Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the gentleman very much. I have a large population of public housing--we call it housing development--and I'm very grateful that $4.8 billion has been implemented or used for that, $200 million above the President, $345 million above 2009 for maintenance and crime prevention and energy costs, two very important aspects. Let me just say by concluding I thank the gentleman for his work and for his housing efforts.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the distinguished gentleman from Florida. There are two distinguished gentlemen from Florida, the manager of this particular legislation, H. Res. 654, and my dear friend who has been leading the Organization for Security and Cooperation for a number of years. I rise to support this resolution in honor of the efforts by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation because I believe, as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the efforts of collaboration that we have addressing the questions of peace and security are crucial. I'd like to acknowledge some of the aspects of the OSCE's work. The 1999 Istanbul document, the OSCE participating states encourage the Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation to draw on the expertise of the participating states in setting up structures and mechanisms in the Mediterranean region. As well, you can also believe or manage to see that the OSCE provides the kind of bridge of cooperation that is very, very important. We welcome the representatives of OSCE that are here. I want to thank Mr. Hastings for his great leadership in this effort.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Will the gentlelady yield for a moment? You have eloquently articulated, I think, what our marching orders should be. I would just like to add an addendum to the vastness of what we're doing. I want to congratulate you for that amendment. With the rising number of seniors who are now reaching the point where good medicine is keeping them where they can be with their families, this bill is going to be looking at home care. We appreciate the vast network of nursing homes, but we're finding out that that's more efficient, to be able to keep seniors in their home, giving them good care. I'm experiencing it firsthand with a senior mother who is lively at home and enjoys the neighbors but needs home care. And it's a very important aspect of our work. We're going to do that. I love the expression or the emphasis on prevention. Why weren't we doing this before? We can then have a generation who has been engaged in preventative medicine, making them healthier middle-aged people or healthier seniors. The other point I think is important is the returning soldiers that will be coming home--some on active duty. They do have a system of health care. It's called TRICARE. I'm very glad one of our hospitals has been named a TRICARE site, historically black hospital. But we'll have all of those individuals that will be out and about needing health care, whether its veterans, whether it's through the TRICARE system, or whether or not they will be going to a civilian system. That is why health care is so important. I yield back to the gentlelady by simply saying I'm proud to be able to stand by a system that responds to the needs of all Americans. Today, I stand with my fellow colleagues in an unprecedented era, an era that can bring about change that all of us can believe in. During the 2008 campaign, the American people cast a vote for change, and in an unprecedented move elected Barack Obama as the 44th President. With his election, the country made a bold statement. They realized the Nation was in peril with skyrocketing costs--that were driving many in the 18th Congressional District and other throughout this country into bankruptcy. Faced with these challenges, America decided to make a calculated risk of monumental reform. Today, as we tackle this reform of the Nation's health care system, we must not become idle spectators and allow any debate over policy divide our country and serve as an excuse to maintain the status quo. The fact is, those who are not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or any form of private insurance, in most cases end up in a dangerous position, uninsured. Today, there are over 47 million Americans uninsured. I am required to alert the citizens of America that this single issue affects every single American and if we do not enact the appropriate kind of reform, Congress will have failed by giving the American people less than what they deserve. The rising uninsured Americans and medical costs today are a direct link to the economic future of America. Healthcare reform is no longer a choice for Congress to make, it is a necessity. So I pose the question, what will be the reform needed to ensure a brighter future in our health care system? From a cost savings analysis, having a public option included in our reform is the least expensive option that will ensure quality affordable coverage for all Americans. In fact, the House Tri-committee bill has been confirmed to remain deficit neutral by the Congressional Budget Office. The Public Option, similar to Medicare, will provide a publicly driven health care system, unique to the U.S. and separate from what is in place in any other country. The program will ensure: (1) Early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment; (2) Case management for chronic diseases; (3) Dental and mental health services; and (4) and even language access services. The U.S. healthcare system is broken and if not remedied in the immediate future, consequences will be far greater than anything we can measure. That is why many of us are fighting for reform to improve the health in every State, city, county, and American. However, though a public plan will ensure so much, there are still some issues that need to be addressed in the Tri-Committee bill. (1) Ensure physician owned general-acute hospitals that provide services in underserved communities are protected; (2) support and strengthen language to increase health care professionals in underserved communities, especially provide grants to secondary schools in underserved communities; (3) provide tax incentives for the development of Community Health Care Centers that are environmentally safe; (4) introduce language to provide employers a tax credit to develop preventive services for all their employees; (5) launch a pilot program that seeks to discover proven alternative medicine; and (6) in the wake of ongoing abuse of prescription drugs, introduce language that will launch a Pilot Program to Reduce Abuses of Prescription Drugs. This legislation will not be easy, but if we want true reform we must guarantee no one will fall through the cracks. This means solidifying every hole in our current health care system. In order to ensure this, allowing those hospitals that serve a high indigent patient base maintain daily operations. The emergence of physician owned hospitals has generated significant controversy. Yet, it is unclear whether physician owned hospitals differ significantly from those not owned by physicians. Currently the House Tri-Committee Bill, contain provisions that will effectively eliminate physician owned hospitals. ``The Economic Impact of Physician-Owned Hospitals in Eight States'' concluded that Texas physician-owned hospitals, which employ over 22,000 Texans, have a net economic impact of nearly $2.3 billion on Texas economy and will pay approximately $86 million in taxes in 2009. St. Joseph Hospital is a general acute hospital, in Houston, TX, and the only hospital in the Houston area to remain totally operational throughout Hurricane Ike in September 2008. The limitations in the health care bill will particularly harm the hospital's ability to deliver much needed services to underserved communities. If a hospital like St. Joseph is eliminated, countless people in Houston will not receive adequate care. I seek to work with all my fellow colleagues, even those across the aisle to introduce language to exempt those hospitals like St. Joseph. Achieving diversity in our health programs must include diversity in our health profession. We need to enact a system that includes people of every race, religion and socio-economic backgrounds. By proposing language that awards grants to the secondary education system in underserved areas to encourage students to seek health professions will improve our health care system. Encouraging young teens and young adults to pursue health care careers in areas of low population are often times only done through scholarships and grants to relieve those financial barriers that keep so many young children reaching for their dreams. With the recent passage of the Clean Energy Act, a call for new advances in technology can be implemented in our health care system. Permitting incentives for the construction and renovation of community health centers to one of the four standards set by the National Green Building Association--Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Emerald, will ensure that the patients will be treated in an environmentally safe building. Increasing funding aims to improve the air quality and other environmental features of buildings used for the provision of health care services particularly targeting underserved