Maxine Waters

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker and Members, I have come to the floor to speak about two extraordinary individuals today. I rise first to honor the memory of Sergeant Eduviges Preciado Wolf of Hawthorne, California. Sergeant Eduviges was an Army sergeant assigned to the 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, out of Fort Carson, Colorado. Sergeant Wolf was a hero who gave her life in service to her country. Sergeant Wolf, also know as ``Duvi,'' dreamed of serving in the U.S. military as a child who emigrated to the United States from Mexico with her family. As soon as Duvi was able, she joined the United States military so that she could fulfill her lifelong dream to serve and protect her country. She met her husband Josh at Fort Bragg. Together, they had two daughters: 3-year-old Isabel and 1-year-old Valerie. Both Duvi and Josh were deployed to Afghanistan, where they served in separate units. Tragically, Duvi recently died in an insurgent attack while in Afghanistan. She was only 24 years old. Earlier this month, on Veterans Day, I had the honor and privilege of participating in events with veterans and their families in my congressional district in Hawthorne and Inglewood, California. I was deeply moved by the families of our servicemembers. Not only do servicemembers make major sacrifices, but so do their families. They live with the harsh realities of war and its implications on them. Spouses must sacrifice long-term career planning, and children are oftentimes forced to transfer to different schools throughout the country. Tragically, as is the reality of combat theatre, some of our troops do not make it home. Today, I salute and thank Sergeant Wolf, along with all of our Nation's past and present heroes who sacrifice a great deal in service to this country. I expressed my condolences to Duvi's sister Cecilia in Hawthorne on Veterans Day, and I know that her friends and family are still mourning. It is my hope that they will find comfort and peace in the loving memories and the distinguished legacy of service that Duvi leaves behind. In Memory of Tommy Jacquette

Ms. WATERS. I rise in memory of Tommy Jacquette, my dear friend of over 40 years, who passed away this week. I know that the community of Watts and the greater Los Angeles area are grieving with me, because we have all lost a truly unique, larger-than-life friend and activist who had his finger on the pulse of the community. Born in South Central Los Angeles in 1943, Tommy Jacquette as a young man became part of the Black Power Movement of the 1960s and sharpened his leadership skills during his studies at Cal-Poly Pomona. He was acutely aware of the problems and issues facing the African American community, and he wanted to make a difference. Tommy especially loved Watts, and he dedicated his life's work to enriching the community. He was the founder of the Watts Summer Festival at Ted Watkins Memorial Park, formerly Will Rogers Park, which became an annual tradition in the community following the 1965 insurrection, which were riots that shook the Watts community and surrounding areas. Tommy created the festival to honor and celebrate our roots, our talents, and our culture; and it subsequently helped to spark African American festivals across the country. Today, it's known as the ``grandfather'' of all African American cultural events. Even in years when he struggled to get funding for the festival, when traditional donors such as the business community and others wouldn't contribute, he always came through and was able to put on a festival, using the resources he had and his amazing life skills, largely stemming from being a self-made man. Just this year I joked with him that if he had two dimes to rub together, there would be a Watts Summer Festival. I have no doubt, however, that in making the festival possible each and every year for almost half a century, Tommy knocked a few heads together. This tall, handsome, and fatigue-wearing man made his presence known, often using his penchant for colorful language to drive home the point. His confrontations with City Hall, L.A. County, and other elected officials and community leaders are legendary. He spoke his mind and he was bold and uncompromising in his support of the African American community. So when he was mad, you knew it. However, when he was pleased and happy, you knew it too, because he had a smile that would light up a room and a hearty laugh that would resonate throughout an entire building. The Watts Summer Festival is uniquely Tommy, bringing people together and focusing both on local and national talent, always with an Afro- centric theme. Tommy was an inspiration to me and to so many other people. He was daring, fearless and bold, helping us to gain the courage to openly discuss and deal with race, discrimination and inequality in a way that few had been able to before. I will truly miss his presence and the long conversations we would often have, which would usually start when he'd say ``Hey Mac, what do you think about that?'' He was an incredibly deep thinker. He was especially an inspiration to young people in the community, often speaking at high schools, colleges and universities to encourage them to succeed, to give back, and to hold their heads up high. There will never be another Tommy Jacquette, and I know that the legacy he has left behind is enshrined not only in the Watts Summer Festival, but in the larger community. I look forward to working with his family and the Board of Directors to make sure that the festival continues, though there will be a big hole that can never be filled. I thank him for all that he was and all that he was not, for all the lives he reached, and for his friendship. I will miss him dearly, but am comforted because I know Tommy Jacquette's life was one of impact, purpose, and fulfillment.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Sgt. Eduviges Preciado Wolf of Hawthorne, CA. Sgt. Wolf was an army sergeant assigned to the 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, out of Fort Carson, Colorado. Sgt. Wolf was a hero who gave her life in service to her country. Sgt. Wolf, also known as ``Duvi,'' dreamed of serving in the U.S. military as a child who emigrated to the United States from Mexico with her family. As soon as Duvi was able, she joined the United States military so that she could fulfill her lifelong dream to serve and protect her country. She met her husband Josh at Fort Bragg. Together they had 2 daughters: 3-year-old Isabel and 1-year-old Valerie. Both Duvi and Josh were deployed to Afghanistan, where they served in separate units. Tragically, Duvi recently died in an insurgent attack while in Afghanistan. She was 24 years old. Earlier this month on Veterans Day, I had the honor and privilege of participating in events with veterans and their families in my congressional district--in Hawthorne and Inglewood, California. I was deeply moved by the families of our servicemembers. Not only do servicemembers make major sacrifices, but so do their families. They live with the harsh realities of war and its implications on them. Spouses must sacrifice long-term career planning, and children are oftentimes forced to transfer to different schools throughout the country. Tragically, as is the reality of combat theater, some of our troops do not make it home. Today, I salute and thank Sgt. Wolf, along with all of our Nation's past and present heroes who sacrificed a great deal in service to their country. I expressed my condolences to Duvi's sister Cecilia in Hawthorne on Veterans Day, and I know that her friends and family are still mourning. It is my hope that they will find comfort and peace in the loving memories and the distinguished legacy of service that Duvi leaves behind.