Diane Watson

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I proudly come before this body representing the United States members from all over this country because I think Hollywood reflects who we are as a people. And I heard and I am so pleased that my colleague, Representative Towns, mentioned that the legendary and iconic President, Ronald Reagan, has a star on the Walk of Fame. I also want everyone listening to know, Madam Speaker, that Senator Fred Thompson, who was a star of a crime series over a period of years, has a star on the Walk of Fame and even ran for President of the United States. And I want you to know, Madam Speaker and my colleagues, that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Terminator, has a star on the walk of fame. He is a Republican and proudly serves as a Republican. He represents the great State of California where Hollywood is. I want you to know that I recently took down to South Africa, Madam Speaker, a project named after a gentleman who was the face of Hollywood, because I was told several years ago that they were getting ready to close the Rosa Parks Library and Information in Cape Town South Africa. That is the information center attached to our embassy, the U.S. Embassy. They were going to close it down because they said the Cold War was over. So I took 100 of America's best and loved films, films which are loved all over the world, which show our principles, our values, our beliefs, and our humanity, because everyone is influenced by our movies. I also want to say, Madam Speaker, that, as our image has been tarnished, I feel that our classic movies and the people who starred in those movies, who have stars on the Walk of Fame, could be recognized in other countries and could help improve our image. So I would hope that all Members, Madam Speaker, recognize that they represent the people of America, and I would hope that the Members here will vote to support an industry that really speaks to the world about our mores, our principles, our great talents, and our arts. It is an industry that speaks proudly and distinctly to the rest of the world. So I would hope that we would have, really, a unanimous vote on celebrating, through this resolution, the Walk of Fame. I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. WATSON. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H. Res. 1429 celebrates our Nation's most enduring symbol: the American flag. With this resolution, this Chamber expresses its support for the annual recognition of Flag Day. The gentleman from Ohio, Representative Robert Latta, introduced H. Res. 420 on June 9, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which waived consideration of the bill to expedite its consideration on the floor today. We celebrate Flag Day on June 14, the anniversary of the Continental Congress' passage of the first Flag Act in 1777. The flag is our symbol--a symbol of hope, courage, and freedom. All around the world, it represents the American people and our highest ideals. We, the people, have always looked to our flag as a symbol of hope, courage, and freedom, and for over 100 years, we have celebrated it each June. As stated in this bill, the first celebration of the American flag is believed to have been introduced by Bernard Cigrand, a Wisconsin schoolteacher, who arranged for his pupils to celebrate June 14 as Flag Day in 1885. In 1947, President Truman signed legislation requesting that Flag Day be observed nationally each year, formalizing the tradition of annual Flag Day celebrations. The flag honors the countless men and women of the Armed Forces who have died serving to defend the United States. It is a lasting symbol of their sacrifice. As public servants, we rightly pledge our allegiance to the flag each day as do millions of Americans. As we remember who we serve here in this Chamber, the flag stands before the entire world as a symbol of our shared values, our hopes, our aspirations, and our ideals each day of the year, and I am glad that we take this time each June to celebrate that fact. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2142) to require the review of Government programs at least once every 5 years for purposes of assessing their performance and improving their operations, and to establish the Performance Improvement Council, as amended.

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2142, the Government Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Performance Improvement Act, by Congressman Cuellar. In short, I believe the measure before us would strengthen the oversight and policy processes in place for evaluating the effectiveness of agency programs. The issue of performance-based budgeting has been long viewed as the next step to pursuing a comprehensive framework for managing agency resources and justifying our program funding decisions. These issues were discussed extensively during the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement's hearings on H.R. 2142, this past April, as well as during our subcommittee markup on May 5. As a result of these efforts, I believe the bill before us is a more nimble and effective tool for agency performance measurement activity. Developing valuable performance and evaluation criteria is a difficult and time-consuming process, but I believe the bill before us will push our agencies to more ably identify pertinent goals for measuring a program's true value. I want to thank all the relevant stakeholders who participated in the development of and the modifications to the bill that is before us today. I definitely want to thank Congressman Cuellar and Chairman Towns for their hard work and diligence in the development of H.R. 2142, and I would ask my colleagues to support this measure. I also want to thank the staff for their hard work and the time they have spent trying to bring to the floor this particular very important measure. With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I would now like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar).

