with consumer safety, saving lives. My amendment makes an exception for rules from the Food and Drug Administration, commonly known as the FDA. This bill, H.R. 527, seeks to reform the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 and 1996 which attempted to require agencies to account better for the impact of proposed regulations on small businesses, other small entities, and to tailor final regulations to minimize adverse impacts on these entities like the Food and Drug Administration. Yes, small business can be a single franchise of a McDonald's or Burger King or Starbucks, many of them doing quite well. It could be a number of them under one businessowner. But, in fact, they do deal with the public. This bill continues to expand the reach and scope of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and would only add to already unnecessary and lengthy regulatory delays, increased meddling by regulated industries, and encourage gratuitous court challenges. The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act adds a host of new analytical requirements for agency policy actions, including rulemakings and guidance documents, that might affect a large number of small businesses, even if that is indirect. Because the bill defines indirect effects broadly, it would mandate costly and wasteful new analyses that could be applied to virtually any action and agency attempt to make a better life for Americans, no matter how tenuous the connection to business interests. Again, can we imagine not being able to regulate or interfere with some small business that says you do not have to wash your hands in a restaurant? It is shocking to me. Mr. Chairman, when I wrote this amendment, I had in mind one of the new issues that we have been facing, and that is the story of CRE, which is a disease that is being found on endoscopes, that has been found in a particular hospital in the far West. This disease, this rare bacteria, was likely spread through specialized endoscopes that have been cleaned according to manufacturer's directions but still had some form of deadly germs. Are we suggesting that it is not an emergency to regulate or to keep or to be able to suggest that there needs to be a better cleaning process? This is just the latest example of a life-threatening disease which is calling out for action from the government, and the CDC and the FDA should not have their hands tied. In fact, the Houston Chronicle reported last week that these problems of dirty endoscopes have been tied to superbug infections in cities like Chicago and Pittsburgh in recent years. Although the bacteria weren't exactly the same, the situation raises new questions about the design, this infection, and regulation of the devices. Mr. Chairman, let me tell you that our economy is doing fine, not for every single American, but it has a marked improvement. Jobs are increasing, and unemployment is under 5 percent. I would only say that this legislation needs an addition from this amendment, and I hope my colleagues will accept the Jackson Lee amendment. It is a commonsense amendment that speaks to the health and care of the American public. Mr. Chairman, I ask for support of the Jackson Lee amendment. Mr. Chair, thank you for this opportunity to briefly explain my amendment. My amendment makes an exception for rules from the Food and Drug Administration, commonly known as the FDA. This bill, H.R. 527, seek to reform the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, which attempted to require agencies to account better for the impacts of proposed regulations on small businesses and other small entities and to tailor final regulations to minimize adverse impacts on these entities like the Food and Drug Administration. In reality, the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act expands the reach and scope of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and would only add to already unnecessary and lengthy regulatory delays, increase meddling by regulated industries, and encourage gratuitous court challenges. The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act adds a host of new analytical requirements for agency policy actions--including rulemakings and guidance documents--that might affect a large number of small businesses, even if that effect is ``indirect.'' And because the bill defines ``indirect effects'' broadly, it would mandate costly and wasteful new analyses that could be applied to virtually any action an agency attempts to undertake, no matter how tenuous the connection to small business interests. And according to the American Sustainable Business Council, this bill would open the door for regulated industries to manipulate the regulatory process in their favor. This undue influence would paralyze the regulatory process, creating uncertainty in the marketplace and stifling competition and innovation from small- and medium-sized entities. When I wrote this amendment I had in mind the rare bacteria like that known as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, commonly known as CRE. This rare bacteria is being transmitted to patients even though the tools had been cleaned according to manufacturers' directions but still harbored the potentially deadly germs. This is just the latest example of a life-threatening disease which is calling out for action from the government--and the CDC and the FDA should not have their hands tied. The Houston Chronicle reported in a story last week: The Seattle outbreak appears to be among the worst so far in the U.S., where problems with dirty endoscopes have been tied to superbug infections in Chicago and Pittsburgh in recent years. Although the bacteria weren't exactly the same, the situation raises new questions about the design, disinfection and REGULATION of the devices, critics charge. The bill reforms the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, which attempted to require agencies to account better for the impacts of proposed regulations on small businesses and other small entities and to tailor final regulations to minimize adverse impacts on these entities like the Food and Drug Administration. Mr. Chair, the economy is doing fine now, not for every single American but it has seen a marked improvement from 2008. A bill like H.R. 527 only serves to gum-up the wheels of government and business collaboration by creating new and confusing rules. When added to the existing