Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I also want to thank Chairman Bennie Thompson who has done a great job as the chairman. He has allowed what I call the free market of ideas to work

well. That is if a Member comes up with an idea, we will go through the process and after that if it is a good idea and will protect our homeland, he has given us an opportunity to come up with and move those ideas; so thank you, Mr. Chairman.

One of the ideas is of course H.R. 1333 which is the one that Ranking Member Charlie Dent has brought forward. It is an idea that would allow us to supplement the security of our country. So I certainly want to thank Mr. Dent for the idea and of course for moving this great idea forward.

I support this particular bill because it allows the GAO to conduct a study to determine how the Civil Air Patrol can help support our homeland security missions. The Civil Air Patrol has long served our Nation. The Civil Air Patrol began at the onset of World War II, patrolling the coastlines of America, protecting the shores of our great Nation from foreign threats.

Since that time, the Civil Air Patrol has regularly assisted States, and that includes also my State of Texas, with search and rescue operations and emergency response. The Civil Air Patrol welcomes this opportunity to play an expanded role in homeland security operations as that role will be defined by the Comptroller General, the Department of Homeland Security, and of course by the United States Congress.

This study will give the Secretary of Homeland Security the ability to consider the use of the Civil Air Patrol to provide aerial assistance to the Department of Homeland Security agencies that are responsible for protecting America against illegal entry and trafficking of people and contraband.

Being from Laredo, Texas, and representing Webb, Starr, Zapata and Hidalgo counties on the border, I do understand why we need this assistance. And I think the way it has been crafted by Mr. Dent, this will allow Homeland Security to use these extra assets on the border to give us the extra protection that we need to make sure that we protect ourselves. So I certainly feel that the Civil Air Patrol can not only provide protection on the border, but also respond to acts of terrorism, natural disasters and other man-made events by assisting in damage assessment, search and rescue operations, and evacuations.

I thank my colleague, Charlie Dent, and my chairman, Chairman Bennie Thompson. I know Michael McCaul will also speak about how this will help in Texas, and other efforts. Again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1333.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Childers. I also want to thank Chairman Bennie Thompson of the Homeland Security Committee and Chairman Barney Frank of the Financial Services Committee, as well as Chairwoman Maxine Waters of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity and our ranking members, also, for working together on this piece of legislation.

I, too, congratulate our two newest Members of the House, Congressman Cazayoux from Louisiana and Congressman Childers from my home State of Mississippi for drafting H.R. 6276.

As you know, earlier this month, Ms. Waters and I teamed up to hold a hearing examining the roles and responsibilities of HUD and FEMA in providing affordable housing to disaster victims under the direction of Chairman Frank and Chairman Thompson. During this hearing, there was confusion as to which agency is responsible for providing disaster recovery funds to public housing authorities damaged during disasters.

The Public Housing Disaster Relief Act of 2008 will strike section 9(k) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 clarifying the funding structure for public housing authorities in the wake of disasters. After Hurricane Katrina, housing authorities received no funds from the 9(k) account, and it's not hard to see that this account is no longer needed. In fact, this account only caused us confusion as to who is responsible for providing disaster recovery funds to public housing authorities. Let's do our part to eliminate this confusion.

This legislation, H.R. 6276, will eliminate the 9(k) account and clarify the funding structure by identifying FEMA as the responsible party for providing assistance to public housing authorities through the Stafford Act. We need to streamline government and provide services to our constituents in a more efficient and effective manner, and this is exactly what H.R. 6276 does.

So I encourage our Members, all of my colleagues, to support H.R. 6276.

Again, I congratulate both Mr. Cazayoux and Mr. Childers for bringing up this good piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Raquel Gonzalez, for her commitment to the small business community in Laredo, Texas, and her tenure as the longest-serving member of the board of trustees at the Laredo Community College.

Raquel spent her early years learning the value of hard work at her father's business, J.B. Gonzalez Garage. Upon graduation from high school, she became the full-time manager of her father's business, which she turned over to her brothers so she could concentrate on other ventures. Raquel invested in real estate, forming the Southgate Subdivision to develop affordable housing in South Laredo, and also invested in oil and gas wells in South Texas. In 1980, Raquel began serving as a trustee on the Trustee Board of the Laredo Community College, and has honorably worked to promote the value of education in empowering the lives of young people in Laredo, Texas. Her dedication and hard work helped the Laredo Community College become one of the most acclaimed community colleges in the nation.

