Eddie Johnson

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my Chairman, Mr. Oberstar, and Chairman Obey for elevating the importance of Obey infrastructure investment towards the economic recovery of our Nation. I strongly support the Conference Report to H.R. 1, particularly the infrastructure components, which direct desperately needed funds into our Nation's roads, bridges, transit systems, airports, and water- related infrastructure. Each $1 billion of Federal funds invested in infrastructure creates or sustains approximately thirty-four thousand jobs and $6.2 billion in economic activity. The $64 billion dollars for infrastructure investments outlined in the bill will provide a real, tangible benefit to the seven hundred thousand individuals currently unemployed in my state--whether as a paycheck for those responsible for constructing these vital projects, or through increased productivity for small businesses that produce the materials needed for infrastructure projects. However, unlike other economic recovery proposals, infrastructure investment provides not only a short-term benefit to American families, it also provides a long-term benefit in terms of sustainable and reliable infrastructure, as well as the potential for increased productivity for the Nation's economy through the efficient movement of goods and services. Finally, infrastructure investment provides one of the only benefits that cannot be shipped off to foreign lands. The direct beneficiaries of domestic infrastructure projects are our towns, our local communities, our constituents.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on its 100th Anniversary. In 1909 the founders of the NAACP came together with the purpose of promoting the rights guaranteed under the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. Today, the NAACP works to ensure that all individuals have equal rights and to end racial hatred and discrimination. The NAACP has influenced some of the greatest civil rights victories of the last century, including: the integration of our nation's schools and the Brown v. Board decision; the Voting Rights Act; striking down segregation; and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act. It is particularly notable that this year's 100th anniversary also marks the first time in the history of the United States that we have an African-American President. The NAACP helped pave the way for this landmark achievement, and continues to lay the groundwork for future accomplishments in minority communities. Despite the advancements of the past 100 years under the leadership of the NAACP, there is still much work to be done. The NAACP continues to promote new ideas and leadership in the fields of educational and employment opportunities, ending health care disparities, and economic empowerment. The NAACP instilled in America a sense of consciousness, and it continues to do so today. I commend the NAACP on this anniversary and the thousands of individuals who continue to fight for equality and justice.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the passing of a pioneer in the field of commercial real estate development both in Dallas and around the world, Mr. Fred Trammell Crow. Fred Trammell Crow was born June 10, 1914 in Dallas, Texas, the fifth of the eight children of Jefferson and Mary Crow. Growing up in a rented one-bedroom house in East Dallas, Trammell Crow graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1932. Unable to attend college because of the Great Depression, Mr. Crow worked several odd jobs; eventually he worked his way through school at the American Institute of Banking and at Dallas College, the evening division of Southern Methodist University. Trammell Crow passed the Texas CPA exam in 1938 and accepted a position with Ernst & Ernst as an auditor. As World War II approached, he applied for and was accepted for an officer's commission in the U.S. Navy where he used his auditing skills. Later he was in charge of Navy audit teams that worked with various defense contractors. By 1944, he earned the rank of commander in charge of cost inspection for the Eighth Naval District in New Orleans. Mr. Crow married Margaret Doggett in 1942 and returned to Dallas in 1946, when his Naval assignment was completed. Mr. Crow went to work with the Doggett Grain Company where he would stay until 1948 when, at age 33, he began his legendary career in real estate. In the 1950s, Trammel Crow introduced Dallas to the idea of building on speculation. He soon became a major industrial developer in the city, building the huge Dallas Market Center in 1957 and his first downtown office building two years later. In the 1950s and 1960s, Mr. Crow developed the major merchandise marts of Dallas including the Dallas Design District, Dallas Apparel Mart and World Trade Center. Crow's agents did more than $15 billion in development and eventually gave him an interest in 8,000 properties, ranging from houses to hospitals, hotels and office buildings located in Brussels, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Miami, and Washington, D.C., amid others. Among Mr. Crow's many real estate accomplishments, he founded Trammell Crow Company, Trammell Crow Residential and Wyndham Hotel Company. He and his wife Margaret were avid travelers who particularly enjoyed collecting art during their numerous business trips. In 1998, the Crow Family made it possible for everyone to share their love of Asian art by dedicating the Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, a permanent museum located in the Arts District of downtown Dallas. He and his family have also donated $1.1 million for research into Alzheimer's disease at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Madam Speaker, Trammell Crow is survived by his loving wife, Margaret, his children: Robert, Howard, Harlan, Trammell S., Lucy Billingsley and Stuart, sixteen grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the milestone of a long time friend of mine, Mr. Gerald Borders. On January 20, 2009 Gerald Borders of Dallas, Texas retired, completing a 44 year career with