Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3173, which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to reform the process for the enrollment, activation, issuance of renewal of a Transportation Worker Identification Credential, TWIC, to require, in total, not more than one in-person visit to a designated enrollment center.

The TWIC program was established to ensure all individuals who require admittance into secure areas of regulated maritime facilities and vessels are properly vetted and do not pose a threat to maritime and supply chain security. Current TWIC requirements require that applicants go to an enrollment center twice to complete the application and confirm the biometric information embedded into the card.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is an onerous burden for workers in the maritime industry, such as merchant vessel operators and truck drivers, who must obtain the credential for employment. Individuals in need of a TWIC card often work long hours with little down time. Many cannot afford to take extended periods of time off to go to an enrollment center, in some cases located hundreds of miles away, on two different occasions.

I believe that the Secretary of Homeland Security should reform the TWIC process before the end of 2012, when the TWICs first issued in 2007 will need to be renewed allowing applicants to complete the process with only one in-person visit. I urge Members of Congress to support H.R. 3173, to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to reform the process for the enrollment, activation, issuance, and renewal of the TWIC program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my appreciation for the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus, a new caucus formed to heighten congressional awareness and advocate for policies to combat bullying of all kinds, from the playground to the elderly care facility. 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 mental and emotional security.

In recent years we have witnessed an explosion in the number of reported and unreported cases of bullying. It is thirteen million children will be bullying victims this year alone. It is estimated also that 15 percent of American school children skip school to avoid being bullied by schoolmates. This is tragic. Children who fear for their safety cannot learn. If they do not learn, they will not fulfill their potential. If they do not fulfill their position, the nation will be deprived of the talent it needs to compete and win in the global economy of the 21st century. If our children fall behind because they lack a safe learning environment, America falls behind. The Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus aims to do something about.

Further, bullying jeopardizes not only the education of our children, but also their very well-being. The term ``bullycide'' has been coined to define the act of committing suicide as a result of bullying. This continues to be one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of 14. In fact, the rate of suicide among adolescents has grown more than 50 percent over the last 30 years.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately 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 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. This lack of action is unacceptable. Our college students must have the ability to focus on their work and prepare for their futures, without fear of physical or verbal hazing.

Bullying in the workplace appears in various forms, from narcissistic bullying, to physical, to verbal. This abuse in the workplace creates a hostile work environment, making the organization vulnerable to lawsuits, decreasing morale, and reducing productivity. Thus, bullying is not only negatively impacting our future in the global market, but also our ability to compete today. In short, bullying has national implications and thus requires national attention and action.

I am proud to be a charter member of the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus. I thank Representative Honda, the Chair of the Anti-Bullying Caucus, for his leadership and look forward to working with him and my fellow members of the caucus to reduce, if not end altogether, the scourge of bullying in our schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, and online.

Mr. Chair, later this week, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 5972, the Transportation & Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Art for Fiscal Year 2013. This bill funds the agencies that address our nation's housing and transportation needs, and is one of the most important pieces of legislation the House will consider this year. The THUD bill represents a tremendous opportunity to improve our economic competitiveness and ensure the wellbeing of working Americans, and I rise to offer some preliminary observations on the bill that will be debated over the next several days.

I serve as a proud Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and my home district is home to some of the busiest freeways, railways and ports in the country. I also have the privilege of representing many economically disadvantaged individuals who benefit from the fair housing initiatives and grant programs covered in this bill.

I have long advocated, and will continue to advocate, on behalf of the 37th Congressional District of California for an enlightened transportation policy that will position the United States to compete and win in the global economy of the 21st Century. Since many amendments will have to be considered before the vote on final passage, I am reserving my final judgment as to how I will cast my vote. Nevertheless, I would like to take a moment to commend Mr. Latham and Mr. Olver, the Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, for their work, including nine major funding requests that I submitted to the Committee in the bill reported to the House. Specifically the bill includes the following:

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. CDBG is the centerpiece of the federal governments efforts to help more than 1200 cities, counties and states meet the needs of their low and moderate- income people and communities. It revitalizes communities--with proven results. CDBG helps fund a wide range of activities including housing investments, public infrastructure improvements, public services, and local economic development projects where the private market is absent. The Committee recommended $3.344 billion, which was $44 million above my request.

