Eddie Johnson

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, in 1913, a group of nurses established Children's Medical Center of Dallas as an open air clinic. Today, Children's Medical Center has been chosen among the top 10 children's hospitals in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. Children's provides exemplary care and resources to its thousands of patients, as well as a wide range of teaching opportunities to the future physicians and nurses of our country. As a former nurse, I am proud to have such an accomplished medical institution in my district and would like to extend warm congratulations to them for receiving such recognition. Children's Medical Center of Dallas is a private, non-profit pediatric health care center. As one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the country, Children's treats approximately 360,000 patients a year, with treatments ranging from simple physical exams to specialized care in heart disease, oncology, orthopedics, kidney disorders, neurology, respiratory disorders, neonatal care, urology, diabetes, and digestive disorders. Furthermore, Children's is a major pediatric transplant center, and also is the only academic health care facility and only designated Level 1 trauma center in Texas. Children's Medical Center of Dallas is continuously conducting research and developing new and improved treatments and therapies regarding pediatric diseases. It is my hope that Children's Medical Center of Dallas will continue its strong record of success and provide patients with excellent care. It shines as an example of excellence, and I truly appreciate the dedication put forth by the administrators, doctors, nurses, and everyone else there. Again, I offer my congratulations to Children's Medical Center of Dallas on its achievement of being named one of America's top 10 children's hospitals.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Let me thank the leadership of the committee for this fine bill. My amendment requires the Department of Defense to report on the need for and availability of mental health care services for servicemembers and their families that are stationed overseas. Many face depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome and are suicidal risks while trying to recover and readjust their lives. We've had more of this because we've had so many military members have to go back to the same war more than one time, and only a small percentage of them have been able to get any support. I thank our chairman for accepting this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I rise in favor of my amendment to H.R. 2647, the ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.'' Thanks to the chairman of the committee Ike Skelton and ranking member McKeon. My amendment requires the Department of Defense to report on the need for and availability of mental health care services for service members and their families stationed outside of the United States. Upon leaving the battlefield, soldiers' physical wounds are only half of their problems. Mr. Chair, before being elected to public service, I was employed as the Chief Psychiatric Nurse at the VA Hospital in Dallas, Texas. I have 15 years of hands-on experience with patient care, specialized in mental health. My experience has taught me that mental health patients need to be treated with mercy, communication, information, and understanding. My amendment today simply requests that the Defense Department report back to Congress on whether our health care workers abroad are adequately trained in detecting and treating mental illness and if we have the adequate resources and centers to treat these patients. While fighting two wars, we have more veterans than ever before returning home. Many face depression, PTSD, and suicidal risk while trying to recover and readjust to their lives at home. So far, only a small percentage of servicemembers who may have been inflicted with PTSD or depression have been given the proper and necessary care. Patients do not receive immediate evaluations or treatment. They have to wait far too long to be given a sufficient amount of care. It is, therefore, vital for the Department of Defense to assess the availability and quality of care of mental health centers abroad. By gaining a proper understanding of the situation, we will be able to make the changes needed to aid our servicemembers through their recovery process. This is why we must work towards fully understanding mental illnesses and continue to improve upon the care and treatment of mental health patients. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Rev. Dr. C. B. T. Smith who passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2009. Rev. Smith served the congregation of Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, for over 45 years and was regarded nationally as a leading theologian and skilled minister. Rev. Smith was born as one of 14 children to a sharecropper and a maid, and at the age of 20, he felt a profound call of service to God. In 1952, he became a pastor at Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church and began what would become a career spanning almost five decades. Rev. Smith married Rosie Lee Hartfield, on January 2, 1943, and they remained together for over fifty years until her passing on April 15, 2008. He is survived by several god children and three sisters-in-law. As a pastor, Rev. Smith was a powerhouse in the Dallas area. One of the central points of his ministry was to ensure that the church adapted to the changing social needs of the community. When Rev. Smith saw that many African American men were suffering from alcohol and drug addiction, he developed a program to focus on counseling and rehabilitation. Through his career, Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church saw the creation of many ministries and fellowship programs including a Children's Ministry, a Marriage and Counseling Program, and a Senior's Fellowship Program, among others. Today, Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church is one of the most vibrant congregations in Dallas with thanks in large part to the lifelong work of Rev. Dr. C. B. T. Smith. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in remembering and honoring the work and life of this great man who made a difference in the lives of so many individuals. He will be deeply missed.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, the amendment is to the section of the bill pertaining to the National Science Foundation. Education activities at the National Science Foundation are appropriated at more than $862 million. My amendment simply states that of the amounts appropriated for National Science Foundation education activities, $32 million shall be used for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities undergraduate program. The Congressional Budget Office has advised that the amendment will not affect the overall spending in this bill. The funding amount is equal to a modest 1.6 percent increase from last year's funding. It has been recommended by the administration and by the National Science Foundation. I, along with my colleagues on the Congressional Black Caucus Education Task Force, believe that educational opportunities are a key for our national prosperity. ``Give a man a fish, you feed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him for a lifetime.'' Support for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities undergraduate program is an investment in our human capital. This competitive grant program awards funds for curriculum enhancement, faculty development, undergraduate research, and institutional collaborations. Funds are used to encourage undergraduate students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math--also called STEM fields. Grants may also be used for initiatives to provide educational opportunities to develop well-educated math and science teachers. The funding level specified in my amendment will provide for an estimated two to four new teacher development projects. Highly qualified teachers have a firm grasp on the subject matter. They are able to capture their students' imaginations and get them excited about science. They demonstrate to the student that creative inquiry and rigorous investigation are the true heart of science. They stimulate, invigorate and inform their students of the value and accessibility of a career in STEM. There is a shortage of math and science teacher-experts, especially in high-need school districts. Data by Dr. Michael Marder at the University of Texas has shown that African American students fall behind in math test performance, beginning in the fifth grade. Experts have testified before the Commerce-Science-Justice Subcommittee on this issue, and I am pleased to see report language in support of the greater outreach to students at the primary and middle school levels. I'm also pleased to see experienced-based science funding get more attention and support. Young, smart minority students represent a huge untapped resource for our domestic STEM workforce. In the United States, 39 percent of the people under age 18 are persons of color, and this percentage will continue to increase. There are great disparities that exist. Our top-tier scientific workforce suffers from a great lack of diversity. For example, of all the employed Ph.D. engineers in this country, nearly 63 percent of them are Anglo, almost 3 percent are Hispanic, a pitiful 2 percent are African American, and less than 1 percent are Native American. These alarming statistics indicate that the current efforts are not enough. African American students drop off at every juncture in the STEM career pipeline, and we must do more to mitigate this loss. The National Academy of Sciences is working to produce a report this fall which will provide policy recommendations on how to promote greater diversity in the STEM workforce. This report will discuss the barriers that minorities face in the STEM career pipeline, and it will provide suggestions on how to repair the leaks in that pipeline. The report is of great interest to me and to my 65 colleagues on the bipartisan House Diversity and Innovative Caucus. We have sent letters to the Budget Committee, the Appropriations Committee and to the Office of Science and Technology Policy this year to try to get more attention on the issue on diversity. We are gaining momentum. We cannot ignore the fact that great disparities in STEM education and career achievement still persist. The good news is that Historically Black Colleges and Universities are powerhouses when it comes to producing talented, well-educated science and math Ph.D. graduates. In 2006, 866 doctoral degrees in science and engineering were awarded to black students. One-third of those Ph.D.s were awarded at a Historically Black College or University. As you can see, these institutions provide a relatively large portion of our terminal-degreed, minority STEM workforce. This educational model shall be rewarded with strong and sustained support. About a year ago, I started the House Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus because I believe that these institutions deserve more attention for the good work that they do, and I'm not a graduate of any of them. That is why I am proud to offer this amendment. I offer my voice on behalf of the 12.6 million black children in the United States. May each and every one of them experience educational excellence and the real promise of a bright future. An investment in STEM education is an investment in our future competitors. I thank the gentleman.