Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise as well to support the legislation, H.R. 5571, and to commend the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Immigration of the House Judiciary Committee for her leadership on this issue, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. I thank the manager of the bill, Mr. Scott, for his leadership; our chairman of the full committee; our ranking member of the full committee; and the ranking member of the Immigration Subcommittee, Mr. King of Iowa.

This is an embracing and unifying initiative. Why? Because we all understand the necessity of health care in America. We understand the importance of providing access to health care no matter where you live. And I thank Mr. Blake Chisam and my staff, Mr. Arthur Sidney, for working on language that I proposed to emphasize the importance of the provision that these doctors receive and should be guided by language that indicate that they should be utilized in areas that are underserved, that there are doctors that are not serving the area.

So that foreign doctors who will benefit from the waiver provisions, which means eliminating the need for foreign medical doctors to return to their native land, will be utilized or encouraged to be utilized in areas around the country. The language in particular reads: It is the sense of Congress that Federal programs waiving the J-1 home residency requirement for physicians are generally designed to promote the delivery of critically needed medical services to Americans lacking adequate access to physician care, and that when determining the qualification of location for a waiver petition, the Department of Health and Human Services should always consider the needs of vulnerable populations in low-income and impoverished communities, communities with high infant mortality rates, rural areas, and communities exhibiting other signs of a lack of necessary physician services.

In my State of Texas, we have been fighting for this for a very long time. In the rural parts of Texas, we are lacking in medical services and physicians. It's very important when these waivers are given that these physicians are utilized where they can best serve, and that is in vast number of areas that do not have access to health care.

I support this legislation, H.R. 5571, and I think as it comes to the floor, it contains all the elements that suggest a benefit that brings about a burden, but not a burden that is negative but a burden to serve those who are in desperate need. Many of our country are, and these physicians can help them. With that, I believe this is an important bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5571, to extend for 5 years the program relating to waiver of the foreign country residence requirement with respect to international medical graduates. The purpose of this bill is to extend for 5 years the program relating to a waiver of the foreign country residence requirement with respect to international medical graduates. I support this bill.

The Immigration and Nationality Act allows for foreign doctors to train in the United States under the ``J-1'' visa program, otherwise known as non-immigrants in the ``Exchange Visitor Program.'' This Exchange Visitor Program seeks to promote peaceful relations and mutual understanding with other countries through educational and cultural exchange programs. Accordingly, many exchange visitors, including doctors in training, are subject to a requirement that they must return to their home country to share with their countrymen the knowledge, experience, and impressions gained during their stay in the United States. Unless U.S. Customs and Immigration Service approves a waiver of this requirement, the exchange visitors must depart from the United States and live in their home country for 2 years before they are allowed to apply for an immigrant visa, permanent residence, or a new non-immigrant status.

A waiver of the 2 year foreign residency requirement is available for doctors who have trained in the United States under the J-1 visa if a State or an interested Federal agency sponsors the physician exchange visitor to work in a health manpower shortage area within the State for 3 years as a non-immigrant in H-1B status (temporary worker in specialty occupation). The Secretary of Health and Human Services determines which areas have a health manpower shortage.

The availability of this waiver will sunset on June 1, 2008. H.R. 5571 would extend this waiver for 5 years to ensure that areas in the United States with a shortage of doctors have an option to hire a doctor with a J-1 visa for 3 years where there is no other doctor available to fill the job.

I worked with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren to ensure that the foreign doctors who will benefit from the waiver provisions, eliminating the need for the foreign medical doctors to return to their native land, will be

required to work in impoverished and underserved inner-city and urban communities. I believe that this is important because Americans who need access to medical care, the poor and needy, will benefit. This would be a tremendous improvement in the U.S. medical system and would move us closer to garnering access to healthcare for all.

Specifically, I worked to include the following language in the bill:

It is the sense of Congress that Federal programs waiving

the J-1 home residency requirement for physicians are

generally designed to promote the delivery of critically

needed medical services to Americans lacking adequate access

to physician care and that when determining the qualification

of a location for a waiver petition, the Department of Health

and Human Services should always consider the needs of

vulnerable populations in low-income and impoverished

communities, communities with high infant mortality rates,

rural areas, and communities exhibiting other signs of a lack

of necessary physician services.

Across this great Nation the health disparities between minority and majority populations are staggering. Most major diseases--diabetes, heart disease, prostate cancer, HIV/AIDS, low-birth-weight babies--all hit the minority communities harder. Minorities consistently have decreased access to care, and receive lower quality care, when they do have access. As the economy continues to falter and as the unemployment rate spikes, millions of Americans are losing their health insurance. That state of affairs will only make the health disparities worse. Consider these statistics:

African-American women are nearly three times as likely to die from pregnancy complications and childbirth as White women.

Native American, African-American and Hispanic women are most likely to receive inadequate prenatal care.

Compared with White women, African American women are twice as likely and Hispanic women are nearly three times as likely to be uninsured. Furthermore, African Americans and Hispanics are much more likely than Whites to lack a usual source of care and to encounter other difficulties in obtaining needed care.

Certain minorities also have much higher rates of diabetes-related complications and death, in some instances by as much as 50 percent more than the total population. It is truly an epidemic.

Nearly 31 percent of African American girls in the 4th grade were overweight in 2001.

Thirteen percent of Houston high school students are overweight and 17 percent are at risk.

Thirty-four percent of African American women are obese, compared to 19 percent of White women.

Forty-four percent of African American women are projected to be obese by 2020, and 47 percent by 2040.

As of February 2006, African-Americans represented only 13 percent of the U.S. population, but accounted for 40 percent of the 944,306 AIDS cases diagnosed since the start of the epidemic and approximately half, 49 percent, of the 42,514 cases diagnosed in 2004 alone.

African-Americans also account for half of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the 35 States/areas with confidential name-based reporting.

The AIDS case rate per 100,000 population among African-American adults/adolescents was nearly 10.2 times that of Whites in 2004.

African-Americans accounted for 55 percent of deaths due to HIV in 2002 and their survival time after an AIDS diagnosis is lower on average than it is for other racial/ethnic groups.

HIV was the third leading cause of death for African-Americans, ages 25-34, in 2002 compared to the sixth leading cause of death for Whites and Latinos in this age group.

African-American women account for the majority of new AIDS cases among women, 67 percent in 2004; while White women account for 17 percent and Latinos 15 percent. Among African-Americans, African- American women represent more than a third, 36 percent, of AIDS cases diagnosed in 2004.

Although African-American teens, ages 13-19, represent only 15 percent of U.S. teenagers, they accounted for 66 percent of new AIDS cases reported among teens in 2003.

It is my hope that the language that I worked to get included in the bill will promote the delivery of critically needed medical services to Americans in low-income and impoverished communities, rural areas, and communities that are in desperate need of physician services.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I thank the distinguished gentleman from Virginia and I thank him for his words of tribute, as I thank the distinguished gentleman from Iowa for his words of tribute, two distinguished gentlemen, and of course the chairman and ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Conyers and Mr. Smith.

I rise today with great enthusiasm to be able to commemorate this year, the 100th birthday of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. I am glad that Mr. King offered the fact that much of the legislation that was monumental, there was bipartisan support. That was a talent of Lyndon Baines Johnson. He managed to craft a legislative agenda as a President that was remarkable, I would say unbelievable, and he did it by reaching across the aisle.

So I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 354, commemorating President Lyndon Baines Johnson on the occasion of his centennial birthday celebration. I am proud to offer this legislation and to note that the President's official birth date is August 27, 1908. This will give us the opportunity to commemorate his legacy from this time until the month of August. The Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation is celebrating, however, the remarkable life and Presidency of this great man beginning today and the celebration will culminate with his family members and fellow former cabinet members and staff and supporters and Members of Congress, House and Senate, on this Wednesday, when the Senate will pass this concurrent resolution honoring President Johnson.

It is an honor to recognize President Lyndon Baines Johnson, not simply because he was President, but because he represented an era, because he convened a time in America that was troubled. But he was a true champion of civil rights for all Americans and he led the Nation during very turbulent political times, from the Civil Rights movement, the deaths of President John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King, and the Vietnam War.

But he was a teacher by profession in Texas. He proudly served the 10th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. He was a commissioned officer in the Navy and valiantly served in World War II. He was a renaissance man, he was a whole man, he was an American person, an American man, if you will. During World War II he was conferred the Silver Star, the military's third highest medal, by General Douglas MacArthur.

He was a United States Senator and served as both minority and majority leader. He holds the current distinction of being the youngest Senate majority leader at the age of 46. He was also Vice President, head of the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunities, and President of the United States.

As President, as was noted, he nominated historically the first African American, the first minority to be nominated to the Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall, who, of course, we all know argued that premier and prominent case civil rights legacy, Brown v. Board of Education, to the United States Supreme Court. All the world took note that this southern President from Texas could nominate an African American to the Supreme Court. That was Lyndon Baines Johnson.

He was truly a great Texan and a great patriot and a great American. He was a devoted husband to Lady Bird Johnson, and we acknowledged her passing sadly this year, and, of course, a father to his two beloved children, Luci Baines Johnson and Lynda Johnson Robb. History shows us that beside this giant of an a man, this historic legend, there were three great women.

President Johnson never forgot his beginnings in Texas. My predecessor in Congress, the incomparable Honorable Barbara Jordan of the 18th Congressional District in Texas, developed a good working relationship with President Johnson, and he appointed her to serve on the Commission on Income Maintenance in 1968.

In addition, after the 1965 Voting Rights Act was created, she along with many African Americans ascended to the United States Congress, for the Honorable Barbara Jordan had run before and had lost. With the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the redistricting that came about, she was able to be elected to the United States Congress, along with Andy Young, and the rest is history, as we have seen the numbers of African Americans and Hispanics come to the United States Congress, creating a more equal balance because of this legislation.

