Floor Statements

Thank you to the Chair of the full committee and to the subcommittee members, as well as the full committee.

I rise in strong support of the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009. This legislation authorizes almost $19 billion to protect and restore the integrity of U.S. waters, which are one of this country's most valuable natural resources. Over the past several decades, we have made significant progress in improving the quality of our water. Unfortunately, much of this progress is now at risk.

Today, approximately 40 percent of the rivers, lakes and coastal waters do not meet State water quality standards, and the problem is getting worse. Based on EPA estimates, without significant additional investment in our Nation's system of wastewater infrastructure, discharges into the U.S. waters could reach levels not seen since 1968, 4 years before the enactment of the 1972 Clean Water Act.

Moreover, much of the United States' water structure is approaching or has exceeded its projected useful life and is now in need of repair or replacement. Without significant investment now, this could have dire consequences for human health, aquatic ecosystems and our overall quality of life.

The Environmental Protection Agency and others estimate that we will need to invest between $300 billion to $400 billion over the next 20 years to address these water infrastructure needs. Current estimates show an annual funding gap of between $3 billion to $11 billion over our existing expenditures, from Federal, State and local sources.

This legislation will help jump-start the investment in these needs so that we will continue to have access to clean, safe water and so future generations can continue to enjoy the economic and recreational benefits of our water resources.

The Water Quality Investment Act of 2009 contains five titles which, together, will make great progress to this end. Each of these titles contain legislative proposals that passed through the House in the 110th Congress. Unfortunately, these important bills never became law.

The first title reauthorizes the Clean Water State Revolving Fund legislation. It is intended to address the Nation's infrastructure needs and to reaffirm the Federal commitment toward meeting the goals of the Clean Water Act. This title reauthorizes the Federal grant program for capitalizing State Revolving Funds at $13.8 billion over next 5 years.

Further, the reauthorization provides increased flexibility in the types of projects that the State Revolving Fund can finance. In addition, it seeks to improve the efficiency of our wastewater infrastructure by promoting, to the maximum extent practicable, the use of more energy and water-efficient practices.

This creates incentives for alternative energy approaches that will lower energy costs and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. It also encourages the development of ``green infrastructure'' that decreases the amount of storm water that enters our waterways, relieving some of the strain on our aging wastewater treatment systems.

It also provides the States with increased flexibility in financing packages so they can offer the cities and local communities principal forgiveness and negative interest loans. This is intended to assist communities in meeting their water quality infrastructure goals, which is critical in this time of economic stress.

Title II of the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009 provides funding for the pilot program for alternative water source projects, and this program provides $250 million in grant funding for a variety of projects, such as water reuse and recycling.

Title III of the legislation reauthorizes the Sewer Overflow Grant Program. This section provides $1.8 billion over the next 5 years in grant funding for States to control combined sewer overflows. These overflows discharge annually an estimated 850 billion gallons of untreated or partially treated sewage directly into local waters.

In addition, combined sewer overflows are often the direct cause of beach closures, contamination of drinking water supplies, and other environmental and public health problems. This program will help address the critical needs of the approximately 700 communities in the United States that still depend on combined sewer systems.

Title IV of the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009 creates a new Sewer Overflow Right-To-Know program. The legislation amends the Clean Water Act to require owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works to notify Federal and State agencies, public health officials, and the public of sewer overflows. This is an important step to increase transparency of this public health-related information and to protect the well-being of the public.

Finally, Title V of the legislation completes some unfinished business in last year's Great Lakes Legacy Act. This provides funding for the cleanup of contaminated sediment around the Great Lakes.

My colleagues, it has been over 20 years since Congress last authorized appropriations for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. These programs cannot wait any longer while the quality of our water deteriorates. It is time that Congress completes the task of sending these important provisions to the President for signing.

I encourage my colleagues to join me in voting for this act.

Mr. Chair, I strongly oppose the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mack).

This amendment would strike the language renewing Davis-Bacon prevailing wage protections for construction projects funded under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

Since 1931, the Davis-Bacon Act has provided a living wage for America's workers.

As the authors of the Davis-Bacon Act knew then, and as we continue to know today, the greatest way to improve the quality of life for our nation's workers and for the nation as a whole is to provide workers with an honest wage for an honest day's work.

One of the unfortunate effects of today's economy and cost-of-living is that many families find themselves struggling to make ends meet.

In fact, today, many families either have both parents working or one wage-earner working multiple jobs just to afford a decent living for themselves and their families.

