ms. jackson lee of texas. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 406, the gentlewoman from texas, ms. jackson lee, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from texas. ms. jackson lee: thank you very much, mr. chairman. i rise today to support my amendment. i call my amendment, can we all get along. it is an amendment simply to ask that all of those who are impacted by this proposed legislation to have an expanded time to be able to present their views. . it is a can we all get along-type amendment because it is important to note, again, that those of us who come from different states whether it's illinois or texas recognize that the environmental protection agency and the clean air act were formulated under a bipartisan congress. signed, as my colleague reminded us, by president richard nixon, republicans and democrats voted for the clean air act and the environmental protection agency 's jurisdiction. it's important to note that there is not only a value in what the e.p.a. does, but there are organizations such as the american lung as

sheila jackson lee, texas, tell us about it .. ms. jackson lee: i know california has faced its own trevails when it had a natural disaster and let me say to my friend from new york, you are absolutely right. we are committed for that supplemental to those in new england, to those on the east coast, and to my fellow texans. i know there's a time and place for america to stand with you. i want to see the president with those of good faith, there's a little comment here, congress, the autumn of its discontent. i want the gentleman from california to know that i have no discontent. i have excitement, i have enthusiasm. i just ask my friends on the other side of the aisle to join me and walk down the aisle and celebrate the idea that we are the congress of action, take the democrats' ideas about job creation, about investment, about infrastructure, about educating our people, about research, take my ideas about getting people trained to jobs, paying them while they're training, they have an income, take the idea of buying a paper clip from

ms. jackson lee: mr. speaker, on yesterday i was detained in my state on official business and i'd like to refer to roll call vote 699 on monday, september 12, 2001. i request unanimous consent for the following vote to be placed in the record at the appropriate place. roll call 609 on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to h.r. 26 to amend the united states code, i would have voted aye. roll call vote number 700 on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to h.r. 2633, to amend the united states code on time limits for appeals, i would have voted aye. on 699, this was regarding the practice of investigatory assistance and i would have indicated i would have voted aye. 701, h.res. 1316, to protect the safety of judges by extending the authority of the judicial conference to redact sensitive information, i would have voted aye. i would appreciate the including of these votes at the appropriate place. i ask unanimous consent. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the chair lays before the house the

ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman texas ms. jackson lee is recognized for 2 1/2 minutes. ms. jackson lee: i want to join with my colleague, first of all, to wish the president and to work together in a bipartisan manner to put americans back to work, put them to work now and keep them working. i am both supportive of the intelligence authorization bill for a number of reasons, dealing with the issue of investing in new positions and select high priority needs, f.b.i. surveillance, increasing the personnel. i'm concerned about the cuts in personnel, the languages where appropriate in these days as we celebrate 9/11 i'm concerned about what is appropriate. i'm also interested in moving forward on diversity. we should ensure that our intelligence community reflects a diversity of america from african-americans to arabans, latinos, muslims, people speaking different languages to be effective to protect this country. the d.n.i. will review to determine if security implications of moving intelligence systems, i think that is important

ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from texas is recognized for one minute. ms. jackson lee: mr. speaker, you would seem we would come to the floor of the house at this time and celebrate a continuing resolution in the backdrop of hurricane lee and hurricane irene, the enormity of the tragedy in vermont. i know that my colleagues from that area are in pain and still suffering from the devastation. i noticed upstate new york, prathsville, in particular, a city that's full of pain, with individuals who are at lost as to why their town is no longer. but in that instance, as my colleagues know, my republican friends know although we have had some moments we have not been proud of, like in the gulf region when we were not prepared for hurricane katrina, we've still risen to the occasion thereafter and said to the american people that if you're in a disaster this nation will come to your aid. unfortunately this c.r. does not in any way befit the american way. for here we have a fix that is really a broken fix. rather than declaring disasters what they are, emergency, an

ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from texas for -- is recognized for three minutes. three minutes. ms. jackson lee: thank you very much, mr. chairman, and i think we've already sat the parameters for this discussion. we can see by the throngs that are on the floor of the house how keenly important this is to the american people. the reason why i say that is important discussions draw members even away from their duties elsewhere, but we know that the reason why we are speaking to empty seats is, one, because the other body has resoundingly denounced and voted this particular provision down because we reached a compromise, respectable compromise that we realize we have to pay our bills. but, of course, those who believe that they are not in the people's house, they can put this resolution on the floor because if they look to what the people want, 46% of the american people believe that jobs are more important than reducing the deficit. there are more than 65% believe we should be

ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from texas for -- is recognized for three minutes. three minutes. ms. jackson lee: thank you very much, mr. chairman, and i think we've already sat the parameters for this discussion. we can see by the throngs that are on the floor of the house how keenly important this is to the american people. the reason why i say that is important discussions draw members even away from their duties elsewhere, but we know that the reason why we are speaking to empty seats is, one, because the other body has resoundingly denounced and voted this particular provision don because we reached a compromise, respectable compromise that we realize we have to pay our bills. but, of course, those who believe that they are not in the people's house, they can put this resolution on the floor because if they look to what the people want, 46% of the american people believe that jobs are more important than reducing the deficit. there are more than 65% believe we should be

ms. jackson-lee is recognized for five minutes. >> mr. chairman, thank you very much and i believe it is appropriate during the days prior to the tenth anniversary that conjures emotions amongst many of us is to really cites the patriotism of the three witnesses and the value that they have given to the necessity of securing the homeland. i pay tribute to each of you and your own responsibility and the way you let in thank you so very much for that service. i want to acknowledge as well my chairman and ranking member because they are accurate that we have worked together. the one thing that we have not done on this committee is challenged members to patriotism. we have disagreed on policy but we have not challenged the patriotism. i consider each of the members and myself a patriot and i am so grateful that even though we critique studies, that the 9/11 commission will find its place in history along with secretary ridge who had to feel your way after the aftermath of 9/11 but the 9/11 commission report congressman hamilton, will be a boo

