Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of National Bullying Prevention Month because every American is entitled to live, work, and recreate in a safe environment, free of fear from threats to his or her physical safety and emotional security.

Unfortunately, in recent years we have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of reported and unreported cases of bullying. In fact, thirteen million children will be bullied this year alone. It is estimated that 15 percent of American school children skip school to avoid being bullied by their schoolmates. This is tragic as school should be a safe environment conducive to learning.

Mr. Speaker, bullying does not end when our children move on from the playground. It exists on college campuses, in the workplace, online, and even in elderly care facilities. Nearly half of Americans have experienced some sort of violence either in their workplace, at home, or in their community. Hazing on college campuses has also been a problem for decades. Five percent of all college students admit to being hazed, with 40 percent admitting that a coach or advisor was aware of the hazing and did not intervene.

Mr. Speaker, this month, organizations from coast to coast are building awareness seeking to engage, educate, and inspire individuals nationwide to join the movement and prevent bullying. As a proud member of the Anti Bullying Caucus which advocates for policies to combat bullying of all kinds, from the playground to the elderly care facility I support all efforts aimed at preventing bullying and believe more must be done.

For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of National Bullying Prevention Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is one of the leading causes of death among infants one month through one year of age in the United States. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) defines SIDS as the sudden death of an infant under one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation.

Due to the efforts of the American SIDS Institute and other organizations, the sudden infant death rate is at an all time low. Since 1983, the rate of SIDS has fallen by over 50 percent. Tragically, however, there are still about 2,500 deaths per year in the United States and thousands more throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, it is believed that SIDS can be eliminated as a cause of infant deaths within our lifetime. Achieving this goal requires the financial and personal support of corporations, foundations and concerned individuals.

As a proud member of the Congressional 21st Century Health Care Caucus and a strong supporter of legislation designed to promote healthy children and families, including the Affordable Care Act, SCHIP, and child nutrition programs I believe it is important to raise awareness about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome to save babies at risk and eventually eradicate SIDS.

For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a month-long project dedicated to addressing the victimization of men, women, and children in our nation and raising awareness of the devastating impact of domestic violence. This month, we honor the survivors of domestic violence, whose struggles and successes continue to inspire us all as we rededicate ourselves to ending domestic violence in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of every background and circumstance and affects every sector of our society. It is defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or behavior used to coerce, threaten or humiliate another person.

Mr. Speaker, despite the progress and achievements we have made in the recent past, there is still so much more to do. It is time to put an end to this devastating crime. Far too many families in this nation are affected by domestic violence. It is a growing epidemic affecting local, national, and international communities alike.

In the United States, one in four women and one in thirteen men will be the victim of domestic violence at some point in his or her lifetime and over 3.3 million children witness domestic violence each year. Furthermore, domestic violence can also act as a precursor to more serious crimes. In 80 percent of intimate party homicides, regardless of which partner was killed, domestic violence was present during the relationship prior to the killing.

Mr. Speaker, victims of violence often suffer in silence, with limited options, not knowing where to turn for support and guidance. We need to break this silence. Local domestic violence agencies, shelters, victim services providing legal, emotional, and medical support are vital to helping victims and their families heal. To effectively respond to domestic violence, we must support efforts to help expand these services and to continue to foster awareness.

This month, let us recommit ourselves to ending domestic violence in our communities. We have a responsibility to continue to broaden our efforts to end violence against men, women and children. But we cannot solve this crisis alone. We must work together to create support, expand resources and eliminate barriers for victims of domestic violence. Stopping domestic violence means saving lives.

For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, October is LGBT History Month, and I rise to pay tribute to the remarkable achievements of this vibrant community. LGBT History Month, which will last throughout the month of October, commemorates the history of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender persons in addition to the history of gay rights movement.

I am proud to have supported the repeal of ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'' which was formally abolished by the military on September 20, 2011, after an orderly transition program prepared troops for the change without affecting force readiness or morale. Our nation is now stronger and our people are safer thanks to the sacrifices made by these brave Americans, who no longer need to choose between service and silence.

