Floor Statements

I thank the distinguished chairman and the ranking member and the proponent of this legislation, my good friend.

I rise in support of this recognition of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug for his many contributions, raising the bar, if you will, on the horrific impact of hunger in this world.

He engaged in groundbreaking scientific research and personal compassion to help save over a billion people from starvation across the world.

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Congressional Hunger Center, I am deeply saddened by his loss. But he deserves countless accolades--and none of these accolades do full justice to the greatness of his achievements in alleviating hunger.

Dr. Borlaug's work was extremely important to efforts of my former colleague Congressman Mickey Leland, who represented my district until his untimely death, trying to alleviate the hunger in Ethiopia on the basis of the continuing drought. Both Dr. Borlaug and Congressman Leland dedicated their lives to fighting hunger around the world.

For 20 years, Dr. Borlaug was a distinguished professor of International Agriculture at Texas A&M University. I believe he had the thesis, Teach a Person To Fish Versus Giving a Person a Fish and It Will Allow Them To Eat Forever.

This particular university is located in my good friend Congressman Edwards' district, but it is well respected throughout the State and the Nation. It was the home of Dr. Borlaug's Institute for International Agriculture, which develops and promotes science-based solutions to international challenges to agricultural and food production.

Although Dr. Borlaug was honored throughout his career, I'm proud that he continued to research agricultural techniques to alleviate global hunger until his passing.

He will forever be known as the ``Father of the Green Revolution.'' I believe that his work had to do with ending drought and finding out ways of intervention so that countries that suffered from this weather condition could still have the ability to grow crops.

The Green Revolution developed new strains of crops that could withstand environmental threats like the drought. He is, of course, a significant and respected individual who fought with all of his heart starvation around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 739, which honors the life and achievements of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug for his many contributions to alleviating world hunger. I support this resolution because Dr. Borlaug's ground-breaking scientific research and personal compassion helped to save over a billion people from starvation across the world.

As a Member of the Board of Directors for the Congressional Hunger Center, I am deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Borlaug. His countless accolades do not do full justice to the greatness of his achievements in alleviating hunger. Dr. Borlaug's work was extremely important to the efforts of former Congressman Mickey Leland, who represented my district until his untimely death in 1989. Both Dr. Borlaug and Congressman Leland dedicated their lives to fighting hunger around the world. Without these great Americans more than a billion people around the world would have died from starvation or suffered from malnutrition.

For 20 years, Dr. Borlaug was a Distinguished Professor of International Agriculture at Texas A&M University, located close to my district. Texas A&M is home to the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture, which develops and promotes science-based solutions to international challenges to agricultural and food production. Although Dr. Borlaug was honored throughout his career, I am proud that he continued to research agricultural techniques to alleviate global hunger until his passing. After he had gained international fame for his work he built upon his work to create the World Food Prize, known as the ``Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture.''

Dr. Norman E. Borlaug will forever be known as the ``Father of the Green Revolution'' for his work developing new strains of crops that could withstand environmental threats. He developed a new strain of wheat that resisted disease while increasing productivity in the poorest areas of rural Mexico. The significant impact of his work in Mexico was noted around the world and his agricultural developments spread to South Asia where his wheat strain helped to feed millions in India and Pakistan. Dr. Borlaug's techniques were adopted in the Middle East and adapted to rice production. As Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said in 2007, ``No person, before or since, has done more to answer the call to help liberate the world from hunger.''

In 1970, Dr. Borlaug's significant achievement in agriculture was honored by the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1977 he was bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom and in 2006, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Dr. Borlaug has been honored in the places where his work had the greatest impact. The Government of India awarded Dr. Borlaug its second highest civilian honor. He has an agricultural research building named after him in Bolivia and a street named after him in Ciudad Obregon in the Mexican State of Sonora. Academic institutions and agricultural research centers in Iowa, Minnesota, and Texas bear his name as a tribute to his work combating hunger.

Let me thank the chairman very much for his work, very hard work, I might add, Chairman Berman, and to the ranking member for the opportunity to support this legislation that has the Senate title. I also support the House bill, which we worked very hard on. But I support the idea that this bill provides for enhanced monitoring, evaluation, and auditing of U.S. assistance. It requires a Presidential report on Pakistan, including an evaluation of Pakistan's progress on counterterrorism and an assessment of whether assistance provided to Pakistan is in any way facilitating the expansion of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program and requires that all assistance to Pakistan be provided through a civilian government.

We are treading water if we keep going back over and over again on what was. Yes, we have to acknowledge that Pakistan was our friend in the Cold War, and we have to know the Pakistan people in fact want democracy. They are strong and resilient people. When they had the tragedy in the Swat territory, those individuals that went to refugee camps did not stay long. Why? Because they wanted to go back and restore their lives and work.

We need to establish friends with those who want to be friends. We know for sure that the Pakistan military has lost and shed blood on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Yes, there are problems which we can fix with this legislation, $1.5 billion a year that will help them on their economic recovery.

I am disappointed that the legislation that Congressman Van Hollen had, that we have not been able to work that through. We worked it in the House bill on the investment zones, if you will, which I think is a positive step. But what we did do is we provided opportunity for schooling and an opportunity to ensure that young Pakistani men are not drawn to the teachings of those who would do harm, the violent teachings that have gone on, giving them alternatives in terms of promoting education.

