Betty McCollum

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Backup Paper Ballot Bill. This bill will ensure our commitment to improving a secure, reliable, accessible voting system for all Americans, and help secure our nation's confidence in the election result. Voting is one of the most fundamental rights in our democratic system. The U.S. Constitution promises every eligible American an equal and fair opportunity to participate in the political process. In order to keep our country strong, we must encourage our citizens to vote and when they vote, we must guarantee that their vote will count. The 2008 election promises to bring out record numbers to the polls. In past elections, such as Florida and Pennsylvania, machine failures caused voters to be turned away and long lines at the polls. Encouraging the use of emergency paper ballots will help ensure that every voter will have their vote count, and make it less likely that voters will be turned away from the polls because of machine malfunction. Although many states require back up paper ballots they don't have the resources to do it. This bill will provide grants to state and local governments to purchase backup paper ballots in the event that an electronic voting system fails to operate properly or there is some other emergency situation. Participation would be voluntary and states would have to institute eligible programs. We must take the necessary precautions to ensure that the voices of all Americans are heard in the 2008 election. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker I rise in opposition to H.R. 6304, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendments Act (FISA). There is no question that we need to modernize the laws that govern U.S. intelligence to protect our national security, but we must also rigorously defend civil liberties and ensure accountability. That is why I am strongly opposed to any retroactive immunity for those telecommunications companies that are charged with violating those fundamental rights. Legal experts concur that President Bush's wiretapping program was, and is, in violation of the Constitution and applicable federal law. Congress as a whole was kept in the dark for years about these activities. It is our responsibility to protect innocent Americans who expect that their communications will remain private, except in circumstances provided under the law. Corporations that handed over their customers' records, without a valid court order or other legal instrument authorized by statute, undermined fundamental civil protections and privacy rights of Americans. The courts should not be prevented from ruling on the legality of the actions taken by these corporations. And Congress should not meddle in the pending lawsuits. Yes, we need to replace the outdated and controversial Protect America Act (S. 1927) and enable timely intelligence gathering against terrorists. But we must also ensure that power cannot be abused to violate our most precious freedoms. Since the tragedy of September 11, the Bush administration has abused its intelligence gathering powers. In 2005, we learned that the government had circumvented intelligence laws to spy on Americans' phone conversations. Last year, an investigation found that the FBI had misused tools intended to fight terrorism to conduct unrelated domestic surveillance. And earlier this year, reports have surfaced that the FBI requested thousands of phone records to cover up its previous abuses, and that this and other questionably obtained data is being compiled by the National Security Agency in a massive data-mining operation about which we know almost nothing. I cannot in good conscience vote for this bill, which gives the Bush administration even broader spying powers. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendments Act implicitly gives retroactive immunity to telecommunication companies that facilitated warrantless wiretapping over the last 7 years and ensures the dismissal of all cases pending against telecommunication companies. Furthermore, H.R. 6304 permits the government to conduct mass, untargeted surveillance of all communication coming into and out of the United States, without any individualized review, and without any finding of wronging doing. This act permits only minimal court oversight and court review is further trivialized by authorizing the Government to continue a surveillance program even after an application is denied by the court. The legislation also contains a loophole that permits the Government to start spying and wait for up to 7 days to go to court and obtain a warrant. Congress should not allow for the warrantless wiretapping of American citizens. Ensuring our national security must not come at the expense of our basic civil liberties. We can protect our Nation and our rights.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Homes for Heroes Act, H.R. 3329. The Homes for Heroes Act establishes a $200 million a year assistance program for supportive housing and services for low income homeless veterans and their families at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, and requires at least 20,000 rental housing vouchers a year be made available to homeless veterans and their families. This important bill also creates a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs within HUD and requires HUD to submit an annual report to Congress on housing needs for veterans. Veterans are overrepresented in the homeless population and the VA is the largest single provider of direct services to homeless veterans. According to the VA, the number of homeless veterans has declined 21 percent in the past year, however there are still 154,000 homeless veterans including 1,500 from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The men and women of the armed forces who have served this country with honor deserve the support and resources they need to overcome mental, physical, and emotional wounds caused by war. Congress must continue fighting to ensure they receive the highest level of care and compensation they have so bravely earned serving this country. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1315, a resolution that commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. NASA was established in 1958 and has become one of the premier research institutions in the United States. Through NASA, the United States has put humans on the moon, helped build the International Space Station, sent spacecraft to investigate Mars, and has built the Hubble Telescope to view more of the universe. NASA research has also been used to improve products that have changed our world--from airplanes to communications satellites. Research and innovation is crucial to the United States' global competitiveness. Since its beginning, NASA has inspired many children to study math, science, engineering and technology. My district is home to Farnsworth Aerospace Elementary Magnet School of St. Paul, Minnesota, which is a NASA Explorer School. This initiative incorporates NASA content and programs into science, technology and mathematics curriculum in the classroom. When I have met with the teachers and students at Farnsworth, I have witnessed the enthusiasm and inquiry that the NASA curriculum generates. Through the Explorer School program, NASA helps to produce the scientists, engineers, researchers, explorers, innovators, and astronauts of the future. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1237 recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. I am honored to be a co-sponsor of this resolution, which celebrates the oldest national commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States and encourages us to use our understanding of history to more effectively face the challenges of the future. Juneteenth began as a day to celebrate African-American freedom by commemorating the arrival of the news of the end of slavery in the frontier areas of the United States two years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. 