Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to a pressing issue that plagues our Nation, the injustice that is experienced by African-Americans in our criminal justice system. On September 20, 2007, rallies were held across the Nation in honor of what we have come to know as the ``Jena 6.'' The Jena 6 is a group of young African-American men who were charged with attempted murder for a school yard fight with a Caucasian male in Jena, Louisiana.

Before the school yard fight that put the 6 African American students in jail, 3 Caucasian students hung nooses from a tree on in the school. These students were suspended from school but never were charged with any crime. Another Caucasian student involved in a different school yard fight was charged with battery and was placed on probation.

Yet, when the Jena 6 were involved in a fight injuring one of the Caucasian students, the 6 high school students were charged with attempted second-degree murder and other serious assault charges.

Prior to the incident, LaSalle Parish Attorney Reed Walter was quoted as telling students who protested the displays of nooses at their school that they should stop complaining about ``innocent pranks'' and that he could ``end their lives with the stroke of a pen.'' It appears he has attempted to do just this in the case of these 6 students.

The inflated charges against the Jena 6 could lead to years in prison and a lifetime of trying to rebuild their lives after they are finally released.

Let me be clear, I do not condone the actions of the Jena 6 in any way; I believe that they should be punished. However, the punishment should fit the actual crime. It is clear that these 6 students were treated differently from their Caucasian counterparts. I can only conclude that the harsher sentences for the Jena 6 appear to be based on the color of their skin and that is why they have become a symbol of the gross racial inequality that exists in our criminal justice system.

The Jena 6 have brought to light an issue that is of grave concern, people should not be charged with crimes based on the color of their skin, rather, they should be charged based on action and action alone.

In closing, Madam Speaker, I ask that this Congress not turn a blind eye to the Jena 6. Rather, this Congress should take immediate action to ensure that justice is being equally applied to all Americans and correct the racial disparities that haunt our courtrooms and prisons.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Dorothy Woolfork, of Minnesota, a true citizen-servant who never hesitated to put the needs of the community above her own. While I regret to report the recent passing of Dorothy Woolfork at the age of 91, I am grateful for her lifelong service to the community and I am confident that her ideals will inspire future generations of community volunteers.

A native of Bradley, Arkansas, Dorothy came to Minnesota in 1939 with the hope of finding work. Not only did Dorothy find work in Minneapolis, she found a new life. After graduating from cosmetology school, she opened her own business, solidifying her commitment to the growth of the community.

Dorothy's 30-plus year career in political and community activism began in 1962 when she attended her first precinct caucus meeting. From that point on, her presence in the community was pervasive. Her tireless work in the community did not go unnoticed. Her efforts were recognized by the Governor of Minnesota and the Mayor of the City of Minneapolis by a joint proclamation declaring June 17, 1990 as ``Dorothy Woolfork Appreciation Day.''

In closing, Madam Speaker, I wish to express my condolences to all those surviving Dorothy Woolfork and to the community she worked for, the community she loved. It is an honor to stand in recognition of the memory and life of a model citizen who devoted herself to the City of Minneapolis. Ms. Woolfork, on behalf of the citizens of the 5th District, I thank you for your lifetime of service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Reverend William W. Smith, III, of Minnesota, a selfless servant who was committed to his faith, family and the struggle for civil rights and social justice. While I regret to report the recent passing of Rev. Smith at the age of 69, I am grateful for his spirit of equality and inclusiveness which will continue to live on in the city of Minneapolis and beyond.

Rev. Smith's relationship with Minneapolis began over 50 years ago when he was stationed in the city while serving as an airman in the United States Air Force. Following his tour of duty, Smith returned to Minneapolis, where he took on the important work of mentoring and empowering children, youth, families and the elderly as a staffer at the Phillis Wheatley Community Center. Smith would later go on to serve as a leader at the Twin Cities Opportunities Industrial Center.

Rev. Smith was a visionary who knew that Minneapolis could become a place of equal opportunity for all people regardless of racial or ethnic differences. During the turbulent 1960s, Smith worked vigorously to advance the cause of the civil rights movement in Minneapolis. He served as a local facilitator working with community leaders to set into action the teachings of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Smith's efforts ultimately contributed to the creation of human rights commissions in Minneapolis and throughout the state of Minnesota. Smith also helped guide local social action groups such as the Minneapolis Urban League and the Black Unity and Futurism Youth Organization of Minneapolis.

Recognizing the important role which unions play in protecting workers rights, Smith fought vigorously to gain union membership for African American workers. Once that battle was won, Smith accepted the challenge of becoming a union organizer, working for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO in New Orleans, Atlanta and Tulsa.

