Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

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

Ms. JACKSON LEE. I thank the gentleman very much. With that, Mr. Chairman, let me thank the members of this committee. As I indicated, this will be a good amendment to help the people of this great Nation continue their restoration of wealth and economic development. I ask for support of the Jackson Lee amendment. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member of this Appropriations Committee for their hard work and working together, Mr. Crenshaw and Mr. Serrano. These are important matters, and I thank them for the opportunity to present this amendment. My amendment is a simple theory, but a very important one. This amendment provides $100,000 to the IRS taxpayer services account to assist parents who have lost dependent children during the tax year with assistance in filing income taxes and supports one-stop IRS tax preparation support for parents of deceased dependent children whose child's SS number has been stolen and used by identity thieves to steal tax refunds. I am the founder and cochair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, and in many instances, we find in our work the issues of giving children incentives and worrying about children's health, but this is a very devastating posture for parents to be in. At a hearing held by Chairman Sam Johnson on the Ways and Means Committee, a hearing on Social Security death records dated February 2, 2012, and I will read--the testimony of the statement said: We will hear the heartbreaking story of one family whose 4- year-old daughter had her identity stolen shortly after she passed away. Only when their tax return was rejected by the IRS did they learn that an identity thief had already filed a return claiming their child as a dependent. In an article regarding this terrible tragedy, it indicates that this little girl had fought for 33 months to fight brain cancer. The parents were overwhelmed with grief and medical bills. The mourning parents decided to file for a tax extension to get their paperwork in order, but within 24 hours of filing in October, the family's return was rejected. Someone had already fraudulently claimed their daughter's Social Security number. My colleagues, I would ask that this amendment be considered because in actuality it deals with this very question; it provides more resources to address the question of protecting identity and the identity theft that occurs. My amendment, as I indicated, increases it by $100,000. As parents and grandparents, most of us may not know the pain these parents are feeling, but we can do something to make a necessary obligation easier for them to fulfill. The IRS operates a 1-800 help line and provides tax assistance at no charge to tens of thousands of families who prepare their own taxes. The funds provided in this bill are intended to be used to allow training to assist the IRS to do a better job of meeting the needs of parents who have lost a dependent child during the tax year or prior to their filing of taxes. Just put ourselves in the shoes of this family whose little 4-year- old fought for 33 months and in their distress, with all of these overwhelming bills, to come and find this dastardly act of someone stealing the child's ID. This amendment would address these cases where the Social Security number of a recently deceased child is stolen and is used by thieves to claim tax funds that should have gone to the family. Identity theft is a terrible crime that violates the privacy of victims. All of us, no matter what committees we are involved in, in the Judiciary Committee which I sit on, Homeland Security, we are grappling with the issues of privacy and identity theft. How many of us have had the impact of such, but it has not been as devastating, I would imagine, as the identity theft of your deceased child. The crime first came to the attention of several House committees in 2011. As I made note of, Sam Johnson, the chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee on the Ways and Means Committee, had this issue in 2012. They only need a Social Security number, a date of birth, and name of the child. This information would be found on medical records, school records, or other forms completed by parents in the course of registering a child for various activities. This is a crime. This is a shame. My amendment would give some comfort to help the IRS to help these parents. I ask my colleagues to approve this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Home and Security Committee, I rise in support of H.R. 1786, the ``National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2014.'' I want to thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson for their leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. Mr. Speaker, Houston is vulnerable to hurricanes that traverse the Gulf of Mexico and we have experienced powerful storms during the past decade. Hurricane Ike heavily impacted Houston and nearby city of Galveston in 2008, causing $27.8 billion in damage, and killing 20. Tropical storms in Texas are also known for being heavy rain producers as well as wind surge threats. For example, tropical storm Allison in 2001 dumped as much as 35 to 40 inches of rain, killing 41 people and causing $9 billion in damage. We are currently in the 2014 hurricane season and forecasters are expecting one to two major hurricanes. This bill amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise provisions governing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP) as well as designates the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as the entity with primary responsibility for Program planning and coordination. Congress, under the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004, designated four agencies to compromise the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and National Science Foundation (NSF) The federal agencies which compromised the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction will have the following respective responsibilities. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will have the primary responsibility for planning and coordinating the program, carry out research and development to improve model building codes, voluntary standards, and best practices for the design, construction, and retrofit of buildings, structures, and lifelines. The National Science Foundation (NSF) will support research in engineering and atmospheric sciences and economic and social factors influencing windstorm risk reduction measures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will support atmospheric sciences research to improve the understanding of the behavior of windstorms and their impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will support the development of risk assessment tools and effective mitigation techniques, conduct public outreach and information dissemination, and promote the adoption of windstorm preparedness and mitigation measures. The bill will also require the Committee to submit a progress report to Congress and to develop a coordinated budget for the Program which must be submitted at the time of the President's annual budget submission. Finally, the bill allows the Director of NIST to establish an Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction which shall be composed of at least 7 members. This advisory committee will offer assessments and practices of wind storm impact mitigation. This coordinated effort will greatly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of federal efforts to save lives in Houston and around the country as well as mitigate property loss. The reasons for supporting this bill are obvious, and I ask my colleagues in the House to vote for its passage.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I rise to speak on ``H.R. 4923, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015,'' under final consideration by the House. I want to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for their stewardship in bringing this legislation to the floor and for their commitment to preserving America's great natural environment and resources so that they can be enjoyed by generations to come. As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, and the former chair of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, I understand that the challenge of protecting our nation's vital assets such as transportation infrastructure requires the finest technology and the highest levels of intelligence. Nothing can bring us to our knees faster than something affecting our economic vitality. One of the greatest engines our economy has is the Port of Houston, which 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. The Port of Houston is critical infrastructure and the funding providing in the bill to address infrastructure needs and improvements are appreciated, but not sufficient to ensure that the nation's deep-water ports remain the best in the world. Traffic at the Port of Houston accessed through the Houston Ship Channel has expanded dramatically. Today 2 million jobs depend on the Port of Houston. The Houston Ship Channel, which runs to the Gulf of Mexico, is the busiest channel in the nation with over 220,000 transits in 2013. We must look towards the future and make sure that port business destined for U.S. ports is retained. Current levels of Army Corps funding barely address the operation and maintenance of our nation's ports and waterways. Nationally, the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund collects adequate funding to address current needs; unfortunately the Trust Fund does not fund new construction. By 2016, our national ports will face a major competition when the Panama Canal's major expansion project is scheduled to be completed. The changes investments being made by the Government of Panama will mean that larger vessels that will pass through their canal will carry goods and supplies, destined for U.S. ports. The real threat is that our ports, including the Port of Houston is that our waterways like the Houston Ship Channel is not dredged deep enough to handle the post Panama Canal water way upgrade that will be available in just 2 years. The Panama Canal will be 50 feet deep, which will provide enough draft for navigation. The 50 feet deep ships are on track to become the norm and we must be forward thinking to meet the challenge of serving these vessels at our nation's ports. This appropriations bill must significantly increase funding dedicated to the Corps of Engineers specifically the Civil Works Operations and Maintenance program. Earlier this year an oil spill in the Port was extremely costly and the efforts to return the port to full capacity were heroic. The incident also highlighted the need modernization that would address rapid response capabilities at Ports that focus on restoration of waterways to full activity as quickly as possible. The Port of Houston: According to the Department of Commerce in 2012, Texas exports totaled $265 billion. 