Fair Housing Initiatives Program. FHIP is a competitive grant program and is the primary source of funding for fair housing education and enforcement activities at the local level. Local fair housing organizations funded by FHIP protect the housing rights of the public and educate people about their fair housing rights. The program is vital given the extreme fragility that currently exists in the housing market. The Committee met my request by continuing funding at the FY12 level of $42.5 million.

Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program. HUD's Section 8 programs help low-income elderly, families with children, and people with disabilities secure and maintain decent, affordable homes. In both urban and rural communities, Section 8 rental assistance provides the foundation for millions of individuals and families to live with dignity, maintain steady work, and improve the lives of their children. The Committee recommended approximately $19.1 billion for this program, or $60 million above my request.

Community Planning and Development from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD's The Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) seeks to develop viable communities by promoting integrated approaches that provide decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities for low and moderate income persons. The primary means towards this end is the development of partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector, including for-profit and non-profit organizations. The Committee recommended $103.5 million. Although this was slightly below my request, it exceeded the FY12 level of funding by $3.5 million.

Indian Community Development Block Grant. The Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program provides competitive grants to Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages for housing, community facilities, and economic development. ICDGB funds community infrastructure like roads and sewer systems that improve the quality of available housing units while making new housing more affordable and accessible. The Committee met my request of $60 million.

Native American Housing Block Grants. Indian Housing Block Grants go directly to tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) for housing development, housing services for eligible families, crime prevention and safety, and demonstration projects that provide creative approaches to solving affordable housing shortages. TDHEs must submit an Indian Housing Plan each year they receive funding, followed by an end-of-year Annual Performance Report to report on progress towards meeting their goals. The Committee recommended $650 million for these grants, thereby meeting my request.

HUD-VASH Program. HUD-VASH is the only program that supports the permanent housing and rehabilitation of homeless veterans. HUD-VASH is a joint HUD and VA initiative that provides specially designated Section 8 ``Housing Choice'' vouchers, case management, and supportive services to homeless veterans. Vouchers are used to assist with the payment of rent for veterans and their families. The goal of the program is to support veterans' permanent housing in the community. The Committee's recommendation was equal to my request of $75 million.

Maritime Security Program. The Maritime Security Program ensures that the United States has the U.S.-flag commercial sealift capability and trained U.S. citizen merchant mariners available to crew the government and privately-owned vessels needed by the Department of Defense in time of war or other international emergency. The Committee matched my request of $184 million, which increased funding over FY12 levels by $10 million.

Housing for the Elderly (Section 202) Capital Advance Program. Capital advances finance construction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of structures that will serve as supportive housing for very low-income elderly persons. Section 202 provides rent subsidies for projects to help keep them affordable for these vulnerable populations. We recommend reinstating funding to allow affordable special needs housing developers to provide supportive housing options for the elderly, particularly within AANHPI enclaves. The Committee exceeded my request for funding by allocating $425 million.

Mr. Chair, I again extend my sincere thanks to Chairman Latham and Ranking Member Olver for their careful consideration of my appropriations requests. While I reserve my final judgment on this bill, I do believe that the full funding of these programs and departments will make a real difference in boosting the economy and improving the lives of vulnerable communities.

Mr. Speaker, after two years battling in the courts I am proud to announce today that the Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act. This has been a long and difficult fight, but I can say without a doubt it has been worth it.

This landmark ruling will allow millions of Americans to rest easy, knowing that they will not be driven into debt from medical bills if they get sick. Children will no longer be denied possibly life saving healthcare because of

pre-existing conditions, and millions of young Americans will be able to stay on their parent's healthcare plans until they are 26.

The function of government is to make life better for all Americans, regardless of socioeconomic background. The Affordable Care Act will improve the quality of life for working families, children and seniors. It will also strengthen our economy.

President Obama is to be congratulated for his indispensable leadership in achieving the goal of affordable quality healthcare for all Americans, a goal we Democrats have been fighting for more than 75 years.

