Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, President Bush is now touting the line item veto as the magic formula to get our deficit under control. Then why does the President not begin by actually sending Congress a balanced budget?

For 5 years now, one of the President's main priorities has been to provide billions in tax breaks to his friends in the pharmaceutical and insurance industry, the oil and gas industry, and America's wealthiest elite. When the President provides these tax breaks to his friends, he increases the deficit and prevents the Federal Government from being able to properly address the concerns of hardworking Americans.

There is no doubt the President has lost control of the deficit, piling mountains of debt on the backs of our children and grandchildren. Under President Bush, a projected 10-year $5.6 trillion surplus has turned into a $3.3 trillion deficit. This year the deficit is expected to reach $423 billion, the largest deficit in history. And yet the President suggests making his tax breaks to his friends permanent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to memorialize the life of a distinguished American, Dr. Lawrence ``Bill'' W. Scott, who passed away on December 20, 2005.

Throughout his illustrious life, Dr. Scott could claim many ``firsts.'' In 1944, he was the first black student body president of Foshay Middle School. In 1947, he graduated with honors from Polytechnic High School, where he participated in track and field and also served as the first black student body president. In 1948, he attended the University of California at Berkeley and later became the student body ``representative at large.'' After receiving his degree from Berkeley, in 1951, Dr. Scott was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, where he served for 2 years during the Korean War. He eventually attained the rank of Captain.

After his discharge from the Army, Dr. Scott enrolled in the pre-med program at the University of California at Los Angeles. In 1957, the then new UCLA School of Medicine accepted Dr. Scott as its first African American medical student. Upon graduation, Dr. Scott interned at Harbor General Hospital, ultimately specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. He subsequently opened 2 women's clinics in Los Angeles.

At the age of 52 and after 14 years of medical practice, Dr. Scott returned to law school and received his J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law in 1980. After passing the bar, he initially thought he would pursue missionary work; however, he worked as a forensic attorney and represented victims in malpractice suits.

Dr. Scott's achievements, honors, and awards are numerous. He was the first African American resident at Queen of Angeles Hospital in Los Angeles. At one time, he held the record for the most infants delivered at Cedars-Sinai Medical center. He also served on the Board of Governors of the UCLA Foundation in the mid 1980s.

His interest in people and his special affection for children were evident. He enjoyed sports and was an avid tennis player. He also loved music, from jazz to the classics. He will be remembered by many for his wonderful humor and his black book of jokes.

Dr. Scott is survived by his devoted wife of 8 years, Maria; his three children--Rebecca, Brian, and Onjale Scott; his sister, Darling Scott Herod; his brother, Paul Richard Scott; mother-in-law, Loretta Domer-Wilson; and other beloved family and friends.

Dr. Scott truly enjoyed this journey called life and lived it to its fullest.

Mr. Speaker, Congress should not allow the secretly decided backroom United Arab Emirates port deal to go through. It must be stopped, and House Republicans should stand up to the President in the name of national security. Our ports are not for sale to the highest bidder.

This deal shows once again the lengths the Bush administration will go to bend the laws to their advantage. The administration failed to conduct a 45-day investigation that is legally required. This, in itself, should be enough to stop this deal. The national security implications are simply too important to ignore. And, unfortunately, House Republicans have neglected our vulnerable ports since 9/11.

Over the past 4 years, House Republicans have opposed and defeated Democratic efforts to increase funding for port security. Right now, only 6 percent of cargo coming into the U.S. is being checked, producing a large hole in our homeland security.

I would hope that we can make port security a top priority.

Mr. Speaker, Congress should not allow the United Arab Emirates port deal to go through. It must be stopped, and House Republicans should grow a backbone and finally stand up to the president in the name of national security.

This deal shows once again the lengths the Bush administration will go to bend the laws to their advantage. The administration failed to conduct a 45-day investigation that is legally required. This, in itself, should be enough to stop this deal.

The national security implications are simply too important to ignore. And, unfortunately, House Republicans have neglected our vulnerable ports since 9/11. Over the past four years, House Republicans have opposed and defeated Democratic efforts to increase funding for port security. Right now, only six percent of cargo coming into the U.S. is being checked, producing a large hole in our homeland security. Democrats have tried to increase port security funding on this House floor FOUR TIMES over the last four years, and House Republicans defeated our efforts every time.

It's time Republicans make port security a priority.

Mr. Speaker, on July 19, 1941, the United States military began a revolutionary program in Alabama to train black Americans as military pilots. The program helped change military culture and negative perceptions of blacks in the military, especially the Air Corps.

