Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a patriotic American honored this month by the--Hispanic Heritage Foundation--Dr. Juliet Garcia of Brownsville, Texas.

Dr. Garcia has been a groundbreaker for higher education, becoming the first Mexican American woman in the nation to ascend to the presidency of a university, the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB).

She has provided improved higher education opportunities for the people in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.

She has led UTB through a phenomenal period of growth and success. The campus has grown from 49 acres to 382 acres, enrollment has increased by 27 percent, and student performance has improved dramatically.

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation promotes and celebrates Hispanic culture, education, and accomplishment through year-round national and regional inspirational leadership programs by sponsoring a number of educational and cultural programs, including the Hispanic Heritage Awards, Youth Awards, and the LOFT (Latinos on Fast Track) Initiative.

The Hispanic Heritage Awards and Ceremony began as a small White House ceremony in 1987 honoring the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 thru October 15. The award is a prestigious honor for

Dr. Garcia and is a culmination of the Foundation's year-round efforts.

In an evening filled with cultural pride and celebration, the Foundation and the audience honor notable Hispanics who have distinguished themselves as role models in the Hispanic community while making a positive impact in our country.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Hispanic Heritage Awards and the theme of the 2006 ceremony will be ``Looking Back, Moving Forward,'' representing the Hispanic community as part of the history of this Nation and our presence in the Nation's future.

I ask the House of Representatives to join me today in commending our Texas pioneer, Dr. Garcia, for her recognition as an outstanding educator that inspires our community, increases individual excellence among young Hispanics, and raises the standard of excellence at UTB.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding non- profit organization: the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation promotes and celebrates Hispanic culture, education, and accomplishment through year-round national and regional inspirational leadership programs by sponsoring a number of educational and cultural programs including the Hispanic Heritage Awards, Youth Awards, and the LOFT (Latinos on Fast Track) Initiative.

The Hispanic Heritage Awards and Ceremony began as a small White House ceremony in 1987 honoring the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15. The award is a prestigious honor, and is a culmination of the Foundation's year-round efforts.

In an evening filled with cultural pride and celebration, the Foundation and the audience honor notable Hispanics who have distinguished themselves as role models in the Hispanic community while making a positive impact in our country.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Hispanic Heritage Awards and the theme of the 2006 ceremony will be ``Looking Back, Moving Forward,'' representing the Hispanic community as part of the history of this Nation, and our presence in the Nation's future.

The event will be held September 7, 2006 on the Eisenhower Stage at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

I ask the House of Representatives to join me today in recognizing such an outstanding organization that strives to inspire education in our community, individual excellence among young Hispanics, and prosperity within our communities.

Mr. Speaker, due to travel delays, I was unable to vote during the following rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall No. 394, ``Yes''; rollcall No. 395, ``Yes''; rollcall No. 396, ``Yes.''

Mr. Speaker, Tim Friedman has been a presence in the Democratic Cloakroom and the House Floor for 3 decades, from which he now retires as the Assistant Manager of the Democratic Cloakroom.

Tim is funny, charming, helpful . . . and is considered practically a family member of the Democratic Members who rely on his understanding of their varying needs and his expertise on the operations of the House of Representatives.

He practically grew up in the House. He began his political career with our colleague Dan Rostenkowski, who was an excellent tutor in the world of real politics and practical applications of power. As a young man, Tim was known as a little bit of a ladies man . . . and as an adult, he is a loving husband to Colleen.

Tim's nickname is ``Hawk,'' for his amazing ability to spot people anywhere in his line of vision. For someone whose everyday responsibilities include spotting Members of Congress in the crowded chamber, that is a useful skill.

Tim has the broad shoulders of Buffalo and the nuanced understanding of government from his long time service on Capitol Hill. He has been a mentor for thousands of young high school-aged Capitol Pages who pass through our program and work for the Congress as messengers and runners.

