Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be speaking before you today about the importance of ``National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.'' This campaign goes back a quarter of a century, starting as a weeklong campaign in 1985, by AstraZeneca, a pharmaceutical company; its aim from the start has been to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer. This month and throughout the year, we should all be committed to ongoing education about options for breast health and helping women become more informed so that they can make educated choices about breast health. Breast cancer is a disease that impacts all Americans, affecting women and men of all backgrounds, races, and incomes. Women in the United States have the highest incidence rates of breast cancer in the world; 141 among white women and 122 among African American women. Among women in my home state of Texas, breast cancer is the most common cancer, and the second-most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer). Women in the U.S. have a 1 in 8 (12.5%) lifetime chance of developing invasive breast cancer and a 1 in 35 (3%) chance of breast cancer causing their death. There were 216,000 cases of invasive breast cancer and 40,000 deaths in 2004. In 2007, breast cancer was expected to cause 40,910 deaths in the U.S. (7% of cancer deaths; almost 2% of all deaths). It is unacceptable enough that so many women today meet such an end. But, worse still, several studies have found that black women in the U.S. are more likely to die from breast cancer even though white women are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease. Even after diagnosis, black women are less likely to get treatment compared to white women. The journal Cancer Causes and Control, for instance, found in their sample that there has been no improvement in mortality from breast cancer for black women in 23 years. Worldwide, breast cancer is by far the most common cancer amongst women, with an incidence rate more than twice that of colorectal cancer and cervical cancer and about three times that of lung cancer. However breast cancer mortality worldwide is just 25% greater than that of lung cancer in women. In 2004, breast cancer caused 519,000 deaths worldwide (7% of cancer deaths; almost 1% of all deaths). The number of cases worldwide has significantly increased since the 1970s, a phenomenon partly blamed on modern lifestyles in the Western world. However, research has proven that by making treatment available, we can fight this horrendous disease. In my home city of Houston, the Ben Taub General Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine strive to ensure that the most advanced medical care is available to all the city's residents regardless of wealth or ability to pay. Ben Taub General Hospital is vital in providing care to the over 1.1 million Houston residents without health insurance, and millions more with little or low insurance coverage. For over 100 years, Baylor College of Medicine has firmly committed to caring for patients, regardless of their ability to pay. That is why we all work to raise awareness and educate our fellow citizens about this horrible disease; that is why we must fight to make sure breast cancer is defeated through early detection and funding for a cure; and that is why, to make sure that women across our nation have the treatment they need to fight this battle, we must pass real health care reform in America. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank everyone here for being part of this fight, and I pledge to remain by your side until breast cancer is defeated, and no American woman ever again has to fear it.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the H. Res. 795. The legacy of the events of September 11, 2001 still resonates today. We will never forget the harrowing experience of the loss of more than 3,000 lives that marked this national tragedy. We will never forget the events of that day, nor those who paid the ultimate price. We will forever remember how the country suffered profound sadness, the likes of which we as a nation hope to never experience again. Madam Speaker, I recall vividly the intense emotions evoked as the attacks unfolded. The Nation watched in horror as two airliners crashed into the Twin Towers and brought down the World Trade Center. That horror intensified as we witnessed an attack on the Pentagon--and a crashed airplane in Pennsylvania. Horror turned to anger as it came to light that the attacks were the actions of hate-filled cowards who had no respect for human life. I remember too, that in the aftermath of these senseless attacks, we came together as a nation and with friends from around the world united in grief and sadness. That moment transformed our country and the world, as the resolve of our Nation strengthened and our principles hardened. We remember the heroes from that day; those who ran into the danger, sacrificing themselves to save strangers. We remember the heroes from United Flight 93 who overpowered the terrorists and gave their own lives to prevent the deaths of countless others. We hope that their families can take some small measure of comfort knowing that Americans have made a permanent place for those heroes in our hearts. As a Senior Member of the Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees, I believe that we must continue to honor the fallen by working to prevent needless deaths. In the years since September 11, 2001, Congress has worked hard to make sure that such a tragedy will never happen again. In large part, we have taken heed of the advice of the 9/11 Commission and built a strong system to prevent future attacks. Madam Speaker, I rise before this body to say that our work is not yet done. Our Nation's rail and mass transit lines continue to be vulnerable. Millions of Americans rely on our rail and mass transit for transportation. Terrorist attacks in Madrid in 2004 and London in 2006 indicate that transportation routes continue to be potential security threats. We must not let another tragedy occur. Preventing terrorism at home begins with addressing terrorism abroad. We must engage nations that are susceptible to the influence of extremists and arm them with the tools to fight radicalism. That means not only providing weapons of war but also increasing education, improving living conditions, and increasing the capacity to govern. The struggle against terrorism will be won in the hearts and minds of people around the world. Madam Speaker, I urge all members to join me in supporting H. Res. 722. Let us remember this day and the tragedy that befell the Nation by properly honoring the victims with our renewed commitment to America's security.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the distinguished gentleman from Missouri and let me particularly thank Chairman Skelton for his open view as he fights for the men and women in the United States military. Your long years of history are appreciated, and I stand here to acknowledge that. Thank you for giving us this opportunity this afternoon. I just want to say to my good friend from Virginia, to address the American people as we address our colleagues today, I count the American people as the smartest constituency that the world could know. They are compassionate. They are passionate. They are patriots. They love their country, and they understand a mother's love. So let me explain to you procedurally so you would know that nothing has gone awry, has gone wrong, and no hostage-taking has taken place. The hate crimes legislation, in particular named Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, has been introduced and introduced and introduced in some form. Chairman Conyers on the Judiciary Committee, of which I am a member, has introduced hate crimes legislation. I have introduced hate crimes legislation. We have seen hate crimes legislation pass 237-180, bipartisan. But if you think of the armed services or the military authorization bill, just in your mind get a sense of the oath that our men and women of the United States military take as they affirm their allegiance to the United States. It is to protect every single citizen. Just this past weekend, I was privileged to be part of the send-off for the 72nd Combat Brigade in Texas, some 3,000 men and women as they take their oath, as they go off to be deployed, they are fighting for the freedom of this Nation. The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes legislation is about the freedom of every citizen. This was not an ordinary burglary. If you had the opportunity to meet Matthew Shepard's mother, as I have, as she pressed the case over and over again, this was a violent, heinous, hateful crime, the description of which was so painful for someone to be nailed on some open field fence to die with no one there. That is a hate crime. And the Senate, who has reviewed and had the opportunity for hearings, as we had in the House, is doing nothing more than procedurally adding an already passed bill by both of these institutions that captures the characterization of what freedom in America is all about. There have been 118,000 hate crimes since 1991, but the real key is most of the hate crimes go unreported. And they are all shapes and sizes. They are for race, they are for gender, and they are for sexual orientation. But every single one of these individuals is an American who is to be protected under the flag of the United States of America. We do not ask citizens what their pedigree is. But if they are under this flag, they deserve our protection, and what better vehicle than this bill that has been reviewed and reviewed and reviewed and reviewed? The FBI knows that there have been hate crimes, and they are saddened by the fact that most of these hate crimes are not prevented and/or reported. Just as we had attacks on churches some years ago because they were black churches, and we passed the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996, it cured those church crimes because the Federal Government took its stand. So I would say to my colleagues, understand the connection. What more is the United States military than the free and the brave protecting with courage any American that is within the boundaries of this Nation, giving them the sense that they can walk in dignity so mothers don't have to cry over brutalized bodies that are laid upon a fence because they are different. I would ask my colleagues to oppose this conference motion and vote for the Matthew Shepard Hates Crimes Prevention Act so we can stand for freedom and bravery. At one time lynchings were commonplace in our nation. Nearly 4,000 African-Americans were tortured and killed between 1880 and 1930. During this same period and thereafter, religious groups like Jews and the Mormons were also subject to attack because of their beliefs. As we all know too well, hate violence against minority groups--most recently focused on gay, transgender and Muslim communities--has a long and ignominious history that continues even today. Bias crimes are disturbingly prevalent and pose a significant threat to the full participation of all Americans in our democratic society. The FBI has the best national data on reported hate crime, though the program is voluntary. Since 1991, the FBI has documented over 118,000 hate crimes. For the year 2007, the most current data available, the FBI compiled reports from law enforcement agencies across the country identifying 7,624 bias-motivated criminal incidents that were directed against an individual because of their personal characteristics. As in the past, racially-motivated bias accounted for more than half (50.8%) of all incidents. Religious bias accounted for 1,400 incidents (18.4%) and sexual orientation bias accounted for 1,265 incidents-- (16.6%), followed by ethnicity/national origin bias with 1007 incidents--(13.2%). While these numbers are disturbing, it is important to note that, for a variety or reasons, hate crimes are seriously under-reported. To protect the nation against this hate violence, I have introduced Hate Crimes legislation for many many years, with ever increasing support. This legislation will provide assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies and amend federal law to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of violent, bias-motivated crimes. Last Congress, this legislation was approved by this Committee and passed the House with bipartisan support by a vote of 237-180. Bipartisan majorities also voted in favor of hate crime legislation in the 109th, 108th and 106th Congresses. The bill has attracted the support of over 300 civil rights, education, religious, and civic organizations (including the LCCR, HRC and ADL). Importantly, virtually every major law enforcement organization in the country has endorsed the bill--including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Sheriffs Association, the Police Executive Research Forum, and 31 state Attorneys General. Despite the deep impact of hate violence on communities, current law limits federal jurisdiction over hate crimes to incidents directed against individuals on the basis of race, religion, color or national origin--but only when the victim is targeted because he/she is engaged in a federally protected activities, such as voting. Further, the statutes do not permit federal involvement in a range of cases where crimes are motivated by bias against the victim's perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. The federal government must have authority to be involved in investigating and prosecuting these crimes when state authorities cannot or will not do so. This legislation will strengthen existing federal law in the same way that the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 helped federal prosecutors combat church arson: by addressing the unduly rigid jurisdictional requirements under federal law. The bill only applies to bias-motivated violent crimes and does not impinge public speech, religious expression, or writing in any way. In fact, the measure includes an explicit First Amendment free speech protection for the accused modeled on the existing Washington state hate crimes statute. State and local authorities currently prosecute the overwhelming majority of hate crimes and will continue to do so under this legislation. The federal government will continue to defer to state and local authorities in the vast majority of cases; the Attorney General or other high ranking Justice Department official must approve any prosecutions undertaken pursuant to this law, ensuring federal restraint. However, in appropriate circumstances, the federal government will be able to provide support for local prosecutions--an intergovernmental grant program created by this legislation will make Justice Department technical, forensic or prosecutorial assistance available. The legislation also authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies that have incurred extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 is a constructive and measured response to a problem that continues to plague our nation. Hate crime statistics do not speak for themselves. Behind each of the statistics is an individual or community targeted for violence for no other reason than race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. Law enforcement authorities and civic leaders have learned that a failure to address the problem of bias crime can cause a seemingly isolated incident to fester into wide spread tension that can damage the social fabric of the wider community. This problem cuts across party lines, and I am glad to be joined by so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in supporting this legislation today. These are crimes that shock and shame our national conscience and should be subject to comprehensive federal law enforcement assistance and prosecution.