Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I think it appropriate that you be in the chair today because in Houston, Texas, in your district, I believe, we have a statue that has been erected in honor of Confucius. So I come here today and I thank you, Madam Speaker, and I thank the leadership for allowing this resolution to come to the floor. I thank the Honorable Howard Berman, the chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for allowing the resolution to pass the committee. I thank the Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for allowing us to work with her and to manage this piece of legislation on the floor. I thank the Honorable Russ Carnahan for acting as Democratic manager of the amendment.

This resolution honors the 2,560th anniversary of the birth of Confucius, recognizing his contributions to philosophy and to social and political thought. This resolution is a reflection of the diversity that we celebrate in the United States of America.

We are 46.9 million Hispanic and Latinos, 37.6 million African Americans, 16 million foreign-born naturalized citizens, 14 million Asian and Pacific Islanders. We speak 337 different languages. In my district, we have and we are African American, Latino, Vietnamese, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Nigerian, Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Sudanese, Turkish, Ghanaian, and Taiwanese. And there are probably some that I have missed and I apologize to any constituent that was not properly mentioned.

On September 26, in our district, as I indicated earlier, this year, a bronze statue of Confucius was dedicated in Hermann Park in Houston, Texas.

I am honored to tell you that today on the suspension calendar we honored His All Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, and I commend my colleague for bringing this to the attention of the House. It is not unusual for us to honor persons who are not Americans for their contributions to America and to global society. We have honored many persons, including Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Nicholas Sarkozy, President of France; Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands; and we've also honored the Honorable Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, both of South Africa. We have honored events. We have honored what is known as the religious and historical event that is the Festival of Diwali, which was presented to this House in September of last year. And I am proud to say today that we are going to honor Confucius, an Asian teacher, scholar, and philosopher.

Confucius was born in 551 B.C., was one of the great thinkers of his time and of all time. He was a teacher of prosperity and a preacher of peace. He developed Confucianism, a philosophy that has deeply influenced the social and political thought of countries around the world, including China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam, to name a few. He emphasized that personal introspection, self-cultivation, respect of social relationships, personal and governmental morality, justice and sincerity reflect a moral fiber of the greatest and highest degree.

He preached that politicians must always represent truth and morality. He taught the philosophy of reciprocity: never impose upon others what you would not choose for yourself.

He taught the ``silver rule'' which complements the Golden Rule: do not do unto others as you would not have do unto you.

He taught the importance of shame in an orderly society by indicating, If people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given by punishments, they will try to avoid punishment, but have no sense of shame. However, if they be led by virtue, and uniformity is sought to be given them by rules of propriety, they will have a sense of shame, and moreover will become good.

I would note that shame promotes good to prevent punishment, whereas punishment precedes bad, to promote good.

He reminded all that, When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them. In different words what he said was, It is virtuous to know one's faults and change. He explained that self-respect begets self-respect when he made this quote, Respect yourself and others will respect you.

He gave us with a great degree of simplicity a quote that I believe is one of his greatest when he articulated, To understand nothing is to understand everything.

I am honored to present this resolution today. I believe that the diversity that we celebrate in this country, the diversity that I have in my district which is 36 percent African American, 31 percent Anglo, 21 percent Latino, and 12 percent Asian, in my district I believe that my constituents are honored to have persons of Asian ancestry who honor and celebrate Confucius. But I think as a philosopher who has transcended time, he is someone we should recognize in the House of Representatives.

I beg that my colleagues would support this resolution, comparable to many others that we have had on the floor of the House.

Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored that leadership has brought this resolution, H. Res. 817, to the floor today. I believe that this resolution is important, and this likewise seems to be the case with my colleagues because this resolution has received the support of 57 Democratic and Republican cosponsors. This resolution has been a bipartisan effort. And for fear that I will forget, let me mention now that my colleague, the Honorable Ted Poe, will not be with us today, but he is here in spirit. He suffered the same fate as I; his plane is late in Houston, Texas. I was on the runway for 2 hours. I barely made it, but thank God that I did. I want the Members to know that he is solidly behind this resolution. This resolution, with reference to domestic violence, transcends party affiliation; it transcends ethnicity; it transcends gender; and it transcends the boundaries of human decency.

