Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations (HR 1268), on substance and process. I am strongly supportive of our fighting men and women, and mourn the loss of nearly 1,600 Americans who have died in Iraq, four of whom resided in my congressional district.

On substance, this bill fails to provide an exit strategy for our troops in Iraq. Since Iraq held democratic elections in January, the US should have been implementing an aggressive exit strategy that includes a timetable for the training of Iraqi security forces, so US troops can return home. Moreover, with nearly $10 billion already appropriated but not spent for critical reconstruction projects in Iraq, like rebuilding electrical grids and establishing telecommunications networks, US policy objectives for Iraqi independence are jeopardized. On process, many of the items in this bill should be funded under the regular order in the annual appropriations cycle.

Unfortunately, the Republican Leadership has used this bill as a vehicle for passage of immigration measures that are divisive and harmful for our country, and couldn't be passed as stand-alone bills. Provisions commonly known as the ``REAL ID Act'' regarding national driver's license standards, asylum law and completion of a southern border fence have been controversial from day one, but were added to appease a vocal minority of anti-immigrant advocates. I and many others in Congress would like to have a rational debate on immigration reform, but we are denied

the opportunity when the leadership attaches non-germane immigration measures to a funding bill.

To better demonstrate how the process has been hijacked by a minority of the majority, many of the same provisions that constitute the REAL ID provisions in the supplemental being considered today were stripped from the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (PL 108-458) in conference because of their extreme nature.

One of the most egregious provisions in the REAL ID section of the supplemental is the blanket authority given to the Secretary of Homeland Security to expedite construction of the remaining three miles of the southern border fence in San Diego. All Americans should be concerned that the DHS Secretary has carte blanche authority to waive any and all laws in the name of border security. This provision is a dangerous attack against the civil rights of all Americans, when any law can be waived under the guise of border security. Blanket authority to complete the three mile border fence is especially ``in your face'' politics when, under current law, the DHS Secretary already has a national security waiver for the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. We must work harder to strike a balance between our national security and environmental protection, not simply ignore environmental laws.

Furthermore, the driver's license provisions of this bill touted in the name of national security are equally concerning. It is indeed ironic that these provisions would not have stopped the 9/11 hijackers from obtaining driver's licenses. The breach of our border security was a result of the hijackers having been issued legal visas to enter the US, which many of them used to apply for driver's licenses and identification cards. Even if the REAL ID provisions had been in place before the 9/11 attacks, the hijackers still would have been able to obtain a driver's license or state-issued ID. Again, a minority of the majority is playing on the fears of this nation to enact a flawed policy that does not actually address the problem it purports to fix.

For the record, I do not support illegal immigration, but I do support a regulated process for immigrants who enter the US legally, pay their taxes and play by the rules to earn US citizenship. No one can deny that comprehensive Immigration reform is a topic on the minds of our constituents--but such a critical policy debate should be conducted on its own merits.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day, known in Hebrew as Yom Hashoad. Although 60 years have passed since the end of World War II, not a day should go by without the world remembering the important lessons we so painfully learned from the Holocaust.

The Day of Remembrance was established by Congress as our nation's annual commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust: 12 million people died in concentration camps throughout Europe, including 6 million Jews. Numbers only tell a small part of the story though. Numbers don't reflect the utter devastation that European Jews faced after the end of the war. Numbers don't describe the personal and very individual tragedy of whole families and communities that were destroyed by the hate of places like Auschwitz, Dachau and Flossenburg. The Day of Remembrance pushes us to think beyond the numbers; it forces us to remember that each of these numbers represents a person--someone's father or mother, son or daughter, niece of nephew, or grandchild--a precious life that was never lived to its fullest.

Each of us--the next generations--must rededicate ourselves to speaking out for religious tolerance, peace and justice. We must keep this sentiment within our hearts and minds each and every day.

