Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to S. 2271, the PATRIOT Act Amendments.

James Madison, our 4th President, said, ``I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.''

The PATRIOT Act and its subsequent amendments are exactly what the ``Father of the Constitution'' was talking about.

Democracy means the ``common people rule''. And the ``common people'' of the 17th district have proclaimed that Americans should not have to compromise their civil liberties in order to combat extremism. The local governments of Pacific Grove, Salinas, Santa Cruz, and Watsonville, California have all passed resolutions expressing their concerns with the anti-privacy and anti-liberty nature of the PATRIOT Act.

As we promote democracy at other countries, should we not ourselves be practicing and preserving democracy within our own society?

Madam Speaker, I urge a no vote on the PATRIOT Act amendments.

Mr. Speaker, the week of February 27 to March 3 is Peace Corps week and on March 1st we celebrated the 45th Anniversary of the founding of the Peace Corps. Over the last 45 years Peace Corps has become one of our nation's premier international assistance programs that has focused on helping communities and individuals help themselves.

I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Medellin, Colombia in the mid- 1960s and I can say definitively that it was a life changing experience. During my two years in Colombia, I learned that the most sustainable type of development was when locals were empowered to create their own development. I therefore worked on educating and assisting my Colombian colleagues, neighbors and friends on how to petition their local governments and make positive changes in their own lives.

In the years since I returned from Colombia thousands of Americans have served as Peace Corps Volunteers. Each of these volunteers has made a difference, large or small, in the lives of hundreds of people across the globe. Person-to-person relationships like those built by PCVs are key to greater understanding--greater American understanding of other cultures, and greater understanding of Americans by other cultures.

In this time of increasing tension between countries, now more than ever, we need programs like the Peace Corps. I urge my colleagues to support the President's FY 07 request for the Peace Corps at $337 million. We need to robustly fund Peace Corps so that during the next 45 years, Peace Corps Volunteers can continue to make a positive difference in countries all over the world.

I wish the Peace Corps a very happy 45th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend one of my constituents, Ms. Colleen Crosby, of Santa Cruz, California who, on Sunday, March 5, will receive the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' from the International Women in Coffee Alliance (IWCA). I cannot imagine another person more deserving than Colleen to receive this award. Colleen is one of those rare individuals that has combined a deep compassion for others with the intelligence and drive to make a true difference in the world. Colleen has been a true leader in raising awareness of, and offering effective solutions to, the International Coffee Crisis--a crisis that affected 25 million people in some of the poorest countries in the world.

Colleen co-founded Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company in 1978 and in 1979 became the first Roastmistress on California's Central Coast. In her travels to coffee producing countries in Central and South America and Africa she encountered abject poverty and an economic system that kept small coffee farmers in a vicious cycle of poverty. Being the ``active activist,'' Colleen jumped headfirst into finding ways to help coffee farmers and cooperatives throughout the world. Colleen found that fair trade certification--a certification process that guarantees farmers a fair price for their coffee beans--was the most effective way of improving the lives of coffee farmers.

Colleen's record for helping coffee farmers and promoting fair trade coffee is extremely impressive. Colleen has worked with small farmers and cooperatives around the world and helped them gain better market access for their coffee, thus ensuring a better livelihood for themselves and their children. I asked Colleen to testify before the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere on the coffee crisis, where she educated Members of Congress on the importance of helping coffee farmers.

Besides the Lifetime Achievement Award from IWCA, Colleen has also received a variety of commendations, including a letter of ``Special Thanks and Commendation'' for ``the extraordinary warmth and spirit on behalf of the people of Ethiopia,'' presented by His Excellency Teruheh Zenna, Acting Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations in October, 2005; being named Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year 2005; being presented with the Gold Medallion of Brotherhood by the small coffee farmers of Nicaragua's Prodecoop; and most recently, she is the recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Women in Coffee Alliance.

I congratulate Colleen on a lifetime of dedication to others. She truly has made the world a better place and it has been an absolute pleasure and honor to know her.

Madam Speaker, I rise today for some very good news. It is news the history of this country's anniversary of the Peace Corps. When I was a college student, I was really impressed that the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, had asked the people of this country to ask what they could do for their country, not what the country could do for them.