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I yield.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of restaurateur Norman Brinker. Brinker, the chairman emeritus and former chief executive of Brinker International, died June 9th at the age of 78. Brinker, the founder of Steak and Ale restaurant in 1966, built Brinker International into a restaurant giant. He is most well known for turning Chili's Grill and Bar restaurant from a string of local restaurants into a national chain owned by Brinker International. Brinker's illustrious restaurant career began in my Dallas area district in 1965, opening Brink's Coffee Shop, and I am deeply saddened by the loss of someone so influential to the history of the city. In his time in the restaurant industry, Mr. Brinker has changed American casual dining, while touching the lives of many in the restaurant industry. At one time or another, essentially every major restaurant chain in the country had as its leader a former employee of Brinker. Aside from his commitment to the restaurant industry, Mr. Brinker also served as a board member and important counsel for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Mr. Brinker's legacy stands as a testament to interaction with the local community, and a foresight for changes in the restaurant community that would remain for years to come. I ask my fellow members of Congress to join me in honoring Norman Brinker and his impact both in the Dallas area and nationwide.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Chairwoman, let me first thank the Chair and ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs for their hard work on this entire document and for the privilege of offering this amendment. I rise to claim the time in support of my amendment that would provide assistance for Afghan women legislators. The amendment would create a program in the State Department to support exchanges between Afghanistan and the United States for women legislators, expand Afghan women's participation in international exchange programs of the Department of State, and promote the advancement of women in the field of politics with the aim of encouraging more women to participate in the civil society. This program would give female lawmakers of the National Assembly of Afghanistan new opportunities to improve their political and administrative skills and to identify and mentor other future qualified women interested in leadership in the public service. A new generation of leaders is helping to pave the way to consolidate and secure a stable democracy in Afghanistan. Afghan women legislators are helping to forge this path and already have contributed significantly to the country's democratic solutions. However, as a group, these women legislators face a unique challenge in navigating their path in the political system because of their agenda. Additionally, many obstacles stand in the way of the advancement of the status of females, including violence against women and restriction on women's personal freedom of movement. Given the current challenges with the status of women and rising insecurity, the Afghan women legislators can greatly benefit from increased professional and leadership development. The U.S. and the international community must ensure that Afghan women can safely and effectively exercise their rights as citizens. This amendment would also open additional possibilities to take part in an international visitors program and training through the State Department, which already maintains a similar program to encourage women in leadership in other countries. This would be paid out through the customary means for professional exchanges by the State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Taking part in such programs would not only train current legislators, but encourage more women to participate in Afghan civil society. Exchange programs such as these can help raise the awareness of democratic values. These goals are consistent with the national security objectives for Afghanistan and represent an effective use of our public diplomacy resources. I urge all of my colleagues to support the benefits of international, cultural, and education exchange and to vote ``yes'' on this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Chairwoman, let me begin by thanking Chairman Berman and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen for all of their hard work and dedication to improving people's lives around the world. My amendment affirms that the use of child soldiers is unacceptable. It is a violation of human rights, and the prevention and elimination of child soldiers should be a foreign policy goal of the United States. Around the world, children are being recruited by armed forces and exploited as soldiers. Amnesty International estimates 250,000 children under the age of 18 are thought to be currently fighting in conflicts around the world, and hundreds of thousands are members of armed forces who could be sent into conflict at any time. The use of children as soldiers has been universally condemned as horrible and unacceptable; yet over the last 10 years, hundreds of thousands of children have fought and died in conflicts around the world. Child soldiers are usually forced to live under cruel conditions with inadequate food and little to no access to health care. They're almost always treated cruelly, subjected to beatings and shameful treatment. Girl soldiers are particularly at risk of rape, sexual harassment and