Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Let me thank the gentlelady for yielding, for her leadership, and for her fairness and her diligent work on the Rules Committee. Also, I want to thank Chairman Barney Frank and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor today. First let me say that I was on the floor two nights ago, and Members of Congress so eloquently reminded us that this is National Bible Week. So as one who believes in the Scriptures, as a Christian, and as one who embraces what everything, Democrats and Republicans, were talking about the other night as it relates to love thy neighbor as thyself, we are responsible for the least of these. I know for a fact, like all of you know for a fact, that discrimination against anyone, and I mean anyone, is morally and ethically wrong, and it goes against the teachings of all of our great religions. The Baldwin amendment, which recognizes that transgendered Americans should have all of the protections and the rights of any person in America, should be included in this bill. It should include the Baldwin amendment. Because if we believe in who we are as a country, and if we believe that discrimination is wrong against anyone, then how in the world can we leave out a significant number of Americans in this bill? So, if it becomes law, transgendered Americans will still face discrimination in the workplace. And we must not let up until we ban discrimination against everyone. I just want to say, in closing, that gender identity should not be allowed in terms of discrimination in terms of the laws that we pass. We should not allow discrimination against anyone based on gender identity, based on sexual orientation, based on race, religion, age. This is America. This is America. And I think that the Baldwin amendment would take us one step closer to being the country and the America that we all believe in and that we all love.

Ms. LEE. What I'm saying is I think that the Baldwin amendment should be part of the bill that we are debating today. I believe that discrimination against anyone in our country is wrong based on any----

Ms. LEE. As I said earlier, I believe that discrimination against anyone is wrong in our country, and especially discrimination based on gender identity.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentleman for yielding me this time and for his diligent and fair leadership on the Rules Committee. Let me also thank Chairman Obey for this bill and for your tireless efforts in crafting this legislation. Our spending priorities do reflect our values as a country, and during this week, which some of you heard last night, this is National Bible Week. I think it is very important as we debate this bill to remember some of the statements and speeches that were made last night with regard to caring for the least of these. I am pleased we were able to fund critical programs under the Department of Health and Human Services, programs like nurses education and the Ryan White CARE Act and the Minority AIDS Initiative. I look forward to working with our colleagues to try to increase funding for all of our AIDS initiatives in the coming year. I also want to thank the committee for funding critical education programs. What are we saying to the American people when we pass legislation that funds education, like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, TRIO, GEAR UP, Upward Bound, and programs that strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic- serving universities. We are saying these are our priorities. These are the programs that we care about and want to see implemented which invest in our children's future. Madam Speaker, much has been said and reported about the President's veto threat. What does this senseless veto threat say to the American people? It says that the President's priority is funding an occupation in Iraq as opposed to investing in the future of our country. We are now spending $12 billion a month in Iraq. For the price of 1 month of our occupation in Iraq, we could be paying for 1.5 million children to go to Head Start for a whole year. We could hire 200,000 new school teachers for a year, and we could even insure 7 million of the 8.7 million children living in this country that do not have health care insurance for a whole year. This is a fundamental question where we should spend our priorities. We actually could continue to spend our tax dollars on a war without end, or we could use our tax dollars to spend on our children, our schools, our communities and on our veterans who have valiantly sacrificed so much. They deserve an ``aye'' vote on this rule and the underlying conference report. Let's remember this is National Bible Week and let us do what the Scriptures would dictate on this bill and support the rule and the bill for the least of these.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise to insert into the Congressional Record this important article on our colleague Congressman Pete Stark. [From the Alameda Sun, October 26, 2007] When Even the Powerful Can't Speak the Truth Rep. Fortney ``Pete'' Stark, D-Fremont, the normally calm, grandfatherly and moderate (for the Bay Area) congressman found himself at the center of a rhetorical hornet's nest last week after daring to tell his colleagues that paying for children's health insurance should come before throwing money at President Bush's bungling military adventurism. With the president's approval rating at 24 percent, about as low as former President Nixon's was when he left office, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released last week, it was only too predictable that Bush's few remaining supporters would immediately leap from their foxholes to shoot the messenger. The messenger, in this case was Stark. His words were crude and offensive but his frank oration is admirable. Stark could have chosen his words more carefully, a fact the Democratic leadership made apparent when they dragged him behind the woodshed. But love him or hate him, Stark had the guts to speak in a way that most of his 434 colleagues won't. Stark cut through the vapid pablum that passes for political debate in this country; the junk-food rhetoric composed by spin-doctors, tested by focus groups, and proofread