I believe that is important for the Federal government to help working Americans. It has been well documented by this Committee that every $1 billion invested in transportation and water infrastructure creates over 35,000 jobs.

In addition, the Davis-Bacon provisions have increased the numbers of minority and women construction workers nationwide, providing valuable wage protections and training opportunities for groups that might otherwise be left behind.

As of today, twenty-nine states have enacted their own prevailing wage laws for publicly funded construction projects. In some of these states, the prevailing wage laws result in even higher wages for workers than if the Federal Davis-Bacon provisions, alone, were in effect.

However, for those States without prevailing wage protections, the Davis-Bacon Act is essential to protecting America's workers.

I have heard statements from opponents of the Davis-Bacon Act who claim that the government would save money if the Davis-Bacon provisions were not included.

In fact, such a move would be penny-wise and pound-foolish, because such a move would not reduce the cost of construction projects.

Studies have shown that the prevailing wage protections offered by the Davis-Bacon Act, in fact, attract better workers with more experience and training who are more productive than less experienced, and less trained workers.

This increase in productivity often results in the completion of construction projects ahead of schedule, reducing the overall cost of the project, and offsetting any increased costs due to higher hourly wage rates.

Removing the Davis-Bacon protections would, however, have a significant downward impact on the Federal budget, since lower wages for construction workers would result in an estimate decline of $1 billion in Federal tax revenues.

I strongly oppose this amendment, and urge my colleagues also to oppose the amendment.

On February 12, 2009, in the heart of Black History Month, four African-American women accomplished a feat which has never before been performed. They were the first all- female, African-American flight crew to operate a flight in the United States. These women truly are an inspiration to all of us, and I am so honored and pleased to recognize the crew of Delta Connection Flight 5202: Captain Rachelle Jones, First Officer Stephanie Grant, and flight attendants Diana Galloway and Robin Rogers.

When these women operated a flight from Atlanta, Georgia, to Nashville, Tennessee, and the return flight back to Atlanta, they had no idea that they would be making history. Captain Jones is one of only a handful of female African-American pilots in the country, and after her first-officer became sick and was replaced with First Officer Grant, Captain Jones knew that this flight was going to be special. Together these women have positively challenged our ideas of what it means to be in aviation in modern America.

It is important to realize, however, that this feat is merely the extension of a legacy of black female pilots which began with Elizabeth ``Bessie'' Coleman. Born in Atlanta, Texas, to a poor background, Bessie Coleman overcame numerous obstacles to show the world that a Black woman can indeed be a pilot. After realizing that no American flight school would train her, she studied French and went to Europe to train at a foreign institute. In June of 1961, she became the first African-American woman in the world to obtain a pilot's license.

Let us applaud the efforts of these heroes who have paved the way for African-American women in aviation. From Bessie Coleman to the modern day flight crew of Delta Connection Flight 5202, barriers are being broken to

assure that our daughters have the opportunity to truly become whatever they wish to be. I am proud to recognize the accomplishments of these women and we are all honored by their efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my Chairman, Mr. Oberstar, and Chairman Obey for elevating the importance of Obey infrastructure investment towards the economic recovery of our Nation.

I strongly support the Conference Report to H.R. 1, particularly the infrastructure components, which direct desperately needed funds into our Nation's roads, bridges, transit systems, airports, and water- related infrastructure.

Each $1 billion of Federal funds invested in infrastructure creates or sustains approximately thirty-four thousand jobs and $6.2 billion in economic activity.

The $64 billion dollars for infrastructure investments outlined in the bill will provide a real, tangible benefit to the seven hundred thousand individuals currently unemployed in my state--whether as a paycheck for those responsible for constructing these vital projects, or through increased productivity for small businesses that produce the materials needed for infrastructure projects.

However, unlike other economic recovery proposals, infrastructure investment provides not only a short-term benefit to American families, it also provides a long-term benefit in terms of sustainable and reliable infrastructure, as well as the potential for increased productivity for the Nation's economy through the efficient movement of goods and services.

Finally, infrastructure investment provides one of the only benefits that cannot be shipped off to foreign lands. The direct beneficiaries of domestic infrastructure projects are our towns, our local communities, our constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on its 100th Anniversary. In 1909 the founders of the NAACP came together with the purpose of promoting the rights guaranteed under the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.

Today, the NAACP works to ensure that all individuals have equal rights and to end racial hatred and discrimination. The NAACP has influenced some of the greatest civil rights victories of the last century, including: the integration of our nation's schools and the Brown v. Board decision; the Voting Rights Act; striking down segregation; and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act.

