Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. This is to proclaim that we will not suffer this and tolerate this. As my colleague from Texas indicated, we may want to be tier 1 in education, but we are not trying to be tier 1 in modern slavery, human suffering, and human smuggling. Therefore, enough is enough. I look forward to this bill being signed by the President. I look forward to our bringing relief and acknowledging that slavery is here but that we are ready to stamp it out to save the lives of these young girls.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 2925, the ``Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking and Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010.'' This bill calls for funds awarded under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to be used to provide education, training, deterrence, and prevention programs relating to sex trafficking of minors. It also calls for states to treat minor victims of sex trafficking as crime victims rather than as criminal defendants or juvenile delinquents. States should adopt and amend laws that protect minors who are victims of sex trafficking, and make such minors eligible for compensation. Furthermore, S. 2925 calls for consistent law enforcement to be used to deter demands for commercial sex with sex trafficking victims. The issues associated with the exploitation of children here in the U.S., and all over, are ones that I am very passionate about. The fact that children are recruited, harbored, transported, provided, or obtained for the purpose of a commercial sex act is appalling and I believe we should thrust our efforts behind meaningful policies and laws, such as the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act, that will put an end to such acts. During the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Legislative Conference, which took place this past September at the Washington Convention Center, I held an issue forum to bring attention to issues plaguing our Nation's children--missing children who are exploited in the commercial sex trade. In this forum, we brought together a number of professionals and experts to bring light to this issue and, more importantly, determine best practices for deterring such behavior in order to put an end to these horrid practices. Many of the methods and practices highlighted in that forum are present in S. 2925; yet another reason why I so fervently support this bill. Hearing the statistics about the exploitation of children will make you cringe, as they are especially disturbing. Nationally, 450,000 children run away from home each year. One out of every three teens on the street will be lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. Statistically, this means at least 150,000 children are lured into prostitution each year. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) data shows 100,000 to 293,000 children have become sexual commodities. Twelve is the average age of entry into pornography and prostitution in the U.S. This is a universal problem-- these children can come from any race, ethnic group, or religious background, and all socio-economic classes. The common denominator amongst these children is their vulnerability. Many of these children have been emotionally bruised as a result of abuse--sexual assault and/or familial molestation. Many children vulnerable to domestic minor sex trafficking are homeless, runaways, throwaways, and youth who have ended up in the foster care system and child protective services. Of the 2.8 million children living on the streets, which alone is an appalling statistic, over a third of them are lured into prostitution as a way to support themselves financially. Others are recruited through forced abduction or deceptive agreements between parents and traffickers. These children are often shipped off to different locations and isolated from family and peers, left to rely on a system of pimp-controlled sexual exploitation--escort and massage services, private dancing, pornographic clubs, just to name a few. The fact that we live in a virtual world now has had a major impact on how domestic minor commercial sex trafficking takes place. The Internet has completely changed the dynamics of prostitution and trafficking, making it easier for prostitutes and traffickers to connect with clients without too many layers of intermediaries. As a result, the Internet has become an intermediary, often without the knowledge of those Internet service providers (ISPs) who are the conduits. Increasingly, certain Web sites and online marketplaces have been bearing the brunt of much criticism for providing a medium for online minor sex trafficking. The Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act allows us to take the necessary actions to combat this new tech-savvy generation of prostitution and minor sex trafficking. As a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, I have had the opportunity to examine how children are trafficked in the U.S., including the role that the Internet plays, and the challenges that these cases pose to law enforcement. It is my hope that the passage of S. 2925 will make way for implementation of prevention methods that will help law enforcement place an effective road block on this horrendous practice. Furthermore, the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act addresses the unique needs of those who have been victimized by sex trafficking. As mentioned before, many of the children who end up as victims of this practice enter into the world of minor sex trafficking with scars, and leave with even more. They come from broken homes, are victims of abuse, assault, and may suffer from emotional problems. Passage of S. 2925 will provide support for victims of minor sex trafficking and help to rehabilitate survivors so that they may re-enter society successfully. Again, I would like to reirecate, my strong support for S. 2925, the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act, for it is an important first step in addressing a problem that plagues our nation and the world. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Let me thank the gentleman on the Crime Subcommittee. I think it is appropriate at this time to thank him for his leadership as chairman, as I have had the privilege of serving with him. I think we have had and accepted some of the most provocative and innovative bills that really changed the lives of human beings, and I thank him very much for his service. Let me applaud as well Congresswoman Maloney, Congressman Smith, and my colleague from Texas. Madam Speaker, slavery is alive, and I rise to support the underlying bill dealing with domestic trafficking and to thank the Senate for getting this over in the hours within which we have to function to make sure that we move this legislation forward. Houston is particularly an epicenter, if you will, for this kind of activity. Being not so far away from the border, we have seen the increase of human trafficking and smuggling grow exponentially, and certainly, we all are familiar with the tragedy that happened in Victoria just a few years ago where we saw the loss of human lives that were being trafficked. So we know there is a constant, steady flow of individuals who are coming, but this is the most dastardly and heinous aspect of it. I am glad my colleagues have already indicated that this is a domestic problem, that even though we can go to Bangladesh and we can go to parts of Africa and other parts of South Asia, we find human trafficking right here in our backyard. I remember our former colleague Hilda Solis, now the Secretary of Labor, mentioning the loss of lives of women on the Mexican-U.S. border who would just simply disappear. Some of them were prostitutes; some of them young girls; and to this day, lives and/or those girls are still missing. So the stories go on and on and on. Frankly, I think there could be no better initiative to come in these last hours than this legislation. I want to pay tribute to some of the individuals who are on the ground, if you will, who we don't hear of quite frequently. The sheriff in Harris County, Adrian Garcia, recognizes the devastation of human trafficking, has set up a task force, which we are working with, and has attempted to make sure that he has the funding to stop the tide of those who call themselves ``pimps'' but who project themselves as boyfriends and friends and counselors and nurturers, who take these young girls in--some girls that you never ever find again. I want to pay tribute as well to the Children at Risk, another Houston-based organization that acknowledged and wrote a report on human trafficking that occurs in our locale. It is important to know that these various organizations really had to be self-starters because, as they began to talk about human trafficking, no one else was, and you were in a city by yourself. Why are you talking about human trafficking? Isn't that global or international or something far away from here? I want to pay tribute to Kathryn Griffin, who has an organization that might have a provocative name--We've Been There Done That. She is dealing with not only this broad question of human trafficking but of prostitutes who come in all ages who are attempting to rehabilitate themselves. She has established a home, and she is trying to counter the ridiculousness of 100 beds existing for these young girls who find themselves in these conditions. So, Madam Speaker, I started out by saying that slavery does exist. I, frankly, believe that one of the aspects of this bill is to be able to go after the service builders, if you will--the pimps, the users-- and to be able to ensure that there is a place for someone to go.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership, and I want to take this opportunity to express on the floor of the House my appreciation to Chairman Obey for his years of service. We have had opportunities to thank him personally, but I wanted the Record to reflect that this may be his last CR, and I don't want to misspeak because I know that he finds ways to do good so we may see him again, but I do want to express my appreciation. And I also want to recognize his partner, the ranking member, Mr. Lewis, as well. I want to acknowledge that this is something we have to do to keep the government open, so I wanted to express my appreciation and my concern. First of all, let me go to the Transportation Security Administration. I am the subcommittee chair on the Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee. It is interesting as we near the holiday, Christmas coming on Saturday, we are reminded certainly of the Christmas Day bomber of 2009. So as millions of Americans are now traveling and will continue to travel through this holiday season to gather with friends and family, domestically and internationally, we recognize the importance of providing transfer authority for TSA to allow for efforts against terrorist attacks such as what occurred in the Northwest Flight 253 and the recent attempts against all cargo. In addition, we recognize the importance of increased staff. This is the holiday time. There will be overtime, and we want to make sure that all of the levels of intensity, of ramping up are provided for, and I am very grateful that this CR chose to do that. Additionally, many of us have heard from our small businesses, and this will prevent the elimination of funding of reduced loans for small businesses. I want to raise something very quickly. I am a supporter of providing qualified teachers for our inner city schools, and even had a daughter work for a group called Teach for America. These are outstanding and well-informed individuals. I raise a question, because my district is dominated by inner city schools, of the change of definition of ``highly qualified teacher'' that would include those in the Teach for America, that a recent graduate, does that in fact eliminate our experienced teachers, that is, take away from the training of those experienced teachers? I would raise that concern. Finally, I close by simply saying I view this as an important step, but I am disappointed we had to go this route and we could not look to a rational response to the work that so many of us have done. Some may call them earmarks. I call them designations of funding in cooperation, collaboration with our executive.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. H.R. 2751, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act would help expand the FDA authority to inspect records relating to food while increasing inspections on high-risk on food facilities. Through passage of this bill, a more accurate registry of all food facilities serving American consumers would exist. It is important to provide safe and clean food for the American people, who deserve nothing but the best. The safety and sanitation of food produced and distributed throughout the United States is of utmost importance. The health and well being of every person in this country hinges on the quality and effectiveness of the food inspection process. Without proper inspection, there is a possibility of contamination of foods and the spread of disease. In the spring of 2008, a case of salmonella spread throughout the country as a result of a single tainted pepper from a South Texas produce warehouse. This strain of salmonella sickened 1,251 people, led to the hospitalization of 229 people, and sadly, two deaths. Once the origin of the salmonella outbreak was determined, the FDA and other federal agencies took action and required the responsible parties to recall all produce that they thought may have been tainted. In the United States in 2010, at a time when we have the newest and greatest technologies at our disposal, outbreaks like the one mentioned should not take place. With improved and modernized safety inspections, such outbreaks can be avoided and prevented. It is because of stories like this that I am ever so moved to ensure that H.R. 2751, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act is passed in the House of Representatives and that it eventually becomes law. Passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act will prevent such salmonella scares from happening again in the future--in Texas or in any state in the country--for that matter. This bill would also allow for improved traceability of the history of food in the event of a food borne illness outbreak. Often time, when our country has been faced by serious food poisoning that have affected thousands of American people, we do not know where the food was produced or cultivated. This bill would bring an end to that. It is important for us to be ever cautious that could affect the well being and health of our children, elderly and family members. In addition to what I have mentioned, this bill would also make available a certificate of certain food imports--requiring all foods imported into the United States to meet all U.S. food safety requirements. The certificate would ensure that we are only allowing the safest and most healthy food into our country for consumption by the American people. Another important component of this legislation would ensure protection of whistleblowers that bring attention to important safety information pertaining to the food regulation and food safety. It is most vital that we afford those people who may know information about certain food the opportunity to inform authorities about any concerns they may have with their consumption. The bill contains important provisions that address the industry concerns, which include the elimination of the registration fee imposed on facilities participating in the food system. In addition, this legislation provides for a limited exemption for small food producers and processors that sell the majority of their food directly to consumers or to grocers within a circumscribed area and whose food sales are less than $500,000 per year. The legislation before the House of Representatives is supported by a range of consumer and industry groups, including the American Public Health Association, the Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention, the Center for Public Interest, the Consumer Federation of America, the Grocery Manufacturers Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is time that we stand with this broad-based coalitions as we work to improve the food we eat and consume and know where exactly it's coming from. These actions will only help our country, families and our American people from having safety and consumer-friendly produce, meats and dairy.