Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. As I was saying, Madam Speaker, CARICOM heads of state held their New York Conference on the Caribbean under the theme ``A 20/20 Vision,'' where they met with regional policymakers, the academic community, private sectors, and financial institutions, as well as members of the Caribbean Diaspora, to better integrate policy interests between the United States and the Caribbean. H. Con. Res. 364 promotes the importance of recognizing that our policies in the Caribbean affect us here in the United States. Caribbean-American Heritage Month reminded us of the large and diverse constituencies of Caribbean-Americans in our Nation and provided an opportunity to send a message of goodwill to the Caribbean community both here and abroad. This month also provided an opportunity to celebrate and share in the rich history and culture of our Caribbean neighbors through showcases of Caribbean art festivals, concerts, and film. As an example, in my own district in Oakland, the Caribbean- American Association of Northern California celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean through a musical concert and family day picnic.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Reyes and Ranking Member Hoekstra for their work on this bill and their commitment to protecting the security of our Nation. Madam Speaker, recently Americans have read media reports that taxpayer funds are being used to destabilize or overthrow governments of other countries. Regardless of the truth of these reports, the perception that they may be true undermines public confidence in U.S. foreign policy and harms the reputation of the U.S. abroad. That is why I offered an amendment to the bill providing that the United States will not engage in covert activities to undermine or overthrow member nations of the U.N., including democratically elected governments. Such conduct is antithetical to democracy and the rule of law. Unfortunately, my amendment was not made in order. Consequently, we lost an opportunity to repair some of the damage done to America's international reputation by the conduct of this Administration during the last seven years.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. As I was saying, President Mandela continues to lend his voice and his moral authority to causes that affect the world such as the global AIDS pandemic, poverty and human rights. Nelson Mandela is a genuine hero to the world. So I was shocked last year, quite frankly, to learn when we were in South Africa with Congresswoman Donna Christensen that President Mandela and the ANC were barred from entering the United States unless they received a specific visa waiver certifying that they were not terrorists. So I'm pleased that we were able to finally rectify this indignity earlier this month when we passed, and the President signed, as Mr. Payne acknowledged, legislation to remove him and the ANC from the U.S. Terrorist Watch list. So I have to commend our chairman, Mr. Berman, Mr. Royce, Chairman Thompson, Chairman Conyers, and again, Mr. Payne for their efforts to make sure that this occurred before Mr. Mandela's 90th birthday. Just as that legislation was a fitting tribute to his legacy, this too is an opportunity for us to express our appreciation to President Mandela for his unfailing belief in the power of people to change.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman for yielding. But I also thank you for your leadership on this issue and so many issues relating to Africa, making sure that the continent of Africa is central in our foreign policy. Oftentimes you are the lone voice in the wilderness. But I think you have seen the day now where there are so many of us on both sides of the aisle who are doing the right thing as it relates to the continent. Thank you, Mr. Payne. Let me say how happy I am today that this resolution commemorating the 90th birthday of Mr. Mandela, one of the greatest and most beloved statesmen of the 21st century, is before us. And I have to thank our chair, Mr. Berman, and of course Congressman Jefferson who brought this resolution forward, to our ranking member on another subcommittee, Mr. Royce, and to all who have really worked together to make sure that we send a loud signal and raise our voices in celebration of a person whose life has triumphed. And we've lived to see the day that good has triumphed over evil and the indomitable nature of the human spirit prevails in the spirit and in the life of Mr. Mandela. For 27 years, Nelson Mandela's struggle personified the fight against apartheid. With a very dignified defiance, he never compromised his political principles or the mission of the anti-apartheid movement. In the 1970s and in the 1980s, I proudly served as a foot soldier in that movement. Through demonstrations, boycotts, divestment campaigns and being arrested, we all expressed our outrage at the cruelty of apartheid, even while continuing to fight injustices at home in the United States. It was really a very proud day for myself and all of us when the Congress passed legislation in 1986 sponsored by my predecessor, a great statesman, a former Congressman, now Mayor Ron Dellums, overriding President Reagan's veto imposing sanctions against South Africa, putting our country on the right side of history. Those sanctions really did help signal the death knell of apartheid. And under the leadership of our own Congresswoman Maxine Waters, I was very proud of the fact that she introduced sanctions in our State of California and made our State the first State to divest. And they both very recently were awarded with one of South Africa's highest honors. Not all freedom fighters live to see their struggle bring about the changes they imagined. Nelson Mandela did. He emerged from the infamous Robben Island Prison to unite and to lead a nation transformed from racial tyranny to a thriving multiracial democracy. South Africa now guarantees equal rights for all. President Mandela retired from political life in 1999. But he continues to lend his voice and moral authority to causes that affect the world.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 381, a resolution honoring one of the greatest legal minds and civil rights pioneers of the 20th century, Thurgood Marshall. I thank Congressman Payne for introducing this resolution and for his leadership on so many important issues. When I think of 20th century trailblazers, Thurgood Marshall ranks among America's greatest heroes. It is an honor and a privilege to pay tribute to this legal giant as the House commemorates the 100th anniversary of his birth. As Thurgood Marshall stated so eloquently, ``A man can make what he wants of himself if he truly believes that he must be ready for hard work and many heartbreaks.'' His life's work truly embodied this quotation. Rising from the segregated streets of Baltimore, Maryland to the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court of the United States, Thurgood Marshall's story is one of triumph and courage. More than the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall was a true pioneer whose selfless acts advanced the cause of civil rights not only in the United States, but around the world. It was more than 50 years ago when Thurgood Marshall and his fellow Howard University School of Law colleagues and professors launched their campaign to topple the house Jim Crow built. They acted in the audacious belief that the citadel of ``separate but equal'' built on the foundation of Plessey v. Ferguson could be brought down. Thurgood Marshall's faith that justice will triumph over power was