Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady for yielding me this time, and the ranking member and the chairman for supporting this bill. It is a very important bill for us, for the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe and Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 5811, a bill I introduced to amend the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act of 1987 to allow the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tigua tribe the authority to determine the blood quantum requirement for membership in their tribe. Since

coming to Congress, I have been proud to represent the Tiguas and I have continually fought to lift this requirement.

My Congressional district in El Paso is home to the Tigua Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, the oldest community in Texas. They are one of the three Native American tribes and the only Pueblo tribe in the state. The Tiguas have maintained a significant presence in the El Paso region with tribal enrollment currently over 1,600 citizens. The Tiguas have also been very active participants in the regional business community for almost 40 years. The tribe strives to establish a business-friendly environment while maintaining their culture and traditions. The tribe owns and operates a diverse set of enterprises and corporations that provide employment for both tribal members and the El Paso community.

However, the Tiguas are one of a very few federally-recognized tribes still required by Federal law to use a specified degree of blood quantum to determine membership. If the current \1/8\ degree requirement remains in effect, Tigua tribal membership will decline significantly within three generations.

For decades, other tribal governments have used a variety of methods to determine membership. The decision to use a blood quantum requirement has been at the discretion of the tribe as a part of their tribal sovereignty. Tribes have also been able to determine if lineal and collateral descendents of members listed in their base rolls are eligible to be enrolled.

My bill will allow the Tiguas the same opportunity as other recognized tribes to use these methods, and specifically blood quantum levels, to determine membership. With H.R. 5811, individuals removed from the rolls in previous years and others will be able to petition for enrollment. Historically, many of these members would normally have been included as members of the tribe.

This bill is the life blood of the tribe. By modifying the tribal enrollment requirements, the Tiguas will be able to preserve the unique character and traditions of their tribe based on shared history, customs, and language in addition to tribal blood. This bill will ensure their survival as the oldest community in Texas and the only Pueblo still in existence in the State. This bill has passed twice before in the House of Representatives, and I urge my colleagues to support passage of this bill.

Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Task Force on Communications, Technology, and the Arts, I rise to recognize Little Joe y La Familia, the renowned Tejano music group which has become one of the most popular Tex-Mex bands. My good friend, Little Joe Hernandez, has worked in the music industry for more than 50 years, and his success is attributable not only to his talent, but also to his strong dedication to his community.

Born Jose Maria De Leon Hernandez, Little Joe serves an inspiration to aspiring artists. In 1955, Joe played his first musical performance for $5 at a high school sock hop. He went on to make his first recording 3 years later and founded a number of music labels in the following years. With each new endeavor, he opened doors both for himself and his band as well as for fellow musicians and songwriters. His music has defined and promoted a culture unique to the Texas-Mexico border. His pioneering work helped make Tejano music what it is today.

In 1992, Little Joe y La Familia received a Grammy Award for Best Mexican American Performance for their album Diez y Seis de Septiembre. They won two more Grammy Awards for Best Tejano Album for Chicanismo in 2006 and Before the Last Teardrop Falls in 2008. This year Little Joe y La Familia have been nominated for a Latin Grammy for the album A Night of Classics in El Chuco'' recorded live during a 2009 performance at the Plaza Theater in my home district of El Paso, Texas. With more than 60 albums in his discography, Little Joe continues to break down cultural and musical barriers and remains an influential innovator in the music industry.

Little Joe y La Familia are committed to giving back to their community. Later this week, they will perform in El Paso at their first annual benefit concert, An Evening Por El Bien de la Mujer. The proceeds will benefit Centro Mujeres de la Esperanza, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women in El Paso and the surrounding areas to become more self-sufficient. The Center is a multicultural and faith-based community that provides programs to improve interpersonal skills, family relationships, and instill confidence needed to pursue education and employment. By helping women succeed, the Center is also improving their families' lives and the El Paso community as a whole.

I applaud Little Joe for lending his talent to support and raise awareness for a community organization like Centro Mujeres de la Esperanza. I am proud to see a leading Hispanic artist give back to the greater community, both professionally and philanthropically. I extend my sincerest thanks to Little Joe y La Familia, and I wish them continued success for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a fellow Army veteran, Mr. Robert J. Winchester, who has served his Nation, the U.S. Army, and the military intelligence community with unwavering commitment and professionalism. This Friday, September 17th, his friends, colleagues, and fellow soldiers will gather to recognize 26 years of exceptional service to the Army.

