Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, we have a critical role in reviewing the specific details of health care reform. Access to health care is something we owe to every American family across this Nation. Everyone should have coverage. Everyone should have access.

There is no question that we must have comprehensive reform to our health system. Critics to reform are failing to get the message and only talk about rhetoric. Doing nothing for a broken system is not the answer. They do not understand the fear and devastation families face while on trips to the emergency room. They do not understand the severe ramifications faced by families when they receive the doctor's bill or hospital bill.

Families must have access to health care. Never again will you have coverage be denied. Never again will you have to make a decision between life or job decision based on coverage.

I urge my colleagues to support comprehensive health reform.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 409) to provide for the conveyance of certain Bureau of Land Management land in the State of Nevada to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 409, introduced by Congressman Dean Heller, would provide for the conveyance of certain Bureau of Land Management land in Nevada to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for use as a parking lot.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts NASCAR and other racing events and can draw as many as 100,000 racing fans to these races. For several years now, the Speedway has been looking for options to expand its parking and accommodate the growing number of fans attending this event.

H.R. 409 would require the conveyance of 115 acres of Bureau of Land Management land to the owners of the Speedway specifically for expansion of the parking lot. This land is adjacent to the land owned by the Speedway which is already used for a parking lot.

The bill further provides that the land be withdrawn from public land, mining, and mineral leasing laws and must be used only as a parking lot. I would add that the Bureau of Land Management supports this conveyance.

We have no objections to H.R. 409, and I urge its adoption by the House today.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again, I urge all Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3082, FY 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act.

As we welcome our returning valiant soldiers from abroad and near, let us not forget what they so desperately need.

Their fight is not over once they return home.

Congress has a responsibility to provide for our sons and daughters that we send overseas.

Today, this bill will provide for much needed funding assistance for our soldiers who continue to struggle with PTSD and other mental health illnesses.

We will fund 28 new Vet Centers and 30 new Community Based Outpatient Centers to provide readjustment aid to those returning veterans and their families, because we must fight for them like they have fought for us.

This bill will help house those homeless and low-income veterans, who may otherwise be left in the cold and in the streets.

I am especially pleased with the funding to add 1,200 necessary personnel to streamline the process of veterans' claims to ensure that all our men and women are properly taken care of.

I urge my colleagues to vote for the passage of H.R. 3082, and recognize that veteran care must and should be a priority.

Every week my office in San Bernardino, California, receives phone calls from constituents seeking assistance for their health care needs.

The cost of health care is flying through the roof. American families are struggling to pay premiums that are going up three times faster than the wages. The health care system is broken. This is not just disturbing, this is inhumane and un-American when you're being denied health care or can't get the health care coverage you need.

In my district, local small businesses are faced with choosing between offering health care coverage to employees

or closing their doors. I met with local health care leaders in my district. Among other problems, we are seeing sharp increases in emergency room use. If we don't have the health coverage, then we, the taxpayers, will end up picking up the cost.

Rising unemployment rates lead to higher numbers of uninsured and sharp declines of normal doctor visits. No one should be denied; they should be able to have access to health care.

Health care reform will not be an easy task. We must act on behalf of the American families that we represent. I urge my colleagues to give American families peace of mind again by working towards a true health care reform.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to voice my strong support for H.R. 2997, the Agriculture appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010.

I thank my good friend Rosa DeLauro for her leadership on this vital legislation which helps put food on the table for more needy families. Americans are suffering through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. More and more families are forced to seek assistance in order to

feed themselves and their loved ones. As Chair of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, I am pleased that this legislation makes a strong commitment to feeding the impoverished and ending hunger in America. Today's legislation provides more than $7.5 million to ensure that some of the most wonderful in our society, women and young children, have access to nutritious foods during these tough times. These funds will ensure another 700,000 women, infants and children will have access to WIC benefits. In addition, H.R. 2997 provides $180 million to give nutritious foods to over half a million low-income senior, disabled, and women and children through the Commodity Supplemental Foods Program. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today to honor the career and contributions of a longstanding community activist, dear friend, loving husband, and father--Frank Reyes.