It is particularly notable that this year's 100th anniversary also marks the first time in the history of the United States that we have an African-American President. The NAACP helped pave the way for this landmark achievement, and continues to lay the groundwork for future accomplishments in minority communities.

Despite the advancements of the past 100 years under the leadership of the NAACP, there is still much work to be done. The

NAACP continues to promote new ideas and leadership in the fields of educational and employment opportunities, ending health care disparities, and economic empowerment.

The NAACP instilled in America a sense of consciousness, and it continues to do so today. I commend the NAACP on this anniversary and the thousands of individuals who continue to fight for equality and justice.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the passing of a pioneer in the field of commercial real estate development both in Dallas and around the world, Mr. Fred Trammell Crow.

Fred Trammell Crow was born June 10, 1914 in Dallas, Texas, the fifth of the eight children of Jefferson and Mary Crow. Growing up in a rented one-bedroom house in East Dallas, Trammell Crow graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1932. Unable to attend college because of the Great Depression, Mr. Crow worked several odd jobs; eventually he worked his way through school at the American Institute of Banking and at Dallas College, the evening division of Southern Methodist University.

Trammell Crow passed the Texas CPA exam in 1938 and accepted a position with Ernst & Ernst as an auditor. As World War II approached, he applied for and was accepted for an officer's commission in the U.S. Navy where he used his auditing skills. Later he was in charge of Navy audit teams that worked with various defense contractors. By 1944, he earned the rank of commander in charge of cost inspection for the Eighth Naval District in New Orleans.

Mr. Crow married Margaret Doggett in 1942 and returned to Dallas in 1946, when his Naval assignment was completed. Mr. Crow went to work with the Doggett Grain Company where he would stay until 1948 when, at age 33, he began his legendary career in real estate.

In the 1950s, Trammel Crow introduced Dallas to the idea of building on speculation. He soon became a major industrial developer in the city, building the huge Dallas Market Center in 1957 and his first downtown office building two years later. In the 1950s and 1960s, Mr. Crow developed the major merchandise marts of Dallas including the Dallas Design District, Dallas Apparel Mart and World Trade Center. Crow's agents did more than $15 billion in development and eventually gave him an interest in 8,000 properties, ranging from houses to hospitals, hotels and office buildings located in Brussels, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Miami, and Washington, D.C., amid others. Among Mr. Crow's many real estate accomplishments, he founded Trammell Crow Company, Trammell Crow Residential and Wyndham Hotel Company.

He and his wife Margaret were avid travelers who particularly enjoyed collecting art during their numerous business trips. In 1998, the Crow Family made it possible for everyone to share their love of Asian art by dedicating the Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, a permanent museum located in the Arts District of downtown Dallas. He and his family have also donated $1.1 million for research into Alzheimer's disease at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

Madam Speaker, Trammell Crow is survived by his loving wife, Margaret, his children: Robert, Howard, Harlan, Trammell S., Lucy Billingsley and Stuart, sixteen grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the milestone of a long time friend of mine, Mr. Gerald Borders. On January 20, 2009 Gerald Borders of Dallas, Texas retired, completing a 44 year career with Texas Instruments. Mr. Borders' career spanned a remarkable amount of change. In 1963, when he began his career as a contractor, Dallas suffered from segregated schools, public accommodations and facilities--including within Texas Instrument plant sites. He choose to coincide his retirement on the day of the Inauguration of Barak Obama, our Nation's first African-American President.

I know that Mr. Borders thoroughly enjoyed his opportunities with Texas Instruments, in particular the time he spent as a full-time loaned executive to Paul Quinn College, a historically black college in the southern sector of Dallas. His time with Paul Quinn lead to a passion that would define the later phase of his career: education and economic development in the within that same southern sector in Dallas. One of Mr. Borders many projects mobilized tens of thousands of volunteer tutoring in Dallas's public schools. Mr. Borders was a tireless advocate of the Dallas Together Forum, which leveraged the purchasing power of major corporations toward economic inclusion for minority and women owned businesses. He conceived of and administered the Texas Instruments Community Involvement Team, which commits philanthropic resources to diversity initiatives for investment in neighborhood non-profits. He is a tireless volunteer for the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and among other roles, serves as chairman of their African American Leaders Society.

Mr. Borders' knowledge, communications skills and leadership ability made him a highly sought after business leader by elected officials. For the past 15 years, I have requested that he host my Brain Trust Summit in Washington DC with the Congressional Black Caucus--an event that highlights the challenges and opportunities of science, engineering and math education within the African American community nationwide.

