Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Community Assessment Project for working with United Way over the last 10 years and improving the quality of life for Santa Cruz County residents.

The Community Assessment Project brings together a wide range of public and private health, education, human service and civic organizations to design and implement a comprehensive 10-year plan for communities improvement. Some of the members of the Steering Committee who have worked exceptionally hard over this past decade are Carol Adams, from Dominican Hospital, and Susan Brutschy of Applied Survey Research. Additionally, much of this project's success has been due to the generous support of the financial sponsors, especially the County of Santa Cruz, the single largest patron.

In the last 10 years, the Community Assessment Project has made significant progress toward reaching their goal of improving the overall quality of life in Santa Cruz County. It has conducted an annual survey to get residents' perceptions of the issues, and has begun addressing concerns related to health care, primary education, and drug and alcohol use among youth. By quantifying the needs of the community, it is now easier to bring in millions of new dollars in grant funding.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to congratulate the Community Assessment Project on the tremendous work it has done over this past decade.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of Linda Wilshusen, a respected public servant who is retiring from her post after 19 years as executive director of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.

Good transportation planning is essential to maintain both the quality of life Santa Cruz residents desire and the economic vitality necessary to sustain a robust workforce. Linda and her staff at the commission have worked tirelessly to develop a variety of transportation options and engage the public to make long-term transportation decisions that have been difficult, at times controversial, but necessary for the county to adopt a blueprint to meet future transportation needs.

Linda has always recognized the amazing diversity of the community she served and balanced the desire of progrowth advocates by supporting Highway 1 improvements while promoting passenger rail and bus service, and developing transportation alternatives like a bike and pedestrian trail around the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and increasing public awareness of the transportation needs of elderly and disabled residents, and upgrading motorist safety and assistance.

During Linda's tenure, the SCCRTC distributed over $300 million for local transportation programs that have made the Santa Cruz area a much more desirable place to live. Linda Wilshusen provided prescient leadership for 19 years at the helm of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and has had an enormous impact not only on the everyday lives of Santa Cruz County residents but also on anyone who has visited Santa Cruz County during the last two decades.

Transportation planning is not the only area in which Linda has a tremendous impact on her beloved Santa Cruz community. In the last year, her family suffered the tragedy of losing their youngest daughter, Kelsey. However, Linda, her husband Rock Pfotenhauer, and her daughter Zephyr showed incredible courage and used their daughter's death to reach out to the community to bring public awareness to the need for better mental health programs so that other families would not suffer the same fate. I know other parents join me in wishing Linda and her family heartfelt sympathy for their unimaginable loss and gratitude for speaking out on the need for better mental health awareness.

I am privileged to call Linda Wilshusen a valued friend and esteemed public servant. On behalf of all my constituents, I wish her and her family well. Thank you, Linda, for your unselfish public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Citizenship Project as this year's recipient of the Ralph B. Atkinson Award for Civil Liberties. Each year the Atkinson Award, named for the distinguished civil rights advocate Ralph B. Atkinson, is presented to a local advocate for civil liberties. This year the Monterey County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union selected the Citizenship Project, which was founded in 1994 by Teamsters Local 890 in response to the passage of Proposition 187. The project is dedicated to an expanded citizenship and consistently represents such values as education and self-organization through mutual support. In 2004 they became a close partner to the Central Labor Council, and are currently helping the Labor Council form a new coalition for immigrant rights here on the Central Coast.

Maria Echavarria, the Project's Acting Director, and Tony Acosta were extremely instrumental in the success of this project. With the help of over 1,000 immigrant community volunteers, the Citizenship Project has provided low-cost immigration services, registered thousands of new voters, and conducted voter workshops for new citizens. With their assistance, over 15,000 residents of the Central Coast have applied for U.S. Citizenship.

Since 1998 they have sponsored Jovenes en Accion Youth in Action. This immigrant youth leadership development program registers voters, teaches in the school, produces plays about their experience, and has led the struggle in our region for educational & employment rights for undocumented youth.

Furthermore, they build citizenship by helping people form groups to act together. They have launched La Hermandad de Ex-Braceros Brotherhood of Ex-Braceros, Mujeres del Sur Triqui women in Greenfield, and La Alianza para una Manana Mejor south Salinas Valley Latino political club with this objective in mind.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to honor the accomplishments of the Citizenship Project and express my sincere gratitude for their commitment to the community.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments, and I agree with the serious issues raised by the gentleman from Nevada and will contact the Secretary of the Interior by letter requesting that the Department consider these facts when awarding a grant authorized by this bill.

