Maxine Waters

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 520, to impeach Judge Samuel B. Kent of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Judge Kent has disgraced the bench, the Bar, and the entire American public. Throughout his legal proceedings he behaved with hubris and gross disregard for justice. Even after his conviction for obstruction of justice, he has continued to exert a manipulative demeanor and arrogance, thinking himself to be above the law. There appears to be no end to his impudent demands, as even now, he continues to draw his judicial salary while imprisoned. This is unconscionable, and it was incumbent upon the House Judiciary Committee and the entire House of Representatives to take decisive action. Therefore, I applaud and commend Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member Smith for their bipartisan efforts to bring this measure before the floor so quickly. The stability of any form of government rests on the rule of law. Accordingly, our system, though imperfect, rests on the American public's fundamental trust in our legal institutions and the rights the Constitution bestows upon all U.S. citizens. Most important to any justice system is broad legitimacy and acceptance of those who act within the legal framework. People must believe they have access to a fair trial, an impartial jury, and a neutral judge. Judges have the duty to render well-reasoned and sound legal opinions, without bias and personal prejudice. We expect individuals who hold a lifetime appointment as a federal judge to act honestly out of respect for the law. Judge Kent's sexual assault of two female employees and his subsequent efforts to lie about his actions to other federal judges were reprehensible acts. This conduct is totally inconsistent with the dignity and respect we expect from all federal judges. Even though Judge Kent pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, he continues to receive a salary for a job he is no longer suitable to perform. And he will continue to collect federal wages unless we act today and pass these articles of impeachment. Every day Kent continues to draw his judicial salary is an affront to our legal system and to the American taxpayers. This resolution signals to Kent and others that no one is above the law--not even a federal judge. That is a testament to the rule of law and goes to the very essence of our justice system. The law must be blind, and everyone must be subject to its consequences and punishments as well as to its benefits and protections. Mr. Speaker, I am so disappointed that Judge Kent has refused to resign from office and that we are forced to take this action to remove him from office. However, impeachment is provided for in the Constitution for circumstances such as this. Therefore, I add my voice of support for H. Res. 520 to impeach the disgraced Judge Samuel Kent, and I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the resolution. I also hope our colleagues in the other body will act with all deliberate speed to remove this disgraced judge from the federal bench.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm and reverence that I acknowledge Caribbean-American Heritage Month. Caribbean- Americans have made so many invaluable contributions to our nation's culture and historical development. With an indomitable spirit, resolve, and determination, Caribbean-Americans have maintained their unique cultural and social identity and made incredible strides in carving out their respective place within the American Dream. I want to commend my colleague Barbara Lee for bringing this measure before the floor. Numerous Caribbean-Americans have left an indelible mark on American history and culture. For example, Sidney Poitier, who spent his youth on Cat Island in the Bahamas, went on to become the first Black American actor to win an Academy Award. Sidney Poitier was a pioneer and where it once was an unobtainable goal, many Black actors and actresses now have the opportunity to enter an elite group of acclaimed Oscar winners. I also think of the incomparable Harry Belafonte. At his peak, Harry Belafonte was a gifted musician, talented actor, and fierce social activist. Although Harry Belafonte was not born in the Caribbean, he spent a lot of time in his mother's native country, Jamaica. And lastly, as a Member of Congress, I cannot discount the contributions and achievements of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. Congresswoman Chisholm frequently credited her success to the education she received while attending school in Barbados. As the first Black woman elected to the House of Representatives, she was a dedicated public servant and a trailblazer. It is often repeated, that we stand on the shoulders of great men and women who, through diligence and determination, paved the way for African-Americans today to achieve greatness. And as many of those shoulders belonged to Caribbean- Americans, it is truly fitting that we take this month to celebrate their heritage. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support H. Con. Res. 127. And as a vocal advocate for the Caribbean, I will continue to do my part and work with my colleagues to help the region face its challenges in hopes of propelling it into a great and prosperous future. So as we take this month to honor Caribbean-American heritage and history, it is my sincere hope that in time, we will be able to celebrate even greater achievements and developments in both the lives of Caribbean-Americans in the United States as well as the nations of the Caribbean.