It is a fact of life that individuals do not have a choice in participating in the health care market. Eventually we will all get sick, and need medical attention. This bill requires every American to take control of their own coverage, and be responsible for themselves.

I am proud to have voted in favor of this legislation two years ago, and prouder still to have stood on the steps of the Supreme Court today to celebrate the success of having the Affordable Care Act upheld. Today's ruling is a momentous occasion and a true victory for Americans across the nation.

Mr. Chairman, I come here today because when I was 6 years old, in 1968, I saw the hate-filled work of the civil rights movement, of laws that needed to be changed. And now I'm here with an opportunity to be here in Congress, and I kind of wonder what changes have really occurred.

I see today that Chief Justice Roberts stood, and he did the right thing because he ruled on behalf of the American people. And I will say that this motion that's going to come forward will not have bipartisan support of this Member because it's not done in a bipartisan manner. It's done in a hateful manner.

And why?

Because we have an Attorney General where this has never been done-- we need to stress that again--never been done in this Congress, where materials have been provided, and where this committee has failed to accept a single witness requested by the other side. That's not bipartisanship. That's politics at its worst.

I urge the American people to look and to urge us to get back to work and do what you sent us here to do, which is to take care of you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong and unyielding opposition to resolution recommending that the House find Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress. This unprecedented resolution, which was passed out of committee on a party-line vote, is nothing more than an attempt by the majority Republican leadership to divert attention from its failure to address the real challenges facing our country.

The hard working and hard pressed people of the 37th Congressional District of California did not send me here to waste precious floor time debating this frivolous and partisan resolution. They want us to work together to create jobs for the unemployed, make education affordable, health care available, and protect the social safety net of Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, and assistance programs to vulnerable families.

I oppose the resolution before us for several reasons:

1. The resolution relates to a document request involving allegations of ``gunwalkng'' in an ATF operation known as ``Operation Fast and Furious,'' but the documents now involved are completely unrelated to how ``gunwalking'' was utilized in the operation.

2. Over the past year, the Justice Department provided thousands of pages of responsive documents to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and has made dozens of officials available for interviews and hearings, and the Attorney General has testified before Congress nine times on this topic.

3. The Committee's investigation identified no evidence that the Attorney General or senior Department officials were aware of gunwalking in Fast and Furious. To the contrary, as soon as the Attorney General became aware of the tactic, he put a halt to it, ordered an IG investigation, and instituted internal reform measures.

4. The House of Representatives has never held an Attorney General in contempt. The only precedent cited in the Issa contempt resolution is a committee contempt vote that took place in the 1990's against former Attorney General Janet Reno. That action was so widely discredited that Speaker Gingrich chose not to bring it to the floor for a vote.

5. During this investigation, the Committee refused every Democratic request for a hearing witness, including the head of ATF--the agency that actually ran the operation. This is not the way to conduct an oversight investigation unless you are interested in partisan political ploys instead of learning the facts.

Mr. Speaker, I must say that am offended that Attorney General Holder, a man of unimpeachable integrity and one who has served this nation with distinction for many years, has been subjected to such demeaning treatment by some in the majority. Even though Attorney General Holder has been forthright and forthcoming, some in this body accuse him of a cover-up or claim he has been obstructive. He has even been called a ``liar'' on national television. These unfounded charges are beyond the pale and reflect more on those who have uttered them that they do our Attorney General, the honorable Eric Holder.

I oppose this politically inspired resolution and urge my colleagues to join me.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to a possible attempt for a Member to bring forward an amendment which would prohibit any funds in H.R. 5972 from being used towards the California High-Speed Rail Project.

As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and a cochair of the California High-Speed Rail Congressional Caucus, this project is a priority of my State and the voters who agreed to move our State into the 21st century and to be able to be competitive globally.

Our Nation's ability to move goods and people is essential to develop and maintain a strong economy, and this project is critical to meeting the State's growing transportation needs. In fact, traffic congestion in California is increasing by 10 percent each year, and it's estimated that the State's airports will reach capacity by 2030. As California's population continues to boom, we must invest in alternative systems that will remedy this constant congestion and will help to protect the health and environment of local communities.

