Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, the House today will vote on the final passage of H.R. 3606, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. While there is no doubt that this Congress must work to create jobs and support small businesses, we must ensure that any attempts to do so are targeted in a manner that directly benefits the American people, and prevents the outsourcing of jobs.

With unemployment just above eight percent, it will take a coordinated effort at all levels of government to create jobs and rein in the high unemployment rate. Addressing the estimated 2.9 million jobs that were eliminated from the U.S. economy and added overseas by multinational corporations should be a critical component of any piece of legislation that leaves this chamber.

Creating and retaining jobs in the United States has always been a top priority of mine, and I will only support legislation that keeps the American people at the center of its focus. In Texas, I've brought critical infrastructure investments to Dallas that have not only strengthened our roads and bridges, but more importantly brought skilled and hardworking Americans back into the labor force. Ultimately, my concern for the well-being of the American people will remain at the core of any considerations I make.

The Democratic Members of Congress have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to creating jobs at home and protecting the middle class. I am encouraged to finally see that my Republican colleagues are beginning to understand the merits of this commitment, and have refocused their efforts on these critical issues. The JOBS Act is just one step we can take to bolster our economy, and I hope to see increased efforts to address the persistent outsourcing of American jobs emerge from this legislation.

Let me thank the gentleman from Minnesota for leading this position.

I rise today to speak about the current extension of the transportation bill, which is set to expire at the end of this month. I'm frustrated by the lack of action in this Chamber and the lack of attention being paid by the majority to the American people who desperately need these jobs.

The current transportation authorization expires at the end of March, but we are still facing high unemployment and a weak economy. We need the kind of long-term transportation policy that will repair our crumbling infrastructure and bring back good-paying construction jobs.

I have been on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for 20 years this year; and up until now, the committee has worked in a bipartisan fashion and we have produced sound, commonsense legislation. But the progress that could have been made has been stymied by partisan bickering and bad policy.

The current transportation bill offered by the majority would cut investment in our Nation's highways by almost $16 billion over the next 5 years. This would mean a loss of over 500,000 jobs nationwide.

Mr. Chairman, we talk about this being a jobs bill. What is before us is a job-killing bill. But the American people are waiting.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, the bill that I'm speaking of is called the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee bill.

The Secretary of Transportation, who has served on this committee, has clearly explained what this bill in its present form will do for this country. Now, I know that probably no one wants to quote this particular Secretary, who has had inside experience as well as outside experience. He is very aware because he served on this committee during the time we worked in a bipartisan fashion.

We're talking about highways. And because someone put a lot more extracurricular, extraneous kind of stuff in this bill that does not relate to these highways, then they're against it. But the progress that could have been made was really stymied by this very kind of propaganda and bad policy.

The current transportation bill offered by the majority would cut investment in our Nation's highways and kill jobs. We want to create jobs and do something about the crumbling infrastructure in this country.

Mr. Chairman, the American people are waiting for us to do something. We were sent here by our constituents to solve problems, not to create them and not to find excuses to face the real reality. So let's get back to work and

produce a transportation bill that will repair our Nation's infrastructure and get thousands of Americans back to work--not to try to challenge this administration because you don't like the administration. We want to see something that's real and something that addresses the real problem, and not skirt around with a lot of ideas and a lot of propaganda that simply does not relate to this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Thank you to my colleague from the Virgin Islands.

I rise to speak today about the loss of Congressman Donald Payne. Congressman Payne lost his battle with cancer early this morning, and we in Congress lost an esteemed colleague.

My relationship and acquaintance with Congressman Payne came before I came to Congress and meeting him when he served on the national YMCA board and became the chair of the national YMCA board; and I know him as a devoted public servant who used his position in Congress to advocate for those less fortunate, first, as a teacher, and later, serving on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. He was an advocate for children and worked to make college more affordable.

