Floor Statements

Our country is one of opportunity, where everyone can follow their dreams, but we need to ensure that America's young people get the training they need to succeed. But we have fallen behind.

Today, only 15 percent of American students learn a second language, and it hinders us in today's global economy. That is why I have introduced the

Global Language Early Education Act. My bill funds early education dual language programs across the country, and it provides the skills demanded in board rooms throughout the world.

We know that dual language learners better manage complex situations and problems. That is why the bill also grooms our next generation of executives for success.

Let's be competitive in this world. Let's encourage a second language. Let's promote our workforce and make sure that everybody can achieve the American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1546) congratulating the Washington Stealth for winning the National Lacrosse League Championship, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

On behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present House Resolution 1546 for consideration. This measure congratulates the Washington Stealth for winning the National Lacrosse League championship.

Mr. Speaker, lacrosse is among the Nation's fastest-growing sports, and its origins on this continent are centuries old. I am, therefore, very glad that we can congratulate the Washington Stealth on their victory in the National Lacrosse League championship earlier this year.

House Resolution 1546 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Washington, Representative Jay Inslee, on July 21, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 28, 2010. It enjoys the support of over 50 Members of the House.

Mr. Speaker, let us now take time to congratulate the Washington Stealth and the entire team organization on a historic championship through the passage of House Resolution 1546. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1479) supporting the United States Paralympics, honoring the Paralympic athletes, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of House Resolution 1479, a bill supporting the United States Paralympics. A division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, the United States Paralympics organizes elite athletes with physical disabilities to compete internationally in the summer and winter Paralympic Games.

House Resolution 1479 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey, Representative Leonard Lance, on June 25, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 28, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 50 cosponsors. I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for introducing this measure, and I would also like to enter into the Record an exchange of letters between our committee, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which expresses Chairman Berman's and the Foreign Affairs Committee's support of House Resolution 1479 and waives their jurisdictional interest in this bill.

Mr. Speaker, the Olympic Games promote ideals of fair sportsmanship, fair play, physical fitness, and peace through sport. The Paralympics ensures that athletes with physical disabilities can take part in these games, representing our Nation on the world stage.

There are over 21 million Americans with a physical disability, including thousands of men and women who sustained serious injuries while serving in the military. I am glad that they have the opportunity to represent our country by taking part in these games. Let us now honor these athletes and recognize their achievements through the passage of House Resolution 1479, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Foreign Affairs,

Washington, DC, September 21, 2010.

Hon. Edolphus Towns,

Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,

Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Towns: I am writing to you concerning H. Res.

1479, a resolution ``Supporting the United States

Paralympics, honoring the Paralympic athletes, and for other

purposes,'' introduced by Congressman Leonard Lance on July

28, 2010.

As you know, this measure was referred to the Committee on

Oversight and Government Reform and, in addition, to the

Committee on Foreign Affairs for a period to be subsequently

determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of

such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the

committee concerned.

This bill contains provisions within the rule X

jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the

interest of permitting your Committee to proceed

expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill,

I am willing to waive this Committee's right to mark up this

bill. I do so with the understanding that by waiving

consideration of the bill, the Committee on Foreign Affairs

does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the

subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its

rule X jurisdiction.

Please include a copy of this letter and your response in

the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure

on the House floor.

Sincerely,

Howard L. Berman,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6118) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., in Washington, D.C., as the ``Dorothy I. Height Post Office Building,'' as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present H.R. 6118 for consideration. This measure designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE in Washington, D.C. as the ``Dorothy I. Height Post Office.''

H.R. 6118 was introduced by our colleague, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, on September 14, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on September 23, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, this chamber mourned the loss of one of America's most celebrated civil rights leaders, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, earlier this year. Today, we have the opportunity to continue to honor her life and achievements by giving her name to the post office in Washington, DC's historic Postal Square Building.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1617) supporting the goals and purpose of Gold Star Mothers Day, which is observed on the last Sunday in September of each year in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice made by mothers who lose a son or daughter serving in the Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1617, a measure supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day, observed each September in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice made by mothers who lose a son or a daughter serving in the Armed Forces.

H. Res. 1617 was introduced by our colleague gentleman from California, Representative Peter Roskam on September 14, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on September 23, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 50 members of the House.

We here in the House of Representatives regularly take time to honor our brave men and women serving in the armed services, particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. With so many putting themselves in harm's way, I'm very pleased that we can make it a priority to keep them and their families in our thoughts and prayers. The American Gold Star Mothers are a group of women who have all lost a son or daughter serving in the Armed Forces, and today we honor their sacrifice. The Gold Star Mothers provide services and comfort to their members, assist veterans in presenting claims to the VA, and host a number of events throughout the year to show support for our military. We thank them for all they do for our troops and our veterans.

Mr. Speaker, the sacrifices of the Gold Star Mothers should never be far from our thoughts and prayers, and so I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Gold Star Mothers through the passage of H. Res. 1617.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1603) expressing support for designation of September 2010 as National Craniofacial Acceptance Month.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1603, expressing support for National Craniofacial Acceptance Month.

