Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am honored that our leadership has chosen to bring this concurrent resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 209, before this august body. This concurrent resolution highlights the need to focus on and end domestic violence.

First, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), chairman of the Committee on Government Reform; and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), ranking member, for bringing this important piece of legislation to the House floor.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite), the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, who has worked with me as the Republican lead on this legislation. I am proud to say that this is a bipartisan effort. Her work on behalf of ending domestic violence and violence against women is commendable, and her leadership in this effort is invaluable.

My heartfelt thanks also goes out to my 73 colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have cosponsored this resolution. I am pleased that this bill has received such strong bipartisan support because domestic violence transcends party affiliation; it transcends ethnicity; it transcends gender. Simply put, it transcends the boundaries of human decency that human beings owe each other.

House Concurrent Resolution 209 is intended to support the goals and ideals of Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October. As our Nation strives to persevere in the aftermath of both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it is important that we not lose sight of the issues that have continually plagued Americans for decades.

Our Nation faces a distressing crisis that affects women, men, and children regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion. I have seen firsthand some of the dreadful and vile effects of domestic violence. I have seen the blackened eyes, the broken noses, and the broken limbs.

The crisis of domestic violence is one that should not go unnoticed, especially because it is a crisis in which violations typically occur in places where we believe we have a safe haven: in our homes.

Between 1998 and 2002, family violence accounted for 11 percent of all reported and unreported violence. Nearly 22 percent of murders in 2002 were family murders, and women have suffered disproportionately with 43 percent of murders occurring by family perpetrators.

I am deeply saddened that domestic violence continues to occur in our backyards. In my city of Houston, Texas, over 31,000 incidents of family violence were reported in 2004. That is an astounding average of 88 incidents a day. That is more than three family violence incidents an hour. In fact, 34 confirmed deaths in Houston in 2004 were as a result of family violence, many of whom were children under the age of 16 years.

Such horrendous statistics are jarring, but I take great pride in the efforts of the Houston Police Department to combat domestic violence. The police department took the initiative to begin a program known as ``Houston Men Against Family Violence.'' This initiative, which is run jointly by the Houston Police Department and other community partners including the Houston Area Women's Center, works to express the message that ending domestic violence is a responsibility that should be shared equally by all people. It educates and encourages men in the community to volunteer as leaders in the effort to end domestic violence by reducing the part men play as the primary perpetrators of family violence.

I think that it is of utmost importance, utmost necessity, that we all work together to have a chance at effectively eradicating this appalling crime. So I want to commend the Houston Police Department, all law enforcement agencies, and all other organizations that work to make our homes and families safer.

I would like to thank several organizations for their commitment to ending domestic violence and for their endorsements of this concurrent resolution. I appreciate the efforts and support of the Harris County District Attorney's Office, the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, the YWCA, the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community, the Montana State Attorney General's Office, and the Utah State Attorney General's Office.

These organizations work tirelessly every day to combat the epidemic of domestic violence that has ravaged this country.

I commend them and hope that we in this body will continue to support their efforts. It is my wish that we can continue to work together to bring an end to the pervasive and damaging crime of domestic violence through the future legislative efforts of this august body.

The month of October provides us with an opportunity to recognize the dedication and success of those working tirelessly to end domestic violence and the strength of the survivors, but our efforts and awareness should continue beyond October. Every day ought to be End Domestic Violence Day. Domestic violence knows no boundaries of time or space or place.

I urge all of my distinguished colleagues to support the adoption of H. Con. Res. 209. Doing this will show the American public that we stand united against domestic violence.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 450, a resolution to honor the women of NASA for their hard work and dedication. In 360 B.C., the great philosopher Plato bemoaned that ``nothing can be more absurd than the practice that prevails in our country of men and women not following the same pursuits with all their strengths and with one mind, for thus, the state instead of being whole is reduced to half.''

It has been more than 2,000 years since Plato made this simple, commonsense observation. It has not been easy; but in the intervening centuries, women have proven time and time again that they can excel in any field they choose. Along the way, there have been many trailblazers: Barbara Jordan, the stateswoman; Marie Curie, the scientist; Amelia Earhart, the pilot; Dr. Antonia Novello, the first woman and the first Hispanic Surgeon General.

