Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the courage and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and our Veterans.

May is National Military Appreciation Month, a tine when we honor the bravery and service of our Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. Members of our Armed Forces leave behind their homes, families, and jobs in times when duty calls. They protect America and American Allies, provide support in times of disasters, and help bringing stability to areas of unrest.

From my time as a psychiatric nurse in the Dallas Veterans Affair's Hospital, I know firsthand the burden placed upon those who serve in our Armed Forces. People around the world owe their freedoms and liberties to the courage, service, and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces. I urge all Americans to recognize and honor the courage and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and thank them for their service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1258, in expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month.

The time has come to pay special recognition to the needs and shortfalls that are associated with mental health in the United States. Mental health and the well-being of people of the United States is a critical issue that affects not only quality of life, but also the health of communities, families, and economic stability. Often it is the youngest among us, our children, which suffer from the lingering stigma of mental illness. Words, that make fun of those diagnosed with mental health can sometimes create a sense of shame, feelings of guilt, and loss of self esteem.

Statistically, the figures associated with mental health are quite staggering. It is estimated that more than 57 million people in the United States suffer from mental illness. Furthermore, 1 in 5 children and adolescents have a diagnosable mental order. And in 2005 alone, over 32,000 individuals died by suicide in the United States, nearly twice the rate of homicide. The goals of Mental Health Month are to bring these figures to light in order to draw more attention and support for addressing this health crisis.

From my time as a psychiatric nurse in the Dallas Veteran Affair's Hospital, I know firsthand the burden placed upon those who serve in our armed forces suffering from mental illness. More than a quarter of the members of the United States Armed Forces suffer from psychological or neurological injuries sustained from combat, including major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. For far too long the disparities of taking care of our veterans in regards to mental health went unaddressed, and too many suffered because of it.

In closing, I encourage all organizations and health practitioners to use Mental Health Month as an opportunity to promote mental well-being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate services, and support overall quality of life for those living with mental illness.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1258, in expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month.

The time has come to pay special recognition to the needs and shortfalls that are associated with mental health in the United States. Mental health and the well-being of people of the United States is a critical issue that affects not only quality of life, but also the health of communities, families, and economic stability. Often it is the youngest among us, our children, which suffer from the lingering stigma of mental illness. Words, that make fun of those diagnosed with mental health can sometimes create a sense of shame, feelings of guilt, and loss of self esteem.

Statistically, the figures associated with mental health are quite staggering. It is estimated that more than 57 million people in the United States suffer from mental illness. Furthermore, 1 in 5 children and adolescents have a diagnosable mental order. And in 2005 alone, over 32,000 individuals died by suicide in the United States, nearly twice the rate of homicide. The goals of Mental Health Month are to bring these figures to light in order to draw more attention and support for addressing this health crisis.

From my time as a psychiatric nurse in the Dallas Veteran Affair's Hospital, I know firsthand the burden placed upon those who serve in our armed forces suffering from mental illness. More than a quarter of the members of the United States Armed Forces suffer from psychological or neurological injuries sustained from combat, including major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. For far too long the disparities of taking care of our veterans in regards to mental health went unaddressed, and too many suffered because of it.

In closing, I encourage all organizations and health practitioners to use Mental Health Month as an opportunity to promote mental well-being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate services, and support overall quality of life for those living with mental illness.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5325, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act for 2010. It was once said, ``When the world says, Give up, Hope whispers, Try it one more time.'' America cannot afford to give up on science, innovation, and education.

I want to applaud my colleagues, the leadership, as well as the entire Committee on Science and Technology for their hard work on this legislation. Our Nation is being outpaced by competitors in graduating scientists and engineers. It is so important to invest wisely in programs that truly make a difference in the achievement of our young people.

America COMPETES is about our future. It's about ensuring that we are taking the right steps toward increasing American competitiveness and innovation. It is also about strengthening diversity in our Nation's scientific enterprise so that all Americans can compete in the 21st century. We have an obligation to the future of our Nation to ensure every segment of our population has equal access and opportunity to pursue these careers in STEM.