gauntlet of procedural and analytical requirements that agencies must already navigate in order implement laws, SBRFIA's new requirements would serve only to further ``ossify'' rulemaking and make it nearly impossible for agencies to fulfill their congressionally mandated mission of protecting the public and responding to emerging health and environmental dangers. The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act also ties the hands of agencies like the FDA by forcing them to delay actions until new analyses are completed. Under current law, an agency can continue to promulgate a regulation before it has finished the regulatory flexibility analysis, if the agency head believes its mission or the law calls for more immediate action. The SBRFIA would eliminate these commonsense procedures. Imagine if emergency regulations to protect miners had to be delayed until the agency could finish this onerous and highly speculative analysis-lives could be lost and people could be needlessly injured. Or the FDA needed to issue a rule impacting the safety of dairy products. Lives are at stake. Let me be quick to add that I specifically I oppose H.R. 527 because: (1) it is based on a faulty study; (2) taken as a whole, it will severely undermine Federal agency rulemaking, thereby threatening public health and safety; (3) it fails to address shortcomings in current law; (4) it offers no real assistance to small businesses in complying with regulations; and (5) it imposes additional duties on agencies while failing to provide any additional resources to agencies. I urge an aye vote for the Jackson Lee amendment exempting FDA rules and add common sense to this legislation. [From the Houston Chronicle, Jan. 22, 2015] Seattle (AP).--A multidrug-resistant superbug has sickened dozens of people at a Seattle hospital, spread from patient- to-patient through contaminated equipment. The Seattle Times reports (http://is.gd/m4JVhK ) investigators found the rare bacteria known as CRE-- carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae--was likely spread through specialized endoscopes that had been cleaned according to manufacturers' directions but still had some of the deadly germs. Virginia Mason Medical Center officials say they've changed their cleaning protocol for the devices, even though federal officials found no problem with their infection-control practices. Doctors say 11 of the at least 35 patients infected at the hospital died, but it's not clear what role, if any, the infection played in their deaths.

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

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, because I was detained on congressional business yesterday, I inadvertently missed a vote on rollcall No. 62, the amendment offered by Mr. Connolly. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on that.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote No. 59, ordering the previous question, I inadvertently voted ``yes.'' I would like the Record to reflect that I would have voted, appropriately and properly, ``no.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. I thank the gentleman very much for the yielded time, and I thank the floor staff and the representatives of the Democratic cloakroom, Republican cloakroom for their courtesies. I want to join my good friend who was on the floor earlier this evening. I was detained in a diplomatic meeting. I could not join my good friend, Congressman Al Green, as he began to commemorate and salute Black History Month. This is story of a proud people, of Americans who participated in every historic event since the founding of this country and whose ancestors proudly wore the uniform on many occasions, including the uniform in the Civil War and wars beyond. Tonight, I come to salute both national heroes and local heroes from Houston, Texas, and--in particular--the 18th Congressional District. This, in fact, is the 39th commemoration of Black History Month, and we celebrate the contributions of African Americans who have contributed to the history and the greatness of our Nation. We pay tribute to trailblazers, pioneers, and leaders, like many of us know, such as Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; United States Senator Blanche Kelso Bruce; a U.S. Congresswoman from my congressional district, the Honorable Barbara Jordan, who most recently sat amongst us, retiring from the United States Congress in 1978-79; U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland, who lost his life trying to provide food to hungry people in Ethiopia; astronauts like Dr. Guion Stewart Bluford, Jr., and Mae C. Jemison; Frederick Douglass; Booker T. Washington; James Baldwin; Harriet Tubman; Rosa Parks; Maya Angelou, who taught me at Yale University; Toni Morrison, a premier writer; along with another outstanding writer as well, Gwendolyn Brooks--just to name a few of the countless well- known and unsung heroes whose contributions have helped our Nation become a more perfect union. The history of the United States has been marked by the great contributions of African American activists, leaders, writers, and artists. As a Member of Congress, I stand on those shoulders. Their struggles and triumphs made it possible for me to stand here today and continue to fight for their values and really the values embedded in what America is all about: the values of equality and justice, progress for all, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Mr. Speaker, I have two very special giants. They are my mother and father. Mrs. Ivalita ``Ivy'' Jackson, a vocational nurse, and Mr. Ezra C. Jackson, one of the first African Americans who was welcomed for a short period of time into the growing comic book publishing business during World War II. That was the entertainment. Many Americans found stories of joy, drama, various superheroes, monsters, and a number of other things in the comic book business. In New York City, a young man by the name of Ezra Jackson was given the door as the youngest son of my grandmother, Olive Jackson, who had sent three sons off to World War II. My uncles each fought. The youngest son was to stay with his widow mother. In doing so, he found in himself a talent. Even today, I am very proud to say that his works have been shown in the Smithsonian. He is just an individual, one might say average man-- an African American man--who suffered the indignities of discrimination