Floor Statements

Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 4061, ``The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009,'' and I would like to thank my colleagues Representative Lipinski for introducing this measure, and Representative Ehlers, Representative Wu, Representative Smith and Representative Hall for their contributions to gain bipartisan support on this very important legislation that we are considering today.

This bill will help ensure a strategic plan for Federal Cybersecurity Research & Development (R&D) activities, strengthen public-private partnerships in cybersecurity, help train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, and improve cybersecurity technical standards.

As we may recall, almost a year ago President Obama called for a comprehensive 60 day review of U.S. cyberspace policy. This review and the recommendations contained in the report led to a series of hearings on various aspects of cybersecurity R&D, including the state of research programs, partnerships with the private sector, the IT workforce, and how both NIST and the NSF are responding to the review.

H.R. 4061 is built upon these hearings, and addresses the issues raised in the 60-day review. Specifically, it aims to build strong public-private partnerships, improve the transfer of cybersecurity technologies to the marketplace, train an IT workforce for both the public and private sectors, and coordinate and prioritize Federal cybersecurity R&D. Of course cybersecurity research, standards setting, and education are only one piece of the recommendations of the 60-day report, and are only part of the solution. However, it is the beginning to a wide spread need to improving the security of cyberspace is that is one of the utmost importance and it will take the collective effort of the Federal Government, the private sector, our scientists and engineers, and every American to succeed.

Our Nation's cyber-infrastructure is an interconnected combination of private, public and Government networks. It is critical that Government and industry work closely to protect both the infrastructure and the future of innovation. Giving them the tools to ensure they can protect themselves--access to timely action-oriented information and availability of insurance for cyber incidents--as well as encouraging critical cybersecurity R&D here in the U.S., are the most important efforts our Administration can take to secure our cyber-infrastructure.

While we have been fortunate so far in avoiding a catastrophic cyber attack, last year the Pentagon reported more than 360 million attempts to break into its networks. A 2009 Consumer Reports study found that over the past two years, one in five online consumers has been a victim of cyber crime. In 2008 the Department of Homeland Security logged 5,499 such cyber attack incidents--a 40 percent increase over the previous year. A 2007 Government Accountability Office report estimates the total U.S. business losses due to cyber attacks exceed $117.5 billion per year.

I urge your support of this bill for we are all aware of the growing number of internet security incidents, involving such things as computer viruses, denial of service attacks, and defaced Web sites. These events have disrupted business and government activities, and have sometimes resulted in significant recovery costs.

It is important that we take inventory of all systems that are vital to the functioning of the Nation, and do all we can to protect them. This certainly includes our computer networks systems that can be attacked anonymously and from far away. These networks are the glue that holds our Nation's infrastructure together. An attack from cyberspace could jeopardize electric power grids, railways, hospitals and financial services, to name a few.

Last fall, under the leadership of Congresswoman Clarke, we passed a resolution recognizing National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Among other things this resolution contributed to an important education and awareness campaign, a national effort to make people aware of the problem. However, Federal leadership not only needed to increase public awareness, but also in research, education, and in demonstrating how to secure our own systems. Again, H.R. 4061 ensures an overall vision for the Federal cybersecurity R&D portfolio, trains the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, and improves cybersecurity technical standards.

It is now time for a broad-reaching, forward-thinking approach and the successful passage of H.R. 4061 is the beginning to bridge the gap and collaborate and coordinate with the private sector to conquer the many challenges to improve our country's security through cybersecurity.

As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I am committed to working with my colleagues, businesses, and educational institutions to enhance the development and implementation of existing and future cyber security standards that enhance the Nation's security. Madam Chair, I support H.R. 4061.

I thank the distinguished gentleman, and I thank him for his leadership on homeland security as well and as ranking member positioned on the Cybersecurity Committee. And I thank the chairwoman of the Cybersecurity Committee, and I thank her for this amendment which I rise to support.

I am the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection. There is a great deal of overlap. So I thank Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Ehlers, Mr. Wu, Mr. Smith, Mr. Hall.

We have been fortunate as to not have a major catastrophic incident with cybersecurity, but this bill will help ensure a strategic plan for Federal cybersecurity research and development, strengthen public- private partnerships in cybersecurity, and help train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and improve cybersecurity technical standards.

Ms. Clarke's amendment is a very vital amendment, for it will help subject to the assessment of the President's committee the same assessment on employees. This will assess the contractors who are dealing with cybersecurity, including minority women and small contractors of which we hope will increase.

While we have been fortunate so far in avoiding a catastrophic cyberattack, last year the Pentagon reported more than 360 million attempts to break into its networks. A 2009 Consumer Reports study found that, over the past 2 years, one in five online consumers had been a victim of cybercrime. In 2008, the Department of Homeland Security logged 5,499 such cyberattack incidents, a 40 percent increase over the previous year. A 2007 Government Accountability Office report estimates that total U.S. business losses due to cyberattacks exceed $117.5 billion per year.

This amendment will also put under scrutiny those contractors that are working in cybersecurity for the Federal Government, along with those employees. We have to be diligent in, one, making sure that this is a, if you will, securer technology that is being used around the country and around the world, but we must also be diligent in increasing the R&D and making sure that contractors are adhering to the rules and guidelines that are equal to excellence, as we want our employees.

Let me ask my colleagues to support the underlying bill and this amendment, and as well to be reminded that this is part of the Nation's homeland security.

Let me thank, first of all, the chairman of the Africa Subcommittee and Global Health Committee of the Foreign Affairs, Mr. Payne. There is no doubt of his recounting of the enormous history that has been involved around Haiti, but also the track record of the Congressional Black Caucus. So let me continue my remarks, and I will yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I note on this Congressional Black Caucus hour that two of our members have come to the floor: the chairwoman, the Honorable Barbara Lee, and the member from California, chairwoman of the Financial Services Committee and recent returnee from Haiti, Maxine Waters.