There have been other changes for the better under the Obama administration. In July 2011, President Obama and his administration concluded that a critical section of the Defense of Marriage Act is no longer constitutionally defensible. And, on June 24, 2011, the State of New York passed a law with bipartisan support extending the right to marry to gay and lesbian couples.

History, and progress, is also being made at the local level. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, one of the largest LGBT communities in the nation is located in the Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area, which I am privileged to represent. This dynamic community is culturally diverse and economically and artistically vibrant. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize two LGBT leaders who helped to make this possible.

Jean Harris was a lifelong human rights activist who employed her uncanny talent for community organizing to electing open-minded city officials and defeating discriminatory legislation. A true force in California's LGBT community, she served as chair of the California Democratic Party's Lesbian/Gay Caucus, president of San Francisco's Harvey Milk Lesbian/Gay Democratic Club, and vice president of the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club. Indeed, many local leaders and public servants across California owe their careers to her tireless advocacy. Jean Harris passed away on June 15, 2011.

In August 2011, I rose to pay tribute to the late Paul Duncan, the Director of Outreach for the Long Beach Community Business Network, who spent the last ten years of his life working tirelessly to connect local Long Beach employers to business organizations from Hawaii to Washington, DC. An advocate for economic empowerment of LGBT business owners and entrepreneurs, Mr. Duncan was known around the nation and beloved by the Long Beach community. He died suddenly of an aneurism at a national conference where he was one of 70 affiliate leaders working for job creation and expanded economic opportunity for LGBT-owned businesses.

Mr. Speaker, progress is made through the efforts of courageous leaders like Jean and Paul; people who actively engage their communities and face adversity to ensure that the rights of all are clearly defined and protected.

People like the legendary Bayard Rustin, a leading strategist of the Civil Rights Movement and trusted advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr. An early proponent of nonviolent resistance, Rustin organized the 1947 Journey of Reconciliation which inspired the Freedom Rides of the 1960s and helped Dr. King organize the Southern Christian Leadership Conference which became the nerve center of the American Civil Rights Movement.

Bayard Rustin was a driving force behind the iconic 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom which brought national attention to the civil rights struggle and spurred the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. He arranged the transportation, trained the marshals and oversaw all of the logistical details involved in putting on one of the most effective political demonstrations in world history and setting the stage for Dr. King's timeless ``I Have a Dream'' speech.

Later, Bayard Rustin worked to integrate all-white unions and became heavily involved in international humanitarian development and peacemaking. Openly gay, he became a public advocate for LGBT causes in the 1970s and passed away on a mission to Haiti in 1987.

Many great writers of the Harlem Renaissance, such as Countee Cullen and Bruce Nugent, were homosexual, and the contributions they made to literature are forever ingrained in the cultural fabric of America. Langston Hughes was probably the most well known, though he was an intensely private man and never spoke openly on the subject.

Billy Strayhorn was a musician and gifted composer whose 30-year collaboration with Duke Ellington resulted in some of the most indispensable music of the jazz age. Openly gay, Strayhorn participated in many civil rights causes and arranged a musical score for his friend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1963.

James Baldwin is one of the great literary figures of the 20th century. The writings of this African-American explored issues of race and class and gender. He rose to prominence with the civil rights movement and worked to bridge the gap between the competing approaches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X, both of whom were his personal friends. His work and life had a profound impact on countless equality activists and writers.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to acknowledge the achievements of just a few of the countless number of Americans who defied the

odds and overcame prejudice and discrimination, and intolerance and worked to make everyone including America be a more welcoming place succeeding generations of LGBT community members.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 3rd anniversary of the passing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. On October 28, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which I cosponsored and voted for when it was passed by a Democratic led Congress on October 8, 2009 as part of the 2010 Defense Authorization Act.

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act greatly expands the 1969 United States Federal Hate-Crime Law to include crimes motivated by the victim's perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. The bill expands prosecution beyond instances of federally protected activities, enables the federal government greater freedom in prosecuting cases that local authorities do not pursue, and is the first federal law to extend protection to transgender persons.