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 135, directing the Architect of the Capitol to place a marker in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center which acknowledges the role that slave labor played in the construction of the United States Capitol. I commend my colleague, and fellow Congressional Black Caucus member John Lewis, for acknowledging the importance of this measure and presenting it before the House. I feel strongly that the history of the African-American struggle must be taught and celebrated, even as we plan for our future. African- Americans performed the backbreaking work of quarrying the marble which surrounds us. Until recently, the history books failed to recognize that slaves provided many of the laborious construction tasks, such as masonry, carting, roofing, plastering, glazing, and sawing--which involved slaves stationed in pits from where, with a partner above ground, they would use a whipsaw to cut logs rolled over the pit. Labor wasn't solely for the adult males--slave women and children were used to mold clay in kilns. In an article from the Associated Press, Sarah Jean Davidson, founder of the Association for the Preservation of North Little Rock, Arkansas African American History mentioned an important connection that this new marker affords. ``We can say our ancestors helped build the Capitol so when we look at it, it's not `your building, the majority', it's our building . . . It will be a connection not just for African-Americans, but for immigrants who come from all around the country. . . . Once they start feeling connected, then we are one,'' she said. In addition, the great hall of the Capitol Visitor Center was named Emancipation Hall specifically to acknowledge the work of the slave laborers who built the Capitol and this marker provides a source for interested parties to learn about our history. Madam Speaker, this measure is particularly important as it commemorates an under-appreciated aspect of America's history and I'm pleased to add my voice in support for this resolution. I will work diligently with my colleagues to ensure that this marker is created and maintains the ability to educate those who come in contact with it. This is a significant step in raising the profile and awareness of how African-American history is intertwined with the federal legislative body and I hope that this measure passes unanimously.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 428. This statement is of great importance because it recognizes the true commitment of fatherhood. House Resolution 428 commends the millions of fathers who embrace their parental responsibilities by providing love and support to their children. Raising children is by no means an easy task, but those who have dedicated their lives to provide for their offspring play a vital role in their development. Fathers are teachers and protectors who impart life lessons in preparation for the future. This is a very important, timely bill, and I commend Representative Mike McIntyre for bringing this resolution before the House. House Resolution 428 recognizes the impact fathers have on their children. We must encourage responsible fatherhood because it can reduce the amount of impoverished children, many with one parent who are unable to afford the resources necessary to raise a family. Children who are fortunate enough to have an involved father have a greater chance of excelling in school and have less of a chance of exhibiting behavioral problems. The influence of a father promotes healthy development of a child in every aspect. Children are so easily influenced and proper guidance utilizing both parents can spur growth and future accomplishments. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to add my voice and support in recognition of our nation's fathers. We must use this opportunity to praise accountable fathers because they provide strength to their families and communities. I will work diligently with my colleagues to acknowledge their commitment and continue to encourage men who are not as engaged in the lives of their children to start fresh on Father's Day to become positive and strong influences in their child's development.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 403, the Homes for Heroes Act of 2009. I am proud to be a cosponsor and would like to recognize the leadership of Representative Al Green who introduced this very important bill last Congress, which passed the House Floor. This bill upholds the principle that those who served our Nation honorably should not have to live on the streets or in shelters. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 150,000 to 200,000 American veterans are living on the streets or in shelters. And nearly 300,000 veterans may experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year. The Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee, which I chair, held a hearing on this bill during the 110th Congress and heard from witnesses how the return of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan would greatly increase demand for affordable housing and social services in communities across the country. Since then, the economy has only worsened and the number of veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan continues to increase. Furthermore, many veterans are at greater risk of becoming homeless because they struggle with health and economic issues, while facing a shortage of affordable housing. That is why H.R. 403 is so important. This bill would create a new program where none existed before to develop permanent supportive housing for the homeless veterans who need it. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to request of my colleague that we join in a little colloquy prior to going to our closing. Representative Miller, I know that you have been involved with real estate and housing and development and you understand a lot about the housing markets. And while we have identified that there certainly are problems we have been going through, a crisis with foreclosures and a kind of a meltdown, I am extremely hopeful that we are going to be able to stabilize this housing market and that we can continue to encourage our families to seek homeownership opportunities. I think we see some indications of the banks getting stronger and being able to pay back money that the United States citizens have invested in the banks in order to stabilize this housing market. But I would like to have your opinion: Based on your expertise and your involvement for so many years, do you think that we are beginning to have a turnaround?

