Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2046, the Servicemembers Health Insurance Protection (SHIP) Act of 2005, and to voice my strong commitment and appreciation to our nation's servicemembers and veterans as we head into the Memorial Day weekend.

On May 11, 2005, my colleagues and I on the House Veterans Affairs Committee considered H.R. 2046. This important legislation would assist in providing a seamless transition for our Reservists and Guardsmen by curbing health insurance premium increases and preserving employer- sponsored health care coverage. I voted for this legislation because our servicemembers deserve better protections and improved quality of life.

I would also like to take this time to thank our past and current members of the U.S. Armed Forces for their selfless service to our country. We owe each of them a great deal of respect and appreciation, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. While many of us will be fortunate enough to be surrounded by loved ones this Memorial Day weekend, I encourage all Americans to take this special time to reflect on the sacrifice of those who died while serving their country and to pray for our troops currently in harm's way.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in Congress to continue caring for our servicemembers by ensuring passage of H.R. 2046.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time this morning.

Mr. Speaker, each Member of this House knows that when we go on vacation, one of the first things that we want to do is get a map so that we know where we are going and know the stops we are going to make and have a general idea of what is facing us on this vacation.

Mr. Speaker, several members of the Law Enforcement Caucus were discussing the issues of border security because we know we have been talking a lot about securing our borders.

Well, yesterday, my colleagues, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz), and myself offered an amendment at the Committee on Rules that would have required the Department of Homeland Security to develop and begin to carry out a comprehensive, long-term border strategy to secure this Nation's borders. The amendment would have expanded what is already in place, called the ``American Shield Initiative,'' to ensure that every inch of the borders is monitored at all times, either through technology or resources. Unfortunately, the Committee on Rules voted against making this amendment in order on a straight party-line vote.

So when we talk about common sense, I stand here this morning wondering what in the world are we thinking when we do not want to have an amendment like this that gives us a long-term strategy for knowing what this Congress needs to do to reinforce and secure this Nation's border.

We all know that since 9/11, we have acknowledged that we need to increase the number of Border Patrol agents and immigration inspectors and, but Congress literally has been picking figures seemingly out of thin air as we go through wanting to secure the border. Instead, we should require a staffing assessment so we go through to determine what personnel resources we need to get the job done right. Our amendment would have required such an assessment for personnel, for technology, and for infrastructure needs.

Balancing this Nation's border security has to go hand-in-hand with having a strategy. We do not have that kind of strategy. This amendment would have given us this strategy. Regrettably, it was not made in order.

Mr. Speaker, I often wonder if common sense and Congress have anything in common.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation which will help several local communities around the country address their water management issues.

Like many communities in the West, one of the greatest challenges facing my congressional district of El Paso, Texas, has been providing an adequate water supply to our rapidly growing population.

Fortunately, our community is meeting this challenge successfully, in part through the construction of a major inland desalination plant that will treat the brackish water of the Hueco Bolson so it can be utilized by the people of El Paso and the surrounding region, as well as Fort Bliss military base. The project, which is a partnership of the El Paso Water Utilities and the Department of Defense, is set to begin construction and should be completed within the year.

I am proud to say that El Paso is leading the way when it comes to inland desalination, in addition to our ongoing conservation and reclamation initiatives. This bill will further our efforts by authorizing the city of El Paso to expand the soon-to-be constructed desalination plant or to construct an additional plant if and when additional capacity is required over the next 10 years.

Ensuring a reliable, long-term water source for El Paso and the El Paso region is essential for the community's future. Desalination, and therefore, this legislation, is an integral part of that effort.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the chairman and ranking member of the full committee, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano), the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, for their assistance in moving this important legislation forward.

I would also like to thank my two colleagues from Arizona and from New Mexico for granting me the opportunity to speak this afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 142, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a ``Rotary International Day'' and celebrating and honoring Rotary International on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.

Today we commemorate the 100th anniversary of Rotary International and express our appreciation for the organization's service to our congressional districts, including my district of El Paso, Texas. Rotary International's service also extends to people around the globe, with 1.2 million Rotarians at 31,000 Rotary clubs in 167 countries.

The El Paso Rotary Club has served my district since 1914. Mr. Frank Hoy, President of the El Paso Rotary Club, leads a group of 300 members that conducts many important activities throughout the year that are of great benefit to our community. I am pleased to be participating in their annual Independence Day parade again this year.

Madam Speaker, I sincerely congratulate Rotary International and the El Paso Rotary Club on this important occasion, and I thank them for their continued service to the 16th District of Texas, our Nation, and the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 41, a resolution highlighting the mission and goals of Big Brothers and Big Sisters and to recognize a hundred years of success in the organization.

