Floor Statements

Thank you, Congresswoman Fudge. Thank you for yielding. Thank you for being so steadfast in anchoring this special order every Monday night. I know many times I have wanted to join you and have not been able to be here and to support you in it, but you have managed to keep it going and to provide good information on many, many topics to the people who are listening across America.

I also want to thank you for your very clear explanation of what the public plan really is. We've heard a lot of misinformation about that public plan, as Congresswoman Fudge says, one of many plans that will be in the exchange that will offer choice. And it is not a single- payer, it's nothing like the Canadian plan--not to disparage the Canadian plan; I think they have a good system--but ours will not be that. It will be an exchange where you, the American public, will have choices and can choose a public plan or a private plan. So thank you for making that clear.

And as we meet, Mr. Speaker, the Democratic Caucus is probably finishing up downstairs discussing the health care reform, America's Affordable Health Choices Act, going through it section by section; and there is nothing about abortion in it. There have been many complaints about the bill, and some of them are rather weak and just plain wrong. Some people complain that they don't know what's in the 1,000-page bill. Well, the basic outline of that bill has been available for almost 4 weeks now, and the bill itself for over a week. I think that has given enough time for everyone and their staff to have the opportunity to read the bill if they wanted to. And as important as that bill is, I hope everyone has taken the time to read it.

Other complaints are of regional disparities in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. They've been a big issue for us. It's one that may now be solved satisfactorily--at least on the regional level--and poor and minority communities, which have also had historically disparate and low reimbursement rates, will also see that fixed in H.R. 3200.

But no one has more of a disparity than the people that I represent and those in the other territories who are not getting equal treatment in Medicare or Medicaid and who, as of now, are not even in the insurance exchange. And yet, despite all of that, because of the overall good this bill will do for us in the territories and our fellow Americans, I fully support this bill.

I want to also address some of the myths that are out there. No bill is perfect. Especially not one that has to do as much as this will have to do to fix the longstanding systemic malfunctioning of our health care system.

But what we have produced after many meetings, many preliminary hearings, followed up by a week of daylong hearings where over 50 people and organizations testified, it's a good bill. And we can get it out of the Energy and Commerce Committee this week. If we can do that, we're not going to bring it to the floor and keep everyone in here, but we would like to get it through this week so that when we go home, we'll have time to read the final product, discuss it with our constituents at home, and come back prepared to pass it when we return in September.

But I firmly believe that we have to keep moving forward. If we don't, it won't be a President Obama loss or Speaker Pelosi loss or even a Democratic Party or Caucus loss. It will be a serious loss of the American people, especially to the more than 46 million who are uninsured and the millions more who are underinsured or intermittently insured. As well, it will be a loss to the poor, rural, and minority communities in our country.

Too many of the under- and uninsured are people of color, so this is an important issue for the Congressional Black Caucus. That's why we've devoted four or more of our special order times here on the floor of the House to this issue and to urging support and passage of the health care reform bill in the House. It's why we met with Speaker Pelosi last week, why we're going to sit down with the President, and why we've written or discussed our concerns with chairmen and ranking members of the relevant committees in the House and the Senate. In many of our efforts, we are joined with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus as a Tri-caucus in support of this bill.

To go back to some of the gross misrepresentations and to explain the real provisions of the bill, let me say that one erroneous criticism that's often heard is that this bill will put Washington bureaucrats in between the patient and the doctor or other health care provider. Nowhere is there anything in this bill that would do that.

Yes, your Members of Congress, the Democratic Members of Congress, want to include a public plan. Yes, we want to ensure that every insurance provides a comprehensive, basic package of services, that they must accept you for coverage, that they do not exclude you if you have a preexisting disease, that they cannot drop you if you get sick, and cannot put a limit on how much they will pay over a year or over your lifetime.

What we in Washington want to do in this bill, and will do when we pass it, is to make sure that there is no obstacle between you and your doctor. And yes, we want everyone to be able to get the important preventive care without having to pay for it. We want you to be the healthiest you can be. And again, we are taking down important barriers that stand in the way of your getting the health care you need.