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 502) recognizing National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the United States.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation which recognizes June as National Homeownership Month. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, I am indeed committed to good public policy that will assist citizens to realize the American dream of homeownership. I would like to thank Representative Gary Miller for his continued leadership on ensuring that this resolution comes to the floor every year. This is the seventh time that he has introduced this resolution, and I appreciate his commitment to America's homeowners. Preserving homeownership is more important today than ever before, with foreclosures reaching record levels and millions more Americans struggling to stay in their homes. Homeownership has historically been the single most important wealth-building tool available to families in this country. However, homeownership, as we know it, is at risk. The foreclosure crisis has all but erased the gains we have made in increasing homeownership rates, especially for minorities; and the gains those families thought they had achieved through increases in home equity have also diminished as now 20 percent of homeowners owe more on their homes than they are worth. The combination of unemployment, unsustainable and predatory mortgages, and uncooperative mortgage servicers has created a perfect storm of record rates, of loan defaults and foreclosures. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, a record 12 percent of mortgages are either in default or in foreclosure. According to the Center For Responsible Lending, 6,500 foreclosures occur each day in the United States. By the end of 2009, there will be 2.4 million families in foreclosure. We must keep families in their homes, and this Congress and the administration have developed programs to do just that. For example, the Making Home Affordable program, announced by President Barack Obama in March, builds on legislation I introduced at the beginning of this Congress to end this unending avalanche of foreclosures. Despite the commitment from the administration and Congress to reduce foreclosures, mortgage servicers have been reluctant to modify troubled loans. In fact, NeighborWorks recently found in its survey of housing counseling agencies that servicers are generally uncooperative. They take up to 60 days to respond to requests and frequently lose important documents. In order to be true to the spirit of National Homeownership Month, I call on all mortgage servicers to fully participate in the Making Home Affordable program and to work with families to maintain their ownership. Vulnerable homeowners are also threatened by scam artists who offer to rescue or help struggling homeowners stay in their homes for an exorbitant fee that must be paid up front. They often deliver either nothing or a higher payment than the homeowner was paying before contacting these companies. The Federal Trade Commission has begun to crack down on these scammers, and I support these efforts. Prospective homeowners are also caught up in this economic crisis. Because they have no other home to sell, first-time homebuyers have the ability to help stabilize housing prices and neighborhoods. Housing experts are saying that now is the time to buy, but many first-time homebuyers are finding themselves locked out of the housing market. Many families who would otherwise be buying homes now lack the required down payment. Fortunately, the recently enacted $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers is now being monetized so that these homeowners can use it to pay closing costs or to assist with their down payment. America's homeowners face many challenges this month and will face many more this year. This resolution demonstrates this Congress' commitment to assisting them and first-time homebuyers in achieving the American dream of homeownership. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Thank you very much. I do appreciate your comments, and I value them because of your experience. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I add my support of House Resolution 1709, providing for the creation of a committee under the National Science and Technology Council to coordinate federal programs in support of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. This legislation will synchronize programs at the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Energy and Education--all organizations with a vested interest in the promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. This committee will provide a forum for our federal agencies to coordinate STEM activities and determine new ways to advertise programs to elementary and secondary students, eliminating two large roadblocks in the promotion of programs already provided by these agencies. I commend my colleague Representative Bart Gordon, for bringing this important measure before the House. As a former teacher and Head Start coordinator, I fully understand the importance of all proposals that extend the reach of education among the youth of