Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to S. 256, legislation that will make it harder for individuals to eliminate their debts after liquidating most of their assets by filing bankruptcy. Thousands of women and their children are affected by the bankruptcy system each year. This bill will only inflict additional hardship on over a million economically vulnerable women and their families. In fact, women are the fastest growing group to file for bankruptcy. More than 1 million women will find themselves in bankruptcy court this year, outnumbering men by about 150,000. Women who lose a job, have a medical emergency, or go through divorce make up more than 90 percent of the women who file for bankruptcy.

This legislation's means test provision would require even the poorest filers--struggling single mothers, elderly women who are victims of scam artists--to meet complicated filing requirements to access the bankruptcy system. In addition, the bill would make it much harder for women to collect child support payments from men who file for bankruptcy because the bill gives credit card companies, finance companies, auto lenders and other commercial creditors rights to a greater share of the debtor's income during and after bankruptcy. This bill pulls the rug out from under economically vulnerable women and children. It increases the rights of creditors while making it harder for single parents and others facing financial crises.

This harsh bankruptcy reform legislation will not help those families that are struggling to get by. This bill will do nothing to reduce the number of bankruptcy filings or address the problem of record-high consumer debt. It is a gift to the credit card and banking industries; but one that will be paid for by those least able to afford it. Instead of giving a handout to credit card companies, we should ensure that Americans losing their jobs or struggling with medical debt have a second chance for economic security. That is what our bankruptcy laws are intended to provide. This bill is terrible for consumers, working families and women, and I urge my colleagues to vote against it.

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 107 on motion to recommit with instructions (S. 256) I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 108 on final passage (S. 256) I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my Republican colleagues to join me in restoring the ethical system to this Chamber.

Currently, a member of the Republican leadership is at the center of a troubling array of investigations into corruption, abuse of power and ethics violations. Instead of being forthright and open to these allegations, the Republican leadership has stripped the ethical rules of this institution to cater and protect one of their own. By doing so, Republican leadership has abandoned a tradition of trust and transparency in this body.

As Members of Congress, we are responsible to adhering to the ethical guidelines set forth by this Congress. As public servants, we must answer to the American public, and while we craft the law, we are not above the law.

I urge my colleagues to answer the concerns of the American public and remove the question of any possible ethics violations that tarnish the reputation of this Chamber. Democrats want to restore strong, bipartisan ethics rules. It is time Republicans join us in passing the Mollohan resolution and restore the ethical system and the integrity it upholds in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to voice my concerns regarding Social Security privatization and how it is going to affect hardworking Hispanics and Latino families and especially the women Latinas.

About 46 percent of older Latinas depend entirely on Social Security in retirement. In fact, 60 percent of Latinas over the age of 65 would live in poverty if they did not receive Social Security.

If President Bush privatizes Social Security, young Latinas in their 20s and 30s will see their benefits cut by at least 30 percent.

Latina moms rely on Social Security also if their husbands become injured or die. The work injury rate for Hispanics in the year 2000 was 16 percent compared to 11 percent of the overall population. Therefore, Social Security disability benefits are particularly important for Latinas and their families.

The President's plan will not help Latinos or our families. Let us start talking about real solutions, helping our families that work very hard day in and day out.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to S. 686, Relief for the Parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo.

I am very disturbed that this tragedy is being used for what seem to be political purposes.

I am concerned because this bill would set a dangerous precedent in dealing with a very serious and personal issue. This bill is an intrusion into a family's medical decision and Congress should not play a role in a private family matter when it is being dealt with in the State courts.

As Congress, we should respect the sanctity of the judiciary and not use legislative powers to overturn court decisions when we disagree with such decisions.

I wish for Terri, her husband and family peace.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise because the constituents in the 32nd Congressional District are very concerned about the privatization of Social Security.

There are nearly 60,000 Social Security beneficiaries in my district who are very concerned about the risky privatization scheme that the President is proposing. However, other young workers also are very concerned about the future of their retirement security.

To date my office has held well over 25 senior center visits, high school visits, parent centers visits, and health care facilities visits, and we have spoken to constituents about this proposed privatization plan. We have been asking them to fill out surveys on how they feel about Social Security. We have one in English and one in Spanish.