Now, as a member of the Transportation Committee, I happened to have the opportunity to participate with Chairman Mica when we went to the Central Valley to talk about the possibility of moving forward on high- speed rail. And admittedly, there were some concerns that were brought forward, but there were far more supporters who wanted to see high- speed rail move forward than those who were opposed.

And again, I want to stress that the voters in California took it upon themselves to tax themselves as an independent State body, to tax themselves to move forward on high-speed rail. So who are we, or the Federal Government, to prohibit providing funds that might match to enable that project to move forward?

Also, given the inherent speed limitations in the Northeast corridor, it seems to me that it would be ill-advised to deny California--and this country, more importantly--the efficient transportation options that many of us so richly need, especially knowing that California is one of the most traveled areas in this country.

As a result, even the earliest investments would be helpful before this project is completed. Now is the time to make smart and long- sighted investments for alternatives to congested highways and, simultaneously, to create jobs.

Mr. Chairman, we have before us an opportunity to support American workers for today by putting America on the road to recovery while, more importantly, developing a world-class rail system that we could compete with our competitors like China. Proper funding for the California High-Speed Rail project is a necessity for the success of California and the success of the United States.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Amendment Offered by Mr. Griffith of Virginia

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the SMART Port Security Act, H.R. 4251. I'm a proud cosponsor of Chairwoman Miller's legislation and commend her for her efforts on this important issue to our Nation.

At a time when media reports assume that Congress doesn't work together, I'm pleased to note that I've been able to work with Chairwoman Miller and the committee in a bipartisan fashion to have two of my bills incorporated into the SMART Port Security Act.

As the senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, and the Representative of a district neighboring the ports of both Long Beach and Los Angeles, the largest in this country, I have made port security a priority of mine.

Ports are the first line of defense at our sea borders and serve vital national interests by supporting the mobilization and deployment of U.S. troops, facilitating the flow of trade, and supporting our economy. Ninety-five percent of all goods entering or exiting our country go through our Nation's ports, and 45 percent of those actually go through the community I represent.

In the next 20 years, U.S. overseas trade is expected to double; and in light of the terrorist attacks on September 11 in 2001, heightened awareness about the vulnerability of all modes of transportation to terrorist acts are a priority of us on this committee.

Included in the SMART Port Security Act are two pieces of legislation I authored, Port Security Boots on the Ground Act and the Port Security Equipment Improvement Act. Both of these bills involve the use of existing port security grant funds.

The Port Security Grant Program provides funding to port authorities, facility operators, and State and local government agencies so that they can provide security services to our ports. However, prior to my introduced legislation, port security grant funds could not be used to fund statutorily mandated personnel costs.

My Port Security Boots on the Ground Act, which was incorporated into H.R. 4251, corrects this inconsistency between Port Security Grant programs and other grant funding programs. To prevent the possibility of waste, fraud and abuse, the amount of security personnel costs awarded are limited to 50 percent of the total grant amount in any fiscal year.

The Maritime Transportation Security Act and the SAFE Port Act authorize funds to identify vulnerabilities in port security and to ensure compliance with mandated port security

plans. My legislation made these funds workable and removed government red tape from State, local, and government entities.

I thank Chairwoman Miller for including my Port Security Boots on the Ground Act in this important legislation.

The second inclusion that also should be highlighted is the Port Security Equipment Improvement Act, which was accepted by unanimous consent as an amendment to H.R. 4251 during the full committee markup. The Port Security Equipment Improvement Act gives recipients of Port Security Grant Program funds the flexibility in determining whether it is more cost effective to repair or replace security equipment.

I have personally heard from many port authorities in my district and from those surrounding my area about their frustrations of not being given the opportunity to purchase newer and improved security equipment. This will give the recipients of the Port Security Grant Program funds the ability to fix or replace defective security equipment, thereby making the best use of limited resources.

I appreciate Congresswoman Candice Miller for working with me and for having both of my bills, the Port Security Boots on the Ground Act and the Port Security Equipment Improvement Act, included in the SMART Port Security Act legislation before us today. I look forward to continuing to work with the chairwoman, the committee and staff on protecting our ports. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in supporting the SMART Port Security Act.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Waters- McCollum-Lee-Cleaver-Bass-Richardson-Rush-Matsui amendment which, unfortunately, was not found in order. I would hope that the Members here, the leadership, would reconsider that decision.