Madam Speaker, please join me in wishing Mr. Gerald Borders a well deserved retirement and a joyful and fulfilling future.

Mr. Chair, as snow drifts outside our nation's Capitol, we acknowledge that we as a nation are in the midst of an economic winter. I support H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, because I believe that the federal and state programs funded therein will provide needed stimulus to our economy.

With record numbers of Americans unemployed, with our defense budget stretched in war, with our children slipping in educational competitiveness, and with the sick and elderly facing a deepening well of poverty, it is time to act. Congress and the Administration have swiftly assembled a package of wide-ranging support in many important areas. I particularly support the science and educational stimulus activities.

Science and technology funding go directly to the high-tech workforce. Investments in the Advanced Research Project Agency for Energy will support research into energy sources and energy efficiency. The bill also contains funding toward a more reliable, energy-efficient electricity grid to keep up with tomorrow's technologies. It contains money for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to fund grants for research science buildings at colleges and universities. Funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will enable more scientists to conduct climate change research. Investments in scientific research are investments in our future. They will pay for themselves ten-fold over future generations and very well could save our planet from the destructive effects of global warming.

Educational opportunities for all students are an imperative investment in our future. This recovery package will make bold investments to provide children with a 21st century education, modernize our schools and colleges, and make college more affordable. An investment of $14 billion for modernization of K-12 schools is badly needed. The legislation also contains money to enable bright students to go to college. It improves current higher education tax credits by creating a new ``American Opportunity'' tax credit with a maximum of $2,500, rather than the current maximum of $1,800. This expansion will make college more affordable for millions of low- and moderate-income students. It also provides additional support for the Head Start program, which will provide important development services to 110,000 additional low-income preschool children. Furthermore, the bill provides funds for competitive grants to provide financial incentives for teachers who raise student achievement and close the achievement gaps in high-need schools.

We must invest in our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions. Currently, there exists a ``digital divide'' between HBCU campuses and their counterparts. There is a great need to update campus technology and develop educational and technological opportunities for students and staff. Because of their unique resources, HBCUs continue to be extremely effective in producing African American graduates and preparing them to compete in the global economy. HBCUs represent nine of the top ten colleges that graduate the most African Americans who go on to earn Ph.D.s. I request to insert data into the Record demonstrating the important value that HBCUs add, when it comes to minority education. The distinctive ability of HBCUs to provide opportunity and advancement to African American students is undeniable and is worthy of federal support.

When Americans think of this landmark stimulus bill, shovel-ready projects may immediately come to mind. However, investments in research and in math and science education will pay long-term dividends. They not only will create new jobs, but they will elevate our workforce by providing an excellent education. These investments will open a world of opportunities for millions who previously had none. This bill is an investment in our future: tomorrow and for decades to come.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as Well as the United Negro College Fund Serve a Predominantly Low-income, Minority Student

Population

60 percent of UNCF students come from families with average

incomes under $30,000.

92 percent of UNCF students require financial assistance to

attend college.

60 percent of UNCF students are the first in their families

to attend college.

Yet HBCUs continue to educate and graduate African American

students at higher rates than other colleges and universities

and with fewer resources.

HBCUs represent less than 3 percent of all postsecondary

institutions, but produce 18 percent of African American

college graduates.

In 2000, 40 percent of all African American students who

received baccalaureate degrees in physics, chemistry,

astronomy, environmental sciences, mathematics, and biology

graduated from HBCUs.

Between 1997 and 2001, more African American science and

engineering doctoral recipients began their educations at

UNCF institutions than at Berkeley, Harvard, the University

of Pennsylvania, MIT, Brown, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale

combined.

HBCUs represent nine of the top 10 colleges graduating

African American students who go on to earn PhDs.

Approximately 40 percent of African Americans with PhDs

earned their bachelors degrees from HBCUs.

In 2004, five of the top 25 producers of African American

medical school applicants were UNCF member institutions.

85 percent of African American dentists and physicians

earned degrees at HBCUs.

Spelman and Bennett Colleges, the nation's only

historically black women's colleges, account for more female

African American doctorate-degree holders than the ``Seven

Sisters'' institutions combined.

Numerous studies have documented increased developmental

gains and increased satisfaction among African American

students who attend HBCUs compared to their counterparts who

attend historically white institutions.

HCBU graduates are more likely than graduates of other

colleges to engage in social, political and philanthropic

activities.

I want to thank the Chair of Transportation, as well as the Chair of Appropriations, for the hard work they put into this.