vindicated when the Supreme Court issued its unanimous opinion in the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education. That decision outlawed de jure segregation in public education, and fueled an international civil rights revolution that continues to this day. The victory in Brown v. Board was not Thurgood Marshall's first, nor would it be his last triumph before the Court he would later grace for nearly a quarter century. Thurgood Marshall was the principal architect of equality, working through the courts to eradicate the legacy of slavery and destroy the segregation system of Jim Crow. There was Shelley v. Kramer, which held that racial restrictive covenants in housing were unconstitutional. There was Smith v. Allwright, which outlawed the infamous ``dual primaries,'' excluding blacks from the voting in the primary election from which the general election winner always emerged. Before Thurgood Marshall ascended to the federal bench as Circuit Judge and later Supreme Court Associate Justice Marshall, he would argue 32 cases before the Supreme Court, tallying 29 victories, more than any other individual in history. Thurgood Marshall's deep faith and commitment to the cause of equality was the key to his success and to the legacy he leaves us. The legal strategy he developed as the chief lawyer for the NAACP and the judicial philosophy he refined as a member of the Supreme Court reoriented the federal judiciary as champion and protector of civil rights and individual liberty. The Civil Rights Movement for which the Brown ruling gave momentum greatly influenced leaders who later fought for the rights of women, the disabled, the politically oppressed, and the environment. Even the media has Thurgood Marshall to thank for the enhanced protection of its liberties. Mr. Speaker, all Americans are indebted to the late Justice Thurgood Marshall. Throughout his life, he bravely worked to help our country make real the promise of the Declaration of Independence. and extend the blessings and protections of our great Constitution to all Americans. His work honored America and so it is fitting that Congress pause to pay tribute to this great American by marking the 100th anniversary of his birth. Margaret Mead said, ``Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.'' The remarkable life of Thurgood Marshall is irrefutable proof that one person can make a difference. Happy Birthday, Justice Marshall.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Will the gentleman yield?

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 5690) to remove the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization for certain acts or events, provide relief for certain members of the African National Congress regarding admissibility, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Ms. LEE. First, let me thank the gentleman from California for yielding and for his leadership and for his commitment and his assistance in helping to bring this bill to the floor tonight, or back to the floor tonight. Mr. Royce and I have traveled to Africa. We have actually been to Darfur in the Sudan and witnessed the horrific genocide taking place, and because of your leadership and because of the bipartisan way in which we have worked, we have put, again, the United States on the right side of history on leading the charge for divestment against the Sudanese government. Here we are tonight, really a remarkable evening. It's 9:40 and we are here on the floor doing what we should do. We probably should have done it a long time. We are here. Thank you, Mr. Royce, very much. Despite his legacy as a hero of the antiapartheid movement, Nelson Mandela's receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, and his election as President of South Africa in 1994, Nelson Mandela continues to be included on the United States terrorist watch list due to his leadership and participation with the African National Congress. As a result, former President Mandela and countless men and women like him, who fought for decades, for decades, mind you, a war of liberation against the apartheid government of South Africa, are required to obtain a visa waiver under the Immigration and Nationality Act in order to enter the United States. This continuing indignity should not be allowed to persist any longer. This year, President Mandela will turn 90 years old. I believe his birthday is July 17. And so as a fitting tribute to his legacy and to the many others who fought against apartheid, all of us tonight believe that we should promptly pass this bill so that the African National Congress and President Mandela can be removed from the terrorist watch list. Like many, I was very involved in the antiapartheid movement. I remember having to travel to Switzerland and to Austria and to other countries in Europe just to meet with members of the ANC, African National Congress, to determine how the antiapartheid movement in the United States could support their courageous efforts to shatter the dehumanizing, racist system of apartheid. We could not meet, unfortunately, in our own country here in the United States because they would have been put in jail. It's no telling what would have happened to me and to others who were committed to support the African National Congress and to end apartheid. I tell you, this has been a remarkable 18 years. President Mandela was released from prison 18 years ago. And so it's amazing that to this day, despite his legacy as a hero of the antiapartheid movement, that he still needs a visa waiver to enter the United States. This is just plain wrong. Last December, I traveled to South Africa for World AIDS Day with our colleague, Congresswoman Donna Christensen. We met with many, many people in South Africa, and were specifically asked that Congress take action and pass some legislation to remove President Mandela from this terrorist list, and the ANC. Many of us either had forgotten or really did not know that. And so we came back and started working on this bill. I have to thank Congressman Berman, our Chair of our Foreign Relations Committee, and Congressman Conyers and Congressman Payne and Congressman Bennie Thompson and Senator Reid and others for really helping to help move this bill forward. Let me just say, I come from California and I do have to remind tonight the rest of the country that it was my predecessor, Congressman Ron Dellums, now Mayor Ron Dellums, who put our country on the right side of history. I had the privilege to work for Ron for 11 years. For 12 years, he introduced a sanctions bill, and finally, in the eighties, this Congress overturned President Reagan's veto and put America on the right side of history and began the divestment movement. Our colleague, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, was in the State legislature and she work tirelessly on divestment legislation. Her leadership put the State of California on the right side of history. Actually, I believe that California was the first State to move forward with sanctions against the racist regime of South Africa. Recently, Congresswoman Waters and Mayor Dellums received one of the highest honors presented to them by the South African government. So we are very proud of them and thankful for their leadership. In the Bay area and for those who may be listening, if you remember, we really started the antiapartheid movement with the labor unions, the ILWU. Many of us were actually arrested. We refused to unload the ships. The ILWU, great and courageous men and women. They refused to allow any items to come into the Bay area. And so we were arrested. We fought. We did so