Preventive care, such as mammography, colonoscopy, immunizations, and others, will cost you nothing. And we insist that if you have insurance or a provider you like, as Congresswoman Fudge said, you can stay with those, you can keep that provider and that insurance carrier. We do not put government between you and your doctor.

Many of you either have or work for a small business. You are the target of much of the fear-mongering that is out there. Rather than raise taxes on small businesses, as the opponents of your getting your health care would have you believe, this bill makes it easier for small businesses to provide or continue to provide insurance because of the exchange, because of the public plan and the tax credit that they will get if they provide insurance for their workers. And smaller businesses which aren't able to pay high salaries or have less employees will be exempted from having to provide that insurance, but their employees will have access to the exchange and be able to have their insurance premiums subsidized so that it won't take a big chunk out of your already stretched salary.

Some of you, like many in my district who are Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries, have difficulty finding a doctor or provider who will give you the services that you need. Some of you live in communities which don't have a hospital and have to travel many miles to one because the one that was there was not able to keep its doors open because of low reimbursement rates in your community. The

House health care reform bill, H.R. 3200, will increase reimbursements. Many of our congressional districts lose over $100 million every year in uncompensated care, and that compromises the ability to get the quality of care you need and deserve.

First of all, with this bill, your local hospital will be able to survive, maybe even return, because when it is passed, they will be paid for every patient that they take care of.

Secondly, Medicare will pay more, especially to primary care providers and those providers who come together to make sure that your care is better managed and more complete in groups called accountability care organizations or medical homes. And if the community you live in can demonstrate that they not only provide good care but improve your health, the reimbursement will also be increased.

So this legislation that we want to see passed will not only increase payment to help make sure the providers you need are there in your communities, but those providers will be supported and encouraged to take the time needed to listen to you and to coordinate your care to ensure that you will be healthier. This is a real win-win.

Those of us who become health care providers choose this life of service to help individuals and communities have a better quality of life and help individuals live long enough and well enough to see and enjoy their grandchildren. The new payment structure and the eliminated copayments for preventive care will help us to do what we went into our professions to do in the first place.

And then, as we have always said, for those who have not had the ability to be fully a part or fully utilize the health care system for many reasons, just providing insurance, as important as that is, is not enough. And for African Americans and other people of color who are the most disenfranchised in the current system of health care delivery, the additional services and support are critical if we are ever to close the health gaps that cause us to die prematurely from preventable causes, that causes our life expectancy to be 7 to 8 years shorter than other Americans, and that causes over 86,000 excess deaths that should never have happened every year in this rich country.

And so the bill includes a major expansion of community health centers, more National Health Service Corps scholarships to help more of our young people enter the health profession, more loan forgiveness, especially for those who are going to be a primary care provider, the main doctor or nurse practitioner you see to get and manage your health care.

There will be funding to help more students better prepare for medicine, for nursing, for pharmacy, allied health and other health professions, and support for institutions that train underrepresented minorities. This is important because, although there is a need for many more primary care providers, it is just as critical that they come from all communities, including communities of color, which make up more than 30 percent of our population.

The Congressional Black Caucus has always taken the position also that communities know best what they need, and the way to ensure that when health information and care is provided, it is done in a way that will be understood, accepted, and effective. We have, therefore, been able to have community-based and -driven programs included in the bill.

These provisions are patterned after our health empowerment zones, which provide the technical assistance and funding to enable communities to not only meet their specific health care needs with respect to specific diseases, but to also be able to address the social and economic determinants of our health: housing, economic opportunities, safety, the environment, nutrition, and others.

Also included are provisions to ensure that data is collected which includes race, ethnicity language, and other socioeconomic factors, and also provisions that provide that language differences would not be a barrier to getting health care.