So I will just recount, as the chairman just did, Chairman Payne, a lot of the work that we have done here in the United States. But also, in case many wonder why we are continuing this effort and why we have made a commitment as members of the Congressional Black Caucus to never give up and to never give out on Haiti and to view this as a long-term recovery and restoration is because the damage is so devastating. This reflects the early stages of the collapse of whole neighborhoods, literally the collapse of Port-au-Prince, and the devastating disaster that the people still face.

Today, as we are looking at recovery, there are Haitians lifting stones by hand, one by one, to remove some of the debris that is already there. Knowing that between 150,000 to 200,000 are known or expected dead, we know that behind this rubble there are lost loved ones who have yet to be accounted for. Some 4,000 Americans are unaccounted for. U.N. workers are unaccounted for. And so when we talk about this today or next week or maybe in March or in April, maybe in June, you will understand the magnitude of devastation.

I know that many of us can recall briefly the earthquake around northern California and San Francisco and Oakland. We remembered a baseball game that was either in session or not, one of the more stark earthquakes, and remember the response, the fear, the stopping of the game, the damage. But this was a 7.0 on the Richter scale. And to see all of the beauty of this island destroyed, all of the history. This is one of the islands that has some of the greatest history that one could imagine and people who are proud. This is where people live now. This is where our children live. This is where babies are born, on the streets of Port-au-Prince and elsewhere.

So we are not here for a reason that is made up. We are here because, as we speak, these are the homes of people who are living in a devastating condition. No, this was not a rich nation, but people worked every day. They wanted to provide for their families. They were not interested in handouts. They wanted to build their nation. Now, today, unlike we have ever experienced, we can see the overwhelming devastation here in Haiti. And, again, the tragedy is, who is still not found?

So I rise today to comment on the question: Why is America responding and why is the Congressional Black Caucus a conscience of that response?

Today, we were able to hear from the newly appointed USAID administrator as invited by the chairwoman, Barbara Lee, and attended by forty-plus members of the Congressional Black Caucus, tightly fitting in a room, listening intently to how we can move this tragedy forward and helping the people.

America is responding. We will continue to respond with immediate humanitarian assistance to help the people of this struggling island to rebuild their livelihood. There is still no estimate of death or destruction, but the damage to buildings is extensive, and the number of injured or dead is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands. We can already see that this is a continuing example.

We look forward to Haitians helping themselves. The United States Government has already contributed $402 million in earthquake response funding for Haiti and has already deployed approximately 17,000 in military personnel, somewhat like the military personnel that was in Hurricane Katrina.

This is not an effort to remove the sovereignty of Haiti, and we are working very closely with President Preval, and we understand the sovereignty of this nation-state and we respect its leadership. And so we are moving quickly toward a Government of Haiti-led effort. The U.N. World Food Program will provide commodities, nongovernmental organizations will manage distributions, and U.S. military will provide security escorts, but it will be led by the Haitian Government.

America and her allies have already initiated a comprehensive interagency response to the earthquake, and we believe it is important, as we mentioned today, that there be one general of all of these agencies: the State Department, Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, and, of course, USAID. There has to be a way of organizing this effort.

I am very pleased to make note of the fact that in the meeting I made a request to the USAID administrator to respond to all of the churches that have been calling Members of Congress and calling the State Department, all of the faith community, churches, parishes, mosques, and others, and synagogues and other houses of faith who want to help. The USAID administrator indicated that they would appoint a faith liaison to be able to work with all of the religious bodies in order for them to do the right thing.

Right as we stand here today, there are a group of religious persons who are now held by the Haitian Government. To our knowledge, they are still there. Their representation was that they wanted to help the children. I don't disregard that fact. I am sure that there were good intentions. But we know, in the protection of these children, we must have order. We must have a regulation, regular order, if you

will. There must be a process of giving relief and helping these children who are now orphaned. And the Haitian people love their children.

So I am looking for ways of temporarily deploying children for medical help. There must be an airlift for the second stage of surgeries that these children with broken arms and legs and bodily injury and gangrene have the ability to come for temporary care.

But we cannot have an irregular process of people going forward to try to secure these children. We want to help these religious leaders, who we believe had wonderful and good intentions. There are those in my community who have reached out to me to try and help them. But as we help them, we have to make sure that there is a precise way of dealing with the children.

Within days of last week's devastation, the Southern Command deployed a team of 30 people to Haiti to support U.S. relief efforts. There are many from around the world that are helping, and there are many who are working individually.

So I would make the point that we want to continue working with our faith community. When you hear us, there is a reason. They are in need for more resources. There is clearly a need of a long-term recovery and building Haiti against this kind of devastation. And yes, I will continue to work to secure and protect the children of Haiti.

I close by yielding to the gentlelady by saying this. Allow me to thank the diaspora, all of the Haitian Americans all over the Nation. Let me particularly thank, with a heavy, heavy emphasis on their dedication, the Haitian American community in Houston, Texas, and all of the help that they have done. We look forward to them being able to go home to check on their relatives and to be of help. And let me thank the medical doctors of the Texas Medical Center, and two airplanes, doctors and nurses that I was able to secure to come down to Haiti and help within 48 hours of the earthquake. Let me make note of the Houston Rotarians as well, who are there to be of help. We will not give up on the people of Haiti and the nation of Haiti.

I rise today in order to highlight America's humanitarian response to the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12th--just over 3 weeks ago. I want to commend each agency involved in the humanitarian response.

As you know, on Tuesday, January 12th, a massive, 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near the capital of Port-au-Prince. There is still no official estimate of death or destruction, but the damage to buildings is extensive and the number of injured or dead is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands.

America is responding, and will continue to respond with immediate humanitarian assistance to help the people of this struggling island nation rebuild their livelihoods. I send my condolences to the people and government of Haiti as they grieve once again in the aftermath of a natural disaster. As Haiti's neighbor, I believe it is the United States responsibility to help Haiti recover, and build the capacity to mitigate against future disasters.

