Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I to pay tribute to a national treasure and icon who passed early this morning. I am speaking, of course, of the incomparable, irrepressible, and legendary Dorothy Irene Height. For more than half a century, Dorothy Height has played a leading role in the never-ending struggle for equality and human rights here at home and around the world. Her life exemplifies her passionate commitment for a just society and her vision of a better world. Dorothy Height was born in Richmond, Virginia March 24, 1912, and educated in the public schools of Rankin, Pennsylvania, a borough of Pittsburgh, where her family moved when she was four. She established herself early as a dedicated student with exceptional oratorical skills. After winning a $1,000 scholarship in a national oratorical contest on the United States Constitution, sponsored by the Fraternal Order of the Elks, and a compiling a distinguished academic record, she enrolled in New York University where she earned both her bachelor and master's degrees in just four years. She continued her postgraduate studies at Columbia University and the New York School of Social Work. In 1933, Dorothy Height joined the United Christian Youth Movement of North America where her leadership qualities earned her the trust and confidence of her peers. It was during this period that she began to emerge as an effective civil rights advocate as she worked to prevent lynching, desegregate the armed forces, reform the criminal justice system, and provide free access to public accommodations. In 1935, Dorothy Height was appointed by New York government officials to deal with the aftermath of the Harlem riot of 1935. As Vice President of the United Christian Youth Movement of North America, Dorothy Height was one of only ten American youth delegates to the 1937 World Conference on Life and Work of the Churches held in Oxford, England. Two years later she was selected to represent the YWCA at the World Conference of Christian Youth in Amsterdam, Holland. It was in 1937, while serving as Assistant Executive Director of the Harlem YWCA, that Dorothy Height met Mary McLeod Bethune, founder and president of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). Mrs. Bethune was immediately impressed with young Dorothy Height's poise and intelligence and invited her to join the NCNW and assist in the quest for women's rights to full and equal employment, pay and education. In 1938, Dorothy Height was one of ten young Americans invited by Eleanor Roosevelt to come to Hyde Park NY to help plan and prepare for the World Youth Conference to be held at Vassar College. For the next several years, Dorothy Height served in a dual role: as a YWCA staff member and NCNW volunteer, integrating her training as a social worker and her commitment to rise above the limitations of race and sex. She rose quickly through the ranks of the YWCA, from working at the Emma Ransom House in Harlem to the Executive Directorship of the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA in Washington, DC to the YWCA National headquarters office. For thirty-three years, from 1944 through 1977, Dorothy Height served on the staff of the National Board of the YWCA and held several leadership positions in public affairs and leadership training and as Director of the National YWCA School for Professional Workers. In 1965, she was named Director of the Center for Racial Justice, a position she held until her retirement. In 1952, Dorothy Height lived in India, where she worked as a visiting professor in the Delhi School of Social Work at the University of Delhi, which was founded by the YWCAs of India, Burma and Ceylon. She would become renowned for her internationalism and humanitarianism. She traveled around the world expanding the work of the YWCA. She conducted a well-received study of the training of women's organizations in five African countries: Liberia, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria under the Committee of Correspondence. Dorothy Height loved and led her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. She was elected National President of the sorority in 1947 and served in that capacity until 1956. She led the sorority to a new level of organizational development, initiation eligibility, and social action throughout her term. Her leadership training skills, social work background and knowledge of volunteerism benefited the sorority as it moved into a new era of activism on the national and international scene. In 1957, Dorothy Height was elected the fourth National President of NCNW and served in that position for 40 years, when she became Chair of the Board and President Emerita. In 1960, Dorothy Height was the woman team member leader in the United Civil Rights Leadership along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Whitney H. Young, A. Philip Randolph, James Farmer, Roy Wilkins and John Lewis. In 1961, while Dorothy Height was participating in major Civil Rights leadership, she led NCNW to deal with unmet needs among women and their families to combat hunger, develop cooperative pig banks, provided families with community freezers and showers. In 1964, after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, Dorothy Height with Polly Cowan, an NCNW Board Member, organized teams of women of different races and faith as ``Wednesdays in Mississippi'' to assist in the freedom schools and open communication between women of difference races. The workshops which followed stressed the need for decent housing which became the basis for NCNW in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop Turnkey III Home Ownership for low income families in Gulfport, Mississippi. In 1970, Dorothy Height directed the series of activities culminating in the YWCA Convention adopting as its ``One Imperative'' to the elimination of racism. That same year she also established the Women's Center for Education and Career Advancement in New York City to prepare women for entry level jobs. This experience led her in 1975 to collaborate with Pace College to establish a course of study leading to the Associate Degree for Professional Studies (AAPS). In 1975, Dorothy Height participated in the Tribunal at the International Women's Year Conference of the United Nations in Mexico City. As a result of this experience, NCNW was awarded a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to hold a conference within the conference for women from the United States, African countries, South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. This was followed with a site visit with 50 of the women to visit with rural women in Mississippi. Under the auspices of the USAID, Dorothy Height lectured in South Africa after addressing the National Convention of the Black Women's Federation of South Africa near Johannesburg (1977). Since 1986, she has worked tirelessly to strengthen the Black family. Madam Speaker, under the leadership of Dorothy Height: NCNW achieved tax-exempt status in 1966; NCNW dedicated the statue of Mary McLeod Bethune in Lincoln Park, Washington D.C. in 1974; the first woman to be so honored on public land in the Nation's Capital; Developed model national and community-based programs ranging from teen-age parenting to pig ``banks''--which addressed hunger in rural areas; Established the Bethune Museum and Archives for Black Women, the first institution devoted to black women's history; Established the Bethune Council House as a national historic site; Transformed NCNW into an issue-oriented political organization, sponsoring ``Wednesdays in Mississippi'' when interracial groups of women would help out at Freedom Schools; organizing voter registration drives in the South; and fostering communications between black and white women. Established the Black Family Reunion Celebration in 1986 to reinforce the historic strengths and traditional values of the Black family. Among the major awards bestowed upon Dorothy Irene Height in gratitude and appreciation for her service to our nation and the world are the following: Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by President Bill Clinton; Congressional Gold Medal presented by President George W. Bush; John F. Kennedy Memorial Award; NAACP--Spingarn Medal; Hadassah Myrtle Wreath of Achievement; Ministerial Interfaith Association Award; Ladies Home Journal--Woman of the Year; Congressional Black Caucus--Decades of Service; President Ronald Reagan--Citizens Medal; Franklin Roosevelt--Freedom Medal Essence Award; and The Camille Cosby World of Children Award. Dorothy Height was also elected to the National Women's Hall of Fame and is the recipient of thirty-six honorary degrees from colleges and universities as diverse as: Tuskegee University, Harvard University, Spelman College, Princeton University, Bennett College, Pace University, Lincoln University, Columbia University, Howard University, New York University, Morehouse College, and Meharry Medical College. Madam Speaker, Dorothy Height has witnessed or participated in virtually every major movement for social and political change in the last century. For nearly 75 years, Dorothy Height has fought for the equality and human rights of all people. She was the only female member of the ``Big 6'' civil rights leaders (Whitney Young, Jr., A. Philip Randolph, Martin Luther King, Jr., James Farmer, and Roy Wilkins). Her vision and dedication made NCNW the premier organization in advocating for the health, education and economic empowerment for all women of African descent around the world. Thank you, Dorothy Height, for your service to our nation. You have made America a better place for all persons of all races, religions, nd backgrounds. You have mentored hundreds, been a role model to thousands, and a hero to millions. You are an American original. I am glad to count you as a friend.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today a giant of a human being, a light at the end of the tunnel, a calm voice in the midst of a storm, but yet a woman who could create a storm around the issues of freedom and justice, passed away from this world and from our hearts. Dr. Dorothy Irene Height died today. And I want to join with my colleagues and, as well, the Honorable Diane Watson, who will have a special hour in tribute to Dr. Height tonight, but I wanted to take the time to make sure that every aspect of our Record today reflected on her loss. We have lost, of course, Dr. Benjamin Hooks, who we have paid tribute to today as well. But in this life, there are few giants who reach down to talk to those who are still learning. Dr. Dorothy Height was that woman. She was the only woman that was present at the 1963 historic and powerful March on Washington. She stayed steadfast in her meetings with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and of course she was successor to the National Council of Negro Women. The only building on Pennsylvania Avenue owned by African Americans, and in this instance African American women, is the Office of the National Council headed by Dr. Dorothy Height; a historic presence on Pennsylvania Avenue just a few blocks away from the White House. What a statement of power. This afternoon as I landed here in Washington, I went to that building to pay respects. I just simply had to be in her presence in this building, to be able to see her pictures and her face and to see and hear those who were gathering to be able to honor her. The whole plaza is part of that building. And as I walked in, I heard the story that a homeless person came in the building to provide some flowers to say ``thank you'' to Dr. Height for taking care of them, the men and women that surrounded her building tragically who are homeless, but yet they knew of this giant of a woman who cared enough to let it be known that they were human beings. For 33 years from 1944 through 1977, Dorothy Height served on the staff of the national board of the YWCA, and of course she continued her service through the National Council of Negro Women. I'm proud to be in the chapter, the Dorothy Height Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women in Houston, Texas. In 1952, Dorothy Height lived in India, an African American women. She was at the Delhi School of Social Work. And of course, through her work with the YWCA, she worked in India and Burma and Ceylon. Dorothy Height was subsequently elected the fourth national president of the National Council of Negro Women. In 1960, Dr. Height was a woman team member, leader in the united civil rights leadership along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Whitney H. Young, A. Philip Randolph, James Farmer, Roy Wilkins, and John Lewis, our colleague. But remember what I said, the only woman. What I've come to know of Dr. Height as a Member of Congress and before is that she is a woman that can speak in a resonating fashion. At the drop of a hat, you can turn to her and say, Dr. Height, will you give us some remarks? And when she finishes, you feel like you can fly like the eagles fly. She has given you words that will capture your heart and your spirit, and you say, I will be a fighter for justice. A distinguished woman, a hat-wearing woman, but one thing about Dr. Height, she was a woman of dignity, but she never ran away from a fight for justice. And she knew how to be an agitator and a protester, but she knew also how to be loving. So the many things that we can attribute to her include her work in the International Tribunal of the International Women's Year. Mr. Speaker, she's won so many awards, but I wanted to come to this floor tonight to be able to say, Dr. Height, there will be many more words that will come on your passing, but all I can say tonight is we love you and may you rest in peace.