Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join with my colleagues in this, the People's House, to observe a moment of silence for those who have fallen on the battlefield in Iraq. These brave men and women answered the call to duty, set forth to foreign lands, and died in defense of our basic values. As they gave their lives to promote democracy, let's recommit ourselves here at home, in their memory, to promote liberty for all in this great land of ours and across the globe.

Our hearts go out to the families of those who have fallen, to their parents, children, spouses and friends. They made the ultimate sacrifice. We must never forget that sacrifice and that made by their loved ones.

Today, I recognize three fallen soldiers from my district in South Texas: SPC Jose Amancio Perez, III, U.S. Army, of San Diego, Texas; Lance Corporal Ruben Valdez, Jr., U.S. Marine Corps, of San Diego, Texas and Sergeant Michael Paul Barrera, U.S. Army, of Von Ormy, Texas.

They embodied the fighting spirit of Texas and their commitment to the United States of America will never be forgotten. I thank their families for allowing their sons to serve our great Nation and ask that they and their sons be remembered in thoughts and prayers.

Mr. Speaker, we all stress the value of education and reading, yet we sometimes overlook the challenges some communities face in accessing books and reading materials. The Southside of San Antonio, a largely Hispanic neighborhood, did not have a single bookstore--until today. I am proud to announce that WaldenBooks has arrived on the Southside, changing the face of our community for the better.

For years, community leaders and lay people have worked to attract a bookstore, and for years we received lots of excuses. That has now changed, thanks to the vision of WaldenBooks and the cooperative efforts of the owners of South Park Mall, community leaders, youth in the schools and area residents.

I would especially like to mention Cesar Rodriguez, General Manager of South Park Mall, and Beth Riebschlager, Marketing Manager for South Park Mall, who have been great advocates and have pursued this issue aggressively. Councilman Richard Perez, Councilman Ron Segovia and Cindy Taylor, President of the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, have lent unwavering support to this project. Books in the Barrio, the grassroots organization created by Marissa Ramirez, Astro Musquiz, Vickie Grise, Tim Duda and Ed Sonnen, have kept this issue in the front and center of all of our minds by hosting events at South Park Mall, as well as having petition drives and letter writing campaigns. I would especially like to thank Ken Bostic, Regional Director for this new Waldenbooks location, and TJ Jenson, Real Estate Manager for Waldenbooks, without whom none of this would be possible. My thanks also to Cindy Wirz of my staff who worked with the community leaders and organizations to support this great endeavor with me.

For many years the Southside community has struggled to improve access to educational resources for its residents. The residents of the area signed petitions, wrote letters, and brought their case to the media in the hopes of bringing a bookstore to the Southside. Being a resident of the Southside myself, I too have dreamed of the day when I would not have to drive outside of my community to purchase books, and now that day has thankfully arrived.

Waldenbooks, a subsidiary of Borders Group, Inc., has chosen to open a location in South Park Mall. Opened in 1968, South Park Mall has been a premiere shopping spot for South San Antonians. Now 95 percent occupied with both national and regional retailers, this is an ideal location for Waldenbooks, which will occupy 3,000 square feet and will offer over 20,000 books and periodical titles.

Having made the choice to locate to the Southside of San Antonio, Waldenbooks has chosen to invest in the residents of the area and the contiguous counties. Waldenbooks is determined to make an impact on the Southside and to be a good business partner by working directly with South Park Mall to create a children's program and a program for seniors.

Today marks the beginning of what I hope will be a continuing trend in the Southside of San Antonio. Waldenbooks will provide a greater access to books and thereby, a greater access to learning. Waldenbooks has shown their willingness to take a chance on the Southside of San Antonio and I urge all Southsiders to return the favor by being loyal customers.

Mr. Speaker, this year commemorates the 60th anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal point in World War II and a unique moment in time when coordination and valor forged unprecedented advancement of the Allied forces against the Axis powers. As we remember the courageous veterans whose foresight and sacrifice brought about a landmark in the struggle for Democracy, I rise today to honor the Motor Transport Service, code named the ``Red Ball Express.'' The heroism of the lesser-known group of veterans has been under- celebrated, but their impact is eternally felt.

For 82 long days, fighting adverse driving conditions and sleep depravation, the men of the Red Ball Express transported 500,000 tons of fuel and ordinance to forward depots throughout France. Though this immense effort lasted only three months, from August 25 to November 16, 1944, the mission of the Motor Transport Service was perhaps the most crucial to the capture of occupied France. This massive convoy effort afforded the Allied troops the means and mobility to successfully complete the campaign in the European Theater.