Mr. Speaker, I have long been staunch supporter of human rights throughout the world. Consistent with my strong record opposing human rights abuses around the world, I deplore the draconian actions President Castro has taken to curb the civil rights of Cubans. Unfortunately, it is impossible to. have a legitimate debate an human rights abuses in Cuba because of the extreme politicalization of U.S.- Cuba policy that the Bush Administration has championed.

If we are truly serious about instilling a democratic influence and respect for the rule of law, U.S. policy should permit unrestricted travel to the island that is only 90 miles from our shores. Cuban Americans should be able to freely visit their loved ones, tourism should be allowed to flourish, cultural and educational exchanges should be encouraged, and agricultural trade should be unrestricted, thereby creating new markets for U.S. farmers and growers. Unfortunately, the current policy towards Cuba is not only counterproductive to American economic interests, but actually helps prop up President Castro by continuing to isolate Cubans from the rest of the world.

The House of Representatives should be pressing far greater political and economic freedoms for Cubans that would truly improve their human rights instead of meaningless resolutions that reinforce a flawed strategy.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, H.R. 748. This bill would create a complex maze of State and Federal parental notification and consent requirements that impact young women, family members, and doctors differently depending on the young woman's State of residence and the State in which she is seeking abortion care. It would preempt State laws by imposing parental notification and a 24-hour mandatory waiting period that could result in criminal penalties for health care providers and citizens. This unwise legislation will endanger the health of teens, compromise the ability of doctors to provide the best treatment in a timely manner, and fail to actually prevent teen pregnancies or abortions.

Abortion is an extremely difficult, personal decision that should be made with the advice of trusted advisors like doctors, partners, parents, friends, or anyone else with whom the woman wishes to discuss her decision. Unfortunately for some young women, especially those whose families have histories of physical and emotional abuse, they cannot consult their parents on this complicated issue.

I wish that all young women would be able to discuss this decision with their parents, but in reality, this is simply not always the case. In these situations, we should encourage grandparents, adult siblings, religious advisors, and mentors to provide support for these young women. By making the people who offer teens help during this extremely difficult time, subject to criminal prosecution and lawsuits, Congress is isolating young women who desperately need the help and advice of trusted adults. This isolation will unnecessarily add to the emotional distress of a young woman facing an unintended pregnancy, and could contribute to her failure to seek timely medical care.

This legislation contains a complicated web of 24-hour waiting period, parental notification requirements, and judicial bypass procedures that will vary depending on the different State laws already in place. These intricate provisions will result in confusion and delay for a young woman who does not have the support of a trusted adult as she tries to navigate this system in order to receive safe and timely medical treatment.

In addition, H.R. 748 fails to provide an exemption to protect the health of the pregnant woman. Based on the Supreme Court decisions in Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania vs. Casey and Stenberg vs. Carhart, it is unconstitutional to interfere with a woman's choice to have an abortion if continuing the pregnancy is a threat to her health.

The restrictions and requirements in H.R. 748 clearly interfere with a woman's choice to have an abortion. It is an unconscionable and unconstitutional that this legislation would endanger the health of young women.

If H.R. 748 becomes law, doctors will face unprecedented mandates and infringements on their responsibilities to provide safe and timely medical care. The goal of doctors should be to provide the most unbiased, safe and personal medical care possible for each of their patients. Unfortunately this legislation forces doctors to spend more of their time focusing on the intricacies of State law rather than the well-being of their patients. The effect of this legislation on the complex web of State parent notification laws will force doctors to become legal experts in all States' laws, and in some cases doctors would be forced to personally travel to another State to inform a young woman's parents, in-person, of her intent to have an abortion. H.R. 748 establishes a confusing bureaucracy that threatens doctors with imprisonment while diminishing the quality and timeliness of the health care doctors are able to provide.

