Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, it is a true honor to have the opportunity to sometimes honor those who are quiet giants, who represent the embodiment of the best of America, those who have pulled themselves up by their bootstraps, and to have the success story written by their own pen, by their own ink. So I rise today to honor a great Texan, a great civil rights advocate and a great American. The resolution recognizes a great legal scholar, as well as a great institution of legal education located in Houston, Texas. Judge Andrew Jefferson is the embodiment of scholarship, of toughness, of respect, of fairness. He is respected by members of our community, Republicans and Democrats alike. He is respected by members, icons themselves, of the Texas Bar, and well-known around the Nation. He is cherished by the National Bar Association, the Houston Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and as well he is cherished by Texas Southern University and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. This scholar is Judge Andrew L. Jefferson, and the institution that he cherishes is the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. Both embody the spirit of legal excellence and public service. As we talked this day on the celebration of Juneteenth, I am reminded of Representative Al Edwards, who organized Juneteenth, and we have celebrated under his leadership for 29 years. Juneteenth, as I indicated, was about freedom, and Judge Jefferson connotes freedom. Andrew L. Jefferson, a native of Dallas, Texas, graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1959. After earning his Bachelor's Degree from Texas Southern University, he was the President of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and rose to become a partner at the law firm of Washington and Jefferson, Attorneys at Law, in Houston. He has served as an assistant criminal district attorney for Bexar County. These, Madam Speaker, were jobs that he was able to secure with his own talents way before integration came to the south. He was a Chief Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas. He was a pioneer for young lawyers, a pioneer in going in places in the law where African American lawyers could not go. In Houston, Texas, African American lawyers could not use the law library. They could not eat in the cafeteria. And, of course, he was a trial counsel and labor relations counsel for Humble Oil and Refining Company, the predecessor to Exxon. Each time, he was a pioneer, he explored new ground, and certainly as an African American getting his degrees in the late 1950s going through the 1960s before the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1965 and the Voting Rights Act, he truly braved new areas and stood for the dignity and respect of all in our community. Judge Jefferson served in the Judge Advocate General Corps in the United States Army Reserve. He was honorably discharged as a captain. Mind you, he was pioneering and doing all of this in the early days of the 1950s and 1960s. He has as his lovely bride another civic leader, Mary Jefferson, who I spoke to just last evening. I sent her my best greetings and those to Judge Jefferson, who is mending. We wish him a speedy recovery. But we also know he has strength and determination and is a role model to many. Mary Jefferson, his partner of many years, has served on many organizations herself. She is a strong advocate for quality education for our youth and for more opportunities for young people to go to college by expanding financial access, and she is a fighter for civil rights herself. She is a long-standing member of the Links in Houston. A longtime, active committee member of the State Bar of Texas, Judge Jefferson is also a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, a member of the American Bar Foundation, of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and of the Texas Constitutional Revision Commission. This outstanding jurist, who is renowned for his expertise in legal practice, has been a highly sought after speaker throughout his career and has frequently shared his experience and knowledge with the Criminal Law Institute for the Houston Bar Association, with the San Antonio Bar Association, and he has spoken in many places. He served on the board of the Houston branch of the Federal Reserve Bank and of the Texas Southern University Foundation. I remind my colleagues that Texas Southern University was borne out of discrimination when individuals in the State of Texas could not go to the University of Texas, as evidenced by the Heman Sweatt lawsuit. He has received numerous awards and honors, among them the Anti- Defamation League's National Torch of Liberty Award, the Forward Times Community Service Award, the League of United Latin American Citizens National Community Service Award, and the Community Service Award from La Raza. In addition, he was the Presidential nominee to sit on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. To honor Judge Jefferson on this occasion will be momentous for the City of Houston, for Texas Southern University and for minorities worldwide who aspire to study and practice law. I congratulate Judge Jefferson for the life that he has led, for the young people whom he has been able to lead. Through his great service, the Texas Southern University Law School, the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, has established a trial advocacy program that will be in his name at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and it will be because of what he did for those he stood by and for those he managed to lead and to inspire. Judge Jefferson was a good friend and advisor to Barbara Jordan. He ran many campaigns, but as he continues to live his life, he will be renowned and will continue to be known for fighting for equality, for civil rights, for standing tall, and for never stepping away from a tough fight. So, as we acknowledge Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, I will say that he is the person who stood by her as she sought to expand the Voting Rights Act in her time in Congress. Judge Jefferson: A leader, a role model, a civil rights fighter, along with his wife, Mary Jefferson, icons of our community, patriots, and great Americans. I ask my colleagues to support the legislation H. Res. 31. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I have no other speakers, and I would be happy to yield back my time.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would now like to yield 1 minute to our distinguished majority leader, Mr. Steny Hoyer, the author of this legislation.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1692) to grant a Federal charter to Korean War Veterans Association, Incorporated.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman from New York, and I thank the original author of this legislation, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Davis), and I thank the distinguished Speaker for her leadership as well, and my colleagues. Congressman Higgins, this is Juneteenth Week for those of us who come from the States in which we honor this very special holiday. And so it is very special to stand today to acknowledge how important, how moving a time this is, particularly in the State of Texas where Major Granger landed in Galveston 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, which means that the slaves that were held in the State of Texas were held 2 years longer than any slaves in the United States in the region in which slavery was the law. I would like to acknowledge Rep. Al Edwards who is the Father of the Juneteenth Holiday in Texas. So we hold this as a sacred time, a time of jubilee and celebration, but also of pain and anguish for knowing that we were held in bondage in the State of Texas for a period of time longer than the time that was declared by the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. I'm delighted to be one of the original cosponsors to acknowledge what this day really means. And as we celebrate it throughout the week in Texas, this past weekend I celebrated with the Acres Home Community and their Juneteenth celebration and the Zydeco music and the fun that seniors and children alike would have in fellowship and understanding our history. And many people don't recognize that it is as important a date as might be days that we commemorate Black History Month, special days such as the acknowledgment and the celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, or the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights bill or the March on