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is named for Matthew Shepard, a 19-year-old gay man from Wyoming who was beaten and left for dead, and James Byrd, Jr., a 49-year-old African American man from Texas who was beaten and dragged behind a truck until he was dead.

This legislation which was first introduced in Congress a decade ago marks a proud step forward for our nation in strengthening the dignity and personal rights of all Americans. It is a matter of simple justice, one that says violence against people based on individual variations like race, gender, sexual orientation, military status and religion will not be tolerated.

Mr. Speaker, I represent an exceptionally diverse district. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act is especially important to me in that it has, and will continue to, improve the safety of so many of the people I represent. From our LGBT community to our historic African American and Hispanic neighborhoods, this law improves the protection of all of us against senseless violence based on bias and hate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to promoting breast cancer education and awareness, raising funds for breast cancer research and emphasizing the importance of early detection in fighting the disease.

Breast cancer is a harsh reality in our nation. It's a year-round battle, taking place every day, every hour for thousands of women across the country. Few people in this country have not been touched in some way by breast cancer, whether through personal experience or through the experience of a family member, friend or member of our community.

This month, we stand alongside our mothers, daughters, sisters and wives to recognize breast cancer awareness month. Though we mark October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the fight goes beyond this month and we must stay vigilant in our support.

Breast cancer is still the most frequently diagnosed type of non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in our nation. According to the American Cancer Association, this year 200,000 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease and nearly 40,000 will lose their lives. Despite the great strides that have been made in earlier detection and improved treatment, there remains much to be accomplished.

This month, Americans across the nation are encouraged to take the time to learn more about breast cancer awareness and understand risk factors, treatment and prevention. Learning about prevention can result in earlier detection of breast cancer in its early stages, and can significantly increase the chances of survival.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation recommends that women should have regular clinical breast exams and mammograms, which can help improve the chances of surviving breast cancer. I encourage all women to talk with their healthcare providers and promote the early detection of breast cancer by having regular mammograms and clinical breast exams.

Mr. Speaker, during this month, I urge all Americans to wear pink ribbons in recognition of breast cancer awareness and in honor of those who have lost their lives to this devastating disease as well as support those who are courageously fighting the battle against breast cancer. By raising awareness and supporting innovative research, we can move closer to achieving a world free of breast cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend President Barack Obama's address at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York. During his address, President Obama announced that the Administration would redouble its efforts to combat human trafficking at home and abroad. The administration's new initiatives will strengthen the existing zero- tolerance policy on human trafficking in government contracting, will provide tools and training for federal officials to identify and assist trafficking victims, and will expand services and legal assistance to victims.

Human trafficking continues to be an urgent and dire concern. There are an estimated 20 million men, women and children who are subjected to sex trafficking, forced labor, bonded labor, domestic servitude, and child soldiering. These practices, besides being an unconscionable attack on the world's most vulnerable, affect all of us on a daily basis. It fuels organized crime, damages public health, and taints our businesses' supply chains. However, President Obama's efforts will undoubtedly improve American leadership on this issue and bring new opportunities to aid victims around the world.

As a member of the Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus, I have also worked hard to make this a congressional priority. My constituency includes approximately 50,000 Cambodians, most of whom resettled after fleeing

their native land during the murderous reign of Khmer Rouge. Cambodia, according to the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking is one of the leading sources and destinations of trafficking in persons. Many of these victims are the friends and relatives of my constituents. They want very much to see their loved ones protected, and so do I.

I have strongly advocated each year for enhanced funding to combat human trafficking, and I have spoken on the subject to the European Union Inter-Parliamentary Assembly as a part of the House Helsinki Commission. In the 111th Congress, I also introduced House Resolution 929, which recognizes December 2 as ``International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.'' This resolution encourages member states of the United Nations to intensify their efforts to eradicate modern-day slavery, and it urges Americans to help raise awareness of the prevalence of this human rights abuse. I introduced a similar resolution in the 112th Congress supporting the goals and ideals of the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.