As the highest ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, he worked to promote human rights around the world and helped secure billions of dollars in foreign aid for treating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

It is difficult to lose a member of the Congressional Black Caucus family. We're small but very connected. And Congressman Payne served the 10th District of New Jersey with dedication and served as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus as well.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family today in this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of Mr. Norman L. Henry, President and Executive Director of Builders of Hope CDC. Builders of Hope CDC is a Community Housing Development Corporation in Dallas that has demonstrated its commitment to revitalizing communities through the construction of energy- efficient, environmentally-friendly homes that are also accessible to low and moderate-income families.

Under Mr. Henry's leadership, Builders of Hope CDC has led the way in quality affordable housing in the Dallas area. Since accepting the position as President in 2000, Mr. Henry has overseen a fourfold increase in the output of affordable homes across several neighborhoods throughout West and South Dallas. Utilizing over 21 years of experience in the non-profit management and affordable housing field, Mr. Henry has built, remodeled, and sold over 224 affordable homes.

With the housing market collapse in 2008, countless Americans have either lost their homes entirely or now find the value of their homes to be less than the amounts they owe on a mortgage. Norman Henry, through the work that he has done with Builders of Hope CDC, has contributed to keeping the American Dream alive through the construction of these homes. Quality and affordable housing should not be out of reach for any American with the desire to purchase a home, and Mr. Henry has helped to bring the pride of home ownership to even more Americans.

Mr. Speaker, Norman Henry has helped to breathe new life into many West and South Dallas communities through his revitalization efforts. His vision to revive otherwise decrepit areas across Dallas will benefit countless people through expanded access to housing and improved quality of life. It is with great pleasure that I honor the work of Mr. Norman Henry for his contributions.

Madam Speaker, with the unemployment rate now at 8.3 percent, we continue to see positive signs that the U.S. economy is on the road to recovery. Now more than ever it is absolutely imperative that we continue to make critical investments in infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and high-tech research and development. By doing so, we will address our crumbling roads and bridges, create jobs, and provide future generations with the robust economic foundation on which to build a stronger America.

The President's budget has reflected the desire to make these important investments in our economy, and I urge my colleagues to also recognize the decisions we make today will have unavoidable consequences tomorrow.

While our economy is recovering, it is still fragile. Now is not the time to be making arbitrary cuts to key components of our economy. We all bear the burden of such cuts, and we are all ultimately responsible for the country's well-being.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor James ``Jim'' Schranz for his tireless efforts to promote and expand retirement security for all Americans. Jim has played an integral role in the formation of the Employee-owned S Corporations of America, ESCA.

Next week, he officially will step down as Treasurer so that he and his wife, Nancy, can fully enjoy their retirement. Jim began working at Austin Industries after completing his MBA from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. At Austin Industries, Jim worked his way up the ranks, rising to Vice President of Human Resources. Since 1998, he has used his knowledge of the importance of this unique retirement savings vehicle to help protect and expand it to other businesses across Texas and the United States.

Through ESCA's efforts, Members of Congress have become better educated about retirement savings benefits created by private, employee-owned companies for their employee-owners. Jim has been instrumental in the fight to prevent inadvertent harm to S corporation ESOPs, particularly in the days of pension reform. His retirement is well-deserved.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Jim and wishing him all the best as he retires.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to pay tribute to a loving mother, supportive wife, and adoring grandmother, Elizabeth ``Libba'' Conner Dean Miller, who passed away on February 9, 2012.

The Dallas community has lost a distinguished civic leader and compassionate mother whose presence made a tremendous impact on the lives of many, especially those whom she befriended in the neighborhood. Mrs. Elizabeth Dean Miller's dedication to her family, and unselfish service to the greater Dallas community cannot be imitated. From her work alongside her charitable late husband, Dr. William Berry Dean, to her relationship with the church, Mrs. Dean epitomized what it means to have a true altruistic spirit.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to pay my last respects to a lady who gave so much of herself to her community, her church, and her family. Libba will be missed by all whose lives she touched.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of extending the payroll tax cuts for middle- class Americans, but with a few concerns regarding the source of its funding.