Many thank you's are in order. I want to thank the President, President Barack Obama, for declaring October National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I would like to thank Speaker Pelosi because she has entered a statement recognizing this as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Congressional Women's Caucus deserves a sound round of thank you's because they have been involved in helping us to raise awareness year-round. I would like to thank Chairman George Miller of the Education and Labor Committee for the outstanding work that he has done in helping us to get this resolution to the floor. His staff has done a stellar job. They have worked with my staff to make sure that the resolution arrived here timely. I would like to thank the ranking member, John Kline, for his work with the Honorable Ted Poe in helping us to get this resolution to the floor.

All of my colleagues are honorable, but I am mentioning Ted in such a way simply because he is not here, and I know his heart is with us. I would like to thank the ranking member who is here today, Representative Judy Biggert, for her help and for her kind words with reference to this resolution and Representative Pierluisi from Puerto Rico for his efforts to help us get this resolution to the floor and for managing this resolution today.

At this time I want to call our attention to some history associated with this issue of domestic violence. Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first observed 22 years ago, and since that time, we've had additional legislation that has come into being that has made a difference with reference to helping us to end domestic violence. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act of 1984 is an important piece of legislation. This piece of legislation helped us to acquire more emergency shelters, crisis prevention programs and community education efforts. It truly has made a difference.

There also has been another piece of important legislation, the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, which created a new culture for the police officers who work these cases and the

judges who hear these cases. These cases at one time were thought to be, unfortunately, family business, and there were too many persons who were involved in the business of law enforcement who did not make it their business. I'm honored that the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 has helped change this culture. I would also mention that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was important because it contained $225 million for violence against women programs. These programs are going to be of great benefit to a good many women.

Domestic violence awareness is growing, but it has not reached a point wherein we can rest on our efforts. At one time it was one of the most underreported crimes in this country. As I indicated, too many police officers, too many judges, too many persons associated with enforcement did not make it their business. And although we have sought to do the business of helping women and men who are victims of domestic violence, there is still much work to be done. One survey indicates that in 1 day, more than 60,000 people received help. However, at the same time, on that same day, 9,000 requests went unanswered. There is still much work to be done. In my State of Texas, the Houston Area Women's Center has indicated that in the year 2008, 136 women were killed by their intimate partners, 11 children were killed, and 96 children lost their parents to domestic violence.

I thank the gentleman for yielding the additional time.

Ninety-six children were killed by domestic violence.

The national data on this is equally as appalling. More than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States every day. One of every four women will experience domestic violence at some point in her lifetime. In 2005, 1,181 women were murdered by an intimate partner. Women from ages 16 to 24 experience the highest rates of domestic violence on a per capita basis. Six of 10 Native American women will be physically assaulted in their lifetimes. Ninety-two percent of homeless women will experience physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lifetimes. Forty to sixty percent of men who abuse women also abuse children.

Millions of children witness every year domestic violence. By at least one estimate, 15.5 million children witness domestic violence.

So we now come to a call to action. We should not allow anyone to have to live in fear within his or her home. We believe that this is an offense that can be eliminated. It will take much effort from us. We here in Congress will have to fund the programs that can make a difference. And without question, programs have been developed that can make a difference. Training is necessary to teach people how to live with each other without abusing each other. The police must enforce the laws, the judges must enforce the laws, and in the end we can live in a world where people can live safely in their homes without fear of being harmed by people that they have great affinity and affection for.

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), the

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) along

with 9 other national organizations is heralding the arrival

of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and urging Congress,

members of the media and the public to take a stand against

domestic abuse.

The economic downturn is exacerbating domestic violence,

and victims of domestic abuse urgently need everyone's help.

