Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak in support of the bill and in favor of my amendment. I also rise to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Edwards, the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs and Military Construction, and the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Mr. Filner, for all they have done and continue to do to make real President Lincoln's admonition that ``we care for him who has borne the battle, and for his widow and orphan.'' In particular, I wish to commend Chairman Edwards, for the leadership, commitment, and foresight he has demonstrated on the issue of PTSD and the overall mental health of our nation's veterans. Like Mr. Edwards and Mr. Filner, I am committed to improving the lives of thousands of veterans who have risked their lives for our nation, and I believe my amendment plays a crucial role in ensuring that veterans suffering from PTSD receive the medical treatment they desperately need. Mr. Chairman, thank you for this opportunity to explain my amendment to H.R. 6599, the ``Veterans Affairs and Military Construction Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year of 2009.'' As a Member of Congress from Texas, a state which has sustained more casualties in the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq than all but one other, I am pleased to offer this amendment. This amendment is intended to address the urgent need for more post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment and counseling facilities servicing veterans living in some of the more distressed areas of our country. Mr. Chairman, according to Webster's, dignity is ``the quality or condition of being esteemed, honored or worthy.'' We can never do enough to honor our wounded veterans. Studies have shown that 30 percent of troops deployed to Iraq suffer from depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, when wounded troops return home, the treatment they receive is more befitting a second class citizen than a hero. This is a shame and a great stain on our nation. How these problems could be overlooked or neglected by this Administration is unfathomable. The very leaders that these brave young men and women rely let them down. The message that incidents like Walter Reed Medical Center sends to our troops is that we do not care enough. But that is not the message we wish to send. The Veterans Administration and Military Construction Appropriations Act of 2009, H.R. 6599, will go a long away toward correcting this misapprehension. All Members of the House are indebted to our colleague, Mr. Edwards of Texas, for his masterful leadership in shepherding this landmark legislation to the House floor. For the more than 29,000 brave men and women who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, help is on the way. And the over 4,000 heroes who have given the last full measure of devotion will always be in our hearts and prayers. Mr. Chairman, my amendment requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of medical facilities specializing in post- traumatic stress disorder located in underserved urban areas. Access to post-traumatic stress disorder treatment is especially important since veterans living in such areas are less likely to be diagnosed and treated for post-traumatic stress disorder. Mr. Chairman, PTSD is one of the most prevalent and devastating psychological wounds suffered by the brave men and women fighting in far off lands to defend the values and freedom we hold dear. For those of us whose daily existence is not lived in harm's way, it is difficult to imagine the horrific images that American servicemen and women deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theaters of war see on a daily basis. In an instant a suicide bomber, an IED, or an insurgent can obliterate your best friend and right in front of your face. Yet, you are trained and expected to continue on with the mission, and you do, even though you may not even have reached your 20th birthday. But there always comes a reckoning. And it usually comes after the stress and trauma of battle is over and you are alone with your thoughts and memories. And the horror of those desperate and dangerous encounters with the enemy and your own mortality come flooding back. PTSD was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans, but it can result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes. People with PTSD may startle easily, become emotionally numb (especially in relation to people with whom they used to be close), lose interest in things they used to enjoy, have trouble feeling affectionate, be irritable, become more aggressive, or even become violent. They avoid situations that remind them of the original incident, and anniversaries of the incident are often very difficult. PTSD symptoms seem to be worse if the event that triggered them was deliberately initiated by another person, as in a mugging or a kidnapping. Most people with PTSD repeatedly relive the trauma in their thoughts during the day and in nightmares when they sleep. These are called flashbacks. Flashbacks may consist of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, and are often triggered by ordinary occurrences, such as a door slamming or a car backfiring on the street. A person having a flashback may lose touch with reality and believe that the traumatic incident is happening all over again. Mr. Chairman, the fact of the matter is that most veterans with PTSD also have other psychiatric disorders, which are a consequence of PTSD. These veterans have co-occurring disorders, which include depression, alcohol and/or drug abuse problems, panic, and/or other anxiety disorders. The current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq are the most continuous combat operations since Vietnam. Soldiers in Iraq are at risk for being killed or wounded themselves, are likely to have witnessed the suffering of others, and may have participated in killing or wounding others as part of combat operations. All of these activities have a demonstrated association with the development of PTSD. One study indicated that 94 percent of soldiers in Iraq reported receiving small- arms fire. In addition, 86 percent of soldiers in Iraq reported knowing someone who was seriously injured or killed, 68 percent reported seeing dead or seriously injured Americans, and 51 percent reported handling or uncovering human remains. The majority, 77 percent of soldiers deployed to Iraq reported shooting or directing fire at the enemy, 48 percent reported being responsible for the death of an enemy combatant, and 28 percent reported being responsible for the death of a noncombatant. My amendment recognizes that these soldiers are first and foremost, human. They carry their experiences with them. Ask a Vietnam Veteran about the frequency of nightmares they experience, and one will realize that serving in the Armed Forces leaves a lasting impression, whether good or bad. My amendment ensures that ``no soldier is left behind.'' By directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of medical facilities specializing in PTSD that are located in underserved urban areas, and conducting a concurrent study on increasing access to PTSD treatment at these facilities those soldiers will never feel forgotten or taken for granted. These soldiers can be certain that Members of Congress will ensure that they receive the necessary treatment to guarantee that their adjustment back into society is a successful one. As the war in Iraq continues to drag on, and with our country continuing to send military personnel to Afghanistan, the military has been overwhelmed with returning soldiers suffering from mental health problems. Earlier this month, Col. Elspeth Ritchie, psychiatry consultant to the Army surgeon general, stated ``as the war has gone on, PTSD and other psychological effects of war have increased. The number of (mental health workers) that was adequate for a peacetime military is not adequate for a nation that's been at war.'' Mr. Chairman, according to surveys conducted of troops in Iraq, 15-20 percent of Army soldiers have demonstrated signs of post-traumatic stress. Symptoms of this serious disorder include nightmares, flashbacks, emotional detachment, dissociation, insomnia, loss of appetite, memory loss, clinical depression, and anxiety. One year after returning from combat, approximately 35 percent of soldiers are seeking some kind of mental health treatment. Among soldiers still stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, many incidents of abuse, including killings and rapes by U.S. soldiers, have been attributed to ethics lapses caused by the strain of combat. Mr. Chairman, last Thursday, the Department of Defense released a report that stated ``current efforts fall significantly short'' in providing help for troops. Further, this report found that ``[t]he psychological health needs of America's military service members, their families and their survivors pose a daunting and growing challenge to the Department of Defense.'' I urge adoption of my amendment. And I thank the Chairman for his fine work in bringing this exceptional legislation to the House floor where it should receive an overwhelmingly favorable vote.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. If I could reclaim my time and say that the underpinnings of this amendment has to do with existing satellite facilities such as Riverside Hospital that could be in collaboration. I would be very grateful if I could work with the chairman and full committee, and I want to acknowledge the chairman of the full committee in looking at that as we go into conference, as to whether or not we can at least ensure that those facilities will be looked at.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer and withdraw an amendment on this particular bill. The amendment has to do with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, calling upon them to increase the number of medical centers specializing in posttraumatic stress disorder in underserved urban areas, which shall include using the services of existing health care entities pursuant to the authority in section 1703. This particular amendment has to do with ensuring the cooperation with existing health care institutions used by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a). I would like to see these facilities located in an area defined as a HUBZone and as well in an area that covers rural areas. I would like to see, according to my amendment, that these facilities would be located within a State that has sustained more than 5 percent of the total casualties suffered by the United States Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am very pleased that, under the leadership of Chairman Edwards, longstanding leadership, that the legislation that we have before us includes more dollars for mental health and substance abuse, and as well some $3.8 billion, and also it includes $200 million to address the question of fee-based services in the Veterans' Affairs medical system. It also has additional money, $5 billion, for medical facilities and $165 million for extended care. My amendment was to recognize the plain facts of combat, as we have seen more and more soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan wounded not only physically but mentally. Most of these soldiers have seen--94 percent of the soldiers in Iraq have reported receiving small arms fire, 86 percent of soldiers in Iraq reported knowing someone who was seriously injured. Some similar numbers we are finding in Afghanistan because we have seen an increased amount of combat in Afghanistan. And so, Mr. Chairman, my concern is to ensure that we have the right kind of facilities for our soldiers that are returning. So I offer this amendment because I thought it was very important to include hospitals like Riverside General Hospital, the only historically black hospital I believe remaining in the United States, founded and organized by a World War II veteran, or family of a World War II soldier. I would hope that as we move toward the conference, since this amendment is now being withdrawn as I conclude my remarks, I am hoping that we will be able to work with the committee and ensure that we have the opportunity to make this work. I'd like to yield to the chairman, if I could. I'd like to yield to the gentleman about the amendment that I have that has to do with providing post-traumatic stress disorder facilities in collaboration with existing facilities. I think this is a good amendment. I am offering and withdrawing it in cooperation with the committee. I won't go down to 1600 Pennsylvania and work with the White House, but I would like to work with this committee and this chairman, and thank him for his leadership, as well as Chairman Filner, who has been more than powerful, if you will, on the issues of veterans. This has to do with putting these facilities in historically underserved areas and, as I indicated to you, Riverside Hospital has an initial grant. We are having some difficulty in making sure they get their moneys from the last time. But I think we need more of these facilities. I yield to the gentleman.