I am proud to report that House Resolution 929 was endorsed by the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation, the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking, Safe Horizon, Freedom Network, Humanity United, Coalition to Abolish Modern-Day Slavery in Asia, Boat People SOS, and the Polaris Project blog. These modern day abolitionists are the true heroes, fighting on the frontlines to protect trafficking victims and serving as models of the compassion and leadership we should all strive to display every day.

Mr. Speaker, this month marked the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation that all slaves residing in the states in rebellion against the Union would forever be free. President Lincoln's bold move changed our nation for the better and is a defining moment in American history when we fully committed ourselves to protecting the liberty of every man, woman, and child.

We must remain aware that the struggle continues and even hides within the borders of the United States. Human trafficking remains one of the gravest injustices of our time as it continues to rob millions of people of basic self-determination and dignity. Yet our government is making significant progress. I firmly believe that, through American leadership and global cooperation, we can bring the goal of eradication within reach.

Mr. Speaker, I thank President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton for their steadfast support for anti-human trafficking initiatives, and I reaffirm my own dedication to combating all forms of modern slavery and upholding the American promise of freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend America's home healthcare workers who provide services to millions of patients, including many Medicare beneficiaries, who are homebound and require skilled care. These skilled and dedicated workers are among the unsung heroes in the effort to contain the cost of healthcare without sacrificing the quality of service provided to patients. Today, there are more than 40 million seniors in the United States, 12 percent of the population. In 20 years, that number will increase to 70 million, or 20 percent of the population. More than 27 million of these individuals are over age 70, and more that 1 million are over the age of 80. Further, more than 43 million people in the United States, 19 percent of the population, provide care for an elderly family member or friend.

Mr. Speaker, many healthcare treatments that were once offered only in a hospital or a physician's office can now be safely, effectively, and efficiently provided in patients' homes by skilled clinicians. Home healthcare is generally less expensive, more convenient, and as effective as care provided in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Home healthcare can serve as an intermediate level of care for patients who have difficulty accessing outpatient care or who need intensive assistance with an acute or chronic health problem.

Skilled home healthcare services funded under Medicare Part A and B are safe, effective, affordable, clinically advanced, and patient preferred.

A case study conducted by the Veterans' Administration (VA) illustrates the benefits of home healthcare. The VA has provided comprehensive primary care services to veterans in their homes since 1972 in an effort to keep patients in their homes and reduce inpatient hospital days. The program was specifically

designed to target patients with complex chronic diseases through an interdisciplinary team of health professionals. This program showed a reduction in inpatient hospital days by 62 percent, and a reduction in nursing home bed days by 88 percent. This translated into a reduction in the cost of care from $38,000 to $29,000 per patient per year for patients enrolled in the program (a 24 percent reduction).

The Medicare program continues to increase in importance in my home state of California, where our senior population is increasing dramatically. The percentage of Californians age 6o and older is expected to grow from 6.4 percent in 2010 to 11.5 percent by 2030, according to the California Department of Aging. In my district, there are currently 63,053 Medicare recipients. I am committed to preserving benefits for current recipients and those nearing retirement, while guaranteeing the program's solvency for future generations of Americans.

For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of Medicare's Skilled Home Healthcare Services act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week during the week of September 16 through September 22, 2012. These institutions of higher learning play a unique role in bringing together families and communities to develop our nation's most valuable resource: our children. During this week, I rise to thank the Hispanic-serving institutions that are equipping our children with the skills necessary for a lifetime of success.

I would like to recognize four such institutions in the 37th Congressional District of California: California State University- Dominguez Hills, California State University-Long Beach, El Camino College-Compton Center, and Long Beach City College. These schools are preparing students to enter the workforce in science, education, and healthcare, among many other fields and career paths that will contribute to our economic success today and in the future.