Although the economy does not cause domestic violence, but in

abusive relationships, factors associated with a bad economy

can increase the frequency and severity of abuse. Job losses,

the lack of affordable health care, the housing crisis and a

host of other conditions are increasing abuse and leaving

survivors with fewer options to escape. The demand for

services is going up, but funding for services is going down.

Governmental entities, corporations and individuals are

tightening their budgets and are funding life-saving programs

at reduced levels across the nation.

In a national census survey conducted by the National

Network to End Domestic Violence, in just one day in 2008

more than 60,000 victims sought services, yet nearly 9,000

requests for services went unmet due to lack of funding.

The most extreme example is California, where the governor

completely eliminated state funding for domestic violence

services. Other states have seen funding reductions, but

California represents the most shocking of these reckless

cuts.

This year, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is

particularly meaningful. The movement against domestic abuse

is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against

Women Act, originally authored by then-Senator Joe Biden.

This year is also the 25th anniversary of the Family Violence

Prevention & Services Act. Both are critical federal laws

that provide funding for services and the justice system's

responses to intimate partner abuse.

These laws have made an amazing difference in our ability

to address domestic violence. Across the country, federal,

state and local laws are working to serve countless survivors

and saving lives, but we need to do more. Still, an average

of three women are murdered daily by someone who says love

you.' This is unacceptable and preventable. Domestic violence

affects us all, and it tears at the fabric of our

communities. Every day, men, women and children experience

the tragic effects of domestic violence.''

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let us

renew efforts to invest in lifesaving shelters and other

critical domestic violence services like counseling and

emergency hotlines.

Members of Congress and the public can take a stand for

survivors of abuse by supporting the Domestic Violence

Awareness Month Resolution sponsored by Representative Al

Green (D-TX) and Representative Ted Poe (R-TX), which has

received bipartisan support of nearly 60 members of the House

of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Sue Else,

President, National Network to End Domestic Violence.

Rita Smith,

President, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Additional National Organizations Endorsing the Domestic

Violence Awareness Month Resolution: Break the Cycle, Casa De

Esperanza, Congress of American Indians Task Force on

Violence Against Women, Family Violence Prevention Fund,

Legal Momentum, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence,

National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual

Assault, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence,

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my strong support to H. Res. 672, which calls on the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release imprisoned bloggers and respect Internet freedom.

Since 2002, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has enforced heavy surveillance of the internet activity of Vietnamese citizens. The U.S. Congress is aware that a number of internet bloggers and cyber activists have recently been arrested and imprisoned for exercising their inherent human right of freedom of expression. This matter, among others, is of grave concern to me, and more importantly, to the thousands of Vietnamese Americans that I represent.

Reporters Without Borders considers Vietnam one of 15 ``internet enemies'' and the OpenNet Initiative, a project of academic institutions including the University of Toronto, Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard Universities, classifies Vietnam's online political censorship to be ``pervasive.'' In fact, an electronic communications decree issued by the Vietnamese government, that came into force in September 2008, states ``opposition to the Republic of Vietnam is forbidden.''

The freedom of expression, including the freedom to express one's views on the internet, is a necessary prerequisite for a healthy and vigorous democracy. Without free and open debate where citizens need not fear retaliation by government for the opinions they hold, a country foregoes the opportunity to harness the full capability of its citizens to advance social and economic development.

Along with my friend from California, Ms. Sanchez, I call on Vietnam to respect Internet freedom and allow the people of Vietnam to freely express their views. Moreover, I call upon Vietnam to immediately release imprisoned bloggers and political prisoners. To the Vietnamese government, the message we send today is that the United States will embrace you, but only when you embrace the inherent rights and freedoms of your people.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my strong support to H. Res. 823, which expresses condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those killed and injured in the recent attack on the United Nations World Food Program office in Islamabad, Pakistan, and support for the World Food Program's mission to bring emergency food aid to the most vulnerable people of Pakistan and around the world.

