Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to ask for a moment of silence for the people of Haiti, for the American citizens in Haiti, for the Haitian American community, and for all of those whose families and friends have been injured or killed in this devastating earthquake. Of course, Haiti has suffered through many challenges and crises-- earthquakes, hurricanes, food insecurity, hunger, poverty. Haiti needs increased attention and resources from the United States and the international community to help it recover during this difficult period. Of course, at this moment our priority is search and rescue. We have been in touch with the administration, and the President is quickly deploying all available assets and resources to assist. We ask the global humanitarian community to help us in this massive, massive undertaking. Our commitment to Haiti must extend beyond this emergency period to recovery and to rebuilding efforts. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to all of those who have been impacted by this catastrophe of enormous proportions.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. We, tonight, would like to ask the Speaker if we could keep the record open for 5 days for those who would like to add their statements to the record.

Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much. And thank you for that very powerful statement, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, and also for reminding us that this is a global response and the United States is leading. General Leave

Ms. LEE of California. I believe the Web site is USAID.gov.

Ms. LEE of California. Will the gentlelady yield?

Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much, Congressman Payne. Let me thank you for that presentation and also for putting Haiti in a historical context. It is important that we recognize and remember the history of how our foreign policy and our relations with Haiti have been so important in the past, which now has brought us to this day. So, today, we are talking about how we can respond in an emergency way and in a manner that will help the Haitian people take care of the sick and that will help with these search and rescue efforts. I also thank you for reminding us that we have to help Haiti to move forward and to rebuild and recover. Now I would like to ask Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to speak. Congresswoman Jackson Lee is a member of the Homeland Security Committee, but also she was very instrumental in the Katrina response. She provided many, many ways and vehicles for Katrina survivors to live and to have a decent place to stay until they could return home, and she ensured that FEMA was responsive to their needs. She really took on many, many issues as it relates to hurricane survivors. Now she is working very hard as it relates to the earthquake in Haiti. So thank you again, Congresswoman Jackson Lee. Let me just remind you, and I was listening to Congressman Payne, that I come from an area that is earthquake-prone. It is hard to imagine what a 7.0 or a 7.1 earthquake is on the Richter scale given our experience with, maybe, a 4 or a 5 or a 6. So this is really an earthquake of enormous magnitude that those of us who come from earthquake-prone regions recognize and understand. Thank you, Congresswoman Jackson Lee.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Andrea Lewis. A talented journalist, radio news anchor and a true renaissance woman, Ms. Lewis had an uncanny ability to broach any subject with her impressive knowledge, affability and confidence. Ms. Lewis passed away Sunday, November 15, 2009 at the age of 52. Andrea Lewis, a native of Detroit, Michigan, earned her B.A. from Eastern Michigan University, where she studied music, English literature, and art history. After moving to the Bay Area in 1983, she became an editor for Plexus: West Coast Women's Press, and in the late 1980s, she worked as a research editor for Mother Jones magazine. After gaining further publishing experience as an editorial assistant at Harper Collins Publishers in San Francisco and senior editor at Third Force Magazine in the early 90s, Ms. Lewis joined Pacific News Service as an associate editor. Ms. Lewis, known for her rich, resonant voice, made an effortless transition to radio in 1999, joining the KPFA Morning Show as co-host of the two-hour weekday public affairs program. Though the warm tone and timbre of Andrea's voice was often praised, she is most remembered for voicing sound and well-researched opinions. A tireless advocate and champion for civil rights, Ms. Lewis was particularly interested in combating sexism, racism and homophobia. Ms. Lewis acquired a following throughout her career, and was especially admired for her thoughtful and compassionate equanimity when discussing difficult subjects on or off the air. More recently, Ms. Lewis took a year off to complete a 2008 Knight Journalism Fellowship at Stanford University. She returned as evening news co-anchor and host of a two-hour Sunday morning interview and call-in program that she dubbed ``Sunday Sedition.'' She was also a fellow in the Society of Professional Journalists Diversity Leadership Program from 2006 to 2007. Among Ms. Lewis' many accolades were The National