Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership and for really trying at least to allow many of us with different points of view to have some input into this rule and this bill. Unfortunately, that did not happen at the Rules Committee, so of course, I rise in strong opposition to this rule to provide consideration for the National Defense Authorization Act. While I certainly support several elements of this bill, I have grave concerns about the more than $63 billion in funding for the overseas contingency operations fund. The OCO account remains a slush fund that allows the Pentagon to circumvent the Budget Control Act, and we still haven't received an audit from the Pentagon. Every agency has to go through an audit process. What happened at the Pentagon--we still have not received the audit for a lot of reasons that they state, but in a bipartisan way, many of us are urging the Defense Department to come up and show us the numbers, show us what their audit will provide, so the American people know what their taxpayer dollars are paying for. I also have grave concerns about authorizing any funding for the current war in Iraq and Syria--and, yes, that is a war that is taking place. Congress has not yet debated or authorized this new war. We see more and more troops being sent to the region; and, of course, unintended consequences could put these troops in harm's way and lead to combat operations. I don't believe the American people want to see our brave young men and women in that role. That is why many of us have called and will call on Congress to live up to its constitutional responsibility and have a full debate on any authorization for any use of military force. We are in a war, Mr. Speaker, and each and every day we see more and more danger. We see more and more warfare take place. Enough is enough.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, committing the United States to yet another long-term war in the Middle East, it should never be an afterthought. What we continue to do is authorize, in a variety of bills, the continuation of a war that has not been authorized nor declared. I know that the American people worry about the world and what is taking place. They know how dangerous the world is. We know that also, and we know that the Pentagon deserves a budget and authorizations that ensure our national security, but we also know that we have a constitutional responsibility to debate the use of force, and in fact, if we believe that that is the course of action that our country should take, then let's have an up-or-down vote. This really should be the moment that we are debating that because, once we leave here, come January, we don't know what will happen. We don't know how far this war will have expanded, and it will continue to be an unauthorized war. Congress and the American people deserve to understand the costs and consequences to our national security and to our domestic priorities in fighting this war.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in remembrance of Mayor Marion Barry, and my heart and prayers go out to his family, friends, and to the entire city of Washington, D.C. Mayor Barry was truly Washington's ``Mayor for Life.'' He devoted his life to social justice and equality and bettering the lives of Washington D.C.'s residents. I had the honor of knowing and working with Mayor Barry for many years, as a Member of Congress and as a congressional staffer for Congressman Ron Dellums. Mayor Barry was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi and would go on to be the first chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. As SNCC Chairman, he played a critical role in organizing the grassroots efforts that would make the Civil Rights Movement a success. Later, as a Councilman and Mayor of Washington, D.C., he continued to be a tireless champion for equality and justice. Mayor Barry will be greatly missed by all and his absence will be felt by many here in Washington, D.C.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked World AIDS Day and more than 30 years since the first discovery of AIDS in the United States. As the cofounder of the HIV/AIDS caucus, I am proud to say that we have made great strides in combating the AIDS epidemic here in our own country and throughout the world. Contracting HIV is no longer the death sentence that it once was, but much more remains to be done. A recent report by UNAIDS found that we have 5 years to break the epidemic for good or risk it rebounding out of control. We cannot allow the gains we have made in fighting for an AIDS-free generation to be lost, and we can eradicate AIDS if we devote proper resources to the fight both here and abroad. We must reduce the stigma surrounding the disease by strengthening educational and outreach activities to help prevent millions of new HIV cases worldwide. We must also provide the science-based comprehensive sex education that has proven to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and we must repeal laws that promote discrimination and hate. Mr. Speaker, now is the time to take bold action to create a world that is free from HIV and AIDS. I urge my colleagues to join me in working to achieve an AIDS-free generation.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues, Congressman Mike Honda and Congressman Eric Swalwell, to honor the extraordinary career of Mr. Wright L. Lassiter III. Mr. Lassiter is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Alameda Health System, where he has served the residents of Alameda County with distinction. In December, Mr. Lassiter begin work as President of the Henry Ford Health System in Michigan. Mr. Lassiter graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry with honors, as well as minors in Biology and Philosophy. He went on to receive his Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration from Indiana University, where he graduated at the top of his class. Prior to serving as CEO of Alameda Health System, Mr. Lassiter held numerous executive positions. He served as senior vice president of operations for JPS Health Network in Fort Worth, Texas, where he oversaw operations and expanded ambulatory and specialty care services. He also served in multiple executive positions in the Methodist Health System in Dallas, Texas, overseeing support and clinical services. During his tenure at Alameda Health System, Mr. Lassiter has created a culture of excellence and led the expansion and growth of the organization. His guidance, leadership, and accomplishments have garnered national acclaim. Some of those accomplishments include seven years of positive financial performance with operating margins as high as 19%; a $70 million reduction of debt; the expansion of the Highland campus with a new Acute Tower and state of the art Care Pavilion; the addition of two new hospitals