Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Kennedy motion to instruct conferees to the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill to insist on the highest funding levels for senior nutrition programs.

All of us know that the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill contains many of the most worthwhile programs administered by the federal government, and nutrition programs for seniors are just one example.

As a new member of this subcommittee, I was impressed by the testimony from the Administration on Aging outlining the enormous good that these programs accomplish each year. Although Chairman Regula has often reminded us of the need to comply with budget restrictions, I believe he and the Republican members of the subcommittee know the importance of increasing funding for these programs each year in order to keep pace with inflation and to make progress in providing meals to additional seniors.

In California, with an estimated population of over 35 million people, over 4 million people are 65 years or over. These seniors are served over 11 million home-based meals through Older Americans Act programs, and another 9 million congregate meals are served.

These statistics are testament to the enormous leveraging effect that federal nutrition programs accomplish. As testimony by the Administration on Aging reveals, 44 percent of the cost of a congregate meal and 29 percent of the cost of a home-delivered meal comes from Older Americans Act funds--the balance comes from state, community and private contributions.

Unfortunately, the demand still exceeds these combined federal and local community efforts. The need for these programs is undisputed. In fact, testimony from the Administration on Aging reveals that 41 percent of home-delivered nutrition programs and 9 percent of congregate nutrition programs have waiting lists for services. On average, local programs had 85 seniors on a home-delivered meals waiting list with a wait time of nearly 3 months. On average, local programs had 52 seniors on a congregate meals waiting list with a wait time of about 2 months.

As the evidence indicates, I believe it is important that we strive to make incremental progress every year to support the goal of adequate nutrition for seniors by eliminating the waiting lists and providing meals to all seniors who need then.

The differences between the House and Senate bills with regard to senior meals may appear small--about 4 million dollars out of a total of over $700 million for senior nutrition services. But we know these dollars make an enormous difference in the lives of so many seniors.

I urge my colleagues to support the Kennedy motion so we can make progress again this year.

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

Mr. Speaker, as we near the end of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I rise today to announce the re-introduction of legislation I authored to truly recognize and help the estimated two million women in this country who are victims of domestic violence.

Victims of domestic violence suffer on many fronts. In addition to the physical and emotional battery, women who are abused also struggle to maintain employment and, as a result, experience tremendous financial hardships. According to a 1998 report of the U.S. General Accounting Office, between one-quarter and one-half of domestic violence victims surveyed in three studies reported losing a job due, wholly or in part, to domestic violence. For victims of sexual assault, the numbers are even more alarming. Nearly 50 percent of survivors say they were forced to leave their jobs because of the crime. Stalking victims also report losing significant time at work.

There are many reasons for this volatile employment picture. Abusers often track down and harass their victims at work and may even follow them home. By creating disturbances on the job and making threats, the perpetrator may force the victim to quit or place her at risk of being fired.

I was told recently of a woman named Nancy who is a victim of domestic violence in my Los Angeles district. She, like so many other women, was forced to quit her job at a fast food restaurant after her husband showed up there, pounded on the door, scratched her car with his keys and repeatedly threatened her. Nancy, whose name has been changed, sought help at a local domestic violence shelter where she received the support she needed for herself and her two-year-old child. Now, she is taking a non-violent parenting class and undergoing counseling. She also receives support in court proceedings to get a restraining order enforced, divorce her husband, and settle a child custody dispute.

For Nancy, quitting her job and seeking help at the shelter gave her the support and the time she needed to get her life back in order. But many victims--especially depending upon the State in which they live-- do not feel they have the same choices as Nancy and, as a result, may not be as willing to seek help, placing themselves and their families in greater danger.

That's because Federal law does not specifically allow women who leave work as a result of domestic violence to collect unemployment compensation. Nor does Federal law allow victims of domestic violence to take leave from work to deal with abuse-related priorities, such as getting appropriate medical care, victim services or legal assistance. Without these important added protections, victims of abuse who live in certain States deal with the fear that if they take time off, they risk being fired and left with no way to support themselves or their children. Given this alternative, some women may choose not to seek the help they need--or, even worse, remain in an abusive relationship.

