Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Louise Ballerstedt Raggio, a trailblazer and an advocate who has spent her life making sure that women and families have equal rights under the law.

Mrs. Raggio was born in Manor, Texas and spent the early part of her life as the daughter of a hardworking, Texas farm family. From an early age, she learned the importance of perseverance and dedication to a cause, and these traits have remained persistent throughout her life. She graduated first in her class from high school and went on to earn an undergraduate degree with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin.

After marrying and giving birth to two children, Mrs. Raggio began law school at Southern Methodist University in a time when it was not typical for a woman to do so. During law school, she gave birth to a third son, and although it was difficult, she persisted, graduated, and passed the Texas State Bar in 1952. Later, she took a job in the Dallas County District Attorney's office and took over all child and family cases. She was soon promoted and began doing criminal prosecution. During this time, she became active with the Texas State Bar and joined the newly-formed Family Law Section of the State Bar in 1960. She would eventually become Chairwoman of the committee, making her the first woman in Texas history to become Chair of any such committee.

As Chairwoman, Mrs. Raggio and her committee uncovered 44 state laws which discriminated against women, and notably, married women. She began a campaign to enact a Marital Property Bill and after seven drafts, Governor Connally signed it into law, marking the end of a three-year effort. She was so successful that she was asked to undertake the entire revision of all family laws in Texas and after ten years the Family Law Section of the Texas State Bar created the first complete Family Code of laws in the world.

Today, Mrs. Raggio has garnered numerous recognitions and honors including being elected the first female director of the State Bar of Texas. She is consistently regarded as the Mother of the Texas Family Code and Southern Methodist University has developed an annual Louise Ballerstedt Raggio Lecture Series in her honor. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in honoring the work of Mrs. Raggio and her lifelong commitment to a fair and just legal system.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the School for the Talented and Gifted and the School for Science and Engineering at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center for receiving the extraordinary honor of being ranked as the top two public schools in the nation.

Each year, Newsweek ranks the top public high schools out of a possible 27,000, placing these two schools as the top two out of the 1,500 schools listed. For 2009 the Magnet School for the Talented and Gifted ranked number one, with the Magnet School for Engineering and Science ranking number two. I am delighted that these two schools have achieved such a distinction, placing them among the elite public institutions in this country.

Additionally, I would like to recognize W. T. White High School which ranked 171st and Woodrow Wilson High School which ranked 637th. These rankings put all of these high schools in the top 6 percent of all public secondary schools in the country.

Located in my district of Dallas, Texas, Townview Magnet is one of the most diverse schools in the state, with minorities representing over half of the student population. Given the diverse nature of the City of Dallas itself, and the increased globalization of most industries, the students attending these two schools will have the opportunity not only to impact the Dallas area, but on a global scale. This marks the third time in 4 years that the School for the Talented and Gifted has been ranked number one in the nation. This unveiling marks the second time that the School of Engineering and Science has been ranked second nationally, the other year being in 2007.

This honor shows the values of a good educational environment, as many of the students attending these two schools will have opportunities to be the future leaders of this country. This honor will serve as an inspiration to the faculty, staff and students of Townview Magnet School to maintain a high level of work. I extend my appreciation for the hard work of everyone involved in achieving this honor, and lend my support to the future success of Townview.

Madam Speaker, again, I congratulate the students, teachers, principals and parents of Townview Magnet School for the Talented and Gifted and the Magnet School for Science and Engineering on this honor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce my support for AmeriCorps and to salute all AmeriCorps members nationwide. Since AmeriCorps was created in 1994, Texas has benefited from over 22,000 young people serving a year or more in our communities. Through programs such as the National Civilian Community Corps, City Year and Teach For America, AmeriCorps volunteers address critical Texas needs in education, public safety, disaster response and recovery, and environment preservation. These programs serve an important role as they provide an outlet for people to serve their country in a manner that had previously not been afforded.

In the last 14 years more than 500,000 individuals have served through AmeriCorps and have earned education awards worth more than $1.5 billion, making the dream of higher education more attainable. This national service program has provided opportunities for growing numbers of Americans to serve our nation.

AmeriCorps members serve thousands of nonprofit organizations, schools, and faith-based and community organizations each year. With the enactment of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which President Obama signed on April 21, 2009, three times as many American's will now have the opportunity to serve. This program has engaged millions of Americans in results-driven service in the Nation's most vulnerable communities, providing hope and help to people facing economic and social needs. With the current economic downturn putting millions of Americans at risk, national service and volunteering are more important than ever.

Mr. Speaker, the AmeriCorps program has done great things for Texas and the country as a whole. I am indeed honored to support the significant accomplishments of this wonderful program which represents the very best of the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I would like to express my support of H.R. 1709--the STEM Education Coordination Act of 2009.

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are critical subjects that are related to our national competitiveness.