Federation of Community Broadcasters' Golden Reel award in 2002, the California Teachers Association's John Swett Award for Media Excellence in 2004, and many well-received published articles. Ms. Lewis was a regular contributor to Madison, Wisconsin's Progressive Magazine, and I am honored to hear that she was proud to have had a quotation from our 2005 interview included in the Progressive's 100th anniversary edition in April. Ms. Lewis exercised a life-long passion for music as both a member of her university's choral group, which toured Europe, and for the last 20 years, as a talented alto in the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Both Ms. Lewis and her family were so proud when the chorus had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall. She was also an avid reader, a sports fan and a lifelong golfer. She will be remembered by family, friends and colleagues for her laughter, her insight, her honesty and her vibrant spirit. This evening, we salute and honor a great human being, Ms. Andrea Lewis. Our community is indebted to her life's contribution in countless ways. We extend our deepest condolences to Ms. Lewis's family and to all who were dear to her. May her soul rest in peace.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, as one who has worked for nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation efforts throughout my life, I share my colleagues concern regarding the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran. I strongly believe Congress must support the Administration's diplomatic efforts and provide tools to help that diplomacy succeed in curbing Iran's belligerent and deceptive activities as related to their nuclear program, as well as put an end to the unjust and inhumane tactics used by the Iranian government to suppress democratic dissent amongst their own people. I have serious concerns regarding Iran's violation of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, NPT. I believe strongly that the international community must work in a united collaboration to compel Iran to renounce and cease all activities that are in violation of the NPT, and submit fully to the international inspection regime. Let me also be clear that I strongly oppose the use of military force and while sanctions, particularly, with international support, can be utilized effectively if designed appropriately and in the right circumstances, they cannot be viewed as a checkmark on the path to war. Madam Speaker, there certainly may come a time for additional unilateral sanctions against Iran and those that would do business with them. Iran's recent rejection of international overtures and threats of expanding their nuclear enrichment program without allowing for improved transparency demand that Congress work with the administration to effectively increase pressure on Iran should multilateral diplomacy fail. But let us do everything we can to support the Obama administration during this very critical juncture. Iran's failure to-date to grasp this opportunity for engagement has opened the door to a multilateral sanctions regime that will be necessary to compel Iran to change course. I have grave concerns that H.R. 2194, as currently written may jeopardize these efforts by: Setting inefficient monetary thresholds and penalty levels Risking unintended foreign policy consequences as a result of potential punitive measures against the very international partners from which we are seeking cooperation on this issue; and Narrowing the President's waiver authority in a manner that may undermine the President's flexibility as he pursues a dual track of engagement coupled with increasingly unified international pressure. Madam Speaker, after decades of levying unilateral measures against Iran with little effect, and in recognition of the essential support of our international partners, I cannot fully support moving forward with this bill in its current form. In placing my vote today, I recognize that this bill is not in its final form-but in its current form it does not meet the test of efficacy for achieving our non-proliferation goals with respect to Iranian behavior. It is my hope that changes to address these concerns will be reflected in the bill when it returns to the House floor. While we are not able to make changes to this legislation here today, I plan to work with, and in support of Chairman Berman and the Administration, to ensure any sanctions package ultimately signed into law most effectively serves U.S. interests in preventing a nuclear armed Iran.