Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1382, expressing sympathy for the families of those killed by North Korea in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident. I would like to thank Mr. Faleomavaega for introducing this resolution reaffirming our long-standing friendship with the people of South Korea.

Madam Speaker, South Korea has suffered a senseless and tragic loss due to a vicious attack from their northern neighbor. On May 20, 2010 a group of 74 experts, 50 from South Korea and 24 from the international community, published a report containing conclusive evidence that North Korea, in clear violation of the Korean War Armistice Agreement, sank

the Ship Cheonan without provocation. The Cheonan lost 46 of its 104 sailors in the attack, and the people of South Korea still mourn their loss.

The Republic of South Korea has been a steadfast ally to the United States for over 50 years, providing a vital foothold for security and stability in Asia; moreover, the United States is bound to South Korea through a shared belief in the values of democracy and the rule of law. We must not stand idly by while our allies overseas are attacked. Foreign aggression is a threat to international stability, and as such also threatens the security of the United States and its people. Secretary of State Clinton has already called out to the rest of the world, showing unwavering conviction that ``we cannot allow this attack on South Korea to go unanswered by the international community.'' Nor can we in the U.S. Congress remain silent.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to reaffirm the United States' commitment to our alliance with the Republic of South Korea. We condemn in the strongest terms the actions of North Korea for their attack and demand a full apology for their aggression, along with a commitment to never again violate the terms of the Korean War Armistice Agreement. The United States must coordinate with our allies to take appropriate action in response to the hostility of the North Korean Government. We also strongly urge the international community to faithfully implement all United Nations Security Council Resolutions pertaining to security on the Korean Peninsula.

I support this resolution not only out of sympathy for our South Korean allies, but also because of the message it sends to potential aggressors abroad. It says we understand that stability around the world is necessary for security at home; it says that we will not remain silent in the face of violations of international treaties; it says that hostility towards peaceful democratic nations will not go unanswered. The safety of the people of the United States depends on our ability to work with the international community to stand by our allies and respond to aggressors.

Let me thank the gentlelady and acknowledge that I am from Texas. And in addition to the good news, and we are still working to improve the conditions of Texans, this bill will be a cause celebre in the State of Texas.

We know, overall, 290,000 jobs have been created in the month of April over the United States because this Democratic leadership had the courage to vote for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the stimulus package that has generated the opportunities for job creation. My good friend and colleague indicated in an inquiry on the floor, What is the point? Well, I'll tell you what the point is. The point is that this bill saves taxpayer dollars, and it helps one of the basic infrastructures of job creation, small businesses.

And through the program that we are now extending--we are eliminating fees for loan packages--we will see increased opportunities for our small businesses to get what they need, the capital to hire people and to keep their businesses and their doors open. $26 billion in loans has already gone out to our small businesses across America, impacting the numbers, Madam Chair, that you read in the Houston Business Journal, where the small businesses are one of the basic infrastructures of our community. Their doors are open, they are securing loans, and they're hiring people.

What is the point? The point is that we have provisions dealing with community college and career training, an idea that I had that individuals could be getting their unemployment insurance but be trained for new jobs. This is in this provision based upon utilizing trade provision dollars.

What is the point? Summer jobs, 375,000 summer jobs, only costing $1 billion over a 10-year period, paid for. The highest unemployment is among our youth, 16 to 19, and among minority youth it is even higher. The Congressional Black Caucus worked extensively to ensure that we would have summer jobs money.

I lived through the era of the Bush administration that had no summer jobs, no concern about our young people, and I tell you it was a crying shame.

The doctor fix: my doctors in Houston, the Texas Medical Center, those who work very hard to provide patient services to our seniors, we are providing them with a 2.2 increase, 1 percent in 2011, and then it goes up to current levels.

Closing foreign loopholes is saving taxpayer money. That is the point. And of course recognizing that we're creating jobs, jobs, jobs.

You know what the point is? We have the courage to make a difference for America.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 4213, The American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act. I would like to thank my colleague, the Honorable Sandy Levin, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, for introducing this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, getting all Americans back to work is, and should be, our number one priority. It is essential that the Congress continue to create avenues that will provide employers with incentives to hire and to retain new employees. Therefore, I have been a major supporter of comprehensive efforts to create jobs for the unemployed constituents of the 18th Congressional District of Texas, as well as throughout the State of Texas and the nation.

Indeed, as a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I have been working tirelessly to ensure that the number of jobs available in the economy drastically increases. This includes an increase in the amount of summer jobs, jobs for the long-term unemployed, and jobs for the permanently laid off. Also, I continue to support efforts to relieve the plight of many Americans, in vulnerable communities, who have been hit hardest by unemployment.

Again, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4213, ``The American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act'' is the right bill at the right time in our economic recovery. The bill is yet another important measure, which I strongly believe is essential to addressing the nation's alarmingly persistent high rate of unemployment, particularly among African- Americans, Hispanic Americans and others vulnerable populations.

A January 2010 Washington Post article reported that unemployment for African-Americans is projected to reach a 25-year high this year. Some believe the national rate of unemployment for African-Americans will soar to 17.2 percent, and the rates in five states will exceed 20 percent. Of course, we know during the course of the recession, the unemployment rate has grown much faster for African Americans and Latinos than for whites.

Through the American Recovery Act of 2009, Congress was able to provide much needed assistance to many Americans who were struggling from the effects of the economic downturn and the collapse of our financial markets. Unfortunately, of the $787 billion provided through the economic stimulus package, the unemployment rate in the U.S. has not been substantially reduced; currently, the unemployment rate in the U.S. stands at 9.9 percent.