communities. While these services are great for physicians and the patients who see them, Americans are having a harder time preventing ever seeing a medical physician. Safeway has implemented a program that provides preventive services to their non-unionized employees. Based on the belief that rising health care costs are mostly driven by behavior (smoking, eating poorly, not checking your cholesterol, etc.), I seek to introduce language that will allow companies to establish a program that gives periodical screenings, questionnaires, prevention-related facilities like fitness clubs, along with advice and referrals to help improve behavior. Ensuring discounted premiums or refunds for those employees passing the screenings or showing improvement and establishing higher premiums for failing tests and no measurable improvement in behavior will hold people accountable and gives them incentives to live a healthy life style. This is the approach of Safeway, and it has kept Safeway's health care costs to $1 billion or so a year, mostly flat over the past five years. This achievement few other companies can claim. When it comes to healthcare, just about everyone wants alternatives, especially options that include alternative and complementary medicine. This is why introducing an amendment to provide what a large majority of respondents expect healthcare providers to do is so important. The majority of society wants more research dedicated to alternative medicine, and believes insurers and Federal healthcare programs should cover the cost of those therapies. Seventy-seven percent of the public favor more research. I seek to work with my fellow colleagues to introduce an amendment to launch a pilot program to prove alternative medical treatments, medicine, and services are safe. In doing so legislation can be enacted and will ultimately lower costs and provide the majority of the population requested sources. Though this reform seeks to improve the lives of every American citizen, it's important we consider every American citizen. In the sudden and tragic death of Michael Jackson, introducing language to study the abuse of prescription drugs by professional entertainers. Abuse of drugs often times has an impact that goes well beyond the individual performers, and frequently encourages impressionable young people to imitate this behavior. Depiction of such conduct in film and other video programming may also lead young people to mimic harmful behavior therein relating to prescription drugs. With this study, Congress can be guided on how best to address this dilemma and ensure the life of our children and celebrities alike. It brings great joy that the Congressional Black Caucus are at the forefront to lead our country in taking the initial steps to secure our economic future, health of our society, and the ideals of our country. There are those who want to destroy our initiatives, seek to divide our country, and maintain the status quo, and I ask my fellow colleagues in Congress to ensure the quality of our life will not fall to the ideals of those who seek this effort. It's been a long time coming, but in this Congress and administration, America will now see a brighter day.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the gentlelady from Ohio, first of all, for bringing this important Special Order to the floor of the House tonight and for her continued leadership. Allow me to thank Mr. Speaker for his leadership as well on these many issues because this is a dialogue with our colleagues on an important topic. And so I would like to begin by just congratulating you for focusing on the mental health issue, and some of our colleagues were focused on preventative medicine, and certainly, our majority whip indicated, in essence, a message to the American people of just what would be occurring. I would like to follow suit and try to walk us through the construct of what we're trying to do here in the United States Congress in the light of day, if you will. The Tri-Committee, members of those three committees, have marked up their bills in an open process, starting last week. That markup is continuing. Members will have an opportunity to engage in issues that they believe are extremely important. But while I discuss the bill, I think it is important that I point out that this is, in fact, the organizational chart of the Republican health care plan. I hope everyone can see it, and so as I discuss it we see that there is one option. It is the option that the President and the Democratic leadership and Members of Congress, which we hope will be bipartisan, will focus on curing the cancer, if you will, of uninsured people in America. When I say cancer, of course I'm speaking in the metaphoric manner, meaning that it is a cancerous sore to have people that cannot have access to health care. On July 25, I am going to hold a job fair because Houston has the highest unemployment since 1987, and many people believe Texas has been immune. And of course, I know that some will pick up on that and suggest that they told you so about the stimulus. We understand that the stimulus is making its way into our communities, and we know that jobs are being created and jobs are saved. But it's hit a point where various cities are being impacted at different points of time. So we'll have that job fair, and we expect any number of employers to come and we expect to have success. But in the interim, we realize that people are without health insurance. They are part of the 47 million-plus, including those who have never had health insurance, including those with preexisting diseases. So what is the Democrats' health insurance about? It is about closing the loopholes. It is about answering the call of Americans who cannot find pediatricians to take their children to, who have the elderly who need home care, who have articulated the major disparities in health care. You know, I heard my good friend from Texas rise today and talk about the Native Americans. I'm glad to tell him that the Tri-Caucus, Asian Pacific, Hispanic Caucus and African Americans, are way ahead of that question, and so we're focusing on the issue of disparities in health care. Just this past weekend I joined with Organizing for America to work with volunteers as they were calling to explain to constituents just what this health care package is about because we're not trying to hide the ball. And so it is about reducing costs, because rising health care costs are crushing the budgets of governments, businesses, individuals, and families, and they must be brought under control. That's what we want to do. It's about guaranteeing choice. Every American must have the freedom to choose their plan and doctor, including the choice of public insurance, a vigorous and robust public option. Ensure affordable care for all. All Americans must have quality health care. And unfortunately, I'm hoping that we are watching the plan that our good friends have so we can realize how important it is to focus on what we're trying to do, and it is complex. What we're trying to do in this health care reform is to answer the call that more than 8 in 10 of those Americans surveyed say: It's extremely or very important that the legislation make health insurance more affordable. We think that's very important. Without reform, the cost of health care for the average family of four is projected to rise $1,800 every year for years to come. And so our draft legislation has--and I want us to have the comparison of what we're seeing from our friends on the other side of the aisle, we will have no more co-pays or deductibles for preventative care. Can I use a term we use in our communities? Hallelujah. Can you imagine? Can you imagine? I know that you have the Cleveland Clinic. I have come and admired that. It's in your district. You have done great work for the Cleveland Clinic. Can you imagine those scientists and doctors will have the ability to design a preventative medicine program? I am sure they have one. The Texas Medical Center will be able to design a preventative program. Dr. Lovell Jones, who heads a minority populations program at the M.D. Anderson, will be able to finally get his way to work on the issue of disparities in health care but work on prevention. No more rate increases for preexisting conditions, gender or occupation. An annual cap on your out-of-pocket expenses. How many of us have heard the stories of catastrophic bankruptcies, financial collapses, because families have had to deal with catastrophic illnesses? Group rates of a national pool if you buy your own plan and guaranteed affordable oral, hearing, and vision care for your kids. I have worked on the issues of vision care, and I know as Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus children, as Chairwoman Barbara Lee said, are the most vulnerable. So we realize that we've got to do something. By a 23 point margin, 56 to 33 percent of Americans endorse the idea of enacting major health care reform this year. Half call it extremely or very important, and the idea of not having a health plan is really nightmarish, if you will. It is a fact that 68 percent of all personal bankruptcies are the result of health care expenses and that 75 percent of those are filed by people who had health insurance. Given that, it is clear that the existing system of private health insurance