Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007.

Simply put, the current patchwork of State laws alone does not fully protect the rights of all Americans from violence based upon actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. I am frankly astounded that current Federal laws are not more inclusive.

It is unconscionable that we are only now voting on this legislation today. Almost 150 years after our country enshrined the freedom from violence based upon race, with the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution, we still have not extended those same protections to all of our citizens. Today, this body has the chance and indeed the responsibility to rectify this injustice.

Hate knows no borders, so even though 38 states already provide some of the protections that would be extended by Federal law if H.R. 1592 is enacted, only a Federal law can ensure equal protection under the law for all Americans.

Remarkably, this legislation faces opposition. These opponents have claimed that H.R. 1592 is somehow an attack on free speech or a person's religious beliefs. H.R. 1592 does not criminalize freedom of speech or religious

expression, but it does criminalize violence against a person based upon their perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. In fact, a long and diverse list of religious organizations have spoken out in favor of H.R. 1592, including groups representing Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim and Sikh faiths.

No longer will this body be silent for the millions of Americans that too often have no voice in the world.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of Peter J. Delfino, a man who was famous throughout the Monterey Bay area for his great gusto for life.

Peter was born in San Francisco to Nick and Angie Delfino on December 29, 1917. His family soon moved to a farm in Moss Landing where he and his brother Louie helped with the artichokes and other fresh vegetables they grew. Peter went to work for Bank of America after graduation from Monterey High School, but his heart remained on the farm. Ten years later, he joined the Odello family in growing artichokes on the banks of the Carmel River, and he continued to farm until he retired.

The Italian community in Monterey has always provided a busy social calendar, and Peter met his wife, Mary, through these activities. They were married on September 30, 1945. They had one son, Alan, three grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

Peter's other passion was picturesque properties in Carmel and Carmel Valley, Big Sur and Lake Tahoe. Family and friends spent many memorable weekends at these places, especially at his famous wild boar and lamb BBQs in Big Sur.

Peter loved being with people and belonged to several service clubs. After retirement he took great pleasure in helping friends in the construction industry with their various projects as it kept him working outside and in their company. Throughout his 89 years he enjoyed life to the fullest, and was never shy about striking up conversations with anyone he met.

Madam Speaker, I honor the life of Peter Delfino, a man who worked hard and diligently at a job he loved, and who made the world a happier place as he passed through.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 275, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 249, to ban the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros.

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were an estimated 2 million wild horses and burros, but by the 1950s there were only 20,000. Today, the number of horses has increased to 32,000. The population is mainly controlled through adoption. Since 1972, almost 217,000 horses have been adopted.

This is mostly due to the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, which has sought to preserve wild horses and burros on federal lands and has made the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) responsible for their preservation.

In 2004, the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act was amended to reverse the long-standing policy that protected wild horses from being shipped off to slaughterhouses. It also removed the criminal penalties that are imposed for such actions. Seeking to correct this injustice is H.R. 249, which would once again place a prohibition on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses and burros.

As a compassionate society, we have an obligation to protect all animals. Some scientists have found that America's wild horses have greater genetic diversity, as compared to their domestic counterparts, due to little inbreeding.

Sadly, this bill is too late to save some horses. There have been several cases of horses that were purchased for seemingly innocuous reasons and then sent immediately to slaughter. H.R. 249 would protect the more than 8,400 horses that are in jeopardy of being slaughtered.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 249, which would restore the prohibition on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 254, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who has dedicated many years of his life in respectful service to our nation and its military veterans. Charlie Eskridge has spent the past 54 years serving this country as a member of the U.S. Army and as a distinguished representative within the American Legion.

Charlie enlisted into the Army in 1953 and during his 30 years of military service, he was 1st Sergeant of a medical company and also served as a Non-commissioned Officer in Charge for several medical clinics. He joined the American Legion in 1975 and has since held a wide array of positions, always advocating for the needs of his fellow veterans.

Charlie has served the American Legion at all levels and has been a delegate to six National Conventions. As the American Legion Department Commander for California, Charlie actively represented 104,000 members. He traveled throughout the state to personally listen to the concerns and suggestions of other veterans and Legionnaires, and worked diligently to ensure that their voices were represented. Charlie has always made the interests of veterans his personal responsibility, and has ensured that support was provided to everyone with whom he spoke.

Outside of his contributions to the American Legion, Charlie is also deeply involved in his community. He is currently the President of the Protestant Men of Chapel at Fort Ord, California and a member of the Monterey County Military and Veterans Affairs Advisory Commission. Charlie has served as both President and Vice President of the United Veterans Council and even served as the President of his local Parent- Teacher Association. As a result of his immense contributions, Charlie has received the admiration of his community and has been awarded the Military Chapel's Unsung Hero Award, the Scroll of Honor, and has twice been named ``Veteran of the Year'' by the United Veterans Council and the Sons of the American Legion.

