Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4667) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2010, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of this bill which ensures that hard-earned benefits for disabled veterans and their surviving family members keep pace with their living expenses. This bill, like the last, was introduced by Mr. Perriello of Virginia. It will benefit each disabled veteran or survivor from the World War I era through the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I yield to the hardworking, active, and committed Mr. Perriello for an explanation of the bill.

Thank you, Mr. Perriello, and again I want to thank you for your service to our Nation's veterans.

I reserve the balance of our time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and am prepared to close.

Madam Speaker, just like our military men and women did not hesitate to offer to lay down their lives to defend our freedom and the way of life that we cherish, we will not hesitate to defend the funds necessary to support themselves and their families.

General Leave

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4667.

I urge my colleagues to support the COLA bill, H.R. 4667.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4592) to provide for the establishment of a pilot program to encourage the employment of veterans in energy-related positions, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released survey data showing unsettling numbers on the employment rates of newly returning veterans. Last year, the unemployment rate for our Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans was over 10 percent. Even more disturbing were figures showing that the jobless rate of younger veterans exceeded 20 percent.

Congressman Harry Teague, a first-term member of our committee from New Mexico, proposed an innovative way to provide training for veterans in the energy industry. He introduced this act, H.R. 4592, the Energy Jobs for Veterans Act.

I would yield to Mr. Teague for further explanation of the bill.

Thank you, Congressman Teague, for your strong advocacy on behalf of our veterans. This innovative and competitive idea will ensure that our returning veterans have the employment opportunities they require to make the difficult transition into the civilian workforce, while also addressing America's need for energy independence.

Madam Speaker, Congress must act to ensure our returning veterans have employment opportunities as they strive to reintegrate into the civilian workforce. This bill would help do just that.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and am prepared to close.

Madam Speaker, as we conclude this package of six bills that I think do so much for our Nation's veterans, this committee has been proud to work in a bipartisan way to get these bills to the floor.

I would like to remind my colleagues that this committee, in the last 4 years, has, in fact, done a tremendous amount for our Nation's veterans. We have increased the health care budget by more than $20 billion, 60 percent increase in health care for our Nation's veterans. We've updated the GI bill and have a GI bill for the 21st century that about 200,000 students are taking advantage of in this first year of the bill.

We are helping to improve access for our rural veterans, for our women veterans, and, as we show today, to make sure we bring an end to our homeless veterans. So we are very proud of the work that we are doing for the veterans that we are so proud of.

General Leave

And as I close, Madam Speaker, I would ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material, both on the previous bill, H.R. 4667, and the current bill, H.R. 4592, as amended.

I would urge my colleagues to support this bill. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill and I would like to take the opportunity to remind America's veterans that the plan will not affect the VA health care system. I continue to work in concert with leaders in the House of Representatives to ensure that veterans receive the world-class health care services they have so bravely earned.

Let me be clear: enrolled veterans meet the individual responsibility requirements under the bill to maintain quality health coverage.

I firmly believe all of our citizens should have access to health care. I am proud that Congress has crafted a plan to bring stability and security to Americans who have insurance today, and affordable coverage to those who do not. This plan, however, will not jeopardize the current health care services and benefits provided by VA. We will keep our promise to our Nation's heroes of the past, present, and future.

I was pleased to sign a letter with House Armed Services Chairman Ike Shelton, House Ways & Means Chairman Sander Levin, House Education & Labor Chairman George Miller, and House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman affirming that current health care reform legislation does not undermine or change the Department of Veterans Affairs mandate to provide comprehensive health care to veterans. I would like to submit this letter, along with statements from the Vietnam Veterans of America and AMVETS and a statement from General Eric Shinseki, Secretary of the VA, affirming this fact for the Record.

Congress of the United States,

Washington, DC, March 21, 2010.

Hon. Louise Slaughter,

Committee on Rules, The Capitol,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairwoman Slaughter: The House Democratic leadership

asked our committees to review HR 3590 and HR 4872 to assess

the impact of the bills on the health care provided by the

Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Our reviews of HR 3590 and HR 4872 lead us to believe that

the intent of the bills was never to undermine or change the

Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs

operation of their health care programs or interfere with the

care that our service members receive under TRICARE. However,

we commit to look into this issue further to ensure that no

unintended consequences may arise and to take any legislative

action that may be necessary.