The recent compromise on H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, highlights the critical need to have sensible negotiations with the average American in mind at all times. I believe that it is a success that this Congress was able to extend the payroll tax cut, which will provide a typical middle-class family with an additional thousand dollars in their paychecks over the course of a year. For most low- and middle-class families, a thousand dollars can go a long way to buy food for their family, put gas in their car, and cover minor medical expenses.

The payroll tax cut extension also continues federal Unemployment Insurance programs through the end of 2012, providing job-seeking Americans additional time to find work in a persistently sluggish economy.

I understand that the final version of the payroll tax bill puts off a 27.4 percent reduction in pay to Medicare doctors by making a handful of health care cuts. The nearly $20 billion cost of the so-called ``doc fix'' is covered largely by a $6.9 billion cut to Medicare hospitals, as the federal government decreases how much they will pay hospitals and doctors when Medicare enrollees fail to pay their premiums and co- pays. It also slashes $5 billion from a fund earmarked for preventive medicine established in the 2010 health care law, cutting a third of the total money appropriated for the fund under the law.

Mr. Speaker, President Obama has already imposed a two-year pay freeze and proposed only a marginal pay raise for 2013, which together save about $88 billion over ten years. I am concerned that H.R. 3630 would force newly hired federal employees to pay 1.5 percent more, permanently, for retirement benefits. This would save $15 billion, for a total budget savings from federal employees of $103 billion over 10 years. No other group of Americans has been asked to sacrifice in this way. I worry that this action would undermine the federal government's ability to attract and retain the highest level of skilled talent it needs to deal with the challenges facing us. Singling out federal employees for disparate treatment threatens to do permanent harm to a federal civil service critical to meeting the increasingly complex and deeply important tasks of government.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my constituent, Jan Sanders, a longtime activist, community leader, and cherished friend who is being honored by the League of Women Voters of Dallas Education Fund as the 2012 recipient of the Susan B. Anthony Award on February 10, 2012. I can think of no one more appropriate to receive this award. Throughout her life, Jan has exhibited tireless activism and a relentless pursuit of justice, equality and peace.

Jan has served numerous organizations that provide community development and services for local congregations, schools, and community organizations. Jan Sanders is a longtime member of the League of Women Voters, and is dedicated to outreach initiatives on voter registrations, especially those that involve high school students and new citizens. Jan taught 5th grade in the DISD, and also spent a year teaching government at SMU. She has taught many workshops to improve the public's understanding of the role of government and the responsibilities of citizenship. She has served many years as an Election Judge and created a training curriculum for poll workers, poll

watchers, and others. Jan is especially proud of her work with the 'Dismantling Racism Team' of the Greater Dallas Community of Churches.

Not only do her social justice interests know no bounds, but her combination of skills and approaches to the pursuit of justice make her a relentless champion. She has built local, national, and international coalitions against injustice.

Finally, Jan demonstrates seemingly limitless personal commitment. She brings care and compassion to every struggle. Through her coalition building, she has crafted a peace movement that focuses on the humanity of everyone, including policymakers and the peace leaders.

I am indebted to Jan for her expertise, her friendship, and the example of her leadership, and I am honored to have this opportunity to thank her for her lifelong commitment to equality and peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Jan Sanders on her recognition. I ask that you and all of my distinguished colleagues join me in commending her for service and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Reverend Carlton Garrett, a lifelong Dallas resident and founding pastor of The Lord's Missionary Baptist Church on Bexar Street. Reverend Garrett was a devoted pastor for more than 37 years before he passed away at the age of 82.

Reverend Garrett was highly respected and well known throughout the South Dallas community. His selfless contributions to those around him and his unwavering dedication to his faith and congregation empowered him to become a dynamic community leader. Even before his passing, people of South Dallas reflected on his seemingly limitless passion for helping others.

