Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 3472, the Uninterrupted Scholars Act, a bill that will help foster children achieve educational success.

First, I want to thank Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Miller for their support of this bill and their ongoing dedication to improving outcomes for foster youth throughout the Nation. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation and respect to Senator Landrieu. I am proud to work alongside the Senator, who is a tireless advocate for foster youth and families both domestic and worldwide.

Throughout 2012, the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth has traveled the country and visited five States on a nationwide listening tour. We heard from youth, families, and community leaders about the best practices and challenges facing the child welfare system.

In Miami, Florida, at the invitation of Congress Members Alcee Hastings and Frederica Wilson, we learned about a commonsense, no-cost legislative fix that would have a significant and positive impact on hundreds of thousands of foster children across the country.

After we returned to Washington, I joined my fellow cochairs of the congressional caucus--Representatives Marino, McDermott, Bachmann, and a number of other members of the caucus--to introduce the bipartisan Uninterrupted Scholars Act. This bill will address the concerns raised in Florida by providing youth with the support they need to avoid problems like inappropriate course placement and lost credits upon changing schools. Specifically, it will simply allow caseworkers to access transcripts for foster youth while maintaining important privacy protections.

Children in foster care are among the most educationally at-risk of all student populations. Because of the abuse and neglect foster youth have experienced in their young lives, they often face physical and emotional challenges that interfere with their learning and negatively impact their educational outcomes. For example, the average child in foster care goes to three to five high schools.

Existing Federal law requires that child welfare agencies include educational records in their case plan and work with school districts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes for children in foster care. However, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, unintentionally creates a harmful barrier that prevents child welfare caseworkers from being able to quickly access school records necessary to help meet the educational needs of students in foster care. This can lead to significant delays that contribute to inappropriate class placements, enrollment delays, repeated classes, delayed graduation, and even dropouts.

The story of young Jasmine is an example of stories we heard during the listening tour. When Jasmine was placed in foster care on an emergency basis, her mother's whereabouts were unknown and the child welfare agency caseworker was unable to obtain consent from any parent. Without timely access to the child's education records, the caseworker could not evaluate whether it would be in Jasmine's best interest to remain in the same school. Jasmine moved to a new school, which had different graduation requirements. She received no credits for her coursework from the prior school and had to repeat some of the same classes.

She fell a full year behind and eventually dropped out of the school.

In my district, the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services is currently responsible for the placement and care of over 15,000 foster youth. The sheer size of this youth population--larger than most States--as well as the 82 different school districts within L.A. County, make it particularly challenging to proactively address student needs without direct access to educational records.

Another example from the listening tour when we were in L.A. is Vanessa, a fifth grader who has a similar story. She was transferred from L.A. Unified to another school district over 50 miles away while relocating to a new foster home. Her records did not follow. Therefore, she was placed in a fourth grade classroom, a full grade level below her actual skill level and age. She consistently cried at meetings with teachers. She eventually advocated for herself and her classes were transferred, but in the meantime she missed 2 months of fifth grade. The Uninterrupted Scholars Act would help avoid situations faced by young Jasmine and Vanessa by allowing child welfare caseworkers, who have the legal responsibility for a foster child's care and welfare, timely access to their educational records.

At the same time, this bill protects and preserves the educational privacy rights of students and parents that we all want to safeguard. In the words of Mary Cagle, the director of Legal Services at the Florida Department of Children and Families, this bill ``fixes an existing conflict in Federal law. It's so simple, so easy, so clear.''

The Uninterrupted Scholars Act is endorsed by dozens of nationwide organizations, including the National Foster Parent Association, the National School Boards Association, the Child Welfare League of America, and many others. Today I stand with my bipartisan, bicameral colleagues in the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth to ask for your support, as well.

We have a responsibility to foster youth, children whom we have removed from their parents' care, youth whom we promised to keep safe and help to succeed. The Uninterrupted Scholars Act will help us keep this promise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the extraordinary leadership of my colleague, Mr. Emanuel Cleaver, who represents with distinction Missouri's Fifth District. I want to offer a special word of appreciation for his many years of service, not merely for his constituents, but for his steady commitment to employ the power of his office to ensure our Nation is set on a course where we all succeed.