To date, the United States Government has contributed nearly $402 million in earthquake response funding for Haiti. It has also deployed approximately 17,000 military personnel in support of the relief effort. Subsequently, as part of the new Government of Haiti-lead effort, the U.N. World Food Program will provide commodities, nongovernmental organizations will manage distributions, and U.S. Military will provide security escorts.

America and her allies have already initiated a comprehensive, interagency response to the earthquake. The State Department, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard, USAID--all worked overnight to ensure critical resources were positioned to support the response and recovery effort, including efforts to find and assist American citizens in Haiti.

Within days of the devastating earthquake, U.S. Southern Command deployed a team of 30 people to Haiti to support U.S. relief efforts in the aftermath of one of the largest natural disasters in the western hemisphere. The team included U.S. military engineers, operational planners, and a command and control group and communication specialists arriving on two C-130 Hercules aircraft. Since, there has been a tremendous interagency response with support and partnering with U.S. Embassy personnel as well as Haitian, United Nations and international officials to assess the situation and facilitate follow-on U.S. military support.

Our friends in the international community must also be commended for their efforts. The United Nations is releasing $10 million from its emergency funds. The European Commission has approved C3 million ($4.37 million) with more funds likely. Countless other nations from Germany, to China, to Israel to Mexico to have also pledged support. I commend each of these nations for coming to our neighboring nation in dire need of assistance.

Many of my constituents have asked what they can do to help, or how they can find their loved ones. Those who are interested in helping immediately can text ``HAITI'' to ``90999'' and a donation of $10 will be made automatically to the Red Cross for relief efforts. The donation will be charged to your cell phone bill.

The outpouring of support and funding from the American people was both instant and sustained. According to the Washington Post, the text messaging effort raised $5 million in its first day, breaking the previous one-day record of about $450,000. Text-message donations continue to play a larger-than-expected role in the push for earthquake relief in Haiti. As of late Sunday, the American Red Cross said that it had collected pledges of about $103 million, including $22 million through the text donation program. Each donor should be proud of their contribution to help their brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Financially, 2009 was not an easy year for many Americans. Although thousands of jobs were created and we are back on the road to economic recovery, Americans lived on tighter budgets than usual. On January 20th, Congress passed H.R. 4462 which accelerated the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti. This legislation will allow those Americans who have generously donated money to Haiti to receive their tax break this year instead of next year.

In January of 2005, Congress enacted this type of relief for individuals that made charitable contributions to victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred in late December of 2004. That bill (H.R. 241 in the 109th Congress) passed the House of Representatives without objection and subsequently passed the Senate by unanimous consent. I hope that this legislation, like our response to the 2004 tsunami, will encourage Americans to contribute more money to Haiti. As Haiti starts on its long recovery, every dollar is critically important. Americans have responded in great numbers, and I am proud to represent such a compassionate and generous nation.

Americans are not only giving their money, they are also giving their time and expertise as well. Immediately after the earthquake, I arranged for a team of seven doctors, six nurses, two techs, and two search and rescue volunteers to fly to Haiti and provide immediate humanitarian support. This team led by Dr. Richard Toussaint from Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas, Texas arrived in Haiti just after noon on Saturday. From there, the doctors made their way to Hospital SacreCouer where, in roughly two days, they performed about 70 amputations, surgically treated about 150 patients, and saw about 600 patients total. I commend this team of medical personnel for their selfless actions and willingness to spend their own time and money to come to the aid of people they had never met.

Additionally, I hosted a Houston-based Haiti relief effort called ``Texans helping Haitians'' with city leadership and the Haitian community in the aftermath of this horrible disaster. Groups included in the effort to provide supplies and medical assistance to Haiti were: Texas Medical Center, Texas Dental Association, Search and Rescue Organizations, the Haitian Multicultural Association, Haitian Caribbean Organization of Texas, Caribbean Impact Foundation, and Haiti Counts.

I also helped coordinate the safe return of six Houston Rotarians that were stranded in the mountains and we are now working with Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance on the transport of orphans to awaiting families here in the U.S.

Recently, I proposed a plan that would increase the ability of the U.S. to assist Haiti in its efforts toward reconstruction and stabilization to Dr. Rajiv Shah, the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

This plan would create an oversight position within the USAID that would coordinate and regulate faith-based and non-profit organizations operating in the reconstruction efforts in Haiti. I also recommended the creation of a U.S. civilian corps, an extension of the American Peace Corps, that would be tasked the specific mission of assisting reconstruction efforts in Haiti. This civilian entity would serve as a supplemental contingent which could be incrementally dispatched as needed by U.S. Government agencies or nongovernment organizations.

Once again I stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti and will do everything in my power to assist them with rebuilding their country and livelihoods.

I will be happy to yield to the gentlelady from California to manage the rest of the time.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today in support of H. Res. 1022 ``Honoring the life and sacrifice of Medgar Evers and congratulating the United States Navy for naming a supply ship after Medgar Evers.''

I would like to begin by thanking my colleague Representative Hank Johnson for introducing this resolution in the House, as it is important that we honor and remember Medgar Evers for his service to the United States both on the battlefield as an Army sergeant in World War II as well as his service to the United States through his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th Century.

Evers was born in Decatur, Mississippi, to Jessie and James Evers in 1925 and grew up on his father's small farm. After reaching adolescence, Evers had a difficult time in obtaining the high school level education he so desperately wanted. Evers however was determined. Every day he would walk 12 miles, each way to school and frequently had objects thrown at him by White children passing by in school buses.

In addition to the heckling he frequently received on his way to school, Evers suffered several other seriously traumatic events as a child. In one such instance, a close family friend was kidnapped, beaten up and lynched by a group of White supremacists. Evers was shocked when there was no response to this horrible attack by any local law enforcement officers and no subsequent legal action was taken up in the judicial system.

