Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2965 and do so proudly. I support the Senate Amendment because I stand on the side of our military and all who have sacrificed for our freedom, and that is why I support the repeal of the ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'', DADT, policy which, since 1993 has resulted in the discharge of over 13,000 American servicemen and women and cost our taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in wasted funds. DADT denies equality to thousands of our soldiers and dissuades thousands more from enlisting in the defense of our country.

I believe that all Americans willing to risk their lives in the defense of our country and obey its laws should be allowed to do so. Both our military and civilian leaders support the repeal of DADT. It is our responsibility to ensure that this change is initiated at a gradual, manageable pace so as to avoid any unnecessary disruption.

Defense Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, understand that an orderly transition is critical to minimizing disruption in the ranks, ensuring we maintain our strength level and not compromise national security. I applaud Secretary Gates' leadership and initiative, beginning with the landmark report he commissioned in March 2010 which included a survey of over 115,000 enlisted personnel and 44,000 military family members. In conjunction with this report, the Department of Defense prepared an implementation plan that will provide a smooth transition with minimal dislocation. The Pentagon stands ready to implement this plan, and I am proud that Congress is acting to move it forward.

In the 17 years since DADT was adopted, there has been a remarkable change in public opinion regarding the acceptance of gays and lesbians serving in the armed forces. This change has been so dramatic that the repeal of DADT no longer represents a subject of controversy for the large majority of Americans. Indeed, repealing DADT brings public policy in line with informed popular sentiment, which is nearly always a positive good.

The Pentagon's report documents one of the largest surveys of the attitudes of military personnel ever conducted. Its key finding is that the sexual orientation of their peers is not a matter of concern to most service members. Nearly 7 in 10, 69 percent, of respondents believed that they had already served with a gay or lesbian in their unit, and it did not undermine morale or military readiness. The report also finds that, if properly implemented, the repeal of DADT will have no adverse affect on unit cohesion or morale. These attitudes are in line with those of most Americans, who recognize that the military needs every patriotic, able-bodied recruit during a time of war.

Mr. Speaker, opponents of the measure still claim that repealing DADT is ``social engineering'' that will undermine morale and erode the fighting force of our nation's military. Their claim is refuted by the empirical study conducted by the Pentagon. It is also interesting to note that similar arguments were raised in opposition to racial integration and the enlistment of women in the armed services. The critics were wrong then and they are wrong now. The action we take today also brings us in line with the long-standing practice of our NATO allies as well as that of Israel, a nation rooted in faith that would do nothing to compromise the security of its people.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation and urge all my colleagues to do likewise. I look forward to the moment when President Obama signs this bill into law, which will at once strengthen our armed forces and ensure that all those who want to defend our freedom are given the opportunity.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Senate amendments to H.R. 5809, the Senate version of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2010. As author of H.R. 6482, the House companion to the Senate bill, S. 3973, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

I would argue that this legislation was not just brought up in the lame duck session. In fact, I have staff members here who worked a great deal of time with the Energy and Commerce Committee to bring forward this very thoughtful legislation. What this legislation will do is create jobs, save lives, and significantly improve the Nation's air quality system.

I wish to thank Chairman Waxman and Chairman Markey and their staffs for their support and everything they have done to make it possible to bring this bill to the floor. It is important. People's health is important, even today in a lame duck session. I also appreciate the efforts of Senator Voinovich and Senator Carper in shepherding this bill through the Senate.

This legislation reauthorizes and extends DERA for an additional 5 years and includes several important modifications to expand the program and increase eligibility. DERA has proven to be successful, and this is why we are bringing this bill forward today, in reducing diesel emissions by upgrading and modernizing older diesel engines and equipment.

You might ask: Why is this important to me in my particular district and in California and in the Nation? Well, I'll tell you why. Our district is home to the two busiest container ports in the United States: the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. On average, 35,000 trucks commute to and from the ports daily, and by the year 2030 this number is expected to triple.

Those living along freight corridors in my district are already suffering from asthma and cancer rates far above the national average. Air quality improvement and reductions in emissions are vital to the quality of life and health for those who live along the goods movement corridors.

The immediate and long-term benefits of passing the DERA 2010 Act are substantial, both in my district and in the Nation. Additionally, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2010 provides economic incentives that all of our State and local governments need right now, with their private fleets that contract with State and local governments, to decrease emissions still while maintaining and expanding their levels of service.