Washington or the tragic assassination of Dr. King, and this happens to be the 40th year. It is a time when we renew ourselves in having a respect for freedom. And Major Granger, who came and acknowledged, gave way to decades and years of celebration. He also gave way to something called Freedom Watch on New Year's Eve. Many people believe that is a celebration for the new year. But in old years or years back, black churches used to watch on New Year's Eve calling it Freedom Watch to be able to celebrate freedom; and it was the idea of knowing that on January 1, 1863, the slaves would be free. This is a time to acknowledge that our history should be remembered, that we should teach it to our children, that we should take this history to ourselves, if we will, embed it in our hearts and our souls, and make sure that as we embed it, that we live what this history stands for. It stands for determination, tenacity, strength, character, integrity. And we must fight against all of these things that enslave us now, and that is, of course, drugs and crime and poverty. And I hope that this Congress, in passing this legislation, will renew our commitment to ridding this Nation of drugs and the devastation of how it destroys families and that we will commit ourselves to building housing, we will commit ourselves to educating our children, we will commit ourselves to building our families, we will commit ourselves to peace, because that's what an emancipation means: Emancipating yourselves from things that were wrong, that were ill. The Emancipation Proclamation rid this Nation of slavery. Its dastardly effects still continue even today as it separates races and religions, but we have a commitment as the United States Congress to use this floor today to be able to stand against what was a horrific time in the history of America where we held slaves, we debased them, and we rejected humanity and human rights and dignity; but now we must come and respect through this resolution. So I thank the Congressman for his leadership on managing this bill. I particularly pay tribute to my colleague and friend, Congressman Danny Davis, and to all of my constituents in the State of Texas who will now celebrate this day with a gospel celebration on Saturday, a parade on Saturday, and many, many family reunions around the idea of being emancipated. Let us live freedom. Let us stand for freedom by building this Nation free of the ills of drugs and poor housing and poverty and war, and that will truly be a commemoration of Juneteenth because Juneteenth is a freedom, and it is emancipation.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman. It is my hope that we will enthusiastically support this legislation in tribute to these outstanding Americans.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008. My amendment modifies section 1108, and it states: (1) in subsection (a), strike ``small businesses'' and insert ``small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses''; and (2) in subsection (b)(2), insert ``, giving preference to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small business concerns'' after ``to small businesses.'' My amendment clarifies that the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program will include small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. It would also give preference, in selection of businesses to participate in the program, to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small business concerns. Madam Chairman, I would like to thank my colleague and fellow Texan, Congressman Lampson, for his leadership in authoring the important section describing the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program. As set forth in this legislation, this program is intended to support the mission of NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program to provide technical assistance through joint partnerships with industry, academia, government agencies, and national laboratories. It will facilitate technology transfer to the private sector, create a network of academic institutions, aerospace contractors, and NASA centers that will commit to donating technical assistance to small businesses, and create a network of economic development organizations to increase the awareness and enhance the effectiveness of the program nationwide. My amendment would clarify that the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program will include small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. It would also give preference, in the selection of businesses to participate in this program, to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small business concerns. Small businesses represent more than the American dream--they represent the American economy. Small businesses account for 95 percent of all employers, create half of our gross domestic product, and provide three out of four new jobs in this country. Minority businesses are also crucial to our communities and our country. Black entrepreneurs owned 9.7 percent of all such businesses in the United States. Statistics gathered between 1997 and 2002 show substantial increases in the number of black-owned firms with receipts of $1 million or more, as well as the number of black-owned firms with 100 employees or more. Black-owned firms accounted for 5 percent of all non-farm business in the United States in 2002. In my home city of Houston, small businesses are vital to our economy. In 2002, Harris County ranked 6th in the nation for counties with the largest number of black-owned firms, with 27,770 firms with receipts totaling $1,817 million. I have worked to introduce minority, women, and small business owners to contracting officials at NASA to help promote and develop Houston small businesses. Madam Chairman, the NASA Office of Small Business Programs sets forth, as its mission, ``to promote and integrate all small businesses into the competitive base of contractors that pioneer the future of space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.'' Today's legislation makes important strides toward working to realize this important goal, and I believe that my amendment would strengthen this objective. The legislation we are considering today reinforces the fundamental fact that the benefits of NASA's programming and innovation are felt far beyond scientific and academic spheres. Space technologies provide practical, tangible benefits to society, and NASA provides valuable opportunities to businesses in our community. My amendment would help to ensure that the important program authorized by this legislation to develop technical partnerships with private industry will be readily accessible to these vital, but disadvantaged, enterprises. I would like to thank Congressman Lampson for his support of my amendment. I ask that my amendment be ruled in order, and that my colleagues join me in working to bring the benefits of this important legislation to all members of our community. Madam Chairman, I would also like to thank my colleague Congressman Udall for introducing this important legislation. After the Columbia disaster, NASA stands at a pivotal moment in its history. It is the responsibility of this Congress to ensure that the future of NASA is one of continued progress. Space exploration remains a part of our national destiny. It inspires our children to look to the stars and dream of what they too, one day, may achieve. Space exploration allows us to push the bounds of our scientific knowledge, as we carry out research projects not possible within the constraints of the planet Earth. Support STEM Diversity Related Amendments to H.R. 6063 Diversity and Innovation Caucus, June 11, 2008. Dear Colleague: We write to bring your attention to several amendments that may be offered during consideration of H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008. Amendments presented by Representatives Hodes and Jackson-Lee are aimed at creating greater diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce through opportunity and access. As Co-chairs of the Diversity and Innovation Caucus, we have worked to expand the participation of under-represented groups in the STEM fields to help bolster U.S. competitiveness. The amendments that will help us accomplish this goal in H.R. 6063 include: Hodes (NH)--VOTE YES: Establishes a scholarship program in honor of Christa McAulliffe, a teacher from Concord, New Hampshire who died in the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. The scholarship would go to women pursuing degrees in mathematics, science, and engineering. Jackson-Lee (TX)--VOTE YES: Clarifies that the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program includes small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. It would also give preference, in selection for the program, to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small business concerns. If America is to achieve its strategic objectives in STEM, then the enormous potential of groups that are currently under-represented in the STEM fields must be utilized. STEM policies which encourage diversity help strengthen American innovation and competitiveness by expanding the STEM pipeline. We strongly urge you to support the amendments to HR 6063 listed above. Thank you for our careful consideration of these important amendments. I yield back my time.