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Tommy Jacquette, my dear friend of over 40 years, who passed away this week. I know that the community of Watts and the greater Los Angeles area are grieving with me, because we've all lost a truly unique, larger-than-life friend and activist who had his finger on the pulse of the community. Born in South Central Los Angeles in 1943, Tommy as a young man became part of the Black Power Movement of the 1960's and sharpened his leadership skills during his studies at Cal-Poly Pomona. He was acutely aware of the problems and issues facing the African-American community, and he wanted to make a difference. Tommy especially loved Watts, and he dedicated his life's work to enriching the community. He was the founder of the Watts Summer Festival at Ted Watkins Memorial Park (formerly Will Rogers Park), which became an annual tradition in the community following the 1965 insurrection, which were riots that shook the Watts community and surrounding areas. Tommy created the Festival to honor and celebrate our roots, our talents and our culture, and it subsequently helped to spark African- American festivals across the country: today it's known as the `Grandfather' of all African-American cultural events. Even in years when he struggled to get funding for the Festival, when traditional donors such as the business community and others wouldn't contribute, he always came through and was able to put on a Festival, using the resources he had and his amazing life skills, largely stemming from being a self-made man. Just this year, I joked with him that if he had two dimes to rub together, there would be a Watts Summer Festival. I have no doubt, however, that in making the Festival possible each and every year for almost a half-century, Tommy knocked a few heads together. This tall, handsome and fatigue-wearing man made his presence known, often using his penchant for colorful language to drive home the point! His confrontations with City Hall, L.A. County, and other elected officials and community leaders are legendary. He spoke his mind, and was bold and uncompromising in his support of the Black community. So when he was mad, you knew it. However when he was pleased and happy, you knew it too, because he had a smile that would light up a room and a hearty laugh that would resonate throughout an entire building. The Watts Summer Festival is uniquely Tommy, bringing people together and focusing both on local and national talent, always with an Afro- centric theme. Tommy was an inspiration to me and to so many other people. He was daring, fearless and bold, helping us to gain the courage to openly discuss and deal with race, discrimination and inequality in a way that few had been able to before. I will truly miss his presence and the long conversations we would often have, which would usually start when he'd say ``Hey Mac, what do you think about that?'' He was an incredibly deep thinker. He was especially an inspiration to young people in the community, often speaking at high schools, colleges and universities to encourage them to succeed, to give back, and to hold their heads up high. There will never be another Tommy Jacquette, and I know that the legacy he has left behind is enshrined not only in the Watts Summer Festival, but in the larger community. I look forward to working with his family and the Board of Directors to make sure that the Festival continues, though there will be a big hole that can never be filled. I thank him for all that he was and all that he was not, for all the lives he reached, and for his friendship. I will miss him dearly, but am comforted because I know Tommy Jacquette's life was one of impact, purpose, and fulfillment.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker and Members, 1984 and 1988 were the proudest and most productive periods of my life. Jesse Jackson ran for President both in 1984 and 1988, and I served as the national co-Chair and the Chair of the California campaign. I was so pleased to be a part of the Rainbow Coalition he formed that included African Americans, Hispanics, Arab Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, family farmers, the poor and working class, homosexuals, as well as white progressives. It truly was a Rainbow Coalition. Listen to Jesse Jackson's campaign platform. Jobs. Creating a Works Progress Administration-style program to rebuild America's infrastructure; reversing Reaganomics-inspired tax cuts; cutting the budget of the Department of Defense by as much as 15 percent over the course of his administration; supporting family farmers by reviving many of Roosevelt's New Deal-era platforms; creating a single-payer system of universal health care; and applying stricter enforcement of the Voting Rights Act. Jesse Jackson, thank you for the leadership that you provided. It is because of you and the hope that you created that has caused Barack Obama to be the President today.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009, which reauthorizes the Ryan White HIV/ AIDS Program for four years. The Ryan White program provides critical funds to cities, states and non-profit organizations for medical treatment and support services for people living with HIV and AIDS. The program currently serves more than 500,000 HIV-positive low-income people throughout the United States, many of whom would not be alive today without it. The continuing need for the Ryan White Program cannot be overstated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States today, and every 9\1/2\ minutes, another person is infected. Racial and ethnic minorities continue to be severely impacted by HIV/ AIDS. African Americans account for 49% of new AIDS diagnoses, and Hispanics account for 19%. All minority groups combined represent 65% of new HIV infections, 67% of people living with HIV/AIDS, 71% of new AIDS cases, and 70% of deaths caused by AIDS. Eleven years ago, in order to address the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS among minorities, I worked with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus and the Clinton Administration to develop the Minority AIDS Initiative. This initiative provides funds to community-based organizations in order to build their capacity to serve minority communities and deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate care and services. This bill recognizes the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS among minorities and reauthorizes key provisions of the Minority AIDS Initiative. The bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on activities under the Minority AIDS Initiative across governmental agencies and identify best practices in capacity-building. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to prepare a plan for the use of Minority AIDS Initiative funding, taking into consideration the GAO report. I thank my good friend Delegate Donna Christensen, along with the other Members and staff of the Energy and Commerce Committee, for consulting with my office on the reauthorization of the Minority AIDS Initiative, and I appreciate all of their work on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. R. 1016--To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide new discretionary budget authority for certain medical care accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill would ensure sufficient, timely, and predictable veterans funding so that the Department of Veterans Affairs would have the Federal funding to better serve veterans' medical needs and improve health care services. This is a very timely and important measure as many of our troops today are returning home in need of accessible and adequate health care services. Therefore, I strongly commend my colleague Bob Filner for bringing this measure before the floor. This bill provides for a new two-fiscal-year discretionary budget authority for three critical accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs: medical services, medical support and compliance, and medical facilities. Accordingly, this measure will give the Department of Veterans Affairs sufficient time to effectively plan how it will deliver the best care to a growing number of veterans with increasingly complex medical conditions. And to ensure that the funds are being used appropriately, H.R. 1016 requires the United States Comptroller General to conduct a study to determine the adequacy and accuracy of the department's budget model projections. My military constituents often turn to me for support in confronting the many challenges they face when working with the Department of Veterans Affairs. We have come to understand, that many of the challenges in efficient health care services are attributable to the Department of Veterans Affairs' inadequate funding. Over the last two decades, the appropriated funds for medical care have not been provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs in a timely manner. This has resulted in the department's problems in planning and managing care for enrolled veterans. Accordingly, this bill addresses this budgetary problem and allows for advance appropriations to ensure the department has the Federal backing to effectively address the medical needs of our Nation's veterans. As a vocal advocate for veterans' rights, I am pleased to add my voice of support for H.R. 1016. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we continue to provide the necessary resources towards improving our Department of Veterans Affairs' health care programs and administrative services.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, yesterday was World Alzheimer's Day--a day to call attention to and raise awareness of this fatal, neurodegenerative disease afflicting over 5 million Americans. In this country, someone develops Alzheimer's every 70 seconds, and total healthcare costs are more than three times higher for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias than for people the same age without the disease. Experts estimate that it could affect as many as 10 million baby boomers as they age. The bottom line is this: Alzheimer's disease poses a significant public health threat to our Nation. In my State of California, there will be as many as 480,000 people age 65 and older who will have Alzheimer's disease by 2010. And Alzheimer's doesn't just strike the individual--it is a family disease. According to the Alzheimer's Association's 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, there are nearly 10 million Alzheimer's caregivers providing unpaid care valued at $94 billion. In California alone, there are over 1 million caregivers grappling with the tremendous challenges of Alzheimer's disease every day. In order to assist caregivers with these daunting challenges, I plan to reintroduce the Alzheimer's Treatment and Caregiver Support Act this month (H.R. 1032 in the 110th Congress). This bill provides grants to public and nonprofit organizations to improve treatment services for Alzheimer's patients and expand training and support services for families and caregivers. Expanding access to training and support services would improve the ability of caregivers to provide effective, compassionate care and allow more people with Alzheimer's disease to remain in their homes with people who love them. This bill had over 100 cosponsors in the 110th Congress, and I hope the 111th Congress will pass this important bill and send it to the President's desk. We can also fight this disease with the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act, H.R. 3286, of which I am proud to be a cosponsor. This legislation seeks to find breakthroughs in Alzheimer's disease by increasing research funding to $2 billion per year. It also calls for a national summit on Alzheimer's disease to look at promising research possibilities and programs that are important in fighting this disease. As we recognize World Alzheimer's Day 2009, I urge my colleagues to join with me and cosponsor the Alzheimer's Treatment and Caregiver Support Act and the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act. Let us commit to take every possible action to improve treatments for Alzheimer's patients, support caregivers, and invest in research to find a cure for this disease.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3548--the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009. In light of the devastating impact the recession has had on families and communities across the country, this legislation is critical to ensure that jobless workers continue to collect unemployment benefits while they rebuild their lives and try to find gainful employment. This is a very important bill, and I commend Representative Jim McDermott for bringing this measure before the floor. Although Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke announced last week that the recession is very likely over, he and other members of the Obama administration caution that unemployment may continue to rise before we start to see significant job creation next year. And today, many people across the country remain jobless and are relying on their unemployment benefits to support their families. Unless Congress acts, over 300,000 jobless workers living in high unemployment states are projected to exhaust their unemployment benefits by the end of September. California is ranked among the states leading in double digit unemployment rates. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, as of August 2009, California's unemployment rate reached 12.2 percent. Moreover, the Department of Labor reports the state has lost well over 700,000 jobs over the past year. I have received countless distressing calls and letters from my constituents. I have heard horror stories about foreclosed homes, displaced families, and even death due to unforeseen illness because of an inability to pay for medical care. These stories give a face to the statistics. This recession has been particularly devastating on communities of color. The unemployment rate for African Americans is 15.1 percent, and for our Hispanics and Latinos, the rate is 13.1 percent. When you consider the nationwide unemployment rate is 9.7 percent, our minority communities are clearly fairing far worse. These communities are in desperate need for further assistance as provided under this measure. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to add my voice of support for H.R. 3548. And I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that our Federal government's economic recovery programs are effective and actually achieve their intended goals.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Chair, I rise to support H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009. I'd also like to commend my colleague from California, Chairman George Miller for his hard work to bring this bill to the floor today. Now more than ever, Americans need affordable and quality educational opportunities that will help make our economy stronger and more competitive. This bill embraces President Obama's challenge to produce more college graduates by the year 2020 by making higher education more accessible. This legislation achieves that goal by transforming the way student loan programs operate. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act is the single largest investment in aid to help students and families pay for college in history--and it does so at no cost to taxpayers. The bill reforms the system of federal student loans to save taxpayers $87 billion--and then invests $77 billion of those savings back into education, particularly by making college more affordable, and directs $10 billion back to the Treasury to reduce entitlement spending. Among its many provisions, I am especially pleased that the maximum Pell Grant is increased from $5,350 in 2009 to $5,550 in 2010 and to $6,900 in 2019 and that interest rates are kept low on subsidized federal student loans. This will help more students graduate with less debt. Unfortunately, too many students are graduating with record debt, partly because grant aid doesn't cover nearly as large a share of college costs as it used to. This legislation will allow us to invest $40 billion in the Pell Grant scholarship, to keep interest rates affordable on need-based federal student loans, to simplify the federal student aid application process, and to invest in other forms of aid that will help low-income, middle class and minority students pay for and complete college. H.R. 3221 will also stabilize and safeguard the federal student loan program that students and families depend on to pay for college. The intertwined