Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the uniqueness of this Nation is the idea that we have coddled democracy, freedom, and justice. We have maintained a constitutional government and have been respected worldwide. This has been through wars, times of peace, times of depression, and times of devastation in our own Nation. Yet, we remain a Nation that has a moral guidepost. I rise today to announce to this House that America can do two things at once. It can condemn the terroristic, violent act of killing a Saudi reporter who worked at the Washington Post, and, at the same time, maintain its status and prominence to engage in the affairs of the Middle East, as well. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage the legislation that is now moving through procedurally in the United States Senate to remove our support for the Yemen war that the Saudis have enacted upon against the people of Yemen and stand against the violent acts against children-- the killing of children on school buses, which has happened over and over again--and the bloodshed and starvation that is going on in Yemen with our affirmation. It is time now to end that bloody war with our handprints on it. I hope the other body will engage in debate and be fully informed by this thoughtful, bipartisan legislation. I believe that it should come to the House and that we should act on it with all expeditiousness. Now just imagine that a tape exists, which I believe Members of Congress should have the right to listen to, but I understand we are brilliant people and our imaginations are vivid. Imagine that you went into a consular's office with the hopes and dreams of a new marriage. You are following the codes and laws of your native land to get permission to marry again, to have joy again, to be able to be with someone you love. Rather than having the process on paper, your blood was splattered on the floor. You are greeted with a brutal force that demanded whatever-- loyalty to the crown prince--and you were bludgeoned and killed by allegedly the biggest untruth: it was an accident. Then, tragically, to your family comes the evidence or the word that you were mutilated or dismembered. Our imagination, tragically, can allow us to see that picture, ordered by the crown prince. We must cease and desist any relationship in this war and, at the same time, maintain diplomacy. Mr. Speaker, we also need to be more merciful to those who are at the border. As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, we have created this crisis here in the government, the White House, and the administration. We must be humanitarians. Tear gas can be used to protect our men and women at the border, but it must be used sparingly and not against mothers and children. I hope to be able to discuss this issue. I hope to be down at the border to see this disgraceful behavior. We can do better in feeding them and providing cover as they are processed. Our law has not changed. You can seek a legal asylum request to enter the legal ports of entry--even those who are not. The White House knows that. Let us not be known for the brutality against women and children as we have been known to separate women and children. Finally, again, as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, we need to rush disaster housing assistance to California. None of us have seen the magnitude of the Camp fire fires. FEMA has not provided disaster housing assistance. The President must issue that order. We must rush to provide for those people who are homeless. We know that it is more efficient to provide funding for housing as opposed to hotels. They are begging for it. I believe that we should convene a Homeland Security hearing to be able to assist these individuals as quickly as possible. Where is the humanitarian moral compass of this Nation to stop killing children in Yemen; to understand that we must help those suffering refugees at the border; and finally, Mr. Speaker, to help our neighbors in California get housing after everything is gone?

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the Nation loves its history. We in Texas love our history. Today, I rise to encourage and to announce the legislation that reflects history. H.R. 4745, to designate the Emancipation National Historic Trail, is a wonderful legislative initiative that reflects history in the State of Texas and throughout the Nation. We are all reminded of the Emancipation Proclamation that was issued in 1863. We know that there were areas of the South that did not get the word that the slaves were free for 2 years. Earlier this week, I celebrated the commemoration of the birthday of the Honorable Mickey Leland, who died some years ago alongside an Ethiopian mountain while attempting to feed those struggling. But he believed in stopping food insecurity. In honor of him, reflecting on the history of our community, I ask my colleagues to sign on to H.R. 4745 because it recounts the announcement by Captain Granger that the slaves were finally free in Texas and throughout the Southwest, and creates a wonderful trail that all of us can enjoy that chronicles the story from Galveston to Houston. Mr. Speaker, this is legislation that says that America can accept all of our history, and I ask you to join H.R. 4745.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for her unceasing--unceasing--commitment to the National Flood Insurance Program. I can't thank her enough. I know that my colleagues and I are from different States, but how many have walked through gutted homes and seen families full of sorrow and tears? Hurricane Harvey was the singular largest flood next to, of course, Hurricane Michael. Mr. Speaker, 51 trillion gallons of water in 2017. How many have walked in Puerto Rico to see the devastation, as I have, or walked in the U.S. Virgin Islands and seen homes and hotels and places for home and for business devastated? The National Flood Insurance Program is a necessity. I wish this was a longer extension. But I have seen the desperation of those who have suffered. They need flood insurance. And those of us who have felt the pain of the fires in California driven by the Camp fire know that they need aid as well. If you want to know a number, what about $1 trillion plus in the tax scam bill that was passed where my constituents say they have not seen one dime from the tax bill, and here we are going to be on the floor tomorrow with a tax extender. So I ask the question: Can we help desperate families by ensuring that this program goes for a week and that we can do better? Yes, we can do better. But let's stop the pain now with homes that are about to close. With real estate, builders, and others, the economic engine has been, in many instances, the buying and selling of homes. This is an important extension, but let's be truthful. You can't match up billions to a trillion, and you can't match up the pain of families looking at gutted homes versus fat cats filling their pockets with a tax scam. I ask for the support of this bill.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, today the court has affirmed the value of the First Amendment and provided the credentials back to CNN reporter Jim Acosta. It is unfortunate that since taking office, the President has treated members of the press differently than did his predecessors. The President constantly disparages the fourth estate as fake news, derides the press as the enemy of the people, and routinely singles out individual members of the press. It is fortunate that no injury has yet come, because last month the Trump zealot in Florida, inspired by his devotion to the President, took it upon himself to mail pipe bombs to perceived enemies of the President, including two former Presidents, the news desk of the Cable News Network, Secretaries of State, Attorneys General, and Congresspeople. The President seems to reserve his most special and pointed derision for African-American women members of the media. In particular, April Ryan of the American Urban Radio Networks and CNN; Abby Phillip of The Washington Post; and Yamiche Alcindor of the Public Broadcasting System. Instead, the President derided April Ryan as a loser; called Abby Phillip stupid; and accused Yamiche Alcindor of racism when she asked him about his claim to be a nationalist. Let us be very clear. The questions asked of the President were pointed, timely, and relevant. They were not dumb, racist, or stupid. They were protected by the First Amendment, and I ask the President to stand for the First Amendment and stand against racism. Since taking office, the President has treated members of the press differently than did his predecessors. The President constantly disparages the Fourth Estate as ``fake news,'' derides the press as the `enemy of the people,' and routinely singles out for verbal abuse individual members of the press. Although this conduct by the President is rude, childish, and unbecoming of the leader of a great nation, we are fortunate that it has not yet resulted in physical injury or harm to any member of the press. I say fortunate because last month, a Trump zealot in Florida, inspired by his devotion to the President, took it upon himself to mail pipes bombs to perceived enemies of the President, including two former Presidents and the news desk of the Cable News Network (CNN). Mr. Speaker, the current President of the United States has disgraced his office on numerous occasions, most recently this past weekend when he refused to visit a cemetery in France where Americans gave their lives to defend freedom in World War I because he did not want to get wet in the rain. But it is beneath the dignity of his office for the President to deride the free and independent press, which the Framers knew was indispensable for a functioning democracy and enshrined its protection in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a protection that every President takes and oath to preserve, protect, and defend. The President reserves his most special and pointed derision for African American women members of the media who do their jobs and have the temerity to ask him questions regarding his actions or the policies of his administration. So it came as no surprise that in the aftermath of the 2018 midterm elections, in which his party was routed and lost control of the House of Representatives, the President refused to answer questions put to him by three great and highly respected African American woman reporters: April Ryan of the Urban American Urban Radio Networks and CNN; Abby Phillip of the Washington Post; and Yamiche Alcindor of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). Instead, the President derided April Ryan as a ``loser,'' called Abby Phillip ``stupid,'' and accused Yamiche Alcindor of racism when she asked him about his claim to be a ``nationalist.'' Let us be very clear: the questions asked of the President were pointed, timely, and relevant; they were not dumb, racist or stupid. They may have made the President uncomfortable but it is not the role of the media to make public officials feel comfortable, especially one who lashes out because he clearly feels the legal, ethical and political walls closing in on him. The President's misconduct conduct is consistent with his pattern and practice of routinely disparaging African American criticism-- especially from females. The American people see the President's unmistakable pattern of disrespectful and abusive treatment of African American women members of the White House Press Corps; they do not like it, they see through it, and they know that these flailing attacks say more about this President than it does about the three very able, highly respected, and fearless African American women journalists. I call upon the President to cease and desist his disrespectful treatment of all journalists in general, and of African American women journalists in particular.