As a cosponsor of this legislation, I support the work of the Committee on Science and Technology as it developed and refined the bill.

During committee consideration of the bill, I offered several amendments that passed unanimously. One such amendment was designed to strengthen the role of the Office of Science and Technology Policy in monitoring quantifiable progress of federal STEM education programs across the agencies. The amendment specified that the committee within the National Science & Technology Council shall determine common metrics to assess progress toward achieving the objectives in its STEM education strategic plan.

In addition, the committee accepted an amendment added a responsibility of OSTP: to encourage and monitor the agency efforts to ensure that the strategic plan is executed effectively. Finally, I offered an amendment that required that the annual report submitted by OSTP should include a description of the outcome of any program assessments completed in the previous year.

Better coordination of our federally-funded education programs for STEM is needed. H.R. 1709 aims to achieve that goal, so that good programs can be supported and refined. It is my belief that a more competitive America will come as a result of stronger, better- coordinated STEM education programs. I support this legislation and urge its passage.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 435 to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and pay tribute to the many achievements of Asian Pacific Americans across our Nation.

The month of May marks several historical events in Asian Pacific American history. On May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States, paving the way for a great movement of Asian and Pacific peoples to immigrate to the United States. Only 26 years later, on May 10, 1869, the transcontinental railroad was finished, the completion of which is largely credited to Asian Pacific Americans. Due to these events, it is appropriate to celebrate the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and honor the sacrifices and contributions of this great community.

Through the years, the Asian Pacific American Communities have made significant contributions to Texas's diverse culture. In Dallas, I am privileged to represent the largest Asian American Chamber in the United States with more than 1,200 members. I believe that we all learn from those who come from different backgrounds, and I can truly say that I have learned a great deal from my Asian Pacific friends and constituents.

I would also like to recognize the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that shook Sichuan Province in China in May of 2008 and send my condolences to the friends and families of the victims.

Today, there are over 14 million Asian Pacific Americans living in the United States, representing 5 percent of the population. The rich history associated with the Asian Pacific American community has left a lasting and important imprint on our country. Madam Speaker, I am proud to support this resolution and the Asian Pacific American communities in North Texas and across the United States.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Jack E. Singley and the 43 years he spent in service to Irving Independent School District.

Jack Singley began his career in 1965 by teaching Math at MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas, and rose through the ranks of the school district to become superintendent in 1988. He served in that role for nearly 21 years making him one of the longest serving school administrators in Texas. Earlier this year, he announced that 2009 would mark the end of his remarkable career, and his determination, strength of character, and wisdom will be greatly missed.

Throughout his career, Mr. Singley saw the transformation of Irving ISD from a small suburban school district to the large vibrant school district it is today. During his tenure as superintendent, eight schools were added to the school district and the number of employees serving in Irving ISD nearly doubled. One of Mr. Singley's most impressive successes was the creation of The Academy of Irving ISD. This high school opened in 2001 and is considered to be at the forefront of technological innovation and educational philosophy.

After Mr. Singley announced his retirement earlier this year, the Irving ISD School Board voted unanimously to rename the Academy of Irving ISD to the Jack E. Singley Academy, much to his dismay. With great humility and regard for others, he asked that the school not be named in his honor and said, ``I honestly believe that when you're naming schools after local people, they ought to be volunteers, not staff members.''

Jack Singley has made such a big difference in the lives of so many students and teachers, and I cannot think of a better way to honor him than by renaming this academy to the Jack E. Singley Academy. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Singley and his lifelong commitment to ensuring quality education for young people in Irving, Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in the Nation's Capital and its transition, on June 6, 2009, to the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure. With its headquarters located within my congressional district in Dallas, Susan G. Komen for the Cure reaches out both nationally and globally to women affected by breast cancer. I am pleased to honor the foundation today as they celebrate their achievements and continue to move forward in creating a world without breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded by Nancy G. Brinker in 1982 on the basis of fulfilling a promise she made to her sister, Susan G. Komen. Her promise was to end breast cancer forever. Since its establishment, Susan G. Komen has raised $1.2 billion from events like the Race for the Cure, contributing the largest source of non-profit funds dedicated to fighting breast cancer. As a result, there have been several advances in the fight against breast cancer. There is now increased government funding in cancer research, prevention, and funding, and an increased chance of survival due to earlier detection.

Over the next ten years, Susan G. Komen for the Cure will continue to contribute to the fight against breast cancer. The foundation plans to invest an additional $2 billion to help find a cure for breast cancer and better the lives of women all across the world. As a former nurse, I am honored to congratulate them on their 20th anniversary of the Race for the Cure in the Nation's Capital, as well as their transition to a global organization.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 437 which recognizes the goals and ideals of mental health month.