economic and credit crises have exposed serious vulnerabilities in the structure of the federally-guaranteed student loan program--putting it on life support. Families shouldn't have to worry about whether the roller coaster fluctuations of the financial markets will hurt their access to low-cost student loans. By originating all new federal loans through the cheaper Direct Loan program, students and parents will be able to receive the same loans with the added assurance that these loans are entirely reliable, no matter what happens in the economy. This simple change will save taxpayers $87 billion over 10 years. H.R. 3221 also builds on the best of what works in the private sector to provide borrowers with top-notch customer service. The legislation will allow state non-profit lenders and private industry to continue doing what they do best--servicing loans. It will allow private entities to compete for contracts to service these loans--ensuring that students get the best services available and maintaining jobs in communities across the country. This bill also eliminates waste and creates a streamlined, cost-effective program for families and taxpayers. Each year, billions of taxpayers' dollars are being sent into a program that no longer works--and that the Department of Education can administer for a much lower cost. This is exactly the kind of waste we need to eliminate in tough fiscal times. By cutting out the middleman, this legislation will save taxpayers $87 billion over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It's a smarter business decision for taxpayers and families. One of the most exciting provisions of this bill is that is makes an unprecedented $10 billion investment to make community colleges part of our economy's recovery. For years, business leaders have told us there weren't enough workers with the knowledge and the expertise for their specific industries. H.R. 3221 will change that. It will help us build a 21st century workforce by strengthening partnerships among community colleges, businesses and job training programs that will align community college curricula with the needs of high-wage, high-demand industries. It will provide community colleges with the tools to replicate programs that are successfully educating and training students and workers for these fields. As a former Head Start volunteer coordinator, I know first-hand that creating better educational opportunities demands that we invest in our students long before they reach college. To ensure that the next generation of students enters kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed in school, the legislation creates an Early Leaning Challenge Fund to increase high-quality early learning opportunities for low- income children. It also will help provide every child with access to a world-class learning environment by investing in school modernization, renovation, and repair projects that will create healthier, safer, and more energy-efficient environments--a measure the House is already on record supporting. However there is one provision that was added to HR 3221 in the Education and Labor Committee that I am very concerned about. I'm sure it was included with the best of intentions, but for the record, I would like to share with my colleagues what I believe will be the real impact of this provision. Under current law, for-profit postsecondary schools are required to maintain a certain formula for how they receive federal funding, commonly known as 90-10. This means that a school must, at a minimum, acquire 10 percent of its funding from sources other than federal money. The original 90-10 provisions were added because too many for-profit schools were receiving large amounts of federal funding from students who indebted themselves without receiving the training they signed up for. I worked with a number of my colleagues here to help put those 90-10 provisions in place. This formula was enacted after years of students being ripped off and schools raking in record profits. If the schools violate 90-10, they are assessed a financial penalty. The provision added in Committee would weaken the current standards and basically kick the can down the road by extending the violation period from two to three years. This is completely unnecessary. What is the point of having the formula if we'll allow for-profit schools to continue to violate it? I am looking forward to work with Chairman Miller and other Members to make sure that the final bill does not include another victory for an industry that does not have students' best interests in mind. Moving forward, it is my recommendation that we revisit the rules that govern these for-profit schools and allow them to continue accessing federal funds but that also ensure that they fully report graduation and dropout rates, default rates, and job placement rates. In closing, this is not a perfect bill, but it is a tremendous investment in education for American families and I urge my colleagues to vote for passage on H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 738, Recognizing the 15th Anniversary of the Enactment of the Violence Against Women Act, offered by my friend and colleague Representative Louise Slaughter of New York. The 15th anniversary of President Clinton signing this landmark legislation into law offers us the opportunity both to see how far we have come and to recognize that there is still much ground to be covered as we continue to protect vulnerable women and work on behalf of abused women across this nation. What is so important about VAWA, just as much today as it was 15 years ago, is that it specifically identifies women as an at-risk population because of violence perpetrated against them. Violence against women ranges from rape to physical and mental abuse to stalking to other forms of domestic violence. It was appropriate to pass legislation specifically geared toward identifying different forms of violence, who was affected by this violence, and what judicial and social services were available for victims and potential victims. Our current Vice President Joe Biden played a leading role in shaping and forwarding this legislation when he was in the Senate, and we should acknowledge him for championing the bill and being instrumental in its final passage. Since the enactment of VAWA into law, there has been a proliferation of community and advocacy organizations, shelters, health clinics, and law enforcement divisions and programs dedicated to protecting women from abuse and to giving them time to heal and piece their lives back together. VAWA funding has made it possible for women--and often times their children--to be able to leave their batterers and seek the help they need to begin life anew, more so than at any other time in our Nation's history. And given the unprecedented rate at which state and local budgets have been slashed during the recent economic downturn, VAWA funding is more crucial than ever: to date the Office of Violence Against Women, created under the Department of Justice to implement VAWA, has issued $3.5 billion in grants and cooperative agreements. I have long strived to be a voice for those who have difficulty being heard. Despite the significant inroads that VAWA has made in the lives of countless women throughout this country, we continue to see alarming trends in the rates of abuse, rape, and murder of women. Under the auspices of VAWA and other initiatives meant to protect women, I will continue to champion women and to offer and sponsor legislation to protect and empower them. I was proud to vote for the passage of VAWA 15 years ago. So let today mark an important milestone to commemorate the work that has been done over the last 15 years. But let it also force all of us to redouble our efforts to continue legislating and advocating on behalf of women who find themselves in abusive and dangerous relationships and situations. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 738 and I commend Representative Slaughter for offering it.