Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I like that bipartisan approach. I thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding. I represent another component of the disaster impact of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, representing the city of Houston, and certainly, we can put on the record the increased funding will go a long way on what is a questionable issue, and that is, the framework that FEMA has in dealing with the aftermath of any disaster, the disaster recovery that continues on and on and that disaster recovery includes the ongoing impact and need for funding for Katrina and Rita survivors who are in the Houston area that are in our schools; the continuing need for funding for senior citizens who are living in the city of Houston who are now without ongoing funding for housing; the questionable elimination of employment benefits that was requested in terms of funding that was cut off just about a week or so ago, and then the reimbursement that is necessary. So I rise today to acknowledge the hard work of the appropriators in particular on hurricane relief but also to raise the specter of concern that there are still cities who have not benefited with respect to the reimbursement; and in this instance, I would make the inquiry and the request that if this is an emergency supplemental, these funds are going to be disbursed, that we have an immediate response administratively by FEMA to be able to address the reimbursement requests that have already been made by cities such as Houston. I am grateful that the collaborative work of the Harris County delegation, which included Members from Houston, worked on vast areas like southeast Texas; but I am making a request officially on this floor on behalf of the city of Houston and other cities who have yet to be reimbursed. Mr. Speaker, I would like to see these matters reimbursed. I simply close by saying that I hope in the supplemental that we will find a way to increase the funding for border security, if necessary, for all of our States. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express, once again, my disappointment, and my chagrin, that we are sending forward a bill that so desperately lacks funding for our most urgent national needs. I appreciate the difficult work that my colleagues have engaged in over the last few months. I acknowledge that at $94.5 billion, this is the largest supplemental appropriations measure ever considered by Congress. However, more than ever, this supplemental bill clearly communicates where our country's priorities are right now, and where they are not. Having just returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, I know our troops and returning veterans need our help, and we will help! Seventy percent of the funding in this report is for military spending. I support our troops--however, I am disturbed that language that would prohibit permanent borders in Iraq was eliminated. This is outrageous. This report appropriates $126 million to sustain the African Union peacekeeping missions and eventual transition to an international security force in western Sudan. The report also appropriates $24 million for migration and refugees assistance to respond to the humanitarian crisis for Sudan and Chad. Conference report includes $1.9 billion for border security needs, 48 million less than requested. This includes $1.2 billion for the Department of Homeland Security and $708 million for the Defense Department for the costs of deploying 6000 National Guard troops to the border. Appropriates $37.9 billion for activities related to military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, $808 million LESS than the president's request. This total includes $3 billion to train and equip Iraqi security forces and $1.9 billion for Afghan personnel and the new Afghan Army. The total is roughly $1 million less than requested. The agreement provides a total of $19.8 billion for hurricane relief and recovery, $6 billion of which is for FEMA. But I need to reaffirm the need for cities such as Houston to be timely reimbursed for expenditures used to help people in need. The agreement provides $5.2 billion for the Housing and Urban Development Department's Community Development Block Grant program, with $4.2 billion dedicated to Louisiana, and another $1 billion available to other states on a pro-rated basis. Instead of pulling from a healthy account, such as Defense, appropriators decided to pull money out of Veterans in order to help hurricane recovery. Veterans health was hit by a blow from a measure rescinding the $198 million in supplemental funds provided by the FY 2006 Defense Appropriations law and appropriates the funds instead to the VA Medical Services account for expenses related to hurricane recovery. Among the provisions dropped from the report completely were measures providing for port security funding, slated by the Senate for $648 million, and House language that blocked the use of funds to prohibit registered and legal, but displaced, residents of the Gulf Coast region from the right to legally vote in any official designated election of the Gulf Coast region. We worked very hard for this lanaguage--this deletion slaps the Voter Rights Act in the face. The Defense Department's current monthly expense for Iraq is around $8 billion, and $1 billion for Afghanistan. We should be budgeting these expenses, not supplementing them again and again. I am pleased that so many of the needs of my neighbors in Houston are addressed, such as housing and hurricane recovery funding, but I am saddened by the story that the numbers depict. Someday, I want to say that the Emergency Supplemental bill support unexpected needs of the country in times of crisis, rather than a supplemental and overdue bill of items that should have been debated with the rest of the budget resolution.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name from H. Con. Res. 318.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished gentleman, and I thank the ranking member for her support on this issue.