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 707 ``Expressing support for designation of the second week of September as Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.'' The literacy of American citizens is essential for the economic well-being of our great Nation and I strongly believe that families play an important role in promoting and enabling learning at all levels. Illiteracy is the root of many problems in our lives today. For example, in my home district, the 18th District of Texas approximately 68 percent of those arrested, 75 percent of welfare dependants, 85 percent of dropouts, and 72 percent of the unemployed are identified as functionally illiterate, Youth Plus. One in three adults in the greater Houston metropolitan area functions at the lowest level of literacy: They are unable to read and comprehend a menu or a street map, fill out a job application, or read the directions on a medicine bottle, Literacy Advance of Houston. And in Texas, 85 percent of teenagers appearing in juvenile court are functionally illiterate, Youth Plus. No skill is more crucial to our future, nor to a democratic and prosperous society, than literacy. Basic literacy skills are the premise of reaching one's full potential as an upstanding citizen. President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, ``A book is the most effective weapon against intolerance and ignorance,'' in order for us to utilize this priceless weapon, we must educate our citizens. The education skills of parents along with reading to children have a direct impact on the educational success of their children. Parental involvement is an intricate part of a child's success and as the level of parental involvement increases the education level of the parent increases. Parents in family literacy programs have proven to become more involved in their children's education and gain the tools necessary to obtain a job or find better employment. Advocating literacy across America will result in children's lives becoming more stable, leading to higher achievement in the classroom, and success in all future endeavors becomes inevitable. Studies have shown that two important factors that influence student achievement are the mother's education level and poverty in the home. It is clear that if adults are not part of the learning equation, then there is no long-term solution to our Nation's education challenges. The National Assessment of Adult Literacy reports that 90 million adults lack the literacy, numeracy, or English language skills to succeed at home, in the workplace, and in society. National Adult Education and Family Literacy week would highlight the need for our government to support efforts to ensure each and every citizen has the necessary literacy skills to succeed at home, at work, and in society. I support the designation of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, which encourages people across the United States to support programs to assist those in need of adult education and family literacy programs. I call upon the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, community- based organizations, consumer advocates, institutions of higher education, labor unions, and businesses to support increased access to adult education and family literacy programs to ensure a literate society.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker. I rise before you today in support of H. Res. 741, ``Expressing support for designation of October 8, 2009, as national Jumpstart's `Read for the Record Day,' '' I would like thank my colleague, Representative Markey, for introducing this resolution, as well as the co-sponsors. As the resolution states, Jumpstart is a national early education organization, which is working to ensure that all children in the United States enter school prepared to succeed. Year-round, Jumpstart recruits and trains college students and community volunteers to work with preschool children in low-income communities, helping them to develop the language, literacy, and social skills they need to succeed in school and in life. Since 1993, Jumpstart has engaged nearly 21,000 adults to serve almost 80,000 young children in communities across the Nation. Jumpstart's Read for the Record, presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, is an annual campaign, now in its fourth year, that brings national attention to the crisis in early education by organizing the world's largest shared reading experience. The goals of the campaign are to raise national awareness about the importance of early education by engaging one million children reading the same book on the same day, provide books to children in low-income households through donations and book purchases and sponsorship, and raise money to help bring Jumpstart to more children to prepare them for school success. Jumpstart hopes to engage more than one million children to read ``The Very Hungry Caterpillar'' in this record- breaking celebration of reading, service, and fun, all in support of the Nation's preschoolers. I join this body in supporting the designation of ``Read for the Record Day,'' and agree that October 8, 2009, is the date Jumpstart aims to set a new world record for the world's largest shared reading experience, and, as such, is a perfect date for this designation. I also join this body in commending Jumpstart's Read for the Record in its fourth year; and encouraging adults, including grandparents, parents, teachers, and college students to come together with children of all ages to create the world's largest shared reading experience to show their support for early literacy and Jumpstart's year-long program working with preschool children in low-income communities.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1707, an act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to promote an enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people. S. 1707 establishes a new, more positive framework for U.S.- Pakistan relations. This bill is a bipartisan, bicameral compromise and is crucial to the success of a wide range of U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, while ensuring accountability and accountability for the assistance we give. I was an original cosponsor of H.R. 1886, an earlier version of this legislation. H.R. 1886, was passed by this body with bipartisan support on June 12th, and I remain unwavering in my support for this assistance package to Pakistan. Like its predecessor, S. 1707 establishes a set of principles that should govern the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, including the actions that the two countries should take to maintain a robust, relevant and lasting relationship. The bill is comprised of three titles. The first title provides Democratic, Economic and Development Assistance for Pakistan; the second Title provides Security Assistance for Pakistan; and the third Title requires the President to develop a regional security strategy; provides for enhanced monitoring, evaluation, and auditing of U.S. assistance; requires a Presidential report on Pakistan, including an evaluation on Pakistan's progress in counterterrorism and an assessment of whether assistance provided to Pakistan is in any way facilitating the expansion of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program; and requires that all assistance to Pakistan be provided through a civilian government in Pakistan established by free and fair elections. Pakistan is a critical ally of the United States. For too long, however, our relationship with Pakistan has been one of fits and starts, depending on events in the region and who happens to be in power in Pakistan. It is time for us the United States to forge a truly strategic partnership with Pakistan, one that goes beyond our mutual interest today in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism and speaks to the everyday needs of the average Pakistani. S. 1707 accomplishes these objectives. The legislation would significantly expand economic, social and democracy assistance to help lay the foundation for a stronger, more stable Pakistan. As requested by President Obama, this legislation triples the authorization for U.S. economic, social, and democratic development assistance to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year. This assistance promotes democratic institutions in the short term. In the short term, it provides immediate funding for democratic institutions such as Pakistan's parliament and judicial institutions. For the long term, this legislation enables Pakistan's next generation by funding educational and vocational opportunities for women and girls and religious minorities. As much as we must focus on the internal conflicts in Pakistan, we must not forget the external issues affecting the region as a whole and the need for stabilization. Over the years, U.S. assistance to Pakistan has fluctuated with political events, sending mixed messages and leading most Pakistanis to question both our intentions and our staying power. Today, many Pakistanis believe the United States will cut and run when it serves our purpose, a belief which undermines our longterm efforts to defeat extremists, foster democratic change, and support transparent and accountable institutions that promote security and stability in Pakistan. However, the status quo is not working: many in the United States believe we are paying too much and getting too little--and most Pakistanis believe exactly the opposite. Without changing this baseline, there is little likelihood of drying up popular tolerance for anti-U.S. terrorist groups or persuading Pakistani leaders to devote the political capital necessary to deny such groups sanctuary and covert material support. The bill helps bridge a sustainable U.S.-Pakistan partnership through an increased focus on public diplomacy and engagement. S. 1707 authorizes a new exchange program for Pakistani civil servants and military officers in order to foster greater respect for and understanding of the principle of civilian rule in Pakistan's military. By building bridges to Pakistan and its people, the legislation is intended to provide a new, more positive framework for U.S.-Pakistan relations. Finally, the bill authorizes an extensive increase in military assistance to help Pakistan wage an effective counterinsurgency campaign against those forces that threaten Pakistan's national security. This legislation establishes a new, more positive framework for U.S.- Pakistan relations. The legislation establishes a set of principles that should govern the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, including the actions that the two countries should take to maintain a robust, relevant and lasting relationship. Although, I believe that this bill is crucial and will be effective, it is only one piece of a greater strategy. This bill did not, as I have proposed, create a militant rehabilitation program to specifically prevent youth from turning to militancy from the onset. Financial support and job opportunities would be provided to graduates of the rehabilitation programs as incentives for steering insurgents away from militancy. This amendment would have greatly fostered counterterrorism efforts, and I hope that some of the many outstanding groups working in Pakistan will take the initiative in implementing this proposal. I have been to Pakistan many times. My belief in this country and its relationship with the United States drove me to co-chair the Pakistan Caucus. Benazir Bhutto, shortly before her death said that ``The next few months are critical to Pakistan's future direction as a democratic state committed to promoting peace, fighting terrorism and working for social justice. Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the forces of terrorism.'' I had the pleasure of knowing the late Benazir Bhutto and losing her was truly a tragedy felt beyond Pakistan. She made this statement over two years ago, yet is relevant today more than ever. On May 19, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced $110 million in emergency assistance for the South Asia nation of Pakistan, including aid for civilians fleeing a military offensive against Taliban militants in the northwest. The United Nations refugee agency issued a report stating that more than 1.4 million people in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) have been registered as displaced since May 2, describing the flood as the largest and swiftest to take place anywhere in the world in recent years. The newly-registered internally displaced persons (IDP) took the total number of those who have fled their homes in the SWAT valley and surrounding areas to two million. I am hopeful that the $110 million in emergency assistance will get to the people on the ground and will be of assistance to them. It is important that the people of Pakistan see that the aid is coming from America to give a face to this aid. It is essential to global security and the security of the United States. The surge of IDPs followed the launch of a military offensive in late April. President Asif Ali Zardari acted after U.S. officials stepped up warnings that Islamabad's willingness to tolerate and negotiate peace deals with the militants was endangering both Pakistan and the wider region. The Taliban fighting spread to NWFP districts and SWAT. President Obama's new approach to Pakistan is different than anything that has been tried before. America has expressed that it will support the democratically-elected government and it will have a clear and transparent relationship. This bill has the support of the President, Secretary Clinton, Secretary Gates, Admiral Mullen, and Senators Kerry and Lugar. In conclusion, I urge you to support S. 1707, which seeks to and effectively establishes a new, more positive and enduring framework for U.S.-Pakistan relations. This legislation is timely. It is bipartisan. It is accountable. It is effective.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the chairman very much for his work, very hard work, I might add, Chairman Berman, and to the ranking member for the opportunity to support this legislation that has the Senate title. I also support the House bill, which we worked very hard on. But I support the idea that this bill provides for enhanced monitoring, evaluation, and auditing of U.S. assistance. It requires a Presidential report on Pakistan, including an evaluation of Pakistan's progress on counterterrorism and an assessment of whether assistance provided to Pakistan is in any way facilitating the expansion of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program and requires that all assistance to Pakistan be provided through a civilian government. We are treading water if we keep going back over and over again on what was. Yes, we have to acknowledge that Pakistan was our friend in the Cold War, and we have to know the Pakistan people in fact want democracy. They are strong and resilient people. When they had the tragedy in the Swat territory, those individuals that went to refugee camps did not stay long. Why? Because they wanted to go back and restore their lives and work. We need to establish friends with those who want to be friends. We know for sure that the Pakistan military has lost and shed blood on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Yes, there are problems which we can fix with this legislation, $1.5 billion a year that will help them on their economic recovery. I am disappointed that the legislation that Congressman Van Hollen had, that we have not been able to work that through. We worked it in the House bill on the investment zones, if you will, which I think is a positive step. But what we did do is we provided opportunity for schooling and an opportunity to ensure that young Pakistani men are not drawn to the teachings of those who would do harm, the violent teachings that have gone on, giving them alternatives in terms of promoting education. My friends, don't throw the baby away with the bath water. We have friends in Pakistan. That government needs to know that we are an ally, but oversight is imperative. A regional plan is imperative, and recognizing a friend when you see it. Fight the Taliban. Fight Osama bin Laden. Recognize your friends, and pass this legislation.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, on the vote H.R. 2442, Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2009, I was unavoidably detained in the Transportation and Security Subcommittee. I'd like to register the vote for ``yea.''

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished chairman and the ranking member and the proponent of this legislation, my good friend. I rise in support of this recognition of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug for his many contributions, raising the bar, if you will, on the horrific impact of hunger in this world. He engaged in groundbreaking scientific research and personal compassion to help save over a billion people from starvation across the world. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Congressional Hunger Center, I am deeply saddened by his loss. But he deserves countless accolades--and none of these accolades do full justice to the greatness of his achievements in alleviating hunger. Dr. Borlaug's work was extremely important to efforts of my former colleague Congressman Mickey Leland, who represented my district until his untimely death, trying to alleviate the hunger in Ethiopia on the basis of the continuing drought. Both Dr. Borlaug and Congressman Leland dedicated their lives to fighting hunger around the world. For 20 years, Dr. Borlaug was a distinguished professor of International Agriculture at Texas A&M University. I believe he had the thesis, Teach a Person To Fish Versus Giving a Person a Fish and It Will Allow Them To Eat Forever. This particular university is located in my good friend Congressman Edwards' district, but it is well respected throughout the State and the Nation. It was the home of Dr. Borlaug's Institute for International Agriculture, which develops and promotes science-based solutions to international challenges to agricultural and food production. Although Dr. Borlaug was honored throughout his career, I'm proud that he continued to research agricultural techniques to alleviate global hunger until his passing. He will forever be known as the ``Father of the Green Revolution.'' I believe that his work had to do with ending drought and finding out ways of intervention so that countries that suffered from this weather condition could still have the ability to grow crops. The Green Revolution developed new strains of crops that could withstand environmental threats like the drought. He is, of course, a significant and respected individual who fought with all of his heart starvation around the world. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 739, which honors the life and achievements of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug for his many contributions to alleviating world hunger. I support this resolution because Dr. Borlaug's ground-breaking scientific research and personal compassion helped to save over a billion people from starvation across the world. As a Member of the Board of Directors for the Congressional Hunger Center, I am deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Borlaug. His countless accolades do not do full justice to the greatness of his achievements in alleviating hunger. Dr. Borlaug's work was extremely important to the efforts of former Congressman Mickey Leland, who represented my district until his untimely death in 1989. Both Dr. Borlaug and Congressman Leland dedicated their lives to fighting hunger around the world. Without these great Americans more than a billion people around the world would have died from starvation or suffered from malnutrition. For 20 years, Dr. Borlaug was a Distinguished Professor of International Agriculture at Texas A&M University, located close to my district. Texas A&M is home to the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture, which develops and promotes science-based solutions to international challenges to agricultural and food production. Although Dr. Borlaug was honored throughout his career, I am proud that he continued to research agricultural techniques to alleviate global hunger until his passing. After he had gained international fame for his work he built upon his work to create the World Food Prize, known as the ``Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture.'' Dr. Norman E. Borlaug will forever be known as the ``Father of the Green Revolution'' for his work developing new strains of crops that could withstand environmental threats. He developed a new strain of wheat that resisted disease while increasing productivity in the poorest areas of rural Mexico. The significant impact of his work in Mexico was noted around the world and his agricultural developments spread to South Asia where his wheat strain helped to feed millions in India and Pakistan. Dr. Borlaug's techniques were adopted in the Middle East and adapted to rice production. As Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said in 2007, ``No person, before or since, has done more to answer the call to help liberate the world from hunger.'' In 1970, Dr. Borlaug's significant achievement in agriculture was honored by the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1977 he was bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom and in 2006, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Dr. Borlaug has been honored in the places where his work had the greatest impact. The Government of India awarded Dr. Borlaug its second highest civilian honor. He has an agricultural research building named after him in Bolivia and a street named after him in Ciudad Obregon in the Mexican State of Sonora. Academic institutions and agricultural research centers in Iowa, Minnesota, and Texas bear his name as a tribute to his work combating hunger.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 186, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.'' Sickle Cell Anemia affects an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 Americans. Every year 1,000 babies are born with Sickle Cell Disease in the United States, with the disease occurring in approximately 1 in 500 newborn African-American infants. We must educate the public and shed light on this disease, especially considering that there is a 1 in 4 chance that a child born to parents who both have the sickle cell trait will have the disease. Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited blood disorder that is a major health problem in the United States and worldwide. It not only affects African Americans, but Hispanics and persons of Greek, Italian, East Indian, Saudi Arabian, Asian, Syrian, Turkish, Cypriot, Sicilian, and Caucasian origin. Sickle Cell Disease causes the rapid destruction of sickle cells, which results in multiple medical complications such as: pain episodes, strokes, increased infections, leg ulcers, bone damage, yellow eyes or jaundice, early gallstones, lung blockage, kidney damage and loss of body water in urine, priapism, blood blockage in the spleen or liver (sequestration), eye damage, anemia, delayed growth and even death. Although it cannot be cured, effective treatment is available for persons with sickle cell disease. The trait and the disease are inherited. The most important thing one can do is to make sure to get tested. More than 2,000,000 Americans have the sickle cell trait, and 1 in 12 African-Americans carry the trait. Although researchers have not yet identified a cure for this painful disease, advances in treating the associated complications have occurred. Once almost exclusively a pediatric illness, research has resulted in early detection and improvements in treatment that have extended life expectancy from the 20s to the mid-40s for many patients. Although the life expectancy of a person with Sickle Cell Disease is severely limited, researchers are hopeful that in less than two decades, Sickle Cell Disease may join the ranks of chronic illnesses that, when properly treated, do not interfere with the activity, growth, or mental development of affected children. I am glad to be able to recognize the Texas Children's Sickle Cell Center for serving over 900 children in the state of Texas and having one of the largest educational programs in the country. The Texas Children's Sickle Cell Center offers comprehensive family-centered care for children with sickle cell disease. The center provides treatment for all aspects of sickle cell disease, offering patient care, education, screening and counseling for afflicted patients and their families. The Sickle Cell Center offers access to new drug therapies for sickle cell disease and its complications. The staff works closely with the neuropsychology, neuroradiology, cardiology and pulmonary departments in order to better understand the pathophysiology and to develop treatment options. I believe we need more facilities like the Texas Children's Sickle Cell Center in order to not only treat those with the disease, but offer services and educational programs to the family as well. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in this Congress to recognize the importance of researching, preventing, and treating Sickle Cell Disease by authorizing treatment centers to provide medical intervention, education, and other services and by permitting the Medicaid program to cover some primary and secondary preventative medical strategies for children and adults with Sickle Cell Disease. Furthermore, I hope that my colleagues will support designating September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the Nation about sickle cell and the need for research funding, early detection methods, effective treatments, and prevention programs.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, because I was unavoidably detained with constituents, I would like to acknowledge that my vote would have been ``aye'' in roll call vote No. 737, the Medicare Premium Fairness Act, on Thursday, September 24, 2009. Likewise, I was unavoidably detained in a meeting with the Vice President, and I would like to indicate that my votes today on passage of H.R. 905, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Boundary Modification Act, roll call vote No. 740, would have been ``aye''; H. Res. 16, supporting the goals and ideals of the National Life Insurance Awareness Month, roll call vote 741, would have been ``aye''; and adoption of motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2997, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, roll call vote 742, would have been ``no.''