HR 3590, as drafted, does not specifically mention that

TRICARE coverage meets the individual responsibility

requirement. but such coverage would satisfy the requirements

of this bill. To affirm that this is the case, the U.S. House

of Representatives unanimously passed HR 4887, the TRICARE

Affirmation Act, which provides assurances to the American

people that care provided to those in the military and their

families, as well as military retirees under age 65 and their

families, would indeed meet the requirement for coverage.

The members of our nation's military sacrifice much to

defend us all. We commit to these dedicated service members

and their families as well as our veterans that we will

protect the quality healthcare they receive,

Sincerely,

Bob Filner,

Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

George Miller,

Chairman, Committee on Education and Labor.

Henry Waxman,

Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Ike Skelton,

Chairman, Committee on Armed Services.

Sander Levin,

Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means.

Madam Speaker, for more than 120 years the United Association--the union of plumbers, pipefitters, welders and HVAC technicians--has built the infrastructure of cities and towns across the United States.

In the 1930s the UA helped pull the country out of the Great Depression as members built dams, roads, libraries, schools, public buildings and housing projects as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal.

During World War II, thousands of UA members answered our nation's call and volunteered for the armed forces. Once completing their duty, members returned home and continued to build across the country.

In San Diego, UA Local 230 members have had a hand in building iconic structures such as Petco Park, Sharp Memorial Hospital, Palomar Medical Center and the new Hilton Bayfront.

In addition to being a part of building the San Diego of today, Local 230 has helped to

build a strong and unified labor community in San Diego and Imperial Counties by being a leader in the Labor Council's foundation of great volunteers.

The members of Local 230 can be found volunteering at nearly every Labor Council event, from precinct walks to the Cesar Chavez Day March to the Letter Carriers Food Drive.

Led by their Business Manager, Kirk Crosswhite, the plumbers and pipefitters of Local 230 have stood in dedicated support of their union brothers and sisters.

For creating a solid infrastructure through volunteering and participation, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 230 are the Labor Council's 2009-2010 ``Union of the Year.''

Madam Speaker, Joseph T. Hansen is leading the transformation of the UFCW into a dynamic, growth-focused organization poised to unite the millions of North American workers who want and need a union. After four decades of union activism, Joe's mission is essentially the same as it was when he began his career: organizing workers for power and uniting them at the bargaining table to win middle class wages, benefits, and respect on the job.

Today, Hansen stands at the helm of the broad-based worker movement to win respect for work and those who do the work. Joe is an effective voice for working people, advocating for affordable, quality health care for all; for comprehensive and humane immigration reform; and for the millions of working people who want a voice on the job. He is helping revitalize the labor movement to meet the challenges of the global economy--by delivering union jobs that provide wages that pay the bills, retirement security, and affordable health care. His leadership is bringing new hope and opportunity for workers and their families to improve their living standards and live a middle class life.

Joe began his career as a meat cutter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since that time, Hansen has been activating and empowering members. He spent more than 11 years working at his trade while serving as a volunteer organizer for his local union--Local 73 of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America. His activism helped keep Milwaukee a union town, where new grocery stores were quickly met with organizing activity. His passion for organizing led Hansen to become one of the youngest members of his local union's executive board. Hansen was elected to serve as International Secretary-Treasurer in 1997 and International President in 2004.

Hansen has been active in the global union movement since 1994. His early experience with global unionism provided him with the foresight to realize that only global solidarity can confront global corporations. He took office as president of Union Network International (UNI), an international labor organization representing 15 million workers in 900 unions in more than 100 countries, in 2003. He was reelected president at its second World Congress in Chicago in 2005.

In the United States, lawmakers and opinion leaders seek his perspective and leadership on two of the most important challenges facing American workers in the 21st century--health care and immigration reform. In 2005, the U.S. Congress named Hansen to the 14- member

Citizens' Health Care Working Group. The panel did groundbreaking work to bring the American people together to confront the health care crisis and facilitated the direct communication of their views and concerns to lawmakers. His leadership on the panel established Hansen as a key leader and trusted advisor to Congress and the Obama administration on the primary health care issues facing working families and the elements of comprehensive health care reform.