Again, any comprehensive initiative to create jobs is welcomed, because I remain concerned about high unemployment anywhere it is being experienced in the U.S. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the current unemployment rate for Houston is 8.4 percent, while a May 6, 2010 Los Angeles Times article noted that the national unemployment rate for Hispanic Americans exceeded 13.0 percent.

Because unemployment remains acute and needs persist that in communities all across the country, I support the major provisions of the bill, including:

(1) Small business lending--The bill will extend the small business lending program created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This program will eliminate the fees normally charged for loans through the Small Business Administration, providing access to capital not available in the private market.

(2) Infrastructure investments--Under the bill, comprehensive relief is provided for our Nation's aging infrastructure and transportation needs. A wide range of measures including addressing housing, schools and hospitals. Funds are provided to continue remediating the nation's ``Brownfields'' sites, opening up

new opportunities for redevelopment of distressed communities.

(3) Summer jobs--The bill funds a summer jobs program for the Nation's youth. Our Nation's youth ages 16-19 have a 25% unemployment rate--some of the highest unemployment numbers in the country. Reducing unemployment among the Nation' youth will be widely beneficial to working poor families and the youth themselves.

(4) National Housing Trust Fund--The bill capitalizes the much need National Housing Trust Fund, providing expanded assistance to communities with major shortages of affordable housing.

(5) Oil Spill, Flood Insurance and Mine Safety--The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico highlights the need to increase the liability cap for oil companies for cleanup purposes from $1 billion to $5 billion. The bill also extends the expiration date of the National Flood Insurance program to December 31, 2010. Mine safety issues are also funded in this bill, providing incentives for mining companies to have up-to-date safety equipment.

(6) Closing Tax Loopholes--the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 includes a series of measures designed to close tax loopholes exploited by individuals and corporate entities, as well as a means of closing tax loopholes for foreign subsidiaries of U.S companies, another means of keeping jobs at home.

(7) Medicare's Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR)--Another major provision of the bill related to affordable health care cancels the scheduled pay cut for Medicare physicians. This will enable the Nation's physicians to continue serving the Nation's growing elderly population and to stay in practice.

In addition, the legislation will help companies and State and local governments generate jobs, while providing tax relief and economic assistance to many American families in need of assistance. I agree with Chairman Levin when he indicates, ``By promoting jobs here in the U.S. and cracking down on loopholes that encourage companies to move overseas, we strengthen opportunities for American workers and businesses so that we can continue building on recent economic growth toward a robust recovery.'' The extension of unemployment and health benefits through the end of the year is also critical to many workers and their families to make ends meet while they continue to search for jobs.

Given the fact that the U.S. economy has shown signs of improvement, the use of fiscal stimulus is the most prudent policy to sustain economic growth and to create jobs as the major restructuring of the U.S. economy continues. We are now part of the global economy, with implications for the future of the U.S. economy. However, we must first look within to determine our priorities--the number one priority has to be the American worker. We must get jobs in the hands of the most vulnerable individuals in the country.

In addition, I will work with my colleagues to restore the COBRA extension and the State Medicaid assistance (FMAP) provisions of the original bill.

Mr. Speaker, I stand with Chairman Levin in support of this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, a colleague on the floor just used the terminology ``confiscated,'' and I certainly want to respect her use of a word in the dictionary.

Yet I would say to men and women of the United States military, to whom we are providing funding from the revenue that we collect, that that money is not being confiscated. To those disabled veterans who are getting a tax benefit, we are not confiscating money; we are giving them dollars. To those who are on the Louisiana coast, who are going to get a benefit from the increase in the oil trust fund to help them clean up the disaster in Louisiana, we are not confiscating money but using the Federal resources to help the American people.

We are helping America. That is what this vote is about. The Republican opposition do not want to help America. We do.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5116.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the Chair regarding the votes that I missed on the following dates:

May 12, due to the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson, I missed the following votes:

Rollcall vote No. 259, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 260, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 261, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 262, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 263, I would have voted no;

Rollcall vote 264, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 265, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 266, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 259-266 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during roll call 259-266 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. Had I been present, for rollcall vote 259, on agreeing to the resolution, H. Res. 1344, ``Providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 260, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5014, `` To clarify the health care provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that constitutes minimum essential coverage,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 261, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended, H. Con. Res. 268, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's Health Week, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 262, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Gordon Amendment No. 1,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 263, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Hall of Texas Amendment No. 6,'' I would have voted ``no''; for rollcall vote 264, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Markey of Massachusetts Amendment No. 10,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 265, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``George Miller of California, Amendment No. 12,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for roll call vote 266, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Reyes of Texas Amendment No. 13,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

Tuesday, May 18, due similarly to the passing of my mother:

Rollcall votes 273 to 275, motion to suspend the rules, rollcall vote 273, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 274, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 275, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 273-275 on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during roll-call 273-275 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 273, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 2288, ``Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Improvement Act of 2009,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 274, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 4614, ``Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2010,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 275, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, H. Res. 1327, ``Honoring the life achievements, and contributions of Floyd Dominy,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

On the 20th of May, due to the passing of my mother, I missed the following votes:

Rollcall vote 284, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 285, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 286, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 287, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 288, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 289, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 290, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 284-290 on Thursday, May 20, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 284-290 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 284, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5327, ``To authorize assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system,'' I would have voted ``aye''.

