Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules

and pass the bill (H.R. 1029) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and title 18, United States Code, to combat the crime of alien smuggling and related activities, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, this legislation, sponsored by Baron Hill of Indiana, is particularly important to Texas, and I want to congratulate the gentleman for his foresight and his leadership. Maybe in his research he knows that just a few short years ago we lost a number of individuals, obviously smuggled for wrong reasons into Texas, who died in an overheated 18-wheeler. And so this is a legislative initiative that is long overdue.

The legislation gives Federal prosecutors and agents stronger enforcement weapons against human smuggling in all its forms, including human trafficking and slavery, smuggling related to terrorism or espionage, and smuggling that involves kidnapping, rape, serious injury or death.

The previous version of this bill passed the House in the last Congress 412-0.

As I noted, in Texas, we see these losses regularly, including in our sister States, individuals dying who have been trafficked or smuggled, dying in the desert out of desperation and thirst. And as I indicated, the particular case that was so egregious in Texas, people smothered to death in an 18-wheeler in the heat of the summer.

Like the previous bill, H.R. 1029 amends the alien smuggling provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act, as well as the criminal provision for failure to ``heave to,'' to provide for extraterritorial jurisdiction, to increase maximum penalties for serious offenses, and to clarify the necessity defense that applies to legitimate maritime rescues.

The bill also establishes for the first time in Federal law that it is a serious felony to transport persons under inhumane conditions, such as in an engine or storage compartment, or to intentionally run vessels ashore at high speed to escape apprehension. Those kinds of inhumane practices have resulted in death or serious injury to numerous alien passengers.

The bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to check against all available terrorist watch lists those who are suspected of smuggling, as well as smuggled individuals who are interdicted at U.S. land, air and sea borders.

I want to thank the gentleman for his foresight. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee as well, and a member of the committee, the chairperson of the committee that has oversight over the watch list, I know how important an act this is, that it further ensures the security of America.

It provides tough penalties for the kind of serious smuggling offenses I have just described, while distinguishing those offenses from family reunification or humanitarian efforts, for which the penalties are appropriately severe.

While strengthening the current offense language, the bill preserves important case law. For instance, it will remain a violation of Federal law not only to bring illegal aliens to the United States, but to bring any alien across the border through places other than those designated as official entry ports.

This is especially critical as Congress mandates that the Department of Homeland Security institute biometric entry and exit systems. For an orderly and fair immigration system to work, people must come in through the designated sites. And certainly, I agree with the gentleman as we look toward fixing that broken system.

Finally, the bill directs the Sentencing Commission to consider providing sentencing enhancements for particularly egregious offenses, smuggling aliens in a life-threatening manner, abandoning them in the desert or on a spit of land that will be submerged at high tide, or smuggling aliens to facilitate acts of terrorism.

I commend Baron Hill for his leadership and his persistence on this bill. And I commend Chairman John Conyers and Ranking Member Lamar Smith of the Judiciary Committee, and Chairman Bennie Thompson and Ranking Member Peter King of the Homeland Security Committee for their work in improving this bill and making it a consensus, bipartisan measure.

I would like to include in the Record at this point an exchange of letters between our two committees.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Homeland Security,

Washington, DC, March 27, 2009.

Hon. John Conyers, Jr.,

Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of

Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you regarding H.R. 1029,

the ``Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2009,''

introduced on February 12, 2009, by Congressman Baron P.

Hill. This legislation was initially referred to the

Committee on the Judiciary and, in addition, to the Committee

on Homeland Security.

I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this bill

before the House in an expeditious manner. Accordingly, I am

willing to waive further consideration of H.R. 1029. However,

agreeing to waive consideration of this bill should not be

construed as the Committee on Homeland Security waiving,

altering, or otherwise affecting its jurisdiction over H.R.

1029.

Further, I request your support for the appointment of

Committee on Homeland Security conferees during any House-

Senate conference convened on this or similar legislation.

Finally, I request that a copy of this letter be included in

the Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R.

1029. I look forward to working with you on this legislation

and other matters of great importance to this nation.

Sincerely,

Bennie G. Thompson,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to now yield to the distinguished sponsor of the legislation, Mr. Baron Hill of Indiana, for such time as he might consume.

(Mr. HILL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I have the right to close. I believe there are no more speakers.

Mr. Speaker, again, I'd like to congratulate the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill) for his leadership on this issue. This is a legislative initiative that really is long overdue. And I'd like to respond as well to the point that he made that was very, very succinct but also very, very potent about the need for comprehensive reform. He is right. As he returned to the United States Congress, it was an enormously vigorous debate. I believe some of the satellite hearings might have wound up in Indiana that were held by the U.S. House of Representatives.

If we are to complement this legislation, we also need to engage in comprehensive immigration reform so there are laws that will govern the ingress and egress of individuals here in the United States. That is a very important statement and challenge that we have. And, therefore, as we move this legislation along and give a firm response of intolerance to those who would human traffic or engage in trafficking slaves, or to cause the loss of life or the dastardly treatment of individuals, we are making the statement that we will take it seriously and that they will be punished.

