Aníbal Acevedo-Vilá

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, the political status of Puerto Rico, and its relationship with the United States, is of great importance to the people of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has enjoyed Commonwealth status since 1952. One of the virtues of Commonwealth is precisely the fact that it possesses the flexibility to change the political status of Puerto Rico vis-a-vis the U.S., either within the framework of Commonwealth, or if the people choose other status options such as Statehood or Independence. Of course, Puerto Rico would work with the U.S. Congress towards implementing whichever option the people choose. Since its creation, Commonwealth has been the preferred status option among the people of Puerto Rico. However, the people of Puerto Rico have failed in its previous efforts to improve Commonwealth because the different initiatives in Puerto Rico, as well as in this Congress, to deal with the status issue have not translated into concrete actions to implement the will of the people of Puerto Rico. Experience has shown that in order to have a true exercise of self-determination, we must work hard at achieving consensus among the people of Puerto Rico as to the process towards self-determination, in spite of our differences with regard to individual status preferences. Hence, the Legislature of Puerto Rico approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 107 on July 22, 2004 which sets forth the public policy of said body that a Constitutional Assembly on Status is the preferred approach through which to exercise self-determination concerning the status of Puerto Rico and acknowledges these past failed attempts to deal with the status issue, recognizes the consensus among the people of Puerto Rico to effectively exercise their right to self- determination, and adopts the public policy that the Constitutional Assembly on Status is the best approach through which to exercise self- determination. Accordingly, the Legislature of Puerto Rico has agreed to study and prepare legislation for the people to decide whether the Constitutional Assembly on Status is their preferred mechanism to deal with the status issue. Other mechanisms will be presented to the people. Thus the people will ultimately choose their preferred process. The legislation will also include the mechanisms through which delegates to the Assembly are elected, and will provide for its organization, if it is the option favored by voters. At the same time, Senate Concurrent Resolution 107 orders the Puerto Rico Senate and House Judiciary Committees to prepare a study and report with bills for the celebration of a referendum regarding the Constitutional Assembly, authorization of funds, and related matters. Such bills would guarantee the effective participation of representatives of the political parties and civil society; that the proposals to be considered by the people must stem from the principle of sovereignty in the future relationship of Puerto Rico and must be defined as being outside of the Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution; that the Constitutional Assembly must have attributes of deliberation and negotiation vis-a-vis the U.S. Government; and that every determination by the Assembly must be subject to ratification by the people through a referendum. The Committees shall issue its report by December 31, 2004, and it will thus be submitted for the consideration of the next Legislative Session. Mr. Speaker, the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico and I personally support the creation of a Constitutional Assembly on Status in order to deal with the status issue because it embodies the principle that it is the people of Puerto Rico who must decide their preferred political status, and that the process should be initiated in Puerto Rico. Therefore, we have made a commitment to initiate this process during the first half of 2005. At the same time, we recognize that even though this process is to be initiated in Puerto Rico, it cannot and should not be isolated from Washington. That is why, early in the process, Senate Concurrent Resolution 107 mandates notifying the White House, the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status and the U.S. Congress of said Resolution. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to, as requested by the Puerto Rico Legislature and in compliance with Article 6 of Senate Concurrent Resolution 107, notify this Congress of said Resolution by placing the English-language translation of Senate Concurrent Resolution 107, along with its certification, into the Record at this time. I am also sending a copy of Senate Concurrent Resolution, and its certification, to the U.S. Senate, the President of the United States, the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status, and the United Nations' Special Committee on Decolonization. Mr. Speaker, I am confident that the people of Puerto Rico will soon be able to truly exercise their right to self-determination in a meaningful manner, one in which the outcome will be a product of the democratic tradition we so dearly cherish. Concurrent Resolution 107 (To consign the public policy of the Legislature of Puerto Rico in facing and attending to the urgent need to review the political relations between Puerto Rico and the United States through a Constitutional Assembly on Status elected by the people in the exercise of the natural right to self-determination and sovereignty, and to initiate its organizational process)

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5042. This legislation is an important step to provide access to stable and quality education for the dependents of our federal employees who are assigned to Puerto Rico. This is a non-controversial bill that will allow the dependents of USDA Forest Service employees to receive convenient, reliable and high quality education when assigned to Puerto Rico. Until Naval Station Roosevelt Road's closure earlier this year, dependents of Forest Service employees who work at both the Caribbean National Forest and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) had attended the DOD Educational Authority (DODEA) schools at NSRR, and the Forest Service reimbursed DODEA for the expense of educating its staff's dependents. The closest DODEA school, at Fort Buchanan, is approximately a 1 to 1\1/2\ hour commute each way from their previous school, and therefore is not a convenient or suitable alternative. Most of the classes taught in Puerto Rico's public schools are in Spanish, and are not acceptable alternatives to English-based education for these federal employee dependents. Private schools, while close by, are an expensive cost to federal employees, and though other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Justice, the Federal Aviation Administration and others have authority to reimburse their staff for educational expenses incurred by their dependents at private schools while assigned to Puerto Rico, the Forest Service has no similar authorization. As a result, federal Forest Service employees assigned to Puerto Rico are faced with limited choices and opportunities for the continuing education of their dependents. This legislation will simply provide authorization to the Forest Service to reimburse its staff for educational expenses incurred by their dependents' when assigned to Puerto Rico. This bill is budget neutral, as it caps the Forest Service's reimbursement authority to not exceed the per-child amount previously reimbursed to the DODEA. The Forest Service supports this legislation. I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to vote yes on this important fix to allow the dependents of federal employees working for the Forest Service to receive the highest educational experience. In closing, I would like to thank Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, ranking member Charles Stenholm, and the committee staff of their assistance in quickly sheparding this bill through their committee and to the floor. I appreciate their help in addressing this important measure. I urge my fellow members to support this measure, and to ensure that the dependents of our dedicated and professional Forest Service employees in Puerto Rico maintain convenient access to quality education.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 4754; Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005. This bill includes a very important amendment that will address the inaccessibility to affordable capital for small businesses. This bill also includes important funding increases for the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. One of the biggest problems that small businesses in Puerto Rico and on the mainland face is access to affordable capital. The 7(a) loan program is the Small Business Administrations' core lending program and accounts for roughly 30 percent of all long-term small business borrowing in America. This public-private partnership provides important financing for our nation's small business at a good value for the American taxpayer. This means there can be more loans, more small businesses and greater job creation. These loans are the only source of affordable, long-term financing for many of our nation's small businesses. The continuation of this program is fundamental to a sound economic recovery. The CJS Appropriations Act also includes $1.66 billion for the Drug Enforcement Administration. This represents a $77 million increase above the Fiscal Year '04 funding. These funds will go to keep drugs off our streets and out of the hands of our children. Additionally, it contains $870 million for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, representing a $43 million increase over fiscal 2004 funding. These necessary additions will provide for a safer society. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the passage of H.R. 4754.