My friends, don't throw the baby away with the bath water. We have friends in Pakistan. That government needs to know that we are an ally, but oversight is imperative. A regional plan is imperative, and recognizing a friend when you see it. Fight the Taliban. Fight Osama bin Laden. Recognize your friends, and pass this legislation.

Madam Speaker, on the vote H.R. 2442, Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2009, I was unavoidably detained in the Transportation and Security Subcommittee. I'd like to register the vote for ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 186, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.'' Sickle Cell Anemia affects an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 Americans. Every year 1,000 babies are born with Sickle Cell Disease in the United States, with the disease occurring in approximately 1 in 500 newborn African-American infants. We must educate the public and shed light on this disease, especially considering that there is a 1 in 4 chance that a child born to parents who both have the sickle cell trait will have the disease.

Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited blood disorder that is a major health problem in the United States and worldwide. It not only affects African Americans, but Hispanics and persons of Greek, Italian, East Indian, Saudi Arabian, Asian, Syrian, Turkish, Cypriot, Sicilian, and Caucasian origin.

Sickle Cell Disease causes the rapid destruction of sickle cells, which results in multiple medical complications such as: pain episodes, strokes, increased infections, leg ulcers, bone damage, yellow eyes or jaundice, early gallstones, lung blockage, kidney damage and loss of body water in urine, priapism, blood blockage in the spleen or liver (sequestration), eye damage, anemia, delayed growth and even death.

Although it cannot be cured, effective treatment is available for persons with sickle cell disease. The trait and the disease are inherited. The most important thing one can do is to make sure to get tested. More than 2,000,000 Americans have the sickle cell trait, and 1 in 12 African-Americans carry the trait.

Although researchers have not yet identified a cure for this painful disease, advances in treating the associated complications have occurred. Once almost exclusively a pediatric illness, research has resulted in early detection and improvements in treatment that have extended life expectancy from the 20s to the mid-40s for many patients. Although the life expectancy of a person with Sickle Cell Disease is severely limited, researchers are hopeful that in less than two decades, Sickle Cell Disease may join the ranks of chronic illnesses that, when properly treated, do not interfere with the activity, growth, or mental development of affected children.

I am glad to be able to recognize the Texas Children's Sickle Cell Center for serving over 900 children in the state of Texas and having one of the largest educational programs in the country. The Texas Children's Sickle Cell Center offers comprehensive family-centered care for children with sickle cell disease. The center provides treatment for all aspects of sickle cell disease, offering patient care, education, screening and counseling for afflicted patients and their families. The Sickle Cell Center offers access to new drug therapies for sickle cell disease and its complications. The staff works closely with the neuropsychology, neuroradiology, cardiology and pulmonary departments in order to better understand the pathophysiology and to develop treatment options. I believe we need more facilities like the Texas Children's Sickle Cell Center in order to not only treat those with the disease, but offer services and educational programs to the family as well.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in this Congress to recognize the importance of researching, preventing, and treating Sickle Cell Disease by authorizing treatment centers to provide medical intervention, education, and other services and by permitting the Medicaid program to cover some primary and secondary preventative medical strategies for children and adults with Sickle Cell Disease. Furthermore, I hope that my colleagues will support designating September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the Nation about sickle cell and the need for research funding, early detection methods, effective treatments, and prevention programs.

Madam Speaker, because I was unavoidably detained with constituents, I would like to acknowledge that my vote would have been ``aye'' in roll call vote No. 737, the Medicare Premium Fairness Act, on Thursday, September 24, 2009.

Likewise, I was unavoidably detained in a meeting with the Vice President, and I would like to indicate that my votes today on passage of H.R. 905, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Boundary Modification Act, roll call vote No. 740, would have been ``aye''; H. Res. 16, supporting the goals and ideals of the National Life Insurance Awareness Month, roll call vote 741, would have been ``aye''; and adoption of motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2997, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, roll call vote 742, would have been ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 684, recognizing and honoring Howard University School of Law's 140-year legacy of social justice and its continued commitment to the training of capable and compassionate legal practitioners and scholars. The United States Congress chartered Howard University here in Washington, D.C. back in 1867, this bill honors not only their hard work, but the prescience of our forefathers.

Howard University School of Law first opened its doors in 1869 during a time of dramatic change in the United States, after the civil war. At the time, there was a great need to train lawyers who had a strong commitment to helping black Americans secure and protect their newly established rights. Today Howard University's Law School carries on that tradition, educating its students to fight for those whose voice may not otherwise be heard.

My home of Houston has a special relationship with the Howard University School of Law. Specifically, my city of Houston shares its name with a pillar of the Howard University School of Law community, its late dean, the legendary Charles Hamilton Houston. Educated at Amherst College and Harvard Law School, Houston was the first African American to serve as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. This feat by Houston paved the way for a young Harvard Law student who stood in Houston's shoes some 70 years later as the Harvard Law Journal's first Editor-in-Chief, President Barack Obama.

Armed with his ivy league training, Houston returned to Washington where he was admitted to the District of Columbia bar in 1929. Beginning in the 1930s, Houston served as the first special counsel to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, beginning a two decade career as a civil rights litigator. Houston later joined Howard Law School's faculty and ultimately became Dean, establishing a long-standing relationship between Howard and Harvard law schools. While at Howard, he was a mentor to Thurgood Marshall, who argued Brown v. Board of Education and was later appointed to the Supreme Court.