Of course, Barbara Jordan in 1968 amended the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by adding Spanish language. Later Barbara Jordan would serve as a professor at the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas and she would accept an appointment to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Centennial Chair in National Policy at the university.

As a teacher, Johnson believed segregation condemned the South to educational and economic backwardness. I think it is important to note, as I said earlier, he was a son of the south. This was a very difficult stance to take. He took it out of his heart. He did not agree with segregation, and coming to the United States Congress and Senate, it freed him to do what was right.

In 1937, Johnson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a liberal New Dealer allied with Democratic President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Johnson commemorated his legislative life in tribute to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, I truly believe, because he led on the War on Poverty.

Johnson successfully championed civil rights when he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 1948. Even then, as I said, as a son of the south, he was unashamed of his belief against segregation. In 1957, when a civil rights bill came before Congress, Johnson favored the bill and worked hard behind the scenes to win its passage. He moved from one side to the other, persuading southern Democrats and northern liberals to compromise. The Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first civil rights legislation to pass since reconstruction, was

signed by President Eisenhower in September 1957. Civil right was bipartisan in this body, and President Johnson knew that.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy invited Johnson to join the Democratic presidential ticket as his running mate. Some would say there could not be two more different individuals. But what a match, what a wonderful match. And they went on to victory. As they went on to victory, they showed the world that different viewpoints can be united.

When Johnson met Dr. Martin Luther King a few days after Kennedy's assassination, Dr. King told Johnson that racial tensions could no longer be tempered by compromise. Johnson appreciated King's powers of persuasion and decided to utilize his experience to pass the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Dr. King and President Johnson continued to work closely to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act.

It was difficult times. There were agreements and disagreements. But, lo and behold, the great and wonderful hopeful dream of Dr. Martin Luther King did his work and asked that President Johnson do his work, and together they did their work for America.

Reminiscing on the trials and triumphs on her young years in the White House, his daughter Luci Baines Johnson stated that her legacy from the White House days were ``a thousand friendships, a deep and abiding love of country and public service, a passion for learning, and the recognition that getting in life is truly to be found in the giving and the belief that I should try to live each day as if it is my last.''

President Johnson signed these bills into law, as I indicated: the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act and the Open Housing Act. President Johnson started Head Start, Job Corps and Medicare, among many others. And if you look at his time in Congress and his time as President, you will find not just a Presidency, but you will find an era.

It is amazing the bills that President Johnson passed. I simply want to take note of them and will place into the Record two pages of legislation under the auspices and the administration of Lyndon Baines Johnson that included so many bills, the Kennedy Cultural Center, the Urban Mass Transit, Food Stamps, housing acts, Head Start and others.

We understand we are going into a hot summer, a summer where youth are looking for jobs. President Johnson offered Job Corps, Youth Jobs, Medicare for those who are up in years, and, of course, he declared the War on Poverty, the first President to do so. He developed 40 programs to eliminate poverty, and his programs were intended to improve the living conditions of all Americans.

Of course, he was a great educator. His daughter Lynda Robb once stated, ``But daddy wasn't as interested in the numbers of laws he helped enact as he was in the number of lives that he helped to enrich.''

I just want to show this body some of the pictures that show the working relationship with major civil rights leaders that worked closely with the President on these civil rights laws. It shows the passion that he had, that he was a-hands-on President.

As he met with Dr. Martin Luther King, this picture shows him giving the pen which he signed the 1964-1965 bill, and as well the signing ceremonies that took place during that time. This, of course, shows Barbara Jordan and Vernon Jordan who stood with the President on many, many issues.

Let me close by simply acknowledging one of the greatest moments I think this Congress had a chance to witness, and that was the President's speech to Congress as he dealt with this question of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. As he spoke to the Speaker and to the Members of Congress, he said, ``I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy. I urge every member of both parties, Americans of all religions and of all colors from every section of this country to join me in that cause. At times history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point in man's unending search for freedom. So it was at Lexington and Concord. So it was a century ago at Appomattox. So it was last week in Selma, Alabama.''

The President opened up his words by suggesting that we could do this together. These are his final words.

``So I ask you to join me in working long hours, nights and weekends, if necessary, to pass this bill. And I don't make that request lightly. For from the window where I sit, with the problems of our country, I recognize that outside this Chamber is the outraged conscience of a nation, the grave concern of many nations, and the harsh judgment of history on our acts.'' And, of course, he said ``We shall overcome.''

Mr. Speaker, I would say to you that President Lyndon Baines Johnson was the President of the United States, but he represents the compilation of all the dreams and aspirations of many who could not speak for themselves. He embraced the civil rights leaders. He understood as a son of the South that he could make a difference. He reached across the aisle and counted every vote. He knew how tough it was going to be to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and then ultimately after the violence of Selma, the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

He opened the doors to many of us. I stand here as a true testimony to all that he has done. All of us who have had the doors of education opened, the doors of political process opened, the doors of poverty removed, opened and then shut, owe that to President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

I started by saying that he is not just a President, but it is an era which we should remember. Joseph Califano said it is not a President that should be forgotten, but should be remembered. I ask my colleagues to support this legislation, and I ask them to do so enthusiastically.

Mr. Speaker, I include the list of legislation mentioned earlier:

Landmark Laws of the Lyndon B. Johnson Administration

1963

College Facilities, Clean Air, Vocational Education, Indian

Vocational Training, and Manpower Training.

1964

Inter-American Development Bank, Kennedy Cultural Center,

Tax Reduction, Presidential Transition, Federal Airport Aid,

Farm Program, Chamizal Convention, Pesticide Controls,

International Development Association, and Civil Rights Act

of 1964.

Campobello International Park, Urban Mass Transit, Water

Resources Research, Federal Highway, Civil Service Pay Raise,

War on Poverty, Criminal Justice, Truth-in-Securities,

Medicine Bow National Forest, and Ozark Scenic Riverway.

Administrative Conference, Fort Bowie Historic Site, Food

Stamp, Housing Act, Interest Equalization, Wilderness Areas,

Nurse Training, Revenues for Recreation, Fire Island National

Seashore, Library Services, and Federal Employee Health

Benefits.

1965

Medicare, Aid to Education, Higher Education, Four Year

Farm Program, Department of Housing and Urban Development,

Housing Act, Social Security Increase, Deaf-Blind Center,

College Work Study, and Rail Strike Settlement.

Voting Rights, Fair Immigration Law, Older Americans,

Heart, Cancer, Stroke Program, Law Enforcement Assistance,

National Crime Commission, Drug Controls, Mental Health

Facilities, Health Professions, and Medical Libraries.

Vocational Rehabilitation, Anti-Poverty Program, Arts and

Humanities Foundation, Aid to Appalachia, Highway Beauty,

Clean Air, Water Pollution Control, High Speed Transit,

Manpower Training, and Presidential Disability.

Child Health, Regional Development, Aid to Small

Businesses, Weather-Predicting Services, Military Pay

Increase, GI Life Insurance, Community Health Services, Water

Resources Council, Water Desalting, and Assateague National

Seashore.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Delaware Water Gap

Recreation Area, Juvenile Delinquency Control, Arms Control,

Strengthening U.N. Charter, International Coffee Agreement,

and Retirement for Public Servants.

1966

Food for India, Child Nutrition, Department of

Transportation, Truth in Packaging, Model Cities, Rent

Supplements, Teachers Corps, Asian Development Bank, Clean

Rivers, Aid-to-Handicapped Children, Redwoods Park, and

Flaming Gorge Recreation Area.

Food for Freedom, Child Safety, Narcotics Rehabilitation,

Traffic Safety, Highway Safety, Mine Safety, International

Education, Bail Reform, Tire Safety, New GI Bill, and Minimum

Wage Increase.

Urban Mass Transit, Civil Procedure Reform, Federal Highway

Aid, Military Medicare, Public Health Reorganization, Cape

Lookout Seashore, Water Research, Guadalupe National Park,

Revolutionary War Bicentennial, and Fish-Wildlife

Preservation.

Water for Peace, Anti-Inflation Program, Scientific

Knowledge Exchange, Cultural Materials Exchange, Foreign

Investors Tax, Parcel Post Reform, Civil Service Pay Raise,

Stockpile Sales, Participation Certificates, Protection for

Savings, Flexible Interest Rates, and Freedom of Information.

1967

Education Professions, Education Act, Air Pollution

Control, Partnership for Health, Social Security Increases,

Age Discrimination, Wholesome Meat, Flammable Fabrics, Urban

Research, and Public Broadcasting.

Outer Space Treaty, Modern D.C. Government, Vietnam

Veterans Benefits, Federal Judicial Center, Civilian-Postal

Workers Pay, Summer Youth Programs, Food Stamps, Selective

Service, Urban Fellowships, and Consular Treaty.

Safety At Sea Treaty, Narcotics Treaty, Anti-Racketeering,

Product Safety Commission, Small Business Aid, and Inter-

American Bank.

1968

Fair Housing, Indian Bill of Rights, Safe Streets,

Wholesome Poultry, Food for Peace, Commodity Exchange Rules,

U.S. Grain Standards, School Breakfasts, Bank Protection, and

Defense Production.

Corporate Takeovers, Export Program, Gold Cover Removal,

Truth-in-Lending, Aircraft Noise Abatement, Auto Insurance

Study, New Narcotics Bureau, Gas Pipeline Safety, Fire

Safety, and Sea Grant Colleges.

D.C. School Board, Tax Surcharge, Better Housing,

International Monetary Reform, International Grains Treaty,

Oil Revenues for Recreation, Virgin Islands Elections, San

Rafael Wilderness, San Gabriel Wilderness, and Fair Federal

Juries.