On October 5, 2009, a suicide bomber attacked the World Food Program office in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing five employees, Botan Ahmed Ali Al-Hayawi, Farzana Barkat, Abid Rehman, Gulrukh Tahir, and Mohamed Wahab. But more than killing these five individuals, the tragedy has affected the ability of this very important organization to meet Pakistan's most pressing humanitarian needs.

The United Nations World Food Program was established in 1962 and works to provide men, women and children with access to the food needed for an active and healthy life. In 2008, the World Food Program fed 102 million hungry and poor people in 78 countries. In Pakistan, the World Food Program provides assistance to 10 million people at any given time, including 2 million Pakistanis displaced by fighting in the Swat Valley region earlier this year.

As the international community grieves over the loss of five staff members who selflessly gave themselves to their fellow men and women, let us recognize the critical work of the United Nations World Food Program. More than 84.7 percent of Pakistanis live on less than US $2 per day, and I daresay that Pakistan cannot afford to go on without the work and aid delivered by this organization.

I extend my sincerest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues whose loved ones were lost in the recent attack on the World Food Program office in Islamabad. Moreover, I reaffirm my support for the mission of the World Food Program, its leadership and staff of over 10,000 dedicated men and women.

Lastly, I hope that this event reminds my colleagues in Congress, the American people and citizens of the world, that as human beings, it is in our personal interest to ensure that no one on this earth goes hungry for want of food. Let us rise up in solidarity with the people of the United Nations World Food Program and ensure that the recent attack does not diminish, but strengthens, our resolve to advance anti- hunger efforts in Pakistan and defeat poverty around the world.

Madam Speaker, I extend my support for H. Res. 800, H. Res. 816, and H. Res. 810, which express sympathy for the citizens of the Philippines dealing with Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma, for the people of American Samoa and Samoa in the aftermath of an earthquake and tsunami, and for the citizens of Indonesia after a devastating earthquake.

On September 26, 2009, Tropical Storm Ketsana made landfall in the Philippines. Rain and flooding submerged 80 percent of the capital city, Manila, took 277 lives, forced 135,470 families into evacuation centers, and destroyed over 4,500 homes. Typhoon Parma hit the islands several days later on October 2, 2009 and caused further damage.

On September 29, 2009, a powerful earthquake struck below the ocean 140 miles

southwest of American Samoa and 125 miles south of Samoa. The earthquake, which registered 8.3 on the Richter scale, produced waves 20 feet in height that penetrated one mile inland, sweeping away homes and cars.

On September 30, 2009, 700 lives were lost to a 7.6 magnitude earthquake originating in West Sumatra, Indonesia, which also destroyed 83,700 homes, 200 public buildings, 285 schools and other infrastructure.

In the wake of these recent events and on behalf of the 70,000 Asian American and Pacific Islanders living in the 9th Congressional District of Texas, including the 6,000 Filipino Americans that I represent, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families whose loved ones were lost in these tragedies. As the Philippines, American Samoa, Samoa, and Indonesia rebuild homes and communities destroyed in the disasters, we recognize the heroic rescue efforts mounted by international aid organizations and foreign governments, including American forces sent by President Obama. Let these events remind us of our shared humanity and concern for those struggling in the face of adversity.

Americans across the country continue to watch the recovery efforts being undertaken in the Philippines, American Samoa, Samoa, and Indonesia. We stand ready to assist our fellow brothers and sisters in need at a minute's notice, and we keep you every day in our thoughts and prayers.

I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 800, H. Res. 816, and H. Res. 810.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that there is but one race, and that is the human race. I believe that one God created all humanity to live in harmony. I am honored to be here today to express my sympathies and my oneness with the people of American Samoa, Indonesia, as well as the Philippines.

I also want to make it very clear that my district is a polyglot melting pot. It is, in fact, a culture of cultures. Because it is such, I have a special kinship and relationship with the persons who have been devastated by these natural disasters.

I believe that we cannot do enough to help them recover. But I also understand in my heart that when you cannot do enough, you have a duty to do all that you can. I want us to do more because these are our fellow human beings. They are part of the one race, the human race.

