Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge a tremendous achievement in the efforts to address racial and ethnic health disparities in this country. With the dedication of the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen), the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda), and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), and with the guiding leadership of our leadership, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), as well as our Senate leaders, Senator Daschle and Senator Kennedy, we have introduced a comprehensive bill to improve minority health.

Currently in our country, minorities endure a disproportionate burden of illnesses. Unfortunately, our health care system is not meeting the needs of all of its people.

Latinos, African Americans, Asians and Native Americans statistically outweigh nonminority whites in almost every disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, you name it.

For instance, diabetes is a chronic illness estimated to affect 18.2 million people in this year alone. Latinos are twice as likely to have diabetes than non-Latino whites and American Indians are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with this debilitating disease.

Mr. Speaker, these diabetes trends are not isolated. One in four obese Latino children have early signs of type II diabetes; and in California alone, 66 percent of Latinos are overweight, which is higher than the national average.

Compound these health problems with the recently released census data showing that the rate of Latinos with health insurance was 32.4 percent in 2002. Here on this graph, it shows actually who the nonelderly noninsured are, including the ethnic and racial groups in the year 2002. Hispanics represent 30 percent; non-Hispanics represent 47 percent; Asian Pacific Islanders, 5 percent; and blacks represent 16 percent. This is a picture of those people who are working-poor that are uninsured.

The need for prevention is loud and clear, and we have to actively stop these rising trends in poor health care status. The Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act that we introduced

addresses these problem through inclusive and federally funded programs like Medicare and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, better known in California as Healthy Families.

Mr. Speaker, the bill will expand health insurance options through Medicaid to cover parents and pregnant women, young people up to the age of 20, which would help address the issues here outlined in the chart. It also gives the States the option to cover every resident living in poverty under Medicaid.

Another triumph in the bill is expansion of access to services by assisting health care professionals provide cultural and language services.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask for our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to adopt this legislation that we have put forward through the Tri-Caucus to help end the disparities and treatment of those that are still in our country that do not have any adequate health care.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge a tremendous achievement in the efforts to address racial and ethnic health disparities in this country.

With the dedication of my good friends Representative Donna Christensen, Representatives Mike Honda, Representatives Frank Pallone and the guiding leadership of Representatives Nancy Pelosi as well as our Senate leaders, especially Senators Daschle and Kennedy, we have introduced a comprehensive bill to improve minority health.

Currently in our country, minorities endure a disproportionate burden of illness.

The community I represent is multicultural--about 60 percent of the residents are Latino and 20 percent are Asian American, and 40 percent of my constituents were born outside of the United States.

Unfortunately, our health care system is not meeting the needs of all people.

Latinos, African Americans, Asians, and Native Americans statistically outweigh non-minority whites in almost every disease-- diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, you name it!

For instance, diabetes is a chronic illness that is estimated to affect 18.2 million people in 2003.

However, Latinos are twice as likely to have diabetes than non-Latino whites and American Indians are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with this debilitating disease.

But these diabetes trends are not isolated; over 1 in 4 obese Latino children have early signs of type II diabetes.

In California, 66 percent of Latinos are overweight, which is higher than the national average, and the highest percentage of any minority group.

Compound these health problems with the recently released Census data showing that the rate of Latinos without health insurance was 3.4 percent 2002.

Plus, over 87 percent of these uninsured are from working families.

That means one in three hard-working, tax-paying individuals in this country lack access to what is supposed to be the ``best'' health care system in the world.

The need for prevention is loud and clear--we have to actively stop these rising trends in poor health status, especially when our children are at risk.

The Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act addresses these problems through inclusive and guaranteed expansions in federally funded health programs, like Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

This bill will expand health insurance options through Medicaid to cover parents and pregnant women, and young people up to age 20.

It also gives states the option to cover every resident living in poverty under Medicaid. And it guarantees funding for the Indian Health Service, bringing much-needed health care to this overlooked population.

Another major triumph of this bill is the expansion of access to services by assisting health care professionals provide cultural and language services, and increasing federal reimbursement for these services.

There are over 47 million people, or 18 percent of the US population, that speak a language other than English at home.

Over one in three Latinos report difficulty in understanding a medical situation when it is not explained to them in their own language.

In places like my district that have such a high proportion of limited English proficient individuals, language barriers can mean the difference between health and illness, and even life and death.

Over the summer, the Minority Caucuses in the House convened a Tri- Caucus Health Forum in Los Angeles to discuss racial and ethnic health disparities.