As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Mr. Cleaver used this position of leadership to help elevate and embolden us to address some of the great social and economic challenges of our day, not just for African Americans, but for all Americans.

I am reminded of the evening in North Carolina at the Democratic Convention when he gave that impassioned and fiery speech that brought everyone to our feet. He reminded us that in America our strength is rooted in our Nation's most profound gift--its diversity. He reminded us that no matter how difficult times may get or may be that we must ``hope on,'' and that it is the power of our hope that drives us to not give up when we have failed, but to try again until we get it right.

As I complete my first term in Congress, let me thank the chairman for his counsel, his guidance, and his friendship. He's provided advice and wisdom that as a newcomer to Washington has been invaluable. He's stepping down as the head of the Congressional Black Caucus, but we will all continue to enjoy hearing his reflections at caucus meetings and getting the notes on promoting civility. It's my personal hope that one day he will collect all of these notes and reflections and publish them.

But I did think that I would end with words from that famous North Carolina speech:

Hope inspires me to believe that any day now, we will catch

up to the ideals put forth by our Nation's Founding Fathers.

It is our hope and faith that moves us. It is our hope that

tells us our latter days will be better than our former. It

is our hope that instructs us to march on.

I look forward to working with you in the years through the struggles and successes that are in front of us. Thank

you, Mr. Cleaver, for your service, your friendship and for your leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Protect Our Kids Act. First of all, I want to thank Ranking Member Doggett, Chairman Camp, and Chairman Paulsen for their leadership and commitment to eliminating child fatalities.

Unfortunately, Federal Government statistics estimate that every day in America approximately 2,000 children are confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect, nearly 700 children are removed from their families and placed in foster care due to child abuse and neglect, and about four children die as a result.

Additionally, in fiscal year 2010 alone, more than 1,500 children in the U.S. died due to maltreatment. Of these, more than 40 percent were under the age of 1 year old, and more than 80 percent were under the age of 4.

These statistics are absolutely unacceptable; and to make matters worse, research has shown that these reports substantially underestimate the number of children who die due to maltreatment.

As a Nation, we have a responsibility to develop effective strategies and solutions to proactively stop this abuse and neglect. When children are removed from their home, they really become our children, and it is our responsibility.

While Congress has enacted a variety of laws regarding child welfare and protection, there is no unified, comprehensive Federal strategy for reducing instances of child abuse and neglect. This bill will ensure that the highest levels of government work together to develop a national strategy to eliminate child abuse and neglect fatalities. By bringing together experts on child development, trauma and crisis intervention, pediatrics, social work, law enforcement, criminal law, and substance abuse treatment, the commission will truly protect our kids.

As the cochair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to help prevent child abuse, neglect and fatalities. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6655.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of a distinguished public servant from Los Angeles, Mr. Mark Ridley- Thomas. In 2008, Mr. Ridley-Thomas was overwhelmingly elected as the first African American man to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. This past November, Mr. Ridley-Thomas' leadership was further acknowledged and he was unanimously approved by the Board to become the first African American man to chair the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

First elected to public office over twenty years ago, Mr. Ridley- Thomas served with distinction on the Los Angeles City Council for nearly a dozen years. He later served two terms in the California State Assembly, where he chaired the Assembly Democratic Caucus. Thereafter, he served as a California State Senator where he chaired the Legislative Black Caucus and initiated unprecedented levels of cooperation and collaboration between the Black, Latino, and Asian- Pacific Islander Legislative Caucuses.

Mr. Ridley-Thomas is widely regarded for uniting civic engagement and government decision-making. In an effort to encourage neighborhood- based advocacy and citizen leadership, Mr. Ridley-Thomas established the Empowerment Congress which served as a model and predecessor for the citywide Neighborhood Councils. Through education, engagement, and empowerment, Mr. Ridley-Thomas equipped and inspired his constituents to confront prevailing racial and economic disparities and improve community and public policy outcomes.