our country. In Fiscal Year 2010, I requested funding for the African-American Male Achievers Network to provide students access to year-round technology enrichment activities and opportunities to explore STEM related education and career paths. This funding has the potential to the increase academic achievement of inner city students and decrease gang involvement and community violence. Furthermore, innovation is key to our economic competitiveness in the World. Under current trends, by the year 2010, more than 90 percent of engineers and scientists will be living outside of the U.S. and currently more than 50 percent of all engineering doctoral degrees awarded by American engineering colleges are to foreign nationals. We have a pressing need to cultivate the next generation of science and mathematically oriented Americans by providing them access to the vast resources that our federal agencies can provide. Madam Speaker, this measure is quite important to the future of our great country and I'm pleased to add my voice in support for this legislation. I plan to work with my colleagues to ensure that future American engineers and scientists have the resources have the capability and resources to innovate and create technologies.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 503-- Recognizing National Physical Education and Sport Week. This measure will signal to school districts across the country that they must begin to place health and wellness among their top priorities when planning curriculums for the upcoming school year. The rates of childhood obesity, heart disease, and diabetes in this country are unacceptable, and it is incumbent upon local school systems to provide programs and education that will teach students fundamental healthy lifestyle habits. Therefore, I firmly support this resolution and I commend my colleague Rep. Jason Altmire for bringing this measure before the floor. Physical education that takes place within schools and incorporates nutritional guidelines, physical activity, and a holistic approach to fitness will not only reverse the alarming increase in childhood obesity, but it will also result in a general decline in obesity and heart disease among the general U.S. population. As studies have shown, obese children have a 70 to 80 percent chance of becoming overweight adults, further increasing their risk for chronic disease. Our nation's minority communities are at particular risk, as poverty, lack of education, and diets high in fat and calories are all contributing factors increasing the likelihood of childhood obesity. During my visits to schools and conversations with children and their parents, I always emphasize the importance of not only academic success, but also a healthy lifestyle including physical fitness. Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that we begin to rethink our old paradigms about health. In addition to treating the effects of unhealthy lifestyle habits--heart disease, diabetes, and chronic illness--we must enhance our efforts to promote prevention of disease and encourage healthy living. Redirecting our attention toward youth health today will help children grow up to be healthy and productive adults. This will also reduce future healthcare costs. Therefore, I am pleased to add my voice of support for H. Res. 503. Moreover, I will be working with my colleagues to make sure we continue to take the necessary steps to educate our nation's children and adults about the importance of healthy lifestyle habits.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 109--Honoring the 20th anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in the Nation's Capital and its transition to the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure on June 6, 2009. I commend my colleague Representative Gerald E. Connolly for bringing this measure before the floor. Breast cancer has had a devastating impact on women worldwide, as 1.3 million cases are diagnosed each year. In a 2009 report, the National Cancer Institute estimates there will be 192,370 new breast cancer cases among women living in the United States. And in addition to these statistics, the disease continues to pose unique challenges to the African American community. Clearly, we must continue to educate and inform the American public about breast cancer and the importance of being proactive in having regular medical screenings, particularly focusing on individuals that belong to high-risk demographics. Accordingly, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure has achieved great strides in raising money for breast cancer research, community initiatives, and educating women about the disease. The impact of cancer within the African American community has been particularly devastating. The mortality rates for Blacks with breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancer are much higher than those of any other racial group. Although African American women are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than other racial and ethnic groups, they are 35 percent more likely to die from the disease. This is due in part to the fact that Black and Hispanic women are less likely to receive breast cancer screening with mammograms than White women. Research has proven that early detection is essential in increasing an individual's chance of beating the disease. Thus, community outreach and education go a long way in combating breast cancer mortality rates. The Susan G. Komen Foundation has invested more than $1.3 billion in breast cancer research, education, and community health services that have raised awareness and improved treatment, helping more people survive the disease and creating a strong support community of breast cancer survivors. Undoubtedly, the organization has done much to advance our national fight against breast cancer, and it certainly deserves our recognition for the great work it has accomplished. Mr. Speaker, as a strong advocate for breast cancer research, community outreach, and awareness campaigns, I am pleased to add my voice of support for House Concurrent Resolution 109.