Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Angel Gomez for selfless service to our community. He has helped thousands of people through his non-profit, Operation HOPE (Helping Other People Endure).

Selfless doesn't even begin to describe Angel Gomez.

Many lives have been touched by Angel, an appropriate name for a man with a heart the size of Texas.

A native of El Paso, Texas, he is a proud Bowie Bear Alumni and Veteran, having attended Bowie High School and later joining the United States Navy.

His real passion, other than serving his country in uniform, has always been helping others in need.

In 1995 he began volunteering his time to the community, with the support of his wife Patricia, daughter Rubi and other family members.

Seeing the growing need around him, he co-founded Operation HOPE in 2009, and he has invested his time and resources to help the El Paso community he loves so much.

Operation HOPE has allowed Angel to share his vision of community outreach with thousands of people in need. He works with community partners and volunteers who share the same values and passion for giving, and these relationships have made it possible to multiply his efforts to improve our community.

Over the past seventeen years, El Pasoans in need have received food baskets during the holidays, along with blankets, clothing, and medical supplies. Sick children who must spend much of their childhood in the hospital have received toys and gift baskets to lift their spirits. Hundreds of individuals with disabilities have received assistance with medical supplies, medications, durable medical equipment, and accessible ramps. And many families have received assistance with funeral expenses and spiritual support during their time of need.

Not only has his work brought tangible assistance to those in need, but behind each action is also something intangible, something money can't buy: hope.

On behalf of the El Paso community, I would like to thank Angel Gomez for all he has done for those in need and for the positive impact he continues to have in our community. He has restored our community's faith in the good that can be done by simply caring.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Angel Gomez for selfless service to our community. He has helped thousands of people through his non-profit, Operation HOPE Helping Other People Endure.

Selfless doesn't even begin to describe Angel Gomez.

Many lives have been touched by Angel, an appropriate name for a man with a heart the size of Texas.

A native of El Paso, Texas, he attended Bowie High School and later joined the United States Navy. He is a proud Bowie Bear Alumni and Veteran.

His real passion, other than serving his county in uniform, has always been helping others in need.

In 1995 he began volunteering his time to the community, with the support of his wife Patricia, daughter Rubi and other family members.

Seeing the growing need around him he co-founded Operation HOPE in 2009, and he has invested even more time and resources to help the El Paso Community he loves so much.

Operation HOPE has allowed Angel to share his vision of community outreach with thousands of people in need. He works with community partners and volunteers who share the same values and passion for giving, and these relationships have made it possible to multiply his efforts to improve our community.

Over the past seventeen years, El Paso residents have received food baskets during the holidays, along with blankets, clothing, and medical supplies. Hospitalized children that were hospitalized have received toys and gift baskets to lift their spirits. Hundreds of persons with disabilities have received assistance with medical supplies, medications, durable medical equipment, and accessible ramps. And families have received assistance with funeral expenses and spiritual support during their time of need.

To others, the donated items and arrangements made may not seem like much, but behind each action is something intangible, something money can't buy: hope.

On behalf of the El Paso community, I would like to thank Angel Gomez for all he has done for those in need and for the positive impact he continues to have in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of the achievements and success of two programs at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program and the Reverse Transfer Program are being recognized by Excelencia in Education.

Excelencia in Education focuses on accelerating success for Latino students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. Since 2005, Excelencia has honored programs and departments at the cutting edge of increasing and improving academic achievement for Latinos.

UTEP's Reverse Transfer Program, honored by Excelencia as a finalist, allows transfer students to earn their final credits at UTEP, and then have those credits sent back to El Paso Community College to fulfill the balance of the associate degree requirement. This program increases the graduation rates at El Paso Community College, and increases UTEP's retention rate, Which results in improving access to higher education for all students.

UTEP's Master of Business Administration Program, honored by Excelencia as an awardee, serves over 400 students from more than 20 countries from a variety of backgrounds. The MBA program was recognized for the third year in a row as the number one program for Hispanics in the Nation by the Hispanic Business Magazine. The program reflects Excelencia in Education by blending quality graduate education and affordability.