Candidate Protection, Juvenile Delinquency Prevention,

Guaranteed Student Loans, D.C. Visitors Center, FHA-VA

Interest Rate Program, Health Manpower, Eisenhower College,

Gun Controls, Biscayne Park, and Heart, Cancer, and Stroke

Programs.

Hazardous Radiation Protection, Colorado River Reclamation,

Scenic Rivers, Scenic Trails, National Water Commission,

Federal Magistrates, Vocational Education, Veterans Pension

Increases, North Cascades Park, International Coffee

Agreement, Intergovernmental Manpower, Dangerous Drugs

Control, and Military Justice Code.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 354, commemorating President Lyndon Baines Johnson on the occasion of his centennial birthday celebration. I am pleased to have the opportunity of being the original author of this resolution along with 59 House sponsors.

I note that the President's official birthdate is August 27, 1908. However, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation is celebrating the remarkable life and presidency of this great man beginning today, and the celebration will culminate on this Wednesday when the Senate will pass its resolution honoring President Johnson. I would like to thank my staff for the hard work on this resolution.

It is an honor to recognize President Lyndon Baines Johnson. He was a true champion of civil rights for all Americans, and he led the Nation during very turbulent political times from the Civil Rights Movement, the deaths of President John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King, and the Vietnam war.

He was a teacher by profession in Texas. He proudly served the 10th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. He was a commissioned officer in the Navy and valiantly served in World War II, and was conferred the Silver Star, the military's third highest medal, by General Douglas MacArthur. He was a United States Senator and served as both Minority and Majority leader. He holds the current distinction of being the youngest Senate majority leader at the age of 46. He was also Vice President, head of the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunities, and President of the United States.

As President, he nominated Thurgood Marshall as the first African- American to serve on the United States Supreme Court.

He was truly a great Texan. He was a devoted husband to Lady Bird Johnson and a father to his two beloved children: Luci Baines Johnson and Lynda Johnson Robb. These women give new meaning to the old adage, behind every great man is a great woman. History shows us that beside this giant, this historic legend, there were three great women.

President Johnson never forgot his beginnings in Texas. My predecessor in Congress, the incomparable Honorable Barbara Jordan of the 18th Congressional District in Texas, developed a good working relationship with President Johnson and he appointed her to serve on the Commission on Income Maintenance in 1968. Later, she would serve as professor at the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas and she would accept an appointment to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Centennial Chair in National Policy at the University.

As a teacher, Johnson believed segregation condemned the South to educational and economic backwardness. In 1937, Johnson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a liberal New Dealer allied with Democratic President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Johnson successfully championed civil rights when he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 1948.

In 1957, when a civil rights bill came before Congress, Johnson favored the bill and worked hard behind the scenes to win its passage. He moved from one side to the other, persuading southern Democrats and northern liberals to compromise. The Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first civil rights legislation to pass since Reconstruction, was signed by President Eisenhower in September 1957.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy invited Johnson to join the Democratic presidential ticket as his running mate. Johnson pushed the more liberal Kennedy to go further and faster on civil rights.

When Johnson met with Dr. Martin Luther King a few days after Kennedy's assassination, Dr. King told Johnson that racial tensions could no longer be tempered by compromise. Johnson, who appreciated King's powers of persuasion, decided to utilize his experience to pass the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Dr. King and President Johnson continued to work closely to pass the Voting Rights of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act.

Reminiscing on the trials and triumphs on her young years in the White House, his daughter Luci Baines Johnson stated that her legacy from the White House days were ``a thousand friendships, a deep and abiding love of country and public service, a passion for learning, the recognition that the getting in life is truly to be found in the giving and the belief that I should try to live each day as if it is my last.''

Over a quarter century ago, while delivering the commencement address at Howard University on June 4, 1965, President Johnson posed this question: ``. . . what is justice?'' His response was ``It is to fulfill the fair expectations of man.''

Throughout his life and administration, President Johnson sought justice for all Americans. His administration produced the greatest outpouring of legislation in America's history. Laws were enacted to end discrimination and to fight poverty, to provide medical care to the old and to extend educational opportunities to the young. In addition, acts were passed to clean the air and water and reverse the pollution of decades, to preserve precious land for public recreation and to protect the natural beauty of the continent. Legislation protected the consumer in the marketplace and enabled art, music and theater to be brought to all parts of America.

President Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Open Housing Act of 1968. These Acts removed the barriers that restricted African Americans from using restaurants, restrooms, theaters, and other public accommodations; assured all citizens their constitutional right to vote; and provided African Americans and other minorities with the freedom to decide where they would live.

President Johnson started Head Start, Job Corps, and Medicare, among many other landmark pieces of legislation and programs. With his Head Start initiative, 4 and 5-year old children from disadvantaged families attended classes and were provided with nourishing meals and medical attention, and a chance to learn in schools.

Job Corps taught young men and women trades and vocational skills that would enable them to lead productive lives.

His Medicare initiative provided health care to all Americans over 65. With the passage of the Medicare Act, the threat of financial doom was lifted from senior citizens, and also from the sons and daughters who might also otherwise have been burdened with the responsibility for their parent's care.

His undertaking on the War on Poverty was expansive. He developed 40 programs to eliminate poverty, and his programs were intended not just to improve living conditions but to enable people trapped in the perpetual cycle of poverty the opportunity to lift themselves up out of poverty and improve their own conditions.

President Johnson also added a prodigious number of laws that extended education to young people. ``More than 60 education laws were part of the vast number of legislative measures that made up the Great Society,'' his daughter, Lynda Robb once stated. ``But Daddy wasn't as interested in the number of laws he helped enact as he was in the number of lives those laws help enrich.'' Luci Baines Johnson stated, ``Nothing meant more to my father than education.''

Today we celebrate the life of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. He has given America many legislative victories. Importantly, his legislation had important elements of self-help that provided the people it was intended to serve with the opportunity to work to improve their own condition. Indeed, President Johnson ensured that all Americans would be assured their constitutional freedoms and that all Americans would enjoy the triumph against oppression and injustice. As President Johnson rightly said, quoting Winston Churchill on another triumph for freedom, ``it is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning. That beginning is freedom and the barriers to that freedom are tumbling down.

President Johnson's administration made tremendous strides in the garnering of civil rights of all Americans. Let us be reminded that the barriers to freedom are still tumbling. Indeed, it is not yet the beginning of the end. But it is the end of the beginning. The nation owes the end of the beginning to the leadership, foresight, and effectiveness of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. President Johnson and his administration have started the Nation on its trek to assure civil rights and freedoms to all, but the battle is not yet won, and we must continue to march on, in the courageous spirit of President Johnson, until victory is won, and all people are free.

In his very eloquent speech to the full Congress, President Johnson echoed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous words, ``We Shall Overcome.'' President Johnson's delivered his speech on March 15, 1965, a week after deadly racial violence erupted in Selma, Alabama, as African Americans were attacked by police while preparing to march to Montgomery to protest voting rights discrimination.

In his speech, President Johnson challenged the members of Congress, by stating ``I want this to be the Congress--Republicans and Democrats alike--which did all these things for all these people. Beyond this great chamber--out yonder--in fifty states are the people that we serve. Who can tell what deep and unspoken hopes are in their hearts tonight as they sit there and listen? We all can guess, from our own lives, how difficult they often find their own pursuit of happiness, how many problems each little family has. They look most of all to themselves for their future, but I think that they also look to each of us.''

This speech was historic not only in what it asked of Congress, but also, what it asked of the American people. I encourage everyone to read the text of this historic address in its entirety.

I will close with the words that President Johnson delivered in his historic commencement speech on June 4, 1965 before Howard University:

``The Scripture promises: `I shall light a candle of understanding in thine heart, which shall not be put out.' Together, and with millions more, we can light that candle of understanding in the heart of all America. And, once lit, it will never again go out.''

President Johnson has lit the candle, let us today continue to carry it and make sure that it will never go out.

Madam Speaker, I rise enthusiastically to support this very important rule.

I congratulate the very strategic design of the Appropriations Committee. This is tough, and I thank the Rules Committee for listening to us as we presented our amendments.

But I rise today to say that war is ugly. But we applaud and appreciate the young men and women on the front lines. We forever honor them. Just a few minutes ago I was in a room listening to returning war veterans from Iraq, and they gave us these words, horrible stories, such as calling the

Iraqis hajis or sand niggers, telling us about the impact on their families, how many families were destroyed, how many have attempted to commit suicide.

I offered an amendment that many focused on the idea that everything we have asked the soldiers to do under the 2002 resolution has been done, and, therefore, it should expire. The President has no more authority to continue this war.

Then I wanted to debunk the actions of what happened to the Vietnam vets and call for a national day of celebration, a national day of honor for all the returning war heroes that will come home. This is what we should be doing today as we vote against the funding of this war in Iraq. It is important to stand for these soldiers.

But I am glad that we have extended GI benefits for veterans' education. Some of them were telling us that they are now being denied these benefits because of a general discharge, because of their opposition to the war. Yes, it is valuable because we move on to help Americans in this bill as well, extending unemployment compensation, getting rid of these cuts in Medicaid and making sure that we don't damage specialty hospitals that are in our rural and inner city areas who are helping us.

I am grateful to what the Appropriations Committee did on world and food hunger. It is a disaster, and they moved it up higher than what the President asked for. We had a briefing on world hunger and it was appalling what is going on around the world. I am grad that we have monies for refugee assistance and the Merida funding.

The Merida initiative is funding for this horrible drug war between Mexico and its own citizens that's spilling over into the United States. I am appreciative of these dollars, but, my friends, we have got to stop the utilization of drugs here in the United States.

It looks like it's McDonald's where they send these various drugs. When I say that, I am not talking about McDonald's, but I am suggesting that the pinpoints of where these drugs are dropped off in the United States, it is tragic. As we send more money and more money to Mexico, we have got to begin to devise a new policy for drug opposition here in the United States.

