Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of House Resolution 1622, legislation I introduced to honor the historic contributions of veterans throughout all conflicts involving the United States.

Every Veterans Day, Americans come together to remember those who have served

our country in the name of freedom and democracy.

It's important that all Americans reflect on the sacrifices made by men and women in uniform from all conflicts involving the United States, from the Revolutionary War to current wars and conflicts.

Regardless in time of peace or in the time of war--the service and sacrifice of generations of men and women shaped America's history and transformed our society.

A great example of this courage is one of my constituents from Fontana, California--CPL Ernest Gonzalez, who received the bronze star for actions against Cambodian armed and hostile forces in 1970, including bravely exposing himself to enemy fire to retrieve his platoon leader.

For most veterans, their contributions extend well beyond active duty, and include their service as valuable members of our communities.

Another constituent of mine, Robert Allen Bartleman, from San Bernardino, California recently received military decorations for his courageous service as a combat Marine in Vietnam. He is now active in the legal community in my district.

Pete Martinez, an Airborne Paratrooper during the Korean war, is currently active in the Inland Empire Airborne Association in my district. He continues to work on behalf of veterans and is a great asset to his community.

After serving his country, Marine Col. John Kazalunas--formerly of the Rialto Unified School Board--went on to obtain his Ph.D. in Education to further contribute his talents and hard work in the field of education.

John Weininger, a proud Marine and Army veteran, and formerly a member of my district staff, remains a dedicated supporter and true champion of veterans after his service to this country.

Two additional veterans I'd like to mention are Mike Trujillo, a former member of my district staff and Jess Vizcaino, currently on my district staff. Both have been valuable assets to me by providing outstanding public service to the constituents of my district.

Another dedicated veteran is Anthony Acevedo, a World War II veteran who was 1 of 300 captured American soldiers held prisoner at a Nazi slave labor camp.

Through his courageous work as a medic, Mr. Acevedo kept a detailed diary of his imprisonment. Decades later he worked tirelessly to obtain the recognition of the U.S. Army for this group; his diary is now part of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

This resolution: Urges all Americans to recognize and encourages schools to educate students about the historic contributions of all veterans; and makes a request to the President to issue a proclamation for Veterans Day.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 1622. As a Vietnam- era veteran, I am committed to ensure America keeps its promises to our nation's troops and the 23 million plus American veterans.

When President Obama took office, he inherited a $1.2 trillion deficit, two wars, the recession, and mounting job losses that pushed our economy to the brink.

Since then, we have made steady progress by preventing economic catastrophe and laying the groundwork to create new jobs. The Democratic ``Make It in America'' agenda has closed tax loopholes that allow for outsourcing of jobs overseas. And the recently passed Small Business Jobs Act provides $12 billion in tax cuts and $30 billion in new lending for American small businesses. But with the unemployment at 9.6 percent across the Nation, and over 14 percent in California's Inland Empire, we must do more.

I urge my Republican colleagues to come to the table and work with Democrats and the administration. The time for simply saying ``no'' is over. We must pass new tax cuts for the American middle class families without the deficit-busting break for the wealthy.

Last week, this Chamber passed another measure to move America's small business forward, the backbone of this country. The Small Business Jobs Act provides $12 billion in tax cuts for America's small businesses and creates a $30 billion lending fund to increase available capital and spur small business lending right here in America and not overseas.

This bill was one of many that congressional Democrats worked on to provide relief for hardworking Americans. That is why we passed the Recovery Act, which boosted SBA funding to authorize loans. That is why President Obama has already signed into law eight separate small business tax cuts.

Republicans don't seem to get it. Instead of working for the people, they would rather work to obstruct and continue to be the Party of No.

On the other hand, congressional Democrats and the President have constantly supported the American economic backbone. We didn't create this economic mess, but I am confident that we will be the ones to lead us out of it.

Madam Speaker, I along with Representatives Doris Matsui, Laura Richardson, Grace Napolitano, Ciro Rodriguez, Charles Gonzalez, Judy Chu, Solomon Ortiz, and Linda Sanchez rise to pay tribute to a great citizen, civil rights leader and humanitarian, Mario Obledo. A long time crusader for justice, Mario died of a heart attack on Aug. 18, 2010 at the age of 78, in his home in Sacramento, California.