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Chairman, let me thank the committee, both the ranking member, Mr. Hall, and the chairman of the full committee, as well as the subcommittee chairs and ranking members. It is a pleasure to have had the honor and privilege of serving on the Science Committee for a number of years and to congratulate them for its very important work. I believe the Science Committee, as I've indicated, creates the work of the 21st century: science and technology and research. My amendment has a very simple premise, and it is an amendment to the program of which Mr. Lampson of Texas has created that is part of the Innovative Partnerships Program that NASA's had for a very long time. The amendment clarifies that the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program will include small, minority-owned and women-owned businesses. But as well, it specifically focuses on small business concerns owned and controlled, which is part of the existing law, by service-disabled veterans and HUBZone small business concerns. So this will be added to small businesses. What better way to ensure diversity than to ensure that our returning veterans, service-disabled, have the further opportunity of participating in this program. And Madam Chairman, let me share with you how vital small businesses are, no matter where they are. First of all, small firms represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms. They employ about half of all private sector employees. They pay more than 45 percent of the total U.S. payroll, and in 2006, we believe there were 26.8 million businesses. When you speak to veterans, it seems that it's their cup of tea. They're independent, they're resilient, and yes, they've fought a war. And so, there's given emphasis in selection of the businesses to participate in this technology and outreach program to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, and as I indicated, to service-disabled veterans and HUBZone small businesses. The interesting part of this effort, of course, is the very backbone of our economy will get the opportunity to benefit from the strength of this great NASA program. And the full committee has been very fair in the dollars that they've put in science and research and the space exploration program, and this, of course, would provide an opportunity for our small businesses to be right in the middle. I believe that science and technology creates the work of the 21st century, and for that reason, this program and its ability to reach out to these small businesses is a plus for us. They will include the opportunity to hire people who have that technology training. They will reach out to various universities, Hispanic-serving and historically black colleges and other colleges around the Nation, to get the employees that will work in these small firms, and they'll have the technological training that is so important. I hope my colleagues will support this and continue to support the opportunity for outreach, particularly as it creates jobs and interests and commitment to the NASA mentality and the NASA technology, and it puts America on the cutting edge. I reserve my time.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I'm glad the gentleman asked the question, and the gentleman is right in terms of the positive and not the negative. It is ``and,'' it is including. It is to indicate that if these businesses are around, reach out to them. And again, this does not impact any contracts of NASA. It only impacts the access to this outreach program, and to have small businesses, if a small business is there, they're there. But to ensure that others are aware of the program and can participate in it. And of course, it just adds that those who will be part of the outreach will be women-owned, will be HUBZone businesses, and will also be disabled veterans, many of whom are returning back to the country.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I want to again reaffirm to the gentleman that this does not impact contracts. This only impacts the ability to participate in getting technical assistance and accessing the wisdom and the expertise of NASA. In addition, the language is small, comma, and then it goes on. So no one is replaced. It is simply adding a list and saying, don't forget this list as well. It will not replace anyone, and it will not replace anyone or require a small contractor to replace or be replaced, if you will. It is all about technical training and assistance.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. If I might simply close and thank the distinguished gentleman, Mr. Feeney, for his inquiries and, as well, his clarification. And with that, I would indicate that this is a reemphasis of how important small businesses are, accessing technical assistance, and I would ask my colleagues to support the Jackson-Lee amendment dealing with expanding opportunities to socially and disadvantaged businesses and, of course, returning veterans and other HUBZones. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment for technical assistance.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I want to remind my good friends that yesterday we were on the floor of the House and my good friends on the other side of the aisle, the Republican minority, blocked the passage of this emergency relief to so many Americans. And I rose yesterday and I asked the question, Who will be a Good Samaritan and stand with those who are in need? Right now, soldiers on the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan have family members who are unemployed and who have exhausted their benefits. What do we say to them? In Texas, we have a total of 160,000 Texans who have now either exhausted or will exhaust their unemployment benefits. They do so in an economy where they've lost their jobs through no fault of their own. That's why we put this bill on the floor of the House because you could have gone to a job, worked for a week, and the business closed down because of varying economic crises created by this administration. We've lost--324,000 jobs have disappeared over this period of time, 5 consecutive months. We've lost 300,000-plus job. And the unemployment rose to the highest in the month of May.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. The highest number of unemployment in 20 years in the month of May, and over the last 12 months, the number of unemployed workers have grown by 1.6 million, 200,000 more long-term jobless. Who will be the Good Samaritan for the American people who have helped build this country? Who will tell the Iraqi soldiers and Afghanistan soldiers that the mother and father that is there longing for their return does not have a job and cannot pay for gasoline and rent and food? We have to stand today. Who will be the Good Samaritans? This legislation is written the way it is to solve the problems of Americans. I will stand with them. I ask you to support the underlying legislation and the rule.