Vote against the funding for the war. The underlying other amendments are very good.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1197, Rule providing for the consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2642-- Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008. While I offer my support for amendments No. 2 and No. 3, I must oppose amendment No. 1. While amendments 2 and 3 contain provisions beneficial to the American people, designed to improve our economy and protect our young men and women, amendment 1 continues a disastrous policy of providing unrestricted funding to continue the Bush administration's war in Iraq.

I oppose amendment No. 1 because I stand with the American taxpayers who have paid over $600 billion to finance the misadventure in Iraq. I stand with the 4076 fallen heroes who stand even taller in death because they gave the last full measure of devotion to their country. Last May, I was proud to vote for H.R. 1591, a supplemental spending bill that would have provided funds for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, which included a timetable for the redeployment of U.S. troops. Though this bill passed the House by a clear majority, the President opted to veto this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I must oppose amendment No. 1. This amendment provides a total of $162.9 billion for the Department of Defense for FY 2008 and FY 2009, funds that are handed over without any strings. The amendment does not withhold funding for the Iraq war, a war that so many of my colleagues in Congress oppose, and which only 32 percent of Americans now support. The amendment does not require that war funds can only be used for the responsible redeployment of American troop's home from Iraq.

Madam Speaker, I voted against the 2002 Iraq War Resolution. I am proud of that vote. I have consistently voted against the administration's practice of submitting a request for war funding through an emergency supplemental rather than the regular appropriations process which would subject the funding request to more rigorous scrutiny and require it to be balanced against other pressing national priorities. I cannot support legislation that provides the President with the resources to prolong his ill-advised war effort unrestrained.

I rise today in strong support of amendment No. 2. This amendment lays out a responsible U.S. policy toward Iraq, requiring that troops begin redeployment from Iraq within 30 days, with a goal of completing the withdrawal of combat troops by December 2009. As a Member of both the Out of Iraq and the Progressive Caucuses, I am proud to vote for legislation that, like other measures passed by this Congress, begins the process of withdrawing U.S. men and women from Iraq.

In addition, Madam Speaker this legislation specifically requires that any agreement between the United States and the government of Iraq committing future U.S. forces must be specifically authorized by Congress. The governments of Iraq and the United States announced their intention to forge a ``strategic framework agreement,'' a long-term, bilateral pact, to be completed by July 31, 2008. This negotiated agreement is to be based on the ``Declaration of Principles for a Long- Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America,'' signed November 26, 2007, by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and President Bush.

Under the Declaration of Principles, the parties will negotiate a security agreement, under which the United States will support the Iraqi government and security forces in providing security and stability and fighting al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups. The Declaration of Principles envisions an agreement setting forth a wide- ranging set of commitments, which will cover issues including politics, economics, and security. In hearings before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, administration officials have indicated that the President intends to negotiate this agreement as an executive agreement, not subject to Congressional approval. It is essential that any agreement which commits future U.S. troops to the defense of Iraq is outside the purview of existing authorizations, and such an agreement must be submitted to the Congress for approval. This legislation also prohibits the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq.

Madam Speaker, amendment No. 2 requires that the Iraqi government step up and pay its share of Iraqi reconstruction efforts. I am concerned that the United States has paid and continues to pay a disproportionate amount for Iraq reconstruction, especially when the Iraqi government reportedly has a $25-30 billion budget surplus this year. To date the United States has appropriated more than $45 billion for Iraq reconstruction. American funded reconstruction programs have included: the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces.

Iraq is a resource-rich nation. Though still facing problems including a lack of technology, damage from previous mismanagement, the effects of looting, and water intrusion, Iraqi oil production is currently at around 2 million barrels per day. The price of oil has skyrocketed to over $100 a barrel and Iraqi oil exports are generating an estimated $56.4 billion this year alone, according to the GAO, yet it is U.S. taxpayers who continue to foot the bill for Iraqi reconstruction. The government of Iraq is stashing its money in global banks, including a reported $30 billion in the U.S., instead of investing this money in the development of crucial Iraqi infrastructure. This legislation requires the Iraqi government to take responsibility for the future of its own nation.

There are a number of other key provisions in this amendment. It requires the President to reach an agreement with Iraq to subsidize fuel costs for U.S. Armed Forces operating in Iraq so that our military pays what Iraqis pay. It requires that troop's meet the Pentagon's definition of ``combat ready'' before they are deployed to Iraq; Prohibits troops from being deployed longer than Pentagon guidelines recommend; and requires that troops spend adequate time at home between deployments. This legislation makes substantial strides toward cleaning up contracting in Iraq, expanding current law to make all contractors working in war zones subject to prosecution for offenses that would otherwise be in violation of U.S. law; extending the statute of limitations for fraud cases during wartime; and amending the Federal criminal code to prohibit profiteering and fraud involving contractors overseas. In addition, it prohibits interrogation techniques not authorized in the Army Field Manual, a provision necessary in eliminating torture.

Amendment No. 3

Madam Speaker, the third amendment to H.R. 2642 provides over $21.2 billion for much needed domestic programs and foreign aid. By extending unemployment benefits, expanding veterans' education benefits, and placing a moratorium on the Bush administration's seven Medicaid regulations; this amendment gets us closer to where the Economic Stimulus package should have taken us.

This amendment will provide increased funds for food aid, military hospitals, and the reconstruction of the Louisiana levees.

international food aid

As many of you know, we are facing an international food crisis. According to the International Monetary Fund, IMF, global food prices have increased an average of 43 percent. In fact since March 2007, wheat has increased by 146 percent, soybean has increased by 71 percent, corn by 41 percent, and rice prices have increased by 29 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Many factors have played into this crisis. In China, India, and other emerging markets experiencing rapid economic growth, consumers are increasing their demand for food, oil, and energy supplies. Rising energy costs have directly raised the cost of agricultural production. Adverse weather-related events have lowered crop yields, particularly affecting wheat harvests. Depreciation of the U.S. dollar accounts for part of the increase in U.S. food prices, while increased production of biofuel has raised the price of corn.

Sadly, approximately 1 billion people--or one sixth of the world's population--subsist on less than $1 per day. Of this population, 162 million survive on less than $0.50 per day. Overall, increased food prices particularly affect developing countries, and the poorest people within those countries, where populations spend a larger proportional share of income on basic food commodities.

That is why I, along with other Hunger Caucus members hosted a forum on the food crisis and what it is doing to our children. We met with leaders of the international aid community to come up with pragmatic solutions to the global hunger crisis, both in the short-term and the long-term.

In my district I submitted an appropriations request for the Houston Food Bank to expand their collection and distribution of food to the good people of Houston. We each have to do our part, not only in our district by supporting much needed programs and organizations, but across this great Nation and the rest of the world.

This amendment would give $9.9 billion, $496 million above the President's request for the State Department, USAID and International Food Assistance. It is simply unacceptable in this day and age that children are going hungry. We have millions of dollars to bailout Bear Stearns, let's find that same money to help our families and our children.

Expanded GI Benefits for Veterans Education

As champion for veterans, I am especially pleased to see the expansion of education benefits to veterans under the GI bill.

Extended Unemployment Compensation

The number of Americans looking for work has grown by 800,000 over the last year, and the number of American jobs has declined by 260,000 since the beginning of 2008. This supplemental would extend unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their benefits by up to 13 weeks in every state as well as an additional 13 weeks in states with high unemployment.

protecting the medicaid safety net act of 2008 (h.r. 5613)

The Bush administration sought to cut services and payments to American families by adding seven different Medicaid regulations to the stimulus. This amendment places a much needed moratorium on those regulations giving back to our seniors, families, and those with disabilities as well as cut payments to safety net providers.

refugee assistance

$675 million, $454 million above the President's request, to address the refugee crisis in Iraq and elsewhere.

Merida

This amendment would give $461.5 million, $88.5 million below the President's request for the initiative to provide counter narcotics and law enforcement assistance in Mexico, $400 million, and Central America, $61.5 million.

Military Construction

The $4.6 billion for military construction, $2.2 billion over the President's request, including $939 million for BRAC, over $210 million for the military child care centers that the President announced in the State of the Union but never funded, and $992 million for military hospitals to prevent the types of problems that faced Walter Reed.

bureau of prisons

This $178 million urgently needed to meet rising incarceration costs and growing inmate population. The administration would have paid for these costs with cuts to state and local law enforcement funding.

Cleaning up Contracting (H.R. 3928 and H.R. 5712)

Increases accountability and transparency in Federal contracting by requiring companies that receive more than 80 percent of their revenue from the Federal Government to disclose the names and salaries of their top officers, and requires Federal contractors to report violations of Federal criminal law and overpayments on contracts over $5 million.

I thank the distinguished gentleman.

I rise in opposition to one more dollar being spent on the war in Iraq but many, many dollars spent on the brave men and women. I thank the leadership and I thank this committee for allowing us to spend dollars because of a responsibility to our troops with the GI Bill.

I also offer to my constituents, but also to this body, that we have an emergency, as well, with our summer jobs program. And I hope that we will find a way to fund a summer jobs program for our youth.

Let me say that there is not a tax burden in this bill, and I thank our leadership for understanding PAYGO. This is nothing more than an opportunity for those who make over $1 million to experience the burden, if you will, of the sacrifice this Nation is making on behalf of our troops. The moneys that are expended, only $500 for those making over $1 million and more, will be given to our troops with the GI Bill of Rights.

Where do we stand? I stand with the flag on behalf of the American troops. This is a great bill. Vote against the funding for the war and vote for the redeployment of our troops, a better domestic plan, and yes, an opportunity to pass the GI Bill of Rights, the GI Bill for our young men and women.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the continued funding of the Iraq war. While I offer my support for Amendments No. 2 and No. 3, I must oppose amendment No. 1. While amendments 2 and 3 contain provisions beneficial to the American people, designed to improve our economy and protect our young men and women, amendment 1 continues a disastrous policy of providing unrestricted funding to continue the Bush administration's war in Iraq.