It is a sad fact that slavery has played such a role in our American history, whether it be Native American or imported men and women who were taken from their native lands. I find it refreshing, for example, that the National Museum of the American Indian, our newest addition to the Smithsonian system, is addressing the issue towards Native Americans and making the public aware of what occurred as the United States grew into a Nation. Until we come to grips with the issues and all the various peoples affected by it, slavery will remain a dark cloud in our history.

If the gentleman would indulge me further, I want to make sure that our colleagues understand that there have been many positive editorials in support of rehabilitating the California missions nationwide, and I submit them for inclusion in the Record.

[From The Fresno Bee, Sept. 26, 2004]

Saving History: California's Aging Missions Need and Deserve Federal

Assistance

(Editorial)

In 1883, Walt Whitman wrote, ``We American have yet to

really learn our own antecedents. . . . Thus far, impress'd

by New England writers and schoolmasters, we tacitly abandon

ourselves to the notion that our United States have been

fashion'd from the British Islands only . . . which is a very

great mistake.''

He could have written that with California in mind.

The most obvious symbols of California's early history are

the 21 missions stretching from San Diego to Sonoma. The

first was founded at San Diego in 1769, the last in 1823.

More than 5 million people a year visit the missions, making

them California's most visited landmarks.

San Diego, Monterey, Los Angeles, Carmel, San Luis Obispo,

San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Jose and others

began as missions.

Yet few know the history of Spain's New World venture.

Today it is literally crumbling from natural disasters such

as earthquakes, neglect and lack of funding, and even

thievery. In August 2003, a 205-year-old Indian-made violin

disappeared from the 1771 mission at San Antonio de Padua.

If we don't make a public commitment to preserve the

national heritage the missions represent, we'll lose them.

In Congress, the California Missions Preservation Act (H.R.

1446 S. 1306) is a start. After emerging from key Senate

committee, it appears headed for final approval. (The House

passed the bill last October, but it languished in the Senate

committee for unknown reasons.) The bill would provide $10

million in matching funds over five years to help restore and

repair California's Spanish missions and to preserve artwork

and artifacts. So far, the California Missions Foundation has

raised $3.4 million of the needed $10 million match.

Spain set about settling California in earnest after 1768

to prevent Russian and English encroachment.

Mountains and deserts made overland access difficult, so

the Spanish settled the coast. They raised horses, cattle and

sheep and tended orchards, and vineyards. Interaction with

Indians was marked by dynamic confrontation, conflict and

exchange--different in character from the westward expansion

of British eastern colonies.

California became a province of Mexico in 1821. The new

government secularized the missions, selling off some and

using others as barns and saloons. By the time the Untied

States won California in the war with Mexico, the missions

were decaying. President Lincoln returned them to the

Catholic Church, which still owns 19 of the 21.

Why can't California's 21 missions get status and a public

commitment like the San Antonio Missions National Historical

Park, established in Texas in 1978? Like California's

missions, San Antonio's remain active places of worship, but

their significance to the nation's heritage and use by the

general public are vital as well.

It's time California's missions are afforded the same

respect. Congress, along with private donors in the

community, can make that preservation happen--and not a

minute too soon.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I thank my colleagues for speaking in support.

I want to respond first of all to the comments of the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott). In the bill it says: ``The Secretary shall ensure that the purpose of any grant or financial assistance provided by the Secretary to the Foundation under this Act is secular, does not promote religion, and seeks to protect qualities that are historically significant.''

This is a private foundation separate from the church and raises money separately from the church, so we are trying to assure here there is no benefit to the church from the restoration efforts.

Let me rise in support of this bill, the California Missions Preservation Act. Interestingly enough, one of the statues in Statuary Hall is that of Father Serra, and in his hand is a replica of the Carmel mission, just a few blocks from my home.

This legislation has been cosponsored by 48 of my California colleagues in the House of Representatives. Both Senators sponsored similar legislation on their side of the Capitol. I again want to thank the efforts of the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) for moving this legislation today, as well as the principal cosponsors, the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier).

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1446 passed the House under suspension by a voice vote on October 20, 2003, and then passed the Senate almost a full year later after it was amended by unanimous consent on October 10, 2004. All 21 missions are California registered historical landmarks. Seven of the missions have Federal status as national historic places. And one of the two changes made by the other body is that the remaining 14 must be recognized before that particular mission would be eligible for receiving funding.