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, let me thank the distinguished gentleman. I might add that I think we are all aware of an incident that occurred with a gang rape in a country that has been very much an ally of the United States, Pakistan. The government, however, took a firm stand against it. I think the remarks you have made, Mr. Chairman, on the floor today and the support of Mrs. Lowey, if we can work toward a form of language, I would greatly appreciate it, as we move toward conference.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. As I begin this debate, Mr. Chairman, I do want to acknowledge again the hard work of Mr. Kolbe and Mrs. Lowey in working together on probably one of the more different foreign operations bills in the appropriations process. I would also offer to say in good humor and with a sense of caring, I really wish the point of order could be waived. But I hope this issue again gains the attention of the chairman and the ranking member, that we could, in fact, have report language on this. Mr. Chairman, I have worked on this issue for a number of years. I am the co-chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus. This has to do with child soldiers. In 2002, the U.S. Senate gave unanimous consent to the U.S. ratification of the Child Soldiers Protocol which was the optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. I believe we have a moral imperative in the United States to make our views known, but to speak forcefully, if you will, to countries that insist on using children as soldiers. Uganda, for example, abduction rates reached their record level in late 2002, 2003, over 8,000 boys and girls were forced by the Lord's Resistance Army to become child soldiers. We see this in the Democratic of the Congo. We see this in Burma, Burundi, the DRC, Liberia, Sudan, and Uganda. We see that Burma's national army alone includes an estimated 70,000 child soldiers. It is of course a burden on the children and there is no hope. As I speak about the child soldiers, the most glaring example was heard from the eloquent presentation of the president of Liberia that talked about almost every child in Liberia was used as a child soldier during the vicious war headed by Charles Taylor. I am hoping that we can continue to make our moral point, assert our moral point as the appropriations process moves forward, and that this too would engender or incur report language, if you will, the management statement that occurs as we move toward the Senate. I would like, as I discuss this before I yield to the distinguished gentleman, is to mention my recent trip to Chad, and to indicate, in addition to I am sure the impact of the issue of child soldiers, the impact of refugees from Sudan. Even though the Chad receives international military education training dollars, which I wanted to limit, my real focus is to have those dollars go toward humanitarian aid to take the burden off of the government of Chad, as it works to be a welcome refuge for our refugees coming out of Sudan and to protect them, providing security for them. Mr. Chairman, I hope that all of these issues will receive the attention of the committee. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished chairman. I am prepared to withdraw it. As I said, my earlier thoughts are that would not it be great to have had the point of order waived, because I think children are dying as we speak and the refugees in Chad need our help. I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank Mrs. Lowey for her support. I do want to acknowledge Rebecca Singer Cohen in my office who worked diligently on these amendments. With that, I look forward to working with you for language as we move toward the Senate. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support my Amendment to this Foreign Operations Appropriation bill, which states that none of the funds made available in this Act under the heading ``INTERNATIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING'' or 'FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM'' may be used in contravention of the child soldiers protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The nations known to use child soldiers do not deserve military assistance from our Nation. On June 18, 2002 the U.S. Senate gave unanimous consent to U.S. ratification of the child soldiers protocol, which was the optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. This decision meant that the United States would not put anyone under the age of eighteen in combat. However, despite that fact that many nations throughout the world signed and ratified the protocol, the problem of children being put into combat situations is still prevalent in many regions of the world. Despite gains in awareness and better understanding of practical policies that can help reduce the use of children in war, the practice persists and globally, the number of child soldiers--about 300,000--is believed to have remained fairly constant. In some continuing armed conflicts, child recruitment increased alarmingly. In Northern Uganda, abduction rates reached record levels in late 2002 and 2003 as over 8,000 boys and girls were forced by the Lord's Resistance Army to become soldiers, laborers, and sexual slaves. In the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where all parties to the armed conflict recruit and use children, some as young as seven, the forced recruitment of children increased so dramatically in late 2002 and early 2003 that observers described the fighting forces as ``armies of children.'' However, it is not just non-governmental armed opposition groups who continue to use children to fight wars. Governments including those in Burma, Burundi, the DRC, Liberia, Sudan, and Ugandan have continued to recruit and use children in armed conflict. Burma's national army alone includes an estimated 70,000 child soldiers, which is nearly one- quarter of world's total and routinely sends children as young as twelve into battle gainst