This legislation attempts to address teen pregnancy and abortion as issues of interstate commerce, but we are not talking about products or trade. We are talking about people; our nieces, granddaughters and friends who are in desperate need of help and advice from trusted adults. H.R. 748, deprives our young women of this needed support and counsel. The real issue we should be addressing today is how to prevent unwanted teen pregnancies, which is the only real way to decrease the number of abortions. I urge my colleagues to support comprehensive sex education so that young women have the information to prevent pregnancies. I urge my colleagues to support Title X funding that provides reproductive health care to low-income young women around the country. I urge my colleagues to support over-the-counter status for emergency contraception so that a young woman that is the victim of rape or incest can prevent a pregnancy.

We must do more to protect our teens and their health, but H.R. 748 only creates more roadblocks for vulnerable young women and the trusted adults and doctors that are attempting to help them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two dear friends from the 17th Congressional District of California, Mr. Bruce Horace Carlson and Mr. Matt Friday. Both Matt and Bruce are devoted community activists whose volunteerism and generous spirits have enriched the Monterey Bay region through their work in education, social justice, politics, the environment, health and the arts. Matt and Bruce are soon leaving the Monterey Peninsula and moving to Oregon.

Bruce Horace Carlson was born on April 13, 1942 in Pittsburg, California. Bruce moved to the Monterey Peninsula in 1986 and as long as I have had the pleasure of knowing him, he has been a tireless advocate for Democratic politics and civil rights. In 1999 he became a founding board member of the Monterey County Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). He was a founding member of the Monterey County Coalition for Fairness and was a founding board member of the Monterey County Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Task Force. He was the co- director of Monterey's first Gay Pride Parade in 1992 and has been involved in several annual Pride Days since then. To say Bruce has been active in local and national Democratic politics would not go nearly far enough in describing the level of his contributions. Bruce has played a signifIcant role in the 27th Assembly District since 1996 holding various offices and committee seats. He has been a Representative for the Bay Area Municipal Elections Committee in Monterey County since 1994 and has been a board member of that body since 1996. In addition to his many hours of organizing and volunteering locally, Bruce has been a delegate to the California State Convention as well as being a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held in Los Angeles in 2000.

Mr. Matt Friday was born on September 21, 1950 in Ottumwa, Iowa but has made his home on the Monterey Peninsula for over three decades. In those three decades, Matt has made an enormous and everlasting impact on this community in areas as diverse as education, the environment, health. the arts, as well as social justice and politics. I cannot think of any other individual in my district who has donated more time to these issues than Matt. Matt has tirelessly dedicated his efforts to the Monterey Bay community as a volunteer teacher, a co-founder of several environmental projects, a board member for the Monterey County AIDS Project (MCAP) and a frequent contributor to numerous local publications. Matt is also a respected and accomplished organizer in the area of human rights and has organized dozens of educational community forums on issues such as hate crimes, racism, and the PATRIOT Act.

In the area of politics, Matt will leave behind a legacy of thoughtful, energetic and strategic volunteering, planning and organizing from which this community continues to benefIt. Matt Friday's name is synonymous with progressive politics on the Peninsula; to say he embodies politics does not overstate the level of his political activism in my district. It would be a futile effort to attempt to list all of Matt's contributions to local politics but some of his most notable achievements have been to co-organize a very successful precinct captains program with neighboring Santa Cruz County during the 2004 election, serving as Chair of the 27th Assembly District from 1999-2003, appointed to be a member of the California State Democratic Central Committee since 1996, serving as co-President of the Bay Area Municipal Elections Committee 2003-2004, and acting as an observer and commentator for KlON-TV during the 2000 Los Angeles Democratic National Convention.