Throughout his life, Mr. Ridley-Thomas has shown a dedication and passion for improving the health and wellness of communities by inspiring participatory engagement to provoke change. After earning a baccalaureate degree in Social Relations and a master's degree in Religious Studies, he further went on to receive his Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the University of Southern California focusing on Social Criticism and Social Change. He has devoted his life to the betterment of the people of Los Angeles County and has used his leadership to bring about effective change in Los Angeles County.

In addition to this exemplary public service, Supervisor Ridley- Thomas is deeply committed to his roles as father and husband. His wife Avis and twin sons, Sebastian and Sinclair, are shining examples of love and inspiration that Mr. Ridley-Thomas derives from his family and graciously shares with the community.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have called Mr. Mark Ridley-Thomas a friend and partner in the fight for social and economic justice. He has left an indelible mark on Los Angeles, and continues to inspire my work in Congress and people of Los Angeles. It is a great honor to recognize his work here on the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, today I'm honored to stand and recognize the extraordinary life of my dear friend Mr. Mervyn Dymally for his decades of public service to the great people of California. Mr. Dymally's life is a testament to the belief within our great country that no matter who you are or where you come from, America with its boundless opportunities remains a place where we can all thrive together.

Mr. Dymally immigrated to the United States from his native Trinidad at the age of 19 years old. Through hard work he went on to graduate from California State University before later earning master's and doctoral degrees. He dedicated his life to public service early-- working as a special education teacher in Los Angeles and organizing the most marginalized citizens of our state so that they could use their voices to build a politics that best reflected their values and aspirations.

Mr. Dymally became California's first foreign-born black state assemblyman when he was elected in 1962, its first black state senator four years later and, in 1974, its first black lieutenant governor. In 1980 he became one of the first foreign-born blacks elected to the House of Representatives, where he served six terms and led the Congressional Black Caucus for a time.

Throughout his decades long career, Mr. Dymally made standing up for human rights and the working poor the hallmarks of his service to California and the nation. He worked to improve health care for the poor and sponsored legislation to expand civil rights protections for women. As lieutenant governor he joined Cesar Chavez in trying to protect jobs for farm workers.

Mr. Dymally was a mentor to several African American leaders who followed him into public service, so much so that he was dubbed the ``Godfather of African-American politics.'' He broke down barriers and through it all remained humble and dedicated to the causes that brought him into public service in the first place.

Mr. Dymally's life is an inspiration to us all who serve in this House and today we honor his service.

I want to thank the gentleman from Washington State (Mr. McDermott) for his leadership, and I also want to acknowledge Congressman Rangel for his historic commitment to AGOA.

But, in addition, I want to thank, as I stand here next to two men who I consider giants in the House of Representatives, I want to thank them for their patience and their guidance with me as a new Member here. It's been pretty amazing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle--Mr. Royce, Mr. Camp, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Rangel--as they all worked with me to make sure that we were able to be here this moment and pass AGOA.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of African growth and opportunity legislation, H.R. 5986. Passage of today's legislation comes as a result of strong and widespread bipartisan and bicameral support. It's been a pleasure to work alongside Mr. Royce in this bipartisan effort, and I also want to thank my friend from the Senate, Senator Coons, who has been a stalwart advocate.

I want to acknowledge the African Diplomatic Corps. Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of African jobs will be saved as a result of your efforts.

Mr. Speaker, Africa is on the rise. Today, six of the world's fastest growing economies are in Africa. Opportunities abound, and we see increased political stability.

Today's House vote on the extension of AGOA's fabric provision is, by all measures, a success for the U.S. and Africa alike. But we must not stop here. Let us take a moment to acknowledge this accomplishment, but also prepare ourselves for AGOA's reauthorization in 2015.

Africa, a continent of opportunity, for too long has been overshadowed and ignored. While humanitarian, governance, and health challenges remain, we are the observers of remarkable growth and stability across the continent that exemplify positive strides that Africans themselves have made.