Mr. Chairman, you know I strongly support the underlying bill. I know that I understand it differently than some others here. But if we keep doing the same thing that we have been doing for the last 8 years, we will get the same results. You can't do the same thing and expect the results to change.

The needed funds for our Nation's roads, bridges, transit systems, airport and water-related infrastructure are very much needed. Over the past 2 years, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment has held numerous hearings on the Nation's water-related infrastructure needs, whether it is the $300 billion to $400 billion investment needed to restore and upgrade our Nation's network of wastewater treatment infrastructure, or the projection of $50 billion to $60 billion for vital projects of the Corps of Engineers.

The water-related infrastructure needs of this Nation are struggling and growing ever longer, and the longer it is put off, the more it will cost.

Each $1 billion of Federal funds invested in infrastructure creates and sustains approximately 34,000 to 47,000 jobs and $6.2 billion in economic activities. The $3 billion in infrastructure investment funding in the bill for the State of Texas will provide a real tangible benefit to the 700,000 individuals currently unemployed in our State, whether as a paycheck for those responsible for constructing these vital projects or through increased productivity for small businesses that produce the materials needed for these vital infrastructure projects.

These people cannot pay taxes. They don't have jobs.

However, unlike other economic recovery proposals, infrastructure investment provides not only a short-term benefit to American families, it also provides a long-term benefit in terms of sustainable and reliable infrastructure, as well as the potential for increased productivity for the Nation's economy through the efficient movement of goods and services.

It also can enhance the overall quality of the Nation's water-related environment through the implementation of environmental restoration projects by the Corps of Engineers, and through the control of pollutant discharges from combined sewer and sanitary sewer upgrades.

Finally, infrastructure investment provides one of the only benefits that cannot be shipped off to foreign lands. The direct beneficiaries of domestic infrastructure projects are our towns, our local communities, our constituents.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on the afternoon of January 22, 2009, I was unable to vote due to illness and missed three rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 27, H.J. Res. 3, a resolution to disapprove the use of the second $350 billion of the funds that were made available to the Secretary of the Treasury under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 28, on agreeing to H. Res. 56, expressing support for designation of the week of February 2 through February 6, 2009, as ``National School Counseling Week''; and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 29, on passage of H. Res. 58, commending the University of Florida Gators for winning the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.

Texas ranks last in the Nation in terms of taking care of its children. A report released in 2009 by the organization called, ``Texans Care for Children'' contains dismal statistics.

For example:

Texas continues to rank 50th out of 50 among the States in health coverage for children.

Infant mortality rates have steadily climbed in Texas this decade, while remaining unchanged in the Nation as a whole.

Texas still ranks near the bottom in child hunger, child poverty, and child deaths from abuse or neglect.

The State of Texas continues to be ineffective at resolving the problem of uninsured children in our State.

I am sympathetic to States' needs to avoid revenue shortfalls regarding SCHIP, and so I support Congress allocating the funds needed to cover children in need.

Today's legislation is similar to a bill passed by Congress in 2007 and vetoed by the President.

It would provide health care coverage to 11 million children in this country who currently have none.

I support a generous expansion of this program.

Children with health insurance are more likely to be up to date on immunizations and to receive treatment for sore throats, ear aches and other illnesses.

Good health means fewer sick days and better school performance--and less burden on our emergency rooms.

As a nurse, I can not over-emphasize how important it is for young people to have a medical home.

Having a family physician can prevent so many minor illnesses from developing into serious, expensive illnesses.

Health care coverage of children just makes good sense.

I urge my colleagues to avoid delay in passing this bill, as it is critical for the health of so many children.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. King's legacy and to commemorate this day of national service.

Dr. King once said, ``Everybody can be great . . . because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.''

It is that idea, that together we can make a difference, in this Nation and in the lives of others, that has prompted this day of service. I believe that the message of change resonates greatly this particular Martin Luther King Day.

This past year, I have seen young people who have never before been involved in service working to change their communities. The

ideals for which Dr. King gave his life have energized a new generation of peaceful activists. These young people may not have experienced the words and spirit of Dr. King during their lifetime, but his legacy drives their efforts and enthusiasm.

It is a testament to his greatness that Dr. King's message has transcended time and generations. Dr. King called on all of us to no longer stand alone in silence, but to stand up together as a voice against injustice. He inspired us to fight for change through nonviolent means, and paved the road for us to continue that fight even after his death.

