Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the road to a better society is paved with better education. H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007, is the single largest investment in higher education since the GI bill and highlights the commitment of this Congress to making college more affordable. By making this investment in our students, we are investing in the future of our country.

This landmark legislation will provide vital assistance to low- and middle-income students by increasing the Pell Grant Scholarship by $500 over the next 5 years. In the State of Texas alone, over 470,000 could benefit from this increase.

H.R. 2669 will also encourage philanthropic participation in college financing through matching grants aimed at increasing the number of first generation and low-income college students.

By passing this bill we will be making great strides on behalf of minority students. The College Cost Reduction Act invests $500 million in minority serving institutions and creates two new designations-- Predominately Black Institutions and Institutions Serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. By recognizing these institutions, we recognize their commitment and dedication to serving our minority students.

Mr. Speaker, I believe in an America where every child should grow up knowing that if they study and work hard, that they will have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

I believe in an America where the circumstances into which you are born do not determine whether you will one day stand in front of family and friends as you receive a college diploma.

I commend Chairman Miller and our Democratic Leadership for their continued commitment to ensuring that a college education is not out of reach for low- and middle-income Americans.

Madam Speaker, I inadvertently voted ``no'' on Rollcall No. 573, the Inslee amendment to H.R. 2643. I intended to vote ``aye'' on this amendment, which would have prohibited the use of any funds in the bill to issue permits for importation of any polar bear or polar bear part. Protection of our threatened species is a critical objective and I believe that this amendment, had it passed, would have greatly assisted our efforts to protect the polar bear.

Mr. Speaker, today I was unavoidably delayed and missed the votes on H. Res. 189, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day''

should be established (rollcall 549), and H.R. 2546, To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Asheville, North Carolina, as the ``Charles George Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center'' (rollcall 550).

Madam Speaker, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of H. Con. Res. 155, a resolution recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day. ``Juneteenth'' is celebrated annually on June 19th to recognize the full emancipation of slaves in the State of Texas. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing the slaves across the country on January 1, 1863. Unfortunately, slaves in Texas did not feel the effect of this monumental decision until 2\1/2\ years later. The Emancipation Proclamation had little effect on African Americans in Texas due to the minimal number of Union troops that were present in Texas to enforce the new executive order.

The Union troops led by General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. Upon General Granger's arrival there was massive resistance from the slave owners, regarding the presence of Union troops in the State. Despite much opposition, Union forces soon became strong enough to influence and overcome that resistance. Granger said, ``The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the Untied 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.''

Madam Speaker, the injustice that was committed against the African American slaves held captive against their will was immense, as was the injustice committed against those held past the captivity date. Had General Gordon and his troops not taken the initiative to make the trip to Texas, there is no telling when these slaves would have realized their freedom.

I am compelled to recognize the historical significance of ``Juneteenth'' because the monumental date of June 19, 1865 represents the realization of freedom and justice for all. This date symbolizes the genius of our country's struggle to bring about a more perfect union, a struggle that continues to this very day. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support and recognize the historical significance of the Juneteenth Independence Day.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate four students from Holub Middle School in Houston, Texas.

Nicholas Chan, Andrew Ngo, Emily Tat and Eleanor Haack were among only 22 out of thousands of students selected to present their National History Day projects at the Smithsonian Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

Young history scholars were selected from Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin to present their work reflecting this year's National History Day theme ``Triumph and Tragedy in History.'' The National History Day program annually engages more than half a million students in grades 6-12 across the country.

I believe that behind every promising student is a dedicated and committed teacher. In addition to commending the accomplishment of these students, I would also like to recognize their teachers, Cindi Payne and Doni King, for their dedication to fostering an appreciation for American history among the students at Holub Middle School.