Mental health issues affect many members of the population, altering their lives and the lives of their families. Over 57 million American citizens suffer from mental illness, and it is one of the leading causes of disability in our nation. In addition, people who suffer from serious mental illnesses die on average 25 years earlier than the general population, many of them from diseases that could be treated if diagnosed early.

Approximately 6.7 percent of the population is affected by Major Depressive Disorder, and more than 90 percent of people who commit suicide suffer from a depressive disorder before they take their lives. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has become one of the most serious mental health illnesses, with over a quarter of all U.S. troops suffering from the disorder. H. Res. 437 stresses a desire on the part of either those suffering from mental illness, or the families of those suffering, to seek help.

As a registered nurse, I have seen firsthand the affects that mental illness has on individuals and their families, and I understand fully the importance of maintaining and advocating for mental health. This is an issue that affects many of us in some way, and we need to ensure that there is no stigma attached to mental illness so that those suffering can and will get the help they need. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in recognizing the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month and supporting this Resolution in order to raise awareness for mental health issues.

I rise to have a colloquy with the chairman.

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit, DART, has been a leader in promoting intermodalism throughout the North Texas area region. And the City of Dallas plans to construct an intermodal connector that will provide passengers with an easy connection with the Dallas Love Field Airport. And I respectfully ask the distinguished chairman to work with me to ensure that Dallas Love Field Airport receives priority consideration for the program outlined in section 114 of this bill.

I want to thank you, Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Costello and Ranking Member Petri for your work on this bill, particularly in the area of intermodalism as outlined in Section 114 of the bill.

Expansion of passenger facility charge (PFC) eligibility to include Intermodal Ground Access Projects at Airports is of utmost importance to my congressional district.

This Committee cares deeply about intermodalism and I care deeply about intermodalism.

I will yield.

Mr. Speaker, health care in the United States has degraded in accessibility and quality, to the extent that we are a nation in crisis. Fundamental change is needed to truly make progress toward a healthier America.

My experiences as a federal legislator--and as a nurse--have provided a unique vantage point from which to discuss this issue. During my years as chief psychiatric nurse at the Veterans' Administration Hospital in Dallas, I have seen, first-hand, the state of affairs of our health care system.

When it comes to mental health, for example, our system is particularly weak. Insurers do not provide sufficient or consistent coverage of mental health care services. Individuals with mental illness must navigate a patchwork of community service providers. Those with severe illness often have limited options for care. They end up homeless and are victims of a system that does not work. Others may not have an employer who understands mental illness. Others may be unemployed, and uninsured; or they may work for minimum wage and earn ``too much'' to qualify for Medicaid. People with mental illness are among those least served by our local and national care systems.

We need relief from the harsh and unfair practices of the health insurance industry. We need a guarantee of quality, affordable health care for all of us. We need to set and enforce the rules so insurance companies put health care above profits. We must be able to keep the health care that we have, and in addition, we need the choice of a public plan, so we're not left at the mercy of the same private insurance companies that have gotten us into this mess.

It is my belief that we need not re-invent the wheel. We can achieve savings and improve value in our current systems of Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP--and make them available to anyone who needs coverage. Legislation like H.R. 676 makes a strong case for this policy strategy. Tonight I would like to share some good suggestions for health care reform. A study by the Commonwealth Fund analyzed policy options and their economic impact on health care costs. Five major strategies emerged, and I think these should be priorities.

First, we must extend affordable health insurance to all.

Second, we should offer financial incentives to reward efficiency and quality in health care that is provided.

The third strategy is to ensure that care is accessible, coordinated and patient-centered.

A fourth strategy for a high performance health system is that we must set benchmarks for quality and efficiency.

Last, a reformed health care system must hold national leadership accountable, and it must allow for public/private collaboration.

We can take the best of current models, and lessons learned, and use that to reform our health care system. Only then will we begin to reduce the health disparities that plague African Americans and other minorities.

Forty-six million uninsured Americans, including 5.7 million Texans, need health care coverage.

The time to act is now.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor from H.R. 848.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2020: the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2009.

Advanced computer networks are the wave of the future.

As technology has improved, we are better able to predict the paths of hurricanes, the force of tsunamis, or even the trajectory of comets.

Advanced computing is a broad area of active research. The Texas Advanced Computing Center, in Austin, has scientists who are using supercomputers to simulate airflow and manage shock waves for next- generation, hypersonic aircraft.

Other researchers there have been working to understand the process by which enzymes convert plant matter into energy, with the goal of creating more efficient enzymes. Then we could more quickly convert waste to energy.

High speed computers have also enabled scientists to develop realistic models of the human lung.

Teams of Texas researchers are working to develop a new tool to image, understand, and diagnose how air flows through the thousands of branching passageways of the lung, and how abnormalities can lead to illness.

There are so many useful applications for high speed computers and advanced networks.

The federal government invests more than $3 billion on the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program.

It is essential that such a large investment is spent wisely.

