Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, May 19 commemorates the one- year anniversary of the end of the war and the remembrance of the many lives lost during the civil war in Sri Lanka. I call on the international community to pursue independent investigations into the alleged war crimes that occurred. The U.S. would not be alone in calling for these investigations. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union have already called for independent investigations. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other NGOs have called for similar investigations of war crimes, crimes against humanity and human rights violations. The alleged crimes include:

Extrajudicial abuse and detention of unarmed civilians and former combatants;

use of child soldiers;

harm to civilians and civilian objects;

the killing of captives or combatants seeking to surrender;

individual disappearances; and

inhumane conditions.

All parties complicit in violating human rights must be held accountable. Only then can the Sri Lankan people really move forward in trying to achieve peace and stability on the island.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank Chairman Conyers for yielding time, and I also want to thank him for his historical memories of the life of Lena Horne. Some people were fortunate to read about her, but I believe that Chairman Conyers is old enough to remember her during her heyday. As a matter of fact, I am also. And I never shall forget my sister and I having the opportunity to go and watch ``Cabin in the Sky'' when we were little kids. As a matter of fact, Chris and I talked about that experience with each other all the way up until the time that she died a few years ago. I mean, for us, that was the most memorable thing that we had ever seen, that we had ever done, that we had ever been able to do.

We didn't know much about civil rights at that time. As a matter of fact, I guess we were a little young to know much about civil rights. But we did know that we just revered this lady, Lena Horne. And then later on as we got older, we were able to appreciate her in different kinds of roles as not only an entertainer, not only a great performer, but also one who had a tremendous amount of spirit in relationship to what it is that she taught. She taught that you really didn't have to take certain kinds of roles if you didn't want them and if you didn't see yourself that way; that it didn't matter what anybody called you; that what really mattered was what you answered to.

And so Lena Horne, who was ageless, priceless--we never knew what her age was because we could never tell. When she was 60, I guess she might have looked like she was 30, maybe 25. So somehow or another, she found the fountain of youth. But she contributed greatly to the development of this country and to the world in which we live.

So again, I want to thank Chairman Conyers for introducing this resolution, along with Representative Clarke and other cosponsors.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5099) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15 South Main Street in Sharon, Massachusetts, as the ``Michael C. Rothberg Post Office''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume.

On behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise in support of H.R. 5099. This measure designates the United States postal building located at 15 South Main Street in Sharon, Massachusetts, as the Michael C. Rothberg Post Office Building.

Michael Rothberg was a victim of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, New York. He worked for Cantor Fitzgerald as a director of program trading. Described by those who knew him as analytical and independent, he had a knack for the high technology used in bond trading, yet he was still able to clearly explain complicated concepts to his clients. Michael liked to be the leader of a team. He enjoyed the autonomy and the freedom to make one's own decisions. He even encouraged his subordinates--``his colleagues,'' as he called them--to have similar aspirations.

Michael Rothberg was a member of the Sharon High School class of 1980 and a graduate of McGill University. He was a very active supporter of the Dana-Farber Institute's Jimmy Fund, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, and Mutual Funds Against Cancer.

He is survived by his parents, Iris and Jay Rothberg, as well as his sister, Rhonda.

The Michael C. Rothberg Memorial Scholarship fund was set up for students from Sharon High School. The Michael C. Rothberg Memorial Race is also held every year in Michael's honor.

H.R. 5099 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) on April 21, 2010. The measure was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010.

The measure has the support of the entire New York House delegation. I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for introducing this measure. I also would like to thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for their support for the bill. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1256) congratulating Phil Mickelson on winning the 2010 Masters golf tournament.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

I rise to congratulate professional golfer Phil Mickelson on his stunning victory in the 2010 Masters Golf Tournament.

On April 11, 2010, in Augusta, Georgia, golfer Phil Mickelson sank his last birdie of the game to clinch his third Masters Golf Tournament victory. This was his fourth career championship victory. He finished with the score of 16 under par, the best score in a Masters Tournament since 2001. I would also like to recognize the courage and the tenacity of two extraordinary women who were at Mr. Mickelson's side during his great victory: Amy Mickelson, his wife; and Mary Mickelson, his mother. Both recently have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The Mickelson family has shown amazing bravery in the face of these difficult circumstances. We wish them the very best in the challenges that lie ahead, and let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

H. Res. 1256 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun), on April 15, 2010, and was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The committee reported the measure by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 70 Members of the House. I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia for introducing this measure. I would also like to thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for their support of the resolution. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Mickelson on his success in the tournament by supporting this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 403) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in the United States, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 403, a resolution that supports the goals and ideals of National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in the United States of America.