In closing, Madam Speaker, I wish to express my condolences to those surviving Rev. Smith: his daughter, his sons, former wife, and the community he worked for, the community he loved. It is an honor to stand in recognition of the memory and life of a man who gave so much of himself to Minneapolis yet demanded so little in return. Reverend Smith, today we thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I am really honored to join my members of this freshman class. I am so proud to be a Member of the 110th Congress.

I just wanted to point out that this week as we contemplate and as we've seen the three reports, the GAO report, the report from General Petraeus, the report from General Jones, we are at a point where we have to make a big decision. The people of America and Iraq want our troops to have a safe but clear end point to this conflict. The surge has not been successful, as we see 11 of 18 legislative security and economic benchmarks set down have not been met.

But I just wanted to talk about a very interesting and curious development in this whole conflict, which is that part of the story of the Iraq conflict is the contractors. Blackwater is the most well known of them, but that's not the only one. There's DynCorp, there's Titan, there's Casey, there's many of them. As a matter of fact, what we have seen is a privatization of this conflict. We've seen the privatization of this conflict as literally estimated at upwards of 150,000 contractors have been in Iraq. And the question is, since we've never privatized a war, since we've always kept an essential governmental function, which is defense of the Nation, within the firm hands of the government and we've never really privatized a military conflict before, what does all of this mean? Interestingly and sadly, we've seen this privatization situation devolve into a very dangerous situation which I believe has in many ways compromised national security and has damaged the reputation of the United States and has led, in my view, to a situation where the Iraqi Government, even though it is a government under occupation, under U.S. military occupation, has had to make a statement to throw Blackwater out of its country.

Now, think about that. This is a government that is not in full control of its own country but has mustered itself and said, Look, in order to go forward, this institution, Blackwater, must leave our country. I just want to talk about this a little bit because I think that it's an important part of the story and it needs to be told even from the floor of Congress.

The recent incident that I'm talking about has caused the Iraqi Government to revoke the license of Blackwater. This is the result of a situation, of a killing of Iraqi citizens that happened on September 11, 2007 and the wounding of 14 others by a Blackwater USA security company. Ostensibly, this private security company guards U.S. Embassy personnel in Iraq. Blackwater USA is based in North Carolina and is one of the largest of at least 28 different private security firms that have received governmental contracts to work in Iraq, paid for by at least $4 billion in taxpayer dollars.

This group, funded by American taxpayer dollars through their contract, seems to hold very few American values, it seems to me, except for making money, by some accounts as much as five times the amount that our brave soldiers make. Five times the amount the average soldier is making is what one of these contractors can make, particularly one that was in Blackwater. According to one source, in February 2004, Blackwater started training former Chilean commandos, some of whom were serving during the Pinochet years in Chile, for duty in Iraq. People who know the Pinochet regime know that this regime was known for people disappearing in the country. Torture was routine. Other news reports indicate that four of the guards killed in January while working for a subcontractor had served in South Africa's security forces during the apartheid era, and one of them had applied for amnesty for crimes that he committed while operating under the apartheid regime. Not good news.

Press reports further indicate that this latest incident was not isolated, with Iraqi Interior Minister spokesman Abdul-Karim Khalaf calling the episode the ``last and biggest mistake'' committed by Blackwater.

Khalaf went on to say, ``Security contracts do not allow them to shoot people randomly. They are here to protect personnel, not to shoot people without reason.''

Mr. Speaker, we are not in a position to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people if we have cowboy mercenary vigilantes. Blackwater seems to be accountable neither to the Iraqi Government, and there are serious questions as to whether they're even accountable to the U.S. Government. They are not subject to the Geneva Convention, which our soldiers are. If accounts of this and other incidents prove to be accurate, and of course due process is critically important, then the Iraqi Government's actions to expel Blackwater from Iraq could indicate the first concrete sign that a real government may exist in Baghdad. Who knows. We'll see.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is very critical that we continue to look into this issue of private contractors. It is an important part of the story of Iraq. It is a critical and fundamental part of this dialogue that we're having. We can't privatize our Nation's national defense. When we do, we lose control of these people.

Mercenary actions are not deemed sanctioned by U.N. charter. And to hire a private mercenary army is something that we should not be associated with. They call themselves security contractors, and yet they have been involved

in major military actions in Najaf. Everybody remembers the horrific incident that occurred in Fallujah that was succeeded by a major action against that city. At this point I think it's important for us to pay much closer attention to this situation and put some real accountability on this situation.

