Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3329) to provide housing assistance for very low- income veterans, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3329, the Homes for Heroes Act, and at this time I would like to thank the House leadership for allowing this legislation to come before the House expeditiously. I also thank Chairman Frank, the chairperson of the Financial Services Committee, for his outstanding service in helping us with this piece of legislation. Congresswoman Waters, who chairs the Subcommittee on Housing, is to be given a debt of gratitude as well, because without her help we could not have brought the bill to fruition. The staff has been outstanding. Ranking Member Capito on the Housing Subcommittee has been of great benefit to us, as well as Congressman Bachus, who is the ranking member on the full committee.

Mr. Speaker, of the many supporting organizations, I would like to especially thank the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. They have been with us and they have assisted us through the process. The cosponsor and co-lead, Congressman Michael Michaud, deserves a special expression of appreciation. He is the Chair of the Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee. Finally, we thank the 53 cosponsors, and we appreciate greatly the bipartisan support that this legislation enjoys.

Mr. Speaker, we live in the greatest and richest country in the world. We literally have housing for our astronauts, who are in space. We have housing for our farm animals, called barns. We have housing for our cars, called garages. One of every 110 persons is a millionaire. However, I am sorry to report, Mr. Speaker, that as many are sleeping in the suites of life, too many are sleeping on the streets of life.

Mr. Speaker, we have 800,000 homeless people in our country. One- fourth, or 200,000 of them, are veterans. Approximately 16,000 veterans are homeless in the State of Texas, 2,400 in my

City of Houston. Veterans make up 11 percent of the population, yet are 25 percent of the homeless. 1.5 million veterans have incomes below poverty, and that would be $10,787 per year for a single person who happens to be a veteran. 643,000 veterans have incomes below 50 percent of poverty. That would be $5,394 per year for a single veteran. Of the homeless veterans, nearly one-half are Vietnam vets. One-half have mental illnesses. Two-thirds suffer from alcohol or substance abuse. Fifty-six percent are African American or Latino.

The passage of this legislation will help to end homelessness among our veterans. More specifically, this legislation would establish the position of Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs within HUD. This special assistant within HUD would coordinate the services of homeless veterans, serve as a liaison to the Department of Veterans Affairs, to the States and to local officials, as well as nonprofit organizations.

This bill would establish a $200 million assistance program for permanent supportive housing and services to low income veterans. Low income veterans are those who are at 50 percent of the area median income. This bill would expand the highly successful HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program known as the HUD-VASH program. This bill authorizes 20,000 such vouchers on an annual basis.

The bill authorizes $1 million in HUD grants to assist housing and service providers with the execution of their projects. This bill would require HUD to submit a comprehensive report annually on the needs of veterans who are homeless and give an indication as to what steps are being taken under this program to eliminate homelessness among our veteran population.

Mr. Speaker, some may say that this is too little. Others may say that it is too much. It is our position that we do this before it is too late for many of our veterans.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I will reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, today, we live in a world where security threats have become more complex. For that reason, nurturing a field of educated and knowledgeable experts--trained and prepared to meet the security challenges before us--should be a priority of the United States Government. To accomplish this goal, opportunities within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should be made available for students to participate in programs that allow them to help develop the solutions to the security challenges that our Nation confronts. It is equally important that participating students come from diverse backgrounds and are truly representative of all the communities across our homeland.

My legislation, the Department of Homeland Security Preparedness, Research, and Education Program Act of 2008, or the DHS PREP Act of 2008, would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out a program for fellowships and research to enhance domestic preparedness and the collective response to acts of terrorism, natural disasters and other emergencies.

When natural disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast region, infrastructure and the most basic services too many take for granted were destroyed. The Department of Homeland Security is overseeing efforts to rebuild public infrastructure in the Gulf Coast region that was devastated by natural disasters. That is why, during the first year of the fellowship, participants will undertake research specifically focused on rebuilding and recovery of the Gulf Coast.

It is the aim of this legislation to allow students receiving fellowships from this program to work closely with the National Center for Natural Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure, and Emergency Management to strengthen our Nation's overall response to natural disasters. The research conducted by the fellowship participants will also reinforce the efforts of the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding at DHS. Additionally, the research conducted by the fellows will be shared with Congress.

