Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge the passage of S. 213, the Rio Arriba County Land Conveyance Act. S. 213 will convey to the County of Rio Arriba approximately 171 acres of Bureau of Land Management land. The county intends to use this land for a new public school, county facilities and a cemetery for the local parish.

Rio Arriba County in northern New Mexico is a vast, beautiful county with significant amounts of Federal land. The growing population of Rio Arriba has led to an increased demand for public services but no municipal lands on which to site them.

Under most circumstances, this sort of transfer would be conducted administratively under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act and authorizing legislation would not be required. This bill is before us today only because these lands are located on the Sebastian Martin Land Grant and were acquired by the Federal Government under the Bankhead-Jones Act. The Recreation and Public Lands Act does not apply to acquired lands, but the legislation is in keeping with provisions of that act.

The Rio Arriba County Manager, Lorenzo Valdez, and members of the Rio Arriba Board of County Supervisors worked hard on this and diligently. School Board Chairman Joe Guillen and School Board members Leroy Salazar, Ralph Medina and Isaac Medina worked tirelessly to raise the money necessary to construct the new school.

Father Terry Brennan, the Pastor of San Juan Pueblo Parish, helped on this effort in order to ensure that his parish would have the land necessary for a cemetery.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 210, the Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop Protection Study bill.

The bill is intended to help local communities identify ways to protect the Front Range Mountain Backdrop in the northern sections of the Denver-metro area, especially the region just west of what will soon be the Rocky Flats National Widlife Refuge.

The Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest includes much of the land in this backdrop area, but there are other lands as well.

Rising dramatically from the Great Plains, the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains provides a scenic mountain backdrop to many communities in the Denver metropolitan area and elsewhere in Colorado.

The portion of the range addressed in this bill also includes a diverse array of wildlife habitats and provides many opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Its open-space character is an important esthetic and economic asset for adjoining communities, making them attractive locations for homes and businesses.

But rapid population growth in the northern Front Range area of Colorado is increasing recreational use of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and is also placing increased pressure for development of other lands.

We can see this throughout Colorado and especially along the Front Range.

Homes and shopping centers are spreading up the valleys and along the highways. This development then spreads out along the ridges and mountain tops that make up the backdrop.

The result is potential loss of many of the very qualities that attract new residents.

This bill is designed to help provide a better understanding of what steps might be done to lessen that risk.

Already, local governments and other entities have provided important protection for portions of this mountain backdrop.

The bill acknowledges their good work and aims to assist further efforts along the same lines.

The bill does not interfere with the authority of local authorities regarding land use planning. And it does not infringe on private property rights.

Instead, it will bring the land protection experience of the Forest Service to the table to assist local efforts to protect areas that comprise the backdrop.

Under the bill, the Forest Service will work in collaboration with local communities, the state, nonprofit groups, and other parties.

I think this is in the national interest.

The backdrop both beckoned settlers westward and was a daunting challenge to their progress. Their first exposure to the harshness and humbling majesty of the Rocky Mountain West helped define a region, and the pioneers' independent spirit and respect for nature still lives with us to this day.

We need to work to maintain the mountain backdrop as a cultural and natural heritage for ourselves and generations to come.

This bill is intended to assist in that effort, and I urge its approval.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart today to honor the memory of a very special New Mexican, Esther Martinez.

Esther Martinez is renowned for her work as an educator, author, and master storyteller. But it is her life story that is very unique.

Born in 1912, her grandson Matthew notes that Esther typically introduced herself by saying she was born the same year New Mexico became a State and the Titanic sank. As a young girl, she traveled by covered wagon with her grandparents from her home in the Ute Country of Colorado to what was then known as San Juan Pueblo, now Okay Owingeh.

After arriving at Okay Owingeh, Esther was sent to the Santa Fe Indian Boarding School, as a part of the Federal Government's efforts to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream society. There she was scolded and often punished for speaking Tewa, her native tongue. As a lonely young girl, Esther longed to hear the voices and stories of her grandparents.

Story telling in her native Tewa language would be Esther's greatest legacy. She dedicated herself to maintaining and preserving the various forms of the Tewa language. Among her Pueblo people Esther or Aunt Esther, as many called her, is best known for her storytelling, but also recognized for her linguistic and educational contributions.

Esther taught Tewa at the San Juan Day School and for more than 20 years served as the school's director of bilingual education.

