Eddie Johnson

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this year, we acknowledge the 20th anniversary of the recognition of the virus which has come to be called HIV/AIDS. Twenty years ago we called it GRID--Gay Related Immune Disease. Based on that designation and the politicization of the disease, this country spent the first 10 years blaming the victims and denying the necessity for concerted action. And while we debated, in the U.S. 400,000 people have died and more than a million have been infected. However, not only citizens in the U.S. have suffered. HIV has claimed the lives of more than 21 million people worldwide, with Sub-Sahara Africa representing the greatest number of victims. But we have managed some progress in the last twenty years. We have medications that have demonstrated some success in stemming the suffering and prolonging lives. We have come to learn about the progression of the disease and the link between malnutrition, poverty and the progression of opportunistic infections. And we have managed to teach people in all walks of life about the methods of transmission and prevention. So twenty years after it first appeared in the U.S. much has happened, but much remains to be done. We must continue domestic and international prevention efforts. We must continue funding the search for a vaccine. We must continue research into promising treatments. However, we cannot rest on our laurels. Much remains to be done. HIV/ AIDS has become a global pandemic which threatens the lives of millions of people. The United Nations has estimated that by the year 2010, there will be 40 million children in Africa who will be orphaned by AIDS. Currently, there are 10 million AIDS orphans on the continent of Africa. What have we done and what have we failed to do for these children? Will we continue to deny the magnitude of the problem like we did 20 years ago or will we step forward and be the international leader that we have always claimed? If we learn nothing else from AIDS, let us learn this--because viruses are not respecters of persons, we must learn to compassionately care for everyone infected and affected. Our failure to do this 20 years ago brought us to where we are today. What will our continued failure to act bring about in another 20 years? Can these children count on us for help or will we blame them like we did so many others in years past?

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing a bill to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to clarify the process by which the United States Agency for International Development already provides HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs to foreign military and law enforcement personnel. The United States is committed to the development of nations, and a major effort of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic, particularly in sub- Saharan Africa. In the past decade, USAID has committed more than $800 million in funding to global HIV/AIDS education and prevention efforts. However, HIV/AIDS education and prevention efforts are not as effective as they should be. While it is perfectly legal to do so, there has been some confusion in providing HIV/AIDS information to soldiers and other law enforcement forces due to restrictions imposed by Section 660 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Currently, only 8 of 19 USAID missions in sub-Saharan Africa provide such information to military or law enforcement personnel. Military and law enforcement forces are important in HIV prevention efforts due to their large itinerant populations, which have comparatively high HIV infection rates. These soldiers have multiple sex partners and frequent contact with prostitutes. Education efforts directed at such audiences can be particularly effective. If assistance to military and police forces is not provided, the general population is placed at risk. To clarify the position taken by USAID's General Counsel that Section 660 does not prohibit participation of foreign police or military forces in their HIV/AIDS prevention programs, I have introduced legislation that amends Section 104(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 by adding the following language: In providing assistance under paragraphs (4) through (7), the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development is authorized, notwithstanding section 660 of this Act, to provide education and related services to law enforcement and military personnel of foreign countries to prevent and control HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. The education and related services may be provided only if the Administrator determines that--(i) the education and services for police and military forces are part of a larger public health initiative; (ii) failure to provide the education and related services to law enforcement and military personnel of the foreign country would impair the achievement of the overall objectives of the health initiative; (iii) the education and related services are the same or are similar to the education and related services to be provided under the health initiative to other population groups in the foreign country; and (iv) none of the education and related services, including any commodity, can be readily adapted for law enforcement, military, or internal security functions. The AIDS pandemic is proving to be one of the most important issues of our time. Since the advent of the AIDS epidemic, more than 22 million people worldwide have died from the disease. Currently, more than 36 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, the majority in sub- Saharan Africa. As the most technologically advanced nation and the leader of the free world, the United States has both a moral obligation and compelling national security interests to address the global HIV/ AIDS crisis. My legislation streamlines the process by which USAID already provides HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs to foreign military and law enforcement personnel and clarifies the importance of including these high-risk groups in prevention efforts.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I rise to request a vote no on this amendment. Let me share with Members that my religious values I hold dear. I am not in church right now, but I respect the right of every woman to choose medical procedures that she and her doctor have decided. But that is not what this is about. This is about family planning. Family planning will eliminate the need for abortions. As a professional nurse, abortions are not done lightly. It is a tough decision and a medical one, for the most part. I can assure the Members that not a single dollar in this bill is going to fund an abortion. But, Mr. Chairman, we recognize the need for family planning, not only will it save lives, it will also prevent a lot of disease. When people have access to information on how to control their emotions and their lives, we will see a better result.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 114, Approval of the Journal, I missed the vote due to detainment departing the White House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson).