Evers witnessed several other brutal actions taken against local blacks in Decatur, Mississippi, as a youth. He was once quoted as saying: ``I used to watch the Saturday night sport of White men trying to run down a Negro with their car, or White gangs coming through town to beat up a Negro.'' Evers said that sometimes the attackers would even leave the dead bodies of Black men out in the streets and would hang the bloody clothes in public to leave a message of fear.

Fortunately, Evers was able to keep his head high and eventually earned his high

school diploma in Decatur, Mississippi, before joining the U.S. Army. Evers joined the Army during World War II, fought in France, the European Theatre of WWII and was honorably discharged in 1945 as a Sergeant after admirably serving his country.

After being discharged, Evers attended Alcorn College, (now known as Alcorn State University) in Lorman, Mississippi and participated in a wide variety of activities from debate team to the track and football teams. At Alcorn College, Evers met and began dating Myrlie Beasley. The two were eventually married on December 24, 1951.

Soon after marriage, the couple moved to Mound Bayou, Mississippi, where Evers began selling insurance for the Magnolia Mutual Life Insurance Company. It was there that Evers met Dr. Theodore Roosevelt Mason Howard, the president of the Regional Council of Negro Leadership, RCNL, a civil rights and pro self-help organization. Evers soon became a dynamic member of the RCNL and thus began his political activism career.

When his application to the then-segregated University of Mississippi Law School was rejected, Evers filed a lawsuit against the university, and became the focus of an NAACP campaign to desegregate the university. That same year, due to his involvement, the NAACP's National Office suggested he become Mississippi's first field secretary for the NAACP.

On November 24, 1954, Evers was appointed Mississippi's first field secretary for the NAACP. After becoming field secretary, Evers was involved in a boycott campaign against White merchants and was instrumental in eventually desegregating the University of Mississippi when that institution was finally forced to enroll James Meredith in 1962.

Sadly, Evers was assassinated outside his home on June 12, 1963, just after returning from a meeting with several NAACP lawyers. Though he was killed in this tragic attack, the legacy that Evers left behind helped to change the course of history and left a strong impact on the Civil Rights Movement.

Designated T-AKE 13, Medgar Evers will be the 13th ship of the class, and is being built by General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego. As a combat logistics force ship, Medgar Evers will help the Navy maintain a worldwide forward presence by delivering ammunition, food, fuel, and other dry cargo to U.S. and allied ships at sea.

As part of Military Sealift Command's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, Medgar Evers will be designated as a United States Naval Ship, USNS, and will be crewed by 124 civil service mariners and 11 Navy sailors. The ship is designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea, can carry a helicopter, is 689 feet in length, has an overall beam of 106 feet, has a navigational draft 30 feet, displaces approximately 42,000 tons, and is capable of reaching a speed of 20 knots using a single-shaft, diesel-electric propulsion system.

Because of the extensive role Evers had in the Civil Rights Movement and because of his exemplary service in the Armed Forces during World War II, it is important that we recognize this hero for his service to our Nation. I ask my colleagues for their support of this resolution and ask for their continued support of similar national heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2950, ``To extend the pilot program for volunteer groups to obtain criminal history background checks and for other purposes, introduced by my distinguished colleague from New York, Senator Schumer. ``The Criminal History Background Checks Pilot Extension Act of 2009,'' will be revising the 78-month requirement to a 92-month requirement.

This act is particularly important to protect our children as they participate in so many activities throughout the community.

Mr. Speaker, each Nation is sovereign, but across the airwaves of American television today we saw flashed three Americans who have been held by the leadership in Iran, three innocent Americans who crossed, by mistake, on a hike into the sovereign area of Iran. I make a plea today for the President of Iran to release those individuals.

Today he sent a missive, a message to say that he would release them if we release Iranians who are held in American jails. I believe that the right thing to do is to assess the innocence of these Americans, and to be able to engage in diplomacy on setting them free. If there is any cause for any innocent person who happens to be of Iranian descent that is here in the United States jails, I know that our leadership and criminal justice system will engage. But to hold hostage our innocent Americans who, by accident, during a hike, conspicuously crossed over and admitted it was a mistake is a shame on the international front and does not do justice to human rights around the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1010, ``Celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 30th anniversary of the Stevie Wonder song tribute to Dr. King, ``Happy Birthday,'' introduced by my distinguished colleague from Michigan, Representative Conyers. The first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday was officially observed on January 20, 1986, and was celebrated with a concert headlined by Stevie Wonder, who has, in the years since, continued his commitment to promoting peace and equality, for which he has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee.

Stevie Wonder encouraged the establishment of a federal holiday in recognition of Dr. King on his album sleeve for ``Hotter Than July'' by expressing that, ``I and a growing number of people believe that it is time for our country to adopt legislation that will make January 15, Martin Luther King's birthday, a national holiday, both in recognition of what he achieved and as a reminder of the distance which still has to be traveled.'' The tribute song ``Happy Birthday,'' became a rallying cry that led to 6,000,000 signatures supporting a federal holiday in honor of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legislation designating the third Monday of January as a federal holiday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. occurred on November 3, 1983, was signed into law. This campaign secured a federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which lasted for fifteen years, with the 1980 Stevie Wonder song that solidified the campaign's success.

The life and work of Dr. King, to advance justice, equality, and peace for an entire human race ended prematurely when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, while he was challenging the wages and treatment of Memphis sanitation workers. Four days after the assassination of Dr. King, on April 8, 1968, Representative John Conyers, Jr. introduced legislation to recognize civil rights leader Dr. King with a federal holiday coinciding with his birthday on January 15, 1929.

