[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 123 (Thursday, September 20, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H5865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 GIVING HIGHEST PRIORITY TO CHILDREN VICTIMIZED BY EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 
                                11, 2001

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, again I wish to offer my 
deepest sympathy and compassion for those who have lost their lives, 
their loved ones and, as well, who have been injured through the 
heinous acts of September 11. Now I think it is time for us to come 
together as Americans and deal with the human tragedy for those who are 
remaining.
  It is very important that we speak to and address the issues dealing 
with our children. I am delighted to join with almost 30 other 
cosponsors and my cochair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), to put to the Congress H. 
Con. Res. 228, which expresses a sense of the Congress to deal with 
those children who have lost a parent or parents or guardians, to 
prioritize their needs, to ensure that the dollars that we have to 
assist in this tragedy are quickly and deliberately given to these 
children as we seek to nurture them and to say to them all will be 
well.
  We must also look at the human capital that is impacting those who 
are losing their jobs: U.S. Airways, 20,000; Continental Airways, 
12,000; Boeing, 30,000.
  So, as we move to assist the airlines and others, let us remember 
those who are now being laid off, the human tragedy, the human loss. 
Let us make sure that language in the bill that is being put forward 
for the airlines talks about the laid-off employees. As we do that, we 
must make sure we take care of our children.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution is for our children. The World Trade 
Center, Pentagon, and Somerset County tragedies did not discriminate 
against the social, racial, or economic status of Americans--all were 
murdered with equal and deliberate impunity. Our American brothers and 
sisters slaughtered ranged from food service workers on the top floor 
of the World Trade Center, to cleaning and maintenance crews, to CEOs 
and top brass of major brokerage houses. They included all races, 
colors, and religious denominations. But those who will suffer the 
greatest and most enduring losses will be the children that they left 
behind.
  This important resolution expresses the sense of the Congress that 
the children who lost one or both parents or a guardian in the 
September 11, 2001, World Trade Center and Pentagon tragedies 
(including the aircraft crash in Somerset County, Pennsylvania) should 
be provided will all necessary assistance, services, and benefits and 
urges the heads of Federal agencies responsible for providing such 
assistance, services and benefits to give the highest possible priority 
to those children.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution is non-controversial. It merely 
prioritizes the delivery of federal benefits currently available under 
federal law to children who have lost their parent(s) or guardian in 
this horrific tragedy. These should include: (1) foster care 
assistance; (2) adoption assistance; (3) medical, nutritional, and 
psychological care; (4) educational services; and (5) such additional 
care or services as may be necessary in light of this tragedy.
  Additionally, we urge such agencies, to the maximum extent possible, 
to take such steps as necessary to ensure that such assistance, 
services and benefits are provided within 60 days of the date of the 
determination of the death of the child's parent or guardian.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

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