This bill, H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act, must pass and must not be allowed to be derailed by any group or industry that does not have our best interests at heart. The basis of the opposition has nothing to do with better health for all of us who live in this country. We recognize, as the gentleman said, this effort is about change, and change is what the people in this country voted for. It is about major change, which is always difficult. But this is change that must happen, and it must happen now.

Sure, there will be losses to some in the interest of providing more to everyone to ensure that the benefits of this country will be more fairly shared; that is a basic tenet on which this country was founded, and in no place is this more important than in our health.

This country has the best and most advanced health care services, expertise, and technology, but because so many are not able to access it, we lag behind the rest of the industrialized world in life expectancy, maternal and infant mortality, and health in general. Closing the insurance gap, as well as the racial and ethnic minority gaps, will make this country the true leader in health that we ought to be.

So my plea to those who are listening outside of the beltway is do not let the misinformation and the self-serving propaganda steer you wrong and away from supporting this important legislation that many of the best minds in this country have guided to ensure that your right to health care will be protected and delivered.

This bill is important to the African American community. It is important to the Native American community and all communities of color. It is important to rural areas, And it is important to every American. With your help and support, it can also provide more equity to your fellow Americans in the U.S. territories.

Passing H.R. 3200 is important to all of us, our families, and our communities. We cannot lose this great opportunity that President Barack Obama has worked so hard to bring this far. As he has said to us, it is not if we can afford this bill or if we can afford health care reform, the real issue is we cannot afford not to do it.

Covering everyone, providing increased access to preventive care and disease management, will surely reduce health care spending because prevention saves. But most importantly, it will improve and save lives. So I join my Congressional Black Caucus colleagues in saying, let's pass this bill. Let's get it out of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Let's give the American public a bill before we leave for our recess, and then let's come back in September and pass it and provide quality health care to every American.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we in this body will deliver a health care reform package and fulfill our and the President's promise to America. That makes this a special time to be in the Congress, and it is a great privilege to be a member of one of the main committees that has responsibility for this product.

Although there is still a need to improve on some measurements, because of the public plan and exchange, the improvements in Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP, the mandates for coverage, a robust benefits package, accountability care organizations and medical homes, and the provisions already included to reduce health disparities, our Nation will be a fairer and more just country and we will not only save money, but we will be a more productive and competitive nation as well.

We must not let the cost today stand in the way of our destined and future greatness. A significant investment in health care will reap savings in the not-too-distant future. Let's make sure that quality, comprehensive, and culturally and linguistically appropriate

health care is available and accessible to every person living in this country, in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and all of the offshore areas or territories. Let's make sure that universal health care is universal health care.

Thank you for yielding, Congressman Lynch.

As a person of Caribbean-American descent, I proudly rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 127 and applaud the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, for leading this effort to recognize our joint and very special heritage. The ties between the United States and its close neighbors to the south are ones that go back to the founding of our early colonies, the fight for independence and the founding of this country. George Washington, our first President, visited family in Barbados. As you've heard many times this afternoon, Alexander Hamilton, his aide-de-camp, a Revolutionary War hero, chief author of the Federalist Papers and first Secretary of the Treasury, was born in Nevis and raised in St. Croix in my own district. The service and contributions of people from the Caribbean to every facet of life in this country are countless and invaluable, and there is much to celebrate. In a special order on June 15, members of the Congressional Black Caucus came to the floor to speak about many of those individuals, and you've heard some this afternoon. But the true test of the homage we pay to the special heritage that we share is what happens going forward, and the step taken with President Obama's attendance and leadership at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad earlier this year bodes well for that future.

From the inclusion of the Caribbean countries in PEPFAR to the extension of security initiatives, the forgiveness of Haiti's debt, Congresswoman Lee's proposal for the Shirley Chisholm Educational Exchange program for students in the United States and the Caribbean, and many other initiatives, the Congressional Black Caucus has actively fostered the relationship to the benefit of both the region and our country. It is fitting that this body recognizes the special heritage we, the people of the Caribbean and the people of the United States, share and the contributions of each to the other. Again, I thank Chairwoman Lee for introducing this resolution and urge its passage.