Most importantly Charlie has had the love and support of his wife, and partner, Rosie, who has accompanied him on his many visits with veterans throughout the state of California. After almost 50 years of marriage Charlie and Rosie have two sons, Alvin and Charlie II, one daughter, Rosemary, and five grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House of Representatives, I would like to extend our Nation's deepest gratitude for Charlie Eskridge's service to the United States of America and for his many accomplishments for our military veterans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Luis Valdez of San Juan Bautista, California, who will be inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre on April 22 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts here in Washington, DC. The 124 current members include playwright Edward Albee and Broadway director Jack O'Brien. Like those before him, Luis is to be honored for his contribution to American theater.

His has been a ``career of firsts.'' His play ``Zoot Suit'' was the first play written by a Chicano to be produced on Broadway. His movie ``La Bamba,'' about the life of the 1950's rock 'n' roll star Ritchie Valens, won popular acclaim, and was the first film written and directed by a Chicano that was produced by a major motion picture company.

As a child, Luis emigrated from Mexico with his family and became a migrant farm worker. In 1965, he founded El Teatro Campesino, which means ``The Farm Worker's Theater.'' He chose to create this theater in rural San Juan Bautista instead of moving to a big city in order to stay in touch with his roots and remain a true theater of farm workers.

Luis has three sons, all of whom are involved in the arts. ``I have to stress the importance of family in my life,'' he said. He has won several awards, including the Presidential Medal of the Arts from the White House, but says, ``I'm proudest of my family. I consider myself to be quite blessed in that regard.''

Luis believes that art should have a message, and inspiring people to make changes in their lives has been one of his main goals in the theater. He recently produced a play for the Monterey Bay Aquarium about the dangers of pollution.

Madam Speaker, it is a tremendous honor for a national organization of any kind to seek out a resident of a small town for their highest award. Luis Valdez came from humble beginnings, and in spite of his remarkable accomplishments, he remains a humble man. I am proud to congratulate Luis on his election to the College of Fellows of the American Theatre.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 76 honoring the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, IGY, and its past contributions to space research, and looking forward to future accomplishments.

I would like to recognize the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year and its past contributions to global observations and ocean research that led to the discovery of ocean ridges and creation of the Scientific Committees on Ocean Research and Antarctic Research. The memory of the success of the International Geophysical Year during the height of the Cold War should serve as inspiration in this age of global warming. The impacts of global warming will have impacts in all nations and addressing it and its repercussions including sea-level rise, increased number and strength of storms, and ocean acidification, will take a coordinated scientific effort, such as that generated by the International Geophysical Year, to monitor these changes, develop new technology to address them, and the ability to provide timely hurricane warnings.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Captain Angela M. Carsten, an officer in the United States Air Force, who is retiring after 20 years of distinguished service.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Democratic House budget resolution H. Con. Res. 99) that adopts and implements funding priorities that reflect the core values of our Nation and provides a responsible fiscal blueprint to lead our nation out of deficit spending. Medicare, Medicaid and education funding like Pell Grants.

H. Con. Res. 99 puts the Federal Government's fiscal house in order by committing to a PAYGO budget rule. Enforcing PAYGO means that all new federal spending must be offset so that we are not adding to the red ink that endangers our nation's fiscal security.

The budget resolution does not increase taxes. In fact, it extends beyond 2010 of important tax cuts for the middle class--including the child tax credit, marriage penalty relief, estate tax reform, and the deduction for state and local sales taxes--an important credit for California taxpayers. It also extends the Research and Development tax credit to spur innovation.

H. Con. Res. 99 allocates over $85 billion for veterans programs and exceeds the President's request by $3.5 billion. This long overdue increase for our veterans will help provide the immediate care our new veterans require and address the long-term care issues facing many of our older wounded warriors. In addition to covering the basic issues of care and rehabilitation, the FY2008 Budget Resolution includes additional funds for post-traumatic stress disorder research, identification, and treatment, and funds for the elimination of the nearly 400,000 cases currently residing in the claims backlog. As Vice- Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies, I am pleased we are able to be generous to our nation's veterans who have earned these benefits.

The Democratic budget rejects the President's cuts in environmental programs and instead supports valuable research and natural resource conservation programs, such as NOAA's Education Program and the Ocean and Coastal Management program.

Despite the President's past assertions of making education one of his legacy programs, his FY2008 budget request to cut much needed funding for core education programs including No Child Left Behind. The Democratic House budget continues a long tradition of putting children first by adding over $3 billion to core programs under No Child Left Behind as well as special education (IDEA), Head Start, child care and funding to help students afford the ever-increasing cost of college.

Affordable housing on the Central Coast is one of the most pressing issues for families in our community. I am very pleased that the Democratic budget helps address this crisis by including a reserve fund to finance efforts to reverse the decline in affordable housing without increasing the deficit. I am proud to vote in support of H. Con. Res 99 and strongly urge my colleagues to support this budget that prioritizes America's important needs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 137, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007.

As many of my colleagues know, I have had a lifelong love and compassion for animals of all kinds. That is why I am simply shocked that it is not already illegal to take animals across state lines for the purpose of fighting. This is an inhumane and cruel practice that must not be allowed to continue. Another reason why this practice must be outlawed is because animal fighting spreads disease and poses an enormous public health risk. At a time when

avian flu is at the forefront of this county's health-related worries, it should be of the utmost concern to people that animal fighting is occurring all across the country. It makes one wonder, what kind of person could enjoy a ``sport'' like this?

