Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and to pay tribute to the struggles and enormous contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to our Nation's culture.

It is an honor to pay tribute to the many achievements and honor the countless unique contributions to the United States made by Asian Pacific Americans across our Nation.

May commemorates the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in 1843. Therefore, it is appropriate that during the month of May we recognize the contributions made by Asian Pacific Americans to our communities.

May 10, 1869 marks the completion of the transcontinental railroad and its completion is

greatly credited to the labor of the Chinese immigrants. Today, there are over 14 million Asian Pacific Americans living in the United States and this represents 5 percent of the population.

The rich history associated with the Asian Pacific American population has been a great contribution to the culture of the United States.

Over the years, the Asian Pacific American communities have made significant contributions to Texas's diverse culture.

The United States is a land of immigrants, and the history reflects a Nation that has greatly benefited from the many contributions of its immigrants.

The Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce (GDAACC) is the largest Asian American Chamber in the United States with 1,200 members currently enrolled.

Located in the Asian Trade District in Northwest Dallas, GDAACC, is the focal point of Asian American economic development and cultural exchange.

In recent years, due to great efforts to expand the number of programs that provide assistance to members, sponsors and partners, the GDAACC initiated the Asian Festival and approximately 15,000 people were in attendance.

GDAACC is also responsible for initiating the Leadership Tomorrow Program; the Multi-Ethnic Education and Economic Development Center; and the Texas Asian American Business Symposium in Dallas, Texas.

The Asian Pacific American community is well deserving of the many accolades they receive because their contributions have greatly enriched the culture and history of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, and I am indebted to my colleague from California for her scholarly presentation.

I started my career as a nurse and worked for more than 15 years as a psychiatric nurse, and it helps me here. I was the chief psychiatric nurse at the VA Hospital, Day Treatment Center, as well as the Day Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

Next week, May 6-12, is National Nurses Week; and it is fitting for this body to honor the millions of nurses in America.

Nurses are usually very, very dedicated individuals. In my personal experience, nurses tend to be intelligent, detail oriented. They tend to be ready to act at the spur of the moment, and with knowledge.

Their work touches all aspects of patient care, whether it is in the emergency room, in the operating room, in the doctor's office, at the neighborhood clinic, in the schools, and battlefields. Nurses stand at the forefront of many lines of our health care system, and they must make life and death decisions, often with little advance notice, and they have frequent hands-on contact with the patient.

For these reasons, a caring attitude and compassionate heart are required for the hard work nurses do. In my years as a nurse, I have seen miracles and I have seen tragedies. At the VA, I worked with soldiers fresh from battle, as well as men and women who fought bravely years before. It was an honor to serve America's veterans, each one on his or her individual path to recovery of good health.

Nurses Week is really appropriate, because there hardly is anyone alive who will be born and finish life without contact with a nurse.

We have a severe shortage right now; and I would hope that we would be more open to attempting to get more nurses, American-educated nurses, so that we will not lose the care that the nurses give. They work very hard for their patients. The American public needs to know that Congress recognizes nurses for the great work they do.

I thank the leadership for its support of this bill. I would like to especially thank the two other Members of Congress who also are nurses for their collaboration and united stance in support of issues important to nurses. Both of them have been more active since than I have in nursing. But it is an old saying, once a nurse, always a nurse.

I commend this legislation to my colleagues and urge their support.

Mr. Speaker, each year Newsweek recognizes the top 100 schools in the United States. At the very top of the list, number one and number eight are right in the middle of my district. Not a pretty area, but wonderful education.

I am very proud to announce that the School for Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center was recognized as the number one high school in the country. Additionally, the School of Science and Engineering at the same school was ranked number eight.

For those who live in Dallas, this honor comes as no surprise. The President visited earlier this year, and each day talented students are challenged with rigorous coursework and provided with an outstanding teacher environment. Townview truly excels and proves that, it really proves that children, given the right environment, can learn.

Townview Center has managed to bridge the achievement gap that exists in schools throughout this country. Two-thirds of Townview students are minorities. These students are not only passing, they are excelling.

Townview has recognized that we must provide all of our students with the opportunity to pursue higher education. It is this commitment to success that distinguishes Townview.