This important legislation will allow us to train experts and professionals to develop substantive policy solutions that will seek to solve the homeland security and disaster response challenges that confront our Nation. I ask my colleagues to support the Department of Homeland Security Preparedness, Research, and Education Program Act of 2008, or the DHS PREP Act of 2008.

Madam Speaker, Respect for human rights and individual freedom is an important element of American foreign policy. Therefore, it must be the goal of the United States government to work towards enhancing human rights conditions, individual liberty and religious freedom in Vietnam. Moral imperatives such as freedom and individual rights are exceedingly important in establishing a mutually beneficial diplomatic relationship.

The current human rights situation in Vietnam is unacceptable. I am greatly concerned about state sanctioned oppression that has left numerous Vietnamese citizens helpless in the face of a government that has chosen to exercise repressive rule over a population that seeks individual, political and religious freedom. There are numerous religious and political prisoners imprisoned in Vietnam. Political prisoners are placed in conditions that are unacceptable. The international community should not sit idly by and allow this behavior to continue without condemnation.

In Vietnam, according to Human Rights Watch, ``2007 was characterized by the harshest crackdown on peaceful dissent in 20 years.'' Additionally, since gaining membership in the WorId Trade Organization, it has been reported that Vietnam moved to suppress all challenges to the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) by arresting dozens of democracy and human rights activists, independent trade union leaders, underground publishers, and members of unsanctioned religious groups.

The government of Vietnam should not be rewarded by the United States government and the international community for stifling the

freedom of the press, arresting dissidents, and labeling religious activity as subversive. We need a bilateral relationship with Vietnam that enhances individual freedom, democracy, and freedom of speech. I will continue to work in Congress to help promote democracy and end oppression in Vietnam.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor Margaret ``Maggie'' Trupp upon the occasion of her retirement following 41 years of meritorious service for Continental Airlines.

Ms. Trupp's life experience truly represents the American Dream. After immigrating to the United States from Holland in 1961 at the age of 16, she attended Dan McCarty High School and Indian River Junior College before moving to my hometown of Houston, Texas, in 1967. Almost immediately, Texas International Airlines, an airline in its infancy, recognized her talents, work ethic and enthusiasm and hired her to help move the company forward. Ms. Trupp has participated in Texas International's growth into Continental Airlines, a major international carrier.

Ms. Trupp achieved great success during her tenure, once receiving the airline's annual customer service award and spearheading its unaccompanied minor system, which has facilitated successful travel for young people. On a personal note, she has helped me numerous times over the years in my travel experiences and has always shown me tremendous generosity and kindness.

Ms. Trupp will officially retire effective July 1, 2008, bringing her impressive and successful career to a close. I would like to congratulate her for her decades of excellent work and to wish her a happy and fulfilling retirement.

Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize a distinguished academic, activist, and advocate, my friend, the Honorable Andrew L. Jefferson, Jr. The passage of H. Res. 31, which recognizes the Honorable Andrew L. Jefferson on the occasion of the establishment of The Andrew L. Jefferson Endowment for Trial Advocacy at Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law, is a fitting tribute to a man whose life exemplifies excellence and integrity.

The Honorable Andrew L. Jefferson, a native of Dallas, Texas, graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1959 after earning his Bachelor's degree from Texas Southern University, was president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and became a partner with the law firm of Washington and Jefferson in Houston, Texas.

He served as an assistant criminal district attorney for Bexar Country, a chief assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas, and a trial counsel and labor relations counsel for Humble Oil and Refining Company. In 1970, Judge Jefferson was appointed to preside over the Court of Domestic Relations number 2 for Harris County. In 1974, he was elected to Judge of the 208th District Court.

In 1975, he decided to re-enter the active practice of law and was admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for Fifth, Sixth and Eleventh Circuits, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America. A long time active committee member of the State bar,

Judge Andrew L. Jefferson is a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, a member of American Bar Foundation, the Texas Trial Lawyer's Association, Texas Constitutional Revision Commission.

A former chairman of the board of the Houston Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank and of the Texas Southern University Foundation, he is a life member of the Houston Area Urban League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. A learned legal scholar and committed public servant, Andrew L. Jefferson has devoted a life-time working to strengthen and uphold the laws of this great country.

I commend my colleague Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee for introducing this resolution which honors an outstanding Texan and American.