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 country in exports. The Port of Houston is the: 1st ranked U.S. port in foreign tonnage; 2nd ranked U.S. port in total tonnage; 7th ranked U.S. container port by total TEUs in 2012; Largest Texas port with 46% of market share by tonnage; Largest Texas container port with 96% market share in containers by total TEUs in 2012; and Largest Gulf Coast container port, handling 67% of U.S. Gulf Coast container traffic in 2012 2nd ranked U.S. port in terms of cargo value (based on CBP Customs port definitions) For these reasons, I reservations that this bill is all that Congressional should and could do to make sure that ports around the nation can keep pace with the global recovering economy. In addition to these problems with the bill it also contains a number of riders that are problematic: Obstruction of EPA's ability to clarify and define navigable water and specifying which of our nation's waterways are covered under the Clean Water Act. Permanently prohibits the Army Corps of Engineers from modifying the definition of ``fill materials'' to include debris and overburden from mining and excavation projects to make them subject to the Clean Water Act. Allows people to carry firearms on all Corps of Engineering lands Finally, the bill faces strong opposition by the Administration, which means if it is passed in its current form it will not become law. The Administration strongly objects to the funding level of $1.8 billion provided in the bill for renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and energy efficiency programs, a $546 million reduction below the FY 2015 Budget request. This reduced funding level will stifle Federal investment in innovative clean energy research and development (R&D) at a time of significant global competition and progress. The Administration objects to funding reduction in the bill such as the $40 million reduction from the FY 2015 Budget request that would reduce the number of grants to academic investigators and funding for staff at DOE laboratories working on fundamental discovery science and research that underpins advances in clean energy. Further, this reduction would also affect access to world class facilities used by researchers from all sectors to conduct R&D. The bill funds the international fusion project ITER, at a level $75 million above the FY 2015 Budget request. In light of schedule delays and management reforms underway, the Administration is concerned that the U.S. contributions would outpace the readiness of the project. The bill provides the Corps of Engineers' bill $5.5 billion for works program, nearly $1 billion above the FY 2015 Budget request. The FY 2015 Budget focuses on investments that would yield high economic and environmental returns or address a significant risk to public safety. The Administration encourages the Congress to fund the civil works program at the requested level. The funding increase for the civil works program is provided primarily by decreases in other core priorities, including clean energy. The Administration also urges the Congress to permit the Corps to commence new starts in FY 2015. The Administration strongly objects to sections 105 and 106 of the bill, which would prevent the use of funds to address deficiencies and regulatory uncertainties related to CWA regulations designed to protect important aquatic resources while supporting economic development. Section 106 in particular would impact an important, ongoing Administration effort to provide regulatory clarity on which water bodies are covered by the CWA, which has been the subject of two Supreme Court cases in which the Court indicated the need for greater clarity regarding the statute's scope. My service in the House of Representatives has focused on making sure that our nation is secure and prosperous. A central component of national security is the ability of our nation's international ports to move goods and into an out of the country. With less than 50 legislative days remaining, I cannot support this bill and I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives work together to carefully manage our time and energy to make sure that the bills we past meet our obligations to the American public and can eventually become law.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I rise to speak on ``H.R. 4923, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015,'' under final consideration by the House. I want to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for their stewardship in bringing this legislation to the floor and for their commitment to preserving America's great natural environment and resources so that they can serve and be enjoyed by generations to come. My service in the House of Representatives has focused on making sure that our nation is secure and prosperous. A central component of national security is the ability of national to remain energy independent and that our international ports continue to move goods into and out of the country safely and efficiently. I appreciate bipartisan support of two Jackson Lee Amendments the first increased funding for the Office of Minority Economic Impact in the Department of Energy and the second reprograms funds for Department of Energy's departmental administration to increase support for environmental justice program activities. Unfortunately, the bill contains a number of riders that are problematic: Obstruction of EPA's ability to clarify and define navigable water and specifying which of our nation's waterways are covered under the Clean Water Act. Permanently prohibits the Army Corps of Engineers from modifying the definition of ``fill materials'' to include debris and overburden from mining and excavation projects to make them subject to the Clean Water Act. Allows people to carry firearms on all Corps of Engineering lands. The bill also faces opposition by the Administration which means if it is passed in its current form it will not become law. The Administration strongly objects to the funding level of $1.8 billion provided in the bill for renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and energy efficiency programs, a $546 million reduction below the FY 2015 Budget request. This reduced funding level will stifle Federal investment in innovative clean energy research and development (R&D) at a time of significant global competition and progress. The Administration objects to funding reduction in the bill such as the $40 million reduction from the FY 2015 Budget request that would reduce the number of grants to academic investigators and funding for staff at DOE laboratories working on fundamental discovery science and research that underpins advances in clean energy. Further, this reduction would also affect access to world class facilities used by researchers from all sectors to conduct R&D. The bill funds the international fusion project ITER, at a level $75 million above the FY 2015 Budget request. In light of schedule delays and management reforms underway, the Administration is concerned that the U.S. contributions would outpace the readiness of the project. The bill provides the Corps of Engineers' bill $5.5 billion for works program, nearly $1 billion above the FY 2015 Budget request. The FY 2015 Budget focuses on investments that would yield high economic and environmental returns or address a significant risk to public safety. The Administration encourages the Congress to fund the civil works program at the requested level. The funding increase for the civil works program is provided primarily by decreases in other core priorities, including clean energy. The Administration also urges the Congress to permit the Corps to commence new starts in FY 2015. The Administration strongly objects to sections 105 and 106 of the bill, which would prevent the use of funds to address deficiencies and regulatory uncertainties related to CWA regulations designed to protect important aquatic resources while supporting economic development. Section 106 in particular would impact an important, ongoing Administration effort to provide regulatory clarity on which water bodies are covered by the CWA, which has been the subject of two Supreme Court cases in which the Court indicated the need for greater clarity regarding the statute's scope. With less than 50 legislative days remaining, I ask that we carefully manage our time and energy to make sure that the bills we passed meet our obligations to the American public and can eventually become law.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it is our job to work on behalf of the American people, and in H.R. 4923, I am very pleased to note that two Jackson Lee amendments passed that I think will expand the opportunities for small businesses and promote the environment. One amendment, of course, increased funding for the Office of Minority Economic Impact to be able to reach out to small businesses, MWBEs, in order to create jobs, a challenge that the American people asked us to meet. My second amendment that was accepted in a bipartisan manner reprograms funds for the Department of Energy's departmental administration to increase support for environmental justice. That is very important to very many sites in the 18th Congressional District, from northeast to southeast. As you well know, Mr. Speaker, I also was able to get an amendment in the bill dealing with the Department of the Interior and set up an office on minority business and contracting and outreach for jobs. We must create more jobs. We must help create more jobs, and leading out by this Nation to create more jobs is very important. I am also pleased that the dredging funding that the Houston Port needed was put in this bill, joined by my colleagues from the Houston delegation. Now the Houston Port will be able to continue to serve as one of the largest ports in the world. With that, Mr. Speaker, I am delighted that this legislation had these elements in it. I look forward to the bill going to the Senate so that we can come back and vote for this bill.