Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as a senior Texan on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I am very concerned about the transportation safety issues created by the Republican government shutdown. For example, aviation safety is in peril as the Federal Aviation Administration has furloughed approximately 1,700 safety inspectors and drastically limited aircraft maintenance. These types of safety risks created by the Republican government shutdown are intolerable.

Further, the National Transportation Safety Board has been forced to furlough more than 90 percent of its staff. As a result, it has not been able to continue investigating deadly transportation incidents nor initiate new investigations of accidents that have occurred since the Republican government shutdown began.

Mr. Speaker, the political games being played by the Republican leadership are causing serious harm to transportation safety for all Americans, and it is totally unacceptable. We do have a spending problem created by the two Republican wars.

Mr. Speaker, brinksmanship makes for poor politics, and defaulting on America's debts will make for a poor national economy and a poor global image. It should not be understated how devastating defaulting on the debt ceiling would be for America's growing economy. A default as a result of political games would be even more embarrassing.

Most games have winners and losers, but if the political games being employed by the Republican party cause a default on America's financial obligations, everyone loses. To be clear, this is not a game. The consequences on the American economy, our country's global image, and the lives of all Americans will be very real.

The Republican government shutdown has illuminated the party's willingness to put politics before people. If the Republican political brinkmanship causes a default on America's obligations, it will demonstrate their willingness to torpedo a growing American economy. This brinksmanship must end and we must raise the debt ceiling and continue advancing policies that have and will continue to allow our economy to grow.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Energy's National Laboratories are vital to our national security, our economy, and our environment. They have often been called ``crown jewels'' of our federal research and development infrastructure, and for good reason. This is why I am extremely concerned about the impacts of this senseless government shutdown on these important facilities-- and this is on top of the harmful cuts that they have already had to endure under budget sequestration.

It is worth reminding my colleagues here today that we have seen how our past investments in the national laboratories have paid off when it comes to energy development. DOE labs were key to the development of high-efficiency gas turbines for coal plants, nuclear reactors, and the directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing practices that have led to the shale gas boom of today.

I think it is also important to note that DOE's Office of Science-- which oversees most of these national laboratories--is actually the largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the nation, and it operates more than 30 national scientific user facilities whose applications go well beyond energy innovation. Our nation's top researchers from industry, academia, and other federal agencies use these facilities to examine everything from new materials that will better meet our military's needs, to new pharmaceuticals that will better treat disease, to even examining the fundamental building blocks of the universe. I believe that this stewardship of unique scientific research, including the nation's major national user facilities, is another very important role that the Department plays in bolstering our national competitiveness today and in building the industries of the future.

It's no secret that Congress's inability to date to come to an agreement on a sensible budget plan has led to some devastating cuts to many of these important facilities, with serious impacts to our nation in both the short-term and the long-term. Until we resolve the current crisis, even more of our nation's best and brightest will be forced out of work and some of their most critical research tools--for which the U.S. taxpayers contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to build-- will have to cease operations. I believe that we are doing damage to the seed corn of our future, and as the Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, I believe that ending this shutdown and reversing these drastic cuts need to be our highest priorities going forward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Malala Yousafzai. On October 9, 2012--one year ago today--Malala was the target of an assassination attempt by the Taliban because she chose to speak out against their efforts to ban girls from school in her Swat Valley neighborhood of Pakistan. Since then, Malala has emerged as a leading voice for underprivileged children, especially girls, in the fight for global education equality.

Along with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the ``A World at School'' movement, Malala will work to raise $500 million over the next three years to provide education to the 300,000 Syrian school- aged children living in Lebanon. In addition to this and winning an International Children's Peace Prize for her overall efforts, Malala was recently honored at the opening dedication of Europe's largest public library. In a recent address given at the UN, she reiterated her mission, ``They thought that the bullets would silence us, but they failed . . . and then, out of that silence, came thousands of voices.''

