Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the sad truth is that we have an epidemic of working poor in this country. These are Americans who work 40 to 60 hours a week and sometimes 7 days a week, yet can't afford the basic necessities. At $5.15 per hour, a full-time minimum wage worker makes less than $11,000 a year, which is less than most of us make in a month. These aren't just teenagers working part time. Most minimum-wage workers are actually hardworking disadvantaged adults. Each day these working poor are faced with the impossible decision of having to choose between food, clothing, shelter, medicine and utility bills. No American who works hard for a living should have to make those types of choices. We cannot continue to look away while hardworking Americans linger in poverty. This isn't just an economic issue, it is an ethical and moral issue.

I commend the Democratic leadership for their dedication to this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this raise for the millions of Americans who deserve it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael Lofton, an inspirational leader who is working each day to make a difference in the lives of young people in his community. This past summer Mr. Lofton implemented an idea to bring together 200 boys, men and parents in the first African American Men and Boys Conference. His goal was to counteract the trends where African American boys were lagging academically, disrupting classes, disrespecting themselves, and often ending up incarcerated.

His passion for helping children led him to the Austin School District, where he contacted parents, school principals, health specialists, professors, sociologists, judges, law-enforcement, businesses, community leaders and clergy, in order to create a concentrated effort to support young black men and boys in the Austin community.

The monthly African American Men and Boys Conference has continued to increase in participation since its inception this past June. It has also expanded from focusing on boys and their academic needs to working with the entire family to make a difference. Each month these boys and their families focus good decision making, managing anger, taking and passing standardized tests, completing high school, attending college, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and knowing how and when to seek assistance with school work,

It is people like Michael Lofton that are the cornerstone of our communities making a difference each and every day. He was brave enough and passionate enough to go out into the community and establish his vision for change, and he has inspired others to work with him to better our society. I commend Michael Lofton for all the work that he has done, and know that this is merely the first step of many great things to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the STS-116 crew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on the occasion of their launch into space today. Thursday, December 7, 2006, marks the shuttle's 20th mission to the International Space Station.

Space is a frontier few Americans get to experience, and for females and members of ethnic minorities, the opportunities are especially rare.

For this reason I offer warmest congratulations to Mission Specialist Joan E. Higginbotham.

As an African American woman, Joan Higginbotham will inspire millions of girls across the nation and across the world. Ms. Higginbotham's track record of excellence has set her apart from her peers. Trained as an electrical engineer with management and space systems expertise, Ms. Higginbotham has gone down a unique path.

Both Ms. Higginbotham and I are proud members of The Links, Incorporated.

The Links, Incorporated is a not-for-profit organization of more than 10,000 women of color, committed to enhancing the quality of life in their communities. The Links founders had three primary service aims: civic, educational, and cultural. In her achievement as an astronaut, Ms. Higginbotham will light the paths of millions of women of color to achieve in areas previously inaccessible to them.

Again, warmest congratulations and best wishes to the crew, especially to Mission Specialist Joan E. Higginbotham.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Pat Williams, who was recently installed as the 45th Postmaster of Dallas, Texas. In the role of Postmaster, Ms. Williams will be responsible for the daily operations of 44 stations and branches in the Dallas City ZIP Code area. Notably, Ms. Williams is also the first African-American woman to hold the position of Postmaster in Dallas.

A graduate of Prairie View A&M University, Pat Williams began her career with U.S. Postal Service in 1981, where she held a number of positions in both operations and support for over 10 years in Plant Operations. In 1985, she was promoted to supervisor of mails. In 1992, she crossed over to Customer Service Operations where she was assigned as Superintendent of Mails at Richland Station. Ms. Williams went on to supervise and manage several Dallas Stations and branches, and became the Lead Customer Service Operations Manager overseeing three Customer Service Operations Managers and their 44 stations and branches. In 2004 she became the District's Manager of Operations Program Support; overseeing the development and implementation of all District programs and projects.

Pat Williams truly earned this position through hard work and a strong commitment to customer service and her fellow postal workers. She is well respected amongst the postal employees and managers, as well as, the clerks and carriers.