For rollcall vote 285, on motion to suspend the rules agree to, H. Res. 1256, ``Congratulating Phil Mickelson on winning the 2010 Masters golf tournament,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 286, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to, H. Res. 1336, `` Congratulating the University of Texas men's swimming and diving team for winning the NCAA Division I national championship,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 287, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 1361, ``Recognizing North Carolina Central on its 100th anniversary,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 288, on ordering the previous question, H. Res. 1363, ``Granting the authority provided under clause 4(c)(3) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the Committee on Education and Labor for purposes of its investigation into underground coal mining safety,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 289, on agreeing to resolution, H. Res. 163, ``Granting the authority provided under clause 4(c)(3) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the Committee on Education and Labor for purposes of its investigation into underground coal mining safety,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 290, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5128, ``To designate the Department of the Interior Building in Washington, District of Columbia, as the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

Accordingly, I continued to miss time on the passing of my mother on May 24, and I missed rollcall votes 291 to 293.

I would have voted, on rollcall vote 291, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 292, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 293, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 291-293 on Monday, May 24, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 291-293 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 291, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 278, ``Expressing the sense of Congress that a grateful Nation supports and salutes Sons and Daughters in Touch on its 20th Anniversary that is being held on Fathers Day, 2010, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, the District of Columbia,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 292, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 1017, ``Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 293, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5330, ``To amend the Anti-trust Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004 to extend the operation of such Act for a 5-year period ending June 22, 2015, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye''.

On Tuesday, May 25, accordingly, I missed the following votes pursuant to the earlier statement:

Rollcall vote 294, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 295, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 296, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 297, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 298, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 299, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 300, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 301, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 294-301 on Tuesday, May 25, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 294-301 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 294, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 5145, ``Assuring Quality Care for Veterans Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 295, on motion to suspend the rule and agree to H. Res. 437, ``Expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 296, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1382, ``Expressing sympathy to the families of those killed by North Korea in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 297, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 584, ``Recognizing the importance of manufactured and modular housing in the United States,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 298, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H.Res. 3885, ``Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 299, on motion to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to H.R. 2711, ``Special Agent Samuel Hicks Families of Fallen Heroes Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 300, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res.

1189, ``Commending Lance Mackey on winning a record 4th straight Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 301, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1172, ``Recognizing the life and achievements of Will Keith Kellogg,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

May 26, I was unavoidably detained on official business. I missed rollcall vote 302. I would have voted aye;

Rollcall vote 303, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 304, I would have voted ``aye''; and

Rollcall vote 305, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 302-305 on Wednesday, May 26, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, because I was away from the office on official business. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted, had I been present.

For rollcall vote, 302, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1347, ``Honoring the workers who perished on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, extending condolences to their families, and recognizing the valiant efforts of emergency response workers at the disaster site,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 303, on motion to suspend the rule and agree to H. Res. 1385, ``recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 304, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res 1316, ``Celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 305, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1169, ``Honoring the 125th anniversary of Rollins College,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, this has been a whirlwind of a week, and I believe it is more than appropriate to summarize for the American people the real work that has been done, the triumphs, the challenges, but also the admitted courage of those who recognize that without heavy lifting, this country may not have been explored and stretched to the far reaches of the west coast, where many who traveled beyond the original settlements went West, young man, courage of Americans. This country would not have been great had Abraham Lincoln not stood up to a divided Nation, spoke against the evils of slavery, and unified this Nation.

Although we have traveled a rocky road in the 20th century, moving to ensure the equality of all persons through the civil rights movement and women's movement, there have been many women of courage who made America different and better. I am grateful today that we left this place having voted on the American jobs bill that will provide for small businesses, that will create summer jobs, that will stop the moving of jobs overseas, that provide for the closing of tax loopholes, that provide for the physicians who nurture us, provide for our families, and it will create jobs.

A position I have taken is on an amendment that I have written that would allow those unemployed to receive training and stipends without losing their unemployment insurance. Oh, yes, Mr. Speaker, we have work to do. I ask the governors of our States to stand up and be heard and provide for the FMAC, the Medicaid that is so much needed. I will fight with you. Of course, we need to work on the COBRA.

But what we have done is to provide for jobs. Then we have said to the men and women of the United States military, we believe in you, providing for more benefits, more quality of life support for their family, more posttraumatic stress disorder counseling, providing for counseling of civilians that might have suffered a violent act on a military base such as those in Fort Hood--and an amendment that I offered will support it--provided opportunities for small businesses to do business with the Defense Department.

To stand up for justice, to stand up for a young man by the name of Ensign Provo who lost his life because of his sexual orientation and the ugliness of hate, I believe we did the right thing in eliminating Don't Ask, Don't Tell, because the men and women in the United States military are well aware of what justice is all about. They are well aware of what political grandstanding is all about. They are well aware that this amendment will only move forward after we have scrutinized your opinion.

Thank you to the men and women who are courageous enough to send us home, along with my own vote, to say to those who are an American in need that we believe in you and have fought for you.

I close by thanking my beloved mom and acknowledging that her teaching gave me the grounding to be able to say that all men and women are created equal. She is no longer here, but I truly believe teachings of our mothers and fathers have always brought us to the higher calling of being able to help all people.

On behalf of myself, my brother and our extended family, we are grateful to all who expressed their concerns. I just believe, with all seriousness, that what we must do is continue to help people to make their lives better and to change America for the best.