After 32 years of loyal service to the Inland Empire of Southern California, Frank recently announced his retirement from his post as Executive Director of Governmental Relations for the San Bernardino City Community College District (SBCCD).

Frank has made San Bernardino, California, his home since first immigrating to the United States from Guadalajara, Mexico, at age 12. He attended San Bernardino High School and Valley College before earning his degree in business from Cal State San Bernardino.

While Frank's academic background is in business, his true passion lies in the field of education. Before joining SBCCD, Frank worked as both a professor and a student counselor. During his tenure at SBCCD, Frank's strong leadership helped secure over $100 million in grant money for both Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College.

Frank has received numerous Community Awards, from myself and many others for his excellent work in the areas of education, county safety, and community leadership.

Frank has been an active member of many distinguished professional organizations, including, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the California Teachers' Association, the California Community College Counselors Association, the Association of Mexican American Educators, and the Inland Empire Latino Business Council.

In addition, Frank has been involved in numerous philanthropic activities in the San Bernardino area. He is a board member with Hands of Mercy, which builds homes for the needy in Ensenada, is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater San Bernardino, and has been very involved with the Jerry Lewis Fire Training Facility. I know Frank will continue to work tirelessly, even in retirement, to support the causes he believes in.

I have had the great privilege of becoming close, personal friends with Frank, his wonderful wife, Eloise, and their son Christopher. In addition to being an outstanding husband and father, Frank has always been a strong supporter to me and my family, and for that--I am forever grateful.

My wife Barbara and I, my sons Councilman Joe Baca Jr. and Jeremy, and my daughters Natalie and Jennifer cherish their friendship, and are appreciative of all they have done over the years to create positive change in the Inland Empire.

In fact, I gave Eloise Reyes a ``Woman of the Year'' award in 1993, when I was in the California State Legislature. She was recognized for all her great work in the community, and for being a true trailblazer as the first Hispanic, female attorney in the Inland Empire.

Madam Speaker, my good friend Frank Reyes has lived a true life of service. He is a perfect example of what one can achieve with hard work, dedication, faith in God, and love in family and friends. My family and I congratulate him on a wonderful career, and wish him nothing but the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I have introduced H.R. 2681, the PROUD Act, which will allow motivated students who are immigrants to apply for U.S. citizenship.

America is the land of opportunity. And it is wrong to unfairly punish innocent young people who came to America by no choice of their own. A high school graduate, upon turning 18, may apply by presenting their transcripts to prove that they have completed grades 6 through 12, show that they understand U.S. history, government, civics, and additionally can prove they are of good moral character.

The PROUD Act will be a positive impact in schools and communities throughout the Nation. This is one piece of the puzzle. There is more that needs to be done for comprehensive immigration reform.

Today the President will hold a long anticipated meeting about immigration. Now is the time to act. We need reform now more than ever.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2681, the PROUD Act, and work towards comprehensive immigration reform.

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote Nos. 417 and 418 on H. Res. 520, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask Congress to pay special tribute to the life of a loving husband and grandfather, my brother, Ladislao ``Tanny'' Baca, of Barstow, CA. Tanny passed away June 6, 2009, at the age of 69 after complications with a brave life-long battle with diabetes.

Born in Las Nuetras, New Mexico January 8, 1940, Tanny made an impressionable impact on all he came in contact with. Tanny was widely admired by family, friends and colleagues. He was hard-working, dedicated, committed, disciplined, loving, supporting. Even though his bark was worse than his bite, he was a kind and loving brother, husband, father and grandfather.

For 16 years he worked as a Switch Man and Local Engineer for the Santa Fe Railroad in Barstow, CA. He worked and retired after 19 years as a Local Engineer at the Marine Base in Yermo, CA. Tanny also honorably served 16 years with the National Guard.

