Floor Statements

Section 6: ``The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services to be ascertained by law and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place.''

Madam Speaker, today was a glorious day, but as we begin to discuss the rules that are now taking place, I raise questions.

I would like to understand, if we are going to go forward in a fiscally responsible way, and I have heard so much about the Tea Party and I welcome certainly the expressions of those who have been elected as Republicans of those views, but we stand in this House, Republican and Democrat and some Independent, to work on issues for the American people.

How do you in fact then eliminate, in some sense, the pay-as-you-go rule, which we have all been committed to, which allows us to pay for what we want to encourage the American people to have. But now we have a rule that says that you cannot raise revenue. So if your soldiers on the battlefield need more resources, you can only get it by cutting spending of some other vulnerable population. What sense does that make?

When we speak of open rules, what sense does it make to have a rule tomorrow that indicates that we're repealing the health care bill under a closed rule, where we'll be saving some $143 billion over 3 years, but that rule would not allow that. This is a rules package that needs fixing, and I hope that we can go back to the drawing board.

Madam Speaker, my colleagues are absolutely right. This has been the most astute and conscientious Congress in the history of our Nation, the 111th Congress, led by the very astute and courageous Nancy Pelosi, the historic first woman Speaker. I thank her and the leadership.

Thank you for health care and Wall Street reform. Thank you for the reform of the GI Bill, to provide more opportunity. And, as well, thank you for moving and pushing compassionately the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The White House ceremony today was powerful.

Thank you again for recognizing that the 9/11 heroes health bill must be taken care of. I ask the other body to act now and do not go home without doing so. But yet the omnibus bill that will help so many millions of Americans with resources directed to them has been imploded, and I call upon the Senate, I call upon this House when we return, to be able to return America's resources back to them. We negotiated that omnibus. It is time to make sure that those veterans and those who need PTSD recovery and those who need health care are provided for through this omnibus bill.

Happy holiday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I thank the distinguished gentleman, and I rise to support the Senate amendment to H.R. 847, to be able to thank Carolyn Maloney for the enormous work and to also cite those who I saw dying that they might live.

Madam Speaker I rise today in strong support of H.R. 847, the ``James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.'' This bill has been a long time coming, and I am glad that it is finally here for us to provide medical monitoring and treatment benefits to eligible emergency responders and recovery and cleanup workers who responded to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This legislation also allows for initial health evaluation, monitoring, and treatment benefits to residents and other building occupants and area workers in New York City who were directly impacted and adversely affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

I have met firsthand many of these first responders and workers, and I know the patriotic sacrifices they have made for their fellow Americans. These brave, selfless individuals who put aside their own needs and fears to come to the aid of their fellow Americans put their lives at risk. They ventured into the wreckage and dust of the World Trade Center, not worrying about their own well being, but rather, hoping that they could save the lives of strangers. As a result of their fearless acts, many of these emergency workers and first responders were exposed to airborne toxins and other hazards. Providing medical services, including clinical examinations, long-term health monitoring, mental health care and necessary prescription drug coverage, is the least we can do to repay them for their efforts.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act will provide both initial and follow-up medical services for World Trade Center responders and workers whose physical and mental health were impacted by the 9/11 attacks. H.R. 847 will also establish an outreach program to potentially eligible individuals.

September 11, 2001, is a day that is indelibly etched in the psyche of every American and most of the world. Much like the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, September 11 is a day that will live in infamy. And as much as Pearl Harbor changed the course of world history by precipitating the global struggle between totalitarian fascism and representative democracy, the transformative impact of September 11 in the course of American and human history is indelible. September 11 was not only the beginning of the Global War on Terror, but moreover, it was the day of innocence lost for a new generation of Americans.

Just like my fellow Americans, I remember September 11 as vividly as if it was yesterday. In my mind's eye, I can still remember being mesmerized by the television as the two airliners crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, and I remember the sense of terror we experienced when we realized that this was no accident, that we had been attacked, and that the world as we know it had changed forever. The moment in which the Twin Towers collapsed and the nearly 3,000 innocent Americans died haunts me until this day.

At this moment, I decided that the protection of our homeland would be at the forefront of my legislative agenda. I knew that all of our

collective efforts as Americans would all be in vain if we did not achieve our most important priority: the security of our nation. Accordingly, I became then and continue to this day to be an active and engaged Member of the Committee on Homeland Security who considers our national security paramount.

Our nation's collective response to the tragedy of September 11 exemplified what has been true of the American people since the inception of our Republic--in times of crisis, we come together and always persevere. Despite the depths of our anguish on the preceding day, on September 12, the American people demonstrated their compassion and solidarity for one another as we began the process of response, recovery, and rebuilding. We transcended our differences and came together to honor the sacrifices and losses sustained by the countless victims of September 11. Let us honor those who served and sacrificed by passing H.R. 847.

Madam Speaker, as I stand here today, my heart still grieves for those who perished on flights United Airlines 93, American Airlines 77, American Airlines 11, and United Airlines 175. When the sun rose on the morning of September 11, none of us knew that it would end in an inferno in the magnificent World Trade Center Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and in the grassy fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. How I wish we could have hugged and kissed and held each of the victims one last time.

I stand here remembering those who still suffer, whose hearts still ache over the loss of so many innocent and interrupted lives. My prayer is that for those who lost a father, a mother, a husband, a wife, a child, or a friend will in the days and years ahead take comfort in the certain knowledge that they have gone on to claim the greatest prize, a place in the Lord's loving arms. And down here on the ground, their memory will never die so long as any of the many of us who loved them lives.

Again, I would like to reiterate my strong support for H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, for it is important that we take care of those who take care of us in our time of need.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the S. 372, the ``Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2010.''