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 2017, the Luis A. Ferre United States Courthouse and Post Office Act. I introduced a counterpart bill, H.R. 3742, which was unanimously approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I wholeheartedly thank Senator Santorum for introducing S. 2017, and Chairman Young and Congressman Oberstar for their leadership in shepherding this bill through their committee. I ask for my colleagues' support of this bill, which honors the life and legacy of Luis A. Ferre, by designating the U.S. Courthouse and Post Office building located at 93 Atocha Street in his hometown of Ponce, Puerto Rico, as the ``Luis A. Ferre United States Courthouse and Post Office Building''. Luis Ferre passed away on October 21, 2003, at the age of 99, after an exemplary life of statesmanship, political leadership, entrepreneurship, advocacy for social justice, and patronage for the arts. Mr. Ferre was born on February 17, 1904, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the son of Antonio Ferre Bacallao and Mary Aguayo Casals. He graduated in 1924 with a degree in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was later appointed to the Board of Trustees. He entered his professional life in 1925, working for Puerto Rico Iron Works and, subsequently, for Puerto Rican Cement, both family companies that were part of the Ferre Enterprises. Mr. Ferre ran for public office for the first time in 1940, as a mayoral candidate for the city of Ponce. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He was elected to the Puerto Rico House of Representatives and ran for Governor of Puerto Rico as the Republican Statehood candidate in 1956, 1960, and 1964. In 1967, he founded the New Progressive Party, and was elected Governor in 1968, a position he held from 1969 to 1972. As Governor, some of his key initiatives were the creation of a Christmas bonus for private and public employees, the construction of Las Americas Highway, the right to vote for all citizens from age 18, and the Food Stamp Program. He was also President of the Puerto Rico Senate from 1977 to 1980, and continued serving as Senator from 1981 to 1984. Mr. Ferre acted as President of the National Republican Party in Puerto Rico for over 4 decades. Besides his interest in the industrial development of the Island and his involvement in the public life of Puerto Rico, he was known for his support and dedication to the arts, which led him to open the Ponce Museum of Art, considered as one of the most important museums in Latin America. A Puerto Rico bill presented in 1980 allowed the creation of the Performing Arts Center in San Juan, which now bears his name. Among his many recognitions and decorations, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest distinction awarded to a civilian by the Government of the United States. He has also been honored by numerous institutions in Puerto Rico, New York, Wisconsin, Florida, and several other States, as well as by the Dominican Republic. During his long life, he received around 15 ``honoris causa'' doctorates from the University of Puerto Rico, the Inter American University of Puerto Rico and the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, among others, as well as from the Boston Conservatory of Music, Amherst College, Harvard University, and Florida International University. He served as a member of the board of directors of several institutions, including the Hospital de Damas de Ponce, the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and the Luis A. Ferre Foundation. In October 2002, the Smithsonian Institution's Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington, DC, presented Mr. Ferre with its Award for Public Service. Mr. Speaker, this designation will serve as a memorial to the exemplary legacy of Luis Ferre. I urge my colleagues to support the Luis A. Ferre United States Courthouse and Post Office Act, and in so doing to honor the life and legacy of Luis A. Ferre.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Joseph Acaba, the first Puerto Rican ever in a NASA Astronaut class. Mr. Acaba, a mission specialist and educator in Dunnellon, Florida, was recently chosen as a member of the 2004 Class of Astronaut Candidates. He is one of three mission specialist-educators, selected from a field of more than 1,000 applicants, who will train with more than 100 astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Joseph Acaba, 36, was born in Inglewood, California. His father Ralph was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and his mother Elsie was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Mr. Acaba has been teaching math and science at Dunnellon Middle School since 2000. He has degrees from the University of California at Santa Barbara and the University of Arizona. He is a former Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic and also managed a research station in the Bahamas. Space travel has intrigued Joseph Acaba since childhood. His father would show young Joseph filmstrips he had saved of the first landing on the Moon. Now, Joseph Acaba is one step closer to being the first Puerto Rican in space or even the first ``Boricua en la Luna'' (``Puerto Rican on the Moon''), the title of a famous and beloved poem--later turned into a song--by Puerto Rican poet Juan Antonio Corretjer. Mr. Acaba has said that, besides family photos and hot tamales, he plans to bring the Puerto Rican flag into space. We hope to live to see the day when this happens. In the meantime, we are very proud to have in Joseph Acaba a young, talented and dedicated Puerto Rican who will continue to educate and inspire others through his hard work, his example, his commitment, and his pioneering spirit. How fitting that the first Puerto Rican space trainee is also a much-admired middle school teacher of science and math who has broadened his students' minds. I ask that you join me in honoring Joseph Acaba, the first Puerto Rican ever in a NASA Astronaut class.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary achievements of two young constituents that have excelled with particular success in community service. Monica Mayol and Ridge Olivieri, both of San Juan, Puerto Rico, have been selected as Honorees of the prestigious Prudential Spirit of Community Awards representing the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. This is an honor bestowed to only two students per jurisdiction, and as such is a very treasured award in our Island and in the Nation. Mr. Speaker, Monica Mayol is a 17-year old senior from Academia Maria Reina High School in San Juan. She serves as the activities coordinator at Centros Sor Isolina Ferre, one of the most renowned charity institutions in Puerto Rico. She tutors disadvantaged children and teenagers in several subjects, organizes drives to obtain food contributions, and even coordinated an awards ceremony and a Christmas party to bring happiness to those in need. Mr. Speaker, the other student recognized by the Prudential Awards is 11-year old Ridge Olivieri, a sixth-grader at Saint John's School. Ridge is a very motivated sixth-grader who established a project to collect gently used clothing for disadvantaged children in Haiti. He felt that it was important to foster a sense of citizenship in his fellow peers, and his program got off to a very successful start with the help of students, faculty, and sponsors such as American Airlines, who delivered the clothing to Haiti free of charge. He has followed the footsteps of a very close role model, his brother Chase, who is an eighth-grader at Saint John's, began a book recollection program and recently won the Do Something Brick Awards, a program that recognizes community service involvement in young men and women. Mr. Speaker, I can attest to the fact that both are extraordinary students and remarkable young people. I feel very proud of representing first-rate students like Monica and Ridge in Congress. They are members of a whole new generation of Puerto Ricans greatly concerned with their people and their country and willing to take action to improve their community. During the course of their projects, they have demonstrated superb intellectual ability and undertaken a very commendable task: service to their neighbor.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, as Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, I am proud to recognize the significance of ``National Teacher Day''. Teachers are a valuable source of morals, veracity and integrity for millions of students in Puerto Rico and the United States. The Congress of the United States and various teachers' organizations have recognized their devotion and commitment through ``National Teachers Day,'' since the 1940's. The work that teachers perform every single day is worthy of such recognition. Unfortunately, violence in schools has become a common denominator affecting teachers and students alike. Earlier this year in Puerto Rico, we have seen students and teachers attacked or killed by students in their classrooms, turning schools into a battle field where teachers and students are losing their lives. Episodes of this nature demean and undermine this remarkable profession, and erode the spirit of education. Teachers are a testament of perseverance in every student. As Members of Congress, we must focus on the contributions that every single teacher makes to the development of a healthy, well-educated and cultured youth in our society. The issues affecting our teachers challenge all of us to contemplate what we genuinely value in our society. Looking into the future of our communities in Puerto Rico, the role of a teacher in our children's lives becomes a necessity more than a luxury. The progress of a population is determined by the skills and the preparation that an individual acquires and develops during the early learning phases, phases that are often initiated by teachers. Teachers are more than authority figures inside a classroom full of students--they are heroes in our society. Their love for their work should be awarded and respected everyday, ``National Teacher Day'' is a symbolic indication of the importance and magnitude of their profession in creating the future leaders of our society. As a proud Puerto Rican, I salute and thank the teachers in Puerto Rico and in the United States for their remarkable job, and I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the ``National Teacher Day.''