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5749, Emergency Extended Unemployment Act of 2008, introduced by my distinguished colleague Representative McDermott. This important legislation will provide much-needed relief to 3.8 million unemployed workers who are besieged to cope with rapidly rising gas and food costs, while they continue to struggle to find work in the slowing economy. Democrats in Congress have pushed to extend unemployment benefits since the beginning of the year, as the economy weakened, but have faced continued resistance from the Bush Administration. Today, the House will take up H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act on the suspension calendar. The legislation would immediately provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers who have exhausted the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. For states with especially high unemployment rates, an additional 13 weeks would be offered, bringing the total to 26 weeks of extended benefits. The need for action is clear. For the fifth straight month, the economy lost jobs and unemployment rose from 5.0 percent in April to 5.5 percent in May, with 49,000 jobs lost in May alone. The economy has lost nearly 325,000 jobs this year and 3.8 million Americans are unemployed. These grim statistics are yet another signal that the Bush Administration's economic policies have failed the American people. Americans are now facing higher costs for basic necessities, unemployment is up, millions of families have lost their homes or value in their homes due to the housing crisis, and 7 million more Americans are uninsured. Extending unemployment benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fast-acting ways to stimulate the economy because the money is spent quickly, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Every $1 spent on unemployment benefits generates $1.64 in new economic demand. Unfortunately, President Bush and some Republicans oppose our effort to help unemployed workers and to get our economy moving again. Instead, they want more of the same. Middle class families can't afford four more years of the kind of policies that have weakened our economy and left hundreds of thousands of Americans looking for work and struggling to make ends meet. We hope the President and his Republican allies will change course and work with us to assist unemployed workers. Today, gas prices hit an average of $4.05 per gallon, a new historic high. The price of a barrel of oil increased more on Friday, in one single day, than a barrel cost a decade ago, before George W. Bush became President. Even in the face of these record increases, Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008. The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 passed the House, and would retain and create hundreds of thousands of green energy jobs. Experts estimate biofuel blends are keeping gas prices about 15 percent lower than they otherwise would be now--and the energy law increases our commitment to these and other American-grown biofuels. While Democrats are taking action to lessen our dependence on foreign oil and lower prices, Republicans continue to repeat the same old rhetoric: continued calling for drilling in ANWR, even though the Department of Energy has concluded that opening up the Arctic for drilling would not reduce the price of a gallon of gasoline until 20 years from now--and then only by about 1 penny. Since 2000, drilling has increased dramatically--climbing about 66 percent--while gas prices continue to increase. Additionally, the federal government has already opened up leases to 68 million acres of federal land that oil companies aren't even tapping. From day one, the New Direction Congress has been fighting to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, bring down record gas prices, and launch a cleaner, smarter energy future for America that lowers costs and creates hundreds of thousands of green jobs. Democrats in Congress have already taken action to bring down the price of gas, passing legislation to suspend the filling of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, SPR, starting June 30th and going through the end of the year. The House also approved the Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act of 2008. The legislation gives U.S. authorities the ability to prosecute anticompetitive conduct committed by international cartels like OPEC that restricts supply and drives up prices. The House also continues to build on the work of the Energy Independence and Security Act which will transition the American economy to more efficient vehicles and reduce our dependence on foreign fuels. I am proud to support this important legislation that will address the economic needs of the American people, and I urge my colleagues to join in so doing.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we just finished a historic debate for historic legislation, H.R. 6063, and I look forward to my colleagues enthusiastically supporting the NASA Reauthorization Bill. Let me highlight what this bill will generate for science in America. Funding for science will be some $4.932 billion. Aeronautics will be $853 million. Space exploration will be $3.886 billion. Education will be $128 million. Space operations will be some $6 billion. Cross-Agency Support Programs, some $3 billion. And Inspector General, which is very important to ensure the integrity of the program, some $35 million. This is an investment not for this Congress, but for America, and that is why this debate is so important. As we move this bill forward, I am very pleased that this body supported my amendment. And I wanted to ensure that we had record clarity to know that this amendment was worked on by the Science Committee and the Small Business Administration Committee, and was timely submitted to the Rules Committee and, as well, was, if you will, approved by the Rules Committee. And I was very pleased to have this listed as an approved amendment in the structured rule process. And so all is well now that this amendment has been passed and that this bill now has been passed, if you will, out of this body. And of course there will be votes to finalize the passage of the bill. Let me move now, just very briefly, to add my deep sympathy to Americans who have experienced the tragedy of untimely and precipitous weather. This, I think, will be the most remarkable weather season that we may have experienced in a couple of years. Tornados are hitting Americans and floods all over the Nation. Many of our colleagues are absent because of the tragedy occurring in their respective districts. This further emphasizes, of course, the work that we do here, but nothing can give solace to those who have lost family members. As a member of the Board of the Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts of America, I offer my deepest sympathy to the Boy Scouts who lost their lives in Iowa, and to their Member of Congress and to the families there. Let me also cite the brave young men who were involved in protecting others and providing first aid. It shows what kind of character and integrity is built for those who are in the Boy Scouts. And we offer to them our deepest sympathy. We know that the national Boy Scouts are mourning, and Boy Scouts across America. But as they mourn, let us also pay tribute to those who rose and showed themselves well as they sought to help those who could not help themselves. Again, our sympathy to the Boy Scouts of America, to the Boy Scouts of Iowa, and certainly to the families of those who lost their lives in the last 24 to 48 hours, and those Americans who are also in the face of these tragic, terrible natural disasters, and who have suffered personal loss, property loss, and certainly the loss of loved ones.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the distinguished chairman of the committee. It's really good to be with him, in spite of holding us over. We are still here fighting the good fight. Chairman Gordon, thank you for your leadership and the work that you've done, of course, with the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Udall, and my very dear colleague, who has been an advocate, Congressman Nick Lampson, who has worked closely on this issue, to the ranking member, Mr. Hall, and of course the ranking members on the respective committees. I rise today to enthusiastically support this legislation dealing with NASA's authorization. I was reflecting on the history of authorization, and the committee should be commended. This is not a very easy task to get an authorization bill out, and we have done so. And I'm very proud that this Congress, this Democratic Congress has done so. Today's legislation will allow NASA to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, keeping our Nation on the forefront of innovation and exploration. After the Columbia disaster, NASA stands at a pivotal moment in its history. It is the responsibility of this Congress to ensure that the future of NASA is one of continued progress. Our children depend on us to do this. Space exploration remains part of our national destiny. Knowing the cutting edge of technology, the research on HIV/AIDS, on stroke, on heart disease, on cancer, all of this has occurred through NASA exploration and the International Space Station. It inspires our children to look at the stars and dream of what they, too, one day may achieve. Space exploration allows