Houston used his post at Howard to recruit talented students into the NAACP's legal efforts, among them Marshall and Oliver Hill, the first- and second-ranked students in the class of 1933, both of whom were drafted into organization's legal battles by Houston. By the mid-1930s, two separate anti-lynching bills backed by the NAACP had failed to gain passage, and the organization had won a landmark victory against restrictive housing covenants that excluded blacks from particular neighborhoods only to see the achievement undermined by subsequent legal precedents.

Houston struck upon the idea that unequal education was the Achilles heel of Jim Crow. By demonstrating the failure of states to even try to live up to the 1896 rule of ``separate but equal,'' Houston hoped to finally overturn the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that had given birth to that phrase.

His target was broad, but the evidence was numerous. Southern states collectively spent less than half of what was allotted for white students on education for blacks; there were even greater disparities in individual school districts. Black schools were equipped with castoff supplies from white ones and built with inferior materials. Black facilities appeared to be part of a crude segregationist satire-- a design to make black education a contradiction in terms.

Houston designed a strategy of attacking segregation in law schools-- forcing states to either create costly parallel law schools or integrate the existing ones. The strategy had hidden benefits: since law students were predominantly male, Houston sought to neutralize the age-old argument that allowing blacks to attend white institutions would lead to miscegenation, or ``race-mixing''. He also reasoned that judges deciding the cases might be

more sympathetic to plaintiffs who were pursuing careers in law. Finally, by challenging segregation in graduate schools, the NAACP lawyers would bypass the inflammatory issue of miscegenation among young children.

The successful ruling handed down in the Brown decision was testament to the master strategy formulated by Houston. This strategy is often referred to as the Houstonian philosophy of social engineering, based upon his legendary saying ``A lawyer's either a social engineer or he's a parasite on society.'' . . . A social engineer was a highly skilled, perceptive, sensitive lawyer who understood the Constitution of the United States and knew how to explore its uses in the solving of ``problems of . . . local communities'' and in ``bettering conditions of the underprivileged citizens.''

Houston's philosophy has left a lasting mark on Howard University School of Law as evidenced by the quantity and quality of its graduates, producing more Black lawyers than any other institution. Further, as outlined in the text of this resolution, Howard trained lawyers have excelled and climbed to some of the highest leadership positions in the world.

The first African-American to serve as a Member of Congress, John Mercer Langston, was also a member of the Howard University School of Law community. Today's Congress also includes a Member of the Howard University School of Law, namely Mr. Meek of New York. U.S. Senator Roland Burris of Illinois, the only African-American in the other Chamber, is a 1963 graduate of Howard Law.

Howard University School of Law alumni also serve in a variety of staff posts throughout both houses of Congress. In my tenure, I've hired numerous Howard law alumni. Currently, both my Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel are both outstanding alumni of Howard University School of Law.

In my District, Howard University School of Law alumni have a distinguished legacy, particularly in the judiciary. Two Houston jurists exemplify the Howard University School of Law legacy. The Honorable Gabrielle Kirk McDonald graduated first in her class at Howard University Law School in 1966. Upon returning home to Houston, Judge McDonald practiced as a private lawyer until her appointment as a United States District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. At the age of 37, Judge McDonald made history by becoming the first African-American to be appointed to the federal judiciary of Texas. She was only the third African-American woman to be ever selected for the federal judiciary.

In 1993, Judge McDonald presided over the three-judge panel that heard the first criminal trial of that international court, sitting in a courtroom of the new Tribunal building in The Hague, Netherlands. By this service, Judge McDonald became one of the first United States judges to be involved in international courts, apart from the International Court of Justice and the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg. Before hearing the first case of the International Criminal Tribunal in Yugoslovia, Judge McDonald and her colleagues had to develop procedural rules for the Tribunal. She consulted with colleagues at Texas Southern University where she was a member of the adjunct faculty at that university's Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Those consultations resulted in the preparation and adoption of the first procedural rules for the Tribunal.

Judge McDonald, so well regarded by her colleagues, was sent by the United Nations to Tanzania, in Africa, in the spring of 1997 to assist in the organizing efforts of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, established by the U.N. to hear cases involving genocide in that country.

In November 1997 she was elected President of both criminal tribunals, a position she held until her resignation from that position in 1999.

She now serves as one of three American judge/arbitrators on the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal in The Hague, hearing claims by Iranian and U.S. citizens, and the respective governments of the two countries, that resulted from the take-over of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 by Iranian militants and the holding of U.S. Embassy personnel as hostages.

The Honorable Hazel B. Jones of the 338th Texas District Court is a 1996 alumnae of Howard University School of Law. Born and reared in Houston, Texas, Judge Jones developed a sense of commitment to the Houston community by witnessing the examples of her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Larnita Jones, who served as educators and administrators in North Forest ISD and Houston ISD, respectively, for more than thirty years.

Judge Jones attended Mary Brantly Smiley High School in North Forest Independent School District, where she was voted ``Miss Smiley'' and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Thereafter, Judge Jones received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a Texas Achievement Award Scholar and became a lifelong member of Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority, Inc.

