Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I am offering my support for H.R. 3127, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act. This bill would be an important step in ending the crisis that continues to plague the Darfur region of Sudan.

Since civil unrest erupted in Sudan in February 2003, roughly 400,000 people have died and an astounding 2.5 million have become displaced as a result of policies by the government of Sudan and attacks by government troops and government-backed militias. The human inhabitants of that beautiful land suffer daily from unimaginable torments including rape, hunger, looting, and indiscriminate killing.

The U.S. government has officially acknowledged that what is happening in Darfur is genocide. Now, it is imperative that the U.S. and the global community act in defense of those in Sudan who are suffering at the hands of their government. If we do not do all that we can to bring stability to this humanitarian crisis, then we are essentially participating in the problem.

H.R. 3127 aims to end this deplorable violence through a variety of means including increasing asset and travel sanctions, urging the expansion and a stronger mandate for the African Union Mission, AMIS, bringing perpetrators of genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity in Darfur to justice through the International Criminal Court, and urging the President to apply additional methods of diplomatic pressure.

As a member of the Congressional Sudan Caucus, I have had the opportunity to express my commitment to developing a solution that will put an end to this continuing genocide. Furthermore, I intend to do what I can in my capacity as a Member of Congress to demonstrate this august body's dedication to supporting human rights around the world. I am optimistic that, by working with advocates and the international community, peace will return to Sudan.

I support the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act. I also urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin. I especially thank him for his kind words with reference to the NAACP and his indication that he will lead the charge, in fact be a part of the avant garde, with reference to extending the Voting Rights Act. I thank you for this.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored that the House leadership has chosen to bring House Concurrent Resolution 335 before this august body. This resolution honors the 97th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and as I rise to the occasion, I would like to thank those who have made the occasion possible.

First, I would like to thank Chairman Sensenbrenner, chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee. He has spoken eloquently. I thank you for your kind words again; and I also want to, for the record, say you did what you did not have to do, and for this, I thank you.

I would like to thank ranking member John Conyers, who is now the dean of the conscience of the Congress. I thank you for helping us to bring this piece of legislation to the floor of the House.

I would also like to take an opportunity and thank my good friend Congressman Henry Hyde, who was the first to sign on to this resolution. He gave his word, and I have learned that Henry Hyde's word is his bond; and I thank Mr. Hyde.

Finally, my heartfelt thanks go out to all 67 of my colleagues who cosponsored this resolution, as well as all who will support it, both Democrats and Republicans alike.

Mr. Speaker, because I do not know where we would be but for the NAACP, I cannot help but say thank God for the NAACP and the many other persons of goodwill who have fought racial injustice, because, Mr. Speaker, in our lifetime we can recall a time when racial injustice, as someone has said, was accepted by the masses and expected by the classes.

It was commonplace. It was every place. Politicians campaigned on it; judges decreed it; lawyers practiced it; policemen enforced it; preachers preached it; parents believed it; teachers taught it; and children learned it. We were all consumed by it.

However, the NAACP and others of goodwill helped to change this, and I am honored to say that this change has brought about significant progress in this country for African Americans and other minorities.

Hence, it is desired that this resolution not only honor the NAACP as an entity, but also the entire NAACP family and extended family, including the many people of goodwill who were not black, who put themselves in harm's way to end racial injustice.

We should never forget that the NAACP has not been, is not now, and never shall be a black-only organization. The NAACP has always been a multiracial organization. Yes, in remembering some of the great names associated with the organization, we should remember that Dr. Louis T. Wright became the first black board chair of the NAACP in 1935. However, as we remember Dr. Wright, we ought not forget Oswald Garrison Villiard who was not black, who in 1911 became the first chair of the board of the NAACP. Before the NAACP had its first black board chair, it had two that were not black.

We should remember James Weldon Johnson, who became the first black executive secretary director of the NAACP. However, we should not forget Francis Blascon, Mary White Ovington, Mary Nurney, Royall Nash. All of these persons we might remember were not black and served before James Weldon Johnson.

We should remember the brilliant black lawyer and Supreme Court Justice, as the chairman has mentioned, Thurgood Marshall. However, we should never forget Arthur Singarn who was not black. Arthur Singarn donated money, he raised money, and he headed the NAACP Legal Redress Committee. It has been said that Thurgood was a great litigator in part because Singarn was a great donator. The NAACP annually awards its highest honor in the name of Singarn.

