Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor KERA-TV and Radio, a broadcasting station in Dallas, Texas, for 50 years of quality programming on the air.

In the late 1950's, in my home of North Texas, community leaders, educators and owners of commercial television stations had a vision to build a television station centered around educational issues. KERA Channel 13 went on the air in late 1960 with only a few programs intended for teachers and students. Since then, KERA-TV has grown and has evolved to carry a full slate of public television programs and independent productions, including an extensive lineup of weekday programs committed to the intellectual and social development of children.

KERA expanded its outreach and founded its public radio station 90.1 (KERA FM) which went on the air in 1974, serving Dallas, Fort Worth and Denton. KERA FM has a news and information format. The station's own productions include reports and specials from the KERA news staff, Think with Krys Boyd and Anything You Ever Wanted to Know with Jeff Whittington.

A second radio station, KKXT 91.7 FM, with a music format, began broadcasting in late 2009 to the greater Dallas, Fort Worth and Denton metropolitan area. This station's programming is also streamed online at kxt.org. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, KERA-TV will be airing vintage episodes of shows, documentaries and concerts from its archives on select Friday and Sunday nights through the end of 2011.

Mr. Speaker, my community has benefitted immensely from the quality programming of KERA-TV and radio. I congratulate them on 50 years of excellence in public broadcasting.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my concern that H. Res. 268 threatens Palestinians with sanctions if they attempt to get UN membership this fall. This resolution, which addresses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, unfairly demands more of the Palestinians than it does of Israel. The United States cannot be a force for peace by unfairly singling out one party and ignoring the faults of another. While the United States concerns about Hamas's inclusion in the Palestinian unity government are valid, we should not prematurely pull the rug underneath the feet of the Palestinian unity government.

In an effort to achieve peace, the United States must hold both Israeli and Palestinian decision-makers accountable for upholding past agreements and negotiating a new one. I urge my colleagues to support more balanced policies and actions that seek a solution to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict.

As our country continues to help move the peace process forward, I remain committed to preserving the peace negotiations between all parties. I will continue to work with the Administration in honoring our commitment to a peaceful resolution in the Middle East.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to say today that I was elected in November of last year for the 10th time here, and I am in my fourth district in that period of time. I have spoken to people all over Dallas County, Tarrant County, and Collin County, and unanimously they are seriously concerned about the lack of a true job plan from the Republican majority.

We must cut spending. We must ensure long-term fiscal health. But gridlock over spending cuts does not create jobs. We need a bipartisan compromise that focuses on fiscal responsibility while maintaining investments in our community that continue to create jobs and grow the economy.

To get Americans back to work, we must invest in science, education, research and innovation to create the jobs of the future, and we must focus on America's ability to build, construct and grow manufacturing across the country to remain globally competitive. Mr. Speaker, these efforts can and will spur job growth and ensure that our Nation can compete and be a leader in the global economy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 2417.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Dr. Ron Anderson who was honored in June, 2011 with the Life- time Achievement Award at the 2011 National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems annual conference in Chicago.

Dr. Ron Anderson, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas, Texas. Parkland is considered the premier public hospital in the United States. It has served the Dallas County community since 1894. Dr. Anderson's leadership, dedication to the underserved, commitment to improving the health care system for not just his hospital but for the state and nation, is ultimately a byproduct of his passion to do what's right for those in need.

Dr. Anderson shaped Parkland with the support of the Dallas community to be considered one of the premier public hospitals in the U.S.. and is one of the largest. The system has made groundbreaking strides in delivery of care and hospital operations but also is known for putting theories of public health into application by implementing many educational and preventive programs and concepts such as community- based health care delivery through a county-wide clinic network and a mobile medical program for the homeless.

His 35-year career as a practicing physician and 26-year career as CEO have seen many changes in health care, such as nursing shortages, new technology, HIPAA (patient privacy laws), health maintenance organizations, natural and man-made disasters (plane crashes, hurricanes, etc.) resulting in the loss of countless human lives, and decreases in revenue streams which often resulted in the cutting or rationing of services.

