Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as a veteran, I have made a pledge to serve my country, and because of my desire to defend the ideals of democracy that I still cherish.

As part of our commitment, the Army promised all veterans a variety of benefits. In the past several years, I have seen some of those promises turn from honored commitments to veterans and their families to empty words that seem to be worth nothing more than the paper they are written on.

Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, we were informed the Veterans Administration would fall short by more than a billion dollars of what is needed to provide critical services to veterans. I was angered and dismayed at this gross negligence and oversight and spoke before this very House in strong support of the emergency spending bill passed 2 weeks ago.

We will soon be seeing another request from the President to complete the needed funding for the health care of our Nation's veterans. I will support this measure too because I support our veterans, but it is absurd and it is a crying shame that the health of veterans boils down to bitter partisan fights.

As Democrats, we have repeatedly demanded full funding for our veterans' needs. It is our duty to fully fund the Veterans Administration and do it right the first time, not after three or four attempts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to the Medal of Honor recipients and the values that the Medal of Honor symbolizes. On this date in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln approved the legislation that created the Medal of Honor, our Nation's highest military medal. The Medal of Honor is awarded for acts of valor and gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. In its 140-plus-year history, only 3,441 individuals have been awarded this distinguished medal; 121 of those individuals are still alive today.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to these brave individuals and to those men and women currently serving our Nation overseas. The Nation's highest award is facing a serious challenge to its meaning and symbol. I am outraged by the impostors who claim they have received this and other honors the military awards for deeds and actions of soldiers. These criminals not only dishonor themselves, but they dishonor the sacrifice that true recipients have made.

That is why, Mr. Speaker, I plan to introduce the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 next week. This piece of legislation will make it easier for Federal law enforcement officials to prosecute phonies and impostors and restore the true meaning of these illustrious awards.

I hope my colleagues can join me in this effort to reclaim the meaning of honor and bravery and sacrifice in these United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mary West, the 2005 recipient of the Disney Teacher award. Ms. West is a special needs high school teacher in Montrose, Colorado. In this capacity, she teaches students what they need to know to function in their community. Working with students as old as 21, she is often times the last teacher these students will have before they enter the adult world.

It is an honor and a privilege to have a teacher of Mary West's caliber in my district. Ms. West's dedication exemplifies the kind of steadfast determination and drive I grew up with in Colorado. As one of only 45 winners selected out of more than 50,000 nominees, Ms. West, and her school, will receive upwards of $15,000 from the Walt Disney Company for use in maintaining this high quality of education at Montrose High School.

Education is about the future, about making our dreams for a better tomorrow a reality. Family values, a good education, these are the foundation on which that future ought to rest. What more could we possibly want for our children than the opportunity to see their dreams, large or small, come true. More than simply watching our children succeed though, this foundation allows us to take pride in knowing that their success is not due to luck, but rather to their own ability to make something of themselves.

We therefore have a responsibility to ensure our children enter that future with the best education possible. Teachers, like Mary West, are putting these seemingly incredible dreams within reach. So, it is my hope that you will join with me in congratulating Ms. West on her accomplishments. With the help of Ms. West and other dedicated teachers throughout Colorado, I feel confident that today's youth will be prepared to accept the challenges and the possibilities of tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I echo the sentiments of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), who has been a tireless advocate of veterans benefits. I am a veteran and a son of a veteran who has a son who just became a veteran, so I echo the gentleman's sentiments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our veterans, our troops, and H.R. 3130. Since I was elected, we have buried five soldiers in the Third Congressional District. As we drape our Nation's flag over their coffins, are we supposed to tell their families that our budget prevents them from getting promised benefits? As we celebrate July 4 and march in parades alongside the heroes of World War II, Vietnam, Korea, and the Persian Gulf, are we supposed to tell these veterans that last week's accounting error will prevent them from being seen by a doctor? And that not only will they have to travel 5 hours to see a doctor, but once they get there, they will be turned away?