143 years later, Juneteenth has taken on a much bigger cause: encouraging self-development and respect for all peoples and cultures. Juneteenth is a day for Americans of all races, ethnicities and religions to join together and reflect on a chapter in America's history that continues to cast a shadow on the American experience. It is also a time to recognize that while we cannot change history, we must learn from it and use its lessons to eradicate slavery and improve human rights around the world. Unfortunately, slavery continues to exist in the Sudan, West African countries and elsewhere. In addition, millions of women and children are trafficked as forced laborers and sex workers throughout the world. At least 800,000 people are trafficked across borders worldwide each year, including an estimated 14,500-17,500 persons into the United States. When trafficking within countries is included, the total global figure rises as high as four million people, many of whom are women and children. The United States has both the moral obligation and the required resources to help end modern day slavery. This Juneteenth, more than 60,000 Minnesotans will come together in my District for a festival and a parade celebrating African American history, cuisine and culture. Madam Speaker, I call on my colleagues to celebrate this Juneteenth by rededicating themselves to eliminating slavery, exploitation and racism in all forms from our world, and join me in supporting H. Res. 1237.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 318, a resolution to support the goals and ideals of the International Year of Sanitation and to help raise awareness of the importance of sanitation and safe drinking water. This resolution recognizes the importance of sanitation on public health, poverty reduction, economic and social development, and the environment. In 2000, the United States and other world leaders committed themselves to combat poverty, hunger, and disease through the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). One target is to halve the number of people without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015. Today more than 1 billion people live without safe drinking water and an estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide go without proper sanitation. This lack of access contributes to the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million children each year. Clean water and sanitation are necessary to fight disease and reduce child and maternal mortality. Without it, more children will be sick, more children will forgo schooling, and more will lose their lives to disease. The absence of basic water and sanitation services is particularly difficult for girls. In communities that lack these services, young girls often bear the burden of water collection leaving them little time or energy for school. Those who do make it to school find that only half all the world's schools have access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation--estimates show half the girls in Sub-Saharan Africa who drop out of primary school do so because of poor water and sanitation facilities. That is why investments in clean water and sanitation are essential to achieving universal education. A school sanitation program in Bangladesh helped increase the number of girls enrolling by 11 percent. Expanding access to clean water and basic sanitation is one of our best strategies for improving the health and prosperity of entire communities and it is a necessary step toward achieving all of the MDGs. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution and to renew their commitment to improving access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation to help people live more productive and healthy lives.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 332, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On December 10, 1948, only three years after the end of the intolerance, oppression, death and destruction of World War II, the United Nations General Assembly created the first universal statement on the basic principles of inalienable human rights. The Declaration, with its core values of non-discrimination, equality, fairness and freedom, was to reaffirm faith in the dignity and worth of the human person and save succeeding generations from the devastation of war. Sixty years later, this document has become a standard to measure how nations govern. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has led to progress in banning torture and rape as weapons of war and protecting Children from economic and sexual exploitation. The Declaration has served as a means of achieving self-determination for millions under colonial rule and has moved nations to guarantee legal justice and racial and gender equality for all their people. While the last sixty years have brought many advances in human rights, there is still work to be done. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts that `motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance'. Such a right cannot be realized, however, when more than half a million women continue to die every year in childbirth having been unable to receive health care. Nor has it been guaranteed when over 28,000 children under the age of five die per day from easily preventable and treatable causes. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created to ensure the human rights of all but, in particular, those with relatively little power in society. While ensuring the rights and prosperity of all peoples and all nations was once an aspiration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is now a necessary reality. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and is confronted with the new global challenges of pandemic disease, terrorism, and hunger, injustice anywhere endangers peace, prosperity and security everywhere. If we wish to combat these challenges, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights must be the foundation of our cooperation in this new century. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to renew their commitment to ensuring human rights for all people, everywhere and join me in supporting this Resolution.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I have the pleasure of introducing H.R. 6229, legislation to name the Post Office located at 2523 7th Avenue East in North Saint Paul after Mayor William ``Bill'' Sandberg, the longtime Mayor of North Saint Paul, Minnesota. Bill Sandberg was born in 1932 in the Selby-Grand neighborhood of Saint Paul. His family later moved to North Saint Paul, where he lived the remainder of his life. He graduated from North Saint Paul High School in 1950 and the University of Minnesota in 1954. After serving in the Army in the 1950s, Bill joined the family business, Sandberg Funeral Home in North St. Paul as funeral director. He later served as an associate of Johnson-Peterson Funeral Home of St. Paul and White Bear Lake and was active in the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association and a Heritage Club member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). Throughout his career, Bill was a well respected business owner and a leader in the small business community. Bill Sandberg was first elected Mayor of North Saint Paul in 1978, reelected for seven more terms, and served with honor and distinction until his passing on April 20, 2008. Throughout his 30 year career as Mayor, he brought people together to solve divisive issues such as the reconstruction of Highway 36 because he always put public service, common sense, and the citizens of North Saint Paul first. As a man of strong religious faith, Bill organized Mayor's Prayer Breakfasts where people of all faiths could come together to celebrate community and support one another. I want to thank the entire Minnesota Delegation for cosponsoring this legislation that pays tribute to a dedicated public servant, wonderful human being, and dear friend and mentor. Those of us who knew Bill also know well his loving devotion to his wife Dolores, daughter Karen, and grandchildren Carolyn and William.