We should remember Medgar Evers, the black NAACP field representative who was assassinated in his front yard in 1963; but, please, let us not forget John R. Shillady, the NAACP executive secretary who never recovered from a mob beating in Austin, Texas, in 1919. He gave his life in the fight for justice for all, and he was not black.

The point is, we did not get here by ourselves; and we thank God for the many who were not black who helped us in our quest for justice.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman who I have announced earlier is the conscience of the Congress and that, of course, is Congressman Conyers. We thank you for being with us, Congressman.

(Mr. CONYERS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for one final statement.

In summary, Mr. Speaker, I would like to restate to a certain extent some of what the chairman has said: that the NAACP has accomplished great things for this country. The NAACP was involved in passing the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, and 1964. The NAACP was there to fight and help pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Fair Housing Act of 1968, and the NAACP filed and won Shelly v. Cramer, as well as Barrows v. Jackson, outlawing restrictive covenants. The NAACP filed and won Brown v. Board of Education, integrating schools and, to a certain extent, integrating society.

And, Mr. Speaker, if truth be told, we are schooled where we are schooled, we work where we work, we sleep where we sleep, we eat where we eat, and we live where we live in great measure due to the NAACP.

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

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to express my support of S. Con. Res. 79. This resolution reaffirms the long-standing policy of the United States against dealing with terrorists by expressing the sense of Congress that no aid should be given to the Palestinian Authority should any political party holding a majority of Parliamentary seats advocate for the destruction of the state of Israel. In the past years, the United States has given aid to the Palestinian Authority in the hopes of meeting the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people. It is my hope that we will be able to provide for Palestinians who are in need of our help, but it is imperative that our assistance contribute to peace in the region.

As a nation committed to peace, assisting a Palestinian Authority with a political party holding a majority of the seats that actively calls for the destruction of the state of Israel is a step backwards on the path to peace. The internationally backed Roadmap requires that the Palestinian Authority launch ``sustained, targeted, and effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged in terror.'' The Palestinian Authority cannot call for the destruction of Israel if it is to be a serious partner for peace. The members of the Palestinian Authority must assure us that they are interested in a better future for the Palestinian people and to do so, they must take steps to recognize Israel and its right to exist.

It is up to the United States and the international community to ensure that we do not directly aid the Palestinian Authority should the majority party maintain a position calling for the destruction of Israel. This resolution clarifies our commitment to peace, real peace, by sending a clear, swift signal to those persons in the Palestinian Authority who refuse to recognize Israel's right to exist.

While the Palestinian Authority was democratically elected, true democracy requires a willingness to negotiate with other states. I urge the Palestinian Authority to acknowledge the existence of the state of Israel and to announce a willingness to negotiate with Israel and; in doing so, make a declaration to the world that it is committed to true democracy and peace.

Mr. Speaker, today I congratulate Vince Young on leading the University of Texas Longhorns to their 2005 Rose Bowl Victory.

Vince is a fellow Houstonian who has successfully overcome numerous obstacles to the success that he now enjoys. As a young child, he was hurt in a horrible accident that left his body battered and bruised. Vince worked tirelessly to recuperate with a tenacity not often demonstrated by 7-seven-year old children and, with the help of his mother and his grandmother, he recovered. Under the guidance of his family, Vince also fought his way through the difficulties and temptations that so many young people must face in today's world.

As a student at James Madison High School in Houston, Vince demonstrated a natural athletic prowess. His stellar performance as a high school quarterback earned him the attention of universities nationwide. Vince chose to attend the University of Texas at Austin, an institution known for academic excellence and a tradition of athletic achievement. There, he triumphed as a student-athlete. In 2003, he became the starting quarterback for the Longhorns and began a college football career that was certainly meant for the record books. As a starter, Vince garnered the best win record in the University of Texas' history, which consists of 29 wins and only 2 losses, the sixth best winning percentage in NCAA history.

During the 2005 season, Vince's strength, accuracy, agility, and speed led the Longhorns to an undefeated season and a Big 12 Championship. His outstanding performance earned him nationwide accolades and culminated in a stunning victory over the USC Trojans at the 2005 NCAA Championship game. Under Vince's leadership, the talented team earned the University of Texas its first national title since 1970.

