Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, after a lifetime of service to our Nation, America's seniors deserve a secure retirement, a strong Medicare and Social Security safety net. Sadly. The House Republicans are choosing to give tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires over paying for Medicare.

The GOP budget will give those already making over $1 million a year an average tax cut of $394,000. All told, the Republican budget gives away $3 trillion in tax breaks to big oil companies that ship jobs overseas and the ultra-rich, and it does not reduce the deficit. That is wrong.

We should be giving tax breaks to hardworking middle class families, small businesses, and not the wealthiest few. We must end the Bush tax cuts for the rich. No new taxes, no new jobs. No new taxes, no new jobs. Let's work together on a bipartisan budget plan that protects Medicare and makes all Americans pay their fair share.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask Congress to pay tribute to an outstanding philanthropist and entrepreneur, Martha Green. On June 9, 2012, Martha will be honored with the Tzedakah Award from the Congregation Emanu El for her commitment to charity and passion for bettering her community.

Martha was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, where she learned to love cooking. Martha moved to California, where she has owned several cooking schools and kitchen stores in Redlands, Las Vegas, and San Bernardino.

In 1974, Martha began her first cooking class the back of her husband's mattress store, where she taught a class on microwave cooking. In 1978, she expanded her cooking classes and opened a cooking equipment store in Redlands, California. Since beginning her first cooking classes, Martha has opened the bakery, Dough'Lectibles and the restaurant, The Eating Room in downtown Redlands.

Martha's expertise and creativity in cooking has helped her gain widespread recognition throughout the Inland Empire. Martha has combined her passion for cooking with her drive for helping the local community by hosting approximately 30 fundraising cooking

classes annually. Additionally, Martha is known for her celebrity auctioneering in the community, where she has been able to raise over $2 million to support local charities.

Martha has not only dedicated her life to cooking, but also has generously assisted many local organizations such as SOS Read, the Children's Fund, the Redlands Bowl Association, the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital and Sacred Heart Church. Her genuine spirit and high energy has contributed immensely to these organizations.

On top of her cooking classes, restaurants, and philanthropic events, Martha is a realtor, and also hosts a radio cooking show, which airs on weekdays at 8:33 a.m. and 4:32 p.m. on KVCR 91.9 FM. Additionally, Martha is the author of Martha Green's Cooking Things, a cookbook that offers over 300 recipes.

Martha's generosity and culinary passion has impacted Inland Empire immeasurably. Her bright personality and dedication to charitable events has made a lasting impact in our community. I extend my congratulations to Martha Green as she is honored with the Tzedakah award by the Congregation Emanu El on June 9th 2012.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to pay tribute to a beloved community member and role model, Charles ``Chuck'' Powell. Chuck passed away on May 10, 2012 at the age of seventy-eight.

Chuck was born on July 3, 1933 in Franklin, Ohio, to Charles and Mamie Powell. He spent several years in Ohio, working as a steelworker until he joined the Air Force and relocated to the March Air Force Base in Riverside, California. During his time in the Air Force Chuck met his future wife, Geri Linton, whom he was married to for 56 years.

Chuck served as a milk distributor in Bloomington for 40 years, and was affectionately known as the ``milk man'' to all he served. During his free time, Chuck enjoyed coaching his sons youth baseball teams.

Chuck was also an avid golfer, and member of El Rancho Verde Country Club, where he previously served as President, and Vice President. His sons have fond memories of bonding over golf, the sport he loved.

I remember Chuck's competitive nature, his fondness for smoking his pipe, and how he loved a good debate with friends. We often played rounds of golf together; he was a close and dear friend of mine. I knew Chuck as having a deep passion for golf; he was always trying to improve his putting stroke in order to compete with the best golfers. Although Chuck was an outstanding golfer, I will always remember him Chuck for his charm, sense of humor, and ability to connect with everyone he met.

Chuck is best known by his family for his big heart and memorable advice for the people he touched. His children and grandchildren have fond memories of times with their father and grandfather. His son noted that he will never forget his father's sense of humor and the phone calls they would share after a good round of golf. Chuck's grandchildren could always count on him to give sound advice and to put a smile on their face, even during the worst days.

Let us take the time to pay tribute to a wonderful man. Let us celebrate the life he led, and the positive example he set for others. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy and spirit will continue to live on through the lives of everyone he has touched.