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. There is nothing wrong with us subsidizing good work, good science, the opportunity for jobs. I don't know what the structure was. Maybe I will go and research what happened with Henry Ford. I saw in those days he put together his family pennies, he made the Model T, and here we are today. But we live in a different economy. We live in a changing time of the dollar. And we live in a time when other countries have no shame in subsidizing business. We were on the floor earlier today where Germany is subsidizing Airbus. That is their right. But the question is, What are we doing to promote manufacturing? This reauthorizes the National Science Foundation. It authorizes grants and manufacturing, research and education. That is a good thing. It authorizes program grants for 21st-century graduate education, as well as authorizing a program dealing with research for undergraduates. That is exciting. Innovation is part of what happens here. Then, of course, it authorizes research experiences for high school students as part of the research grants. So, overall, I guess my bottom line is I am ready to go. I am excited about the opportunities in the 21st century. I want us making things again, whether it is submarines, whether it is airplanes, whether it is new technology for our military personnel, whether or not it is a new space shuttle, a CEV. I want us to make things again. That is how you put people back to work. That is how you keep people's minds churning: What is the next invention we can get? There is no shame to subsidizing this work. And I am delighted that not only are we doing that, but we are expanding the manufacturing loan guarantee program to permit loan guarantees to small and medium-sized manufacturers. I tell you, my colleagues, these companies are out here waiting. They want to get going. There is limited opportunity for access to credit; and I can tell you, they are excited about this opportunity. Government not involved in helping a country go forward in manufacturing? Whoever heard of that. That is what everybody is doing. It is time for us to stand up as well. So let me thank you, Chairman Gordon, for your service. I know you are going on to great things. Thank you for allowing me to share some time with you on the Science Committee, and the same to Chairman Hall. Again, vote for this. I rise in support of H.R. 5116 to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes. This legislation is crucial to our efforts to keep America number one by investing in modernizing our Nation's manufacturing, spurring American innovation through basic Research and Development, R&D, and high-risk, high-reward clean energy research, and strengthening math and science education to prepare students for the good jobs of the 21st century. Today, we consider the Senate amendment to the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, H.R. 5116, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent on Friday. The Senate Amendment: Keeps our Nation on a path to double funding for basic scientific research, which is crucial to some of our most innovative breakthroughs; Creates jobs with innovative technology loan guarantees for small and mid-sized manufacturers and Regional Innovation Clusters to expand scientific and economic collaboration; Promotes high-risk high-reward research to pioneer cutting edge discoveries through ARPA-E and promotes job creation in clean energy; and Creates the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs by improving science, math, technology, and engineering education at all levels This bill: Is a fiscally responsible compromise that reduces the authorization from 5 to 3 years, reducing the cost, and repeals the original COMPETES programs that have not been funded. The Bowles-Simpson deficit commission singled out basic scientific research as a long-term gain for the budget, as it is vital to our Nation's scientific and economic leadership. The bill also bans the use of funds to pay the salary of Federal employees convicted of looking at pornography on Federal property. The bill is supported by the Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Business Roundtable, TechAmerica, TechNet, American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Venture Capital Association, Information Technology Industry Council, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and Association of American Universities. It is imperative for us to demonstrate our firm commitment to creating economic prosperity and maintaining the status of the United States as a worldwide leader in science and technology throughout the decades to come, and to give future generations a greater opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of this important legislation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, let me personally thank you for your leadership and continued focus on important issues here in this Congress. I rise today to celebrate and to thank the chairman of the Science Committee, Chairman Gordon, for his years of commitment and intensity as it relates to the importance of this work. I also add my appreciation to Chairman-elect Hall, whom I have worked with, as I did Congressman Gordon, for some 12 years on the Science Committee. And once on the Science Committee, one can never leave its values and its importance. As I sat on the Science Committee in the end of the 20th century, I always said that science was the work of the 21st century. And although bills are not perfect, and this bill that has come over from the other body is not, it is where we need to go. And I would simply remind my colleagues of the history of the Model T. When Henry Ford developed the Model T, that technology generated into an enormous industry in the United States that created new technology and millions of jobs, I might say. And so here we are today with a great need to reignite, restart our manufacturing journey. And I am delighted that this bill has seen the vision of getting elementary, middle school, high school students involved in the sciences. That's where our Achilles' heels are. That's where the vision comes to invent things, to make things to develop the next generation of jobs. And so it establishes an interagency with a STEM education coordination committee. It provides an interagency committee for coordination of manufacturing R&D. And to listen to my colleagues talk about subsidies--do they realize that every country around the world is subsidizing their manufacturing to make them more competitive, to have a greater competitive edge? There is nothing wrong with creating jobs for America.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to join the gentlelady from Michigan to offer my deepest sympathy for the fallen Customs and Border Patrol agent who lost his life in the line of duty, in the line of battle, if you will, and to express this country's gratefulness again for his service. So in tribute to those who we recognize every day put their lives on the front line, we want to ensure that we have the kind of force of men and women that will uphold the highest standards of integrity that even under pressure in this very hostile climate of drug cartels, human trafficking and smuggling and massiveness of criminal activity and intent to do harm to the United States, that we provide the atmosphere for these men and women to do their job. Madam Speaker, as you have heard, the enactment of S. 3243 will force a greater integrity through CBP. Passage of S. 3243 by the House of Representatives today will allow this important measure to be presented to the President for his signature in recognition of the sacrifice of all of these men and women at our borders. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 3243 and, as we do this, look forward to comprehensively addressing this immigration concern in this Nation and really move this Nation forward in a nonpartisan and bipartisan manner.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my good friend from Massachusetts for his leadership and his co-manager on the floor for her insightfulness on this legislation and, as well, to Senator Kohl. I rise in support of S. 118 because so many of us have these very questions being raised in our district, particularly with populations of seniors increasing. My district happens to have one of the highest percentages of senior constituents, and all of them seem to be looking for housing. I support the underlying initiative, section 202 housing. I have a number of those units in my congressional district. But one of the points that I wanted to highlight is the fact that many of these facilities are falling in disrepair. Even though there are some new facilities--and by my rising to the floor of the House, I would like to encourage my constituents and all those who are listening about how important it is to institute section 202 proposals or projects. They are enormously important, and I think it is important that the provision that encourages the utilization of State and local housing financing agencies is an asset. One of the most important parts of this legislation is for the nonprofits who engage in 202 to be engaged or share more in the refinancing of these projects. The Heights House in my district, for example, is one that has a very vibrant population of residents who are there, but I know that all who are involved would like to see that property improved and those resources used to ensure that upkeep is continued. In many instances, the owners or nonprofits will say that the return on the property is not enough to keep it at its highest level. Although we appreciate these properties and we appreciate the idea of these seniors having a place to live, I think that this particular legislation will reinforce section 202 and add to the 320,000 units already there. Our senior population is growing. Many of them have resources, but many do not. And I think the 202 project under HUD is an important concept to provide more housing for our seniors. They deserve, after working and contributing to this great country, the opportunity to live a very good quality of life. With that, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation, and I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the H.R. 6547, ``Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act.'' The Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require each state receiving funds under that Act to have in effect policies and procedures that: (1) require criminal background checks for school employees, including searches of state criminal registries or repositories, state-based child abuse and neglect registries and databases, the National Crime Information Center of the Department of Justice, the National Sex Offender Registry, and the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) prohibit the employment of school employees who refuse to consent to a criminal background check, make false statements in connection with one, or have been convicted of one of a list of felonies. H.R. 6547 requires local educational agencies (LEAs) or state educational agencies (SEAs) to report to local law enforcement any applicants for school employment who are discovered to be sexual predators. This legislation requires periodic repetitions of such criminal background checks. It further requires such states to provide for a timely process under which school employees may: (1) appeal the results of a criminal background check to challenge the accuracy or completeness of the information produced; and (2) seek appropriate relief for any final employment decision based on materially inaccurate or incomplete information produced. H.R. 6547 requires this appeals process, however, to deny the individual employment as a school employee during the process. What makes our Nation great is the belief that every child has the right to a quality elementary and secondary education. Children truly represent the future of our country. They are our living national treasures. Yet they are one of our populations that are least capable of protecting themselves. So, it is our duty to do all we can to provide them with a safe learning environment, free from the menacing threat of sexual and violent predators. This legislation takes a positive step toward making safer school environments a reality by requiring background checks for school employees and prohibiting employment of persons who refuse to submit to a criminal background check. I have always been a strong advocate of protecting our children from sexual predators. I introduced similar legislation in H.R. 288, the ``Save Our Children: Stop the Predators Against Children DNA Act of 2009.'' I believe H.R. 6547, which we are privileged to consider now will provide an important measure of protection for our children from the horrors of sexual and violent predators that we hear about all too frequently in the news. Parents should be able to send their children to school in the morning and know that they will be safe. Children should be able to enjoy their time of innocence and the wonderment of learning without worrying that undue harm to come to them or their classmates. So, I ask my colleagues to stand with me today and vote in favor of the H.R. 6547, ``Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman. Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues by admitting that competition is good, and I rise in support of competition. Yet I also recognize as a member of the Manufacturing Caucus that Americans are ready and clamoring to build, and they want to produce and create. As they do that with their sophisticated technology, they create jobs. So I believe it is unfair that when there is a competition that our companies, in fact in our own country at the Pentagon, are competing against those companies that are subsidized. So I rise in support of this legislation, H.R. 6540, which does not in any way hamper the ability of the Pentagon to do its work, but indicates that we can build the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Program by a company that we have, in this instance Boeing, of which I am very familiar, having worked extensively with it in the NASA Human Space Exploration Program. Let us build again. Let us manufacture again. Yes, we will create jobs, but we will create and reinforce the genius of our young people who are being trained and of those scientists who have created topnotch technology. To be on the front lines, men and women who are in the United States military need the best equipment to be able to create jobs and bring manufacturing back in this country. We need to have the competitiveness and an even playing field. No subsidies. Boeing can do it. We need to have the Pentagon recognize that America is back in the saddle again. We are building quality products, and we need to be able to build the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, before I begin my tribute to my dear friends that are leaving, I want to make mention again of a dear friend that we lost this week, and that is the Honorable Richard Holbrooke, who served this Nation ably and who was given tribute today by H. Con. Res. 335, as amended. Just a brief word about Ambassador Holbrooke as I begin to talk about the outstanding Members that I wish to pay tribute to. I'm reminded not only of his courage, the magnitude of his physical size, the love that he had for his family, the love that he had for the Nation, and the admiration that he received from around the world, but I'm reminded of his tenure at the United Nations. He did something that was equal to moving the Earth. He brought peace between two giants: one, the Vice President of the United States, who in fact came to speak about HIV/ AIDS, and he drew also to that very issue with the then-chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman Jesse Helms. He thought that was a great accomplishment--and we did too. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus went to the United Nations at that time. So I am rising to acknowledge Ambassador Holbrooke and will join with my other colleagues who honored him earlier today. But I have the great, if you will, honor of honoring wonderful, stellar organizations that are coming to pay tribute to a number of members of the Congressional Black Caucus. And I say ``organizations'' because I know that sororities, fraternities, the NAACP, women's organizations, so many would want to say thank-you to the following members: First, my dear sister, Ambassador Diane Watson. I always call her ``Ambassador.'' And that she is. She carried herself in a framework of peace; of wanting to bring people together; of challenging our consciousness, and doing it with integrity, honesty, and courageousness. Let me thank her for the work that she did in honoring Dr. Dorothy Height and thank her for the work she did in helping to carry forth the vision of C. Delores Tucker. And now, because of my sister Diane Watson and myself and the late Congresswoman Millender- McDonald, I can say that we have the Sojourner Truth statue in the United States Congress, which will always be remembered by this great work. And her sister, the Honorable Carolyn Kilpatrick, who took up the Sojourner Truth movement, she's the second African American woman to be appointed to the Appropriations Committee. I can tell you Carolyn Kilpatrick never wavered from investing in people and ensuring that people had resources that came from the taxpayers' dollars. My hat is off to the former Congresswoman and chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Might I thank a colleague on the Judiciary Committee, Congressman Artur Davis. Yes, a former U.S. Attorney, but a vigorous speaker and a progeny of the civil rights movement. He was in fact the beneficiary of the civil rights movement and carried it in dignity by becoming a U.S. Attorney in the district that covered Alabama. We thank him for his work on the Ways and Means Committee, and we thank him for his service on the Judiciary Committee, and wish him well. The Honorable Kendrick Meek is to all of us like a brother. We loved his mother, Carrie. And we saw in him those traits as he worked hard in the 30-somethings in the first couple of years when he was in the Congress, trying to get us back in the majority, but more importantly, speaking to the people. He ran a fantastic open, wide, welcoming race for the United States Senate. His great days are before him. His wonderful wife and children were a fixture around this place, and we pay tribute to him because of the passion and sacrifice he made for Haitians in his area and for the many people that he represented. So, Madam Speaker, let me say to you, sadness falls because we will be losing to great things Members like Congresswoman Diane Watson, Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick, Congressman Artur Davis, and Congressman Kendrick Meek. As my dear sister, Congresswoman Diane Watson, is on the floor of the House, I will tell you that is indicative of her work; that she was here for us in the morning, here for us late at night. And so I have no doubt that she will be carrying forth the torch in California, as all the others will be doing. Having just hosted the Attorney General from California, Ms. Harris, I know that you will be a great comfort and nurturer to her.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, I was extremely saddened to hear about the death of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. He was a great leader and a dedicated representative of peace and democracy throughout the world. I extend my deepest condolences to Ambassador Holbrooke's family, his wife Kati Marton, his brother, Andrew, and his children, David, Anthony, Christopher and Elizabeth. Ambassador Holbrooke has had a tremendous career with the United States State Department, which began with a response to President Kennedy's call to service for government work in the early 1960s. Ambassador Holbrooke was undoubtedly a public servant ever since his graduation from Brown University in 1962, when he joined the Foreign Service and was sent to Vietnam. At the young age of 24, Richard Holbrooke, an expert on Vietnam issues, was appointed to a team of Vietnam experts, the Phoenix Program, under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Ambassador Holbrooke has always been a champion of peace and democracy, and this began at a young age with a profound dedication to the United States' international diplomacy efforts. Since beginning his career in foreign policy at such a young age, Ambassador Holbrooke was always at the forefront of international political issues, whether it was as a public servant at the 1968 Paris Peace Talks, Director of the Peace Corps in Morocco, or as a the editor of Foreign Policy magazine. Ambassador Holbrooke will always be an archetype of United States diplomacy, and his resume only serves to demonstrate how he has been consequential to diplomacy in some of our generation's most tumultuous events. Ambassador Holbrooke never relented in his efforts to expand his efforts to pursue U.S. interests of diplomacy and democracy internationally. In 1977, under President Carter, Richard Holbrooke was Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. As the youngest person to have been appointed to that position, Ambassador Holbrooke oversaw the normalization of relations with China in 1978, and the warming of the cold war during his tenure. His diplomatic achievements do not culminate with the establishment of diplomatic relations with China--instead they continued, and arguably exceeded anyone's expectations. When President Clinton took office in 1993, Mr. Holbrooke returned to work for the United States Government with the State Department. His first appointment was as the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, where he participated in the founding of the American Academy in Berlin as a cultural exchange center. In 1994, he returned to Washington after being appointed by President Clinton to be the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs, where he was the lead negotiator in the Balkan Wars. He was strategic in establishing a lasting peace at the Dayton talks that undoubtedly saved thousands of lives. The 1995 Dayton peace accords ended the war in Bosnia--but it required an agreement by the three warring factions, the Serbs, the Croats, and the Bosnian Muslims. Holbrooke's role in this is lasting; he ended the 3-year war, and helped develop the framework for dividing Bosnia into two entities, one of the Bosnian Serbs and another of the Croatians and Muslims. Ambassador Holbrooke is a hero of U.S. diplomacy, and undoubtedly had tremendous importance in facilitating peace, in whatever form, in Bosnia. After playing a key role in the Dayton Peace Talks, President Bill Clinton named Mr. Holbrooke as the representative of the United States to the United Nations. Holbrooke's time as the United Nations Ambassador was highlighted in his addressing the problems of global HIV/AIDS. He advocated to United Nation peacekeepers that it was their responsibility to help prevent HIV/AIDS and invited Vice President Al Gore to speak before the Security Council to highlight the growing epidemic. Ambassador Holbrooke warned that the medical section of the peacekeeping department has been under-staffed and suggested that all peacekeepers include the cost of AIDS tests in the budget of future missions. Mr. Holbrooke has been a strong advocate for HIV/AIDS issues having worked with the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) during his time as United Nations Ambassador to the United States. During his tenure, Ambassador Holbrooke invited members of the CBC to visit the U.N. Ambassador Holbrooke demonstrated his drive to securing international health and peace, in his lifetime of dedication to diplomatic efforts. His work never ceased, and it continued with President Obama. Under the Obama administration, Ambassador Holbrooke was appointed Special Envoy to Pakistan and to Afghanistan--a region that contains the United States' greatest national security concerns. Just as his responsibility unfolded in the Balkans, his responsibility in Pakistan and Afghanistan posed a major challenge that would not have an easy solution. As we all know, the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan are multidimensional and are problems that could not be solved overnight. Ambassador Holbrooke knew this, yet he commendably took on the role, and worked courageously and diplomatically in a densely complicated region. Ambassador Holbrooke was the intermediary between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States. Ambassador Holbrooke was fighting, diplomatically, to stabilize the often unpredictable and always fluctuating region. The fight continues to be multifaceted, and Ambassador Holbrooke dealt with fragile economies, containing corruption within governments and elections, destabilizing the Taliban resurgency, a rampant narcotics trade, the presence of Al Qaeda, and maintaining peace and security, all while promoting United States diplomatic efforts. Representing the United States, Ambassador Holbrooke worked to promote economic development in Pakistan through the Kerry Lugar Berman Bill, and worked with the Afghani government and administration to reduce U.S. combat troops and to forge a lasting peace in the region. He is an example to us all, his life was foreign policy, his dedication was to the United States, and his motivation was diplomacy. Ambassador Holbrooke will always be regarded as a true American diplomat, one who strived for international peace throughout his entire career, of nearly 50 years, as a public servant. We lost a great American peacemaker this week. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke gave his life to the cause of peace. His work over the years speaks for itself, but most importantly, the call that he accepted on behalf of Americans to serve in Afghanistan and Pakistan will resonate for decades. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke was my friend and will never be forgotten.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Chairman Skelton, America thanks you. The troops in Texas thank you, and all of the troops around the world thank you. I thank you for strengthening your commitment to service men and women and their families. Readiness has been your challenge. I thank you for that. For strengthening the military forces, for making sure they have the right, secure, safe, and the most technologically sophisticated equipment, I thank you. Likewise, let me say to you: For your demeanor and spirit, for the tears you shed for those who lost their lives, you have never wavered; and for the service that you gave as a young man in the United States military, I cannot thank you enough. I come today to support this Ike Skelton bill and to ask my colleagues to pay tribute to this American hero. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6523, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. As a Member of both the Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees, I highly commend Chairman Ike Skelton for his steadfast leadership and tireless efforts to invest in our military to increase our national security. I join him in strongly supporting the men and women of our Armed Forces; they make the greatest of sacrifices to ensure our national security as a matter of duty. So, I stand here today to say to my colleagues here in Congress, that ``now it is our duty to take care of the military families who take care of us!'' This defense bill reflects our commitment to support the men and women who fight to secure not only our citizen's freedom, but the freedom of others. In H.R. 6523, Chairman Ike Skelton and the Armed Services Committee provide the necessary resources to protect the American people and our national interests at home and abroad. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 makes record investments in our Nation's military, authorizing a $725 billion budget to further strengthen our national security, provide our brave men and women in uniform with the tools to do their jobs, and take care of our servicemembers and their families who make sacrifices right there beside them. It utilizes a sound and balanced strategy to provide the resources we need to sustain two wars today and to be prepared for the threats of tomorrow--whatever and wherever they may be. This legislation: Strengthens counterterrorism efforts and force protection; strengthens missile defense; strengthens nuclear nonproliferation; strengthens support for servicemembers and their families; strengthens military forces; and strengthens defense acquisition. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, further strengthens our national security by continuing Congress' work to provide the necessary funding, authorities, and oversight for those who defend America from terrorists. It fully supports President Obama's counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan, the nation that served as the genesis for multiple attacks against America, including the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The President's plan in Afghanistan continues to show clear signs of tactical success, putting us on the road toward ensuring that Afghanistan will no longer be used as a safe haven for terrorists. The bill provides the resources to successfully implement this new strategy and continues to fix the dramatic shortfalls of the previous Administration, when the war in Afghanistan was the forgotten war. It supports the President's strategy on both sides of the border, helping to strengthen the relationship with Pakistan by expanding Coalition Support Funds. Additionally, it supports the President's efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships with key nations, such as Yemen. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, also takes unprecedented steps to strengthen our missile defense, continuing to move away from the Cold War mentality and instead align our missile defense policy with the threats of the 21st century. The bill provides support to the President's new Phased, Adaptive Approach to missile defense, which places the highest priority on countering our most immediate threats from nations like Iran and North Korea with proven and effective defense systems, while still providing us with the flexibility to be prepared for the threats of tomorrow. The efforts of terrorist organizations like al Qaeda to obtain nuclear capabilities are among the most serious threats facing America today. While the threat of nuclear war with a superpower is diminishing, the threat of nuclear terrorism and the risk that nuclear materials might spread to countries hostile to the U.S. are increasing. We cannot adequately protect our Nation until we bring our nuclear policy out of the Cold War era and into the 21st century, and the bill fully supports the President's efforts to secure vulnerable nuclear material and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons to those who seek to do us harm. It funds key programs such as the Department of Energy's Global Threat Reduction Initiative and International Nuclear Materials Protection and Cooperation program and the Global Nuclear Lockdown activities under the Department of Defense's Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. Our Nation has the best military in the world, and Congress remains committed to providing the very best care and benefits to our troops and the families who are always there to lift them up. This year's bill provides a 1.4 percent pay raise to the troops, allows military families to extend TRICARE coverage to their dependent adult children until age 26, improves the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, and restructures certain education benefits. This year's bill also includes the most comprehensive legislation package ever to address sexual assault in the military and creates a more robust domestic violence prevention program. This defense authorization bill sponsored by my colleague, Representative Ike Skelton, rightfully enjoys strong bi-partisan support. It shows our military families that we truly value their service and sacrifice, and provides our military with the level of support they need to keep our national security strong. As a member of the Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees from the great State of Texas, which is home to some 15 military bases and has a proud history of national service, I strongly support this legislation and thank my colleagues for joining me in strengthening our national security and taking care of our military families.