S. 372 amends the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) and strengthens the rights and protections of Federal employees who come forward to disclose government waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. The House has passed similar legislation on a bipartisan basis in 2007 (H.R. 985) and 2009, as an amendment to the Recovery Act.

I am a staunch advocate for protecting Federal employees from retaliation when they come forward to disclose waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement. Whistleblowers are among the most patriotic and conscientious Federal employees. They take great risks to make certain that our Federal Government is functioning properly and effectively for all taxpayers. They serve as indispensable guardians for the efficient use of taxpayer funds. This is an especially valuable service during this vital period of national economic recovery.

Unhindered exposure of waste, fraud and abuse identifies expensive break-downs in the functioning of our Federal Government while also preserving the Federal funds we require to effectively serve our citizens. In some instances, conscientious whistleblowers protect others from harm and actually save lives. So, we must protect these attentive Federal employees who expose systemic lapses and protect the integrity and proper functioning of our Federal Government.

Discrimination and retaliation against Federal employees contravenes Federal law, puts the public at risk, and costs taxpayers millions of dollars. Retaliation and discrimination also breed a myriad of other costs that cannot be quantified in the toll exacted on the health, morale, and well-being of Federal employees who are entrusted to protect and serve our Nation. Federal managers and supervisors who engage in discriminatory conduct must be judiciously and expeditiously disciplined.

S. 372, the ``Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2010'' enhances the protection of Federal employees. It restores Congress' intent to protect an employee who makes any lawful disclosure of waste, fraud, abuse, or illegality. S. 372 addresses court decisions that have limited the protections Congress made available to Federal employees under the 1989 Whistleblower Protection Act.

This legislation will improve the administration of justice. It will allow non-intelligence whistleblowers to bring their cases before a jury under certain circumstances. The current administrative system will be further strengthened by allowing a limited number of more complex whistleblower cases to be considered in Federal court by juries. The bill also will allow whistleblower appeals to be heard by the regional Federal appellate courts.

This bill further expands upon the protections for Federal employees in additional necessary and meaningful ways. It extends whistleblower protections to employees at the Transportation Security Administration. It clarifies that whistleblowers may disclose evidence of censorship of scientific or technical information under the same standards that apply to disclosures of other kinds of waste, fraud, and abuse. It enhances protections for employees facing retaliation after refusing to violate the law or participating in an Inspector General investigation.

This legislation will codify and strengthen rules that preempt agencies from issuing regulations or directives that interfere with whistleblower protections. I am also pleased to say, that for the first time, S. 327 will make compensatory damage awards available to whistleblowers. This is a key component in ensuring a whistleblower is made whole after suffering retaliation. This bill will also make it easier for the Office of Special Counsel to discipline agency managers who are found to retaliate against employees.

It is my fervent expectation that this legislation will meaningfully advance our national integrity by deterring Federal managers from violating the civil rights and civil liberties of their fellow Federal workers, especially whistleblowers.

I ask my colleagues to stand with me today and vote in favor of S. 327.

The bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

I thank the distinguished gentleman.

Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues by admitting that competition is good, and I rise in support of competition.

Yet I also recognize as a member of the Manufacturing Caucus that Americans are ready and clamoring to build, and they want to produce and create. As they do that with their sophisticated technology, they create jobs. So I believe it is unfair that when there is a competition that our companies, in fact in our own country at the Pentagon, are competing against those companies that are subsidized.

So I rise in support of this legislation, H.R. 6540, which does not in any way hamper the ability of the Pentagon to do its work, but indicates that we can build the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Program by a company that we have, in this instance Boeing, of which I am very familiar, having worked extensively with it in the NASA Human Space Exploration Program.

Let us build again. Let us manufacture again. Yes, we will create jobs, but we will create and reinforce the genius of our young people who are being trained and of those scientists who have created topnotch technology.

To be on the front lines, men and women who are in the United States military need the best equipment to be able to create jobs and bring manufacturing back in this country. We need to have the competitiveness and an even playing field. No subsidies. Boeing can do it. We need to have the Pentagon recognize that America is back in the saddle again. We are building quality products, and we need to be able to build the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the H.R. 6547, ``Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act.'' The Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require each state receiving funds under that Act to have in effect policies and procedures that: (1) require criminal background checks for school employees, including searches of state criminal registries or repositories, state-based child abuse and neglect registries and databases, the National Crime Information Center of the Department of Justice, the National Sex Offender Registry, and the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) prohibit the employment of school employees who refuse to consent to a criminal background check, make false statements in connection with one, or have been convicted of one of a list of felonies.

H.R. 6547 requires local educational agencies (LEAs) or state educational agencies (SEAs) to report to local law enforcement any applicants for school employment who are discovered to be sexual predators. This legislation requires periodic repetitions of such criminal background checks. It further requires such states to provide for a timely process under which school employees may: (1) appeal the results of a criminal background check to challenge the accuracy or completeness of the information produced; and (2) seek appropriate relief for any final employment decision based on materially inaccurate or incomplete information produced. H.R. 6547 requires this appeals process, however, to deny the individual employment as a school employee during the process.

What makes our Nation great is the belief that every child has the right to a quality elementary and secondary education. Children truly represent the future of our country. They are our living national treasures. Yet they are one of our populations that are least capable of protecting themselves. So, it is our duty to do all we can to provide them with a safe learning environment, free from the menacing threat of sexual and violent predators. This legislation takes a positive step toward making safer school environments a reality by requiring background checks for school employees and prohibiting employment of persons who refuse to submit to a criminal background check.