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I ask again, Mr. Chairman, unanimous consent at this time to withdraw the amendment, but keeping in mind that veterans and returning soldiers need service and they need to have the kind of service for PTSD. And I hope that we will be able to accomplish that.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairwoman of the Rules Committee. Her presence on the Rules Committee is evidence of the struggle, but yet the progress, and the reason why we stand here today. I thank the long-standing, committed Member of Congress, Rosa DeLauro, and I certainly thank the leadership for recognizing as we approach a very important time of year, August 26th, 2008, that will reflect on the movement of women arguing not for special preferences, but simply equality, that this Paycheck equality legislation must pass today! So the Paycheck Fairness Act is crucial to that equality, because it clarifies the ``any factor other than sex'' defense that kept Ms. Ledbetter from knowing and being able to petition for more money, is clarified to show that the disparity is not sex-based, is job-related, and necessary for the business. Do people realize that Ms. Ledbetter worked and toiled for years without understanding that she was not being paid a fair day's wage for a fair day's work? How tragic in America. May I ask the Members to support this legislation, because it is real, it is needed now! Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank Congresswoman DeLauro for this important legislation as well as the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Education & Labor for working together to see that gender equity is not just something we talk about, but something we are actually willing to put into action. This legislation is intended to combat the wage gap that still exists today between men and women in the workplace. It is an important step in addressing the persistent wage gap between women and men by updating the Equal Pay Act--passed more than 45 years ago. The reality is the Equal Pay Act needs to be strengthened and improved for all women to combat wage discrimination and eliminate loopholes in the current law. The Paycheck Fairness Act creates meaningful penalties against employers whose pay practices are proven to have been discriminatory. The bill will also protect workers from retaliation by their employers when employees discuss their pay with coworkers. Earlier this year the House passed H.R. 2831, legislation reversing last year's Supreme Court decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., in which the court ruled, 5-4, that workers filing suit for pay discrimination must do so within 180 days of the actual decision to discriminate against them. The Paycheck Protection Act is also needed to stop discriminatory pay practices by employers against our mothers, wives, daughters, and granddaughters that do the same job as their male counterparts. The Paycheck Fairness Act, which currently has 230 cosponsors, will strengthen the Equal Pay Act--passed more than 45 years ago--and as a result improve the law's effectiveness, and help to address the persistent wage gap between men and women. The Paycheck Fairness Act would: Clarify acceptable reasons for differences in pay by requiring employers to demonstrate that wage gaps between men and women doing the same work are truly a result of factors other than sex. Deter wage discrimination by strengthening penalties for equal pay violations, and by prohibiting retaliation against workers who inquire about employers' wage practices or disclose their own wages. The bill's measured approach would ensure that women can obtain the same remedies as those subject to discrimination on the basis of race or national origin. AAUW would strongly oppose any efforts to add such caps. Provide women with a fair option to proceed in a class action suit under the Equal Pay Act, and allow women to receive punitive and compensatory damages for pay discrimination. Clarify the establishment provision under the Equal Pay Act, which would allow for reasonable comparisons between employees to determine fair wages. Authorize additional training for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission staff to better identify and handle wage disputes. It will aid in the efficient and effective enforcement of federal anti-pay discrimination laws by requiring the EEOC to develop regulations directing employers to collect wage data, reported by the race, sex, and national origin of employees. It will require the U.S. Department of Labor to reinstate activities that promote equal pay, such as: Directing educational programs, providing technical assistance to employers, recognizing businesses that address the wage gap, collecting wage-related data, and conducting and promoting research about pay disparities between men and women. More importantly for our young ladies going into the workforce, it will establish a competitive grant program to develop salary negotiation training for women and girls. As a Member of the Women's Caucus and former President of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Houston, I have been fighting for pay equity for American women since before I arrived here as a Representative in 1995, and I believe that equal pay for equal work is a simple matter of justice. Wage disparities are not simply a result of women's education levels or life choices. In fact, the pay gap between college educated men and women appears first after college--even when women are working full-time in the same fields with the same major as men--and continues to widen during the first ten years in the workforce. Further, this persistent wage gap not only impacts the economic security of women and their families today, it also directly affects women's retirement security tomorrow. Now is the time for additional proactive measures to effectively address wage discrimination and eliminate loopholes that have hindered the Equal Pay Act's effectiveness. I urge my colleagues, both men and women, to support equality in rights and pay for all Americans by supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act, and vote ``no'' on the motion to recommit.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in requesting that the President focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime prevention and community policing, and coordinate certain Federal efforts to participate in National Night Out, which occurs the first Tuesday of August each year, including by supporting local efforts and community watch groups and by supporting local officials, to promote community safety and help provide homeland security. This important resolution will work to make America a safer place by recognizing the importance of community policing and crime prevention. National Night Out, ``America's Night Out Against Crime,'' is a program designed to heighten crime prevention and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations; and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. This is an opportunity to bring citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials together to fight crime where we live. Last year, over 35 million people celebrated the National Night Out with activities such as traditional ``lights on'' and front porch vigils, block parties, cookouts, parades, contests, youth programs, and visits from local police and sheriff departments. This event is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Tuesday, August 5, 2008. National Night Out supports the Department of Homeland Security's Ready campaign by handing out materials and educating and empowering the public on how to prepare for, and respond to, potential terrorist attacks or other emergencies. Additionally, this event supports the National Child Identification Program, a joint partnership between the American Football Coaches Association and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to provide identification kits to parents to help locate missing children. The National Sheriffs Association, the United States Conference of Mayors, and the National League of Cities have all officially expressed support for National Night Out. Neighborhood crime watch groups, such as National Night Out, contribute to the Nation's war on drugs by helping to prevent communities from becoming markets for drug dealers. They play an integral role in combating domestic terrorism by increasing vigilance and awareness and encouraging citizen participation in community safety and homeland security. Additionally, community-based programs involving law enforcement, school administrators, teachers, parents, and local communities work effectively to reduce school violence and crime and promote the safety of children. The neighborhoods we once knew as places of peace and harmony are now engaged in the fight against the rising tide of crime and violence. One of the saddest results of this increasing crime is that neighbors fear for their safety and become alienated from one another. Through this National Night Out celebration, people in the neighborhood are brought closer together, overcoming the atmosphere of fear and mistrust that comes with changing times. National Night Out gives people a sense of neighborhood pride and positive community spirit. This is why I strongly support the goals and ideals of National Night Out and request that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate support for National Night Out; focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime prevention, community policing, and reduction of school crime by delivering speeches, convening meetings, and directing the Administration to make crime reduction an important priority; and coordinate the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the USA Freedom Corps, the Citizen Corps, the National Senior Service Corps, and AmeriCorps to participate in National Night Out by supporting local efforts and neighborhood watches and by supporting local officials, including law enforcement personnel, to provide homeland security and combat terrorism in the United States. I urge my colleagues to support the National Night Out, which effectively works to protect Americans from crime across the nation.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the gentlelady from California for her leadership. I thank the Education Committee and our leadership. As many States in this great Nation, Texas is a college State; in my community in particular, the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, Houston Baptist, Saint Thomas, Houston Community College, and I'm sure many, many others. This is a relief. This is a hallelujah day to be able to help our young people reach their greatest promise. This is an important initiative. It encourages colleges to reign in price increases and provides consumers with helpful information. Now, because of desperate times, many, many State legislatures are giving our colleges the ability to raise tuition. It is going up and up and up. Now there will have to be an accountability. You will have to explain what are you doing to mitigate the cost. We want our children educated. We don't want them broke. This restores integrity and accountability to the student loan program. You'll have an option, you'll have information, your parents will have information. You will be able to work together so that you can invest in your education and still be able to survive once you graduate. It simplifies the Federal Student Aid application access. It expands college access and support for low-income and minority students. It allows you to have your loans forgiven if you are police officers, teachers, scientists, and others that are helping this community. It strengthens our workforce and our competitiveness. It helps our veterans and military families. It is a day that recognizes that America is made great by those who educate and those who, with their own genius, will provide for the next intelligence, the next leadership of the 21st century. All over the world they want to copy and emulate how we educate. They want to come to the United States because of the principles of freedom. This higher education bill will allow us to pursue that freedom in the right way, and it assures equal college opportunities for students with disabilities. I applaud that. I celebrate that. I encourage that opportunity for those students whose minds are agile and who are ready to go to work, and it encourages colleges, the most important place, to adopt sustainable and energy-efficient practices. This is a valuable step in educating our community. I do want to close by simply saying we have to be on the front lines of education, primary and secondary education. This is the bill that does it. I ask my colleagues to support the Higher Education Opportunity Act. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4137, To amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965, introduced by my distinguished colleague from California, Representative George Miller. This significant piece of legislation provides greater access to colleges and universities, making higher education affordable for all Americans, not just the wealthy. A quality education continues to be the best pathway to social and economic mobility in this country. As a member and senior whip of the Congressional Black Caucus, I have consistently advocated for the maintenance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This legislation will increase funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as Hispanic and other minority-serving institutions, and it will expand college access and support for low- income and minority students. This legislation contains provisions allowing students to receive Pell Grant scholarships year-round, and it increases the Pell Grant maximum to $8,000. In addition, it strengthens college readiness programs, namely the TRIO and GEAR UP college readiness and support programs for low-income and first-generation students. These increases will expand college access for low-income and minority students. The amendment offered by my colleagues Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson and Representative Don Young expands upon current Pell Grant eligibility, allowing children who lost a mother or father to our wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be eligible for the maximum amount of Pell Grant assistance. In this age of global war on terror, it is imperative that we ensure that those left behind by those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great Nation are given the greatest opportunity our country can provide. As such, I encourage all my colleagues to join me in supporting this important amendment. Mr. Speaker, this legislation contains important provisions opening up even wider opportunities for our veterans by increasing college aid and housing aid for not only veterans, but their families. This legislation creates a new scholarship program for active duty military personnel and family members, including children and spouses of active duty military service members or veterans. It establishes support centers to help veterans succeed in college and graduate. Finally, it ensures fairness in student aid and housing aid for veterans, making it easier for them to attend college while also fulfilling their military service duties. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to express my strong support for an amendment introduced by my distinguished colleague Congressman Danny Davis restoring safeguards to student loan borrowers. Mr. Speaker, students who take out loans borrow money as part of their pursuit to better themselves and contribute to the advancement of our Nation and economy. However, current bankruptcy laws apply the same severe standards to student borrowers that it applies to those trying to escape child support payments, alimony, overdue taxes, and criminal fines. Under Mr. Davis's amendment, Government student loans and loans made by nonprofit entities would remain non-dischargeable; other student loans, made by for-profit banks and other lenders, would continue to be non-dischargeable for the first 5 years after they come due, and after that time they would be treated like other unsecured consumer loans in bankruptcy. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and to work to restore bankruptcy protection to private student loans. Understanding the federal application for Federal Student Aid can be challenging and complex even for the most knowledgeable parent. The College Opportunity and Affordability Act would streamline and simplify the application process, giving families the tools they need to properly plan for their college expenses. This legislation will reform our higher education system, ensuring students and their families have the information they need to understand their borrowing options when applying for Federal and private loans. Mr. Speaker, as an active member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I am extremely supportive of the provisions in this legislation that boost campus safety and disaster readiness plans. Last year's tragedy at Virginia Tech has illustrated the horror to which students might be exposed, and natural disasters in recent years have underlined the necessity of having campus disaster plans. This legislation helps all colleges develop and implement state-of- the-art emergency systems and campus safety plans, and it requires the Department of Education to develop and maintain a disaster plan in preparation for emergencies. In addition, this legislation creates a National Center for Campus Safety at the Department of Justice to work in collaboration with the COPS program. Finally, it establishes a disaster relief loan program, to help schools recover and rebuild in the event of a disaster. This important piece of legislation gives our youth, our veterans, and our families the opportunity to not only dream of attending college but actually realize that dream. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4137 and the conference report.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the employees verification amendment. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. The Employee Verification Amendment Act reauthorizes the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Basic Pilot electronic employment eligibility verification program, also known as ``E-Verify.'' Without congressional action, E-Verify will expire in November 2008. This legislation provides for a 5-year extension of this voluntary program for the electronic employment verification of employees. It also includes provisions that ensure DHS provides timely reimbursements to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for E-Verify's use of SSA resources. Two Government Accountability Office studies are also authorized. The bill provides for the Department of Homeland Security's basic pilot program. Specifically, DHS's electronic employment eligibility verification program (known as ``Basic Pilot'' or ``E-Verify'') is scheduled to expire in November 2008. This legislation reauthorizes E- Verify as a voluntary pilot program for an additional 5 years--through 2013. E-Verify is an internet-based system that can be used to verify the employment eligibility of newly-hired employees. It does so by checking an employee's Social Security number and citizenship status against the Social Security database and, for non-citizens, it checks work authorization status against a separate DHS database. In the last 2 years, over a dozen states have passed employee verification laws. Some, like Arizona have mandated E-Verify for all employers while other states require employers in certain sectors, such as government employers and contractors, to verify their employees' work authorization status. The Federal government is also increasingly requiring E-Verify's use. On June 6, 2008, President Bush signed an amendment to Executive Order 12989 requiring that more than 200,000 federal contractors to use E- Verify. This action will likely triple the number of requests that must be processed through E-Verify. Importantly, the bill provides certain protections to Social Security beneficiaries. This is critical because E-Verify relies on the Social Security Administration's data and systems to verify the citizenship and Social Security numbers of all newly-hired individuals for their eligibility to work. According to the GAO, 100 percent of E-Verify queries are first checked against the SSA database. When there are data mismatches, workers are instructed to contact SSA and must visit an SSA field office in order to resolve the discrepancy. As E-Verify grows, so does SSA's workload. DHS is responsible for funding SSA's costs related to E-Verify; using the Social Security Trust Fund for E-Verify is against federal law. In prior years, DHS's reimbursements to SSA have been either delayed or not forthcoming at all. The bill also provides for two GAO studies to be completed. First, it requires a study of the basic pilot confirmation system. The GAO will report to Congress on the causes of erroneous tentative nonconfirmations, how they are remedied and the effect they have on individuals, employers and Federal agencies. Second, the bill authorizes a study of the effect of the basic pilot on small entities. The bill requires that the GAO will examine the experiences of small entities (small businesses, non-profits and municipalities) with using Basic Pilot by investigating direct and indirect impacts on basic pilot participants. It will also provide specific data on businesses with fewer than 50 employees as well as on small entities operating in states that have mandated use of the basic pilot program. This legislation ensures that DHS provides timely and appropriate payments to SSA, so that E-verify does not interfere with SSA's ability to serve seniors, people with disabilities, and survivors.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman, the chairwoman of the subcommittee, and chairman of our full committee as well, and certainly the ranking member and the ranking member of the subcommittee. Let me also express my appreciation to Ms. Giffords. We have talked about this legislation. I congratulate her for her leadership, along with the cosponsors, including Mr. Calvert, Mr. McNulty and Mr. Johnson of my State, and all the others who are supporting this legislation. If you talk to businesses in your community, they want to do the right thing, and Americans want the right process to be in place. It is important that we hire Americans first, and I think we have been committed to that during the whole period of the discussion of immigration reform. But I also rise to say that it is important as we pass this legislation, giving it an extension, and I frankly believe it should not expire in November of 2008, we have to also understand that there are States where this is voluntary. I heard Mr. Calvert say there are a number of States that will now put this in place through law, but there are a number of States that do not have it in place, and therefore it is confusing. We need to be able to ensure that there is a comprehensive approach to the border security question that all of us agree with, but also to recognize the hard-working tax paying individuals who are here, who really should be put in a process, a line, that eliminates this undercover workforce, that allows a pathway to citizenship with paying of fines, getting in line, not getting ahead of those who have been in line, and having a period of time that they are in this country. This particular basic pilot program, however, is vital for many of our businesses. For example, the construction industries that I have met with over and over again in Houston, Texas, and I know that have been engaged with Mr. Johnson and many in this Congress to try to move forward on this program that deals with the Social Security process. We have to ensure, however, as we put this in place, that it works, that the technology works, that the oversight works, and we have to make sure that in fact we get the accurate reports to make sure that those who are using it are benefiting from it. Mr. Speaker, I do ask my colleagues to support this legislation, but I also ask that we get to the point of comprehensive immigration reform. But as I say that, E-Verify is a good step, it is a positive step, and I know my business community will look forward it being in force.