Floor Statements

I rise before you today in order to show my support for H.R. 1209, ``Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009.'' The coins minted as a result of this legislation will be in recognition and celebration of the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861, America's highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States, to honor the American military men and women who have been recipients of the Medal of Honor, and to promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents and how ordinary Americans, through courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism, can challenge fate and change the course of history.

In these times of war and economic uncertainty I think it is important to honor those who served America to their greatest capacity. Moreover, recognition of this great honor will foster patriotism and inspire and encourage the youth of America to become worthy citizens.

Only those who performed a deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life can receive a Medal of Honor. Incontestable proof of the performance of the service will be exacted and each recommendation for the award of this decoration will be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. This award is so prestigious that fewer than 3,500 Medals of Honor have been awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces.

The Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 as passed would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins and $1 silver coins emblematic of the design selected by the Secretary, after consultation with the Boards of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, in honor of the distinguished service of the American military men and women who have been Medal of Honor recipients.

The design for the coins minted under this Act will contain motifs that represent the 3 Medal of Honor designs (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and specifically honor the Medal of Honor recipients of both today and yesterday, such designs that are consistent with the traditions and heritage of the United States Armed Services, the mission and goals of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and the mission and goals of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.

The coins will only be available for a limited time. The period for coin issuance will be for the calendar year 2011. The coins minted under this Act shall be legal tender, however coins minted under this Act shall be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.

The treasury will only be producing no more than 100,000 $5 gold coins and no more than 500,000 $1 coins. I think it is wonderful that the surcharges imposed for the purchase of these coins will be distributed to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to help finance educational, scholarship, and outreach programs of the Foundation.

Madam Speaker, today we stand on the West Lawn commemorating and celebrating the Nation's law enforcement officers from across the Nation. As Members of Congress, we welcome you to this Congress every year, and we do so humbly and with great appreciation.

Let me acknowledge the work that many of us have done with our local law enforcement in the State of Texas. We have a multitude of law disciplines and law enforcement persons to whom we in Texas owe a debt of gratitude. From the constables office to other peace officers throughout the City of Houston, we owe these peace officers a debt of gratitude.

As a Member of the Eighteenth Congressional District, I have the privilege of representing the first African American constable, Mae Walker, and representing Constable Victor Trevino, a Hispanic constable. We have deputy sheriffs. We have the sheriff's department. We have the Houston Police Department, the Department of Public Safety. In many instances we find great leaders who believe not only in crime fighting, but crime prevention.

Today I would like to focus upon the importance of law enforcement and their need to work in the community. I salute the former mayor of the City of Houston, Lee Brown, former chief of police of the cities of Houston, New York, and Atlanta. I consider him the father of community- oriented policing that really speaks to the hearts and minds of the people.

It lets the police officers and law enforcement officers become knowledgeable about the community. The COPS program helps police officers know the ``good guys'' and the ``bad guys.'' Neighbors become comfortable with law enforcement officers when they are engaged as people who are concerned about the neighborhood and the community.

At the same time as we raise up and respect our law enforcement officers, let me applaud those who I speak to all the time as I travel to Washington. We have a very effective aviation police force. I get an opportunity as I go through the airport to listen to them and to thank them.

Let us be concerned about the benefits for law enforcement officers. In particular, I know that my city, a very large city, has seen the decline of senior officers. For some reason or another, because our belts are being tightened, we don't have enough resources to provide them with the upward mobility, the professional development and the protection of their pensions and to recognize the sacrifice that they and their families are making. We as communities across the Nation should be concerned about making sure they have the right kind of benefits.

On the Federal level, I am very glad that the House Judiciary Committee has just passed out a COPS bill reauthorization. I think that is a very, very important aspect of the work of this Congress. The COPS program worked. It provided police officers for rural communities and urban communities. I spoke to my police personnel there and they said, yes, it would help us greatly if the COPS program were reauthorized. So as we salute our peace officers across America, let us make sure that we are actually doing as we are saying, and that is providing them with the resources that they need.

At the same time, let me also add the importance of training. There is the sensitivity that our police officers are able to get through experience, but training also helps them detect those with mental illness and have the best resources to address those suffering from mental illness so that those persons can be taken away from society before they do harm to themselves or someone else.

We thank those who are serving today. We offer our deepest sympathy to the families of those who have lost their lives on the front lines of law enforcement in America over the last year, and we certainly acknowledge the continued sacrifice that law enforcement officers will make.

We should promote and congratulate good law enforcement officers. We should not allow the bad incidents that occur, the mishaps that occur, and many of them have occurred, and I have stood up vigorously against them and I will stand up yesterday, today and tomorrow, when there is abuse.

But we should not allow those kinds of situations to take away from the grandeur, the respect, the honesty, the integrity and the downright commitment that the law enforcement agencies of America, particularly those in our local communities, show every single day with the idea that as they leave in the morning and kiss their families good-bye, that they might sacrifice their lives so that we might be safe.

We owe them a great debt of gratitude, and it is my pleasure to thank our peace officers. Peace officers, the sworn, public-sector officers entrusted with law enforcement authority and the power of arrest, risk their lives daily to protect our Nation. These individuals, who are responsible for safeguarding the rights and freedoms we enjoy as Americans, are true heroes.

Peace Officers Memorial Day honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and security of their communities and our Nation. Created by Public Law 87-726, signed by President Kennedy in 1962, this day gives us the opportunity to acknowledge and pay our respect to those who, through their courageous deeds, have fallen in the line of duty.