much to try to raise the level of awareness and attention as to what was taking place in South Africa. I can remember us carrying little black passbooks, because coming in from the townships, black South Africans had to have IDs, passbooks. And we had a burning-our-passbook ceremony on the steps of city hall to let people understand that the black majority of South Africa could not live in major towns and had to live in squalor and could only come in to work and had to leave with their passbooks. So I could go on and on. I am saying this tonight because I want those who are listening to say, This is a really significant moment. This has been, again, a long time coming. But I think this is one of those moments where we have seen the Secretary of State, Republicans, Democrats, all of us working together to end this terrible, terrible policy that we have with regard to the ANC and Nelson Mandela. I have to salute our speaker, Speaker Pelosi; our minority leader, Mr. Boehner; Mr. Hoyer. Also, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and all the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and those who, when we started talking about this, first of all, couldn't believe that this was still the case but said we have got to do something. We have got to fix it. So, again, to our staffs. I have to say to Perl Alice Marsh of the Foreign Affairs staff, to Christos Tsentas on my staff, and to all of the staff on both sides of the aisle who have worked so diligently, tonight is long overdue. It's taken a heck of a lot to get here, but we hope that tonight we will be able to say to President Mandela: Happy Birthday, Mr. Mandela. Mr. Royce, hopefully you will be able to take a signed copy of the bill by the President to Mr. Mandela and wish him God speed, happy birthday, and thank goodness we were finally, finally, finally able to take the ANC and President Mandela off of the terrorist watch list.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I want to acknowledge and thank my good friend and colleague Dr. Donna Christensen, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust. As the only doctor in the CBC, Congresswoman Christensen--we all look to Donna for her advice and her insight on critical health issues that affect our communities. Whether it is finding ways to address racial and ethnic health disparities, helping our health care system provide culturally competent and culturally relevant care, or helping encourage young people, like you all, to enter the health professions, we rely on Donna to guide us. I want to thank her for her leadership and for helping to organize this event today. My background is as a psychiatric social worker. I know how important it is to have people of color in the health professions; people that can relate to their patients and who can provide help and advice in a way that is relevant for them. As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, I have been working with my colleagues to increase funding to increase diversity in the health professions. This year I'm pleased to report that we have developed a bill that would provide nearly $104 million to increase diversity training programs in the health professions. That's an increase of $34 million from last year. These funds will go towards programs and institutions that help train minority health professionals and provide scholarship support to help defray the costs of an education. As we move through the appropriations process I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we keep and grow the money for these programs.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of today, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Dr. Alvin R. Leonard. We lost this kind spirit and community leader on April 20, 2008. A remarkable trailblazer and humanitarian, Dr. Leonard lived a full and vibrant 90 years, during which he transformed our community immeasurably. Although his presence will be sorely missed, there is no doubt that his legacy will continue far into the future. Dr. Alvin R. Leonard was a respected physician and community activist who used his talents and intelligence to serve those most in need in our community. Nearly 40 years ago, he helped found the Berkeley Free Clinic in my congressional district. Dr. Leonard then dedicated the remainder of his life to making sure people were given the opportunity to achieve and maintain good health. For Dr. Leonard, this was especially important for those who faced economic hardships or strenuous life circumstances. During the 1950s and 1960s, Dr. Leonard served as the director of public health for the City of Berkeley, California. Dr. Leonard truly fulfilled his role as a public servant, introducing initiatives which championed those most in need regardless of the opposition or skepticism he faced from contemporaries. An example of his foresight is the seat-belt campaign he launched to encourage people to buy the safety devices and install them in their cars--long before national legislation mandated that auto manufacturers build cars equipped with them. One of his greatest characteristics, noted by his family and friends, was his sense of humor. Dr. Leonard clearly knew the importance of love, camaraderie, community building, and maintaining a youthful spirit in the pursuit of both health and social justice. During his tenure as public health director, Dr. Leonard succeeded in persuading department employees to run up and down the stairs for exercise, convinced many to quit smoking, and always urged people to take their health both seriously and personally by giving up bad habits and encouraging lifestyle changes. Dr. Alvin Leonard was an exceptionally vibrant and creative person whose accomplishments spanned decades where he personally impacted the lives of those around him. He documented pesticide poisoning among farm workers in the 1940s, created statewide programs to control high-blood pressure among specific ethnic groups and examined the health effects of electromagnetic fields. Perhaps most notably, in 1969 Dr. Leonard helped to establish the Berkeley Free Clinic. Dr. Leonard was a pioneer and champion of our most vulnerable community members. Although the Greater Bay Area is one of the most diverse and innovative regions in the Nation, it also faces many challenges including homelessness, poverty, and health inequities. Dr. Leonard's compassion for those less fortunate motivated him to create a ``street medicine'' clinic. The Berkeley Free Clinic found a permanent home in the Berkeley community, one of the Nation's epicenters for social justice advocacy. The clinic services our neighbors who are in the most dire economic need by providing them with a right that should be universal--the right to health care. Essential to Dr. Leonard's personal convictions and vision are the compassion and personal care shown to residents of my district who seek assistance from the clinic. In its 40-year tenure, the clinic has served thousands of people, and today it is a strong pillar of hope for many in my district. Although Dr. Leonard formally retired in 1984, he continued public health consulting until his own health no longer permitted it during this past year. Dr. Leonard's legacy will certainly live on through the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know him. His contributions to our society were so great that his positive influence will continue on even through those who were never able to meet him. Today, California's Ninth Congressional District salutes and honors Dr. Alvin R. Leonard. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, especially his wife of 65 years, Pearl, and his daughters Barbara and Cathy. May his soul rest in peace.