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, 1 rise today to commemorate the one- year anniversary, this Saturday, May 1st, 2004, of the U.S. Navy's departure from the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans have played a pivotal role in the national defense of the United States. The people of Vieques, Puerto Rico, in particular, bore over 60 years of bombing with everything from napalm to depleted uranium. In the 1940's, about two-thirds of their land was occupied by the U.S. Navy to make way for a bombing range on the eastern part of the island and a weapons depot on the western part of the island. The movement to get the U.S. Navy out of Vieques was in existence for many years. But the tragic death of Viequense David Sanes Rodriguez on April 19, 1999 as a result of two stray bombs dropped on the Observation Post in Vieques, contributed to galvanize the movement beyond partisan affiliations and political ideologies. That struggle reached its fruition with the U.S. Navy's departure from Vieques on May 1, 2003. It is important to note that the Navy has recently indicated that the replacement training scenario for the Atlantic Fleet is as good if not better than the training conducted on Vieques. This realization is well received by those who called for the cessation of training on Vieques. The victory in Vieques is a victory first and foremost of the Viequenses. Yet it is also a victory of Puerto Ricans in the Island, in the U.S., and of many non-Puerto Rican elected officials, civic, community, labor and religious leaders and activists who participated in the struggle, organized marches, rallies, and lobbying initiatives. Many were arrested for peaceful civil disobedience in support for peace in Vieques. I am proud to say that many of my fellow Members of Congress participated in this important initiative for peace in Vieques. For instance, on March 8, 2001, 110 Members of Congress signed a letter to President Bush calling for the immediate and permanent cessation of military practices in Vieques. Mr. Speaker, I would like to place the March 8, 2001, letter from these 110 Members of Congress to President Bush into the Record at this time. On behalf of the people of Puerto Rico, I thank these Members of Congress for their support for peace in Vieques, and I urge them and my other colleagues to join me in working towards finishing the inconclusive agenda for the people of Vieques. The immediate task at hand is ensuring the adequate, full and prompt clean up and decontamination of the lands and surrounding waters of Vieques. Although the Navy has left Vieques, much remains to be done before the residents of Vieques have the peace and justice they deserve. When the Navy left Vieques and transferred the lands on the eastern part of Vieques to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service a year ago, the people of Vieques finally were free of the bombings that so disrupted and affected their peace, health, well-being and livelihood. That achievement is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of the Viequenses and their allies. That resilience and perseverance is now needed to make sure that the lands are fully and promptly cleaned up and decontaminated. The legacy of contamination and health crisis in Vieques must end. The Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Sila Calderon, has requested that Vieques--and the island of Culebra--be included in the National Priorities List under the Superfund law. That request is currently under consideration by the Office of Management and Budget. Once the relevant areas are designated for clean up and decontamination, the necessary funds must be appropriated to make sure that the clean up and decontamination is conducted fully and promptly. Unnecessary delays in the clean up process and insufficient funding would only exacerbate the health crisis suffered by Viequenses. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Navy's departure from the beautiful island of Vieques, we are proud of the victory achieved by the Viequenses and their allies in a peaceful struggle for peace and justice for the close to 10,000 residents of Vieques. At the same time, we are mindful that the agenda for complete peace and justice in Vieques is still inconclusive. We will continue to work towards completing this agenda. I am counting on my colleagues' support in doing so. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, March 8, 2001. Hon. George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, The White House, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. President: For the last 60 years the U.S. Navy has been conducting military operations in two-thirds of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. From the beginning, such operations have caused concern because of their consequences on the people, the environment, and the economy. The tragic death on April 19, 1999 of David Sanes-Rodriguez, a Vieques resident, during a training exercise, brought to the forefront of the Puerto Rican national and international communities the health, environment, and the violation of human and civil rights of the residents of that Island. The People of Vieques have a mortality rate 40 percent higher than that of Puerto Rico, a 27 percent higher risk of dying from cancer, and a 70 percent higher risk of dying from diabetes. At the same time, Vieques' natural resources and environment have been seriously damaged by the continuous bombing and shelling, which have left heavy toxic metals in the environment. The island's economy has also been affected because Vieques has not been able to develop to its full potential as a direct result of the U.S. Navy's presence. In sum, the situation of Vieques has become an issue of health, environmental protection, and human and civil rights. In spite of all of these concerns, the U.S. Navy is determined to continue using Vieques for bombing exercises. This issue has transcended political party and ideological lines in Puerto Rico. Leaders from all sectors of society agree that the bombing and shelling must end. At the same time, in the United States, the Senate of the State of New Jersey, led by. the Republicans, approved a resolution, by unanimity, requesting the immediate cessation of the bombings. Governor Donald DiFrancesco (R-NJ), and Governor George Pataki (R-NY) have also stated their support for this effort. Today, the vast majority of the Puerto Rican society favors the immediate and permanent cessation of the bombings and shellings. Past Presidents of the United States, under similar circumstances, have ordered the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations in other locations. For instance, in 1975, President Gerald Ford, by an Executive Order, terminated the use of the island of Culebra for military purposes. Likewise, President George Bush, on October 22, 1990, directed the Secretary of Defense to discontinue the use of the island of Kaho'olawe for bombing and target practice. Your fellow Americans are seriously concerned about the ailing health, the violation of human and civil rights of the Viequenses, as well as the impact on their environment and natural resources. Under the Constitution of the United States, you have the authority to call for the immediate cessation of the bombing and the shelling that are affecting these rights. Therefore, the undersigned urge you to order an immediate and permanent end of the bombing in Vieques. Respectfully, Anibal Acevedo Vila (D-PR), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Jose Serrano (D-NY), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Ed Pastor (D-AZ), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), George Miller (D-CA), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Patsy Mink (D-HI), Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Edward Markey (D-MA), Hilda Solis (D-CA), Major Owens (D-NY), Mike Honda (D-CA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Elliot Engel (D-NY), Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), Carrie Meek (D-FL), Eva Clayton (D- NC), Louis Slaughter (D-NY), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Nita Lowey (D-NY), John Larson (D-CT), Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), Brad Carson (D-OK) Mark Udall (D-CO) Tom Udall (D- NM), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX), Donna Christensen (D-Vl), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Albert Wynn (D- MD), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Joe Baca (D-CA), Robert C. Scott (D-VA), Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), Anthony D. Weiner (D-NY), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (D-GA), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH), Robert Underwood (D-GU), Rod Blagojevich (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D- OH), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Karen