Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, March 25, 2005 has been designated ``Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.'' I am pleased to join my colleagues in recognizing the unique contribution of Greece and of Greek- Americans.

Ancient Greeks created a form of government that got people involved in the task of governing themselves. Our founding fathers, as ratified in our Constitution, enshrined this principle in American law and created a system of ``Grecian republics'' which was based on the Hellenic belief that the authority to govern derives directly from the people. We will always owe a great intellectual debt to that rich and vibrant civilization. Today, our two countries share a great cultural affinity, are partners in the NATO alliance, and have many other ties that bind us together.

In Dallas, Texas, the warm winds of the Greek Isles are just a step away in Yiayia Sofia's Greek Village, the permanent exhibit at the Dallas Children's Museum which offers children the rare opportunity to explore a replica of a home and village square in Greece. Mr. Speaker, more than a million citizens of Greek descent live in America today, and their devotion to family, faith, community, and country has enriched me, my community in Dallas, Texas, as well as our Nation. For that I am always appreciative of the Greek beauty and culture that has enriched my entire life. I'm pleased we take time out each year to recall how we are all enriched by the art, the ideals, and the spirit of Greece.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, March 21, 2005, I was on official business. Therefore, I was unable to make rollcall vote 90. Had I been here, I would have voted ``no'' for rollcall No. 90.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt), for his steadfast support of the development of this CBC budget alternative and also the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) for his leadership. I appreciate and applaud their steady stream of ideas and positions on issues we all care about.

This Republican budget proposal clearly ignores the needs of my State and all working Americans. The $2.57 trillion budget for fiscal year 2006 that President Bush laid before Congress is more out of touch than all the rest that he has submitted. It fails to include huge costs that taxpayers will have to bear, and its priorities do not match the needs of millions of people. It is, in short, a budget in need of a thorough congressional overhaul.

The level of funding proposed in the President's budget for research and development, especially basic research, is far from adequate. I believe that Federal investments in science and technology make sense. Americans have funded groundbreaking research into disease prevention and amazing new medical breakthroughs, cutting-edge business technology, energy efficiency and educational tools that help our children learn in new ways. But in this budget, funding for the National Science Foundation would struggle to keep up with inflation and programs at most other major agencies are cut.

There is a direct connection between investments in research and development today and economic prosperity and world leadership tomorrow. That is why the CBC budget plan would continue to invest in the National Science Foundation, in NASA, research at schools and universities and new energy technologies to give business consumers more affordable, cleaner energy. Just this week, EPA issued a statement that really rolls us back in protecting our air. We have no clean air in Texas. I do not know about anyplace else.

As lawmakers, we do have the responsibility to ensure that all Americans, including minorities, are able to move ahead to achieve the American Dream. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness meant all people.

Mr. Chairman, it is up to the Congress to inject a dose of realism into this budget debate. Only then will the country get a budget that makes sense.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Mr. Watt, for his steadfast support of the development of this CBC budget alternate. I also want to thank Mr. Scott for his leadership. I appreciate and applaud their steady stream of ideas and positions on issues we all care about. I also would like to thank all of the members of the CBC and their staff for their help in completing this very worthwhile project.

The Republican budget proposal clearly ignores the needs of Texas and of all working Americans. The $2.57 trillion budget for fiscal 2006 that President Bush laid before Congress is more out of touch than most. It fails to include huge costs that taxpayers will have to bear, and its priorities don't match the needs of millions of people. It is, in short, a budget in need of a thorough congressional overhaul.

Mr. Chairman, the level of funding proposed in the President's budget for research and development, especially basic research, is far from adequate. I believe that federal investments in science and technology make sense. Americans have funded groundbreaking research into disease prevention and amazing new medical breakthroughs, cutting-edge business technology, energy efficiency, and educational tools that help our children learn in new ways. But in this budget package, funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) would struggle to keep up with inflation, and programmes at most other major agencies are cut.