I want to personally congratulate UTEP's Master of Business Administration and Reverse Transfer programs for their recognition, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of faculty, administration, and students. I look forward to the continued success of UTEP, and I am honored to represent this outstanding institution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the achievements of Douglas Elementary School. Douglas was recently honored with the 2012 National Blue Ribbon award from the United States Department of Education for excellence in education.

The National Blue Ribbon School award honors both public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve at high levels and also schools where the achievement gap is narrowing. Since 1982, more than 6,700 of America's schools have received this coveted award.

I want to personally congratulate the teachers, administrators, and staff of Douglas Elementary School for their commitment and dedication to our young students in El Paso. This year only 269 schools nationwide received the award, and all will be honored in a ceremony in Washington, DC. The Blue Ribbon validates the efforts of these schools in creating a positive and effective learning environment. These schools and their communities have achieved a degree of excellence of which they can justifiably be proud.

Douglas is a fine example of what can be accomplished when parents, teachers and administrators collaborate to prepare our students for a prosperous future. By emphasizing the importance of literacy, math, and science, Douglas is enabling a new generation of community leaders.

In times of economic uncertainty, we cannot lose sight of the paramount importance of our children's education, and I am honored to represent Douglas Elementary School.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the meritorious service of Commander John E. Gilliland, who will retire after twenty-three years of dedication to our Nation.

Commander Gilliland had a long and distinguished career in the United States Navy. Upon graduation from Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, he received his commission in 1990 through the Naval ROTC program. A supply corps officer, he served with great distinction both at sea and ashore. At sea, he served as Disbursing, Material and Food Service Officer on the USS Jason (AR 8) and Supply Officer on the USS Rushmore (LSD 47). Ashore, he served as a Staff Instructor and Educational Counselor for the Basic Qualification Course at the Navy Supply Corps School and in the Defense Logistics Agency in the Logistics and Operations and Readiness Directorate, as well as the Chief of the Director of DLA's Staff Group.

Commander Gilliland is no stranger to the halls and offices of Capitol Hill, having spent 10 years in Legislative Affairs. His liaison career started in the Navy Legislative Affairs (OLA), office where he served the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives on Navy Acquisition and procurement policy matters.

His service culminated with his position as the Director of House Affairs and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for House Affairs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs (OASD-LA).

His character, capabilities, and good humor enabled him to interact effectively with Members of Congress and their staffs and other Executive agencies under the most strenuous circumstances. Commander Gilliland's work ultimately led to successful legislative outcomes on a wide-range of issues critical to our National Defense to include the military draw-down in Iraq, the Afghanistan surge, the establishment of Cyber Command, and support for NATO missions in Libya.

Commander Gilliland represents the epitome of what our military seeks in a congressional liaison and officer in uniform our country expects, and I am proud and honored to have known him. His dedication to service, commitment to excellence, and performance of duty have been extraordinary throughout his career. I am proud to share in the celebration of Commander Gilliland's career, and I join his colleagues in honoring his distinguished military service.

Commander Gilliland was supported, encouraged, and nurtured by a strong and loving family. I would also like to recognize his wife, Amy, and their son Patrick. As he goes on to pursue new endeavors and challenges, I wish Commander John Gilliland and his family well and ask God to bless them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the achievements of Mission Early College High School. Mission Early College was recently honored with the 2012 National Blue Ribbon award from the United States Department of Education for excellence in education.

The National Blue Ribbon School award honors both public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve at high levels and also schools where the achievement gap is narrowing. Since 1982, more than 6,700 of America's schools have received this coveted award.

I want to personally congratulate the teachers, administrators, and staff of Mission Early College High School for their commitment and dedication to our young students in El Paso. This year only 269 schools nationwide received the award, and a ceremony in Washington, D.C. will honor their achievement. The Blue Ribbon validates the efforts of these schools in creating a positive and effective learning environment. These schools and their communities have achieved a degree of excellence of which they can justifiably be proud.

Mission Early College is a fine example of what can be accomplished when parents, teachers and administrators collaborate to prepare our students for a prosperous future. By emphasizing the importance of leadership, hard work, and dedication, Mission Early College is enabling a new generation of community leaders. In fact, upon completion of their high school career at Mission Early College High School, students not only graduate with a high school diploma, but can also earn up to 60 hours of college credit and an associate's degree. This opportunity for excellence and achievement is giving many students an early and critical exposure to college academics.