Hansen is the Founding National Chair of the National Commission on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Misconduct and Violations of 4th Amendment Rights. The commission examined ICE misconduct during the Bush administration's workplace raids. It presented the findings to the American people in a report that documents the terrible costs and human suffering caused by ICE misconduct and outlined key elements of needed immigration policy reforms.

Hansen is a founding architect of the Change to Win Federation that has set a new course for the labor movement. Recognizing that industry- wide organizing is the best way to give workers the power to raise working and living standards, Hansen is leading the UFCW through a dramatic shift in priorities as more staff and resources than ever before are dedicated to uniting workers and bringing them under a union contract.

At the core of Hansen's leadership is the spirit and exuberance that he demonstrated as a young volunteer organizer and activist. He knows that activated members can organize, that they can build their union, and that they can confront corporate power and win. After all, Hansen did all of those things as a rank-and-file member--today he is activating and leading a new generation of workers and building a 21st century union.

Madam Speaker, in his more than four decades of union activism, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569 Business Manager Al Shur has earned a well-deserved reputation as labor's ``greenest'' leader.

Al, a member of IBEW since 1967, quickly distinguished himself through his political involvement as a rank-and-file member. His activism eventually led him to serve on Local 569's executive board until being elected business manager in 1995.

As business manager, Al has supported development and construction that focuses on improving job quality, the community and the environment.

Under Al's leadership, IBEW Local 569 has been an outspoken advocate for responsible, sustainable development, as well as serving as a model for using green technologies in the construction industry.

IBEW Local 569's offices and training center proudly display a vast network of solar panels which allow the union to operate almost completely free of a traditional power grid.

Al has also worked tirelessly to build relationships with San Diego's environmental leaders through his work with organizations such as the Apollo Alliance, the Environmental Health Coalition and San Diego Coastkeeper.

By working together, the partnership between the labor movement and the environmentalist has become a powerful force for change in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

For his dedication to building alliances between labor and the environmental community, the Executive Board of the Labor Council has named Al Shur our 2009-2010 ``Labor Leader of the Year.''

Madam Speaker, few in the business world have had as great of an impact on building the middle class as San Diego's own Sol Price.

When Price passed away in December, San Diego's middle class lost possibly its greatest advocate in the business world. Price's Fed-Mart stores, and later Price Club, were known for skimping on the luxuries of modern chain retailers. The bulk stores occupied warehouses in out- of-the-way locations, avoided unnecessary displays, and limited advertising to essentially word-of-mouth only. Besides low prices, the one thing his stores did invest in was its employees. The Price business model realized that the happiness of customers, employees, and stockholders are not mutually exclusive. At Sol Price companies, all three could be, and were, successful.

``We think the stockholder comes last,'' Price told Wall Street analysts in 1985. ``But if you do the other three jobs well, (the stockholder) will be taken care of.'' This method of business resulted in all Price Club employees, union and non-union, receiving ``close to the highest prevailing wages in the community.''

Sol Price's legacy lives on today, as the average wage of Costco employees is $19 per hour, with 90 percent receiving health care. A far cry from the disturbing trend of retail stores becoming low-wage outposts.

In San Diego County, workers at several Costco stores are proud members of Teamsters Local 542.

For these reasons, Sol Price will always be remembered as a friend of labor.

Yes, Mr. Poe, war is hard. I've got news for you: peace is harder. Talk to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Talk to Nelson Mandela. Peace is harder. Peace is really hard. I've heard Mr. Poe's words: Victory is close. What message are we sending to our troops? The Alamo as a metaphor for this? Come on, Mr. Poe. And Mr. Poe started with, ``This is about our troops.'' That's exactly right: this is about our troops.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) for allowing us to have a debate. Here we have spent hundreds of billions of dollars, and we've had no real debate. So I thank him for bringing this resolution and allowing us to debate. We need a debate in this democracy so that everybody understands the costs, the costs of war, the costs of not going to war. The material costs, the human costs. This is about our troops. I agree with Mr. Poe.