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 that created the National Science Foundation directs the agency to initiate and support basic scientific research and to strengthen scientific research potential and science education programs at all levels. I am pleased to rise in support of this resolution that salutes the National Science Foundation on its accomplishments and success in carrying out this mission for the past 50 years. I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith) for putting forth this timely resolution. The National Science Foundation plays a unique and critical role in the Nation's research and education enterprise. It sponsors research that helps to fill the storehouse of fundamental knowledge about the natural world, without regard for immediate applications of these new ideas and concepts. Equally important, the National Science Foundation supports the development of the Nation's human resource base in science and engineering. In short, the National Science Foundation is charged with helping to create the underpinnings for the Nation's future technological competence and, therefore, for its economic strength and security. The NSF's record of accomplishment during this 50-year history is remarkable. NSF-supported research have collected 100 Nobel Prizes. They have received recognition for work in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine, and economics. National Science Foundation's contributions are, in part, manifested through the accomplishments of scientists and engineers who were trained under NSF awards. It is well-known that the great majority of the seminal work in developing such technologies as cell phones, fiber optics, and computer assisted design was performed by private industry, at labs like Corning, AT&T and Motorola. A recent NSF-sponsored study has shown that many scientists and engineers who went to graduate school on NSF fellowships and research assistantships often played important roles in the development of these and other technologies. In a number of cases, they became the entrepreneurs who created new firms and markets. To use the words of the authors of the study, ``NSF emerges consistently as a major, often the major, source of support for education and training of the Ph.D. scientists and engineers who went on to make major contributions.'' The resources NSF provides for support of research and education are relatively small, but the impact is great. The agency expends only 3.8 percent of the Federal R&D funds, but provides 23 percent of basic research funding at academic institutions. For specific research areas, the National Science Foundation's role at universities is even larger. It funds 36 percent of research in the physical sciences, 49 percent in the environmental sciences, 50 percent in engineering, 72 percent in mathematics, and 78 percent in computer science. The research awards and research fellowships help train over 24,000 graduate students each year. These are the future scientists and engineers who are essential to fuel our high-tech economy. Further, the NSF programs help to improve science education for all students and prepare them for citizenship in a world increasingly dominated by technology. Today we continue to have a manpower shortage in many high technology fields. The ideal way to alleviate the shortages is by ensuring that children of all races and both genders receive the basic grounding in science and mathematics that will prepare them to pursue careers as scientists, engineers and technologists. The NSF's programs address this need. Because of the importance of NSF's role in research and education, it is essential that the agency receive adequate resource. Consequently, I am extremely disappointed by the fiscal year 2002 budget request for NSF, which provides only a 1-percent increase. This is much less than what is needed to sustain the NSF's ongoing programs. In today's Congress Daily, a story mentioned how science funding is increased over Mr. Bush's request. While this is true, it is less than half the story. The conference cut funding for science below any Member's request in either Chamber and below what President Bush asked for in every year but this year. The House requested $617 million more and the Senate requested $1.215 billion more. Indeed, over 5 years, the conference agreement is nearly $200 million less than the President's anemic numbers for budget authority. The only positive number from the conference agreement is the fiscal year 2002 budget authority number being $217 million above the President's request. Every other number is negative, meaning the conference agreement is lower than Mr. Bush's request, the House-passed bill and the Senate-passed bill. How ironic it is now that we stand here today and honor the National Science Foundation, but at best hold their budget below inflation. Inadequacies in the size of the National Science Foundation's current budget are evident by the fact that the agency currently funds less than a third of the research applications it receives and only about half of those judged to be of high quality. Even when an applicant receives the National Science Foundation award, it is usually sub- optimal and perhaps half the amount of an NIH award. The current situation leaves researchers in NSF-funded fields scrambling for funds and spending too much time chasing limited funding rather than in the laboratory or mentoring students. In order to address this present situation, I, along with 16 of my Committee on Science colleagues, recently introduced a National Science Foundation authorization bill, H.R. 1472, that provides increases of 15 percent per year for fiscal years 2002 through 2005. The bill will double the NSF budget based on fiscal year 2000 appropriations level. Such increases are necessary to allow the National Science Foundation to go forward with substantial new research initiatives, provide needed increases in average grant size and duration, and support needed major research facilities for access by academic scientists. Equally important, a more robust budget for NSF will support expansion of the agency's science education programs. Of particular importance are programs to improve the skills and content knowledge of K through 12 science and math teachers and to increase participation in science and engineering by traditionally underrepresented groups. It is also important to expand education research programs, including quantifying the most effective uses of educational technology and strengthening efforts to assess education programs to determine and disseminate information about what methods and approaches are most effective in improving student performance in science and math. Mr. Speaker, it is entirely appropriate that the House endorse the resolution now under consideration, which celebrates the past accomplishments of the National Science Foundation. However, it is of much greater importance that we ensure that the Foundation receives the necessary resources now and in the future to carry out its essential role in support of scientific engineering research and education. When funding measures for NSF are debated during the coming months, I hope all of my colleagues will remember the Foundation's impact during the last 50 years and the promise represented by its current programs. Mr. Speaker, I commend to my colleagues this resolution honoring the National Science Foundation and ask for their support for final passage. This 50-year report speaks to America's investment in the future. That is what we are talking about when we talk about the funding for the National Science Foundation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bentsen).

