[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 27165]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      OVERRIDING THE VETO ON SCHIP

  (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, in a little less than 72 
hours, this House will have the opportunity to make one of the most 
definitive and powerful stands for the Nation's children.
  Let me go on record by indicating that this Nation has over a period 
of time mistreated her children. Now we have the opportunity to insure 
millions of children with health coverage through the SCHIP program, a 
program now that has seen itself last for a decade of success in 
preventing devastating health conditions for young children.
  I know this because just last week I visited St. Joseph's Hospital, 
the neonatal unit. We heard stories from young mothers talk about 
children who have been saved and, yes, talk about those who have not 
been saved because they could not enroll in the SCHIP program.
  Why in the world would we suffer a veto to deny our children a mere 
$35 billion to cover them for preventative health care?
  I ask my colleagues to overturn this veto, and I join the 
Congressional Black Caucus to ensure that that happens. The fight is 
for our children. We cannot yield.

                          ____________________