Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Chair, I intend to withdraw this amendment at the end of my presentation and the discussion. I want to first thank Ranking Member Fattah for his tremendous leadership on the subcommittee and talk about what this amendment would have done, which of course would have increased funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services program, better known as COPS, to the funding level in the President's fiscal year 2013 budget, which is $257 million. But I want to thank Congressman Fattah for his leadership because we have talked, and hopefully as this bill moves forward, we can look at what we can do in conference to get closer to this level. Unfortunately, the COPS hiring program was funded at only $40 million in the fiscal year 2013 bill, which is $217 million--76 percent actually--below the President's request. So while we were able to restore some of that critically needed funding with the amendment that was passed last night, it is totally insufficient. It is insufficient because of the fact that the highly successful COPS hiring program is vital to increasing the numbers of community police officers on our streets. Not only will we have fewer officers protecting our citizens now, but these cuts will result in officers with less training who are less prepared to address the violent crimes threatening our community. We simply can't afford to let that happen. Oakland, my hometown, and so many communities across this country are already struggling to contain violent crime. COPS has been a lifeline for public safety. It has worked. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I know that we are facing a challenging fiscal situation with the current allocations under the Republican budget. But slashing the COPS hiring program, even as State and local budgets struggle to make ends meet, is a perfect example of being penny-wise and pound-foolish. We must support the safety of our communities. The COPS program is active in every one of our districts--Democratic and Republican districts. So let me end by saying that supporting our law enforcement should not be a partisan issue. Our COPS deserve better. I look forward once again to working with Ranking Member Fattah and others to increase funding to the COPS program as this bill moves to conference. We need to increase it at least to $257 million, which is what my amendment would have done. So thank you again to our ranking member and the members of the Appropriations Committee and the staff for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this bipartisan amendment. I want to thank Mr. Rohrabacher and all of the cosponsors of this amendment for their leadership and for bringing this amendment forward. This amendment would prohibit the Department of Justice from using Federal funds to prevent the implementation of State laws authorizing the use of medical marijuana. In recent months, the Federal Government has stepped up raids on legally operating clinics in many States where it is permissible for seriously ill patients to be prescribed medical marijuana by their doctors. These raids are shutting down legally operating businesses and are putting the health and the well-being of patients with cancer, HIV and AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and other serious illnesses in jeopardy. Marijuana has proven medical uses that improve the quality of life and extend the lives of desperately ill people. By shutting down clinics, Federal agents are forcing patients who may be dying, for example, of cancer out into the streets to buy prescription drugs like narcotics, which oftentimes leads to prescription drug addiction. These raids also undermine the ability of States to faithfully implement the will of their voters. The people in my home State of California have voted to make medical marijuana legal. These laws have been enacted to allow patients safe and legal access to appropriately produce and dispense medical marijuana in the safest possible environment. Yet in the last 18 months--for whatever reason--the Drug Enforcement Administration has raided and shut down many licensed and regulated dispensaries, which are legal, mind you, under State law. For example, the Berkeley Patients Group in my district, which had worked closely with the city of Berkeley to stay in compliance with local and State laws in order to serve critically ill patients in my community, has been forced to close its doors and turn their patients away. Complying with the State law and relying on a memorandum from the Department of Justice, thousands of small businesses across my State have invested millions in dollars in building their businesses, created good paying jobs, and have paid millions in taxes. The business owners in my home district are doing everything they can to comply with the law, but clinics in Oakland and Berkeley continue to be subject to raids by Federal authorities. Many of my colleagues and I have made repeated requests to the Department of Justice to seek clarification regarding their enforcement policies on medical marijuana. Mr. Chair, this is about recognizing the will of the voters. The Federal crackdowns ignore the will of the voters in 16 States across the Nation. The clinics, doctors, and businesses, which bring medicine--medicine mind you--to suffering patients need clarity, certainty, and an end to arbitrary raids. We should be protecting, not undermining, our democracy by prosecuting small business owners who pay taxes, comply with State laws, and provide medicine to people in need. But really, and most importantly, it should be out of compassion for our fellow Americans suffering from a serious illness that compels us to vote for this amendment. It is the humane thing to