Mr. Winchester began his distinguished public service career in 1969 as an Army intelligence analyst stationed in Vietnam. Honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1971,

he went on to attend law school and continued his military service as a JAG officer in the Army Reserves.

Later, Mr. Winchester joined the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was recognized for his significant contributions across an array of issues in his capacity as legal counsel. During his time at the Agency, Mr. Winchester dedicated much time re-establishing a relationship between the Agency and Congress, as well as coordinating legal initiatives to protect covered Intelligence Community personnel and to provide death benefits to the families of CIA personnel killed in the line of duty.

His talent for cultivating relationships across the Intelligence Community and on Capitol Hill led Mr. Winchester back to the Army family in 1984, when he served as Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs to then-Secretary of the Army Jack Marsh. Later he transitioned to the Army Office of Legislative Liaison and was responsible for managing the Army's intelligence programs and policies.

Most notably, throughout his 26 year tenure as a Senior Executive Service officer at Legislative Liaison, Mr. Winchester has fostered many important partnerships between the Intelligence Community and Congress. His tireless dedication to advancing the Army's intelligence mission and supporting the warfighter has earned him a great deal of respect and a great many friends on the Hill.

As he retires, Mr. Winchester will receive the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal and the Army's Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service to commemorate his accomplishments and exceptional public service career. More important, though, than these accolades, is the legacy that he leaves behind.

Bob Winchester is one-of-a-kind. The Army will have a hard time finding someone to fill the hole he leaves; but I know that his contributions will endure and his achievements will continue to serve as a solid foundation for the Army and its intelligence mission. The Nation is safer and the Army stronger as a result of his service. For that, I thank him, and I wish him great happiness in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1493 and on behalf of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I submit the following findings that identify potential changes in law that help achieve deficit reduction by reducing waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, promoting efficiency and reform of government, and controlling spending within government programs authorized by the Committee.

On February 26, 2010, the House of Representatives passed H.R 2701, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. This legislation includes a number of changes in law that would help achieve deficit reduction by reducing waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, as well as promote efficiency and reform in government, and control spending within intelligence programs.

Creation of an Inspector General for the Intelligence Community. The bill would create a statutory and independent inspector general for the Intelligence Community (IC/IG), whose office would have authority to conduct audits and investigations within and across the elements of the Intelligence Community. The IC/IG would be a powerful tool for identifying waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in the Intelligence Community.

Granting access to the General Accounting Office. The bill would require the General Accounting Office be given access to Intelligence Community records and personnel for the purposes of conducting audits and investigation as directed by the congressional intelligence committees. These audits and investigations have proven critical to Congress' ability to identify waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement throughout the federal government; this provision will bring the same level of congressional oversight to the Intelligence Community.

Review of covert action programs by Inspector General of the Central Intelligence Agency. The bill would require that the CIA/JIG conduct audits of each covert action program at least once every three years, which would ensure that these critical and sometimes costly programs receive an appropriate level of scrutiny.

Improvements to congressional oversight. The bill would enhance congressional oversight over the Intelligence Community in a number of ways, which would better enable Congress to help reduce the deficit by promoting efficiency, controlling spending, and reducing waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. These include:

Reform to congressional reporting on covert actions. The bill would make a number of improvements to the process through which the Intelligence Community informs Congress regarding certain sensitive covert actions, including a requirement that all notifications to the Gang of 8 (the Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority and Minority Leader, and the Chair and Ranking Member of the two Intelligence Committees) be provided in writing; and that all members of the congressional intelligence committees be provided with ``general information'' regarding a notification to the Gang of 8. The bill also defines the specific terms that would necessitate congressional notification.

Certification of compliance with oversight requirements. The bill would require the head of each element of the Intelligence Community to certify semi-annually that the element has notified Congress of all significant and significant anticipated intelligence activities, as required by law.

Cybersecurity oversight. The bill would require notification to Congress of all new and existing cybersecurity programs, giving Congress better visibility into this evolving and resource-intensive mission.

Security clearance reform. The bill would require extensive reporting to Congress, including a comprehensive quadrennial audit, regarding the processes used by the federal government to provide security clearances. It would also create an ombudsman responsible for addressing complaints regarding the security clearance system. Committee hearings and other investigations have identified numerous inefficiencies in the security clearance systems, which these reforms will help to address.