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, July 10, I was unavoidably detained in my State on official business until 8:00 p.m. tonight, and I would like to indicate how I would have voted had I been present. On rollcall vote No. 379, under the bill H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act, I would have voted ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 380, I would have voted ``yes.'' On rollcall vote No. 381, I would have voted ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 382, I would have voted ``yes.'' On rollcall vote No. 383, I would have voted ``yes.'' On rollcall vote No. 384, I would have voted ``yes.'' On rollcall vote No. 385, I would have voted ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 386, I would have voted ``yes.'' On rollcall vote No. 387, I would have voted ``yes.'' On rollcall vote No. 388, I would have voted ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 389, I would have voted ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 390, I would have voted ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 391, I would have voted ``no.'' On rollcall vote No. 392, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, on July 10, 2014, I was unavoidably detained attending to representational activities in my congressional district and accompanying the President of the United States to Austin, Texas, and thus unable to return in time for rollcall Votes 379 through 392. I ask the record to reflect that had I been present I would have voted as follows: 1. On rollcall No. 379 I would have voted ``no.'' (McClintock Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, reducing the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account, the Nuclear Energy account, the Fossil Energy Research and Development account, the Departmental Administration account, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Salaries and Expenses account by $121.3 million collectively and applying the savings to the Spending Reduction Account) 2. On rollcall No. 380 I would have voted ``yes.'' (Bonamici Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, increasing the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account by $9 million and reducing the Departmental Administration account by the same amount) 3. On rollcall No. 381 I would have voted ``no.'' (Speier Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, reducing the Fossil Energy Research and Development account by $30.9 million and applying the savings to the Spending Reduction Account) 4. On rollcall No. 382 I would have voted ``yes.'' (Titus Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, eliminating funding for the Yucca Mountain project at the Department of Energy and applying the $150 million savings to the Spending Reduction Account) 5. On rollcall No. 383 I would have voted ``yes.'' (Schiff Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, increasing the Advanced Research Projects Agency by $20 million and reducing the Departmental Administration account by the same amount) 6. On rollcall No. 384 I would have voted ``yes.'' (Quigley Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, reducing the Atomic Energy Defense Activities and National Nuclear Security Administration Weapons Activities account by $7.6 million and applying the savings to the Spending Reduction Account) 7. On rollcall No. 385 I would have voted ``no.'' (Chabot Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, zeroing out funding for the Denali Commission (a $10 million cut) and applying that savings to the Spending Reduction Account) 8. On rollcall No. 386 I would have voted ``yes.'' (Titus Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, striking Section 506 which prohibits funds from being used to close Yucca Mountain) 9. On rollcall No. 387 I would have voted ``yes.'' (DeLauro Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, prohibiting the awarding of contracts to ``inverted'' corporations that have changed their residence from the United States to the tax havens of Bermuda or the Cayman Islands, avoiding U.S. corporate taxes) 10. On rollcall No. 388 I would have voted ``no.'' (King (IA) Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, prohibiting the use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce the requirements in the Davis-Bacon Act) 11. On rollcall No. 389 I would have voted ``no.'' (Lankford Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, prohibiting the use of funds to prepare, propose, or promulgate any regulation or guidance that references or relies on the analysis contained in ``Technical Support Document: The Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis--Under Executive Order 12866'') 12. On rollcall No. 390 I would have voted ``no.'' (Cassidy Amendment to H.R. 4923, Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, prohibiting the use of funds by the Department of Energy to apply the report entitled ``Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective on Exporting Liquefied Natural Gas from the United States'' in any decision to export Liquefied Natural Gas from the U.S.) 13. On rollcall No. 391 I would have voted ``no.'' (Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule providing for consideration of both H.R. 5016 and H.R. 4718.) 14. On rollcall No. 392 I would have voted ``no.'' (H. Res. 661, Rule providing for consideration of both H.R. 5016, Financial Services and General Government Appropriations, 2015; and H.R. 4718, To Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to Modify and Make Permanent Bonus Depreciation)

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I want to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for their stewardship in bringing this legislation to the floor and for their commitment to preserving America's great natural environment and resources so that they can serve and be enjoyed by generations to come. My amendment increases funding for DOE Office of Minority Impact by $500,000, which should be used to enhance the Department's engagement with minorities programs and other related activities. Mr. Chair, the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity is a paean to Energy Secretary Moniz's holistic view of diversity, which recognizes that participation via equal access is critical to our commitment to ensuring that the Department works for all Americans--particularly to improve the lives of low income and minority communities as well as the environment at large. Twenty years ago, on February 11, 1994, President Clinton issued Executive Order 12898, directing federal agencies to identify and address the disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their actions on minority and low-income populations. I need to take time to highlight the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity in the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity because STEM education has become my calling card. The Department of Energy seeks to provide equal access in these opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM, including minorities, Native Americans, and women. Mr. Chair, women and minorities make up 70 percent of college students, but only 45 percent of undergraduate STEM degree holders. This large pool of untapped talent is a great potential source of STEM professionals. As the nation's demographics are shifting and now most children under the age of one are minorities, it is critical that we close the gap in the number of minorities who seek STEM opportunities. I applaud the Secretary's commitment which will increase the nation's economic competitiveness and enable more of our people to realize their full potential. Mr. Chair, there are still a great many scientific riddles left to be solved--and perhaps one of these days a minority engineer or biologist will come-up with some of the solutions. The larger point is that we need more STEM educators and more minorities to qualify for them. The funding provided by this amendment will help ensure that members of underrepresented communities are not placed at a disadvantage when it comes to the environmental sustainability, preservation, and health. Through education about the importance of environmental sustainability, we can promote a broader understanding of science and how citizens can improve their surroundings. Through community education efforts, teachers and students have also benefitted by learning about radiation, radioactive waste management, and other related subjects. The Department of Energy places interns and volunteers from minority institutions into energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The DOE also works to increase low income and minority access to STEM fields and help students attain graduate degrees as well as find employment. The other offices within the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity are the Minority Business and Economic Development, the Minority Education and Community Development, Civil Rights, Diversity and Inclusion, Council on Women and Girls, and Minority Banks. With the continuation of this kind of funding, we can increase diversity, provide clean energy options to our most underserved communities, and help improve their environments, which will yield better health outcomes and greater public awareness. But most importantly businesses will have more consumers to whom they may engage in related commercial activities. We must help our low income and minority communities and ensure equity for those who are most vulnerable in our country. I ask my colleagues to join me and support the Jackson Lee Amendment for the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity Program.