Today, we honor some new additions to this august list, the talented women of NASA's astronaut core. Commander Collins and Mission Specialist Lawrence performed flawlessly on their latest mission aboard Space Shuttle Discovery.

They are but the latest examples of a long tradition of excellence among our female astronauts that stretches back over two decades to Sally Ride's historic mission as the first American female astronaut.

These astronauts stand as inspirations to young women, not only in this country but around the globe, who look at them and understand that no dream is out of reach because they realize that they too can do what others have done.

They should be very proud of their accomplishments.

Of course, in praising the astronauts, we should not neglect the contributions of other women of NASA: the scientists, the engineers, the program managers, and all of the others who contribute to our space program.

All of these talented women are trailblazers in their own right. I commend them for their hard work and the excellent example they set.

I want to thank the gentlewoman from New York, not only for her initiative in introducing this most thoughtful resolution but also for helping make real Plato's ideal of equality of opportunity for all.

I think it is a great resolution, and I urge its adoption.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the brave crew of STS-114 for their hard work and dedication in carrying out the space shuttle's return-to-flight mission.

The astronauts of STS-114 did a superb job. They performed their tasks flawlessly, executing complex maneuvers, conducting several space walks, performing on-the-fly repairs, and delivering critically needed supplies to the International Space Station. In short, they made it look easy, but in fact we know that it was an extremely challenging mission.

I am pleased that this House is honoring their accomplishments today. At the same time, I think they would be the first to acknowledge that they did not do it alone.

The STS-114 crew was backed by a superb team on the ground who also deserve our praise. The engineers and support staff who made this mission possible should be equally proud of their accomplishments. Their hard work and long hours spent preparing for this mission are fully recognized and gratefully appreciated.

Thus, by our actions today, we thank all of those who are responsible, not just the astronauts, but the entire NASA team, thousands of dedicated men and women at NASA centers and at contractor facilities across the country. We thank them for their dedication and perseverance, and we want them to know that they are special to us.

NASA has made great strides since the tragic Columbia accident. While it is clear that additional work lies ahead, it is fitting that we take a moment to celebrate what has been accomplished thus far.

I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Chairman Calvert) for his leadership in introducing this outstanding resolution, and I am honored to speak in support of it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to join with persons across this great Nation and this world to express my condolences for those who have suffered as a result of Hurricane Katrina. I also want to commend all those people who have worked hard to lift up their fellow man during this time of crisis.

This disaster is one unlike anything we've ever seen before. At one point 80 percent of the city of New Orleans was under water. Up to 1 million families have been displaced. There are estimates that 400,000 to 500,000 people could lose their jobs because of the hurricane. And despite the magnitude of these numbers, they still don't do justice to the human suffering we have seen on television and in person.

But out of every tragedy comes the opportunity for each and every person to show his or her humanity through acts of compassion. That is why I am so proud of my fellow Texans and my fellow Houstonians. Our elected leadership, coalition of community groups, ministers and clergy have come together to make sure that we do everything in our power to help the quarter of a million evacuees we have taken in. In the Houston area alone, we have taken in over 100,000 of our neighbors to the east, 15,000 of which were sheltered in the Astrodome, which is in my Congressional District.

Several organizations in the Houston area are leading the disaster relief effort. Some of the help is coming from volunteers with Operation Compassion, a massive relief effort led by Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and spearheaded by the Second Baptist Church. The thousands of volunteers from 131 local congregations have assumed primary responsibility for feeding the masses of storm victims who have taken refuge there. I commend them and others for extending their good will towards others.

As we in Congress look towards our next steps, we must ensure that our top priority remains caring for those who have lost loved ones, lost their homes, and lost their means of providing for their families. They have, through no fault of their own, become the least, the last, and the lost of our society. It is our responsibility to help them back on their feet. To do so they will need food stamp assistance and access to Medicaid. They will need temporary emergency housing and the Federal assistance to help them rebuild their homes and their lives.

