Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to this Nation's veterans, a distinguished group of Americans which I am so proud to be associated with.

Prior to my election to public office, it was my privilege to work on behalf of veterans for more than 15 years as a chief psychiatric nurse at the Dallas VA Hospital, Day Treatment Center, as well as the Day Hospital in Dallas, TX.

Our 25 million living veterans need Congress' continued support for health care and compensation for those with service-connected disabilities. Educational support, counseling, and employment- assistance programs for those readjusting to civilian life also must be sustained. These programs and others to assist the survivors of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, help acknowledge a debt we can never truly repay.

We cannot hide from the truth that close to 25 percent of our Nation's homeless are veterans, many of whom suffer from chronic mental illness. We also cannot ignore that unemployment rates among service- connected disabled and recently discharged veterans remain unacceptably high, and that it is estimated that over 10,000 Iraq and Afghan veterans suffer symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

I will proudly join millions of North Texans to honor our veterans on November 11th--many of those just returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, others who long ago returned from Europe, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and all those brave men and women who served elsewhere during the years between these conflicts.

Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).

General Leave

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

I will.

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

Mr. Speaker, it was a little over 2 years ago that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita tore through the gulf coast leaving a trail of tragedy and despair in their wake.

Endless news reports documented the disaster, the catastrophe, the misfortune and the heartbreak of the affected communities. Even some of our colleagues lost their homes. Many wondered how they could help these victims, whose homes, families and livelihoods were destroyed in a matter of hours.

Washington may be geographically far from Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Texas, but it gives us no excuse to dismiss the travails of those States. We cannot merely look at these events through protective glass, ruling on the fates of these communities from far away. We must be on the ground, planning recovery and reconstruction to ensure the devastation experienced never happens again.

Most of us have traveled to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina to try and understand what needs to be done to help the region prepare for the future.

I have seen firsthand the devastation faced by the citizens of New Orleans and the surrounding region.

On September 15, 2005, President Bush stood in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the dark of the night and stated, ``Throughout the area hit by the hurricane, we will do what it takes, we will stay as long as it takes, to help citizens rebuild their communities and their lives.''

How is vetoing the Water Resources Development Act consistent with this pledge? We need to change how we deal with these events.

Our Federal emergency planning should not consist of after-the-fact recovery. We must institute prevention. We cannot simply wait for tragedy after tragedy and then hastily truck in meals ready to eat or trucks of bottles of water. We need to truck in reform now.

Prior to the hurricanes, the gulf coast had but a patchwork of protection. The wetlands had disappeared. The buffer that could have reduced the wrath of the winds and storm surge of Katrina and Rita had been vanishing. This legislation authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to begin to replenish the water coastline.

WRDA 2007 also closes the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, commonly known as ``Mr. Go,'' taking a proactive step to help the people and the businesses of Louisiana, Mississippi and the entire Gulf Coast States. The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet was authorized to provide a shorter shipping channel from the Gulf of Mexico to New Orleans; yet the projected traffic for this corridor never materialized. Unfortunately, the outlet may have substantially contributed to the severe flooding of the City of New Orleans and the lower Ninth Ward during Hurricane Katrina.

WRDA 2007 is also essential to fulfill the President's commitment to rebuild New Orleans even better and stronger than before the storm. Unfortunately, by vetoing this legislation, the President is turning his back on the commitment to rebuild this great city, vetoing the authorization for the Corps to raise enhanced flood protection levees surrounding the City of New Orleans and to achieve a 100-year level of protection.

Some may think that investment in our Nation's infrastructure should have a cost ceiling. We will never be able to contain this cost until we do some of the work. That investment in our Nation's future should only cost so much. Well, for those who make this argument concerning this bill, I urge them to study the recent past of this legislative body.

This bill is not new. As many times as we don't finish it, cost goes up. WRDA 2007 contains water resource projects that have been pending in the halls of this Chamber for far too long. Water resources legislation is most effective when authorized every 2 years. Even the executive branch department indicated that we need $19 billion every other year to bring this, all the infrastructure, up to par. This hasn't happened.

The last bill was signed in 2000 by President Clinton. This bill clears a 7-year logjam. A larger bill is necessary to carry a larger load.