Yet Dr. Anderson has always sought out much more work outside the scope of his job description for the chance to better help those in need. Dr. Anderson has long championed causes that improve health care for the medically underserved and, as a result, he has become one of the nation's leading advocates of health care for the poor.

Throughout his career he has provided sound advice and experience to legislators of both parties regarding health care issues. He has served on the National Health Policy Initiative to advise the White House on health care issues as well. Since 1992, he has served on the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured.

His vision of health care for all, regardless of ability to pay, and his desire to see that happen have led to groundbreaking changes to the U.S. health care system. In 1985, he played a major role in the passage of landmark legislation concerning indigent health care in Texas that banned ``patient dumping.''

On behalf of a deeply grateful community, I want to join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives in thanking Dr. Ron Anderson on a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to support our Nation's first responders. The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2011 reauthorizes two programs--the Assistance for Firefighters Grant, AFG, Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, SAFER, program--that were created to help local fire departments across the country maintain and increase their capabilities to do all that is asked of them, including fighting fires and responding to medical emergencies and disasters.

Maintaining the equipment, training, and personnel to safely and swiftly respond to calls for assistance is increasingly difficult. Fire departments around the country have been forced to lay off firefighters and do without needed equipment and training. The fire grant programs have played an important role in helping local fire departments overcome some of these challenges, providing over $6 billion in assistance since 2000. These grants have been essential to maintaining public safety in many communities.

Fire is a serious problem in the United States, killing over 3,000 people a year--a rate higher than all other industrialized countries. In addition, approximately 20,000 people are injured, over 100 firefighters are killed in the line of duty, and $10 billion in property is lost each year due to fire. Statistics show that minorities and low-income Americans are disproportionately the victims of fires. In addition to providing the resources necessary to ensure our fire departments have the equipment and personnel they need, the AFG program supports fire prevention and safety activities to help reduce the numbers of death, injury, and loss.

The bill I am introducing today is nearly identical to the bill that moved through the Science and Technology Committee and then passed the House by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote last Congress.

The good news is that, even in these times of increasing partisanship, this common sense bill has once again garnered widespread support. I am pleased to be joined by the bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus in introducing the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act, along with other members from both sides of the aisle who have long supported these important programs.

We need to ensure that our firefighters and emergency medical personnel have the tools that they need to protect us. This legislation will do just that.

As the Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, which has jurisdiction over these programs, I look forward to working with my colleagues to put this important bill on the fast track and ensure that these critical programs are reauthorized as expeditiously as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding students who are participating in this week's Dallas Hispanic Youth Institute. Each year, the Hispanic College Fund hosts this empowerment event to help inspire Hispanic high school students in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to overcome barriers to higher education and pursue careers that only a college education can provide.

By attending the Hispanic Youth Institute, these students have shown their desire to continue their educational attainment and taken proactive steps to achieve those dreams. Despite being the largest minority group in the United States, Hispanics have the lowest rate of higher education completion. As the Hispanic population in Texas and throughout the United States continues to grow, ensuring opportunities and success for all is essential to our economy and welfare. We cannot continue to compete globally as a country if we let millions of bright minds slip through the cracks.

The Hispanic Youth Institute connects disadvantaged Hispanic high school students with local Hispanic professionals, college admissions officers, mentors, and other inspirational speakers. By providing informational seminars at on-campus settings, the Hispanic Youth Institute helps students build confidence and receive practical tools to help achieve a pathway to college.

Many of the students at this week's Hispanic Youth Institute will become the first person in their family to attend and complete college. This is an important step for these young people, as well as the next generation who will look towards their example. They will become the role models of tomorrow, and I hope that this week's event will inspire them to give back.

I would like to recognize the Social Security Administration for its commitment to volunteerism at the Hispanic Youth Institute under the direction of Raul Garduno. Additionally, I'd like to recognize Raul Magdaleno and all of the other individuals who have worked to make the Hispanic Youth Institute a success. Raul Magdaleno is the Chair of the Dallas Hispanic Youth Institute and has served as a key advocate for the program and Hispanic students since its inauguration in 2009. Each year, Raul inspires students through his story of overcoming extreme adversities to obtain a higher education by teaching students that the ``number one ticket we have to fight poverty is education.''

