Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, we must pass House Resolution 103 and bring awareness to an often overlooked yet extremely dangerous issue.

As a parent, I know the dangers my children faced when they were growing up. I often lost sleep worrying that something would happen to one of my kids that was beyond my control. It was part of the reason I decided to run for Congress.

Today, more than ever, we need to make people aware of the dangers our children face, we never did. Children have such broad access to information that it ages them in ways still not fully understood.

They look at their favorite movie or TV stars and want to emulate them. They research adult topics on the Internet and share information through cell phones and facebook with their friends. They feel because they know things they view as adult, they are adults. Parents do not discuss regularly enough drug use, domestic violence or sex with their children.

This legislation will set aside a week to help foster discussion between the parent and the child, which is the number one way to prevent the awful outcomes which have become far too common on our daily news. This resolution will also bring attention to this matter and would let Americans know that this issue is serious.

The statistics are staggering: one out of every eleven adolescents have reported they have been the victim of a physical abuse. Of the teenagers who are in ``serious relationships'' one in five have reported being abused in some way. Our children are trying to be like us and in the process they are growing up far too fast. The scariest statistic is, of children who are between the age of 11 and 12, the youngest of our teens, has been or knows someone who has been abused. This is a true travesty.

We can no longer sit by and reminisce about the golden age of child rearing. Children can not be left alone and can expect to turn out like we did. As Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I have worked tirelessly to ensure all America's children can lead safe and productive lives. We must ensure they get the right start.

This resolution will not only prevent our children from living through a terrible ordeal, but it will also help curtail future attacks. Evidence exists showing the severity of domestic violence among a couple is far greater if there is a pattern of abuse from early on in the abuser's life. We have a duty to protect our children and we have a duty to protect our fellow citizens and assure the right to live in peace.

Proclaiming this week National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week will show how serious this issue is and continue the discussion which has already begun in many homes. This resolution will also expand the discussion to many homes in the district I represent as well as the rest of the country. We must pass this resolution today and send a clear message to our fellow citizens that this issue will not go away.

Madam Speaker, I urge its immediate passage so we can begin to solve a problem that's gone unchecked far too long. We can make a difference in these and future young adults. The time to act is now.

Mr. Speaker,

I rise in strong support of H.R. 553, The Reduce Over-Classification Act of 2009. This measure will allow the expansion of information that the Department of Homeland Security shares with state and local governments. The bill also will require ``portion marking'' which refers to the identification of paragraphs in a document that are classified, but allows the unclassified portions to be viewed.

The measure requires the department to develop the policies, procedures and programs to prevent the over-classification of information relating to weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, homeland security or other matters within the scope of the information- sharing environment that must be disseminated in order to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism.

The practical, day-to-day processes will be done in coordination with the National Archives and Records Administration but in reality it will require full-fledged cooperation from the Department of Homeland Security and the very able staff that make up its workforce.

This legislation requires all finished intelligence products to be prepared in the standard unclassified format, provided that an unclassified product would serve to benefit state and local governments.

Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to see that the bill directs the Homeland Security Department, in coordination with the NARA, to require annual training for employees and contractors with classification authority who are responsible for analysis, dissemination, preparation, production, receiving, publishing, or otherwise communicating written classified information. This training would include information on the department's policy for preparing all finished intelligence products in a standard unclassified format, as well as information on the proper use of classification markings, including portion markings. Training would also cover the consequences of over-classification and other improper uses of classification.

Under the bill, the training would serve as a prerequisite, once completed successfully, for obtaining classification authority and renewing that authority on an annual basis, and it would count as a positive factor for employment, evaluation, and promotion.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation also requires that DHS create standard and unclassified formats for the department's finished intelligence products. This bill is designed to ensure citizen and government access to unclassified information but I believe it strikes the right balance between calculated information flow and the protection of national security.

I am pleased Mr. Speaker that Section 210 of this bill allows employees to challenge classification decisions made by department employees or contractors and be rewarded if the classification markings are removed or downgraded.

And my colleagues and I are well aware that no piece of legislation is completed without measures designed to ensure compliance, and that's why it is critical to the ultimate success of this bill that a series of penal provisions were included to reinforce the legislation.

H.R. 553 is about preventing over-classification. My hope is that the legislation will serve as a proper deterrent and move us away from the hoarding of non-classified information that characterized the previous administration.

Open and accessible government is a hallmark of democracy. Citizens shouldn't live in fear of their government. It is OUR government.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Let me thank the chairman of the full Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Waxman. Let me thank the manager, Dr. McDermott, and the chairman of the Full Committee on Ways and Means.