Overwhelmingly, my constituents are telling me that they are not in agreement with the proposed privatization plan. They would like to see a secure and a structured reform that would truly be available to every single individual that needs and requires Social Security assistance. I would like to tell Members that we have received well over 300 responses through e-mail and direct mail from our constituents who are resoundingly saying that the President should rethink his plan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Mrs. Boy Jin Wong who passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2005. A resident of West Covina for nearly 50 years, Mrs. Wong was a businesswoman, breast cancer survivor, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and wife.

Mrs. Wong and her husband, Bing Tew Wong, opened the Great Wall restaurant in the 1950s just as West Covina was growing from less than 5,000 residents to more than 50,000 residents. Her son, Council Member Ben Wong, said ``despite her limited English language skills, countless Great Wall customers will remember being warmly greeted by her and her enduring smile.'' When the Great Wall closed its doors in 2001, then Executive Director of the West Covina Chamber of Commerce, Fred Burkhardt, stated ``the Great Wall is an institution of West Covina that is going to be severely missed.''

Mrs. Wong is remembered as a generous person and someone who treated everybody as if they were honored guests. Mrs. Wong and her husband donated money for scholarships and to build a school in their home village in China. She was an active member of the community, participating and contributing to numerous local organizations and charities.

It is with pleasure that I honor the life of Mrs. Boy Jin Wong. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and community.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Jennifer Grodsky, a dedicated, intelligent and compassionate woman whom I have been very fortunate to have as my Legislative Director for the past four years.

Jennifer joined my office shortly after I was elected to Congress in 2000. Having received excellent training as a Legislative Assistant for former Congressman Julian Dixon of California, Jennifer quickly assumed her role as Legislative Director with great ease and competence. She played an instrumental part in establishing my office protocol and creating a strong legislative staff.

As Legislative Director, Jennifer has coordinated my legislative agenda with much success. She has overseen my introduction of numerous bills, including two which have became law. Her extensive knowledge of the legislative process and a wide array of public policy issues has proved invaluable to my office. Since Jennifer's first day in the office, she has approached each and every task I have given her with the utmost professionalism and dedication.

Jennifer's keen understanding of the health care challenges facing my district and the nation has been particularly important to me as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Task Force on Health. Jennifer has organized numerous briefings and events to heighten awareness about accessing affordable health care and persisting racial and ethnic health disparities, including spearheading very successful events sponsored by the Congressional Hispanic, Black, and Asian Pacific American Caucuses in Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida. Jennifer played a lead role in developing the Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act, the Democratic Caucus' comprehensive bill to address racial and ethnic health disparities, and shares my strong concern for the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. Her passion for improving our nation's health care system, particularly for the Latino and other minority communities, is one of Jennifer strongest attributes.

As my appropriations staffer for the past four years, Jennifer has helped me to secure millions of dollars in federal assistance for important projects in East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, including the expansion of the Azusa Health Clinic and the development of computer training classes at Project Amiga

in South El Monte. These projects have, and will continue to make, an enormous difference in the lives of families living in the 32nd Congressional District of California.

Jennifer's intelligence, kindness, and professionalism have earned her the trust and respect of her colleagues. She has served as a mentor to all of the staff, teaching them about the legislative process and various public policy issues with patience and understanding, earning the nickname ``Mama Grodsky'' among my staff.

Jennifer's departure from my office will be a tremendous loss to my staff and me. While I am sad to see Jennifer leave my office, I am proud of her new career advancement as the Director of Federal Affairs for the University of Southern California. As a Magna Cum Laude graduate and proud alumnus of this renowned university, Jennifer will be an invaluable asset to her new office. The University of Southern California will be very fortunate to have such a talented and bright young woman to lead its new Washington, DC, office. I join my staff in Washington, DC, and district offices in El Monte and East Los Angeles in wishing Jennifer the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the California Chapter of Verizon's Hispanic Support Organization for hosting the 7th Annual Hispanic Support Organization National Conference. Since its establishment in 1988, the Hispanic Support Organization, a Verizon employee resource group, has been working to advance the professional needs of Hispanic employees, improve the communities where Hispanics live in, and support Verizon's initiatives in the Hispanic community.

It is my pleasure to recognize groups like Verizon's Hispanic Support Organization for their service to the professional development of our Latino community. This year's theme for the conference is called: ``Construyendo Nuestro Futuro y Destino/Building Our Future and Our Destiny.'' The Hispanic Support Organization has been doing this kind of investment in our community for more than 16 years. With the growth of the Hispanic community in the United States, it is important that organizations keep providing opportunities for the personal and professional development of Hispanics.