abuse while in combat. They're often forced into marriage arrangements and are at high risk for unwanted pregnancies. As a psychiatric nurse, I have seen firsthand the effects of war. The mental, social, and emotional abuses endured as a child soldier will last the rest of their lives, and they'll never know how to solve a problem without fighting. I am eager to work with the State Department to ensure that children around the world are off the frontlines of conflicts and in schools and on playgrounds. Children must have a chance to be children in order to be healthy, happy and productive adults. We must take a stand. Please join me in expressing to the global community that the use of child soldiers is unacceptable. I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Chair, I have no further requests for time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Thank you very much. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Louise Ballerstedt Raggio, a trailblazer and an advocate who has spent her life making sure that women and families have equal rights under the law. Mrs. Raggio was born in Manor, Texas and spent the early part of her life as the daughter of a hardworking, Texas farm family. From an early age, she learned the importance of perseverance and dedication to a cause, and these traits have remained persistent throughout her life. She graduated first in her class from high school and went on to earn an undergraduate degree with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin. After marrying and giving birth to two children, Mrs. Raggio began law school at Southern Methodist University in a time when it was not typical for a woman to do so. During law school, she gave birth to a third son, and although it was difficult, she persisted, graduated, and passed the Texas State Bar in 1952. Later, she took a job in the Dallas County District Attorney's office and took over all child and family cases. She was soon promoted and began doing criminal prosecution. During this time, she became active with the Texas State Bar and joined the newly-formed Family Law Section of the State Bar in 1960. She would eventually become Chairwoman of the committee, making her the first woman in Texas history to become Chair of any such committee. As Chairwoman, Mrs. Raggio and her committee uncovered 44 state laws which discriminated against women, and notably, married women. She began a campaign to enact a Marital Property Bill and after seven drafts, Governor Connally signed it into law, marking the end of a three-year effort. She was so successful that she was asked to undertake the entire revision of all family laws in Texas and after ten years the Family Law Section of the Texas State Bar created the first complete Family Code of laws in the world. Today, Mrs. Raggio has garnered numerous recognitions and honors including being elected the first female director of the State Bar of Texas. She is consistently regarded as the Mother of the Texas Family Code and Southern Methodist University has developed an annual Louise Ballerstedt Raggio Lecture Series in her honor. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in honoring the work of Mrs. Raggio and her lifelong commitment to a fair and just legal system.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the School for the Talented and Gifted and the School for Science and Engineering at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center for receiving the extraordinary honor of being ranked as the top two public schools in the nation. Each year, Newsweek ranks the top public high schools out of a possible 27,000, placing these two schools as the top two out of the 1,500 schools listed. For 2009 the Magnet School for the Talented and Gifted ranked number one, with the Magnet School for Engineering and Science ranking number two. I am delighted that these two schools have achieved such a distinction, placing them among the elite public institutions in this country. Additionally, I would like to recognize W. T. White High School which ranked 171st and Woodrow Wilson High School which ranked 637th. These rankings put all of these high schools in the top 6 percent of all public secondary schools in the country. Located in my district of Dallas, Texas, Townview Magnet is one of the most diverse schools in the state, with minorities representing over half of the student population. Given the diverse nature of the City of Dallas itself, and the increased globalization of most industries, the students attending these two schools will have the opportunity not only to impact the Dallas area, but on a global scale. This marks the third time in 4 years that the School for the Talented and Gifted has been ranked number one in the nation. This unveiling marks the second time that the School of Engineering and Science has been ranked second nationally, the other year being in 2007. This honor shows the values of a good educational environment, as many of the students attending these two schools will have opportunities to be the future leaders of this country. This honor will serve as an inspiration to the faculty, staff and students of Townview Magnet School to maintain a high level of work. I extend my appreciation for the hard work of everyone involved in achieving this honor, and lend my support to the future success of Townview. Madam Speaker, again, I congratulate the students, teachers, principals and parents of Townview Magnet School for the Talented and Gifted and the Magnet School for Science and Engineering on this honor.