Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, Doug Moore, executive director of the 64,000-member UDW Homecare Providers Union and a newly elected international vice president of AFSCME, has an outstanding record of success spanning nearly 30 years in building and energizing member- drive unions.

He began his labor career in 1980 as a rank-and-file member of the CWA, becoming a shop steward and, eventually, president of CWA Local 9586 in Sante Fe Springs, CA. He subsequently worked for SEIU as an international representative before becoming Ohio state director for the national AFL-CIO, where he was responsible for AFL-CIO programs for more than one million members.

After being recruited by AFSCME and serving as a regional field administrator and assistant regional director, Doug assisted in negotiating an agreement and helped build a 20,000-strong, member- driven union. He also created the first statewide Executive Board structure for the new ADSCME Local 3299 and developed a strong member activist program for the local.

In 2005, Doug was appointed deputy administrator of UDW. His dynamic leadership has helped rebuild UDW from the ground up.

Among his accomplishments: UDW is now financially secure. Thanks to a volunteer member organizing effort, nearly 25,000 new members have joined UDW since 2005. For the first time in history, all of the top elected leaders in UDW are working homecare providers. Doug has helped win the highest wages in the history of the UDW statewide and has led the effort to win affordable health insurance in San Diego.

Due to his efforts, the newly installed UDW Executive Board appointed Doug Moore in February 2008 as executive director with full responsibility for managing UDW activities and staff on a day-to-day basis.

In his acceptance speech to the UDW Executive Board, Doug said:

From county board to county board. we will send a clear

message that homecare providers matter. We demand to be

treated with dignity and respect! We are not second-class

citizens and we will fight to end the classism. sexism and

racism that we see everyday from those elected boards in our

counties. . . . We will do this the old-fashioned way:

Organize, organize, organize! Because when we fight. we win!

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a time-honored and long-revered labor union that has created many well-paying jobs on our Pacific west coast--the International Longshoremen Worker's Union (the

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce H.R. 1386, the Pay for All Your Undocumented Procedures (PAY UP!) Act of 2009. This bill will provide payments for emergency services provided to undocumented aliens.

The costs of uncompensated emergency care for undocumented immigrants are sky high and border area hospitals, physicians, and ambulance providers are choking on the costs that they have to eat. My bill, the Pay for All Your Undocumented Procedures (PAY UP!) Act of 2009, is the first step to solving this problem which is well known in border communities.

Undocumented aliens receive emergency services in a hospital and yet that hospital is not reimbursed for these services. My bill will ensure that the healthcare providers are reimbursed for the emergency services they provide.

My bill makes permanent a provision of the Medicare Modernization Act that provided payments to eligible providers for procedures for undocumented aliens. The bill authorizes $250 million a year to reimburse eligible providers for this care. Two-thirds of the funds are divided among the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on their relative percentages of undocumented aliens, the last third is divided among the 6 states with the largest number of undocumented aliens.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about a very important bill that I just re-introduced, the Keeping Families Together Act of 2009 (H.R. 938). This bill would reinstate judicial review to the immigration process, end the practice of automatically detaining productive members of our society for minor crimes they committed years ago and for which they have already served with their sentence, and allow immigrants previously deported to appeal that decision.

This law has allowed stable, long-term families headed by legal immigrants to be torn apart because of minor crimes committed years ago--crimes for which the offender has already served their sentence!

You may recall that a basic legislative attempt to fix this law was passed by the House of Representatives in the 106th Congress, but it was never taken up by the Senate. The time has come to reverse the unfair so-called ``immigration reforms'' instituted by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

Please join me in supporting this critical legislation to restore justice to our immigration process, by co-sponsoring the Keeping Families Together Act of 2009.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about a very important bill that I just re-introduced, the Visitors Interested in Strengthening America (VISA) Act of 2009 (H.R. 937). The bill would grant humanitarian visa waivers to children and their parents coming across the border for regular medical appointments, or for educational or cultural events.

In the past, the Port Directors at the border had the authority to grant humanitarian visa waivers to certain children and their accompanying parent. Now, children who come without a visa must be turned away. The fee to enter into the United States for 24 hours is an insurmountable amount of money for these poor children and their families. These children pose no threat to our national security. They are merely trying to receive medical treatment or to enjoy a school field trip to one of our nation's numerous tourist attractions.

This legislation does not affect the number of legal or illegal immigrants living in the United States--the children and accompanying adults visit for one day and then return to their homes. It gives Port Directors the authority to use their discretion, and issue waivers to children that pose no security threat to our country.

This is common sense legislation that allows us to cultivate relations with our Mexican neighbors, while keeping those who would do us harm out of our country. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this critical legislation, by co-sponsoring the VISA Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about a resolution that I have re-introduced along with Congressmen Bilbray, Honda, Issa, and Bobby Scott, my colleagues in the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus (H. Res. 155). This resolution recognizes Filipino American Heritage Month and celebrates the heritage and culture of Filipino Americans and their immense contributions to our nation.

