Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, June 20, 2006, I was absent due to a family obligation. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 292, agreeing to H. Res. 877--Providing for the consideration of H.R. 5631, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, June 20, 2006, I was absent due to a family obligation.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 293, suspending the rules and agreeing to H. Res. 731--Commending the Patriot Guard Riders for shielding mourning military families from protesters and preserving the memory of fallen service members at funerals.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, June 20, 2006, I was absent due to a family obligation.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 294, suspending the rules and agreeing to H.R. 5228--To require representatives of governments designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism to disclose to the Attorney General lobbying contacts with legislative branch officials, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, June 19, 2006, I was absent due to a family commitment.

Had I been in attendance, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 289, final passage of H.R. 5540--Sergeant Jacob Dan Dones Post Office Designation Act.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, June 19, 2006, I was absent due to a family commitment. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 290, final passage of H.R. 5504--Larry Winn, Jr. Post Office Building Designation Act.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, June 19, 2006, I was absent due to a family commitment.

Had I been in attendance, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 291, final passage of H. Res. 826--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Youth Sports Week should be established.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleague, Joe Baca, for taking the lead on this very important issue, and to the gentleman from Texas, Charlie Gonzalez, for yielding to me.

I also find it very disturbing that extremists are using the immigration debate to stir up racial division and hatred. Whether it is in the form of violent anti-immigrant video games, in hate speeches, in racial slurs, in graffiti, in our schools, or in political debate, it is wrong.

I am here to ask you to ask our countrymen to say enough is enough. It is not a moral nor a decent way to treat or speak about our fellow human beings. Along with many of my colleagues, I implore individuals, families, and communities all over the country to stand up against this hatred.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 794, recognizing the 17th anniversary of the massacre in Tiananmen Square.

I would like to thank Chairman Henry Hyde, Ranking Member Tom Lantos and Congressman Chris Smith of the House International Relations Committee, as well as the International Relations Committee staff, for their work on this bill.

House Resolution 794 rightfully commends all persons who are peacefully advocating for democracy and human rights in China. The resolution condemns the ongoing human rights abuses by the government of the People's Republic of China, and calls on that government to cease the inhumane treatment of pro-democracy activists, prisoners of conscience, minorities, and religious groups.

The resolution includes language regarding Dr. Wang Bingzhang, a family member of constituents from the great city of La Puente, CA. In June of 2002, Dr. Wang was abducted in Vietnam by Chinese authorities and held in solitary confinement in China for six months, during which time the Chinese government denied any knowledge of his whereabouts. In December of the same year, the Chinese government reversed itself and acknowledged he had been in their custody. Dr. Wang was then issued a life sentence after a closed, half-day trial.

Dr. Wang has been refused a fair trial, and the Chinese government has refused to release any evidence to substantiate Dr. Wang's alleged crimes. Dr. Wang is currently being held in Shaoguan prison in Guangdong Province, where he is on a hunger strike. Prison authorities continue to deny Dr. Wang access to Western medicine which he needs for his serious health issues.

I thank the Members of the International Relations Committee who supported this bipartisan resolution. I look forward to the committee's continued work to end the deplorable, appalling and unjust treatment of dissidents by Chinese authorities.

My staff and I will continue to work on this critical issue, and I look forward to Dr. Wang's release and return to his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment that the Republican Leadership caved to political pressure and failed to protect critical mental health funds for treatment of our Veterans, as originally provided by the Senate in the emergency supplemental spending bill.

Although this supplemental bill will fund many important priorities, it also includes billions of dollars in wasteful spending while ignoring the very practical, immediate mental health needs of our veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I commend my colleague, Senator Akaka, for his leadership in amending the original House passed version to include an additional $430 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The $430 million sum was specifically designed to supplement direct health care, mental health care, and transition services at the VA, but was misguidedly removed by conferees and is no longer present in this final conference report.

To assist our veterans in readjusting to civilian life, the amendment would have included $80 million for Vet Centers, a readjustment counseling service provided by the VA. Over the years, Vet Centers have provided services to a total of 118,811 Operation Iraqi Freedom/ Operation Enduring Freedom veterans. So far this fiscal year, Vet Centers have provided services to 70,547 of these veterans. Unfortunately, this conference report virtually flat-lines the Vet Center budget.

The Senate amendment also included $168 million for the VA's comprehensive Mental Health Plan. This plan establishes a stronger network of primary and mental health care providers in order to better care for the over one third of our returning veterans who have experienced some sort of readjustment issue.

Finally, the Senate amendment provided $182 million for the shortfall in service at VA hospitals, where new veterans waiting for their first clinic appointment to be scheduled has doubled this year. Over the course of 2 years, the number of new enrollees waiting for veterans' health care has increased by over 400 percent.