to the network--San Leandro Hospital and Alameda Hospital; and designation by the Joint Commission as a top performer with an increase in patient engagement from the 1st percentile to the 80th percentile. Mr. Lassiter is also an enthusiastic community leader. He has held numerous important volunteer leadership positions in each of the communities in which he has lived and worked. These include serving as the Board Chairman for the YMCA of the East Bay, the Alameda Alliance for Health, and the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems. He also serves on the Boards of BETA Healthcare Group, the California Hospital Association, the Safety Net Institute, the Bay Area Urban Network, the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and sits on the Board of Regents of his alma mater, LeMoyne College. He is a member of both the American College of Health Care Executives and the National Association of Health Service Executives. On behalf of the residents of California's 13th, 15th, and 17th Congressional Districts, Mr. Wright L. Lassiter III, I salute you. I thank you for a lifetime of service and congratulate you on your many achievements. I wish you continued success as you go on to lead the Henry Ford Health System and serve the residents of Michigan.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Kristof states that he has ``looked at Black- White economic inequality that is greater in America today than it was in apartheid South Africa, at ongoing discrimination against African Americans in the labor market, and at systematic bias in law enforcement.'' So young people of color, especially young men, have been left behind in the economic recovery. It is leaving them behind, and far too often, they are marginalized and forgotten. The poverty rate for African Americans is 27.2 percent, more than two-and-a-half times the rate of poverty of White Americans. Nobody in our country should have to live below the poverty line. We are the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world. The African American unemployment rate is 10.9 percent, nearly twice the national average. Young men of color are stopped and frisked at will. They are more incarcerated than any other group. The jobs that are available don't pay enough to get by while our safety net and nutrition programs continue to be hacked and slashed by House Republicans. Beyond the lack of opportunity, police misconduct and the criminal justice system are constant reminders of the tragic inequality which is still persistent in the daily life of Black America. Where do we go from here? Let's move forward, but we have got to remember that the deaths of Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner and Oscar Grant--one of my constituents--their deaths are tragic examples of the senseless murder of young Black men. As the mother of two Black men and two Black grandsons, I have to have many uncomfortable conversations with them, how to walk, how to talk, how to interact with the police. This is not just my reality, but the reality of millions of other Black mothers and grandmothers and fathers and grandfathers. This is something no parent should have to do. No one should be afraid of the police who are sworn to protect and serve them. These are issues that Members of Congress must take leadership in addressing. This is where we must go from here. Finally, let me just say the work of building a more perfect Union is not just rhetorical. As Members of Congress, we really do have a unique opportunity to do just that. To quote our drum major for justice--who Congressman Lewis had the privilege and honor to work with--Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he said, ``A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.'' We have the privilege tonight to remind this body that we are the molder of consensus. Thank you again, Congressman Jeffries, for the opportunity to speak with you this evening.

Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much. First, let me thank the gentleman from New York, Congressman Jeffries, for this very important moment and theme tonight of ``Where do we go from here?'' But also for your leadership in conducting these Special Orders to make sure that the American people really know the truth about what is taking place here in Washington, D.C., and also to hear the voice of conscience from the Congressional Black Caucus, such as we just heard from our great warrior, Congressman John Lewis. Also, I want to thank Congressman Horsford for being part of this for the last couple of years in terms of his tremendous leadership. Mr. Speaker, the other night, I had an event with young people in my district. It is a lecture series that is sponsored by the Martin Luther King Freedom Center. Congressman Lewis knows these young people. They travel with me every year to Selma-Montgomery-Birmingham. We started the center in the nineties, and these young people's mission in life is to make sure that the new generation of leaders understands, one, that violence is not an option and, secondly, that we all are in this together and that we should be united as a country and fight for the American Dream for all. The topic of the lecture series of two nights ago was ``Where do we go from here?'' We had White students in the audience. We had African American, Latino, and Asian Pacific American young people, middle-aged people, and old people. It was held at my alma mater, at Mills College. It was really amazing. We had the cofounder of the United Farm Workers, Dolores Huerta, and former State Senator Art Torres. We talked about ``where do we go from here?'' as a community in Oakland and also throughout the country. What we need to do here is, really, to get back to work for the American people, and that is what we heard over and over and over at our lecture series. Unfortunately, ever since the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives, we see governing through extortion and brinksmanship, including a government shutdown that cost the taxpayers $24 billion. I hope that is not where we go from here. Now we are looking at--or at least some are saying that they are eyeing--another shutdown and are refusing to act on immigration while planning another series of votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act. They have even gone so far as to threaten impeachment because our President has continued to lead where they have failed. Where do we go from here, Congressman Jeffries? Let's hope not there. I hope we go where the young people in my community talked about the other night. The threats about a government shutdown over immigration reform are outrageous. My district is a very diverse and dynamic district. That is what makes it, really, a great place for my constituents to live, work, do business, and raise a family. Yet we have many, many pockets of