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 437, providing full support of the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month, which is recognized annually in May. I commend my colleague, and fellow Californian Rep. Napolitano, for acknowledging the importance of this measure and presenting it before the House. The first Mental Health Act was signed in 1946 after it had been determined that soldiers who fought in World War II had returned with severe mental health issues. Still today a significant portion of individuals who suffer from mental illness are troops who suffer from depression and post-traumatic stress. Shortly after the act was signed the first Mental Health Week was developed. Eventually Mental Health Week evolved into the Mental Health Month program that we are celebrating today. Legislation regarding mental health has been developed in the past to prevent health care discrimination. Patients experienced grave inequalities because mental health was not considered a legitimate issue, as too often mental health is viewed as a minuscule issue in comparison to physical health. Many people may not know that more than 57,000,000 individuals in the United States suffer from mental illness and H. Res 437 will not only raise awareness of mental health conditions but also aid citizens in their ability to combat stress to promote a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, every year mental health illnesses go unrecognized and untreated, and Mental Health Month was developed in an effort to prevent such circumstances. This May, Mental Health America has promoted a National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, to educate the general public about the realities of mental health. Mental health illnesses affect all age ranges, and House Resolution 437 lends its full support for communities to promote positive youth development, and help families cope during times of hardship. The United States Department of Health and Human Services utilizes necessary funds and manpower to advocate for the rights and services of mental health patients. It will continue to provide Family and Community Support Programs to aid those adults and children with serious mental illnesses. Mr. Speaker, this measure is particularly important to the well-being of our citizens and I'm pleased to add my voice in support for this legislation. I will work diligently with my colleagues to ensure that the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month are recognized as notable issues. This is a significant step in raising awareness, and promoting healthy families and communities.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. It's unfortunate, Mr. Speaker and Members, that we have to deal with this misplaced Coburn amendment in what is a very good bill. The American taxpayers ought to be incensed. We are trying to protect consumers against the practices of these credit card companies that have been ripping them off for so long, and here we have, placed in this bill, this irrelevant amendment that is dealing with guns and guns in parks. It's a good bill. I support the bill. And I would like to thank Financial Institutions Chairman Luis Gutierrez and Congresswoman Maloney for their continued dedication and leadership on this issue. And I am a proud sponsor of H.R. 627. I had no idea on the Senate side they would inject this amendment into the bill. It's about time that we reined in the abusive practices of credit card companies. For too long, credit card companies have squeezed consumers through every scheme imaginable, including double- cycle billing and universal default. This bill will finally give consumers the rights they deserve. H.R. 627 bans double billing, double cycle billing. It bans universal default, and it flat out prohibits arbitrary interest rate increases. It even prohibits credit cards from raising rates during the first year that a credit card account is open, thereby eliminating the old bait- and-switch policies. I am especially pleased that now credit card companies will have to allow consumers to opt in to overdraft plans, so that the $3 cup of coffee does not turn into a $35 overdraft charge. Even with this bill, we know that credit card companies will still try to put the squeeze on the consumers. Already they are lowering the credit lines of borrowers in good standing, based on where the borrower shops. This is why this bill, H.R. 627, includes an amendment that I offered to require the Federal Reserve to report to Congress on the extent of these practices. With this study, we will have the information we need to further end these abusive practices. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 627, and I am hopeful that we can separate this bad Coburn amendment out of the bill.