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act and congratulate Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Rangel for their quick response to the surge in the nation's unemployment rate. H.R. 5749 will provide immediate relief to families across the country by extending unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks in all states. It also allows for a further extension in benefits in states hardest hit by the weakening economy. Passing this legislation will provide much needed help to 3.8 million Americans--including 70,000 Minnesota families. The latest Labor Department report showed a 5 percent increase in unemployment from April 2008 to May 2008--the biggest one-month increase in unemployment in 22 years. The economic crisis has resulted in five months of job losses and projections unfortunately indicate that the situation is likely to worsen. An extension of unemployment benefits is critical for families struggling to deal with increased gas and food prices while searching for a new job. It is also one of the most cost-effective ways to stimulate the economy. In fact, every $1 spent on these benefits results in $1.64 in new economic demand. We need to pass this legislation and provide relief for America's working families today. This Congress has also enacted an economic stimulus plan in the form of tax rebate checks and passed several measures to begin to address gas prices. In addition, the House of Representatives has passed legislation to help homeowners avoid foreclosure and a federal budget that would reinvest in Americans. In the long-term, we need a comprehensive approach to restore the strength of our economy. We need to get serious about addressing health care costs and invest in education and training to prepare for competition in the global economy. Madam Speaker, H.R. 5749 provides critical, immediate relief for working families and our struggling economy. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, because of an important event in my district, I was not present for the vote on H. Res. 923. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6081, the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax (HEART) Act and to commend Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Rangel for their perseverance in getting this important bill to the President's desk. H.R. 6081 includes vital tax provisions that help military families facing significant financial hardships due to extended deployments. According to a Department of Defense survey, 55 percent of married National Guardsmen and Reservists suffer a loss of income when they are called to active duty. The Heart Act helps to fix this problem by providing a tax credit of up to $4,000 for small businesses that continue to pay National Guard and Reserve employees when they are called to serve. This important bill makes permanent several IRS provisions that relieve economic hardships as a result of military service including the Earned Income Tax Credit for families of soldiers in combat. H.R. 6081 also allows more military families to be eligible for the economic stimulus rebates and makes it easier for veterans to become homeowners through low-interest loans. The Heart Act is fully offset and will not increase our national debt. It pays for these tax breaks by closing an offshore loophole that allows government contractors, who receive millions or billions in taxpayers' dollars, to set up companies in foreign countries to avoid paying Social Security and Medicare taxes. For example, defense contractor KBR, has reportedly avoided paying over $100 million in Social Security and Medicare taxes by creating shell companies in the Cayman Islands. H.R. 6081 also stops tax benefits for Americans who renounce their citizenship in order to avoid paying U.S. taxes. The men and women of the armed forces who serve this country with honor during times of war should be assured that their families will not suffer financially from being deployed. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, next Monday our Nation celebrates Memorial Day. This holiday commemorates those members of the Armed Services that have died while serving our country. There is no better way to honor those fallen soldiers than to take care of the veterans of today. The 110th Congress has made the needs of veterans a priority and I rise in support of several pieces of veterans legislation that passed the House of Representatives on May 20, 2008. Too many veterans and their families suffer economically as a result of injury or disability that occurred during service. The Veterans Cost of Living Adjustment Act (H.R. 5826) ensures that veterans disability payments and dependency and indemnity compensation for veterans' families keep up with inflation. Those soldiers that are injured during war deserve affordable and quality medical treatment when they return home. The Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act (H.R. 3819) allows veterans to be reimbursed for receiving emergency treatment in non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. Also, the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Authorization and Lease Act (H.R. 5856) authorizes vital improvement and expansions to VA hospitals and clinics around the country. According to the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.9 million veterans suffer from diagnosable substance abuse. The Veterans Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act (H.R. 5554) funds drug screening, detoxification, relapse prevention and counseling for veterans. It also creates an online pilot program that provides treatment to Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans for substance abuse. Finally, the Veterans Benefits Awareness Act (H.R. 3681) helps veterans and their families learn about available government services. The VA will now be able to advertise in the national media in order to reach out to more veterans about homeless assistance, healthcare benefits, mental health services, educational and vocational opportunities, and other benefits. I want to thank Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Filner, and my colleagues for passing these important and vital bills to help veterans and their families.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act (H.R. 3221) and to Chairman Frank and Speaker Pelosi for their quick action to help American families. The United States is facing a housing crisis. Nationally, between 7,000 and 8,000 people a day are filing for foreclosure, and estimates show that over 28,000 Minnesotans will lose their homes to foreclosure in 2008. Foreclosures hurt our families, neighborhoods, and communities. I saw the impact of the foreclosure crisis firsthand when I recently visited the East Side neighborhoods in St. Paul who are hit hard by this crisis. Foreclosures result in reduced property values for neighbors and lost tax revenue for states and local governments, as well as contribute to criminal activity. The high rate of foreclosure also has a substantial spillover effect on financial markets and the broader economy through the loss of jobs. Congress has a role in protecting families and neighborhoods from an expansion of this crisis, which is why I support the Foreclosure Prevention Act (H.R. 3221). H.R. 3221 is Congress' most comprehensive response yet to address housing affordability and the rising numbers of foreclosures. This legislation will help troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure while minimizing taxpayer exposure. It expands the FHA program so that borrowers in danger of losing their home can refinance into lower-cost government-insured mortgages they can afford to repay. This voluntary program is not a bailout as mortgage investors must take significant losses by reducing the loan principal. This bill also strengthens regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, raises the GSE loan limit, and increases homeownership opportunities for our veterans. To