And since then, people have been joining the Peace Corps. In fact, 182,000 people have served in the Peace Corps, serving in over 138 countries. Now, why is it so important to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Peace Corps? Well, in the first case, we just recently heard from General Abizaid, who is the supreme commander in the Middle East, that peace can never be obtained until Americans learn to cross the cultural divide. A very profound statement from a warrior.

I ask those persons in the United States who want to help sustain the peace in this world to join the Peace Corps. It will be the greatest job, hardest job you have ever enjoyed. I did it when I was a young college student. I invite others at any age to join today.

Americans have served as a testament to this country. I hope they will continue for many years.

Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of rising this evening to honor Cynthia Mathews, a dedicated member of our community who recently retired after 40 years of service with Planned Parenthood Mar Monte organization. I have had the pleasure of working with Cynthia for many of those years and I can attest to her commitment to our community as well as her steadfast support of civil liberties that will continue to protect women's health.

In 1965, Cynthia began her involvement with Planned Parenthood as a volunteer in San Diego County. She later served as both staff and board member of the organization. She was instrumental in ensuring the well- being of young mothers by organizing an abortion referral service to Mexico prior to the Therapeutic Abortion Act of 1967.

After moving to Santa Cruz in 1970, Cynthia was instrumental in forming Planned Parenthood of Santa Cruz County, where she served as the agency's first executive director. After a brief absence during which she gave birth to her second child, she rejoined the organization in 1979. Cynthia guided the growing affiliate to eventually become part of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, a network that includes much of California and Nevada. Officially, she was a part-time public affairs staff member, however, all who know her were aware that she worked well beyond her outlined duties. Cynthia actively built coalitions, engaged volunteers, sustained Planned Parenthood's community presence, and protected the civil liberties and health of her community.

Beyond Planned Parenthood, Cynthia's outstanding reputation as a public figure and liberal activist is strengthened by her tireless dedication to the City of Santa Cruz. Ms. Mathews has served as a city council member, a founding member of the Downtown Neighbors Association, a member of the Planning Commission and Zoning Board, a participant in Vision Santa Cruz, a cochair of the Santa Cruz High Centennial Campaign, and a volunteer on four successful election campaigns for schools and municipal revenues. She now holds the seat of Mayor of Santa Cruz. Through her involvement in these organizations she has positively affected the quality of life for many residents in our community. She is an ideal role model for those who seek to create change through activism and I am honored to have worked with her throughout the many positions she has held. Though Cynthia has retired from her official position with Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, her position as Mayor will allow me to continue to work with her to support and strengthen our community and ensure that women have safe access to quality reproductive healthcare.

Mr. Speaker, in a time where women's health and medical care is threatened by budget deficits and a conservative agenda, I am immensely thankful for Cynthia's selfless service. I am confident that her legacy will continue as the women she has mentored take up the torch and encourage a new generations of voters to honor their promise to America's women.

Mr. Speaker, Hamas maintains and asserts a radical, violent ideology within its charter--the destruction of Israel. I believe that S. Con. Res. 79, which reaffirms that no U.S. funds should go to the Palestinian Authority if the majority party maintains a position calling for the destruction of Israel, is a good first step in creating a more peaceful region. Voting in support of this Resolution is not a hard choice.

But harder choices and questions lay ahead. Should we choose a knee- jerk reaction that cuts off all communication, as well as all assistance to the Palestinian people? The alternative is taking a deep breath and reflecting on more constructive ways to bring about a long- term, sustainable peace within the region, while maintaining our opposition to a political party that supports the idea of the destruction of another nation.

The reasons behind Hamas's victory are complicated. Polling data continues to show that the majority of Palestinians want peace and believe in a two-state solution. Palestinians are tired of a corrupt government and are exhausted by living in poverty. The U.S. Government's actions should not feed these root causes of Palestinian discontent. In fact, we should be supportive of efforts to mitigate these problems, including continued support for NGO-run humanitarian assistance. This path of moderation, I believe, will help bring more security to Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, and some day a Palestinian State.

Silence does not create peace and we shouldn't turn our backs on the Middle East and push all Palestinians down a path of isolation and extremism. The U.S. and Israel must remain engaged and push for a peace process that supports moderate Palestinian voices and peaceful leaders and urge Hamas to conduct itself as a legitimate political authority by renouncing the ideology of the destruction of Israel.