I yield back at this time, but I do ask that we raise these important issues and focus on exactly what this means for our country and our national security.

Madam Chairman, I would like to thank Chairwoman Waters and Chairman Frank for bringing this bill to the floor today before the body.

H.R. 1852 makes significant improvements to the current Federal Housing Administration policy at a time that is crucial to American working families and to our Nation's economy. It comes before us at a time when the unstable housing market has brought disruption to our economy, world financial markets, but, most importantly, in our neighborhoods. By expanding the availability of FHA loans and using the new revenue to create an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, we are helping to make the dream of homeownership not just an illusion but a real possibility. Once again, I want to thank the sponsors of this legislation and urge support of the bill.

I would also like to point out that the mortgage foreclosure crisis in America continues to get worse. Mortgage foreclosures are now at a level previously seen only at the height of the Great Depression, and it is only predicted to get worse going into the fall and winter. In August, foreclosures nationwide were up 115 percent from 2006. Hopefully, this important piece of legislation will help make the American Dream of homeownership not just an illusion but a real possibility.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise on the floor today to speak on behalf of H. Res. 606, a resolution that honors the city of Minneapolis and the first responders and citizens of Minnesota for their valiant efforts in responding to the horrific collapse of Interstate 35W Mississippi River bridge.

Madam Speaker, while we honor the city of Minneapolis, there are also numerous cities in the area of Minneapolis, such as New Hope, Golden Valley, and many, many others, all that sent their first responders to the aid of the victims. And each and all of these cities deserve honor and respect. Thank you.

At 6:05 p.m. on August 1, 2007, Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota collapsed into the Mississippi River, killing 13 people and injuring nearly 100 people. The 13 victims were mothers, fathers, children, workers, good people, each and all.

I'm honored today to stand with my colleagues from Minnesota to honor the work of the first responders and the entire community of Minnesota and the Nation for stepping up to the plate to assist our community on August 1 in responding to the horrific bridge collapse.

Without any hesitation or any regard or consideration for their own safety, Minnesota first responders, firefighters, police, emergency medical personnel all rushed to the bridge collapse scene, and it is clear that the commitment and heroism in the minutes and hours that followed the tragedy saved countless lives.

Additionally, scores of ordinary Minnesotans became good Samaritans. For example, Madam Speaker, Jeremy Hernandez, a 20-year-old employee of a Minneapolis nonprofit organization, was riding on a school bus with over 50 children when the bus dropped towards the Mississippi River gorge as the bridge collapsed. Jeremy immediately took charge and evacuated the bus, ensuring that all staff and children got off the bus safely. This is America and Minnesota at its best when ordinary citizens become extraordinary citizens.

But let me conclude, Madam Speaker, by respectfully asking this Congress to regard this tragedy as a national call to action, to focus our public energy on the reconstruction of our public infrastructure.

On August 1, we as a Nation were united in grief for the victims, and we were united in the recovery and healing efforts. Now let us all stand united in rebuilding our country's ailing public infrastructure. For if the Nation is a body, our infrastructure is the skeleton that holds it up.

I look forward to working with Members of Congress. I thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank you, Mr. Walz, for your excellent energy. I also would be remiss if I did not commend your community, our community, and southern Minnesota for its own tragedy that we suffered collectively. And we stand with the people of southern Minnesota in solidarity and in brother- and sisterhood. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, the Minnesota Army and Air National Guard have welcomed home nearly 2,600 citizen soldiers who were called to active duty for the war in Iraq. Most of those Minnesotans, who are returning from Iraq, were deployed for 22 months and many spent 16 months in combat. The brave men and women of the Minnesota National Guard deserve our respect and our gratitude. The members of the Minnesota National Guard, their families, friends and employers have all endured a hardship during the past 22 months. The sacrifices they made, and the quiet dignity they displayed during that time, are not surprising to those who have had the honor of meeting them.

The State of Minnesota is very proud of the active duty, reserve and National Guard who enlisted from our State. The Minnesota State seal depicts an individual working hard on farmland. The seal is a perfect symbol of the strong work ethic displayed by the brave men and women from our State who serve in the military. Our State seal also includes the words ``L'etoile du Nord'' which translated from French means ``Star of the North.'' The men and women from Minnesota served under various group names, such as Soldier, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, Red Bulls, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Active Duty, Reservist, and many more. Regardless of their military affiliation, those who served have shown the world that Minnesotans are prepared for any challenge and able to perform any task and that they are truly bright stars of the north.