The second change made by the other body was that the Secretary of the Interior must enter into a cooperative agreement with the California Missions Foundation, and the U.S. Attorney General must issue a finding that the proposed agreement does not violate the establishment clause of the first amendment of the Constitution regarding the separation of church and state.

I am fortunate to have five of the 21 missions in my district, extending along the coast of California on the El Camino Real: Santa Cruz; San Juan Bautista; La Soledad; San Antonio de Padua; and in my hometown of Carmel, San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, known as the Cathedral in the Wilderness.

The California missions represent a historic vein running through our State from south to north. They also symbolize the east to the west, the exploration that expanded our Nation to its four corners.

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned when this bill was originally brought to the floor, so much of the west coast's earliest expansion has been overshadowed in history. In 1768, King Carlos III saw Russia and England as threats to Spain's claim of Alta California, and ordered troops and missionaries to colonize new territory. In 1769, Commander Don Gaspar de Portola, Sergeant Jose Francisco de Ortega, and Fray Junipero Serra departed with troops and supplies for San Diego from Baja California, on May 13, and established on July 16 Alta California's first mission, San Diego de Alcala.

Twenty missions followed, with the final missions in the chain established in Sonoma in 1823. Of all the institutions that define California's heritage, none has the historic significance and emotional impact of the chain of Spanish missions that stretches from San Diego to Sonoma.

The missions are an important part of the State's cultural fabric and must be preserved as priceless historic monuments. They are a living link to our past. The missions stand as landmarks of more than 2 centuries and are recognized for the important impact they have had on the development of California, including art, architecture, agriculture, food, music, language, apparel, and recreation.

The missions help drive tourism, the State's third largest industry. These iconic symbols of California are the most visited historic attractions in the State, attracting over 5.3 million visitors a year. They account for a sizable contribution to the State's economy from millions of tourists, including a large number of international visitors.

They have become synonymous with the State's fourth grade curriculum. Students build mission models and write research reports as part of California history lessons. This serves as an important education function in teaching young students about the role of missions in the history of our State and our Nation.

Four 230 years, the missions have stood as symbols of Western exploration and settlement. Time, natural deterioration, and neglect have taken a heavy toll on the missions. Some are crumbling and at risk of full destruction. Most need preservation and seismic work to restore their antique beauty and bring them up to modern safety. Without immediate repairs, these centuries-old structures could be lost. The need is urgent and near crisis proportions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1446, the California Missions Preservation Act. This bipartisan legislation has been cosponsored by 48 of my California colleagues in the House of Representatives and both Senators sponsored similar legislation on their side of the Capitol.

I again want to thank the efforts of Chairman Pombo and Mr. Rahall for moving this legislation today, as well as, the principal cosponsor Chairman Dreier.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1446 passed the House under suspension by voice vote October 20th 2003 and then passed in the Senate almost a full year later after it was amended by Unanimous Consent on October 10th 2004.

All 21 missions are California Registered Historical Landmarks; seven of the missions have the federal status of National Historical Places and as one of two changes made by the other body the remaining 14 must be recognized before that particular Mission will be eligible to receive funding.

The second change made in the other body was that the Secretary of Interior must enter into a cooperative agreement with the California Missions Foundation and the U.S. Attorney General must issue a finding that the proposed agreement does not violate the establishment clause of the first amendment of the Constitution regarding the separation of church and state.

I am fortunate to have five of the 21 Missions in my district, extending along the coast of California on the El Camino Real: Santa Cruz, San Juan Bautista, La Soledad, San Antonio de Padua, and in my hometown of Carmel, San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo known as the ``Cathedral in the Wilderness''.

The California missions represent an historic vein running through our state, from south to north. And, they also symbolize the east to west exploration that expanded our nation to its four corners.

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned when this bill was originally brought to the floor so much of the west coast's earliest expansion has been overshadowed in history.

In 1768 King Carlos III saw Russia and England as threats to Spain's claim on Alta California and Ordered troops and missionaries to colonize the new territory.

In 1769 Commander Don Gaspar de Portola, Sergeant Jose Francisco de Ortega, and Fray Junipero Serra departed with troops and supplies for San Diego from Baja California May 13 and established on July 16th Alta California's first mission--San Diego de Alcala.

Twenty missions followed with the final missions in the chain established in Sonoma in 1823.