Working in the Democratic Cloakroom and on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives is no easy task. The pace is either painfully slow, or very fast with information and decisions moving and changing rapidly.

So it takes a very special person to navigate those waters, a job Tim has done with excellence over the decades he has served the Democratic Leadership and the entire House of Representatives.

Tim, we wish you and Colleen good luck--and great golf. The entire House of Representatives owes you a tremendous debt of gratitude and wishes you well on the journey to Wallace, N.C., that you now take beyond our marble floors and columns. Vaya con Dios, mi amigo.

Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to join me today in reauthorizing the single piece of legislation that has been a guardian of voting rights in our democracy since its inception. Su voto es su voz--Your vote is your voice. The people who vote make decisions in this Nation; and the more people that vote the better this democracy can be. While the government literally represents ``We the People,'' we were actually sent here by voters, which--at best--is about half the people we represent.

It is ironic that today, the backdrop for this discussion is the Supreme Court decision on Texas redistricting recently that spoke to the unconstitutionality of how the State divided the Hispanic population in the 2003 map. While I wish we did not need the VRA and to protect minority voters, the bottom line is we still have discrimination in this country--a fact illustrated by the Supreme Court's Texas redistricting decision.

My public service began before some of you were born--not that I'm happy to admit that. My first campaign was 1964, the last election year before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 abolished literacy tests and poll taxes--both components of a time when one segment of this Nation could diminish the voting strength of other entire segments of this Nation. My mother took out a $1,000 loan--a fortune for a migrant family in 1964--to bankroll my first campaign.

The money was mostly to help offset the poll tax for Hispanic voters, whose priority was putting food on the table for their families. We have improved our democracy since then, but our civil tone in political debates has coarsened. This country, this Congress, will be better--we will reflect the population of this Nation far better--if the VRA is reauthorized.

This is a tool for our citizens to use to ensure that their voting rights--the most fundamental tool to speak in this democracy--remains protected. The Voting Rights Act protects voters from discrimination and ensures an even playing field for all voters. The Hispanic Caucus endorsed this bipartisan bill because the renewal of this basic civil rights law will ensure that all Hispanics can fully participate in the political process, protected by law from voting discrimination.

Key provisions of the VRA are set to expire in 2007 if they are not reauthorized by Congress, including those that protect voters from discriminatory practices that are used to commit fraud and intimidation. I know many of my colleagues have deep concerns about ensuring that non-native, English-speaking citizens getting language assistance in order to cast an informed ballot. Have you ever read one of those State constitutional amendments as you cast your ballot. Not being a lawyer, it's a little hard to follow.

Those receiving language assistance under this bill are taxpaying citizens, equal to all of us in this democracy--every one of them, equal to every one of us. This provision helps citizens navigate complicated rules and ballot language. This House should pass the bill, and I thank Chairman Sensenbrenner and John Conyers for their hard work in bringing a fair and balanced bill to the floor, one which--if this Congress reauthorizes in the end, will continue protecting the voting rights of all Americans.

It's exactly the kind of bill the Congress of the United States should pass overwhelmingly and return from a rapid conference so it will continue to provide justice to communities that have long suffered from discrimination--and so it will be the law of the land.

Mr. Speaker, due to the memorial service for PFC. Kristian Menchaca in my

district, I was unable to vote during the following rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as indicated below.

Rollcall No. 319: ``no''; Rollcall No. 320: ``yes''; Rollcall No. 321: ``yes''; Rollcall No. 322: ``no''; Rollcall No. 323: ``no''; Rollcall No. 324: ``no''; Rollcall No. 325: ``yes''; Rollcall No. 326: ``yes''; Rollcall No. 327: ``yes''; Rollcall No. 328: ``yes''; Rollcall No. 329: ``no''; Rollcall No. 330: ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, on June 12, 2006, the organizers of the Dan Daniel Charity Golf Tournament, held their 18th tournament at the Andrews Air Force Base Golf facility, named for our beloved and honored colleague from Virginia who died serving his 10th term in Congress. Dan Daniel's unqualified support for the fighting men and women of this nation is legendary.