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sadness over the latest mass shooting, which occurred Wednesday evening, November 7, in Thousand Oaks, California when an armed 29-year-old man walked into the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California, opened fire, and killed 12 persons, including a 29-year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department who was on the eve of retirement. The location of the shooting is especially tragic because the Borderline Bar & Grill was a sanctuary for survivors of last year's Las Vegas mass shooting--which ended the lives of 58 people--to gather and reflect in fellowship and support, following the horror of that night. I am grateful to all first-responders for their quick work in containing this tragedy, including their valiance in limiting the loss of life. As has now almost become commonplace, a community will begin the process of mourning those lost, and burying those who perished. Then, before long, the country will return to life as normal, forgetting what transpired just outside of Los Angeles Wednesday night. Beyond the horror of last night, Americans from across the nation and from all walks of life must consider that this is the 307th mass shooting event on the 311th day of this calendar year. It comes less than two weeks after a gunman fueled by hate entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh and killed 11 parishioners in what constituted the largest hate crime against Jews in the history of the United States. Americans are not more mentally-ill than citizens from other countries; we are not independently more prone to gun violence more than citizens from other countries; nor are the movies we watch and the music we listen to more violent than other comparable societies or countries. The common thread through all of these shootings is the ready, easy access to firearms, ammunition, and weapons of war. If we are to tackle this problem, we must be clear-eyed about the cause and harbor the resolve to forge a solution. Congress and leaders throughout the nation must tackle this scourge and stem the tide of gun violence in the country. If we do not, we are destined to be little more than helpless bystanders, and our citizens will continue to suffer and die. On October 24, 2018, in Louisville, Kentucky, a man fatally shot Maurice E. Stallard, inside a supermarket, and then killed Vickie Lee Jones, in the parking lot outside. Both were grandparents. There was no provocation to the killings, and the suspect was apprehended. He is white, and his two victims were African American. He had no connection to either victim, or the supermarket where he committed his murders. Reports indicate that prior to the shootings, the suspect attempted but failed to enter a nearby black church. Three of the deadliest mass shootings in American history have occurred within the last year, including one in a church in Sutherland Springs, in my home state of Texas. In early November of 2017, twenty-six people were killed at First Baptist Church in rural Sutherland Springs, Texas, authorities said. The church attacker was identified as 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley of New Braunfels, Texas. Kelley was a former member of the U.S. Air Force charged in military court in 2012 on suspicion of assaulting his spouse and their child. Kelley received a bad conduct discharge, confinement for 12 months, and was demoted to E-1, or airman basic. On the day of the attack, Kelley dressed in all-black ``tactical-type gear'' and was wearing a ballistic vest and was armed with two weapons, a rifle and a handgun. Kelley purchased the gun he used in the church shooting, a Ruger AR- 556 rifle, in April 2016 from an Academy Sports + Outdoors store in San Antonio. Earlier this year, a 17-year-old student armed with a shotgun and a pistol stormed Santa Fe High School, about 30 miles southeast of Houston, and opened fire in an art class, officials said. The gunman killed 10 people and wounded at least 10 others, including a school resource officer who was left in critical condition, police said, before surrendering to the officers who confronted him. Of those killed, eight were students and two were teachers, Santa Fe Independent School District Superintendent Leigh Wall said in a letter to parents. The mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which occurred in early February, was the eighteenth such mass shooting event in the first month-and-a-half of 2018. The gunman, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, was believed to have been armed with an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle and multiple magazines. Six months prior to the Parkland shooting, the FBI was alerted after a YouTube user named ``Nikolas Cruz'' posted a comment stating ``I'm going to be a professional school shooter'' on the video site YouTube. We see that these domestic terrorists have chosen to attack Americans in all facets of our daily lives. This year alone 328 Americans have died and 1,251 Americans have been injured in mass shootings around the country. The United States has 46 percent of the global firearms available for public use but only 4 percent of the global population. Social media has created a new avenue for bullying through cyber bullying thus creating a new set of mental health issues for professionals around the country to diagnose. I fervently encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to develop a bipartisan agenda to draft legislation aimed at protecting our families and children from the careless possession and usage of guns in this country.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate National Bullying Prevention Month, a nationwide campaign held during the month of October to provide efforts in uniting communities to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention. As a Co-Chair of the House Congressional Children's Caucus, member of the Mental Health Caucus, and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, I have been saddened by one episode after another of children losing their lives and the lack of a coordinated response to incidents of bullying. In September of 2018, the Jackson Lee Anti-Bullying bill, H.R. 68, the Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization Act was passed by the House. This legislation makes positive steps toward reform in juvenile justice and targets bullying and bullying prevention. This bill: targets bullying and bullying prevention; reauthorizes the award of grants to consider this problem in the amount of $30 million for one year; and, subjects grants to accountability measures: the Office of Inspector General in the Department of Justice (DOJ) must conduct annual audits of selected grant recipients and the Department of Justice must submit an annual certification to Congress and identify and report on duplicative grant awards. In October of 2015, I held an Anti-Bullying Town Hall Hearing in my district where over 40 witnesses--organizations, experts, bullying victims, and even bullies themselves--came out and shared their stories and experiences. National Bullying Prevention Month was founded by the PACER Center's National Bullying Prevention Center, this campaign has been recognized by school communities all over the United States, for the past 12 years. Bullying is defined as the use of repetitive aggressive behavior such as force, intimidation, threat, or abuse, which depicts an imbalance of power, socially or physically. Studies show that at some point in a child's life, they experience bullying in some capacity, no matter what form. No single factor puts a child at risk of being bullied or bullying others. Time and time again, the root causes of bullying are racial, gender, sexual orientation, and religious discrimination. Justification for this matter shows that when children perceived as different are not in supportive environments, they are more prone to being bullied. Bullying based on religious differences tend to be the result of misinformation or spreading of negative perceptions on how an individual expresses their belief. American schools harbor approximately 2.1 million bullies and 2.7 million of their victims. Derrin Bridges, a 13-year-old boy from Kansas City, Missouri, was bullied and held at gunpoint by a 17-year-old. Derrin who was noted to be on the autism spectrum, was severely mistreated; he was verbally assaulted with racial slurs, he was physically beaten, and money was stolen from him. I extend my deepest sympathies to Darren Bridges, his loving mother, Emily Bridges, and the rest of his family. This type of disheartening experience can affect a child for a lifetime. It is important to note that a significant increase in bullying rates is due to the prevalent use of technology among teens. The internet enables information to spread far and wide across the globe with the click of a button. It is estimated that in 2011, approximately 2.2 million students experienced cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that happens over any digital device. This consists of sending and posting negative, presumptuous, or harmful content about someone else, as well as sharing private information about someone in aim to cause humiliation. Social media is an avenue that children and teens can easily access and use to engage in cyberbullying. Sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and YouTube, are all platforms where the risk of cyberbullying is prevalent. With easy access to an individual's page, users gain the ability to search and post discreditable information anonymously about anyone. Bullying is now increasingly viewed as a contributor to the inflexed rates of suicide amongst youth. It can leave a harsh toll on those affected, causing lasting impacts on mental health, substance use and suicide. In 2016, Brandy Vela, an 18-year-old high school resident of my Congressional district, took her own life after experiencing relentless cyberbullying. Brandy was a beautiful young lady, who was friendly and all around well-liked by her schoolmates. Despite all the love given to her from friends and family, she took her own life due to the threats and messages she would continuously receive online, causing her to feel worthless. I cannot fathom the sorrow that the Vela family endured at that time. Brandy's memory lives on through her family and friends along with all those who work tirelessly to exterminate bullying . The American youth witnesses bullying at least once a day. Suicide rates solely among 10 to 14 year olds have grown more than so percent over the last three decades. It is important that we act promptly to prevent such instances from happening; many of the deadly cases of bullying arise when children are teased and tormented simply for being different. Our children are our future hence they must be our first priority.