Eddie Johnson

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on September 6, I hosted my 11th Annual Community Appreciation Day in Dallas, Texas. A To highlight the talent of the youth in my district, Frederick Douglass Elementary School of Pleasant Grove held a student essay contest. The top 10 essays were selected from over 137 essays submitted. Each winner was awarded a Congressional Certificate of Appreciation and an Autographed Bicycle Helmet. The Grand Prize winner of the student essay contest, Maria Beltran (3rd grade), was awarded a Congressional Certificate of Appreciation, an Autographed Bicycle Helmet and a New Red Unisex Bicycle. The grand prize winner read the following beautiful essay to the audience. Maria provided us with words that should be shared with all. I extend her remarks for fellow Members of Congress. I know that we can benefit from her words as we face international challenges. If I could change the world, I would change it by doing something to stop the violence, because the violence is destroying the world. I would like to have a better place to live. I wish everybody would help each other and no fighting and no pushing and no killing people. I wish I could change the drugs for food, because a lot of children are hungry, I will help the homeless because they don't have any food, water or homes to live. If the people stop smoking they could have a better life for themselves. Because smoking can make you sick, I wish the children would listen to their parents and their teachers and respect them so they can have the best information of what is the best for everybody. I wish I could stop the wars. I wish a peaceful place to live, with no wars, with out drugs, only peace and love for everybody in the whole world. I am glad when the people are nice to each other. If I could change the world, these are the things I would do.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1303, and ask my colleagues to vote for it. H.R. 1303 will address serious concerns expressed by the U.S. courts about the E-Government Act of 2002. I believe the legislation will address these concerns while still serving the worthwhile purposes of the E-Government Act. In the wee hours of the last day of the 107th Congress, the House and Senate both passed the E-Government Act of 2002 by unanimous consent. The President later signed the act into law as Public Law 107-347. Section 205 of that legislation required the U.S. courts to establish and maintain Web sites containing a variety of information. Required information includes access to docket information for each case, access to the substance of all written opinions issued by the court, and access to documents filed with the courthouse in electronic form. The legislation wisely recognized that the public interests in access to court documents and the protection of privacy must be balanced. Many court documents contain a variety of personal information, including bank account numbers, tax returns, and home addresses. Unrestricted Internet access to all court documents in their entirety might, therefore, seriously compromise the privacy of certain individuals. In acknowledgment of these serious privacy concerns, section 205 requires the U.S. Supreme Court to prescribe rules ``to protect privacy and security concerns relating to electronic filing of documents and the public availability under this subsection of documents filed electronically.'' The Supreme Court is required to submit its prescribed rules to Congress, and the prescribed rules would be adopted if Congress failed to act to amend or reject them within 6 months. Section 205 also further dictates the substance of the rules that the U.S. Supreme Court must prescribe. Most relevant to the legislation before us, section 205 requires that the privacy rules adopted by the courts allow parties to file unredacted versions of court documents under seal. This language addressed Justice Department concerns that the privacy rules could impede the introduction into evidence of information it deemed necessary to prove the elements of certain cases. Because of the last-minute nature of the E-Government Act, neither the Committee on the Judiciary nor the U.S. Courts had adequate opportunity to review the final text of Section 205 before passage. Having now reviewed and reflected on Section 205, the Committee on the Judiciary had some concerns about the language. It is those concerns that H.R. 1303 addresses today. In allowing parties to file both redacted and sealed, unredacted sets of court documents, the U.S. courts believe Section 205 creates needless potential for confusion and error. In particular, the Courts assert Section 205 will needlessly complicate the process of making appropriate versions of documents available to juries and to the public, and for certifying appropriate versions of the documents for purposes of appeal. These concerns have been addressed in the legislation before us today. H.R. 1303 addresses the concerns of the courts, while accomplishing the objectives of the Department of Justice. In fact, H.R. 1303 as adopted by the Committee on the Judiciary represents a negotiated compromise between the Department of Justice and the U.S. courts. H.R. 1303 requires the courts to prescribe rules that allow parties to file a reference list with the court. This reference list would include both a complete and partially-redacted version of each personal data identifier. The redacted version would be used in lieu of, and be construed to refer to, the complete version in subsequent filings in the case. The list, which would be maintained under seal, would, therefore, serve as a type of key. This approach resolves the concerns of the courts by eliminating the need to file two versions of a court document. It meets the needs of the Department of Justice by allowing for the filing of unredacted identifiers where necessary to accomplish the elements of a case. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I believe this legislation is a proportionate cure for a previously-overlooked defect in the E- Government Act of 2002. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in support of H.R. 2655. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2655 amends the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998 to extend through fiscal year 2008. The Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program provides for admission into the United States each fiscal year of up to 4,000 young, disadvantaged aliens from designated countries in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. These youths suffer from sectarian violence and high unemployment. This program helps these youth develop job skills and conflict resolution skills in a diverse and peaceful environment so that they can return to their homes better able to contribute toward economic regeneration and a lasting peace in Ireland. This bill also makes a few changes to the program to ensure that the disadvantaged youth are those who benefit from the program. H.R. 2655 clarifies that a qualifying alien must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. It also clarifies that no qualifying candidate may have a degree from an institution of higher education. All participants in the program must also return home for 2 years, rather than 1, at the conclusion of the visa term. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

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

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 234. H. Res. 234 condemns bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, South Asian-Americans and Sikh-Americans, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it. This resolution condemns bigotry and violence against individuals of Arab-American, Muslim-American, South Asian-American, and Sikh-American dissent. It was introduced in response to concerns about an increase in discriminatory backlash crimes following the commencement of military action in Iraq in March of 2003. Specifically, House Resolution 234 recognizes the many contributions of Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, South Asian-Americans, and Sikh-Americans to the Nation and calls upon law enforcement authorities to work vigorously to prevent discriminatory backlash crimes against such persons and to investigate such crimes that do occur and reaffirms the House of Representative's commitment to assuring that civil rights of all Americans, including individuals of Arab-American, Muslim-American, South Asian-American, and Sikh-American dissent, be protected. In the weeks and months following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, this Nation saw a significant increase in the number of crimes committed against those perceived to be Arab-Americans, Muslim- American, South Asian-American, and Sikh-American descent. According to hate crimes statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, criminal acts motivated by bias against ethnicity/ national origin were the second-most frequently reported bias in 2001, more than doubling the number of incidents, offenses, victims and known offenders from 2000 data and the anti-other ethnicity/national origin category quadrupled in incidents, offenses, victims, and known offenders. Similarly, the number of anti-Islamic incidents grew 1,600 percent between the year 2000 and 2001, taking such incidents from the second- least reported category of reported religious-bias incidents in 2000 to the second-highest category of religious-bias in 2001. Mr. Speaker, there can be no room for hatred and bigotry in America. Our history has taught us that when we rise above such hatred, we are stronger as a Nation. Too often in our history, fear and panic have resulted in discrimination and even oppression by our government of groups perceived to be a threat. Invariably, when things calm down and cooler heads prevail, there is a great sense of national shame at the injustices perpetuated against innocent people whose only crime was their race, religion, national origin or ethnicity. It is important that this House go on record as condemning these reprehensible acts which betray what is best about our Nation. We are a diverse Nation, and we are the stronger for it. We are we cannot permit blind hatred to destroy that. In addition to this resolution, I would hope that this House will also turn its attention to the extent to which the government has assaulted the rights of innocent individuals simply because of their race, religion or national origin. In addition to the hate crimes perpetuated by individuals, we must be vigilant that the power of government not be abused and that people not be targeted by law enforcement even if they have done nothing wrong. The right to live free from violence and discrimination is a fundamental right of all Americans. So long as one American is denied that right, no one can truly be free. I urges all my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the assault on overtime pay is nothing less than an attempt to pick the pockets of millions of hardworking Americans. By stripping 8 million workers of their right to be paid for the hours they work, Republicans have issued another callous insult to families struggling to make a living. Since many of those who will be affected are nursing professionals, police, firefighters and other ``first responders,'' it sends another stinging message to the people we turn to and who routinely undertake the most thankless tasks in our times of