I'm strongly in support of seeking to restore the $500 million for an additional year of the widely popular and highly successful, might I say, TIGER grant program.

As a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and as a Representative of one of the most transportation-intensive infrastructure districts in the country, I know how important it is to maintain an efficient transportation infrastructure that will help our country remain competitive globally, throughout this country and in the world.

The TIGER program enables DOT to use a rigorous process to select projects with exceptional benefits to explore ways to deliver projects faster and to save on construction costs. It also enables us to make investments in our Nation's infrastructure and to make communities more livable and sustainable.

The 2012 TIGER IV program received 703 grant applications, requesting a total of $10.2 billion from all 50 States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. The first three TIGER programs received nearly 2,250 applications, requesting more than $95 billion.

Now, some might say certainly we must have our financial house in order and we have to really look at how we spend the dollars that are available. But I would argue before the committee today that TIGER grants was actually a program that was used, it was well monitored. The programs were brought forward, and they were done at a benefit not only for the funding initially of those programs, but for the jobs that they provided as well.

Clearly, there is a need for additional investment in our country's infrastructure. We have reports in my area, for example, in California of many of the roads and the highways where we receive a D grade due to the lack of the quality of infrastructure in our community.

Of the 47 projects that were funded in the most recent round of TIGER grants, nearly 16 percent went specifically to port infrastructure, according to the American Association of Port Authorities, which calculated $69.7 million would be directed to the ports.

Funding these projects is crucial to the U.S. port facilities. It supports 13.3 million jobs and accounts for $3.15 trillion in business activity that by having better roads and infrastructure we can continue, and the TIGER grants help us to do that.

In addition to restoring the full $500 million for the TIGER program, I believe that the conference report that comes before this body should contain the Senate's MAP-21 National Freight program and the Projects of National and Regional Significance program.

Since coming to Congress, I have advocated for a National Freight program and policy, and that's why I introduced H.R. 1122, the Freight FOCUS Act. The Freight FOCUS Act establishes the Office of Freight Planning and Development within the Department of Transportation to coordinate a national freight policy. By creating a national freight advisory committee, private and public sector entities would have direct input into funding priorities and planning.

The National Freight program would provide over $2 billion a year to upgrade our Nation's goods movement system. That equates to $336 million to the State of California, alone, over 2 years for freight infrastructure upgrades. These funds are critical to areas like mine, a district where over 40 percent of our entire Nation's cargo goes through the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach and, ultimately, through my district.

In addition to MAP-21, which would authorize $1 billion for the Projects of National and Regional Significance, according to the Bloomberg Government report, the cost of congestion to the trucking industry totalled $23 billion in 2010, almost a quarter of the cost of congestion to the entire economy.

Investing in key intermodal links, such as the Gerald Desmond Bridge, which was a project that was funded through the Projects of National Significance, these links and the jobs that are associated to them are vital to us moving goods throughout this country.

Without programs like TIGER and PNRS, critical infrastructure like the Gerald Desmond Bridge--that has a diaper underneath it catching concrete, which Chairman Mica visited and saw himself--these types of bridges would continue to crumble and put a vital link to our Nation's largest seaports to consumers at risk.

I would like to encourage my colleagues to accept, even though it's been initially found out of order, to reconsider that effort, and hope, as we go forward, there will be a greater precedence, as the committee report comes out, for the National Freight program and the Projects of Regional Significance. I look forward to the decision and support in the future.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of World Refugee Day. Across the globe approximately 43.7 million people have been displaced after being forced to flee their homes due to the threat of persecution, violence and conflict. The majority of these people are forced to live in extreme poverty and endure unspeakable conditions.

This is a day where we can honor the courage and strength of those that have lost everything, through no fault of their own. Many have had to make the terrifying decision of risking their lives, and their families lives by staying in a conflict stricken area, or leaving their home, families and possessions behind in an attempt to find safer conditions.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees provides lifesaving assistance and protection to 33.7 million of those displaced, but even this is not enough. Women and children in camps experience high levels of rape and assault, and there is rarely enough food to go around. Health conditions in these camps are often extremely poor and disease runs rampant.