To address the inadequacy of our current laws, I have introduced the Security and Financial Empowerment Act (SAFE Act). This bill ensures that victims of domestic violence are allowed 30 days of unpaid leave from work to make necessary court appearances, contact law enforcement officials or make alternative housing arrangements, without the fear of being fired or demoted. Further, to make sure victims retain financial independence, the SAFE Act would require all States to provide unemployment benefits to women who are forced to leave work (whether they quit or are fired) because of domestic violence. To date, I'm proud to say that more than 30 States have already enacted similar provisions, including my home State of California, but a uniform national policy is needed. The SAFE Act would also provide employers with a workplace safety program tax credit as an incentive to provide employees with domestic violence safety and education programs.

After all, employers also pay a high price in decreased productivity, employee absenteeism and staff turnover because of domestic violence. In fact, it is estimated that domestic violence costs U.S. employers between $3 billion and $13 billion annually.

Mr. Speaker, I would urge all of my colleagues to support the SAFE Act and, in doing so, help victims of domestic violence and businesses deal more effectively with this serious problem. Let's pass this needed legislation and help millions of victims of domestic violence to obtain the employment and financial stability they need to do what Nancy is doing--repair their lives and build a safe future for themselves and their families.

Mr. Speaker, due to an event in my district, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 563-565 on Monday, October 20, 2003. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 563, 564, and 565.

Mr. Chairman, when President Bush's $87 billion supplemental request was presented to the Appropriations Committee, Chairman Young, Chairman Lewis and Chairman Kolbe had corrected a number of serious deficiencies in the President's budget request. For that reason, I reluctantly voted to support the committee bill with the hope that the serious weaknesses that still remained would be strengthened as the bill moved through the process.

Unfortunately, that has not happened. Therefore, I will not support the supplemental bill before us today, because the majority has chosen to prevent the House from addressing the concerns many of my colleagues and I still have on the critical questions American taxpayers are asking. Questions such as: Are we doing all we can for our troops? How are we going to engage the international community for financial support? How are we going to pay for the $87 billion price tag and where is the accountability for this enormous and unprecedented request?

The Obey amendment is the very amendment that best addresses these critical questions. Yet the House will not be allowed to vote on it. And for good reason, because if given the opportunity, the majority knows it would pass. The Obey amendment strengthens the quality of life provisions of our troops, provides accountability to the taxpayers and to Congress, and pays for the $87 billion request instead of adding it to the already enormous debt created by the misguided policies of this Administration--a debt that will be passed on to our children and our children's children.

Let me briefly highlight some of the key provisions of the Obey amendment. First, the Obey amendment addresses quality of life issues for our troops by helping to correct some of the alarming conditions our troops have found themselves. For example, as reported by our colleagues who have visited Iraq, not all our fighting men and women in Iraq have purified drinking water, and many of our troops are getting sick and suffering from dysentery as a result. The Obey amendment, had we been allowed to vote on it, would have provided enough funding for purified drinking water plants so that all our troops have clean water, not just one of nine U.S. bases in Iraq as proposed by the Administration, which would leave 80 percent of the troops unprotected.

The Obey amendment also shows respect and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our troops by providing reservists with pre- deployment medical and dental screening, which they now pay for themselves. The amendment also extends their health care coverage from 60 days to six months following deployments and provides for an adequate supply of prepaid phone cards so all U.S. soldiers can call home. Finally, because troops are currently required to pay their own transportation home once they have reached the U.S., the Obey amendment pays for the R&R transportation costs for troops on a 12-month deployment. Unfortunately, these important quality of life issues for our troops will not be permitted to be a part of the bill before us.