Mario was a trailblazer, some referred to him as the ``Godfather of the Latino Civil Rights Movement.'' A symbol of activism, he took on employment discrimination, advocated for affirmative action and encouraged bilingual education. Mario was committed to ending all forms of racial injustice, and served as a respected advocate for his community.

Throughout his legal career Mario desegregated schools, reformed jury selection, integrated swimming pools, and took down signs barring Mexicans from entering businesses. In one famous case, he defeated a utility company with a height requirement that prohibited hiring anyone with an accent.

Mario was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1932 to Concepcion Guerra and Jesus Obledo, immigrants who migrated to the United States during the Mexican Revolution. As a child he grew up in a tiny house off a dirt road and slept on the floor with his 12 siblings.

Mario's father died when he was five. His family often had to hustle to support itself, but Mario was encouraged by supportive adults to stay in school. His mother repeated to him, ``teachers are second to God.'' The pharmacist he worked for since the age of 12 urged him to go to college.

Mario served in the Navy during the Korean War and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1957 with a pharmacy degree. Working as a pharmacist, he put himself through law school and graduated from St. Mary's University in San Antonio in 1960.

Mario believed his greatest achievement was opening doors of employment to Latinos. He taught law at Harvard University and is credited with encouraging Latinos to enter state government.

Mario served as President of the National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations before he passed. He had a long and illustrious career in public service, working as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas, and later appointed head of the California Health and Welfare Agency from 1975 to 1982. In this capacity he served as the first ever Hispanic chief of a California State Agency.

In 1982 Mario was the first Hispanic citizen to mount a serious campaign for governor of California, despite losing he never lost his passion for justice and equality. He never tired of fighting for and advocating on behalf of the poor and underprivileged.

Mario successfully challenged discriminatory electoral systems and registered hundreds of thousands of Hispanic voters. He addressed candidates when they ignored issues affecting Latinos. Mario cried foul against Taco Bell in the late nineties, when it depicted a Chihuahua speaking with a stereotypical Mexican accent in national advertisements.

Mario along with fellow veteran Pete Tijerina, co-founded the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). Mario was responsible for MALDEF's litigation program, he organized legal seminars and disseminated legal information to the community. He lectured at colleges and universities and encouraged dialogue as a panelist at conferences and seminars.

Mario was co-founder of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations. He served as president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) from 1983 to 1985, was Chairman of the National Rainbow Coalition from 1988 to 1993, and also served on the Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Commission.

Mario holds many honors and awards recognizing his contributions to the advancement of civil liberties for people of color. In 1973, he was awarded the National Urban Coalition Distinguished Urban Service Award. In 1985 he was given the Ohtli Award, Mexico's highest civilian award to a foreigner. In 1998, Mario was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton. In 1999 he was awarded the National Hispanic Hero Award by the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.

Madam Speaker, we join today to express our gratitude to Mario for his life work and philosophy. A belief in helping others, a love of community, and patriotism compelled him to lead a tremendous life of service. It is fitting, on such an occasion that we tribute Mario Obledo for the exceptional friendship and leadership that is his legacy.

Madam Speaker, I rise to salute the Tenth Annual Binational Health Week to take place next month. This program was first established in 2001 to facilitate discussion on the challenges and opportunities that face migrant Latino populations. The annual forum allows participant agencies and organizations to effectively strategize public health policies that benefit border populations by addressing issues pertaining to health care.

Established as a partnership between the California-Mexico Health Initiative and the Mexican Ministry of Health and Foreign Affairs, Binational Health Week has become one of the largest mobilization efforts to improve the health and well being of underserved Hispanics in North America. Today, it is the product of relationships between multiple agencies and organizations that minister to immigrant population health issues.