Madam Speaker, I extend my support to H.R. 3590, the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009, and thank my friend from New York, Mr. Rangel, for introducing this legislation.

When Congress passed the first-time homebuyer tax credit in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in January of this year, it sought to reverse the downturn in the housing market by helping qualified homebuyers purchase their first home with a maximum $8,000 tax credit. To ensure that the credit benefitted ordinary Americans and not speculators, we required that borrowers who took advantage of the credit repay it if they sold their home within three years of the purchase date.

At the time, we thought this was good policy. However, it is clear now that an exception should have been made for our servicemen and women and their families, who are often required by federal orders to redeploy overseas within a three-year period. The chance for us to correct this oversight has now come.

The Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act amends the federal tax code to provide an exemption for members of the military, CIA, and Department of State that would not require them to repay the homebuyer tax credit if they are called for overseas duty and are forced to sell their homes within three years of purchasing it. It also extends for one year the deadline for utilizing the first-time homebuyer tax credit for service members who served outside the country for at least 90 days in 2009. This provision would help returning veterans take full advantage of the tax credit, which is set to expire on November 30, 2009.

In exchange for service in war zones abroad and the sacrifices that our servicemen and women make everyday, it is only fair that our military families be able to take full advantage of the programs we enact in Congress. The Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009 is deficit neutral and reaffirms our commitment to our men and women in uniform. I am proud to provide my support to H.R. 3590.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 1707, the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, a bipartisan bill designed to forge a true strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people, strengthen its democratic government, and support Pakistan so it may become a force for stability in a volatile region.

This legislation triples the authorization for U.S. economic, social, and democratic development assistance to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year for fiscal years 2010 through 2014. The bill provides that this aid be provided with a particular focus on strengthening democratic institutions, promoting economic development, and improving Pakistan's public education system.

The bill also authorizes military assistance to Pakistan to help it disrupt and defeat al

Qaeda and relevant insurgent elements, and requires that such assistance be focused primarily on helping Pakistan with its critical counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts.

The security of Pakistan and the United States is closely linked. We cannot succeed in defeating al Qaeda by ourselves. Therefore, it is critically important that we develop a robust, long-term relationship with our strategic partners to prevail against those who threaten our national security.

S. 1707 is an essential tool in our efforts to dismantle terrorism and underscores the United States' long-term commitment to the people of Pakistan.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 1707, the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my strong support to H. Res. 215, which congratulates the Minority Business Development Agency for its accomplishments on its 40th anniversary.

For forty years, the Minority Business Development Agency has fostered the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in America. Since the agency's founding in 1969, it has assisted 625,000 minority businesses and helped them secure more than $25 billion in loans and bonding. In 2008, it served 25,000 businesses and contributed to the creation of over 5,000 new jobs. The Minority Business Development Agency is the only federal agency dedicated to minority business enterprise and works to achieve entrepreneurial parity so that minority businesses are represented proportionally to the minority population in this country.

While the number of minority businesses in the United States has grown today to 4 million from only 322,000 in 1969, the growth of minority firms has not kept pace with the growth of the minority population. Minority groups represent 26 percent of the country's population, but own only 12 percent of the nation's businesses and receive only 6 percent of total sales.

Nevertheless, minority enterprises account for $668 billion in total annual sales receipts and employ 5 million people. By 2042, minorities in America will become a numerical majority. Based on this population shift, it is clear that the success of the American economy is directly linked to the success of minority businesses, which are in a unique position to support the vibrancy of local communities. Supporting minority businesses is not only beneficial to minority enterprise, but to communities and people who depend on those businesses as well.

As the Minority Business Development Agency enters its fifth decade, I urge the agency to continue its efforts to help minorities achieve entrepreneurial parity, contribute to the health of the national economy and communities across America. I am proud to celebrate the achievements of the Minority Business Development Agency on its 40th anniversary and I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 215.

Mr. Chair, I wish to express my strong support for H.R. 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009.