Ms. Gonzalez has also received many acclaims from the business community in Laredo for her successful entrepreneurship and civic involvement. She was the first female director of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce in 1983, served as the Director of the Falcon National Bank, and was recognized by the Republican National Hispanic Assembly for exceptional service to the community. She also received the Congressional Certificate of Merit in 1992, and was named the Small Business Person of the Year and inducted into the Laredo Women's Hall of Fame in 1995. Ms. Gonzalez remains an active member of the Financial Women International, Rotary Under Seven Flags, the Texas Land Title Association, and the Women's City Club.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the dedication of Ms. Raquel Gonzalez to the small business community in Laredo, Texas, and her contributions to higher education as a member of the Board of Trustees at Laredo Community College.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Goodwill Industries of San Antonio, Texas, in its mission of helping change lives through their participation in the AbilityOne Program. In the city of San Antonio, Goodwill has a strong presence, providing over $15,000,000 of services in document management, administration, and custodial maintenance through the AbilityOne Program. The AbilityOne Program provides employment opportunities to those with disabilities.

The AbilityOne Program got its beginning in 1938 in legislation known as the Wagner-O'Day Act, passed by President Roosevelt, which provided employment opportunities for the blind. In 1971, the program was redesignated as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day, JWOD, Program due to the work of Senator Jacob Javits in expanding the program to include people with disabilities and allowing the program to provide services to the Federal Government. Goodwill Industries of San Antonio was the first agency in the Nation to take on a contract provided by the JWOD Program shortly after its expansion in 1971, and continues to do so through the AbilityOne Program today.

Currently, Goodwill employs over 300 people in 40 diverse commercial, Federal and State contracts. Goodwill is the fourth largest contract services provider in the Nation, amongst 170 other Goodwill locations. Its history of success and development of working relationships has earned Goodwill a 90 percent satisfaction rating for multiple years with their customers. I am proud that the employment of people with disabilities has played a large role in the operation of Goodwill Industries in San Antonio, Texas.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the commitment of Goodwill Industries of San Antonio to ensuring the employment of those with disabilities through the AbilityOne Program.

I thank the chairman from Minnesota; the chairwoman, Ms. Brown; of course, our ranking members, Mr. Mica and Mr. Shuster, for the leadership that they provided in moving this bill from committee and bringing it down to the floor.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.

I also would like to thank Chairman Oberstar for including in the manager's amendment a proposed amendment both Ruben Hinojosa and myself have, and I thank them.

The proposed amendment that is part of the manager's amendment would charge the Department of Transportation with studying the feasibility of extending the South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor from San Antonio into south Texas.

South Texas is home to a large population that is a great distance removed from the City of San Antonio. Laredo, my hometown as an example, has been identified as the fastest growing city in the State of Texas, the second fastest growing city in the United States.

South of San Antonio we have four counties in the Rio Grande Valley that boasts a population that's larger than nine States. The State Data Center projects that the population of the greater Laredo and greater McAllen areas will more than double in the next 2 decades.

With the high price of gas and the large geographic distance that separates many of the towns in south Texas, the presence of high-speed rail will make a significant impact on the mobility of south Texans. The presence of high-speed rail in this rapidly expanding region will provide south Texas with greater access and mobility, and I look forward to working with the Department of Transportation to explore those options.

Again, I want to thank you. I applaud the efforts of Chairman Oberstar and his leadership and the ranking members for their leadership.

I thank the Chairman from Minnesota and I thank the Gentleman and Ranking Member Mica for the leadership in moving this bill through committee and bringing it to the floor.

Ms. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.

This legislation will bring much needed relief and reform to our rail systems by increasing capital and operating grants to Amtrak, developing State Passenger Corridor, and working to Reduce Amtrak's debt.

I would also like to thank the Chairman for including in the manager's amendment the proposed amendment submitted by me.

South Texas is home to a large population that is a great distance removed from the city of San Antonio.

The City of Laredo, the closest major metropolitan area south of San Antonio, is 150 miles away from San Antonio.

Laredo has been identified as the fastest growing city in Texas, and the second fastest growing city in the United States.