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and pay tribute to Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Among the 20th century trailblazers, Sandra Day O'Connor ranks among the greatest leaders. It is a privilege to honor to this legal giant as we reflect on her career and commemorate her legacy as a path maker for women. On October 23, 2018, Justice O'Connor courageously announced that she is suffering from early onset Alzheimer's disease and is retreating from public life. Born in El Paso, Texas, on March 26, 1930, Sandra Day spent part of her youth on her family's Arizona ranch. Her family instilled in her a love of education, but schooling options near the ranch were limited for a young woman so her parents sent her to live with her grandmother in El Paso where she excelled at the Radford School for Girls and graduated high school two years early. After graduating from high school in 1946 and despite the probability that she might not be accepted because she was a woman, Sandra Day was accepted to Stanford University. Sandra Day graduated in 1950 with a bachelor's degree in economics and was admitted to Stanford Law School where she was an editor of the Stanford Law Review. Sandra Day graduated at the top of her law school class, finishing third in a class of 102 students, which included William Rehnquist whom she would later join as a colleague on the U.S. Supreme Court. While a law student at Stanford, Sandra Day met her future husband, John Jay O'Connor III and the two were married shortly after graduation. That union lasted for 57 years and produced 3 wonderful children: Scott O'Connor, Jay O'Connor, and Brian O'Connor. After graduating from law school, Sandra Day O'Connor busily went about applying to law firms in San Francisco and Los Angeles, but because of the sexism against women, could not get a paying job as a lawyer. After turning down a paid position as a legal secretary, Sandra Day O'Connor began her legal career working as an unpaid attorney for the San Mateo County Attorney's Office, where quickly she proved her merit and eventually was promoted to Deputy County Attorney. In 1954, Sandra Day O'Connor left California to work in Frankfurt, Germany as a civilian attorney for the Quartermaster Masker Center, a site abroad for the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps. In 1957, she returned to the United States, settled in Arizona with her husband, and started a private practice with another attorney. Eight years later, she began working as the Assistant Attorney General of Arizona. In 1969, Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed to the Arizona State Senate to fill a vacated seat and was elected to that seat in her own right in 1970. Sandra Day O'Connor was reelected twice and was chosen by her colleagues to become the first female majority leader in any state senate. In 1975, Sandra Day O'Connor won election to the Superior Court of Maricopa County, and was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court of Appeals four years later. Sandra Day O'Connor served as an Arizona State Supreme Court Justice for only two years before President Ronald Reagan nominated her in 1981 to become the first female justice to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Politically, she was canny--and exhibited it well during her Senate confirmation hearings. She gracefully navigated politically precarious questions from senators but made her points, on national television, of noting her commitments to reduce crime and fix overloaded federal courts. She was confirmed unanimously by the Senate. Despite her breast cancer diagnosis and a mastectomy, Justice Day O'Connor did not miss a day of court. Over the course of her 24 years on the court, the conservative justice became known as a moderating voice of reason. Sandra Day O'Connor was known for being a majority builder whenever possible, but also for being a swing vote in critical cases such as Grutter v. Bollinger, 539 U.S. 306 (2003). It truly can be said that Justice Sandra Day O'Connor served as an inspiration for women around the world. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor broke down barriers for women in the legal profession to the betterment of that profession and the country as a whole. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor serves as a role model not only for girls and women, but for all those committed to equal justice under law. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the remarkable career and achievement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, an extraordinary American who was and remains an inspiration to millions of people all over the world.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Houston Branch of the oldest, largest, most historic and most influential civil rights organizations in the United States, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, known to all simply as the ``NAACP.'' Founded in 1918, the Houston Branch of the NAACP has played a pivotal role in some of the most pivotal moments and landmark voting and civil rights cases, including Smith v. Allwright, 321 U.S. 649 (1944), which overturned a Texas statute that authorized the Democratic Party to set its internal rules, including the use of white primaries; and Sweatt v. Painter, 339 U.S. 629 (1950), which successfully challenged the doctrine of ``separate but equal'' in higher education and helped pave the way for the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), four years later. The NAACP-Houston Branch's tradition of service continues today under the dynamic leadership of its president, Dr. James Douglas, and Executive Director, Yolanda Smith. First organized in 1905, the group was known as the Niagara Movement when members began meeting at a hotel situated on the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls. Members of the group had to meet in Canada because American hotels in Niagara Falls were segregated. Under the leadership of the Harvard-educated scholar, the great W.E.B. DuBois, the group would later be known as the National Negro Committee before finally adopting the name by which it has been known for the last 108 years--the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP--at its second conference in 1910. The first official meeting was held on February 12, 1909, the centennial of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln. The mission of the NAACP was clearly delineated in its charter: To promote equality of rights and to eradicate caste or race prejudice among the citizens of the United States; To advance the interest of colored citizens; to secure for them impartial suffrage; and To increase their opportunities for securing justice in the courts, education for the children, employment according to their ability, and complete equality before law. Mr. Speaker, for more than a century, the NAACP has stayed true to its charter and championed the cause of justice and equality in America. It has fought valiantly and tirelessly on behalf of African-Americans and others to secure their civil rights and liberties and the full measure of justice and equality for all. At a time when African-Americans were treated as second-class citizens and the scourge of slavery was still rampant, the NAACP emerged to ensure that the rights, interests and voices of African- Americans did not go unheard. During World War I, the NAACP successfully campaigned for African- Americans to be commissioned as officers in the army, resulting in President Woodrow Wilson commissioning 600 African-American officers. During World War II, the NAACP persuaded the administration of President Franklin Roosevelt to issue an executive order banning racial discrimination in war-related industries and federal employment. In 1948, President Harry Truman became the first president to formally address the NAACP and he worked with the NAACP in appointing a commission to study and offer ideas to improve civil rights and equality of opportunity for all persons in the United States. The NAACP's close relationship with President Truman helped to influence him to issue Executive Order 9981, which desegregated the United States Armed Services by announcing the new ``policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin,'' and that this policy be put into effect as rapidly as possible. Mr. Speaker, the NAACP was perhaps the leading member of the ``Big Six''--the coalition of religious, labor and civil rights organizations that organized and staged on August 28, 1963 the historic March on Washington, the most famous act of peaceful protest in our nation's history. Other members of the Big Six were the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); the National Urban League; Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC); the International Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters; and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). The March on Washington was a seminal event in our nation's history and awakened Americans of goodwill to the urgent need to rededicate ourselves to the great unfinished task of making real the promise of America for all Americans, especially African-Americans. Mr. Speaker, the current president of the NAACP is Derrick Johnson and the Board Chairman is Leon W. Russell; through the years, the NAACP has been led by some bold, visionary, and effective leaders, including: Walter White; Roy Wilkins; Benjamin Hooks; Benjamin Chavis; Merlie Evers-Williams, widow of Medgar Evers; Kweisi Mfume; Bruce S. Gordon; Benjamin Todd Jealous; and Cornell William Brooks. Mr. Speaker, America would be a very different place were it not for the brilliance of the NAACP's Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., the legendary Director of the Washington Bureau from 1950 to 1978. So effective was Clarence Mitchell in the campaigns to win passage of civil rights laws, including the 1957 Civil Rights Act, the 1960 Civil Rights Act, the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, that his sobriquet was the ``101st Senator.'' The NAACP is perhaps best known for the practice pioneered by the legendary Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall of ``impact litigation,'' the strategy of bringing carefully selected cases to court to establish legal precedents of beneficially affecting thousands, and frequently millions, of persons beyond the immediate parties to the case. Among the historic victories won by NAACP lawyers are: 1. 