For many, Malala Yousafzai, is a symbol of resilience and courage in her fight for global education equality. Please join me in supporting Malala and her efforts on the anniversary of the Taliban's heinous failed assassination attempt. I proudly acknowledge and encourage her to continue her efforts for education equality.

Instead of approving the Senate- passed funding bill, House Republicans have placed politics before people while important decisions on government funding and the debt ceiling await votes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with excitement to express my support for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which has already significantly improved health care for Americans. In my State of Texas, families have saved $46.3 million in insurance company refunds. Medicare beneficiaries in the doughnut hole have saved $420.7 million in prescription drugs. More than 40,000 Americans and 17 million American children with preexisting conditions gained insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Because of the health insurance marketplaces, in my district, about 204,000 individuals will have access to quality, affordable health care coverage.

The Affordable Care Act will grow stronger and expand access to quality care for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the Patient Protection and Affordable

Care Act which has already significantly improved health care for Americans. The six month enrollment period for Americans to sign up for affordable health care coverage in the state-based Health Insurance Marketplaces has begun. Important decisions on government finding and the debt ceiling await votes while politics take center stage and the soundness of our economy remains in question.

House Republicans have caused a government shutdown in order to advance a delusional political agenda spearheaded by disdain for the Affordable Care Act. In a demonstration of hollow leadership, politics are being placed before people. Instead of approving the Senate-passed funding bill, House Republicans have cast yet another vote to undermine the Affordable Care Act for the forty-third time since its passage.

However, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land and many have already benefited from its implementation. In Texas, families have saved $46.3 million in insurance company refunds. Medicare beneficiaries in the ``donut hole'' have saved $420.7 million in prescription drugs. More than 40,000 Americans and 17 million American children with pre-existing conditions gained insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. The Congressional Budget Office released a study showing that the Affordable Care Act will provide coverage for an additional 32 million people while reducing overall health care costs.

The new health care law will only grow stronger and expand access to quality coverage with the state-based Health Insurance Marketplaces for those who cannot receive coverage through an employer. The Affordable Care Act not only provides increased access to quality care but it marks the beginning of fewer health disparities across the nation and more investment in preventative health care. I am proud to stand with the President and my colleagues in support of the Affordable Care Act.

Mr. Speaker, as we enter the fifth day of the Republican government shutdown, thousands of federal employees and their families must continue to face the uncertainty of how soon they will be able to return to work. The longer that this shutdown continues, the harder it will be for the more than 800,000 workers on furlough to budget and plan for the future.

That is why, in a gesture of basic equality, I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 3223, the Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act. This common sense legislation would provide retroactive compensation to federal employees who have been furloughed due to the House Republican leadership's refusal to pass a clean budget. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers, many of whom belong to the middle class, are still recovering from a three-year pay freeze. Placing the additional burden of unpaid leave of absence on these families is both unnecessary and unjust.

The consequences of the Republican government shutdown extend far beyond federal workers and their paychecks. Federal research activity is already grinding to halt, impacting our longterm competitiveness and capacity to innovate. Consumer protections through the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and others have ceased. Further, the U.S. economy is losing millions of dollars in lost economic output each day that the federal government remains closed.

Mr. Speaker, House Republicans have been determined to cause a government shutdown in order to advance an extreme political agenda. Now, the American people and the U.S. economy are stuck with the consequences. Retroactively paying these federal employees will help mitigate the negative effects of this unexpected furlough. We owe it to the American people to practice good governance and Republicans in Congress have failed at this most basic responsibility.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since 1985, October has been designated as the month in which we campaign to raise awareness for breast cancer and celebrate the victories in research and innovation in treatment.

In 2013, an estimated 300,000 new cases of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer in women will arise and almost 40,000 women will die of breast cancer. In men, more than 2,000 cases of invasive breast cancer will be detected and about 400 men will die from breast cancer. Though the numbers are disheartening, breast cancer research has made significant strides.

Early detection of breast cancer through mammograms improves survival rates. Regular screenings remain the best way to detect breast cancer and women should be encouraged to get regular exams. While 70 percent of women receive regular mammograms, this number can still be higher to increase prevention.