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1621, ``Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Founding of Catholic Charities USA.'' Let me begin by thanking my colleague Representative Rush Holt for introducing this incredibly important piece of legislation into the House of Representatives, as it is imperative that we recognize and support Catholic Charities' USA 100th anniversary. Mr. Speaker, as an enthusiast of Catholic Charities USA and co- sponsor of this resolution, I urge my colleagues to support this measure by recognizing the importance of Catholic Charities USA and their 100 years of service to our great nation. Since the Catholic Charities USA founding in 1910 on the campus of Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, Catholic Charities has worked to establish well over 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies and institutions around the nation. The vision of Catholic Charities USA is direct and simple, to help ``people in need achieve self-sufficiency.'' Yet Catholic Charities USA continues to touch hundreds of thousands of lives by providing vulnerable individuals with greatly needed care, nourishment, and compassion. As an advocate for social justice, Catholic Charities USA works to empower committees around the nation maintaining that each individual is entitled to a life of dignity and opportunity that allows each person to reach their full potential. As part of our government, it is dire that we provide our constituents and all Americans with a good quality of life. By recognizing the centennial anniversary of Catholic Charities USA, we are acknowledging the extreme, positive impact of their efforts all over America and the work they do to provide all with a high quality of life, respect, and dignity. Furthermore, we would be commending and applauding Catholic Charities USA's efforts to provide children, the poor, the disabled, the elderly, and the powerless with resources like housing, food, economic security, health, a place in the workforce, and education. As for the 18th district of Texas, I would be utterly remiss if I did not take time to recognize and relay my sincerest gratitude for all that the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has done, and continues to do in Houston. For over 60 years Catholic Charities has served the human and social service needs of Houstonians by providing communities with programs aimed at promoting and facilitating self-sufficiency. Teaching and preparing one to be self- sufficient is perhaps one of the most beautiful ways to help human kind. The Chinese proverb, ``Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,'' sheds light on the wisdom of teaching and the importance of self-sufficiency. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston employs this lesson through numerous programs for the elderly, refugees and immigrants, and those affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer, and devastating illnesses. One of their greatest outreach missions provided to Houstonians is disaster relief. As you well know Hurricane Ike was a grave environmental catastrophe, leaving many surviving Houstonians in disarray, bereavement, poverty, and great sadness. Yet Catholic Charities offered free disaster recovery assistance for Hurricane Ike survivors in the form of counseling and resources. Additionally, Catholic Charities AIDS ministry provides holistic services to those suffering from HIV/AIDS in form of case management, HIV education, and compassionate non-judgmental responses. Also, through the Share Your Blessings Program, Catholic Charities is working to provide impoverished Houston families with Christmas joy and hope by seeking Angel Sponsors to provide such families with much needed personal items. Catholic Charities services in and around Houston have greatly helped the 18th district and their efforts are to be commended. Furthermore, Catholic Charities USA is inspired to reduce poverty, support families and parenthood, empower communities, and eliminate oppression. The spirit of this great organization is the embodiment of goodwill towards man, compassion, and social justice. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand in support of this measure and to support the 100 years of monumental contributions made by Catholic Charities USA. To give them honor and praise for being a national leader in their efforts to combat poverty, promote social justice, and treat all with dignity. Mr. Speaker, I believe our body would be slipshod if we were not to pass this extraordinary measure to recognize and support Catholic Charities USA 100th anniversary and their historic founding in 1910 and all that they continue to do to better our society. I urge my colleagues to stand with Rep. Holt and myself and vote in favor of H.R. 1621, ``Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Founding of Catholic Charities USA.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I ask that we send this bill back to the drawing board, work with the President, so that we can really help the unemployed, the 99ers, and not just grow the deficit. Where are the good Samaritans? We have voted over and over for tax cuts. I believe in them. The House voted for tax cuts 2 weeks ago, but this tax bill is a budget buster and just growing the deficit, the same deficit that we're going to be called upon to do something about. I want America to thrive. So they cannot be giving tax cuts to billionaires who do not want them. We cannot cut into the Social Security, costing us $120 billion and impacting firefighters, teachers, and police who do not get a benefit from the payroll tax holiday. I want middle class tax cuts, but I want the Republicans to stop holding us hostage for hardworking Americans to get a dime from this country. They work hard. I offered an amendment to ensure that the corporations that are getting the tax cuts really do save a job or hire the people who are unemployed. With billions being spent and trillions in the deficit, it is time now to work for middle class Americans. Mr. Chair, I have deep reservations with portions of this bill, especially as it relates to the estate tax and tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans. Nevertheless, I do support portions of H.R. 4853, to extend vital tax cuts for America's middle and working class and extending unemployment insurance benefits that will otherwise expire at the end of this month. I have consistently supported and voted for middle class tax cuts, as I did two weeks ago when I voted for the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010, and the extension of unemployment benefits. I am deeply saddened that the fate of unemployed, low and middle income Americans has been held hostage by the insistence by Republicans that this legislation include a giveaway to the wealthiest 2% of Americans that is going to irresponsibly expand the already large deficit. I have spoken to and heard from many fine, patriotic, hardworking middle income Americans from Houston, from the great State of Texas, and all across the nation. Middle class American families and small businesses are deeply concerned about our troubled economy, the skyrocketing national deficit, high unemployment rates, job creation, and sorely needed extension of the tax relief and unemployment benefits set to expire at the end of this month. The American people are asking the President and Members of Congress to move swiftly and take decisive action to help restore our economy in a fiscally responsible manner. I am disappointed that Republicans have insisted on holding unemployment benefits and tax cuts for working and middle class families' hostage in order to benefit the wealthiest 2% of Americans. I also have some serious concerns that the temporary payroll tax cut included in this legislation could jeopardize Social Security. Although this is a temporary tax cut, there will inevitably be debate in the future about extending it before its expiration, which could create substantial shortfalls in Social Security's long term viability. Future extensions of this payroll tax at the expense of Social Security could force hard-earned retirement benefits to compete with other government programs for funding rather than remaining self-sufficient. Tax cuts must be instituted without compromising Social Security. I would like to thank President Obama for his determined leadership, support and commitment to protecting important tax relief issues for middle-income Americans and the nation's small businesses and farmers during these challenging economic times. I would also like to thank all the Members and their staff who worked diligently to bring this essential legislation to the House floor today in an attempt to do all that we can to protect the American people and move this nation toward fiscally responsible economic recovery. I support those provisions of H.R. 4853 as amended by Senate Amendment 4753 that provide necessary tax relief to struggling middle income Americans. Under the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act, Senate Amendment 4753, middle- class families and small businesses will see their taxes go down. This measure contains job-creating tax incentives, including incentives to create clean energy jobs, energy-efficient homes, and investments in renewable energy. It also ensures that millions of Americans still looking for work continue to have access to an emergency safety net to afford basic necessities, without extending the amount of time these benefits can be claimed for any given household. The specific ways that this bill will benefit middle-class families and aid the economic recovery include the following: It preserves the current income tax rate for middle-class families (2 years). It reauthorizes the current emergency unemployment insurance program (13 months, or through the end of 2011). It continues vital middle-class tax credits, including the American Opportunity Tax Credit to help families pay for college, the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit (two years). It helps businesses by allowing them to deduct 100 percent of certain investments in 2011 and 50 percent in 2012. It extends the state and local sales tax deduction, which is particularly important for states, like Texas, which have no state income tax (2 years). It extends Alternative Minimum Tax relief through 2011 (2 years). I have already voted for all of the above benefits. Unlike those provisions of H.R. 4853 which benefit America's struggling middle class, I do not support the provisions of this legislation which condition that desperately needed relief upon the unconscionably high cost of providing an unnecessary, expensive giveaway to the wealthiest Americans by providing a two-year extension of Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans while lowering their estate tax rate to 35% on estates valued at more than $5 million for individuals and more than $10 million for couples. These giveaways to the wealthiest Americans during these dire economic times needlessly add billions of dollars to our skyrocketing deficit yet create no value for our ailing economy since these tax cuts are not tied to job creation and preservation. I offered an amendment that would require all large businesses and corporations who received a tax benefit under this legislation to report how their tax savings are being used to create or save jobs. Tax cuts for America's largest corporations must be tied to job creation or preservation, which is why I offered my amendment. Failing to tie tax cuts to job creation is irresponsible since it exacerbates our growing deficit without bolstering job creation. I would like to add my support for the Amendment to H.R. 4853 introduced by my colleague, Mr. Pomeroy of North Dakota. This amendment would strike Title III of the Senate amendment to H.R. 4583 and amend the bill to provide two years of estate tax relief at 2009 levels. In calendar years 2011 and 2012, the estate tax exemption amount would be $3.5 million ($7 million total for a married couple) and the maximum tax rate on estates would be 45%. Additionally, the amendment would provide estates from decedents in 2010 with the ability to elect to be treated under the 2009 levels or to be treated under current law for tax purposes. This election will allow estates to receive a step up in basis on inherited property rather than the 2010 carryover basis rules. The exemption level and rate are consistent with the estate tax proposal included in the President's FY2010 and FY2011 budgets. While I am opposed to the portions of H.R. 4853 that amount to an expensive giveaway to the wealthiest 2% of Americans, I want to emphasize that I fully support President Obama's vision for change. I share his commitment to fighting for low and middle-income Americans who are the backbone of this country and our economy. However, this legislation, especially as it pertains to tax cuts for the top 2% of Americans and estate tax provisions that are regressive and inflate the deficit, does not comport with this vision. I have serious misgivings about extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans at the expense of our deficit, especially if these tax cuts are not targeted towards job creation. I strongly support the tax and unemployment insurance relief that H.R. 4853 provides to middle-income families, small businesses and farmers. But, my friends, I must express my concern that this legislation does not provide extension of unemployment benefits for those unfortunate unemployed Americans who have run up against a brick wall. These so-called ``99ers'' have been sincerely looking for work for a very long time and have run out of resources to provide for their families and pay their mortgages, pay their bills and buy food. They simply want and need a job to pay for these obligations. H.R. 4853 proposes to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans, yet fails to provide for the so-called ``99ers.