Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise proudly to congratulate Longfellow Elementary School located in my hometown of Long Beach, California, and the 37th Congressional District which I am proud to represent, on its designation by the U.S. Department of Education as one of the first-ever Green Ribbon Schools.

According to Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Longfellow Elementary School was recognized for its outstanding achievements in the areas of environmental curriculum, energy reduction, campus recycling and water efficiency.

The Green Ribbon Schools program is a federal recognition program that began in September 2011 under the leadership of President Obama, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson. Honored schools embrace and exercise a comprehensive approach to creating ``green'' environments, which includes taking remedial action to reducing adverse environmental impacts, promoting health, and providing high-quality environmental instruction that prepares students with the skills and sustainability concepts needed to compete and win in the global economy of the 21st century.

Green Ribbon Schools promote environmental education and learning as well as protect our children's health.

Under the leadership of Principal Laurie Murrin, Longfellow Elementary School has successfully gone ``green'' by reducing energy use by 17 percent since 2004, has a 34 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2003, and an increased recycling rate of 46 percent. Also, 100 percent of the landscaping at the school is water- efficient, and the District uses Compressed Natural Gas School Buses.

Additionally, Longfellow Elementary School actively promoted environmental learning by implementing environmental programs on campus like Energy Star Recycling program, Water Quality and Efficiency program, Green Cleaning program, Safe Routes to School, School Garden, School Integrated Pest Management Program, Indoor Air Quality Program, as well as Environmental Education.

This is a remarkable record and is all the more impressive given the economic background and demographic diversity of the Longfellow Elementary School student body. The student body is comprised of 1,080 students, 30 percent of whom are Hispanic, 17 percent are African American, 5 percent Asian and Pacific Islander, and 28 percent Caucasian. Four in ten students receive free or reduced lunches.

Despite their challenging backgrounds, the students at Longfellow Elementary School have shown that great things can happen if you are motivated, committed, and have the right leaders like Principal Murrin. As King Henry V exhorted his comrades in arms at the Battle of Agincourt, ``all things are ready if our minds be so.''

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Lions of Longfellow Elementary School, Principal Laurie Murrin, The Green Team, and the entire Longfellow Elementary community for being at the forefront of improving our environment and helping prepare our students to be competitive and succeed in an emerging green economy.

Mr. Speaker, the higher education system in the United States has for many years been the envy of the world. The universities here are a part of America's backbone, providing young people with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today's changing global economy.

However, Mr. Speaker, right now, the cost of tuition at universities has risen so dramatically all across this country that attendance is tough to achieve. Nowhere is this truer than in public universities in the State of California that I represent, where budget cuts, furlough days, and tuition increases have become a new normal--at the expense of higher learning. Average in-

State tuition and fees at public 4-year institutions have risen 8.3 percent in 2010 and now in the classes in 2011.

As a result of these increases, tuition at public and private universities now has caused student loan debt to exceed credit card debt, totaling $870 billion, and it's expected to reach $1 trillion this year. Students graduating from college between 2006 and 2010 had a median student loan debt of over $20,000. Not only are young adults in debt, but recent graduates are also facing one of the toughest job markets in recent memory.

In 2007, when I started here in Congress, we worked to pass the College Cost Reduction and Access Act which, among many other things, lowered the interest rate of subsidized Stafford loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent. As a result of these lower interest rates on federally subsidized student loans, more students were able to afford to go to college. In order to keep college affordable, Democrats in Congress and President Obama are urging the House GOP leadership to bring forward the legislation that would prevent these interest rates on student loans from doubling this July.

I'm a proud cosponsor of H.R. 3826, the Student Loan Affordability Act, which will prevent the interest rate on subsidized Stafford loans from doubling in July. By extending the current interest rate, we are making an investment in our country's future. Our economy depends upon the educated workforce to out-compete and to out-innovate the rest of the world, which is something we've been known to do for quite some time.

Statistics tell us that it also makes a difference if you're able to go to college. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for those 25 years and older who've got their bachelor's degree is only 4.2 percent, but for those, unfortunately, who were not able to attend and graduate, the unemployment rate exceeds over 10 percent.

Unlike Pell grants, which provide a vital benefit to low-income families and students, Stafford student loans also benefit middle- income families who need financial assistance as well. Congress should not wait and allow this increase to take place. It would, for all intents and purposes, be a tax increase on middle- and low-income families and students during this very fragile economic recovery.

I urge the Republican majority and Speaker Boehner to take action now to prevent this increase. We are seeing right now the impact on the American economy when Congress waits too long to act on issues of national importance such as our Nation's debt. Students and families cannot wait any longer to know how much they will have to pay and owe coming out of college. Why? Because that might impact whether they can even go at all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of one of the darkest chapters in human history, the Armenian Genocide. Today, April 24, marks the 97th commemoration of the first genocide of the 20th Century where Ottoman Turkish authorities ordered the systematic annihilation of more than 1.5 million Armenians. The Armenian Genocide was carried out from 1915 to 1923 through massacres, deportations, and death marches where hundreds of thousands were herded into the Syrian Desert to die of thirst and starvation. Sadly, to this day this chapter of history has yet to be admitted by the Government of Turkey.