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express support for a resolution designating September as Gospel Music Heritage Month. This resolution recognizes the legacy of gospel music for its invaluable and longstanding contributions to the musical traditions of the United States. Let me begin by thanking Representative Jackson-Lee of Texas, the Recording Academy, and the Gospel Music Channel for all of their support to pay homage to this influential and inspirational genre of music. Gospel music is truly an American classic that's gone far too long without being recognized for the significant impact it's made on our culture. Whether it's swaying with the choirs, tapping along with the quartets, or simply raising hands to the rhythm of soul-stirring crooners, gospel music is a cornerstone of the American musical tradition. Gospel music is more than the sounds that resonate in congregations on Sundays; it's the musical thread that has woven its influence throughout religious and secular musical genres including rock and roll, country, and rhythm and blues. From Ray Charles and Elvis Presley to Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton, many of America's greatest recording artists emerged through the historical art form of gospel. While gospel may have its roots based in the African-American traditions of Negro spirituals, its reach has spanned not only across the ages, but it has grown beyond its established audience to achieve popular culture and historic relevance across the globe. With its use of choral singing in unison and harmony, Gospel has emerged as a distinct category of popular song, with its own supporting publishing and recording firms, and performers appearing in sell-out concerts nationwide. This resolution allows Members of Congress to celebrate gospel's rich heritage and honor musical pioneers from the likes of Mahalia Jackson and Sandi Patty, and the Hawkins Family, very own constituents: Tramaine, Edwin and Walter Hawkins. Additionally, it allows Members of Congress to pay tribute to this important American legacy and the role it plays in the lives of millions. Since Thomas Dorsey first stretched the boundaries to create gospel music, choirs, quartets, and powerful vocalists have been singing this same song, albeit in different styles and places. Gospel is here to stay, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure to honor the gospel community, and create a month designated to annually acknowledge the ``good news'' it represents.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. If the gentleman would yield, what you are talking about, which is so important, is a comprehensive energy independence plan. We need a national plan for energy independence that provides for this toolbox, as you describe it, that allows for all of the alternatives. I read in the newspaper that rural communities, because people have to drive so far to jobs, people are having to make decisions whether or not they can afford to go to work because the cost of gasoline is higher than the cost of their wages. Rural communities throughout our country are being devastated by the price of gasoline. This is an emergency.

Ms. LEE. Thank you for yielding, Mr. Towns. I thank you again for your leadership for bringing us together, but it's going to be through your leadership and others here on the floor tonight, our great Speaker, and bringing together Members of this body to make sure that we can have a bipartisan national energy plan. I said earlier, and I hope we will always remember, that the jobs that are going to be created by the development of new, innovative energy independent industries, such as the green industry, will be millions of jobs for our young people. And we have to also remember, as I talked earlier, about the long-term public health consequences and the environmental concerns as we move toward energy independence and clean energy, green energy, wind, solar, all of the alternatives that will provide for a much better quality of health for all Americans, as well as for a cleaner environment. So we do have a chance for a win-win-win. We can create millions of new jobs, we can create a trillion-dollar industry, we can create a cleaner environment, we can create livable communities throughout our country if we would just understand the moment we're in and be honest with the American people and be serious and do some of the things we talked about. But also I think it's important, as I close, to also remember that the occupation of Iraq, the bombing and invasion of the country of Iraq that was a country that was not an imminent threat to the United States of America where there were no weapons of mass destruction, the havoc that we have wreaked on the country of Iraq and Iraqi civilians and our brave troops, this is a big part of why, when the war started, we were paying about $1.35 per gallon, $35 per barrel; now we are paying $4.50, soon to be $5 a gallon, close to $140 per barrel. So we can not forget the economic impacts of this occupation of Iraq and remember that we have to include a demand that we end it and we bring our young men and women home. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank Representative Towns for holding this special order tonight on an issue that is on the minds of so many of my constituents. As the Democratic Majority works to reduce skyrocketing prices at the pump, we continue to face opposition from the Bush administration and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who appear content to subsidize the Big Oil Company's record profits quarter after quarter rather than adopt real solutions to meet the energy needs of people across the Nation. More specifically, we have proposed legislation that would invest in truly clean and renewable energy sources. Our proposals would also bring much-needed accountability to the energy, markets in order to eliminate the price gouging and market manipulation and speculation that have inflated energy prices to record levels. This week, we will also take up legislation to expand the use of public transit systems to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But, Mr. Speaker, in light of this growing energy crisis, I cannot help but also reflect upon the Bush administration's determination to squander our resources on the immoral occupation of Iraq that has directly contributed to the current economic downturn and the high gas prices the American people are seeing at the pump. Mr. Speaker, make no mistake, we are in the middle of the Bush Iraq recession. The economic hardship that Americans face today is the direct result of this administration's failed and flawed policies--at home and abroad. When President Bush was signed into office in January of 2001, the price of oil was $23 a barrel and gasoline cost as little as $1.35 per gallon. Now, after more than five years of bombing and bloodshed in Iraq, oil has topped $130 a barrel and gasoline is averaging more than $4 per gallon. By some estimates, the war and continued occupation of Iraq could cost the United States more than $3 trillion. That's a $3 trillion bill for this administration's failed policies in Iraq that our children and grandchildren will be paying for years to come. The American people recognize the toll this immoral occupation has taken on our economy. They are in dire need of assistance. Many face the impossible choice of buying food for their families or purchasing the gasoline they need to go to work. If we want to see gas prices go down at the pump, one of the first, and most essential steps we