It was expressed over and over again by community members, researchers and advocates that our public health infrastructure is failing our minority communities.

Without assuring access to culturally and linguistically appropriate public health programs, without monitoring and collecting data on racial and ethnic minorities, and without strengthening our health professional workforce and institutions, our minority families will continue to endure health disparities.

What we have on our hands is an American public health dilemma that requires a responsible public health approach.

At a time when public health reforms, like the revision of Medicare, are sweeping through Congress, our minority communities are at the mercy of an unpredictable and untrustworthy public health system that ignores their health needs.

Instead of creating a sound, guaranteed prescription drug benefit for our seniors, the current Medicare proposal does nothing to reduce the cost of health care.

The only thing the Republican Medicare bill will do is overwhelmingly burden our low-income seniors and minority communities.

We must enact responsible legislation that improves the health of minority communities, that recognizes specific minority health needs, and works to prevent disease rates from climbing in our minority communities.

Let's use our Minority Health bill as a model of how we can actively eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in our communities nationwide.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the conference report on H.R. 6, the National Energy Policy Act, on behalf of America's taxpayers who will now have to shoulder the financial burden of cleaning up corporate pollution.

In the past, our nation's environmental laws have been based on the principle that polluters would pay to clean up their messes. Today, that principle changes from ``polluters pay'' to ``polluters get paid''.

Mr. Speaker, under this bill, over the next 10 years, the American taxpayers will dole out $23.5 billion in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry. In addition, taxpayers will pay $6.9 billion in higher gas prices because this bill mandates that we put ethanol in our gasoline. Polluters will be able to access federal funds to clean up their leaking underground storage tanks--money that they don't have to pay back. And consumers will pay higher electricity prices because basic consumer protections have been repealed with the end of the Public Utilities Holding Company Act (PUHCA).

The people who will suffer the greatest consequences of these blatantly irresponsible regulations will be the poorest of our society. These families will be forced to pay more at the gas pump and higher utility bills. As people who are more likely to live and work near a polluting industry, they will breathe dirtier air and drink unsafe water.

This bill will perpetuate poverty as we reward industries that are environmental failures while neglecting to prepare an energy policy that will help future generations. What do we get in return for this egregious bill? Unfortunately, at the end of the day there is little that will alleviate the problems that are so obvious in this bill. It will not reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It will not create jobs. It will not invest in science that will give us energy technologies for the future.

The Energy Policy Act before us is anti-environmental, anti-health, anti-consumer, anti-science and anti-jobs. An energy policy needs to make sure that our original principles are in place and make sure that polluters are paying, not getting paid.

If we start with this principle, we can create an energy policy that not only is good for our country's future, but also for the future of working families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a long time member of the United Farm Workers, Richard Rodriguez. Richard passed away this past Sunday, November 2, 2003.

Born on February 3, 1930, Richard was a life long resident of Los Angeles, California. He married his sweetheart, Esther Aguilar, on June 30, 1950. Together, they raised five children, nine grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren.

A loyal supporter of the labor movement, Richard retired from Teamsters Local 357 in 1996. However, his commitment to improving the lives of working families did not cease. With his wife Esther at his side, Richard continued to actively participate as a proud member of the United Farm Workers (UFW), participating in rallies in Watsonville, Sacramento, and Yuma, California. During pilgrimages, he took it upon himself to provide meals, motivation and leadership. Richard also displayed great talent in creating many banners and flags to spread Cesar Chavez's message of workers' rights. His public service went beyond the labor movement. He was a long time community activist who provided gift baskets each Christmas to the less fortunate of Monterey Park and other surrounding communities.

Throughout his life, Richard wore his Teamsters jacket and carried his red UFW banner with enormous pride. He represented the very best that the labor movement and our community has to offer. We will forever remember his dedication to others. His death is a great loss, but we were so fortunate to have known this great citizen.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor the courageous men and women that have served our country. It has been over 2 years since our great Nation was attacked on September 11, 2001. That day, and every day since, we are reminded that our freedoms are protected by the men and women in the United States Armed Forces. These individuals have given their sweat, blood and sometimes their lives to protect our freedoms.

Today, American servicemen and women from the mountains of Tora Bora to the deserts of Iraq are, once again, in harm's way protecting and defending our freedoms all over the globe. I am standing before Members today with a deeply felt sense of gratitude and pride that these men and women in uniform are defending our Nation. In 2002, there were 25.6 million living veterans, and over the course of this country's history, more than 12 million servicemen have sacrificed their lives to defend our freedoms.