do, and it is the right thing to do. So I want to thank Mr. Rohrabacher once again and the cosponsors of this amendment for bringing this forward tonight, and I urge an ``aye'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. First, let me thank Congressman Tierney for yielding and for your tireless leadership on this important issue. It's clear to me the Republicans are not serious about addressing the student loan interest rate hikes with the so-called Interest Rate Reduction Act. Their bill is a wolf in sheep's clothing and would permanently end the prevention and public health fund established by the Affordable Care Act. This prevention fund is the first mandatory funding stream dedicated to improving public health. It is extremely important in our fight to prevent chronic diseases, HIV, AIDS, and for women's health. This is such a sad and sinister ploy. Instead of pitting student loan relief for middle- and low-income families against critical preventive health services for middle- and low-income families, we should be working towards real solutions. Instead of paying for subsidies to Big Oil, we should invest in our students, who are our future. This bill jeopardizes, mind you, jeopardizes the health of our Nation. It uses our students as pawns, and it is morally wrong. I hope we defeat this insincere proposal.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, first let me just thank Congresswoman Chu and our colleagues for standing up for women's health today. Between 2009 and 2010, the United States teen birthrate saw a record 9 percent decrease to 34 births per 1,000. This decrease is due in large part to increased contraceptives use in addition to sex education. Yet even as African American and Latina teens saw large birthrate decreases of 9 and 12 percent, respectively--and we know it's also true for Asian and Pacific American women--all three communities still experience much higher rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and infections than white teens. The reality is not much better for African American women, who, like teens, experience more than double the unintended pregnancy rate of white women. This is unacceptable. Unintended pregnancy has a very real public health impact, not to mention the increased economic burden on families who are not able to adequately plan for their children. That is why access to affordable birth control is so very important for minority women.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, the situation went from bad to worse in Sudan, with military clashes erupting into a full-blown crisis along the troubled border region between Sudan and South Sudan. President al-Bashir, wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, is directing this new round of bombings that threaten a fragile peace. It was less than a year ago that the world's youngest nation was born in South Sudan, and already we are witnessing the disturbing return to violence and inhumanity. Last month, I was joined by 67 Members of my House colleagues on a letter to President Obama expressing our serious concern for the ongoing human calamity in Sudan. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me just say half a million lives hang in the balance as the Sudanese Government attacks rebels and civilians alike with a methodical strategy to stop cultivation and block humanitarian aid. We must not idly stand by. So I call on my colleagues to sponsor legislation by our colleagues--Representatives Capuano, McGovern, Wolf--and myself who have recently introduced H.R. 4169, the Sudan Peace, Security, and Accountability Act, to update the diplomatic tools in Sudan to reflect the current dangers on the ground. Congress of the United States Washington, DC, March 30, 2012. Hon. Barack Obama, President of the United States, The White House, Washington,

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary and continued legacy of the Sisters of Loretto upon their 200th Anniversary and Jubilee. With a current global reach in education ministry spanning multiple continents, the Sisters of Loretto and their extended network spend each day on a spiritual mission to promote peace and justice, environmental stewardship, and, above all, high-quality education for children everywhere. On April 25, 1812, the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross came to fruition through the humble and steadfast commitment of three American frontier women in central Kentucky named Mary Rhodes, Ann Havern and Christina Stuart. With the long-time counsel and support of local pastor, Father Charles Nerinckx, the women dedicated their lives to communal living and prayer. Little did they know at the time, that their lifetime commitment to teaching local poor children and housing orphans would spur a global movement. The women's selfless work under extreme frontier conditions inspired scores of other women to join the religious order. In a model of faith and service, the Sisters made their special purpose the education and instruction of girls and young women of every faith and economic means, including those still enslaved under the law. Over the next two decades, membership grew to 130 women overseeing nine frontier schools in Kentucky and Missouri. And over the next century, they founded 99 additional schools in territories that would become 13 different states. The Sisters of Loretto continued to expand the work of education westward, first by steamboat to Missouri and Louisiana. Then, by wagon train to New Mexico, mail coach to Colorado, and by train to Texas, Arizona and California. Ultimately, the order contributed to burgeoning systems of American education in more than 40 states. In one chapter of Sisters of Loretto history from 1898 to 1922, the visionary leadership