Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend and esteemed colleague, the Honorable Gabrielle Giffords.

A little over a year ago an unfathomable tragedy occurred in Tucson, Arizona, where six individuals were killed in a shooting and several others were wounded, including Congresswoman Giffords. Congresswoman Giffords courage and recovery reminds us that freedom defines our society, and violence will not silence reason and discourse. Congresswoman Giffords unbreakable spirit is a lesson that fear will not drive us. Unity and the dedication to our democracy will help us rise above all adversity.

The victims of this tragedy were individuals who were committed to the well-being of their community. They had gathered that Saturday morning a year ago in Tucson to discuss making their community and our world a better place. It is in good spirit that before Congresswoman Giffords resigns she has chosen to finish what she started by holding a private gathering in Tucson with some of the people who were at present that tragic day a year ago.

As Ranking Member on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology I have worked with Congresswoman Giffords closely for the past five years, where she served as both the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee. She has made an immeasurable contribution to our work on the Committee, and has been a steadfast champion of NASA and encouraging our next generation of scientists. She is one of the most devoted Members of the House of Representatives, and has served our country with distinction.

Congresswoman Giffords is a shining example of our Democratic system of government--a system where we all have a voice. As she departs these hallowed halls of Congress, I take comfort from the fact that she is doing so to devote her energies to restoring her full health, and I wish her the best in her continuing recovery. She and her family will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

I pray that we can rise together as a nation and embody those values of service that Congresswoman Giffords has personified.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church on their 80th anniversary. This is truly a historic occasion, and I want to commend the Church on this special anniversary for its ardent commitment to service and community outreach.

The Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church's beginnings were humble. The Church was first organized in 1932, under the auspices of Dr. C. C. Choice. Dr. Choice, along with thirty-five members of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, had a vision of growing the church through good works in the community and being stewards of their faith.

Over the years, their numbers did grow. As their numbers grew, so did their charitable acts. The Church has been devoted in their commitment to serve people from all walks of life in Dallas. They offer many services to church members and the public, including providing health care workshops and screenings, ministries to youth and young adults to cultivate their spiritual and leadership skills, and a performing arts troupe, For His Glory.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring and congratulating Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church's congregation. The Church's decades of commitment to our community has improved the lives of so many. Throughout the years, the Church has continued to bless the lives of countless people. May God continue to bless the congregation with many more years of continued prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong opposition to voter suppression efforts in Texas and in several other states throughout the country.

In the United States, we use voting as a means for the people to select their elected representatives at all levels of government. This is a basic tenet of American democracy that some have sought to manipulate and curtail.

Through a series of regressive voting laws, a number of state legislatures have already taken extraordinary measures to exclude the elderly, our youth, minorities, and the poor from access to the polls and casting their ballots.

Whether in the form of voter ID mandates, obstructions to voter registration, or even outright intimidation, these measures to keep eligible voters from exercising their right to vote are contrary to our founding principles as a Nation.

In Texas, strict voter ID laws were passed in the State Legislature last year. This law requires each voter to present a valid government- issued ID, regardless of whether they possess a voter registration card and are listed among the voting rolls. These efforts are specifically tailored to exclude specific voting groups.

The only mechanism keeping these discriminatory policies from becoming effective in Texas is preclearance, required under the Voting Rights Act in states that have a history of racial discrimination.

We need only to look to history to know that these kinds of devious tactics have been used before. In essence, these laws mimic the literacy tests and poll taxes that defined the days of Jim Crow. Except today, these laws target not only minorities but also seniors, students, the disabled, and the poor.

Yet here we find ourselves again battling the same problem with a different disguise. I refuse to accept that these laws seek to address existing weaknesses in our electoral system. In fact, these laws do nothing to address the kinds of fraud that were exposed during previous elections, such as the purging of entire voter rolls or intentionally long wait times during early voting.

Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely critical that we work toward strengthening the integrity of our elections and avoid tactics meant to sway their outcome in favor of a select few. It is undemocratic and I will continue to oppose any efforts to suppress our electorate.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 3, I was unable to vote because I was a witness in a redistricting trial. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 1, I arrived late due to a court case. Had I been present, I would have voted ``present.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Ms. Clespie West Carr of Houston, Texas, on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Ms. Carr celebrated her 100th birthday on January 4, 2012, and hers is a life rich in history and life experience.

Ms. Carr's childhood was not easy, and from an early age she had the strength of character that would carry her throughout her life. At age 2, Ms. Carr was orphaned and placed under the care of her grandmother. Just a few short years later, when she was not attending the Marquez School four months out of the year, she was hard at work in the fields picking cotton and vegetables.

Having lived for 100 years, Ms. Carr has seen so many of our Nation's historic events. When Ms. Carr was only 23, the Great Depression was in full swing. A young mother, she cared for her small children during the harsh economic realities of the time. Her resilience and strong work ethic helped carry her family through one of the toughest periods in American history.

She too has witnessed our country's decades-long struggle for civil rights. She lived through a time of segregation and violence motivated by hate, and decades later she would see the first African American elected to the highest office in the land.

If there was one thing in particular that enduring these hardships and struggles did for Ms. Carr, it was to forge unbreakable bonds with her children and family. Ms. Carr recalls the happiest time in her life as watching her children grow up and being able to attend school. Her constant and enduring desire to work hard so that her children could live a better life and her duty to family is as selfless as it is noble.

But Ms. Carr's selflessness extended far beyond her own family; the benefits of her service and generosity poured out into the community. Ms. Carr served as Secretary for the Robinson Chapel Baptist Church for 40 years. There, she was one of several members of the Sick Committee who would aid the sick by cooking, cleaning and running errands for the needy.

Mr. Speaker, Clespie Carr is now part of the small number of centenarians in the U.S. but her determination and dedication to her family and friends only make her that much more unique. I am pleased to acknowledge this monumental occasion and Ms. Carr's tireless efforts for the sake of others this past century, and I wish her continued health and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Felix Eugene Garrett Ill, a loving husband and devoted father. Mr. Garrett was a talented individual who bravely served our country and, as an educator, worked for years improving the minds and lives of his students.

In service to his country, Mr. Garrett completed a tour of duty in Vietnam before being assigned to Air Force bases in various regions of the world. In 1975, Mr. Garrett retired after honorably and faithfully serving for more than 20 years in the defense of our Nation.

Consistent with his selfless character and devotion to public service, Mr. Garrett went on to become assistant principal at Elgin High School. Mr. Garrett quickly moved up the ranks to ultimately retire as a school administrator from the Temple Independent School District in 1993, leaving behind a legacy of helping children of all backgrounds and ages.

Mr. Garrett's personal life was just as rich as his professional life. Mr. Garrett enjoyed a wide range of hobbies, including hunting, community service, and cherishing his membership in Mensa, the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world.

Mr. Garrett was a proud University of Texas fan, and traveled far and wide to support the Longhorns during a number of their most notable victories. Mr. Garrett was also proud to see his daughter, Machree Garrett Gibson, become the first African American female president of Texas Exes, the University of Texas' Alumni Association.

Mr. Speaker, I am saddened to hear of Mr. Garrett's passing, although it is my hope that his family may take solace in the fact that he lived a long and fulfilling life. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his community, and his unwavering service to his country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Kathlyn Gilliam, a champion of civil rights and the Dallas school district's first African-American female trustee. Ms. Gilliam was 81 years old when she passed away this last Sunday.

There is no shortage of talent and diversity in the 30th District of Texas, and residents like Kathlyn Gilliam are a testament to this fact. An activist and a leader, Ms. Gilliam dedicated her life to achieving higher quality education and living standards for all.

Growing up and working during the days of segregation, Ms. Gilliam's exceptional character helped her to triumph over a unique set of institutional hurdles and staunch resistance from her peers. She bravely attended Lincoln High School before Dallas ISD's desegregation and even went on to become the school district's first Black female trustee.

Ms. Gilliam actively shaped the way South Dallas schools would evolve into some of the magnet schools we understand them to be today. By fiercely advocating for stronger curricula and warding off near- constant opposition from the rest of the school board, Ms. Gilliam enhanced the overall learning experience for thousands of students in the area, the effects of which are still apparent today.