Texas Instruments. Mr. Borders' career spanned a remarkable amount of change. In 1963, when he began his career as a contractor, Dallas suffered from segregated schools, public accommodations and facilities--including within Texas Instrument plant sites. He choose to coincide his retirement on the day of the Inauguration of Barak Obama, our Nation's first African-American President. I know that Mr. Borders thoroughly enjoyed his opportunities with Texas Instruments, in particular the time he spent as a full-time loaned executive to Paul Quinn College, a historically black college in the southern sector of Dallas. His time with Paul Quinn lead to a passion that would define the later phase of his career: education and economic development in the within that same southern sector in Dallas. One of Mr. Borders many projects mobilized tens of thousands of volunteer tutoring in Dallas's public schools. Mr. Borders was a tireless advocate of the Dallas Together Forum, which leveraged the purchasing power of major corporations toward economic inclusion for minority and women owned businesses. He conceived of and administered the Texas Instruments Community Involvement Team, which commits philanthropic resources to diversity initiatives for investment in neighborhood non-profits. He is a tireless volunteer for the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and among other roles, serves as chairman of their African American Leaders Society. Mr. Borders' knowledge, communications skills and leadership ability made him a highly sought after business leader by elected officials. For the past 15 years, I have requested that he host my Brain Trust Summit in Washington DC with the Congressional Black Caucus--an event that highlights the challenges and opportunities of science, engineering and math education within the African American community nationwide. Madam Speaker, please join me in wishing Mr. Gerald Borders a well deserved retirement and a joyful and fulfilling future.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chair, as snow drifts outside our nation's Capitol, we acknowledge that we as a nation are in the midst of an economic winter. I support H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, because I believe that the federal and state programs funded therein will provide needed stimulus to our economy. With record numbers of Americans unemployed, with our defense budget stretched in war, with our children slipping in educational competitiveness, and with the sick and elderly facing a deepening well of poverty, it is time to act. Congress and the Administration have swiftly assembled a package of wide-ranging support in many important areas. I particularly support the science and educational stimulus activities. Science and technology funding go directly to the high-tech workforce. Investments in the Advanced Research Project Agency for Energy will support research into energy sources and energy efficiency. The bill also contains funding toward a more reliable, energy-efficient electricity grid to keep up with tomorrow's technologies. It contains money for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to fund grants for research science buildings at colleges and universities. Funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will enable more scientists to conduct climate change research. Investments in scientific research are investments in our future. They will pay for themselves ten-fold over future generations and very well could save our planet from the destructive effects of global warming. Educational opportunities for all students are an imperative investment in our future. This recovery package will make bold investments to provide children with a 21st century education, modernize our schools and colleges, and make college more affordable. An investment of $14 billion for modernization of K-12 schools is badly needed. The legislation also contains money to enable bright students to go to college. It improves current higher education tax credits by creating a new ``American Opportunity'' tax credit with a maximum of $2,500, rather than the current maximum of $1,800. This expansion will make college more affordable for millions of low- and moderate-income students. It also provides additional support for the Head Start program, which will provide important development services to 110,000 additional low-income preschool children. Furthermore, the bill provides funds for competitive grants to provide financial incentives for teachers who raise student achievement and close the achievement gaps in high-need schools. We must invest in our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions. Currently, there exists a ``digital divide'' between HBCU campuses and their counterparts. There is a great need to update campus technology and develop educational and technological opportunities for students and staff. Because of their unique resources, HBCUs continue to be extremely effective in producing African American graduates and preparing them to compete in the global economy. HBCUs represent nine of the top ten colleges that graduate the most African Americans who go on to earn Ph.D.s. I request to insert data into the Record demonstrating the important value that HBCUs add, when it comes to minority education. The distinctive ability of HBCUs to provide opportunity and advancement to African American students is undeniable and is worthy of federal support. When Americans think of this landmark stimulus bill, shovel-ready projects may immediately come to mind. However, investments in research and in math and science education will pay long-term dividends. They not only will create new jobs, but they will elevate our workforce by providing an excellent education. These investments will open a world of opportunities for millions who previously had none. This bill is an investment in our future: tomorrow and for decades to come. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as Well as the United Negro College Fund Serve a Predominantly Low-income, Minority Student Population 60 percent of UNCF students come from families with average incomes under $30,000. 