Recognizing the significance of Black History Month.

Madam Speaker, every year in February, America pauses to honor the rich heritage and tremendous contributions of African Americans past and present. Black History Month is a time to recognize and pay tribute to the many trials and triumphs of African Americans, which are intricately woven into the fabric of our nation. Simply put, Black history is American history.

The theme of Black History Month this year, ``The History of Black Economic Employment,'' could not be more fitting as our nation continues on the road to full economic recovery. The current economic crisis has impacted all Americans, but communities of color, particularly African Americans, have been among the hardest hit. The evidence is clear--glaring disparities between African Americans and others can be found in every economic indicator and they must not be ignored.

The Congressional Black Caucus has long championed the elimination of disparities wherever they exist. Where there is a major disparity between rich and poor or between one race or gender and another, there is a moral gap. The job of the Congressional Black Caucus is to help fill in the moral gaps. For 40 years, the Congressional Black Caucus has sought moral equality, for Black Americans and ultimately all Americans.

As we take this time to acknowledge Black History month we must all recommit ourselves to fulfilling the bedrock principles of our nation: liberty, equality, and opportunity for all. To fill in these gaps for African Americans is to fill them in for all Americans.

Tonight, in particular we pay tribute to unsung heroes who contribute greatly to make our communities better and stronger.

In my district, the Ninth Congressional District of California I'd like to honor some individuals who don't always receive the recognition they deserve.

I will start with Nicole Taylor.

Ms. Taylor is president and CEO of the East Bay Community Foundation and she has been a trailblazer for this philanthropic organization since joining the foundation in 2007.

The East Bay Community Foundation is a leading resource for mobilizing financial resources and community leadership to transform the lives of people in the East Bay. Ms. Taylor and the East Bay Community Foundation have identified two interrelated issues that they believe can lead to this transformation: Support for young children to succeed with a focus on the critical period of birth to third grade, and enhancing economic opportunities for adults and families, particularly those with significant barriers to achieving employment and financial stability. Ms. Taylor has also worked with my district office to develop a Website that was designed to make it easier for non-profits and faith-based organizations to gain access to Recovery funds.

Under her watch, the East Bay Community Foundation managed about $285 million in charitable funds and made grants over $34 million in the most recent fiscal year.

Art Shanks, the executive director of the Cypress Mandela Training Center. For the past 17 years, Mr. Shanks has been pioneer in using the development of green jobs to not only to address environment and create green jobs that can serve as a pathway out of poverty.

The Cypress Mandela Training Center is the community resource committed to enhancing the viability of the construction trades industry through quality life skills and technical training in directed pre-apprentice programs. These programs promote positive life change and teach multi-trade expertise that serve as a bridge for empowering a diverse socio-economic community at large

Mr. Shanks joined the Cypress Mandela Training Center in Oakland, CA since its inception in 1993. Two years later, Mr. Shanks was elevated to Project Director responsible for the overall operation of the training center, including its economic stability and the development of the curriculum.

As a result of Mr. Shanks' efforts, the Cypress Mandela Training Center has evolved into a nationally acclaimed pre-apprenticeship program. Mr. Shanks has been recognized by the Building Trades for placing well over 1,700 disenfranchised, and under-represented men and women of color into union apprenticeship programs.

Margaret Gordon, commissioner for the Port of Oakland.

Over the last decade, Margaret Gordon has been respected locally as a strong voice of reason and intellect not only in her West Oakland community, but regionally as well. The longtime health and environmental advocate has earned statewide respect on Port issues.

A recipient of the 2007 Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame award, Ms. Gordon is one of the founding members of both the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project and the Alameda County Stakeholder Project for the Environmental Health Tracking Project. In 2006, Ms. Gordon was a presenter at a Port-related conference concerned with trucking, shipping and logistics sponsored by the Intermodal Maritime Association, while also contributing to the development of two community-based participatory research reports and the publications, ``Neighborhood Knowledge for Change'' and ``Reducing Diesel Pollution in West Oakland''. Moreover, during this period she was instrumental in the design of the 7th St/McClymonds Corridor Neighborhood Improvement Initiative and was co-chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee, the group assembled to oversee replacement of the Cypress freeway following the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.

In 2001, Ms. Gordon and the Pacific Institute, an environmental research and policy group based in the city of Oakland, launched the West Oakland Environmental Indicators project. The study concluded that diesel emissions in West Oakland were five times higher than the rest of the city. That study promoted the several local efforts to remediate contamination at the Port of Oakland and to increase efforts to reduce diesel emissions.