After graduation, Judge Jones worked as a research assistant in the Hematology/Leukemia division of the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She prepared drug study experiments with cancer cells; she performed DNA extraction for amplification in polymerase chain reactions and isolation in gel electrophoresis. While Judge Jones found her work in cancer research extremely rewarding, she heeded a personal calling to pursue a career in law.

While attending Howard University Law School, in Washington, DC, Judge Jones worked at the Howard Law Criminal Justice Clinic, defending citizens charged with misdemeanors and representing prisoners in disciplinary hearings. During her summers as a law student, Judge Jones honed her legal skills by interning in the 151st Civil District Court, Harris County, TX and as intern for the Honorable Judge Vanessa Gilmore in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Since graduating from law school, Judge Jones Hazel Jones has been an active member of Houston's legal community. She served the Harris County District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney from 1996-2003 obtaining extensive trial experience handling misdemeanor and felony cases in addition to handling juvenile and family violence cases. From 2003-2005, Judge Jones worked as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas; her primary focus was to pursue the federal government initiative of ``Project Safe Neighborhoods'' which focused on the prosecution of armed felons and felons carrying firearms during drug trafficking crimes. In January of this year, Judge Jones was sworn in as a member of the local judiciary and we expect that her career will be no less stellar as that of her fellow alumna, Judge McDonald.

Mr. Speaker, I salute Howard University School of Law for its service to my District, to America, and to the world. For this reason, I strongly urge passage of this important Resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 3548, ``to amend the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 to provide for the temporary availability

of certain additional emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes.'' Though the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has allowed us to see the light at the end of the tunnel on our road to recovery, we still have a long road ahead. H. Res. 3548 allows States to extend their helping hand to pull America out of this deep recession.

In the midst of what has been categorized as the longest and deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression, many Americans still find themselves struggling to get by. Although the unemployment rates in some areas around the country have shown signs of leveling off, in my home State of Texas, many are still fighting to get on the right track. American's of all ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds are tired of struggling to feed, clothe, and provide shelter their families. I cite my mentor and predecessor Barbara Jordan who noted, ``We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present: unemployment, inflation . . . but we are attempting on a larger scale to fulfill the promise of America.''

With an unemployment rate in Texas of 8.2 percent, which is just below the national average, we in Texas are working diligently in a legislative capacity for the benefit of our constituents. The unemployment rate of my home district of Houston is just above the state average, at 8.4 percent, and I will not cease to take every effort to combat the problem. Over this past weekend we held our 2nd job fair in three months, where we called upon over 50 public and private sector representatives to bring employment opportunities to those in need throughout the Houston area. I saw lives change that weekend. The American people need a helping hand now; it is not time of partisan antics that delay assistance to those whom we represent.

H. Res. 3548 will allow States to extend the assistance offered to their unemployed constituents so that families may continue their pursuit of the American dream. H. Res. 3548 sets forth a formula for determining if a state is in an extended benefit period and authorizes a state to pay extended compensation to an eligible individual before any additional Emergency Unemployment Compensation, EUC, if such individual claimed extended compensation for at least one week of unemployment after the exhaustion of additional EUC.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 163, which expresses support for the designation of September 23, 2009 as National Job Corps Day. The Job Corps is an essential program that provides vocational training for thousands of young Americans each year, helping to integrate them into the U.S. workforce.

The Job Corps was created under the Department of Labor in 1964 as a part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. The Job Corps was modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which was established during the Great Depression in an effort to house, train, and find employment for young people. Like the CCC before it, Job Corps seeks not only to provide vocational training but also to teach life skills and build character in participants. The Job Corps helps to foster professionalism by maintaining a strict zero-tolerance policy with regards to criminal activity for admitted participants as well as a code of conduct that includes rules for appearance.

I am proud of the four Job Corps campuses in my home state of Texas. Job Corps has a regional headquarters in Dallas, Texas and operates campuses in the North, Central, South, and West regions of Texas. The Gary Job Corps center in San Marcos, Texas was inaugurated in 1964 by President Johnson. Today, the Gary campus has the largest GED program in the state of Texas. The Job Corps has provided thousands of Texans with the education and training they need to be successful at work and in life.

I also want to mention the job fairs that I have hosted in my district of Houston, TX to help counter rising unemployment, designed to help all in need, including the young people that Job Corps assists. At the job fair in Houston last weekend, over 50 companies and government agencies attended and held on-site interviews. These events were incredible successes and embodied the spirit of the Job Corps program.

Over its 45 year history, the Job Corps has helped nearly 3 million young people join the American workforce. The Job Corps operates 123 campuses across the United States, assisting nearly 60,000 students each year. The Job Corps is a refuge for high school dropouts, providing academic remediation and empowering them to join the workforce through career preparation and development. For that reason, the Job Corps has been called the largest and most successful high school dropout recovery program in the U.S.

The success of the Job Corps program in changing the lives of its participants is evident in the following statistics. After eight months in the Job Corps program, the average participant will have a high school diploma and an improved literacy level. Seventy-five percent of Job Corps graduates will secure employment or enter into military service.

The benefits of the Job Corps go beyond the impact on the lives of the youth who participate in the program. The Job Corps enhances the workforce in communities across the country by partnering with labor organizations and employers to develop specifically requested skills. These partnerships include internships and other hands-on training experiences that enhance the youth participants' employability. The benefits of Job Corps also extend to the community where youths perform millions of hours of community service, instilling the value of giving- back to the community.

