Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Farm Bill.

I commend Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Goodlatte for producing a fair compromise that will go a long way in sustaining our agricultural system as well as supporting vital nutrition, conservation and research programs.

I would also like to thank the Chairman for including language directing the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of waste water infrastructure along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Many rural communities along the border are living with inadequate waste water treatment plants and sewer management systems.

Without improved infrastructure and access to clean water these communities face significant public health threats.

This study will determine what steps the Federal Government can take to bring inadequate waste water systems in rural border communities up to date.

In my district alone I have heard from the communities of Sabinal, Clint, Fort Stockton, Presidio and Fort Hancock, Texas, all of which are in desperate need of assistance with their waste water management systems.

I represent over 600 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border and when I travel through my district I hear over and over again that these communities need help.

Our rural and underserved populations need our support in addressing the health hazards that come with insufficient water management systems and this study is a critical first step.

Current programs at the USDA Rural Development agency provide for loan/grant awards for rural infrastructure needs.

More often than not, the loan portion is 75 percent or more of the award. As we all know, waste water systems can range from $5 to $10 million or more. Rural communities do not have the revenue or tax base to take on loans for millions of dollars.

If these programs are the only assistance we have to offer, then we need to reevaluate these programs.

It is my hope, that this GAO study will shed some light on this issue and will provide a critical first step to bring adequate waste water systems to our rural communities on the border.

Again, I thank the Chairman for his work on the Farm Bill and for the inclusion of this important language.

Mr. Speaker, I want to personally thank both the gentleman from Tennessee and the gentleman from Illinois, Chairman Davis, for allowing me this opportunity. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Honorable Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson for bringing forth this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Claudia Taylor ``Lady Bird'' Johnson. Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson was a woman of incredible caliber, a woman whose contributions of admirable causes have bettered not only Texas, but the entire Nation as a whole.

She redefined what it meant to be a First Lady. Along with championing the environment, Lady Bird Johnson was a confidante to her husband, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and was invaluable to his efforts, improving not only health care but education. She, like no one else, understood the importance of early intervention when it came to education. Her efforts in Head Start to this day are there to show that Head Start has been a program that reaches out to these poor youngsters. Head Start has also proven that those youngsters that participate in Head Start are less likely to drop out than those that don't. She understood that from the very beginning.

Lady Bird Johnson knew and had that Texas charm and wit. Her passion for the environment has left a lasting mark on America. Thanks to her tenacious effort in initiating beautification projects, the Nation's highways are more pleasant to drive on and the Nation's Capital is a lovelier sight. The city of San Antonio, where Lady Bird married President Johnson, has also benefited from the First Lady's efforts.

Her highway beautification projects had a lasting impact not only in San Antonio, but throughout Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation says Lady Bird Johnson's Highway Beautification Act that became law in 1965 annually dispenses over 5.6 billion wildflower seeds of some 30 varieties, including our State flower, the bluebonnet. Lady Bird devoted much of her later life to beautifying her home and the State of Texas with admirable work.

With eternal gratitude from all of us, I ask you to join me today in remembering the magnificent work Lady Bird Johnson has done for all of us. I want to thank her for what she has done for all of us.

Let me just say that every spring as we go along the highways and as the flowers bloom, we will remember her for what she has done for all of us. She now rests near the Pedernales River in Texas. Her legacy will forever be with us.

Let me just indicate that the gentleman's premise for his amendment is incorrect. I would also just add that Mexico is the number one country that has the largest number of U.S. citizens that are residing within Mexico.

I would also mention to the gentleman that it is one of our major trading partners, and I would ask that as we look at these type of issues. There are 21 other countries that fall into the category. So to treat one differently is, in all honesty, very discriminatory, and I would hope that we would look at that as we move forward, and thank you for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Frank and my friend Congressman Hinojosa for bringing forth this important legislation and making it a priority for the American people.

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1982, the Rural Housing and Economic Development Improvement Act of 2007, a bill that would implement an assistance program to support economic and housing development in rural areas. This act would provide assistance to Indian tribes, State housing finance agencies, State community or development agencies, local nonprofit organizations and community development corporations.

According to the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service, in Texas alone, more than one million people have lived in public housing over the past 60 years. In Texas and throughout the country, the majority of families living in public housing have very low income and have no alternative to public housing.