When President Bush states that this bill is too costly, he is not considering the time lag. This debate is not about whether this legislation could cost $14 billion or $15 billion, but about whether this legislation authorizes projects that reinvest in the Nation's crumbling infrastructure.

We do right by this country when we invest in its infrastructure. Regrettably, we are falling miserably behind. China spends 9 percent of its gross domestic product on infrastructure. India spends 3.5 percent and the U.S. spends a meager .93 percent. We must do better.

We don't want a situation where our beaches remain contaminated with open sewage or other contaminants. We passed this particular conference report on August 1, 2007, the same day that the highway bridge I-35 collapsed in Minnesota. We stood on this floor considering investment in infrastructure at the same time that emergency personnel were working the wreckage of a structure that unexpectedly is unstable. Our country cannot continue to put an arbitrary cost ceiling on investment in our public works.

If we do this on a regular basis, we won't have to do that.

Simply put, this legislation is about meeting our commitments to the Nation on protecting lives and livelihoods, ensuring economic competitiveness in the global marketplace, and restoring the Nation's ecological treasures.

For example, WRDA 2007 authorizes the first three projects in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, the Picayune Strand, Indian River Lagoon, and the Site 1 Impoundment Project.

Since 2000, all 15 components of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan have been delayed. Costs have decreased, and even in my paper this weekend, there was an article on how the Everglades were disappearing.

Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park continue to be listed in the directories of our country's most endangered parks. As the population of the State of Florida has boomed, land management has not kept pace. This bill begins the journey to a better Florida.

If safety and human protection are not good enough reasons to secure the passage of this legislation, I urge the President to consider our industry. WRDA 2007 seeks to improve our waters for our industry and our environment. This bill authorizes seven locks and dams in the Upper Mississippi River, as well as the ecosystem restoration projects in the Midwest region.

This bill doesn't just address large water resources projects. Many smaller projects are contained within this legislation, seeking to improve cities and small towns across the Nation. We'd like very much for drinking bottled water to continue to be a selection and a choice, rather than a necessity.

These projects do not make national headlines, but they make a difference in the quality of life for those who live in these vicinities. Without these projects, many communities would be without necessary flood control, ecosystem restoration, and economic and public health necessities.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the flood control needs of my district in Dallas. The Dallas Floodway accepts 1,600 square miles of Trinity River watershed runoff and safely moves the flood waters through the City of Dallas by virtue of levees that form both sides of the 2,000 foot-wide floodway. The flooding has been projected to flood the downtown area where all of the basis of our economy is. The floodway levees protect the downtown Dallas vicinity from a potential flood damage loss to property and infrastructure of $8 billion or more.

The 23 miles of levees for the Dallas Floodway were originally constructed by local interests in 1932 and reconstructed by the Corps in 1960. Since 1960, the upstream watershed has experienced the exploding population growth, which has significantly increased run-off, overwhelmed our antiquated interior drainage pumps, and greatly reduced the flood protection afforded by the levee system.

My district's flood control needs are great; and like other communities across the Nation, they are anxiously anticipating the resumption of a predictable, consistent and 2-year WRDA cycle.

Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that this Congress send a message to the American people today that we intend to make our Nation's infrastructure a priority.

I urge my colleagues to join with me and vote ``yes'' in making our infrastructure a priority, vote ``yes'' for your districts, and vote ``yes'' to override the ill-advised veto.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina, our majority whip, Mr. Clyburn.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello), senior member of the committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 1 minute to our majority leader from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the distinguished senior member of the committee from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Melancon).

Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have left?

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to Mrs. Tubbs Jones from the State of Ohio.

(Mrs. JONES of Ohio asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, so I rise to close.

I would like to thank Mr. Oberstar for his tremendous leadership, Mr. Young, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Baker, and, of course, Mr. Mica. We have worked together for the last 6 years, actually, a little longer, 7 years, on a bill to try to address these infrastructure problems throughout our Nation. This is the first opportunity that we have really had to begin to address the many massive problems that we do have.