I think we have got the best constitutional institution of democracy the world has ever seen, and that is the United States Congress. As we disagree, we still uphold this flag and the Constitution of the United States of America. We have now been sent home with a great amount of bounty for the American people and those who are in need, and we have gone home to say thank you to the men and women in the United States military and to acknowledge and to appreciate and to honor those who have fallen in battle.

May God bless you as God blesses America.

I thank the gentlelady from California and I thank the Rules Committee for allowing amendments in that I have offered dealing with the expansion and opportunity for small and women- owned businesses and addressing the tragedy of Fort Hood as relates to the civilians who were impacted by that enormous tragedy.

First, of course, my honor and respect to the United States military for their service as we move toward the commemoration of Memorial Day.

But I would also like to suggest that an amendment that I offered could have been added that dealt with $10 million going to the State Department to improve smart power diplomacy, and also some additional work on helping our families, having spoken to the Air Force families, to make sure that services are utilized during predeployment.

But I am grateful, of course, that we are moving forward on Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and in tribute to August Provost, an innocent who lost his life in San Diego because people did not understand that he, too, was a soldier even though, even though his lifestyle may have been different. It is a disgrace to eliminate those who want to serve their country.

And finally, I would offer to say that I look forward to a colloquy that would establish NASA, or begin to address the question of whether or not the Defense Department needs to assess whether NASA is a national security asset as we move toward commercialization.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is important to honor our military. I also believe it is important to recognize their needs. We need to promote the needs of their families, the families of the United States military, and ensure those civilians who are on military bases, who suffered as the soldiers did, will continue to have access to posttraumatic stress disorder counseling as they move forward to rebuild their lives.

I ask my colleagues to vote on the amendments and vote on the underlying rule.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my amendment (#175) to H.R. 5136-- ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.''

My amendment would authorize the Secretary of Defense to transfer funds up to $10,000,000 to the Department of State (DoS) if the Secretary of Defense deems such a transfer to be in the interest of National Security.

This amendment would give the Secretary of Defense the ability to transfer a portion of the Department of Defense's (DoD)'s budget to the Department of State based on the need for diplomatic programs that boost national security. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary Gates have declared for years how they believe the State Department is better suited to carry out certain diplomatic activities in support of defense operations. Admiral Mullen even stated: ``I would hand over part of my budget to the State Department, in a heartbeat, assuming it was spent in the right place.''

Diplomatic efforts should always lead and shape our international relationships, and the leaders of our military believe that our foreign policy is still far too dominated by our military. The diplomatic and developmental capabilities of the United States have a direct bearing on our ability to shape threats and to reduce the need for military action. If this amendment is passed, it will be extremely significant and relevant to national defense, and improve the Department of Defense and the Department of State's ability to defend our nation.

Thank you again. I urge my colleagues to support this simple but important amendment.

I thank the Speaker for this opportunity to explain my amendment to H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. My amendment would require the Secretary of Defense to provide an outreach program to educate small businesses, including minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses. The Secretary shall also provide access to procurement and contracting opportunities for these businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I have long supported efforts to increase opportunities for small businesses, especially those that are minority-owned, women- owned and disadvantaged. We know that small businesses are the engine to our economy and that they provide much needed support for communities across the country. Small businesses employ 57.4 million Americans. Many Americans seek to fulfill the American dream by becoming small business owners, and everyone in the United States should be given the same opportunity to fulfill that dream.

Women and minorities have long been disadvantaged when it comes to getting business opportunities, and it is important to provide educational resources that will enable women, minorities, and other disadvantaged business owners to arm themselves with the necessary tools that they need to operate viable and thriving businesses. This will only improve communities throughout the United States.

For these reasons, I urge the Committee to make my amendment in order.

I thank the Speaker for this opportunity to explain my amendment to H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. My amendment would require the Secretary of Defense to maintain a website or searchable database of small businesses, including minority- owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses with which the Department of Defense has contracts.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is crucial that we have a mechanism in place that allows us to track the numbers of minorities, women, and other disadvantaged businesses that receive contracts from the Department of Defense. We need to make sure that women, minorities, and disadvantaged businesses are getting reasonable opportunities to establish and grow their businesses. One of the ways we can monitor this is to have public access to the numbers through a searchable database.

I have long supported efforts to increase opportunities for small businesses, especially those that are minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged. We know that small businesses are the engine to our economy and that they provide much needed support for communities across the country. Many Americans seek to fulfill the American dream by becoming small business owners, and everyone in the United States should be given the same opportunity to fulfill that dream.

Women and minorities have long been disadvantaged when it comes to getting business opportunities, and it is important to provide educational resources that will enable women, minorities, and other disadvantaged business owners to arm themselves with the necessary tools that they need to operate viable and thriving businesses. This will only improve communities throughout the United States.

First I would like to take the opportunity to salute my dear friend, Chairman Skelton, for being the kind of leader on a committee as challenging as providing for the men and women of the United States military, to ensure the listening ear to those of us who represent soldiers and their families across America. I think our State of Texas can count itself as having the highest population, one of the highest populations of current and active duty military as well as veterans. I thank the ranking member for his leadership.

In saying that, before we honor them on Memorial Day, I believe that this legislation is a tough initiative on providing for the families and the men and women of the United States military. I also think it's important to note that the Defense Department can be a job creator, create opportunities for Americans across this Nation. And my amendment simply asks that a report be provided to the Congressional Black Caucus towards establishing a report on the numbers of small, medium, minority and women-owned businesses that are doing business with the Defense Department. There are 57.4 million Americans employed by small businesses.