They did not turn away when we called upon them to serve our country.

They did not turn away from putting their lives on the line for our freedoms. We cannot turn away from them now.

It should not take an emergency or bad press coverage for this administration to care about the health of our Nation's veterans. In a time of war, bringing our troops home safely and taking care of our veterans is our number one priority.

This administration has let our Nation's heroes suffer because of a mismanaged budget. This is absolutely shameful and unacceptable. No one should ever let the troops and veterans be an afterthought. We need to provide this money now. We need to guarantee all future funding for the Veterans Administration so our Nation's heroes never have to suffer from a mismanaged budget again.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to pay tribute and recognize Corporal Chad Maynard. Corporal Maynard was killed in the line of duty

while serving his country in Iraq. Each day, men and women in the Armed Forces face danger in the hope of bringing peace and prosperity to those in need. We must not forget the individual stories of these soldiers who have served our country with courage and honor. Chad Maynard was from Montrose, CO. All his life he wanted to follow in his father's and brother's footsteps and serve in the Marines. He volunteered to serve in the Marines and was proud to wear our Nation's uniform. He was the pride of the ROTC and the local community. We should honor his dedication and courage and leadership.

He was a good man, a strong and courageous man. He was everything a soldier should be. He was the kind of person that boosted our pride in being an American. On Wednesday, June 15, 2005, Corporal Chad Maynard was killed in Ramadi, Iraq. Chad Maynard made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

My heart goes out to Chad's parents Gene and Cindy, his brothers Jacob and Jeremiah and his sister Breanne. And to his wife Becky and their yet unborn child, I offer these words of condolence. Your courage in this time of hardship humbles all of us. We will not forget your sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I submit this recognition to the United States House of Representatives in honor of their sacrifice so that Chad Maynard may live on in memory.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to pay tribute to and recognize Army Staff Sergeant Justin Lee Vasquez. Sgt. Vasquez was killed in the line of duty while serving his country in Iraq. Justin Vasquez was proud of his service in the Army and willingly wore his country's uniform. We should honor his dedication, courage and leadership.

Each day men and women in the Armed Forces willingly face unknown dangers in the hope to bring peace and prosperity to those in need. We must not forget the individual stories of these soldiers who have served our country with courage and honor.

Justin Vasquez was from Manzanola, Colorado. He played football in high school and loved to hunt and fish with his family. He was known throughout his squadron as being a dedicated leader who always wanted to help other people.

Justin Vazquez was serving his second tour of duty. He was given the option not to return to Iraq. Instead, he returned, because he did not want to leave his men alone.

On Sunday, June 5, 2005, Staff Sergeant Justin Lee Vasquez was killed when his military convoy was attacked.

Justin Vasquez made the ultimate sacrifice by courageously and honorably serving his country. To him it was everything to be a soldier.

My heart goes out to Justin's parents Vicki and Tino, his wife Riley, and his son Justin. The Vasquez family has demonstrated exceptional selflessness and courage in such trying times.

Mr. Speaker, I submit this recognition to the United States House of Representatives in honor of their sacrifice, so that Justin Lee Vasquez may live on in memory.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Velazquez amendment to the Science-State-Justice Appropriations bill. I thank the gentle1ady from New York for her leadership and the opportunity to speak in favor of the Section 7(a) Small Business Loan Program. The 3rd Congressional District of Colorado is a large rural district with many small businesses that have benefited from the SBA's lending programs.

In 2004, the Section 7(a) provided 25.4 million dollars in loans to small businesses within my congressional district. As you know, this program helps provide capital to small business owners who are unable to access traditional financing alternatives. These small businesses provide critical jobs and are the economic engine that help drive the economy in my congressional district.

Small businesses able to take advantage of this program have added new jobs to the economy. The Section 7(a) program has created approximately 742 jobs in my district alone. It is vital that these small businesses have the resources and capital necessary to operate, otherwise rural communities will continue to fall further behind the rest of the country in ecomomic growth.

