Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably detained in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall Nos. 391, 392, and 393.

Mr. Chairman, I rise as a cosponsor and a strong supporter of H.R. 3574, the Stock Option Accounting Reform Act.

Stock options are extremely important to America's economic growth. They allow companies, particularly start-ups, to recruit and retain top-flight talent when the salaries they offer cannot compare with more established competitors. This is particularly important since the majority of the new jobs in the economy come from start-ups, and that issuance of stock options did not lead to corporate corruption.

The mandatory expensing of stock options as proposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board will result in stock options being offered to only the most senior managers, if at all. Requiring the expenses of all stock options will make companies less inclined to offer such options to employees and thereby hamper the ability of companies that currently offer options to attract and retain talented employees.

Because options are used extensively by small innovative start-up companies, requiring expensing would have an adverse impact on innovation, economic growth and competitiveness.

It will confuse investors, because they cannot be accurately valued and do not reflect a cash cost. The expensing of stock options reflects a desire to reduce all potential liabilities to a single number in a company's earnings statement. However, GAAP earnings are only one measure to which investors should be looking.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably detained in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcalls 359 and 360. I would have voted yes on rollcalls 361 and 362.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Baca- Thompson-Kildee amendment. I would like to commend and congratulate my colleagues for bringing this important amendment before this body.

This amendment strengthens our federal commitment to redressing discrimination and assisting our socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

This amendment also increases funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions, which play a critical role in building the capacity of our community in research and agricultural fields. This competitive USDA/HSI grant program is designed to promote and strengthen the ability of HSIs to carry out education programs that attract, retain, and graduate outstanding students capable of enhancing the nation's food and agricultural scientific and professional work force.

Funded grants have supported projects in the fields of nutrition and dietetics, aquaculture, agribusiness technology, food and beverage export and international trade, food

and agricultural marketing and management, integrated resources management, food science technology engineering, plant science environmental science and veterinary science and technology.

Although Title VIII of the Farm Bill authorizes $20 million for HSIs, actual appropriations remain at 20 percent of the minimally authorized level. Only 2.7 percent of Hispanic college graduates earn a degree in agriculture-related areas. The continued under-representation of Hispanics in these important areas demands a greater investment in such programs to expand funding to additional HSIs to better meet USDA goals. This amendment would increase funding for HSIs to $7.1 million. It is a smart investment and a step in the right direction.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to the Tancredo amendment.

Earlier this summer, I came to the floor to oppose a similar amendment, and I felt obligated, as an American, to come to the floor today to oppose this misguided one.

Community policing has been successful in our diverse neighborhoods because police have proactively convinced immigrants that they should come forward and talk to local police. Mr. Tancredo's amendments would instill additional fear in immigrants, already under attack from certain political forces despite our Nation's history of welcoming them.

The Tancredo amendment is a veiled attempt to paint immigrants as terrorists and security threats. These immigrants contribute to our economy. They harvest our food, work in our factories and only want to realize the American dream for themselves and their families.

I quoted it the last time I came to the floor, and I will quote it as often as necessary to make my point.

As is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, we need to remember here in Congress the generous invitation that the United States has always extended to the world: ``Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to be free, the wretched refuse of your teaming shores. Send these, the homeless tempest tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door.''

I fully understand that we need a responsible immigration policy that enhances and ensures our national security. However, the Tancredo amendment is divisive and will, in fact, reduce our security. I strongly encourage my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by my good friends, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), of the House Committee on Small Business.

I speak as a former president and chief financial officer for 20 years of a small business firm, and I speak as a former member of the Committee on Small Business. I understand how difficult it can be to access capital when you run a small business or when you want to start one. Restoring $79 million for the Small Business Administration's SBA 7(a) loan guarantee program in fiscal year 2005 is a step in the right direction.

The 7(a) loan guarantee program deserves among the SBA's business loan program to help qualified small businesses obtain financing when they might not be eligible for business loans through small lending channels. It provides 30 percent of all long-term small business financing. This program is also the SBA's most flexible business loan program since financing under the 7(a) loan program can be guaranteed for a variety of general business purposes. Regardless, funding for the 7(a) program has dwindled from approximately $330 million a decade ago down to only $79 million today as borrowers and lenders have absorbed much of the program's costs.