Of all the institutions that define California's heritage, none has the historic significance and emotional impact of the chain of Spanish missions that stretch from San Diego to Sonoma.

The missions are an important part of the state's cultural fabric and must be preserved as priceless historic monuments; they are a living link to our past.

The missions stand as landmarks of more than two centuries and are recognized for their important impact they have had on the development of California including art, architecture, agriculture, food, music, language, apparel and recreation.

The missions help drive tourism--the state's third largest industry. These iconic symbols of California are the most visited historic attractions in the state, attracting over 5.3 million visitors a year. They account for a sizable contribution to the state economy from millions of tourists, including a large number of international visitors.

And they have become synonymous with the state's fourth grade curriculum: Students build mission models and write research reports as part of California history lessons. This serves as an important education function in teaching young students about the role of the missions in the history of our state and our nation.

For 230 years, the missions have stood as symbols of Western exploration and settlement. Time, natural deterioration and neglect have taken a heavy toll on the missions. Some are Rotting roofs. Cracking tiles. Crumbling adobe. The backlog of needed repairs is long. The price tag is high. And the message is clear. The California missions need our help. Now.

H.R. 1446 will provide an important step toward addressing some of the most severe problems the missions are facing. This legislation provides authorization for funding of $10 million over five years, in partnership with the State of California and the California Missions Foundation's statewide funding campaign.

Under this legislation, the process requires that each mission submit a list to the Foundation of its most urgent preservation needs. All mission repairs and restoration projects are reviewed, approved and supervised by professionals qualified in the disciplines of history, history archeology, architectural history, planning, architecture, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, conservation, landscape architecture or related fields.

Projects must be accomplished in accordance with the applicable Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historical Properties.

All repairs and capital improvements must have competitive bids which the Foundation's Funding Review Committee reviews. The Foundation Board of Directors assesses the proposals and has final approval of all restoration projects funded. The missions are required to submit timely progress reports and accounting to the Foundation on all projects funded.

Since the Spanish friars and native peoples joined together in the building of these settlements, the land we call California has been shaped and influenced by what they accomplished in that most ambitious undertaking.

From the vineyards of Sonoma to the ranches of Santa Barbara to the adobe arcades and red tile roofs of San Diego, the California missions have left their mark on who we are and what we have become.

Passage today presents us with the opportunity to address the needs of the missions and to preserve an integral part of our nation's history and the heritage of the west that combines with the east to make these truly united states.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Ose amendment.

My friend and colleague from California has indicated that Navy facilities in San Diego are at risk if his amendment is not passed.

I have a Navy facility in my district so I can appreciate his concern. In fact, after September 11th, the Navy constructed a force protection barrier around their facility in Monterey.

But, I disagree with my colleague over his efforts to exempt the construction of portions of a 14-mile immigration barrier south of San Diego from most of the Nation's environmental laws.

A society is judged by how it reacts to adversity, and after 9/11 this Chamber and this country were galvanized into action in the wake of that tragic day.

There is not a single member in this Chamber that isn't willing to fight terrorism or to protect our country and its citizens. Let's get that straight.

The amendment we have before us now is more about immigration control than it is about national security. P.L. 104-208 authorized the construction of fencing and road improvements in the border area near San Diego, CA.

In short, the border improvements were pursued, planned, and construction started before 9/11.

So, we know there will be improvements to the barriers at the border. I don't question the importance of completing the fence--that's not what this is about.

What this amendment is about is ignoring--worse, circumventing--an ongoing process.

Mr. Ose's ill-conceived amendment attempts to fix a problem that doesn't exist.

This amendment undermines and overturns efforts made by local communities, civic groups, State agencies, and elected representatives who have been working to come to consensus with the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.

This amendment even exempts from protection the Bald Eagle, a symbol of America's freedom that is surpassed only by our American Flag.

My colleagues should be aware that the California Coastal Commission continues to work hard to complete the Southwest Border Fence, in compliance with the regulatory process established by 16 of our most essential public health, environmental, and cultural heritage laws and executive orders.

In fact, a meeting is scheduled for the 26th of October to work out the concerns between the Coastal Commission and the Department of Homeland Security's office of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection in charge of construction to resolve this issue.

We are a country built on laws. Our laws are in place not only to protect us today but also to protect this great nation for future generations.

There is no good reason why this project requires such a sweeping free ride.

By shirking the process and simply giving this project a blanket exemption from 16 of our most essential environmental laws, we are submitting that we can't do more than one thing at a time--and I don't, and won't, accept this.