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Senate Amendment to H.R. 4851, the Continuing Extension Act, to extend a range of programs. On March 17, the House passed H.R. 4851, emergency legislation that would extend a range of programs that unfortunately expired. These programs included: unemployment benefits; help with health insurance for the unemployed, COBRA; the highway bill; satellite TV; delay in the cut in Medicare physician payments; flood insurance; and small business loan guarantees. We passed this emergency legislation in the House, but Republican Senator Jim Bunning single-handedly blocked passage of this emergency measure, despite the critical needs of millions of families across the United States during this economic downturn. As a result, a 2-day shutdown of these programs that jeopardized unemployment benefits for more than 1 million Americans and furloughed thousands of highway and transit workers. This bill compensates Transportation Department employees who were furloughed during the lapse in the Federal highway, highway and motor carrier safety, and public transit programs. Unfortunately, Republican Senator Coburn has now put a hold on H.R. 4786, which passed the House by voice vote last week, to address this problem for transportation workers. The following programs are now being extended: Unemployment Insurance: Extends unemployment benefits, including the increased payouts and longer duration of benefits from the Recovery Act through May 5. Help with Health Insurance for Unemployed Workers, COBRA: Extends eligibility for the COBRA health insurance 65 percent subsidy for people who have lost their jobs through April 30. Medicare Physician Payments: Extends current Medicare payment rates for physicians, preventing a 21 percent payment reduction, through April 30, 2010. Flood Insurance: Extends the National Flood Insurance Program authorization through April 30. Satellite Television: Extends the compulsory copyright license used by satellite television providers through April 30, 2010. Compensation for Furloughed Employees: Provides compensation for federal employees furloughed during March 1 and 2 as the result of the lapse in expenditure authority from the Highway Trust Fund. Medicare Therapy Caps Exceptions: Extends exceptions process for beneficiary payment limits on outpatient therapy services through April 30, 2010. Poverty Guidelines: Extends current provision maintaining 2009 poverty guidelines through April 30, 2010, to prevent a lowering of the poverty line due to deflation in 2009. This bill is the right thing to do. We still need to do more to put jobs in the hands of Americans. Unemployment in the Houston-Sugar Land- Baytown region climbed to 5.4 percent in October, according to a recent report from the Texas Workforce Commission. There were 152,300 people without jobs during the month out of a total civilian labor force of about 2.8 million, compared with 144,200 people, or 5.1 percent, unemployed out of a civilian labor force of 2.8 million in September, according to the TWC. The unemployment rate in October was up from 4 percent a year ago. Getting all Americans back to work is, and should be our number one priority. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to join my colleagues in doing the right thing for the American people in these challenging economic times. We owe that to the people whom we are sent here to serve.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is not often that you come to the floor of the House with joy and with sadness. And it is with both that I stand to honor a fallen friend, Lenora ``Doll'' Carter, a champion of a woman, and of course someone who led in our community. Doll Carter was the publisher of the Forward Times newspaper in Houston, Texas. She and her husband Julius founded that newspaper in 1960, reporting on all of the civil rights matters, the assassination of Dr. King, the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and 1965 Voting Rights Act. And then his untimely death in 1971 caused this young woman and young mother, the mother of Karen and Constance, to take up the helm of this great paper. This paper became the third most read newspaper in the southwest after two of our major papers in Houston, and this lady became the doll of all of us. Her name clearly was a name that we favored. Lenora ``Doll'' Carter was born in Arizona. But as her good friend John Smith said, Doll was not only a friend toward the advancement of African American achievement, overall she personified distinctive grace, character, and style as a champion for the common good. She was also my friend. She passed away this past Saturday. We honor her, we salute her. She is a great hero of America. Doll, we will miss you. May you rest in peace.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1206, ``Remembering the victims of the attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and supporting the goals and ideals of the National Week of Hope.'' Let me begin by thanking my colleague Representative Mary Fallin for introducing this important piece of legislation into the House of Representatives as it is important that we always remember the men, women and children who lost their lives in the tragic bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal Building. I would also like to recognize Congresswoman Fallin for her bravery and leadership in the aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Just four months after taking her initial oath of office as Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, Representative Fallin was faced with this horrible attack. Through her courage and dedication to the people of Oklahoma however, Representative Fallin successfully worked toward the recovery and reconstruction of ground-zero and also formed a task force to rebuild the childcare center lost in the disaster. In one of the most shocking and horrifying terrorist attacks ever directed against the United States homeland, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was bombed by homegrown terrorist Timothy McVeigh, leading to the deaths of over one-hundred citizens and Federal employees. Timothy McVeigh detonated his homemade bomb in front of the Federal building on the morning of April 19, 1995, just as employees and citizens were arriving at work for the day. The large explosion took the lives of 168 people and injured more than 850 others in the area around ground-zero. I deplore in the strongest terms possible this cowardly act of terrorism against the men, women and children in a Federal building. This type of senseless violence is not welcome in our democratic society and we must work to see that this type of action is never allowed to take place again. I would especially like to recognize the fine men and women of the police, fire department and other first responders who provided immediate assistance in the aftermath of the bombing. Because of their courageous actions that day, many lives were able to be saved. As the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure protection I have consistently worked towards increasing the security in and around Federal buildings most notably through my sponsorship of H.R. 3225. I introduced H.R. 3225 right after 9/11 and pushed for the implementation of a uniform Federal alert standard that would go into effect in the event of an emergency or threat against a Federal or private facility. We must always ensure that the safety of the American people remains our top priority. Furthermore it is vitally important that we continue to work together to protect Federal infrastructure from future attack. Through the passage of this bill, we will help to ensure that the horrible bombing on the Oklahoma City Federal building, and those lost in the attack are never forgotten. We will also ensure that a strong emphasis is put on the protection of Federal infrastructure across the nation and across the globe. I would like to again thank my colleague Representative Mary Fallin for introducing H. Res. 1206. I ask my colleagues for their support of this legislation as well as their continued support for the families of those lost in the Oklahoma City Bombing and other acts of terrorism. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Res. 1206.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today in support of H. Res. 1222, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Library Week. I would like to thank my colleague, Rep. Vernon Ehlers, for introducing this resolution. I support this legislation because on National Library Week, April 11th through the 17th, communities across the U.S. will recognize the contributions made by all library workers including librarians, support staff, and others who make library services possible. It also promotes increased public awareness of the significant contributions made by libraries to further the academic achievement and lifelong learning of our students. In addition National Library Week strengthens a belief in the value of libraries and positions librarianship as a desirable career opportunity. This year's theme, ``Communities thrive at your library,'' illustrates how the library is at the root of a thriving community, reminding individuals and informing others that the library is the place where people of all backgrounds learn and grow together. America's libraries and their workers remain valuable community assets during tough economic times. Also, with more businesses requiring online job applications, job-seeking resources are among the most critical and popular resources available in U.S. public libraries. Libraries provide not only the hardware and software applications, but they also offer skilled librarians who help teach people how to use the Internet and find the information they need quickly. As the wave of technology has changed the way we receive and transmit information, the Nation's libraries and their staffs have met those changes head on! I would also like to take this time to emphasize the need for pay equity for library workers, even in this economy. Women librarian salaries continue to be lower than male library employees. The wage gap for the Nation remains with women earning 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. Library employees also continue to receive lower salaries in comparison with traditionally male occupations with comparable education requirements and job responsibilities. In recognizing the valuable contributions to our Nation and citizens across this country, from libraries, we must not forget the hardworking individuals who provide such services. Such services will enable us to educate our citizens and bring them into the era of technology. This week will also bring to light the need to adequately compensate the staffers which provide these services.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to give tribute and congratulate Sisters Network, a national organization of African American women who have come together to stamp out breast cancer. Proudly, they will hold their first walk against breast cancer and seeking a cure this April 10, 2010, in Houston, Texas. They will be holding their national convention. Karen Jackson is their president and a survivor. I have had the pleasure of speaking to these wonderful women who go and reach out to others to help them secure an opportunity for preventative care. I am glad we have just recently passed a health care bill that will provide mammograms and preventative care for women so that we can stop this horrible disease. And the only way we can do it is to be preventative, to have testing, and to ensure that you are seeing a doctor. We will be walking to save lives on April 10, but this health care bill will be a partner in saving lives and helping these women who suffer. Now they will have a reason to know that there is hope.