Second, the Obey amendment engages the international community financially by devoting $7 billion to a trust fund at the World Bank. The advantage of the World Bank is that these funds would be conditioned on contributions of at least $3.5 billion from other nations. The accumulated $10.5 billion could then be used as security for an additional $42 billion in World Bank bonds for the reconstruction in Iraq. This would help to eliminate the drain on our own U.S. Treasury by generating the vast majority of the estimated $54 billion needed for Iraq reconstruction. Equally as important is the fact that using the World Bank would eliminate the cronyism and no-bid contracts that have been awarded to Haliburton and Bechtel with funds from the first supplemental bill. As we all know, there is still little disclosure about these no-bid contracts and their resultant long-term costs. Again, the majority has denied us a vote on this important issue.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, the Obey amendment would fully pay for the $87 billion supplemental appropriation by returning the tax rate for individuals with incomes in excess of $350,000 to the level that existed in January 2001. That means that although they will not get the bonus tax cut, the richest one percent will still get the largest tax cut provided to any American. Given the sacrifices that are being made by our servicemen and women and their families, having the richest Americans do their fair share to pay for this appropriation with a smaller tax cut honors the American spirit of ``shared sacrifice.'' Yet again, the majority will prevent this House from voting on the Obey proposal that would pay for this costly appropriation.

And finally, Mr. Chairman, is the issue of accountability, another key issue the House will be unable to adequately address on behalf of the American people, who have a right to know how their tax money is being spent. What makes the lack of transparency and accountability for this $87 billion even more incredible is the fact that the Administration has failed to account for the $63 billion Congress already allocated for the safety of our troops. This is critical especially when we know that the full $63 billion that should have gone for Kevlar flak jacket ``body armor'' and jammers to block the radio signals used to detonate the remote controlled bombs never reached all our troops. Why the current civilian leaders in the Pentagon failed to provide these life-saving supplies to our troops prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq and even after it became apparent that these shortages were costing American lives must be answered. And it must be answered before we give Secretary Rumsfeld discretion to spend over an estimated $9 billion of taxpayer dollars without being accountable to Congress and the American people for how the money will be spent.

For those who say we cannot afford to wait--that this is an emergency and our troops need these funds right away--I would direct them to the report by the Congressional Research Service on this very question. CRS states that based on the available sums provided through the regular FY '04 Defense Appropriations Bill that military operations can be sustained until early May of next year, and that the billions of dollars of unobligated funds remaining in the last supplemental appropriations also can be used to address the immediate needs of our troops. That means that we can protect our troops and Congress can take the time to get this right and have our questions answered. We do not have to hastily pass $87 billion of taxpayers' dollars in order to meet the Administration's arbitrary deadline.

Since the bill before the House today leaves too many unanswered questions and because the majority has prevented this House from voting on the key policy issues that responsibly should be considered before giving away $87 billion of taxpayers' money, I believe my vote against this appropriation is a responsible vote. Hopefully, it will send a clear message to the Bush Administration that we must pass a bill giving real protection to our troops and improving their quality of life while at the same time requiring a clearly defined plan with transparency and accountability that does not saddle future generations with a huge debt that prevents us from addressing the needs of Americans in our own country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and to recognize the longstanding contributions that the Latino community has made and continues to make through their participation in the armed forces.

New census data reports that the Hispanic community, which numbers almost 40 million, is now the largest minority group in the United States. As such, Latinos influence everyday

life in the United States through their participation in every sector of our society including business, the arts, sports, government, medicine and education. Of particular significance during these trying times, is the rich history of patriotism and sacrifice that the Latino community has made by serving proudly and with distinction in every major U.S. military conflict and in all branches of our armed services.

From the minutemen of the American Revolution to today's enlisted men and women in Iraq, the Latino community has a deep-rooted tradition of service in the U.S. military. Today there are 109,487 Latinos on active duty, representing approximately 9.5% of all active duty personnel. Latinos represent 9.7 percent of the Army, 10.5 percent of the Navy, 13.9 percent of the Marine Corps, and 3.4 percent of the Air Force.