I have more faith in our country, our laws, and the process.

This amendment will set a horrible precedent on multiple levels and I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, today, I, along with Representative Chris Shays and 20 other members, introduced the Captive Mammal Protection Act. This bill gets at an issue that many would be surprised to learn even occurs, the ``hunting'' of an animal inside an enclosed area. By halting the interstate shipment of captive 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 reduction 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 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, 18 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 mammals used in canned hunts, the Captive Mammal Protection Act will curb a practice so egregious that hunters and animal advocates alike view it as unfair and inhumane. This bill is supported by ten 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.

I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge that the underlying bill here, the Military Construction Appropriations bill, is really a tremendous improvement for the troops in America. I would like to acknowledge that if it was not for the terrific work of the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg), the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) on our side and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) on the other side, this bill would not be before my colleagues, doing, I think, one of the greatest things we have ever done in Congress, and that is to help the troops with housing.

We had the pleasure of interviewing before the committee, the testifying of soldiers and their spouses. When the question was asked, what is the one thing the Congress can do to help the military most of all, the unanimous response--unanimous--was provide housing. In this bill we provide housing and really quality housing.

In my district, 2,000 homes are being built by the military alongside homes that are selling for $1 million. These houses will be rented to men and women in uniform at affordable prices considerably below what the market is. We have gone on with other work of being able to create through the RCI an LLC so that we can build housing for civilian employees of the military who are mission critical. In areas where housing prices are going out of market, out of reach, this type of program is absolutely essential to maintain the military mission in the United States.

I want to thank the leaders, but especially I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), because he is the one that has been championing this more than anybody. He has been dogged about being able to make sure that we can continue building this type of housing wherever it is needed in the United States. For that effort and for his single stick-to-it-iveness on this, we need to give him a great deal of accolades and appreciation from all of us on both sides of the aisle.

Lastly, I would just like to say that I do not know if this is the last appropriations bill we are going to be adopting in Congress, but I would like to thank personally the leadership of the gentleman from Florida who has provided an incredible leadership in the committee to be fair to everyone. We will greatly miss him.

Thank you for your service, Mr. Young.

Mr. Chairman, I have a parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. Chairman, on the definition of ``any other laws or requirements,'' does that broaden it to every law in America?

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the right to object.

I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, it will not go to legislative intent. It will go to what you have stated in words here, and it says ``any other laws or requirements.'' Any.

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, that delay the construction

of barriers, there could be all kinds of other reasons that are unrelated to just your waiving the environmental requirements.

I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I think the intent here is to waive a lot of laws so you can get this done in an expeditious manner. I think you are opening up a Pandora's Box. It is going to give you so many lawsuits that you are never going to get the project done.

I object.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute.

Mr. Chairman, there is no problem that is broken that needs to be fixed. There is nobody opposed to the process of getting this fence built. The problem with this amendment is you create a whole ability to have more lawsuits filed and you give a message that the environmental laws are not necessary.

The process is working. In 2 weeks, the Homeland Security Office is meeting with the California Coastal Commission where they have laid out all of the road map for how to get it done. The fact of the letter that was just submitted for the Record, the Navy never asked that any of these environmental laws be waived. We built a fence around the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey by abiding by all the laws, including the Coastal Commission laws.

So this is a made-up issue to try to get a recorded vote to show that, if you support the environment, you are for terrorism. Nothing in the 9/11 Commission report recommended this amendment. It is totally unnecessary.

I would just tell you that the process is working and what you see in this amendment is trying to subvert it.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the remaining time.

Look, you have been able to build almost this entire fence without the waiving of any environmental laws. The record that the gentleman showed there just a moment ago gave the Attorney General the authority to waive NEPA and ESEA. You are now going into a whole complicated series of laws, including the protection of Bald Eagles, Indian rights and things like that, Superfund issues.

I have been involved with these issues for a long, long time, living on the coast. And I will tell the gentleman that what he is opening up is a can of worms for lawsuits and complaints and so on.

This is not the wise way to go with this amendment, and I object to the amendment and will ask for a recorded vote on it.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 50 seconds to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee).

(Mr. INSLEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the remaining time.