Madam Speaker, I support H. Res. 1237, a resolution recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth. The holiday of Juneteenth is an important opportunity to recognize the abolition of slavery in the United States. This holiday commemorates the emancipation of African Americans from the final vestiges of bondage in our Nation. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger led Union troops into Galveston, Texas, and announced that all slaves had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. The celebration of Juneteenth recognizes that day, two and a half years after Lincoln's proclamation, as the first opportunity for Union troops to penetrate Texan military resistance to announce and enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.

On June 19, 1865, after overcoming extreme opposition from Southern slave owners, General Granger arrived at Galveston, Texas. Beginning his fateful announcement, he said, ``The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer.''

These words brought forth the emancipation of 250,000 Texas slaves who were among the last people to learn of their freedom. Granger's statement marked the full realization of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as intended by the Founding Fathers of our great Nation. The date of June 19, 1865 symbolizes the genius of our country's struggle to bring about a more perfect union, a struggle that continues to this very day.

I take this opportunity to recognize the historical significance of Juneteenth as a holiday which celebrates African American freedom while also encouraging self-pride and multicultural respect. I also thank Congressman Danny Davis for sponsoring H. Res. 1237, a commendable resolution that I wholeheartedly support. I knowledge and support the historical significance of Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to commemorate June 2008 as National Homeownership Month and would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Gary Miller, for introducing H. Res. 127, recognizing National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the United States.

In 2002, President George W. Bush designated June as National Homeownership Month to strengthen our Nation's commitment to equal housing opportunities for all, setting a goal to increase minority homeownership in America by 5.5 million by 2010. Purchasing a home is the largest investment made by most households, providing economic security and an opportunity for homeowners to build wealth.

It has become clear, however, with at least 1.4 million foreclosures predicted next year and as many as 2.8 million Americans projected to lose their homes in the next 5 years due to the subprime mortgage crisis, that we must rededicate ourselves at all levels of private, public, and nonprofit sectors to keep homeowners in their homes and ensure equal housing opportunities for all people. We must work together as a Nation to protect American homeowners and ensure that every American has the opportunity to live and hold onto the American Dream.

Madam Chairman, I am proud to support H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Authorization Act of 2008. As NASA celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, I would like to express my strong support for a program that has contributed so much to our Nation's educational, scientific, and economic interests.

H.R. 6063 authorizes $20.21 billion in funding for NASA in FY 2009, including $1 billion in augmented funding to reduce the five year

gap between the retirement of the current space shuttle in 2010 and the launch of the new Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle in 2015. During this time, the U.S. will lose all human spaceflight capability and will be forced to rely on foreign nations to carry our astronauts to the International Space Station. These outsourced space flights are estimated to cost around $700 million to $1 billion. The gap is also expected to have adverse effects on our national economy. NASA estimates that as many as 2,300 people could lose their jobs at Johnson Space Center in Houston as the shuttle fleet is retired. The funds that are included in this bill will help to accelerate the development of our next generation human spaceflight systems and minimize the undesirable consequences of this transitional period.

H.R. 6063 also includes funding for a wide range of different NASA initiatives such as space weather research and robotics development. The bill allows NASA to maintain a diverse portfolio of projects in science, aeronautics, and space exploration. By creating more quality jobs in this technical sector, we will be able to encourage future generations of students to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related fields. Creating this skilled workforce is an important step towards protecting our economic strength, our global competitiveness, and our national security.

Since its inception in 1958, NASA has been responsible for countless innovations and scientific breakthroughs. For decades, it has symbolized our Nation's position as the global leader in space exploration and research. I am proud to support H.R. 6063 so that NASA will be able to build upon its own prestigious legacy as we move forward into this new millennium.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I also thank the ranking member.

Madam Speaker, the people of America can be proud today of what this committee is doing. They can be exceedingly proud of the bipartisanship that is being displayed between the current chairman and the former chairman, both of whom have worked tirelessly to bring this piece of legislation to fruition, so I think that today, the people of Mississippi and the people of New York should span the chasm and understand that bipartisanship is alive and well because of representatives that they have sent to the Congress of the United States of America.