My Congressional District is very rural, and housing in these very low-income communities remains a top concern. This act would allow sustainable low income housing and improve the economic standard of our working-class families in Texas.

I ask all my colleagues to join me in supporting those in need of assistance by voting for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 483, to recognize the anniversary of Big Bend National Park.

Sixty-three years ago the State of Texas bestowed the 800,000 acres of pristine desert and mountain terrain that now make up the Big Bend National Park upon the United States of America.

Big Bend began as a small State park, but in 1942, just following the Great Depression, Texas purchased 600,000 acres of land from private landowners at the price of $1.5 million.

The cost was high at the time, but Texas donated the land to the Federal Government for the establishment of a national park.

With that gesture, the State of Texas provided the Nation and its citizens with a majestic national park that has been enjoyed for over a half a century so far.

This resolution pays tribute not only to the picturesque landscape of the park itself, but to those who made it possible to preserve this land for generations to come.

Everett Ewing Townsend, known as the father of Big Bend National Park, was the champion of this effort.

In 1894 Townsend traveled to the Chisos Mountains and later recalled that the breathtaking southern view from the mountains made him ``see God as he had never seen Him before.''

He vowed to preserve the region in some way, and 63 years later we can see that he has made good on his promise.

His efforts, first in the State Legislature and later as the Commissioner of the national park, provided the United States with an unspoiled tract of land that has since been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Big Bend National Park, encompassing the region where the Chihuahuan Desert intersects with the Chisos Mountains features a distinct landscape.

The park is surrounded on the south by the mighty Rio Grande.

The outer boundary is marked by the area where the flow of the river shifts from southeast to northeast, forming the giant bend after which the park is named.

With river, mountain and desert all in one, Big Bend National Park could easily be considered three parks in one.

However, west Texas is fortunate to have such a diverse environment preserved within the boundaries of one awe-inspiring park.

The establishment of Big Bend National Park in 1944 allowed the vast expanse of land to be conserved.

At the same time, it protected the rich history of the region.

Native people have inhabited the area for thousands of years, and in more recent years diverse groups of people have traversed the Big Bend.

In the past century and a half Spanish explorers, Comanche Indians, Mexican settlers and American ranchers have all traveled through or lived within the park's terrain.

Thus, this important resolution recognizes the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of

Big Bend National Park and the people who made their way through the region well before then.

H. Res. 483 also honors the National Park Service for their work in the Big Bend.

It is important that we recognize Big Bend National Park's contributions to our Nation as well as the contribution that the park's founders and staff have made to the land since then.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Presa Community Center on 30 years of outstanding service to the Southside community of San Antonio.

In 30 years, the Presa Community Center has grown from a small collaborative effort between five local churches able to lend a hand to a few needy families to an organization with the ability to help hundreds of people daily. The Presa Community Center has successfully developed multi-faceted programs for our community, including educational enrichment programs for students, emergency food and clothing assistance for families, free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Program, and many senior programs like coordinated transportation to medical appointments, activities and food assistance, just to name a few.

Just in the past year, Presa Community Center has developed three innovative programs to provide additional services to the community of South San Antonio. One is Project Drive to Live which takes court officials directly into the classrooms with senior and junior high students to address underage drinking and driving under the influence. The second program is designed to keep fourth through sixth grade students in school by building a support network for children and their parents with volunteer mentors and staff. The third program brings the services of the Presa Community Center directly into the community by teaming up trained volunteers with families in need to help locate available resources and become financially stable.

The successes of the Presa Community Center are a result of effective partnership with many community organizations and local governments including United Way, University of Incarnate Word, Presa Real, San Antonio Independent School District, Alamo Area Council of Governments, Warm Spring Rehabilitation Hospital, and San Antonio City and Bexar County officials.

Congratulations to the Presa Community Center and all of the partners that have been vital to the development of this community resource. As a resident of South San Antonio, I would like to thank the Presa Community Center, its partner organizations, and all the hard working staff for their 30 years of dedication to the community and I look forward to many more years of continued work in our community.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Let me take this opportunity, first of all, to congratulate the chairman, Congressman Price, on this particular piece of legislation. Let me also share with you, as a member of this particular subcommittee, of this particular committee, we had some 22 hearings. The gentleman speaks about the importance of being able to see, in terms of transparency. We had 22 hearings. That is much more than in the previous time.