It is evident that Matt and Bruce will be missed for all of their contributions and volunteerism to the community, but Mr. Speaker I must also say that I will profoundly miss Matt and Bruce for their kind, warm, and generous spirits. I have spent many evenings in their wonderful home in Del Ray Oaks talking politics and human rights and admiring their gorgeous terraced garden which they lovingly cultivated over the years. I have always felt as if Matt and Bruce were a part of my extended family in my district. I will miss them both personally and professionally.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity on the floor of this great House to thank Matt Friday and Bruce Carlson for their generosity of spirit and for the everlasting contributions they have made to the Monterey Peninsula. I wish them all the best as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a truly remarkable woman who is celebrating her 97th birthday this month. Ms. Eleanor Wasson, a woman locally known as the ``great connector'' originally lived in Beverly Hills with her husband, the head of the legal department for 20th Century Fox movie studio. There, Ms. Wasson mingled with friends such as Celeste Holm, Claudette Colbert, Betty White and Will Rogers. In between volunteering, caring for her children, and working as an activist, she was named the Coordinator of Volunteer Services for UCLA, and was also appointed to California Governor Earl Warren's Mental Health Commission.

After her beloved husband, George, passed on, Eleanor decided to sell her home in Santa Monica Canyon and move to Santa Cruz at the age of 81. A woman deeply committed to the community around her, Ms. Wasson has adopted several causes to make the world a better place. She has served on the boards of both Earth Save and Women Rise for Global Peace. Her activism is rooted in her desire to work for peace, having been deeply affected by WWI as a child.

Mrs. Wasson's kindness and acceptance for others is truly legendary. Weekly, she invites both a local Catholic Priest and Robert White Mountain, an elder of the Lakota Tribe, to discuss local and global concerns. While living in Los Angeles, she asked famous actors such as Reginald Denny, Leon Ames, and Tyrone Power to dance with women at the psychiatric ward where she was volunteering her time.

In addition to being a peace activist, a volunteer, and mother, Mrs. Wasson is also an author. She has written a successful autobiography entitled 28,000 Martinis, published in January 2004. In 28,000 Martinis, Mrs. Wasson's positive and optimistic approach to life is captured, ultimately lending her energy, vibrancy and creativity to all who read the book. Through her own life story, she is able to demonstrate that goodwill, knowledge and action are the keys to enriching one's own life, as well as those around you.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and admiration for this vibrant and loving woman. Eleanor's social and environmental activism and her kindness towards all have infinitely improved the culture and character of the 17th district. I am honored to wish her a happy 97th birthday on behalf of myself, and the community that values and loves her.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American and his significant contributions to building the smart, proud, and effective Navy and Marine Corps that so ably serve our Nation today. On April 20, Admiral James D. Watkins is being inducted in the Naval Postgraduate School Hall of Fame and, the following day, the Mechanical Engineering building on campus will be renamed ``Watkins Hall''. Admiral Watkins graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1958 with a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. That experience, perhaps more than any other, helped Admiral Watkins develop his second career as one of our Nation's preeminent science and technology policy statesmen.

Admiral Watkins graduated with the Class of 1949 from the U.S. Naval Academy. He retired from the Navy in 1987 after serving five years as the Chief of Naval Operations, the most senior military command within the United States Navy. In between, he built a naval career at sea and on shore that is the model for service to this Nation and for every officer who followed.

After retiring from the Navy Admiral Watkins began this second career when President Reagan asked him to chair the Presidential Commission on AIDS. In 1989, President George H. Bush appointed him Secretary of Energy. As Secretary, Admiral Watkins helped shape the 1992 Energy Policy Act through Congress. In 1994, Admiral Watkins built on the NPS tradition of collaborative education when he spearheaded the formation of CORE, the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education. This public--private association is a partnership between the federal government and more than 80 marine research and education institutions. CORE developed a comprehensive national ocean science and technology research agenda. In 1996, I proudly joined my congressional colleagues in passing the National Oceanographic Partnership Act, legislation that grew directly out of Admiral Watkins' leadership at CORE.

In 2001, Admiral Watkins left CORE's helm to chair the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. In 2004, the Commission delivered its landmark report to Congress and the President that recommended major reforms to U.S. ocean policy. Admiral Watkins' leadership infused the report and, as so often happened before, served as the catalyst for congressional action. I am pleased to be the sponsor of Oceans-21 that will implement many of the Commission's key recommendations.