He is remembered by most as a generous man who always had time to share with others. His giving spirit will be missed by his community. He loved his brothers and sisters especially Florenio, Morris, Raymond, Lupe and Theresa. He enjoyed spending time loving us all. He was everything you would want in a brother, son, husband, and grandfather. Tanny enjoyed spending time in his garage. He and his brothers, Florenio and Morris would love to hang out and just enjoy their time there. Tanny also spent time in his garage helping teenagers, seniors and others with limited resources work on their cars. He was less worried about being paid and always happy to help those in need. He was that kind of man. Even though he was Lupe Napier's little brother, he would help take care of her. He was always willing to give her a hand with her car, and moving whatever she needed, he was always there to help her.

On behalf of my brother I would like to share a message from him to his children, Toby, Nick, and Liz. ``Even though we were separated, in my heart I never stopped loving and caring for you.'' To all his children, he loved you all very much.

I would also like to share a few memories from his wife and several of his children.

The thing I remember most is when we went to Las Vegas to

get married and the judge said, ``Do you take this man

Ladislao Baca as your husband?'' and I said, ``What?''

because I only knew him as Tanny. Later we all laughed about

it because we thought it was funny and the judge thought that

she wants to marry this man and she does not even know his

name. Edwina Baca, Wife.

Dad no matter what, you were always there for us, through

good and bad times, we always will respect and love you, and

you will be in our hearts forever. Liz Pullen, Toby and Nick

Connolly, Daughter and Sons.

My dad was a caring and loving man. He never let anyone be

without what they needed and his garage was always open for

anyone. He and his friends would sit out there for hours

talking. He will surely be missed. Angel Baca, Daughter.

Dad, you are the best and you will always be in my heart.

You were always there for me. You touched many lives. I will

always remember when you were by my side when I really needed

you. Eloisa Madero, Daughter.

Memories I have of my dad growing up are going to work with

him everyday as a child and riding the trains with him.

Another good memory was all the bar-be-que we had and how he

always had enough food to feed all the family and the whole

neighborhood and still had plenty of leftovers. Lisa Baca,

Daughter.

The things I remember most about my dad is when he took me

hunting and he lost me and he did not want me to tell my mom

because then I would never be able to go with Dad again. I

also remember the time I dug a hole on the side of the house

and filled it with water and was playing in the mud. Oh man,

did I ever get in trouble. Tim Baca, Son.

I remember most about my dad is when my mom went out of

town and dad tried to cook us spaghetti and he just threw

everything in a pot all together and said it was just like

our mom's and it tasted nothing like how mom made it. Penny

Gray, Daughter.

He will be remembered by his grandchildren as someone who was always able to bring a smile to their face and share a lot of love and time with them.

He was an active outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting various game; including deer, antelope, and bear. When he wasn't enjoying the great outdoors he could be found enjoying Spanish music and dining at his favorite restaurant, ``Del Taco''.

He also loved to get his family together through his cooking. Barbequing was his way of having family reunions to enjoy barbequed cow and pig. He enjoyed bringing us together; he was always about family.

Tanny was a devoted Catholic and attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Barstow with his wife Edwina.

From Las Nuetras, New Mexico to Barstow, California, Tanny's life was dedicated to family, friends, and his community. His memory lives on in our thoughts and prayers. We say ``goodbye. God bless you, we love you, and we will miss you''.

Tanny is survived by his wife, Edwina Baca; his children, Angel Baca, Eloisa Madero, Penny Gray, Tim Baca, Lisa Baca, Nick Connolly, Toby Connolly, and Liz Pullen; brothers and sisters, Florenio Baca, Lupe Napier, Morris Baca, Raymond Baca, Joe Baca and Theresa Perea; his grandchildren and by a large extended family who share in the loss.

The thoughts and prayers of my wife Barbara and children, Councilman Joe Baca, Jr., Jeremy, Natalie and Jennifer and I are with the family at this time.

Madam Speaker, If I would have been here, I would have voted in support of Motion to go to Conference on H.R. 2346-- Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 1886--Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2009, H.R. 1687 and H. Res. 529.