I want to take a moment to highlight the Latinos and other minorities that have contributed to the peace we have enjoyed for so many years in our country. According to the latest U.S. Census figures, there are 1.3 million living Latino veterans, with more than half residing in California, Texas and Puerto Rico. Many have fought and defended the United States during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the first Gulf War, and now in Iraq. There are 41 Latinos that have received the highest Congressional Medal of Honor award, 11 were awarded for their bravery during World War II, a war in which as many as 500,000 Latino soldiers fought bravely for the U.S.

We honor our Nation's veterans, we must honor our brave men and women who are currently serving in Iraq, and as of today, 382 members of our U.S. troops have lost their lives.

In particular, two of my constituents have lost their lives. One is Lance Corporal Francisco Martinez Flores, and I display his photo, and Private First Class Jose Casanova, Jr., and I want to tell my colleagues about these fine young men. Lance Corporal Francisco Martinez Flores was not just a brave and self-sacrificing Marine, but he was a loving son, a brother, a friend, and someone who lived in my district who was outgoing and was the eldest of his four siblings who immigrated to this country at a young age. He was not even a U.S. citizen. He was one of the first soldiers killed in Iraq. He was granted citizenship posthumously. That is great that we can do that, but we have so many other soldiers like him who are serving our country who are not being granted the opportunity to become citizens. They are not asking for U.S. citizenship when they sign up, they are asking to be there to support us and defend our country.

I am asking Members of Congress to help appeal to the Senate and to this administration to grant the opportunity for over 37,000 U.S. soldiers just like this young man here who died and gave his life, and many others that are currently there in the line of battle protecting us, asking you to support them to have citizenship within a 2-year process. Instead of 3, 2 years, to grant them the opportunity if they have siblings or a wife or spouse, to also have an opportunity to become fully-fledged participants in our society. We do not ask our own kids to go to war, but we ask folks who represent us in our districts. We should do something for them as well, especially as Veterans Day nears, that we pay are tribute and honor to these young men and women, who all they want to do is look for a better life in our country, who look for a future, to become law enforcement officers, custodians, teachers, and government officials, but their lives are cut short defending us in the line of duty, something that they took as an oath of office to serve and defend our country. Let us remind ourselves of those many soldiers serving us now. I urge the Senate and other Members of Congress to support legislation to give citizenship to legal permanent residents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a piece of legislation I believe will help empower women who are victims of domestic violence to seek help in ending and recovering from its effects.

With the United States becoming increasingly multicultural, we need to ensure all women, regardless of language, culture or income are aware and are able to access the services they are entitled to. In order to carry this out, it is imperative we are culturally sensitive, attentive and pro-active to effectively reach out to all communities. There have been major gains by advocates, researchers and practitioners to end domestic violence, but

there continues to be a lack of focus on a culturally specific domestic violence outlook. Studies have found that minority and immigrant communities face additional barriers to seek help, such as cultural beliefs and lack of resources in agencies like translators and bilingual materials.

The ``Domestic Violence Prevention, Education and Awareness Act'' would amend the Violence Against Women Act to provide grants and develop informational public media campaigns specifically targeting racial and ethnic minority and immigrant communities. This will bring much needed attention to racial and ethnic minority and immigrant communities, communities that are often overlooked and underserved.

While there are services out there designed to help women combat domestic violence, how do these services help those women who are not able to communicate with the counselors at these services, are afraid of being discriminated against for accessing these services, or who don't know what services are available to them?

It is so important in this fight against domestic violence to offer these women all the support we possibly can. We need to create the avenues necessary to increase the number of survivors of domestic violence and make sure they are able to move on and rebuild their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in an effort to help end the cycle of violence against women.

I have introduced the ``Domestic Violence Courts Assistance Act'' because it is important to recognize the prevalence of domestic violence in our community and take the necessary steps to eradicate this problem. A study released earlier this year estimated that nearly half of the adult population in my home state of California reported knowing a victim of domestic violence. In the United States, nearly 2 million women are victims of domestic violence. While there have been great strides to build upon and improve domestic violence legislation, the high rate of domestic violence victims is evidence for the continuing need for attention to this problem.

This bill will help provide grant money from the Violence Against Women Act to be used to establish domestic violence courts. Because many local court systems are overwhelmed with the number of cases that come before them everyday, many domestic violence cases are not given the attention and time sensitivity that is crucial in raising the conviction rate of offenders. The bill also makes clear that funds can be used for translation and interpretation services, which is critical for domestic violence victims who are limited English proficient.