of Superior General Mother Praxedes Carty SL brought greater emphasis to women's higher education goals. Mother Praxedes was one of the first leaders of her time to insist that Loretto Sisters would need master's- and doctorate-level educational training for their teaching. In 1916, a time when universities were almost exclusively off-limits to women, Mother Praxedes erected Loretto College for women in St. Louis, Missouri (now known as Webster University). From being among the first invited women participants at Vatican II to moving toward greater, independent social peace and justice efforts in the 20th century, the organization has had a presence in China (as early as 1923), Europe, South and Central America (Guatemala, Bolivia and Peru), as well as in recent years, Uganda, Pakistan and Ghana, where they co-opened Blessed Trinity Leadership Academy in 2009. The Sisters of Loretto have formed amazing partnerships with local organizations on the ground and have galvanized a network of co-member volunteers. To name a few of its many roles, the Loretto Community NGO has consultative status at the United Nations and comprises a Loretto Hunger Fund, as well as a Committee for Racial Justice. The Sisters have also built memorials for victims of slavery as well as those who have died from AIDS. Clearly, the trailblazing roots of this frontier organization, have persisted and flourished over the last 200 years. Altogether, the Sisters of Loretto and their colleagues have founded nearly 300 U.S. schools, colleges, centers and service programs, supporting the education and growth of close to one million American citizens. And, as a proud former student of the Sisters of Loretto at St. Joseph School in El Paso, Texas, and 2002 recipient of their Mary Rhodes Award for peace and justice, I know firsthand what their movement for quality women's education has done for our nation, and the world. They planted the seeds for my work for peace and justice. And for that, I am deeply grateful. Therefore, on behalf of California's 9th Congressional District, I salute the Sisters of Loretto and thank them for their immense service. I congratulate all of you upon this incredible milestone, and join you in looking ahead toward centuries' more work from the Sisters of Loretto in pursuit of education, enlightenment, peace and progress.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much. First, let me thank my colleague, Congresswoman DeLauro, for yielding and those kind words. But let me just thank you for not only organizing this Special Order, but for really continuing to beat the drum so that the country can understand how important nutrition programs are to our Nation. This is not just a job for Congresswoman DeLauro. This is about her life's work. So I just have to thank her for her leadership. Republicans are preparing to attack families on food stamps. They are planning to take an axe to one of the most important protections for the poor, children, seniors, the disabled, which is, of course, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. They are attempting to cut up to $33 billion from critical, anti-hunger programs even, mind you, as they bring up this bill, H.R. 9, the Small Business Tax Cut Act, which is another $46 billion tax holiday for the very wealthy. They are trying to bring this up at the same time. When Republicans target programs that protect vulnerable Americans from massive cuts that risk making millions of children suffer hunger and depravation, they are doing so unfortunately in the name of fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction. Yet in the very next breath when they want to give away tax breaks to the already wealthy businesses, then those same deficits don't seem to matter. Mr. Speaker, making cuts on struggling families during hard times is not only heartless and mean and immoral, but it also makes no sense because it doesn't reduce the deficit, nor create jobs. Critical programs like SNAP and WIC not only feed hungry children and families, but they support the overall economy. Every single dollar of SNAP benefits generates a $1.84 in economic activity, and the Congressional Budget Office rated an increase in SNAP benefits as one of the two most cost-effective of all spending and tax options it examined for boosting growth and jobs in a weak economy. Let me tell you today I really had the privilege to speak--and, Congresswoman DeLauro, I want to say to you thank you again for this because I know, as I said earlier, this is your life's work. This is not just about your job, okay. This is about you as a human being. This is about us and our values. But let me tell you, many years ago while I was raising my two small children, two little boys as a single mother, I fell upon some very difficult times like Congresswoman Woolsey. She encouraged me to talk about this when I came here because, you know what, I was so embarrassed I never talked about it until Lynn Woolsey encouraged me to begin to share my story. But I had to go on food stamps to help me just feed my kids during that very difficult period in my life, and it was hard. Again, I was very embarrassed. But to this day, mind you, to this day I want to thank my government and the people of the United States for extending this helping hand to me as a bridge over troubled waters. Even though I was embarrassed and didn't want to be on public assistance, I had to for a while, and it was not that I was a welfare queen, but this was a very difficult time. Most families, 95, 98 percent of the families, don't really want to be on food stamps. They want to trade their book of food stamps for a living-wage paycheck. That's what they want. Cutting SNAP, it simply doesn't make any sense. There are still four job seekers for every