The history of our great nation is full of lessons that transcend generations. By learning from our past, we ensure a brighter future. Programs like National History Day help to highlight this important connection and encourage teachers and students to rise above what is written in text books by bringing history to life.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to support H. Res. 422, a resolution calling on the government of the People's Republic of China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan. This resolution highlights China's inaction regarding the genocide in Darfur and I am particularly proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution.

Since the conflict began 4 years ago, 400,000 persons have been murdered and 2.5 million displaced. Thousands are still dying from the ravages of war each month in an area roughly the size of Texas. This campaign of terror in the region has been labeled ``genocide'' by our Government.

China is Sudan's largest trading partner and the main foreign investor in Sudan's oil industry. China National Petroleum Corporation has a 40 percent share in the international consortium extracting oil in Sudan, and it is building refineries and pipelines, enabling Sudan to benefit from oil-export-revenue since 1999. Although most Western oil companies have withdrawn from Sudan under pressure from human rights organizations, Chinese companies have turned a blind eye to the brutal way in which Sudan forced 2.5 million of its citizens from oil- rich lands without compensation. Nor have these companies shown concern that Sudan uses oil revenue to purchase arms for its wars against its population.

Mr. Speaker, countless people have spoken out against the tragedy taking place in Darfur, but now it is time for elected leaders to demand that action be taken to end this genocide in Darfur. If we fail to take action it is likely that future generations will view our inaction as complicity. I am hoping that our government will do everything in its power to stop this genocide. Additionally, it is my strong desire that the international community, including China, do everything in its power to end this genocide as well.

H. Res. 422 calls on the People's Republic of China to acknowledge and condemn the violence taking place in Darfur, cease all military

arms and equipments sales to Sudan, and suspend economic ties to Sudan until the Government of Sudan stops attacking civilians, complies with UN Security Council resolutions, and enters into peace negotiations with rebel groups.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 422, a resolution calling on the government of the People's Republic of China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan.

Madam Speaker, I wish to honor the life of Congressman Parren J. Mitchell who died on May 28, 2007. Parren J. Mitchell, was a civil rights leader and a dynamic former U.S. congressman who helped to establish the Congressional Black Caucus. Congressman Mitchell was elected to the House of Representatives from Baltimore in 1970 and was Maryland's first black congressman. This great public leader from the state of Maryland served eight terms before stepping down in 1986.

Born in Baltimore, MD in 1922, Mr. Mitchell was a graduate of Morgan State College and earned a master's degree from the University of Maryland. Mitchell had to sue the then-segregated University of Maryland for admission to the graduate school, and won. Additionally, he served as an officer in the 92nd Infantry Division during World War II, during which time he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. Prior to his election to Congress, Mitchell worked in the administrations of Baltimore mayors Theodore R. McKeldin and Thomas J. D'Alesandro III and Governor J. Millard Tawes. While active in state politics he was known as a passionate defender of minority and civil rights. Congressman Mitchell was also the brother of the late Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., who was head of the NAACP's Washington office, and was one of Lyndon Johnson's chief advisors in the civil rights movement.

As a congressman, Mitchell fought for legislation requiring local governments to set aside 10 percent of federal grants to hire minority contractors. Congressman Mitchell was a crusader for minority economic rights and pushed forth to make economic empowerment a reality for minority-owned companies.

Congressman Mitchell dedicated his life to the ideal of public service. He served his country, his community, and his government with the determination and courage that is exemplary of a true public leader. He demonstrated his courage on the battlefield while fighting for democracy abroad and he would utilize that same courage and zeal to fight for equal rights and opportunities for all Americans here in the United States Congress.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Congressman Parren J. Mitchell.

Madam Speaker, I am proud today to congratulate the Honorable Bill White, the distinguished mayor of my hometown of Houston, TX, on his receipt of the 2007 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

Mayor White, who has a long history of public service as mayor and, previously, as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States, earned this prestigious award because of his heroic work in assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina. Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, nearly 150,000 evacuees came to Houston to find temporary housing. Mayor White established numerous important programs following these hurricanes that gave evacuees the badly needed temporary assistance they needed to get back on their feet.