Last night, I offered three amendments to this legislation in the rules committee. My first amendment would have added three sense of Congress paragraphs: ``(1) The war in Iraq should end as safely and quickly as possible and our troops should be brought home; (2) the performance of United States military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan should be commended, their courage and sacrifice have been exceptional, and when they come home, their service should be recognized appropriately, including through the observance of a national day of celebration; and (3) the primary purpose of funds made available by this Act should be to transition the mission of United States Armed Forces in Iraq and undertake their redeployment, and not to extend or prolong the war.''

This amendment is borne from my deeply held belief that we must commend our military for their exemplary performance and success in Iraq. As lawmakers continue to debate U.S. policy in Iraq, our heroic young men and women continue to willingly sacrifice life and limb on the battlefield. Our troops in Iraq did everything we asked them to do. We sent them overseas to fight an army; they are now caught in the midst of an insurgent civil war and continuing political upheaval. The United States will not and should not permanently prop up the Iraqi government and military. U.S. military involvement in Iraq will come to an end, and, when U.S. forces leave, the responsibility for securing their nation will fall to Iraqis themselves. However, whether or not my colleagues agree that the time has come to withdraw our American forces from Iraq, I believe that all of us in Congress should be of one accord that our troops deserve our sincere thanks and congratulations.

I very strongly believe that our Nation has a moral obligation to ensure that our veterans are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. One reason we are the greatest Nation in the world is because of the brave young men and women fighting for us in Iraq and Afghanistan. They deserve honor, they deserve dignity, and they deserve to know that a grateful Nation cares about them.

The second amendment that I offered explicitly states that the goals laid out by the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, AUMF, have all been achieved by our troops in Iraq.

As my amendment describes, the brave men and women of our military have done everything we asked them to do. The United States Armed Forces successfully toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein and captured the key cities of Iraq in only 21 days. Because of the skill and dedication of the members of the Armed Forces, the entire world has now been assured that Iraq does not possess weapons

of mass destruction that could threaten the United States or any member nation of the international community. The Armed Forces performed magnificently in conducting military operations designed to ensure that the people of Iraq would enjoy the benefits of a democratically-elected government governing a country that is capable of sustaining itself economically and politically and defending itself militarily. In June 2004, the Armed Forces facilitated the transfer of sovereignty from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the interim Government of Iraq, which governed Iraq until December 2005 when national elections were held in which more than 8 million Iraqi men and women voted in elections that were free and fair.

While our troops have achieved the objectives for which they were sent to Iraq, they are now caught in the midst of a sectarian conflict. Unfortunately, there is no military solution to Iraq's ongoing political and sectarian conflicts. This is a war without end. Though President Bush continues to rely on a strategy that seeks to stabilize and reconcile Iraq by force, only the Iraqi government can secure a lasting peace. Thus far, the Iraqi government has demonstrated an inability or an unwillingness to deliver on the political benchmarks that they themselves agreed were essential to achieving national reconciliation, which was the rationale and stated objective of the recent troop surge. Continuing to put the lives of our soldiers and our national treasury in the hands of what by most informed accounts--even by members of the Bush Administration--is an ineffective central Iraqi government is irresponsible and contrary to the wishes of the overwhelming majority of the American people.

The third amendment that I offered would provide funds for summer youth employment and training activities under the Workforce Investment Act. Unfortunately, many of our youth have to help out their families in these troubling economic times. Many of the youth who could obtain skills and training in their summer jobs state that they would either be sitting around watching television or getting into trouble if they were not in their communities working.

For more than 30 years, beginning in the 1960s, the Federal Government saw the enormous benefit of providing summer jobs to millions of disadvantaged youth across America. But since 2000, the Summer Youth Employment and Training Program, SYETP, has lost its direct funding, and is now effectively buried among 10 competing programs within the Workforce Investment Act, WIA. With unemployment soaring and the summer heat approaching, there is an urgent need to bring back summer jobs for youth. We need to be cognizant of the fact that many families count on their children working during the summer to raise money for college.

Families are facing a foreclosure crisis, the rising cost of gas, and health care; this amendment provides more money for workforce preparedness among our youth. When we invest in our youth and foster a sense of responsibility it will last a lifetime, aiding not only them, but their families, and our communities. This amendment would give our youth the skills and training they need to enter the workforce, and the money they and their families need to make it in these tough economic times.

However, the legislation we are considering today contains many important provisions, but, unfortunately, the first amendment continues funding for a war that I strongly oppose. I oppose amendment No. 1 because I stand with the American taxpayers who have paid over $600 billion to finance the misadventure in Iraq. I stand with the 4076 fallen heroes who stand even taller in death because they gave the last full measure of devotion to their country. Last May, I was proud to vote for H.R. 1591, a supplemental spending bill that would have provided funds for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, which included a timetable for the redeployment of U.S. troops. Though this bill passed the House by a clear majority, the President opted to veto this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I must oppose Amendment No. 1. This amendment provides a total of $162.9 billion for the Department of Defense for FY 2008 and FY 2009, funds that are handed over without any strings. The amendment does not withhold funding for the Iraq war, a war that so many of my colleagues in Congress oppose, and which only 32 percent of Americans now support. The amendment does not require that war funds can only be used for the responsible redeployment of American troops home from Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, I voted against the 2002 Iraq War Resolution. I am proud of that vote. I have consistently voted against the Administration's practice of submitting a request for war funding through an emergency supplemental rather than the regular appropriations process which would subject the funding request to more rigorous scrutiny and require it to be balanced against other pressing national priorities. I cannot support legislation that provides the President with the resources to prolong his ill-advised war effort unrestrained.

I rise today in strong support of Amendment No. 2. This amendment lays out a responsible U.S. policy toward Iraq, requiring that troops begin redeployment from Iraq within 30 days, with a goal of completing the withdrawal of combat troops by December 2009. As a Member of both the Out of Iraq and the Progressive Caucuses, I am proud to vote for legislation that, like other measures passed by this Congress, begins the process of withdrawing U.S. men and women from Iraq.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, this legislation specifically requires that any agreement between the United States and the Government of Iraq committing future U.S. forces must be specifically authorized by Congress. The governments of Iraq and the United States announced their intention to forge a strategic framework agreement, a long-term, bilateral pact, to be completed by July 31, 2008. This negotiated agreement is to be based on the Declaration of Principles for a Long- Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America, signed November 26, 2007, by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and President Bush.

Under the Declaration of Principles, the parties will negotiate a security agreement, under which the United States will support the Iraqi government and Security Forces in providing security and stability and fighting al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups. The Declaration of Principles envisions an agreement setting forth a wide- ranging set of commitments, which will cover issues including politics, economics, and security. In hearings before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, administration officials have indicated that the President intends to negotiate this agreement as an executive agreement, not subject to Congressional approval. It is essential that any agreement which commits future U.S. troops to the defense of Iraq is outside the purview of existing authorizations, and such an agreement must be submitted to the Congress for approval. This legislation also prohibits the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, amendment No. 2 requires that the Iraqi government step up and pay its share of Iraqi reconstruction efforts. I am concerned that the United States has paid and continues to pay a disproportionate amount for Iraq reconstruction, especially when the Iraqi government reportedly has a $25-30 billion budget surplus this year. To date the United States has appropriated more than $45 billion for Iraq reconstruction.

American funded reconstruction programs have included: the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces.

Iraq is a resource-rich nation. Though still facing problems including a lack of technology, damage from previous mismanagement, the effects of looting, and water intrusion, Iraqi oil production is currently at around 2 million barrels per day. The price of oil has skyrocketed to over $100 a barrel and Iraqi oil exports are generating an estimated $56.4 billion this year alone, according to the GAO, yet it is U.S. taxpayers who continue to foot the bill for Iraqi reconstruction. The government of Iraq is stashing its money in global banks, including a reported $30 billion in the U.S., instead of investing this money in the development of crucial Iraqi infrastructure. This legislation requires the Iraqi government to take responsibility for the future of its own nation.

There are a number of other key provisions in this amendment. It requires the President to reach an agreement with Iraq to subsidize fuel costs for U.S. Armed Forces operating in Iraq so that our military pays what Iraqis pay. It requires that troop's meet the Pentagon's definition of combat ready before they are deployed to Iraq; Prohibits troops from being deployed longer than Pentagon guidelines recommend; and requires that troops spend adequate time at home between deployments. This legislation makes substantial strides toward cleaning up contracting in Iraq, expanding current law to make all contractors working in war zones subject to prosecution for offenses that would otherwise be in violation of U.S. law; extending the statute of limitations for fraud cases during wartime; and amending the federal criminal code to prohibit profiteering and fraud involving contractors overseas. In addition, it prohibits interrogation techniques not authorized in the Army Field Manual, a provision necessary in eliminating torture.

Amendment No. 3

Mr. Speaker, the third amendment to H.R. 2642 provides over $21.2 billion for much needed domestic programs and foreign aid. By extending unemployment benefits, expanded veterans' education benefits, and placing a moratorium on the Bush Administrations' seven Medicaid regulations; this amendment gets us closer to where the Economic Stimulus package should have taken us.

This amendment will provide increased funds for food aid, military hospitals, and the reconstruction of the Louisiana levees.