Time after time, we have been told by mental health advocates that the VA's capacity is simply inadequate. Recent studies have shown that 35 percent of Iraq veterans have sought mental health services, with 19.1 percent of Iraq veterans and 11.3 percent of Afghanistan veterans reporting a mental health problem. We must be prepared for the VA to handle this demand.

Our returning men and women in uniform deserve adequate healthcare and transition assistance, which our country promised to them when they volunteered to serve, and is our duty as a nation to provide.

Mr. Speaker, this failure to provide comprehensive assistance for veterans' healthcare should be a wake-up call for those in support of our troops who cannot count on this Administration or the Republican leadership to look out for our veterans needs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to Alan Clayton, who recently retired after more than 24 years of distinguished public service. His leadership in numerous advocacy efforts has helped to improve the life of Latinos in the United States, especially for my constituents in the 38th Congressional District and throughout California.

Alan Clayton has been working in public policy and civil rights since 1985. Over the next two decades, he held a wide and lengthy variety of positions fighting for equal opportunity, advocating fair representation, and defending key programs. He has most recently worked as the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity for the Los Angeles County Chicano Employees Association since 1994. His work has been recognized by civil rights organizations, Latino employee groups, and many local agencies.

In 1985, while he was a State civil rights representative for the California League of United Latin American Citizens, Alan filed a petition with the Governor and legislature over the lack of representation for Latinos in California State Government. His work lead to a joint legislative task force on the issue, and further efforts resulted in a redistricting for Los Angeles that better reflected representation for the Latino community.

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Chicano Employees Association, Alan filed a complaint against the California Department of Health Services in 1987 for their systematic discrimination against Latinos in their hiring and promotions. The complaint was settled in 1992, resulting in the successful allocation of funds towards equal opportunity recruitment.

Alan has also been a leader in advocating for Latino empowerment in the redistricting of the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District. These redistricting efforts in 1991 lead to the election of a second Latino to the Los Angeles Unified School District Board and a third Latino to the Los Angeles City Council.

His work on civil rights continued in 1997, when he began a five year effort fighting for a state senate bill that would allow extended outreach to minority groups and women in recruitment programs conducted by public sector agencies.

Through his role as Director of Equal Employment Opportunity at the Los Angeles County Chicano Employees Association, Alan co-drafted and was the principle advocate for the Schiff-Cardenas Juvenile Justice Act of 2000. It has since provided over 550 million dollars of new money for juvenile programs administered both by probation departments, governmental agencies, and community based organizations. Since 2001, Alan has played a leading role in increasing representational fairness in Los Angeles County, both through ballot efforts to expand the Board of Supervisors, and through work that has increased the Latino community's ability to elect candidates of their choice for both the school district and city council.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to personally acknowledge and congratulate Alan Clayton for his many years of dedicated work. I ask my colleagues to join me and the many organizations in applauding his important efforts on behalf of California's Latino community. I wish him and his wife Diane continued success, health and happiness in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Brandon Jason Archuleta, a distinguished Class President of the United States Military Academy at West Point over four consecutive years, a forthcoming graduate, and my constituent from the great city of Montebello, California.

On Saturday, May 27, 2006, Cadet Lieutenant Brandon Jason Archuleta will complete his term at West Point Academy with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in American History and a commission as a Field Artillery Officer in the United States Army. As a freshman, or ``Plebe,'' at West Point, he was elected by 1200 of his peers as President for the Class of 2006. During his second year he was re- elected to a life-term representing his peers, while he continued to expand his academic accomplishments and his extracurricular involvement. He has received the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Assault badge, while his leadership has been profiled by both MSNBC and the New York Times.

Brandon's studies included research into comparative politics, political participation, legislative procedures, defense policy, international security, and the media. In his fourth year, Brandon focused his senior thesis on American Politics. His work highlighted Hispanic Members of Congress and analyzed how concerns over ethnicity impacted their voting behavior and representation. While preparing this thesis, Brandon visited the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), interviewed several members, and was invited to attend a Caucus meeting in Washington where he met Senator Kerry. His study makes a unique contribution to the West Point academic community, as one of the first known research efforts on Hispanic Members of the 109th Congress.

Brandon Archuleta was born on November 24, 1983, to Bob and Vera Archuleta. A lifelong Montebello resident, he attended La Merced Elementary and Intermediate schools, becoming heavily involved in the Student Councils at both schools. He became an Eagle Scout, played baseball for several years, and developed artistic skill in both band and drama. Brandon attended St. John Bosco Catholic High School in Bellflower, and remained involved in: the varsity football team, 3 terms as class president, swim team, campus ministry, and the school newspaper. Brandon graduated with honors from St. John Bosco in 2001, and was chosen to deliver their commencement speech on behalf of his graduating class.