Since DERA was funded back in 2007, more than 3,000 projects nationwide have benefited from this very program. The EPA has estimated that the program averages more than $13 in savings, yes, savings, in health and economic benefits for every $1 in funding, and this reauthorization even further emphasizes cost-effective programs. Moreover, projections estimate that nearly 2,000 lives will be saved by 2017 in direct relation to DERA's impact on air quality.

This legislation has been endorsed by leading environmental, health, and transportation organizations who have argued that DERA is an effective program that protects and creates American jobs.

I would like to include in the Record a letter supporting this legislation signed by over 500 leading environmental, health, and transportation organizations and companies.

Members in both Chambers and on both sides of the aisle have embraced this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support it again today.

November 9, 2010.

Hon. Laura Richardson,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Congresswoman Richardson: As a uniquely broad

coalition of environmental, science-based, public health,

industry, labor and state and local government groups, we are

writing in support of efforts to reauthorize the Diesel

Emission Reduction Act (DERA), scheduled to expire at the end

of fiscal year 2011. The program has been extremely

successful in providing cost-effective public health and

environmental benefits.

Diesel-powered vehicles and equipment play an important

role in the nation's economy and are getting cleaner every

day. DERA, originally enacted in 2005 with overwhelming

bipartisan support, was designed to reduce emissions from the

20 million existing diesel engines in use today by as much as

90 percent.

Since enactment, DERA has been successful from an economic,

environmental and public health perspective, yielding one of

the greatest cost-benefit ratios of any federal program,

according to the Office of Management and Budget

calculations. In a recent Report to Congress on the first

year of the DERA program, the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) estimates that for every dollar spent on the DERA

program, an average of more than $20 in health benefits are

generated. Every state in the nation now has a diesel

retrofit program and benefits from DERA funding.

As a result of the program's success, DERA benefits from

extensive broad-based support. Over 350 diverse companies and

organizations from across the country have signed letters in

support of DERA. In addition, the U.S. Conference of Mayors,

the National Association of Counties and the National

Conference of State Legislatures all adopted policies at

their annual meetings this summer calling on Congress to

reauthorize the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. We encourage

you to prioritize passage of this successful bi-partisan

program the next time Congress is in session to ensure

continued benefits for all.

We strongly support efforts to reauthorize the program for

an additional five years at the current authorized level of

funding along with a few modest changes. Changes proposed in

draft legislation will make the program more effective by

streamlining the grant process, improving EPA's

administration, removing outdated language, and ensuring full

consideration of the congressional policies and priorities

established in the law.

We urge you to support efforts to reauthorize the Diesel

Emission Reduction Act (DERA), by cosponsoring legislation

once introduced, to ensure the continuation of this widely

successful, cost effective program.

Sincerely,

Action for Regional Equity; Action United; AGC of

Minnesota; AJC-Palm Beach County Regional Office; Alabama

State Port Authority; Alban Tractor Company, Inc.; Albany

Port District Commission, Alivio Medical Center; Allied Grape

Growers; Almond Hullers & Processors Association;

Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE); Amalgamated

Transit Union Local 241; American Association of Port

Authorities (AAPA); American Lung Association; American

Lung Association in Alabama; American Lung Association in

Alaska; American Lung Association in Arizona; American

Lung Association in Arkansas; American Lung Association in

California; American Lung Association in Colorado.

American Lung Association in Connecticut; American Lung

Association in DC; American Lung Association in Delaware;

American Lung Association in Florida; American Lung

Association in Georgia; American Lung Association in Hawaii;

American Lung Association in Idaho; American Lung Association

in Illinois; American Lung Association in Indiana; American

Lung Association in Iowa; American Lung Association in

Kansas; American Lung Association in Kentucky; American Lung

Association in Louisiana; American Lung Association in Maine;

American Lung Association in Maryland; American Lung

Association in Massachusetts; American Lung Association in

Michigan; American Lung Association in Minnesota; American

Lung Association in Mississippi; American Lung Association in

Missouri.

American Lung Association in Montana; American Lung

Association in Nebraska; American Lung Association in Nevada;

American Lung Association in New Hampshire; American Lung

Association in New Jersey; American Lung Association in New

Mexico; American Lung Association in New York; American Lung

Association in North Carolina; American Lung Association in

North Dakota; American Lung Association in Ohio; American

Lung Association in Oklahoma; American Lung Association in

Oregon; American Lung Association in Pennsylvania; American

Lung Association in Rhode Island; American Lung Association

in South Carolina; American Lung Association in South Dakota;

American Lung Association in Tennessee; American Lung

Association in Texas; American Lung Association in Utah;

American Lung Association in Vermont; American Lung

Association in Virginia.