Africa, and its many nations, stand on the critical precipice of extraordinary change. Increasingly, Africa's resource mineral wealth attracts investments by countries like China, Brazil, and India. We must, in the United States, increase our investment. We cannot allow our Nation to be left behind.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a friend and a remarkable individual from Los Angeles, Willis Edwards.

For the past 40 years, Mr. Edwards tirelessly advocated for civil and political rights and worked to ensure that positive images of African Americans were seen by the American public.

Throughout his life, Willis Edwards was known for his strength of conviction and passion for the promotion of the African American community. After working for the Robert Kennedy Presidential campaign in college and earning a Bronze Star in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war, Edwards helped to elect the first African American mayor of Los Angeles, Tom Bradley, and served as the youngest-ever city commissioner on his Social Services Commission.

Mr. Edwards continued his career of service as the director of black student services at the University of Southern California, where he helped future generations of students discover their passion.

In 1982, Mr. Edwards was elected president of the Beverly Hills- Hollywood branch of the NAACP. Under his leadership, the branch fought to improve the image and gain more jobs for African Americans in front of and behind the scenes in Hollywood. As president in 1986, he helped to nationally televise the NAACP Image Awards, which continues today as a highly regarded entertainment event.

Mr. Edwards never shied away from controversial subjects or issues. After his diagnosis with AIDS, he used his position on the national board of the NAACP to publicly discuss the impact of HIV/AIDS in the African American community, and he organized the NAACP's participation in World AIDS Day. Despite his health challenges, Mr. Edwards continued to support his friends and communities.

Until Rosa Parks's death in 2002, Mr. Edwards was a friend and confidant of the civil rights legend. He helped to promote her legacy by escorting her to the 1998 Oscar ceremony and worked alongside former Congresswoman Julia Carson for Parks to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Upon her death, Edwards arranged for her to lie in state here in the Capitol rotunda.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have called Willis Edwards a friend and a mentor. He has left an indelible mark on Los Angeles, and his dedication to California and national politics will never be forgotten. It is a great honor to recognize his life here on the floor today. His spirit and vision will truly be missed.

Mr. Speaker, today I honor a remarkable individual of California's 33rd Congressional District--Judge Michael Nash on occasion of his installation as President of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, NCJFCJ, as well as his service and dedication to strengthening the court system, helping American families and children, and bringing attention to critical issues facing these children and families. An accomplished leader, Judge Nash is characterized by his profound compassion for children and families in California.

Judge Nash has continuously demonstrated his strong commitment to Los Angeles and the nation, having served in many outstanding positions directed toward the betterment of his community. He has served as a Judge in the Los Angeles Juvenile Court for over two decades and has been the Presiding Judge for 15 years. Judge Nash also was a co-chair of the California Judicial Council's Family & Juvenile Advisory Committee, and Chair of the Juvenile Court Judges of California. He has also left a legacy in his community by organizing the ``Adoption Saturdays'' Program in 1998, which has extended across the nation and has helped see the adoption of over 10,000 children in the foster care system. Judge Nash supervised the establishment of Los Angeles' first mental health and drug court for juveniles, dedicating himself to the development and progression of youth in his community.

Judge Nash will bring years of experience, deep insight, and strong determination to the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges as its President. He is an extraordinarily innovative leader who will continue to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children and their families throughout the nation.

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to have such a pioneering and inspiring community leader in my home district. I take great pleasure in recognizing Judge Michael Nash as he assumes the Presidency of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize an exceptional foundation in California's 33rd District--Millennium Momentum Foundation, Inc. (MMF). This Los Angeles based organization was formed on July 12, 2002 as a 501(c)(3) with the critical mission to increase the number of students and young adults from various backgrounds in the public service system through higher education, scholarships, mentoring, and leadership development training.

MMF empowers and encourages students to further develop their passion for service, commitment to change, and to become leaders within their communities. The program rewards exceptional student leaders with scholarships that are matched by their own institutions, providing more financial resources for students to complete their college degrees. Students attend life changing leadership development workshops focusing on important issues such as personal finance, professional communication, dispute resolution, and resume and interview preparation. This foundation has an outstanding and effectual track record of equipping young people with the tools and skills they need to reach success in public service.

