Carolyn Kilpatrick

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, due to official business in the 13th Congressional District of Michigan, I was unable to attend to several votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on final passage of H.R. 3087, to require the President, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other senior military leaders, to develop and transmit to Congress a comprehensive strategy for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces in Iraq; ``yea'' on final passage of H. Res. 635, recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith; ``yea'' on final passage of H. Con. Res. 203, condemning the persecution of labor rights advocates in Iran; ``yea'' on final passage of H.R. 2828, to provide compensation to relatives of United States citizens who were killed as a result of the bombings of United States Embassies in East Africa on August 7, 1998; and ``yea'' on final passage of H. Con. Res. 200, condemning the violent suppression of Buddhist Monks and other peaceful demonstrators in Burma and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, Members of Congress, people of the United States of America, I stand this morning as chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus to say thank you to the thousands of people who are in Jena, Louisiana as we speak, and the tens of thousands around this country standing for liberty and justice for all. Unfortunately, a tragic accident happened in Jena, Louisiana. A gentleman has been incarcerated since December; the appeals court has thrown out the conviction; he is still incarcerated. Six young men attacked, two days before the incident that they are in jail for, and now we ask for justice. This is an important day in the history of our country. We rise, as we just said the Pledge of Allegiance, justice and liberty for all. Congratulations to the attorneys, to the coalition, to the families. Let's retry this in juvenile court where it ought to be and bring justice to the Jena 6. Congratulations, young men. Stand strong. We are with you. God bless.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I respectfully submit the following resolution, this 19th Day of September, in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven. Resolution in Honor of the NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) September 19, 2007 Whereas, the NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) is transforming the lives of historically underserved and underrepresented K-12 students, families and communities across America every day; and in many cases is saving the lives of America's youth by getting them off of the streets and supporting them inside the classroom. As an innovative national program designed to increase the participation and retention of historically underserved and underrepresented K-12 youth in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), NASA SEMAA has inspired, engaged and educated over 450,000 students, families, and teachers in as many as 18 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; Whereas, established in 1993 as a joint venture between NASA Glenn Research Center and Cuyahoga Community College, NASA SEMAA has grown from a single site started in Cleveland, Ohio by former Congressman, the Honorable Louis Stokes, to a national organization that is supported by a network of 200+ partners and stakeholders dedicated to improving the academic success of children nationwide. Today, NASA SEMAA can be found at 14 sites located in 11 states and the District of Columbia serving the educational needs in my district and other urban and rural districts. NASA SEMAA site locations include community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), elementary and secondary schools, science centers and museums; Whereas, NASA SEMAA harnesses the collective resources of NASA, institutions of higher education, science centers, museums, and primary and secondary schools to bridge the education gap for historically underserved and underrepresented K-12 youth in STEM. America is facing a serious shortage of young people entering STEM fields today. This fact, coupled with the high-tech workforce needs of the 21st Century and the lagging test scores indicating a lack of STEM proficiency amongst the next generation of leaders and explorers, poses a bleak picture of an America left behind. SEMAA is addressing this critical need by increasing K-12 student exposure and interest in STEM by delivering three core components, a K-12 hands-on/minds-on curriculum, a state-of-the-art Aerospace Education Laboratory (AEL) and an innovative Family Cafe; Whereas, the inquiry based classroom curriculum is aligned with national standards, and encompasses the research and technology of each of NASA's four Mission Directorates. NASA SEMAA graduates who have participated in the entire K-12 curriculum will have completed 441 hours of advanced studies in STEM prior to their enrollment in a post-secondary institution. The AEL is a state-of-the-art, electronically enhanced, computerized classroom that puts cutting-edge technology at the fingertips of NASA SEMAA middle and high school students. The AEL consists of ten computerized research stations that provide NASA SEMAA students with real- life aerospace challenges involving science, engineering, mathematics, and NASA technology. The Family Cafe is an interactive forum that provides STEM education and parenting information to parents, guardians, relatives and any supportive, adult role models that the student might have; Whereas, the NASA SEMAA program has been ranked as a 2007 Innovations in American Government Award Finalist. NASA SEMAA shares this honor with 17 distinguished projects, which collectively represent the top 2% of applicants for this prestigious national award. The award is sponsored by the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government's Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation, and is funded by the Ford Foundation. The purpose of the Innovations in American Government Award Program is to strengthen American democracy by increasing public trust. The annual awards competition recognizes programs that provide concrete evidence that government can work to improve the quality of life for citizens. Of special significance is the fact that NASA SEMAA was the only educational initiative to be recognized as a 2007 finalist. NASA SEMAA's success in elevating the education of America's youth to this platform is profound; a platform that addresses such critical issues as fostering renewable energy, improving health care access, promoting affordable housing, and fourteen other extraordinary and deserving innovations; and Whereas, we the members of the Congressional Black Caucus extend our sincere appreciation and congratulations to the NASA SEMAA program as well as to their participants and partners: therefore, be it Resolved, That we celebrate and honor NASA SEMAA as one of the Nation's premier K-12 STEM educational programs; be it finally Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the Education Office at NASA Headquarters, Educational Programs Office at NASA Glenn Research Center and the National SEMAA Office.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congress and Americans across the world, thank you. Thank you very much, Congresswoman Madam Chair Stephanie Tubbs Jones, for accepting the responsibility for leading the Special Order. Thank you very much. We need a new direction in America. We need a plan, one we never had 4 years, 5 months ago as this country struck a sovereign nation, Iraq. We need a plan. I would say a new plan, but we never had an old plan. So a plan is what this country must have. President Bush wants the same ``no plan'' to go forward. It is time for change: over 3,800 Americans dead, over 28,000 Americans wounded in battle. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, 43 members from 21 States, we represent over 40 million Americans. And to a person, all over our districts, they want a change. They want a new direction with this war in Iraq. Eighteen of our members represent less than 50 percent African Americans. Several of our members represent less than 15 percent African American. We represent the American people, almost 300 million in our country, 40 million represented by the members of our caucus. We represent Latino Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, Indian Americans, and African Americans. The entire multi- ethnic society are represented by members of the Congressional Black Caucus. So when we start our Special Order tonight to talk about the war in Iraq, a war we never should have fought, a war that has lasted longer than World War I, World War II, the Civil War, and the war continues, you might remember, America, last spring they were all saying wait until September. We sent a bill with benchmarks to the Senate, to the House, passed the House, went to the Senate. The President vetoed it. We sent him another one. They say, okay, we won't do another one; we will wait until September. Well, now General Petraeus is saying not September 2007; let's now give them until March 2008. No new plan. They are going to ask for $200 billion in the next several weeks. Already have spent $565.4 trillion of your tax dollars on a war we never should have fought. America wants a change; we want a new direction, Mr. President. We want to bring our troops home in the most orderly possible plan that we can put together. And I hope and the American people hope this administration as well as our military leaders will come up with a plan. It is your responsibility to do that. We support our troops. We support the