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to pay tribute to a great American, Rev. Leon Sullivan who passed away on April 24th. Reverend Sullivan was a businessman, an activist, and an educator who was responsible for leading international efforts to promote nonviolent social and economic change. Dr. Sullivan is best known as the author of the Sullivan Principles, a set of guidelines for American businesses operating in South Africa under the apartheid regime. Although later largely superseded by the divestment movement, these principals laid an ethical foundation for businesses practices in the international arena. The success of the Sullivan Principles abroad were matched by the success of Reverend Sullivan's activities at home. In 1964, Sullivan founded a job training program called Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC). Today, more than 80 OIC's exist across the country. The programs have trained more than 2 million people. Reverend Sullivan was a pragmatic activist who never forget the individual hopes and dreams of real people. The nation has suffered a great loss.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing a bill to authorize the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a demonstration program under which the Director awards grants to qualified schools. The grants received by these schools will be used to develop a program that blillds or expands mathematics, science, and information technology curricula; purchase equipment necessary to establish such a program and provide teacher training in such fields. The act also allows the private sector to contribute goods and services, such as the donation of computer hardware and software; the establishment of internship and mentoring opportunities for students who participate in the mathematics, science, and information technology program; and the donation of scholarship funds for use at institutions of higher education by eligible students. The need for this legislative proposal to provide grants to qualified schools is beyond doubt, and the case supporting this bill can be simply stated: Mathematics and science education is a vital link to connect today's students with the information age and to the workplace of the 21st century. Today's United States economy depends more than ever on the talents of skilled, high-tech workers and in order to sustain America's preeminence, we must take drastic steps to change the way we develop our workforce. It is estimated that more than half of the economic growth of the United States today results directly from research and development in science and technology. The nexus between scientific and technological advances and education has been noted by several entities. Yet, according to the National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century, the performance of our country's students from both the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the National The National Education Association (NEA), an endorser of this bill, recognizes that quality math and science education is essential to prepare our students to compete in the 21st century. The NEA stated, By authorizing grants to Local Education Agencies for expansion of math, science, and technology curricula, purchase of technological equipment, and teacher training, this legislation will help enhance math and science education. The resources provided for teacher training will help ensure the high quality professional development critical to world class math and science teaching. In addition, the bill's special focus on schools with the greatest economic needs will help level the playing field for disadvantaged students, who often lack access to technological and other resources necessary to maximize math and science learning. Texas Instruments, another endorser of this bill, believes that the need for additional emphasis in the fields of mathematics and science education is clear. Texas Instruments stated, In this age of rapidly advancing technology, math and science education is a vital link that prepares students to thrive in the new, information and technology driven economy. More than ever, U.S. economic and technological leadership depends on our ability to ensure that students graduate with the skills and knowledge they need for 21st century jobs. We must acknowledge that the effectiveness of the United States in maintaining this economic growth will be largely determined by the intellectual capital of the United States. The education of America's students is critical to developing this resource. American students consistently demonstrate average and below average performance compared to their international peers in their skills in mathematics and science. According to the 1999 edition of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation's Report Card, the trends in mathematics and science are characterized by declines in the 1970's, followed by increases during the 1980's and early 1990's. However, performance has remained unchanged since the early 1990's. Several findings of the Report Card deserve mention, including the following: In 1999, the average science score for 17-year-olds was lower than the average score in 1969 for the same age group. In 1999, the average science score for 13-year-olds was similar to the average score in 1970 for the same group. In 1999, White students had higher average mathematics scores than their Black and Hispanic peers. Although the gap between White and Black students narrowed since 1973, there is evidence that the gap may be widening since 1990. In 1999, males outperformed females in science at ages 13 and 17. A greater percent of 13-year-olds in 1999 than in 1986 reported that the content of their science class was general rather than focused on earth, physical, or life science. In an age now driven by the relentless necessity of scientific and technological advancement, the current preparation that students in the United States receive in mathematics and science is, in a word, unacceptable. Proficiency in mathematics and technology is necessary to prepare American students for participation in the 21st century and to guarantee that the United States economy remains vibrant and competitive. Now is the time to set the stage for advancement in mathematics and science proficiency. The United States must expect more from our educators and students. In order to achieve this, it is important that we show interest in economically disadvantaged students who have not been provided with opportunities that will improve their knowledge of mathematics and science. Many economically disadvantaged students in urban and rural America share a common need to receive a quality education, but often their schools lack the needed resources to prepare them for the 21st century global community. The schools and businesses serving these communities are strategically positioned to form a unique partnership with urban and rural students that will increase their mathematics and science proficiency for the benefit of the Nation. If our Nation continues failing to prepare citizens from all population groups for participation in the new, technology-driven economy, our Nation will risk losing its economic and intellectual preeminence. Finally, America's students must improve their performance in mathematics and science if they are to succeed in today's world and if the United States is to stay competitive in an integrated global economy. It is clear that we must provide American students with the competence and confidence to succeed. Mr. Speaker, The Mathematics and Science Proficiency Partnership Act of 2001 provides an unprecedented opportunity to redefine the federal role in K-12 education that establishes clear national priorities, provides incentives for change, disseminates best practices and targets assistance effectively. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing a bill to authorize funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the next four fiscal years. The bill provides for increases of 15% for each year, which together with the 13% appropriations increase for fiscal year 2001, will result in a doubling of NSF's budget by the fourth year of the bill. The need for this legislative proposal to provide a substantial funding increase for NSF is beyond doubt, and the case supporting this bill can be simply stated: Federally supported basic research is fundamental to the nation's economic health; NSF plays a vital role in support of basic research and education across all fields of science and engineering; and There is ample evidence that the current level of federal research investment is inadequate, particularly for the physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering. The connection between research funding and the strength of the economy has been expounded by such diverse sources as former presidential science advisor Allen Bromley, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and the Hart-Rudman Commission on National Security. Dr. Bromley, who was former President Bush's science advisor from 1989-1993, commented on the inadequacy of the research and development portion of the Administration's FY 2002 funding request in a March 9 New York Times op-ed. He pointed out the potential damage of proposed budget cuts for NSF, NASA and the Department of Energy agencies, which he characterized as the three primary sources of ideas and personnel in the high-tech economy. His key point was that the future budget surpluses on which the large proposed tax cut depends are tied to research investments made today. He said: The proposed cuts to scientific research are a