McCarthy (D-MO), David Phelps (D-IL), Nick Rahall (D-WV), Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), David Bonior (D- MI), Howard Berman (D-CA), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), William Jefferson (D-LA), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Sen. John Corzine (D- NJ), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-IL), Bob Filner (D-CA), William Lacy Clay (D-MO), Ted Strickland (D- OH), Lane Evans (D-IL), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Robert Brady (D-PA), Jim McDermott (D-WA), John Olver (D-MA), Lois Capps (D-CA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Melvin Watt (D-NC), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), James E. Clyburn (D-SC), James McGovern (D-MA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), John Conyers Jr. (D- MI), Martin Meehan (D-MA), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Barney Frank (D-MA), Jerry F. Costello (D-IL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Michael McNutty (D-NY), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Gene Green (D-TX), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Earl Hilliard (D-AL), Maxine Waters (D-CA), James Oberstar (D-MN), Janice Shakowsky (D-IL), Nick Lampson (D-TX), Bill Delahunt (D-MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), William Lipinski (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Thomas Allen (D-ME), Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), John LaFace (D-NY), Lynn Rivers (D-MI), Robert A. Borski (D-PA), James A. Barcia (D-MI), Chaka Fattah (D-PA).

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to show strong support for Earth Day. It is a great opportunity to encourage citizens to be conscious and take action regarding their responsibility towards environmental protection. The first Earth Day was held in 1970 as an annual event to honor our planet and our responsibility for it. Earth Day's purpose is to educate our citizens of the importance of conserving the environment and to encourage them to restore their local community, improving quality of life and human health for all. The natural resources of Earth are the essential components of our environment and the development of life; therefore our dedication to its conservation is very important for sustaining future generations. Currently, Puerto Rico, as well as the rest of the world, is facing many environmental challenges due primarily to human development and environmental pollution. Essential resources such as water, air, soil and biodiversity are threatened by human activity. The existing population of Puerto Rico is almost 4 million people and this overpopulation results in limited available resources to support its residents. Water scarcity and contamination, air pollution and climate change, the destruction of natural habitats for construction, erosion causing water shortage, and the endangerment of many species are among the main problems that our environment is facing. Pure water is essential for all life on Earth and provides habitat to many organisms. The human race is putting in serious danger this vital resource by the energy production, interruption of water flows, deforestation, and the wasting of water by those who overuse this resource. Air is an essential resource for life as well. Its pollution comes primarily from coal burning power plants, automobiles, and industrial operations. These activities affect not only human health but also the atmosphere that protects us from the sun's radiation. Human activities also destroy biodiversity through contamination, deforestation and destruction of natural habitats for construction and other developments. As humans, we are totally dependent on nature for survival and, instead of conserving, our actions negatively impact nature. In Puerto Rico, we are faced with immediate challenges in areas like Vieques, Culebra and Roosevelt Roads, where contamination threatens the health and well being of thousands of residents, water quality, and sustainable economic development. Residents of these regions deserve full and prompt clean up and decontamination of their lands. Another challenge for the Island is the protection and recovery of endangered species population. Endemic species' population such as the golden coqui (Eleutherodactylus jasperi), the Puerto Rican boa (Epricates inornatus), and the Puerto Rican parrot (Amazona vittata) that lives primarily at the Caribbean National Forest, El Yunque, have been significantly reduced due to encroachments of their habitats. The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) and the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) are other examples of endangered species as a result of marine contamination on coastal areas due to human development. In order to protect some of the natural environment of Puerto Rico, I have introduced legislation designating approximately 10,000 acres of land in the Caribbean National Forest in Puerto Rico as the El Toro Wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Through this legislation, the habitats within the El Toro Wilderness will be protected, as well as the forest's magnificent biodiversity. It is necessary to educate our citizens about the importance of environmental conservation and conservation practices to maintain the natural resources of Puerto Rico and the rest of the world for future generations. This can be better accomplished by providing information through schools, communication media, conservation programs, and volunteer or special activities. Earth Day is a perfect moment to put in practice these goals by instructing and encouraging citizens to contribute to environmental conservation. As responsible and dedicated citizens to the conservation of our environment, Earth Day should become an every day priority to ensure and increase the quality of life and human health. Earth Day is not only one day; it is every day because every day is a good time to consider our environment, and take action to protect the nature that surrounds us.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Department of Justice Reauthorization Act. I commend Judiciary Chairman Sensenbrenner, Ranking Member Conyers, and other members of the Judiciary Committee for their diligent work on this bill. This bill makes important changes and adjustments to current law, which I believe will bring greater safety to our communities and ensure better and more efficient administration of crime-fighting programs. There are two specific provisions of this Act that I would like to highlight. The Reauthorization of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act is an important step in assuring the safety of law enforcement officers throughout the Nation. It has been through this program that thousands of police officers, including many in Puerto Rico, have received the critical personal safety protection of bulletproof vests. While the threat of gun violence will continue to endanger our police, the reauthorization of this grant program will continue the reduction of firearms injuries and deaths to our Nation's law enforcement officers. Additionally, there is language in H.R. 3036 that is of great importance to Puerto Rico. Unlike in the States, the Commonwealth government centrally carries out the vast majority of law enforcement functions. The Commonwealth's budget for 2005 calls for $752 million to support the 22,500 Commonwealth police officers who have the primary responsibility for law enforcement on the island, and they are joined by approximately 4,000 officers at the municipal level. For this reason, the disbursement of funds under law enforcement grant programs, such as the local law enforcement block grant and the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, should be to the Commonwealth government. Under this scenario, the Commonwealth government then disburses funds to the municipal police forces as appropriate. This bill recognizes this unique structure, and includes language that appropriately directs the local law enforcement grants to the Commonwealth government. Again, I greatly appreciate the leadership of Chairman Sensenbrenner and his colleagues on the Judiciary Committee in bringing this important bill to the floor. I strongly support this legislation, and urge my colleagues to do likewise.