Composed of 80 percent African Americans, the men of the Red Ball Express met the most uncertain of risks to defend the freedom we cherish today. The altruism of these men in service is astounding. Their vision and hope for all humanity, during those 82 days, broke through barricades of tyranny and ignorance to bring liberty to new heights.

Colonel John S.D. Eisenhower wrote of their noble behavior; ``the Spectacular nature of the advance was due in as great a measure to the men who drove the Red Ball trucks as to those who drove the tanks.''

It is when extraordinary conflict has plagued our Nation, that we have witnessed the most astonishing acts towards peace--when the ideals of country have been tirelessly challenged, that the firmest of principles have forged a clear path. And it is when soldiers have faced disheartening adversity, that patriots have shown unabated courage of heart. Despite hardship and slight, the men of the ``Red Ball Express'' acted bravely in a time of fear and unselfishly in this unique moment in history when they were needed the most.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, the Allied landing at Normandy during World War II by American, British, Canadian and other Allied troops. Our nation's enduring gratitude goes out to the courageous veterans whose foresight and sacrifice brought the Allied forces perhaps the most crucial victory of World War II.

The 60th anniversary of D-Day commemorates a pivotal point in the war and a unique moment in time when coordination and valor forged unprecedented advancement of the Allied forces against the Nazis and their Axis powers. Operation Overlord, the most extensive amphibious operation ever to occur involved 153,000 members of the Allied Expeditionary Force who stormed five separate beaches at Normandy. It was a battle labeled `The Great Crusade in Europe' by Allied Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower. Facing exceptional danger, 800 planes, full of airborne paratroopers carrying ninety to one hundred twenty pounds of extra weight on their back, invaded occupied Normandy with a mission to secure crucial high grounds, roads and bridges. In close succession, 30,000 vehicles charged the five separate beaches at Normandy, carrying soldiers who became the first to cross the formidable English Channel since 1688.

Poised to attack the disciplined German Army and seized with the loss of most of their radios and 60% of their supplies during landing, the men at D-Day could not rely on superior technology. In one of history's defining moments, the liberation of occupied France depended on human skill and will power, on anticipating the enemy and charging courageously forward. Ultimately, on D-Day, bravery in combat changed history. The soldiers of six valiant divisions met the most uncertain of

risks to defend the freedom we cherish today, suffering close to 9,000 casualties. As Winston Churchill said of his British troops, `Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.'

Today, as we remember the invasion of Normandy as the turning point of World War II, we commemorate what the defeat of Hitler's army symbolized to the United States and to the world, a landmark in the struggle for Liberty and Democracy.

June 6, 1944, marked the beginning of the end of Hitler's ambition for world domination.

In honoring the anniversary of this democratic touchstone, we acknowledge the legacy of America's historic charge--wars fought for truly just causes. We etch this day into our Nation's profound memory so that we may convey to new generations the respect that liberty commands and the gratitude we owe to courage.

On behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I rise to recognize June 4, 2004 as LINC TELACU Scholars Day. As a leading service organization, LINC TELACU Education Foundation in partnership with numerous corporations and universities, has helped to improve Latino communities including East Los Angeles by advancing higher education opportunities for thousands of young Latino leaders.

For over two decades, the Foundation has assisted talented Latinos overcome formidable barriers to academic success by providing millions of dollars in scholarships, as well as comprehensive educational support programs which include: leadership development, college retention, internships, counseling, mentoring, tutorial assistance, computer lab, college advisement and placement assistance, and parental support programs. In addition, TELACU was selected nationally as one of only two community-based organizations nationwide to deliver the TRIO Programs--Classic Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound, and Talent Search--through which middle and high-school students and veterans receive preparation for post-secondary education

I would like to commend David C. Lizarraga, TELACU's President and CEO, and his executive staff for their leadership over the past year. Their dedication is helping Latino students overcome the effects of low income, inadequate support and counseling, and a lack of professional and academic role models and to become well educated community leaders.

Thanks to the successful leadership of LINC TELACU, every 2003 LINC TELACU Scholar achieved their high school diploma, college degree, or nursing degree. This year, LINC TELACU will help 600 more students accomplish their higher education goals. As the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I am proud of these students for their commitment to succeed and wish them continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to recognize the many achievements and services provided by LINC TELACU. Please join me in honoring the LINC TELACU Scholars on June 4, 2004.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4317, a bill to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Lufkin, Texas, after a fellow Texan and our fellow Congressman Charles Wilson.