American Lung Association in Washington; American Lung

Association in West Virginia; American Lung Association in

Wisconsin; American Lung Association in Wyoming; American

Road & Transportation Builders Association; Appalachian

Voices; Artic Breeze/Hammond Air Conditioning Limited;

Associated California Loggers; Associated Equipment

Distributors; Associated General Contractors of America

(AGC); Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee;

Association of American Railroads; Association of Equipment

Manufacturers; Asthma Regional Council; Atlanta Bicycle

Coalition; Autotherm Division Enthal Systems Inc.; B.R.

Williams, Inc.; Baltimore Nonviolence Center; BASF Catalyst

LLC; Baumot North America, LLC.

Bay Area Air Quality Management District; Beaverton Schools

Transportation; Beck Bus Transportation; Bell Associates

International LLc; Beverly Unitarian Church; Bike Pittsburgh;

Bikes Not Bombs; Blue Diamond Growers; Boston Climate Action

Network (BostonCAN); Boston Healthy Homes and Schools

Collaborative; Brattain International Trucks, Inc.; Breast

Cancer Action Coalition; Breathe Clean Air Action Team

(BCAAT, Inc.); Brett Hulsey, Dane County; Supervisor,

District 4; California Association of Wheat Growers;

California Cattlemen's Association; California Citrus Mutual;

California Cotton Ginners Association; California Cotton

Growers Association; California Dairy Campaign; California

Farm Bureau Federation; California Grape & Tree Fruit League;

California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, Air

Quality Work Group; California Rice Commission.

California School Transportation Association; California

Women for Agriculture; Campbell Maritime, Inc.; Canary

Coalition; Capitol Underground, Inc.; Carolina Green Food

Service Supply; Cascade Sierra Solutions--Coburg, OR Branch;

Cascade Sierra Solutions--Fontana, CA Branch; Cascade Sierra

Solutions--National; Cascade Sierra Solutions--Portland, OR

Branch; Cascade Sierra Solutions--Sacramento, CA Branch;

Cascade Sierra Solutions--Seattle, WA Branch; Catalytic

Solutions, Inc.; Caterpillar Inc.; Center for Biological

Diversity; Center for the Celebration of Creation

(Philadelphia, PA); Central Valley Air Quality Coalition

(CVAQ); Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance.

Charlotte Energy Solutions; Chelsea Board of Health;

Chelsea Collaborative, Inc; Chelsea Creek Action Group;

Chelsea Green Space and Recreation Committee; Chesapeake

Climate Action Network; Chestnut Ridge Transportation, Inc.;

Chicago Area Clean Cities; Childhood Lead Action Project;

Citizen Action/Illinois; Citizen Power; Citizens Against

Ruining the Environment; Citizens Environmental Coalition;

Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture); City of

Pittsburgh; City of Westland, Michigan; Cleaire Advanced

Emissions Controls; Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania;

Clean Air Carolina; Clean Air Council.

Clean Air Partnership; Clean Air Task Force (CATF); Clean

Air Watch; Clean Energy Coalition (MI); Clean Fuels Ohio;

Clean New York; Clean Water Action--California; Clean Water

Action--Chesapeake Region; Clean Water Action--Colorado;

Clean Water Action--Connecticut; Clean Water Action--Florida;

Clean Water Action--Michigan; Clean Water Action--National;

Clean Water Action--Pennsylvania; Clean Water Action--Rhode

Island; Clean Water Action--Texas; Clean Water Action

Alliance of Massachusetts; Cleveland County Asthma Coalition

(NC); Coalition for Responsible Transportation (CRT);

Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business--Imperial.

Commuter Challenge; Connecticut Citizen Action Group;

Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania; Consulting

for Health, Air, Nature, and a Greener Environment (CHANGE);

Consumer Health Coalition; Corning Incorporated; Craufurd

Manufacturing, LLC; Cummins Atlantic, LLC;

Cummins Bridgeway LLC; Cummins Cal Pacific, LLC; Cummins

Crosspoint, LLC; Cummins Inc.; Cummins Mid-South, LLC;

Cummins Northeast, LLC; Cummins Northwest, LLC; Cummins

NPower LLC; Cummins Power South, LLC; Cummins Power Systems,

LLC; Cummins Rocky Mountain, LLC; Cummins Southern Plains,

Mr. Speaker, all men and women are created equal. In America, the last time I heard, it also included life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I heard today, distraction. Is it a distraction for a single woman to serve in the military? I say no. It is time we start doing it because all men and all women are created equal.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Fire Department of Long Beach, California. Specifically, I would like to thank and honor firefighter paramedics Chuck Hakopian, Mark Miller, Joyce Vanderweide, and Carston Sorensen for their heroic response to an apartment fire in Long Beach last week. These firefighters risked

their lives to save a young boy who was trapped in his bedroom as flames engulfed his family's apartment. Thanks to their bravery, 2- year-old Justin Aruomah is in stable condition and continues to improve daily.