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 684, recognizing and honoring Howard University School of Law's 140-year legacy of social justice and its continued commitment to the training of capable and compassionate legal practitioners and scholars. The United States Congress chartered Howard University here in Washington, D.C. back in 1867, this bill honors not only their hard work, but the prescience of our forefathers. Howard University School of Law first opened its doors in 1869 during a time of dramatic change in the United States, after the civil war. At the time, there was a great need to train lawyers who had a strong commitment to helping black Americans secure and protect their newly established rights. Today Howard University's Law School carries on that tradition, educating its students to fight for those whose voice may not otherwise be heard. My home of Houston has a special relationship with the Howard University School of Law. Specifically, my city of Houston shares its name with a pillar of the Howard University School of Law community, its late dean, the legendary Charles Hamilton Houston. Educated at Amherst College and Harvard Law School, Houston was the first African American to serve as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. This feat by Houston paved the way for a young Harvard Law student who stood in Houston's shoes some 70 years later as the Harvard Law Journal's first Editor-in-Chief, President Barack Obama. Armed with his ivy league training, Houston returned to Washington where he was admitted to the District of Columbia bar in 1929. Beginning in the 1930s, Houston served as the first special counsel to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, beginning a two decade career as a civil rights litigator. Houston later joined Howard Law School's faculty and ultimately became Dean, establishing a long-standing relationship between Howard and Harvard law schools. While at Howard, he was a mentor to Thurgood Marshall, who argued Brown v. Board of Education and was later appointed to the Supreme Court. Houston used his post at Howard to recruit talented students into the NAACP's legal efforts, among them Marshall and Oliver Hill, the first- and second-ranked students in the class of 1933, both of whom were drafted into organization's legal battles by Houston. By the mid-1930s, two separate anti-lynching bills backed by the NAACP had failed to gain passage, and the organization had won a landmark victory against restrictive housing covenants that excluded blacks from particular neighborhoods only to see the achievement undermined by subsequent legal precedents. Houston struck upon the idea that unequal education was the Achilles heel of Jim Crow. By demonstrating the failure of states to even try to live up to the 1896 rule of ``separate but equal,'' Houston hoped to finally overturn the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that had given birth to that phrase. His target was broad, but the evidence was numerous. Southern states collectively spent less than half of what was allotted for white students on education for blacks; there were even greater disparities in individual school districts. Black schools were equipped with castoff supplies from white ones and built with inferior materials. Black facilities appeared to be part of a crude segregationist satire-- a design to make black education a contradiction in terms. Houston designed a strategy of attacking segregation in law schools-- forcing states to either create costly parallel law schools or integrate the existing ones. The strategy had hidden benefits: since law students were predominantly male, Houston sought to neutralize the age-old argument that allowing blacks to attend white institutions would lead to miscegenation, or ``race-mixing''. He also reasoned that judges deciding the cases might be more sympathetic to plaintiffs who were pursuing careers in law. Finally, by challenging segregation in graduate schools, the NAACP lawyers would bypass the inflammatory issue of miscegenation among young children. The successful ruling handed down in the Brown decision was testament to the master strategy formulated by Houston. This strategy is often referred to as the Houstonian philosophy of social engineering, based upon his legendary saying ``A lawyer's either a social engineer or he's a parasite on society.'' . . . A social engineer was a highly skilled, perceptive, sensitive lawyer who understood the Constitution of the United States and knew how to explore its uses in the solving of ``problems of . . . local communities'' and in ``bettering conditions of the underprivileged citizens.'' Houston's philosophy has left a lasting mark on Howard University School of Law as evidenced by the quantity and quality of its graduates, producing more Black lawyers than any other institution. Further, as outlined in the text of this resolution, Howard trained lawyers have excelled and climbed to some of the highest leadership positions in the world. The first African-American to serve as a Member of Congress, John Mercer Langston, was also a member of the Howard University School of Law community. Today's Congress also includes a Member of the Howard University School of Law, namely Mr. Meek of New York. U.S. Senator Roland Burris of Illinois, the only African-American in the other Chamber, is a 1963 graduate of Howard Law. Howard University School of Law alumni also serve in a variety of staff posts throughout both houses of Congress. In my tenure, I've hired numerous Howard law alumni. Currently, both my Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel are both outstanding alumni of Howard University School of Law. In my District, Howard University School of Law alumni have a distinguished legacy, particularly in the judiciary. Two Houston jurists exemplify the Howard University School of Law legacy. The Honorable Gabrielle Kirk McDonald graduated first in her class at Howard University Law School in 1966. Upon returning home to Houston, Judge McDonald practiced as a private lawyer until her appointment as a United States District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. At the age of 37, Judge McDonald made history by becoming the first African-American to be appointed to the federal judiciary of Texas. She was only the third African-American woman to be ever selected for the federal judiciary. In 1993, Judge McDonald presided over the three-judge panel that heard the first criminal trial of that international court, sitting in a courtroom of the new Tribunal building in The Hague, Netherlands. By this service, Judge McDonald became one of the first United States judges to be involved in international courts, apart from the International Court of Justice and the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg. Before hearing the first case of the International Criminal Tribunal in Yugoslovia, Judge McDonald and her colleagues had to develop procedural rules for the Tribunal. She consulted with colleagues at Texas Southern University where she was a member of the adjunct faculty at that university's Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Those consultations resulted in the preparation and adoption of the first procedural rules for the Tribunal. Judge McDonald, so well regarded by her colleagues, was sent by the United Nations to Tanzania, in Africa, in the spring of 1997 to assist in the organizing efforts of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, established by the U.N. to hear cases involving genocide in that country. In November 1997 she was elected President of both criminal tribunals, a position she held until her resignation from that position in 1999. She now serves as one of three American judge/arbitrators on the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal in The Hague, hearing claims by Iranian and U.S. citizens, and the respective governments of the two countries, that resulted from the take-over of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 by Iranian militants and the holding of U.S. Embassy personnel as hostages. The Honorable Hazel B. Jones of the 338th Texas District Court is a 1996 alumnae of Howard University School of Law. Born and reared in Houston, Texas, Judge Jones developed a sense of commitment to the Houston community by witnessing the examples of her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Larnita Jones, who served as educators and administrators in North Forest ISD and Houston ISD, respectively, for more than thirty years. Judge Jones attended Mary Brantly Smiley High School in North Forest Independent School District, where she was voted ``Miss Smiley'' and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Thereafter, Judge Jones received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a Texas Achievement Award Scholar and became a lifelong member of Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority, Inc. After graduation, Judge Jones worked as a research assistant in the Hematology/Leukemia division of the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She prepared drug study experiments with cancer cells; she performed DNA extraction for amplification in polymerase chain reactions and isolation in gel electrophoresis. While Judge Jones found her work in cancer research extremely rewarding, she heeded a personal calling to pursue a career in law. While attending Howard University Law School, in Washington, DC, Judge Jones worked at the Howard Law Criminal Justice Clinic, defending citizens charged with misdemeanors and representing prisoners in disciplinary hearings. During her summers as a law student, Judge Jones honed her legal skills by interning in the 151st Civil District Court, Harris County, TX and as intern for the Honorable Judge Vanessa Gilmore in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Since graduating from law school, Judge Jones Hazel Jones has been an active member of Houston's legal community. She served the Harris County District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney from 1996-2003 obtaining extensive trial experience handling misdemeanor and felony cases in addition to handling juvenile and family violence cases. From 2003-2005, Judge Jones worked as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas; her primary focus was to pursue the federal government initiative of ``Project Safe Neighborhoods'' which focused on the prosecution of armed felons and felons carrying firearms during drug trafficking crimes. In January of this year, Judge Jones was sworn in as a member of the local judiciary and we expect that her career will be no less stellar as that of her fellow alumna, Judge McDonald. Mr. Speaker, I salute Howard University School of Law for its service to my District, to America, and to the world. For this reason, I strongly urge passage of this important Resolution.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 3548, ``to amend the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary availability of certain additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes.'' Though the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has allowed us to see the light at the end of the tunnel on our road to recovery, we still have a long road ahead. H. Res. 3548 allows States to extend their helping hand to pull America out of this deep recession. In the midst of what has been categorized as the longest and deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression, many Americans still find themselves struggling to get by. Although the unemployment rates in some areas around the country have shown signs of leveling off, in my home State of Texas, many are still fighting to get on the right track. American's of all ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds are tired of struggling to feed, clothe, and provide shelter their families. I cite my mentor and predecessor Barbara Jordan who noted, ``We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present: unemployment, inflation . . . but we are attempting on a larger scale to fulfill the promise of America.'' With an unemployment rate in Texas of 8.2 percent, which is just below the national average, we in Texas are working diligently in a legislative capacity for the benefit of our constituents. The unemployment rate of my home district of Houston is just above the state average, at 8.4 percent, and I will not cease to take every effort to combat the problem. Over this past weekend we held our 2nd job fair in three months, where we called upon over 50 public and private sector representatives to bring employment opportunities to those in need throughout the Houston area. I saw lives change that weekend. The American people need a helping hand now; it is not time of partisan antics that delay assistance to those whom we represent. H. Res. 3548 will allow States to extend the assistance offered to their unemployed constituents so that families may continue their pursuit of the American dream. H. Res. 3548 sets forth a formula for determining if a state is in an extended benefit period and authorizes a state to pay extended compensation to an eligible individual before any additional Emergency Unemployment Compensation, EUC, if such individual claimed extended compensation for at least one week of unemployment after the exhaustion of additional EUC.