I appreciate the effort of my good friend, the gentleman from Texas (Congressman Turner), for sponsoring this particular piece of legislation; and I

am honored to manage the time today on behalf of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Charlie Wilson has had a remarkable and noteworthy career, and it is fitting to honor him by naming the VA clinic in Lufkin after him. He began his career at the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy, and he served in the Navy from 1956 to 1960. After he left the Navy, he decided to try his hand at elected office. He did well. He won his first race in 1960 and then got elected again 18 times for various offices.

He began his distinguished career representing the people of East Texas in the Texas House of Representatives for over 6 years and in the Texas Senate for an additional 3 terms. As a former member of the Texas house myself, I know the hard work and dedication required. I know Charlie Wilson gave it his all.

On November 7, 1972, in the 2nd District of Texas, Charlie Wilson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. The House has not known many like him. For 24 years he represented the people of East Texas often in very colorful and unforgettable ways but always with a dedication and commitment to his constituents.

His hard work earned him a spot on the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. He used his position not only to help Texas and America and also his constituents but to advance the United States' effort to win the Cold War and defeat the Soviet expansion. Perhaps most notably Charlie used his influence to secure billions of dollars to counter the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Without a doubt, his efforts helped push the Soviets out of Afghanistan and helped end the eastern bloc communism.

The CIA recognized the special nature of his efforts by making him the only civilian to receive the CIA's Honored Colleague Award. His work is now enshrined in a well-known book that may even become a movie.

While in Congress, Charlie made constituent service a top priority; and his staff regularly won praise for their hard work on behalf of the district. As a Korean War veteran, Charlie Wilson was always a strong advocate of veterans, especially in his district. He brought more veterans affairs resources to his constituents than ever before.

It is appropriate that we name the VA clinic in Lufkin for him, a proud Texan, a proud American, an outstanding veteran.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner), who is the author of the legislation and also the ranking minority leader on the Select Committee on Homeland Security.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson), who also has the distinction of representing our Missing and Exploited Children Caucus and does a tremendous job in that area.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to close with a little story that I read about Charlie Wilson. That was in his first campaign he talks about the fact that at one time when he came back from the Navy and was going to be running for office he thought that there was going to be a discussion about issues regarding taxes. He found out that, and according to the article, the story was that one of the biggest issues in East Texas at that time was that they were using dogs to hunt deer at that time way back in the early 1960s. And they got the impression that Charlie was against that, and they were extremely angry with him and upset. So one of the first things he talks about is going to deliver a speech among 3,000 people and bringing about five or six hounds with him.

So he was and is a very colorful individual. I take pride in being the manager for this bill, and I ask for the naming of the VA clinic in his name and in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

(Mr. RODRIGUEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, the majority has adequately explained this piece of legislation.

I would simply note that H.R. 265, as amended, represents a cooperative effort among the bill's sponsors, the Committee on Resources and the National Park Service and the Forest Service.

The bill, as amended, is a workable solution to the resource management needs in the area, and we support the adoption of this legislation by the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume.

(Mr. RODRIGUEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, the honorable gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) has done a beautiful job of adequately explaining the legislation.

I would simply like to add, for almost a century now the Osage Tribe of Oklahoma has lived with a cloud over their ability to determine tribal membership roles. This is a basic right afforded all Indian tribes, and I am pleased we are here to clarify the matter for the tribe.

I would also like to commend the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Carson) for his work on behalf of the legislation during its consideration by the Committee on Resources.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

(Mr. RODRIGUEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, the Great Blacks in Wax Museum is a unique education facility, well-deserving of the enormous support that it receives. The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, a sponsor of the companion legislation here in the House, and Senator Mikulski are to be congratulated for their tireless efforts on behalf of this facility and this important piece of legislation.

The museum expansion plans are ambitious, and I urge my colleagues to support S. 1233 to help them on their way.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in observance of Cover the Uninsured Week.

Over 40 million people are walking the streets of America without the most basic of protections. A protection that you and I have, and one that has been afforded to our families. But for many working families, the prohibitive cost of health insurance puts it out of reach. And this can lead to tragic consequences. The uninsured are more likely to be in poor health, receive diagnoses too late, and use the emergency room for primary care.

Research also shows that being uninsured has a financial cost too. After jobs loss, being uninsured and getting sick is the most common reason people file for bankruptcy.

While the cost for solving the problem of the uninsured is high, the cost for ignoring this problem is even higher.

In Texas, a huge budget deficit led to drastic cuts in the CHIP program and optional Medicaid benefits. While some restorations were made, those cuts will undo any gains that Texas has made in the fight to increase access to care.