Finally, it is important that we note that National Job Corps Day also honors the 15,000 staff members who work hard to ensure that the participants get the best training possible. Without the hard work of these men and women, Job Corps would not have been able to help millions of young people enter the workforce and become productive citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 733, which expresses condolences to the people and government of the Republic of China, Taiwan, in the aftermath of the devastating typhoon that struck the central and southern regions of the island on August 8, 2009. I support this resolution because natural disasters know no boundaries and the tragedy that befell Taiwan appeals to our common humanity.

After Typhoon Morakot landed on Taiwan at midnight on August 8 of this year, it dropped over 100 inches of rain on the island. To put that number in perspective, 100 inches is more than half the average annual rainfall of many places on the island. The torrential rain caused massive mudslides and floods, destroying roads, farms, businesses, and homes. This typhoon was the wettest in the history of Taiwan.

Typhoon Morakot was particularly devastating in central and southern Taiwan. The world watched in horror as the reports came in. In the southern village of Hsiaolin, mudslides had destroyed almost all of the roughly 250 homes in the village, stranded thousands, and buried almost 400 people alive. A rescue helicopter trying to reach villagers stranded in the mountains crashed, killing all three crew members. In all, estimates have put the devastation to infrastructure and farms totaling more than $46 billion and the national death toll over 600. A tragedy of that magnitude traumatized Taiwan and required an official period of 3 days to mourn the lost. This typhoon was the deadliest in Taiwan's history.

I applaud the effort of the United States to help with the relief effort. The U.S. gave humanitarian assistance by providing military aircraft, planes and helicopters, to deliver relief supplies on the island. Our service men and women performed their job admirably and I am thankful for their solid performance.

I would like for the people of Taiwan to know how very sorry we are that they have experienced this tragedy. Having witnessed first-hand the devastation brought by Hurricane Ike on my own district in Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas, I know how a terrible natural disaster such as a typhoon can cause deep anguish. Moreover, from our experience witnessing Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, we know how the horror of weather-related devastation can scar a nation. My heart goes out to the families and the people of Taiwan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 74, which supports the goals and ideals of a decade of action for road safety with a global target to reduce by 50 percent the predicted increase in global road deaths between 2010 and 2020. Road safety is a critical issue not only in my district and across the country, but in countries around the world.

As the Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, I believe that road safety is a critical component of protecting the nation. I fought for the building of infrastructure for safe roads in my district and I believe that this fight should be extended on a national and a global scale. According to the World Health Organization, WHO, the rise in both fatalities from motor vehicle deaths and subsequent costs is caused by the lack of appropriate road engineering and safety promotion in the public health sector.

My home State of Texas is afflicted by the scourge of road fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008, there were 3,382 deaths across the state with 1,552 of those traffic fatalities occurring in urban areas such as my district in Houston, Texas. In 2007 there were 209 road deaths in Houston, Texas, killing nearly 10 people for every 100,000. According to the 2004 World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention, 40,000 people die each year in road crashes in the United States alone.

Across the globe, 1.3 million people die in road crashes each year. Another 20 to 50 million people across the globe are injured in motor vehicle accidents, often as a result of speeding. Road crashes are the number one killer of young people between the ages of 10 and 24 world- wide. Road crashes not only bring tragedy and devastation to the lives of the victims and their families, they are also extremely costly. The estimated monetary cost of motor vehicle crashes is nearly $520 billion, or roughly 3 to 5 percent of the cumulative gross domestic product of the world.

The tragedy of road accidents is not only the economic loss, pain and suffering, and loss of life but also the knowledge that road crashes can be prevented. I applaud the efforts of the Ministerial Consultative Committee, which drafted a declaration for the First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Moscow to designate 2010-2020 as the ``Decade for Action on Road Safety.'' I hope that this conference will succeed in increasing the global awareness on road safety and generate meaningful action against road fatalities.

Road safety is an international effort that almost everyone can support. More than 90 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries. I believe the efforts to raise awareness for the need for road safety and strong action to help reduce motor vehicle fatalities will help our standing in those countries that need it the most. I strongly urge passage of this important Resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3617, the ``Surface Transportation Extension Act''. I would like to thank my colleague Representative James Oberstar for introducing this legislation, as well as the co-sponsors.

I stand in support of this important legislation because of the importance transportation has for my state of Texas, and my home city of Houston.

As a body we must be judicious in appropriating funds for transportation because it is of such vital interest to our Nation. Investments in our Nation's surface transportation infrastructure create millions of family-wage jobs and billions of dollars of economic activity. Each $1 billion of Federal funds creates 47,500 jobs and $6.1 billion in economic activity. In addition, this investment in transportation infrastructure will increase business productivity by reducing the costs of producing goods in virtually all industrial sectors of the economy. Increased productivity results in increased demand for labor, capital, and raw materials and generally leads to lower product prices and increased sales.

Because so much is literally riding on a transportation agreement for the 21st Century we must insist on a balanced surface transportation program that serves the mobility needs of our country in a manner consistent with key Democratic principles, including: economic growth, intermodalism, security, safety, continuity, equal opportunity, protecting our human and natural environment, rebuilding our transit and highway systems, encouraging alternative transportation, encouraging smart growth, encouraging advanced technology solutions, and protecting the rights of workers in transportation industries. While I am satisfied with this current extension I look forward to the day when we can pass a comprehensive and equitable transportation agreement that serves the 21st Century transportation needs of the American people.