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3617, the ``Surface Transportation Extension Act''. I would like to thank my colleague Representative James Oberstar for introducing this legislation, as well as the co-sponsors. I stand in support of this important legislation because of the importance transportation has for my state of Texas, and my home city of Houston. As a body we must be judicious in appropriating funds for transportation because it is of such vital interest to our Nation. Investments in our Nation's surface transportation infrastructure create millions of family-wage jobs and billions of dollars of economic activity. Each $1 billion of Federal funds creates 47,500 jobs and $6.1 billion in economic activity. In addition, this investment in transportation infrastructure will increase business productivity by reducing the costs of producing goods in virtually all industrial sectors of the economy. Increased productivity results in increased demand for labor, capital, and raw materials and generally leads to lower product prices and increased sales. Because so much is literally riding on a transportation agreement for the 21st Century we must insist on a balanced surface transportation program that serves the mobility needs of our country in a manner consistent with key Democratic principles, including: economic growth, intermodalism, security, safety, continuity, equal opportunity, protecting our human and natural environment, rebuilding our transit and highway systems, encouraging alternative transportation, encouraging smart growth, encouraging advanced technology solutions, and protecting the rights of workers in transportation industries. While I am satisfied with this current extension I look forward to the day when we can pass a comprehensive and equitable transportation agreement that serves the 21st Century transportation needs of the American people.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 74, which supports the goals and ideals of a decade of action for road safety with a global target to reduce by 50 percent the predicted increase in global road deaths between 2010 and 2020. Road safety is a critical issue not only in my district and across the country, but in countries around the world. As the Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, I believe that road safety is a critical component of protecting the nation. I fought for the building of infrastructure for safe roads in my district and I believe that this fight should be extended on a national and a global scale. According to the World Health Organization, WHO, the rise in both fatalities from motor vehicle deaths and subsequent costs is caused by the lack of appropriate road engineering and safety promotion in the public health sector. My home State of Texas is afflicted by the scourge of road fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008, there were 3,382 deaths across the state with 1,552 of those traffic fatalities occurring in urban areas such as my district in Houston, Texas. In 2007 there were 209 road deaths in Houston, Texas, killing nearly 10 people for every 100,000. According to the 2004 World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention, 40,000 people die each year in road crashes in the United States alone. Across the globe, 1.3 million people die in road crashes each year. Another 20 to 50 million people across the globe are injured in motor vehicle accidents, often as a result of speeding. Road crashes are the number one killer of young people between the ages of 10 and 24 world- wide. Road crashes not only bring tragedy and devastation to the lives of the victims and their families, they are also extremely costly. The estimated monetary cost of motor vehicle crashes is nearly $520 billion, or roughly 3 to 5 percent of the cumulative gross domestic product of the world. The tragedy of road accidents is not only the economic loss, pain and suffering, and loss of life but also the knowledge that road crashes can be prevented. I applaud the efforts of the Ministerial Consultative Committee, which drafted a declaration for the First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Moscow to designate 2010-2020 as the ``Decade for Action on Road Safety.'' I hope that this conference will succeed in increasing the global awareness on road safety and generate meaningful action against road fatalities. Road safety is an international effort that almost everyone can support. More than 90 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries. I believe the efforts to raise awareness for the need for road safety and strong action to help reduce motor vehicle fatalities will help our standing in those countries that need it the most. I strongly urge passage of this important Resolution.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 733, which expresses condolences to the people and government of the Republic of China, Taiwan, in the aftermath of the devastating typhoon that struck the central and southern regions of the island on August 8, 2009. I support this resolution because natural disasters know no boundaries and the tragedy that befell Taiwan appeals to our common humanity. After Typhoon Morakot landed on Taiwan at midnight on August 8 of this year, it dropped over 100 inches of rain on the island. To put that number in perspective, 100 inches is more than half the average annual rainfall of many places on the island. The torrential rain caused massive mudslides and floods, destroying roads, farms, businesses, and homes. This typhoon was the wettest in the history of Taiwan. Typhoon Morakot was particularly devastating in central and southern Taiwan. The world watched in horror as the reports came in. In the southern village of Hsiaolin, mudslides had destroyed almost all of the roughly 250 homes in the village, stranded thousands, and buried almost 400 people alive. A rescue helicopter trying to reach villagers stranded in the mountains crashed, killing all three crew members. In all, estimates have put the devastation to infrastructure and farms totaling more than $46 billion and the national death toll over 600. A tragedy of that magnitude traumatized Taiwan and required an official period of 3 days to mourn the lost. This typhoon was the deadliest in Taiwan's history. I applaud the effort of the United States to help with the relief effort. The U.S. gave humanitarian assistance by providing military aircraft, planes and helicopters, to deliver relief supplies on the island. Our service men and women performed their job admirably and I am thankful for their solid performance. I would like for the people of Taiwan to know how very sorry we are that they have experienced this tragedy. Having witnessed first-hand the devastation brought by Hurricane Ike on my own district in Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas, I know how a terrible natural disaster such as a typhoon can cause deep anguish. Moreover, from our experience witnessing Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, we know how the horror of weather-related devastation can scar a nation. My heart goes out to the families and the people of Taiwan.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 163, which expresses support for the designation of September 23, 2009 as National Job Corps Day. The Job Corps is an essential program that provides vocational training for thousands of young Americans each year, helping to integrate them into the U.S. workforce. The Job Corps was created under the Department of Labor in 1964 as a part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. The Job Corps was modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which was established during the Great Depression in an effort to house, train, and find employment for young people. Like the CCC before it, Job Corps seeks not only to provide vocational training but also to teach life skills and build character in participants. The Job Corps helps to foster professionalism by maintaining a strict zero-tolerance policy with regards to criminal activity for admitted participants as well as a code of conduct that includes rules for appearance. I am proud of the four Job Corps campuses in my home state of Texas. Job Corps has a regional headquarters in Dallas, Texas and operates campuses in the North, Central, South, and West regions of Texas. The Gary Job Corps center in San Marcos, Texas was inaugurated in 1964 by President Johnson. Today, the Gary campus has the largest GED program in the state of Texas. The Job Corps has provided thousands of Texans with the education and training they need to be successful at work and in life. I also want to mention the job fairs that I have hosted in my district of Houston, TX to help counter rising unemployment, designed to help all in need, including the young people that Job Corps assists. At the job fair in Houston last weekend, over 50 companies and government agencies attended and held on-site interviews. These events were incredible successes and embodied the spirit of the Job Corps program. Over its 45 year history, the Job Corps has helped nearly 3 million young people join the American workforce. The Job Corps operates 123 campuses across the United States, assisting nearly 60,000 students each year. The Job Corps is a refuge for high school dropouts, providing academic remediation and empowering them to join the workforce through career preparation and development. For that reason, the Job Corps has been called the largest and most successful high school dropout recovery program in the U.S. The success of the Job Corps program in changing the lives of its participants is evident in the following statistics. After eight months in the Job Corps program, the average participant will have a high school diploma and an improved literacy level. Seventy-five percent of Job Corps graduates will secure employment or enter into military service. The benefits of the Job Corps go beyond the impact on the lives of the youth who participate in the program. The Job Corps enhances the workforce in communities across the country by partnering with labor organizations and employers to develop specifically requested skills. These partnerships include internships and other hands-on training experiences that enhance the youth participants' employability. The benefits of Job Corps also extend to the community where youths perform millions of hours of community service, instilling the value of giving- back to the community. Finally, it is important that we note that National Job Corps Day also honors the 15,000 staff members who work hard to ensure that the participants get the best training possible. Without the hard work of these men and women, Job Corps would not have been able to help millions of young people enter the workforce and become productive citizens.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished chairman and I thank him for his stellar leadership and an overwhelming change in the way we think about education. I rise to oppose the present amendment, but support the underlying bill. This is a response to the competitiveness of the world. Each and every district that is represented here in this body, rural and urban, large and small, clamors for more education, particularly secondary education, higher education. In my own district alone, as it relates to Pell Grants, 23,084 students will be impacted, with as much as $110 million in new Pell dollars that will help not only the Nation's colleges but, in my instance, the 18th Congressional District. I happen to have a district that has any number of colleges, both private and public, large and small, research and nonresearch, students coming from all economic backgrounds, and I can assure you the importance of Pell Grants is without comparison. Then I also represent an area that was hit by Hurricane Ike 1 year to the date last week, still suffering from the lack of infrastructure, schools that have been destroyed. And the $359 million that will come in construction dollars to Texas, K-12, is going to be a remarkable change for the people of Galveston or the people on the gulf who are impacted by this devastating hurricane. In addition, I think it's important to note a full $87 billion in savings. Competition in place. Anyone who wants to provide a student loan--private bank, State bank--can provide it. But we are providing for the hardworking, taxpaying families additional dollars and a fair, even playing field. That's something to celebrate. We're investing $3 billion to bolster college access and completion support. Crucial issues. I happen to have a very large community college system. I'm gratified that language is in here specifically to enhance community college. Our community college system is growing with 60,000 students-plus. This is the first step. Go to a community college, be you someone who is working, someone who is raising children, someone who is going back to school, a military person who is retired or has just gotten out of the service, working with the GI Bill--you now have an opportunity to be able to go to a college that has reinforced dollars. This is a bill