need. Mr. Speaker, over 3 million Americans have lost their jobs since President Bush took office, and countless others don't appear in the employment statistics because they have given up hope of finding a job. Isn't in enough that the Bush administration has presided over the loss of 3 million private-sector jobs. It has failed to raise the minimum wage. It is allowing millions of older workers to lose half their private pension benefits. It has denied unemployment benefits to millions of workers who exhausted their Federal unemployment benefits. It has gutted worker safety protections, and denied working family's tax cuts--including the child tax credit--while showering hundreds of billions in cuts to the wealthiest of Americans. As an experienced nurse, I want to draw your attention to serious dangers posed by this measure which threatens not only the pay of millions of nurses and other health care workers, but also the safety of patients in our health care facilities. Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, are working an increasing amount of mandatory overtime, patient care and contributing to the ranks of the over 500,000 trained nurses who have left their field. Mr. Speaker, the current nursing workforce is aging. The shortage of registered nurses in my home State of Texas is becoming more critical. Texas will experience a deficit of 10,000 RNs by 2005, 16,000 by 2010 and 50,000 by 2020, according to a July 2002 report from the Health Resources and Services Administration. I am afraid that this will lead to drive even more nurses away from clinical settings at a time when the Nation is struggling to develop policies that will keep today's nurses at the bedside and attract more students into nursing for the future. It is unrealistic to imagine that nurses will remain in jobs where they have lost the guarantee that they will be paid premium wages, or any wages at all, when they are forced to work overtime hours. Mr. Speaker, what in the world is it about Americans who are working hard to provide for their families that this administration just can't stand? I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the motion to instruct conferees to accept Senate-passed provisions. We must block the Bush administration regulations that would deny overtime pay to millions of employees. Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Obey motion to instruct conferees on the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill. the Bush administration continues to have a failing record on supporting our nation's working families. Instead of giving workers a leg up, the administration continues to hold working Americans down. By altering overtime regulations this administration is cutting the pay for as many as 8 million workers. Among those workers are those critical to the safety of our communities: firefighters, police officers and nurses. In these hard economic times, workers need all the help they can get to support their families and their homes. Instead of working to create jobs, this administration is working to undermine the jobs that already exist. By taking away overtime pay, they would be removing income that many of these already underpaid workers have come to rely on to make ends meet. That's why I support the Obey motion to instruct because it will prevent the Department of Labor from issuing any regulations that take away overtime protection from workers who already qualify. Mr. Speaker, we must show our nation's working families that we support them instead of taking away their hard earned dollars. I urge my colleagues to support the Obey motion to instruct.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I pay tribute to the memory of a remarkable woman who was the first black player to win Wimbledon and a pre-eminent figure in women's tennis, Althea Gibson. I would like to extend my greatest sympathy to the Gibson family by taking a moment to reflect on the rich life of this fine person. The eldest of five children, Gibson was born in South Carolina but raised in the Harlem section of New York City. While her future opponents were developing their tennis on the courts of country clubs she was getting into trouble on West 143rd which was a play area blocked off to traffic. She learned paddle ball, a sort of poor-girl tennis with solid wooden rackets. She was a self-described ``born athlete'' who broke racial barriers not only in tennis but in the Ladies Professional Golf Association. She even toured with the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team after retiring from tennis in the late 1950s. On Aug. 28, 1950, three years after Jackie Robinson had broken the color barrier in major league baseball, Ms. Gibson became the first black player to compete in the precursor to the U.S. Open. Ms. Gibson dominated women's tennis from 1956-58, winning 11 Grand Slam titles: five in singles, five in doubles and one in mixed doubles. She captured the Wimbledon and U.S. championships in 1957 and 1958, and also won the French Open, and three Wimbledon doubles titles (1956- 58). After the circuit, she launched herself into the business of supporting herself. She toured with the Harlem Globetrotters. She was a proud member of a community service organization, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Gibson was known as a proud woman who for years declined to take money from friends who tried to help when she was living on Medicare and Social Security payments. Her front door bore a simple plaque: ``Bless this home and all who enter.'' I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the honorable and gracious memory of Althea Gibson. I am certain that her legacy will endure for years to come.