I applaud the work that Big Brothers Big Sisters perform on a daily basis to assist America's youth. As you are well aware, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has helped more than one million children nationwide in its 100 years of operation. Youth with mentors are significantly less likely to try drugs or alcohol, skip school, or exhibit violent behavior. Children who participate in Big Brothers Big Sisters programs have better relationships with peers, get better grades, and get along better with their families as a result of the one-on-one attention of a caring adult role model.

My district in El Paso, TX, is faced with significant challenges in deterring youth from becoming involved in drugs, alcohol, and violent activities. Founded in 1999, Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso has an excellent reputation in my district and has shown tremendous results. In fact, Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso has already drawn over $1 million in State and Federal funds to our city. Because Big Brothers Big Sisters works with schools and businesses, it acts as a catalyst in the community helping bring business men and women into the lives of students and strengthening the bond between program participants and the community. Last year, I was honored to be selected to serve as an honorary board member of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of El Paso.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in recognizing Big Brothers for their century of service to America's young people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important motion to instruct conferees on the fiscal year 2005 Supplemental Appropriations bill.

As a Member representing a district on the United States-Mexico border, and as the only Member of Congress with a background in immigration and experience defending our Nation's borders, I have firsthand knowledge of the kinds of resources we need to help keep America safe.

Since coming to Congress I have heard a lot about how we need to crack down on illegal immigration in this country, but seen very little action when it comes to providing adequate funding for the programs that we know work in dealing with the problem.

Most recently, with the passage of the Intelligence Reform bill, Congress promised to provide funding to hire thousands of new Border Patrol agents and create thousands of beds for immigration detention and removal activities. Unfortunately, however, the President's proposed FY2006 budget falls woefully short of meeting these needs.

During House consideration of the Supplemental Appropriations bill, I offered an amendment to add $772 million to hire an additional 1,000 Border Patrol agents, provide 8,000 beds for immigration and detention removal operations, and install radiation portal monitors at Ports of Entry. That amendment, which would have provided essential border security funding, was ruled out of order on procedural grounds. Unless we insist on the highest possible levels of funding for border security in this conference, Congress will once again fail to keep its commitment on this vital issue.

Meanwhile, every day foreign nationals from over 150 countries who are here in the United States illegally are being apprehended and turned back out onto our streets because we lack the space to detain them. At the same time, we hear of known terrorists who are training recruits to infiltrate our country in order to do us harm.

Mr. Speaker, the time has long since come to make good on our border security promises--or continue to risk safety of the American people. I urge my colleagues to support Mr. Obey's motion to instruct.

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, April 16, a group of outstanding young men from my district in EI Paso, Texas, won the boys Class 4A Texas high school soccer championship. The Conquistadores of Del Valle High School played against some of the best high school talent in the country, defeating the Aledo Bearcats 3-2.

I would like to congratulate the Conquistadors--Ivan Grajeda, Julian Barbosa, Erick Solis, Irving Gallardo, Robert Macias, Elias Gutierrez, Abelardo Valles, David Camarena, Javier Ruvalcaba, Oscar Herrera, Daniel Lopez, Alberto Rivera, Adrian Munoz, Juan Rodriguez, Walter Villalobos, Jose Escarcega, Nazael Reynosa, Diego Armando Ruiz, Charles Gonzalez, Alberto Moreno, Hector Picazo, and Alex Villalobos--on their tremendous achievement. The team is coached by Bruce A. Reichman and Oswaldo Vasquez.

The Del Valle Conquistadors displayed a commitment to working together toward a common goal during their state championship season. They won with a remarkable combination of skill, endurance, and teamwork.

Mr. Speaker, over the course of a season, these young men have helped instill a great sense of pride in their school and the entire community. EI Paso is truly proud of its champions. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Del Valle High School Conquistadors on their victory.

Madam Speaker, it is rate that a man has a chance to known his heros. It is

even rarer for a man to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with his heros as a fellow community leader. While serving as Border Patrol Sector Chief for the McAllen, Texas sector, however, I had that chance. Today, we are remembering the lives and groundgreaking achievements of the late Judges Reynaldo Guerra Garza and Filemon Vela and inscribing the U.S. Courthouse in Brownsville with their names.