1940--Chambers v. Florida, which established that confessions obtained as the result of police coercion are inadmissible at trial; 2. 1944--Smith v. Allwright, which outlawed the South's ``white primary''; 3. 1948--Shelley v. Kraemer, which ruled racially restrictive covenants and unconstitutional and legally unenforceable; 4. 1950--Sweatt v. Painter and McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents, which held that separate law and graduate school are inherently unequal and thus constitutional; 5. 1954--Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, landmark case overruling separate but equal doctrine of Plessy v. Ferguson; and 6. 1956--Browder v. Gayle, which outlawed the practice of racial segregation on buses and led to the end of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Mr. Speaker, as Chair for the Congressional Children's Caucus, I am especially concerned with fair access to quality education for today's youth and am personally grateful to the NAACP for its leadership in winning the greatest legal victory for civil rights in American history, the 1954 landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), in which the Supreme Court struck down de jure segregation in elementary schools. NAACP General Counsel Thurgood Marshall, who would later become the first African-American Solicitor General and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, forcefully argued and persuaded the Court to rule unanimously that in the field of public education, ``separate but equal'' was inherently unequal. That decision gave hope to millions of Americans that their children might enjoy the full promise of America that had been denied their forebears for more than three centuries. Mr. Speaker, the NAACP remains committed to achieving its goals through nonviolence, the legal process, and moral and political suasion, and through direct actions such as marches, demonstrations, and boycotts to give voice to the hopes and aspirations of African- Americans and others who lack the power to make their voices heard. There is still a need for justice and equal treatment for African- Americans and other vulnerable populations in our country, and thankfully, we still have a vibrant NAACP to advocate their cause and fight for their interests. I am grateful for the many battles for equality that the NAACP organization has fought and won, and thankful that the NAACP will be there in the future to wage the fight for justice wherever and whenever justice needs a champion. So on this day I am so proud to salute the 100th anniversary of the remarkable Houston Branch of the NAACP, and express the appreciation of the nation for all it has done to make our country better.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This month is an opportunity to raise awareness about disability employment issues, educate the public about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents, and celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities. National Disability Employment Awareness Month dates to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year ``National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.'' In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to ``National Disability Employment Awareness Month.'' As of September 2018, 21.4 percent of the U.S. labor force 16 years old and above have a disability. My home state of Texas has the second largest number of individuals with disabilities in the United States. In 2014, Texas had almost 820,564 individuals (6.2 percent) of the total civilian labor force 16 and older in Texas (13,220,312 individuals) had a disability. Although not every person living with disabilities can work, it is imperative that we create opportunities for those who are able and desire to work. For Kayla McKoen, her job is more than just a hobby. As the first registered lobbyist with down syndrome in history, Kayla McKoen shares her passion for advocacy by representing the differently abled community on Capitol Hill and lobbying for equal rights for those who are differently abled. Kayla says that ``It feels so important to advocate for others because they might not have that voice themselves, and the more we advocate our message, the louder we are. I hope I am helping to change things for future generations of the Differently Abled community.'' Individuals with disabilities can strengthen the current and future economy and are a valuable resource for employers. The workforce system must ensure that employers have access to every potential skilled worker. Workplaces welcoming of the talents of all people, including those who are differently abled, are a critical part of our efforts to build an inclusive community and a strong economy. Smart employers know that including different perspectives in problem-solving situations leads to better solutions. Hiring employees with diverse abilities strengthens their business, increases competition and drives innovation. Individuals with disabilities enhance workforce diversity and offer employers the skills, knowledge, and experience that Texas businesses need to thrive. Private and public-sector workplaces that support integrated employment opportunities, as well as greater use of assistive technologies in the workplace, can provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to gain and maintain employment. We must commit to providing support for those living with disabilities by further educating ourselves and our communities on disability employment to foster a more inclusive workforce. As we observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month, let us pay tribute to all who fought for better laws, demanded better treatment, and overcame ignorance and indifference to make our Nation more perfect. In their honor, and for the betterment of generations of Americans to come, let us continue the work of removing obstacles to employment so every American has the chance to develop their skills and make their unique mark on the world we share. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ask all Americans to take time this month to find out what you can do to encourage the employment of those with disabilities and empower all of America's workforce.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the silent protest of Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Peter Norman at the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City. Mr. Speaker, we know that if it were not for the active protest of patriots, the United States of America would not exist. It was brave men throwing tea overboard into Boston Harbor, and protesting that taxation without representation is tyranny. The right of the people to peacefully assemble and petition their government for a redress of grievances, or protest, is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The 1968 Summer Olympics came on heels of much tragedy and social upheaval in the United States. The American people were reeling from the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and there was growing discontent and opposition to the Vietnam War. In the lead-up to the Olympics, Tommie Smith and John Carlos helped organize the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR), a group that reflected Black pride and social consciousness. The group saw the Olympic Games as an opportunity to agitate for better treatment of black athletes and black people around the world. Its demands included hiring more black coaches and rescinding Olympic invitations to Rhodesia and South Africa, both of which practiced apartheid. Although the OPHR initially proposed a boycott of the Olympics altogether, Tommie Smith and John Carlos decided to compete in the hopes they could use their achievements as a platform for broader change. Ten days before the opening of the Summer Games, an unarmed group of protesters assembled in Mexico City's Three Cultures Square to plan the next move of the growing Mexican students' movement. The Mexican government sent in bulldozers to disperse the thousands gathered, and troops fired into the crowd, slaughtering between four (the government's official count) and 3,000 students. John Carlos and Tommie Smith finished first and third in the 200- meter dash final with times of 19.83 seconds and 20.10 seconds respectively, which at the time was a world record. Many people remember these names from their protest with raised, black-gloved fists to represent their solidarity and support with black people and oppressed people around the world. On the victory platform to receive their Gold and Bronze Medals, Tommie Smith and John Carlos also displayed other symbols of protest and strength: black-socked feet without shoes to bring attention to black poverty and beads to protest lynching. Although, the images of Tommie Smith and John Carlos have been engrained into the hearts and minds of generations we cannot ignore the third person that stood on the podium. Australian Peter Norman, the Silver Medalist, did not raise a fist covered by a black glove, but he too supported the protest in his own fashion. Peter Norman was a working-class boy from Melbourne, Australia, raised in a family who were devout members of the Salvation Army, an evangelical group connected with the charitable group better known to Americans, who shared the belief that all men were equal. The Australian also asked how he could support his fellow medalists, and they suggested he wear a badge for the Olympic Project for Human Rights. Peter Norman did not raise his fist, but by wearing the badge, he made his stance clear. After the protest, Tommie Smith and John Carlos were rushed from the stadium, suspended by the U.S. team, and kicked out of the Olympic Village for turning their medal ceremony into a political statement. They went home to the United States, only to face serious backlash, including death threats. However, Tommie Smith and John Carlos were both gradually re-accepted into the Olympic fold and went on to careers in professional football before retiring. Peter Norman, meanwhile, was punished severely by the Australian sports establishment. Though he qualified for the Olympic team repeatedly, posting the fastest times by far in Australia, he was snubbed by the team in 1972. Rather than allow Peter Norman to compete, the Australians did not send a sprinter at all. Peter Norman immediately retired from the sport and began to suffer from depression, alcoholism and a painkiller addiction. However, even though it cost him his career and much of his happiness, Peter Norman would have done it over again. Civil rights and more importantly human rights transcend party, state, and national boundaries. To quote the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ``Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.'' Today again, we see individuals being ostracized and denigrated for speaking out against injustice. Colin Kaepernick's career as a quarterback in the National Football League has suffered because of his courageous decision to peacefully protest the killing of unarmed black men by police officers in the form of taking a knee during the national anthem. NFL players enjoy the same rights guaranteed under the Constitution as every other American, including the right to petition their government for redress of grievances. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate this historic day in history, we must continue to support our citizens who stand against injustices within our borders. I support the principles that Tommie Smith, Peter Norman, and John Carlos stood for 50 years ago.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and bring awareness to childhood cancer and the devastating effects it has on these young lives and their families. Cancer is a tough disease regardless of whom it affects. Recently, Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a rare, highly malignant form of cancer, took the life of Mr. Kye Graceson Davis, a young resident of my Congressional district, at the tender age of six. On behalf of the 18th Congressional District of Texas, I extend my deepest sympathies to Kye's loving parents, Christopher and Kaysha Davis; his surviving siblings, Christopher Jr., Jade, Madison, and Kadence Davis; and all of Kye's loving family and friends. As a founder of the Congressional Children's Caucus, member of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, loving mother, and grandmother, children are near and dear to my heart. I cannot fathom the sorrow that the Davis family is experiencing, but I am grateful that to honor his memory, the City of Houston declared, October 21st, as ``Kye Graceson Davis Day.'' Kye was an adventurous child who loved the outdoors, sports and learning, most notably spending time at the barn riding horses, or playing baseball with his Little League team. His favorite time of year in Houston was during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and he always had hopes of participating in the rodeo when he was old enough. Unfortunately, Kye's dreams were placed on hold when he was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2016. On January 11, 2018, after waging a valiant fight, Kye lost his fight with RMS. RMS is a type of sarcoma made up of cells that normally develop into skeletal (voluntary) muscles. RMS is also the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children. About two-thirds of RMS cases are diagnosed in children younger than age 10. There are three main types of RMS: Embryonal RMS occurs most often in the head and neck area or in the genital or urinary organs, but can occur anywhere in the body and is the most common type of this disease, Alveolar RMS occurs most often in the arms or legs, chest, abdomen, genital organs, or anal area, and Anaplastic RMS which is the least common type of rhabdomyosarcoma in children. RMS is more common in children, although it does sometimes occur in adults. According to the American Cancer Society: ``About 3 percent of all childhood cancers are RMS and there are an estimated 400 to 500 new cases of RMS reported each year in the United States with more than half of them in children younger than 10 years old.'' Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) can start nearly anywhere in the body, so the symptoms of RMS can be different in each person. Signs and symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma depend on where the cancer is located. For example, if the cancer is in the head or neck area, signs and symptoms may include, among others, headache, bulging or swelling of the eyes, bleeding in the nose, throat or ears. If the cancer is in the urinary or reproductive system, signs and symptoms may include, among others, trouble urinating and blood in the urine, difficulty with bowel movements, a mass or bleeding in the vagina or rectum. If the cancer is in the arms or legs, signs and symptoms may include, among others, swelling or a lump in the arm or leg, pain in the affected area, though sometimes there is no pain. In 2017, it was estimated that among children ages 0 to 14 years, 10,270 will be diagnosed with cancer and 1,190 will die of the disease in 2017. RMS's 5-year survival rate for children is generally around 20 percent to 40 percent because the kids in this group often have the metastatic form of this disease at the time they are diagnosed. Metastatic cancers are cancers that have spread to multiple parts of the body. RMS is almost always treated with both local therapy (surgery and/or radiation therapy) as well as chemotherapy. However, the details of treatment can vary based on a number of factors, including the location and extent of the tumor and which risk group the patient falls into. All children and adults with RMS will be treated with surgery to remove the tumor if it can be done without causing major damage or disfigurement. If this is not possible, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be used first to try to shrink the tumor; if it shrinks enough, surgery can be done at this point. The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor completely, but this is not always possible. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has a number of programs that address childhood cancers specifically, and many of the institute's other research programs are applicable to children with cancer even if they are not focused specifically on pediatric cancers. Because children's bodies are very sensitive to radiation, doctors are looking for ways to limit the doses as much as possible. Even if the tumor appears to have been removed completely, all patients with RMS need chemotherapy. Without it, it is very likely that the cancer will come back in distant parts in the body because small amounts of cancer have almost always reached other parts of the body when the cancer is first found (even though they can't be seen on imaging tests). If cancer is left behind after surgery or if the cancer has some less favorable traits and it has not spread to distant sites (as is the case most of the time), radiation therapy will also be given. For example, in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), a special machine aims very thin beams of radiation at the tumor from many different angles, concentrating it on the tumor very precisely for short periods. Newer radiation therapy techniques allow doctors to aim the radiation more precisely, limiting the amount that reaches normal body tissues. The overall outlook for children with cancer has improved greatly over the last half-century. In 1975, just over 50 percent of children diagnosed with cancer before age 20 years survived at least 5 years. In 2007-2013, 83 percent of children diagnosed with cancer before age 20 years survived at least 5 years. As of January 1, 2014, approximately 419,000 survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer (diagnosed at ages 0 to 19 years) were alive in the United States. For soft tissue sarcomas, 5-year survival rates in 2007 to 2013 among children and adolescents ages 0 to 19 years ranged from 65 percent (rhabdomyosarcoma) to 95 percent (chondrosarcoma), but children with sarcomas who present with metastatic disease have much lower 5-year survival rates. We must continue to support institutions that treat and care for the littlest patients because they are our nation's next generation of engineers, lawyers, doctors, painters, writers, and leaders. We must continue to be vigilant in protecting the future of this country, which belongs to the youth. Although his life was short, Kye Graceson Davis will live in our memories forever. I urge my colleagues to continue supporting research measures that will protect the children of America and lead us to the elimination of childhood cancer.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House of Representatives has passed H.R. 68, the ``Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act.'' Passage of H.R. 68 came about as a result of hard and great teamwork amongst our amazing staff on both sides of the aisle. I am heartened by the work done on this bill along with the other four bills up for unanimous consent. I commend Chairman Goodlatte's leadership on this effort to help pass H.R. 68. This bill is named for Tiffany May Joslyn, a champion for criminal justice reform, who served as my Deputy Chief Counsel of the Crime Subcommittee and whose life tragically was cut short on March 5, 2016, in a car accident that sadly also claimed the life of her brother, Derrick. She was just 33 years old. So today's passage of H.R. 68 is both bitter and sweet. Tiffany would have been proud, as she championed these causes. This moment is for both her and for all the millions of young people that will be helped by this bill. The Tiffany Joslyn bill will help stem the epidemic of juveniles within the criminal justice system by reauthorizing the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant program (JABG) and providing funding to state and local governments for the creation of bullying and gang prevention programs. It will authorize such appropriations as may be necessary, which is anticipated to be at least $30 million per year. In addition to reauthorizing juvenile justice programs, the Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act clarifies how to address the occurrences of bullying through developmentally appropriate intervention and prevention techniques, which center on evidence-based models and best practices that rely on schools and communities rather than involvement from law enforcement and the justice system. H.R. 68 is designed to help both the victims and perpetrators of bullying. Research studies have shown that approximately 25 percent of school bullies will be convicted of a criminal offense in their adult years. It also includes provisions for gang prevention programs, which will help guide our children towards socially beneficial paths. If we want our children to learn, we must be able to maintain a safe and healthy school environment. Bullying is a massive issue in our nation's schools. The National Center for Educational Studies reports show that 14 percent of 12-to 18-year-olds surveyed report being victims of direct or indirect bullying. 