Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 2017 is a bill to designate the building located at 93 Atocha Street in Ponce, Puerto Rico, as the Luis A. Ferre U.S. Courthouse and Post Office.

Luis A. Ferre was born in 1904 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He received his

bachelor's degree and master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was also an accomplished pianist who studied at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and recorded albums with the noted Puerto Rican pianist Jesus Maria Sanroma.

In 1925 he began his business career at the Puerto Rico Iron Works. In 1940 he moved to the Puerto Rican Cement Company, and by 1960 he was the vice chairman of the company.

In 1937 he founded the Ponce Public Library, and in 1940 he ran for mayor of Ponce. In 1950 he founded the Luis A. Ferre Foundation, which resulted in the creation of the Ponce Museum of Art, considered to be one of the most important museums in the world. The museum was designed by Edward Durrell Stone, who also designed the John F. Kennedy Center here in Washington, D.C.

In 1968 Luis A. Ferre was elected Governor under the New Progressive Party banner and served until 1972. While Governor, he provided many benefits to workers, including shorter work weeks and maternity leave. He provided ownership of land, strengthened the industrial development program, and made possible the applicability of the food stamp program for Puerto Ricans.

In 1977 until 1980, he served as president of the senate. He also served as State chairman and national committeeman of the Republican Party in Puerto Rico. In 1991 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Liberty.

Ferre was known as an intellectual, a lover of the arts, a brilliant politician, and generous benefactor. This designation is a most fitting tribute to his illustrious career.

I support S. 2017 and urge its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4226, the Cape Town Treaty Implementation Act of 2004.

The Cape Town Convention and related protocol on aircraft equipment known collectively as the Cape Town Treaty will extend modern commercial finance laws already used in the United States to international transactions involving aircraft and aircraft engines.

Lenders have been reluctant or are charging more to extend financing for the sale of aircraft or aircraft engines to foreign entities, particularly in developing countries, because certain countries do not recognize the right of a lender with a priority interest in an asset to repossess or otherwise dispose of it if the owner defaults on a loan. The Cape Town Treaty, when ratified, is expected to lower their financial risks and therefore the costs of such financing and bring certainty to the marketplace, thereby increasing sales in aircraft frames and engines abroad.

Importantly, the Cape Town Treaty creates an international registry in which persons with secured credit or leasing interest in highly mobile assets such as aircraft and engines will be able to put other potential lenders on notice of their interest in a particular asset.

Priority in an asset will be based on a first in time filing with the international registry. The filing of a notice of a security interest in the international registry will also facilitate a secured creditor's ability to repossess, sell, or lease a piece of equipment in the event of a default under the remedies provided by the treaty.

H.R. 4226 makes technical changes to section 44107 of title 49 governing the recordation of security interests with the Federal Aviation Administration, including designating the FAA's civil aircraft registry to be the U.S. entry point to the International Registry. This will enable the FAA to authorize filings with the International Registry related to U.S. registered aircrafts, aircraft engines, and aircraft that have received a U.S. identification number or to prospective interests in such aircraft or engines.

Filings to the International Registry would be valid only if the creditor first files with the FAA full documentation of the security interest as currently required by U.S. law and the FAA authorizes the transmittal of the filing of the notice of the secured interest to the International Registry. Also directing the FAA to immediately proscribe regulations for the registration and deregistration of aircraft and to complete the rulemaking process by December 31, 2004.

H.R. 4226 also provides that, if necessary, the provisions of the Cape Town Treaty shall apply to the registration and deregistration of aircraft until the FAA regulations are effective or by December 31, 2004, whichever occurs earlier.

In addition, H.R. 4226 states that the amendments to Title 49 made by this bill and any related regulations are effective upon the Cape Town Treaty's coming into force and do not apply to any prior registration or recordation.

To put this in a local perspective, Mr. Speaker, in my district we manufacture aircrafts and this bill opens up markets that have historically been problematic. This treaty brings uniformity to bankruptcy and commercial finance laws by extending current U.S. finance laws to international transactions involving aircrafts and aircraft engines. It lowers the risk to financial lenders and manufacturers alike to engage in new markets. To put it simply, passage of the Cape Town Treaty will help American companies compete in foreign markets. It puts manufacturers in the situation to compete for foreign contracts.

For example, the Boeing 717 built in my district of Long Beach, California, would benefit from the leasing requirements negotiated in this treaty. This translates into jobs and economic activity locally. The Boeing 717 plant in Long Beach employs 3,000 men and women and the plant also contracts with 320 suppliers. Currently, the 717 plant produces one plane a month. I have been told, however, that this plant is capable of producing 60 planes a year. If the 717 plant were to double their production to 24 planes a year, that would translate to upwards of 400 jobs created in Long Beach.

I thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. Oberstar for their strong leadership on this issue, the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), and the ranking member the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) for their leadership.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I do not have other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate the comments of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) with myself. I could not agree with you more. There are things we disagree on. This is not one of them. We look at our children and our grandchildren and realize that there is a problem in this country, and we need to effectively address that problem.

Last week I have a bill that was heard in committee on FHA, basically because as she said, you cannot use FHA loans in California and New York, Massachusetts and other States, because the limits are so low, they do not meet the needs of the citizens of these States, and you could not be discriminated against based on where you happen to live.

And nobody should be confused. FHA is not a program where the government is giving anybody anything. The government makes money on FHA loans. They are good for citizens. They have been proven good for government, but we need to really aggressively attack the problems for housing in this country. We deal a lot with section 8 housing, which we all agree there is a need for, but the problem we face when we talk about section 8, we want people to own a home, and we have created such a situation in this country where people cannot afford to move out of section 8 housing because the cost of housing in the next level is so great, that there is no way people can move to that next level.

A lot of those things have occurred over the years because the government has done things that we believe felt good, and States have done things that they believed felt good at the time but they did not work in reality.

I remember 25, 30 years ago I could introduce a tentative track map in California, and in 58 days, the government had to come back and say yes or no to that subdivision application so you could build a home.

Today it goes for 2, 3, 5, 10, 12, 15 years in many cases before a builder actually has a surety that he is going to be able to go build a home or not build a home, and everybody needs to realize when you require a property owner to hold property for 2, 3, 5, 10 years, the cost of carry on that property and the cost of the process is passed on to the homeowner.

So when we look at people who we are trying to provide affordable housing, it is almost impossible, in many cases, because of the problem government has created in and of itself.

The Endangered Species Act, when it was implemented, and nobody argues that we should not do everything we can to preserve the environment. That is necessary, but nobody ever dreamt when that concept was created that we would be preserving rats and flies and snails and stuff like that. My parents were smarter than we were. Our parents used to swat flies and poison rats. Now we set aside habitat for them; and when we do that, some private property owner is impacted by that habitat.

And the question I want to ask all of you, who wants to live next to a rat habitat? I do not know who wants to live next to a rat habitat, and the problem with that is you have a rat in your house, we all respond in the common way. We put a rat trap out there or poison out there. Well, if you trap an endangered rat, you have committed a felony. You can go to jail. I mean, how ridiculous is that? Yet, that is the law in which we have to work with in this Nation to provide housing.

There has to be some regulatory barriers that are removed, where people can get product to the market rapidly and move people into houses. The problem we have at the local level is the Federal Government takes more money, the States take more money, and local community cities are left without revenues. And the first person they look to go to is a builder in town as a cash cow. I am not trying to criticize them for it, but I am saying when you assess a fee that is not associated with a project on a project, the people who buy those homes have to pay those fees.

Nobody argues that if you are impacting traffic and intersections, you should mitigate that through fees. Nobody is arguing that. You have building and you have school fees. But oftentimes you pay all of those, and then we take it far, far beyond that.

In California, we have an unusual problem that many States do not face. There is very, very little attached homes being built, town homes and condominiums. The problem is because litigation is so prevalent. And it is not generally started by the people who own the town homes or condos, it is started by some attorney who sues, goes to the Board of Directors and says you either join in this lawsuit or you can be held personally liable, and then the associations in the lawsuit, that all adds to the cost of providing basic housing for this Nation. Condos and town homes generally are the entry level homes you try to address first, because people need them.

We are trying to do tort reform in the medical industry. We also need tort reform in the housing industry. We need to do everything we can to protect the environment, we need to do everything we can to make sure people are legally protected from people who provide housing below standard, but we also need to be real in this country, realizing that people need homes. Kids many times cannot afford to live in the neighborhoods within which they are raised.

We need to change the laws in this country to fast track housing, and yet assure that the environmental levels will be addressed correctly.

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

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to engage in a colloquy on the coordination of the Defense Department's Family Advocacy Program and the Veteran Administration's Transition Assistance Program.

Last year on the floor, as you may recall, you accepted my amendment to the supplemental bill, H.R. 3289, to put $50 million into the Family Advocacy Program. My intent was to provide resources for families who have loved ones transitioning back into civilian life or military life. The Family Advocacy Program provides support services to families that are transitioning from the front line to the home front. This additional funding enables military families to get personal and marriage counseling, which will work to reduce the incidence of domestic violence and suicide among the military.