Most recently, Ms. Gordon co-wrote ``Healthy Home Indoor Air Quality Project,'' a report proposing ways to reduce diesel emissions in the community. The document has been submitted to local and federal environmental health agencies for review.

I will conclude with my good friend Keith Carson, Alameda County Supervisor.

Keith Carson was elected to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Fifth District in 1992 on a platform dedicated to inclusive and accessible government.

As a native of Berkeley California, Keith has longstanding roots in the progressive community, yet clearly understands the role business

must play in the development of thriving communities. Supervisor Carson has been the Chair of the Alameda County Budget Workgroup for over 10 years and in that time the County has been forced to cut over $2 Billion out of their budget. Supervisor Carson has brought together County Department Heads, unions, civic leaders to devise yearly formulas for balancing the ever declining budget. The County is the safety net for residents and through this process will continue to struggle to provide much needed life supporting services.

Years before California beget a process of dumping state prisoners in local government through their early release program, Supervisor Carson had been attempting to reconnect those who are returning from jail or prison in a way that would allow them to become productive citizens.

Supervisor Carson and I have worked closely with other local elected officials to organize a yearly event allowing people to have their records cleared when appropriate, and provide information about other key services hoping to curb the rate of recidivism. While his work speaks volumes, it is his compassion for people that drives his success. Alameda County is a microcosm of America's ethnic and business diversity. He uses Alameda County's diversity to its fullest in attempting to bring all voices to the decisionmaking process. As he often says ``the only way one of us survives is if we all work together''.

These are just a few examples of African-American in my district who go to work everyday determined to improve the lives of those who reside in their communities. And today, I salute them.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1083 and ask for its immediate consideration.

For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

General Leave

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1083.

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1083 provides for consideration of H.R. 2314, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009, under a structured rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate in the House, controlled by the Committee on Natural Resources. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill, except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order an amendment in the nature of a substitute by Representative Abercrombie, which is debatable for 30 minutes. The rule also makes in order two second-degree amendments to the substitute. The amendments are to be offered by Representative Hastings of Washington and by Representative Flake of Arizona. The amendments are each debatable for 10 minutes. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Rahall and the hardworking staff of the Natural Resources Committee for their dedication to the health and welfare of the many native peoples of this country and particularly for their work on this important legislation.

I also want to thank my colleagues from Hawaii, Congressman Abercrombie and Congresswoman Hirono, for bringing this legislation forward in the House, as well as the bill's original author, Senator Akaka, for his tireless work on behalf of the people of Hawaii in the Senate.

Our diversity is not only what makes us great but also what makes us American. My home State of Colorado is a beautiful land with awe- inspiring mountains and rugged landscapes, but the people are who make it truly beautiful. Colorado's rich history and diverse culture is interwoven with the Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Pueblo, Shoshone, and Ute peoples, who helped found our State and who continue to play such an important role in our vibrant diversity today.

While Hawaiians celebrate the sun and while Coloradans treasure the snow, the same connection between land and people can be found in the unique beauty of Hawaii.

As we have seen in Colorado, with the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute and across the country, the U.S. has a longstanding policy of providing its indigenous people--those who exercised sovereignty until the United States expanded its borders into their homeland--with an opportunity to organize, to protect and to perpetuate their cultures and traditions and to look out for their interests. It is only right that all indigenous people should have a right to determine how they should interact with our government. This bill merely brings about parity in the U.S. treatment of its indigenous people--American Indians, Alaska natives and Native Hawaiians.

H.R. 2314 would establish a Native Hawaiian interim governing council to develop elements of the organic governing documents and other criteria for the Native Hawaiian governing entity. These documents would detail the powers and authorities of the governing entity, but they would also include membership criteria as well as requirements for the election of government officials.

The Secretary of the Interior would be required to certify that the organic documents meet specified criteria and are consistent with applicable Federal law and our Constitution. After this certification, the government-to-government relationship with the Native Hawaiians should be reaffirmed.

It is also worth mentioning that these were the conditions set forward by the United States and that Hawaii agreed to in Statehood. These conditions of Statehood were set forth in the Admissions Act, signed August 21, 1959, which posed that the State of Hawaii would assume administration of the congressionally established Hawaiian Homes Commission Act trust, as well as ensure that former Hawaiian Government public lands held in trust would be utilized for one of five purposes, including the betterment of the conditions of Native Hawaiians.