H. Res. 1603 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Arkansas, Representative Mike Ross, on July 30, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on September 23, 2010. The measure has the support of over 70 members of the House.

Mr. Speaker, there are 100,000 children born each year in the United States with a craniofacial anomaly affecting the head, neck, extremities, or organs. These include cleft lip and cleft palate, the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies seen at birth, as well as other conditions that can cause hearing loss or other complications.

The development of more advanced treatment options for individuals with these conditions can greatly improve their quality of life, but the number of physicians who specialize in treating these rare and complex conditions is very small. People born with craniofacial anomalies often require extensive surgery in childhood and a great deal of support and encouragement along the way, so I am glad that we can do our part to raise awareness of these conditions today through the passage of H. Res. 1603. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3243) to amend section 5542 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that any hours worked by Federal firefighters under a qualified trade-of-time arrangement shall be excluded for purposes of determinations relating to overtime pay.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H.R. 3243, legislation to promote flexibility in work arrangements and scheduling for Federal firefighters. H.R. 3243 was introduced by Representative John Sarbanes, the gentleman from Maryland, on July 16, 2009. The bill was reported favorably by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on September 23, 2010.

H.R. 3243 allows federal firefighters to trade shifts without triggering mandatory overtime payments and added costs for their agency. The bill simply allows traded time to be excluded from the calculation of overtime. This grants more leave flexibility to these workers, without costing the government any money. The change is consistent with the workplace practices of state and municipal fire departments across the country. Under the bill, any decision to approve the workers' request to switch shifts would remain at the discretion of the employing agency. Trade time will boost federal agencies' ability to recruit and retain trained firefighters. The bill is strongly supported by the International Association of Firefighters.

I thank Mr. Sarbanes for his work on this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3196) to amend the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 to provide that certain transition services shall be available to eligible candidates before the general election.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support of Senate Bill 3196, the Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010. This bipartisan legislation makes important improvements to the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 to better equip qualified candidates to prepare, and prepare earlier, for the all-too-short process of transitioning from running a campaign to running the executive branch of the United States.

As the non-partisan Partnership for Public Service has warned, ``Given the complexity and urgency of issues facing an incoming administration in a post-9/11 world, we need our president and his senior leadership to be ready to govern on day one. An effective transition relies on advance preparation and skillful execution, not hope and luck.''

S. 3196 takes important steps to help future Presidents with the transition process, and therefore helps them to navigate and prepare for governing in an increasingly complex world.

The Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act will make the decision to undertake transition planning easier by providing resources to qualified candidates. The bill requires GSA to offer each candidate an array of services promptly upon nomination, including fully equipped office space, communication services, briefings, and training. Candidates will also be authorized to establish a separate 501(c)(4) fund to cover transition-related expenses or to supplement GSA's services.

The bill also authorizes the appropriation of funds for use by the outgoing Administration to plan and coordinate activities to facilitate an efficient transfer of power. This follows the model put in place by the Bush Administration, which facilitated a highly efficient and effective transition.

S. 3196 encourages presidential candidates to take steps that are necessary to effectively protect national and homeland security during the transition period, and I want to thank Senator Kaufman for his leadership on this important issue. I encourage all Members to support this important bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today's high schools don't work for many young people. Students often feel bored and unchallenged. Almost one-third of the ninth-graders in my home State of California drop out without graduating.

That is why today I introduced The Linked Learning Pathways Affording College and Career Success Act. It combines college preparation with real-world learning opportunities for students across the country.

Like Ana Sical in San Diego. Ana once had problems with truancy, and says she never even considered college. But Ana's life changed with Linked Learning. There, she partnered with engineers who taught her their trades and pushed her to succeed. Today, Ana is studying at San Diego State's School of Engineering, the first in her family to attend college.

America's future depends on preparing today's students to enter tomorrow's workforce. My bill does that, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

I rise today to honor a great voice for our Nation's disenfranchised, a man who passed away recently, Dr. Mario Obledo. Hailed as the Godfather of the Latino Movement, he dedicated his life to serving America's minority communities.

As president of the League of United Latin American Citizens and founder of the National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations, the Hispanic National Bar Association, and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Dr. Obledo fought tirelessly for civil rights and justice.

Governments both here and abroad honored his accomplishments. Dr. Obledo received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor, and the OHTLI award, the highest tribute given by Mexico to foreigners. He was an inspiration to many.

I urge my House colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Mario Obledo and his exceptional impact upon our country. He will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I want to speak to the importance of passing the Investing in American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, the importance of passing this bill now.

This bill creates jobs, rebuilds infrastructure, and promotes investments that gets our economy going again.

And I want to take a moment to talk about one specific aspect of this bill, the extension of the Emergency Fund for Job Creation and Assistance.

In Los Angeles County, the area I represent, one out of every eight residents is unemployed. In one area of my district, East L.A., the unemployment rate is 16.75 percent. This is unacceptable.

