Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Bishop for allowing me to bring up this legislation.

I rise today in support of establishing a tribute to Native Americans for their many contributions to the United States.

My bill, H.J. Res. 62, encourages all Americans to recognize the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.

I want to thank Chairman George Miller, Ranking Member Don Young, Representatives Dale Kildee and Ruben Hinojosa for their continued support for this bill.

Since my time in the California legislature, I've been a strong advocate to help preserve the legacy of Native Americans. It's important that we recognize their contributions to all aspects of our society, from our government to our language to history.

My bill encourages public elementary and secondary schools to enhance student understanding of Native Americans. We need more classroom instruction to focus on the history, culture and achievements and traditions of Native Americans.

Native Americans and their ancestors have played a critical role in the establishment of the freest country in the world. They have fought with valor and have died in every American war dating back to the Revolutionary War to the current wars. We in Congress must encourage greater awareness of the significant roles they have played in our national history.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I'm honored that Native Americans will be honored on this day.

Madam Chairman, I rise today to ask for support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, ENDA, H.R. 3685.

People who do their jobs well, pay their taxes and contribute to their communities should not be singled out for unfair discrimination.

This notion lies at the core of American values. Yet, millions of Americans are fired from their jobs, refused work, or paid less because of their sexual orientation.

Sadly, this discrimination is legal in 39 States. This is why Federal protection is so important.

H.R. 3685 provides employment protections similar to those of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

This bill will provide judges with the tools necessary to end discrimination.

It will protect Americans, hard-working Americans who deserve the same freedoms and governmental support given to all working Americans.

Please support this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks.

I rise today to voice my strong support for H.R. 3996, the Temporary Tax Relief Act.

This bill provides much needed tax relief to 23 million middle class families across the Nation, including over 20,000 families in my own Congressional district.

Families in California and throughout the United States have seen the cost of health care, gasoline and a college education soar--while at the same time their homes have lost value.

They deserve a helping hand. This legislation protects them from being hit by the Alternative Minimum Tax.

The bill also gives tax relief to working families by providing 30 million homeowners with property tax relief, and expanding the child tax credit for 12 million children.

Instead of tax breaks for the wealthiest few, Democrats are restoring fiscal sanity and giving the hard-working men and women of America the relief they deserve.

I urge my colleagues to cast a vote for economic fairness and equality, and to support H.R. 3996.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for overriding the President's misguided veto of the Water Resources Development Act.

This bill is long overdue. The projects funded in this bill are critical to the health, safety and quality of life in our communities around the country. This bill is necessary to better protect Americans against severe weather and flooding--and also ensure all Americans have access to clean, safe drinking water.

The President's veto of WRDA is another example of misplaced priorities. We continue to spend $10 billion in Iraq, but won't spend the money necessary to make sure we never have another Katrina. This bill is about saving lives. In my district we have perchlorate contamination in much of the drinking water. H.R. 1495 invests money in researching and solving this problem--because no parent should ever have to worry that their child is going to get sick from drinking tap water.

I urge my colleagues to cast a vote to keep America safe and healthy--and override this mistaken veto.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose the Peru Free Trade Agreement.

This Peru Free Trade Agreement does not guarantee American jobs will stay right here in the United States. That is the bottom line: jobs that need to stay right here in the United States.

American families have lost jobs because past trade agreements did not lead to the creation of jobs right here at home. American families are earning less now than they did before. Three million jobs have been lost, and we have an $800 billion trade deficit.

We need to create jobs here. We need to help hardworking families who are struggling. Many of these American families that are struggling today to make it, we need to help them. American workers deserve it. Americans at home deserve to benefit from the global economy. We need to protect jobs, and I state we need to protect jobs from further offshoring caused by unfair trade agreements, and we have seen what has happened.

Now is not the time to rush ahead with more of the same damaging NAFTA-CAFTA style trade policies that have proven to hurt the American workers, and we have seen how it has hurt the American workers and the livelihoods of many, that will benefit all and not just the wealthiest few.

Vote for American workers and not for the Peru Free Trade Agreement.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to support H.R. 3867, the Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act. I want to thank my colleague, Chairperson Velazquez, for her leadership.

Small business is the backbone of our economy. And I state, small business is the backbone of our economy. Over 4 million minority businesses represent almost 20 percent of all firms in this country. They generate nearly $7 billion annual revenue and employ almost 5 million workers. And I state, 5 million workers.

