Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I stand here before you not only as a member of the United States Congress, but as a woman. I fully support H.R. 1700, ``National Women's History Museum Act of 2009'', this is an issue that I hold dear to my heart. This bill will increase awareness and knowledge of women's involvement in history. Women's history is a vital part of American history, however it is not public knowledge; mostly in part to the lack of women's history education in the schools. The establishment of a National Women's History Museum would be a great tribute to all of those women whose stories are not told in history books. We must celebrate the women who paved the way for the rest of us. I thank my colleague Representative Maloney, for introducing this valuable piece of legislation. Today, women account for 51 percent of the world's population and throughout ``woman's-kind'' we have had countless sisters whose brilliance, bravery and power changed the course of history. H.R. 1700 will provide for an establishment which will recognize and honor the women and organizations in the United States that have fought for and continue to promote women's history. A National Women's History Museum will bring awareness to all of those women who have broken barriers and glass ceilings for the rest of us. Women such as the honorable Speaker Pelosi, the honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Shirley Chisholm, Susan B. Anthony, Barbara Jordan, Sojourner Truth, Sacagawea, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Annie Oakley, and the list could go on for miles. A museum devoted to women's history will shed light not only on well known women of history, but also those less renowned, such as Belva Ann Lockwood, who fought for admittance into law school. She fought to practice before the Supreme Court and even ran two full campaigns to run for President of the United States, although she could not vote. In Texas, women such as former Governor Ann Richards, who was an accomplished political worker, Texas state treasurer, and Governor of Texas. Furthermore, Rosanna Osterman was a Texas pioneer, American Civil War nurse and philanthropist. She lived in Galveston, and during the 1853 yellow fever epidemic, she erected a temporary hospital on her family premises in order to nurse the sick and the dying. Osterman also chose to stay in Galveston during the civil war and opened her home as a hospital, first to Union soldiers, then to Confederate soldiers. American women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of our Nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways. They have played and continue to play a critical economic, cultural, and social role in every sphere of the life of the Nation by constituting a significant portion of the labor force working inside and outside of the home. American women have played a unique role throughout the history of the Nation by providing the majority of the volunteer labor force of the Nation and were particularly important in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions in our Nation. In addition, American women of every race, class, and ethnic background served as early leaders in the forefront of every major progressive social change movement. American women have been leaders, not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor movement, the civil rights movement, and other movements, especially the peace movement, which create a more fair and just society for all; and Despite these contributions, the role of American women in history has been consistently overlooked and undervalued, in literature and the teaching and study of American history which is even more reason to dedicate a museum to all of the trailblazing women throughout history.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. In supporting these airlines and supporting this airport, we are very pleased that this airport has been the recipient of many, many awards and as well many, many thank-you's from the employees to the traveling public. We are now in new construction for expansion. I want to congratulate the City of Houston and the leadership of the Houston Intercontinental Airport, named for the 41st President of the United States, for providing the kind of economic engine that says to the world, we are open, we are friendly, and says to the City of Houston, we are your economic engine, too! I ask my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 138, Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in my home city of Houston, Texas. I would like thank my co-sponsors, Representative Culberson, Rep. Gene Green, Rep. McCaul, and Rep. Olson. I sponsored this resolution to recognize the 40th anniversary of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport and congratulate officials of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Houston Airport System, and the city of Houston, Texas, for the airport's record of excellent service to the citizens of Houston and the national air transportation system. For their great service has been a critical component of the Houston economy, supporting more than 151,000 jobs and contributing over $24,000,000,000 in economic benefits to the Houston region. The George Bush Intercontinental Airport in the city of Houston, Texas was first opened for operation on June 8, 1969. In 1997, it was named in honor of the Nation's 41st President, George Herbert Walker Bush, a longtime resident of Houston who, as a Member of the Houston congressional delegation, was present at the 1969 opening of the airport. In 1990, the city of Houston named the IAH international arrivals building, now Terminal D, in honor of the distinguished Congressman for the 18th District of Texas, George Thomas ``Mickey'' Leland, a renowned antipoverty activist who died tragically in 1989 while on a humanitarian visit to Ethiopia. IAH is the largest airport in Houston, serving over 43,000,000 passengers in 2008, is the 8th largest airport in the United States and the 16th largest in the world for total passengers served, with more than 700,000,000 people have passed through its gates since opening. Our airport has grown to become a world-class international gateway offering service to more than 109 domestic and 65 nonstop international destinations in over 32 countries, and today remains a regional and world leader in air cargo processing, consolidation, and distribution. The George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston operates the largest passenger international arrivals facility in the Nation and was selected by the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security as the first ``Model Port'' for its efficiency in welcoming international passengers arriving in the United States. Bush Intercontinental is located approximately 23 miles north of downtown Houston, near the Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8 North). The airport is operated and maintained by the City of Houston Department of Aviation. The Houston Airport System functions as an enterprise fund and does not burden the local tax base for airport operations, maintenance or capital improvements. IAH currently ranks 3rd in the United States among U.S. airports with scheduled non-stop domestic and international service (over 170 destinations). With more than 29 destinations in Mexico, IAH offers service to more Mexican destinations than any other U.S. airport. Furthermore, this airport is the 8th busiest airport in the U.S. for total passengers. For these reasons and more we ask for my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman from Illinois and as well the chairman and ranking member of the Aviation Subcommittee for your leadership on a number of issues that have been on the floor of the House today. I thank my cosponsors, who realize in this time of a challenging economy how important the aviation industry is in being an economic engine; how many of our tourists that come to Washington, DC, many drive, but many of them fly, and they want to fly on a safe and secure system. As the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, Mr. Costello and myself have common interests about security and safety, but we also are glad for our Nation's airports. Our Nation's airports are large and small; they are rural and urban. I applaud them all. But I am excited to stand with my colleagues to recognize one of the strongest airports in the Nation, the George H. Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, and is the subject of this resolution, H. Con. Res. 138 that I authored. I would like to thank my cosponsors, Mr. Culberson, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Olson, and Mr. Gene Green. I sponsored this resolution to acknowledge the importance of airport travel and to recognize that this airport in Houston, Texas, is an economic engine and to realize that the airport's record of excellent service to the citizens of Houston and the national air transportation system is deserving of acclamation and applause, for their great service has been a critical component of Houston's economy, supporting more than 151,000 jobs and contributing over $24 billion in economic benefits to the Houston region over a period of time. The George Bush Intercontinental Airport in the City of Houston was first opened for operation on June 8, 1969, 40 years ago. In 1997, it was named in honor of the Nation's 41st President, George Herbert Walker Bush, who happens to be a resident, along with his wife, Mrs. Bush, of Houston, Texas. He was also a member of the Houston congressional delegation, and he was present at the 1969 opening of the airport. In 1990, the City of Houston named IAH's International arrivals building, now terminal D, in honor of my predecessor, Congressman Mickey Leland of the 18th Congressional district, who died tragically on a humanitarian effort trying to help the starving and ravished people of Ethiopia. He was also a figure who cared about people. Our airport cares about people. It served over 43 million passengers in 2008. It is the eighth largest airport in the United States and the 16th largest in the world for total passengers served, with more than 700 million people having passed through its gates since its opening. The airport has grown to be worldwide. We are building new terminals now. The anchor airline is Continental; but we are open to the many, many other airlines, as well as international airlines, because this is an international city. Houston is the fourth largest city in the Nation, but soon to be in this new census the possibility of being the third largest city in the Nation. George Bush Intercontinental Airport has 109 domestic and 65 nonstop international destinations in over 32 countries. We are a part of the economic engine of this great country. I would also like to note that George H.W. Bush, since we are concerned about being secure, was the President who asked for the Pan Am 103 report on the tragedy of Pan Am 103. He asked the Congress to establish the Pan Am 103 commission, and that commission was part of the effort of being able to respond to that tragedy. George Bush as President received both the victims of that tragedy and the report while he was in the White House, and our now chairman of the full committee, Chairman Oberstar, was then the chairman of the Aviation Committee, served on the commission, and this Congress has implemented 63 of the 64 proposals of that particular commission. That means we worked hand-in-glove to help improve airline and airport security.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.R. 1327, the ``Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009.'' This legislation, if enacted, will enhance U.S. capacity to further isolate Iran and pressure the government to abandon its military nuclear program. The recent discovery of a secret enrichment facility at Qom serves as a clear reminder that Iran continues to flagrantly disregard international non-proliferation agreements, and poses a direct and dangerous threat to the peace and security not only in the Middle East, but also around the world. Unfortunately, the concealment of the facility at Qom is only the most recent in a long line of deplorable and illegal behavior by the Iranian government. From seeking to acquire nuclear weapons and evade IAEA inspectors, to continuing to threaten Israel and opposing the Middle East peace process, to supporting international terrorism, to its deplorable human rights record--specifically surrounding the recent elections--the government of Iran has consistently acted in a reprehensible and dangerous manner. The only effective way to achieve lasting peace and prosperity in the region, along with bringing about reforms in Iran's polity, is to assist the Iranian people in their quest to achieve political, social, and religious liberty. Every government can be judged with the way in which it treats its ethnic and religious minorities, and the current Iranian government gets a failing grade for its treatment of its many and diverse minorities While the government's actions in the international community deserve our condemnation, we must distinguish between Iranian people and their government. This fall, I was optimistic that the elections in Iran would serve as a catalyst for change, but given the absence of fair and free elections, coupled with the government's poor record for transparency and accountability, I believe that the democratic voices in Iran need our help to achieve change. The results of the recent election clearly showed that there was no chance for Iranian citizens to participate in Democracy. On June 12, 2009, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was ostensibly re-elected to his second term as President, as a result of the tenth Presidential elections in Iran, held and calculated on June 13, 2009. Subject to official results released by Iran's election headquarters, out of a total of 39,165,191 ballots cast in the Presidential election, Ahmadinejad allegedly won 24,527,516 votes, which accounts for approximately 62.6 percent of the votes, while his opponent and former Prime Minister of Iran Mir-Hossein Mousavi purportedly secured only 13,216,411 (37.4%) of the votes. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced that he envisions Ahmadinejad as president in the next five years, a comment interpreted as indicating support for Ahmadinejad's reelection, and so it happened exactly that way. In the aftermath of an election crisis we must not forget that Iran is marching ever closer to the development of a nuclear weapon, as they continue the pursuit of enriching uranium. Iran's nuclear program, coupled with its continued military assistance to armed groups in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Palestinian group Hamas, and to the Lebanese Hezbollah has been the basis for President Obama's characterization of Iran as a ``profound threat to U.S. national security interests.'' Yet the last Administration's approach of isolationism failed to stop or even slow the escalation of Iran's nuclear development. The recent discovery of a secret enrichment facility at Qom serves as a clear reminder that Iran continues to flagrantly disregard international non- proliferation agreements, and poses a direct and dangerous threat to the peace and security in the Middle East, and around the world. In that vein we do not want to ostracize Iran, as has been done in the past. This Administration indicated that if Iran refuses to come to the ``nuclear bargaining table'' by