veterans all over this country as well as those veterans who are fighting this war. The mental health needs that our country will have as a result of this war, we yet do not know. There will be significant needs for mental health services. This supplemental has very little money that is coming through. And this is a supplemental that we spent this year, 2007 and 2008. Understanding, again, we have already spent $565.4 trillion. Repeat that: $565 trillion in this war. We must bring our troops home. We must have a new direction. And as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, we will say it over and over again: set a plan in motion. Change direction for our country. Benchmarks. You heard also, benchmarks. What about these benchmarks that Congress, the President, and President Maliki put together earlier this year? It is really between President Bush's administration and the administration in Iraq, 18 benchmarks that they said they would meet by September. The General Accounting Office reported to this Congress last week they have met three of them. They are not sustaining their own government. They go on vacation, and they want us to fight their war. Our people tell us to bring our soldiers home. We hear it across the country, Republicans and Democrats as well as independents: bring our troops home. It is unconscionable that this Congress would consider as an appropriator and as a Member of this body as well as a citizen of this country 200 billion new dollars for this ill-advised war in the next several months. Rise up, America. Thank you for protesting over this last week. Keep the protests up. If you can't come to Washington, have them in your own State, in your own city. Let us hear your voices. It is too silent out there. This is a better country than that. So as we come to you tonight as Members of this United States House of Representatives, 110th Congress, where there have been 110 African Americans elected and voting in this Chamber over these many years, we are proud to have that responsibility and we will remain the conscience of the Congress. Bring our troops home. End this ill-advised war. Rebuild America from the ground up. Our children deserve more. Our seniors who built this country need more. There is no reason why we can't have top-quality education, good health centers, good environment, good infrastructure, bridges that don't collapse. But, you see, you can't spend $565 trillion of your money in a war that we should not be fighting and at the same time invest in America's future. So as one of 43 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, we say to you, America, become engaged. Speak out. Ask that we bring our troops home. Ask for a new plan. Ask for a change of direction. Our theme for 2007 and 2008 is change course, do something different. Join. Volunteer. Work for a better America. Confront the crisis of the war, of education, of health care, of infrastructure needs. And then for us to continue the legacy, not just members of the caucus but all Americans, continue the legacy of people who have built this country, who have laid down their lives. And, for us, so many of our ancestors and forebears who fought the civil rights movement who speak out today for a just America. So my brothers and sisters, American citizens, rise up, change course. Fight to end this war today so that your grandchildren will have a better America tomorrow Mr. Speaker: One of the costs of the war in Iraq that is often overlooked is the waste of tax dollars that could be used to fund programs and facilities that would improve our quality of life. America's families want access to well-paying jobs, affordable health care, and quality education. The War in Iraq presents a threat to our military readiness and the development of communities across our country. We must reinvest in programs that address the priorities of America's families to preserve the safety, security and stability of Americans everywhere. I was against the War in Iraq from the beginning I will continue to stand strong for the citizens of the 13th Congressional District of Michigan and America. We must take America in a new direction. Let us work together to ``Change Course, Confront Crises, and Continue the Legacy.'' It'S TIME TO CHANGE COURSE The citizens of the 13th Congressional District of Michigan have collectively spent $555.4 million in Iraq. For this much money, we could have provided, right here to citizens in the 13th Congressional District: 190,892 people with health care; 7,747 more elementary school teachers; 83,268 more places with Head Start; 379,635 children with health care; 4,477 more affordable housing units for working class people and senior citizens; 50 new elementary schools; 60,288 scholarships for college students; 7,670 music and arts teachers; 12,009 police officers, fire fighters and emergency medical technicians; 780,628 homes with renewable energy options; or 8,403 port container inspectors. [Progressive Congressional Caucus, 9/10/07]

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, due to official business in the 13th Congressional District of Michigan, I was unable to attend to several votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on final passage of H. Res. 257, Supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and voted ``yea'' on House Resolution 643, which recognizes September 11 as a day of remembrance.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, due to official leave of absence for business in the 13th Congressional District of Michigan, I was unfortunately unable to vote on several resolutions on final passage. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on final passage of H.R. 2276, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act, and ``aye'' on final passage of H.R. 3222, Defense Appropriations for FY 2008.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, giving honor and glory to God, who is the guide of my life, I rise today in honor, respect and celebration of family unity as I honor the unbreakable bond of the Sewell family. Natives of my home town of the 13th Congressional District of Michigan in Detroit, they personify what education, hard work, and faith can do. On August 16-19, 2007 the Sewell family will celebrate years of family closeness at the Annual Sewell Family Reunion in Baltimore, Maryland. As family reunions are an intricate part of our personal histories, as well as our country's, I am proud to recognize and salute the Sewells on this important, joyous occasion. For many American families, keeping intact can be quite a challenge. This is a particular challenge for African American families, who have to work twice as hard to ensure that families that have just come back together can indeed stay together. Add to this conundrum the fact that efficient technology has made it all too easy for loved ones to live over further distances and drift apart; that is why it is necessary to honor those families who take time to dedicate themselves to preserving family ties, the ties that bind. The Sewells started gathering together in 1980 and decided in 1999 to make their reunions annual. Family reunions have provided a special time to reinforce historic strengths and traditional values as the family renews and highlights dedication to each other. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in extending the best wishes of the entire U.S. Congress to all of the Sewell Family for a successful and heartwarming family reunion. We wish and hope that their event is educational, safe, and filled with love and spirituality. I am certain this year's reunion will be memorable. As Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and as a Member of Congress, the CBC and Congress hope their dedication, love and commitment to one another will endure for generations to corne. God bless.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. I thank you, Madam Chair, for yielding. I certainly appreciate your leadership and all that you do for this body. I thank you for being the coordinator for this Special Order as we move through this 110th session. We thank you for your leadership, delta woman. We appreciate you. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to stand here tonight as chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus. We are from 26 States. We are 43 Members. We represent over 40 million Americans. Eighteen of our Members have less than 50 percent populations of African Americans. The highest percentage that any Member represents is 61 percent African Americans. So we represent all ethnicities of America: Latino Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Arab Americans, Italian Americans, European, and the whole conglomerate. So we call ourselves the conscience of the Congress because we are they, 43 of us, 26 States, representing over 40 million Americans who can speak and represent all ethnicities in America. Disparities in health care is real. It's alive. And it is really determined by how you live, where you live, what economic standards are you able to afford with you and your family, from generations yet unborn. So we are here tonight to talk about how do we close that gap? What ought to be the policies of our United States government to take care of American citizens, 300 million of us, from disparate backgrounds? What can we do to close the gap? One thing we can do is to make sure that education, quality education, is had for every American; that they may compete not against Ohio or Michigan or California and New York, but to compete in the world, China, India, other countries of the world who revere, and in knowing that education is the key not only to a successful