Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my frustration and disappointment with the Postal Service's decision to close the Irvington Station Post Office that

serves ZIP Code 77022 in Houston, Texas, on April 30.

This post office is highly valued in our district and has served residents of the Northside area in Houston for 50 years. The Postal Service announced that the Irvington office would be demolished, despite the fact that the agency has failed to ensure that local residents will still have access to essential mail services.

The Irvington office's lease is expiring, and instead of finding a new location nearby or moving retail operations into the Northline Commons area as a compromise, the Postal Service has chosen to close the office. I contacted and met with postal officials without success.

Moving forward with the closure is irresponsible and undermines the integrity of the agency. The people living in and around the 77022 ZIP Code will not have the same access to postal services as everyone else.

I understand the Postal Service's budget constraints and support reforming the agency. However, maintaining a presence in the area makes smart business sense for the Postal Service and fulfills a need in this revitalized community. The post office is losing customers and friends in this effort.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition to H.R. 890--Preserving Work Requirements for Welfare Programs Act of 2013.

This bill prohibits the Secretary of HHS from using longstanding authority to issue waivers that allow states to conduct demonstration projects under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It also reauthorizes the TANF program through December 31, 2013.

In Texas over 68,000 families receive TANF benefits. TANF is a block grant program to help move recipients into work and turn welfare into a program of temporary assistance.

In order to receive the maximum TANF benefit, families must be in compliance with work requirements and no one may remain on TANF for more than 60 months. Federal TANF law requires states to penalize families that fail to meet these requirements.

In response to a request from a bipartisan group of governors for more flexibility, the Obama Administration said the federal government would consider waiving existing work participation requirements for states that were experimenting with ``new, more effective ways'' of helping welfare applicants find work, ``particularly helping parents successfully prepare for, find, and retain employment.''

The Administration hasn't gotten rid of the work requirement or laid out a new theory of what it ought to include. It has given states the ability to seek executive branch approval for new methods.

This legislation is not needed, for no state has requested a waiver. This is the second time this bill has been introduced, as a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

The House should focus on extending TANF benefits to needy families in the country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act which will reauthorize certain provisions of the Project Bioshield Act of 2004 and Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006.

This legislation was initially passed by Congress to help the U.S. develop medical countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear terrorism agents and to provide a mechanism for federal acquisition of those newly developed countermeasures.

Since the first part of the last session of Congress, we have been working with Senators to perfect the language. We have passed it several times in the House and after many months, the Senate has sent it back for our approval. I am pleased that we finally have a bill that can be sent to the President and I am proud to support it.

This bill is important because our nation remains vulnerable to these threats because many of the vaccines and medicines that are needed to protect our citizens do not exist.

Developing and stockpiling these medical countermeasures requires time, resources, and research. All of which will be provided under the legislation before us today. I am pleased that language I supported during the committee process aimed at increasing emphasis on regionalized trauma care systems was included in this final version.

This bill is also very important to me because the University of Texas Medical Branch's Galveston National Laboratory is in my backyard.

The Galveston National Lab is the only BSL-4 lab located on a university campus. At the lab, scientists conduct research to develop therapies, vaccines, and diagnostic tests for naturally occurring emerging diseases such as SARS and avian influenza--as well as for microbes that might be employed by terrorists.

This is exactly the type of research we hope to encourage under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act.

As an original cosponsor of this bill with Mr. Rogers, I am very pleased at how quickly we have moved this rare bipartisan piece of legislation.

I want to thank Mr. Rogers, Chairman Upton, Ranking Member Waxman, Ranking Member Pallone, Ms. Myrick, Ms. Eshoo, and Mr. Markey for their work on this important legislation.

I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, this Saturday, March 2, 2013, marks Texas Independence Day. 177 years ago on March 2, 1836, after more than a year of negotiations, citizen delegates met at Washington- on-the-Brazos and declared Texas independent.

The story of Texas independence dates back to 1830s, when a military dictatorship seized power in Mexico and abolished the Mexican Constitution. Once in power, the dictatorship refused to provide the most basic of rights, including a trial by jury, freedom of religion, public education for their citizens and the right to bear arms, this last one being the most intolerable, particularly among Texans.

Failure to provide these basic rights violated the sacred contract between a government and the people, and Texans did what we still do today--stand up for our rights.

