Date: 2012-12-30
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the gentlelady from New York. and I want to first of all say this will not be the last we hear of your voice. and what a stupendous voice you have. Thank you so much for making this time on the floor a time that pays tribute to veterans but also recognizes the outstanding service that youve given to this Nation. to the Committee on Homeland Security and your other committees. but more importantly the passion that youve shown as a true American. I hope that we heed the voice that you just lifted up that we owe to veterans not only this great legislation. but also the ability to come together and work on their behalf and on behalf of all Americans. Thank you again for allowing me to comment on this bill as the ranking member on the Homeland Security Transportation Committee. I thank Mr. BILIRAKIS. We have worked together on a number of legislative initiatives. and I thank him as well for his service. along with the retiring chairman. Chairman KING. and our Democratic ranking member. Mr. THOMPSON. for their leadership. It gives me great comfort to be able to come on the floor today and say thank you. Even though no one wants to see a homeless hero. a homeless veteran. I spent. over the holidays. time visiting a number of our centers where homeless veterans are. and I can tell you that they are the most giving and charitable persons. Many of us will be able to recount on Thanksgiving Day. or during the holiday. being able to give or to share or to be able to distribute food or to serve veterans who. unfortunately. not of their own doing. have fallen upon hard times. do not have a place to live. and are coming to the various food pantries and food kitchens. It was one of great pleasure to me. not for their condition. but to be able to humbly just provide them with a warm meal. This is a commonsense legislative initiative that says to homeless heroes. every day were thinking of you. As the ranking member on the Transportation Security Committee. I can assure you that Transportation Security officers are grateful to Ms. HOCHUL and to the Senate amendment for giving them this chance to further their service to the Nation. There are many things that are left behind. and many times in the airport you hear that PA system saying. Come back. come back to the security checkpoint. youve left your iPad. your coat. your shoes. What else could you have left? Many times. unfortunately. those individuals are already on the airplane. and so we try our best. but we leave behind quality items that could be used for our veterans. The Senate amendment expands this to other charities as well. But as the ranking member. I want to commend to our TSA officers and our officers that are supervisors across the Nations airports. and to our airports. yes. you have the opportunity to give to veterans. charitable institutions and others. but I encourage you. because of the extensive number of homeless veterans. that you give these items so that we can have. not only resources. but clothing for homeless veterans of whom we hope that we will provide a pathway to be able to get out of the status of homelessness. but also while theyre doing so. to provide them with this quality clothing. So again. I rise to support H.R. 6328. as amended by the Senate. to thank the author of this legislation. Ms. HOCHUL. the gentlelady from New York. again. remind her that she will not have a silent voice. and this is a very grand and wonderful way to end at least your legislative service. your billwriting service on this floor of the House and in this Congress where you are serving the Nations veterans. We are forever grateful. and I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.