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 433, honoring the life and legacy of Luis A. Ferre. Luis A. Ferre was a crucial figure in the history of Puerto Rico who led a life of service to his people. He was an accomplished businessman, skilled politician, and compassionate philanthropist. Born on February 17, 1904, in Ponce, PR, he went on to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he earned a degree in engineering. Upon his return to Puerto Rico, he worked in his father's business, Puerto Rico Iron Works, and later became involved in politics as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, a member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, and, in 1968, was elected Governor. Ferre was a believer in Puerto Rican statehood, and his convictions led him to create the New Progressive Party, which to this day remains one of the leading political parties in Puerto Rico. He dedicated his life to serving the people of Puerto Rico and working to improve their lives and futures. During his term as Governor, he created multiple government agencies and public projects to enhance the quality of life of Puerto Ricans, and launched several housing and labor initiatives of great importance. In addition to his political achievements, Luis A. Ferre is also remembered in Puerto Rico as a great philanthropist and advocate of Puerto Rican culture. Among his biggest contributions to Puerto Rico's cultural life were the Ponce Museum of Arts, which began with a donation from his personal collection, scholarship programs for art and music students, and the largest-circulation newspaper in Puerto Rico. Ferre's contributions to the development of Puerto Rico and the improvement of its society will be forever remembered and appreciated. Regrdless of one's position on the issue of Puerto Rico's status, Ferre was an able statesman who dedicated his life to his beloved island. This is why today I encourage you to support this resolution to honor the life of this respected and revered Puerto Rican. I thank my colleague from New York, Mr. Serrano, for introducing this measure. I also have introduced a bill to immortalize Ferre, H.R. 3742, which would designate the United States Courthouse and Post Office Building located at 93 Antocha Street in Ferre's hometown of Ponce as the Luis A. Ferre United States Courthouse and Post Office Building. It is my hope that we can further remember the legacy of Ferre by bringing this bill up at a later date.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to demonstrate my support for H. Con. Res. 287 and encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this important resolution honoring a very important man, Raul Julia. I request unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. As the representative of the people of Puerto Rico, I am proud to address you today to honor the life and work of Raul Julia. Through his groundbreaking work in the theater, television, and film, his commitment to the improvement of the Latino community, and his dedication to ending world hunger, Raul Julia became a role model and inspiration for many. After being discovered in a nightclub in Puerto Rico by actor Orson Bean, he moved to New York in 1964, when he was just 24 years old. He quickly found work in Broadway and paved the way for Latino actors by taking on nontraditional roles. He became a very well known Shakespearean actor, taking on roles like Othello and Edmund in King Lear, and was the first Hispanic to create a long lasting alliance with the New York Shakespeare Festival. His work on Broadway earned him 4 Tony Award nominations in the course of 10 years. Julia also served as a role model for children through his portrayal of Rafael, the Fix-It Man in the popular children's television show Sesame Street, and appeared in multiple made-for-television movies. In addition to his theater and television credits, his film career was also very prolific and productive. Among his best-known roles are the political prisoner Valentin in The Kiss of the Spider Woman, Cardinal Oscar Romero in Romero, Gomez Addams in The Addams Family and its sequel, Addams Family Values, and slain Brazilian activist Chico Mendes in The Burning Season, for which he posthumously received Emmy, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Cable Ace Awards. In addition to his acting career, Raul Julia worked to improve the Latino community by becoming a leader in the fight against teen violence and a mentor to aspiring Latino actors. He created and cofounded multiple projects, such as the Latino Playwrights Reading Workshops and the Puerto Rico Traveling Theater, and became involved in other programs, such as ``La Familia'', and the Museo del Barrio. Additionally, he was a lifelong advocate for the Hunger Project, an organization committed to ending world hunger. For all his community involvement and his career achievements, he received the Hispanic Heritage Award in 1995. Raul Julia was an exemplary Puerto Rican, and a brilliant role model for all. It is an honor for me today to rise and pay tribute to this great man's life and work. I strongly encourage this body to join me in praising this man's life by passing H. Con. Res. 287.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, last October, the people of Puerto Rico lost a great man. Former Governor Luis A. Ferre was a visionary who dedicated his life to his country. As Governor from 1968 to 1972, he was a proponent of many projects that ensured great economic development for the island. To honor his life, today I am introducing legislation, as a companion to legislation introduced by Senator Rick Santorum in the Senate, to designate the Luis A. Ferre United States Courthouse and Post Office Building, located at 93 Atocha Street in Ponce, PR, as a tribute to his life and work. Former Governor Ferre was a brilliant politician, musician, businessman, and philanthropist who dedicated his life to serving his people and moving Puerto Rico forward. During his term as Governor, he created, among other things, the Environmental Quality Board, the Departments of Natural Resources and Housing, the Office of Youth Affairs, and the Tourism Company. Throughout his life, he also demonstrated his unwavering commitment to Puerto Rican culture and the arts by founding what is now the biggest newspaper in Puerto Rico and the Art Museum of Ponce. He was an extraordinary man whose efforts and endeavors gave luster to Puerto Rico and to his native city of Ponce. During his years in the public service, he demonstrated true commitment and dedication to his country and his city by initiating public works and creating projects that contributed to the modern and developed Puerto Rico that we enjoy today. His love for Puerto Rico and its people will live on forever in the hearts of all Puerto Ricans. Giving his name to the U.S. Courthouse and Post Office building in Ponce is a simple but long-lasting way to recognize his work and honor his life, and I ask you to join me in celebrating his life.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend the people of Puerto Rico have lost a great man. Rafael Cordero Santiago, mayor of the Municipality of Ponce for the last 16 years, unexpectedly passed away Saturday morning at the age of 61. ``Churumba,'' as he was fondly known to everyone back home, was a pillar of strength in the Popular Democratic Party. He was an accomplished politician, a hardworking administrator, and a true and honest patriot. His unwavering commitment and dedication to his country, his party, and his beloved city of Ponce are testaments to his extraordinary character. Born in Ponce in 1942, Cordero Santiago dedicated the majority of his life to public service. After obtaining a bachelor's degree in political science, economics, and social science from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico in Ponce, he began his public career in the Department of Commerce of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1964. From there, he moved on to serve as a special assistant to then-president of the Puerto Rican senate, Rafael Hernandez Colon, followed by terms as auxiliary Secretary of Domestic Commerce in the Department of Commerce of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and as administrator of the Right to Employment Administration. In 1988 he was elected mayor of Ponce, a position that he proudly occupied until his death. His work in Ponce spanned almost 2 decades and is marked by great improvement and progress in the region, as evidenced by the city's economic and social growth. His most recent achievement was the approval of the Plan de Ordenacion Territorial de Ponce, which gives the city ample funding for infrastructure projects, including the Port of the Americas. I worked closely with the mayor in support of Port of the Americas, which will bring a state-of-the-art transshipment facility to Ponce that will provide for lasting job growth and economic development. Upon completion, the Port of the Americas will become the leading port in the Caribbean. He is survived by his wife, Madeleine Velasco, and his twin daughters, Solange Marie and Mara Bianca. His years of hard work and dedication to his family, his country, and his city will live on in his unforgettable legacy. Please join me in honoring this exemplary Puerto Rican's life and supporting his family in their time of sorrow.