Latinos have been recognized for their valor and bravery in some of this country's most important military confrontations. One of the greatest sources of pride among the Latino community is the 39 Medals of Honor awarded to Latinos in recognition of their valor. They are the largest single ethnic group, in proportion to the number who served, to earn this prestigious award.

During the American Revolution, soldiers from Spain, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic fought alongside the colonists for independence. Cuban women donated their jewelry to aid the colonists, helping to finance the Yorktown Campaign.

In World War One, Latino soldiers were decorated with the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, the Victory Medal with three bars, and the Purple Heart. During the Second World War, up to 500,000 Latinos served bravely--eleven receiving the Medal of Honor. Of particular mention is the story of Marine PFC Guy ``Gabby'' Gabaldon who single-handedly captured over 1,000 enemy soldiers in the summer of 1944, more than anyone else has in the history of military conflicts.

During the Korean War, the 65th Infantry Regiment--a Puerto Rican regiment--was given special recognition for participating in nine major campaigns, capturing 2,086 enemy soldiers, and killing 5,095 enemy combatants. Individual members of this regiment were awarded four Distinguished Service Crosses and 124 Silver Stars. My family and I had personal acquaintance with a Korean War hero from my neighborhood in Boyle Heights when I was growing up in Los Angeles. Private First Class Eugene Obregon was awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life to save that of a wounded comrade.

Fourteen Hispanics were awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during the Vietnam War. Navy Lt. Everett Alvarez became the first American prisoner of war (POW), and remained so for over 8 years, the longest confirmed POW in American history. The last American to leave Vietnam was Senior Master Sergeant Juan J. Valdez, who served at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon and departed by helicopter on April 30, 1975.

When Iran held 52 American hostages in 1980, the Ayatollah offered to release all minorities. Marine Corporals Lopez and Gallegos refused, instead stating, ``I am an American--I am a U.S. Marine, I will be the last one to leave,'' invoking the spirit of American patriotism above all else.

Today, as we wage the war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Latino community continues to prove its commitment to America by serving proudly and with honor. They remind all of us, that there is no better way to demonstrate devotion to your country than the willingness to make sacrifices for it. Through their service in the armed forces thousands of brave individuals in the Latino community have proven their love and dedication to our American values of liberty and freedom for all.

As we recognize the Latino community during National Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to thank the service men and women, both past and present, for their commitment and sacrifices to our country. They truly embody the spirit of pride and community that Hispanic Heritage Month is designed to celebrate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Rafu Shimpo, a bilingual English-Japanese newspaper published, distributed, and read avidly in my Congressional District, celebrating their 100th anniversary.

The history of The Rafu Shimpo is an important part of both American and Japanese American history and heritage, created in Los Angeles.

In April 1903, three young men, Rippo lijima, Masaharu Yamaguchi, and Seijiro Shibuya produced the first mimeographed news bulletin to the Los Angeles area Japanese-speaking community. Its title comes directly from the community it serves--Rafu Shimpo means Los Angeles area newspaper--ra from Rashogiri, the old Chinese name for Los Angeles, fu is prefecture or area, and shimpo is newspaper.

Beginning in 1914, under the new management of Henry Toyosaku (H.T.) Komai, the newspaper began to grow. In February 1926 he added an English language section with the help of a 20-year-old UCLA education major, Louise Suski. By 1932, the English section became a daily feature.

On April 4, 1942, The Rafu Shimpo ceased publication as Americans of Japanese descent were forcibly removed to desert internment camps. At the end of the war in 1945, though other Japanese Americans were released, H.T. Komai continued to be detained in Santa Fe, New Mexico. But the Komai family's dedication to publishing The Rafu Shimpo persevered. H.T.'s son, Akira Komai, with a $1500 loan from three other staff members, rebuilt the newspaper.

The newspaper grew rapidly after World War II, from a circulation of 500 in 1946 to 20,000 over the next 30 years. Today, H.T.'s grandson, Michael Komai, serves as the 3rd generation publisher, a position he has held since 1983. The award-winning daily has over 45,000 readers and prevails as the premier news source for the Los Angeles area Japanese American community.