Bush's science and technology budget would drop from an estimated $61.7 billion in fiscal year 2005 to $60.8 billion in 2006. The science and technology includes programs such as space exploration, renewable energy, and agricultural research, as well as technology-related research and development at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

There is a direct connection between investments in research and development today, and economic prosperity and world leadership tomorrow. That's why CBC budget plan would continue to invest in the National Science Foundation, NASA, research at schools and universities; and new energy technologies to give business and consumers more affordable, cleaner energy.

As lawmakers, we have the responsibility to ensure that all Americans, including minorities, are able to move ahead to achieve the American dream: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Mr. Chairman, it is up to Congress to inject a dose of realism into the budget debate. Only then will the country get a budget that makes sense.

Mr. Chairman, the amendment before us is about increasing financial flexibility.

Toll credits allow the expenditure of non-federal funds on one project to serve as the match on another project.

The benefit of having toll credits is to enable various transportation projects to exchange a toll credit for non-federal share of a project's cost.

This measure does not render a good house keeping seal of approval on tolls, but it does recognize that States like Texas, that are experiencing significant increases in population and diminishing roadway capacity, are able to better leverage their transportation dollars.

I have heard from my State, and others that utilize tolling, repeatedly, on how this toll credit development will better equip them in addressing challenges now and in the long run.

Mr. Chairman, let me commend the leadership of this committee and that of the Highway subcommittee for all of the hard work and bipartisan work that has gotten us to this point today. Today, this committee is sending a message to the American people that investment in the Nation's transportation system is our number one priority.

I do not have to tell you that the clock is working against the infrastructure of our country, my State and particularly my district. The longer we wait to enact a reauthorization bill, the more costly it becomes to adequately address the Nation's crumbling infrastructure. Our Nation's transportation system is the backbone of our economy and way of life, and we cannot afford to shortchange either one of those.

Late last year, the Texas Section of Civil Engineers released its 2004 infrastructure report card in which the State's infrastructure received a dismal cumulative assessment of below average. The Texas Transportation Commission can fund less than 40 percent of the worthy road and highway projects. Twelve thousand of the State's 48,000 bridges are structurally deficient. Seventeen are in my district. Congestion is on the rise in urban areas, and deterioration of air quality poses an even greater risk to the health of our residents, particularly seniors and children.

I have one amendment that was accepted but there is another one that is still in question where we really need to address congestion, urban congestion. Our constituents have spoken, and we must act. It is imperative that we commit ourselves to working together to passing a final bill today, or tomorrow, that addresses our Nation's crumbling infrastructure. This creates badly needed good-paying jobs which we need to give attention to. It addresses our congestion and poor air quality, expands inclusion of minority and women-owned businesses in Federal transportation contracting and makes donor highway funding equity close to a reality. We must get this bill through conference and to the President's desk as soon as we can.

I thank both of the leaderships, majority and minority. I support this bill and hope that we can move it along rapidly.

Mr. Chairman, I just received a call from the Texas Department of Transportation. They are very much opposed to this amendment. I want to clarify that because the call just came in. We do need the flexibility, but they want the flexibility to remain with the State rather than authorizing something here.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the devastating impact that privatizing Social Security will have on women, especially African American Women.

Social Security is particularly important to women, especially in my home state of Texas. Without these vital retirement benefits, 564,000 women in the Lone Star State would be classified as poor, according to a report released by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

Currently, Social Security benefits are progressive; that is, those with low wages receive a larger percentage of benefits relative to their earnings than higher income individuals do. This system of progressivism, combined with a cost-of-living adjustment that increases benefits every year, strengthens the safety net for those who are the most economically disadvantaged.

Privatization flows from concerns that many people have about the future of Social Security. Some of those concerns are founded and some are not. We are all well aware that as the post-war baby boom generation ages; the number of retirees relative to the number of workers will increase. These are facts that cannot be changed. However, modest changes, implemented immediately, can give people time to plan for the future and would take us a long way toward resolving the issue.