92 percent of UNCF students require financial assistance to attend college. 60 percent of UNCF students are the first in their families to attend college. Yet HBCUs continue to educate and graduate African American students at higher rates than other colleges and universities and with fewer resources. HBCUs represent less than 3 percent of all postsecondary institutions, but produce 18 percent of African American college graduates. In 2000, 40 percent of all African American students who received baccalaureate degrees in physics, chemistry, astronomy, environmental sciences, mathematics, and biology graduated from HBCUs. Between 1997 and 2001, more African American science and engineering doctoral recipients began their educations at UNCF institutions than at Berkeley, Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, Brown, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale combined. HBCUs represent nine of the top 10 colleges graduating African American students who go on to earn PhDs. Approximately 40 percent of African Americans with PhDs earned their bachelors degrees from HBCUs. In 2004, five of the top 25 producers of African American medical school applicants were UNCF member institutions. 85 percent of African American dentists and physicians earned degrees at HBCUs. Spelman and Bennett Colleges, the nation's only historically black women's colleges, account for more female African American doctorate-degree holders than the ``Seven Sisters'' institutions combined. Numerous studies have documented increased developmental gains and increased satisfaction among African American students who attend HBCUs compared to their counterparts who attend historically white institutions. HCBU graduates are more likely than graduates of other colleges to engage in social, political and philanthropic activities.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I want to thank the Chair of Transportation, as well as the Chair of Appropriations, for the hard work they put into this. Mr. Chairman, you know I strongly support the underlying bill. I know that I understand it differently than some others here. But if we keep doing the same thing that we have been doing for the last 8 years, we will get the same results. You can't do the same thing and expect the results to change. The needed funds for our Nation's roads, bridges, transit systems, airport and water-related infrastructure are very much needed. Over the past 2 years, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment has held numerous hearings on the Nation's water-related infrastructure needs, whether it is the $300 billion to $400 billion investment needed to restore and upgrade our Nation's network of wastewater treatment infrastructure, or the projection of $50 billion to $60 billion for vital projects of the Corps of Engineers. The water-related infrastructure needs of this Nation are struggling and growing ever longer, and the longer it is put off, the more it will cost. Each $1 billion of Federal funds invested in infrastructure creates and sustains approximately 34,000 to 47,000 jobs and $6.2 billion in economic activities. The $3 billion in infrastructure investment funding in the bill for the State of Texas will provide a real tangible benefit to the 700,000 individuals currently unemployed in our State, whether as a paycheck for those responsible for constructing these vital projects or through increased productivity for small businesses that produce the materials needed for these vital infrastructure projects. These people cannot pay taxes. They don't have jobs. However, unlike other economic recovery proposals, infrastructure investment provides not only a short-term benefit to American families, it also provides a long-term benefit in terms of sustainable and reliable infrastructure, as well as the potential for increased productivity for the Nation's economy through the efficient movement of goods and services. It also can enhance the overall quality of the Nation's water-related environment through the implementation of environmental restoration projects by the Corps of Engineers, and through the control of pollutant discharges from combined sewer and sanitary sewer upgrades. Finally, infrastructure investment provides one of the only benefits that cannot be shipped off to foreign lands. The direct beneficiaries of domestic infrastructure projects are our towns, our local communities, our constituents.

Ms. EDDIE-BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE-BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. Texas ranks last in the Nation in terms of taking care of its children. A report released in 2009 by the organization called, ``Texans Care for Children'' contains dismal statistics. For example: Texas continues to rank 50th out of 50 among the States in health coverage for children. Infant mortality rates have steadily climbed in Texas this decade, while remaining unchanged in the Nation as a whole. Texas still ranks near the bottom in child hunger, child poverty, and child deaths from abuse or neglect. The State of Texas continues to be ineffective at resolving the problem of uninsured children in our State. I am sympathetic to States' needs to avoid revenue shortfalls regarding SCHIP, and so I support Congress allocating the funds needed to cover children in need. Today's legislation is similar to a bill passed by Congress in 2007 and vetoed by the President. It would provide health care coverage to 11 million children in this country who currently have none. I support a generous expansion of this program. Children with health insurance are more likely to be up to date on immunizations and to receive treatment for sore throats, ear aches and other illnesses. Good health means fewer sick days and better school performance--and less burden on our emergency rooms. As a nurse, I can not over-emphasize how important it is for young people to have a medical home. Having a family physician can prevent so many minor illnesses from developing into serious, expensive illnesses. Health care coverage of children just makes good sense. I urge my colleagues to avoid delay in passing this bill, as it is critical for the health of so many children.