Let me say it straight. Nobody is against building this fence. It is just, why waive all of these rules? We have built 14 miles of this fence without having to waive any rules. I do not think it is necessary. I think it is a guise and a political maneuver.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, in 1963 President John F. Kennedy launched the Alliance for Progress, a program of government-to-government economic cooperation across the Western Hemisphere. At the same time, he called for the creation of a parallel people-to-people initiative and the Partners of the Alliance was established the following year. After its founding, the idea of engaging in citizen-to-citizen programs under the direct participation and leadership of the people of the Americas led to the Alliance's re-organization in the private sector. With this change in status also came a new name: Partners of the Americas.

Today Partners of the Americas celebrates 40 years of bringing together citizen volunteers, their institutions and communities from throughout the Americas to address shared concerns of economic, social and cultural development. Partners' commitment to building on these enduring relationships among people of Latin America, the Caribbean and the U.S. is what makes Partners truly unique. These relationships fostered by Partners help spark creative ideas, cultivate friendship and ultimately, produce positive change.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate Partners of the Americas on its work over the past 40 years. Partners embraces the wonderful diversity of the Western Hemisphere and plays a crucial role in building cross- cultural understanding, inspiring hope and creating opportunity. I know others join me in wishing Partners of the Americas continued success in their service to citizens of the Western Hemisphere.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

I want to thank the sponsors of this bill, the gentleman from California (Mr. Dooley) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose), for introducing H.R. 3242, of which I am an original cosponsor.

I stand as the representative of the most productive agricultural land in the world. It is in the State of California, and it is the Central Coast Valley. We produce what this bill is talking about, specialty crops.

Specialty crops are essentially those crops that we eat every day in salads, the lettuce, the artichokes, the strawberries, the grapes. We grow flowers. We grow everything that is not essentially in the commodity world, and we grow that just with market forces; that is, if there is not a good price for the crop, the farmer loses.

So what this bill does is bring the specialty crop, which frankly last year made more money than the commodity crops did, and California being the leading State, and almost all of the agriculture in California is in specialty crops, it is a remarkably important bill for our State and for all the people of the country who are in farming in specialty crops, as the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) pointed out.

Our specialty crops have no price supports. There are no direct payments. There are no marketing loans. There are no countercyclical payments. All we are asking for in this bill is for some help with research money and market promotion.

I supported the bill in its original form, and I am a little disappointed the way it has come to the floor. Nonetheless, it is a step in the right direction.

The authorization for expenditure in this bill is $43 million, compared to what is authorized to the commodity crops which is $12 to $13 billion. So the message here, and I know that it is late at night, but I hope that the agriculture community will see that we, for a long time, have been a part of the big family of agriculture.

This is the time when we are raising the flag to say that the specialty crops out there need some help, and I am, as appropriator, looking forward to getting the support of everybody who supports this bill, to getting money appropriated for this program and hopefully moving in the direction ahead to raise the authorization to a much higher standard and to appropriate a great deal of money. I hope that we do not have a battle in agriculture, where we have to rob Peter to pay Paul. Nonetheless, the growing markets in the world are in the specialty crops, and as I said, the sales of specialty crops last year exceeded that of commodity crops.

So I thank the members of the Committee on Agriculture for bringing this bill to the floor. I look forward to working with them as an appropriator, and it is a step in the right direction.

I thank very much the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose), and I thank very much the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as an original cosponsor in support of H.R. 4569, legislation to provide for the development of a national plan for the control and management of Sudden Oak Death.

Sudden Oak Death is a forest disease caused by the plant pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. This pathogen has caused widespread dieback in California and across the nation of tanoak, several oak species (including; coast live oak, California black oak, Shreve's oak, and canyon live oak) and a myriad of shrubs and nursery stock.

The disease has killed hundreds of thousands of trees in the coastal counties in northern California (two of which I represent) and southwestern Oregon. As a result of the dieback in California, USDA recently issued federal quarantine regulations on the movement of materials outside California. This action is in addition to the separate quarantines Canada and the States of California and Oregon imposed on themselves. Further, thirteen states have also implemented their own specific regulations against California nursery stock after the positive find in a southern California nursery. Millions of dollars of nursery stock have already been destroyed with little or no compensation for the growers.

Additionally, the alarming discovery that evidence of DNA has been found on California's coastal redwoods and Big Leaf Maples in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada raises our concerns to a much higher level. Should the Sudden Oak Death pathogen establish itself in the Sierra Nevada, California's commercial forest industry as well as prized recreation areas would be severely impacted. If this proves to be true, the economic and ecological costs to California would be incalculable.