Pat Williams has always been dedicated to excellence, and I am certain that this pursuit will continue in the form of outstanding operations and customer service for the people of Dallas. I am confident that Ms. Williams will successfully serve Dallas in her new role as Postmaster.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and applaud the Women's Federation for World Peace, USA for their commitment to women and world peace. This extraordinary organization provides women with the opportunities to create peace around the world. Their remarkable work highlights and enhances the role of women in establishing a world without terror and violence.

In these troubling times, the cries for peace on Earth are needed more than ever. Women's Federation for World Peace continues their fight by bringing women from all walks of life together to conquer a common goal. Their outstanding dedication and strong will to the enhancement of the world's women and peace will no doubt serve as a valuable component throughout the world.

As women we must be persistent, vigilant, and a strong force to help rid the world of violence. Although change will not come from one group, gender, or political party, but from all who are interested in helping to create a better world. An organization as the Women's Federation of World Peace is just one illustration in helping to create a better world for all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I want to personally thank the Women's Federation for World Peace for their dedication and commitment they have put forth. I truly admire this organization for improving the world's women and peace throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 536 and 537, had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on 536 and ``yea'' on 537.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my colleagues in congratulating the Government and the people of Kazakhstan on the 15th anniversary of their independence. I am encouraged by how far this Central Asian country has come since its independence in 1991, both in terms of economic and democratic progress. Kazakhstan has overcome numerous obstacles and challenges and today is a well recognized leader in promotion of economic and political freedoms in a region of great and growing importance to the security of the United States.

This year we also mark the 15th anniversary of the U.S.-Kazakhstan relationship. Kazakhstan has become not only a strategic partner, but a true friend of the United States. Kazakhstan has been a valuable ally to the

United States both before and after the tragic events of September 11. We are grateful to Kazakhstan for its unwavering commitment to strengthening stability in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Proudly, we share friendship based on common values of freedom and democracy. This fall we warmly welcomed to the Unites States the President of Kazakhstan, His Excellency Nursultan Nazarbayev, the architect of Kazakhstan's success and growing U.S.-Kazakhstan partnership.

Our cooperation has notably resulted in the elimination of weapons of mass destruction which Kazakhstan inherited from the Soviet Union, including hundreds of nuclear missiles aimed at the United States. President ``Nazarbayev was instrumental in ridding his nation of this lethal legacy thus greatly enhancing global security.

In addition to supporting our arms control objectives, Kazakhstan has played a key role in promoting peace and stability in the region by initiating the summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence- Building Measures in Asia. This forum of 18 nations, including Russia, China, India, Pakistan, our NATO ally Turkey, Afghanistan and others provide a timely opportunity for Asian nations to address current challenges to international peace and stability and establish a framework to resolve them. I believe we should commend Kazakhstan for its vision and enormous efforts to bring about this new security forum for Asia.

Mr. Speaker, Kazakhstan is Central Asia's most progressive nation, positioned to set the example for democratic reform in this most important region. I cannot agree more with the Joint Statement by our two Presidents adopted during the recent visit of President Nazarbayev that ``an enhanced strategic partnership between our countries will promote security and prosperity and foster democracy in the 21st Century.''

Mr. Speaker, within the first 100 hours of the next Congress, we will have the opportunity to pass six initiatives that should garner bipartisan support.

First, we will increase the minimum wage for the first time in 9 years.

Secondly, we will propose a tough ethics reform bill that finally addresses the link between the politicians and Washington lobbyists.

Third, Democrats will make our Nation safer by implementing the nonpartisan 9/11 Commission recommendations.

And we will move our Nation closer to energy independence by investing in critical biofuel research.

Fifth, we will help millions of American families better afford college by cutting the loan interest rates in half.

And finally, Democrats will fill in the doughnut hole so millions of American seniors no longer must choose between their drugs or their groceries.

Within the first 100 hours, we will bring these six bold proposals to the House floor, and I am hopeful that they will be embraced by Democrats and Republicans alike.