Every day in schools across the country, teachers work tirelessly to educate our country's most precious resource, our children. Oftentimes they work long hours under difficult conditions and don't receive the recognition and appreciation they deserve. The least we can do is designate a day where the teachers of America know that they are appreciated and that they are in our thoughts.

Most of us can think back to that one special teacher who influenced us or changed our lives: the math teacher that took extra time out of their overloaded schedule to help us understand that one difficult algebra problem; the Spanish teacher who stayed late to help us with verb conjugations before the big test, or the history teacher who made the American Revolution come alive off the page of a textbook.

Teachers are the glue that holds our education system together. They ensure that our young people become successful adults by providing the knowledge and skills for them to thrive, even if some of our children don't realize it at the time. Teachers help our children find their way along the path to adulthood, teaching more than facts and figures, but life lessons as well.

I often remember and often talk about my favorite teacher, a woman, Ms. Beadie King, who taught in a one-room school that I attended as a young person. Ms. Beadie taught 8 grades plus what we called the little primer and the big primer, all at the same time. And oftentimes today, when I talk, I use pithy sayings and comments. Most of those I remember from Ms. Beadie, who would often use these little illustrations to try and teach us how to behave.

For example, she used to tell us that a wise old owl sat on an oak. The more he heard, the less he spoke. The more he spoke, the less he heard. Now I want you boys to be like that wise old bird. And of course, if we didn't comply, she had other methods and techniques that she would use to get her message across.

And to this very day--that's been a long, long time ago--I never forget poems that she taught us because by the time I graduated high school, she had become the English teacher and the literature teacher.

And she taught without thinking about her compensation. As a matter of fact, some days she would walk in the rain, 6 to 8 miles herself, to get to school. Other times, if the weather was just too inclement, her husband would drive her in his wagon. Now, of course, lots of people can't remember times like those, but that was sometime ago.

We still have many dedicated teachers all over America, teachers who give of themselves in such a way that others can experience and have the opportunities to grow and develop to become whatever it is that their talents, ambition, hard work combine to make them. That is the role of teachers. That is the promise of America.

And so we salute teachers on this day. I believe that they are the salt of the Earth, the pillars of the universe, the individuals upon whose shoulders the rest of society stands.

And so I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Madam Speaker, this resolution was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Florida, Representative Ron Klein, on April 22, 2010, and was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The committee reported the measure by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 70 Members of the House, and so I thank the Member from Florida for introducing this measure. And I'd also like to thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for their support. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting our Nation's teachers by voting in favor of this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, to close, we have noted lately strong conversation about perhaps some school districts having to lay off teachers, not having all of the resources that are needed or the resources that are necessary to keep them engaged and keep them employed.

I urge my colleagues, not only to support this resolution, but I urge this Congress, I urge State legislatures, I urge State officials and Federal officials and local officials all across the country to make absolutely certain that we find the resources necessary to make our education system the very best in the world and to live up to the idea that our teachers deserve all of the support we could possibly provide.

Yes.

I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun) very much for his comments, and I join with him.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1297) supporting the goals and ideals of American Craft Beer Week.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to present H. Res. 1297 for consideration. This measure supports the goals and ideas of American Craft Beer Week.

H. Res. 1297 was introduced by our colleague, the gentlewoman from Colorado, Representative Betsy Markey, on April 22, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 60 Members of the House.

Madam Speaker, American craft brewers make up a small but fast growing part of the American beer industry, creating a wide variety of beers of many different flavors, colors, aromas, and alcohol strengths. Many commercial craft brewers began as hobbyists, learning about beer by brewing at home. The trade of craft brewing dates back to colonial America, and even George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were known to have produced their own beer.

There are now more than 1,500 craft breweries across the United States. They employ over 100,000 full- and part-time employees and generate over $3 billion in wages and benefits annually. Their industry supports American agriculture by purchasing ingredients grown, processed, and distributed right here in the United States. They make up only a small percentage of the Nation's beer industry, about 6.9 percent of the sales share in dollars, but craft brewers are growing rapidly in sales and market share, with a 10.3 increase in sales last year, despite a recession. They are a shining example of independent American businesses reaching great levels of success by creating and selling unique, high-quality products.