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the members of the National Bar Association being in the Eighty-third meeting of this Association in the City of Houston, County of Harris, State of Texas to affirm and declare the position of said Association in Resolution as follows: In May of the Year 1978, John Crump, being an attorney licensed by the Supreme Court of the State of Texas, acting in direction of the then President of the National Bar, Mark T. McDonald, of MacDonald and McDonald in Houston, Harris County Texas, did remove himself from said city to assume the interim position of the Executive Director of the National Bar Association in the District of Columbia for the period of three months through the Sixty-third Annual Meeting of said Association, and Since that time in 1978, John Crump, Esquire has toiled diligently to assure that the mission of the Association, as stated in its Constitution and Bylaws, its operating procedures, manuals, subdivision and committee mandates have been addressed and fulfilled to the best of the collective abilities of all parties concerned, and John Crump was able to apply and obtain grants and contractual financing from various funding sources that would allow the Association to provide services to its membership and the clients that they serve consistent with the rules of professional ethics and the obligations and responsibilities of said grants and contracts, the procurement of which led to the opening of the first funded office of the Association, and the stabilization of the Association after the withdrawal of funding by a retaliatory administration, and John Crump has been the single continuing staff person throughout each of these thirty years developing the NBA Continuing legal Education Curriculum and coordination its compliance with all states requesting certification of the membership for each meeting, and John Crump has managed the office of the Association through each of its fiscal years, continuing to identify contractual and opportunities, with such instinctive and trained monitoring of compliance with the requirements, that he has been successful in the evaluation of thirty- one audits by external parties reviewing each award, and John Crump has implemented the programmatic activities of thirty-one different Association Boards of Governors and the thirty-one presidents, each presiding over an Association year with varied themes, management styles, perspectives and appointees, and John Crump, in conjunction with the policy-making Board of Governors, has worked to develop many aspects of the Association operations, related entities and programs including the creation of the National Bar Investment Corporation that facilitated the acquisition of the NBA Office building, the National Bar Institute, the affiliated fundraising entity of the Association, and the NBA Crump Law Camp, the high school nurturing program that provides legal orientation to students from across the country to inspire their interest in the study of the law, and During his tenure with and in development of the requisite skills of negotiating for and best practices of this Association, John Crump provided leadership for such distinguished national organizations as the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners and the Texas Southern National Alumni Association, representing the memberships of both in several leadership capacities prior to assuming the helms, and In his position of Executive Director, John Crump has been designated by the presiding officers as the national office spokesperson in significant and pressing legal matters, matters of civil rights, compilation of documents representing the Association, such as briefs, public positions, statements, news releases, and the like, as well as many, many appearances before congressional bodies, conferences, formal and informal gatherings, and In pursuit of excellence in service to the Association and the untiring dedication to its objectives, John Crump has never limited his hours of work, sacrificed attainment of personal and financial goals and made himself available to the Association, its membership and extended family in countless endeavors, trying situations and challenging experiences, The members of the National Bar Association saluted its Executive Director John Crump in formal action during the Plenary Session of its Eighty-third Annual Meeting and during additional activities and programs of this Meeting and on this date do hereby caused to be approved this Resolution by its President, congratulating and thanking him for his tireless efforts with and for this Association and affixing the Seal of the Association, as attested by its Secretary. John Crump toiled for thirty years in helping to lead this major civil rights legal organization--the National Bar Association. My constituents offer to John Crump our greatest gratitude for his work and the work of the NBA in making the law work for all Americans, including those who have suffered. Thank you, John!

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the National Bar Association that will hold its 83rd national convention in Houston, Texas. Many of its activities will be in the 18th Congressional District. The National Bar Association was formulated when its membership or its members were rejected in their attempt to be members of the American Bar Association. Out of that creation came the opportunity to be at the cutting edge of civil rights legislation and litigation. I want to salute the Houston Lawyers Association, salute the past presidents, the president and board of directors, and particularly I want to salute the National Bar Association for its enormous history of civil rights fighting, fighting for those who cannot speak for themselves. Lawyers of the National Bar Association are patent lawyers, prosecutors, defense lawyers, and most of all, the holders and protectors of the Constitution. They have fought the cases in desegregating schools. They have provided opportunities for those who have sought equal employment. Yes, Mr. Speaker, they are in fact the conscience holders of the legal bar because the National Bar Association continues to stand for justice and equality and opportunity. I am so proud that they are coming to Houston, Texas, to celebrate the 83rd annual convention, an organization of lawyers that have put forward the cause of justice. I salute them and congratulate them.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his leadership and the ranking member, the chairperson of the full committee, Mr. Berman, and pay tribute to our good friends the late Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde, who have captured, in essence, what our war against HIV/AIDS is all about. It has to be comprehensive and expansive. It has to recognize the overlapping impact of tuberculosis and malaria. Mr. Speaker, I think one of the most telling scenes that I was able to experience, sadly so, was walking into a little hut in Zambia and seeing an emaciated body or person, if you will, being taken care of by a 4 year old. That individual had HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. So this legislation is crucial in the overall comprehensive war against the devastating diseases when there is no water, no nutrition, and poverty. This targets 12 million new HIV infections. It is treating millions of people. It's supporting care for 12 million. It has a focus on women and girls. It provides a focus on the anti-retroviral treatment that is so important that goes after opportunistic infections. It provides a certain amount of money, $9 billion, for malaria and tuberculosis over 5 years. It goes to the very essence of a 4 year old being the only remaining healthy person in his family having to care for sick relatives suffering from HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis and many suffering from malaria. This is an important step forward. And, yes, we have many responsibilities in this Congress. I join my friend from Iowa. We will be working hard to provide the support systems that those individuals need. But at the same time, this is a tribute to great leaders like our former and late chairpersons of this committee, Chairman Hyde and Chairman Lantos, who recognized that to those who are given much, much is expected. This bill responds to the devastation and need around the world. I ask my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to speak on not only an important issue in this country but around the world. I can only note that it gives me great pause that my colleague, Congressman Tom Lantos, did not live to see the fruit of his hard work on this bill. However, I know his family and his colleague Congressman Henry Hyde have kept this legislation alive and moving through this Congress. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing for H.R. 5501, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 on PEPFAR to come to the floor today. jackson-lee amendment I would also like to thank both Chairman Berman and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on African and Global Health, Congressman Payne, for working with me to include important language in this legislation. My language, in Section 301 of this bill, addresses the necessity of making children a priority among individuals with HIV for proper food and nutritional support. Section 301, with my language included, states that it is the sense of Congress that ``for the purposes of determining which individuals infected with HIV should be provided with nutrition and food support--(i) children with moderate or severe malnutrition, according to WHO standards, shall be given priority for such nutrition and food support; and (ii) adults with a body mass index, BMI, of 18.5 or less, or at the prevailing WHO-approved measurement for BMI, should be considered `malnourished' and should be given priority for such nutrition and food support;'' Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I believe that this language is crucial, and I thank the Chairman for including it in the text of the bill. HIV-infected children have been underrepresented among beneficiaries of PEPFAR-supported programs. As this legislation cites in the findings section, ``of those infected with HIV, 2.5 million are children under 15 who also account for 460,000 of the newly-infected individuals.'' And even these large numbers are deceiving, as children die much quicker from AIDS than do adults. I am pleased to see this language, which focuses attention on the plight of these children, and makes serving their needs a priority. pepfar In January 2003, President Bush announced the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. As its name implies, PEPFAR was envisioned as an emergency response; we are here today to discuss how to transition to a sustainable program to address these global epidemics. HIV/AIDS continues to represent a serious and large-scale challenge throughout much of the world. It goes far beyond a simple health problem, and it hinders attempts to foster economic development and political stability. As we begin the process of reauthorizing PEPFAR, I believe it is crucial that we emphasize the long-term sustainability of our HIV efforts, and that we integrate AIDS prevention and treatment within our larger-scale development initiatives. Though we have drugs that are effective in managing infections and reducing mortality by slowing the progression to AIDS in an individual, they do little to reduce disease prevalence and prevent new infections. For this reason, there is growing consensus among health experts that we must put greater emphasis on prevention programs, which are perhaps the most critical aspect of any initiative to combat global HIV/AIDS. Even as increasing numbers of people have access to anti-retroviral drugs, ARVs, an estimated 5.1 million people who needed treatment did not receive it in 2006. tuberculosis The World Health Organization, WHO, estimates that throughout the world someone contracts TB every second and that one third of all people in the world are currently infected with TB. Tuberculosis spreads easily from one person to another: when the infected person coughs, the bacilli or TB germs are spread into the air and another person need only to inhale a small number of the bacilli to be infected. The World Health Organization, WHO, estimates that each person left untreated with active TB will infect, on average, between 10 and 15 people every year. Although the TB bacilli can lie dormant in the body for years and its effects may not be immediately felt, if one has a weakened immune system, such as through HIV/AIDS, the chances of becoming sick will increase. In 2005, nearly 9 million people contracted tuberculosis, of which 84 percent occurred in high burden countries, with all but two of the high burden countries in Africa and Asia. This demonstrates the necessity for special attention to these high burden countries, particularly in Africa. Among the 15 countries with the highest estimated TB incidence rates, 12 were in Africa, due in part to relatively high rates of HIV co-infection. About 80 percent of all cases in the world were found in 22 countries, all but 4 were found in Africa or Asia. Some 2.97 million people in Southeast Asia were newly infected with TB and about 2.57 million in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2004, sub-Saharan Africa was the only region in the world where TB prevalence was growing; elsewhere the number of cases was stable or falling. Despite our concerted efforts, we continue to face a serious and persistent health threat. I believe that it is imperative that we ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used to greatest effect, not to bolster ideology. Current restrictions on PEPFAR mandating that \1/3\ of all prevention funds must be used on abstinence-only education neglect the real needs of populations both in America and abroad. These stipulations hurt the ability of PEPFAR to adapt its activities in accordance with local HIV transmission patterns, and they impair efforts to coordinate with national health plans. Though AIDS is clearly a global problem, it does not affect every nation equally or in the same manner. Removing these stipulations would allow PEPFAR to better address the requirements of each country, making more efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars in serving the millions affected by this disease. In addition, I believe it is crucial that we dedicate greater attention to strengthening local health infrastructure. Health experts have expressed concern that the high amount of spending directed toward HIV/AIDS initiatives has drawn health workers away from public health facilities and other important programs. This merely compounds a chronic shortage of qualified health workers, which, according to WHO's 2006 World Health Report, is the single most important health issue facing countries today. This need is felt particularly sharply in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Many health experts also continue to advocate greater integration between PEPFAR and other health programs, including those focused on nutrition, maternal and child heath, and other infectious diseases. These experts note that HIV is intricately linked to these other areas of concern; for example, malnutrition and lack of food may heighten exposure to HIV, raise the likelihood of engaging in risky behavior, increase susceptibility to infection, and complicate efforts to provide anti-retroviral, ARV, medication. Further, an HIV epidemic will likely worsen food insecurity, by depleting the agricultural workforce. I believe it is necessary, to ensure maximum effectiveness, that we integrate PEPFAR with other aspects of our international health outreach and development programs. Mr. Speaker, if we are to turn the tide of turmoil and tragedy that HIV/AIDS causes to millions around the world, and hundreds of thousands right here in our backyard, it is imperative that we continue to fund and expand medical research and education and outreach programs. hiv/aids I want to share briefly the importance of continued action in awareness for this virulent disease and the nexus between TB and HIV/ AIDS, another issue which I am passionate about and would like to see eradicated as I am sure many of my colleagues would. According to the World Health Organization, there were 33.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide in 2007. People living with HIV/AIDS are at a greater risk of becoming infected with TB because of their weakened immunity. In 2004, out of the more than 740,000 people who contracted TB and were co-infected with HIV/AIDS, 600,000 of those co-infected were found in sub-Saharan Africa. Similar to TB, HIV/AIDS has risen to epidemic levels particularly for our African countrymen. According to UNAIDS, in 2005, there were 3.2 million newly infected Africans and 2.4 million Africans who died of HIV/AIDS related complications. The current life expectancy for a person living with AIDS in Africa is 47 years old. Such high rates of infection can be prevented. The transmission of HIV can be reduced through proper education and resources. Additionally, proper resources can help the treatment of HIV. We must make these resources more accessible to those who need it most. malaria Malaria is another disease that must be addressed. According to the World Health Organization, more than 500 million people become severely ill with malaria and more than one million people die of malaria every year, mostly infants, young children and pregnant women. Perhaps most shocking is WHO's estimate that a child dies of malaria every 30 seconds. More than 90 percent of malaria cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. Speaker, malaria is both preventable and curable. Early and effective treatment can shorten its duration and prevent the development of complications and the great majority of deaths. concluding statements Key factors that contribute to continuing high rates of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria include: weak health care systems, poor access to health facilities, insufficient staffing and other human resource constraints, ill equipped and substandard laboratory services, and little collaboration between TB and HIV programs. Mr. Speaker, what is so striking about these factors is that they are all preventable. We must address and work to rectify these human factors that have led to such unnecessarily high fatality rates throughout the world, particularly in African nations. I urge my fellow colleagues to join me in support of PEPFAR and H.R. 5501.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to first take a minute to thank my colleague Congressman Alcee Hastings from Florida for working with leadership to this important legislation to the floor. background on the legislation In 2003, The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act, MMA, was signed into law having a significant impact on Medicare beneficiaries and State Medicaid programs through changes affecting those dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. The purpose of the section was to: 1. Provide a concise summary of the key provisions affecting those dually eligible and the States, and 2. Provide details of the demographic and Medicaid expenditure characteristics of the dually eligible, using data from ten States. The MMA used to require that States take a practical new look at their programs in order to better prescription drug spending. Beginning in 2006, States will no longer provide and manage drug coverage for patients that currently represent, on average, about 50 percent of the State's Medicaid spending for drugs. This significant shift would have required that States reassess available resources and the most cost- efficient ways for employing those resources. A determination of excess general funding, as required by Sec. 801 of P.L. 108-173. the MMA, is issued if general revenue Medicare funding is expected to exceed 45 percent of Medicare outlays for the current fiscal year or any of the next six fiscal years. If the determination is issued for two consecutive years, a warning is issued requiring certain presidential and congressional action (Sec. 802-Sec. 804 of MMA). The warning alerts policy makers of one measure of the financial health of Medicare. It attempts to focus on the impact of Medicare revenues and outlays on the federal budget, by looking at Medicare's burden on the Treasury. However, such a determination was issued in both the 2006 and 2007 Medicare Trustee's reports and the Administration was required to submit a legislative proposal to this body to lower the ratio to the 45 percent level. Section 803 of the MMA is also known as the Medicare Trigger because it expedites the process for considering legislation to cut Medicare provider payments or increase payroll taxes or beneficiary costs. What we must ask ourselves is why some of our colleagues can vote against the MMA trigger while we struggle to provide coverage to the over 47 million uninsured and over 50 million underinsured in this country . The ``45 percent trigger'' is a completely subjective measure. Medicare program was designed to be substantially financed by general revenues rather than payroll taxes. The fact that a sizable portion of Medicare's financing comes from general revenues is no more problematic than the fact that 100 percent of the defense budget comes from general revenues. Moreover, the reforms in Medicare included in the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, MIPPA, which Democrats just enacted over the President's veto satisfy the 45 percent trigger test earlier this year, only fails to comply with certain technical requirements of the trigger provision (such as the name of the statute). Therefore, this is just another reason why it makes sense to suspend the Medicare trigger for the remainder of this Congress. Overview of how the 45 percent trigger works The 45 percent trigger was slipped into the GOP-drafted Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) at the last minute in 2003. The MMA defined what the 45 percent trigger was and, when it was triggered, required ``Medicare Funding Warnings'' and presidential legislation. The 45 percent trigger is completely arbitrary and is not a sound measure of Medicare's fiscal health. The 45 percent trigger was triggered by two consecutive Trustees Reports in 2007. The President's proposed bill hits beneficiaries, rather than scaling back the overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans. Unlike the President's flawed bill, the Democratic-led Congress has just enacted a law that satisfies the 45 percent trigger, while protecting beneficiaries. Furthermore, the Democratic-led Congress is committed to keeping Medicare strong and solvent well into the future. Healthcare Crisis The American health care crisis affects more than the Medicare recipients and indigent persons. It affects the millions of families who must decide between food, housing, and health coverage. Healthcare costs in the United States are increasing about 7 percent a year, twice the rate of inflation. In Texas alone it has been estimated that we waste $98 billion on administrative health costs. Administrative costs constitute 31 percent of health care expenditures. The deteriorating U.S. health care system is not only harming patients, but also businesses, and the economy with healthcare costs consuming over 15 percent of GDP. It affects thousands of small businesses who have to close their doors due to the overwhelming cost of not only providing health coverage to their employees, but to securing their own health insurance. Across this great nation the health disparities between minority and majority populations are staggering. Most major diseases: diabetes, heart disease, prostate cancer, HIV/AIDS, low-birth weight babies--all hit the minority communities harder. Minorities consistently have decreased access to care, and receive lower quality care, when they do have access. As the economy continues to falter and as the unemployment rate spikes, millions of Americans are losing their health insurance. That state of affairs will only make the health disparities worse. Since I took office over a decade ago, I have worked to secure and support legislation to address the healthcare crisis particularly those facing our struggling Medicare and Medicaid recipients. I have worked tirelessly to expand health coverage, improve the diversity of our health workforce, improve data collection on health disparities and then help reduce those disparities by promoting accountability and strengthening the institutions that serve minority communities. We must close the gap in our minority, immigrant, and rural communities by addressing the disparities that currently exist. Health Legislation Sponsored/Cosponsored As a Member of the H.R. 676 Universal Healthcare Caucus lead by Congressman Conyers, the Women's Caucus, and the Children's Caucus, I have continued to carry the flag of Universal Health Care by introducing or supporting legislation that will help lay the groundwork towards universal access and quality healthcare. In June, I introduced a health care reform bill that addressed some of the issues that continue to plague our health care system. The MEDICS Act is a House companion bill to Senator Baucus's Medicare legislation that sought to unite Congress on a push for crucial Medicare reform. I am happy to announce that this legislation puts our health care system on the correct path of providing proper medical assistance for our Nation's low income, minority and rural populations. It also works toward resolving the primary care physician shortages as well as the racial and ethnic health disparities. I have also supported national healthcare legislation such as H.R. 3014 and H.R. 676 which support the elimination of healthcare disparities and universal healthcare based on a single-payer model. As Americans, we have a strong history, through science and innovation, of detecting, conquering and defeating many illnesses. Quality measures must continue to be adequately funded in order to promote quality, cost-effective health care for consumers and employers. The Medicare/Medicaid system as well as the private insurance system is still not adequately addressing the cost, population growth, and patient population complexity of Americans. That is why we must look towards another solution. I urge my colleagues to support our Medicare and Medicaid dependents and vote in support of H. Res. 1368.