Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address H.R. 3598, the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2004.

I find it very important that we address manufacturing technology competitiveness at a time when over 8.2 million Americans are without employment and over 10 percent of African Americans are currently jobless.

Today the American economy is facing challenges unlike any that it has ever faced before. The sector most drastically affected by this decline is the manufacturing industry. Historically, the manufacturing sector has been a pillar of the American economy. Without a strong manufacturing base, we will not have a strong economic recovery. Not only is manufacturing a key source of skilled, high-paying jobs, but it also is critical to our economic and national security that we have the ability to manufacture goods we need in this country.

In my home State of Texas, more than 156,000 jobs have been lost since January 2001. The manufacturing unemployment rate continued to rise last month.

Mr. Speaker, when this bill was marked up in the committee, the vast majority of the suggestions from this side of the aisle were dismissed. The markup was uncommonly partisan. No matter how good the amendment was, and there were many amendments spoken about as being good, but no support.

So as we debate this bill on the House floor today, I am hopeful we can reach constructive consensus on many of the amendments being offered today, and I do ask that as many Members as possible join me in voting against the rule.

Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I pay tribute to the life and the memory of Chris Victor Semos. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a lawmaker, a humanitarian, and a leader in the community of God and the community of mankind. He was unflagging.

It was my privilege to serve with Chris Victor Semos in the Texas State capitol in Austin.

Elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1967, he served the people of his district and his state with honor, integrity and distinction for 16 years. A lawmaker's lawmaker, he served as the Chairman of the Claims Committee, the Business and Industry Committee, the Dallas Legislative Delegation. He was untiring.

His sense of timing was always perfect. Chris Victor Semos was born in 1936. This was also the year of the Texas Centennial. This was not by chance or happenstance, for he believed he was destined to celebrate Texas and all things Texas. It was the delight of Chris Victor Semos' heart to have the honor of serving as the Chairman of the Texas Sesquicentennial Commission. Because of the energy and the energy he devoted to the promotion and the celebration of Texas' 150th anniversary, his peers bestowed upon him the aptly descriptive sobriquet ``The Father of the Texas Sesquicentennial.'' He was indefatigable.

Chris Victor Semos also made a lasting impact on Dallas. For 12 years the people of Dallas County as the County Commissioner. He was elected to the office in 1983. During his tenure, he poured every ounce of his considerable energy into building roads and bridges around the county. He was unfaltering.

Because of his commitment to his community, Chris Victor Semos was the recipient of countless awards. His honors, his awards and his decorations are too vast to name. Emblematic of the esteem in which he was held by his peers and his community, the Oak Cliff Lion's Club honored Chris Victor Semos with the Humanitarian Award. It was not an honor that he took lightly. As a 50-year member of the Oak Cliff Lion's Club, he promoted the welfare of others and championed reforms that improved the lives of his fellow man and fellow woman. He was unrelenting.

Chris Victor Semos was filled with joy when he was united in holy matrimony with Anastasia, his bride of 37 years. His heart was filled with joy with the birth of each of his three daughters, Mary Katherine, Victoria Evelyn, and Kristina Anastasia. They were his greatest mark of distinction. His love and devotion for his wife and his daughters were unceasing.

Mr. Speaker, after a lifetime of devoting his life to serving others, Chris Victor Semos has gone to his eternal rest. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to former Texas State Representative Chris Semos. Moreover, I join with the city of Dallas and the State of Texas in mourning the loss of an outstanding citizen and friend.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege for me to pay tribute today to one of Texas' favorite native sons, Jack Valenti, the head of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for 38 years, who announced that he plans to retire in a few months.

Born in Houston, Texas, Mr. Valenti was the youngest graduate from high school at age 15 in the city. He began work as an office boy with the Humble Oil Company now Exxon located near my Congressional district.

As a young pilot in the Army Air Corps in World War II, Lieutenant Valenti flew 51 combat missions as the pilot-commander of a B-25 attack bomber with the 12th Air Force in Italy. He was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four clusters, the Distinguished Unit Citation with one cluster, the European Theater Ribbon with four battle stars.