This is a miraculous accomplishment. The children of America are shouting today. It's important to know that there are 8.9 million uninsured children in America. Overall, 11.3 percent of children in the United States are uninsured. That is unacceptable, and it is not befitting of this great Nation.

In Texas we have close to 1.5 million children that are uninsured. Today we say to them that they are a priority, and that their health care and their preventative health care is crucial; that it is not a waste of money. When 74 percent of uninsured children eligible for CHIP, for Medicaid are not enrolled, this is not a waste of money.

I am gratified that pregnant women will have access. I am gratified that they will also have access for certain adults that meet certain criteria; and I am delighted that we still have an opportunity to protect certain hospitals owned by physicians that will continue to serve children that are uninsured as well.

This is a great bill. We should vote on it enthusiastically and continue to work again to enroll more children for this great medical service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support for the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2--``The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act''. We stand today, closer to helping 4 million children without health insurance. No longer will these children be forced to live with fear of getting sick. Today is a great day. Today we are able to bring 4 million children in to the fold. Finally, we can tell those 4 million children that are begging for help that Yes We Can!

nationally and in texas

There are an estimated 8.9 million uninsured children in America. Overall, about 11.3 percent of children in the United States are uninsured, but the percentage of uninsured children in each state varies widely. Based on a 3-year average, there were an estimated 20.9% of uninsured children (under 19 years of age) in the State of Texas representing 1,454,000 of the State's children.

According to the Institute of Medicine, uninsured people are less likely to use preventive services and receive regular care. They are also more likely to delay care resulting in poorer health and outcomes. Texas has the highest uninsured rates of all 50 States and the District of Columbia (2005-2007). Almost one-quarter (24.4%) of Texans are uninsured compared to 15.3% of the general U.S. population.

Recent studies estimate that for every 1 percent increase in U.S. unemployment, 1.1 million Americans lose health insurance and more than a million enroll in Medicaid and CHIP. While Texas' 6 percent December unemployment rate remains better than the national average of 7.2 percent, the State rate is up from just 4.2 percent in December 2007. Widespread job losses continue, and leading economists predict that absent dramatic government action, the national unemployment rate could reach 10 percent by 2010. Many states, including Texas, already experience much higher Medicaid enrollment than projected due to job loss and lower incomes, and will be unable to support the higher demand without this relief.

how does chip help texas families?

According to 2004 U.S. Census data, Texas has the highest rate of uninsured children in the country with 21.6% of children in Texas lacking health insurance coverage.

Nearly 90% of uninsured children in Texas have at least one working parent. The high cost of health insurance means that it is unaffordable for many Texas families. According to the Milliman Medical Index, the annual cost of health insurance for a family of four is $13,382.

Although many Texans have employer sponsored health care insurance, many cannot get affordable coverage for dependents through an employer.

National data shows that virtually all the net reduction in SCHIP enrollment has been among children in families with incomes below 150% FPL. I want to share with you just some of the scary health statistics that are affecting children:

74% of uninsured children eligible for SCHIP or Medicaid but not enrolled.

11% of uninsured children in families not eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP with incomes below.

15% of uninsured children in families with incomes over 300 percent of the federal poverty-level who are ineligible for Medicaid and SCHIP.

90% of uninsured children that come from families where at least one parent works.

50% of two-parent families of uninsured children in which both parents work.

3.4 million uninsured children who are white, non-Hispanic.

1.6 million uninsured children who are African American.

3.3 million uninsured children who are Hispanic.

670,000 uninsured children of other racial and ethnic backgrounds.

physician-owned hospitals

I am very pleased to see that this new version does not include the restrictions on physician owned hospitals. Along with many of my colleagues, I have been very concerned that we had with the prohibition on physician-owned hospitals. Which is why I worked with my colleagues to ensure that this language was not included.

In my district of Houston, Texas the population has grown close to 4.5 million people and there are only approximately 16,000 beds available in the city. Physician-owned hospitals like St. Joseph Medical Center in my district provide essential emergency, maternity, and psychiatric care for their patients. They delivered over 6,000 babies in 2008, of which 3,700 were insured by Medicaid. Currently they provide $14M in uninsured care in the Houston Market. A Houston Institution for 120 years, St. Joseph Medical Center is also a major provider of psychiatric beds as it currently operates 102 of the 800 licensed beds in Houston.