As part of The Rafu Shimpo's 100th anniversary celebration, an awards banquet will be held in Los Angeles on Thursday, October 16, at the Century Plaza Hotel. The yearlong anniversary celebration will also include special recognitions from the Japanese American National Museum, Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Asian American Journalists Association and Asian Business League.

The 100th anniversary of The Rafu Shimpo is another milestone in the rich history of Los Angeles as well as the history of America, and I join the Los Angeles Japanese American community in celebrating this wonderful legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 384 that celebrates the successful journey of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride.

Inspired by the Freedom Riders of the 1960's Civil Rights Movement, a broad coalition of individuals including immigrants, union officials, religious leaders, and civil rights activists set out on September 20, 2003 from ten major U.S. cities to educate the public and elected officials about immigrant rights and the injustices of our country's current immigration policies. Over the last 12 days, 900 freedom riders in 18 buses have visited more than 100 cities, towns, and work places.

The freedom riders have educated communities across America about the hardships faced day after day by immigrant workers and their families. Immigrants work in every industry in America. They are construction workers, doctors, nurses, janitors, meat packers, farmworkers, engineers, and soldiers. They care for our children, tend to our elderly, pick and serve our food, build and clean our houses, and what they ask for in return is a fair and equal opportunity to achieve the American dream. Yet, our broken immigration system impedes many because they are unable to live and work freely. Far too many immigrants are exploited by their employers, separated from family, and unprotected by our laws. The Immigrant Workers Freedom Riders have renewed the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement in order to draw attention to the needs of this marginalized community.

But that is not where their effort ends. They have a plan of action-- a solution to many of the hardships encountered by so many immigrants in this country. Their plan has four key proposals: a new legalization program for undocumented immigrants; the right of immigrants to reunite with their families; the protection of immigrants in the workplace; and civil rights and civil liberties for all.

To bring their plan to the attention of our national leaders, the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride arrived in Washington, D.C. on October 1, 2003. I welcome, and congratulate them for embarking on this historic journey.

I particularly want to acknowledge the two buses of freedom riders from Los Angeles. Several of the participants are my constituents who have taken time from their jobs and left their families and children behind in order to make the long journey to Washington, D.C.

I met with a group of them on Thursday, October 2. What they told me was truly inspiring. Some have been in this country for several years while others have only recently arrived, but they all have a love and appreciation for America. They don't want or expect handouts. They believe in hard work and doing their part for our country. What they do want, Mr. Speaker, is what we all want--the opportunity to prosper and to obtain a good life for themselves and their families. They want to be full participants in every aspect of our society.

I applaud the Immigrant Workers Freedom Riders and commend the organizers for helping to ensure that immigrant voices are heard. I am encouraged by the support they have garnered across the country, and I hope that their tour will serve as a catalyst for fair and meaningful reform of our nation's immigration laws. Our immigrant community deserves greater protections under the law, and Congress has an obligation to provide it.

In the words of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.: ``Let us therefore continue our triumphal march to the realization of the American dream . . .''

In keeping with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, we are reminded today that the struggle for civil rights continues for many. The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride is a renewal of a struggle for fairness and equality for all. I am hopeful that my colleagues and all of America will embrace it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Carmen Zapata--a visionary Latina whose influence is felt in every aspect of the arts.

As one of the first Latinas to perform on Broadway, Carmen Zapata is an artistic innovator. An actress, producer and proponent of Spanish and English bilingual theatre, she has changed the face of culture in Southern California.

A leader in the Latino and arts communities, Carmen Zapata's passion for theatre led her to co-found the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts. As president and producing director for this Los Angeles-based non- profit, she has helped produce over eighty bilingual plays across the State of California and abroad.

The Bilingual Foundation of the Arts has brought theatre and entertainment into inner-city schools in my district and the greater Los Angeles region, exposing students to a new creative outlet, and providing a pipeline for young Latino talent.