Dan was the first Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, House Armed Services Committee and also served as the Chairman of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Panel. He was a man who cared deeply about military readiness and quality of life issues, (exchanges, commissaries, child care centers, bowling alleys, libraries, and golf courses).

Dan was an avid golfer; and while this tournament is held in his honor . . . it is for the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States. This year, the tournament, together with Averett University, of Danville, Virginia, and the Professional Golf Association of America (PGA) hosted numerous special heroes from the Walter Reed Army Hospital and the Bethesda Naval Center to a special day of

fun, relaxation, golf and dinner. The former Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, General Richard Meyer and Mrs. Meyer joined in the day's festivities to salute our troops. Mr. Speaker, all who played with these wounded warriors feel deeply humbled and proud.

All funds generated by this tournament are spent at the Andrews Air Force Base facility to support the base morale, welfare and recreation activities. Profits from the tournament are directed to supporting military scholarship programs. This tournament has strong support from the Congress, business and military resale community.

Our Nation is strong because of the brave members of the Armed Forces. Those with us from Walter Reed and Bethesda are among a very special group who have demonstrated, through their personal courage and sacrifice that our nation remains strong and determined. These proud patriots continue to inspire this generation of America.

The PGA is a true friend of our military forces and their families. We often see pictures of our soldiers hitting golf balls in the deserts of Afghanistan, Iraq and off ships at sea. The PGA constantly provides guidance, instruction, training and certification to our military golf managers and golf course operators.

Mr. Paul Bogin, Chief Operating Officer of the PGA, is retiring at the end of June. Mr. Paul Bogin's outstanding leadership has significantly advanced the interest of golf, especially in the Special Olympics, The National Amputee Golf Outings, minority golf and inner city youth programs. His leadership has improved all aspects of military golf, both here at home and also at bases located overseas. The military courses operate with nonappropriated funds and at no expense to the taxpayer.

The PGA and National Amputee Golf Association conduct clinics at Veterans Hospitals and teach physical therapist how to use golf as a rehabilitative program for the disabled. Efforts are now underway to develop a program for our wounded military.

Mr. Bogin's dedication, leadership and devotion have improved the game of golf, individual golfers, and the military. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the founders and supporters of this great golf event and I congratulate the PGA, sponsors and players, especially our wounded warriors who played in this tournament. I wish Paul Bogin continued success, best wishes and a happy retirement.

I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the organizers of the Dan Daniel Golf Tournament, and Mr. Bogin, for their continuing dedication to our military forces.

Mr. Speaker, due to weather delays, I was unable to vote during the following rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as indicated below:

Rollcall No. 289: ``yea''; rollcall No. 290: ``yea''; and rollcall No. 291: ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, you know, this resolution before us today commends our troops, and we realize that our troops are the greatest in the world. This Nation must never forget that. And, of course, we all agree that Saddam should have been removed. The problem was our tactics, our planning. But this resolution nowhere addresses the central issue that the American people are crying out for us to discuss: Where do we go from here?

I think that the American people want an honest discussion about where this Nation stands in the two wars that we are prosecuting today, and in particular Iraq. I think that we owe this to the American people who are risking their lives on a daily basis. We owe it to their families, to the American people, and to our allies.

Supporting our troops means more than bumper stickers on trucks, though of course we appreciate those people that put on the bumper stickers. We appreciate that. But it is time to talk about the bottom line in terms of soldiers, their blood, their future, their hopes, hopes for the young people of this great country and the people in Iraq, their young people.

I wish the resolution before us provided the context for this debate. Honest discussion must include the nuts and bolts of this policy, literally what we are expending daily in Iraq. You know, when we talk about the policy, are we going to allow for us to conduct another preemptive attack? Was this the wise thing to do? Was the planning correct? Do we need to correct our mistakes? Do we need to change the training? These are the things we need to look at.