This industry does much more than simply good business. Craft brewers are often fixtures in local communities, participating in community events and philanthropic works. They promote responsible alcohol consumption and raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse.

And so, Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Markey) for introducing this measure. And I also thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for their support for the bill.

I urge my colleagues to join me in commending our country's craft brewers by supporting this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, it looks like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin all had something in common in addition to being the Founders of our country. They also liked their beer.

I urge support of this resolution and yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 792) honoring Robert Kelly Slater for his outstanding and unprecedented achievements in the world of surfing and for being an ambassador of the sport and excellent role model, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present H. Res. 792 for consideration. This resolution honors Robert Kelly Slater for his outstanding achievements in the world of surfing.

H. Res. 792 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Florida, Representative Bill Posey, on October 1, 2009. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it to be reported favorably by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. This measure enjoys the support of 60 cosponsors.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Slater has accomplished a great deal in the world of amateur and professional surfing. As a teenager, he won six Eastern Surfing Association titles and four national titles. At the age of 20, he was the youngest surfer to win the Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship. He has won that title nine times in his career, another record. This year, he won the Rip Curl Pro Bell Championship for the fourth time, earning him yet another international title.

He is, in fact, the all-time leader in career event wins, but his accomplishments are not limited to tackling big waves. In 2007, he founded the Kelly Slater Foundation, an organization dedicated to raise awareness and financial support for a number of environmental and other charities.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Slater has achieved much in the world of professional surfing. Today we have the opportunity to congratulate him for his successes and to commend him for his charitable works. I thank the gentleman from Florida for introducing this measure, and I also thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for their support for the bill.

I urge my colleagues to support its passage and reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Posey for bringing surfing and for bringing Mr. Slater to our attention. Both are just unbelievable.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, it's been a pleasure sharing the floor with the gentleman from Georgia this afternoon, Representative Broun. I want to thank him for his comments and urge passage of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, DePaul University is the largest Catholic university in the United States and the largest private non-profit university in the Midwest. It remains dedicated to serving and educating the

economically disadvantaged, as it has done throughout its history. DePaul University provides high-quality education for students from the entire metropolitan area through its Chicago and suburban campuses.

In 2010, DePaul University celebrates the work and accomplishments of its namesake, St. Vincent DePaul, and St. Louise de Marillac, founder of the Daughters of Charity, on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of their deaths. To honor the examples of St. Vincent and St. Louise through its mission of education and service, DePaul University is embarking on a capital campaign entitled, ``Many Dreams. One Mission.'' This capital campaign will help guarantee the accessibility and affordability of the University's 260 graduate and undergraduate programs. This campaign will raise funds to build campus facilities that will enhance the University's academically-rigorous and nationally-acclaimed programs of study.

As a proud Chicagoan and former educator, I congratulate DePaul University for its many contributions to higher education and community service, and I join with DePaul University in celebrating St. Vincent DePaul and St. Louise DeMarillac on the occasion the 350th anniversary of their deaths.

Mr. Chairman, first of all I want to thank Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall of the Science and Technology Committee for their work to develop and promote policies to strengthen our Nation's competitiveness in STEM. In particular, I applaud the chairman for his leadership in broadening the participation of individuals and institutions that are underrepresented in STEM. You and your staff actively engaged with me and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus to listen to and address our concerns, and we appreciate that. I also want to recognize and thank Dahlia Sokolov on your staff for sharing her expertise and for being so responsive.

H.R. 5116 includes multiple provisions that respond to concerns raised by multiple reports, STEM experts, and Members of the Congress that stronger efforts to broaden participation are critical to meeting the growing demand for U.S. workers with STEM skills and to improve American competitiveness globally. The amendment that I offer, along with my colleagues Congressman Grijalva, Congressman Honda, and Congressman Kildee, builds upon the existing provisions of the bill to further increase the access of minority students to, and the capacity of, minority institutions to provide STEM opportunities.

I am pleased that this amendment is supported by multiple higher education organizations, including the American Association of Community Colleges, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the Institute for Higher Education Policy, the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, the Presidents and Chancellors of the 1890 Universities, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and the United Negro College Fund.

Again, I want to thank Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall for their cooperative responsiveness and the tremendous work that they have done on behalf of all Americans to make us the most competitive Nation that we can possibly be.