Ms. Zapata's dedication to the Latino community has also led her to share her knowledge and experience in teaching the craft of acting and production at area theatre programs.

Furthermore, she has served on the board of a variety of civic organizations, including the United Way, the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, the KCET Community Advisory Board, and the City of Los Angeles Mayor's Committee on the Arts.

Ms. Zapata is also a leader in the international Latino arts community. An honored translator of Spanish plays, she has been knighted by his Majesty Juan Carlos of Spain for her contributions to Spanish language and culture. In addition, she continues to shape Latino arts and entertainment and the next generation of Latinos with her popular PBS children's program, ``Villa Allegre.''

For these achievements, it is my great pleasure to recognize Carmen Zapata's contributions as the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honors her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On behalf of Latinos everywhere, I congratulate Carmen Zapata and thank her for her dedication to giving Latinos a voice in the arts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very dear friend of mine, Selma Fisch, who despite being born in August celebrates her 70th birthday on September 13 because she was characteristically too busy last month.

Mrs. Fisch was born Selma Schenker on August 11, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York. At sixteen years old, she and her family moved to California and settled in Boyle Heights, an area that my family is very familiar with.

Soon after graduating from Roosevelt High School, she met and married her husband of 51 years, Len Fisch.

Selma and Len have three children--Laura Anne, William Daryl, and Lisa Kennedy. Over the years her family has grown and prospered and she is now the proud grandmother of six granddaughters and four grandsons.

In 1972, she and her husband Len started a wholesale clothing company, The Clothing Game, on Santee Street in Los Angeles.

A few years later, they bought and developed their first property on nearby Maple Avenue. Originally built to house The Clothing Game, the property was instead redeveloped into six individual clothing stores. The ownership of this building began their successful career as full time property managers. Their foresight and influence helped produce the now nationally famous ``Fashion Alley'', spanning Maple Avenue and Santee Street.

Throughout the 80's and 90's, Selma and Len continued to buy and develop prime properties throughout the Los Angeles Garment District.

During these years the area experienced such a boom that local officials and the Los Angeles Police Department struggled to provide adequate services. In response to the area's growing needs, Selma, in conjunction with other property owners, formed the Santee-Maple Alley Association to provide additional maintenance and safety officers throughout the Alley area.

In 1991, working closely with my former State Assembly office and the office of the 9th Council District, Selma was instrumental in obtaining a pedestrian crosswalk for a very busy area of the Alley.

Over the years, she has continued to work to ensure that the area remains attractive to consumers by resurfacing the alley hardscape, replacing area storm drains, adding attractive alley banners, and increasing the number of maintenance workers and security officers.

Selma has been a member of various women's political groups, such as AIPAC and WINPAC, which serves to better the United States' international relationship with Israel, and is currently a member of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Mr. Speaker, it is my greatest pleasure to honor Selma Fisch for her years of service to our community, and to wish her a very happy 70th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this motion to instruct conferees on our Nation's first Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Everyone expected that the new Homeland Security Department would experience the standard growing pains associated with the establishment of any new government agency and that such pains would get worked out over time. However, the situation that prompted the creation of this agency is different, and homeland security does not have the luxury to ``get it right'' over time. We must start getting it right the first time with this first appropriations bill. Accordingly, we must supply the necessary federal resources today, not tomorrow, and not after another terrorist attack.

While Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Obey did the very best they could given their inadequate allocation, many important homeland security initiatives and programs remain underfunded. Understandably, we have focused our homeland security efforts on passenger aviation. But we must quickly provide similar focus to securing other likely targets including air cargo, seaports, electronic business systems, and other critical infrastructure. Strengthening and making less vulnerable our electronic business transactions would help protect both California's utility power grid and its economy, the fifth largest economy in the world. Providing perimeter security and thorough cargo screening will help ensure the safety of passengers and employees at Los Angeles International Airport, the nation's second busiest airport. Screening cargo ships before they reach the mega seaport of Los Angeles-Long Beach will not only maintain the economic integrity of the nation's largest intermodal container port, but also protect the residents of the portside communities. Adequately funding these efforts would produce real and immediate benefits for my state and community.