A while back, L.A. County instituted an innovative program to get people back to work. It uses TANF funds from the stimulus to place unemployed workers in positions for up to a year. And it created over 11,000 jobs in L.A. County and almost 250,000 across the country.

In Palmdale, California, this program helped Jody, a single mother of two, find work at a local coffeehouse. There, Jody so impressed her new boss that he plans to permanently hire her and three others from the program.

But this proven job creation program expires in September. The clock is ticking. If we don't act, those 250,000 tales of success become horror stories. Today's bill will keep those Americans working.

I urge all of my colleagues to support the Investing in American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 90) expressing support for designation of September 2010 as ``Gospel Music Heritage Month'' and honoring gospel music for its valuable and longstanding contributions to the culture of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present H.J. Res. 90 for consideration.

This resolution expresses support for Gospel Music Heritage Month celebrated in September and honors gospel music for its valuable and longstanding contributions to the culture of the United States. H.J. Res. 90 was introduced by our colleague Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas on June 17, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 15, 2010. It enjoys the bipartisan support of 65 cosponsors.

Mr. Speaker, gospel music has been enjoyed by generation after generation of Americans and by music lovers from around the world. As with many of our country's artistic and cultural traditions, it reflects our diverse ancestry, borrowing from such sources as African music, African American spirituals, Irish folk songs and hymns as well as ragtime, jazz, and blues. The blending of these styles with Christian hymns and gospel verse has led to a musical tradition at the heart of our culture.

Throughout its history, gospel music has stood as a prominent form of Christian worship. Congregations across the country continue to sing gospel music during their regular services. Gospel music has also influenced many forms of secular music with rock, country, soul, rhythm and blues, with many other styles drawing from its distinct sound.

Mr. Speaker, gospel music is a truly American art and H.J. Resolution 90 will recognize its profound contribution to our culture.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I now recognize Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, the author of this resolution, for such time as she may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting

Gospel Music Heritage Month, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1527) congratulating the United States Men's National Soccer Team for its inspiring performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

On behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I present H. Res. 1527 for consideration. This measure congratulates the United States Men's National Soccer Team for its inspiring performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Mr. Speaker, with this resolution, we express our great pride in our Nation's performance in this year's FIFA World Cup. Its stunning win over Algeria on June 23 marked the first time that the U.S. won first place in its group since 1930. Cheers erupted all over the country as forward Landon Donovan scored the winning goal in the 91st minute of play, in what may have been the most dramatic moment in the history of the team.

The U.S. team also played well in its matches against England and Slovenia, with goals scored by Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and Michael Bradley, ensuring the team would have the chance to advance to the second round of the Cup. The team, comprised of excellent players from around the country, demonstrated that the U.S. can compete at elite levels with the top teams of the world, and it is fitting that we should congratulate them on their historic performance today.

H. Res. 1527 was introduced by our colleague, Representative Louie Gohmert of Texas, on July 15, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on July 28, 2010. It enjoys the bipartisan support of 50 cosponsors.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team for their inspiring World Cup performance.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 1 o'clock and 10 minutes a.m.), the House adjourned until today, Friday, July 30, 2010, at 9 a.m.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great loss to our community, Mr. Irvin Lai, who passed away on July 16, 2010, at the age of 83. My heart goes out to his son, Laurence; his daughters Arlene Lowe, Corinne Gill, Irene Jong, Kathleen Lih and Pauline Yau; his brother Collin and sister Mildred Wong; his 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and the rest of his family and friends.

Irvin was an extraordinary citizen, a role model for community activism and a powerful advocate for the Chinese American community. His selfless and just nature was cultivated in childhood during the Great Depression by his mother, Effie Lai, an unpaid social worker who helped Chinese immigrant women navigate the U.S. social welfare system. It was his mother's work, and his education in a segregated ``Oriental'' school, that taught him the importance of joining together and helping his community.

Lai first served his country as a teenage volunteer in the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marines during World War II, where he achieved rank of Chief Steward during his 2 years of service. In 1950 he was drafted into the Korean War, where he served for 2 years in the 4th Infantry Division, 42nd Field Artillery in Germany.

But it was upon his return from the war that Mr. Lai's civil rights activism really took off, when he joined the Los Angeles Lodge of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance in 1957. He worked his way up to national Grand President of the Alliance by 1985, and along the way he fought hard for equal political and economic rights for all Chinese Americans.

Irvin is probably best known for saving the Peking duck in America, when he led the charge to change a law that required Chinese restauranteurs to throw away large quantities of Chinese roast duck and dim sum, or receive costly citations. As a direct result of testimony from Mr. Lai before the State Legislature, a roast duck exemption was added to the health code.

Mr. Lai also stepped forward to help arrange the proper reinterment of Chinese remains unearthed during construction of the Gold Line Eastside Extension, and the preservation of artifacts found at the site.

I urge all my House colleagues to join me in honoring our community hero, Mr. Irvin for

his remarkable service and contributions to our country.