I am confident that this year's Dallas Hispanic Youth Institute will be a great success, and wish the 200 student participants best wishes in their studies and attaining their goals.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Southern Methodist University (SMU) President R. Gerald Turner for receiving a quadrangle on the SMU Campus named in his honor. This week current and former members of the SMU board of trustees approved the naming of the R. Gerald Turner Centennial Quadrangle. This project is currently under construction and will be complete in the fall so SMU students, faculty and campus visitors can enjoy this gathering place for many years to come.

SMU is currently celebrating its Centennial Celebration, and I commend President Turner on his accomplishments and vision for the century ahead. I am a proud alumnus of SMU, and have greatly appreciated President Turner's service and leadership. He and his wife Gail Turner have made tremendous contributions to the university and this honor is well deserved.

SMU has made amazing strides over the past century, rising from a small rural college to an internationally renowned university. From its founding in 1911 till today, SMU has graduated more than 100,000 alumni. The outstanding achievement and leadership of those alumni serves as a testament to SMU's tradition of success. With seven different schools, SMU ranks as one of the best universities in the nation. The Cox School of Business routinely ranks in the top 25 business schools in the United States. In addition to twelve alumni who are past and present Members of the

U.S. Congress, SMU has graduated such notable individuals as: John Tyson, CEO of Tyson Foods; former First Lady, Laura Bush; Lamar Hunt, founder of the American Football League; Harriet Miers, former White House Counsel and Supreme Court nominee; James Cronin, Nobel Prize winning physicist; Mary Ellen Weber, NASA astronaut; and Karen Hughes, former Under Secretary of State.

For these well-known alumni, myself, and thousands of former and current students, SMU holds a special place in our hearts. There is a strong sense of pride amongst the SMU community, and the values we learned in school have stayed with us throughout our lives. We were and always will be SMU Mustangs.

With an eye towards the next generation, SMU is not only celebrating the past, but planning for the future. This Centennial Celebration will serve as a time to ensure the next hundred years are even more successful than the first one hundred. I am confident that under President Turner's leadership, SMU will continue to thrive as a center of excellence not only for Dallas, but for the world.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to congratulate Southwest Airlines on the 40th anniversary of the airline's first passenger flight on June 18th, 1971.

I also commend Herb Kelleher and Rollin King who came up with a vision for a low cost and quick airline. Together they came up with the idea of Southwest Airlines in 1967. Unfortunately, Southwest was forced to hold off on its plans as it was being held in litigation for three and a half years.

And on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines started service among Dallas, Houston and San Antonio with three Boeing 737s. Right from the start, Kelleher and Southwest emphasized the business philosophy of taking care of employees first, and they will take care of your customers.

In 1973, when Southwest ran into some financial difficulties, they had the choice of either letting go of some of their employees or selling one of their planes. They sold the plane and kept their employees.

Kelleher infused Southwest's culture with his personal values-- humbleness, warmth, sincerity and a care and service of people. If you treat people with respect, they will feel valued and add their own personality to whatever they do. If you empower people at all levels of the organization to be able to make decisions, you'll make leaders everywhere. It's about putting the team first and serving the greater good.

In May 2008, Kelleher stepped down as the airline's Chairman, but stayed on as an adviser and employee. Kelleher, who turned 80 this year, is chairman emeritus.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation and a senior Texan on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am pleased to recognize Southwest Airlines' great contribution to the transportation industry.

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, June 18, 2011, the people of Dallas, Texas and the United States suffered a great loss with the passing of Al Lipscomb. Al Lipscomb was a strong community leader, businessman and a devoted public servant. He was never afraid of controversy; he was a true advocate for peace, racial justice, and social equality. He was 86 years old.

Mr. Lipscomb was born in East Dallas. He was educated in the Dallas public schools, attending Booker T. Washington High School and graduating from Lincoln High. He joined the Army Air Force in California with the military police in 1943. He returned to Dallas in 1950, married and became the head waiter in the executive dining room of the First National Bank. He was reprimanded by his boss after going to the courthouse to watch Thurgood Marshall file a Dallas school desegregation case.