This amendment will be beneficial to small businesses by providing cohesive information in this sector and by encouraging and strengthening competition between businesses. More importantly, with this report I would like to encourage the Department of Defense to get out beyond the Beltway and to establish outreach centers or outreach programs that would explain to these small businesses, whether in Appalachia or whether in the Delta, whether in Houston, whether in urban centers, how to do business effectively, efficiently, and with integrity with the Department of Defense. This amendment creates jobs.

And as I look for greater opportunities, Mr. Chairman, I would like to add that I believe that we are moving in the right direction to eliminate Don't Ask, Don't Tell. To my dismay, it has been characterized as breaking a trust, a breach of our responsibility to our military. It is not. It is giving everyone a chance to be an American, to swear to the oath of service. I believe it's an important step for liberty in our Nation.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I rise in support of the bill for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with the chairman. I would like to discuss the important role the National Aeronautics and Space Administration plays in our national security. In fact, I had legislation that established NASA as a national security asset.

Chairman Skelton, would you agree that our national security space programs are closely linked to NASA and that termination of the human spaceflight program could result in serious consequences for our space launch?

Further, do you agree that NASA's space programs have made important contributions to our national and homeland security, economic security, international standing, and technological competitiveness?

Finally, it is my hope that the Department of Defense will carefully assess the national security assets that may be possessed by NASA.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

My colleagues and I who are working on this issue appreciate your view. Transferring funds from the human spaceflight program to unproven commercial space efforts designed to carry humans and cargo into space is unreasonable and may be an unreasonable risk that this country should not take at this time. I hope that we can work together on this issue to ensure the continuation of human spaceflight programs.

Thank you, Mr. Skelton, for supporting NASA.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today, as we debate the defense authorization bill, to discuss the concept of humanity because I believe the men and women of the United States military have a sense of compassion for humanity and courage, and the broadness of their humanity causes them to sacrifice on behalf of the American people. Today I stand here and thank them.

And then I want to acknowledge, as well, the vast civilian support staff that are found on the Nation's military bases and bases around the world. I got a good sense of that when I joined, sadly, my fellow colleagues at Ft. Hood a few months ago, mourning the loss of a civilian and soldiers at the hands of a terrorist. I was able to see civilians and soldiers coming together expressing concern for each other.

I saw the mourning of those families who had lost their fallen heroes, their soldiers. And, yes, I saw the civilian staff mourn, as well, over the losses that had occurred amongst their fellow workers and colleagues, soldiers, and a civilian, and those who were also injured.

As we mourned, it came to my attention that we must take care of all of them. Sergeant Kimberly Munley, who was a sergeant, a Fort Hood police sergeant to whom was attributed the success of bringing down this particular dangerous person, despite being shot herself; or a 19- year-old nutritionist who put a tourniquet on a wounded soldier and carried them out for medical care, even though she was also wounded.

So I am grateful that the committee has accepted my amendment, and I ask my colleagues to support the idea of more or continued post- traumatic stress disorder counseling for the civilians on this base, and to ensure that that happens, if ever such a tragedy occurs again, to be able to provide Airborne staff on military bases with that kind of support system. I have promised the Fort Hood community that I would return, and I intend to do so to check on how they're doing.

But it is important that we stand here today as we look toward Memorial Day, mourning those lost, to be able to say to those here that we will counsel or provide them with the services necessary to support those possibly suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues due to work-related violence on our military installations.

I started out quickly, Mr. Chairman, by talking about humanity, and I finish by saying, I've heard all of the talk about Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It is interesting to note that the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, as well as the President, recognize the importance of acknowledging this necessary change in our military.

But I am reminded of the history of integrating the military when President Truman said it was the right thing to do to provide the opportunity for Americans who happened to be of African American heritage to serve.

We know it is distinctive, but there is a reason for Don't Ask, Don't Tell to be eliminated, and it is that every decent human being needs the right to serve his or her country if they are willing to take the Oath of Service.

This is the right thing to do. Repeal it. It's time. The Murphy amendment is right and the process is in keeping with the respect of the opinion of those active duty soldiers who will be surveyed for their view. However now is the time to end this discrimination. My constituent Ensign Provost might have lived if his sexual orientation had not been misused to create an atmosphere that it was alright to take his life because he lived in fear of reprimand and dismissal. He was willing to serve his country but our country did not respect his humanity or his service.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment (#25) to H.R. 5136-- ``National

Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.''

My amendment would make available post-traumatic stress counseling for civilian victims of a shooting on a military installation base in the United States, including the shooting at Fort Hood.

Every branch of the United States Armed Forces has a civilian workforce. The civilian workforce, also called ``civil service,'' provides stability in various types of jobs at a military installation. That allows for the continuation of military operations in a peace or wartime environment. Civil service personnel serve in roles that provide an important support system allowing the Armed Services to operate at the highest levels.

There are many ways to serve our country without actually enlisting in the military. One of those ways is to work in a military civilian job with the Armed Services. There are many, many thousands of individuals serving in jobs in fields such as medicine, recreation, education, engineering, food services, and many other important areas in which civilians provide valuable support for our military operations. The Army alone employs more that 250,000 civilians on its bases and installations around the world.

Civilians, like soldiers, are sometimes placed in harm's way and many work in challenging environments. One incident that recently presented unimaginable challenges and consequences for both soldiers and civilians was the shooting at Fort Hood. We understand that civilians stand in the same vulnerable shoes as soldiers when events like the Fort Hood event occur.