In addition, I think it's very important that we complement this legislation with strong response to the violence at the border that has occurred due to drug cartels. I look forward to having the opportunity to present to our Judiciary Committee legislation that I will introduce on this issue of providing more resources for the, if you will, inhibiting and prohibiting the kind of dastardly violence that is occurring and providing the resources for DEA and ATF that I think are so very necessary.

Mr. Speaker, again I want to congratulate Mr. Hill on this legislation, and I would enthusiastically urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1029, ``Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2009.'' I want to thank my colleague Congressman Baron Hill of Indiana for introducing this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and as a Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, I have long been an outspoken leader on this issue. Alien smuggling is not only a threat to our national security, but it also diminishes the value of human lives, and as the world's moral leader we must take a tough stance against these horrific practices. In fact as part of the Save America Act, immigration legislation that I introduced, I address this very issue. My legislation would create a special class of aliens who act as informants to assist U.S. authorities in the prosecution and apprehension of alien smugglers. In special cases these individuals would receive permanent resident status if the information substantially led to a successful prosecution and apprehension of those involved in alien smuggling.

A few years ago in Texas, prosecutors indicted 14 people who allegedly organized or facilitated the smuggling incident when a crowded trailer was found abandoned at a truck stop in Victoria, 100 miles southwest of Houston, Texas. The 14 were charged with various counts of conspiracy to conceal or transport immigrants. Twelve could face the death penalty if prosecutors decide to pursue it. More than 70 immigrants from Mexico, Central America, and the Dominican Republic were crammed into the tractor-trailer. Among the dead was a 5-year-old boy from Mexico. Seventeen immigrants died at the scene, and 2 others died later.

My preference is to provide the Border Patrol with the additional agents, equipment, and resources it needs to secure the border. I have introduced legislation that would meet these needs by providing critical resources and support for the men and women who enforce our immigration, customs, and other laws. This would include adding 15,000 Border Patrol agents over the next five years, increasing the number of agents from 11,000 to 26,000. It would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to respond rapidly to border crises by deploying up to 1,000 additional Border Patrol agents to a State when a border security emergency is declared by the Governor. It would add 100,000 more detention beds to ensure that those who are apprehended entering the United States unlawfully are sent home instead of being released into our communities. And, it would provide critical equipment and infrastructure improvements, including additional helicopters, power boats, police-type vehicles, portable computers, reliable radio communications, hand-held GPS devices, body armor, and night-vision equipment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation for the following reasons. This bill makes a strong statement against alien smuggling while maintaining core Democratic principles. It is a tough yet fair approach to border security. It is a holistic anti-smuggling regime that reaches those who recruit aliens in their home countries, smuggle aliens across the land borders, or transport or harbor aliens in the United States.

This legislation ensures border security. It recognizes the contribution of the Border Patrol, Coast Guard, Customs & Border Protection, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, FBI, Assistant United States Attorneys, and Department of Justice prosecutors who are on the front lines of interdiction and investigation of alien smugglers. It gives agents and prosecutors tools to address alien smuggling and terrorism by re-structuring the Alien Smuggling statutes.

This legislation is tough on crime. It brings in new penalties of up to life in prison for rape, kidnapping, or attempted murder in the course of alien smuggling. H.R. 1029 revises the current statutes to provide stiff sentences for those who commit alien smuggling that facilitates terrorist activity, or those whose smuggling results in serious bodily injury or placing the life of another in jeopardy. It creates the first federal crime that recognizes transportation in inhumane conditions as a ground for an increased sentence.

The Act recognizes the needs of the Coast Guard for effective maritime anti-smuggling tools, including tough penalties for those who do not heave to, and risk their passengers' lives by intentionally beaching their vessels at high speed in an attempt to discharge their

human cargo. It directs the Sentencing Guidelines Commission to put ``teeth'' into the statute by adopting sentencing enhancements for terrorism, moving large groups of aliens, or abandoning aliens in harsh conditions such as the desert or at sea. It maintains the current sentencing structure in which smuggling for profit or to facilitate a crime results in mandatory minimum sentences, and maintains the current sentencing structure in capital cases.

Alien smuggling will not stop until we establish an immigration policy that substantially reduces the need for illegal entry into the United States.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

I yield back my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 838) to provide for the conveyance of a parcel of land held by the Bureau of Prisons of the Department of Justice in Miami Dade County, Florida, to facilitate the construction of a new educational facility that includes a secure parking area for the Bureau of Prisons, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 838, the Miami Dade College Land Conveyance Act, introduced by Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, will authorize the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons to convey a parcel of land to Miami Dade College in Miami, Florida.

Currently, the BOP's Miami Federal Detention Center's satellite parking lot occupies the land. Miami Dade College plans on building an educational facility on this land, which will include covered and secured ground floor parking for BOP employees at no cost to the agency.

The Bureau of Prisons does not have the authority to transfer this parcel of land to the college. However, this bill, which the agency supports, would permit the transfer to take place.

The college will make good use of the 47,500-square-foot area of land while also providing as many as 118 Bureau of Prisons parking spaces. This, obviously, is a good, collegiate way to work with an institution of higher education and our need for detention facilities, and this legislation allows that decision and that action to go forward. I urge all of my colleagues to support this helpful legislation.

H.R. 838, the Miami Dade College Land Conveyance Act, introduced by Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, will authorize the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons to convey a parcel of land to Miami Dade College in Miami, Florida.