We must never take for granted the men and women of the local fire departments across the country who courageously respond to emergencies on a daily basis, risking their lives to save those of others. Their willingness to face danger in order to serve and protect their communities affords us a peace of mind that too often goes underappreciated.

Madam Speaker, I am humbled by the firefighters of the Long Beach Fire Department, whose bravery and devotion to their community is nothing short of heroic. The events of last Monday, December 6, 2010 is only one of many moving examples of this heroism.

Just after midnight, firefighter Chuck Hakopian and Carston Sorenson rushed into a burning apartment. They ran up the apartment's stairs through billowing clouds of smoke and into a bedroom that was engulfed in flames. The floor in the room was so weakened by the fire that Mr. Hakopian fell through the floor to his elbows. After pulling himself up and out of the collapsed floor, he rushed into a second bedroom, where he found 2-year-old Justin Aruomah lying face down on the floor. As Mr. Sorenson battled the flames with a fire hose, Mr. Hakopian covered the boy's head and body and rushed him out of the burning house to awaiting paramedics Mark Miller and Joyce Vanderweide. Justin was unconscious, but alive. As he was rushed to the hospital, Ms. Vanderweide and Mr. Miller were able to revive his breathing. Justin was soon placed in critical condition. Thanks to these brave men and women he is alive and recuperating.

I do not share this story of bravery and sacrifice because it is any way uncommon. The firefighters of the Long Beach Fire Department, along with departments across the country, risk their lives every day to protect people who they have never met. These acts of selflessness are typically accompanied by little fanfare. These brave men and women simply return to work the next day to await the call of duty.

I share this story because it is a powerful reminder of the need to support the men and women who stand ready to serve our communities, day and night. We have an obligation to provide our firefighters--along with our police officers, paramedics, and all other emergency responders--with the resources that they need to do their job successfully and as safely as possible. This means providing enough funding for them to afford all the necessary training and cutting-edge equipment. This is the right thing to do for the men and women who dedicate their lives to serving our communities.

As the Chair of the Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Emergency Communication, Preparedness, and Response, supporting our emergency responders is one of my top priorities in Congress. Emergency situations cannot always be prevented, but their effects can be mitigated by ensuring that emergency responders have all the resources that they need to protect us.

Again, I thank Chuck Hakopian, Mark Miller, Joyce Vanderweide, and Carston Sorensen of the Long Beach Fire Department and the emergency responders all across the country who risk their lives on behalf of their communities. Your courage and selflessness do not go unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1448, which allows the Coquille Indian Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw, the Klamath Tribes, and the Burns Palute Tribe to obtain a 99- year lease authority.

I thank Senator Merkley for introducing this legislation, and I also thank Chairman Rahall for bringing this bill to the floor today.

This common sense legislation will allow these tribes in Oregon to continue their lease authority for 99 years. The tribes will be guaranteed to be able to live on their current land well into the next century.

As a member of the Native American Caucus, I will continue to be an advocate for Native Americans. My home state of California is home to nearly 100 federally recognized tribes. I pledge to continue to work on behalf of all Native Americans in this Congress and the 112th Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 1448.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2906, which allows the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians to lease land placed in trust for a term greater than 25 years. This legislation further allows the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians to lease restricted lands under certain conditions without requiring the Secretary of the Interior's approval.

I thank Senator Cantwell for introducing this legislation, and I also thank Chairman Rahall for bringing this bill to the floor today.

As a member of the Native American Caucus, I have worked with my colleagues in Congress to address the needs of all Native Americans. While the legislation before us today affects three tribes in Washington State, I will continue to work on behalf of the nearly 100 federally recognized tribes in California and all tribes across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 2906.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Senate amendment to the Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act and also the underlying bill.