one job in America, and so we can't cut the benefits that help to keep food on their tables and provide that bridge over troubled waters until they can get their job. For the life of me, it's really hard, it's really hard to understand how people of faith have forgotten what the Scriptures say, that we are our brothers' keepers, we are our sisters' keepers. This is the United States of America. This is not a poor developing country. What the Republican budget proposes is that we will create a country that we won't even recognize, one that says go for what you know, one that says I got mine, you get yours. This 11 percent cut in food stamps, which the Republicans propose, it says you're on your own, mind you. You're on your own, unless you are very wealthy. I know the American people aren't going to go for this. Our values as a country won't allow this kind of cut in the SNAP program. Americans care about the common good, and so I am confident that the Republicans, the Tea Party Republicans, they are going to hear from the American people on this. Congresswoman DeLauro, once again I just thank you for giving us the opportunity to do this. I thank you because it is a privilege to be able to stand up for the 46 million people who need this helping hand, as one who needed a helping hand at a point in my life, and it helped me to live the American Dream for myself and for my family.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. As cofounder and cochair of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus, I rise today to continue talking about the tide of poverty that impacts every single district all across our country. I rise to call on all of my colleagues to come together to reignite the American Dream for all Americans by helping to create the millions of new jobs that they so desperately need. Mr. Speaker, Social Security, Medicare and the critical benefits to feed hungry children in America did not cause our deficits. Our Nation's debt is a direct result of the Republicans' two unfunded wars, their failed economic policies, and the totally failed oversight of the financial services sector by the Bush administration regulators. And giving more tax cuts to the super-rich and their corporations will only make the deficits worse and will do nothing to grow our economy. Mr. Speaker, let's not pass another $46 billion loophole for the wealthy 1 percent. Mr. Cantor's H.R. 9 is yet another tax holiday that would only increase the deficit and will fail to create new jobs. We should be passing laws that protect the health and safety of our Nation's most vulnerable, like our children and our seniors. And we must pass laws that provide some relief for the millions of Americans still struggling to find a good job. Mr. Speaker, any so-called ``jobless recovery'' where you and your family are still out of work is really no recovery at all. That is why we simply cannot seek to balance the budget on the backs of the poor, our seniors, and struggling families across America. The Republican budget, the Ryan budget, seeks to do just that. Actually, the Republican budget really is not serious about balancing the budget at all. Their budget guts, mind you, guts food stamps for our families in a time of such desperate need, it cripples Medicaid and ends Medicare as we know it today. Their budgets make these draconian cuts not to balance the budget but to create even more tax giveaways to millionaires and to massive corporations. Mr. Speaker, we can do better than blame the poor and the powerless for the greed and the corruption of the rich and powerful. We can do better, and we must do better for all of the American people. We can protect the most vulnerable Americans, grow our economy, and reduce our deficits. Critical programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, not only feeds hungry children and families, but it supports the overall economy. Every dollar of SNAP benefits generates $1.84 in our economic activity. SNAP benefits reduce long-term health care costs, improve the educational performance of children, and help to stabilize and improve the long-term economic outcomes of the families who receive these benefits. All of those positive outcomes help boost the entire economy from top to bottom. If people are able to buy a little more in the grocery store, someone has to grow it, pack it, and ship it. All of those things lead directly to more jobs. So making cuts on struggling families during hard times is not only heartless, mean and immoral, but it also makes no sense because it doesn't reduce the deficit. Mr. Speaker, there is a proposal to get our fiscal house in order even while we protect American families and invest in a stronger and more prosperous future. The Congressional Progressive Caucus budget, the Budget for All, would do just that. This budget makes smart and targeted cuts that preserve our national security, protect Social Security and Medicare, and extends and expands critical unemployment benefits for millions of Americans, including those who have hit 99 weeks where they are no longer eligible. These are the people who are still struggling to find a good job. The Budget for All would ask that the wealthiest 1 percent and the world's biggest corporations pay their fair share so that we can afford to invest in our children's future and grow our economy. America cannot afford another year of inaction and bills that pander to narrow special interests. Let's pass the President's American Jobs Act and pass a robust transportation bill that will fund our Nation's critical infrastructure priorities, fund green public transportation projects, and create real jobs. It's time that we all come together to put Americans back to work.