Privatizing social security is the most radial change, and it assumes that there is magic in diverting some portion of the current social security payroll tax into the private markets. Most privatization plans propose to strip a few percentage points off the Social Security payroll tax and divert them to private individual investment accounts. Most people happily focus on the vision of a few dollars a month growing into millions of dollars over time. Unfortunately, this is a dream and not reality, as we have witnessed in the current stock market.

There are three very important things that should be considered when privatizing Social Security benefits. First, the huge cuts in benefits which would be required under the privatization plans--most as large as a 60% cut in Social Security benefits. For people with large savings from other sources, which may not seem like much, but for most Americans, it would be a drastic reduction in the protections they have to come to rely on.

Next, privatization would be a major change in who bears the risk of saving for retirement. Privatization would shift nearly all the risk to the individual. People who are unwise or unlucky in their investments would suffer. We saw many examples of this in recent stock market falls.

Finally, privatization would increase the Federal deficit by more than a trillion dollars over the next ten years. Taking a mere two percent of payroll away from the Trust Fund could double or triple the size of the deficit. This effect is what some people trivialize as ``transition costs.'' I do not believe it is trivial, and given the other concerns which privatization raises, I think we should look long and hard before we leap in this direction.

How do African-American women fare in privatization proposals currently floating around in Congress? Not good at all.

Although Black women typically live longer lives, their lifetime earnings are usually much lower than their white counter-parts. Under privatization, this lower level would mean black women would be forced to live longer on a smaller amount of money.

Hugh Price, President of the National Urban League and Julian Bond, Chair of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, wrote an editorial in the New York Times, on July 26, 2001 addressing African American women and social security. They found that guaranteed government assistance is essential to the African American community. While African Americans make up only 12 percent of the general population, they make up 17 percent of all Americans receiving Social Security benefits and 22 percent of all children's survivors benefits. However, the Administration has been unclear on how disability and survivor benefits would continue to be funded.

A study by the National Urban League counters assertions made by the Administration that African Americans will benefit from private accounts bequeathed to their relatives. According to the study, the typical African American man dying in his thirties would only have enough in his private account to cover less than two percent of the survivor's benefits under current law. This also has a devastating impact on African American women as survivors.

Members of Congress must be fiscally responsible when it comes to making decisions regarding Social Security. Fiscal responsibility entails looking at the whole picture and seeing the effect it may have on ALL individuals in society. I urge my colleagues to make this the inclusive America we continue to represent to the world and ensure that Social Security proposals give everyone some comfort in life.

Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, however, I do not intend to object, I yield to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) for an explanation of the resolution.

I yield to the gentleman from Alaska.

Further reserving the right to object, Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk a little bit about the legislation that we are considering. The construction of the Alaska- Canada Highway from Dawson Creek, Canada to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1942 was heralded as one of America's greatest public works projects of the 20th century.

The emergency war measure, made necessary by the bombing of Pearl Harbor, was authorized by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on February 11, 1942. The construction of the 1,522 mile long road through rugged unmapped wilderness and extreme temperatures ranging between 80 degrees below and 90 degrees above zero was completed in an astonishing 8 months and 12 days. Upon completion, the road was the only overland route that strategically linked Alaska and the lower 48 States and facilitated the construction of airstrips for refueling planes and vital supply routes during World War II.

Critical to the construction of the Alaska-Canada Highway were the men of the 93rd, 95th, and 97th regiments, in addition to the 388th battalion of the Army Corps of Engineers. Segregated by race and seldom recognized, members of the Black Corps of Engineers

comprised over one-third of the total troop strength in this project.

In spite of severe racially discriminatory policies and detestable living and social conditions, the soldiers of the Black Corps of Engineers performed notably and unselfishly on this project.

Regretfully, since 1942, their contributions toward this country's Western defense during World War II and subsequent integration of the military have been excluded from many of the footnotes of history; but this being the last day we can make presentations during Black History Month, I am delighted and thankful that the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) knew about them and is cosponsoring this resolution.

