Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 442, a resolution recognizing the importance of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and its positive effect on the lives of low income children and families. I'd like to thank my friend, Representative George Miller, for introducing this legislation--and for his commitment to ending childhood hunger in America.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care for children and elderly adults by making care more affordable for many low-income families. Through CACFP, 2.9 million children and 86,000 adults receive nutritious meals and snacks each day as part of their day care.

For many years--I have stressed the importance of a healthy diet for America's school children. We now have scientific proof that a direct connection exists between a nutritious diet and student achievement in the classroom.

As Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on nutrition--I fought to include important expansions of fresh fruit and vegetable programs for our schools in last year's farm bill. This legislation works in conjunction with programs like CACFP to create a healthier school environment for America's children.

Congress has expanded CACFP to support children in a variety of new settings including at-risk after-school programs and homeless, domestic violence and runaway shelters. In addition, CACFP has been made available to adult day care centers serving chronically impaired adults or people over age 60.

In today's terrible economic climate--the benefits of the CACFP program are having a greater impact than ever before. The program plays a vital role in creating and maintaining quality, affordable care for preschool and school-age children. I am proud to support this resolution--which gives the CACFP program much deserved Congressional recognition. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 1-year anniversary of the raid at the Agriprocessor plant in Postville, Iowa.

On May 12, 2008, ICE agents arrested nearly 400 immigrant workers, this despite the horrific stories of worker abuse at the plant. This is a clear example of the misplaced priorities of the Bush administration, who fast-tracked criminal cases against undocumented workers.

Last year I traveled to Postville and witnessed firsthand the deflated spirit of families who were torn apart from their loved ones. These raids not only affected the families of the detainees but the whole community of Postville, which to this day has not fully recovered.

This is an example of the ugly consequences of enforcement-only approaches to immigration reform. We need a real reform that reflects America's needs. That's comprehensive immigration reform.

I urge my colleagues in Congress to learn from the past and work with CHC and President Obama to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Madam Speaker, I voted in favor of H.R. 1728, Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act, during the first final passage vote. The vote was vacated three minutes into the vote due to a parliamentarian error. I had left the building to return to California due to possible minor surgery on Friday, May 8, 2009.

Madam Speaker, this Sunday, many of us will be celebrating Mother's Day with our mothers, wives, daughters and all the wonderful women in our lives.

As we celebrate Mother's Day, let us not forget that there are thousands of children who will not be celebrating this day with their mothers. We must fix our broken immigration system that does not work, that fails our families, that leaves our children to fend for themselves.

Every day there are thousands of heartbreaking stories of how families are torn apart due to the broken system. We must pass comprehensive immigration reform that doesn't tear children from their parents and respects all families. We must remember that immigration reform is not just about statistics and numbers, it is about families.

I urge my colleagues, the House leadership and President Obama to make immigration a priority and to work with the CHC towards comprehensive immigration reform.

I wish all mothers a happy Mother's Day this Sunday.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 627, the Creditcard Holders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009.

Now more than ever, working families need strong, fair lending and credit laws.

H.R. 627 curbs some of the most abusive and unfair credit card lending practices that trap consumers in an unending, costly debt.

The credit card companies' tricks and traps that are addressed by H.R. 627 have always been unfair, but in this time of growing economic uncertainty for the average family, the financial hardship can be overwhelming.

Companies should not be allowed to randomly hike the interest rate on a consumer's existing balance if they make their payments on time just because of an ``anytime--any reason'' clause in the contract. This practice is un-fair and un-American.

Equal access to credit is a vital step in helping racial and ethnic minority families move out of poverty, into the middle class and be given a real shot at the American dream.

Much like the targeting and discrimination that occurs with home loans, our minority communities are steered toward credit cards with the highest fees and interest rates and most complicated payment terms.

According to the National Council of La Raza, one report showed that 15 percent of African-American and 13 percent of Latino card users have cards with interest rates over 20 percent, compared to only 7 percent of White card users.

More than one-third of Latinos use their credit cards to make ends meet.

As low-income Latinos use credit cards for safet-net purposes, they are more likely to get behind in their bills and become buried in unmanageable debt.

Instead of providing relief or a financial bridge, credit cards with abusive features and practices often create vicious cycles of debt.