Like me, Judge Garza came from a humble background, from a family whose parents were born in Mexico and came to this country in search of opportunity for their children. He rose to preside over one of the highest courts in the land, in the process becoming the first Mexican- American federal district judge and rendering some of the most important civil rights decisions in this country's history. Judge Garza ended his career on the prestigious Fifth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Judge Vela, much like Judge Garza, grew up of modest means in South Texas. He is remembered as a hard-working and committed judge whose impact was felt not only in the courtroom, but in the community as well.

Perhaps the essential message for me to convey here, however, is that each of these men spent considerable time and effort emphasizing the incredible power of education. Both Judges Garza and Vela understood how education could transform the lives of young people, because they and their families had benefited greatly from it.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation naming the courthouse in Brownsville, Texas after Reynaldo G. Garza and Filemon B. Vela--two great judges, great role models, and great men.

Mr. Speaker, the citizens of EI Paso, Texas join with Catholics and people of faith and compassion around the world in expressing their profound grief at the death of a great man, Pope John Paul II. I am grateful to have the opportunity to join with my colleagues today to give thanks for Pope John Paul II's many contributions to mankind and to express our deep sorrow at his passing.

A small-town boy from Poland who became the first non-Italian to assume the pontificate in over 400 years, Pope John Paul II expanded the Church and welcomed into its faith millions of souls around the world. At the same time, he was an unfailing advocate for the poor, weak, and vulnerable, a strong voice for global peace, and a great champion for the sanctity of life.

Through his unprecedented travels and many sermons and writings, Pope John Paul II awakened in people--from Asia to Africa and from the former Soviet Union to Latin America--the innate human desire to shake off the yoke of autocracy and social inequity. By the power of his faith and charisma, he empowered the oppressed to seek freedom and demand human rights. Also, at a time of global turbulence and uncertainty, his words and actions provided an essential moral deterrent to Communism.

Mr. Speaker, the world has been truly blessed by the life and legacy of Pope John Paul II. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Mr. Chairman, I have two amendments which I will be sending to the desk, and I move to strike the last word and talk about the issue while they get the amendments up there. Mr. Chairman, last night I testified before the Rules Committee in support of two amendments I had hoped to offer to the supplemental appropriations bill being considered by the House today.

The first of these amendments would add $772 million in funding for border security to hire an additional 1,000 border patrol agents, provide 8,000 beds for immigration and detention removal operations, and install radiation portal monitors at all ports of entry.

As a Member representing a district on the United States/Mexico border, and as the only Member of Congress with a background in immigration and experience in actually defending our Nation's borders, I have firsthand knowledge of the kinds of resources that we need to keep America safe.

Since coming to Congress, I have heard a lot about how we need to crack down on illegal immigration in this country, but have seen very little action when it comes to providing adequate funding for the programs that we know will work in dealing with this problem.

Most recently, with the passage of the Intelligence Reform Bill, Congress promised to provide funding to hire thousands of new border patrol agents and create thousands of beds for immigration detention and removal activities.

Unfortunately, the President proposed his FY 2006 budget and it falls woefully short of meeting these needs. And I fear that Congress will once again fail to keep its commitment.

Meanwhile, every day foreign nationals from over 150 different countries who are here in the United States illegally are being apprehended and turned back on to our streets because we lack the space to detain them. At the same time, we hear of known terrorists who are training recruits to infiltrate our country in order to do us harm. The time has long since come to make good on our border security promises or to continue to risk the safety of the American people.

The second of my amendments deals with funding for veterans health care. Specifically, it would provide an additional 1.3 billion for veterans health care programs for fiscal year 2005.

This increase is required in order to maintain existing service levels within the VA health care system and would bring spending in line with the recommendations of the bipartisan leadership of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

The VA is the largest health care network in the United States, and it is increasingly overburdened by a large military retiree population, principally of World War II and Korean veterans. That burden will only increase with new veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

America's veterans have made great sacrifices for us. Now it is time that we keep our promise to them to ensure that they get the health care they need and that they deserve. The only way to do this is to give the VA the resources they require to get the job done.

Mr. Chairman, I offer these two amendments because I truly believe that funding these two priorities is a matter of urgent need for the good of our Nation, and I ask for my colleagues' support.

Amendments Offered by Mr. Reyes

Mr. Chairman, I offer two amendments, and I ask unanimous consent they be considered en bloc.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner).

Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

I am, Mr. Speaker, in its present form.

Mr. Speaker, this motion to recommit provides for restrictions on the information contained in the national database. This bill as it stands requires that the database shall contain at a minimum all information contained on the driver's licenses as well as driving history. This would create no limit as to what other information may eventually be incorporated in the database. This motion would simply protect the privacy rights of Americans from a national ID database in this bill.