He graduated with a B.A. from the University of Houston and from Harvard University with an M.B.A. In 1952, he co-founded the advertising and political consulting agency of Weekley & Valenti, which was in charge of press during President Kennedy and Vice President Johnson's eventful visit to Texas.

Mr. Valenti was in the motorcade (six cars back of the president) in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Within an hour of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Mr. Valenti was aboard Air Force One flying back to Washington with the new president as the first newly hired special assistant to President Johnson.

Mr. Speaker, it was almost 38 years and 22 days ago today that Mr. Valenti retired from his post as special assistant to Lyndon Johnson and became the President of MPAA.

In his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the MPAA, Mr. Valenti has presided over tremendous worldwide changes in the industry. New technologies, the rise in importance of international markets, and the tyranny of piracy have radically changed the landscape of the American film and television industry. It is Mr. Valenti's leadership and personal efforts that led the confrontation with these global dangers, problems and opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, our communities and our country have always relied on the contributions of those individuals who have the ability to rise above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of others, both personally and professionally. Jack Valenti has demonstrated an unfailing and tireless commitment to the betterment of the U.S. movie industry and the entire Nation.

Indeed, we need more people with his vision and energy to tackle the vast challenges we all face. It is reported in the print media that Mr. Valenti will continue his distinguished service to the people of this Nation as the president of a new Washington, DC-based not-for-profit group aimed at supporting the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

When someone leaves a post of importance, it is often said that his or her shoes will be hard to fill. But I can say without hesitation that, in Jack Valenti's case, this is an understatement. In addition to his excellent work on behalf of the movie industry, his influence has been felt far and wide--from the leaders of nations abroad, to young generation here at home.

Mr. Speaker, I would like this opportunity to thank one of Texas' favorite native sons, Jack Valenti for his years of contributions and dedicated service to the industry and the Nation. I wish him well on his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate MacArthur High School for receiving the Intel/Scholastic Twenty-First Century Schools of Distinction Award. Located in my district of Irving, Texas, MacArthur High School received the award announced yesterday by Intel Corporation. The school will receive a $25,000 grant from the Intel Foundation, in addition to technology tools and assistance.

Mr. Speaker, this is truly an honor for everyone at MacArthur High School who participated in this highly competitive contest and chosen as one of two recipients as the ``Best of the Best''. Recipients were selected for their performance in comprehensive programs exhibiting excellence in the use of technology, parental and community involvement, professional development, teamwork and high academic standards.

Each student at MacArthur is issued a school-issued laptop and access to a co-op curriculum, which includes work study and advanced placement programs, as well as concurrent enrollment at a nearby college. Teamwork, leadership programs, experimental lab activities and interactive student presentations are just a few examples of how these students make learning an adventure. For the past four years, the school has received the state's highest academic rating.

It has been discussed on numerous occasions and in numerous venues that the United States will not be able to lead--or for that matter, successfully compete--in the global economy if we cannot put a stop to the continuing shortage of highly qualified scientific and technology brainpower in this country.

This award is of particular significance, as I have long championed the need for more emphasis in science and math education, particularly for young children. I believe these students and others like them will become tomorrow's leaders in the fields of science and technology. Showing students the importance and the value of the science and technology fields is a life long process. It cannot happen overnight. It begins here and now. I implore our community leaders to also encourage science education in young men and women.

I would like to commend the Intel Foundation and Intel CEO Craig Barrett for their leadership and commitment to this initiative. The additional contributions of their corporate partners should also be acknowledged.

Mr. Speaker, again, I congratulate the students, teachers, principals and parents of MacArthur High School on this distinguished honor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about how Texas families and workers are struggling to survive during this administration's handling of our economy.

While Democrats here in the U.S. House of Representatives have been fighting to stop the exportation of American jobs and create more jobs here at home, the administration has chosen a completely different path.

In my State of Texas, we have lost over 175,000 manufacturing jobs. Health insurance premiums have increased by 65 percent since the beginning of the Bush administration. The cost of a college education has increased by 28 percent in the State since the beginning of the current administration. Household income has decreased by $204 over the past 2 years. 808,000 have joined the ranks of the uninsured in Texas since the beginning of this administration.

How long are we going to sit here and just talk about each other instead of addressing these issues?

