Floor Statements

Imagine going to work every day for decades and giving your blood, sweat and tears to a company and then finding out your male colleagues were getting higher raises and making more money for years. That's what happened to Lilly Ledbetter, and she is one of the lucky ones because she was able to prove that she was paid less because she was a woman. The effect of lesser pay is immense. For a single woman, it can mean the loss of up to $2 million over a career, not to mention lower pension and Social Security payments for the rest of her life.

Today, more women are graduating from college than men, yet full-time working women with the same major and same degree earn only 80 percent compared to their male colleagues. That is unacceptable. At this rate, my three young nieces will be receiving Social Security before they get the equal pay they deserve.

But I refuse to wait that long. That is why the Senate must pass the Paycheck Fairness Act which stiffens penalties for employers who discriminate based on gender. I stand today to urge the Senate to support the women of America. There must be equal pay for equal work.

Sixty-two years ago on Monday, the State of Israel was born, and on that day many did not believe Israel could withstand the impending struggle and remain a beacon of hope and democracy for the world. Despite decades of terror and threats to its existence, the nation still stands today, proud and defiant to those who would wish her harm.

Sixty-two years ago, just minutes after David Ben-Gurion announced the establishment of a home for the Jewish people, the United States was the first Nation to recognize its independence. Our unwavering support for the security and prosperity of Israel continues to this day because of the core ideals our two countries share, ideals of perseverance, democracy, and innovation. I am proud to stand here today to congratulate the State and people of Israel on the anniversary of their independence, and to pledge that we will continue to work together to achieve global security, peace, and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans want Americans to believe that they are the party of tax cuts. Sure, they are--tax cuts for the rich. In these tough times, their brand of tax relief wouldn't help Sue and John, working parents who are raising three kids and who are trying to make ends meet.

Yet this Congress knows that America's future can't be based on huge tax cuts for the wealthy. We have to give real tax relief to real working Americans, and that is just what we've done. We've done it for 95 percent of working families, saving them up to $800 a year. We've done it by making it easier for young families to buy their first homes, saving up to $8,000, and we've done it by making it easier for parents to save up to $2,500 to pay for college. This Congress has passed 25 different tax cuts, saving American families over $800 billion, and more relief is on the way.

The overheated rhetoric of the minority is not based on reality. By any measure, taxes are lower today than they were under their leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1222) supporting the goals and ideals of National Library Week.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1222 into the Record.

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1222, which encourages all Americans to take advantage of the numerous resources libraries make available. Across the country, libraries help develop communities by bringing people of all nationalities, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds together to enjoy the pleasures of literature, media, and new technology. Libraries foster national discourse on intellectual freedom, and provide informational equity across the Nation. Libraries not only provide free resources to adults and children, but they also preserve historical artifacts and information, highlighting societal achievements.

Today we have nearly 123,000 libraries nationwide playing a vital role in creating vibrant, energized communities. Our very own Library of Congress sponsors the annual National Book Festival. Authors, illustrators, and poets gather at the Nation's Capitol to promote reading and literacy in all 50 States.

In fact, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama helped sponsor this event as honorary chairs. Last September, the annual National Book Festival was a huge success. With 80 best-selling authors and over 1,000 volunteers, scores of people gathered to promote reading to children.

The Library of Congress is also a great resource for the public. As the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress holds more than 120 million items on approximately 530 miles of bookshelves. The collections include more than 18 million books, 2.5 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4.5 million maps, and 54 million manuscripts.

National Library Week continues to commend librarians who help the public interpret the information they need to live, learn, and navigate their way into today's challenging and complicated economy. By providing free educational opportunities and a safe place for lifelong learning, libraries help people to explore their curiosities and to foster community involvement in education.

I want to thank Representative Ehlers for his leadership and for bringing this important resolution forward.

Again, I want to extend my gratitude towards libraries for their work in our communities, and I ask my colleagues to support this important resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize for 3 minutes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of House Resolution 1222.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1041) congratulating and commending the University of Idaho's football team for winning the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1041 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of Idaho football team for their victory in the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl.

On December 30, football fans nationwide witnessed a thrilling game as the University of Idaho Vandals defeated the Bowling Green State University Falcons to win the Humanitarian Bowl title. Both teams showcased their offense talents, but when the final whistle blew, the University of Idaho edged out a victory over Bowling Green State University by a score of 43-42.