Vince's trademark is his versatility, which is expressed both on and off the football field. Throughout his college career, he was heavily involved in community service activities. His particular interest in assisting youth has been demonstrated through his mentorship of elementary and middle school students, his performance as a student- teacher and mentor for middle school math and science students through the LEAP, Learn, Enjoy and Play, Program, and his volunteer activities at the Austin YMCA. Vince has also served as a speaker at several youth organizations in Austin and is active in community service projects through his church.

In a State where football players at all levels are often treated as royalty and who, at times, come to expect indulgences that others are denied, Vince has consistently demonstrated a depth of character to which all young people should aspire. He is a charismatic leader who has set a tremendous example for all of us and who has shown that hard- work, dedication, and heart are a recipe for success.

I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to Vince for his victorious Rose Bowl performance. But more importantly, I would like to express my thanks to him for representing the city of Houston with such class. I wish him continued success as he grows both as a football player and a man.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman; and thank you, Mr. Ranking Member, for this opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, I consider it a singular privilege and a superlative pleasure to speak today in honor of Mrs. King.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. King expressed some of the great ideals of our time, ideals like injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. But it was Mrs. King who went to South Africa and, in a sense, made real that ideal by reminding the South Africans that apartheid was unacceptable, and causing many of us to understand that injustice in South Africa was a threat to justice in America.

Dr. King expressed the ideal that we should transform neighborhoods into brotherhoods; but it was Mrs. King who met with gang members and caused them to understand that it was their neighborhood and their brotherhood that was needed to cause these to be good neighborhoods.

Dr. King reminded us that life is an inescapable network of mutuality tied to a single garment of destiny, that whatever impacts one directly impacts all indirectly. But it was Mrs. King who went to Mrs. Mandela and who visited with her as her husband was on the eve of leaving prison because she understood that Nelson Mandela's suffering was indirectly impacting the suffering of all people in the world.

So I am honored today to honor the first lady of the civil rights movement, who has been said to have been a person with a gentle spirit, but with a will, a will of steel. And while she was the first lady, I think many of us will always see her as our queen. Thank you, Queen Mother King.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor and commemorate Coretta Scott King, a tireless advocate for civil rights and the widow of the great civil rights leader, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, we continue to mourn the loss of a great woman and a pioneer of civil rights. While Dr. King was the visionary behind the civil rights movement, Mrs. King was the architect. She made real the ideals expressed by

Dr. King. A driving force, she valiantly worked to found the King Center to both preserve the history of the civil rights movement and to train the many men and women in the philosophy of non-violent resistance.

Mrs. King was first and foremost a woman of strong character. She was a leader in her steadfast presence, her determination, and her courage. As one of the first people to speak out against apartheid, she embodied her husband's words ``injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.''

Her passion for equality and justice led her on numerous peace delegations around the world. Her actions and work with gang members demonstrated the value and the necessity of transforming neighborhoods into brotherhoods. Mrs. King spoke out against attacks on affirmative action and against racial profiling. As a result of her unrelenting campaign efforts, a bill was signed in support of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday.

Devoting relentless energy to her noble work, Mrs. Coretta Scott King has made a tremendous impact on American history. She will be missed by all those who knew her and remembered by all those who have benefited from her enormous contributions.

Mr. Speaker, it has been more than 100 days since Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf coast region, destroying more than 300,000 homes, taking more than 1,300 lives. FEMA promised help, yet, more than 100 days later, thousands of survivors are still living in tents and shelters. More than 100 days later, promised trailers have not arrived. More than 100 days later, a Federal judge has had to force FEMA to extend its deadline.

FEMA is now opting out of 12-month leases. What FEMA won't do, Congress can do. It is time for this Republican Congress to work with Democrats and enact legislation granting 1 year of housing assistance. It is imperative that this be done before we adjourn. Human suffering continues. I am willing to work with those who want to end this suffering.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to express my strong opposition to H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005.

While I believe that immigration reform is urgently needed and must include strong and effective enforcement provisions, this legislation will not solve our Nation's immigration problems. It fails to address many of the most important elements of immigration reform, including backlogs in family visas, regulation of the future flow of immigrants, and the presence of a sizable undocumented community in the United States. Instead it harms American families, businesses, and communities. Its impact on the Latino and immigrant communities would also be devastating.

Among the many anti-immigrant measures in H.R. 4437 are provisions that would: (1) strip citizenship opportunities that are currently available to legal immigrants; (2) curtail crucial due process rights in immigration proceedings; (3) make it a criminal offense to remain in the country illegally after entering legally; and (4) deputize local law enforcement officials to enforce Federal immigration laws over the objections of many such officials, who believe that this authority undercuts their ability to protect the public safety.