If Sudden Oak Death is left unchecked, the landscape of California and the economic livelihoods of many will be forever changed. It's been almost ten years since the first detailed accounts of large numbers of tanoaks were observed dying in Marin and Santa Cruz Counties and already a difference in the landscape can be noted.

Mr. Speaker, depending on the plant species, P. ramorum infection may occur on the trunk, branches, and/or leaves. Infections on the woody portions of a tree are referred to as cankers. Cankers on the trunk of oak and tanoak trees are the most damaging, and often lead to death.

Additionally, diseased oak and tanoak trees are often attacked by other organisms once they are weakened by P. ramorum. It has also been found to infect the leaves and twigs of numerous other plants species. While many of these foliar hosts, such as California bay laurel and Rhododendron species, do not die from the disease, they do play a key role in the spread of P. ramorum, acting as breeding ground for innoculum, which may then be spread through wind-driven rain, water, plant material, or human activity.

Mr. Speaker, we currently know that the total number of APHIS- confirmed positive sites from the trace-forward, national, and other survey finds is 160 in 21 states and the number realistically is much higher considering the current scope of testing. This number ranges from single event sites to as many as 53 in my state of California.

The time to act is now and passage of H.R. 4569 is a great step forward. We must stop the further spread of Sudden Oak Death.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ann Coonerty in tribute of her 90th birthday. Ann is a native Californian and long time resident of Santa Cruz County who continues to offer her services as an educator to our community. It is my pleasure to stand in this House and honor Ann's 90th birthday.

Ann McGinley Coonerty was born in Santa Maria, California on October 16th, 1914. She excelled in school and, at age 19, became the first woman in her family to earn a college degree. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1934 with a teaching credential and a degree in mathematics; soon after, she began her teaching career in the Santa Maria area. In 1941, she took a break to marry Kevin Coonerty and start a family. When Kevin returned home from serving in World War II, he used the GI Bill to earn a degree in engineering. During this time, Ann tutored her husband in mathematics while raising their three children.

After Kevin began working for Rocketdyne in Southern California in 1953, Ann returned to teaching. In 1975 Ann and her family moved to Santa Cruz where she began working at Happy Valley Elementary School as a teacher's aide. Twenty-nine years later, she is quite simply an institution and an inspiration to parents, children and colleagues. Even today, as Ann approaches her 90th birthday, she plans to continue volunteering her time as an aide.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Ann Coonerty's achievements, accomplishments, and her dedication to education. She has demonstrated a unique passion for family, community, and to her profession. Ann has devoted her life to teaching and tutoring students, a service for which our community is eternally grateful. I join the County of Santa Cruz, and friends and family in honoring this truly commendable woman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Roy Marlin ``Butch'' Voris, the founder of the Blue Angels.

After graduating from Salinas Junior College in 1939, Mr. Voris entered the Navy in 1941. In February of 1942 he was commissioned an ensign and designated a naval aviator. Mr. Voris was deployed in the Pacific theater of World War II, where he flew both Grumman F4F ``Wildcat'' and Grumman F6F ``Hellcats.'' He was a talented pilot, earning the ``fighter ace'' status, and a respected commander of Fighter Squadron 113, Fighter Squadron 191, and Attack Carrier Air Group 5. For his service and sacrifices to his country, Mr. Voris earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses, 11 Air Medals, three Presidential Unit Citations, and the Purple Heart.

When the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations created a Navy flight exhibition team in 1946 to demonstrate precision fighter maneuvers at Navy air shows and other public events, they naturally chose Captain Voris to be the first Officer-in-Charge and Flight Leader. After selecting his fellow pilots and maintenance personnel from the Navy's best officers and sailors, he modified the Grumman F6F ``Hellcat'' and painted it the now famous blue and gold. Captain Voris flew with the Blue Angels on their first tour, and again in 1951, before retiring from the Navy in 1963.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Captain ``Butch'' Voris' years of service to our country and amazing accomplishments. He is an American hero who has made a remarkable contribution to the world of aviation, which we are lucky enough to continue to enjoy today. I join with the thousands of attendees to the California International Air Show in Salinas, and dozens of former Blue Angel pilots, in honoring this talented man and his many achievements.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I rise today in honor of a good friend and outstanding public servant, former California State Senator Henry Mello. Henry passed away on September 4, 2004, but will always be remembered for his dedication to the communities of the Central Coast. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but his legacy will live on in many ways.