I thank my colleague, Congressman Norman Dicks for introducing H.R. 1061 and I support this legislation with the Senate amendment.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation truly embraces a collaborative effort between the Hoh Indian Tribe and the Government. The Hoh Indian Tribe currently lives in a flood-prone area. In fact, over 90 percent of their current reservation lies in a flood zone. Year after year more of their homes and tribal buildings are washed away by flood waters. This legislation allows land to be taken into trust so the Hoh Indian Tribe can relocate to higher, safer lands.

This legislation permits the tribe to conduct a land survey of federal land for relocation and submit it to the Director of the National Park Service for approval. Certain activities such as logging, hunting, and gaming will be prohibited on federal lands. It also directs the Secretary of the Interior and the tribe to make collaborative agreements for mutual emergency fire aid and for the development of a nonmotorized trail from Highway 101 to the Pacific Ocean. This trail will maintain the strong fishing culture of the Hoh Indian Tribe.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the Native American Caucus I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Senate amendment to the Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act.

Madam Speaker, from wings to wheels, propellers to pedals, there is no mode of transportation that Chairman Oberstar has not passionately worked to improve. I am honored to have witnessed personally a Congressman whose efforts have employed millions of American people and enhanced the safety of millions more who every day utilize a transportation system which he tirelessly labored to make cleaner, stronger, and more secure.

Chairman Oberstar, your efforts on behalf of our weakening infrastructure is legendary, but what is not was your role in helping to prevent an even worse recession. Why? Because it was you who fought even with the President to be able to invest more of our dollars into infrastructure, which proved to be exactly right and the best money that was spent with our Recovery Act.

Mr. Chairman, you have a view that reflects a full spectrum of a vision, one that you've devoted your own personal and professional life to. One of your legacies, Mr. Chairman, is your knowledge, your vision, that you've held even Inspector General witnesses, Secretaries of Transportation all accountable, something that I've enjoyed watching firsthand.

It saddens me deeply to know that coming in January our transportation guru and a mentor of mine will no longer be chairing the Transportation Committee. We have so much more to accomplish, and this will be very difficult without your presence, knowledge, and leadership. I vow to take all that you have taught me and to encourage others to build upon that vision of making America's transportation system the golden standard it used to be. However, I am hopeful that you, Chairman Oberstar, will continue your public service. Why? Because we need you. We all need you.

As I close, I want to speak to the public, to the Speaker, and for the public record. I'd like to thank Jim Oberstar, my mentor. He taught me that even everyone can have a second chance at a date if you work hard enough at it, and that you can find the right person with that hard work. He also taught me that in my first days in Congress his kind heart was always open to help me. I admire the commitment and capability of his very loyal staff. We would all be blessed to have that kind of staff.

I respect his love for this House, and even though through his surgery and pain he stood and walked to make others lives better, but most of all, he often would spend time recollecting about all of his years on the committee, and I enjoyed him talking about when he was a freshman and sat in that last seat in the front row like I had. I value how much he listened and respected our young ideas and was not enslaved to seniority.

Mr. Oberstar, your approach to civility and bipartisanship has been remarkable, but my greatest sadness will be in missing your steadying and influential hand in all the work that you do.

And as I close, I'm going to say something daring that most young Members of Congress don't do, and that's I'm going to actually say, Mr. Chairman, I think you misspoke earlier when you said that you had done your best. I disagree. You've been a great man and you have done great work. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the ``American DREAM Act.'' I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this important legislation which reflects fundamental American values of opportunity, responsibility, and community. This legislation provides an opportunity for certain young men and women who demonstrate the responsible behavior necessary to earn the chance to become a naturalized citizen.

Specifically, the DREAM Act provides conditional permanent resident status to a limited number of persons each of whom must meet the following conditions:

1. Was brought to the United States when they were 15 years old or younger;

2. Has lived in the United States for not less than 5 years before the date of enactment;

3. Has been a person of good moral character, as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act;

4. Must have graduated from high school, earned a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or admitted to an institution of higher education.

After 6 years in conditional permanent resident status, they can apply to remove the condition on their permanent residence if they have met the following conditions:

1. Maintained good moral character;

2. Have not abandoned residence in the United States; and

3. Graduated from a community college or has completed at least two years of postsecondary education in good standing towards a bachelor's degree; or

4. Served in the U.S. armed forces for at least two years and, if discharged, has received an honorable discharge.

The DREAM Act recognizes that there are a limited number of young people who, through no fault of their own, have been living in the United States illegally since childhood. For the vast majority of these young men and women, the United States is the only country they have ever known and is the one to which they have always pledged allegiance.