International Food Aid

As many of you know, we are facing an international food crisis. According to the International Monetary Fund, IMF, global food

prices have increased an average of 43 percent. In fact since March 2007, wheat has increased by 146 percent, soybean has increased by 71 percent, corn by 41 percent, and rice prices have increased by 29 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Many factors have played into this crisis. In China, India, and other emerging markets experiencing rapid economic growth, consumers are increasing their demand for food, oil, and energy supplies. Rising energy costs have directly raised the cost of agricultural production. Adverse weather-related events have lowered crop yields, particularly affecting wheat harvests. Depreciation of the U.S. dollar accounts for part of the increase in U.S. food prices, while increased production of biofuel has raised the price of corn.

Sadly, approximately 1 billion people--or one sixth of the world's population--subsist on less than $1 per day. Of this population, 162 million survive on less than $0.50 per day. Overall, increased food prices particularly affect developing countries, and the poorest people within those countries, where populations spend a larger proportional share of income on basic food commodities.

That is why I, along with other Hunger Caucus members, hosted a forum on the Food Crisis and what it is doing to our children. We met with leaders of the international aid community to come up with pragmatic solutions to the global hunger crisis, both in the short term and the long term.

In my district I submitted an appropriations request for the Houston Food Bank to expand their collection and distribution of food to the good people of Houston. We each have to do our part, not only in our district by supporting much needed programs and organizations, but across this great Nation and the rest of the world.

This amendment would give $9.9 billion, $496 million above the President's request, for the State Department, USAID and International Food Assistance. It is simply unacceptable in this day and age that children are going hungry. We have millions of dollars to bail out Bear Stearns, let's find that same money to help our families and our children.

Expanded GI Benefits for Veterans Education

As champion for veterans, I am especially pleased to see the expansion of education benefits to veterans under the GI bill.

Extended Unemployment Compensation

The number of Americans looking for work has grown by 800,000 over the last year, and the number of American jobs has declined by 260,000 since the beginning of 2008. This supplemental would extend unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their benefits by up to 13 weeks in every State as well as an additional 13 weeks in States with high unemployment.

Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 (H.R. 5613)

The Bush Administration sought to cut services and payments to American families by adding seven different Medicaid regulations to the stimulus. This amendment places a much needed moratorium on those regulations, giving back to our seniors, families, and those with disabilities as well as cut payments to safety net providers.

Refugee Assistance

$675 million, $454 million above the President's request, to address the refugee crisis in Iraq and elsewhere.

Merida

This amendment would give $461.5 million, $88.5 million below the President's request, for the initiative to provide counternarcotics and law enforcement assistance in Mexico, $400 million, and Central America, $61.5 million.

Military Construction

The $4.6 billion for military construction, $2.2 billion over the President's request, including $939 million for BRAC, over $210 million for the military child care centers that the President announced in the State of the Union but never funded, and $992 million for military hospitals, to prevent the types of problems that faced Walter Reed.

Bureau of Prisons

This $178 million urgently needed to meet rising incarceration costs and growing inmate population. The administration would have paid for these costs with cuts to State and local law enforcement funding.

Cleaning up Contracting (H.R. 3928 & H.R. 5712)

Increases accountability and transparency in federal contracting by requiring companies that receive more than 80 percent of their revenue from the federal government to disclose the names and salaries of their top officers, and requires federal contractors to report violations of federal criminal law and over-payments on contracts over $5 million.

Mr. Speaker, I missed the vote on the Altmire amendment to the Waters housing bill last week. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce to the American people that their voices have been heard.

Today, this House voted down the $180 billion war funding bill that the President requested. It is time now for Americans to be heard and for this Congress to move forward on the safe redeployment of our troops.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, I offered amendments to declare the authorization of 2002 expired. I hope we will address that question and to announce or to establish a national day of honor in celebration to bring our troops home.

With the utilization of the $180 billion, we can begin an economic stimulus package that would include the work that the Congressional Black Caucus and Majority Whip Clyburn and myself have been supporting, and that is to provide for $1 billion or $500 million for summer job programs.

This is an emergency. Our young people are finding the doors of opportunity

closed. Many of them support their families. They need money for books. We need a summer job program. With the defeat of this $180 billion spending program for the war, we can do better.

The war should end. We've defeated the spending.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow, and further, that when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 19, for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6200, To suspend the acquisition of petroleum for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and for other purposes, introduced by my distinguished colleague from Vermont, Representative Welch. This legislation suspends the filling of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for the rest of the year, as long as the price of crude oil remains above $75 per barrel, and is an important first step in addressing America's current energy crisis.

Mr. Speaker, we are all painfully aware of the devastation high energy prices have had on American families. This New Direction Congress, of which I am proud to be a part, is fighting to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and bring down record gas prices, and launch a cleaner, smarter energy future for America that lowers costs and creates hundreds of thousands of green jobs. In addition to being a representative from Houston, Texas, the energy capital of the world, for the past 12 years, I have been the Chair of the Energy Braintrust of the Congressional Black Caucus. As such, I recognize that energy is the lifeblood of every economy, especially ours. Producing more of it leads to more good jobs, cheaper goods, lower fuel prices, and greater economic and national security.

Today, as the national average of gas has reached a record high of $3.72 a gallon, this legislation is an imperative step in addressing a burgeoning crisis. Each day, it takes 70,000 barrels of oil off the market to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which at 97 percent full is at it highest level ever. While the President last week stated that he did not believe suspending filling the reserve would affect prices, in 2006 when he was about to apply the same strategy we seek today, he stated, ``One way to ease price is to increase supply . . . . I've directed the Department of Energy to defer filling the reserve this summer. . . . So by deferring deposits until the fall, we'll leave a little more oil on the market.'' Despite calls from both sides of the aisle and both bodies of this Congress, President Bush has failed to listen to the will of the American people. As such, today the Senate passed a similar provision by a vote of 97-1, and this House intends to do the same.

Not only will suspending the fill of the SPR work this time, it has in the past when it was utilized by President George W. Bush, President Clinton, and President George H.W. Bush. By temporarily diverting the 70,000 barrels of oil that go into the SPR a day, this legislation could reduce gas prices from 5 to 24 cents a gallon, helping American families, businesses, and the economy as a whole.

In 2006, when President George W. Bush deferred deliveries from the SPR, he stated, ``Our Strategic Reserve is sufficiently large enough to guard against any major supply disruption over the next few months.'' Today, we have 702 million barrels of oil in the SPR, which is 14 million more barrels of oil than the 688 million in the SPR when President Bush suspended deliveries two years ago. I also believe we should put a moratorium on gas taxes through payment by energy company profits.

The President has the legal authority to suspend the fill of the SPR and help already suffering American families during this period of economic downturn. Because the President has ignored our requests to address this crisis, it is our duty to support this legislation and help the families, businesses, and economy of the United States. As such, I strongly support this legislation and urge my colleagues to join me and do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1134, supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month. I would first like to thank my distinguished colleague, Representative Grace Napolitano of California, for introducing this important legislation. This legislation designates the month of May to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all. The mental health and well-being of Americans is a critical issue that affects not only the quality of life, but also the health of our communities and our economic stability.

Since the turn of this century, thanks in large measure to research- based public health innovations, the lifespan of the average American has nearly doubled. Today, our Nation's physical health has never been better. Moreover, illnesses of the body once shrouded in fear--such as cancer, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS to name a few--increasingly are seen as treatable, survivable, even curable ailments. Yet, despite unprecedented knowledge gained in just the past three decades about the brain and human behavior, mental health is often an afterthought and illnesses of the mind remain shrouded in fear and misunderstanding.

Much remains to be learned about the causes, treatment, and prevention of mental and behavioral disorders. Obstacles that may limit the availability or accessibility of mental health services for some Americans are being dismantled, but disparities persist. Still, thanks to research and the experiences of millions of individuals who have a mental disorder, their family members, and other advocates, the Nation has the power today to tear down the most formidable obstacle to future progress in the arena of mental illness and health. That obstacle is stigma. Stigmatization of mental illness is an excuse for inaction and discrimination that is inexcusably outmoded in 1999.

The burden of mental illness on health and productivity in the United States and throughout the world has long been profoundly underestimated. Data developed by the massive Global Burden of Disease study, conducted by the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and Harvard University, reveal that mental illness, including suicide, ranks second in the burden of disease in established market economies, such as the United States. Mental illness emerged from the Global Burden of Disease study as a surprisingly significant contributor to the burden of disease.

Mental illness is the term that refers collectively to all diagnosable mental disorders. Mental disorders are health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior-- or some combination thereof--associated with distress and/or impaired functioning. Alzheimer's disease exemplifies a mental disorder largely marked by alterations in thinking, especially forgetting. Depression exemplifies a mental disorder largely marked by alterations in mood. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder exemplifies a mental disorder largely marked by alterations in behavior, over activity, and/or thinking, inability to concentrate. Alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior contribute to a host of problems--patient distress, impaired functioning, or heightened risk of death, pain, disability, or loss of freedom.

Suicide is a major, preventable public health problem. In 2004, it was the eleventh leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 32,439 deaths. The overall rate was 10.9 suicide deaths per 100,000 people. An estimated eight to 25 attempted suicides occur per every suicide death. Suicidal behavior is complex. Some risk factors vary with age, gender, or ethnic group and may occur in combination or change over time. Older Americans are disproportionately likely to die by suicide. Of every 100,000 people ages 65 and older, 14.3 died by suicide in 2004. This figure is higher than the national average of 10.9 suicides per 100,000 people in the general population. Non- Hispanic white men age 85 or older had an even higher rate, with 17.8 suicide deaths per 100,000.

Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are very high among veterans from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, leading to suicide rates even higher than combat deaths. Since October 2001 in Iraq and Afghanistan wars fought about 1.6 million U.S. soldiers, about 4500 of them died, according to Defense Department. The Rand study has found that 20 percent of returning U.S. soldiers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, but only half of them get treatment. Comparing these figures it becomes clear that troops suffer from post- traumatic stress disorder complications more than from actual war. Soldiers with combat traumas are more likely to suffer from post- traumatic stress disorder. Of these troops 53 percent have received mental care during the last few years, but Rand report says that half of them did not receive adequate care. This is one of leading causes leading to depression development in veterans. There are currently 300,000 soldiers suffering from mental illnesses and they need new innovative treatment for depression or PTSD treatment.