We have taken important first steps by passing a $10.5 billion disaster relief bill last Friday, followed by an additional $51.8 billion for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security today. But these are only the first in a long series of actions that we will need to try to repair the physical damage caused by Hurricane Katrina as well as the lives of those affected by the hurricane. I ask that all of my distinguished colleagues and the people of this Nation join in the effort to help rebuild and sustain the lives of the Hurricane Katrina victims.

Mr. Speaker, I want to join with persons across this great nation and this world to express my condolences for those who have suffered as a result of Hurricane Katrina. I also want to commend all those people who have worked hard to lift up their fellow man during this time of crisis.

This disaster is one unlike anything we've ever seen before. At one point 80 percent of the city of New Orleans was under water. Up to 1 million families have been displaced. There are estimates that 400,000 to 500,000 people could lose their jobs because of the hurricane. And despite the magnitude of these numbers, they still don't do justice to the human suffering we have seen on television and in person.

But out of every tragedy comes the opportunity for each and every person to show his or her humanity through acts of compassion. That is why I am so proud of my fellow Texans and my fellow Houstonians. From Governor Rick Perry, Mayor Bill White, and Judge Robert Eckels on down, everyone has come together to make sure that we do everything in our power to help the quarter of a million evacuees we have taken in. In the Houston area alone, we have taken in over 100,000 of our neighbors to the east, 15,000 of which were sheltered in the Astrodome, which is in my Congressional District.

Several organizations in the Houston area are leading the disaster relief effort. Some of the help is coming from volunteers with Operation Compassion, a massive relief effort led by Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and spearheaded by the Second Baptist Church. The thousands of volunteers from 131 local congregations have assumed primary responsibility for feeding the masses of storm victims who have taken refuge there. I commend them and others for extending their good will towards others.

As we in Congress look towards our next steps, we must ensure that our top priority remains caring for those who have lost loved ones, lost their homes, and lost their means of providing for their families. They have, through no fault of their own, become the least, the last, and the lost of our society. It is our responsibility to help them back on their feet. To do so they will need food stamp assistance and access to Medicaid. They will need temporary emergency housing and the federal assistance to help them rebuild their homes and their lives.

We have taken important first steps by passing a $10.5 billion disaster relief bill last Friday, followed by an additional $51.8 billion for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security today. But these are only the first in a long series of actions that we will need to try to repair the physical damage caused by Hurricane Katrina as well as the lives of those affected by the hurricane. I ask that all of my distinguished colleagues and the

people of this nation join in the effort to help rebuild and sustain the lives of the Hurricane Katrina victims.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Mississippi. I would like to extend my sympathies to all of the persons who have suffered.

Mr. Speaker, I am not asking for help for the survivors because they are black, of the black race; I am not asking that they be helped because some of them are of the white race. I am asking for help because they are all of the human race, and that is the race that counts.

I believe, Mr. Speaker, that we must do something that is critical: We must not continue to call them refugees. Because, Mr. Speaker, these are tax-paying Americans. They have earned the right to be called American citizens who are in need of our help. So I beg today that we extend the hand of friendship and that this Congress spend whatever is necessary to restore their lives.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Congress debated and passed H.R. 3045, the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). I voted in opposition to the trade agreement because of my concerns regarding the full ramifications of its passage and because I am a proponent of trade policies that enhance the welfare of participating countries. Any free trade agreement entered into by the United States should be fair. CAFTA, however, is neither free nor fair. CAFTA will cost American jobs, is unfair to American workers and exploits cheap foreign labor.

As we consider future trade agreements, I believe it is particularly relevant that we learn the lessons from NAFTA. We have learned that the promises of U.S. economic prosperity, curbed undocumented immigration, robust markets and massive job creation went unfulfilled. I fear that NAFTA is a precursor for what can be expected under CAFTA.

NAFTA promised millions of new jobs and a trade surplus for the United States that was never realized. Instead the U.S. has lost over one million lobs to Mexico and Canada. More specifically, the rise in the U.S. trade deficit with Canada and Mexico through 2004 has caused the displacement of production that supported over one million U.S. jobs since NAFTA was signed in 1993. Jobs have been displaced in most states and many industries in the United States. In my home state of Texas alone, more than 170,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost. The loss of these jobs has contributed significantly to the expanding burdens of unemployed workers in our state.