Madam Chair, I stand here today to express my support for H.R. 3221, The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. With an emphasis on improving access to financial support for higher education, increasing educational opportunities and preparing students for 21st century jobs by providing the resources they need to compete, H.R. 3221 ensures that we will be able to effectively rise up out of the ashes of what has been categorized as the longest and deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression. The national economic crisis has begun to infiltrate every corner of this country, and my home state of Texas is no exception.

In the midst of this very difficult economic climate, there has never been a more important and relevant time for the passage of H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which provides access to affordable quality education opportunities. In accordance with President Obama's statement that the best investment in our economic future is an investment in our children's education, this important legislation helps to make college and post secondary education more affordable, and subsequently takes the necessary steps to invest in our country's economic future, all at no new cost to taxpayers.

By making college more affordable, H.R. 3221 will enable more American students to not only matriculate on to higher education, but it will enable them to have the financial capability to graduate. This legislation provides all federal student loan borrowers with upgraded and modernized customer service, by providing them access to a public- private partnership that will serve as a resource for loan support. H.R. 3221 prepares students and graduates for 21st century jobs by providing Americans with the requisite skills and cutting edge resources they need to compete in today's job market.

Early Education

This vital legislation ensures that the next generation of students enters kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed in school, by reforming state standards and practices for birth-to-five early learning programs. This will have an immediate and direct impact on low income children entering kindergarten with the school readiness skills needed to succeed at this critical stage in learning development.

It is important to note that H.R. 3221 creates an Early Learning Challenge Fund, which would award competitive grants to states that implement overall standards-based reform, thereby incentivizing each state to transform their early education standards and practices, to build an effective early childhood workforce, and improve the school readiness outcomes of young children from every demographic and every socio-economic background.

Direct Loan Program

H.R. 3221 provides reliable, affordable high-quality Federal student loans for all families. By strengthening the Pell Grant System, and by converting all new federal student lending funds to the stable, effective and cost-efficient Direct Loan program, the proper lending infrastructure to ensure a solid lending program removed from the fluctuations of the economy will be in place. Beginning in July 2010, new federal student loans will be originated through the Direct Loan program, rather than through lenders who are subsidized by taxpayers in the federally-guaranteed student loan program. One of the major benefits of the Direct Loan program is that unlike lender-based programs, the Direct Loan program is insulated from market swings, will enable students to have access to low-cost federal college loans irrespective of the current state of the economy.

Fiscal Responsibility and Financial Literacy

My concern for the importance of instilling a sense of fiscal responsibility in our youth runs deep. Recent studies have indicated that young people do not even know basic financial topics such as the impact of student loans on one's credit, how to balance a checkbook, and the impact of automobile loans on one's credit. Because of my concern that young people are not sufficiently informed about financial literacy, this year I introduced H.R. 1325, to require financial literacy counseling for borrowers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1325 is relevant in the discussion of financial aid and fiscal responsibility, because approximately two-thirds of students borrow to pay for college according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Moreover, one in ten of student borrowers have loans more than $35,000. This legislation was designed to ensure that our nation's college students will be more prepared when incurring student loan debt and help them to avoid default as student loans severely impact one's credit score.

Currently there is about $60 billion in defaulted student loan debt. Many students do not understand the reality of repaying student debt while taking out these loans. While most Americans have debt of some kind, student loan repayment is especially scary, as one cannot just declare bankruptcy and have their loans discharged. Due to the lack of financial literacy counseling for borrowers, student loan payments are often higher than expected. Recent graduates are unable to afford the monthly payments resulting in them living paycheck to paycheck, acquiring credit card debt and in extreme cases, grads leaving the country in order to avoid repayment and debt collectors.

Students and parents are not currently receiving the proper or any information of the burden that their student loans will have once they graduate. This is possibly a result of the relationship between student loan companies and universities, as some lenders offer universities incentives to steer borrowers their way.

College campuses are one place that young Americans are introduced to credit and the possibility of living beyond their means. With proper loan and credit counseling the burden of debt incurred in college could be greatly reduced. Especially in this time of recession, financial literacy is one of the most important tools that we can give to our students in order to ensure their success in the future.

My resolution was crafted to provide financial literacy training to students taking out Federal Student Loans and will require a minimum of 4 hours of counseling including entrance and exit counseling. Counseling will include the fundamentals of basic checking and savings accounts, budgeting, types of credit and their appropriate uses, the different forms of student financial aid, repayment options, credit scores and ratings, as well as investing.

increasing funding for education

Madam Chair, I also would like to address the relevance of this measure to our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and minority serving institutions, and to thank Chairman Miller, other members of the Committee and the staff for taking bold and necessary steps to ensure the long-term and robust engagement of these institutions for many years to come. I have always been a proponent of increasing educational opportunities for students of every level, from every socioeconomic background throughout our nation will yield the greatest return on our investment. Providing access to educational opportunities is critical to the nation's long term prosperity. Most recently I advocated on behalf of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010, H.R. 329, which sought to make the necessary investments to provide children with a 21st century education, will provide the resources to modernize our schools and colleges, and will provide funding to make college more affordable.