Stevie Wonder dedicated his album sleeve for ``Hotter Than July,'' an album released on

September 29, 1980, and upon which ``Happy Birthday'' is recorded, to Dr. King, with an inscription that read, ``Martin Luther King, Jr. showed us, non-violently, a better way of life, a way of mutual respect, helping us to avoid much bitter confrontation and inevitable bloodshed.'' On January 17, 2000, for the first time, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was officially observed in all fifty states.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a dreamer. His dreams were a tool through which he was able to lift his mind beyond the reality of his segregated society, and into a realm where it was possible that white and black, red and brown, and all others live and work alongside each other and prosper. But Martin Luther King, Jr. was not just an idle daydreamer. He shared his visions through speeches that motivated others to join in his nonviolent effort to lift themselves from poverty and isolation by creating a new America where equal justice and institutions were facts of life.

It appears that too many of our nation's young people have forgotten how to dream. They have forgotten what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us, when he started his journey towards equality--with peace in his heart and the dream of equality in his eyes.

Today, children and young people often ask: ``What is a dream?'' or ``How can it change my life?'' We must once again introduce our young people to the life of Dr. King and his enduring dream. His vision is still so pertinent today, our lives continue to be shaped by his efforts.

A young Martin managed to find a dream, one that he pieced together from his readings--in the Bible, and literature, and just about any other book he could get his hands on. And not only did those books help him educate himself, but they also allowed him to work through the destructive and traumatic experiences of blatant discrimination, and the discriminatory abuse inflicted on himself, his family, and his people.

The life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was properly captured in Dr. King's most famed speech, ``I Have A Dream,'' on August 28, 1963, when he said, ``I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: `We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' '' The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is continued today, as evidenced by the work of organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which is currently led by Dr. King's daughter, Bernice King, and was at one time led by Dr. King's son, Martin Luther King, III. In addition to organizations, the legacy of Dr. King continues on today with people in the United States and throughout the world, with individual acts of compassion, courage, and peace.

This legislation will benefit the well-being of the public as it celebrates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 30th anniversary of the Stevie Wonder tribute song to Dr. King. It recognizes the legacy left by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with commitments to freedom, equality, and justice, as exhibited by Stevie Wonder and so many others; and finally, encourages the people of the United States to commemorate the legacy of Dr. King by renewing pledges to advance those principles and actions that are consistent with Dr. King's belief that ``all men are created equal.'' As such, I strongly support this legislation and urge my colleagues to join me and do the same.

Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4462--a bill that will accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

As you know, on Tuesday, January 12th, a massive, 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near the capital of Port-au-Prince. There is still no official estimate of death or destruction, the damage to buildings is extensive and the number of injured or dead is estimated to be in the hundreds, even thousands.

Several eyewitnesses reported heavy damage and bodies in the streets of the capital, Port-au-Prince, where concrete-block homes line steep hillsides.

Haiti sits on a large fault that has caused catastrophic quakes in the past, but this one was described as among the most powerful to hit the region within the last 200 years. With many poor residents living in tin-roof shacks that sit precariously on steep ravines and with much of the construction in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere in the country of questionable quality, the expectation was that the quake caused major damage to buildings and significant loss of life.

The dimensions of the disaster are still unfolding, but Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive told CNN that he believes there are well over 100,000 dead, and leading senator Youri Latortue estimated the number at possibly as high as 500,000, according the Associated Press.

America is responding, and will continue to respond with immediate humanitarian assistance to help the people of this struggling island nation rebuild their livelihoods. I send my condolences to the people and government of Haiti as they grieve once again in the aftermath of a natural disaster. As Haiti's neighbor, it is the United States' responsibility to help Haiti recover, and build the capacity to mitigate against future disasters.

American and her allies have already initiated a comprehensive, interagency response to the earthquake. The State Department, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard, USAID--all worked overnight to ensure that critical resources are positioned to support the response and recovery effort, including efforts to find and assist American citizens in Haiti.

U.S. Southern Command will deploy a team of 30 people to Haiti to support U.S. relief efforts in the aftermath of yesterday's devastating earthquake. The team includes U.S. military engineers, operational planners, and a command and control group and communication specialists, will arrive in Haiti today on two C-130 Hercules aircraft. The team will work with U.S. Embassy personnel as well as Haitian, United Nations and international officials to assess the situation and facilitate follow on U.S. military support.

Our friends in the international community must also be commended for their efforts. The United Nations is releasing $10 million from its emergency funds. The European Commission has approved C3 million ($4.37 million) with more funds likely. Countless other nations from Germany, to China, to Israel to Mexico have also pledged support. I commend each of these nations for coming to a nation in dire need of assistance.

Many of my constituents ask what they can do to help, or how they can find their loved ones. Those who are interested in helping immediately can text `HAITI' to `90999' and a donation of $10 will be made automatically to the Red Cross for relief efforts. The donation will be charged to your cell phone bill.

The outpouring of support and funding from the American people was both instant and sustained. According to the Washington Post, the text messaging effort raised $5 million in its first day, breaking the previous one-day

record of about $450,000. Text-message donations continue to play a larger-than-expected role in the push for earthquake relief in Haiti. As of late Sunday, the American Red Cross said that it had collected pledges of about $103 million, including $22 million through the text donation program. Another organization, Partners in Health, raised $25 million in the five days following the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. This is equal to what it budgeted for Haiti in all of 2009. Overall, U.S. charities raised more than $150 million in the four days after the quake, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, which based its tally on proceeds reported by the nation's 22 largest charities. That total surpasses the $108 million raised in the four days following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the $30 million raised in the three days following the tsunami in Asia in 2004.

Financially, 2009 was not an easy year for many Americans. Although thousands of jobs were created and we are back on the road to economic recovery, Americans lived on tighter budgets than usual. This legislation will allow those Americans who have generously donated money to Haiti to receive their tax break this year instead of next year.

Once again, I am devastated by the immeasurable tragedy that occurred in Haiti. Along with my colleagues, I hope to visit Haiti in the near future to meet with their leaders and see what the United States can do to rebuild the shattered livelihoods.