companies is no protection against financial ruin. That's why we need a robust financial option, and I refute the arguments that are being made that if we have a robust public option that all the people in the private sector will run for this. No, they won't, because obviously there will be criteria. There will be standards which they will meet, and there will be standards which we meet. There may be extras that the private insurance has. We wish them well, and they will be judged by the market, and their particular members will be subscribing on the basis of their desires and their ability. But I think one thing that we need to be careful of, and we need to find language to ensure that--we know they're writing the bill. We cannot allow willy-nilly for corporations to close their doors on the most sick of their employees and throw them, in essence, without their will, without their desire, into another plan. That's what we have to protect against, and I believe that we'll do so. The public option is going to be a very good plan, but if you are any corporation, and you're an employee, then you should not be thrown unless you desire to go into the public plan. And so we will protect against that. But I think it is important to note that our plan is, again, not one that is throwing money out and around and flooding, if you will, the streets like greenbacks by throwing them out on the street. We're not talking about that. We are talking about being fiscally responsible. Let me tell you how we're doing that--and this is important because the argument has gotten that this is a tax bill, that this brings no relief to anyone, but let me tell you, we don't ultimately know how it will manage in the size that it is to be fully paid for. But we are committed to being responsible with taxpayers' dollars. We are going to be working on programs that will prevent waste, fraud and abuse. This is going to be a health care reform with integrity, and I ask the American people, lift up the curtain. We have the lights on right now. You actually see what is going on as we mark up this bill. But I tell you what we're going to do. We're going to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid program requirements for provider, suppliers and contractors. No more willy-nilly rates and having no knowledge of how much things cost. I think there's a way of doing it. There is one position being proposed that some of us do disagree with, but I do believe that we can find a way to have common ground. We'll require providers and suppliers to adopt compliance programs as a condition of participating in Medicare and Medicaid. We'll require Medicare and Medicaid integrity contractors that carry out audits and payments reviews. We're going to be looking at why are you charging this amount for renting something--I just saw an expose today about paying $1,200 to rent a wheelchair, and you can buy it for $300. Let's slash that out. Let's slash and burn that out. That's what we're going to be doing, and the American people should understand that. Then we're going to improve screening of providers and suppliers. Create a national preenrollment screening program to determine whether potential providers or suppliers have been excluded from other Federal or State programs, that have revoked licenses; allow, in any state, enhanced oversight periods or enrollment moratoria in program areas determined to pose a significant risk of fraudulent activity; and require that only Medicare-enrolled physicians can order durable medical equipment or home health services paid for by Medicare. And a number of other checks that we are going to have. This is a not a fool-around-type effort. This is going to be a serious effort. May I share with you just a few other thoughts, and I will show you how our plan is going to be work. I am likewise very pleased to have been part of the CBC health task force for a number of years, but I, too, want to congratulate the Congressional Black Caucus health task force and Donna Christensen, who I believe is right now involved in marking up the bill. We have worked for a long time as a Tri-Caucus on this issue called disparity, and since my colleague was speaking just a few moments ago about Native Americans and that public system, and you know what, I agree. It has not been the best. It hasn't been run by a health care system. It's run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. We need to overhaul that as well. A robust public option does not entail the kinds of abuses or misdiagnoses that my good friend was talking about. And let me tell you why the Tri-Caucus of Hispanic Caucus, African American Caucus-- Congressional Black Caucus and Asian Pacific Caucus, includes Native Americans. And what we are going to be doing is ensuring that community-centric health efforts, particularly those that will expand access to care and improve the health and well-being of communities that are the hardest hit by health inequities--and that happens to be Native Americans among others--are integrated into health reform. So as we improve health reform we'll be looking to fix the broken native American health system. It is broken: high rates of diabetes, high rates of heart disease, bad nutrition in many instances, not good care for children. We're looking at turning Americans, all Americans, on this soil into healthy, healthy individuals. This is what I really like: prioritize prevention and public health promotion in both clinical and community settings. We couldn't have it any better. Recognizing that the traditional medical home has been the office of the family and other primary care provider, efforts must be undertaken to increase their numbers and the reimbursement, and they must be an integral part of this process. These words are very important. Every measure must apply equitably to American Indian tribes and the territories, and barriers to Federal health programs and the territories must be eliminated. This comes out of the Tri-Caucus health care reform, and we are working to make sure that we get those elements in our particular health care reform. I want to conclude by suggesting that after you see this health care plan, organizational chart of Republican health care plan--and we'll look forward to maybe something coming on this chart, but I think this is easy to read. This is the path to health care for all, and this has been done by my good friend. I am vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus. We are working together. So this has been done by my good friend, Keith Ellison, Congressman Ellison of the Progressive Caucus. And I believe that this is a straightforward, neutral presentation that anyone of whatever viewpoint they have that wants health care reform can understand how this can be the path to health care for all, every American. Employer-based insurance, exactly what you have now, except costs less. No more discrimination for preexisting disease, and at least 85 percent of premiums must go to patient care. Would anybody refute and reject that? I think not. Public programs--Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP--still available to children, seniors, and families below the poverty level. In fact, we're going to reinvigorate Medicare. We're going to make that vigorous and ensure that payments are made. Then, health insurance exchange, individual, small businesses, subsidized for up to 400 percent of the poverty level, which will include a public plan and private plan. The good news is that small businesses--and small businesses can be one person that wants to go out and follow their dream. They want to be inventive. They want to be creative. They want to do what they had desired to do maybe from a child. Now they are without health insurance. Their families are without health insurance. Their mother that they may be taking care of, their father, their elderly relative is without health insurance. We give them the opportunity. And so I want everyone to set their eyes on this as I come to a close about a very important point, and I hope that I can encourage you to be interested in this point, and that is the issue of physician-owned hospitals and specialty hospitals. I am hoping that we will have an opportunity to recognize how important these hospitals are in care. For example, in the State of Texas, let me make it clear, the economic impact of physician-owned hospitals, which cover eight States, concluded that Texas physician- owned hospitals employ over 22,000 Texans, have a net economic impact of nearly $2.3 billion in Texas, and will pay approximately $86 million in taxes in 2009. What are they? Many people believe that they are boutique hospitals. No, they're not. They're hospitals in the valley, where people in the valley of Texas--we call that south Texas--had no hospitals. They're a hospital in the heart of downtown Houston in the 18th Congressional District where the hospital was about to close, and it serves a population that some are below the poverty line, some are above it, but it is called St. Joseph Hospital. It was the only hospital that stayed open during Hurricane Ike. So we want to ensure that public hospitals or physician-owned hospitals have their fair chance. Very briefly, the emergence of physician-owned special hospitals focusing on high-margin procedures have generated significant controversy; yet it is unclear