Just as I supported past legislation like H.R. 3081, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which placed a premium on providing funding for and lending institutional support to our Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act invests $2.55 billion in HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions to provide students with the support they need to stay in school and graduate.

HBCUs and PBIs as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) as the following: A historically Black college or university is an institution of higher education established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation. Historically Black colleges or universities also include any branch campus of a southern institution of higher education that prior to September 30, 1986, received a grant as an institution with special needs under HEA Section 321 and was formally recognized by the National Center for Education Statistics as a Historically Black College or University.

Predominantly Black Institutions are defined in HEA Section 318. These institutions meet basic eligibility under Title III, Section 312(b) and serve at least 40 percent Black American students. Basic eligibility under Title III, Section 312(b) of the HEA is met by institutions that:

have low educational and general expenditures (E&G) or seek a waiver by submitting evidence that is both persuasive and compelling to have this requirement waived;

have a requisite enrollment of needy students;

are legally authorized within their respective state to award bachelors degrees or are a community college; and

are accredited by a nationally or state recognized accrediting agency.

An institution is considered to have met the enrollment of needy students criterion if (1) at least 50 percent of its degree-seeking students receive financial assistance under one or more of the following programs: Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program, Federal Work-Study Program and/ or the Federal Perkins Loan Program or (2) the percentage of its undergraduate degree-seeking students who were enrolled at least half- time and received a Federal Pell Grant met or exceeded the average for similar institutions.

We must invest in our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions. A digital disparity between HBCU campuses and their counterparts currently exists. There is a significant need among HBCUs to update technological equipment and to develop advanced and cutting edge educational and technological opportunities for students. In the face of the adversity that outdated technology poses, HBCUs continue to generate thousands of African-American graduates who are prepared to compete in and contribute to our global economy. HBCUs represent nine of the top ten colleges that graduate the most African-Americans who go on to earn Ph.D.s. HBCUs and PBIs continue to provide opportunity and advancement to African-American students, and therefore are worthy of federal support.

Accordingly, my past legislative efforts have supported efforts to provide $653 million to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs and PBIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities and Native American-serving Institutions, Asian Pacific Islander, and Native American Institutions. In the state of Texas, we have Tribal, Hispanic and African American populations that will benefit greatly from provisions that provide mandatory funding for the next 10 years. As the nation meets the demands associated with global competitiveness and changing demographics, resources provided in this measure very much are need to ensure our nation's long-term viability. The $85 million designated annually for HBCUs is particularly noteworthy, and will contribute greatly to helping these historic institutions in equipping students with the skills and exposure needed to drive globally relevant innovations and nationally relevant achievement.

Additionally, the measure provides unprecedented increases in student aid--particularly for the Pell Grant and Perkins Loan programs. Most notably, by ensuring that all new federal student loans will be processed through the Direct Student Loan program, the bill is expected to generate $87 billion in savings over the next ten years. These savings will be reinvested in other worthy projects benefiting community colleges and expanding the number of students who enroll and graduate from college.

As a Representative from the 18th Congressional District of Texas, I know firsthand that this will enable HBCUs like Texas Southern University in my district and Prairie View A&M University just outside of my district to thrive.

My past support of bills such as H.R. 3293 have advocated on behalf of an investment of $15.9 billion for Title I Education for the Disadvantaged Children Account, which will provide much needed support to underprivileged children in Grades K through 12, and will give hope to the low income families in my district in Houston, that their children will receive quality education. There is no greater investment in our country than an investment in our children's opportunity to obtain a quality education. I urge my colleagues today to pass this critical piece of legislation, as our nation's long-term prosperity hangs in the balance. Madam Chair, I support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

I thank the distinguished chairman and I thank him for his stellar leadership and an overwhelming change in the way we think about education.

I rise to oppose the present amendment, but support the underlying bill. This is a response to the competitiveness of the world. Each and every district that is represented here in this body, rural and urban, large and small, clamors for more education, particularly secondary education, higher education.

In my own district alone, as it relates to Pell Grants, 23,084 students will be impacted, with as much as $110 million in new Pell dollars that will help not only the Nation's colleges but, in my instance, the 18th Congressional District.

I happen to have a district that has any number of colleges, both private and public, large and small, research and nonresearch, students coming from all economic backgrounds, and I can assure you the importance of Pell Grants is without comparison.

Then I also represent an area that was hit by Hurricane Ike 1 year to the date last week, still suffering from the lack of infrastructure, schools that have been destroyed. And the $359 million that will come in construction dollars to Texas, K-12, is going to be a remarkable change for the people of Galveston or the people on the gulf who are impacted by this devastating hurricane.

In addition, I think it's important to note a full $87 billion in savings. Competition in place. Anyone who wants to provide a student loan--private bank, State bank--can provide it. But we are providing for the hardworking, taxpaying families additional dollars and a fair, even playing field. That's something to celebrate.

We're investing $3 billion to bolster college access and completion support. Crucial issues. I happen to have a very large community college system. I'm gratified that language is in here specifically to enhance community college.

Our community college system is growing with 60,000 students-plus. This is the first step. Go to a community college, be you someone who is working, someone who is raising children, someone who is going back to school, a military person who is retired or has just gotten out of the service, working with the GI Bill--you now have an opportunity to be able to go to a college that has reinforced dollars.