late September 2009, sanctions will resume. This deadline passed, and Iran has not changed. Consequently, it is time that we move to enable effective sanctions to remind Iran that we remain serious in our demands. This bill does not move the U.S. past the point of no return in regards to sanctions, but, it sends a clear message to Iran while enabling more effective sanctions in the future. Mr. Speaker, although Iran has committed heinous human rights violations, and continues to threaten its neighbors, I do not believe that it is productive to punish Iran for their past delinquencies. Instead, we should use our threats and sanctions to persuade the government of Iran to change its behavior by holding free and fair elections, allowing dissent, and finally ending its military nuclear program. I hope that, one day in the near future, we will lift these sanctions; but, until reforms are implemented, we must remain vigilant in pressuring Iran. Last year, this body passed H.R. 7112--The Comprehensive Iran Sanction Act, but the Senate failed to follow suit. It is my hope that, this time, our colleagues in the Senate realize how much is at stake and act quickly to pass this legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this legislation.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 791, congratulating the Aldine Independent School District in Harris County, Texas, on winning the 2009 Broad Prize for Urban Education. I am proud to support this resolution because the Broad Prize for Urban Education reflects the hard work and outstanding effort that the Aldine Independent School District, Aldine ISD, has exerted to improve overall performance and reduce achievement gaps among low- income and minority students. The honor bestowed upon Aldine ISD is a beacon of hope for improving public education in Texas and the United States. With over 61,000 students enrolled, Aldine ISD is one of the largest local education agencies in my congressional district and nearly 80 percent of those students qualify for free and reduced lunches. Providing a quality education to such a large number of students, especially students with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, poses challenges for school districts across the United States. Aldine ISD's receipt of the Broad Prize for Urban Education is a testament to the hard work of parents, teachers, and students as well as the steady leadership of the district administration. Aldine ISD uses a district-wide plan focused on student achievement, student behavior, and community relations. The district administration uses that district-wide plan to ensure that its schools provide a supportive, safe, and--most importantly--effective learning environment. The district has succeeded in communicating clear expectations of academic excellence to teachers and increasing school administrators' oversight of student success. Aldine ISD's model has produced incredible results. The school district regularly ranks as one of the top performers of all districts in the State of Texas. Studies by Texas A&M University and the University of Texas--Pan American showed that Aldine ISD ranks as one of the best school districts for educating African-American and Hispanic students in Texas. In 2008, African-American students in Aldine ISD achieved higher proficiency rates in math at all school levels and in reading at the middle and high school levels than their counterparts across the State. In 2008, Hispanic and low-income students in Aldine ISD performed the best in State reading and math assessments relative to similar Texas school districts. A crucial product of Aldine ISD's success is the narrowing of achievement gaps. Math achievement gaps at all income levels were among the smallest in the State and between 2005 and 2008 Aldine ISD narrowed the highest percentage of African- American achievement gaps. Not only is Aldine ISD closing the achievement gap but also it is preparing increasing numbers of students for higher education. From 2005 to 2008 African-American and Hispanic student participation in SAT and Advanced Placement rose. By these measurements, Aldine ISD clearly deserves the Broad Prize for Urban Education. The award is given to large urban school districts that show solid school achievement and demonstrate distinct gains made in narrowing achievement gaps. I am proud of the hard work that Aldine ISD has done to earn this award and I am thankful to the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation for recognizing their efforts.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today in support of H. Res. 768, ``Expressing support for the designation of the month of October as National Work and Family Month'' I would like to thank my colleague, Rep. McCarthy, for introducing this act of solidarity, as well as the co-sponsors. It is well established that employees who are able to effectively balance family and work responsibilities feel healthier and more successful in their relationships with their spouses, children, and friends. The quality of workers' jobs and the supportiveness of their workplaces are key predictors of job productivity, job satisfaction, commitment to employers, and retention; employees who are able to effectively balance family and work responsibilities are less likely to report making mistakes or feeling resentment toward employers and coworkers. These workers are also engaged and less likely to look for a new job in the next year, and also enjoy better overall health, better mental health, and lower levels of stress. It is not only at the office that this balance makes a difference-- job flexibility often allows parents to be more involved in their children's lives, and parental involvement is associated with higher child achievement in language and mathematics, improved behavior, greater academic persistence, and lower dropout rates. Conversely, a lack of job flexibility for parents negatively affects child health by preventing children from making needed doctors' appointments and receiving adequate early care, which makes illnesses more severe and prolonged. American workers know this firsthand. That's why research by the Radcliffe Public Policy Center in 2000 found that men in their 20s and 30s and women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s identified as the most important job characteristic a work schedule that allows them to spend time with their families. According to research by the Sloan Center for Aging and Work, a majority of workers age 53 and older attribute their success as an employee, by a great or moderate extent, to job flexibility, and also report that, to a great extent, job flexibility contributes to an overall higher quality of life. In a 2009 survey entitled ``Great Expectations! What Students Want in an Employer and How Federal Agencies Can Deliver It'', attaining a healthy work-life balance was an important career goal of 66 percent of respondents, and a 2008 study entitled ``A Golden Opportunity'', which found that workers between the ages of 50 and 65 are a strong source of experienced talent for the Federal workforce and that nearly 50 percent of these potential workers find flexible work schedules ``extremely appealing''. According to the 2006 American Community Survey, 47 percent of wage and salaried workers are parents with children under the age of 18 who live with them at least half-time. Since 85 percent of United States wage and salaried workers have immediate, day-to-day family responsibilities outside of their jobs, efforts to help workers achieve this balance is of no small importance to the prosperity of our nation. As an example, from 2001 to early 2008, 1,700,000 active duty troops have served in Iraq and 600,000 members of the National Guard and Reserve (133,000 