Ms. WATSON. I yield the gentleman an additional 15 seconds.

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the most distinguished chair of the Oversight Committee, the gentleman from New York, Representative Edolphus Towns.

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished Member from Florida, Representative Allen Boyd.

Ms. WATSON. I yield the gentleman an additional 15 seconds.

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Yes. I want to thank you, Congressman Garamendi, for your leadership. As a Californian, I am so proud of the leadership you are taking here. Former Lieutenant Governor, you know our State so well, and your charts are depicting the problems that not only the gulf coast has, but we've had our disasters as well. And I just want the public to understand our commitment. From day one, the Obama administration has been committed to containing the damage from the BP oil spill and extending to the people of the gulf the help they need to confront what is the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced, and we will continue to fight this spill with everything we have for as long as it takes. That is a commitment that is made from the top and all the way through every level of government. We will make BP pay for the damage that their company has caused our country, and we will do whatever is necessary to help the gulf coast and its people recover from this massive tragedy. This has already been the largest environmental cleanup effort in our country's history. We now have nearly 30,000 personnel who are working across four States to contain and clean up the oil, thousands of ships and other vessels are responding in the gulf, and the President has authorized a deployment of over 17,000 National Guard members along the coast. And because of these response efforts, millions of gallons of oil have already been removed from the water through burning, skimming and other collection methods. Over 5.5 million feet of boom have been laid across the water to block and absorb the approaching oil. We have approved the construction of new barrier islands in Louisiana to try to stop the oil before it reaches the shore. We're working with the affected States to implement creative approaches to their unique coastlines, and we will offer whatever additional resources and assistance they may need. Now the President is meeting and has met with the chairman of BP and will inform him--and has--that he is to set aside whatever resources are required to compensate the workers and business owners who have been harmed as a result of his company's recklessness. This fund will not be controlled by BP, but instead by an independent third party in order to ensure all legitimate claims are paid out in a fair and timely manner. But we also need to be committed to a long-term plan for restoration that goes beyond responding to the crisis of the moment. So the President has asked the Secretary of the Navy and former Mississippi Governor Ray Mabus to develop a long-term gulf coast restoration plan as soon as possible. And the plan will be designed by States, local communities, tribes, fishermen, businesses, conversationalists, and other gulf residents. And BP will pay for the impact this spill has had on the region. We also are taking steps to ensure a disaster like this does not happen again, and that's why the President has established a national commission to understand the causes of this disaster and offer recommendations on what additional safety and environmental standards need to be put in place. The President has issued a 6-month moratorium on the deepwater drilling. He is mindful that this creates difficulty for the people who work on these rigs, but for the sake of their safety and for the sake of the entire region, we need to know the facts before we allow deepwater drilling to continue. And while the President urges the commission to complete its work as quickly as possible, he expects them to do that work thoroughly and impartially. We have already begun to take action at the Minerals Management Service to ensure more effective oversight and end the close relationship between oil companies and the agency that regulates them. The President has asked Michael Bromwich, a former Federal prosecutor and inspector general, to lead this effort and to build an organization that acts as the oil industry's watchdog, not its partner. So we must look towards the future, Mr. Garamendi. We must look at our energy future, and we must get off this addiction to oil. You know, the globe is speaking to us. We've gone too deep this time. And at the core of this Earth there is a lot of static and volatile motion, and we're seeing it bubble up. And when we look around this globe, and we see the volcano explosion in Iceland that grounded planes for weeks, when we look at the earthquake down in Haiti, and we see other effects on the globe natural, we're getting the message. So we must take action to look at our planet, to notice the environmental tragedies that really underscore the need for this Nation to embrace a clean-energy future. I look forward to having conversations on this floor with all of my colleagues. And with you leading those conversations, we will make plans that will sustain a future for those yet unborn, and that is the purpose of looking towards new energy sources that don't violate the surface of our planet or go down so deep they disturb the powers underground. I thank you so very much.