Many international observers, including then Ambassador and later U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, witnessed the nightmare firsthand and reported detailed accounts of the atrocities to their governments. Respected organizations and eminent scholars and historians agree and recognize the Armenian Genocide, including the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity and the renowned International Association of Genocide Scholars. Their judgments are supported by 53 Nobel laureates who signed an open letter to the Government of Turkey on April 9, 2007. I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record a listing of those Nobel laureates.

Mr. Speaker, the historical record is clear and the Armenian Genocide is a tragic fact. It must be acknowledged and remembered so that it will never be repeated.

As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I know that the refusal of modern-day Turkey to acknowledge one of the worst examples of man's inhumanity in the 20th Century haunts survivors of the Armenian Genocide, as well as their families. As a Member of Congress from California, which is home to more Armenian-Americans than any other state, I believe this is not only an affront to the memory of the victims and to their descendants, but it does a disservice to the United States as it seeks to stand up for the victims of violence today.

The issue of recognizing the Armenian genocide and helping the Armenian people is neither a partisan nor geopolitical issue. Rather, it is a question of giving the Armenian people the justice they deserve. In doing so, we affirm the dignity of humankind everywhere.

It has been said that ``all it takes for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing.'' This is one of the reasons I am proud to have joined with so many of my colleagues in cosponsoring the resolution affirming the occurrence of the Armenian genocide throughout my career in Congress. I will continue to do for as long as it takes.

In recognizing the Armenian Genocide we do not seek to persecute any person or state; we seek to build a path that will lead to reconciliation between Armenians and Turks. And in doing so, we will remain true to our nation's highest aspirations for justice and peace. It was President Lincoln who called upon the ``better angels of our nature'' when he said in his Second Inaugural Address that all Americans should ``do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.''

Mr. Speaker, the Armenian Genocide has been officially recognized by 42 states. These States have gone on public record rejecting any claim or assertion that denies the occurrence of one of history's worst crimes against humanity. I believe it is time for us to join these nations in that endeavor by passing H. Res. 304, the ``Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence in memory of the millions of silenced voices and interrupted lives of those Armenians who perished between 1915 and 1923 in the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire.

List of 53 Nobel Laureates Urging the Turkish Government To Acknowledge

Armenian Genocide

Peter Agre, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2003); Sidney Altman,

Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1989); Philip W. Anderson, Nobel

Prize, Physics (1977); Kenneth J. Arrow, Nobel Prize,

Economics (1972); Richard Axel, Nobel Prize, Medicine (2004);

Baruj Benacerraf, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1980); Gunter

Blobel, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1999); Georges Charpak, Nobel

Prize, Physics (1992); Steven Chu, Nobel Prize, Physics

(1997); J.M. Coetzee, Nobel Prize, Literature (2003); Claude

Cohen-Tannoudji, Nobel Prize, Physics (1997); Mairead

Corrigan Maguire, Nobel Prize, Peace (1976); Robert F. Curl,

Jr., Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1996); Paul J. Crutzen, Nobel

Prize, Chemistry (1995).

Frederik W. de Klerk, Nobel Prize, Peace (1993); Johann

Deisenhofer, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1998); John B. Fenn,

Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2002); Val Fitch, Nobel Prize,

Physics (1980); Jerome I. Friedman, Nobel Prize, Physics

(1990); Donald A. Glaser, Nobel Prize, Physics (1960);

Sheldon Glashow, Nobel Prize, Physics (1979); Roy J. Glauber,

Nobel Prize, Physics (2005); Clive W.J. Granger, Nobel Prize,

Economics (2003); Paul Greengard, Nobel Prize, Medicine

(2000); David J. Gross, Nobel Prize, Physics (2004); Roger

Guillemin, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1977); Dudley R.

Herschbach, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1986).

Avram Hershko, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2004); Roald

Hoffman, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1981); Daniel Kahneman,

Nobel Prize, Economics (2002); Eric R. Kandel, Nobel Prize,

Medicine (2000); Aaron Klug, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1982);

Edwin G. Krebs, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1992); Sir Harold W.

Kroto, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1996); Finn E. Kydland, Nobel

Prize, Economics (2004); Leon M. Lederman, Nobel Prize,

Physics (1988); Anthony J. Leggett, Nobel Prize, Physics

(2003); Rudolph A. Marcus, Nobel Prize,

Chemistry (1992); Daniel L. McFadden, Nobel Prize, Economics

(2000); Craig C. Mello, Nobel Prize, Medicine (2006).