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the exceptional life of Mr. Jason Hodge. A devoted son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend and colleague, Jason Hodge was taken from us too soon, on December 6, 2009. Today, let us find comfort in the joy he inspired and his wonderful spirit. He was a bright, confident, ambitious and kind man, who will be deeply missed. After graduating from Skyline High School in 1992, Jason Hodge was accepted to the University of California, Berkeley. He soon learned how to overcome obstacles, however, when the local college funding program meant to help pay for his UC Berkeley tuition ran out of money. Although this was a terrible shock to Jason, he decided to utilize ingenuity and diligence to create a solution. After attending Merritt College for two years, Jason was awarded a tuition scholarship from the Rotary Club of Oakland, enabling him to transfer to UC Berkeley as a junior. At this time, in addition to his studies and community involvement, Jason became the youngest person to ever win a seat on the Oakland School Board--he was only 21 years old. Jason was elected to the School Board in 1996, after he offered fresh ideas and a student perspective in bringing change to local education programs. Although he had suffered disappointment as a result of the failed ``Promise'' college funding program, he wanted to do his best to provide opportunity and change for a new generation of Oakland students. He helped administer programs to protect children as they walked to and from school, and to provide transit passes for a safer commute. Jason was one of the first voices to decry the state's lack of funding for local public education, a problem which our community faces in even greater severity today. Jason served two terms, and decided not to run for re-election to the board after the state took control of the district due to local financial troubles. For the last several years he served as the Vallejo City Unified School District spokesman, also serving as special assistant to Vallejo's superintendent and public information officer. Jason will be remembered as a warm, compassionate person who was very close to his family. In his free time, he made sure to spend time with the people he loved, and also recently fulfilled a lifelong dream of traveling cross-country by train. He leaves behind his mother, father, three siblings, extended family and many loving friends. Although these days are difficult, I pray that our fond memories of Jason will bring us comfort and strength as we celebrate his life. Today, California's 9th Congressional District salutes and honors a great human being, Mr. Jason Hodge. The contributions he made to others throughout his life are countless and precious. May his soul rest in peace.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary accomplishments of Ms. Marian Wilson-Sylvestre, who has dutifully served the American Red Cross, Bay Area Chapter and touched the lives of those in need for nearly 30 years. Her work has affected countless people beset by fires, floods and other disasters, and has ensured that volunteers and communities throughout the 9th Congressional District are ready and resilient in the face of adversity. Ms. Wilson-Sylvestre has been involved in community-building, volunteerism, education and healing for the length of her career. After attending Columbia University in New York City, Ms. Wilson-Sylvestre received a Master of Social Work at New York's Adelphi University. Her career in alleviating affliction and pain for others began at the Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic at New York Hospital, where she observed and aided patients as a Psychiatric Assistant. Next, her skills in social work and teaching brought her to the Cardinal McCloskey Home and School for Children where she worked with foster children. In 1978, after arriving in the Bay Area, Ms. Wilson-Sylvestre served Bayview Hunter's Point Mental Health Clinic as a child and family therapist, and also began teaching at San Francisco Community College. Her career with the Bay Area Chapter of the American Red Cross began when she became Director of Project New Pride in 1980. For the next 29 years, she worked her way up through the ranks of the American Red Cross, both fulfilling and exceeding her duties as Case Work Supervisor, Regional Manager, County Executive, and, for the last 14 years, Senior Executive Officer. Marian has truly utilized leadership, skill, dedication and a penchant for compassion in her life's work, and I am certain she will continue to do so in her future endeavors. As member of many quality organizations, including the National Association of Social Workers, Rotary Club of Oakland, the California Personnel and Guidance Association, the East Bay Women's Political Action Committee, and the boards of City of Oakland Emergency Management, Travelers Aid Society and Allen Temple Baptist Church Health Ministry, Ms. Wilson-Sylvestre has served the community in innumerable ways. Her work has been celebrated throughout the 9th Congressional District, and beyond, including an award from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Tiffany Award for Management Excellence, a 2002 Congressional Recognition Award, the 1990 National HIV/AIDS Cultural Diversity Award, being named the 2002 Honoree for Black Women Organized for Political Action, and the Oakland Unified School District's recurring honor of Principal for a Day. On behalf of California's 9th Congressional District, I salute you, Marian Wilson-Sylvestre, for a successful career of service and your unwavering commitment to others. I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your retirement, and I wish you the very best.