The global competition for producing the cars and trucks of the future is happening now. There is no question that in the years ahead, people will be driving hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles, and cars and trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The question is whether these technologies will be imported from abroad, or produced right here in the United States by a sustainable, cutting-edge American automobile industry.

The global economic downturn and credit crisis have limited the resources that automakers and vehicle manufacturers can draw on to support their research and development activities. As American automakers struggle to become globally competitive and we race to make the best and most fuel-efficient vehicles, we have a chance to accelerate their development through the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009.

The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act will reauthorize the Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Program, through which the Department partners with industry to provide research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of advanced vehicle

technologies in the U.S. These programs have led to numerous successes, including a dual-mode hybrid transmission system used in transit buses and trucks manufactured in the U.S.

Through supporting advanced vehicle technologies, this legislation also reaffirms our commitment to reducing energy use to combat global warming and increase America's energy independence by reducing the need for imported oil.

Recognizing the importance of this legislation, H.R. 3246 has been endorsed by General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, the UAW, Nissan, the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, Daimler, Magna International Delphi, ArvinMeritor, Robert Bosch LLC, Caterpillar, Dueco Odyne, Achates Power, and the Engine Manufacturers Association.

Let us invest in American energy independence, American jobs, a cleaner environment and cleaner communities by voting in favor of the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3246.

Mr. Speaker, as an American and Representative of the 9th Congressional District of Texas I would like to express my support for H. Res. 722, which recognizes the victims and heroes of the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on September 11, 2001.

This year commemorates the eighth anniversary of 9/11, which lives on in the hearts and minds of Americans as we mourn and remember the lives lost in that tragedy. On September 11, we will honor the memory of the 3,000 men, women, and children who were taken from us, pay homage to the countless lives who have died defending our freedom, and service men and women currently fighting in combat zones across the world.

Moreover, on this September 11, Americans will for the first time honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 by serving their neighbors and communities in the first National Day of Service and Remembrance. This federally designated day was created as a part of bipartisan legislation in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which was signed into law by President Obama on April 21, 2009. In the spirit of unity and compassion, Americans everywhere will join the President and Mrs. Obama in service projects at schools, hospitals, and communities.

As we honor the sacrifices of our fellow Americans through our own service in communities across the nation, let us renew our devotion to the universal ideals that make our Nation great: freedom, equality, and democracy. On September 11, 2009, let us forget our differences and embrace our common heritage as one people, the American people. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 722.

Mr. Speaker, although they are not my words, we have heard that it takes an act of Congress to get many things done. I would only add to this what I have heard, it also takes a Congress willing to act. This is our opportunity to act. This is our opportunity to do what Dr. King called ``bending the arc of the moral universe toward justice.'' This piece of legislation is just, given the circumstances that we have been coping with.

There is no dispute that many CEOs have had their pay structured such that no matter what the consequences of their actions, they were going to receive enormous bonuses. I think there are two good reasons to support this legislation: one, it deals with the safety and soundness of the banking institutions. It performs perfectly if it does just this, as far as I am concerned.

If it allows a banking regulator who sees that the structure of pay is impacting the safety and soundness of the institution, if it allows this regulator to take some affirmative action to protect the safety and soundness of the institution, this piece of legislation is working. That is what it is designed to do, not to structure the pay, but to prevent the pay from causing ordinary people to have to bail out big banks.

People are expecting us to do something to prevent this from happening again. If we are going to act, this is a means by which we can act. Talking about that which we cannot do and will not do that is not on the agenda will not help us to do what we can do today. I never let what I cannot do prevent me from doing what I can do.

The second reason why I support this legislation: this legislation allows shareholders--by the way, I trust shareholders. I think people who have a vested interest in something ought to have some say. I think they ought to be able to know what the salary structure is and say something about it. And in this case it is nonbinding. There are many people who are of the opinion that nonbinding is not enough. But I trust the shareholders to have an opinion. They have but an opinion. They don't do anything to bind the corporation.

These two reasons, when combined, will help us with the safety and soundness of these institutions and give the shareholders an opportunity to know how the salaries are structured and have some say.