and later found no place in that industry as he was being replaced by White citizens. I know that their strength--a mother in her tenacity and longstanding work at Booth Memorial Hospital--was the foundation for myself and my brother Michael Jackson and now with many who have come behind. They were beloved parents, and they taught me the value of education, hard work, discipline, perseverance, and caring for others. I know this is not family night, but I cite my husband, Dr. Elwyn Lee. He became the first tenured African American professor at the University of Houston School of Law. There are many today that make their pathway standing on the shoulders of others. The most wonderful tribute that I like is to our military veterans who, as I indicated when I started, have fought in every war since the Revolutionary War--how amazing. These people came first in the bottom of a belly of a slave boat as slaves. They can count their history to every single war, fighting on behalf of the sanctity and the security of our Nation. I remember joining Congressman John Lewis and Congressman Charles Rangel, a Korean war veteran, as we were invited to pay tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the famed ``Triple Nickels.'' I was honored to be able to be at that ceremony sponsored by the U.S. Army commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Everything that we have gained has been because our soldiers, regardless of their race, religion, or background, were able to put on the uniform. I am very grateful to say that so many of those who put on the uniform, even when they were treated in an unfair manner in this country, proudly put on that uniform and fought for the Nation. I am reminded of all of them, Mr. Speaker, because they live amongst us in our communities, and as we have seen in the honoring of the Devils yesterday, we see that they are so proud to wear their uniform. They have fought so hard. Let me salute all of our veterans and soldiers, and let me be reminded of those from the African American community who went to serve, even as the laws of this Nation did not treat them fairly. I am well aware of the Tuskegee Airmen because my father-in-law was a Tuskegee Airman, along with his wife, who was one of the supporters. Phillip Ferguson Lee and Ethiopia Lee, now 94 years old, received a Congressional Gold Medal. Of course, we know the story of the Tuskegee Airmen achieving one of the lowest loss records of all the escort fighter groups and being in constant demand for their services by the Allied bomber units, a record unmatched by any other fighter group. You know something, Mr. Speaker? These brave men and women, no matter--as I indicated--what race, it is so interesting. They do not tell their story often. That is why I am so glad that the United States Congress over these last years has begun to honor all of these groups so that their story can be told and forever embedded in the history of this Nation. I want to go on to say that the impressive feats of the Tuskegee Airmen were outstanding and astounding. I believe that their efforts and much of the success of African American soldiers in World War II caused, in 1948, to persuade President Harry Truman to issue his famous Executive Order--which I am so glad he issued--No. 9981, which directed equality of treatment and opportunity in all of the United States Armed Forces and led to the end of racial segregation in the United States military forces. One person to tell that story in the eloquent way that it has been told is General Colin Powell--or the famous Davis generals, ``Chappie'' Davis was who was one and well known--but Colin Powell tells that story. Clearly, these individuals bravely fought for their country, but they show that they had the right stuff. They are American history, and they certainly are a testament to Black history. Clearly, what began as an experiment to determine whether ``colored'' soldiers were capable of operating expensive and complex aircraft ended as an unqualified success, based on the experience of the Tuskegee Airmen, whose record included 261 enemy aircraft destroyed, 148 aircraft of the enemy damaged, 15,553 combat sorties, and 1,578 missions over Italy and north Africa. They also destroyed or damaged over 950 units of ground transportation and escorted more than 200 bombing missions. They proved that ``the antidote to racism is excellence in performance,'' as retired Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Carter once remarked. I take joy in this presentation and sharing this with my colleagues. It is Black History Month, but sometimes, we need to remember to say thank you to all Americans who have gone on before us. This month, we happen to be focusing on African Americans. Who can forget United States Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and the strong voice that she was for the vulnerable? A lady from Brooklyn, her first appointment in this Congress was to the Agriculture Committee. No, she didn't run away from it. She ran toward it. Her famous statement is: ``A tree grows in Brooklyn.'' She ran for President. She made history there. There are others like Harriet Tubman--we call her General Moses--who led slaves to freedom up and down the east coast. She had a sharp tongue and told anybody that was lagging behind: You aren't going to stay behind because, if you did and got caught, all my others who are trying to escape would be captured. Certainly, Rosa Parks, who was a proud American, had the great fortitude--although a small woman who did tailoring work--to indicate in a way that subjected herself to being put in prison, put in jail, is that: I, too, am an American. I am so glad that Mae Jemison lives in my community. I obviously represent the city that loves NASA and loves human space exploration. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to go into space, now has dedicated herself to exposing young people to math, science, engineering, technology, and creating more astronauts for the restored and reinvigorated human space exploration. That is a good thing. That is a very good thing. I believe we can look to work together in the 50th year of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I am a member of the United States Congress and the Judiciary Committee, led by a man who made history himself at that time, John Conyers, who has served in many capacities but has been a chair of the Judiciary Committee, being the first African American to ever chair that committee, but also a man that at every cornerstone of justice has a fight, whether it is sentencing, whether it is prison reform, whether it is dealing with the issues of copyright, whether it is the social justice issues. Let me say he was the first employer of Rosa Parks outside of her town of Alabama where she made her historic stand in Montgomery, Alabama. She worked for Congressman John Conyers. I mentioned this is the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. We all know the story. I knew the story beforehand. I worked for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Right after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, I knew the names of Hosea Williams and James Orange and Ambassador Andrew Young as those who worked closely with Dr. King. Certainly, Reverend Jesse Jackson had moved up to Operation PUSH. I say that to say that we know the story that it was the throngs of unnamed persons who pursued a simple right: the right to vote. I believe their heroic efforts have made it part of America's history. I always believed one vote, one person is not for me. It is not for whether you are White or Hispanic or Asian or African American. It is for America. I truly believe that they made the first step to tell America that a vote should be unfettered for every citizen. You should not be blocked from voting--and I hope, Mr. Speaker, we will get to that point--not selfishly for one group versus another, but I hope we will get to that point for all of America. I think in this month of Black history commemoration, I need to give a challenge. That challenge needs to be that we need to pass the Voting Rights Act reauthorization as was crafted in the last Congress and supported by bipartisan Members. I had the privilege to be one of the original cosponsors. Former Congressman Spencer Bachus was on that bill with me. We had seen each other and marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. He was, of course, a Representative from Alabama. There was no forcing, no pushing. It was just quiet thought that this was the right thing to do by a number of Republican Members who supported that legislation in the last Congress, including one of the esteemed former chairmen of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Sensenbrenner. But it was all about thinking that it is important not to block anyone from voting. I still think that that is the right thing. I think the premise is right. I think it is premised on the Constitution. There is no statement about voting in the Constitution, but there are statements of philosophy and rights and liberties, all driven by someone's right to vote for a government that will promote religious freedom, freedom of access, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, the right to a trial by jury, due process. Certainly, we know the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were all geared toward the idea of freedom. And you can only secure freedom, one, by your wonderful men and women who are willing to stand in uniform and fight for us, many who have gone through the ages and shed their blood. But the other is an active and involved and participatory civic society, and the actions of a civic society are their voice and their votes. I plead with my colleagues, let us make the vote and the voice real by supporting the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, written to respond to the United States Supreme Court. I may have disagreed with the Supreme Court's position on section 5, but, Mr. Speaker, I have a basic internal mechanism that says you adhere to the law. You follow the law. You follow the dictates of the courts as they reach their final answer in the highest Court of the land. So we went to working on a structure that, in fact, was not pointed but broad, meaning that you would not point out certain States, you would just say that you couldn't violate a person's right to vote. And the good news is, you had the ability to work yourself out of the coverage of that act. That is a good thing--work yourself out. Then, if a State--though I don't think it might happen with the diverse States that we have--wants to work its way in, we find a way to correct their laws that might be blocking someone's right to vote. I am going to have the confidence that we are going to take that up and make a difference in the lives of all Americans. Let me move on to say that I hope my challenge will be accepted, and I hope that we will take the words of Dr. King. I enjoy reading his writings. He was more than, if you will, the civil rights leader. He was a man who thoughtfully crafted words and messages to inspire and give us a road map. He had these famous words, ``Why We Can't Wait,'' which were found in the 1960s. What a provocative statement. Is he trying to provoke people to violence? Absolutely not. He was a committed, dedicated servant and disciple of Gandhi's nonviolence, and his own internal mechanism of nonviolence. It was in his DNA. He would not provoke any form of violence. We should know that because, as the story looks back and things happened, if you were part of the SCLC, they were driven, they trained all of their foot soldiers in an absolute commitment to nonviolence. And if you showed any sign that you could not adhere, you would not be part of their efforts. Dr. King had some famous words that I like. I know and like many of his words, but this one: ``Everybody can be great or anybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.'' Let me also say, Mr. Speaker, it is important when you come up and talk about great people, that you don't forget home. And I just want to acknowledge some of the great leaders in my community. I can't call all their names, but I do want to acknowledge Reverend F.N. Williams, Sr., one of the founding pastors of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. His father was almost the founding father of Acres Homes, one of the great leaders in the 1920s and 30s, and he has carried on his civil rights legacy. Dr. S.J. Gilbert, Sr., who led the Mount Sinai Baptist Church. Reverend Crawford W. Kimble, who was the pastor of Barbara Jordan, an erudite man that wrote beautiful words of leadership and challenge. The late Reverend E. Stanley Branch, in essence, a Republican, who was a leader who brought all people together. Reverend Dr. William A. Lawson, the