poverty. It is home to a vibrant immigrant community. Families from all over the world, many of them--and they told me again the other night-- are feeling the pain each and every day of our broken immigration system. It has been more than 500 days since the Senate passed bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform. We need to have an up or down vote. Families deserve that. Time is really running out. We have 3 weeks of session left, so we need to get something done. That is where we need to go from here. If Congress fails to act on immigration reform, our President can--and he should-- take action to keep families from being torn apart. Just like every President since Dwight D. Eisenhower, our President should act, but as the President has said, immigration reform should come from Congress. It should come from us. That is what my community said in terms of moving forward. Let's get it done in the next couple of weeks. We have a bipartisan bill. Let's come together and have a vote. Our colleagues across the aisle need to put our economy ahead of partisanship. That means stopping their repeated attempts at eliminating access to affordable, quality health care for millions of Americans. This past weekend marked the beginning of the second year of open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act. Repealing the Affordable Care Act and its protections for families would hurt all of our constituents. It would make health care less affordable and less accessible; yet every time Republicans vote to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, they make it perfectly clear that they believe charging women more for being a woman is okay, denying victims of domestic violence coverage is okay, and allowing insurance companies to increase premiums to increase profits is also okay. That is not what the American people need. Where do we go from here? Let's not go there. Millions have been covered, and let's move forward to make sure our country has universal accessible affordable health care for all. It is a basic human right, so we need to get back to doing the work of the American people, the work of forming a more perfect Union. Finally, I just want to point out an article. There was a recent editorial in The New York Times from Nicholas Kristof in which he discusses the historical and structural issues that continue to perpetuate racial disparities between Blacks and Whites today, and I would like to submit that article for the Record, Mr. Speaker. [From Op-Ed Columnist, Nov. 15, 2014] When Whites Just Don't Get It, Part 4 (By Nicholas Kristof) When I write about racial inequality in America, one common response from whites is eye-rolling and an emphatic: It's time to move on. ``As whites, are we doomed to an eternity of apology?'' Neil tweeted at me. ``When does individual responsibility kick in?'' Terry asked on my Facebook page: ``Why are we still being held to actions that took place long ago?'' ``How long am I supposed to feel guilty about being white? I bust my hump at work and refrain from living a thug life,'' Bradley chimed in. ``America is about personal responsibility. . . . And really, get past the slavery issue.'' This is the fourth installment in a series of columns I've written this year, ``When Whites Just Don't Get It,'' and plenty of white readers have responded with anger and frustration at what they see as the ``blame game'' on race. They acknowledge a horrific history of racial discrimination but also say that we should look forward, not backward. The Supreme Court seems to share this view as it dismantles civil-rights-era rulings on voting rights. As Dina puts it: ``I am tired of the race conversation. It has exasperated me. Just stop. In so many industries, the racial ceiling has been shattered. Our president is black. From that moment on, there were no more excuses.'' If only it were so simple! Of course, personal responsibility is an issue. Orlando Patterson, the eminent black sociologist, notes in a forthcoming book that 92 percent of black youths agree that it is a ``big problem'' that black males are ``not taking education seriously enough.'' And 88 percent agree that it's a big problem that they are ``not being responsible fathers.'' That's why President Obama started ``My Brother's Keeper,'' to cultivate more prudent behavior among men and boys of color. But we in white society should be equally ready to shoulder responsibility. In past articles in this series, I've looked at black/white economic inequality that is greater in America today than it was in apartheid South Africa, at ongoing discrimination against African-Americans in the labor market and at systematic bias in law enforcement. But these conversations run into a wall: the presumption on the part of so many well- meaning white Americans that racism is a historical artifact. They don't appreciate the overwhelming evidence that centuries of racial subjugation still shape inequity in the 21st century. Indeed, a wave of research over the last 20 years has documented the lingering effects of slavery in the United States and South America alike. For example, counties in America that had a higher proportion of slaves in 1860 are still more unequal today, according to a scholarly paper published in 2010. The authors called this a ``persistent effect of slavery.'' One reason seems to be that areas with slave labor were ruled for the benefit of elite plantation owners. Public schools, libraries and legal institutions lagged, holding back working-class whites as well as blacks. Whites often don't realize that slavery didn't truly end until long after the Civil War. Douglas Blackmon won a Pulitzer Prize for his devastating history, ``Slavery by Another Name,'' that recounted how U.S. Steel and other American corporations used black slave labor well into the 20th century, through ``convict leasing.'' Blacks would be arrested for made-up offenses such as ``vagrancy'' and then would be leased to companies as slave laborers. Job and housing discrimination also systematically prevented blacks from accumulating wealth. The Federal Housing Administration and other initiatives greatly expanded home ownership and the middle class but deliberately excluded blacks. That's one reason why black families have, on average, only about 6 percent as much wealth as white households, why only 44 percent of black families own a home compared with 73 percent for white households. The inequality continues, particularly in education. De jure segregated schools have been replaced in some areas by de facto segregation. Those of us who are white have a remarkable capacity for delusions. A majority of whites have said in opinion polls that blacks earn as much as whites and are as healthy as whites. In fact, black median household income is $34,598, compared with $58,270 for non-Hispanic whites, according to census