Why do these trade agreements cost us American jobs? Free trade agreements can create an environment that encourages corporations to relocate and take American jobs with them. By making it easier for the Central American countries to export certain products and because they have cheaper labor and weaker labor rights protections, CAFTA would encourage U.S. businesses to relocate. Though supporters tout Central America as a market for U.S. goods, it is not. CAFTA amounts to nothing more than an outsourcing agreement.

Adding insult to injury, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs designed to help those who lose their jobs due to trade agreements remain underfunded and ineffective. Congress has not provided adequate funding for this program to meet the needs of thousands upon thousands of workers who have been displaced by trade. You cannot have trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA that

displace American workers and yet do not provide them with any assistance when they need it.

Not only is CAFTA wrong for the U.S. economy and American workers, its exploitation of cheap foreign labor is morally deficient. CAFTA disbands internationally accepted labor standards and provides no repercussions or penalties for those that violate workers rights. In fact, CAFTA does not require nations to bring their laws into compliance with International Labor Organization (ILO) core labor standards, even though the ILO and U.S. State Department have documented numerous areas where the CAFTA countries' laws fail to comply with even the most basic international norms. This trade agreement merely encourages nations to enforce their own labor laws, no matter how weak those laws may be.

I strongly believe that workers' rights are human rights. They are critical to improving living standards and quality of life both here and abroad. Unfortunately, CAFTA will demand an honest days work without guaranteeing an honest days pay. If we were serious about helping workers in CAFTA countries, we would have gone back to the drawing board, negotiated a better deal for American workers and improved CAFTA nations' labor standards.

Mr. Speaker, I want to express my concern regarding the passage of H.R. 5, the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low- cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2005 also known as the medical malpractice bill. Although some believe that ``reforming'' medical malpractice litigation will ultimately serve as a solution for skyrocketing healthcare premiums, it is my belief that this legislation is both misguided and harmful to the American people.

One of the most contentious provisions within H.R. 5 is a $250,000 cap on awards for non-economic damages. Placing such a cap allows corporations the opportunity to build into their bottom line a certain amount of liability. Currently, we have a judicial system that creates a fine balance between free corporate enterprise viability and consumer protection. The medical malpractice bill will disrupt this equilibrium in the name of reducing ``frivolous'' lawsuits without taking into account the implications for those making legitimate claims. This bill has the potential to reduce the incentive for corporations to remedy defective products,and instead may allow those entities to easily assume the loss incurred by ultimately accounting for the cost liability, a sum inevitably less than their sometimes lucrative profits.

I respect the efforts of all of my colleagues to address the concerns of their constituencies. However, I would be remiss in that duty if I did not oppose legislation that erodes consumer protection and the ability of the courts to determine appropriate punitive measures for negligent defendants.

Mr. Chairman, I want to express my full support of H.R. 3070, the NASA Authorization Act of 2005. This bill is truly a product of the spirit of cooperation fostered by the Chairman and ranking member of the Science Committee, Mr. Boehlert and Mr. Gordon.

Although reservations of the initial draft led the House Science Democratic Caucus to offer H.R. 3250, an authorization alternative, Mr. Gordon, as well as our Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee ranking member, Mr. Udall, never terminated negotiations with Chairman Boehlert and Subcommittee Chairman Calvert.

The evolution of H.R. 3070 reflects the strong character and leadership necessary to allow this great body to produce legislation beneficial to all of the American people. It encompasses important provisions from both bills and reinforces the bipartisan congressional support for NASA. As one of the Members that represent NASA workers at Johnson Space Center, I am proud to support the version of H.R. 3070 brought before the House today.

H.R. 3070 provides focus and direction not only to accomplish the important mission of manned space exploration but also to bolster resources for robust aeronautics and basic research programs. It addresses the necessity to strengthen business, community, and educational partnerships and provides guidelines to ensure NASA's success.