As we are all aware, domestic violence occurs within all groups and levels of society. However, the military

presents families with particular challenges not normally found in civilian society.

Today I want to take this issue a step further. The Veterans Administration oversees a similar program, the Transition Assistance Program, which provides a variety of transition services for military members and their spouses, including computerized job banks, resume writing assistance and help with the employment interviewing process. These transition services are made available to military spouses and family members without restrictions.

Mr. Chairman, it is well known that one of the leading contributors to domestic violence is financial troubles at home. It is my hope that coordinating these two programs, these two agencies, we can get more out of our resources and provide more comprehensive services and assistance to our men and women who are transitioning back into society. I ask that the Defense Department and the Veterans Administration work jointly in providing a report to Congress that outlines a strategic plan in which these two agencies and programs can better coordinate these very important transition services.

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to offer an amendment to a section that has passed.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer this amendment that has strong bipartisan support. This amendment will provide more funding for our Nation's seaports. This is a measure that is long overdue.

I will put it simply: my amendment will transfer $275 million from the Disaster Relief program to the Port Security Grant program, which will provide a total of $400 million for fiscal year 2005 funding for our Nation's seaports.

The choices that we have to make in light of this budget are very difficult. Our needs are much greater than our resources. Therefore, transferring funds from the Disaster Relief program seems to be a way of providing more funding for a very critical issue and a national security issue.

This year, the Disaster Relief program is being funded at $2 million, a $242 million increase from the fiscal year 2004 level of $1.8 million. There is $500 million of unexpended funding from last year's Disaster Relief program. Combine the two and we have an excess of $742 million. Subtract $275 million from the $742 million access in Disaster Relief, and the program still has a surplus of $467 million, while the Port Security Grant program will be funded at $400 million, the very minimum that the Coast Guard has recommended to secure our ports.

The question has to be asked, can we use some of this access funding to secure our Nation's ports and address a very important homeland security issue? This additional funding will help secure our Nation's 361 ports and the many, many communities that surround them. Our Nation's coastline is our longest border, which is a 95,000-mile coast that includes the Great Lakes and inland waterways.

Protecting America's seaports is also critical to the Nation's economic growth, vitality, and security. Whether my colleagues have a seaport in their district or not, our Nation's seaports touch communities across this country and fuel our national economy. Seaports handle 95 percent of our Nation's overseas trade by volume, support the mobilization and deployment of U.S. armed forces, and serve as a transit point for millions of cruise and ferry passengers. Maritime industries contribute $742 billion per year to the U.S. Gross National Product.

By supporting this amendment, my colleagues will be providing the minimum amount that the Coast Guard has recommended. For example, the Coast Guard has recommended that the minimum investment in securing our Nation's seaports are $1.1 billion first-year investment, $5.4 billion over the next 10 years, and that is a total of upwards of $6.5 billion. These recommendations were made over 2 years ago. The price will only go up if we wait any longer. To date, only $517 million has been allocated for port security funding.

In contrast, this Congress provided upwards of $11 billion to aviation security after 9/11. We have acted as a unified body in the past in addressing our Nation's overarching security needs. We need to do that again in port security. My amendment will address some of our Nation's most glaring vulnerabilities instead of after the fact.

We have a Coast Guard recommendation. We have the blueprint of how to secure our seaports. Now we must make a concerted effort to get the most out of how we invest the people's money. My amendment does just that.

Finally, we have a precedent of the impact our ports have on our economy if they were to be shut down. As we remember, back in 2002, during the West Coast lockout, our western ports were closed for 10 days. The impact to the national economy was estimated at $1 billion per day. That is a total of $10 billion.

I am passionate about this issue. Today we have an opportunity to provide leadership and guidance for the present and future security of our Nation and our economy. The administration has only put in $47 million. That is underfunding our ports, which are critically vulnerable at this state.

Mr. Chairman, we have an opportunity before us to assure the American people that we as Members of Congress are addressing the security needs of our Nation.

We have created the Department of Homeland Security to shepherd us into the post-9/11 era. Although Congress and the administration have provided resources, they are too little to address this homeland security threat. This funding is still woefully inadequate. Now we must provide guidance and leadership on this national security issue.

Let us use the tools that we have to focus on a very important national security issue. We owe it to our communities to lead and not react.