data. Black life expectancy is four years shorter than that of whites. Granted, race is just one thread in a tapestry. The daughters of President and Michelle Obama shouldn't enjoy affirmative action preference (as their dad has acknowledged), while disadvantaged white kids should. Yet one element of white privilege today is obliviousness to privilege, including a blithe disregard of the way past subjugation shapes present disadvantage. I've been on a book tour lately. By coincidence, so has one of my Times Op-Ed columnist colleagues, Charles Blow, who is African-American and the author of a powerful memoir, ``Fire Shut Up in My Bones.'' I grew up in a solid middle-class household; Charles was primarily raised by a single mom who initially worked plucking poultry in a factory, and also, for a while, by a grandma in a house with no plumbing. That Charles has become a New York Times columnist does not mean that blacks and whites today have equal access to opportunity, just that some talented and driven blacks manage to overcome the long odds against them. Make no mistake: Charles had to climb a higher mountain than I did. We all stand on the shoulders of our ancestors. We're in a relay race, relying on the financial and human capital of our parents and grandparents. Blacks were shackled for the early part of that relay race, and although many of the fetters have come off, whites have developed a huge lead. Do we ignore this long head start--a facet of white privilege--and pretend that the competition is now fair? Of course not. If we whites are ahead in the relay race of life, shouldn't we acknowledge that we got this lead in part by generations of oppression? Aren't we big enough to make amends by trying to spread opportunity, by providing disadvantaged black kids an education as good as the one afforded privileged white kids? Can't we at least acknowledge that in the case of race, William Faulkner was right: ``The past is never dead. It's not even past.''

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote 516. Had I been present, I would have voted ''yes'' on No. 516.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Unity Council's 50th Anniversary. For five decades, the Unity Council has continued to enrich our community's quality of life by helping families build wealth and assets through sustainable economic, social and neighborhood development programs. In 1964, what started as a political action group soon evolved into a social services assistance program to aid Latinos in Oakland, California's Fruitvale district. In their new capacity, the Unity Council created Oakland's first Spanish-speaking employment office and worked with Oakland city officials to create the first Latino library, now known as the Cesar E. Chavez Branch Public Library. By 1967, the organization had become incorporated as a nonprofit organization and service agency. In the years that followed, the Unity Council became a powerful catalyst for pervasive social change. During the 1970s, the Unity Council created a business advisory committee composed of Clorox, Pacific Bell, PG&E, Kaiser Permanente and Safeway; formed the Fruitvale Community Development District; initiated a small Latino business loan and assistance center; and built Las Casitas, the first ever Latino-built housing development in Oakland. The 1980s brought challenging times for the Unity Council, which nearly resulted in the organization's demise. Fortunately, broad-based community support, strategic business partnerships, and a drastic reorganization allowed the Unity Council to rebuild its reputation and once again establish itself as the voice of the Fruitvale district and of Latinos in Oakland. Starting in the early 1990s, the Unity Council expanded its Head Start Program from 18 children to 117, and offered early childhood development services, health and nutrition education, advocacy, and social services. Currently, the Head Start Program and the more recent addition, Early Head Start Program, serve a total of 608 low-income families. In 1995, the Unity Council began its Facade Improvement Program, designed to provide business and property owners matching grants of up to $10,000 to fund rehabilitation projects. By 2005, the Facade Improvement Program had completed 120 projects and leveraged $220,000 of grant dollars into millions of dollars in contributions from stakeholders. That same year, the Unity Council received funding to launch the Fruitvale Public Market, a 7,000 square foot business incubator space designed to promote the local economy and create high quality and sustainable jobs for neighborhood residents. As a result, the Fruitvale commercial district went from 30-40 percent vacancy to less than 1 percent vacancy, and became the second largest revenue producing commercial area in the city of Oakland. One of the Unity Council's biggest milestones is the Fruitvale Transit Village. The nationally recognized Fruitvale Transit Village opened in 2003 with 47 housing units as well as offices for several major community organizations. Earlier this year, the Unity Council received state funding that will allow the addition of 275 affordable and market-rate rental units to the Fruitvale area. After 50 years, the Unity Council remains the most relevant voice for the Latino community in the East Bay. Therefore, on behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional District, I thank the Unity Council for the countless contributions and never-ending commitment to our communities. I wish the Unity Council another fifty years of continued success.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall votes 512-515 due to a family emergency. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on #512, ``no'' on #513, ``yes'' on #514, and ``no'' on #515.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Peralta Community College District's 50th Anniversary. Encompassing Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt College, the Peralta Colleges have provided quality higher education to over one million students since its founding. Established on July 1, 1964, Peralta Community College District was formed after the residents of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland and Piedmont voted to create a separate and single community college district. The district was named Peralta after Sergeant Luis Maria Peralta, since all the cities are located on the original Spanish land grant. At that time, Laney and Merritt Colleges were the only campuses that made up the new college district. A year later, voters approved a $47 million bond measure to build new campuses across the northern Alameda county area, with the College of Alameda established in 1968 and Berkeley City College in 1974. While there are no Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in California, Merritt College is considered an