[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9262-9263]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY AND THE NSA

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)

[[Page 9263]]


  Ms. JACKSON LEE. I am very pleased today to say that Members have 
joined me in introducing H. Res. 268, which is observing the historical 
significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, which is going to be this 
Wednesday, June 19.
  I hope that all of those across America will understand the meaning 
of Juneteenth, which is to express a celebration for the freeing of the 
slaves, which did not come to the southwestern States, like Texas, 
until almost 2 years later. That was 1865 after 1863.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to quickly change the topic and indicate that I 
believe it's important to get an understanding of the individual who 
has allegedly been providing the leaks from the NSA. I have been 
restrained as to call him anything until the laws determine who he is, 
but I do believe that we are now tipping the scales of fairness when 
more and more is coming out in a foreign country, and I do believe 
something has to be done.
  I will be introducing legislation on the reduction of private-intel 
utilization, an explanation of FISA Court opinions and strengthening 
the FISA Court because I believe that it is extremely important in 
strengthening the public trust and in strengthening the rights of the 
American people. We have to do it, and we have to be able to find this 
gentleman quickly so that the intelligence that will protect Americans 
will be done.

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