armed ethnic opposition groups. Both Uganda and the DRC have ratified the optional protocol, but flout their obligations by using child soldiers. The Ugandan People's Defense Force has recruited children who escaped or were captured from the rebel Lord's Resistance Army, and has trained and deployed children recruited into local defense units. The government of DRC maintains children in its ranks despite a 2000 presidential decree calling for the demobilization of child soldiers. While none of these nations are specifically targeted to receive any military assistance in this Appropriation, it is important that this amendment is passed so that a message against the use of child soldiers is sent throughout the world. Regardless of how unlikely it is that such funding may ever take place, we as a nation can not allow even the slightest possibility that taxpayer money may go to pay for military assistance to other nations who continue to use child soldiers. It is also important to note that these military assistance funds do not cover any humanitarian assistance, only funds under the International Military Education and Training and Foreign Military Financing Programs. It's a travesty that here in America we talk of holding our children above all else, but around the world children are being used as tools for war. I urge support for the Jackson-Lee Amendment to prohibit military assistance to nations that continue to use child soldiers. We originally had this amendment include the words ``not against their will.'' The reason, Mr. Chairman, is that in the time that I spent in Chad with the refugees that have been resettled in Chad, I saw that the crisis in Darfur and the surrounding border areas between Sudan and Chad still exist. We have made great strides in providing resources to the region; but as I traveled to Chad and met with the leadership of Chad, they talked about the enormous challenges that they are presently having with their refugees and the refugees from Sudan and the need for resources. At the same time as I talked one on one to the refugees that were there, they expressed to me that the brutality was still going on. Of course, in Chad we find that there is a lack of sufficient water, adequate medical supplies, and, of course, the possibility that the Janjaweed will come across the border and raid them at will. But at the same time, these refugees were frightened about the possibility of being returned to Sudan because the Government of Chad may be overwhelmed with the resources needed to protect them. I believe, of course, that we can help provide the resources to Chad needed to protect those refugees, and the United Nations refugee resettlement effort was very much in force and very much an effective tool. But as we know, the genocidal regime in Sudan has left 2.5 million people displaced and at least 380,000 people dead in Darfur. We also know that there is a continuing number of refugees that have come across the border. Due to increasing violence, 15,000 innocent civilians continue to die each month. Genocide cannot continue on our watch. The United States must move forward towards an effective action against this terrible crime. We are gratified that this Congress voted on a genocide initiative and declared that genocide was occurring. The United Nations, of course, has had a more difficult time dealing with that question. But we know that genocide has occurred. We know that these refugees are fleeing for a very important reason. The United Nations Secretary General has described the situation in Darfur as ``a little short of hell on Earth,'' and expert John Prendergast calls it ``Rwanda in slow motion.'' Under cover of a decade-long civil war that has claimed 2 million Sudanese lives, the government-backed Janjaweed continues their campaign to wipe out communities of African tribal farmers who live in the region. I understand that there have been changes in the Sudanese Government. In Chad, I met with the Sudanese ambassador. I have met with the Sudanese ambassador, to the dismay of many here in the United States, trying to find common ground. I want to applaud the work of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) and the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs, that has looked at this question and has fought it with great, great perseverance. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson) provided additional dollars. But I want to make sure that any Darfurian refugee that is in Chad is not forced to leave for any economic reason. Of course, we need more dollars to help Chad, more support of the United Nations Commissioner on Human Rights and Refugees. But we also need to ensure that resources here by this appropriation do not force anyone to go back to a place where they do not want to go. Some refugees may want to go back. When I met with them one on one, they talked about their cattle being destroyed, they talked about there being no place for them, their villages had been destroyed. We looked and spoke with the African Union at the aerial footage that would show how large villages had been destroyed, so there is not much for them to return to. I want to be able to say that we are working at all ends, the declaration of genocide, the negotiations with Sudan to stop the violence and stop the devastating destruction of these individuals in Sudan and stop the fleeing from Sudan. But now that we are in the predicament that we are in, which is 380,000, up to 400,000 and growing, refugees in Chad, we want to make sure that there is no fear, no, if you will, requirement, no demand, no shuttling. Refugees who do not want to go back, they should not have to go. Let me say this as well: if you speak to the women and the children that I had a chance to speak to, I can only say that tears would come to your eyes, the raping, the brutalization, the fear, the apprehension. I would ask my colleagues to consider an amendment that simply wants to give to those who are in fear of their lives the opportunity not to return if they desire not to return.