I have always been a strong advocate of protecting our children from sexual predators. I introduced similar legislation in H.R. 288, the ``Save Our Children: Stop the Predators Against Children DNA Act of 2009.'' I believe H.R. 6547, which we are privileged to consider now will provide an important measure of protection for our children from the horrors of sexual and violent predators that we hear about all too frequently in the news. Parents should be able to send their children to school in the morning and know that they will be safe. Children should be able to enjoy their time of innocence and the wonderment of learning without worrying that undue harm to come to them or their classmates. So, I ask my colleagues to stand with me today and vote in favor of the H.R. 6547, ``Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act.''

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my good friend from Massachusetts for his leadership and his co-manager on the floor for her insightfulness on this legislation and, as well, to Senator Kohl.

I rise in support of S. 118 because so many of us have these very questions being raised in our district, particularly with populations of seniors increasing. My district happens to have one of the highest percentages of senior constituents, and all of them seem to be looking for housing.

I support the underlying initiative, section 202 housing. I have a number of those units in my congressional district. But one of the points that I wanted to highlight is the fact that many of these facilities are falling in disrepair. Even though there are some new facilities--and by my rising to the floor of the House, I would like to encourage my constituents and all those who are listening about how important it is to institute section 202 proposals or projects. They are enormously important, and I think it is important that the provision that encourages the utilization of State and local housing financing agencies is an asset.

One of the most important parts of this legislation is for the nonprofits who engage in 202 to be engaged or share more in the refinancing of these projects. The Heights House in my district, for example, is one that has a very vibrant population of residents who are there, but I know that all who are involved would like to see that property improved and those resources used to ensure that upkeep is continued. In many instances, the owners or nonprofits will say that the return on the property is not enough to keep it at its highest level.

Although we appreciate these properties and we appreciate the idea of these seniors having a place to live, I think that this particular legislation will reinforce section 202 and add to the 320,000 units already there. Our senior population is growing. Many of them have resources, but many do not. And I think the 202 project under HUD is an important concept to provide more housing for our seniors. They deserve, after working and contributing to this great country, the opportunity to live a very good quality of life.

With that, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation, and I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3243) to require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to administer polygraph examinations to all applicants for law enforcement positions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to complete all periodic background reinvestigations of certain law enforcement personnel, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3243, the Anti-Border Corruption Act of 2010, and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, we all have a stake in ensuring that the agency in charge of securing our border is strong and effective. Accordingly, I believe that corruption anywhere in the ranks of Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, must be dealt with swiftly and effectively. Now, having gone to our border, both northern and southern border, I am well aware that there is a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and professionalism that goes on among our CBP personnel. In fact, I have engaged with them over the years.

S. 3243, however, will foster greater integrity throughout the CBP by requiring polygraph tests for all its law enforcement applicants and directing CBP leadership to conduct periodic reinvestigations on current personnel to root out any corruption--very important in light of the extreme conditions, particularly on the southern border, and the fight that we have against drug cartels and violence.

The men and women of Customs and Border Protection, CBP, serve on the front line in extreme heat, terrible cold, and other difficult circumstances to protect the Nation against homeland security and criminal threats, and we are enormously grateful to them.

I am proud of the strides that Congress has made over the years to bolster the efforts of these fine men and women by, among other things, doubling the size of the Border Patrol from about 10,000 agents in FY 2002 to more than 20,000 in FY 2009. I am very pleased that having served on that committee since its origin, and having served under Chairman Thompson, that was one of our number one priorities. In fact, legislation that I introduced became, ultimately, part of a Senate bill that helped increase the number of Border Patrol agents at the border, the southern border in particular.

Traditional smuggling routes and networks have been disrupted because of our Federal efforts to secure the border. But in response, smugglers and other criminal organizations are actively seeking out other ways to conduct their illegal activity. They have, in some cases, resorted to infiltrating and weakening CBP from within its ranks.

While the majority of CBP employees are not corrupt and are putting their lives on the line every day to keep America secure, there are some who are undermining their efforts. Let me remind my colleagues: The majority of CBP employees are not corrupt, and we thank them for their sacrifice. However, enactment of this bill will strengthen personnel integrity, result in greater hiring efficiency, and protect those who are doing their job every single day.

According to CBP, approximately 15 percent of applicants received a polygraph examination last year. Of those, about 60 percent were found unsuitable for service. CBP has also found that less than 1 percent of applicants cleared by polygraph testing failed the required background investigation. It shows that this process will work. In contrast, roughly 22 percent of applicants who do not undergo this testing fail their background investigations.

Maintaining workforce integrity is a continuous process that does not end with preemployment screening. With the aggressive growth in CBP, the agency has struggled to keep up with its periodic reinvestigations of certain personnel. S. 3243 would require CBP to initiate reinvestigation within 6 months of enactment and report to Congress on its progress, all toward the idea of ensuring the integrity of law enforcement at a very crucial time in America's history.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of S. 3243, because this legislation will help bolster CBP's ability to ensure integrity throughout the ranks of this critical Homeland Security agency. And, frankly, I believe the men and women who are doing their job every day will welcome this kind of process in order to be able to stand alongside of those men and women just like them.

I urge support.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to join the gentlelady from Michigan to offer my deepest sympathy for the fallen Customs and Border Patrol agent who lost his life in the line of duty, in the line of battle, if you will, and to express this country's gratefulness again for his service.

So in tribute to those who we recognize every day put their lives on the front line, we want to ensure that we have the kind of force of men and women that will uphold the highest standards of integrity that even under pressure in this very hostile climate of drug cartels, human trafficking and smuggling and massiveness of criminal activity and intent to do harm to the United States, that we provide the atmosphere for these men and women to do their job.

Madam Speaker, as you have heard, the enactment of S. 3243 will force a greater integrity through CBP. Passage of S. 3243 by the House of Representatives today will allow this important measure to be presented to the President for his signature in recognition of the sacrifice of all of these men and women at our borders.