Mr. Chairman, I am withdrawing this amendment. I thank the indulgence of the chairman and the ranking member and do urge them to try to find funding for this very critical national security issue.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I would like to engage in a colloquy with the chairman on the Department of the Interior's renewable portfolio and specifically our Nation's geothermal resources.

The vast majority of proven geothermal resources in the United States are located on Federal lands. Efficient administration of permits to prospect for geothermal energy on Federal lands is essential to harnessing our geothermal resources. I am proposing that the Bureau of Land Management conduct a report-assessing permit administration associated with our geothermal resources and a strategic plan on how we can best utilize our Nation's clean and efficient energy resources.

This report sets the stage to address a critically underdeveloped energy segment of our national renewable energy portfolio. The problem was cited in a January, 2004, Associated Press article which stated that the Federal Government has a backlog of 230 lease applications to prospect for geothermal energy. This article also stated that the average age of an application to prospect geothermal sites is 9 years.

The urgency of this situation is already upon us. One has only to look at the high cost of natural gas, which is the preferred energy source for new electric generation plants. However, the Energy Information Agency recently reported that the delivery price of natural gas is at $6 per thousand cubic feet, and it is a four-fold increase since 1995. This situation is robbing our economic recovery of essential dollars to create jobs and increase our reliance on foreign- owned energy resources.

I look forward to working with the chairman and the committee during the conference in securing resources and focus on geothermal resource issues. Specifically, I think we will gain an accurate understanding of geothermal resource permit processing within the Federal Government and what we need to do to improve that process. I believe that it is in the best interest of the American people and this committee to expedite the use of geothermal resources to meet our ever-growing electricity needs and improve our air quality.

I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I join the distinguished chairman, or the appropriate person in his place, in support of this legislation to authorize use of the Capitol rotunda for this very sad occasion.

There can be no more proper use of the rotunda, the center of the temple of our democracy, than to honor the late former President Ronald Reagan with a state funeral and lying in state.

With this observance, President Reagan will take his proper place in the pantheon of American heroes who have lain in state in this temple, benefiting their vast contributions to the fabric of our National political life.

Although I did not have the honor to serve in the Congress during President Reagan's term, I greatly admired him as a statesman, and his skills as the Great Communicator, and am grateful for everything he did for our country.

Mr. Speaker, it is especially fitting that Congress and the Nation pay their respects to our 40th President in this temple because several memorable events of his 8 years in office took place here. Of course, he delivered all of his State of the Union messages right here in this Chamber, including the one in which he dropped several pounds of paper onto the rostrum and urged Congress not to send him any more massive, catch-all spending bills.

In 1985, President Reagan returned from a Geneva summit meeting with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, flew directly from Andrews Air Force Base to the Capitol by helicopter, and addressed a joint session, reporting hopeful progress on arms control and reassuring the Nation and the world.

Perhaps more relevant to the resolution before us, many Americans will recall that the bitter cold of January 21, 1985, forced President Reagan's second inaugural ceremony to come indoors and take place in the rotunda itself in

order to protect the multitudes attending and participating in the inauguration, who would otherwise have been at great risk from the elements and frostbite.

Throughout his life and career, President Reagan was always considerate of others. And like others who have preceded him in the Nation's highest office, Ronald Reagan hailed from a humble background. Born in 1911 in Illinois, Reagan grew up in the town of Dixon, was active in sports, drama, and student politics, all of which would serve him well later. In 1932, the future President graduated from Eureka College with a degree in economics and sociology. He embarked on a radio career that eventually led him to Hollywood, where he worked in the entertainment industry for 2 decades, principally in motion pictures.

He appeared in over 50 movies, including one of my favorites, the 1940 ``Knute Rockne: All American.'' In the film, Reagan portrayed the legendary Notre Dame athlete George Gipp, who set numerous football records during a 5-year career before succumbing in 1920 to an infection that struck 20 years before the discovery of antibiotics. In the movie's climax, Reagan earned his lifelong nickname when the dying Gipp asked Coach Rockne to urge his teammates to go out there and ``win won for the Gipper.'' For us football fans, especially one who has a son who played football, the scene is priceless. My son loved the movie, and he certainly loves football as well. And I have little doubt that today, for millions of Americans, the legends of George Gipp and the man who portrayed him on film have become inextricably linked.

In the 1960s, when the Gipper became active in politics, he generally supported Republican candidates, including Richard Nixon and Barry Goldwater. Like Nixon and Goldwater, Reagan became known as an ardent anti-Communist. In 1966, he became a Republican candidate himself, winning the first of two terms as Governor of California.