The Division of Aeronautics of Tuskegee Institute, the famed school of learning founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, and I am a descendant of his, conducted flight training for aspiring black pilots; and my cousin, still alive, living here, Ira O'Neal, was one of those pilots. The first classes of Tuskegee Airmen were trained to be fighter pilots for the famous 99th Fighter Squadron slated for combat duty in North Africa. By the end of the war, 992 men had graduated from pilot training at Tuskegee, 450 of whom were sent overseas for combat assignment. I should also note that 16,000 men and women supported the Tuskegee Airmen program.

Mr. Speaker, the 450 pilots that flew combat missions over North Africa and Europe, five of them live in the 33rd Congressional District of Los Angeles and Culver City, which I represent. And they are Wilbert Johnson, William B. Ellis, Elbert T. Hudson, Samuel R. Hughes, and Roger B. Duncan.

Mr. Speaker, although pilots that flew twin-engine aircraft did not see combat, it does not take away from the barriers that broke because of their service. In my district there is an individual that flew twin- engine bombers. He is Oscar H. York.

Many others who were not pilots supported the Tuskegee Institute and are original members of the Tuskegee Airmen. These individuals also live in my district. And they are Floyd J. Cawthon, Jerry T. Hodges, Jr., Flora M. Lane, John Lehman, Theodore G. Lumpkin, Jr., Levi H. Thornhill, and Albert L. Wallace.

Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge both the historic as well as the heroic role all members of the Tuskegee Airmen played in securing our Nation's freedom as well as changing our Nation's culture and perception of African Americans.

Once again, I congratulate Congressman Rangel for introducing this historic resolution of acknowledgment.

Mr. Speaker, it appears that the Bush administration refuses to learn anything from 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina. Once again this year, President Bush's budget shortchanges America's security, failing to make it the number one priority. Here are some startling examples of how the President refuses to make Americans as safe as they should be:

First, the budget underfunds key programs that provide local communities with the resources to protect our borders, our ports, mass transit, and critical infrastructure. Second, the budget continues the trend of cutting grants for our first responders, cutting overall funding for three key first responder grant programs by 35 percent below 2 years ago. Third, the budget zeros out funding for interoperability grants, grants that would allow Federal, State, and local governments the ability to communicate during a major disaster or terrorist attack.

President Bush claims he is protecting the homeland, but he refuses to back it up with the funding necessary to prepare agencies at all levels for the worst case scenarios. Hasn't he learned anything from Katrina?

Pull FEMA out from under Homeland Security.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to memorialize the life of a distinguished American, Dr. Lawrence ``Bill'' W. Scott, who passed away on December 20, 2005.

Throughout his illustrious life, Dr. Scott could claim many ``firsts.'' In 1944, he was the first black student body president of Foshay Middle School. In 1947, he graduated with honors from Polytechnic High School, where he participated in track and field and also served as the first black student body president. In 1948, he attended the University of California at Berkeley and later became the student body ``representative at large.'' After receiving his degree from Berkeley, in 1951, Dr. Scott was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, where he served for two years during the Korean War. He eventually attained the rank of Captain.

After his discharge from the Army, Dr. Scott enrolled in the pre-med program at the University of California at Los Angeles. In 1957, the then new UCLA School of Medicine accepted Dr. Scott as its first African American medical student. Upon graduation, Dr. Scott interned at Harbor General Hospital, ultimately specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. He subsequently opened two women's clinics in Los Angeles.

At the age of 52 and after 14 years of medical practice, Dr. Scott returned to law school and received his J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law in 1980. After passing the bar, he initially thought he would pursue missionary work; however, he worked as a forensic attorney and represented victims in malpractice suits.

Dr. Scott's achievements, honors, and awards are numerous. He was the first African American resident at Queen of Angeles Hospital in Los Angeles. At one time, he held the record for the most infants delivered at Cedars-Sinai Medical center. He also served on the Board of Governors of the UCLA Foundation in the mid-1980s.

His interest in people and his special affection for children was evident. He enjoyed sports and was an avid tennis player. He also loved music, from jazz to the classics. He will be remembered by many for his wonderful humor and his black book of jokes.

Dr. Scott is survived by his devoted wife of 8 years, Maria; his three children, Rebecca, Brian, and Onjale Scott; his sister, Darling Scott Herod; his brother, Paul Richard Scott; mother-in-law, Loretta Domer-Wilson; and other beloved family and friends.