by campaign consultants and lobbyists. Just listen to what emanates from the mouths of the leading candidates of both parties in the lead up to November 2008. Or watch the drivel passed off as incisive political coverage on the 24- hour cable TV stations. Whether it's Hillary, Romney, Guiliani, Edwards, or McCain, not one policy or word is uttered without first being massaged and sanitized, calculated not to enlighten or lead, but to win votes without offending any demographic. Obama, who was catapulted into second place in the polls because he appeared sincere in the spring, has receded after picking up the playbook of ``serious candidate.'' Stark got into hot water while speaking of the fundamental choice of policy-makers: one framed as ``guns or butter.'' Eventually societies must choose between military spending and the needs of its citizenry. The statement was uttered during debate on the House floor following Bush's veto of the popular State Children's Health Care Program (SCHIP), an $11.2 billion annual program that helps poor parents buy health insurance for their children. Compare that figure to this week's White House request for $46 billion more to shovel into the quagmires in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to an estimate by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, if the above figure is included, by the time the clock runs out on Bush's administration, U.S. taxpayers will be on the hook for $808 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. That's roughly 10 times what Bush's father spent to humble Saddam Hussein in 1991. China won't keep lending us that money forever. Sooner or later, the bill will come due. What Stark actually told his colleagues: ``The Republicans are worried that they can't pay for insuring an additional 10 million children.'' ``They sure don't care about finding $200 billion to fight the illegal war in Iraq. Where are you going to get that money? Are you going to tell us lies like you're telling us today? Is that how you're going to fund the war? ``You don't have money to fund the (Iraq) war or children. But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people--if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement.'' These incendiary words launched an explosive backlash from pundits who immediately demanded Stark's head. Stark was next criticized by the Democratic Party leadership, but survived a vote of official reprimand that Democrats tabled. Stark then publicly apologized Tuesday saying: ``I want to apologize to my colleagues, many of whom I have offended, to the president, his family, (and) to the troops. I apologize for this reason: I think we have serious issues before us, the issue of providing medical care to children, the issue about what we're going to do about a war that we're divided about how to end.'' If a U.S. congressman can be shouted down for speaking an essential truth: that blood and treasure is being spilled in a perverse quest by the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to outshine the legacy of his own father, these are truly dire days for our republic. One wonders what reactions would spew forth from the mouths of those who vilify Stark had they read the words of another great American, a true Republican: Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower: ``In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. ``We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.'' Too bad his warning so quickly landed in the ashcan of history.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you Congresswoman Tubbs Jones for once again organizing these very important message hours. Again, your experience as a judge, as a prosecutor, as a mother of a young African American brilliant young man understands very clearly why this legislation is so important. You have seen lives shattered and you have done your best in so many ways to make sure that efforts such as the Second Chance Act gets passed. So thank you again for your leadership and for everything that you are doing. And to Congressman Danny Davis, let me just say I am so excited that finally we will get a chance to vote on this very important bill. You have been the lone voice in the wilderness and have been working on this for so many years. We all must begin to recognize the unique needs of those formerly incarcerated individuals on the path to reentry, and I can think of no one who has led in this effort such as yourself, Congressman Davis. So thank you again and congratulations. Today our prisons and our jails are filled to the roof, mostly with nonviolent drug offenders at enormous cost to the taxpayers. The politics of locking people up, very easy. Though not enough lawmakers have given really much thought to the hard part, and that is the fact that more than 95 percent, 95 percent of those who are locked up will return at some point home with little or no preparation to succeed and no support to keep them out of jail. The reality is recidivism rates continue to rise, with nearly 70 percent of those released from incarceration returning to prison within 3 years. Without arming them with the necessary tools for survival, we are condemning them to repeat their past mistakes. This does nothing to reduce crime, nor does it do anything to provide for safer communities. Today we can truly change the landscape of reentry programs. We must make rehabilitation a reality, not just an abstract proposal. By providing all formerly incarcerated individuals with greater access to education, jobs, health care, drug treatment, we will reduce recidivism rates across the board. Mr. Speaker, the fact is, and just let me say with regard to my district alone, over 14,000 formerly incarcerated persons return to my congressional district every year. In my home State of California, over 500,000 adults, 500,000 adults are on parole or probation, primarily African American and Latino men. Moreover, California spends about $7,200, just a drop in the bucket, every year on each student but pays over $25,000 a year for each prisoner. Governor Schwarzenegger has increased the prison budget by more than $5 billion. That's more than $1 billion a year since he took office. This is not the way to go. And in California, unfortunately, and