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of S. 1156--Department of Veterans Affairs Long-Term Personnel Authorities Act of 2003. This bill represents a step in the right direction for many of our veteran communities. In the interest of my constituents, this bill and the language contained within brings to the forefront the problems at the San Juan VA Medical Center and opens opportunities to provide immediate relief for the Veterans in Puerto Rico to receive the care they need and deserve. Through the actions of these two committees, the Democrats and Republicans alike, they have sent a clear message of appreciation to the over 140,000 Puerto Rican veterans for their service in defense of our shared values. Puerto Ricans have served proudly in every armed conflict since the First World War. The language in this bill acknowledges the value of their service. Currently, there are over 5,000 Puerto Rican men and women who are serving in the armed forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo and many other regions throughout the world. The language in this bill sends the right message to these young men and women that when they serve their Nation well, the United States Congress will serve them well. I congratulate my colleagues on a job well done. Through long hours of deliberation and patient listening and understanding, both chambers of this Congress have come to what I believe is an impressive piece of bipartisan work. Now, it is my hope that the Secretary will move swiftly to reprogram the necessary funds to build a new bed tower at the San Juan VA Medical Center. Without the additional dollars mentioned in this bill, the San Juan VA Medical Center would have been forced to provide services with a bed loss of 120. This would have put additional burdens on a facility, which the C.A.R.E.S. Committee has deemed to be spatially deficient. The Committees understood this and worked to include language to encourage the Secretary to move forward. The construction of the new bed tower will allow the San Juan VA Medical Center to provide safer and more modern services for the immediate future to the veterans and the service people returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. I would like to personally thank Chairman Smith, the Ranking Member, Mr. Filner, Ms. Corrine Brown and the other members of the committee for working with me on these vital projects. The report language is more than a listing of projects--it is sending the right message to the 140,000 veterans in Puerto Rico; it sends the right message to the 5,000 Puerto Ricans who have been called to active service in Iraq, and it certainly sends the right message to the families of the 13 Puerto Ricans who have sacrificed their lives this year in service of the United States against the war on terror. I look forward to continually working with my colleagues in both chambers to provide for the veterans in Puerto Rico. Again, I thank my colleagues for working so diligently on these first steps to improve healthcare for our veterans and urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to approve this bill.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, the Defense Authorization Conferees should be commended for rejecting efforts to undermine the agreement signed by President Bush that provides important protections for how Naval Station Roosevelt Roads is to be closed. It was particularly critical because this is a very sad week in Puerto Rico, as Puerto Rico has lost three of our young men and one woman who were serving on active duty in Iraq. It would have been a cruel irony for the Defense authorizers to remove fundamental BRAC protections for Puerto Rico at the same time Puerto Ricans were paying the ultimate sacrifice by serving our country. Last spring the U.S. Navy announced downsizing plans for Roosevelt Roads. The Navy followed its announcement with the planned departure from the Vieques training range--a result that was the fruit of innumerable debate and struggle. In subsequent testimony to Congress, the Navy professed high operational costs and personnel requirements stemming from the continued operation of Roosevelt Roads and implied the base should close. Of course, downsizing and the implications of closure have taken their toll and it has been a sordid year for Roosevelt Roads, those who work or worked there and Ceiba, Puerto Rico--the community the base has called home for the past 60 years. The Navy's own pronouncements estimated the base brought $300 million annually to the local economy. The region around base, with 14 percent unemployment, can ill afford a drawn out redevelopment process. During negotiations with defense appropriators and the U.S. Navy, we reached a compromise that was enacted under which Roosevelt Roads would close in a 6-month timeframe in accordance with the BRAC (base realignment and closure) process. This compromise would afford the Navy a quick departure and cost savings, while keeping with the important protections and procedures required by BRAC. It would also provide Puerto Rico with the much-needed economic development opportunities provided through redeveloping the base. This proposal was agreed to and signed into law on September 30. In the midst of the defense authorization conference, out of scope proposals surfaced to thwart such progress. The proposals ranged from requiring a report to Congress and subsequent 360-day waiting period for any and all Roosevelt Roads property disposals to mothballing, or leaving the base on inactive status, allowing the land to waste away without a clear plan for redevelopment and creating additional uncertainty among the community. While I appreciate that all out of scope items in conference have been dropped, I fear that punitive efforts may surface yet again as base closure and redevelopment continues. The recent proposals are stalling tactics void of merit and driven by angry politics stemming from deep resentment held by those who strongly opposed closing the Vieques training range. Let the past become the past. Let's move forward with the best interest of the U.S. military and the American citizens in Puerto Rico in mind. If enacted such tactics would have continued to cost the Navy money and drain personnel resources, while hindering meaningful economic opportunity for Puerto Rico. Under such a scenario, American citizens in Puerto Rico would remain without jobs while base redevelopment plans sat in limbo. Puerto Ricans care deeply about their common citizenship and continue to serve valiantly in our military. What should soldiers think of such punitive, political squabbling about a base closure at home, while they fight overseas? As it was President Bush who authorized the Navy's departure from Vieques, he too has stated on many occasions that we all should avoid politicizing military affairs when our troops are abroad. I have included for the Record a letter cosigned by fellow Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Such support is much appreciated. Further, I want to thank Ranking Member Ike Skelton and his Senate counterpart Carl Levin for their strong commitment and leadership on this issue. I find it troubling that the bipartisan deal that took place on Defense Appropriations might someday be undermined by such resentful politics, especially given the difficult challenges we now face, and the sacrifices we ask of our troops. I will continue to fight against these punitive efforts while at the same time I will pursue dialogue with those colleagues who may still consider punishing action against my constituents. It certainly would be in the best interest of the Navy, the people of the local community, and the future of Roosevelt Roads to set these new proposals aside, and continue working to redevelop the base and rejuvenate the local economy. We Members of Congress have more pressing matters to consume our time.