Madam Speaker, please excuse me for departing early on Thursday, June 4, 2009. I left for personal reasons due to the severe illness of my brother. If I would have been here, I would have voted for H.R. 626, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Raymond Bragg, Director Redevelopment and Special Projects for the City of Fontana. Mr. Bragg has had an impressive 42 year serving the public in California and abroad.

A native of Burlingame, CA, Mr. Bragg currently resides in Fontana, CA. His accomplishments as a City Planner can be seen throughout Fontana. Prior to his professional career,

Mr. Bragg attended California Polytechnic State University, Pomona where he met his wife Karolyn. His Scholastic career also includes a Master's degree from California State University, Fullerton in Comparative Public Administration, specializing in the Middle East.

In 1967, his venture into public service began when a newly married Mr. Brag and his wife Karolyn, honorably served two years with the Peace Corps. He and his wife taught English as a second language at the university level in Turkey.

California and The City of Fontana are not the only beneficiaries of Mr. Bragg's talents. In 1978, he accepted a position with the R.M. Parsons Engineering Company and was contracted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to build a new city on the Red Sea. Through this position, as a City Planner, Mr. Bragg was given the opportunity of a lifetime to see a new city develop.

The City of Fontana has capitalized upon Mr. Bragg's education and experience abroad. The pride he takes in his work is visible throughout downtown Fontana. Over 10,000 people from the community joined him to celebrate the opening of a library constructed under his guidance. His achievements with the revitalization of downtown Fontana will impact the community for years to come.

Throughout his extraordinary career Mr. Bragg has also led a harmonious family life. He and his wife Karolyn have been married for 42 years with 3 children, including 7 grandchildren.

I congratulate Mr. Bragg on his impressive 42 year career in public service and I wish him well in his retirement.

For over a year now, I have been coming to the floor to continue to advocate for the need to pass comprehensive immigration reform. While we debate health care and energy legislation, which are important, let us not forget about another urgent situation that is getting worse in America.

To those who say that comprehensive immigration must wait, I ask, how do we humanely deal with the 14 million undocumented immigrants in this country whose lives are being affected every day? How should we respond to thousands of innocent children that increasingly are left to fend for themselves as bureaucratic and outdated immigration laws keep them from their parents?

Our immigration system does not fit the current immigration reality. We need comprehensive immigration reform that respects families and protects our borders and makes America safer.

I urge my colleagues to do the right thing. Look past politics and work with the CHC and pass comprehensive immigration reform.

I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 40, the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009.

I would like to thank Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall, Ranking Member Doc Hastings, and the leadership for their support and efforts in bringing this resolution to the floor.

I also would like to recognize the gentlelady from the Virgin Islands, Representative Christensen, and Doug Lamborn from Colorado, for their hard work in the Natural Resources Committee.

H.J. Res. 40 will help pay tribute to Native Americans for their many contributions to the United States by encouraging all Americans to observe Native American Heritage Day through appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

I have been working diligently towards an official day of recognizing for Native Americans since my time in the California legislature.

In the 110th Congress, H.J. Res. 62 was passed in both the House and the Senate and was signed by President George Bush. This bill encouraged all Americans to recognize the Friday after Thanksgiving in 2008 as Native American Heritage Day. This law was the first time in 25 years that Native Americans were honored on such a national level.

Due to House rules that restrict commemorative legislation, we are not able to have legislation on an annual basis recognizing the Native American holiday and I hope one day we will be able to do that. This legislation needed to be reintroduced to ensure that this day of recognition continues in 2009.

So in this Congress, under a new administration, I introduced H.J. Res. 40, the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009. The act encourages all Americans, the Congress, and President Barack Obama to recognize the important contributions of the Native American community.

I will work with Senator Daniel Inouye and his colleagues to pass this resolution in the Senate and send this once again to the President for his signature. This recognition should not be just for 1 year or one Congress, but it should be for every year.