we have worked very hard to do this and still haven't quite made it, rehabilitation is still not a part of California's prison reform effort. So what we are doing here by helping with the Second Chance Act and getting this passed provides for comprehensive reentry programs that are really critical not only to my State but to the entire country. Up to 60 percent of formerly incarcerated individuals are unemployed a year after release, and up to 30 percent go directly to homeless shelters upon their release. The incidents of drug use among ex- offenders is over 80 percent. Now, that's twice the rate of the United States population. It is more than clear that something needs to be done. Following the lead of our colleague from Illinois, Congressman Davis, just this past weekend, and I wanted to mention this because Congressman Davis was with at our first record remedy Clean Slate Summit 3 years ago to help those who qualify to legally clean up their record so that they can gain access to employment, education, housing, and civic opportunities. Since this first clinic in April of 2005, and I believe Congressman Clyburn was there and Congressman Watt and they witnessed this, there were 900 to 1,000 individuals, primarily African American men, who came to learn about how to clear up their records. Well, I am very proud to say that now we have cleared approximately 3,600 records. We worked to coordinate these efforts of community groups like the East Bay Community Law Center and All of Us Or None of Us, which is a phenomenal organization, headed by Dorsey Nunn, whom Congressman Davis knows, who has chapters all over the country, and they are certainly leading the way in our community. Also with great elected leaders like Mayor Dellums and Assembly member Sandre Swanson, Supervisor Carson, many of our judges and the District Attorney's office. And it is only through this very comprehensive and cooperative approach that we can successfully assist those who are so often completely cut off from their communities. And this is only a small example of what we can do within a very narrowly defined law. But it is truly all about us or none of us. We have a vested interest, a vested interest, in making sure that people reenter our communities successfully. Help with cleaning their records provides an opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals to get a job, to go back to school, or to find a place to live. This bill is so important to all of these efforts. Also I want to thank Congressman Davis and Congresswoman Tubbs Jones for helping us deal with this one issue that, again, is so important but oftentimes goes below the radar, and that is allowing ex-offenders who have paid their debt to society to be allowed access to food stamps. Many don't even know that there is a lifetime ban, lifetime ban, on applying for food stamps for those who have been convicted of drug felonies. We say let them eat. I mean, you know, let them eat. Two hundred dollars, and you are turned out into a community with nothing and can't even get food stamps. This is a shame and disgrace. Again, so many examples of laws that need to be changed, that need to be changed. But this moment we have now to help pass a bill to help formerly incarcerated individuals receive this second chance is so, so important. Let me remind us of what Booker T. Washington once said. He said: ``Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life but by the obstacles which he or she has overcome.'' We must end this cycle of injustice that is perpetrated by a system that continues to punish people long after they have paid their debts to society. No one condones criminal activity; but I tell you once one serves their time, they should be able to feed their family and move on with their lives. In closing, like Congresswomen Tubbs Jones and Jackson-Lee indicated, as I listened to those speaking tonight in honor of National Bible Week and as one who deeply believes in the wisdom and direction of the Bible, to love one another, I do hope that these statements which we heard tonight weren't just a bunch of rhetoric. I hope that all of those lifting up the teachings of the Bible tonight vote for this bill, H.R. 1593, and all of the legislation sponsored by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, which continues to be the conscience of the Congress. Our bills, many bills that we see come to this floor truly reflect the command of the Bible to take care of the least of these. So tonight and this week we have a chance to do just that. And I want to thank Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick, our great Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus for making sure that we come to the floor and have this opportunity to let the country know what the Congressional Black Caucus stands for and what we are doing for the least of these. Thank you Congresswoman Tubbs Jones again for yielding.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, first let me thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for yielding and her leadership in organizing these Special Orders. This is a particularly timely discussion we are having tonight, and I want to again thank Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones for ensuring that not only this issue, the ongoing genocide in Darfur, stays in the spotlight, but also so many issues that we are addressing here on behalf of the American people and as a result of the Congressional Black Caucus being the conscience of the Congress. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones, thank you very much for your voice, stepping up to the plate, and your constant leadership on the issues we are addressing, which are so timely and, quite frankly, so difficult. The poor track record of the Sudanese Government in previous talks really have warranted our work here to become more intense and revved up. We have got to do our part to keep the pressure up on all sides, especially the government, and come together to stop the violence and the killing. Now, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congresswoman Tubbs Jones, I am very pleased that you recounted some of this history tonight because it was Congressman Don Payne who for so long was the lone voice in the wilderness with regard to the genocide that was taking place. Finally, several years ago he brought together this entire body to declare that what atrocities we had witnessed is genocide. So this declaration of genocide exists, it's a matter of record, and we, unfortunately, have not acted in a way that warrants that declaration in terms of the Darfurian people. So we have to remember Congressman Don Payne tonight and members of the Congressional Black Caucus who have visited Darfur. I have been there on three occasions. We have witnessed the tragedy, we have witnessed the faces, the eyes of the children who have seen right before their eyes their villages burn, their women raped and their family members killed. It is very important that we come together once again with our young people from around the country, because it is young people who are leading the charge, and the faith community, to end this genocide. Unfortunately, as Congresswoman Tubbs Jones said earlier and, again, The Washington Post, actually the headlines today, says: ``U.S. promises on Darfur don't match actions. Bush expresses passion for issue but policies have been inconsistent.'' Let me mention a couple of the policies in addition to the bills that were passed today, which were very important, major steps in the right direction. We introduced a resolution, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was a cosponsor, and I introduced it with many others, about a year and a half ago, which really was a bill calling for divestment and allowing States to divest. This bill is called the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act, better known as DADA. Two weeks ago, the Senate banking committee amended and passed DADA, which, again, is bipartisan, and it really is a major bill that I hope gets to the President's desk very soon. What it does is it would authorize divestment from certain companies doing business in or with Sudan and prohibit any new Federal contracts with such companies. No one should have to worry that they are supporting genocide, whether it is through their tax dollars or their pension funds. Madam Speaker, thanks to the persistence of a committed group of students and grass-roots activists, divestment has become a national movement that has the potential to really hit the Government of Sudan where it hurts the most, and that is their wallets. Today, 20 States, 59 universities, 10 cities and scores of individuals and organizations around the country have chosen to divest from businesses supporting the genocidal regime in Khartoum. Their actions have already had an impact. Once we introduced DADA over here, many multinational companies began to significantly change their business operations in Sudan, and some actually ceased doing business there. So we must follow through on this massive grass-roots mobilization and pass Federal divestment legislation now so that we can put further pressure on Khartoum to end this genocide. As we pursue divestment, we must also ensure that we support our peacekeeping efforts in the region and protect civilians and prevent violence. Again, I witnessed what was taking place on the border of Chad several years ago in Sudan, and also this year and last year with two additional congressional delegations; and each time I was there, I saw more violence and it was getting much worse; and it still is getting much worse. The recent attacks, really the AU forces, actually when we were there last time, I believe it was five soldiers were killed from the African Union. They are really overstretched and we need to make sure we approve the $210 million in the Foreign Operations appropriations bill, because they deserve the resources, they need the resources. We need a strong, robust force to provide for peacekeeping operations. So I hope that the President will not veto this legislation and that he will sign the DADA bill, which would begin to end this genocide in Darfur and to assist the Darfurian people. Our Speaker, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been such an unbelievable leader on this issue. She has made this a priority. I participated with her on her delegation last year. Subsequent to that, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer led a delegation. And Congressman Ed Royce led a delegation where Don Cheadle, the wonderful Academy Award nominee for Hotel Rwanda, was with us and spent time in the refugee camps. I share that, because the world needs to know that this has been here in the House and Senate a bipartisan effort, but we still haven't quite done what we need to do. But it is a moment that we must all embrace now, because we have to do this. More people are getting killed each and every day. Yes, some of us were arrested. We were very involved in the anti- apartheid movement, and sometimes you have to do things out of the box to make sure that the public understands that death and destruction is taking place and that we cannot allow this death and destruction to continue. So I want to commend members of the Congressional Black Caucus for really putting their bodies on the line and getting arrested and doing some of the things that we had to do in the sixties and the seventies to ``make some noise,'' as Congressman John Lewis says, because we have to work with our outside groups and we have to do the legislative work. We have to do what it takes to end this. We cannot have another Rwanda. Unfortunately, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones mentioned Rwanda. We stood by and we saw nearly 1 million people die. The only thing our government did was apologize after the fact, after the fact. One million people. So not on our watch are we going to allow another Rwanda to take place. Whatever we have to do, we will do. The people of Darfur are suffering and they are dying. The world is watching. Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick, under her leadership, we met with the President of Algeria. We met with President Mubarak. We tried to bring forth the League of Arab Nations. We talked to China and their representatives. We passed resolutions here in a bipartisan manner to ask China and the League of Arab Nations to join with us in condemning this genocide and doing the things that need to be done. So we cannot stand by and do nothing. Not on our watch, not on our dime. So I want to congratulate Congresswoman Jackson-Lee for the passage of your resolution today, and all of the other Members that are working so hard each and every day 24/7, to stop this slaughter that is taking place in Darfur. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones, thank you again for your leadership and for calling us together once again to beat the drum and to let the American people know that not on our watch, not on our dime, will this genocide continue.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. First, let me thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for her leadership and for her kind words, but also for her commitment to equal justice under the law. As a former prosecutor, as a judge, your leadership and your clarity on these issues is deeply appreciated, and also for making sure that each week the Congressional Black Caucus has a voice on all of the issues that we are addressing in our country. This evening, yes, I would like to talk very briefly about the unfinished business of America as it relates to equal justice under the law. Before I do that, let me just reflect for a minute on the contributions of my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus. Any reflection on Congressional Black Caucus members' accomplishments in this Congress must begin with the recognition of the incredible leadership role members of the Congressional Black Caucus are playing. In addition to our great Democratic whip, Mr. Clyburn, from South Carolina, who is only the second African American to hold this position, more than half of our caucus members, 22 in all, are now serving as Chairs of committees and subcommittees. I have to salute and acknowledge, again, Madam Chair of the Ethics Committee tonight and her leadership, also, the first African American woman appointed to the Ways and Means Committee. It makes a difference to have, again, Stephanie Tubbs Jones's voice on both of those committees and also as a leader on both of those committees. Also, in addition to the significant achievements in both legislation and oversight, the Congressional Black Caucus members have also continued to play a major role in so many issues. The CBC has been long referred to as the conscience of the Congress for our members' steadfast refusal to turn our backs on injustice and for our commitment to shining the spotlight of truth on issues of injustice and racial prejudice wherever they may arise. I am proud to say that in the 110th Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus has continued with this proud tradition. When Don Imus, once again, crossed the line and denigrated the women of the Rutgers women's basketball team, members of the Congressional Black Caucus were there to call him out, to document his long history of racially offensive remarks, and to help see to it that sponsors understood that supporting such behavior is just bad business. More recently, we were part of the national call for justice for the six young people from Jena, Louisiana, whose case represents an example of racially biased justice, or injustice, that is too familiar for people of color around this Nation. Let me address another issue which my colleague, our chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, Mr. Thompson, just mentioned. Tomorrow, the Senate will hold a cloture vote on the confirmation of Judge Leslie Southwick to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. In August, when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send his nomination on the floor, I joined with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in speaking out against his nomination. I also expressed my profound, and I mean my very profound, disappointment as a Californian, first of all, and as an African American and as a woman, that a Senator from my home State, Senator Feinstein, would vote with the Republicans to bring the Southwick nomination to the Senate floor. Numerous concerns had been raised about Judge Southwick's commitment to equal justice, which Congressman Thompson just enunciated. I have profound concerns about the commitment to equal justice and dignity of anyone who thinks that it is ever acceptable for someone to refer to someone else using the N word. The idea of elevating a person to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is, quite frankly, unacceptable. The fact is that the Fifth Circuit has the highest percentage of minority residents of any other circuit; yet all of the nominees over the last 22 years have been white. In fact, there is only one African American member of the court, and he is only the second since the court was created in 1869. The recent case in Jena, Louisiana, shows the racism in the criminal justice system within the jurisdiction of the Fifth Circuit. The case in Jena makes it clear why we cannot afford to send anyone less than a civil rights champion to serve on this court, let alone someone with a record of hostility towards civil rights, someone who thinks that it is ever acceptable for someone to refer to someone else using the N word. We have come too far from the days of Jim Crow to tolerate the type of racist miscarriage of justice that we have seen in Jena and in the record of Judge Southwick. If we are ever to overcome the legacy of racism in this Nation, we have a duty to our young people to see to it that the principle of equal justice is upheld. If we truly believe in our Nation's principle of equality before the law, then we have to make sure that everyone, regardless of race, is held equal before the law. So we are looking to our colleagues in the other body to take a stand for civil rights, to take a stand against racism, and to take a stand for justice and to block the nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick. In so doing, we will take another step in completing this unfinished business in our country that so many people fought and died for. So I want to thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for once again stepping up to the plate, using her voice and her leadership to call for justice in our country and to help defeat the nomination of this individual, Judge Southwick.