This enforcement-only approach has not worked in the past and will not work in the future if it is not combined with measures that address the 11 million undocumented immigrants already in the country. That is why I support and have cosponsored H.R. 2330, the bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill sponsored by Representatives Jim Kolbe, Jeff Flake, and Luis Gutierrez. This bill combines tough enforcement with realistic admission policies, has bipartisan support, and is workable.

All Americans want effective reforms of the Nation's immigration laws, not shortsighted measures that appear tough on immigration but do not resolve the underlying problems. Only a comprehensive approach that provides a path to citizenship for current undocumented immigrants, creates new legal channels for future flows of needed immigrants, reduces family immigration backlogs, and protects worker rights will reduce undocumented immigration and bring order to our immigration system. H.R. 4437 does not take us down the path of real immigration reform.

I stand should-to-shoulder with groups like the AFL-CIO, ACLU, Anti- Defamation League, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Human Rights Watch, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, MALDEF, and National Council of La Raza.

I ask that all my colleagues join me in my opposition to this flawed immigration bill.

Mr. Speaker, it has been more than 100 days since Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf coast region, destroying more than 300,000 homes, taking more than 1,300 lives. FEMA promised help, yet, more than 100 days later, thousands of survivors are still living in tents and shelters. More than 100 days later, promised trailers have not arrived. More than 100 days later, a Federal judge has had to force FEMA to extend its deadline.

FEMA is now opting out of 12-month leases. What FEMA won't do, Congress can do. It is time for this Republican Congress to work with Democrats and enact legislation granting 1 year of housing assistance. It is imperative that this be done before we adjourn. Human suffering continues. I am willing to work with those to end this suffering.

Mr. Speaker, it is because of the great sacrifices of the men and women in our armed forces that we are able to live in freedom. We are committed and indebted to America's veterans who have risked their lives to protect liberty and defend freedom both here in the United States and abroad. Today, I take the opportunity to recognize the sacrifices our veterans have made serving our country and I extend to them my deep felt admiration.

On this Veterans Day, we must not just recognize the war heroes among us with our words, rather we must recognize them with our deeds. Members of our armed forces serve our Nation with distinction and we must honor them with more than just our gratitude. We must honor them by providing them with the most basic benefits, access to health care, education, job training, and full receipt of the disability compensation to which they are entitled. Tragically, we are failing our Nation's veterans.

It is our duty to provide men and women returning from service with the resources to seamlessly resume their lives as civilians. This means providing them with exceptional educational opportunities, job training and health care.

We must abolish the Disabled Veterans Tax, a tax that forces disabled military retirees to give up one dollar of their pension for every dollar of disability pay they receive. Abolishing this tax is critical to the nearly 400,000 military retirees who continue to pay it. We should work together in the U.S. House of Representatives to increase the benefits veterans receive and to make them mandatory.

Our soldiers and veterans have made the ultimate sacrifice by placing themselves in harm's way to protect democracy in our country and around the world. I am grateful to these brave men and women for the sacrifices they have made, the patriotism they have demonstrated, and the courage and love they have displayed for our country. Let us all take a moment to reflect and to thank our Nation's soldiers who have served and those who are still serving to protect liberty and justice for us all.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 566, I was detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Amendment No. 11 Offered by Mr. Watt

Mr. Speaker, civil disobedience is the foundation of our democracy. Rosa Parks showed us that it was our duty, not just our right, to demand equal treatment and equal opportunity.

When this Montgomery resident decided to remain seated and actively resist, she catapulted the civil rights movement into a new kind of decisive action.

Ms. Parks, working as a seamstress, initially became involved with the civil rights movement through her work as a secretary for the Montgomery branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Persons (NAACP). Her involvement heightened when she declined to give up her seat on a bus for a white man. In Ms. Parks' autobiography, My Story, she says that she was ``tired of giving in'' that day she decided not to give up her seat.

I am thankful that Ms. Parks was tired. She was tired of being treated as a second class citizen; tired of seeing her friends, family and fellow brothers and sisters being put upon by dogs and hoses; and most importantly, tired of being silenced in her own country.

It was due to her desire for social justice and her longing for equality that she chose to make a statement by refusing to rise. Her actions, along with those of many, awakened this Nation. It is because of their unwavering commitment to fighting against injustice and to realize the dream and vision of this nation's forefathers--that this country was forced to look at itself in the mirror and change what it saw.