In 1966, he became a neighborhood organizer for the Dallas Community Action Agency. He was also an organizer for the Dallas chapter of Dr. King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Al Lipscomb is known for filing a groundbreaking lawsuit that forced Dallas to elect council members by individual districts. He served on the city council for 15 years and was the first black person to run for Dallas mayor.

In 1972, Mr. Lipscomb opened the South Dallas Information Center on Pennsylvania Avenue, where he handled a constant stream of phone calls and questions from passersby seeking assistance. The center was supported by donations. He also kept a high profile by making the rounds at public meetings, asking tough questions, and offering suggestions.

In 1984, he was elected to the City Council and became a vocal critic of the Dallas Police Department's treatment of minorities. And in the late 1980s, Mr. Lipscomb and Ms. Diane Ragsdale--the only black members of the council--drew national media attention and local death threats. Despite the hostilities toward him, he remained both a critic and a skeptic of the city he loved. ``I see a great change,'' he said. ``I see a great change, a change for the better.''

Al was a man of great commitment. He provided tremendous support for me as a public official. I am deeply grateful for his counsel, support, assistance, and unquestionable trusted friendship.

I remember him as being extremely affable, charismatic, and passionate about the needs of community. For all of us he was as one of the most accessible elected officials, always available to listen and reach out to us in addressing complex issues in a hands-on and collaborative fashion.

Today, Texas's 30th Congressional District salutes and honors Al Lipscomb. We thank Mr. Lipscomb's wife, Lovie, his children, and his grandchildren for sharing his exuberant and compassionate spirit with us. His family was always supportive and understanding of his commitment. His fight for justice and equality should not, can not, and will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a distinguished journalist. On May 12, 2011, Jim Lehrer announced that he is leaving the ``NewsHour'' as a regular anchor effective the week of June 6, the final step in a carefully planned retirement. He said he will still appear many Fridays to moderate an analysis of the week's news.

Born in Wichita, Kansas in 1934, Jim Lehrer received an A.A. degree from Victoria College and a B.J. in 1956 from the University of Missouri before joining the Marine Corps. From 1959 to 1966, he was a reporter for The Dallas Morning News and then the Dallas Times-Herald. He was also a political columnist at the Times-Herald for several years and in 1968 became the city editor.

Lehrer's newspaper career led him to public television, first in Dallas, as KERA-TV's executive director of public affairs, on-air host and editor of a nightly news program. He subsequently moved to Washington, DC to serve as the public affairs coordinator for PBS, and was also a member of PBS's Journalism Advisory Board and a fellow at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Lehrer went on to join the National Public Affairs Center for Television. (NPACT) as a correspondent.

Lehrer has been honored with numerous awards for journalism, including the Chairman's Award at the 2010 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences News & Documentary Emmy Awards, the 1999 National Humanities Medal, presented by President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and in October 2011, the National Press Club will present him with their top honor, the Fourth Estate Award. In 1999, Lehrer was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame with Robert MacNeil and into The Silver Circle of the Washington, DC Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He has won two Emmys, the Fred Friendly First Amendment Award, the George Foster Peabody Broadcast Award, and the William Allen White Foundation Award for Journalistic Merit and the University of Missouri School of Journalism's Medal of Honor. In 1991, he was elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Jim Lehrer on an extraordinary career. This trailblazing journalist has made a lasting impact on his profession. I thank Jim for his important contributions, and wish him a happy and healthy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Lovie Mae Kazee who will turn 95 on July 1, 2011.

Ms. Lovie Mae Walker Kazee was born July 1, 1916 to Bob and Gertie Walker in Hearne, Texas. She married Lueranze Kazee on November, 3, 1932 in Marland, Texas. They moved to Dallas in 1944, where she began work as the housekeeper and nanny for The Richard Gump family. She served in that capacity for over 50 years. She retired in 1997 to care for her ailing husband who passed away in 1999 after 67 and a half years of marriage.

To this union 10 children, 27 grandchildren, 78 great grandchildren, 138 great great grandchildren and 3 great great great grandchildren have been born. She is blessed to have 5 generations of heirs celebrating her birth.