on more than one tour) have been called up to serve, creating a need for policies and programs to help military families adjust to the realities that come with having a family member in the military. This resolution supports the designation of ``National Work and Family Month''; recognizes the importance of balancing work and family to job productivity and healthy families; recognizes that an important job characteristic is a work schedule that allows employees to spend time with families; supports the goals and ideals of ``National Work and Family Month'', and urges public officials, employers, employees, and the general public to work together to achieve more balance between work and family; and requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe ``National Work and Family Month'' with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 800, which expresses sympathy for the citizens of the Philippines dealing with Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma. I support this resolution because the devastation caused by these two events has created tragic and lasting effects that the world should recognize. Tropical Storm Ketsana landed on the Philippines on September 26 and deluged the islands with the heaviest rainfall in over 40 years. The capital city of Manila was 80 percent underwater. Nearly 700,000 people have taken refuge in the evacuation shelters. The casualties from Tropical Storm Ketsana are listed at 277 dead and dozens more missing. All told, over 3 million people in the Philippines were impacted. The number of homes destroyed number more than 4,600 and the cost of the damage is estimated at $4.8 billion. The damage from Tropical Storm Ketsana was an incredible tragedy by itself, but the impact was compounded when the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Parma less than a week later. On October 2, Parma brought intense rain, causing more flooding. The combination of disasters caused landslides, ruined crops, and brought more deaths. At least 16 people died as a result of Typhoon Parma. In the week after Parma hit, media reports revealed that the Philippines faced other threats caused by these disasters. The flooding spread debris across the islands and helped boost the mosquito population. The result was a dramatic increase in the prevalence of disease and an increased threat to the health of residents of the Philippines. It is reported that $128 million worth of crops were destroyed, including rice. The loss of those food staples will cause the nation to have to import rice to prevent a food shortage. The devastation will cause lasting economic damage, which may especially hurt the poor who are not able to return to their jobs and garner wages. My home city of Houston, Texas is home to one of the largest Filipino communities in the United States. As news came in of the disasters, my constituents waited nervously to hear of the fate of loved ones in the Philippines. My heart goes out to those families who have been touched by the devastation caused by these natural disasters. In the days before Tropical Storm Ketsana made landfall, I had the pleasure of meeting with Congressman Hermilando Mandanas of the Philippines House of Representatives. A sense of optimism for the future of the Philippines pervaded that meeting. It is my sincere hope that in the months after the period of mourning and the reconstruction begins, that the people of the Philippines are able to regain their spirit. The future of the Philippines is bright and it is my wish that the sadness and sense of loss caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma do not scar the Philippines.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for your kindness and generosity. I rise today for a number of thank yous and acknowledgments. First of all, I think it is very important to acknowledge, when tragedy occurs, how important it is that this country, as it has often done, rallies around those around the world to help them in their time of need. I want to pay tribute to one of our colleagues--to the delegate from American Samoa, Congressman Faleomavaega--who has in the last couple of weeks been subjected to terrible tragedies at home, for on September 29, 2009, American Samoa and other areas in the surrounding areas were impacted by an 8.3 earthquake, 8.3 on the Richter scale, which was recognized as the world's largest earthquake of 2009. Out of that earthquake came a terrible tsunami, one that struck American Samoa, Samoa and neighboring Tonga, sweeping people and cars out to sea as survivors fled to high ground. We remember the tsunami of some years ago that impacted Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India in parts. I traveled to Sri Lanka, and realized that the devastation was enormous. So, when there was a tsunami with waves that reached up to 20 feet in height and that penetrated 1 mile inland, we knew how devastating that had to be. It caused death and destruction of a nearly unprecedented amount. The death toll as of October 7 is estimated at 32 in American Samoa and 135 in the independent state of Samoa. Many individuals and families have suffered and are impacted, now lacking basic survival necessities, and they remain at risk of additional death due to the shortage of clean water and of adequate shelter and food. My colleague who represents the area has been working without ceasing, but the deep human disaster is evident. So I rise today to thank the 300 responders from FEMA; the American Red Cross; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the Department of Health and Human Services; and from other Federal agencies which rushed forward to help our fellow world citizens: The United States Navy; the United States Coast Guard; the Hawaii Air and National Guard; the U.S. Army Reserve; American Samoa under the leadership of Admiral Timothy J. Keating, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command; many, many others; and the foreign governments who came to their aid. So it is important that we recognize that we are, in fact, our brothers' and sisters' keeper, and we thank those who have already come forward, but we look forward in this Congress to continue to work, as we have worked before, to ensure that they are re-stabilized. We must recognize the humanitarian response that is currently underway. We are, in essence, commending them, but it is important that we continue to encourage donors and other relief agencies to work with these vulnerable organizations in stricken areas because we know, having experience in the United States with the fires in California, with the floods in the Midwest, and with the terrible hurricanes in Florida, Louisiana and Texas, and we understand disaster. We are grateful for those who have helped, but we want and we need continued help. We commend the over 100,000 Samoan residents in the United States from American Samoa and Samoa for coming to the aid of their fellow brothers and sisters. It is important for this Congress to not only pay tribute but to recognize that people are still hurting. Let me end this by again thanking our American Representative--our delegate from American Samoa--and by thanking him for his strength. Just for a moment, Mr. Speaker, I turn very briefly to join with my colleague who spoke earlier, Congresswoman Kaptur, to say this point: Americans are still suffering. Foreclosures are still happening. Small businesses are still not getting access to capital. I beseech those who have received the larger part of the bailout because it was necessary to restore capital markets in a capitalistic system. None of us adhere to socialism, but we do adhere to helping ourselves and helping our brothers and sisters across America. It is crucial for the banks of America to lend to Americans--to taxpayers, to homeowners, to business owners. Let them expand. Let them add new employees. Let them keep their homes. The tight credit market is choking us. It is killing hardworking Americans who, as I said, are the beneficiaries but yet the benefactors of those who are in need around the world, and it is important for our banks to listen. They were bailed out. They'd better listen to the American people.