This tradition has become an annual festival of health promotion and education activities which include workshops and medical screenings. Last year, the Binational Health Week was kicked off in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Through the inaugural event forum, five national campaigns were implemented with the aim of increasing the Latino population's awareness of: H1N1 and Preparing for Public Health Emergencies, Prevention of Addictions, Nutrition, Stroke Awareness, and Living Green.

In addition, to celebrate the Binational Health Week last year, an estimated 766,000 people participated in over 5,000 activities throughout the United States and Canada. Over 10,000 agencies, 140 consulates and 17,000 volunteers participated in the organization of the 2009 week long events.

This year, the inaugural forum will take place in Guanajuato, Mexico with the aim of exploring collaborative opportunities to improve the health and well-being of the cross-border migrant and immigrant population. Binational Health Week will be celebrated from October 4th through 15th in 40 states in the U.S. and 3 provinces in Canada. Also participating will be the consular networks of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

During Binational Health Week, a national campaign will take place to create awareness among the underserved Latino community on the topics of prevention of addictions, gang involvement among adolescents, oral health, obesity, diabetes, disabilities, autism awareness, and access to existing health care. During the campaign a series of activities and health education programs will be conducted including informational workshops, free screenings, core exams, and vaccinations to the public.

The expansion of Binational Health Week over the years has contributed to the main partnerships that have been formed between California's Department of Public Health, The California Endowment, The California HealthCare Foundation, the Health Initiative of the Americas at the University of California in Berkeley, the United States-Mexico Border

Health Commission, the Secretariats of Health and Foreign Affairs of Mexico, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Colombia, the Institute for Mexicans Abroad, and the Mexican Social Security Institute.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Binational Health Week and its organizers, volunteers and participants for realizing this important initiative. Planning for the Tenth Annual Binational Health Week is already well under way in the Inland Empire. I encourage the residents in my district and around the country to observe and partake in local Binational Health Week activities. It is fitting, on such an occasion, that we stand here today to honor Binational Health Week for their many years of outstanding service to our communities on and across the border.

Mr. Speaker, when President Obama took office, he inherited a $1.2 trillion deficit, two wars, a recession, mounting job losses, and a disaster like Katrina that pushed our economy to the brink.

While the Republicans continue to push the same failed policies of the past, Democrats are fighting to help America recover from the Bush recession and move forward.

This Congress, our President, and the Democrats, have fought for middle class tax cuts, boosted small businesses with job creating investments, fought to protect Social Security, worked to create new jobs at home, fought to end the outsourcing of jobs overseas, and have given patients, not health insurance companies, control over their health care.

The choice is clear. Support the Party of No with no solution or the Democrats who will work with working families, the middle class, and will work to strengthen our economy.

Republicans threaten to take us back to the failed policies of the past. We must continue to move America forward.

This August marks the 75th anniversary of Social Security here in America. And our seniors say thank God we have the Social Security system. Over 5 million Americans currently rely on Social Security every year, including retirees, disabled Americans, who we just honored yesterday as well for serving here, and the survivors of deceased workers.

Unfortunately, on the 75th birthday, Social Security again faces a threat from congressional Republicans who want to privatize, I state, who want to privatize and dismantle our current system. From our Republican colleagues, it's the same failed policies of the past.

President Bush and the congressional Republicans pushed Social Security privatizing and benefit cuts in 2005. Now, in 2010, we must tell them ``no.'' If Republicans had been successful in 2005, seniors would have lost trillions more in the stock market meltdown of the Bush administration.

Hardworking Americans simply cannot afford the same old failed Republican policies of the past. We must continue to fight and move our economy forward.

When President Obama took office, he inherited a $1.2 trillion deficit, two wars, a growing recession, and disasters like Katrina that pushed our economy to the brink. Since then, his leadership has laid the groundwork to rebuild our economy and finally end the outsourcing of American jobs.

The President successfully worked to pass historic health care and financial regulatory reform. No administration has done more to improve care and the benefits for our veterans and returning troops.

President Obama and the Democratic Congress have strengthened the quality of health care for over 5 million American veterans, authorized 3.4 percent pay raises for our troops, invested millions for VA facility improvements, and improved health services for women veterans.

