Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2009. This legislation would take the long-overdue step of prohibiting chief state election officials from taking part in the political campaigns of Federal candidates in elections over which the officials have supervisory authority.

As a former President of the League of Women Voters in San Diego and a proud American voter myself, I know that election officials are entrusted with a crucial responsibility for our democracy. Their only allegiance must be to the will of the voters, not to partisan political agendas.

I think we can all agree that an inherent conflict of interest exists when a state's chief election official is responsible for monitoring and certifying the results of a Federal election while actively participating in the campaign of one of the candidates in that election.

In recent years, multiple Secretaries of State have captured national attention and incited great controversy because of their political involvement in elections they were responsible for overseeing.

Although such individuals may be honorable public servants with no improper intentions, it is of the utmost importance for the integrity of our democracy that we provide legal safeguards to ensure the public trust is never violated.

This is not a partisan issue. The record shows that officials of both parties have in the past held these two types of positions simultaneously. Rather, this is an issue of preserving the American people's faith in the integrity of our democracy.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to offer this important legislation to protect the public's trust in the electoral process.

Mr. Speaker, mentoring impacts the lives of so many in our country. Three million people currently participate in a healthy, caring mentoring relationship. A quality mentoring program offers a young person the strength, confidence, and stability they need to mature and grow. Witnessing this growth is the unique reward for a mentor's invested time and energy.

I believe the best part about mentoring, what makes it so successful, is its simplicity. There is a basic human need to have another's care, support, and trust. A mentor can provide that to a young person, and that gift often inspires a cycle of helping others.

Unfortunately, there still exists a gaping deficit of mentors. Approximately 15 million new mentors are needed, which stems from the demand for our Nation's youth to have positive role models in their lives.

I recently learned of a particularly touching mentoring relationship in my district in San Diego.

As an infant, Anthony was in a car accident, sadly leaving him without a mother. Since his father was in jail, Anthony was left to his grandmother's care. During his childhood, Anthony was diagnosed with Aspberger's syndrome. His grandmother found him a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County and now, 11 years later, Anthony is one-half of a successful mentoring relationship. Before meeting his mentor, Anthony would never go outside and was frightened of loud noises. Spending time with his mentor every week has given Anthony the strength and self-confidence to experience things he might never have tried.

At the basis of a mentoring relationship like Anthony's is a firm and unwavering commitment. Successful mentoring relies on a commitment to show up, to open up, to be vulnerable, to learn, to laugh, to grow . . . So, this month and always, let us recognize these millions of important commitments made by young and old across our country and offer our own commitment to continue to promote the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I urge my colleagues to join us in celebrating National Mentoring Month, 2009.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution recognizing and honoring those who make a difference in the lives of our young people across the United States.

I am honored to be joined by Congressman Mike Rogers of Michigan and Congresswoman Betty McCollum of Minnesota in introducing a resolution marking January of 2009 as National Mentoring Month as proclaimed by the President of the United States. National Mentoring Month celebrates and honors those who are mentors and draws attention to the great need for more mentors.

Mentors make a tremendous difference in the lives of our children. When a responsible and reliable adult becomes a mentor, the benefits to the mentee can last a lifetime. Countless stories show the positive outcomes of a good role model.

Quality mentoring relationships between reliable adults and our young people are invaluable. Millions of adults nationwide are acting as excellent role models while providing guidance and advice to our young people--many of whom face problems at home or difficulties at school. Without a good, solid role model, our kids are more likely to drop out of high school or to become involved with drugs or alcohol.

Unfortunately, research shows that about 15 million children across the United States are in need of a mentor and a good role model. It is crucial that we begin to reach these children to give them a better future and hope. We are calling on more adults to rise to the occasion and to act as a role model to our children.

Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to offer a resolution honoring America's mentors on the occasion of National Mentoring Month, 2009. I urge its quick passage.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congresswoman DeLauro and Chairman Miller for their hard work on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act.

In my work on the Armed Services Committee, I have had the honor and privilege of working with many of our female servicemembers in the armed services. And although work still needs to be done in other areas, I am proud of the fact that our female servicemembers receive exactly the same pay as their male counterparts for doing the same work. In many ways, the military is a model of equal pay for equal work. We would never allow our female servicemembers to be paid differently for serving our country. Why then would we allow women in the civilian sector to get paid 78 percent of what their male coworkers are paid?