I thank my colleague for yielding and for those kind words.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 135 which would have the work of enslaved African Americans in the building of our historic Capitol Building memorialized for this generation and for posterity. And I applaud, thank and honor the lead sponsor, the mentor of all of us, Congressman John Lewis, for this resolution and for his unwavering commitment to justice.

The Architect of the Capitol's 2005 report entitled ``History of Slave Laborers in Construction of the United States Capitol'' clearly outlines the contributions of ``the slaves who quarried the stone, cut the timber, and formed and fired the bricks that became our Nation's Temple of Freedom.''

I am sure that there are many who will wonder, Why is this important? Why is it necessary to have a marker placed in the Capitol Visitor Center that acknowledges the work of the un-free in the construction of the Capitol?

In response, let me say that it is important because it is part of the American story. It is an integral part of the fabric of our history which runs from its founding on the great ideals of freedom, justice and equality to today, where we have witnessed the toils, tears and prayers of hundreds of years answered in the contributions of the descendants of those enslaved Africans in every endeavor of American life today. And that story, the American story, is an enduring one of redemption. It is a story that points to the unique quality of our Nation and our continuous striving to achieve those ideals of freedom, equality and justice.

Mr. Speaker, while some may see irony in the fact that it was hands of the then un-free that forged the structure that has become the temple of freedom for the entire world, we see it as the hand of God pointing, as always, to the lives of the ``least of these'' as precious in His sight.

There should be a marker in the Capitol Visitor Center because it is an appropriate way to mark how far this country has come and to show countries around the world that the impossible is indeed possible. The marker needs to be placed to finally give voice to those whose silent witness to the potential greatness of our country was forged in their blood, sweat and tears.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye'' for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 131) directing the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the National Motto of ``In God We Trust'' in the Capitol Visitor Center.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in

which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous matter on the resolution under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I might consume.

This resolution, introduced by the gentleman from California, Mr. Daniel Lungren, requires the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Motto ``In God We Trust'' in the Capitol Visitor Center.

The details of the engraving, including their locations, would be approved in advance by the House Administration Committee and the Senate Rules and Administration Committee. Various Members have expressed support for this proposal which the committee approved by voice vote. The cost of these engravings has been estimated by the Architect as less than $100,000.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 is about the future. All the decisions that we know must be made, that we have put off for far too long on energy independence, climate change and retooling our economy for the industries of the future must be made now.

As this bill was crafted, I know that we were careful in making sure that all the regions of our country, from the coal producers, to the oil producers, to the environmentalists, to the farmers, to the climate change experts to those concerned about costs and the transition to green jobs were heard from and our committees and membership worked hard on a bill that will be the first foot forward to the goals that we want to achieve for the 21st century.

While this bill is in no way a panacea to the myriad of issues before us, it certainly is a progressive step towards creating clean energy jobs, achieving energy independence, reducing global warming and slowing climate change.

As a representative of one of the offshore territories of the United States, I would reiterate that the U.S. territories, like other distressed economies around the Nation, stand to be disproportionately affected by the impact of climate change. We are also disproportionately dependent on diesel for power generation and vulnerable to its shifting costs.

On the other hand our geography and natural resources have the potential to promote and utilize a diverse portfolio of renewable energy options. I am proud that my colleagues have recognized this and that this legislation contains language that will help us prepare for the coming challenges and the shift to a greener economy.

Madam Speaker, The American Clean Energy and Security Act undoubtedly responds to the call of countless citizens who have clearly articulated this generation and this Congress must invest in renewable energy, green jobs, clean technology, and adaptation strategies--domestically and internationally--to buffer the ramifications of climate change while at the same time ensuring that the cost will not be prohibitive to poor and middle income Americans.

I am proud that we are responding to the President's vision and mandate to meet our country's climate and energy security needs, in the near future and beyond.

We have accomplished an amazing feat by arriving to where we are today. I implore my colleagues here today to put politics aside and keep the interest of the American people at heart throughout this process.