increase investment and confidence in the real estate market, this bill also includes tax provisions to aid potential homebuyers. I am pleased to be able to cast a vote for this legislation to help play a part to keep families in their homes. The U.S. House has also taken action to help our communities deal with the cost of foreclosure. The Neighborhood Stabilization Act (H.R. 5818), of which I am a cosponsor, focuses on the communities that have been hit hardest by foreclosures as many foreclosed homes are currently vacant creating neighborhood blight and bringing down property values. This bill will establish a $15 billion HUD grant providing state and localities with the funds to purchase, rent, or rehabilitate of vacant foreclosed homes with the goal of occupying them as soon as possible. These housing measures are an important step to help families facing foreclosure keep their homes, help other families avoid foreclosures in the future, and help communities harmed by empty homes in the foreclosure process. The dream of homeownership has become a nightmare for too many people in our community. We need this legislation will help rebuild our neighborhoods and our economy. H.R. 3221 is an important step in addressing the crisis in the housing market to help families, communities and our economy. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and move our housing policy in a new direction.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act and congratulate Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Rangel for putting forward legislation that will make a real difference for American families. H.R. 6049 extends and expands tax incentives for renewable energy and encourages energy efficiency. At a time when families are facing record-breaking gas prices, this bill will help to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lower energy bills. These tax incentives will also create and preserve good-paying ``green collar'' jobs such as those in the wind and solar industries. The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act also furthers our nation's innovation efforts by extending the research and development tax credit for 27,000 companies. It is critical for our global competitiveness that we encourage and support entrepeneurs and new ideas. For families struggling to make ends meet in this difficult economy, this bill provides 30 million homeowners with property tax relief, expands the child tax credit, and extends the state and local sales tax deduction. It also helps students afford higher education with a tuition deduction and provides our teachers a tax deduction for classroom expenses. Finally, this legislation provides additional tax relief under the Earned Income Tax Credit for 22,000 troops in combat. Mr. Speaker, to ensure that our children and grandchildren are not burdened with additional debt, this bill is fully paid for by closing a tax loophole for offshore companies and delaying a tax break for U.S. multinational companies. These changes not only ensure this bill follows pay-go, they also improve the fairness of our tax code. H.R. 6049 is critical to our long term energy policy and to family budgets. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the resolution recognizing National Nurses Week on May 6th through May 12th (H. Res. 1086). This resolution pays tribute to the safe, high quality, and preventative health care that nurses provide. I am pleased to honor the essential role that nurses play in providing quality health care across our Nation. Each of us remembers experiences when a loved one needed health care and a nurse was the first person by the patient's side providing care and comfort. We all benefit from the commitment nurses make to their profession despite extraordinary challenges they face every day. Nurses are the health professionals on the front lines of caring for Americans both at home and abroad. Our Nation's soldiers on the front lines rely on nurses for lifesaving aid as they serve our country abroad. Back in the States, nurses play an important role as the primary point of contact between the patient and the world of healthcare providing critical medical care for the patient and assistance for their families. Our Nation's health care system is complex and people with all types of needs are greatly served by caring, qualified, and professional nurses. They are integral to our Nation's health care delivery system. Nurses are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. Nurses are also experienced researchers, and their work encompasses a wide scope of scientific inquiry including clinical research, health systems and outcomes research, and nursing education research. Despite the excellent care that nurses provide, unfortunately, there is a shortage of nurses in our country which must be addressed. Minnesota--like much of the United States--is on the verge of a serious shortage of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses that affects patients, health care facilities, businesses, and the entire community. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) projects that the current 10 percent vacancy rate in registered nurses will grow to 36 percent by 2020, representing more than one million unfilled jobs. In addition, there are less than 20,000 full time faculty to train nurses in this country, and nearly 2,000 full time faculty members leave their positions each year. Thus, we need to address the shortage of nurse faculty to help nursing schools expand student capacity and increase the nursing workforce. I was also pleased to support the Nurse Reinvestment Act which established a Nursing Faculty Loan Program and Nurse Service Scholarship program. An aging workforce, stagnant graduation trends, and greater employment demand have left our Nation's hospitals critically understaffed. I believe we need measures to help address workforce issues to help retain nurses in the profession and allow nurses to be the professionals that they are. Providing individuals interested in nursing with the training and tools they need must be a top priority, and I will continue to support those efforts. Nurses provide outstanding health care services in our community, and I look forward to continuing to support the work of nurses who devote themselves to making such a difference in our lives. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill to recognize National Nurses Week.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, this weekend I had the honor of celebrating Minnesota's sesquicentennial by participating in an event sponsored by the United States Postal Service in which a beautiful commemorative stamp was unveiled. It was a pleasure to be in the company of Joan Mondale, a member of the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, her husband, former Vice President of the United States, Walter F. Mondale, as well as Mr. Richard Smith, the photographer whose magnificent image was selected for the commemorative stamp. The United States Postal Service conducted a fitting tribute to Minnesota that I found to be a very special event. While celebrating 150 years of Minnesota statehood it is important to recognize the hard work of the people who settled our State, but also acknowledge the enormous suffering of Minnesota's first people--the Anishinaabe--the Ojibwe and Chippewa--and the Dakota Sioux. Minnesota's Native American communities continue to make major contributions to the cultural and economic success of our State. Yet, there is a historical legacy that cannot be forgotten or ignored. Madam Speaker, I would request that the following remarks be entered into the Congressional Record. Remarks Made at the United States Postal Service Minnesota Statehood Commemorative Stamp Ceremony, May 17, 2008 Good afternoon. I want to thank the United States Postal Service for honoring Minnesota and for celebrating the 150th year of our State with this beautiful commemorative stamp. As Minnesotans we have much to be thankful for during these 150 years of statehood. We