I thank Senator Inouye and the National Indian Gaming Association for their help in this Congress and for all of their efforts from the 110th Congress.

It is important that we recognize the contributions of Native Americans in all aspects of our society, including government, language, and history. Native Americans distinguished themselves throughout history as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, athletes, and scholars. People caring about people. They have made significant contributions in the fields of agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art.

We must not forget that Native Americans have fought with valor in every American war dating back to the Revolutionary War. In fact, Native Americans have the highest record of service per capita when compared to other ethnic groups. More than 44,000 served with distinction between 1941 and 1945 in both European and Pacific theaters of war. One Native American hero many of us are familiar with is Corporal Ira Hayes, the courageous soldier immortalized forever when he helped to raise the flag at Iwo Jima.

More than 40,000 Native Americans left their reservations to work in ordnance depots, factories, and other war industries. They also invested more than $50 million in war bonds, and contributed generously to the Red Cross and the Army and Navy Relief societies.

During the Vietnam War, over 42,000 Native Americans fought bravely, of these over 90 percent of them volunteers. Native American contributions in United States military combat continued in the 1980s and 1990s as they saw duty in Grenada, Panama, Somalia, and the Persian Gulf.

Last Congress, as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I worked with my colleagues to ensure the PBS World War II documentary ``The War'' included the sacrifices of both our Native American and our Hispanic heroes.

But there are many other Native American contributions away from the battlefield that also deserve to be recognized. Our history, our culture, our traditions, and what we give to our society and each of our communities is part of an integral educational process that we should do.

In an area near and dear to my heart--athletes--Native Americans have produced one of the greatest football players ever--Jim Thorpe. And their native languages are cultural treasures that were often used to keep the United States safe from attack--as was the case with the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, who fought for freedom and democracy.

Last Congress--again, in my role as the chair of CHS--I fought with my colleagues to beat back harmful English-only amendments that would have threatened the continued existence of their language and their contributions to our society.

Today--through Indian gaming--Native Americans build an important economic engine that creates good-paying jobs, that can't be outsourced, in many of our communities.

In my own area, the Inland Empire of Southern California, the Pechanga and Sobaba Band of Luiseno Indians both make it a point to give back to the community, along with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. My good friend James Ramos and I served to make sure that the legislation passed in the State of California.

These tribes contribute extensively to local charities and also have donated funds to counties and local governments. The funds have been used to purchase everything from police equipment to books for the classroom.

It is important for all of us to see the significant contributions of the cultures and traditions and that everyone is properly educated on the heritage and achievements of Native Americans. And I state: everybody is properly educated, without the stereotypes that have been in place.

That is why my bill encourages public schools to place a greater emphasis on teaching Native American history and culture to our children. We must ensure that future generations understand the significant cultural legacy of Native Americans to this country--the true Americans, the true heroes, and the true citizens of this country.

For many of us, the Friday after Thanksgiving is known simply as a day of shopping or a day off work or off school. It's a day to recognize what it means in recognizing those who have contributed to our country. Let us make this day a true reflection of the significant contributions of all Native Americans.

As we all know, nationwide recognition of this contribution is long overdue. I urge my colleagues to support H.J. Resolution 40, and take a firm step in honoring Native Americans. I thank both of my colleagues for supporting this legislation.

As America celebrates Memorial Day next week, let us not forget what this day represents. This is a day of reflection to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country--the men and women who served our country. This includes thousands of immigrants who, although not officially citizens, died defending America's values we all share.

In fact, one of the first U.S. servicemen killed in combat in Iraq was an immigrant, Marine Lance Corporal Jose Gutierrez, only 22 years old.

On Memorial Day, immigrant families will also share America's reflection of those who gave their lives. But America must not accept immigrants one moment and reject them the next.

Congress must look past tough political decisions and work on real comprehensive reform for the sake of those immigrants and their families that already gave so much to this country. I urge my colleagues and President Obama to work with the CHC to pass comprehensive immigration reform.