It gives no one pleasure to override any President because I was always taught to listen to both sides. This time, Mr. Speaker, I believe it's a necessity. We simply must begin to address these many, many problems that we are facing. If we had done what the executive branch had recommended, we would have had at least $19 billion in 2001; another $19 billion in 2003; and another $19 billion in 2005; then the $19 billion due this year. As it is, $23 billion is short $55 billion.

So we are not addressing every problem, but we are trying our best to prioritize; and hopefully we can get back on schedule and address these problems every 2 years so that we won't have to deal with more floods like Katrina and Rita; we won't have to do without our Everglades as they begin to disappear.

So thank you very much to the staff, to all of the Members, both minority and majority, because we have all been one or the other. We have been majority and we have been minority. We still work together. This bill hasn't changed that much, no matter who was in the majority or no matter who was in the minority, because we know that problems of this sort are really simply not Democrat or Republican; these are people's problems and we simply have the responsibility to address them.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask everyone to vote to override this veto.

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, I could not be present for rollcall votes 1047 and 1048 due to a previous commitment to district related business.

Had I been present, I would have cast the following votes: ``yea'' on rollcall vote 1047 and ``yea'' on rollcall vote 1048.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Second Chance Act, and I thank Mr. Davis for introducing this important piece of legislation.

In America we have more than 2 million people in prison. Of these, over 600,000 are released each year. Very few of these individuals are prepared to return to their communities or receive support services to ease their transition.

These ex-offenders face serious impediments in obtaining employment, and often have serious mental or physical ailments that remain unaddressed. Today, approximately half of all black men are jobless. Amongst ex-offenders this number is even higher.

There is a revolving door of ex-offenders into many of our neighborhoods. With few opportunities, two-thirds of all ex-offenders are arrested for new crimes within a few years of their release. We must give these individuals the opportunity to become productive citizens.

The Second Chance Act will go a long way towards this goal by providing transitional assistance to ex-offenders reentering their communities. By focusing on the major impediments that face ex- offenders, the Second Chance Act seeks to reduce recidivism and give those reentering society a new opportunity to turn their lives around. This legislation addresses the need for jobs, housing, and substance abuse/mental health treatment, and it works to reunite families and provide the appropriate training and rehabilitation for these individuals.

This bill will increase public safety and give millions of ex- offenders a chance to be positive productive citizens. I strongly urge my colleagues' support.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the 1972 graduating class from Skyline High School in Dallas, TX. Located in my Congressional District, Skyline High School has the distinction being the first high school to offer a magnet school curriculum in the United States. As the first graduating class of our Nation's first magnet school, I am pleased to honor them today as they celebrate this important milestone in their education.

Apart of the Dallas Independent School system, Skyline's construction and development was guided by J. Stamps, the first high school principal, and Gene Davenport, the first Career Development Center Principal. Their vision for the school has helped shape it into the institution it is today, offering 22 career development clusters under the magnet school program. These exemplary cluster programs have directly yielded the creation of additional DISD magnet school. Graduates of the magnet school include authors, politicians, athletes and scholars.

Skyline High School aims to instill upon their graduates and students integrity, knowledge and ethics to prepare them for their future pursuits in life. The class of 1972 truly embodies these attributes, and is a shining example of our Dallas citizenry. Again, I am honored to congratulate them on the occasion of their 35th graduation anniversary.

Madam Speaker, due to the death of my mother, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 961-979 on Monday, October 5 through Thursday, October 18, 2007. I would like the Record to reflect that had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner:

``Yea'' on rollcall votes 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 968, 969, 970, 971, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978, 980, 981, 982; and

``Nay'' on rollcall votes 972, 979.

Madam Speaker, one of our key democratic allies--the Republic of Azerbaijan--is set to celebrate the 16th Anniversary of its re-independence on October 18. In the current global political climate, Azerbaijan is unique among democracies as the world's first Muslim democratic republic! A status I both commend and support.

Azerbaijan's first glimpse as a democratic republic came in 1918 shortly after the fall of the Russian Empire. Unfortunately, the Red Anny invaded on April 28, 1920 and thereby preempting further democratization at that time.

Azerbaijan's second opportunity for freedom and self-determination came at a heavy price following the 1990 invasion of Baku by Soviet troops, resulting in the death of more than a hundred thirty civilians. Moscow rule grew weaker in Azerbaijan and by 1991 popular pressure led the country to declare its independence.