Reform and oversight of personnel policies. The bill includes a number of provisions intended to help control the growth of personnel and other administrative costs within the Intelligence Community. These include:

Caps on personnel levels at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The bill would limit the number of personnel at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), which has increased substantially since the ODNI was created.

Annual personnel level assessments. The bill would require that the Intelligence Community conduct a comprehensive review of all personnel, both federal employees and contractors across all agencies, which would assist the Intelligence Community and Congress in identifying redundancies, excessive growth, and other inefficiencies.

Report on intelligence community contractors. The bill would require a comprehensive report on the use of personal services contractors within the Intelligence Community, the impact of these contractors on personnel management systems, plans to convert positions from contractor to federal employee, and accountability methods. The use of contractors in the Intelligence Community has increased substantially over the past ten years, at considerable cost to the taxpayer.

This report will enable Congress to identify contractor mismanagement and to monitor the implementation of responsible and cost-effective policies regarding contractors across the Intelligence Community.

Reports and plans. The bill includes provisions to require reports or plans on various subjects, which will assist Congress and the Intelligence Community in determining ways to achieve a variety of missions more efficiently and effectively without waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement. These include:

Report on intelligence resources dedicated to Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill would require a report summarizing the intelligence resources dedicated to Operation New Dawn (formerly Operation Iraqi Freedom) and Operation Enduring Freedom, so that Congress can ensure that they are used in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

Report on transformation of the intelligence capabilities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has undertaken significant internal restructuring to better enable it to collect intelligence on potential terrorists, among other threats. The bill requires a comprehensive assessment of this effort, which would allow Congress and the FBI determine whether further changes are necessary and/or cost-effective.

Intelligence community financial improvement and audit readiness. The bill requires that each element of the Intelligence Community produce a plan for achieving full, unqualified audits by September 30, 2013, which is an integral step toward implementation of sound financial management practices at these agencies.

Inspector General report on over-classification. The bill requires that the IC/IG conduct an analysis of the over-classification of national security information and recommend ways to resolve the problem. Over-classification can inhibit the sharing of intelligence, which can lead to redundancy and waste.

Report on information sharing practices of joint terrorism task force. The bill requires a report on the information sharing practices of the FBI-New York Police Department Joint Terrorism Task Force to help identify ways in which combining federal, state, and local resources can result in a more efficient use of those resources.

Plan to implement recommendations of the data center energy efficiency reports. The bill requires that the Director of National Intelligence prepare a plan to comply with a report regarding the use of energy efficient data centers, which would help the Intelligence Community reduce its energy costs.

Repeal of certain reporting requirements. The bill would reduce the resources expended across the Intelligence Community on preparing reports that are redundant or obsolete.

Madam Speaker, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, I rise today on behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to recognize Nickelodeon for their commitment to educational programming that promotes the ideals of multiculturalism, bilingualism, and diversity. August 14, 2010 marked the 10-year anniversary of the popular animated television educational program ``Dora the Explorer,'' and this week the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute will recognize Nickelodeon at the organization's 33rd Annual Public Policy Conference.

As co-chair of the Communications, Technology, and Arts Taskforce, I work with my colleagues to promote the advancement of Latino arts and culture in all mediums, including print, broadcast, and the Internet. Achieving these goals requires forming partnerships with local, state, and national groups, including artists, non-profit advocacy organizations, and corporate broadcasters and programmers.

Nickelodeon is one of these important partners that has been successful in incorporating the values of multiculturalism, bilingualism, and diversity by producing shows like ``Dora the Explorer.'' The interactive children's television show, created by Chris Gifford, Eric Weiner, and Valerie Walsh, ranks among the top- rated shows in nearly every major market in the world, and is syndicated to TV broadcasters in 151 markets and translated into 30 languages. The program teaches Spanish in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland, and teaches English in most other international markets.

The show's main character, Dora Marquez, has become an ambassador of Latino language and culture, reaching millions of children around the world. The show's creators have been able to use the full power of animation to transform the television medium as a force for bridging cultural gaps and educating children about diversity.