I urge Hamas to change its charter and urge the U.S. State Department to choose peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Joseph Stroud, a Californian poet that has received the prestigious Witter Bynner fellowship award. The fellowship, funded by the Witter Bynner Foundation for Poetry, was developed in 1972 to promote the art of poetry and encourage grants that illuminate the positive effects that poetry has on society. As part of the fellowship, the two recipients are asked to organize a local poetry event as well as attend a poetry reading at the Library of Congress. Stroud has contributed tremendously to the art, and it is fitting that we mention him today.

He began his distinguished career as a professor of poetry and English at Cabrillo College in 1969 and for 35 years inspired the minds of many young and eager writers. Yet

it was not until late that his literary prowess exploded on the cultural scene with the publication of his third book of poetry Below Cold Mountain. Stroud, who resides in Santa Cruz, California and Shay Creek in the Sierra Nevada, has also been active in the social diffusion of poetry locally while co-hosting KUSP's ``Poetry Show''.

Stroud's work encompasses various typologies of poetry from short- line form to lyrical prose and rhymes. His work takes readers with him on his travels and describes topics ranging from landscapes to commonplace objects in the finest detail or the greatest abstraction.

Stroud has completed works of great social and cultural importance and it is important that we recognize him for his contribution to the arts. Together with the Witter Bynner Foundation and members of the United States Congress, I welcome Mr. Stroud to our nation's capital and join in congratulating him for his success and thank him for his contributions to American literature.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Viola Georgian Balestreri, who passed away on January 25, 2006 in Carmel, California, at the age of 92. Viola was born on September 19, 1913 in Brooklyn, New York to Amelia and Aniello Crispo and was the only girl among 11 brothers--a special child, indeed! After the death of her husband Vincent Balestreri, whom she married in 1938, she moved to Carmel in 1957. She taught at Junipero Serra School for many years while raising her two children, to whom she was devoted.

Viola was a strong woman who never criticized or said a harsh word about anyone. She was eternally optimistic and grateful for her family and the blessings in her life. She was a loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister and friend.

Her son, Ted Balestreri, owner of the famed Sardine Factory restaurant in Monterey, has been a good friend of mine and I grieve with him over the loss of his mother. I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to Ted and the entire Balestreri family on the loss of this beloved woman.

Mr. Speaker, today Representative Bilirakis and I are introducing the Disabled Veterans Tax Fairness Act. This bipartisan bill serves disabled veterans who have been caught in the cross hairs of the bureaucracy at the Department of Veterans Affairs and an Internal Revenue Service statute of limitations. The Disabled Veterans Tax Fairness Act would add an exception to the IRS statute of limitations that would allow disabled military retirees whose disability claims have been pending for more than 3 years to receive back taxes for all the years that their claim was pending.

This issue was brought to my attention by a constituent who had a disability claim pending at the VA for 8 years. After he finally won his disability claim and was awarded retroactive disability compensation, he was denied 5 years of back taxes due to the IRS 3-year statute of limitations. This veteran and perhaps thousands of others are being penalized through no fault of their own.

To determine the scope of the problem, I requested a report in the FY06 TT/HUD appropriations bill directing the IRS to tell the committee how many disabled military retirees have been and will be penalized by this IRS statute of limitations. I look forward to the results in mid- March.

Those who have dedicated their lives to the security of this country should not be penalized by the IRS for bureaucratic inefficiency by the VA disability claims process. This bill is supported by the Military Officers Association of America and The Military Coalition. Please join Representative Bilirakis and me as a cosponsor of H.R. 4727.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my dear friend, the late Judge Art Danner. Art died unexpectedly on Saturday the 28th of January, leaving a void in both the legal community and the community at large. As a friend, experienced lawyer, Superior Court Judge and respected public servant, Art heavily impacted Santa Cruz County, and it is fitting that we honor him today. Art is survived by his wife, Betty Danner; his parents, Arthur Danner Jr. and Marie Danner; and his sons, Arthur and Andrew Danner.

Art was revered in Santa Cruz for his commitment to justice and the strength of his personal convictions. Art built a reputation for tenacity as the district attorney for Santa Cruz County, as each of his cases was debated with patience and fortitude. This determination was characteristic of Art throughout his career as a prosecutor. As district attorney, he was known for his tireless pursuit of justice and was acutely aware of his responsibility to the public as the chief law enforcement officer in the County. This sense of responsibility and service resonated throughout the community, instilling public confidence in the judiciary and the Judge himself.