1 out of 4 kids is bullied. Bullying is not just in a schoolyard anymore; it is a crisis that's taking over our nation. Gone are the days that children can come home and seek solace and escape from their bullies; technological advances have made it easy for young people to be tormented on social networks at any time from any place. They are never out of harm's reach. This needs to end. Americans children should be protected, and no child should be persecuted for exercising their American right to be themselves. It is time for us to come to a conclusive solution to America's bullying crisis. My bill, H.R. 68, the Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act, provides the solution that we need. The work we do as Members to pass these bills cannot be done without the diligence and hard work of our talented and dedicated staff Counsels. This is why I would like to take the time to thank Monalisa Dugue, Deputy Chief Counsel of the Democratic Crime Subcommittee; and her colleagues Danielle Brown, Perry Apelbaum, and Joe Graupensperger of the Democratic staff. And I thank Branden Ritchie, Shelly Husband, Stephanie Gadbois, and Margaret Barr of the Republican staff for their fine work. Now I urge my colleagues in the Senate to adopt our effort in the House and pass H.R. 68, the Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act so that we may keep all of our children safe. This bill honors Tiffany, but more importantly, it advances the cause of justice in America.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to extend to the Government and the people of Taiwan congratulations on the 107th National Day of Taiwan. As a vibrant democracy and strong contributor to the global economy, Taiwan plays an important role in the peace and security of the Asia- Pacific region. Since its formation, Taiwan has rapidly industrialized and now has become a model economy for many countries. Even more important than its economic achievements, Taiwan has developed into a strong and vibrant democracy. Taiwan is a valued member of the community of civilized nations, even though it is burdened with particular and unique diplomatic challenges--challenges which the Taiwanese people and government have met with courage and grace. Taiwan remains important to the United States in its advocacy of true democratic values across the world and its success in sustaining a dynamic multi-party system revealing its commitment to protecting political rights and freedoms. In troubled times such as these, it is also gratifying to know that there are countries that continue to put forth efforts that provide constructive solutions for highly divisive issues. The bond between the United States and Taiwan, cemented by the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, remains strong. I reaffirm those bonds today, and again congratulate the people of Taiwan on this important occasion.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House of Representatives l has passed my bill H.R. 68, the Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act. Passage of H.R. 68 came about as a result of hard and great teamwork amongst our amazing staff on both sides of the aisle. I am heartened by the work done on this bill along with the other four bills up for unanimous consent. I commend Chairman Goodlatte's leadership on this effort to help pass H.R. 68. And after 5 years of this bill not being reauthorized, I am pleased that the fight I waged on behalf of Juvenile Justice Reform has been brought to House passage with the support of my Judiciary and House Colleagues. This bill was named for Tiffany May Joslyn, a champion for criminal justice reform, who served as my Deputy Chief Counsel of the Crime Subcommittee and whose life tragically was cut short on March 5, 2016, in a car accident that sadly also claimed the life of her brother, Derrick. She was just 33 years old. So today's passage of H.R. 68 is both bitter and sweet. She would have been proud, as she championed these causes. This moment is for both her and for all the countless juveniles that will be helped by this bill. H.R. 68 will help to stem this epidemic of Juvenile incarceration by reauthorizing the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant program (JABG) and providing funding to state and local governments for the creation of bullying and gang prevention programs. It will authorize such appropriations as may be necessary, which is anticipated to be at least $30 million per year. In addition to reauthorizing juvenile justice programs, H.R. 68 clarifies how to address the occurrences of bullying through developmentally appropriate intervention and prevention techniques, which center on evidence-based models and best practices that rely on schools and communities rather than involvement from law enforcement and the justice system. H.R. 68 is designed to help both the victims and perpetrators of bullying. Research studies have shown that approximately 25 percent of school bullies will be convicted of a criminal offense in their adult years. It also includes provisions for gang prevention programs, which will help guide our children towards socially beneficial paths. If we want our children to learn, we must be able to maintain a safe and healthy school environment. Bullying is a massive issue in our nation's schools. The National Center for Educational Studies reports show that 14 percent of 12- to 18-year-olds surveyed report being victims of direct or indirect bullying. 1 out of 4 kids is bullied. Bullying is not just in a schoolyard anymore; it is a crisis that's taking over our nation. Gone are the days that children can come home and seek solace and escape from their bullies; technological advances have made it easy for young people to be tormented on social networks at any time from any place. They are never out of harm's reach. This needs to end. Americans children should be protected, and no child should be persecuted for exercising their American right to be themselves. It is time for us to come to a conclusive solution to America's bullying crisis. My bill, H.R. 68, the Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act, provides the solution that we need. This is why I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take up and pass H.R. 68 so that we may keep all of our children safe. Campaign for Youth Justice, September 28, 2018. Hon. Paul Ryan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Robert W. Goodlatte, Chair, Judiciary Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Jerrold Nadler, Ranking Member, Judiciary Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Ryan, Leader Pelosi, Chairman Goodlatte, and Ranking Member Nadler: As the House of Representatives considers critical aspects of criminal justice reform, the Campaign for Youth Justice encourages you to support H.R. 68, the ``Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Program Grant Reauthorization Act of 2017.'' The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant expired in 2013 and in the past five years has gone unfunded by the federal government. The expiration of this block grant program has greatly limited state's abilities to implement effective, age appropriate accountability and prevention measures to ensure children get needed services and that communities remain safe. H.R. 68 updates the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) to reflect current research and practice. Key provisions in the bill include incentives for states to use graduated sanctions and incentives grounded in positive youth development, providing enhanced anti-bullying measures, and youth violence prevention and intervention services. It also updates the JABG to include evidence-based practices such as trauma informed practices and mental health care. Federal support for juvenile justice programming has suffered greatly in the past decade, with funding decreasing nearly 50% to states. Reauthorizing this important program, with recommended funding levels of $30 million, would make a tremendous difference to youth, families and communities. We thank you for your consideration of this important bill. Sincerely, Marcy Mistrett, CEO, Campaign for Youth Justice.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to join my friend from Texas, as the author of the Violence Against Women Act. In 2018, I encouraged my colleagues to step up and pass this vital legislation that now protects all who have been abused in some way from sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, and, yes, domestic violence. I am saddened that the House has not seen fit to join this bill that I have authored with over 35 national nonpartisan groups and, as well, with over 150-plus Members of the United States Congress. It is time now. Finally, sitting in the United States Senate, listening to the hearings regarding Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford, let me say that I hope our colleagues will yield not to politics but to the rule of law, adhere to the American Bar Association that says pause, to the Jesuits who have taken away their endorsement, and realize that we are not the important factor, but it was the weight of the Supreme Court that requires better. Finally, I am delighted to note that we are moving forward on juvenile justice, as we have done today--legislation that I have authored--and that we are working on behalf of the people. But again, Mr. Speaker, it is important in the United States Senate that the rule of law and the Constitution prevail. Advice and consent must be given with knowledge.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule governing debate for H.R. 6157, the ``DOD and Labor HHS Appropriations Act for FY 2019.'' I must oppose this rule and urge the defeat the previous question, not because we do not support the troops or our children, but because defeating the previous question will enable this House to consider and pass H.R. 6545, the ``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018.'' This is an opportunity we do not want to squander. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a landmark piece of legislation passed in 1994 following the Anita Hill moment that opened our eyes to the then overwhelming problems faced by victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. By passing the VAWA, we can stop the re-victimizing, re-traumatizing and stigmatizing of sexual assault survivors. Enough is Enough. Science tells us that trauma severely impacts recall. So let us do our jobs and help them. Women deserve to be respected, protected and NEVER neglected. As we all know very clearly, VAWA is set to expire this week and millions of innocent lives are counting on us to get this right and reauthorize VAWA now. Help women, men and children everywhere throughout our great country that have, are and will suffer at the hands of perpetrators that commit these violent and abusive crimes. Clearly these victims deserve more than a mere 3 month expedient extension or piecemeal product to combat these challenges of monumental proportion. What will we say to them? The current climate of the MeToo movement is a wakeup call to the Nation. Let's not make this a partisan issue, because crimes of violence against anyone must be addressed. Therefore, when we ignore an extraordinary movement such as the MeToo movement by not reauthorizing a strengthened and improved VAWA that meets today's challenges, then we have failed women. If we do not defeat this previous question we are telling all of our constituents that rely heavily on VAWA and all of those that care about protecting women, men and children's rights against violence that we do not care. On July 26, 2018, I introduced H.R. 6545, VAWA 2018, which is a compromise version with modest