Enlisted personnel, National Guards, reservists and veterans with PTSD have lived through traumatic events that caused them to fear for their lives, bear witness to horrible things, and feel helpless and hopeless. PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not manifest until months or years later. If provided proper medical care, about half, 40 percent to 60 percent, of people who develop PTSD get better at some time.

Although veterans who served in combat are most frequently afflicted by PTSD, events such as the Fort Hood shooting highlight the physical and psychological dangers facing military personnel in all roles. Consequently, it is vital to extend to our civilian personnel the same benefits and support that we give to our active duty military. Civilians and military members on Fort Hood have equal responsibility to protect our Nation and, as such, it is morally imperative that we honor these civilians by providing them with equal support in the aftermath of such traumatic incidents.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this simple but important amendment.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment to H.R. 5116--``To invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes.''

My amendment amends Section 345(e) to mandate the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to report on the economic and ethnic breakdown of ``Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics'' (STEM) industry internship program recipients.

At present, this section mandates the Director of the NSF to submit a report to Congress on the number and total value of awards made under this section, the number of students affected by those awards, and any evidence of the effect of those awards on workforce preparation and jobs placement for participating students. In my opinion, requirements for assessing participation of minority and economically-disadvantaged backgrounds are conspicuously absent from these reporting requirements, and my amendment seeks to rectify this problem.

Mr. Chair, facilitating links between institutes of higher education and the private sector is vital to ensuring that education enables a skilled and relevant workforce. Such links are especially important for minorities and under-served communities because these students often lack alternative avenues to connect their education with an industry. Internship experience is an increasingly vital component of a successful resume, yet the unpaid nature of internships is cost- prohibitive for many people.

As I mentioned, this amendment would mandate that the Director of the National Science Foundation (the organization that oversees this program) report on the economic and ethnic breakdown of this program's recipients. Such data will be useful to ensure that minorities and economically-disadvantaged students have adequate access to internships that bridge STEM academia and industry. Indeed, I trust that this data will provide evidence of robust participation by minority and economically-disadvantaged students; however, if such students are not participating, these reporting requirements will provide Congress with the data it needs to facilitate broad participation.

Thank you again. I urge my colleagues to support this simple but important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 268, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's Health Week.'' First and foremost I would like to thank my distinguished colleague from New York, Representative Maurice Hinchey for introducing this bill.

Mr. Speaker, it is vital we recognize that women need to take better care of their health. Starting this week from May 9th to May 15th, families, communities, businesses, government, health organizations and other groups work together to educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and prevent disease.

It is crucial that women have knowledge about the health risks that confront them and that greater action is taken to reduce those risks through preventative measures such as a healthy lifestyle and regular medical screenings. With just a small amount of preventative care through exercise and doctor visits, women can drastically cut back on serious health risks that threaten to cut their life span.

Mr. Speaker, I reiterate once again, that it is a very well known fact that improving the health of all women will improve the health of the whole community. It is a well known fact that improving health for women improves health for everyone. Research indicates that when women take care of themselves, the health of their families improves along with theirs.

Women are known to be the caregivers of the family. Women are known to sacrifice their well-being for the sake of their families. During National Women's Health Week it is of great importance we encourage our mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and aunts to go take time out for themselves. It is essential that women educate themselves on different steps to take on improving their lifestyle, health and lower the risks of certain diseases. Some of the most common preventative measures that can be taken are the following: getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both each week, eating a nutritious diet, visiting a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings, paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress. In addition, it is important that women start taking care of themselves at an early age. If they start early, they are more likely to stick to these habits, thus in turn, maintaining healthier families and communities.

In Houston and all across America, it is important that women do everything they can do to lead healthier lives. In this spirit, I encourage women to get the necessary check-ups and preventative screenings from their health care providers so they can live long, healthy and productive lives.

Once again it is important to remind our mother's, sisters, grandmothers and aunts that

when they take care of themselves, they in turn are taking care of their families and community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res 1187, ``Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to raising public awareness of and helping to prevent attacks against Federal employees while engaged in or on account of the performance of official duties.''

H. Res. 1187 will resolve that the House of Representatives: Expresses the Nation's appreciation for the outstanding contributions made by Federal employees to the United States; Supports the goal of protecting the safety and security of our Federal employees; and Urges that the Government seek ways to improve the safety and security of our Federal employees. I rise today to urge the passing of House Resolution 1187. Not too long ago our country suffered from the Oklahoma City bombing, one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism on American soil. This cowardly act of terrorism killed 168 people, 19 of them children. The victims were mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, grandchildren, friends, and co-workers.

The bombing in Oklahoma City was a direct attack against the dedicated men and women of the Federal Civil Service. The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building housed 14 Federal agencies, and nearly 100 Federal employees lost their lives that morning. We must honor their sacrifice by remaining steadfast in our commitment to prevent future attacks on the Federal government, Federal employees, and other acts of domestic terror. I am deeply troubled by recent threats of violence against government employees. This February, an attack on Federal offices threatened the lives of 200 IRS workers and took the life of Vernon Hunter, a 20-year army Veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and mentor to co-workers at the IRS. The Oklahoma City bombing and the most recent attacks serve as stark reminders that threats against Federal employees may pose real dangers. They remind us of our solemn duty to protect our public servants.

After the Oklahoma City bombing, President Bill Clinton directed the Department of Justice to assess the vulnerability of Federal office

buildings. Prior to this study, no formal government-wide standards existed for Federal buildings. The IRS has recorded some 1,200 attacks on its employees since 2001. The Justice Department investigates some 300 cases per year. In March, a deranged individual walked up to the Pentagon entrance and opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon injuring two Pentagon guards. In February, a plane was flown into the IRS building in Austin, TX in an act of murder-suicide that claimed the life of a two-tour Vietnam Veteran.