Mr. Speaker, it saddens me and thousands of other Dallas residents to hear of Ms. Gilliam's passing. Her legacy of effectively reshaping the Dallas school district and improving her community is not only immortalized in a school named in her honor, but also in our hearts and memories. Ms. Gilliam's passing comes as a great loss to the 30th District of Texas, and I hope that others will take example by her leadership and exceptional character.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, December 12, 2010, I requested and received a leave of absence for the rest of the week.

For the information of our colleagues and my constituents, below is how I would have voted on the following vote I missed during this time period.

On rollcall 927, To strengthen Iran sanctions laws for the purpose of compelling Iran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons and

other threatening activities, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``present.''

On rollcall 928, To provide for the application of measures to foreign persons who transfer to Iran, North Korea, and Syria certain goods, services, or technology, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall 929, To award Congressional Gold Medals in honor of the men and women who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall 930, To designate the property between the United States Federal Courthouse and the Ed Jones Building located at 109 South Highland Avenue in Jackson, Tennessee, as the ``M.D. Anderson Plaza'' and to authorize the placement of a historical/identification marker on the grounds recognizing the achievements and philanthropy, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall 931, To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall 932, To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 933, On Approving the Journal, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 934, To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the establishment of the Nation's first Federal law enforcement agency, the United States Marshals Service, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall 935, To ensure public access to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain in the Hanford Reach National Monument for educational, recreational, historical, scientific, cultural, and other purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall 936, To provide for the conveyance of certain property from the United States to the Maniilaq Association located in Kotzebue, Alaska, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall 937, On Ordering the Previous Question, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2055, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies Appropriations for FY 2012; I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 938, On Agreeing to the Resolution, providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2055, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies Appropriations for FY 2012; I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 939, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012; I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall 940, To provide for the exchange of certain land located in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests in the State of Colorado; I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall 941, On Agreeing to the Conference Report, Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs; I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall 942, Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 3672; I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 943, On Passage, Making appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012; I would have voted ``aye.''

I ask unanimous consent that my statement appear in the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1540, the Defense Authorization Agreement for FY 2012.

I strongly oppose the conference language which amends section 1097b(a) of title 10 of United States Code which exempts important and hard-fought civil rights protections that were enacted to advance the goals of ensuring equal opportunity and promoting diversity in the workplace. There is no principled reason for creation of this grave precedent exempting this class of subcontractors from the workplace discrimination laws applicable to all other companies that enjoy the privilege of doing business with the federal government. Subcontractors that do follow the law deserve a level playing field, instead of a Congressional exemption for their competitors.

If this provision becomes law, many of those TRICARE network providers that are federal subcontractors unlike other federal subcontractors will be exempt from systemic evaluations of contractors' employment practices. Additionally, their employees will lose the assurance that there is a federal agency independently monitoring their employers' compliance with nondiscrimination and affirmative action law. Being a federal contractor or subcontractor is a privilege and with that privilege comes a responsibility to comply with the law and make equal opportunity a reality for everyone.

This is unfortunate as I am very pleased that this legislation contains a comprehensive reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research, SBIR, program and the Small Business Technology Transfer, STTR, program. We have worked tirelessly over the last few months on a bipartisan, bicameral basis in an attempt to strike a deal on this reauthorization and I am pleased that these efforts have finally paid off.

We all recognize the important role that small businesses play in fueling technological innovation and creating jobs in the United States. That being the case, we should be doing what we can to foster a vibrant small business community and give our small businesses the tools that they need to succeed. The SBIR and STTR programs are such tools. They have been critically important programs for fostering innovation by small businesses and meeting the research and development needs of our Federal agencies.