The bowl game featured plenty of offense as the two teams traded touchdowns in one of the most exciting bowl games of the season. The game was tied and less than a minute left when Bowling Green scored a go-ahead touchdown. With only 28 seconds left in the game, the University of Idaho pieced together a 66-yard game-winning drive, and capped it off with a dramatic two-point conversion, going for the win instead of a tie and overtime.

In the past 3 years, head coach Robb Akey has challenged his athletes to become better young men both on and off the field. In 2009, the University of Idaho earned a winning record for the first time in 10 years, along with a spot in the Humanitarian Bowl. The team closed the year with the second bowl victory in school history. The only other time they appeared at the bowl game, they defeated the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in the 1998 Humanitarian Bowl.

Congratulations to running back DeMaundray Woolridge, a senior, who was named a co-MVP of the game. Woolridge carried Idaho with 126 rushing yards and two third quarter touchdowns.

Congratulations are also due to wide receiver Max Komar for making the game-winning touchdown catch, which was his only reception of the game. Komar was the leading University of Idaho receiver and offensive player of the year during the regular season.

Congratulations to quarterback Nathan Enderle, a junior, who threw for 240 passing yards and four touchdowns, including the epic game winner. Enderle finished the season with the seventh best passer efficiency rating, and was named the team's most valuable player.

Last but not least, congratulations to offensive guard Mike Iupati, who was the team's offensive captain and a consensus All-American selection. He is the first University of Idaho player to receive this honor since 1957. Iupati is considered one of the top prospects available at his position in the 2010 NFL draft.

The outstanding players and coaches at the University of Idaho produced a great turnaround season, and their accomplishments are a testament to their skill and perseverance. The support of students, alumni, and fans helped bring great pride to the school. Finishing the season with a winning record and a bowl victory will only push the team further as fans look forward to a successful 2010 season.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of Idaho football team for their success.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize for 3 minutes the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Minnick).

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of House Resolution 1041, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1042) commending the Boise State University Broncos football team for winning the 2010 Fiesta Bowl.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1042 into the Record.

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

I rise today to congratulate the Boise State University football team for their victory in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl.

On January 4, football fans were treated to a much-anticipated game between the Boise State University Broncos and the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs. Boise State prevailed and narrowly defeated TCU by a score of 17-10 to win the Fiesta Bowl.

Both teams came into the Fiesta Bowl undefeated in the regular season; and this game was essentially a rematch of the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl, in which Boise State lost to TCU by just one point. The game featured two of the premier offensive teams in the country, as Boise State led the Nation in points per game while TCU finished fourth in the Nation in points per game. While many expected TCU's dominant defense to play the deciding role, Boise State's defense excelled when it mattered most. Boise State's defense only allowed one third down conversion while forcing three turnovers.

Congratulations to Head Coach Chris Petersen, who was the Conference Coach of the Year for the second year in a row and won the Paul ``Bear'' Bryant Award for National Coach of the Year for the second time. Since Coach Petersen took over the reins in 2006, Boise State has gone 49-4 with two perfect seasons and two Fiesta Bowl victories.

Congratulations to Kyle Efaw, a sophomore tight end, and Brandyn Thompson, a junior cornerback, who were named co-MVPs. Thompson had two interceptions in the game and one for a touchdown.

Congratulations to quarterback Kellen Moore, a sophomore, who broke the Boise State single-season touchdown pass record with 39 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Moore was also named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Six Broncos were named to the all-conference first team, which included Moore, junior wide receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young, sophomore offensive lineman Nate Potter, junior defensive end Ryan Winterswyk, senior defensive back Kyle Wilson. Young was honored on the first team for his special teams performance as well.

The extraordinary accomplishments by the Boise State Broncos are no doubt because of their tireless determination and outstanding work ethic. They have consistently been a formidable team over the last 4 years and have brought national acclaim and great pride to the school. The fans of the University will certainly look forward to another successful 2010 season as the Broncos continue to fight for a spot in the National Championship game.

Once again, I congratulate the Boise State football team for their success.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Minnick).

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of House Resolution 1042, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that, I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1198) congratulating Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania for 140 years of excellence in higher education, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1198 into the Record.

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1198, which celebrates Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania for 140 years of service and leadership.