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. I would like to make sure that we classify this not as class warfare, if you will, but a Good Samaritan waving the flag. And, frankly, if we take the best of America and recognize that working people need help, the unemployment insurance that is part of this bill is a valid part of it. The child tax credit, the payroll holiday, all of those speak to the vision of this Nation that we have the willingness to share. We understand when men and women on the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan, they fight not for any one class or any one community. They fight for America. So when we provide an estate tax that blurs the understanding of America, that we need an estate tax that is $5 million and $10 million, we're not telling the truth. The present law provides for most Americans, $3.5 million for an individual, $7 million for those who are couples; provides for family businesses; it provide for farmers. It works--and it has worked. It is not necessarily the best. But to give $25 billion to $28 billion unnecessarily that would go and take away from education and Social Security and Medicare, domestic spending that is necessary, is a crime. So this is not about fighting against someone who has a few more dollars than the next person. It's to do what we're sent here to do and make sure that the capitalistic system works for everybody, including those who are now unemployed. Let's get our senses together. Let's get the Senate to understand what the real deal is. Fight for everybody, not just a small special interest group. It's time to stand up and be counted. And I'd like to see this rule go forward simply because I want to put it to them that you can't spend $28 billion and waste it on those who don't need it.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. It is moving to hear so many members of the United States military who have served to come to the floor and honor the flag and the Constitution. I am not that fortunate to have served in the military, but I have been fortunate enough to travel amongst them, from Kosovo to Bosnia to Albania to Iraq and Afghanistan and places within those nations. If I have observed anything, I've observed men and women who understand the Constitution and take great pride to be on the front lines to be able to say I live in a country of the land of the free and the brave. So I ask today for my colleagues to be brave and to be free, to unshackle themselves of stereotypes and to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell and vote for the rule and the underlying bill. Do it in the name of my constituent, a young man by the name of Seaman Provost, who had the unfortunate circumstances, I believe, of being considered someone who should not be in the United States Navy. So I would call upon those who believe in the Constitution, who understand the values of the human rights campaign of which I had the privilege of receiving notice from, that we all are created equal. It is time now to bust this unholy alliance that suggests that men and women whose lifestyles may be different do not have a heart of gold and love the red, white, and blue. It is time now for America to be America. Let us vote for this rule and the underlying bill. Let us vote for freedom, stand for all those who are brave, and stand behind the men and women who fight for us every single day of their lives. God bless all of them.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6510. First, I would like to thank Ron Kendell, Elliot Doomes, Ward McCarrington, Johanna Hardy, Major Keithen Washington and Shashrina Thomas for their tireless efforts in moving this bill. I would also like to thank the co-sponsors of this bill and my colleagues: Representatives: Mario Diaz-Balart, Ted Poe, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Charles Gonzalez, Henry ``Hank'' Johnson and Ralph Hall. I introduced this bill requesting that the Administrator of General Services convey land to the Military Museum of Texas. The Military Museum of Texas was formed to create, maintain and operate an institution to honor and perpetuate the memories of all men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. The President of the Military Museum of Texas, Ed Farris, a former Marine sergeant, and a 22-year veteran of the Houston Police Department's motorcycle patrol and bomb squad, has worked tirelessly to preserve the memories of the men and women of the armed forces. They paid with their lives and their youth to ensure that the United States remains a free and prosperous nation. It is important that we support Mr. Farris and the board members of the Military Museum of Texas to honor and recognize the men and women, living and dead, who have served in the armed forces of the United States. The museum provides a way to hold them up as the heroes they are. Mr. Speaker, our freedom is intertwined with the sacrifices of our Veterans, whose devotion to our way of life is unparalleled. I am privileged to honor their sacrifices and the role they play in our nation by introducing House Resolution 6510. Our nation and veterans from the great State of Texas have a proud legacy of appreciation and commitment to the men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of this country. We must be united in seeing that every soldier, sailor, airman, marine, and coast guardsmen has a place of memory, pride and honor, in which the Military Museum of Texas provides. Today, we continue to be engaged in hostilities in Afghanistan, and young men and women will pay the ultimate price while wearing the uniform of our nation. Let us honor the memory of the 4,400 Americans who have died in Iraq and more than 1,300 who have died in Afghanistan. We also honor the sacrifices of our wounded: nearly 32,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and 9,000 in Afghanistan. Throughout the Military Museum of Texas, Americans will learn from the surviving World War II veterans to the veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the words of President John F. Kennedy, ``As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.'' It is not simply enough to sing the praises of our nation's great veterans; I firmly believe that we must demonstrate by our actions how proud we are of our American heroes. Join me and support H.R. 6510. I firmly believe that we should celebrate our veterans after every conflict, and I remain committed to both meeting the needs of veterans of previous wars, and to provide a fitting welcome home to those who are now serving. Currently, there are 23 million veterans in the United States. There are more than 1,626,000 veterans living in Texas and more than 32,000 veterans living in my Congressional district alone. H.R. 6510 will allow Congress to express our appreciation to those who have answered the call to duty. As the great British leader Winston Churchill famously stated, ``Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.'' Our nation is founded on the principles, laid out in the Declaration of Independence, that ``all men are created equal,'' ``that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,'' and ``that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.'' At various points in our history as a nation, we have found need to send our sons and daughters, our most precious resources, overseas to fight in defense of these great principles. At times when the need is greatest, America's soldiers have always stepped up to protect our nation. And so, today, I hope we will all take time from our daily lives to reflect upon the sacrifices made by those who serve in our armed forces, and to resolve together that we will provide returning veterans with the welcome, services, care, and compassion that they deserve--a Museum of reflection. As we consider H.R. 6510, let us all remember the one thing that makes our nation truly great are the young men and women willing to fight to defend it, to defend us, and to defend our way of life. Join me and support H.R. 6510. Memories fade all too quickly, and we are losing about 1000 WWII veterans every day. It is important that we record and preserve the memories of these veterans so that future generations can understand the sacrifices of our veterans. The Museum is a place for preservation of military memorabilia, personal stories, artifacts and the history of past wars to remember American veterans and their sacrifices. It is remarkably easy for succeeding generations to forget why we enjoy the freedoms we do in our country. The Museum seeks to educate the public about the sacrifices of our veterans that gave us those freedoms. It is difficult for those who have not served in combat to understand the horrors our veterans endured and the trauma that still affects their lives. Veterans themselves conduct tours and convey their personal experiences to visitors. The Museum provides a place where veterans can congregate and discuss their experiences, and in the process, heal. It also permits them to talk about their experiences with museum visitors. Soldiers currently serving in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan need to know that the people back home in the great state of Texas support them. Volunteers at the Military Museum of Texas prepare and send care packages to troops who are serving overseas and are patients in military hospitals recovering from wounds. The Military Museum of Texas also hosts reunions, participate in parades and other events in the Houston, Texas area. The Military Museum is a pillar in the community, and a benefit to schools, veterans and military related groups. It provides educational programs, live reenactments from military personnel as well as interactive exhibits. Furthermore, the Military Museum provides internships in military history and preservation, and a research database available for education and historical institutions and the public. Let us continue to preserve and honor the memory of those who defend our freedom and liberty. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 6510, and ask for its immediate adoption.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I am saddened by the occasion on which I come to the floor of the House, but it is a privilege to be able to speak about a great American, for we do not capture the life and the legacy of great Americans. We find ourselves forgetting. Some would say, if we don't remember the past, we are doomed to repeat some of those hills and valleys in the future. Tonight, I want to remember Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, whom this Nation lost on Monday evening. It is important that his story be told for I would like to know him and for this Nation to know him as America's peacemaker, but many will say that peacemaker had a tough edge. Before I start, I want to mention his family and express my sympathy to them for their loss--to his wife, his two sons, and his stepchildren--all who loved him so very, very much. What I would say to you is that this was an action man. He was someone who threw himself into the world of diplomacy. Frankly, there was no challenge of peace too difficult for Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. One newspaper, USA Today, calls him as he is known in the headline-- Bulldozer, Giant of Diplomacy Holbrooke Dies. Among his credits, the 1995 Bosnian pact, but Richard was also known around the world for being unending and unceasing in his commitment to solving a problem, and he would ask you to work with him to solve that problem. Henry Kissinger said, If Richard calls you and asks you for something, just say, ``Yes.'' If you say, ``No,'' you will eventually get to saying ``yes,'' but the journey will be very painful. Ambassador Holbrooke was not prepared to give up. He learned to become extremely informed about whatever country he was in. He would push for an exit strategy and look for ways to get those who lived in a country to take responsibility for their own security. He didn't mind getting engaged and involved with those who lived in faraway places, whether it was Vietnam or whether it was Bosnia--the resulting agreement, the Dayton peace treaty. The Washington Post headline credited him with deft maneuvering that resulted in that peace treaty. He brokered the accord in Bosnia. He was seeking peace in Afghanistan, and he refused to give up. So, tonight, it is important that we remember this man, this gentleman--this giant of a man, large in size and with the capacity to do much. America was saddened by his loss. In particular, I note that Ambassador Holbrooke always accepted the call to duty, whether it was as the U.N. ambassador or whether it was as the special envoy which President Obama called him to be. In the time of sadness, many came to present and to give their thoughts. Let me share with you some of those words. For nearly 50 years, Richard served the country he loved with honor and distinction. He worked as a young foreign service officer during the Vietnam war, and then supported the Paris Peace Talks, which ended that war. As a young assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, he helped normalize relations with China. As U.S. ambassador to Germany, he helped Europe emerge from a long Cold War and encouraged NATO to welcome new members. The progress that we have made in Afghanistan and Pakistan is due in no small measure to Richard's relentless focus on America's national interests and pursuit of peace and security. He understood in his life, his work, and his interests that they encompass the values that we hold so dear, and as usual, amidst this extraordinary duty, he also mentored young people who will serve our country for decades to come. One of his friends and admirers once said that if you're not on the team and you're in the way, God help you. Like so many Presidents before me, I am grateful that Richard Holbrooke was on my team, as are the American people. President Barack Obama. I remind you, like so many Presidents before me, I'm grateful that he was on my team. The President understood the kind of strength that Ambassador Holbrooke had. This sounds just like him: If you're not on the team and you're in his way, God help you. But remember, he was doing it for the good of this Nation and for the good of the world. Another comment on his great life: In a lifetime of passionate, brilliant service on the front lines of war and peace, freedom and oppression, Richard Holbrooke saved lives, secured peace, and restored hope for countless people around the world. He was central to our efforts to limit ethnic cleansing in Kosova and paved the way for its independence, and he found a way to break the stalemate in the talks in Cyprus. Little known to many people, I was proud to nominate him as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations where he helped equip the U.N. to meet the challenges of our 21st-century world. Former President Bill Clinton. Let me just reiterate these words. He helped restore hope for countless people around the world. I remember engaging with Ambassador Holbrooke in the early stages of my congressional career, and I remember him as the United Nations ambassador: resilient, joyful, persistent, determined, ready to tackle the world for peace. He wasn't bored with his job. He was never bored. He was always ready to do what was right. Another comment on his life: Richard Holbrooke was a larger-than-life figure who through his brilliance, determination and sheer force of will helped bend the curve of history in the direction of progress. He touched so many lives and helped save countless more. He was a tireless negotiator, a relentless advocate for American interests, and the most talented diplomat we have had in a generation. Vice President Joe Biden. Other words pouring out for him and toward him: From his early days in Vietnam, to his historic role bringing peace to the Balkans, to his last mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard helped shape our history, manage our perilous present, and secure our future. I had the privilege to know Richard for many years and to call him a friend, colleague, and confidante. As Secretary of State, I have counted on his advice, relied on his leadership. This is a sad day for me, for the State Department and, yes, for the United States of America. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Some would say that States and defense, power and diplomacy, sometimes did not match or mix, but Richard Holbrooke knew how to walk that line. Ambassador Holbrooke was one of the most formidable and consequential public servants of his generation, bringing his uncommon passion, energy, tenacity, and intellect to bear on the most difficult national security interests of our time. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. He never lost time fighting for ideals he believed in. He never lost touch with the problems faced by millions of people he never knew. And he never lost hope that those same people could live in peace, security, and safety. Indeed, he shared their vivid aspirations. The Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mike Mullen. You can see that he interacted with these leaders of our present government and past government quite frequently. He was a frequent visitor to the White House. Those who worked in this area and those who did not knew Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, and he drew the admiration and respect and sometimes the intimidation of those who watched him work and wondered what he would say next. Well, I can tell you as someone who has likewise watched his work, he would be talking about peace. Further words about him: His drive was immense. His desire to do good in the world was fierce, and he pursued all that he set out to do with a resolution and tenacity that was second to none. His legacy will be his work, his inspiration to so many around the world. That's what we should note about Ambassador Holbrooke: how many miles he accumulated in his travels around the world, how many times in his lifetime around the world he went. More than we probably could calculate because, when this Nation called him, when there was a conflict, a difficult situation, where people were at odds, where others were suffering, he wanted to intervene and to bring peace. He wanted to see the best of Pakistan and Afghanistan. He wanted those people to thrive and to grow. He wanted the children to have an opportunity for education and to mature into citizens of their nation. He wanted the people of Afghanistan to have freedom and a good government and good governance. He wanted there to be the opportunity for girls to go to school and women to be respected and held in dignity and to have the same access to opportunities that we cherish here in the United States of America. He cared about our soldiers on the front line, and he knew that they were putting themselves on the line so that he could work his magic and bring resolution. You know what I would say to my colleagues, I know that the heads of state of both Pakistan and Afghanistan have experienced the similar loss and pain of a giant like Ambassador Holbrooke in losing his life. I know that because both Presidents, Presidents Zardari and Karzai, called the family to express their concern. Presidents called far away from their homes, as one could imagine, because they respected a man who would get in the mix and fight both, if he had to, to draw them together and to iron out or to box out these particular issues that were keeping us from being united around the question of peace. Further comments about this great man. They noted that Ambassador Holbrooke's service spanned decades and continents confronting profoundly difficult issues and global affairs. The members of the council expressed admiration for his contributions as the United States' permanent representative to the United Nations, as well as for his energetic and unrelenting commitment to promoting peace and strengthening international cooperation of the United Nations. I will tell you that his work at the United Nations allowed him to touch governments around the world, and I venture to say that any hotspot that would occur today, this giant of a man would be able to go and begin to develop a solution. Remember what I said, any country that he would go to, he would begin to know more than anyone else about that country and probably more than those who lived there. That's what made him effective. That's what made him have the ability to talk to heads of state and prime ministers and foreign ministers and those who were engaged in the day-to-day diplomacy of that particular country. It was his understanding of their culture, his understanding of their language, his understanding of how they thought, but most of all, his understanding of his own thoughts, and he knew he wanted peace, and he would do what was necessary. There were so many that considered him friend, but there were really so many more that respected him for being the bulldozer, giant for peace. I call him America's peacemaker. Further comments that I pay tribute to his diplomatic skills, strategic vision, and legendary determination as the architect of the 1995 Dayton Agreement, Ambassador Holbrooke played a key role in ending the war in Bosnia, the most terrible tragedy on European soil since World War II. At the end of this long and distinguished career, he traveled tirelessly to Afghanistan and Pakistan in pursuit of peace and stability in the region, and he would not stop. My words. He knew that history is unpredictable, that we sometimes have to defend our security by facing conflict in distant places and that the transatlantic alliance remains indispensable. Secretary General of NATO. And so Ambassador Holbrooke knew how to put it together, how to work with the various entities that represented the front lines of defense for this Nation and for Europe and other countries. He knew how to walk the walk and talk the talk. I remember, as a new Member of Congress, coming in during the hostile and the horrible conflict of Bosnia, the ethnic cleansing that occurred in Kosova, and to realize that one man was the pinnacle, the pivotal point of working on the Dayton peace treaty, I tell you how important that was. As a new Member of Congress, I was able to go on the first delegation into Bosnia, then to meet with heads of states of Bosnia and former Yugoslavia and Croatia. We went to Sarajevo, and we landed where there was no actual peace in place at that time. They were looking to finalize the Dayton peace treaty. We were going in to determine whether or not this peace treaty was going to be welcomed by the people. As we went into this town that was known for its beautiful Alps and skiing opportunities, I was literally shocked. It drew me back to pictures I saw in history books of World War II when Europe looked as if it was completely bombed out and desolate. Whole buildings had their tops knocked off. In libraries, doors were opened and books strewn on the ground. People walking aimlessly through the streets. And as we walked to what was left of a public building to meet the various leaders, there were women who came up to me in the street and asked had I seen their son. In this horrible war, they had lost their son. Is their son alive? in their language, speaking to me. I know the price of that horrible war by way of seeing those people in pain. Ambassador Holbrooke understood it and worked without ceasing to secure a peace that is lasting today. No peace is a hundred percent. There are always some trials and tribulations, but he laid the framework that is in place today. He left it to us to be vigilant, to give oversight, if you will, and to ensure that people who have been in conflict, who desire to have peace can live in peace. Further comments about Ambassador Holbrooke: We will always remember his efforts of promoting peace and stability in our region with a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude. Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani. He will always be remembered for his preeminent role in ending the vicious war in Bosnia, where his force of personality and his negotiating skills combined to drive through the Dayton peace treaty agreement and put a halt to the fighting. British Prime Minister David Cameron. As you can see, from all walks of life, they poured out their comments of respect for, again, America's peacemaker. He could always be counted on for his imagination, dedication, and forcefulness. Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright. Many understood his work, many who were in the business. More comments: Richard Holbrooke's legacy goes well beyond the critical role he played in bringing a decade of fragile peace in the Balkans, welcoming a reunified Germany in an expanding NATO. He also leaves a vast multigenerational intercontinental network of friends. I say that again: He also leaves a vast multigenerational intercontinental network of friends. Thank you, Ambassador Holbrooke. It means that you have touched people around the world through generations, and that means that some are left with your spirit, your inspiration, and your training. These words came from the president of the Brookings Institution, Strobe Talbott, one who knows this system well. And then of course you had the fun stories about him, and one could not speak about him without saying how many different things he was. As it was said in The Washington Post: a writer, a diplomat, an editor, a banker, publisher, impresario of numerous organizations. He was a deeply serious man, engaged always in a serious business of saving lives in Vietnam, in Afghanistan, in Bosnia, and I will say at the United Nations. Yes, Ambassador Holbrooke, you were engaged in saving lives. And to the end of your life, it was your pursuit to save lives. As I indicated, to save the lives of our soldiers in Afghanistan, to save the lives of women and children and families, to save the lives who simply want to go from marketplace to home, the farmers who want to take their goods from Kandahar to Kabul or want to do something else other than poppy crop, he was trying to save their lives in Afghanistan. As I visited and as I reflect on my visits to Afghanistan and seeing what a unique terrain, how difficult, how challenging it is, I just want to say to my colleagues, Ambassador Holbrooke could have sat in an armchair, could have done armchair diplomacy. In the world of technology, he could have made attempts to communicate in ways other than the kind of ``roll up your sleeves, get on an airplane, and go into the harshest places'' to bring about peace. But he understood that peace was about a people-to-people relationship. It was something that was special, and he had the special touch. Further words from a friend: Dick Holbrooke was a friend of mine. Just 2 days before he fell ill, I saw him and his devoted wife at a dinner where he proposed a toast with generosity, affection, self- deprecation, and the sort of comic timing that made you think he had missed his true profession. I liked him enormously. But for all that he did over nearly 50 years of service to his Nation and, indeed, to all human kind, I admired him much, much more. As you begin to reflect on Ambassador Holbrooke's life, you have to admire him much, much more, and that was from the international editor of Time magazine, Michael Elliott. I am sure that we could count so many emails and Twitter and blogging that is going on right now, first because of the shock of losing this giant of a man, this man that exuded desires for peace; but yet he leaves a life of instruction, that if we are to really develop the kind of world that brings peace to all in the backdrop of Afghanistan and Pakistan and the backdrop of the issues in the Mideast and the backdrop of North and South Korea, it has to be the kind of hand-to-hand diplomacy, insistent diplomacy, persistent, determined diplomacy, and out-of-the-box diplomacy. One of the champions of a unique new concept for Pakistani Americans and helping Pakistan, and I was delighted to be able to engage with him on this and the Secretary of State to go to the first inaugural meeting in New York, and that is to develop a Pakistan-American development board that would generate resources and investment by Pakistani Americans and others in Pakistan. That is a love for the people. He knew that he could start there because he knew that in his interactions, he was not willing to label the entire Pakistan with the frontier area and the unfortunate circumstances that cause Pakistan to be able to be in the way, if you will, of receiving terrorists running from Afghanistan. He knew the circumstances. He knew the harshness of it. But he also knew that there were people every day in Karachi and Lahor, Islamabad, and other places, in Peshawar that wanted to go to school, to open business, to be able to have a democratic government, a judicial system that worked. And so he put the burden on the Government of Pakistan to say to them, I will work with you if you will work with me. He believed that there could be a solution, so he was excited about this Pakistan development board, similar to the Irish-American board, and he was the heart and soul behind it. And we had a great celebration in New York, and it exists, and it's one of his legacies. And so I will say to Ambassador Holbrooke, to his spirit and to his legacy, You've left something behind that can help to create peace, that can network across the ocean between the goodwill of the people of America and Pakistani Americans and those in Pakistan who really want to focus in on building a great nation. Maybe in the spirit of their founding father, Dr. Jinnah, who believed in a democratic process, living harmoniously with Bangladesh and India, Pakistan and Afghanistan and that region. And so I want us to support the concept of his legacy. Just let me read some headlines that are reflective of his history. Strong American voice in diplomacy in crisis. I can affirm that. Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, all resulted out of crisis, but he was a man of diplomacy. Statesman who defined a generation. Clearly, 50 years of service, there was no doubt that Ambassador Holbrooke's life will be considered an era, a timeframe of American diplomacy, and an approach of get involved and getting to know the people who you had to engage with. As we listened to reflections about Ambassador Holbrooke, it was noted that he would go to the sites of the chief or the elder statesman or elder warrior or the village or the mountain to be able to draw from that very person who could be part of making peace. You know, as I reflect on this, I would say to you, that's the kind of diplomacy we need. We're going to have to unshackle ourselves. It's interesting, as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ambassador Holbrooke, in his astuteness, appeared before us a number of times and was always so erudite and brilliant and carefully thinking and analyzing as he responded to questions. But one thing that comes out of his life, and one thing I gleaned as I've had the privilege of representing the people of Houston in the 18th Congressional District, and seeing how the world works on their behalf and trying to be part of the solution and not the problem, people believe America can solve their problems. I know many Americans push back on that and actually say that we can't nation-build and we can't solve everyone's problems. And in the literal sense, they may be right. But if there's a perception that America has the answer, that our democratic values are so strong that we can reach in times of peace, or with peaceful tactics help guide them toward peace, there's nothing wrong with that. I believe Ambassador Richard Holbrooke truly believed that, that our values were so strong that we could, by sheer determination, commitment, and dedication, help those people who could not help themselves. Time Magazine has Richard Holbrooke, an archetype of American diplomacy. And let me just share these few words. But there have been many career diplomats whose lives overlay the most important historical moments of the last half century. And they name a few. These are friends and rivals of Holbrooke's, who also played key roles and influenced events in ways we're still only beginning to learn. What made Holbrooke most memorable--and of course the article names a number of individuals--and what lies behind the outpouring of mourning and reminiscence that is sweeping Washington in the wake of his death Monday evening was his personification of what many at home and abroad imagine U.S. diplomacy to be. And I imagine what they're saying is that it was the hands on, get in your face, but come with a smile and tell you we can do this together. That's Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. Now, he didn't pull any punches. I remember sitting in a meeting with him