We must begin to thing of healthcare as an investment. It is an investment in our children, in our workforce and in creating a better quality of life that we all strive to achieve. Until we can guarantee coverage for all, then we must take measures to fill in the gaps.

Earlier today we heard spirited debate about the merits of Association Health Plans and revisited the debate on medical malpractice reform. But the bills that we considered would do little to address the problem of the uninsured.

In fact, the legislation could actually make people worse off as was the case with the Small Business Health Fairness Act, H.R. 4281. Under this plan, the CBO estimates that 80 percent of small businesses would see premium increases and as many as 100,000 of the sickest workers would lose coverage altogether. This is not the answer.

Instead, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor three bills that if enacted could provide help to over half the uninsured.

The Family Care Act will make it possible for the working parents of children who are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP to also participate in the program. This bill will promote health for the entire family as people work their way up out of poverty.

Second, The Medicare Early Access Act is designed to assist uninsured people who are 55 and over, but not yet eligible for Medicare. The bill would allow this pool to purchase Medicare for a premium and a tax credit to help defray the cost of the premium.

Lastly, the Small Business health Insurance Promotion Act would provide tax credits to eligible small businesses, including the self- employed, to help secure affordable health insurance.

This week, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released data showing that Texas has the highest rate of uninsured working adults at 27 percent. These are the folks that are out there working hard and paying taxes, but don't make enough to provide for their own benefits.

We must begin to tackle this problem by creating programs that will help small businesses offer health insurance to employees.

I would like to thank the Members who have worked tirelessly to promote and improve upon these bills, especially Representative Dingell and Representative Rangel. This three-pronged approach will help increase access to health insurance.

Again, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor these bills. Let's provide an answer to covering the uninsured.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. J.J. Amaro, a great friend who has distinguished himself as a civil and community leader. As a member of the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees since 1994, Mr. Amaro has provided our local water supply company and the San Antonio community with outstanding service and dedication. He has been the voice of many who for too many years had no voice.

During Mr. Amaro's decade of tenure, the San Antonio Water System has enjoyed an unparalleled period of innovation and has become a model for water systems across the country while maintaining low water rates for consumers. Mr. Amaro and the board created a 50-year master plan that was approved in 1998 to provide for San Antonio's steeply growing population. Importantly, he has worked with the board to bring water resources to people and neighborhoods long overlooked in our city's history.

By implementing new technologies, the San Antonio Water System has developed premier water recycling programs as well as an aquifer storage and recovery system to protect this precious resource. In addition, he has helped SAWS protect the Edwards Aquifer--the principal source of our drinking water--by implementing regulations and purchasing 9,000 acres within the recharge zone. In recognition of these improvements, this utility has earned numerous awards for environmental excellence, quality engineering designs, and public education programs.

While the San Antonio Water System has benefited immensely from Mr. Amaro's expertise, other organizations have also been fortunate to have his generous assistance. Mr. Amaro serves as a board member for the St. Peter/St. Joseph Children's Home and the United Negro College Fund.

On May 12, 2004, colleagues, friends and family will gather together to recognize J.J. Amaro's leadership and numerous hours of community service on behalf of the people of San Antonio. It is a pleasure to recognize and thank Mr. Amaro for his many contributions and public service. I ask the Members of the House of Representatives to join me in honoring this gentleman on his retirement from the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees and wish Mr. J.J. Amaro and his family all the best on this special day.

Mr. Speaker, it is always an honor to recognize outstanding children's organizations and their wonderful accomplishments. Today, I rise to honor the Texas Children's Choir from San Antonio, Texas for being the only American children's choir invited to perform at the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of D-Day at Normandy.

For the past 10 years, the Texas Children's Choir has provided military and civilian children an opportunity to showcase their musical talents. These children are among an elite number of choirs who have had the distinction of singing and inspiring audiences at the National Cathedral, the U.S. Capitol, Notre Dame, Disney World and Opryland. I am proud to have them represent both San Antonio and the nation at this momentous World War II anniversary.

I would like to recognize the choir's director, Dr. Thomas Hardaway, for his leadership and commitment to teaching children music, discipline, and teamwork. Dr. Hardaway recognizes that children are America's most valuable resource and, as such, they must have guidance to develop their skills and learn the value of civic service.

Most importantly, I would like to recognize the students of the Texas Children's Choir who have practiced diligently to obtain success. I am proud of their efforts, and I know they will continue to succeed in their future endeavors, including the lifelong pursuit of education and music.