Reverend Garrett loved all and served all in his community. Through the Church, he created programs to help the homeless and feed the hungry, provided financial assistance to the poor, funded scholarships for underprivileged youth, and spearheaded initiatives to care for the elderly and the disabled. During Hurricane Katrina, Reverend Garrett assisted with relocating thousands of evacuees, extending his contributions far beyond the Dallas area.

In recognition of his years of service, the community came together last year to petition for the renaming of Bexar Street in Reverend Garrett's honor. With overwhelming support from the community and the Dallas City Council, the street will be named in honor of Reverend Carlton Garrett. It is a fitting tribute to someone who served the South Dallas community and beyond for so many years.

Mr. Speaker, I am saddened to lose such an integral member of the Dallas community. Reverend Garrett is part of a distinguished group of people who have always put the needs of others ahead of their own, and made invaluable contributions to the world. While the Dallas community will surely miss Reverend Garrett, his memory will live on in the hearts and minds of all whom he has inspired throughout his life, and through the good deeds and service that touched so many lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the significance of February as Black History Month. Black History Month was first observed in 1976, and has become a successful effort to bring a greater understanding of African American history to all people in the U.S. Since the first observance of Black History Month, this country has seen increased recognition of the numerous contributions and sacrifices that African Americans have made throughout the United States.

From the pioneering inventions of Garrett A. Morgan, to the famous writings of Maya Angelou, African Americans have been responsible for many of the successes and innovations that have defined our Nation. Since Black History Month was first conceived, we recognized these ground-breaking accomplishments and celebrated them together as a country.

However, every great triumph is not without tribulation. Much of what Black History Month is about is the recognition of the suffering that African Americans have had to endure. After slavery was abolished, Black Americans still faced racial intolerance and inequality. We need only to look to history to reflect on a period when African Americans were denied the right to vote.

Even with passage of the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, many still chose to circumvent the law and disenfranchise voters. From literacy tests to poll taxes, these tactics were designed to keep U.S. citizens from exercising their right to vote, and to have a voice in a diverse democratic system. It was not until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was ultimately enacted that these menacing policies were outlawed.

Mr. Speaker, Black History Month goes further than just the recognition of African Americans and their distinct role in shaping U.S. history. Black History Month is very much about our struggle as a Nation to uphold our democratic principles of fairness and equality for all. The struggle and triumph that is honored during this important time has come to benefit every American--regardless of their gender, race, or creed--by furthering a culture of equality, fairness, and justice. These important lessons from our past are ones that we must never forget as we move triumphantly into the future.

Let me thank the chairman and ranking member of the full committee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

I would simply say that, at the end of this year, I will have completed two decades on both of these committees. On committees is where you develop most of your friendships.

Jerry Costello and his wife, Georgia, have been one of those true friendships that I have experienced, and I'll miss him greatly and I'll miss her greatly when he retires. I hope they'll visit often.

My role as a conferee on this conference committee was as ranking member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and I would like to highlight some of the provisions in the bill that fall within the jurisdiction of this committee.

The NextGen modernization authorized in this bill will transform the National Airspace System. Through NextGen's satellite-based traffic management, we will be able to address increased congestion in our Nation's skies while improving safety and reducing the environmental footprint of our air transport. Transitioning to a GPS-based air traffic control system will allow airlines to reduce flight delays, save fuel, and cut the amount of harmful emissions from aircraft engines. There is no doubt that the successful implementation of NextGen will boost our economy and enable the creation of more jobs.

The bill also authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Center for Excellence to develop innovations in jet fuel production, spurring the development of new and better energy technologies.

Through the conference committee, we were able to improve upon the version initially passed by the House of Representatives; but as with all legislation, there were many compromises, and there were several aspects of this legislation which I believe could further be improved, as with any piece of legislation. On balance, however, the conference report contains needed policy direction and authorizations that warrant Member support.