that cuts at America's competitiveness. The world is getting smaller. People know science and math. They are looking to be inventive. And that means in order to create an economic engine for this country, we have got to educate our population. People are clamoring for education. As I indicated, all walks of life, retirees, people who are changing jobs, people who have been laid off and fired. This is a new step. So let me just say I want to applaud what we are doing here today, not because Members are doing it, but because we're changing lives. I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Chair, I stand here today to express my support for H.R. 3221, The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. With an emphasis on improving access to financial support for higher education, increasing educational opportunities and preparing students for 21st century jobs by providing the resources they need to compete, H.R. 3221 ensures that we will be able to effectively rise up out of the ashes of what has been categorized as the longest and deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression. The national economic crisis has begun to infiltrate every corner of this country, and my home state of Texas is no exception. In the midst of this very difficult economic climate, there has never been a more important and relevant time for the passage of H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which provides access to affordable quality education opportunities. In accordance with President Obama's statement that the best investment in our economic future is an investment in our children's education, this important legislation helps to make college and post secondary education more affordable, and subsequently takes the necessary steps to invest in our country's economic future, all at no new cost to taxpayers. By making college more affordable, H.R. 3221 will enable more American students to not only matriculate on to higher education, but it will enable them to have the financial capability to graduate. This legislation provides all federal student loan borrowers with upgraded and modernized customer service, by providing them access to a public- private partnership that will serve as a resource for loan support. H.R. 3221 prepares students and graduates for 21st century jobs by providing Americans with the requisite skills and cutting edge resources they need to compete in today's job market. Early Education This vital legislation ensures that the next generation of students enters kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed in school, by reforming state standards and practices for birth-to-five early learning programs. This will have an immediate and direct impact on low income children entering kindergarten with the school readiness skills needed to succeed at this critical stage in learning development. It is important to note that H.R. 3221 creates an Early Learning Challenge Fund, which would award competitive grants to states that implement overall standards-based reform, thereby incentivizing each state to transform their early education standards and practices, to build an effective early childhood workforce, and improve the school readiness outcomes of young children from every demographic and every socio-economic background. Direct Loan Program H.R. 3221 provides reliable, affordable high-quality Federal student loans for all families. By strengthening the Pell Grant System, and by converting all new federal student lending funds to the stable, effective and cost-efficient Direct Loan program, the proper lending infrastructure to ensure a solid lending program removed from the fluctuations of the economy will be in place. Beginning in July 2010, new federal student loans will be originated through the Direct Loan program, rather than through lenders who are subsidized by taxpayers in the federally-guaranteed student loan program. One of the major benefits of the Direct Loan program is that unlike lender-based programs, the Direct Loan program is insulated from market swings, will enable students to have access to low-cost federal college loans irrespective of the current state of the economy. Fiscal Responsibility and Financial Literacy My concern for the importance of instilling a sense of fiscal responsibility in our youth runs deep. Recent studies have indicated that young people do not even know basic financial topics such as the impact of student loans on one's credit, how to balance a checkbook, and the impact of automobile loans on one's credit. Because of my concern that young people are not sufficiently informed about financial literacy, this year I introduced H.R. 1325, to require financial literacy counseling for borrowers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1325 is relevant in the discussion of financial aid and fiscal responsibility, because approximately two-thirds of students borrow to pay for college according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Moreover, one in ten of student borrowers have loans more than $35,000. This legislation was designed to ensure that our nation's college students will be more prepared when incurring student loan debt and help them to avoid default as student loans severely impact one's credit score. Currently there is about $60 billion in defaulted student loan debt. Many students do not understand the reality of repaying student debt while taking out these loans. While most Americans have debt of some kind, student loan repayment is especially scary, as one cannot just declare bankruptcy and have their loans discharged. Due to the lack of financial literacy counseling for borrowers, student loan payments are often higher than expected. Recent graduates are unable to afford the monthly payments resulting in them living paycheck to paycheck, acquiring credit card debt and in extreme cases, grads leaving the country in order to avoid repayment and debt collectors. Students and parents are not currently receiving the proper or any information of the burden that their student loans will have once they graduate. This is possibly a result of the relationship between student loan companies and universities, as some lenders offer universities incentives to steer borrowers their way. College campuses are one place that young Americans are introduced to credit and the possibility of living beyond their means. With proper loan and credit counseling the burden of debt incurred in college could be greatly reduced. Especially in this time of recession, financial literacy is one of the most important tools that we can give to our students in order to ensure their success in the future. My resolution was crafted to provide financial literacy training to students taking out Federal Student Loans and will require a minimum of 4 hours of counseling including entrance and exit counseling. Counseling will include the fundamentals of basic checking and savings accounts, budgeting, types of credit and their appropriate uses, the different forms of student financial aid, repayment options, credit scores and ratings, as well as investing. increasing funding for education Madam Chair, I also would like to address the relevance of this measure to our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and minority serving institutions, and to thank Chairman Miller, other members of the Committee and the staff for taking bold and necessary steps to ensure the long-term and robust engagement of these institutions for many years to come. I have always been a proponent of increasing educational opportunities for students of every level, from every socioeconomic background throughout our nation will yield the greatest return on our investment. Providing access to educational opportunities is critical to the nation's long term prosperity. Most recently I advocated on behalf of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010, H.R. 329, which sought to make the necessary investments to provide children with a 21st century education, will provide the resources to modernize our schools and colleges, and will provide funding to make college more affordable. Just as I supported past legislation like H.R. 3081, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which placed a premium on providing funding for and lending institutional support to our Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act invests $2.55 billion in HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions to provide students with the support they need to stay in school and graduate. HBCUs and PBIs as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) as the following: A historically Black college or university is an institution of higher education established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation. Historically Black colleges or universities also include any branch campus of a southern institution of higher education that prior to September 30, 1986, received a grant as an institution with special needs under HEA Section 321 and was formally recognized by the National Center for Education Statistics as a Historically Black College or University. Predominantly Black Institutions are defined in HEA Section 318. These institutions meet basic eligibility under Title III, Section 312(b) and serve at least 40 percent Black American students. Basic eligibility under Title III, Section 312(b) of the HEA is met by institutions that: have low educational and general expenditures (E&G) or seek a waiver by submitting evidence that is both persuasive and compelling to have this requirement waived; have a requisite enrollment of needy students; are legally authorized within their respective state to award bachelors degrees or are a community college; and are accredited by a nationally or state recognized accrediting agency. An institution is considered to have met the enrollment of needy students criterion if (1) at least 50 percent of its degree-seeking students receive financial assistance under one or more of the following programs: Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program, Federal Work-Study Program and/ or the Federal Perkins Loan Program or (2) the percentage of its undergraduate degree-seeking students who were enrolled at least half- time and received a Federal Pell Grant met or exceeded the average for similar institutions. We must invest in our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions. A digital disparity between HBCU campuses and their counterparts currently exists. There is a significant need among HBCUs to update technological equipment and to develop advanced and cutting edge educational and technological opportunities for students. In the face of the adversity that outdated technology poses, HBCUs continue to generate thousands of African-American graduates who are prepared to compete in and contribute to our global economy. HBCUs represent nine of the top ten colleges that graduate the most African-Americans who go on to earn Ph.D.s. HBCUs and PBIs continue to provide opportunity and advancement to African-American students, and therefore are worthy of federal support. Accordingly, my past legislative efforts have supported efforts to provide $653 million to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs and PBIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities and Native American-serving Institutions, Asian Pacific Islander, and Native American Institutions. In the state of Texas, we have Tribal, Hispanic and African American populations that will benefit greatly from provisions that provide mandatory funding for the next 10 years. As the nation meets the demands associated with global competitiveness and changing demographics, resources provided in this measure very much are need to ensure our nation's long-term viability. The $85 million designated annually for HBCUs is particularly noteworthy, and will contribute greatly to helping these historic institutions in equipping students with the skills and exposure needed to drive globally relevant innovations and nationally relevant achievement. Additionally, the measure provides unprecedented increases in student aid--particularly for the Pell Grant and Perkins Loan programs. Most notably, by ensuring that all new federal student loans will be processed through the Direct Student Loan program, the bill is expected to generate $87 billion in savings over the next ten years. These savings will be reinvested in other worthy projects benefiting community colleges and expanding the number of students who enroll and graduate from college. As a Representative from the 18th Congressional District of Texas, I know firsthand that this will enable HBCUs like Texas Southern University in my district and Prairie View A&M University just outside of my district to thrive. My past support of bills such as H.R. 3293 have advocated on behalf of an investment of $15.9 billion for Title I Education for the Disadvantaged Children Account, which will provide much needed support to underprivileged children in Grades K through 12, and will give hope to the low income families in my district in Houston, that their children will receive quality education. There is no greater investment in our country than an investment in our children's opportunity to obtain a quality education. I urge my colleagues today to pass this critical piece of legislation, as our nation's long-term prosperity hangs in the balance. Madam Chair, I support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the distinguished chairman for yielding me this time and thank him and the ranking member for what I believe is an astute and important statement on behalf of the United States Postal Service and all of its thousands upon thousands of hardworking postal workers. H.R. 22 is an effective approach to an organization which has served this Nation for decades, and one which we have respected and has served in many different capacities; the idea of reducing the payment that the postal service has to contribute to the health benefits trust fund from $5.4 billion to $1.4 billion, added to their already established resources, allowing them, without taxpayer dollars, to work on some of the new trends that we are facing all over America, new technology and the utilization of email. No one can doubt the service of the postal service workers and the importance of neighborhood post offices. Frankly, Mr. Speaker, I am hoping there will be a modified review of post offices and a respect of neighborhoods and rural communities and urban centers where postal services are very important. Many people use money orders. I know some of us would probably wonder about the utilization of those kinds of financial documents, but they are important to certain economic levels of our communities. Many people go to the post office to pick up their mail. They have a post office box. Many companies, for other reasons of commerce, use the postal service as opposed to an email. Sometimes a paper written document is necessary. I would like to thank the committee for looking intelligently at this issue, and I wanted to rise today to support H.R. 22, as amended, and to particularly salute the postal workers of America who have worked with me side by side in Houston who have been part of the postal food giveaway. They do a lot. I am very glad to have been an original cosponsor of this bill.