whether physician-owned special hospitals differ significantly from nonphysician-owned specialty hospitals. The scrutiny on this lacks significant merit. Our objective is to support physician-owned specialty hospitals that deliver a significant share of their services to underserved. That could be part of the criteria. Currently, the House Tri-Committee bill contains provisions that effectively eliminate these services. We would like to see a revision of that. We have--when I say that many of us who represent these hospitals, I have visited them. I visited one that is in south Texas. It's state-of- the-art. People are healthier. Emergency rooms work, and it works. I do want to conclude and share just a comment and yield to the gentlelady. I think this is my third one, but I am concluding. I hope the bill will include a review or that we can review this issue of physician-owned general acute hospitals in underserved areas. They should not be penalized. I would like to make sure that we increase health care professionals--I think that is already in the bill--in underserved communities, and especially provide grants to secondary schools. I came across a program in New York where a nurse by the name of Jose--I'll just call him Jose--is going out to high schools, taking his staff and doing mock operations and having them dress up in scrubs and getting high school and middle school students exposed to health care professionals. I like that idea, and I'd like to see it supported. Provide tax incentives for the development community health care centers that are environmentally safe. Introduce language providing employers a tax credit to develop preventative services for all employees, and launch a pilot program that seeks to discover proven alternative medicine and also to address the question of abuse of prescription drugs. Mr. Speaker and to Congresswoman Fudge, let me thank you for the opportunity to share these thoughts and to be here to show the comparison between the work that's being done by the Democratic leadership and our caucus and the work that is being done or represented to be done by the critics who are, at this point, criticizing the plan. Let's roll up our sleeves, let's work, and let's do what is right for America, a good health care reform package. I yield to the gentlelady.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise to express grave concern for one of our soldiers being held in harm's way by the Taliban in Afghanistan. I join with Secretary Gates to call this disgusting. Knowing the brave men and women of the United States military, I know they will not leave one soldier behind. The 18th Congressional District has approximately the largest number of active duty soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The numbers are large throughout the State of Texas. We have grave concern and are in sympathy with his family. We want them to know that we do care. We want them to know that as the soldiers are on the battlefield in Afghanistan, we will not stop until he is found. It is necessary to express our belief that our soldiers are precious. We thank them for the sacrifice they make on behalf of our freedom and know that we will not leave one behind. It is disgusting, and the Taliban need to know we will never give up.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, as a 12-year member of the House Science Committee and a resident in Houston, Texas, I too rise to celebrate and to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11. This coming Friday, the NASA community and all of Houston will join in a splashdown celebrating the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 at Space Center Houston. Madam Speaker, I cannot tell you the great excitement in our community, because NASA has been a real anchor both economically, but really one of great pride, even though we realize it is a national treasure. The words of a young President John F. Kennedy in his May 25, 1961, speech to Congress rings clear in our ears because he challenged America. He challenged those who had the ability to dream and gave them the goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth. The Apollo 11 program was designed to achieve the goal established by President Kennedy, by sending a crew of three astronauts to the Moon and returning them safely, but he didn't realize the drama and the excitement and the inspiration that that would provide. He did not realize what it would mean when Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins took flight in Apollo 11. He did not realize that when the crew of Apollo 11 launched into space aboard a Saturn V rocket on July 16, 1969, was almost equal to, I guess, the discovery of this Nation. And then on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin successfully piloted the Eagle lunar module to the surface of the Moon. And who can forget ``The Eagle has landed.'' It was exciting for all of us who really believed in the greatness of America, but also the peace that America generated. And then on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong took his first step on the Moon, he became the first person to walk on the surface of another celestial body. We know his famous words that, in fact, as I paraphrase them, one step for man and one giant step for mankind. And so we recognize how important it is to celebrate 40 years, because we want there to be another 40 years of NASA, to recognize the economic arm that it presents, to recognize the value of the inquisitiveness of scientists, mathematicians, doctors, those who are engaged in the business of exploration and human challenges. Astronauts have come from all walks of life. They've happened to be my neighbors. We've lost some in Columbia and Challenger. We mourn for their families, but we celebrate their families and thank them for their sacrifice because we recognize that this is a time that we are now to pay tribute to them by continuing our work with NASA. How excited we are to have retired General Charles Bolden to be the new NASA administrator, a former astronaut, the first African American, a Houstonian in the years that he lived there. And so we celebrate and hope that this inspiration goes into the nooks and crannies of prekindergarten, kindergarten, primary, secondary education, college, graduate school. Let us send forth more astronauts, chemists, physicists, biologists, doctors, mechanical engineers, engineers, all of the people that can help us discover a peaceful way to live in this wonderful universe. That's what Apollo 11 was all about. Showing us that it is a place of peace, the Moon, that we can explore, we can find out information, we can make lives better for Americans and others around the world. I always believed in the international space station. As a member of the Science Committee, I was able to craft legislation to create a safety scheme, if you will, to ensure that the international space station is safe. We see now that there are constant checks and constant emphasis on ensuring the safety of this particular large building in space, if you will, the size of large football fields. We know that that is important, even to the extent of fixing a toilet. So, Madam Speaker, I rise to support and to salute Buzz Aldrin, the lunar module pilot; Michael Collins, the command module pilot; and Neil Armstrong, the mission commander, who understood what it was to make this giant step. His other words as well, as we came in peace for all of mankind, that should be the mantra, the standard, the medal, if you will, the heart of NASA as we explore: We come in peace for all of mankind.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the gentleman from Colorado for the time. I thank both the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Financial Services for what I think has been a holistic approach to the needs that we are having to address and what has been called an economic collapse. As it has been based on the practices of our past administration, we're simply trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. I would hope as we make progress on this bill, that as we fund the Small Business Administration, that we will be reminded of the importance of language to advocate for small businesses. It is very disconcerting to find out how difficult it is for small businesses to actually do business with the Federal Government. Veterans' businesses, minority-owned businesses, in essence, they don't have an advocate, and our agencies are using ``good old boy'' systems to give business not to our small businesses, but to others. We need that kind of advocacy in the Small Business Administration, taxpayer advocacy. Americans pay their taxes, and there are people who work and pay taxes and want to do the right thing. The taxpayer advocacy system needs to get teeth because it is dysfunctional. The IRS does what it wants to do and treats taxpayers poorly. And the taxpayer advocacy needs to strengthen its ability to serve. I like the language in the TARP oversight. It is important to ensure that the TARP oversight also includes the ability to make banks lend. But, lastly, let me say how grateful I am for this language dealing with automobile dealers to restore their civil rights and keep them in this place. Bob Knapp of Knapp Chevrolet in Texas has said, We will lose 10,000 jobs. He is a central city car dealership of some 60 years old. The atrocity of GM to close this longstanding, profit-making, employee-providing institution is a shame. Let us get Chrysler and GM at the table to restore the ownership of these dealerships to their owners and let them sell cars the American way. The language in this bill is the right language. I thank those who have helped to offer this language, but now we have to implement the language. Get these car dealers back doing their jobs. And to GM and Chrysler, accept these appeals, recognizing the large number of jobs that will be lost. Create a job or save a job, there are jobs here. We can save a job.