As the law-making body, Mr. Speaker, of a system created to serve, protect and enhance American ideals, liberty and longevity, we must rebuild our economy, put families first before corporations and stop the rampant outsourcing of our jobs overseas.

Mr. Speaker and distinguished Members of Congress present, I come before you to celebrate the millions of working American women who are blazing a bright path for young women to successfully contribute to the American economy and, most importantly, to the future of our Nation. Women are the backbone of America's homes and of America's economy. Our presence and career fields such as science, business, and politics, has only brought improvement to these areas where women have traditionally been underrepresented.

Though women have made tremendous gains in closing the gender gap in the workplace in the past, the current status of women in the workplace has become stagnant and on a decline.

Instead of full and equal pay, women are still hitting the glass ceiling. In the year 2002, data from the AFL/CIO stated that women are paid 77 cents for every dollar men received.

Of course, before that it was 76. Nationwide, working families lose $200 billion of income annually to the wage gap. In addition to loss of wages, working American women have experienced a loss of jobs during the last 3 years. Following the 2001 recession, women workers lost over 300,000 jobs between the start of the recession and March of 2004. The 2001 recession marked the only period of sustained job loss for women in the last 40 years in the United States.

With startling facts like these, I ask, What is this administration doing to ensure equality in the workplace for working American women? Mr. Speaker, I am sorry to report that this administration has taken regressive actions to address the problems facing women in the workplace.

The Bush administration has made 25 publications on the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau Web site unavailable. This administration has disbanded and underfunded government offices that were established to address women, such as the Office of Women's Initiatives and Outreach in the White House and the President's Interagency Council on Women.

Mr. Speaker, these actions are really unacceptable, and Congress should lead the charge for procuring equality for women in the workplace by writing and passing bills that call for equal pay of both men and women employees for equal work, restoring the funding to government offices dedicated to women issues and reinstating the publications that have been removed from the Department of Labor's Web site regarding women in the workplace.

In the future, the majority of the workplace will continue to be female. What is this saying to our young people?

The Bush administration prides itself on being a champion of the economy and an administration that has taken action to stimulate our economy with tax cuts. However, this administration has failed to include women in this process for stimulating the economy. Women are 51 percent of the population in our country and growing, and over half of the working population is not being utilized to contribute to the growth of the American economy.

I urge my colleagues to take a stand against the degradation of the status of women in the workplace of this Bush administration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ambassador C.J. Chen of the Republic of China. He is returning to Taiwan after serving as his country's chief representative in the United States for the last 4 years.

Ambassador Chen's record of distinguished public service to his nation spans more than 30 years.

The Republic of China has been one of our most important and loyal allies in the world.

Ambassador Chen has worked hard during the last 30 years to strengthen the political, economic and cultural ties that bind our two nations despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between us and Taiwan.

Today Taiwan and the United States are friends, partners and allies.

Ambassador Chen began his first tour of duty in Washington, DC as a third secretary in the ROC Embassy in 1971. From 1980 to 1982, he was the director-general of the Department of North American Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei. In 1983, he began a 7-year stint as deputy representative at the Coordination Council for North American Affairs, Taiwan's ``diplomatic'' mission in Washington. In the 1990's he was deputy foreign minister and later foreign minister of the Republic of China.

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry that Ambassador Chen and his beautiful wife, Yolanda Ho, are leaving Washington to return to Taiwan.

During the last 4 years, Ambassador Chen and Yolanda have brought Taiwan closer to Washington, being gracious hosts at countless social events at Twin Oaks, a historic landmark which has made a lasting contribution to the maintenance of the traditional friendship between Taiwan and the United States and to the promotion of cultural ties between Taiwan and the U.S.

We are grateful for the time Ambassador Chen and Yolanda could spend here, but we look forward to seeing them again.

And we know both the Ambassador and Yolanda will continue to make contributions to the betterment of relations between Taiwan and the

Mr. Speaker, let me thank the leadership of this committee for facilitating the bringing of this resolution to the floor. I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 439 and encourage my colleagues to join me.