It is with great pride and honor that I, with the cosponsorship of the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this group of soldiers whose works have existed in the shadows of the Nation's history since 1942, the Army's Black Corps of Engineers; and the Congressional Black Caucus joins me in supporting this. Let me thank again the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to vehemently state my disappointment, frustration, and objection to the FY 2006 budget submitted by President Bush.

When President Bush submitted his 2006 budget to Congress recently, he said, ``The taxpayers of America don't want us spending our money into something that's not achieving results.'' I couldn't agree more.

The President's 2006 budget cuts money from America's veterans, America's first responders, students, small businesses, health, urban and rural development, and environmental protection.

Is the President saying our veterans, first responders, students, and small businesses are not achieving results?

The unnecessary tax cuts for the rich and an optional war with Iraq are not producing results.

The President's budget does not contain a single dime of money for war effort in Iraq or his proposed reforms to privatize Social Security.

How is this possible? How can the budget for the country omit the two most important issues mentioned during the President's address to the Nation on the State of the Union?

Instead, those costs are hidden from the American people in the form of an $80 billion emergency supplemental request to Congress. A request that was not mentioned during prime time coverage on national television.

This budget continues the same bad choices of this administration and will lead to the same bad results--huge deficits and increasing debt.

This President and this administration has squandered an inheritance of a 10-year surplus of $5.6 trillion and has replaced it with deficits that our children may have as their responsibility.

This budget will severely impact Texas citizens negatively as well as other American citizens. They deserve better.

Never before has America faced such an array of issues that demand creative, competent leadership.

But the Bush administration has pursued solutions that serve only to escalate the problems we are facing.

We should be making progress, but in too many areas we are either backsliding or simply holding the line.

Programs and policies that not only provide assistance for the poor but for a large portion of the American people who need help to keep their heads above water are under attack.

To cut the Medicaid program for the poor of $60 billion over 10 years, to cut the Small Business Administration's technical assistance program to small businesses by 37.9 percent, and to cut community policing programs up to 95.6 percent is not only immoral but irresponsible.

Eight million Americans are unemployed. But Republicans passed a new set of tax breaks that reward corporations who send jobs overseas.

About 45 million Americans have no health insurance. But Republicans have proposed Health Savings Accounts that benefit a wealthy few, encourage employers to drop insurance coverage and will increase the number of uninsured by 350,000.

Over 8 million children nationwide are struggliing to meet new national education standards. But Republicans refused to provide promised help to our schools, leaving millions of children without the help they need in reading and math.

America needs a budget that reflects the morals of this country, a budget the American people can trust and support, one that supports the national security policy that is as strong and brave and as decent as the heroes who serve to protect us.

America needs a budget that includes all its citizens and a budget that is fair and balanced.

The President needs to do for all of America what he is asking the rest of the world to do--to treat all its people with decency and respect.

Mr. Speaker, I join our Nation in mourning and remembering one of our finest citizens, Mr. Ossie Davis.

Born Raidford Chatman Davis or ``Ossie'' in Cordell, Georgia in 1917, Ossie Davis knew at an early age exactly what he wanted to do in life. He decided to attend college at Howard University to become a playwright.

Many of us knew Ossie as an actor and political activist but he also served in the United States Army during World War II, where he was stationed at the Army's first black station hospital before being transferred to special services to write and produce stage shows for the troops.

During the civil rights era, Ossie and his wife Ruby Dee fought tirelessly to promote equal rights and justice for African-Americans subjected to segregation. And although he suffered tremendous loss professionally, his career has been nothing short of stellar.

Besides an outstanding career on Broadway, Ossie Davis should also be remembered as a pioneer in the film and theatre world, including his performance in the movie classic, ``A Raisin in the Sun.''