In September 2005, Mayor White established a program giving emergency prescriptions and free medication to evacuees who could not afford to purchase them on their own. Mayor White also helped establish the Houston Katrina/Rita Fund, which provided evacuees assistance with groceries, baby care products, and other necessities. The mayor also worked tirelessly with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish a formalized housing program for evacuees and to transition tens of thousands of evacuees from hotel rooms to apartments.

All of the extraordinary work done by Mayor White and others helped get tens of thousands of hurricane evacuees back on their feet. Already, many of the evacuees who stayed temporarily in Houston have returned to their permanent places of residence. Many of the 300,000 evacuees remaining in Houston are in the process of acquiring the stable employment and housing that will allow them to return home.

Without Mayor White's extraordinary leadership, the successful transition of untold thousands of victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita would not have been possible. Indeed, without his leadership, thousands of people would have been left temporarily homeless and many of the most vulnerable could have easily lost their lives.

In this situation, Mayor White's leadership was not without risk. Over the past 2 years, the mayor has frequently faced criticism for using the city's resources to help those who have come from the Gulf Coast in dire need of assistance. Yet, in the face of such risks, Mayor White has unflinchingly done what is just and right for those innocent victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award is one of the most prestigious honors that can be earned by our public servants. With his receipt of this award, Mayor White joins an extraordinary group of recipients that has included Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and several of my esteemed colleagues in the U.S. Congress. Mayor White's heroic actions in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita certainly merit his inclusion in this select group.

I applaud Mayor White and all of my fellow Houstonians for their terrific work in helping those victims of horrific natural disasters in their time of greatest need. I congratulate Mayor White on his receipt of the prestigious Profile in Courage Award, an award that is very well deserved.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I support the affordable housing trust fund. Why, because I believe at some point on the infinite continuum that we know as time, I will have to account for my time. And at that point when I have to explain what I did for the least, the last, and the lost, I will be able to say I supported clothing the naked, I supported feeding the hungry, and I supported shelter for the homeless.

At a time when we are spending $353 million a day on the war, what did you do, Al? I stood before the House and I requested that we support an affordable housing trust fund.

In a country where every day we have millionaires, in fact one of every 110 persons in this country is a millionaire. The question becomes what did you do when you had a chance to help the least, the last and the lost.

So today, I stand here to say I will try to help the least in Alabama. In Alabama, where we need an additional $146 million to $164 million to help Alabama recover from Katrina and Rita. In Texas, where we need an additional $1.5 billion, I support an affordable housing trust fund to get the job done.

So, Mr. Chairman, my amendment is a simple one. My amendment would not only recognize that Louisiana and Mississippi have been harmed. My amendment also recognizes that Katrina and Rita have done damage in Texas and Alabama. And my amendment would also allow funds to go to these two States as well. Forty-five percent of the funds would go to Louisiana, and the remaining funds would be divided equally among Mississippi, Alabama and Texas.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the chairman.

I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker).

I thank the gentleman from Louisiana. I also thank the ranking member, Maxine Waters, for her efforts. I thank my chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate all you have done to help the least, the last and the lost. I assure you, I look forward to working with you as we continue on this journey.

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support H.R. 1700, The C.O.P.S Improvement Act. This legislation helps to put 50,000 more police officers on America's streets. This bill will add hundreds of new

cops to fight crime and terrorism in the 9th Congressional District and the City of Houston.

The C.O.P.S. hiring program was created in 1994 to put more police officers on America's streets, and has been one of the most successful law enforcement programs in our Nation's history. Nationally, C.O.P.S has provided $9 billion to hire 117,000 police officers. According to a GAO study, between 1998 and 2000, C.O.P.S. grants were a significant factor in reducing crimes by about 200,000 to 225,000 crimes--one third of which were violent. In 1998, C.O.P.S. grants were greatly responsible for an 8 percent decrease in crimes--and a 13 percent drop in violent crimes. The C.O.P.S. Improvement Act will breathe new life into the C.O.P.S. program nationwide.