Currently, the BOP's Miami Federal Detention Center's satellite parking lot occupies the land. Miami Dade College plans on building an educational facility on this land, which will include covered and secured ground floor parking for BOP employees at no cost to the agency.

The Bureau of Prisons does not have the authority to transfer this parcel of land to the college. However, this bill, which the agency supports, would permit the transfer to take place.

The college will make good use of the 47,500 square foot area of land, while also providing as many as 118 BOP parking spaces.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this helpful legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, let me congratulate the gentlewoman for not only providing this facilitation for this institution of higher learning but for helping out the Bureau of Prisons, which is the Judiciary Committee's jurisdiction.

As I close, let me just acknowledge the legislation, H. Res. 290, that Congresswoman Barbara Lee offered today and add my sympathy to the people of California. I thank Congresswoman Lee for bringing forward legislation that honors the lives that were lost--Sergeant Mark Dunakin, Sergeant Ervin Romans, Sergeant Daniel Sakai, and Officer John Hege, who were members of the Oakland Police Department in California.

In the month of May, we will be honoring law enforcement officers who have fallen across America. We have done that every year since I have been in the United States Congress. Tragically and sadly, we will do it again, even honoring those who have come from Texas and Houston. So H. Res. 290 has my sympathy as well. Before I closed, I wanted to acknowledge that.

Let me now close on this legislation, H.R. 838, and indicate my support and ask my colleagues to support this legislation.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow and for the rest of the week, this body will engage in a very important, principled debate that really responds to the calamity that we have been facing over the last 6 to 8 months, and that is the economic crisis.

The administration has put forward its initiative that addresses the principles of a budget. This Congress, along with several caucuses, has offered budgets to be able to address the pain of the American people.

What I am so proud of and the reason I am standing here today is that Democrats have come together around principles that will help to heal the economy: the infusion of dollars into education, into health care, a continued commitment to energy reform, and the review of energy opportunities across, if you will, the spectrum of resources. Certainly, we recognize the needs of our veterans and of our soldiers across the land.

I hope we will have a vigorous debate on behalf of the American people.

I thank the distinguished Speaker and the distinguished gentleman from Virginia for his leadership in the management of this bill and Mr. Fortenberry for his vision.

As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I cannot imagine a better time to rise to the floor of the House and to speak about long- lasting peace. This Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty as articulated and led by President Jimmy Carter, along with Menachem Begin, and, of course, Anwar Sadat, captures the possibilities of the impossibilities. We can have peace in the Mideast.

Having traveled to Israel any number of times and certainly in the 1980s and now into the 1990s and now in the 21st century, I know the people of Israel love peace. Having met with the present president, President Mubarak of Egypt, speaking directly to him on the issues of peace and the security of the border, I understand the sacrifice that Egyptians have made to ensure that peace may be had.

Therefore, it is a possibility. And as we look at the exact language of the features of the peace treaty, which included the mutual recognition of Egypt and Israel, the end of the state of war between the two nations dating back to the 1948 War of Israeli independence, the complete withdrawal by Israel of its armed forces and civilians from the Sinai Peninsula, the freedom for passage of Israeli ships through the Suez Canal and the recognition of the Strait of Tiran and the Gulf of Aqaba as international waterways, that means major obstacles of peace can be overcome.

And the peace and the question of peace between Palestinians and Israelis are before us. The envoy that has been appointed by this President, President Barack Obama, it is a serious statement in Senator Mitchell's position to know that we mean business, good business, for peace to happen. I thank Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and, of course, this new envoy who will capture the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt and understand that the American people believe in strength, believe in integrity and the security of Israel, and they believe in peace. This commemoration of the 30th anniversary of this particular agreement says to us that peace is real.

I thank my colleague for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 282, ``Recognizing the 30th anniversary of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.'' I want to thank my colleague Congressman Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska for introducing this resolution.

As we near the 30th anniversary of the Camp David Accords, relations between Israel and Egypt, though peaceful, remain cool. In recent days, news headlines have proclaimed positive news for a troubled region. According to reports, rival Lebanese leaders have agreed on steps to end the political crisis which has gripped the country since late 2006.

The Middle East peace process is a complex and multi-faceted issue, requiring the good-faith work and cooperation of a number of countries. Egypt has, historically, been a key player in any effort to establish peace in the region. While relations between Israel and Egypt have been labeled as the ``cold peace'' and truly difficult points of conflict remain unresolved, the two nations also have areas of common interest. Further, the peace treaty signed in 1979 between Egypt and Israel has remained an important foundation for all subsequent efforts to build a broader peace in the region.

The Arab-Israeli peace process is absolutely vital to achieving security and stability in a crucial region of the world. An Iraq Study Group testified before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, stating that:

``You cannot get anything done in the Middle East without addressing the Arab-Israeli issue. We want these other countries, especially the Sunni Arab countries, to help us. When we go to talk to them about Iraq, they will want to talk to us about the Arab-Israeli conflict.''

Mr. Speaker, the United States has played an active role in creating and maintaining peaceful relations between Egypt and Israel. In 1978, the U.S. played an integral role in the Camp David negotiations, helping Israel and Egypt take the risks necessary to sign a peace treaty in 1979. Since that time, the peace has been maintained, due in no small part to the high amounts of economic and military aid that the United States continues to give to both nations. Between FY 1979 and FY 2008, the United States provided a total of $89.73 billion to Israel, and $62.36 billion to Egypt.