Millennium Momentum Foundation, Inc. has become one of the premier providers of leadership development training in the nation with a 96 percent college graduation rate and an 85 percent employment matriculation rate among program participants completing service delivery from 2004 to 2011. MMF's capacity to effectively reach, educate, train, and professionally develop young adults was so impressive, it was selected by the Obama administration in 2012 to serve as a national partner to help implement the White House Young America Series, a non-partisan educational conference initiative aiming to merge President Obama's vision with young America's needs in 17 cities around the nation.

Mr. Speaker, we are very proud to have such an outstanding organization as part of the Los Angeles Community and California's 33rd Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, today I honor an extraordinary individual from my home district--Marion Meredith Beal for his receipt of the Congressional Gold Medal for his dedication and contribution to the United States Marine Corps. A seasoned leader in his community, he serves as an outstanding example to the Los Angeles area and the nation, demonstrating profound service and devotion to the betterment of his family, his community members, and his country.

Mr. Beal was born in East Texas, moved to Los Angeles in the early 1950's, and acquired his bachelor's degree at Bishop College and Master's at Pepperdine University. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1945 being named ``Honor Man'' of his platoon, as he served as an original Montford Point Marine during World War II. He later established himself as Chief Clerk at the Montford Point Marine Corps headquarters serving as the only African American on his staff. Among many other notable achievements, he was also the first enlisted African American to perform duty in the U.S. Marine Corps headquarters in Washington D.C. Mr. Beal helped set the foundation for integration into the U.S.M.C. during a very crucial time for the U.S. Military.

After his service, Mr. Beal continued to demonstrate commitment to his community and country through his work with the Veteran's Administration Hospital in West Los Angeles, and his time with the Los Angeles Unified School District as Assistant Supervisor of Student Body Finance, among other positions. He also helped found the 78th Street Block Club, and the Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops in his neighborhood. Mr. Beal is devoutly dedicated to the Greater New Light Baptist Church and is passionately devoted to his family. He is a very powerful and influential role model with over 50 years of active involvement in his community and he continues to be a positive example with a caring and genuine character that has dedicated himself to the well-being and improvement of Los Angeles.

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to have such an inspirational community leader like Marion Meredith Beal as a part of California's 33rd Congressional District and I congratulate him on the receipt of this award.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I rise to commend Congresswoman Maxine Waters for offering her TIGER grant amendment. The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, grant program invests in innovative road, rail, transit, and port projects.

Projects funded through TIGER strengthen the economy, create jobs, reduce traffic, and provide safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable transportation choices. TIGER delivers projects faster and saves taxpayer dollars by reducing construction costs.

In my Los Angeles district, TIGER has provided significant opportunity. In fact, TIGER has provided resources for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor project, a light rail line that will connect key communities to the Los Angeles International Airport.

I look forward to continue working with my respected colleague, Maxine Waters, to advocate for a comprehensive and community-valued Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor project that will include a station at Vernon Avenue in the historic Leimert Park Village, a neighborhood which serves as the central arts and cultural hub of Los Angeles County's African American community.

The TIGER grant program is critical to the success of the Crenshaw/ LAX light rail line, as well as many projects like it throughout the country.

I am sorry that the amendment was ruled out of order. I think that that was a mistake on our part.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, my Los Angeles district is home to one of the largest urban oilfields in the United States, the Inglewood Oil Field. My constituents suffer from anxiety and stress because of the oil drilling. In 2006, drilling operations were ramped up, and the release of harmful fumes forced nearby residents to evacuate their homes.

In April 2012, the County of Los Angeles conducted a study in which over 70 percent of residents living near the oilfields expressed concerns about exposure to emissions from the oilfield. Meanwhile, my colleagues, unfortunately, on the other side of the aisle continue to push for more domestic drilling and relaxed regulations.