Since 1994, 907 additional police officers and/or sheriff deputies have been hired in the 9th District of Texas, and over $64 million in C.O.P.S. grants have been awarded to law enforcement agencies in the 9th District of Texas. Passage of the C.O.P.S. Improvement Act of 2007 would likely add an additional $19 million into Texas' 9th District. This bill will also help to make our schools and children safer by adding 8 more school resource officers to the beat. In the last 13 years over $9 million in C.O.P.S. grants have been awarded to law enforcement agencies to purchase technology that enables agencies to put more officers on the beat in the 9th District.

Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that the 5.7 percent drop in crime in the City of Houston is greatly due to the dedication of our city's hard-working men and women in uniform. Through their increased efforts Houstonians were safer from crime in 2006 than years before. I support the C.O.P.S Improvement Act, and am proud to increase the number of police officers and make our Nation a safer and better place to live.

Offered By: Mr. Al Green of Texas

Amendment No. 5: Page 130, strike lines 6 through 11 and

insert the following:

``(i) The allocation percentage for the Louisiana Housing

Finance Agency shall be 45 percent.

``(ii) The allocation percentage for the Mississippi

Development Authority shall be 18.333 percent.

``(iii) The allocation percentage for the Alabama Housing

Finance Authority shall be 18.333 percent.

``(iv) The allocation for the Texas Department of Housing

and Community Affairs shall be 18.333 percent.''.

Page 149, lines 16 and 17, strike ``and the Mississippi

Development Authority'' and insert the following: ``, the

Mississippi Development Authority, the Alabama Housing

Finance Authority, and the Texas Department of Housing and

Community Affairs''.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the historic holiday of Cinco de Mayo.

On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin defeated French occupying forces in the Battle of Puebla, just 100 miles from Mexico City. General Seguin led his brave troops to a spirited victory in spite of the fact that his forces had neither the manpower nor the equipment of their opponents. The Battle of Puebla was instrumental in preserving the right of the Mexican people to self- determination, as it helped prevent the French military from taking long-term control of sovereign Mexican territory.

The heroic actions of General Seguin and his courageous forces not only helped preserve the Mexican government, they also helped preserve the unity of the United States. Had France been able to extend its control over Mexican territory at the Battle of Puebla, France likely would have had sufficient resources and manpower to aid the Confederate States of America in their war against the United States. The tremendous fight put up by the Mexican troops at the Battle of Puebla ensured that such a worrisome scenario did not come to pass and provided President Lincoln with crucial support as the Civil War descended into chaos.

There can certainly be no questioning of the bravery, spirit and patriotism of the thousands of Mexican troops who fought and, all too frequently, gave their lives at the Battle of Puebla. I believe that, as we recognize the efforts and sacrifices of those troops, Cinco de Mayo provides us with a perfect opportunity to recognize the sacrifice for sovereignty, the importance of courage and, above all, the universal yearning for freedom.

The Mexican forces who won the Battle of Puebla should not and will not ever be forgotten. I commend those forces for their spirit and courage and I wish all those celebrating the holiday across Mexico and the United States a happy Cinco de Mayo.

Mr. Chairman, I compliment you for the outstanding job that you have done in bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank the ranking member for the support that has been shown.

Mr. Chairman, this bill contains $39.8 billion for Homeland Security. It is worthy of noting that this is $2.1 billion more than the President has requested and that it restores some of the numerous cuts made by the President.

This bill provides accountability. This bill has a strong means by which our homeland will begin to move in the direction of getting the kind of support that it needs to be secure.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman, and I commend her for bringing this amendment to the floor.

This amendment is going to accord the kind of protection that tourists deserve and should receive in high-density areas. It is odd that Las Vegas, Orlando and San Diego were not adequately considered. We are talking about $746.9 million that will be allocated to 46 urban areas.

