Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 128 I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Chairman, I have listened carefully to the statements of the supporters of this amendment and I apologize for having to say that I have never seen more profoundly misguided statements.

As a Californian, I am acutely aware of how we got into problems in California, how this bill, at least partially will get us out, and how the substitution would do nothing but leave us with the problem we are in.

There is no question, California's problems came from misguided laws that led to market manipulation, no question at all, companies took advantage of it. But also the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power took advantage of it, and at least this law as it is written will cause some control over that public power. Right now, we cannot get a penny back from the manipulation that went on with public power.

Additionally, there is no question in my mind that California will continue to have problems unless we have a functional transmission system. Today, we do not. Without the kind of reforms that this provides, we will not have it. Please vote down the substitution.

Mr. Speaker, today the Vista National Little League celebrates its 50th season of serving the boys and girls of the Vista area. There will be a Golden Glove Gala to celebrate this special occasion. The efforts of the many volunteers that have contributed countless hours to the success of the league deserve special recognition.

During the past fifty years, approximately 20,000 children have played baseball with the Vista National Little League. Little League baseball gives children the opportunity to learn about discipline, teamwork, respect, dedication, responsibility, competition, character, and sportsmanship. Little League baseball provides positive influences for children and promotes lifelong friendships.

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the Vista National Little League's 50th anniversary, I would like to personally recognize the work of those who have served as coaches, team parents, board members, snack bar workers, and field maintenance managers.

Mr. Speaker, today the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce will proudly host the official grand opening of their new offices. There will be a ribbon cutting and reception to commence this special occasion. I want to ask special recognition for the efforts of Mr. David Nydegger the Chief Executive Officer of the chamber for his hard work in making the new offices a reality.

The Oceanside Chamber Mission Statement reads ``To promote a strong business climate throughout the City of Oceanside, serve as leader and advocate for the business community, enhance the economic stability of the city and act as a collective voice for business concerns.''

I believe that the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has been successful in achieving the goals stated in its mission statement. Since its doors opened in 1896, the chamber has effectively promoted local business and been a valuable resource to the Oceanside business community.

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the chamber's grand opening, I would like to personally recognize the work of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the businesses and citizens of Oceanside.

Mr. Speaker, today I join my many colleagues in mourning the loss of the seven courageous men and women on board the space shuttle Columbia. This is indeed a tragic loss, for the families of these seven astronauts, and for our Nation. These men and women committed their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and, in that pursuit, they made the ultimate sacrifice. For their courage and self-sacrifice they will be forever remembered as heroes.

While the Columbia tragedy demonstrated the risks involved in manned space travel, it also reminds us that NASA has had an excellent performance record over the past four decades. The courageous and talented men and women of NASA have made discoveries in space that have profoundly improved our lives on earth. Our exploration of space, our pursuit of knowledge must go on. As the families of the Columbia seven have stated, we cannot look back, we must press forward with our exploration of new territories.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here today, remembering these fallen heroes. I am grateful for the resolve of our astronauts, our President, and Americans everywhere to remember the past while looking to the future. I urge my colleagues to unequivocally support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 141, a bill authorizing the Office of Management and Budget to adopt a new econometric model for calculating the 7(a) Guaranteed Loan Program's subsidy rate.

The subsidy rate for the 7(a) program has not accurately reflected the actual performance of these loan portfolios since the passage of the Credit Reform Act in 1990.

The continuous over statement of the subsidy rate resulted in the Small Business Administration cutting back both the amount of loans and the maximum loan size under its highly effective Section 7(a) loan program. The SBA has reduced the maximum 7(a) loan size they can guarantee from $1 million to $500,000. The 7(a) loan program is a vital source for nearly $11 billion of new capital for small businesses every year.

Passage of S. 141 and the adoption of the new econometric model will enable the SBA to boost 7(a) lending authority from $4.8 billion to $8.2 billion for Fiscal Year 2003. This model will reduce the 7(a) credit subsidy rate, and should prevent any further economic damage from cuts to the largest federal assistance program for small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, as we look to small businesses to restore economic growth, we must allow the Office of Management and Budget to modernize its credit subsidy calculation model. I thank you for the opportunity to speak and urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to introduce our guest chaplain, Senior Pastor Barry Cook, of the Ambassador Family Church in Oceanside, California.

Pastor Barry Cook was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. He attended Logos Christian College and has a doctorate in Ministry, Christian Leadership, and Church Growth. Dr. Cook has been a full-time minister for almost 20 years.

Pastor Cook is joined today by his wife Terri, whom he has been married to for 13 years. He is also joined by his daughter, Joy, who is a fourth grader at Vista Christian School.