I also applaud Nickelodeon for marking the 10th anniversary of ``Dora the Explorer,'' with a multi-year, multi-platform, pro-social campaign titled ``Beyond the Backpack.'' This program, named for Dora's iconic backpack, champions overall school readiness for preschoolers as they prepare for the important adventure of starting school.

In partnership with an advisory committee that includes the National Parent Teacher Association, PTA, and other experts and leaders in school readiness, ``Beyond the Backpack'' will provide parents with tools and resources that can help children prepare for a well-rounded, positive experience as they enter kindergarten. Programs like these will promote education to all children and assist parents.

I am pleased to recognize Nickelodeon on the 10th anniversary of ``Dora the Explorer,'' and commend the network for their commitment to educational programming that promotes the ideals of multiculturalism, bilingualism, and diversity.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the revised Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010.

While this legislation represents a scaled-down version of bill that the House has twice passed--once in the overall FY10 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill and again in the Emergency Border Security Supplemental bill by voice vote on July 28--the bill still provides some of the resources necessary to address the emergency at our southwest border. Because of House leadership on this issue, our colleagues in the Senate responded with a $600 million package to secure our nation's borders. Now, we must respond in kind.

The challenges our communities face each and every day along the border are an emergency, and we need to do all we can to ensure the safety and security of our 2,000-mile long border with Mexico.

While the Senate version of the bill provides $100 million fewer resources for the border and fewer CBP officers for land ports of entry than many of us who represent border districts would have liked, these funds will still address urgent needs on our southwest border.

I ask my colleagues to seriously consider the importance of giving our law enforcement officers who are working along the border the resources they need to enhance our border security. In particular, the 250 additional Customs and Border Patrol Officers are needed because GAO estimates that we need thousands more officers in order to fully staff our ports of entry. The 250 increase is a step in the right direction.

Increasing staffing of our CBP Officers at land ports of entry is critical both to expedite the flow of trade and commerce and more effectively screen out illicit drugs, weapons, human smugglers, and any other potential criminals. It would also give us greater ability to conduct southbound checks so that we can also curb the supply of arms, illegal narcotics and cash going into Mexico and fueling violence there.

Residents in our border states know this is an emergency because they live it each and every day. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to act today to secure our borders by voting in favor of the Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to shed light on the talk and walk Republicans in Congress. They are on the Sunday talk shows stating that we have an emergency situation at our Nation's borders. They are on the campaign trail saying that border security is broken. They criticize the administration on its efforts to keep our borders safe and secure and yet when it came time to vote on the $700 million to secure our borders, they walked away.

Indeed, when the FY2010 Supplemental went to the Senate for a vote, not one Republican stood up for increased border security. On the contrary, they talked and then they walked. I was disappointed because even the Republican Senators from my home State of Texas voted against border security.

The challenges our border communities face each and every day along the border are an emergency, and we need to do all we can to ensure the safety and security of our 2,000-mile long border with Mexico.

But thanks to the House leadership, we are once again attempting to secure our border by moving to strengthen our border with $700 million in emergency funds. These funds will:

Add 500 Customs and Border Patrol Officers to our understaffed ports of entry;

Add 1,200 additional Border Patrol agents between ports of entry;

Increase funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities that would reduce the threat of narcotics smuggling and violence;

Improve tactical communications for those on the ground;

Provide funds for workforce integrity investigations and training for new officers and agents; and

Support local law enforcement along the border with additional Stonegarden grants.

I ask my colleagues to seriously consider the importance of giving our law enforcement officers who are working along the border the resources they need to enhance our border security. In particular, the 500 additional Customs and Border Patrol Officers are of concern because GSA estimates that we need 5,000 more officers in order to fully staff our ports of entry--1,000 per year for five years.

Increasing staffing of our CBP Officers is critical both to expedite the flow of trade and commerce and more effectively screen out illicit drugs, weapons, human smugglers, and any other potential criminals. It would also give us greater ability to conduct southbound checks so that we can also curb the supply of arms, illegal narcotics and cash going into Mexico and fueling violence there.

Residents in our border states know this is an emergency because they live it each and every day. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to go beyond talking about supporting our borders. I urge you to turn that talk into action and vote for the Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment, the Obey amendment, because during these tough economic times there are many areas that merit attention. This amendment takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the vital needs of our communities. Of particular importance to me is the support in this amendment for border security and also for education.

