Mr. Speaker, I Rise Today In Support

Housing Has Led Our Nation's Economic Expansion Over The Past Few Years, Accounting For 16 Percent Of Our Gross Domestic Product. New Housing Starts And Home Sales Hit Record Levels From 2003 Through 2005.

Although Housing Sales And Starts Have Cooled To More Typical Levels, The Housing Market Remains Strong And Sound. Without The Expansion Of Homeownership And The Strength Of Our Housing Market, Our Nation Would Not Have The Economic Growth We Are Experiencing Today.

When Rough Times Have Fallen Upon Our State In The Past, Texans Have Always Responded With Generosity And An Eagerness To Help. The Compassionate Response To The Fires Has Proven That This Community Spirit Is Alive And Well.

In Addition To A Soaring Stock Market, 6.6 Million Jobs Have Been Created Since Tax Relief Measures Went Into Effect In 2003. Our Deficit Situation Has Also Improved As Tax Revenues Have Increased At Double-digit Rates Over The Past Two Years.

Thousands Of Years And Many Civilizations Have Defined A Marriage As The Union Between One Man And One Woman. With Few Exceptions, Those Civilizations That Did Not Follow That Perished.