She also published her stories and used them as learning tools in the classroom. As a master of the Tewa language, she compiled Tewa dictionaries in various dialects for the northern New Mexico Pueblos and also translated the New Testament into Tewa.

Last Thursday, Esther was in Washington, DC, where I had the privilege of helping present her with the Nation's highest honor for folk and traditional artists. At the age of 94, Esther was named a 2006 National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts. With members of her family in the audience, Esther rose to be honored and received a standing ovation for her life's work preserving her native Tewa language and traditions.

Tragically, while making her way back home from the airport Saturday evening, Esther was killed in a traffic accident. Two of her daughters traveling with her suffered injuries but survived the crash.

Our hearts weigh heavy with the news of Esther's tragic passing but her legacy will forever live in the contributions she made to our Nation as an educator, linguist, and master storyteller. Her greatest role, however, was as a mother of 10 and grandmother who was loved by many. Our deepest sympathies are with them today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the memory of a very special New Mexican, Esther Martinez.

Esther Martinez is renowned for her work as an educator, author and master story teller.

Last Thursday, Esther was in Washington, DC, where I had the privilege of helping present her with the Nation's highest honor for folk and traditional artists. At the age of 94, Esther was named as a 2006 National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts. With members of her family in the audience, Esther rose to be honored and received a standing ovation for her life's work preserving her native Tewa language and traditions.

Tragically, while making her way back home from the airport Saturday evening, Esther was killed in a traffic accident.

Our hearts weigh heavy with the news of Esther's tragic passing, but her legacy will forever live in the contributions she made to our Nation as an educator, linguist and master story teller.

Our deepest sympathies are with her family today.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Mary Ellen Menapace, who was chosen ``New Mexico's Outstanding Older Worker of 2006.'' At the young age of 87, she continues to work and is currently the deputy village clerk of the village of Roy, located in eastern New Mexico, serving the residents with great honor, pride and distinction.

With only a few years' exception, Mrs. Menapace has worked continually since she was a high school student. She was only 17 when she began her first full-time job. Beginning in 1934, Mrs. Menapace's positions have been many and varied, including employment for the New Mexico State Health and Welfare Department, an abstract company, the Selective Service System during WorId War II and as a deputy county and court clerk, payroll clerk, secretary and an office manager. She proudly states that the key to her professional longevity and success has been the enjoyment she experienced in each and every job, and the total dedication she always gave during her many years of employment.

Noting all the advancements that have transpired in the workplace since high school, Mrs. Menapace's early years involved the use of a manual typewriter rather than a computer, carbon paper instead of a copier, and Gregg shorthand instead of e-mail. As the years passed, she committed to being the best she could be in every position she ever held. In order to accomplish that goal, and as office work became more technically advanced, Mrs. Menapace diligently took advantage of all training provided in order to enhance her knowledge and to improve her skills.

Mrs. Menapace could have completely retired at many junctures but instead chose to continue contributing to the betterment of her community. Her current position requires that she locate resources to fund village projects. One particular example of her success was securing grants to purchase trees and flowers to landscape both the main street and village park of Roy as part of the ``Keep New Mexico Beautiful'' State program. Another accomplishment was securing funds to purchase 75 trees that were planted to shield and shelter Roy's solid waste station.

Mary Ellen Menapace is truly a most remarkable lady. She helped support her parents and siblings during the Great Depression, was the sole provider for her own family during her husband's long illness and subsequent death, and is, herself, a cancer survivor. A devoted grandmother, she takes great pride and gratification that her later employment enabled her to raise and educate a grandson as well as assist a granddaughter-in-law in finishing law school. With all these responsibilities, Mrs. Menapace has somehow managed to be active in her community, in civic and professional organizations, and in her church. Another amazing talent is writing award-winning poetry and short stories, a gift she inherited from her father, who, she proudly proclaims, was also an agriculture and veterinary science visionary.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully request that all my colleagues join me in giving tribute to Mary Ellen Menapace. She is an invaluable employee, a loving family member, a devoted member of her community, an exceptional New Mexican, and an honored American.

I very much appreciate the honorable gentleman from Michigan in his yielding to me, and his leadership on this issue. There is nobody in this Congress that respects tribal sovereignty more than Dale Kildee. I am very proud to stand here today with him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today against passage of H.R. 4893 under suspension of the rules. My district in northern New Mexico is home to more than 16 tribes. I have heard from many of my constituents, and they are strongly opposed to this bill. In fact, I do not know of a single tribe in the entire State of New Mexico who wants to see these changes. I know there are some States that have serious concerns surrounding tribal gaming issues, and I respect those concerns.