In the Houston Police Department's 168-year history, 109 officers have been killed while on duty. Nationally, the number of police officers that have fallen in the line of duty has decreased. Although the number of officers killed in the line of duty has declined in recent years, the fact that one officer is killed every 2\1/2\ days in our country is a sober reminder that protecting our communities and safeguarding our democracy come at a heavy price. There are 17,917 names engraved on the Memorial, representing officers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Federal law enforcement and military police agencies.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the rule for H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009. Clearly, this is an important bill and must be only amended with items that are essential to move clear the way for the assistance this country so greatly needs. I am saddened by the decision to make the rule a closed rule. Nevertheless, I support the rule and the underlying bill.

On May 4, Chairman Obey released a summary of his initial mark of this legislation, reflecting the subcommittee's proposals. His mark provides a total of $94.2 billion, about $9.3 billion above the amended Administration request ($83.4 billion in the initial April 9 request, plus $1.5 billion for influenza preparedness requested on April 30, for a total of $84.9 billion).

It adds $3.2 billion for military construction, $3.1 billion for C-17 and C-130 cargo aircraft, and $3.2 billion for international affairs, with some offsetting reductions from the request elsewhere. This mark also provides $2.0 billion for influenza preparedness, $500 million more than requested.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Lewis for their leadership in bringing this important and timely legislation to the floor. H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act establishes funding levels for defense, international affairs, and influenza preparedness, and also addresses a number of key issues, including conditions on aid to Pakistan, assistance to North Korea, and the status of President Obama's plans to shut down

the Guantanamo Bay prison. The Administration requested a net total of $83.4 billion in additional supplemental appropriations for FY2009, comprised of $86.8 billion in new appropriations, offset by $3.4 billion of recessions of previously appropriated funds. H.R. 2346 increases the Administration's request by over $11.8 billion for a total of $96.7 billion. It includes:

Defense. Providing a total of $84.3 billion for the Department of Defense, including military construction, an increase of $8.5 billion to the request of $75.8 billion (net of offsetting rescissions).

International affairs. Providing a total of $9.4 billion for international affairs programs (including P.L. 480 food assistance), an increase of $2.4 billion compared to the request.

Influenza preparedness. Providing $2.05 billion for influenza preparedness, an increase of $550 million over the $1.5 billion requested. Of the total in the bill, $1.85 billion is for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control & Prevention to supplement federal stockpiles, develop and purchase vaccines, and to expand detection efforts. It includes $350 million in unrequested funds to assist state and local governments in preparing for and responding to a pandemic; and $200 million also unrequested, to support global efforts to track, contain, and slow the spread of a pandemic in the foreign affairs budget for Global Health and Child Survival.

Mr. Speaker as you know, Texas was hit especially hard by the H1N1 virus. The only two deaths from complications with the virus were in Texas, the first--a toddler visiting my district.

North Korea. Rejects a request for $34.5 million in Department of Energy non-proliferation funds to dismantle nuclear facilities in North Korea and rejects $95 million requested for energy assistance to North Korea in the foreign assistance accounts.

Aid to Pakistan. Provides $400 million to the Department of Defense, as requested, for the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund to finance training and other assistance to the Pakistani military. The Chairman's mark of the bill originally transferred the funds to the Department of State, but Representative Obey offered a manager's amendment at the beginning of the committee markup that restored the funds to the Department of Defense. In the foreign assistance portion of the bill, $897 million, ($91 million above the request), is provided for construction of facilities and for diplomatic operations in Pakistan and $529 million of economic assistance.

Conditions on assistance to Pakistan and Afghanistan. Administration officials strongly objected to legislated benchmarks on the performance of the Pakistani government, arguing that conditions on aid would not improve U.S. leverage but would more likely foster resistance to U.S. efforts. Instead of setting benchmarks tied to funding, the Committee included a requirement that the President submit a report to Congress no later than February 2010, when the FY2011 budget is submitted, evaluating the conduct and commitment of the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The report is to include assessments of each nation's level of political commitment to confront security challenges; level of corruption and efforts to counter it; performance of security forces in counterinsurgency operations and in establishing population security; intelligence cooperation with the United States; and the ability to effectively control its territories.

Closure of the Guantanamo Bay Prison. The Committee did not authorize the Administration request for $50 million for the Department of Defense to transfer prisoners out of the Guantanamo Bay facility nor did it seek to appropriate the $30 million requested for the Department of Justice to create a task force to facilitate legal activities associated with the closure.

Border security and counternarcotics assistance to Mexico. Approving $350 million requested for the Department of Defense for counternarcotics activities on the Mexican border, including up to $100 million for transfer to other federal agencies. In the foreign aid chapters of the bill, $160 million is provided for Mexico in the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) account. This bill will also add $310 million for Mexico in the Foreign Military Financing Program for surveillance planes, helicopters, other equipment, and support activities.

These are truly efforts that the people in my district are dealing with each and every day. As a Subcommittee Chair on the Homeland Security Committee, I am working daily to ensure that we address the violence spilling over from Mexico by coordinating law enforcement efforts and working with our Border Patrol personnel.

Let me thank the distinguished gentleman, and as I rise, let me add my appreciation for his leadership of the Asian Pacific caucus and join him in celebrating Asian Pacific history month.

This is a time in our Nation that we are able to celebrate the many diverse cultures that make up those who are of Asian ancestry in the United States of America. And so my hat is tipped to the leadership in this Congress, the distinguished gentleman from California, and the many Members who have been such leaders.

I pay a special tribute to the late Bob Matsui who, of course, was a dear friend and someone that we all cherished.

I will speak briefly about the recent supplemental and the crisis that we face in this Nation. This is more than a tough challenge, to be able to address the concerns and the need for moving forward by a new President and the questions that are raised as this war supplemental makes its way through.

I will be asking questions as relates to our final solution, or legislative vote, as to whether or not language goes into this supplemental that will direct the administration to have an exit strategy for Afghanistan. I believe it is important as this bill makes its way through the Senate and back to the House, through conference, that there is a more definitive mark or standards and procedures for downsizing the war in Iraq, moving out equipment and bringing our soldiers home.