I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 3243 and, as we do this, look forward to comprehensively addressing this immigration concern in this Nation and really move this Nation forward in a nonpartisan and bipartisan manner.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, let me personally thank you for your leadership and continued focus on important issues here in this Congress.

I rise today to celebrate and to thank the chairman of the Science Committee, Chairman Gordon, for his years of commitment and intensity as it relates to the importance of this work. I also add my appreciation to Chairman-elect Hall, whom I have worked with, as I did Congressman Gordon, for some 12 years on the Science Committee. And once on the Science Committee, one can never leave its values and its importance.

As I sat on the Science Committee in the end of the 20th century, I always said that science was the work of the 21st century. And although bills are not perfect, and this bill that has come over from the other body is not, it is where we need to go. And I would simply remind my colleagues of the history of the Model T. When Henry Ford

developed the Model T, that technology generated into an enormous industry in the United States that created new technology and millions of jobs, I might say.

And so here we are today with a great need to reignite, restart our manufacturing journey. And I am delighted that this bill has seen the vision of getting elementary, middle school, high school students involved in the sciences. That's where our Achilles' heels are. That's where the vision comes to invent things, to make things to develop the next generation of jobs. And so it establishes an interagency with a STEM education coordination committee. It provides an interagency committee for coordination of manufacturing R&D.

And to listen to my colleagues talk about subsidies--do they realize that every country around the world is subsidizing their manufacturing to make them more competitive, to have a greater competitive edge? There is nothing wrong with creating jobs for America.

There is nothing wrong with us subsidizing good work, good science, the opportunity for jobs. I don't know what the structure was. Maybe I will go and research what happened with Henry Ford. I saw in those days he put together his family pennies, he made the Model T, and here we are today. But we live in a different economy. We live in a changing time of the dollar. And we live in a time when other countries have no shame in subsidizing business.

We were on the floor earlier today where Germany is subsidizing Airbus. That is their right. But the question is, What are we doing to promote manufacturing?

This reauthorizes the National Science Foundation. It authorizes grants and manufacturing, research and education. That is a good thing. It authorizes program grants for 21st-century graduate education, as well as authorizing a program dealing with research for undergraduates. That is exciting. Innovation is part of what happens here. Then, of course, it authorizes research experiences for high school students as part of the research grants.

So, overall, I guess my bottom line is I am ready to go. I am excited about the opportunities in the 21st century. I want us making things again, whether it is submarines, whether it is airplanes, whether it is new technology for our military personnel, whether or not it is a new space shuttle, a CEV. I want us to make things again. That is how you put people back to work. That is how you keep people's minds churning: What is the next invention we can get? There is no shame to subsidizing this work. And I am delighted that not only are we doing that, but we are expanding the manufacturing loan guarantee program to permit loan guarantees to small and medium-sized manufacturers.

I tell you, my colleagues, these companies are out here waiting. They want to get going. There is limited opportunity for access to credit; and I can tell you, they are excited about this opportunity. Government not involved in helping a country go forward in manufacturing? Whoever heard of that. That is what everybody is doing. It is time for us to stand up as well.

So let me thank you, Chairman Gordon, for your service. I know you are going on to great things. Thank you for allowing me to share some time with you on the Science Committee, and the same to Chairman Hall. Again, vote for this.

I rise in support of H.R. 5116 to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes.

This legislation is crucial to our efforts to keep America number one by investing in modernizing our Nation's manufacturing, spurring American innovation through basic Research and Development, R&D, and high-risk, high-reward clean energy research, and strengthening math and science education to prepare students for the good jobs of the 21st century.

Today, we consider the Senate amendment to the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, H.R. 5116, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent on Friday.

The Senate Amendment:

Keeps our Nation on a path to double funding for basic scientific research, which is crucial to some of our most innovative breakthroughs;

Creates jobs with innovative technology loan guarantees for small and mid-sized manufacturers and Regional Innovation Clusters to expand scientific and economic collaboration;

Promotes high-risk high-reward research to pioneer cutting edge discoveries through ARPA-E and promotes job creation in clean energy; and

Creates the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs by improving science, math, technology, and engineering education at all levels

This bill:

Is a fiscally responsible compromise that reduces the authorization from 5 to 3 years, reducing the cost, and repeals the original COMPETES programs that have not been funded. The Bowles-Simpson deficit commission singled out basic scientific research as a long-term gain for the budget, as it is vital to our Nation's scientific and economic leadership. The bill also bans the use of funds to pay the salary of Federal employees convicted of looking at pornography on Federal property.

The bill is supported by the Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Business Roundtable, TechAmerica, TechNet, American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Venture Capital Association, Information Technology Industry Council, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and Association of American Universities.

It is imperative for us to demonstrate our firm commitment to creating economic prosperity and maintaining the status of the United States as a worldwide leader in science and technology throughout the decades to come, and to give future generations a greater opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

H.R. 2751, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act would help expand the FDA authority to inspect records relating to food while increasing inspections on high-risk on food facilities. Through passage of this bill, a more accurate registry of all food facilities serving American consumers would exist. It is important to provide safe and clean food for the American people, who deserve nothing but the best.

The safety and sanitation of food produced and distributed throughout the United States is of utmost importance. The health and well being of every person in this country hinges on the quality and effectiveness of the food inspection process. Without proper inspection, there is a possibility of contamination of foods and the spread of disease.

In the spring of 2008, a case of salmonella spread throughout the country as a result of a single tainted pepper from a South Texas produce warehouse. This strain of salmonella sickened 1,251 people, led to the hospitalization of 229 people, and sadly, two deaths. Once the origin of the salmonella outbreak was determined, the FDA and other federal agencies took action and required the responsible parties to recall all produce that they thought may have been tainted.