In particular, this amendment guarantees that the database cannot become a centralized storage place for sensitive personal information on nearly every American about whether they own guns, what guns they own and whether they have purchased any guns. This could be the national gun registry that we have all feared for years.

This motion to recommit would also bar information on the exercise of first

amendment and fourteenth amendment rights from being included in the driver's license database. We should not have a government database of political activities of law-abiding citizens.

As Bob Barr, our former colleague, said in the Washington Times last year in opposition to nearly identical provisions, ``You know something is askew when we second amendment conservatives keep finding common cause with the American Civil Liberties Union.''

Groups strongly opposed include the Gun Owners of America, the ACLU, the Republican Liberty Caucus, the League of United Latin Americans Citizens, the American Conservative Union, and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

Our constituents have set aside partisan concerns in recognition of the dangerous consequences, unintended consequences, of passing this misguided legislation. This bill would establish a National Interstate Computer Database to track the personal information of every single American, laying the foundation, I believe, for a national ID system.

Moreover, H.R. 418 places privacy limitations on the use of centralized data. It does not even prohibit the Federal Government from sharing personal information with other people, companies, and foreign governments.

This system, I believe, is ripe for abuse, Mr. Speaker. By forcing State governments to maintain and share files on almost every adult in the Nation, this bill will truly usher in the era of Big Brother. The database could be used to track Americans' movements, store information on political activities, and even store information on gun ownership.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that the rest of my colleagues are not fooled by H.R. 418. This is nothing less than a bureaucratic back door to a national ID system.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Mississippi for yielding me time.

Mr. Chairman, as the only Member of Congress with a background in immigration and experience in actually defending our Nation's borders, and after being here for 8 years in the House, I am profoundly disappointed at how much we talk about this issue and how little we do when it comes to immigration.

Prior to coming to Congress, I served for 26\1/2\ years in the United States Border Patrol, so I know firsthand about the effort to protect our borders and how to keep America secure. Since coming to Congress, I have heard a lot about how we need to crack down on illegal immigration in this country, but have seen very little action when it comes to providing adequate funding for the kinds of programs that I know work in dealing with the problem of illegal immigration.

For instance, just this week, with the release of the President's budget, as my colleague mentioned, last August we were tough on the issue of immigration by saying we wanted 10,000 new border patrol agents and we wanted to create 40,000 new detention beds. The administration in their budget wants to hire 210 border patrol agents. They are silent on the issue of detention.

The administration also has proposed zeroing out very important programs to communities that deal with undocumented aliens, programs like the State Criminal Alien Assistance program, the State Prosecutors program, all zeroed out in this budget.

Mr. Chairman, the reason I am going to oppose this legislation is because I am sick and tired of coming here and talking, talking about the issue. I am sick and tired of hearing arguments on who is going to do what. Just last Monday, I was with some of my former colleagues at a port of entry in El Paso, and they were asking me what kind of immigration reform would come out of this effort. Regrettably, Mr. Chairman, I told them, look, we said we were going to fund 10,000 agents; we got 210. That is why I am going to vote against this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Let us have a real and earnest debate on what needs to be done to protect this country.

Mr. Speaker, like people everywhere, I mourn the devastation and loss of life caused by the massive tsunami in South Asia. The enormity of the disaster is staggering and I extend my condolences to those around the world touched by this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families in this time of overwhelming need.

I applaud the outpouring of support by the many nations, organizations and individuals across the world who have responded quickly to the disaster. By working together, we will help rebuild the lives of the residents of South Asia.

I will travel to South Asia next week and, through the generosity of numerous hospitals in my district of El Paso, Texas, will deliver medical supplies to assist in some small way with the relief and rebuilding process.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution before us today, and ask all Americans to continue to keep the victims of this terrible tragedy in their prayers.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman and our chairman for the hard work they have done along with the other conferees.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this conference report, though not without some reservations. I am encouraged by the bill's reforms to our Nation's Intelligence Community, reforms that would not be before us today without the hard work of the 9/11 Commission and the unwavering commitment of the 9/11 families.

Also, as a member of both the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Armed Services, I recognize that timely and accurate intelligence is essential for both the President and our military forces in the fields. So I am pleased that this important issue has been addressed. However, I do have a strong word of caution for my colleagues about some of the provisions that we are enacting today in the name of homeland security.

These provisions establishing new investigatory, surveillance, and information-sharing authorities carry tremendous potential for abuse. I am concerned that these provisions may only be the beginning, and that we could be headed down a dangerous path without ensuring the appropriate checks and balances.