Ms. Lovie attributes her longevity to living a faithful Christian life, putting God first in all that she does, never drinking alcohol, nor smoking and remaining physically active.

Ms. Lovie has never been sick and remains an active member of Dallas West Church of Christ. She is the last of the original eight founding members of the congregation, which was started in 1947 and presently meets at 3510 North Hampton Road, Dallas, Texas. Elder Sam Berry is the ministering servant.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Lovie Mae Kazee who turns 95 next month and I encourage my colleagues to join me in this effort and celebration.

Mr. Speaker, first, again, I want to congratulate those Dallas Mavericks for winning the NBA championship, and also to rise in opposition to the Republican plan to end Medicare. The Republican budget replaces Medicare with an underfunded voucher system that eliminates the guaranteed Medicare benefit for everyone under the age of 55.

In the Dallas and north Texas region, the Republican plan would increase the out-of-pocket costs of health care coverage by over $6,000 per year for 630,000 individuals under 55. The Republican plan would immediately cut benefits and would require seniors in my congressional district to pay an extra $47 million for prescription drugs over the next decade. I urge my colleagues to protect our seniors and defend them against these reckless attacks on their health care and economic security, and also their peace of mind.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Dallas Mavericks, on winning the 2011 National Basketball Association Championship. This is the organization's first NBA World Championship title.

I congratulate team owner Mark Cuban, Coach Rick Carlisle, his staff, and the entire Maverick organization for their accomplishment in winning basketball's coveted Larry O'Brien championship trophy.

I also congratulate the team's captain, Dirk Nowitzki, on being named the recipient of the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.

The Maverick's success is a result of contributions by the entire team, including players Jose Barea, Rodrigue Beaubois, Corey Brewer, Caron Butler, Brian Cardinal, Tyson Chandler, Brendan Haywood, Dominique Jones, Jason Kidd, Ian Mahinmi, Shawn Marion, DeShawn Stevenson, Peja Stojakovic, and

Jason Terry; head coach Rick Carlisle, and assistant coaches Terry Stotts, Dwane Casey, Darrell Armstrong, Monte Mathis and Robert Hackett, head athletic trainer Casey Smith, and assistant trainer Dionne Calhoun, led the Mavericks to their first NBA championship by stressing teamwork and determination.

The Mavericks have such a loyal following not only because they are champions on the court, but because they are champions in the community as well. The Dallas Mavericks possess a strong sense of social responsibility, acknowledging that a community is only as strong as its weakest link. The team displays a strong commitment to the community through its foundation. The Dallas Mavericks Foundation is dedicated to inspiring and motivating youth to take their education seriously, strive for healthy bodies and minds, become involved in community service activities, set personal goals, visualize their dreams and take responsibility for their own lives and neighborhoods.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating each member of the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks for their many victories on the court and in the community. They are champions to their sports fans, to beneficiaries of their Foundation, and to the entire Dallas community. We thank them for bringing the NBA championship trophy where it belongs--the American Airlines Center located in the heart of the 30th Congressional District of Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss how the proposed Republican policies will harm our seniors. Republicans are attacking our seniors' most vital support systems.

The Republican budget would replace Medicare with an underfunded voucher system that

eliminates guaranteed Medicare benefits. Private insurance companies, which would be much more expensive than traditional Medicare, would be in charge of seniors' health care for those currently under the age of 55. It is estimated that seniors' health care costs would increase by more than $6,000 a year and costs would continue to skyrocket over time.

Republicans have claimed that their budget does not affect current Medicare beneficiaries; however, this claim is false. In fact, the Republican proposal would immediately cut benefits and would require seniors to pay more out-of-pocket for prescription drugs.

With respect to Medicaid, the Republican budget would cut almost $800 billion dollars over the next decade. Currently, Medicaid is the primary payer for nursing home care; massive cuts in this area would result in staffing shortages and reduced care quality.

At a time where our seniors are struggling to stay afloat in an unstable and unpredictable economy, we should be creating policies that will protect them instead of proposing policies that will place them in harm's way. Balancing the budget on the backs of seniors is reprehensible to say the least. We must fight for our nation's seniors and defend them against these reckless attacks on their health, economic security, and peace of mind.