The bill was put together in a bipartisan fashion and represents a concerted effort to create a more competitive science and engineering workforce. This is the goal of America COMPETES, and I am pleased that the provisions are in this bill for all Americans. I will fight for innovation, justice, parity, and equality for all Americans as long as I can.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a truly remarkable man and exceptional citizen of Dallas, Texas, Mr. Pettis Norman. I am very privileged to consider Mr. Norman a dear friend, and it is an honor to recognize him before this Congress and the entire country.

Pettis Norman has always been a man of strong character and deep emotional conviction. He was born to Fessor and Eloise Norman in Lincolntown, Georgia and spent his formative years in North Carolina. As the youngest child in a large family, he learned early on the value of his own personal integrity, and to this day, it remains one of his most admirable qualities.

Mr. Norman received a degree from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it was there that he became active in the civil rights movement. He participated in lunch counter sit-ins that ultimately spread to cities and states across the country. These sit-ins marked a turning point for the movement and served as a spark for the African-American community to organize, be heard, and protest peacefully. Mr. Norman took part in these with a deep sense of integrity and the simple belief that all people should be judged on the depth of their character and not the color of their skin.

After Mr. Norman graduated from college, he moved to Dallas, Texas to play for the Cowboys in 1962. To this day, he is regarded as one of the greatest tight ends the team has ever had, and his resolve on the field has yet to be matched. Truly, the city fell in love with Mr. Norman just as Mr. Norman fell in love with Dallas, and I believe that the city has gained so much because of him. As a football player, Coach Landry held him in high regard, and still says that trading Mr. Norman to the San Diego Chargers was one of the most difficult decisions he ever made.

Mr. Norman returned to Dallas after two seasons in San Diego to settle into a permanent home. He has been active in civic life ever since, and he is still highly regarded in the community. The people of Dallas consider him an all time favorite, and I believe that it is his moral character and steadfast nature that so endear him to the people he meets.

Madam Speaker, Pettis Norman was an amazing football player and is an outstanding citizen today. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in honoring this great man who has done remarkable things throughout his life and still considers his personal integrity his most variable trait.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and work of a great Texan and dear friend, Mr. Charles D. Kirkham, Jr. who recently passed away at the age of 84.

Mr. Kirkham was a remarkable person who leaves behind a legacy of excellence and distinction. He led a passionate life that saw many unique events, and he worked diligently throughout his days to better himself and his family. I knew him to be a man that never bought into racial or gender bias, and instead admired people because of their character and sincerity. I send my deep condolences to his family for their loss, and my thoughts will be with them during this difficult time.

Mr. Kirkham was born on July 28, 1925, in Cleburn, Texas, to Charles D. Kirkham, Sr. and Mary Ellen Payne Kirkham. He graduated from Cleburn High School in 1943 and shortly thereafter he left for Europe to fight in World War II with the 94th Infantry Division. It was there that he performed heroic actions that garnered him a Purple Heart and a Unit Commendation Bronze Star. He returned to Texas after the war and received a degree from Texas A&M University in 1950 where he served as President of the Student Senate.

After completing his degree, Mr. Kirkham began a long and industrious career with Merrill Lynch where he worked for 45 years. He was a successful stock broker and made a name for himself that people still regard in high esteem today. He served in the Texas

House of Representatives during the 53rd and 54th Legislature representing Cleburn and Johnson counties. Throughout his life, he was active with Texas A&M University and served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Former Students.

Madam Speaker, I am so privileged to be able to bring the life of Charles Kirkham to the attention of this Congress. He was a man of great character and deep personal conviction, and he will be truly missed. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me today in honoring the life of this great man who led a noble life and gave wholeheartedly to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4491, the Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act.