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. King's legacy and to commemorate this day of national service. Dr. King once said, ``Everybody can be great . . . because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.'' It is that idea, that together we can make a difference, in this Nation and in the lives of others, that has prompted this day of service. I believe that the message of change resonates greatly this particular Martin Luther King Day. This past year, I have seen young people who have never before been involved in service working to change their communities. The ideals for which Dr. King gave his life have energized a new generation of peaceful activists. These young people may not have experienced the words and spirit of Dr. King during their lifetime, but his legacy drives their efforts and enthusiasm. It is a testament to his greatness that Dr. King's message has transcended time and generations. Dr. King called on all of us to no longer stand alone in silence, but to stand up together as a voice against injustice. He inspired us to fight for change through nonviolent means, and paved the road for us to continue that fight even after his death. Dr. King left us with the challenge to courageously fight and secure the civil rights for all, from the impoverished and disenfranchised underclass to the politically and economically endowed. And while we have made great progress, there is still work to be done. We must remain diligent and engaged in defining how our Nation will achieve this equality. Today's Martin Luther King Day is as much about the past as it is about the present and the future. Dr. King's dream is truly timeless, and I hope all will participate in this day of service to honor his faith and vision.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, today, I am pleased to speak about two bills that will go a long way towards establishing gender equity in American workplaces. The Paycheck Fairness Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act will help close the legal loopholes and restore the initial intent of our civil rights laws. It has been 45 years since the passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act of 1963, and while pay disparities have narrowed, a strong wage disparity still exists. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau women still make only 78 cents on the dollar to their male counterparts. We cannot deny that this gender disparity exists, and it is essential that we close the loopholes that allow it to continue. The Paycheck Fairness Act increases enforcement and accountability in cases of discrimination, and provides relief for women who face retaliation for standing up for equal pay. It also requires the Department of Labor to increase their efforts to end pay disparities. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a longstanding prior law making it increasingly difficult for workers to pursue legal remedies for pay discrimination. Today we will work to restore the intent of the Civil Rights Act through passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. We will no longer unfairly turn back to the clock on discrimination claims. An incident of pay discrimination occurs each time a worker receives a lesser paycheck because of their gender, and we must treat it as such. We can no longer distort the intent of the law to protect those who seek to discriminate. These bills are not only for women, but for children and families. For the millions of working mothers in America--many of whom are heads of households--it offers financial stability. This wage disparity is costing women between $400,000 and $2 million over a lifetime. Lower wages factor into long-term financial planning. Retirement and Social Security are based on income. Retirement aged women today are far less likely to receive a pension, and rely on Social Security benefits to survive. The wage discrimination women are facing today will continue to follow them well into retirement. We cannot continue to simply accept this disparity, and the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act are strong statements that this type of discrimination will not be tolerated. I would like to thank Congresswoman DeLauro and Chairman Miller for offering these important pieces of legislation, and commend the Democratic leadership for bringing these bills to the floor.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 34, the Gaza Conflict Resolution. We must end the current violence and bloodshed among both Palestinians and Israelis. This resolution reaffirms our support for Israel but additionally reaffirms our commitment toward a continuing peace process. With this resolution, we call for an end to the rocket and missile attacks from Hamas and ask that they recognize previous cease fire agreements between Israel and Palestine. In response to the attacks, however, Israel, as a sovereign nation, does maintain the right to defend its borders and citizens from aggression. This basic right to protect our people is not one that we should undermine. Our country knows too well that a response must be made when we are attacked and our way of life disrupted. However, there must be humanitarian considerations in any conflict, and there must be steps taken to protect civilians and prevent attacks on innocent school children. In both countries, as a result of the attacks and subsequent response, civilians are being killed, injured and witnesses to horrific tragedy. Humanitarian aid has only recently been allowed into Palestine and there is no doubt that there is terrible human suffering on all sides. It is my hope that this resolution will help offer a roadmap to a peaceful solution, and that there will soon be an end to the violence. We cannot forget that beneath the politics, there is great human tragedy. I will support this resolution, but believe that we must focus on ending this continuing violence and search for a peaceful solution for all parties involved.