While the peace established in 1979 has been maintained, close diplomatic, political, and economic ties between the two neighboring nations have never been achieved. Despite some specific initiatives, including energy and economic cooperation agreements, relations have never truly warmed between Egypt and Israel.

Part of any successful negotiation between Israel and Egypt must be the question of Hamas, a group which poses a threat to the entire region. Hamas is an Islamic fundamentalist organization formed in late 1987 as an outgrowth of the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, which became active in the early stages of the intifada, operating primarily in the Gaza District. Various Hamas elements have used both political and violent means to pursue the goal of establishing an Islamic Palestinian state in place of Israel. Loosely structured, with some elements working clandestinely and others working openly through mosques and social service institutions to recruit members, raise money, organize activities, and distribute propaganda.

Particularly since Hamas's 2007 takeover of Gaza, there is a growing need for the Egyptian government to take a strong stand against Hamas. In the tense climate of today's Middle East, Egyptian silence on this issue will be viewed as tacit approval, and will stand in the way of any attempts for lasting peace with Israel.

Mr. Speaker, the successful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is essential to any effort to build a positive relationship between Israel and Egypt. Currently, decades of mistrust coupled with ongoing regional violence are at odds with any attempt to secure improved relations.

President Obama recently stated that the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel shows that ``peace is always possible'' even in the harshest of conflicts.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to believe in strong diplomacy and multilateralism. The United States has a history of concerted leadership on the development of Israeli-Egyptian relations, and I believe that we have the opportunity now to continue this legacy.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to commemorate this reach for peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 577 ``Vision Care for Kids Act of 2009.'' I want to thank my colleague Congressman Gene Green of Texas for introducing this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell my colleagues that our nation's children are our future. They should be the center of all of our legislative efforts to improve the lives of all Americans.

The Vision Care for Kids Act of 2009 is a necessary grant program aimed at bolstering children's vision initiatives in the states and encouraging new community-based children's vision partnerships. This legislation amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award matching grants to states to complement existing state efforts to: (1) provide comprehensive eye examinations from a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for children who have been previously identified through a vision screening or eye examination by a licensed health care provider or vision screener as needing such services, who do not otherwise have coverage for vision services, and who are low-income children, with priority given to children who are under the age of nine years; (2) provide treatment or services as necessary to correct identified vision problems; and (3) develop and disseminate to parents, teachers, and health care practitioners educational materials on recognizing signs of visual impairment in children.

We used to hold our child's hands when our child takes their first step. However, not many help our children to learn how to use their eyes properly, how to see properly, and how to relax their eyes and protect their vision. Today's education system requires our children to give close attention, read many books, add or subtract numbers or operate a computer for hours. Therefore, it is important to learn to guide our children to attain good child vision health at various stages of their development.

Ten million children suffer from vision disorders, according to the National Parent Teacher Association. Vision disorders are considered the fourth most common disability in the United States, and they are one of the most prevalent handicapping conditions in childhood. According to data from the Making the Grade: An analysis of state and federal children's vision care policy research study, 32 states require vision screenings for students, but 29 of them do not require children who fail the screening to have a comprehensive eye examination. Because up to two-thirds of children who fail vision screenings do not comply with recommended eye exams, many children enter school with uncorrected vision problems. Undetected and untreated vision deficiencies, particularly in children, can take a large toll. Studies have shown that the costs associated with adult vision problems in the U.S. are at $51.4 billion.

Undiagnosed and untreated vision problems for children are serious issues. Vision problems can affect a child's cognitive, emotional, neurological and physical development. While vision disorders are considered the fourth most common disability in the United States, two- thirds of all children entering school have never received a vision test. For the one-third of children who do receive a vision test, approximately 40-67 percent who fail the test do not receive the recommended follow-up care.

I urge my colleagues to support the Vision Care for Kids Act of 2009 so that we can protect our children of America.

Madam Speaker, thank you very much for your leadership. I would like to associate myself with the 1 hour of the Congressional Black Caucus in honoring John Hope Franklin, and I want to thank the leadership of the gentlelady from Ohio and the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

John Hope Franklin was, in essence, a storyteller that was long awaited for by the United States of America. His ``From Slavery to Freedom'' indicated the broadness of the history of African Americans in the United States. It was a singular treatise that everyone had to read to find out about themselves, about America, and about the question of race and racism. His work on the President's Race Commission was without comparison. And he was the only one, I believe, that could have taken the helm with the President's appointment, appointed by President William Jefferson Clinton.

His easy hand, his comfort level with race and racism, of where we had come from and where we were going, helped us tell the story and balanced the role and responsibility of this commission. We lost a warrior, a hero, a storyteller, one that could only be told by him, a scholar.

We thank you. And may you rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of H.R. 1617, legislation that will greatly enhance the security of the Department of Homeland Security, thereby making our nation safer. I wish to recognize my colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Christopher Carney, for his work on this bill. In addition, I would like to thank the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie Thompson for his continued leadership in making our nation as safe as possible.