Robert C. Merton, Nobel Prize, Economics (1997); Marshall

W. Nirenberg, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1968); Sir Paul Nurse,

Nobel Prize, Medicine (2001); Douglas D. Osheroff, Nobel

Prize, Physics (1996); Martin L. Perl, Nobel Prize, Physics

(1995); John C. Polanyi, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1986);

Stanley Prusiner, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1997); Jose Ramos-

Horta, Nobel Prize, Peace (1996); Richard J. Roberts, Nobel

Prize, Medicine (1993); Wole Soyinka, Nobel Prize, Literature

(1986); Elie Wiesel, Nobel Prize, Peace (1986); Betty

Williams, Nobel Prize, Peace (1976); Kurt Wuthrich, Nobel

Prize, Chemistry (2002).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. In 2010, my colleague, Congressman Honda, introduced H. Res. 1316 to designate this month as a time to recognize the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States. As an original co-sponsor, I reaffirm my commitment to address the concerns and needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

The 37th Congressional District of California, which I am honored to represent, is home to one of the largest Asian constituencies in the nation, including large communities of Filipinos, Samoans and Cambodians. In fact, my district is home to the largest Cambodian population in the United States and the second largest Cambodian population in the world outside Cambodia. I am proud to be a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and represent my constituents' interests. The month of May was chosen to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage for two significant reasons. On May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States, and on May 10, 1860, the first transcontinental railroad was completed. The transcontinental railroad transformed our nation and could not have been completed without the inclusion of Chinese immigrants.

Despite the challenges and adversity that Asian Pacific Americans have experienced, many have forged ahead and made significant contributions to this great nation. History was made with the election of President Obama, the first president to have such significant personal ties to the Asian Pacific community. President Obama spent his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia. Also, one of President Obama's first guests to the Oval Office was the prime minister of Japan, Taro Aso.

This year, the U.S. Census Bureau has released data revealing that the Asian population now represents 6 percent of the total American population. This community has grown faster than any other racial group in the United States at four times the national average. Asian Americans are making significant contributions to the economy and own over 1.5 million businesses, employing 3 million people. The buying power of Asian American communities has also grown dramatically, increasing by 89 percent between 2000 and 2009 from $269 billion to $509 billion.

This month, however, also causes us to reflect on some challenges that remain for Asian Pacific Americans. For instance, immigration and language policies continue to disproportionately affect Asian Americans since they are more likely than any other racial group to be foreign- born. Harsh immigration policies and language barriers, therefore, limit many individuals' ability to integrate into American society and access important services. Along similar lines, Asian Americans are twice as likely as non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans to have not seen a doctor in the past five years, and Asian Americans are also more likely to be uninsured.

Mr. Speaker, this month, it is important to recognize the achievements of this incredibly diverse community while also addressing their policy concerns. Nevertheless, I have much hope for the future because Americans are working together, hand-in-hand, to ensure the equality and advancement not only of their community, but of all communities.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of Asian Pacific Americans this year and for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to the late Delores A. Parks, a woman who spent her entire life tirelessly caring for her community. Mrs. Parks passed away in her sleep on Sunday, April 15, 2012. She was 77.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, ``Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.'' Mrs. Parks was blessed with many gifts and talents, but her greatness came from her dedication to the community. She is truly a hero of mine. Mrs. Parks was a generous, warmhearted and loving woman who always went the extra mile to support her neighbors.

I know the difference one person can make because I am a witness to the impact of Mrs. Parks' extraordinary career of service to others on the lives of ordinary boys and girls and men and women. There is much wisdom in the ancient proverb that says if you catch a person a fish, you feed him for a day; if you teach a person to fish, you will feed her for a lifetime. Mrs. Parks was a great lady but what makes her truly special is her commitment to serving others altered for the good the trajectory of thousands of lives.

Mrs. Parks first answered the call to serve as a daycare provider, a field she worked in for 53 years. She later founded the Compton Family Day Care Association, which provided instruction to others on how to become daycare providers. She took pride and much joy in her work, offering meals to the children and their families and planning sporting events, field trips, and church activities. Her hard work and joyfulness undoubtedly transformed the lives of these young children and her community as a whole.

Faith and love for the Lord played a large and constant role in Mrs. Parks' life. She was raised as a devout Catholic, and she later became a licensed missionary for the First Church of Deliverance under the late Elder O.D. Russell. In 1997, she became a member of King's Dominion Life Center under the leadership of her son-in-law, Bishop T.A. Moore.

When remembering the life of Mrs. Parks, I cannot help but call to mind this scripture: ``Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God'' (Matthew 5:8 9). Truer words were never spoken. Mrs. Parks reflected these words in her manner and deeds, and she served as an example of the selflessness and kindness we should all strive to display in our own lives.

Mrs. Parks was preceded in death by her loving husband of 38 years, Willie M. Parks, and by her daughter, Katrina E. White. Left to cherish her memory are her children Emerson Mims, Parris Parks, and Donna Moore (Bishop T.A.); grandchildren Huber White, Eboni Galloway, Ferrante Manning, and Breana Moore; great grandchildren Kameron White, Huber White, Kutura White, Akhella White, and Taylor Bibbs; brothers Carl McDonald and Rickey McDonald; and a multitude of relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my sympathies to Mrs. Parks' family. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. They have lost a beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother. The community Mrs. Parks served for more than a half century mourns the loss of a hero. I mourn the loss of a dear friend and role model.