Border security is a major portion of the concern of Americans, as we have seen in recent days. This amendment provides $701 million to strengthen our security efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border. The funds would be used to hire 1,200 Border Patrol agents and 500 Customs and Border Protection officers that would be working the ports of entry, critically needed today, as well as to improve tactical communications and make other much-needed investments in the security along the U.S.- Mexico border.

Residents along the border in districts such as the one that I represent remain deeply concerned about the level of violence affecting our southern neighbor Mexico. As a former Border Patrol sector chief and veteran of 26\1/2\ years in the United States Border Patrol, I know very well what these resources that are provided in this amendment mean to a critical area such as the Southwest border.

I am particularly encouraged by Mr. Obey's efforts in this amendment to address the long-standing needs of our ports of entry by providing funds for Customs and Border Protection officers. For too long, inadequate staffing and outdated infrastructure at our ports of entry have made the U.S. and Mexico border less safe. This is a major step forward in making our Nation even more secure by providing funding for more officers at our ports of entry to conduct a more thorough and efficient inspection and to keep Americans safe.

In addition, this amendment also provides $10 billion to support our teachers across the country and another $4.9 billion to fill the shortage, as Mr. Obey said, in the Pell Grant program.

It is vitally important that we recognize that the resources that are dedicated here are important not just along the border but to the security of Americans everywhere. So, therefore, I urge my colleagues to vote for the Obey amendment. And I thank Chairman Obey, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, and Chairman Price for their leadership on this very important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation. The provisions contained in this act come after repeated attempts by the U.S. and partner nations to halt Iran's nuclear weapons program- and curtail aggressive Iranian overtures around the globe- Tehran continues to sponsor, train, and equip terrorist organizations in the Middle East, act as a destabilizing force in Iraq and Afghanistan, and deploy Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force unconventional warfare operatives into the Western Hemisphere. The potential for a nuclear-armed Iran, when combined with the Iranian regime's volatile rhetoric and ambiguous intentions, poses a serious threat to the security of the United States, our troops serving in the Middle East, and our allies. The President and his administration have taken important steps to dissuade Iran from continuing to pursue nuclear weapons. The passage of this legislation sends a clear message that Iran's continued defiance will lead to significant, negative consequences for the Iranian regime.

In addition to imposing sanctions on refined petroleum to Iran, this legislation will broaden the entities affected by sanctions to include foreign entities that sell developmental energy technology, services, or information to Iran. This act also prohibits foreign banks from doing business in the U.S. if they deal with blacklisted Iranian institutions involved in the development of weapons of mass destruction or the promotion of international terrorism.

I commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for demonstrating such clear solidarity on this issue. I urge Iranian leaders to carefully consider the high costs of increased isolation brought about by their continued irresponsibility.

Mr. Speaker, this Memorial Day, communities gather across the United States to honor and thank those who have served in uniform. Likewise, the CIA community will gather at the Memorial Wall at headquarters for a solemn and sobering ceremony to honor CIA employees killed in the line of duty this year.

The Memorial Wall bears this inscription: ``In Honor of Those Members of the Central Intelligence Agency Who Gave Their Lives in the Service of Their Country.'' Ninety stars currently bear witness to the patriotism and silent sacrifice of the men and women of the CIA. Below these stars rests a book, which we call the Book of Honor, that records each star with a date and, if possible, a name of an individual officer. Because, you see, in some cases, those names must remain classified. This year, those stars will be joined by the largest number of new stars ever added in the history of the CIA to this Memorial Wall.

This year's solemn and sad occasion reminds us all that the successes that we have had fighting terrorism come at a great price for liberty. We have taken terrorists off the battlefield and have denied them sanctuary. We have disrupted plots throughout the world. But the costs have also been high. Families have been left to mourn their mothers, their fathers, their sons, and their daughters.

This Memorial Day, let's remember all the great patriots that have served us so well.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 and, with it, the Reyes-Connolly amendment.

In fact, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) for cosponsoring this amendment with me. I also want to thank Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall and their staffs on the Science and Technology Committee for their hard work on the America COMPETES legislation. This legislation is vital to our Nation's long- term competitiveness.

This noncontroversial amendment for this legislation would accomplish two goals:

First, it would require the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Coordinating Committee under the Office of Science and Technology policy to describe in their 5-year strategic plan the approaches that each STEM agency will take to conduct outreach designed to promote widespread public understanding of career opportunities in STEM fields.