At the Convention of 1836 on March 1, a committee of five delegates was appointed to draft the Texas Declaration of Independence. The committee, consisting of George C. Childress, Edward Conrad, James Gaines, Bailey Hardeman, and Collin McKinney, prepared the declaration in record time. It was briefly reviewed, then adopted by the delegates of the convention the following day, March 2.

The Texas Declaration of Independence states that Texas' government had been ``forcibly changed, without their consent, from a restricted federative republic, composed of sovereign states, to a consolidated central military despotism.''

The Texas Declaration of Independence was truly produced overnight. Its urgency was paramount, because while it was being prepared, the Alamo in San Antonio was under siege by Santa Anna's army of Mexico.

On March 6, four days after the signing, the Alamo fell with her commander Lt. Colonel William Barrett Travis, Colonel Jim Bowie, Former Tennessee Congressman David Crockett, and approximately 200 other Texan defenders.

However, on the afternoon of April 21, 1836, the Texan army avenged their losses at the Alamo and attacked Santa Anna's camp near the San Jacinto River. The Mexican army was taken by surprise, and the roughly 900 members of the Texan army were able to overpower the much larger Mexican army. During the fighting, many of the Texan soldiers repeatedly cried, ``Remember the Alamo!'' The Battle of San Jacinto was over after just 18 minutes. Santa Anna was forced to order his troops out of Texas, thus ending Mexico's control.

Today we give thanks to the many Texans that sacrificed for the freedom we now enjoy. God bless Texas and God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, as the United States and Azerbaijan continue to develop closer relations--relations which have proven immensely valuable to both nations--it is important to take the time to remember the Khojaly Massacre which took place in Azerbaijan 21 years ago, on February 25-26, 1992.

In a period of less than 12 hours, 1,275 Azerbaijanis were tortured and 613 were murdered, including 106 women and 63 children, in the town of Khojaly.

Newsweek described the victims of Khojaly as ``ordinary Azerbaijani men, women, and children,'' separate from the on-going military conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Despite the shocking nature of these events, remembrance of the Khojaly Massacre has become nearly forgotten outside Azerbaijan's borders. This is unconscionable for our country, which has always fought to safeguard the human rights of all people.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Azerbaijan shared in our grief and pledged to stand by the United States as we brought the perpetrators to justice.

True to their word, Azerbaijan has supported allied efforts against international terrorism by allowing unrestricted access to their territory for aircraft, troops, and supplies, as well as committing their own troops to fight alongside our own.

Just as Azerbaijan has supported our nation in its time of need, so too must we not let the massacre of the 613 Azerbaijani men, women, and children drift into the dim memory of history.

I urge my colleagues to commemorate this terrible tragedy and continue our nation's support for the people of Azerbaijan, our partners in peace and prosperity for the Caspian Region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the huge education cuts that are in the sequester. Massive sequestration is an inefficient way to make spending decisions that affect millions of Americans. However, this is what we agreed to, and the House majority has not had an open and frank debate on how this Chamber can reduce our national deficit while helping our students and hardworking educational professionals succeed.

On education alone, sequestration will reduce funding for the Department of Education and Head Start by an estimated $4.8 billion. Department of Education funding will return to pre-2003 levels, impacting between 8.9 million and 9.4 million students. Potential job losses in the education field are projected to be between 74,600 and 80,500. These cuts will come as schools and colleges enroll more students and the cost of services increases.

I call on Members on both sides of the aisle to join me in finding a better way to reduce our deficit while protecting our children, students, and educational professionals.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an American hero, Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle.

Eleven days ago, Chief Kyle was taken away from all of us while doing what he did best--helping others, especially fellow veterans.

During his four tours in Iraq, Chief Kyle served in every major battle of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His skill as a sniper became legendary among Americans and insurgents alike. He was given the nickname ``the devil of Ramadi'' by the insurgents and a $20,000 bounty was placed on his head.

By the time Chief Kyle left the Navy in 2009, he had made 160 confirmed kills, more than any other U.S. military sniper in history.

Chief Kyle returned home to Midlothian, Texas in 2009 to be with his wife, Taya Kyle, and their two young children.

Chief Kyle continued protecting his fellow warriors through the creation of the Fitco Cares Foundation, which raised awareness and money to help veterans overcome post-traumatic stress disorder.