The Section 7(a) loan program is a proven success; it provides critical assistance to small busineses and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment. I thank the gentlelady for the opportunity to speak on behalf of this important amendment.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition for the 100th anniversary of the creation of the San Juan National Forest in my Congressional District in Colorado.

On June 3, 1905 the San Juan National Forest was created through presidential proclamation by Theodore Roosevelt. This year also marks the centennial of the creation of the U.S. Forest Service, the Federal agency which manages the San Juan National Forest and 155 other National Forests across the country.

The San Juan National Forest encompasses over 1.8 million acres of southwestern Colorado, an area more than 120 miles wide and 60 miles long. This great forest has historically contributed to the comnunities of southwestern Colorado through the supply of timber, minerals, oil and gas, livestock grazing, recreation, clean water and air, and other resources. The above amenities are important to the quality of life and economic well being for southwestern Colorado.

I ask all citizens to join in the Centennial Celebration of the San Juan National Forest through the many activities scheduled for June 1- 4, 2005 and ask my colleagues to join me in proclaiming June, 2005 as San Juan National Forest Centennial Month.

Mr. Speaker, on this coming Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the men and

women in uniform who have risked life and limb in the name of Liberty and Freedom. I wish to give special attention to LTC Juan Cristobal Gomez III, an extraordinary man who devoted his life to God and Country.

Those of us from the San Luis Valley and Northern New Mexico were privileged to know this man of exceptional character and profound faith. LTC Gomez always said ``When you honor one veteran, you honor all veterans.'' Through this tribute to Juan, I pay homage to all who have served and sacrificed for this great Nation.

Juan Cristobal Gomez III was born in Durango, CO in 1946 and was raised on the Gomez Ranch in Frances. He enlisted in the Army June 2, 1969 at Ft. Polk, LA, and then graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1970. During his time in the Army and Army Reserves, Juan was stationed with Ft. Carson, CO, Evans Army Medical Center, CO, and William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Ft. Bliss, TX. He served on active duty with Evans Army Medical Center Unit during Operation Desert Storm, and also spent time with Medcom Unit #15281 in Korea in 1996 and again in 1998. Throughout his career he received many military awards arid attended several military schools. Juan retired from the United States Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1996.

Juan touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with, always parting with ``I love you'' or ``God bless''. After he retired from the Army Reserves, he continued to serve his country through the work he did with veterans. He exemplified the notion that even when the uniform is placed in the closet, a soldier's duty is never complete to his Nation.

In November of 2003, Gomez was honored with an award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for ``furthering the goals of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society by fostering and perpetuating patriotism in communities throughout the San Luis Valley and Northern New Mexico.'' Juan cherished his friendships with our Medal of Honor recipients and honored them in all he did because of who they are and the values they embody.

Colorado and the Nation were at a great loss on July 10, 2004, when we lost LTC Juan Gomez. However, the life Juan led inspired us all; he challenged us to give a little of ourselves for the betterment of our Nation. We pay tribute this Memorial Day to thousands of veterans like LTC Juan Gomez, patriots who gave selflessly to protect this great Nation, and community leaders who inspire those around them by their service to a cause greater than themselves.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter) for allowing me time to speak.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition of Rule H.R. 1815. Last night the Rules Committee rejected an amendment that I offered to help our military families who have lost loved ones in the defense of our freedom. My amendment would eliminate the survivors benefit pension dependency and indemnity compensation offset.

Under current law, survivors are prohibited from receiving payments from both programs at the same time. This is unfair and an unjust provision that hurts the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom and democracy.

If a soldier was enrolled in a survivor benefit plan when they died of service connected causes, the spouse's SBP benefit is reduced dollar for dollar by the amount of the DIC, a $933 a month deduction. The remaining SBP is barely enough for a spouse with a family to survive or pay the basic needs such as food, clothing, and rent. We should be taking care of these families, not abandoning them in this time of need.