While no one act can recognize all that Admiral Watkins has done for our Nation's military and environmental security, the dedication of Watkins Hall at the Naval Postgraduate School is a fitting tribute to one of our Nation's most distinguished Naval officers.

Madam Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this so- called comprehensive energy bill before us today. This energy package have a new wrapping and bow but it is the same white elephant gift for the American people that sadly passed in this House last Congress.

Our Nation's energy policy must strike a sound balance by pursuing improvements in fuel technology and energy efficiency; maintaining a clean environment; and preserving our wilderness areas and public lands.

Instead, by refusing to commit to improving and investing in sustainable fuel technology, we are putting our technology and manufacturing industries at a competitive disadvantage when the rest of the planet is searching for alternatives to fossil fuels.

We are missing an opportunity here; as a future energy policy this legislation is bumbling along because of following the policies in this bill would be like driving into the future by looking through the rearview mirror with its heavily weighted dependence on fossil fuels.

H.R. 6 falls depressingly short of addressing our energy needs in both the short and the long term.

Based on the pro-industry recommendations of the Cheney Energy Task Force report, this bill is anti-taxpayer, anti-environment, anti- consumer and is loaded down with special-interest giveaways.

Madam Chairman, more than ninety percent of the subsidies in H.R. 6 would go to the oil, gas, coal and nuclear industries, leading to more pollution, more oil drilling and more radioactive-waste-producing nuclear power.

By contrast, only about six percent of the tax breaks would go to energy efficiency and renewable energy incentives that could actually save consumers money and reduce our dependence on dirty energy sources.

Madam Chairman, gas prices, gas prices, gas prices and more gas prices. It's the most asked question I hear in my district and rightly so with prices in my home town of more than $3 a gallon and a national average price at a record level of $2.24 a gallon--more than 50 percent higher than average gas prices in 2002.

According to the Bush Administration's own Energy Department estimates, this Republican bill will actually increase gas prices by 3 cents and will have virtually no effect on production, consumption, or barrel prices.

American consumers are being squeezed at the pump while the big oil companies are reaping record profits and the Republican Leadership is passing an energy bill that will further raise gas prices.

How in good faith can we go back to out constituencies with a national energy policy that does not address the future, does not address short term fixes or long term solutions.

Madam Chairman, several provisions in H.R. 6 will weaken California's rights as a State to govern itself. These include changes in: LNG terminal siting, weakening the Coastal Zone Management Act, and expanding alternative energy projects situated on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

The bill will hand over exclusive jurisdiction for the siting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), preventing the states from having a role in approving the location of LNG terminals and the conditions under which these terminals must operate. This bill even goes as far as making the States seek FERC permission before conducting safety inspections! Plus, they will be barred from taking any independent enforcement action against LNG terminal operators for safety violations.

H.R. 6 weakens California's rights under the CZMA to object to a FERC-approved coastal pipeline or energy facility project when the project is inconsistent with the State's federally-approved coastal management program. Currently when there is a disagreement about a project, the Secretary of Commerce, through an administrative appeals process, determines whether and under what conditions the project can go forward. States can present new evidence supporting their arguments to the Secretary.

Under H.R. 6, states will not be allowed to present new evidence to the Secretary, and the Secretary will not be allowed to seek out evidence on his or her own. The Secretary will only be allowed to rely on the record compiled by FERC. Furthermore, the bill imposes an expedited timeline for appeals, which may not allow a full review of the facts.

We have to protect our shores and near waters. H.R. 6 will give the Department of Interior permitting authority for ``alternative'' energy projects, such as wind projects, situated on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). It also grants the Department of Interior authority to permit other types of energy facilities, including facilities to ``support the exploration, development, production, transportation, or storage of oil, natural gas, or other minerals''.