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Thank you very much. Let me take a moment to thank Congresswoman Fudge for really consistently raising the alarm and setting forth what the agenda is every Monday night of the Congressional Black Caucus, which is an agenda that speaks not only to the issues in communities of color in the Congressional Black Caucus but issues which really will allow for the American Dream to be real for all. So thank you, Congresswoman Fudge, and I know you come from a State where the unemployment rate is critical. People are suffering, housing foreclosure rates are off the scale, and especially in the African American community. Communities of color have been hardest hit, I know, in Ohio. So thank you so much for your leadership. Let me just talk for a few minutes about our economy. We all know that the economic security of all Americans is extremely fragile. Communities of color, especially the African American community and Latino communities, have been disproportionately hit by this recession. Last week, we released a letter which we forwarded to President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Miller which outlined our priorities as members of the Congressional Black Caucus. We are continuing to work with House leaders and the administration to ensure that our priorities for job creation and economic growth are included in a jobs package which should be finalized hopefully before Congress adjourns this year. After the release of our letter, it was interesting to read some of the bloggers, some of the pundits. They actually argued that targeted relief was unneeded. And what we propose is not based on race. I just want to be clear on that. It's based on need. We want to ensure that our resources are targeted to areas of greatest hardship. For example, here are some of the facts regarding the African American community that are indisputable: The unemployment rate for African Americans is nearly twice that of whites. 49.4 percent of African Americans 16 to 19 years of age were unemployed in November. Nearly 28 percent of African Americans received food aid compared to 15 percent of Latinos and 8 percent of whites. Recent African American college graduates are unemployed at higher rates than their white counterparts and African American workers remain unemployed an average of 5 weeks longer than the rest of Americans. More than 24 percent of African Americans are living below the poverty line and African Americans are 55 percent more likely to be unemployed than white Americans. African Americans have 2.3 times the infant mortality rate as non- Hispanic whites. They are four times as likely to die as infants due to complications related to low birthweight as compared to non- Hispanic white infants. Additionally, African Americans have shorter life spans. The Congressional Black Caucus in its continued role as the Conscience of the Congress is morally obligated to address these systemic inequalities. Moreover, as members who represent so many constituents who are disproportionately suffering, we have an obligation as policymakers to write legislation to address these moral gaps. That is why I convened a task force to develop targeted proposals to address the acutely unemployed and the crisis in our communities and throughout the country and also to spur job creation for the chronically unemployed who happen to be black and Latino, many are white, and many are Asian Pacific Islanders. This task force is chaired by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. We must maintain support for vital extensions of unemployment insurance and the COBRA health insurance subsidies as millions of Americans continue to face job loss and extended periods of unemployment. We also must continue to invest in education and job training programs that fully support housing initiatives like the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to bring some stability to our hardest hit communities. We must raise and index the minimum wage so that every working person can be assured that they will earn a wage that will lift them up and out of poverty each and every year without having to rely on the legislature to keep up with increases in the cost of living. We need to ensure access to early education, guarantee a high quality public education for every American student, and make sure that every working family has access to the affordable, quality child care that they need so that they can get to their jobs. Also, we need to reconnect with our disconnected youth and the formerly incarcerated individuals with increased support for job training and education for a new wave of environmentally friendly and economically green jobs which are going to be competitive but also which will require skills and the knowledge and the qualifications to be able to be eligible for these jobs. That's why we suggested a strong training program for these jobs. And we must remove Federal barriers to provide for a second chance. Last week, President Obama delivered a speech that was another sober reminder of the important work we must do and we must continue to work to grow our economy and create jobs. And we agree with the President that support for small businesses, infrastructure investment and green jobs is essential. We also believe that as Members of Congress we must do more. In order to do this, the Congressional Black Caucus has outlined four areas of focus laid out in our letter. They are: Direct job creation and training; infrastructure; small businesses; and