By providing those who have demonstrated good moral character the ability to integrate fully into American society through military service or a college education, the DREAM Act rewards responsible and productive behavior while at the same time invests in the future prosperity of our great nation.

I thank Chairman Miller for his leadership in shepherding this bill to the floor and Congressman Berman, the author of this legislation, for crafting this legislation and for his perseverance over the past decade to get it passed. Because of their efforts the action we take today will make our country stronger, fairer, more just. And it will also make our Nation more prosperous in the long term by providing incentives and opportunities for higher education for thousands of students who each year are unable to attend college because of their immigration status.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the DREAM Act will reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion over the next 10 years through increased tax revenue. Similarly, a study conducted by UCLA also estimates that DREAM Act beneficiaries have the potential to generate from $1.4 trillion to $3.6 trillion in income throughout their working lives.

Each year, approximately 65,000 students graduate high school without the possibility of continuing their education due to their immigration status and less than 10 percent of these students will go on to pursue college. Not only do these talented, law-abiding young individuals lose out on their extraordinary potential, but as a Nation we also run the risk of losing out on a tremendous amount of economic growth.

Mr. Speaker, the American Dream Act gives these students the opportunity to continue their academic pursuits, be officially recognized by the country in which they have spent most of their lives, and realize everything the American Dream has to offer. Young, undocumented immigrants who have just graduated from high school deserve the opportunity to follow their dreams and should not have a ceiling placed on their future because of decisions made by others and circumstances entirely beyond their control.

During my visits to schools in my district, one of the most ethnically diverse in the nation, I have had the opportunity to meet many students who will benefit greatly from the passage of this legislation. These students have grown up attending schools in the United States and are intimately woven into our nation's fabric. It is time that we recognize these

students' achievements and allow them to step out of the shadow that prevents them from pursuing their dreams.

Mr. Speaker, when I was six years old I had a dream. It was to one day serve in this body as a Member of Congress. I am thankful to live in a country where dreams can still come true for little boys and girls who work hard and play by the rules. The DREAM Act will allow a limited number of innocent and worthy young men and women to realize their dreams and in the process make our nation better, stronger, and safer. That is why this legislation is strongly supported by the military services, the faith community, the business community, leading higher education organizations, and thoughtful commentators on both sides of the aisle, including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the American DREAM Act.

Mr. Speaker, as representative of a district with 28,000 Samoan Americans, the largest Samoan population in this country, I rise today in support of H.R. 3353, which will provide for American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands to be treated as States for criminal justice funding.

This legislation will protect the people of these islands by securing the resources necessary to employ criminal justice programs that are most capable of addressing the specific needs in their area. It's kind of like asking why I wouldn't think that the city of Long Beach and the city of Los Angeles wouldn't garner equal funding appropriately.

I thank Chairman Conyers and Chairman Scott, as well, for their leadership in bringing forth this bill. I also applaud Congressman Sablan, the sponsor of this legislation, for his dedicated leadership on this issue and many others that have been promoting the interests and safety of the people of the Northern Marianas and American Samoa, which is represented by Eni Faleomavaega.

When we amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to treat American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands as separate States, we will allow the appropriation of funding for vital criminal justice programs that will keep these communities safe. And they deserve them.

There are over 66,000 people living in American Samoa, and there are over 48,000 people living in the Northern Marianas. Each of these islands has their own unique culture, history, and their own way of dealing with things, including their challenges. The people of these islands deserve separate funding under this legislation that will allow them to appropriately and innovatively address their specific criminal justice issues. Protecting communities and fighting crime requires not just a fair share of funding, but it also requires flexibility to apply for the funding in a way that suits that specific community.

I have traveled to American Samoa. I had an opportunity to go there this year. And we worked on the earthquake and the subsequent tsunami. And many people in my district helped to bring tons and tons of items, over 90,000 tons to be specific, to help the people in the communities. Having learned about their culture, government, and their unique identity, I am certain that passing this bill is the right thing and the fair thing to do. Again, as Representative of this district, I stand in full support of the efforts today. It's imperative that we pass this legislation now, without delay.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3353.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the dedication of the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center.

The Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center is an historic accomplishment for the Rosie Riveters, for Long Beach, California and for our nation.

Since over 175,000 women served at the Long Beach Douglas Aircraft Company, it is very appropriate that the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center be the second site in the United States dedicated to honoring the contributions of the women, symbolized by the cultural icon ``Rosie the Riveter,'' who served on the home front during World War II.