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, do no harm. What we are really doing in health care reform is to ensure that we have an efficient, effective, and secure Medicare, not cuts. But really what we want to talk about is insuring all Americans. Our job is not yet done. We thank the Senate Finance Committee for moving forward, but our job is not done. It's not done because a 17- pound, 4-month-old baby that had the Rocky Mountain Health Plan was denied insurance because of obesity. What more are Americans going to face? Listen to this debate. The legislation that we have here in the House means that health insurance reform will come and an insurance company can no longer decide to deny you coverage or jack up your rate because of a preexisting condition. It means it will be against the law for insurance companies to drop your coverage when you get sick or water it down. It means insurance companies will no longer be able to place some arbitrary cap on the coverage. It means there will be a yearly limit on how much you can be charged on out-of-pocket expenses. It means relief. It means that your bouncing baby boy will not be denied insurance because he happens to be chubby. Let's get the job done, access to health insurance for all Americans.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, might I introduce to you the poster baby for health care reform. In Denver, a wonderful bouncing baby was denied health insurance because the baby weighed about 17 pounds and was 4 months old, and it was determined that he had a preexisting disease of obesity. Now, all of us know how wonderful it is to have a healthy baby who has a full and wonderful round look. We also know about something called baby fat, and for us mothers we know how a bouncing, bountiful baby can turn into that lean marathon runner. That's just the way it is. So for all of the reports that our insurance companies are attempting to undermine the effort of ensuring that every American has access to health care and that we rid ourselves of this whole condition of preexisting disease, here's your example. What an outrage.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. This is the true spirit of bipartisanship, and I am delighted that we are rising today to support this very fine bill to honor the Girl Scouts of America with this gold coin.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I do remember them coming in big brown boxes, and I had them all stuffed in my station wagon going from door to door. But the shortbread ones have to be the best. I know you all had all of the mint and the Samoas, but the shortbread was the tastiest. I love the shortbread. Texas likes it big and simple, and shortbread did the job.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman. This is an affirmation of what leadership skills can do for America. Girl Scouts have grown up to be many outstanding leaders here and around the world. But one thing I think is very important. It teaches young girls team partnership, the ability to work together, the ability to succeed together and fail together and not give up. So I am very glad to rise and salute the Girl Scouts of the United States of America but also to applaud this legislation of H.R. 621. I congratulate my friend from Georgia (Mr. Kingston) and my good friend Mr. Foster from Illinois for this great legislation, and all of those sponsors, and I am pleased to advocate for its passage.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the gentleman from Illinois and the gentleman from Georgia for their respective leadership, and I will just tell you that my memory on what flavors I enjoyed may be a little dull. My daughter is a little bit older than 12 or 15 or 20 or 25, and at that point I will stop for fear of her commentary on me giving her age. But I will say that I am honored to stand and support the Girl Scouts and the congressional coin in honor of them for the very special reason that I had the pleasure of watching my daughter grow up as a Girl Scout, but more particularly carry around those Girl Scout cookies in my Taurus station wagon and compete against the other mothers to make sure that we sold the most. And I would say to you that all of them were gourmet, because whichever box was left over, we told the person who was buying it it's the best bunch of cookies you could ever buy. This is very special because this is a combination of two wonderful people, Juliette Gordon Low and Sir Robert Baden-Powell. Mr. Baden- Powell was a war hero and a founder of the Boy Scouts. What a perfect combination. So he encouraged his wife, or she was encouraged by him, and sought his help to establish the Girl Scouts in 1912. So in 1912 they started, and so 2012 they will have their 100th year. But I really want to focus on why the Girl Scouts were so important, what they did for my daughter, Erica Shelwyn Lee. The interesting thing is that the Girl Scouts was founded even before women had the right to vote. They were the early underpinnings of giving girls leadership skills, how special that can be. And now we find there are 236,000 troops--and they're called ``troop leaders'' by the way--and there are 10 million girls today around the world that are made up of Girl Guides, and Girl Scouts, and Girl Scouts of the United States of America, all part of a worldwide family of 10 million girls and adults in 145 countries. What a success story. And so this is an important affirmation of how important Girl Scouts have been to the building of character of women.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 659 to congratulate Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., on 98 years of serving local communities and enriching the lives of collegiate men throughout the Nation. The achievement of this noble organization for building generations of God fearing, clean-living, serious-minded young men who possess the imagination, ambition, courage, and determination to pursue college educations. Early in the 20th century, African-American students were actively dissuaded from attending college. Formidable obstacles were erected to prevent the few who were enrolled from assimilating into co-curricular campus life. This ostracism characterized Indiana University in 1911, thus causing Elder W. Diggs, Byron K. Armstrong, and eight other African-American students to form Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, which remains the only Greek letter organization with its 1st Chapter on Indiana University's campus. The founders sought a formula that would immediately raise the sights of Black collegians and stimulate them to accomplishments higher than they might have imagined. Fashioning achievement as their purpose, Kappa Alpha Psi began uniting college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a bond of fraternity. I believe such righteous efforts to be the foundation for so many college age males is a praiseworthy venture. Since its founding in 1911, Kappa Alpha Psi has matured to an organization of over 150,000 college-trained men, maintains undergraduate chapters on more than 360 college and university campuses and its alumni chapters are located in 347 cities in the United States and 5 foreign countries. With an established history of community service, Kappa Alpha Psi is involved with such charitable organizations as Habitat for Humanity, where