Chuck is survived by his beloved wife, Geri Powell; his three sons, Bob, Neal, and Scott; two siblings, John and Margaret; and six grandchildren, Alyssa, Brooke, Tyler, Tori, Christine, and Chloe. My thoughts and prayers, along with those of my wife, Barbara, and my children, Rialto City Councilman Joe Baca Jr., Jeremy, Natalie, and Jennifer are with Chuck's family at this time. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to pay tribute to Charles Powell.

Madam Speaker, investing in education is an investment in our Nation's future. In these tough times, we should make every effort to increase access to higher education for all Americans.

Unfortunately, if Congress does not act soon, interest rates on student loans will double for over 7 million students. If these rate hikes go into effect, it will be cheaper to buy a home than to buy a college education.

Sadly, the GOP seems to want higher education reserved only for the wealthiest Americans. Instead of working to help more Americans achieve a college education, Republicans are playing games with the health of women and children. Once again, Republicans are showing their priorities are out of touch with hardworking Americans.

We need to act now to keep student loan interest rates low so all Americans have an opportunity to obtain an education.

Mr. Chair I want to thank Chairman Buck McKeon and Ranking Member Adam Smith for their efforts.

I also want to thank Reps. Gary Miller, David Dreier, and Ken Calvert--and Senator Diane Feinstein for their support of this bipartisan amendment.

My amendment directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a study of water resources in the Rialto-Colton Basin in California.

The USGS study would look at perch lorate contamination in the area's groundwater.

Perchlorate is a rocket fuel additive that impairs thyroid function in humans--and has been found to be harmful to women and children.

This contamination is the direct result of the area having been acquired by the U.S. Army in 1942--to develop an inspection, consolidation, and storage facility for weapons bound for the Port of Los Angeles.

Having lived in Rialto for decades, I am very aware of the perchlorate problem we have in our drinking water.

Currently the EPA is undertaking a $25 million dollar effort to clean up the contamination.

But for the efforts of the EPA to be successful, we must first know the full scope of the problem.

We can only gain this crucial information by conducting an extensive study--and my amendment would make this study a top priority for the USGS to expedite.

This study is critical to the health and well-being of my constituents.

The contamination at the Rialto site was measured at more than one thousand times the drinking-water standard for perchlorate, according to the EPA.

My constituents deserve to have clean drinking water for themselves, their families, and our future generations.

According to the USGS, groundwater makes up 79 percent of the available drinking water supply in the Inland Empire.

How much of this supply is polluted--we don't know; and we won't know unless the USGS does a comprehensive study!

I urge my colleagues to join me in bringing relief to the people of the Inland Empire--and to support my amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4970, this misguided GOP reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

Unfortunately, this bill does not do enough to protect the well-being of all women. I say again that it does not do enough to protect the well-being of all women.

This reauthorization jeopardizes the safety of our Native American women and also the safety of many undocumented women. Neither the manager's amendment nor the underlying bill addresses the problems that face Indian country. Instead of empowering tribal police and courts to stop domestic violence, this legislation unfairly places the burden on Native victims. Many of the victims of domestic violence that live on the reservations are unable to hire legal counsel and can't travel hundreds of miles to Federal courts to petition for protection orders.

We must protect sovereignty. We must respect sovereignty. Tribal courts are the best authorities to issue domestic violence orders of protection on reservations.

Let's stop this partisan bill. Let's work together on a new approach that values the safety of Native Americans and undocumented individuals in a bipartisan fashion.

Madam Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 365, the National Blue Alert Act.

This important bill directs the Attorney General to establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice to broadcast information when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty.

It would also assign a Department of Justice officer to act as the national coordinator of the Blue Alert Communications Network.

The Blue Alert System would operate in a similar fashion as the ``Amber Alert'' system and would be implemented by law enforcement agencies and officers at all levels--local, State, and Federal.

Law enforcement officers and officials are among the bravest individuals in today's society.

Each day, they knowingly risk their personal safety and their lives to ensure that our communities are safer and more secure.

As such, we need to be sure to do all that we can to ensure their safety when possible.

Building and expanding on the existing blue alert networks in various states will ensure that important information is sent out in an efficient and timely manner.