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker and Members, I would first like to thank Chairman Barney Frank for the leadership that he has provided on all of these issues related to this economic crisis that we have been confronted with. Some of these issues, not expected, were thrown into his lap in an unusual way. And he has been able to guide our caucus in our House in ways that help to bring us to the point of passing this kind of legislation, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. So I rise in support of S. 896, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. As chairwoman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, I believe that the housing components of this bill will be essential in helping families and communities. I am especially pleased that the bill includes a provision I authored to ensure that the FHA loan programs are out of bounds for the very worst subprime lenders who created this mortgage mess in the first place. S. 896 also includes legislation drafted by my subcommittee to reauthorize and expand the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Program. Given the increase in homelessness due to the foreclosure crisis, inclusion of the McKinney-Vento legislation is both timely and appropriate. In addition the bill includes vital protections for renters facing evictions as a result of their landlord's foreclosure. Finally, I am pleased that I was able to work with Senator Leahy on making improvements to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program in order to allow States that receive the minimum allocation of funding to provide that funding to areas with homes at risk or in foreclosure. While I believe S. 896 is an important piece of legislation, I am disappointed that it does not include a House-passed provision to allow judges to modify mortgages through bankruptcy. I am concerned that without this provision, we may continue to see an increase in the number of foreclosures. I support S. 896, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. And I would urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Schools Facilities Act. In addition to authorizing critical funding for school modernization, this bill also authorizes a specific funding stream of $600 million over six years for public schools that were damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We know that these funds are critically needed. As Education Week reported, in the hours after Hurricane Katrina struck, more than 100 public schools in New Orleans were flooded. And the roughly two dozen schools that didn't flood suffered wind and rain damage. Even though it has been nearly four years since the storm, many children continue to attend classes in temporary structures that are ill-suited to providing a 21st Century education. In addition, 21 percent of schools remain closed. The funds authorized in H.R. 2187 will help put an end to the legacy of damage left by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise in opposition to this supplemental appropriation. This bill simply continues and amplifies the failed policies that have caused us to be caught up in a continued occupation of Iraq and an increasingly large presence in Afghanistan. Instead of playing the Taliban shell game and so-called chasing Osama bin Laden, we should devise a smart strategy to win the hearts and minds of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. They will help us to locate Osama bin Laden. Air strikes that kill innocent civilians will only harden the civilians against us. The Taliban are leading us into Pakistan, where we are on the verge of a new footprint, after giving the former President Musharraf billions of dollars while he was playing footsie with the Taliban and allowing them to control the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now President Zardari has proven to be weak and ineffective, yet we're rewarding him with more of our tax dollars. There are two good amendments that should have been made in order: the McGovern amendment, which would require a simple exit strategy, and the Tierney amendment, which would have placed conditions on any additional dollars given to Pakistan. We should be taking over the madrassas, rebuilding infrastructures, and building democratic institutions that will support long-term sustainability in these countries. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 192--Recognizing National Nurses Week. I'd like to particularly thank my colleague Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas for offering this resolution, and to honor my colleagues Representative Lois Capps of California and Representative Carolyn McCarthy of New York, three Members of Congress who worked as nurses before holding public office and who continue to be strong advocates for nurses and patients. The men and women who work as nurses in the United States are some of the most important--but also some of the most unsung--heroes who serve in our communities. We all probably have a personal story about a nurse who either cared for us or a close family member or friend during a time of need. They are superb in their skill sets; tender in the care they provide; and deserving of our utmost respect. When you become a nurse, the conventional wisdom and continuing tradition is that you go into the field because you have a genuine interest in and passion for helping those in need. You don't do it for the money; you don't do it for the glamour; and you certainly don't do it for the hours. But it's time to encourage men and women to pursue a career in nursing by showing them that we respect and value the careers of the approximate 3 million nurses across America. We can do this by increasing pay for nurses and by making nursing education more affordable and more accessible. We're facing an unprecedented nursing shortage across this country that could lead to a shortfall of up to 500,000 nurses by 2025. And nursing isn't a job that can be downsized or outsourced. That is why I support the inclusion of $215 million for the Nursing Workforce Development program in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget and why I worked to help secure $500 million in the stimulus package for training programs for primary care providers, including nurses. In my own district in California I fought to keep the Registered Nursing Program alive and funded at L.A. Southwest College, and am happy to announce that this year they will receive a $285,000 appropriation to improve nursing education through state-of-the-art technology. Nurses are a precious asset we cannot afford to be without. With major health care reform on the horizon, we must remember that nurses will be at the center of any meaningful reform. Let us honor their service, their dedication, and their profession by passing this resolution.