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to the late James Mattox. Jim Mattox was a lifelong Dallasite. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, he also worked his way through the Baylor School of Business and earned a law degree from SMU. He served as an assistant district attorney in Dallas County before beginning his long political career in 1973 when he took office as a State representative from East Dallas. From there he was elected to Congress for three terms and ended his political service in 1991 when he stepped down from his post as Texas attorney general. Jim Mattox will be remembered as a man who fought for average, working Texans, and who left an unforgettable mark on Texas government in politics. He took on airlines and the insurance industry--among many other corporations--on behalf of Texas consumers. He was one of the greatest attorney generals in the State's history. After his political career Jim Mattox became known as the ``People's Lawyer'' and built a truly modern law practice. He and his staff handled more than 2 million cases, won judgments totaling more than $2.5 billion for the State, and opened up the diversity of the office by hiring more women and minority lawyers than the top 10 Texas law firms of that era combined. Madam Speaker, Jim Mattox is survived by his wife Marta and their two children, Jim and Janet, as well as his sister, Janice, and brother, Jerry, both of Dallas. I ask my colleagues to join with me in honoring the memory of Jim Mattox. Although he has departed from us in body, his memory will live on in each of us.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Senior Corporal Norman Smith who died in the line of duty on January 6, 2008. An 18-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department, Sr. Cpl. Smith spent his career bravely serving the residents of Dallas, TX. With a heavy heart, I pay tribute to him and the impact he made in our city. My condolences are extended to his family and his fellow officers who are mourning the loss of a husband, father and friend. Sr. Cpl. Smith, 43, joined the Dallas Police Department in 1991 and most recently served as a member in the Gang Unit for the past 12 years. Deeply committed to stamping out the influence of gangs, he worked tirelessly to free neighborhoods crippled with violence, crime and drugs. He was instrumental in taking back neighborhood blocks long controlled by gangs in Dallas for years. His work in this area is now credited as a textbook case for Federal and local officials working to rid communities of criminal organizations. Throughout his career, he received numerous commendations and was honored as a Dallas Police Department Officer of the Year. There is no doubt that Sr. Cpl. Smith was not only exemplary of those who choose to serve and protect, but admired and deeply respected by all he met. He will be remembered for his strength of character, respect for all those he encountered and his deep commitment to his police work. He is described by his own Police Chief as having the ``heart of a warrior.'' Dallas has truly lost a hero, and we will forever remember the positive changes he brought to the community. His life was a testament to all that can be achieved through dedication to public service. My prayers are with his wife, Dallas Police Lieutenant Regina Smith, and his teenage son and daughter. He first met his wife while she was a young police officer, noting that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. During the time they had together, there is no doubt there was much happiness and a unique shared passion for their life's work. Madam Speaker, today we mourn the loss of one of Dallas' finest--Sr. Cpl. Norman Smith. Our city is forever grateful for the sacrifice he has made in the line of duty. His legacy will live on in our hearts and in the community he served.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Sixty years since its inception, the Declaration of Human Rights continues to be a foundation for the protection of rights and a statement to the world that human rights abuse is an abomination of the human race. On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration was established from the horrific religious and racial bigotry of World War II. The declaration represented the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. This declaration expresses to the world that human rights are not just a principle for the few, the wealthy, or for those who live in economically developed nations--human rights are universal and for all humankind. Today, we still live in a world where people murder their neighbors over religion, the color of their skin, and national ideologies. This is unacceptable. It is my hope that we as a world of nations can settle our differences through dialogue and treat our fellow man with dignity and respect.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I pay tribute to the life of one of my long time friends, Fred Baron. Widely known as one of the best trial lawyers in America, Fred Baron dedicated his life to making sure fairness was represented in the law and that the rights of the marginalized could not be trampled over. He was truly a champion of the working man, spending his whole career representing workers who had developed occupational illnesses. He was a pioneer in uncovering the harm that asbestos exposure causes. I was most proud of Fred Baron when he advocated on behalf of several hundred children in the west Dallas section of my district who lived near a lead smelter that polluted their neighborhood. Thanks to his efforts not only were those families able to move, but the area has now been cleaned and is being made once again livable. Fred Baron will long be known for the charitable work he and his wife were committed to. In 2002 he and his wife Lisa founded the Baron and Blue Foundation to help nonprofit organizations fight the problems of homelessness and displacement. The foundation was exceptionally helpful in helping many of the hurricane evacuees Dallas has seen in the last few years. Fred even spent many days after Hurricane Katrina consoling and counseling the victims who had made their way to Dallas, bringing them food, toiletries, and helping them out however he could. Madam Speaker, Frederick Martin Baron is survived by his wife Lisa Blue-Baron, his son Andrew; daughter Courtney and her husband Brad Singer and their daughter Liza; daughters Alessandra, Caroline, and Nathalie; brother Robert and sister Joan; and the countless others he touched in the years he spent with us.