accredited minority-serving institution, allowing the college access to HBCU funding. The colleges within Peralta Community College District offer innovative programs such as nursing, automotive technology, office administration, mechanics, bio manufacturing, bookkeeping, carpentry, food service and restaurant management. The colleges often align with businesses, industry and government to tailor training programs to meet economic and staffing needs. This in turn helps build a strong workforce and support our vibrant community and economy. Community colleges provide opportunities for millions of students and adults to continue their education in a flexible and affordable environment. Students attend community colleges for a range of reasons: as a first step to earning a bachelor's degree, an opportunity to gain workforce training, or simply a chance to learn or improve a skill. I commend the Peralta Community College District for providing our community with quality and affordable education. In addition to serving our region's students, the Peralta Community College District also attracts and engages individuals from all over the world. Through its Office of International Affairs and District Education, it has been at the forefront of promoting cultural diversity, pluralism and mutual understanding, benefitting all Bay Area residents and visitors. During the 1980's, my mentor and friend, a great woman warrior and member of the Berkeley City Council, Maudelle Shirek, and I attended night classes at then Vista, now Berkeley City College. We received a certificate in International Business and I will always remember this as a rigorous and rich educational experience. I am very proud of this certificate and encourage my constituents to attend Peralta Colleges because of the excellent programs and curriculum they offer. On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional District, I extend my congratulations on this important milestone and thank all of the people who have contributed to the success of the Peralta Community College District throughout the years. I wish the Peralta Colleges continued success in the years to come.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, as we prepare to cast our vote today to train and equip Syrian rebels, I want to remind my colleagues of the nearly $20.2 billion that the United States has spent to train and equip Iraqi security forces during our decade at war there. And what happened? The Iraqi security forces could not secure the country and fled major Iraqi cities when confronted by ISIS. $20.2 billion. And yet here we are again today ready to authorize hundreds of millions of dollars to train and equip members of the Free Syrian Army. What in the world are we doing? Instead of rushing into yet another war, flooding the region with more weapons and intervening further in a civil war, Congress should be pressing the pause button. Instead of rushing into yet another war authorization--which of course this congressional resolution says it is not, but the unintended consequences will expand this war--Congress should be examining all of the solutions to this crisis, not just the military ones. That is why I called and will continue to call for Congress to live up to its constitutional responsibility and have a full debate on the authorization to use force. The costs and consequences should be made clear.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding and for his very deliberative work in leading our minority. I am glad that we are debating the President's proposal to arm and train the Syrian rebels. But, Mr. Speaker, I am totally disappointed that a debate on something that could have such broad implications on the United States' national security and the region is being included as an amendment to the continuing resolution. When I became a member of the Appropriations Committee, the first rule I was taught was that you don't authorize on an appropriations bill. Yet this is another instance of Congress taking a pass on its solemn constitutional obligations to weigh in on matters of war and peace. I am reminded of the failure to have a thorough and robust debate in the wake of 9/11 and the resulting overly broad authorization which I could not vote for because it was a blank check for perpetual war, and it still is on the books and it is being used as the authority for the strikes that are taking place now. This resolution should be repealed. And it was the rush to war against Iraq in 2002 that led us to where we are today. ISIS did not exist until the unnecessary and ill-begotten war in Iraq, which created sectarian violence and a civil war. We should be clear what the United States is committing itself to in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. has conducted nearly 3,000 missions and more than 150 airstrikes, and has deployed more than 1,000 troops already. In a speech about the United States' mission against ISIS, the President said: ``I don't think we're going to solve this problem in weeks. This is going to take some time.'' I ask today: Does this amendment begin to help us contain ISIS or to dismantle ISIS? And what are we getting ourselves into? It is more complex than just an up-or-down vote on arming and training the members of the Free Syrian Army. The consequences of this vote will be--whether it is written into the amendment or not--a further expansion of a war currently taking place and our further involvement in a sectarian war. That is the consequence of this amendment. As I said earlier, no one in this body believes that we should stand by while ISIS wreaks havoc across the region. And the brutal nature of ISIS and who they are, we understand very clearly, and we must address ISIS in a big way now. No one believes that we should not deal with ISIS. But let me just tell you, a military solution, as the President said, is not the way we are going to dismantle or disable or stop ISIS. I supported the President's plan to protect U.S. personnel and to prevent genocide. But any expansion of the military strikes and what took place during that terrible period really requires a full debate and an authorization of the use of force here on this floor, and that is not what we are doing today. Also, what is missing from this debate are the nonmilitary solutions and options to this crisis. The President and his national security experts have stated repeatedly that there is no military solution. Yet here we are today once again only discussing more arms and more airstrikes. There are too many unanswered questions for me to support this amendment. How will we avoid embroiling the United States in a sectarian conflict--in a deeper involvement, actually, in a sectarian conflict--in Iraq and Syria? How do we ensure different outcomes than when we spent U.S. tax dollars, mind you, to train and equip the Iraqi army?