they build a home for a local family in conjunction with each of its biennial conventions. They also have a lasting partnership with Memphis-based St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and have designated the hospital as the primary benefactor of their national fundraising efforts. Kappa Alpha Psi, through its Kappa League and National Guide Right programs, has provided thousands of at-risk youth in communities throughout the Nation with role models and mentors that encourage them to make positive contributions to, and to take leadership roles in, their communities. Since 1990, Kappa Alpha Psi's Kappa Scholarship Fund has provided scholarship grants to over 10,000 high school graduates to assist in furthering their education. Kappa Alpha Psi's national theme of `One Kappa, Creating Inspiration: A Call to Service' has mobilized Kappa men across the Nation who are leaders in business, education, government, the humanities, arts and entertainment, science, and medicine to become better leaders for their respective families and communities, the Nation, and the fraternity at large. With so many viable ways of helping out within their community, Kappa Alpha Psi is at the forefront of achievement through service. The Houston Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was chartered March 31, 1928. The charter members were men who wanted to continue a formal association with the fraternity at a time when they were no longer undergraduates. So, they petitioned the Grand Chapter and the Houston Alumni Chapter became the 2nd Alumni Chapter chartered in Texas. These men were professionals and leaders in the community. What is most impressive about them is that they were living in the South in 1928 only 63 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, yet they had all graduated from or attended college. The Charter members of Houston Alumni Chapter were Dr. Charles W. Pemberton, Leland Ewing, Cornelius A. Ladner, ``Watty Watkins'', Dr. Leon J. Peacock, W.L.D. Johnson, Sr., J.C. McDade, R.C. Chatman, Dr. Birch, Obie Williams, T.B. Allen, Albert Bateman, and J.D. Collins, Jr. It has been noted that Allen, Bateman, and Collins came to Houston after pledging at undergraduate chapters in the midwest and the southeast. Dr. Charles W. Pemberton was the 1st Polemarch of the Houston Alumni Chapter. The first two initiates of Houston Alumni Chapter were F.L. Howard and D.P. Young in 1929. The Houston Alumni Chapter has produced six Southwestern Province Polemarchs (Regional Presidents): Dr. Charles W. Pemberton (1934-1936), W.L.D. Johnson, Sr., (1944-1946) Cornelius Ladner (1947-1951), T.B. Allen (1971-1973), Attorney William ``Randy'' Bates (1998-2003), and Ronald V. Julun (2007-present). These represent approximately 25 percent of all the Polemarchs in the history of the Southwestern Province. Two Grand (National) Chapter Officers have come from the Houston Alumni Chapter. C.B. Davis was on the Grand Board of Directors from 1973-1976. Current Sr. Grand Vice Polemarch William ``Randy'' Bates has served in that capacity from 2007-present. He previously served as an elected at-large member of the Grand Board of Directors from 2003-2007. There has been two Laurel Wreath Awardees (which is the highest Award in Kappa Alpha Psi), Astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., 51st awardee and Dr. Bobby L. Wilson, 58th awardee. There have been two Elder Watson Diggs Awardees (the second highest Award in Kappa Alpha Psi): Attorney Carl Walker, Jr., and Willie High Coleman, Jr., Esq. Houston Alumni Chapter was the host of the 2nd Southwest Provincial Meeting held April 17-19, 1936. Houston Alumni Chapter was the host of the 57th Grand Chapter meeting, held December 26-30, 1971. And, it will serve again to host the 81st Grand Chapter Meeting (Conclave) in 2013. Houston Alumni Chapter hosted the 62nd Southwestern Province Council Meeting on March 12-15, 1998. This was the largest Province meeting in the history of the Fraternity. Houston Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was the first Greek Letter organization to bring the Ebony Fashion Fair to Houston beginning in the 1960s and continuing for a period of 5-6 years making the Chapter one of the first sponsors of the Ebony Fashion Fair in the nation. The Chapter has historically held various social entertainment activities for members and the community, including the Kappa Kostume Carnival and Kappa Kasino Night. For the last 20 plus years, the Chapter hosts an annual dance/gala around Valentine's Day. In recent years it is referred to as either the Sweetheart Dance or Red & White Ball. Its predecessor was called the Fireball. Typically in June for the past 30 plus years, the Annual Black & White Ball is held. This stylish affair is the Chapter's marquee social event, and annually attracts 500-700 guests. Scholarship award recipients and their parents are recognized during the Ball. Other events include the Annual Christmas Party, Local Founders Day, and Chapter Picnic. Three Houston Alumni Chapter Polemarchs have served four consecutive terms: Ollie Harris (1966-70), Manassus McGowan (1986-90), and Willie H. Coleman, Jr. (1996-99). At 27 years of age Willie Earlie is the youngest person to have served as Houston Alumni Chapter Polemarch. Brother Prince Barrett is the oldest initiate in the history of the Chapter and possibly in the history of the fraternity. He began his process in 1948 and became a member in 1997. He is now in his 80s and continues to participate in most of our activities. Brother Stan Weakley first pledged Kappa in 1968 and became a member in 1998. Great effort, time, and expense have been expended to grow Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and to bring Houston Alumni Chapter to its current status. A very select few, pledged as undergraduates or graduate members, have maintained unbroken financial status at the local and/or national level. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., is not a club. Sustained and lifetime commitment are crucial elements to fulfillment of the goals of this Great Fraternity. Those unwilling to make such a commitment should look elsewhere. The history of the Fraternity, and Houston Alumni Chapter specifically, is forever evolving. Capable men dedicated to service and high achievement will always be remembered in its story. In 1929, records show that both Marshall Alumni and Houston Alumni were chapters of the Southern Province. The actual establishment date of the Southwestern Province, however, is unclear. But, its first Polemarch is known to be Dr. Oliver W. Phillips, who served from 1930- 31. Brother Phillips was a charter member of Kappa Chapter in 1919 and a member of the Guide Right Commission in 1930. Hosted by the Epsilon, Lambda and Philadelphia Alumni Chapters, the Twentieth Grand Chapter assembled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 27-31, 1930. A. Moore Shearin was elected to the office of Grand Polemarch. He appointed J.W. Holland as Province Polemarch of the Southwestern Province consisting of Upsilon Chapter at UCLA; Los Angeles Alumni Chapter, Marshall Alumni Chapter, and Houston Alumni Chapter. Holland's appointment continued to usher a legacy of Achievement in the Southwestern Province. Today, the Southwestern Province consists of Arkansas, Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas and constitutes the largest Province in the Fraternity. The Houston Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi also sponsors the Education & Charities Foundation of Houston, which was incorporated in 1992 as a non-profit 501(c)3 entity. The primary purpose of the Foundation can best be described as stated in Article Four of the Incorporation documents: ``Operated for charitable and educational purposes