In the forty-eight states where animal fighting is already outlawed, illegal gambling goes hand-in-hand with this gruesome activity. H.R. 137, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007, makes it a felony to knowingly sponsor or exhibit an animal or to use interstate commerce for the purposes of fighting. This bill would impose a prison sentence of up to 3 years.

I have supported this legislation since 2003. I am pleased that this legislation has overwhelming bipartisan support, with 303 cosponsors. Obviously we need stronger laws on this because this practice still continues.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 137, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Obey for yielding.

I have been against this war since day one, and I am outraged by the President's attempts to escalate it. I want this war to end now, and I want to bring our troops home immediately.

I mourn the loss of 3,228 Americans dead, and countless Iraqi civilians, and extend my deepest sympathies to the families. I repeat, I want this war to end, and I want to bring the troops home now.

Whether we like it or not, this bill before us is the first serious binding legislation to come before the House since the war began 4 years ago. This bill contains benchmarks and time lines for withdrawing our troops.

Even so, in my opinion, this bill does not go far enough. I think it should prohibit U.S. military action in Iran without explicit congressional authorization. But without this bill, the alternative is not acceptable. A supplemental without benchmarks is stay the course.

I have received thousands of letters from my district in support and opposition to this bill. The only way to bring the troops home is to vote ``yes.'' I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I am one of the Members that served with Leo McCarthy. I was a member of the California legislature. And like Speaker Pelosi, he was the one who convinced me, when I was a young staff member working for the California legislature in 1975, that I ought to return to my district and start running in public life for politics. And that is what got me into being a county supervisor, and the rest is history.

But serving with Leo McCarthy indeed is distinction for all the reasons talked about. But I loved his youthful energy. The shock of Leo McCarthy dying is that he never looked old, never seemed old. He always had the energy of youth; looked young; and just was a remarkable person. He twice ran for the United States Senate. And doing that in California is indeed a tough problem because the State is so big, so expansive, and it requires so much time, and Leo would never abandon his family.

I remember, Leo was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and I remember going on a trip to Auckland, New Zealand with him. He was welcomed home as a town hero. He pointed out that because he was born in that town, he could never run for President of the United States, not being a native born. I also traveled with him to Canada, when we went on several of the communications issues. And I remember him so devoted to Jackie that he took all his life savings to make sure that Jackie could have a wonderful coat that she wanted, and I know that she still has that.

Ladies and gentlemen, Leo McCarthy was the kind of person you want in public life. And indeed, California is better off for having him serve. It is a great State, and he made it greater. He produced a lot of us that are serving in Congress. And certainly, almost like a daughter, Anna Eshoo, the author of this resolution, and Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, he has a lot to be proud of. We are very proud that we were able to work for him, serve for him and be in public life with him.

All our condolences go to Jackie and the family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jack Barlich, who passed away on January 16, 2007.

He was a firefighter for the City of Monterey for 29 years, and retired in 1992 as assistant fire chief. After his retirement he ran for mayor of Del Rey Oaks, defeating the incumbent who had served 30 years in city government. Jack was a knowledgeable firefighter and a hands-on kind of person who used those attributes to be an effective administrator.

He served on several county boards including the Waste Management Task Force and the Transportation Agency of Monterey County. He chaired the Fort Ord Reuse Authority board and was vice-chairman of the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency. As the mayor of Del Rey Oaks, his proudest accomplishment was the annexation of 360 acres of land for his small city from the former Fort Ord Army Base.

Jack's health began to decline in 2003, and in the summer of 2004, he resigned during his seventh term. Jack was tough but fair, and worked hard in the service of his community. He will be greatly missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Jack Barlich, who courageously served his community during his lifetime.

Mr. Speaker, today my community celebrates the birthday of

John Steinbeck, one of our famous native sons, born in Salinas and raised in and around Monterey Bay. At home in my district this month, the National Steinbeck Center will get the whole community to read one book together, ``The Grapes of Wrath,'' one of the best, well-known tomes by Steinbeck.

The book is being read across the country as part of NEA's Big Read program, designed to bring reading for pleasure back into our lives. Since I am a citizen of Monterey County myself, I would like to offer my own participation in this celebration by reading the following passage from ``The Grapes of Wrath'':

``The people came out of their houses and smelled the hot stinging air and covered their noses from it . . . Men stood by their fences and looked at the ruined corn, drying fast now, only a little green showing through the film of dust. The men were silent and they did not move often. And the women came out of the houses to stand beside their men-- to feel whether this time the men would break. The women studied the men's faces secretly, for the corn could go, as long as something else remained . . . The children sent exploring senses out to see whether men and women would break . . . After a while, the faces of the watching men lost their bemused perplexity and became hard and angry and resistant. Then the women knew that they were safe and that there was no break. Then they asked, What'll we do? And the men replied, I don't know. But all was all right. The women knew it was all right and the watching children knew it was all right . . . The men sat still-- thinking--figuring.''

This is Steinbeck at his best.