I commend this legislation which directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the role the Buffalo Soldiers played in the development of the National Park System. It is time more information comes to light regarding the contributions Buffalo Soldiers made to protect our National Parks until 1914. Few know the story of how Buffalo Soldiers once patrolled Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks.

As their service has been nearly forgotten, I praise this legislation which will ensure their efforts to our Country are remembered. Buffalo Soldiers remain an integral element in founding our National Parks. These American soldiers carried out mounted patrol duties in the Western frontier and were among the first park rangers and backcountry rangers patrolling parts of the West.

Mr. Speaker, the Buffalo soldiers blazed the trails and paved the way for what we now call our National Park System. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. R. 4491, the Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act. Fifty years ago in Dallas, Texas, at Texas Instruments, Dr. Jack Kilby invented the microchip. This ground-breaking technology is arguably the catalyst of the information age and the entire field of modern microelectronics. At that time, this technology was unimaginable. If not for Dr. Kilby, it is feasible that sophisticated high-speed computers, large-scale semiconductors may cease to exist.

The example Dr. Kilby set proves it is the American people that will create the next technological feat. In order to become energy independent, create new jobs and exports, and develop the next great technology, we must invest robustly in scientific education and innovation. This is the goal of America

COMPETES, and I am pleased the provisions in this bill are for all Americans. I, along with my supportive colleagues, want to thank the House leadership for bringing this important legislation to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I thank Ms. Woolsey for yielding me this time. It is a privilege to offer this resolution celebrating this resolution recognizing National Nurses Week, which ends today.

Nurses have been called the patient's first advocate, but their work also encompasses a wide scope of scientific inquiry, including clinical research, health systems research, and nursing education research.

Every day, nurses make a commitment to providing quality patient care, growing and adapting to the new challenges that our changing health care system requires.

I began my career as a registered professional nurse where I provided hands-on patient care for 15 years as a psychiatric nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dallas, Texas. This is why I remain a strong nursing ally today, advocating on behalf of the nursing profession to ensure that they have the means necessary to perform their jobs safely, with the best resources possible.

I would like to thank my fellow colleagues, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy), who are also nurses and champions of this resolution and the nursing profession. The Congressional Nursing Caucus was also helpful in promoting this legislation, and I appreciate all of the efforts to generate support for the resolution.

Nurses are a key component to our Nation's health care system and will become even more vital with the full implementation of health care reform. Nurses work in emergency rooms, school-based clinics, community health centers, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, physician offices, and on the battlefield. Their roles take many shapes from staff nurse to nurse educator, all while remaining committed to patient safety and working to influence the broader health care policy for the benefit of the greater good. Nurses are extremely dedicated individuals who must be intelligent and detail oriented, ready to act at the spur of the moment. A caring and compassionate heart is required for the tough work that nurses perform, usually under duress.

As important as the nursing industry is, we still face a nursing shortage. Enrollment rose in 2009 for entry-level B.A. programs, but the annual increase in student capacity in 4-year nursing programs has declined sharply since 2003.

It is imperative that we expand capacity in B.A. and graduate programs to sustain a healthy nursing workforce and provide patients with the best care possible.

As we try to meet the demands of the nursing profession, we must also tackle the challenges related to the impact of faculty shortages on educational capacity.

Increased Federal and State support is needed to enhance existing programs and create new programs to educate nursing students at all levels, to increase the number of faculty members to educate nursing students, and to retain nurses in the profession.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act. My colleagues and I on the Committee on Science and Technology have held numerous hearings and markups to prepare the legislation that is before us today. It puts the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy's Office of Science on a path to double their research budgets, and it's needed. It will prepare thousands of new teachers and provide current teachers with better materials and skills by reauthorizing the Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. It also reauthorizes grant programs to increase the number of advanced placement teachers in high-need schools and provides students in high-need communities with access to laboratory experiences. As women and minorities continue to be underrepresented in the sciences, the America COMPETES Act includes many provisions that will strengthen diversity in our Nation's scientific enterprise.

