Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report for H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. This is, my friends, a very, very good bill; and we cannot ignore the fact that we are fighting two wars. We're fighting a war in Afghanistan and a war in Iraq. The conference report before us today reflects our efforts to strengthen the readiness posture of our Armed Forces. It authorizes a total of $244.5 billion for operations and maintenance, including $4.7 billion for Army training, $13 billion for Army and Marine Corps equipment reset, and $255.3 million for pre- positioned stocks.

The conference report adds $70 million to address Navy aviation depot maintenance. It provides $350 million to replace rundown Army barracks, and adds $200 million for National Guard and Reserve construction projects. It funds the 2005 BRAC account at $7.4 billion and adds $100 million to address the environmental issues at bases closed prior to 2005.

The conference report expands the Homeowners Assistance Program and provides $300 million to help ensure that servicemembers who were forced to move during the real estate downturn are not severely affected financially. The conference report supports energy security by authorizing $12.3 million for energy conservation projects on military installations and programs that enable the Defense Department to reduce energy used during times of peak demand.

The conference report repeals the NSPS and transitions DOD civilian employees back to the General Schedule by January 1, 2012. At the same time, it provides the Department flexibilities to ensure efficient hiring and effective personnel management. The conference report allows FERS employees to receive credit for unused sick leave toward their retirement annuity. It provides locality pay for Federal workers in Hawaii, Alaska and the United States territories.

My friends, this is a good conference report that reflects our bipartisan desire to improve readiness and balance the many priorities of our military around the world and domestically. My friends, I urge you to support this bill. It is a good bill and it gives our troops what they deserve and they need.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the State of Texas for honoring Dr. Hector P. Garcia, with its first official Day of Recognition as a civil rights leader and founder of the American G.I. Forum of the United States.

During this past legislative session, the lawmakers of the State of Texas saw it fitting to honor September 16 as the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day of Recognition throughout the great State of Texas.

Dr. Garcia was born on January 17, 1914, in the Mexican village of Llera, Tamaulipas, Mexico, to Jose and Faustina Garcia. In 1918, at the age of four, Dr. Garcia's parents and his six brothers and sisters left Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and relocated to Mercedes, Texas. During a time of unprecedented Hispanic uprising, he along with five of his brothers and sisters became doctors.

He went on to earn his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1940. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in World War II. Army officials would go on to discover later during Dr. Garcia's enlistment that he was a medical doctor and he was asked to treat his fellow soldiers, a task he accepted.

While serving in Italy, he earned the Bronze Star Medal with six battle stars and also met his future wife, Wanda Fusillo, whom he married in 1945. In 1946, he was honorably discharged from the Army with a rank of major.

After the war, he moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he opened a medical practice, and founded the American G.I. Forum on March 26, 1948, to fight for the rights and benefits promised to returning Hispanic veterans' under the G.I. Bill. His civil rights movement would then grow to also combat discrimination in housing, jobs, education and voting rights.

Congress honored Dr. Hector P. Garcia, who died on July 26, 1996, at age 82. President Bill Clinton eulogized him as a national hero. Congress paid homage to Dr. Garcia in 1998 by granting the American G.I. Forum a congressional charter. This prestigious status places the American G.I. Forum on equal footing with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and other such veterans organizations. The American G.I. Forum is the largest Hispanic veterans organization in the country, with over 500 chapters throughout the United States.

Dr. Hector P. Garcia is survived by his three daughters; a brother, Dr. C.P. Garcia of San Antonio; and Dr. Dalia Garcia of Corpus Christi. A son, Hector Jr., died in 1962 at age 13.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day of Recognition in which his service and dedication to the State of Texas and this country will be remembered on September 16 for years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and dedication of Police Chief Robert Rodriguez for his service and commitment to the Town of South Padre Island, where he worked for 25 years, and retired from the police force on September 1, 2009.

Chief Rodriguez has been instrumental in working during the years with the many law enforcement agencies in the Rio Grande Valley as each of the town's police officers, including him, strove to serve and protect South Texans and guests who visit South Padre Island year- round.

During the past few years, Chief Rodriguez, along with those that call South Texas home, has seen South Padre Island grow. We have seen new development come in, new businesses open, and hotels and condominiums constructed.

Through these significant changes, we know South Padre Island continues to evolve even after suffering from great loss in revenues and services brought about by Hurricane Dolly. South Padre Island continues to accommodate, protect, and serve its many residents and tourists.