On this sad occasion, I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in a moment of silence to honor the memory of Mrs. Delores A. Parks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exciting event that took place in the 37th Congressional District this past weekend: The Southern California Special Olympics' South Bay Area Games. The games took place on Saturday, April 21 at the Veterans Park and Sport Complex in Carson, California.

As a once aspiring Olympic athlete myself, I have always supported the Special Olympics and their goals. The Special Olympics of Southern California provides year-round sports training and competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, all at no cost to the athletes or their families.

The Special Olympics, however, serves a deeper purpose than simply recreation and competition. Special Olympic athletes gain the opportunity to develop physical fitness and athletic skills, create relationships with other athletes and community members, and demonstrate the courage to achieve their dreams. Within the Southern California chapter alone, there are nearly 11,600 athletes and 15,000 coaches and volunteers. These numbers illustrate the popularity and far-reaching impact of the games.

The Special Olympics were first started in 1963 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver as a camp to provide people with intellectual disabilities with physical fitness and sports. Five years later, she organized the first International Special Olympics games, and athletes around the world have competed ever since. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act, which will authorize funding for sports, health, education and employment programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the hard work of the athletes and volunteers of the Southern California Special Olympics. I know the people of California will continue to support the games and be inspired by the dedication of those involved.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House to join me in acknowledging the New Year, the year of the dragon.

The Cambodian New Year is one of the major celebrations in the Cambodian culture. This time of year also represents the end of the harvest season and allows farmers to enjoy the fruits of their harvest. The celebration lasts for three days which during this time they spend time visiting family and friends. Each day has a name and activities that honor the elder's for their sacrifice for the younger generation.

I am proud that more Cambodians reside in Long Beach, which is located in my Congressional District, than anywhere outside of the nation of Cambodia. This past Saturday, April 21, 2012, nearly 20,000 people celebrated the Cambodian New Year in El Dorado Regional Park in the city of Long Beach. Long Beach certainly was the place to celebrate Cambodian New Year! I consider the opportunity to celebrate the Cambodian New Year every year as one of the great privileges associated with being a Member of Congress from the 37th Congressional District.

I congratulate the Cambodian-Coordinating Council (CCC) for organizing this especially unique and uplifting event, which is one of the highlights of the spring season every year in the 37th Congressional District. This is especially gratifying to me since as a Long Beach City Councilperson I worked closely with the members of the Cambodian community to ensure the festival continues to be held in Long Beach and know firsthand how the CCC has assisted the Cambodian- American population to be self-sufficient, productive members of society and to bridge the gaps that exist between cultures, languages, and generations.

I thank the many community organizations and volunteers for their efforts to ensure the success of the Cambodian New Year Festival. Most importantly, I thank the CCC for providing this opportunity to experience and appreciate the people and culture of Cambodia. I Congratulate the CCC on another successful Cambodian New Year Festival and I look forward to next year's festivities.

Happy Cambodian New Year!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Earth Day, which has

been celebrated on this day, April 22, for the past 42 years. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, Americans have worked to make cleaner the air we breathe and the water we drink. Four decades later, I am proud to be working with like-minded colleagues in the Congress and the Administration to continue this honored tradition of environmental leadership.

Earth Day was first organized in 1970 by one of the greatest environmentalists in the history of the Congress, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. Despite his tireless work to raise awareness of environmental conservation, for years the Congress and the administration consistently failed to enact his environmental legislation. Senator Nelson called upon student activists of the day who led a nationwide ``teach-in.'' It is estimated that 20 million individuals participated, demonstrating to Congress the extent of the public's interest in, and concerns over threats to, the environment. The resulting change was dramatic and profound. With bipartisan support and majorities, Congress took the following actions: Created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (1970); Passed the Clean Air Act (1970); Passed the Clean Water Act (1972); Passed the Endangered Species Act (1973).

Added to this impressive list of accomplishments are the actions taken by the Democratic-controlled 110th and 111th Congresses to preserve and protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the lands we inhabit, and the green spaces where we recreate. Let me briefly mention some of the highlights of this impressive record of environmental stewardship.

In the 110th Congress, the House passed, and I supported the following major legislative initiatives:

Energy Independence and Security Act in 2007, which will increase vehicle fuel efficiency standards for the first time in more than 3 decades, to 35 miles per gallon in 2020, projected to save $1,000 per vehicle each year. The act will also expand the use of American-grown biofuels and combat oil market manipulation.

Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, also known as the Farm Bill, which made an historic commitment to American biofuels--which are keeping gas prices 15 percent lower than they otherwise would be due to fuel blending--and increased Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight authority to detect and prevent manipulation of energy prices.

Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, which extended and expanded tax incentives for renewable electricity, energy and fuel from America's heartland, as well as for plug-in hybrid cars, and energy efficient homes, buildings, and appliances. This legislation is critical to creating and preserving more than 500,000 good-paying clean energy American jobs in the wind and solar industries alone.

Green the Capitol--Under the leadership of newly-elected Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2007, the House started this program to make its operations a model of sustainability. The House set aggressive targets, including reducing energy use by 50 percent over 10 years. Since the program's inception, the House has reduced its carbon footprint by 73 percent, it purchases wind energy to meet all electricity needs and burns only natural gas at the Capitol Power Plant, with total energy consumption down by 23 percent and water consumption down 32 percent. The project has already saved taxpayers at least $3.3 million a year.

In the 111th Congress, the House passed, and I supported, the following major bills:

American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, historic legislation that launches a new clean energy economy--to create 1.7 million American jobs (with the Recovery Act); helps reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil by 5 million barrels per day; keeps energy costs low for Americans; protects consumers from price increases with lower income families seeing no cost and with no increase to the deficit. The legislation requires a reduction in the carbon pollution causing climate change from major U.S. sources of 17 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, compared to 2005 levels.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which made historic investments of $90 billion in tax cuts and investments in clean energy. These investments leveraged another $100 billion in private investments in energy efficiency, renewable generation, research, and other areas and helped speed the transformation to a clean energy future. The included tax incentives spurred energy savings and created clean energy jobs, as will lead to breakthroughs in clean energy research. The Recovery Act also included incentives to produce new electric cars, develop advanced battery technology, and modernize the electricity grid to make it more efficient and reliable. It is estimated that this legislation created more than 2,700,000 jobs, nearly doubled renewable electricity over four years, and saved consumers up to $98 a year in energy costs.

Today, it is no less urgent that we take great pains to keep environmental issues from receding into the background. Four out of five Americans live in areas hit by recent weather disasters, and emerging scientific data suggests that such disasters will continue occurring at higher and higher frequencies if we do not take steps to address our changing climate.

My home state of California has made great strides in developing a ``green economy'' and investing in renewable sources of energy. In 2011, California added more wind power than any other state. The state's wind industry now employs 4,000 5,000 people and is responsible for 3 percent of the California's electricity. Additionally, the solar energy industry in California alone is comprised of over 3,500 solar companies, which employ more than 25,000 people. These industries should be recognized for their contributions to job creation as well as their growing success in securing our energy independence.

Partisan politics threatens to turn back this progress, particularly through the recently proposed Republican budget plans. These plans protect billions of dollars in tax breaks for big oil companies while slashing investments in clean solar and wind energy. We cannot afford to lavish subsidies on oil companies earning record profits, furthering our dependence on increasingly expensive, dirty and dangerous fossil fuel sources.

Since Senator Nelson sparked a widespread interest in our environment four decades ago, environmental legislation has enjoyed support from both sides of the aisle. I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress and the Obama Administration to continue the bipartisan tradition of environmental protection.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Earth Day this year, let it serve as a timely reminder of the immense opportunities the planet holds, both in terms of current economic growth and future prosperity. It is my hope that we may recapture the energy and enthusiasm behind Senator Nelson's original celebration in order to restore environmental stewardship as a core American value.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tragic two-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on April 20, 2010. The explosion that day and subsequent fire claimed the lives 11 American workers and after the sinking of the oil rig two days later led to the largest oil spill in U.S. waters. The damaged well was estimated to have lost approximately 60,000 100,000 barrels of oil each day. The affects of the oil spill on the Gulf Coast were staggering and still today have lingering effects.

Hundreds of miles of delicate ecosystems were devastated along the tidal shorelines of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Approximately 83,927 square miles of Gulf of Mexico federal waters were closed to fishing because of health concerns. Even after the eventual sealing of the well and the shutting off of crude oil flow, the work was not done. Extensive efforts were made to rid the water of oil and to restore the shorelines to their prior beauty. The untold economic impact on the fishing, tourism, and other industries of the Gulf cannot be overlooked.

I praise the valiant efforts of the men and women that spent countless hours dedicating themselves to containing and cleaning up of this disaster. The team included the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), EPA, the Department of

Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Commerce (DOC), Department of Interior (DOI), as well as state and local representatives. Workers diligently worked to get the necessary equipment to coastal waters but there were delays that can't be ignored.

I commend our efforts to immediately respond to the disaster by passing H.R. 5503, the SPILL Act, to reform the following maritime liability laws: Death on the High Seas Act, Jones Act, and Limitation on Liability Act. These bills are to ensure the families of those killed or injured in the BP Spill and other similar tragedies are justly compensated. We also passed H.R. 5481 that gave subpoena power to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling tasked with providing recommendations on how to prevent future oil spills that result from offshore drilling. Our efforts should not stop there.

Strides have been made to establish a clear chain of command and developing a coordinated and efficient response to disasters. But, there is much more that has to be done to avoid another oil spill of this magnitude. We must stay vigilant in evaluating our nation's capacity to respond to oil spills. Develop standard national protocols for oil spill response and clean up assessments and develop guidance and tools for oil spill responders. Establish direct research and take action to improve the ability of the United States to conduct oil spill prevention, response, and recovery in Arctic waters. Our civic responsibility is to learn from our mistakes and apply those lessons to future oil spills and other such disasters that unfortunately may occur.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tragic two-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. I urge this body to continue to introduce and support legislation that prevents and protects our environment, economy, and families from future unfortunate disasters that may occur.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Equal Pay Day and to stress my commitment to closing the wage gap between men and women once and for all. Women are critical to our Nation's economic success and it is essential for us to redouble our efforts to end discriminatory practices in the workplace. Although many positive steps have been taken and much change has been effectuated, there is much more that can be and should be done.