We all need to contribute in this effort to end violence against women. Violence against women has far ranging affects. It affects the victim herself, the batterer, the children who are witness to the battering, and friends and family of the victim.

It is our responsibility to give a voice to those who cannot speak out for themselves and provide strength and support to those who need it. I urge my colleagues to help make a difference in the struggle to combat domestic violence by supporting the ``Domestic Violence Courts Assistance Act''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Joseph DiShanni, Founder, Executive Director and Director Emeritus of the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce, who passed away on October 21, 2003.

Mr. DiShanni received many awards, acclamations, and special recognitions throughout his career in acknowledgement of his tireless commitment to his community. He is most revered for his accomplishments in industrial and business development for the City of Irwindale and the San Gabriel Valley. He was affectionately known as ``Mr. Irwindale,'' In addition to his service to the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce, he served on the Los Angeles County Insurance Commission and as a Traffic Safety Commissioner for Los Angeles County.

Born in Wallkill, New York, in 1909, Mr. DiShanni immigrated with his mother and two older sisters to Italy after the death of his father. At the age of 18, he returned to the United States in search of the American Dream. His hard work and dedication to his community made him an inspiration to all who knew him.

The Irwindale community, his family and his beloved wife Margaret will miss him dearly. I am pleased and honored to pay tribute to him today.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize one of the most historically rich institutions in the United States. On November 1, 2003, the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral of Montebello, California will be celebrating its eighty years of service to the Los Angeles Armenian American community under the auspices of their Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.

This historic occasion for the Holy Cross Cathedral is a culmination of leadership, dedication, commitment, and community work. Since its erection in 1922, Holy Cross is the second oldest Armenian Cathedral in the state of California and the oldest in Los Angeles County. For eighty years, Holy Cross has touched the lives of millions of churchgoers and other religious individuals looking for spiritual fulfillment. In addition, it has given positive direction to Armenian children and adolescents through their exceptional Mesrobian school system.

Additionally, Holy Cross's leadership has paved the way for other Armenian Apostolic churches throughout Southern California. Inspired by Holy Cross, over seven churches and congregations have been established. I am happy to note that all of them serve their congregations, youth, community, and country with all their love and energy.

I am proud to say that the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral exemplifies the greatness in our nation's religious and community institutions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor and congratulate the people of the Taiwan on their Double Ten: National Day. Earlier this month, on October 10, 2003, Taiwan celebrated its National Day. This special day for Taiwan is celebrated to commemorate the 1911 Wuch'ang uprising, which marked the beginning of a struggle towards political democracy.

On October 10, fireworks lighted the skies of Taiwan, and the streets were filled with large parades. This celebration is much like our 4th of July celebrations. Taiwan is a shining example of economic success and democratization. Taiwan's accomplishments are numerous, and its success is attributed to its people.

In August of this year I had the pleasure of meeting Taiwan's Vice President, Madame Annette Lu in Los Angeles. Vice President Lu is the first female vice president to serve Taiwan. She has devoted her time and efforts to promoting human rights, democracy, and technology. She has made countless contributions to the advancement of women in Taiwan. With her efforts and many other women like her, the women of Taiwan have progressed in education, business, politics, and society in general. Vice President Lu is a true dynamic democratic leader. She represents her people and her country well.

Once again, my best wishes and congratulations to the people of Taiwan on their Double Ten National Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two pieces of important legislation that I would like to reintroduce today regarding Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I believe the two bills will help end violence against women.

In the United States, nearly 2 million women are victims of domestic violence. Every 30 seconds, a woman is beaten by her aggressor. This is why there is a continuing need to address this issue.

The Domestic Violence Court Assistance Act will provide grant money from the Violence Against Women Act to establish specific domestic violence courts and provide for important functions of a domestic violence court, such as translation and interpretation services for women whose first language may not be English.

The Domestic Violence Prevention, Education and Awareness Act would help bring much-needed attention to racial and ethnic minority and immigrant communities that are often overlooked and underserved by providing grants to develop informational media outreach campaigns to address specific communities that currently are underserved.

It is our responsibility to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves, and I urge my colleagues to support these two legislative efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3365, the Fallen Patriots Tax Relief Act.

The Fallen Patriots Tax Relief Act is a positive step in honoring the men and women of the Armed Services, who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives while serving our country.

Unfortunately, the current death gratuity paid to the survivors of a military member is not adequate to cover funeral expenses, leaving them with the extra burden of covering these unexpected costs. The vast majority of the men and women in uniform come from hard working low- income backgrounds, whose families should not be expected to cover these costs.