The City of Laredo is home to the largest inland port in the nation through which 40 percent of goods trucked into the U.S. are inspected and allowed to pass.

The State of Data Center projects that the population in the greater Laredo area will double in the next couple of decades.

For these reasons, it is my intent that the Secretary consider a south Texas Connection such as the City of Laredo as the location for a potential new connection to the south Central High Speed Rail Corridor.

With the high price of gas and the large geographic distance that separates many towns in South Texas, the presence of high speed rail will make a significant impact on my constituents.

My proposed amendment would charge the Department of Transportation with studying the feasibility of extending the South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor to serve the burgeoning population south of San Antonio.

I believe that the presence of high-speed rail in the rapidly expending area in South Texas will provide my constituents with a new way to travel, and I look forward to working with the Department of Transportation to explore these options.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Councilman Gene Belmares, who will be presented with the Liberty Bell Award by the Laredo-Webb County Bar Association on May 9, 2008.

Gene Belmares is the son of a decorated World War II veteran, Ignacio Belmares, and Elvira Belmares. He grew up in Laredo, Texas, and attended United High School and Laredo Junior College. Gene utilized his marketing skills to great effect in his work with some of South Texas's most prestigious companies such as Thomas Petroleum, Arguindegui Oil, and WestWind Homes. Gene is now enjoying his work with the marketing and sales team at the famous La Posada Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in South Texas that is leading the revitalization of downtown Laredo.

Councilman Belmares was elected to the Laredo City Council in 2002, and is seated on the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Water Issues, Sports Venue, and Legislative Committees. He is currently serving as Mayor Pro Tempore, and is responsible for the unprecedented fiscal growth of the City of Laredo for the last six years through his work on landmark ordinances and legacy projects. Councilman Belmares also has admirably served the community of Laredo, Texas, through his civic work with the March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy, and the American Cancer Society. He enjoys coaching the Gateway Girls Softball League, and the Boys and Girls Club flag football.

Councilman Belmares is a truly deserving recipient of the Liberty Bell Award, which is given out annually by the Laredo-Webb County Bar Association to those who have demonstrated exemplary community service, and contributed to good governance in the community.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the dedication of Councilman Belmares to the City of Laredo, and I thank you for this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Elizabeth Foster, who will be inaugurated as President of the Republic of the Rio Grande during the Webb County Heritage Foundation's annual Founders' Day Celebration at Texas A&M International University on May 10, 2008. Each year, the Heritage Foundation selects an individual who embodies outstanding commitment to historic preservation, and this year, that deserving individual is Mrs. Elizabeth Foster.

Elizabeth was born on December 5, 1920, in Mission, Texas, to her parents, Louis J. Kowalski, and Dorothy Newhall Kowalski. She spent her early childhood in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, where her father was involved in the tobacco business. In 1931, Elizabeth's family moved to Laredo, Texas, when she was 10 years old. Elizabeth attended Heights Elementary School, L.J. Christen Middle School, and graduated from Laredo High School in 1937. She portrayed Princess Pocahontas in the Washington's Birthday Celebrations of 1939 and 1941, and was presented by the Society of Martha Washington in 1940. She married John E. Foster on May 1, 1941. She had 8 children: John, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Alice, Mary, Edward, Sarah, and Stephen, and is a proud grandparent to 10 grandchildren. Mrs. Foster has admirably served the community of Laredo, Texas, through her civic work with the Daughters of the American Revolution, Ladies' Luncheon Club, and the Cotillion Club. She is also an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the dedication of Mrs. Elizabeth Foster to preserving the history of the City of Laredo, and for her inauguration as President of the Republic of the Rio Grande.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Horace Fincher, the mayor of the city of Lytle, in recognition of his exemplary leadership in the growth of the city during his tenure, which ends on May 12, 2008.

Horace Fincher served as Mayor of the City of Lytle for 14 years after having served on the Lytle City Council for 6 years. During his tenure, Mayor Fincher worked to increase the tax base for taxpayers in Lytle by bringing in businesses such as H-E-B, Sonic Drive-In, McDonald's, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, Camino Real Mental Health & Mental Retardation (MHMR) Center, Hurley Funeral Home, and Tri-County Dialysis Center. He also has endeavored in bringing consecutive grant proposals to the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), which is a voluntary association of local governments and organizations in twelve counties that serves its members through planning, information, and coordination activities.