I will fondly remember when the couple traveled in the early 1980s to my district of Dallas to shoot their show, ``With Ossie & Ruby'', a public television series produced by a local television station. They were also very generous to local charities, including the Black Academy of Arts and Letters.

His marriage of more than 50 years to actress, Ruby Dee is truly an inspiration to many people, young and old. Last year, they both received the Kennedy Center Honors for their lifetime of achievement in the arts.

Mr. Speaker, we should all learn by the example of the life of Ossie Davis. Our nation will remember his courage, determination, humility, and service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to vehemently state my disappointment, frustration, and objection to the FY 2006 budget submitted by President Bush.

When President Bush submitted his 2006 budget to Congress on Monday he said, ``The taxpayers of America don't want us spending our money into something that's not achieving results.'' I couldn't agree more. The unnecessary tax cuts for the rich and an optional war with Iraq are not producing results.

The President's 2006 budget request slashes social programs while increasing military spending. Yet not a single dime of his FY 2006 budget is earmarked for Iraq. Instead, those costs are hidden from the American people in the form of an $80 billion emergency supplemental request to Congress. This budget will severely impact Texas citizens negatively, as well as other American citizens. They deserve better.

Mr. Speaker, never before has America faced such an array of issues that demand creative, competent leadership. But the Administration has pursued solutions that serve only to escalate the problems we are facing. Programs and policies that not only provide assistance for the poor but for a large portion of the American people who need help to keep their heads above water are under attack. On the cutting block by this Administration are grants for college tuition; housing assistance under Section 8; food stamps; health care for the uninsured.

Eight million Americans are unemployed. But Republicans passed a new set of tax breaks that reward corporations who send jobs overseas. About 45 million Americans have no health insurance. But Republicans have proposed Health Savings Accounts that benefit a wealthy few, encourage employers to drop insurance coverage and will increase the number of uninsured by 350,000. Over 8 million children nationwide are struggling to meet new national education standards. But Republicans refused to provide promised help to our schools, leaving millions of children without the help they need in reading and math.

America needs a national security policy that is as strong and brave and as decent as the heroes who serve in uniform. We must make sure that they have the training and equipment they need to get the job done right.

Democrats are working to build a future that is worthy of the trust of the American people, the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, and the aspirations of all of America's children.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege for me to pay tribute today to one of the most respected community leaders in Dallas, Texas: Bea Weisbrod.

The name Bea Weisbrod has long been associated with excellence and one of our highest standards of civic pride. Bea Weisbrod, on December 5, 2004 received the Bnai Zion's Lifetime service award. Bea is founding member of Bnai Zion-Texas Region and a long-time member of Congregation Shearith Israel. Her many years of community service and dedication to making a difference in the lives of people in our community, as well, as in Israel are truly deserving of our appreciation and praise.

In addition to her professional associations, Bea Weisbrod selflessly devotes her personal time to numerous organizations including the

Hadassah where she serves on the regional board.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the Bnai Zion Foundation on its excellent selection of Bea Weisbrod for its lifetime service award, and I wish her sons Les, Carl, and their loving family continued success in all of their endeavors.

I know that Bea Weisbrod will continue to play an important role in our community for decades to come, and that America will continue to benefit from her dedication, service and hard work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concerns with the bill before us, H.R. 5382, the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act.

This bill establishes a regulatory mechanism for licensing commercial suborbital human spaceflight activities.

The space exploration research program has been one of the most successful research programs in the history of this country.

The rationale for human spaceflight is evolving due to a growing commercial motivation. Human spaceflight can profit from an increased synergy between the public and private sectors.

Space tourism can benefit immensely from the development of the necessary infrastructure, while public space programs can benefit from increased awareness and support for human spaceflight, generated by high-profile space tourism flights and a growing perception that space travel is closer to being within the grasp of ordinary citizens.

I supported this legislation when it was brought before the committee.

However, one of my primary concerns is the regulation of safety, since space travel is inherently dangerous. Under no circumstances should we allow the desire for profits to ever interfere with the responsibility of maintaining safety and proper oversight.

