Congressman Mike Honda: On the Issues

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

2009-11-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

November is Native American Heritage Month. Over 562 Native American tribes have made extraordinary professional, educational, and cultural contributions to our community. After centuries of gross mistreatment at the hands of the US government and generations of unequal, exploitative policies that have worked to effectively rob Native Americans of their land, culture, and livelihood, it is a privilege to honor the many accomplishments that these groups are making today. Their rich ancestry and surviving traditions are a living testament of the strength and unyielding spirit shared by many great tribal nations across this land, and their legacy will continue to be a major part of the ethnic fabric of American society.

Since its inception in 1990, Native American Heritage Month has sought to promote recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United States, and increase awareness of the tragedies and discrimination these groups have experienced throughout history. This year’s theme, Pride in Our Heritage, Honor to our Ancestors, reflects the importance of remembering the rich and diverse cultural legacy of Native Americans.

In the spirit of recognizing the longstanding social and economic inequalities facing Native Americans, it is crucial that we take steps to ensure that Native Americans achieve equal access to public services, government funding, employment, business and educational opportunities. Individually and as distinct nations, Native Americans have made distinguished and significant achievements in the fields of agriculture, business, medicine, music, language, and art. I have every confidence that they will continue to distinguish themselves in those arenas as well as in government, as entrepreneurs, athletes, and scholars in the years and decades to come.

As we proceed to strengthen America’s economic and social infrastructure, it is imperative that we target existing inequalities and discriminatory policies and make an active, nationwide effort to include Native Americans in future programs through forward-thinking legislation, such as the Native American Business Development Enhancement Act of 2009.

Combating the Silent Viral Hepatitis Epidemic

2009-11-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

On October 30th, 2009, I was joined by a bi-partisan group of 11 other Members of Congress as I introduced important legislation to improve and expand the federal response to the silent viral hepatitis epidemic in our nation. H.R.3974, the Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to establish, promote, and support comprehensive prevention, research, and medical management referral programs for these and others fighting viral hepatitis.

Viral hepatitis is highly infectious – 100 times more infectious than HIV – but most people are unaware of the devastating long term consequences of chronic viral hepatitis B and C infection. Untreated, they can cause liver disease, liver cancer, and premature death decades after infection. It is estimated that 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with the hepatitis B virus, 400 million chronically. Approximately 170 million people worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus. An estimated 5.3 million people living in the United States are infected with either hepatitis B or hepatitis C; tragically more than half are unaware of their status.

Although the incidence of infection in the United States has declined over the past several decades, there are still tens of thousands of people every year who are infected with hepatitis. Furthermore, Americans approaching retirement come from a generation before the hepatitis B vaccine and before treatment for hepatitis C was developed. Seniors, immigrants and children of immigrants from countries with high endemic infection rates of viral hepatitis, African Americans and Asian American and Pacific Islanders are particularly vulnerable. A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (found here) makes the strong point that a robust federal policy approach is needed.

My bill will increase the authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support state health departments in their prevention, immunization and surveillance efforts. The CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis has been dramatically underfunded in comparison with other CDC programs within the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Increasing the authority of the Division will help to boost the argument for increased funding. This legislation is an important step forward and I look forward to the passage of the bill.

House Passes Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009

2009-11-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

This week, the House passed legislation to permanently reform the way Medicare pays physicians.H.R.3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009 will repeal a 21 percent fee reduction scheduled for January 2010 and replace it with a stable system that ends the cycle of threats of ever-larger fee cuts followed by short-term patches. Permanent reform of physician payments in Medicare will guarantee that Medicare beneficiaries continue to enjoy the excellent access to care that they do today. It will also follow the President’s lead by ending a budget gimmick that artificially reduces the deficit by assuming physician payments will be cut by 40 percent over the next several years even though Congress has consistently intervened to prevent those cuts from occurring.

By fixing this system in a responsible way, we are ensuring that our seniors have reliable access to their doctors and the primary care they need. This bill tackles seniors’ main concern – preventing pay cuts that could encourage doctors to stop seeing Medicare patients. It builds on the historic health insurance reform bill the House passed earlier this month, which will lower premiums, extend the solvency of Medicare by five years, improve preventive and primary care for seniors, and close the “donut hole” gap in prescription drug coverage.

H.R. 3961 is supported by a wide range of organizations representing patients, doctors and other providers, including the American Medical Association, AARP, the Military Officers Association of America, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Surgeons, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, the Medicare Rights Center, and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

Permanent physician payment reform:

Preserves seniors’ access to their doctors with a guaranteed update in 2010 by replacing the pending 21 percent fee cut with an update for 2010 based on the Medicare economic index while a new payment system is being put in place.
Keeps doctors’ pay steady through fairer growth targets, which are achieved by wiping away accumulated deficits from current spending targets to provide for a fresh start, but still holds physicians accountable for spending growth. Excludes items not paid under the Medicare physician fee schedule such as chemotherapy drugs and laboratory services from revised growth targets.
Promotes primary care that can keep you healthier longer by providing an extra growth allowance for primary care services to promote access to primary care practitioners in Medicare and throughout the health care system.
Encourages integrated care so your doctors communicate on your care through Accountable Care Organizations, which incentivize physicians to take responsibility for improving quality and reducing costs. Accountable Care Organizations may “opt out” of the national spending targets and establish their own organization-specific targets.

2010 Census

2009-11-19T07:35:00.000-08:00

Next year, the United States will be conducting the decennial census, our constitutionally mandated survey of the nation’s population. The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States, and the results help determine each state’s congressional representation and how much federal funding is allocated to our districts. They also help shape decisions by the national and local governments, such as where to increase services for the elderly, or where to build new roads, schools, or houses. Thus, the decennial count will have a significant impact in investments in our area, and it is important that everyone be counted.

One key element of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that I advocated for was additional funding for the 2010 United States Census. The ARRA provided $1 billion in additional funding to hire new personnel, address operational and program risks, and to increase outreach efforts to hard-to-count communities in the 2010 census.