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3221, the ``American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008''. This momentous legislation will jump-start the market for mortgages by establishing a true market value for the securities backed by these loans. H.R. 3221 responds directly to the current housing crisis facing this country, while providing the tools to prevent a repeat of these problems. This will help families facing foreclosure keep their homes, help other families avoid foreclosures in the future, and help the recovery of communities harmed by empty homes caught in the foreclosure process. This legislation provides mortgage refinancing assistance to keep at least 400,000 families from losing their homes, to protect neighboring home values, and to help stabilize the housing market at no cost to American taxpayers. This legislation also protects taxpayers by requiring lenders and homeowners to take responsibility. This is not a bailout; in order to participate, lenders and mortgage investors must take significant losses by reducing the loan principal. This legislation contains critical protections for taxpayers' dollars, including higher refinancing fees that establish a new FHA reserve to cover possible losses from defaults on these government- backed mortgages. I support this legislation because only primary residences are eligible: NO speculators, investment properties, second or third homes will be refinanced and it provides $180 million for financial counseling and legal assistance to help families stay in their homes. H.R. 3221 gives the Secretary of the Treasury the authority to increase the already existing line of credit to Freddie and Fannie for the next 18 months, as well as giving the Treasury Department standby authority to buy stock in those companies to provide confidence in the GSEs and stabilize housing finance markets. While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac both now meet the capital and liquidity requirements set by their regulator, given the severe turmoil in the markets, the standby authority is needed to increase market confidence and enable both enterprises to continue to raise capital and maintain the availability of mortgage credit. This bill requires the Treasury Secretary to make an emergency designation before using the authority--certifying that he is acting to provide stability to financial markets, prevent disruptions in the availability of mortgage finance, protect the taxpayers, and facilitate an orderly restoration of private markets. No spending would occur unless the Secretary certifies that there is an emergency that requires immediate action. However, if those conditions are not met, there would not be any increase in the deficit as a result of this legislation. I support that this legislation provides $4 billion in emergency assistance (CDBG Funds) to communities hardest hit by the foreclosure and subprime crisis to purchase foreclosed homes, at a discount, and rehabilitate or redevelop the homes to stabilize neighborhoods and stem the significant losses in home values of neighboring homes. This legislation establishes a nationwide loan originator licensing and registration system that will set minimum standards for loan originator licensing substantially improving the oversight of mortgage brokers and bank loan officers. It also establishes improved mortgage disclosure requirements that will help ensure that mortgage borrowers understand their mortgage loan terms. This legislation preserves the American Dream for Our Nation's Veterans. It increases the VA Home Loan limit, helping returning soldiers avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes. This legislation requires the Department of Defense to establish a counseling program for veterans and active service members facing financial difficulties and provides a moving benefit to servicemen and women who are forced to move out because their rental housing was foreclosed on. It also increases benefits paid to veterans with disabilities, such as blindness, to adapt their housing and allows the Veterans Administration to provide for improvements to homes of veterans with service-connected disabilities. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stated in 1933, ``the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.'' We must do just that. We must move forward and that is exactly what H.R. 3221 seeks to do. This legislation will begin to repair, not bailout, the economy, by restoring confidence in the markets, limiting the damage to families and neighborhoods, and rejuvenating the communities with new affordable housing. Ironically, we celebrate the bailouts of yesteryear, when we believed that the power of the Federal Government was needed to get the country out of the Depression. Were the banking reform laws, emergency relief programs, work relief programs, and agricultural programs, the Social Security Act, and programs to aid tenant farmers and migrant workers--were these bailouts? Many of the New Deal programs under President Roosevelt were considered bailouts at that time. And yet, these programs brought our country out of the Depression, rejuvenated out economy, and gave hope as we sought to deal with the War overseas. Texas Texas ranked fourth behind California, Florida, and Illinois in pre- foreclosures. Last year, Texas held the top seat for active foreclosures. H.R. 3221 helps homeowners and only homeowners, not speculators or lenders. We cannot continue to stand by as things get worse. Texas reported 13,829 properties entering some stage of foreclosure in April, a 16 percent increase from the previous month and the most foreclosure filings reported by any state. The state documented the Nation's third highest state combined foreclosure rate--one foreclosure filing for every 582 households. Many homeowners in my district are worried about missing their next house payment or their next home equity mortgage, or their interest rate going up. These families are under stress and in constant fear of losing their homes. While this bill should not be the last word in housing legislation, it is a great beginning. This bill coupled with Congresswoman Maxine Waters's bill, H.R. 5818, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act, provides a good starting point in providing Americans with relief. Texas and what HUD is Doing In March, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), announced the Texas State Program and the cities of Houston and New Braunfels will receive a total of $234,868,077 to support community development and produce more affordable housing. HUD's annual funding will also provide down-payment assistance to first-time homebuyers; assist individuals and families who might otherwise be living on the streets; and offer real housing solutions for individuals with HIV/ AIDS. While HUD is working to help Americans, we must all do our part. We need to pass H.R. 3221, and we need to continue to push in a bipartisan manner, legislation that will ease gas and energy costs, the rising costs of food, and the ever-rising cost of healthcare. We are spending billions of dollars on the war in Iraq. I support our troops but I am dismayed at how our support for a war that needs to become less military and more diplomatic in nature, has disrupted our ability to take care of things at home.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentlelady from Florida for her leadership and yielding to me. I thank the chairman of the full committee. Mr. Speaker, the American people are asking this Congress to do the right thing. They are certainly not asking us to blame them for the crisis in the mortgage foreclosure market. And as a member of the Judiciary Committee, I know the number of bankruptcies of hardworking Americans. This bill provides a refundable first-time home buyer credit, $7,500. It provides a temporary increase in the low-income housing tax credit. And it does not bail out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It is simply a guarantee to protect the American consumers and taxpayers. This Congress will make sure you are protected. All it does is says the Secretary of the Treasury can provide a guarantee if necessary. Then, of course, it buys back all those foreclosed homes on your block that keeps your house from going down in value. This is a bill that is needed. I support the rule and the underlying bill. The American people are asking this Congress to do the right thing, and this Democratic Congress is going to do the right thing on behalf of the American people. The people of Houston Texas, the 18th Congressional District, need this relief. We will vote on it today.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee for bringing recognition to a group often forgotten in this racial and ethnic melting pot known as America. This legislation does more than recognize Caribbean-Americans or as many are called West Indians, it recognizes and celebrates diversity. Unfortunately, this country has not always celebrated its diverse roots. It has faltered at times in remembering that the differences can be celebrated as much as those things in which we share--like humanity, like faith in a higher power, like democracy. Even now as I stand and address the House floor, I am reminded that we have yet to pass comprehensive immigration reform. We still watch the television and see commercials using words like illegal and alien, with people that are from our southern borders of Mexico or our coastal south like Haiti or Cuba. Sadly, these commercials prey on the fears of an America in an economic crisis. These commercials speak to fear of other cultures, other religions, and other ways of doing business. What they do not show is the thousands upon thousands of new immigrants who make their home here and work from sun up to sun down to build a better tomorrow for their families. What the commercials do not speak to is the thousands of immigrants who come from our northern borders or from Europe. More importantly, these commercials do not speak to the foundation of one land made up of many. This resolution reminds us that although many in this country were born elsewhere or have parents who were born elsewhere they are very much Americans. Thank you, Congresswoman Lee, for reminding us to celebrate our diverse population by celebrating Caribbean-Americans. Each Caribbean country has shared her native children with these United States. From the classic actor and activist Sidney Poitier to the former Army general and Secretary of State Colin Powell, from the charismatic Celia Cruz to the hard-rocker Lenny Kravitz, and so many more--Caribbean- Americans honor both their past and their present. Many of the Members on this very bill have parents or grandparents from the West Indies. Thank you for celebrating them and for celebrating what makes America beautiful--her diverse people. Madam Speaker, I want to thank all of those who strive to see an America made up of a diverse group of people. Many of them have given up not only their country of birth but their loved ones, to cross into an unknown land to build a dream. Let their love for America not be doubted because they also celebrate their native Jamaica or Bahamas or Dominican Republic or Trinidad--let it be a lesson that you can love your past, while you celebrate your future. I urge my colleagues to support a resolution that is about the celebration of diversity.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4049, the Money Service Business Act. This Act eliminates the regulatory burdens imposed on insured depository institutions and money services business and enhances the availability of transaction accounts at depository institutions for such businesses, and for other purposes. I support this bill and I encourage my colleagues to do likewise. Check cashers, money transmitters, and other legally authorized and regulated money transmitting businesses (also designated as money services businesses) provide a wide range of necessary financial services and products to customers from all walks of life, including the under-banked and urban communities. Those services include domestic and international funds transfers, check cashing, money order and traveler's checks sales, and electronic bill payments. Regulatory guidance issued by, and expectations of, the Federal banking agencies and the Secretary of Treasury urge insured depository institutions to conduct reviews of money services businesses' anti- money laundering compliance programs, placing such depository institutions in the position of quasi-regulators. Consequently, many insured depository institutions have refused or closed money services businesses' accounts in order either not to incur the burden, risk or potential liability for undertaking a de facto regulatory function, or else to avoid supervisory sanctions for not exercising such oversight. This trend endangers the existence of legitimate, regulated money services businesses industry and the ability of such businesses to deliver financial services and products. Loss of depository institutions accounts by money services businesses threatens to drive the customer transactions of such businesses underground through unregulated channels, including bulk cash smuggling or other means. It is critical to the interests of national security that transparency of money services business transactions be maintained by ensuring such businesses have a reasonable process to demonstrate to insured depository institutions the compliance by such businesses with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations. Money services businesses are subject to Federal money laundering and terrorist financing control programs and reporting requirements as enforced by State and Federal regulators. These entities are authorized to conduct compliance oversight and to impose sanctions through licensing, registration or other powers. These State and Federal regulators have committed to coordinate their supervision and enforcement of such money services business obligations. Insured depository institutions and Federal banking regulators should be able to rely upon a regulatory process for conducting oversight of money services businesses' compliance. Accordingly, to eliminate regulatory burden imposed upon insured depository institutions and promote access by money services businesses to the banking system and to give full recognition to Federal and State agency authority to supervise and enforce money services businesses' compliance with anti- money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations and their implementing regulations, it is appropriate and necessary to provide for self-certification process established pursuant to this Act. I support this Act and encourage my colleagues to support it also.