In 2006, St. Joseph Medical Center, downtown Houston's first and only teaching hospital was on the verge of closing its doors. When I learned that they were going to shut down this hospital and turn it into high- end condominiums, I personally worked with the hospital board, community leaders, and local government to ensure this did not take place.

Eventually, after I was assured that it would be responsibly managed and it's doors would remain open, I was able to help a hospital corporation, which, in partnership with physicians, purchased the hospital and has made it the premier hospital in the region to keep open St. Joseph's doors including its qualified emergency room responsive to a heavily populated downtown Houston. This formerly troubled medical center is now in the process of reopening Houston Heights Hospital, the fourth oldest acute care hospital in Houston.

robin from texas--her story

Her daughter has a developmental disorder, known as autism. She was not certain of the extent or the prognosis diagnosis of her disorder due to her lack of funds being a single mother, and lack of quality health insurance. She is one of the many uninsured in Texas.

She scraped together money to take her daughter to the doctor when she gets sick and does not pay her electricity bill so she can pay for 30 minutes of private speech therapy a week to complement what the school system provides.

She cannot qualify for SSI or Medicaid, they say she makes just over the maximum allowable income. She had trouble qualifying for CHIP in the past as well. Sadly once this mother has paid for daycare, speech therapy, clothing, car insurance, food, shelter , transportation, the rising cost of gasoline etc., she can barely afford to pay her monthly bills let alone quality insurance on her salary.

Robin wants the American dream for her and her daughter, but she is unable to obtain it. She is stuck in an old apartment building, with an even older car, and inadequate health coverage for her sweet 7 year old daughter. God help us, Robin and the many like her and her daughter deserve better.

the economic affect on healthcare

The economy has now lost 1.2 million jobs since the beginning of the year, with nearly half of those losses occurring in the last three months alone, pointing to acceleration in the pace of erosion in labor markets. It is more important than ever in this economy that children's healthcare is not sacrificed.

Madam Speaker, my faith is renewed in the process that is so often maligned in the media. Thoughtful and deliberate negotiations were taken to advance this legislation--and through your leadership we have succeeding in bringing this to the floor for passage.

I look forward to a day when every child is covered and can play on football fields and jungle gyms without their parents fearing a bankrupting injury to their child. This legislation is piece of mind to 4 million families and I will joyfully cast my vote for passage of this important legislation.

Thank you, Chairman Boucher, and thank you for the leadership that has been given by a number of our committees in Energy and Commerce, and thank you very much, President Obama, for listening to the real reason for having this legislation, and that is that actually we had run out of money for these vouchers that are needed for many of the individuals who are economically in need. In actuality, there is a waiting list.

In my own community, there are 7,298 in the 18th Congressional District in Houston, Texas, and an increase of over 600 since we've indicated the possibility of being able to get these additional vouchers or to get in line.

My mother is 83 years old and has a television that needs this adaptation. And I can tell you the difficulty for seniors. That is why AARP is supporting this extension, this configuration. When you're ready, get on line. But if you're not ready, then you will not be in the dark until, of course, this extension. It makes sense.

Many times a television is a lifeline of a person living alone, a disabled person, a senior person, and frankly, I want to work with the FOP. We all have good relations with them, and I believe down the road we can work that out.

But the International Fire Chiefs are for this, the public safety officers are for this. We want to have interoperability. We want to be able to communicate, unlike the tragedy that occurred in 9/11. But at the same time, we can be multitasked. We can, in essence, do two things at once to ensure that we have a process that doesn't turn the lights out on a predominant number of Americans who cannot help being on a list with a coupon system that does not work. They were not able to get the coupons. If we don't do this bill, February 9 is D-day. It is a D- day in terms of what happens to many Americans.

I think this is a positive approach. It is an effective approach, and it will help us move the process forward. And let me thank the network stations for working as hard as they could locally, but they need help. This bill will help.

I ask my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, today I speak in strong support of S. 352, and I also want to thank my colleague Senator Jay Rockefeller for authoring this insightful resolution.

The digital television transition is an unnecessary burden to be passed onto the American people at a time when the pressures of day to day life are heavy and growing.

To assist consumers through the conversion, the Department of Commerce through its National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) division handled requests from households for up to two $40 coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes beginning January 1, 2008 via a toll free number or a website.

However, the Commerce Department has run out of funds to cover the cost of coupons

ad there are millions of Americans who have yet to receive the boxes. These Americans should not be expected to purchase the converter box without the aid of the government, seeing as the entire nation is under extraordinary economic pressure caused by the recession.