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I want to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for shepherding this legislation to the floor and for their commitment to preserving America's great natural environment and resources so that they can serve and be enjoyed by generations to come. My amendment increases funding for DOE departmental administration by $1,000,000 which should be used to enhance the Department's Environmental Justice program activities. Mr. Chair, the Environmental Justice Program is an essential tool in the effort to improve the lives of low income and minority communities as well as the environment at large. Twenty years ago, on February 11, 1994, President Clinton issued Executive Order 12898, directing federal agencies to identify and address the disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their actions on minority and low-income populations. A healthy environment sustains a productive and healthy community which fosters personal and economic growth. Maintaining funds for environmental justice that go to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges, and other organizations is imperative to protecting sustainability and growth of the community and environment. The funding of these programs is vital to ensuring that minority groups are not placed at a disadvantage when it comes to the environment and the continued preservation of their homes. Through education about the importance of environmental sustainability, we can promote a broader understanding of science and how citizens can improve their surroundings. Importance of DOE's Environmental Justice Program Activities Funds that would be awarded to this important cause would increase youth involvement in STEM fields and also promote clean energy, weatherization, clean-up, and asset revitalization. These improvements would provide protection to our most vulnerable groups. This program provides better access to technology for underserved communities. Together, the Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture have distributed over 5,000 computers to low income populations. The Community Leaders Institute is another vital component of the Environmental Justice Program. It ensures that those in leadership positions understand what is happening in their communities and can therefore make informed decisions in regards to their communities. In addition to promoting environmental sustainability, CLI also brings important factors including public health and economic development into the discussion for community leaders. The CLI program has been expanded to better serve Native Americans and Alaska Natives, which is a prime example of how various other minority groups can be assisted as well. Through community education efforts, teachers and students have also benefitted by learning about radiation, radioactive waste management, and other related subjects. The Department of Energy places interns and volunteers from minority institutions into energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The DOE also works to increase low income and minority access to STEM fields and help students attain graduate degrees as well as find employment. Since 2002, the Tribal Energy Program has also funded 175 energy projects amounting to over $41.8 million in order to help tribes invest in renewable sources of energy. With the continuation of this kind of funding, we can provide clean energy options to our most underserved communities and help improve their environments, which will yield better health outcomes and greater public awareness. In fiscal year 2013, the environmental justice program was not funded. For fiscal year 2014, we ask that money be appropriated for the continuation of this vital initiative. We must help our low income and minority communities and ensure equality for those who are most vulnerable in our country. I ask my colleagues to join me and support the Jackson Lee Amendment for the Environmental Justice Program.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, I rise in support to H.R. 803, the ``Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.'' I support this bipartisan legislation because it will modernize existing federal workforce development programs and prepare workers for the global economy of the 21st century. This bill represents a bicameral compromise between the SKILLS Act passed by the House in March 2013 and the workforce training bill reported by the Senate HELP Committee in July of the same year. The Senate passed this bipartisan agreement on June 25, thus passage by the House today will send the bill to the President's desk for his signature. Madam Speaker, by 2022, the United States will need 11 million workers with postsecondary education to stay competitive in the global economy. Currently, 52 percent of adults between the ages of 16-65 in the United States lack the literacy skills necessary to succeed in postsecondary education and work. Additionally, individuals with disabilities have the highest rate of unemployment of any group, and more than two-thirds do not participate in the workforce at all. Madam Speaker, we need to help put more Americans back in the workforce. This legislation will support access to real-world education in fields that are in demand locally and help more workers, including those with disabilities, across the country find a good job or train for a new career. This bill invests in America's competitiveness by: 1. Providing adult education and workplace skills, such as English Literacy and Civic Education Program for adult learners; 2. Supporting programs and training for disconnected youth, Native Americans, migrant, and seasonal farm workers; and 3. Strengthening vocational rehabilitation programs to assist individuals with disabilities to enter the workforce. In addition to helping workers attain the skills for 21st needed for the jobs of the 21st century, this bill will create a more streamlined workforce development system that will better coordinate services by: 1. Eliminating 15 existing programs; 2. Applying a single set of outcome metrics to every federal workforce programs; 3. Creating more strategic state and local workforce development boards; and 4. Eliminating the ``sequence of services'' to allow local areas to better meet the unique needs of individuals. Madam Speaker, in Houston, Texas, we have three centers which help the economically disadvantaged learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job: Gary Job Corps Center, Job Corps, and Workforce Solutions. H.R. 803 will provide much needed assistance to these centers and enable them to continue their good work of providing the technical and job training skills that will enable adults, dislocated workers, and youth residents to succeed in the workplace. Madam Speaker, this bipartisan legislation will prepare workers for the 21st century workforce, while helping businesses find the skilled employees they need to compete. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of H.R. 803.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, I rise in strong support to H.R. 4653, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2014. I support this bipartisan legislation which reauthorizes the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for five years. First created in 1998, USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan Federal government commission that monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad, reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations based on international standards and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress. Mr. Speaker, if we are going to have religious freedom then it is important that we protect it. Everywhere we look, the choice of worship is being challenged. For example, we are reminded that significant threats to religious freedom persist across the globe. In Iraq the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is gaining territory in Iraq and threatening the very existence of ancient faith communities in the region, In addition to the crisis in Iraq, religious minorities are marginalized and imperiled in Egypt and Syria; the government of Vietnam severely restricts religious activities of all faiths, as does the government of China; and religious minorities such as the Ahmadiyya Muslims face governmental and social harassment in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. Since its inception, USCIRF has been an invaluable watchdog for global religious freedom conditions. USCIRF commissioners are routinely called upon to testify before Congress and provide expert policy recommendations on how to most effectively advance this fundamental human right in U.S. foreign policy. Religious freedom is America's first freedom, part of its history and identity as a nation. It also is a core human right recognized by international law and treaty; a necessary component of U.S. foreign policy and America's commitment to defending democracy and freedom globally; and a vital element of national security, critical to ensuring a more peaceful, prosperous, and stable world. USCIRF champions this issue both at home and abroad and its voice is needed as much today as it has ever been. I urge you to join me in cosponsoring this bipartisan legislation to reauthorize USCIRF.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, over the last week, besides wishing this wonderful Nation a happy birthday over the Fourth of July, I spent time in Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen visiting the detention centers. Most importantly, I saw the faces of innocent children who have come because of fear for their lives. In a hearing in Homeland Security, I listened to State officials and to a bishop from El Paso who indicated that the world is watching. These children need our help. They are not America's enemy. They are not a threat to national security. I want to thank those many cities who have offered places. I believe the President is right to seek the amount of money to enforce the border and to provide more judges, more immigration lawyers, and resources for these cities for these children. I believe that we have it in our heart to do it, and we can protect the border. I will say as well, Mr. Speaker, that children come in all sizes. I want to say that the crisis in Nigeria with the kidnapped girls still remains on our minds--#bringbackourgirls. Let us put an end to the terrorism of Boko Haram, and let us help children wherever they are.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Will the gentlewoman yield?