The passage of this bill would be a historic victory for consumers of all backgrounds and ethnicities across the country.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill and the long over due consumer protections that it provides.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of H.R. 1728, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act.

This bill will ensure that mortgage lenders make loans that benefit consumers and prohibit them from steering the borrowers into high cost loans, and we know what an impact it has had on our Nation and many individuals who have lost their homes. In addition, this bill encourages the market to move back towards making fixed-rate, fully documented loans.

This legislation also prevents predatory and abusive lending practices, holds creditors responsible for loans they originated and protects tenants who rent homes that go into foreclosure.

I ask you to support this legislation on behalf of those that are right now on the verge of losing their homes and protect those tenants.

First of all, I would like to thank the Congressman from New Jersey for his leadership on bringing this resolution, and also as the chair of the Subcommittee on Africa. I would like to thank the gentleman from Arkansas for bringing up the resolution that is important to a lot of us. Also, I would like to thank the ranking members; the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Howard Berman, and then, of course, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, as well, for their leadership and support in bringing this bipartisan effort to the floor.

I rise today in support of H. Res. 230, a resolution recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo. This resolution recognizes the Cinco de Mayo holiday, which honors the spirit and the courage of the Mexican people involved in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

In that battle, General Ignacio Zaragoza led the Mexican forces against the well-trained French Army, which vastly outnumbered the Mexicans. After only 4 hours, General Ignacio Zaragoza was able to claim victory. As a result of General Zaragoza's tremendous victory, the French foreign forces sustained heavy losses and were forced to withdraw from the area.

Along with Mexican Independence Day on September 16, Cinco de Mayo has become a time to celebrate Mexican heritage and culture with pride and dignity. While Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French in this battle, it was one of many battles that the Mexican people won in the long and brave struggle for independence and freedom. And this is what they fight for today in comprehensive immigration.

Today, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated not only in recognition of the defeat of the French Army, but it also celebrates the virtues of individual courage and patriotism of all Mexican Americans--all Mexicans who have fought for their freedom and independence. Today, we will also celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the White House with President Obama.

However, it also serves as a reminder to all of the wonderful culture and characteristics that Latinos have brought to this country. I am an example in terms of what I am wearing right now.

Latinos are the fastest-growing minority population in this country, accounting for over 45 million people--49 million, if you include Puerto Rico. It represents about 17 percent of the total population.

The contributions made by Latinos to our American culture are countless--ranging from business, to art, to sports, to science, you name it. You see all kinds of figures everywhere around the United States.

Latinos have fought hard and are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for this country. They have fought in every major war since the Revolutionary War. You have seen them fight for this country.

We have served with honor to defend this great country, and we will do that because we believe in it. That is why people come to the United States--for the freedom that we have.

Today, there are 30 Latino Members in the United States Congress-- bipartisan. Also, we have Secretary Ken Salazar at the Department of the Interior, and Secretary Hilda Solis at the Department of Labor, who are both of Latino origin. This number points to what a driving force Latino communities have become in our country economically, socially, and politically.

Cinco de Mayo also serves as a reminder of our wonderful and longstanding relationship with our great neighbors to the south. Last year, over $367.5 billion of goods were traded between the United States and Mexico. That makes Mexico our Nation's third leading trading partner.

Cinco de Mayo provides us with a great opportunity to look back at our own heritage as Americans--and I say as Americans. Our ancestors all came from diverse cultures and different homelands. Yet, they banded together to fight against oppression and tyranny, helping to form this great country that we have today.

While Latino culture has come a long way, we all must come together to make sure we recognize the inequities that exist right now in our communities, and that we deal with social and economic disadvantage that affect a lot of us.

My colleagues and I in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus share a common purpose--working to break down those walls and increase opportunities in areas such as education and health care so that we all have equity, regardless of who we are, where we come from, for that same kind of justice and equality.

This past February, I was proud to give my support to the Recovery Act. As a great number of Hispanic families, as well as many other families, are struggling mightily during this recession, this act helps to create jobs for millions of Americans, invest in health care, education, and energy.

With that, I say let's support H. Res. 230, and ask for your support.

Madam Speaker, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment for comprehensive immigration reform in an interview on Univision. The President believes ``that it is in the interest of everybody, and in the interest of the U.S. economy over time, for us to resolve this issue in a comprehensive way.''