In January of 2005, Congress enacted this type of relief for individuals that made charitable contributions to victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred in late December of 2004. That bill (H.R. 241 in the 109th Congress) passed the House of Representatives without objection and subsequently passed the Senate by unanimous consent. I hope that this legislation, like our response to the 2004 tsunami, will encourage Americans to contribute more money to Haiti. As Haiti starts on its long recovery, every dollar is critically important. Once again, I am proud to represent such a compassionate and generous nation.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of House Resolution 1013. This resolution condemns the violent suppression of legitimate political dissent and gross human rights abuses in the Republic of Guinea. Over the past year the Republic of Guinea has experienced a complete loss of its human rights and democratic values that we cherish so dearly as Americans, and it is important that we not only condemn some of the horrific actions of the Guinean government, but also provide assistance for the reinstitution of democratically elected leaders and for the recovery of Guinea and its people. After the death of long-time President Lansana Conte in late 2008, Moussa Dadis Camara, a captain in the Guinean Army illegitimately took over the Guinean presidency in a bloodless coup.

This action was taken unilaterally by Camara without prior consultation or petition from the Guinean people. These undemocratic actions taken by the military junta and Captain Camera are shocking and unacceptable. Shortly after taking power, Captain Camara declared his intentions of instituting free and fair democratic elections under outside pressures from the international community. Over the past several months, however, Captain Camara has consistently delayed and postponed elections.

The situation intensified last September as Guinean security forces opened fire on a group of thousands of peaceful protestors wounding thousands and killing about 150 people. I condemn in the strongest terms this atrocious violence taken against peacefully protesting unarmed civilians.

My heart goes out to the friends, families and loved ones of the victims in this brutal attack. This cruel and unwarranted attack against unarmed and peaceful demonstrators is an attack against humanity as well as the democratic principles we stand for in the U.S. I especially condemn the actions taken by certain members of the security forces and their commanders who brutally raped, molested and killed women and children on the streets of Conakry during the violent confrontation. These are human rights violations of the worst kind and I vehemently oppose both the government of Guinea in addition to the troops and complacent officers who allowed these actions to take place.

I stand behind the people of Guinea in deploring these unjust and undemocratic actions and support a full transition of the country's leadership through future democratic elections. Since the beginning of Camara's illegitimate presidency over a year ago, the economic, social and political situation in Guinea has continually declined until this past December when a former aide to Camara, Lt. Aboubakar Diakite, attempted to assassinate the president and take over the country. After being shot in the head by Diakite, President Camara was evacuated to Senegal for treatment and then to Morocco for surgery.

The tense and unstable political situation in Guinea must be reconciled between opposing forces with a full and complete return to democratic rule through free and fair elections. We must also provide the people of Guinea with the tools and potential for future growth that would change this troubled nation. The United States can assist Guinea in returning to good governance by increasing transparent and accountable trade with Guinea, by providing further humanitarian assistance contingent on government reform in Guinea, and by providing election monitors to the people of Guinea in future elections.

I also call on the international community as a whole to conduct their trade and governmental interaction with the Republic of Guinea in a strategic manner that would take into account the conditions of the Guinean people and the disorder within the Guinean government. President Camara remains in exile, and is currently recovering in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso after a failed assassination attempt on his life last December. Earlier this month both the president and the interim president reached an agreement which would institute a transitional government and hold presidential elections within the next six months. Though Camara and his interim president Gen. Sekouba Konate have appealed for peace and reconciliation and have urged their countrymen to put aside ethnic differences, there is still a vital need in the country for increased economic growth, improved standards of living for all people and a more transparent and just system of governance.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I also ask my colleagues for their continued support of the Guinean people and ask for their continued support of a complete return to democratic rule and respect for human rights in Guinea.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 990, ``Expressing support for designation of January 2010 as ``National Mentoring Month'' and for other purposes, introduced by my distinguished colleague from Minnesota, Representative McCollum. ``National Mentoring Month,'' since January 2002, has been a national initiative and an annual campaign focusing attention on the need of mentors to mentees, and to promote youth mentoring with the message that, ``If we--individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities, and nonprofits--can work together to increase the number of mentors, we assure brighter futures for our young people.'' This annual initiative and campaign is spearheaded by the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State General Colin Powell, former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Arizona Senator John McCain, music producer Quincy Jones, poet Maya Angelou, music recording artist Usher, and actor Clint Eastwood, have all endorsed the campaigns for National Mentoring Month. A highlight of the campaign is the ``Thank You Mentor Day,'' in which mentees thank and honor their mentors for their mentorship. Mentees are encouraged to reach out to their mentors to express their appreciation. Mentees also have the options of posting a tribute to their mentor or mentors on WhoMentoredYou.org, to become a mentor in their local communities, and/ or make a financial contribution to a mentoring program.

Dr. Jay A. Winsten, as associate dean at the Harvard School of Public Health stated that, ``Youth mentoring is a highly effective public health intervention. Research has shown that programs that rely on volunteer mentors can play a powerful role in reducing drug abuse and youth violence, while greatly enhancing a young person's prospects for leading a healthy and productive life.'' Mentoring is a long-standing tradition where mentors provide guidance, support, encouragement and aid in promoting positive outcomes, in the areas of career and social development in helping young people realize and reach their full potential.

I agree with Ms. Nicola Goren, the Director of the Corporation, in the regard that, ``Our nation's success depends on helping every child succeed and reach their full potential in life and that mentoring strengthens our nation's economic and social well-being by influencing the life choices of young people with a caring adult.''