If we truly want the Iraqis to stand up and protect their country, and if we are ever ready to stand down, to stand down, are we ready to put the money in the budget? I just came from a hearing a few moments ago and we are having problems buying helmets to protect our soldiers. We don't have a uniform policy on what helmets will protect the soldiers. Our soldiers don't have the equipment that they need, and for us to stand down, we need to provide the Iraqi army what they need, the equipment. And we wonder, because we haven't been able to do that for our troops.

Our military is the best. It has been feared throughout the ages for our ability to respond immediately anywhere in the world, to be ready to defend our freedom. I do support our troops.

Thank you so much, Jim.

Tonight we want to begin an honest discussion about where this Nation stands in the war that we are prosecuting. And I think that we owe this to the young men and women whose lives are on the line each day, their families, their futures.

Supporting the troops has got to mean more than bumper stickers on pickup trucks, my friends. We need to give them what they need. You know, it wasn't too long ago when my good friend Congressman Reyes and I and about eight other bipartisan Members took a trip to visit 25 military bases around this country. In 4 days we visited 25 bases that were in deplorable condition. We were here in this facility on 9/11 having a press conference to let the American people know where we stood and the conditions of the bases that we inspected, the infrastructure.

A few minutes after that, a plane struck the Pentagon. We never were able to give the American people the conditions of the military bases.

I have been to Afghanistan, and I have been to Iraq. But nobody has been to Iraq more than my good friend Congressman Reyes. And I would like for him to give us an assessment. He is a veteran. He has been to Iraq more than any other Member. My friends, let us be honest with the American people and tell the American people what we need to do.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Bobby Morrow, of South Texas, and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his shattering Jesse Owens' 20-year-old record in the 200-meter dash to gain the title of world's fastest person in 1956. Mr. Morrow is a legendary athlete and hero to people all over South Texas and the country.

As a native of South Texas, Bobby Morrow began his long and distinguished track career at San Benito High School in San Benito, Texas. There Mr. Morrow won a state championship in the 100-meter dash. His high school success soon brought many offers from universities to run track in college. Bobby Morrow chose Abilene Christian College (now University) to pursue his dreams of racing.

Bobby Morrow honed his lightning starts and sharpened his skills to dominate the 100- and 200-meter dashes in the 1950s. In 1955, Mr. Morrow won the AAU national title in the 100-meter dash. The next year, in 1956, he successfully defended his 200-meter title and added an AAU championship in the 200-meter dash.

Bobby Morrow continued his excellence at the amateur level, capped off by qualifying for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, joining an American team with an established pedigree. During those 1956 Olympic Games, Morrow achieved legendary status, becoming the first person since Jesse Owens to win gold in the 100- and 200-meter races. He then won a third gold medal while anchoring the United States' worldrecord-setting 400- meter relay team.

During the 1956 Olympic games, Morrow not only won gold medals, but he won them in record breaking fashion. Morrow gained the title of ``world's fastest person'' by breaking Jesse Owens 200-meter world- record time that had stood for 20 years.

Morrow's accomplishments were widely celebrated in South Texas and all across the United States. Mr. Morrow appeared on the cover of Life Magazine; and Sports Illustrated named him the ``Sportsman of the Year.'' Morrow also received the Sullivan Award, given each year to honor the nation's top athlete.

Throughout the years, Bobby Morrow has continued to accumulate honors and accolades that celebrate his incredible athletic career. In 1975, Morrow was inducted to the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame. He was honored by his alma mater when Abilene Christian University placed him the school's Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. In 1989, Morrow was also elected into the Olympic Hall of Fame.

Bobby Morrow has been an inspiration to thousands of people in South Texas and across America. His accomplishments on the track have been celebrated and will be celebrated for many years to come. I ask the House of Representatives to join me today in celebrating Mr. Bobby Morrow on the 50th anniversary of his world-record-setting race.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nidharshan Anandasivam, the young Brownsville scholar who came painstakingly close to victory in the 2006 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee, placing eighth to beat his personal best during the four years he competed in the national spelling bee contest.