The immigration crisis is not a problem to be left to solve tomorrow or sometime in the future. I support President Obama as he reiterates that we need to ``resolve the issue in a comprehensive way that provides a pathway to legalization but also deals more effectively with our borders.'' He has created hope and the change that this country really believes in.

We cannot ignore the 12 to 14 million undocumented immigrants working beside the rest of us every day. Thousands of young children who are U.S. citizens are being left stranded to fend for themselves as an immigration system is tearing them from their parents.

I urge my colleagues and House leadership to work with the CHC and President Obama to support a comprehensive immigration reform that respects all families.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. Con. Res. 13, the FY2010 Congressional Budget Resolution Conference Report.

Throughout our nation, Americans are suffering due to economic hardships caused by this recession.

In my district--unemployment is at almost 13 percent.

Parents are coming home from their last day of work, afraid and worried about how they will provide for their families.

They are losing their health insurance and their hope in the American dream is faltering.

If you vote for this budget resolution, you are voting for a solution. You are voting to help American families.

The budget conference agreement makes strategic investments in education, health care reform, and energy independence that are necessary to restore our crumbling economy--and put the country in a position to remain globally competitive.

This budget is instrumental in stabilizing our economy. It provides the resources necessary to help restore the standard of living for many American families.

It also puts our nation back on the path of fiscal responsibility.

The budget improves fiscal discipline by requiring statutory PAYGO as a condition for making current policy adjustments to the baseline for tax cuts and the Medicare physician payment system.

I urge my colleagues to approve this conference report, and pass this responsible budget.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 1913--the Federal Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. This legislation has had bipartisan support during the 106th, 108th, 109th and the 110th Congresses.

Many law enforcement organizations throughout the nation have endorsed the bill. We have their support because local police and sheriffs' departments will get resources they need to help investigate and prosecute violent criminals.

The bill allows the Federal government to provide crucial federal resources to state and local agencies to equip local officers with the tools they need to prosecute hate crimes.

Everyone deserves to be protected and to feel safe in their communities. African Americans, Hispanics, disabled Americans, Christians, members of the GBLT community, and every other American deserve this right. And we should give our local law enforcement the tools and support necessary to ensure our safety. We are all created equal and should be afforded the same freedoms and protections.

H.R. 1913 will provide assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies and amend Federal law to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of bias-motivated crimes of violence.

I ask my colleagues to join me as we pass this much needed civil rights legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1243) to provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Arnold Palmer in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf.

Mr. Speaker I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to thank Chairman Frank, Ranking Member Spencer Bachus and my colleague, Judy Biggert, who is also a cosponsor of this legislation.

I want to take the time to thank my colleagues in the House of Representatives for their support on this bill. It truly is a bipartisan bill.

I also want to thank my staff for their hard work and dedication. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1243, to honor Arnold Palmer with a Congressional Gold Medal. Arnold Palmer's golf record is one history will forever remember. He is a legend and a giant amongst golfers.

I have had the opportunity to play with Arnold Palmer before. My son, Joe Baca, Jr., mayor pro tem, City of Rialto, was also in attendance. This was the most memorable outing I have had the pleasure of experiencing. It was an experience the two us will never forget.

It was like a dream come true. I had to pinch myself to make sure that this wasn't just a dream. Not only is he a golf legend, but also a genuine person with a great sense of humor.

Walking these 18 holes with him will forever be one of my greatest moments in life, besides, of course, marrying my wife and having my four children.

His drive and passion for the game is an example of sportsmanship of the highest caliber and was an inspiration to me.

However, I ask that Arnold Palmer be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his leadership as an American.

Palmer was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in September of 1929. He learned golf from his father, Deacon Palmer, who was the head professional and greenskeeper at Latrobe Country Club. At the age of 7, Palmer broke 70 at Bent Creek Country Club.

Can you imagine the rest of us with the kind of equipment that we have today and his having that equipment and breaking 70 at that tender age? My Lord, that is something else.

As a youngster, Palmer was only allowed on the Latrobe course in the early mornings or late afternoons when the members weren't playing. He attended Wake Forest University on a golf scholarship. He left upon the death of close friend, Bud Worsham, and enlisted in the Coast Guard where he served for 3 years and continued to hone his skills.