In times of economic uncertainty, we cannot lose sight of the paramount importance of our children's education, and I am honored to represent Mission Early College High School.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to try to lend a little bit of perspective on a strategy that we have seen evolving across our country, and that strategy I think threatens to undermine one of the most basic rights and principles that we have as United States citizens, and that is the right to vote.

Unfortunately, in many States--my State included, in Texas--there's a strategy to pass what is called a voter identification law, seeking to solve a problem that apparently across the country does not exist, and that is people voting that don't have that right, and trying to give the impression that this problem is prevalent throughout our country.

As we look back at our history, I think we should all be proud of the significant strides in increasing and strengthening the electoral process for all. Let's not forget that originally, under our Constitution, only white males over the age of 21 were eligible to vote. It took several amendments to our Constitution to fully extend this right to all minorities--women and young people ages 18 and older.

But it took us even longer, it appears, given the current situation, to live up to these ideals.

As a child growing up in El Paso on a farm, I can remember my father talking to us about that sacred right to participate and to vote.

Here is a poll tax that was charged for that right back in 1955, made out to my dad. Back then it was $1.75. Today, under the current strategy, that, the equivalent of this poll tax, could be as much as $20, $25, or $30 for an identification card.

So who does that hurt? Who does that impact the most? It's the elderly, it's the young people, and it's minorities.

And while some people may think, well, $1.75, that wasn't much to pay for the right to vote or, today, $20, $25, $30 isn't that much to exercise the privilege of voting, the fundamental issue here is that that is an inherent right guaranteed by our Constitution.

But even if we wanted to look at it from an economic standpoint, in 2012 dollars, here is what that $1.75 poll tax bought back in 1955. A gallon of milk was 88 cents; bread, 15 cents; chicken, 44 cents a pound; cheese, 45 cents, and so on so that for a man and his spouse, paying two poll taxes, it would be $3.50. This is what they would have spent that money on, and often did, rather than paying a poll tax of $1.75.

Today, the milk is $1.99; bread is $1.99; chicken, 99 cents a pound; cheese, $2.50, to the point to where, for paying one poll tax or one identification card, you could get these comparative amounts of groceries.

So the fundamental question we must ask ourselves when people talk about taking our country back, when people talk about the right to vote, these are the kinds of issues that impact us. These are the kinds of things that throughout our history many of us have fought to protect the rights of all citizens to participate in the electoral process, fundamentally guaranteed under our Constitution.

While I understand the intent of these laws, it is designed to supposedly prevent voter fraud and impersonation, the result affects individual participation in the inherent right to vote: requiring an ID, and considering the difficulties that citizens face in the process of acquiring those State-issued identification cards, which ultimately undermines the right to vote.

This is a serious issue. All of us who teach our children and our grandchildren that the most fundamental right to participate is protected by our Constitution have to remind them. I know I have talked to my children and have shown them this poll tax to remind them that freedom is not free, that people must understand their obligations as citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Diamond Dixon who will be representing our nation as a member of the Olympic track and field team in London this year. She will compete, as one of our nation's best athletes, in the 4x400m relay. This young woman is not only an amazing competitor, but serves as an inspiration to a generation of young athletes throughout the nation.

Diamond was born El Paso, Texas, the district that I represent, and grew up in Houston. She is currently a student athlete at the University of Kansas and a member of the track and field team.

Running was Diamond's way to escape, the place she could go to forget about her problems and clear her mind. By her junior year at Westside High School in Houston, she had already begun to showcase her athletic talent. On a recruiting trip to see one of Westside High School's male stars, University of Kansas coach Stanley Redwine was very impressed with Dixon's performance at the meet, noting that ``her determination and will to win is just unbelievable.''

After racing 21 times during her sophomore collegiate season, Dixon turned in a solid performance on tired legs at the Olympic Trials. She finished third in her opening round and semifinal round heats of the 400m before running a personal-best 50.88, finishing fifth in the final. With the top four finishers automatically in the relay pool, Dixon's efforts impressed Coach Amy Deem enough to earn one of her discretionary selections.