with Pakistani Americans, and he answered hard questions and sometimes gave hard answers. But he left the room with friends, and they truly believed he was looking for peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Holbrooke, this article goes on to say, was not just a prominent American diplomat who engaged in some of the most consequential international events of this time. In the same way that Shakespeare's characters still seem to live with us today as the archetype for human nobility, vanity, and ambition, so Holbrooke seemed to be the very human version of American diplomacy itself: piledriver powerful yet subtly persuasive, brash, volcanic and occasionally offensive but tactically brilliant and capable of the finest strategic judgment, cold-eyed and sometimes heartlessly realistic but possessing high principles and real deep compassion. Friends, I just read that from Time. But as you have heard my tribute, it's interesting how these words come from all of us. And as I indicated to you, if Ambassador Holbrooke's legacy is anything, it is, in fact, to leave us with that kind of roadmap. That's the kind of exciting diplomacy we must be engaged in. The world is not the same. It's not quiet. It's not two heads of state sitting down quietly and having tea and coming to the room and signing the treaty. It is somebody that's hard moving. It is somebody that can be heartless but realistic, high principles, deep compassion, get in the way. Thank you, Ambassador Holbrooke, for leaving with us a roadmap and leaving us with your legacy and challenges. Because I don't know if the Ambassador, as he was working so diligently, where he felt we were going in Afghanistan, but I believe we must make a commitment in light of his spirit and the sacrifice for his family, friends, as he dedicated almost 100 percent of his time, unending, to finding a resolution and bringing people together. I would simply say that to President Karzai, for the spirit in which you express your sympathy, I know that Ambassador Holbrooke would be so grateful for movement toward resolving this conflict, toward the ceasing of those who would move from Afghanistan to take refuge and cover in Pakistan. He would welcome the rising up of both governments to go against those acts of terror that were killing their people. He would welcome the resolve of those heads of state to continue fighting for peace and welcome the growth, development, and opportunity for the Pakistani people and the people of Afghanistan. He would welcome that. And I would simply say, we owe this giant of a man that kind of tribute. Words obviously are nice and nice to be heard. But I would hope that we would be most effective in carrying forth his legacy by actually putting to the test how we can resolve the conflict in Afghanistan without a protracted extension, but also to put the burden, the extra burden of bringing peace, on the Government of Afghanistan and its people working with us, with that aggressive spirit, can-do spirit that we can solve this and, yes, working with the people of Pakistan. Let me just relay a story in pictures and show you why this, again, hands-on diplomat was everywhere, meeting now with the President of Pakistan and developing a relationship, a relationship that was tough but good and sincere. And I pay tribute to the Pakistani Government for the kind words that they have said. And I think the meaningful words, particularly the Ambassador to the United States, who has expressed, from Pakistan, his deepest sympathy. Here with President Karzai. Often they were together and had frank and to-the-point conversation. You can't engage in hand- to-hand diplomacy without being in place where those leaders are, making them feel comfortable that you're working on their behalf. This is his early stages with President Clinton, who appointed him to the United Nations. You can see that he moved around, and he was eager to be known as a person who, if he got the call, would come. Let me share some of these live pictures with him that have him and clearly speak to the action that Ambassador Holbrooke was. This looks to me as the Pakistani flood when he was going into the camps, the most horrific flood over the last couple months that covered some two-thirds of Pakistan. People were moved from their land-- disastrous, devastating conditions. Ambassador Holbrooke did not miss an opportunity to go and to check, in this instance, on children and to see what they were doing. Here, you will find him not sitting in a traditional chair but sitting with the people. And I speculate that this is a meeting in Afghanistan, but here is a man and his child. And Ambassador Holbrooke is not standing. He is not sitting in a chair as we know it, but he is with the people and he is engaging. This is the style, the diplomatic style of Ambassador Holbrooke. Again, this is not in the comfort of the State Department or any office building, but here he is with the military personnel on one of our battlefields, and my speculation is that again this is in Afghanistan. Greeting again the people, letting them know that he cares. And, again, Ambassador Holbrooke on the move, meeting some of our allies, some of the coalition forces or the forces that work along with the Afghan forces. Here he is again in the field shaking hands and indicating his interests. Here, with women, as he greets them. Another out in the field, hands on, ready to serve. Meeting with our military personnel. And, again, always interacting, and our Ambassador to Afghanistan constantly being engaged. Involving himself again with the people and in the camps. Here, meeting with others who are in camp and being displaced, always working, always hands on. We can learn a lot from Ambassador Holbrooke, and we can learn a lot from his never say never attitude and his willingness, if you will, to ensure that the solution is his top priority. Let me just remind you again of how early Ambassador Holbrooke started his career. He had a tremendous career with the United States State Department, and he had actually begun with a response to President Kennedy's call to service for government work in the early 1960s. He always had it in him. Ambassador Holbrooke was undoubtedly a public servant ever since he graduated from Brown University in 1962, when he joined the Foreign Service and was sent to Vietnam. A tough assignment. At the young age of 24, Richard Holbrooke, an expert on Vietnam issues, was appointed to a team of Vietnam experts, the Phoenix Program, under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Ambassador Holbrooke has always been a champion of peace and democracy, and this began at a young age with a profound dedication to the United States' international diplomacy efforts. Since beginning his career in foreign policy at such a young age, he obviously was at the forefront, at the 1968 peace talks, director of the Peace Corps in Morocco, or as the editor of the Foreign Policy Magazine. Let me make that clear. He served as the director of the Peace Corps in that area in 1968. Ambassador Holbrooke was always and has always been an archetype of the United States' diplomacy, and his resume only serves to demonstrate how he has been consequential to diplomacy in some of our generation's most tumultuous events. So, my friends, I thought it was important, shocked, dismayed, and saddened by the loss of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, that we not fail to acknowledge his legacy in the hours after his passing; for there are still people dying in Afghanistan, civilians; there are still our soldiers on the front lines; there are still terrorists, Taliban, hiding in the mountains of Pakistan, allegations that Osama bin Laden is there as well. So we know that the world that Ambassador Holbrooke was so engaged in goes on, but we cannot allow it to go on without a pause for a moment to be able to say thank you to this giant of a man, bulldozer for peace, America's peacemaker, but a credit to the world; and, as I said in my earlier remarks, someone who loved this country and loved the ability to draw disaster and to draw nonbelievers out into the open and to make it right; to help the people in a disaster, and to draw those nonbelievers into the circle of diplomacy to get them working on peace. That is what you were about, Ambassador Holbrooke. I am glad to have been able to call you acquaintance, yes, friend, but most of all an American hero. Such a strong legacy. I know that this is a very sad time for so many, and so I rise on the floor this evening to be able again to offer my deepest sympathy. But what I would also say is that we have so much to be thankful for, so much to study and read, so much to emulate, so much to be able to go on, so much to use in the continuing effort for peace. We have got a roadmap left to us by Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. And remember an earlier comment that, if he asked you to do something, don't waste your time saying no, because more than likely, with a little pain, you will be there saying yes. So why don't we just keep his legacy ongoing, realize that he has asked us to continue to make peace. And as long as we fight against it, it is going to be painful, but if we can gather our thoughts together, if we can continue to work together, to work with this administration, the President, the Secretary of State, and the Congress, and really realize that the important end game is peace in Afghanistan and an independent peaceful Pakistan and a peaceful region, but with the idea that people of those countries must take on that burden and really desire peace--maybe that is the message that they have gotten in this terrible tragedy, to desire peace and to fight for it--if that is the case, then this hands-on, lively, and well-versed diplomat's legacy will be embedded in the next days, hours, minutes, next couple of months when we might see a glimmer of sunshine reflecting the hands-on evidence of a man that never tired of seeking people to find peace. I hope that, as we mourn the loss of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, the tribute that we give to him that will be ongoing will be an unceasing quest for peace, and I hope that we will find it in his name. On behalf of the fallen men and women who have given their lives for peace in the United States military, on behalf of the people of the United States of America, we are indeed grateful for the service of Ambassador Holbrooke, and we tell his family thank you for sharing him with the American people. I submit for inclusion in the Record additional materials. With that, I humbly I yield back my time in the name of peace and respect for Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. On Monday, I was extremely saddened to hear about the death of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. He was a great leader and a dedicated representative of peace and democracy throughout the world. I extend my deepest condolences to Ambassador Holbrooke's family, his wife Kati Marton, his brother, Andrew, and his children, David, Anthony, Christopher and Elizabeth. Ambassador Holbrooke has had a tremendous career with the United States State Department, which began with a response to President Kennedy's call to service for government work in the early 1960s. Ambassador Holbrooke was undoubtedly a public servant ever since his graduation from Brown University in 1962, when he joined the Foreign Service and was sent to Vietnam. At the young age of 24, Richard Holbrooke, an expert on Vietnam issues, was appointed to a team of Vietnam experts, the Phoenix Program, under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Ambassador Holbrooke has always been a champion of peace and democracy, and this began at a young age with a profound dedication to the United States' international diplomacy efforts. Since beginning his career in foreign policy at such an young age, Ambassador Holbrooke was always at the forefront of international political issues, whether it was as a public servant at the 1968 Paris Peace Talks, Director of the Peace Corps in Morocco, or as the editor of Foreign Policy magazine. Ambassador Holbrooke will always be an archetype of United States diplomacy, and his resume only serves to demonstrate how he has been consequential to diplomacy in some of our generation's most tumultuous events. Ambassador Holbrooke never relented in his efforts to expand his efforts to pursue U.S. interests of diplomacy and democracy internationally. In 1977, under President Carter, Richard Holbrooke was Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. As the youngest person to have been appointed to that position, Ambassador Holbrooke oversaw the normalization of relations with China in 1978, and the warming of the Cold War during his tenure. His diplomatic achievements do not culminate with the establishment of diplomatic relations with China--instead they continued, and arguably exceeded anyone's expectations. When President Clinton took office in 1993, Mr. Holbrooke returned to work for the United States Government with the State Department. His first appointment was as the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, where he participated in the founding of the American Academy in Berlin as a cultural exchange center. In 1994, he returned to Washington after being appointed by President Clinton to be the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs, where he was the lead negotiator in the Balkan Wars. He was strategic in establishing a lasting peace at the Dayton talks that undoubtedly saved thousands of lives. The 1995 Dayton peace accords ended the war in Bosnia--but it required an agreement by the three warring factions, the Serbs, the Croats, and the Bosnian Muslims. Holbrooke's role in this is lasting; he ended the three-year war, and helped develop the framework for a dividing Bosnia into two entities, one of the Bosnian Serbs and another of the Croatians and Muslims. Ambassador Holbrooke is a hero of U.S. diplomacy, and undoubtedly had a tremendous importance in facilitating peace, in whatever form, in Bosnia. After playing a key role in the Dayton Peace Talks, President Bill Clinton named Mr. Holbrooke the next representative of the United States to the United Nations. Ambassador Holbrooke demonstrated his drive to securing international peace, and his dedication to diplomatic efforts. His work never ceased, and it continued with President Obama. Under the Obama administration, Ambassador Holbrooke was appointed Special Envoy to Pakistan and to Afghanistan--a region that contains the United States' greatest national security concerns. Just as his responsibility unfolded in the Balkans, his responsibility in Pakistan and Afghanistan posed a major challenge that would not have an easy solution. As we all know, the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan are multidimensional and are problems that could not be solved overnight. Ambassador Holbrooke knew this, yet he commendably took on the role, and worked courageously and diplomatically in a densely complicated region. Ambassador Holbrooke was the intermediary between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States. Ambassador Holbrooke was fighting, diplomatically, to stabilize the often unpredictable and always fluctuating region. The fight continues to be multifaceted, and Ambassador Holbrooke dealt with fragile economies, containing corruption within governments and elections, destabilizing the Taliban resurgency, a rampant narcotics trade, the presence of Al Qaeda, and maintaining peace and security, all while promoting United States diplomatic efforts. Representing the United States, Ambassador Holbrooke worked to promote economic development in Pakistan through the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill, and worked with the Afghani Government and administration to reduce U.S. combat troops and to forge a lasting peace in the region. He is an example to us all, his life was foreign policy, his dedication was to the United States, and his motivation was diplomacy. Ambassador Holbrooke will always be regarded as a true American diplomat, one who strived for international peace throughout his entire career, of nearly fifty years, as a public servant. [From the USA Today, Dec. 14, 2010] `Bulldozer,' `Giant' of Diplomacy Holbrooke Dies--Among Credits: '95 Bosnian Pact (By the Associated Press) Washington--Richard Holbrooke, a brilliant and feisty U.S. diplomat who wrote part of the Pentagon Papers, was the architect of the 1995 Bosnia peace plan and served as President Obama's special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, died Monday, the State Department said. He was 69. Obama praised Holbrooke for making the country safer, calling him ``a true giant of American foreign policy.'' Holbrooke, whose forceful style earned him nicknames such as ``The Bulldozer'' and ``Raging Bull,'' was admitted to the hospital on Friday after becoming ill at the State Department. The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations had surgery Saturday to repair a tear in his aorta. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called him one of the nation's ``fiercest champions and most dedicated public servants.'' Holbrooke served under every Democratic president from John F. Kennedy to Obama in a career that began with a foreign service posting in Vietnam in 1962, and included time as a member of the U.S. delegation to the Paris Peace Talks on Vietnam. His sizable ego, tenacity and willingness to push hard for diplomatic results won him both admiration and animosity. ``If Richard calls you and asks you for something, just say yes,'' former secretary of State Henry Kissinger once said. ``If you say no, you'll eventually get to yes, but the journey will be very painful.'' He learned to become extremely informed about whatever country he was in. He would push for an exit strategy and look for ways to get those who live in a country to take responsibility for their own security. Holbrooke said in 1999 that he has no qualms about ``negotiating with people who do immoral things.'' ``If you can prevent the deaths of people still alive, you're not doing a disservice to those already killed by trying to do so,'' he said. With his decades of service and long list of accomplishments, Holbrooke missed out on a tour as secretary of State, a job he was known to covet. As U.N. ambassador, he was a member of the Clinton Cabinet but his sometimes-brash and combative style contrasted with that of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Born in New York City on April 24, 1941, Holbrooke had an interest in public service early on. At the Johnson White House, he wrote one volume of the Pentagon Papers, an internal government study of U.S. involvement in Vietnam that was completed in 1967. The study, leaked in 1971 by a former Defense Department aide, had many damaging revelations, including a memo that stated the reason for fighting in Vietnam was based far more on preserving U.S. prestige than preventing communism. One of his signature achievements was brokering the Dayton Peace Accords that ended the war in Bosnia. He detailed the experience in his 1998 memoir, To End a War.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Congressman Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer for introducing and bringing this momentous legislation to the House. Our troops and veterans have taken the Oath of Service and have devoted their lives to our country. I want to thank our Nation's Armed Services for proudly and courageously serving our Nation. In supporting our troops, I stand here today in unwavering support of repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this legislation. The ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010'' presents the Congress of the United States with an opportunity to uphold civil and human rights in one of the most noble institutions of the United States--our armed forces. I believe that the Pentagon's extensive report regarding DADT's repeal speaks for itself The report explained that the majority of the military supported allowing gay members of the armed services to serve openly. Furthermore, the report stated that allowing gay Americans to serve openly would not have a substantial impact on troop morale, readiness, or effectiveness. It is important that we realize and recognize that we have the power to prevent the potentially disruptive process of having the courts repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell by doing it legislatively today. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has emphasized on numerous occasions that it is critical that we pass this legislation and allow the Department of Defense to implement the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Now it is our opportunity to serve our Nation, and to do what it is best for our armed services. Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has expressed his strong support for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell as well. Like Admiral Mullen, I too am troubled by such a policy that forces the young men and women to lie about who they are. We should not undermine the integrity of our Nation's institutions nor of those who courageously protect our Nation's interests abroad. We must do right by all of our American troops and move forward by repealing DADT. It is time to end this lingering method of discrimination, and we should not rest until this message is clear. Every American has the right to stand among their peers to undertake the noble and courageous task of defending their Nation. Our military should not have to lose the patriotic and talented men and women who want to serve our country, but are unable to do so because of DADT. Since 1993, DADT has forced over 13,000 qualified and patriotic men and women to leave the service. And that does not include the thousands more who have decided not to re-enlist or join the military at all because of DADT. I know firsthand that the men and women of the United States military are courageous and have compassion for the humanity of each other; it is the expansiveness of their humanity which leads them to sacrifice and offer the last full measure of devotion on behalf of the American people. We know it is distinctive, but there is a reason that Don't Ask, Don't Tell should be eliminated, and it is that every patriotic human being deserves the right to serve his or her country if they are willing to take the Oath of Service. President Lyndon Baines Johnson stated, ``We seek not just equality as a right and a theory but equality as a fact and equality as a result.'' America is a Nation of values; the right to equality and the principle of non-discrimination is a fundamental tenet of our democracy. Our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution speak specifically to the equality of all people. Now is the time for Congress to act and ensure that every American of good character has the right to serve their Nation. We must respect the humanity and the service of those troops who respect our country so much that they are willing to sacrifice their lives for it. Don't Ask, Don't Tell is also a costly policy. In 2009 alone, we lost 428 service members to Don't Ask, Don't Tell at the estimated cost of over $12 million. There are an estimated 66,000 gay and lesbian service members currently on active-duty, serving in all capacities around the world to protect our Nation and advance our interests. We cannot allow the strength and unity of our military to suffer from a destructive force within. The cost is not only monetary; Don't Ask, Don't Tell costs the United States by eroding our position on respecting human and civil rights. In the same vein of the civil rights movement of years past, we must not forget that the fight for civil and human rights continues. The research has been done, the representatives of our Armed Forces support the repeal, and our President has expressed his support. It is our turn to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. We must act now, to ensure that human and civil rights are ensured and protected. I urge my colleagues to defend the human and civil rights at home for those who protect ours abroad.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Let me thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding. I rise to support this legislation. As I listened earlier--and I had to depart from the floor--I wanted to reinforce the comments and perspective that Chairman Berman has announced. Mr. Speaker, diplomacy is bilateral. It is a two-way street. It is a give-and-take. It is the ability to help all of the people who are involved, and it is also the ability for the world to recognize that a coming together has occurred. I have the greatest sense of concern and respect for the Palestinian people and for Palestinian Americans, who themselves have reached out and asked for help. I believe the people of the West Bank and Gaza want freedom, opportunity, equality, and a peaceful existence. I believe, over the years, the people of Israel and its many leaders have engaged in the process of peace. We in the United States are committed to a two-party state. We are committed to a peace resolution. Make peace today. Unilateral affirmation of one state without the recognition of the importance of both states coexisting and working together does not lead to the recognition that the world should give to two independent states that will be working alongside each other. So I would simply indicate that, as we move forward, it is enormously important that we get energized on the two-party debate, discussion and diplomacy, and that we provide a peaceful existence as one of the negotiators--the United States--for the Palestinian people and the people of Israel. We should be engaged. We have been asked to be engaged. We can make a difference, and I would support the idea of our making a difference. To my friends who have proceeded on a unilateral perspective, Mr. Speaker, I would simply say: go this route of a two-party state, engaging to provide peace for the two states.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, it's my pleasure to rise on the floor of the House and congratulate the Texas Southern University Fighting Tigers, who won the SWAC competition in Birmingham, Alabama, against Alabama State. Congratulations to Coach Cole, the athletic director, President John Rudley, the Board of Regents, but most of all, our outstanding football players, who are vested in character and integrity and doing the right thing. Let me thank all the students, the band, all of those who came to cheer. I had the great privilege of being there in Birmingham, Alabama, to support this great team. They celebrated today at city hall with the mayor and the community, and we look forward to a greater understanding of who Texas Southern University is, a great institution, vested in the history of this country, educating young people. And now we can call them the Fighting Tigers, the 2010 winners of the SWAC championship. Fighting Tigers, congratulations to all of you. Madam Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize and to congratulate the Texas Southern University, TSU, Tigers for bringing home the Southwestern Atlantic Conference, SWAC, Championship to my district in Houston, Texas. In a display of great sportsmanship and great endurance, the Tigers defeated the Alabama State Hornets on December 11, and became conference champions for the first time in 42 years. I would like to congratulate the Tigers' athletic association, their football team, and, of course, Coach Johnnie Cole on a momentous finale to a tremendous season. As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, it is truly an honor to recognize Texas Southern University not only for their conference championship, but also for their academic successes as one of the nation's largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities, HBCU. Additionally, TSU contributes to the multiculturalism that makes Houston the diverse city it is today, by hosting a number of international students. Texas Southern University, which is located in the heart of metropolitan Houston, proudly serves students of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds. Moreover, Texas Southern University is poised towards a greater tomorrow--its academic programs are designed to encourage and develop America's future model citizens. The fighting Tigers of TSU dominated defensively throughout the December 11th game against the Alabama State Hornets at Legion Field. With the final and, winning score of 11-6, the Tigers were able to rejoice in the reclamation of the SWAC Championship, the team's first since 1968--but this time it is theirs alone. Guided by Coach Cole, and led by Dejuan Fulghum, Defensive MVP of the Championship game, and Riko Smalls, Offensive MVP of the Championship game, the fighting Tigers were able to bring home the SWAC championship. Coach Johnnie Cole achieved many successes in his tenure at Texas Southern University. By transforming and revitalizing the Tigers' football team, he truly has brought football back to TSU. Coach Cole has had a long history with TSU, ever since he played on losing TSU football teams in the 1980s. Though, this year, Coach Cole turned a new leaf for TSU, by coaching an astoundingly successful and triumphant football team all the way to the SWAC championship. Since joining the football leadership team in 2008, Coach Cole has ignored the defeatist mentality and has a renewed focus on reigniting the school spirit for the TSU Fighting Tigers. This year, they finished the season on an eight game winning streak, and Cole bringing TSU the first Conference Championship since 1968 was ``icing on the cake.'' I would like to congratulate Coach Johnnie Cole on his recent award for the Southwestern Atlantic Conference's Coach of the Year; his success represents the future of TSU. It truly was a great combination--with Coach Johnnie Cole, athletic director Charles McClelland, a supportive and spirited student body, and finally a hardworking and motivated football team--that led the fighting Tigers to a great year of dignity, sportsmanship, and success. Madam Speaker, I would like to take a few moments to recognize the Most Valuable Players from the 2010 Southwestern Atlantic Conference Championship game. I believe that they exhibited the great athleticism and leadership that paved the way for the Tigers' Championship on December 11. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge Dejuan Fulghum, the SWAC's Defensive Player of the Year, and the Championship Game's Most Valuable Defensive Player. Dejuan Fulghum is a senior linebacker, who has had a tremendous career with the TSU Tigers. He led the Southwestern Atlantic Conference in sacks, with nine this year, and was third in tackles, with 91. Furthermore, he recorded an interception and two forced fumbles that led to the Football Championship Subdivision designating TSU as the number two defensive team. The Championship Game's Most Valuable Offensive Player, Riko Smalls, a sophomore quarterback, was called to the field on last Saturday, when senior quarterback Arvell Nelson was unable to play. Riko Smalls helped place TSU in the best position for winning the Championship, and rose to his role as a leader on the field. Riko Smalls' first start with the TSU Tigers, in arguably their most important game, demonstrates the growing capabilities of the Texas Southern Tigers and of the TSU coaching staff. The entire team was well prepared to succeed that day and I congratulate all the Texas Southern Tigers; and, I would like to commemorate the success of their football team, which can now claim the title of the best college football team in Houston. In representing the eighteenth district of Texas, I am proud to commemorate the fighting Tigers of TSU for their athletic success, and moreover, to commemorate the greater TSU community for their scholastic drive and dedication to becoming champions on and off the field.