We now face a different conflict in Afghanistan. It is one of insurgents, the rise of the Taliban. We face as well the rising conflict in Pakistan, although the civilian government has maintained, in their visits here to the United States, they are committed to democracy, and I do believe them. Many of us have visited with President Zardari and leaders of his government, and we frankly believe that there is an opportunity to promote continued democracy in Pakistan, a friend of the United States for many years.

Just a few minutes ago I was meeting with a Pakistani American who was leaving to go help the internally displaced persons who are, as a result of the Pakistani Government, trying to rid that area of the Taliban and other insurgents who want to do harm to peace-loving people.

We need to be assured that the nuclear materials that Pakistan has are secure. But this bill, I believe, had merits in that it did promote the developmental assistance, the foreign aid, to help Pakistan get on its feet.

The questions that I had, of course, were the monies used to surge up the war in Afghanistan. And so this will be a time to review how this bill will make its way back, and whether or not we can get an end time, and whether or not we can tell family when their young people will come home, and whether or not we can answer those families whose returning soldiers suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, as evidenced by the five bodies who came back at the hands of another soldier.

War is horrible, and so I believe it is important, as we have given this vote to the President, that it be such that it is a vote that ends these wars and focuses on building nations and building democracies so that they can take care of their own war and hopefully be unconflicted, if you will.

I am grateful for the resources in this bill that will help military families, mothers and fathers and children, the salary that comes about through those soldiers who lost salaries that have been put in this bill; the disaster aid, although I would have wanted to have a match, a 100 percent match for Galveston that is still suffering from Hurricane Ike. I hope we will be able to work on this issue as we move forward.

Again, I want to thank the gentleman from California for yielding to me, because I wanted to ensure that the support that has been given by some of us is based upon finding a way to end these conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And in finality, I might say that what I hope to have happen is that we find a way to ensure the end of the tenet, the term, if you will, of Osama bin Laden and of the insurgents that are destroying countries. I would hope, also, that we would be able to work to expand resources for posttraumatic stress disorders, and I am continuing to work to procure such a center in the 18th Congressional District for the large number of active soldiers that are in the Houston and Harris County area, noted as one of the major areas where active soldiers are in place.

This is, of course, an important step. And as we fight for education health reform, I think what we first of all must do is resolve these conflicts so that resources can be used to build a better America.

Mr. Honda, again, I salute you on this great month and great leaders. You can count me as a friend as we move forward on so many different issues as we improve the lives of all Americans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support this resolution put forth by my colleague Representative Cliff Stearns. H. Res. 413, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of `IEEE Engineering Future' Day on May 13, 2009'' will recognize the importance of engineering and technology in meeting the nation's most pressing challenges.

This institution has a rich history, which traces its roots to the founding of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) on May 13, 1884. The renowned inventor and entrepreneur Thomas Alva Edison was the founder of AIEE. Other notable presidents of the IEEE and its founding organizations include Alexander Graham Bell, Charles Proteus Steinmetz, Lee De Forest, William R. Hewlett, and Ivan Getting.

Through its global membership, IEEE is a leading authority on areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics among others.

As technologies and the industries increasingly transcended national boundaries, IEEE kept pace and became a truly global institution. Over the years, IEEE used the innovations of the practitioners it represented to enhance its own excellence in delivering products and services to members, industries, and the public at large. Publications and educational programs were delivered online. IEEE's member services such as renewal and elections were also delivered online.

The IEEE publishes nearly a third of the world's technical literature in electrical engineering, computer science and electronics. This includes about 130 journals, transactions and magazines and over 400 conference proceedings published annually. In cooperation with John Wiley and Sons, Inc., the IEEE also produces technical books, monographs, guides and textbooks. IEEE journals are consistently among the most highly cited in electrical and electronics engineering, telecommunications and other technical fields.

IEEE is the world's largest technical professional society. By 2008, IEEE had 375,000 members in 160 countries and more than 210,000 members in the United States. The United States must continue its efforts to maintain its leadership in science, technology, and innovation as revolutionary advances in information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and other fields are reshaping the global economy.

IEEE's core purpose is to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. As a leader in the development of international standards that support many of today's products and services, with an active portfolio of nearly 1,300 standards and projects under development, this non profit organization attracts the best and brightest to use their skills and experience and apply technology to benefit society and help solve humanitarian issues. In addition, IEEE provides learning opportunities within the engineering sciences with the goal of ensuring the growth of skill and knowledge among the technical profession as well as a forum for professionals to interact, collaborate, and generate new ideas and concepts.

This Congress should recognize that IEEE is essential to the global technical community and to technical professionals everywhere. The IEEE is universally recognized for the contributions of technology and of technical professionals in improving global conditions. I congratulate IEEE on its 125th anniversary and support the goals and ideals of `IEEE Engineering the Future' Day and I urge my colleagues to support them as well.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 192, recognizing national nurses week on May 6 through May 12, 2009. I thank Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson for introducing this important resolution which recognizes and acknowledges the dedication of our nursing community across America.

This resolution is important because nurses represent the largest single component of the healthcare profession, with an estimated 2.9 million registered nurses in the United States. In Texas alone, according to the Texas Board of Nursing, there are 162,163 registered nurses through out the state.

In Harris County, the county encompassing my district, there are 24,480 registered nurses. Nurses are patient advocates and act fearlessly to protect the lives of those under their care. Nurses care for patients, but participate in a wide range of needed scientific research, and fight cultural and ethnic disparities, and treat all patients as equals. Nurses are also teachers, not only to future generations of nurses, but to the public, educating us on health and safety.