In the United States in 2010, at a time when we have the newest and greatest technologies at our disposal, outbreaks like the one mentioned should not take place. With improved and modernized safety inspections, such outbreaks can be avoided and prevented.

It is because of stories like this that I am ever so moved to ensure that H.R. 2751, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act is passed in the House of Representatives and that it eventually becomes law.

Passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act will prevent such salmonella scares from happening again in the future--in Texas or in any state in the country--for that matter.

This bill would also allow for improved traceability of the history of food in the event of a food borne illness outbreak. Often time, when our country has been faced by serious food poisoning that have affected thousands of American people, we do not know where the food was produced or cultivated. This bill would bring an end to that. It is important for us to be ever cautious that could affect the well being and health of our children, elderly and family members.

In addition to what I have mentioned, this bill would also make available a certificate of certain food imports--requiring all foods imported into the United States to meet all U.S. food safety requirements. The certificate would ensure that we are only allowing the safest and most healthy food into our country for consumption by the American people.

Another important component of this legislation would ensure protection of whistleblowers that bring attention to important safety information pertaining to the food regulation and food safety. It is most vital that we afford those people who may know information about certain food the opportunity to inform authorities about any concerns they may have with their consumption.

The bill contains important provisions that address the industry concerns, which include the elimination of the registration fee imposed on facilities participating in the food system. In addition, this legislation provides for a limited exemption for small food producers and processors that sell the majority of their food directly to consumers or to grocers within a circumscribed area and whose food sales are less than $500,000 per year.

The legislation before the House of Representatives is supported by a range of consumer and industry groups, including the American Public Health Association, the Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention, the Center for Public Interest, the Consumer Federation of America, the Grocery Manufacturers Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

It is time that we stand with this broad-based coalitions as we work to improve the food we eat and consume and know where exactly it's coming from. These actions will only help our country, families and our American people from having safety and consumer-friendly produce, meats and dairy.

Let me thank the gentleman on the Crime Subcommittee. I think it is appropriate at this time to thank him for his leadership as chairman, as I have had the privilege of serving with him. I think we have had and accepted some of the most provocative and innovative bills that really changed the lives of human beings, and I thank him very much for his service.

Let me applaud as well Congresswoman Maloney, Congressman Smith, and my colleague from Texas.

Madam Speaker, slavery is alive, and I rise to support the underlying bill dealing with domestic trafficking and to thank the Senate for getting this over in the hours within which we have to function to make sure that we move this legislation forward.

Houston is particularly an epicenter, if you will, for this kind of activity. Being not so far away from the border, we have seen the increase of human trafficking and smuggling grow exponentially, and certainly, we all are familiar with the tragedy that happened in Victoria just a few years ago where we saw the loss of human lives that were being trafficked. So we know there is a constant, steady flow of individuals who are coming, but this is the most dastardly and heinous aspect of it. I am glad my colleagues have already indicated that this is a domestic problem, that even though we can go to Bangladesh and we can go to parts of Africa and other parts of South Asia, we find human trafficking right here in our backyard.

I remember our former colleague Hilda Solis, now the Secretary of Labor, mentioning the loss of lives of women on the Mexican-U.S. border who would just simply disappear. Some of them were prostitutes; some of them young girls; and to this day, lives and/or those girls are still missing. So the stories go on and on and on. Frankly, I think there could be no better initiative to come in these last hours than this legislation.

I want to pay tribute to some of the individuals who are on the ground, if you will, who we don't hear of quite frequently.

The sheriff in Harris County, Adrian Garcia, recognizes the devastation of human trafficking, has set up a task force, which we are working with, and has attempted to make sure that he has the funding to stop the tide of those who call themselves ``pimps'' but who project themselves as boyfriends and friends and counselors and nurturers, who take these young girls in--some girls that you never ever find again.

I want to pay tribute as well to the Children at Risk, another Houston-based organization that acknowledged and wrote a report on human trafficking that occurs in our locale. It is important to know that these various organizations really had to be self-starters because, as they began to talk about human trafficking, no one else was, and you were in a city by yourself.

Why are you talking about human trafficking? Isn't that global or international or something far away from here?

I want to pay tribute to Kathryn Griffin, who has an organization that might have a provocative name--We've Been There Done That. She is dealing with not only this broad question of human trafficking but of prostitutes who come in all ages who are attempting to rehabilitate themselves. She has established a home, and she is trying to counter the ridiculousness of 100 beds existing for these young girls who find themselves in these conditions.

So, Madam Speaker, I started out by saying that slavery does exist. I, frankly, believe that one of the aspects of this bill is to be able to go after the service builders, if you will--the pimps, the users-- and to be able to ensure that there is a place for someone to go.

This is to proclaim that we will not suffer this and tolerate this.

As my colleague from Texas indicated, we may want to be tier 1 in education, but we are not trying to be tier 1 in modern slavery, human suffering, and human smuggling. Therefore, enough is enough.

I look forward to this bill being signed by the President. I look forward to our bringing relief and acknowledging that slavery is here but that we are ready to stamp it out to save the lives of these young girls.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 2925, the ``Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking and Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010.'' This bill calls for funds awarded under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to be used to provide education, training, deterrence, and prevention programs relating to sex trafficking of minors. It also calls for states to treat minor victims of sex trafficking as crime victims rather than as criminal defendants or juvenile delinquents. States should adopt and amend laws that protect minors who are victims of sex trafficking, and make such minors eligible for compensation. Furthermore, S. 2925 calls for consistent law enforcement to be used to deter demands for commercial sex with sex trafficking victims.