I would like to congratulate the School for the Talented and Gifted and the School of Science and Engineering on this honor.

And also commend the leadership and commitment of Superintendent Hinojosa, Executive Principal Alice Black, Principal Michael Satarino, and Principal Richard White.

Mr. Speaker, I would like first to extend my appreciation to the leadership of the International Relations Committee, particularly Chairman Hyde and the ranking member, Mr. Lantos, and the subcommittee people for working with me to advance this measure. I would also like to thank Mr. Blumenauer for serving as my partner on this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 658 supports the goals and ideals of World Water Day, an initiative born out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. The day is to be observed consistent with the recommendations called for by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development's Fresh Water Resources Agenda which urges the protection of the quality and supply of fresh water resources.

While I am aware that the official date recognizing World Water Day has passed, it is my respectful view that raising public awareness regarding one of the Earth's most precious resources should be year- round. Water is vital to human life, as a matter of fact, all life; and although it is the most widely occurring substance on Earth, it is important to note that only approximately 2 percent of all water is fresh water.

As various forms of pollution and sprawl continue to adversely impact our fresh water supplies, it is imperative now more than ever that the importance of integrated water resources development and conservation and improving the overall quality of life here in the United States and across the globe be highlighted.

Each day, millions of Americans turn to their faucets and their bottles for fresh drinking water, rarely giving a thought to the current demands our water supplies and infrastructure face. Yet while many Americans may think that water resource and development challenges are particularly associated with less-developed countries, it is important to note that the United States is not immune from some of the same challenges.

In 1972, this body enacted the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, commonly known as the Clean Water Act. The act promised that all Americans would have access to healthy waterways and clean drinking water. Although considerable progress has been made since enactment of this legislation to ensure the integrity of our water, many challenges persist as initiatives to comprehensively overhaul the act have stalled.

The Nation's wastewater treatment infrastructure, typically the first line of defense in keeping harmful pollutants out of our fresh water supplies, is in desperate need of investment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, as much as $390 billion will be needed over the next two decades to rebuild, repair, and upgrade the Nation's wastewater treatment infrastructure.

Controlling the discharge of toxic pollutants such as heavy metals and inorganic chemicals into our waterways is also becoming an increasing challenge.

Data reported by the EPA indicates that 39 percent of river and stream miles assessed by States and 45 percent of assessed lake acreage do not meet the applicable water quality standards and are impaired for one or more desired uses.

Further, approximately 95,000 lakes and 544,000 river miles in the United States are under fish-consumption advisories due to chemical contaminants in lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.

As of 2003, mercury, a contaminant of increasing concern, has forced 45 States to issue partial or statewide fish and shellfish consumption advisories.

As the ranking member on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, I feel strongly that our water policy needs a strong set of government standards and safeguards to continue to protect public health and safety.

We should build on our achievements made possible by innovations, like the Clean Water Act, and not turn our back on them.

Congress should reaffirm and restore the Clean Water Act, which has made our water valuable for drinking, fishing, swimming and other economically vital uses for over 30 years. The Nation's future generations are depending on us.

For our children's sake, it is important that we place responsible stewardship of our Nation's water resources and water infrastructure back on our priorities for our Nation.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. There are metropolitan areas now that advise people not to drink the public water.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the chorus of Dallas citizens and Mavericks fans across the globe in saluting Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson on his selection as the National Basketball Association's Coach of the Year for the 2005-06 season. In only his first full season as head coach of the Mavericks, Avery Johnson is the first coach in the storied history of the organization to receive the National Basketball Association's most distinguished honor for coaches. This season Coach Johnson led the club to an outstanding 60-win season, one of the best in franchise history.

In March of last year Avery Johnson assumed the duties of head coach of the Dallas Mavericks after former head coach Don Nelson decided to step down. Prior to the season, Johnson announced his retirement as a player in October of 2004 to assume full-time duties as an assistant coach. Prior to his coaching debut, Avery compiled a stellar basketball resume at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Avery was a college standout at Southern University where he led the NCAA in assists as a junior and senior. He was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the MVP of the conference tournament both seasons as well. He still holds several NCAA Division I records including the most assists in a single game, the highest single season assists average and the highest career assists average.