I am proud to stand here today and offer my support for this important legislation.

I want to thank the gentleman from New York, Mr. Grimm, for his hard work in bringing this important legislation before us today.

And I also want to thank all the brave men and women who work in law enforcement and sacrifice day in and day out for our safety.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 205--The HEARTH ACT, and recognize the vital importance of homeownership and tribal self governance.

I am proud to serve as a cosponsor of this legislation and wish to thank Congressman Heinrich for sponsoring this bill.

Homeownership is an essential part of the American dream.

Native American families desire to own their own homes just like other citizens of our nation.

Currently Native families can face up to a two year wait to purchase a home on tribal lands because of the bureaucratic red tape at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

This long wait can be harmful to Native people because sellers often cannot wait for the time it takes for Bureau of Indian Affairs approval. This could result in lands within reservation borders being sold away from tribal members.

The HEARTH ACT allows tribal governments to approve trust land leases directly, significantly reducing the wait for approval and easing the home buying process for tribal families.

In the current housing market, the last thing the federal government should be doing is standing in the way of families looking to buy a home.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting homeownership for out Nation's first people, and ask that they vote yes on H.R. 205.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for H. Res. 568.

This hi-partisan resolution signifies the importance of preventing the Government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.

I want to thank my friend from Florida, Congresswoman Ileana Ros- Lehtinen, for introducing this resolution.

For over 20 years Iran has engaged in a sustained and well-documented pattern of deceptive activities to acquire a nuclear capability outside of what can be considered for peaceful use.

The UN Security Council has adopted a number of resolutions since 2006 demanding the suspension of uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities by Iran and its cooperation with the IAEA on all nuclear activities, including the possible militarization of its nuclear program.

The IAEA's extensive report documents ``serious concerns'' regarding military dimensions to Iran's nuclear activity in hopes of developing a nuclear device.

If Iran is successful in acquiring a nuclear weapon capability, it will force other countries in the region to consider developing their own nuclear capabilities; notably, Saudi Arabia.

Iranian leaders have previously threatened the existence of Israel, pledging to ``wipe Israel off the map'' and since 1984 Iran has been recognized by the State Department as an active sponsor of terrorism.

I feel just as President Obama has previously stated, ``that the consequences of a nuclear-armed Iran are unacceptable'' and we are determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

Our Congress must stand in one voice and prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.

I ask my colleagues to join me in condemning Iran's nuclear ambitions and vote in favor of H. Res. 568.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this misguided budget that we'll vote on today. This package literally takes food off the table for millions of disadvantaged Americans by cutting $33 billion from the SNAP program.

I ask my Republican colleagues: Where are your priorities? Is it to take from the poor to give to the rich?

SNAP is a lifeline for 46 million Americans. We continue to spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year to assist foreign countries, but we don't spend money to take care of the struggling families right here at home. It's a shame.

This budget proposal not only cuts benefit levels, but it also keeps thousands of children from receiving school meals. Can you imagine going to school on an empty stomach and having to take a test? In America, this should not happen.

I understand the value of the SNAP program because I once relied on food stamps. Unless you've been in that situation, you don't know what it's like. You have no choice. You have no choice but to receive assistance to feed your family.

I ask my colleagues to make sure that we vote against this and make sure that we put food on the table for the 46 million people who are going hungry right here in the United States. Vote ``no'' on this.

Mr. Speaker, as a former community college trustee member, I understand that good education is key to a sound future. Sadly, many working families in America now find themselves unable to afford higher education for their children. And even worse, if Congress does not act soon, the interest rate for students will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent; 7.4 million American students will face thousands of dollars in new debt if we do not act before July.

Last week, House Republicans showed they are unwilling to work on a real solution to this crisis. In a sham vote, Republicans put forward a bill to pay for the interest rate halt by slashing funds for women and children's health services.

America's young people deserve better. Let's keep their dreams alive. Let's get serious about a bipartisan solution to strengthen Pell Grants and keep student loan interest rates low. Let's help our students become the leaders of tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 361.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today and ask Congress to recognize the 150th anniversary of the St. Bernardine Parish in San Bernardino, California.