The bill before us today is based on two claims that appear to have become articles of faith. The claims are that

gas prices will fall if we weaken environmental protections and if we open more areas for drilling in the United States. The problem is that there is no empirical evidence supporting these claims. Oil prices are set on a world market, and no amount of domestic drilling in the United States will have a meaningful impact on that price. This isn't spin from some interest groups; this is the conclusion drawn by experts. It has been corroborated by the Associated Press and the Congressional Budget Office.

The AP conducted a thorough study of gasoline prices and U.S. oil production over the last 36 years and found zero correlation between the two. In other words, changes in U.S. oil production had absolutely no effect on gasoline prices, but that doesn't mean there's nothing we can do to help American families burdened by high fuel costs.

CBO recently released a study on energy security. They found that boosting U.S. oil production will not protect Americans from gasoline price spikes. Instead, CBO found that the only way to protect consumers from these spikes is to use less oil. The reason for this is simple: Gasoline prices are linked to the global oil market. That's why Japan, which imports all of its oil it uses, and Canada, which exports more than 75 percent of the oil it produces, experience the very same gasoline spikes we experience.

The best way to save money at the pump is to drive right past it. The Obama administration has been helping consumers do just that. We know that efficiency works to reduce cost. The Energy Information Administration has found that the cost per mile of driving has fallen by more than 25 percent since 1980 due to improvements in the efficiency of our vehicles.

President Obama has already taken action to reduce costs further. The new vehicle efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for model years 2012-2016 will save consumers, on average, over $3,000 over the life of a vehicle, which is hundreds of dollars per year. The millions of Americans that have bought model year 2012 cars are already enjoying savings at the pump. In fact, the new standards are currently saving consumers 14 cents per gallon.

Furthermore, the energy efficiency sector is a booming job-creating field. In my district, CODA Automotive, an electric car company, recently opened their new headquarters. In a few short months last year they created 300 new jobs, and hundreds more will be created in the coming years. This is the type of job creation and cost savings that we should be focused on.

My amendment simply improves the bill by adding a provision that actually has something to do with gasoline prices. This amendment would require the newly created Interagency Committee to analyze how to protect American consumers from gasoline price spikes by reducing America's dependence on oil.

I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing that efficiency works and must be part of the solution. If not, this legislation will continue to ignore the only approach identified by CBO as helpful in protecting consumers from supply disruption and price spikes.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

I do rise as the designee for the gentlewoman from Texas, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today as the designee to present Representative Sheila Jackson Lee's amendment No. 27 to H.R. 4480, which would establish an Office of Energy Employment and Training as well as an Office of Minority and Women Inclusion that would be responsible for all matters relating to diversity in management, employment, and business activity.

This amendment simply recognizes the importance of developing a diverse and highly skilled technical workforce within the Department of the Interior. The Department of the Interior reviews permits, examines lease sales, and ensures that each application meets the highest safety standards. We should be focused on providing the Department of the Interior with trained technical engineers and other such necessary personnel to review drilling permit applications both carefully and thoroughly. Given the aftermath of the BP oil spill, it is easy to understand the importance of addressing all safety concerns prior to the issuance of oil and gas lease sales.

Since the disaster, Federal safety regulations have been tightened, spill

containment response capability has been enhanced, and lessons have been learned. These lessons must be understood by everyone involved in reviewing and approving each and every application for permits and lease sales. Responsible onshore drilling includes having our best minds working to carefully and diligently review each application. This amendment is intended to include both women and minorities in the process.

This amendment is designed to ensure that DOI is able to recruit, retain, and train skilled professionals, many of whom require a science, technology, or math background. The DOI would be encouraged to reach out to high school students, college students, and professionals.

It establishes an Office of Energy Employment and Training, which will oversee the efforts of the Department of the Interior's energy planning, permitting, and regulatory activities related to this act. This office will be responsible for issuing quarterly reports to the Secretary, which will include the amount of jobs created by the DOI, as well as reporting the types of job training programs that have been implemented or proposed.