We had an opportunity, also, to visit the border. We went through Arizona all the way down to San Diego. We had a chance to look in terms of the border and the type of technology that is required in order to safeguard our border, not to mention the fact that we also looked at the different types of fences that are being utilized. And there is no

doubt that there is a need there, especially in the areas in Arizona and elsewhere where we visited, where there is a need for blocking vehicles from coming in.

I was really impressed with the type of technology that is already there. And I am impressed that the bill will also provide additional resources to allow additional technology throughout the entire border.

This bill is a bill that authorizes direct Federal funds to also help law enforcement officers on the border. I represent 700 miles along the Texas/Mexico border. I have probably the largest district that comprises those 700 miles along the border. And we have a tremendous amount of resources and need in that area in order to safeguard the community as well as provide good security.

One of the things that we provide is the Stone Garden project. That allows resources to be able to be utilized by the sheriffs and by the local law enforcement officers to help out, and all the other communities to be able to participate with the Federal officers to be able to make things happen on the border.

Let me just share a few examples. We get complaints from some of my communities that are very small, right on the Mexican border, that might have three to six policemen. One little car accident or one item can get them all engaged in that one activity while the local taxpayer has to carry the burden. The Federal Government has the responsibility, and this bill allows that opportunity to do that.

To us, homeland security is important. Homeland security is key. This bill has no earmarks. In the past, I have been informed that it has had very few earmarks. And so it is something that is critical and important. We felt that we needed to provide additional resources to some of those communities. There is also a need for us to provide those resources on not only the south, but on the northern border, also.

The bill provides grants to hire, train and equip local law enforcement officials in these communities. There is also some reimbursement for individuals that are caught, undocumented individuals on the border, whether they be trafficking with drugs or with human smuggling, which is also an area that we need to continue to work on. This bill allows that opportunity for us to begin to fill those gaps.

There is no doubt that we have not made the investment. This bill begins to provide that investment that is needed to protect our borders.

The reimbursement of county and city law enforcement agencies for costs also associated with detaining, housing and transporting individuals who have entered the country illegally is essential because my border community, the local taxpayer, has to carry that burden. This Federal Government has a responsibility.

So I share with my individual friends on the other side and say that it is important for us to pass this piece of legislation. I think it provides good resources for our communities throughout.

It also provides funding for the construction and maintenance and operation of detention facilities that are essential. As you well know, in some cases, sometimes we will find some 80 illegals coming in through Arizona, and you pick up a large number of individuals. So you have to have the number of staff required in order to process them and in order to bring them through. We also provide the resources that are needed to begin to enhance the technology that is being utilized in order to make that happen.

What is also important to note is we also need to begin to see what is more cost effective when it comes to the border in terms of the technology. There has been a lot of talk about the fence. The reality is that a border patrolman will tell you that the fence allows you 1 or 2 more minutes just to be able to do that.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Not on this amendment. I spoke on one of the other amendments.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today, and I want to indicate how important this bill, H.R. 2638, is to the entire country as a whole. This bill has particular significance for any American concerned about promoting the necessary and difficult objective of protecting our homeland.

As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, it has been a pleasure for me to work with the chairman and the leadership on adding language and enhancing the quality of this bill and strengthening the general provisions of it.

As a Member who represents a district that goes from both the Texas to the Mexico border, I'm distinctly aware of challenges that confront law enforcement officers charged with upholding criminal laws such as the drug and human trafficking. In recognition of this inherent danger represented to the law enforcement officials, also to private landowners along the border, and elected officials concerned about the border issues and statutory requirements imposed on the Department of Homeland Security to erect, also, the fence barriers that span 370 miles along the southwestern borders. I was also pleased to dialogue with the chairman on these issues and making sure that we go about them in the right way.

The first objective that I want to just briefly mention and talk briefly about is the fact that our border communities need additional resources. This bill begins to provide those resources. Our law enforcement on the cities, as well as the sheriffs that are unanimously in favor of doing what they can to protect our borders and to protect our communities need help, and they need help drastically. This bill begins to provide this assistance.