At 5-11 and 180 pounds Avery went undrafted out of college, yet he did not let this deter him from his ultimate goal of playing in the NBA. He first played for the United States Basketball League with the Palm Beach Stingrays in 1988. His tenacious play and rock solid leadership led to his signing as a free agent with the Seattle Supersonics later that year.

In his 16-year career with the NBA, Johnson played 1,054 games and averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game. Avery also played in 90 playoff games and started 73 of those contests. He has playoff averages of 10.5 points, 6.2 assists and 1.13 steals in 31.2 minutes per game. In 1999, he was a member of the NBA's Championship team.

Johnson became the 75th player in NBA history to play 1,000 career games in March of 2003 and joined Calvin Murphy as the only other player under 6-feet in height to reach that milestone. He also reached the 5,000 career assists plateau in February of 2000 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

From 1990-92, he played with San Antonio, Denver, Houston and back to San Antonio. In eight of the next nine seasons (1992-2001), he was a member of the San Antonio Spurs. He spent one year during that time in Golden State (1993-94). He spent his last few seasons with the Denver Nuggets, Golden State, and signed with Dallas as a player/coach prior to the 2004-05 season prior to entering coaching.

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to congratulate Head Coach Avery Johnson on his selection as the National Basketball Association's Coach of the Year. He is a proven leader and I am certain he will continue to lead the Mavericks organization to new heights. GO MAVERICKS!

Madam Speaker, as every other Member, I have just returned from my congressional district, which includes a major part of the Dallas metropolitan area, and they have some of the highest gas prices in the Nation.

Recent reports revealed that gas prices have shot up nearly 25 cents per gallon over the past 2 weeks. In December of 2003, gas averaged $1.50 a gallon. Now gas is reaching $3 a gallon. While I agree that supply-and-demand forces are part of the reason behind the escalating gas prices, I also believe that price gouging is a fundamental problem.

Congress must act and enact innovative policies such as windfall profit tax on the gas companies and greater investments in alternative fuels, fuel efficiency, even public transportation.

Madam Speaker, I urge the Republican leadership to stop the rhetoric and start thinking about the real change.

Madam Speaker, I rise to voice concerns about the impact of budget cuts on the States' Children's Health Insurance Program, that is called CHIP.

CHIP is jointly financed by the Federal and State governments and is administered by the States.

While it is good that each State determines the design of its program, the eligibility groups, benefits, co-pays and administrative procedures, I am concerned that misplaced fiscal priorities are squeezing the States and negatively impacting children's health.

A Dallas Morning News article from March 27 cites numerous problems with CHIP in Texas. Administrative errors and budget cuts are resulting in lost or delayed coverage.

Many families are unaware of the benefit. Enrollment has been more complicated and fewer children are participating in the program. Privatization of many State-Federal health programs is lessening access to care.

Madam Speaker, I am concerned that the fiscal year 2007 budget plan for the House of Representatives will hurt America's uninsured children.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Cutting health programs for young people is cruel at worst and irresponsible at best.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Tom Davis and the ranking member, Henry Waxman, of the House Government Reform Committee and also the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Westmoreland, and the ranking member, Mr. Danny Davis, for moving this important legislation through the committee. This resolution has been endorsed by every single Member from the Texas delegation.

Francisco ``Pancho'' Medrano played an integral part in bringing Hispanics into the cultural and social mainstream in Dallas. He was a leader to his community in the struggle against discrimination.

The son of a Mexican laborer, Pancho Medrano was born in Dallas in 1920. In his youth, in 1952, he was heavyweight boxing champion of Mexico, and grew up as a community activist in the fight for social and economic equality.

He grew up in an area of Dallas called Little Mexico and he encountered much prejudice and segregation. But he never was considered violent. As a young man, he was banned from public swimming pools and all of the other things, and frequently said that he didn't see that he should be any different from any other black American because he was treated the same way.

At the beginning of World War II, when unions began to form in the Dallas area, he was inspired by the political conditions around him. He was captivated by the political agenda of the United Auto Workers and he was then named by Walter Reuther to be organizer of the UAW Union in Dallas. His work had an immeasurable impact on the lives of thousands of working women and minorities.