Palmer gathered himself and returned to competitive golf. His win in the 1954 U.S. Amateur Championship made him decide to try the pro tour for a while, and he and his new bride, Winifred, whom he had met at a Pennsylvania tournament, traveled the circuit for 1955.

As a member of the Professional Golfers Association, PGA, which also stands for ``posture, grip and alignment,'' Palmer won the 1955 Canadian Open in his rookie season. He raised his game systematically for the next several sessions.

With the help of his unfailing personality and lucrative business ventures, Arnold Palmer has almost single-handedly brought golf out of the elite country clubs and into the consciousness of mainstream America, which is where most of us are from, mainstream America.

Palmer won his first major championship at the 1958 Masters, cementing his position as one of the leading stars in golf. Palmer is credited by many for securing the status of the Open Championship--the British Open--among U.S. players.

After Ben Hogan won the championship in 1953, few American professionals had traveled to play in The Open due to its travel requirements, relatively small prize purses and the style of its links courses. That means traveling across the country for the game of golf and for the love of the game of golf to ensure that others love the game and are as compassionate as he is about the game.

Palmer's Open wins in the early 1960s convinced many American pros that a trip to Britain would be worth the effort. He secured his popularity among the British and European fans and, of course, the American fans.

In all, Arnold Palmer won 92 professional events. Can you imagine what that's like? Ninety-two. Some of us can't even win when we go out and play on a weekend. Ninety-two professional events. His most prominent professional titles were four Masters--and I repeat four Masters--in 1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964--wow--two British Opens in 1961 and 1962 and the memorable U.S. Open Championship at Cherry Hills in Denver, Colorado in 1960.

In 1960, he won the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year

and Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year award-- something that a lot of us are striving for that we'll probably never, ever make, but we congratulate him on that award.

In 1967, he became the first man to reach the $1 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour. Can you imagine the amount of money during that period of time and what he would have won now if they'd paid the same amount of money? He'd be equal to Tiger Woods, I believe, but that wasn't the case. They didn't pay as much.

Palmer won the Vardon Trophy for the lowest scoring average four times in 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1967. Can you imagine the lowest scoring? Well, most of us get the highest scoring award right now versus the lowest scoring award on the average, and that's quite a compliment, you know, for someone to receive.

Arnold Palmer also represented the U.S. in the Ryder Cup matches seven times as either a player or as a captain. Seven times. You know, when we've had the Ryder Cup that has come here in our congressional, I'm glad that I've been a member of our Ryder Cup. We've been successful in defeating that cup; but can you imagine Arnold Palmer being there seven times as either a player or as a captain? That's quite an honor. He was the last playing captain in 1963 and captained the team again in 1975.

Palmer was eligible for the Senior PGA Tour from its first season in 1980, and he was one of the marquees named who helped it become successful. That's giving those individuals who play on the young tour an opportunity to continue or it's creating hope for seniors who want to become professionals. There are others who have become professionals as seniors. Thanks to Arnold, those gates were opened to allow individuals to get there.

He won 10 events on the tour, including five senior majors. He retired from tournament golf on October 13, 2006.

One of his favorite drinks is a combination of half iced tea and half lemonade. You thought I was going to say some kind of mixed drink or liquor. No. Half iced tea and half lemonade. It's a drink which is often referred to as the ``Arnold Palmer'' in his honor. That's a great drink for those of you who haven't had the Arnold Palmer. I'm not soliciting, asking you to go out and do that, but that's great. It's a good drink to get when you're out on the golf course.

I ask that we honor Arnold Palmer with a Congressional Gold Medal because of the way Arnold Palmer lives his life. He is a perfect example of how Americans should live--and I state: how Americans should live. Arnold Palmer's way of life is a perfect example of how all Americans should give--how Americans should give.

He is a devoted husband, father and grandfather who cares for his family and who has helped many other families during times of hardship and struggle. He has helped many other families during times of hardship and struggle, and that's what we're going through right now in this Nation and in this country with the recession that we're in and with many people losing their homes and their jobs.