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much. First let me just thank Congresswoman Dr. Christensen for those very kind remarks, but also for your leadership on this issue and on so many issues and for anchoring these Special Orders week after week. It's so important that the points of view of the Congressional Black Caucus get out to the public, and you've been such a steady and consistent voice, and your presence here is deeply appreciated. Thank you very much. Also, I just have to thank all of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Chairman Cleaver, for continuing to beat the drum for justice. This past week, we lost a tireless advocate for justice, equality and opportunity, and I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and activist, John Payton. John was a civil rights attorney and served as the president of the NAACP's Legal Defense and Educational Fund and was lead counsel for the University of Michigan in the 2003 landmark case concerning diversity in higher education. John was a California native, yet his legal victories touched those around the globe. At the center of his conviction was the belief that democracy at its core requires that all of the people be included in ``we the people.'' His life was really a testimony to this belief. He was the past president of the District of Columbia Bar Association and served in leadership roles with a number of civil and human rights organizations, including the National Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law and the Free South Africa Movement, and I was very privileged to be with John last year and his wife, my friend, Gay McDougall, in Geneva, Switzerland, as we worked through and I chaired a committee for the U.N. on minority political participation. John will be deeply missed by so many. My thoughts and my prayers are with his wife, Gay McDougall, and all of his family and his friends. And as we remember John and the progress that we have made with his leadership, we know that the work for justice is far from over. The recent events in Florida are really a grim reminder of the long road ahead. On February 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African American youth, was tragically gunned down while walking home from a local 7 Eleven store. The gunman, 38-year-old George Zimmerman, was not immediately charged with the murder and was released by the Sanford Police Department. Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee said that there was not enough evidence to arrest George Zimmerman even though the killer followed the young male in his SUV and confronted the teen before the shooting. More than 40 days later, as a result of the outrage across the country, dedicated reporting from the media, advocacy from community and faith leaders and vocal parents and families and, of course, the facts, which spoke for themselves, the wheels of justice are finally beginning to turn. This is really an unfortunate and tragic defining moment that we must come to grips with. First we must, of course, seek justice for Trayvon and his family, especially in the wake of the circumstances surrounding his killing. Secondly, we must make certain that this toxic and deadly mix of the power of guns, hate crimes, and racial profiling ends once and for all. Just recently, Bill Cosby said that there is a need to get guns off the street and that people should be taught to use every possible alternative before shooting someone. Yet, of course, there are those who continue to push for vigilante justice. With laws like stand-your- ground, Sanford really could be anywhere. It could be in my own community, and we have many, many of the same challenges as Sanford has. Racial profiling is real. This young teenager was gunned down, of course, because of how he looked, because of the color of his skin. As the mother of two sons and the proud grandmother of two grandsons, these fears haunted me as I was raising my two sons and continue to haunt me each and every day. The reality is that many black parents live with these fears each and every day. Again, Sanford could be anywhere. Hate crime must be enforced. Of course, Mr. Zimmerman was fixated and focused on young black males according to neighbors and press reports. He had been the subject of complaints by neighbors in his gated community for aggressive tactics. Now, our laws state that you cannot injure or intimidate another based on their race. When these laws are broken, the consequences must be applied appropriately, whether it has been the color of one's skin, their religion, their gender, their disability, national origin or sexual orientation or identity. The sad fact is that too many persons have been the victims of violence, often ending in death simply because of a characteristic of birth. The senseless violence must end. Sanford could be anywhere. So very many people feel the loss of Trayvon as their own personal loss. While we cannot understand and feel the pain experienced by Trayvon's family, there is universal pain, a national pain; and it is shared far and wide. We will continue to take up the very critical issues of racial profiling and hate crimes. A recent briefing on these issues successfully raised the level of awareness around the country about the deadly combination of guns, racial profiling, and hate crimes. Chairman Cleaver called upon the Department of Justice to investigate the shooting death of Trayvon Martin as a hate crime. On March 19, the Department of Justice launched a full investigation, and, of course, the Congressional Black Caucus is very eager to see this report. As President Obama said, this is a time of soul searching for our Nation as it comes to grips with this tragedy. This senseless violence must end, and so we all must recommit ourselves to justice, justice for all.