Last week, President Obama's team joined a chorus of concerned voices requesting a delay because the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is to provide education and $40 vouchers for people to buy digital TV converter boxes, ran out of money on January 4. There is also concern that many people, especially poorer and more rural areas, have not yet heard that they will need a converter and a larger antenna.

Older homes can not be easily wired for cable. The house walls might be made of concrete, brick, or stone that is difficult to wire through. This has caused some local residents to opt for analog over-the-air TV instead of cable or FIOS. Other people have decided to only wire their living room, and still use analog over-the-air in other rooms. The old construction can also cause problems running an antenna to a window, roof, or attic. These older homes are generally owned by lower income families that are being hit particularly hard by the current economic recession.

On January 22, The Nielsen Company said 6.5 million Americans had not prepared for the switch, a startling number considering the Commerce Departments inability to assist these Americans in the purchase of the converter boxes. TV stations would face extra expenses, which is burden that they also cannot be expected to take on in times like these.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the long-term effects of this transition will benefit the American people and support the eventual transition. Madam Speaker we are in a recession at best. Our seniors can barely afford their prescriptions and we are asking them to pay another 40-50 dollars for a convertor box. To some of us that may not seem like much but for many it is a small fortune. Especially for our senior population who may have only the television as company.

I ask that my colleagues support this legislation and give Americans more time to properly prepare for the conversion.

I thank the distinguished chairman of the Transportation Committee for his kindness and his leadership.

I don't rise in opposition to Mr. Shuster's amendment, but to reaffirm it, because of I think the importance of the amendment, and to thank this body for supporting the amendment previously passed by Mr. Oberstar that gives us a framework of shortened time to make sure we do get out jobs. All of the economists suggest that we are job hungry, and certainly Mark Zandi indicates that 4 million jobs will be created.

I specifically want to, as I look at the legislation and the amendment of Mr. Shuster who comments on highway maintenance, I think that is vital. I want to reemphasize that transit projects that can be considered new starts would fall appropriately under this economic stimulus, create jobs such as the Metro Solutions project, provide $30 million to Texas on rail, if you will, support. And as the Nadler amendment is coming forward, I support the $3 billion that is going to

come forward to increase the amount of money for transit projects.

But the key element of I think what we are doing today is to create jobs. New starts in transit should be considered part of creating those jobs. Specifically the Metro Solutions project I believe will fall in that category and create the kind of engine and jobs that we want.

Let me finally say that I think it is important that I note no bar under certain funding in this stimulus package that would disallow work on inner city or urban parks. That too creates jobs, along with the work incentive and summer youth training program. I hope all of this together will combine to respond to the President's cry creating 4 million jobs.

So I certainly do not oppose this amendment, and I hope the framework does include broadly a lot of the projects that are going to be put forward helping our States and creating jobs.

Thank you Mr. Chair, for affording me this opportunity to address H.R. 1, the ``American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.'' I believe H.R. 1 can be supported by every member of the House.

I believe that H.R. 1 can be supported by every member of the House. I am hopeful that my colleagues will be mindful of the words of our President, Barack Obama, and pass this important and much needed legislation without further delay.

Mr. Chair, just yesterday the Associated Press reported that tens of thousands of Americans will be losing their jobs. This news was on top of the 2.6 million jobs lost last year under the old Bush Administration. Some of the biggest names in industry have announced lay offs yesterday, from Sprint Nextel, Caterpillar, Home Depot, to GM, all of these companies have announced thousands of lay offs.

Experts believe that without intervention, unemployment will rise to 8.8 percent, the highest since 1983, and it is reported that the worst business conditions in greater than twenty years will exist.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will result in infusing greater than $850 billion into America's ailing economy. With this economic recovery plan, there will be 4 million more jobs and an unemployment rate that will be two percentage points lower by the end of 2010. This is important because the nation is facing tough economic times. It was estimated that the State of Texas had an unemployment rate of 6.0%. While this rate is below the national average, it is a high rate and is a signal that something must done to help America and the Texas economy recover. H.R. 1 provides such hope to America.

H.R. 1 provides for unprecedented accountability and transparency measures that are built into the legislation to help ensure that tax dollars are spend wisely. $550 billion is strategically targeted to priority investments; $275 billion in targeted tax cuts will also help spur economic recovery. All of these laudable aims are achieved without earmarks. This Act represents the culmination of priorities shared with the new Obama Administration and is sure to help America's economy in the longterm.