Mayor Fincher truly led by example and it is to his credit that the city of Lytle has seen an improvement in its business capital, and a renewal of infrastructure projects. The city is a truly better place because of the dedication that Mayor Fincher has shown in his public service.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have this time to recognize Mayor Horace Fincher, and I thank you for this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Councilman Gene Belmares, who will be presented with the Liberty Bell Award by the Laredo-Webb County Bar Association on May 9, 2008.

Gene Belmares is the son of a decorated WorId War II veteran, Ignacio Belmares, and Elvira Belmares. He grew up in Laredo, Texas, and attended United High School and Laredo Junior College. Gene utilized his marketing skills to great effect in his work with some of South Texas's most prestigious companies such as Thomas Petroleum, Arguindegui Oil, and WestWind Homes. Gene is now enjoying his work with the marketing and sales team at the famous La Posada Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in South Texas that is leading the revitalization of downtown Laredo.

Councilman Belmares was elected to the Laredo City Council in 2002, and is seated on the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Water Issues, Sports Venue, and Legislative Committees. He is currently serving as Mayor Pro Tempore, and is responsible for the unprecedented fiscal growth of the City of Laredo for the last 6 years through his work on landmark ordinances and legacy projects. Councilman Belmares also has admirably served the community of Laredo, Texas, through his civic work with the March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy, and the American Cancer Society. He enjoys coaching the Gateway Girls Softball League, and the Boys and Girls Club flag football.

Councilman Belmares is a truly deserving recipient of the Liberty Bell Award, which is given out annually by the Laredo-Webb County Bar Association to those who have demonstrated exemplary community service, and contributed to good governance in the community.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the dedication of Councilman Belmares to the City of Laredo, and I thank you for this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Minerva ``Minnie'' Ramirez for her induction as a laureate in the 2008 Laredo Business Hall of Fame, and for her incredible dedication to her friends and colleagues in the business community of Laredo, Texas.

Minerva Ramirez was born on September 20, 1931, to a hardworking ranch family. She started her first job at the age of 12 sweeping floors at the local schoolhouse, and she began

her knack for floral arrangements by making flower arrangements with tin cans and tissue paper in the shape of carnations which were sold for the cemetery. Minerva graduated from high school in 1948 in Hebbronville, Texas, and attended Texas A&I Kingsville. She worked her way through 2 years of college by teaching students at La Alejandrena Elementary School in Zapata County. Minerva was transferred to San Ygnacio, where she met her husband, Robert, and married in 1955. They moved to Laredo, and had three children: Carmen, Minita, and Robert Jr. Minerva taught and served as assistant principal at Ochoa Elementary for 17 years and became principal of Zachry Elementary School in 1981.

She started a flower shop, Carmin's, from the carport of her home in 1965, and the business grew so successful that Minerva retired from her teaching profession in 1986. One of her career highlights was being picked as the florist for the visitation of Pope John Paul II in San Antonio, Texas, in 1988 at the San Fernando Cathedral. Minerva has admirably served the community of Laredo, Texas, through her work as an educator to the youth of Laredo, and her contributions to the business community. For her dedication and hard work as a business entrepreneur, Minerva will be honored by the Junior Achievement League through her induction into the 2008 Business Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the dedication of Mrs. Minerva Ramirez, and I thank you for this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Fernando ``Chito'' Salinas for his induction as a laureate in the 2008 Laredo Business Hall of Fame, and for his incredible dedication to the city of Laredo, Texas.

Fernando Salinas is a 1942 graduate of Martin High School, and attended Tulane University in New Orleans after transferring from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. After attending Tulane, Fernando returned back to work at his family's department store, Los Dos Laredos, in downtown Laredo. Five years later, he worked as a salesman at the famed Joe Brand store, and used his knowledge of men's retail to launch his own new department store, Don Antonio's in 1952. The business flourished during the 1960s, attracting a steady clientele from both sides of the United States-Mexico border.