State and local relief. These areas are essential to create real and meaningful economic opportunities to provide pathways out of poverty and opportunities for all. The Congressional Black Caucus remains committed to working with President Obama and our congressional leadership--Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Miller--to address the real economic crisis gripping our nation. We will not shy away from the fight for targeted relief for the chronically unemployed. In our letter, we suggested that there be a requirement that the amounts appropriated shall allocate no less than 10 percent for assistance in qualified areas of economic hardship, provided that for the purpose of these sections ``qualified areas of economic hardship'' means any census tract or block numbering area where 20 percent or more of the population is at or below the Federal poverty line. The term ``poverty line'' means the official poverty line defined by the Office of Management and Budget. So let me be clear. What we propose is not based on race. It is based on need. We are asking for no more or no less than what Wall Street got. When there was a crisis on Wall Street, the Nation responded with a sense of urgency. We're asking for that same sense of urgency to the economic crisis that is gripping the hardest hit communities in America. There was no problem when that money was targeted to Wall Street. We're asking for the same targeted help for communities under the gun. It would be a tragedy if the economy recovers and we leave communities of color behind. We know money is going to be spent for jobs. The question is, where will the money be spent? And we want to make sure that we leave no community behind. We will certainly become stronger as a nation if we ensure that a jobs bill recognizes these huge disparities. I believe strongly that it is our moral obligation to tackle poverty and unemployment and that in the richest country in the world, we simply have no excuse not to do so. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the members of the Congressional Black Caucus are committed to continuing to work together with our President and our congressional leaders to fix our economy and to create jobs that address the true depth of this recession. There is no question that by our collective efforts, we can make a real difference in the lives of all Americans. Thank you, Congresswoman Fudge, for your leadership and for giving me a few minutes to speak tonight.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 4173 and Chairman Barney Frank's manager's amendment. I want to thank the Chairman for his hard work and dedication to Comprehensive financial reform and strong protections for consumers. It is vital that we have a stand alone agency whose sole mission is to protect the rights of consumers. For too long our financial regulatory framework put the protection and stability of financial institutions first and too often ignored the impact on American consumers and retail investors. The Consumer Financial Protection Agency will help ensure that Wall Street will not be able to bring our economy to the brink of disaster ever again. I also want to thank Chairman Frank and the members of the Financial Services Committee for working with Congresswoman Maxine Waters and the Congressional Black Caucus to include several important provisions in the bill. Specifically, thanks to their focused work, this bill will include $3 billion in funds to provide relief for unemployed homeowners. It will extend credit for the recently unemployed that will help save homes from foreclosure. This bill will stop the spread of foreclosure rescue scams and includes a vital $1 billion increase in Neighborhood Stabilization Funds to protect our hardest hit communities. Lower income communities and communities of color were targeted for these unaffordable and unethical products that are now driving millions of families into foreclosure. Access to financial services and insurance products for historically underserved communities is strengthened. The Office of Minority Inclusion, whose goal will be to make sure that all Americans have the equal protection of the work of the entire Federal financial regulatory framework is included in this bill. Fairness of access and opportunity, transparency and strong enforcement of securities regulations are vital to bringing our economy back from recession and ensuring that the uncontrolled risk taking on Wall Street will never again have such a devastating impact on the entire economy. Again, thank you Chairman Frank, Congresswoman Waters and the Financial Services Committee for such an important bill.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in opposition to further restrictions on the constitutionally guaranteed right to abortion. Last night the other body wisely defeated an amendment mirrored on the Stupak language that would have gone far and away beyond the current Hyde Amendment restrictions on abortion law. That amendment, like the Stupak amendment we adopted in the House represented a blatant attack on women. It attempts to dictate how individual Americans can spend their own money. That is simply outrageous. The federal government has no place inserting itself between the medical decisions that a woman makes with her doctor. This is a democracy, not a theocracy. The religious views of some should not dictate public policy for all. We've got to follow the Senate's lead and strip the Stupak language from the final health reform bill and ensure that woman can exercise their right to seek an abortion. We cannot and should not compromise away the rights of women to win votes. We have already compromised far too much.