Ms. LEE. They are the exact same issues that our Hispanic community raises. Also, the same issues that our Asian Pacific American community raises. In fact, to the extent that we decided several years ago to form what we called the Tri-Caucus, where I believe there are at least 73 votes that really do count and make a difference in this body, and so, yes, we are all on the same page as it relates to equal justice under the law.

Ms. LEE. Well, I know we attempted, on many occasions, to reach many Members of the Senate, including Senator Feinstein. We were not able to have a discussion at all about this nomination, which was really unfortunate, because I believe that people in California, all people in California, people of conscience, people of color, people on both sides of the aisle do not want to see a judge from the Fifth Circuit confirmed with this record, as Judge Southwick. We are very disappointed that we did not have the opportunity to have those conversations.

Ms. LEE. We have a very large Hispanic congressional delegation. I would believe there are probably, let's see, we have Congressman Xavier Becerra, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano. We have Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez. We have Dennis Cardoza. We have a very, very strong, very active and very committed delegation from our Latino communities.

Ms. LEE. In the California delegation, there are four African American Members of Congress: Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Diane Watson, Congresswoman Laura Richardson, and myself.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, House Republicans have now had 2 weeks to sift through the rhetoric and reality of the bipartisan children's health insurance bill that the President vetoed. When the President vetoed the bill, he said it was a step toward government-run health care. Surely, he can't believe that. If he understood the program, he would know that it is a Federal-State partnership to ensure that children have access to private health insurance. The President also says that the bill attempts to expand the SCHIP program to upper middle class children who are not currently eligible. Again that is false. It does not expand the program. There are now about 12 million children who are eligible for SCHIP. Today we are reaching 6 million of those kids. Our legislation would allow us to reach an additional 4 million children who are already eligible for the program. The President also says that our bill is too expensive. But he ignores the fact that it is fully paid for. And he is asking for $190 billion more to fund the occupation of Iraq. Even if the President does not make children his priority, let us do so by overriding his veto on Thursday. Republicans have had 2 weeks to realize that the President's reasons for vetoing this bill simply do not add up. So they should join us in overriding the veto.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman for yielding and also for his leadership as Chair of the committee for insisting that Congress exercise its constitutional responsibility of oversight of the executive branch. The classification process is meant to protect State's secrets, not to cover administration's failed policies. The American people and Congress deserve honest answers about the extent of corruption in the Iraqi Government, and to what extent corruption is fueling the insurgency and endangering our troops. We deserve to know if our troops are dying to support a corrupt regime propped up with United States tax dollars. But when the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform started to ask those questions, the State Department turned around and classified key sections of the report and testimony. In a democracy, we do not run away from facts. We do not classify information just because it is embarrassing. Unfortunately, this administration has shown an alarming lack of interest in the facts. This incident looks more like the same kind of stuff we have seen coming from this administration that really wants to continue to keep our young men and women in harm's way knowing full well this is a civil war that cannot be won militarily. I urge my colleagues to support transparency and accountability and condemn this abuse of the classification process and to support this resolution.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, first let me thank the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, for her leadership and for her vision in making sure that really the conscience of America is heard on these Monday nights. And also let me thank Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones for her leadership and for her vigilance and also, as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, for her strong voice on behalf of our country's children. I rise tonight in strong support for overriding the President's misguided veto on the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Does the President want to relegate parents of sick children to frantic calls to 911, late night visits to emergency rooms, and tragic and preventable deaths due to undiagnosed illnesses? The Congress must say no and override his veto Thursday so that our children have access to regular checkups, preventative care, and a primary physician. We must stand with the American people who overwhelmingly support increasing access to children's health care. We must stand with nearly every single health organization, every single children's organization in America, like the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Children's Defense Fund, Easter Seals, the March of Dimes, and countless others who support their bill because they all understand the devastating impact of being uninsured. We must stand with the largest health insurance trade association in the country, America's Health Insurance Plans, who praised expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program as a vital step in ensuring the health security of millions of America's children. Sadly, I believe, like many of us believe, that the President is totally disconnected from the reality of our children's lives. He has asked Congress for another $190 billion, $190 billion, to fund his occupation of Iraq, while he has vetoed a fraction of that amount for our children. This is a shortsighted assault on our Nation's children, and we cannot stand for it. This program is one of the most successful programs in the Nation, and it should be reauthorized and it should be expanded. When I was a State Senator in California, I helped write the California State program called Healthy Families, and now Healthy Families provides low-cost access to health care for over 800,000 children, more than any other State. The flexibility built into SCHIP has allowed California to provide access to health, dental, and vision coverage for children. And, also, let me just say that if this doesn't get overridden, we don't know what is going to happen in California, like in other States; so this needs to continue. Comprehensive health coverage for children is also a very vital step towards eliminating the continuing health disparities that plague minority populations, including 800,000 Asian Pacific Americans, 1.4 million African Americans, and 3.4 million Hispanics. Providing health care coverage for our children is one of the most cost-effective investments that America can make. Children are the least costly to provide coverage for, and giving children access to adequate primary health care will create a generation of healthier, better educated and, in the end, more productive adults. It's mind-boggling that President Bush vetoed a children's health bill. It is a shame and disgrace that our children are not his priority. So the House must stand with America's 10 million children and vote ``yes'' to override his veto on Thursday. This is the right thing to do. Voting to override the President's veto is the moral and it is the ethical vote to cast. Our children deserve nothing less. Let me thank my colleague again from Ohio, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, for making sure that the voice of children are heard once again on this floor.