I ask my fellow Representatives to join me in recognizing the Texas Children's Choir and to thank the children and their families for the sacrifices they have made to travel to Normandy, France so as to honor our World War II veterans.

Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity also to rise on behalf of the Texas delegation and congratulate the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) on these efforts.

Let me share with my colleagues that H.R. 4299, which designates the facility of the United States Post Office that will be located at 410 South Jackson Road in Edinburg, Texas, as the Dr. Miguel A. Nevarez Post Office Building, is fitting and proper.

Let me just say that I had the opportunity to serve in the Texas House for 11 years in the higher education committee; and during that period of time, I had the opportunity to work with the doctor there, and there is no doubt that his tenacity, his perseverance, and his dedication were displayed.

I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate him on the efforts not only at Pan Am but in higher education throughout Texas. During that period of time, we have found ourselves in Texas in the crossroads of lacking a lot of resources, and one way was to start capping enrollment and was to begin to expand the opportunities for south Texas; and I know Dr. Nevarez was there for us as a whole, making sure that those opportunities were there.

When we started to sue the State of Texas during that time, he was there to make sure that we followed through; and the results of those efforts resulted in a piece of legislation that allowed opportunities for the expansion not only at Texas Pan Am but also the 4-year institution at Brownsfield, the 4-year institution at Downtown San Antonio, the 4-year institution at Corpus Christi, the 4-year institution at Laredo, the expansion at A&I in Kingsville and others.

And he played a significant role in those efforts.

So I rise today in support of the naming of the United States Post Office for Dr. Miguel Nevarez and to congratulate his service.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and the chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), and my colleague on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud), for his great leadership as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Benefits.

Mr. Speaker, 60 years ago this June, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law one of the most extensive veterans packages to date: the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights.

While our troops were fighting in World War II, the Department of Labor estimated that after the war 15 million men and women who had been serving in the Armed Services would be unemployed. To reduce the possibility of postwar depression, a series of programs for educating and training American troops were designed and recommended to Congress by the American Legion.

Although some felt that the GI bill was too expensive and would lower standards in education, the Congress quickly passed the measure. Now the GI Bill of Rights is credited with contributing to the strong recovery of the United States post-World War II economy, and is recognized as one of the most successful domestic programs in the United States.

The GI bill put higher education within the reach of millions of World War II veterans. Starved for students during World War II, college campuses were suddenly overcrowded. The percentage of college- aged men and women grew. Students who had previously been told they were not college material were able to rise to the academic challenge. And most important, the GI bill accelerated the number of college- educated Americans.

In the last 60 years, more than 21 million veterans have been able to take advantage of the benefit included in the GI Bill of Rights. Another important provision of the GI bill was the billions of dollars provided to veterans to purchase homes and to start small businesses. These loans allowed the majority of Americans to transform from renters to homeowners, and the backbone of our economy, America's small businesses, prospered.

The GI Bill of Rights has been amended several times through the years, but the goal has remained the same, providing our veterans with a variety of benefits. And for this we thank those who allowed and who had the vision to pass forth this particular piece of legislation. And we thank our veterans for their service.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) for yielding me this time on this important resolution, and I thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) for deciding to do this, because it is extremely important.

Mr. Speaker, for over 50 years America's Greatest Generation has been waiting for a memorial to call their own. Although we have many great monuments in our Nation's capital, we lacked a tribute to one of our country's most defining moments. It is with great honor that I stand before this body today to pay tribute to the more than 60 million veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II. Among them was my father-in-law, Daniel Pena, and many more, relatives and uncles and cousins. I also pay tribute to those Americans who supported the war effort in the home front.

After 8 years of planning, 6 years of public discussion, 4 years of fund-raising and 3 years of construction, we can finally say America's Greatest Generation has won their final battle to have a national monument commemorating their many sacrifices.

It is estimated that our country suffers the loss of more than 1,000 World War II veterans each day. Many of these veterans were new soldiers with very little fighting experience. Many of them were teenagers. All of them were heroes. During this time, Americans were willing to set aside their differences in order to defeat tyranny. The building of this national monument is another way for us to show America's Greatest Generation that their sacrifice was not done in vain.

During Memorial Day weekend, the largest gathering of World War II veterans since 1954 is expected to visit our Nation's capital for the official dedication of the World War II Memorial. Similarly, veterans throughout the country will gather at their local VFWs and American Legion halls to pay respect to the local World War II veterans. As these gatherings occur, it is my hope that Congress continues to support all veterans by providing them with adequate health care and services. It is the least we can do for the Greatest Generation before us.