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Good news, Mr. Speaker, the first $250 checks have been sent out, 3 weeks ahead of schedule, to about 80,000 people who are already in the doughnut hole. The rest will be mailed at monthly intervals through the year as more part D enrollees, about 4 million in all, hit that gap. The one-time rebate will be sent directly to anyone who falls into the Medicare part D doughnut hole during 2010. Health care reform will eventually close the doughnut hole completely. Additional checks will be sent to seniors who fall into the doughnut hole every month or so after that, with a total of 4 million seniors receiving these $250 checks in the mail. While the Medicare part D program has helped millions of seniors obtain prescription drug coverage, there will be more.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I learned of the passing today of actor Gary Wayne Coleman. Although short in stature, Gary stole the hearts of American viewers with his humor and his infectious smile. He lived his life with a spunky sense of humor. Coleman was born in Zion, Illinois. He was adopted by Edmonia Sue, a nurse practitioner, and W.G. Coleman, a forklift operator. He suffered from a congenital kidney disease which halted his growth at an early age, leading to his small stature. Gary was best known for his role on ``Diff'rent Strokes.'' He was cast in the role of Arnold Jackson, where he portrayed a child adopted by a wealthy widower. The show was broadcast from 1978 to 1986 and was a huge success. At the height of his fame on ``Diff'rent Strokes,'' he earned as much as $100,000 per episode. Gary also appeared on ``The Jeffersons'' and on ``Good Times.'' He also appeared in a 1978 pilot for a revival of ``The Little Rascals,'' as Stymie. His life was tough after he was off the small screen and the large screen. He struggled, but he won the attention of the world as an actor. I want to join with his family and the rest of his fans and those who admired and loved him and extend my condolences to his family, his friends, his fans and those that he worked with throughout his career. We all mourn the passing of Gary Wayne Coleman.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, as we go through Memorial Day this season, we recognize those brave men and women who defend our country. The New Direction Congress, under Democratic leadership the last 3 years, has made historic gains for America's troops, veterans, and military families. We have expanded new GI Bill college benefits for all children of fallen troops since 9/11. We have given businesses a $2,400 tax credit for hiring unemployed veterans. We have provided nearly 2 million disabled veterans a $250 economic recovery payment. We've established a veterans corps, creating volunteer opportunities to put veterans back to work, landmark legislation for wounded veterans, providing help to family members and other caregivers, and eliminating copayments for catastrophic disabled veterans injuries. We've enhanced health services for women veterans, including care for newborns.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, research by USA Today shows Americans are paying the lowest tax rates since the 1950s. On May 7, the Department of Labor reported that 290,000 jobs were added in April, a larger than expected increase and the largest gain since March of 2006. This is the fourth consecutive month of job growth with 573,000 jobs added since December. In March, sales of new homes surged nearly 27 percent to 411,000 annual rate. Over the last 3 months, we have added an average of 187,000 per month. Democrats' action on jobs resulted in the HIRE Act, a bipartisan bill to create 300,000 jobs with tax incentives for businesses that hire unemployed Americans, and the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act which has given incentives for new jobs.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of William ``Bill'' Elkins, Jr., who was born January 20, 1920, to William and Virginia Elkins. He, sadly, passed way on May 12 of this year. Mr. Elkins was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where he was known for his civility, loyalty, discretion, diplomacy, and dedication to civil rights. He was the right-hand man of the late Mayor Tom Bradley for 40 years--before, during, and after the mayor's four times in office--as the first African American to hold that high post and as the elected official who held it the longest to date. Mr. Elkins met the future mayor while they attended Lafayette Middle School in South Los Angeles. Their friendship strengthened in subsequent years of study in college and work for the City of Los Angeles. A graduate of Jefferson High School, young Bill Elkins left college to serve his country by enlisting in the Army and was assigned for 4 years to Italy during World War II. He returned to earn his bachelor's degree in political science at UCLA, where he and Tom Bradley pledged Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity together. He worked for the county as a probation officer and earned his juris doctorate from Southwestern University Law School, once again taking classes with LAPD Officer Tom Bradley, who was the best man at his wedding in 1945. He then became the director of Teen Post. It was an inner-city after- school youth program. He rose to be the general