The Minnesota National Guard served the longest continuous deployment of any United States military unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Members of the Minnesota National Guard completed 5,200 combat logistics patrols, secured 2.4 million convoy miles, discovered 462 improvised explosive devices prior to detonation, processed over 1.5 million vehicles and 400,000 Iraqis into entry control points without an insurgent penetration. The men and women of the Minnesota National Guard also completed 137 reconstruction projects in Iraq.

Veterans who fought in wars and were discharged many years ago have told me that they appreciate it when people thank them for their service. I do not want the men and women who return from Iraq, Afghanistan or other locations to wait years before hearing me thank them for their service. I offer a heartfelt, sincere thank you to all Minnesotans who served and are currently serving in the United States military. I welcome home all the brave individuals who have devoted their time and talents to defend our Nation and provide security in the world. Some Minnesotans deployed to combat areas and lost their lives. I hope all Americans remember these brave men and women and continue to support the families they left behind. I encourage all Americans to thank a veteran or member of our military for their service. I also encourage this Congress and all citizens to offer any assistance to our Nation's military personnel and their families as they transition back to the lives they led prior to their deployments.

Madam Speaker, on the morning of August 4, 2007, I was back in Minneapolis surveying the damage from the tragic collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge with President Bush and missed rollcall votes 824 to 826. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 824; I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 825; and I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 826.

Mr. Speaker, the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrant shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.

Mr. Speaker, I remind us of those words in our Constitution tonight, because I believe that this Senate bill has forgotten about them. I remind us of these words because, as I consider this bill before us today, the administration, this legislation would allow the NSA warrantless access virtually to all international communications of Americans with anyone outside the U.S., including Americans, as long as the government declared that the surveillance was directed at people which includes foreigners or citizens reasonably believed to be located outside the U.S., a definition which covers literally billions of people.

Madam Speaker, it is with great joy that I rise today to honor and congratulate Mr. Cornell Leverett Moore, the esteemed lawyer and activist from Minneapolis. Cornell recently received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in recognition of his exemplary ongoing service to the citizens of Minnesota and the United States. This great honor has doubtlessly found a worthy recipient in Cornell.

I first had the pleasure of meeting Cornell nearly 20 years ago, and he has then become a personal hero to me. I am to this day taken aback by his openness and his willingness to help. Cornell is admired by all of his colleagues, and I am personally blessed to have had such an outstanding teacher, such an involved mentor, and such a good friend for all of these years. In addition to being an outstanding member of the professional community, Cornell has set an amazing example through his remarkable ability to make time for everybody in need of his help.

Cornell has nobly lent his efforts to countless civic organizations. He has served as the chairman of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority--in addition to numerous other housing advocacy groups-- fighting to ensure that low-income families have a place to call home. He sits on the board of trustees of many institutions of higher learning, including Howard University, where Cornell studied law. With a history of fighting for civil rights in Minnesota, Cornell is now working on increasing diversity within the ranks of Twin Cities-area law firms. He was also elected president of Sigma Pi Phi, the nation's oldest African-American fraternal organization, in its l00th year of existence.

Madam Speaker, a list of the ways in which Cornell has served his community, of his honors and awards, is far too long to detail in one attempt. I am happy to report that Cornell has shown no signs of slowing down his outstanding work. His receiving Kappa Alpha Psi's Distinguished Citizen Award should not be viewed simply in honor of the great things Cornell has already accomplished, but as a milestone. Madam Speaker, you can expect many more great things to come from my friend Cornell.

Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the distinguished chairman of the Transportation Committee and also thank all the members of the Minneapolis delegation and every single Member of this esteemed body. This is the greatest deliberative body in the world and in the history of the world. And the evidence of that is that not only, not only does this body thoroughly debate issues, but when tragedy strikes one, people respond in the most humanitarian way. Even though we have strong points of difference of opinion, when tragedy strikes America, we have no Republicans, we have no Democrats. We just have Members of Congress who are responsive to the people of this country.

So, Mr. Chair, I want to thank you for your bold, decisive action. I want to thank all the members of the community in Minnesota who have responded, not only the official responders but the good Samaritans as well. And let me urge every Member to support this most important measure that will restore our country.

But, again, it is the tip of the iceberg. We need a new national commitment to the infrastructure of this country.