live in a blessed land with an abundance of natural resources that allowed for settlement and the development of our State. The Minnesota we live in today is the result of the hard work and sacrifices of the generations before us--pioneers, immigrants, traders, farmers, loggers, miners and factory workers. Their toil, courage and vision have become our inheritance and because of their contributions the Minnesota of 2008 continues to be a place of opportunity, new beginnings, and endless possibilities. There is another inheritance we must recognize as we reflect on the history of our State. For all the pride we feel as Minnesotans, we must also use this moment to acknowledge the full historic reality. Minnesota's history is reflected in our State flag. ``The Star of the North'' is in French. But another part of history is reflected there as well--the Native Americans, and the settlers who followed after the Louisiana Purchase. Hundreds of years before statehood in 1858 people were living on this land we now call Minnesota. The first people of Minnesota, the first people of the United States, were not European colonists and settlers. The first people of this State were the Anishinaabe--the Ojibwe and Chippewa--and the Dakota Sioux. The forests and prairies and waters sustained their families and they treated the land with a sacred respect. For the first people of Minnesota, this land could never be owned or conveyed, it was where the Creator had placed them and it was a sacred place. There was a balance between the men and women and the natural world that existed for centuries. Then it changed. The European conquests of North America not only disrupted the balance of life for Native Americans, but began over two centuries of violence, oppression, injustice, and pain. This legacy tragically continues to live within the communities of First Minnesotans who reside across our State: Mille Lacs, Shakopee Mdewakanton, White Earth, Bois Forte, Prairie Island, Grand Portage, Red Lake, Leech Lake, Fond du Lac, Upper Sioux, and Lower Sioux--as well as our urban Native communities like Little Earth. These communities, like all Minnesota communities, are all looking forward to brighter future for their children, but they also have profound connections to their ancestors, their history and their traditions. Last year, a Republican colleague and classmate of mine from Virginia, introduced a Congressional Resolution--H.J. Res. 3--that is unlikely to pass Congress, but it should because it would have Congress say what needs to be said. The resolution ``commends and honors the Native Peoples [of the United States] for the thousands of years that they have stewarded and protected this land.'' The resolution also ``apologizes on behalf of the people of the United States to all Native Peoples for the many instances of violence, maltreatment, and neglect inflicted on Native Peoples by citizens of the United States.'' I am proud to be a congressional co-sponsor of this resolution and from the deepest core of my being I believe these words. Today as we celebrate the history of our state, we must acknowledge our full history--and some of it is painful. This is true in a family. It is also true for this State and this Nation. As Minnesotans, let us commit ourselves to healing the pain of the past and building a more hopeful future. Today we celebrate as one Minnesota--and let us move forward together. Let us invest our energy, strength and resources to caring for all of our children, families, and communities, because the greatest asset our state possess is the people of Minnesota. Thank you and God bless Minnesota.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, today Congress will once again fund President Bush's Iraq War. With this $162 billion in funding for the Pentagon there will have been more than $750 billion committed to fight wars in Iraq and Afghanistan--all of it paid for with debt. In Iraq, the American people have witnessed tremendous valor from our armed forces, including the sacrifice of more than 4,000 Americans who have lost their lives and another 15,000 who were seriously wounded. Unfortunately, presidential leadership has not risen to this same high level of commitment for our soldiers. The Bush administration and their supporters in Congress are responsible for the greatest foreign policy disaster in American history and today their failed policies will be financed with debt for another year. Today, I will oppose continuing to fund the Iraq War as I have in the past. This war is not making America safer, but it is weakening our military capacity, exhausting our troops and undermining our Nation's economic security. It is time to invest in America and the needs of the American people. I am appalled by the stories about defense contractors engaging in war profiteering, corrupt Iraqi officials fueling the sectarian divide, and reconstruction projects financed by the American people left unfinished or unused because of poor planning. Now in the sixth year of the Iraq War, America is seeing the conflict in Afghanistan, the heart of the war on terror, grow more intense as the Taliban resurges. My support for the on-going U.S. effort in Afghanistan remains strong. I was in Afghanistan and Pakistan in March and the threats posed by the Taliban and al-Qaeda in those countries are real. It is tragic that the Bush administration's deception and failed policy in Iraq has taken the focus off of al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Mr. Speaker, despite the failings and costly mistakes made by the Bush administration, the Democratic leadership in Congress is giving this Nation hope that the Iraq War will come to an end and that Washington will once again invest in the needs of the American people. Yet, the Bush administration rejects any spending on domestic priorities that will benefit the American people. Look around our country. Healthcare is in crisis. America's infrastructure is deteriorating and collapsing--as we've seen with the 1-35W bridge in Minneapolis. With oil prices reaching $125 per barrel there is still no significant federal investment in a massive expansion of renewable energy research, development and implementation. The list is long and it is the result of absolute neglect to invest in America by the Bush Administration and a Republican Congress that together led this nation from 2001 through 2006. Democrats have new priorities for America and some of those priorities are clearly reflected in H.R. 2642. This bill provides a significant investment in those men and women who have served our country and deserve our gratitude and our support. H.R. 2642 restores GI education benefits to the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to help ensure their future success and our economic recovery. The cost of providing four-year college scholarships for our veterans for an entire year is less than we spend in one day in Iraq, and helps to change our mission from squandering tax dollars in Iraq towards investing in America. The Majority has also responded to the economic crisis facing too many families by including extended unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted the 26 weeks of regular benefits. The U.S. economy has lost 260,000 jobs in the last four months, and 1.35 million workers have been unemployed longer than 26 weeks. This extension will provide relief for the over 4 million Americans, including nearly 70,000 Minnesotans, who are struggling to find a job, and help to stimulate the economy in a cost-effective, fast-acting way. To ensure that states and hospitals can continue to provide health care services for our most vulnerable, this bill includes a rejection of the Bush Administration's proposed regulations to slash federal funding from Medicaid. H.R. 2642 gives relief to a growing global crisis by providing $1.6 billion in emergency international food aid. Food assistance is desperately needed by the millions of families facing hunger and starvation this year due to rising food prices, natural disasters, economic downturns, and conflict situations. This is a moral and humanitarian response to end suffering around the world and is also a positive step the United States can take to restore our reputation in the international community. Democrats will also try once again to change the policy and mission in Iraq. An amendment I support will require redeployment out of Iraq by December 2009, require that Iraqi's contribute to the cost of their reconstruction, require that our military does not pay more for fuel than the Iraqis, requires additional training and rest for our soldiers and would finally and explicitly prohibit torture. Unfortunately, the Administration continues to oppose these common-sense, responsible policies to keep our troops safe, reduce the burden on the American taxpayer, and repair our standing in the world. America needs a new direction--in Iraq and at home. Democrats are fighting to end the war responsibly, to reduce the debt burden on our children and grandchildren, and to reinvest in our future.