Ms. LEE. Thank you very much.

Ms. LEE. He is totally incorrect, first of all, and I think that $3.50 example explains why he's incorrect. It is about priorities, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones. It is about where we put our tax dollars. Do we care about securing the future of our country? Do we care about our children's future? And that is what this is about. He has asked for $190 billion, as I said earlier, to continue to fund this occupation in Iraq. Well, I would think that a pittance of that money, when we know how much this would cost, would go to cover our children. And our children deserve it.

Ms. LEE. When the President took office, we had a surplus in our country, and now we are in a deficit spending mode. And I will tell you, it is mortgaging and making our children pay for the mistakes of this administration. So we have to dig ourselves out of this. And I think this is a first step to making sure that our children are healthy enough to move forward to be able to take over and try to help figure out how they can secure this country for America's families and children.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise this evening to commemorate a sad and very tragic anniversary in our Nation's history. Five years ago today, over my strong objections and the objections of many of my colleagues, Congress voted to authorize the use of force against Iraq. This campaign of shock and awe was a campaign that shocked us all. It was hard to believe that this administration, based on what little information they had, would move in and bomb and invade Iraq. I often wonder what would have happened had the House approved the amendment that I offered that would have allowed the United Nations inspectors to finish their jobs. If my amendment had passed, and from what I remember, there were about 72 ``yes'' votes on that amendment, inspectors would have made it clear what we believed then and what the world knows now, that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. And how sad it was to see a great general, military man, then Secretary of State, Secretary of State Colin Powell, go to the United Nations and cherry-pick information to present to the world to try to convince the world and to convince this Congress to vote to invade and bomb Iraq. Five years later, the President's failed policy in Iraq has claimed the lives of more than 3,800 brave service men and women, nearly 30,000 wounded, and countless Iraqi civilians, and yet we heard many years ago that the mission was accomplished. This has cost us more than $400 billion, nearly a half trillion dollars, with the President poised to ask for $200 billion more, and no end in sight. The invasion and occupation of Iraq has undermined our Nation's security and the security of the world. Along with Congresswomen Lynn Woolsey and Maxine Waters, many of our colleagues in the Progressive Caucus and in the Out of Iraq Caucus have indicated that we in Congress have the power, and we know we have the power, it is a constitutional mandate and requirement, to end the President's failed policy in Iraq. And today, we worked together, over the last few weeks, to put together the information so that this morning we could release a poll today that shows that the American people support us in doing this. The President wants to pretend that Congress's only choice is to provide funds that he has requested unconditionally or cut off funding for our troops. This is a false choice, and we cannot buy into that argument. We can use our constitutionally mandated appropriations power to end his failed policy, to protect our troops and contractors, and to bring them home. We have the power to fully fund redeployment, and that is what we must do. Our poll found that 70 percent of those surveyed rejected giving the President further funding for Iraq without conditions, and people favored requiring funds be spent on redeployment over providing the administration funds without conditions. And this was by a 2-1 margin. So, with the support of the American people, we will continue to build support in Congress for fully funding redeployment. We wrote to the President of the United States to indicate that that is the only way he will get our vote for any funds for this very tragic occupation and tragic civil war that we find ourselves in now. Now we have maybe 86, 87 Members who have committed to this strategy because they know that this is the only way we can end this. The truth is, the President's ``stay the course'' strategy provides an exit strategy really for him at the expense of our troops. It allows him to run out the clock on his failed policy and to slip out the door, to leave the American people holding the bag. How many of our troops should die so that the President can save face? How large of a sacrifice must we make of our children's and grandchildren's future so that the President can avoid just admitting that he was wrong? The President is not going to take responsibility for this failed policy, we've seen that and we know that now, so the Congress must. We must act. And the best way for us to do that is to fully fund the safe, timely, and responsible redeployment of our troops and contractors from Iraq. So on this somber anniversary, we must remind our colleagues of what happened and how we got to this place; but also we must stand tall and say we will bring our young men and women home, and we will end this occupation soon.