improvements, because I am committed to passing a bipartisan Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act that is tailored to appeal to Members of Congress across the political spectrum. We should all be committed to do the same in order to respond to the desperate pleas of our sisters and brothers in dire need of our help. Colleagues, this is your moment to do the right thing for the right reasons and help bring H.R. 6545 to the floor for a vote. This has always been a bipartisan effort. Let's not let the current times and background noise sway us away from our pivotal duties. Let's show the American people that we care about victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault and sexual harassment, which I have added in VAWA 2018. H.R. 6545 has received the support of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, which is a national collaboration comprising a large and diverse group of national, tribal, state, territorial and local organizations, advocates, and individuals that focuses on the development, passage and implementation of effective public policy to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (``the four crimes''). These modest, yet vital updates we have made to the existing Violence Against Women Act (``VAWA'') are based on the needs identified by direct service providers who work daily with victims and survivors of the four crimes. H.R. 6545 makes the following improvements and more: It makes important investments in prevention, a key priority identified not only by people who work with victims and survivors daily, but also by our very own bipartisan Women's Caucus. It provides resources to implement evidence-based prevention programming, which will make our communities safer and, ultimately, saves taxpayers money. It also safeguards important protections that ensure all victims and survivors have access to safety and justice and provides a mechanism to hold predators who prey on Native women accountable. Moreover, it provides law enforcement with new tools to protect their communities. It offers protections for survivors in federal public, subsidized, and assisted housing. It supports victims and survivors who need assistance rebuilding financially. It addresses the needs of underserved communities, and improves the healthcare response to the four crimes. It closes many of the loopholes found in dating violence. And in response to the overwhelming victims in the MeToo movement, it adds sexual harassment as part of the applicable crimes of violence. In short, the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act of 2018 is a narrow bill with a wide impact. Let's not play politics with people's lives. Let's not short-change them by slashing funding in half. Let's not kick the can down the road while omitting funding. Let's not dismiss their cries and pleas. And certainly, let's not punish them mercifully because #THEY DID NOT REPORT.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 1084, the rule governing debate for H.R. 6756, the American Innovation Act of 2018,'' H.R. 6757 ``Family Savings Act of 2018,'' and H.R. 6760 ``Protecting Family and Small Business Tax Cuts Act of 2018''. I must oppose this rule and urge the defeat the previous question, not because we do not support innovation for our small businesses and entrepreneurs, but because defeating the previous question will enable this House to consider and pass H.R. 5476, the ``Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act''. This is an opportunity we do not want to misuse. For the last sixteen months, our nation has watched as the Special Counsel investigating the attack on our democracy during the 2016 election has returned dozens of indictments against foreign actors suspected of interfering in our democracy. Tellingly, the investigation has also returned a series of guilty pleas, including: allocutions from the President's former personal lawyer; his campaign chairman; his deputy campaign chairman; his first national security advisor; a top foreign policy advisor, and many more. Americans have come to the conclusion that the 2016 election was a crime scene. The 2018 election could be one too. While the Special Counsel--appointed by officials from the Trump Administration--has been diligently returning pleas and indictments, and unearthing the extraordinary efforts that a hostile foreign power had on our election, the President has been busy berating the effort, and those whom he believes are assisting in attempts to get at the truth of what transpired in the 2016 election. Yet, beyond guilty pleas and indictments, the Special Counsel has also been performing an essential service for the American people: he has been telling the American people a story of how our democracy is susceptible to outside influence. He has done this by sharing certain, critical facts such as: the President's son, son-in-law and campaign manager attended a meeting with agents of the Russian government promising to have ``dirt'' on the President's 2016 opponent, Secretary Hillary Clinton; we also learned how Russians funneled money through stalwart Republican-leaning organizations to influence our campaign; and we learned that Russians selectively leaked and indeed weaponized stolen emails in order to influence our electorate. Alongside this parade of developments, the American people have watched as this president has tried to wrestle control--either functionally or formally--of the investigation into the Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, and whether and to what extent the effort was aided and abetted associates of the Trump Campaign. For good reason, Americans are suspicious of this president's ability to abide by longstanding norms to which all prior American presidents have adhered: the need to abstain from interfering in law enforcement investigations. Most infamously, the President breached this norm when he fired the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Comey in May 2017. Between that date and now, the President has: ridiculed the Attorney General, who recused himself from overseeing the Russia investigation and, in the process, drew the ire of the president; terminated or forced the retirements of several senior law enforcement officials; and has threatened or attempted to take extraordinary steps--like the selective dissemination of classified information--for the purposes of tainting the investigation into his possible criminal activity. Along the way, House Republicans have refused to exercise even the slightest amount of oversight on this president or this president. One significant way the Congress can do this is by protecting the Special Counsel and his investigation. This has long been a concern of mine. This is why, alongside the Jerry Nadler, the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, I introduced H.R. 5476, the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act. If enacted into law, H.R. 5476 permits a terminated Special Counsel to challenge his termination in court and would stay the investigation pending the challenge. The Special Counsel would be given a notice stating the reasons for the removal. The matter would be heard by a three judge panel who would determine whether the removal was for misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or other good cause. If it is, the removal is affirmed. If it is not, the Special Counsel is reinstated. In the face of this president's bellicosity towards the law enforcement institutions investigating him, the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act is a measure of oversight we can place on this president, who increasingly feels emboldened to flout longstanding norms in the name of covering up his past conduct. This is an Article I moment--it is time for all in this chamber and across the Capitol in the Senate to seize it. Through their elected representatives, the American people must harness the constitutional apparatus created by the Framers and provide oversight on a president sorely in need of it.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentlewoman from California for her leadership, and, certainly, I rise enthusiastically on her motion. I rise in strong opposition to the rule governing debate for H.R. 6157. We must oppose this rule and defeat the previous question. The reason for such is not because we do not support the troops or our children but because defeating the previous question will enable this House to consider and pass H.R. 6545, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018. This is an opportunity that we should not squander. This bill is a bill that we have worked on for 2 years, and a bill that I introduced with over 150 cosponsors, timely, in July 2018, after working for 2 years with all of the Nation's women's advocacy groups, groups that opposed and fought against domestic violence, and all other stakeholders. I would like to thank them for 2 years of tedious and hard work, ensuring that immigrant women were protected, ensuring that Native American women were protected, ensuring that those who had a domestic abuse warrant could not have a gun without having a lockbox. I want to say to them that we will never give up. The Violence Against Women Act is a landmark piece of legislation, passed in 1994 following the Anita Hill moment that opened our eyes to the then overwhelming problems faced by victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It is now even more evident with the Justice Kavanaugh confirmation hearings and the allegations that have been made by Dr. Ford and others that raise a sense of urgency for the passage of the Violence Against Women Act. It baffles me that Republicans can leave without passing the updated, reauthorized legislation and not just a mere extension. By passing VAWA, we can stop the revictimizing, retraumatizing, and stigmatizing of sexual assault survivors. Enough is enough. Science tells us that trauma severely impacts recall, so let us do our jobs and help them. Women deserve to be respected, protected, and never neglected. As we all know very clearly, VAWA is set to expire this week, and millions of innocent lives are counting on us to get this right and reauthorize VAWA now, reauthorize it with the new provisions to increase funding; increase recognition of stalking, sexual assault, dating violence, and sexual harassment; help women, men, and children everywhere throughout our great country who have and will suffer at the hands of perpetrators who commit these violent and abusive crimes. The bill generically adds the word ``people,'' because we know that abuse is across the lines of men, women, and children. Clearly, these victims deserve more than a mere 3-month expedient extension or piecemeal product to combat these challenges of monumental proportions. What will we say to them? The current climate of the #MeToo movement is a wake-up call to the Nation. Let's not make this a partisan issue. It should not be--it was not in 1994--because crimes of violence against anyone must be addressed. I remember standing next to Senator Joe Biden, and I remember standing next to Congressman Henry Hyde, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, standing next to Republicans and Democrats to do this. Why can we not do it now? Therefore, when we ignore an extraordinary movement such as the #MeToo movement by not reauthorizing a strengthened and improved VAWA that meets today's challenges, then we have failed the Nation. If we do not defeat this previous question, we are telling all of our constituents and all of those stakeholders and those women's centers, like the Houston Area Women's Center that are waiting for this to be reauthorized and are a place of refuge for women who are fleeing all kinds of violence and who rely heavily on VAWA and all of those who care about protecting women, men, and children's rights against violence that we do not care. On July 26, 2018, I introduced H.R. 6545, VAWA 2018, which is a compromise version with modest improvements, because I am committed to passing a bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Hopefully, we can do more that is tailored to appeal to Members of Congress across the political spectrum. My question is, why didn't the Republicans stand up? Where were they? This is not a bill that is out of line. It is a bill that is updated in response to needs.