Many small businesses are attempting to emerge from the current economic downturn and they do not have the balance sheets necessary to obtain conventional financing. Consequently, they need the 7(a) program.

It has been my experience that start-up businesses in particular rely on the 7(a) loan guarantee as the last resort to access desperately needed capital. The SBA 7(a) loan program is vital to the funding of these small businesses. Without a supportive funding appropriation, many small businesses simply will not be financed and many jobs will not be created.

My State needs this program to be funded. They have contacted me repeatedly, requesting my assistance, and I have responded in kind, cosigning letters requesting funding for the program. Today is the day we need to heed the call of most, if not all, of our small business constituents who comprise such a large percentage of all businesses in the United States.

I support restoring funding for the 7(a) program. I urge my colleagues to support small business and the Manzullo-Velazquez amendment to this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably detained in meetings with the regional leaders of my Congressional district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcalls 282, 283, 284 and 285.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably detained this morning. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall 320.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2507, The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. I would like to commend the leadership of the Education and the Workforce Committee and the Senate Agriculture Committee for negotiating a bipartisan bill that will improve access to the child nutrition programs.

I am pleased that this compromise bill contains a number of provisions that were supported by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and national Hispanic organizations. S. 2507 will make a difference for Hispanic children and families.

Measures to allow for the direct certification of migrant students and the direct verification of eligibility will protect our most at risk students from being dropped from the program, not for lack of eligibility but for lack of understanding or fear.

The provisions to ensure that school lunch information--throughout the entire process--is in a language and form that the parents can understand will go a long way to building understanding and trust. These are significant improvements to the program.

Additionally, the bill strengthens nutrition education. Childhood obesity and diabetes are reaching epidemic proportions in the Hispanic community and across the Nation. We must do more to help young people develop healthy lifestyles. This legislation is a step in the right direction.

S. 2507 provides important resources to expand access through innovative programs. The bill expands the Lugar summer food program, establishes a pilot program for rural areas, and allows 5 states to examine the impact of replacing the reduced priced lunches with free lunches--a goal that has strong bipartisan support.

This legislation also takes steps to safeguard the integrity of the WIC program, ensuring that WIC food packages reach the maximum number of women, infants, and children.

I urge my colleagues to vote yes on S. 2507.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 283, the Inslee amendment--``yes''; rollcall No. 284, Final Passage of H.R. 4613-- ``yes''; and rollcall No. 285, H. Res. 658--``yes.''

Mr. Chairman, I rise today, as I did a year ago, in strong opposition to the gentleman from Colorado's (Mr. Tancredo) amendment. I hope that the Tancredo amendment will be ruled nongermane.

I felt obligated as an American to come to the House floor to remind this body of what America stands for as well as to question why anyone in the House of Representatives is offering such an amendment instead of focusing on the immigration reform measures such as ``The SOLVE Act,'' H.R. 4262, the brainchild of the gentleman from Chicago, Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez). The SOLVE Act would provide for earned adjustment to reward hard work, reunify families, establish a temporary worker program that protects the United States and foreign workers and strengthens national security under the immigration laws of the United States.

The Gutierrez legislation is constructive while, on the other hand, the gentleman from Colorado's (Mr. Tancredo) amendment fails to promote improvement or development.

As is inscribed in the Statue of Liberty, we need to remember here in Congress the generous invitation that the United States has always sent to the world. I quote from that inscription.

``Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door.''

It does not ask to shut our doors completely from the outside world and become an insular, protectionist, racist Nation. This amendment, as well as the other one that the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) might offer, are contrary to American values.

Here we truly have forgotten the all-American dream inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. We need a responsible immigration policy that enhances our security. This Tancredo amendment is decisive and will actually endanger our communities. Law enforcement officials throughout the country oppose it, and I urge my colleagues to also oppose the Tancredo amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I do not object to the three higher education bills under consideration today. In fact, this body passed these bills with broad bipartisan support last year, and I voted for all three of them. I do object, however, to our wasting time revisiting legislation that we have already worked out instead of completing the work that remains to be done.

