Xavier Becerra

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Some people don't believe that that's the case. That is America.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the legacy of an American icon, Cesar Estrada Chavez, leader of the United Farm Workers, born on March 31, 1927. This Saturday, we celebrate the 85th anniversary of his birth. Cesar Chavez was born in Yuma, Arizona, to a life filled with early hardships, poverty and racial and social injustice. These experiences were his first lessons in what our nation should not be for millions of Americans. As a result of his family's losses during the Great Depression, Cesar Chavez's family, like so many others, migrated to California to work in the farm fields picking crops in hopes of economic stability. They eventually settled in San Jose where they lived in a barrio called Sal Si Puedes, ``Get Out If You Can.'' Cesar Chavez often recalled the early injustices he experienced in school, and later as a farmworker. He vividly remembered throughout his life the prohibition of Spanish in school and being punished for speaking it. . . or even the signs in his community that said ``Whites Only.'' His experience was universal for many in that era, whether they were Latino, African-American, Asian American or others facing discrimination. My own father encountered signs that read ``No dogs and Mexicans Allowed'' during this time. It was on account of this type of blatant discrimination and racism that Cesar Chavez devoted his life to fighting for social and economic justice in our nation. Events around our nation remind us that the need for such a champion is still present today. In 1962, alongside Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association, later to become the United Farm Workers, an organization that came to be known as the driving force of the organized labor movement for farmworkers in the U.S. This movement, or ``La Causa'' as it was known in millions of homes including mine, taught us that solidarity, even in the face of brutal adversity can lead to victory. The ``No Grapes'' campaign and boycott led by Cesar Chavez and UFW was an omnipresent part of my youth and of many of my colleagues serving here today. We knew what it meant to not buy grapes and not eat them, to feel proud of being part of something bigger than ourselves, even if it meant going without something we loved, or answering curious questions from friends or classmates. And for me, when victory came, it was sweet--literally and figuratively--and my small sacrifice seemed like the most powerful thing in the world. On the 85th anniversary of Cesar Chavez's birth, we are reminded that his personal story is one of transformation and legacy. He transformed his early experiences from Sal Si Puedes into ``Si Se Puede'', ``Yes, we can.'' Those words still ring true today, and serve as a mantra of hope for millions of Americans who seek fairness and equal treatment. Just ask the President of the United States. Mr. Speaker, today we reflect on Cesar Chavez's lifetime of advocacy in the pursuit of social justice. Let us hope our legacy will be as enduring as that of our beloved leader and brother Cesar Chavez.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I stand in strong opposition to the Republican budget that we are considering here today. How easy it is for some to forget that when President Bush took office, we had surpluses as far as the eye could see, and when President Bush left office, we were left with a deep pool of red ink. My friends on the other side of the aisle talk about the urgency of reducing our deficits, but where were my deficit-concerned colleagues when Congress passed tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, adding trillions to the deficit? Where were my deficit-concerned colleagues when President Bush took us into two wars without paying for either? I find it hard to believe that after voting time and again to add trillions to the deficit, that the only solution they offer to create economic growth in this country is to end Medicare and to hand out more tax cuts to the wealthiest among us. The Republican vision in this budget doesn't reflect the America that I grew up in, and their vision of an America that can't is not the country that I want my children to inherit. Budgets are about choices, and this Republican budget chooses billionaires over seniors and oil subsidies over college dreams for our middle class. The same Republican budget that replaces the Medicare guarantee and gives us ``coupon care'' that immediately and dramatically increases seniors' health care costs and that cuts college aid for over 9 million students and slashes investments in our K 12 schools, turns around and showers hundreds of thousands of dollars on millionaires and billionaires. You can't make this stuff up. What's most astonishing to me about this budget is the absence of any talk about real Americans, those fighting to hold on to their jobs and their homes. America has always been the land of opportunity, where those who work hard and play by the rules have a chance to succeed and to achieve the American Dream. Instead of turning America into a can't-do country where you begin by dismantling Medicare and Medicaid and dismantling our programs to help our children trying to go to college and all of those institutions that we rely on, the Institutes of Health and all of those that do all the science research for us, we should recognize that this is still a great country. We need to come together in this debate with the conviction that America's best days are yet to come. I urge my colleagues to vote against this can't-do Republican budget and for the Democratic alternative.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. I thank the gentleman for yielding. In December, this Congress gave 20 conferees three tasks to achieve by February 29: to extend the payroll tax cut for 160 million middle class Americans; to ensure Americans who lost their jobs through no fault of their own receive their unemployment insurance benefits; and to guarantee our seniors on Medicare have access to the doctors of their choice and the care that they need. We achieved this goal. But let's be clear, this agreement is by no means free of controversy. The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) eloquently illustrated that. Our Republican colleagues succeeded in extracting a pound of flesh from middle class working Americans who also serve ably in our Federal Government. But what was the alternative that we faced? A House Republican bill passed in December that quadrupled the cuts to workers in their salaries and their benefits; that increased the cost of Medicare for millions of seniors; that eliminated and restricted access to physical speech and occupational therapy in hospital settings for Medicare patients; that eliminated the child tax credit for millions of modest- income families; and that eliminated unemployment insurance benefits for nearly 3 million Americans who had lost a job through no fault of their own. This agreement represents a rejection of the approach in the House Republican bill of December. It is a compromise, free of the controversial and extraneous measures in that Republican bill in December. But it is a bill of controversy because we are asking American workers who work very hard, who give their all and just happen to work for the Federal Government, to pay the cost of helping other Americans who are unemployed. We could have made this a good bill. We could have asked every American--especially those most able to contribute--to help out. We didn't in this bill, and that's why it's a compromise. It could have been much better, but we faced a deadline by February 29 where 160 million American families would have seen their taxes increase. We would have seen a situation where millions of Americans would have lost their unemployment insurance. We needed to act, and we did. I urge my colleagues to vote for this compromise measure.