The issues associated with the exploitation of children here in the U.S., and all over, are ones that I am very passionate about. The fact that children are recruited, harbored, transported, provided, or obtained for the purpose of a commercial sex act is appalling and I believe we should thrust our efforts behind meaningful policies and laws, such as the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act, that will put an end to such acts.

During the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Legislative Conference, which took place this past September at the Washington Convention Center, I held an issue forum to bring attention to issues plaguing our Nation's children--missing children who are exploited in the commercial sex trade. In this forum, we brought together a number of professionals and experts to bring light to this issue and, more importantly, determine best practices for deterring such behavior in order to put an end to these horrid practices. Many of the methods and practices highlighted in that forum are present in S. 2925; yet another reason why I so fervently support this bill.

Hearing the statistics about the exploitation of children will make you cringe, as they are especially disturbing. Nationally, 450,000 children run away from home each year. One out of every three teens on the street will be lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. Statistically, this means at least 150,000 children are lured into prostitution each year. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) data shows 100,000 to 293,000 children have become sexual commodities. Twelve is the average age of entry into pornography and prostitution in the U.S. This is a universal problem-- these children can come from any race, ethnic group, or religious background, and all socio-economic classes.

The common denominator amongst these children is their vulnerability. Many of these children have been emotionally bruised as a result of abuse--sexual assault and/or familial molestation. Many children vulnerable to domestic minor sex trafficking are homeless, runaways, throwaways, and youth who have ended up in the foster care system and child protective services.

Of the 2.8 million children living on the streets, which alone is an appalling statistic, over a third of them are lured into prostitution as a way to support themselves financially. Others are recruited through forced abduction or deceptive agreements between parents and traffickers. These children are often shipped off to different locations and isolated from family and peers, left to rely on a system of pimp-controlled sexual exploitation--escort and massage services, private dancing, pornographic clubs, just to name a few.

The fact that we live in a virtual world now has had a major impact on how domestic minor commercial sex trafficking takes place. The Internet has completely changed the dynamics of prostitution and trafficking, making it easier for prostitutes and traffickers to connect with clients without too many layers of intermediaries. As a result, the Internet has become an intermediary, often without the knowledge of those Internet service providers (ISPs) who are the conduits. Increasingly, certain Web sites and online marketplaces have been bearing the brunt of much criticism for providing a medium for online minor sex trafficking.

The Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act allows us to take the necessary actions to combat this new tech-savvy generation of prostitution and minor sex trafficking. As a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, I have had the opportunity to examine how children are trafficked in the U.S., including the role that the Internet plays, and the challenges that these cases pose to law enforcement. It is my hope that the passage of S. 2925 will make way for implementation of prevention methods that will help law enforcement place an effective road block on this horrendous practice.

Furthermore, the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act addresses the unique needs of those who have been victimized by sex trafficking. As mentioned before, many of the children who end up as victims of this practice enter into the world of minor sex trafficking with scars, and leave with even more. They come from broken homes, are victims of abuse, assault, and may suffer from emotional problems. Passage of S. 2925 will provide support for victims of minor sex trafficking and help to rehabilitate survivors so that they may re-enter society successfully.

Again, I would like to reirecate, my strong support for S. 2925, the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act, for it is an important first step in addressing a problem that plagues our nation and the world.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership, and I want to take this opportunity to express on the floor of the House my appreciation to Chairman Obey for his years of service. We have had opportunities to thank him personally, but I wanted the Record to reflect that this may be his last CR, and I don't want to misspeak because I know that he finds ways to do good so we may see him again, but I do want to express my appreciation. And I also want to recognize his partner, the ranking member, Mr. Lewis, as well.

I want to acknowledge that this is something we have to do to keep the government open, so I wanted to express my appreciation and my concern. First of all, let me go to the Transportation Security Administration. I am the subcommittee chair on the Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee. It is interesting as we near the holiday, Christmas coming on Saturday, we are reminded certainly of the Christmas Day bomber of 2009. So as millions of Americans are now traveling and will continue to travel through this holiday season to gather with friends and family, domestically and internationally, we recognize the importance of providing transfer authority for TSA to allow for efforts against terrorist attacks such as what occurred in the Northwest Flight 253 and the recent attempts against all cargo.

In addition, we recognize the importance of increased staff. This is the holiday time. There will be overtime, and we want to make sure that all of the levels of intensity, of ramping up are provided for, and I am very grateful that this CR chose to do that.

Additionally, many of us have heard from our small businesses, and this will prevent the elimination of funding of reduced loans for small businesses.

I want to raise something very quickly. I am a supporter of providing qualified teachers for our inner city schools, and even had a daughter work for a group called Teach for America. These are outstanding and well-informed individuals. I raise a question, because my district is dominated by inner city schools, of the change of definition of ``highly qualified teacher'' that would include those in the Teach for America, that a recent graduate, does that in fact eliminate our experienced teachers, that is, take away from the training of those experienced teachers? I would raise that concern.

Finally, I close by simply saying I view this as an important step, but I am disappointed we had to go this route and we could not look to a rational response to the work that so many of us have done. Some may call them earmarks. I call them designations of funding in cooperation, collaboration with our executive.

It is a tragedy that, for example, a group that houses victims of human trafficking will not be able to be responded to, or a group that deals with those who are trying to rebuild their lives as ex-offenders will not get funding and that infrastructure projects will not get funding. Let me remind my colleagues, you don't save money; you just hand it over to the executive and it finds its way in some other direction.

I am delighted we stand here today, continue to have the government work, and I appreciate the great work that was done for the CR.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011. This measure will continue to assure funding for all Federal Government agencies and allow the Government to continue its day to day operations through March 4, 2011, provided under Public Law 111-242, the first fiscal year 2011 Continuing Resolution (CR).