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it really is time for us to admit the truth. Mr. Speaker, 9-11, 2001 had nothing to do with the unilateral first strike on Iraq. We think that when we mention the word ``terrorist'' that it is a buzzword and we all are supposed to understand that that is the reason why the attack came to Iraq. That is not true. It never has been true. It is not true now. Each time we talk about the cost of this war, we mention 9-11. It has nothing to do with that. It has more to do with trying to take over a country because you disagree with the leader, just like somebody could take this one over because they disagree with our leader, and boss it, steal their oil, or whatever. But we need to tell the truth about it. It is not the truth that it has anything to do with 9-11. Mr. Speaker, we are taking our public to be stupid when we continue to say that 9-11 is connected with the Iraq attack. If that had to do with it, we would have the support of the U.N. We do not, because we made unilateral, first strikes without a reason, because we were not under immediate danger.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in support of H.R. 2608. H.R. 2608 is the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2003. This legislation will strengthen a valuable Federal program which has the important goal of improving public safety. I want to acknowledge the leadership of the chairman of the Subcommittee on Research, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), and my colleague, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird), in introducing H.R. 2608. I also want to thank the chairman of the Committee on Science, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), for working in a bipartisan manner with this side of the aisle to further develop the bill and to move it expeditiously through the committee and to the floor. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, often called NEHRP, was established 25 years ago to address a serious seismic hazard in the United States. The program has the major goal of determining how to lower the risk to people and to the built environment. Today, 75 million Americans in 39 States are directly vulnerable to a serious earthquake. The potential economic losses in a large metropolitan area due to a major earthquake could be over $100 billion. These facts alone make the justification for NEHRP self-evident, and even after 25 years the relevance of the program continues. Most observers of NEHRP believe it has made many valuable contributions. In particular, it has increased our understanding of earthquake processes and has provided detailed information about the geographic distribution of earthquake risk. Equally important, the program has helped to improve engineering design and practice for structures and lifelines suitable for earthquake-prone regions. Nevertheless, much work remains to be done. The NEHRP can be improved and made more effective, which became evident from the hearings before the Committee on Science. More can be done on technology transfer that will bring into practice what has been learned from the research activities about the most effective and economical ways for enhancing seismic safety of the built environment. Also, some deficiencies needed to be addressed regarding the planning and administration of the program. In 1993, the former chairman of the Committee on Science, Mr. George Brown, wrote the President to express concerns about NEHRP. He cited the lack of strategic planning, insufficient coordination and implementation of research results and a lack of emphasis on mitigation. Unfortunately, most of these concerns are still valid. H.R. 2608 focuses on two aspects of the program most in need of improvement: program leadership and increased emphasis on transitioning the results of research into practice. Leadership is addressed by designating the National Institutes of Standard and Technology, the lead agency for planning and coordinating the implementation of the interagency program. NIST is charged to convene a process to develop a strategic plan and work jointly with the other NEHRP agencies to prepare a detailed implementation plan and budget for the program for submittal to OMB during the budget formulation process. The bill also creates an advisory committee of nongovernment experts to help guide implementation of the program and to assist the agencies in defining program priorities. Thus, H.R. 2608 puts in place mechanisms that will provide the leadership needed to ensure a well- coordinated, carefully planned, and effectively executed National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. In addition, the legislation authorizes the resources needed to enable NEHRP to achieve its goals. It authorizes full funding for the Advanced National Seismic System. This distributed national facility, which has been the highest priority of the earthquake hazards reduction community, was first authorized in the year 2000, but has been funded at only 10 percent of the level required. I hope that with this authorization adequate appropriations will follow so that the Advanced National Seismic System may be completed without further delay. The bill also specifies funding needed to complete the George E. Brown Network for Engineering Simulation and to support its operation. Moreover, the funding increases authorized will enable NEHRP agencies to expand their research activities so that this powerful new research tool can be fully employed. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2608 is a bill of national importance and will help improve public safety and mitigate earthquake hazards. I commend the bill to my colleagues and ask for passage by the House. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).