In 1960, when television began to change the visibility of the American civil rights movement, the UAW president commissioned him to be an international representative for civil rights. So he participated in all the landmark marches with Martin Luther King. He was probably one of the only Mexican Americans in the Montgomery boycott and in Selma along with Dr. King.

He continued his organizing throughout the country, including Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, California and Arizona. He worked to help repeal the poll tax in 1964, and he really spoke all the time about understanding the struggle of all of the African Americans, because he fought the same battle for all.

He was a father of five. Pancho, Jr., had preceded him in death. He died in 2002 but continued to be active up to his death. His only daughter, Pauline, is a member of the city council, his son Robert has been, and his son Ricardo has been on the school board.

It is important I think for all young people to know that we have had leadership that came along and made things better for them and did not have to be violent. He was always a gentleman, but never silent when it came to rights.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Tom Davis and Ranking Member Henry Waxman of the House Government Reform Committee for their leadership on moving this important resolution through the committee and to the House floor for its consideration today.

``Pancho'' Medrano played an integral part in bringing Hispanics into the cultural and social mainstream in Dallas.

He was a leader to his community in the struggle against discrimination.

The son of a Mexican laborer, Pancho Medrano was born in Dallas in 1920.

Pancho Medrano, who in his youth was the 1952 Heavyweight Boxing Champion of Mexico, grew up to be a community activist in the fight for social and economic equality.

Growing up in the Little Mexico area of Dallas, Medrano encountered prejudice and segregation. As a young man, he was banned from the public swimming pool as well as banned from watching movies within the public park in Little Mexico.

Medrano attended St. Ann's Catholic School and Dallas public schools through the eighth grade. At the beginning of 9th grade, his high school principal told him he could no longer attend classes and directed him to go to work at the local rock quarry.

While working at the quarry, Medrano trained to become a riveter and eventually went to work at the North American Aviation Company. There were few skilled minority workers at the plant, and the majority of white workers refused to work with Medrano. Conditions at the plant were even worse for African Americans, as nearly all of them were assigned to cleaning restrooms. Medrano was surrounded by an environment where everything, even the punch clocks, were segregated.

At the beginning of World War II, unions began forming in the Dallas area.

Inspired by the political conditions around him Medrano was captivated by the political agenda of the United Auto Workers, in particular the motto that there shall be no discrimination based upon race, color, or creed, and sex.

Medrano played a key part in organizing the UAW union in Dallas.

His work made an immeasurable impact in the lives of thousands of working women and minorities.

In 1960, when television began to change the visibility of the American Civil Rights Movement, UAW President, Walter Reuther, commissioned Medrano as a special UAW International Representative for Civil Rights.

Medrano went on to participate in virtually all of the landmark events of the civil rights movement.

Mr. Medrano integrated lunch counters in Dallas, and took part in civil rights marches in the Deep South.

He organized demonstrations in Dallas and was involved in the integration in Little Rock.

Often times there were no Mexican-Americans organizing these civil rights demonstrations. Medrano played a key part in organizing and energizing the Mexican-American community throughout the South.

Medrano participated as one of the only Mexican-Americans in the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

He also marched in Selma along with Dr. King.

He continued his organizing throughout the country including: Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, California and Arizona.

In addition, he organized farm workers in the Texas Valley alongside civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.

In 1967, Texas Rangers broke up a peaceful protest where Medrano and five women attempted to picket a train carrying melons picked by non- union workers. The protest in Mission, Texas, was part of a year-long effort by farm workers.

During this time, Medrano and others were subjected to persistent harassment and violence from law enforcement officers for their union- organizing protests. Medrano sued the Ranger who broke up the protest. He took his case all the way to the Supreme Court--overturning the Texas laws that barred mass demonstrations.

Medrano worked with the UAW to help repeal the poll tax in 1964. Mr. Medrano said, ``I could understand the struggle of black people because my people were experiencing the same sort of thing.'' Medrano was driven to fight for economic and social justice for all individuals-- Hispanics, Blacks, Women, and others.

Mr. Medrano's work to end discrimination and prejudice has had a profound and lasting effect on myself and on the lives of millions of Americans.

We must all work to carry on his remarkable legacy.

Even when he retired in Dallas, Medrano continued to be an active member of UAW Local 848's retiree group.