The Filipino American National Historical Society established Filipino American History Month in 1988 but I was surprised to learn that the House of Representatives has never recognized this month, which is long overdue! We are pleased to honor the Filipino American community and pay tribute to the extraordinary contributions that Filipinos make to this nation. Filipino Americans have been part of the American experience, confronting many difficult challenges while being resolute and steadfast in their cultural heritage.

We honor Filipino Americans, from farm workers to nurses and doctors to the brave and courageous soldiers who fought shoulder-to-shoulder with American servicemen. This country is indebted to the Filipino veterans of World War II for their extraordinary sacrifices. We promise that we will not give up. Equity and recognition for World War II Veterans is a moral imperative.

I invite my colleagues to join with me in honoring the history, culture, and contribution of Filipino Americans in the United States by supporting this important resolution.

Madam Speaker, I recently re-introduced my bill, H. Con. Res. 30, which urges the President to authorize the transfer of ownership to the Philippines of the bells taken in 1901 from the town of Balangiga in the Philippines. The bells are currently displayed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

In the 108 years since the taking of the bells occurred, the citizens of the United States and the Philippines have shared many historic and political ties. The Philippines was a staunch ally of the United States during World War II. Brave Filipino soldiers were drafted into service by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, fought side-by-side with American soldiers, and were instrumental in the successful outcome of World War II. Filipino soldiers also fought along side our soldiers on the battlefields of Korea and Vietnam.

Since the independence of the Philippines in 1946, the U.S.- Philippine relationship has been largely one of friendship and cooperation. The Philippines is a republic patterned basically on our own system of government. The Philippines is a valuable trading partner of the U.S. and an ally in the war against terrorism. Approximately 2.9 million Americans are of Filipino descent and close to 250,000 United States citizens reside in the Philippines. The acts of conflict that surrounded the taking of the bells of Balangiga are not consistent with the friendship that is currently an integral part of the relationship between our two nations.

The Republic of the Philippines has repeatedly requested the return of the bells. They are an important symbol to the Filipino people, who wish to have them re-installed in the belfry of the Balangiga Church. I believe that it is time to resolve this situation in order to solidify the bonds between our two nations. My resolution would honor and promote the positive relationship our counties enjoy.

As the years pass, I am confident that relations between our two nations will grow even stronger. To that end, the United States Government which has final disposition over the bells of Balangiga should transfer ownership of the bells to the people of the Philippines as a measure of good will and co-operation.

Madam Speaker, I have re-introduced the Mobile Home Protection Act (H.R. 741). The purpose of this bill is to provide Section 8 assistance to low-income owners of mobile homes.

Owning one's home is a central part of the American Dream. For many low-income Americans, mobile homes provide the opportunity to achieve this goal of homeownership.

However, in many cases, while the family owns their home, they do not own the land on which the home sits. In some cases, the landlord will not accept section 8 vouchers for the land on which the mobile home sits.

I have introduced the Mobile Home Protection Act to correct this problem. This bill would provide this Section 8 assistance directly to the homeowners to apply towards their rent costs for the land on which their homes sit.

Many mobile home owners have invested their life savings into buying their mobile homes. As mobile home park rents increase these low-income homeowners are not able to keep up with this cost. This legislation will help keep these homeowners in their homes and maintain these established communities.

Madam Speaker, I recently introduced legislation, H.R. 740, intended to prevent the Department of Defense from building new bases and facilities along seismic fault lines.

In San Diego, California, the Department of the Navy is planning a mixed-use development along the downtown waterfront that will incorporate not only a new Navy headquarters, but also business, commercial, and housing elements. It has come to my attention that the land in question is within the Uniform Building Code (UBC) Seismic Zone 4.

My bill requires the lease for this development to be revoked unless the Secretary of the Navy determines that seismic activity would not have any significant impact on any portion of the proposed development. My bill would also extend this requirement to other leases on which no substantial construction has already begun.

In my view, it is only reasonable to require a scientific review of this issue before construction begins. We should not allow the Department of Defense to build new bases on fault lines.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to speak about a concurrent resolution that I have reintroduced that recognizes the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

My legislation would express the sense of Congress that a stamp, called the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Stamp, should be issued to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

On average, a law enforcement officer is killed in America every other day. Since 1792, when recordkeeping started, more than 18,200 officers have lost their lives in service to their communities. In 2008, 140 officers were killed in the line of duty.

Too many police officers are killed or injured in the line of duty every day and this legislation is a way to thank those who put their lives in danger every time they put on their uniforms. I am proud to sponsor such a worthy legislation.

I invite my colleagues to join with me in commending our law enforcement officers. It is extremely important that we honor these everyday heroes! Please join me in supporting the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Stamp Act (H. Con. Res. 31).

Madam Speaker, I have introduced the Military Environmental Responsibility Act (H.R. 672). The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Defense to fully comply with Federal and State environmental laws.

Military exemptions from requirements and enforcement provisions under environment, public safety, and worker protection laws harm the environment and human health. Our constituents who border military bases should have the same protections as other municipalities.

This bill will not compromise military readiness. Environmental laws currently include exemptions for the military in the event of ``paramount interest of the United States''. These exemptions have only been used a handful of times, and the President would retain that authority over this legislation.