I want to thank Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall of the Science and Technology Committee for their work to develop and promote policies to strengthen our nation's competitiveness in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In particular, I applaud the Chairman for his leadership in broadening the participation of individuals and institutions that are underrepresented in STEM. You and your staff actively engaged with me and other Members of the Congressional Black Caucus to listen to and address our concerns. I want to recognize and thank Dahlia Sokolov on your staff for sharing her expertise and for being so responsive.

According to the Census Bureau, 39 percent of the population under the age of 18 is a racial or ethnic minority. Yet, in 2003, only 4.4 percent of U.S. science and engineering jobs were held by African Americans and only 3.4 percent by Hispanics. Further, women represent only a little more than one quarter of our science and technology workforce. Although Historically Black Colleges and Universities represent only 3 percent of our nation's colleges, they graduate 40 percent of African Americans with degrees in STEM areas and 60 percent of African Americans with degrees in engineering; yet, they receive only about 1 percent of all federal R&D support. Many experts maintain that the ability of the US to produce enough scientists will fall far short unless we take strong action to develop the potential of women and minorities. Thus, broadening participation efforts are critical to meeting the growing demand for U.S. workers with STEM skills and to improving American competitiveness globally.

H.R. 5116 includes multiple provisions that respond to concerns raised by multiple reports, STEM experts, and Members of the Congress about the need to broaden participation of individuals and institutions that are underrepresented in STEM fields. The amendment that I offer along with my colleagues Congressman Grijalva, Congressman Honda, and Congressman Kildee builds upon the existing provisions in the bill to further increase the access of minority students to and the capacity of minority institutions to provide STEM opportunities.

I am pleased that this amendment is supported by multiple higher education organizations, including: The American Association of Community Colleges; The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities; The Institute for Higher Education Policy; The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education; The Presidents and Chancellors of the 1890 Universities; The Thurgood Marshall College Fund; and The United Negro College Fund.

Our amendment does five things.

First, it clarifies that the new STEM Education Strategic Plan will include a specific focus on broadening participation of individuals and institutions that are underrepresented in STEM. H.R. 5116 recognizes the need to coordinate STEM education efforts within the Executive Branch. Consistent with experts in STEM education, our amendment simply clarifies that the strategic plan for coordinating STEM education across the Executive Branch should have each agency identify steps it takes to broaden the participation.

Second, it includes a National Academy of Sciences report on strengthening the capacity of two-year institutions to provide STEM opportunities. The majority of Latino and African American students attend two-year colleges. Moreover, two-year institutions play an integral role in training STEM professionals through terminal and certification degrees as well as in preparing students to transfer to four-year institutions to complete STEM baccalaureate degrees. Thus, two-year institutions are a critical component of the STEM pipeline.

Although a few reports have examined the role of these institutions in a particular STEM discipline, no study has looked at comprehensively at two-year institutions with regard to STEM. A comprehensive analysis of how Federal agencies can provide increased opportunities for two- year institutions to participate across the portfolios of STEM education and research will do much to improve success of low income and minority students in STEM fields.

Third, our amendment strengthens the data collections related to STEM faculty and Federal research grants by ensuring the data are examined by race/ethnicity and gender. These data are important to assessing progress in broadening participation. Consistent with NSF data collections on students in STEM fields, the amendment simply ensures that these important data collections will be examined by race, ethnicity, and gender.

Fourth, the amendment strengthens the institutional research partnerships provision by including a reporting requirement on partnership grants. In order to ensure that partnerships among institutions are collaborative and equitable, H.R. 5116 requires NSF to award funds directly to institutional partners involved in a research collaboration funded at a level greater than $2 million. The amendment simply includes a report requirement so that we have a fuller understanding of the number and nature of such partnerships.

Finally, our amendment clarifies that undergraduates in two-year programs are eligible for the Undergraduates In Standard Research Grants. The amendment simply clarifies that students in certificate, associate, or baccalaureate degree programs qualify for research grants.

As I close, I thank the Chairman and Ranking Member again for their leadership. I

strongly encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment that will strengthen the bill's provisions to broaden participation.

Madam Speaker, for as long as I can remember, Richard (Dick) Kelly was always at meetings, marches, demonstrations, political rallies and in Chicago, doing what we call door knocking or walking precincts during political campaigns. Dick was what we called a community organizer, one who spent most of their time working on issues, raising awareness, solving problems and being engaged, for the most part without pay. Richard was an idealist who never gave up on hope.