Mr. Medrano passed away in April of 2002.

In addition to his daughter, Pauline, he is survived by three sons, Robert, Ricardo, and Rolando.

There are many young people who may not know of, or did not experience Mr. Medrano's battle towards equality. It is imperative we recognize and celebrate our civil rights leaders as a nation. Honoring leaders such as Pancho Medrano teaches our young people about the leaders who came before them--and hopefully gives a new generation the inspiration to fight for change.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4561, to name the postal facility at Ferguson Road in Dallas, Texas in honor of Pancho Medrano.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con.

Res. 366, legislation honoring the 25th anniversary of the first flight of the Space Transportation System at NASA.

It is hard to believe that 25 years have passed since Space Shuttle Columbia took flight. Columbia was the first manned, reusable spacecraft that was flown into orbit.

The heroic courage of Columbia astronauts and the NASA scientists and engineers on the ground has inspired a generation of future scientists, engineers and mathematicians.

NASA and the Johnson Space Center have had a tremendous impact on the Texas economy. This partnership has led to the development of many new technologies and is an economic powerhouse for our State.

The Johnson Space Center's combined workforce accounts for 16,000 Texas jobs.

The total economic impact of the Space Center on the State of Texas exceeds over 26,000 employees with personal incomes of over $2.5 billion and total spending exceeding $3.5 billion.

NASA also provides $72 million for grants and contracts to Texas universities and colleges, as well as $44 million to Texas non-profit organizations.

Mr. Speaker, NASA touches every State in our great Nation, and I believe it is fitting to honor this milestone in NASA's history.

My warm congratulations go to NASA and the Space Shuttle Columbia, its crew and team on the ground.

I support this bipartisan legislation and urge my colleagues' support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today supporting H. Res. 541, legislation honoring the 2005 winners of the Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry.

The Nobel Prize represents the pinnacle of achievement in any academic area.

The 2005 Prize in Physics was awarded to three scientists in the field of optics.

Dr. Roy Glauber was awarded half of the Prize for his theoretical description of the behavior of light particles.

Drs. John Hall and Theodor Haensch share the other half of the Physics Prize for their development of laser-based precision spectroscopy.

The work has enabled the determination of the color of the light of atoms and molecules with great precision.

The 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was shared by Drs. Yves Chauvin, Richard Schrock and Robert Grubbs for their work in the area of metathesis.

Metathesis is important to the chemical industry, mainly in the development of medicines and of certain types of plastic materials.

The Nobel Laureates' work has enabled chemical synthesis to be simpler, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the recipients of the Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry and urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 541.

I would be remiss if I did not make clear to the Chairman and to the Ranking Democrat on the Committee my very real concern about the Committee's failure to address an obvious shortcoming in this bill resulting from the creation of the Academic Competitiveness Grants and the SMART Grants in the Omnibus Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171). Namely, while we have offered low-income, language minority, and ``first-generation'' college students an attractive reward--significant grant aid to help pay for college--especially for those who major in the STEM areas and in foreign language--we have not provided a means for many of them to qualify for such grants.

Two things must be done to ensure that we build a pipeline for these students to qualify for these important new additions to our Federal Student Aid arsenal if we are to pave the way for access and educational opportunity for all of our students. First, we must help prepare low-income, language minority, and ``first-generation'' students to be successful in the eighteen core courses that the extent research tells us will help ensure academic success in college. Second, we must work to be sure that those courses--Algebra I and II, Plane Geometry, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, World History, Geography, Economics, Government, English, and Foreign Language--are all well- taught in every high school in America.

In many urban and rural high schools, academically rigorous college preparatory courses are simply not taught, and our students and the Nation suffer as a result. This week, the Center for Education Policy released the results of a recent survey under the No Child Left Behind Act. The Center for Education Policy survey not only found that teachers are ``teaching to the test,'' but that non-reading and math course work is being short-changed or eliminated to ensure that poor performing students achieve the NCLB performance levels. This means that history and science are not being taught so kids can perform well on reading and math tests. Clearly this will achieve one goal, but it will sacrifice these students' future preparedness for post-secondary academic success.