On this day, let us give attention to how the wage gap affects women, families and the economy. Today, more than ever, women are equal, if not primary, income earners in most American families. Yet women in our economy and our work force are still earning just 77 cents on every dollar paid to men. Couple the gender gap with statistics on race and it is even worse. African American women earn a mere 64 cents on the dollar, while Hispanic women receive an appalling 56 cents on the dollar compared to men. In states across the country, women are collectively losing tens of billions of dollars annually--money that could alleviate the financial strain countless families are facing in this tough economy.

We must put an end to discriminatory practices in the workforce once and for all. Expanding economic opportunities for women is critical to building an economy that restores security for middle class families. We must promote such an economy by encouraging the advancement of women in the workforce and by rewarding their efforts equally. We must ensure that when a woman seeks higher employment she is able to attain it without being discriminated against based on her gender and more importantly that she receive equal pay for equal work. We must ensure that equal pay and equal opportunity go hand in hand with hard work in the twenty-first century.

In the 1950's a sole income earner, historically a man, could support an entire family. Those days are long past, not ever to return. We are living in an era where dual incomes are not a luxury, but rather the necessary condition to sustain a middle class status.

I applaud President Obama's commitment to ensuring that women are treated equally in the workforce and paid fairly for their work. From signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to creating the National Equal Pay Task Force, President Obama has fought for equality for women in the workforce, and there is no reason why this Congress should not be equally committed to the cause of pay equality for women.

In a time where women's labor force participation has increased dramatically and where families are becoming increasingly reliant on women's incomes due to the rise of living costs, it makes no sense that pay disparities between men and women still persist. Women should not have to face greater risks for income insecurity than men. The reality is that over the course of her lifetime, these pay discrepancies can cost a woman and her family up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost wages, reduced pensions, and reduced Social Security benefits. I call this ``gender theft.'' The Republican majority apparently believe this is an acceptable state of affairs.

The statistics are very clear; we cannot have a vibrant society if women are not doing well. The success of American women is critical for the success of American families and the American economy. Consequently, when women face barriers to participation in the workplace and marketplace, it affects all Americans.

Unfortunately, rather than concentrating on eliminating such discrepancies and ensuring equality, the Republican majority has instead been fixated on limiting women's rights and freedoms. This war on women is hurtful and destructive, wastes time, and makes no economic sense. It makes America weaker, not stronger. It certainly does not reflect a kinder and gentler America.

Mr. Speaker, on this day--Equal Pay Day--let us resolve to honor women for the work they do to support and sustain their families. Let us start by paying women equally for the honorable work they do. It is through our hard work to ensure equal treatment of all women in the workforce, marketplace, and society as a whole that we can resoundingly voice our commitment to support American women and families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April 18 as National Golf Day. This is a day where the leaders of the golf industry are able to meet with members of Congress and discuss the continued growth and importance of the sport.

Of course golf is not just a sport. The golf industry generates over $76 billion annually in economic activity, and sustains over 2 million jobs. The golf industry has a direct and substantial impact on the economy, jobs and tax revenues in communities across this country. Through this growth, golf is no longer the exclusive sport of the privileged, the wealthy, and the upper class. The industry has become more democratized, and people of all ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds are able to participate.

I applaud the golf industry for its commitment to environmental sustainability. As technology advances, golf course architects and landscape engineers are able to design and maintain courses that are economically viable and environmentally friendly. For example, technological advances have made it possible to employ more efficient irrigation techniques using recycled water.

In my home state of California there are over 900 golf courses, generating an average annual revenue of $15.1 billion. California's gorgeous courses are huge tourist magnets and provide 160,000 jobs for Californians. I

am also proud that my state of California is home to some of the most storied golf courses in the nation, including the legendary Pebble Beach and Torrey Pines.

Mr. Speaker, as an avid golfer myself, each year I look forward to participating in the Annual Mervyn L. Jones and Stephanie Tubbs Jones Memorial Golf & Tennis Classic. This worthy event raises funds to provide young people an opportunity to further their education and reach their potential. Golf has the ability to bring people together to support such a cause.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing National Golf Day and commending an industry that brings so much joy and pleasure to millions of Americans and contributes greatly to this nation's economy.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Yom Hashoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is the official Israeli Day of Remembrance for victims of the Holocaust. During the Holocaust, six million European Jews were systematically annihilated by the Nazi Regime. Today, I rise to pay tribute to those whose lives were irreparably affected by the Holocaust and to reaffirm my commitment to human rights.

The extermination of the Jewish people during World War II is greatest crime against humanity committed by a nation state in the history of the world. The Holocaust was initiated by members of the National Socialist (Nazi) Party, led by Adolf Hitler, who took control of Germany in 1933 and began increasing assaults on the rights and properties of German Jewish citizens.