Minorities make up 32 percent of the population of this country, but they only represent 18 percent of all small businesses. This bill will close the gap, and I state, will close the gap by improving the Small Business Administration's small and minority business procurement programs and will help disabled veterans, women, minority businesses, both Hispanic, black, Asians and others, and provides small business minority businesses the assistance they need to grow and prosper.

Like in the Inland Empire where the majority of businesses are small businesses and represent the largest growth and the engine that drives the economy in the State of California, SBA 8(a) programs, which open the doors to more than half of all Federal minority business contracts, have not been updated since 1988.

This bill revamps the program to improve 8(a) firms' ability to secure in the Federal sector. It is time to level the playing field so the small minority business firms have equal access to Federal contracts. Every dollar invested in the 8(a) program results in over $4 million in contracts to minority entrepreneurs. This translates into more jobs across the Nation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Clay in reference to H.R. 778. I would also like to thank my good friend Zoe Lofgren for her work with the California delegation and her leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor in a bipartisan fashion. And I state ``in a bipartisan fashion'' because it impacts the whole State of California.

Last week's disaster was a painful time for all of us in the communities of Southern California. Recent estimates show that the fire destroyed over 2,800 structures, including over 2,000 homes. And the fires also destroyed more than 500 acres of land in an area that doubles the size of New York City.

Seven people were killed, 113 firefighters and 26 civilians were injured, and I state, 113 firefighters and 26 civilians were injured. These are people that were willing to fight the fires to save not only their own, but to save the lives of many individuals who were impacted.

This past weekend, I had a chance to see the devastation firsthand and visit with many of our evacuees in the shelter included in my district, with a total of 4,000 that we evacuated into the district at the Orange County Fairgrounds in my area. And while we can never really understand the losses suffered by so many, we share their pain. We share their pain.

We stand together today united as one House first and foremost to say thank you for the heroic actions and sacrifices of the first responders. And I say ``the first responders,'' the firefighters who are willing to put themselves on the line to save many others, law enforcement officers, the National Guard, and many of the volunteers.

We also stand here to say to the people of Southern California, we are with you. We are committed to rebuilding our homes and communities in California and rebuilding the lives of those who have lost so much. Our first priority right now is to make sure that everyone is housed, clothed and fed, and after that we will begin to rebuild. But once the smoke is cleared, we will work towards a long-term solution to do everything we can to prevent disasters like this from ever happening again.

We have to take a realistic look at the situation. All data indicates that the fires nationwide are increasing in size and intensity. Those of us in Congress must respond to these warnings. Our planet is changing; we must acknowledge that. We need to meet the new challenges we are facing. We need to better fund our firefighters and our Forest Service. And we have to take a serious look at where we build our developments.

We must do everything in our power to prevent destruction of life, property, and our environment. Let us take the time to reflect on what we have lost. And we thank God, and I say we thank God for what we still have. Let us say thanks to those heroes who pulled us through this horrible week. Let all those who have lost a home or a loved one know that we stand with you.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3963.

This bill is not about politics. It is about hardworking families, the poorest amongst us. It's about 10 million children who will benefit, 10 million children that we have to put a face on. Our children.

As Christians, as humanitarians, we must think of the individuals who need help, children like Kristofer and Felecity Famutimi from San Bernardino County who were hospitalized because they needed sickle cell anemia care. Their families were financially strapped. SCHIP is the only reason that they were able to pull through.

For a month now, SCHIP has been under attack in the news. Enough is enough. Our children must come first. Our children must come first.

We have worked hard on a bipartisan basis to include provisions by the other side. We have included language to minimize substitution of employer-sponsored coverage with SCHIP and phase out childless adults after 1 year and even clarify that CHIP is only for U.S. citizens. Only for U.S. citizens. They are trying to use scare tactics by saying that undocumented children will be able to receive it. It is only for U.S. citizens.

This bill is not perfect, but we have done our part to work out the differences. Let's get our priorities straight. We spent a lot of money on the war, a war we should have never been in. Now we are talking about our children right here in the United States who need help. It is our responsibility. Our children deserve it. We must do better.

I ask my colleagues to support this bill. It is important for the poorest children. Support H.R. 3963.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today in remembrance of a distinguished member of the Rialto community, Officer Sergio Carrera, Jr.

While serving his community, Sergio Carrera, Jr., 29, a 4-year veteran of the force and a member of the SWAT team, lost his life in the line of duty. Despite efforts by doctors at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, Officer Carrera passed away leaving his wife, Louise Andrea Carrera, 2-year-old son, Sergio Carrera III, and 1-year- old daughter, Izabella.