Located along the Susquehanna River, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1870 as the Central State Normal School. By 1983, the school joined the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and was renamed Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.

The University features a gorgeous 200-acre main campus in central Pennsylvania and an additional 13-acre

branch campus in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, which was established in 1989. Lock Haven offers a small college lifestyle to over 5,100 undergraduates, along with more than 60 undergraduate programs and three graduate programs.

The school has an outstanding athletic program, which offers 10 women's and eight men's NCAA teams, boasts 13 Division II championships, and has many active club sports teams. Students also have the opportunity to participate in over 120 clubs, activities, and organizations on and off campus.

Lock Haven demonstrates leadership in serving the community and was named to the Presidential Honor Roll for Community Service in 2009. Every year its students perform over 40,000 hours of community service through the Mountain Serve Center, focusing on programs for disadvantaged youth.

This year, Lock Haven will celebrate 140 years of broadening the minds and horizons of its students, and it will mark a significant milestone in the University's history.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and thank Representative Thompson for bringing this bill forward. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.

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

I urge passage of House Resolution 1198, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Health care reform will make life better for your son, your daughter, your mother, your father and the people you see every day. It certainly would have made life better for Eric, a young man on my staff.

Eric was only 22 years old when he was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph node. He went through 2 years of chemotherapy on his father's health insurance. They paid thousands of dollars in copays and traveled hundreds of miles to find lower cost care, but at least they had insurance.

The crisis came when he reached the age of 24 and was going to be kicked off his parents' insurance. He tried to buy insurance but was denied because of a preexisting condition.

Thank goodness he got a job with us. But with health care reform he wouldn't have had to fear for his young life, because children will be covered up until their 27th birthday.

With health care reform, we have a chance to save lives. For the sake of young people like Eric, we must pass health care reform.

Mr. Speaker, women of America, Republicans want you to believe that our health care reform bill is poison, that doing nothing is better for the Nation. But the truth is doing nothing is poison for the women of America. Insurance companies are cheating women from getting the health care they need. It is women that need health care reform the most.

Women have a harder time getting the care they need, women like Holly from Georgia. Holly is 3 months into her chemotherapy treatment for cervical cancer. She works at a small business that does not offer insurance to its employees, and she makes too much to qualify for Medicaid. But she thought she would be okay because of her husband's insurance. Then the devastating news came: her husband lost

his job. They shopped around for private insurance but were turned away by the best plans because of her cancer. They are now stuck paying $850 a month to a private insurance company to cover their family of four, almost the same amount as her mortgage. It is just not fair.

It is so clear that women need health care reform. Did you know that women pay more for health care? Today they are forced to settle for less health care at a higher price. Insurance companies charge as much as 50 percent more to women over men for the exact same coverage. What is worse is that this blatant gender inequality is legal in 38 States. But health care reform will make this type of gender discrimination illegal. Insurance companies will be forced to do what is right: charge everyone the same rate for the same care.

Did you know that insurance companies make it hard for women to get preventive services even when it would save the insurance companies money? Today millions of women have trouble getting these kinds of services. They forgo important tests and screenings because they simply can't afford the copays. One-third of uninsured women go without preventive care for mammograms and pap smears, tests that could save lives if done today. But health care reform will require insurance companies to offer basic preventive services, reproductive health, and maternity care, and make these preventive tests free with insurance.

Did you know that women have less access to insurance? Today fewer American women have access to their own health insurance compared to American men. Without a spouse, women are twice as likely to be uninsured than men. And when women are denied adequate coverage or lose their jobs, their families are hurt, too. For single mothers, unemployment left this group skyrocketing with troubles, leaving almost one-quarter of all single mothers without insurance to cover their families, leaving 275,000 children without regular access to doctors' visits or medication. But health care reform will make insurance affordable for all women.

Did you know that insurance companies deny women health services? Today women are turned away by insurance companies because of supposed preexisting conditions. And what are those preexisting conditions? Believe it or not, they are domestic violence, pregnancy, and Cesarean sections. But health care reform will make it illegal to deny coverage due to any preexisting condition. Women will no longer be denied coverage for being mothers or finding a lump in their breast.

Insurance companies are cheating women every day, and women are suffering because of it. Health care reform will make sure that your mother, your sister, and your daughter will be able to afford the treatment that they need, the best insurance they can afford, one that won't turn them away. That is why I strongly support this legislation. The women of America need health care reform.