He started work in Mississippi in 1964, spent time there, returned to Chicago and Oak Park and settled into a lifetime of social activism. Richard grew up in the Beverly Community of Chicago, graduated from the St. Ignatius College Prep and got a degree in Political Science from Notre Dame University. In Mississippi he taught at Freedom Schools for black children, and being white, was arrested several times for minor infractions, e.g., jay-walking.

Richard taught in the Chicago Public Schools for twenty years, drove a taxi for another fifteen. He was active with the Chicago Teachers Union, had few material needs and spent most of his money on newspapers, magazines and books. He worked for a brief period with Governor Dan Walker's Administration as a labor liaison, was active with fair-housing activities in Oak Park and became an active member of the St. Giles Catholic Church. I extend condolences and best wishes to his wife, children, siblings, and other family members.

Madam Speaker, across the United States, April 15th is Tax Day. As Americans file their taxes, H.R. 4994, the Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010, improves taxpayer programs and protections. The ``Tax Day'' bill has a history of broad bi-partisan support and continues to receive large support today.

Most importantly for the residents of the 7th District of Illinois and the Nation, the Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010 includes programs that benefit low-income taxpayers. For example, H.R. 4994 increases funding for grants to provide low-income taxpayer clinics. Even in the absence of a specific appropriation, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be available for use because the Secretary of Treasury could allocate up to $20 million of grant funding annually for the program. As recommended by the National Taxpayer Advocate, the bill allows IRS employees to refer people to these tax clinics as well. The Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010 also improves the IRS's ability to inform taxpayers about the availability of the Earned Income Tax Credit in prior years, a tax credit that we know helps low income households. In the 7th Congressional District alone, over 72,000 people participated in this program in 2007 with a savings of over $172 million, with most of those taxpayers earning less than $20,000 a year. Further, the bill makes it easier for taxpayers to settle outstanding payments via the offers-in-compromise program. Importantly, H.R. 4994 contains provisions to assure the protection of taxpayers, such as requiring the IRS to notify taxpayers when it suspects that a taxpayer's identity, or a dependent's identity, has been stolen. Each of the bill's provisions provides timely assistance and improvements for taxpayers.

The Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010 also adapts the tax system to technology in several ways. By allowing the removal of cell phones from listed property, the bill eliminates a strict, outdated rule. The current rule requires individuals to keep detailed records regarding cell phones and similar equipment used for business purposes, imposing unnecessary burdens on companies and taxpayers. The IRS also will be given the opportunity to utilize the internet and other forms of mass communication to notify taxpayers of ``unclaimed'' or ``undeliverable'' funds.

Overall H.R. 4994 the Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010 continues the tradition of the ``Tax Day'' bill by providing needed programs, protection to our taxpayers, and updates to outdated rules.

Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to one of the most accomplished, most engaged, and most effective social workers that this country has ever known, Dr. Dorothy Height. Following in the footsteps and tradition of Mary McLeod Bethune, Dr. Height became renowned for her dedication to social justice in her roles as administrator, educator, and social activist.

Dr. Height was born in 1912, the same year as my father, and, therefore, experienced and endured all of the social characteristics of her childhood era. Nevertheless, she attended college at New York University and did postgraduate work at Columbia University and the New York School of Social Work. Working as a social worker, Dr. Height came into contact with the problems and conditions of the average citizen or common man. These experiences and understandings guided her thinking, ignited her passions, and kept her going until just a few days ago.

Dr. Height joined the National Council of Negro Women and became its voice and leader. She served as the national president of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. for 11 years and was the only woman engaged in leadership of the United Civil Rights Organization with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Whitney Young, Jr., A. Phillip Randolph, James Farmer, Roy Wilkins, and John Lewis. When the movement subsided, Dr. Height's work continued.

She was energetic, went everywhere and to everything. She developed women by serving as their mentor and friend. The women that I know and worked with in Chicago are Ms. Rosie Bean and Ms. Anetta Wilson, both of whom are always willing to call themselves disciples of Dr. Dorothy Height.

Dr. Height was an incredible, unbelievably committed and dedicated woman whose life was the true essence of living. And I think that the poet Sam Walter Foss may have had Dr. Dorothy Height in mind when he penned, ``House by the Side of the Road.''