Art retained these qualities as a jurist, proving to be dynamic in approach and pragmatic in his application of the law. In the courtroom, he applied himself with imagination and fervor, showing himself to be a considerate and pensive judge, ensuring that every case before him was decided in accordance with established law and the principles of justice, liberty and equality.

As a member of the society, he was held in the same high regard. Community groups have recognized Art for his tireless work as a prosecutor, judge and active citizen. For all that knew him, both in his professional and personal capacity, he was an inspiration and is regarded as a man of integrity and unrelenting diligence. Today we honor the memory and cherish the legacy of Judge Art Danner.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners, a Californian firm that has recently been awarded the 2006 Architecture Firm Award by the American Institute of Architects, the AIA. The AIA Firm Award is the highest honor bestowed by the AIA, recognizing firms that have continued to produce distinguished work for at least 10 years. The firm has contributed largely to institutional and cultural design and it is fitting that we mention them today, in particular the founding members Charles Moore, John Ruble and Buzz Yudell.

The firm was born from the founding members' dedication to habitation and the intersection of people, place and culture. Moore Ruble Yudell's early residential work evolved into a broad spectrum of private and public projects, projects that are rarely mentioned without a sense of wonderment. Their competition winning design for The American Embassy in Berlin, nearing completion, represents American democratic values abroad.

This progressive firm has been at the forefront of architectural design while retaining its commitment to the fundamental principles of humanism. The firm has remained committed to the notion of social and environmental responsibility in their designs.

Moore Ruble Yudell has completed projects of social and cultural importance and it is fitting that they have been awarded the AIA Architecture Firm Award, recognizing their illustrious body of work from the past 28 years. Together with the AIA and members of the United States Congress, I welcome you to our Nation's capital and in recognizing the importance of good design and good planning, join in congratulating Moore Ruble Yudell for their achievement and thank them for their contributions to American culture.

Mr. Speaker, for the third time, I rise in strong opposition to the Deficit Reduction Act (S. 1932). This is a second chance to right a wrong and I urge my colleagues to vote wisely. With a deficit of more than $300 billion in 2005, there is little question that something needs to be done about the federal budget. But S. 1932 is nothing more than smoke and mirrors because it will actually increase the deficit. Let me explain.

I've heard loud and clear from my constituents that they do not support this slash and burn budget. They do not want over $11 billion in cuts to student loans or $6.4 billion in cuts to Medicare, particularly at this time when the prescription drug plan is failing miserably. We already have a shortage of doctors on the Central Coast who accept Medicare patients, and this Republican-drafted bill freezes physician payments for doctors who accept Medicare patients. This misguided attempt at deficit reduction will further exacerbate our physician shortage.

This kind of penny-wise pound-foolish legislation translates into a greater strain on state and local resources. And when our state, county and local governments cannot pick up the slack, families and children will only be left with smoke and mirrors. I urge my colleagues to stand up for middle class Americans and defeat this bill.

Mr. Speaker, while we are locked up here today, I would like to wish my wife Sherry a very happy birthday. This week, I have been telling her, has been a real doozy for civil liberties.

We learned that both the Pentagon and the National Security Agency have been spying on thousands of innocent Americans. Apparently, the NSA was doing it at the direction of President Bush.

I was shocked to learn that one of those documented instances of the Pentagon domestic spying happened in my district.

A student protest against military recruiters at the University of California at Santa Cruz, which occurred this past April, was not only observed for suspicious activity, but the ``threat'' was declared ``credible.''

I cannot condemn these actions strongly enough. Using government time and money to spy on people exercising their constitutional freedoms is just ridiculous.

I have already signed on to two letters about these violations of privacy, calling on the NSA to fully explain the constitutionality of their surveillances and calling on the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice to investigate NSA's actions.

As Members of Congress, we must be diligent in our oversight of the Pentagon, but our job is next to impossible when the administration hides behind the cloak of national security to thwart the civil liberties of many Americans, as they have done with the Pentagon surveillance program.

The Pentagon must come forward with an explanation about why they were spying on the UCSC rally.

The right to express differing opinions was one of the founding principles of this country.

The voices of the American people must always be heard, whether this admistration agrees with them or not.

It is hypocritical for us to urge transparency in foreign governments while ignoring what our own government is doing in violation of its citizens' civil liberties.