I recently met with several representatives from the Census Bureau, and was pleased to hear that they are already putting these funds into action by hiring new personnel in the Bay Area and around the country. Recruiting for some field operations staff is still in progress, and recruitment for peak census operations will start this fall, and continue until the spring of 2010. As chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I have met with Dr. Robert Groves, Director of the Census Bureau to ensure a fair and accurate count of everyone in our country, including Asians and Pacific Islanders. CAPAC has been a strong advocate for census funding, particularly for the partnership and outreach program and paid advertising that are critical to reaching hard-to-count communities, including those with limited English proficiency.

CAPAC is dedicated to:

Advocating for increased data collection, analyses, and dissemination of information about AAPIs;
Collaborating with the Census Bureau to ensure the availability of disaggregated data within the AAPI community; and
Working to ensure that the Census Bureau has the resources necessary to conduct an accurate count of everyone in our country.

Currently there is insufficient information on AAPI communities, making it difficult to assess and adequately address our needs. CAPAC’s goal is to increase the disaggregated data showing the particular needs of our diverse ethnic subgroups.

Here are a few websites that you might find helpful when you and your community participate in the Census in the New Year;

Census Home Page

http://www.census.gov/

Scams & Bogus Web Sites

http://www.census.gov/survey_participants/related_information/phishing_email_scams_bogus_census_web_sites.html

Census Countdown Clock

http://www.census.gov/schools/2010_census/index.html

Are you in the Survey?

http://www.census.gov/survey_participants/

Census in Schools

http://www.census.gov/schools/

Healthy Families During The Upcoming Season

2009-11-19T07:30:00.000-08:00

While we continue to move towards healthcare reform for all Americans, it is important that we as individuals do not forget to take care of our own health needs. With the holiday season coming up, it is especially important that all Americans pay attention to what we are eating, and making sure that our nutritional needs are met, and that our food is safe and healthy.

Food safety is especially important when preparing a holiday meal. Failure to adhere to safety guidelines when thawing, stuffing, or cooking a turkey can have disastrous results. In order to help Americans have a safe holiday dinner, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have created a website to provide information about how to safely prepare a holiday turkey.

In addition to food safety, it is also important to help families prepare meals that meet their families’ nutritional needs. The CDC has provided a great deal of information to help Americans learn about how to maintain a balanced diet, including general nutrition information, and some tricks and tips for maintaining a healthy diet during the holidays, and throughout the rest of the year.

It is also important, especially during the holidays, that we remember those who may not be able to provide for themselves, and that we work to make sure that they have access to a variety of nutritious foods. This is especially important during the current economic downturn, and I am pleased to see that as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was passed earlier this year, the USDA has expanded nutrition assistance programs to ensure those in need have continued access to healthy food options.

Volunteering in Our Community 2009

2009-11-19T07:28:00.000-08:00

As we enter the holiday season, social needs resulting from the economic downturn will grow to immeasurable levels. Despite the many hardships that communities are facing, people everywhere are coming together to solve our nation’s problems. Volunteering makes a positive difference in our community. Volunteers have started health clinics that give free services, mentorship programs for our youth, neighborhood clean-ups, and more. Last year in the San Jose area alone, more than half a million adults volunteered to mentor young people, to feed the hungry, and to spend time with our seniors.

Our government is supporting those interested in volunteering with resources and information on volunteer opportunities across America. "United We Serve" is a nationwide service initiative that works to strengthen the effect of existing organizations by connecting new volunteers to community service opportunities and to encourage individuals to develop their own "do-it-yourself" projects. Alternatively, you can also visit the Volunteer San Jose website at http://www.volunteersanjose.org to find things in and around the San Jose area.

As a former Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador in the 1960s, I spent two years working with El Salvadorians to build better schools, construct bridges and roads, and provide vaccinations to children. My experience with Salvadoran youth sparked my lifelong passion for education and public service. To hear more about my thoughts on the President’s call to service, please watch http://serve.gov/videos.asp?tbl_videos_id=199.

Honoring our Veterans

2009-11-16T10:21:00.000-08:00

Last week, on Veterans Day, we honored the service and sacrifices our nation’s veterans have made, a sacrifice which I remind myself of every day. Although we can never adequately thank our brave veterans and troops for their service to our nation, we humbly salute them and their families for their sacrifice, and as a Member of Congress, I am committed to making certain that America takes care of her sons and daughters and that their contributions are never forgotten. Below I have listed a few websites that may be useful for veterans, active military, and their families, as well as information about several pieces of legislation that the House has passed this year and signed by President Obama.

Please visit these websites for more information on military family and veterans issues

Post/9-11 GI Bill information - http://www.gibill.va.gov/
National Archives, Military Records - http://www.archives.gov/veterans/
Department of Defense, Family Support http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/
Department of Veterans Affairs - http://www.va.gov/

You can read my statement made last weekend about Veterans Day here.

Priority Legislation Passed By the House

H.R. 3082 – FY 2010 Military Construction/VA Appropriations

Adds $14.5 billion to the FY2010 budget and provides funding for FY2011 to ensure the best care for America’s wounded warriors in the future.
The largest veterans funding increase ever requested by a President!
Awaiting action in the Senate - http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:S.1407:

H.R. 1211, Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, would expand and improve VA services for the 1.8 million women veterans.

H.R. 3219, Veterans’ Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act of 2009, gives veterans greater flexibility in their insurance choices and ensures that veterans are able to plan appropriately for their financial security.

H.R. 3949, Veterans’ Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009, addresses reintegration challenges for veterans and provides enhanced protections for veteran-owned small business, deployed service members, and family members of veterans.

Priority Legislation Passed By the House and signed by President Obama

Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-81)

President Obama signed legislation giving Congress the authority to fund VA medical accounts one year ahead of schedule (October 22, 2009).

Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-32)

Expands the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill to cover the full cost of college for surviving military children by creating the “Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry” scholarship to provide education benefits to children of deceased active duty service members.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (P.L. 111-5)

Provided an economic stimulus payment of $250 to disabled veterans receiving VA compensation or pension.