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Conference Report on the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, and I would like to commend my colleague from Minnesota, Chairman Peterson, for his tireless efforts. He is a champion for rural American and his leadership was essential for the success of this legislation. The conference report--while not perfect--is a step in the right direction. This farm bill makes unprecedented investments in nutrition and conservation programs while also helping to address our Nation's energy crisis. In addition, this farm bill begins to scale back the commodity program by reducing spending on farmers who do not need the help. Three of every four dollars from this farm bill go towards nutrition programs, which could not come at a better time for American families. Even without the spike in food prices, millions of Americans are unable to afford a sufficient and healthy diet. Unfortunately, community food banks and our current nutrition programs have not been able to meet the growing burden from rising food costs. That is why this farm bill provides $50 million immediately to address the shortfalls that food banks and food shelves are facing right now. It also increases funding for nutrition programs by more than $10 billion. For the first time in 30 years individual benefits will be increased, and for the first time ever we will take the important step of indexing benefits to the cost of living. It is unacceptable that in the richest Nation in the world, so many go hungry--especially children. This legislation is a necessary step towards an America free from hunger. The farm bill also increases our commitment to international nutrition programs in response to growing humanitarian crises. As global food prices continue to rise, the aid that the U.S. provides to the developing world becomes more critical than ever. I am proud that this farm bill does include an increase in mandatory funding for the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition program, but unfortunately it provides much less--nearly $800 million less--than the House included in our version. There is a nationwide consensus that we need to do more to help feed hungry children around the world, and I will continue working to increase funding for the McGovern-Dole program. Investing in conservation and domestic energy programs will benefit Minnesota and the entire country. With almost 8 billion in new conservation dollars, this conference report represents a shift towards sustainability in U.S. farm policy. These funds will be used to extend and expand a variety of programs that incentivize and provide technical assistance for farming practices that improve the quality of soil, water, and air on working lands. This legislation also represents a real commitment to dealing with the energy crisis. With record oil prices and new information about corn-based ethanol, it is crucial that we invest in viable fuels for the future. That is why this farm bill provides a billion dollars for R&D of advanced biofuels and shifts incentives from corn-based ethanol to biofuels from feedstocks such as switchgrass and woodchips. The Food, Conservation and Energy Act modernizes and makes much needed reforms to the commodity payment system; by closing loopholes, eliminating payments to wealthy farmers, and capping direct payments, this bill cuts $60 billion from the commodity programs. At the same time, this farm bill strengthens the safety net for farmers that protects them against price drops, droughts, floods and other disasters. This farm bill is a bipartisan compromise that addresses our urgent needs and invests in our future. I urge my colleagues in joining me in supporting the conference report.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protect Act of 2008. With gas prices at record highs and fast-approaching $4 per gallon, our constituents are suffering. There are many factors contributing to the rise in prices--ranging from increased global demand, to wild speculation in the futures market, to the weakening dollar. Unfortunately Congress does not have the power to control all these factors. We do, however, have a responsibility to take what steps we can to lessen the burden that the price of gas has on our constituents. That is why I support suspending shipments of oil to the SPR. The SPR is almost entirely full, and certainly full enough to be used in an emergency. By stopping shipments of oil to the reserve, we can add 70,000 barrels of oil per day to the global market. There is evidence to show that this could lower at-the-pump prices by about a quarter per gallon. This action is a much needed first step for American families, businesses and the economy. The supply of oil is finite, and as countries like China and India industrialize, and incomes in such countries enable people to afford cars, the demand on this limited commodity will drive prices upward in the long run. If our economy is to make a full recovery, we must reduce our dependence on ever more expensive and environmentally detrimental fossil fuels. That is why the Democratic 110th Congress raised CAFE standards for the first time in a generation and the House has time and again voted to remove subsidies for oil companies making the highest corporate profits in history and reinvest the money in the energy sources of tomorrow. What America really needs is a wholesale shift in energy policy. I would like to thank the House leadership for bringing this important legislation to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, while I was back in the Fourth Congressional District of Minnesota, I met with Wes Davey, a constituent and master sergeant in the Army Retired Reserves. He fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is concerned about the funding of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As Congress begins to debate providing supplemental appropriations for these wars, I would like to enter Wes's thoughtful words into the Congressional Record. St. Paul, MN, May 2, 2008. Hon. Betty McCollum, Western Avenue North, St. Paul, MN. Dear Representative McCollum: The President has requested additional funding to continue the war in Iraq. Before the members of Congress approve this budget, they should consider doing three things. First, increase taxes in order to at least partially pay for the current and future war funding requests. If these wars are in our national interest as President Bush and others have often told us, we should be willing to pay for them; if these wars are not in our national interest, we should get out of both countries. It is wrong for our generation to pass off the entire Iraq and Afghanistan war debt to the future generations of taxpayers, and it is also wrong for President Bush and Congress to abrogate their fiscal responsibilities and expect future presidents and future members of Congress to sort out the funding mess from these wars. Second, the United States Treasury should sell war bonds (as we did during WW2) to finance the portion of the war costs not funded by increased taxes. We need to stop borrowing money from foreign countries to finance our wars. Countries such as Saudi Arabia and China are not loaning us money because they have America's best interest at heart, and their economic influence in our country is already too great. Third, Congress should set up a government internet website which explains in detail to the American public how the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been and will be financed. More specifically, where the money has come from, be it China, Saudi Arabia, or other countries, how much each foreign country has loaned us, at what interest rates, and exactly when and how those loans will be repaid. Thus far in these wars, President Bush has done his very best to place an opaque window between war funding and the American public, which goes against the belief by the founders of our country that good government should transact its business in the open. Sincerely, Wesley E. Davey.