This bill amends Subtitle C of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, mandating a full-time privacy official within each part of the Department of Homeland Security. The privacy official will act under the direction of the senior appointed official of the Department of Homeland Security. The privacy official will work within the following components:

The Transportation Security Administration.

The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Customs and Border Protection.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Coast Guard.

The Directorate of Science and Technology.

The Office of Intelligence and Analysis.

The Directorate for National Protection and Programs.

The privacy official will be the senior official's eyes and ears regarding matters of privacy and matters that are within the Department of Homeland Security's jurisdiction.

The bill requires the new component privacy officials to monitor the Department of Homeland Security's component's compliance with all applicable federal privacy laws and regulations, implement corrective or preventative actions, and notify the senior privacy official for the department.

The privacy component officials would assist in drafting and reviewing privacy impact assessments, privacy threshold assessments, and the system of records notices, for any new or changed program or technology that collects, maintains, or disseminates personally identifiable information within their components, or for proposed rulemakings and regulations within their components. The level of hands-on involvement gives me confidence that the privacy officers in the various divisions will be able to perform their jobs effectively.

The privacy component officials would be required to conduct supervision of programs or procedures, to ensure protection of privacy, as well as implement and monitor privacy training for employees and contractors. The privacy officials would provide the senior privacy official with written materials and information regarding the relevant activities of the component, including privacy violations or abuse, that the senior official needs to prepare reports for Congress. These are protective measures which could be deemed intrusive, but that is exactly what we want from our privacy officials. A hallmark of the new administration is transparency in government. I believe that as the American people see more of what we do in Congress their confidence in government.

Any other responsibilities could be assigned by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security or the senior privacy official for the Department. Nothing in the bill should be considered to abolish the role and responsibilities of the senior privacy official, or diminish their capacity within the Department of Homeland Security framework.

This is an important job and my wish is that the new appointees are put in place in regular order and fashion so that they can get on with the job of protecting our homeland.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1148, a measure that will help protect our nation from another attack. This bill may not make headlines but it is at the essence of what protecting the American people is all about. We cannot wrap our nation in bubble wrap but we can take thorough and effective steps to thwart potential attacks. As we have seen, the forces of evil will go to enormous lengths to accomplish their insidious goals. That is why I join in a bipartisan spirit my colleague from Florida, Gus Bilirakis in support of this measure.

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security, no later than one year after the date of enactment, to conduct a maritime program for the mobile biometric identification of suspected individuals, including terrorists.

Biometric identification is defined to apply to the use of fingerprint and digital photography images. The Department of Homeland Security must ensure that the maritime program is coordinated with other biometric identification programs.

The Department of Homeland Security must submit a cost analysis no later than 90 days after the prospective enactment of this bill, expanding its biometric identification capabilities for maritime use to the House Appropriations and Homeland Security committees, and to the Senate Appropriations, and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees. The analysis could include a tiered plan for the deployment of the program that gives priority to vessels and units more likely to encounter individuals suspected of making unlawful border crossings by sea. It is clear that we must try to secure our borders from all sides and often the liquid borders are forgotten in the discussion.

Indeed, Mr. Speaker, this legislation passed the House of Representatives and I, like 394

of my colleagues, both Democratic and Republican voted for it. Fighting against terrorists and other criminals must remain a bipartisan effort.

It is also something that we must take up on all fronts: land, sea and air. Last weekend, in my role as Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I had the opportunity to meet some of the fine professionals who work for the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration division. They work tirelessly to defend our nation's airports. They make a stressful job seem effortless, and often are invisible, which is the hallmark of good security. And just as the transportation security professionals I met in New York City's LaGuardia Airport make our nation safer, so will the maritime security professionals from the United States Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard is made of truly dedicated and able professionals.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support and urge my colleagues to support this legislation that will further strengthen our nation's ability to protect ourselves from both criminal and terrorist attacks.

Let me thank the gentlewoman for her leadership. And I appreciate my good friend and colleague, Congresswoman Sanchez, and the manager of this bill for your great leadership, as well, in handling this legislation that simply says a huge and overdue ``thank you.'' And so I am pleased to stand on the floor of the House to support H. Res. 234 because I believe I was touched by this experience in this war, recognizing that as I would listen to Vietnam vets, those returning soldiers, speak in a language that we did not understand, talking about the places where they fought, speaking as if they were distant. Now I understand and hope we all understand as Americans that the war of a soldier is America's war. It is not a public-policy war. So we should stand with our soldiers who fight for our freedom no matter where they are.

I am honored today to be able to support this legislation because as a member of the Houston City Council, I joined with former council member Ben Reyes to raise the first POW/MIA flags in tribute to our fallen and missing soldiers in Vietnam. Those flags now stand today in front of the Houston City Hall. And I'm honored to have had the opportunity to be part of it.

Our soldiers deserve this welcome home. And more importantly, they deserve our understanding. So many of the Vietnam vets are homeless. And we should stand alongside of them. For many years, I participated in what we call ``Stand Down'' to bring our soldiers together.

I want to thank the Medal of Honor winners who always come to our Memorial Day service and sing their heart out and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I want to thank Vietnam vets like Antonio ``Tony'' Roman and John Footman, who today serve their country by being part of the Military Order of the Purple Heart working with our young soldiers.