Mr. Speaker, like millions of other Americans, I am pleased that Iraq held a democratic election for permanent representation and commend the bravery of the Iraqi people who risked their lives to vote for their vision of an Iraq ``by and for Iraqis.'' And I remain a stalwart supporter of our sailors, soldiers and marines who are serving in Iraq. What I do not support is the Republican leadership's political manipulation of the Iraq war and their attempts to stymie debate about how to get U.S. troops home as quickly and safely as possible.

I could not vote for H. Res. 612 because it does not call for immediately bringing U.S. troops home. U.S. troop presence fuels the insurgency. If the administration acknowledged this fact and started bring our troops home, we would remove the dangerous veneer of ``occupiers'' and put pressure on the Iraqis to step up to the plate and take over their own security, particularly now that the Iraqis have a representative government. The administration's bogus statement of ``they stand up we stand down'' is a hollow promise to our troops: It's just a slogan that provides no concrete answers on how we're getting out of Iraq. I urge my colleagues in Congress and the administration to stop wasting our troops time with slogans and politically driven resolutions like H. Res. 612 and instead focus on what's really important: bringing our troops home.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4437. It is so egregious I do not even know where to begin.

H.R. 4437 does not address the heart of the immigration problem--what to do with those 11 million undocumented people who already reside in this country. This bill is ready, however, to intimidate and criminalize any immigrant who believes in the American Dream and acts on it. H.R. 4437 contains border and law enforcement provisions that give this bill the facade of substance but in reality, this legislation is hollow. It's like having the framework of an army tank, but no engine. Just as an army tank will not work without an engine, America's immigration problem will remain unresolved without addressing a guestworker program.

This legislation only offers a false promise of protection. Real protection would come from identifying those undocumented aliens already residing in this country. Real protection would come from assimilating and welcoming immigrants into our society, as we have done in the 230 years before today. Real protection would not automatically condemn the bus boy at your local favorite restaurant, your house keeper, or farmworkers who ensure you can eat fresh vegetables year round. Creating an ``us verses them'' attitude will not foster true homeland security.

I urge you to reject H.R. 4437.

Miss McMORRIS. Mr. Chairman, what has made America great have been the opportunities given to everyone in this country. Since our founding, individuals and families have come to America to seek freedom, opportunity and the choice for a better life.

Everywhere I travel throughout Eastern Washington, I hear from people demanding we do a better job of controlling our borders and reducing illegal immigration. This past year, my office helped with nearly 150 immigration cases. It has become increasingly difficult for those who would like to enter our country legally and choose to obey the law to do so. For example, one family went through a 17-year process before they were allowed to come over legally. We must find a way to have responsive and legal immigration for those who desire to come.

In Congress my priorities include growing our economy and keeping our Nation and community safe. In my opinion, this includes a comprehensive immigration policy that addresses the growing problems related to illegal immigration but also ensures that our efforts do not unduly hurt our local and national economy.

The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 will bolster our border security, increase interior enforcement efforts, crack down on human trafficking, and reestablish respect for current immigration laws.

While this is an important component, any comprehensive immigration bill must take into account our national and regional economy, which must have the workforce to meet the demands in agriculture and other service industries. Agriculture is the number one industry in Washington State, producing thousands of jobs and over $1 billion in revenue for Eastern Washington. Our farmers help supply the country with a safe and stable food supply and they must have enough workers.

The agriculture industry in Washington is currently experiencing overall labor shortages. When I visited Crane and Crane Orchards last month in Brewster, I learned that labor shortages are hurting their business. This year alone, over 80,000 boxes worth of apples were left on the trees because they didn't have enough labor; they needed over 300 pickers. They are experiencing labor shortages despite the fact that they pay between 10 to 12 dollars an hour and provide housing to their workers. They couldn't find workers anywhere.

As Congress proceeds with immigration reform, Eastern Washington's agriculture and service related industries need to address the impact of these policy changes on their workforce. We need to keep our economy and workforce competitive in the 21st century by establishing a legal workforce. A comprehensive immigration bill must take into account potential impacts on our workers, their families and the overall economy.

Immigration is a complex problem, with no easy solution or quick fix. Controlling our borders is an important first step, but we cannot stop there. Immigration reform will not be complete until we can adequately resolve the labor needs of our agriculture community. As we continue to update and improve our immigration laws, it is important that we retain our compassionate and welcoming system that defines who we are as Americans.