Date: 2012-05-17
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Lodged in between our commemoration of Memorial Day and our fallen loved ones and heroes and Flag Day. which we stand proudly to wave the flag. I really stand here as a friend that is deeply saddened by something that I think has never occurred. and that is to allow Americans. through the McGovernSmith amendment. to really speak to all of our Members. And I think America would agree: None of us should be challenged with our patriotism. But if we raise the question of what are the next steps in Afghanistan. it is not a diminishing of the service of our men and women. It is not the eliminating of our responsibility to be able to assure the safety and security of the Afghan people. It is to allow Members of Congress to represent their constituents on both sides of the aisle to raise the question: What are the next steps and how will we bring our troops home safely? This amendment should be allowed to be discussed. just as were discussing the potential removal and where we are eliminating the language and the ability to remove citizens and to hold them indefinitely. It is the American way. Madam Speaker. I beg of us to do this in a bipartisan way and to allow the McGovernSmith amendment to go forward. Madam Speaker. I rise to support my amendment to H.R. 4310 "National Defense Authorization Act." which would require the Secretary of Defense prior to the awarding of defense contract to private contractors. to conduct an assessment to determine whether or not the Department of Defense has carried out sufficient outreach programs to include minority and womenowned small business. Throughout my tenure in Congress. I have sponsored legislation that promotes diversity. I stand proudly before you today to call for renewed vigor in advocating and constructing effective policies that will make the United States the most talented. diverse. effective. and powerful workforce in an increasingly globalized economy. This amendment will require the Department of Defense to consider the impact that changes to outsourcing guidelines will have on small minority and women owned business by requiring them to engage with these businesses. Promoting diversity is more than just an idea it requires an understanding that there is a need to have a process that will ensure the inclusion of minorities and women in all areas of American life. Small businesses represent more than the American dreamthey represent the American economy. Small businesses account for 95 percent of all employers. create half of our gross domestic product. and provide three out of four new jobs in this country. Small business growth means economic growth for the nation. But to keep this segment of our economy thriving. entrepreneurs need access to loans. Through loans. small business owners can expand their businesses. hire more workers and provide more goods and services. The Small Business Administration. SBA. a federal organization that aids small businesses with loan and development programs. is a key provider of support to small businesses. The SBAs main loan program accounts for 30 percent of all longterm small business borrowing in America. I have worked hard to help small business owners to fully realize their potential. That is why I support entrepreneurial development programs. including the Small Business Development Center and Womens Business Center programs. These initiatives provide counseling in a variety of critical areas. including business plan development. finance. and marketing. My amendment would require the Department of Defense to assess whether their outreach programs are sufficient prior to awarding contracts. The Department of Defense should investigate what impact their regulations have on minority and women owned small businesses. Outreach is key to developing healthy and diverse small businesses.