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I rise in support of H.R. 4289, the ``Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act,'' which will help ensure the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) achieves cross- component interoperability. This bill implements several recommendations contained in a 2012 report of the DHS Inspector General on the status and quality of interoperable radio communications. A major finding of the report is that DHS has spent over $430 million in the past 9 years for communication purposes but it still does not ``have interoperable communications for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies.'' The IG report also found that 99% (478 out of 479) of radio users surveyed could not find the DHS common channel because the components did not ``effectively inform them'' of the correct channel. That is why it is important that we vote today to implement the following specific recommendations from the report: 1. Create a structure with the necessary authority to ensure that the components achieve interoperability. 2. Create a structure with the necessary authority to ensure that the components achieve interoperability. Because the mission of DHS is to ensure that our homeland is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards, effective communication within the organization is crucial. According to the IG, the reason for this lack of communication is that DHS's efforts to achieve department-wide interoperable communications capability have been undermined by excessive reliance upon on Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) and voluntary participation by communications task forces and working groups. This means that various agencies within DHS do not have a standardized set of policies regarding radios and the department's leadership has not been successful in enforcing adherence to those policies by all department components. Although the IG urged DHS to implement a stronger enforcement structure, DHS has not adopted this recommendation, insisting instead that its existing structure is effective. Plainly, it is not. H.R. 4289 follows the recommendation from the report and ensures that DHS can achieve cross-component interoperability by: Directing the Undersecretary to submit to Congress a strategy for achieving Department-wide interoperability within 120 days of enactment. Report to Congress within 220 days, and biannually thereafter, on the progress of efforts to implement the Department-wide interoperability strategy. Since its founding, the Department of Homeland Security has overcome many challenges as an organization but much more progress must be made regarding effective inter-operable communication between the federal, state, and local agencies. Athough not a panacea, H.R. 4289 is a step in the right direction because it will help improve DHS' overall functions so that it can more effectively protect our people. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Let me just indicate that I have just arrived and I wanted to support all of the bills, including yours. If I might just make one comment about the preclearance bill, which we have all worked very hard on. I want to thank Mr. Payne and Mrs. Brooks for their leadership, and just make the point that we have worked in a bipartisan manner in Homeland Security very effectively. I also wanted to make mention in particular of the bill that I worked on extensively, H.R. 3488, the Preclearance Authorization Act, and to indicate that this is a bill in which the Secretary of Homeland Security may establish and conduct preclearance operations. It is imperative, as we seek to push out our Nation's borders. So we have had a vigorous discussion about how you utilize these preclearance sites. I think it comes to mind with some of the sites in the Middle East. And in light of where we are today, with TSA having to put in place new requirements because of the potential threat, I think this is a very positive step, as I do of all the bills, including ones dealing with interoperability, which we dealt with during the tragedy of 9/11. I want to again thank Ranking Member Payne and the full committee chair and ranking member for their leadership.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 588, which expresses the strong opposition of the House to the current practice of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of suspending the issuance of exit visas for Congolese children adopted by loving American families. On September 27, 2013, the Congolese Government inexplicably and inexcusably suspended the issuance of exit permits to children who were seeking to depart and begin new and more hopeful lives in the country of their adoptive parents. All children deserve a safe, loving, and permanent family. It is unjust, cruel, and inhumane to punish innocent children for actions they did not commit and had no control over. UNICEF estimates that there are over four million orphans living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 800,000 of which are double orphans, meaning that they have lost both of their parents. In many cases entire families have been decimated by violence. Thus, if these innocent children are to have any chance for a normal life, there is a major need for international adoptions. The recent action by the DRC Government jeopardizes both the adoption process and the long term safety of these children. Mr. Speaker, there are few nations with more persons willing and eager to open their homes and their hearts to the orphaned children of the DRC. There are, right at this moment, scores of American citizens currently in the DRC who are being forced to remain in the country for months while they wait for the government to approve exit permits for their adopted children. These delays serve no useful purpose and unnecessarily impede the children's adjustment to their new life and brighter future in America, including enrolling in school, adapting to the culture, and learning the language. Mr. Speaker, the actions of the Government of the DRC are particularly disturbing given the fact that the United States is one of the DRC's largest and most generous supporters, as evidenced by the estimated $274 million in bilateral aid $165 million in emergency humanitarian assistance it provided in fiscal year 2014. I agree that it ought to be the policy of the United States to help the Democratic Republic of Congo ``focus on helping the country become a nation that provides for the basic needs of its citizens.'' That is why the government of the DRC must discontinue its current practice of needlessly delaying or suspending the issuance of exit visas to children so they can be united with their adoptive families who will love and cherish them and provide for their basic needs. H. Res. 588 calls upon the U.S. Government to recognize a child's rights and ask the Congolese government to: 1. Resume processing and issuing exit permits; 2. Prioritize the processing of inter-country adoptions that occurred before the suspension; and 3. Expedite the processing of children who are deemed medically fragile. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to share the pain and anxiety of one Texas family resulting from the DRC Government's arbitrary suspension of exit visas for adopted children. The mother of this family wrote my office yesterday. This is what she said: I am writing today to inform you of the tragic situation my family is in with our legally adopted children not being allowed to come home from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our sweet children, Josias (18 months) and Mercy (20 months), were adopted over a year ago and have had U.S. visas since December 2013. Sadly, they are still waiting for us to come get them and bring them home because the Congolese government is not allowing any adopted children to leave the country to be united with their families. In September 2013, the DRC government issued a suspension on the issuance of exit letters for all internationally adopted children, initially claiming the suspension would last ``up to a year.'' They have now indicated the suspension will likely go on much longer and that we may not ever be granted an exit letter for our children. This has been a heartbreaking situation for our family as each day that our children are stuck in the DRC their lives are in danger. Several children have died of malaria during the suspension and many more have become very ill due to unsanitary living conditions and limited access to medical care and their lives are now in jeopardy. Adoption is an important tool for protecting children and if the only barrier preventing these children from going home is signature on an exit visa, then the United States should stand with the children and insist that the government of the DRC act in the best interests of the children. I urge all members to join me in supporting H. Res. 588 so that we can end the suffering and heartbreak currently experienced by so many American families and their adopted children from the DRC. It is the right thing to do.