Another very dear issue in California is the fuel additive MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), I oppose shielding MTBE producers from product liability lawsuits, thereby forcing taxpayers to pick up the tab to clean up contaminated groundwater in places such as the Salinas Valley, the salad bowl of the world, which has already tested positive for MTBE.

The bill even includes a $2 billion taxpayer-financed subsidy to MTBE producers to convert facilities to produce other chemicals.

The obvious gouging of California consumers is significant evidence that the electricity energy market lacks much needed controls.

Does H.R. 6 correct this? NO--Instead of protecting Americans from the market manipulation that has become all too prevalent, H.R. 6 is weighed down by special interest exemptions that will do more harm than good.

The bill does not give federal regulators the tools they need to prevent and punish bad actors like Enron who manipulate power markets. Instead H.R. 6 offers cosmetic reforms.

Moreover, the bill does nothing to provide refunds to my constituents and West Coast consumers who paid unjust and unreasonable electricity prices during 2000-2001.

Madam Chairman, it's plain and simple--H.R. 6: fails to lower gasoline prices; fails to improve our nation's energy efficiency or promote sustainable alternatives; fails to adequately address future infrastructure needs; fails to learn from the lessons of the California electricity crisis; and fails to prevent future ``Enrons'' from manipulating energy markets at the expense of consumers.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation so we can develop a comprehensive energy policy that looks to the future and doesn't rely on repackaged outdated technologies from the past.

Mr. Speaker, today I, along with Representative Chris Shays and 17 other members, introduced the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2005. This bill, similar to a bill I introduced last congress, gets at an issue that many would be surprised to learn even occurs: the ``hunting'' of an animal inside an enclosed area, a fence. By halting the interstate shipment of captive exotic mammals for the purpose of being shot in a fenced enclosure for entertainment or for trophy, the bill we introduced today will lead to significant reductions in ``canned hunt'' operations.

At more than 1,000 of these commercial ``canned hunt'' operations around the country, trophy hunters pay a fee to shoot captive exotic mammals--animals that have often lived their lives being fed by hand and thus have no fear of humans. Simply stated, there could be no easier target. Canned hunting ranches know this and can therefore offer guaranteed trophies, touting a ``No Kill, No Pay'' policy.

Who supports canned hunt operations? Not rank-and-file hunters. In fact, in a poll of their readership described in the July 2003 issue, the editors of Field and Stream magazine reported that 65 percent of sportsmen oppose canned hunts. Additionally, lifelong hunters in Montana, including members of the Montana Bowhunters Association, spearheaded a state ballot initiative in 2000 that led to a ban on shooting animals in fenced enclosures. In addition to Montana, 23 states have full or partial bans on canned hunts for mammals. The momentum to address canned hunt operations is no surprise given that an element of hunting that so many sportsmen hold dear, that of the ``fair chase,'' is absolutely absent under canned hunt conditions. The time is long overdue for the federal government to participate in efforts to end this despicable practice.

By halting the interstate transport of non-indigenous mammals used in canned hunts, the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act will curb a practice so egregious that hunters and animal advocates alike view it as unfair and inhumane. This bill is supported by numerous local and national groups representing more than ten million Americans.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage my colleagues to join me in putting a lid on canned hunts.

Mr. Speaker many Americans enjoy taking cruises, in large part because they get to see some of the nation's most beautiful marine ecosystems. Because I want to see these beautiful marine ecosystems protected for future generations to enjoy, I am introducing The Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2005.

The Cruise Ship Industry has experienced much success over the past few years. In fact, the industry has grown an average of 10 percent per year over the past 8 years, including an almost 17 percent increase in 2000. Unfortunately, as it grows, its potential to negatively affect the marine environment grows as well. Over a week's time, a single 3,000 passenger cruise ship, according to EPA and industry data, generates a tremendous amount of waste: Over 200,000 gallons of black water (raw sewage) are created. Approximately 1 million gallons of gray water (runoff from showers, sinks and dishwashers) are produced. More than 35,000 gallons of oily bilge water (oil and chemicals from engine maintenance that collect in the bottom of ships and are toxic to marine life) are generated. Isn't it reasonable to think that these ships should be subject to the same wastewater regulations as those governing municipalities of comparable size? I think so.