Mr. Speaker, the United States has taken in countless numbers of refugees in our history. They have become an essential part of the fabric of our society, but we can still do more. This is why I am a co- sponsor of H.R 690, a resolution that recognizes America's positive impact on the international refugee community, but calls for important changes to be made to H.R. 2185, the Refugee Protection Act of 2011.

These changes would eliminate the 1-year filing deadline for asylum applications that puts at risk thousands of people each year, create a path to legal citizenship and ensure that victims of persecution are not inadvertently forced back to the countries they fled to begin with.

Mr. Speaker, this is a day to remember that we are the lucky ones. We live in the greatest country in the world where freedom of belief, speech, and press amongst others are God given rights, not privileges. As a member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus I fully support the efforts of the UNHCR and H.R. 690 to try and make that a reality for all, regardless of nationality.

Today I rise to recognize all those living in poverty stricken refugee camps because it is safer than going home, and those all those who dream of returning to the land of their fathers, but are unable to do so. I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 690, and I support the honorable efforts of World Refugee Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1556, which amends the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act to allow land taken into trust for the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico to be used to generate income to provide funding for academic programs and other purposes of the Sante Fe Indian School. I am proud to co-sponsor the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act, and I thank my colleague, Congressman Lujan for introducing this legislation.

As a member of the Native American Caucus, addressing the needs of Native Americans is of great importance to me. California is home to over one hundred federally recognized tribes and it is my belief that these tribes deserve the right to use land to fund academic programs for the advancement of their citizens.

This legislation will allow eligible tribes to promote self- determination and economic self-sufficiency by allowing the land taken into trust under section 823(a) to be used solely for the educational, health, or cultural purposes and economic development projects that provide funding for such purposes.

The Sante Fe Indian School has a Community-Based Education Program that is seen nationwide as a model of instructional innovation. The over 700 students that attend the Sante Fe Indian School, are able to participate in a constructive learning environment with new dormitories, new classrooms, and student activity centers. Sante Fe Indian School graduates are given an effectual education and past graduates have received over $800,000

in scholarship assistance to schools such as Dartmouth, Georgetown, and Notre Dame. Not only are students of the Sante Fe Indian School able to enter into the competitive environment of college admissions, but students are also equipped with a knowledge to better understand the issues facing tribes in the Southwest to one day be able to return to these communities to contribute positively to the infrastructure that is necessary for continued growth.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1556 to allow Native American tribes the opportunity to continue to improve the educational programs and environment for these students. Native Americans should be afforded the opportunity to raise funds for their educational pursuits and become actively involved in the economic development and constructive use of their land.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4027, which redefines the boundary of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. I thank my colleague, Congressman Matheson, for introducing this legislation.

This bill will authorize Utah to relinquish certain subsurface mineral lands for the benefit of the Ute Indian Tribe. Native American tribes deserve the opportunity to benefit from the natural resources available on their land.

The bill concurrently protects the interests of Utah, by requiring the State to reserve an overriding interest in the portion of the mineral estate that is being relinquished. This portion of the mineral lands is to be reserved for the benefit of the school trust.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Native American Caucus, I am proud to work with my colleagues in the House to continue to protect the rights and interests of Native Americans around the country. As such, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4027.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1272, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act of 2012. As a Member of the Native American Caucus, I have worked with my colleagues in Congress to address the needs of Native Americans.

This legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to reimburse the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe for the amount, plus interest, that the Tribe contributed for the payment of attorneys' fees and litigation expenses associated with the litigation of Docket No. 19 and No. 188 before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the distribution of judgment funds.

This legislation before us today is not a handout, but a guarantee that directs the fair distribution of funds to a claim awarded to Native Americans by the United States Court of Federal Claims; these funds have been held in trust since June 22, 1999.