Will the gentleman yield for a question?

I notice in the summary it says ``highway maintenance.'' But I think I am agreeing with you that what you are suggesting is new maintenance but also new starts. If something is a new start, for example, in rail, that would create new jobs, and that is something that is in the framework of your thought.

If the gentleman will yield, I thank you very much. That is the framework of my message.

Let me thank the distinguished gentlelady from Maine (Ms. Pingree) and welcome her. Thank you for your leadership as well. It is my pleasure to be able to thank Chairman Miller and also my friend from New Jersey, Congressman Andrews, for his work. And let me thank Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for her collective effort, and the Senate for moving forward.

Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, 70,000 Americans lost their jobs. I would suspect, as we work on the Economic Stimulus Package and TARP, that, unfortunately, we are going to see a constant march of those losing their jobs.

So why is it absolutely urgent and imperative that we move forward on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act? Because this is a deterrent. When people are losing their jobs, 70,000 to 100,000 jobs a day, then there are normally one bread winner per family, man or woman. How shameful it would be if that bread winner happens to be a woman and she is subjected to the unfair, disparate treatment of not being able to be paid equally in the workplace for her work.

It is well known that women are still earning 78 percent for every dollar earned by a man, and the Institute of Women's Policy Research has found that this wage disparity costs women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million in lost wages of a lifetime. Families of America cannot tolerate that now. The children of America cannot tolerate that now. When a woman rises to the occasion or she is already in the workplace, we must pay her fair wages, and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act allows any discrimination to be petitioned in the court, unlike Lilly Ledbetter, who was stymied by statutory process because she did not know.

And so, Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the underlying rule and this bill, for as we move towards stimulating the economy and bringing jobs back to America, there is no way that this body, this Constitutional body, this country that believes in equality and justice for all can allow the constant discrimination in pay against women, for our children will suffer and our children's children will suffer. This bill is a necessity, because it is time now to eradicate the vestiges of discrimination on the basis of gender.

I ask my colleagues to support this rule, support this legislation, and to thank those who have been part of sponsoring this, and recognizing that in the 18th of congressional district where women go out to work every day, where they are providing the economic engine not only for our communities but for their families, must be treated fairly. 70,000 jobs lost yesterday. How many today? We must eradicate the unfair treatment of women in the workplace as relates to wages.

Madam Speaker, they never said our task and our job would be easy. I imagine when the Founding Fathers were trying to create this great Union, it was not easy then as well. But we have a responsibility and a duty. We have taken an oath of office. We have a responsibility to the American people.

Our President has offered a solution. That is why we are here. And I rise to support the rule and the underlying bill because I am looking for an economic engine that will actually roll across America's railways, that will go into the hamlets and villages and communities where people are depressed and oppressed. And, frankly, there are items that I think answer the question whether or not we are concerned about creating jobs.

The increase of the earned income tax credit is one that we have seen work and can work. I have worked with John Hope Bryant, who chairs an organization dealing with financial literacy. We saw the impact of the earned income tax credit for Hurricane Katrina families, for working families, and that has been increased. For those who are seeking homes, we don't want to kill off the homeowners market, and we see now that the $7,500 tax credit that had to be repaid in 15 years will now be waived and forgiven. We can get homeowners or home purchasers into homes, which Americans would like to do.

We will be seeing $20 billion for school modernization, $14 billion for K-12, and $6 billion for higher education institutions. We will also be seeing moneys going for educational technology grants. But my school districts are already lining up to be able to create that economic engine to keep teachers at work and to train the next generation of workers.

There are green jobs.

I thank the distinguished gentleman.

There is more infusion of Medicaid dollars so that those who are uninsured will have the resources necessary to be able to, in essence, provide for their family but keep looking for work.

This is a calling of crisis. And so with the green jobs, the infrastructure, I do support this rule, but I would certainly like to see the mark of the transportation and infrastructure go from $9 billion to $12 billion. I would like to see the language of ``use it or lose it'' be restored. I want to make sure that the metro system of Houston can fall under the transit funding. And we're going to be working with the chairman of the Transportation Committee and our congressional delegation because these will create jobs across America. I want to see rail travel restored. I want to make sure the infrastructure of America is rebuilt. I want the bridges in the 18th Congressional District enrolled rebuilt by the hands and labor of the American people. That's what this stimulus is about.

There is no doubt that if we stand on this floor of the House or the other

body and ignore the cry of Americans, we too can hold our heads in shame.