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

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I know that there will be a general debate, but I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge one of the best working teams that we have in the House, and that is the team of Lowey and Kolbe on Foreign Ops. And I want to take this time on the rule to thank Mr. Kolbe for his spirited commitment to Africa and developing nations and his partnership with Mrs. Lowey, who always finds a basis of resolve and, if you will, a solution. So we thank you, and I pay this tribute to Mr. Kolbe on what I believe will be his last Foreign Ops bill. But I agree with Mr. Hastings in suggesting that foreign ops is our face to the world. And with his experience of traveling on behalf of this Nation, I am saddened by what the appropriators have had to do in this foreign ops bill, because we have turned our backs somewhat on the world. We can applaud the special forces as our gun and the bringing down of Zarqawi, but really diplomacy and government and governance is going to win the war in Iraq. So it is important that we have investment in those kinds of issues. Let me speak specifically to the question of Sudan. And although we realize that in addition to the Darfur issues, there are rebel issues, and rebels play a part in the conflict, it is the government of Sudan that needs the overcoming of its attitude of disingenuousness in not paying attention to finding ways to resolve the conflict. I would hope that an amendment, or at least language that I have that focuses on Chad, and realizes that the burden of refugees needs to have additional funding and focus so that the Sudanese situation can move forward, I hope we will have an opportunity to debate that amendment and also include that language but, more importantly, as we move to the Senate, have funding for Chad. I hope we will also recognize that Afghanistan is really the war we can win. Finding now Osama bin Laden, but more importantly, investing into the regional reconstruction plan so that we can have more schools and hospitals and infrastructure for a country that has absolutely nothing, yet its people are inclined to move enthusiastically towards democracy. President Karzai represents stability, and we need to invest more in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Then I hope that we would have the opportunity to address the question of what we call codes of conduct in many of our Islamic countries who overlook the rape of women, gang rapes in fact, where the nations condone the rape to the extent that they allow the cultural mores to exist over the safety and security of women. We have seen this happen throughout the Islamic world, where there are gang rapes and no prosecution. It is extremely important that we focus on these tragedies that are occurring, and they occur in countries that happen to be our allies. So I hope that language on that will be accepted to respond to the rape and pillage of women without any protection whatsoever. I would also add to the Afghan funding is the necessity of protecting the parliamentarians. There is a democratically-elected government in Afghanistan with a large percentage of women parliamentarians who are fearful of going back to their districts. They need security, and that should be the face of the foreign appropriations as well. Meeting with them in Afghanistan just recently, they begged us to provide them with security, security, security. So let me thank the appropriators for doing the best that you could do, but, unfortunately, it does not help the face of America to cut in such crucial areas as have already been mentioned. But in any event, I hope we will have the ability to improve on this in the Senate and as well to not turn our back on the ways that we can add to democratization and add to the security of the world.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the distinguished gentleman from Maryland for his comments. I want to inquire of the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) and thank him for his leadership. We know the leadership you have given. We understand the dilemma I have here because I support programmatic funding that PEG provides as well. However, I think it is important that we have at least a language statement, if you will, about the importance of small, minority, women-owned businesses to be engaged in this superhighway and this new DSL and broadband. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey).

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush).