Two years after leaving office in Sacramento, Governor Reagan challenged President Gerald Ford for the GOP nomination for the Presidency, and nearly won it. In 1980, he won both the Republican Presidential nomination and the general election, where he received nearly 51 percent of the popular vote and carried 45 States and 489 electoral votes.

Of course, we all recall that in 1981 an assassin nearly ended our new President's life in a hail of gunshots here in Washington. Fortunately, the would-be assassin failed to achieve his demented purpose, and the President went on to survive not only gunshot wounds but also colon cancer.

The President also survived the bruising political battles so common in this capital city. He did so simply by refusing to take politics personally. President Reagan's ability to build and maintain a lasting friendship with House Speaker Tip O'Neill, with whom he disagreed on many political issues, exemplified an approach to politics and to governing which I greatly admire, and one that I wish others would emulate.

In 1984, President Reagan won reelection, with nearly 59 percent of the popular vote, the electoral votes of 49 States, and completed his two momentous terms. By the time he left office in 1989, he was, despite large budget deficits and the Iran-contra scandal, one of our most beloved Presidents.

The massive outpouring of grief seen across this country and the world since his death on Saturday is abundant proof of the esteem Americans hold for their 40th President throughout every city, suburb, and hamlet in this land.

Mr. Speaker, the state funeral and the lying in state authorized in the rotunda this week will be solemn state occasions whose purpose is to provide the public with an opportunity to view the body and mourn the passing of a head of state. Ceremony, history, and protocol will permeate these rites.

Among them, it is worth noting, that when President Reagan's body lies in state in the rotunda, his remains will rest upon the historic catafalque constructed for the funeral of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, another son of Illinois. All those who have lain in state in the Capitol rotunda have rested on the Lincoln catafalque, made of simple pine boards and draped in black velvet.

It is fitting that this relic, built for one who became, if not in life, one of the most cherished and beloved Presidents, will now be used to support the body of our 40th President, a cherished and beloved successor to Lincoln. As a people, we are truly grateful for President Reagan's long service to our country and for the opportunity to honor him and his memory in this way.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to play a role in these proceedings by managing this resolution for the minority, in the absence of our ranking member. I hope that all my colleagues will join in paying tribute to our 40th President by supporting this very important resolution.

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

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

As we heard of the death of our 40th President, Mr. Speaker, I could not help but think of the friendship that I had with his daughter who preceded him in death, Maureen Reagan. For 15

years, Maureen and I worked tirelessly for women's issues internationally. And for the respect that I had for her, and certainly did not know her father, I will say to all of my colleagues to please pass this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to recognize a great community leader in my district--Reverend Joe Chaney, Jr., the organizer and founder of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Long Beach, California. Last week, I was in attendance as the church celebrated its 43rd anniversary.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church started with five members in 1961, and today has an active congregational membership of over 1600 parishioners.

Reverend Chaney has long been a tireless advocate for social change, inter-denominational understanding and fellowship in Long Beach. He has served as Director of Missions for the Long Beach Harbor Southern Baptist Association and for five years organized and directed the Long Beach Ministerial Alliance, an interdenominational alliance of local ministers.

He has served as the chaplain at St. Mary's Hospital and the Long Beach Police Department, and is currently the chaplain of the Long Beach Fire Department.

Reverend Chaney is committed to not only serving the church and the surrounding community, but to people all over California. He was selected as the first African-American on the Family Services and Child Care Board of Directors of the California Southern Baptist Convention, and has served as the President of the California Southern Baptist African-American Network.

Mr. Speaker, Rev. Joe Chaney and his wife Mrs. Maxine Moss Chaney have served as mentors to many in Long Beach, and have been widely recognized by their peers for touching the lives of many, and have dedicated their lives to improving the community by serving others.

I congratulate Rev. and Mrs. Chaney on 43 years of dedicated service to Long Beach, our State, and our Nation.

Thank you for 43 great years!

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Small Business Administration, its employees all over the nation and its resource partners during ``National Small Business Week.''

Mr. Speaker, small businesses play a vital role in our nation's economy. Many people have heard the phrase that small business is ``the engine of our nation's economy,'' and perhaps no truer words have ever been used to describe how important the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication of the approximately 23 million small businesses are to the continued health and welfare of America.

Small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employers, employ half of all private sector employees, generate 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually, and make up 97 percent of all exporting firms.

American small businesses are extremely diverse, and despite the current economic climate, some are thriving. In particular, female participation in business ownership has been climbing in recent years. Women now own around 40 percent of all small businesses and are growing at twice the rate of other small firms. In fact, the 9.1 million women- owned small businesses in this country employ 27.5 million people and add $3.6 trillion to the economy.