Verizon's Hispanic Support Organization has done an outstanding job with their mentorship program and scholarship program, while at the same time providing financial assistance to organizations that serve the needs of the Hispanic community. The intellectual and social benefit that the Hispanic Support Organization provides to its members fosters an environment of support and encourages the creation of leaders in our community. I wish the Hispanic Support Organization much success at its conference in Los Angeles this week and in the future.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to oppose cuts to the Community Development Block Grant program in the Republican budget.

The Community Development Block Grant program provides critical funding for public safety, affordable housing, economic growth initiatives for cities, counties and Native American communities.

The district I represent strongly opposes these cuts. And I have heard from a lot of people, the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission, the League of California Cities, the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing, and mayors from various cities in California, in addition to the County Native American Indian Commission. All of them strongly oppose the proposed Republican budget which seeks to cuts back important funding for cities like mine, particularly onethat I represent.

The city of Rosemead has used this vital money to help provide residential rehabilitation assistance to over 100 elderly and disabled households. In addition, they have done testing for lead poisoning in low-income homes.

So I urge my colleagues to enact a budget package that contains sufficient funding for community development that helps the underserved neighborhoods, like mine in the 32nd district, throughout the country.I urge my colleagues to support the Spratt alternative.

Mr. Chairman, today I voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2005 Iraq and Tsunami Relief Supplemental.

This decision was difficult for me. I strongly opposed the REAL ID Act of 2005. The REAL ID Act has no place on a bill to fund support for our military families and tsunami victims. In fact, I voted against H.R. 418 when it was considered by the U.S. House of Representatives on February 10, 2005. This type of political game was vicious attempt to portray those who believe REAL ID is a bad policy as unpatriotic, and I refuse to make servicemembers and their families' losers of that game.

I voted for this spending bill because it includes equipment and services that our troops and their families need desperately. It includes additional funds for health care services, mental health for veterans, active duty servicemembers and their families, and financial assistance to help members of the National Guard transition back into civilian life. This legislation also provides an increase in the amount of life insurance for troops, an increase in the death benefit for families of fallen military members, and provides additional funding so our troops have the armored

humvees and personal protection they need while serving in Iraq.

With the knowledge we have today about the lack of protective equipment and inability of our system to serve military families, I do not believe that withholding funds from our military families and tsunami victims is the right way to solve the predicament the Bush Administration has created. I remain very concerned about the Bush Administration's lack of a clear exit strategy in Iraq and I will continue to fight for real immigration reform and for a clear plan so our troops can come home and democracy can thrive in an Iraq run by Iraqis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of cleanup of leaking underground storage tanks and this bill to extend part of the funding source for this program. However, I am concerned that this resolution only guarantees this funding source through October 1, 2005.

Leaking gasoline tanks are a major problem in this country. There are currently 136,000 leaking tanks across the country. More than 36,000 of these are in California--more than 100 currently leaking in my district alone. Seventy-five percent of these leaking tanks could release MTBE into our groundwater supplies. This problem is not going away.

The EPA estimates that over the next 10 years 120,000 more tanks could leak. That means 120,000 more communities polluted--harming their soil and water and public health and leaving communities with the cleanup bill.

To put it in perspective, cleanup from MTBE alone could cost at least $28 billion.

So while I support this legislation, the cleanup problem is much bigger than a 6 month extension--our communities and states deserve a real funding commitment.

Ironically, while we are here today talking about ensuring funding for 6 months, the current energy bill, like last session's bill, threatens to gut the program.

Last year language was inserted in the energy bill which would largely gut this program which our communities and water providers depend on.

Changes to this program in the energy bill restrict the Environmental Protection Agency from getting money for cleanups from polluters-- therefore rewarding polluters at the expense of working families, communities and states.

Taxpayers should not shoulder the burden of cleanup costs.

Language in the energy bill also fails to require that tanks be inspected every 3 years as recommended by the General Accounting Office. In fact, under the energy bill, it could be six years before these tanks are inspected.

Adopting more stringent inspection requirements is a common sense proposal, one that will save taxpayers money and prevent unnecessary threats to our water supplies.

Finally, the energy bill fails to require secondary containment.

More than 20 states already require at least secondary containment because these states recognize the savings to taxpayers, water providers and redevelopers from preventing contaminated soil and water.