life but a key to adequate health care opportunities. Number two, that we invest in those communities so that we put the dollars where they are necessary, so that we don't have underserved communities as we have today across America, underserved as it relates to health care, their access to quality health care. Can they really participate in programs that make their lives better? When we have a healthy America, then we have healthier families, we have healthier cities, and then, of course, our country is one of health. We talk about disparities of health care, and it refers to the difference between two or more population groups, the outcomes and the prevalence of certain illnesses, heart disease, diabetes, access to quality health care, are we really providing what is necessary for America's families? And we, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, don't believe that we do. Our Federal budget is 2.9 trillion of your tax dollars. We round that off and say $3 trillion in this 2008 budget that we are dealing with. Of that budget three entitlements: Medicare, health insurance for 44 million American seniors; Medicaid, over 40 million low-income, disabled, and children's programs; and then our veterans, our proud veterans, who have fought in our wars ever since the beginning, some in battle, some in theater, some not, but defending our country. When you take out the main three entitlements, our Appropriations Committee handled 600 to $800 billion. Two-thirds of those monies goes to the entitlements, as was mentioned, and a few others handled by the Ways and Means Committee, where some of those health programs were had. And the other, what we call discretionary funding, is what is handled in the Appropriations Committee. Of the $800 billion in 2008, $600 billion of that is going to defense, to defense. Proud that we are of our Defense Committee, but never is it intended that two-thirds of that budget, three-fourths in many instances, will go to defend the country. We have to end the war. We've got to bring our soldiers home. We have to invest in American families. I believe that health care, education, housing, environment and access to capital are those things that this Congress must fund. That's why we have disparities, because many families start at a disadvantage; low income, poor schools, health crisis, unable to get quality health care. So as we come to you tonight as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, we ask you, America, stand up for what you believe. If you want a strong family, if you want strong opportunities, if you want investment in your children and in your families, speak to that. Our theme for the Congressional Black Caucus is ``Change Course.'' Do something different, America. Join. Speak out. Donate. Volunteer. Be a part of something that you believe in that will make America stronger. Health care, we believe, is one of those things that you will find yourself participating in. Change course and then confront the crisis. Confront the crisis of education. Why is it that our schools can't compete with schools around the world? Confront the crisis of the war. And yes, confront the crisis of the disparities in health that we find ourselves in today. We can do better. We can be better. Make sure you're a part of that equation. And then let us all rise up and continue the legacy. Change course, confront crises, and continue the legacy that all of us have put together as members of the African American Congressional Black Caucus, Latino Caucus, Tri-Caucus, the Asian Caucus as well. We work together to make sure that we begin to address some of the disparities that we see. So, Madam Chair, thank you for your leadership. Thank you as we try to talk to America to become involved, to change course, to confront crises, to continue the legacy that so many have given their lives and time that we might be on this floor tonight. This is the greatest country in the world. Let's eliminate the health disparities. Let's make our families stronger. Provide better education opportunities, better work opportunities and, yes, access to capital. When we do that, we will eliminate the disparities that we find now in our health system. With that, Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, the Greek historian Herodotus is often called the ``father of history.'' In his work, The Histories, he attempted to chronicle the origin and outcome of the Greco-Persian War so that future generations could learn from experience. Unfortunately, for the men and women in Iraq and their families and for the American people, President Bush refuses to use what we have learned to revise our strategy for Iraq, redeploy our troops, and refocus on the priorities and protection of America's families. The President continues to insist that America's involvement in the war in Iraq is an integral part of the war on terrorism. The Iraq Study Group, among other objective observers, repeatedly refuted this statement. Perhaps worse than this statement is that, despite the President's claims, the evidence indicates that progress is not being made in Iraq: America's families unjustly continue to bear the burden of war; they have paid the price with the loss of 3,600 lives and with injuries to 26,000 service men and women. The order of nature has been violated-- fathers and mothers are burying their sons and daughters. How many more of our loved ones will pay the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of others? America's families have paid more than $450 billion in taxes that have been use to fund failure instead of our future. We build stronger families and a stronger America when we provide our citizens with access to quality education, affordable housing and healthcare, well- paying jobs, and financial security. How much more will we spend before we realize that the very foundation of our future has crumbled beneath our feet? The Iraqi Government has failed to meet critical benchmarks endorsed by the President in January. The President has said, ``when they stand up, we'll stand down.'' The Iraqis have not amended their Constitution, passed an equitable oil sharing law, reformed laws to provide government jobs to former members of the Ba'ath Party, or held provincial elections. When are the Iraqis going to stand up? Seventy percent of Americans support withdrawing almost all U.S. troops from Iraq by April 2008; half do not believe that the increase in U.S. forces since January of this year has made a difference. In addition, several Republicans have joined Democrats in calling for a new direction in Iraq. However, the President continues to wage a war with complete disregard for the concerns of the American people and the counsel of military leaders. When will the President connect the dots and see that the picture he has drawn is not a pretty one? The Iraq Study Group stated that the use of the military in Iraq has passed; it is time for diplomacy to take place. Regrettably, diplomacy has not been seriously considered by the President, and internecine warfare and outright civil war has filled the vacuum of this viable option in Iraq. Also, the refugee problem in Iraq has worsened the situation in the Middle East; to date, the United States has taken in less than 200 refugees from Iraq after promising to take in thousands. Why haven't we taken in more refugees or fully allowed diplomacy to bear fruit? These are among the many reasons why I support H.R. 2956, the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act. I have opposed this war from the beginning and have been engaged in a continuing fight to change course. While our troops have performed heroically, violence remains high, and we must remove them from harm's way; we must require Iraqis to take responsibility for their own fate, and we must refocus on investing in America's families. This legislation--which is consistent with the advice of military and foreign policy experts, ensures the safety of our men and women in uniform, addresses our commitment to fighting terrorism, and reflects the will of the American people-- allows us to do just that. This bill: Acknowledges that our military has accomplished the mission they were given in the original 2002 authorization to use force and that Iraq is now responsible for its own future. Requires American forces to begin redeploying within 120 days and to complete the transition to a limited presence by April 1, 2008. Reiterates that the redeployment must be done in a safe and orderly way, with maximum attention paid to the protection of American forces. Requires a comprehensive strategy by January 1, 2008, for U.S. policy in Iraq, including a discussion of American national security interests in Iraq and the broader region, the specific missions remaining forces would undertake, and minimum force levels required to accomplish them. Names specific missions that the President must consider, but it does not require or authorize those missions. Requires the President to submit updates on the use of and need for any forces remaining in Iraq every 90 days starting on July 1, 2008. Dag Hammarskjold, a Swedish statesman and United Nations official, once said, ``There is a point at which everything becomes simple and there is no longer any question of choice, because all you have staked will be lost if you look back. This is life's point of no return.'' Certainly, the President and administration have reached that point. For them, the decision to stay the course is simple because it is too difficult to admit failure. However, as the representative for 670,000 of God's best in Michigan's 13th Congressional District, I am willing to make the hard choices. I believe the