The son of Portuguese immigrants, Henry was born in 1924 in the rural community of Watsonville, where his mother's family had been farming apples since 1874. He had an eye for business and left Hartnell College after one year to work with his family on the apple farms. At the age of 29 Henry founded John C. Mello and Sons Cold Storage and ran it for twenty years before selling it to Del Mar Food Products in 1973. By this time Henry had found his true calling: public service.

In 1966 Henry officially began his political career with his election to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. He was not afraid of politically charged issues, and in 1972 composed a motion disapproving the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War. Because of his dedication to his constituents and his commitment to the Monterey Bay area, he was elected to the California State Assembly, serving from 1976 to 1980. Henry was then elected to the State Senate, rising quickly to prominent positions, including the majority whip from 1981 to 1992 and the majority leader from 1992 until he left the legislature in 1996.

While in the legislature, Senator Mello was an ardent supporter of many vital segments of our population, especially senior citizens. Senator Mello authored legislation to enact the first programs focusing on Alzheimer's-Respite Care, Adult Day Health Care and the Multipurpose Senior Services Programs. He founded the Senior Legislature and passed legislation to combat elder abuse. In the twenty years that Senator Mello served in the legislature, he authored more than 120 bills on aging and long-term care that have become the law of the land in California.

However, Henry's service and advocacy extended far beyond just one subject. He was also a strong supporter of our ocean's health, authoring legislation to protect fisheries, working to keep off-shore oil away from California's coastline, and petitioning for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. He has created many lasting legacies on the Central Coast, including Wilder Ranch and Grey Whale State Parks, which are enjoyed by thousands of people each year. He also supported the creation of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at the University of California, Santa Cruz, which has made tremendous strides in organic and sustainable farming practices worldwide.

When Fort Ord was slated to be closed by the U.S. Army, Senator Mello introduced legislation to create the Fort Ord Reuse Authority to help the state and the region handle the largest base closure in U.S. history. He was also proactive in transferring this area into civilian use, and helped create the California State University, Monterey Bay on the former base. He was a co-author of the Mello-Roos Act of 1982, which provided funding for education and other public projects through tax-exempt bonds. Following the Loma Prieta earthquake, Henry secured a temporary sales tax increase to help the devastated communities of the Central Coast, a measure which proved to be invaluable to the local governments in their efforts to rebuild. In his hometown, he is perhaps best known to the general public for helping to raise funds to rebuild the performing arts center in Watsonville after it was destroyed in the earthquake. It was opened in 1994 as the Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts, which was particularly fitting because Senator Mello was known for contributing his musical talents on the piano for many state and local functions.

Mr. Speaker, Henry Mello was the consummate public servant and master of the art of compromise. His legacy to the State of California is felt through the landmark legislation that he passed as well as through those whose lives he touched personally. Many of us in the California Congressional Delegation worked closely with Henry throughout our public service careers, and we all wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Helen, and his sons Stephen, John, Michael and Timothy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the motion to instruct conferees on the DOD Authorization bill to accept the bipartisan Senate-passed provisions on hate crimes.

The purpose of the Senate provisions is to strengthen and close loopholes in current law by making it easier for federal authorities to prosecute or assist local authorities in prosecuting crimes motivated by race, religion or ethnicity when appropriate. In addition, these provisions expand current law to include gender, disability, and sexual orientation. The Senate provisions are overwhelmingly supported by both the civil rights community and law enforcement organizations.

Many of my colleagues have questioned the relevance of these hate crimes provision in the DOD Authorization bill. However, it is naive to

presume that the military need not concern itself with hate crimes, and there is devastating evidence that hate crimes occur in the military. I am referring to the July 5, 1998 murder of Pfc. Barry Winchell at Fort Campbell, KY. Twenty-one year old Private First Class Barry Winchell was beaten to death while he slept by a fellow soldier. During the court-martial trial, testimony from other soldiers showed that Pfc. Winchell's murderer engaged in harassment, rumor-mongering and prying into Pfc. Winchell's personal life in direct violation of the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. The horrible murder of Pfc. Winchell is a lasting reminder of the need for vigilance in fiercely opposing and prosecuting all hate crimes and for providing our law enforcement organizations with the ability to prosecute these heinous crimes.

Every American, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, disability, and sexual orientation deserves the right to live life to the fullest without the fear of bullying, persecution, or violence. I urge my colleagues to support this motion to instruct conferees on the DOD Authorization bill to accept the bipartisan Senate-passed provisions on hate crimes.