The first Rosie the Riveter Park, located in Richmond, California, focuses on women who worked in the Kaiser shipyards. The Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center, however, focuses specifically on the women who assembled military aircraft at the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach. The Long Beach site includes informational displays on the Women Airforce Service Pilots, WASP. These women transported the airplanes assembled by the women at the Douglas Aircraft Company and other aircraft plants in Southern California.

During World War II over 6 million brave women courageously entered a new workforce and served admirably the United States Armed Forces by manufacturing and delivering many parts, planes, and ammunition that enabled our victory. ``Rosie the Riveter'' is an historic American cultural icon that represents these women who were able to produce 300,000 airplanes, 102,000 armored vehicles, 77,000 ships, 20 million small arms, 4o billion bullets and 6 million tons of bombs.

The Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center features 3-acres of historic, interpretive displays surrounded by a rose-colored

walking path that circles the park and includes an etched timeline that chronicles the history of Long Beach, Douglas Aircraft Company, and the women who worked at the plant. Attached to 1940's era light poles are interpretive signs bring up a number of themes, including: the Arsenal of Democracy, Long Beach in 1941, Rosie the Riveter Comes to Long Beach, Airplanes and the War, and Women in the Workplace. All the signs feature photographs obtained from the Library of Congress and the Boeing Company. Students are encouraged to test their knowledge of World War II history at additional signs with ``Did you know?''information displays. Military service flags also hang from each light pole.

Along the walking path are several stopping points with etched stars and colorful tiles that are replicas of the recruitment posters used to encourage women to enter the workforce during the war.

A recorded narrated tour of the park that gives visitors additional information and takes them back to the 194os with music and radio broadcasts is available for free by cellphone and can be downloaded by podcast. Visitors can listen while walking or sitting at several of the benches placed throughout the park.

The park also features a replica of a ``compass rose'' that once decorated the lobby of the Roosevelt Naval Base in Long Beach. The compass rose has historically been used by pilots and navigators to locate their position and is symbolic of the way in which World War II took our Nation and its people all over the world in the defense of freedom.

Adjacent to the compass rose is a quiet garden and memorial to the women and men who served in the military, noting in the inscription: ``All Gave Some--Some Gave All.'' Carved emblems for each branch of the military, as well as the Women Airforce Service Pilots, are embedded into the memorial. Three flags fly over the memorial: a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol, a California flag, and a City of Long Beach flag.

At the south side of the park is a ``flight path'' lit with solar powered flashing lights that follows several planes etched in the pavers--planes that were assembled at the Douglas Aircraft plant. The 99s--an organization of women pilots formed by Amelia Earhart and Long Beach's first female licensed pilot, Gladys O'Donnell--will paint an air marking at the terminus of flight path just as they did before and after World War II.

In the Spring of 2011, the Long Beach park will add a replica of the original relief designed by Raymond Kaskey, which depicts women assembling airplanes and is included in the National World War II Memorial here in Washington, DC. This wonderful addition to the Long Beach site is being partially funded by a generous contribution from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation maintains a Web site, www.lbrosie.com which includes links for teacher resources in order to utilize the park as a teaching opportunity for Long Beach and United States history.

I call upon my colleagues to take this opportunity to study, reflect upon, and celebrate the stories and accomplishments of the women who served the nation as ``Rosies'' during World War H and to acknowledge all those for their efforts to honor the contributions of these heroic women.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3307, ``the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010.'' This bill will improve childhood nutrition and also women, infant, and children programs.

I thank Chairman Lincoln of the Senate Committee on Agriculture for her leadership in shepherding this bill through the Senate and applaud Chairman George Miller's continued commitment as well.

Nearly one quarter of children live in households that are struggling to put enough food on the table and approximately one third of children are overweight or obese. Both of these statistics represent serious threats to the future of our Nation's public health and security.

Specifically, S. 3307 will increase school lunch funding to help schools offer healthier meals, limit the availability of junk food at schools, and leverage public-private partnerships to identify successful community-wide strategies to improve child nutrition. It will help struggling families by modernizing the WIC benefit programs in transitioning from paper vouchers to an electronic program. This legislation also provides mandatory funding for innovative state and local projects that address childhood hunger and promote food security for low-income children.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act gives 115,000 new students access to school meals by using Medicaid data to certify eligibility and provides an additional 21 million meals annually for at-risk children by reimbursing providers for meals served after school. This legislation improves the nutritional quality of

school meals by increasing reimbursement rates to school districts that meet federal nutritional standards and it eliminates junk foods in schools by applying nutritional standards for all food products sold in schools.