But my State of New Mexico and the tribes I interact with have approached gaming and the responsibilities related to this industry with the utmost integrity and transparency. I am afraid that this one- size-does-not-fit-all legislation will have the serious consequence of undermining 200 years of tribal sovereignty.

I ask that we take another look at this legislation and then bring it up for consideration under the regular order so that amendments are allowed. Members deserve a chance to amend this important legislation, and, sadly, once again the leadership is stifling debate

In 1951, the Pueblo of San Ildefonso, located in northern New Mexico, initially filed a legal claim under the Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946. That law provides for some degree of compensation to Native American tribes and pueblos for lands lost and for damages resulting from government actions. The claim of the Pueblo of San Ildefonso is the last remaining unresolved case under the 1946 Act.

On May 24, 2006, S. 1773, The Pueblo de San Ildefonso Claims Settlement Act, passed the Senate by unanimous consent. I ask today that my colleagues in this House fully support passage of this important and historic bill. This legislation is needed to implement the settlement agreement signed by the Pueblo and the Departments of Justice, Interior, and Agriculture. According to the terms of the agreement, authorizing legislation must be enacted by November 2006. Passage into law of S. 1773 will conclude the case, entitled Pueblo de San Ildefonso v. United States of America, with the Indian Claims Commission.

After many years of serious negotiations among the Pueblo of San Ildefonso, the Federal Government, the surrounding counties, and a neighboring tribe, this non-controversial bill will finally provide a resolution of this long-standing concern. It will also end the Indian Claims Commission chapter of federal Indian affairs. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee Report, S. Rpt. 109-252, contains background information on the bill as well as the terms of the settlement agreement and the Los Alamos agreement, which the bill will also approve.

As the Representative of the Third Congressional District of New Mexico which includes the Pueblo of San Ildefonso, I ask that you support the passage of S. 1773 under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Speaker, for nearly a decade, millions of American workers have waited for an increase in the Federal minimum wage, but none has come. They have watched as the purchasing power of their paycheck has crumbled, giving way to inflation. Many are working families, struggling to make ends meet, yet for 9 years Congress has ignored them and refused to pass a clean, simple increase in the minimum wage.

Nearly 44 percent of minimum wage workers work full time, nearly two- thirds of whom are women. Even working full time, they often remain below the poverty line. They are unable to buy their own home, cannot afford health insurance for themselves and their children, and often take a second job just to pay the bills.

Mr. Speaker it is time to increase the Federal minimum wage. I strongly support implementing a 2-year plan that would increase the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour. However, I also strongly support passing such legislation cleanly, without attachments of tax cuts, without attachment of controversial language or convoluted provisions. We must demonstrate that we support those American families, those who are wondering why they are working 50-hour work weeks yet cannot seem to make ends meet.

Mr. Speaker, rising costs tied to current energy prices are adversely impacting family farmers rendering some farms unsustainable. In fact, I have heard from some constituents in my home state of New Mexico who cannot afford to plant crops this year due to energy prices. We are in danger of losing family farms.

That is why I rise today to introduce the Family Farm Energy Relief Act. This legislation proposes to repeal tax incentives to oil and gas companies from the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to instead provide energy rebates to family farmers.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provided approximately $2.633 billion in tax breaks for oil and gas companies over the next 11 years. During times of high gas prices and record profits for oil and gas companies these tax breaks are wholly unnecessary. In fact, the current administration has agreed that they are unnecessary. President Bush recently stated Congress has got to understand that these energy companies don't need unnecessary tax breaks . . . I'm looking forward to Congress to take about $2 billion of these tax breaks out of the budget over a 10-year period of time. Cash flows are up. Taxpayers don't need to be paying for certain of these expenses on behalf of the energy companies.

The Family Farm Energy Relief Act legislation redirects the monies from the Energy Policy Act to family farmers to help pay the cost of farm diesel over the next three years. Approximately 3.4 billion gallons of farm diesel were sold in the United States in 2004, 35 million gallons to New Mexican farmers and ranchers.

The rebate program gives a tax credit to qualified family farmers equaling 10 percent of yearly farm diesel expenses. Additionally, qualified family farmers who produce biodiesel for sale or personal use would receive an additional 10 cents per gallon credit.