majority of my colleagues are, too. The President can no longer afford to let his pride get in the way of making the right decision. Our troops, our families, our international reputation, and our future are at stake. In the Bible, we read in Chronicles 7:14 that ``If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves . . . and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and . . . will heal their land.'' The international community--the billions of us who inhabit our home of planet earth--are children of God. We must learn to walk in the light and in love. It is out of my love of God, my love of the Constitution, my love of this country, and my love of my constituents, that I ask my colleagues to join me in support of the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the FY08 House Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee bill. As you know, this will be the first of the 11 bills that the House Appropriations Committee have considered that will have all of its earmarks in it as it first comes to the floor; and one in which all of its earmarks are publicly disclosed. We have ushered in a new era in Congress, and it is an era of which I am proud. I have attended all of the hearings the subcommittee has had this Congress, and have enjoyed my work not only with Chairman Jose Serrano, but with his staff of Dale Oak, Bob Bonner, Frank Carrillo, Karyn Kendall, and Deborah Bilek. We have had to make many difficult decisions. But I am proud to say that we have been able to make some major accomplishments. Among them include: CDFI/Bank Enterprise Fund-- $54,000,000. Along with Chairman Serrano, we were able to get an increase for funding for both the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, CDFI, and the Bank Enterprise Fund. Both of these programs are of vital importance to our Nation's urban areas, and help improve access to a wider array of financial services in distressed communities. Fourteen million dollars of this fund is to go to the Bank Enterprise Fund. II. SBA Microloan Program and Microloan Technical Support--$17,000,000 Small businesses are the engine that drives the American economy. This supports funding of the Small Business Administration's Microloan program and technical support for the microloan program of the SBA. The microloan program will receive a total of $17 million ($2.5 million for loan subsidies and $14.5 million for technical assistance). The President's budget proposed to terminate technical assistance and to provide no subsidy for microloans. I am also pleased that we were able to get report language that emphasizes and enhances the role of the Federal Communications Commission toward ensuring that all ethnic minorities, senior citizens and the disabled will not have blank television sets when the whole country goes from an analog signal to totally digital signals on February 17, 2009. Also, we were able to ensure that the Department of the Treasury step up their enforcement of companies that use predatory mortgages and loans on senior citizens, ethnic minorities, and the disabled. Not only do we have language in the report that emphasizes this need, we provide these agencies with the funding they need to do what America needs done. Finally, I want to discuss one area of particular interest to me. The bill, under its section regulating the District of Columbia, has a cap on what attorneys can bill for families of disabled children who need assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA. No where else in our country is this the case. This is a shame. During subcommittee and full committee consideration of the bill, I wanted to offer an amendment to remove this section. However, my staff and I have been working with Mayor Adrian Fenty, and will not advocate the removal of the provision this fiscal year. Mayor Fenty agrees with me that this provision should be removed; by the next fiscal year, language that does the least amount of harm to the citizens of the District of Columbia and which enhances the quality of life for all disabled children and their families should be completed. I ask unanimous consent to insert as part of the Congressional Record a letter dated June 26, 2007 that I received from Mayor Fenty addressing this problem, which will follow my remarks. I would like to say one word about earmarks. What has been missed in this debate is the fact that in this bill, like most of the bills that have come to the floor with earmarks, a good number of these earmarks are earmarks requested by the President. This bill contains $1.3 billion worth of earmarks specifically requested by the President for a wide variety of projects throughout the nation, mainly for projects by the General Services Administration. It seems to me to be hypocritical for the minority to have so much energy to criticize the earmarks of other Members of Congress, especially those of us in the Majority, while offering not even a hint of outrage at the earmarks offered by the President. This subcommittee covers over 700 individual agencies. We have so much authority, the Chairman has to give us cards with what it is over which we have jurisdiction. It is my desire that we can keep all amendments to this, and the rest of the bills that my colleagues and I have been working so hard on the House Appropriations Committee, to a minimum; that these bills move as quickly as possible through the House and Senate; and that President Bush signs these bills into law so that we can continue to work for the American people. Executive Office of the Mayor, Washington, DC, June 26, 2007. Hon. Carolyn C. Kilpatrick, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Kilpatrick: I write today on an issue of great importance to my city, and about which I understand you have a particular interest--that is, inclusion by Congress of a cap on the amount of attorneys' fees that can be paid by the District of Columbia government in special education cases in our annual appropriations bill. As you know, I opposed the cap when I was a member of the City Council, and, in principle, I continue to oppose the cap as a matter of policy. However, as Mayor, I am obligated to protect the fiscal health of the city, which was in such dire condition for a number of years in the 1990s that Congress intervened by creating the Financial Control Board, and I take that responsibility to my constituents very seriously. As part of that intervention, Congress also created an independent Chief Financial Officer for the District, who is required to certify that the District's local funds budget is balanced each year before it is sent to Capitol Hill. My FY08 budget has been by certified by the CFO. In order to meet the deadlines of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, as well as the Federal Office of Management and Budget, the District's local budget is normally developed a full year before Congress takes final action on it in the fall (or, as was the case last year, after the new fiscal year has begun). When a new mayor is elected, modifications to that budget are made during the transition and in January to reflect his or her priorities. Nevertheless, the District's local budget for FY08 was completed months before the potential for the attorneys' fee cap to be eliminated was raised in Congress. As a result, the budget that I submitted to the Council, and that was approved by that body in early June, does not include the multi- million dollar increase in attorney payments that the District would be required to pay if the cap is lifted this year. I am deeply committed to improving the entire public education system in the District, so that every child in this city has the opportunity to reach his or her potential, in terms of personal fulfillment and financial independence. That desire extends one hundred . . . June 14, and I appointed a new chancellor, Michelle Rhee, on that same day. A key area that I identified when I hired her as one where significant progress must be made in her first year on the job was special education. However, the improvements to the special education system that must be made to reduce the number of students and parents who are unsatisfied with the system and seek legal recourse as a result cannot be made overnight. In addition, because our local budget for FY08 is completed, if the cap is lifted now, we would have to reprogram much needed funds from other areas of the schools budget to cover the expected increase in attorneys' fees. For these reasons, I am asking that you allow the fee cap to remain in place for the coming fiscal year--so that, with the Council's help, I have the opportunity to develop a budget for FY09 that assumes removal of the fee cap, prospectively, and accounts for the cost of that policy change. At that point, I can assure you that I would support removal of the fee cap for special education cases brought after the beginning of that fiscal year. I greatly appreciate your consideration of this request and would be happy to discuss the matter with you further at your convenience. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share my views on the policy, as well as its fiscal impact, with you. Sincerely, Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, due to official business in the 13th Congressional District of Michigan, I was unable to cast my vote on two resolutions. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 189, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day,'' should be established, and ``aye'' on H.R. 2546--To designate he Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Asheville, North Carolina, as the ``Charles George Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.''