Mr. Speaker, there is no honor--there is no honor that is too high for the soldiers who shed their blood, suffer and, of course, sacrifice on our behalf, those soldiers whose lives are lost, those soldiers who have come back to us, Vietnam vets deserve our honor. Today now we stand to welcome them home. Never will we turn our back. Always the light will be on. We welcome them home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 234, ``Expressing support for designation of a `Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.' '' I want to thank my colleague Congresswoman Linda Sanchez of California for introducing this resolution.

Few groups of Americans have sacrificed for our nation than those who have served in the Armed Forces. The war in Vietnam no longer makes headlines, but for many families it remains a daily reality, and I urge my colleagues to recognize the challenges that the families of these brave soldiers face and support this resolution in their honor.

Mr. Speaker, 2,637,100 people fought through the triumph and tragedy of the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, 58,000 never returned home again! If these now silent patriots have taught us anything, it is that because of these men and women who were willing to sacrifice their last blood and breath, the United States remains a symbol of freedom and a country whose ideas are still worth defending. As a result, these brave men and women memories should be preserved and honored for future generations in this great nation.

It was Edmund Burke who once aptly stated: ``The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'' The birth of our nation itself was due to good men who refused to submit to an unjust rule. Time after time, in battle after battle American men and women have not fled from mortal danger, no instead they have rushed towards it. Our brave soldiers built this nation, first with independence, then with the righteousness of eliminating slavery, and finally in the last century they built this nation in the eyes of the world, not only as a superpower, but as a nation that values humanity and kindness over the tyranny of others.

I see this same courage and strength in the eyes of our current generation of soldiers. They bear the burden of a new world, in which the greatest threats against our life and freedom are often unseen. They also bear the hope of a nation and a world that clings to the hope of peace and stability. It was the great statesman Adlai Stevenson who said: ``Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.'' It is clear that the torch has been passed to a new generation of men and women willing to dedicate their lives to protecting ours. Our nation is truly blessed in so many ways, but our soldiers continue to be the greatest protectors of our blessings.

Because I feel so strong about our men and women fighting abroad and our veterans who served our nation, I will continue to advocate for their rights in Congress, and I urge my colleagues to fight as well.

Mr. Speaker, now is the time for the U.S. government to again fulfill our moral obligation to those who have fought for freedom and democracy. In the State of Texas we have 1,701,118 veterans, in fact in the 18th Congressional district of Texas alone there are more than 38,000 veterans and they make up almost ten percent of this district's civilian population over the age of 18. Yet we often forget about our men and women fighting abroad once the war is over. We must never forget veterans and we must never stop fighting for their rights as they fought for ours.

Vietnam Veterans like Antonio ``Tony'' Roman and John Footman, who continue to give back to their country and their fellow young military forces by working with the Military Order of the Purple Heart and by standing in the rain or the heat to be there when our Soldiers and Marines return from deployment. I meet with great men from Texas who are Vietnam Veterans, and our newer Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom--and I see their continuing need for our support.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 234, ``Expressing support for designation of a `Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution recognizing one of our strongest partners in business and in democracy, Taiwan. I would like to thank my colleague Shelley Berkley of Nevada for her continued strong leadership on issues affecting Taiwan, and Asia in general.

Whether you refer to it as the Republic of China, Formosa or Taiwan, this is a free society that has been a beacon of light and freedom in the Taiwan Strait.

April 10, 2009 will mark the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, codifying in law the basis for continued commercial, cultural, and other relations between the United States and the Republic of China, or Taiwan. The Taiwan Relations Act has been instrumental in maintaining peace, security, and stability in the Taiwan Strait since its enactment in 1979.

When the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted, it affirmed that the United States decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means. I truly believe that all of Asia wants the future of Taiwan to be peaceful and that this glorious society continues to be a beacon of light, freedom and commercial opportunity.

My district in Texas is home to a very strong Taiwanese American community, and while I understand that Texas is not known for it's Asian population, it is very vital and an important part of the tapestry of diversity that the state of Texas must get recognition for.

The Taiwan Relations Act makes it a policy of the United States to provide defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability. Our continued desire is that these articles remain unused.

The Taiwan Relations Act also makes it a policy of the United States to maintain the capacity to resist any resort to force or other

forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people of Taiwan. That is why we must remain vigilant on what happens in the Taiwan Strait. This is still one of the most peaceful and prosperous areas of the world. It also has one of the most steadily growing populations.

Taiwan's democracy has deepened with the second peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another after the presidential election in March 2008. The new President has made it a point of fostering an atmosphere of peace and.harmony, while seeking to secure Taiwan's place as an economic growth engine. This is particularly important when the global economy is faltering.

The relationship between the United States and Taiwan has strengthened with Taiwan's evolution into a free society and a full- fledged, multi-party democracy and the development of Taiwan's robust free-market economy, with Taiwan becoming the 9th largest trading partner of the United States in 2007 and imports from the United States in that year totaling over $26 billion. Our economic and trading relationship is one of our most important to both Taiwan and to the United States.

Also Taiwan's determined effort and collaboration with the United States to combat global terrorism, as demonstrated in part by its participation in the Container Security Initiative and its generous contribution to the Pentagon Memorial Fund are further evidence of our strong partnership.