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the remaining time. Let me thank Mr. Markey. I know of his history. Let me thank the chairman, Mr. Rush and Mr. Wynn. I am passionate, as many of us are, about the embracing of small, minority, women-owned businesses and medium-owned businesses, and I like the terminology ``provider of technology.'' We want to make sure that we have extensive build-out. We want to make sure that we have the representation of our community, but I want to see some producers. I accept the kind hand of the chairman and the ranking member of the subcommittee I believe of energy and commerce and Mr. Wynn and Mr. Rush. With that in order to ensure a program going forward, I would like to be able to work on this language further as it makes its way through the Senate and the conference. Mr. Chairman, I respectfully ask to withdraw this amendment.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished chairman. My amendment had very well founded and grounded intentions, and that is in this massive effort, the hard work of this committee, the fine leadership of Mr. Dingell and Mr. Markey, fine leadership of Mr. Barton and Mr. Rush, all focus on greater opportunities. And so this amendment was to provide greater opportunity for, in fact, the small businesses, minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, businesses in rural areas to access, if you will, the broadband, the DSL, but opportunities to be a franchisee, if you will, and be able to have small entities that would be part of this massive reformation of this system. So this was an effort to draw upon the funding for a particular programmatic provision in the legislation and to allow the small companies to pay less fees so they could be competitive enough to engage in what I think is a very, very important business. I hope that as we make our way through this process of legislation and as we make our way to the Senate, we will be reminded of language specifically that could ensure the energy of small businesses to be created. Someone gave me a terminology, I hope I have it correct, but the productivity of technology or the expansion of technology amongst many, many different groups and specifically the women-owned disadvantaged and small businesses. However, I am also aware of the fact that the peg programming supports stations like Access Houston and covers programming for issues dealing with women and minorities. So I am particularly sensitive to that issue. Even with that in mind I do not want to eliminate, if you will, eliminate the opportunity for small businesses with this massive reformation of this broadband and DSL system as we move forward with this legislation. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished gentleman. I know this has been hard work for members of the Energy and Commerce Committee. This is another giant step in telecommunications, and now with the focus on broadband. I recall, Mr. Chairman, the 1996 opportunity, and in fact I recall many, many years ago before I was in Congress the opportunities that led to the creation of BET. I hope as we go forward that we will be able to focus on small, medium, women-owned, minority-owned businesses that may engage in the cable franchising business. I think as we make our way to the Senate and this bill comes back to the House, more emphasis needs to be focused on those generating opportunities. We are seeking, of course, to open telecommunications, broadband to the world. And to do that, it is also important that small businesses have the opportunity, both in terms of the franchise fees, and both in terms of mentoring by larger companies, so I hope that in working with my colleagues on Energy and Commerce and through the Senate, we will have the opportunity to put a focus on small, medium, women-owned and minority-owned businesses.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I am delighted to yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn).

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, one could not help but appreciate the debate that has been carried on this afternoon and particularly the remarks of concern about Egypt's democratization; and, certainly, the gentleman from Wisconsin and the gentlemen from California and Illinois are individuals that I respect, but I rise this afternoon to again emphasize key elements that we cannot change. In a letter from Secretary Rice dated the 24th to the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, she said let me first state that our strategic partnership with Egypt is a cornerstone, a cornerstone, of U.S. policy in the Middle East, and the partnership that would continue would be in the U.S. interests. So although I recognize that this is to, if you will, to say to Egypt that all is not well, I would simply say to my colleagues that this is too important a relationship to create the kind of atmosphere or tone that would say that the alliance between Egypt and the United States has been broken and forever broken. A few weeks ago, some of us took our passion and our belief to the Sudanese embassy and were arrested, and so of course I have a sense of passion and concern for the dollars that would go to Sudan. But do we realize that Egypt is the first Arab country to support the peace agreement with Darfur that was reached between the government of Sudan and the rebels; that Egypt committed itself to participate in the international forces and post-war reconstruction of Darfur; that just recently Egypt has convinced the government of Khartoum to accept the international peace forces; and that Egypt has increased its participation in the African Union peacekeeping; and that they will welcome the sick and injured from Darfur, including the rebels? They have worked on behalf of this peace agreement. And then I might say to you that based on mutual agreement between Egypt and the U.S., the ES fund that was allocated is already $40 million less than fiscal year 2006. We have already cut them more than half of the level, cut half of the level of 1998, and particularly this ES fund is targeted for democracy and education. The very complaint that we have will be undermined by the Obey amendment. I would also say to you that in Secretary Rice's letter she said again reducing the U.S. assistance would seriously damage our partnership, as well as the broader strategic interests of the United States. Accordingly, we firmly believe, the State Department, that the U.S. assistance to Egypt should continue at the full level requested by the administration. We frankly have an opportunity to reinforce our friendship. I do not like the incarceration of opposition and the 10,000 police that were, if you will, both misguided and without temperament. They should be chastised, and the Mubarak government has the responsibility to do that. What the world sees, the world believes. But Egypt is currently undergoing a process of reform. They are undergoing an effort of broadening political participation ensuring freedom of expression. In addition, they