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, during times of crisis, the United States has always supported her friends. Egypt is our friend. Egypt is not only our friend, Egypt is our strategic partner, our peace partner and our military partner in the Middle East. It is shameful how we are treating our friend with the restrictions on military aid to Egypt in this bill. As such, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment by Rep. Anthony Weiner removing $200 million in military aid to Egypt, and in strong support of the amendment by Rep. Charles Boustany allowing military support to continue to Egypt without conditions. Egypt and the United States have a valuable, key and strategic partnership, one that has been underscored by the recent developments in the Gaza Strip. It would be toxic to the relationship that the United States has with Egypt, and our relationship to those moderate Arab states in the Middle East, for this bill to be adopted with these restrictions. In April of this year, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that: ``I have long considered Egypt one of America's most important, even indispensable, partners. . . Security challenges in the Middle East are significant, but can be overcome by Egypt and the United States working closely together in the region.'' Just last week, the world saw Hamas take over the Gaza Strip. Hundreds, if not thousands, of men, women, children, senior citizens, and the disabled are fleeing this region as refugees, many ending up in Egypt. In response to this crisis, Egypt's President, Hosni Mubarak, has invited Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Jordan's President King Abdullah II for a summit this Monday, June 25, 2007 in an effort to negotiate peace in this region. I commend to my colleagues the following portion of an article dated June 21, 2007 from the Associated Press that goes into more detail about the summit: Ramallah, West Bank.--Closing ranks against Hamas, Egypt's president invited Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian leaders to a peace summit, officials said Thursday, the biggest show of support yet by moderate Arab states for beleaguered Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The meeting will take place Monday in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, said Israeli government spokeswoman Miri Eisin. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has invited Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Jordan's King Abdullah II. Jordan confirmed Abdullah would attend. Abbas will call for a resumption of peace talks with Israel, arguing that only progress toward Palestinian statehood can serve as a true buffer against Hamas, which took control of Gaza by force last week, Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said. ``The most important thing to realize is that time is of the essence,'' Erekat said. ``We need to deliver the end of occupation, a Palestinian state. If we don't have hope, Hamas will export despair to the people.'' As immediate steps, Abbas will ask Israel to remove West Bank checkpoints that disrupt daily life and trade, and to transfer hundreds of millions of dollars in Palestinian tax funds Israel froze after Hamas came to power last year. Also on Thursday, Palestinian dual nationals and foreigners working in Gaza were allowed to pass through Israel for other points. About 60 Palestinian-Americans left Gaza for Jordan, and eight World Bank employees left the coastal strip, an Israeli army spokeswoman said. Late Wednesday, 35 Gazans who had been stuck at the main Gaza-Israel passenger crossing for several days were sent to Egypt via Israel, the spokeswoman said. Among those who left were gunmen from Abbas' Fatah movement, their wives and children. Hundreds of men, women and children rushed to the crossing after the Hamas takeover, among them Fatah loyalists who feared they'd be harmed by Hamas, despite the militants' offer of amnesty. By Thursday, the passage, rank with the stench of urine and garbage, was nearly empty after it became clear that a mass exit to the West Bank was not approved. Earlier Wednesday, Israel took in several of the sick and wounded in the crowd. In Washington, Olmert said he would propose to his Cabinet on Sunday that it unlock frozen funds, though he did not say how much money he thought Israel should free. Israel is holding about $550 million in tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinians. Despite the talk about peace, however, the Hamas takeover has dealt a setback to statehood efforts, with the Islamic militants in charge of Gaza and Abbas in charge of the West Bank.'' This Amendment is even opposed by the President. In a statement of White House policy, the Office on Management and Budget says: ``The Administration opposes the prohibition on a portion of the foreign military financing to Egypt contained in section 699. Military assistance is critical to our strategic partnership with Egypt and has contributed to a broad range of U.S. objectives in the region. Such a restriction will undermine the U.S. relationship with Egypt and send the wrong message to this important ally in the region.'' As a former Member of this subcommittee, I personally appreciate the challenges that Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Minority Member Wolf not only face, but surpass. This bill provides significant funding increases for many programs that I have, and will continue to, support. My objection is to Section 699 of the bill, a new provision, which sets conditions on $200 million of the $1.3 billion in military assistance to Egypt. This assistance is pending certification of the Secretary of State that Egypt is taking steps toward enactment of a new judicial law, including the principal components of the law and separation of the budget of the judiciary from that of the Ministry of Justice; steps to review criminal procedures and mass demonstrations by Egypt's police force; and steps to detect and destroy the smuggling network into the Gaza strip. The Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan contains one of the highest concentrations of Arabs in the United States. These tax-paying, hard-working Americans demand that the United States respect not just their homeland, but the past, present and future effort that Egypt has made manifest over the years as a strategic partner and toward peace. To remove this key support from Egypt, at this point, would signal an unnecessary reticence by the United States toward one of the few allies we have in the Middle East. I strongly urge my colleagues to support Egypt, to support peace in the Middle East, and to support the amendment offered by my colleague from Louisiana, Congressman Boustany and oppose the amendment offered by my colleague from New York, Congressman Weiner.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I respectfully submit the following resolution, this 18th Day of June, in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven. Whereas, Bishop Philip Aquilla Brooks II has rendered a lifetime of devoted service to his ministry in Detroit, Michigan. He is the founding Pastor of New St. Paul Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in Detroit, Michigan, where he has served for over 54 years. Since 1975, Bishop Brooks has been the presiding prelate of the Historic First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Michigan, which is also known as the Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction. In 1984, and each quadrennial since, the Lord has honored Bishop Brooks' dedication and loyalty to His work through the favor of men, by elevating him to the presidium of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., and the largest African- American Pentecostal Denomination with an estimated 6.5 million members in over 59 countries. He now serves the Church as the Second Assistant Presiding Bishop; Whereas, Bishop Philip Aquilla Brooks II is an individual with great vision and focus. Bishop Brooks established the March of Faith Telecast and Radio Ministry, which has ministered to countless millions across the nation in their homes, hospital rooms and behind prison bars for nearly three consecutive decades. Always the innovator, Bishop Brooks was the first among his peers on the General Board to establish a presence for his local church and Jurisdiction on the World Wide Web. He was among the first to broadcast his Sunday morning worship services via the Internet in a live Web cast every Sunday morning; Whereas, Bishop Philip Aquilla Brooks II compassion for all of God's children has caused him to expand his local church ministry into the areas of education, senior housing, food programs and other community outreach programs. He is the founder of the Grandmont-Rosedale Christian School and Day Care. He is the president of the New St. Paul Non-Profit Housing Corporation. This is a Community Development Corporation responsible for the building of Faith Manor Senior Citizens Apartments on the campus of New St. Paul Tabernacle. Under Bishop Brooks' visionary leadership, New St. Paul Tabernacle distributes hundreds of Thanksgiving baskets to needy families each year, offers tutorial services to students, and provides business incubator programs to foster entrepreneurship; Whereas, Bishop Philip Aquilla Brooks II is the third-longest serving Church of God in Christ bishop in the 93-year history of the church's influence in the State of Michigan, and is the senior Bishop in the mid-west region, including Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Ontario, Canada. He was consecrated Jurisdictional Prelate of Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction in 1975 by the late Presiding Bishop J.O. Patterson, Sr. During his tenure, Bishop Brooks' programs and initiatives have benefited all citizens of the State of Michigan. His latest contribution is the formation of the first black-owned Mortgage Company in the Church of God in Christ--Faith Community Mortgage LLC; Whereas, Bishop Philip Aquilla Brooks II established the nation's first Blue Cross/Blue Shield Program for local pastors, life insurance for local pastors and a Compensation Program for widows of local pastors. He lead the Jurisdiction in purchasing and renovating Northeast Michigan's jurisdictional headquarters, Cathedral Conference Center. He is directly or indirectly responsible for purchasing, financing, renovating, or building new churches for over 50 pastors within the jurisdiction; Whereas, Bishop Philip Aquilla Brooks II has served for almost a quarter of a century, as a member of the Presidium of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. First elected in 1984, Bishop Brooks is now serving in his sixth term. In addition to these duties, Bishop Brooks served for 12 years as a member of the board of directors of First Independence Bank; and serves on the board of directors for the famed Museum of African American History based in Detroit, Michigan; Whereas, Bishop Philip Aquilla Brooks II was inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum as a result of his contributions to the field of music in years past as a musician, and Music Department President, and presently, a worshiper; and Whereas, Bishop Philip Aquilla Brooks II, on April 11, 2007, was elevated to the Office of Second Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. by Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. Whereas, we the Members of the Congressional Black Caucus extend our sincere appreciation and highest respect to Bishop Philip Aquilla Brooks II and the entire COGIC Denomination. Therefore, be it resolved, that we celebrate and honor the elevation of Bishop Philip Aquilla Brooks II for his lifetime of devotion, dedication, dignity and honor; his faithful service to all human beings, and for being a world-wide spiritual leader, especially within the Church of God in Christ. Be it finally resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Bishop Philip Aquilla Brooks II, the family and that a copy be placed in the records of the Church.