More than 4,700 mentoring programs in communities of all sizes across the United States focus on building strong relationships and 3,000,000 young people are in mentoring programs throughout the United States. In making January a month-long celebration of mentoring, it will call action to the important role and responsibility that all mentors play in the shaping of the young people of America, and will encourage more individuals and organizations to become engaged in this nationwide effort across this great Nation in building awareness of this national initiative and campaign for mentorship for our youth. I would like to personally encourage all the members of Congress to either become a mentor or to encourage a friend or family member today to become a mentor, not only for our youth, but for this country.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of House Resolution 1029. This resolution designates the week of February 1 through February 5 as ``National School Counseling Week.'' It is extremely vital that we recognize those very people who mentor and motivate our youth to do their very best. Our Nation's school counselors work everyday to ensure every child has opportunities for personal and educational growth. With very little resources, they help some kids stay in school and help others cope with personal tragedies. They help our children dream big and prepare for careers from manufacturing to medicine to becoming tomorrow's future leaders. Thus it is vital we support and honor those who play key roles in our children's success and life.

The national ``drop out'' rate has increased to 6.2 million students in the United States ranging in age from 16 and 24. This pressing issue is of utter importance and should be addressed with urgency as it pertains to our youth. These statistics are hard to believe. Only half of the high school students in the Nation's 50 largest cities are graduating in four years. Marguerite Kondracke, president and CEO of America's Promise, says that each year dropouts represent $320 billion in lost lifetime earning potential. The difference in lifetime salary for a dropout and a high school graduate is about $300,000. This is why it is really important for students to have counselors who are instrumental in encouraging students to stay in school and motivate them to succeed.

This subject is near and dear to my heart. In Houston, we have one of the highest drop out rates in the country. Houston Independent School District's, HISD's, dropout rate is at least 18 percent. It is one of the biggest challenges we are having. Many students need the extra push to truly value education and to stay in school. In the current global economy, having at least a high school diploma is a critical step for avoiding poverty, and a college degree is a prerequisite for a well- paying job. The costs of dropping out of high school today are substantial and have risen over time, especially for young men, who find it almost impossible to earn an adequate income to take care of themselves and their families.

By contrast, adults with high school diplomas contribute major fiscal benefits to the country over their lifetime. The combined lifetime fiscal benefits--including the payment of payroll, Federal, and State income taxes--could amount to more than $250,000 per graduated student. Such a public fiscal benefit more than outweighs the estimated cost of enrolling a student who has dropped out.

The average counselor-to-student ratio in America's public schools is a mere one 1 to

475, a ratio that means school counselors must work extremely hard to meet the individual educational needs of students. Yet, despite their limited supply, counselors are always there in a pinch: counselors are instrumental in helping children and their families cope with trauma, whether a natural disaster or a family death.

As many of you know, professional secondary school counselors are also an integral part of the effort to increase graduation rates. School counselors identify potential problems early in a student's academic career and make sure that they are addressed before students become overwhelmed and drop out. School counselors also inspire children to achieve better futures for themselves and their communities through education.

Once again, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution in honoring our school counselors who do so much and rarely get recognition for their hard work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1011, to recognize the importance of cervical health and of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages and supporting the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month, introduced by my distinguish colleague Representative Deborah L. Halvorson, from Illinois. This legislation will solidify that we, the United States Congress: (1) support all the initiatives of Cervical Health Awareness Month; (2) Recognize the importance of earlier detection; and (3) advocate and encourage education on the subject.

Madam Speaker, the origin of Cervical Health Awareness Month was established to enhance awareness of the prevention of cervical cancer, particularly the importance of screening for this malignancy. It is my hope that Congress continues to support these current and future efforts to make our constituents more knowledgeable.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in 2009, an estimated 11,270 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in the U.S., and the disease caused over 4,000 deaths. The Pap test is a highly effective tool in detecting cervical cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages. In fact, regular cervical screening tests can actually find precancerous changes before they become dangerous and turn into cancer.

I support any enterprise which cultivates organized successful health promotion events and campaigns. Getting new ideas, information and resources on Cervical Cancer and the prevention of it, is something that this Congress must emphasize.

By passing this resolution, we are making a monumental statement that we care. We care about the patients and survivors of this cancer; we care about the families of the ones who were taken by this disease; and most of all we care about the life and life more abundantly. By passing this legislation, we are also reaffirming that Congress is not an ambiguous body of unsympathetic individuals with no grasp of the world outside these walls. We have families; we have mothers, daughters and sisters, that can be affected by this cancer and we will not stand for lives perishing because of a lack of knowledge and available prevention and treatment!

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1003; a resolution entitled ``Expressing support for the designation of January 10, 2010, through January 16, 2010, as National Influenza Vaccination Week,'' and which also expresses the sentiments of the House of Representatives that preventing the spread of influenza and other infectious diseases should be a priority of all American citizens.

It is important that we recognize the important role that immunizations have in protecting Americans from influenza outbreaks. Seasonal influenza causes more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the U.S. every year, and is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.

It is important that we mitigate this great threat to our citizens and equip all Americans with the necessary preventative measures to effectively combat both the seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 Influenza strain.

The flu can be very disruptive to business and trade as well. The economic and financial costs of seasonal influenza in the United States can be devastating due to employee absence from work, the high cost associated with medical care and the draw down in the financial activity of persons infected with the flu. In addition, lost earnings due to illness and loss of life amounted to over $15 billion annually and the total economic burden of annual influenza epidemics amounts to over $80 billion.

Again, it is important for us to alleviate this growing stress on our nation's economic and financial systems by equipping our citizens with the necessary tools to fight the flu.

Furthermore, both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 Influenza strain can be disruptive to important American pastimes such as cultural events as well as sporting events. In the event of a highly contagious infectious outbreak it would be likely that large gatherings of people could be cancelled in order to prevent the unnecessary spread of disease.

By informing American citizens of the benefits of influenza vaccines however, we can attempt to prohibit the influenza bug from spreading.