The program will redistribute approximately $870 million per year in tax credits for farm diesel expenditures and approximately $8 million per year in tax credits for biodiesel production over three years. Expenditures from this program will not exceed the $2.633 billion oil and gas tax incentives from the Energy Policy Act.

Mr. Speaker, family farmers and the Agriculture sector have been a staple of the American economy since before we were a nation. Many family farmers already face great obstacles to success and may have already succumbed to large agriculture conglomerates. The Family Farm Energy Relief Act is not meant to be a substitute for the long-term energy solutions we all seek for our Nation. As much as each of us understands the necessity of a comprehensive and balanced approach to energy development, so too should we realize that in every state there are hard-working family farmers whose monthly budgets are being stretched to the breaking point by energy costs. While we must approach this country's energy demand with the willingness to make the tough, long-range choices demanded of

us, it is equally important that we heed the suffering being caused by the current high prices. Let us help ease the increasing burden of fuel costs and help ensure that these farmers remain one of the backbones of our country and our country's economy.

Mr. Speaker, health care promotion programs have the potential to improve health, improve quality of life, reduce health care costs, and boost productivity. Unfortunately, a very small percentage of health care spending is devoted to health promotion. The national investment in prevention is currently estimated to be less than 5 percent of annual health care costs. Our Nation needs a new approach to healthcare--one that puts prevention front and center.

That is why I rise today to introduce the Healthier Lifestyles and Prevention America Act, also known as the HeLP America Act. My legislation is very similar to S. 1074, a bill of the same name, which was introduced by Senator Harkin. Both Senator Harkin's bill and my bill are designed to reduce health care costs and improve health outcomes by reorienting our nation's health care system towards prevention, wellness, and self care.

The HeLP America Act is a comprehensive approach to prevention and health promotion. It provides tools .and incentives for schools to improve their nutrition programs. It provides tax incentives for employers to implement wellness programs. It provides grants for communities to implement activities to prevent and reduce the incidence of obesity, and chronic diseases associated with this condition. My bill also gives the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products, and requires nutrition labeling on menus in chain restaurants. These are just a few of the provisions included in the legislation designed to attack the problem of skyrocketing health care costs associated with the increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.

Adaptable lifestyle factors such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, unmanaged stress, and obesity account for approximately half of premature deaths in the United States. Spending on chronic diseases related to lifestyle and other preventable diseases account for an estimated 75 percent of total health care spending. And Mr. Speaker, as you and all of our colleagues know, our nation's total amount of health care spending is no small sum. In fact, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, total health care spending in 2004 was $1.8 trillion. Furthermore Mr. Speaker, CMS estimates that this number will double by 2014. For those keeping score at home, that means in 2014 total health care expenditures will be $3.6 trillion.

With a greater focus on prevention, we will be able to greatly reduce the number of individuals who suffer from all types of ailments, including diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and strokes just to name a few areas where preventive health care can make the difference. It will improve health outcomes, improve people's lives, and help cut down on our exploding healthcare expenditures. As is noted in the findings of this legislation, per capita health spending in the United States is 56 percent greater than the median for countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable. We need to get more bang for our healthcare buck and we need to look no further than focusing on prevention. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in seeking a new and more effective approach to the health of our nation by cosponsoring the HeLP Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of SGT Robert P. Kassin.

Robert dedicated his life to serving his country, and last Sunday, July 16, he made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Afghanistan.

Sergeant Kassin was killed near Larzab, in Afghanistan's Zabul province, when his platoon came under enemy fire. He died proudly, eager to defend our Nation and help the people of Afghanistan.

For almost a decade, Robert faithfully defended his country. After graduating from high school in Clovis, NM, he joined the Army in September 1996, volunteering for deployment and reenlisting shortly after arriving in Afghanistan. Robert took pride in all that he did, and this was apparent to all who knew him.

Robert leaves behind his parents, Robert Joseph and Lucia Kassin of Clovis, his 7-year-old son, his wife, Judy, and two stepdaughters. His son and stepdaughters will grow up proud of their father, Sergeant Kassin, knowing that he gave his all in service to our country.

Our most sincere and heartfelt sympathies are with Robert's family and friends during this time of great loss. We will always remember his bravery and the sacrifice he made proudly serving our great Nation.