self- defeating policy. Congress must increase the federal investment in science. No science, no surplus. It's that simple. The importance of research to the economy was stressed by Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan in recent testimony before the House Budget Committee also. In response to a question on the need for government support for research, Greenspan responded, On the issue of research, there is just no question that if you're going to have technology as the base of your economy, which we do, research is crucial. If we don't [enhance the incentives to do research in this economy], we're going to find that we are in a position where we may have awesome technologies, but if you don't continuously nurture them, they won't continue to exist. The recent report of the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century, known as the Hart-Rudman Commission, makes a strong case for the importance of funding for basic research and technology development. The Commission found that, ``it is from investment in basic science that the most valuable long-run dividends are realized'' and ``[the federal] role remains not least because our basic and applied research efforts in areas of critical national interest will not be pursued by a civil sector that emphasizes short- to mid-term return on investment.'' On the basis of its findings, the Commission recommends a doubling of all federal funding for science and technology research and development by 2010. In testimony before the House Armed Services Committee on the Hart- Rudman Commission report, former Speaker Gingrich stated that, The revolution in science requires larger investments in basic research; we are not getting the money today. He also pointed out the importance of NSF's support for basic science research. I agree with Mr. Gingrich on the key role NSF plays in sustaining the nation's research enterprise. NSF-supported researchers have collected 100 Nobel Prizes over the years. They have received recognition for work in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine, and economics. In nearly every field of science and engineering are examples of NSF-sponsored research that led to important discoveries and applications: NSF-funded research in atmospheric chemistry identified ozone depletion over the Antarctic, or the ``ozone hole'' as it has come to be known. In 1986, NSF researchers established chlorofluorocarbons as the probable cause of the Antarctic ozone hole. Since CFCs are used in many commercial applications, this discovery has driven a search for benign substitutes and also led to regulation of CFC emissions. When most people think of the Internet they mean the World Wide Web and the Web Browsers, like Netscape, that allow them to find the information they seek. The browser made the World Wide Web. The first browser of note was Mosaic, and a student working at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois developed it. This is one of NSF's four original Supercomputing Centers. In industry, the acronym CAD/CAM brings to mind the best in design and manufacturing techniques. NSF-funded research on solid modeling led to the widespread use of Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing. The keys to success were advances in the underlying mathematics and in linking the academic and industrial leaders in the field. NSF's contributions are also manifest through the accomplishments of scientists and engineers, who were trained under NSF awards. It is well known that the great majority of the seminal work in developing such technologies as cell phones, fiber optics, and computer assisted design was performed by private industry--at labs like Corning, AT&T, and Motorola. A recent NSF sponsored study has shown that many scientists and engineers, who went to graduate school on NSF fellowships and research assistantships, often played important roles in the development of these and other technologies. In a number of cases, they became the entrepreneurs who created new firms and markets. To use the words of the authors of the study--``NSF emerges consistently as a major--often the major, source of support for education and training of the Ph.D. scientists and engineers who went on to make major contributions. . . .''. The resources NSF provides for support of research and education are relatively small, but the impact is great. The agency expends only 3.8% of federal R&D funds, but provides 23% of basic research funding at academic institutions. For specific research areas, the NSF role at universities is even larger: it funds 36% of research in the physical sciences, 49% in the environmental sciences, 50% in engineering, 72% in mathematics, and 78% in computer science. NSF research awards and direct research fellowships help train over 24,000 graduate students each year, the future scientists and engineers essential to fuel our high-tech economy. Furthermore, NSF programs help to improve science education for all students and to prepare them for citizenship in a world increasingly dominated by technology. Today we continue to have manpower shortages in many high technology fields. The ideal way to alleviate the shortages is by ensuring that children of all races and both genders receive the basic grounding in science and mathematics that will prepare them to pursue careers as scientists, engineers and technologists. We cannot allow inadequate funding to cripple NSF's efforts in this area. There is really no debate on whether support of basic research is an appropriate role of the federal government. The basic economic argument is well understood. Industry will underinvest in basic research because individual companies cannot capture the full benefits of advances in fundamental knowledge that come from funding basic research. The question, rather, is what ought to be the level of the federal research investment? The bill I am introducing takes the position that it is too low, particularly for basic research in the fields for which NSF is a major funding agency: the physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering. The National Research Council's Board on Science, Technology and Economic Policy analyzed federal funding data for FY 1993 through FY 1997. They found that support, in constant dollars, for chemical engineering had declined by 13%, electrical engineering by 36%, mechanical engineering by 50%, physics by 29%, chemistry by 9%, and mathematics by 6%. Even including the substantial increases for research for biomedical sciences during this period, total federal research funding for all fields of science and engineering declined by about 1%. Inadequacies in the size of NSF's budget are evident from the fact that the agency currently funds less than a third of the research applications it receives and about half of those judged to be of high quality. Even when an applicant receives a NSF award, it is usually suboptimal and perhaps half the amount of a NIH award. The current situation leaves researchers in NSF-funded fields scrambling for funds and spending too much of their time chasing limited funding rather than in the laboratory or mentoring students. The NSF authorization bill I am introducing will provide increases of 15% per year for fiscal years 2002 through 2004. The bill will result in a NSF budget of $7.7 billion by the final year. The increases provided will allow NSF to go forward with substantial new research initiatives in the mathematical sciences and the social and behavioral sciences and to continue ongoing initiatives in information technology, biodiversity, and nanotechnology. Moreover, the budget growth will allow NSF to-- Increase average grant size and duration; Fund national research facilities for the earth and atmospheric sciences, astronomy, and the computational and information sciences; and Support large scientific instruments at colleges and universities. Finally, the increases will support expansion of NSF's science education programs. Of particular importance will be increased efforts to improve the skills and content knowledge of K-12 science and math teachers and to increase participation in science and engineering by traditionally underrepresented groups. The increases will also expand education research programs, including quantifying the most effective uses of educational technology and strengthening efforts to assess education programs to determine and disseminate information about what methods and approaches are most effective in improving student performance in science and math. The Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF), a group of eighty scientific, engineering, and professional societies, universities, and corporations has called for providing no less than $5.1 billion, a 15% increase, for the NSF in FY 2002 as the next step in doubling the NSF budget. CNSF has stated that: Our national knowledge base in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering is increasingly important to broad economic and social interests. Doubling the NSF budget by 2006 will fund the crucial investments that the agency makes in key components of this vital knowledge base. Mr. Speaker, the NSF Authorization Act of 2001 implements the recommendations of CNSF. I hope all my colleagues will join me in ensuring that NSF has the necessary resources to carry out its essential role in support of scientific and engineering research and education by becoming cosponsors and supporters of this authorization bill.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Chairman, if the gentleman will yield, what else, what else in this year's budget could be more important than preserving our own democracy?