Like American Indians, Native Hawaiians have no other homeland to keep their culture alive. Like American Indians, disenfranchisement has left Native Hawaiians at the bottom of national health, education and economic rankings. Through all of this, however, Native Hawaiians continue to maintain their cultural identity and dignity as a distinct native community.

This bill would reaffirm the Federal delegation of authority to the State of Hawaii, found in the State's Admissions Act, and would provide Native Hawaiians with the tools and status needed to preserve their vibrant culture and unique heritage for future generations.

Last year, Madam Speaker, Hawaii celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Statehood. It is long past time that Congress grants the same opportunity for self-determination to Native Hawaiians.

In 2000, the Hawaii Congressional Delegation offered the first Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. Since then, Congress has held six joint hearings of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and of the House Natural Resources Committee, five of which were in Hawaii, with a total of 12 congressional hearings within the last 9 years on the issue. The House has passed this legislation twice, in the 106th and 110th Congresses.

While the bill has evolved over the years and has received input from many stakeholders, it has maintained true to its intent to extend the Federal policy of self-governance and self-determination to Native Hawaiians for the purposes of a federally recognized government-to- government relationship. This has received broad support from organizations and people across the ideological spectrum and the State of Hawaii.

As a Representative of Native Americans who live in Colorado's Second Congressional District, I urge my colleagues in Congress to join me in passing this rule to honor and respect, not just this generation, but future generations of Native Hawaiians and to promote the diversity of cultures everywhere that make our country so great. I ask you to end half a century of neglect and to provide the Native Hawaiians with the same representation provided to other native peoples across the country.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, again, I would like to establish that there were exactly two amendments proposed to this piece of legislation, both by members of the Republican Party, and both will be allowed for floor consideration under this rule.

With that, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono).

Madam Speaker, for more than 200 years, Congress, the executive branch, and the Supreme Court have recognized certain legal rights and protections for America's indigenous people. It's the moral and legal responsibility of Congress to reaffirm a political relationship with the native peoples of Hawaii, and H.R. 2314 will achieve this purpose.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to pass this very fair rule that includes both Republican amendments that were filed and to allow for the further consideration of this bill on the floor of the House of Representatives.

I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1046) recognizing the significance of Black History Month.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Resolution 1046 for consideration. This legislation recognizes the significance of Black History Month, which is annually commemorated during the month of February.

Introduced by my colleague, Representative Al Green of Texas, on January 27, 2010, House Resolution 1046 enjoys the support of over 60 Members of Congress. Notably, today's floor consideration of the bill offers Members of this body an additional opportunity to pay tribute to the remarkable and diverse contributions that African Americans have made to our Nation's history and culture.

Madam Speaker, as we all know, the month of February marks our annual commemoration of Black History Month. Originally celebrated as Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a renowned African American author and scholar, our annual tribute to the leading role of African Americans in our Nation's history has since grown to a month-long commemorative celebration.

Whether we recall the story of Crispus Attucks, an African American from my home State of Massachusetts who became the first American casualty of the Revolutionary War, or the works of such compelling individuals as Harriet Tubman, Dr. King, Malcolm X, Madam C.J. Walker, and General Colin Powell, we all understand that the contributions of African Americans are intricately woven into our identity as a people and as a Nation.

Similarly, we need not look further than the thousands of brave military service men and women who have served and who are continuing to serve our Nation with honor and distinction at home and abroad, or the distinguished members of our own Congressional Black Caucus, or of course our 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, to witness the diverse and significant influence of African Americans on American society.

Madam Speaker, it is also important to note that it is not just our African American pioneers or leaders that have made such a difference. Importantly, it is the everyday citizen that is serving as a teacher, a mentor, a pastor, a doctor, a first responder, a public servant, or a parent who continues to impact our Nation's history in an equally powerful and positive way.

Across our Nation, Black History Month is marked by a variety of educational and cultural programs, as well as special celebrations and events designed to share the strength, ingenuity, and accomplishment of our fellow citizens with the world.

Madam Speaker, as we move to recognize Black History Month in 2010, let us all recall the experience and valuable contributions of African Americans to the United States of America. Moreover, let us not forget that black history is, in truth, American history.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 1046.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I welcome and appreciate the kind remarks of the lady from North Carolina.

In closing, I simply ask all Members to support Representative Al Green of Texas, who is the lead sponsor of this resolution. I urge all members to vote ``yes'' on House Resolution 1046.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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.