The Olympic Games this summer will be her first call-up to the senior national team. Dixons' strong international relay experience on the junior level Team USA will prove to be a valuable asset to her teammates racing with her in London. In 2010, she led off the U.S. 4x400m that won gold in 3:31.20 at the World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada. Last summer, she anchored the U.S. to victory in 3:34.71 at the Pan American Junior Championships in Miramar, Florida. In July, Dixon anchored the U.S. to victory in 3:28.64 at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships in Irapuato, Mexico.

I am extremely proud of Ms. Diamond Dixon and wish her the best competing in the Summer Olympics. Ms. Dixon's story is the embodiment of the American dream, her motivation and success were derived from her drive to become the best. This reminds us all that with hard work and spirit, we can accomplish great things.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Fredrick E. Gaghan of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, JIEDDO, who will retire in November after 25 years of service.

Captain Gaghan has had a long and distinguished career in the United States Navy. Upon graduation from Hartwick College in 1987, he enlisted in the Navy as part of the Special Operations Officer Program and was subsequently commissioned in 1988. As a young naval officer, Captain Gaghan served onboard USS Opportune, ARS 41, as a qualified Surface Warfare Officer. Following his initial sea assignment, he became an Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, officer and was first assigned to EOD Mobile Unit NINE. Throughout his career, Captain Gaghan has displayed exceptional professionalism and technical proficiency. As such, he was identified by his seniors as a leader who could be entrusted with command. He served as the Commanding Officer of EOD Mobile Unit FOUR as well as Commander, Task Group 56.1 in Bahrain. At

the Joint CREW Program Office, PMS-408, he served as the Director, Test and Evaluation and Principle Assistant Program Manager before arriving at JIEDDO.

Today, one of the greatest threats faced by our service men and women is the improvised explosive device, TED. Our troops face an adaptive enemy with little regard for the sanctity of human life. As a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I work closely with JIEDDO to help provide the necessary capabilities to protect our service men and women from the TED threat. JIEDDO has made significant strides to combat those dangers by not only reducing the effectiveness of IED attacks themselves, but also by targeting and eliminating the enemy networks that seek to use these devices to harm our troops.

Captain Gaghan has contributed greatly to protecting the lives of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. At JIEDDO, he was initially responsible for leading all Counter-TED research and development efforts in support of our Combatant Commanders urgent needs. In this role, he developed and delivered numerous capabilitie3 that have enabled our forces to more effectively detect IEDs, jam radio-controlled initiators and identify Home Made Explosive precursors. Lieutenant General Michael Barbero, Director ofJIEDDO, quickly recognized Captain Gaghan's strong leadership abilities and selected him to fill two key positions in the past year: JIEDDO's Chief of Staff and Acting Deputy Director of Rapid Acquisition and Technology. Throughout his tenure at JIEDDO, Captain Gaghan's tireless efforts and great dedication helped JIEDDO achieve its mission of rapidly providing Counter-IED capabilities in support of the warfighter to defeat the IED as a weapon of strategic influence.

I am proud to share in the celebration of Captain Gaghan's military career, and I join his colleagues in honoring his extraordinary leadership at JIEDDO and his distinguished military service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the 31st attempt to undermine the Affordable Care Act. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, tens of millions of Americans are already receiving better care as well as better value for their health care dollars. Already, Americans are benefiting from the provisions that have been implemented. In fact, 6.6 million young Americans now have health coverage until age 26, 105 million Americans are no longer facing lifetime limits on health benefits, and 17 million children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage.

Instead of focusing on jobs legislation, Republicans are once again trying to take away patient protections by seeking to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Instead of providing solutions to the provisions in the law that they would like to see changed, they would rather repeal the whole law and all the positive changes that come along with it. This constant push to take away patient protections is no longer based on logic, but is clearly a partisan political ploy to score cheap points at the expense of millions of Americans.

We should turn our efforts to tackling our nation's larger problems, such as the economy and job creation. Let's move beyond this vote and demonstrate our commitment to the American people.

My Republican colleagues have requested that we work together, but, as they seek to once again make America a country where millions of people are uninsured and unable to afford health care, their actions speak louder than their words.

The Republican proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act would affect thousands of El Paso residents who are already benefiting from the law, including the 52,000 children who are no longer denied insurance due to pre-existing conditions, the 2,900 seniors who have saved $1.8 million in drug costs, and the over 360 small businesses who received new tax credits to help them expand health care coverage to their employees.