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

I support the passage of H.R. 6316. This bill extends through December 31, 2008, the authority of the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to process permits under the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbor Act of 1899.

The current authority for this program expires on December 31 of this year. The program is popular and well-received, particularly in the northwest part of the country.

I congratulate my committee colleague Mr. Baird for his attention to this issue and for securing today's consideration of this bill. I can think of no other Member who has served his local or regional issues with more enthusiasm and effectiveness.

The language in H.R. 6316 is similar to the two previous extensions of this program which passed the House September 20, 2005, and March 14, 2006. Both of these votes to extend the program received strong support from the House.

The language in this legislation is modeled after the language contained in H.R. 2864, the Water Resources Development Act of 2005, which passed this House on July 14, 2005, by an overwhelming vote of 406-14.

While my preference would be to address the extension of this program through passage of the broader Water Resources Development Act, at this later hour in the session it seems increasingly unlikely that work can be completed on the larger bill.

This really is unfortunate because it only further delays the opportunity for the Corps of Engineers to provide essential flood control, navigation and ecosystem restoration projects to our Nation and vital public safety and economic benefits to our constituents.

We are now just one week shy of 6 years since the last water resources bill was enacted, and this is really far too long.

I am certain that there will be questions as to why Congress was unable to enact a water resources bill in the 109th Congress, especially since this is the first time since 2000 that both the House and Senate Chambers were able to approve legislation for the other body to consider.

However, in spite of this significant achievement and roughly 5 months of staff negotiations towards a conference agreement, the fact remains that no agreement has been reached, and we are days away from the adjournment and facing one more year without a water resources bill.

Mr. Speaker, the current administration has no commitment to the Nation's premier water-related infrastructure agencies. This administration fails to understand the importance of the Corps of Engineers and the vital work that this agency does for the American people.

The administration's lack of support for a comprehensive Water Resources Development Act has only made Congress's work more difficult.

During the consideration in both the House and Senate, the administration released two statements of administration policy that were highly critical of the Congress's efforts, especially of the administration's concern with the overall cost of two bills. However, what the administration fails to recognize is that the roughly $10 billion project authorizations contained in this House-passed version and the $12 billion in the Senate-passed version reflect 6 years of requests since the Water Resources Development Act of 2000. Should Congress fail to approve this Water Resources Development Act this year, we should expect that next year's bill will cost more than both the House and Senate versions, perhaps as much as $15 billion. However, the Department of Transportation predicted it would be $19 billion this year.

These numbers are consistent with the historical costs of past water resources bills, and further delay only results in making these vital projects more expensive over time. Yet Congress must also share the blame for its failure to deliver a comprehensive water resources bill this year. With both the House and Senate and the White House under Republican control, it would seem that passage of this legislation would have been achievable. In spite of these significant efforts of both the chairman of the conference committee and my chairman, Mr. Young, the House and Senate has been unable to reach agreement on a final package. I am confident that our committee, under the leadership of our incoming chairman, Mr. Oberstar, will make the passage and enactment of the Water Resources Development Act a number one priority in 2007.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill and reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird).

Madam Speaker, I have no other requests for time, and I yield the balance of the time.

Mr. Speaker, last week the American people voted for change here in Washington. They were not happy with the party controlling both Capitol Hill and the White House. They want checks and balances, but more than anything, they want us to work together to address the concerns they face every day.

The agenda that Democrats laid out over the last year is an agenda that all of us here in Washington should be able to support. If you want to help millions of hardworking Americans who have not received a pay raise in 9 years, you will join us in increasing the minimum raise in January. If you want to help more teenagers get a college education, you will join us in making it more affordable by cutting interest rates in half on college loans.

This is the agenda that the American people supported last week when they went to the polls. In January, we will begin to implement this agenda, and I hope that our Republican colleagues will join us in this effort.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act.

For years, reports have indicated that minority-serving institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities have produced the majority of African American scientists and engineers.

These colleges and universities have created a strong pipeline of technical excellence among minority populations.