June 6 marked the 60th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of World War II that marked a decisive moment in the defeat of Hitler and Nazi Germany. While we commemorate the valiant heroics and sacrifices of the individuals who fought to preserve our liberty, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a group whose contributions have existed in the shadows since 1944, the Army Motor Transport Service, code named the Red Ball Express. The Red Ball Express, a predominantly African-American outfit, was a massive 82-day convoy effort that supplied the Allied armies moving through Europe. The convoy system expressed from St. Lo in Normandy to Paris and eventually to the front along France's northeastern borderland.

Persevering through arduous driving conditions and ambushes, members of the Red Ball Express performed their duties with utmost precision and efficiency. Their dedication sustained thousands of Allied troops during some of the most difficult periods of World War II. When the program ended in mid-November 1944, Red Ball truckers had delivered nearly 500,000 tons of fuel, lubricants, ammunition, food and other vital essentials needed for Allied success within the European theater.

In spite of the indignities, putdowns and double standards that they endured, members of the Red Ball Express contributed unselfishly to winning this century's greatest fight for freedom. I met several of them during the World War II celebration here this past Memorial Day holiday who are very proud of being a part of this group. Historically, no group of Americans endured what African Americans endured in uniform during World War II. They proudly defended America with no guarantee that their own freedom would be defended on their return home. This Nation's debt to African-American servicemen and women who served under those conditions can never be fully repaid but at a minimum we should certainly honor their service.

I urge my colleagues to join me in bringing this group's contributions out of the shadows and support House Concurrent Resolution 439.

Mr. Speaker, today, June 14, we celebrate Flag Day--a special time for all Americans to reflect upon, the important symbolism for which ``Old Glory'' stands.

Whenever we see our Nation's flag, we are reminded of what it stands for--the freedom to speak, worship, and believe as we choose.

On this particular Flag Day, I stand in honor of all our soldiers who are carrying out the real meaning of our flag in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in South Korea, in Haiti and in Asia.

The pledge to the flag is a spoken commitment to all that we as Americans hold dear: ``I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One nation, under God, with freedom and justice for all!''

It is a promise of hope, not only to us, but to the world. It should never be said lightly, nor be disparaged.

We have a lot to be proud of in this country and the flag symbolizes to us and the world what is best about America.

It speaks of tolerance, compassion, diversity, unity, and mutual respect. It is a reflection of the totality of America.

As we honor the red, white, and blue today, we should all recognize how lucky we are to be citizens of the country that the Stars and Stripes represents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4061, to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries.

This amendment is so crucial in that it provides targeted comprehensive assistance to those who definitely cannot help themselves.

Orphans and other vulnerable children are deprived of the single most important factor in their lives--their family or their parents.

By 2010, an estimated 106 million children under age 15 are projected to lose one or both parents. Among them, the number of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS is expected to jump to more than 25 million.

These orphans and other vulnerable children now live throughout sub- Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Conflict has orphaned or separated 1 million children from their families in the 1990s.

H.R. 4061 would help communities to ensure that orphans and other vulnerable children have a secure and healthy childhood by providing essential services, such as basic care, health services including treatment for children with HIV/AIDS, mental health care, school food programs, and job training.

Orphans and other vulnerable children are not especially visible because millions of children are dispersed over many families, in communities where the hardships of individual children are lost from sight.

H.R. 4061 will increase access to needed services, ensure parity for orphans and other vulnerable children and build local capacity for effective decentralization and targeting of services as well as multisectoral coordination among service providers.

H.R. 4061 would allow for school fees to be waived providing a free basic education policy for millions of orphans and vulnerable children, many of whom had never enrolled in school or had dropped out because they simply could not afford the school fees.

Due to their status, these children are often most vulnerable and at risk of becoming victims of violence, exploitation, trafficking, discrimination or other abuses. Unaccompanied girls are at especially high risk of sexual abuse.

Children orphaned by AIDS are themselves particularly vulnerable to infection because they often have no one to care for or protect them, or any means of earning a living.

A 2001 report by the International Crisis Group found that ``young people with no job, no income, and no family to support them are at risk of joining, or being abducted by local militias.''

A young Sierra Leone youth told an audience at the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Children, ``We want a better life. We want peace. We are counting on your governments and the UN's continued support for help.''

H.R. 4061 would provide the help this young boy so desperately needs. I urge full passage of this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, let me begin my remarks by thanking both the chairman and our ranking member for such a cooperative spirit in this committee; and it is appreciated by, I am certain, Members on both sides of the aisle.