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce my support for AmeriCorps and to salute all AmeriCorps members nationwide. Since AmeriCorps was created in 1994, Texas has benefited from over 22,000 young people serving a year or more in our communities. Through programs such as the National Civilian Community Corps, City Year and Teach For America, AmeriCorps volunteers address critical Texas needs in education, public safety, disaster response and recovery, and environment preservation. These programs serve an important role as they provide an outlet for people to serve their country in a manner that had previously not been afforded. In the last 14 years more than 500,000 individuals have served through AmeriCorps and have earned education awards worth more than $1.5 billion, making the dream of higher education more attainable. This national service program has provided opportunities for growing numbers of Americans to serve our nation. AmeriCorps members serve thousands of nonprofit organizations, schools, and faith-based and community organizations each year. With the enactment of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which President Obama signed on April 21, 2009, three times as many American's will now have the opportunity to serve. This program has engaged millions of Americans in results-driven service in the Nation's most vulnerable communities, providing hope and help to people facing economic and social needs. With the current economic downturn putting millions of Americans at risk, national service and volunteering are more important than ever. Mr. Speaker, the AmeriCorps program has done great things for Texas and the country as a whole. I am indeed honored to support the significant accomplishments of this wonderful program which represents the very best of the United States of America.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to express my support of H.R. 1709--the STEM Education Coordination Act of 2009. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are critical subjects that are related to our national competitiveness. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I support the work of the Committee on Science and Technology as it developed and refined the bill. During committee consideration of the bill, I offered several amendments that passed unanimously. One such amendment was designed to strengthen the role of the Office of Science and Technology Policy in monitoring quantifiable progress of federal STEM education programs across the agencies. The amendment specified that the committee within the National Science & Technology Council shall determine common metrics to assess progress toward achieving the objectives in its STEM education strategic plan. In addition, the committee accepted an amendment added a responsibility of OSTP: to encourage and monitor the agency efforts to ensure that the strategic plan is executed effectively. Finally, I offered an amendment that required that the annual report submitted by OSTP should include a description of the outcome of any program assessments completed in the previous year. Better coordination of our federally-funded education programs for STEM is needed. H.R. 1709 aims to achieve that goal, so that good programs can be supported and refined. It is my belief that a more competitive America will come as a result of stronger, better- coordinated STEM education programs. I support this legislation and urge its passage.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 435 to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and pay tribute to the many achievements of Asian Pacific Americans across our Nation. The month of May marks several historical events in Asian Pacific American history. On May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States, paving the way for a great movement of Asian and Pacific peoples to immigrate to the United States. Only 26 years later, on May 10, 1869, the transcontinental railroad was finished, the completion of which is largely credited to Asian Pacific Americans. Due to these events, it is appropriate to celebrate the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and honor the sacrifices and contributions of this great community. Through the years, the Asian Pacific American Communities have made significant contributions to Texas's diverse culture. In Dallas, I am privileged to represent the largest Asian American Chamber in the United States with more than 1,200 members. I believe that we all learn from those who come from different backgrounds, and I can truly say that I have learned a great deal from my Asian Pacific friends and constituents. I would also like to recognize the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that shook Sichuan Province in China in May of 2008 and send my condolences to the friends and families of the victims. Today, there are over 14 million Asian Pacific Americans living in the United States, representing 5 percent of the population. The rich history associated with the Asian Pacific American community has left a lasting and important imprint on our country. Madam Speaker, I am proud to support this resolution and the Asian Pacific American communities in North Texas and across the United States.