I wanted to, again, reemphasize the fact that this bill is an essential bill that allows us to be able to protect this country in a way that we should. I know the other side has talked about the bureaucracy and the fact that we haven't responded appropriately, and I agree with them. We haven't, and that's why we have added some additional resources. That's why we also had 22 hearings of which I can tell you, because I have been here prior to this, and we had not had hearings the way we've had now to hold the agencies accountable. No one knows that better than myself.

I just had a community in Eagle Pass that went through a tornado that killed seven people, also hit the Mexican side, killing three, and the difficulty that I had in getting FEMA to respond and the administration to respond. So I understand the incompetency that exists within this administration and the fact that we've had difficulty in getting them to respond to our needs.

But the bottom line is that when we're hit with floods, when we're hit with drought, when we're hit with tornados and other, we have to be able to have the resources necessary for them to be able to do that. And so when we were hit in Eagle Pass, I remember distinctly going through there. I also went over on the Mexican side, and I deliberately went over there also because I know that they had been hit harder.

And I also went back because I know that the Mexicans, especially from the state of Coahuila, had come to help us during Katrina. They sent their support there in San Antonio, helping to feed some 20,000 that had come to San Antonio from Katrina, and I know that they had been extremely helpful.

But we have got to make sure that FEMA has the resources and that they are also held accountable. I know that we are going to continue to have additional hearings in order to make that happen.

I also want to personally thank our leader for helping us with the Stonegarden project.

I would like to yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I want to thank Chairman Price.

I know that you also provided some guidance as we went to New Orleans and visited New Orleans and got an opportunity to see still the devastation and the fact that we haven't done enough there, and I want to personally thank you for the leadership in that area. We not only went there, but you also took the committee along the border to look at the fences that are out there, the barriers for cars and those things that are important.

Madam Speaker, sixty-three years ago, on June 12, 1944, Big Bend National Park was established in southwest Texas along the Rio Grande River. The scenic national park encompasses more than 800,000 acres of pristine desert and mountain terrain.

Known as ``Texas' Gift to the Nation,'' Big Bend began as a modestly- sized State park, but its area was expanded greatly by the state before being awarded to the Nation. After Congress passed legislation allowing for the acquisition of land in the region to establish the park the state of Texas purchased approximately 600,000 acres of land from private owners, at a cost of $1.5 million, in 1942.

The purchase of such a vast expanse of land at such a high price in the midst of the Great Depression was an incredible feat for the State of Texas. Despite the cost, the State donated the land to the Federal Government for the establishment of the national park. With that gesture Texas provided the nation with a majestic national park that has been enjoyed for over a half a century so far.

Big Bend National Park has a rich history. For thousands of years it was traversed by and inhabited by native peoples. For the past century and a half it has also seen Spanish prospectors; Comanche Indians; Mexican settlers; and Anglo-American farmers, ranchers and miners.

Everett Ewing Townsend, the ``Father'' of Big Bend National Park, was the champion of adding Big Bend to the National Parks Service's purview and is most responsible for the preservation of this region where the Chihuahuan Desert intersects with the Chisos Mountains and the flow of the mighty Rio Grande River shifts from southeast to northeast forming the bend after which the park is named. Sixty-three years ago Everett Townsend's efforts provided the United States with an unspoiled tract of land that has since been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors. In its first year, Big Bend National Park recorded 1,409 visitors, but today it receives over 300,000 visitors a year. Today, I recognize Big Bend National Park on its 63rd anniversary and thank the National Park Service for preserving this region for future generations.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, today I rise in support of this piece of legislation. This bill has particular significance for all Americans concerned about promoting the necessary and difficult objectives of protecting our homeland.

As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, it has been a pleasure for me to work with Chairman Price on adding language and enhancements that will make the bill stronger and generally more effective.

As a Member who represents a district that comprises 700 miles along the Texas-Mexico border, I am distinctly aware of the challenges that confront frontline law enforcement officers charged with upholding criminal laws such as drug and human trafficking. In recognition of these inherent dangers presented to law enforcement officials, also to private landowners as well as elected officials concerned about border issues, and the statutory requirements imposed by the Department of Homeland Security to erect a fencing barrier that spans 370 miles along the southwestern border, I was pleased to work with the chairman, who was working with me on these two distinct issues.