recognize that this is a problem with the incarceration of the opposition. I might remind my colleagues that it was a court decision that caused Mr. Noor to be incarcerated. But nonetheless, any letter to the effect that suggests that this is not the right way I will join, but this is not the way to engage in this position. It is true that Egypt is not engaged in active or interactive military conflict as we speak, but there is no doubt that Egypt is a target of terror and terrorism. There is no doubt that they are a strategic body of safety within the region of the Middle East. They are subject to forces of terrorism, militant Islam, and rogue countries that threaten America and Egypt. I would only ask my colleagues that, yes, it is appropriate to admonish Egypt and to make them realize that we want an encompassing of the ideals of democracy, but having just received the Prime Minister of Israel, they have a relationship with a strong partner of the United States. Let us recognize that Egypt has been a friend; that Egypt's culture is a culture of great diversity; that Egyptians here in the United States have spent their blood on behalf of freedom of this country; and that the relationship that we have between Egypt and the United States is one to nurture and one to give credence to and one to be able to protect. Egypt is listening to this debate, and I believe, Mr. Chairman, as they listen to this debate they will correct their ways, but we should not support this amendment. Let us support and nurture the relationship between the United States and Egypt. They are a strategic partner.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, having just returned from Iraq, I can appreciate the great celebration for the outstanding work of the special forces in the bringing down of an enormous terrorist, Zarqawi. That is an important step. Most Americans will celebrate. And meeting personally the special forces both in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is a day for commendation and respect. It is important, however, that we begin as well a detailed outlook and plan for having our soldiers be able to claim the victory that they should claim and begin, as soon as practicable, their return home. It is also important for the sovereign nation of Iraq to build up the Iraqi National Army, which our forces are training in an outstanding manner, and their police. It will only be when the Iraqi people believe that their own police and army can secure them that we will have the opportunity for that sovereign government to stand, and we must move as quickly and expeditiously as possible for them to understand that is their first priority. The real war is the war between Sunnis and Shiias. That is a civil war, and the Government of Iraq must solve that problem.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the distinguished gentleman from Illinois for his leadership along with the gentlewoman from New York. I rise to have hopefully supported 4755, but I support H.R. 5449, simply to give air traffic controllers the right to return to the bargaining table. But I really want Americans to learn as we sit here, stand here and debate this question, the airways of America are safe in the hands of sacrificing air traffic controllers who sit under the most intense, stressful occupations that you can ever have. Let us not go back to the busting of these wonderful hard-working Americans, such was done under the Reagan administration. Let us, in a bipartisan manner, send these good working folk back to the bargaining table to be able to solve their problems. Is it not interesting that most Members fly to work and they take their flying for granted because they believe that the airways are safe because our air traffic controllers are on the front lines of handling their responsibilities. As I respect the opposition to this bill, let us, as Members of Congress, not having done this timely, let us now do the right thing and give, if you will, the sense of appreciation to hard-working Americans, not to give them any particular benefits, but to allow them to go back to the table and have a matter resolved in the fair and practical way. Let us not repeat the busting of a union and let us go back to the negotiating table. I ask for support for H.R. 5449.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

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

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, let me take my 1 minute to thank Mr. Sabo for his great leadership in these very difficult times and to thank him personally for guiding this legislation, along with the chairman. I believe that they attempted to work with what was given to them, of course, suffering from having less than the $200 million needed to fulfill all of the needs of this legislation. Finally, I would say that I hope someday that we will pass in appropriations what the 9/11 Commission asked us to do which is to fully fund our border patrol agents with equipment, with power boats, with goggles, and I am grateful for Senator Kerry, who passed that amendment on the Senate side, as we move toward immigration reform, both border security and comprehensive immigration reform. Again, I thank Chairman Rogers and I thank Ranking Member Sabo for his continued great service and the great work he has done on this legislation. We will certainly miss him, and thank you again.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, first, I would like to take just a moment to acknowledge the passing of Senator Lloyd Bentsen, the former vice presidential candidate and as well, the former Secretary of the Treasury and a dear beloved friend of this institution. To his wife and his family, I offer my deepest reflection of his leadership, his service to this country as a World War II veteran. We will always remember him and for a moment I will be silent in his honor. On another matter in keeping with the spirit of acknowledging our veterans, I rise today to express enormous concern as we honor those fallen in battle. Yet we must remember those who are here, injured, harmed, traumatized by wars like Vietnam, Iraq, and others. It is shameful that we have found that in this body we have depleted the TRICARE system and, for one, we have forgotten the military families and we are constantly taking moneys away from the veterans hospital and veterans' health care. And I guess the ultimate concern as I go home to interact with my community and my veterans is the stealing of records of our veterans. The identity theft that has put them in such jeopardy. My office will be open to any veteran who has a concern, and we will be standing with the families to protect their identity, and that identity theft against our Nation's veterans will be investigated. Shame. Shame. Shame. In their time of honor we owe the loved ones of the fallen soldiers our debt of gratitude; and we owe our veterans and their families our continued support.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas

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