I am particularly pleased that the SBIR/STTR reauthorization contained in this bill includes important provisions to ensure that outreach is carried out to small businesses that have traditionally been underrepresented in the SBIR and STTR programs. This was a top priority for me for this reauthorization since one of the four stated congressional objectives for the SBIR program is to increase participation by woman- and minority-owned small businesses. In its 2008 evaluation of the SBIR program, however, the National Research Council found that the program was not achieving this objective and recommended that targeted outreach be developed to improve the participation rates of these small businesses. The reauthorization bill included in the Defense Authorization bill includes funding for targeted outreach activities, consistent with the National Research Council recommendations. I am thrilled that we were able to find common ground on this important issue and have taken critical steps to ensure that all small businesses have access to these important programs.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion I must quote Coretta Scott King as she once said, ``Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.'' Moreover, I cannot in good faith support a bill that turns back the clock on civil rights, fairness and inclusion in this country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in opposition to H.R. 3630. I support the extension of the payroll tax holiday and Emergency Unemployment Compensation, but the current version forces us to make unfair, and unnecessary choices between those individuals in this country who are most in need.

This legislation would make drastic cuts to health care programs. If enacted, H.R. 3630 would cut over $21 billion from Affordable Care Act programs, effectively increasing the number of uninsured Americans by 170,000. H.R. 3630 would also cut $8 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Trust Fund, and over $21 billion from Medicare provider rates. Mr. Speaker, as a registered nurse, I know that these cuts will fall largely on hospitals, and effectively cut off access to healthcare to the elderly, the sick, and the uninsured.

To suggest that this bill is an authentic attempt by the majority to resolve a lapse of benefits that will occur if not extended is simply disingenuous. The majority has attached controversial provisions that have no chance of being considered by the Senate, and would be promptly vetoed by the President.

It was my hope to offer an amendment to H.R. 3630 that would address the increase we have seen in the number of children and others living in poverty. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues have barred any amendments to this flawed piece of legislation.

Failure to extend these benefits will have immediate and drastic effects on American middle class families. We should not risk tax increases on these families, or cut off unemployment benefits for those out of work. I cannot support this bill as it is not consistent with American values.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dallas County public defender Michelle Moore, who has worked on and off the clock to free the innocent from prison and helped them to adjust to life on the outside once they're released. I wish to congratulate Ms. Moore for her service to my community as she is leaving her position to open the first public defender's office in Burnet County.

Ms. Moore has helped free 11 men from prison, appeared on a television documentary called Dallas DNA and helped change state laws to compensate exonerees and prevent wrongful convictions. As an attorney, she requests DNA testing and has worked with the district attorney's office to investigate cases. She has also represented inmates whose guilt was confirmed by DNA testing.

Moore works with the Innocence Project of Texas, the Wesleyan Innocence Project and the University of Texas at Arlington Innocence Network and the Center for Actual Innocence. Michelle Moore has practiced law for 17 years and is licensed to practice in Texas and Arkansas. She has served as an assistant Dallas County public defender for the past 13 years, where she currently works as the DNA attorney for the office. Moore taught for six years in the Criminal Clinic at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, ``Yes if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind.'' Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Michelle Moore for her determination and hard work to these causes. Our country is a better one because of Michelle Moore.

Madam Speaker, the role of Congressional staff is an important one in helping all Members carry out our responsibilities, but it is a role too often not acknowledged. It is fitting that we pause today to honor one such staffer, Gabriel ``Gabe'' Zimmerman, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving this Congress and this nation. Gabe was the first, and hopefully the last Congressional staffer to be murdered in the performance of his official duties when he was shot staffing Representative Gabrielle Giffords at a constituent event in her district. Six other people were killed and 13 were wounded, including Representative Giffords and two other Congressional staffers.

By all accounts, Gabe was a kind and dedicated young man who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the people in the 8th District of Arizona. He was a former social worker who assisted troubled youth, an athlete who loved the outdoors, a beloved son and brother, and he was engaged to be married. His life was cut far too short. I am pleased that we are making this small tribute to him today.

Our hearts go out to Gabe's family and friends, to Ranking Member of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, Gabrielle Giffords, during her recovery, and to all those impacted by that horrible tragedy.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition of H.R. 3094, the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act. Contrary to what the title suggests, there is nothing democratic or fair about this biased attempt to weaken labor unions and hurt working families all across the country.