My first and most important objective that I would like to address is regarding homeland security grants that would hopefully help the border cities and the law enforcement personnel that are on the border such as the police and the sheriff, the first responders, for stemming the tide of drug and human trafficking along our border. Chairman Price was instrumental in working with me and helping us to obtain $15 million for funding for Operation Stonegarden, a program that this administration failed to seek funding for and which had previously been funded in 2006.

Operation Stonegarden began as a successful pilot program in 2005 and helped 14 border States on these issues. The initiative gave the States the flexibility that the Department grants provided to enhance coordination among not only the States but local community and Federal law enforcement agencies that are drastically needed. This pilot program resulted in an estimated 214 State, local, and tribal agencies working 36,755 man-days on various public safety as well as border security operations on the border.

The budgetary constraints imposed on the committee precluded more funding in this area, but the bill language sends a clear message that programs such as Stonegarden are viable and will serve as a funding aid to the law enforcement communities along the border.

Stonegarden did not receive funding last year. The funding assists local authorities with operational costs and equipment purchases that contribute to border security. The funds are intended to be used for operations involving both narcotics and human trafficking.

The second objective regarding the fencing and the barriers that are necessary, I want to thank the chairman also for working with us in making sure we provide these types of barriers in an appropriate manner.

I believe that the bill reported by the full committee and under consideration by the full House represents the most viable approach that can be utilized. I want to thank the chairman for allowing us to be able to present this bill. And as you well know, Mr. Chairman, this is a bill that is critical, an area that we have been lacking in this country where the administration has failed to provide the appropriate resources on the border. So I want to thank the chairman for allowing us to do that.

Amendment Offered by Mr. King of Iowa

I want to thank my friend and colleague from San Antonio, Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, for taking this opportunity tonight for us to recognize those soldiers that have served our country and that have been immigrants and are noncitizens of this country. I want to personally thank him for allowing this opportunity for us to be able to do that.

There are approximately 69,300 foreign-born men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces, roughly 5 percent of the total active duty force. Of those 43 percent, which is 29,800, are not U.S. citizens. I repeat, of those that are serving our country, of those 69,000, 43 percent, or 29,800, are non-U.S. citizens.

The Pentagon says more than 100 immigrant soldiers have died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last 5 years. I want to repeat that again, that over 100 immigrant soldiers have died both in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This evening, I join my colleagues in paying tribute and recognizing the service of these men and women who, out of the desire to become citizens of the United States, enlist and fight proudly and bravely for our country. They display the ultimate symbol of patriotism and of commitment to defending a dream that we all share.

The service and sacrifice of these brave immigrants is often lost in our debate over immigration reform. That is why I am here this evening to share the story of immigrant soldiers from the 23rd Congressional District. The story and life of the soldier is of great significance to the State of Texas and the Nation.

Earlier this year, Texas State Representative Chente Quintanilla of Texas introduced a resolution to the Texas House of Representatives paying tribute to the life of Sergeant Israel Devora Garcia. Sergeant Garcia of Clint, Texas, died in Iraq on April 1, 2006, at the age of 23.

Sergeant Garcia was attached to the Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, based in Baumholder, Germany, and was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was mortally wounded while conducting a dismounted patrol in Baghdad.

He was born in Zacatecas, Mexico. Sergeant Garcia came to the United States at the age of 6 and graduated in 2001 from Clint High School in Texas, where he was an honor student. Although he completed all of his required courses ahead of schedule and was told that he only needed to attend school part-time, he insisted on attending a full day and, in his spare time, helped tutor other kids.

Drawn to the military at an early age, Sergeant Garcia spent 4 years in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and demonstrated a notable capacity for leadership. In addition to winning first and second place medals during week-long camps at Ft. Bliss, Texas, he attained the rank of major and served in the executive office of these units.

Family and friends will forever remember Sergeant Garcia for his cheerful nature, his great zest for life and his strong desire to help others. In his leisure time, he enjoyed playing the guitar with friends, and he had a special passion for soccer.

After fulfilling his commitment to the Army, Sergeant Garcia's plan was to study law enforcement at Texas A&M University and hopefully apply for the FBI in the Border Patrol. Sergeant Garcia earned United States citizenship shortly before he died, and he was officially proclaimed a citizen at the cemetery in Clint, Texas.

Notwithstanding the dangerous nature of his mission, this courageous soldier performed his mission with dedication and professionalism. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Through his unfaltering devotion to duty, honor and his country, Sergeant Israel Devora Garcia embodied the highest ideals of the United States Armed Forces, and his valiant efforts in the memorable sacrifice are deserving of honor by every American.