Second, the amendment requires the establishment and the maintenance of a publicly accessible online database, or a STEM.gov, if you will, of all federally-sponsored STEM education programs. STEM.gov would be a one-stop shop where teachers, students, and researchers would be able to access information on all of the opportunities available in STEM fields. Currently, all STEM programs are listed in different places online with different programs, and this amendment would simply consolidate the information for easier access in one location.

Mr. Chairman, it is important that we increase awareness of all the available opportunities in STEM fields, and that is exactly what this amendment does. To that end, I would urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' for the Reyes-Connolly amendment, and also ``yes'' on the final passage of this legislation.

Your vote will go a long way in showing Americans that Congress is serious about making America more competitive now and in the future.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Connolly of Virginia, the cosponsor of this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, El Paso, Texas has a history of producing strong, passionate, and caring educators who motivate and engage our children to become life-long learners. As a parent and grandparent, I am grateful for the contributions of our teachers in the El Paso area, and, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all the outstanding teachers in our community.

In particular, I would like to commend Mrs. Yushica Walker, a teacher at Morehead Middle School in the El Paso Independent School District, for being selected as the 2010 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. The Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor that the State of Texas can award to a teacher. Facilitated by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Teacher of the Year Program annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching. Mrs. Walker represents the best of the best in the teaching profession, and we salute her energy, efforts, and dedication.

Mrs. Walker is a proud Army spouse. She is the wife of Major Johnnie R. Walker of the TRAC WF (Training and Doctrine Command Analysis Center White Sands Missile Range Forward) office at Fort Bliss, Texas. He is currently stationed in Afghanistan.

Mrs. Walker has been teaching for more than 12 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with Reading Specialization from Prairie View A&M University, and a Master's degree from the University of Phoenix. She serves as a member of the Campus Improvement Team and as a Master Mentor for new teachers.

Her aunt, Willie Mae, who taught for 29 years for the Houston Independent School District, inspired her to become a teacher. Mrs. Walker attributes her teaching success, in part, to a positive attitude and ``demonstrating that teaching is enjoyable.''

Mrs. Walker is part of a larger history of educational excellence in El Paso. I am proud to note that El Paso area educators have been chosen as Texas Teachers of the Year 10 times, with four El Pasoans honored in the last five years. The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.

I am proud of the work of our teachers, and I am committed to ensuring that education remains a top priority for Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Supervisory Special Agent Ernesto ``Tito'' Cruz for his service to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence over the past year.

As a detailee from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent Cruz offered his professional expertise to and provided substantial support for a range of in-depth reviews, from those focused on highly sensitive intelligence operations to current practices with the Intelligence Community that implicate legal, policy, or fiscal concerns and investigations.

In particular, Special Agent Cruz assisted in the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation's bipartisan examination of circumstances surrounding the Peru Narcotics Airbridge Denial Program, as well as several inquiries regarding contractor practices within the Intelligence Community and allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse. The Committee also benefited greatly from his FBI experience during the interviews conducted in connection with an investigation into congressional notification practices, policies, and procedures.

The Intelligence Committee's work involves constant interaction with the 16 elements of the Intelligence Community, particularly through the offices of congressional affairs. Special Agent Cruz's long-term experience across a wide range of intelligence matters and his significant and successful interaction within congressional affairs offices was an asset to the Committee's performance of its oversight duties.

The Committee was privileged to have the opportunity to work with Special Agent Cruz. His work ethic, friendly nature, and sense of humor made him a valued member of the Committee team. Thank you, Tito, for all of your hard work, and I wish you all the best as you leave the Hill for FBI's Office of Congressional Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, today's historic passage of health care reform legislation marks a great victory for the El Paso community. This landmark legislation will significantly improve the quality of life for so many residents by providing access to affordable health care coverage to those who currently have none. It will also provide peace of mind to those families with insurance, who will no longer have to worry about the prospect of financial ruin due to a catastrophic illness or accident.

Every day, thousands of families are being forced to forgo health insurance due to rising costs, and now more than 46 million people lack basic health coverage. This disturbing trend is particularly evident in Texas, a state with the highest percentage of children and adults without insurance. More than 6.1 million adults and 1.4 million children are without basic coverage.