This Continuing Resolution will basically fund the Government at levels previously approved by the House for fiscal year 2010. It is of great importance that this Congress continues to decide how best to finalize fiscal year 2011 spending and explore ways to equitably decrease the national deficit.

As a Member of Congress, it is a critical constitutional responsibility to assure continued funding streams for the Federal Government. This Continuing Resolution will ensure that all necessary and key functions of Government will continue unimpeded until Congress finalizes our work with the passage of final appropriations legislation. There have been a few exceptions, but at least one Continuing Resolution has been enacted for each fiscal year since 1955.

As we rapidly approach the holiday season, and the end of the year is only 10 days away, there is no greater business before this chamber than keeping our Federal Government up and running. Especially during this crucial time of transition, the citizens of the United States are depending upon us to keep the Federal Government fully operational. We must provide a sense of certainty and stability as our country continues to recover from recession and remains engaged in two wars abroad.

I must say that I am very disturbed that we cannot get our colleagues to cooperate in a bi-partisan manner to pass essential appropriations bills and must instead resort to short-term continuing resolutions. However, with the funding for all Federal agencies and programs set to expire at midnight tonight, it is imperative that we pass this Continuing Resolution. It is crucial that we continue to fund Government agencies and programs without interruption. We must keep this Nation moving forward toward progress.

In recent days and months, unnecessary partisan battles in both chambers have been waged over expenditures included in appropriations measures. Partisan finger-pointing and squabbling have hindered the passage of appropriations bills and had a negative impact on our economic recovery. This Continuing Resolution has suffered the same fate. I would like to remind all of my colleagues that appropriations are built-in by law to permit Members of Congress to identify and provide funding for useful and necessary projects in their districts. Specifically, in my home district of Houston, I fought hard to include in the Continuing Resolution, a total of $175,595,558 in appropriations funding for fiscal year 2011.

These projects create jobs, rebuild our infrastructure and benefit our districts, our States and our country, as well. Though I recommended funding for critical transportation and infrastructure projects in Houston, Texas, unfortunately this funding was excluded from the Continuing Resolution. Though an opportunity to improve our national economy was lost, I will continue to fight for the funding of such useful, necessary and economically productive projects in Houston and support the funding of these types of projects nationwide.

Overall, the Continuing Resolution will generally benefit the citizens of Houston and the entire country by continuing to fund important government programs without interruption. As we move forward, it is my hope that both chambers in the House and Senate will take a bipartisan approach to moving vitally important appropriations legislation which includes useful, necessary, job creating and economy- building projects from our districts. This is the fiscally responsible course and grows and strengthens our economy in the long run.

In summation, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this Continuing Resolution as we continue the work of the Federal Government.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1621, ``Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Founding of Catholic Charities USA.'' Let me begin by thanking my colleague Representative Rush Holt for introducing this incredibly important piece of legislation into the House of Representatives, as it is imperative that we recognize and support Catholic Charities' USA 100th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, as an enthusiast of Catholic Charities USA and co- sponsor of this resolution, I urge my colleagues to support this measure by recognizing the importance of Catholic Charities USA and their 100 years of service to our great nation.

Since the Catholic Charities USA founding in 1910 on the campus of Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, Catholic Charities has worked to establish well over 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies and institutions around the nation.

The vision of Catholic Charities USA is direct and simple, to help ``people in need achieve self-sufficiency.'' Yet Catholic Charities USA continues to touch hundreds of thousands of lives by providing vulnerable individuals with greatly needed care, nourishment, and compassion. As an advocate for social justice, Catholic Charities USA works to empower committees around the nation maintaining that each individual is entitled to a life of dignity and opportunity that allows each person to reach their full potential. As part of our government, it is dire that we provide our constituents and all Americans with a good quality of life. By recognizing the centennial anniversary of Catholic Charities USA, we are acknowledging the extreme, positive impact of their efforts all over America and the work they do to provide all with a high quality of life,

respect, and dignity. Furthermore, we would be commending and applauding Catholic Charities USA's efforts to provide children, the poor, the disabled, the elderly, and the powerless with resources like housing, food, economic security, health, a place in the workforce, and education.

As for the 18th district of Texas, I would be utterly remiss if I did not take time to recognize and relay my sincerest gratitude for all that the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has done, and continues to do in Houston. For over 60 years Catholic Charities has served the human and social service needs of Houstonians by providing communities with programs aimed at promoting and facilitating self-sufficiency. Teaching and preparing one to be self- sufficient is perhaps one of the most beautiful ways to help human kind. The Chinese proverb, ``Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,'' sheds light on the wisdom of teaching and the importance of self-sufficiency. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston employs this lesson through numerous programs for the elderly, refugees and immigrants, and those affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer, and devastating illnesses. One of their greatest outreach missions provided to Houstonians is disaster relief. As you well know Hurricane Ike was a grave environmental catastrophe, leaving many surviving Houstonians in disarray, bereavement, poverty, and great sadness. Yet Catholic Charities offered free disaster recovery assistance for Hurricane Ike survivors in the form of counseling and resources. Additionally, Catholic Charities AIDS ministry provides holistic services to those suffering from HIV/AIDS in form of case management, HIV education, and compassionate non-judgmental responses. Also, through the Share Your Blessings Program, Catholic Charities is working to provide impoverished Houston families with Christmas joy and hope by seeking Angel Sponsors to provide such families with much needed personal items. Catholic Charities services in and around Houston have greatly helped the 18th district and their efforts are to be commended.

Furthermore, Catholic Charities USA is inspired to reduce poverty, support families and parenthood, empower communities, and eliminate oppression. The spirit of this great organization is the embodiment of goodwill towards man, compassion, and social justice. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand in support of this measure and to support the 100 years of monumental contributions made by Catholic Charities USA. To give them honor and praise for being a national leader in their efforts to combat poverty, promote social justice, and treat all with dignity.