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of H. Con. Res. 59-- supporting the goals and ideals of senior caregiving and affordability. Our national population of seniors is growing at unprecedented rates. National statistics reveal that 8,000 people turn 60 each day. Moreover, an estimated 44 million adults in the United States currently provide care to their senior relatives and friends. In light of these trends, it is our responsibility to ensure that senior citizens, especially those suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, have access to the quality and professional care they need to live their lives to the fullest. I commend Rep. Lee Terry for bringing this measure before the floor. This resolution demonstrates that Congress is concerned about our senior citizens and we are actively engaging and learning more about the senior caregiving industry. Today, 35.9 million people, roughly 12.4 percent of the U.S. population, are aged 65 years and older. Moreover, 25 percent of all seniors require some level of assistance with their daily life activities. At this rate, the population of seniors is expected to increase each year and is in danger of exceeding the availability of qualified professionals and trained caregivers. Therefore, it is important that we now begin to take the necessary steps to effectively manage the needs of our aging population. We can accomplish this objective by providing some much needed support to family caregivers across the country. Family caregivers expend a lot of time, energy, and resources caring for their senior relatives. And many families that do not provide care within their homes rely on non-family private caregivers. In this regard, Congress must help to foster a private home care industry environment that supports enterprises that provide accessible and affordable caregiving services to seniors. This must also include standardized training to paid caregivers with the opportunity for their ongoing professional development. Additionally, Congress must examine and continue to fund current federal programs that address the affordability and accessibility challenges our seniors and their family caregivers face. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to add my voice of support for H. Con. Res. 59--supporting the goals and ideals of senior caregiving and affordability. And I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure we continue to provide the necessary resources toward senior caregiving and improve affordability so that all our senior citizens will have access to quality caregiving when they need it.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 556, which recognizes the 75th anniversary of the passage of the Federal Credit Union Act and the vibrant Federal credit union community that was created as a result of this important piece of legislation. The Federal Credit Union Act was created to promote savings, fight against unfair lending practices and extend credit to people to whom banks and other financial institutions forgot. I have long been a supporter of credit unions, especially federal credit unions. There was a period of time when the major banks and other financial institutions abandoned many Los Angeles communities, including those within my district. Federal credit unions did the opposite and decided to invest in the people of communities such as Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena and Manhattan Beach. Credit unions have made a strong commitment to serve the communities where their members reside and have created a model more financial institutions should follow. I am proud to recognize the improvements credit unions have made in Los Angeles and across our country. I urge other members to join me in supporting H. Res. 556.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support for the veterans' bills considered on the floor this week. I am very pleased that we have reached a point where we can begin to address the many institutional problems our returning soldiers endure under the Department of Veteran Affairs. While some of these issues can be attributed to administrative deficiencies, many of the department's problems can be helped by increased federal support. These brave men and women deserve our support as they risk their lives in combat. This support should be reflected in appropriate legislative action to ease the burdens they confront upon returning home. While many of us in Congress may disagree on our military strategy and presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, we can all agree that our returning veterans deserve far more than what they have received upon returning home from combat. Although the Bush Administration initiated the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it failed to provide for critical veterans' health care benefits and programs that would have helped to reorient our returning troops into society. However, under a new administration and as evidenced by the bills considered this week, Congress is working diligently to introduce and pass critical legislation that will provide our veterans with long overdue support and efficient access to medical resources. Therefore, I am pleased to support all of the veterans' bills on the floor this week, and I commend my colleagues in Congress for their commitment to our nation's troops. A New York Times report published last fall reported that the nation's newest veterans, particularly the wounded, are paying an exceptionally high price for their service to our country. According to various veterans' advocacy groups, the combination of injury and unemployment coupled with the long VA disability claims process has forced many veterans into foreclosure and other financial hardships. Thus, the legislation on the floor this week will provide for beneficial assistance through federal appropriations, employment and housing resources, and improved veterans' medical insurance programs. H.R. 3219, the Veterans' Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act of 2009 will expand veterans' insurance and provide much needed healthcare improvements. Additionally, this measure establishes permanent VA authority to provide hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to Vietnam-era herbicide-exposed veterans and Persian Gulf War veterans who have insufficient medical evidence to establish a service-connected disability. Undoubtedly, many of our current veterans from past and our present international conflicts stand to benefit a great deal from this bill. In addition, H.R. 1293, the Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009, will increase the amount of authorized grants the Department of Veterans Affairs can pay for improvements and structural alterations for homes of veterans with service-connected disabilities of 50 percent or more. Accordingly, this bill will provide much needed assistance for veterans to make any necessary improvements they are otherwise unable to fix on their own. As many may suffer from service-connected physical disabilities impeding their normal life activities, this bill would authorize the VA to increase their financial assistance to veterans. This measure will greatly supplement the bill we passed last Congress, the Homes for Heroes Act, H.R. 3329. Where that bill expanded the supply of permanent housing for veterans, H.R. 1293 will provide the grants to make improvements for veterans' current homes. Moreover, H.R. 2270, the Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations (NREC) Enhancement Act of 2009 will amend federal provisions regarding the establishment at the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities of nonprofit and research and education corporations (NRECs) to allow an NREC to facilitate the conduct of research or education, or both, at more than one VA medical center. This will greatly benefit the VA so that they can have readily available resources to help them confront challenges facing our veterans. And H.R. 3155, the Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act will provide federal assistance to individuals providing non- institutional extended care to disabled veterans. These valuable services include educational and teaching caring techniques; strategies and skills; nursing care, and mental and health services. And finally, H.R. 1803, the Veterans Business Center Act of 2009 will amend the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish within the SBA a Veterans Business Center program to provide entrepreneurial training and counseling to veterans. This will create yet another resource to benefit our returning veterans who may have trouble finding employment. Madam Speaker, these are incredibly important bills, providing our veterans with the federal resources so they may have efficient access to much needed medical assistance, job, and housing support. As a strong advocate for veterans' rights, I am pleased to add my voice of support for all of these measures. Moreover, I will be working with my colleagues to make sure we continue to provide the necessary resources towards protecting our veterans' rights and ensuring fair and just access to their rightful benefits.