I urge the passage of this these two bills.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Israel's right to self-defense and a broader U.S. diplomatic role in the Middle East. The Israeli government has a right and a responsibility to defend Israeli citizens, and we have an obligation to support our ally in times of crisis.

But this body also has an obligation to advance the dialogue beyond the conflict of today toward how we can achieve a stable peace in the future. This conflict shows that the United States cannot manage the situation from the sidelines.

This approach only serves Iran and radical elements in the region. Rather, we must maintain a high diplomatic presence that allows responsible parties to capture every opportunity for peace.

I believe that the new administration and the new Congress represent an opportunity to regain our position as an

honest broker in the region. For this to happen, the tone coming from Washington must be in sharp contrast to the last 8 years.

Congress helped set that tone, which is where I hope my colleagues will use this tragedy as an opportunity to call for an end to this conflict and a broader, American, diplomatic presence in the region.

Madam Speaker, my constituents have every right to be angry about our economic situation. I am angry too.

But I believe that going forward with this legislation enables us to begin to right our economy.

It does not address all the requisite steps that should be taken.

That is why I am urging the chairman and the Congress to work with the Treasury and the SEC to promulgate rules on accounting practices that reflect the true value of assets they will be working with.

This bill is not a magic bullet but the cost of doing nothing may be far greater than the painful steps we take today.

I thank the Chairman and all of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle. We may disagree but people have worked hard over the past week to listen to one another no matter where you come down on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of our troops by urging passage of H.R. 3174, the Equal Justice For Our Military Act, a bill giving our servicemembers equal access to the United States Supreme Court.

We all know when American men and women decide to serve their Nation in the Armed Forces, they make many sacrifices, from lost time with their families to irreplaceable loss of lives. Servicemembers also sacrifice one of the fundamental legal rights that all civilian members enjoy.

Members of the military convicted of offenses under the military justice system do not have the legal right to appeal their cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. After exhausting their appeals through the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, they have no recourse. In fact, the playing field is weighted in favor of the military, granting the automatic right of Supreme Court review to the Department of Defense when a servicemember wins a case. But servicemembers are denied the same right in nearly every case the government wins against them.

It is unjust to deny the members of our Armed Forces access to our system of justice as they fight for our freedom around the world. They deserve better.

As the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel, a long time advocate for servicemembers and a Representative from San Diego, one of the largest military communities in the Nation, I feel an obligation to fight to ensure that the members of our military are treated fairly.

I introduced, along with Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton, H.R. 3174 to correct this inequity. This bill has been endorsed by the American Bar Association, the Military Officers Association of America, and many other legal and military advocates. In addition, the Congressional Budget Office has stated that this bill does not affect direct spending.

It is fundamentally unjust, Mr. Speaker, to deny those who serve on behalf of our country one of the basic rights afforded to all other Americans. I hope that all of my colleagues will stand with me in strong support of this legislation to attain equal treatment for those who fight for us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009.

I want to recognize the ranking member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, Mr. McHugh, for his contributions to this bill. It provides significant personnel benefits and policies that are important to our men and women in uniform and their families, and I believe it merits full support.

Some of the highlights of the military personnel area include the following: A 3.9 percent pay raise, an increase of .5 percent above the President's request; prohibition on increases in TRICARE copays and deductibles; preventing TRICARE pharmacy copay increases for a year; establishing a tuition assistance program for eligible military spouses; growing the end strength for the Army and the Marine Corps; increasing full-time manning for the Army National Guard.

We also provided over $50 million for Impact Aid to local educational agencies; increased the use of preventive care services by TRICARE beneficiaries, including waiving copayments for preventive services and creating smoking cessation programs.

Finally, this bill creates a Department of Defense task force on the prevention of suicide.

Our Nation has been at war for 7 years. Repeated deployments continue to take a hard toll on our servicemembers and their families, and the bill before us recognizes their sacrifices and addresses the increasing support that they and their families need to be trained and equipped before, during and following a deployment.

Mr. Speaker, we would not be here today without the leadership of Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member Hunter, and I want to wish my colleague from San Diego well as he leaves the Congress. Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member Hunter have gone through extraordinary lengths to ensure that this Congress will have a defense authorization bill. I also want to thank my subcommittee staff for all of their hard work over the past year.

I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, as everyone has said before, this bill is a victory. It may not be everything that everyone had hoped to get into this bill, but it is going in the right direction. It does ensure treatment, it does address the stigma associated with mental health disorders.