Arnold Palmer's work in philanthropy shows his dedication towards helping others. He is known to have an unfailing sense of kindness, and has used the game of golf as a means of sharing. He proactively helps others survive extreme health emergencies. As a cancer survivor, he knows firsthand how devastating health issues can be. Arnold Palmer served as Honorary National Chairman of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation for 20 years. That means he dedicated himself for 20 years to the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. He played a major role in the fund-raising drives that led to the creation of the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women in Orlando in the 1980s. The hospital has been healing women and children from central Florida and around the world with care, compassion and a leading edge in medical care.

The Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies has left a permanent mark on the lives of thousands of families from around the world--and that's around the world.

The Arnold Palmer Prostate Center--and I state ``prostate center'' because most of us may be having it, but we want to make sure that we look at prevention. He has recognized every cancer patient as unique because of his prostate cancer center. It offers a variety of programs, including counseling, nutrition, support groups, a cancer lecture series, exercise for cancer patients, and arts in health care, because he cares about those patients or those individuals who have been affected with prostate cancer. Even my bishop, Bishop Barnes, had prostate cancer, and I remember that. It's for individuals who care about others and who want to improve their quality of life, which is what Arnold Palmer has done for them.

Arnie's Army Battles Prostate Cancer is a unique funding-raising and awareness campaign of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. This program is designed to help organizers and participants use golf as a fund-raising tool to raise money for better treatments and for the cure of prostate cancer. Every dollar raised by Arnie's Army tournaments--and I state ``every dollar''--goes directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. That means every dollar goes to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The Arnold Palmer Cancer Pavilion fulfills a longtime dream of his to offer outpatient oncology and testing. They are committed to the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in his home town.

The Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve Trust's mission is to permanently improve and maintain property preserved by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation.

We thank Arnold Palmer; his late wife, Winnie; his two daughters, Peggy and Amy; and his five grandchildren, Emily, Katherine Anne, Anne Palmer Saunders, Nicola Wears, and Samuel Palmer Saunders, for making America a better place. He, too, is a role model, an example that, if you lead by example, others can be better, and he has done that in what he has demonstrated and in what he has done as an American.

Although Arnold Palmer does not feel comfortable being called the ``king of golf,'' Arnold Palmer is royalty, royalty in the eyes and hearts of those he has helped. We thank Arnold Palmer. We thank you for your life's work.

His legions of fans were often called Arnie's Army. Well, now we can be called Arnie's Congressional Army. So he no longer just has the army out there. He has Arnie's Congressional Army.

You are a true American, an American deserving not only of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and of the U.S. Navy's Lone Sailor award, to name a few, but Arnold Palmer deserves to be honored with a Congressional Gold Medal. For this reason and for many reasons unsaid and of stories unsaid and for the people who have met him, I urge all Members to support this passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would thank Judy Biggert. Thank you very much for being a cosponsor of this important legislation. I want to thank Tim Murphy and, of course, my good friend Dan Burton, who, as well, is an excellent golfer I've had the opportunity to play golf with on many occasions. And he does hit the ball a long ways. Although we have a difficult time in getting it in the hole in three or four, whatever the course may be. Tim, I know that you had the privilege, like I, of playing with Arnold Palmer; and it's really quite a memorable experience. For those of us who have an opportunity to walk down the 18th hole, talk to him, look at his personality as a human being. He's one that's touched the life of many individuals.

For people that have watched him play golf and have played golf, and not everybody can exert and be as good as Arnold Palmer was--and is, still today--and what he has done for the game itself not only for individuals that go there that when you're playing a lot of times, he is one that was a risk taker, a challenger. He's the one that said when it was impossible to hit that kind of a shot, he would dare and hit in between woods, try to hit over trees, try to make sure that if there was a lake, he says, ``I'm going to get to the tin cup of the world.'' He was the tin cup, except he got there and didn't have to take 12 strokes to get there.

That's one thing about Arnold Palmer is he lifted the game to another level because he believed in the challenge of it. He just didn't believe in just being that safe person and getting a par on a par 4 or getting a par on a par 5 or par 3. He always went for that birdie or that eagle because a lot of times he reached it.