From the Department of Veterans Affairs

Agent Orange Veterans

VA announced it establish a service-connection for Vietnam veterans with three specific illnesses (B cell leukemias, Parkinson’s Disease, and ischemic heart disease) based on evidence of an association with the herbicides referred to as Agent Orange. As a result, veterans no longer will have to prove an association between these illnesses and their military service. http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/

Keeping Our Families Healthy – H1N1 Update

2009-11-16T10:18:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I sent out some information about how to stay healthy during this year’s flu season. Since then, however, my office has received a number of calls from constituents who are concerned because they have had difficulty accessing the H1N1 vaccine.

I understand your concerns, which is why I have been fighting to ensure that Santa Clara County is getting our share of the vaccine. Unfortunately, the companies producing the vaccine cannot make it fast enough to meet the demand in all fifty states. New shipments are being sent out slowly, and many regions have long waiting lists of people who need it. The vaccine is distributed to the states by the Federal government, and the states are then responsible for distributing the vaccines to individual counties and localities. I believe that despite the shortage, it is essential that we continue working to ensure that vaccines are distributed to local jurisdictions in a fair manner. I recently learned that Santa Clara County has not been receiving a proportionate share based on our population, and I spoke with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to stress the importance of holding states accountable, and ensuring that vaccines are being distributed fairly and proportionately. The CDC has promised to provide me with the information about federal-, state- and county-level oversight, which I will use to continue advocating for Santa Clara County to get our fair share.

In the meantime, I want to provide some additional information about how those who need it may be able to access the vaccine.

In our area, the vaccine is being distributed by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. Though the County has received only a limited supply at this point, public health officials are working to ensure that those who are most at-risk of illness or complications from the H1N1 virus can access the vaccine.

The County Public Health Department has distributed the vaccine to a wide variety of clinics, hospitals, and healthcare providers in the area. If you need the vaccine, you are advised to first consult your doctor or primary care provider to see if they can provide it to you. The County Public Health Department is recommending that the following groups get the vaccine first.

Pregnant women
Children and young adults between the ages of six months and 24 years
People who live with or provide care for infants under six months
Adults between the ages of 25 and 64 years who have a medical condition that puts them at risk for serious illness and death from the H1N1 virus
Healthcare and emergency service workers

People in these groups who do not have a primary care provider may wish to attend one of the County’s upcoming vaccination fairs; Sunday, November 15, and Saturday November 21, between the hours of 9:30am and 3:30pm, Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, located at 334 Tully Rd, San Jose, CA 95111.

NOTE: If you are attempting to get the vaccine, you should bring identification, or other documentation to demonstrate that you fit into the above categories. These fairs are expected to be extremely crowded, so attendees should be prepared to wait for several hours, if needed. People are also advised not to attend if they are sick, as they will not be able to receive the vaccine.

Limited doses of the vaccine are will also be available this weekend at the following locations:

GARDNER HEALTH CENTER CLINICS ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Hours of operation – 9am to 4pm

Alviso Health Center 1621 Gold Street Alviso, CA 95002 View Map

Gardner Health Center 195 E. Virginia Street San Jose, CA 95112 View Map

VALLEY HEALTH CENTER CLINICS ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Hours of operation – 9:30am to 3:30pm

Valley Health Center Gilroy 7475 Camino Arroyo Gilroy, CA 95020 View Map

Valley Health Center Moorpark 2400 Moorpark Avenue San Jose, CA 95128 View Map

Valley Health Center Sunnyvale 660 S. Fair Oaks Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94086 View Map

Domestic Violence Awareness

2009-11-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

Every year, 4.8 million women are the targets of intimate partner-related physical assaults and rapes. Less than twenty percent seek out medical attention following these attacks. This is why it is extremely important that we educate ourselves about the dangers of unreported incidences of domestic violence and ensure that all victims of these deplorable acts are aware of the resources available to them.

As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to a close, we must recommit ourselves to improving our system of victim detection, funding safe havens for survivors and their children, and educating our families and communities about the dangers of abusive relationships.

Domestic violence does not discriminate against age, education, race or religion. Every year millions of American women and men report incidents of domestic violence with a current or former partner. Sadly, young women between the ages of 16 to 24 bear the brunt of this abuse; and the most common cause of injury to women ages 15 to 44 is domestic violence.

In an effort to support all victims of abusive partners, I voted in favor of providing funding for Family Violence Prevention and Services in the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, including $5.5 million in demonstration grants for community initiatives, $127.78 million for battered women's shelters, and $3.21 million for a national domestic violence hotline.

As we mark the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Violence Against Women Act, I am proud to be an ardent supporter of efforts aimed at eradicating violence against women. Domestic violence victims, regardless of gender or age should know their community stands with them, and against mental and physical abuse. As the month of October comes to a close, I hope you will join me in supporting the effort and goals of Domestic Violence Awareness Month throughout the year.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (1.800.799.7233) or TTY 1.800.787.3224.

Democratizing Energy

2009-11-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

Recently “Team California,” led by the 15th District’s own Santa Clara University, placed a third in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2009 Solar Decathlon. The astonishing part of this achievement is that Team California was the only undergraduate-led team in the competition. The work of this determined team has touched upon a critical issue in our society today - How can we get citizens more involved in the way our country looks at the production, consumption, and conservation of energy? In this regard, I wanted to share a recent Op-Ed I wrote for The Hill with you below and get your thoughts on the topic. I also wanted to show you my statement in the Congressional Record commending the work of Team California.

[Statement in the Congressional Record]

Shift control from utilities to citizens

This month, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and I met to talk about, among other things, climate change. The secretary general has, to his great credit, adopted the issue as one of primary import and will do anything in his power to create consensus among developed and developing countries for a climate commitment in Copenhagen.