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

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take my Special Order at this time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as a nurse by professional training, I have spent much of my public career working to ensure that the Nation's health care system is affordable and provides the best possible services for all Americans. While Americans still have a world class health care system, there are those whose lives have been threatened by a focus on profits over healing. Mr. Speaker, nearly a quarter of the residents in Texas, my home State, lack health coverage. That is a larger percentage than any other State. The situation has been getting worse, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report to be released today. The survey shows 24.7 percent of the State's residents had no insurance during the 2-year period ending last December. Texas also had the Nation's highest proportion of uninsured in 2000 and 2001. I support a plan that would expand Medicare coverage for prescription medications. However, there must be some cost containment agreement with manufacturers and a streamlining of the Federal administrative structure to reduce costs to beneficiaries. Mr. Speaker, now is the time for all Americans to have access to quality health care and meaningful patient protection. Our citizens deserve and expect nothing less.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, as a nurse by basic profession, I have spent much of my public career working to ensure that the Nation's health care system is affordable and provides the best services possible to all Americans. While America still has a world-class health system, there are those whose lives have been threatened by a focus on profits over healing. I believe that a doctor and patient, not an HMO accountant, should make sensitive medical decisions. I also support a plan that would expand Medicare coverage for prescription medication. However, there must be some cost containment agreement with the manufacturers and a streamlining of the Federal administrative structure to reduce costs to beneficiaries. The Current Population Survey, the CPS, is the primary source for data on Texas's uninsured population. It paints a picture for the state of health care in Texas. My home State currently has the second highest rate of uninsured in the United States behind New Mexico. CPS data shows that there were 4.5 million people without health insurance in Texas, which is about 21.4 percent of the total population. The rates for the uninsured minority are also quite frightening. Blacks and Latinos are far more likely to be uninsured when compared to their Anglo, or white, counterparts. Nationally, 11.6 percent of the Anglo population, 20.1 of the African American population, and 34.8 percent of the Hispanic population are without health insurance; but in Texas, while 12 percent of whites are uninsured, 21.2 percent of the African Americans and 36.7 percent of Hispanics do not have medical coverage. Finally, one of my most passionate fights has been an effort to expand health care for children. I am a principal supporter of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, CHIP, the program that represents the largest expansion in health care in over 30 years. CHIP covers children not eligible for Medicaid insurance. Unfortunately, the rates for children without health coverage are also reaching alarming numbers. In the United States today, one in five children is without health insurance. In fact, in my home State of Texas 1.6 million children depend solely on health insurance provided by Medicaid. Limited access to health care contributes to growing rates of disease among children. Studies have shown that good health is a prerequisite for optimal learning, and schools can help children achieve academic success by participating in efforts that promote good health, including access to regular medical and mental health care. Protecting the health care of children should be the number one priority of any great nation. An investment in the health care of our youth is one of the wisest investments we can make for this country. Now is the time for all Americans to have access to quality health care and meaningful patient protection. Our citizens deserve and expect nothing less.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Taiwan's forthcoming National Day, I wish to commend Taiwan for all its accomplishments, both economic and political. I wish to extend to President Chen and the people of Taiwan my congratulations. Taiwan is one of the world's largest economies and our seventh largest trading partner. Its people participate and fully subscribe to the principles of freedom and democracy. The Taiwanese people have worked with the United States on issues ranging from endangered species to trademark infringements. They are also working with us to combat global terrorism. They look to us for cooperation, guidance and protection. Peace and security in the Taiwan Strait is vital to the security interests of all nations in the area. Taiwan has spent considerable sums of money helping African nations fighting AIDS and other infectious diseases. Taiwan is a staunch friend and ally of the United States. On Taiwan's national day, I wish to affirm my friendship for Taiwan and its people.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Transportation Committee, I would like to thank Chairman Young, Chairman Petri, Ranking Member Oberstar, and Ranking Member Lipinski for their leadership as our Committee continues to push a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill. I appreciate that they have made this an inclusive process. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration and the House and Senate Republican leaderships now obstruct our efforts to pass a full 6 year reauthorization bill that we urgently need to bolster our economy and create desperately-needed jobs. In tonight's Democratic special order, I will talk about the economic stimulus and job creation that Chairman Young's $375 billion dollar bill will provide our sluggish economy. But right now, I want to highlight a serious concern I have regarding this short term extension. The extra flexibility given to the States in this extension may create a dangerous challenge to the transportation priorities identified by local officials. My district is in non-attainment, and the City of Dallas, like every other city in this country, is in a serious budget crunch. If cities and MPO's do not receive adequate funding--even for a short time--congestion and air quality problems may worsen. I would like to remind the leadership of the Transportation Committee that I, along with many of our colleagues, will not accept extra flexibility afforded to the States if we have to pass another extension after this one. Cities and MPO's rely on federal transportation dollars just as the States do, and we should not disrupt a funding distribution scheme that we know works very well.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Ranking Member Lipinski for his leadership and for organizing this time for a special order this evening. The need for infrastructure investment is greater than ever. The U.S. economy desperately needs a shot in the arm. Our economy is in dismal shape. Unemployment numbers are the highest ever in the last decade. With this Bush Recession, family incomes are falling across the board, and falling most rapidly among lower-income workers. The increase in unemployment of the last two and a half years has had a disproportionate effect on people of color. The rate of unemployment for African Americans is 10.9 percent--more than twice the rate for whites. We need to put people back to work in this country, and we need to get this economy going again. Transportation infrastructure investment will do just that. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), every $1 billion invested in infrastructure generates 47,500 jobs and $6.1 billion in related economic activity. The 375 billion dollar surface transportation bill that the bipartisan membership of the Transportation Committee supports reflects the needs expressed in the Department of Transportation's own needs assessments! The legislation would potentially create over 1.3 million new good- paying jobs. This bill would put people back to work, and this is just what the American economy needs. We face rising costs--in congestion, in wasted fuel, in frustration, and in air quality. I support an increase in the gas user fee because we can not afford to allow infrastructure to continue to crumble. We cannot afford to bare the increasing cost of congestion (which was 67.5 billion dollars in 2000). We cannot afford the healthcare costs we will face as a result of breathing polluted air. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration and the House and Senate Republican leaderships now obstruct our efforts to pass a 6 year bill that adequately funds transportation infrastructure. But the need to invest in public infrastructure is genuine, and moving forward requires additional funding. Investment in infrastructure will improve mobility, productivity, and our quality of life. President Bush's tax cuts have only further harmed our economy. The Transportation Committee's legislation will provide REAL stimulus to our economy, and it will finally put people back to work.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I pay tribute to the memory of my dear friend and a remarkable woman from Dallas, Dr. Suzanne Insook Ahn. I would like to extend my greatest sympathy to her family by taking a moment to reflect on Dr. Ahn's rich life. Dr. Suzanne Insook Ahn was born in Pusan, South Korea and raised in the United States, She was a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Ahn trained at Parkland Hospital in Dallas and maintained a successful practice as a neurologist for thirteen years. She was the youngest person, and only the second woman, to serve on the Texas State Medical Board of Examiners in its 100-year history. Dr. Ahn was the co- inventor of 14 U.S. patents and founded the medical division of a start-up technology company. A recognized civic leader and advocate of women's rights, she founded the Summit, a group of Dallas women in decision-making positions. Dr. Ahn was instrumental in organizing the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of the American Medical Women's Association. Dr. Suzanne Ahn was a strong advocate for Asian Americans. She lectured across the country on civil rights and lobbied vigorously for the rights of Asian American workers at the Wards Cove cannery. Dr. Ahn led a march against Dallas nightclubs that illegally banned Asian Americans, In 2002 she led picketers at a bookstore in Plano that was denying service to Asian Americans. Dr. Ahn was a founder of the Asian American Forum that provides leadership training for Asian Americans in Dallas/Fort Worth. In 1991, Dr. Ahn worked in the Texas Air Control Board to control air pollution. As she often pointed out, half of all those with lung cancer are non-smokers. Indeed, the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex is plagued by severely poor air quality that will continue to kill some of our best and brightest--such as Dr. Ahn. Mr. Speaker, we must improve air quality in metropolitan areas across this Country or we will face disastrous consequences both in terms of our health and our economy. In Dr. Ahn's memory, I reaffirm my efforts to promote alternative transportation and cleaner power generation so that future generations will not grow up in a haze that will shorten their lives, happiness, and contributions to our society. I join the residents of Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex in extending our condolences to her family. A physician, inventor, community leader, and civil rights activist, Dr. Ahn was a remarkable woman who will be deeply missed and never forgotten. She will be remembered for her enthusiasm, her vision, her dedication to equal rights and her many contributions to the State of Texas.