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my esteemed colleague from Maryland, Elijah Cummings, in order to congratulate Herman and Marjorie Williams of Baltimore, Maryland, as they celebrate sixty years of marriage. Since they exchanged their vows on November 24, 1949, these high school sweethearts have been extraordinary parents, friends, and members of their community. Over the decades of their marriage, they contended against racism and segregation as they pursued their careers, Herman as one of the first black firefighters in Baltimore and Marjorie at Westinghouse. Their commitment to hard work and to their family never wavered. Herman eventually became the nation's first African-American major- city fire chief and Marjorie retired after a long and exemplary career. Even after her retirement, Marjorie has volunteered her time with many charitable organizations, dedicating herself to helping the less fortunate. Always an adventuresome spirit, she has also continued to pursue her love of travel. The two of them together raised four wonderful and successful children: Marjorie, Clolita, Montel, and Herman. Marjorie and Herman have a fierce dedication to their family, and the values they instilled led their children to prominent careers in the arts, education, civil service, and broadcast media. The Williams have been an inspiration to their friends, their family, to their community, and to everyone determined to triumph in the face of adversity. On November 28, 2009, they celebrated their anniversary along with family and friends. Please join us in wishing them the best of luck as they continue to spend their lives loving and supporting each other and bringing joy and happiness to their family and friends.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus I rise today in honor of my colleague and fellow CBC member, the Honorable Bobby L. Rush. Throughout his distinguished career, Congressman Rush has served as a determined leader for civil rights and a passionate advocate for our nation's least fortunate citizens and their communities. On Saturday, November 28th, Rev. Jesse Jackson and the RainbowPUSH Coalition will honor Congressman Rush during ``Bobby Rush Day,'' a celebration of his life and service. Congressman Rush was born in Albany, Georgia, in 1946 and spent his childhood growing up on the north and west sides of Chicago. As a child, his Boy Scout Master encouraged Bobby to pursue public service. Congressman Rush enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17, which marked the beginning of what was to become a lifelong career in public service. After serving honorably for 5 years, he left the Army to attend Roosevelt University, where he graduated with honors in 1973. It was during this time that Congressman Rush began his passionate advocacy for the basic civil and human rights of minorities, as a member of the Civil Rights Movement. In addition to serving as a member of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, Congressman Rush co- founded the Illinois Black Panther Party in 1968. With the Panther Party, Congressman Rush organized the Free Breakfast for Children program and established a Free Medical Clinic, which gained renown as the nation's first to develop a mass sickle cell anemia testing program. This commitment to the health and dignity of communities of color has been a remarkable trademark of Congressman Rush's career in public service. After serving as an Alderman in the Chicago City Council for 8 years, Congressman Rush was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1993 to serve Illinois' First Congressional District. Congressman Rush has been a strong leader and vocal proponent for issues such as health care reform, job creation, environmental protection, gun control and ending the embargo against Cuba. Most recently, as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, Congressman Rush used his deft leadership to shepherd the bipartisan passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 4040), which modernized the Consumer Product Safety Commission and established essential safety requirements for children's products. An ordained Baptist minister, Congressman Rush has remained true to the principles of truth and justice throughout his distinguished career. Today we rise in appreciation, not only of his contributions to date, but in anticipation of that which he will accomplish in the future. He is, and continues to be, an inspiring advocate for equality and a voice for the voiceless. The Congressional Black Caucus is stronger because of Congressman Rush's diligent work. His clarity of purpose and vision reinforces the CBC's role as the ``Conscience of the Congress.'' For that we are deeply grateful. We salute and celebrate this great leader for freedom and justice. To all, we wish you a very happy ``Bobby Rush Day!''