You know, I have been to Iraq and Afghanistan. I have met these incredible young men and women who are fighting this war. As Mr. Poe suggested, they are incredible. It's the policymakers I am worried about. We report as killed in our two wars almost 1,000 in Afghanistan and a little over 4,000 in Iraq. We report around 40,000 casualties. Let me tell you, I am chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in this Congress. We have had

almost 1 million veterans from these wars show up at the VA for injuries received during the war, service-related injuries, hundreds and hundreds of thousands. This is not just a mathematical error by the Department of Defense. This is a deliberate attempt to keep the cost of war from our people.

We've got hundreds of thousands of people with post-traumatic stress disorder, hundreds of thousands with traumatic brain injury, all of whom were undiagnosed when they left the battle front. The military doesn't want to know about these injuries. They don't want to tell the American people about these injuries. This kind of war produces those injuries. I didn't hear that from Mr. Poe. What do we tell the mom? We tell the mom that we shouldn't be sending her child there because of the nature of the war. There is no ``Victory is close.'' I would like to have someone define for me what that victory is.

As I said, we have had almost 1 million veterans from these wars already come to the VA. The suicide rate among active duty troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is higher than the rate in Vietnam, which was the highest that we've ever had as Americans. These are our children. These are our children. They come home with these invisible wounds. They may kill themselves from the demons that they got from this war. A third of those who had been diagnosed with PTSD--and that's only a small fraction of those who actually have it--have committed felonies in this Nation, of which several hundred were homicides, usually of their own family members. These kids did not come home to kill their spouses or their children, but they were so wounded, and they were not taken care of by our people who sent them there. We bring them home, and we say, Okay, you're on your own. And then what do we have? Suicides, homicides.

This war is tearing apart those who have taken part in it. It will have the same influence that the Vietnam War had on our civilian society. Half of the homeless on the streets tonight are Vietnam vets.

The rate of homelessness amongst our troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan is higher. More Vietnam vets have died from suicide than died in the original war. That is what these wars are doing to our society. These are our children. It's time to take care of them. It's time to bring them home. Let's support the resolution on the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 238) recognizing the difficult challenges Black veterans faced when returning home after serving in the Armed Forces, their heroic military sacrifices, and their patriotism in fighting for equal rights and for the dignity of a people and a Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 238, the critical and essential role of black veterans in the civil rights movement, sponsored by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Kissell). I want to thank my colleagues in the House and especially on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Ms. Corrine Brown from Florida particularly, for being original cosponsors and bringing this to the House floor as quickly as we did. I want to also recognize the National Association for Black Veterans, the NAACP, and other civil rights organizations for their continued hard work to ensure equality of rights for all persons.

The proposed resolution honors the heroic sacrifices of black veterans and recognizes the fundamental role that those veterans played in the evolution of the civil rights movement. It recognizes, also, the difficult challenges that black veterans face when returning home after serving in the Armed Forces and encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue working to eliminate any health and benefit disparities for minority veterans. I note that this resolution derived from a similar unabridged resolution approved by the NAACP during its centennial convention in July of 2009, which I had the privilege to attend and participate.

This resolution represents a small token of gratitude that Congress can provide for these veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country, often in the face of tremendous challenges, and serves also as a reminder that we have a long way to go.

I will yield for as much time as he may consume to Mr. Kissell of North Carolina.

I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for his personal story.

Mr. Speaker, we have heard that black citizens of our country have made incredible sacrifices for our Nation. Yet, even with those sacrifices, many black veterans face tremendous challenges in the fight for civil liberties both at home and while they are serving.

I want to recognize, Mr. Speaker, because he is in the gallery, Joe Wynn of the Black Veterans of America, who has brought us this resolution. We thank him for all of his work on behalf of equality for all Americans.

announcement by the speaker pro tempore

This resolution recognizes the soldiers and patriots who had to fight in both types of wars, and it helps to memorialize and to serve as a testament to their great spirit and determination.