Given past Soviet rule and difficult geopolitical environment between Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan's determination to look westward for its political and economic allies should be applauded.

Azerbaijan cooperates with the United States within international and regional institutions including UN, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and NATO's Partnership for Peace program. Azerbaijan also works together with the United States within the framework of the Organization for Democracy and Development--GUAM which is comprised of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The group was created as a political, economic and strategic alliance aimed at overcoming common risks and threats and strengthening the independence and sovereignty of its member states.

The Republic of Azerbaijan is a standout nation among the South Caucasus countries, with a population of 8 million people and an ambitious economic policy. During the last decade Azerbaijan has been implementing structural reforms and adopting numerous laws and legislative changes, paving the way toward further integration within the global economy. The nation has been moving toward a more diversified economy to achieve sustainable growth and to meet the social and development needs of its population. As reported by the International Monetary Fund, IMF, Azerbaijan's macroeconomic performance ``has been impressive with strong growth, low inflation, and a stable exchange rate.'' Real GDP grew by an annual average of over 10 percent during the last six years and build up to 34.4 percent in the first eight months of 2006, driven by investments in the energy sector, followed by growth in the construction and transportation sectors, and agriculture.

Since signing the ``Contract of the Century'' in 1994 Azerbaijan has developed its energy sources within the Caspian region to diversify western energy supplies. On July 13, 2006 the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main oil export pipeline was inaugurated. The Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline is expected to be completed this fall. Azerbaijan also actively promotes the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad project which has been recognized as an important part of East-West and North-South transport corridor.

Diversification of the economy and ensuring the development of non- oil sectors is a priority for the government. This policy includes implementation of projects and programs that create favorable conditions for development of

private entrepreneurship, attracting investment in non-oil sector, creating new jobs, evaluation of potential industries and markets, and development of infrastructure in the regions.

The last 16 years of independence has not been without challenges. In 1993 the UN Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding complete, unconditional, and immediate withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. NATO, OSCE, EU, and other international organizations also repeatedly called for the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

In January 2005 the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution clearly stating that ``considerable parts of the territory of Azerbaijan are still occupied by Armenian forces and separatist forces are still in control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region'' and urged the withdrawal of Armenian military forces from all Azerbaijani territories.

We, the United States, recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan. A State Department's 2005 Fact Sheet states: ``The United States does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent country, and its leadership is not recognized internationally or by the United States. The United States supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and holds that the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh is a matter of negotiation between the parties.''

Let us today commend the Republic of Azerbaijan on their forthcoming 16th Anniversary celebrations. And, let us today commit ourselves to their continued development as a global partner against the war on terrorism, toward economic growth, diversification of energy resources, and strengthening stability and security in the region.

Mr. Speaker, due to a family health emergency, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 949-958 on Tuesday, October 9, through Wednesday, October 10, 2007. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner: ``yea'' on rollcall votes 949, 950, 951, 952, 953, 954, 955, 958, 960; ``nay'' on rollcall votes 956, 957, 959.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the induction of Dr. Larry Hornbeck of Texas Instruments into the National Academy of Engineering.

Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer, recognizing important contributions to engineering theory and practice.

Dr. Hornbeck invented the Digital Micromirror Device, or DMD, an optical semiconductor that is at the core of Texas Instruments' Digital Light Processing technology. His career at TI spans 34 years.

Texas Instruments is in my District, and I am proud of the advances in computing that they have made and am also proud of their contributions and outreach to Dallas.

The Federal Government, through its support of basic research, played a pivotal role in the creation of the DMD.

The foundation of this technology was developed through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the National Security Agency research in the 1970s to assist with target detection and recognition. In 1989, DARPA provided funds to investigate the technology's application to high-definition TV.

Today, DLP is the only American display technology. Each chip contains millions of tiny mirrors that move independently to display trillions of colors.

TI's DLP business employs roughly 1,000 people in the Dallas area. The technology is now moving beyond projectors, television and cinema, into applications such as 3-D medical imaging--for example, allowing improved imaging of organs and better treatments for targeting tumors.