While many cruise ship companies have environmental policies in place, many are voluntary with no monitoring or enforcement provisions. Unfortunately, I am all too familiar with

the down-side to voluntary agreements. In my district a cruise ship-- breaking its voluntary agreement--illegally discharged into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in 2002. Simply put, voluntary agreements between cruise lines and states aren't enough to ensure protection of our oceans. The public deserves more than industry's claims of environmental performance. We need a Federal law and we need it now. It's time we strengthen the environmental regulations and in so doing, bring these floating cities in line with current pollution treatment standards. The Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2005 is the answer.

The legislation that I am introducing today, which has bipartisan support and is endorsed by over 30 local and national groups, plugs existing loopholes in Federal laws, requires ships to treat their wastewater wherever they operate, and authorizes broadened enforcement authority. Several states including California, Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, and Washington have enacted or are currently considering legislation to better regulate various cruise ship wastes--similar to the legislation I am introducing today. In fact, I am proud to report that California is leading the country in protecting its coastal waters from cruise ship pollution. Passage of the Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2005 is one of the ways to provide all states with the kinds of ocean and coastal protections that the people of California, Alaska and Maine benefit from. Enactment of this bill will protect the tourism industry by making sure that the beaches and oceans, two of the attractions that make California the most visited state in our country, will be protected from cruise ship pollution. Simply put, this legislation ensures two things: (1) a sustainable future for our oceans, and (2) a sustainable future for the cruise and tourism industry.

This legislation promotes the public interest for all Americans. The public deserves clean water--both in our inland waterways and in our oceans. The Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2005, through its discharge standards, will give the public what it deserves.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this critically important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Santa Cruz High School Boys Basketball Team. The Cardinals won the title of Boys Basketball Division III California State Champions 2004-05. Led by Coach Pete Newell Jr., the exciting victory of 67-56 against St. Augustine took place on March 19, 2005.

The Boys Basketball team has enjoyed a winning season with their record standing at 36-1. Their only loss was by one point to Santa Margarita in a suspenseful overtime. The team set a Central Coast record with 36 season victories, the most by any team, boys or girls, in the state this season. Their accomplishments brought unprecedented firsts for the Central Coast community.

All nineteen Cardinal players were able to contribute to the successful season. After thirty years of coaching the Santa Cruz High School's Boys Basketball team and with the 2005 State Championship under his belt, Mr. Newell has opted to retire with a winning record. Throughout his career, he has led the team to victory 554 out of 880 games. Mr. Newell's diligent efforts will surely be missed by the Cardinals and the Santa Cruz community.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate the Santa Cruz High School Boys Basketball Team on their Division III State Championship. They have demonstrated hard work, perseverance, and relentless dedication to the sport of basketball. I extend my congratulations to the Cardinals and wish the team many successful seasons to come.

Mr. Speaker I rise in strong opposition to the misnamed ``Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act,'' (S. 256). Current bankruptcy law needs some adjustment, but this bill is not the solution. It hurts middle-class consumers in a variety of ways: the bill would allow landlords to evict battered women without bankruptcy court approval, even if the eviction poses a threat to the women's physical well-being; and, it permits credit card companies to reclaim common households goods which are of little value to them, but very important to the debtor's family.

It is very important to note that the bill does absolutely nothing to discourage abusive underage lending, nothing to discourage reckless lending to the developmentally disabled and nothing to crack down on unscrupulous pay-day lenders that prey on members of the armed forces.