As I stated before, can you imagine what he would have been today if he had the kind of equipment that we have right now in hitting the balls and in playing. He's one that excelled in terms of having the excellence, because for those of us that even get over a putt, it's very difficult to be over a putt and then all of a sudden, you have to make that putt. I happened to be playing the other day, and I had maybe a two-and-a-half-foot putt for a birdie. I missed it. Can you imagine him? He had the nerves to make sure that he not only made that putt but made every other putt. Nerves of steel. And for that, we will always remember that he touched the lives of many individuals, and I think that's important for a lot of us, to know of a human being that really cared about people, that wanted to make people a lot better, and he did it through golf.

He felt that golf was an opportunity for himself to excel and show the world that others can participate in this game and give back. He always believed in giving back to the community, and that's what he's done. That's why our lives are a lot better, and he's touched the lives of many individuals today that will always look at him, that have followed him throughout the world in Arnie's Army, now the Congressional Army that he has out here, to say, Arnie, we now realize that you did more than just golf. You did a lot for human beings in this world right now.

That's why, Mr. Speaker, I ask us all to make sure that we support H.R. 1243, to provide the award of the Gold Medal on behalf of Congress to Arnold Palmer in recognition of his service to this Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 46) to provide for payment of an administrative fee to public housing agencies to cover the costs of administering family self- sufficiency programs in connection with the housing choice voucher program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert additional materials thereon.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of H.R. 46, the Family Self-Sufficiency Act of 2009. I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois, Representative Biggert, for introducing this critical legislation which provides housing agencies with much-needed administrative funds.

H.R. 46 provides public housing agencies with a funding source to cover the costs of administering Family Self-Sufficiency, or FSS, programs in connection with HUD's section 8 voucher program.

This legislation enhances the FSS programs by providing housing authorities with additional coordinator funding so that they can help more families participate in the programs. It establishes a minimal ratio of coordinators to participants to ensure that there is adequate assistance to provide all of the families enrolled in the FSS program.

H.R. 46 requires HUD to establish and implement performance measures, collect data on FSS programs, and report to Congress on the effectiveness of these programs.

With this additional funding, HUD will have the flexibility needed to reward innovative and successful FSS programs. And that is important for a lot of us, to have the flexibility to reward those programs that are doing a good job. Mr. Speaker, as someone who comes from a district that has been one of the hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis--and that is in the Inland Empire--I can tell you that there is greater need now than ever before for public housing.

The FSS program works. It provides struggling families with the assistance they need, while also lessening their reliance on public housing so that they can eventually become self-sufficient homeowners and renters.

In my district, the waiting list for affordable housing for some families is as long as 10 years, and that is a shame that it has to be as long as 10 years. In this time of economic difficulty, we must support legislation that provides funds for public housing agencies that put more families on the path back to economic security.

Again, I want to thank Representative Biggert for her hard work on H.R. 46 and her commitment to this issue. Thank you for your commitment to this issue on behalf of all the families that will be impacted.

I urge my colleagues to support the Family Self-Sufficiency Act.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank again Judy Biggert for her leadership in preventing homelessness. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 46, the Families Self-Sufficiency Act of 2009.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I am touched by the unwavering spirit of the American people during these tough economic times. We continue to work hard and last week we all paid our taxes. In fact, thousands of immigrants also paid into our tax system through payroll taxes and sales taxes.

There are 12 to 14 million undocumented immigrants that are living and working in this Nation trying to build a better life for their families. I state, a better life for their families. We cannot forget that this country was founded by immigrants who prayed for a better life and who were willing to work hard to make it happen.

By providing a path to citizenship, it is estimated that new legal immigrants would provide $407 billion to strengthen the Social Security system over the next 50 years. We must bring this working population out from the shadows and allow them to become active contributing members of our society.

I urge my colleagues to work with the CHC and President Obama to support comprehensive immigration reform that will fix our economy and respect all families.

Madam Speaker, in October 1987 the first issue of the Inland Empire Hispanic News was published. To date, we celebrate the 22nd Anniversary of this initial publication. The paper has been widely accepted by both the Hispanic public and the Inland Empire as the premier publication in the distribution areas, with a probable 4.5 person readership per individual paper. The Inland Empire Hispanic News has continually published the tabloid on a bimonthly basis for the past 22 years and has successfully reached out to the Inland Empire communities of Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Colton, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Upland, Riverside, and Corona. Since its incorporation, the Inland Empire Hispanic News has been recognized with well over 35 awards varying from congressional, state, city, and other civic and non-profit organizations for its journalistic contributions to the Hispanic community and the Inland Empire.