Let us make this a truly historic day as we hold true to the commitment of leading the world into an economy of 21st century clean technology and industry.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Congressional Black Caucus' Special Order this evening.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today, along with my other colleagues, in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month. This month marks the fourth anniversary of officially recognizing Caribbean American Heritage Month. And I want to applaud you, Madam Speaker, the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, for introducing the legislation and getting it passed in February of 2006. President Bush officially proclaimed it for the very first time in June of that year.

The efforts to get us to that point began long before, though, with the Institute for Caribbean Studies, which started observing June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in 1999. So I want to also take this opportunity to applaud the work and leadership of its president, Dr. Claire Nelson, of Jamaican heritage.

I also want to recognize the Carib News Foundation for its work over the years to bring Caribbean and United States leaders together to discuss issues of common interest over the past 14 years. They filled an important gap.

Recent attempts to officially bridge this gap began in 1997, when President Clinton traveled to Barbados where the Bridgetown Declaration was crafted. This important declaration affirmed our common resolve to fight crime, violence, corruption, drug and illegal drug trafficking while, as President Clinton said, ``promoting open and fair trade, protecting the environment, strengthening education, spreading telecommunications, and helping Caribbean countries diversify their economies and become more competitive as well.''

Upon his return, he submitted the Caribbean Basin Trade Enhancement Act, which Congress passed. The cooperation was further affirmed with the historic meetings held in June of 2007 between the heads of Caribbean governments and the Bush-Cheney administration and this Congress. This commitment was renewed and reinvigorated at the Summit of the Americas held in the Caribbean nations of Trinidad and Tobago in April of this year with the active participation and leadership of our President, Barack Obama, who set a new tone for our relationship with the region.

But the relationship has even predated the birth of this Nation. In 1751, our very first President, George Washington, reported to have had family connections in Barbados, traveled there with his brother for a health-related matter in November of 1751. They stayed 2 months, and he is said to have been enchanted by the island and the Caribbean.

Over the years, many Congressional Black Caucus members have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and keep us focused and invested in ongoing affairs in the Caribbean. We have done this through Chairman Rangel's efforts with the Caribbean Basin legislation and other initiatives, Congresswoman Waters, who worked so hard to save the banana industry and who was then Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. She and I traveled to Barbados in 1997 for that historic meeting.

I also want to recognize the special work done by Congressman Donald Payne, who is the founding Chair of the Friends of the Caribbean Caucus, and Congressman Kendrick Meek, Congressman Gregory Meeks, and of course Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. But, truly, all of the Congressional Black Caucus members are champions of the causes of the Caribbean.

Last year, one of our great achievements, led by Congressman Donald Payne and you, Madam Speaker, Congresswoman Lee, in one of those great efforts, PEPFAR was extended to all of the Caribbean for the very first time. Two months ago, health ministers and CARICOM leaders met to draft the 5-year plan which would build on the PANCAP, the Pan Caribbean Partnership, to address HIV and AIDS in this region. The Shirley Chisholm United States Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2009, introduced, again, by Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman and Madam Speaker Lee, is now working its way through Congress. It will help to build a stronger Caribbean workforce and promote greater collaboration between the United States and the Caribbean, as well as a sharing of values and culture.

Madam Speaker, I do have a few colleagues here with me this evening, and I would like to yield some time to them so that they may bring some remarks about the special month that we're celebrating in which we are recognizing the contributions of people from the Caribbean to the United States.

So at this time, I will yield such time as she might consume to Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.

Thank you, Congresswoman Clarke, for your remarks this evening. And thank you, most of all, though, for your leadership on behalf of the Caribbean countries. We appreciate the work that you do both on your committee, the subcommittee that you Chair on Homeland Security, and in all of the work that addresses issues in the Caribbean. Thank you for joining us this evening.

I would like now to yield to the gentlewoman from Texas, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee.