Chief Rodriguez has been able to adjust his staff and manpower to the growing needs of South Padre Island. On any given day, you can spot Chief Rodriguez, while on or off duty, visiting with locals and residents. He works around the clock.

In 1984, he began his work for the Town of South Padre Island as a dispatcher, and later was promoted to the police force. From then on, Chief Rodriguez has climbed the ranks within the South Padre Island Police Department and on August 18, 2000, he was sworn in as police chief.

Chief Rodriguez has been instrumental in his work with South Padre Island, and although I am sad to see him leave, I know he is ready to enjoy his much needed retirement with his family, friends and loved ones.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in commemorating the service of Chief Robert Rodriguez, who served the Town of South Padre Island, the State of Texas, and the United States of America, in his capacity of law enforcement officer for 25 years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication of Paul Cowen, who is retiring after 20 years as Chief of Staff to State Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Paul has worked day in and day out with our office on policy that has greatly impacted South Texas. His vision, perseverance and commitment to helping the less fortunate is remarkable.

In 1989, Paul got a call from then-candidate Eddie Lucio, Jr., the soon-to-be Senator asked Paul if he would run his campaign for the Texas 27th Senatorial District, Paul agreed. The rest is history.

Paul is one of 10 children of Louis and Virginia Cowen. He has been married to Tamara Cowen for 37 years and has three children: Tara Jean, Jonathan Paul, and Timothy Patrick. I take this time on the House Floor to wish Paul a happy retirement, and at the same time, thank him for the many lives he impacted and changed through his work in the Texas Legislature alongside Sen. Lucio.

Although Paul will no longer be Chief of Staff to Sen. Lucio, he will forever remain in the hearts and souls of those he impacted.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the retirement of Paul Cowen as Chief of Staff to Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. I wish you the best of luck, amigo.

Madam Speaker, on September 29, 2009, my flight to Washington, DC, was delayed because of inclement weather, and I missed rollcall vote No. 740. If I had been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, on September 23, 2009, I was absent for rollcall vote 730 because of important committee business. If I had been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to support my colleague from Texas, Congressman Silvestre Reyes, and his bill, H.R. 2053.

Albert Armendariz, Sr. was a great citizen and legal mind. His tireless work for the Latino community and under-represented citizens is his legacy that will be long remembered. His work on the landmark case, Hernandez v. The State of Texas, is part of this legacy and our judicial history. This case established protections under the 14th Amendment for Latinos and was a step forward in the American Civil Rights Movement.

Judge Armendariz served his community of El Paso, Texas, and his nation in WWII. He

attended the University of Southern California, School of Law and was the only Mexican-American graduate at that time. He was the founder of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), a founding board member of the Mexican American Bar Association of El Paso, and a federal immigration judge.

Judge Armendariz dedicated his life to the El Paso community and to our nation and it is fitting that we honor him in this manner.

I ask your support for this bill which will name the new El Paso Federal Courthouse after the late Judge Albert Armendariz, Sr.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication of Hicks Elementary School named after Gloria Hicks, a longtime community activist who is known to read to children, collect clothing for students in need and raise money for educational-related purposes.

Recently, the Corpus Christi Independent School District named one of their newest elementary schools after Ms. Hicks, who has been a pillar in the field of education in and around the Coastal Bend area for many years.

Ms. Hicks has raised more than $60,000 for the Corpus Christi Independent School District. These funds have gone for the purchase of new computers, a golf cart, T-shirts, landscaping work, and math software for student with disabilities at Miller High School--to name a few of the many deeds she has accomplished.

Ms. Hicks was also a key person in volunteering and organizing the $192 million November school bond, which passed in great part due to her help.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the dedication of Hicks Elementary School, which promises to teach generations of children the value of an education through Ms. Hick's vision, compassion and dedication to learning.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 3170, the FY 10 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act. This bill provides much-needed funding for key financial institutions and many other important priorities, and includes appropriations that will directly benefit my district's economic development.

I would like to thank my colleagues for their leadership on this bill, and particularly Representative Jose Serrano for his guidance and support for the University of Texas at Brownsville's International Trade Center.

Brownsville's strategic proximity to Mexico and its multiple seaports has endowed it with unique potential for international trade and development that will have far-reaching benefits

for my district and beyond. For this reason, I have consistently advocated for funding, which has been included in this appropriations act, to operate the International Trade Center at the UTB International Technology Education and Commerce Campus (ITECC) which houses all of the services required to conduct international trade including: international law, accounting, banking, insurance, logistics services, export-import marketing services, U.S. customs, government trade services and industry showrooms for specific target sectors such as medical, communications, and computer technology.

I am very supportive of this initiative as well as provisions included in the bill to strengthen America's financial institutions through more robust regulatory enforcement and fraud detection capabilities, investment in economic development programs for underserved communities and small businesses, and many other important programs.

Among the most important provisions of the bill is funding that supports $28 billion in new lending to help small businesses in South Texas and throughout the nation that have been unable to obtain credit and much-needed business loans due to the economic downturn. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we owe it to them to make this lending available.

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. 3170 reflects my commitment to fund this nation's economic priorities and help our South Texas communities and small businesses in the midst of a deep recession.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication of Consul General at the United States Consulate General in Matamoros, Mexico, Mrs. Cecilia Bridget Elizondo Herrera, who leaves her post on the U.S-Mexico border for a new task in Caracas, Venezuela.

Mrs. Elizondo Herrera is a native of San Antonio, Texas, and graduated from Incarnate Word High School in 1973. She went on to graduate from Our Lady of the Lake University where she received her bachelor of arts degree in English and political science in 1977. Mrs. Elizondo Herrera went on to complete post-graduate work at St. Mary's University in 1978 and in 2006 earned a master of science degree in national security strategy from the National War College at Ft. McNair in Washington, D.C.

At a young age, Mrs. Elizondo Herrera began her public service to this country when she worked for the Alamo Area Council of Governments, a regional planning agency in San Antonio, and in 1987 joined the Foreign Service as a junior officer in the Administrative Zone. She has served as a Vice Consul in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Administrative Officer and Post Security Officer in Melbourne, Australia. She was then stationed in Washington, D.C., where she served as an Area Manager for the Office of Foreign Buildings with oversight for near East Asia; as a Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Administration, with a portfolio of Overseas Buildings Operations and as a Post Management Officer for the European Bureau with responsibility for the Russian Federation and Finland.

Mrs. Elizondo Herrera has traveled throughout Russia, North Africa and the Arabian Gulf while stationed in Washington. She has served as the Deputy Supervisory GSO at the U.S. Embassy in Rome and Administrative Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

She is a four time recipient of the Department of State Superior Honor Award, and is the recipient of a Meritorious Honor Award in recognition of Non-Immigrant Visa work in Guadalajara.

Mrs. Elizondo Herrera is a member of Executive Women in Government, the National Association of Female Executives and an honorary member of the American Association for Justice Women's Auxiliary. She is the daughter of John P. and Beatrice B. Elizondo of San Antonio, Texas, and is married to San Antonio attorney, Frank Herrera, Jr. They have two sons, Jorge and Javier.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the dedication of Mrs. Cecilia Bridget Elizondo Herrera, who has served this nation with dignity, honor, respect and admiration.

Madam Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Edwards and my good friend, Mr. Wamp--and to my other good friend, Mr. Flake--for bringing this responsible bill to the floor.

I rise in opposition to the Flake amendment. The Military Construction authorization and appropriations process is a tedious process, and it requires close coordination with my good friends on both sides of the aisle, Chairman Edwards and Mr. Wamp, and members of the committee. It also requires extensive coordination with the Department of Defense.

The committees critically review the administration's request and ensure that facilities are built for a sound requirement. The committees also ensure that the projects are executable and validated for the correct costs.

This process forces a dialogue with the local installation commanders that requires that they communicate their needs to their Representatives in Congress. This dialogue is critical to ensuring Members of Congress that they have a complete understanding of local military requirements and can correctly advocate for our Nation's defense. It is a hard process, but in the

end it ensures that the right facilities are built at the right time and at the right location. I would not be executing my oath of office if we did anything else.

I would remind my colleagues that each of these projects has already been debated in the National Defense Authorization Act.

I recommend that my colleagues vote ``no'' on the Flake amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Pan American Golf Association National Tournament and Convention, which will be hosted on July 27-31 in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The tournament, which will be played on a beautiful day in the Coastal Bend area, returns to Corpus Christi after 10 years, and it has a special meaning to the Corpus Christi Chapter, which was established in 1951, with a handful of Hispanic golfers playing at Oso Golf course at the end of Alameda Street. Today, there are more than 42 Pan American Association Chapters in the country, including Corpus Christi.

I take this time on the House floor to welcome each and every one of our participants and ask that they enjoy their time with friends, family and loved ones. I know some of the best players of the sport will come together from across the nation to tee off.

I applaud the efforts made by those involved in getting the 2009 Pan American Golf Association National Tournament and Convention to Corpus Christi, and extend to all my best wishes.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the 2009 Pan American Golf Association National Tournament and Convention and the Corpus Christi Chapter for their dedication, support and love for the sport of golf.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jesus Gonzalez Villagomez, who celebrated his 100th birthday on May 5, 2009, surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.

Mr. Villagomez was born on May 5, 1909, in Villa Morelos, Michoacan, Mexico, to a ranching and farming family--Telesforo and Antonia Gonzalez Villagomez.

When he turned 18, he migrated to the United States entering at the Port of Brownsville in Brownsville, Texas, and a few years later returned to Mexico where he met and married his lifelong companion and wife, Mariana Aguillon Villagomez. Mr. Villagomez and his wife returned to the United States and settled in Fargo, North Dakota.

He joined the United States Army at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, during World War II and was honorably discharged. Mr. Villagomez would go on to make a name for himself holding positions with the Union Pacific Railroad and the Armour Meat Packing Company in Fargo, North Dakota, where he retired from.

He is fluent in English and Spanish and has a true love and passion for education. He has a son, Jesse Villagomez, Jr., of Ft. Worth, Texas, and a daughter, Maria Antonieta Villagomez, of Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as four grandchildren and three great grandsons.

Mr. Villagomez's hobbies include: gardening, cooking, reading, dancing, and traveling.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the 100th birthday of Mr. Jesus Gonzalez Villagomez who has lived a happy life surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jesus Gonzalez Villagomez, who celebrated his 100th birthday on May 5, 2009, surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.

Mr. Villagomez was born on May 5, 1909, in Villa Morelos, Michoacan, Mexico, to a ranching and farming family--Telesforo and Antonia Gonzalez Villagomez.

When he turned 18, he migrated to the United States entering at the Port of Brownsville in Brownsville, Texas, and a few years later returned to Mexico where he met and married his life-long companion, Mariana Aguillon Villagomez. Mr. Villagomez and his

wife returned to the United States and settled in Fargo, North Dakota.

He joined the United States Army at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, during World War II and was honorably discharged. Mr. Villagomez would go on to make a name for himself holding position with the Union Pacific Railroad and the Armour Meat Packing Company in Fargo, North Dakota, where he retired from.

He is fluent in English and Spanish and has a true love and passion for education. He has a son, Jesse Villagomes, Jr., of Ft. Worth, Texas, and a daughter, Maria Antonieta Villagomez, of Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as four grandchildren and three great grandsons.

Mr. Villagomez's hobbies include: gardening, cooking, reading, dancing and traveling.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the 100th birthday of Mr. Jesus Gonzalez Villagomez who has lived a happy life and surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I rise in support of H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. The bill before us today reflects our committee's continuing efforts to reverse a decline in the readiness posture for Armed Forces.

I would like to thank the ranking member from my subcommittee, my good friend, Mr. Forbes of Virginia, for his help in bringing together this excellent bill.

The United States military is, without a doubt, the premier fighting force in the world. However, military leaders face significant challenges as they seek to fulfill the basic equipment and training needs.

H.R. 2647 is dedicated to providing the necessary resources and authorities to help reverse declining trends in training and equipment readiness. H.R. 2647 includes the following provisions to improve the overall state of the United States military readiness:

It provides $13 billion for reset of Army and Marine Corps equipment, deployment. It adds $762 million to fully sustain military base facilities and infrastructure, including Department of Defense schools.

It adds $450 million for Army barracks improvements and provides $440 million to support National Guard and Reserve military construction programs. It adds $395 million to Navy depot maintenance accounts for ships and aircraft.

It authorizes $90 million for energy conservation projects and encourages use of renewable energy and hybrid and electric vehicles. It requires a GAO report on DOD's approach to balancing the dueling requirements of troops.

It includes a 1-year extension of premium pay for Federal civilian employees deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and it provides $4.7 billion for training opportunities for the Army.

This bill also does many good things for south Texas. It provides additional space for the Army Reserve to warehouse equipment in a controlled humidity environment in Robstown, Texas.

The bill also authorizes an energy demonstration project at Naval Air Station Kingsville that would reduce carbon emissions and provide a renewable source of free electricity.

I support this bill, H.R. 2647, and am proud of what this bill does to restore strength to our military.

My friends, this is a good bill that reflects our bipartisan desire to improve readiness and balance the many priorities of our Armed Forces.

I urge my colleagues and my friends to vote for this bill.