It is necessary that we acknowledge the outstanding contribution to society by nurses because nurses can be strong allies to Congress as they help inform, educate and work closely with legislators to improve the education, retention, recruitment and practice of all nurses and, more importantly, the health and safety of the patients they care for.

Federal and State support is needed to enhance existing programs to educate nursing students at all levels, to increase the number of faculty members to educate nursing students, to create clinical sites and have the appropriately prepared nurses to teach and train at those sites, to create educational opportunities to retain nurses in the profession, and to educate and train more nurse research scientists who can discover new nursing care models to improve the health status of the Nation's diverse population. The services nurses can provide are linked directly to the availability, cost and quality of healthcare services, which are at the center of health reform discussions.

In a year where health care reform is a top priority, it is significant to acknowledge that 33 national nursing organizations have endorsed a consensus statement from the Nursing Community that complement five of President Obama's tenets outlined in his Transforming and Modernizing America's Health Care System plan. Nurses protect families and financial health and make health care coverage affordable by providing cost-effective care at all levels of nursing practice. Nurses play a key role in the success of the President's aim for universality. Without a strong investment in the nursing workforce, the goal of reaching universality will be unattainable, particularly for rural communities and underserved populations. When the Administration and Congress invest in prevention and wellness, existing practice and care models, such as the Nurse Family Partnership, derived from nursing science will serve as national exemplars for wellness and prevention. The strength of the nursing profession lies in its contribution to improve patient safety and quality care. Nursing care is critical to improving healthcare quality and safety to ensure better patient outcomes.

Unfortunately, there is a continuing shortage of professional Registered Nurses. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing released preliminary survey data showing that enrollment in entry level baccalaureate nursing programs increased by only 2 percent from 2007 to 2008. While this makes the eighth consecutive year of enrollment growth, the annual increase in student capacity in 4-year nursing programs has declined sharply since 2003 which enrollment was up 16.6 percent. Due to a lack of nurse educators over 100,000 qualified nursing candidates have been rejected to nursing programs across the U.S. according to the National League for Nursing most recent survey. These shortages have caused the current nurse educators to work on average more than 57 hours per week as well as dedicated nurses to work longer hours and care for more acutely ill patients. The nursing field needs more money invested in its future.

It is only fitting that the end of National Nurses Week is the birthday of Florence Nightingale. She once said ``I attribute my success to this--I never gave or took any excuse.'' So today in her honor we must give no excuse to keep from honoring the noble and important profession of nursing, if anything we should fight to improve its condition because with improved nursing, and funds for nurses, we get a better health care system. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution and acknowledge and support our country's nurses.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 84, ``Supporting the goals and objectives of a National Military Appreciation Month.'' I would like to thank Representative Zach Wamp of Tennessee for introducing this resolution. We often take our National Military for granted, and I welcome this opportunity to reach out and recognize the importance of the National Military in the United States.

I do not believe there is a person in this body, or a person in this building, who does not feel a remarkable pride in the presence of the men and women who serve in our nation's military. The success of the Armed Forces depends on the dedicated service of its members, their families, and the civilian employees of the Department of Defense and the Coast Guard. Their incredible sacrifices and courage in the face of innumerable hazards have been critical to the preservation of the freedom, security, and prosperity enjoyed that we as Americans have come to love, enjoy, and even expect.

In the Iraq War, Texas has suffered over 222 resident casualties, second only to California. As a Representative for the 18th District of Texas, H. Con. Res. 84 is very close to the hearts of those I represent. Many Texans hold a passion for protecting the integrity and strength of their nation, and as the recruitment numbers show, they often exercise their passion, by joining the military. In past studies, Texas has been the number one state for military recruitment; therefore, recognition of military involvement is an important issue in Texas and in Houston.

Texas is home to more than 194,965 military personnel including a number of Army, Navy and Marine, Air Force, and Coast Guard bases. H. Con. Res. will encourage the citizens of Texas to reach out to those whom are involved with the military and extend their gratitude for all that they do for our nation. Because there is a large population of military personnel in Texas, it is critical that we show them the support of their nation and their state for all the positive contributions they have brought. I firmly believe that H. Con. Res. 84 is a positive step for the recognition, acknowledgement, and gratitude that should be given to our military personnel, and I hope to see the National Military Appreciation Month become a special time for the state of Texas to recognize the national contributions.

My City of Houston stands as an example of America's relationship with its military. Just outside the city stands Ellington Air Force Base, which has recently been renamed Ellington Airport. It was established in 1917 during the height of World War I, when aviation was in its infancy. In Word War II, it served as a pilot training center. In the Cold War, the base proved useful in a number of pilot training programs and for a number of famous NASA missions, as well as serving briefly as a naval base for antisubmarine aircraft.

As my city works with our active military, so do we do our part in the aid of our Nation's veterans. Within city limits stands the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. It was awarded the Robert W. Carey Organizational Excellence Award in 2005, the Robert W. Carey Circle of Excellence Quality Award in 2007, and re-designation for Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services in 2008.

The MEDVAMC serves as the primary health care provider for more than 120,000 veterans in southeast Texas and over 13,000 from Houston. Veterans from around the country are referred to the MEDVAMC for countless medical services, and their outpatient clinics logged nearly 900,000 outpatient visits in fiscal year 2008 alone. All this in a state with over 1.7 million veterans, 247,000 of which are disabled and over 25,000 buried in her soil.

Because of this undeniable fact of our Nation's existence, the Federal Government has a responsibility to raise awareness of and respect for this aspect of the heritage of the United States and to encourage the people of the United States to dedicate themselves to the values and principles for which Americans have served and sacrificed throughout the history of the Nation--the ultimate sacrifice of paying for our freedom and expectation of freedom with their lives.