The day before my trip to New York, I met with “Team California” in Washington, D.C., one of 20 teams participating in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2009 “Solar Decathlon.” The Decathlon pits engineering schools in competition for national and international recognition in solar house design. I am proud that Team California, comprised of my district’s Santa Clara University and the Bay Area’s California College of the Arts, placed a competitive third, behind second-place Illinois and first-place Germany.

Team California’s contribution to the climate conversation, however, went far beyond decathlon distinction: I presented the secretary general with a sample of Team California’s “Refract House” in an effort to connect the dots, from innovative design to international development. Needless to say, Ban understood exactly my point.

Ban understood, like the Department of Energy understands, that we must raise awareness about one of the biggest challenges we face — America’s ever-increasing need for energy — and offer powerful solutions on how we can use energy more efficiently and use energy from renewable sources.

This is essential if we want to democratize energy. The democratization of energy concept calls for a radically different energy infrastructure and market where supply is not controlled by a handful of utilities, but by every individual household. Team California’s “Refract House,” for example, was entirely energy self-sufficient, generating enough power for all household needs and even capable of selling excess power back to the grid if desired.

This energy self-sufficiency is hardly feasible in most parts of the United States. Consider how centralized our energy system is in the U.S. Most residents have limited options when it comes to energy supply and are often victimized by market forces and fluctuations in prices. The California electricity crisis resulted from a range of reasons: insufficient generating and natural gas capacity, regulation inadequacies, market power abuses, and the general failure to look out for the public’s interest.

Thankfully, much has changed in my state of California since the energy crisis, including the call for sustainability by Santa Clara University and the increasing capacity of individuals to generate and sell renewable energy. Many California homes, for example, are now topped with solar panels. The generated power offsets the consumer’s monthly electric bill, leaving the user with little to no monthly electricity fees.

This is the way of the future. This is the democratization of energy — putting power, literally and figuratively speaking, into the hands of the people. If America leads, lowering the market price for household-sized renewable energy technologies, other countries will follow because the price will be right. Presently, the price is not possible for many low-and-medium income communities. The “Refract House,” for example, cost Team California nearly $500,000 for labor and materials. For us to scale up and scale out, a lower dollar amount is essential.

Leadership in this area brings economic benefits as well: Companies designing home-appropriate solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal, biomass, or other energy producing devices, can amass majority market share by scaling up, then going global. Our Silicon Valley region is already driving fast and furious toward this goal — exemplified by Santa Clara University’s Decathlon efforts — no doubt others are too.

Much like the mobile phone has become ubiquitous in the developing world thanks to the rich world ratcheting down the cost and ratcheting up availability, so too must we replicate this example with other green-tech and energy saving devices like cardboard ovens, wind turbines and micro-solar panels. The mobile phone has contributed much to the developing world, serving as a critical lifeline to banking, agriculture, trade and commerce activities. Think of what portable and affordable devices capable of capturing renewable energy could offer poor and underdeveloped villages. The potential is vast, so too is the need.

By democratizing energy supply here in the U.S. through the opening of markets and the incentivizing of innovative design, we will make it possible for households here in California and households in Calcutta to go green — even when their local or regional utility has yet to convert to renewable sources — because the energy-producing products will be affordable. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Team California are getting us closer to this goal — now let’s just hope that Copenhagen does too.

Original article here.

Historic Hate Crimes Legislation Signed Into Law By President Obama

2009-11-04T08:30:00.001-08:00

Earlier this week, President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. This important legislation deters hate crimes by expanding federal protections and giving state and local law enforcement the tools to prosecute hate crimes based on disability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The bill will supplement the current federal hate crimes law, in place since 1968, which authorizes federal aid in cases of hate crimes committed because of a person’s race, color, religion, or national origin. I have long been a friend and an ally of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and I am committed to the cause of equality. In the U.S. House of Representatives I serve as Vice Chair of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, and on the Whip Team working with my colleagues to end discrimination of LGBT people.

Americans understand that hate crimes have no place in our nation. All Americans have a right to feel safe in their community. We all remember the brutal murders of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming and James Byrd in Texas because we know that these bias-motivated murders impacted us all. Yet, hate crimes continue to be a persistent problem: More than 118,000 hate crimes have been documented by the FBI since 1991. In 2007 alone, there were 7,624 reported hate crimes.

Currently, State and local authorities can prosecute the overwhelming majority of hate crimes and will continue to do so under this legislation. The special attention that these crimes require, however, can stretch local law enforcement resources beyond their capacity. Thus, the major focus of this bill is allowing the Federal Government to provide crucial federal resources to State and local agencies to equip local officers with the tools they need to prosecute hate crimes. The legislation also authorizes the US Attorney General to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies that have incurred extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.

It is important to note, that this bill does not limit First Amendment rights of free speech and religious expression. The bill only applies to bias-motivated crimes of violence and does not impinge upon freedom of speech or religious expression in any way. This bill is about violent physical crime. It is not about and does not prohibit thought, speech or expression protected by the First Amendment.

The passage and signing of this legislation into law represents a comprehensive effort across political and organizational boundaries. This bill is supported by more than 300 groups, including law enforcement groups, religious groups, civil rights groups, disability groups, and numerous other organizations: International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, Police Executive Research Forum, Police Foundation, National District Attorneys Association, NAACP, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Anti-Defamation League, Human Rights Campaign, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, American Association of People with Disabilities, People for the American Way, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ – Justice and Witness Ministries, American Jewish Committee, American Jewish Conference, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and American Association of University Women.

American Recovery and Reinvestment: Preparing for the Future

2009-10-23T14:53:00.000-07:00

Since the economy nearly collapsed last Fall, Congress has taken swift and deliberate action to prevent a catastrophe and restore economic growth. While there is still work to be done, the numbers show that we have averted an even deeper economic crisis, protected taxpayer resources, and put our economy on a path toward recovery. The impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), passed earlier this year, is beginning to become evident across the nation. While nearly 75% of Recovery Act funding is still on the way to save and create jobs across America—ARRA has already been widely credited for adding 2 to 3 percentage points to our economic growth.