We've heard about Jackie Robinson, but as a member of the Army before becoming the famous baseball player who broke the color barrier, he once suggested that he was in two wars--one against the foreign enemy, the other against prejudice at home.

Charles Hamilton Houston, who served as a commissioned 1st lieutenant in the 17th Provisional Training Regiment during World War I, boldly stated after encountering racism, ``I made up my mind that if I got through this war I would study law and use my time fighting for men who could not strike back.'' As we know, he became a famed civil rights lawyer and was the chief legal strategist behind Brown v. Board of Education.

In seeing this paradox of fighting for the promise of liberty and freedom abroad and experiencing the denial of basic rights at home, black veterans were often in the forefront of the leadership of the civil rights movement. For instance, Civil War veterans later became champions for equal pay in the military, and many World War II and Korean war veterans came home and organized voter registration drives.

Mr. Speaker, by their heroic deeds, black Americans brought deeper meaning to the word ``democracy.'' Their exemplary actions and activism on behalf of civil rights emboldened many others to participate in the NAACP, in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and in other civil rights organizations and activities. Ultimately, of course, they transformed the face of democracy in America.

Even though we have made great progress, black Americans, who were once denied the right to serve side by side in battle with other Americans, have achieved some of the highest ranks in our military and government: Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., the first black general in the Army; Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the first black four-star general in the Air Force, who led the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II; and General Colin Powell, the first black Joint Chief of Staff. These men are just to name a few.

Unfortunately today, Mr. Speaker, black veterans are more likely to be homeless, are more likely to receive less than honorable discharges, and are more likely to suffer from disparities in treatment and access for many chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, kidney dysfunction, respiratory disease, substance abuse, diabetes, cancer,

as well as post-traumatic stress disorder.

So I wholeheartedly urge the passage of this resolution in the hope that we will not only recognize those who blazed the trail for us but that we will increase awareness of the need to continue the advancement of civil rights and liberties for all Americans.

I urge the VA specifically to recognize the unique struggle of many minority veterans and to, accordingly, ensure that they receive all of the benefits and care that they have earned and that they deserve. Passing this resolution is the least we can do for these veterans who have done so much for our country.

I urge the passage of this legislation.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall 49, I was away from the Capitol. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall 50, I was away from the Capitol. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of a resolution that I have introduced: H. Con. Res. 226 which supports the Spirit of '45, a yearlong national campaign to raise public awareness of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the Spirit of '45 Day, to be observed each year on the second Sunday in August.

1945 was a defining year in the last century. Even after victory in Europe in World War II, our nation still faced many hard fought battles in the Pacific and the decision to use the atomic bomb. In August of that year, Japan surrendered, the war was over, and America joined the world to begin the work of peace. The United States started with the job of rebuilding allies and former enemies alike, leading the effort to form the United Nations, and helping millions of returning veterans begin their civilian lives with the G.I. Bill.

To raise awareness about this 65th anniversary, the Spirit of '45 is encouraging communities to hold commemorative events on the Spirit of '45 Day, the second Sunday in August, to honor the legacy of the World War II generation whose members are rapidly passing into history. Everyone is asked to collect first-hand memories of those who experienced August 14, 1945, memories that will be preserved on a Web site and shared with schools,

libraries, museums, memorials and the public as a permanent reminder of a time when people came together to face common challenges as a united country. Many of the memories can also be forwarded to the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress.

The 2010 Spirit of '45 activities will officially kick off at a reunion of World War II veterans on the USS Midway in San Diego, on Monday January 18, 2010. Invited to participate are World War II legends Ernest Borgnine, Tony Curtis, Kirk Douglas, and Hugh O'Brien. Also invited is Edith Shain, the nurse who was photographed being kissed by a joyous sailor in Times Square on August 14, 1945. A presentation will be made to the family of Bob Hope in honor of his legacy of support of our men and women in uniform.

The next major event of the Spirit of '45 will be right here in Washington, D.C. when hundreds of people will gather at the National World War II Memorial and lead the Memorial Day Parade down Constitution Avenue. Moving toward the weekend of August 14-15, public events are to be held across the country to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, including a major event already being planned in New York City's Times Square. Later events are being discussed for October, the 65th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and on Veterans Day in November.