Sadly, Texas border communities fare even worse, and all of Texas' congressional districts along the border rank among the top 20 districts in the nation with the highest percentage without coverage. In El Paso alone, 230,000--1 in 3--people are without coverage.

Unfortunately, when it comes to meeting the health care needs of predominately Hispanic communities along the border, our state has failed. Our Governor would rather waste millions on cameras and helicopters than on health care for border communities that need it most.

The health care reform legislation that passed today is expected to provide coverage to 95 percent of Americans, while lowering health care costs over the long term. For the first time in history, insurance companies will be prohibited from denying health coverage due to pre- existing conditions, health status, and gender.

This legislation will provide tax credits to help individuals and small businesses purchase private health insurance. It also sets caps on out-of-pocket expenses for the first time ever, so families will never have to experience financial ruin due to a serious illness. Without these reforms, health care costs will continue to consume more of Americans' paychecks in the years ahead. The annual average cost of family coverage more than doubled between 1999 and 2009, from $5,800 to $13,400, and is expected to double again over the next decade without reform. Meanwhile, insurance companies are raising out-of-pocket expenses for families, and covering less in health care costs.

America now spends $2.2 trillion on health care annually, more than twice the amount per person than other nations, yet Americans aren't any healthier for it. Without action, health care costs will consume over 20 percent of the American economy in the next decade. This landmark bill will significantly reduce health care costs over the long term and will decrease the federal deficit by $143 billion over the next 10 years and an additional $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction in the following 10 years.

Many Americans living in the U.S.-Mexico border region used to depend on Mexico to access cheaper medical care and prescription drugs. For decades, El Pasoans have sought cheaper health care and prescription drugs across the border in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. A recent study concluded that 1 in 3 people traveled to Mexico for prescription drugs, and 7 percent sought health care in Juarez. But the devastating drug- related violence that has ravaged Mexico for two years has prevented many families without insurance from accessing care across the border.

While our community is spending a greater share of property taxes to pay for individuals without health coverage, insurance companies have continued to engage in practices that protect their bottom lines. For too long, insurers have been the gatekeepers to our health care system, with the power to dictate who receives health coverage and who does not. Americans with preexisting conditions and serious illnesses are too often denied coverage or are dropped from their existing insurance plans for developing a serious illness or reaching their cap on coverage, and are denied access to the medical care they need.

When people lack access to quality affordable preventative care, they end up in our emergency rooms for ailments that could have been treated by a family doctor or seek treatment for conditions that should have been diagnosed earlier. When these patients fail to pay their medical bills from publicly-financed hospitals such as University Medical Center, local property taxes are used to cover these expenses. Since 1998, El Paso property tax payers have spent over $400 million to pay for treatment and services for those patients who could not afford to pay their medical bills.

As Congress debated this legislation last summer, I heard from many El Pasoans who shared their struggles under the current broken health insurance system. One of the stories that had the greatest impact on me was that of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Lopez. Their lives were forever changed when their daughter, Danika, was born with a long list of ailments and birth defects that required over 80 days of intensive care treatment.

While the Lopez's had insurance through their employer, the co-pay for their daughter's treatment was more than the mortgage on their home. They exceeded their insurer's coverage limits, and were left with no other way to cover their daughter's medical expenses. No other insurance company wanted to insure the Lopez family due to Danika's pre-existing conditions. In desperation, the Lopez's had to quit their jobs to fall into poverty so their daughter could receive the treatment she needed under Medicaid. Last week, Mr. Lopez called my office to tell me that his family was forced into bankruptcy.

As a grandfather, I would never want my grandchildren to endure the hardships that Danika and her family have endured. It is for children like Danika, and my grandchildren, Amelia, Mateo, Julian, and Orlando, that I am proud to vote in favor of this bill.

Our local community leaders have expressed their support for health insurance reform, and both the City and the County have passed unanimous resolutions in support of reform. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is endorsed by over 325 national organizations and associations, including the AARP, the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the Consumers Union, the Catholic Health Association, the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, the American Nurses Association, and many other medical professional organizations.

The passage of this landmark legislation by the House of Representatives is an historic achievement and reflects the commitment and determined leadership of President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and the Democratic Congress to follow through on a key promise to help middle class families, who have endured years of rising medical costs. I commend my colleagues for their determination to pass this truly historic legislation that will lower health care costs for all Americans, and strengthen our country's financial future.