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 57, which expresses the importance of swimming lessons and recognizes the danger of drowning in the United States, especially among minority children. Though interest in swimming throughout the United States has increased due to national attention to sporting events like the success of the U.S. Olympic Swim Team, drowning is still amongst the leading causes of death of American children. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that in 2005 there were 3,582 unintentional drownings in the United States, and average of 10 per day! According to an article in the NY Times, an even more daunting statistic is that African children and teens ages 5 to 19, are 2.3 times more likely to drown than Caucasian children in this age group. For children 10 to 14, the rate is five times higher. Nearly 6 out of 10 African-American and Hispanic children are unable to swim, nearly twice as many as their Caucasian counterparts, a concern often highlighted by U.S. Olympian Cullen Jones, who is African-American and swam the third leg of the winning men's relay this week. This unprecedented statistic is unacceptable as it is fairly easily preventable, steps such as adult supervision, regularly using life jackets, learning CPR, and fencing of backyard swimming pools can help save the lives of many of our youth according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some alarming statistics as stated by my very own district of Houston, TX declare that from May of 2005 to May of 2007: HFD responded to more than 50 drownings, resulting in at least 8 deaths. Traditionally, apartment pools account for most of the submersions. 60 percent of the pool incidents occurred at apartments. We also had several bathtub drowning incidents and several in lakes or bayous. Most of the children involved submersions involved 4 years old and infants (0-1 year old). Although, all age groups had submersions. Incidents occurred every hour of the day, though 1-2 p.m. and 4 p.m.- 7 p.m. had the higher number of incidents. In 2006, The New York Times story ``Everyone Into the Water'' reported on why the barriers to swimming for black children are so high. The report stated that ``studies have shown that many Africans were avid swimmers when they were brought over as slaves, most slaves born in the United States were not allowed to learn to swim because it was a means of escape. That created generations of non-swimmers and spawned the myth that African-Americans could not swim. Though widely discredited, a 1969 study titled ``The Negro and Learning to Swim: The Buoyancy Problem Related to Reported Biological Difference,'' was printed in The Journal of Negro Education and fed the stereotype. The problem was compounded by segregation, which kept blacks out of many pools and beaches. The USA Swimming Foundation is trying to address the problem through its Make a Splash program, which is working to educate parents and increase swimming rates among all children. Donors who want to help can sponsor swimming lessons for children. The passing of H. Res. 57 expresses the importance of providing access to swimming lessons for all communities in the United States as an integral part of drowning prevention. This Resolution celebrates the work of initiatives like USA Swimming Foundation's ``Make A Splash'' and Safe Kids USA to educate parents and caregivers on water safety and drowning prevention messages. H. Res. 57 also encourages the public and private funding to support current and future initiatives that provide all children access to swimming education.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support for H. Res. 738, Recognizing the 15th Anniversary of the Enactment of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. I express my gratitude to Ms. Slaughter for her leadership in introducing this important bill. This is legislation that I have worked on since becoming a member of the House Judiciary Committee in 1995 and I have worked with my colleagues through the years to improve the legislation. The need for such legislation is punctuated by the tragic murder of Yale graduate student Annie Le. While an investigation into this matter is still ongoing, Ms. Le's death appears to have been related to her wedding scheduled for today. As a Yale alumnae, I'm particularly grieved by this tragedy, and my heart and sympathies go out to Ms. Le, her family, and her mourning fiancee, on what would have been their wedding day. Ms. Le's murder in a Yale research building shows that domestic violence has no barriers, and crosses racial, ethnic, and economic boundaries. It is in this backdrop that we celebrated legislation proposing a federal response to the problem of violence against women. A review of history shows that the first legislative action on this matter was introduced in 1990, although such violence was first identified as a serious problem by Congress in the 1970s. In 1994, this legislative action culminated by the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Funding under the bill emphasized enforcement as well as educational and social programs to prevent crime. The focus of the funding was on local government programs, an approach that the sponsors of the bill believed was the most promising technique for reducing crime and violence. They also cautioned that, because of the variety of programs funded through the states, the impact of the bill may be difficult to quantify. Funding through FY2000 was authorized through the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund (VCRTF). Authorization for VCRTF expired at the end of FY2000. Nonetheless, most of the programs in VAWA received appropriations for FY2001. On October 28, 2000, President Clinton signed into law the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, which included the Violence Against Women Act of 2000. The Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (VAWA 2000) continued to support VAWA by reauthorizing existing programs and adding new initiatives, including grants to assist victims of dating violence, transitional housing for victims of violence, a pilot program aimed at protecting children during visits with a parent who has been accused of domestic violence, and protections from violence for elderly and disabled women. It also made technical amendments, and required grant recipients to submit reports on the effectiveness of programs funded by the grants to aid with the dissemination of information on successful programs. The bill amended the Public Health Service Act to require that certain funds be used exclusively for rape prevention and education programs. Moreover, the bill made it easier for battered immigrant women to leave and to help prosecute their abusers. This last element is important to note. Under the old law, battered immigrant women could be deported if they left abusers who are their sponsors for residency and citizenship in the United States. VAWA 2000 created special rules for alien battered spouses and children to allow them to remain in the United States. The original VAWA, established within DOJ and HHS discretionary grant programs for state, local, and Indian tribal governments. VAWA 2000 reauthorized many VAWA programs, set new funding levels, and created new grant programs to address sexual assaults on campuses and assist victims of domestic abuse. VAWA 2000 also authorized the Attorney General to award grants to private nonprofit entities, Indian tribal governments, and publically funded organizations to increase the availability of legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault in legal matters, such as immigration, housing matters, and protection orders, at minimum or no cost to the victim. These grants may be used to establish or expand cooperative efforts between victim services organizations and legal assistance providers, by providing training, technical assistance, and data collection. VAWA 2000 included grants to be administered by HHS for short-term transitional housing assistance and support services for victims of domestic abuse. The Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 and the PROTECT Act authorized funding of both HHS and DOJ transitional housing assistance programs for victims of domestic violence. VAWA 2000 amended the language of the existing STOP grants and ``Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies'' to provide funds to increase protection of older individuals and individuals with disabilities from domestic violence and sexual assault through policies and training for police, prosecutors, and the judiciary. It also created new grants, administered by the Attorney General, for training programs to assist law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and court officials in addressing, investigating and prosecuting instances of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and violence against individuals with disabilities, including domestic violence and sexual assault. VAWA 2000 authorized the Attorney General to award grants to state, local, and Indian tribal governments to provide supervised visitation and safe visitation exchange for children involved in situations of domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual assault. Several studies were authorized in VAWA 2000. These included studies of (1) insurance discrimination against victims of domestic violence; (2) workplace effects of violence against women; (3) unemployment compensation for women who are victims of violence; and (4) parental kidnapping. VAWA 2000 also required the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to develop a research agenda and plans to implement the agenda based on the National Academy of Sciences' recommendations in the report Understanding Violence Against Women. VAWA 2000 contains the Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act of 2000, which provides for increased protection of immigrant women who are victims of domestic abuse, and creates special rules for alien battered spouses and children to allow them to remain in the United States. VAWA 2000 also established a task force to coordinate research on domestic violence. VAWA 2000 established a definition for ``dating violence'' and amended the existing law so that STOP grants, Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies, and Rural Domestic Violence grants can be awarded for programs to combat dating violence, defined as violence committed by a person (A) who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and (B) where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors: (I) the length of the relationship; (ii) the type of relationship; and (iii) the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. In 2005, Congress reauthorized VAWA, through the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005). VAWA 2005 reauthorized many existing programs for FY2007 through FY2011, and authorized a number of new programs for victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The act emphasized collaboration among law enforcement, health and housing professionals, and women, men, and youth alliances, and encouraged community initiatives to address these issues. VAWA 2005 advanced the ball to protect battered women and children. Specifically, VAWA 2005 programs sought to focus on young victims of violence; improve the health care system's response to violence; inform the public and employers about domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; protect the privacy of victims of violence; provide housing assistance, including public housing, for battered women and children; and support outreach efforts to underserved populations such as ethnic, immigrant, and racial populations. In an effort to more closely monitor the status and performance of some of these programs, VAWA 2005 provided for some grant recipients to submit reports on policies and procedures they followed. The act also provided funding for studies and research on effective interventions that prevent both acts and effects of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Over the past 15 years, the federal government, with the use of the public treasury has funded interventions which have lowered assault rates. This intervention is estimated to have saved over $14 billion in public safety resources