So while we are here today committing ourselves to a 6 month funding of the program, we are also preparing to unnecessarily gut important principles.

This program helps protect the health and water security of my constituents.

Changes to this program should not be done haphazardly in the energy bill. We owe it to our constituents and communities who deal with leaking tanks to not shove random provisions into legislation.

Mr. Speaker I support this bill and urge my colleagues to support it to guarantee at least some funding for cleanup, but I also urge my colleagues to seriously reject the changes to the Leaking Underground Storage Tank program included in the energy bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 98, which expresses the concern of the U.S. House of Representatives regarding China's Anti-Secession Law. This misguided law effectively authorizes use of military force against Taiwan if Taiwan moves toward formal independence.

I believe the anti-secession law is a dangerous and unnecessary escalation of tensions between China and Taiwan. The future of Taiwan should be resolved by peaceful means and with the consent of the people of Taiwan. The United States should continue to encourage dialogue between Taiwan and China. In today's world, we should strive to ensure peace, liberty and democracy. I am proud to join my colleagues in support of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce this bipartisan resolution with my colleagues Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida, Mrs. Capps, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Ramstad, Mr. Reyes, and Mr. Lantos.

Since 1993, over 400 mutilated bodies have been found in the desert of Ciudad Juarez and the city of Chihuahua. We are deeply concerned about the murders and violence against women that have occurred and condemn these horrific acts of violence.

This Resolution expresses our deepest sympathy to the families of the women killed in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico; requests that the Mexican government's investigative and preventative efforts be incorporated into the bilateral agenda between Mexico and the United States; urges the President and Secretary of State to express concern for the harassment of the families and support for the victims' families as they seek justice; and condemns the use of torture as a means of investigation into these crimes. It also urges the State of

Chihuahua to ensure fair and proper judicial proceedings for the individuals accused of these murders, which is critical in eradicating these injustices. The resolution also expresses the solidarity of the people of the United States with the people of Mexico in the face of these tragic and senseless acts.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lifetime Stop the Violence Week. One-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband at some point in their lives.

One critical step we can take in Congress is to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act this year, which will add very important services for immigrant, rural, disabled and older women.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, I would like to share my concern for the violence against women worldwide, including those women in Ciudad Juarez. Approximately 400 women over the past 10 years have been murdered and sexually assaulted there. It is time for both our governments to come together and find a resolution to these heinous crimes.

Today, also, I am reintroducing a bipartisan resolution focusing on the murders of these young women in Ciudad Juarez. I hope my colleagues will join me this week in wearing their Lifetime scarves and their ties and speak out against the violence against all women throughout the world.

Yes, indeed, we are going to have visitors today from Afghanistan and Iraq, women who have been elected to office. We need to support them and ensure that freedom and democracy reign throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. George Hensel, a recipient of the West San Gabriel Valley Boys and Girls Club Humanitarian Award. This prestigious award is being given to Mr. Hensel to recognize his lifetime achievements and accomplishments.

Mr. Hensel was born and raised in East Los Angeles and served our country honorably as a Merchant Marine from 1942 to 1950. Mr. Hensel has a long history of leadership in the community including: Chairman of the Board of Directors at Beverly Community Hospital; founding President and Board Member Emeritus of Beverly Community Hospital Foundation; Chairman of the Board of Directors at Woodbury University; President and Founder of the California Driving School Association; President and Co-Founder of Driving School Association of the Americans; member of the Board of Directors at Don Bosco Technical Institute; member of the Board of Directors of the Montebello Police Activities League; Chairman of the Montebello Planning Commission; Director of the West San Gabriel Valley Boys and Girls Club; advisory board member of the Salvation Army; Chairman of Assemblyman Jack Fenton's Citizen's Advisory Committee; member of District Attorney Evelle Youngers Citizen's Advisory Committee on crime; President of the East Los Angeles Rotary Club; and President of the Montebello Toastmasters Club. Mr. Hensel remains a Rotarian with 43 years of perfect weekly attendance.

The above community involvement is in addition to Mr. Hensel's significant achievements in his professional and personal life. He has received numerous honors and recognitions culminating in this recognition for his lifetime of accomplishments and community service. His loving family consists of 6 children, 20 grandchildren, 29 great- grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Mr. Hensel's contributions are a shining example of positive community involvement and service. It gives me great pleasure to honor Mr. George Hensel for a lifetime of service, dedication and philanthropic involvement.