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, this week Puerto Rico is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Arecibo Observatory, home of the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the world. For this occasion, more than 100 scientists from around the world will gather November 1 through the 4th for a series of workshops, including one on the most recent astronomical advances of the giant telescope. For Puerto Rico, there is another reason to celebrate: for the first time since the creation of the observatory in 1963, a Puerto Rican is at its helm. Sixto Gonzalez, who has served as assistant director of special and atmospheric sciences of the observatory since 2001, was named Director of the observatory October 1. The Arecibo Observatory is part of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC), a national research center operated by Cornell University under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF is an independent federal agency whose aim is to promote scientific and engineering progress in the United States. NAIC also provides additional support for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) As the site of the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, the Observatory is recognized as one of the most important national centers for research in radio astronomy, planetary radar and terrestrial aeronomy. Use of the Arecibo Observatory is available on an equal, competitive basis to all scientists from throughout the world. Observing time is granted on the basis of the most promising research as ascertained by a panel of independent referees who review the proposals sent to the Observatory by interested scientists. Every year about 200 scientists visit the Observatory facilities to pursue their research project, and numerous students perform observations that lead to their master and doctoral dissertations. The Arecibo Observatory has its origins as an idea of Professor William E. Gordon, then of Cornell University, who was interested in the study of the Ionosphere. Gordon's research during the 1950's led him to the idea of radar back-scatter studies of the ionosphere. Professor Gordon's persistence culminated in the construction of the Arecibo Observatory, which began in the summer of 1960 and three years later the Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory (AID) was in operation under the direction of Gordon. The formal opening ceremony took place on November 1, 1963. On October 1, 1969 the National Science Foundation assumed ownership of the facility from the Department of Defense and the Observatory was made a national research center. On September 1971 the AIO became the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC). The Arecibo Observatory employs about 140 persons in support of the operation. A scientific staff of about 16 divides their time between scientific research and assistance to visiting scientists. Engineers, computer experts, and technicians design and build new instrumentation and keep it in operation. The Arecibo Observatory is a Puerto Rican landmark. Hundreds of tourists visit it every year and it has been a desired site for recent filming of many movies as well. As this notable landmark appears frequently in films and TV, it is a source of pride for all Puerto Ricans, both as the home of the Arecibo Observatory and as an emblem of the contributions to science from Puerto Rico in general. Mr. Speaker, today I want to congratulate the people of Puerto Rico, the Arecibo Observatory and its scientists on its 40-year anniversary. Also, congratulations to Director Sixto Gonzalez for his great job and recent ascension to the leadership of the Arecibo Observatory.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to your attention a great loss suffered by the people of Puerto Rico today. This morning the radios announced the passing of a great man, former Governor Luis A. Ferre. The people of Puerto Rico mourn this loss and celebrate his life. The former Governor embodied the finest Puerto Rico has to offer and he served Puerto Rico well. He was a true man of principles. With his death, Puerto Rico says good-bye to one of the latest Puerto Ricans of a generation that overcame great challenges to convert Puerto Rico to a prosperous, modem and developed Island. Ferre governed from 1968 to 1972, an era of great economic development for the island. He was a very popular leader. One of his great contributions to the modem Puerto Rico was the creation of the Environmental Quality board, the Departments of Natural Resources and Housing, and the Tourism Company. He also created the Youth Affairs Office. He was a true visionary. As a politician, musician, successful businessman and philanthropist, he demonstrated the characteristics of a great Puerto Rican. Unfortunately, he has left the Earth today, but I know he has a privileged place in the hearts of all Puerto Ricans and in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers and those of my family are with his wife, Tiody Ferre and his family. May God carry you in the trying time.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Madam Speaker, the only thing I can assure the chairman of is that the government of Puerto Rico, the community, is already working on a plan to redevelop the base, and that we are going to be working very closely with the Federal Government just to be sure that what the chairman is afraid might happen will not happen; and, on the contrary, that we will follow the best experience in other places when a base has been shut down and sooner rather than later becomes a center for economic development and job creation. We are working on that already, following the chairman's advice.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Madam Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Madam Speaker, I just want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for the agreement they have reached on the closing of the Navy base in Puerto Rico, Roosevelt Roads. My position all the time has been that if that was going to be the final decision, the people of Puerto Rico, the community, were entitled to all of the benefits and support that usually comes with the closure of a base. They have agreed, and I thank them very much.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Lewis, Ranking Member Murtha and Members of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee for working with me on the important yet difficult issue concerning the closure of Naval Station Roosevelt Roads. Under the fiscal year 2004 Defense Appropriations Act, the base will close in 6 months, however, closure will take place under the procedures provided under the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC). The changes to the language that was approved in July by the House will enable the closure to proceed with necessary guarantees for redevelopment of this important facility. Furthermore, the conference agreement will provide economic assistance and environmental remediation as specified by BRAC. Both Chairman Lewis and Ranking Member Murtha made clear that with the Inner Range of the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility (AFWTF) closed, the base would be closed under the next BRAC round, scheduled for 2005. With the language being enacted this year, this process can move forward in an expedited manner and redevelopment of the base can proceed. I believe this will provide for more immediate and necessary economic development for the region around Ceiba, Puerto Rico. Waiting for BRAC 2005 would have drawn this process out and caused unnecessary hardship for my constituents. Therefore, I am very pleased with this outcome and the partnership I have forged with Chairman Lewis and Ranking Member Murtha. I look forward to working with them both in the future.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Chairman, today, the House considers the Water Resources Development Act, H.R. 2557, a vital piece of legislation, with a significant impact on the quality of life of our citizens. I commend the leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their steadfast support for this legislation: Chairman Young, Congressman Oberstar, Chairman Duncan and Congressman Costello deserve our recognition and gratitude for their tireless work on this legislation. Some will say, that WRDA can wait, that there are other more important pieces of legislation. I am here to tell you that it cannot wait. WRDA is not just about large water infrastructure projects, WRDA has a direct impact on the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens. I offer you the example of the people living on the edge of the Martin Pena Channel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For generations, people have lived on what used to be the channel. These people are literally living on top of piles of trash. These are U.S. citizens living in Third World conditions. For years, as I was growing up in Puerto Rico, politicians would talk about the need to move the families from this area and dredge the channel. It never happened. I have made it my priority to change this situation. We are now on the verge of taking the first and most important step of authorizing the dredging of this channel. I am grateful to the members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, many of which have personally visited this area, for recognizing the importance of this project. I also acknowledge the support of Chairman Hobson and Congressman Visclosky who have included the funding for the necessary planning, engineering and design work in the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for FY 2004. Those who have seen the living conditions of the families in the areas around the channel will agree that Congress cannot wait any longer to enact WRDA. I hope we can use this project as an example of why we need WRDA now. I urge my fellow House members to vote for this measure and to send a strong message to the Senate that we need their quick action so we can begin to improve the lives of our must vulnerable citizens.