Dr. Scott truly enjoyed this journey called life and lived it to its fullest.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Sensenbrenner for yielding me time, and Congressman Conyers for never letting down on your struggle to recognize the movers and shakers for civil rights and always being on point in an expeditious way.

I extend my condolences to the King family. We have lost a national treasure and a civil rights icon.

Mrs. King was a loving partner and an inspiration to her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and her husband's untimely death placed a tremendous responsibility on her shoulders. She not only excelled at raising her four children, but also worked tirelessly to preserve the vision of her late husband. She carried on Martin Luther King's legacy with grace, love and a strong sense of spirituality.

Dr. King left a gift to the world in Coretta, who continued to travel throughout the United States and abroad to reinforce his vision of civil and human rights, not only for all Americans but indeed all citizens of the world. She understood the demonstrative power of one of Martin's most cherished phrases, ``We shall overcome.''

Mrs. King was indeed an angel among us. She enhanced the civil rights movement with her dignified and gracious presence. We are saddened by her passing, but also rejoice in a life full of meaning and purpose.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the resolution. I congratulate and honor the Iraqis for their successful election. I would request an open debate on Iraq on the House floor.

Mr. Speaker, over the last 3\1/2\ months, this Republican Congress has failed to act to meet the critical needs of Hurricane Katrina survivors. The few proposals the Republican leadership has put forward fail to go far enough in meeting the challenges of restoring the gulf coast region.

The Congress has yet to enact a clear housing plan for the survivors still living in tents and waiting for promised trailers that have not appeared. Many families may lose their rental assistance at the end of December. And economic revitalization is moving at a snail's pace, with only about 5 percent of small business disaster loan applications approved so far.

Even Republicans have begun to criticize the delay by the administration and the Republican Congress in getting assistance to the gulf coast region. Last week, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, a former Chairman of the Republican National Committee, said his State's ability to recover has been severely hampered by Congress's delay in approving more money.

This Congress must not adjourn for the year until we enact measures to address this critical need.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers) for introducing H. Con. Res. 273 which recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery bus boycott.

The 1955 Montgomery bus boycott lasted for 381 days. It was a defining moment in our Nation's history. The heroic and nonviolent actions of many people, and in particular, those of Rosa Parks, who was arrested on December 1, 1955, for refusing to give up her seat to a white man led ultimately to a historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling that outlawed segregated public transportation.

The catalyst for the success of Montgomery bus boycott is the fact that some 40,000 Black citizens of Montgomery decided not to ride the bus. Their nonviolent boycott ultimately drained the city financially. Perhaps for the first time in history, black residents of Alabama had used their economic power to gain social success.

Social justice and economic equality are two sides of the same coin. 50 years after the Montgomery bus boycott, our Nation has made great strides in social justice and in increasing economic opportunities for all Americans. But much remains to be done.

Fifty years later, the unemployment rate for African Americans is almost double that for the whole of America. Fifty years later, almost 1 in 4 African Americans live in poverty. Fifty years later, America's African American children are twice as likely as white children to die before their first birthday. And 50 years later, poverty in America still holds a tight grip on too many of our Nation's citizens.

As this body honors and recalls a truly historic event in our Nation, let us also not forget that much still remains to be done to ultimately fulfill the legacy and the dreams of those thousands of Americans who participated in the Montgomery bus boycott.

Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of my colleagues a report prepared by Eugene B. Kogan on the role of Congress in the implementation of U.S. foreign policy. Mr. Kogan is the John Kenneth Galbraith Fellow at the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA). The report is entitled The War Congress: Shouldering the Responsibilities of A U.S. Global Role.

Mr. Kogan's report is particularly timely in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, and the U.S. intervention in Iraq. The report focuses on the role of Congress in these two seminal events and its abdication of effective oversight over the Bush administration's foreign policy decisions.

Mr. Kogan states in the report: ``The lack of congressional oversight over the Bush Administration's foreign policy can compromise the ability of the United States to build a more secure world. Accountability is eroded in wartime, and the war on terrorism is not any different, except that it will shape America's world role for the next half a century or more. In this critical period of U.S. history, it is important for Congress to exercise its Constitutional responsibility by holding the Executive Branch accountable for its foreign policy decisions.''

Congress plays a vital role in the formulation of our Nation's foreign policy. I commend Mr. Kogan's report to my colleagues as they consider the future congressional role in the war on terrorism and U.S. intervention in Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution that I coauthored with the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa). It expresses the sense of Congress that the Russian Federation must do more to protect intellectual property or risk losing its participation in the generalized system of preferences and be prevented from joining the World Trade Organization.