I am honored to support and encourage my colleagues to support this legislation. It does establish an Office of Bombing Prevention, and if the truth be told, whatever amount of money we spend on this legislation will be money well spent, money well spent. Protecting the American people from persons who would perform dastardly deeds is an absolute necessity of the government of the United States of America.

I am honored to say that the ranking member, without objection, and the chairman allowed a piece of legislation, this piece of legislation, to be amended so that we could have a public awareness campaign so that the public could be a part of protecting itself. If the public is aware of the methodologies that are being utilized by those who would perform insidious acts, the public can help us to defend ourselves.

This legislation requires this public awareness campaign. It will reach small businesses, it will reach the very large businesses. It also will, in an effort to reach all, make sure people are

reached who are physically challenged, those who are mentally challenged, those who may have some language deficiencies. In fact, in my district the ballot is printed in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. We must make sure that all persons have an opportunity to receive the education and the information that this bill requires that we impart to the public.

To the two outstanding representatives on this committee, the chairperson and the former chairperson, I want to salute you, and I want to thank you for allowing the amendment to go forward, such that it is now a part of the bill.

In closing, I would simply say, as the chairman pointed out, a well- informed public is a well-protected public.

Mr. Chairman, I salute you and I thank you. Mr. Ranking Member, I salute you and thank you as well.

Madam Speaker, today I was unavoidably delayed and missed the vote on Final Passage of H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (rollcall 400). H.R. 6003 passed by a vote of 311-104; Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 400.

I would also like to offer my firm support for the Passenger Rail and Improvement Act, H.R. 6003. At a time when gas prices have reached a national average of $4.05 a gallon, this bipartisan legislation is both timely and necessary to provide travelers with alternative transportation. This bill would authorize nearly $15 billion in funding for the national passenger railroad over the next five years. It encourages the development of new and improved intercity passenger rail services by creating a new grant program for intercity passenger rail services. It also paves the way for a high-speed rail system between Washington and New York City.

Today it is increasingly evident that the United States cannot rely solely upon further massive construction of highways and airports to meet its transportation needs. To handle the tremendous tide of travelers, auto, air and bus system must be supplemented by a swift and efficient rail passenger service. It is vital to restore an essential balance to the total transportation complex.

For nearly 40 years, Amtrak has provided intercity passenger railroad service, operating approximately 44 routes and over 22,000 miles of track. A record of 25.8 million passengers took Amtrak in the last fiscal year. With the climbing costs of driving, Amtrak expects ridership to approach 28 million this fiscal year. The passage of this legislation allows Amtrak to meet the increased demand by bringing much needed improvements to its infrastructure. In an effort to address our energy problems, enhanced intercity railway provides a cost-efficient solution. I support this legislation as we seek to offer relief from high fuel costs and alternatives to the American people.

Madam Speaker, this Father's Day, I wish to celebrate the life and ministry of the Most Venerable Thich Ho Giac, who currently serves at the Phap Luan Buddhist Culture Center in Houston, Texas. He was born on January 14, 1928 and is now 80 years old. He does not have any biological children of his own, but he is still a father figure and mentor to many in the Buddhist faith.

The Most Venerable Thich Ho Giac has committed his life to religion and service. He was admitted to monastery life when he was five years old. He was ordained as a bhikkhu in 1948. He came to the United States in 1982 and became a United States citizen in 1988. He has two leadership titles: Supreme patriarch of Buddhist Sangha and President of the Overseas Office of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam.

Madam Speaker, on this Father's Day, I ask my colleagues and the people of Houston to honor the Most Venerable Thich Ho Giac for his seventy-five years of service and leadership in the Buddhist faith.

Madam Speaker, I wish to honor our Nation's fathers this Father's Day because they are the foundation of the family and heroes in the eyes of our Nation's children. Fathers are a vital part of the strength of the American family and I ask that my colleagues honor the fathers of our Nation on Sunday, June 15, 2008.

Father's Day is celebrated worldwide at different times of the year, but in America, we celebrate it on the third Sunday of June. Father's Day has a long history in the United States, although it was not officially recognized until the presidency of Richard Nixon. After the Civil War, the casualties were immeasurable and many women lost their fathers, husbands and family members. Two notable women, Sonora Smart Dodd of West Virginia and Grace Golden Clayton of Washington, acted upon their loss by encouraging their communities and states to commemorate the lives of their fathers. Sonora Smart Dodd, whose single-parent father raised 6 children before his death, was the first to propose such a celebration of fatherhood in 1909.