A dedicated member of the Rialto community, Officer Carrera was hired by the Rialto Police Department in June 2003 and loyally served 4 years of his life to ensure the safety of the citizens of Rialto. Along with Carrera's, wife and children, his father, Sergio Carrera caring mother. Aurora Carrera, and siblings, Shirley Magana and Susan Colao, mourn the sudden loss of their dear son and brother.

While it is with sadness that we mourn the unexpected death of this valiant officer, we think of him with joy and fondness as we recognize his devotion to family, friends, and the city of Rialto. The use of his life to protect and ensure the safety of our community is unquestionable. Although now gone, in his absence we will remember the significance of selfless servitude that so many of our public officers show for our citizens on a daily basis.

I thank Officer Sergio Carrera, Jr., for dedicating his life to the city and people of Rialto, CA. I am honored to consider him a hero and I truly appreciate all he gave to our community and our country.

Barbara, my family, and I extend our deepest condolences to Officer Carrera's family during this difficult time. May God bestow his comfort upon them as they grieve the loss of their loved one.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks.

Over the past two days wildfires have exploded across Southern California, causing loss of life, and tens of thousands of acres of property and forest damage in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Orange Counties.

In the Inland Empire, fires have burned many acres of land across the northern part of my district in Lytle Creek, 300 acres in the Sierra Lakes neighborhood of North Fontana and 160 acres in Ontario. Thankfully those fires have now been fully contained and no homes have been reported damaged.

Unfortunately, there are currently more than 5,000 acres of land still being consumed by fires in the Mountain communities adjacent to my district. At last report, more than 136 homes have been destroyed and evacuations continue in this area. Schools in San Bernardino, Fontana and Ontario have all been closed. Children and families, friends, and even some of my staff have been affected.

Evacuees are receiving shelter at the National Orange Show which is down the street from my district office in San Bernardino. At last count there were around 1,800 evacuees being housed there. Unfortunately we are hearing reports that not everyone affected by this disaster is receiving shelter. The center is being administered by the American Red Cross but they are only accommodating evacuees from designated evacuation areas. Those that are homeless and victims that are evacuating themselves from non-designated areas filled with smoke are not being serviced. We should not allow self-imposed regulations to prevent service to people that are in need. We must serve all residents, including homeless individuals, regardless of identification or citizenship status.

All told, an estimated 350 homes will have been destroyed by these devastating fires. This means there are going to be many homeless families that will need food and shelter. In addition, we fear that our hospitals will see an influx of people with respiratory problems.

The Inland Empire is a major railway and highway transportation hub but these fires have practically shut down access to many affected communities by closing down Highway 330 and HWY 18 leaving only one road, HWY 38 available for vehicles to go up and down the mountain. We need help containing these fires so that rescue and recovery personnel can get to these communities.

The San Bernardino County's Department of Public Health has issued an air quality warning because of high soot levels in the air caused by the fires and the high winds. Inhaling these dangerous chemicals will undoubtedly create respiratory problems for many of our residents. I hope the American Red Cross and other federal assistance is available to our local first responders to ensure the public health needs of all affected individuals are met.

I thank President Bush for his quick response in declaring a state of emergency in the areas affected by the wildfires. In a letter sent earlier today, I asked that he gives all federal support possible, including personnel, equipment, and funding, necessary for a speedy recovery.

I also thank the brave men and women on the ground, who continue to fight the wildfires and evacuate those in harm's way. Throughout the day, I will be meeting with individuals from the U.S. Forest Service to remain as informed as possible on the coordination of federal and local activities. We are working to determine the best possible course of action to prevent further spread of the wildfires, and determine what future steps must be taken to ensure a quick and full recovery for those individuals and families whose lives are affected.

As Chair of the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry I plan to hold hearings to explore what lessons we can learn from these fires to be better prepared in the future and what steps we must take from here to ensure the fastest recovery possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 237.

I want to thank Representative Filner for his commitment to this resolution in support of our veterans. And I say ``the support of our veterans.'' As a veteran myself who served in both the 101st and 82nd Airborne Division, I am proud to stand with our brave men and women.

Today, there are over 23 million veterans living in the United States; 165,000 in Iraq and Afghanistan. In my district, we have over 32,000 veterans. There are also many veterans who serve in Congress, and I want to thank those Members who have served this country. And I salute each and every one of the Members who have served our country.