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, thank you for your leadership. Just as we thought, when we began to make a historic march towards the civil rights of all Americans for health care reform, we begin to hear noises, wrong noises, about how much we're spending. Well, I will tell you what we're doing, because we're not ashamed of addressing the concerns of Americans: $100 billion a year to fix a $2 trillion problem; the fact that Texas children are uninsured, they will be able to be insured as other children around America. Sixty years Americans have been waiting and waiting and waiting for health care reform. Family costs are going up $1,800 a year. How many Americans want to continue that? And every single President, including Candidate McCain, wanted health care reform. We're doing it the right way. We're going to provide for primary care doctors. We're going to invest $1 in fighting for it and save $1.75. I want you to know this, Mr. and Mrs. America, we're going to take the big step, not for ourselves but for you. Health care reform, not yesterday but today and forever, because America needs it, and they need it now.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Rule for consideration of H.R. 3170 making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. The Financial Services Appropriations bill is a key part of efforts to restore the stability of, and the public confidence in, America's financial institutions. It makes needed investments in strengthening the Securities and Exchange Commission's ability to enforce rules that govern investments and financial markets and to detect and prosecute fraudulent schemes, and it permits the District of Columbia to continue operating in accordance with the decisions and policies established by its own local leadership. Along with these issues, the bill also supports America's auto dealers. Specifically, it requires automobile companies who have taken federal funding to reinstitute agreements with dealerships they have dropped in recent bankruptcy proceedings. As you know, this country made an investment in General Motors and Chrysler, two of the nation's largest manufacturers. Given the potential impact to workers as well as car dealers, many of whom are in my district in Houston, I supported this government investment. However, in the aftermath, nearly 3000 auto dealers today face extinction. The restructuring with GM and Chrysler have cost these dealers their right to continue selling these cars. This bill simply provides dealers the same rights they would have had before GM and Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings started. Previously GM and Chrysler had notified arbitrary dealers that their relationship was ending, essentially immediately, leaving dealers with millions of dollars invested in car stock, no options for consolidation and little leverage for liquidation. There was no transparency to the system that shut down many profitable dealerships that have been local institutions for decades, and no proof from auto makers that shutting down those dealerships will actually be financially beneficial to the makers. This legislation builds on the efforts of Congress in a letter sent to the Treasury Department Auto Task Force on May 19, and a letter sent to President Obama today. We all recognize that the economy is not favorable to the auto industry right now: we have already seen layoffs from manufacturers and we expect to see many dealerships consolidate and close this year. However, forced, arbitrary closure of dealers by manufacturers will not necessarily be financially beneficial to automakers, and it certainly will not help the local economies where dealers are integral to the business community. These dealerships employ hundreds of people across my district in good-paying jobs, they sponsor our community services projects in Houston and across the country; moreover, these dealers have been household names for generations. Some may say that auto dealers are standing in the way of change. I say they want change in the industry, and in fact they want only to be a part of that change. Each car dealer represents dozens of employees left without income or health care, and a major hit to the local economies of these towns. At a time when our nation is reeling from the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs each month and struggling to address health care reform, I congratulate Mr. Serrano and his staff in working to craft legislation to prevent hundreds of dealerships from shuttering their doors. Madam Speaker, I support the resolution, the underlying bill, and America's auto dealers and I ask my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today because we had a very important step in the history of America today. The House leadership announced a major initiative on health care reform: the 47 million-plus and growing number of uninsured Americans, the small businesses who get up every day and create the economic engine, the hardworking laborers who work every day, the children of America, just plain America is looking forward to a health reform package that gives a robust and vigorous public option without decreasing quality that says to hardworking Americans, No pre-existing disease or ailment in your family will ever break you again. That allows for the strength of the integrity of the Federal Government to be a partner in working with those who wish to choose their own insurance which they already have. It is a fair balance, and it is paid for. And so as we begin this debate, I'm excited to be able to announce that there will be savings, elimination of fraud and abuse, the opportunity for real health care reform.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Congressman Bart Stupak, for introducing this legislation. Every year on July 1st, I look forward to officially celebrating the establishment of Canada and all of her wonderful accomplishments. Canada has proven to be one of this nation's most trusted allies and as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I personally work closely with Canadian officials to ensure the 5,500-mile border that we share remains secure. In this era of heightened security, the United States and Canada have renewed cooperative efforts to safeguard the movement of people and goods, improve information-sharing, and strengthen border infrastructure and technology across the border. In a world in which too many nations still choose conflict over cooperation, and erect barriers instead of bridges, the U.S.-Canadian partnership has been and must ever be a model for others, and the foundation on which to build a common future. Indeed, our relationship is centered on a shared continent, shared values, shared aspirations, and real respect for our differences. Over the years, our nations have forged the most comprehensive ties of any two nations on Earth. They bind not only our governments, but also our economies, our cultures, and our people. From NORAD to NAFTA, Canadians and Americans have seized opportunities to provide for our common security and prosperity. We've tackled tough problems from acid rain and water pollution to differences over beer and grain in the spirit of friendship and in pragmatism. Addressing the Canadian parliament 50 years ago, President Truman declared that the success of the U.S.-Canadian relationship was due to ``one part proximity, and nine parts good will and common sense.'' Good will and common sense remain the foundation of our friendship. In Texas, the territory of the Consulate General in Dallas and the Canadian Consulate in Houston encompasses five states with over 36 million people. Bilateral trade with the region is over $30 billion each year; therefore I am very aware of how important a strong trade relationship is for both countries. Specifically the cities of Alberta and Houston share a number of distinguishing features which make them sister cities. Over the past 10 years Alberta has had the strongest economy in Canada, with an average rate of growth of 3.7 per cent per year, while Houston continues to thrive as the energy capital of the United States. Canada is the U.S. most important trading partner, with over $570 billion dollars in goods and services being traded between the two countries in 2006. Canada and the U.S. enjoy an interdependent energy relationship, trading oil, natural gas, coal, and electricity. Canada has a reported 178.8 billion barrels of oil reserves as of 2006, second only to Saudi Arabia. Over 95% of these reserves are in oil sands deposits in Alberta. Moreover, Canadian oil sands in Alberta have made Canada the largest exporter of oil to the U.S. and have helped alleviate our dependence on foreign sources of oil from parts of the world which geopolitically face much more risks than our neighbor to the north. Recent proposals by Canadian companies such as Enbridge and Altex to build oil pipelines from Alberta to Houston seem very promising, and I look forward to the progress they make. These 2,000 mile pipelines, which are targeted to be in service by 2010, will send over 500,000 barrels of oil per day. I would like to congratulate Canada on its many accomplishments over the years and remain appreciative to the people and Government of Canada for their long history of friendship and cooperation with the people and Government of the United States.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I speak in strong support of H. Con. Res. 135, and thank my colleague Congressman John Lewis, for authoring this important resolution which designates a marker in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center to acknowledge the role that slave labor played in the construction of the United States Capitol. We have already taken the first step in recognizing the slave labor that was used to construct this great Capitol building, by naming the hall Emancipation Hall. Now, we must complete our promise by educating visitors to the Capitol about the enslaved African-Americans who worked tirelessly to build the Capitol. According to records, local farmers rented out their slaves for an average of $55 a year to help build the Capitol. While this may not seem like a lot of money today, the physical, mental and emotional cost this backbreaking work had on the slaves cannot be overlooked. Slaves cut trees on the hill where the Capitol would stand, cleared stumps from the new streets, worked in the stone quarries where sandstone was cut and assisted the masons laying stone for the walls of the new homes of Congress and the president. It is estimated that over 400 slaves were used to perform the backbreaking work of quarrying the stone which comprised many of the floors, walls, and columns of the Capitol. Enslaved African-Americans also participated in other facets of construction of the Capitol, including carpentry, masonry, carting, rafting, roofing, plastering, glazing, painting, and sawing. We have already taken steps to acknowledge the role slaves played in building the Capitol; now we must place a marker in Emancipation Hall so that all visitors to the Capitol Visitor's Center are aware of struggles and contributions of our ancestors to helping establish one of the most fundamental institutions of our great country. Approximately 4 million Africans and their descendants were enslaved in the United States and the colonies that became the United States between 1619 and 1865. I know that many would think it a non-issue to address the events of over 135 years ago, but the scars from over 400 years of slavery in this nation still ache for a balm that is sufficient to the injury to the minds of this nation's people. After slavery there were still many difficult journeys for former slaves to overcome. Placing this marker in the Capitol allows us to give a voice to those slaves who were never heard and to tell their story. I thank Congressman Lewis from Georgia for your leadership in sponsoring this important legislation. I know that you are a firm believer in our nation and that we as a nation should recognize and take great pride in the contribution of all Americans to the creation of this great nation. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support of H. Con. Res. 127, which recognizes the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. As a child of Jamaican parents, I understand the importance of recognizing the influence Caribbean cultures continues to have on all facets of these United States. Growing up, my parents, who hail from Jamaica, instilled in me a strong appreciation for their Caribbean values. As a result of my upbringing, I have adopted a strong work ethic arid tremendous pride in my heritage. As a parent, I have passed on these same values to my own children, so they will develop a sense of pride in their Caribbean heritage and acknowledge the many roles Caribbean people play in shaping this nation. I whole-heartedly support this resolution that commemorates Caribbean heritage, history, culture and contributions to the United States. In her 1970 autobiography, Shirley Chislom, the first black woman elected to Congress, credited her success to the education she received while attending school in Barbados. She wrote, ``Years later I would know what an important gift my parents had given me by seeing to it that I had my early education in the strict, traditional, British-style schools of Barbados. If I speak and write easily now, that early education is the main reason.'' This is a nation built by immigrants. From as early as the 17th century there have been individuals from the Caribbean Islands, working here in the United States as indentured servants in the colony of Jamestown, Virginia. They worked in fields picking cotton, tobacco and crops just as the slaves. Caribbean immigrants have been contributing to the well-being of American society since its founding. Alexander Hamilton, the First Secretary of the Treasury was from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. We count among our famous sons and daughters, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Cicely Tyson, W.E.B. Dubois, James Weldon Johnson, Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier to name a few. H. Con. Res. 127 recognizes the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. Our nation would not be what it is today without these significant contributions of the Caribbean people and we should honor these accomplishments with the passing of this legislation. The contributions of Caribbean-Americans are a significant part of the history, progress, and heritage of the United States and play an important role in shaping the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States, which ultimately enriches and strengthens our nation. By passing this legislation we continue to honor the friendship between the United States and Caribbean countries. We are united by our common values and shared history, and we should celebrate the rich Caribbean Heritage and the many ways in which Caribbean Americans have helped shape this nation. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to pay tribute to the common culture and bonds of friendship that unite the United States and the Caribbean countries.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I support H.R. 1511, the ``Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2009.'' This bill was sponsored by Representative Christopher Smith of New Jersey. The bill's purpose is to amend the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations for FY2010-FY2011 which will provide assistance for domestic and foreign programs and centers for the treatment of victims of torture. I support this bill and I urge my colleagues to support this bill as it provides needed rehabilitation treatment to those who have been impacted by the effects of torture. H.R. 1511, the Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2009, authorizes appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to programs in the United States to cover the costs of services provided by domestic treatment centers in the rehabilitation of victims of torture (including treatment of the physical and psychological effects of torture). It will also allow the centers to provide social and legal services as well as research and training of health care providers outside of treatment centers or programs to enable them to provide such services. It authorizes the President to provide grants to treatment centers and programs in foreign countries that carry out projects and activities specifically designed to treat victims of torture for the physical and psychological effects of torture. In addition, it provides grants to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. This bill is not only important, it is necessary. The Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal and the myriad of consequential allegations of prisoner abuse across both Iraq and Afghanistan have cast a heavy shadow over our role in Iraq and our country as a whole. Under the Bush Administration, evidence indicates that torture was conducted on prisoners which included methods such as: waterboarding, weeklong sleep deprivation, forced nudity, use of painful positions, belly- slap and the exploitation of prisoners' fears of animals or insects. President Obama has since denounced these inhumane integration practices and has vowed that the United States does not condone torture. H.R. 1511 supports the President's vow by providing treatment to victims which is designed to enable the victim to step back from the trauma, learn to identify and accept it and gradually become reintegrated into society and/or the working world. This treatment will also serve a social purpose in that it will enable the victim to restore ties that were severed by an array of clinical symptoms caused by being tortured. In the wake of the Abu Ghraib scandal, the U.S. has gone to great pains to persuade the world that U.S. policy does not condone torture. If Congress enacts this legislation, it would reaffirm America's commitment to a world without torture and show the rest of the world that the U.S. is committed to rehabilitating those who have suffered at the hands of torture. We as a nation must set a clear example that we do not support torture, nor do we condone such practices. For the benefit or our troops, for the good of Iraq, for the good of America, and for the safety of the World, we must heal the wounds caused by torture to those victims domestic and foreign. A strong bipartisan message of support needs to be displayed by this body to right the wrongs and send a message to the world that America is committed to ending what President Obama called a ``dark and painful chapter in our history,'' by providing treatment to the victims of torture. I invite my colleagues to stand with me today and support this important legislation.