As a student from Saint Joseph Academy in Brownsville, Texas, Nidharshan loves learning the origins of words and the way words change through different languages. This hobby helped him qualify through nine intense rounds, correctly spelling difficult words such as ``physis,'' ``festucine,'' and ``wehrmacht.''

All South Texans are proud of this native son. It is one thing to be a great speller; it is another thing to have the ability to compete on live national TV--at such a young age.

Nidharshan's success comes from his diligent studying, completing internet spelling courses and spelling study guides daily. In the weeks leading up to the competition, he studied over three hours each day. To be a young teen and have an exceptionally committed resolve for his academic pursuits demonstrate Nidharshan's maturity and hardworking nature.

This year's spelling bee featured 275 spellers, which is the most participants in the history of the spelling bee. To place eighth out of 275 participants is an incredible experience that Nidharshan can cherish for the rest of his life.

I congratulate Nidharshan Anandasivam on his achievement of placing eighth in the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee. I ask the House of Representatives to join me today in commending this outstanding scholar for his unwavering determination and dedication. Mr. Speaker, this young teen has inspired us and made us exceptionally proud.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in recognizing Mr. Jose Coronado, Director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System to show our appreciation for his life long career in public service, culminating in ensuring the best possible health care to the veterans of South Texas.

Mr. Coronado, a U.S. Army veteran who served as Battalion Operations Sergeant in the 11th Armored Calvary Division, was awarded both the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Outstanding Service Award.

After his service in the Army, Jose received his B.S. in Chemistry and Zoology from Texas A&I-Kingsville, and went on to earn an M.S. in Education Administration there before receiving a M.H.A. in Hospital Administration from Baylor University.

Jose Coronado then began his career in Veterans Administration to improve the care given to the thousands of Americans who risked their lives for this country. In 1962, he started with the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Houston, continuing his work in Kerrville, Texas.

In 1973, Mr. Coronado became Assistant Director of the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, Texas; two years later, he was appointed Hospital Director. There, he served America's veterans for 20 years, ensuring the efforts and sacrifices of America's warriors would not be forgotten. He contributed to saving the lives of countless veterans through improved services.

When the Kerrville and Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospitals merged in 1995, Jose Coronado directed the new South Texas Veterans Health Care System. He has overseen an extensive network of health care delivers and operated an intricate health care system with many varying divisions of expertise.

As Director, Jose Coronado was recognized many times for the outstanding service he provided to America's veterans. He was awarded the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executives by both Ronald Reagan and George Bush. In 1999, President Bill Clinton presented Mr. Coronado with the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executives.

While Jose received countless awards over the years, his distinguished character and his quiet ability to find solutions for our veterans were central to his dedicated service to the South Texas Veterans Health Care System.

I ask the House of Representatives to join me today in celebrating Mr. Jose Coronado's commitment to those veterans who dedicated their lives for American freedom. His tireless efforts have provided the medical assistance that South Texas veterans earned from uniformed service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, this month Capitol Hill saw the departure of one of the most talented people in Texas politics today, my just- retired Chief of Staff, my former Chief Deputy Sheriff in our other lives, my campaign advisor, my little brother, my best friend--some have even called him my ``alter ego'' Lencho Rendon.

Lencho is a legend in the House of Representatives and counts many, many friends here in this Chamber . . . friends he will remain close to in this next chapter of his life. Several of them join me in bidding our friend and counselor farewell, but not goodbye.

Lencho and I met not too long after I was elected Nueces County Sheriff in South Texas in 1976. He was working for the Webb County Sheriffs office and a DEA Task Force; and he was beginning to make a reputation for himself as one of the absolute best at finding the druggies and getting evidence on them.