According to the respected economic research firm Moody’s, ARRA has created or saved a million jobs, stopped over 500,000 home foreclosures, and helped guide the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a 53% gain in just seven months. Even in California, where we are facing an unprecedented budget crisis, thousands of jobs have been created in just the last few months. This despite the fact that while California has only received $157 million of the over $1.1 billion in ARRA contracts it has been awarded so far. All this work has been done with an unprecedented effort to maintain transparency through the use of the website http://www.recovery.gov. Recovery.gov has allowed American taxpayers to keep track of where their hard earned dollars are being put to use, and how they are being used. I encourage all of you to start or continue visiting Recovery.gov to see the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

While there are positive economic signs, there are still millions of Americans out of work, and facing foreclosure on their homes. I assure you that my number one priority remains rebuilding our economy. The debates over health care and immigration reform are building blocks to assuring that our country is ready to compete in the new global economy. From the Recovery Act and Cash for Clunkers to the financial system rescue (which is being steadily repaid to the government with an average dividend to taxpayers of 17%) to reform of our financial regulations to comprehensive legislation to launch our clean energy economy to health insurance reform to student lending reform that makes college more affordable—the work of this Congress is to jumpstart our economy in the short-term and build a new foundation for a more broadly shared and lasting recovery.

Keep Our Families Together — Reform Immigration Laws

2009-10-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

One of the fundamental parts of our immigration system is the family reunification process. Sadly, families are not often talked about in the immigration debate. Every day, millions of hard-working legal immigrants are stuck in an insufferable, inexcusable, perpetual wait to be given a chance to see their spouses, their children, and their parents. This wait discourages many applicants from using legal channels to unify with their family members. This is why I strongly believe that any immigration reform must bring changes to the family reunification process. To bring this important issue to light, I recently penned an OpEd in Roll Call that I want to share with all of you:

With anti-immigration sentiment holding the health care debate hostage, we cannot afford to delay comprehensive immigration reform any longer. The time is now, lest immigration be maligned further. A nation born of immigrants, whether Hispanic, Asian, African, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, we are forgetting the forbearance shown our forefathers and forgoing the opportunity to pursue a more fiscally prudent immigration policy. That is, unless we keep families together. Our family-based immigration system has not been updated in 20 years; with nearly 6 million people stuck in a perpetual wait, this is both insufferable and inexcusable. Five-year separations, keeping spouses, parents and children apart, are quite common; so are 20-year estrangements from siblings and elderly parents. Backlogs are so bad that families receiving visas often find out their children have to reapply as adults, and go to the back of the line, because so much time has passed. Disproportionately affecting Asian-Americans, Latinos and women, the lengthy waits waste precious government resources and discourage potential applicants from using legal channels to join their family in the United States.

In my district in California, two Silicon Valley engineers, Aung Moe and Vivek Jayanand, are longtime U.S. residents waiting on wives who remain overseas. Initially, as green-card holders, Moe and Jayanand were given two options, equally unenviable: Become U.S. citizens, a process that takes at least five years, or wait for visas for their spouse, a process that can take even longer. Meanwhile, our immigration system is sending them mixed messages. They are on the legal track to citizenship, but they remain separated from their families. The earliest their wives will arrive in the U.S. is summer 2010. This rationale is unsound.

Another constituent, Judy Rickard, will permanently leave America this November in an effort to keep her family together. Under U.S. law, she cannot be reunited with her partner, Karin Bogliolo, a UK national. Judy would have preferred to keep working at San Jose State University and sponsor Karin for residency in America, just as married heterosexual couples can. But U.S. law does not allow for that. Judy is taking early retirement from her 27-year employment at San Jose State. Facing reduced pension for the rest of her life, Judy is choosing Europe because our country will not let Judy and Karin live together. The result is a loss for my district and a loss for the university.

In an effort to safeguard Aung’s, Vivek’s and Judy’s families, I reintroduced the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 2709) in Congress to allow all Americans to be reunited with their families. I did so because I know that the more educated, legal and healthy immigrants become, the higher their income, the higher their taxes paid, and the fewer emergency and social services used. Furthermore, the more reunited immigrants are, and thus happier, the fewer dollars we lose in remittances to other countries.

Failure to pass this legislation means failure to provide American workers with a critical support system. Families do together what they cannot do alone — start family businesses, create American jobs and contribute more to this country’s welfare.

Failure to reunite families means failure to keep communities healthy, physically and financially. A healthier family means a more expendable income and a lower burden on government social services. A reunited family keeps remittances stateside: U.S. remittances to Latin America alone totaled almost $46 billion in 2008. Of that, Mexico received almost $24 billion.

Failure is simply not feasible. We must seize every opportunity this year to get our economy back on track, and one clear way of doing so is to reunite America’s workers with their families. The irony with anti-immigration sentiment, which fears a further recessed economy if liberal legislation passes, is that, in fact, it is more fiscally prudent to pass policy that legalizes, insures, employs, reunites and educates our immigrants.

Original link: http://www.rollcall.com/issues/55_42/guest/39576-1.html

Principles of Immigration Reform

2009-10-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

On October 13, 2009, thousands of people rallied around the nation in support of comprehensive immigration reform. At the Washington D.C. rally, I was honored to stand alongside my good friend and colleague, Congressman Luis Gutierrez as he released the following principles that will guide us in crafting a humane and compassionate comprehensive immigration reform bill:

A Pathway to legalization for undocumented workers;
Professional and effective border enforcement;
Smart and humane interior enforcement;
Protecting workers;
Employment Verification systems;
Family unity as a cornerstone of our immigration system;
Future flows of workers;
Incorporating the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act;
Incorporating the American DREAM Act; and
Promoting immigrant integration.

Immigrant families and the communities in which they live continue to face the daily nightmare of a broken immigration system. Deportations split families, the threat of enforcement drives work off the books and into the underground economy, and the legal immigration system remains an unrelenting bureaucracy. But what is a political issue to some literally rips fathers and mothers from their children and keeps siblings separated for decades on a daily basis in immigrant communities.