In 2012, Chief Kyle's, American Sniper, was published. Though his book became a best seller, he never received money from it. Instead, he used the proceeds for the families of two friends and fellow SEALs.

Most notable of all, Chief Kyle was a man who loved his family deeply, watched over his friends, and did all he could to protect and help those close to him.

I offer my condolences to the family and friends of Chris Kyle and offer the thanks of a grateful nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in remembrance of the over 130 innocent men, women, and children who were killed by the Red Army in the days following its invasion of Azerbaijan 23 years ago.

On January 20, 1990, the Soviet Union, in a brutal attempt to end the growing independence movement in Azerbaijan, sent in 26,000 troops under the pretext of restoring public order, while actually aiming to forcefully end peaceful demonstrations for independence.

The invasion and subsequent massacre, which resulted in over 130 killed, 611 injured, and 841 arrests, is remembered as ``Black January'' in the Republic of Azerbaijan today and has left an indelible mark on that nation's memory.

It was the overt oppression of innocent people by the Soviet government that further inspired the Azerbaijani people to regain its independence after 70 years of foreign rule.

Less than two years later, on October 18, 1991, Azerbaijan gained its independence from the Soviet Union and was soon recognized by the international community.

Today, the United States and Azerbaijan enjoy a close and important relationship, built on trust, understanding, and mutual support. It is important on this day that America remembers the trials and tribulations our friends in Azerbaijan have had to endure for the cause of freedom and continue to support their vital role as a beacon of democracy and prosperity in the Caspian Region.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to please join me in remembering the tragic events of Black January and honor those who gave their lives in order to give birth to their country.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education program and I am a cosponsor of H.R. 297. This successful program is the most important federal investment in the pediatric workforce and must be reauthorized. Failure to do so would be catastrophic to pediatric care in our country. Since this program began, it has allowed Children's Hospitals across the country, including Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, to increase training by 35%.

I believe we must spend more on Graduate Medical Education entirely, but today we have the opportunity to extend the successful Children's Hospital program which, like other GME funds, is money well spent. Despite the successes of the program, there are still many pediatric specialties that are experiencing shortages. This bill will help address this and will continue to strengthen our pediatric workforce. I look forward to voting in favor of this bill and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I support the National Pediatric Research Network Act, H.R. 225. Thank you to Representatives Capps and McMorris-Rodgers for their continued leadership on this issue.

This important bill will allow the National Institutes of Health to focus funding on researching rare and genetic pediatric diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, and Fragile X. Because there are such a small number of incidences of these terrible diseases, they are extremely difficult to study. This bill takes steps toward giving our research community the tools necessary to increase research of an array of diseases that cause so much pain and suffering to children and their families.

Increasing our nation's commitment to researching rare pediatric diseases is an area that enjoys bipartisan support. I look forward to voting for this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 30, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act which will reauthorize certain provisions of the Project Bioshield Act of 2004 and the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006.

This legislation was initially passed by Congress to help the U.S. develop medical countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear terrorism agents, to provide a mechanism for Federal acquisition of these newly developed countermeasures.

Our Nation remains vulnerable to these threats because many of the vaccines and medicines to protect our citizens do not exist. Developing and stockpiling these medical countermeasures require time, resources, and research, all of which will be provided under the legislation before us today. I'm pleased that the language I supported during the committee process aimed at increasing emphasis on regional trauma care centers was included.

This bill is very important to me because the University of Texas Medical Branch's Galveston National Laboratory is near our district. The Galveston National Lab is the only BSL-4 lab located on a university campus. At the lab, scientists conduct research to develop therapies, vaccines, and diagnostic tests for naturally occurring emerging diseases such as SARS and avian influenza, as well as for microbes that might be employed by terrorists.

This is exactly the type of research we hope to encourage under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act.

As an original cosponsor of this bill with Mr. Rogers, I'm very pleased at how quickly we have moved this rare bipartisan piece of legislation. I would like to thank Chairman Rogers, Chairman Upton, Chairman Pitts, Ranking Member Waxman, Ranking Member Pallone, Mrs. Myrick and Ms. Eshoo for their work on this important legislation. The House passed this bill twice last year, and I hope the Senate acts quickly, and we will send it to the President.

I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

`` . . . to borrow money on the credit of the United States; to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; to establish an uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States; . . .''

Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 41, to temporarily increase the borrowing authority of FEMA for carrying out the National Flood Insurance Program.

This bill would provide FEMA with an additional $9.7 billion in emergency funding to immediately assist those affected by the storm.

In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast of the United States, affecting millions of Americans and killing over 100.

The economic cost of the storm is still being assessed, but it has been estimated to be in excess of $60 billion, which would make it the second-costliest storm in history, after Hurricane Katrina.

Our nation has a responsibility to rebuild the areas that were devastated by this terrible tragedy and I am committed to making sure that Congress helps provide the necessary resources to help those individuals and communities which were harmed by this disaster.

It is important to recall that four years ago, Congress, with my strong support, provided nearly $23 billion in disaster relief for communities like our own due to the devastation from Hurricane Ike.

I stand with my colleagues from the East Coast, especially from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to get the funding necessary to aid the recovery from Hurricane Sandy. As Americans, we all have a responsibility to help each other during times of need.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Houston Texans on clinching their 2nd straight AFC South Division Title. The Texans are a relatively new franchise, established in 2002. They currently lead the AFC race for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. As an avid Texans fan, I am proud to honor the Houston Texans on this great achievement.

I would like to submit the following article: ``Texans Cement Supremacy in Division and Look Beyond'' by Tom Spousta, printed in The New York Times, December 17, 2012:

Houston--Arian Foster and Dwight Freeney embraced at

midfield and, after a few heartfelt words, began pulling

their shoulder pads over their heads. They exchanged jerseys,

Foster giving up his Houston Texans No. 23 and Freeney

handing over his Indianapolis Colts No. 93--one that will

hang in Foster's collection to commemorate Houston's second

consecutive AFC South division title.

The Colts officially acquiesced Sunday to the supremacy of

the Texans, who own the AFC's best record at 12-2 but whose

dominance somehow still remains questioned as the playoffs

approach.

They beat Indianapolis, 29-17, in spectacularly efficient

fashion before a raucous crowd at Reliant Stadium. A modest

locker room celebration followed, but the Texans know a

greater validation of their season will come with a top seed

and home-field advantage for the postseason.

``You always have to bask in the moment of winning a

division championship, but I think the expectations we put on

ourselves and everybody puts on us are much bigger than

that,'' said Foster, who had 27 carries for 165 yards, 131 of

those coming in the second half. ``We're proud of what we've

done here, but we've got more to go.''

Indianapolis (9-5) lost a chance to earn a wild-card berth

with two games to play, including the season finale at home

against the Texans, who gave the Colts plenty to fix before

then.

Matt Schaub was 23 of 31 passing for 261 yards and guided

an offense that did not commit a turnover. Eleven of those

completions went for 151 yards to Andre Johnson, who caught a

touchdown pass and surpassed 11,000 yards for his career.

Shayne Graham kicked five field goals, and Bryan Braman

blocked a punt for a touchdown. Houston's defense atoned for

its poor performance in last week's 42-14 loss at New

England, allowing only one third-down conversion and sacking

Andrew Luck five times, three of those coming from J. J.

Watt.

Luck finished 13 of 27 for 186 yards behind an offensive

line missing two starters. He threw a 61-yard touchdown pass

to T. Y. Hilton and an 8-yarder to Dwayne Allen. But a key

Colts drive in the second quarter resulted in their costliest

error, when Mewelde Moore fumbled at the Texans' goal line

after being hit by Watt and the ball was recovered by Tim

Dobbins.

``We got back to what we are as a football team,'' Texans

Coach Gary Kubiak said. ``Protecting the ball, running the

ball, playing solid defense. That's how we win.''

Watt, who paid tribute to the shooting victims in Newtown,

Conn., by writing the town's name on one of his gloves,

finished with 10 tackles and now has an AFC-leading 19.5

sacks.

The Colts owned an odds-defying 8-1 record this season in

games decided on the final possession, so there was no cause

for panic after the Texans grabbed a 20-10 halftime lead. But

Indianapolis generated little momentum in the second half and

finished with 272 total yards, compared with 417 yards for

the Texans.

``It was a tough loss for us,'' Bruce Arians, the Colts'

interim coach, said. ``We came here with one idea and that

was to win the division and we're not going to win the

division. They did it, and my hat is off to the Texans, and

we'll see them in a couple weeks.''