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have good news, and I thank the gentlewoman from New York. While my colleagues are talking about process, which has been approved by our Parliamentarians, and while profanity reigns on our phones, we are saving lives: 45,000 who have died every year because they have not had insurance. No doctors' offices have closed. The hospitals are open. And the attorney generals are filing frivolous lawsuits, because if they would look at what the bill stands for and the present bill, they will know that the seniors' doughnut hole will be closed, that the special deals have been taken out, that community health centers that will allow you to come out of your house, walk down the street, and go to a physician's office is expanded by $11 billion. They will understand that Medicaid has been expanded and right now individuals, 133 percent or 400 percent of poverty, can actually go and see a doctor. Maybe the mother who has insurance that only covers the emergency rooms can now get her children preventative care. Vote for this reconciliation bill to save lives.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as we reflect on the last 24 hours of the passage of this historic health care bill, more and more constituents are calling in recognizing that some aspect of this bill impacts them in a positive light. I said one time before that when we did the Medicare bill in 1965, that bill was the start of revising and refinement of that legislation. I am glad today that we can say 45 million Americans have lived because of Medicare, and my mother, Ivalita Jackson, who I mentioned during the debate, lives because of the Medicare support system. That is why I am so disappointed that Greg Abbott, attorney general from the State of Texas, the State with the most uninsured persons, decided to file such a lawsuit that has no bearing in the Constitution and cannot make any point that this bill will not help Texas and save millions of dollars. In addition, there are thousands of veterans that are not in TRICARE who will benefit from this health care system. We will fight that lawsuit because it is against the people of Texas.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained at the State Department at a meeting, and I would like to register my vote for the Democratic motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair. If I had been present, I would have voted ``aye'' and for passage of H.R. 4899, the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010 that will impact the constituents in my district in creating more jobs, I would have enthusiastically voted ``aye.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4592, ``To provide for the establishment of a pilot program to encourage the employment of veterans in energy-related positions,'' a bill sponsored by my colleague Congressman Teague from New Mexico. H.R. 4592 increases job opportunities increase job opportunities for veterans by reimbursing employers for the cost of providing on-the job training for veterans in the energy sector through a new ``Veterans Energy Related Employment Program'' of competitive grants. We have an obligation to ensure that our veterans can continue to use their expertise and talents that they have so ably used in serving this great nation. We can do this by showing our appreciation of the service of veterans and actively provide opportunities for them to work. These veterans have given great contributions and made incredible personal sacrifices so that all of us in this country might live in a safe and secure nation and world. It is time that we pay up and stand up for our heroes. For, what is the price of freedom? As President Kennedy once said, `The price of freedom is high, but Americans have always paid it.' And no one has paid a higher price than the brave men and women through the years who gave the last full measure of devotion to their country. Whether it is the ultimate sacrifice of life or the loss of limb or the loss of time with family and friends, we owe our veterans an enormous outstanding debt of gratitude. From Bunker Hill to Yorktown, from Washington, D.C. to the Battle of New Orleans, from Bull Run to Gettysburg and Antietam to Appamattox, brave Americans gave their lives so that the nation might live. And from Alsace Lorain to Verdun, and Normandy to Berlin and Pearl Harbor to Okinawa, from Inchon and Correigador to Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq, Americans have nobly sacrificed their lives so that the world may live in freedom. The debt of gratitude we owe to the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who answered their nation's call and made supreme sacrifices can never be repaid. But the nation can follow President Lincoln's admonition to `care for him who has borne the battle, and for his [family].' Indeed, it is the least we can do. It is out of my profound respect and gratitude for all who wear and have worn the uniform of the United States that I continue to work so hard to pass legislation that will ensure that veterans receive the health care, job opportunities, housing assistance, and educational benefits they deserve. Caring for our veterans also means giving them our support when they need it. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4592.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3976, ``Helping Heroes Keep their Homes Act of 2009,'' a bill that will prevent mortgage lenders from foreclosing on a veteran's home after their service. Strengthening comprehensive programs by investing in our veterans, requiring housing counselors to grant more housing opportunities at each Veteran Affairs centers is the right thing to do. It is my distinct honor to stand here today to support a bill that will allow us to show our appreciation to our veterans who are in danger of losing their homes and possibly becoming homeless. I really find it unacceptable that an estimated 131,000 veterans are homeless on any given night after honorably serving their country. We are doing our veterans a great disservice. We owe our veterans the utmost respect, appreciation, and definitely a home to come home to after serving as a member of our Armed Forces. In these challenging economic times, we must do more to provide for our veterans basic needs. H.R. 3976 shows that all Americans take pride in our veterans service to this Nation, and just as the military doesn't believe in leaving a soldier behind on the battlefield, I believe that I speak for all Americans that we don't believe in leaving our veterans behind . . . we must help them push forward. In these challenging economic times, with returning veterans experiencing unemployment rates in the double digits, we must do more to provide for our veterans' basic needs. This legislation shows that the U.S. is grateful for our veterans' service. Just as the military pledges to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield, this Nation will leave no veteran behind when they come home. This bill will allow us to show our appreciation and honor the service of veterans who have served this country and who now look to us to serve their needs. Madam Speaker, these veterans have given great contributions and made incredible personal sacrifices so that all of us in this country might live in a safe and secure nation and world. Ensuring that our veterans are safeguarded from losing their homes is a small step towards repaying the insurmountable debt that all of us owe to all veterans. We must do everything possible to let our veterans know how much we value their service. We would be irresponsible and ungrateful if we acted otherwise. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3976.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res 80, ``Recognizing and Honoring the blinded veterans association on its 65th anniversary of representing blinded veterans and their families,'' a bill sponsored by my colleague from Illinois, Congresswoman Halvorson. H.J. Res. 80 will honor those who have sacrificed greatly for this nation and have lost their eyesight in the process. These veterans have given great contributions and made incredible personal sacrifices so that all of us in this country might live in a safe and secure nation and world. When we pay tribute to the service of our brave veterans, we acknowledge the great debt that this Nation owes them. Because I realize that our veterans deserve our very best, I introduced H.R. 1240, the Vision Impairment Specialist Training Act (VISTA), passed into law as part of larger bill. The provisions of VISTA help our nation's blind and low-vision veterans by establishing a scholarship program for students seeking training in blind rehabilitation. There are more than 160,000 legally blind veterans in the United States, but approximately 35,000 are currently enrolled in Veterans Health Administration. Members of the armed forces are important to our nation and we show them our appreciation by taking care of them when they no longer can serve. Caring for our veterans also means giving them our time. I have had the honor of visiting with some of our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. Many of these soldiers were recovering from some of the most horrific wounds imaginable. But what made the most indelible impression on me was that to a man and woman, there was no self-pity or anger at their fate. Instead of anger or sorrow there was only concern for their fellow soldiers and pride in the certain knowledge that they had fought valiantly on behalf of a country they loved. There is no reason that any of our veterans should not receive the highest care from all of us in this country. I hope all Americans take the time to visit their local VA hospital and thank the wounded for their service to our country.'' We must do everything possible to let our veterans know how much we value their service. We all know that no one has paid a higher price than the brave men and women through the years who gave the last full measure of devotion to their country. Whether it is the ultimate sacrifice of life or the loss of limb or the loss of time with family and friends, we owe our veterans an enormous outstanding debt of gratitude. So, let us celebrate and recognize our blinded veterans during the 65th anniversary of the Blinded Veterans Association. It is out of my profound respect and gratitude for all who wear and have worn the uniform of the United States that I continue to work so hard to pass legislation that will ensure that veterans receive the health care, job opportunities, housing assistance, and educational benefits they deserve. Caring for our veterans also means giving them our support when they need it. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.J. 80.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, over the last 2 days, human beings who happened to be Members of Congress have been called the N word, have been spat on. Just recently, someone asked me why my braids were so tight. But I know there is a better way, and I know that because members of the Congressional Black Caucus worshipped this morning at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and Pastor Smith said to us to call upon healing the land. We'll be able to heal the land by voting this evening on a health care bill that will help those who cannot help themselves, those single mothers, those people with preexisting disease. I have the dishonor of being a Member of Congress representing the State of Texas that has the highest number of uninsured. And so today, there will be no shame in my vote, because I will vote for those Texans who are not here and cannot speak for themselves and are suffering with no health care. And seniors will have a stronger Medicare, and 95 percent of Americans will be able to be insured. This is a day that courage will be the call of the day.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. In the name of my mother, Ivalita Jackson, I affirmatively support this bill for all of America. Mr. Speaker, I have the great honor and privilege to rise in strong support of H.R. 4872, ``The Health Care & Education Affordability Act of 2010,'' a bill that will make health care affordable for the middle class, provide security for seniors, and guarantee access to health insurance coverage for the uninsured--while responsibly reducing the federal deficit over the next decade and beyond. I would like to thank President Obama and the leadership in the House and Senate for guiding us through this journey. Mr. Speaker, when I stand here today and reflect upon what we are about to embark upon, I cannot help but think of some of the last words that the Great Senator Edward Kennedy shared in his letter to President Obama. The Senator said, ``And so because of your (Obama's) vision and resolve, I came to believe that soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family's health will never again depend on the amount of a family's wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will--yes, we will--fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege. Well, Senator, your life's work shall today be proven to not be in vain. Though it has been a long journey to get to this place and many have suggested that we need to start over and wait until some other time in the future to address the health care crisis. In the words of the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that ``we have also come to this hollowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now.'' We cannot wait. We will not wait any longer to provide the citizens of this great Nation access to affordable, quality health care. Today when we pass this bill, it will be a historic day not only for tens of millions of uninsured Americans, but also for our great Nation. As Speaker Pelosi has reiterated, we as Members of Congress, are ``humbled to stand here at a time when we can associate ourselves with the work of those who passed Social Security, those who passed Medicare, and now we will pass health care reform.'' Many parallels exist between that time in history and today. Throughout this journey, we have listened to a parade of Republicans warn that this bill will bring the downfall of American society, of the American way of life. This, however, is not the first time that the Republicans have been on the wrong side of history. In an interview in 1975, David L. Kopelman, who played a prominent role in the early administration of the Medicare Program, remarked that his colleagues were often criticized by Republicans. ``Communist,'' he recalled, ``was the designation all too liberally applied to anyone with a progressive idea. Well, after all, when we went around making contact with employers in those early years that was the designation not delicately applied by many, if not most of them, to the social security program. It must be some communist scheme foisted on the American people.'' Alf Landon, the Republican candidate for President in 1936, even campaigned on the fact that not a dollar in social security benefits would ever be paid. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, such ad hominem attacks are as prevalent as ever. The Republicans want you to believe that our country is descending into an abyss of socialism, but nothing could be further from the truth. Today, I am proud to support a bill that is distinctly American. We the people, Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence are endowed ``with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed . . .'' I believe that it is no coincidence that life is listed first--for without it, the Founders realized, no other rights can be realized. Over many years, the millions of Americans who could not access medical services were denied their right to life--a life with access to quality and affordable health care. Let me set the record straight, this bill is good for the American people and will go a long way to ensuring access to quality and affordable care to those millions of Americans who for far too long have been left out of the health care equation. This health insurance reform legislation (the Senate bill as improved by the Reconciliation Bill) that the House is considering today will not only ensure that Americans have access to quality, affordable health care, but will also significantly reduce long term health care costs. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has determined that it will provide coverage to 32 million more people, or more than 95% percent of Americans, while lowering health care costs over the long term. This historic legislation will reduce the deficit by $138 billion over the next ten years, with $1.2 trillion in additional deficit reduction in the following 10 years In the words of the great President John F. Kennedy, ``the voters selected us, in short, because they had confidence in our judgment and our ability to exercise that judgment from a position where we could determine what were their own best interest, as a part of the nation's interest.'' Mr. Speaker, while my colleagues on the other side of the aisle claim that this bill will harm Americans, nothing could be further from the truth. This bill will: Make health insurance affordable for middle class and small businesses--including the largest middle class tax cuts for health care in history--reducing premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Strengthen consumer protections and rein in insurance company abuses. Give millions of Americans the same types of private insurance choices that members of Congress will have--through a new competitive health insurance market that keeps costs down. Hold insurance companies accountable to keep premiums down and prevent denials of care and coverage, including for pre-existing conditions. Improve Medicare benefits with lower prescription drug costs for those in the ``donut hole''; it also provides better chronic care, free preventive care, and nearly a decade more of solvency for Medicare. As President Obama says, ``we must act now'' and put American families and small businesses, not health insurance companies, in control of their own health care. This bill will do exactly that. Many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle claim that we are passing a bill that nobody really knows what is in it. Well, Mr. Speaker, let me just take a minute to list a few things that are in the bill. The bill provides quality, affordable health care for all Americans that: a Bars insurance companies from discriminating based on pre-existing conditions, health status, and gender. Provides Americans with better coverage and the information they need to make informed decisions about their health insurance. Creates health insurance exchanges--competitive marketplaces where individuals and small business can buy affordable health care coverage in a manner similar to that of big businesses today. Offers premium tax credits and cost-sharing assistance to low and middle income Americans, providing families and small businesses with the largest tax cut for health care in history. Insures access to immediate relief for uninsured Americans with pre- existing conditions on the brink of medical bankruptcy. Creates a reinsurance program in support of employers who offer retirees age 55-64 health coverage. Invests substantially in community health centers to expand access to health care in communities where it is needed most. Empowers the Department of Health and Human Services and state insurance commissioners to conduct annual reviews of new plans demanding unjustified, egregious premium increases. Expands eligibility for Medicaid to include all non-elderly Americans with income below 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Replaces the so-called ``Cornhusker'' deal with fair assistance for all states to help cover the costs of these new Medicaid populations. Maintains current funding levels for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for an additional two years, through fiscal year 2015. Increases payments to primary care doctors in Medicaid. The bill improves medicare by: Adding at least nine years to the solvency of the Medicare Hospital Insurance trust fund; Filling the Medicare prescription drug donut hole. In 2010, Medicare beneficiaries who go into the donut hole will receive a $250 rebate. After that they will receive a pharmaceutical manufacturers' 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs, increasing to a 75% discount on brand- name and generic drugs to close the donut hole by 2020; Providing new, free annual wellness visits, and eliminates out-of- pocket copayments for preventive benefits under Medicare, such as cancer and diabetes screenings; Providing better chronic care, with doctors collaborating to provide patient-centered care for the 80 percent of older Americans who have at least one chronic medical condition like high blood pressure or diabetes; Improving Medicare payments for primary care which will protect access to these vital services; Reduces overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare currently overpays private plans by an average of 14 percent. This legislation reins in those overpayments to ensure a fair payment system that rewards quality; Encouraging reimbursing health care providers on the basis of value, not volume. The bill includes a number of proposals to move away from the ``a la carte'' Medicare fee-for-service system toward paying for quality and value while reducing costs for America's seniors. The bill prevents chronic disease and improves public health that promotes preventive health care at all ages and improves public health activities that help Americans live healthy lives and retrain the growth of health care costs over time. The legislation eliminates cost- sharing for recommended preventive care, provides individuals with the information they need to make healthy decisions, improves education on disease prevention and public health, and invests in a national prevention and public health strategy. The bill improves health care workforce by making key investments in training doctors and nurses and other health care providers. Currently, 65 million Americans live in communities where they cannot easily access a primary care provider. An additional 16,500 practitioners are required to meet their needs. The legislation addresses shortages in primary care and other areas of practice by making necessary investments in our Nation's health care workforce. Specifically, it will invest in scholarship and loan repayment programs through the National Health Service Corps to expand the health care workforce. The bill also includes incentives for primary care practitioners and for providers to practice in underserved areas. The bill provides for transparency and program integrity by providing consumers with information about physician ownership of hospitals and medical equipment companies, as well as nursing home ownership and other characteristics. The bill also includes provisions that will crack down on fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP and private insurance. It establishes a private, non-profit entity to identify priorities in patient-centered outcomes research that will provide doctors with information on how to best treat patients and end wasteful overspending. This bill also improves access to innovative medical therapies and establishes a regulatory pathway for FDA approval of biosimilar versions of previously licensed biological products. The bill also provides community living assistance services and support that makes long-term support and services more affordable for millions of Americans by providing a lifetime cash benefit that will help people with severe disabilities remain in their homes and communities. CLASS is a voluntary, self- funded, insurance program provided through the workplace. For those whose employers participate, affordable premiums will be paid through payroll deductions. Participation by workers is entirely voluntary. The Congressional Budget Office confirms that the program, which has been revised from earlier versions, is actuarially sound. The bill provides revenue provisions that: Reduce the deficit in the next ten years and beyond. The bill is fully paid for with revenue provisions that focus on paying for reform within the health care system. Tighten current health tax incentives, collect industry fees, institute modest excise taxes, and slightly increase the Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI) tax for individuals who earn more than $200,000 and couples who earn more than $250,000. The taxable base of the HI tax is also broadened by including net investment income. The HI tax increases will not only help fund health care reform, but, when combined with other provisions in the bill, will also extend the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund by at least nine years to 2026. Include a fee on insurance companies that sell high cost health insurance plans. The fee is designed to generate smarter, more cost- effective health coverage choices. The reconciliation bill delays this new fee until 2018 so that plans have time to implement reform and begin to save from its efficiencies. Change health care tax incentives by increasing penalties on nonqualified distributions from HSAs, capping FSA contributions, and standardizing the definition of qualified medical expenses. The industry fees and excise taxes reflect responsible contributions from health care stakeholders who will benefit from the expanded coverage of millions of additional Americans under health care reform. The bill also assesses a small excise tax on indoor tanning services. In total, the revenue provisions in the bill represent a balanced, responsible package of proposals that bend the health care cost curve by putting downward pressure on health spending, close unintended tax loopholes, and promote tax compliance. Mr. Speaker, who among us can say with sincerity that the quality of one's life, which certainly includes one's health, is not heavily dependent upon the access to quality, affordable health care. According to the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, there is a ``consistent and statistically significant relationship between health insurance coverage and health outcomes for adults. These factors, in turn, improve the likelihood of disease screening and early detection, the management of chronic illness, and the treatment of acute conditions . . . .'' Recently, a study published in the American Journal of Public Health by researchers at Harvard University Medical School concluded that nearly 45,000 excess deaths of Americans can be linked each year to lack of health insurance. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 27 million Americans live without health insurance, and an additional 1.1 million part-time workers lost their health insurance in 2008. Implementing this legislation will instantly improve the life expectancy of millions of Americans of all ages. It is impossible to put a price on that. When we talk about the right to healthcare, we are actually talking about the right to life--a life that includes access to quality health care. The bill contributes to reducing health disparities. Minority communities are particularly vulnerable to being left uninsured and underinsured. In our current system, most people do not choose to be uninsured but, instead, are priced out of insurance. These people cannot, as free market proponents often argue, ``Pull themselves up by their bootstraps.'' Instead, they and their families are too often cyclically and systemically trapped in their economic situation. As a result, minority communities suffer grave health disparities that would otherwise be limited but for lack of access to affordable and quality care. According to a 2003 National Health Disparities Report released by the Agency for Research Quality and Care: Minorities are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer and colorectal cancer compared with whites. Patients of lower socioeconomic position are less likely to receive recommended diabetic services and more likely to be hospitalized for diabetes and its complications. When hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction, Hispanics are less likely to receive optimal care. Many racial and ethnic minorities and persons of lower socioeconomic position are more likely to die from HIV. Minorities also account for a disproportionate share of new AIDS cases. The use of physical restraints in nursing homes is higher among Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders compared with non-Hispanic whites. Blacks and poorer patients have higher rates of avoidable hospital admissions (i.e., hospitalizations for health conditions that, in the presence of comprehensive primary care, rarely require hospitalization). This historic bill is particularly important for minorities and women--who have gone without health care coverage for too long. In 2007, only 49 percent of African-Americans in comparison to 66 percent of non-Hispanic whites used employer-sponsored health insurance, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. During the same year, 19.5 percent of African-Americans in comparison to 10.4 percent of non-Hispanic whites were uninsured. Hispanics have the highest uninsured rates of any racial or ethnic group within the United States. In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that private insurance coverage among Hispanic subgroups varied as follows: 39.1 percent of Mexicans, 47.3 percent of Puerto Ricans, 57.9 percent of Cubans, and 45.1 percent of other Hispanic and Latino groups. Health care reform also is critical to ensure that women have access to affordable health care coverage. An estimated 64 million women do not have adequate health insurance coverage. About 1.7 million women have lost their health insurance coverage since the beginning of the economic downturn. Nearly two-thirds lost coverage because of their spouse's job loss. And nearly 39 percent of all low-income women lack health insurance coverage. Women also are more likely to deplete their savings accounts paying medical bills than men because they are more likely to be poor. This bill gives women access to the health care that they need and deserve. Passage of this bill will be a critical first step in helping to reduce such health disparities. This bill will: 1. Lower costs for minority families and preventive care for better health. Racial and ethnic minorities are often less likely to receive preventive care. Vietnamese women, for example, are half as likely to receive a pap smear, and twice as likely to die from cervical cancer as are Whites. Obesity rates are also high among certain minority groups. By ensuring all Americans have access to preventive care and by investing in public health, health insurance reform will work to create a system that prevents illness and disease instead of just treating it when it's too late and costs more. 2. Provide greater choices and more affordable choices and competition. African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians are all more likely to need a referral in order to see a specialist and they are less likely to get coverage for seeing a doctor outside of the insurance network. Health insurance reform will create a health insurance exchange so you can compare prices and health plans and decide which quality affordable option is right for you and your family. It will include a competitive public option that increases choices and holds private insurers accountable. 3. Allow for quality, affordable health care for minorities and eliminates discrimination in obtaining health insurance. Health insurance reform will prevent any insurance company from denying coverage based on a person's medical history, including genetic discrimination which can disproportionately hurt minority populations. 4. Make health care accessible to everyone. African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans are roughly twice as likely to be uninsured as the rest of the population. By providing health insurance choices to all Americans and providing premium assistance to make it affordable, health insurance reform will significantly reduce disparities in accessing high-quality health care. 5. Control chronic disease. Nearly half of African Americans suffer from a chronic disease, compared with 40 percent of the general population. Chronic illness is growing in other minority communities as well. Health insurance reform includes a number of programs to prevent and control chronic disease, including incentives to provide medical homes and chronic disease management pilots in Medicare. 6. Promote primary care. By providing health insurance choices through a health insurance exchange and investing in the primary care workforce (including scholarships and grants to increase diversity in health professions), health reform will make sure that all Americans have access to a primary care doctor so they stay healthier, longer. It will also strengthen the system of safety-net hospitals and community health centers to ensure high-quality, accessible care. Health reform legislation will require any health care program to report on race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status in order to better understand health disparities, and devote funding to addressing these issues. The uninsured in Texas. The people of my home state of Texas, in particular, with 6 million uninsured persons, and 26 percent uninsured in my district, the 18th Congressional District, have been hit especially hard when it comes to lack of access to quality, affordable care. And just what causes such a massive loss of health care coverage? Job layoffs are partially to blame especially in the face of the economic downturn. Yet, we know that the uninsured problems existed way before the devastating recession. Many Americans continue to be forced from their health care plans due to decisions by insurance companies to put profits over people. Policy cancellations rather than paying for expensive yet necessary medical treatment is just one of the many techniques used by large insurance companies to rack up huge profits annually. According to the latest figures analyzing the profits of health insurance companies, 10 of the country's largest publicly traded health insurance companies enjoyed a rise in profits of 428 percent, from 2000 to 2007. From filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, it was revealed that in 2007, these insurance companies alone generated $12.9 billion in profit. That same year, the chief executive officers at these companies collected combined total compensation packages of $118.6 million--an average of $11.9 million each. That is 468 times more than what an average American worker made that year. Since 2007, there has been a 10 percent increase in the uninsured rate in Texas alone. Today, 6,240,000 Texans are without even basic health insurance. And this broken health insurance system has cost the Texas economy dearly. This year, Texas lost $30 billion in productivity as a result of its millions of uninsured residents. Those in our state who are blessed to have insurance coverage have in some ways been losers as well. Specifically, the average Texan family pays insurance premiums of over $1000 a month. This figure is set to nearly double to $1920.75 per month by 2019, that is, unless we succeed in passing health care reform legislation. Today, when we pass this bill, the people of Texas and all over this nation become winners. We know that many of our colleagues in this body do not want to reform the health care system and are on the side of the big insurance companies. We choose to stand on the side of the Americans who need our help. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said it best when he said, ``the test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have little.'' While the state-wide numbers are shocking, on the local level, the health care figures are even worse. The 18th Congressional District and the rest of Houston, account for 1.1 million of the state's uninsured residents. Nationally, more than 15 percent are uninsured. In Texas it's nearly 24 percent. Here in Harris County, it's 30 percent, according to state figures, the highest rate among the nation's top 10 metropolitan areas. So how do the million plus Houston residents without insurance company get health care--emergency rooms of course. Emergency rooms have become the health care providers of last resort for well over 100 million Americans annually. Over a 10 year period from 1994 to 2004, ER visits on a national level saw an 18 percent jump, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Texas Hospital Association reports that ERs in the state experienced a 33 percent increase; in the Houston area, it was more than 50 percent. During this ten year period, the number of hospital emergency departments dropped by more than 12 percent nationally. Emergency rooms in Houston hospitals are routinely overcrowded and overused as throngs flock seeking care for ailments that may range from a heart attack or gunshot wound to an ear infection or toothache. Ambulances pile up outside emergency rooms before unloading their patients. It's reported that a wait of an hour or two to move a patient from the ambulance to the ER is common in Houston. David Persse, the Houston Fire Department's medical director, confided with a reporter recently that the record wait to unload an ambulance at Houston area hospital is six hours. Ben Taub, the Houston area's pre-eminent trauma care facility, has seen the brunt of the problem. In a recent USA Today article, one Ben Taub nurse reported arriving to work one morning to find ER patients waiting to be seen who arrived the day before, over 24 hours earlier. ER overcrowding is so bad in the Houston area, that patients have called 911 from one ER to get to another, according one report. When we pass this bill tonight, these Americans who have been flocking to emergency rooms for primary care will have another option--affordable and accessible health care. The benefits to the 18th congressional district: In my district, the health care bill will: Improve coverage for 279,000 residents with health insurance. Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 186,000 families and 14,600 small businesses to help them afford coverage. Improve Medicare for 70,000 beneficiaries, including closing the doughnut hole. Extend coverage to 180,500 uninsured residents. Guarantee that 27,600 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage. Protect 500 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs. Allow 62,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents' insurance plans. Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 20 community health centers. Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $27 million annually. As we reach this great milestone today, I am still reminded of the unfinished work that is left to do. We must ensure that physician-owned hospitals are allowed to maintain operations that allow them to serve the most vulnerable and underserved communities. I am committed to working with the Speaker's office and Senatorial leadership now that we are taking the first step in stemming the rising tide of the many uninsured. The protection of physician-owned hospitals is an issue of national interest. We have a lot of work to do as we move toward the Senate and to the conference. I was gratified to meet with the Speaker to discuss the continued protection of the very viable physician-owned hospitals and believe that we have a real opportunity to address this issue in the very near future. I offered three amendments that would have gone a long way to save physician-owned hospitals. My first amendment would have preserved physician-owned facilities that have a greater percentage of Medicaid inpatient admissions than the state average in operation and allows them to expand. My second amendment is extremely critical for minority communities and high poverty. This amendment would prevent physician safety-net hospitals from closing and preserves critical care access for impoverished communities and the disabled. My third amendment, supported by Physician Hospital Association of America, would effectively prevent the closure of 230 existing hospitals, save $2.9 billion in total payroll, $608 million in federal taxes, $3.5 billion in trade payables, and preserves 62,000 full- and part-time jobs by striking all language that prohibits grandfathered facilities from expanding. During the ongoing healthcare debate, discussions about physician ownership of hospitals have ignored the positive impact these facilities have had on minority communities and minority physicians. Physician-owned general acute care hospitals, who have unprecedented amounts of minority owners, have allowed Hispanic, Black, and Asian Americans to enter into the field of hospital ownership. The largest physician-owned hospital, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, is over 50 percent minority owned. To help my colleagues understand what is at stake, I would like to highlight some of these success stories: In Houston, St. Joseph's Hospital, a full-service general acute care center, is the only hospital that serves one of the most income- challenged and African-American sections of the city. Within the last few years, a for-profit corporation abandoned this hospital and the surrounding community. Physician ownership provided an avenue for it to stay open and prevent a critical loss for the neighborhood. In South Texas, out-of-state corporations forced over 700,000 Texans to travel more than 250 miles to receive life-saving medical procedures. Decisions not to offer needed services by out-of-state healthcare conglomerates and the lack of public or county hospitals, left patients with two options: go without or to transfer to another facility up to 350 miles away. Income-challenged families who could not afford the travel were placed in great peril. Physician ownership enabled a group of local doctors to open a new hospital with advanced medical capabilities that reduced the need for travel to seek care. Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, a 506-bed premiere general acute care center, now provides some of the best care in the Nation and consistently has been recognized by Thompson Reuters as a Top 100 Hospital in the Nation. In the Chinatown section of Los Angeles, California, the Pacific Alliance Medical Center (PAMC), a 142-bed full-service hospital, has been the community's main hospital for 140 years. This facility was purchased by a group of physicians 20 years ago after the existing hospital board planned to close and demolish the facility. Physician ownership once again provided an avenue for the hospital to stay open and serve an at-risk community. I will continue to work on behalf of these Americans and to to save physician-owned hospitals that are currently treating patients or under significant development, to ensure that Americans can continue to receive healthcare at the local hospitals they have come to depend upon. Physician-owned hospitals take care of patients covered by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as patients who are uninsured or cannot pay for their care. They also provide emergency departments access for their communities. At a time when we are concerned about the shortage of hospital beds in the face of epidemics like the swine flu, my amendment to this landmark bill will make sure no hospital is forced to shut its doors or turn away Medicare or Medicaid patients. The benefits that will come from our efforts to protect physician-owned hospitals are far reaching and will prevent any further losses to local economies. Not only do physician hospitals deliver high-quality medical care to the patients they serve, they also provide much needed jobs, pay taxes, and generate significant economic activity for local businesses and communities. Existing physician-owned hospitals employ approximately 51,700 individuals, have over 27,000 physicians on staff, pay approximately $2,421,579,312 in payroll taxes and $512,889,516 in other federal taxes, and have approximately $1.9 billion in trade payables. Hospitals currently under development would employ approximately 21,700 more individuals. With approximately 50 physician- owned hospitals, Texas leads the Nation in the number of physician- owned hospitals. The Texas economy could lose more than $2.3 billion and more than 22,000 jobs. In my district, the 18th Congressional District of Houston, Texas, St. Joseph Medical Center is a general acute-care hospital that treats all patients. In fact, its 40 percent Medicaid patient population is double the average hospital's patient population in the entire State of Texas and is one of the highest in the country. St. Joseph's was operated by the Sisters of Charity for many years until it was scheduled to be closed because the order could no longer support it. The hospital was offered to for-profit and not-for-profit hospital systems but no one would accept responsibility for operating St. Joseph's. A plan was developed to convert the hospital into condominiums. I refused to allow that to happen. It was only at that point that the physicians who had practiced there for many years came together to buy the hospital to save it from closing. St. Joseph's takes care of patients covered by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as patients who are uninsured or cannot pay for their care. The emergency departments of many physician-owned ``specialty hospitals'' have been criticized for not having a true emergency department. St. Joseph's has a department which is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, providing an access point for patients in need of emergency services. In fact, St. Joseph's admissions through the emergency department are double the State average; St. Luke's hospital in Houston, which is church-owned, has three new facilities under development; the nonprofit religious mission has the controlling interest. One full-service hospital has one phase already operating, but would be under the growth restrictions; the hospital cannot be completed if the new restrictions apply. The hospital brought approximately 300 new jobs to the community; and Baylor Health Care System, based in Dallas, has found that their partnership with physicians has increased measurable quality, increased patient satisfaction, and decreased the cost in the delivery of their excellent care. This joint venture model has produced a heart hospital that has the lowest readmission rate in the entire United States. And yet this bill would deny Baylor Health Care System the right to add a single operating room or procedure room to meet its community's need. During the moratorium on physician-owned hospitals some years ago, Baylor wanted to add a badly needed OB/GYN service at its Frisco, Texas, hospital. This service is a money-losing service, but there was no such service within many miles for those people--Baylor fulfilled the need. It was prohibited from adding this service simply because the hospital had physicians holding a minority of the ownership of the hospital. After the moratorium was lifted, the service was added and is currently working at its capacity. Mr. Speaker, can we imagine witnessing an impact, of no patient beds, 6- to 8-hour waiting times, to extend even to 10-hour waiting times, turning emergency patients away at the door? Can we imagine the dramatic case, when patients are not able to have access to quality care? This is true of the most serious trauma, of the most serious medical cases. Physician-owned hospitals serve in many cases at least 40 percent of the city's population. I don't just mean the city's population. We are discussing a population that is between 500,000, which is the indigenous population, and the population of 1.5 million that's in the city every day. When a hospital downsizes in a particular city, it extends beyond the boundaries of that city, and in doing so, with this hospital being downsized, it's impacting all of the hospitals, not only in the city, but those hospitals in nearby jurisdictions. We're seeing the epicenter of a catastrophic event, and unless we realize the importance of this one medical facility, but look at it not from the perspective that it serves this city, but we have to realize that it serves the world. It serves the Nation. At the very least, it serves the Nation; at the very most, it most serves the world. So when you start looking at it from those perspectives, then it becomes more than just a problem of Houston, Texas, but a problem of this Nation. And it should be addressed in that manner. If we do not work closely together to look deeper at this issue, we will face a number of medical facility closures that is a disservice to the American people. So, we see that there seems to be a phasing-back or cutback in all of the major services, but the most important of those services, which directly affect the health and well-being of the citizens, or again, those 1.5 million people who visit and work in the city every day. So, we hear the same thing time and time again, even though individuals are saying that the patient caseload can be handled by the surrounding hospitals. You need but step into any emergency room on any day, at any time, and just see the impact of this one hospital being downsized. The impact will reach out throughout the city of Houston. Mr. Speaker, through all the debate, name-calling, threats, and fear- mongering, we will once again be on the right side of history and put the American people first. In the midst of it all, some of my colleagues have been called derogatory names, including racial epitjets; have been spat on and have been threatened that there will be blood in the streets. But there is something that I must say to my fellow Americans as we stand on the threshold of the door that opens up to access to quality and affordable care and, in turn, a better quality of life for all Americans. Heeding one of this country's greatest leaders in history, Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr., I urge us to remember that ``in the process of gaining [life, liberty, and the pursuit of life], we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline . . . we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues and I to stand strong, support this bill on behalf of all Americans.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me remind us of a man who does not live today, Senator Edward Kennedy told us that he had a vision and a resolve that the health care of Americans would no longer count on whether or not they were wealthy Americans. And we are reminded as well of the words of President John F. Kennedy that said: Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. This is not an unfunded mandate because we know full well that the CBO has said that this bill will pay for itself, that the deficit will be reduced by $130 billion in the first 10 years, and that the deficit will be cut by $1.2 trillion in the second 10 years. It eliminates the Medicare doughnut hole, and it insures some 32 million more people. But I am standing here today because 45,000 Americans die every year like Eric, a 32-year-old lawyer who went to the emergency room not once but three times. They sent him away with antibiotics and aspirin, but he died. I cannot tolerate that. Today we will heal this land, and we will vote for this health care bill. It is not an unfunded mandate. This health care reform is fair and must succeed.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Let me just make one final point so I can close. The final point is, and what this bill will do as well, is provide competition. I mentioned that a good friend came on the floor and talked about a State where there is only one company. My State--a big State and is soon to gain in population through the Census, Texas-- has three. So this bill, once it passes, will open up the doors of choice for those who have insurance or those with employer-based insurance, because we're not taking away employer-based insurance. I think that we're moving in the right direction, and I hope that this story will be told tomorrow in the right way.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Let me thank both the distinguished gentleman from California for the background that he brings to the United States Congress as an insurance commissioner of a State and the distinguished gentleman from New York who made some very valid points. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, in fact, we have lived with this for now almost 10 years. I remember trying to reform the bankruptcy code to protect people from things like alimony payments or women being denied the ability to receive alimony payments because credit card companies wanted to stand in front of the alimony payments and take first in line. So we have seen people being destroyed in a number of ways, and we do know that by catastrophic illnesses they are destroyed. I just want to focus on two or three points. One, the big sign, about 45,000 Americans dying every year. I don't know why that doesn't send out a clarion call. We should not be so insensitive to life that 45,000 people dying does not impact our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. We've been saying this over and over again, 45,000 people. That means somebody is dying as we speak because they did not have health insurance or that they were denied. I want to remind our colleagues of some horrible stories. I remember one of a young girl who had leukemia, and it was on national television. I think the company was CIGNA where the family actually went to the insurance company and begged for this young girl to be able to have this very special blood procedure. They were turned away, and they were turned away, and they were turned away until finally public embarrassment--the news media. And the family went again. The tragedy is that when the company finally approved the right of this young girl, 11 years old, it was too late. The doctors could not perform the procedure. And so we have seen any number of incidences where because of lack of insurance, we have not been able to save a life. What about the recommendation of Goldman Sachs that said just a couple of weeks ago, If you want to make a buck, the best place to put your money is the Nation's health insurers, the Nation's insurers. You'll never have to worry about them going out of business. You will never have to worry about them trying to save you any dollars, and you'll always know and count on them raising the premiums over and over again. What did you say, 94 percent of the premiums are raised. A family of four will see their premiums go up $2,000 to $3,000 a year.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, and to Congressman Grijalva, let me thank you for your leadership on this very important issue, and to Congressman Bishop as well for managing this legislation and acknowledging the concerns that may have been expressed. And I offer maybe this rebuttal to some of the points that have been made, and celebrate legislation that really recognizes that we are not here on the floor to only provide jobs and support the student conservation association, if that is what it is being interpreted as, but frankly to be part of fixing America's crumbling infrastructure, and certainly our public lands need fixing. Years of inadequate funding have left our public land management agencies with huge backlogs of labor-intensive work on national parklands, wildlife refuges, historic sites, and Indian lands. As we watch America take advantage of visiting their Capitol, for example, to see the many monuments and sites that are here, they don't want to come and see monuments that have chipped surfaces or that are dangerous to visit. And this opportunity to employ our young people and to teach them character and integrity is a very important part of this legislation. I for one have spoken to my State parks management entity asking them to look more carefully at the parks in inner cities, the opportunities for them to be designated national parks and to be able to put more parks in the inner cities that are under the jurisdiction of our Federal Government. Of course, that analysis takes long. But I want to applaud my own city of Houston that continuously looks to put public and open space for the many people that live in our community. Houston expects to be the third-largest city in the Nation. Green space, public opportunities to utilize parks is very important. So when I see a bill that is going to help fix the crumbling infrastructure, the physical crumbling infrastructure, the natural and cultural resources that have been neglected--and in many places the effects of climate change are magnifying earlier problems such as fire risks, damage from insects and invasive species, coastal erosion, and fragmented habitat--I am in support of this legislation I also come from the Gulf Coast region and have seen what happens to the deterioration and erosion of the Gulf Coast. In particular after Hurricane Ike, we are now trying to restore Galveston and those coastal lands to be able to provide for an economic engine. So this is a good bill. With a high rate of unemployment among African American youth and youth around the country, the opportunity for them to work with their hands and minds is a positive step. This legislation will be part of the road map to help expand park service and ensure that our sites are maintained and kept at the level that they should. And I hope to be able to work with the chairman of this committee as I assess the needs of Houston to be able to provide more green space in our community. Along with this bill--tomorrow we will provide real health care for America by the vote I make tomorrow. I urge support for the legislation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. I want to thank the gentlelady from Guam for doing such an excellent job in honoring our veterans and honoring our soldiers by managing legislation that truly deserves our honor and respect to the Cold War veterans, many of whom are unsung heroes. I offer my greatest tribute as we honor the aviators and those marines who sacrificed their lives as well. It is interesting, when there is nothing good to say about something that is good, then my friends on the other side of the aisle begin to engage in misrepresentations and fairy tales and exaggeration. So I'm reminded of the words of Thomas Edison that many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. And that's what they want us to do--to give up. I appreciate the breadth and depth of the representation and the interest that is appearing on the east steps of the Capitol. This is what a democracy is about. But when I see words like ``socialized medicine'' and ``ObamaCare, a lethal injection,'' it is important to realize that people have been so provoked because of misrepresentation and untruth. They don't understand that there will be $1.3 trillion in cutting the budget; that, in fact, small businesses will get tax incentives and subsidies to help insure those hardworking Americans who work for small businesses, the engine of our economy; that our young people who, in fact, have gone on without insurance, our college students, our graduate students, the best of America's future suffer without health insurance, like a young woman that I know that is in between jobs and cannot get health insurance because she happens to be over the age of college and cannot be on her parents' insurance. What are we doing if we're not investing in our children? All of the chatter and confusion says nothing about the value of this bill. All of the misrepresentations about special interests, when many of that is not done, but much of that is helping Americans. It's helping the States who've been donor States. It's helping those States who are poor. It's helping those States who have suffered from a devastating disaster like Hurricane Katrina. What is wrong with America standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves. And so it is important to note they want us to give up, and as was recounted by one of our major leaders in the Congress comparing this to a basketball game when the clock has run out and people are continuously trying to foul the winning team, putting obstruction in the winning team's place. But you know what we're going to do in this March month? We're going to keep on dunking that ball, as this great leader has said. We're going to put that ball in the basketball hoop and we're going to win that game, because we've got to stand up for those who are not out there on those front steps. We've got to stand up for the veterans who understand that TRICARE will be preserved. And what a miserable collapse the veterans health care system was just about 2 years ago when we had to come to this floor and fight----

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. When we had to come to this floor and provide extra money for those veterans to shore up this health care system, or the many veterans that I work for in my office that come and ask about helping them get their benefits because it's a logjammed system that we're continuing to try to work on. So don't use this argument about the TRICARE. We're protecting the TRICARE system, as well as the veterans hospitalization system. But those veteran families and their extended family members who are uninsured or the 45,000 who die every year because they have no insurance, this is the toughest health insurance reform that we've ever been able to do. And I can tell you, my friend, health insurance companies, you need to be tough with them, because all they can see is the dollar and the up and up and up of the premiums. And I want to say enough is enough. So this is not a lethal injection. This is a lifeline. This is a rope being thrown into the water to drag those out who are drowning because they can't get any health insurance. And this is not socialized medicine, nor was it with Medicaid or Medicare or the veterans system. It is helping Americans using their tax dollars in a wise way. We need to move forward on health care reform and dunk the ball and win the game.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I was on this floor just a moment ago, and I guess I am struck by this quote by Thomas Edison, because as I have listened to more of my colleagues, it seems as if they are driving themselves into failure and they just want to see this determined and committed number of Members who represent constituencies across America driven into failure as well. But it says: Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. And so the stories that we have heard about a young 11-year-old who has the common sense to know that maybe his mother would have lived had she had the right kind of coverage, to my good friend who was just on the floor of the House and mentioned his constituents from his great State of Alabama, I don't know if that constituent that drove 900-plus miles realized that Alabama has one insurance company, only one, no competition. And so when we think about where we are today on the eve of that magnificent vote, this is not arrogance, it is not an attempt to have the majority abuse the minority. It is to reflect on those Americans who did not come, who in silence suffer and die because they have no insurance. I support this legislation, but there are fixes that I would like to have, and I am committed to working beyond the vote tomorrow. I don't like to see the comments that I have seen on signs. I respect it, because I am someone who appreciates the Constitution. There is no instruction or demand on people to get insurance that is unconstitutional. In States, we require people to buy auto insurance, get seat buckles, to wear helmets when they are riding on motorcycles. This is to save lives. And we provide incentives to small businesses and subsidies. And so today in the Rules Committee I submitted amendments, because I want to help a body of hospitals that are in rural and minority areas. My amendments had to do with what we call physician-owned hospitals. My first amendment was to preserve physician-owned facilities. They have a greater percentage of Medicaid inpatient admissions than the State average in operation and allows them to expand, a fix that is not illegal but one that we want to work on as we move forward. My second amendment is extremely critical for minority communities in high-poverty areas. This amendment would prevent physician safety-net hospitals from closing and preserves critical care access for impoverished communities and the disabled. My third amendment, that is supported by the Physician Hospital Association of America, would effectively prevent the closure of 230 existing hospitals, save $2.9 billion in total payroll, $608 million in Federal taxes, $3.5 billion in trade payables, and preserves 62,000 full- and part-time jobs, the Senate amendment, by striking all language that prohibits the grandfathered facilities from expanding. I am grateful for what we have done so far. We have extended the time in which these hospitals can receive their Medicare certificate, which means that more hospitals can come online. That is a good thing. That is why I understand that I am so close, that we are so close, to success, that I am not going to allow failure to destroy that success for millions of Americans. But I do want to tell you about St. Joseph's Hospital in Houston that was going to close until many of us intervened. In fact, I said something like, Over my dead body would this hospital close and not serve our constituents. Well, a group of doctors were able to invest, and lo and behold this