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the contributions of a truly great American who is with us today, the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson. Twenty-five years ago, Rev. Jackson embarked on a trailblazing run for the Presidency which really did energize our Nation and was an inspiration to millions. Many Members of this body are here today as a result of the movement Rev. Jackson led. Rev. Jackson's run for the White House gave us more than hope. He showed us how to build a serious grass- roots movement that cut across race and class. We learned how to empower and engage our communities so that our voices would be heard and our issues addressed. In the 25 years since Rev. Jackson's historic run for the Presidency, America has witnessed monumental changes culminating in our Nation electing the first African American President. Much remains to be done in this great Nation to achieve the American Dream, but Rev. Jackson's example of perseverance and coalition-building continues to inspire hope and change and provide for the participation of all of those in our great democracy. Rev. Jackson, you have shown us that if the dream can be conceived, it can be achieved. And we honor you today.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. And let me thank again the Representative from Ohio, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, for her leadership and for continuing to voice the concerns of so many who may or may not have a voice in this House. And I want to thank you for tonight's Special Order on the needs of American women, because in this economic downturn, where women still only make about 66 cents to the dollar, women again are feeling the brunt of these very, very desperate times. And so thank you again for continuing to keep our Congressional Black Caucus focused on addressing issues that don't always receive the attention that they deserve. Thank you, Congresswoman Fudge. So let me just talk very briefly about the issue of adolescent health and the challenges that many young women and girls face in accessing the tools and information they need to really just take care of themselves. For too long now, our country has led with an abstinence-only policy when it comes to sex education for our young people. Unfortunately, for women, and women of color, and our young girls, that policy has led to an increase in teen pregnancies and in the rate of sexually transmitted infections. Today, the rate of unintended teen pregnancies in the United States is much higher than most other developed nations. Each year, almost 750,000 women between the ages of 15 and 19 get pregnant. That's 750,000 women. And the vast majority of these pregnancies occur among women of color. The sad reality is that before they turn 20, 53 percent of young Latinas and 51 percent of young African American women will become pregnant at least once. The comparable rate among non-Hispanic white young women is 19 percent. That is just outrageous. It doesn't end there, though. Each year there are about 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections, and almost half of them occur in young people ages 15 to 24. The CDC recently found that young sexually active teenage girls are especially at risk as nearly one in four is living with a common sexually transmitted infection. Among sexually active African American teenage girls, nearly one in two is living a sexually transmitted infection. When it comes to HIV and AIDS, the story gets a heck of a lot worse. African American women are nearly 15 times more likely to have HIV than white women, while Latinas are four times more likely to have HIV than white women. AIDS is also the leading cause of death among African American women between the ages of 24 and 34. So, clearly, we're not doing our part to provide women and our young people with the tools that they need to protect themselves. That's why I've introduced H.R. 1551, the Responsible Education About Life Act. I call it let's get real, my REAL Act. This bill will create the first Federal funding stream dedicated to teaching our young people about comprehensive sex education. The statistics I just mentioned really warrant this type of a bill to be passed and signed into law. Our young people need to know how to protect themselves. Yes, we need abstinence, and we need to teach our young people abstinence. But abstinence by itself does not work. We need an abstinence-plus approach that teaches about contraceptive use and condoms to prevent unplanned pregnancies and to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections. And so, once again, we have to look at some of the policies of the past and see exactly how devastating they have been in terms of the impact on our young women. And I certainly say the abstinence-only policy, based on the statistics I just read you tonight, deserves to be dismantled and abandoned, and we need to allow states to use Federal funding, if they so desire, and if the states think that this is the strategy they want to use, and that is, allow Federal money to be distributed to the states to teach comprehensive sex education to our young people so that they can grow up, go to school, do whatever they want to do without worry of unintended pregnancies or HIV and AIDS or sexually transmitted infections. So thank you, Congresswoman Fudge, for allowing me to speak this evening on this very tough issue. Sometimes we try to sweep these issues under the rug. But I think when it comes to our young women, our young girls, we have to be for real, and we have to talk about what we can do to help them protect themselves. Thank you again.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, I rise in strong support of this bill. Known historically as the conscience of the Congress, we recognize that it is our moral responsibility to pass this today. I want to thank the gentleman and commend him and the other Chairs of the tri-committees as well as our leadership and our Speaker for bringing us to this point today. The strong public option in this bill will provide our constituents with the choice and competition they want. It will help improve health equity and help eliminate health disparities, and this bill recognizes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It will help people who choose to keep their private plans by limiting annual rate increases by insurance companies. Today's historic vote is another step forward in our quest for social justice. It really is about life and death, but it's not the end of the process. The Congressional Black Caucus will keep fighting until a final bill is on the President's desk. Today, finally, health care will become a basic human right for all, rather than a privilege for the few. We all have been called today for such as this. Let us rise to the occasion and vote ``yes'' on affordable health care for all.