From my perspective, this is not a political issue, this is about people and family, and our values as a nation of immigrants. These family values, these American values, must remain at the core of American immigration policy and of our country.

These are the reasons why I introduced the Reuniting Families Act, which would ensure that family reunification remains a foundation of our immigration system, and the Strengthen and Unite Communities with Civics Education and English Skills Act of 2009, which would provide our hard working immigrants with the tools to integrate into society. By providing American workers with the tools to succeed– that is, their families and education – we help make our communities stronger and more resilient. The benefits to our economy and our communities cannot be overstated. Efficient, fair and effective avenues for legal, family-based immigration are vital to keep America strong.

The progress towards comprehensive immigration reform has been slow; and the perceived lack of significant change in the daily lives of immigrant families with regard to our current broken policies are all taking a toll. In Congress, we are responding to this urgency felt in immigrant communities and are uniting to craft and introduce progressive and compassionate legislation because we know that comprehensive immigration reform cannot, and should not, wait any longer.

It’s time for the broken system to be fixed. It’s time for our families, all our families, to end their long separations. So I ask for everyone’s help as we begin a grassroots campaign to prepare for the ensuing debate. Together we will help break the logjam and ensure that this Congress is the one to finally pass comprehensive immigration reform.

2009-10 Influenza (Flu) Season

2009-10-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

With flu season underway, I want to ensure that all of my constituents are doing everything they can to stay healthy. To that effect, I want to reference some excellent information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding this years flu season.

What sort of flu season is expected this year?

This flu season (2009-2010), there are more uncertainties than usual because of the emergence of a new 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (previously called "novel H1N1" or "swine flu") that has caused the first influenza pandemic (global outbreak of disease) in more than 40 years.

How severe will this year’s season be?

Many people do not have immune protection against this new and very different 2009 H1N1 virus, which has spread worldwide quickly and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). In past years, seasonal flu activity typically did not reach its peak in the U.S. until January or February, but flu activity has occurred as late as May. However, the 2009 H1N1 virus caused illness, hospitalizations, and deaths in the U.S. during the summer months when influenza is very uncommon. So it is not known when flu activity will increase, when it will be most intense (peak), what viruses will circulate, or how long the season might last.

How effective is the seasonal flu vaccine?

The effectiveness of flu vaccines can vary and depends in part on the match between the viruses in the vaccine and the flu viruses that are circulating in the community. If these are closely matched, vaccine effectiveness (VE) is higher. If they are not closely matched, VE can be reduced. During well-matched years, clinical trials have shown VE between 70% and 90% among healthy adults. For more information about seasonal flu vaccine effectiveness, visit "How Well Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine Work?"

Will the seasonal flu vaccine protect against the new H1N1 Virus? The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus because it is very different genetically from the seasonal H1N1 virus that is in this season's vaccine. That is why the government and manufacturers are producing a separate 2009 H1N1 vaccine designed to protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus.

For more information about this years flu season, and the threat of H1N1, I suggest you visit the useful resources below:

· 2009-10 Influenza Vaccine Supply & Distribution

· 2009–10 Influenza Vaccine Updates

· 2009-10 Influenza (Flu) Season

· Flu Activity & Surveillance

· 2009-10 Free Resources

· 2009-H1N1 Flu

House Prevents Medicare Part B Premium Increases

2009-10-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

Last week, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 3631, the Medicare Premium Fairness Act. H.R. 3631 will protect 11 million seniors and cash-strapped states from unfair increases in their 2010 Medicare Part B premiums. These hikes would have directly threatened the pocketbooks of 4 million new enrollees and retirees, as well as state budgets, which cover premiums for 7 million low-income seniors. I feel there is no reason that this burden should fall on seniors and people with disabilities, especially during these difficult economic times.

Under current law, Medicare Part B premiums --which cover physician and outpatient care and are deducted from Social Security checks -- cannot increase more than the cost of living adjustment for Social Security for nearly three quarters of Medicare enrolees. The Social Security COLA is likely to be zero next year because of the recession.

Without this bi-partisan congressional action, the other 27 percent of enrollees would have seen their Part B premium increase from $96 per month to $110-120 per month, because Part B premiums are required by law to cover 25 percent of Medicare Part B's costs. Those who would have seen this premium increase include:

low-income dual eligibles (18%) - paid for by the states
higher-income Medicare beneficiaries (5%)
new Medicare enrollees (3%) and
enrollees whose Medicare premiums are not deducted from their Social Security checks (2%).

H.R. 3631 extends the "hold harmless" policy to protect all Medicare enrollees from an increase larger than the Social Security COLA, so that the 2010 Part B premiums will remain at $96.40 with no cut in Social Security checks. Most importantly however, the bill will not add to the deficit. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the bill's cost at $2.8 billion for 2010will be fully paid for and meets PAY-GO requirements by using financing from the Medicare Improvement Fund. The Fund was established a few years ago to be available for the Secretary to make improvement to Part A and B benefits.

The bill is endorsed by AARP, The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), the Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA), Alliance for Retired Americans, National Association of State Medicaid Directors, the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Association.

Congress Acts to Extend Unemployment Benefits

2009-10-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

The House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act. Enjoying broad bipartisan support, H.R. 3548 will provide up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to workers in high unemployment states who are about to run out of benefits. This extension will help at least 300,000 people in 27 states, DC and Puerto Rico who will exhaust all of their unemployment benefits by the end of September and over 1 million people in these states who will run out of unemployment by the end of December. With California reaching record unemployment, 12.2 percent, this bill is coming at a much needed time. I know there are many people in the 15^th District that desperately need these benefits to make ends meet. The extension will ensure that these people will be able to continue providing for their families, while they navigate this difficult job market.