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I rise in support of H.R. 4263, ``The Social Media Working Group Act of 2014,'' would establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a social media working group. The Social Media Working Group would provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a terrorist attack. Today, people are relying more on Internet enabled communications to engage and be engaged in communications. Since September 11, 2001, our nation has committed resources toward the preparation of our first responders and citizens in preventing, mitigating and responding to terrorist events. As these efforts continue, we must keep up with the times. Part of that requires that Congress makes sure that the Department of Homeland Security and especially the Federal Emergency Management Agency can engage citizens in ways that they receive and send information. In 2012, smartphones, most particularly phones running Apple Computer's iOS and the open source Android operating system, accounted for at least 40 percent of the mobile devices used in the United States. In the first quarter of 2012, mobile phone consumers spent over $109 billion, while consumers of landline-telephone service spent $64.4 billion. The Federal Communication Commission reports that this trend is expected accelerate as United States consumers participate in a worldwide trend towards mobile communication devices and away from traditional means of receiving and sending information. Electronic tablet computers and e-readers, the other fully enabled portable Internet devices, smartphones are increasingly a resource for people to access information, share content, and communicate their views. Social media is quickly emerging as a major source of information that citizens rely upon to receive news and engage government. The number of people using social networking sites has nearly doubled since 2008. In a 2011, a Pew Internet Center Research Project reported that 79 percent of American adults said they used the Internet and 59 percent of all Internet users say they use at least one of social networking service, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram. The reasons for supporting this bill are obvious and I ask my colleagues in the House to vote for its passage.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I rise in support of H.R. 4007, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program Authorization and Accountability Act is a step forward in securing our nation from potential terrorist attacks or threats to the homeland. I want to acknowledge the work of Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Thompson that resulted in this bill being considered by the Full House. During Full Committee consideration of H.R. 4007, two Jackson Lee Amendments were unanimously agreed to for inclusion in the bill. The first Jackson Lee Amendment directs the Secretary to: establish an outreach plan to facilitate collaboration between the Department and the owners and operators of small chemical facilities for the purpose of assisting them with the development of physical security best practices. This collaboration will begin with established relationships, which exists among local and state authorities; and small chemical facility owners and operators. The Secretary will create opportunities to incorporate Regional Directors and Protective Security Advisors within the collaborative framework that is developed with the full cooperation and input of small chemical facility owners and operators who elect to participate. Large chemical facilities will have access to nearly unlimited resources to meet their own security needs, but smaller chemical facilities may not have the resources to protect themselves from similar terrorist threats. The second Jackson Lee Amendment creates opportunities for small chemical facility operators and owners to gain more insight or guidance on improving their facility's physical security. The third Jackson Lee Amendment allows the Secretary Homeland Security to consult with the Government Accountability Office to investigate the feasibility and applicability of a third party accreditation program that would work with industry stakeholders to develop site security plans. This amendment would allow chemical facility owners and operators to devise challenging tests, and exercises that pit their knowledge against what terrorists may attempt to do should their facility become a target. These amendment's will assist chemical facility security experts in thinking of potential threats before terrorists do so that they may take steps to eliminate them before terrorists could exploit discovered vulnerabilities. Since September 11, 2001, security experts have warned of vulnerabilities that exist should terrorists plan to attack a chemical facility located within the United States or far worse use unlawful access to a facility, pipelines, or transit routes to steal chemicals for an attack. The 18th Congressional District which I serve is home to some of the world's largest Chemical producers which employ thousands of Houston area residents to provide the nation with products are vital to our nation and its economy. Chemicals are a vital and common presence in the lives of all of our nation's citizens, but we often forget how dangerous they can be under the wrong conditions. On April 17, of last year the small town of West Texas felt the power and destructive force of ammonium nitrate when an accidental fire ignited what is believed to have been between 140 to 160 tons of the chemical. This was no terrorist attack, but a very tragic accident. The accident in the town of West Texas reminded all of us who represent districts that count chemical plants or their owners and operators as constituents--that these facilities should have the resources necessary to protect their property from potential terrorists' threats or attacks. H.R. 4007 reestablishes the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) Program, under which the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) is required to: establish risk-based performance standards designed to protect covered chemical facilities from acts of terrorism; require such facilities to submit security vulnerability assessments and develop and implement site security plans; review and approve or disapprove each such assessment and plan; arrange for the audit and inspection of covered chemical facilities to determine compliance with this Act; and notify, and issue an order to comply to, the owner or operator of a facility not in compliance. The legislation is based upon feedback and information the Homeland Security Committee and the Committee on Energy and Commerce received through countless meetings with industry stakeholders, the regulated community, first responders, union representatives, the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, and the Department of Homeland Security itself. Among the benefits H.R. 4007 provides are: Greatly improved coordination and communication between DHS and the owners and operators of chemical facilities. Enhanced information sharing with the first responders who put themselves in harms way dealing with chemical facility incidents, like the tragedy at West, TX. A more workable employee-screening methodology, that allows facility owners and operators to implement procedures that make sense and ensure maximum security. The elimination of the problem of ``outlier'' chemical facilities (currently, there are thousands of facilities still unknown to DHS) to ensure no facility remains ``off the grid''. The certainty that chemical infrastructure security will no longer hang in the balance with each year's appropriations cycle. Ensures that whistleblower protections available to facility workers who report security issues to DHS are clearly articulated in all CFATS media and materials. Greater Department accountability through mandatory biannual GAO audits of the CFATS program to provide for informed and thorough Congressional oversight. I ask my colleagues from both side of the aisle to support this bipartisan bill, which received strong support from the Committee on Homeland Security. Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Hon. Patrick Meehan, Chairman, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies, Washington, DC. Hon. Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington,