The President and the Democratic Congress will continue to do the right

things for the American people. The choice is clear. We must say ``no'' to the failed policies of the past and ``yes'' to continuing in a new direction looking forward.

Today when President Obama signs into law sweeping Wall Street reform, it will mark another important change--I state, another important change--from the failed Republican policies of the past.

The irresponsible policies of the Bush administration and the Republican Congress cost us 8 million jobs. Thankfully, this new financial reform puts us on a path of restoring accountability to our financial system and ending the era of tax-funded bailouts.

President Obama and the congressional Democrats have fought to move America forward. We have enacted significant new laws to create new jobs and increase small business lending, end pay discrimination in the workplace, extend Medicare sovereignty, and make college education more affordable.

Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues continue to support policies that will ship jobs overseas, privatize Social Security, and dismantle Medicare. We can no longer afford the policies of the past. We must continue to work with our President and move America forward.

The American people know that we cannot go back to the failed policies of the Bush administration and the Republicans in Congress. Their lack of accountability and oversight caused 8 million Americans to lose their jobs and led to the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression.

Thankfully, President Obama has led our efforts to rebuild a strong economy for the middle class and expand new job creation for Americans. With his leadership, we have enacted laws, created millions of jobs, given 98 percent of the working families a tax break, increased

Pell programs, made student loans more affordable, jump-started the auto industry with the Cash for Clunkers program, and provided health coverage to 32 million previously uninsured.

The truth of the matter: President Obama and the Congressional Democrats continue to move in the right direction. I ask my colleagues, where would we be right now if we were still stuck with the same Republican policies of the past?

Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues and the Administration an innovative clean-energy project currently under development in my District in California.

The Rentech Rialto Renewable Energy Center will be a first-of-its- kind facility, where biomass from grass clippings and tree trimmings from surrounding communities is converted into diesel fuel and electric power.

The electric power from this project, so greatly needed in our region, will contribute to utility efforts to meet obligations under the California Renewables Portfolio Standard, displacing current, conventional fossil energy-based power generation.

Because the fuel produced is biodegradable, cutting pollution significantly compared to conventional fuels, eight airlines (Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, UPS Airlines and US Airways) have already signed a contract to buy this fuel for their ground equipment at Los Angeles International Airport.

I consider this to be a model project that other cities in California and around our country can adopt to not only help cut our dependence on foreign oil, but also to reduce emissions of green house gasses and pollutants.

I have urged the Department of Energy to give the Rialto Renewable Energy Center all due consideration as it considers Rentech's application for a Title 17 loan guarantee under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

This project exemplifies what Congress had in mind when it created a new category in this program for ``renewable energy systems'' and ``leading edge biofuels projects'' that ``substantially reduce life- cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to other transportation fuels.''

This project will bring energy security, as well as environmental and economic benefits to our community. Two-hundred and fifty jobs will be created during construction, and once operational, there will be about 70 permanent jobs on the site.

Additional jobs will be created or sustained both upstream in the collection and transportation of the green waste or downstream in the distribution of the fuel. Rialto and San Bernardino have been especially hard hit by the recession, and these jobs are desperately needed in my District.

Today I again call upon the Department of Energy to support this project for the many benefits that it will not only bring to San Bernardino County and the rest of Southern California and the Inland Empire, but also for the benefits that our nation will reap from future versions of this project located in other areas.

These are tough times for our Nation, but the American people can take heart that with the leadership of President Obama, we are headed in the right direction.

When the President took office, he inherited a $1.2 trillion deficit, two wars, the recession, mounting job losses, and disasters like Katrina that pushed our economy to the brink.

Since then, with his guidance we have passed the American Recovery Act that saved jobs; the expansion of SCHIP, to provide health coverage to 11 million children; the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the equal pay act for women in the workplace; the Credit Card Bill of Rights; and the historic health reform that finally makes quality, affordable coverage a right for every American. Soon we will enact financial reforms that give us the oversight and accountability to prevent another economic collapse.