I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 808, which would correct the gross injustice for the families of all military personnel and retirees who died of a service-connected cause.

We must keep our promise that we made to the brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question, so that we can have the opportunity to debate my amendment and to vote on this important issue. If this effort fails, I would ask that you vote ``no'' on the rule for H.R. 1815, and give our soldiers and their families the respect that they deserve.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1815, the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. I commend the Committee for their hard work in crafting this bill. I do wish to express my concern over a certain section of the bill that directly impacts a facility in my district.

Since 1997, the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA) program has overseen the development of new technologies for the destruction of chemical weapons at the Pueblo Chemical Depot in my congressional district and the Blue Grass Army Depot in Lexington, Kentucky. The ACWA program has been highly successful and construction activities are now set to commence in the very near future. Congress intentionally gave oversight authority to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics in an effort to develop alternative destruction techniques from the incineration process that existed at the time. This year's Defense Authorization gives that authority to the Secretary of the Army.

In a letter dated May 2, 2005, my colleague Mr. Chandler of Kentucky, and I asked Under Secretary Mike Wynne to answer several questions about a change of authority of this nature. I still look forward to Under Secretary Wynne's response. The ACWA program's success has been due to the unique interaction between the Federal, State and local government representatives, regulators and the community; I encourage the Secretary of the Army to foster these relationships and ensure that a transparent and open decision making process remains intact. I also urge the Secretary of the Army to make this transition in a way that does not negatively affect the program timelines at either facility or increase the cost of completing this important work.

Mr. Chairman, we are already at risk of not meeting our treaty obligations laid forth in the Chemical Weapons Convention. I fear that if an inefficient and closed organizational structure is established for the two ACWA facilities, the progress we have already made will be lost. This Congress must expect and ensure efficiency in the effort to destroy our chemical weapons stockpiles.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Caitlyn Darnell and all the other students who will represent Colorado in the National History Day competition from June 12-16, 2005.

Caitlyn placed second in the Colorado History Day competition with her dramatic performance ``Anne Sullivan: Reaching Behind Closed Doors,'' which chronicles the life of the great teacher who taught Helen Keller to communicate.

National History Day is a year-long education program for middle and high school students across the nation. Students produce documentaries, dramatic performances, exhibits, or research papers related to the annual theme. They then compete in a series of local and state competitions, with the very best traveling to the national competition.

I would like to recognize Caitlyn and all the students representing the state of Colorado for their excellence and hard work. These extraordinary students represent educational excellence in America. I would also like to recognize the students' teachers, whose support and dedication have encouraged students like Caitlyn to strive for excellence.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support of the House version of the Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006, and I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this important measure.

I commend Chairman Hobson and Ranking Member Visclosky for their work on this bill. I believe it is a good start for addressing our nation's water infrastructure and energy research needs, especially given the budget constraints.

As a farmer who works the land in Colorado's San Luis Valley, I know and understand water issues, and I can't emphasize how important it is to invest back into local water infrastructure. Without this investment, I fear we will continue to see a decline in the management of this irreplaceable resource--water is the lifeblood of our rural communities.

The House Energy and Water Appropriations Bill would provide $29.7 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation and Department of Energy, a $329 million increase over last year's funding level.

I am pleased the Committee included funding for three important projects which I had requested back in March for the 3rd District of Colorado. First and foremost, the Committee included $56 million in funding for construction of the Animas-La Plata Project. This funding level represents a $4 million increase over the President's budget request and comes on the heels of a Colorado delegation letter which I spearheaded back in March. I would also like to thank the Committee for the inclusion of language which directs a larger percentage of program funds towards construction, not administrative costs.