I would also cite the leadership role Taiwan has demonstrated in addressing transnational and global challenges, including its active engagement in humanitarian relief measures, public health endeavors, environmental protection initiatives, and financial market stabilization efforts.

These reasons are why it is important that we continue to pursue peace and harmony in this region and why Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made Asia her first overseas trip in her new role. The symbolism is not lost on our Asian partners and why we must support this resolution.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Allow me to thank the distinguished gentleman from Oregon and to emphasize the point that he just made of the importance of the budget markup and also of the very important issues that he comes to the floor to discuss this evening.

There is another important event that occurred today, and that was the 97th birthday of Dr. Dorothy Height. I don't think I have to remind my colleagues of how important a person Dr. Height is today and how important she has been over the years. She is now the chairman and president of the National Council of Negro Women, but she was the only woman present at the 1963 March on Washington. She has previously been an icon, working with Presidents as far back as Franklin Delano Roosevelt. A civil rights leader she is, but an empowerment of women is her calling. She has led the National Council of Negro Women now for decades.

Today, at that very building--really, at the only building owned by African Americans on Pennsylvania Avenue, women gathered from around the Nation to celebrate Dr. Height's birthday.

Dr. Height was a pillar in the civil rights movement, standing alongside of A. Philip Randolph and Martin Luther King and numbers of others. She has also been someone to encourage women to participate in the governmental process, to be educated, to stand strong. She is a spokesperson for the unempowered, and of course, she is a mentor to so many of us. She is a friend of the Congressional Black Caucus, of the NAACP and of the National Urban League. When there is an issue of concern, you have the need to call Dr. Height. She is also a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal along with many, many other awards.

I am privileged today to be able to stand on the floor of the House to recognize an American icon, a patriot, a woman of valor and courage.

Madam Speaker, it is again my great pleasure to salute Dr. Dorothy Height for a happy, happy birthday, now some 97 years old, and to thank my friend and colleague for allowing us to share this with all of our colleagues and to celebrate, again, a life that has been worth living and is still worth living--a champion of the people.

Dr. Dorothy Height, happy birthday.

I yield back to the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1388, the ``Generations of Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act or the `GIVE Act'.'' I would like to thank my colleague Congresswoman McCarthy for introducing this important legislation, as well as the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, Congressman George Miller, for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor today.

Mr. Chair, this legislation will expand the already highly successful volunteer programs that empower community activists and improve the education and economic conditions of cities throughout the United States. It supports and increases funding for key community services programs, including AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, VISTA, National Civilian Community Corps, and Senior Corps.

The GIVE Act creates opportunities for green jobs that will contribute to energy conservation and environmental protection. It will create critical educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth and will create incentives for students to improve their communities.

Every year, more than 70,000 Americans participate in the AmeriCorps program alone, which provides relief to cities during natural disasters and reinvigorates communities. Over 50 million American volunteers build homes, organize food-drives, and improve schools through national service programs. The GIVE Act will broaden the opportunities for students and activists to participate in national service via education rewards that keep up with soaring costs of universities and Summer Service programs. After Ike and Katrina, thousands of local students worked to help rebuild communities and provide necessary services to distressed families. The GIVE Act is the critical lynchpin in sustaining this civic activism.

Specifically, the GIVE Act would expand the job opportunities for Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA, to re-integrate youth into society, increase literacy in communities through teaching opportunities in before and after-school programs, and to provide health and social services to low-income communities. VISTA is a critical step toward poverty alleviation, and the GIVE Act will equip it with the resources to fulfill its obligations.

I am pleased to see that my colleague, representative Cuellar, revised the legislation to increase the number of volunteers from 75,000 to 250,000 members and added provisions for unemployed individuals to be included in the national service workforce, a step that will be a critical step to combating the employment crisis afflicting millions. I am also pleased that Congressman Miller further specified that the increase in volunteers is not just designed for AmeriCorps, but for all national service programs such as the Peace Corps and Opportunity Corps, and also included language promote community based

efforts to reduce crime and recruit public safety officers.

In addition, the GIVE Act will create 4 new service opportunities including a Clean Energy Corps, an Education Corps, a Healthy Futures Corps, and a Veteran Service Corps. These volunteer opportunities will further improve environmental protection, health-care access, and services for veterans. These new service corps will address critical concerns in low-income communities. I am very happy that Congressman Teague revised the legislation to aid veterans in their pursuit of education and professional opportunities, and help veterans with the claims process, and assist rural, disabled, and unemployed veterans with transportation needs. Moreover, the GIVE Act will recognize colleges and universities that are strongly engaged in service through grants and rewards that will in turn improve educational access in the United States.

I am pleased to see the Retention of my Language from the 110th Congress that gives special consideration to historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal universities, and colleges serving predominantly minority populations. So strong are these universities' support of service, that ``veritas et beneficium,'' or ``truth and service'' in Latin, is inscribed on their insignias.

The GIVE Act will create a Campuses of Service Program that will encourage and assist students in pursuing public service careers. It will also focus on recruiting scientists and engineers to keep America competitive for years to come. The Act will expand the Senior Corps as a way to keep Older Americans including seniors engaged in public service, and will create a Youth Engagement Zone to increase the number of young students in volunteer services.