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, as a Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Committee, I come to you, America, with a good bill. It is unfortunate the tactics over the last 24 hours has not allowed us to move forward to protect American citizens. The President's budget came to us with a cut of $50 million for the first responders. Homeland security has to talk about hometown security. It is about a partnership with our Federal Government, our State government, and our local communities. So right off the bat a budget that cuts first responders $50 million is not a good budget. We have before us a good budget, a budget that has been put together so that it takes care of hometowns better than presently. So that if, God forbid, another terrorist attack or natural disaster happens, we will be better able to meet that need. It is a budget that I believe deserves our support. And when passed by this Congress, and I predict it will be passed after the tactics have wilted and gone away, then we will have a good bill. I am from the State of Michigan. In Michigan, we have the largest population of Arab Americans outside of the Middle East. They have been our friends for decades. They work in our communities and go to school with our children. They produce and pay taxes. It is unfortunate after 9/11 a population of Arabs from other countries brought havoc on our country, and they should be caught, they should be punished, and they should be dealt with. I only mention the Arab population because I also in my district have the international waterway of the Detroit River that separates the city of Detroit from the country of Canada, Windsor, Ontario, Canada specifically. Canada is one of the greatest friends that our country has. I am sad to report, as you know, many countries in this world are not so friendly to the U.S. because of many things that have happened by this administration over the last 8 or so years. But the bill before us is a good one. It protects the northern border where I come from, where things come in and out of that border every day. Over a billion dollars of commerce passes the Ambassador Bridge every day. This bill provides more money to protect America, protect commerce, and protect the people who live in that region. The local grants, the grants to first responders have been increased in this bill. We need to have that partnership. You can't talk about homeland security unless you talk adequately about hometown security. This bill does that. We talk all of the time about how we move forward in this country. I believe it is how we work together in a bipartisan way; and over the last almost 24 hours now, in a bill that is almost $35 billion, we have been unable to move forward to protect Americans citizens. Your Federal budget is $2.9 trillion. There are three main entitlements that we pay for to help American citizens, 44 million Americans who are participants in our Medicare program, entitlements that are part of that budget, Medicaid, low-income, disabled children, over 40 million of them who are part of this budget. And our veterans, veterans who have protected this country since our inception. We have to treat them better, and this budget and the budgets that come after this do that. The President's budget did not. This is the first of 12 budgets, and it is unfortunate that we are at a stalemate and can't protect American citizens. Mr. Chairman, I stand here asking that the process go forward. You have made your point. We hope that we come back and have some kind of dialogue so we can better make the proposition that America deserves to be protected, as this Homeland Security bill does. In the metropolitan area of Detroit, we have 5 million people who live in that area, 219 cities and townships. It hosts the largest multicultural population probably in this country. We need a good Homeland Security bill. We have one here before us. Let's let the process go on. I hope the leadership on both sides of the aisle can come together and talk about how we can move this process. We don't need to be stalemated. Yes, we can stay. We can stay for the next 2 months and never go home, but is that really what America needs us to do? Recently, regarding the Congress, like the President, the American people have said they are disappointed with both of us. They want us to move forward. Let's pass this Homeland Security bill and get on with the business of building the Nation for God's children.

Ms. KILPATRICK. Not at this time, but I would be happy to work with you to get that. The money has been appropriated. All of the locals that have come before our committee have asked that we give them more help. Intraoperability is a major problem. They need the technology so they can operate and protect the people they represent.

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. KILPATRICK. I certainly agree with the gentleman. We need to see that the money moves out. There also has to be staffing and organizations to make sure that the money that is appropriated is spent wisely. Locals need it, and it is our responsibility to get it to them.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, my love of the Constitution of the United States of America, and my hatred of unfair precedents, equals my vote against the Minority Leader's resolution. Mr. Speaker, today, I was one of the 26 Members of Congress who voted against the privileged resolution offered by Minority Leader John Boehner. My opposition to this resolution has little to do with the serious allegations against Congressman William Jefferson, and everything to do with the oath that each and every Member of Congress took in this very chamber--to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. In America, we have a Constitutional principle of innocence before being proven guilty and that no citizen shall be ``deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.'' The resolution by the Minority Leader will not allow our system of justice to work. If the system of justice is not allowed to work for a Member of Congress, for whom should the system work? I also oppose this measure because of the horrible precedent it establishes. Instead of illustrating and penalizing those instances of law breaking and working toward establishing higher standards for all Members of Congress, the Minority Leader's resolution puts the behavior of one individual under a microscope. Instead of seeking an opportunity to improve the behavior of all Members of Congress, this resolution makes the political low blow of focusing on the behavior of one. Members of Congress certainly know, or should know, that the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, also known as the Ethics Committee, has traditionally deferred criminal matters to the Department of Justice. This makes perfect sense. The Department of Justice will carry out an investigation, offer a platform for the proving of innocence or guilt, and allows the adjudication of citizens before their peers. The resolution offered by the Majority Leader allows this process to occur, and upon its conclusion, for Congress to then make a decision based on the merit of the facts. The Minority Leader's resolution reaches a conclusion before the facts have even come to court. Indeed, it reaches a conclusion before Congressman Jefferson is even formally arraigned. The disrespect this resolution has for our Constitution that we have all sworn to uphold and defend by not allowing our system of justice to work its will; the absolute terrible precedent this resolution makes in establishing guilt based not on facts but politics; and by focusing on only one Member of Congress instead of seeking to reform or address the behavior of all Members of Congress, are the reasons why I cast my vote against this measure.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, due to official business in the 13th Congressional District of Michigan, I was unable to be present for three votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H.R. 407, the Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area Study Act; ``yea'' on H.R. 1025, the Lower Republican River Basin Study Act; and ``yea'' on H. Res 371, In observance of National Physical Education and Sports Week.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of every Congress, every member of this august body takes an oath to ``defend and protect the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic.'' It is an oath that I am proud that the majority of the citizens of the 13th Congressional District of Michigan have honored me with their vote for more than 12 years. One of the most important duties that I have as a Member of the United States House of Representatives is to protect and defend its citizens, which is precisely what H.R. 1592, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, introduced by my fellow Michigander and Detroiter, one of the founders of the Congressional Black Caucus, House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, Jr. This bill protects all Americans from bias-motivated violence; it provides funds so that local authorities can tackle the tough challenge of hate crimes, and it protects the First Amendment to the Constitution. It does not criminalize speech or thoughts; it does not give some people ``special rights,'' and it is not anti-Christian. As a child and as a proud Christian, the least common denominator of all of the lessons that I learned from my parents and minister is about God's ethic of love. Along that, I learned from the practices of my parents and my minister my divine responsibility to love our neighbors as ourselves. Indeed, it is out of my love that all of my brothers and sisters, and the activism that Jesus Christ illustrated through loving His enemies, through His compassion for the poor, the down trodden, and those who seek justice, that I became an activist, a state legislator and now a Member of Congress. It is that thirst for justice for all human beings that drives all that I do, guided by unerring and infinite wisdom and faith in God. Despite the teachings of my parents and that of countless clergy--of