which directly benefit the citizens of Houston and Harris County by the provision of services for and support of the attainment of higher education for youth via support services and models of achievement, along with the development of cooperative efforts with social and civic organizations to support and participate in educational and cultural activities for the benefit and fulfillment of these purposes.'' The Education and Charities Foundation of Houston is comprised of well respected professional men who aspire to high ideals and honorable achievement in all aspects of life. Inclusive in the membership of the Foundation are such prominent personalities and leaders as former city of Houston Council Member Al Calloway, State Representative Harold Dutton, Astronaut Bernard Harris (1st African American to walk in space), Channel two news personality Khambrel Marshall, TSU Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Bobby Wilson (and interim President), District Court Judge Mark Carter and former District Judge Carl Walker. In pursuit of its goals, the Foundation has engaged in a variety of fund raising initiatives since its inception, with the primary focus being to raise money for scholarships and to directly support predetermined programs, e.g., Kappa Kamp, mentoring events, etc. We have awarded 11 4-year scholarships and made several one-time awards to students who otherwise might not have been financially capable of pursuing a college education. The Foundation has sponsored numerous ``at-risk'' youth programs during the past several years inclusive of Kappa Kamp and Prince Hall Summer Camp both of which are youth development, leadership and enrichment experiences. Kappa Kamp is a youth camp enrichment program conducted at the renowned ``Piney Woods Country Life School'' in Mississippi, every summer. The group has supported numerous community initiatives inclusive of the Ft. Bend Education Foundation's and STEPS auxiliary Fine Arts Program and recently assisted a University of Houston student in the African American studies program participate in a trip to Ghana, West Africa. For these reasons and more, I join Congressman Hastings and my colleagues in the House of Representatives to congratulate Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., on 98 years of serving local communities and enriching the lives of collegiate men throughout the Nation.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, this is the value of democracy: differences of opinion. And, frankly, I believe that this government, this majority is on the right track. We were in an emergency, a recession that has continued for a period of months. Even as we watch Wall Street bounce back, we know the pain of Americans who have suffered the loss of jobs. It is important to note that history is at our back; for if FDR had not been aggressive and taken risks to invest in programs that generated jobs, maybe not the type of focus of the 21st century but the WPA, who put our grandfathers and some grandmothers to work, allowed young men who were able to come back from World War II to be able to have an opportunity to then grow a capitalistic society, the boom of the 1950s, when those young men and young women married and created families and built homes. And so it is important to have the facts. And I would say to you that the jobs data which we are collecting says that jobs have been created, important jobs. Thousands and thousands of teachers have been able to be retained to educate our children. We have had a number of others in various agencies that we have been able to keep, and those jobs then generate into the private sector. I am often well aware that there are different economic perspectives, but Paul Krugman has a note, not necessarily the full article that I hope to associate myself with, but it says, Pressure to scale back efforts to support the economy from those fearful of a sliding dollar should be ignored. We are going to have to take risks. It is not a perfect system, but we are contemplating what will create more jobs. I believe it happens to be infrastructure and transportation, and we are looking at those issues. So know the facts. And we will have the facts because we are collecting data from all the States to be able to make the point that jobs have been created by this stimulus, and we know that we can do more. Let me finally move to another topic and offer my thoughts, even though I believe in the First Amendment and the right to freedom of association, but I stand with the NFL Players Association, not to make Rush Limbaugh any kind of national standard or a national hero or the national issue. I will let my friends on the other side of the aisle determine what he is and what he is not, but I know that he is not the kind of owner that the NFL needs. He does not represent the fullness of appreciation of athletes of all diverse backgrounds no matter what he wants to portend to say on his radio station. But he is one who is divisive. Just as they are about to select him as a judge for a Miss America contest; I can't understand that, but that is their choice. Maybe they think he will bring in millions of listeners. But can you imagine a poor girl, scared already, to be able to ask a question about the person she admires most and she says somebody that happens to be a different political affiliation, she is, of course, not a winner. But that's their decision. NFL has become one of America's pastimes. All of us from all walks of life and economic backgrounds look at the NFL. I know that there are far better owners that could be selected than one package that has this gentleman in it. I would ask the NFL owners to put standards in place, criteria; base it on integrity, not just the bottom buck. Anybody that wants to call a quarterback in Pennsylvania and call him out--he happens to be African American--as not being competent, just somebody that the media has promoted, not being talented--interestingly enough, that football player happens to still be playing and doing a great job. I don't know why in the heck, other than the big dollar, that Rush Limbaugh would be interested in the NFL. And so we're not interested in him either. And I would hope--though this is not my choice. This is not a government issue as well as it is an issue of integrity for those of us who believe that this is a great sport that brings all of us together. I would hesitate to say that he is not someone who brings people together. And I just simply ask those owners to do the right thing; have a criteria of standards, a bottom line of integrity. It is not all about the dollar. It is about the value of sports and teamwork and working together and bringing young people together and looking at values that are not political, that are simply about us getting along as a Nation, being admired by the world for having a great sporting community, if you will, whether it's baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis, golf. That's what it's about. NFL owners, have some integrity. I think you need a different owner team.