We can do better and we must. I want to work with my colleague Representative Fattah, with you Mr. Chairman and with my friend from California Mr. Miller to fashion a solution that will work.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to address the need for high quality teachers in our Nation's schools. In many of our urban and rural school districts there continues to be a shortage of teachers who have a solid background in the subjects of math, science and foreign language. This shortage is resulting in sub- standard education for these students where in many cases college preparatory courses are not available in upper level math, calculus, physics, chemistry and biology. As a result many of these students will not complete high school or pursue a college education. Even if students go onto higher education, they face numerous obstacles completing their college coursework as they have not had the same college preparatory background as their counterparts. Providing high quality teachers in these critical subject areas is key in ending the achievement gap that exists throughout this country.

I fully support the ideas behind the Amendment offered by Ms. McMorris, Mr. Holt, and Mr. Dreier. For low-income urban and rural schools an Adjunct Teacher Corp. could offer a lifeline for these students. It is extremely unfortunate that there were not provisions within the amendment that would expand training requirements for these faculty members. We must ensure that our students not only have teachers with a strong background in their subject area, but also have the proper training to convey that knowledge to their students. While I agree, that it is imperative to get these teachers into the classroom as soon as possible, there needs to be specific training requirements and adequate monitoring of faculty. In addition, I continue to have serious reservations regarding the undercutting of collective bargaining laws within this amendment. Without clarification on these provisions, I unfortunately could not support this amendment.

I do however, applaud my colleagues for their efforts on this important issue, and would like to work with them in the future on efforts to provide high quality teachers in every classroom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 355, recognizing the benefits and importance of school-based music education.

Providing students with the opportunity to learn music is an essential component of a well-rounded education. Often times music programs are considered to be extracurricular activities, whose value and funding are disputed. The benefits and opportunities that music programs provide for students greatly outweigh the financial costs. Music classes enhance students' self esteem and social skills. In addition, several studies have shown that learning music increases students' abilities at reading and math. Learning music requires discipline and responsibility. This training persists throughout music students' academic careers.

I am fortunate enough to have one of the Nation's eminent arts schools in my district, the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. More than 700 diverse students attend Booker T. Washington, where talent and drive are the most important components for admission. Booker T. Washington has an outstanding success rate, graduating 99 percent of its students to higher education. The program has graduated 17 Grammy winners, including Nora Jones, Erykah Badu, and Roy Hargrove.

Booker T. Washington is so successful due to the presence of outstanding teachers and rigorous curriculum that provides students with a well rounded education. In addition, Booker T. Washington has brought technology to the forefront of music education and development. These students use computers for everything from ear training to recording and sound production. Dedication, enthusiasm, and proper resources has made Booker T. Washington one of the most successful arts schools in the country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that on rollcall vote No. 69, I would like the Record to reflect that I inadvertently voted ``nay.'' I would like the Record to reflect that I intended to vote ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I was disappointed to hear that once again the Women's Educational Equity Act is proposed for zero funding under the Fiscal Year 2007 budget. Since its inception in 1974, WEEA has proven an extremely effective in providing opportunities and support for young women.

The WEEA program is an essential part of eradicating sex discrimination in our schools. Through WEEA girls are exposed to career opportunities from which they have traditionally been excluded. In addition, WEEA funds programs that develop teaching strategies, educational materials and curriculum designed to reflect the experiences and achievement of women. WEEA also funds programs that combat sexual harassment.

We hear rhetoric that programs such as WEEA are no longer necessary because

women have equal status. While women have made many strides, gender disparities still exist in many fields. Even though college enrollment of women continues to increase, there continues to be a gender disparity in the fields of science in technology. Women not only earn fewer degrees, but are under represented in advanced secondary math, science and computer science classes. Investment in collegiate athletic programs and athletic scholarship opportunities also continue to favor men.

Perhaps the most distressing aspect of this gender gap is the persistence of sexual harassment on college campuses. Recent studies show that nearly two-thirds of female college students experience sexual harassment at some point during college--causing immeasurable harm to these women's studies and future goals. WEEA programs provide vital resources in order to fight this type activity.

WEEA continues to be an essential component in ensuring that young women are not inhibited by their gender and can choose a career path based on their interests, aspirations, and abilities. I strongly urge my colleagues to support access, equality and opportunity for young women through continued funding of this program.