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee and the Ranking Member of the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee, I rise in support of H.R. 3488, the ``Preclearance Authorization Act of 2014.'' The legislation before the House today is the product of regular order, having been considered and approved by the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security in May and the Full Committee on Homeland Security in June. H.R. 3488 stipulates the conditions under which the Secretary of Homeland Security may establish and conduct preclearance operations. It is imperative that as we seek to ``push out our Nation's borders'' through preclearance and other programs, we do so in a risk-based manner that is mindful of impacts to our economy and the traveling public. That guiding principle is what prompted me to introduce legislation last November, H.R. 3575, the ``Putting Security First in Preclearance Act.'' I am pleased that several of the provisions and policy goals contained in my legislation have been incorporated into the bill before the House today. During subcommittee consideration of H.R. 3488, I offered two amendments that were adopted. The first amendment requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to Congress on the anticipated homeland security benefits associated with establishing preclearance operations at a foreign airport. As the Department of Homeland Security seeks to expand preclearance operations to potentially high-risk airports around the world, we should have a full understanding of the homeland security benefits associated with opening such facilities. My second amendment, also adopted during subcommittee consideration of the bill, requires that any country seeking to enter into a preclearance agreement with the United States submit lost and stolen passport information to INTERPOL or another source that is searchable by the United States. The tragic loss of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 in March brought into focus a number of vulnerabilities in the international aviation arena, not the least of which is gaps related to lost and stolen passports. On April 4th, the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security held a hearing on the vulnerabilities of passport fraud. One of the major takeaways from that hearing was the need for more countries to regularly submit information about lost and stolen passports to INTERPOL. The provision in H.R. 3488 requiring countries seeking to open Preclearance facilities to submit information on lost and stolen passports to INTERPOL will serve as an impetus for bringing would-be international partners into the fold and make the INTERPOL database more complete. Enactment of H.R. 3488 will ensure greater Congressional oversight of the process associated with commencing preclearance operations and ensure the economic interest of U.S. airlines are considered when new Preclearance facilities are contemplated. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of H.R. 3488.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute and remember the late Diana Hobby, wife of former Texas Lt. Governor William P. Hobby, Jr. and one of the most accomplished and public spirited women in the history of the great State of Texas. Diana Hobby died on Friday, July 4, 2014, in Houston, Texas after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease and cancer, with her beloved husband and four children at her bedside. Diana Poteat Stallings Hobby, was born April 22, 1931, in New York, New York to Helen Poteat and Laurence Tucker Stallings and raised in North Carolina. She was a brilliant student, graduating from the Chatham Hall School in 1948 and with honors from Radcliffe College in 1952 where she was also admitted to Phi Beta Kappa--the oldest honor society for Liberal Arts and Sciences in the United States. On September 11, 1954, she married the love of her life, the dashing William P. ``Bill'' Hobby, the future Lt. Governor of Texas, who was then an ensign in the U.S. Navy, and moved to his duty station in Washington, DC. The young couple lived in Washington until 1957 during which time Diana earned an M.A. in English Literature from Georgetown University and worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1957, the couple moved to Houston, Texas, when Bill's father, former Texas Governor William P. Hobby, Sr., fell into declining health, necessitating Bill Jr. to assume managerial control of his publication, the ``Houston Post.'' Diana Hobby supported and helped her husband greatly during this time, serving as the book editor of the Houston Post from 1957 to 1971. While in Houston, Diana Hobby earned her Ph.D. in English Literature from Rice University and served as Associate Editor of Studies in English Literature from 1979 until her retirement in 1991. Diana Hobby, a noted scholar of the great Irish poet, William Butler Yeats, had a great passion for the English language and literature. She was a lifelong supporter of libraries and the humanities in Texas. Diana Hobby also served on the board of directors for many organizations such as St. John's School, Memorial Park Conservancy, Friends of Hermann Park, Harry Ransom Center, Texas Institute of Letters, Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute in Alpine, and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts in Virginia. Diana Hobby was also passionate about natural beauty and environment conservation. She was a founding member for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and served on the selection committee for the Johnson Highway Beautification Awards. Diana Hobby is survived by her husband of 60 years, William P. Hobby, Jr.; their four children Laura, Paul, Andrew and Kate; and many grandchildren. Together with her husband, Lt. Governor William P. Hobby, Jr., Diana has truly left a legacy of excellence in education, in the arts, and in literature that continue to yield benefits to the Houston community and the State of Texas. I ask that the House observe a moment of silence in memory of my friend, Diana Poteat Stallings Hobby, one of the great ladies in the history of Texas.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee and the former ranking member and chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4812, the Honor Flight Act of 2014. H.R. 4812 authorizes the collaboration between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Honor Flight Network, as well as other non-profit organizations that transport veterans to visit memorials, to ensure continued expedited and dignified passenger screening for veterans travelling to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials and other tributes to their bravery, heroism, and sacrifice in the cause of freedom. Mr. Speaker, thousands of veterans across the country fought to protect the freedoms we take for granted and to keep our nation safe. They are deserving of our gratitude for the valor and courage they displayed in risking their lives to keep us free and to liberate captive peoples in other lands. They are veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf Wars--Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. With each passing day, the number of World War II and Korea veterans declines by the hundreds. For many of these heroes, one of their last wishes is to visit the national war memorials in Washington, D.C. Honoring and facilitating that request is the least we can do for those who did so much for us. TSA works with the Honor Flight Network in expediting the screening process for veterans visiting the national war memorials, saving the veterans' time and showing them their due respect and appreciation. The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to transporting veterans on charter flights operated by commercial airlines to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials built in honor of their service. Currently, the Honor Flight Network gives priority to WWII veterans and those from any war who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. The Honor Flight Network plans to expand the program in the future to include the veterans who served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, followed by veterans of the wars in the Persian Gulf. Mr. Speaker, my home state of Texas has the second largest number of veterans of any state in the nation, with just over 1.6 million veterans. My home city of Houston is proud to be the residence of more than 300,000 veterans. I strongly support the bill before us because I strongly support the efforts of TSA and the Honor Flight Network in making real the dreams, and in many cases the last wishes, of thousands of veterans who wish to visit the memorials dedicated by the nation in their honor. I urge all members to join me in supporting H.R. 4812 so that our veterans continue to receive the security accommodations they need and deserve as they travel to Washington, D.C. to view the national memorials consecrated by their sacrifice in defense of our country.