Madam Speaker, the Valle Vidal, located in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in my district in northern New Mexico, is a lush 100,000-acre mountain basin in the Carson National Forest. In 1982, the Pennzoil Company donated the unspoiled Valle Vidal to the people of the United States. It was the largest and most valuable gift of private land ever to the Forest Service.

This ``valley of life'', as Valle Vidal translates in English, is home to abundant populations of Rocky Mountain wildlife, including the largest herd of elk in our State and some of the finest trout streams in the Nation. Sportsmen, outdoor recreationists, cattle ranchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and horseback riders all enjoy the Valle Vidal's well-managed and accessible blend of wildland resources. The Valle Vidal is also a unique place for the Boy Scouts of America who have for decades come from all over the country to the adjacent Philmont Scout Ranch, the national high adventure base of the Boy Scouts of America. That is why the Philmont Staff Association, a non-profit organization of more than 2,200 current and former members of the staff the ranch, has publicly stated that the Valle Vidal should be maintained as a wilderness experience, free from the impact of coal bed methane development.

During my time in Congress, I have closely followed numerous events concerning both the Valle Vidal and our Nation's energy situation. I have traveled to the Valle Vidal to witness its beauty and take part in various activities. I have introduced energy policy initiatives and reviewed regulatory action undertaken by the executive branch. I have also received thousands of calls, emails, faxes and letters against drilling and, I think I can safely say, none in support of it. As a result, I have come to the inescapable conclusion that the Valle Vidal should be protected from energy development. It is clear to me that the value of the Valle Vidal lies only in its broad public accessibility and natural beauty and not in its finite supply of energy.

New Mexicans and thousands of Americans are overwhelmingly against drilling in the refuge. These concerned citizens recognize that the Valle Vidal's minimal contribution to our energy needs is not worth despoiling such an important ecological resource. The consequences are just too great. Moreover, many of my constituents, as confirmed by recent economic studies, recognize that the protection of special public lands like the Valle Vidal is good for local economies and that exploitation of these places for a few hours of energy will, in fact, hurt long-term economic growth and sustainability. Fundamentally, drilling in the Valle Vidal to create more energy is a false choice.

The very fact that this special place is being targeted for oil and gas leasing radically demonstrates the current and growing crisis with America's energy situation. We must urgently find ways to balance the needs of supplying safe, reliable energy and of ensuring a livable and sustainable environment for the people of the United States.

To that end, I urge all of my colleagues in the House to support passage of The Valle Vidal Protection Act of 2005 to permanently protect the Valle Vidal from mineral extraction. The Valle Vidal's ecological health and public accessibility should be protected so it can be enjoyed to the utmost by current and future generations. This ecosystem and its myriad of recreational opportunities are too valuable to the people of New Mexico and the Nation, and the energy gains too miniscule, to justify any damage to this special area.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Chairman Pombo and to Ranking Member Rahall and especially to my colleague on the Forest Subcommittee, Chairman Greg Walden for their work on the Valle Vidal Protection Act of 2005. I would also like to thank fellow New Mexicans Jim O'Donnell of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal, and Mayor Danny Cruz of Springer, rancher Alan Lackey, and Bill Schudlich of Trout Unlimited who all traveled to D.C. to testify on behalf of the Valle Vidal, and Oscar Simpson, Ed Olona, and Steve Capra who have worked diligently to build broad, meaningful grassroots support for this legislation. I would finally like to thank some of the staff who make everything we do here possible, including Johanna Polsenberg and Thomas Garcia on my staff, and Rick Healy and Jim Zoia on the staff of the Resources Committee.

Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend and neighbor, the gentleman from Colorado, and I rise today in support of today's veterans legislation, specifically H.R. 3082, which includes the Native American Veterans Cemetery Act, legislation I introduced early last year.

I would like to thank House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Buyer and Ranking Member Evans for their leadership on H.R. 3082. I would also like to personally thank committee staff member Mary Ellen McCarthy for her tireless work on this and other important veterans issues, and thank my legislative assistant, Pablo Duran, for his hard work on this bill.

One of the missions of the Department of Veterans Affairs is to provide the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services with a final resting place, a mission accomplished through the 122 national cemeteries maintained by the VA. In addition, a State grant program through the VA allows for construction of State cemeteries, thereby giving most veterans a chance to be laid to rest close to home.

However, many Native American veterans who live on tribal lands do not have such an opportunity. This legislation would change that. Tribal governments would be put on the same footing as States, consistent with tribal sovereignty, by allowing them to apply for grants to establish, expand, and improve tribal veterans cemeteries.