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great pride and a deep sense of sadness. Pride because I'm honoring Hazel Hainesworth Young, 103 years old, who passed just a week ago in my own hometown of Houston, Texas. I am honored to say that she was an educator all of her life, a school teacher. She, in essence, set the standard for our famous Jack Yates High School and Phillis Wheatley High School. Phillis Wheatley High School was the school that Congressman Mickey Leland graduated from and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. Hazel Hainesworth Young was a magnificent soul, someone who nurtured the leaders of today, who was the dean of girls at Wheatley High School, whose daughter, Maryann Young, followed in her footsteps as a teacher. She was a Soror. She was a wonderful icon of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. But she was a public citizen. Her brother, of course, part of the, if you will, the intelligentsia and the excellence of legal prominence in the civil rights movement, but she brought about the civil rights movement by teaching to young Negro children--yes, Negro children--the opportunity to go forth and to shoot for the stars. There were no barriers to her teaching. She was honored in her lifetime because so many were guided and inspired by this wonderful, beautiful woman. I had the chance to be mentored by her, and I will go home to honor her, but she is honored today on the floor of the House. What a wonderful woman. Hazel Hainesworth Young, 103. She passed, but she will live on forever.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I missed the vote on the amendment to H.R. 3082 of Mr. Flake because we were detained in a hearing on the Honduran coup. Had I been present on the floor of the House, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the distinguished chairman and ranking member. Thank you very much, Mr. Edwards, for the grand work that you have done over the years in helping our soldiers. I rise today to support the underlying bill but to particularly focus on the medical services, the $34.7 billion; the mental health services, $4.6 billion; and the assistance for homeless vets, $3.2 billion. In my congressional district I work with these populations in particular, visiting them, listening to their situations; and as well, in my own community we have had a high number of suicides among active duty soldiers. I am very glad to announce that because of the legislation of this particular appropriation and the leadership of Chairman Edwards, we are now looking forward to having an offsite opportunity for a PTS treatment center; and as well it will be able to secure funding in the future for prospective TRICARE recipients. I am proud to have worked with Riverside Hospital. We need to be able to provide more services for PTSD, for the soldiers that are coming home. Believe it or not, Houston has been cited as the city that has the largest number of returnees or active duty soldiers who have been in Iraq and now, subsequently, will be coming from Afghanistan. Today as I speak, Madam Chair, we are burying a young seaman in my district. It is tragic, but we realize that we have to provide for these soldiers. I am very glad to support the rule and the underlying bill.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn and to salute August Provost III, a seaman at Camp Pendleton in California and to recognize the tragic way in which he lost his life in the line of duty. August Provost III was a young man, a constituent of the 18th Congressional District and coming from the famous Acres Home community. It was only a few days ago that his mother received the terrible news that he was shot dead on the base of Camp Pendleton, shot in the chest, shot in the back of the head and his body burned. We cannot seem to find any definite information, Mr. Speaker. The allegation is that this is a hate crime. The reason why I rise today is that he will be funeralized tomorrow as a hero. We, as an American people, must stand against hateful acts on the basis of someone's difference. And to the United States military, for which I hold in the greatest respect, there must be a thorough, in-depth, full and broad investigation, not a cover-up, to find out why this valiant, young African American died on this military base in his uniform by being shot by an alleged fellow sailor. The uniform of the United States military must be what it is, upstanding and respectful. And we cannot tolerate violence against fellow military personnel because of difference and should not exist in the United States of America military. I mourn with the family. I pay tribute to him as he is laid to rest as an American hero. He will be forever an American hero in our hearts and in this Nation. August, we thank you for your service. God bless you, and God bless the family.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Might I also say that I am also glad that this legislation continues to support the Congressional Hunger Center, which many of us have been supporting over the years in terms of its funding. And, likewise, I would like to emphasize the importance, in conclusion, that hunger has not been overcome. This bill deals with many issues, nutrition, Women, Infants and Children, the WIC program that is so very important, the commodities, the supplemental food program all again focusing on the large need from hunger, not only internationally, but domestically. I want to thank the chairwoman again and would like to continue to work with her as this bill makes its way through the Congress.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the distinguished chairwoman and the ranking member. I rise today to support the underlying bill and to particularly focus on the question of hunger in America. Madam Chairwoman, this past weekend I joined one of the more well- known constituents of mine, Beyonce, who is engaged in an online opportunity to ensure that food banks of America are taken care of. We realize that in this economic recession, although we are working very hard with stimulus funds, that many people are in need. Families who work are in need of extra assistance, and so I am particularly interested and concerned that this legislation, the appropriations, will be supportive of the works of the Nation's food banks and help the various food banks through a number of provisions that may ensure that food banks are a viable part of our economic food line. We know that there are about 900 million, 923 million people-plus, that are hungry around the world or are lacking in what we call food security, the inability to secure the right kind of food. We know that developmental concerns occur in children who are not, in essence, able to participate or to have the kind of food security they need to have. So I am very pleased that again the McGovern-Dole legislation has been supported as International Food Aid, providing some $1.69 billion as requested and $464 million above 2009. I am also very glad that this is able to meet emergency and nonemergency humanitarian food need in countries stricken with natural disasters and political strife, $199.5 million food for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, the same as requested, and $99.5 million above 2009 to support education, child development and food security to some of the world's poorest children.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I think you are well aware of the work that my former colleague, Mickey Leland, has done on hunger. And I want to continue to work to ensure that these programs are there for the continuously hungry and that we will be able to distinguish it.