Mr. Speaker, by today's end four Native American bills will have passed. I hope that these are not the last. While we can't undo the damage that the Federal Government inflicted on black farmers and Native Americans, today we will help compensate them for their losses and ensure that this never happens again. I urge my colleagues to continue supporting Native Americans.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate Father's Day and pay tribute to our fathers and father figures in our lives, who shape us into the people we are today. The value of a father cannot be overstated. A father can be a most powerful role model, a child's best friend and loudest cheerleader. On this Sunday, families across the Nation express a deep gratitude to those who make sacrifices everyday to fill this important role in a child's life.

The unconditional love between parent and child is a pillar for that child's success. Whether by checking over a homework assignment, coaching a Little League team, or sharing time over a family dinner, fathers teach valuable lessons about succeeding in school and in life. They support and protect their children, giving them the confidence to take new risks and explore their dreams. All fathers know the enormous responsibility and hard work that come with parenthood; however, they also know the immense reward of helping a child grow into the best person he or she can be.

As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I would also like to recognize all the fathers who are currently serving in the armed forces and are away from their families during this holiday. From their service, their children--and all our children--will live in a safer world. They are teaching their children by example, and I can think of no greater inspiration than the courage and sacrifice displayed by our servicemen and women. To these fathers and their families, I offer my own thanks and prayers for a safe return.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the millions of wonderful fathers and father figures in this country. They are a driving force for America's greatness, giving the next generation the guidance and encouragement to continue that legacy.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express my horror and outrage at the events currently taking place across Syria. It has now been 15 months since the first protests flared up in response to the imprisonment of 17 teenagers in Dara for writing anti-government graffiti on a wall, and the death toll has risen to well over 13,000 men, women, and children.

For the past three decades the Syrian people have lived in a restive peace. Israel had claimed it to be its safest border, and minorities were treated relatively well compared to surrounding countries. President Assad transitioned easily into power after the death of his father, and was hailed as a reformist who would lead Syria onto the world's stage as a constructive member of the international community.

However, the reforms never came, and the emergency law put into place over 50 years ago remained. People were living in a constant fear that they would be turned in by a friend or neighbor for even a simple comment against the regime. The mail and internet were tracked by government officials, and websites such as facebook were blocked. This was not the secular democracy the West expected for a reformed Syria. It is instead an authoritarian dictatorship.

In the beginning the protests in Syria were small and peaceful, but were met with such brutality from the regime that they incited even greater public resistance. The Syrian people were rising up and claiming their natural right to freedom. President Assad authorized the massacre of women and children in a desperate attempt to retain control over a country that no longer wants him.

Mr. Speaker, this conflict has escalated into civil war. Those who have fared well under Assad's government have no desire for change, but the impoverished majority has found its voice and is unwilling to return to the status quo. I believe that the United States should stand with those who are fighting for democracy and human rights.

Kofi Annan's peace plan was a valiant effort to bring an end to the violence through diplomacy, but it has not yielded the results hoped for, and President Assad has shown no inclination to keep his promises. The time has come for greater action. Yesterday Secretary Clinton rightly criticized Russia for its continued support of the Assad regime, specifically the weapons it has been providing to the regime. This and other actions by the Russians undermine the efforts of the United Nations to broker a solution to meet this crisis.

The recent massacre in Houla a few days ago, which left over 50 children dead, is the most shocking example of official terror that has been occurring weekly over the past 15 months. President Assad has lost the confidence of the Syrian people who no longer regard his regime as legitimate. I believe that for the good of the country and for the cause of peace in the region President Assad should step down.

What began as a peaceful stand against tyranny has morphed into the bloodiest movement of the Arab Spring. With a grip as tight as the Assad family has had over this country for decades the outcome was foreseeable, but nobody could have envisioned anything as bloody as this.

Mr. Speaker, Syrian men and women fighting for democratic ideals should not be abandoned to face the wrath of a tyrant alone. They should know that they have a friend in the United States and the United Nations. I call upon both to redouble their efforts to find a solution to the crisis in Syria. As a member of the Committee on Homeland Security I have seen how America is an example of democracy and peace, and I wish to see the same outcome for Syria. I stand today to show my support for the rebel fighters and all those in Syria who are fighting against oppression and cruelty.