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Chair, I rise to oppose the Souder amendment, which prohibits funding needle exchange programs. Needle exchange programs are effective at preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. There are over 1 million Americans living with HIV/AIDS in the United States today, and over 20 percent of them do not know they are infected. Every 9\1/2\ minutes, another person is infected with HIV. Last fall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new estimates of HIV infection in the United States, which indicate that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is even worse than was previously thought. These new estimates indicate that approximately 56,300 new HIV infections occurred in the United States in 2006. This figure is approximately 40 percent higher than CDC's previous estimates of 40,000 new infections per year. According to the CDC, 13 percent of new HIV infections in the United States occur among intravenous drug users. Needle exchange programs are an effective means of preventing HIV transmission among this population. Needle exchange programs save lives, reduce health care costs, and link intravenous drug users with substance abuse treatment programs that could end their addiction and allow them to live healthy and productive lives. The Souder amendment is opposed by AIDS Action, the HIV Medicine Association, The AIDS Institute, and several other organizations concerned about the spread of HIV/AIDS in our communities. I urge my colleagues to oppose the Souder amendment.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Chair, I rise to support this bill, which provides funding for essential health and education services for the well-being of the American people. I commend the Appropriations Committee for providing $263 million for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs, a $92 million increase in funding for these nurse education and training programs. Our nation is facing a severe shortage of nurses, and this shortage will only become more severe as we embark on health reform and provide more Americans access to affordable healthcare. There are many young people in my district and throughout the country who would welcome the opportunity to pursue a career in nursing. Enabling promising young people to receive a college education in nursing will reduce unemployment rates in the short term and provide a long-term investment in our nation's healthcare system. Over the last four years, funding for the Nursing Workforce Development programs has remained relatively flat. In fiscal year (FY) 2006, these programs received just under $150 million and supported 91,189 nursing students. In the following year, these programs received the same amount of funding but supported only 71,729 nursing students. In FY 2008, the programs received $156 million but still supported only 51,657 nursing students. These recent trends demonstrate the rising costs of nurse education and training, which results in the participation of fewer nursing students and, therefore, fewer new nurses. In FY 2009, the programs received $171 million and, while this was a slight increase, it was still far below our nation's needs. A significant increase is necessary for these programs to overcome rising tuition costs and allow more students to participate. The increase in this bill for nurse education and training programs will improve our nation's health system and allow thousands of young people to pursue a promising career field and serve their communities as nurses. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I am very appreciative of my colleague from Massachusetts and his leadership on this issue and for recognizing me to stand as a proud Los Angeleno, joined by 50 other of my colleagues to congratulate the extraordinary Los Angeles Lakers for their 2009 NBA championship. This resolution, H. Res. 566, commemorates the Los Angeles Lakers' 15th National Basketball Association championship. Prior to the 2008-2009 season, the Lakers won 14 National Basketball Association championships with a cast of Hall of Famers and coaches, which included NBA greats such as Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Pat Riley, and current Head Coach Phil Jackson. This season, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol, and Trevor Ariza led the 2008-2009 Lakers to a 65-17 regular season record and the number one spot in the Western Conference Playoffs. Not only did Trevor Ariza help to bring another championship to Los Angeles, he also attended Westchester High School in my district. The Lakers entered the NBA Playoffs with home court advantage as a result of the team's regular season performance, and in the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz in five games to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. The Lakers then faced the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Semifinals, winning seven games, and advanced to the Western Conference Finals where they faced the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers clinched the Western Conference Finals in six games, thanks to the outstanding play by Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant, which closed out the series. In the NBA Finals, the Lakers matched up with the Orlando Magic, led by Dwight Howard. The Lakers won the first two games of the Finals in Los Angeles, including a hard-fought game 2, during which Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol combined for 53 points, propelling the Lakers to a 101-96 victory. The Lakers lost game 3 in Orlando by a score of 108-104; however, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant scored 31 points and played all but 8 minutes of the game. The Lakers followed their loss in game 3 by winning the next two games in Orlando to win the 2009 NBA championship. For his outstanding play during the NBA Finals, Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant was presented with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award and his fourth NBA championship. Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson won his 10th NBA championship as a head coach and his 12th NBA championship overall. Congratulations to the Lakers players, coaches, and staff on winning the 2008-2009 NBA championship.