The current and potential success of DMD technology illustrates the importance of federal investment in basic research to innovation.

Congratulations to Dr. Hornbeck on his induction into the NAE. I am proud to highlight his work as an example of the importance of the engineering profession to the economy of Texas and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, on September 13, 2007, Muslims in America and around the world celebrated the commencement of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. I'd like to thank Chairman Lantos, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, Congressman Meek, Congressman Ellison and the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association for their continued support and leadership on this historic bill.

The two best that I know are on my staff: my chief of staff, Murat Gokcigdem, a Turkish American; and Illham Jaffer, legislative assistant.

H. Res. 635 recognizes Muslims around the world and commemorates them during their holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is observed in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Of the Abrahamic faiths, Islam is a faith that places great emphasis on knowledge; therefore, it is a faith of reason and peace.

The month of Ramadan is a time of heightened spiritual awareness, family

bonding, communal service and worship, and self-renewal for Muslims everywhere. It is the month of fasting from sunrise to sunset for over 1 billion Muslims throughout the world.

During this month, Muslim Americans are appreciative of America's tradition of diversity. The community displays its appreciation by reconfirming its duty to ensure human dignity and a better future for all.

The Muslim American community contributes to the vibrant growth of American society and culture. Muslim Americans play a significant role in our Nation's political process, economic growth, scientific development, free enterprise, religious tolerance, law enforcement and homeland security.

American pluralistic ideals, democratic institutions and multiculturalism are expanded and strengthened by the contribution of Muslim American civic participation.

During this holy month, I'd like to say Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims.

Mr. Speaker, on September 13, 2007, Muslims in America and around the world celebrated the commencement of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. I would like to thank Chairman Lantos, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, Congressman Meeks, Congressman Ellison, and the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association for their continued support and leadership on this historic bill. The two I know best are Murat Gokcigdem who is Turkish American and my Chief of Staff and Illy Jaffer, Pakistani American and my Legislative Assistant. House Resolution 635 recognizes Muslims around the world and commemorates them during their holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is observed in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Of the Abrahamic faiths, Islam is a faith that places great emphasis on knowledge; therefore, it is a faith of reason and peace. The month of Ramadan is a time of heightened spiritual awareness, family bonding, communal service and worship, and self-renewal for Muslims everywhere. It is the month of fasting from sunrise to sunset for over one billion Muslims throughout the world. During this month, Muslim Americans are appreciative of America's tradition of diversity. The community displays its appreciation by reconfirming its duty to ensure human dignity and a better future for all.

The Muslim American community contributes to the vibrant growth of American society and culture. Muslim Americans play a significant role in our Nation's political process, economic growth, scientific development, free enterprise, religious tolerance, law enforcement, and homeland security. American pluralistic ideals, democratic institutions, and multiculturalism are expanded and strengthened by the contribution of Muslim American civic participation. During this holy month, I would like to say Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a friend of mine, a maverick, a community visionary, a leader, and a true Texan who has achieved an extraordinary milestone this year.

Senfronia Thompson set history this year by becoming the first woman and the first African-American legislator in the state of Texas to serve for 34 years. This milestone is an accomplishment for all Texas women and all Texas African-Americans.

In 1973, Senfronia Thompson was elected to the Texas State House of Representatives from Houston. She has continued to serve her constituents in honor ever since. She now ranks as the longest-serving woman and the longest-serving African-American in Texas State legislature history.

I had the pleasure of serving beside Senfronia Thompson, a native Houstonian and a champion of civic participation, when we were both freshman legislators together in 1973. It was an honor to serve with her then and it is an honor for me to be able to celebrate her accomplishment today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend of mine, Goldy Levi, on his eightieth birthday. Not only is Goldy Levi a wonderful man who is greatly liked, he is an upstanding citizen and a pillar of the Dallas community. He is a true Texan who has achieved an extraordinary milestone this year.

Longevity is a cause for celebration, especially when it has been accomplished with such great ease. Goldy Levi has been a long time Dallas resident and I am honored to be blessed with his friendship. It is a true pleasure for me to be able to celebrate this milestone with him today.

Madam Speaker, last week the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation held its 2007 Annual Legislative Conference.