The newspaper was founded by Mr. Graciano Gomez, who saw an urgent need for a newspaper that would exemplify the positive Hispanic attributes, and further the education, socio-economic and business issues prevalent in the Inland Empire. Mr. Gomez understood that in order to advocate for the greater Hispanic community, he needed to provide a common unified communication vehicle that highlighted both the positive accomplishments within the greater community, as well as the public policies and issues at hand. Mr. Gomez organized a meeting with diverse community leaders and founded the Board of Directors consisting of Ray Abril Jr., Aurelio De La

Torre, Esther Mata, Arthur Milian, George Martinez, Ray Nieves, and of course Mr. Graciano Gomez as Chairperson and Publisher. The Board established that the major goals of the Inland Empire Hispanic News would be the advocacy of education, economic development, volunteerism, and political activity that were of critical interest to the greater Hispanic community.

The Inland Empire Hispanic News has since been one of the leading newspapers to highlight important public and social policies in regards to health, education, economic development, and business news. It captures the heart of the greater Inland Empire community by sharing the inspiring stories of outstanding role models of leaders in the community, business, education, and non-profit sectors, and individuals and families who are making positive contributions to our society. The paper has also become a primary source for many interested in current issues, news events, advocacy opportunities and available resources.

With the hard work and commitment of Mr. Gomez and his wife of 30 years, Mrs. Trini Gomez, the Inland Empire Hispanic News provided input from elected officials, governmental agencies, community based organizations, individuals, business and other sources relative to issues and interests of the greater Hispanic community. Since the publication's inception, Mrs. Trini Gomez has played a vital role in the development and on going operation of the newspaper. Together they have made this dream of a creating a vital resource for the Hispanic population within the Inland Empire a reality.

However, the dream of this newspaper, its mission and great accomplishments would not have been possible without Mr. Graciano Gomez. Mr. Gomez was raised in the Inland Empire, graduating from Redlands High School in 1943. Immediately following graduation he was called into the United States Air Force, serving in the India/Burma Theater of War. After being honorably discharged in 1946 he was employed at Norton Air Force Base. In 1952, he resigned in order to accept a position in the County of San Bernardino. He served 34 years with the County of San Bernardino and associated agencies and was recognized for his civil service career by state and county officials.

Since his military discharge in 1946, Mr. Gomez has established himself as a professional pillar of the Inland community, while also continuing a passion and commitment for community service.

After experiencing many injustices, Mr. Gomez is driven to advocate for the Hispanic community within the Inland Empire. He is dedicated to promoting quality education for all youth, and encouraging civic volunteerism, as well as political and socio-economic involvement. His continual service to the Inland Empire has been recognized with over 73 awards varying from the diocese, congressional, state, city, and other civic and nonprofit organizations.

One of his greatest accomplishments however, is the establishment of the Inland Empire Hispanic News in 1987. In honor and celebration of the 22 years of publication of the Inland Empire Hispanic News, we would like to congratulate Mr. Graciano Gomez for his life long service and commitment to the greater Hispanic community. The Inland Empire Hispanic News has demonstrated an ability to outreach and bring to light the important issues affecting the Hispanic community and by doing so has been an inspirational influence of positive change within the Inland Empire.

I rise today to commemorate the 82nd birthday of a true American hero, the late Cesar Chavez.

For 10 years, I have fought for a national holiday to honor Cesar Chavez, a man who not only carried the torch for justice and freedom, but was the beacon of hope for thousands without a voice.

As a cofounder and president of United Farm Workers, Cesar used nonviolent tactics to bring attention to the dangerous working conditions in the fields and the plight of exploited farm workers and their right to unionize.

The reach of his accomplishments stretches far beyond the Latino community. The battle for social justice is far from being over. But in the words of Cesar Chavez, ``si se puede!''

During these hard economic times, let us not forget that history teaches us many things. True leaders are those who fight for those without a voice, and he was one that fought for many of those who didn't have voices.

As we approach his birthday, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 213, a resolution that educates our youth about Cesar Chavez and his accomplishments and I urge the creation of a national holiday for him.