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, let me thank our ranking member for her unwavering leadership on our committee on so many issues. Thank you, Congresswoman Lowey. Let me thank also our chairman for continuing to try to help us work in a bipartisan way to bring a real Labor, HHS bill to the floor. This continuing resolution contains, yes, critical and much-needed funding to address the Ebola crisis in Africa. It also, though, includes across-the-board cuts which will negatively impact my congressional district, all of our congressional districts, and countless households across America. For example, this CR includes two different cuts to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. It includes a $14 million reduction in the TANF contingency fund and a $15 million reduction that will eliminate TANF research funds, funds that are used, mind you, by the Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate the effectiveness of TANF programs and to develop approaches for improving employment outcomes among TANF recipients. These cuts are unnecessary and come at a time when people are literally living on the edge. It is unacceptable that at a time when we are passing short-term funding bills that underfund public health and workforce training programs we are now providing over $80 billion in war funding. The American people expect Congress to create jobs, to strengthen our economy, and to ensure that our security funds are wisely spent. With sequester cuts looming, it is time that we focus our spending here at home. Finally, let me just address the upcoming debate and vote on funding to arm and train Syrian rebels. This should not be an amendment to the continuing resolution. National security issues should not be an afterthought to funding the government. Now, not a single person in this body thinks that the United States should stand idle while ISIS wreaks havoc in the Middle East, but this is a sectarian civil war where the use of force and arming and training rebels will place us in the middle of a war where most recognize there is no military solution. So, before we expand the airstrikes in Iraq and vote to provide weapons and training to rebels in Syria, Congress must have a thorough and robust debate on the long-term implications of taking such actions.

Ms. LEE of California. I have grave concerns about the specific proposal to arm and train the Free Syrian Army, which will be voted on tomorrow by this House, and I intend to address this further during the debate on the McKeon amendment. How can we ensure that U.S. weapons and training don't end up in the wrong hands? How in the world will we know when our objectives have been met and when ISIS has been contained or eliminated? How will we avoid getting embroiled in the civil war? Congress must weigh all of the options before us, not just the military ones, before we make any decision on committing the U.S. to yet another long-term war. This is the type of debate that we failed to have in the wake of 9/11 and which resulted in the passage of an overly broad authorization that continues to be used today. So we must ask the hard questions, not only about the current proposal to arm and train Syrian rebels, but about the entire strategy.

Ms. LEE of California. How will we ensure that the United States weapons that we are providing to Syrian rebels won't get into the wrong hands, as they did with the rebels when we supported them in Libya? How will we ensure that what we are doing now won't further destabilize the region? And how will we ensure that we do not stand here years from now debating on how to stop another ISIS--ISIS II? Mr. Speaker, what is missing from this debate is the political, economic, and diplomatic and regionally-led solutions that will ultimately be the tools for security in the region and for any potential future threats to the United States. These are significant questions that must be answered before Congress should vote on a proposal, no matter how limited, to intervene militarily once again in a region that is very complicated and that is very dangerous. We should not act in haste, and we must heed the lessons of the past. We must also live up to our constitutional obligation to debate authorization of the use of military force rather than authorize to send arms to Syrian rebels on a continuing resolution to keep the government open. That is why I will vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Ms. LEE of California. Finally, let me just say, we cannot become embroiled in another war. The cost and the consequences to our national security, to our brave men and women in uniform, and to our ability to continue to nation-build here at home must be laid out to the public. That is our constitutional duty and responsibility. Unfortunately, we get a pass with this continuing resolution.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall votes 481-489. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on No. 481, ``yes'' on No. 482, ``yes'' on No. 483, ``no'' on No. 484, ``no'' on No. 485, ``yes'' on No. 486, ``yes'' on No. 487, ``yes'' on No. 488, and ``no'' on No. 489.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, to honor the extraordinary life of Mr. Robert Jordan. Mr. Jordan was a beloved brother, uncle, and friend. With his passing on August 7, 2014, we look to Mr. Jordan's personal legacy of community service, the joy he inspired in others through his passion and commitment to political advocacy, and the outstanding quality of his life's work. Born on September 7, 1965 in Chicopee, Massachusetts, Mr. Jordan grew up in Fairfield, California. After graduating from Armijo High School in 1983, he attended college at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Mr. Jordan went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from California State University, Sacramento. It was during Mr. Jordan's undergraduate studies at Sacramento State University that he began to get involved in politics. He joined the Sacramento State Young Democrats and the River City Democratic Club. From there, Mr. Jordan became engaged in field work on numerous political campaigns, most notably Barbara Boxer's 1992 ``Year of the Woman'' campaign. After working on many campaigns, Mr. Jordan went on to join the staff of the California Democratic Party. He continued to serve selflessly as a staffer there for 22 years and under four different administrations. During his time at the California Democratic Party, Mr. Jordan became an expert on technology development and planning for state conventions and executive board meetings. He was also well known for his meticulous institutional memory and his ability to recall party rules, procedures, and history on issues both large and small. He acted as the Party's unofficial historian and was a key member of the staff, sharing his knowledge and experience, and mentoring his colleagues. In addition to his work for the California Democratic Party, Mr. Jordan was actively involved in his community. He was passionate about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights and was a supporter of The Trevor Project, a national organization that provides crisis and suicide intervention services to LGBTQ youth. He was also a supporter of the Lymphoma Research Foundation and a part of the fight against lymphoma. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an outstanding Californian individual, Mr. Robert Jordan. His dedication and efforts have impacted so many lives throughout the state of California. I join all of Robert's loved ones in celebrating his incredible life. He will be deeply missed.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize ``Berry Gordy Day'' in Oakland, California, honoring Mr. Berry Gordy Jr.'s many contributions to the music and film industry. Known as the founder of Motown Records, Mr. Gordy has paved the way for many artists and played an inspiring role in breaking racial barriers. Born on November 28, 1929, Mr. Berry Gordy Jr. was raised in Detroit, Michigan as the seventh of eight children. Before working in the entertainment industry, Mr. Gordy pursued a career in boxing and was later drafted into the United States Army to serve in the Korean War. In 1959, Mr. Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Records, making his record company the first African American owned music company in the United States. His record company was the epicenter of one of the most popular and influential musical movements of the 20th century, the Motown Sound, which combines African American gospel singing with rock and roll. The Motown Sound helped to desegregate America's music industry and the social climate of the nation. Mr. Gordy's vision introduced the world to the soul of the streets of Black America, which included recording artists such as Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, the Temptations, and many more. Motown Records later expanded to incorporate other sectors of the entertainment industry. Motown's Black Forum label gave voice to the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements through recording the speeches and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Amiri Baraka, Elaine Brown and many other influential leaders. In addition, Motown Records began producing films to share the stories of African American life and the deplorable inequality of racial segregation, including Lady Sings the Blues and The Bingo Long Traveling All Star. Throughout his prolific career, Mr. Gordy has been the recipient of numerous awards. In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Mr. Gordy has also been honored with a Star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and received the Songwriter's Hall of Fame Pioneer Award in 2013. I grew up listening to the music of Motown, and my fondest memories of my teen years are learning to dance to the beat of Motown, day dreaming about love and life, and discussing the genius of African American artists and musicians. Berry Gordy captured my imagination and, to this day, Motown lifts my spirit and brings joy into my life. On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional District, Mr. Berry Gordy, I salute you. As we join together on August 18 to celebrate ``Berry Gordy Day'' in the East Bay, I thank you for a lifetime of service and congratulate you on your many achievements. I wish you all the best as your musical contributions and work continue to inspire future generations in our country and around the world.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the East Bay Regional Park District upon its 80th anniversary. Since its founding in 1934, the District has provided Alameda County and Contra Costa County residents with healthy recreation and environmental education. Encompassing over 65 parks and 114,000 acres of land, the East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park district in the United States. The East Bay Regional Park District emerged from a popular movement during the Great Depression that sought to provide residents with recreational opportunities and employment. The District began by developing parks within the region, including Temescal, Tilden and Sibley Regional Parks. By 1939, it started the process of acquiring land for Redwood Regional Park. Today, over 25 million people visit East Bay parks annually to walk, hike, bicycle and jog on the parks' 1,200 miles of trails. In addition, visitors have the opportunity to swim, boat and fish at the District's nine park lakes and twelve beaches. The District also hosts nine interpretive centers that educate visitors about the region's cultural history, wildlife and natural features. The East Bay Regional Park District has received numerous accolades for its dedication to natural preservation and East Bay recreation. It has received the California Parks and Recreation Society's Award for Excellence for Creating Community for its exceptional community- building efforts through park-related events, one of five awards it has received from the Society in the past six years. I personally appreciate the impact that the East Bay Regional Park District has on our youth. When I was a girl growing up in El Paso, Texas, my sister and I broke barriers by being the only African Americans in our Girl Scout troop. We were fortunate to have access to nature through the Girl Scouts, and it impressed upon me at an early age the need to preserve outdoor open spaces where young children can learn about nature, the importance of our ecosystem and environment, and to have a natural environment in which to play. For the youth who grow up in highly urbanized East Bay cities, East Bay parks represent an environment that can broaden a child's perspectives of space and coexistence with nature. I commend the East Bay Regional Park District for providing our community with a wellspring of recreational and educational opportunity for the past 80 years. The District's continual efforts to foster community and learning benefit all Bay Area residents and visitors. On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional District, I extend my congratulations on this important milestone and thank all of the people who have contributed to the success of the East Bay Regional Park District throughout the years. I wish the District continued success in the years to come.