According to Moody’s Economy, extending these benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fast-acting ways to stimulate the economy because the money is spent quickly. Every $1 spent on unemployment benefits generates $1.63 in new economic demand. The extension also targets those states with particularly high unemployment (with a three-month average total unemployment rate (TUR) of 8.5 percent, or a 13-week insured unemployment rate (IUR) above 6 percent), where it is more difficult for people to find new jobs.

The bill would not add to the deficit, as it will be paid for by extending the federal unemployment tax that has been in place for more than 30 years for one additional year, and it will promote accountability by requiring better reporting on newly hired employees start dates to reduce unemployment insurance overpayments - both of which were proposed by President Bush.

Much Like The Public Option, Garlic, Is A Healthy Solution

2009-10-02T14:13:00.001-07:00

Congressman Mike Honda (right) delivers Gilroy garlic to Republican Minority Leader John Boehner

Yesterday, Republican Minority Leader John Boehner compared the public option's popularity to a garlic milkshake. He claimed that he has yet to meet an American who is in favor of the public option that is not a member of Congress or the administration. After hearing Rep. Boehner's comments, I felt compelled to act. I will take any opportunity to talk about the public option, and my District's values. A recent New York Times/CBS poll found broad support, over 65%, for the public option across the nation. California's 15th District is rich not only in its support in for the public option, but also rich in its garlic production. Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world, is home to the largest garlic festival in the world: The Gilroy Garlic Festival.

To inform Mr. Boehner of his mistake, I decided give him a taste of the 15th District. I hand-delivered a basket of California garlic, and a limerick that identified our nation's desperate need for health care, and the public option. To find out more about health care reform, and the public option, please click here.

Below, you will find a copy of the limerick I delivered to Rep. Boehner, and a draft of other limericks that were in consideration of being delivered.

Limerick to Rep. Boehner:

Two things make for a strong healthy heart. Gilroy garlic, for one, a good start. Public option? Also high, In the American eye, 65 percent n'er want it to part.

Original Document Here(Courtney of SFGate)

House Passes Landmark Student Aid Legislation

2009-09-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

This week, the House approved H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. H.R. 3221 represents the single largest investment in aid to help students and families pay for college in history, at no cost to taxpayers. By expanding access to an affordable college education, H.R 3221 is critical to our efforts to build a stronger, more competitive American economy. The economic downturn our nation has faced has put going to college out of reach for many of America’s students and families. Now, more than ever, students and families need reliable, stable forms of federal student aid to pay for college.

The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which mirrors President Obama’s student loan reform proposal, will make college more affordable and our nation more competitive by transforming the way our student loan programs operate:

First, it will help more students graduate with less debt. Too many students are graduating with record debt, partly because grant aid doesn’t cover nearly as large a share of college costs as it used to. H.R. 3221 will allow us to invest $40 billion in the Pell Grant scholarship, to keep interest rates affordable on need-based federal student loans, to simplify the federal student aid application process, and in other forms of aid that will help low-income, middle class and minority students pay for and complete college – at no additional cost to taxpayers.

Second, it will stabilize and safeguard the federal student loan program that students and families depend on to pay for college. The intertwined economic and credit crises have exposed serious vulnerabilities in the structure of the federally-guaranteed student loan program – putting it on life support. Families shouldn’t have to worry about whether the roller coaster fluctuations of the financial markets will hurt their access to low-cost student loans. By originating all new federal loans through the cheaper Direct Loan program, students and parents will be able to receive the exact same loans with the added assurance that these loans are entirely reliable, no matter what happens in the economy. This simple change will save taxpayers $87 billion over 10 years.

Third, it builds on the best of what works in the private sector to provide borrowers with top-notch customer service. The legislation will allow state non-profit lenders and private industry to continue doing what they do best – servicing loans. It will allow private entities to compete for contracts to service these loans – ensuring that students get the best services available and maintaining jobs in communities across the country.

Fourth, it will eliminate waste and create a streamlined, cost-effective program for families and taxpayers. Each year, billions of taxpayers dollars are being sent into a program that no longer works – and that the Department of Education can administer for a much lower cost. This is exactly the kind of waste we need to eliminate in tough fiscal times. By cutting out the middleman, this legislation will save taxpayers $87 billion over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It’s a smarter business decision for taxpayers and families.

In addition to investing to make college more affordable, H.R. 3221 will use the savings it generates to invest in President Obama’s key education priorities.

It will make an unprecedented $10 billion investment to make community colleges part of our economy’s recovery. For years, business leaders have told us there weren’t enough workers with the knowledge and the expertise for their specific industries. H.R. 3221 will change that. It will help us build a 21^st century workforce by strengthening partnerships among community colleges, businesses and job training programs that will align community college curricula with the needs of high-wage, high-demand industries. It will provide community colleges with the tools to replicate programs that are successfully educating and training students and workers for these fields.

Creating better educational opportunities demands that we invest in our students long before they reach college. To ensure that the next generation of students enters kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed in school, the legislation creates an Early Leaning Challenge Fund to increase high-quality early learning opportunities for low-income children. It also will help provide every child with access to a world-class learning environment by investing in school modernization, renovation, and repair projects that will create healthier, safer, and more energy-efficient environments -- a measure the House is already on record supporting.

Finally, this legislation will meet Pay-As-You-Go fiscally responsible principles and reduce entitlement spending by $10 billion.

Telephone Town Hall 2009 : Addressing the gaps and inequalities of our health care system

2009-09-15T09:34:00.000-07:00

I recently held my third Telephone Town Hall to discuss health care reform. The Telephone Town Hall allowed me to connect with thousands of constituents to talk about the state of health care in California and across our nation. The enthusiasm of the callers was very impressive as we engaged in a discussion on a range of issues. I will bring the opinions and ideas of these participants back to Capitol Hill. Together we can improve our health care system and ensure a brighter tomorrow for our nation. Learn more about our discussion: Download the full call. Listen to individual questions & answers from the call. Read several follow-up questions that we didn’t have time to discuss during the call. Leave a comment.