After opening its doors seven years ago, Ambassador Family Church has quickly grown to approximately 800 attending members. Pastor Cook has been very active in outreach efforts to the community through local food and clothing distribution, financial recovery seminars, leadership classes and marriage and family counseling.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chaplain Coughlin for his invitation to Pastor Cook to offer the invocation. I would also like to thank the Cooks for traveling to our Nation's capital to be with us today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the occasion of the city of Vista, California's 40th Birthday. I am a long-time resident and also have the distinct honor of representing the citizens of Vista in Congress.

Forty years ago Vista was a small agricultural community located in northern San Diego County. The residents felt that the community was being neglected due to its isolation from downtown San Diego. In order for the community to grow and expand, the residents of Vista

knew that they would have to unite and incorporate as a city. On January 28, 1963, the citizens of Vista voted to incorporate. The Vistans made the right decision and since its incorporation, Vista has experienced an enormous amount of growth and change. Today, Vista is a community of nearly 90,000 residents.

The people of Vista have always had a strong sense of tradition, family-values, and a value for diversity. For these reasons I chose Vista as the place to raise my family and the ideal place to grow my business. Vista is a community that has successfully linked culture, education, and commerce. Vista hosts a variety of community events year-round and enjoys an award winning public school system. Vista's business-friendly reputation and centralized location between Southern California's trade centers makes it attractive to businesses.

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the city of Vista's 40th year of incorporation, I would like to personally thank all the citizens and community leaders that have molded Vista into the community it is today. I wish the citizens of Vista good fortune and continued success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Rancho Buena Vista High School band and pageantry, an award winning group that was selected from a pool of hundreds of high school bands throughout the United States and abroad to participate in the 114th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.

Rancho Buena Vista High School located in Vista, California, has developed an instrumental music program that is one of the best in Southern California. The marching band, The Rhythm of the Ranch, and pageantry received top awards in the 2001 competitive season by winning the distinction of Grand Champion at the Etiwanda Field Tournament, Lester Oaks Field Tournament and the Savanna High School Field Tournament. The Rancho Buena Vista Drum Line also won the top award and was named Grand Champion in the spring 2001 Drums Across California Competition.

The Rancho Buena Vista High School band and pageantry was one of only 24 bands chosen to participate in this world famous parade. The Tournament of Roses Parade is seen each New Year's Day by approximately one million spectators, a domestic television audience of 80 million viewers, and an international audience of over 350 million people. The Rhythm of the Ranch band members raised the money to participate in the Rose Bowl Parade through extensive fundraising efforts. One of the marching band and pageantry's proudest accomplishments was being featured in an educational video produced by Warner Brothers Publications that was released and premiered at the school in January 2002. The video, Here Comes the Marching Band, was shown in conjunction with a fundraising dinner and the money raised was used to fund the parade trip and cover the costs of new uniforms and equipment.

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the Rancho Buena Vista High School band and pageantry's participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade, I would like to congratulate them for their demonstration of excellence in music and performance. I wish them continued success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rick Windbigler the 2002 President of the Fallbrook, California Chamber of Commerce. Rick Windbigler is an exceptional community leader, business leader and model citizen of Fallbrook.

Mr. Windbigler has provided leadership by working on programs of importance to Fallbrook and San Diego County with local, county, state and federal officials. His work on the Gavilan Fire Victims Fund, Keep Fallbrook Clean and Green, Valley Center Mexican fruit-fly emergency and Christmas programs with the Marine Corps are all examples his outstanding leadership skills.

In addition to his leadership he has been a model of personal involvement. Rick has assisted in such community projects as the redecoration of the chamber's office, placing flags on Main Street, Avocado Festival logistics, volunteering during Holiday celebrations and attending hundreds of events to represent the Fallbrook Chamber and its members.

Rick has demonstrated his community leadership in many successful chamber programs which has resulted in an increase in chamber membership. Under Rick's leadership the Fallbrook Chamber experienced a year of record breaking fundraising with successful events such as the Honorary Mayor Race and Golf Tournament, record attendance at the Avocado Festival, SunDowners, Friendly Village Forums and Christmas Parade.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to personally thank Mr. Windbigler for his service to the people of Fallbrook and wish him good fortune in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to remember the life and work of former Congressman Wayne Owens. I did not know Wayne when he was a member of this body: I met him two years ago when he came to my office asking me to support the Middle East peace process.

Wayne's tireless commitment to Middle East peace, his willingness to reach across party lines, to go anywhere, and to talk to anyone, has been a source of inspiration to all who believe that Arabs and Israelis will one day live together in peace and security. He was a study in moderation and tolerance, a compassionate man who believed that all people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Wayne was also a true patriot. He loved his country and he believed that our values of freedom, prosperity, and tolerance should be shared with the entire world, particularly the Middle East.

But what makes this moment most painful for me is that Wayne Owens was my friend. He was a true champion of peace, and he lived and died serving humanity. He will be missed dearly.