Last year nearly one and a half million middle class individuals filed for bankruptcy. Their average income was less than $25,000 and the principal causes for their filings were layoffs, health problems and divorce. In my judgment, it is a grave mistake to punish these individuals while rewarding credit card companies and business lobbyists at a time when corporate greed has already destroyed the lives of millions of American workers. I will support a balanced bankruptcy reform bill, but S. 256 is in no way balanced and I believe does more harm than good, therefore I strongly oppose this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to provide a voice for those too often silenced, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students who face verbal, nonverbal and physical harassment in our schools.

Today is the National Day of Silence; and across the country, students have taken a vow of silence to protest the discrimination and intolerance that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people face on a daily basis. We must continue to promote the diversity that makes our country so rich, while denouncing stereotypes that make it harder for youths to accept themselves. Stereotypes also contribute to the harassment, prejudice, and discrimination that silence GLBT youth.

For that reason, I am proud to sponsor H.R. 123, which memorializes the National Day of Silence.

I would also like to highlight the new campaign from the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network called TeachRespect.org.

I would also like to thank Mat Friday and Bruce Carlsen, community members in my district who are working hard to make K-12 schools safe, and especially Stewart Rosenstein, who is a tireless advocate for the GLBT youth in Santa Cruz, California.

I commend my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), for introducing such important legislation. I urge my colleagues to be cosponsors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. James A. Poole, a longtime contributor to the Pacific Grove community. Dr. Poole served as a Navy Dentist at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA and established a general dentistry practice in Pacific Grove. He was voted ``Best Dentist'' by Monterey Peninsula residents.

Born in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Poole attended Oregon State University as a member of Phi Theta Delta. He obtained his degree in dentistry from the University of Oregon School of Dentistry.

Dr. Poole served in Vietnam as both a medical and dental officer for the United States Navy where he received the Rear Admiral's Citation for outstanding care and emergency service for the ship and field personnel. Dr. Poole also bravely established Military Outreach Programs in the form of dental clinics on nearby islands where he attended to the needs of local nationals.

``Painless Poole,'' as he was known by the Monterey Peninsula clients of his general practice office, also enjoyed hiking, camping, whitewater rafting, skiing and mountain climbing.

Dr. Poole died on March 19th after an admirable and courageous fight following an emergency surgery to correct a dissecting aortic aneurysm. He was an inspiration to family, physicians and hospital staff.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Benjamin ``Ben'' De La Selva. Ben was born in Somoto, Nicaragua, in 1939. He immigrated to the United States in 1961, subsequently serving in the U.S. Army for six and a half years. In the mid 1960s he studied French and Polish at the Defense Language Institute, DLI, and then served a year in Vietnam (1966-67) with the 173rd Airborne as Prisoner of War interrogator and French linguist. Ben was in Dakto, Central Highlands, at the onset of one of the Vietnam War's bloodiest battles. After leaving the military and getting a college education through the GI Bill, Ben was hired at DLI, where he occupied numerous positions from 1972 to 2005.

During his rise from teacher to dean at DLI, Ben trained thousands of military linguists, guided several generations of language teachers, and mentored many supervisors and managers who now occupy leadership positions. Moreover, he supervised every DLI language program and participated in the development of much needed Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Arabic curricula. During the last 20 consecutive years, Ben served as dean of every DLI resident school, a credit to his solid leadership qualities. As a dean, he participated in several pioneering initiatives including Team Teaching, the Faculty Personnel System, and the introduction of up-to-date teaching methods. Likewise, Ben was at the forefront of DLI's giant leap to modem-day technology. Ben retired on January 3rd, 2005, but is still associated with the U.S. government in his capacity as President of the DLI Alumni Association, a non- profit organization he founded in November 2001.

Mr. Speaker, Ben is an excellent example of the immigrant young man who arrives in the USA with a high school diploma, serves in the military, gets an education through the GI Bill, pursues and flourishes in a governmental career, and 40 years later retires with an impeccable and distinguished record. Ben truly believes he has achieved the American dream. He exemplifies the highest aspirations of this nation. I am proud to honor him today.