I would like to thank my friend, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) for the time, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Last week, the Department of Labor, Madam Speaker, reported that Americans filed 473,000 jobless claims in the week ending February 13. That is an increase of 31,000 more claims than the previous week. It is truly unfortunate that the number of jobless claims continues to rise 1 year after the passage of the massive so-called ``stimulus bill.'' Take, for example, the district that I am honored to represent. According to Recovery.gov, the administration's stimulus Web site, the stimulus bill spent $185 million to create 310 jobs. That was at a cost of $600,000 per job.

Now, Madam Speaker, what worries me even more than the $1 trillion so-called ``stimulus bill'' is the fact that it continues the process of adding to our national debt at a time when we can least afford it. It is expected that the deficit, in large part due to the waste of money in the stimulus bill, is set to hit a record $1.6 trillion. The U.S. economy is dangerously close to the catastrophic precipice of uncontrollable debt. We must urgently alter Washington's fiscal course before the American middle class, as we know it, is relegated to the history books.

Why do I mention the stimulus and the state of our economy? To point out that, while our economy continues to stumble and to stutter and as jobless claims rise, the majority has decided to pass legislation that would recognize Native Hawaiians as a sovereign governing entity. Now, just 2 months ago, the distinguished Speaker declared that her party should be judged on the issue of ``jobs, jobs, jobs.''

How does the bill before us today have anything to do with job creation?

I understand that this is the last week in Congress for my good friend, one of the most respected Members of this House, Representative Abercrombie. I know I join all Members of the House in thanking him for his great work as a Member of this House and also for his friendship. As I say, I have great respect for him.

Last night, he testified before the Rules Committee about his work on the underlying legislation. He told us that he first began working on this issue when he was in the Hawaii legislature in 1974. It was very clear from his testimony that this is a very important issue for him, and I congratulate him for his hard work.

Yet there is an undeniable issue here that I have made reference to that was pointed out in terms of its importance to the American people by a recent opinion research poll which found that 84 percent of Americans think that Congress has not done enough for the creation of jobs. I think what the majority is doing today will simply reinforce that belief by the American people.

Madam Speaker, I thank the majority for their uncharacteristic generosity in allowing the House to debate both of the Republican amendments submitted to the Rules Committee for consideration. Unfortunately, over a year into this Congress, the purportedly most open and bipartisan Congress in history, the majority has yet to allow even one open rule. That's quite unfortunate, but yet it is business as usual for the majority to continue to claim bipartisanship while working to block full and open debate.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1046, ``Recognizing the significance of Black History Month'' and for other purposes, introduced by my distinguished colleague from Texas, Representative Green. ``Black History Month,'' recognizes, reflects, and honors the many contributions, achievements and works of African-Americans who have influenced American history through their selflessness and sacrifices. The origins of ``Black History Month'' derived from Negro History Week, in efforts to enhance the knowledge of Black history started through the Journal of Negro History, published by Dr. Carter G. Woodson's Association for the Study of African- American Life and History. The birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass inspired the creation of Negro History Week.

Negro History Week is the precursor to Black History Month, and the month of February has been celebrated as Black History Month since 1926 when a special period of time was set aside to recognize and celebrate the heritage and achievements of African-Americans. Whereas the first African-Americans were brought involuntarily to the shores of the America as early as the 17th century and despite being held in slavery, African-Americans in all walks of life have made significant contributions throughout the history of the United States. Significant contributions made by African-Americans include the--

(1) Writings of Booker T. Washington, Phyllis Wheatley, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Ralph Ellison, Zora Neale Hurston, and Alex Haley;

(2) Music of Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Bessie Smith, and Duke Ellington;

(3) Resolve of athletes such as Jackie Robinson, Althea Gibson, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, and Muhammad Ali;

(4) Scientific advancements of George Washington Carver, Charles Drew, Benjamin Banneker, and Mae Jemison;

(5) Vision of leaders such as Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, and Shirley Chisholm; and

(6) Bravery of those who stood on the front lines in the battle against oppression, such as Sojourner Truth, Fannie Lou Hammer, and Rosa Parks.

In the face of injustices, United States citizens of good will and of all races distinguished themselves with their commitment to the noble ideals upon which the United States was founded and courageously fought for the rights and freedom of African-Americans, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived and died to make real these noble ideas. He is most known for his ``I Have A Dream'' speech.

The Honorable Barack Hussein Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States, making him the first African-American Chief Executive. President Obama's election to the U.S. Presidency broke one of the last racial barriers in politics in this country. President Obama has inspired hopes in the lives of many Americans across the country and to people across the globe.

Black History Month is an important time that we recognize the contributions of African-Americans in the Nation's history and encourages the continued celebration of February to provide an opportunity for all peoples of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have helped shape the Nation.