The President continues to move us in the right direction and is doing all the right things. Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues continue to have no plan and no direction.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today to honor and remember a loving father and husband, son, brother, respected serviceman and dedicated officer, Mr. Thomas Philip Coleman.

Officer Coleman of Fontana, California, was killed on duty June 11, 2010, while pursuing a stolen vehicle on motorcycle, in Redlands, California. He was 33 years old.

He leaves behind a wife, Jamie Jean, a 2-year-old son, Ryan, and an 11-month old daughter, Shaylen. Born on October 6, 1976 in West Covina, California to Robert Francis Coleman and Janice Womack, he was the third of five children including his brother Joseph Coleman, and sisters, Jennifer Coleman Chagas, Kathleen Poole, and Mary Coleman Heinen.

Graduating Damien High School in La Verne, in 1994, he entered the United States Marine Corps. While enlisted, Tom served as a Land Support Specialist and a Marine Embassy Security Guard in Rome and Romania. After five years of meritorious service, he was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant.

Officer Coleman served with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for seven years. He was assigned to the San Bernardino Area of the Inland Division in March 2008, where he became a CHP Motorcycle Officer.

Tom was an exemplary family man and father who enjoyed spending time with his kids. He enjoyed fulfilling his aspiration of becoming a California Highway Patrol Motorcycle Officer. His hobbies included riding, hiking, and following the NFL.

His passion, dedication to his job and strong, bear hugs which he gave at each greeting will be greatly missed, along with the way he quoted movies, making everyone laugh.

Tom's mischievous sense of humor, smile and twinkling eyes will be missed by all who knew him. Let us take the time to pay tribute to Tom and celebrate the life and the example he lived.

Although he is no longer with us, his unforgettable spirit will continue to live on through the lives of everyone he touched.

The thoughts and prayers of my wife Barbara, my family and I are with his family at this time.

Madam Speaker, let us pay our respects to Officer Thomas Philip Coleman. He will always have a place in our memories and hearts as we remember the selfless genuine devotion he gave to his family, country, the California Highway Patrol, and community.

Madam Speaker, the failed policies of the Bush administration brought our economy to the brink 2 years ago, and while our economy is showing signs of growth, unemployment is still at unacceptable levels.

There are still too many families having to sit down at the table, who are having to decide which bills they can afford to pay each month. There are still families finding themselves with underwater mortgages-- many of them losing their homes.

I ask my colleagues: How would you feel if this were your family or a family member you knew?

We need to make sure that hardworking Americans are able to come home with a sense of pride after a day's work, not with a sense of fear about bills they can't afford. Too many of our families are struggling to make ends meet. Let's build a momentum of job creation as with the HomeStar, the HIRE Act, and the Small Business Lending Fund Act, which provide incentives for growth and innovation.

America deserves better from their government. I am committed to making sure that happens, but Republicans and Democrats must come together for the betterment of this country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for one minute.

I rise to support the passage of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act.

Since 1995, many U.S. regulations have been enacted to pressure Iran to restrict its nuclear fantasies. Previous to this Act none of those regulations had sufficient bite nor adherence.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, if allowed on its present course, could be in the possession of a nuclear weapon in less than a year. Severe restrictions must be imposed on foreign financial institutions who enable this regime to pursue its nuclear aspirations.

Nuclear terrorism is one of the greatest threats to American security. Keeping the bomb from Iran is absolutely critical to international peace and stability.

Iran has repeatedly snubbed their nose at International Atomic Energy inspectors. The government's serial deception in declaring their nuclear intentions has gone unchecked for too long. We cannot allow Iranian leaders to gain more time.

In addition to strengthening and expanding the trade embargo this comprehensive, results-oriented legislation provides for strict economic consequences to those who assist in Iran's human rights violations against its own people. It penalizes those who suppress freedom of religion and speech in Iran and the entities that aid them.

This legislation would be in effect until the day our President certifies to Congress that Iran is no longer a designated state-sponsor of terrorism, has ceased gross violations of the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty, and given up its unrelenting pursuit of ballistic missile, biological and chemical weapon capability.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in unwavering support of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010.