Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and dedication of my Deputy Chief of Staff, Marvin ``Mac'' King, who has been on my staff for many years and leaves his work on Capitol Hill to join his wife, Col. Barbara King, a doctor of dental surgery with the Air Force specializing in prosthetic dentistry, in Okinawa, Japan.

Mac first came to my office as an intern in the early 90s after obtaining his law degree. During the time of his internship in my office, Mac excelled in all tasks assigned to him. I knew he would be a valuable and important asset to the Ortiz Team.

Mac, a graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering and a juris doctor degree from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, has worked as a reservoir engineer with the Natural Gas Pipeline of America in Houston, Texas, and has served as president and technical manager of Losack Inc. in San Antonio, Texas. He has also served as acting counsel in the House of Representatives for the House Subcommittee on Oceanography, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Outer Continental Shelf and as a consulting engineer for Research Management Consultants Inc.

Shortly after the conclusion of his internship, Mac became a full- time employee in my Washington, DC, office where he served as legislative director and counsel from 1995 to 2002. I never doubted Mac's skills and in 2002 I named him deputy chief of staff and he continued to serve as my counsel. At that time, Mac oversaw a staff of ten to sixteen employees in my offices in Washington, DC, Corpus Christi and Brownsville, Texas.

Mac became so good at what he did--he was the ``go-to'' person in our office. Through the years, I saw Mac grow from an intern to an aggressive and well-rounded legislative guru who knew the ins and outs of Congress.

In 2006, Mac left the House of Representatives to work as deputy director for strategic communications with the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization.

However, it was too early for Mac to leave Congress, or that's how I like to think of it. In 2009, after more than three years of being out of the Halls of Congress, Mac returned to my office as legislative director and counsel. Within months Mac was appointed deputy chief of staff, a position he will hold until Friday, May 21, 2010.

Mac leaves the Ortiz Team to go live in Okinawa, Japan, with his lovely wife, Barbara. I take this time to thank Mac for his invaluable and relentless work and service for the 27th District of Texas.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the work and service of Mac for his more than 12 years of employment in the House of Representatives. On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend a warm and heartfelt thank you to Marvin ``Mac'' King for all he has done to better the 27th District of Texas and this great country.

Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, celebrated on May 28th.

Located in a highly political, dynamic and sensitive region between Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan is a proud ally of the United States. An emerging democracy, Azerbaijan has taken the world stage as a member of the Council of Europe, the United Nations, and the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe.

A strategic partner of the United States, Azerbaijan works with the U.S. on major economic and security matters. Most profoundly, Azerbaijan has been an ally for the United States in terms of sending troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. They work with area nations to secure borders and deny illegal trafficking, and are an important component of NATO's Partnership for Peace program.

Their robust oil market provides western nations the means to power our economies.

I thank the nation of Azerbaijan for their continued journey towards democracy, and for their enduring strategic partnership in the region and around the world.

The United States congratulates all Azerbaijani citizens, and Azerbaijanis around the world, on the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of Azerbaijan Republic Day.

Thank you, Chairman Conyers, for giving a beautiful description of my good friend Dr. Garcia, and thank you for bringing this to the floor.

I also want to thank my good friend from Texas (Mr. Smith) for bringing this resolution to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor an American hero who is very well respected in the community. Today, we honor the life and work of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, who is a recognized leader of better health care for all Texans and who is a legendary civil rights advocate and promoter of education for Hispanics.

My resolution, H. Con. Res. 222, honors a lifetime of the extraordinary achievements of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, who lived and worked in my congressional district in Corpus Christi, Texas, for many years.

Dr. Garcia's family emigrated from Mexico in 1914 and settled in Mercedes, Texas. After graduating from medical school, he served with great distinction in World War II. He attained the rank of major and earned the Bronze Star with six battle stars. When the Army learned that Dr. Garcia was a physician, he was asked to practice his profession by treating his fellow soldiers.

When he moved to Corpus Christi, he opened a private practice where he treated all patients regardless of their ability to pay. I was there many times when people just didn't have any money. He was able to give them what they needed free of charge. He was a very honorable man, and he turned down profit to make a better life for all of us, not only in south Texas but throughout the United States.

Dr. Garcia first became known in south Texas for his public health messages on the radio. He was on the air three times a week with a Spanish program, ``Your Health and Welfare.'' During this time, he struggled to bring attention to severe illnesses such as tuberculosis, which enabled the public to become better educated about its health needs. His messages brought to light the many health issues of the region and the glaring poverty in south Texas.