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice in support for keeping women around the world alive by ensuring they have access to basic maternal health care services. We are blessed to live in a country where women can access prenatal and obstetric care, but that's not the case everywhere. In fact, more than half a million women die every year of pregnancy-related causes, along with nearly 10 million newborns and infants. Most of these deaths are preventable and needless. All women deserve the right to go through pregnancy and childbirth without fear of losing their life. Basic access to maternal health care is a human right that must no longer be ignored. I want to thank Congresswoman Capps for sponsoring House Resolution 1022, which recognizes the need for quality health care for moms in the U.S. as well as around the world. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to honor mothers by investing in the necessary health care to keep them healthy and alive.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the Science Bowl team at St. Paul Central High School for their outstanding achievements at the State and national level. The students and coaches of Central High School deserve our congratulations. In February, the team won its first-ever State championship. Coach Randy Knoche and his students, Daniel Monahan, Elwood McCreary, Jennifer Wei, Jon Schellengberg and Martin Camacho, are to be commended for their dedication and competitive spirit. As Minnesota State champions, the team qualified for the National Science Bowl in Washington, DC. The 4-day competition that ended on May 5 was a benefit for the students and our community. Renewing student interest in science, math and engineering is vital to our global competitiveness and has been a priority for the 110th Congress. Our Nation's status as a global leader in innovation and technology depends on young people getting involved in programs such as the National Science Bowl, and the team at St. Paul Central is leading the way. In an impressive display of camaraderie and commitment, two teammates made a difficult sacrifice to attend the national tournament. The students are enrolled in Central's highly demanding International Baccalaureate program, which held its annual English exam during the National Science Bowl. This exam is a necessary step toward receiving a full B diploma--an impressive achievement that often results in college course credits--but the students decided to take the exam when it is next offered, in 2009, so that their team could compete at nationals. These young people represent teamwork at its finest. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the students, teachers and staff of St. Paul Central High School and the entire St. Paul Public Schools District, please join me in honoring the St. Paul Central High School Science Bowl Team.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, last week I had the opportunity to speak at InterAction's Annual Forum in the Washington area regarding the importance of modernizing U.S. foreign assistance. With 165 member organizations, InterAction is the largest coalition of U.S.-based international nongovernmental organizations focused on the world's poor and vulnerable people. I would like to enter my remarks from this event into the Congressional Record. Comments to InterAction Annual Forum Thank you for the invitation to be here today. I'd like to thank InterAction's President, Sam Worthington, along with Todd Shelton and Evan Elliot for being great partners and extraordinary advocates for your organizations and people in need around the world. Like all of you, I strongly believe foreign assistance and development are part of the essential work of the U.S. Government and essential to our country's role as a super power. I support a back-to-basics approach to development. For me, investments in child and maternal health, clean water, basic education, family planning, agriculture and food security are the foundation of successful long-term development. This is the work your organizations do everyday. In my travels to places like Tanzania, Malawi, Afghanistan and Peru I have seen both real human need and real successes from U.S. development investments. And it was in these travels that I met you--smart, committed, passionate people giving hope and opportunity to people who often have very little. Today, I want to talk with you about our present challenge--doing development better. It's time to modernize and strengthen U.S. foreign assistance to meet the challenges and realities of the 21st century. I know modernizing foreign assistance is a priority for InterAction and your efforts to inform and educate Congress are important and appreciated. The 9/11 Commission predicted future threats to America would be transnational rather than international. We didn't have to wait long. A new generation of moral and national security challenges have already reshaped our foreign policy, including: terrorism, ethnic conflicts, food security, global health threats, climate change . . . the list goes on. Confronting this new generation of challenges demands that we make foreign assistance especially development--central to our foreign policy. The Pentagon appears to be convinced. Last November, Secretary of Defense Gates said, `One of the most important lessons from our experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere has been the decisive role reconstruction, development, and governance plays in any meaningful, long- term success.' Our top security officials know that sandals on the ground today can prevent boots on the ground tomorrow. Development is the right thing to do and it's a smart investment. The direct link between development and security is now national policy. President Bush's 2006 National Security Strategy states, `Development reinforces diplomacy and defense, reducing long-term threats to our national security by helping to build stable, prosperous and peaceful societies.' Foreign assistance is more important to America's national security and foreign policy than ever before. But our Cold- War mechanisms aren't up to the challenge. The structure of U.S. foreign assistance needs modernization. Today, more than 20 executive branch agencies have responsibility for administering foreign assistance programs. This means duplication, confusion and inefficiency. But the problem goes beyond structure. What is the overarching strategy guiding U.S. foreign assistance? The 1961 Foreign Assistance Act is still the basis for policy. Nearly 50 years of amendments have burdened the Act with conflicting objectives and priorities. Your organizations feel the impact of this confusion in the field, as do the families and communities you serve. We need a new strategy focused on today's global realities. We need to find agreement on a coherent foreign assistance strategy and we need to create the necessary structure to implement it. We all know there are strains on the current system. Due in part to a lack of confidence