Support this rule and support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank Congressman George Miller for his leadership in bringing this legislation forth and for working together to see that gender equity is not just something we talk about, but something that is achieved.

Sadly, women in the United States still earn only 78 cents on the dollar compared to men more than 45 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act in 1963.

Lilly Ledbetter helped shine new light on this issue when the Supreme Court denied her the $223,776 in additional wages she would have earned had she been a man in its 2007 decision, Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. The Supreme Court was restricted by laws that saw women as less than equal. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would correct this decision and ensure that future victims of pay discrimination can bring a lawsuit after any act of discriminatory pay.

Women have made enormous advances toward economic equality, but gaps in income between men and women persist and only multiply over time, as the following numbers from Jessica Arons' Center for American Progress Action Fund report, ``Lifetime Losses: The Career Wage Gap'' show. Passing this bill along with H.R. 12, the Paycheck Fairness Act, would be an important first step in addressing this problem.

Although we encourage our daughters to stay in school and obtain their degrees, women with higher education are losing more income due to the career wage gap. In fact, $434,000 is the median amount that a full-time female worker loses in wages over a 40-year period as a direct result of the gender pay gap, also known as the ``career wage gap.''

The wage gap widens as women get older and carries into retirement because women workers earn less than men at every stage of life, and this continues into retirement. Just some of the statistics that demonstrate that inequity exists are:

78 cents: The amount that the average, full-time working woman makes for every $1 a man makes over a year.

$713,000: The career wage gap for women with a bachelor's degree or higher.

$452,000: The career wage gap for women with some college education.

$392,000: The career wage gap for women with a high school education.

$270,000: The career wage gap for women with less than a high school education.

17 percent: The additional amount that single mothers would take home in income if they were paid fairly. This would lead to a 50 percent reduction in poverty for these women, from 25.3 percent to 12.6 percent.

13.4 percent: The additional amount that single women would receive in income if they were paid fairly. This would lead to an 84 percent reduction in poverty for these women, from 6.3 percent to 1 percent.

6 percent: The additional amount that married women would earn if they were paid fairly. This would lead to a 62 percent reduction in poverty for these women, from 2.1 percent to 0.8 percent.

$8,000: The gap between the average retirement income that men and women receive annually. Two-thirds of this disparity can be attributed to the pay gap and occupational segregation.

Higher wages for women would bring greater prosperity to families. A report from the AFL-CIO and the Institute for Women's Policy Research found that if women were paid fairly, family incomes would rise and poverty levels would fall.

This legislation is intended to combat the wage gap that still exists today between men and women in the workplace. It is an important step in addressing the persistent wage gap between women and men.

Early last year the House passed H.R. 2831, legislation reversing last year's Supreme Court decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., in which the court ruled, 5-4, that workers filing suit for pay discrimination

must do so within 180 days of the actual decision to discriminate against them.

Which is why we need to pass not only the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act but the Paycheck Protection Act as well to stop discriminatory pay practices by employers against our mothers, wives, daughters, and granddaughters that do the same job as their male counterparts.

As a Member of the Women's Caucus I have been fighting to close the wage gap for American women since before I arrived here as a Representative in 1995, and I believe that equal pay for equal work is a simple matter of justice. Wage disparities are not simply a result of women's education levels or life choices.

In fact, the pay gap between college educated men and women appears the first job after college--even when women are working full-time in the same fields with the same major as men--and continues to widen during the first 10 years in the workforce. Further, this persistent wage gap not only impacts the economic security of women and their families today, it also directly affects women's retirement security tomorrow.

I urge my colleagues, both men and women to support equality in rights and pay for all Americans by supporting H.R. 181, The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

Mr. Chair, I would like to address H. Res. 88, the rule providing for consideration of the ``American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009'' and the bill itself. I believe the H. Res. 88 can be supported by every Member of the House.

Mr. Chair, just yesterday the Associated Press reported that tens of thousands of Americans will be losing their jobs. This news was on top of the 2.6 million jobs lost last year under the old Bush Administration. Some of the biggest names in industry have announced layoffs yesterday, from Sprint Nextel, Caterpillar, Home Depot, to GM, all of these companies have announced thousands of layoffs.