The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology recently provided recommendations on how to improve our federal efforts in computer network research.

A key recommendation was to support high-risk, multi-disciplinary research. I support this suggestion.

For far too long, federal investments have been made in ``safe research,'' or research that has a certainty of getting a result.

The negative consequence is that science moves along at an incremental snail's pace.

Investments in high-risk research may never come to fruition or payoff. However we must support research of this nature.

Scientists must be unfettered to think more creatively. Then, they have the freedom to tackle big questions that sometimes take more time and more experimentation to answer.

As a previous chair of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee, I have long been a strong supporter of this kind of research.

I support H.R. 2020 and urge my colleagues to support it also.

Madam Speaker, let me thank my colleagues who are managing this bill today.

It really is a delight and a privilege to offer a resolution recognizing National Nurses Week, which is May 6 through today, the 12th.

I began my professional career as a nurse and as a registered nurse with a master's degree; I have 15 years of hands-on patient-care experience. I served as the chief psychiatric nurse at the VA Hospital in Dallas. During times of war, we see so many men and women suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. They need prompt and compassionate care.

Just yesterday, the New York Times reported that an American soldier in Baghdad shot five of his fellow comrades. The attack took place in a clinic for soldiers who were seeking help for stress. Another such incident occurred last September.

I have great empathy for our brave members of our military who suffer from emotional distress, and I admire the nurses and other health care professionals who work to assist them. Nurses are a key component of our health care system; and whether on the battlefield, at sea, in a skilled nursing facility or in a hospital, the care that a nurse provides is very, very valuable.

Nurses are the patient's primary advocate. They are intelligent people who most often have to make quick decisions in an effort to save the life of a patient. Nurses are tough guardians. They often do their work under duress and under difficult conditions.

My colleagues, Congresswoman Lois Capps and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, are also nurses. They have worked with me to promote this resolution, and they are champions in the nursing profession.

I want to thank my many congressional colleagues who cosponsored this resolution honoring nurses. We recognize that although more than 2.9 million registered nurses work in the United States, our Nation continues to suffer from a nursing shortage. Congress should invest in the title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Program to help address this challenge. We cannot do health care reform without addressing the shortage of nursing.

Congress must also increase support for nurse faculty education, particularly for advanced practice nurses and advanced education in nursing. Further, hospitals need to establish valid, reliable and adjustable unit-by-unit nurse staffing plans. These plans should link staff to quality outcomes and should involve direct input of nursing staff based on each area's unique characteristics and needs. The nursing community has provided valuable recommendations on policies to support the nursing profession, and I encourage my colleagues to review these suggestions.

Several nursing organizations were engaged in developing this resolution, and I would like to thank them. They are the American Nurses Association, the Emergency Nurses Association, the National Black Nurses Association, and the National League for Nurses.

Today's resolution honors the good work that all nurses do, the profession that has more patient support than any other. Along with my many supportive colleagues, I want to thank the House leadership for bringing up this important resolution and I urge support for the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Trojans of James Madison High School on their first state basketball championship since 1997. These outstanding young men have come a long way this past season and have made their community in South Dallas so very proud.

Winning a state championship is something that will last a lifetime. It is a remarkable achievement that few teams ever experience, and it is a legacy that will live with the 2008-09 Trojans forever. The Trojans and Coach Damien Mobley know what brought this state title back to Dallas--hard work. It is doing that one extra sprint, that extra drill, shooting that extra free throw after practice that helped make the Trojans champions. Nobody outworked the Trojans and nobody could beat them in the state tournament. And nobody had a greater following or more community support than the Trojans of Madison High.

It is an honor to pay tribute to the entire Trojan squad and on behalf of all the residents of Texas, congratulations again to the Trojans of Madison High School and Coach Damien Mobley and the entire Madison community--you are an inspiration to us all. It is Trojan Pride at its finest. Go Trojans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week and to honor the teachers of Drew Model School for their outstanding and tireless efforts to raise academic achievement levels for all students at this institution.

The teachers and staff at Drew Model School approach each student with the belief that every child learns best within a social environment that supports and respects his or her unique development. Their programs encourage children to develop independence of thought and confidence of character while learning at their own pace. Additionally, Drew faculty members incorporate the traditional approach of children working, learning, and developing in mixed-age groups with the academic experience of gentle guidance under a specially trained teacher.

I am proud and grateful for the enthusiastic teachers at Drew Model School and would like to recognize Suneeta Maheshwari, Carol Oakes, and all Drew Model School educators who have shown admirable dedication to their students at this exemplary school.

Teachers make a difference in all of our lives, and today, as well as everyday, I would like to extend my warm thanks for their hard work and service to America's children. I ask my fellow Members of Congress to join me in honoring Drew Model School teachers whose commitment to quality education is extraordinary and dedication to academic achievement is unmatched.