Madam Speaker, for most of August 2nd I was back in Minneapolis surveying the damage from the tragic collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge located in my district and missed Rollcall Votes 791-800. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Rollcall No. 791; I would have voted ``yea'' on Rollcall No. 792; I would have voted ``yea'' on Rollcall No. 793; I would have voted ``yea'' on Rollcall No. 794; I would have voted ``nay'' on Rollcall No. 795; I would have voted ``aye'' on Rollcall No. 796; I would have voted ``aye'' on Rollcall No. 797; I would have voted ``no'' on Rollcall No. 798; I would have voted ``aye'' on Rollcall No. 799; and I would have voted ``aye'' on Rollcall No. 800.

So the resolution was agreed to.

The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Madam Speaker, on August 2nd I inadvertently failed to vote on Sessions amendment to H.R. 3161 (rollcall No. 803). Had I voted, I would have voted ``no.''

Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Hensarling

Mr. Chairman, on behalf of all the Members of the Minnesota delegation, including our esteemed Chairman Jim Oberstar, Jim Ramstad, Collin Peterson, Betty McCollum, Congressman Kline, Congressman Bachmann and Congressman Walz, I would simply like to share with the body that we now know the identities of four of the members of our community in Minnesota who were lost at the collapsed bridge. Those individuals include Sheri Lou Engebrelson of Shoreview, Minnesota; Julia Blackhawk of Savage, Minnesota; Patricia Holmes of Mounds View, Minnesota; and Artemo Trinidad Mena of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Eight of our fellow community members remain missing and are presumed to be lost and remain in submerged vehicles in the Mississippi River.

This morning, I was able to accompany Secretary of Transportation Peters, along with Senators Klobuchar and Coleman, where we met Mayor R.T. Rybak and Governor Pawlenty and many other responsive elected officials. And there, Members, I did see, no doubt, a collapsed bridge spanning about 2,000 feet, which fell 64 feet into the Mississippi River. I saw vehicles that had been crushed. I also saw, not just devastation, but true heroism, Mr. Chairman, people who ran without any thought of their own safety to try to rescue people who had fallen into the Mississippi, rescue workers, first responders who, without any regard to their safety, came to the aid of their fellow community members. I saw unity of purpose, Mr. Chairman, and I saw responsive government meeting the needs of its people.

I also saw members of the community who were looking in need of aid and assistance of their fellow members of the community.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask that the Committee observe a moment of silence for those who we have lost, those who are suffering from injury, and the entire community which is struggling to recover at this time.

Mr. Speaker, of course I rise in very strong support of the bill tonight, and it is a very tragic irony that it is over a body of water that a tragedy occurred in Minneapolis today.

I rise tonight with every Member of that Minneapolis delegation. We stand united in our heartfelt concerns over the news of the collapse of the 35W Bridge spanning the Mississippi River in my hometown of Minneapolis, which occurred early this evening. I spoke with Mayor Rybak regarding this tragic situation, and I pledge to work with him in every possible way to recover from this disaster.

As of now, we simply do not know the magnitude of the tragedy. Early reports are that eight cars and one truck are in the river. About 50 school children very narrowly avoided falling into the river. I do not know the depth of the injured. As of now, we know there are three confirmed dead. We pray for the deceased, for those still in peril, and for the families who have not yet heard the news from their loved ones.

Our delegation stands united in marshaling the resources for our Minneapolis emergency forces in need of search and rescue efforts.

I want to express my profound thanks for the dedicated work of the responders who are on the scene risking their own lives to save others.

We are grateful for those who we know have survived this tragedy, including, miraculously, the school bus containing perhaps as many as 50 youngsters.

Again, I am very saddened by the depth of this tragedy, stand together with all eight members of the Minnesota delegation, and I intend to return home tomorrow morning to Minneapolis on the earliest possible flight to do everything I can to help the citizens of my city recover from this horrible tragedy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3123, a bill that will extend temporary immigration status for Liberian refugees here in the United States. Minnesota is proud to be the home of over 1,000 Liberian refugees, people who have became our friends and neighbors. Forcing them to return now would be an injustice to not only the Liberians themselves, but to everyone in Minnesota who has come to care for their welfare.

The civil war that shook their county in the early 1990s left 150,000 people dead and nearly a million others displaced. These 1,000 refugees turned to America in their hour of need, and Madam Speaker, I am proud to serve in the Congress of a country that has been willing to help these individuals in their time of greatest hardship.

It has been well over a decade since these Liberian refugees sought Minnesota as a home, and since then they have become upstanding citizens, an important part of the fabric that makes up our communities and economies and neighborhoods. Madam Speaker, I strongly request that my colleagues join me in supporting H.R. 3121