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise to address the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, DBE, and the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, ACDBE, programs that are vitally important components of the aviation programs we are extending today. These programs are aimed at remedying discrimination to ensure that all American businesses have a fair chance to participate in the business opportunities available at our Nation's airports. The DBE and ACDBE statutes and regulations have been carefully crafted and narrowly tailored to meet the rigorous constitutional standards established by the Supreme Court in Adarand v. Pena. As a result, all of the U.S. Federal circuit courts that have considered the constitutionality of the DBE program since the end of the Adarand litigation have found the statute and corresponding Federal regulations to be constitutional. The bottom line is that, despite the assertions of some critics, the DBE and ACDBE programs remain necessary. Discrimination against minority and women business owners continues to plague airport-related industries in both the traditional contracting arena and in the concessions context. Here in Congress, we see the academic and statistical evidence and we hear the stories of business owners that confront discrimination. We know that the evidence is compelling and abundant. For instance, disparity studies have been conducted across this Nation make clear that minority and women owned businesses receive far fewer contract dollars than we would expect in a discrimination- free market. Each disparity study is a little bit different, but most of them contain both statistical and anecdotal evidence of the ongoing existence of discrimination. When these studies are considered as a group the results couldn't be clearer: discrimination continues to be a problem for African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American and Native American business owners and for women business owners. This is true in every airport-related industry and in every comer of our Nation. Earlier this month, Don O'Bannon, chair of the Airport Minority Advisory Council, AMAC, testified in the Senate about the discrimination that airport-related businesses confront. His testimony revealed the severity of the bias that minority and women owned airport-related businesses continue to confront. At that same hearing Mr. O'Bannon also submitted to the record a few of the many disparity studies that have documented discrimination in airport contracting with statistical evidence. While these studies, from Dallas, Texas, the State of Maryland, Denver, Colorado, Phoenix, Arizona, Nashville, Tennessee and Broward County, Florida, represent only a fraction of the airport-related studies that have been conducted, they all tell the same story: discrimination still makes it impossible for our Nation's minority and women owned businesses to contribute fully to our national economy. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support the continuation of the DBE and ACDBE program and look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthening and improving these programs in the months ahead.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, my constituents are justifiably anxious about the threats this financial chaos poses to their savings, their children's future and their retirement security. I share their outrage that this administration and its supporters in Congress failed to prevent this foreseeable crisis and punish those responsible. I appreciate their anger and their opposition to using their tax dollars to bailout the executives of corporations who profited from the lax oversight of the past 8 years. I have been told that this crisis is called an economic Pearl Harbor. In those war days, American credit, which is necessary for all commerce, had stalled. Investors were pulling record amounts of money from even the safest investments, which meant that money for the short- term loans that businesses use every day were either unavailable or cost three to four times more than they had cost just a few days prior. If allowed to continue, the result would have been catastrophic for individuals and businesses alike. The war-time government developed a plan to have the government buy the troublesome securities on the books of financial institutions in order to rescue our Nation's and world's economy. Since the Reagan administration, deregulation has spiraled out of control. Executive compensation and buyout packages have outraged millions of Americans, and rightfully so. We cannot continue with the path we currently are on. This measure is aimed to do that. Madam Speaker, I truly understand that the cost of this rescue package may also limit discretionary spending. Federal spending also might be hampered by the much larger commitments that the government has made for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Regional economies, such as ours in north Texas, may have to fight even harder for scarce Federal dollars for roads, bridges and sewer projects. Creative solutions will be needed to find pragmatic ways to fund these needs. We need credit in order for this country to operate economically. Madam Speaker, state and local governments rely on their ability to borrow to finance special projects. Think of how new schools get built: a district issues bonds through a bond house, the bonds are sold to raise money, the money is paid back over time with interest. It's like a mortgage. Texas companies rely on free-flowing credit to finance both day-to- day operations and long-term needs. Credit is tighter for businesses across the region at the moment, something of particular concern to manufacturers. And individuals rely on credit to buy homes, cars, and to pay for college. In a troubled economy, now made more difficult by the credit crisis, it is more important than ever to work together to nurture job growth in north Texas. From worker training to transit to luring new business to helping existing businesses expand, a lot is at stake right now. If this really is our economic Pearl Harbor, then the way we, as a nation and as individuals, act in the coming days will be the measure of whether we meet the challenge with the same resolve as our parents and grandparents. For that, I intend to vote for this measure.