In 1862, Reverend Raho chose a site for the St. Bernardine Parish to be built in the town square in the current city of San Bernardino. Here, Reverend Raho held mass and established the Parish in the name of Bishop Amat. In 1865, the first St. Bernardine Church was completed, only to be destroyed by a fire a year later. The church was rebuilt and expanded between 1867 and 1880 to accommodate a growing population.

The St. Bernardine Parish continued to change and expand with the beginning of the 20th century. In 1907, the Church built a new two story brick school to accommodate 200 students. Three years later, in 1910, the new Church building was completed and dedicated, becoming the fifth Catholic Church in San Bernardino.

During the 1920s, the San Bernardine Parish flourished and helped provide guidance and inspiration to the people of San Bernardino. A decade later, during the Great Depression, the San Bernardine Parish was instrumental in helping the community get through rough times.

I commend the San Bernardine Parish for their tireless work to support our soldiers and their families during and after World War II. Many men and women from the Parish fought bravely to preserve the freedoms of democracy and religion that we hold today.

After the war, St. Bernadine constructed a new convent and built additions onto the existing school building. From the 1960s until the 1990s, Msgr. John Bradley oversaw the period of growth and change for the St. Bernardine Parish, where he is known as the ``Preservation Pastor.'' With Msgr. Bradley's leadership, a new senior citizens housing complex was completed and dedicated. Msgr. Bradley's legacy has impacted Father Leonard Depasquale, who continues to lead the St. Bernardine Parish in improving the life of the people and community of San Bernardino.

I am proud of the way the St. Bernardine Parish has positively impacted the people of San Bernardino for over 150 years. The St. Bernardine Parish has provided spiritual support and assistance to the people of San Bernardino, and I am grateful to their service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognition of the St. Bernardine Parish as they celebrate their 150th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, in these tough economic times, it's critical that Congress work to make quality higher education available to all Americans. We know that investing in education is an investment in our future, an investment in the strength of America.

By the year 2018, 63 percent of all American jobs will require some level of higher education. Sadly, if Congress does not act soon, the interest rate for student loans will double from 3.4 to 6.8, higher than home loans. This will cause thousands of dollars in new debt for more than 7.4 million American students.

Unfortunately, the Republicans in Congress have refused to go forward with legislation that would prevent this crisis. And some Republican leaders have openly criticized students who graduate with college debt.

It's time that Congress worked together to help middle class families, not just the wealthiest few. We must pass legislation that strengthens the Pell program and prevents an increase in student loan rates.

Thank you, President Obama, for taking the lead in helping our future generations and leaders of tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today and ask Congress to recognize June 8th as TELACU Scholars Day.

The TELACU Education Foundation was established by TELACU in 1983 to respond to crisis-level dropout rates for Latino Students. As the largest community and economic development corporation in the United States, TELACU is a pioneering institution committed to service, empowerment, advancement and the creation of self-sufficiency within the Latino community.

Realizing the high dropout rates for Latino students, the TELACU Education Foundation responded by investing in our youth through education to create a strong future for our country. TELACU began its efforts to reverse high dropout rates among Latino students by

providing monetary support and counseling for first generation and low income students. The TELACU Scholarship Program is an exemplary program that helps students realize their dream of a college education by providing scholarships and supplemental support.

Although TELACU understands that financial assistance is a vital component for college students to achieve academic success, it also recognizes the underlying challenges many young adults face including socioeconomic factors, family responsibilities, cultural identity, and financial solvency. Students who are the first member of their families to pursue a college degree often must make their own academic support system in order to achieve their dreams. TELACU understands these challenges.

For nearly three decades, the Education Foundation has worked to remove the formidable barriers that often prevent Latino youth from achieving academic success and providing them with professional role models and academic support. The TELACU Scholarship Program provides its youth not only with monetary assistance, but with the counseling, leadership training, and time management training necessary to help students achieve their dreams.

I am proud of the way the TELACU Education Foundation has contributed to the development of our future Latino leaders. Each year, TELACU supports 500 Latino college students and 1,500 middle and high school students. In each program, 100% of the students graduate.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor TELACU, the TELACU Education Foundation and scholarship programs like this one, for believing in the dream of higher education for all of America's next generation of leaders. I extend my congratulations to the TELACU scholars and the people who make their dreams a reality as they celebrate the 29th Annual TELACU Education Foundation Scholarship Awards Dinner, Building the Dream, on Friday, June 8th, 2012.