Young African American and Hispanic students, rising through the ranks and full of promise, see role models in the professors and scientists with whom they interact at these institutions.

The absence of consistent role models is a major contributing factor of why underrepresented minorities have faced challenges in increasing their numbers in our high-tech domestic workforce.

The Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act would establish a program at the National Science Foundation to award grants to such institutions to provide educational instruction in digital and wireless network technologies.

If enacted, the bill would also help minority-serving institutions strengthen their digital and wireless infrastructure and would also give them an opportunity to provide input for how grant proposals would be reviewed and evaluated.

One other nice point about the bill is that it encourages partnership formation between the institutions and third parties by requiring a matching recipient contribution of 25 percent of the federal assistance amount.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that minority serving education institutions are extremely valuable in supporting our domestic minority workforce.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Hispanic-, Alaska Native-, and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions; tribally controlled colleges and universities; and others tend to have a substantial high- need student population and deserve our support.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and urge my colleagues to vote for its passage.

Yes.

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

(Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Senate bill 3661. The bill passed by the Senate earlier today mirrors House bill 6228 previously scheduled for consideration today.

At the outset, I want to extend my thanks to Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar, Subcommittee Chairman Mica and Ranking Member Costello for their cooperation and support throughout this process. Each of you, in addition to the committee staff, has been extremely helpful in accommodating the requests of myself and north Texas colleagues, and I am truly appreciative.

The road leading to this point has been long and arduous, but I am delighted that the bill before us today represents a bipartisan piece of sound legislation. The bill's fundamental objective is to open the north Texas market to more competition in air transportation, not to further restrict it, despite the claims of some.

This bill phases out the Wright amendment completely in 8 years, offers immediate thru-ticketing in and out of Love Field, saving consumers an estimated $259 million annually. It will generate over $2 billion annually in spending and related economic activity for north Texas and for many communities outside the current Wright amendment parameter.

It opens Love Field in a responsible way, ensuring resolution of Love Field-area residents' concerns over noise, traffic, and safety for the area.

It protects safety by prohibiting the legislation from taking effect until the Federal Aviation Administration notifies Congress that the additional aviation operations in the Dallas/Fort Worth/Love Field airspace expected as a result of this Act can be conducted safely and without adverse effect on airspace use.

It protects competition by preserving the FAA's authority to enforce airport rules that obligate Love Field to make its facilities available on a reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis to new entrant carriers, and stimulates competition and travel commerce throughout the United States.

This bill is important to north Texas, the aviation community at large, and particularly my constituents, as Dallas Love Field Airport is located within the heart of my congressional district.

Two months ago, the city of Dallas, the city of Fort Worth, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport reached a compromise to resolve long-standing issues regarding the Wright amendment.

As many of you know, the three-decade-old legislation imposes long- haul flight restrictions to and from Dallas Love Field Airport. The agreement marks an important milestone, as efforts to repeal the restrictions over the past decades have served as a major point of contention among north Texas stakeholders and the aviation community at large.

To have all the aforementioned entities in solidarity behind this compromise that ultimately lifts long-haul flight restrictions at Dallas Love Field is nothing short of amazing.

I would like to impress the following upon my colleagues: It is important to note that the Wright amendment was a direct result of a community-crafted compromise between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, regarding two north Texas airports.

Thirty years ago, north Texas, upon the recommendation of the Civil Aeronautics Board, decided that DFW Airport would be the region's primary air travel investment. This decision is captured in the 1968 Regional Airport Concurrent Bond Ordinance, which I will enter into the Record.

In lieu of closing Love Field, the Wright amendment was crafted to protect the interests of the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport as well as those of Southwest Airlines. As the agreement said, that commercial traffic would close at the time that D/FW opened. The balance between our two airports as a result of the Wright amendment has served this region well.

These airports are eight miles apart. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Love Field Airport are vital components to the overall health and success of the regional economy. Respectively, they rank third and fifty-fifth nationally in terms of total traffic enplanements. As such, I have felt quite strongly that any policy decision regarding the Wright amendment that could have implications for future aviation in north Texas should not be carried out without the input of the localities directly involved; and I have asked over and over again for the last 20 years to have the local entities to come to an agreement.