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price) for yielding to me. Madam Chairman, voting is the most fundamental right guaranteed by our Constitution. I came here feeling this term that this would be a high priority for both sides of the aisle. I have spoken with the President, and I have spoken with other leadership in this House. It is very appalling that there is no evidence of any funding to correct this problem with this Republican resolution. There is no way that we can stand here and say that we support a strong democracy when we are not willing to fund the whole system that the entire country experienced as a failure this past election. Just yesterday, I received a letter from someone in Iowa, talking about the difficulties which they had in Wapello County. He said that he was a precinct election committee member, and he had trouble getting up-to-date restoration information from the Iowa Department of Transportation through the Motor Voter Registration Program. This was not just one place in our country. Our democracy was threatened throughout the Nation. We are standing here tonight talking about this type and size of budget without having given any particular attention to this problem that simply threatens our sovereignty as a Nation. The world is watching, and we have not even attempted to address it. One cannot address a problem without designating some dollars. The Democratic proposal has $1 billion for 2001 and $500 million for 2002 to replace these outdated machines so that every vote that is cast can be counted. I see no evidence of that in the Republican resolution, even though I asked the President personally about it. He told me that it would be there.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note with great sadness the passing of Attorney Fred L. Lander III, one of the great community leaders and Noted Civil Rights Attorneys of Dallas, Texas. Attorney Lander, III was born on April 19, 1927 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He served in the U.S. Army during the time of the Korean Conflict. He received his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1952 from Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. His job pursuits were numerous, including classroom teacher, independent Real Estate and Insurance operator. He held an administrative position with the Port of New York Authority and Hearing Officer with the New York State Department of Labor. He also served 30 years with the Federal Government at the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Power Commission, the National Archives and Records Service and the Department of Justice's Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. He served with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission until his retirement on April 16, 1987. In the interim, he served as Crime Analysis and Executive Director of the Pilot District Police Community Relations Project for the District of Columbia. He was appointed an Administrative Law Judge for the Civil Service Commission in Dallas, Texas. Attorney Lander, III was a Life Member of the National Bar Association, the J.L. Turner Legal Association, the Dallas County Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, and the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. In community service, his memberships included the Dallas Urban League (Life Member and former Board Member); the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Life Member and former member of the Board of the Dallas Branch); OMEGA PSI PHI Fraternity, Inc. (Life Member); Paul Drayton Lodge No. 9 of the Free and Accepted Masons; Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce; Howard University Alumni Association; Progressive Voters League of Dallas; Regular Fellows Club (Past President); and Glen Oaks Homeowners Association (Legal Advisor). He served on the Board of Directors of the Community Council of Greater Dallas, the North Texas Legal Services Foundation, the Dallas Office of the Opportunities Industrialization Center, the Park South YMCA, the Pylon Attorney Lander, III was a Charter Advisor and participant of the C.A.W. Clark Legal Clinic. He was a 50-year member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and received the Man of the Year Award in 1977. He also received the President's Award for Outstanding Service in 1983 and the C.B. Bunkley Legal Service Award in 1989 from the J.L. Turner Legal Association; the Dallas Urban League Board Service Award in 1993 and the Whitney Young Award in 1995; and other awards, certifications, commendations and recognitions too numerous to mention. He was certified to practice law before all Courts in the State of Texas, before the United States District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas, before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and before the United States Supreme Court. Attorney Fred L. Lander, III was a wonderful husband to his wife and a loving parent. He was the proud father of an U.S. Navy retiree and a Municipal Court Judge in Dallas, Texas. He also had three Godchildren, two Texas adopted grandchildren and his pet. Mr. Speaker, Attorney Ladner, III inspired his children, his peers, the Black community and all who knew him. With his passing, I have lost a dear friend, many members of our community have lost a mentor, and the citizens of Dallas have lost a great Civil Rights Lawyer and community leader. He was truly an inspiration and will be missed. God bless his family. We commend him to you, dear Lord, in your eternal care. Amen.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, I am honored to urge the passage of H. Con. Res. 43 which authorizes the revised printing of the House document entitled ``Black Americans in Congress.'' I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland for his foresight and leadership on this issue; and also the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), the chairman of the Committee on House Administration. I know the gentleman from Ohio has many obligations which touch and concern the efficient management and operation of this institution. I want to thank the gentleman for including the important task of updating this book as a part of his mission. Mr. Speaker, I ask that if this resolution is approved, that the revised version be dedicated to my friend and colleague, Representative Julian Dixon, who passed away 3 months ago. As we know since the original printing of this book, 40 new African-American Members of Congress have walked through these hallowed halls. Many Members who are here now were not here when the book was first printed, including myself. Mr. Speaker, our being here is not an individual accomplishment, it is a testament to a people. African Americans in this country have gone from chains to Congress, from auction block to Wall Street, from segregation to Silicon Valley. African Americans have been a moving and integral force in the history and development of this country, and we will continue to press forward. As members of the Congressional Black Caucus, our motto has always been ``No permanent friends, no permanent enemies, just permanent issues.'' This motto encompasses our goal of ensuring that every American can enjoy the blessings of peace and prosperity. It is not a utopian ideal or an insurmountable hurdle. It is the concrete realization of Dr. Martin Luther King's message when he said that we are trying to make America true to its promise. The individual stories in this book are a tribute to those who have worked toward fulfilling America's promise. Their struggles serve as a road map to guide us forward in our struggle together as a people and as a Nation. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for sponsoring this legislation once again, and say once again that it is important that young people of African-American descent and even new immigrants must understand that they are role models and they can achieve, they can aspire. The opportunities are possible, and with a documentation of this sort I feel that it will be a major part of libraries throughout this country so that there will be a bright future planned for, worked for, thought about, and achieved by those who feel perhaps now that the opportunity simply is not there. They need to know their history, and I thank my colleagues very much for supporting this resolution that will further document that history and progress.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce a bill which will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Small Business Administration (SBA). As you know, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is responsible for aiding, counseling, assisting, and protecting the interests of the nation's small businesses. According to the U.S. General Accounting Office, as of September 30, 2000, SBA's total loan portfolio was about $52 billion, including $45 billion in direct and guaranteed small business loans and other guarantees and $7 billion in disaster loans. The SBA plays a critical role in the development of small businesses all around the nation. However, in a recent report, GAO found that SBA's lack of a coordinated lender oversight program increases the potential for program abuse and unnecessary financial risk. Therefore, GAO recommended that SBA ensure that the required 7(a) lender oversight reviews are conducted. Additionally, GAO recommended that SBA establish organizational responsibilities and a mechanism for ensuring that information on the lender review process is collected, reported and analyzed. I am introducing this legislation to ensure that GAO's recommendations are carried out. My bill, if enacted, would not only address GAO's concerns by establishing an office which has responsibility for lender oversight reviews but would also bring forth a mechanism for ensuring that information on the lender review process and lender compliance is collected, analyzed and reported to relevant Congressional Committees. Mr. Speaker, this bill is not a partisan issue, but it is a good government issue because it not only assures that the people's money is spent wisely but empowers the SBA to ensure that the laws are followed. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and I look forward to being able to vote on this bill on the house floor.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, while the world's attention has focused on human rights abuses in the People's Republic of China, attention ought also be given to the commendable human rights record of the Republic of China. The Republic of China's constitution guarantees its citizens basic civil liberties, including freedom of peaceful assembly and association, freedom of speech and press, and freedom of religion. The Republic of China is also now a recognized full-fledged democracy that respects political rights, as evidenced by last year's election of President Chen Shui-bian in free and fair elections. This occasion marked the first time in Chinese society that an opposition party candidate was elected President. Son of a farm laborer, Mr. Chen was an active political reformer and activist for many years and served time in prison for his beliefs. After gaining his release, he served as a lawmaker and later as mayor of Tapei. His presidential victory last March 18 signaled to the world that true democracy has taken hold in the Republic of China. In his inaugural address last May 20, President Chen announced: ``We are willing to promise a more active contribution in safeguarding international human rights. The Republic of China cannot and will not remain outside global human rights trends. We will abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Contention for Civil and Political Rights, and the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action. We will bring the Republic of China back into the international human rights system. . . . We hope to set up an independent national human rights commission in Taiwan, thereby realizing an action long advocated by the United Nations. We will also invite two outstanding non-governmental organizations, the International Commission of Jurists and Amnesty International, to assist us in our measures to protect human rights and make the Republic of China into a new indicator for human rights in the 21st Century.'' Mr. Speaker, I applaud President Chen's commitment to democracy and human rights. As we approach President Chen's first anniversary in office, I hope my colleagues will acknowledge his full commitment to safeguarding human rights in the Republic of China. President Chen and his cabinet ought to be applauded for their continuing efforts to make Taiwan one of the freest places on earth and for proving once again that political freedom and a prosperous market-oriented economy go hand-in-hand. I wish to congratulate president Chen and send him my support and best wishes.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) for yielding the time to me. The Congressional Black Caucus supports the Democratic alternative to the Bush tax plan, because it really is better. However, the Congressional Black Caucus believes that before we do any tax cut, we do need a budget plan. I just heard the gentleman, a friend, talk about wanting to stimulate jobs. The last administration stimulated 22 million jobs. We are not in a crisis for a tax break. The Democratic plan calls for a $900 billion tax cut that is fiscally responsible and fair to the average American. The Democratic plan contains a new 12 percent bottom bracket that would cut taxes on all individuals up to $300 and to all couples $600 annually, not just the top 1 percent. The plan contains a married penalty relief for couples who use the standard deduction and for the tax relief for married couples who utilized the earned income tax credit. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Black Caucus supports the Democratic alternative to the Bush tax plan, because it is better. However, the Congressional Black Caucus believes that before we do any tax cut we need to have a budget plan. The Democratic plan calls for a $900 billion tax cut that is fiscally responsible and fair to average Americans. The Democratic plan contains: a new 12 percent bottom bracket that would cut taxes on all individuals up to $300 and to all couples up to $600 annually; the plan also contains marriage penalty relief for couples who use the standard deduction and further tax relief to married couples who utilize the earned income tax credit; and the plan includes estate tax relief that would eliminate this tax for over two- thirds of all estates that are currently subject to this tax. The Democratic plan protects Social Security and Medicare. It reserves one-third of the projected $2.7 billion surplus so that we can meet our obligations to the Baby Boomers when they start to retire in 2008. This Democratic plan leaves enough money for investment priorities that even the administration has said they support, such as improving education and providing a real prescription drug benefit for senior citizens. The Democratic tax cut also lets us pay down the debt rapidly by setting aside one-third of the projected surplus for debt reduction. Every American benefits from this because everyone will at some point want to own a home, or buy a new car. Paying down the debt ensures that interest rates on loans will stay low, meaning lower monthly mortgage and car payments. The slowdown in the economy does require a tax cut to ensure that a full scale recession does not occur. Tax cuts should be fair to the average American family. The President's plan is not. The Citizens for Tax Justice organization performed independent analysis that found that the President's plan provides an average $46,000 tax cut to the top 1 percent of taxpayers while leaving only an average tax cut of $227 for the lowest 60 percent of working families. The President's plan is also fiscally irresponsible. It raids the surplus, threatens Social Security and Medicare, and leaves no room for important investments like education and health care. The President's plan threatens economic prosperity by reversing all the progress that was made during the last administration. It will plunge the country back into deficit spending just like President Reagan's tax cuts of the 1980s. The President's plan even threatens Medicare and Social Security because it leaves no room for error if the economy does not grow as quickly as current projections. Mr. Speaker, we need a budget plan before voting on any tax cuts. However, the Democratic alternative is the better tax approach.