can take, is to end to the war and occupation of Iraq. We must also focus on transitioning our economy away from fossil fuels to the greener alternative fuels of the future. This will be a long term process that will affect communities throughout our Nation in different ways. But it is important to note that as we continue to forge new frontiers to achieve energy independence and safeguard the environment, communities will face many complex environmental and public health challenges. The drastic acceleration of greenhouse gas emissions has often been concentrated in low-income and minority communities, putting these vulnerable populations on the ``front lines'' of the fight against environmental degradation and global climate change. The communities in my district face the severe consequences of pollution, urban sprawl, and enviromnental injustice--which harshly affects people of color and low-income families. Sadly, this epidemic is hitting our children the hardest. Back home in my district, children growing up in West Oakland are seven times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than the average child in California. None of us can afford to take this lightly. The health of our community and our neighbors affects all of us. As the Representative of California's 9th Congressional District, I would also like to take a moment to recognize the role that California's East Bay is playing at the forefront of the green jobs and green industry movement. One of the most exciting and inclusive solutions to the many issues facing environmental health is the possibility afforded to us by promoting green jobs training and the growth of the green economy in America. A true green economy, one that is sincere in its mission and deeply rooted in local communities and businesses, can provide innovative answers to many of the problems our environment faces. Green jobs provide pathways out of poverty for those most affected by environmental injustice, namely minorities and our urban youth. To that end, my office has been working closely with the Ella Baker Center, and the Apollo Alliance in my district, to expand green jobs and green job training programs. I am also working with the mayor of Oakland on a new initiative to support the development of green model cities that focus on economic development through green job training academies and to create a national green institute to serve as a clearinghouse for the green movement. While we are convincing long-standing businesses to go green and new businesses to start green, we must ensure that we are also funding opportunities to train our local youth and qualify our existing work force to be able to work in these industries. I want to end by saying what so many of us deeply understand: over the last eight years the Bush administration has been openly hostile to the environment. His administration has repeatedly cut funding for the EPA and put forth disastrous environmental policies that have rolled back environmental protections and undermined the safety and well being of our Nation and our planet. Most recently, the Bush administration has threatened to veto the House passed H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008. This legislation makes critical investments in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency that will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and help to maintain the United States' position as a leader in innovation as we move toward true energy independence. I urge my colleagues to help bring an end to policies that place corporate profits ahead of the long-term interest of public health and the environment, and instead work toward a greener and more prosperous future for the United States and the world.

Ms. LEE. Let me just say how important that is because we are the people's House. Americans don't understand why they are paying $4.50 per gallon. They expect us to be able to tell them. I think by observing OPEC, being there, interacting and understanding, listening to the dialogue, will give us a much better handle on what the crisis is from OPEC's perspective and what proposed solutions are coming out of OPEC. I hope we can move forward on that because I think that is a very creative idea. We have to do things out of the box and do things that are creative because so many people are suffering. Thank you for that, and hopefully we can work together to support that.

Ms. LEE. Thank you very much, Mr. Towns. First, let me thank you for yielding, but let me thank you also for your leadership on this issue and for so many other issues. Your voice is extremely important; your work has been important, and it continues to be quite amazing. In your coming from New York and in my coming from California, we have very similar issues that we have to deal with in terms of this horrific energy crisis, and so thank you for giving us the opportunity to talk about it one more time. Also, just as I was listening to my colleague Mr. Johnson from Georgia, thank you for that very brilliant presentation and for that historical context. You know, sometimes we forget the past. In the Ghanaian language, in the Akan language, there's a term called ``sankofa.'' In order to move forward, we must look back at our mistakes, and I think what you talked about tonight really makes it very clear that we have to understand how we got to where we are so that we don't make those mistakes again, such as you talked about, which was the drilling in the pristine area in Alaska--in ANWR--and all of the proposals that this administration wants to embark upon. So thank you very much for that. To my colleague from Texas, Ms. Jackson-Lee, you have been on this for many, many years. You come from oil country, and you understand very clearly the oil industry and what we need to do to dig ourselves out of this hole, and so your voice continues to be important in coming from Texas, in understanding that the American people deserve not to have to pay $5 a gallon for gas. The courage that you've displayed has been amazing. Thank you for your voice and for your leadership. As we work to reduce skyrocketing prices at the pump, we continue to face opposition from the Bush administration, and our colleagues on the other side of the aisle seem to be content to subsidize the big oil companies' record profits that Mr. Towns talked about and that you talked about, Mr. Johnson and Ms. Jackson-Lee. They reach record profits quarter after quarter rather than adopt a real solution to meet the energy needs across our Nation. More specifically, we have proposed legislation that would invest in true, clean and renewable energy sources. Our proposals would also bring much needed accountability, which we need desperately, to the energy markets in order to eliminate the price gouging--do you hear me?