About 5.8 percent of small businesses are owned by Hispanic Americans, 4.4 percent by Asian Americans, and 4 percent by African Americans.

As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and Exports, I have long been an advocate for a level playing field for small businesses.

I have introduced legislation, HR 2374, which would allow minority small business owners participating in the Small Business Administration's 8(a) minority contracting program into teaming, leader-follow arrangements and joint ventures.

I have also authored legislation, HR 2375, that would change the IRS Code to allow small business owners to offer their employees greater savings opportunities under SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) IRAs.

Finally, I have introduced HR 3099, legislation that would give the SBA authority to make loans to nonprofit day-care centers. This bipartisan measure helps not only non-profit small businesses, but gives parents a viable daycare option as they work during the day.

Mr. Speaker, small businesses are indeed the engine that makes our economy run smoothly, and I urge all my colleagues to take a moment this week and reflect on the hard work of our nation's entrepreneurs, the financial and regulatory hurdles they face everyday, and the measures I have proposed to make the full-time job of running a small business easier.

Mr. Speaker:

Whereas, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald recognizes the extraordinary spirit of this man, who after becoming a paraplegic went on to accomplish what others would consider impossible. He had started his career with the Federal government when tragedy struck in a car accident. But he was not deterred and as a paraplegic, he worked hard and received his Baccalaureate degree from Long Beach State University. He went on to receive his Master's degree in Hospital Administration from the University of California at Los Angeles; and

Whereas, Ramon J. Reevey distinguished himself to veterans and hospital administrations nationwide by demonstrating total commitment to the Department of Veterans Affairs. He understood the problems of patients in the Veterans hospitals. His empathy allowed him to manage the resources of the hospital to better provide needed care. His caring and positive attitude is reflected in his motto: ``If you have happy employees, you have happy patients''; and

Whereas, Ramon J. Reevey throughout his career accomplished many goals, with the crown jewel of his career being the hosting of the 23rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games in July 2003, while heading up the VA Long Beach Healthcare System. He was also a competitive participant in the Games; and

Now therefore, be it resolved, that the dedication of this man to the welfare of the lives of our community is much appreciated.

Mr. Speaker: Whereas, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald recognizes the fine work of this man, who was born and raised in the city of Los Angeles, attended David Starr Jordan High School; became an entrepreneur starting and operating his own trucking company, while serving as an employee of the City of Los Angeles; later co-owning and operating Moe's Liquor Store in Compton successfully for nearly 20 years. He enjoyed listening to Jazz and traveling whenever possible. His loving wife, Evelyn, and his family will always cherish his love and devotion.

Now therefore, be it resolved, that the dedication of this man in enriching the lives of our community is much appreciated.

Mr. Speaker:

Whereas, Willie Pearl Esters was born on April 22, 1915, in Scottsville, Louisiana, she was the third child of Charlie and Lucille Graham; and was affectionately called ``Pearl''. She spent her early life in Bossier City and Shreveport, Louisiana where she attended public schools; and

Whereas, Willie Pearl Esters accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Bright Star Baptist Church in Scottsville, Louisiana. She met and married Herman T. Walker and to that union two daughters were born, Maxine W. and Joyce Ann Walker; and

Whereas, Willie Pearl Esters, in 1936 moved with her family to Los Angeles, California where she united with Bethlehem Baptist Church, later she joined New Hope Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and was a member of Choir #2, and the Mission; and

Whereas, Willie Pearl Esters, in 1949 met the man who was to be her life-long spouse, Everson Boyd Esters, and after a brief courtship they were married and from this union was born a son Everson B. (Chuck) Esters; and

Whereas, Willie Pearl Esters was always looking out for the welfare of her children and left no stone unturned to expose them to the beauty of the arts, culture and the world of music. She would not settle for what was common, but she gave them her best in the hope that they would comprehend and excel. She surrounded them with a loving home and a rich family environment; and

Whereas, Willie Pearl Esters, with her family in God's hands, caught the fire of the holy spirit and followed her husband into the ministry. She grew a large circle of love by serving the needy and encouraging others to challenge what they weren't sure they could do. As a result, she developed a number of leaders and singers in the church, she expanded her circle and achieved State and national recognition for her voluminous work in service to others; and

Whereas, Willie Pearl Esters, after lengthy illness passed on, leaving us to humbly acknowledge the living legacy of her love of her husband, Everson B. Esters, her children, Maxine Swan, Joyce Walker and Chuck Esters and other relatives and friends. She will be missed in the lives of all those she has touched, and . . .