I strongly support the amendment. It will provide the protection that tourists richly deserve.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition to the amendment. However, I do not oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown).

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

I would like to, if I may, extend, my greatest appreciation to Mr. Castle for bringing this amendment to the floor. It is very thoughtful, and it is very timely.

Mr. Speaker, we must learn from the experiences of others. This amendment will provide us an opportunity to study the best practices available and to benefit from these practices by implementing policies and procedures within our country that will help to secure our rail system.

This is a good amendment, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support it. And again, I commend the gentleman for bringing it to the floor.

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

How much time do I have, Mr. Chairman?

Mr. Chairman, I would like to commend Mr. Stupak for this outstanding amendment. This amendment is one of our best bets; and, hence, I think IBET is a great way to style the team that will be working.

This amendment will accord us an opportunity to have Customs enforcement, the Coast Guard, the immigration authority, Border Patrol, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police all work together to help thwart and hopefully end any human trafficking, drug trafficking, and cross-border terrorist activities that may take place.

This is a very thoughtful amendment. It provides an opportunity for our countries, Canada and the United States, to work together in the best effort possible to secure the northern border

Mr. Chairman, I would like to claim time in opposition to the amendment. However, I do not oppose it and, in fact, would like to say a word, if I might, in support of it.

I think this is an appropriate amendment that Mr. Hastings has brought to the attention of the House. It is most appropriate that we have a strategic plan that would provide some leverage such that the expertise of the national lab can be properly utilized.

This is a national plan. It is one that is most appropriate, and we support it. We commend the gentleman for bringing it to the attention of the House.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment; however, I do not oppose the amendment and would support it.

Mr. Chairman, let me say simply that I thank the Member for bringing this amendment to the attention of the floor of the House and would encourage my colleagues to support it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to be here tonight to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. And I want to especially thank Chairman Honda for the outstanding job that he has done, not only with this event, but also what he does year round, year in and year out with our caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. I thank you for what you have done.

Mr. Speaker, I represent the Ninth Congressional District in Houston, Texas. The Ninth Congressional District is one of the most diverse districts in the country. It is 36 percent African American, 31 percent Hispanic, 21 percent Anglo and 12 percent Asian. And I am proud to say that this district, the Ninth Congressional District, has the ballot printed in three languages, English, Spanish and Vietnamese, soon to have it in a fourth language, Chinese.

I'm also proud to say that we have elected a Vietnamese to the State House in the State of Texas. The honorable Hubert Vo is a State Representative from a district that is within my Ninth Congressional District.

I am so honored that we have selected the theme ``Meeting the Challenges for Asian Pacific Americans.'' This is most appropriate. Why? Because in spite of discrimination and degradation, Asian Americans have met the challenges for America. They were there when America needed a national rail connectivity. In spite of discrimination and humiliation, they

helped to construct the first transcontinental railroad.

When the greatest generation went to war in World War II, they were there, not only for America, but for the entire world. Notwithstanding dehumanization and incarceration, Americans of Japanese ancestry were some of America's most decorated soldiers.

They were also there from the Philippines. During World War II, over 200,000 Filipinos fought in defense of the United States of America. More than half died. They answered President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's clarion call for help. They met the challenges of America, and it's time for America to meet the challenges of the Filipino veterans, who were promised, I might add, the same benefits as other veterans and who have not received them to this day.

It is time for Congress to pass the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. It is time to treat all who sacrificed during World War II the same.

Asian Americans have been there for us. It is time for us to be there for them.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. King reminded us that on some questions, cowards will ask us, is it safe? What will happen to me if I do this? The answer is, what will happen to them if we don't do it? And on some questions, expediency will ask, is it politic? Will I get reelected? And then vanity asks, is it popular?

Today, let's do that which is neither safe nor politic nor popular. Let's do it because it's right.