We can and should protect the safety of passengers on space flights.

Legislation of this magnitude should have the benefit of bipartisan input from the appropriate committees with jurisdiction.

Further negotiations would make this bill more palatable. I ask my colleagues to not act hastily in advancing this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to seven of Texas' finest public servants, seven men who have served our country, their native State, and their congressional districts with great honor and distinction over the years.

I am talking about Representatives Chris Bell, Ciro Rodriguez, Jim Turner, Martin Frost, Charles Stenholm, Nick Lampson and Max Sandlin.

Congressman Martin Frost is one of Texas' true giants, a man who has served this House and the people of the 24th District of Texas with great dignity for 26 years.

Martin is truly a classic. His hard work and dedication are legendary. Martin's reputation as a hard-working, fair, and effective Representative is well known and well deserved. It was under his guidance that we saw the passage of the Amber Alert. This legislation was authored by Congressman Frost in response to the kidnapping and murder of a nine-year-

old girl from Arlington, Texas. His bill went on to create a ``Two Strikes'' law mandating life in prison after a second sex offense against a child.

Congressman Frost has a long record of leadership in Congress, bringing common sense and a practical approach to a variety of senior positions. As chairman of the House Democratic Caucus from 1999 until January 2003, and later as a Ranking Democratic Member of the House Rules Committee, Martin has crafted far-reaching and landmark legislation that will leave a lasting imprint on America's landscape and people.

Mr. Speaker, I also join with my fellow colleagues in recognizing the many accomplishments of Charlie Stenholm who has served this body well for 25 years. His advocacy for this Nation's Agricultural community and fiscal policy has been tireless. Named ``the spiritual godfather of fiscal austerity,'' Stenholm has consistently fought for fiscal responsibility in the federal budget. A farmer, a third generation Texan, a father, a very proud grandfather--Congressman Charlie Stenholm has effectively served the 17th Congressional district of Texas with distinction.

Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to pay tribute to my friend and colleague, Ciro Rodriguez. He has demonstrated 7 years of exemplary service in this House and an extensive record of promoting the rights and benefits of the more than 50,000 veterans in the 28th District who answered the call to serve. Congressman Rodriguez worked closely with local community leaders on a range of issues to promote the interests of the many counties, cities, towns and residents within his congressional district. I am also grateful to Ciro for his work in helping me to fight for civil rights for minorities in this country.

My other colleague, Nick Lampson took office to represent the 9th Congressional District in 1997. This former high school science teacher, served as the Ranking Member of the Science Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and is a strong advocate for the Johnson Space Center and the entire NASA manned space program. He also served with me on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he fought for federal highway construction and repair funds, and the improvement of Houston and Southeast Texas airport facilities. His leadership has been invaluable to the committee. I am proud to call him my friend. I join with the House in expressing my sadness at his departure and my best wishes for success in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, Max A. Sandlin was elected to Congress in 1996. As a Member of the Ways and Means Committee Max's main concern for the needs of older Americans was genuine and his dedication to improve rural education was and continues to be vitally important to all Americans. His constituents will miss his dedication, and so will the Members of this House.

My other colleague from Texas, Chris Bell represented our State on the Financial Services Committee. Chris has worked tireless on issues of importance to Texas residents. Chris is a kind and caring loving being and a good legislator. He has served Texas' Twenty Fifth District with distinction.

Another House Member I find it hard to say goodbye to is Jim Turner. He represents the good people in the 2nd District of Texas, and he is the Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security. Before, he was elected to Congress he served in the Texas Senate with me. In the Texas Senate, he was recognized as an outstanding legislator by a number of statewide organizations for his leadership in health care, criminal justice, education and on behalf of Texas children. He also served in the Texas House for 10 years. As the Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security and Terrorism Subcommittee, Jim worked hard to protect the safety and security of the American people in the war on terrorism. In addition, his work in Congress focused on promoting economic development and forestry in East Texas. He continues to work for senior citizens through his sponsorship of legislation to lower prescription drug costs.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I bid farewell to my friends and colleagues. However, I know in my heart that their dedication to the American people will not end here. I wish them the best for their future endeavors and with whatever challenges may lay ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the issue of America's health care. Are we better off than we were 4 years ago? A quick look at the facts tells us that we are far from it.