Mr. Speaker, I support the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month in order to emphasize scientific facts and findings regarding mental health and to remove the stigma associated. I recognize that mental well-being is equally as important as physical well-being for our citizens, our communities, our businesses, our economy, and our Nation. I encourage all organizations and health practitioners to use Mental Health Month as an opportunity to promote mental well-being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate services, and support overall quality of life for those with mental illness.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 789, honoring public child welfare agencies, nonprofit organizations and private entities providing services for foster children. I first would like to thank my distinguished colleague, Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, for introducing this important legislation. This resolution acknowledges the importance of foster parents and other community partners who care for hurting children.

Children are placed in foster care because of society's concern for their well-being. Any time spent by a child in temporary care should be therapeutic but may be harmful to the child's growth, development, and well-being. Interruptions in the continuity of a child's caregiver are often detrimental. Repeated moves from home to home compound the adverse consequences that stress and inadequate parenting have on the child's development and ability to cope. Adults cope with impermanence by building on an accrued sense of self-reliance and by anticipating and planning for a time of greater constancy. Children, however, especially when young, have limited life experience on which to establish their sense of self. In addition, their sense of time focuses exclusively on the present and precludes meaningful understanding of ``temporary'' versus ``permanent'' or anticipation of the future. For young children, periods of weeks or months are not comprehensible. Disruption in either place or with a caregiver for even 1 day may be stressful. The younger the child and the more extended the period of uncertainty or separation, the more detrimental it will be to the child's well-being.

The observance brings sharply into focus the critical needs of foster children and the importance of our foster parents who respond so faithfully and selflessly to the children's needs. Some children are placed in foster care briefly while a family crisis is resolved. Others remain in care for longer periods of time, depending upon the circumstances that led to their removal from their family's home. Over 500,000 children in the United States are currently in foster care which is twice as many as 20 years ago. The majority of these children and youth have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Our foster parents deserve special praise because they open their homes and their hearts to foster children and love them unconditionally. They understand that a safe, secure home is very important to the healthy development of a child.

An increasing number of young children are being placed in foster care because of parental neglect. Neglect has very profound and long- lasting consequences on all aspects of child development--poor attachment formation, understimulation, development delay, poor physical development, and antisocial behavior. Being in an environment in which child-directed support and communication is limited makes it more difficult for a child to develop the brain connections that facilitate language and vocabulary development, and therefore may impair communication skills. Recent findings in infant mental health show how development can be facilitated, how treatment can enhance brain development and psychological health, and how prevention strategies can lessen the ill effects of neglect.

Adoption by foster families has the potential to benefit not only the child being adopted, but also the foster family and the child welfare agency. There are a number of reasons that a child's foster parents may be the best adoptive parents for that child. Foster parents have a greater knowledge of a child's experiences prior to placement and know what behaviors to expect from the child. If they have sufficient background information about what happened to a child before this placement, some knowledge of how children generally respond to such experiences, and extensive information about this child's specific behavior patterns, the foster family is better able to understand and respond to the child's needs in a positive and appropriate way. Foster parents usually have fewer fantasies and fears about the child's birth family, because they often have met and know them as real people with real problems. Foster parents have a better understanding of their role and relationship with the agency--and perhaps a relationship with their worker.

Foster children experience a number of unique challenges based on instability in their home and school environments. Just over half of all foster children complete high school, 40 percent continue to rely on public assistance into adulthood and 25 percent will experience homelessness at one point in their lives. Numerous public child welfare agencies, nonprofit organizations and private entities work tirelessly to recruit loving foster families and improve the lives of foster children. These groups strive to consider the best interest of each child and focus on keeping families together when possible. They provide invaluable resources to foster families as well as teachers, counselors, physicians, clergy, and others who work closely with children in the foster care system.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize and honor the contributions of all public child welfare agencies, nonprofit organizations and private entities dedicated to finding homes for foster children and assisting foster families in securing their future success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1181, expressing condolences and sympathy to the people of Burma for the grave loss of life and vast destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis. I would like to thank my colleague Representative Crowley of New York for introducing this important legislation that reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the people of Burma who have been victims of the natural disaster caused by Cyclone Nargis.

Mr. Speaker, Burma has been a region of serious political unrest and economic changes. As my colleagues may know, in the evening of May 2, 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck the coast of Burma leaving in its wake catastrophic destruction. It was reported that an estimated 1.5 million people were severely affected by the cyclone. With winds reaching 190 kilometers per hour and an 11.5 foot storm surge that swept across affected areas, the world could only fathom the damage that was inflicted in horror. It has been projected that the damage caused by the cyclone significantly exceeds the government's ability to provide full relief for the victims and it has indicated its acceptance of assistance from the international community.

It is my sincere hope that the military-backed caretaker government currently in power in Burma will promptly lift the state of emergency in the remaining regions and move expeditiously to allow foreigners to administer vital care and aid to the people. At this dire state, our deepest concerns in supplying aid to all the people affected should be directed to Burma's willingness to openly allow international efforts.

In this key period of political change, one that will hopefully allow for a more free and fair democratic Burma, the nation has been hit by an unthinkable natural disaster that has affected the country. The country's infrastructure is in shambles and it is estimated that there are 22,000 dead with 41,000 missing. In the midst of the rice shortages that South Asia is experiencing, the most productive agricultural lands and crops of Burma have also been destroyed. It will take an estimated two years for Burma to be able to produce food for its people and will need continued assistance and support throughout that time.

As a member of the international community, it is in the best interest to provide humanitarian services and aid to those in need in Burma. The United States must offer its full support and continued aid in restoring the country's self-sufficient agricultural sector to reduce the strain on food shortages in the entire region. It is imperative to cultivate harmonious relations between the United States government and that of Burma to help facilitate the mission of international peace.

I believe that it is crucial that the United States government express its heartfelt sympathy and support to the people of Burma in the wake of this terrible disaster. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation and to further their efforts to ensuring the complete restoration of the well-being of Burma.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5916, the Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Reform Act of 2008, introduced by my colleague Mr. Berman. I would like to thank the chairman for his leadership on this important legislation, which will make important reforms to U.S. arms exports.

I would also like to thank the chairman and the committee staff for working with me to incorporate two important amendments that I offered to this bill, both of which will encourage respect of basic standards of human rights in countries receiving security assistance and arms exports. I believe that these two amendments improve this legislation by taking steps to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are not being used to arm governments contributing to or engaging in massive violations of human rights, including genocide.

My first amendment, which will be inserted as section 406 of this legislation, states that

``It is the sense of Congress that the United States should not provide security assistance or arms exports to nations contributing to massive, widespread, and systematic violations of human rights or acts of genocide, particularly with respect to Darfur, Sudan.''

This Congress has already taken remarkable strides to condemn the genocide in Sudan, now entering its fifth year, and to work to ensure that the people of this Nation are not unwittingly supporting these human rights abuses. My amendment reaffirms that it is the sense of Congress that violations of this nature, which are gross, widespread, and systematic, are a serious issue, and that the United States should not be providing security assistance to countries that are contributing to such abuses.

In addition, I offered a second amendment, which would also serve to reinforce the respect for basic human rights under this act. Section 103 of this legislation requires a ``comprehensive and systematic review and assessment'' of the U.S. arms export controls system by the President, to be completed not later than March 31, 2009, and sets forth a number of elements that such a review must contain. My second amendment adds an additional element to this report. It states that the President's report must also:

``(F) assess the extent to which export control policies and practices under the Arms Export Control Act promote the protection of basic human rights.''

This language will ensure that Congress will remain apprised of the implications of U.S. security assistance and arms exports on basic human rights. Through the inclusion of this amendment, we will ensure that Congress has all the information it needs to fully understand the impact of our security assistance. Because this amendment only requires an assessment of current human rights practices, it does not run the risk of restricting assistance to nations that, like Liberia, have a poor history of human rights but now, under new leadership, have made important strides toward respect of basic human freedoms.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that a nation's human rights record should be one element that the United States uses when determining whether security assistance or arms trade will be extended to that nation. My two amendments to this legislation seek to ensure that the United States is not arming governments that are contributing to or committing the grossest violations of human rights, like genocide, and to collect information on how our security assistance policies are affecting human rights in nations to which we are providing arms.

Mr. Speaker, the legislation, H.R. 5916, we are considering today includes a number of important provisions which will strengthen and reform U.S. security assistance and the defense trade licensing and review process. Congress has jurisdiction over oversight of both the U.S. arms export control process and individual sales, under the Arms Export Control Act, while the Department of State has primary responsibility to ensure that arms exports are in line with U.S. foreign policy and security objectives. Unfortunately, the State Department arms export process has broken down, and there is now an accumulated backlog of approximately 10,000 unprocessed applications for arms export license. Due to mismanagement and an underallocation of resources, the State Department process has proven dysfunctional.

This legislation contains a number of important provisions which will alleviate this serious and ongoing problem. It sets up a strategic review, to be conducted by the President, to determine the effectiveness of the current export control regime, and to make improvements where necessary, including in the efficiency in export licensing. Further, it establishes performance goals for the export licensing process, ensuring adequate staffing, flexibility in use of exporter annual registration fees for administrative purposes, regular Inspector General audits, and regular review of items for inclusion/ deletion from the U.S. Munitions List. Finally, this legislation authorizes a special up-front licensing regime for spares and components for weapons systems previously sold to U.S. allies, and increasing licensing process transparency measures to facilitate Congressional oversight.