Republicans seem to forget how things were before the Affordable Care Act. For example, one family in my district faced significant health care related financial difficulties. They had a daughter with a severe disability who had undergone 17 surgeries, numerous hospitalizations, required constant care, and treatment that cost up to $2,000 a month. The couple's private insurance company implemented lifetime caps to prevent a major loss of profits at the expense of the health of the young girl. As a result, the family had to cover the medical expenses out of pocket and went bankrupt. While the current Affordable Care Act would prevent private insurance companies from using lifetime cap provisions to bar critical services to patients like this young girl, this couple's private insurance took advantage of the lax regulations at the time and left the family to fend for themselves.

There are countless other examples of El Pasoans who faced similar situations. There are those who had been denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions and others

who faced similar situations with insurance companies who took advantage of lax health care oversight. That was then--now, the Affordable Care Act gives families the opportunity to have the best life possible.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject this misguided legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition to the majority's decision to force a contempt vote on the floor. I want to mention the following points for the record.

There is no evidence that the attorney general authorized, condones, or knew about ``gun walking.'' Chairman Darrell Issa admitted this yesterday before the Rules Committee.

There is no evidence that the attorney general lied to Congress or engaged in a cover-up. Chairman Issa also admitted this yesterday.

There is no evidence that the White House had anything to do with ``gun walking'' operations. Chairman Issa admitted this on Fox News on Sunday.

Democrats wanted a real investigation, but Chairman Issa refused TEN different requests from Democrats for a hearing with Ken Melson, the former Director of ATF--the agency in charge.

Chairman Issa said this yesterday about ``gun walking'' operations under the Bush Administration: ``They were all flops. They were all failures.'' Yet, he has refused all Democratic requests to interview Bush Administration officials about their rules.

Despite finding no evidence that Attorney General Holder knew about ``gun walking'', the Committee has obtained documentary evidence showing that former Attorney General Mukasey was personally briefed on botched interdiction efforts during the Bush Administration and he was told that they would be expanded during his tenure. Chairman Issa has refused to call on Mukasey for a hearing.

Republicans have not granted a single Democratic witness request during the entire 16 month so-called investigation. This has been a credible process.

As soon as Attorney General Holder learned about ``gun walking'', he immediately halted it and ordered an IG investigation.

In closing Mr. Speaker, I think the worst part is that the tragic death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent is being politicized and used as a way to score cheap political points. This is especially disappointing to me. As a former Border Patrol Agent and Sector Chief with 26\1/2\ years of law enforcement experience on the U.S.-Mexico Border, I expect that this body show more respect and more focus.

Instead of using this tragedy as a political ploy, this body needs to see this as a learning opportunity and a wake-up call. We must take action and provide ATF with the needed resources and tools it needs to tackle the issue of gun trafficking. I hope that this Congress is able to move on to enact the critical reforms needed to more effectively combat this threat---and I will gladly work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on that particular effort.

It is indeed a sad day today. As an officer that spent 26\1/2\ years wearing the United States Border Patrol uniform, it is regrettable for me today that we're here under these circumstances.

I want to acknowledge and thank the chairman and the ranking member for inviting me to go with them to Mexico City and visit at the U.S. Embassy about the circumstances around what led to the investigation of Fast and Furious. And to me, it's regrettable because we are here discussing the death of a Border Patrol agent. I went to the memorial service for Agent Brian Terry. I visited with his mom and his family that day. I went there because as a former Border Patrol agent I wanted to express sympathy and support, as I did so many times as a chief for agents that were killed in the line of duty.

So for me, it is particularly troubling that we're here politicizing the death of a United States Border Patrol agent. We ought to be about getting to the circumstances of the investigation led under a U.S. Attorney under OCDETF. Both the ranking member and the chairman know that that was the controlling entity in this case.

I don't know except to say that it's pure basic politics that we've now spun this up to the level of the Attorney General. Having had the experience to supervise my agents that were part of OCDETF investigations and having had a number of conversations with my friends on the other side of the aisle who were experienced prosecutors, everybody here that has that experience knows that those controls don't go up to the level of the Attorney General.