After his retirement from the retail business in 2005, Fernando established a charitable trust that has donated $1.35 million for causes that enrich education, the arts and human services, and pledged nearly $95,000 in scholarships for college-bound students. The scholarships are given to hard-working students at Laredo Community College and Texas A&M International University. Fernando has admirably served the community of Laredo, Texas, through his philanthropic work at his charitable trust. He has also contributed to the youth of Laredo through his Junior League Achievement sponsorship of Christen Middle School. For his dedication and hard work in making the Laredo business community stronger and better, Fernando will be honored by the Junior Achievement League through his induction into the 2008 Business Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the bravery and dedication of Mr. Fernando Salinas, and I thank you for this time.

Madame Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. and Mrs. Shashi and Priya Vaswani for their induction in the 2008 Laredo Business Hall of Fame, and for their incredible dedication to the youth in the City of Laredo, Texas.

Shashi came to Laredo from Canada with his family in 1981 as a high school sophomore, and married his wife, Priya, in 1987. They lived and worked in the Carribean and the Rio Grande Valley before moving back to Laredo in the early 1990s. Shashi and Priya opened About Time, a video arcade, in the 1990s. In 2004, they were able to open a La Quinta Inn and Suites, which allowed them to use a part of their profits to fulfill their dream of establishing the Laredo Heat soccer franchise. The Heat Youth association now has 28 teams playing in Laredo, and this interest in soccer as a physical activity would not have happened if not for the Vaswanis.

Shashi and Priya plan to fund improvements to Texas A&M International University's two soccer fields with the goal of making the fields the home base for future Laredo Heat games. They strongly believe in the value of physical activity as a complement to the full education of the youth in Laredo. They have learned the value of hard work and sacrifice and have stressed their belief in the importance of a college degree to young soccer players. This couple has admirably served the community of Laredo, Texas, through their business entrepreneurship and their work with the youth in Laredo. For their dedication and hard work in making Laredo a better place for children in exercising their physical talents, they will be honored by the Junior Achievement League through their induction into the 2008 Business Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the dedication of Mr. and Mrs. Shashi and Priya Vaswani to the City of Laredo.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Citizen and Community Preparedness Act of 2008, which reaffirms the Federal Government's commitment to helping our communities prepare for and respond to acts of terrorism, natural disasters and other emergencies.

I am glad to be joined today in introducing this bipartisan bill by the Ranking Member of my Subcommittee--the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response--the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Charlie Dent.

I am also pleased to have Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, as well as Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, as original cosponsors of this legislation. They are true leaders in the area of emergency preparedness and have been instrumental in the drafting of this bill.

If a disaster--whether large or small--occurs in a community, local responders and disaster-relief organizations will be there to help, but citizens need to be ready as well.

In fact, when individual citizens, families and communities are prepared, the fear, anxiety,

and loss that accompany disasters is substantially minimized.

It is imperative that citizens know what to do in the event of an emergency and be ready to either shelter in place or evacuate their homes.

People must be ready to care for their basic needs should they be displaced for a period of time.

As we move toward the 3-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the 7-year anniversary of 9/11, we must not lose sight of the lessons learned from these disasters.

While I recognize that the most effective emergency preparedness programs and messages are delivered locally and not from Washington, we must ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is working with State and local partners, providing them with the tools they need to get the message out.

Following the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001, Federal, State and local government officials agreed that the formula for ensuring a more secure and safer homeland consists of preparedness, training, and citizen involvement in supporting first responders.

As a result, the Citizen Corps Program and Ready campaigns were created.

To date, with limited resources available, over 2,000 communities in all 56 States and territories have established Citizen Corps Councils to help inform and train citizens in emergency preparedness, and promote volunteerism.

However, I think these programs can be improved.

The legislation I am introducing today formally authorizes the Citizen Corps Program and provides it with the necessary funding to be effective.

It also authorizes key Citizen Corps components administered by the Department of Homeland Security--Fire Corps and CERT.

Fire Corps promotes the use of volunteers to assist fire and rescue departments in non-operational roles such as fire safety outreach, youth programs, and administrative support.

The Community Emergency Response Team, CERT, program concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985 and has since spread to over 1,000 communities nationwide.

Under the CERT Program citizens are training citizens in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

As our Nation continues to glean lessons from the catastrophic events of Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Government must ensure that preparedness efforts help our Nation's most vulnerable populations.

To that end, this legislation requires the Secretary to work closely with organizations representing the elderly, the disabled, the hearing and visually impaired, communities with language and income barriers, and children to promote preparedness.

This legislation will also create a pilot program to enhance citizen preparedness at primary and secondary schools, as well as on university or college campuses, by providing training, exercises, and public awareness campaigns.