Moreover, it expands the focus of The National Civilian Community Corps to include disaster relief efforts and infrastructure improvement to allow quicker and more effective responses to disasters like Katrina and Ike that devastated numerous communities in the United States. Finally, the Give Act will launch a nation-wide Call to Service Campaign that encourages all Americans to engage in national service and to recognize September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

I am honored to cosponsor this legislation that will add service before self to America's future leaders. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1512, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for other purposes, introduced by my distinguished colleague from New York, Representative Charles B. Rangel. This important legislation will extend funding in order to improve transportation for Americans across the nation.

The costs of air travel have increased rapidly in the last few months. Airlines have not only increased the price of air fare, but they have been forced to put charges on extra baggage, cut flights, and lay off hundreds of employees. Air travel is essential, as it is beneficial environmentally, socially, and especially economically. Without the ability to travel by air cheaply and easily, the flow of people, goods, and ideas would substantially decrease.

If we do not extend funding to airline programs, many negative consequences will ensue, including cutting services, such as air traffic control, certification, and inspection, as well as the inability by the airlines to buy new equipment for the aging infrastructure.

It is obvious that something must be done to solve this pressing problem. It is necessary for airlines to look into 2 alternative means in order to increase their effectiveness. However, it is also necessary for the United States to fund several programs.

The Airport and Airway Trust Fund was established in 1970 ``to provide for the expansion and improvement of the nation's airport and airway system.'' Since then, it has provided funds for the Federal Aviation Administration. Various pieces of legislation have come before the Congress to extend this fund, and yet partisanship has stalled these bills. It is necessary for us to extend this program in order to modernize our air traffic control system. NextGen, a state-of-the-art air traffic control system would allow control towers to pinpoint the exact locations of aircrafts, making the skies less chaotic, and air travel much more efficient.

Additionally, the extension of the Airport Improvement Program is necessary in order to improve safety and efficiency in our air travel. Airports are sites used by millions and millions of Americans every single day. It is vital that airports, travelers, and air flight personnel be secure, and thus it is important to continue to fund this program.

Even though air travel is obviously important, other forms of travel contribute to the nation as well. The Highway Trust Fund was created by the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 to ensure a dependable source of financing for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. This is the premier fund for government spending on highways, with approximately 45% of all highway spending coming from this fund. The Congressional Budget Office predicts the fund will run a deficit of $1.7 billion at the end of 2009 and $8.1 billion by the end of 2010. The Highway Trust Fund balance must be restored.

This bill will extend the taxes that fund The Airport and Airway Trust Fund, extend the expenditure authority of The Airport and Airway Trust Fund, extend the Airport Improvement Program, and restore the Highway Trust Fund balance. This is a vital bill for cities like Houston, Texas, which happens to have one of the top 10 airports in the Nation. I urge my fellow members of Congress to support H.R. 1512 in order to increase efficiency, safety, and functioning of our nation's transportation systems.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1429, ``Stop AIDS in Prison Act of 2009.'' I want to thank my colleague Congresswoman Maxine Waters of California for introducing this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 1429, which is designed to address the growing impact that HIV/AIDS is having on minority communities. According to the Black AIDS Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics reveal that African Americans account for half of all new HIV/AIDS cases. Racial and ethnic minorities comprise 69 percent of new cases, according to the 2005 data released by the CDC. African-American women account for the majority of new AIDS cases among women (67% in 2004); whereas white women account for 17% and Latinas 15%. The CDC estimates that 73% percent of all children born to HIV infected mothers in 2004 were African American. HIV/AIDS is now the leading cause of death among African Americans ages 25 to 44--deadlier than heart disease, accidents, cancer, and homicide.

The CDC reported that Hispanics accounted for 18% of new diagnoses reported in the 35 areas with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting in the United States, and that most Hispanic men were exposed to HIV through sexual contact with other men, followed by injection drug use and heterosexual contact; and that most Hispanic women were exposed to HIV through heterosexual contact, followed by injection drug use.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, African Americans made up 41 percent of all inmates in the prison system at the end of 2004. Since African Americans are disproportionately represented in jails and prisons, the Stop AIDS in Prison Bill is one way to begin addressing this problem.

The Stop AIDS in Prison Act of 2009 directs the Bureau of Prisons to develop a comprehensive policy to provide HIV testing, treatment, and prevention for inmates in federal prisons and upon reentry into the community. The bill would require initial testing and counseling of inmates upon entry into the prison system and then ongoing testing available up to once a year upon the request of the inmate, or sooner if an inmate is exposed to the HIV/AIDS virus or becomes pregnant. Furthermore, the Bureau of Prisons will be required to make HIV/AIDS counseling and treatment available to prisoners, and give testing and treatment referrals to prisoners prior to reentering the community. The bill protects the confidentiality of prisoners, and allows prisoners to refuse routine HIV testing.

Finally, the bill contains a requirement that the Bureau of Prisons report to Congress, no later than one year after enactment, the number of inmates who tested positive for HIV upon intake; the number of inmates who tested positive prior to reentry; the number of inmates who were not tested prior to reentry because they were released without sufficient notice; the number of inmates who opted-out of taking the test; the number of inmates who were tested following exposure incidents; and the number of inmates who were under treatment for HIV/

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of