counsel right next to our mayor, Tom Bradley. He became the Mayor's point-man on affirmative action and was more responsible than any other single individual for remedying the exclusion of people of color and women from employment in responsible positions for the City of Los Angeles. He was also Mayor Bradley's liaison to Washington, DC, and was responsible for several citywide programs, including the city's Area Agency for Aging and multiple youth programs. After Mayor Bradley left office, Elkins served on the board of the Thomas Spiegel Family Foundation as that philanthropy's vice president, until he retired a few years ago. Elkins was also a member of Second Baptist Church for more than 70 years. Mr. Elkins leaves to cherish his memory his wife Eleanor, to whom he was married for 65 years, their sons Bill and Larry, two grandchildren, and a host of family, friends and colleagues. We honor Mr. Elkins today--a good and decent American whose deeds in life and record of public service deserve to be acknowledged and commemorated. May God rest his soul.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Today I would like to acknowledge the loss of one of Hollywood's brightest stars, the legendary Lena Horne. Lena Horne broke barriers as a performer. She began her career at age 16, making a name for herself as a dancer in Harlem's renowned Cotton Club in the 1930s. She became the first black performer with a major Hollywood studio contract. In 1942, Lena moved to Los Angeles, where she appeared in such movies as ``Cabin in the Sky,'' ``Meet Me in Las Vegas,'' and ``The Wiz.'' Her role in the film ``Stormy Weather'' included her rendition of the title song, which became her trademark. A remarkable, charismatic entertainer, Horne became one of the top- earning performers of black Hollywood by 1945. Lena is now credited with paving the way for many black actresses in Hollywood who aspire towards larger roles in film productions. Though primarily known as an entertainer, Horne also was noted for her work with civil rights and political organizations. As an actress, she refused to play roles that stereotyped African American women, and by the 1960s, she became a prominent celebrity voice in the civil rights movement. She joined in the March on Washington when Martin Luther King gave his ``I Have a Dream'' speech and spoke at a rally with Medgar Evers. Her one-woman show, ``Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music,'' garnered many awards, including a Drama Critics' Circle Award and a special achievement Tony Award. In 1984, Horne received a Kennedy Center honor for lifetime contribution to the arts, and in 1989, a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement. As a pioneer black celebrity in a time when blacks went in the back door, Lena Horne sang out, and she sang out front and entertained the Nation and the world. Her smile and her presence opened doors in a time when blacks were denied their basic civil rights. She lit up Hollywood. And we join the Nation, her family, her friends, and colleagues in mourning the loss of this legendary entertainer and civil rights activist.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a life well lived--the life of Autry Lamont Battles, who passed away on April 15 of this year. Mr. Battles was born in Los Angeles, where he was known for his sense of humor, caring for others, his faith in God, and his talent for cooking. This led him to a fulfilling career in the restaurant and catering business, a job that allowed him to share his love for food and for meeting new people. He came into my life when he was caregiving for a lifelong friend of mine. He said, I just love your mother. She just turned 100 years old, and he was going to prepare the meal for 300 guests. However, his illness did not allow him to do it. So I want to honor Mr. Battles today for living among us--a good and decent American, who will certainly be missed because he reached out to others and was more caring about others than he was of himself. So we lost him, but I just want to pay tribute to him for a life well lived.

Ms. WATSON

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, today we acknowledge the loss of one of the nation's legendary civil rights icon, Benjamin L. Hooks. Mr. Hooks led the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1977 to 1992. Mr. Hooks grew up in the segregated South and was a vocal campaigner for civil rights in the United States. Hooks was a lawyer and an ordained Baptist minister who joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and led the NAACP for 15 years. When Benjamin Hooks took over the helm of the NAACP, the organization was suffering from declining membership and prestige. During his tenure, the NAACP added several hundred thousand new members to its roster. Under his leadership, the NAACP worked with Major League Baseball on a program that expanded employment opportunities for African-Americans in baseball, including in positions as managers, coaches and in franchise executive offices. Hooks also worked with colleagues to set up a program in which more than 200 corporations agreed to participate in economic development projects in black communities. President George W. Bush awarded Hooks the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in November 2007. We join the nation, his family, friends, and colleagues in mourning the loss of this legendary leader.