Beyond helping to make Americans more aware of something so central to our country's liberty and prosperity, the observance of events recognizing the contributions of the Armed Forces is a tangible and highly effective way of sustaining morale and improving quality of life for service members and their families. Given that the support of the families of service members enhances the effectiveness and capabilities of the Armed Forces, this is more than enough reason for us to act today.

It is for these reasons that this Congress has made this resolution many times before. Ten years ago, on April 30, 1999, the Senate passed S. Res. 33, designating May 1999 as ``National Military Appreciation Month''. For that month, Congress called on the people of the United States, in a symbolic act of unity, to observe this remembrance, and to honor the current and former members of the Armed Forces, including those who have died in the pursuit of freedom and peace.

Less than 5 years later, on March 24, 2004, the House of Representatives passed H. Con.

Res. 328, ``Recognizing and honoring the United States Armed Forces and supporting the goals and objectives of a National Military Appreciation Month'', a bill I gladly supported. Less than a month later, on April 26, 2004, the Senate passed H. Con. Res. 328 by unanimous consent.

I have sought to do my part as well; earlier this year, I introduced to this body H.R. 228, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a scholarship program for students seeking a degree or certificate in the areas of visual impairment and orientation and mobility.

And so I join once again in not only giving my support for the goals and objectives of National Military Appreciation Month, but in urging the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States, all Federal departments and agencies, States, localities, organizations, and media to annually observe a National Military Appreciation Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 388 ``Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.'' I would like to thank my distinguished colleague Representative Fortenberry from Nebraska for introducing this resolution, and today, I rise today in order to recognize and celebrate all of the mothers in our nation.

Mothers are the nurturers, and caregivers that prepare our Nation's young for the challenges that life may hold. Their work may be inside or outside of the home, or both, and their contributions to this society can never be fully appreciated or valued. Jane Sellman definitely hit the needle on the head when she said, ``The phrase `working mother' is redundant.''

Our mothers are our first teachers and they should be celebrated everyday. However, like many things we can take them for granted. This Mothers Day, take a moment to call your mother or to visit with her if you can. I must pay special tribute to my mother Ivalita Jackson and my late aunt Valrie Bennett who was like a mom.

Remember that being a mom is no easy feat. Our mothers are strong, determined, with big hearts and always loving. A mother must be able to juggle three things at once and still manage to make dinner and read bedtime stories. No doctor can take away all the ailments of a sick child or even an adult for that matter, like a mother can. Mothers are caring and courageous women who make a difference in the lives they touch. As the Jewish proverb says, ``God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.''

Mother's Day is also a celebration for grandmothers, mother-in-laws, stepmothers, foster mothers, godmothers, mothers who take in children, mothers who adopt, those who act as mothers, for those women who have no relations by blood but who give the gift of mothering to children.

Mothers bring a unique and valuable perspective to all aspects of American life. Today, thousands of mothers in this country have become active and effective participants in public life and public service, promoting change and improving the quality of life for men, women, and children throughout the Nation. They serve with distinction as legislators, mayors, judges, doctors, lawyers, and administrators, and their impact in these areas has proved to be monumental.

I could not find words descriptive enough to fully express the depth of admiration that I feel for women who fill this important role in our society. They are committed to their families and community not for public acclaim, but for love. As American author Washington Irving put it best, ``A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.''

My heart goes out to those mothers with children who are away at war, I cannot even imagine the fear that they must feel daily. I want to recognize the First Lady, Michelle Obama, who is striking a balance between motherhood and her duties as the First Lady. I want to congratulate and praise all of the mothers in America for all of their hard work. Another former First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis once said, ``If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much.''

I hope that we can all reflect on all the sacrifices our mothers made for us throughout the years. A mother's love is unending and her arms are always open. This resolution will ensure that Mothers throughout this nation are formally recognized, and the United States House of Representatives will acknowledge their importance and all that Mothers contribute to our society. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 388 as well. There are few things more important than celebrating the gift of having a mother. Finally to my mom--I love you for giving me my foundation.

I rise today to pay tribute to the Nation's registered nurses and to congratulate them for the impossible job--but remarkable job--that they do in nurturing and serving and healing America's sick.

In Harris County, Texas, the county that I represent, the county presents 24,480 registered nurses. Nurses are patient advocates and act fearlessly to protect the lives of those under their care.

Nurses care for patients but participate in a wide variety of needed scientific research, and fight cultural and ethnic disparities and treat all patients as equal. Nurses are also teachers not only to future generations of nurses, but to the public, educating us on health and safety.

In a year where health care reform is a top priority, it is significant to acknowledge that 33 national nursing organizations have endorsed a consensus statement for the nursing community that complements five of President Obama's tenets.

The real issue is that they have come together to organize around good health care. I celebrate the fact that nurses are in Washington, D.C., speaking on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. It is important to respect the contributions that our nurses make.

Let me thank the gentleman from California for his leadership and his personal commitment to these issues.

It is interesting to hear a good friend on the other side of the aisle talk about protecting the taxpayers' money. In fact, this week, this Congress, this new leadership has done just that. Last week, we passed the Credit Card Bill of Rights. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I was very pleased that we passed a judiciary bill dealing with protecting taxpayers against fraud prospectively, and now we stand on the floor today protecting taxpayers and future homeowners and homeowners again with mortgage lending reform in 1728.

I wonder if any of us can recall the peaking of the crisis dealing with mortgage foreclosures. Those of us who represent our constituents certainly can. I can pointedly in a hearing about 3 or 4 years ago in the lower end of Manhattan when I listened near Wall Street in a church to homeowners in that community or in New York speaking about this thing called subprime and adjustable rate, a transit worker who had purchased a home and was paying a $3,000 a month mortgage and all of a sudden it jumped to $6,000 a month. How many stories like that?