On October 13, 2003, Private Jose Casanova, Jr. became the second constituent of mine to lose his life in Iraq.

The financial assistance provided to the Casanova family for burial expenses was not sufficient. The family still had to pay money from their own funds despite having the funeral home and the local police department waive numerous fees and provide some services for free.

This situation is not acceptable. Military families, like the Casanova family, deserve to be relieved of unnecessary financial costs associated with their fallen family members' deaths. This is the least we can do as a country.

In honor and in memory of our fallen patriots, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, when I travel home to Los Angeles County, the people ask me, where are the jobs? Where are the extended unemployment insurance benefits?

When we look at this chart, we can see that since January of 2001 we have not made any progress. In fact, in the San Gabriel Valley the unemployment rate is still above 10 percent, and it is double digit in areas that are unincorporated in East Los Angeles where we have high minority populations. These are working people that are looking for relief. They are waiting for unemployment insurance. And they are also asking why is the Republican Party not doing more to strengthen our economy.

The Democrats want to provide pay increases for our Reservists and our military families. I am ashamed to say these are the same families we represent that are in waiting lines to get food, these Reservist families in my district; and I think that is abominable.

We need to provide a tax incentive to encourage companies to keep jobs at home, not abroad, like Halliburton and Bechtel. We need to raise the minimum wage. We need to pass a highway infrastructure bill that will keep good-paying jobs, not minimum-wage jobs, but jobs that pay above minimum wage.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to consider proposing those incentives that we are talking about today to restore the economy for Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my outrage regarding the Republican leadership's unjust treatment of the child tax credit.

Week after week, month after month, Republican leaders scheme and delay, unable or unwilling to find an ounce of compassion for families making under $26,625 dollars a year.

In my district, one out of every 4 families will get no child tax credit or compassion from the Republican leadership.

Military families who live in my district, and whose children serve proudly in our military, will get no child tax credit.

Yet somehow, Republicans found $90 billion to give to 200,000 millionaire families, while 1.6 million working class Latino families got nothing.

And yet again, Republicans found $20 billion for reconstruction in Iraq, while working class families got nothing for reconstruction here at home.

As our deficit grows, $400 billion for Fiscal Year 03 and $500 billion for Fiscal Year 04, these working families will get something . . . a higher debt burden they can pass onto their children, loss of essential health services, infrastructure funds, environmental protections and social security.

These families deserve more than that, they deserve a child tax credit.

I implore my colleagues of good conscience and compassion across the aisle to join me in supporting the Motion to Instruct Conferees and give our working families, our military families and all American children a Child Tax Credit!

Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Southern California Wild Heritage Wilderness Act. If enacted, this bill will protect approximately 1.6 million acres of land in California.

The State of California has lost over 675,000 acres of California's wild lands since 1978. One can only predict that this harmful trend will continue as California's population is expected to explode. California is expected to gain 17.7 million more people by 2025--nearly the entire population of New York State. As the population rises, more development will take place. More development often means less open space and the destruction of precious lands. This bill will prevent that destruction.

Thousands of diverse organizations, businesses, and others see the importance of this legislation and have given it their support. Additionally, hundreds of local elected officials have voiced support for the protection of their local areas.

I am pleased to be a part of this effort and look forward to working with Senator Boxer and Congressman Thompson to spearhead this effort and protect our natural resources.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Monterey Park Community Relations Commission for celebrating cultural diversity in the fourteenth annual Harmony Festival.

For thirteen years, the City of Monterey Park has been instrumental in bridging the cultural divide amongst its residents. Their leadership and initiative on multicultural awareness have set a high standard for other cities. The 32nd Congressional District is a culturally diverse district, and it is important that all of us work together to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve the dreams for our families and ourselves.

Throughout my career in public service, I have advocated for policies that promote greater multicultural harmony and recognize the strength that lies in the great diversity of our community, our State, and our Nation. In order to build upon the strength of our diverse communities, we must break down the discriminatory barriers that exist in our country. In this regard, I am fighting in Congress for efforts to eliminate discrimination in all aspects of society, including health care, education, housing, and employment.

I take great pride in the cultural diversity that can be found in Monterey Park and throughout the Los Angeles region. I commend the City of Monterey Park and the Monterey Park Community Relations Commission for their efforts to promote greater multi-cultural harmony and understanding. These types of events bring the community together to focus on diversity and appreciation of our differences.