--that's taking place and the market manipulation and the speculation that have inflated energy prices to record levels. This week, we will also take up legislation to expand the use of public transit systems to save energy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In light of this growing energy crisis, I cannot help but to reflect upon the Bush administration's determination to squander our resources on the immoral occupation of Iraq that has directly contributed to the current economic downturn of the high gas prices that the American people are seeing at the pump. Make no mistake. We are in the middle of the Bush-Iraq recession. The economic hardships that Americans face today are the direct result of this administration's failed and flawed policies at home and abroad. When President Bush took office in January of 2001, the price of oil was $23 a barrel, and gasoline cost as little as, I think it was, $1.35 per gallon. Now, after more than 5 years of bombing and bloodshed in Iraq, since the Iraq invasion, oil has topped $130 a barrel, and gasoline is averaging more than $4 a gallon. As Congressman Johnson said, it probably will hit the unfortunate cost of $5 per gallon. By some estimates, the war and continued occupation of Iraq could cost the United States more than $3 trillion. That's a $3 trillion bill for this administration's failed policies in Iraq that our children and grandchildren will be paying for years to come. The American people recognize the toll this immoral occupation has taken on our economy. They're in dire need of assistance. Many face the impossible choice of buying food for their families or of purchasing the gasoline they need to go to work. If we want to see prices at the gas pump go down, one of the first and most essential steps we must take is to end the war and occupation in Iraq. We must also focus on transitioning our economy away from fossil fuels to the greener alternative fuels of the future. This will be a long-term process that will affect communities throughout our nations in different ways. It's very important to note that, as we continue to forge these new frontiers to achieve energy independence and to safeguard the environment, communities will face many complex environmental and public health challenges. The drastic acceleration of greenhouse gas emissions has often been concentrated in low-income and minority communities, putting these vulnerable populations on the front lines of the fight against environmental degradation and global climate change. The communities in my district, like in Mr. Johnson's district and in Mr. Towns' district and in Ms. Jackson-Lee's district, all face the severe consequences of pollution, of urban sprawl and of environmental injustice, which harshly affect people of color and low-income communities. Sadly, this epidemic is hitting our children the hardest. For example, back at home in my own district, when children grow up in the area of West Oakland, they're seven times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than is the average child in California. None of us can afford to take this lightly. The health of our community and neighbors affects all of us. I would also like to just take a moment and recognize the role that California's East Bay is playing at the forefront of the green jobs and green industry movement, which is really a critical part in terms of addressing the energy crisis. One of the most exciting and inclusive solutions to the many issues facing environmental health and our energy crisis is the possibility afforded to us by promoting green jobs' training and the growth of the green economy in America. A true green economy, one that is sincere in its mission and that is deeply rooted in local communities and businesses, can provide innovative answers to many of the problems that our environment faces. Green jobs provide pathways out of poverty for those most affected by environmental injustice, namely, people of color and our urban youth. We have been working closely in my district with the Ella Baker Center and with the Apollo Alliance. Mayor Ron Dellums--my predecessor here and our colleague--has been working very hard on a new initiative to support the development of green model cities and to focus on economic development through green job training academies and to create a national green institute to serve as a clearinghouse for the green movement. So there are many, many initiatives to which we need to look forward in terms of providing for an alternative to our dependence on foreign oil. Let me just conclude by saying and by reminding the country that, most recently, the Bush administration has threatened to veto the House-passed H.R. 5351, which is the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008. This legislation makes critical investments in clean and renewable energy and energy efficiency that will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and that will help to maintain the United States' position as a leader in innovation as we move toward true energy independence. So I have to thank my colleagues again, especially the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressman Towns, for allowing us to come down for an hour to talk about the basic components and reasons for this energy crisis and also for allowing us to provide what we see as some real and practical solutions that we can embrace right now--not next year, but today--if, in fact, the Bush administration and his oil industry administration would accept the fact that they're responsible for this energy crisis. The American people deserve a way out. Thank you.

Ms. LEE. I just want to emphasize one point raised by Congresswoman Jackson-Lee with regard to getting our young people involved. This is a huge new industry. We have proposed the green job training academy to begin to look at the green industry. It is my understanding that now venture capitalists are looking at this as investment opportunities that will create trillions of dollars in terms of job creation and in terms of an industry. And these are jobs that do not require necessarily a 4-year college degree or a Ph.D. These are jobs, once trained, young people will qualify for and will be able to make a living wage with benefits, good-paying jobs. So we have to provide our young people with these alternatives because they are going to school now and they are getting out of school, and there are no jobs. They have not been trained for the jobs of the future. This has to be an initiative that we pursue.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership. I rise in strong opposition to this very terrible bill. It does not strike the proper balance between protecting national security and preserving our cherished civil liberties. Now I know how important those protections are from my personal experience with unwarranted domestic surveillance and wiretapping during the J. Edgar Hoover period. The government's infamous COINTELPRO program ruined the lives of many innocent persons. Others, including myself, had their privacy invaded even though they posed absolutely no threat to national security. We all remember how Dr. King and his family were the victims of the most shameful government-sponsored wiretapping. We must never go down this road again. Yet here we are again. This bill undermines the ability of Federal courts to review the legality of domestic surveillance programs, it provides de facto retroactive immunity to telecom companies and does not sunset until December 31, 2012. How can we do that? Four years is way too long. A good bill will protect Americans against terrorism and not erode the fourth amendment. This bill scares me to death, and I urge a ``no'' vote.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Let me just remind you that nearly 5,000 American troops and countless Iraqi civilians have died, more than 30,000 Americans are wounded, and more than 4 million Iraqis are displaced. As the proud daughter of a career military officer, my dad died last September, and, let me tell you, he wanted us out of Iraq, I salute and I honor our troops. I believe the best way to support and honor our troops is by bringing them home, and we should provide funds to bring them home, to provide for their economic security, their health and their mental health needs when they come home.