So we're here taking a lot of time when we should be discussing things that are a priority to the American people. We're here under the worst of circumstances for the Terry family, which all they want is closure on the death of a son, on the death of a patriotic American citizen, and spinning it in a political sense.

I really think that this is a sad day for this House of Representatives, and we ought to do better for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the El Paso Youth Symphony Orchestra (EPYSO) and their Diplomatic International Cultural Exchange Tour.

From June 25th through July 2nd, the EPYSO will partner with the Mexican national youth symphony, Sinfonica Esperanza Azteca, in a regional tour that will take them to prestigious venues in southern California. The journey will culminate with a performance aboard the USS Midway, honoring veterans and soldiers.

The recognition of the tour would not be complete without mentioning the talented orchestra behind it. This year, Maestro Phillip Gabriel Garcia and his students will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the respected and accomplished EPYSO. With over 3,500 students taught and 200 shows performed, it is amazing to consider that just two decades ago, Phillip was a senior at Hanks High School when he first started this orchestra. EPYSO is now playing nationally in front of thousands. Its philanthropic motive of discovering hidden talent and potential in students throughout the city is also noteworthy.

With the tour underway, the band is focused on providing a phenomenal show. Mayor John Cook and Maestro Garcia have worked with the El Paso musicians to promote the message that they are a band against bullies. Their musical compositions come with a moral that bullying in schools must stop. Their song ``I Am Not a Bully'' will not only demonstrate and promote equal and fair school policies, but also display to our Mexican counterparts that Americans are more sympathetic than many in the international community label us.

Bullying is an unacceptable and growing problem in our schools. Bullying in all forms is unacceptable and social networks like Facebook and Twitter have only added fuel to the fire. All students suffer when bullying is tolerated, and we need to change if we want to see our youth progress as a generation. Our goal should be to provide students with a safe academic environment where students are comfortable and focused on their social and educational goals. Additionally, as a father and a grandfather, I would not want to witness any child being harassed or picked-on. Being bullied, especially at a young age, has a serious implication on a child's early social development that will negatively impact them for the rest of their lives. Thankfully many activists--like the students in the EPYSO and others--are combating this growing problem.

I am proud of the Diplomatic International Cultural Exchange Tour. As the EPYSO travels across the Southwest with their Mexican counterparts, I hope that their message of tolerance will be one which the cities they visit will embrace and share in their communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart as I take time to remember Brandon Elizares, a young man who left us two and a half weeks ago. He will always be remembered for his smile, his personality, and his desire to serve as an inspiration to others.

Brandon, like 11.7 million people in this country, was gay, and like so many of his peers, was harassed and bullied until he took his life on June 2nd after being threatened with being buried alive and shot. His last message-echoed his infinite love for his family and his apologies for not being strong enough to continue taking the abuse he had faced for over two years. His final words read, ``My name is Brandon Joseph Elizares and I couldn't make it. I love you guys with all of my heart.''

High school is an exciting time with an array of new experiences and challenges, but one thing it should not be is an environment where young people must worry about being bullied. Children in high school should be focused on their education. The sad reality is that for many students their primary concerns don't lie in textbooks or exams, but in fear that they will not be accepted by their peers, that they will be physically abused, and, in the case of Brandon and countless others like him, that they may consider taking their own life to escape the pain.

Brandon was a young man who exemplified the best in the El Paso community. He embodied what this nation looks for in all of its young people. He was a best friend, a loving son, an aspiring model and artist, an excellent student, and, to a teenage girl who had contemplated suicide due to encounters with bullying, Brandon was a superhero and an older brother.

Like so many El Pasoans, I feel a personal connection to Brandon, and his death reflects the unfortunate truth that many young people in our community continue to suffer. I stand before you today asking you to help me in ensuring that Brandon's death was not in vain. Please join me in support of the Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 998) and the Safe Schools Improvement Act (H.R. 1648) to protect LGBT students from discrimination and bullying in schools. I also ask you to stand with me in support of the ``It Gets Better'' campaign, a project whose goal is to prevent suicide among youth by having adults and allies convey the message that these teens' lives will improve.