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Howard Henry Baker, Jr., a great American, a man who personified civility and bipartisanship; one of the most passionate advocates for good governance, fiscal responsibility, and global security; a man who served his body with distinction in the Armed Services and the United States Senate. Senator Baker died at his home in Huntsville, Tennessee, today, June 26, 2014, at the age of 88. Born November 15, 1925, in Huntsville, Tennessee, Howard Henry Baker, Jr., the son of Howard Henry Baker, Sr. and Dora Ladd Baker, was heir to a distinguished political tradition. His grandfather was a judge and his grandmother was the first woman to serve as sheriff in Tennessee. His father, Howard Henry Baker, Sr., represented eastern Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1951 until his death in 1964, whereupon he was succeeded by his wife and Howard Baker's stepmother, Irene Bailey Baker. Howard Baker was educated at The McCallie School, a military academy in Chattanooga, and Tulane University in New Orleans. During World War II, he trained at a U.S. Navy facility on the campus of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee in the V-12 Navy College Training Program. He was commissioned as a lieutenant, junior grade, and served on a PT boat in the South Pacific as World War II was ending. After his discharge, Howard Baker attended the University of Tennessee College of Law, from which he graduated in 1949 and embarked upon a highly successful career in the private practice of law. Howard Baker began his political career in 1964 when he sought and won the Republican nomination to fill the unexpired term of the late Senator Estes Kefauver but was defeated in the special election by Ross Bass. Undaunted, he came back two years later to capture the Senate seat, this time defeating former Tennessee Governor Frank Clement, who had defeated Senator Bass in the Democratic primary. In winning the race, by the decisive margin of 56-44 and supported by a coalition of African Americans, young persons, and moderates, Howard Baker became the first Republican elected to the Senate from Tennessee since Reconstruction. He was reelected in 1972 and 1978, serving 18 years in total before retiring from the Senate in 1984 at the end of the 98th Congress. In the Senate, Howard Baker's record marked him, as he described himself, as ``moderate to moderate conservative.'' He supported fair housing and voting rights legislation, and was a leading advocate of the Clean Air Act. He also was instrumental in the bitter but ultimately successful fight to ratify the Panama Canal Treaty. Howard Baker also was a young man in a hurry. Upon the death of his father-in-law and mentor, the great Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen, whose daughter, Joy, he had met and married in 1951, Howard Baker sought the post of Senate Republican Leader. He was narrowly defeated by Senator Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania. But after the retirement of Senator Scott in 1976, Howard Baker was elected by Republican Leader by his colleagues and Senate Majority Leader in 1980 when Republicans regained the Senate for the first time since 1954 in the wake of the 1980 landslide election of Ronald Reagan. Howard Baker is perhaps best known for his service as the Vice- Chairman of Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, better known as the Senate Watergate Committee. He is remembered for asking the question: ``What did the president know and when did he know it?'' That question would go on to become a national catchphrase and a part of the nation's cultural lexicon. In 1980, Howard Baker was a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination won by Ronald Reagan. After retiring from the Senate in 1984, he considered a second run for the presidency but put aside those personal ambitions in 1987 to accept President Reagan's request to serve as White House Chief of Staff at the nadir of the Reagan Administration brought on by the Iran-Contra scandal. As Majority Leader, Howard Baker supported Reagan's supply-side economic program of massive tax cuts for the wealthy and draconian cuts to Great Society programs. In response to the resulting massive structural deficits, Howard Baker helped broker the deal and shepherd to passage legislation in 1982 that raised taxes. He also worked with President Reagan and House Speaker Thomas P. ``Tip'' O'Neill to put Social Security on a sound financial footing for 75 years. For his lifetime of service to our nation, Howard Baker was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Reagan in 1984. But his service to our nation did not stop there. In 2001, Howard Baker was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 27th Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan in which capacity he served until February 17, 2005. In 2007, he joined with former congressional leaders Tom Daschle, George Mitchell, and Bob Dole to found the Bipartisan Policy Center, a non-partisan organization that promotes bipartisanship solutions to the major challenges facing the nation. In 1996, after the death of his first wife, Joy Dirksen, he married Nancy Landon Kassebaum from Kansas. In 2001 he was appointed U.S. ambassador to Japan and served faithfully. Mr. Speaker, Howard Baker was a legislator's legislator. Our prayers and condolences go out to his widow, former U.S. Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker, to his son Darek and daughter Cissy, and to his family and loved ones. Howard Baker touched so many lives in so many helpful ways that he will always be remembered as one of the finest public servants of the 20th century. I ask that the House observe a moment of silence in memory of the distinguished senator from Tennessee, Howard Henry Baker, Jr., the ``Great Conciliator of the Senate.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the enactment of the G.I. Bill. Seventy years ago this past Sunday, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the bill that transformed American economic and social life and changed forever the way we live and work. The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the ``G.I. Bill,'' opened the doors of higher education to millions of the veterans who risked their lives to save the world for freedom in World War II. Before World War II, college and homeownership were, for most Americans, an impossible dream. Because of the G.I. Bill, millions who would have flooded the job market instead opted for education. In the peak year of 1947, veterans accounted for 49 percent of college admissions and by the time the original G.I. Bill ended on July 25, 1956, 7.8 million of 16 million World War II Veterans had participated in an education or training program. Millions also took advantage of the G.I. Bill's home loan guaranty and from 1944 to 1952, the federal government backed nearly 2.4 million home loans for World War II Veterans, which was then the largest expansion in home ownership in American history. Upon signing the G.I. Bill on June 22, 1944, two weeks and two days after D-Day, President Roosevelt stated: This bill gives emphatic notice to the men and women in our armed forces that the American people do not intend to let them down. * * * For they have been compelled to make greater economic sacrifice and every other kind of sacrifice than the rest of us, and are entitled to definite action to help take care of their special problems. The lawmakers that passed the G.I. Bill had no idea the remarkable effect this bill would have in establishing a thriving middle class America. The legislation that they passed provided opportunity for individuals to succeed. It was an investment in our people and many Americans took that opportunity and thrived. The lesson in this is if you give average Americans an opportunity to succeed, then they will take advantage and do extraordinary things.