ms. jackson lee: i rise on behalf of the 64% and gring americans who say pass the jobs bill. i rise on behalf of those who have sought to get work, time and time again. i rise on behalf of the citizens of the state of texas that's been represented to be a state that has no unemployment for the 8.3% and growing unemployment individuals in our own state. we are resilient, yes, but working with the united states is important -- it is important to note that we must do something to restore the opportunities for people to work and restore human dignity. as the president said, we should have one purpose in this house. it should be to work for the american people. we can balance this budget, we can reduce the deficit, but we really can put people to work. firefighters and teachers and police officers. we can invest to in this economy and provide education and we can put americans back to work. let's not make ourselves number one, let's make the american people number one, pass the jobs bill now. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition?

ms. jackson-lee is recognized for five minutes. >> mr. chairman, thank you very much and i believe it is appropriate during the days prior to the tenth anniversary that conjures emotions amongst many of us is to really cites the patriotism of the three witnesses and the value that they have given to the necessity of securing the homeland. i pay tribute to each of you and your own responsibility and the way you let in thank you so very much for that service. i want to acknowledge as well my chairman and ranking member because they are accurate that we have worked together. the one thing that we have not done on this committee is challenged members to patriotism. we have disagreed on policy but we have not challenged the patriotism. i consider each of the members and myself a patriot and i am so grateful that even though we critique studies, that the 9/11 commission will find its place in history along with secretary ridge who had to feel your way after the aftermath of 9/11 but the 9/11 commission report congressman hamilton, will be a boo

ms. jackson lee: thank you, madam speaker. we love you, carrie meek. and i am delighted to rise today to admit that carrie meek, congresswoman meek, was a mentor to me and someone who drew the admiration of republicans an democrats and did some unique and remarkable, if you will, activities here in this congress. one as a freshman she pushed enough to become a member of the appropriations committee, and led graciously in her tenure. then she worked very closely with republicans and democrats to fight to ensure that cigarette packages had warnings about the negative impact on groups like african-americans and carrie, do you remember the picture that we took with rosa parks and some of our colleagues and how gracious you were and do you remember the 25,000 people in florida when they were trying to overturn affirmative action and yes, you walked as long as -- as long and hard as anyone else. i think the jobs bill the president has could be named after you. it will provide 80% compensation to small businesses to hire people, that sounds like carrie meek.

ms. jackson lee: before i begin, mr. speaker, i cannot help but acknowledge that we are days away from memorializing those lost on 9/11 and i am reminded of that time some 10 years ago and how this body drew together. i don't know if our leadership has thought of it but i think it will be more than appropriate if we went to the steps of the capitol and sang again "god bless america." i hope we can do that pause we did that, we did it together. tonight i hope we can be together as the president commands the attention of the american people. i hope we can be together to lift up the concept of make it in america, rebuild america, put our small businesses and inventors and geniuses back to work. i hope we can come together with the f.a.a. authorization so houston, texas, won't lose $90 million in airport construction. i hope we can come together and recognize that when we do a supplemental to help our friends with the wildfires in texas, my constituents and others and lloyd doggett's constituents and all in the northeast, we

ms. jackson lee: today we introduced a resolution to honor those whose lives were lost on 9/11. as a member of congress, i vividly remember as we rushed from this building and glared at the pentagon and saw the remains of the plane that had attacked this nation, from pennsylvania to washington, d.c., to new york our lives were changed as america watched. today as i stand on this floor i offer my deepest remarks and sympathy to the families who still are in pain. to the first responders whose memories are still glaring in their attempt to find those who were lost and save what might be left and the pain they have and the health conditions they suffer. but what i will say to america that we are still america. strong, patriotic, and believing in all that we are, the great diversity that we are. thank you to the muslims who are on the capitol i right now providing the gift of life, giving blood. thank you to the city of houston that will be honoring those this coming weekend. we will be together because we are america. we will not be deterred. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore:

ms. jackson-lee is recognized for five minutes. >> mr. chairman, thank you very much and i beeve it is appropriate during the days prior to the tenth anniversary that conjures emotions amongst many of us is to really cites the patriotism of the three witnesses and the value that they have given to the necessity of securing the homeland. i pay tribute to each of you and your own responsibility and the way you let in thank you so very much for that service. i want to acknowledge as well my chairman and ranking member because they are accurate that we have worked together. the one thing that we have not done on this committee is challenged members to patriotism. we have disagreed on policy but we have not challenged the patriotism. i consider each of the members andmyself a patriot and i am so grateful thaeven though we critique studies, that the 9/11 commission will find its place in history along with secretary ridge who had to feel your ay after the aftermath of 9/11 but the 9/11 commission report congressman hamilton, will be a book that

ms. jackson-lee is recognized for five minutes. >> mr.uch and i believe it is appropriate during the days prior to the tenth anniversary that conjures emotions amongst many of us is to really cites the patriotism of the three witnesses and the value that they have given to the necessity of securing the homeland. i pay tribute to each of you and your own responsibility and the way you let in thank you so very much for that service. i want to acknowledge as well my chairman and ranking member because they are accurate that we have worked together. the one thing that we have not done on this committee is challenged members to patriotism. we have disagreed on policy but we have not challenged the patriotism. i consider each of the members and myself a patriot and i am so grateful that even though we critique studies, that the 9/11 commission will find its place in history along with secretary ridge who had to feel your way after the aftermath of 9/11 but the 9/11 commission report congressman hamilton, will be a book that we will continue to