In addition to many cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, the legislation enjoys the support of the Navajo Nation, the State legislatures of Arizona and New Mexico, the National American Indian Veterans organization, and

the VA itself. In fact, VA Secretary Nicholson stated that this legislation ``would create another means of accommodating the burial needs of Native American veterans who wish to be buried in tribal lands.'' I couldn't agree more.

Madam Speaker, I strongly support allowing Native American veterans the chance to be buried on tribal lands, close to their ancestors and with the full dignity and honor they earned through their service. I am hopeful that my legislation, through H.R. 3082, will be fully supported by this body.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Severo Martinez who passed away in Santa Fe on Sunday, July 16, 2006 surrounded by his loving family and friends. Severo's family and friends have lost a very special person and New Mexico has lost a patriot who answered his country's call early in his life to fight for democracy in Europe and the South Pacific.

Severo was born on May 7, 1916 in Chama, New Mexico. He loved to fish and hunt throughout northern New Mexico with his brothers, son, grandchildren, and nephews. My former Legislative Director Tony Martinez, Severo's great nephew, joyously recalls going on many of those outings with his uncle where Severo would always be ready to pass the time by telling some jokes, playing cards and sharing stories of his service during World War II and in the South Pacific.

Severo was a proud veteran of World War II where he served with the 58th Quartermaster Battalion in Europe and in the South Pacific. He was recalled to federal service as a member of the New Mexico National Guard during the Korean Conflict. As a forward observer he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. After release from federal service he remained in the New Mexico National Guard until his retirement at the rank of Major.

Severo was always very proud of the men he served with in the National Guard and loved them dearly. After his service in the Armed Forces and the National Guard, Severo was employed with the New Mexico Employment Security Commission for 39 years. His faithful and dedicated public service assisted many New Mexico Veterans and citizens to obtain employment and helped start new careers for them throughout New Mexico. Severo is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a life member and charter member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Patrick Hurley Chapter.

To Severo's grandchildren: David, Will, Meagan, Ashley and Natalie, your grandfather lived through 90 years of extraordinary events throughout our country and world. His service during World War II and the Korean Conflict helped contribute to the preservation of democracy and freedom that exist today. That is something you should all be very proud of him for--in addition to the love he held for each of you as a proud grandfather.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my condolences to his children Vince, Norie, Kate, Becky, and the whole Martinez Family. I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me in honoring the memory and life of a proud veteran, proud father, proud grandfather and New Mexican--Severo Martinez.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I would like to thank Chairman Buyer, Ranking Member Lane Evans, subcommittee Chairman Jeff Miller and our subcommittee Ranking Member, Ms. Berkley, for their work on this bill. In particular, I want to thank Ms. Berkley for her amendment, which was offered during our markup and which received unanimous bipartisan support.

H.R. 4843, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006, will help our service-disabled veterans and their survivors maintain the purchasing power of their benefits in 2007. Ms. Berkley's amendment assures our Gold Star Wives with young children that the value of their benefit will not continue to erode as it did during this current year.

Unfortunately, many do not fully recognize that the benefits we pay to men and women who have borne the battle, their widows, widowers, and children are a continuing cost of war. Indeed, the VA is currently paying benefits to survivors of Civil War veterans. We have a moral obligation to the men and women who put on the uniform and are harmed in the service of the Nation that we will compensate them for the harm which occurs. We have many examples where this is not being done, because, although costs increase, the benefit has remained static. The least we can do for the young families of our deceased veterans is to provide them the full value of the 2-year transitional benefit they receive.

Although we will not know the exact percentage by which the benefit is to be increased until the Consumer Price Index is calculated in October, I expect this bill will help VA beneficiaries maintain the value of their benefits.

No amount of money can ever compensate our veterans for the loss of their health or the families for the loss of a loved one. Nonetheless, it is critical that the monetary value of these benefits, which partially compensate for such losses, is not reduced merely by the passage of time.

In 2004, over 28,000 veterans in New Mexico received disability compensation or pension payments from the VA. Many New Mexico family members of veterans and their survivors also receive VA cash benefits. The action we are taking here today will help the veterans in my congressional district who depend on these VA benefits.

H.R. 4843, as amended, will receive my full support; and it deserves the support of all Members of the House.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown), a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee who has been a fighter for our Nation's veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

General Leave