In our country today the facts are clear:

56 percent of students have personally felt some sort of bullying at school. Between 4th and 8th grade in particular, 90 percent of students report being the victim of bullying.

9 out of 10 LGBT youth reported being verbally harassed at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation.

1 in 4 teachers see nothing wrong with bullying and will only intervene 4 percent of the time.

A victim of bullying is twice as likely to take his or her own life compared to someone who is not a victim.

41 percent of principals say they have programs designed to create a safe environment for LGBT students, but only 1/3 of principals say that LGBT students would feel safe at their school.

Every day thousands of children wake up fearing for their well being as they go to school; if the Student Non-Discrimination Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act were enacted today, we could provide students a sense of relief and some reassurance that their government is working to improve their lives by increasing awareness about their daily struggles.

This issue, as all of you know, is not limited to one district or state, but has been felt throughout our country from California to New York. As a proud grandfather, I could not imagine what it would be like to have any of my grandchildren be bullied at school. There is no place in our society for bullying or discrimination, whether it's in our schools, communities or in our military. I want to provide hope to our youth and remind them they are not alone and that there are many venues they can turn to for help. I want to send a simple and powerful message: it gets better. If you are a student or a teacher there are resources available and I encourage you to visit www.stopbullying.gov or www.itgetsbetter.org for more information.

To the family of Brandon Elizares, no words can lessen your pain or bring your son back, but I stand with you today in honoring this kind young man. The display of love and affection from those who were close to him, those he helped, and those who have gone through experiences similar to his are a testament to the person he was and to the way you raised him. Brandon's genuine spirit and love will live on in all of those he touched. Today, the House of Representatives and our nation honors Brandon Elizares.

As a parent and a grandparent, I rise today with a heavy heart to take time to remember Brandon Elizares, a young man who left us 2\1/2\ weeks ago.

In our community, he will always be remembered for his smile, for his personality, and for his desire to serve as an inspiration to others. Brandon, like over 11 million people in this country, was gay, and like so many of his peers was being harassed and bullied until he took his own life on June 2 after being threatened with being buried alive and shot.

His last message echoed his infinite love for his family and his apologies for not being strong enough to continue taking the abuse that he had faced for over 2 years. His final words read, ``My name is Brandon Joseph Elizares, and I couldn't make it. I love you guys with all of my heart.''

High school should be an exciting time with an array of new experiences and challenges, but one thing it should not be is an environment in which young people worry about being bullied. Children in high school should be focused on their education, pure and simple. The sad reality, though, is that for many students their primary concerns don't lie in textbooks or in the upcoming exams but in the fear that they will not be accepted by their peers, that they will be physically abused, or, in the case of Brandon and in the cases of countless others like him, that they may consider taking their own lives to escape the terrible pain.

Brandon was a young man who exemplified our best in the El Paso community. He embodied what this Nation looks for in all its young people. He was a best friend, a loving son, an aspiring model and artist, an excellent student, and, to a teenage girl who had contemplated suicide herself due to bullying, Brandon was a superhero and an older brother.

Like so many El Pasoans, I feel a personal connection to Brandon, and his death reflects the unfortunate truth that many young people today in our community continue to suffer.

I stand here in the people's House to ask my colleagues to help me in ensuring that Brandon's death was not in vain. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of the Student Non-Discrimination Act, H.R. 998, and the Safe Schools Improvement Act, H.R. 1648, to protect LGBT students from discrimination and from bullying in the schools. I also ask that you stand with me in support of the ``It Gets Better Campaign,'' a project whose goal is to prevent suicide among youth by having adults and allies convey the message that these teens' lives will ultimately improve.

In our country today, unfortunately, the facts are clear. Fifty-six percent of students have personally felt some sort of bullying at school. Between the fourth and eighth grade in particular, 90 percent of students report being the victims of bullying. Nine out of ten LGBT youth reported being verbally harassed in school in the past year because of their sexual orientation. A victim of bullying is twice as likely to take his or her life compared to someone who has not been victimized.

Every day, thousands of children wake up fearing for their well-being as they go to school. If the Student Non-Discrimination Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act were enacted today, we could provide students a sense of relief and some reassurance that their government is working to improve their lives by increasing awareness about their daily struggles. We owe that to Brandon and so many others who are suffering from bullying in our schools.