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus: Resolution of the Congressional Black Caucus Condemning Racial Slander by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia Whereas, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus regret the many years, in the not so distant past, when certain members of the House and Senate freely used racial slurs on the floor and in other public places; and, Whereas, our great nation has made great strides in both de jure and de facto race relations and has established a new moral standard in public discourse; and, Whereas, the administration of William Jefferson Clinton greatly advanced progress in race relations through his policies of inclusion and the President's demonstration of great personal comfort among all racial, religious, and ethnic groups; and, Whereas, the current political environment is such that negative and derogatory sentiments, attitudes, and practices of the past are being resurrected as new, caring, and compassionate versions of sanctioned segregation; and, Whereas, the sentiments, attitudes and behaviors of the Ku Klux Klan have long ago been condemned by the majority of Americans and outlawed by the U.S. Constitution; and, Whereas, United States Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia recently made a statement using a racial slur regurgitated from the painful past Ku Klux Klan era, that was hurtful, incendiary, and counterproductive; and, Whereas, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus consider it one of our priority duties to offer moral leadership on behalf of our constituents and to the American people in general, and to resist any attempt to move our great nation back in time to our ugly legacy of racial injustice, insensitivity and intolerance, now therefor be it Resolved That the members of the Congressional Black Caucus hereby, without rancor or malice, condemn Senator Byrd's racist statement and the sentiment of lingering intolerance it reflects. We respectfully request all members of the House and Senate to publicly and privately convey a similar condemnation; be it further Resolved That this proclamation of Condemnation be printed in the Congressional Record; and be it further Resolved, That United States Senator Robert Byrd make his statements of apology from the floor of the U.S. Senate.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on behalf of this publication. Every month, and this happens to be the last day of that month, we have Black History Month. We have that because much of the history of black Americans was not recorded and intertwined with history making. Often, we do not know our own history until we can get some publication where someone wrote something down about what was going on. All too often, we find the absence of anything that sometimes we accomplish unless it is breaking the law. Our young people need role models. They need to know opportunities are really available. When they can see a publication like this, then often it gives them that inspiration to feel that it is possible for them, too. That is why I think that it is very worthy of having it printed and updated now. Classrooms at every level can utilize something of this sort, and it is not because we think we are that special. It is because there are so many young black Americans that do not even know today that many of us serve in Congress and do not know what we do. It is very moving to walk into a classroom and students just want to touch you, because they think that where you have gone and what you have achieved is untouchable until you can say to them, it is touchable. It is touchable because the people that are featured in this book helped to make that possible. And the next one that comes out, it will be those people that helped to bring us to the next level. It is important, and it makes for a more positive attitude with our young people for them to work toward a most successful and productive future.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, to my colleague, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), let me thank you for leading this celebration series of speeches today. It is important that we at least once a year give notice to the history of the African Americans in this country. We especially think it is important this year, because we just had a very, very emotional, difficult experience with the past election, and the reason why we are so concerned about that is because we have had several turbulent periods in our history on our voting rights. As you know, we got them very early; then Reconstruction, we lost a number of people. We have fought and died for our voting rights, and, as I indicated before, as Santayana once said: ``Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.'' We do not want to repeat the history we have had in this country, trying to gain equal respect and equal opportunity for casting votes as citizens in the United States. So it is indeed important that we bring attention to this issue and plead and pray for a solution. I thank the gentlewoman very much.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for yielding to me. I also thank her for her leadership in leading this series of speakers tonight here on Black History Month. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to open the Congressional Black Caucus' annual Black History Month special order. This is the year that we will focus on a very important area for every black American; that is, voting rights and election reform. We do this in the spirit of Sankofa. In Africa, Sankofa is more of a philosophy than a single word. It means that we learn from the past, work in the present, and prepare for the future. So in the first year of this new millenium, it is fitting that we honor African-American heroes and heroines, on whose broad shoulders we stand. Mr. Speaker, we must mention those who paved the way to freedom in thought and deed, such as W.E.B. DuBois, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Mary McLeod Bethune, Sojourner Truth, Malcolm X. As Members of Congress, we must also take note of those who served in the political realm, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior, Ralph Bunche, Barbara Jordan, Fannie Lou Hamer, Adam Clayton Powell, Marcus Garvey, Shirley Chisholm. I could go on. These African-Americans and countless others whom I have not mentioned by name are the reason that I am standing here today in the well of the United States House of Representatives as chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus. They paved the way for me and for many of my colleagues in Congress. However, when I look at the past, we cannot forget essential elements of political representation and the right to vote. African-American men were first granted the right to vote as a result of the 15th amendment to the Constitution. That