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, there is a reason that the American people are demanding real change this year. Nearly 8 years ago, this administration inherited a Nation that was well respected abroad, fiscally sound and economically stable. Today, thanks to misguided policies and arrogance, President Bush has left our Nation's security in a more precarious and dangerous position. On the budget front, President Bush and congressional Republicans have turned a projected 10-year budget surplus of $5.6 trillion into a projected 10-year deficit of $3.4 trillion. On the economic side, home foreclosures are at record highs, wages are stagnant. More than 600,000 jobs have been lost this year alone, and Wall Street is in crisis thanks to this administration looking the other way for 8 years. The administration is now looking for a $700 billion recovery package with absolutely no strings attached. While they are trying to recast themselves as the agents of change, we know better. They have built a record of failure over the last 8 years, and America cannot afford more of the same.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I mourn the passing of a dear friend of mine, the Reverend Doctor Harvey J. Johnson. Madam Speaker, born and raised in the Gulf Coast region of Texas, Rev. Dr. Harvey J. Johnson was a fixture of Texas. For the last 24 years he served as pastor of the Cathedral of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, where I had the pleasure of counting him as my friend. Madam Speaker, Rev. Dr. Johnson was a member of many important Dallas area community groups including the Together Dallas Task Force, the Dallas Independent School District's Advisory Board, the City of Dallas Board of Adjustment of which he was chairman, and he was a member of the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Board. Madam Speaker, Rev. Dr. Johnson is survived by his wife of 35 years, Elnora Johnson; a son, Reverend Nathan (Michelle) Johnson; four daughters, Candy S. Wade, Sharon D. Brown, Felicia D. (Craig) Holloway, and Helena J. (Michael) Hill, 15 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; one brother, Melvin Byrdlon; one sister, Vinnell (James) Briscoe; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members, church members, and friends. Madam Speaker, Rev. Dr. Johnson cared deeply about his community and dedicated his life to serving it. For this our community was always better and he will be missed.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the financial crisis on Wall Street did not happen overnight. For 8 years, this Bush administration refused to regulate the very financial institutions that they are now asking American taxpayers to bail out. Congressional Democrats want to work in a bipartisan fashion to clean up this mess and to insulate Main Street from Wall Street. We will not be pressured into approving a $700 billion blank check for Wall Street that does not include any safeguards or any independent oversight. We simply cannot hand over $700 billion of the American taxpayers' money to the Department of Treasury and hope for the best. Any bailout package needs to ensure that the actions of the administration are being watched by an independent observer who can report back to both Congress and the American taxpayer. We also need to include some protections for homeowners who are in danger of losing their homes and some reasonable limits to the executive compensation for CEOs and top executives. House Democrats will work in a bipartisan fashion to improve the economic recovery package.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to make my colleagues aware of an exciting new facility opening in my district. The Dallas Arts District will soon be home to the Dallas Center for Architecture. Officially opening on October 7, 2008, the DCFA will add another facet to the ever-expanding Arts District in downtown Dallas. The Center will be at 1909 Woodall Rogers Freeway and will face the Woodall Rogers Plaza. In fact, the first exhibit at the DCFA will be about the soon-to-be-constructed plaza. I am excited about this addition to the already world renowned arts district in my hometown. The DCFA is designed for those interested in learning more about the art and science of architecture and will feature a wide variety of exhibits on topics such as environmentally sustainable design, historic preservation, adaptive reuse of buildings, urban planning, and a personal interest of mine--brownfield redevelopment. The DCFA, in addition to the exhibits for the public, will be a place of continuing education for the architecture community and the home of the Dallas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. I know this project is the culmination of the work of many people. Specifically I would like to acknowledge Tip Housewright, of the AlA, for being the commissioner of the Dallas Center for Architecture during its construction. This large project has been funded by gifts from 25 of the top local architecture firms and will be sustained by events hosted by the Dallas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Finally, as a Texan I need to note that the size of the Dallas Center for Architecture--it will cover over 9,000 square feet--will make it the second largest Center for Architecture in the Nation. It will be quite an asset in the continuing enhancement of Dallas.