A man of tremendous talents, Dr. Garcia prized education and fought for other Americans to also value education. In the 1940s, he struggled to abolish the one-room segregated ``Mexican schools'' that one would find across the Texas landscape. As a result of this example of leadership, Texas schools in Corpus Christi were eventually desegregated, substandard schools for children of Mexican and Latino descent were closed, and students who previously did not have access to adequate education were given the same opportunities available to others. Because of these efforts, four schools are named after him in Texas and one in Chicago, Illinois.

Perhaps most significantly, he emerged as founder of the GI Forum, a Mexican American veterans association to redress the injustices experienced by returning World War II veterans. The GI Forum initiated countless efforts on behalf of Americans in the areas of health care and veterans benefits, and now have more than 160,000 members in 500 chapters in 24 States and Puerto Rico. His civil rights movements would then grow to combat discrimination in housing, in education, and in voting rights.

In recognition of these achievements, President John F. Kennedy appointed Dr. Garcia a member of the American Treaty Delegation for the Mutual Defense Agreement between the United States and the Federation of the West Indies. As President Kennedy once said in another context, ``In each of us, there is a private hope and dream which, when fulfilled, can be translated into benefits for everyone.'' Dr. Garcia understood this uplifting concept as he fought discrimination against the voiceless, for which we should all be proud of.

In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Dr. Garcia as alternate ambassador to the United Nations, where he gave the first speech by an American before the United Nations in a language other than English. Dr. Garcia spoke Spanish to a captivated audience.

President Reagan presented Dr. Garcia the Nation's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 1994 for his tremendous service to this country, the first Mexican American to receive that distinction.

Americans should do all they can to learn about Dr. Garcia. He dedicated his life to the less fortunate, and will always be remembered for giving so much of himself for this country and for all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 and H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Act, which promise to bring economic prosperity for the betterment of this country and our people.

Tonight, we vote to expand health care to 32 million Americans, including more than 150,000 of my constituents who do not currently have any type of health insurance.

I must remind my friends on both sides of the aisle that this is not the first time we take up a tough vote.

Nobody said that this would be easy. These past days days remind me of a critical vote I took in 1993. The atmosphere and rhetoric was much the same as today. In 1993, we were told voting in favor of President Clinton's budget deficit reduction would destroy our country and no member would survive re-election if they voted in favor.

Despite the negative rhetoric, I carefully examined the proposal and voted in favor of the legislation. This was a responsible vote. We ultimately benefited by balancing the deficit and creating one of the largest debt reductions in the history of our great country. Fiscal responsibility led us to more than $400 billion in deficit reduction, without destroying our country and providing us a prosperous economy with global competitiveness.

Today, I am faced with another pressing historic vote just as I was seventeen years ago.

Growing up in south Texas and working as a migrant worker without health insurance, I understand this issue first-hand. I remember what that was like and can empathize with the uninsured and underinsured. I remember having asthma, a pre-existing condition, which prohibited me from obtaining health care insurance before entering military service.

More than 45,000 annual deaths occur due to lack of insurance and health services. Therefore, I support legislation that reduces the number of uninsured people by 32 million and presents a net reduction in the deficit of $138 billion over 10 years with a total net reduction of $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years. That is a responsible vote.

I support increasing competition and offering additional affordable insurance options to consumers. This legislation will improve coverage for 296,000 residents with health insurance and extend coverage to 158,000 uninsured residents in the 27th District of Texas. Small businesses will be able to pool together to obtain lower insurance premiums, a benefit that has only been available to large employers. Small businesses will be eligible for tax credits to help provide employer-based insurance to ensure a healthy competitive workforce.

After much evaluation, this legislation will benefit the 27th District of Texas and I will support the measure when brought to the House floor.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work and dedication of a true patriot, Maxine Flournoy who today receives the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor for her service as an airforce service pilot during World War II.

She is among 300 surviving women who served as Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. During the war, 1,102 women pilots served.

Ms. Flournoy completed a pilot training program in early 1941 at a junior college in Joplin, Missouri, and while working as a grinder at a defense plant, she learned about the military needing women to serve as pilots.

Shortly after that, Ms. Flournoy was en route to Kansas City on a bus to volunteer. She trained for about one year. The Women Airforce Service Pilots logged 60 million miles in missions across the United States; however, during their time in the military, they did not have the benefits offered equally to other service members.

In 1977, the Women Airforce Service Pilots were granted status as veterans of this country. I am moved to learn these women served our country during a time of hardship, and thank them for their service to our nation.

Today, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to honor the work, service and dedication of Ms. Flournoy, who is among 300 surviving women who served this country during World War II.