To my fellow veterans, I commend you for your service. When our troops commit to serve our country, they make a promise to serve and to protect this country.

We also have a moral responsibility to protect the returning veterans and their families. Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan must receive the best treatment. Sadly, for the last few years, I don't believe that our government has held its end of the bargain. The conditions at Walter Reed show us that in many cases our veterans are not receiving the care they deserve. This resolution reminds us that Veterans Day is not just a day off from school or work. This is a special day of reflection to honor those who have defended our country.

I visited Israel a few years ago. There I learned how truly they respect and honor veterans in that country. Israel calls for 1 minute of silence across the whole country. The country's emergency siren goes off at 10 a.m., and all TV and radio stations are also interrupted and programs sounding the alert. Everyone then stops whatever they are doing, working, driving, anything else, and stands in silence for those heroes who have served their country. That's paying respect.

My resolution also encourages schools to educate our young people about the contributions of our veterans to this country because they ultimately have made the sacrifice for the freedoms that they have to be in school and to be all that they want to be.

This year, as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I have worked closely with Hispanic veterans and the Medal of Honor veteran winners from World War II until today. The stories of courage and sacrifices I've heard from them were nothing short of amazing. They deserve to be recognized and thanked, as well as every veteran who has served our country.

I also believe a special thanks is necessary to the veterans and military families that are left behind. Too often we forget about the families and veterans who are left behind. They have sacrificed so much for their loved ones and for America, for America that we stand up with, America that we have always been with. You are the support system and the backbone for all of these veterans.

On November 11, on Veterans Day, do not forget those who are the true heroes of this country. Reflect on the true meaning of Veterans Day, and remember the sacrifices made by so many proud American sons and daughters that we will honor on that day.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Veterans Day is about our heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for H. Res. 721. This resolution recognizes the 60th anniversary of the landmark Mendez v. Westminster decision.

I want to thank my friend, Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, for sponsoring this bill and championing the continued fight for civil and equal rights for the Latino community.

The Mendez v. Westminster decision ended segregation of Mexican American students in the state of California, and set the precedent for the history making Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954.

I stand here today, a Mexican American serving in Congress, because of the courage of people like Sylvia Mendez and her father, Gonzalo Mendez.

They, along with other brave individuals, stood up for the 5,000 Hispanic-American children who were victims of unconstitutional discrimination, by being forced to attend separate ``Mexican'' schools in the school districts of Orange County.

This resolution recognizes the significance of this anniversary, and honors Sylvia Mendez for her continued efforts to fight for equality. It also encourages our schools to teach students about the historical significance of the Mendez v. Westminster case, and the positive impact it had on the future of America.

I urge my colleagues to show their support in the continuing fight against school segregation, and to cast a vote in favor of H. Res. 721.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Tim Ryan and others for organizing a special order to discuss the dangers of allowing Mexican trucks on American roads.

I rise today because I am concerned that allowing Mexican trucks open access to American roads will threaten American wages and the safety on our highways.

There is no question that foreign competition from lower paid Mexican drivers will compromise the hard and dedicated fight by American workers.

American workers deserve fair wages for their hard work and Mexican workers should not be exploited either.

There are concerns about safety including whether Mexican trucks are safe and what allowing them on U.S. highways would do.

There is no question that road safety and vehicle standards in Mexico are not the same as what we require in the United States of America.

I believe that both the United States and Mexico should have a strong and healthy workforce but the U.S. worker should not be the compromise.

Let us protect the American worker and not compromise the safety and well-being of our children and families.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the SCHIP program. President Bush's veto on SCHIP has abandoned at least 24,000 children in my District alone. President Bush claims we want ``gimmicks'' and ``funding schemes''--we don't want gimmicks we want insurance for 8.7 million uninsured children. Children like Kristofer and Felecity Famutimi from San Bernardino County, whose hospital care for sickle cell anemia crippled the family financially. Their mom, Ola had to quit her job to take care of them. SCHIP is the only reason they have pulled through.

President Bush claims that Democrats are ``putting health coverage for poor children at risk--to gain political points''. I am not voting for politics, I am voting for the 33,000 children in my District who are currently uninsured. Covering 800,000 children costs the same as 1 week of the war in Iraq. It is time America gets her priorities in order. I urge my colleagues to secure the futures of our Nations' poorest children by voting to override the President's veto.