He was a master at that, and his detective and undercover work were monumentally dangerous just about every day. By the grace of God, Lencho lived to talk about--or not talk about--the everyday danger of living undercover to catch the bad guys.

He ran my first campaign for Congress, a task he took on each election cycle--and he remains my campaign chairman. In Texas, Lencho is the guy you go to when you want to hear the straight scoop.

He can find the bottom line . . . and see around the comers . . . and strategize a way to get you where you want to go. He works on numerous campaigns in South Texas during election season, and he understands the precise--yet nuanced--intersection of politics, policy, people, and the art of the possible.

Here on the Hill and in the international community, Lencho has made more friends than we can count. He employs the same skills on Capitol Hill he learned and practices in South Texas: figure out where you want to go, and he can find a way to get you there. He is widely respected by both Members of Congress and Capitol Hill staff members.

But it has been me and my staff members--here and in Texas--that have felt his absence most abruptly and most profoundly. We haven't missed a beat in our work for South Texans, but we have missed the presence of the man that we all respect and we all love. You grow so close to people with whom you stand in campaigns.

Lencho is unbelievably talented on so many levels, and has a deep and abiding compassion for people and families. It's an old rule of politics: people that campaign together will always be there for each other. That is certainly true for me and my organization, but it's true for most every political organization.

And so it will be--Lencho remains a trusted member of my family, and I will always seek his counsel on matters political and personal. I know he remains a trusted member of this Capitol Hill family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with the House a monumental discovery made by scientists in my district that will make it easier for space scientists to map black holes in space. This breathaking discovery on gravitational waves was made by researchers at the University of Texas at Brownsville, and allows scientists--for the first time--to study the warping of space and time produced by colliding black holes.

Now, I'm no rocket scientist--but UTB's gravitational wave studies universal breakthrough will give researchers and other space scientists greater insight into one of the most cataclysmic astrophysical events predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity, the merger of two black holes. Given that most of us are not scientists, let me just say that this remarkable discovery will guide astrophysicists as they learn more about the origin and history of the supermassive black holes which reside at the core of most galaxies, including our own Milky Way.

Black hole merger models are always challenging to build due to their unique and unknown nature. Black holes in space are regions where gravity is so intense that nothing, including light itself, can evade their pull. Because their mergers generate a remarkably strong burst of gravitational waves when they approach and collide, lasting for years at a time, they affect both space and time by producing ripples in the curved geometry of the universe.

This shift in the concept Einstein defined as ``spacetime'' has proven to be a difficult task for computer simulations to execute or follow. Yet UTB scientists M. Campanelli, C.O. Lousto and Y. Zlochower devised a novel technique for properly representing black holes during such collisions, which is why UTB's breakthrough is an epic contribution in the study of our universe.

This extraordinary discovery will enable scientists to verify Einstein's famed theory of general relativity--and specifically his theory of spacetime curvature. Results from this discovery will prepare the NASA/European Space Agency's 2015 gravitational wave mission, which aims to detect the gravitational waves produced from supermassive black hole collisions, also considered the most potent source of energy in the universe.

Physicists at UTB's Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy have made exceptional progress in their field through this development, which is a reflection of their extensive dedication and sheer creativity. Through such efforts, they are establishing south Texas as a force in space science issues and as a leader in innovation.

Several groups have attempted to reach a solution to the computational complications involved in gravitational wave detection, leaving most researchers predicting that this elusive discovery would be incremental, through an arduous series of small improvements. UTB scientists, however, have contradicted this belief with their out-of- the-box thinking and relentless perseverance.

Despite a lack of equipment and economic resources, UTB scientists utilized the least sophisticated computer systems and relied on their stellar ingenuity to achieve a revolutionary breakthrough, the sort that comes along between every 10-50 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in applauding a group of intellectuals whose vision and brilliance are truly ahead of their time. These south Texans have inspired us today and changed the way our world will see the future.