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I have long been an advocate of consumer protections and consumer rights, and I'm proud of the work we have accomplished on these issues this session. Laws such as the recently enacted Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights, of which I'm an original cosponsor, will help to ensure consumers have access to fair and easy- to-understand credit products. That said, there is still much more work to be done in order to safeguard consumers from predatory and discriminatory lending products. This Congress is about to embark upon the adoption of regulatory reform. We have had an economic meltdown and a subprime mess, and we discovered that our regulatory agencies were asleep at the wheel. We discovered that there had been deregulation that led us to the point of this economic meltdown. Judging from the proliferation of products such as subprime mortgages and payday loans, our current regulatory framework inadequately protects consumers. There are many reasons why we need a new consumer financial protection agency. There will be a comprehensive piece of legislation that will talk about how we do credible regulatory reform. But of all that is in the proposed legislation that is being developed, we are getting a pushback from the financial services community on the consumer financial protection agency. Why is that? Why is it that given what we have gone through the financial services community can boldly and barefacedly come before us and talk about why a consumer financial protection agency is a bad idea? I suppose one of the reasons is jurisdictional. There are several types of consumer financial products which, because they are offered by non-banks, fall into what may be classified as a ``shadow banking industry.'' These products and institutions escape Federal regulation yet often lead to Federal problems, such as our current economic and foreclosure crisis. A prime example of this is mortgage servicing. Mortgage services is an important part of our housing market, and consumers often have more contact with their mortgage servicers than they do with their mortgage broker, real estate agent or bank combined. However, lately, many servicers have been unable to properly assist consumers due to lack of capacity or perhaps just the will to do so. The servicers are the ones that are supposed to be doing loan modifications. They are supposed to be helping the consumers to unwind the mess that many of them have found themselves in because of the predatory lending. There is currently no Federal agency with specific jurisdiction over the mortgage servicing industry, and therefore, no mechanism for anyone to address this pressing issue. The proposed consumer financial protection agency would bring nonbanks who offer financial services to and interact with consumers into our regulatory system. Another reason we need a consumer financial protection agency is to protect consumers from complicated products and hidden and predatory fees. According to Harvard Professor Elizabeth Warren, the average credit card offer now comes bundled with more than 100 pages of fine print. Buried within this fine print are provisions about restrictions, teaser rates and penalties. This fine print is nearly impossible for consumers to make informed decisions and pick the credit card or other lending product which is right for them. This leads some borrowers to be trapped in credit cards or loan products with hidden and abusive fees. This agency could solve this problem by working with the industry to reduce fine print and hidden fees. The final reason we need this new agency is stability. Our financial markets are built on consumer lending. Our current crisis began when collateralized debt obligations and mortgage-backed securities were packed with exotic products, such as no-doc loans and liars loans. It was exacerbated as consumers were continually squeezed with excessive penalties and fees from bank products, reducing purchasing power and leading families everywhere to make tough decisions. A strong regulator, one which focused solely on consumer safety and championed simpler disclosure and products, could have prevented all of this. We need a consumer financial protection agency to deal with this kind of crisis so that it never occurs again.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1044--The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial Enhancement Act of 2009. I would like to thank my colleague from California, Congressman George Miller, for offering this resolution and for his lengthy and dedicated work to ensure that history records the real story of the bravery and heroism of those injured and killed at Port Chicago on July 17, 1944. On that day, 320 sailors and civilians were killed when munitions caches being loaded onto ships at Port Chicago, California, accidentally detonated. In addition, 390 sailors and civilians were injured in the explosion. The vast majority of the dead and injured were enlisted African Americans serving our country during World War II. Following the accident, when servicemen protested the dangerous process of loading munitions and the apparent lack of interest or will to remedy the process, the men were court-martialed for being ``mutinous'' and sentenced to prison terms. The group came to be known as ``The Port Chicago 50.'' This accident happened during a time when segregation in all aspects of American life still raged in our country. Even men who put their lives on the line for our country were not spared from the effects of racism. Not surprisingly, both the ensuing reparations for family members and the shameful trial of these men were loaded with racial overtones. The least we can do then is to upgrade the status of the Memorial erected in honor of those killed at Port Chicago to that of a National Park, so that we can direct appropriate Federal funds to repair and maintain the Memorial. In addition, I hope we can take the additional step of exonerating these men and expunging their criminal records. In the meantime, let's honor the fallen of Port Chicago by supporting H.R. 1044. I again thank my colleague, Mr. Miller, for offering this bill.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Chair, I rise to support this bill, which protects our security and promotes our values by funding humanitarian assistance, health care, education, poverty reduction, and disaster relief throughout our world, and especially in countries like Haiti, a poverty-stricken but democratic nation close to our shores. I oppose amendments to cut funding for these critical programs. I am especially concerned about the Lewis amendment, which cuts more than $500 million from multilateral development programs, including debt relief for the world's poorest countries. Debt relief has already helped more than 20 poor countries, freeing up billions of dollars for investments in health care, education, clean water, and poverty reduction. The United States played a critical role in negotiating poor country debt relief, and we did it with bipartisan support from this Congress. In the last Congress, I introduced H.R. 2634, the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation, to expand poor country debt relief. The House passed this bill last year, although the Senate was not able to complete consideration of it. I will re- introduce the Jubilee Act later this year. Both Bread for the World and Catholic Relief Services strongly supported debt relief, and now they are calling on Members of Congress to support this bill and oppose amendments like the Lewis amendment. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1016--To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide advance appropriations authority for certain medical care accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill would ensure sufficient, timely, and predictable veterans funding so that the Department of Veterans Affairs would have the federal funding to better serve veterans' medical needs and improve health care services. This is a very timely and important measure as many of our troops today are returning home in need of accessible and adequate health care services. Therefore I strongly commend my colleague Bob Filner for bringing this measure before the floor. This bill would authorize Congress to provide investments in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical care one year in advance so the department can have sufficient time to plan how to deliver the best care to an increasing number of veterans with increasingly complex medical conditions. My military constituents often turn to me for support in confronting the many challenges they face when working with the Department of Veterans Affairs. We have come to understand, that many of the challenges in efficient health care services are attributable to the Department of Veterans Affairs' inadequate funding. For most of the past two decades, the appropriated funds for medical care have not been provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs in a timely manner. This has resulted in the department's problems in planning and managing care for enrolled veterans. Accordingly, this bill addresses this budgetary problem and allows for advance appropriations to ensure the department has the Federal backing to effectively address the medical needs of our nation's veterans. As a vocal advocate for veterans' rights, I am pleased to add my voice of support for H.R. 1016. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we continue to provide the necessary resources towards improving our Department of Veterans Affairs' health care programs and administrative services.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1172--to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include on the Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a list of organizations that provide scholarships to veterans and their survivors. This important measure would provide an invaluable resource for our veterans and their survivors. In an effort to increase information accessibility, this bill would create a convenient section within the Veterans Affairs Department website for veterans and/or their survivors to view all available veteran scholarship opportunities that various public and private organizations sponsor throughout the year. I commend Rep. John Boozman for bringing this measure before the floor. My veteran constituents frequently contact me with reports on the many administrative failures and shortcomings of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Slow processes and backlogs have become the expectation rather than an exception in the level of service our veterans receive. This is unfortunate as we send these brave men and women to armed conflict, and yet, we cannot provide them with the necessary tools and resources to become reoriented with society. This bill provides one solution to a relatively simple problem. I have no doubt, however, that many veterans and their families will appreciate this information, especially in light of the economic recession. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to add my voice of support for H.R. 1172. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we continue to provide the necessary resources towards improving our Department of Veterans Affairs' administration and services.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I am proud to be a consponsor of this of this legislation, which recognizes June as Home Safety Month. I would like to thank Congresswoman Halvorson for her leadership in introducing this resolution and her commitment to the safety of America's homeowners. At a time when we are encouraging homeowners to stay in their homes and increasing our efforts to spur new homeownership, we must also recognize the importance of ensuring the safety of homeowners within their homes. Each year, 20,000 deaths and an average of 21 million medical visits result from unintentional injuries in the home, according to the Home Safety Council. The top five causes of unintentional home injury deaths include, falls, poisoning, fires or burns, choking or suffocation, and drowning. Such home injuries can cost employers up to $38 billion dollars a year. Many of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented if homeowners were equipped with the knowledge of simple and inexpensive steps to reduce the injury of risk in each area of the home. Furthermore, children and older adults have increased rates of unintentional home injury. We must encourage adults, parents, caregivers to take greater actions to reduce unintentional injuries to protect the most vulnerable family members. H. Res. 543 encourages manufacturers to develop innovative safety products and features to help lessen home injuries and accidents and encourages all levels of government to support funding for critical home safety education programs to reduce the risks from home injuries. I strongly support H. Res. 543 and cannot stress enough how home safety education and awareness can help saves lives and money. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing a resolution ``Celebrating the Los Angeles Lakers 2009 NBA Championship''. This legislation will commemorate the Los Angeles Lakers 15th National Basketball Association Championship. Prior to the 2008-2009 season, the Lakers won 14 National Basketball Association (NBA) championships, with a cast of Hall of Fame players and coaches, which included NBA greats such as Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Pat Riley, and current head coach Phil Jackson. This season Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, and Pau Gasol led the 2008-2009 Lakers to a 65-17 regular season record and the #1 spot in the Western Conference Playoffs. The Lakers entered the NBA playoffs with home court advantage as a result of the team's regular season performance. In the first round the Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz in 5 games to advance to the Western Conference semifinals. The Lakers then faced the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals, winning in 7 games; advancing to the Western Conference Finals where they faced the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers clinched the Western Conference finals in 6 games, thanks to the outstanding play by Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant, which closed out the series. In the NBA Finals, the Lakers matched up with the Orlando Magic, led by Dwight Howard. The Lakers won the first 2 games of the finals in Los Angeles, including a hard-fought Game 2 during which Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol combined for 53 points propelling the Lakers to a 101-96 victory. The Lakers lost Game 3 in Orlando by a score of 108- 104; however, Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant scored 31 points and played all but 8 minutes of the game. The Lakers followed their loss in Game 3, by winning the next two games in Orlando to win the 2009 NBA Championship. For his outstanding play during the NBA Finals, Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant was presented with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award; and his fourth NBA Championship. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, won his 10th NBA Championship as a head coach and his 12th NBA Championship overall. Congratulations to the Lakers players, coaches, and staff on winning the 2008-2009 NBA Championship.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 37th Anniversary of Title IX. Title IX is the federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in federally funded educational programs. Specifically this legislation was designed to create equality among the sexes in education, but this mandate has had an even greater impact on women's athletics. As a result, it has provided opportunities which were not previously available. While many gender barriers have been broken since Title IX's implementation, there are still many obstacles that young women face today. Many of Title IX's accomplishments stem from successes with collegiate level athletics. Unfortunately, elementary and high school girls are still not completely protected by the requirements of this legislation. Today we know that those young women are not receiving nearly as much funding as their male counterparts in sport related activities. Although there is still work to be done in regards to Title IX, a lot has changed since its inception. Before the law passed in 1972, women consisted of just seven percent of all high school sports participants. Today over forty percent of high school athletes are females. In terms of collegiate academia and sports participation, well over half of all undergraduate college students are women. Women also outnumber men in graduate school and law school enrollment. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to acknowledge the 37th Anniversary of Title IX and all it has done to provide our young women with so many excellent opportunities. I will work diligently with my colleagues to protect the rights of women and ensure that gender discrimination becomes a remnant of the past.