During World War II, the Nazi party went even further and implemented their ``Final Solution'' which sought to eliminate the entire Jewish people. Of the nine million Jews who had resided in Europe before the Holocaust, approximately two-thirds perished. In particular, over one million Jewish children were killed in the Holocaust.

Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed on the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew Calendar is observed internationally by the Jewish community. This day of remembrance was established in 1953, by a law signed by the Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, and the President of Israel, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi. Although the date was established by the Israeli government, it has become a day observed by Jewish communities and individuals worldwide. Today, many commemorate Yom Hoshoah with candle lighting, speakers, poems, prayers, and singing. Often, six candles are lighted to represent the six million lives lost.

Holocaust Remembrance Day is a day of public observance and education. Public observation is important because it serves as tribute to those who perished. It is up to us to learn and share their stories on their behalf.

Further, the Holocaust was the ultimate disregard for human rights. Education is the best way to prevent these human rights abuses in the future. By encouraging educational programs about the Holocaust, we can help prevent future acts of genocide.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in observing Yom Hashoah and in doing all we can to teach our children and future generations to work together to prevent bigotry, hatred, and prejudice. Let us commit ourselves to combating intolerance wherever it might exist.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the report released earlier this month by The White House Council on Women and Girls which provided a sampling of the policies, programs, and legislative initiatives that have resulted from the Administration's efforts to create an economy built to last for American women. I cannot stress enough how critical women are to our nation's economic success and how there still exists an ever-present need for us to continue our efforts to end discriminatory practices in the workforce.

It is vital for us to work together to ensure women's economic security through all stages of life--from young women furthering their education and beginning their careers, to working women who create jobs and provide for their families, to seniors in retirement or getting ready for retirement. Many positive steps have been taken and much change has been effectuated, but there is much more that can be and should be done.

Today, more than ever, women's efforts in the workforce are essential to sustaining a strong economy, not to mention that more women now are the primary income earners in most American families. Yet women in our economy and our work force are still earning just 77 cents on every dollar paid to men. Couple the gender gap with statistics on race and it is even worse. African American women earn a mere 64 cents on the dollar, while Hispanic women receive an appalling 56 cents on the dollar compared to men. How can this still be when women now make up nearly fifty percent of our workforce? Families are effectively losing part of their income every month due to this gender inequality.

We must put an end to discriminatory practices in the workforce once and for all. Expanding economic opportunities for women is critical to building an economy that restores security for middle class families. We must promote such an economy by encouraging the advancement of women in education and the workforce and by rewarding their efforts equally and accordingly. We must ensure that women who want to continue their education and attend college and graduate school can do so. We must ensure that when a woman seeks higher employment she is able to attain it without being discriminated based on her gender and more importantly where she will receive equal pay as her male counterpart. We must ensure that fulfillment of such goals for women are not an improbability, but a guarantee.

We no longer live in the 1950s where a sole income earner, historically a man, could support an entire family. We are living in an era where the want for a dual income is not a luxury, but a necessity to sustain a middle class family. I applaud President Obama's hard work to ensure that women are treated equally in the workforce and paid fairly for their work. From signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to creating the National Equal Pay Task Force, President Obama has fought for equality for women in the workforce, and there is no reason why this Congress should not work equally as hard to support and advance his efforts. There should be no second class citizens in our workplaces in the twenty-first century.

In a time where women's labor force participation has increased dramatically and where families are becoming increasingly reliant on women's incomes due to the rising cost of living, how does it make sense that pay disparities between men and women still persist? Why must women face greater risk for income insecurity than men? The reality is that over the course of her lifetime, these pay discrepancies can cost a woman and her family tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost wages, reduced pensions, and reduced Social Security benefits. Why is it that the Republican majority is not concerned about these disparities?

The statistics on this issue are very clear; we cannot have a vibrant society if women are not doing well. The success of American women is critical for the success of American families and the American economy. Consequently, when women still face barriers to participation in the workplace and marketplace, it affects all Americans.

Unfortunately, rather than concentrating on eliminating such discrepancies and ensuring equality, the Republican majority has instead been fixated on limiting women's rights and freedoms. For over a year now the Republican majority has taken aim at denying women access to health care and restricting women's choices in the area of reproductive health altogether. This is an incredibly ill-guided waste of time, and makes no economic sense. When women are denied access to health care or have to pay more for their health care than men, it hurts entire families and in turn the economy as a whole. In 31 states, all of the best-selling plans engage in gender rating. And in states that permit this practice, 92 percent of the best-selling plans charge 40-year-old women more than 40-year-old men for identical coverage. In the aggregate, women spend an estimated $1 billion more than men for equivalent health coverage. We should be working together to eliminate these disparities, instead of fending off attacks by the Republican majority who have continuously brought forth anti-women's health legislation in the 112th Congress and attacked the Affordable Care Act which beginning in 2014 will prohibit insurance companies from charging women more for health insurance simply because of their gender.