Finally, if we want to be a Congress that acts, we have got to have courage. These are trying times. These are difficult times. It is easy to stay with the status quo. Those who want change have got to be willing to take the risk of doing the right thing.

The arc of the moral universe bends towards justice, but it doesn't do so by itself. It does so because of people who are willing to do the right thing under unusual and extraordinary circumstances.

I am going to stand with the chairman. I believe the chairman is eminently correct. He has structured a great piece of legislation. Those who really want change will vote for this legislation. Those who want to see a better system so we don't end up with more headlines that read ``bailed out banks gave millions in executive bonuses,'' notwithstanding the fact that these banks have not been managed properly and could have been managed a lot better, these kinds of headlines are going to cause problems for a lot of people.

I am going to vote with the chairman. I am voting for the bill. It is a good bill. It is a just bill.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to submit my support of H.R. 2529, the Neighborhood Preservation Act. This Act will allow depository institutions and their affiliate entities to lease foreclosed properties for up to five years- it also has a provision which would allow for people to sign leases with the intent to purchase.

The Neighborhood Preservation Act is a commendable approach to utilizing the growing inventory of foreclosed properties and putting American families back into homes. Allowing foreclosed homes to be leased is a win-win situation. This allows people who may not be financially positioned to buy a house an opportunity to live in and potentially purchase a home while also allowing the bank to get some of the money back from the foreclosed property.

Additionally, by allowing depository institutions to lease foreclosed properties, we will put people in homes and begin to reduce the housing inventory overhang that is currently causing downward pressure on home values. This will help stabilize the housing market and will help facilitate the recovery of the greater economy.

Communities throughout the nation will benefit from this legislation, and it could not have come at a more opportune time.

Mr. Speaker, It is with great pleasure that I commend Continental Airlines on its 75th anniversary. I would also like to thank my colleague the Honorable Gene Green for introducing this resolution and I am honored to be a cosponsor. Continental Airlines is an outstanding company that has grown internationally without losing sight of the people they serve.

Since the founding of Continental Airlines, the company has consistently served the community. In July of 1934 the company Varney Speed Lines was created in West Texas by Walter T. Varney and Louis Mueller primarily as a mail service. During World War II, they built the Denver Modification Center in Houston, where workers modified B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-29 Super Fortresses to assist in the war effort. Today, Continental Airlines' main headquarters are in Houston and their main hub is located there as well at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Continental Airlines has also been a pacesetter in diversity among airlines. The company named Deborah McCoy the first woman in the Nation to head a major commercial airline pilot group in 1999. In 2005, Continental was ranked among HISPANIC Magazine's ``Hispanic Corporate 100: One Hundred Companies Providing the Most Opportunities for Hispanics'' for the eighth year in a row. Continental Airlines has also been named to the Corporate Diversity Honor Roll in Latin Business magazine

Continental has exemplified a dedication to customer service. Following the September 11th attacks, Continental offered special compassion fares to and from the New York area to assist family members of the September 11th victims, relief organizations and volunteers. Continental was the first airline to offer three of the most popular business applications on its fleet of 737, 757, and MD 80 aircraft: two-way e-mail, instant messaging and text messaging. The airline has also been awarded six Customer Satisfaction awards by J.D. Power and Associates since 1996.

Despite its global presence, Continental Airlines has maintained a personal relationship with its customers that is rivaled by many and surpassed by none. I would again like to congratulate Continental Airlines on 75 years of service and wish them many more years to come.

Madam Speaker, today I was unavoidably delayed and missed the votes on:

1. H. Res. 593--Recognizing and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union as the 50th State

2. H.R. 1376--Waco Mammoth National Monument Establishment Act of 2009

3. H.R. 1121--Blue Ridge Parkway and Town of Blowing Rock Land Exchange Act of 2009

I respectfully request the opportunity to record my position. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on these votes.

At this time I would ask for unanimous consent that my position be entered into the Record following that vote or in the appropriate portion of the Record.