Completion of the A-LP will provide a much-needed water supply in the southwest corner of our state for both Indian and non-Indian municipal and industrial purposes. It will also fulfill the intent of a carefully negotiated settlement agreement in the mid-1980s to ensure the legitimate claims of the two Colorado Ute Tribes could be met without harm to the existing uses of their non-tribal neighbors.

Since 2002, the Bureau of Reclamation has made much progress, and work has been completed or initiated on many key project features. This increased funding will allow the Bureau to move forward in a way that will ensure timely completion of the A-LP and avoid costly delays.

The FY2006 Energy and Water Appropriations bill also includes $315,000 for the Arkansas River Habitat Restoration Project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with the City of Pueblo, Colorado has completed 90 percent of the project including fish habitat structures along a 9-mile section of the river below Pueblo Dam through downtown Pueblo. This funding would be used to complete the project which is an important environmental restoration project for the project.

Finally, the Committee also provided a $1.021 million appropriation for the Army Corps of Engineers to engage in operations and maintenance at Trinidad Lake, Colorado; this amount represents almost a $100,000 increase from the FY2005 funding level. Trinidad Lake is a multipurpose project for flood control, irrigation and recreation, and was authorized by the 1958 Flood Control Act. The lake is located in southern Colorado on the Purgatoire River, and bordered by the historic Santa Fe Trail. The dam itself is an earthfill structure 6,860 feet long and 200 feet high, and constructed with some 8 million cubic yards of earth and rock.

Each project is an important part of improving water related infrastructure. As this bill proceeds through the appropriations process, I will continue the fight to preserve funding for the 3rd District of Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, H.R. 810. I would like to thank Representatives Castle and DeGette for their leadership on this important issue.

Recent advancements in medical technology have created hope for the millions of people, and their families, who suffer from the effects of diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes. Stem cell research may hold the key to better treatment options, and even a cure, for diseases like these and others.

Many of us will have lasting images of President Ronald Reagan and Christopher Reeves as their frail bodies deteriorated over the years. And I will never forget my own father's battle against Alzheimer's and how his slow deterioration and passing impacted our family. Their personal health battles took on a new meaning as the public debate heated up over the merits and ethics of embryonic stem cell research.

As we look towards the future of medical research, we must always proceed with strict ethical caution. I believe the Castle/DeGette legislation meets this criteria by establishing strict requirements for which new embryonic stem cell lines would be eligible for federal funding. Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research would mean that research could advance at a faster pace while providing stringent requirements and oversight of the research. National and international involvement is needed to ensure research institutions and companies do not intentionally or unintentionally overreach their bounds.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak in favor of the Cubin-Rahall-Cannon-Udall Amendment. In 1976, Congress passed the Payment in Lieu of Taxes Act in an effort to compensate counties for the loss of property tax revenue that comes with having large tracts of Federal lands within their jurisdiction. These important funds help local governments meet the needs for schools, road construction and other infrastructure projects for their residents.

In my district alone, there are over 17 million acres of land eligible for PILT payments; accounting for $11 million in Fiscal Year 2004. In the recent past, Congress has failed to fund PILT to its authorized level, leaving local governments with the burden of answering painful budget decisions. We have seen a great discrepancy between authorized funding levels and the appropriated amounts. In FY 2004, PILT was funded to only 67 percent of its authorized level; falling over $100 million dollars short of what the Bureau of Land Management found to be the authorized level.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment will get us closer to reaching the goal of 100 percent PILT appropriation. If adopted, this Congress will fund PILT to its highest level in a decade. The bipartisan PILT Amendment would add $12 million to PILT by redirecting funds from Interior Department overhead. This will help local governments by providing approximately 80 percent of the authorized level for PILT while still allowing the Interior Department to spend $10 million more for administrative costs than in fiscal year 2005. We will provide small rural counties with the resources necessary to provide basic services to their residents.

This Congress owes it to Rural America to fully fund PILT. I ask my colleagues to support the Cubin-Rahall-Cannon-Udall Amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill.