Sheila Jackson Lee: “Flying in today, our plane was delayed. I didn't have the opportunity to advance my support for H.R. 33, the Church Plan…”

“Flying in today, our plane was delayed. I didn't have the opportunity to advance my support for H.R. 33, the Church Plan Investment Clarification Act of 2011. I want to acknowledge the sponsorship of Congresswoman Biggert and indicate that under current law thousands of church pension plans are denied participation in collective trusts, rendering them unable to pull their assets or reap the benefits of collective buying power. Many churches, as a result, experience difficulties and incur expenses when diversifying pension plans. Our churches, our houses of worship provide invaluable service, and many of those in my own community--the Bellfort Seventh Day Adventist Church, the New Life Christian Church, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, St. John Missionary Baptist Church on Dowling, Brookhollow, and many others, work throughout our community. We are blessed to have Lakewood Church in our community, as well, that works very hard, a church leadership that I've known for many, many years. So this bill has been supported by the Church Alliance, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the YMCA Retirement Fund, the Church Pension Group, and others. And I thank my friend from Illinois, as I said. Churches do missionary work. Their workers need to have the ability to have their pensions.…”