I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), for his hard work in crafting this most-needed resolution and for being such a strong voice on the global protection of intellectual property assets. The resolution came about, as he described, after a trip that we took with other members of the International Relations Committee to Russia in May of this year.

During the trip, we learned firsthand the extent of the IP piracy problem in Russia which has reached epidemic levels, second only to China in the world. Indeed, the U.S. copyright industry lost over $1.7 billion last year due to Russian piracy and over $6 billion in the last 5 years, and the situation is getting worse.

When we visited in May, the number of optical disk plants was 36. Now it is 42 with a production capacity that far exceeds Russia's demand for CDs and DVDs. Even by recent Russian government accounts, 16 of these plants are the Russian State (owned) Restricted Access Regime Enterprises where regular law enforcement officials are prohibited from visiting. Such information is truly disturbing.

I represent Hollywood, California, the center of the U.S. copyright and creative industry. My constituents inform me that because of corruption, inefficiency and ineptitude in Russia's justice system, U.S. industry complaints have been routinely dismissed. The few sentences that have been handed down are wholly inadequate and non- deterrent.

I fear that, unless Russia substantially improves IPR law and enforcement practices, Russian participation in the world trade system should be restricted.

This is the reason why I introduced this along with Mr. Issa to condition Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization on the Russian government's demonstrated commitment in meeting its international obligations and protecting intellectual property rights.

We understand that to curb the proliferation of IPR violations in Russia, it is not enough to focus on how many laws are passed by the Duma and how many raids on optical disk plants are being conducted each year. We have to generate a sense of urgency and motivate the political will of the Russian government.

Simply put, a healthy and vibrant global trade market should not tolerate the ongoing systemic piracy of intellectual assets, and the Russian political establishment must understand that. I am pleased to note that over 100 Members of Congress have cosponsored this resolution. It will send a clear and convincing message that the United States Congress is looking at the issue closely and that real reform must happen now. Once again, I want to thank the congressman for his leadership on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this critical resolution.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Ed Roybal, who recently passed, will be remembered as a true pioneer in the struggle for human and civil rights. He was an advocate his whole life for the poor, disenfranchised and for seniors.

Ed was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1962, at a time when Henry Gonzalez of Texas was the only other Hispanic representative in the House of Representatives. Ed served with distinction in the House of Representatives for 30 years. He quickly earned the respect of his congressional colleagues and, in 1971, was elected to serve on the Appropriations Committee, where he remained for the rest of his career in Congress. He became Chair of the Treasury, Postal Service, General Government Subcommittee in 1981. There he became a powerful advocate for funding for education, civil rights and health programs. He was one of the first Members of Congress to support HIV/AIDS research funding.

Ed also had an abiding interest in the needs of our elderly and from 1985 to 1989 served as the Chair of the Select Committee on Aging. In 1980, he successfully restored funds to programs for the elderly and in 1982 played an instrumental role in maintaining the Meals on Wheels program.

He was a trailblazer for the rights of not only Hispanics but of all persons, white, black, brown, the young and the elderly, who had been denied an equal opportunity and were looking for a hand up. He always selflessly extended his hand and never lost sight of those in need throughout his distinguished career as a public servant.

I looked to Ed as he served on the Los Angeles City Council and then in Congress as a voice that could be trusted to consistently respond on behalf of those who could not speak for themselves. We saw him as the go-to guy on the City Council.

Ed's strong and dedicated message will never be silenced. He leaves behind a spiritual and an indelible legacy that will live on. God bless him.

Madam Speaker, this week, Republicans will bring a budget reconciliation bill up that cuts critical Federal programs that directly affect the lives of everyday Americans, all so they can turn around and cut taxes that primarily benefit America's millionaires.

Among the proposals they will bring and will try to force through are dramatic cuts in food assistance programs to our most vulnerable. According to the CBO, the Republican food stamp cuts would knock nearly 300,000 Americans off nutritional assistance programs. Included in that number are 40,000 children who would no longer receive either free or reduced-price school lunches.

No other group has benefited more from 5 years of Republican domination in Washington than those who are the wealthiest in our Nation, and now Republicans want to take school lunches away from 40,000 children so they can provide America's millionaires another tax break.

These children desperately need the nutrition provided in school lunches. It is cruel, and this bill must be defeated.