With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the responsibility to protect our Federal facilities was transferred to the Federal Protective Service (FPS). The FPS is a federal law enforcement agency that provides integrated security and law enforcement services to federally owned and leased buildings and facilities. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee and Chairwoman of the Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, I am committed to working with my colleagues to support federal legislation that will protect our federal employees. I support the mission of the FPS that renders federal properties safe and secure for federal employees, officials and visitors in a professional and cost effective manner by deploying a highly trained and multi-disciplined police force. As the federal agency charged with protecting and delivering integrated law enforcement and security services to facilities owned or leased by the General Services Administration, FPS employs 1,225 federal staff (including 900 law enforcement security officers, criminal investigators, police officers, and support personnel) and 15,000 contract guard staff to secure over 9,000 buildings and safeguard their occupants.

The FPS has a critical infrastructure and key resources of the United States that are essential to our nation's security, public health and safety, economic vitality and way of life. FPS protects one component of the nation's infrastructure by mitigating risk to federal facilities and their occupants.

As we remember the victims and survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing and other acts of terrorism, let us all take a moment to reflect upon the dedication and sacrifices of the men and women who work hard to keep our federal buildings secure and those of us who work in them safe. Federal workers maintain our national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests, and secure our borders, and in times of natural disaster. The more than two million civilian employees in the federal workforce deserve a reasonable degree of personal safety and security while carrying out their duties.

It is incumbent upon the Congress and the Administration to look for ways to improve their safety. I support H. Res 1187 and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1094: ``Commemorating the life of the late Cynthia DeLores Tucker.''

Although it has been almost five years since the world lost a true pioneer and leader, but the legacy of C. DeLores Tucker endures. October 13, 2005 did not mark a tragedy; rather, it marked a day of celebration as to the achievements and legacy of a paragon of the woman leader. It is an honor for me to stand here today to celebrate the passing on of Dr. C. DeLores Tucker to her rightful place among other angels and saints.

Dr. Tucker represented a major segment of African American and political history in the U.S. She was among the many women stalwarts of our lifetime that led on so many different issues. The key aspect about Dr. Tucker's efforts was that they were not for personal gain. I would compare her to an eagle that spread its wings to help other women--not only African Americans, but all women. She provided the wind and momentum for other women to ascend to equality and a better quality of life.

Given the long fight that our dear DeLores and I endeavored together in the Halls of Congress, I ask your short indulgence as I cite an excerpt from the words spoken by a similar pioneer, Madame Sojourner Truth, in her ``Ain't I a Woman?'' speech delivered at a women's rights convention in Akron, Ohio in 1851:

That man over there says that women need to be helped into

carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best

place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or

over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a

woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and

planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me!

And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as

a man--when I could get it--and bear the lash as well! And

ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen

most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my

mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

. . .

If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart,

wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half

measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't

have as much rights as men, `cause Christ wasn't a woman!

Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come

from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn

the world upside down all alone, these women together ought

to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!

And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't

got nothing more to say.

Dr. Tucker did just this--she fought until the fight was made, she spoke until ``she ain't [had] nothing more to say.'' For women's rights, civil rights, the disenfranchised, or the underrepresented, she stood up like a warrior and a leader, and the progress she made will be enjoyed by many for as long as man exists. As author Ron Daniels said in his opinion piece in the Madison Times, DeLores was not afraid to denounce gang violence, fratricide, or the denigration of women in rap lyrics; not afraid to implore our children to devote less time to athletics and more to academics; and staunchly advocated excellence in education, improved parenting skills, and the harnessing of our economic resources as a distinct market. It did not have to be sexy, popular, or self-promoting to be right for Dr. C. DeLores Tucker, and I had the privilege of standing next to her in the trenches of the fight for equality.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. C. DeLores Tucker was a close and valued friend for many years. Her crusade for women's and civil rights served not only as an inspiration to women, minorities, and other traditionally disadvantaged groups, but to all of society, and her lifelong service indeed worked for its betterment. From her devout involvement in the Democratic Party to her founding of the Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr., Association for Non-Violent Change, she embodied the tenacity and courage necessary to eradicate the disparities and bigotry that continues to constrain the attainment of equality.

Of her many endearing qualities were the fact that her service was never for personal gain and that it was boundless--she never hesitated to travel the extra mile to help others. This was evident in her singular work as the lead advocate to urge the recognition and honor of abolitionist Sojourner Truth with the addition of her likeness to the statue commemorating women's suffrage in the rotunda of the United States Capitol. Bill, as you know, her determined, passionate, and powerful efforts have ultimately resulted in the honoring of Sojourner Truth. Our own DeLores was in her own right a guiding light of truth. The love and devotion that she displayed in this endeavor continue to inspire legislators and supporters.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1295, ``Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.'' First and foremost I would like to thank my distinguished colleague from Nebraska, Representative Jeff Fortenberry, for introducing this bill. It is vital we recognize that mothers have made immeasurable contributions toward building strong families, thriving communities, and ultimately a strong nation. The services rendered to the children of the United States by their mothers have strengthened and inspired the Nation throughout its history.