Madam Speaker, today we are here to honor the life and work of my good friend Representative Charlie Wilson, whom I had the pleasure of serving with in the House of Representatives for 13 years. Charlie was a unique person, one of a kind, and he will be missed dearly by his family, friends, and colleagues in the House.

Charlie had a very special and unique side to him. He knew when to be tough, he knew when to laugh, he knew when to speak his thoughts, but, above all, he knew how to serve the people of this great country and his district.

At the age of 23, after graduating with a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, Charlie joined the United States Navy, where he attained the rank of lieutenant. After serving as a surface fleet officer for 4 years, he was assigned to the Pentagon as part of an intelligence unit that studied the Soviet Union's nuclear forces.

At the age of 27, Charlie was elected to the Texas Legislature, and in 1961 he was sworn into office in the State's capital in Austin, Texas. For more than 12 years, Charlie was known as the tough dog in the State capitol, and he was also often called the ``liberal from Lufkin, Texas.'' During his time in the State legislature, he fought for Medicaid, tax exemptions for the elderly, the Equal Rights Amendment, and a minimum wage bill.

In 1972, while I was an elected county commissioner in Texas, Charlie was elected to the House of Representatives from the Second District of Texas near Houston. He served in Congress for 11 terms and did not seek reelection to the 105th Congress and resigned on October 8, 1996.

Charlie was known in the Halls of Congress as ``Good Time Charlie,'' but it was an appropriate name for him. He was very funny, joyful, and full of life--and very humorous. After he retired from Congress, he settled down, he got married, and he was at peace with himself and looked more comfortable and at ease. Charlie truly enjoyed life.

In 2006, we asked him to come and visit with us in Corpus Christi, and this was when his book came out, ``Charlie Wilson's War.'' He gave time to the people in the district and signed and autographed every book.

I remember one of the stories--and some of the stuff that I know about Charlie we probably wouldn't be able to say here in the House, but he enjoyed life. He brought a beautiful young lady from Russia to visit the United States, and they asked Charlie, ``Are you going to give her secrets?'' He said, ``The only thing I am going to give her are Victoria's Secrets.''

That was Charlie Wilson. He was a great guy.

There is much I can say about Charlie--he was one-of-a-kind. I served with him diligently in the House of Representatives. I will miss him dearly, as well as my colleagues from the Texas Delegation. We all loved and cared for Charlie dearly, and I know we will continue to work together in unison for the betterment of our state and country.

On February 10, 2010, this country lost a great person and my friend, Charlie Wilson. May he rest in peace.

I offer my condolences to Charlie's wife, Barbara Alberstadt. May God bring peace to her, his family, friends and loved ones. May Charlie be with the Lord.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the tragedy that occurred in Khojaly, Azerbaijan on February 26, 1992. Many lives of the Azerbaijan people living in Khojaly were lost and scores of others were destroyed when they were brutally attacked by Armenian forces on February 25-26, 1992.

With a population of 7,000, Khojaly was one of the three largest urban settlements of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

Armenians established the blockade of Khojaly in the fall of 1991, cutting off ground transportation on October 30. Electricity and water supplies were cut off in January 1992. By February 1992, almost all of the Nagorno-Karabakh except Shusha and Khojaly had fallen under control of Armenians backed by Russia's 366th regiment.

On the night of 25 February 1992, the Armenians and the Russian 366th launched an attack on Khojaly.

The Armenians had declared that a ``free corridor'' would be provided for civilians to leave Khojaly. However, people were attacked on their way to Aghdam, the nearest Azerbaijani settlement.

The Khojaly tragedy was covered by the foreign media including the Boston Globe, the Washington Times, New York Times, Financial Times, and many other European and Russian news agencies. On November 29, 1993, Newsweek quoted a senior U.S. Government official as saying, ``What we see now is a systematic destruction of every village in their [the Armenians] way. It's vandalism.'' Human Rights Watch called the tragedy at the time ``the largest massacre to date in the conflict.'' The extent of the cruelty of this massacre against women, children and the elderly was unfathomable:

613 people were killed including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly.

8 families were wiped out.

25 children lost both parents.

130 children lost one parent.

487 people were wounded including 76 children.

1,275 people were taken hostage.

Armenia still occupies close to 20 percent of Azerbaijan. Nearly 1 million Azerbaijanis live as refugees in their own country, displaced by Armenian aggression. Resolutions issued by the U.N. Security Council and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, PACE, have ordered Armenia to withdraw from Azerbaijan's lands.

Azerbaijan is a strong ally of the United States in a very important and very uncertain region of the world. I ask my colleagues to join with me and our Azerbaijani friends in commemorating the tragedy that happened to the people of Khojaly.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Vicente Fernandez, Jr., a Mexican Charro, actor and singer, who has been named Mr. Amigo 2009 in Brownsville, Texas, for the Charro Days Fiesta celebration.