Americans believe that their government should be accountable to them and play by the same rules that they have to follow. Much of the cynicism and apathy of recent years can be traced directly to public perception that government officials and agencies are not accountable to anyone. We can only begin to restore faith in government and participation in democracy by ensuring that the federal government works under the same laws and regulations as private businesses and individuals.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to speak about a very important bill that I just introduced, the Save Our Border Communities Act (H.R. 670). The bill would reimburse police, firefighters and other first responders for services associated with U.S. Ports of Entry.

Local law enforcement and first responders are bearing the brunt of protecting our borders. The federal government has not reimbursed border towns for border-related incidents and its drain on local police, firefighters and first responders is increasingly unbearable.

In Imperial County, California, the already strained local police department has announced that due to the high volume of border-related requests, it will no longer respond to most calls from the U.S.-Mexico Port of Entry. The local police department stated they cannot afford to process and transport the numerous individuals with out-of-county misdemeanor warrants to the local jail. Now, instead of being brought to justice, these individuals are set free.

It is about time the federal government pays its fair share. I urge my colleagues to join me in ensuring all our border communities are fully reimbursed for protecting our nation's borders by supporting the Save Our Border Communities Act.

Madam Speaker, I recently re-introduced, along with my colleague John McHugh, The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act (H.R. 673). The purpose of this bill is simply to give law enforcement status to all federal law enforcement officers!

Many federal officials--for example, the Border Patrol--are classified as ``law enforcement officers,'' for the purposes of determining salary and retirement benefits. But many other officers-- such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Inspectors, Veterans' Affairs Police Officers, U.S. Mint Police Officers, Internal Revenue Officers, Customs and Border Protection Seized Property Specialists, and police officers in about two dozen other agencies--do not have equal pay and benefits status.

The tragic irony, Madam Speaker, is that the only time these officers are classified as law enforcement officers is when they are killed in the line of duty. Then their names are inscribed on the wall of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial right here in Washington.

Let me say that again. It is only when they are killed that they are called law enforcement officers, and that is a tragic irony.

My district encompasses the entire California-Mexico border and is home to two of the busiest border crossings in the entire world, so I am very familiar with the work of our nation's border inspectors. They wear bulletproof vests, they carry firearms, and, unfortunately, have to use them. Most importantly, these inspectors are subject to the same risks as other officers with whom they serve side-by-side. However, they are not eligible for early retirement and other benefits, which are designed to maintain a young and vigorous law enforcement workforce that we need to combat those who pose life-threatening risks to our society.

The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act will provide well-deserved pay and retirement benefits to the officers protecting our borders, our ports of entry, our military and veterans' installations and other sensitive government buildings. The costs of these benefits would likely be off-set by savings in training costs and increased revenue collection. The bill will also reduce turnover, increase yield, decrease recruitment and development costs and enhance the retention of a well-trained and experienced workforce.

Madam Speaker, the simple fact is that these officers have dangerous jobs and deserve to be recognized as law enforcement officers, just like others with whom they serve,

side by side, and who share the same level of risk. I encourage my colleagues to join me and Mr. McHugh in co-sponsoring, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act. The valiant officers who protect us deserve no less.

Madam Speaker, I recently introduced the Department of Defense and Civilian Law Enforcement Coordination Act of 2009 (H.R. 675). My bill would amend federal law to permit Department of Defense law enforcement officers to better coordinate and cooperate with civilian law enforcement agencies. I drafted this legislation in cooperation with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) because many DOD law enforcement officers in my district have informed me that they are prohibited from basic coordination and cooperation with civilian agencies near DOD facilities. We need to ensure that federal, state, and local law enforcement are able to work together to apprehend criminals and to prevent and solve crimes. I hope that my colleagues will join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I have just re-introduced legislation intended to honor the service and sacrifice of many of the members of the United States Armed Forces who fought in Vietnam, the ``In Memory Medal for Forgotten Veterans Act'' (H.R. 671).

Those so recognized are veterans who have died as a result of their service in the Vietnam War but who do not meet the criteria for inclusion on The Wall of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has a program called ``In Memory'' which has raised money for a plaque that has been placed near The Wall. The plaque honors ``those who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service''. No names are on the plaque, but all names are kept in the ``In Memory Book'' at a kiosk near The Wall, and families can order a copy.

My bill adds to this recognition by presenting the families of these veterans with a medal, to be known as the ``Jesus (Chuchi) Salgado Medal'' to be issued by the Secretary of Defense. Chuchi Salgado was an outstanding individual who lived in my Congressional district, whose exposure to Agent Orange ultimately led to his death. His relatives continue to live in my district.

Because of the boundaries that have been set for the names to be placed on The Wall, Chuchi and many, many other Vietnam veterans are not honored in this manner. Now, with new veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, we are all taking a second look and a closer look at how veterans from past wars have been treated. While we must care for the newer veterans, we must also take this opportunity to do right by veterans of Vietnam, along with those of other past wars and conflicts.

I invite my colleagues to join with me in honoring these veterans. It is critical that we remember those who have fought so gallantly and sacrificed their lives for our freedom.