Today I stand before my colleagues honoring the 102d anniversary since the first official Mother's Day. As a mother of two children myself, I understand the hardships and difficulties that so many mothers face every day in our country. We honor ourselves and mothers in the United States when we revere and emphasize the importance of the role of the home and family as the true foundation of the Nation. I want to pay tribute to my mother Ivalita Jackson who has stood the test of time in rearing and raising her children. I would also like to take this time to honor my aunt Valerie Bennett for her constant love and support. To the mothers of Houston, too many to name here, I salute you for your dedication to raising and saving your children.

Today, thousands of mothers in this country have become active and effective participants in public life and public service, promoting change and improving the quality of life for men, women, and children throughout the Nation.

Mothers continue to rise to the challenge of raising their families with love, understanding, and compassion, while overcoming the challenges of modern society; Mothers throughout our country juggle between work, family and the household, all with a smile on their faces.

On May 9, 2010, we will honor mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, stepmothers, foster mothers and godmothers who take in children, mothers who adopt, those who act as mothers, for those women who have no relations by blood but who give the gift of mothering to children.

I want to congratulate and praise all of the mothers in America for all of their hard work. Mothers have a huge influence on our everyday lives; we owe all of our success to them. As former President George Washington put it best ``My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her.'' We can never thank our mothers enough for all the sacrifices they have made for us. I wish all families a very happy Mother's Day this Sunday.

Madam Speaker, I stand before you today in support of H. Res. 1149, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National Charter Schools Week, to be held May 2 through May 8, 2010''. I would like to begin by thanking my colleague Rep. Bishop for introducing this resolution in the House, as quality education should be at the top of our priorities list. I urge my colleagues to support and acknowledge charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education and improving and strengthening our public school system.

Charter school programs such as Yes Prep, Harmony, WALIPP, and KIPP deliver high-quality education, challenge our students to reach their potential throughout the United States, and provide thousands of families with diverse and innovative educational options for their children. Charter schools improve their students' achievement and can stimulate improvement in traditional public schools as well. These unique, public schools are authorized by a designated public entity that is responding to the needs of our communities, families, and students and promoting the principles of quality, choice, and innovation.

Charter schools take a revolutionary approach in educating our nation's students. Today, roughly 4,700 charter schools are now serving approximately 1,400,000 children in 40 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico this year. Charter schools continually demonstrate their ongoing success to parents, policymakers, and their communities. Some charter schools even routinely measure parental satisfaction levels while all give parents new freedom to choose their public school.

Charter schools nationwide serve a higher percentage of low-income and minority students than the traditional public system and deliver a high quality education. Chartering is a radical educational innovation that is moving states beyond reforming existing schools to creating something entirely new. Chartering is at the center of a growing movement to challenge traditional notions of what public education means.

Charter schools have demonstrated their commitment to high academic standards, small class sizes, innovative approaches and educational philosophies. Many parents choose charter schools for their small size and associated safety as charter schools serve an average of 250 students.

I am pleased that over the last 15 years, Congress has provided substantial support to the charter school movement through startup financing assistance and grants for planning, implementation, and dissemination. In addition, these schools have enjoyed broad bipartisan support from the administration, Congress, State Governors and legislatures, educators, and parents across the United States.

The intention of most charter school legislation is to: increase opportunities for learning and access to quality education for all students, create choice for parents and students within the public school system, provide a system of accountability for results in public education, encourage innovative teaching practices, create new professional opportunities for teachers, encourage community and parent involvement in public education, and leverage improved public education broadly.

Competition from charter schools has been shown to increase composite test scores in traditional district schools. Furthermore, twice as many registered voters favor charter schools as oppose them. The more people learn about charter schools, the more they like them. Congress must lend its support to these schools and their goals, especially since on average, the funding gap between charter schools and traditional schools is 22 percent, or $1,800 per pupil. The average charter school ends up with a total funding shortfall of nearly half a million dollars. Yet, 12 studies find that overall gains in charter schools are larger than other public schools; four find charter schools' gains higher in certain significant categories of schools and six find comparable gains to traditional schools. I ask my colleagues for their continued support of charter schools and urge them to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to show my strong support for H.R. 2421, ``Mothers Day Centennial Coin Act''. First and foremost I would like to thank my distinguished colleague from West Virginia, Representative Shelley Moore Capito for introducing this bill. The coins minted as a result of this legislation will be in recognition and celebration of mothers and everything they do for us and signify the 100th

anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson's proclamation in designating the second Sunday in May as National Mother's Day.

The Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, if enacted, would donate half of all surcharges which are received by the Secretary from the sale of coins to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for the purpose of furthering research funded by the organization and the other half to National Osteoporosis Foundation for the purpose of furthering research funded by the Foundation.

It is of imminent importance that we recognize our mothers have made immeasurable contributions toward building strong families, thriving communities, and ultimately a strong nation. The services rendered to the children of the United States by their mothers have strengthened and inspired the nation throughout its history.

We honor ourselves and mothers in the United States when we revere and emphasize the importance of the role of the home and family as the true foundation of the Nation.

Today, thousands of mothers in this country have become active and effective participants in public life and public service, promoting change and improving the quality of life for men, women, and children throughout the Nation.

Mothers continue to rise to the challenge of raising their families with love, understanding, and compassion, while overcoming the challenges of modern society; mothers throughout our country juggle between work, family and the household, all with a smile on their faces.

I want to congratulate and praise all of the mothers in America for all of their hard work. Mothers have a huge influence on our everyday lives; we owe all of our success to them. As the famous American author Washington Irving put it best, ``A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.'' We can never thank our mothers enough for all the sacrifices they have made for us. I wish all families a very happy Mother's Day this Sunday.