Mr. Speaker, I believe our body would be slipshod if we were not to pass this extraordinary measure to recognize and support Catholic Charities USA 100th anniversary and their historic founding in 1910 and all that they continue to do to better our society. I urge my colleagues to stand with Rep. Holt and myself and vote in favor of H.R. 1621, ``Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Founding of Catholic Charities USA.''

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, I was extremely saddened to hear about the death of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. He was a great leader and a dedicated representative of peace and democracy throughout the world. I extend my deepest condolences to Ambassador Holbrooke's family, his wife Kati Marton, his brother, Andrew, and his children, David, Anthony, Christopher and Elizabeth.

Ambassador Holbrooke has had a tremendous career with the United States State Department, which began with a response to President Kennedy's call to service for government work in the early 1960s. Ambassador Holbrooke was undoubtedly a public servant ever since his graduation from Brown University in 1962, when he joined the Foreign Service and was sent to Vietnam. At the young age of 24, Richard Holbrooke, an expert on Vietnam issues, was appointed to a team of Vietnam experts, the Phoenix Program, under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Ambassador Holbrooke has always been a champion of peace and democracy, and this began at a young age with a profound dedication to the United States' international diplomacy efforts.

Since beginning his career in foreign policy at such a young age, Ambassador Holbrooke was always at the forefront of international political issues, whether it was as a public servant at the 1968 Paris Peace Talks, Director of the Peace Corps in Morocco, or as a the editor of Foreign Policy magazine. Ambassador Holbrooke will always be an archetype of United States diplomacy, and his resume only serves to demonstrate how he has been consequential to diplomacy in some of our generation's most tumultuous events.

Ambassador Holbrooke never relented in his efforts to expand his efforts to pursue U.S. interests of diplomacy and democracy internationally. In 1977, under President Carter, Richard Holbrooke was Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. As the youngest person to have been appointed to that position, Ambassador Holbrooke oversaw the normalization of relations with China in 1978, and the warming of the cold war during his tenure. His diplomatic achievements do not culminate with the establishment of diplomatic relations with China--instead they continued, and arguably exceeded anyone's expectations.

When President Clinton took office in 1993, Mr. Holbrooke returned to work for the United States Government with the State Department. His first appointment was as the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, where he participated in the founding of the American Academy in Berlin as a cultural exchange center.

In 1994, he returned to Washington after being appointed by President Clinton to be the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs, where he was the lead negotiator in the Balkan Wars. He was strategic in establishing a lasting peace at the Dayton talks that undoubtedly saved thousands of lives. The 1995 Dayton peace accords ended the war in Bosnia--but it required an agreement by the three warring factions, the Serbs, the Croats, and the Bosnian Muslims. Holbrooke's role in this is lasting; he ended the 3-year war, and helped develop the framework for dividing Bosnia into two entities, one of the Bosnian Serbs and another of the Croatians and Muslims. Ambassador Holbrooke is a hero of U.S. diplomacy, and undoubtedly had tremendous importance in facilitating peace, in whatever form, in Bosnia.

After playing a key role in the Dayton Peace Talks, President Bill Clinton named Mr. Holbrooke as the representative of the United States to the United Nations. Holbrooke's time as the United Nations Ambassador was highlighted in his addressing the problems of global HIV/AIDS. He advocated to United Nation peacekeepers that it was their responsibility to help prevent HIV/AIDS and invited Vice President Al Gore to speak before the Security Council to highlight the growing epidemic. Ambassador Holbrooke warned that the medical section of the peacekeeping department has been under-staffed and suggested that all peacekeepers include the cost of AIDS tests in the budget of future missions. Mr. Holbrooke has been a strong advocate for HIV/AIDS issues having worked with the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) during his time as United Nations Ambassador to the United States. During his tenure, Ambassador Holbrooke invited members of the CBC to visit the U.N. Ambassador Holbrooke demonstrated his drive to securing international health and peace, in his lifetime of dedication to diplomatic efforts.

His work never ceased, and it continued with President Obama. Under the Obama administration, Ambassador Holbrooke was appointed Special Envoy to Pakistan and to Afghanistan--a region that contains the United States' greatest national security concerns. Just as his responsibility unfolded in the Balkans, his responsibility in Pakistan and Afghanistan posed a major challenge that would not have an easy solution. As we all know, the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan are multidimensional and are problems that could not be solved overnight. Ambassador Holbrooke knew this, yet he commendably took on the role, and worked courageously and diplomatically in a densely complicated region.

Ambassador Holbrooke was the intermediary between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States. Ambassador Holbrooke was fighting, diplomatically, to stabilize the often unpredictable and always fluctuating region. The fight continues to be multifaceted, and Ambassador Holbrooke dealt with fragile economies, containing corruption within governments and elections, destabilizing the Taliban resurgency, a rampant narcotics trade, the presence of Al Qaeda, and maintaining peace and security, all while promoting United States diplomatic efforts. Representing the United States, Ambassador Holbrooke worked to promote economic development in Pakistan through the Kerry Lugar Berman Bill, and worked with the Afghani government and administration to reduce U.S. combat troops and to forge a lasting peace in the region.

He is an example to us all, his life was foreign policy, his dedication was to the United States, and his motivation was diplomacy. Ambassador Holbrooke will always be regarded as a true American diplomat, one who strived for international peace throughout his entire career, of nearly 50 years, as a public servant.

We lost a great American peacemaker this week. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke gave his life to the cause of peace. His work over the years speaks for itself, but most importantly, the call that he accepted on behalf of Americans to serve in Afghanistan and Pakistan will resonate for decades. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke was my friend and will never be forgotten.