In California 3.1 million children get help from the national school lunch program. Now is the time to make these changes by passing the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act tomorrow.

Madam Speaker, for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 3307.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 528, which commends the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies for its valuable contributions to international peace and security throughout Post-Soviet Europe and Asia. This important measure honors the Marshall Center for promoting regional stability through a new generation of military and civilian leaders; commends its Director, Dr. John P. Rose; and strengthens the bonds between America and its allies as we work to ensure global peace and prosperity.

I thank Chairman Berman for his leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor and for his dedication to promoting effective foreign policy that meets the challenges of an ever-changing world.

I also applaud Congressman Tanner for sponsoring this legislation. This resolution is emblematic of his commitment to transatlantic security cooperation, a cause he has championed both as a Member of Congress and as President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, the Marshall Center, was established in 1993. It is an institute dedicated to security and defense studies tailored to advancing post-Cold War democracies in Europe and Central Asia.

As a joint partnership of the United States and German governments, the Marshall Center stands as a testament to the power of international collaboration. Alumni of the Marshall Center serve as military officers, ambassadors, government ministers, and elected officials in over 100 countries. Carried by the spirit of the Marshall Plan, which rebuilt Europe following World War II, the Marshall Center has created a new generation of leaders fully prepared to tackle the most important security issues facing Europe, Asia, and North America.

Mr. Speaker, since World War II, the security of the United States has been intimately connected to the stability of Europe and Eurasia. Many of my constituents fought bravely overseas to protect and promote this stability. We owe it to our veterans and to future generations to continue working for global security; the Marshall Center is a crucial part of this effort.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 528.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6411, which would approve the cooperation agreement between the government of the United States and the government of Australia concerning the peaceful use of nuclear energy. This important legislation will renew a long-standing agreement between one of our strongest allies and promote the safe trade of nuclear energy products.

I thank Chairman Berman for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank the sponsor of this legislation, Ilena Ros- Lehtinen, for her commitment to the safe, secure trade and peaceful use of nuclear energy products.

Mr. Speaker, the United States has had an ongoing civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Australia since 1957. Australia sells around 36 percent of its $1 billion in uranium exports to the United States. This accounts for 13 percent of our uranium supplies. This cooperation agreement also facilitates Australia's sale of uranium to other countries that will use it with technology made in the United States.

The civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Australia is set to renew automatically upon the 90th day of continuous session since the President's May 5 transmittal of the renewal agreement. However, it is nonetheless appropriate for us to come together to affirm this agreement with Australia, one of our closest and most strategically important allies.

The United States and Australia have a strong relationship rooted in our shared values, historical ties, and strategic outlook. Our militaries conduct joint military exercises and Australian troops are currently in Afghanistan

fighting alongside U.S. service men and women. In addition, Australia has an excellent record on nuclear safety and has worked with the United States to fight nuclear proliferation. Australia's efforts to reduce proliferation have made them one of the world's leaders on global nuclear security and arms reduction.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I urge my colleagues to join me in showing their support for this important agreement with Australia. This cooperation agreement is good for our relationship with an old ally, good for our energy sector, and good for international nuclear security.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 323, which supports efforts in ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live in comfort and dignity. I am proud to co-sponsor H. Con. Res. 323 and I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz for introducing this resolution.

The Nazis systematically exterminated over six million Jewish people and killed between 11 and 17 million people overall. They established concentration camps, including the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, Belzec, and Sobibor where they worked people to death and systematically exterminated them.

There are approximately 127,000 Holocaust survivors currently living in the United States. These survivors live everyday with the scars from this tragedy. They were forced to live in concentration, labor, or death camps where they were tortured by Nazi soldiers. Those individuals ``lucky enough'' to escape the labor camps, were forced to flee their countries leaving their families, homes, and possessions behind.

All of the Holocaust survivors are at least 65 years old with the majority being over 75. These individuals are five times more likely to be living in poverty than other Americans their age. More than two- thirds live alone.

Non-profit organizations provide many essential services to Holocaust survivors. These organizations often are underappreciated for all of the great work that they do. I am pleased that this resolution also recognizes the efforts of these organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 323. We must work to ensure that all Holocaust survivors are able to live out their remaining years in comfort and dignity.