My position has not always gone over well within certain segments of my constituency, but, for the record, I would like to reiterate that I am not anti-competitive, I am not anti-lower fares, I would be stupid to do that, nor am I anti-free enterprise. I am, however, pro principle. And it has always been my belief that the Wright amendment exists as a principled agreement between these two cities.

Each time the subject of repeal of the Wright amendment has arisen, it has placed the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, 27 miles apart, on guard against each other because it violates the agreement. Over the past decades, this issue has created much grief, litigation, and oftentimes flat-out distrust among the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. This type of back and forth over the past 30 years has not been healthy for north Texas, as we have many pressing challenges that require us to work together in good faith if we are to be successful as a region.

Mr. Speaker, I support the compromise. The compromise outlined within Senate Bill 3661 requires give and take of all vested stakeholders. But, most importantly, Mr. Speaker, the measure represents a unified local consensus of which I am most proud.

Further, many homeowners and constituent groups that live and work within the Love Field area also support this compromise.

As I close, I want to commend the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth for

coming to the table and acting in good faith to bring forth a compromise that I hope will allow us to once and for all bring an end to one of aviation's most storied standoffs.

Is the compromise perfect? No. But I do feel it represents one of the best chances we as a region have to finally bring resolution to a long- standing dispute. I want to urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on this bill.

Congressional leaders have long urged the cities of Fort Worth and Dallas to come together and work toward a local compromise. This not only was instructed by two Secretaries of Transportation, the last two under the last two Presidents, but others as well to resolve the long- standing and divisive controversy over the Wright amendment. The communities have responded, and they are deserving of this body's support.

1968 Regional Airport Concurrent Bond Ordinance

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks).

(Mr. MEEKS of New York asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Azerbaijan's 15th 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.

Azerbaijan is one of the United States' most important friends and supporters. We share important political, economic and security interests.

Azerbaijan was the first among nations to offer the United States unconditional support in the war against terrorism, providing airspace and airport use for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan cooperates with the United States within international and regional institutions including U.N., 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 6 years and build up to 34.4 percent in the first 8 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.

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.

A democratic, prosperous, and peaceful Azerbaijan will be a strong partner and ally for the United States. I look forward to working with the Azerbaijani Government and people to develop this relationship.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in the House of Representatives today in commemorating Azerbaijan's independence. I look forward to the bonds of friendship between the United States and Azerbaijan becoming even stronger in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the crisis of HIV/AIDS among African Americans.

There are currently more than 68,000 Texans living with the disease.

Americans should be reminded that HIV/AIDS does not discriminate when it comes to who can catch the disease. In fact, HIV is taking a devastating and disproportionate toll on people of color.

Among women living with HIV in Texas in 2005: 19 percent are White, 18 percent are Hispanic, and over 60 percent are African American.

The Congressional Black Caucus will continue to lead the HIV/AIDS fight in Congress and support programs that are making progress against this devastating disease.

We can and must all do more. Governments, corporations, foundations, religious groups and private citizens must unite to win the war on

Mr. Speaker, when are the House Republicans going to allow a minimum wage bill to come up on the floor where we actually vote on the minimum wage? It needs to become law.

As health care, groceries, energy, housing costs skyrocket for average consumers, House Republicans would rather help their CEO friends than average Americans who are just trying to make ends meet.

Today, full-time workers who earn the minimum wage are only bringing home $10,700 a year. The average corporate CEO makes that much money during his first 4 hours of work for the year. This is simply not fair. Yet, for months, House Republicans have refused to allow a clean minimum wage vote on this House floor. Do House Republicans really expect that a family can live on less than $11,000 a year?

The Democrats want to take the Nation in a new direction, one where the needs of all Americans are addressed. We want a clean vote on the minimum wage.

And, Mr. Speaker, in light of the Republican leadership's unwillingness to move legislation on the minimum wage, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 2429, the legislation to increase the minimum wage.