Sergeant Garcia is survived by his mother and his father, Frances and Lorenzo Sandoval; his sister, Rosa Sandoval; and his brothers, Adrian Sandoval and Lorenzo Sandoval, Jr. Sergeant Garcia's story may not seem like that of other veterans, but this represents part of the American history that has too often been overlooked.

His story, like the stories my colleagues are sharing tonight, are stories of immigrants in this country. This evening we share those stories of individuals that are out there giving their all. More notably, the American public must understand and recognize that noncitizens have served and have died for our country, not only during the Iraq and Afghanistan war, but during every single war during this country's struggle.

I take this opportunity to once again thank Charlie Gonzalez for allowing us to have this opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, Iraq must be held responsible. No one can be forced to have a democracy; they must want to themselves.

The Iraqi government must meet the security, political and economic benchmarks that they have set for themselves. I would think that every Member of this Congress would want to hold the Iraqi Government accountable for the promises it has made earlier this year.

On our supplemental, the bill fully funds the troops for the next 2 to 3 months, ensuring that they have everything they need to conduct their mission. The bill includes additional funding to include improve military readiness above the President's request. The bill includes additional $1.8 billion for veterans' health care above the President's request. The bill also includes additional funding for the troops above what the President has requested. It is time for us to hold the Iraqi government responsible and ask them to come up to the plate as we have done ourselves.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you for this time and for your willingness to work with me on issues that are important to my district and to the State and the country as a whole.

As you know, I represent one of the longest stretches of the southern border with Mexico, my congressional district, the 23rd. Eleven counties in my district are on the Mexican border, and a variety of others are 20 miles away from the Mexican border.

As I travel throughout my district, one of the most common concerns is the lack of resources rural law enforcement officers have on the border. These departments often have just a few officers on the entire force, and they have to handle the same drug cases and human smuggling cases that large cities do. Except processing these cases in small communities means taking half or, in some cases, all of the staff in those particular communities.

I had planned to offer an amendment that would have provided necessary additional resources for the border to local police departments as well as the sheriff's departments to hire and equip and train additional officers. I have withdrawn that amendment with the hopes of being able to work with the chairman and this committee to bring this critical aid to our local law enforcement on the Mexican border.

Mr. Chairman, once again, I thank you; and I would ask for your help and your assistance.

Mr. Speaker, for the last 4 months, we have taken control of the House, and we have headed in the right direction, bringing back necessary oversight of this administration and producing positive results for the American people, especially as it dealt with the special interest groups.

We got off on a quick start, passing six bills during our first 100 hours that will make college and prescription drugs more affordable and will expand economic opportunities for millions of Americans who have not received a pay raise in the last 9 years. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to indicate to you that we will continue to do that.

We also passed the budget for 2007 that should have been done last year, striking out all earmarks and adding additional money for our veterans, $3.6 billion.

I am pleased to also announce that we passed a supplemental that added additional money for our veterans, an additional $1.8 billion for our war veterans. Unfortunately, the President has vetoed this piece of legislation.

We are going to continue to push forward in making sure that we have oversight over these committees.

Madam Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to a great educator: Mr. Paul Vranish, Superintendent for Tomillo Independent School District. The Texas Education Agency named Mr. Vranish the Communities in Schools Superintendent of the Year.

Mr. Vranish became the Superintendent of Tomillo ISD in June 2002. He was recognized for his part in his ``Parent Chats'' program which encourages better communication between the community and the school district.

Along with increasing dialogue between the district officials and the public, Mr. Vranish has also worked to bring his students and community the information and technology they need to excel in the world by providing increased computer access and free high-speed internet access to Tomillo, a small Texas town near the Mexico border.

Mr. Varnish is a dedicated educator who has done much to provide a quality education

for his students and community. I wish to congratulate Mr. Vranish for receiving the Communities in Schools Superintendent of the Year from the Texas Education Agency.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of The Film School of San Antonio, a magnet program on the campus of Harlandale High School in the Harlandale Independent School District of San Antonio, Texas.