Unfortunately, we all know someone--a sister, mother, daughter, aunt, or another loved one--who has been diagnosed and suffered through breast cancer. Each year, the month of October reminds us of those lost and the survivors whose stories can empower us to continue to raise awareness and strive to find a cure for breast cancer. Please join me in supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since 1985, October has been designated as the month in which we campaign to raise awareness for breast cancer and celebrate the victories in research and innovation in treatment.

In 2013, an estimated 300,000 new cases of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer in women will arise and almost 40,000 women will die of breast cancer. In men, more than 2,000 cases of invasive breast cancer will be detected and about 400 men will die from breast cancer. Though the numbers are disheartening, breast cancer research has made significant strides.

Early detection of breast cancer through mammograms improves survival rates. Regular screenings remain the best way to detect breast cancer and women should be encouraged to get regular exams. While 70 percent of women receive regular mammograms, this number can still be higher to increase prevention.

Unfortunately, we all know someone--a sister, mother, daughter, aunt, or another loved one--who has been diagnosed and suffered through breast cancer. Each year, the month of October reminds us of those lost and the survivors whose stories can empower us to continue to raise awareness and strive to find a cure for breast cancer. Please join me in supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, the Republicans have forced the government to shut down, and it's a disservice to the hardworking professionals in the Federal Government and to the American people.

Our Federal agencies have a long history of working hard on research and education programs that return huge payoffs to the American people, both in economic growth and societal benefits.

Unfortunately, 97 percent of NASA employees are being furloughed, and all public NASA events and activities will be ended.

The National Science Foundation will make no payments for the duration of this shutdown.

The Department of Energy will furlough nearly 7 percent of their employees, jeopardizing research done all over our national laboratories.

Most research activities at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration will be suspended. Weather research and United States Geological Survey studies will also shut down.

As ranking member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, I want to highlight that our competitors in other countries surge ahead in their R&D as we shut ours down. We are closing the door to our future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an extraordinary person, Mrs. Willie Mae Kirk.

Mrs. Kirk attended what now is known as Huston-Tillotson University, where she met her husband Lee Kirk. Lee and Willie Mae Kirk became the proud parents of four children. Mrs. Kirk served as a teacher for 32 years, where she championed equal opportunities for her students in East Austin and also helped lead protests against segregation at Austin businesses, schools and Barton Springs Pool. As a teacher, she lived a committed life ensuring the future of young Americans was a bright one.

Mrs. Kirk was a leader in her community and played an important role in Austin politics for over five decades. In her younger years she worked to repeal the poll tax and register African Americans to vote. Even late in life, she continued to speak out about how minorities were treated in Austin, particularly in the wake of police shootings. Last year, the city of Austin named the Willie Mae Kirk Branch library in her honor.

It is with great respect and admiration that I ask this esteemed body to keep her son, former Mayor of Dallas and former United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and the rest of the Kirk family in our hearts and prayers. May we all rejoice in having known such a great woman and cherish both her memory and her legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Reverend Clarence Booker Taliaferro Smith, the late pastor of the Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas. The street on which the Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church is located will be renamed in his honor for his unwavering commitment and dedication to his community.

Rev. Smith was best known for his remarkable energy, unyielding devotion to the faith, and his humility and love toward his neighbors. He grew up in San Antonio where he said the life-changing decision to pursue a life of faith came to him in a dream.

Rev. Smith served as pastor for 45 memorable years, first assuming the position in January 1943. As a devoted member of the community, Rev. Smith remained loyal to his followers. In a decisive moment, Rev. Smith refused to relocate the church out of Oak Cliff and into a more prestigious locale. Although Rev. Smith stepped down as pastor in 1997, he remained active in his community. Nationally, Rev. Smith is recognized as an archetypal follower of the faith and a model for his peers.