The Higher Education Act represents our national commitment to ensuring that a college education is possible for anyone--regardless of income, race, or ethnicity. This law supports our students and our institutions of higher education in their pursuit of academic excellence. It represents the single largest Federal investment in education with over $75 billion in student financial assistance distributed annually.

This Congress the Higher Education Act must be reauthorized. Instead of considering the act as a whole, the majority decided to pass the reauthorization in parts. The parts that we are considering today have already been passed. What we are failing to discuss today are the programs at the very heart of the matter--the student aid programs: Pell grants, student loans, work study.

We are also failing to discuss the instrumental Federal supports to the institutions that serve low-income and minority students--titles III and V of the Higher Education Act. The titles that support Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Tribally Controlled Colleges.

The Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance has reported that over the next 10 years as many as 4.4 million college-qualified low-income students will be unable to attend 4-year colleges because of unmet financial need. Two million will not be able to attend any college at all. Most of the students will be minorities--Hispanics and African Americans.

We have a lot of work left to do. I hope that we will get to it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great American and one of my constituents, Mr. Robert R. De la Vina. Mr. De la Vina's life has been one of dedication. Dedication to his country, his community, his family, and his faith. Born in Edinburg, Texas on April 9, 1914, Robert De la Vina made a name for himself early in his youth as a self taught musician and award winning trumpet soloist. After high school, Mr. De la Vina received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A&I College in Kingsville, Texas in 1937. It was after this period, that he returned to the Rio Grande Valley and started his long career in public education.

After teaching five years, however, his career as an educator was interrupted by the call

of World War II. Mr. De la Vina was assigned to the United States Air Force and honorably served his country as a staff sergeant and mechanic for the B-26 Bomber. Later, he was assigned to B-29 squadrons participating in the Pacific Theater and was stationed in Guam and Tinian Island. After the war, he returned back to Edinburg and the familiar surroundings of the classroom. It was then soon after, Mr. De la Vina met and married a fellow educator, Miss Grace Watkins. From this loving marriage of 39 years, came one son and three grandsons.

Robert's dedication to the Edinburg public schools spans more than four decades. He served not only as a teacher, but as an Assistant Principal and Director of Special Services for the school district. After 37 years of commitment to the education and enrichment of the children from the Edinburg school district, he retired with numerous honors. Within a couple years of his retirement, Mr. De la Vina took his vision and passion for public education back to the community and ran for School Board Trustee. He served his community as Trustee for six years, giving a total of 43 years to the Edinburg School District and the community of Edinburg. His legacy and those of fellow De la Vina educators in South Texas, however, lives on, as March 23, 1986, marked the dedication of De la Vina Elementary School in Edinburg. On Robert's 85th birthday, the Mayor of Edinburg officially recognized his commitment to the city and people of Edinburg and proclaimed April 9, 1999: ``Robert De la Vina Sr. Day.''

Another phase of Robert De la Vina's life has been his devotion to his faith. Growing up in one of the founding family's of El Buen Pastor Methodist Church in Edinburg, Robert has helped the Church expand from the few families that assembled at his father's house to the hundreds that congregate today. Robert has actively participated in all phases of the Church's activities since his confirmation in 1926, such as Board Member, Choir and Youth Director and Sunday school teacher, a position he cherished for more than 30 years. Even to this day, Mr. De la Vina can be heard performing many of his original religious musical compositions on the piano at El Buen Pastor.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Robert R. De la Vina, as the oldest living member of a family that was designated a ``Bicentennial Family'' in 1976 by the American Historical Society, has touched the lives of so many people in South Texas. On April 9th of this year, Mr. De La Vina celebrated his 90th birthday. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing his dedication to public education and his decades of service to South Texas and this nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to stand before you to pay tribute to Pauline Gonzalez, a dedicated public servant, a loving wife and mother, and a role model for all. Pauline Gonzalez of Edinburg passed away on Monday, April 26, after a long illness. She will be remembered for her dedication to her family, her commitment to public service, and her passion for politics. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.