I rise in strong support of the Oberstar motion to instruct conferees to accept the Safe Routes to School program as included in H.R. 3550. The House version outlines a stronger, more flexible program than the Senate version. The House version will provide much-needed funding for infrastructure improvement and safety initiatives, ensure that States receive no less than

$2 million a year, and would improve the ability of kids to safely and conveniently get to school by walking or biking.

In my home State of Texas, the requests for funding for this popular initiative have been overwhelming, with request amounts far exceeding our current budget amounts.

So I urge my colleagues to address the congestion around our Nation's schools and provide increased physical fitness opportunities for kids by supporting this motion to instruct.

Mr. Speaker, thanks to the authors for bringing forth this resolution.

I rise to salute Rosie the Riveter.

Women affectionately known as ``Rosies'' revived the image of the feminine ideal. Rosie the Riveter's slogan of ``we can do it'' helped mobilize millions of American women who sowed the seeds for the women's rights movement.

During World War II, as more and more American men were sent off to battle, over 6 million women did their part to ease the hardship for America by taking over jobs that had been previously exclusively male.

Rosies filled the void in America's workforce by working under very poor conditions for very little pay in factories doing welding, machining, building aircrafts, fixing tanks and armament factories.

Although the average Rosie the Riveter's salary was $31.21 a week for her labor, as compared to $54.56 a week for the men that still remained, these women fought social discrimination, gender harassment, and physical abuse.

Rosie the Riveter's image of a strong, competent woman was a symbol of patriotic womanhood.

Rosies all over the country showed their strength and their power and their pride.

We thank these women who paved the way for women's empowerment. Women are capable of doing anything. It is too bad that it took a war to make everyone see it. Times would never be the same again.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4317.

A fellow Texan, Charlie Wilson was educated at the U.S. Naval Academy and served overseas as well as at the Pentagon. After retiring from the Navy in 1960 with the rank of Lieutenant, he returned back to Lufkin and ran successfully for the Texas Legislature, serving in that capacity for twelve years.

In 1972, Charlie was elected as the U.S. Representative for the 2nd Congressional District of Texas and began has distinguished 24-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Naming the Lufkin VA Clinic in honor of Congressman Wilson would be a fitting tribute to such a devoted public servant.

Mr. Speaker, this is National Small Business Week; a time to celebrate and recognize America's small business entrepreneurs.

I honor our nation's 23 million small businesses and recognize their vital contribution to our nation. I want to especially thank my good friend, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez from New York and applaud my House colleagues for their hard work on behalf of small business. Additionally, I thank the many small business owners for their numerous contributions.

Small business is the backbone of our state and national economy. Unfortunately, many small businesses are suffering in these trying financial times. Government contracts and spending are a vital source of revenue, and have become even more so during this current economic slump. Small businesses lack high powered lobbyists, therefore it is imperative that all levels of government continue to pay diligent attention to small business in their purchasing and contracts. It is important that we ensure that businesses of all sizes have access to government contracts regardless of their ability to buy influence.

As Congress continues its work, I will dedicate myself to assuring that good news is on the way for small businesses. Both our federal and state government have an obligation to aid, assist and protect the interests of small businesses. The future of America depends on it. I will continue to strongly support federal programs that benefit small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our soldiers who have died in the service of our country in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As of May 19, 2004, 783 American men and women had lost their lives as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and 123 American men and women had lost their lives as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

I am forever indebted to these courageous men and women because the fight for freedom is not without loss.

I fully support the military families of these heroes who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our country.

In my State of Texas, we have lost 84 men and women defending America's dream of democracy and freedom for all.

I am sure all Texans join me in letting their families know that we consider all of them heroes because they died answering the call of our country.

It is because of them we enjoy our freedom and live in the greatest country there is.

Father Dennis Edward O'Brien of the USMC wrote the following poem honoring our soldiers:

It is the soldier, not the reporter,

Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet,

Who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us

the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier

Who salutes the flag,

Who serves beneath the flag

And whose coffin is draped by the flag.

Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the names of the fallen Texas soldiers be printed in the Record. May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn and God bless America.

Texas Fallen Heroes