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I support H.R. 1511, the ``Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2009.'' This bill was sponsored by Representative Christopher Smith of New Jersey. The bill's purpose is to amend the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations for FY2010-FY2011 which will provide assistance for domestic and foreign programs and centers for the treatment of victims of torture. I support this bill and I urge my colleagues to support this bill as it provides needed rehabilitation treatment to those who have been impacted by the effects of torture. H.R. 1511, the Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2009, authorizes appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to programs in the United States to cover the costs of services provided by domestic treatment centers in the rehabilitation of victims of torture (including treatment of the physical and psychological effects of torture). It will also allow the centers to provide social and legal services as well as research and training of health care providers outside of treatment centers or programs to enable them to provide such services. It authorizes the President to provide grants to treatment centers and programs in foreign countries that carry out projects and activities specifically designed to treat victims of torture for the physical and psychological effects of torture. In addition, it provides grants to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. This bill is not only important, it is necessary. The Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal and the myriad of consequential allegations of prisoner abuse across both Iraq and Afghanistan have cast a heavy shadow over our role in Iraq and our country as a whole. Under the Bush Administration, evidence indicates that torture was conducted on prisoners which included methods such as: waterboarding, weeklong sleep deprivation, forced nudity, use of painful positions, belly-slap and the exploitation of prisoner's fears of animals or insects. President Obama has since denounced these inhumane integration practices and has vowed that the United States does not condone torture. H.R. 1511 supports the President's vow by providing treatment to victims which is designed to enable the victim to step back from the trauma, learn to identify and accept it and gradually become reintegrated into society and/or the working world. This treatment will also serve a social purpose in that it will enable the victim to restore ties that were severed by an array of clinical symptoms caused by being tortured. In the wake of the Abu Ghraib scandal, the U.S. has gone to great pains to persuade the world that U.S. policy does not condone torture. If Congress enacts this legislation, it would reaffirm America's commitment to a world without torture and show the rest of the world that the U.S. is committed to rehabilitating those who have suffered at the hands of torture. We as a nation must set a clear example that we do not support torture, nor do we condone such practices. For the benefit or our troops, for the good of Iraq, for the good of America, and for the safety of the World, we must heal the wounds caused by torture to those victims domestic and foreign. A strong bipartisan message of support needs to be displayed by this body to right the wrongs and send a message to the world that America is committed to ending what President Obama called a ``dark and painful chapter in our history,'' by providing treatment to the victims of torture. I invite my colleagues to stand with me today and support this important legislation.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1016, ``Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009.'' I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Bob Filner, for introducing this bill, and providing leadership on this important issue. Today I will defer to Thomas Jefferson who so auspiciously stated, ``The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the first and only legitimate object of good government.'' We must call attention as both the House and Senate discuss health care reform. Today, in the midst of two wars and an economic crisis, I know in this 111th Congress and with the 44th President of the United States, our government is now in the position of necessity where we must work to ensure comprehensive health care reform to all citizens. The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 will ensure that one community who gave the ultimate measure for their country will have a quality health care system. I urge members of Congress to put away the partisan bickering and come together to support those who have given their lives for the country they love. There should be no reason why our veterans should not receive the adequate health care they deserve. For 19 out of the past 22 fiscal years, appropriated funds for medical care were not provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs before the commencement of its new fiscal year, causing the Department great challenges in planning and managing care for enrolled veterans. Appropriation levels for health care programs in the Department have too often proven insufficient over the past decade, requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ration health care and Congress to approve supplemental appropriations. Medical technology available on the battlefields and in U.S. medical facilities are saving the lives of a high percentage of severely wounded soldiers, but they then often face long-term recovery and rehabilitation challenges. By providing sufficient, timely and predictable funding we would ensure that we meet the vital obligation to provide health care to all veterans. Congress must take action in ensuring our veterans who return home sick, injured, or even healthy will receive the quality health care they deserve. As Congress begins to swiftly act in an unprecedented time, I urge my colleagues to put away partisan bickering and act as a single non-partisan government to ensure our citizens' happiness in a quality health care system.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the gentleman very much. As he knows, we've been working on this because I come from an area that certainly has vested in the energy industry with a number of jobs that are tied, huge numbers of jobs. To my constituents, we are working on your behalf today. This bill does not discount your jobs or your commitment to this Nation because 1.7 million jobs will be created, $750 per household will occur in savings and $29 billion in consumer savings will occur. Also, I appreciate the chairman for working with me to ensure that we are investing in small business, guaranteeing that minority- and women- owned businesses will be involved in energy-innovative competition, language and amendments that I got into this legislation. In addition, we are still working on the question of whether or not our older homes will be impacted negatively. The language in the bill says new construction only. I want to continue to work with the chairman to ensure that we will also have additional protection for older homes. Jobs--we are going to protect jobs.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support of H. Con. Res 127, which recognizes the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. As a child of Jamaican grandparents, I understand the importance of recognizing the influence Caribbean cultures continues to have on all facets of these United States. Growing up, my grandmother who hails from Jamaica, instilled in me a strong appreciation for her Caribbean values. As a result of my upbringing, I have adopted a strong work ethic and tremendous pride in my heritage. As a parent, I have passed on these same values to my own children, so they will develop a sense of pride in their Caribbean heritage and acknowledge the many roles Caribbean people play in shaping this nation. I whole-heartedly support this resolution that commemorates Caribbean heritage, history, culture and contributions to the United States. In her 1970 autobiography, Shirley Chislom, the first black woman elected to Congress, credited her success to the education she received while attending school in Barbados. She wrote, ``Years later I would know what an important gift my parents had given me by seeing to it that I had my early education in the strict, traditional, British-style schools of Barbados. If I speak and write easily now, that early education is the main reason.'' This is a nation built by immigrants. From as early as the 17th century there have been individuals from the Caribbean Islands, working here in the United States as indentured servants in the colony of Jamestown, Virginia. They worked in fields picking cotton, tobacco and crops just as the slaves did. Caribbean immigrants have been contributing to the well-being of American society since its founding. Alexander Hamilton, the First Secretary of the Treasury, was from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. We count among our famous sons and daughters, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Cicely Tyson, W.E.B. Dubois, James Weldon Johnson, Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier to name a few. H. Con. Res. 127 recognizes the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. Our nation would not be what it is today without these significant contributions of the Caribbean people and we should honor these accomplishments with the passing of this legislation. The contributions of Caribbean-Americans are a significant part of the history, progress, and heritage of the United States and play an important role in shaping the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States, which ultimately enriches and strengthens our nation. By passing this legislation we continue to honor the friendship between the United States and Caribbean countries. We are united by our common values and shared history, and we should celebrate the rich Caribbean Heritage and the many ways in which Caribbean Americans have helped shape this nation. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to pay tribute to the common culture and bonds of friendship that unite the United States and the Caribbean countries.