Mr. Speaker, last weekend a tragedy sent shock waves through the U.S. and Mexico when three U.S. consulate employees and their family were brutally murdered in Mexico by the drug cartels. They were all headed home from a birthday party when gunmen opened fire on the car of Lesley Enriquez, an employee of the U.S. consulate and her husband. Their 7-month-old infant, crying in the back seat, was miraculously unharmed. Minutes later, Jorge Salcido, husband of a consulate employee, was shot to death. His two young children suffered serious injuries in the back seat of the car.

This is the latest in the string of attacks on innocent American and Mexican citizens, including Bobby Salcedo, an elected official and rising star from my district in El Monte, California, who was recently murdered in a shocking execution in Durango, Mexico.

The murderers of these employees and of Bobby Salcedo must be brought to justice and the U.S. must renew and increase efforts to help Mexico bring an end to the terror of the drug cartels. This violence must be stopped.

Thank you, Congressman Garamendi, for bringing this special order together.

I wanted to say a few words as to why I think women in particular need health care reform. Republicans want you to believe that our health care reform bill is poison and that doing nothing is better. But the truth is doing nothing is poison. Insurance companies will in fact continue to cheat women on their health care. And it is women of America that truly do need health care reform.

Women have a harder time getting the care they need, women like Holly from Georgia. Holly is 3 months into her chemotherapy treatment for cervical cancer. She works at a small business that does not offer insurance to its employees, and she makes too much to qualify for Medicaid. She thought still she would do okay on her husband's plan, but then disaster happened. They got the devastating news that her husband lost his job. They shopped around for private insurance, but were turned away by the best plans because of her cancer. Now they are stuck paying $850 a month to a private insurance company to cover their family of four, almost the same as her mortgage. It isn't fair. Insurance companies are cheating women.

Did you know that insurance companies make women pay more for health care? Today, women are forced to settle for less health care at a higher price. On average we pay as much as 50 percent more than men for the exact same coverage. But somehow the insurance companies justify price gouging young ladies even when they are at their healthiest.

Sarah, a 22-year-old woman in Chicago, pays one-and-a-half times the premium compared to her boyfriend for the same insurance. This type of gender discrimination, making women pay more for the same product just because of their sex, indicates how insurance companies are taking advantage of us. What's worse is that this blatant gender inequity is legal in 38 States.

Now, health care reform will make this type of gender discrimination illegal. Insurance companies will be forced to do what is right, and that is charge everyone the same rate for the same care.

Did you know that insurance companies don't invest in prevention even though that would save them money? Today, millions of women have trouble getting much-needed preventative medical services. Now we all know the importance of prevention. It has long-term health benefits and helps contain medical costs for patients and society. Yet women forgo important tests and screenings simply because they can't afford the copays.

One-third of uninsured women go without preventative care, from mammograms and pap smears, tests that can save lives if done today. Because of poor access to reproductive care, more women suffer from serious STDs like gonorrhea and genital herpes than men. But early preventive reproductive care will catch diseases that are less likely to prove fatal with early treatment.

Now health care reform will make sure that every woman has access and can afford the crucial preventive care that can save her life. It will require insurance companies to offer basic prevention services, reproductive health and maternity care, and make the preventive tests free with insurance. That's no copays, no deductibles under health care insurance, our plan.

Did you know that women have less access to insurance? Today, fewer American women have access to their own health insurance compared to American men. Many of America's women don't get health insurance through work because they work for small businesses that can't afford to offer their employees insurance. These small businesses can't afford it. Or else women work part-time or stay at home to care for their families. Making matters worse, the effect of the economic downturn that is being felt across the Nation left women and their families even more vulnerable. Women and their families have lost access to insurance and a way to pay for it.

Since the recession began, over 1 million women have lost their health insurance because their spouse was laid off. And what about single women? Without a spouse, women are twice as likely to be uninsured than men. And it is not just women who are hurt by a lack of insurance. When women are denied adequate coverage or lose their job, their families are hurt, too.

The weak job market is tough for single mothers. Unemployment for this group has skyrocketed, leaving almost one-quarter of all single mothers without health insurance to cover their families. That has left 275,000 children without regular access to doctors' visits or medication. But health care reform will help every woman--single, married, unemployed, or working part-time--to buy affordable coverage through the insurance exchange.