I ask that all of my colleagues follow the lead of our Science Committee chairman and ranking member, and I urge the unanimous support of H.R. 3070.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to start by thanking the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) for her dynamic leadership on this issue. She has taken the bull by the horns, and she has done yeoman's work. I am so honored that she has brought this to our attention.

I would also like to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) because they have really demonstrated how bipartisanship can efficaciously cause us to reach a consensus that will cause great things to happen in the United States Congress. Those who say that there is no bipartisanship in this Congress are not familiar with the good works of this committee and especially the good works of these fine men, the chair and the ranking member.

Mr. Chairman, I want to make note that these institutions are not black and brown institutions. This is important because these institutions serve a multiplicity of ethnicities. They are the epitome of diversity. They are dearly needed because of the people that they serve. They do not get the children of the best and the brightest. They many times will get the children of the least, the last and the lost. They literally take the essence of mental clay and mold it into the quintessential manifestation of intellectual cloisonne. They are providing the bootstraps that we need in this society so that we can have good productive citizens who will pay taxes and will become part of the main stream that we so desire.

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, July 10, 2005, in the great city of Houston, TX, my friend and distinguished religious leader Dr. J.J. Roberson will commemorate more than four decades in the ministry with the observance of Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church's Annual Father, Son's and Grandson's Day.

Born in New Gulf, TX, in 1918, Dr. Roberson graduated from Wharton County Training School and attended Tyler Barber College where he was certified as a Master Barber. He also attended Southern Business College, Southwestern Seminary, Texas Southern University and Mount Hope Bible College where he earned his Doctor of Divinity degree. Dr. Roberson has been married to his darling wife Elouise Jackson Roberson for 63 years and is privileged to count among those who will be honoring him on this special occasion his sons in the ministry and his extended family.

Founded on January 8, 1958, Mt. Hebron, under Dr. Roberson's leadership, has been the mecca of community activism. His church is known throughout the city of Houston as a spiritual soldier who leads by example. Over the years, he has presided over the establishment of a number of sanctuaries, an apartment complex and a state-of-the-art Pipe Organ installed in 1998 with the expansion of the pulpit and the purchase of 75 acres of land in Brazoria County. To date, the membership has grown to more than 1,900 members and 1,058 families.

A decorated World War II Veteran of the U.S. Army, Dr. Roberson is presently Commander of VFW Eugene Warren Post No. 471. He is also the President of the Baptist Ministers Association of Houston and Vicinity, 1st Vice Moderator of the Independent Missionary Baptist General Association of Texas, Secretary-Treasurer of the Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas BTU Board, and

1st Vice President of the South Texas Regional Convention.

Mr. Speaker, in 2001, Dr. Roberson was inducted into the Religious Hall of Fame in Dallas, TX. That same year, he received the L.A. Simpson Pastor of the Year Award. Over the years, he has received an NAACP Membership Citation, War Against Drugs Commendation and honors from the Sam Houston Area Council and the Boy Scouts of America. In 1986, he received an ``Official Memorandum from the State of Texas'' in honor of Martin Luther King Day. In 1982, the Mayor of Houston issued a proclamation declaring the month of June, 1982 as Building Project Days for Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, Inc.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to such a strong and dedicated leader who has, over the years, been a great friend and mentor. Dr. Roberson has, through his ministry, touched the lives of so many people and we are all the better for having him in our lives.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay a special tribute to my friend Judge Armando V. Rodriguez, who recently celebrated more than thirty-two years as a Judge in the Harris County Justice Court.

Judge Armando V. Rodriguez is a native Houstonian who received his Bachelors of Business Administration, Bachelor of Law, and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees from the University of Houston. He has been an active community leader in Harris County for over 40 years and has been an active member of a number of civic clubs and boards. He is truly one of the most dedicated public servants in our great city of Houston.

In 1972, Judge Rodriguez received the distinction of being appointed as one of the first Hispanics to preside over the City of Houston's Municipal Court system.