The events will focus on how to assure that our ``latest generation'' of veterans receives the kind of welcome home as did their forefathers of the World War II generation, through education and training under the newly-passed ``Post 9/11 G.I. Bill,'' employment opportunities, and many other ways of helping in their efforts to reconnect with their communities. I urge my colleagues to join in support of these remembrances of the ending of World War II by co-sponsoring H. Con. Res. 226.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication and contributions of my Senior Legislative Assistant, Sharon Schultze.

On Monday, January 11, 2010, Sharon retired after seventeen years of service in my Washington Congressional office. In and of themselves, these years are enough to qualify her for special recognition, but she also served as my Assistant for four years when I was a member of the San Diego Board of Education, as my Council Representative for five years when I was a member of the San Diego City Council, and in numerous roles in many of my campaigns, including Finance Director for two of my Congressional Campaigns. When one of my early campaigns showed practically a zero in donations for an entire summer month of fundraising, I called on her, and the contributors returned. Throughout the years, she has been my go-to person when I need something done and done right.

Upon reflection, I believe that her most important contribution has been to provide a consistent and friendly voice to the people we are serving, knowing many by name. She gives them what they are asking for--either the answers they need or information about who can help if we are not the right office to call. A visitor or caller never goes away without assistance.

Sharon's work over the years has included legislation that addresses people's needs: education, gay and lesbian, health, labor, Native American, senior citizen and Social Security, religion, art, welfare, women, and veterans issues. She was my sole staff person for the House of Representatives Veterans' Affairs Committee (VA) for fourteen years. She has met with constituents and lobbyists, answered mail, prepared my statements for the VA and the House and talking points for speaking engagements, prepared bills for introduction in the House, and written press releases. In fact, she has done almost everything in my office, from the duties of staff assistant to executive assistant to administrative assistant, as needed--just not systems administration.

She has taken a keen interest in how microcredit and microenterprise can help many people in our country, travelling to Bangladesh to learn about the Grameen Bank in Dhaka, founded by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.

She has helped me prepare for many of the awards and recognitions I have received, for example, the 2009 Gusi Peace Prize I was recently awarded in the Philippines and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award I received from the National Education Association in 2003. Her supporting role in my work on the issues important to my Filipino constituents was critical to my selection as a recipient of the Legion of Honor, the highest civilian award given by the Philippines, presented by then-President Fidel Ramos.

Sharon has also prepared the nominations I have made throughout the years for winning entries, for example in the Victory Against Hunger Award sponsored by the Congressional Hunger Center, the Private Sector Small Business Award from the Asian American Business Roundtable, the Congressional Angels in Adoption Awards from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, the Ethics Award from the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, and my nominations for the White House Conference on Aging. For each of the seventeen years we have been in Washington, she has been the DC staff person in charge of trip arrangements to Washington for the winning students in the annual Congressional Arts Competition. She has greeted our Congressional Pages and has handled the ticket requests for Presidential inaugurations.

She has joined with me in many of our accomplishments. She was with me when we

talked with VA Secretary Jesse Brown about the need for a Veterans' Home in Chula Vista, California. She was at the table when we spoke to VA Secretary Principi about providing medical equipment and supplies to the Veterans Hospital in Manila. She helped to bring a Community Based Outpatient Clinic to Imperial County, California and the Miramar National Cemetery to San Diego, California, with a groundbreaking scheduled for January 30, 2010.

Her important legislative achievements include passage of several bills for veterans, including a bill to provide a posthumous Purple Heart to the families of every prisoner of war who died while in a prison camp, a bill to provide compensation to World War II Merchant Mariners who were excluded from the original GI Bill benefits, and legislation to restore equity and promised benefits to the Filipino World War II veterans who were deprived of both by an act of Congress in 1946.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Sharon for 26 years of working together, learning together, and achieving together. As a former history professor, I believe that we have changed a small piece of history.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall 978, I was away from the Capitol. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall 979, I was away from the Capitol. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall 980, I was away from the Capitol. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''