Experts believe that without intervention, unemployment will rise to 8.8 percent, the highest since 1983, and it is reported that the worst business conditions in greater than 20 years will exist.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will result in infusing greater than $850 billion into America's ailing economy. With this economic recovery plan, there will be 4 million more jobs and an unemployment rate that will be 2 percentage points lower by the end of 2010. Moreover, H. Res. 88 provides for unprecedented accountability and transparency measures that are built into the legislation to help ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely. $550 billion is strategically targeted to priority investments; $275 billion in targeted tax cuts will also help spur economic recovery. All of these laudable aims are achieved without earmarks. This Act represents the culmination of priorities shared with the new Obama administration and is sure to help America's economy in the long term.

Mr. Speaker, today I speak in strong support of S. 328, and I also want to thank my colleague Senator Jay Rockefeller for authoring this insightful resolution.

The digital television transition is an unnecessary burden to be passed onto the American people at a time when the pressures of day to day life are heavy and growing.

To assist consumers through the conversion, the Department of Commerce through its National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA, division handled requests from households for up to two $40 coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes beginning January 1, 2008 via a toll free number or a Web site.

However, the Commerce Department has run out of funds to cover the cost of coupons and there are millions of Americans who have yet to receive the boxes. These Americans should not be expected to purchase the converter box without the aid of the government, seeing as the entire Nation is under extraordinary economic pressure caused by the recession.

Last week, President Obama's team joined a chorus of concerned voices requesting a delay because the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA, which is to provide education and $40 vouchers for people to buy digital TV converter boxes, ran out of money on January 4. There is also concern that many people, especially poorer and more rural areas, have not yet heard that they will need a converter and a larger antenna.

Older homes can not be easily wired for cable. The house walls might be made of concrete, brick, or stone that is difficult to wire through. This has caused some local residents to opt for analog over-the-air TV instead of cable or FIOS. Other people have decided to only wire their living room, and still use analog over-the-air in other rooms. The old construction can also cause problems running an antenna to a window, roof, or attic. These older homes are generally owned by lower income families that are being hit particularly hard by the current economic recession.

On January 22, the Nielsen Company said 6.5 million Americans had not prepared for the switch, a startling number considering the Commerce Department's inability to assist these Americans in the purchase of the converter boxes. TV stations would face extra expenses, which is a burden that they also cannot be expected to take on in times like these.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the long-term effects of this transition will benefit the American people and support the eventual transition. Mr. Speaker we are in a recession at best. Our seniors can barely afford their prescriptions and we are asking them to pay another 40-50 dollars for a convertor box? To some of us that may not seem like much but for many it is a small fortune. Especially for our senior population who may have only the television as company.

I ask that my colleagues support this legislation and give Americans more time to properly prepare for the conversion.

Offered By: Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas

Amendment No. 2: At the appropriate place in the bill,

insert the following:

Offered By: Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas

Amendment No. 3: At the appropriate place in title VIII of

the bill, insert the following:

Provided further, That no funds shall be precluded from

being dispensed for use for the restoration, creation, or

maintenance of local and community parks.

Offered By: Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas

Amendment No. 4: Page 175, strike lines 1 through 8.

Page 647, after line 12, insert the following new section

and make the necessary conforming change in the table of

contents:

Madam Speaker, H. Res. 31 seeks to protect the personal interests and information of men and women across the country who exchange personally identifiable information across the Internet. I salute my colleague, Representative Price from North Carolina, in his efforts to designate January 28, 2009, as ``National Data Privacy Day.''

It is our duty and obligation to protect those victims of the exploitation of their personally identifiable information who often face a difficult and arduous process of cleaning up their credit records. These innocent victims, who may be an aging grandmother attempting to retire from over 30 years of labor as a housekeeper, or a young man who balances three jobs and is seeking a college loan, will be left to face lengthy investigations by credit card companies, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies, while these cyber-criminals take minutes or less to destroy a namesake that has taken years to build.

texas Privacy Efforts

Texas seeks to perform its part through the Texas Business and Commerce Code, which bolsters the security of personally identifiable information, with respect to an individual who is the owner or operator of a computer, including first name or first initial in combination with last name; a home or other physical address, including street name; electronic mail address; a credit or debit card number; a bank account number; a password or access code associated with a credit or debit card or bank account; a Social Security number, tax identification number, driver's license number, passport number, or other government-issued identification number; or any information if the information alone or in combination with other information personally identifies the individual.

Data Privacy

According to the Privacy Rights Clearing House, since February 2005, more than 100 million records containing personal information have been subject to some sort of security breach.

Data privacy concerns exist wherever personally identifiable information is collected and stored--in digital form or otherwise. Improper or non-existent disclosure control can be the root cause for privacy issues. Data privacy issues can arise in response to information from a wide range of sources, such as: healthcare records, criminal justice investigations and proceedings, financial institutions and transactions, biological traits, such as genetic material, residence and geographic records.