Each year, I have convened the Science and Technology Braintrust. The Braintrust is a discussion forum aimed at bringing together America's brightest minds to share idea on how to diversify our science and technology workforce.

I have remained committed to hosting this Braintrust each year, because I believe that engaging young people in the fields of science and technology is one of the most important things we can do for the future success of America.

With India and China producing more than five times the number of engineers, computer scientists and information technology professions in 2005 than we did, our nation is losing its competitive edge.

The Sciene Committee ushered through a $33.6 billion package of Innovation policies that are designed to help early career researchers, better train math and science teachers, and encourage industry and universities to partner with local high schools to improve science instruction.

Having a dialogue with students and with the science education community is another way to exchange ideas and assess the needs of our population.

My Braintrust consisted of two panels. The first panel consisted of high-level individuals who have risen to great heights in technology and engineering fields. They provided an executive perspective of the educational experiences that are needed for tomorrow's high-tech graduate to be globally competitive.

Panel 2 featured bright, innovative minds from individuals who work with technology in unique ways. The goal was to convince everyone here that a career in math, science or engineering can be fulfilling, challenging and fun.

Madam Speaker, more than 150 local, African American high school students attended my Braintrust, and many of them participated in the discussion by interacting directly with the panelists.

It is my feeling that a few hearts and minds were changed that day, in the Science Committee hearing room. If only one student was influenced toward a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, I will be satisfied. This focus has been a major goal of my work as an elected official.

In the 1990s, we responded to the digital age with breakthroughs in computer science and information technology.

Tomorrow's greatest challenge will be to meet the needs of the Innovation Age. We must compete at a global level.

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson's Science and Technology Braintrust--Education and Skills Needed for the Digital to Innovation

Age

Panel One

Education and Skills for Tomorrow's High-Tech Graduate:

The Executive Perspective

Moderator: Sam Ford, Reporter, ABC7/WJLA-TV

Panelists: Dr. Samuel Metters, CEO, Metter Industries, Inc.

Mr. Scott Mills, President, BET Networks. Dr. Cheryl Shavers,

CEO, Global Smarts, Inc. Mr. John Thompson, Sr. VP and

General Manager, BestBuy.com.

Panel Two

Innovators at the Cutting Edge

Moderator: Derek Lloyd, Professor and Senior Network

Systems Engineer, Howard University.

Panelists: Ms. Lyn Stanfield, Strategic Relations Manager,

Apple Inc. Mr. Darrell Davis, Director, DEA South Central

Laboratory. Mr. Rob Garza and Mr. Eric Hilton, Thievery

Corporation band. Dr. Anna McGowan, Manager, NASA Langley.

Mr. Speaker, due to a famly health emergency, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 891-923 on Monday, September 24 through Thursday, September 27, 2007. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner: ``yea'' on rollcall votes 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 896, 897, 898, 899, 900, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 911, 913, 915, 916, 917, 918, 919, 921, and 923; ``nay'' on rollcall votes 910, 912, 914, 920, and 922.

Madam Speaker, I rise to urge the timely reauthorization of the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act.

Unless the President signs the bipartisan, bicameral conference report that will be sent to him before the end of this fiscal year, the State Children's Health Insurance Program will fail to be funded in a timely manner.

As a result, several states will experience immediate budget shortages and may be unable to cover the health care expenses of thousands of uninsured children.

Texas has the highest rate of uninsured children in the Nation. Twenty-five percent of Texas kids have no health insurance.

The Federal Government and executive branch are in a position to help by refunding SCHIP so that states can enroll uninsured children into the program. These are children of the working poor.

Madam Speaker, I represent an urban area, and many of my constituents live in poverty. They face tough decisions regarding shift work, child- and dependent care options, transportation challenges, and even how to afford healthy meals for their families. Many are the working poor.

My constituents depend on SCHIP funds for a continuity of health care for their children to which they would not otherwise have access. I am gravely concerned about how they will be affected, should federal funds suddenly dry up.

For some, it could be a matter of life or death. For my constituents, I urge Congress and the President to work together to protect this valuable program. The Congressional Black Caucus is dedicated to this issue, and I thank the Chair for bringing attention to the health of our Nation's children.