Thank you, Congresswoman Jackson-Lee, and thank you for your hard work, your service, and your support for all issues relating to the Caribbean. I know you are very proud of your Jamaican heritage because you speak of it very often. Thank you.

At this time I would like to yield such time as he might consume to the founding Chair of the Friends of the Caribbean Caucus, the gentleman from New Jersey, Congressman Donald Payne.

Thank you, Congressman Payne, and thank you for your leadership both as our leader on Africa and global health as well as for all of the work that you've done with us in the Caribbean Caucus. Thank you for joining us this evening.

There are so many men and women of Caribbean American heritage who have contributed greatly, and so many events that have created ties that forever bind us together. President Obama in his proclamation this year, recognizing Caribbean American Heritage Month wrote, ``Generations of immigrants have preserved the traditions of their homeland, and these traditions have defined our Nation's identity. This multi-lingual and multi-ethnic tradition has strengthened our social fabric and enriched the diversity of our Nation.'' He continues, ``We are neighbors, partners and friends. We share the same aspirations for our children, and we strive for the very same freedoms. Together we can meet the common challenges we face.''

I want to highlight several of those ties that bind. The birth of our Nation was supported by many Caribbean islands. Many do not know that the guns that were manned by the colonies during the American Revolution were gunpowdered by shipments from the Caribbean. While I believe most of it originated from St. Kitts, it was in the St. Croix Harbor in the then Danish West Indies where that gunpowder was loaded for shipment to the early colonies. In fact, it was also in that St. Croix Harbor, according to Robert Amandus Johnson in his book Saint Croix 1770 to 1776, that the first salute to the Stars and Stripes occurred in June of 1776.

And, of course, there is the direct relationship between Haiti and New Orleans, the latter of which in the beginning of the 19th century was considered a minor adjunct to the island which was then considered France's most valuable possession. It was only after Napoleon failed to reconquer the colony after the Africans had won their freedom and begun to establish their republic, only then did he decide to sell the Louisiana Territory. Many from the island of Saint Domingue who had fled that island became early inhabitants of New Orleans, contributing to the culture which is so recognized and renowned today.

There are also many U.S. Virgin Islanders today and in the past and from the then Danish West Indies who have and who continue to contribute much to our Nation. I have spoken of many of them on several occasions, people like Casper Holstein. Congressman Payne mentioned Raymond Jones. Jon Lucien in music, Emile Griffith in boxing, Valmy Thomas, Horace Clarke and Tim Duncan in sports. There are many, many others.

One, Denmark Vesey, was born in St. Thomas and settled in Charleston, South Carolina, one of my favorite cities. He settled there in 1783. Seventeen years later he bought his freedom, and inspired, I am sure, by the 1733 African rebellion of St. John and the 1791 successful African rebellion in the Isle of Saint Domingue, now Haiti, he also planned a well-known slave uprising that was to have taken place in 1822, but was thwarted.

I would be truly remiss if I didn't speak briefly about Alexander Hamilton, who has been named several times this evening, who was born in Nevis, which is now a part of the independent nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, and who spent his formative years in St. Croix before coming to New York and eventually becoming, as Ron Chernow puts it, ``Arguably the most important figure in American history who never attained the Presidency, but had a far more lasting impact than many who did.''

Alexander Hamilton was credited with having been Washington's aide- de-camp, a Revolutionary War hero, a member of the Constitutional Convention, the leading author of the Federalist Papers and head of the Federalist Party, as well as the first Secretary of the Treasury, who forged our tax and budget systems. I bet he would have let us budget for prevention, as we are trying to do in health care reform. He started the Customs Service, the Coast Guard, and the Central Bank.

We are proud that he was a Virgin Islander, a Crucian, and we are seeking to make his family home, the site where his mother was buried, a part of the National Park Service. It carries the same name as his home in New York City, Grange.

There have been many Caribbean men and women who have served in Congress and in our Nation's administration.

As a woman of Caribbean decent and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Shirley Chisholm led the way for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and I. As a pioneering minority woman, her legacy holds the door open for many more African Americans and women.