This partisan bill does nothing positive for the high unemployment rate in this country or our vulnerable economy. Instead of utilizing our limited time on the House floor to consider real solutions to the economic problems we are facing today, this legislation seeks only to exploit these difficult times in order to advance a Republican ideological agenda against union organizing and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The goals of this legislation are simply to undermine the ability of American workers to organize and bargain collectively. H.R. 3094 will create barriers to union elections through waiting periods and more stringent criteria, dilute voter pools, and disproportionately tip the scales of power in favor of employers.

We have seen similar attempts to disarm the NLRB in this Congress before, also deceptively titled to deliberately mislead the American people. The Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act, which I opposed, sought to gut the NLRB of its authority entirely. Under the guise of protecting jobs, this bill also sought purely to advance a partisan agenda.

It is these same partisan tactics that are preventing this Congress from making any significant progress on the real important issues at hand.

Mr. Chair, it is shameful that my Republican colleagues insist on bringing such partisan bills such as H.R. 3094 to the House floor. At this critical time for our economy, it is absolutely vital that we spend our time constructively to work toward shoring up our economy and creating jobs here at home. Instead, they have demonstrated that radical ideology is a more important priority than compromise in the name of finding real solutions to our nation's problems.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition of the proposed Balanced-Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The constitutional balanced budget amendment we are debating this week could force Congress to indiscriminately cut all programs by an average of 17.3 percent by 2018. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, if revenues are not raised and all programs are cut by the same percentage, Social Security would be cut $184 billion in 2018 alone and almost $1.2 trillion through 2021; Medicare would be cut $117 billion in 2018 and about $750 billion through 2021; and Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) would be cut $80 billion in 2018 and about $500 billion through 2021.

I am also concerned the measure adds arbitrary caps on Federal spending that achieves nothing but to cripple this government's ability to jumpstart the economy, make the important investments to secure our future, and ultimately put Americans back to work.

That is why I, along with leading economists and Nobel laureates in economics, strongly oppose this radical and debilitating method for addressing our budget woes.

My republican colleagues have already had countless opportunities in this Congress to work with us to develop a tangible plan to reduce the deficit and fix this economy. In fact, Republicans have voted seventeen times against Democratic proposals or efforts to simply consider proposals to create or protect American jobs.

Fervent calls for a balanced budget make for great political talking points. However, it makes little to no practical sense to stymie this government indefinitely in its ability to borrow reasonable amounts of money to make smart investments in infrastructure, public services, and education. Nobody in this Congress or across the country is claiming that there is anything reasonable about borrowing fifteen trillion dollars. However, what some of my colleagues and I are going even further to say is that it is unreasonable to make severe cuts to vital programs that benefit the majority of Americans at a time when this type of investment is needed the most.

Even ignoring all of these points, a balanced-budget amendment would not even take effect in time to address the budget problems that Americans are experiencing today. In fact, if ratified by three- quarters of the States, the amendment would not take effect until the second fiscal year beginning after ratification, or the first fiscal year beginning December 31, 2016, whichever is later.

The economic problems we are experiencing are a very real threat today. Ignoring all of the fundamental problems with this amendment, it does nothing to address the problems we are having today. Americans are hurting today and we must do what we can today to address these problems. The Balanced-Budget Amendment to our Constitution is not the right solution.

This country is at a crossroad. I am not talking about finances or the economy. I am talking about a fundamental crossroads in beliefs that will affect generations after generations to come. This debate we are having today goes well beyond the national debt. It is about the fundamental beliefs whether or not we want government to provide the vast amounts of public services we enjoy today or to rely on for-profit private entities to provide those services to us on a for-profit basis.

This amendment would force us to shrink government to impractical levels, paving the way for severely reduced public services, very little oversight in the way private entities provide goods and services, and free reign for businesses to operate with the sole purpose in mind of making a profit.

Madam Speaker, I strongly oppose this Balanced-Budget Amendment that is being considered by the House. I implore my colleagues to see reason and oppose this measure that is before us today. It is a radical measure that would prove catastrophic for this country for generations to come.