This amendment also addresses the need to encourage diversity within the DOI by creating the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion, which is specifically designed to encourage diversity by reaching out to both women and minorities. Specifically, the DOI would have a director appointed by the Secretary of the Interior who will develop clear standards for equal employment opportunities and will address the need for increased racial, ethnic, and gender diversity at both the junior and senior management levels of the Department.

This amendment would require the DOI to take affirmative steps to seek diversity in the workforce of the Department at all levels. The Department of the Interior would be required to sponsor job fairs in urban communities and partner with organizations that are focused on developing opportunities for both minorities and women in the energy industry.

Again, it is the job of the DOI to ensure that all lease sales meet the highest reasonable standards for safety. This amendment is meant to ensure that women and minorities have a fair opportunity to participate in making these types of decisions within the Interior Department.

I support my colleague Ms. Jackson Lee's amendment and urge my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman for his offer, but given that I am the designee for Representative Jackson Lee, I don't feel it is appropriate for me to withdraw the amendment.

I would simply close by saying that the purpose of the amendment is to recognize the importance of developing a diverse and highly skilled technical workforce within the DOI, and all studies have indicated that there is a serious lack of diversity.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I honor a remarkable constituent of California, Diane Nunn, for receiving the First Annual Mark Hardin Award for Child Welfare Legal Scholarship and Systems Change. Ms. Nunn is characterized by her leadership, humility, and her deep driving compassion for the lives of families and children in California.

Ms. Nunn was recognized for this award because of her lifetime commitment to improving the lives of families and children in California as a teacher and through her work at the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Ms. Nunn joined the Administrative Office of the Courts in 1986 as an attorney in private practice with an emphasis on family and criminal law, including domestic violence prevention and intervention. Since 2000, Ms. Nunn has been the Division Director of the Center for Families, Children & the Courts, and the Administrative Office of the Courts. During her time in this office, Ms. Nunn also served as a juvenile court referee for the Superior Court of Los Angeles and has published influential written material for her field.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have such a pioneering and inspirational community leader like Diane Nunn in my home state of California and I congratulate her on the receipt of this award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as National Foster Care Month. The goal of this month is to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of more than 400,000 youth in the foster care system.

Throughout the month, members of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth will share stories of foster youth in their districts. Today I would like to share a story from my constituent Kevin, a young man from Hollywood, California.

His story is unique, yet his resiliency is characteristic of hundreds of thousands of foster youth across our Nation.

Kevin was born into a family addicted to crack cocaine. He was removed from his parents at the age of 2, after a near-death drowning experience. After years in a group home, he was placed with a legal guardian. But this placement was difficult. Kevin was placed back with his biological mother, until she was incarcerated for the third time, leaving Kevin with no place to go.

In the face of all these challenges, Kevin has persevered. He recently transferred from community college with a full-ride scholarship and a 3.8 GPA. He plans to become a professor in the social sciences.

About his time in and out of foster care, Kevin says:

I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have had

because they allow me to identify and connect with a broad

range of people.

Today, in honor of Kevin's courage and tenacity, I join my fellow cochairs of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and with Representative Tom Marino, as well as over 90 of our colleagues in the House and the Senate, in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution in recognition of National Foster Care Month. I invite my colleagues to cosponsor the bipartisan resolution as well as join the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as National Foster Care Month. The goal of this special month is to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of more than 400,000 youth in the foster care system.

The Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth asked young people around the country to tell us their experiences via our Web site, Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth. Throughout the month,

you will hear both Democrats and Republicans sharing these stories.

For example, Renee, a young woman from Los Angeles, was in foster care for over 8 years. She was placed in six different homes until she aged out of the system in June 2008. She currently attends UCLA and hopes to pursue a career in social work or community health.

Renee says:

Being in foster care has played an integral role in shaping

and developing my character and the person I am today. My

experience with the foster care system has exposed me to

speaking up, communicating with adults, and being open with

my peers about my situation, not ashamed of who I am.

In honor of Renee's courage and tenacity, I invite my colleagues to join the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and cosponsor the bipartisan resolution in recognition of National Foster Care Month and to wear the blue ribbon.