[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 54 (Monday, April 16, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1910
           ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SECRET SERVICE AND THE GSA

  (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. I was in Colombia, South 
America, this past week with the President for what was an outstanding 
discussion among 30 Presidents, including the President of the United 
States. The meeting reenforced our commitment to South America and 
Central America on business opportunities, small business 
opportunities, human rights, and the controlling of drug trafficking.
  At the same time, we had to, in essence, listen and hear about a 
horrible action that occurred by members of the Secret Service. This 
does not undermine the Secret Service's long years of service for 147 
years, but there must be accountability.
  I do not think that we should cede any authority to the House 
Oversight Committee. This is a question of Homeland Security and 
national security, and we must begin to act immediately for a full 
investigation.
  Finally, on the General Services Administration, it should be cleaned 
up and cleaned out. I know for a fact that is true because monies that 
are being spent on the Mickey Leland Federal Building--the contractor 
is Gilbane. They are adhering to no rules regarding small businesses, 
minority-owned businesses, diversity and workforce, nothing at all. 
They are overseen by the General Service Administration, which has done 
absolutely nothing to rein in companies like Gilbane that have done 
nothing as it relates to diversity of small business and are doing 
nothing to adhere to the American value that everybody must have an 
opportunity under Federal funding.
  GSA, clean up your act.

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