Finally, my bill directs the Secretary to carry out a public affairs campaign utilizing diverse media outlets to get the word out to the public to assist them in preparing for acts of terrorism and other emergencies.

Addressing the issue of citizen preparedness continues to be a major issue for our Nation.

In fact, the National Governors' Association 2007 State Homeland Security Directors Survey, which polled the 56 State and territorial homeland security advisors, cited citizen preparedness as one of the top 5 priorities for their States.

It is now time to stop paying lip service to the issue of citizen and community preparedness and to start acting.

In closing Madam Speaker, let me say that our citizens' lack of preparedness is often cited as an impediment to an effective emergency response. I believe this legislation will make strides to change that fact and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment offered by Representative Zoe Lofgren. As you know, in order to obtain a TWIC, a port worker must be fingerprinted. The problem is that it's not always possible to get an image of the person's fingerprint, as has been mentioned a few minutes ago. From excessive sweating to dry skin, all of that can impede the capture of a useable fingerprint. Dry skin is a common occurrence, age, genetics, disease can also cause dry skin. We need to address this.

As you know, the TSA is supposed to issue credentials to at least 850,000 workers by the end of September. Because of these limitations, we need to have a plan, TSA needs to have a plan, and this is why this amendment is important. A person's skin should not prevent them from getting credentialed for a job that they need. I urge support of this amendment.

Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

First, I want to thank Chairman Oberstar and also Chairman Cummings and the ranking member from Ohio for the work that they have done on this particular bill, and also, Chairman Thompson, from the Committe on Homeland Security, for the work that they did on this bill together.

I also understand, Madam Chair, that this amendment is acceptable both to the majority and the minority, and it's also bipartisan. I believe Congressman McCaul will be speaking on this amendment in a few minutes.

Madam Chair, today the U.S. House of Representatives has an opportunity to improve the important and critical mission of the United States Coast Guard. One of the Coast Guard's most important functions is providing safety and security in international waters. I was born in Laredo, Texas. Laredo is located on the international border between the United States and Mexico. Our border is divided by the international waters called the Rio Grande River.

There have been many efforts to improve security along the U.S.- Mexico border. Some of those partnerships between the local and Federal Government law enforcement agencies have proven to be beneficial. The border security responsibilities shared by law enforcement departments are complicated for the first responders from the local communities that are located on the international waters of the Rio Grande. The safety of the international boundary is a national security concern, as the level of violence in Mexico increases and spills across the border. Drugs, cash, and people continue to cross the border into the United States, despite our efforts.

I am consistently asked and contacted by local officials in my district who are asking for more support in their border security effort, specifically for help in patrolling the international waters of the Rio Grande. Unfortunately, the local law enforcement agencies and the border patrol have limited resources for patrolling the international water boundary. As the Rio Grande represents over 1,200 miles of international border, I believe that it is time to address the critical need to provide security on the Rio Grande River and not just along the shores of the Rio Grande River.

My amendment would charge the U.S. Coast Guard to analyze what the current mission is along the international waters, including personnel and assets assessment. My amendment also asks the U.S. Coast Guard to identify what resources will be needed to increase the Coast Guard presence along the international boundary.

Madam Chair, there has been many discussions as to how to best secure the United States border along with Mexico. My amendment would simply allow us to consider the possibility of increasing the Coast Guard's presence in the area of unquestionable, the international waters of the Rio Grande River.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I just want to thank again the Chairman, Mr. Oberstar; Mr. Thompson, Mr. Cummings, the ranking member from Ohio, and of course the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul).

I yield the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Mujes de Ecelencia, one of the most prominent women's organizations in my congressional district, for embarking upon a remarkable educational campaign outreach on health care issues to women in Roma, Texas. The informational campaign outreach, which finished on April 18, 2008, is a mixture of private-public partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and agencies that all strive to bring awareness to important issues that affect women and their families.

Mujes de Ecelencia has consistently worked to provide the latest information about drug and alcohol treatment, family counseling, tobacco awareness, and other health care matters to women in south Texas since 2002. I applaud Mujes de Ecelencia for bringing together businesses, organizations, and local agencies in the informational campaign marketed towards women's health care issues, and for their continued work in advocating for women in south Texas.