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That Congresswoman Juanita Millender- McDonald proudly recognizes this woman of faith, leadership, dedication, courage, persistence and wisdom and her distinguished service to her church and our community.

Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor tonight to speak on House Concurrent Resolution 352, legislation that I am proud to have introduced which gives much deserved recognition to the many invaluable contributions made by the people of Indian origin to the United States. Since the earliest days of our Republic, citizens of Indian origin have emigrated to our Nation in the pursuit of freedom and prosperity for themselves and their families. As American citizens, they have integrated into American society, and they have made extraordinary contributions to the United States, helping to make our Nation a more efficient and prosperous country.

Indian Americans greatly value education and have made many significant contributions in the fields of law,

science, technology, business development, public service, literature, and the arts, just to name a few. They are our doctors; over 35,000 of them practice medicine in the United States. And they are our astronauts, professors, and business leaders.

There are over 2 million Indian Americans today who proudly call America their home, and they have become woven into the economic growth and social fabric of our Nation.

This resolution also honors the long history of democracy in India, the most populous democracy in the world; and it reaffirms our Nation's commitment to working with India towards our mutual interest of global peace, prosperity, and freedom. India and its 1 billion citizens greatly value the close relationship that exists between the United States and their country, and they continue to strengthen their ties with us based on their shared value and shared security concerns.

The United States and India are strategic partners; and as the Speaker knows, India was one of the first countries to offer the United States its support following the tragic September 11 attacks. And today India remains one of our closest allies in the war on terrorism.

We must continue to increase trade and cooperative economic efforts with India and together strive to increase prosperity among all nations of the world. As two democracies working together, we can make dreams become a reality.

I also want to recognize the efforts of Dr. Krishna Reddy, president of the Indian American Friendship Council, for his efforts in building and promoting strong bonds of friendship between Indian Americans and all Americans.

Finally, this resolution acknowledges the benefits of working together with India towards promoting global peace, prosperity, and freedom. Once again, I am proud to have introduced this resolution, and I am very pleased that the House of Representatives has passed it overwhelmingly today. I thank my colleagues for that. Doing so sends a clear message to both the United States and India that we share common values, honor contributions from both sides, and treasure our mutual friendship.

H. Con. Res. 352

Whereas India is the largest democratic country in the

world and enjoys a close and mutual friendship with the

United States based on common values and common interests;

Whereas people of Indian origin who have for decades

immigrated to the United States have made extraordinary

contributions to the United States, helping to make the

United States a more efficient and prosperous country;

Whereas these contributions have spanned disciplines

ranging from science, technology, business development, and

public service, to social justice, philanthropy, literature,

and the arts;

Whereas generations of doctors and nurses of Indian origin

have attended to the sick in large cities as well as in rural

regions of the United States that are otherwise underserved;

Whereas people of Indian origin have designed defense

systems that protect United States naval ships while at sea,

and have contributed to engineering, designing, and

participating in the United States space shuttle program, at

great personal sacrifice;

Whereas people of Indian origin have invented many of the

technologies that power the computer and the internet, have

created and directed laboratories that produced significant

breakthroughs in modern medicine, and have taught at, and are

leaders of, many United States institutions of higher

learning;

Whereas people of Indian origin have made invaluable

contributions to the vitality and viability of the United

States economy through creative entrepreneurship and

leadership in both large and small businesses;

Whereas people of Indian origin have shared and integrated

their rich culture into the fabric of American daily life;

Whereas trade with India integrates a democratic country of

more than one billion people into the flow of commerce,

offering the United States a large and rapidly growing market

and unlocking vast reservoirs of talent;

Whereas the United States is India's largest trading

partner and a major source of foreign direct investment and

foreign institutional investment in India;

Whereas United States exports to India are growing at 25

percent, making India one of the fastest growing foreign

markets for United States goods and services;

Whereas India's industrial tariffs have fallen from 150

percent in 1988 to a peak rate of 20 percent today;

Whereas United States exports to India will accelerate as

India continues reducing tariffs and instituting

liberalization measures in its trade and investment regime,

thereby expanding the trade relationship of the two countries

and bringing mutual benefits;

Whereas India has been a key partner in the war against

terrorism;

Whereas India and the United States have agreed to increase

cooperation in the areas of nuclear activities, civilian

space programs, high-technology trade, and missile defense;

Whereas multi-faceted cooperation between India and the

United States will strengthen the bonds of friendship and

commerce between the two countries, lead to the peaceful use

of space technology, and increase global stability and

security; and

Whereas United States efforts, whether in combating global

HIV/AIDS, pursuing nuclear non-proliferation, promoting

democracy, enhancing stability of the world economy,

eliminating poverty, fighting terrorism, and expanding and

strengthening global trade, will be more effective and

successful with India as a strategic partner: Now therefore,

be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

concurring), That Congress--

(1) honors the contributions of people of Indian origin to

the Untied States, and

(2) is committed to working together with India towards

promoting peace, prosperity, and freedom among all countries

of the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to speak for a few moments about the almost 44 million Americans, including 8.5 million children, who are uninsured.

Mr. Speaker, this week is Cover the Uninsured Week. As part of an intense effort to highlight the state of the uninsured in this country, more than 800 national and local organizations are working together and holding events, including health and enrollment fairs for uninsured Americans and health coverage seminars for small business owners.

In a study released yesterday, the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured estimates our Nation will spend $41 billion to care for the uninsured in 2004. Federal, State and local governments will bear as much as 85 percent of these costs according to the study.

This study comes on the heels of new research from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the national sponsor of Cover the Uninsured Week, which found that 20 million working adults in the U.S. are uninsured.

In my home State of California, approximately 6.5 million State residents were uninsured for all or part of 2002. Mr. Speaker, the uninsured are not only the poor or unemployed. In California, 2.5 million working residents are uninsured. That's 16 percent of the working population.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, between 2000 and 2001, the number of the uninsured increased by 1.4 million, and low income Americans are the most likely to be uninsured.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this Congress, I introduced legislation, H.R. 1143, the Keep America Healthy Act. My bill amends title XIX of the Social Security Act (SSA) to permit States to expand Medicaid eligibility to uninsured, poor adults.

The eligibility is expanded through the creation of a new optional Medicaid eligibility group for individuals between the ages of 21 and 65 whose family income does not exceed a State-specified percentage of up to 200 percent of the applicable poverty line.

I believe that Congress must take steps to insure the health of all Americans. In addition, the working poor should be confident that unfortunate incidents would not affect their ability to provide for their families. These citizens are left vulnerable by the lack of Federal health care assistance available to them, and my bill seeks to fill that gap.

Mr. Speaker, we all are aware that there is a health care crisis in our Nation, and while there are no easy solutions, I ask my colleagues to support not only my legislation, but also the mission and goals of Cover the Insured Week.

Mr. Speaker, this month we are celebrating National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month. Yesterday was Allergy and Asthma Awareness Day.

Last night, while attending the Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics Awards Recognition Dinner, I had the pleasure of meeting two dynamic young people who suffer from asthma and yet are doing amazing things to raise awareness about this respiratory disorder.

Evan Mungan of Arnold, Maryland, and Rachel Lambin of Gardenerville, Nevada, were the recipients of the AANMA Creative Kids Sunny Awards, which highlights drawings, paintings and writings by children who share their feelings about asthma.

Mr. Speaker, Evan won an award for his drawing entitled ``Good Day/ Bad Day,'' which is here on the floor, which illustrates the difference between a healthy lung and a lung with asthma.

Rachel wrote this original composition, ``When I Can Breathe,'' which is here on the floor, which expresses her feelings when the weight of asthma has taken its toll on families.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood; and, unfortunately, the number of children and young people with asthma is increasing. About 17 million U.S. citizens have asthma; 5 million of these are children under the age of 18. About one in 13 school-age children has asthma. Health care costs related to asthma are estimated at $14 billion annually.

Both Rachel and Evan joined me on the floor today, Mr. Speaker, and they had the opportunity to be on the floor with their siblings, John Henry and Anabel, to take part in meeting Members and shaking their hands. They really did enjoy that.

But, Mr. Speaker, the faces of asthma sufferers are the faces of all of our children, and I believe we have a duty to help them. Earlier this Congress, I introduced the Asthma Awareness and Treatment Act of 2003. This legislation allows the HHS Secretary to award contracts for a national media campaign to inform the public and health care providers on asthma, allergies and related respiratory problems, especially in children, and provides research into whether there is a causal relationship between air pollutants and the occurrence of asthma, allergy and related respiratory problems.

I am also proud to cosponsor H.R. 2023, the Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act of 2003. This legislation would give funding preference to those States that protect students' rights to carry and use prescribed life-saving asthma and other medications.

I would like to thank the AANMA for all of their hard work in making this 7th Annual Asthma Awareness Day on Capitol Hill such a resounding success. I joined with my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), to cochair this year's day on Capitol Hill.