The Republican majority has taken minor breaks from attacking women's rights in this Congress only to work on stripping senior benefits and ending Medicare as we know it. All seniors should be able to retire with dignity, and live out their final years with security and access to healthcare. This should not be a privilege enjoyed by the 1 percent. We must work to ensure that senior citizens receive the care they need when they are most vulnerable; but instead the Republicans want to hand them a voucher and have them fend for themselves with insurance companies. The coverage Medicare provides is particularly critical for women, because of their greater life expectancies and partially because of costs related to preventive services such as mammograms and bone density tests.

As a result of lower earnings during her time in the workforce, an elderly woman rarely has a significant income from her pension, as compared to the average elderly man. So it should not be surprising that elderly women rely on Social Security to a greater extent than men, and over half of America's more than 48 million Medicare beneficiaries are women. And this is where unequal pay throughout a woman's working lifetime comes full circle.

Mr. Speaker, let us in Congress work together to pass legislation that outlaws gender discrimination, allows for prosecution of pay discrimination against women, invests in child care, and supports the advancement of women as they provide for their families and save for the future. It is through our hard work to ensure equal treatment of all women in the workforce, marketplace, and society as a whole that we can resoundingly voice our commitment to support American women and families.

Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I rise today to pay tribute to Mike Wallace, a man whose determination and tenacity shaped investigative reporting as we know it today.

Mr. Wallace died on April 7, 2012, surrounded by family in New Caanan, Connecticut. He was 93.

Mr. Speaker, Mike Wallace was one of the original correspondents for the news program, 60 Minutes, and his reporting helped to cement the show's reputation for hard-hitting but fair journalism. He interviewed world leaders and celebrities, never shying away from difficult and often confrontational lines of questioning. Nevertheless, his impeccable research and balanced approach made him as respected as he was feared.

The list of persons interviewed by Mike Wallace over the past half century reads like a Who's Who of the leading figures of the twentieth century: reverend and activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; famed surrealist painter Salvador Dali; former Palestinian leader and Nobel Prize Laureate Yasser Arafat; former Iranian leader Ayotollah Khomeini; civil rights

advocate Malcolm X; first lady Eleanor Roosevelt; president Ronald Reagan; former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger; then-Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Despite his steely demeanor, Mike Wallace struggled with personal hardships, including the death of a son and bouts with depression. At a time when such vulnerabilities were often hidden from public view, Mike Wallace shared these challenges with American audiences. His bravery and openness helped to dissolve the social stigma around depression and made a tremendous impact on the lives of many Americans.

Mike Wallace was honored with 21 Emmy Awards, five Peabody Awards, and the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award. He was also inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1991. His legacy continues through the Knight-Wallace Fellowship program at the University of Michigan, which gives mid-career journalists the opportunity to explore new subjects of interest.

Mr. Speaker, as we reflect on the life and legacy of Mike Wallace, one can be certain that his memory will be an inspiration for a new generation of journalists as well as for every American who values such a strong commitment to integrity and truth.

Mr. Speaker, today, April 16, 2012, marks the fifth year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting in which 32 innocent lives were lost. Today I rise to observe the anniversary and I urge all Americans to join me in keeping all those who were injured, and the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy in their thoughts and prayers.

More than 30 members of the Virginia Tech family perished that day. Among them were future lawyers, doctors, teachers, engineers, soldiers, business men and women, mothers, fathers, and leaders. The loss of life at Virginia Tech is a tragedy that all Americans mourn.

On this day, I salute the strength and resilience of the Virginia Tech community. Those belonging to ``Hokie Nation'' include nearly 30,000 students, 1,300 faculty members and 200,000 living alumni who take pride in their school and in their accomplishments as an institution.

Days after the shooting, Nikki Giovanni wrote a moving poem about the events and her words still ring true today.

We are Virginia Tech.

We are sad today, and we will be sad for quite a while. We

are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning.

We are Virginia Tech.

We are strong enough to stand tall tearlessly, we are brave

enough to bend to cry, and we are sad enough to know

that we must laugh again.

We are Virginia Tech.

We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did nothing to

deserve it, but neither does a child in Africa dying of

AIDS, neither do the invisible children walking the

night away to avoid being captured by the rogue army,

neither does the baby elephant watching his community

being devastated for ivory, neither does the Mexican

child looking for fresh water, neither does the

Appalachian infant killed in the middle of the night in

his crib in the home his father built with his own

hands being run over by a boulder because the land was

destabilized. No one deserves a tragedy.

We are Virginia Tech.

The Hokie Nation embraces our own and reaches out with open

heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and

minds. We are strong, and brave, and innocent, and

unafraid. We are better than we think and not quite

what we want to be. We are alive to the imaginations

and the possibilities. We will continue to invent the

future through our blood and tears and through all our

sadness.

We are the Hokies.

We will prevail.

We will prevail.

We will prevail.

We are Virginia Tech.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the horrible tragedy that occurred five years ago today and as we remember the events of that dreadful day, let us not forget those who lost their lives. I extend my deepest condolences again to the families of all the victims. On this five year anniversary of the horrible tragedy at Virginia Tech, let us extend our thoughts and prayers to all those who were injured or have suffered as a result of this senseless act of violence.

Today, we are all members of the Hokie Nation. We are Virginia Tech.