And how many times can Members or others point to the actual beneficiary of the mortgagee as at fault? How many times can we blame the hardworking American taxpayer who simply tried to get a home? How many times can we blame them for papers that they signed that were then altered, ultimately? How many times can we blame the innocent who has paid over and over again? The cafeteria worker who had been in an apartment for 20 years, but the particular financial entity that she dealt with said, yes, you can get into this home. And she had been making payments, but with the economy she fell on hard times. Or the person who was divorced or catastrophic illness? But because their mortgage was fraudulently done, they suffered the consequences.

So I support this rule and the underlying bill, because it will protect this structure of buying a house. Borrowers can repay the loans they are sold. Mortgage lenders make loans that benefit the consumer and prohibit them from steering borrowers into higher costs. Why isn't that protecting the taxpayer? All mortgage refinancing provides a net tangible benefit in the consumer.

The secondary mortgage market, for the first time ever, is responsible for complying with commonsense standards, and so we don't have this horrible grid that shows us that it has been going up and up and up.

Madam Speaker, I think it is important to acknowledge that we have made this bill better, and I am glad that my amendment is in the manager's amendment that indicates in the case of a residential mortgage--

The total amount of interest that the consumer will pay over the life of the loan as a percentage of the principle loan, this will help the consumer know better about what they are paying. I had hoped my financial literacy amendment would get in and also the predatory lending, but I support the underlying bill and the amendment. We are trying to work to help the taxpayer and the American consumer.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule for H.R. 1728. I would also like to thank Chairman Frank of the Financial Services Committee for his hard work on this issue and for sponsoring this timely and important piece of legislation. I am also pleased to have worked with Chairman Frank and the staff of the Financial Services Committee. Lastly, I would like to give a special thanks to my Legislative Director, Arthur D. Sidney, for his work on this issue.

I offered three amendments to this bill. My first amendment was included in the Chairman Frank's manager's amendment.

Allow me to thank the distinguished gentleman for his kindness.

Madam Speaker, I didn't want to leave and return to my district without acknowledging how humbled America is in honoring the Nation's mothers. I believe it was a great idea to set aside a day to honor our mothers and to honor our fathers. And so this weekend is a nationally declared day to celebrate motherhood.

I rise today to be able to celebrate the mothers all over this Nation who link arms with those around the world who are, in fact, special. For mothers are, in fact, the nurturers and caregivers that prepare our Nation's young for the challenges that life may hold. Their work may be inside or outside of the home or both, and their contributions to this society can never be fully appreciated or valued. Jane Sellman definitely hit the needle on the head when she said, ``The phrase `working mother' is redundant,'' for obviously a mom, a mommy, a mother works.

In this day and time, we find that mothers come in many shapes and sizes. Today our First Lady spoke eloquently about the challenges of being a working mother. But as we have come to understand, a mom works at home, she works in the workplace, she is a volunteer. She does many things that constitute work but are her daily duties.

Our mothers are our first teachers, and they should be celebrated every day. However, like many things, sometimes we take this whole idea of motherhood for granted. Yes, we sometimes have teenage mothers, or grandmothers as mothers nurturing children of their children. We have ailing mothers. We have mothers who have passed. And there will be many in our Nation who will be celebrating or commemorating Mother's Day without their beloved mom. They will be mourning the loss. Maybe they will be at grave sites. But what I will say to them is that they will have the wonderful memories.

I want the fact that this is Mother's Day to have us remember that being a mom is not easy. Motherhood is not for those who might want to give up. But many times, it is important that we encircle our moms, give them the strength to be able to carry on, be reminded that in addition to making dinner, they are reading bedtime stories. But maybe there are mothers who don't have the capabilities, don't have the time, are not able to get home before 12 midnight, work the night shift, work around the clock; we should be sympathetic to them.

I'm proud that this Congress has recognized the importance of mothers. One of the first bills that we signed was the equal pay bill. We also provided and signed the SCHIP bill that provided for 11 million more children to have health care. That helps the mothers of America. We also recognize that 47 million Americans are uninsured. Many of them are mothers with young children. Many of them are mothers with ailments who have catastrophic illnesses or chronic illnesses. We want to say to them ``thank you'' by providing those mothers with full comprehensive health care.

We know that mothers are caring and courageous women who make a difference in the lives they touch. As a Jewish proverb said, ``God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.'' And so this Mother's Day is a celebration for grandmothers, mothers-in-law, stepmothers, foster mothers, godmothers, mothers who take in children, mothers of all ethnicities, all backgrounds, all economic levels. We are to celebrate them.

Today thousands of mothers in this country have become active and effective participants in public life and public service, promoting change and improving the quality of life for men, women and children throughout the Nation. I cannot find the words to thank all of these mothers who may be legislators, mayors, judges, doctors, lawyers and administrators. And yet I also thank those mothers who are waitresses, as I said, who are nurses aides, who drive buses, who are out on the construction sites, who are poets, who are authors. They are all part of our life.

I want to pay tribute to my own mother, Ivalita Jackson, strong, determined, elderly and frail now; but having raised us, I thank her for the integrity, the determination, the spirit and the love she gave. I'm grateful for my grandmothers, Vany Bennett and Olive Jackson, my Aunt Valrie Bennett and my Aunts Audrey and Vicky. I'm grateful for my Aunt Sarah. I'm grateful for the extended family members. I'm grateful for the future mothers, my daughter Erica Lee.

And so I am thankful today that we know that a mother is the truest friend we have when trials are heavy and sudden and fall upon us, when adversity takes the place of prosperity, when friends who rejoiced with us in our sunshine desert us, when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us and endeavor by her precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness and cause peace to return to our hearts. A mother is the truest friend, and we know that through an American author, Washington Irving.