Then there was Mervyn Dymally, Ron de Lugo, Melvin Evans, Victor Frazier, and all who have served as Resident Commissioners from Puerto Rico, as well as Members of Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage who are also Caribbean Americans and who serve today and have served in the past in this body.

Many more of our Nation's leaders trace their roots to the Caribbean, such

as our former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Attorney General Eric Holder, Assistant Secretary of the Interior-designee Wilma Lewis, and Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. But there are many others.

We may look back as far as the period to 1900 to 1920, which marked the initiation of mass labor migration from the Caribbean to the United States and the formation of the first large Caribbean communities here in this country.

We should not forget World War I, when the recruitment of labor from the Caribbean became imperative. More than 100,000 Caribbean laborers were recruited for agricultural and tedious jobs as part of war labor. We should acknowledge the Caribbean men and women who served our country and those who continue to serve this country overseas in its conflicts today.

So I feel it has been an honor and privilege as a Caribbean American, whose roots lie in Cuba, Antigua, St. Kitts and the Danish Indies, now the Virgin Islands, to host this hour, where the Congressional Black Caucus has recognized and paid tribute to Caribbean American heritage.

Thank you for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and in strong support of H.R. 1256. I want to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Waxman for his many years of hard work on this legislation. We would not be here today passing this landmark bill without his and Senator Kennedy's unwavering commitment to have tobacco regulated and their leadership.

As a physician and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Brain Trust, as well as a parent and grandparent, I give my full support to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

Today, tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in this country. It accounts for nearly one in five deaths each year and kills more people than AIDS, fires, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, homicide, car accidents and suicide combined. It is a major public health issue and a key driver of the country's high health care costs.

This bill empowers States and communities to prevent aggressive tobacco marketing that has the greatest negative impact in the hardest hit communities and among our most vulnerable.

It bans the additives used to manufacture flavored cigarettes which are marketed to children. And while it does not ban menthol immediately, it gives the FDA the authority to do so and sets up a commission to make a recommendation on this issue, so important to the African American community, within a year. Additionally, it speeds up the development of smoking cessation and nicotine replacement therapies, which are key to helping millions of Americans overcome nicotine addiction.

So this bill will help save millions of lives, and in doing so, it will also jump-start and complement our efforts to improve health and save millions more lives through the broader health care reform bill that will also soon be on the President's desk.

I am pleased that we are taking this bold step necessary to finally address this issue in a comprehensive and thoughtful manner, a step that has not come easy nor one that has come without controversy, but a step nonetheless worth taking.

I urge passage of the rule and H.R. 1256.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to join my colleagues to once again support H.R. 31, the Lumbee Recognition Act offered by Rep. McIntyre and H.R. 1385, the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Recognition Act of 2009 introduced by Rep. Moran.

It is only fitting that these indigenous populations be officially recognized as Native peoples of this land. As we move forward as a Nation to level the playing field for all citizens, H.R. 31 and H.R. 1385 is undoubtedly a monumental step in righting these historical tragedies. I second the sentiments of our President in his remarks that Congress should intervene and recognize the Lumbee Indians as a tribal group.

Aptly extending federal distinction to the Lumbee, Chickahominy, Chickahominy--Eastern Division, Upper Mataponi, Rappahannock, Monacan and Nansemond tribes is the only way to address hundreds of years of injustice endured.

Federal recognition will dramatically transform the lives of the Native American tribes currently being considered. Our failure to extend federal recognition to them has meant years of discriminatory treatment. Countless individuals have had difficulty naming children, getting marriage licenses and even getting inducted into military service. Other communities have been disproportionately affected by interruptions and cuts in funding that are crucial to services provided by tribal programs.

It has been a long time coming, but it is high time that they are ascribed the rights and protections afforded to other citizens of our Country.

While this is a time marked by challenge for the entire Nation, it is my hope that this legislation be stalled no more and swiftly enacted into law.