This is a bill that cuts at America's competitiveness. The world is getting smaller. People know science and math. They are looking to be inventive. And that means in order to create an economic engine for this country, we have got to educate our population.

People are clamoring for education. As I indicated, all walks of life, retirees, people who are changing jobs, people who have been laid off and fired. This is a new step.

So let me just say I want to applaud what we are doing here today, not because Members are doing it, but because we're changing lives. I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.

Let me thank the distinguished chairman for yielding me this time and thank him and the ranking member for what I believe is an astute and important statement on behalf of the United States Postal Service and all of its thousands upon thousands of hardworking postal workers.

H.R. 22 is an effective approach to an organization which has served this Nation for decades, and one which we have respected and has served in many different capacities; the idea of reducing the payment that the postal service has to contribute to the health benefits trust fund from $5.4 billion to $1.4 billion, added to their already established resources, allowing them, without taxpayer dollars, to work on some of the new trends that we are facing all over America, new technology and the utilization of email.

No one can doubt the service of the postal service workers and the importance of neighborhood post offices. Frankly, Mr. Speaker, I am hoping there will be a modified review of post offices and a respect of neighborhoods and rural communities and urban centers where postal services are very important.

Many people use money orders. I know some of us would probably wonder about the utilization of those kinds of financial documents, but they are important to certain economic levels of our communities. Many people go to the post office to pick up their mail. They have a post office box. Many companies, for other reasons of commerce, use the postal service as opposed to an email. Sometimes a paper written document is necessary.

I would like to thank the committee for looking intelligently at this issue, and I wanted to rise today to support H.R. 22, as amended, and to particularly salute the postal workers of America who have worked with me side by side in Houston who have been part of the postal food giveaway. They do a lot. I am very glad to have been an original cosponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 686, which recommends that the United States Constitution be taught to high school students throughout the Nation in September of their senior

year. Understanding the Constitution and fundamentals of the government of the United States is essential to being a contributing member of our society. By recommending that the U.S. Constitution be taught to high school seniors, this measure will help prepare people of voting age to participate in the democratic process.

The state of public awareness and understanding of the U.S. system of government requires action to improve civic education. Americans from all walks of life--rich and poor, young and old, and Republican and Democrat--fail civic literacy tests. Moreover, many institutions of learning of all calibers and at all levels do not adequately prepare students to be knowledgeable citizens. Nearly half of the States do not require that U.S. civics and American history be taught in school. Education is vital to improving the vitality of our democracy.

In Texas, teaching of the constitution is part of our social studies curriculum and 91 percent of our students passed our exit exams in the 2007-2008 school year. This shows an effort on our part to educate our students on the governing doctrine of our great nation and the retention by our students of this information. Instituting such requirements helps develop responsible adults who understand their responsibilities as a citizen of this great nation.

I believe that all citizens need to have a strong understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the institutions of U.S. government. Individuals must understand the basic tenets of our Constitution in order to protect their rights and fully participate in the democratic process. Furthermore, civic Recommending to the States that they teach the United States Constitution as a part of the senior year curriculum will send a clear message that civics is an important part of a high school education. Increasing knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and our government will also lead to increased civic engagement among our students. Teaching the basic tenets of government to those students who will then become voters will increase voter participation rates and create a more active citizenry.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 6 to recognize the significant contribution coaches make in the life of children who participate in organized sports and to support the goals and ideals of National Coaches Appreciation Week. Our coaches deserve to be honored for the work they put forth in developing the young minds of tomorrows leaders. Coaches have long served as the backbone of youth sports, nurturing generations of minds, bodies and souls.

H. Res. 6 applauds the ongoing effort of our coaches who put in extra time and effort to make the difference in the lives of our children; coaches are a vital part of organized youth sports. Their efforts welcome approximately 42 million American children to participate in organized sports each year. However, 20 million children here in the United States are unable to participate in organized sports, in part due to an insufficient number of coaches. A national effort to promote coaching is needed to increase the number of adults serving as coaches in organized sports.

The Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports will educate Members of Congress, the Media, and the Public on the need to restore a child- centered focus in youth sports that will produce immeasurable positive benefits for the well-being and character development of children. Sports and coaches help children fight obesity, increase their self- esteem, learn leadership skills, and discover how to incorporate the values of sports into other aspects of their daily lives. Children need adults who will believe in them and leaders who give children the support they need to be a success. Coaches can positively impact the physical, emotional, and educational life of children. According to Paul Caccamo, President of Up2Us, a national coalition that seeks to increase the impact of and access to youth sports as a tool for positive youth development, ``Young people who play sports are higher achievers.'' He also said that ``They are more likely to attend college, land jobs with more responsibility and greater pay, and less apt to fall to drug and alcohol abuse. With dropout rates and gang activity on the rise in our urban cities, we cannot afford to stand by when we know there's an alternative. National Coach Appreciation Week recognizes the men and women who have dedicated their time to give our children better, brighter futures.''

Not only will National Coach Appreciation Week recognize the men and women who have dedicated their time to give our children better and brighter futures, it will put forth a great effort to recruit more adults to do this admirable work. As stated by the Up2Us coalition ``National Coach Appreciation Week would

raise awareness and leverage resources to engage millions of children in organized sports that promote health, nutrition, and fitness, as well as other youth development outcomes.''