I am pleased that during committee we prohibited the consolidation of programs that serve minority institutions and students. I also applaud the committee for including the Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act, which is important legislation that I sponsored for two Congresses. I also applaud many of the other provisions in this legislation that promise to ensure America COMPETES includes all Americans. These provisions will have schools around the Nation elevate their math and science programs so that they can achieve the standard exemplified by the School of Science and Engineering at Townview in Dallas. This school is rated the best in the Nation among public high schools and has been that for 10 years.

Madam Chair, I want to commend Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall for their hard work on this legislation. This bill was put together in a bipartisan fashion. It represents a concerted effort to create a more competitive science and engineering workforce. I support this bill, Madam Chair, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 268 to support the goals and ideals of National Women's Health Week.

As a non-practicing registered nurse, I know from firsthand experience how important it is to lead a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a good diet, exercising, and making good life decisions are incredibly important to the wellbeing of any person. This week, on National Women's Health Week, we focus our attention on the importance of women's health so that we can encourage women to lead better, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

Women play vital roles in the family unit as mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters. It is often the case that in offering care for others, women themselves forget to address their own healthcare needs. It is no surprise that when the health of a mother decreases, so too, does the health of her family. As women take on larger roles in the workplace and are forced to balance the needs of family and career, they are even less likely to place an emphasis on their own needs and health. For this reason, it is incredibly important that we emphasize the importance of women's health during this week.

Women, too, have some very specific healthcare needs that are important to highlight during National Women's Health Week. Breast cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis are just a few of the major diseases that can affect women, and it is important that they are screened for and receive adequate treatment for these ailments. Additionally, women are disproportionately faced with higher healthcare costs and because of this they many times have reduced access to care compared with men.

Mr. Speaker, National Women's Health Week seeks to address the health needs of women so that all Americans can lead better lives. The role of women in our society is remarkably important, and it is imperative that women understand their own healthcare needs as well as have access to affordable care. Because of this, I ask my fellow colleagues to join me today in supporting this resolution for the betterment of women across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1299 to support the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Every year, on May 15, we recognize the fallen peace officers from our communities that have given their lives in the line of duty. We can thank these men and women for upholding our laws and ensuring our safety, even in times of crisis. I am deeply humbled by the sacrifices of these brave men and women, and I express my condolences to their families for their loss.

On January 6, 2009, Dallas lost one of our own police officers, Senior Cpl. Norman Stephen Smith, when he was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant. He died shortly before his 18th anniversary with the Dallas Police Department, and his knowledge and skill continue to be missed within his unit. With his death, Dallas lost a great man and a great police officer, and we will never forget his sacrifice for our community's wellbeing. My condolences go out to his wife, Regina Smith, and their two children.

Mr. Speaker, Peace Officers Memorial Day is a day in which we honor some of our nation's bravest and most valiant men and women. The work of police officers and other peace officers places them in danger almost on a daily basis, and I ask my fellow colleagues to join me today in supporting this resolution that honors our peace officers who have died in the line of duty.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1094 to commemorate the life of the late Cynthia DeLores Tucker, a civil rights activist and the first female, African- American Secretary of State of any of our fifty states.

C. DeLores Tucker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1927 as the tenth of thirteen children. She grew up during the Great Depression, and during this period she faced large amounts of racism and economic hardship. She would later attend Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1951 she married her husband, Bill Tucker.

In 1950, Ms. Tucker became active in the civil rights movement and local politics when she registered African-American voters for the Philadelphia mayoral campaign. She would later go on to run for public office herself and was elected to the Philadelphia Zoning Board where she became the first African-American and the first woman to serve in this position.

Later, in 1971, she was named Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania making her the first female, African-American secretary of a state in the nation.

The rights of African Americans and the rights of women were never far from Mrs. Tucker's thoughts. In 1965, she participated in the White House Conference on Civil Rights, and she marched with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama in support of the 1965 Voting Rights Bill. She also founded the National Congress of Black Women in order to aid in the educational, political, economic, and cultural development of African-American women and their families.