While the funding proposed for research and development is less than I believe we need to invest, the conference report represents an improvement over the funding levels in the House-passed bill.

I'm also disappointed that the commercial space transportation provision included in this conference report was done so without the benefit of a serious review of its impacts. I expect that Chairman Hall and I will be taking a serious look at these issues associated with commercial space transportation and this provision during the remainder of the session of this Congress.

I am, however, pleased that a number of policy provisions we worked on in the Science, Space, and Technology Committee have been included in this conference report. For example, the House mandates FAA research on methods and procedures to improve confidence in and the timeliness of certification of new technologies for introduction into the National Airspace System.

So, Mr. Speaker, there is much work to be done to keep our skies safe, but it is certainly time for Congress to act. This reauthorization is the culmination of years of work that has not been fair to the FAA and its employees who are trying to figure out whether they're going to exist or not with 23 extensions. So with the guidance to pursue its long-term initiatives, we will take our aviation system into the 21st century, and I urge my colleagues to support this imperfect bill. But let me say, Mr. Speaker, I have not yet experienced a perfect bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3835, which would extend the pay limits for federal employees through 2013. Nearly 2 million federal civilian workers stand to be affected by this pay freeze if it is enacted by Congress.

For the last two years, federal employees and their families have suffered the consequences of an across-the-board pay freeze. While the cost of vital goods such as food and gas, medical expenses, and rent continue to rise, H.R. 3835 seeks to prolong that burden on millions of families by extending this pay freeze for another year. Federal employees and their families are no less affected by downward trends in the economy than any others in the workforce, and it is unfair to ask that they continually make these sacrifices when Congress will not even ask the same sacrifice of millionaires, billionaires, and the largest corporations.

These kinds of pay freezes do more than just take precious disposable income away from working families. So many federal workers came to the federal government because they have excellent credentials and are committed to public service. By limiting the amount of money that the federal government can offer to prospective employees, Congress is effectively limiting its own ability to attract and retain highly- educated and highly-skilled workers to carry out important roles such as national security, maintaining critical transportation infrastructure, and caring for our veterans.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 3835 is simply another partisan attempt to hold working families hostage for petty political gain. Federal employees have already contributed $60 billion toward reducing the deficit the past two years, and it is time to finally ask the wealthiest businesses and members of society to start paying their fair share. H.R. 3835 is sorely misguided and I will oppose this bill in any way that I can.

Madam Chair, I rise today in opposition of H.R. 1173, legislation to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program. America has a long-term care crisis, and it is only getting worse. Currently, there are over 10 million Americans who require long-term care, and this number is expected to grow to 15 million by 2020.

Long-term care places a huge burden on family budgets. CLASS makes long-term care more affordable and accessible by providing a national, voluntary, self-sustaining insurance program for the purchase of long- term care services and supports.

While CLASS may need to be tweaked, it should not be repealed without the existence of a viable alternative. Rather than repeal this bill today, Republicans and Democrats need to work together to identify ways to strengthen CLASS so that it becomes a sustainable long-term care program. Our nation's seniors are counting on us, and we must not let them down.

As our population ages, the need for long-term care services will only grow. Repealing the CLASS Act, without providing a viable alternative, will result in millions of seniors exhausting their retirement savings and personal assets. I cannot support H.R. 1173, as it undermines the personal dignity of our seniors.

Mr. Speaker, for every single job that is created, there are four people waiting for that job. So I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to voice my support for a yearlong extension of the payroll tax cut for middle class Americans.

Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues tried until the very last minute to raise taxes on the middle class just before the holidays. But the American people spoke up and let the Congress know that they would not stand for it.

We cannot wait for another last-minute fix. We need a yearlong extension of the payroll taxes and unemployment insurance now. We cannot afford to take more risks with the incomes of more than 160 million Americans the way the Republicans did in 2011.

Remember, we need to create jobs. There are four people for every one job there is. That means we need more jobs. That means we need to support the President's jobs bill.