post-Civil War amendment to the Constitution guaranteed that newly-freed slaves would not be denied the franchise simply because they had been held captive. As a result of the 15th amendment and the use of Federal troops in the formerly Confederate States, black people were able to enjoy the fruits of liberty. They were able to vote, and their votes were counted. Between 1870 and 1900, there were 22 African-Americans who served in the U.S. Congress, and countless more serving in State and local governments. However, this era of reconstruction began to fade away, and in State after State the right to vote and to participate in democracy was whittled away by oppressive means such as the poll tax, the grandfather clause, and the literacy test. The right to participate was brutally wrenched away by the intimidation of the night-riding Ku Klux Klan and the questionable imprisonment of large numbers of black men on trumped-up vagrancy and other minor charges. We have to recall this history and be mindful, because we do not want to repeat it. But for most black Americans, the right to vote was a withdrawn promise that had been sacrificed at the altar of political expediency, the compromise of 1877 which allowed Rutherford B. Hayes to become President, who withdrew the last Federal troops from the Confederate States and ended the era of reconstruction. By 1900, segregation was firmly established. Jim Crow was the law of the land, and terrorism and lynching ruled the South. Between 1929 and 1965, only eight black Members were elected to Congress. It would take the passage of the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 to begin to restore African-Americans to the right to participate in representative government that every other racial and ethnic group in this country had freely enjoyed. This was under a Texas President. The President was Lyndon Baines Johnson. We stand here today with another Texan as President, and I know that he can do no less. Today the Congressional Black Caucus is 37 strong, dynamic, informed, and committed leaders. But here we stand, almost 40 years after the landmark 1965 legislation, and again are confronted with the question of whether African-Americans will be allowed to vote and whether their votes will count. In the words of the great Santayana, ``Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.'' We have read the past. We remember many of the past. All of us that are here remember the march from Selma to Montgomery. And, Mr. Speaker, for all of these reasons, I believe it is imperative that the first thing we address in the 107th Congress is election reform. As far as I am concerned, the entire integrity of our democracy is at stake for voting, and having one's vote counted is the very crux of any democracy. And our reputation and standing in the world is on the line. The world is watching to see if America, the matriarch of democracy, will right the wrongs of the election system which was so badly exposed in the last Presidential election, not just in Florida, but many other States around the country, including my home State of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last week, at the Democratic Caucus retreat in Pennsylvania, we were visited by our President, and when I was able to ask him a question, I asked him to support comprehensive election reform for this fiscal year 2002. In his budget, he responded positively. Election reform must be a part of the national discussion now, and we must solve the inadequacy of our system in time for the 2002 election cycle. But in order to do that, we would like to pass election reform legislation, not later than the 4th of July of this year. That is the anniversary of the United States claim of independence from the British system which refused to allow American colonists representation. We do not want any American to be refused representation. If we enact legislation by this date, State and local officials should have sufficient time to implement uniformity of our election system that it so critically needs. However, they must also be given adequate resources and incentives to ensure the blessings of liberty for all Americans. Now, our critics may say why is the Congressional Black Caucus talking about election reform? Why are they not talking about education reform, tax policy, the budget, maintaining a strong national defense, health care reform, fighting the scourge of AIDS in the U.S., and in Africa where this dreaded disease is killing entire villages and societies, to them I say we will address these issues, and the Congressional Black Caucus plans to be at the forefront of all of these issues and many others. But we strongly believe that our liberty and our democracy will not be free until we fix our election system such that the public and the world must have faith that in any election held in the United States, that the true winner wins, then the confidence that the world has in our great democracy will be damaged beyond repair. If we do not do it, our reputation will be damaged beyond repair. We cannot allow this to happen. I must tell you, Mr. Speaker, the world is watching. And as I have visited outside this country since that election, the question has been posed, would not the American people go to the UN and ask for elections to be overturned if they did not feel that it was a fair election? And yet, the greatest power of the world has not raised the question about this election. So it is over, and it has been decided by the Supreme Court, but we cannot move on. And so in this month of black history, as we reflect and as we celebrate our history and think about our African American mothers, fathers, ministers, teachers, officers, firemen, nurses, doctors, lawyers, painters, maids, maintenance people and any other community leader, we must say to them that your vote is as important as a vote of the Supreme Court, for it is us who must elect a President, and we cannot do it until we are assured that our election system is fixed. We simply must fix this system to ensure that we have a bright future for America. Remember, the words of Santayana, remember the past or we might be condemned to repeat it.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Diana S. Clark, former President of the Dallas chapter of the League of Women Voters, the Texas League of Women Voters and recipient of the Myrtle Bales Bulkley Award for her years of exceptional service. Mrs. Clark passed away on January 16, 2001 at the age of 71. Although not a native Texan, Mrs. Clark provided meaningful and significant service to Texas and its people. She began her extensive community service in 1965 and served on boards and commissions including the Waters Resources Council, the Texas Adult Probation Commission, Women's issues network, the Older Women's League and the Dallas Alliance. She was a founding member of the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center League. For twenty years, she was a volunteer mediator with the Dispute Mediation Service. During her tenure, she mediated civil matters and served as President and a member of the board. She also served on the advisory board for the Judicial Advisory Council of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and was appointed to the Commission of Judicial Efficiency. Although not a lawyer, the Dallas Young Lawyers Association honored her with its Dallas Liberty Bell Award, which is presented annually to a nonlawyer who has made the most selfless contribution to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of justice. I served on several volunteer organizations with Mrs. Clark. Because I knew her and her work well, I am deeply saddened that Texas has lost a veteran community leader. I ask the House to join me in remembering and paying tribute to Diana Clark, a great advocate.