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2565 to establish an awards mechanism to honor exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty by Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers. This bill will provide a mechanism to honor exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty by Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers. In sum this bill provides a mechanism to honor for their service and bravery. There are more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving in the United States; the highest figure ever. On average, more than 56,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted each year, resulting in over 16,000 injuries with an average of 150 of those injuries sustained by Federal law enforcement officers. While members of the military receive the Purple Heart when wounded or killed, most Federal law enforcement officers receive no such commendation for their sacrifice. In fact, of the over 70 Federal agencies that employ Federal law enforcement agents, only two agencies award medals and commendations for physical injuries. This must change. Both the military and our law enforcement officers protect the citizens of our great country every single day. If we can acknowledge the sacrifices made by the military, we can recognize those made by law enforcement. It is time for all of our law enforcement officers to receive the recognition they deserve. This bill authorizes the Attorney General to award a Congressional Badge of Bravery to a Federal law enforcement officer who sustains a physical injury in the line of duty and to award a State and Local Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery to a State or local law enforcement officer who is cited by the Attorney General for performing such an act of bravery while in the line of duty. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation and support the law enforcement community. I would also note that this bill has support from both the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and the Fraternal Order of Police, organizations with over 26,000 and 325,000 members, respectively. These men and women serve our country every single day, working to keep us safe from threats ranging from terrorists to petty thieves. It is our duty to see that they receive the recognition they so rightly deserve.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6531, the Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2008. This bill amends the United States Code, in the section relating to the vessel hull design protection, to clarify the definitions of a hull and a deck. Industrial designs, like other forms of intellectual property, originated in Europe and have a long history. The objective of industrial design protection is similar to other intellectual property protections: promoting the creation of new, unique, and appealing designs for products by granting exclusive economic rights for a limited time. Many countries have established industrial design laws that are separate and distinct from other forms of intellectual property rights. The United States provides protection for industrial designs through design patents, trade redress, copyright and vessel hull design protection. There have been several efforts to provide a sui generis form of protection for industrial designs at least since the 1976 Copyright Act. However, it was not until 1998 that some limited success in these efforts took the form of the Vessel Hull Design Protection Act. This Act was passed as part of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. While the scope of protection in the Act was limited to vessel hulls, the act took much of its language and structure from previous legislative proposals establishing a general design right. The Vessel Hull Design Protection Act grants exclusive rights to the design of an original vessel hull. To be original, a vessel hull design must be a non-trivial variation over prior vessel hulls, which is the result of the designer's creative endeavor and is not copied from another source. The Vessel Hull Design Protection Act does not provide any protection to non-original designs, staple or commonplace designs, and designs dictated solely by utilitarian function. The Vessel Hull Design Protection Act defines a ``hull'' as the frame or body of a vessel, including a deck. Significantly, H.R. 6531, makes changes to this Act and excludes ``deck'' from the definition of a ``hull''. By H.R. 6531, ``hull'' is simply defined as the exterior frame or body of a vessel, exclusive of the deck, superstructure, masts, sails, yards, rigging, hardware, fixtures, and other attachments. The ``deck'' is defined as the horizontal surface of the vessel that covers the hull. This refined definition should add more clarity to vessel hull protection. To secure vessel hull design protection, an application for the design must be submitted to the Copyright Office that sets forth the salient features of the design. According to the Copyright Office, applicants generally provided only a minimal description and rely heavily upon references to photographs they provide in their applications to define the designs they want protected. The Copyright Office must then decide whether the application, on its face, appears to be subject to protection. The definitional change provided by H.R. 6531 should simplify this process. The Copyright Office's review focuses upon on making sure formal requirements are met, such as ensuring that the subject is a vessel and not a car, for instance. The review does not, however, look at the compliance with substantive requirements such as determining whether the design is original. A registered vessel hull design gives the designer exclusive rights to make, sell, import, or use in trade, vessel hulls embodying the design. Certainly, the definitional change will make it easier to determine the design of the vessel and to ascertain whether any infringement has occurred. An infringing hull design is one that has been copied without the consent of the designer. A vessel hull design will not be considered copied if it is original and not substantially similar in appearance to a protected vessel hull design. When infringement is proven, a vessel hull designer may seek injunctive relief and either damages adequate to compensate for the infringement or the infringer's profits. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6531 because it simplifies the definition of a hull and makes it easier to determine whether there has been infringement.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, HASC Chairman Ike Skelton submitted H. Con. Res. 377 last month to authorize the use of the Rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the beginning of the integration of the United States Armed Forces. Specifically, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 in 1948, which provided for equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. The resolution commemorating this event was overwhelmingly adopted by the House, with the Senate concurring, and tomorrow's ceremony is the result. Significant House leadership (bipartisan) is expected to attend, among them Speaker Pelosi, Leaders Hoyer/Boehner, Chairman Skelton and many Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. All U.S. Senators have been invited--Leaders Reid and McConnell have accepted; numerous Senators are also expected to be in attendance. Executive Branch invites were also extended. I would like to thank Congressman Elijah Cummings for leading this special order and for his leadership on this issue. The integration of the armed forces was a momentous event in our military and national history; it represented a milestone in the development of the armed forces and the fulfillment of the democratic ideal. The existence of integrated rather than segregated armed forces is an important factor in our military establishment today. Also we must continue to promote the promotion to office for these minority soldiers and women soldiers. The experiences in World War II and the postwar pressures generated by the civil rights movement compelled all the services--Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps--to reexamine their traditional practices of segregation. While there were differences in the ways that the services moved toward integration, all were subject to the same demands, fears, and prejudices and had the same need to use their resources in a more rational and economical way. All of them reached the same conclusion: traditional attitudes toward minorities must give way to democratic concepts of civil rights. If the integration of the armed services now seems to have been inevitable in a democratic society, it nevertheless faced opposition that had to be overcome and problems that had to be solved through the combined efforts of political and civil rights leaders and civil and military officials. In many ways the military services were at the cutting edge in the struggle for racial equality. The 60th anniversary of the integration of the U.S. armed forces reflects the quarter century that followed America's entry into World War II, beginning with reluctant inclusion of a few segregated ``Negroes'', to African-American service men and women's routine acceptance in a racially integrated military establishment. In the name of equality of treatment and opportunity, the Department of Defense took a long time to adequately challenge racial injustices deeply rooted in American society. Clearly, it was a practical answer to pressing political problems that had plagued several national administrations. In another, it was the services expression of those liberalizing tendencies that were pervading American society during the era of civil rights activism. Sadly, just as Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of affecting the establishment with financial boycotts because it was easier to change laws than to change hearts; to a considerable extent the policy of racial equality was more a response to the need for military efficiency than a belief in true equal opportunity. Men like Walter F. White of the NAACP and the National Urban League's T. Arnold Hill sought to use World War II to expand opportunities for the black American. From the start they tried to translate the idealistic sentiment for democracy into widespread support for civil rights in the United States. The became readily apparent during President Truman's years in the White House, that winning equality at home was just as important as advancing the cause of freedom abroad. As George S. Schuyler, a widely quoted African-American columnist put it: ``If nothing more comes out of this emergency (World War II) than the widespread understanding among White leaders that the Negro's loyalty is conditional, we shall not have suffered in vain.'' The NAACP spelled out the challenge even more clearly in its monthly publication, The Crisis, which declared itself ``sorry for brutality, blood, and death among the peoples of Europe, just as we were sorry for China and Ethiopia. But the hysterical cries of the preachers of democracy for Europe leave us cold. We want democracy in Alabama, Arkansas, in Mississippi and Michigan, in the District of Columbia--in the Senate of the United States.'' The administration began responding to these pressures before America entered World War II. At the urging of the White House the Army announced plans for the mobilization of African-Americans, and Congress amended several mobilization measures to define and increase the military training opportunities for African-Americans. The most important of these legislative amendments in terms of influence on future race relations were made to the Selective Service Act of 1940. The matter of race played only a small part in the debate on this highly controversial legislation, but during congressional hearings on the bill African-Americans testified on discrimination against Negroes in the services. These