In addition it is important that American citizens remain vigilant in the fight against the H1N1 Influenza strain. There are currently over 135 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine available to Americans. It is important that citizens weigh the costs and benefits of such a shot before receiving it, but it is important for citizens to remain informed. For the very young and the elderly it can be very helpful in preventing disease but may also prevent unnecessary death.

That is why it is important for Americans to understand both the necessity and benefit that seasonal flu shots provide for its citizens.

This is also the reason I ask for your support of this resolution. The increased awareness that would come from designating the week of January 10, 2010 through January 16, 2010 as ``National Influenza Vaccination Week'' would serve to provide American citizens with the important information needed to prevent a larger-than-normal influenza outbreak as well as provide the necessary preventative measures to those who are at a higher risk for influenza-related complications.

I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage all Americans as well as those from my home town of Houston, Texas to get vaccinated against both the seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 Influenza strain. I would especially encourage people with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, children, young adults, caretakers of infants, and healthcare workers to get vaccinated in preparation for a possible third wave of H1N1 flu.

Officially establishing the week of January 10, 2010, through January 16, 2010 as ``National Influenza Vaccination Week,'' would seek to improve the lives of our citizens as well as increase our citizen's awareness of the importance of both seasonal as well as H1N1 Influenza vaccinations.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I also ask my colleagues for their continued support in the fight against infectious and contagious diseases.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2949: The ``Emergency Aid to American Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake Act.'' This bill would provide up to $25 million in Fiscal Year 2010 for a Department of Health and Human Services program which repatriates U.S. citizens from foreign countries. This assistance is vital to Americans who were living in Haiti when the earthquake struck as well as the families of those displaced who are now faced with the unexpected responsibility of supporting their repatriating relatives.

This repatriation assistance provides temporary assistance to citizens and their dependents who are identified by the Department of State as needing to return from a foreign country to the U.S. but who do not have the resources to do so.

As you know, on Tuesday, January 12th, a massive, 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near the capital of Port-au-Prince. There is still no official estimate of death or destruction but the damage to buildings is extensive and the number of injured or dead is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands.

The full dimensions of the disaster are still unfolding, but Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive told CNN that he believes there are well over 100,000 dead, and leading senator Youri Latortue estimated the number at possibly as high as 500,000, according the Associated Press.

America is responding, and will continue to respond with immediate humanitarian assistance to help the people of this struggling island nation rebuild their livelihoods. I send my condolences to the people and government of Haiti as they grieve once again in the aftermath of a natural disaster. As Haiti's neighbor, I believe it is the United States' responsibility to help Haiti recover, and build the capacity to mitigate against future disasters.

America and her allies have already initiated a comprehensive, interagency response to the earthquake. The State Department, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard, USAID--all worked overnight to ensure critical resources were positioned to support the response and recovery effort, including efforts to find and assist American citizens in Haiti.

Within days of last week's devastating earthquake, U.S. Southern Command deployed a team of 30 people to Haiti to support U.S. relief efforts in the aftermath of one of the largest natural disasters in the western hemisphere. The team included U.S. military engineers, operational planners, and a command and control group and communication specialists arriving on two C-130 Hercules aircraft. Since, there has been a tremendous interagency response with support and partnering with U.S. Embassy personnel as well as Haitian, United Nations and international officials

to assess the situation and facilitate follow-on U.S. military support.

Our friends in the international community must also be commended for their efforts. The United Nations is releasing $10 million from its

Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of House Resolution 1024 ``Expressing support for designation of January as poverty in America awareness month.'' This resolution seeks to designate the month of January as an official ``Poverty in America Awareness Month,'' and also expresses the sentiments of the House of Representatives that eradicating poverty in the United States should be the goal of all American citizens--especially those in government positions.

Over the last several decades the numbers of people living in poverty in the United States has steadily increased to a high point in 2008 of over 39 million Americans living below the Federal poverty line.

This is a particularly important issue for the people living in my home district in Houston, Texas where the number of residents with income below the poverty level in 2007 was 20.7 percent, which is several percentage points higher than the Texas State average of 16.3 percent.

These problems have been further exacerbated by the recent economic downturn which has pushed many American families to a financial breaking point. Over the past 10 years much of the progress that was made during the 1990s was reversed as the overall poverty rate increased by 1.9 percent.

As the Chairwoman of the Congressional Children's Caucus I also understand the severe impact that poverty can have on children in the United States. In fact, 14 million of the 39 million Americans currently living below the poverty line are children. For children, growing up in poverty can have numerous negative effects on development ranging from malnutrition to poor education.

As Americans we can not allow underprivileged children in our Nation to be overlooked and ignored. We must ensure that all children of all income levels in this country are provided with quality education, proper nutrition and access to support services.

Furthermore, we can not allow hard-working American citizens to continue to fall below the Federal poverty line. That is why it is important that we support this resolution as it would bring further attention to this important matter and provide an opportunity to reverse the growing trend of poverty in the United States.

Officially establishing the month of January as ``Poverty in America Awareness Month,'' would seek to improve the lives of our citizens as well as increase advocacy for some of the most vulnerable families in our Nation.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I also ask my colleagues for their continued support for the 39 million Americans currently living in poverty.

Mr. Speaker, there has been a great deal of controversy that has arisen over what I think is not only good policy but good for America, and that is real health care reform. Today I listened to the story of a mother who lost her son, whose name was Mike. Because he could not get a colonoscopy to determine whether or not he had colon cancer, he is not living today. He could not get it because he did not have insurance.

We need health care reform that allows Americans to have the dignity of health care and, as well, the respect of treatment. I met a man today who is blind because he could not get the treatment while he was going blind to reverse that terrible disability. It could have occurred with good health care, and we must stop allowing 45,000 Americans to die every year because they do not have good health care.

We can do it by putting the bill together, House and Senate, reconciliation, protecting physician-owned hospitals, preventing individuals from being denied insurance because of preexisting disease, insuring 36 million to 40 million. I ask my colleagues to join for what is best for America.