Mr. Speaker, I am particularly aware of the contribution Ms. Parks' made by this act of civil disobedience. Rosa Park's actions were the spark. The spark that allowed the civil rights movement to progress and move forward under the leadership of a relatively unknown minister of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Up until that point, litigation was the primary method the civil rights movement employed, but Rosa Parks marked the beginning of a new strategy, one of civil disobedience. Bus boycotts, sit-ins, and freedom rides were just some of the tactics. While the Montgomery Bus Boycott was not the first boycott, it was the first to last as long as it did, over one year, resulting in a monumental court ruling and setting the civil rights movement on a new course.

Ms. Parks' landmark Supreme Court case resulted in the ruling that segregated bus service was unconstitutional, unconstitutional not just because segregation on transportation affected interstate commerce, but segregation was unconstitutional in itself.

After the boycott, non-violence became the central tenet of the movement as civil rights leaders organized at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with the goal of providing local leaders with the necessary tools to mount successful campaigns for justice.

It is because of the many sacrifices of people like Ms. Parks, the personal risks they took, that I, as an African American, can stand before my fellow Americans as a United States Congressman. While we have made great strides in the past 50 years, yet there is still progress to be made. I want to thank all of those that are continuing the fight for justice and equality as they honor the legacy of Rosa Parks.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for this opportunity to speak.

Mr. Speaker, Emily Dickenson said that ``a word is dead when it is said some say. I say it just begins to live that day.''

These words of hate are taking on life, Mr. Speaker. These words of hate are a clarion call to us to take affirmative action to make sure that this president is never armed with nuclear weapons. This president with these words of hate could create a nuclear holocaust, an inferno if you will, unlike which even the mind of Dante could imagine.

We must not allow these words of hate to go unchallenged. This is why I rise today. I rise because I support the resolution. I believe that this is the appropriate action for us to take as a first step.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) for yielding me this time, and I also thank all who have supported this resolution on both sides of the aisle. It could not happen without the benefit of both sides working together. This is a great moment in history.

Mr. Speaker, I also thank God for the honorable Rosa Parks. It is amazing how God can use what appears to be an ordinary person to do an extraordinary thing. She was not a great lawyer; however, she changed the laws of discrimination in this country. She was not a superstar; however, she cast the light of truth on the horrors of segregation. She was not a fiery orator; however, by taking her seat, she ignited that spark that started the civil rights movement.

Thank God she took that seat. Because she took that seat, no one has to sit in the back of the bus. Because she took that seat, we can all sit at the table of brotherhood as brothers and sisters, members of one race, the human race. Because she took that seat, I can stand in the well of the House of Representatives of the United States of America.

Thank God for the honorable Rosa Parks. She was an angel of hope for the hopeless, a saint of help for the helpless. She represents the quintessential manifestation of God's miraculous power.

Mr. Speaker, she has earned the right to lie in honor, and I thank God we have the good sense to make it happen.

Madam Speaker, I am on a mission of mercy today to acquire temporary protected status for Pakistani nationals in this country. Madam Speaker, as we know, Pakistan has been devastated by a 7.6 Richter scale earthquake. Thousands upon thousands are without homes. Thousands upon thousands have died. There is much assistance needed. The Pakistani nationals in the country, Madam Speaker, would be given an opportunity to stay for an additional 12 months, which would give the country an opportunity to try to recover from the devastation that it has suffered.

Madam Speaker, this is a bipartisan effort. I thank all of those on both sides who are supporting H.R. 4073. This is the right thing for us to do. The Pakistani people are suffering. These are our allies in the war on terrorism, and this would give us an opportunity to clearly extend the hand of friendship to those who have been of assistance to us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to appeal for temporary protective status for Pakistanis who are temporarily in our country. This would allow them, Mr. Speaker, to stay in this country for up to 18 months at a time when their country has experienced a devastating impact from an earthquake.

As we know, millions are homeless, scores of thousands are dead, and millions more are in need of our assistance. Many of the persons who are here temporarily do not have homes to return to. This appeal would allow them to stay in this country until they will have an opportunity to regather themselves and their lives.

Pakistan has been our ally in the war on terrorism. This is the right thing to do for the people who are here, the people of Pakistan, and it is also the right thing to do because it shows the soft side of our power.