and capacity in civilian agencies, the U.S. military has become a major player in development. I want to read you a quote from last week's Financial Times article entitled: ``US military seeks more Afghan aid funds.'' `U.S. forces in east Afghanistan are already involved in a variety of non-military activities, from road-building to improving farming techniques . . . The Commanders' Emergency Response Fund allows battalion commanders to spend up to twenty-five thousand dollars on anyone project without seeking permission from higher command. Taskforce chiefs can spend up to two-hundred thousand.' How many of you have this kind of discretion with U.S. funds? Our troops are the best in the world, but they aren't development specialists. Major development projects need to be implemented by development professionals. If civilian agencies aren't working we need to fix them, not ignore them. If there aren't enough civilian personnel, we need to hire and deploy more of them. Expanding global security and prosperity in the 21st century requires a new American commitment to foreign assistance. That means being smarter about our strategy, structure and resources. We need comprehensive modernization. Half-way reforms won't cut it. Blue-ribbon panels, commissions, think tanks and NGOs have reached the same conclusion. There's agreement that: resources should be matched to objectives; results should be measured; the Government's civilian capacity should be expanded; the number of agencies responsible for development should be reduced; and development should be elevated to be an equal partner with defense and diplomacy. Today, development isn't an equl partner with defense and diplomacy--it's not equal strategically or structurally. It's often, at best, a secondary concern. There are different ideas about how to elevate development. Some suggest the solution is an expanded role for development within the State Department. Others may want to build up USAID to its former glory. I strongly believe the U.S. needs a cabinet-level Department of Development. A cabinet-level Secretary of Development could advocate directly to the President for long-term development investments, aid effectiveness, and coordination across agencies. The national security policy of the United States is clear: defense, diplomacy, and development are the essential components of America's engagement with the world. It's time to translate that policy into reality by elevating development as a foreign policy priority. Some of my colleagues may disagree. I welcome that, because it means they've joined the debate. Many Members of Congress haven't. Many Members still don't fully appreciate the linkages between national security and foreign assistance. Chairman Berman announced that rewriting the Foreign Assistance Act will be the top priority for his Committee next year. Because of his leadership, the debate over modernization will take place. To be successful in the House, and the Senate, and the White House with this huge effort, we'll need a broad, bipartisan consensus that U.S. foreign assistance is vital to America's national security and too important not to fix. And to be successful, a commitment to change and modernization needs to be a priority for the next Administration. This means we need to make sure the Presidential campaigns are engaged. Those of you with advocacy arms in your organization should be asking the Presidential candidates three questions: Do you believe foreign assistance is important to America's future role in the world? How will you elevate development to realize the goals of U.S. national security strategy? Will you support modernizing foreign assistance to meet the needs of the 21st century? And we need to be asking candidates for the Senate and the House the same questions. Friends, this is an important moment. You cannot be shy or quiet. We have a unique opportunity to create a strategy for U.S. foreign assistance rooted in innovation, coordination, and an understanding of culture and the complexity of local conditions. We have the responsibility to make the needs of the world's poor a strategic U.S. priority. Together, we can get more for every dollar invested, by finding ways to better leverage bilateral, multilateral, private sector and NGO investments. And together, we can refocus our nation's global development policy on achieving quality outcomes for families in the world's poorest countries. This is our work and I look forward to the challenge ahead. Thank you.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, as Minnesota celebrates its 150th anniversary of statehood this year, I rise to pay special tribute to the place where it all began. Without the town of Mendota, there would be no Minnesota. Almost 200 years ago, Fort Snelling, the first U.S. outpost in the region, was established at this confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. As trappers and Native Americans came to the fort to conduct trade and commerce, a settlement sprang up outside its walls. The settlers called their community ``Mendota,'' a Dakota word meaning ``where the waters meet.'' Mendota was one of the first permanent communities in Minnesota, and its residents would play a pivotal role in the path to statehood and the following 150 years of State history. Henry Sibley arrived in Mendota in 1834 and built the first stone house in the State, which still stands today. Mr. Sibley became a leader in local politics, going to Congress and guiding Minnesota to territory status by 1849, then leading the push toward statehood. When Minnesota became a State in 1858, Mr. Sibley served as the first governor. St. Paul, the city which I call home, also owes a special debt of gratitude to another, more colorful Mendota resident. In 1832, Mr. ``Pig's Eye'' Parrant established an infamous distillery in Mendota, but was soon kicked out of the town for selling liquor to Fort Snelling soldiers and Indians. ``Pig's Eye'' headed about five miles down the Mississippi River to start a new settlement, named in his own honor. Over the following decades, that community would blossom into Minnesota's thriving capital city--and thankfully receive a new name: St. Paul. The city of Mendota has thrived throughout Minnesota's history. Today, it remains a unique, vibrant, close-knit community, overflowing with historic landmarks. Our sesquicentennial celebrations would not be complete without recognizing Mendota's contributions to Minnesota's story. I know that visitors will be delighted by what they discover and learn in Mendota through many more State sesquicentennials to come.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1043, which honors the life and legacy of Chief Standing Bear on the 100th anniversary of his death. Chief Standing Bear is an important figure in our Nation's civil rights movement. He was born in what is now Nebraska, where his tribe, the Ponca, was forced to leave by a Federal treaty in 1878. The young chief led his tribe to the Indian Territory of Oklahoma, an inhospitable region that killed many of his members, including his own son. Determined to bury his son on Ponca soil, Chief Standing Bear returned to Nebraska, where he was arrested by Federal authorities. His case went to Federal court in 1879, where prosecutors argued that Native Americans were not considered people under the Constitution. Impressed with Chief Standing Bear's impassioned defense, the judge ruled he was indeed a citizen with full Constitutional rights. Thanks to this significant legal precedent, the Ponca were allowed to return home and better lands were given to Native American tribes. Chief Standing Bear's story won the attention and sympathy of many throughout the United States. At a time when tribal rights were ignored and abused, Chief Standing Bear stood up for justice. On this 100th anniversary of Chief Standing Bear's death, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to honor this man of courage and integrity and his important role in our Nation's continuing struggle for justice and equality.