founder of the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, who walked with Dr. King and is the go-to person on issues of, again, marching and fighting nonviolently for justice. Reverend Johnny Robeson, who was a great leader of the Baptist Ministers Association. And I remember him distinctly not indicating what politics or party it was, but is it right, is it just? Commissioner El Franco Lee is the first African American Commissioner on the Harris County Commissioners. Mr. John Bland, one of the Texas Southern University students who marched to desegregate the various lunch counters. Ms. Ruby Mosley, up in age, who is a fighter for senior citizens and is a mother of Acres Homes. Ms. Dorothy Hubbard, the late Dorothy Hubbard, who, in fact, worked in my office and instructed me about how you serve and help people. Ms. Doris Hubbard, one of the first young persons to be active in the Texas Democratic Party and who has been a champion for equality and justice. Willie Bell Boone, another one who minces no words about fighting to make sure that everyone's voice is heard. Holly HogoBrooks, who, again, is a great leader as it relates to the civil rights movement and the marching on the counters. Mr. Deloyd Parker founded this great organization called Shape, that has lifted the boats of inner city children, one by one. And out of that Shape Community Center have come doctors and lawyers, have come scientists and businesspersons. But they all have a heart for service. ``Doll'' Carter, Ms. Lenora Carter, with her husband, was the founder of the Forward Times, I believe, the oldest newspaper. So you can see that Black history is a storytelling history. And so, as I close my remarks, I have to take a moment of personal privilege to be able to talk about something that I have enjoyed. You see, Mr. Speaker, around this time of year, in Houston, we have something called the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It is eons and decades of years old. It goes back to our traditions as cowboys and cowgirls, and we are not going to let it go. So every year--we are coming up on it--it is probably going to go for, we say, almost two months that we are legitimately in our cowboy, cowgirl attire. I was privileged to be honored by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Black Heritage Committee, which I helped found 20-some years ago because I knew that the Black cowboys and others wanted to be so much a part of it. I want to pay tribute to Verna Lee ``Boots'' Booker, who was the first cowgirl, if you will, to be in the Houston rodeo. And I received that award. What a privilege to acknowledge that we are everywhere. She was a competitor, and I believe it was in the barrel competition. But what an exciting night to recall her history. So we are going to be rodeoing over the next couple of weeks, and I want to pay tribute to all of the trail riders, and particularly, those of African American heritage. They have carried on this tradition. I want to make mention, I know there are many others, but allow me to make mention of the Prairie View Trail Ride Association, which makes its annual trek to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Hempstead. They rendezvous with a dozen other caravans at Memorial Park and they join the rodeo. Mr. Speaker, they stay out on the trail. This is real. They don't get into a hotel and then get on their horses. They ride that trail for 2 and 3 and 4 weeks, and then come down to the rodeo on the day of the big rodeo parade. The Prairie View Trail Ride was founded in 1957 by James Francies, Jr., Dr. Alfred N. Poindexter, and Myrtis Dightman. I know there are others, but these are those who started. Their mission was to promote agricultural interest in young Americans and to perpetuate those principles and methods which have come to be regarded as the ideals and traditions of the Western World as well as the Negro Western Heritage. I am glad that they wanted to perpetuate this great tradition and, particularly, among African Americans. A good many of the first Black cowboys were born into slavery but later found a better life on the open range. I know many of us have heard of the Buffalo Soldiers. The Indians called African American soldiers that because of the woolliness of their hair. They were on horses, and they were fighting as well for the viewpoint of that time. Some Black cowboys took up careers as rodeo performers, or were hired as Federal peace officers in Indian territory. Our history weaves in and out, and it is a colorful history, and it mentions a number of people. I will mention Daniel W. ``80 John'' Wallace, who started riding the cattle trails in his adolescence and ultimately worked for cattlemen Winfield Scott and Gus O'Keefe. He put his accumulated savings toward the purchase of a ranch near Loraine, where he acquired more than 1,200 acres--that is a big deal--and 500 to 600 cattle. We have been ranching for a long time, and Texas has a great tradition. I want to talk about my friend, Mollie Stevenson, a fourth-generation owner of the Taylor-Stevenson ranch. I would take my children out there. She would have little horses and ponies for them to run and ride. She founded the American Cowboy Museum to honor Black, Indian, and Mexican American cowboys, to be able to embrace everyone. Weekend rodeos featuring Black cowboys began in the late 1940s and continued to be popular. The contests of the Negro Cowboys Rodeo Association is evident that we have a strong history. So I think it is important tonight that we salute the long history that we have had in many different areas and be able to say, as I close, again, that there is work yet to be done in the pouring forward of our history, whether it is to reflect on the cowboys who, at times, were poorly fed, underpaid, overworked, deprived of sleep, prone to boredom and loneliness, but they kept on going; or it is to fix the criminal justice system of the 21st century, to be able to recognize that for all the cowboys and the historic persons whose names I have called, Dr. King and his wife, who stood alongside him, Coretta Scott King, that we fix together the criminal justice system, and that we work to find ways to work with law enforcement; but we answer the questions of those grieving mothers, Trayvon Martin's mother, Eric Garner's mother, Sean Bell, Michael Brown, Tamir, and all of them, and we find ways to ensure the wives and family