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights, and would like to thank Financial Institutions Chairman Luis Gutierrez and Congresswoman Maloney for their continued dedication and leadership on this issue. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 627. Thanks to this legislation, abusive billing practices will end. No longer will a company be able to harm consumers by engaging in double-cycle billing. No longer will a company be able to harm consumers by applying their payments to the lowest-interest balance. No longer will these companies be able to harm consumers through arbitrary interest rate increases or universal default practices. This bill also requires--as a result of an amendment I offered at markup--that the Federal Reserve conduct a study of how credit card companies are treating credit lines. Some companies are reducing the credit lines of consumers based on information such as where they shop--including the type of store and the neighborhood in which it is located. I am also aware that some companies have reduced credit lines based on the identity of the consumer's mortgage lender. This type of behavior is tantamount to redlining. I hope that the Federal Reserve study contained in this bill will provide the Congress with the information we need to reign in these abusive practices. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1728, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2009. I would like to thank Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank for his commitment to bringing this legislation to the House floor. I would also like to recognize the leadership of Representative Mel Watt and Representative Brad Miller, who wrote this bill and who have been working towards reform of predatory lending practices since the last Congress. I am especially appreciative for them working on concerns that I had about prepayment penalties and the way that they have resolved them, targeting the subprime market and phasing out those even in the prime market. I am also appreciative for the work that they have done scaling back on any State preemption that was in the bill. My California attorney general now supports the bill, and we are very appreciative for that. This bill before us today will ensure that the subprime meltdown, which is causing 6,600 foreclosures each day, reducing the property values of 73 million homeowners, strangling the credit markets and crippling our largest financial institutions, will not happen again. First, H.R. 1728 would ban the abusive compensation structures, such as yield-spread premiums, that create conflicts of interest or award originators that steer borrowers into loans that are not in their best interest. This protection is needed because many struggling homeowners, especially minority or low-income homeowners, were intentionally steered into high-cost mortgages by unscrupulous lenders and mortgage brokers. Second, H.R. 1728 would require loan originators to hold at least 5 percent of the credit risk of each loan that is later sold or securitized by requiring lenders to have ``skin in the game.'' H.R. 1728 is a good bill. I would ask my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 and I am pleased to see the bill we reported out of the Judiciary Committee last week is on the House floor today. I believe we finally have the opportunity to see this legislation signed into law and I encourage my colleagues to do the right thing today and support this bill. We must ensure that all Americans can exercise their civil rights and be free from threats of violence against them because of their race, color, nationality, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation. It is past time to protect gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered individuals from hate crimes. We must never again allow an 11-year-old child to be so bullied and harassed that he sees no other option to end his torture by taking his own life. In 2004 in Los Angeles, the 15-year-old son of movie producer Lee Caplin and his wife, Gita, received death threats by a group of students at his private high school. According to the police complaint, some of the messages directed at their son were anti-gay slurs among other epithets. In 2007 in Los Angeles, a mentally disabled man was beaten to death by an unidentified man wielding an aluminum baseball bat. The victim was James McKinney, 41, who was walking to the store from his home, a mental health care facility. The attack was caught on surveillance camera, but the attacker is still at large. The most recent data from the FBI is from 2007. It shows that in Los Angeles, there were 279 crimes categorized as motivated by bias: 132 crimes based on race; 50 crimes based on religion; 43 crimes based on sexual orientation; and 54 crimes based on ethnicity. While I strongly support this bill today, I know that more work is needed, particularly in the area of crimes against the homeless. As Chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, I can tell you that with the housing and foreclosure crisis we are facing, more and more Americans are becoming homeless. Sadly, the number of violent crimes against the homeless are increasing, and I believe a significant portion of these attacks are indeed hate crimes. The State of Maryland just recently became the first state in the nation to add homelessness to their hate crimes statute. They noted that from 1999 through 2007 there were 774 acts of violence against homeless men, women and children in 45 states and Puerto Rico. These attacks resulted in 217 deaths. I'm looking forward to working with Chairman Conyers and our Crime Subcommittee Chairman Scott to get accurate data on violent crimes and hate crimes against the homeless. It is important to get this data promptly, and then, after an appropriate hearing, we can determine if additional legislation is needed. In closing, I commend Chairman Conyers for his tireless work on this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the right thing today and vote to pass this bill.