Mr. Fernandez has been a lifelong supporter of the Mexican arts and culture through his love for mariachi music as well as being a traditional Charro. These important attributes make him the appropriate Mexican representative for our festivities.

Brownsville, Texas, located in Deep South Texas on the U.S.-Mexico border, is a unique subtropical area of this country--rich in its history and culture. For more than 70 years, this unique celebration, which brings the United States and Mexico together during the week-long events, has continued to attract thousands of people to the Rio Grande Valley.

Mr. Amigo, who has to be a Mexican citizen who has done extensive work in the arts and culture while promoting the bi-cultural, bi- literate, and bi-national efforts of the United States and Mexico, is the attraction of the week-long festivities.

Mr. Vicente Fernandez, Jr., son of the renowned Mr. Vicente Fernandez, an iconic Mexican singer, grew up close to the spotlight seeing his father sing and perform. At a young age, Mr. Vicente Fernandez, Jr. appeared on-stage as a performer at the Teatro Blanquita in Mexico City. He went on to later appear and perform at the El Million Dollar Show in Los Angeles, California.

He has appeared in numerous Mexican films with his father, and together they have recorded several albums, including ``El Mayor de los Potrillos'' in 2001 and ``Vicente Fernandez hijo con Mariachi'' in 2002.

In 2006, Mr. Vincent Fernandez, Jr., debuted in Mexico with his show of horses that are trained to gallop while he sings and the mariachi band plays.

In 2009, he fulfilled one of his dreams, showcasing his music at a sold out Palacio de los Deportes, an indoor sports complex in Mexico City, where he sang and performed.

I am humbled that Mr. Vicente Fernandez, Jr., a proven Mexican ambassador of the arts and culture, was able to join our community of Brownsville to celebrate the Charro Days Fiesta.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the work, leadership, vision and efforts of Mr. Vicente Fernandez, Jr., to promote the arts and culture, which make him an extraordinary Mr. Amigo 2009.

Madam Speaker, on January 26-27, 2010, I missed rollcall votes 17 through 25 because of medical reasons. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall vote 17, ``yea;'' rollcall vote 18, ``yea;'' rollcall vote 19, ``yea;'' rollcall vote 20, ``yea;'' rollcall vote 21, ``yea;'' rollcall vote 22, ``yea;'' rollcall vote 23, ``yea;'' rollcall vote 24, ``yea;'' rollcall vote 25, ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3288, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010. This bill provides the necessary funding to sustain our agencies covered by six regular appropriations bills and incorporates many key projects that directly benefit our communities nationwide.

I am very supportive of providing resources to ensure that quality programs and projects continue to receive assistance to improve infrastructure, expand education programs, retain jobs, and provide adequate equipment and service to our military personnel and veterans. I would like to thank my colleagues for their leadership on this bill and their support of projects in South Texas.

I am happy to note that within this agreement I was able to secure funding for several projects benefiting my district. Through these appropriations, new jobs and innovative developments will continue to advance our community as well as contribute to the future of our country. Some of these projects include: $500,000 for facilities and equipment at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, $250,000 for the Texas

A&M Corpus Christi Adjudicated Youth Program, $150,000 for Global Marketing and Logistics Certification Program at the University of Texas at Brownsville, $300,000 for street improvements at the Robstown Inland Port, $500,000 for the Corpus Christi and Robstown Regional Intermodal Transit Facility, $700,000 for Shrimp Industry Fishing Effort Research Continuation in the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the country, $19,764,000 for Corpus Christi Naval Air Station Operational Facilities to support T-6 planes, $4,470,000 for the Solar Panel Array at Kingsville Naval Air Station, $10,200,000 for the Robstown Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility, and $200,000 for the Brownsville and Corpus Christi Independent School Districts' joint South Texas Library Literacy Project.

I want to make clear that my vote for this bill reflects solely my support for the aforementioned priorities. I have consistently voted against using federal funds to support abortion services and am pleased that this bill upholds those limitations so that my constituents' tax dollars are not used in a way inconsistent with their moral beliefs.

My vote in favor of H.R. 3288 reflects my commitment to fund this nation's economic priorities and help our South Texas communities, educational facilities, and small businesses in the midst of a deep recession.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor in memoriam the dedication and outstanding leadership of Mr. Bill Summers, who led the Rio Grande Valley Partnerships as its CEO for 20 years until his passing on Monday, December 1.