us to push the bounds of our scientific knowledge as we carry out research projects not possible within the constraints of the planet Earth. Just an anecdote, when I have an annual Christmas party of 3,000 children, the astronauts that come are more popular than Santa Claus. That should be the test for continuing this wonderful effort to ensure that America always stands at the forefront of innovativeness. As a Nation, we have made tremendous strides forward in the pursuit of space exploration since President John F. Kennedy set the course for our Nation in 1962 calling it the ``greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.'' Despite the setbacks of recent years, including the tragedy that befell the Space Shuttles Columbia and Challenger, NASA and the American people have refused to abandon the pursuit of knowledge of our universe. On October 1, 1958, NASA began its operation. It consisted of only about 8,000 employees and an annual budget of $100 million, but it is now in its 50th year, and we are going further. President Kennedy in 1961 said, ``I believe this Nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth.'' Believe it not, we have now had men going into space, and we have just recently had the fiftieth woman going into space. This is an important challenge. And this legislation today provides us with an opportunity to save the 18,000 employees and to begin to look to a funding system that will continue our journey. H.R. 6063 is addressing serious concerns. Between 2010, when the space shuttle will be phased out, and 2015 when the next generation human space flight is likely to become operational, the United States will have no method of transportation to the space station that we have already invested in.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. With this legislation, we are going to deliver important hardware, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, through an additional extension. The bill also authorizes $1 billion in augmented funding to accelerate the development of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, the successor to the space shuttle, in hopes of narrowing the gap. We are also allowing one more shuttle trip for the space shuttle. This is helpful to Johnson. We don't want to lose jobs. We want to support this effort. And we may want to reconsider, as we go forward, the retiring of the space shuttle. Let me thank the committee for supporting, as well, my small business amendment that addresses the question of giving training, technological training, to veterans-owned businesses, to HUB businesses, to women- owned businesses and minority-owned businesses so they can be part of the cutting edge of science. I conclude simply by saying that President Kennedy set the mark. I am glad this committee and this Congress is carrying the torch. We must continue space exploration. It is our duty. It is our challenge. It is our obligation as patriots. And it is for the future of our children. On with the space. This legislation gets us there. Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008. As we mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United States space program, this legislation reaffirms the ever growing and changing role of NASA, providing resources to carry the agency forward with its ambitious agenda of research, exploration, and discovery. I would like to thank Congressman Udall for introducing this important legislation, as well as Science Committee Chairman Gordon for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor today. I would also like to thank Chairman Gordon for his support of an amendment that I am offering. My amendment modifies section 1108 of the bill, and it states: (1) in subsection (a), strike ``small businesses'' and insert ``small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses''; and (2) In subsection (b)(2), insert ``, giving preference to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUB Zone small business concerns'' after ``to small businesses.'' My amendment clarifies that the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program will include small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. It would also give preference, in selection of businesses to participate in the program, to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small business concerns. I would like to thank my colleague and fellow Texan, Congressman Lampson, for his leadership in authoring the important section describing the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program, and for supporting my amendment. Madam Chairman, today's legislation will allow NASA to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, keeping our nation on the forefront of innovation and exploration. After the Columbia disaster, NASA stands at a pivotal moment in its history. It is the responsibility of this Congress to ensure that the future of NASA is one of continued progress. Space exploration remains a part of our national destiny. It inspires our children to look to the stars and dream of what they too, one day, may achieve. Space exploration allows us to push the bounds of our scientific knowledge, as we carry out research projects not possible within the constraints of the planet Earth. As a nation, we have made tremendous strides forward in the pursuit of space exploration since President John F. Kennedy set the course for our nation in 1962, calling it the ``greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.'' Despite the setbacks of recent years, including the tragedy that befell the Space Shuttle Columbia, NASA and the American people have refused to abandon the pursuit of knowledge of our universe. On October 1, 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration began operation. At the time it consisted of only about 8,000 employees and an annual budget of $100 million. Over the next 50 years, NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have been involved in many defining events occurred which have shaped the course of human history and demonstrated to the world the character of the people of the United States. Many of us remember how inspired we were when on May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed: ``I believe this Nation should commitment itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.'' The success of the United States space exploration program in the 20th Century augurs well for its continued leadership in the 21st Century. This success is largely attributable to the remarkable and indispensable partnership between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and its 10 space and research centers. One of these important research centers is located in my home city of Houston. The Johnson Space Center, which manages the development, testing, production, and delivery of all United States human spacecraft and all human spacecraft-related functions, is one of the crown jewels of the Houston area. Today, NASA is the nations' primary civil space and aeronautics research and development agency, and its current activities employ over 18,000 Americans. Today's legislation reaffirms the fundamental operating principles of NASA, emphasizes the importance of NASA leadership in a range of endeavors such as Earth observations and research, aeronautics reach and development, and an exploration program. It authorizes $20.21 billion in NASA funding for FY 2009. Madam Chairman, in addition to this funding, H.R. 6063 begins to address what many of us believe is a serious problem that we will face in the coming years. Between 2010, when the space shuttle will be phased out, and 2015, when the next-generation human spaceflight vehicle is likely to become operational, the United States will have no method of transportation to the International Space Station, which we have already invested a great deal of American resources in. This legislation allows for an additional space shuttle flight to the International Space Station, to deliver important hardware (the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer). The bill also authorizes $1 billion in augmented funding to accelerate the development of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, the successor to the space shuttle, in hopes of narrowing the gap. Always on the forefront of technological innovation, NASA has been home to countless ``firsts'' in the field of space exploration. America has, countless times, proven itself to be a leader in innovation, and many technologies that have become part of our everyday lives were developed by NASA scientists. The benefits of NASA's programming and innovation are felt far beyond scientific and academic spheres. Space technologies provide practical, tangible benefits to society, and NASA provides valuable opportunities to businesses in our community. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation, and in support of the future of American innovation and exploration.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule for H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008. As we mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United States space program, this legislation reaffirms the ever growing and changing role of NASA, providing resources to carry the agency forward with its ambitious agenda of research, exploration, and discovery. I would like to thank Congressman Udall for introducing this important legislation, as well as Science Committee Chairman Gordon for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor today. This structured rule allows for the consideration of 14 amendments, including one that I offered. I would also like to thank Chairman Gordon for his support of my amendment, which modifies section 1108 of the bill, and it states: (1) in subsection (a), strike ``small businesses'' and insert ``small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses''; and (2) in subsection (b)(2), insert ``, giving preference to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small business concerns'' after ``to small businesses.'' My amendment clarifies that the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program will include small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. It would also give preference, in selection of businesses to participate in the program, to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small business concerns. I would like to thank my colleague and fellow Texan, Congressman Lampson, for his leadership in authoring the important section describing the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program, and for supporting my amendment. Madam Speaker, today's legislation will allow NASA to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, keeping our Nation on the forefront of innovation and exploration. After the Columbia disaster, NASA stands at a pivotal moment in its history. It is the responsibility of this Congress to ensure that the future of NASA is one of continued progress. Space exploration remains a part of our national destiny. It inspires our children to look to the stars and dream of what they too, one day, may achieve. Space exploration allows us to push the bounds of our scientific knowledge, as we carry out research projects not possible within the constraints of the planet Earth. As a nation, we have made tremendous strides forward in the pursuit of space exploration since President John F. Kennedy set the course for our Nation in 1962, calling it the ``greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.'' Despite the setbacks of recent years, including the tragedy that befell the Space Shuttle Columbia, NASA and the American people have refused to abandon the pursuit of knowledge of our universe. On October 1, 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration began operation. At the time it consisted of only about 8,000 employees and an annual budget of $100 million. Over the next 50 years, NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have been involved in many defining events that occurred which have shaped the course of human history and demonstrated to the world the character of the people of the United States. Many of us remember how inspired we were when on May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed: ``I believe this Nation should commitment itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.'' The success of the United States space exploration program in the 20th century augurs well for its continued leadership in the 21st century. This success is largely attributable to the remarkable and indispensable partnership between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and its 10 space and research centers. One of these important research centers is located in my home city of Houston. The Johnson Space Center, which manages the development, testing, production, and delivery of all United States human spacecraft and all human spacecraft-related functions, is one of the crown jewels of the Houston area. Today, NASA is the Nation's primary civil space and aeronautics research and development agency, and its current activities employ over 18,000 Americans. Today's legislation reaffirms the fundamental operating principles of NASA, emphasizes the importance of NASA leadership in a range of endeavors such as Earth observations and research, aeronautics reach and development, and an exploration program. It authorizes $20.21 billion in NASA funding for FY 2009. Madam Speaker, in addition to this funding, H.R. 6063 begins to address what many of us believe is a serious problem that we will face in the coming years. Between 2010, when the space shuttle will be phased out, and 2015, when the next-generation human spaceflight vehicle is likely to become operational, the United States will have no method of transportation to the International Space Station, which we have already invested a great deal of American resources in. This legislation allows for an additional space shuttle flight to the International Space Station, to deliver important hardware (the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer). The bill also authorizes $1 billion in augmented funding to accelerate the development of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, the successor to the space shuttle, in hopes of narrowing the gap. Always on the forefront of technological innovation, NASA has been home to countless ``firsts'' in the field of space exploration. America has, countless times, proven itself to be a leader in innovation, and many technologies that have become part of our everyday lives were developed by NASA scientists. The benefits of NASA's programming and innovation are felt far beyond scientific and academic spheres. Space technologies provide practical, tangible benefits to society, and NASA provides valuable opportunities to businesses in our community. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation, and in support of the future of American innovation and exploration. The material previously referred to by Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida is as follows: Amendment to H. Res. 1257 Offered by Mr. Diaz-Balart of Florida At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this resolution or the operation of the previous question, it shall be in order to consider any amendment to the bill which the proponent asserts, if enacted, would have the effect of lowering the national average price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. Such amendments shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for thirty minutes equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against such amendments are waived except those arising under clause 9 of rule XXI. For purposes of compliance with clause 9(a)(3) of rule XXI, a statement submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the proponent of such amendment prior to its consideration shall have the same effect as a statement actually printed.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Congresswoman Pryce and I came to the floor as a mother, and certainly someone who has spent a good deal of time working in the Women's Caucus. And we would be together in a time when Democrats and Republicans would come together around issues of children and women. And I know of your forceful voice. And so I come today to thank you for this legislation and this tribute to Caroline because, coming from Houston, we have the Texas Children's Hospital. And I have visited the McDonald's House, which is a home that families are able to use to be able to see the children who are with their family who are suffering from cancer and obviously are in great need of pediatric research. And you see the smiling faces, and you see the uniqueness of their look, if you will--many of their heads are shaven--but you also see love. And this is what this bill represents to all of us; it is a testament of love, and the fact that children should have a future. Caroline Pryce Walker, in the words Conquer Child Cancer Act of 2008, is embodied in the love that you have for your daughter. I just want to recount one or two of the findings, because I think it is very important to note that cancer kills more children than any other disease. Many of us don't know that. You would think of many other elements that might kill. You don't know that cancer is the number one killer of children. Each year, cancer kills more children between one and 20 years of age than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and AIDS. So I simply want to close by indicating that I was in a committee hearing and we just finished and I saw you speaking on the floor, and I was compelled to just come and say thank you. Thank you for your leadership. And you have entrusted in us the fact that we will carry on in your name and in your daughter's name. I ask for support of this bill, and I thank Chairman Pallone.