And did you know that women are denied health services? Today, women are turned away by insurance companies because of supposed preexisting conditions. And what are those preexisting conditions? Believe it or not, domestic violence, pregnancy, and Cesarean sections. So rather than doing what is best for the patient or for society, the insurance company is just looking for a way to save a dollar.

One advocate for the insurance industry argued that covering a victim of domestic violence was like insuring a smoker who doesn't stop smoking. A woman from Atlanta was proud to become pregnant shortly after she began working at a small downtown law firm, but her firm's insurance declared her pregnancy to be a preexisting condition and refused to cover her prenatal care of the delivery, despite the fact that the plan covered those services.

But health care reform will make it illegal to deny coverage due to any preexisting condition. And women will no longer be denied coverage for being mothers or finding a lump in their breasts. Basic women's health will be covered.

So I stand here today because women must understand how little the insurance companies look after our interests and how little the current system promotes our health needs. Health care reform will make sure women like Holly, Sarah, single women and moms can afford the treatment they need from the best insurance that they can afford and that they won't be turned away. That is why I so strongly support this legislation. The women of America truly need health care reform.

It's as simple as this: Are you for what the insurance companies are doing, or are you against it? Do you think it's right to cut your mother off her insurance because she's had a catastrophic cancer? I don't. Do you think it's right to deny your sister insurance because she had a cesarean section? Do you think it's right for insurance companies to raise rates 39 percent all at one time, forcing businesses to choose between health care or firing people? I don't.

If you think it's right for the insurance companies to do this to your son, daughter, or mother, join the Republicans in opposing health care reform. I don't think it's right. In fact, I think it's an outrage. That is why I know we must pass health care reform now.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a member of the Democratic Congressional Jobs Working Group. Together, we are proposing solutions to our job crisis. In fact, one of those proposals is H.R. 4564, the Emergency Jobs Program and Assistance for Families Act. This bill extends an extremely successful employment program that we call Jobs NOW. It has created over 156,000 jobs over 29 States and is still developing more.

In Palmdale, California, Jobs NOW helped Jody, a single mother of two, find a job at a local coffeehouse working as a barista. The regular paycheck puts food on the table and is helping her get through a rough patch. Her boss is impressed with her work and plans to permanently hire her and the other three subsidized employees they brought in. It is this kind of success story that makes Jobs NOW such a model for job creation. Without it, the coffeehouse would not have been able to grow its business or take on new employees. Jody would not have had a chance to learn new skills and support her family.

I first learned of this innovative program in Los Angeles County. One of the supervisors, Don Knabe, created 11,000 jobs over the last year, using stimulus funds to create subsidized jobs.

How does it work? Eligible participants are placed into subsidized jobs in all sectors of the economy, from nonprofits to government agencies to private businesses, and are matched with jobs that complement their employment goals. The employer must provide supervision equal to 20 percent of the wage cost and ensure that the job does not displace an existing employee or replace someone who was to be promoted. This means the county is paying for 80 percent or more of payroll costs in Recovery Act funds.

Some examples of these jobs include park rangers, receptionists, teacher assistants, dental assistant trainees, customer service clerks, and child care workers. Workers get paid $10 per hour for up to 40 hours per week. Jobs NOW allows businesses to succeed and the employee to succeed.

I have spoken to countless people in my district about this program, and I keep hearing about how this program is a win/win. It works for both workers and businesses. Workers benefit beyond the paycheck by getting hands-on experience in a setting where they earn wages, develop new skills, and enhance existing skills. Businesses benefit by getting the help they need to grow or expand while temporarily reducing payroll costs. Companies may ultimately decide to hire these subsidized workers permanently as the economy improves. The jobs generated by this program can help businesses expand in these difficult times by reducing their economic risk and need for expensive loans.

California is leading the Nation in creating these subsidized jobs. For instance, V-Cube, a high-tech firm in Torrance, California, hired two subsidized employees with very little experience. Very quickly, these two employees showed they were motivated and quick to learn. Now one of the employees runs Web seminars and the other is a project coordinator. It is only through Jobs NOW that V-Cube and other businesses feel secure in taking on new workers in this economic environment.

You can see that across California, in this map here, many, many jobs were created. In Fresno, 1,000 jobs were created. In San Francisco, over 1,500 jobs were created. In Los Angeles, an astonishing 11,000 jobs were created by the country's Jobs NOW program in less than a year. The State predicts that 25,000 jobs will be created through the Jobs NOW program by the end of present funding.