Shortly after graduating, he traveled to New Jersey where he attended the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, followed by his appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2002. As a Field Artillery Officer, Archuleta's first assignment will be with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. After five years of preparation and training, Brandon is ready for another five year commitment as a commissioned officer in the United States Army.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to personally acknowledge and commend Brandon Archuleta for his dedication to leadership and continuing service to our country. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Brandon on his many achievements, especially upon his West Point graduation, and honoring his exemplary service as a role model for America's youth. I wish him all the best for his future.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 615, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to repeat all the accolades that have been showered upon a former Member of Congress who I had the opportunity to meet but unfortunately never was able to work alongside of him. You have heard how he was a trailblazer and how he cared for all minorities, all people that were the unvoiced of America; that he chose his battles to where he would stand on this floor and advocate relentlessly on behalf of all the poor and all the unjust things that were carried out against the many peoples of the United States.

I can tell you, though, that from listening to the many stories said about this wonderful individual, you are able to put a picture of a human, humble, dedicated, compassionate, loving family man who devoted his life to politics to make life better for all. And as you have heard, Mr. Speaker, he has become the trailblazer of Latino politics in not only California but in the United States; that, because of him, many of us now are able to stand before great bodies and be able to voice the concerns of those who have no voice in these Chambers.

Mr. Speaker, we have great pride; and another accomplishment of this great man is that he and four other individuals, including the father of our seated Member of Congress from San Antonio, Charlie Gonzalez, Henry B. and several others joined together to form the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, which now fosters young Latinos for future leadership of this country. Another great accomplishment.

I could go on, and I probably would be repeating a lot of things, but there are a lot of unsaid accolades that this gentleman, this gentle man was able to transmit to those many people who knew nothing of him but knew of his greatness.

To his daughter, Lucille, my good friend, we are very, very happy she is here and trust that he is smiling down upon her.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, it is with deepest sympathy that I pay a special tribute to my constituent Sgt. Arthur A. Mora, Jr., who was killed in Balad, Iraq on October 19 when his vehicle was hit by enemy fire. His passing at the age of 23, marks the end of a young and promising life which had already exemplified duty, honor and heroism.

Arthur will be remembered as the quiet student at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera who missed having his photo taken for the senior yearbook. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 27, 2000. Upon completion of basic training, Arthur was assigned to the 1st Battalion, the 3rd Air Defense Artillery, and the 3rd Infantry Division followed by Bravo Battery 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Camp Pelham, Korea. He returned to the 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry at Fort Stewart, Georgia. In July 2005, Sgt. Mora was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Mora's awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Ribbon, the Army Service Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal.

Family members say they draw comfort in knowing that Arthur was doing what he wanted. He was a young man who loved the military and would have most likely made a career in the Army.

Arthur is survived by his wife Veronica, daughters Olivia, Celina and a newborn son, Christopher, whom he had never seen. He is also survived by his mother Sylvia Mora of Montebello, sisters Michelle, Celia, and his brother Paul.

His family and friends will miss this caring young man greatly, and to them I extend my sincerest heartfelt sympathy and pray that they will receive God's comforting graces in their time of sorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the second largest Armenian-American community in the state of California to welcome His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church. We are honored that His Holiness will be visiting our state during his October pontifical travels.

Catholicos Aram I has served the Armenian Apostolic Church with distinction since he was consecrated as spiritual leader in July of 1995. His major priority has been to reorganize and revitalize the work of the church, particularly in the areas of theological education, cultural activities, youth outreach, and the promotion of peace, justice and human rights. Additionally, he has increased the social service work of the church, improving assistance to orphans, to vulnerable children, to the elderly, and to the disabled.

I am particularly grateful that His Holiness will be visiting the 38th Congressional District on Oct. 8th, where he will attend a ceremony at the Armenian Genocide Monument at Bicknell Park in the city of Montebello. This is the only Armenian Genocide Monument to reside on public property in the United States. It is a reminder to our communities of the horrible atrocities that befell the Armenian people 90 years ago, and the world's continuing struggle against genocide wherever it occurs.

Mr. Speaker, it is a special privilege to serve my constituency on the Committee on International Relations, which recently passed H. Con. Res. 195, Commemorating and Recognizing the Armenian Genocide, and H. Res. 316, Affirming the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide. H. Con. Res. 195 acknowledges the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire, and H. Res. 316 recalls the proud history of U.S. intervention in opposition to the Armenian Genocide. I hope the full House will have an opportunity to vote on and pass these important bills. The United States Congress must honor the many survivors of the Armenian Genocide who have made our nation and my district their home.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming His Holiness Aram I as he visits the Armenian Genocide Monument in Montebello, CA. This will be a rare opportunity for the Armenian Apostolic community in my district to hear from their spiritual leader. My district, the Los Angeles region, and the state of California are deeply honored by his visit.