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the rule for H.R. 2895 and the underlying bill, the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act. As a former member of the Financial Services Committee, I helped author--along with our colleague Bernie Sanders and others--the first housing trust fund bill. I am so very pleased that our two great champions of housing, Chairwoman Waters and Chairman Frank have continued this legacy to bring this proposal before us today. Quite frankly it's a real shame that in America we have so many people who have found the goal of simply finding shelter for themselves and their families so elusive. I know that in my district in Oakland, where more than half of all renters are unable to afford the cost of a 2-bedroom apartment, many low-income families often have to choose between food or medicine and housing. This doesn't have to be the case, Mr. Chairman. That's why this legislation is crucial. By producing, rehabilitating, and preserving 1.5 million housing units over the next 10 years, this legislation will take steps to end the affordable housing crisis in our country. By allocating up to $1 billion annually this bill will address one of the most serious social and economic problems facing our Nation. By passing this bill, 75 percent of all funds will be used to benefit families at the poverty line or 30 percent of local area median income, bringing meaningful assistance to those most at need. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill that will move our Nation forward in ensuring that all Americans have a decent place to live.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, due to the passing of my father, on Wednesday, October 3, 2007, and Thursday, October 4, 2007, I missed rollcall vote Nos. 932 through 948. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on the motion on ordering the previous question on the rule H. Res. 701; ``aye'' on the motion on ordering the previous question on the rule H. Res. 702; ``aye'' on H. Res. 702; ``aye'' on the Conyers amendment to H.R. 928; ``nay'' on the motion to recommit H.R. 928; ``aye'' on H.R. 928; ``aye'' on the motion to postpone the vote to override the president's veto of the children's health care bill; ``nay'' on the motion to recommit H.R. 2740; ``aye'' on H.R. 2740; ``aye'' on motion on ordering the previous question on the rule H. Res. 704; ``aye'' on the rule H. Res. 704; ``aye'' on the motion on ordering the previous question on the rule H. Res. 703; ``aye'' on the rule H. Res. 703; ``nay'' on the motion to recommit H.R. 3246; ``aye'' on H.R. 3246; ``nay'' on motion to recommit H.R. 3648; and ``aye'' on H.R. 3648.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, due to the passing of my father, on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 I missed rollcall votes nos. 927 through 931. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on H.R. 3087 and ``yea'' on H. Res. 635, H. Con. Res. 203, H.R. 2828, and H. Con. Res. 200.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Master Artist Wan Ko Yee, a distinguished scholar who resides in the 9th District of California. His areas of expertise include literature, painting, sculpting, calligraphy, music, martial arts, and traditional medicine. As a professor at Auburn University, Master Yee is a well renowned author, researcher, and philosopher. He has created exceptional work exhibited throughout the world. His work reflects Buddhist themes and the ideas of tolerance and peace between nations. He is recognized as a pioneer in creating multi-colored sculptures. In 2003, the United States Congress displayed selected work from Master Yee during an art exhibition held in the Gold Room in the House Office Building. He has been recognized by the Royal Academy of Arts of the United Kingdom, and the Organization of American States. I commend Master Wan Ko Yee's artistic contributions and his efforts to promote peace through the arts and cultural exchange.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, due to the passing of my father, on Monday, October 1, 2007 I missed rollcall vote nos. 924, 925 and 926. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Con. Res. 185, H.R. 2276, and H.R. 3325.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Master Artist Wan Ko Yee, a distinguished scholar who resides in the 9th District of California. His areas of expertise include literature, painting, sculpting, calligraphy, music, martial arts, and traditional medicine. As a professor at Auburn University, Master Yee is a well renowned author, researcher, and philosopher. He has created exceptional work exhibited throughout the world. His work reflects Buddhist themes and the ideas of tolerance and peace between nations. He is recognized as a pioneer in creating multi-colored sculptures. In 2003, the United States Congress displayed selected work from Master Yee during an art exhibition held in the Gold Room in the House Office Building. He has been recognized by the Royal Academy of Arts of the United Kingdom, and the Organization of American States. I commend Master Wan Ko Yee's artistic contributions and his efforts to promote peace through the arts and cultural exchange.