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, this amendment inserts the Federal Government further directly into the medical decisions that a woman makes with her doctor. As a person of faith who was raised in the Catholic Church, I have the deepest respect for Mr. Stupak and Mr. Pitts. I know personally the moral dilemmas women face in making personal decisions about abortion, but I'll tell you one thing, I remember the days of back alley abortions, and this amendment takes us one step back to those dark days. This amendment goes way beyond the Hyde amendment that denies Federal funds for abortion and attempts to dictate to women how to spend their own money. It is simply outrageous. It is outrageous. It further places the religious views, mind you, of some into our public policy. Again, we're a democracy; we're not a theocracy. The separation of church and State requires us as legislators to never cross this line and it allows personal religious views to be personal. We should not, as Members of Congress, compromise this separation. And low-income women especially will be hurt by this amendment. Reject it.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I support affordable health care and this Democratic bill so that domestic violence may never be used ever again as a preexisting condition.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, today I missed rollcall vote No. 841, on a motion ordering the previous question on the rule for H.R. 3639, The Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on this rollcall vote.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Let me thank the gentleman for yielding. I will say I do miss you and miss serving on your committee, but I want to thank you for your leadership and for everything you're doing to try to help shepherd our economic recovery. Mr. Chairman, let me just say how pleased I am to support H.R. 3639, the Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act. I have to thank Congresswoman Maloney and you for following through on the promise that you made. I don't know if you remember this, Mr. Chairman, but on the floor, you made a promise to Congressman Watt and to me on April 30, which is when the House passed these critical protections for credit card holders. I had gone to the Rules Committee to actually put this 90-day deadline back into the CARD legislation via an amendment, but I did withdraw my amendment based on the assurances of the chairman that, in his words, if banks are using the time--and this is what you said, Mr. Chairman--to take advantage of consumers and if they're trying to get in some last licks before the rule goes into effect, we would speed up the date. The banks are certainly getting in some last licks. I just want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for following up on your promise and on your commitment, because the situation is really desperate for so many people. We all have constituents who have been really shocked by their banks or by their credit card companies which have suddenly raised their rates on already existing balances without notice and without any negative activity on a consumer's credit report. We have all read the news reports about the initiation of all sorts of new fees on transactions: charging consumers who are paying their bills on time and these inactivity fees. I guess they charge you for doing nothing at all.

Ms. LEE of California. Clearly, the banks pleaded for just a little extra time to fully implement these new reforms. They're using that time to pad their profits at the expense of American families. This is unconscionable. It really is immoral. We should be totally outraged about this practice. So I have to thank you again, Chairman Frank, Congresswoman Maloney and Mr. Watt, for your commitment to consumer rights and for your hard work on this very vital reform. Hopefully, consumers now will get the justice that they deserve.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in opposition to H. Res. 867. The United States has a responsibility to engage in tough and in honest diplomatic efforts for peace as a purveyor of human rights and the rule of law in the Middle East and throughout the world. The Goldstone Report raises many questions, its most critical recommendation being that both parties, mind you, both parties conduct their own impartial investigation to find answers. Neither a dismissal nor an endorsement of the Goldstone Report will change the facts on the ground for Israelis and Palestinians who continue to struggle for a life of normalcy and peace. Indiscriminate rocket attacks launched by Hamas against Israel have terrorized and killed innocent Israelis, leaving entire communities in grips of fear. The United States and the international community have consistently condemned these attacks and reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defense. The tragic deaths of innocent civilians in Gaza and the devastation brought upon their homes, schools, and infrastructure has worsened a humanitarian crisis that cannot be ignored. Residents of Gaza and the West Bank continue to lack appropriate access to the most fundamental needs, including food, fuel, water, sanitation, education, health care, and the basic materials needed to rebuild their communities. The urgency and the gravity of these harsh realities on both sides require that Congress act always with an eye toward peace and reconciliation. In the words of President Obama in Cairo in June of 2009, he said, ``All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear.'' As Members of Congress, we can never hesitate or shy away from defending the United States' indispensable role in the peace process if we hope to achieve these goals. This resolution does not bring us closer to realizing a two-state solution.

Ms. LEE of California. It doesn't lead us to securing Israeli peace and security nor Palestinian peaceful coexistence and for their citizens a life of respect.