The majority of residents in my district are Hispanic, and Hispanics represent our country's largest minority group. Hispanics have already made invaluable contributions to America and I have no doubt Hispanics will continue to do so. The future prosperity of America hinges on tapping into the enormous potential of minority groups. Investing in technical education for minorities is not just a moral obligation but an American necessity.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the tremendous work of Hispanic-serving institutions, within my district as well as across the nation. I thank the countless staff members and educators who are strengthening our education system and creating new opportunities for a new generation of Hispanic leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 786, which honors the four exceptional public servants who gave their lives in service to the United States and condemns the attacks on United States' diplomatic facilities in Libya, Egypt, and Yemen.

I would like to extend my condolences and sympathy in this time of great loss to the families of these four heroes.

Mr. Speaker, John Christopher Stevens, the United States Ambassador to Libya; Sean Smith, Foreign Service Information Management Officer; and Tyrone S. Woods and Glen

A. Doherty, Security Officers, were among the finest members of our diplomatic corps. They dedicated their lives to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the United States abroad.

Ambassador Stevens was a champion of the Libyan people's efforts to remove Muammar Qaddafi from power and served as Special Envoy to the Libyan Transitional National Council in Benghazi during the 2011 Libyan revolution.

Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith, and security officers Tyrone S. Woods and Glen A. Doherty as well as the United States' citizens that were injured in these attacks made professional and personal sacrifices to faithfully serve the United States and its people to advance the ideals of freedom, democracy, and human dignity around the globe.

They are heroes and their contributions and sacrifices in service to America and the cause of freedom will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution in its condemnation of the terrorists who planned and conducted the attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya, and those who vandalized the United States embassies in Cairo, Egypt, and Sana'a, Yemen. The resolution also reaffirms that nothing can justify terrorism or attacks on innocent civilians and diplomatic personnel.

Most importantly, the bill calls upon the Governments of Libya, Egypt, and Yemen, in full cooperation with the United States Government, to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of these attacks.

Finally, the resolution reiterates the United States' commitment to promoting its core values, including support for democracy, universal human rights, individual and religious freedom, and respect for human dignity.

Mr. Speaker, we are fortunate indeed to live in a country that produces exceptional men like Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty. Their selfless devotion to our nation's ideals and values will forever mark them as American heroes. I hope their families can take consolation in the fact that they will live on in the memories of the grateful nation they gave their lives to serve.

It is for these reasons that I support H. Res. 786 and ask for a moment of silence in memory of Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary young man, Denzell Perry. Today, Mr. Perry is being honored as the Pacific Region Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of America. Mr. Perry is from Watts, California, which is in my district. He embodies the core values held by the Boys and Girls Club. He leads by example and has already made a significant difference at his local center.

Mr. Perry started going to the center at the age of six, and the relationships he built then have turned into lifelong friends and mentors. Now, he provides the same guidance and support that he received as a child.

At his club, Mr. Perry was president of the teen service group and served as a junior staff member. Also, when Mr. Perry's club wanted to help more teens receive assistance through its college access program, he designed a new Web site that really spoke to his peers.

In high school, Mr. Perry was class president, a member of the Black Student Union, and a student member of the board of education. Now he attends University of California Irvine, majoring in criminal justice. I am confident that, with his strong work ethic and sense of social justice, he will transform his community and the lives of future generations.

Mr. Speaker, he is the type of young man we should all look to for inspiration. He is a true leader in his community and has a bright future ahead of him. I am honored to have such an impressive young man in my district. I urge my colleagues to continue to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of America which has a tradition of producing great Americans such Denzel Washington, Magic Johnson, General Wesley Clark, and now continues with Denzell Perry.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition of H.J. Res. 118. This resolution expresses opposition to a condition that does not exist. Republicans, led by their presidential nominee, have been spreading the falsehood that the Obama administration has weakened the work requirement of the Welfare Reform Act of 1996, one of the landmark achievements of the Clinton administration. The claim is false, and has been conclusively refuted by the foremost authority on welfare reform, former President Bill Clinton himself.