Father's Day is a time for Americans nationwide to show reverence and love for the father figures in their lives. It is also a time to pay tribute to those men who are single parents or guardians and still seem to be legends in their children's eyes. On June 15, I urge my colleagues and fellow citizens to celebrate Father's Day.

Madam Speaker, this Father's Day, I wish to honor and recognize the life, legacy and ministry of the Reverend Dr. Joe E. Dancy, Sr., who currently serves as the pastor of St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Dr. Dancy was born on October 3, 1926 and is now 80 years old. Dr. Dancy has ten children, 56 grandchildren and over 100 great grandchildren and has been married for 63 years to Mrs. Vernia L. Dancy. On this Father's Day, I would like to salute him as the patriarch of the Dancy family, public servant to the people of Houston, and the presiding pastor at St. James Missionary Baptist Church.

Dr. Dancy has been preaching for 45 years and he has served the people of St. James for 41 years. In 1945, he began working for the City of Houston as a truck driver and he did not retire until 1978. During his 33 years with the City of Houston, he worked through the Civil Rights Movement, the Jim Crow era and the desegregation period. In addition, he worked as a community leader in Houston's Sunnyside community for over 60 years. Continuing his commitment to service, Dr. Dancy worked on community projects such as the Shutdown of the Sunnyside Incinerator, the community resistance movements against the expansions of numerous landfills that existed in Sunnyside, and most recently the fight against Southern Crushed Concrete. In a leadership capacity, he serves as a Chaplain for

the Harris County Precinct 7 Constable Office, a member of the Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Houston Baptist Minister's Association.

Madam Speaker, on this Father's Day, I ask my colleagues and people of Houston to honor the Reverend Dr. Joe E. Dancy, Sr. for his dedication to his family, the people of Houston, and St. James Missionary Baptist Church.

Madam Speaker, this Father's Day, I would like to honor a man who exemplifies what it means to be an excellent father--a man who is a community leader, an upstanding and moral man, and a positive role model for our youth. The Reverend Johnnie Jefferson Roberson, who lives in my congressional district, has done great things, and I am proud to express my congratulations to him for all he has done for our community.

Earlier this year, Reverend Roberson marked the semi-centennial of the Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church, of which he was a founder and organizer. Reverend Roberson has shown tremendous loyalty to his church, serving as the pastor of Mt. Hebron to this day. Under Reverend Roberson's leadership, Mt. Hebron has expanded and strengthened greatly and now has over 1,000 families as members. Along with his service to Mt. Hebron, Reverend Roberson also has served his country, serving in the United States Army during World War II. In commemoration of Reverend Roberson's great work, he received an NAACP Leadership Award in 2005, and I believe that he deserves recognition from all of us.

Reverend Roberson has long been a valued member of community, and rightly so. On this occasion of Father's Day, I would like to recognize Reverend Roberson for all of his accomplishments and urge people across America to look to leaders such as Reverend Roberson as role models for their work in inspiring and engaging our youth to live productive, positive lives.

Madam Speaker, this Father's Day, I would like to honor a man who exemplifies what it means to be an excellent father--a man who is a community leader, an upstanding and moral man, and a positive role model for our youth. The Reverend Elbert R. Curvey, who lives in my congressional district, has done great things, and I am proud to express my congratulations to him for all he has done for our community.

Reverend Curvey is a veritable fixture of the Sunny Side community of Houston. He has been the pastor of the Sunny Side Missionary Baptist Church since 1960 and has overseen strengthening of the congregation over the years. Reverend Curvey has made a point over his lifetime of improving the lives of our young people. He taught for years at Harper Junion High and Clinton Park Elementary, where he served as a tremendous role model for his students. He continued in the Houston Independent School District for decades, eventually becoming Assistant Superintendent. Reverend Curvey's work in helping our youth through avenues ranging from academic to religious is truly a shining example to behold.

Reverend Curvey has long been a valued member of community, and rightly so. On this occasion of Father's Day, I would like to recognize Reverend Curvey for all of his accomplishments and urge people across America to look to leaders such as Reverend Curvey as role models for their work in inspiring and engaging our youth to live productive, positive lives.