Dr. King left us with the challenge to courageously fight and secure the civil rights for all, from the impoverished and disenfranchised underclass to the politically and economically endowed. And while we have made great progress, there is still work to be done. We must remain diligent and engaged in defining how our Nation will achieve this equality.

Today's Martin Luther King Day is as much about the past as it is about the present and the future. Dr. King's dream is truly timeless, and I hope all will participate in this day of service to honor his faith and vision.

Madam Speaker, today, I am pleased to speak about two bills that will go a long way towards establishing gender equity in American workplaces. The Paycheck Fairness Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act will help close the legal loopholes and restore the initial intent of our civil rights laws.

It has been 45 years since the passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act of 1963, and while pay disparities have narrowed, a strong wage disparity still exists. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau women still make only 78 cents on the dollar to their male counterparts.

We cannot deny that this gender disparity exists, and it is essential that we close the loopholes that allow it to continue. The Paycheck Fairness Act increases enforcement and accountability in cases of discrimination, and provides relief for women who face retaliation for standing up for equal pay. It also requires the Department of Labor to increase their efforts to end pay disparities.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a longstanding prior law making it increasingly difficult for workers to pursue legal remedies for pay discrimination. Today we will work to restore the intent of the Civil Rights Act through passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. We will no longer unfairly turn back to the clock on discrimination claims. An incident of pay discrimination occurs each time a worker receives a lesser paycheck because of their gender, and we must treat it as such. We can no longer distort the intent of the law to protect those who seek to discriminate.

These bills are not only for women, but for children and families. For the millions of working mothers in America--many of whom are heads of households--it offers financial stability. This wage disparity is costing women between $400,000 and $2 million over a lifetime.

Lower wages factor into long-term financial planning. Retirement and Social Security are based on income. Retirement aged women today are far less likely to receive a pension, and rely on Social Security benefits to survive. The wage discrimination women are facing today will continue to follow them well into retirement.

We cannot continue to simply accept this disparity, and the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act are strong statements that this type of discrimination will not be tolerated. I would like to thank Congresswoman DeLauro and Chairman Miller for offering these important pieces of legislation, and commend the Democratic leadership for bringing these bills to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 34, the Gaza Conflict Resolution. We must end the current violence and bloodshed among both Palestinians and Israelis. This resolution reaffirms our support for Israel but additionally reaffirms our commitment toward a continuing peace process.

With this resolution, we call for an end to the rocket and missile attacks from Hamas and ask that they recognize previous cease fire agreements between Israel and Palestine.

In response to the attacks, however, Israel, as a sovereign nation, does maintain the right to defend its borders and citizens from aggression. This basic right to protect our people is not one that we should undermine. Our country knows too well that a response must be made when we are attacked and our way of life disrupted. However, there must be humanitarian considerations in any conflict, and there must be steps taken to protect civilians and prevent attacks on innocent school children.

In both countries, as a result of the attacks and subsequent response, civilians are being killed, injured and witnesses to horrific tragedy. Humanitarian aid has only recently been allowed into Palestine and there is no doubt that there is terrible human suffering on all sides.

It is my hope that this resolution will help offer a roadmap to a peaceful solution, and that there will soon be an end to the violence. We cannot forget that beneath the politics, there is great human tragedy.

I will support this resolution, but believe that we must focus on ending this continuing violence and search for a peaceful solution for all parties involved.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to the late James Mattox.

Jim Mattox was a lifelong Dallasite. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, he also worked his way through the Baylor School of Business and earned a law degree from SMU. He served as an assistant district attorney in Dallas County before beginning his long political career in 1973 when he took office as a State representative from East Dallas. From there he was elected to Congress for three terms and ended his political service in 1991 when he stepped down from his post as Texas attorney general.

Jim Mattox will be remembered as a man who fought for average, working Texans, and who left an unforgettable mark on Texas government in politics. He took on airlines and the insurance industry--among many other corporations--on behalf of Texas consumers. He was one of the greatest attorney generals in the State's history.

After his political career Jim Mattox became known as the ``People's Lawyer'' and built a truly modern law practice. He and his staff handled more than 2 million cases, won judgments totaling more than $2.5 billion for the State, and opened up the diversity of the office by hiring more women and minority lawyers than the top 10 Texas law firms of that era combined.

Madam Speaker, Jim Mattox is survived by his wife Marta and their two children, Jim and Janet, as well as his sister, Janice, and brother, Jerry, both of Dallas. I ask my colleagues to join with me in honoring the memory of Jim Mattox. Although he has departed from us in body, his memory will live on in each of us.