5 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage

2009-09-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions
Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill
Ends Exorbitant Deductibles or Co-Pays
Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage
Guarantees Insurance Renewal

A constituent recently called into my district office with this comment, “My son has been denied coverage by all private insurers because of his pre-existing condition (diabetes) which he was diagnosed with at age 4. He had health insurance for a while through his job, but was dropped by his insurance carrier as soon as he was laid off, even though my husband and I agreed to continue paying for it.” This is just one example of the lack of options available to those with pre-existing conditions. Even an upper-middle class family with the means to pay for insurance cannot secure coverage for those who really need it.

Over the last few months I have heard many stories like this, which demonstrate the critical need for healthcare reform. Before Congress moves forward, I want to make sure that you, the constituents of California’s 15^th Congressional District, have the chance to make your voices heard, and to share your experiences in the current healthcare system. This is why I am hosting two live town halls on September 13th, 2009 in two different locations. I invite you to participate in these discussions of one of the most important issues of our day: healthcare reform. Please click here to find out the times and locations of the town halls.

Back to School Resources

2009-09-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

As an educator in Silicon Valley for over 30 years, I have always been a strong advocate for students and their families and worked to make our education system and policies work for our students. To support schools and districts in their effort to secure federal resources, I am hosted a federal education grant workshop with the U.S. Department of Education and the Santa Clara County Office of Education on September 3^rd, 2009.

In addition, The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is sponsoring a series of events in conjunction with Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story, a new TV documentary on the Federal Writers’ Project to be broadcast in early fall on the Smithsonian Channel HD. The Library series begins with a screening of film excerpts and discussion on September 12.

In the web links below, I hope you find some informative resources for you, your student and your school.

Santa Clara County Office of Education, “Resource for Families”

http://www.sccoe.k12.ca.us/resourcesfamilies/

California Department of Education, “Learning Support”

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/

U.S. Department of Education, “Parents”

http://www.ed.gov/parents/landing.jhtml

Please visit my website for the following youth leadership opportunities.

Rep Honda’s Student Advisory Council

Rep Honda’s Internship Opportunities

Congressional High School Art Contest

Military Academy Nominations

Working Families Score a Win: Minimum Wage Increases

2009-08-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

On Friday, July 24^th, the national minimum wage increased from $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour. This change, which will help millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, is the final of three increases to take effect as a result of legislation passed by Congress in 2007. Research shows that increasing the minimum wage helps to directly stimulate the economy, which is just what is needed in these difficult times

The Economic Policy Institute found that after the first step in this minimum wage increase that took place in July of 2007, it produced over $1.7 billion dollars in increased consumer spending. The subsequent increase in 2008 resulted in another $3.2 billion jolt to the economy as families used their increased wages to spur economic activity in their local communities. Similar gains are expected with the most recent increase. Most importantly, small businesses across the United States will benefit from the increased worker productivity and retention that comes with minimum wage increases, making the primary engine of economic growth in America more competitive and successful.

Securing funding for the Assessment and Remediation of the former Almaden Air Force Station atop Mt. Umunhum

2009-07-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, July 22, the House Committee on Appropriations approved, with my vote of support, the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations bill. This bill will not only provide for the readiness of our armed forces and ensure the wellbeing of our courageous servicemembers and their dedicated families; it will also help fulfill a long overdue promise made by the Federal government regarding former Defense Department land on Mt. Umunhum.

In 1986, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) purchased lands that include the former Almaden Air Force Station (AFS) atop Mt. Umunhum in Santa Clara County from the Federal government. Prior to the transfer of ownership to MROSD, the Federal government acknowledged that the site was contaminated by previous Department of Defense activities, and gave assurances that they would remediate the property. Since then, cleanup has proceeded at a painfully slow pace. This inadequate response has allowed toxic materials on site to become an increasing danger to public health and the environment.

Per my request and with the collaboration of my dear friend, Representative Zoe Lofgren, the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations bill passed by the Appropriations Committee allocates $4 million to the renewed remediation efforts to be conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers. The appropriations process is far from complete, including House consideration of the bill scheduled for next week. With the combined support of both our California Senators, I am optimistic that these funds will be realized and we will be closer to alleviating the health and environmental impacts on the grounds, as well as finally allowing site access for the public’s enjoyment as originally intended over two decades ago.

On July 11, the San Jose Mercury News printed an editorial on this effort.

Addressing Critical Needs: Language and Civics Education

2009-07-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

I recently re-introduced the Strengthen and Unite Communities through Civics Education and English Skills Act of 2009 to address the serious need to provide immigrant families and English Language Learners (ELL) access to critical language assistance and civics education. H.R. 3249 will help those with limited English proficiency become a more integral part of the American fabric and maximize their social and economic contributions.

With the growing limited English proficient (LEP) population, we must invest in the necessary resources to teach English language acquisition. According to the Census Bureau, over 19% of the population (54.8 million) speaks a language other than English at home. Between 11 and 21 million individuals are estimated to be LEP. The native-born LEP population nearly doubled between 2000 and 2005 and is increasing at a higher rate than the immigrant population.

Over the past 15 years, ELL student enrollment has nearly doubled and experts predict that one quarter of the total U.S. public school population will be made up of ELLs by 2025. There are currently 5.5 million ELLs in our school system. Despite common assumptions to the contrary, native-born U.S. citizens predominate in the K-12 ELL population: 76% of elementary school and 56% of secondary school ELLs are citizens and over one-half of the ELLs in public secondary schools are second- or third-generation children. H.R. 3249 aims to invest resources in the education of English language learners of all ages and empowers communities to focus on language acquisition and successful integration into their new homes.

Specifically, this legislation:

Provides incentives to employers and the private industry who offer adult education and ESL programs to employees;

Provides vital technical assistance and support to state and local communities seeking strong and productive strategies to respond to newcomers;

Requires the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration in the Department of Homeland Security to further the integration of immigrants into their communities; and

Contextualizes English literacy instruction in lessons on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, naturalization proceedings, civic participation and U.S. history and government.

For more information, please visit the Integration page on my website.