Mrs. Gonzalez was born in Edinburg, Texas on March 16, 1927, to Francisco and Paula Garza. She was orphaned at a young age and was reared by her maternal grandmother, Gregoria Perez, her aunt, Segunda Perez, and her eldest sister, Hermencia. Her experiences as a young girl instilled the importance of family in her, and her commitment to those she loved never faltered.

In 1948, Mrs. Gonzalez married Jose Noe Gonzalez Sr. and together they had three children: Jose Noe Jr., Lucy, and Martha. Along with her dedication to family, Mrs. Gonzalez was a firm believer in the value of a good education. She attended Edinburg public schools, graduated from Edinburg High School, and despite the odds against her, pursued higher education at Edinburg Junior College. She instilled in her children the importance of education and it paid off. Her three children followed her example. Martha Salazar is Hidalgo County's purchasing agent, Lucy Canales is an Edinburg-based attorney, and Noe Gonzalez Jr. is a successful businessman.

Pauline began her career in 1945 as a deputy clerk for the Hidalgo County District Clerk's office. In 1960, after fifteen years of service, she left her position to devote more time to her family. She was very active with her church and many civic organizations, including the Hospital Auxiliary, the Hidalgo County Historical Museum and the Freddy Gonzalez American Legion Post 408 Auxiliary

In 1982, once her children were enrolled in college, she returned to the world of work and politics. Mrs. Gonzalez ran for and was elected District Clerk of Hidalgo County. Her victory made her one of the first women elected to office in the county. She broke through the barrier of a male dominated political world, but in her own special way. Her trademark high heels and lipstick were the perfect symbol for a woman whose elegance was not overshadowed by her ability to get things done. Her willingness to listen, her honesty and sincerity, and her commitment to her constituents to instill a confidence in their public officials, and she was solidly elected year after year. Mrs. Gonzalez's work ethic earned her the respect of her colleagues and the admiration of the people she dutifully served. She epitomized what every public servant should strive to be--accessible and willing to go the extra mile.

Above everything, it was Pauline's near perfect balance of determination and graciousness that made her a beloved member of her community. She was a dear friend, a lovely lady, and a devoted public servant who will be greatly missed by all. May she rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the misguided legislation, H.R. 4359.

Mr. Speaker, the current total outstanding national debt of the United States, including intragovernmental holdings, is $7.2 trillion, a $1.7 trillion increase from where it was in 2001. Our budget deficit recently reached an all-time high, and it has increased by $648 billion since 2001.

Our Social Security and Medicare surplus funds have been raided, and our national unemployment rate remains high at 5.6 percent. Our fiscal condition, at best, can be described as a calamity; and now this legislation, H.R. 4359, the Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act, wants to add to our fiscal woes by catering to wealthy Americans who do not need this particular tax cut.

This legislation will add an unwarranted and unaffordable expansion of the child tax credit for the high-income filers that will cost $69 billion, thus adding to our outstanding debt.

Mr. Speaker, I support a strong national defense and a vigorous program for homeland security, and Mr. Speaker, I especially support making permanent the $1,000 child tax credit, but only for those whose annual incomes do not surpass the existing $110,000 threshold. These families, the ones making $110,000 or less, are the ones who need a permanent $1,000 child tax credit.

If this legislation only provided support for these families, I, too, would have supported it, but it does not. It goes far beyond what is needed and expands the credit to families making up to $250,000 a year.

Mr. Chairman, H.R. 4359 is not a middle-class tax cut, as some have attempted to characterize it. I do not know many in America who would consider a married couple making $250,000 a year a middle-class family.

Under this legislation, a married couple with two children would be eligible to receive the $1,000 child tax credit until the couple's income nearly reached $290,000.

I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 4359.

At a time of record budget deficits and in the midst of a war, this action is irresponsible and fiscally dangerous at this time.

For all of these reasons, I strongly encourage my colleagues to oppose H.R. 4359.