And today as I finish my remarks, I want to particularly say to those mothers who may be listening, to our colleagues who are likewise mothers, to the Asian Pacific mothers, as we celebrate Asian Pacific Month, wherever they might be, we want to give them a helping hand. And through a mother, I want to be able to say, I want no child to ever go to bed hungry. We want no child to ever not have an education. And we want you to have the fullest opportunity to raise children to be healthy and productive.

I close, Madam Speaker, by saying simply this, in the words of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, ``If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much.'' We want our mothers not to bungle. God bless them and God bless America.

Madam Speaker, I stand before you today in order to recognize and celebrate all of the mothers in our Nation.

They are the nurturers, and caregivers that prepare our Nation's young for the challenges that life may hold. Their work may be inside or outside of the home, or both, and their contributions to this society can never be fully appreciated or valued. Jane Sellman definitely hit the needle on the head when she said, ``The phrase `working mother' is redundant''.

Our mothers are our first teachers and they should be celebrated everyday. However, like many things we can take them for granted. This Mothers Day, take a moment to call your mother or to visit with her if you can.

Remember that being a mom is no easy feat. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. Motherhood is not for women with weak stomachs or strict routines. A mother must be able to juggle three things at once and still manage to make dinner and read bedtime stories. No doctor can take away all the ailments of a sick child or even an adult for that matter, like a mother can. Mothers are caring and courageous women who make a difference in the lives they touch. As the Jewish proverb says, ``God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.''

Mother's Day is also a celebration for grandmothers, mother-in-laws, stepmothers, foster mothers, godmothers, mothers who take in children, mothers who adopt, those who act as mothers, for those women who have no relations by blood but who give the gift of mothering to children.

Mothers bring a unique and valuable perspective to all aspects of American life. Today, thousands of mothers in this country have become active and effective participants in public life and public service, promoting change and improving the quality of life for men, women and children throughout the Nation. They serve with distinction as legislators, mayors, judges, doctors, lawyers, and administrators, and their impact in these areas has proved to be monumental.

I could not find words descriptive enough to fully express the depth of admiration that I feel for women who fill this important role in our society. They are committed to their families and community not for public acclaim, but for

love. As American author Washington Irving put it best, ``A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause ace to return to our hearts.''

My heart goes out to those mothers with children who are away at war, I cannot even imagine the fear that they must feel daily. I want to recognize the First Lady, Michelle Obama, who is striking a balance ALL between motherhood and her duties as the First Lady. I want to congratulate and praise all of the mothers in America for all of their hard work. Another former First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis once said, ``If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much.''

I hope that we can all reflect on all the sacrifices our mothers made for us throughout the years. A mother's love is unending and her arms are always open. I wish all mothers a Happy Mothers Day this weekend.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1728, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act. Additionally, I would like to extend my gratitude to my distinguished colleague, Representative Brad Miller from North Carolina for introducing this important legislation. This act is designed to prevent a recurrence of the problems in the subprime market that are responsible for harming many American homebuyers. If passed, this legislation will promote financially friendly terms throughout banking establishments and mortgage lenders which will help all American citizens in the current economic crisis. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

H.R. 1728 will prohibit steering incentives in connection with origination of mortgage loans; this act will also direct the federal banking agencies to prohibit or condition terms, acts, or practices relations to residential mortgages loans that are abusive, unfair, deceptive, predatory, inconsistent with reasonable underwriting standards, or not in the interest of the borrower. These stipulations will ensure the people are not lured into mortgage loans for the wrong reasons or when they cannot afford the loan. We must establish a system of accountability in our country, and H.R. 1728 will enable a strong structure that will provide financial responsibility for both lenders and borrowers.

H.R. 1728 also includes a number of other rules and regulations to help the mortgage industry. Some of these stipulations include:

Permitting a consumer to assert a right to mortgage loan rescission as a defense to foreclosure

Prohibits specific practices such as (1) certain repayment penalties, (2) single premium credit insurance, (3) mandatory arbitration, and (4) mortgages with negative amortization.

Sets forth tenant protections in the case of foreclosure

Requires a six-month notice before a hybrid adjustable rate mortgage is reset

Establishes pre-loan mortgagor counseling as a prerequisite to a high-cost mortgages

Prescribes mandatory disclosures in monthly statements for residential mortgage loans

All these stipulations are set forth to protect the consumer from being uninformed and unknowledgeable and the process, procedures, and legal rules pertaining to their mortgage.

Texas

In 2007, Texas ranked fourth behind California, Florida, and Illinois in pre-foreclosures. Last year, Texas held the top seat for active foreclosures.

We cannot continue to stand by as things get worse. Texas reported 13,829 properties entering some stage of foreclosure in April, a 16% increase from the previous month and the most foreclosure filings reported by any state. The state documented the nation's third highest state combined foreclosure rate one foreclosure filing for every 582 households.

Many homeowners in my district are worried about missing their next house payment or their next home equity mortgage, or their interest rate going up. These families are under stress and in constant fear of losing their homes. While H.R. 1728 is not the last word in mortgage legislation, it is a great beginning.

Phil Fontenot and his wife, Kim Monroe, qualified for a $436,000 dollar mortgage although they ran a small day care center. A mortgage broker approached the Fontenots and offered to get them a loan. They told the broker the most they could afford was $2,500 a month, but with their adjustable mortgage it jumped to $4,200, a price nearly twice their monthly budget. Without a lawyer, the Fontenot's failed to realize the complexity and precedence of their mortgage.

In contrast, Matt and Stephanie Valdez say they knew exactly what they were doing when they bought a small two-bedroom for $355,000. They could afford the initial payments and planned to refinance the mortgage before the interest rate jumped to 11 percent. But they couldn't do it because the value of the house had fallen below what they owed on the mortgage. They say they can afford the higher payments, but see no point in making them.