The greatest challenge that we face in data privacy is to share data while maintaining a high level of protection amongst personally identifiable information. The ability to control what information one reveals about oneself over the Internet, and who can access that information, has become a growing concern over the ability for emails to be stored or read by third parties without consent, as well as the possibility of web sites which are visited collecting, storing, and possibly sharing personally identifiable information about users. For many reasons, individuals may not wish for the revelation of personal information such as their religion, sexual orientation, political affiliations, or private activities.

The economic crisis that our country is faced with today calls for an elevated guard of our financial information, as identity theft and a multitude of cyber-crimes are on the rise. Information about a person's financial transactions, including the amount of assets, positions held in stocks or funds, outstanding debts, and purchases can be sensitive. If criminals gain access to information such as a person's accounts or credit card numbers, that person could become the victim of fraud or identity theft. Information about a person's purchases can reveal a great deal about that person's history, such as places visited, persons contacted, products used, as well as activities and habits.

National Data Privacy Day provides for an international collaboration, and a nationwide and statewide effort to raise awareness about data privacy and the protection of personal information on the Internet and will call for government officials from the United States and Europe, privacy professionals, academics, legal scholars, representatives of international businesses, and others with an interest in data privacy issues to work together on this date to

further the discussion about data privacy and protection.

Conclusion

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the promotion of the protection of personal information and data by designating January 28, 2009, as ``National Data Privacy Day,'' which will endorse the safeguard of personal information online and affects all of us.

Madam Speaker, today I speak in strong support of H. Res. 84, and thank my colleague Congressman Joseph Crowley, for authoring this important resolution.

Madam Speaker, the first week of January Americans witnessed no shortage in heroic activity, from the dramatic rescue of an elderly woman by Houston Metro officer Eliot Swainson, to what we recognize here today. The heroic efforts by everyone involved in the emergency landing of flight 1549. This was one of many events this year alone where the world once again recognized the U.S. as a country of doers.

Flight 1549 is now known as the Miracle on the Hudson. A miracle it may be, but what are not surprising or any less miraculous are the coordinated efforts by the pilot, crew and rescuers, who under immense pressure proved that even a battered and bruised American spirit has the strength to overcome indescribable odds.

Captain Chesley Sullenberger ``Sully'' pilot of the U.S. Airways flight, is no stranger to heroism. A former Air Force officer, he has served the United States proudly for many years. Through his calm and confident ways he successfully maneuvered an enormous aircraft onto the still and icy Hudson River, saving the lives of over 155 passengers.

Just like every hero there is a team of people working with them ensure that no task is left undone and that all measures are taken, even in the most terrible situations. His honorable crew, First Officer Jeffrey B. Skiles, Flight

Attendant Sheila Dail, Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh and Flight Attendant Donna Dent, along with Captain Sullenberger worked tirelessly upon the aircraft's landing to insure that all 155 passengers aboard the aircraft were evacuated and ready to be boarded onto one of the various boats sent to the landing site to assist in the rescue. The strength and sheer will of the entire crew aboard Flight 1549 is what caused this miraculous landing to occur.

As subcommittee chair of Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection I have been an advocate for both the TSA and the FAA for many years. I am particularly proud of the ability of these organizations to prepare those affiliated with them in the best way possible. Crew members are highly trained.

Once the passengers exited the cabin of the plane they were met instantly by the Coast Guard, Harbor Patrol, water taxis, and other various watercrafts. Passengers were transported to a fleet of ambulances and emergency personnel waiting by the shores of the river to assist in anyway possible. Once again New Yorkers demonstrate in the face of devastating circumstances they will respond in ways that almost seem impossible to the average human being. New Yorkers, just as people of my district have done in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, with that helpful nature and American courage to take on any task all things are doable.

Most importantly the common variable in this impressive act of heroism is the strength of a united American spirit. This spirit, that when directed toward a problem no matter how immediate or great in scale, can be handled through a combined effort by a unified American people behind one common goal. This spirit is exactly what the United States needs right now.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the heroic actions of pilot Chesley Sullenberger, crew members Donna Dent, Doreen Welsh, Sheila Dail, Jeffrey B. Skiles, as well as all of the rescuers standing by for U.S. Airways Flight 1549 on the shores of the Hudson. These heroes on the Hudson are examples of the common humanity that flows through the veins of this Nation.