Here is what really happened. When some Republican governors asked for waivers to try new ways to put people on welfare back to work, the Obama administration listened. The administration agreed to give waivers to those governors and others only if they had a credible plan to increase employment by 20 percent, and they could keep the waivers only if they did increase employment. As noted by President Clinton, the waivers actually ``ask for more work, not less.''

The claim that the administration weakened welfare reform's work requirement is just not true. This is simply a political stunt for the fall campaign that wastes precious time that could be spent working together on solutions for the real problems confronting American families like creating jobs and strengthening the economy.

Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that H.J. Res. 118 is purely a messaging bill and not a bill for the American people. This is an effort to distract Americans from the Republicans' dismal job record. Republicans should be passing the administration jobs package, middle class tax cuts, and a comprehensive deficit deal to stop sequestration instead of engaging in this election-year maneuvering as they leave town. This bill is a waste of time and shouldn't have been introduced on the floor. I strongly oppose H.J. Res. 118 and urge my colleagues to do so as well.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my friend and colleague from California, Chairman Denham, as well as Ranking Member Norton, for bringing this bill forward and for working with me to improve the bill.

I serve in a unique position by serving on both the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as Homeland Security. Although this may not be the perfect bill, as some have articulated for the record already, I would have preferred, for example, that the bill make more explicit FEMA's authority to respond to acts of terrorism, in addition to natural disasters. Yet I believe it is necessary that we pass this bill today to ensure that the men and women of FEMA have the

resources necessary to respond to emergencies and disasters in the near future.

I rise in support of the bill, specifically to the language that I added to H.R. 2903 in committee, and I believe it's essential to the well-being of the American people. Specifically, my language, which was marked up in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and accepted with bipartisan approval, would provide a series of checks and balances that keep the American public safe.

First, my language simply would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security coordinates and provides guidance to the appropriate individuals, officials, and organizations for outreach to individuals with disabilities during unforeseen disasters. This simple, straightforward language will help to keep the disabled, who are the most vulnerable and often times experience the greatest challenges during a time of disaster, safe during those disasters, and also from terrorist attacks.

Individuals with disabilities should feel as safe and secure in their communities and their work environments as individuals without disabilities. Too often, however, the needs of people with disabilities are not considered in emergency planning despite the fact that the need for such planning has received an increased focus due to the recent disasters--for example, Hurricane Katrina--both natural and man-made.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate has stated that:

At FEMA, we need to do a better job of meeting the needs of

people with disabilities when disaster strikes. We have to

start by supporting and encouraging our entire emergency

management team, including our State and local partners, to

integrate the needs of people with disabilities into all

planning.

My language strengthens H.R. 2903 by ensuring guidance is given to the individuals with disabilities and facilitates cooperation among Federal, State, territorial, local, and tribal governments, private organizations, and individuals in the implementation of emergency preparedness plans related to individuals with disabilities.

Additionally, I included language that would make sure that the integrated public alert and warning system, IPAWS, is properly performing and that the system needs to be tested regularly. IPAWS is the generation platform for transmitting emergency alerts. I have the experience of representing in my district, the 37th Congressional District, the largest number of Samoans outside of Samoa. If we look at that particular incident, and had we had a better working system similar to what IPAWS will be able to do, I believe many lives would not have been lost.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, in November 2011, FEMA conducted a nationwide test of the emergency alert system for the first time in the system's 50-year existence. The system met with widespread problems. With the ever-changing threat to the environment and technological landscape, we cannot afford to wait 50 years to verify if IPAWS is fully performing. To do so is irresponsible. In the case of EAS tests, significant gaps in the system's ability to provide a nationwide alert were revealed for the first time.

My language seeks to make sure that IPAWS in the future is regularly tested and to encourage the administrator of FEMA to test the system at least once every 3 years.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the language that I submitted was accepted in a bipartisan way, strengthens this bill, and I encourage my colleagues to support the bill as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the tireless service and dedication of my friend and colleague, Congressman Jerry Costello of Illinois. Congressman Costello has announced his retirement from the House at the end of the 112th Congress after 24 years of faithful and effective service to the people of the 12th Congressional District of Illinois.