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I think that that would be most advantageous because then we could hear from individuals who feel and know by their work and their research and their companies' research that their house will not collapse if we open up insurance so that all Americans have access to insurance and that we have 100 percent coverage. What I am shocked about, something as vital as health insurance and as close to saving your life as health insurance, people are willing to say it's okay if 47 million Americans are uninsured. They seem to believe that that is a statistical number that we can bear. I want these individuals who have suffered unfortunately and tragically from our failed health care system--not in terms of quality, not in terms of commitment, not in terms of good hospitals, but in terms of covering all Americans and lowering the costs. Democrats are standing here advocating for lowering the costs. And this document that was presented to us by, if I might, by Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund, suggests to us if we had suggested the health care reform of Nixon--who was a Republican--of Carter and of Clinton, we would have had lower health care costs today. And I can assure you we wouldn't have the premium surge, the upstart, the support of the premiums that are probably impacting the family between mortgage foreclosures that have not been responded to, the $600-a-month premium that they have to pay in order to provide for their family.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I am proud to be part of the Progressive Caucus and working closely in negotiating and working with my colleagues on ensuring a vigorous public option to save 18,000 lives every year. I yield to the distinguished gentleman.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the gentleman from Minnesota and the distinguished chairman, who was really posing a rhetorical question as to why the voices of opposition are in opposition, and let us hear about their case. And today I am on the floor joining you, Congressman Ellison, to thank you as you've kept this battlefront going. Many of us have had moments when we have had to depart quickly, and therefore, we have missed the opportunity to share with you, but we have appreciated the opportunity for your presence on the floor. We have got to have health care reform now. We have got to have a vigorous public option, Medicare Plus 5, and my position is, if this is about, Congressman Ellison, about loss of life, 18,000 people are dying every year because they do not have health insurance. But let me try to dispel the myth that this is a Democrat issue. This is a bipartisan issue, and I don't know when our friends on the other side of the aisle are going to get it. Because if history was recollected, you would see that Nixon, Carter, and Clinton all tried health reform because it was imperative. And if we had enacted Federal health spending as a percent of GDP dealing with health care under Nixon, Carter, or Clinton--meaning that we would have cut the cost, slowed the cost down--we would not be where we are today, which is this excessive cost in health care--and I've got a small chart. But the main idea is to say to you that spending would be much lower today if we had enacted health care reform under Nixon, Carter, or Clinton. Right now we are spending 5.2 percent of annual growth, and we're spending $2,000, it seems, in U.S. dollars per capita for individuals trying to be covered by health care. If Nixon, Carter, or Clinton health reform had been enacted, the share of GDP on health spending in the U.S. would be closer to other countries. We have a problem, and the interesting thing is that we seemingly are listening to our own voices and the voices of those who do have a right to express them but seem to be confused by the messages that are coming out. We see the attack on TV suggesting that this bill will take away Medicare from seniors. It is well known that we have been working with AARP. They are not beholden to us. They are not making decisions precipitously. They are looking closely at their responsibilities to their members. And I can assure you they are watchdogs, and they want to have a fix in the doughnut hole--Medicare part D--and they want to ensure a healthy Medicare, and they want to protect their members. So there is no substance to the characterization that we want to take away your insurance, that we want to take away Medicare, that Medicare Plus 5 will not be valid. And there are questions about hospitals. Some of us are openminded in dealing with this question about hospitals, making sure that they don't represent to themselves that their doors are closing. We're concerned about doctors; we want to make sure that they can keep their doors open. And I would offer to say this point: The chairman has spoken about the voices of opposition, if I heard him as I came on the floor, Why can't we find out what their gripe is, that are making this amount of money and seem to be doing well?

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I would be happy to yield to the gentleman.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Exactly.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. If I could reclaim the time yielded for a moment. And I thank the gentleman for clarifying that. You're right. I am willing to hear them too, but juxtaposed alongside of listening to a reasoned discussion and debate as to whether you're for or against, or what you're for, and to get them to understand what a vigorous public option is, as we've interpreted Medicare Plus 5, which will harm no one. I want to hear from the sick and the infirm, people who have suffered. Maybe you are better now. But you've suffered the burden of not having health insurance. Mr. Chairman, we're going to convene those individuals in Washington, D.C. We'd love for you to reach out to our office. If you're prepared to drive in or bus in or fly in so that your story can be heard, here's my condition: Because I had no insurance; my insurance was denied because of pre-existing disease; or because, in essence, my insurance said, you are not covered. These voices we have not been able to hear on the floor of the House or in committee rooms. When various individuals who have opposed this approach have offered their proposal, who are they speaking for? Are they speaking for that throng of individuals who claim that this country is their country as well, but they have not been able to secure the opportunity for good health care.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. This is a crime. Congressman Ellison, thank you for that real-life exhibit, if you will. And to that family, we don't want to suffer this kind of injustice to you much longer, a 19-month-old who is denied because of preexisting disease. I know if we start this program, first of all, we're expanding CHIP, Children's Health Insurance Program, we will be expanding Medicaid. We'll have a public option. There will be an opportunity for the private insurers. This is a big country. We're growing exponentially, and the issue is, those are the sad stories. I wish that gentleman could come here to Washington and tell his story because these are the voices that need to be heard. Even though we heard them in our town hall meetings, they need to be here in the Nation's capital, their home, their capital, to tell this body and the other body what this is in real life and real time.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. What is it.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Very quickly, I know that all of us understand you're innocent until proven guilty. We are very pleased with the leadership that ACORN is taking in addressing the needs of those who cannot speak for themselves. They understand the need for transparency; they understand the need for audits; they understand the need for new leadership in many of their areas. And they are doing it. And I'm grateful for the fact that we have congressional oversight. But I'm not going to demonize an organization that helps those that cannot help themselves. Very quickly, it is important for the President to be addressing the question of: What do we do in Afghanistan, counterinsurgency or counterterrorism? I believe we should surge up diplomacy, fight the terrorists, and gain the friendship of the Afghan people, and let the Afghans fight the fight alongside of us--and not send 40,000 troops into Afghanistan.