I just wanted to point out that we have so many of our servicemembers who are coming home who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. And they are coming home and transitioning to civilian life. But they are going to find some barriers as well. The barriers to mental health care are really playing themselves out today because I just talked to a family just a little while ago, and they felt that even though we're starting to put in some of those services, there's great resistance to people seeking that kind of care.

This bill begins to change that. It sends a very clear and a very direct message that mental health care is as important as physical care. We wouldn't stop people in the middle of their treatment for something of stomach ulcers. You cannot stop people in the middle of their treatment for mental health disorders.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased this bill is on the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1464) recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of the founding of AARP.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1464 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor and privilege that I rise in support of House Resolution 1464 in commemoration and recognition of the AARP's 50th anniversary.

In what started as a campaign to obtain affordable health care for retired teachers, AARP founder, Ethel Percy Andrus, began a movement dedicated to serving and advocating for its nearly 40 million members and all Americans over the age of 50. For the past 50 years, the AARP has advocated tirelessly to address the needs of the elderly, contributing immensely to the greater well-being of some of our most vulnerable citizens.

During this time, the AARP has also provided trusted research and information that continues to shape public policy. This national organization exemplifies the ideals of service and advocacy, and has been a tremendous force in enhancing opportunities for older Americans in their search for quality health care, pension and retirement security, financial and overall well-being.

In addition, I would also like to thank and congratulate AARP's CEO, Bill Novelli and the countless volunteers and staff for their leadership and commitment to furthering the organization's mission of a healthy and secure elderly population in the United States. I would like to extend my congratulations and appreciation to the AARP for their exceptional dedication and service, and I wish this organization continued success in years to come.

I urge the adoption of this resolution, and reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this resolution, and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6890) to extend the waiver authority for the Secretary of Education under section 105 of subtitle A of title IV of division B of Public Law 109-148, relating to elementary and secondary education hurricane recovery relief, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 6890.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6890 which will aid schools affected by Hurricanes Gustav, Ike, Katrina, and Rita in addition to those impacted by this summer's flooding in the Midwest.

This August marked the third year since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the gulf coast. People lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their family members. Entire towns were leveled and cities emptied. While in the past 3 years, the affected States have made great strides towards normalcy, many school districts, many school districts still struggle to deal with the loss of students, teachers, facilities, and funding.

And only a few weeks ago, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike hit the still- recovering region causing an incredible amount of damage to its communities, the extent of which has yet to be fully realized. Many students are not yet back in their homes. Many schools were destroyed by the storms or by flooding. Many teachers have not yet returned, and much of the affected States' resources have gone to addressing other recovery needs.

It is not surprising that as a result of storms like these, school budgets are stretched thin and students' education suffers.

As part of the Hurricane Education Recovery Act of 2005, Congress granted the Secretary of Education the authority to waive several requirements in order to ease fiscal burdens on the States where a major disaster had been declared. These provisions have proved useful to all States affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita with Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas all applying for and receiving waivers.

This bill extends the waivers allowing Restart programs to be more flexible with their fiscal resources. It will allow schools in the affected regions to continue on their road to recovery by devoting funds to their most pressing needs so that they can better serve students who have been through so much in the past few years.

This bill also guarantees that schools affected by the most recent storms and flooding will maintain the same level of funding under Federal grant programs in the 2009 and 2010 school year as they received for the current school year. By allowing school districts to maintain their previous level of funding for the next year, this provision allows them to rebuild and prepare for the return of their students without having to deal with the additional challenge of reduced resources.

It reassures families that when they do return to their homes, their children's education will not suffer. By bringing students and families back to the region, it's an important step in helping those devastated areas recover and become vibrant communities once more.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge the adoption of H.R. 6890.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of H.R. 6890, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1463) recognizing the benefits of service-learning as a teaching strategy to effectively engage youth in the community and classroom, and supporting the goals of the National Learn and Serve Challenge, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1463 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the benefits of service learning as a teaching strategy and to support the goals of the National Learn and Serve Challenge.

Service learning is an educational model that can be used from kindergarten to the university level across all subjects and disciplines. More than just community service, service learning challenges students to apply their classroom lessons by asking them to investigate a problem in their community, plan solutions, take action through service, and then reflect on their experience.

By integrating classroom learning with real-world challenges in the community, service learning can make school assignments come alive for our students. At the same time, we are also encouraging our young people to help improve our local neighborhoods. Studies have shown a connection between service learning and higher academic achievement, enhanced classroom engagement, increased attendance, better problem solving skills, and a deeper understanding of cognitive complexities.