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, let me thank our ranking member, Mrs. Lowey, for yielding and for her tremendous leadership. Let me just start by saying that, yes, as an appropriator, I am very troubled by the shameful, first of all, inadequate funding levels and the dangerous policy riders in this bill. Let's be honest: the bill before us in no way is a genuine effort to address the humanitarian crisis on our borders. We should be trying to help these children by making sure that they are safe and receiving due process, rather than militarizing our southern border. Instead, this bill strips protections for children and accelerates deportations of children back to nations with some of the highest rates of deadly violence on the planet. According to a report by the United Nation's High Commissioner for Refugees, nearly 60 percent of affected children would qualify for international protections and stated that they were fleeing violence. This bill is shameful and does not reflect our country's proud legacy as a Nation of immigrants. We should be debating real proposals like comprehensive immigration reform that could really improve the lives of people and the American economy. We could pass it today. Instead, we are here playing politics with the lives of children. This bill flies in the face of our values and does nothing, once again, to address due process for these children. This was a terrible bill yesterday; it is worse tonight. It will not become law, thank goodness. Hopefully, all of us will vote ``no'' and come back and begin to look at how we really address the needs of these children. They need our help desperately.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I will enter into the Record the story of a 12-year-old girl who was trafficked for sex and labor, escaped slavery with her baby, and received a T visa in the United States. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: Voices of Central American Youth--Why They Are Fleeing Their Countries Background on the Humanitarian Crisis in Central America Since the Fall of 2011, prior to the President's announcement of DACA, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) started apprehending significantly more unaccompanied minors from Central America. ORR promptly started to open more shelters and detention sites for these children. Updated data from the UNHCR, has shown a 712% increase in asylum requests in Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Belize by nationals from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. ORR has reported a significant increase in both younger children and girls coming. Maria a 12 year old girl from Central America was trafficked for labor and sex, she fled with her baby to escape slavery. Maria was 12 years old, when she was kidnapped at gunpoint and taken to a home where she was held captive. She was beaten and raped on an almost daily basis and eventually forced into prostitution. Because of this she became pregnant and gave birth to a girl while captive. Maria fled with her child, riding on top of trains so that they might escape the sexual bondage. Maria ended up qualifying for a T-visa and is currently doing well. She has now graduated high school.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Let me thank our ranking member on Appropriations, Mrs. Lowey, for yielding and for her steadfast leadership. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this woefully inadequate Republican response to the humanitarian crisis along our border. Let me start by saying that as an appropriator, I am very troubled by the shamefully inadequate funding levels and misguided offsets in this bill. I am also deeply concerned by the dangerous policy riders that strip protections for vulnerable children--protections signed into law by a Republican President, mind you. Let's be clear. This crisis has nothing to do with the lack of funding for immigration enforcement. We don't do anything to help these children by pouring tax dollars into the further militarization of our border, and that is exactly what this bill does. Madam Speaker, our response needs to put children first. In a hearing by the Congressional Progressive Caucus this week, we heard firsthand from Central American children who had fled violence in their home countries and who had passed through our broken detention system. These children and thousands like them risk their lives on their way to this country. Some had witnessed murders and gang violence in their home countries and suffered freezing conditions and inadequate nutrition while in detention in the United States. These stories were chilling and made clear where we need to direct our resources: humane care, access to due process, and support to end the violence and poverty plaguing Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Now, no one disagrees with protecting our borders, but come on, we also have a duty to protect these children who, according to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees, 60 percent of whom were interviewed, these children need international protection. My home district makes up Alameda County, where over 200 of these children have been reunited with their families locally. Their stories are real, and their stories are very, very powerful, so I urge a ``no'' vote. Let's guarantee due process for these children who are fleeing violence. Let's have a heart.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise to today in strong opposition to H.R. 4315--the ``21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act.'' Mr. Chair, there is nothing reasonable about this bill. This bill is an assault on citizen enforcement and the rule of law. If enacted, the bill would place an unreasonable cap on the recovery of attorneys' fees in suits brought under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). By limiting fee recoveries, this bill would make it difficult for many citizens to obtain effective legal representation--and undermine the enforcement of the law. The Endangered Species Act is one of our country's most important tools for protecting endangered fish and wildlife populations. The fact of the matter is, the bill before us, would increase the likelihood of future extinctions. Mr. Chair, we are here to protect not only our wildlife, but also the very foundation of our justice system--equal access to adequate representation. I urge a no vote.