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Chair, I wanted to get to the floor to congratulate Congressman Bobby Scott for the hard work that he has done to bring the CBC's budget before this Congress and all of those who worked with him. I would like to thank my colleagues of the CBC, and especially our chairwoman, Barbara Lee, for continuing the tradition of having an alternative budget. It is so important because each year we show the world what is possible, what can be done, how we can invest in human potential. This budget does just that. What I really like about this budget is it truly is building upon the President's blueprint for success. This budget, in investing in human potential, invests $18 billion more on health care, $17 billion more on education, job training and social services, $8 billion more on transportation and infrastructure. And I am sure you have heard some of these numbers as CBC members have come before you today to support this budget. I won't go any further except to say that this a good budget. Please support it.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to reintroduce the Private Property Protection Act of 2009. I am also pleased to be joined again by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, the Chairman Emeritus of the Judiciary, and the lead Republican on this bipartisan bill. This bill is successor to H.R. 3053, from the 110th Congress and we are joined today by 24 original copsonsors. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution provides in part that ``nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.'' On June 23, 2005, a majority of the Supreme Court chose to close its eyes to the Constitution and our Nation's rich history of protecting private property rights. The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in Kelo vs. City of New London, held that ``economic development'' can be a ``public use'' under the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause justifying the government's taking of private property. The Court held that the creation of a more lucrative tax base can justify the government's taking of private property from one small homeowner and giving it to a large corporation for a private research facility. The Kelo decision interpreted government taking for ``public use'' to mean no more than ``public purpose.'' Put simply, this decision meant that government would have an almost unlimited ability to seize private property--homes, churches, synagogues, and thriving businesses--and hand it over to private companies so long as they convince the local land authority that the project will yield economic benefit for a community that has been arbitrarily deemed ``distressed.'' Private companies and developers all over the country went into a frenzy to file project site plans when Kelo was decided. They knew that they would be able to make huge amounts of money so long as they produced public benefit--this was a ridiculous over-expansion of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As the dissent in Kelo pointed out, ``To reason, as the Court does, that the incidental public benefits resulting from the subsequent ordinary use of private property render economic development takings `for public use' is to wash out any distinction between private and public use of property--and thereby effectively to delete the words `for public use' from the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.'' The dissent made clear that, as a result of the majority's decision, ``Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random. The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms. As for the victims, the government now has license to transfer property from those with fewer resources to those with more. The Founders cannot have intended this perverse result.'' The bottom line is that local and Federal governments must take every landowner as a special case because the people who own the properties that are subject to economic redevelopment play just as big a role as the projected revenues that the local jurisdiction hopes to bring in with a new development. Just because you are poor does not mean that your right to private property is worth any less than that of a wealthy developer. The Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2009 will restore the property rights of all Americans that the Supreme Court changed with the Kelo decision. This legislation would prevent the Federal Government or any authority of the Federal Government from using economic development as a justification for exercising its power of eminent domain. This bill would also discourage States and localities from abusing their eminent domain power by denying States or localities that commit such abuse all Federal economic development funds for a period of two years. This bill is substantially similar to H.R. 4128, legislation that passed the House in the 109th Congress by an overwhelmingly vote of 376-38, nearly a 10-1 margin, but unfortunately, was never enacted. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect the private property rights of every American and hope they will join me in sponsoring the Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2009.