Just this summer, the Census Bureau announced that the number of people without health insurance nationwide went up by 1.4 million--the third annual increase in a row. Forty-five million people are uninsured, many because they have lost their jobs. Over 5 million people have lost their health insurance since the beginning of the Bush administration.

The Current Population Survey (CPS) is the primary source for data on Texas' uninsured population. It paints a picture for the state of health care in Texas. My homes State currently has the second highest rate of uninsured in the United States behind New Mexico. CPS data shows that there were 4.5 million people without health insurance in Texas, which is about 21.4 percent of the total population.

The President said we're turning the corner, but we have to look at the facts. Efforts to improve our economy are not reaching people of color.

African Americans are losing their jobs at nearly twice the national average. Latino unemployment hovers near a 5-year high. These numbers are an outrage and are unacceptable.

The higher unemployment rate for people of color is a major contributing factor to the health disparity affecting a large percentage of uninsured minorities. Blacks and Latinos are far more likely to be uninsured when compared to their Anglo counterparts.

Nationally, 11.6 percent of the Anglo population, 20.1 percent of the African-American population and 34.8 percent of the Hispanic population are without health insurance. In my home State of Texas, while 12 percent of whites are uninsured, 21.2 percent of African Americans and 36.7 percent of Hispanics do not have medical coverage.

Unfortunately, the rates for children without health coverage are also reaching alarming numbers.

In the United States today, one in five children is without health insurance. In fact, in my home State of Texas 1.6 million children depend solely on health insurance provided by Medicaid. Limited access to health care contributes to growing rates of disease among children.

Studies have shown that good health is a prerequisite for optimal learning and schools can help studies achieve academic success by participating in efforts that promote good health, including access to regular medical and mental health care.

Protecinting the health care of children should be the number one priority of any great nation. An investment in the health care of our youth is one of the wisest investments we can make for the future of this country.

No, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to health care, we are not better off than we were 4 years ago, and we can and should do better.

Now is the time for all Americans to have access to quality health care and meaningful patient protection. Our citizens deserve and expect nothing less.

Mr. Speaker, allow me to thank the great leadership we have on this committee and the diligence with which they have led us and with which we have worked. The gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri), and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski), the members of the committee respect and honor their leadership. It makes for a very good committee.

Three in four Americans now believe that the Nation is facing a transportation capacity crisis. Our infrastructure desperately needs attention. There are 17 bridges in my district alone that are currently in critical condition. Yet in spite of this, we stand poised to shortchange the American people with another short-term highway extension.

If you poll any local, State, or transportation industry representatives, they will tell you that the transportation needs of this country will only be met by passing a fully funded 6-year bill, $376 billion, but no less than $319 billion. We did not pull these numbers out of the air. They are numbers from the administration's own Department of Transportation's research and assessment. Our leaders in this committee traveled this country looking at conditions to verify what we have been told by the administration.

It is ironic that the current argument is over funding levels. Yet the longer we delay in enacting a fully funded transportation bill, the costs associated with addressing our Nation's infrastructure will continue to rise. So just neglecting going through and doing what is right, we are going to cause ourselves to spend more money.

If the Republican administration can find time to place such a great emphasis on the reconstruction of other countries, surely priority should be given to our Nation's crumbling infrastructure and bringing the needed jobs. Our constituents are counting on us to do the right thing and we really should not let them down. We have cars collapsing on bridges. The highways are so bad until accidents are being caused. It is time for us to stand up and pass this bill and do something for our Nation and bring about good jobs.