Ms. LEE of California. That's right. I just want to respond if you will yield for just a minute. It was really a very important moment, I think, and we were, again, with our great fallen hero, John Payton, when we had this discussion about the disenfranchisement of individuals, the entire population of the District of Columbia. He was totally dedicated to voting rights for the District of Columbia. And I'm so pleased that Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton is continuing to fight the good fight and has made sure that all of us do not forget that we live here during the week and that we also have a real commitment to ensure that there are full voting rights for the residents of the District of Columbia. They pay taxes. They have the full responsibilities and duties of American citizens, and they should be able to vote. And John Payton stood for that throughout his life.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his tremendous leadership. I rise in very strong opposition to the Republican budget, which really is a path to more prosperity for the 1 percent. Once again, the Republicans are proposing a budget that pays for tax cuts for the very wealthy at the expense of senior citizens and the most vulnerable Americans. At a time when America faces the greatest-- mind you, the greatest--income inequality since the Great Depression, this Republican budget would continue the largest wealth transfer in history to the top 1 percent. It would recklessly deny support services to the poor and the hungry, end the Medicare guarantee, and destroy American jobs, while preserving tax breaks for millionaires, special interests, and Big Oil. That's not all. While the Republican budget crushes the American Dream for those striving to become part of the middle class--of course, that's the poor and the working poor--it would increase spending for an already bloated Pentagon budget and continue the war in Afghanistan at a time when seven out of 10 Americans believe the war should come to an end. We cannot do this to America's struggling families and our seniors or low-income individuals. I urge all Members to reject this Republican budget and, instead, support the budget proposals put forth by Congressman Van Hollen and the Democrats, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the Congressional Black Caucus.

Ms. LEE of California. Let me first thank chairman Emanuel Cleaver for his tremendous leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus and of many caucuses in this House. I also thank Representative Bobby Scott and Representative Gwen Moore and all of our CBC colleagues for their tireless efforts on this budget. At a time when America is facing the greatest income inequality since the Great Depression, we must stand up and put the needs of the most vulnerable over the wants of the most wealthy, the special interests, and Big Oil. The Congressional Black Caucus' budget is a moral document that shows our Nation's priorities and our values. This budget makes important investments in job creation, transportation, health care, and education. The CBC budget also protects the safety net without cutting Social Security or destroying Medicaid or by ending the Medicare guarantee, as the Republican budget does. We must ensure that those who have borne the brunt of this recession, who have experienced the highest unemployment rates, and the highest rates of poverty--communities of color--have an opportunity to return to the workplace in order to support their families, have access to education and to the American Dream. These should be the values and priorities of a budget--a budget for everyone in mind, not just for the 1 percent. These are the priorities that will ensure our country and all of its people, not just the 1 percent, recover fully from this devastating recession.

Ms. LEE of California. A budget is a moral document that shows our Nation's priorities and our values. How can we allow this Medicare guarantee that our seniors have contributed to throughout their lives to be turned into a privatized voucher plan? Where is our sense of morality? Allowing our seniors to really just begin to fall through the cracks, that is just wrong. We need a budget that puts Americans back to work, that invests in our future, that protects the safety net, including Medicare, and works to reignite the American Dream for all and not crush it for all but the wealthiest 1 percent.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Let me just mention also, in closing, that our budget also ends the combat operation in Afghanistan. The American people want the war to end. We have decided no more funding for combat operations; there's no military solution. We do provide the funds to protect our troops and contractors and to bring them home safely in an orderly fashion.

Ms. LEE of California. Let me first thank Congressman Honda, Congressmen Grijalva and Ellison, and all of the CPC members for their tireless effort on this budget, Congresswoman Woolsey, and all our members who really put so much time and effort into this. I'm proud to be a cosponsor of the Budget for All because the American people must have an honest budget that does not blame the poor for the problems created by the superrich. The Tea Party Republican budget for the 1 percent does just that. Their budget only cuts programs for our seniors, our children, and our Nation's working poor and vulnerable, while giving away $4.4 trillion in tax cuts for the superrich. And for all of their heartless cuts that end Medicare, hurt our children, close schools, and fire police officers, they don't even come close to balancing the budget because they can't stop themselves from giving away trillions to the special interest Big Oil and the top 1 percent. I strongly believe that a budget is a moral document that shows our Nation's priorities and values. Like the Congressional Black Caucus' budget, the Congressional Progressive Caucus budget is a moral budget, one that invests in the future of all Americans and one that believes that our greatest days lie ahead.