members of law enforcement, that, yes, your husband or wife, as a law enforcement officer, will come home. Over the years, I have worked with the Federal law enforcement as a member of the House Judiciary Committee. We have always found ways to make their life easier in terms of the quality of life and work and expanded cops on the beat programs, and so now we can come together on training and the grand jury system and prison reform, which are not prone to any one group in America. It is an American issue. I truly believe that the history of all people, the history of Americans, no matter what their background, is one of clinging to democracy and the principles of the Bill of Rights, that we all have a decent opportunity to be respected by our law enforcement processes. Whether it is our courts or whether it is our process of trying cases, we all are to be respected. With that, Mr. Speaker, let me say that I end on the very note that this is a great country, and the history of African Americans has contributed to its greatness. Let us use the richness of their history to cast forward a new lot that will change America for the best as we move forward for justice, equality and freedom. Mr. Speaker, this February we recognize and celebrate the 39th commemoration of Black History Month. This month we celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the history of our great nation, and pay tribute to trailblazers, pioneers, heroes, and leaders like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, U.S. Senator Blanche Kelso Bruce, U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland, Astronauts Dr. Guion Stewart Bluford Jr. and Mae C. Jemison, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, James Baldwin, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Gwendolyn Brooks just to name a few of the countless number of well-known and unsung heroes whose contributions have helped our nation become a more perfect union. The history of the United States has been marked by the great contributions of African American activists, leaders, writers, and artists. As a member of Congress, I know that I stand on the shoulders of giants whose struggles and triumphs made it possible for me to stand here today and continue the fight for equality, justice, and progress for all, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. The greatest of these giants to me are Mrs. Ivalita ``Ivy'' Jackson, a vocational nurse, and Mr. Ezra A. Jackson, one of the first African- Americans to succeed in the comic book publishing business. They were my beloved parents and they taught me the value of education, hard work, discipline, perseverance, and caring for others. And I am continually inspired by Dr. Elwyn Lee, my husband and the first tenured African American law professor at the University of Houston. Mr. Speaker, I particularly wish to acknowledge the contributions of African American veterans in defending from foreign aggressors and who by their courageous examples helped transform our nation from a segregated society to a nation committed to the never ending challenge of perfecting our union. Last year about this time, I was honored to join my colleagues, Congressman John Lewis and Congressman Charles Rangel, a Korean War veteran, in paying tribute to surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen and the 555th Parachute Infantry, the famed ``Triple Nickels'' at a moving ceremony sponsored by the U.S. Army commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The success of the Tuskegee Airmen in escorting bombers during World War II achieving one of the lowest loss records of all the escort fighter groups, and being in constant demand for their services by the allied bomber units--is a record unmatched by any other fighter group. So impressive and astounding were the feats of the Tuskegee Airmen that in 1948, it helped persuade President Harry Truman to issue his famous Executive Order No. 9981, which directed equality of treatment and opportunity in all of the United States Armed Forces and led to the end of racial segregation in the U.S. military forces. It is a source of enormous and enduring pride that my father-in-law, Phillip Ferguson Lee, was one of the Tuskegee Airmen. Clearly, what began as an experiment to determine whether ``colored'' soldiers' were capable of operating expensive and complex combat aircraft ended as an unqualified success based on the experience of the Tuskegee Airmen, whose record included 261 aircraft destroyed, 148 aircraft damaged, 15,553 combat sorties and 1,578 missions over Italy and North Africa. They also destroyed or damaged over 950 units of ground transportation and escorted more than 200 bombing missions. They proved that ``the antidote to racism is excellence in performance,'' as retired Lt. Col. Herbert Carter once remarked. Mr. Speaker, Black History Month is also a time to remember many pioneering women like U.S. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm; activists Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks; astronaut Mae C. Jemison; authors Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Gwendolyn Brooks; all of whom have each in their own way, whether through courageous activism, cultural contributions, or artistic creativity, forged social and political change, and forever changed our great Nation for the better. It is also fitting, Mr. Speaker, that in addition to those national leaders who contributions have made our nation better, we honor also those who have and are making a difference in their local communities. In my home city of Houston, there are numerous great men and women. They are great because they have heeded the counsel of Dr. King who said: ``Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You only a need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.'' By that measure, I wish to pay tribute to some of the great men and women of Houston: 1. Rev. F.N. Williams, Sr. 2. Rev. Dr. S.J. Gilbert, Sr. 3. Rev. Crawford W. Kimble 4. Rev. Eldridge Stanley Branch 5. Rev. William A. Lawson 6. Rev. Johnnie Jeffery ``J.J.'' Robeson 7. Mr. El Franco Lee 8. Mr. John Bland 9. Ms. Ruby Moseley 10. Ms. Dorothy Hubbard 11. Ms. Doris Hubbard 12. Ms. Willie Bell Boone 13. Ms. Holly HogoBrooks 14. Mr. Deloyd Parker 15. Ms. Lenora ``Doll'' Carter As we celebrate Black History Month, let us pay tribute to those who have come before us, and pay forward to future generations by addressing what is the number one issue for African American families, and all American families today: preserving the American promise of economic opportunity for all. Our immediate focus must be job creation, and enacting legislation that will foster and lay the foundation for today's and tomorrow's generation of groundbreaking activists, leaders, scientists, writers and artists to continue contributing to the greatness of America. We must work to get Americans back to work. We must continue to preserve the American Dream for all. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here in celebration of the heroic and historic acts of African Americans and their indispensable contributions to this great Nation. It is through our work in creating possibilities for today and future generations that we best honor the accomplishments and legacy of our predecessors. Prairie View Trail Ride Association The Prairie View Trail Ride Association makes an annual trek to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Hempstead. They then rendezvous with a dozen other caravans at Memorial Park where they will join the rodeo parade in downtown Houston. The Prairie View Trail Ride Association was founded in 1957 by James Francies Jr., Dr. Alfred N. Poindexter and Myrtis Dightman Sr. This group's mission statement says: ``The purpose of the Prairie View Trail is to promote agricultural interest in young Americans and to perpetuate those principals and methods which have come to be regarded as the ideals and traditions of the Western World as well as the Negro Western Heritage. PVTR serves as a booster for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and supports Prairie View A&M University in their educational programs.'' Black Cowboys of Texas Black cowboys have been part of Texas history since the early nineteenth century, when they first worked on ranches throughout the state. A good many of the first black cowboys were born into slavery but later found a better life on the open range, where they experienced less open discrimination than in the city. After the Civil War many were employed as horsebreakers and for other tasks, but few of them became ranch foremen or managers. Some black cowboys took up careers as rodeo performers or were hired as federal peace officers in Indian Territory. Others ultimately owned their own farms and ranches, while a few who followed the lure of the Wild West became gunfighters and outlaws. Significant numbers of African Americans went on the great cattle drives originating in the Southwest in the late 1800s. Black cowboys predominated in ranching sections of the Coastal Plain between the Sabine and Guadalupe rivers. A number of them achieved enviable reputations. Bose Ikard, a top hand and drover for rancher Charles Goodnight, also served him as his chief detective and banker. Daniel W. (80 John) Wallace started riding the cattle trails in his adolescence and ultimately worked for cattlemen Winfield Scott and Gus O'Keefe. He put his accumulated savings toward the purchase of a ranch near Loraine, where he acquired more than 1,200 acres and 500 to 600 cattle. He was a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association for more than thirty years. William Pickett made his name as one of the most outstanding Wild West rodeo performers in the country and is credited with originating the modern event known as bulldogging. He was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1971. Black cowboys have continued to work in the ranching industry throughout the twentieth century, and African Americans who inherited family-owned ranches have attempted to bring public recognition to the contributions of their ancestors. Mollie Stevenson, a fourth-generation owner of the Taylor-Stevenson Ranch near Houston, founded the American Cowboy Museum to honor black, Indian, and Mexican-American cowboys. Weekend rodeos featuring black cowboys began in the late 19405 and continue to be popular. These contests owe their existence to the Negro Cowboys Rodeo Association, formed in 1947 by a group of East Texas black businessmen- ranchers and cowboys. In the early days of Texas, the work of the cowhand was essential to the newly arrived settlers building a life on the frontier. The story of the Anglo cowboys who worked the ranches of Texas is well known, but much more remains to be discovered about the African American cowhands who worked side-by-side with the vaqueros and Anglo cowboys. The cowboy learned his craft from the vaqueros of New Spain an Texas when it was the northern territory of Mexico, as well as from the stock raisers of the South. Such a life was hardly glamorous. Poorly fed, underpaid, overworked, deprived of by snakes or tripped by prairie dog holes. Work centered on the fall and spring roundups, when scattered cattle were sleep, and prone to boredom and loneliness, cowboys choked in the dust, were cold at night, and suffered broken bones in falls and spills from horses spooked collected and driven to a place for branding, sorting for market, castrating, and in later years, dipping in vats to prevent tick fever. African American cowboys, however, also had to survive discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice. The lives of these cowhands tell a story of skill and grit, as they did what was necessary to gain the trust and respect of those who controlled their destiny. That meant being the best at roping, bronc busting, taming mustangs, calling the brands, controlling the remuda, or topping off horses. From scattered courthouse records, writings, and interviews with a few of the African American cowhands who were part of the history of Texas, Sara R. Massey and a host of writers have retrieved the stories of a more diverse cattle industry than has been previously recorded. Twenty-five writers here recount tales of African Americans such as Peter Martin, who hauled freight and assisted insurgents in a rebellion against the Mexican government while building a herd of cattle that allowed him to own (through a proxy) rental houses in town. Bose Ikard, a friend of Charles Goodnight, went on Goodnight's first cattle drive, opening the Goodnight-Loving Trail. Johanna July, a Black Seminole woman, had her own method of taming horses in the Rio Grande for the soldiers at Fort Duncan. These cowhands, along with others across the state, had an important role that has been too long omitted from most history books. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, this morning, I feel compelled to speak again about the necessity of increasing the knowledge and the notice given by the FDA--the Food and Drug Administration--and the Centers for Disease Control on what seems to be a surge in the getting of measles by many across this country. The numbers have gone past 100. It is clear that measles is a disease that quickly spreads, and it is also clear that medical science affirms the value of vaccines. So I believe it is extremely important today to again ask the FDA and the CDC, as I did yesterday in a letter, to raise the level of warning and concern to parents, schools, counties, and States in the entire Nation on being able to provide information to encourage vaccination, if that is what is the ability to have--if you are the age or if your child is of the age to be able to receive that vaccination and to do so. Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen measles spread to enormous numbers. We have seen the numbers grow in California and then spread. We have heard of cases in which the measles started in an entertainment facility, and people moved around the country. One example, in particular, I think, is potent because the father of the children has been speaking out. He is a pediatrician, and he is calling upon families to vaccinate, particularly the MMR, which is the vaccination dealing with measles. Unfortunately, an innocent visit to a clinic, which a child needs to do for pediatric services, exposed an 8-month-old to the possibility of measles and exposed his 3-year-old sister, who is suffering from leukemia. Now, as I understand it, they are in isolation. There is the thought of someone traveling on an airplane with measles. Unlike a number of other diseases, measles spreads extremely quickly. Stories have been told or examples have been given that if you have measles and if you are in a room and if you leave that room--and maybe you have coughed or done something--an hour later, someone comes in, and there is the possibility that you still may be exposed to it. When riding on an airplane, you may expose a whole number of persons to measles if you are, in fact, infected. I think it is extremely important. Though we realize there are differences of opinion, I am glad to find in the political landscape that this is not a political football and that, in essence, we come together and recognize the importance of having this information and of encouraging vaccination. I am asking for the State and city health departments and county health departments across the Nation to provide their own information to parents and schools. I wonder whether or not there is need to again reassess the importance of reinstating the obligation and the responsibility of all families who have children who are going into a public school system to have them vaccinated within the realm of their own health conditions and their own assessments by their pediatricians. Mr. Speaker, this is an important issue. This is an issue of which we in a modern day, 21st century nation--and as an example of health care to those around the world--need to show the importance of preventative medicine and protecting our children. We have worked on these issues in many ways. We have fought for a vaccine for HIV. As has been said in the past, they are looking for a vaccine for Ebola because we understand how that can intervene and, in those instances, save lives. In this instance, in not knowing the condition of individuals, we know that this disease can be damaging. It is important that we focus on educating the public. I believe an alert should go out that we have a problem and that we should be working with our local health facilities and disciplines and districts to be able to establish best practices and protocols, and that parents and others should be informed to make intelligent decisions. More importantly, I think this is an issue that should be quickly assessed on behalf of the CDC and the FDA. Mr. Speaker, it is important for the children of America that we provide them the safety and security for their lives.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for being astute in reminding us of the vast bipartisan support for the important Affordable Care Act. If I might add, the past Presidential candidate who lost was the same Governor, however, I understand, that supported it and succeeded in his support of it at that time. But I think what is important is to again remind this Nation that we are now on the 56th annual trip to repeal what has been a lifesaver to Americans across the country. Let me simply share these very potent points: People not having health insurance include 20 percent of the underinsured who delay receiving care when signs of illness appear; 15 percent of the underinsured had problems paying medical bills; 10 percent of the underinsured needed prescription drugs but could not afford them; 8 percent were hounded by collection agencies, many of them went into bankruptcy because of health issues--of course we have tried to reform that--6 percent did not seek treatment even though they needed it; and, of course, a report by the Congressional Budget Office, The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2015 to 2025 states that the actual cost of the Affordable Care Act is 7 percent lower than first calculated in 2010. Let me tell you the real issues, the story of a lady written up in The Ledger, dated January 8, 2015, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013. She determined that her insurance at that time would not allow her to have health insurance. Her words are: ``I thought I was going to die,'' Ms. Gray said. In her scramble to try to get drugs, she was left holding the bag, yet she was able to get the Affordable Care Act starting on January 1, 2014. It gave her access to the recommended chemotherapy. Her cancer went into remission in the fall, and she is alive.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. What about the situation of the measles? Why do we have this dead-end road again, repetitiously voting against the valuable Affordable Care Act that has saved lives? Does anybody know about Medicare? It goes on and on and on. And many on the other side of the aisle opposed it in 1965. I am going to stand on the right side of history and support the Affordable Care Act. Vote against this untimely bill.