``There are hermit souls that live withdrawn, in the place of their self-content. There are souls like stars that dwell apart, in a fellowless firmament. There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths, where highways never ran. But let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

``Let me live in a house by the side of the road, where the race of men go by. The men who are good and the men who are bad, as good and as bad as I. I would not sit in the scorner's seat, nor hurl the cynic's ban. Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

``I see from my house by the side of the road, by the side of the highway of life, the men who press with the ardor of hope, the men who faint with the strife. But I turn not away from their smiles and tears, both parts of an infinite plan. Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

``I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead, and mountains of wearisome height; that the road passes on through the long afternoon, and stretches away to the night. And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice, and weep with the strangers that moan, nor live in my house by the side of the road, like a man who dwells alone.

``Let me live in my house by the side of the road, where the race of men go by. They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong, wise, foolish; so am I. Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat, or hurl the cynic's ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road''--like Dr. Dorothy Height--``and be a friend to man.''

Mr. Speaker, across the United States, April 15th is Tax Day. As Americans file their taxes, H.R. 4994, the Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010, improves taxpayer programs and protections. The ``Tax Day'' bill has a history of broad bi-partisan support and continues to receive large support today.

Most importantly for the residents of the 7th District of Illinois and the Nation, the Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010 includes programs that benefit low-income taxpayers. For example, H.R. 4994 increases funding for grants to provide low-income taxpayer clinics. Even in the absence of a specific appropriation, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be available for use because the Secretary of the Treasury could allocate up to $20 million of grant funding annually for the program. As recommended by the National Taxpayer Advocate, the bill allows IRS employees to refer people to these tax clinics as well. The Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010 also improves the IRS's ability to inform taxpayers about the availability of the Earned Income Tax Credit in prior years, a tax credit that we know helps low-income households. In the 7th Congressional District alone, over 72,000 people participated in this program in 2007 with a savings of over $172 million, with most of those taxpayers earning less than $20,000 a year.

Further, the bill makes it easier for taxpayers to settle outstanding payments via the offers-in-compromise program. Importantly, H.R. 4994 contains provisions to assure the protection of taxpayers, such as requiring the IRS to notify taxpayers when it suspects that a taxpayer's identity, or a dependent's identity, has been stolen. Each of the bill's provisions provides timely assistance and improvements for taxpayers.

The Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010 also adapts the tax system to technology in several ways. By allowing the removal of cell phones from listed property, the bill eliminates a strict, outdated rule. The current rule requires individuals to keep detailed records regarding cell phones and similar equipment used for business purposes, imposing unnecessary burdens on companies and taxpayers. The IRS also will be given the opportunity to utilize the internet and other forms of mass communication to notify taxpayers of ``unclaimed'' or ``undeliverable'' funds.

Overall H.R. 4994 the Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010 continues the tradition of the ``Tax Day'' bill by providing needed programs, protection to our taxpayers, and updates to outdated rules.

Mr. Speaker, during the recess, I spent 3 nights with residents of the Seventh Congressional District at three town hall meetings in Oak Park, Illinois; River Forest, Illinois; Forest Park, Illinois, and last evening, Westchester. Overwhelmingly, all of the individuals who were present extolled the virtues of the health reform legislation that was passed. And I was vindicated because I voted for it. So I want to thank the residents of my congressional district, because we were on the same page.

I want to thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express strong support for H. Res. 1222, supporting the goals and ideals of National Library Week.

The science fiction novelist Frank Herbert stated, ``The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand.'' Our national libraries serve as a much needed conduit by which we, as American citizens, gain more understanding of the world around us.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our Nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries--school, public, and academic--participate. The City of Chicago is home to exactly 79 public libraries and to many private libraries with information ranging from cultural specific research to academic.

In my congressional district, the Seventh Congressional District of Illinois, we serve as the home of the headquarters for the American Library Association. I am proud to have this great organization in my district, and I am pleased that many of its staff members are my constituents. We have libraries that are renowned, both public and private, such as the Harold Washington Library and the Newberry Library.

Last evening, at a town hall meeting in Westchester, Illinois, one of the trustees of the library board made it known to everybody present that libraries are vitally important, and I was very pleased to agree with him.

I also want to congratulate Robert Morris College, one of the academic institutions in my congressional district, for their installation of a new library that recently opened. It is magnificent.