all religions--around our Nation, there are some who perpetrate crime with hatred and bigotry in their heart. Who can forget that, during the civil rights era, the murders of the courageous Medgar Evers? Who can forget the killing of civil rights workers James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman for merely registering African Americans to vote? Who can forget the murder of native Detroiter Viola Liuzzo, who was gunned down as she drove civil rights workers to voting booths? All of these crimes, motivated by some bias, were ultimately prosecuted under Federal laws because, at the time, local authorities were either unable or unwilling to prosecute these crimes. These crimes could only be prosecuted because all of these individuals were participating in activities protected by the Federal Government--helping individuals vote or register to vote, for example. Only in limited, specific instances does this law even apply. I vote in support of H.R. 1592 because H.R. 1592 sends a powerful message that all crime motivated by hatred and bias will not be tolerated in our society. I have voted for this bill at every opportunity when it came before the U.S. Congress. This legislation strengthens Federal law by providing local authorities with more money to prosecute hate crime and by expanding the jurisdiction to crimes motivated by bias against the victims actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, or disability. Unfortunately, opponents of this bill are shamelessly advancing false claims about the bill's impact on religion, particularly the freedom of clergy to preach about their beliefs, and that the bill legalizes certain sexual acts. Both of these claims are patently false. If you are a minister, this bill does not restrict any sermon, homily, speech or lesson unless that minister plans to start urging people to go out and commit violent crimes against others. During floor debate on the bill, Chairman Conyers reiterated the fact that the bill would not legalize any one of a plethora of sexual acts or activity, most of which are already illegal in most states. Again this bill in no way, shape or fashion restricts free speech. Indeed, it clearly states, and has been supported by a Republican- dominated, conservative Supreme Court, that it in fact protects the First Amendment. Language is protected under this bill. Actions are criminalized. Preaching against homosexuality, against disabled people, against women--the categories that this bill protects--is allowed as it has always been, under the protections of the First Amendment. Under this bill, it would be criminal to incite violence by willfully causing ``bodily injury based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim or is a violation of the state, local, or tribal hate crime laws.'' Since 1991, over 100,000 hate crimes have occurred in our nation. Hate crimes devastate the communities, counties, cities and states in which they occur. These crimes of bigotry and hatred against an identifiable minority--based on race, color, ethnic origin, gender, disability or sexual orientation--not only hurts the individual affected, but demoralizes and dehumanizes whole groups of people. As the civil rights era clearly illustrated, these crimes are committed solely to intimidate and trample upon the human rights of others. This as the immediate effect of crushing the investment of companies in that locality, of tourists visiting that state, of individuals wanting to relocate to that region. This is measurable in real dollars and cents. The Federal Government cannot stand by to allow these heinous, horrible offenses to be committed. I did not stand for this when I was an activist fighting for human rights in the City of Detroit, Michigan; I will not stand for it as a Member of Congress with an opportunity to make a change and make a difference. Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel once said that ``indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor--never his victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she is forgotten. The political prisoner in his cell, the hungry children, the homeless refugees--not to respond to their plight, not to relieve their solitude by offering them a spark of hope is to exile them from human memory. And in denying their humanity, we betray our own. Indifference, then, is not only a sin, it is a punishment.'' In the past decade, our country has had men murdered merely because they were gay, disabled, or African American. These were all hard- working, tax-paying, law-abiding American citizens, killed because of these differences. As we move onward through this new millennium, as we continue to change course, confront crises, and continue the legacy, I will do so with the continued guidance and love of an infinite God, with extraordinary hope, with profound faith, and with the knowledge that in caring for the least of our brothers and sisters, we care for ourselves. We cannot afford to be indifferent. As we celebrate two centuries of the end of the African slave trade, it is my hope that today will be the beginning of the end of the decades of mindless hatred, bigotry, and discrimination against all God's children. All Americans have an investment in a stable, violence- free government, and that is exactly what this bill provides.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I also want to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Barbara Lee from the great State of California, for offering this resolution, House Resolution 272, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the end of the transcontinental slave trade for our country. Awesome that it is, we thank the President who signed that proclamation and that we began to work as one country with many ethnicities in our country. Slavery is a cruel, unusual, inhumane treatment. Many of us just returned from overseas and were in the slave dungeons, and to see the inhumane treatment that many of our ancestors felt then and some vestiges of it today is awesome. But we are still here. We are still here running businesses, contributing to America. We are still here attending universities and in the Halls of this Congress of the United States of America. We have much work to do, 200 years, and we hope thousands of years from now, because, you see, Africans brought the gifts of civilization, religion and science to the world, documented in anthropological studies, the first man. So it's unfortunate but it's past, chattel slavery, but we have much work to do. We need better schools. We have got to be the best that we can be, first class, no exceptions, and we accept that responsibility. To my young sisters and brothers across this Nation of all ethnic persuasions, rise up and be the very best that you can be. Never let anyone take the intellect, the intelligence or the mastery that God has given you to be the very best. Slavery is an abominable crime that we must never have again for any race of people, and in vestiges around the world, we see pockets of it. But we rise today to support House Resolution 272, and to ask as Americans and people of the world that we build together a stronger America, where people have access to quality education that helps us to compete with the Chinas and the Taiwans and the Indias of the world, that we rise as a Nation of Americans and that we never again forget that all people are created by one God known by many names. So I stand here as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, one of 435 Members of this Congress, one of 43 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, to say to America, we are still the best country in the world. We still have a lot to achieve, and as we improve our schools, as we invest our moneys, this $3 trillion budget that we have in this country, make sure that this Congress, this administration, the people rise up to have a fair immigration policy, to have fair schools that are funded, that are technologically sound to compete. And we pledge to you as African Americans, we will produce young people and others who are rising up, owning their own businesses, doing what we need to do to do our part so that our children know that we are the best, we intend to be the best, and we want the doors of opportunity to stay open so that access will be there.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank our chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. We are legislators. The President has a job and we who represent the people have a job. It funds the war, a war that the other side started, and the speech that they are giving tonight is the same speech they gave 4 years ago. It's time to change course. This bill funds veterans who have been wounded severely, children who need health care, and all the emergencies that this country needs to address and has not been taking care of the last decade. Pass the bill. Mr. President, sign the bill. It's the best bill. The Senate and House have agreed, and we don't care that the President has said, before we even passed it out of the first Chamber, that he would veto it. We have to pass this bill, bring our troops home, and have a plan for success. This is a good conference report. Americans, speak out. If the President does veto the bill, there is something to be paid. The troops need our help and our support, and I thank Chairman Obey and Chairman Murtha for their leadership. Vote for the conference report. ``Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.'' Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. This vote will affect us today, it will affect our children tomorrow, it will affect our grand children of the next generation. Unlike some of our colleagues, I refuse to legislate any bill, much less this bill, merely because the President has issued a veto threat. Our brand of government has lasted for more than 230 years because of the separation of powers. The President needs the money, and Congress controls the power of the purse. We have the opportunity to change course, confront crises, and continue the legacy of not only the Democratic Party but of America with this vote today. As of April 23, 2007, there have been 3,333 U.S. Military Deaths Confirmed by the Department of Defense. There have been at least 20,000 women and men who have been wounded, and untold numbers of women and men who have been affected by traumatic brain injuries that we are just discovering, and will suffer for decades from post traumatic stress disorder. The Democrats have worked to compromise with the Administration. While I, like many of my colleagues, hoped that we would retain the House language with regard to the troop deployment provisions, I understand that honesty and compromise are the hallmarks of this august body. Make no mistake about it; this vote is a vote to support our troops and will bring an end to the war in the near future. The military options for Iraq are exhausted; we need to pursue diplomatic solutions so that the Iraqis and other countries in the Middle East can be real shareholders in the fate of Iraq. This supplemental enforces the President's own benchmarks that the Iraqis protect and end their civil war. This bill has the military's own standards for readiness and deployment. This bill provides more than the President requested for military procurement, construction, health care, and readiness. I am proud that the Committee supported my request for increased funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, to remove the matching funds for many of the grants and loans going to the rebuilding of states affected by Hurricane Katrina, in particular the city of New Orleans. $450 million for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)/Counseling: African American male Vietnam and Iraq theater veterans have higher rates of PTSD than Whites. Rates of current PTSD are 28% among Hispanics, 21% among African Americans, and 14 percent among Whites. African Americans have greater exposure to war stresses and had more predisposing factors than Whites, which appeared to account for their higher rate of PTSD. $450 million for Traumatic Brain Injury care and research: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. $20 million to address the problems at Walter Reed: When the federal base-closing commission recommended shutting down Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, it was noted through a number of reports that most of the patients and communities affected were African- American. $100 million to allow the VA to contract with private mental healthcare providers to offer veterans, including Guard and reserve members, quality and timely care: African Americans are more likely to be victims of serious violent crime than are non-Hispanic whites. Food Assistance (PL 480 Title II): Adds $450 million, which is $100 million above the President's request, to support food aid in Sudan/ Eastern Chad, Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa. Agricultural Assistance: Adds $3.7 billion. According to the National Farmers Union, over 80 percent of U.S. counties were designated as disaster areas in 2005, and 60 percent were declared in 2006, making this assistance essential if farmers are to maintain their livelihoods in the coming year. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): The Supplemental adds $400 million to partially restore cuts to the program. Pandemic Flu Preparedness: Adds $1 billion to purchase vaccines needed to protect us from a global pandemic. State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): As amended in Committee, the proposal adds $750 million for SCHIP to ensure continued healthcare coverage for children in 14 states that face a budget shortfall in the program. Foreign Aid: $40 million in security assistance is added for Liberia. This provision was added only because of the CBC. After far too long, the bill will address the outstanding needs of our working women and men by increasing the minimum wage of Americans. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding me this time. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. I stand here to pay tribute to my friend, my sister, chairwoman, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. I was asked earlier by an interviewer: How would she like us to remember her? A leader, a fighter, a mother, a grandmother, excellence bar none, first class, no shortcuts. To Jim and Valerie and to the rest of the family, to the grandchildren, just know you have her blood and you can do anything. No limits; be the best. As chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus, we are honored to have had her with us and teach us and show us the way. Juanita has been special in this body, rising from mayor, city councilperson, the first African American woman to chair the House Women's Caucus, and over the last 11 years serving in this body, a special friend to me personally. We many times talked about our families. So my sister, Juanita, as you take your rest with the spirit of God, we know you will watch over us and make sure that we do our due. We know the family knows you are with them forever. To Jim, it's okay, we're here for you and we always will be. So let us continue to rejoice. He makes no mistakes. We now have extra protection in heaven. On behalf of the entire body of the CBC, we are both remorseful and reflective on the life and legacy of Representative Juanita Millender- McDonald. We are praying with and for her family and dear friends during this season of grief. Representative Millender-McDonald should be celebrated for her abounding commitment to service and advocacy. During her 7-term tenure as the eloquent voice of the 37th Congressional District, including Long Beach, the industrial suburbs of Carson and Compton and parts of south central Los Angeles. As a former educator and recipient of a myriad of distinctions, including: First African American woman to chair a full committee in the U.S. House of Representatives; First African American woman to serve on the Carson City Council; First African American woman to render the national Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address; First to be named Honorary Curator of the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach; First Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. Representative Millender-McDonald made certain to pave the way for her firsts to not be the last for African Americans and Americans across the globe. Therefore, the CBC will continue to carry on the work of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald as we change course, confront crises and continue the legacy.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, our country, our Declaration of Independence, and our Constitution are all based on a promise. The promise in the Declaration of Independence is that taxation without representation was, and is, wrong. The promise in our Constitution is that all citizens of this country have ``certain inalienable rights'' and it is the job of Congress to secure those inalienable rights. H.R. 1905, the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act, would secure those rights for the hard working, tax paying citizens who, merely because they live in the Nation's Capital, do not have a voting representative in the U.S. Congress. We enjoy many rights as Americans. The right to vote and the right to equal representation is perhaps the most sovereign right that we as Americans have. In my own personal history as an activist, I was an active and aggressive participant to secure these rights for all Americans. Indeed, some of our colleagues in Congress today were jailed and beaten to protect these civil freedoms. Unfortunately, too many died for this cause. The sacrifices of these individuals and organizations, along with the basic, essential sense of freedom and justice, is a clarion call and underscores our obligation to the more than 600,000 citizens of Washington, DC who pay some of the highest taxes in the Nation, but do not have a vote on those taxes; who have served and died in every war our country has fought, but do not have a vote to authorize a war; and who, in 2007, still do not have a voting representative in the U.S. Congress. H.R. 1905, the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act, will not only add full and unfettered voting power for the Representative from the District of Columbia, it also adds a new Congressional District in Utah. This bill, the manifestation of hard, tough, bipartisan negotiations, finally provides fairness and justice that has been denied for more than two centuries to the citizens of Washington, DC. For more than two centuries and a half, while our country has made democracy our global mantra, citizens in the Nation's Capital have not had a voice. For more than two centuries and a half, citizens in the Nation's Capital have been muted and marginalized. The District of Columbia Voting Rights Act is a step in the right direction, empowers the citizens of Washington, DC, and finally allows for the citizens of Washington, DC to fully embrace and enjoy the fruit of their labor, taxes, and diligence to our country. I am pleased that the wisdom of 240 of my colleagues prevailed in this vote, and I look forward, like the vast majority of my colleagues, to quick action in the Senate and to President Bush signing this bill into law as soon as possible. I applaud the work of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Congressman Tom Davis, and the collective bi- partisan effort to preserve the principle of fair, equal representation.

Ms. KILPATRICK

Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker and Members, I stand here today as chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus to say thank you to America, thank you to the president and CEO of NBC News network, as well as the president and CEO of CBS News network. I had an opportunity to meet with them last week. They did the right thing. Our country is in peril. We need to bring our country together. Thank you very much for the senior staffs of both of those organizations and for the people of America for standing up and speaking out. We are in trying times at the moment, and there is much we must do to bring our country together and make our families stronger. Kudos, most gracious love, to the women of the Rutgers' basketball team, 10 young women, all honor students, child prodigies, dedicated and working to make life better for themselves and for America, to get to Rutgers, to stay there, to achieve academic excellence, and, yes, then to excel. Also, kudos to the University of Tennessee women's basketball team, the NCAA women's basketball champions. This is the 35th anniversary year of title IX. Title IX is the legislation 35 years ago that was enacted that would make an equal playing field for women in sports and athletics. We will celebrate title IX and have been all year. I have spoken to President McCormick, and the Congressional Black Caucus, the Speaker of the House and others will be welcoming the Rutgers and Tennessee teams as well as the president and coaching staffs to our city of Washington, DC, very soon. We will hold a 2-hour summit and hear from the National Organization For Women, a psychiatrist from Rutgers University, some renowned women and others who speak to the values of America. Today we had the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission in our Appropriations Committee. He came for his budget today. We talked about how do we make America better; how do we shut down some of the smut and other things that are negatively impacting our children. We are a better Nation than that. He has agreed to work with us and together, through this Congress, the FCC will be stronger. We must strengthen some of the things that they must do. The 1934 law is archaic. The courts have interpreted that law very narrowly. This is far bigger than a person. This is about the strength and success of our families, of our children. On behalf of the men and women who serve in this United States Congress, and specifically the men and women of the Congressional Black Caucus, let us rise up and build a better Nation for our sisters, our girls, our women, and, yes, our men and boys.