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. This is the moment for my colleagues to do the right thing, for the right reasons, to help bring H.R. 6545 to the floor for a vote. This has always been a bipartisan effort. Let us not let the current times and background noise sway us away from our pivotal duties. What is happening on the other side, the other body, does, in fact, emphasize our need to act. Let us show the American people that we care about victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, which have been added to the VAWA 2018. H.R. 6545 has received the support of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, women and men who are both Republicans and Democrats, which is a national collaboration comprising a large and a diverse group of national, Tribal, State, territorial, and local organizations, advocates, and individuals who focus on the development, passage, and implementation of effective public policy to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, the four crimes. These modest yet vital updates we have made in the existing Violence Against Women Act are based on the needs identified by direct service providers who work daily with the victims and the survivors of the four crimes. H.R. 6545 makes the following improvements and more. It makes important investments in prevention, a key priority identified not only by people who work with victims and survivors daily but also by our very own Bipartisan Women's Caucus. It provides resources to implement evidence-based prevention programs, which will make our communities safer and, ultimately, save taxpayers money. Law enforcement officers are waiting for the resources to help them protect the community. It also safeguards important protections that ensure all victims and survivors have access to safety and justice, and provides mechanisms to hold predators who prey on Native women accountable. Moreover, it provides law enforcement with new tools to protect their community. It offers protections for survivors in Federal, public, subsidized, and assisted housing. It supports victims and survivors who need assistance rebuilding financially. It addresses the needs of underserved communities and improves the healthcare response to the four crimes.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. It closes many of the loopholes found in dating violence. And in response to the overwhelming victims in the #MeToo movement, it adds sexual harassment as part of the applicable crimes of violence. In short, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act of 2018 is a bill that should draw wide support but provides across-the- board protection for those who need it. There is no reason for this not to be bipartisan and no reason for it not to be on the floor. Let's not play politics with people's lives. Let's not shortchange them by slashing funding in half. Let's not kick the can down the road while omitting funding. Let's not dismiss their cries and pleas. Certainly, let's not punish them because #theydidnot report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for all of the time, and I thank the gentlewoman from California for all of her leadership. It is time to vote ``no'' in order for us to move the previous question and pass the Violence Against Women Act that is now ready to move to the floor.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall No. 404. If I was present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to thank both the chairman and chairwoman of the full committee and all of the chairs and ranking members for their outstanding job, particularly on bringing us to this point, though much work needs to be done. I am going to speak as fast as I can, but I am very grateful for the $7.9 billion in the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund, which will include many of us who have suffered from Hurricane Harvey in 2017, but, more particularly, will help those who are suffering with much devastation after Hurricane Florence. I am grateful for the 2.6 percent raise of our military personnel, and the $40 million for the historically Black colleges and universities that we have worked on, and minority serving institutions for basic research programs. And then I worked on the issue dealing with triple-negative breast cancer, and I am pleased with $374 million for cancer research and $130 million for breast cancer research, being a breast cancer survivor. And particularly, though, I would have wanted the Violence Against Women Act to be on the floor and pass the full bill. I am glad for the $35 million for continued implementation expansion of the Sexual Assault Special Victims Counsel Program under Defense.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. And I am grateful for the death gratuities for troops in the case of a government shutdown. And the funds prohibited to use outside of the War Powers Resolution in Syria and Iraq. But, most importantly, my constituents are suffering from a lack of healthcare because of the undermining of the Affordable Care Act that we are still fighting for. So I am very grateful for the $39.1 billion for the National Institutes of Health; $4.4 billion for programs that respond to the opioid crisis; $7.9 billion for the Centers for Disease Control, and, of course, what is so important to our constituents in Houston and Texas is that our community health centers that are our first line of defense to those who don't have healthcare; $678 million for a maternal and child health block grant--we have some of the largest numbers of maternal death in Houston among African American women; $10 billion for Head Start; and then specifically I want to talk about the unaccompanied children, $1.3 billion, but I am grateful for the language that demands of this administration to tell us who is there that has not been reunited with their families, and then the 12,000 that are in the jurisdiction of HHS. We have got to get those individuals united with their families and we have got to be able to have ICE arrest the sponsors. Finally, Mr. Speaker, $10.3 million for a domestic violence hotline. In any event, this bill speaks to education and healthcare, and I want to ask my colleagues to recognize that more work has to be done.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the ranking member for his leadership and commitment to working on real voter empowerment legislation. Let me acknowledge and thank the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Goodlatte, and seek an opportunity to really work on legislation that addresses the question. I have looked at it, and I have no doubt that my friends on the other side of the aisle are sincere. I read the resolution, and I noted that one particular example was utilized, Mr. Speaker. The example happens to be in San Francisco, California. I live in Houston and my colleague lives in New York. I know that if this was a moment of crisis, we would see Members from the 50 States-- at least 20 States, 35 States--bringing this to the attention of the Judiciary Committee. To date, I have had no complaint from Houston or the State of Texas. But I do know, when I engage in dialogue with my constituents, they are all aware of the Russian interference in the 2016 election and the constant pounding of emails and the leaks that occurred and the attack on the DNC. Everybody is aware of that. To my knowledge--help me, those of my colleagues who are on the floor--we have not passed one single legislative initiative or crime bill that addresses the question of preventing Russian interference. We are now at the end of the first crunch of this year of legislation. So I would ask my colleagues, if they are so concerned about voting, would they help us add back to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, in which Dr. King marched and our colleague, John Lewis, was beaten almost to his death, bleeding on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and restore section 5? Section 5 might even help with this issue, because section 5 provides preclearance to any voting procedure that any State may have that would be unfair and discriminatory. If my colleagues want to argue anything, they can argue that the main bill that they should be putting forward is a restoration of section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. We have found throughout the States that we do have violations. We have voter ID laws that are discriminatory. We have voter suppression. We have people being purged off of lists. Interestingly enough, they happen to be poor people, African Americans and Hispanic citizens. Mr. Speaker, I am opposed to this legislation. I don't like legislation that is ``gotcha'' legislation. I have great respect for my friend from California. I, frankly, believe it is a State matter--it is really a city matter--that could be handled by those who are concerned.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I see that, for the national question of voter empowerment, there is a litany of laws still waiting for this body to pass: voter security, the ballot security, the question of our voting machines, the question of the individuals with the hanging chads, the right kind of voting machines and equipment, and, again, to protect people against purging legitimate registered voters off the registration list. I have faced that in Texas. I have the Justice Department on notice. I would like to say publicly: Department of Justice, get back to me on that request that I made about being purged in Texas. For all these reasons, I think we are going in the wrong direction, Mr. Speaker, and I would like us to put back on the floor section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.