In 1973, he was the first Hispanic to be appointed Justice of the Peace by the Commissioners Court of Harris County, and by election has continuously held that office and is currently serving as the Presiding Judge. From 1992 to 1993, he was Vice Chairman of the Justice of the Peace Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Mr. Speaker, at the invitation of then President Jimmy Carter, Judge Rodriguez addressed the Conference on Hispanic Heritage in Washington, DC on the future of the Hispanic Community.

In the early 1980's Judge Rodriguez and I Co-Founded Houston's Black- Brown Coalition. This organization was designed to bring African- Americans and Hispanics together to work on issues of common interests. In addition,

Mr. Speaker, in 1969, Judge Rodriguez founded Fiestas Patrias, a non- profit organization dedicated to promote an awareness of their culture and heritage among young Hispanics.

Judge Rodriguez has been the recipient of the Alex Award from the Houston NAACP Legal Program and the Benito Juarez Medallion from then President Luis of Mexico, the highest honor given a non-resident of Mexico for creating better goodwill and understanding between Mexico and the United States.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my friend, Judge Armando V. Rodriguez for thirty-two years of outstanding service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I rise to support this bipartisan effort to honor NASA with a 50th anniversary commemorative coin. Mr. Speaker, this is a great occasion, and I wish to thank those who have made this great occasion possible.

I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker), chairman of the Committee on Financial Services; the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson); the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay); the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green); the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney); and the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) for their singular effort to bring this bipartisan bill to the floor.

I also wish to thank the many who work at NASA, Mr. Speaker, from the top administrator to the janitors who sweep the floor. They all play a role in making space flight possible. And of course, Mr. Speaker, I thank God for those brave astronauts who leave loved ones behind to traverse the heavens.

Mr. Speaker, while we commemorate NASA's 50 years of existence, we must acknowledge that it could not have been done without the hand of God. And if it is God's will, Mr. Speaker, it is safe to say that we have only just begun.

Mr. Speaker, on yesterday this august body amended the Transportation-Treasury-HUD appropriations bill to include $7.7 million to fight discrimination in housing. I stand before this body today, Mr. Speaker, to thank all of the persons who supported this amendment, both Democrats and Republicans because it could not have been done without bipartisan support, and for that, I am thankful.

I also thank my staff, Mr. Speaker, because no one does anything without a capable, competent and qualified staff, and I think I have one of the best.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank another group of people. On yesterday, we had another event wherein we had to leave rather untimely. I want to thank those many security persons who work on our behalf. They are not only helpful and respectful, they are also full of care for us. Mr. Speaker, as we rush out, they rush in to uncertain danger. I want them to know that we care about them. Mr. Speaker, I do not know exactly what we pay them, but whatever it is, it is not enough for the service that they render.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in the spirit of a great and noble American, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, who reminded us, Mr. Chairman, that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

And I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have fought injustice in housing. I especially thank the gentleman from Michigan (Chairman Knollenberg); the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver), ranking member; and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), my ranking member on the Committee on Financial Services. I would also like to thank Democrats and Republicans of goodwill who have been engaged in this fight for housing justice because fighting injustice in housing is neither Democratic nor Republican.

Fighting injustice in housing is an American cause, and all people of goodwill understand that we cannot allow invidious discrimination to steal the great American ideal of having a place to call home. This is why 37 years ago, Mr. Chairman, this august body passed the Federal Fair Housing Act. However, 37 years later we still have more than 3.7 million Fair Housing violations annually.

This is why my colleagues have supported the funding of the Fair Housing Initiatives program and the Fair Housing Assistance program. Mr. Chairman, I thank God for those Democrats and Republicans who have supported the funding of these vital programs that not only educate consumers about housing discrimination but, more importantly, promulgate investigations that produce evidence of discrimination.

So today, Mr. Chairman, I call upon Democrats and Republicans of goodwill to restore these vital programs to the fiscal year 2005 levels. If we are to keep real the American ideal of homeownership for all, we need to restore this funding. If we want the American Dream embodied in the adage ``there is no place like home'' to thrive and survive not only for those in the suites of life but also for those in the streets of life, we are to restore this funding.

Mr. Chairman, when it comes to housing, we cannot claim justice for all of us as long as there is injustice against any one of us. We ought to restore this funding.