witnesses concluded that if the draft law did not provide specific guarantees against it, discrimination would prevail. Luckily, Congress agreed. On July 26, 1948, President Truman signed Executive Order 9981, ordering the racial integration of the Armed Forces, declaring that, ``there is equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin.'' The policy was to be put into effect, ``rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale.'' Unfortunately, the all-black 24th Infantry was the only black active duty regiment left intact after WorId War II. The 25th Infantry Regiment was also still on active duty, but its battalions were split and attached to various divisions to replace inactive or unfilled organic elements. The all-black 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments were reactivated in 1950 as separate tank battalions--keeping full integration still in the distant future. In February 1946 The U.S. Navy published a circular letter making black sailors ``eligible for all types of assignments in all ratings in all activities and all ships of naval service. Yet it was a full 3 years later before the first military service group, the Air Force integrated under the executive order. The true fulfillment of the entire scope of Executive Order 9981-- equality of treatment and opportunity--actually required an additional change in Defense Department policy which did not occur until July 26, 1963, 15 years to the day after Truman signed the original order. This major about-face in policy issued by Secretary of Defense Robert J. McNamara expanded the military's responsibility to include the elimination of off-base discrimination detrimental to the military effectiveness of black servicemen. As of 2008, the Department of Defense has a total of 1,375,105 service members serving on active duty in the Armed Forces. Minorities serve in senior leadership positions throughout the Armed Forces, as commissioned, warrant and non-commissioned officers, evidence that the integration of the Armed Forces has enhanced the combat effectiveness of the military 60 years ago and still holds true today. There have been more than 1,754,900 service members from this volunteer force that have fought in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/ Operation Enduring Freedom, of which more than 20 percent are minorities, evidence that the United States could not maintain an all- volunteer force without the service of and critical role played by minorities. The Armed Forces has been lead in creating opportunities for no matter the national origin, religion nor race. Making equal opportunity not just a slogan but a way of life. It is a place where regularly minorities serve as leaders, companies, battalions, divisions. It also serves a great opportunity to grow morally, ethically, and professionally. The United States Military Academy--West Point, (USMA) currently has the highest enrollment percentage (24.1 percent) of minorities for graduating classes of 2007-2011. The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is at a close 22.7 percent and has seen a steady and consistent increase in enrollment of minorities well over 20 percent graduating classes of 2007-2011. The USNA has the highest enrollment number for females (20 percent), with the USAFA close behind--19 percent. USMA has the highest number of African American enrollment, however it is important to note that the enrollment numbers for West Point are about 90-100 students more than the Naval Academy and about the same enrollment numbers for the Air Force. Current Active Duty Flag Officer statistics throughout the Department of Defense: 4-Star Generals, 1 is an African American (General ``Kip'' Ward) 137 3-Star Generals, 8 are African American 279 2-Star Generals, 17 are African American 444 1-Star Generals, 24 are African American TOTAL: 899 General Officers, 40 are African American--4.4 percent of General Officers on Active Duty. I am also lucky to serve with several Congressional Black Caucus Members that have served in our Armed Forces including: Charles Rangel (NY) Served in the Korean War in United States Army during the period of 1948-1952; Purple Heart and Bronze Star Recipient John Conyers Jr. (MI) Served in the United States Army during the Korean War Bobby Rush (1st IL) Served 5 years in the United States Army Edolphus Towns (10th NY) United States Army Robert ``Bobby'' Scott (3rd VA) United States Army I am proud to stand here today and honor the many African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Europeans, and all the other ethnic groups that make up our armed forces. No matter their race or national origin they have but three things in common--their desire to champion the ideals of democracy, their willingness to give the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and their compelling devotion to duty.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 6545, the National Energy Security Intelligence Act of 2008, introduced by my distinguished colleague from Louisiana, Representative Don Cazayoux. This legislation is an important step in ensuring that rising energy costs do not endanger American lives. It is obvious that the steep incline in energy prices that has been plaguing our citizens cannot be tolerated much longer, as it has led to rising food costs, transportation costs, and inflation. In addition to these economic issues, energy prices also negatively impact national security. One key step in managing this situation is assessing the future supply and demand for crude oil, natural gas, and alternative fuels. By doing so, we limit the unpredictability of the energy market and its impact on daily lives. This will prevent energy and food crises like the one we are currently experiencing from occurring in the future. Additionally, investigating the effects that rapidly escalating energy costs and extreme price fluctuations could have on national security is absolutely crucial. The possibility of energy sales being used to fund terrorist organizations or other adversaries of the United States, cannot be ignored. Americans cannot allow the money we spend on travelling to work or school everyday to end up in the hands of those who mean us harm. This is why we must know the implications of increasing funding through energy revenue to potential adversaries of the U.S., and we must also understand the intentions of key energy- producing and exporting nations with respect to energy production and supply. This legislation will allow us to decide which countries are trust- worthy business partners, and which countries we must limit our energy trade with. It is also necessary to examine the national security implications of America's dependence on international energy supplies in order to further determine the benefits of exploring alternative energy supplies. By requiring the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a national intelligence assessment on national security and energy security issues relating to rapidly escalating energy costs, H. Res. 6545 assures that these issues will be examined and addressed. As Members of Congress, and representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure the safety and well-being of Americans. I urge my fellow Representatives to join me in support of H. Res. 6545, which is an essential step for national security.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Today, Mr. Speaker, we addressed an enormously important issue, and that is how to give relief to the American people on these soaring energy prices, small businesses, teachers and bus drivers, families who are carpooling, others who are trying to get to work. We owe them our collective minds to be able to ensure that we have a combined philosophy and program as it addresses the question of affordable energy and protecting our national security. So I do believe there is a right way of drilling. I do believe we should go into the National Petroleum Reserve, and frankly I believe we should release gallons of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve so the American people can have immediate relief. I also think it is extremely important that we conserve, and we look at solar and wind. And as it relates to the 23 million leases that are there, only 3 million are used, let us delegate from those who may own them, let us set aside some opportunity for minority and women-owned businesses and small businesses to be able to engage in that. Let's have a collective effort.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman from the great State of West Virginia, I thank you for your leadership. Mr. Chairman, speaking of history, I just want to make mention of the fact that we have many Americans that care for it. I am delighted that some 23,000 women from Alpha Kappa Alpha are here, Americans who are believing in their government and asking for change and asking for the leadership that is here on the floor of the House. To them, I believe we have an obligation to all Americans. It's important to know that I come from oil country. I represent large numbers of energy companies in the City of Houston. I practiced oil and gas law and have the experience of stripper-well legislation or litigation, if you will, worked on take-or-pay and curtailment. I know very well about the Alaskan pipeline because it was being worked on in the 1970s, so we do have a right in this legislation, H.R. 6515, to ask that the Alaskan pipeline for natural gas for Americans be utilized, be put in place. It might be time now to declare a national emergency and take control of that pipeline and get it working. But what this bill stands for is for working men and women, families. What it says is we are simply asking for due diligence, and that is to come to the National Petroleum Reserve and go ahead and acknowledge the fact that there are 22.6 million acres that can be leased. Only 3 million acres have been leased, and only 25 exploratory wells have been drilled. We are simply saying that this is part of the larger piece, the drilling off the gulf of Texas and Louisiana, of which we in those areas applaud and salute. They have been done environmentally safely. I ask the energy companies, of whom I am inviting to sit down in Houston in a roundtable and begin to engage in the process of doing what the building trades have said. Let us address the question of affordable energy and national security. This is a national security issue. The question has to be if we have Federal lands, we need to be able to drill. This legislation says so. We need to be able to have due diligence, and we need to come together to provide the kind of energy policy that is for national security.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman from Texas as well. I'm very pleased to add to the debate on the floor of the House and how far-reaching NASA has come as it relates to all academic institutions. I'm very proud of the partnership that NASA has had with Texas Southern University, one historically black college located in the 18th Congressional District, as well as Oakwood College located in Huntsville, Alabama. But there are many, many colleges that NASA has collaborated with. It's been a particularly important partnership with historically black colleges and Hispanic-serving colleges. As it relates to Texas Southern University, they've worked on aeronautics. They have, in fact, engaged in fellowships with young people to be able to expose them to the importance of the work that NASA has done. I think even more so, it is important for the American people to know that the payload that the astronauts have taken to the Space Station and actually worked on includes the work of elementary, middle school and high school students. What better way for there to be an excitement about space and what we enjoy but doing it in that way. I'm delighted that my colleagues have joined in discussing the broadness of our energy policy. I think in the passing of Dr. DeBakey we should make note of the great medical research that goes on with NASA. And as I've indicated with HIV/AIDS, with heart attacks or heart disease or stroke, it is not known to most Americans how much medical research is done on the Space Station and how many different countries are there and the medical doctors that go into space as well. I know that we will work for a unified energy policy that involves, if you will, all of the elements, including conservation and wind and solar--Texas being the largest State with wind power. And I look forward to us having a fossil fuel, wind, solar, conservation, and we will do that as we move together. NASA is so much a part of this extended research on climate change. And these commemorative coins will celebrate the diversity of NASA, how valuable it is for us. I hope my colleagues will enthusiastically support this particular legislation that will cause us to make sure that we are reminded of the great work of this great organization, serving all of the people of the United States of America.