Utilizing a rigorous, sequential and customized curriculum, the Film School of San Antonio provides first hand experience in the collaborative arts of filmmaking, screenwriting, animation and drama. Additionally, the film school prepares students for job opportunities, scholarships and college admissions. With a strong foundation in media, students also compete in national contests and film festivals.

The Film School of San Antonio and its students have earned a wealth of awards and accolades. In 2005, the program received an Emmy nomination for their film ``La Corrida,'' a documentary on the plight of illegal immigrants in ``No Mans Land'' just north of the U.S./ Mexican border. In 2006, the program's student produced film Mocha, made history when it won a non-student category Emmy Award. This is the first high school to be able to claim this achievement in Texas. Most recently, the school was invited by the Sundance Institute to attend the internationally recognized Sundance Film Festival to meet and network with Producers and Directors.

The famous actor and filmmaker Orson Welles once said that, ``A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.'' The students at the Film School of San Antonio are poets that through film find their expression. Through their engagement with the program and the assistance of their dedicated teachers, the students at the Film School of San Antonio are able to give their poetic visions a reality.

I extend my most sincere congratulations to the program director George F. Ozuna; the school instructors: Pete Barcenez, Dagoberto Patlan, Daniel Garcia and Sharon Shuler; the school's students: Briana Baiz, Mercedes Casarez, Krysten Casias, Samuel Garcia, Michael Levine, Felix Perez and Raul Servin; and their families. Their work is inspiring. I am proud of their success and hope that film continues to bring them much personal satisfaction.

Van Junior Senior High School,

Van, WV, February 22, 2007.

Congressman Nick Rahall,

Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington, DC.

Congressman Rahall: We are the Senior Civics class of Van

Jr/Sr High School in Boone County, West Virginia. We watched

President Bush's State of the Union Address and the

Democratic Response. We are writing to you to discuss our

concerns within the government today. Our Civics class

consists of all male students, who (if the draft is enabled)

would be sent to fight for a cause we don't understand.

Our primary concern is the war in Iraq. We are in favor of

fighting terrorism, but America went into Iraq under false

pretenses. We now know that Iraq had nothing to do with the

attack on 9/11. We believe that the reason we went to Iraq is

to gain a stronghold on the oil fields. We are trading blood

for oil. We have strong feeling that America should have

never invaded Iraq because our presence there is breeding

more terrorism around the world. We are giving terrorists a

common foe to retaliate against. We are incubating more

hatred from other terrorists and now giving them a reason to

unite hence the statement, ``The enemy of my enemy is my

ally''.

We highly oppose the sending of 2l,000 more soldiers to

Iraq. Instead, we must start bringing soldiers home, because

who is going to protect us while our soldiers are fighting

overseas? Some soldiers are serving their third tour of duty

against their will, compliments of the Backdoor Draft.

America should have never gone further than Afghanistan. We

have forgotten about Osama Bin Laden in our rush to topple

Saddam Hussein.

All we are doing right now is debating while our soldiers

are loosing their lives. Let us quit talking and do

something! Young lives and futures depend on your actions.

Please take into consideration the lives you can save instead

of destroy.

Another of our concerns is the way our economy is being

affected by the war. Just think of what 2.9 trillion dollars

could have done for this nation. Then look at this figure,

oil companies are making an annual profit of 39.5 billion

dollars while many people in this nation are suffering in

poverty. They are suffering because in today's society one

cannot support a family on the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour.

Only three percent of Americans today are financially well

off. The outsourcing of good paying American jobs is causing

our unemployment rate to rise. If this trend continues,

poverty will become more common and our society will become

even more unstable.

The money spent on the Iraq war has put a tremendous amount

of pressure on the recipients of Social Security. Many older

Americans have to choose between medication and food because

they cannot afford both. Add to this the fact that thousands

of Americans still do not have any health insurance.

America has become greedy and corrupt. When did America

stop caring about the common people? The Civics Class of Van

High School wants the voice of the common man to be heard in

Washington, D.C. We are the future of this great nation and

our representatives must consider this while debating the

course our country will take, not only in Iraq, but also at

home.

Sincerely,

The Senior Civics Class of Van Jr.-Sr. High School:

Justin Gent, Christopher Boulet, Robert Burnett, Joshua

Cook, Jason Hoosier, Matthew Kuhn, Terry Legg, Gregory

O'Dell, Jonathan Simms, Robert Valle, Scott White,

Kasey Whitman.