Known to his friends and colleagues simply as ``Jerry,'' Congressman Costello began his career shortly after graduating from high school, working as a law enforcement officer while attending Maryville University. In 1980, Congressman Costello was elected Chairman of the St. Clair County Board, the chief executive of one of Illinois' largest counties, where he gained valuable leadership experience. In 1988, Jerry was elected to Congress.

I have had the privilege of working closely with Jerry throughout my tenure on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, on which he has been an influential and a senior Democratic member. Jerry is perhaps the leading expert in the House on aviation issues and I feel fortunate to have been a member of the Aviation Subcommittee when he chaired the panel during the 110th and 111th Congress. Congressman Costello also served as the second ranking Democrat on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, playing a leading role in writing and passing several major pieces of legislation to improve our Nation's infrastructure and technological advancement.

As Chair of Aviation Subcommittee, Jerry played an indispensible role in passing the $68 billion Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. Jerry has worked to pass

major bills for our Nation's transportation infrastructure, including obtaining a significant grant for a new Mississippi River Bridge. He also secured the passage of the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009.

Jerry has been a champion of bipartisanship throughout his tenure in the House, and is deeply respected by members on both sides of the aisle. He refused to allow partisanship to keep him from finding the common ground necessary to advance the interests of his constituents and the American people.

Jerry's talent for finding common ground enabled him to assemble and lead the coalition that saved Scott Air Force Base from closure and led his constituents to dub him affectionately as the ``Patron Saint of Scott AFB.''

I am honored to count Jerry as one of my close friends and colleagues. Throughout his tenure, Jerry has proven to be a shining example of the type of dedication and devotion we should all strive to match. I have long been an admirer of Congressman Costello's work, and we will all surely feel the loss of his presence.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Costello is a Member's Member: honorable, hardworking, selfless, and dedicated to public service. It has been an honor to serve with him in the People's House. I wish Jerry and his family success and happiness as he embarks upon the next phase of his remarkable career of service, all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, it is my regrettable duty to report the death of a great American, Larry Grant. Mr. Grant died on August 22, 2012 in Torrance, California. He was 86. Perhaps more than any other person, Mr. Grant was responsible for founding the parade commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King that was the first in Los Angeles and became one of the largest in the nation.

Mr. Grant was instrumental in starting the Kingdom Day Parade where thousands of spectators lined the streets to celebrate civil rights leader Dr. King. With a deep love for his country, Mr. Grant was driven by passion to create a platform to showcase past and present black leaders in the community and hopefully inspire the youth. Mr. Grant traveled the three-mile route in South Los Angeles with a procession of colorful floats, marching bands and dance troupes trailing behind.

Mr. Grant created the yearly event as an entertaining way to unite the community. It also became a means of mending wounds. In the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, when tensions were still thick between Korean store owners and black residents, Grant appointed a Korean taekwondo master to serve as co-chair.

Mr. Grant was one of the pioneers of Black bankers in the State of California. After serving 20 years in the Army, including World War II and the Korean War, he earned a degree in banking from the University of Maryland. He was the President and CEO of Pacific Coast Bank in San Diego, California where he started banking in 1964 until his retirement in 1984.

In 1979, his colleagues encouraged Mr. Grant to form the nonprofit National Cultural Corp. A year later Mr. Grant threw the first King parade in San Diego, before the civil rights activist's birthday was recognized as a national holiday. Mr. Grant was eager to bring the parade's success to Los Angeles. On January 20, 1986, Los Angeles hosted the first Kingdom Day Parade. It was also the first year that King's birthday was celebrated as a federal holiday.

I remember fondly Mr. Grant's devotion to keeping the legacy of Dr. King alive through the annual Kingdom Day Parade in Los Angeles. He earned the love and respect from countless people through his selfless acts. Mr. Grant was a leader in the community and was instrumental in sharing Dr. King's philosophy with future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence in memory of Larry Grant.