I urge my colleagues to support this very important piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 325) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 325, sponsored by the National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee chairman, Raul Grijalva, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project. The extremely arid conditions and climate of the Tucson, Arizona metropolitan area require the careful and innovative planning of both water supply and wastewater treatment systems.

The proposed Avra Valley Reclamation and Riparian Restoration site would spread treated wastewater on the mesquite riparian forest in Black Wash, creating valuable riparian habitat for migrating birds while recharging groundwater for the greater Tucson area.

I commend Mr. Grijalva for bringing this legislation to our attention, and I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 325.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1120) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Central Texas Water Recycling and Reuse Project, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1120 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to participate

in the Central Texas Water Recycling and Reuse Project. The project will treat and recycle wastewater generated by the city of Waco and six neighboring communities. Similar legislation was passed by the House under suspension of the rules in the 109th and 110th Congresses.

I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 1120, and I commend the bill's sponsor, Mr. Edwards of Texas, for his persistence and hard work to secure authorization for this very important project.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield such time as he might consume to the sponsor of this act, to our colleague, Mr. Edwards of Texas.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1393) to amend the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2000 to authorize additional projects and activities under that Act, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to add extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1393 amends the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2009 to authorize the construction of several water conservation projects in Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Hudspeth, and El Paso Counties in Texas. I commend the bill's sponsor, Mr. Hinojosa, for bringing this measure to our attention. I urge the passage of this noncontroversial bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I now want to yield as much time as he might consume to the sponsor of the bill, to my classmate, Mr. Ruben Hinojosa of Texas.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1280) to modify a land grant patent issued by the Secretary of the Interior.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to bring to the House for its consideration this legislation sponsored by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak). This bill makes a minor technical correction to a land patent issued by the Secretary of the Interior to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society.

In 1997, Congress directed the Secretary to grant a land patent transferring a portion of the Whitefish Point Coast Guard Light Station to the society for the purposes of developing a public museum dedicated to shipping on the Great Lakes, including the well-known tragedy of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, an iron ore carrier lost on Lake Superior in 1975.

A condition of the patent was that the use of the land conform to the Whitefish Point Comprehensive Plan of 1992. That plan has been replaced by a new document, the December 2002 Human Use/Natural Resource Plan for Whitefish Point. This bill strikes the reference to the old plan and replaces it with the title of the current document.

Congressman Stupak has worked diligently on behalf of this legislation. The museum is one of the most popular attractions in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and Mr. Stupak has been a great advocate on its behalf.

I wholeheartedly support H.R. 1280 and urge its adoption by the House today.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield to the sponsor of the legislation, Mr. Bart Stupak of Michigan.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 689) to interchange the administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal lands between the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and for other purposes, as amended.

I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 689 was introduced by our colleague from California, Representative Herger. The bill authorizes the exchange of land between the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The specified lands are located within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Northern California.

The purpose of the exchange is to ease problems that off-highway vehicle users are having with permitting. Due to the patchwork nature of the Federal land in that area, OHV users currently need to acquire two permits--one from the BLM and one from the Forest Service. This bill will mean that OHV users need only one permit from the BLM to operate the vehicles in the region.

The administration supports this legislation, and so do I.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would inquire if my colleague has any other speakers on the other side?

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2330) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing Camp Hale as a unit of the National Park System, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, again I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2330 was introduced by our colleague from Colorado, Representative Lamborn, and the bill directs the National Park Service to study how best to preserve Camp Hale near Leadville, Colorado. Camp Hale operated from 1942 to 1965 as a winter and high-altitude training venue for the 10th Mountain Division and other elements of the U.S. Armed Forces.

This 250,000-acre camp was also used by the Central Intelligence Agency as a secret center for training Tibetan refugees in guerilla warfare to resist the Chinese occupation. The lands were returned to the Forest Service in 1966.

Today, the camp is part of the White River and San Isabel National Forests. Camp Hale was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. This legislation passed the House last Congress but was not acted upon by the other body.

Mr. Speaker, we support the passage of this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time as well.