Mr. Speaker, Rev. Smith was an inspiring and devoted individual. He prided himself on his faith and others frequently turned to Rev. Smith for spiritual guidance. His passing is a great loss to the community; however, his invaluable contributions to his friends and neighbors will be immortalized in renaming this street in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Hugh Olin Hall, Jr. who passed away on September 24, 2013 at the age of 93. Mr. Hall, Jr. is a brother of my dear colleague, Congressman Ralph Hall.

Mr. Hall, Jr. was the youngest person to graduate from Rockwall High School at the age of 15. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and North Texas State University in Denton.

Hugh Olin hall, Jr. was born on January 29, 1920, in Fate, Texas. Hugh honorably served in the in the Field Artillery Unit of the United States Army during WWII and served in the Field Artillery Unit in Germany. After his military service, he worked on the pipelines with his father for the Oklahoma Contracting Company. He was employed with Lone Star Gas, where he worked until his retirement in 1989.

He was a member of the Rockwall Masonic Lodge and member of First United Methodist Church of Rockwall. He was an avid reader and a historian of WWII, later having the opportunity to travel back to Europe and Germany to visit the areas where he had served.

He is survived by his loving wife Doris Jane Hall; brother Ralph M. Hall; sister Rosemary Hall Scott; grandchildren Christopher Andrew Jeanes, Hugh Olin Hall IV and Christopher Leigh Hall; four nephews: Ralph Hampton Hall and wife Jody, Brett Allen Hall and wife Karen, Jay Blakeley Hall & wife Catherine and Dr. Victor Mark Scott & wife Vickie; grandnephews Jay Hampton Hall and wife Katherine, Steven Lule and wife Leeanna and Alexander Cole Scott; and grandnieces Haley Nicole Scott, Sarah Elizabeth Hall, Amanda Ellen Hall and Crystal Tucker Hall. Hugh was preceded in death by his son Hugh Olin Hall, III; daughter Rebecca Ann Hall Jeanes; and sister-in-law Mary Ellen Hall.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Hugh Olin Hall, Jr. I urge my colleagues to please join me in conveying my condolences for their loss.

Mr. Speaker, as we reflect on the lives of the nearly 30,000 Americans who die each year by their own hands, it is important that we recognize the emotional and mental trauma that

our nation's veterans specifically face while serving abroad and at home. As we recognize September as Suicide Prevention Month, I believe that there are important steps that we can all take to acknowledge and prevent suicides among our veteran population.

Each day, an estimated 22 veterans commit suicide, or one veteran every 65 minutes. Veterans commit suicide at more than double the rate of the civilian population, which has totaled to more than 49,000 deaths between 2005 and 2011. Veterans make up nearly one in every five suicides nationwide. This is simply unacceptable.

Our veterans face unspeakable challenges in the defense of our nation. Every day, they must endure mental and emotional trauma while spending months, if not years, in foreign countries away from their family and friends. The unique circumstances of their work often have a lasting impact on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

As our veterans return home, it is critical that we provide them the sufficient resources and support needed to minimize or reduce any trauma. The Department of Veterans' Affairs, working in conjunction with Members of Congress, has the power to provide this support. Now more than ever, as the number of suicides continues to grow, it is absolutely imperative that we act swiftly and decisively to end this before any more lives are needlessly lost.

Mr. Speaker, we owe it to our veterans to address this tragedy now. It is clear that as long as the number of suicides among our veterans continues to increase, there is plenty more that we can do as lawmakers and leaders to minimize the number of tragedies.

Mr. Speaker, a government shutdown will damage the economic recovery, slow our growth over the long term, and severely undermine our ability to extend our recovery and put people back to work.

As we debate the continuing resolution, I must emphasize investments in education, which are the wisest investments we can make for the long-term fiscal survival of our country. We are jeopardizing our future as a Nation by threatening educational services, as well as eliminating or reducing financial aid for millions of students attending pre-K, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools.

This week, I introduced a resolution to honor our Nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I am concerned that these institutions will be disproportionately affected by any cuts. Each day, Historically Black Colleges and Universities help us bridge the achievement gap. The fact is that we cannot move forward as a country until all of our children have the opportunity to succeed academically.