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, first let me thank Chairman Obey, Speaker Pelosi and Chairwoman Slaughter for their countless hours and their leadership on this very difficult task. I am opposed to giving this President over $160 billion with no strings attached to continue the disastrous war and occupation in Iraq. This is the biggest blank check ever. Ever. The war and occupation in Iraq has put our country and economy in a hole, and when you are in a hole, you have got to stop digging in deeper and climb your way out. You don't dig yourself deeper in. Today that means funding the safe and responsible redeployment of our American troops and contractors out of Iraq. The Lee amendment that I offered would have accomplished that. There is no way, no way, I will vote to continue funding any combat operations in Iraq. This funding needs to end. What the Lee amendment proposed was not to cut off funding for our troops, but to provide for their safe and responsible redeployment out of Iraq. Although the supplemental retains one restriction that I have long championed, the prohibition against the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq, it does not include the other indispensable condition, prohibiting the President from unilaterally binding the United States to an agreement with the government of Iraq that includes security assistance for mutual defenses without coming to Congress. While I supported the amendment providing modest funding for urgent domestic priorities and for our GI educational benefits, I hope to see more of our economic needs addressed in a more fully and more comprehensive economic stimulus funding package. The sad fact is that over the last 5 years, this administration has spent nearly half a trillion dollars on the Iraq war and occupation, and we have now a destabilized Iraq. We have tarnished our national image, and we have diverted national attention and resources from the real urgent challenges facing the American people.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday of this week I had the wonderful experience of participating in a very important and worthwhile exercise in civilian diplomacy. Coordinated by the Campaign for a New American Policy in Iran, Tuesday's event, called ``Time to Talk with Iran,'' brought together a bipartisan gathering of Members of Congress, citizen groups, and religious organizations calling for bilateral negotiations without preconditions between the United States and Iran to dissuade Iran from seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. Our message was simple: It is time to talk to Iran. In fact it is past time we talk to Iran. Because we hear the same people who supported a disastrous war of choice in Iraq now steadily beating the drum for war with Iran. We have been down this road before and Americans have learned a simple truth from five hard and bitter years in Iraq: No unjust war ever produced a just and lasting peace. It has not worked in Iraq. It will not work in Iran. We do not need another rush to unwarranted, unnecessary, and misguided military action. We need instead to launch a diplomatic surge for peace and reconciliation. That is why earlier this year I introduced H.R. 5056, the Iran Diplomatic Accountability Act of 2008, which directs the President to appoint a high-level envoy empowered to seek to conduct direct, unconditional, bilateral negotiations with Iran for the purpose of easing tensions and normalizing relations between the United States and Iran. My bill takes a common sense approach and it is one the American people understand. Six out of 10 Americans do want their president to talk to Iran's president, according to the most-recent Gallup poll. Many leading organizations active in the nuclear nonproliferation movement support this approach as indicated by the attached letter in support of diplomatic dialogue with Iran from the Friends Committee On National Legislation, FCNL. Foreign policy experts also support direct negotiations without preconditions. In fact, a group of 5 bipartisan former U.S. secretaries of state have called for the U.S. to open talks with Iran to find common ground and resolve differences on Iraq, Iran's nuclear program, and other issues. They understand that the current policy of avoiding serious negotiations with Iran until Iran suspends uranium enrichment has not worked. They understand that an offer of bilateral negotiations with a precondition is essentially no offer at all, when the precondition is the object of the negotiations. Not only is talking to Iran the most sensible approach--it is far superior to preemptive military action against Iran. We know from the misadventure in Iraq that the humanitarian, economic, political, and military consequences of military conflict with Iran would be staggering. Simply put: this Nation cannot afford these costs--especially on top of the tremendous costs of the debacle in Iraq. Finally, Madam Speaker, although many persons were responsible for planning this extraordinary exercise in civilian diplomacy, I would like to single out for special recognition Carah Ong of the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation; Bill Goold, Executive Director of the Congressional Progressive Caucus; and Nicole King of my personal staff. They did a wonderful job organizing this event. It is time to talk to Iran. As the ``Time to Talk to Iran'' event this past Tuesday, all it takes to begin is one ``Hello.'' Friends Committee on National Legislation, Washington, DC, June 3, 2008. Dear Member of Congress, We write to call your attention to the recent call from five former U.S. secretaries of state for the U.S. to open talks with Iran. We urge you to speak out in favor of such talks and to support legislation to encourage them. Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, James Baker III, Madeleine Albright, and Warren Christopher all urged the U.S. to open a dialogue with Iran to find common ground and resolve differences on Iraq, Iran's nuclear program, and other issues. The administration's policy of avoiding serious negotiations with Iran until Iran suspends uranium enrichment has not worked. We agree with those in Congress and elsewhere who have argued that to offer bilateral negotiations with a precondition is no offer at all, especially when the precondition is the object of the negotiations. This position guarantees that the negotiations with the best chance of settling U.S.-Iran differences will not begin. Former national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski and the late former National Security Agency director William Odom wrote recently that ``Current U.S. policy toward the regime in Tehran will almost certainly result in an Iran with nuclear weapons.'' They and many other analysts have concluded) that U.S. military action against Iran would only delay an Iranian nuclear weapons program and insure their determination to acquire nuclear weapons. Extreme elements would be strengthened and the cause of reform in Iran would be set back for years to come. Military action would also increase animosity toward the U.S. in the Middle East and elsewhere. It would prompt a big spike in the price of oil and would likely lead to retaliatory actions against the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan. Current U.S. policy not to seriously negotiate with Iran has failed. The absence of talks and the addition of ever more stringent economic sanctions will resolve nothing. Military action would be disastrous. The only sensible option that serves the interests of the U.S. and the nations of the Middle East is to explore the possibility of finding common ground with Iran through direct negotiations. Common ground is not hard to imagine. For starters, both countries have an interest in a stable Iraq, a Taliban-free Afghanistan, and increased oil production capacity in Iran. The U.S. need not wait to develop leverage. Please add your voice to those of the five former U.S. secretaries of state and other senior figures who are urging the U.S. to open talks with Iran. And please look for legislative opportunities to put Congress on record in support of such talks. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Jim Fine, Legislative Secretary for Foreign Policy.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, as the prices at the pump continue to hit record highs, House Democrats know that the American people are struggling with these outrageously high prices. Some people are having to choose between buying gasoline and food. Others cannot afford to go to work. Before the Bush administration conducted the bombing, the war and the occupation of Iraq, the price of gasoline was as low as $1.35 per gallon. Now it's over $4 per gallon. Oil was $23 a barrel. Now it's over $130 a barrel. There is no way, no way you can convince the American people that the price at the pump is not related to this misguided war and occupation of Iraq. The effects of the Bush-Iraq recession, and that is what it is, are devastating our economy and wreaking havoc on the lives of families and children. It's time our Republican friends in the Bush administration join us in supporting our legislation to bring down the price of gasoline, and it is time to end the war and occupation of Iraq. Believe me, this will bring down the price of gasoline at the pump.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Mr. Austin Simon. A pioneer and man of great distinction, Mr. Simon was the first African-American Postmaster in the 9th Congressional District. We lost our beloved Austin Simon on May 5, 2008. Known as ``Si'' to his loved ones, Mr. Simon lived a full and vibrant 81 years, and although his presence will be sorely missed among his family and friends, his legacy will continue far into the future. Austin Simon was born in 1926 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Seymour and Mary Simon. Mr. Simon was a retired M.S.C. Postmaster in the Bay Area and was the first African-American to head both the Richmond and Oakland, California offices. The sheer substance of such an incredible life accomplishment attests to Mr. Austin's vitality and energy. He experienced firsthand some of the most important and dynamic moments in the struggles of African-Americans in our country throughout the last century. Mr. Austin was indeed on the frontlines of history, breaking the glass ceiling for generations of African-Americans pursuing careers in the United States Post Office. In addition to a distinguished career in the postal service, Mr. Simon served his country in the United States Army during World War II. In his community, Mr. Simon participated as an active and committed Mason for more than 50 years and served as the Honorary Grand Master of the Hiram of Tyree Grand Lodge of California. He was also a member of the Stars of Love No. 22 Order of the Eastern Star for 50 years. Even in his retirement, Mr. Simon was incredibly energetic and proved to be an inspiring role-model throughout his life. Mr. Simon knew the importance of community stewardship and creating lasting relationships with his fellow man. After moving to Las Vegas in 1996, Mr. Simon was quick to become engaged in his new community and search out new ways to contribute to society. In Las Vegas, Mr. Simon became a member of the Alpha Lodge No. 75, which he helped establish into a reputable and impressive organization. He led his fellow Alpha Lodge No. 75 members, dedicating his time and efforts as District Deputy Grand Master. It is obvious that Mr. Simon's lifelong profession was to help others achieve their dreams and accomplish their goals. A dedicated family man, Mr. Simon balanced his personal, professional, and political dedications so that all who were fortunate enough to know this great man could benefit from his compassion and warmth. A pillar of strength and historic figure in our community, Mr. Simon will be sorely missed. However, we are thankful for the opportunities he gave us to come together and celebrate the hope and love in our lives. As we say goodbye to him, we have been given yet another opportunity to reflect on the rich past of the African-American community and the tumultuous American century which defined our heritage, diligence, and hopes for the future. Austin Simon's legacy will surely live on through all who knew him, and all who know of his great accomplishments. Today, California's 9th Congressional District salutes and honors Mr. Austin Simon. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, especially his wife of 39 years, Mrs. Bertha L Simon, his daughter Linda Duhon, and his sons Austin Jr., Ricky, Anthony, Aaron, Christopher, Marcus, Gregory, Cedric, and Kevin. His legacy will live on through his siblings, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nephews, nieces, godchildren, in-laws, and loving friends. May his soul rest in peace.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, first let me thank Chairman Splatt for his leadership and for his hard work on this budget. I also want to thank all the staff, especially Tom Kahn and Scott Russell. They have put together a very good budget that we should all support. The Democratic budget restores vital funding to programs that will help American families during these difficult economic times. The Democratic budget rejects the President's cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, rejects his cuts to food assistance and rejects his cuts to higher education. Our budget will expand children's healthcare, increase support for first responders and for veterans, expand support for renewable energy initiatives and fund new green job training programs. I'm also very pleased that the budget retains language that I and Republican Woolsey worked on with Chairman Spratt to address the continuing waste fraud and abuse at the Department of Defense. Again I want to thank and commend Chairman Spratt for his work on this budget and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for your leadership and your commitment to our country's children. I rise today in strong support of this bill. Not only does it provide for the modernization and repair of our schools, but it also employs green building standards and encourages States to adopt forward- thinking, energy-efficient strategies. And I must thank Chairman Miller for this bill, and the committee, but also for including in the manager's amendment language that I authored that requires local education agencies to report on the number and amount of contracts awarded to small minority and women-owned and veteran-owned businesses. As a longtime advocate of green jobs that will be fundamental to America's future economic competitiveness, I believe everyone must have the opportunity to benefit from the green economy supported by this language. Let me just say that I firmly believe the American people would rather invest in their school children. And in listening to this debate, it's mind boggling to hear the other side talk about resource allocation and priorities. I think the American people would rather send our children to decent schools rather than fund a war and an occupation in Iraq that did not have to be fought. Here we're talking about now another $180 something billion plus as another down payment of this occupation that the President wants. This could lead us up to, what, $3 trillion in terms of the occupation.