Mr. Speaker, America lost a great soul and noble spirit with the passing of Cynthia DeLores Tucker. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me today in honoring her legacy by supporting this resolution. Truly, she will be missed.

Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010.

The best way to lower energy costs is to make homes, buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure more energy efficient. Providing American homeowners with incentives to improve the energy efficiency in their homes is a straightforward concept that will spur job growth, protect our environment, and lower residential energy costs.

We must revolutionize our economy and energy infrastructure in order to become more efficient. The growing ``Green Economy'' presents an opportunity to create large numbers of quality, green-collar jobs for American workers to grow emerging industries and to improve the health of low- and middle-income

Americans. Specifically, Home Star will create 168,000 new jobs in an effort to jump start our Nation's struggling economy.

As the cost of energy continues to spiral out of control, Home Star presents a commonsense approach to mitigate costs to American homeowners. During extreme weather conditions, people living in poverty and the low-income elderly shouldn't be overburdened by the cost of energy to heat and cool their homes or the cost to provide food for themselves and their families. This legislation is another, positive step for America in the road towards economic recovery.

Madam Chair, Dallas is ready for this opportunity to make cost- effective investments to rebuild and retrofit our community and our Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1157, to congratulate the National Urban League on its 100 year of service to the United States.

The National Urban League can look back with great pride on its extraordinary accomplishments, as we mark the organization's centennial anniversary. Since its inception in 1910, the National Urban League has made tremendous gains in equality and economic empowerment in the African-American community throughout the United States. Today,

the League has become an essential tool in economic advancement, as it has expanded to 25 national programs, with more than 100 local affiliates in 36 states as well as the District of Columbia.

The beginnings of this organization can be traced to two remarkable individuals, Mrs. Ruth Standish Baldwin and Dr. George Edmund Haynes, who founded the League as a multiracial and diverse grassroots campaign. Their efforts in forming the National League of Black Men and Women, later to be known as the National Urban League, began as a civil rights organization dedicated to elevating the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The fledgling organization counseled black migrants from the South, helped train black social workers, and worked in various other ways to bring educational and employment opportunities to African Americans.

Under the leadership of Whitney M. Young, Jr., the League substantially expanded its fundraising ability, and, most critically, made the League a full-time partner in the Civil Rights Movement. Lending its resources to the pursuit of equality, it hosted at its New York headquarters the meetings of A. Philip Randolph, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other civil rights leaders to plan the 1963 March on Washington. Furthermore, Young was a forceful advocate for greater government and private sector efforts to eradicate poverty. His call for a domestic Marshall Program, a ten-point program designed to close the huge social and economic gap between black and white Americans, significantly influenced the discussion of the Johnson Administration's War on Poverty legislation.

My district of Dallas, Texas, has benefited greatly by the community oriented services provided by the Urban League of Greater Dallas. Under the leadership of chapter president, Dr. Beverly Mitchell-Brooks, the Urban League's facility provides an environment where education and training are chosen as paths to self-reliance. Dallas residents are prepared for the world of work, home ownership, and health education through classes and training seminars. In addition to job training, scholarship programs are in place to help students realize their dream of earning a college degree that may otherwise be blocked by a families' limited income.

As we stand in the aftermath of this economic downturn, the role of the National Urban League has become vital as entire communities seek guidance and relief from current economic conditions. Through the League's Housing and Community Development Division, programs such as ``Foreclosure Prevention'', ``Homeownership Preparation,'' and through ``Financial Literacy'' were able to aid over 50,000 people in 2009. Furthermore, with assistance provided by the League's ``Foreclosure Prevention'' program, 3,000 people were able to avoid filing foreclosure in 2009.

Mr. Speaker, if past is prologue, then the National Urban League's exemplarily 100-year history of empowering the lives of millions of African Americans gives me great confidence in the organization's ability to address the challenges of the 21st century.