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Jack E. Singley and the 43 years he spent in service to Irving Independent School District. Jack Singley began his career in 1965 by teaching Math at MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas, and rose through the ranks of the school district to become superintendent in 1988. He served in that role for nearly 21 years making him one of the longest serving school administrators in Texas. Earlier this year, he announced that 2009 would mark the end of his remarkable career, and his determination, strength of character, and wisdom will be greatly missed. Throughout his career, Mr. Singley saw the transformation of Irving ISD from a small suburban school district to the large vibrant school district it is today. During his tenure as superintendent, eight schools were added to the school district and the number of employees serving in Irving ISD nearly doubled. One of Mr. Singley's most impressive successes was the creation of The Academy of Irving ISD. This high school opened in 2001 and is considered to be at the forefront of technological innovation and educational philosophy. After Mr. Singley announced his retirement earlier this year, the Irving ISD School Board voted unanimously to rename the Academy of Irving ISD to the Jack E. Singley Academy, much to his dismay. With great humility and regard for others, he asked that the school not be named in his honor and said, ``I honestly believe that when you're naming schools after local people, they ought to be volunteers, not staff members.'' Jack Singley has made such a big difference in the lives of so many students and teachers, and I cannot think of a better way to honor him than by renaming this academy to the Jack E. Singley Academy. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Singley and his lifelong commitment to ensuring quality education for young people in Irving, Texas.

Mrs. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Mrs. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in the Nation's Capital and its transition, on June 6, 2009, to the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure. With its headquarters located within my congressional district in Dallas, Susan G. Komen for the Cure reaches out both nationally and globally to women affected by breast cancer. I am pleased to honor the foundation today as they celebrate their achievements and continue to move forward in creating a world without breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded by Nancy G. Brinker in 1982 on the basis of fulfilling a promise she made to her sister, Susan G. Komen. Her promise was to end breast cancer forever. Since its establishment, Susan G. Komen has raised $1.2 billion from events like the Race for the Cure, contributing the largest source of non-profit funds dedicated to fighting breast cancer. As a result, there have been several advances in the fight against breast cancer. There is now increased government funding in cancer research, prevention, and funding, and an increased chance of survival due to earlier detection. Over the next ten years, Susan G. Komen for the Cure will continue to contribute to the fight against breast cancer. The foundation plans to invest an additional $2 billion to help find a cure for breast cancer and better the lives of women all across the world. As a former nurse, I am honored to congratulate them on their 20th anniversary of the Race for the Cure in the Nation's Capital, as well as their transition to a global organization.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 437 which recognizes the goals and ideals of mental health month. Mental health issues affect many members of the population, altering their lives and the lives of their families. Over 57 million American citizens suffer from mental illness, and it is one of the leading causes of disability in our nation. In addition, people who suffer from serious mental illnesses die on average 25 years earlier than the general population, many of them from diseases that could be treated if diagnosed early. Approximately 6.7 percent of the population is affected by Major Depressive Disorder, and more than 90 percent of people who commit suicide suffer from a depressive disorder before they take their lives. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has become one of the most serious mental health illnesses, with over a quarter of all U.S. troops suffering from the disorder. H. Res. 437 stresses a desire on the part of either those suffering from mental illness, or the families of those suffering, to seek help. As a registered nurse, I have seen firsthand the affects that mental illness has on individuals and their families, and I understand fully the importance of maintaining and advocating for mental health. This is an issue that affects many of us in some way, and we need to ensure that there is no stigma attached to mental illness so that those suffering can and will get the help they need. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in recognizing the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month and supporting this Resolution in order to raise awareness for mental health issues.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I rise to have a colloquy with the chairman. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit, DART, has been a leader in promoting intermodalism throughout the North Texas area region. And the City of Dallas plans to construct an intermodal connector that will provide passengers with an easy connection with the Dallas Love Field Airport. And I respectfully ask the distinguished chairman to work with me to ensure that Dallas Love Field Airport receives priority consideration for the program outlined in section 114 of this bill. I want to thank you, Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Costello and Ranking Member Petri for your work on this bill, particularly in the area of intermodalism as outlined in Section 114 of the bill. Expansion of passenger facility charge (PFC) eligibility to include Intermodal Ground Access Projects at Airports is of utmost importance to my congressional district. This Committee cares deeply about intermodalism and I care deeply about intermodalism.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I will yield.