that would have been required had VAWA programs not prevented or addressed cases of domestic violence in each of the fifty states and all of the U.S. territories. I have worked with formidable organizations such as Texans Against Sexual Assault, who work to bring voices to women who have been victims of sexual crimes, and helping them along an emotional recovery. Also, the Texas Council on Family Violence, which has connected more than 15,000 Texas victims of domestic violence with emergency shelter and protection. In 2005, I offered an Amendment to the VAWA to provide $2 million for the Office on Violence Against Women, the Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs account for ``child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners.'' This allocation would be offset by the Edward Byre Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program and transferring the funds to the Office on Violence Against Women, Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Program. Instead, I proposed that this money be channeled to a program that has been significantly under-funded for many years, the Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Program's account for child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners as authorized by section 222 of the 1990 Act. Domestic Violence is of the utmost concern, to me and my constituents. However, in the past, the chronic lack of funding and resources has left a number of child victims in the cold to cope with the horrible and immense physical and psychological effects of the abuse that they have endured. As we look down the road for future VAWA reauthorizations, I urge my colleagues to focus on how we can take a more comprehensive look at domestic violence. Indeed, violence between family members and others related by special relations requires a dedication of resources to address problems that could be addressed by conflict management counseling and other mental health treatment. Indeed, juvenile justice data shows that families who are separated as a result of VAWA programs may also have an unintended consequence of contributing to juvenile delinquency, particularly amongst children of color, young boys in particular. Together we must take a stand and work together for Women's rights, as well as the rights for families. We must work on building a brighter future, and make gender based and family based violence a thing of the past. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 459, which expresses support for the designation of June as National Safety Month. Promoting safety awareness will help to reduce thousands of preventable injury and deaths in the United States in the workplace, on roads and highways, and in our homes and neighborhoods. Each week of National Safety Month focuses on a different aspect of safety: traffic, workplace, home, and community. This year's National Safety Month themes are teen driving, fall prevention, overexertion, and distracted driving. The statistics on the types of safety that comprise this year's National Safety Month are jarring. According to the National Safety Council, NSC, traffic crashes are the number one cause of teen fatalities, accounting for 38 percent of all teen deaths. In 2007, 20,600 people died from falls in U.S. homes and communities. Moreover, the U.S. Department of Labor documented that 8 percent of all occupational fatalities from trauma were caused by falling. Overexertion, particularly in the form of back injuries, affects over 1 million workers. Lastly, 80 percent of automobile crashes are the result of distracted driving. Given these drastic statistics, I believe that National Safety Month is an important effort to improve the well being of our country. Injuries and loss of life due to preventable accidents are tragedies that traumatize workplaces, families, and communities. In addition to the suffering of the victims and their families, accidents in the home and on the road created over $600 billion in costs to Americans. Accidents in the workplace created over $175 billion in costs for workers and employers. I believe that National Safety Month will help to improve our national economy as we climb out of the economic downturn. In my home State, the Texas Chapter of the National Safety Council is working hard to educate and influence the public in order to prevent accidental injury and death. The Texas Chapter contributes to Texas' public safety through events such as National Seat Check Saturday, National Child Passenger Safety Week, National Preparedness Month, and the Texas Safety Conference & Expo. I am proud of the work that the Texas Chapter of the NSC does to train safety professionals, reach out to the public for safety education, and raise awareness of safety. By raising awareness and educating the public on safety, National Safety Month honors the work of safety experts and professionals. Safety experts research, analyze, and publish information on improving safety in many aspects of our daily lives. Safety professionals provide training in schools and colleges, workplaces, and communities, as well as to drivers across the country. The work of these men and women save countless lives each year, and through this resolution, we honor their contribution to society. In addition to supporting National Safety Month, we must also recognize the achievements of the National Safety Council, NSC. The NSC was established in Illinois in 1913 to promote industrial safety. Since then, their mandate has expanded to include traffic safety, home safety, community safety, and workplace safety at large. In 1953, the NSC received a Congressional Charter. Today, over 51,000 labor organizations, businesses, schools, public agencies, private organizations, and individuals comprise the NSC. The NSC and its 40 member local chapters coordinate safety events, educate the public, analyze safety research, and raise awareness about safety issues. The NSC inaugurated the first National Safety Month in June 1996. In addition to National Safety Month, the NSC holds an annual Congress & Expo to exchange information among safety experts, safety professionals, and the safety industry. Their work is an invaluable contribution to the well-being of our country.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 686, which recommends that the United States Constitution be taught to high school students throughout the Nation in September of their senior year. Understanding the Constitution and fundamentals of the government of the United States is essential to being a contributing member of our society. By recommending that the U.S. Constitution be taught to high school seniors, this measure will help prepare people of voting age to participate in the democratic process. The state of public awareness and understanding of the U.S. system of government requires action to improve civic education. Americans from all walks of life--rich and poor, young and old, and Republican and Democrat--fail civic literacy tests. Moreover, many institutions of learning of all calibers and at all levels do not adequately prepare students to be knowledgeable citizens. Nearly half of the States do not require that U.S. civics and American history be taught in school. Education is vital to improving the vitality of our democracy. In Texas, teaching of the constitution is part of our social studies curriculum and 91 percent of our students passed our exit exams in the 2007-2008 school year. This shows an effort on our part to educate our students on the governing doctrine of our great nation and the retention by our students of this information. Instituting such requirements helps develop responsible adults who understand their responsibilities as a citizen of this great nation. I believe that all citizens need to have a strong understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the institutions of U.S. government. Individuals must understand the basic tenets of our Constitution in order to protect their rights and fully participate in the democratic process. Furthermore, civic Recommending to the States that they teach the United States Constitution as a part of the senior year curriculum will send a clear message that civics is an important part of a high school education. Increasing knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and our government will also lead to increased civic engagement among our students. Teaching the basic tenets of government to those students who will then become voters will increase voter participation rates and create a more active citizenry.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we have some joyous moments in this body, and I am delighted to say that we will have that tomorrow. Gospel music is part of America's culture, and I was very pleased to pass the legislation, House Joint Resolution 12, to acknowledge gospel music as part of the great culture of America. Tomorrow here in this House, we will celebrate the gospel music heritage legislation that was passed in this House and in the Senate by my colleague and friend Senator Blanche Lambert Lincoln. And we will celebrate it with the wonderful sound of Richard Smallwood. We have the privilege and honor of celebrating this cultural aspect of America reaching from the East to the West, from the North to the South, in places like Nashville, Tennessee; to Iowa; to Atlanta, Georgia; to Houston, Texas; to New York, New York; and places in California and around this Nation. We had the pleasure of celebrating it at the Kennedy Center. Bryon Cage and the Ebenezer Choir, AME Church, was there on Saturday evening celebrating gospel music heritage. We're excited about it. And we thank our House leadership for helping us pass this honoring of those wonderful gospel musicians that all of us have enjoyed over the years and decades: some starting out or gaining their rock and roll status like Elvis Presley from their original origins of gospel music or Al Green, the gospel singer, or Mahalia Jackson or Marian Anderson or Yolanda Adams. So many great gospel singers have given all of us joy no matter from whence we have come. So I would like to thank the House leadership. I would like to thank the majority leader and his staff and Chairman Towns and the ranking member of the Government Oversight Committee, all of whom helped this day come to fruition. As we move into issues that require our attention, Mr. Speaker, I would like to comment very briefly on our position in Afghanistan. Tomorrow I will have the opportunity to join in listening to Ambassador Holbrooke, who has just returned back from Afghanistan, and I would like to offer these thoughts. I do believe that Afghanistan is very important to the United States, and after 9/11 it was important to respond to the attack on this Nation. But now I think it is important to emphasize a diplomatic surge and the stand-down of the military soldiers, all who are valiantly working there. I believe it is important to allow the Afghan people, through the building of schools and roads and through the building of the Afghan Army, to take control of their own security. We cannot allow this to be a 20-year war as it was with Russia, and the Afghan people must stand up. Some may say it is not the time, that it is a difficult time. And they are right, because instead of pursuing the cause in Afghanistan, over the last 8 years we failed and detoured into Iraq, Iraq that took thousands of American lives and still unfortunately and tragically struggles today with democracy and leadership in their own country. But I do believe it is time for a surge of diplomacy in Afghanistan, and I am going to work with my colleagues to see this happen. I wish to mention Iran, as well, as the General Assembly gathers in the United Nations and particularly to focus on Camp Ashraf that has displaced Iranians. These individuals are in Iraq and they are subject to abuse. I'm calling upon the administration to demand for the people that are displaced that happen to be Iranians who are in Iraq to be treated with human dignity and for that camp to be protected and for the Iraqi military to protect that camp and not allow the intrusion into that camp and the rampage that's going on and the attack on women and children. Enough is enough. If Iraq claims itself to be a democracy, it is important. I also call upon the General Assembly to comment on the abuses in Iran, the human rights abuse, the press abuse, the lack of freedom of press. Even as we debate this question of nuclear proliferation, we should not allow the kinds of abuses that are going on in Iran. As I move to the domestic issue, Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that we clarify that health care is something that America wants. Sixty percent of the American people want health care. And as I was coming here to Washington, I met someone, Mrs. Wallace, in the airport who indicated that her son will have to have surgery costing a million dollars, and she pleaded that we get our job done. I said I would take her message to Washington, D.C. She was sending off her sister going to New Zealand. They have not been hampered by a program that is, in essence, underwritten by the government, but we're not asking for a program to be underwritten by the government; we are asking for people to have choice. But more importantly, we are asking to have an option, a public option, that will provide for the competitiveness that is so very important in providing health care for all Americans. Let's stop all the myths and the attacks, and let's have an evenhanded debate to recognize that a public option provides for competition. I want to conclude, Mr. Speaker, by simply saying we have celebrated this 1 year with the Lehman Brothers, but I will say to you that we have to have a recovery that makes sense, and this administration is working on it.