Mr. Summers, who spent 2 decades promoting South Texas and Mexico, as the two areas worked in unison to attract business opportunities and economic development to the region, was a pillar of South Texas. He was the unsung hero of the Rio Grande Valley, who is credited with bringing together local governments, economic development organizations and Chambers of Commerce to bring jobs and a better way of life to our communities.

Through his vision and tireless work for the Rio Grande Valley, he was able to secure business opportunities and ventures with Mexico and most importantly, the state of Tamaulipas, which borders Texas. Mr. Summers worked tirelessly to unite the South Texas region and to create economic growth and prosperity for the area.

He was key in establishing, opening and maintaining the first Texas Chamber of Commerce office in Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico, to promote trade and tourism of the South Texas region into Mexico.

Through Mr. Summer's work in Texas, the nation and Mexico, he was able to improve the lives of many by growing jobs and pushing for economic opportunities. He was instrumental in the creation of the Rio Grande Valley Mobility Task Force, which brought additional transportation funding to South Texas and pushed for the creation of an interstate highway.

Recently, he was honored when Farm-to-Market Road 1015 between U.S. Highway 83 and the Progreso International Bridge was named the Bill Summers International Boulevard.

Although we have lost a great hero whom we all deeply cared for and loved, I am certain his love and passion for the Rio Grande Valley will remain in our hearts and spirits for years and years to come. We will always remember Mr. Summers as a wise man who worked for the good. We will remember Mr. Summers as a man who could do it all.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the life of Mr. Bill Summers, who served this nation with dignity, honor, respect and admiration.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 211th Regional Support Group from Corpus Christi, Texas, for their tireless efforts to ensure the security and well being of not only the country of Iraq but the United States as well.

Deployed on December 1, 2008, this unit worked in the face of grave danger and performed in an exemplary fashion in the management of installation and camp activities.

Sixty members of this unit will be returning to my district on Saturday, November 21, and it is my honor and privilege to welcome them home.

Our Reservists put their lives on hold, to fulfill the duties asked of them. I have the greatest respect for our service men and women who selflessly disregard their own safety in order to voluntarily serve our country.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the 211th Regional Support Group of Corpus Christi, Texas, for their service to this nation.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in honor of those servicemembers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in support of our Nation. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the 12 soldiers and one civilian who were killed yesterday at Fort Hood and with the 30 who were wounded. I am very familiar with Fort Hood. Not only is it in Texas, but this is where I went through my basic training many years ago.

At this time, we must not judge. Instead, it is imperative that we understand. We must understand what prompted a psychiatrist who has helped so many of his fellow soldiers in the past to take their lives yesterday. We must realize that no one is above the need for mental health counseling, and we must help to ensure that this is readily available to all.

The Army as a whole is under significant stress in support of the Nation's operations overseas. This stress manifests itself in many ways, and we must do more to understand those stresses and support the servicemembers and their families for the sacrifices they make on a daily basis.

I join my colleagues in offering my sincere condolences to our brave soldiers and their families at Fort Hood, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Madam Speaker, on October 26, 2009, my flight to Washington, DC, was delayed because of inclement weather, and I missed rollcall Votes 814 and 815. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: rollcall Vote 814, ``yea,'' rollcall Vote 815, ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3537, the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.

I had the privilege of sponsoring the original legislation to authorize this program in 1994. As the chairman of the Oceanography, Gulf of Mexico, and Outer Continental Shelf Subcommittee of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, I was asked to help pass authorizing legislation for the Junior Duck Stamp Program.

I was familiar with the successful Duck Stamp Program but had never heard of the Junior Duck Stamp, JDS, Program.

Now, 15 years later, this is the third reauthorization of this program.

I am very happy to say that it is one of this country's oldest and most successful youth-focused conservation programs in the federal government, and over the years, JDS has expanded to all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories.

For those of you who don't know about the JDS Program, it is a conservation-focused science and arts curriculum for grade-school and high-school students. It is an art contest centered around studies that teach the fundamentals of waterfowl anatomy and environmental science.

Students submit their artwork depicting waterfowl in natural habitat settings to a state or territory contest. Winners from these contests are submitted for the national contest. Just as in Duck Stamps, the winning artwork at the national JDS contest is used to create a Junior Duck Stamp for the following year.

The stamps are sold by the U.S. Postal Service and consignees for $5 per stamp. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps support conservation education and are used for awards and scholarships for the students, teachers, and schools that participate in the program.

I must commend the JDS administrators and coordinators at the national, state, and local levels; the teachers and schools that support the JDS program; and the students who participate each year in the contest for the success of the Junior Duck Stamp Program.

Your dedication and hard work have made this program a premier wildlife conservation education tool, and I am proud to be associated with it.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this very worthy program.