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor a great leader in the Dallas community: Dr. Claytie Odessa Searcy. Dr. C. O. Searcy was Pastor Emeritus and Founder of ``The House of Love Church.'' A native Texan, Dr. Searcy made history by becoming the first Black woman to receive a Masters degree from the University of Texas. She was the second person in the history of the university to complete a Masters program in only nine months. Dr. Searcy first began community work at the Moorland Branch YMCA in Dallas, Texas. Concerned about the boys' moral and spiritual life, she secured bibles for the entire boy's division and recognizing the need to strengthen the ``total family'', she organized a mothers' club which provided funds to send underprivileged boys to camp each summer. Dr. Searcy launched her community activities when she founded the C.O. Searcy Youth Foundation. The C.O. Searcy Foundation enabled Dr. Searcy to provide food, clothes, household merchandise and other much needed items to the families of her community. She offered the adults and youth extended GED courses in conjunction with the Dallas Independent School District. In 1966, Dr. Searcy then organized The House of Love Church, where she served as Pastor Emeritus. As Pastor Emeritus of the House of Love Church, Dr. Searcy spent her life serving others. When asked what ``life'' means to her, her response was, ``Life is about helping someone else see who he/she really is.'' Today, Madame Speaker, I would like to celebrate the full life of Dr. Claytie Odessa Searcy, on this the occasion of her birthday.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I mourn the passing of one of my political heroes, the legendary U.S. District Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders, Jr. Madam Speaker, Judge Sanders is best known for overseeing a desegregation plan for the Dallas Independent School District from the 1980s until 2003. Judge Sanders also directed the overhaul of state schools for mentally retarded people and served as a legislative counsel to President Lyndon Johnson. Madam Speaker, from his core, Judge Sanders symbolized civil rights. He knew that fairness took work, and his diligence is why he was able to make history and inspire a generation of my Texas colleagues. As an assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice, he was credited with helping pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965. As a Texas legislator, he helped write the Texas Mental Health Code. And as a federal judge, in a ruling that I believe took more courage than any other, he declared Dallas' segregated schools illegal. Madam Speaker, President John F. Kennedy appointed Judge Sanders as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas in 1961. President Jimmy Carter elevated him to the federal bench in 1979. Judge Sanders was a help to me personally with my acclaimed national and international Peace Initiative. His counsel and assistance were instrumental to its success. I know Judge Sanders as a man revered for his intellect and compassion. I will truly miss him; the void he is leaving will not soon be filled. Madam Speaker, Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders, Jr., born in Dallas, graduated from North Dallas High School in 1942 and went on to serve as a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1946. He received his law degree from the University of Texas in 1950 and served three terms in the Texas Legislature. In 1952 he married Jan Scurlock, who survives him. He is also survived by daughters Martha Kay Crockett of Dallas and Mary Frances Korsan of Santa Monica, CA; a sister, Martha Ann Schneider of Dallas; brother, Charles Addison Sanders of Durham, NC; and 10 grandchildren.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, this September marks the 25th anniversary of the Resource Center of Dallas, a long standing institution in the 30th Congressional District of Texas. The center's parent organization--the Dallas Gay Political Caucus, later known as the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance--incorporated what was then called the Foundation for Human Understanding in 1983. In 1988, the center established the Nelson-Tebedo Clinic for treatment, clinical drug trials and HIV testing. Today, the renamed Nelson-Tebedo Health Resource Center also offers HIV dental, STD testing and treatment, medical case management, insurance assistance, prevention and transgender health services. Nutritional services are available as well as hot lunches. To recognize the history of and the struggle for GLBT rights in Dallas, the Phil Johnson Historic Archives and Research Library was established at the Community Center in 1994. The Library also operates a 24-hour information helpline, which first started in 1985. In 1998, the Foundation for Human Understanding changed its name to the Resource Center of Dallas. It operates the John Thomas Gay and Lesbian Community Center, named after the founding executive director, and the Nelson-Tebedo Health Resource Center. Through its health and medical services, the center is a leader in HIV/AIDS education, prevention and services, and provides a full spectrum of STD prevention education, screenings and treatments. More than 1,100 volunteers and a paid staff of 44 make the Resource Center of Dallas one of the largest centers of its kind in the United States. More than 50,000 people each year use the Resource Center through its programs and services. From its roots as an advocacy group for civil rights regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, the center continues its dual mission: to develop programs and offer services for the GLBT community, as well as individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6627) to authorize the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to carry out certain construction projects, and for other purposes.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6460) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for the remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern, and for other purposes, as amended.