Research also suggests that students involved in service-learning opportunities build self-confidence, leadership skills, and increase their tolerance of others. This all makes service learning a successful strategy in reducing negative behaviors such as those that lead to dropping out, arrest, or unintended pregnancies.

In addition, service learning promotes involvement in our democracy, development of strong ethics, and a sense of social responsibilities. For example, studies have shown that high school students that participated in service learning are more likely to vote 15 years after their experience than those that did not participate.

And finally, students who are exposed to service learning build important social and personal skills. Service learning is an onramp to civic engagement for a lifetime.

In order to call attention to the many benefits of service learning, the National Learn and Serve Challenge will take place October 6-12. This week-long nationwide celebration of service will raise awareness of service learning and foster collaborative partnerships between local schools, institutions of higher education, and their surrounding communities. The organization has set an ambitious goal of having 5 million college students and 50 percent of K-12 schools engaged in meaningful service by 2010.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for the National Learn and Serve Challenge, and I encourage more schools to take advantage of the many benefits service learning can have on our students and our communities.

I urge the adoption of this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 642) to establish a demonstration incentive program within the Department of Education to promote installation of fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in qualified student housing and dormitories, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 642 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 642, the College Fire Prevention Act. This legislation is the result of the life work of the late Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

Many of us know the commitment of Representative Tubbs Jones to the cause of campus fire safety. Every September, she would come to the floor to advocate for the recognition of September as Campus Fire Safety Month. Because of her efforts, States around the country also recognized September as Campus Fire Safety Month and helped to make students aware of the dangers they face and to ensure that colleges and universities do all they can to assist students.

H.R. 642 builds on Representative Tubbs Jones' work to protect students on campus by creating a demonstration program within the Department of Education to encourage colleges and universities to install fire sprinkler systems and other fire suppression and prevention technologies in student housing and dormitories.

I can think of no better time to talk about campus fire safety than now, when our students are returning to schools. We all know that in the hustle and bustle of moving in and getting ready for class, thoughts of whether one is prepared for a fire can sometimes get lost.

Historically, August and September are two of the most fatal months for campus fires. We can assist institutions in avoiding these preventable tragedies by encouraging colleges and universities to educate students about fire safety before they arrive on campus.

In passing this legislation here today, we not only honor the work of Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, but we also ensure the safety of students on campus.

I urge the passage of this timely and important legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to recognize the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) for as much time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, we come on the floor once again to honor the life and work of the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and we do that with this bill, very important bill, H.R. 642, the College Fire Prevention Act. I'm delighted that Mr. Clyburn was able to be here and to continue her legacy in this way.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the motions to suspend the rules relating to the following measures be considered as adopted in the form considered by the House on Monday, September 15, 2008:

House Resolution 1255, House Resolution 1372, House Resolution 1425, House

Concurrent Resolution 410, H.R. 2352, H.R. 2535, H.R. 3437, H.R. 5293, H.R. 5350, H.R. 5736, H.R. 6064, H.R. 6503, and H.R. 6855.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 998) to direct the Librarian of Congress and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to carry out a joint project at the Library of Congress and the National Museum of African American History and Culture to collect video and audio recordings of personal histories and testimonials of individuals who participated in the Civil Rights movement, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks in the Record on this bill.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 998, which would create the Civil Rights History Project. The bill directs the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution, through the National Museum of African American

History and Culture, to collaborate and establish an oral history project. This joint venture will result in the collection and preservation of audio and video recordings by individuals who participated in the Civil Rights Movement.

A fundamental precept of our American democracy is that individuals stand up for their rights and beliefs and pursue justice through civil means. Many who participated in the Civil Rights Movement did so at great personal sacrifice. Their actions were often heroic and tireless, and challenged the practice of racial segregation in the Nation, which resulted in equal rights legislation for all American citizens.

As these pioneers continue to age, it is important that their memories and stories of events are documented so that future generations can witness their testimony regarding the lives and times of that era.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may consume to Representative McCarthy of New York.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield to Mr. Hinchey of New York as much time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, It is now my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to Mr. Cohen of Tennessee.

Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased that Congresswoman McCarthy has brought this legislation forward. As someone who's had an opportunity to travel on the pilgrimages of the civil rights movement with our own John Lewis, Congressman John Lewis, I know how important it is for us to act now and to capture the words and the actions and the memories of those who played such an important and historical role in this country.

I urge all Members to support this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.