[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 149 (Tuesday, November 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEAR 
                                  2011

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 5264, ``The Department of Justice Appropriations 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.'' I would like to thank the 
Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Rep. John Conyers for introducing 
this legislation, as it is important to embrace the Justice Department 
and its various offices and components.
  As a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, I have had the 
privilege to work closely with the Department of Justice and become 
familiarized with many of their programs and initiatives. Over the past 
year, they have been extremely cooperative and have worked vigorously 
to implement new laws and set new standards to ensure the safety, 
protection, and equal treatment of all Americans.
  The DOJ has made the civil rights of all Americans, no matter their 
race, religion, or socio-economic status, a priority. They have worked 
to implement the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which created a general 
felony prohibition against crimes of violence based on prejudice 
against gender, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. 
They are also enforcing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 which 
clarifies that discriminatory compensation decisions and other such 
practices are unlawful according to the Civil Rights Act, Age 
Discrimination in Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and 
the Rehabilitation Act.
  Furthermore, the DOJ has begun implementation of the Fair Sentencing 
Act, which takes steps to reduce the disparity between sentences 
involving crack cocaine versus those involving powder cocaine--a 
disparity which had a disproportionately negative effect on poor and 
minority communities for years.
  I am so proud to see the continued funding to the Office of Violence 
Against Women. Since 1995, the Office of Violence Against Women has 
made significant progress in reducing violence against immigrant women, 
however, there are still many women and children whose lives are in 
danger today. Made possible through the Violence Against Women Act of 
2005, importantly, this act continues to implement VAWA's original 
intent by stopping the deportation of immigrant victims of domestic 
violence, sexual assault, and trafficking who qualify for VAWA 
immigration benefits. The trafficking provisions in the bill are of 
particular importance to me and I am very pleased that additional 
protections for trafficking victims and tools to help prosecute 
traffickers have been included in the bill, thus I am overjoyed to see 
the appropriations made to this office especially.
  I strongly support the appropriations made to the Office of Justice 
Programs that provide strong and revolutionary leadership base to 
federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by circulating 
state-of-the-art knowledge and practices across America, and providing 
grants for the implementation of crime fighting strategies.
  As Chairwoman of the Congressional Children's Caucus and very strong 
advocate for children and children's rights, I am thrilled to see that 
the funds made to the OJP will also funnel to the Office of Juvenile 
Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which contributes to the reduction 
of youth crime and violence. The OJJDP upholds prevention and early 
intervention programs that truly make a difference in the lives of 
young people around America. Our continued support of the numerous 
programs provided by the OJP that help our youth and better their lives 
is critical to America's future. Providing support for and believing in 
America's youth is the best way to ensure a successful future for them 
and our Nation.
  Furthermore, I am happy to see the funding that supports the 
Antitrust Division's hard work to promote and instill economic freedom 
and opportunity within our great Nation. In the economic climate we 
face today, it is evermore important that competition in the 
marketplace remains free and fair for all. With the many proposed 
mergers and acquisition taking place, the guidance and resources 
provided by the Antitrust laws and principles are desperately needed to 
ensure fair business and jobs for all.
  I am also delighted to see the appropriations made to the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation. Sadly, our country still lies under the 
microscope of those who wish our Nation harm and by appropriating money 
to the Bureau, we are shoring up our defenses against issues such as 
terrorist attacks, foreign intelligence operations, espionage, and 
public corruption at all levels. The FBI is a far-reaching organization 
with operations around the world and its continued funding is vital for 
the safety of all Americans.
  I stand today with Rep. Conyers and other members of Congress in 
reaffirming our support for justice in our Nation. By enacting these 
types of economic incentives to the offices that protect our Nation, 
Americans, women, and children will be safer; our country will be more 
efficient in bringing all to justice and communities and economy will 
grow in strength.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues for their support of H.R. 5264, as 
well as for their continued support of al that is done by the 
Department of Justice in order to protect our great Nation. By 
increasing our support for these types of appropriations, we will 
ensure that our country remains a leader in security, justice, and 
freedom.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 
5264.

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