Prior to coming to Congress, I served for 26\1/2\ years in the United States Border Patrol, from agent to chief, so I know firsthand about our efforts to protect our borders and keep America secure. While I strongly believe in giving our government and law enforcement the tools they need to keep America safe, I also know it is imperative that we have an effective system of checks and balances to protect our rights as Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I will vote for this bill because I believe that reforms to our Intelligence Community are much needed and long overdue. However, as we move forward, I urge my colleagues to be vigilant in ensuring that we do not undermine the very liberties we are trying to protect from terrorists, because it is these liberties that make America the great Nation that it is.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Houston for yielding me this time tonight because, in a sense, tonight is a special night for us, because we say goodbye to good friends and colleagues but, in my mind, great Texans who have given their full measure so that those that have no voice will have a voice in this, the People's House.

In Texas, we are a long ways from Texas here in this House, but in Texas, we like to live by the standard that we simply say ``don't mess with Texas.'' And, regrettably, Texas has been messed with in the worst way possible and, unfortunately, messed with by Texans. And while that is lamentable and regrettable, we have to understand that it is not so much the individual but the actions of that individual.

As I sit here tonight and think about the many battles, the many debates, the many struggles that we have had, and I am relatively new to service in this Congress, I am finishing out my fourth term, which is 8 years, and I look at the number of years that are represented here that in one fell swoop that experience, that institutional knowledge, all of that hard work that these great Texans have done, I like to think of them as the magnificent seven. I know their representation will be missed. I know them to be men of real character, strong character, willing to stand up and fight when even the odds are stacked heavily against them and against us, but fighting the good fight nonetheless. Willing to get into that arena and willing to give their last full measure so that those issues and those programs that are so important to Texas working families receive full and complete consideration here in the People's House.

So, yes, we are losing seven Texans, and Texas I think will be the lesser for it. But I also think that it is important not having been an individual that grew up in a political system; I came to politics after a long career in Federal law enforcement. In fact, most people know that being here as a Member of Congress is probably an accident for me. But I relied heavily on the advice and expertise of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), the ranking member of the Committee on Rules; the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), the ranking member on the Committee on Agriculture. I came here with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner) who was our ranking member on the Select Committee on Homeland Security.

I became friends with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sandlin) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson), also we came to Congress together. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez) followed us by a few months. And then the rookie, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bell), who has been phenomenal in the short period of time that he has been here.

I think that is the real legacy that we are so proud of being Texans. We are all different. We come from different backgrounds. We focus on different priorities. We bring different expertise. But in the whole scheme of things, we make this country greater. And no one stands taller tonight in my eyes than these seven Texans, the Magnificent Seven, each one with a support system. My good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), who himself I think walks around with a target on his back, and we are so proud of the job that he did and of the support system that he counts on.

When we mention Kathy and Cindy and Ginny and Susan and Carolina, we mention the heart and soul of why we serve. We serve so that our children and their children can have a better future. We serve so that we can hopefully set an example of what this country can be and what it should be. And while we may have differences of opinion with those on the other side of the aisle, it is never personal in my mind, and it should never be personal.

The last thing I want to say before I yield back my time so that my good friend from San Antonio can speak as well, is that nobody from Texas walks away or runs away from a good fight or a good game. There are certain things that we expect. We expect to know what the rules of that game were. We expect that those rules will not be changed once the game starts. And most of all, we expect that win or lose, we can be proud and we can be friends because we are Texans.

In this case it was not fair. The rules were changed. And I have to say that once this story is told, we are not going to be proud of how this was done. But the one thing that we will be proud of is the work, the dedication, the professionalism of these magnificent Texans that unfortunately, through no fault of their own, because of changing the rules after the game was started, will not be able to continue their work on behalf of Texans, on behalf of Americans, and on behalf of a world that today needs great role models more than anything else. And with that, I appreciate the opportunity to pay tribute to good friends, great Texans; and they will never be forgotten by this Texan.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me, and I will be brief because I know that, or at least I hope our colleagues are watching this evening. But we do thank them for their public service and we do recognize, as the great poet once said,

that the true measure of an individual who is successful in life is the fact that when that life is done he or she will have left not only a mark but will have left a legacy of leaving the world a better place.

Our colleagues, of course, are going on to bigger and better things, and perhaps we will see them back here in the very near future. So to them, not only do we salute them tonight but we thank them for their service and their willingness to share of themselves with the rest of us here in the people's House. We wish them well. I know they are blessed, because they have left their mark in this House.