We must also sufficiently fund all functions of homeland security including border and customs efforts, disaster relief, and first responders. However, prioritizing and funding these various security initiatives as we have done with aviation security can only be accomplished with the necessary resources. It is critical, therefore, that we make our position crystal clear and instruct House conferees to insist on the highest possible level of funding for each homeland security, preparedness, and disaster response program.

Mr. Speaker, if in these grave economic times, the administration believes we can afford to spend an additional $87 billion for the military and reconstruction effort in Iraq in our campaign to prevent terrorism, then it is morally bound to support our efforts in Congress to provide the necessary resources for our own security in America.

I urge my colleagues to support the motion.

Mr. Speaker, due to a family health emergency, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 463-480 on Wednesday, September 3 through Friday, September 5. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 460, 461, 462, 466, 467, 468, 469, 471, 472, 474, 475, 476, 477, 479 and ``nay'' on rollcall votes 463, 464, 465, 470, 473, 478, 480.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be a cosponsor of H.R. 2309, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's legislation to name the post office at 2300 Redondo in Long Beach, CA, after our distinguished former colleague, Steve Horn.

Like Congresswoman Millender-McDonald, I am honored to now represent two cities, Bellflower and Downey, which Steve Horn represented with such distinction during his decade in Congress. Steve and I were elected in the same year, 1992, and I had the pleasure to work with him on behalf of a number of initiatives important to our communities and others in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California.

Steve Horn was an accomplished legislator who achieved much in his time in Congress. Not only did he author a number of bills that have made a considerable difference in improving the way our government operates, but he also provided strong oversight as chair of the Government Reform Committee's Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management & Intergovernmental Relations.

It was Steve Horn who first raised the public's consciousness regarding the looming Y2K problem. Through his work on his subcommittee, he played an essential role in encouraging federal agencies to take the necessary steps to upgrade their computer systems and forestall potential problems as we made the transition to the new century. His early efforts were the precursor of the new Homeland Security Department's focus on the potential cyber security threat.

The legislative legacy Steve Horn left behind following his retirement from Congress is substantial. Through his subcommittee, he initiated a number of other efforts to make the federal government run more effectively and efficiently, and to make it more responsive to the American public. He helped bring together the Los Angeles-area Congressional delegation to build the support needed to fund the Alameda Corridor and make it a reality. Today, the Corridor provides a direct rail connection from the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the main inland east-west transportation links.

Steve and I worked together on numerous issues during our service in Congress together. Today I am proud to continue work on two of those critical projects in the City of Downey, the largest municipality completely in my district and one that I inherited from Steve. First is the Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center that will serve as one important piece of the multi-million dollar redevelopment project scheduled for the Downey site of the former space shuttle manufacturing plant, Rockwell International. I am working closely with Downey representatives in support of the redevelopment project, and I have introduced legislation that will name that space science learning center in honor of the Columbia Space Shuttle and its crew who perished in the shuttle's February 2003 crash.

Secondly, whether it was ensuring safe and reliable water to the Los Angeles area or cleaning up the storm water that runs into the Los Angeles River, Steve was always involved in the numerous bipartisan efforts regarding Los Angeles water. Along these lines, I am continuing the effort Steve and I began last year to mitigate trash that storm waters carry into the Los Angeles River.

Despite Steve's impressive legislative work, it is his strong, personal commitment to the people of the 38th District of California during his 10 years in Congress and his many years of dedicated community involvement service that makes this legislation on the floor today so appropriate. As Congressman, he was deeply committed to serving the needs of all his constituents. I regularly hear from his former constituents of the services he offered and the strong support he provided for all the communities of his district. Steve Horn was also actively serving his community long before he came to Congress. During his tenure as a professor and then President at Cal State-Long Beach, Steve and his wife Nini were deeply involved in a wide range of civic and cultural activities that enriched and improved their community.