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, where is a good Samaritan? My friends are talking about the high price of gasoline. Can you imagine the impact on those who have exhausted their unemployment, people who have built this Nation, hard-working Americans. Do you recognize that just this past week, unfortunately, with embarrassment, the administration had to announce that unemployment rose 5 percent in April, 5.5 percent in May, 49,000 jobs were lost. Where is the good Samaritan? That is why today Democrats will stand on the floor of the House and stand alongside of working Americans and extend the unemployment benefits for those families who have exhausted all of their resources, this will go into March 2009, helping the bus driver, the nurse, helping those who are working with their hands, who have families to support, who can barely get gasoline. Can you imagine being unemployed through no fault of your own, and this administration does not want to offer the extension of unemployment benefits? Today the good Samaritan will be on the floor of the House. We will debate this question. We will pass this bill. The President will sign it, and we will give relief to hard-working Americans.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me associate myself with the words of our chairman. This is in the interests of the American people. I thank Chairman Berman for introducing this legislation and the ranking member, as well, for the collaboration that our committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee, always engages in. I think it is important to note that this is an initiative that was entered into by the United States and Mexico that announced a multiyear, $1.4 billion plan to use U.S. assistance to combat drug trafficking and other criminal organization activities. This has been labeled the ``Merida Initiative,'' and the administration has requested $500 million. Some would ask why? Because we are at a crisis. And I come from the State of Texas. There is bloodshed on the border. The violence is enormous. The wars between drug cartels have caused some 1,800 to 1,900 deaths to Mexicans in the first 9 months of 2007. And it is attributable to the cartel-related violence. More than 60 American citizens have been kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo, a Mexican town directly across the border from the city of Laredo, a fine, wonderful city. And the mayors of those cities have come and asked for relief. But unfortunately, it hasn't been listened to in the way that I believe it could be. Recognizing that the violence or the cause is not Laredo or the border towns as much as it is the violence that is now spilling over. So I hope as we move forward in our initiative it will have a number of elements to it, and certainly one of the elements has to be the war against drugs here in the United States. It is important to note that Mexico is, in fact, the main foreign supply of marijuana and meth, and as well even though there is a small production of heroin, interestingly enough, they are a large producer of the heroin supply here in United States. And for this reason, there needs to be a number of collaborations. I disagree, for example, with the Secretary of Homeland Security, who says that we can't put the virtual fence at the border because he realizes that we are being conflicted by the questions of a barrier fence, reasonably so, because we are used to the ingress and egress of trade in that area. And so I hope this initiative will have a balance and recognize that we have to look at many options to secure the border. I want to also make mention of the fact that I am a member of the Homeland Security Committee and will hope, as this legislation moves forward, that we will have a collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security with this effort. You cannot make this work unless DHS is involved. And I was prepared to offer an amendment that dealt with assessing the role of the relevant United States Government departments and agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, in supporting the Merida Initiative, providing specific information on what staff, equipment and other resources the relevant United States Government departments and agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security would need to support this initiative, and assessing the impact of the initiative on the border security operations of the relevant United States Government departments and agencies.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 337, ``Honoring the Seeds of Peace for its 15th Anniversary as an Organization.'' I would like to thank my colleague Congressman Allen for introducing this important resolution, which I am proud to cosponsor, as well as the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressman Berman, for his leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, fifteen years ago, in 1993, Seeds of Peace hosted its first international conflict resolution camp. In that first year, amidst regional conflict and fighting a history of hatred, the organization brought together Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, and Egyptian youth. Founded by journalist John Wallach, Seeds of Peace initially brought together 46 Israeli and Arab youth. Since that time, Seeds of Peace has offered summer camps for youths from conflict regions around the world and from the United States, involving young people from the initial countries as well as from Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, the Balkans, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. These summer camps have made enormous strides toward fostering cultural and religious understanding. Seeds of Peace empowers a new generation of leaders with the tools they need to overcome prejudice and to communicate and negotiate effectively. The summer camps help these youth to develop empathy, respect, and confidence, while giving their ``enemies'' a human face. The young people who attend these summer camps are the same people who will grow up to build a future of peace and stability. There are now nearly 4,000 young Seeds of Peace leaders who are working to make a positive difference in some of our world's most troubled regions. As Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I strongly believe in investing in our children. By doing so, we are investing in our future. Long-term peace between warring parties, including Arabs and Israelis, Indians and Pakistanis, and Afghans and Pakistanis, is dependent on the emergence of a new generation of leaders able and willing to engage in constructive dialogue. By bringing young people from different backgrounds together in a recreational environment, Seeds of Peace lays a foundation for sustainable peace by facilitating interaction among young leaders before their fears, mistrust, and inherited prejudices have permanently shaped their vision of their ``enemy.'' After spending a summer at camp in Maine, participants and teachers continue to interact through regional and international programming, furthering the dialogue among and across nationalities. Seeds of Peace supports the development of future leaders. In addition to these summer camps for children from conflict regions, Seeds of Peace now operates a domestic program called ``Maine Seeds,'' addressing ethnic and racial tensions between diverse communities in Maine. Also, in 2004, Seeds of Peace launched its ``Beyond Borders'' initiative, bringing teens from additional Middle East countries, such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, to participate in a cultural exchange program between American and Arab youth. Mr. Speaker, while the Arab/Israeli peace process has moved forward haltingly since 1993, Seeds of Peace has grown into a major organization that continues to foster interaction among thousands of young leaders and educators from around the world. It continues to build upon the basic premise the prejudices dispelled during youth will be prejudices dispelled for life. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, honoring Seeds of Peace for its fifteen years of promoting reconciliation, coexistence, and peace among youth of the Middle East and other conflict areas.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I would like to thank the distinguished gentleman and the ranking member of the subcommittee and the chairman and the ranking member of the full committee. I would like to thank Chairman Payne in particular for introducing this important resolution. And I am very proud to cosponsor it because it is clearly a life-and- death matter. When you talk about sanitation and the removal of waste and the removal of sewage, you are talking about the lives of children. And as the cochair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, let me acknowledge that the most vulnerable to unsanitary conditions are children. In the disease that spreads, they are, in fact, the victims. Global sanitation coverage has increased from 49 to 59 percent between 1990 and 2004. And that is, in essence, allowing over 1 billion people throughout the world to gain improved sanitation in the past 14 years. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and, of course, young children are, in fact, the bigger victims. I am particularly troubled that 90 percent of these deaths that I have mentioned of those who died because of lack of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation are children under 5, mostly in developing countries. As I mentioned, children are particularly hard hit by poor sanitation, paying a high price through missed schooling, disease, malnutrition and even death. An estimated 1.5 million children die each year due to poor sanitation, hygiene and unsafe water. UNICEF reports that girls are particularly vulnerable, missing out on schooling once they hit puberty, due to the lack of clean and safe latrines. As the world's only remaining superpower, I think it is important to avert this humanitarian crisis. Chairman Payne, I believe that this is an important, constructive way of avoiding this massive death. Simply put, the Millennium Development Goal on basic sanitation would avert 470,000 deaths. And it would continue to do so. According to economic analysis, depending on the region of the world, economic benefits have been estimated to range from $3 to $34 for each dollar invested in it. Let me just indicate that this is common sense. It is, again, human dignity. And as I close, let me also add my support for H. Con. Res. 337 honoring the Seeds of Peace. It is a program that I am very much aware of, having participated with the young people who have come from Israel and Palestine who have sat down together as teenagers and said we want peace. It was founded by John Wallach. Seeds of Peace initially brought 46 Israeli and Arab youths together. It has spread now to Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, the Balkans, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. These summer camps are enormously important. Again, the Congressional Children's Caucus believes that children are not only our tomorrows, they are our yesterdays and todays. And I want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee for his leadership in these areas. And with that I ask my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 318 and as well the following bill H. Con. Res. 337. And again, I thank Mr. Payne for his leadership. I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 318, ``supporting the goals and ideals of the International Year of Sanitation.'' I would like to thank my colleague Congressman Payne for introducing this important resolution, which I am proud to cosponsor, as well as the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressman Berman, for his leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, In 2007, the United Nations declared 2008 to be the International Year of Sanitation, to raise awareness of the importance of sanitation and its impact on reaching other Millennium Development Goals and to recognize progress made in achieving the global sanitation target detailed in the Millennium Development Goals. In addition, the International Year of Sanitation is intended to call upon all Member States, United Nations agencies, regional and international organizations, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to renew their commitment to attaining the target. As my colleagues are aware, in September 2000, the United Nations adopted the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that challenged the global community to reduce poverty and increase the health and well-being of all peoples. Two years later, in September 2002, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, the United States and the rest of the international community reaffirmed these goals and added access to basic sanitation as a centerpiece of the poverty eradication commitments. The target to halve the proportion of people without access to basic sanitation by 2015 was defined in the Johannesburg Plan of Action. We have begun to make important progress. Over one billion people, throughout the world, have gained access to improved sanitation in the past 14 years. Global sanitation coverage has increased from 49 percent to 59 percent between 1990 and 2004. These gains represent substantial improvements in the quality of life and basic health for countless people. Mr. Speaker, despite the establishment of these goals, billions of people still lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and we are not on target to meet the Millennium Development Goal to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to basic sanitation by 2015. Today, over 2.4 billion people--half the developing world--lack access to basic sanitation and 1.1 billion people have no access to any type of improved drinking source of water. As a direct consequence, over 1.6 million people die every year from easily preventable diseases attributable to lack of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. As Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I am particularly troubled that 90 percent of these deaths are children under 5, mostly in developing countries. Children are particularly hard hit by poor sanitation, paying a high price through missed schooling, disease, malnutrition, and even death. An estimated 1.5 million children under five die each year due to poor sanitation, hygiene, and unsafe water. In addition to claiming too many young lives, poor sanitation reduces children's ability to grow and develop, stunting the economic and social development of the entire nation. UNICEF reports that girls are particularly vulnerable, missing out on schooling once they hit puberty due to the lack of clean and safe latrines. As the world's only remaining superpower, the United States has a moral obligation to take the lead in averting humanitarian catastrophe. Increased access to sanitation would have an enormous impact on the lives of people throughout the world. Simply put, meeting the Millennium Development Goal on basic sanitation would avert 470,000 deaths. In addition, achieving the target would bring enormous economic gains. Meeting the Millennium Development Goal would result in an extra 320 million productive working days every year, and would bring considerable benefits to investment. According to economic analysis, depending on the region of the world, economic benefits have been estimated to range from $3 to $34 for each dollar invested in access to basic sanitation and safe water. Mr. Speaker, even as our attention is consumed by rising food and fuel prices, it is vital that we do not lose focus of the equally vital goal of basic sanitation. The resolution that we are considering today recognizes the importance of sanitation on public health, poverty reduction, economic and social development, and the environment and encourages all Americans to observe the International Year of Sanitation with appropriate recognition, ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate the importance of sanitation, hygiene, and access to safe drinking water in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Mr. Speaker, the benefits of meeting the Millennium Development Goal on basic sanitation would be dramatic and global. We have the opportunity to drastically improve the international community's ability to reduce global poverty, and to improve the health of people worldwide. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important resolution.