In addition to these important provisions, this legislation will strengthen vital security relationships with a number of U.S. allies. It adds South Korea to a list of countries already receiving expedited Congressional review, including NATO nations, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. This move recognizes the critical importance of South Korea to U.S. security and regional stability, and it is a significant symbolic move.

This legislation also extends the same recognition to Israel, and it authorizes the initial phase-in of the Foreign Military Financing formula agreed on by the United States and Israel last year. Further, this legislation requires the administration to empirically assess, on an ongoing basis, the State of Israel's Qualitative Military Edge against conventional or non-conventional security threats. This provision codifies a principle that has been stated by every President since Lyndon Johnson, and requires the administration to provide an assessment to Congress every 4 years, to be used in reviewing arms exports to other Middle Eastern countries. These provisions continue U.S. assistance to Israel, and they provide for increased congressional oversight of this assistance.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation also allows for a waiver of Section 102 (b) of the Arms Export Control Act, commonly known as the Glenn Amendment, in the case of the North Korea nuclear program. The Glenn amendment, adopted in 1994, prohibits all U.S. economic and military assistance to any state that carries out a nuclear explosion and that is, under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, defined as a non- nuclear weapon state. In light of the nuclear disablement and dismantlement activities agreed to in the Six-Party Talks, this waiver will grant the administration the ability to request appropriations directly to the Department of Energy for these activities, rather than its current practice of channeling such assistance through the State Department's Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund, which has other high-priority demands on its funding and personnel. I support this provision because I believe that it is in the vital national security interest of the United States to continue to disable and hopefully remove North Korea's means to make more nuclear weapons, weapons or material that may be used against our interests or even transferred to other states.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I support a provision in Title V of this legislation, which will grant to the government of Pakistan naval vessels, including the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate McInerney (FFG-8). I believe that the continuation of U.S. assistance to Pakistan is particularly vital at this moment, following the February 2008 Pakistani elections in which two main opposition parties won a majority of seats. At this crucial time for the

new Pakistani Government, I believe that the continuation of U.S. assistance is vital if we are to see crucial reforms and ongoing strides in the global fight against terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation will strengthen and reform the process of U.S. security assistance and arms exports. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 5834, the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2008, introduced by my colleague Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen. I believe that this legislation makes important improvements to the North Korean Human Rights Act, passed in 2004.

Mr. Speaker, between 1994 and 1998, about 2.5 million people died during a period of famine in North Korea. During this period, large numbers of North Koreans began crossing the border to China in search of refuge. At current count, the U.S. State Department estimates some 30,000-50,000 North Korean refugees currently live in China, while some non-governmental organizations put this figure as high as 300,000. Also according to the State Department, those North Koreans who are repatriated face harsh punishments, ranging from forced labor to execution.

Despite China's obligations under international refugee law, China continues to view North Koreans resident in China as economic migrants rather than political refugees, and, on this basis, refuses to grant U.N. agencies, including the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR), access to these populations. Also because of its refusal to recognize North Koreans as refugees, China has argued that, under a bilateral 1986 repatriation agreement with North Korea, it must return all border crossers. While at times this bilateral agreement has, in practice,

been ignored, The government of China is actively locating and deporting border-crossers back to North Korea.

The practice of returning North Koreans who have fled to China is particularly worrisome, because, under the North Korean judicial system, to leave the country without state permission is considered as an act of treason. North Koreans who flee to neighboring nations, including China, face a high risk of execution should they ever return.

Mr. Speaker, North Korea is an extremely closed society, and millions of North Koreans live in desperate conditions. The regime is classified by Human Rights Watch as being ``among the world's most repressive.'' The government controls virtually all aspects of life, and political, economic, and religious freedoms are nonexistent. Without guarantees of due process and fair trials, citizens live in fear of arbitrary arrest, and of torture and execution by the state. The state controls all access to information, utilizing their control of the media to manipulate the population. Following the famine of 1994-1998, food shortages persist, and many residents are to this day suffering from hunger.

Large numbers of North Koreans have fled these conditions, a significant percentage of which would likely fit the legal definition of refugees. The percentage of these refugees who are women is strikingly high, with recent estimates putting the figure potentially as high as 75%, an enormous increase from an estimated 20% only four to five years ago, though the reasons for this trend are unclear. Female refugees throughout the world face specific challenges, and, in China, any children born to North Korean women face an extremely uncertain future.

In 2004, Congress passed the North Korea Human Rights Act with overwhelming bipartisan support, in an effort to refocus U.S. attention on the people of North Korea. This legislation provided humanitarian assistance to the North Korean people, as well as improved access to information through radio broadcasts and other activities and resources to help refugees fleeing the oppressive regime. This legislation also required the President to appoint a special envoy on North Korea.

This legislation that we are considering reauthorizes this important bill, extending the North Korean Human Rights Act through fiscal year 2012. This doubles the original funding authorization for human rights and democracy programs enhancing the role of the special envoy position, making it a full-time ambassadorial rank post.

I believe that this bill makes necessary improvements upon the original North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004. I am a tireless advocate for human rights worldwide as my continual involvement in promoting human rights for countries such as Syria, Iran, Sudan, and Vietnam is a testament of my dedication towards human rights. I believe those fleeing North Korea should be provided with vital support and aid by the United States Government.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation makes an important statement about Congress's commitment in addressing violations of human rights, wherever they occur. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation in giving these people hope in humanity.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in offering my deepest sympathy and that of the constituents of the 18th Congressional District to the people of Mainland China, the People's Republic of China, for the enormous tragedy that they are now facing. There are 12,000 expected dead and more, some 19,000 still buried. And what has been the singular tragedy is innocent children sitting in their classroom seats and having a building collapse upon them.

We are told that if this earthquake had occurred in the United States, it would range from Maine to Arizona. We can imagine the enormity of this tragic situation. I would hope that the United States is moving quickly to be of assistance and that we will keep the people of China, the People's Republic of China, in our thoughts.

And as we offer them our prayers and thoughts, let us be reminded of those in the United States who suffered through the terrible tornadoes that our country has been experiencing over a period of time. I hope we will keep all in our prayers.

Mr. Speaker, in 2007, Texas ranked fourth behind California, Florida and Illinois in pre-foreclosures. We're reminded of Franklin Delano Roosevelt who said we have nothing to fear but fear itself. We certainly have to face fear and to be able to respond to this collapse in mortgages and our economic markets, by resolve and not fear.

And so this is not a bailout. It's a helping hand. It's what Franklin Delano Roosevelt did to restore this country, and it worked. We survived.

And so this tells us that we can survive, providing $10 billion in low-income tax credits for low-income homeowners and to also build rental properties. We also give a $7,500 tax credit for first time home buyers and a $700 tax credit for those who are paying property taxes.

And it does fix the GSEs. It does provide an opportunity to get us out of this mortgage foreclosure hold, but it does it in the right way. It's not scandalous. It's not illegal. It allows us to be able to have the mortgage owner sell it back to FHA at a lower price; the lower mortgage is then backed by FHA, and it isn't a gimmick. It's not a flipover. Any profit made by the homeowner comes back to the government if the property is later sold.

And we protect our disabled veterans, those who have fallen upon hard times. They can still be in the program even if they are in bankruptcy.

Mr. Speaker, this bill responds to the homeless and the helpless. What it does say is those who are living from hand-to-hand, who are living in their parents' homes, who have been thrown out of their home, who have been thrown out because they're in rental property, this is a fix and the life and the spirit of what America is all about.

We don't believe in giving a fish. We believe in giving a fishing rod. This is an even-handed, balanced way between the House and the Senate to provide tax relief but also to be able to provide the construct and the infrastructure to get our houses back together, along with our stabilization bill that says we're going to buy back foreclosed homes and give them to people who need them.

Is there anything wrong with America rising to be higher angels and helping our fellow brothers and sisters?

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3221, the ``American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008''. This momentous legislation would jump-start the market for mortgages by establishing a true market value for the securities backed by these loans.

H.R. 3221 responds directly to the current housing crisis facing this country, while providing the tools to prevent a repeat of these problems.

This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stated in 1933, ``the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.'' We must do just that. We must move forward and that is exactly what H.R. 3221 seeks to do.

This legislation will begin to repair, not bail out the economy, restoring confidence in the markets, limiting the damage to families and neighborhoods, and rejuvenating the communities with new affordable housing. Ironically, we celebrate the bailouts of yesteryear, when we believed that the power of the federal government was needed to get the country out of the Depression.

Were the banking reform laws, emergency relief programs, work relief programs, and agricultural programs, the Social Security Act, and programs to aid tenant farmers and migrant workers--were these bailouts? Many of the New Deal programs under President Roosevelt were considered bailouts at that time. And yet, these programs brought our country out of the Depression, rejuvenated our economy, and gave hope as we sought to deal with the War overseas.

Texas

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

H.R. 3221 helps homeowners and only homeowners, not speculators or lenders. We cannot continue to stand by as things get worse. Texas reported 13,829 properties entering some stage of foreclosure in April, a 16% increase from the previous month and the most foreclosure filings reported by any state. The state documented the Nation's third highest state combined foreclosure rate--one foreclosure filing for every 582 households.

Many homeowners in my district are worried about missing their next house payment or their next home equity mortgage, or their interest rate going up. These families are under stress and in constant fear of losing their homes.

While this bill should not be the last word in housing legislation, it is a great beginning. This bill coupled with H.R. 5818, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act, provides a good starting point in providing Americans with relief.

Texas and what HUD is Doing

In March, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), announced the Texas State Program and the cities of Houston and New Braunfels will receive a total of $234,868,077 to support community development and produce more affordable housing. HUD's annual funding will also provide down-payment assistance to first-time home buyers; assist individuals and families who might otherwise be living on the streets; and offer real housing solutions for individuals with HIV/