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, the Hon. Ed Pastor, to honor the extraordinary life of my aunt, Mrs. Juanita Franklin. Those who knew her as wife, sister, aunt, great-aunt, great-great aunt, friend and neighbor affectionately called her ``Auntie Nita'' or ``Sister.'' As a loving partner, a second mother to many generations of nieces and nephews, and as a dedicated community member, Mrs. Franklin was known for her strong personal values and her simple approach to life. With Juanita's passing on March 18, 2012, we are reminded of her life's journey over the last century, and the joyful legacy she inspired. Mrs. Juanita Adele Franklin was born to Mr. William Calhoun Parish and Mrs. Willie Edith Parish, in El Paso, Texas on July 8, 1911. She was one of three daughters, and enjoyed growing up with her two sisters, Lois Murell and Mildred Massey. Raised in El Paso, where she attended Douglass Elementary and High School, Mrs. Franklin went on to Huston Tillotson College in Austin, Texas, where she received a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts. It was there that Mrs. Franklin met the love of her life, the late Albert Franklin. The couple exchanged vows in 1935 in San Antonio, Texas, and were married for over 50 years. Although she never had children of her own, Juanita adored her nieces and nephews and served as a generous mentor and confidant. Throughout her long life, she took great joy in watching her great and great-great nieces and nephews grow and thrive. Over their five decades of marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin resided in El Paso, TX, Portsmouth, VA, Los Angeles, Pacoima, and Oakland, CA, and Sun City, AZ. Upon the death of her husband, she went to live with her youngest sister, Mildred, and spent the last eight years of her life at The Right Choice Adult Care Home in Glendale, AZ. There she received excellent care, established close friendships, and kept up on current events as an avid reader until her final days. Mrs. Franklin will always be remembered for her pleasant disposition, her warm smile and her welcoming spirit. A great lover of good food and rich sweets--especially chocolate candy and donuts--Mrs. Franklin attributed her impressive longevity to following the Golden Rule, having personal integrity and eating right (without sacrificing dessert). She stressed the importance of treating everyone with respect, and some of her favorite pastimes included lively discussions with family and friends about the state of the world, as well as scenic car rides. One of the great milestones of her life was her 100th birthday, which she celebrated last year surrounded by friends and family--along with special recognition and well wishes from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Upon her homegoing, we continue the celebration of this incredible woman, who touched others' lives in countless ways. Today, the 9th Congressional District of California and the 4th Congressional District of Arizona salute and honor an outstanding human being, Mrs. Juanita Adele Franklin. The contributions she made throughout her life are now part of an enduring legacy. She is survived by sisters Lois Murell and Mildred Massey; nieces Barbara Lee, Mildred Whitfield (Calvin), and Beverly Hardy (Martin); a host of great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and friends. Her loved ones will continue to draw strength and comfort from the memory of her dignity, her decency, and her infinite kindness. May her soul rest in peace.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall votes 122 126. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on No. 122, ``yes'' on No. 123, ``no'' on No. 124, ``yes'' on No. 125, and ``no'' on No. 126.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall votes 118 120. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on #118, ``no'' on #119, and ``yes'' on #120.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote 112 117. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on #112, ``no'' on #113, ``yes'' on #114, ``yes'' on #115, ``yes'' on #116 and ``no'' on #117.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote 111. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on H.R. 3992.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank Congressman Mike Quigley for working to organize Women's Health Wednesday, and also all of my colleagues of the Congressional Pro Choice Caucus, of which I am also a member, for standing up for women's health every single day. I'm here, once again, to stand against the ongoing War on Women and Women's Health. And let me just say how unfortunate it is that we continue to have to fight for what is and should be a basic health right and necessity for women. I am sure the American people would much rather have us focusing on ways to create jobs, especially for the long-term unemployed. Yet here we are again. Defending women's right to access basic health care services. And yes, that includes contraception. Much of the debate around access to contraception has centered on the so-called conscience clause. The ability of a religiously affiliated business to withhold access to contraception care for women based simply on an abstract moral objection. An objection, mind you, that not only ignores the conscience or moral beliefs of the women these businesses employ, but completely disregards the real medical needs of these women. And let me say, as I have before, that as a former devout practicing Catholic I fully understand and respect the Church's doctrine on contraception, even though I disagree with it. But the health care decisions a woman makes should and must be between her and her doctor. And as I have always said, the government has no place inserting itself between the medical decisions a woman makes with her doctor. Period. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to recognize and highlight those women who are especially impacted by the attempts of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, as well as some religious leaders, to restrict access to vital contraception coverage. Those who often get lost in the debate around this issue. Although I believe that women's health care decisions should not continue to be unfairly politicized. We know the benefits of birth control for women and their families. We know how planned pregnancy and spacing children improves the quality of life and the outlook for the children and the whole family. And we know that is also improves the health of the woman. Often, however, we do not hear from the women for whom birth control may literally mean the difference between life and death. I'd like to share the story of a woman named Sally who is from my district in California. She is a working mother who could not afford to have more children. After numerous miscarriages, she relied on birth control to allow her body to heal properly before becoming pregnant again. After a couple of years of taking this medication, her body healed sufficiently to allow her to finally have a viable pregnancy. Another young woman from California has polycystic ovarian syndrome and uses birth control to regulate her hormones. She was prescribed the medication after her gynecologist had to scrape dozens of precancerous cysts from her uterus. According to her gynecologist, had another 6 months passed, this young woman would have developed full blown cancer. And another young woman who, after having a very difficult first pregnancy and being diagnosed with a serious heart condition, was told by her doctor that if she were to become pregnant again, it could cost her life and the life of her unborn child. And so she depends, in part, on contraception to not only to preserve her life, but to be there to raise her son. And these are just a few of the thousands of stories from women across the country who use contraception for many many medical reasons. Two years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act we are beginning to see true reforms in our health care system that expands access to vital preventative health services. We must protect these gains, instead of working against them. It is time to stop this War on Women and Women's Health Care.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, it is with a very heavy heart that I rise tonight to honor and commemorate the life of a world leader, but more importantly, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a father, a brother, an uncle, a boss, a dedicated family member to so many. I offer my condolences and prayers to Don's family, to his staff. They need our comfort during these very difficult days. Don was more than a colleague to many of us, myself included. He was a very good friend. We lived near each other in Washington, D.C., here, and I had the privilege to drive him home quite often. These were special moments for me which I will always cherish; for it was during these rides that he counseled me. He cracked so many jokes to cheer me up because he always knew what we were going through, and we talked about family, friends and what was really real in our lives. Don loved children, and he relished his membership on the committee on Education and the Workforce. Of course, before coming to Congress, he was the national president of the YMCA and an elementary school teacher. But, yes, Don was also a global leader. And I have traveled abroad with Don, and he was greeted as a head of state and a comrade. But Don didn't especially like traveling with large congressional delegations. He liked going by himself and with his brother to the middle of conflicts, sometimes in the bush and in the jungles, to meet with guerrilla leaders and freedom fighters. He helped negotiate truces; and all sides, everywhere in the world, loved and respected him. Now, for many years, Don was the lone voice in the wilderness calling for a declaration of genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Finally, we all got it. And as a result of Don's persistence working with both sides of the aisle to address the atrocities of genocide, his bill passed, this declaration of genocide, with bipartisan support. I was honored to serve on Congressman Payne's subcommittee for many, many years, the Subcommittee on Africa. He was a brilliant and a fair chairman, and he helped me shepherd and negotiate many bills and many of my legislative efforts. Yes, I was blessed to have visited Don on Thursday afternoon. He smiled, we talked, he whispered a few words, and he gave me a thumbs up. I met Don Payne through the mail in 1998 when my predecessor, who I know sends his condolences today, Congressman Ron Dellums, told him I was running for Congress. He sent me a wonderful note then--I didn't even know him--and a contribution. And when I was elected, he came up to me; he hugged me and he became my mentor on so many issues. In closing, let me just say that I know--and we talked a lot about this, and I've been to church with him--that Don Payne was a humble man of tremendous faith. In thinking of Don this evening, I'm reminded of a Scripture taken from 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verses 6 8. It says: As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed; the time is here for me to leave this life. I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day--and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for Him to appear. May Don's soul rest in peace.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I'd like to yield now to the gentleman from South Carolina, our assistant leader, Congressman Jim Clyburn.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, last night we lost a world leader, a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a great leader who consistently brought light to human suffering taking place around the world and what we here in Washington, D.C., can do for it. It is with a heavy heart that I rise today in memory and in honor of Congressman Don Payne, a brilliant leader, former chair of the Africa Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs, and to do what I'm sure he would be doing if he were with us today, speak out against the massacres taking place in Sudan. These killings are taking place in the Sudanese state of South Kordofan, outside the view of this Congress, and most Americans are unaware of this humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the same region where we saw bloodshed in Darfur for many, many years. Madam Speaker, on this day of mourning for Representative Payne, I know he would want us to recommit ourselves to act to prevent further bloodshed and suffering in Sudan. My thoughts and my prayers are with Congressman Payne's family, his friends, and his constituents. May his legacy live forever. I will deeply miss his wise counsel and his friendship.