And, as I know Congresswoman Millender-McDonald has noted in her statement, he refused to give in to bureaucratic resistance when the City of Signal Hill asked for its own zip code, rather than sharing three different zip codes with portions of the City of Long Beach, which adjoins it. The Redondo post office serve as the distribution center for the Signal Hill routes, so it is particularly appropriate that it is the one designated with Steve Horn's name.

I commend the Government Reform Committee and the House leadership for their expeditious consideration of H.R. 2309. And I thank Steve Horn for his friendship and for all he did--and continues to do--for his community. My best wishes go to Steve, Nini and their family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Fugetsu-Do, a family-run bakery in my Congressional District, who this year celebrates its 100th anniversary.

In 1903, Seiichi Kito and his family began working in a small shop to produce batches of mochi, manju, and other Japanese sweets. This burgeoning business, however, was unexpectedly closed in 1942 when Executive Order 9066 forced the Kito family to relocate to an internment camp in Heart Mountain, Wyoming.

Like countless other Japanese American families, the Kitos endured dehumanizing and often cruel living conditions--including brutally cold and windy winters and scorching summers. Yet despite these hardships, Mr. Kito and his son Roy, a pastry chef, gave comfort to their fellow internees by creating dessert from their meager sugar rations.

At the end of the war, the Kito family returned to Los Angeles where Roy and his wife reopened the doors of Fugetsu-Do, overcoming great financial obstacles.

Today, Brian Kito--youngest son of Roy and Kazuko Kito and grandson of Seiichi--continues the legacy of Fugetsu-Do as head of the family business. Brian continues his family's tradition of community loyalty as an active member of the Little Tokyo community. Several times a year, he demonstrates to youngsters in the community how to make the tasty treats sold in his shop and he coordinates a citizen safety patrol in Little Tokyo with the Los Angeles Police Department.

As part of Fugetsu-Do's 100th anniversary celebration, more than 150 members of the Kito family will come together for a family reunion in Little Tokyo from August 7th through the 12th. It is my pleasure to welcome them to my congressional district and to express my best wishes for a successful reunion.

For a century, the Kito family's dedication to the values of hard work and meticulous care in confectionary production has led Fugetsu-Do to much success.

Mr. Speaker, the 100th anniversary of Fugetsu-Do is yet another milestone in the rich history of the Kito family, the Little Tokyo community, and the City of Los Angeles and I join them in celebrating this wonderful legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the motion to instruct conferees.

Mr. Speaker, it's a simple question: Will the Republican leadership permit Congress to pass tax relief for millions of working and military families before the August break?

Unfortunately, we know the answer, and it is not good news for the 4 million families with incomes between $10,000 and $26,000 who were left out of the original Republican tax cut plan. And it is not good news for the 262,000 children of military servicemen and women who currently serve or have served in Iraq or other combat zones because their combat pay actually reduces their tax credit.

With the Republican party in control of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives, President Bush and the Republican leadership have the political power to pass tax relief for these families today. But do they have the political will?

I think that question was answered by Speaker Hastert, when he was asked last Sunday if he and the Republican leadership would pass the child tax credit before leaving town. Speaker Hastert dismissed the question by saying that the families making between $10,000 and $26,000 ``don't pay taxes.''

I hope the Speaker will talk to some of these families in his own district. If he does, they will be glad to inform him that even though they don't earn enough to pay income taxes, they pay plenty in Social Security payroll taxes, sales taxes, and--if they are fortunate enough to own a home--in property taxes.

Mr. Speaker, we should pass the child care tax credit bill today and give working and military families the tax relief they deserve. As I said at the outset, it's really a very simple question: Will the Republican leadership permit Congress to pass tax relief for millions of working and military families before we break or will they continue to look the other way and go home?

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2210 will dismantle the successful Head Start program.