However, we must act quickly or the job placements will stop when the program expires on September 30. Because subsidized employment programs often run for at least 6 months, many localities are planning to discontinue their jobs program between March and June of this year in anticipation of the emergency funds expiration date. Almost 60,000 jobs will disappear if the fund expires.

In California, L.A. County will stop placing participants in new jobs in June. San Bernardino County has to stop creating new jobs in April. Sacramento County will stop putting people in 6-month-long jobs in March. It will pay people for shorter periods until June 2010, and then stop the program altogether.

But the full amount of funding has yet to be claimed by the States. The Recovery Act authorized $5 billion for Jobs NOW employment subsidization programs, but actually less than $1.5 billion has been accessed by the States. And the program is still in the process of expanding. That's why I am proposing, along with the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott), a bill that will allow more States to help residents get back on their feet and into a job.

In fact, all across the country there have been programs such as this. We can see that all across the country in the dark green spots there have been successful programs.

In Tennessee, the State focused on rural Perry County, which was hard hit by a plant closure. The unemployment rate had risen to 27 percent. Tennessee brought local workforce development and human service agencies and the business community together and developed a subsidized employment program for over 500 individuals.

In Mississippi, the State has developed the Steps Program, which uses Jobs NOW money to create private sector jobs that transition into permanent employment. The State begins by funding all of the wages of a new employee and steadily reduces its commitment until the business can support the employee on its own.

As you can see, 29 States across the country have implemented programs that created subsidized jobs, and even more want to jump on the bandwagon. That's why people on each side of the aisle are in strong support of this proposal. President Obama is a strong supporter. Besides its funding in the Recovery Act, he has proposed a $2.5 billion increase and a year-long extension for this upcoming year's budget.

But it is not just the President who thinks this is a good idea; there is deep bipartisan support. The American Enterprise Institute's Kevin Hassett recently wrote in Business Week that this program should be renewed and said, ``Given the state of the labor market, it is hard to imagine how any sensible person could oppose such a move.''

Jobs NOW allows States to be in the driver's seat for this program, and that is why the National Governors Association also supports this, urging Congress to pass an extension because of the outsized benefits to the States.

The human cost of the recession has been high. It is easy to think of unemployment in terms of numbers and statistics, but numbers cannot describe the anxiety and fear a person feels when they are unemployed. Numbers can't show the hope and pride a person feels when they find a job.

I was moved by the words of Ms. Taylor in Los Angeles about the Jobs NOW program and its effect on her life. Ms. Taylor is a mother of two children, one with autism. She has been living on her aunt's couch because she couldn't find work. Because of a job through Jobs NOW, she was able to get back on her feet and into her own apartment. She told California Social Services, ``You guys gave me a chance when the whole world seemed like they were saying `No, not this time.' Without this program, I could not have paid my rent, and my babies and I would be on the streets.''

She is not the only one. There are millions of economically disadvantaged people on the front lines of this economy. They are struggling every day. The Jobs NOW emergency fund gives them a chance to find work and start moving towards a future. It helps businesses expand in these tough times.

I strongly urge the House leadership and my colleagues not to forget the thousands of people who need this help. We must pass H.R. 4564 for Jobs NOW.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1032, a resolution to honor Agustin ``Bobby'' Salcedo, an exemplary American citizen who was the victim of a shocking murder in Mexico, and to urge the United States to be resolute in its efforts to help Mexico fight the drug cartels.

This past December, Bobby traveled to Gomez Palacio in the Mexican state of Durango to visit his wife's family for the holidays. On New Year's Eve, he was out with family and friends at a local restaurant when gunmen burst in and dragged Bobby, along with five other men, out of the restaurant at gunpoint. They were then each shot to death execution-style. The next day, all six bodies were found dumped in a ditch. Bobby was only 33 years old.

I met Bobby early in his career. Having grown up in my district, in El Monte, California, he was dedicated to improving the lives of children in his community. He was an elected school board member in the El Monte School District. He returned to his alma mater to become its assistant principal and was studying for his doctorate in education at UCLA. It was clear to everyone who knew him that he was going somewhere. He was a rising star.

After the investigation began, it was confirmed that none of the six murder victims were connected to the drug trade in any way. Bobby and the others were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their deaths exemplify the growing number of innocent bystanders who are becoming victimized by cartel violence in Mexico. It had seemed as though the situation could not get worse. However, only weeks after Bobby was murdered, the lead state investigator in his case was also shot dead by the drug cartels.

Bobby's murder brings to the forefront two critical issues: the urgency in finding the killers of Bobby Salcedo, and the importance of reducing the violence of the drug cartels in Mexico. There must be justice in the murder of Bobby Salcedo, but the challenges are great. The state of Durango is one of the most violent in Mexico. In 2009, there were 637 cartel-style murders in Durango, and not one of the cases has been solved by the police. State authorities are limited in their resources, and the cartels have successfully corrupted or scared away many officials from interfering in their business.

That is why I have asked the Mexican Government to make every effort to bring the full force of the federal government on the Salcedo murder. The federal government's strong stance against organized crime offers hope in this case. The federal government has greater resources at their disposal, such as forensic equipment, manpower, and training. Although the federal government has yet to federalize Bobby's case, I am hopeful they will realize this case is a symbol for both of our countries and can demonstrate to all parties that progress can be made.

We cannot allow the death of innocent bystanders, of American citizens, to pass without consequence. Until there is true accountability for the violence, there is little incentive for the drug lords to keep peace. But the overall solution is not stopping the violence of the drug cartels. The U.S. must be resolute in supporting Mexico's efforts to combat the drug trade and its violent consequences. There has been progress. President Felipe

Calderon made the combating of drug violence his focal point. He greatly increased efforts on the Federal level to track down the drug kingpins and reduce their supply lines.

In 2007 the United States and Mexico worked together to pass the Merida Initiative. This agreement took Mexican and American cooperation to a whole new level, providing over $1.3 billion to support the Mexican Government in its fight. The funds went to helicopters, surveillance aircraft, interdiction equipment, nonintrusive inspection equipment and improved data collection capabilities, as well as provided for training programs and institution building in Mexico.

But now we are at a critical point. The Merida Initiative will expire at the end of this year, the war has not been won, and the violence grows more disturbing each day. That is why Congress and the administration must decide now how to implement the next phase of this partnership.

In my conversations with law enforcement and state departments, three elements are critical in a new initiative: fighting the massive money laundering of funds out of the U.S., improving the forensic technology available to Mexican law enforcement entities, and helping Mexico rebuild its judicial institutions.

On money laundering: Every year between $8 billion to $10 billion is smuggled out of the U.S. by the drug cartels. Even as our law enforcement agencies are improving their ability to stop these funds from leaving the country, the cartels are finding novel ways to launder money. They are using money service businesses, online services, and even legitimate retail businesses as fronts for their illegal transactions, and they are also using massive bulk cash transfers. Stopping the money laundering gets at the heart of the drug cartel operation.

On technology: Mexican state and local law enforcement agencies are sorely lacking in the appropriate technology to combat these well-armed cartels. We must focus more of our efforts on the local institutions to provide them with 21st-century law enforcement technology.

And on the judiciary: until we have a partner with a strong judiciary and objective law enforcement, the cartels will continue to run free. By providing resources to train law enforcement and rooting out corruption amongst them, drug kingpins will be forced to face the consequences of their actions.

Now is the time to pass this resolution. Bobby Salcedo's death is a brutal reminder that this violence is a growing threat not just to Mexicans, but also to Americans. Bringing his killers to justice will vindicate his death, and ending the violence in Mexico will save the lives of thousands of innocent victims in this gruesome war. For these reasons, I urge you to vote in favor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor California State University on its 50th anniversary. The CSU system is a model for States across the country. With 23 campuses, 430,000 students, and 44,000 faculty and staff, it is the largest and most diverse university system in the Nation.

In fact, California State University Los Angeles is located right in my district and has been educating students for over 50 years. I once taught there, and I know firsthand that this is one of the most affordable and diverse Cal State universities in the state, if not the Nation.

Since most Cal State LA students come from families with incomes under $50,000, this university plays a critical role in making it possible for every student to attain their dream of a college education. Many of these students go on to successful careers in high demand fields such as nursing, IT, and the life sciences, and help make up the backbone of the workforce in Los Angeles County.

I commend California State University Los Angeles and the entire CSU system for serving California so well for over half a century.