One first-time home buyer, a Hispanic--minority, 760 credit score, which should make her eligible for the best loan products out there, got a subprime of 2/28, which is a loan that was fixed for two years, adjustable for twenty-eight, and with a balloon payment. 760 credit score should have the best product available. She lives in an apartment, and not even in the house, because she can get an apartment cheaper and still have extra money to help pay the mortgage on the house that she owns. And she's hoping to refinance, to do something before it adjusts in 2008.

These are the atrocities that subprime mortgage crisis has brought upon the American public, and H.R. 1728 is a start towards alleviating these problems.

Americans are taught to work hard and make money and to buy a house, but we are never taught about financial literacy. In these tough economic times, it is imperative that Americans know about financial literacy; it is crucial to our survival. Americans need to be

prepared to make informed financial choices. Indeed, we much learn how to effectively handle money, credit, debt, and risk. We must become better stewards over the things that we are entrusted. By becoming better stewards, Americans will become responsible workers, heads of households, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders and citizens.

I am reminded of how important this issue is to American society, as I was invited to attend a financial literacy roundtable panel on Monday evening at the New York Stock Exchange. The panel was sponsored by the Hope Literacy Foundation. The panel was moderated by John Hope Bryant. I was surrounded by some of the great financial literacy experts in the nation. At the roundtable, I discussed the importance of financial literacy for college and university students. It is important that students be taught financial literacy. The facts about students and financial literacy are astounding.

Owning a home is the American Dream, but hundreds of thousands of people are on the brink of losing their homes and becoming the next victims of the housing crisis. Recently, I joined the Democratic Congress in passing the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008, which will provide mortgage-refinancing assistance that will help keep families from losing their homes and protect neighboring home values.

Through vital legislation such as this, and providing key resources and tools to my constituents, I will continue to fight and save homes and promote fair and informative mortgage policies in Houston as well as across this nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1107, to enact certain laws relating to public contracts as Title 41, United States Code, H.R. 1107. This important legislation was introduced jointly by Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member Smith.

H.R. 1107 is not intended to make any substantive changes in the law. H.R. 1107 is a simple codification. There are a myriad of non-

substantive revisions are made, including the reorganization of sections into a more coherent overall structure.

Simply put, all H.R. 1107 does is codifies into positive law as title 41, United States Code, certain general and permanent laws related to public contracts. This bill was prepared by the Office of Law Revision Counsel, as part of its functions under 2 U.S.C. Sec. 285(b).

Lawyers run into public contract law in limited circumstances. Lawyers who represent firms that operate primarily in the commercial sector, but are tangentially active in the contracting community, often find that their clients have conflicts with the federal government.

Additionally, lawyers may run into public contract issues when they represent subcontractors to large Department of Defense (DOD) contractors, who have potential or ongoing disputes with the prime contractor that they want to avoid or resolve.

H.R. 1107 simplifies, codifies, and streamlines public contract law. H.R. 1107 has already been subject to extensive agency and public review in the last Congress, and the Congress before last. Given the extensive agency and public review and the simplicity of the bill, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and vote for it in the affirmative.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 14, ``Recognizing the importance of the Border Patrol in combating human smuggling and commending the Department of Justice for increasing the rate of human smuggler prosecutions''.

I have long been an advocate of human smuggler prosecutions. I have also worked on human trafficking. These issues particularly affect border States and Texas is no exception. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

There are few, if any, crimes that are both more corrosive to our Nation's security and offensive to the fundamental moral impulses of its people, than the kidnapping and exploitation--whether it is for forced physical labor, for the sexual degradation, or anything else--

of our fellow human beings. It is a practice formerly, and still largely, known as slavery; in recent years, it has reemerged in a world more interconnected than ever, under the title of ``human trafficking''.

Human smuggling is a terrible crime. This activity attracts and creates the worst sorts of criminal--it is often conducted by organized crime and exposes Federal agents to increased danger in their enforcement efforts. Despite this, United States Customs and Border Protection has in the past, repeatedly arrested many human smugglers only to see them freed by the Federal Government without prosecution. These repeated encounters are extremely demoralizing to the Border Patrol, especially when under great pressure to do more to stop illegal border crossings.

But we are seeing signs of hope. Federal prosecutions of human smugglers have increased in recent months resulting in decreased repeat offenses and arrests and uplifted Border Patrol morale. Furthermore, the United States is one of the leaders in the fight against human trafficking, and this is reflected in a number of acts by this body that define and expand the U.S. Government's role in the war against human trafficking--laws like the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005.

The interagency Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center, HSTC, brings together Federal agency representatives from policy, law enforcement, intelligence, and diplomatic sectors, so they can work together on a full-time basis to achieve increased effectiveness and to convert intelligence into effective law enforcement and other action. This includes the Department of State, DOS, the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, and the Department of Justice, DOJ. The HSTC also serves as a clearinghouse for trafficking information.

A week ago yesterday, in my city of Houston, a U.S. District judge passed the last sentence on one of eight defendants--a man by the name of Maximino Mondragon--in a case that illustrates much of what we condemn and commend here today. Mondragon and his conspirators lured the women to the United States with false promises of legitimate jobs. Once here, traffickers charged the women huge fees for their trip and expenses and held them as prisoners until they could work off what, for many, seemed to be impossible debts. The women were forced to wear skimpy clothes and sell high-priced drinks to men at local cantinas who were then allowed to touch them. And now many of them are beginning prison terms to last 13 or 15 years, and have been made to pay $1.7 million in restitution, a small consolation for their ordeal.

I support this bill--praising the Department of Justice for increasing the rate of human smuggler prosecutions, urging the Department of Justice to continue to hunt down and prosecute men like Mondragon.