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, today is a very important day for Puerto Ricans, for fans of baseball, and for humanitarians alike who value the legacy of Roberto Clemente, one of the greatest ball players of all time. It gives me great pride to recognize Roberto Clemente's successful career, both on the field as a baseball player and off it as a humanitarian, by naming a post office after him in his native town of Carolina, Puerto Rico. Roberto had rare talent that combined all the essential elements of a great baseball player. He had a powerful bat, speed, graceful fielding, and an especially amazing arm. But perhaps the most important characteristics about Roberto Clemente for Puerto Ricans and for Americans include his character, integrity, humility, and commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Between 1955 and 1972, Roberto Clemente batted 9,454 times in the major leagues, scored 1,416 runs, 3,000 hits, the first Puerto Rican to reach that mark; 240 home runs and batted in 1,305 runs in 2,433 games. Also, Roberto won four National League batting titles, 1961, 1964, 1965 and 1967; had a .317 lifetime batting average; and was selected 12 times to the Midsummer Classic, the All-Star game. Roberto also participated in two World Series, won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1966, and became the first Puerto Rican to win such an award. He also won 12 Gold Gloves as a right fielder; and was selected, and I remember that one, in 1971 the World Series Most Valuable Player. Also, Roberto Clemente has been the only Latin American to appear in two First Class stamps. Puerto Ricans remember Roberto Clemente with great pride, for he not only made the most of his athletic talents, he was also a role model for us all, helping those in need and giving back to the community what he earned through his hard work and dedication. In a day when we often cringe at the scandals involving some of our greatest athletes, we can remember Roberto Clemente for all the great things he embodied. Last December 31, 2002, we commemorated the 30th anniversary of his tragic death. Roberto died on New Year's Eve while delivering aid to the victims of a major earthquake that hit Nicaragua in 1972. I was 10 years old, and I clearly remember that New Year's Day in Puerto Rico the reaction, a holiday that is supposed to be a celebration, New Year's Day was a day of great, great sorrow for the people of Puerto Rico when we all learned about what had just happened to Roberto. Even though his family urged him not to do the trip because of foul weather, Roberto was determined to help the victims. Unfortunately, the plane suffered a tragic accident; and Roberto and the whole crew perished in the incident. H.R. 2826 will honor Roberto's legacy by naming his hometown post office in his honor. This legislation will serve much-deserved recognition to Roberto Clemente. It is for our fallen star, his family, and for all his fans in Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania, and throughout the world. We will never ever forget what he brought to both the baseball field and to our society.

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA

Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to share some excellent news with my colleagues, and to give credit where credit is due. I am very proud to announce that Puerto Rico's Child Support Enforcement Administrator, Ms. Aleida Varona, has been singled out by the HHS's Administration of Children and Families' Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) to receive their first ever Achievement Beyond the Call of Duty Award. What makes me even more proud, especially in these times, is that her ``beyond the call of duty'' project was part of the effort to mobilize our troops to Iraq. Ms. Varona's award is therefore not only a recognition of her own commitment and hard work and that of the administration of Gov. Sila Maria Calderon. I believe this award, more importantly, recognizes two of the highest values that Puerto Ricans hold dear: the central importance of family and our great pride in and loyalty to our country, the United States of America. I have mentioned before how committed Gov. Sila Calderon and her administration is to protecting the well being of our children, and especially to making sure that all of Puerto Rico's children receive the resources and support they need to grow safely and soundly into productive, healthy citizens. Ensuring that every child gets the appropriate support from each of their parents is a cornerstone of this goal. To achieve this the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has developed one of the most modernized and effective Child Support enforcement programs in the Nation. Last year, the Commonwealth collected $223 million in child support payments for approximately 151,000 families. This amounts to three times Puerto Rico's welfare grant--a ratio that is three times the national average, even though the average monthly child support payment was only $123. Moreover, this represents a nearly 1,200 percent return on the federal investment of $18.9 million. The Commonwealth also served an additional 86,000 families by helping to locate non-custodial parents and proving paternity. In addition, last year Puerto Rico became the second jurisdiction in the country to move to a completely paperless payment system, where all families receive their support payments either by direct deposit or an electronic benefit transmission card. These achievements speak for themselves as a testament to the Commonwealth's commitment to children and to the economic self-sufficiency of our families. With the recent mobilization of American troops to Iraq, our Child Support Enforcement Administration pushed the envelope of achievement even further. As you all know, Puerto Ricans are deeply patriotic people, and historically, our contributions to the military have also exceeded the call of duty. Puerto Rico has one of the highest per capita rates of military service in the country. When Operation Iraqi Freedom came along it was no different. More than 5,300 National Guard, Air National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Marine troops were called up in Puerto Rico's largest military mobilization ever. Only seven States had larger mobilizations, and more than 1,500 servicemen and women remain on active duty in Iraq and Kuwait to this day. When called upon by our country, Puerto Ricans have always served with pride, and have consistently and willingly endured the sacrifices required to fulfill our patriotic duty. We all know that for the service men and women that are also Moms and Dads, this is a particularly difficult sacrifice, because it means saying goodbye to their children. This was where Ms. Varona stepped in. She set up a project to give these parents the peace of mind that, whether they had custody of their children or not, those children would receive all of the support that they are entitled without interruption. This project provided these children with the support to which they are entitled, even though Daddy had a different job or that they were living with Grandma now because Mommy was fighting a war. In cooperation with the office of Puerto Rico's Governor and Puerto Rico's Department of the Family, Varona partnered with National Guard Commanding Officer General Francisco A. Marquez Haddock and Army Commander Brigadier General Jose M. Rosado to operate seven Family Assistance Centers in the various armories where activated personnel were being processed. Varona provided experienced agency employees to assist individuals in ensuring that the correct amount of child support would be received by service men and women's families during their deployment without interruption. This guaranteed that virtually every activated soldier subject to a support order received relevant orientation services, and if appropriate, participated in a modification and/or wage withholding initiation process. It also guaranteed that custodial parents had the opportunity to communicate changes in the temporary guardianship of their children during their deployment. This initiative is a vibrant, living testament of Puerto Rico's strong tradition of military service. Fittingly, the OCSE changed the name of this award, which was originally for customer service, when it found out how Ms. Varona did, indeed, go beyond the call of duty to ensure the smooth mobilization of our soldiers to Iraq with the least disruption possible to their families. Thanks to Ms. Varona's concern and commitment to our military personnel and their dependents, and her willingness to go the extra mile, Puerto Ricans were able to fulfill their vital responsibilities to their country knowing that their fundamental responsibilities to their families were being met.