hospital now serves one of the most income- challenged and a hospital that serves in the African American community. Physician ownership provides an avenue for it to stay open. Or in south Texas an out-of-state corporation forced over 700,000 Texans to travel more than 250 miles to receive life-saving medical procedures. Decisions not to offer needed services by out-of-state health care conglomerates and the lack of public or county hospitals left patients with two options: go without or transfer to another facility 350 miles away. So there is value to physician-owned hospitals, and one opened in south Texas and therefore stopped this drain of sick people having to drive 350 miles just to get medical care or hospitalization. Or in the Chinatown section of Los Angeles, the Pacific Alliance Medical Center is a 142-bed full-service hospital and has been the community's main hospital for 140 years. This facility was purchased by a group of physicians 20 years ago after the existing hospital board planned to close and demolish this facility. Throwing a lifeline, this is what these hospitals do. Or in Wisconsin, the Aurora Bay Care Medical Center, a 167-bed full- service hospital, holds seven centers of excellence, and it was the first hospital in the country to become a designated emergency center. Or the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center established in 1940 in the State of Washington is a large rural health care center that helps serve patients in a largely rural area. There is a lot of good work that has already been done. This bill has been reviewed over and over again. So what my opponents say on the other side or the opponents of this bill, this bill has been on the table for a long time. We know that we can work going forward to make things better. So no amount of attack, being spat on by those who have come here to this place to show their opposition, or being called names is going to stop us from seeing success just down the road. But we want to work for these hospitals who are in rural and minority areas and poor areas to be able to stay open as well. I know that in working with my colleagues and moving to the other body we will have that opportunity. Why don't my friends on the other side sit down and work as well so that we can have what all America is crying out for, those who are listening and understanding the issue, that is, health care for all Americans. Not socialized medicine, not a government takeover, but the opportunity to see the good and the value of good health care for this great country of ours. I want to see success. I am not going to allow failure to get in the way of success. Mr. Speaker, I have three amendments at the desk and I rise to speak in support of my amendments No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 to H.R. 4872, the Reconciliation Act of 2010. My first amendment would preserve physician-owned facilities that have a greater percentage of Medicaid Inpatient Admissions than the state average in operation and allows them to expand. My second amendment is extremely critical for minority communities and high poverty areas. This amendment would prevent physician safety-net hospitals from closing and preserves critical care access for impoverished communities and the disabled. My third amendment, supported by Physician Hospital Association of America, would effectively prevent the closure of 230 existing hospitals, save $2.9 billion in total payroll, $608 million in federal taxes, $3.5 billion in trade payables, and preserves 62,000 full- and part-time jobs by striking all language that prohibits grandfathered facilities from expanding. As you know during the ongoing healthcare debate, discussions about physician ownership of hospitals have ignored the positive impact these facilities have had on minority communities and minority physicians. Physician-owned general acute care hospitals, who have unprecedented amounts of minority owners, have allowed Hispanic, Black, and Asian Americans to enter into the field of hospital ownership. The largest physician-owned hospital, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, is over 50 percent minority owned. Physician-owned hospitals have created a positive change in the quality and delivery of care to minority populations. The insight gained by the diversification of hospital ownership has led to many new advances in care delivery and opened up untapped avenues and knowledge in the race to cure and/or prevent diabetes, AIDS, cancer, and other illnesses we all face. While we are pleased that language to grandfather existing physician hospitals has been included in the Senate Amendment package, this bill still contains language that prohibits these needed institutions from expanding. This prohibition will lead to their eventual closure and endanger hospital access for minority and low-income communities. Physician ownership has enabled high poverty and minority areas to open hospitals where corporate-owned facilities wanted to abandon a current site or refused to bring in needed services. By way of competition, physician hospitals have raised the bar of service in communities often ignored by large healthcare corporations, offer exceptional overall care, and forced all hospitals in an area to do better for their community. To help you understand what is stake, I would like to highlight some of these success stories: In Houston, St. Joseph's Hospital, a full service general acute care center, is the only hospital that serves one of the most income- challenged and minority sections of the city. Within the last few years, a for-profit corporation abandoned this hospital and the surrounding community. Physician ownership provided an avenue for it stay open and prevent a critical loss for the neighborhood. In South Texas, out-of-state corporations forced over 700,000 Texans to travel more than 250 miles to receive life-saving medical procedures. Decisions not to offer needed services by out-of-state healthcare conglomerates and the lack of public or county hospitals, left patients with two options: go without or to transfer to another facility up to 350 miles away. Income challenged families who could not afford the travel were placed in great peril. Physician ownership enabled a group of local doctors to open a new hospital with advanced medical capabilities that reduced the need for travel to seek care. Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, a 506-bed premiere general acute care center, now provides some of the best care in the nation and consistently has been recognized by Thompson Reuters as a Top 100 Hospital in the nation. In the Chinatown section of Los Angeles, California, the Pacific Alliance Medical Center (PAMC), a 142-bed full service hospital, has been the community's main hospital for 140 years. This facility was purchased by a group of physicians 20 years ago after the existing hospital board planned to close and demolish the facility. Physician ownership once again provided an avenue for the hospital to stay open and serve an at risk community. In Wisconsin, Aurora Baycare Medical Center, a 167-bed, full-service hospital hosts seven Centers of Excellence and was the first hospital in the country to become a designated Emergency Center of Excellence. The Women's Center at Aurora Baycare was also the first in Wisconsin to be accredited for breast care by the American College of Surgeons. Established in 1940, Wenatchee Valley Medical Center in the state of Washington, is a large rural healthcare delivery system that helps serve patient needs in a largely rural area. It has brought countless life-saving procedures to a community in need. Without physician ownership, the number of minority hospital owners will decrease substantially, low-income and minority communities will see a reduction in the amount of available services in their community, and some will be left with no access to hospitals. While this may sound extreme, unfortunately, it has happened and will happen if this measure is left unchanged. This is also extremely distressing since the effect of this section will be to reduce access while simultaneously adding 30 million new Americans to the healthcare system, mostly in these very communities that will see their safety net hospitals close. While I support all physician-owned facilities and comprehensive efforts to incorporate everyone into our national hospital network, today I start that process by helping preserve physician-owned facilities that serve poor, disabled, indigent, or uninsured patients. These amendments were crafted with strict adherence to the reconciliation process and fully comply with the Byrd Rule. As a Member of Congress whose constituents are greatly assisted by physician-owned facilities, I urge my colleagues to--help my community, help my constituents, and help America build a better and inclusive health care system.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Let me rise and support the legislation that has been offered by my friend and colleague from Texas, and a senior member of the House Science Committee, to celebrate African Americans who have overcome significant obstacles to enhance innovation and competitiveness in the field of science in the United States. Frankly, this debate is appropriate and timely, as we are discussing the status of NASA and the opportunity to inspire and to ensure that our scientists and physicians and those with inventiveness have the opportunity to show those talents and to produce on behalf of the American people. As a 12-year member of the House Science Committee and the Subcommittee on Aeronautics, I know the value of research and the providing for a safe and secure place for the intelligence of America. I want to cite as part of this legacy of African Americans Dr. Lovell Jones, who heads the minority health center at M.D. Anderson, and has made great strides in the research dealing with cancer in minority populations. Dr. Bernard Harris, an astronaut, who has led in establishing new businesses around research and knowledge that he was able to expand on as an astronaut in the NASA human space program. The late Dr. Ron McNair, who was trained as a physicist, came from South Carolina, whose beginnings were enormously humble, and yet he was able to achieve greatness through his studies at MIT, and then ultimately he came to become an astronaut, and of course we lost him in the line of duty. But his research knowledge helped to expand horizons of the space exploration program. Dr. Mae Jemison, trained as a physician, the first African American woman in space.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Breaking news; all America needs to listen: Health insurers break profit records as 2.7 million Americans lose their coverage. On Sunday, we will have an opportunity to correct this abominable announcement and, as well, to save the lives of 45,000 Americans who, in fact, die every year because they do not have insurance. Breaking news: Insurance companies with large profits; my friends on the other side of the aisle, celebrating and voting against the American people. The Congressional Budget Office shows that the health care bill we will vote on on Sunday will provide coverage for 32 million uninsured Americans, cut the deficit by $130 million, cut the deficit by $2 trillion in the second year--second decade, and eliminate the Medicare doughnut hole as well extends the sovereignty of Medicare for many years. Breaking news: We are standing alongside of the American people, saving the lives of 45,000 who die every year. And the other side? Standing with the insurance companies.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Let me thank the gentlelady from California. And I want to thank her for her thoughtfulness in being a leader on H.R. 3644, which focuses on the opportunity to promote ocean, atmospheric and environmental education awareness opportunities for young people. And to acknowledge that these are competitive grants again emphasizes that this caucus, that Democrats are concerned about the budget, but also concerned about important issues dealing with coastal growth and coastal learning. I am from the coastal area, and it brings me to some of the comments that have been made on this health care bill. It is interesting that when we look at our friends on the other side of the aisle, who spent billions of wasteful dollars on giving tax cuts to the richest of Americans, that they can give a short shrift, if you will, to the fact that this health care bill will not only insure millions of Americans, almost 95 percent of Americans, including those who are employer-based insured, which we say to them, as in my own congressional district, where 41 percent are employer-based, yes, you can keep your insurance. But at the same time, we are prepared to reduce the deficit $130 billion over the next 10 years and $1.2 trillion more over the following decade, reining in waste, fraud, and abuse, but at the same time providing millions of uninsured Americans, women, children, families with the opportunity for insurance.