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, on February 15, 2012 I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall votes 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54. If present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall votes 50 and 51, and ``yea'' on rollcall votes 52, 53, and 54.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. I thank the gentleman for yielding. My friends, we've seen this movie before. House Republicans, once again, are driving our government and our economy to the edge of the cliff, and this time they've placed 160 million workers and 48 million seniors in the front seat of that car. House Republican leaders are refusing to allow 435 Members of this House to vote on a bipartisan proposal that was passed by 89 out of 100 Senators next door. My Republican colleagues know that this bipartisan bill passed by the Senate would pass on this floor and that it would save working Americans from having their taxes increased during the holidays. The truth is the Republicans are feuding amongst themselves. House Republicans are fighting with Senate Republicans, and quite frankly, they're fighting with Republicans throughout this country, because a majority of them supports the President's payroll tax cut. Mr. Speaker, once again, the people--Republicans and Democrats alike--are way ahead of the politicians. They want us to get our work done and get it done now. Let's stop showing the American people B- rated movies on the floor of the House, and let's pass the Senate bipartisan legislation.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Chair, earlier today I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall vote 906. If present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote 906. Stated against:

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18) the Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act--a companion bill that is also being introduced today in the U.S. Senate by our colleagues Senator Robert Menendez (NJ), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) and Senator Marco Rubio (FL). The Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act we introduce today advances the work of the National Museum the American Latino Commission--a 23-member bi-partisan, congressionally authorized commission of experts that investigated the potential creation of a museum. Through an exhaustive process that involved consultations with national experts, forums in eight cities (Chicago, Albuquerque, Austin, Miami, St. Paul, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Juan, Puerto Rico), and communication via several online platforms that engaged tens of thousan supporters, the commission generated valuable input regarding the feasibility of an American Latino museum Washington, D.C. Over the past eighteen years the call has grown stronger and stronger to establish such a museum on our National Mall that shares the rich and full story of what it means to be an American. The effort to create the American Latino Museum dates back to 1993, when a Smithsonian Task Force on Latino Issues formally called for the creation of a national museum dedicated to sharing the story of Latinos' historic, cultural and artistic contributions to the U.S. I was proud to introduce the legislation in 2003 that created the National Museum of the American Latino Commission. Five years later, in 2008, Congress passed the bill and it was signed by President George W. Bush. Once appointed by Congress and President Barack Obama, the Commission began its work in 2009 with the support of the Department of Interior and Secretary Ken Salazar. The Commission's final 2011 report and recommendations can be viewed at http://www.americanlatinomuseum.gov. The bill we are introducing responds to the Commission's call for the creation of a national museum in Washington, D.C. that ``illuminates the American story for the benefit of all'' by preserving, presenting and interpreting American Latino history, art, cultural expressions, and experiences. Specifically, the bill: (1) Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution a museum to be known as the ``Smithsonian American Latino Museum.'' (2) Designates the museum's site as the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall, at 900 Jefferson Drive Southwest in Washington, D.C. (3) Authorizes the Smithsonian Board of Regents to prepare a plan of action for the museum, as referred to in the May 2011 Report to Congress submitted by the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino, in consultation with the Secretary of Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission and federal and local agencies. (4) Authorizes the Regents to identify and evaluate viable funding models for both the construction and operation of the museum, within 18 months after the bill is enacted. (5) Authorizes the Regents and Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement that allows for the planning design and construction of an underground annex facility, in a manner harmonious with and to protect the open space and visual sightlines of the Mall. Today marks a key moment in our effort to ensure that the contributions of Americans of Latino descent receive respect and recognition earned by a patriotic community of Americans who have served this nation since its inception and now number over 50 million. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and to supporting the Smithsonian Institution in an important new chapter of its work to increase understanding of the American experience.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18) the Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act--a companion bill that is also being introduced today in the U.S. Senate by our colleagues Senator Robert Menendez (NJ), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) and Senator Marco Rubio (FL). The Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act we introduce today advances the work of the National Museum of the American Latino Commission--a 23-member bipartisan, congressionally authorized commission of experts that investigated the potential creation of a museum. Through an exhaustive process that involved consultations with national experts, forums in 8 cities (Chicago, Albuquerque, Austin, Miami, St. Paul, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Juan, Puerto Rico), and communication via several online platforms that engaged tens of thousands of supporters, the commission generated valuable input regarding the feasibility of an American Latino museum in Washington, DC. Over the past 18 years the call has grown stronger and stronger to establish such a museum on our National Mall that shares the rich and full story of what it means to be an American. The effort to create the American Latino Museum dates back to 1993, when a Smithsonian Task Force on Latino Issues formally called for the creation of a national museum dedicated to sharing the story of Latinos' historic, cultural and artistic contributions to the U.S. I was proud to introduce the legislation in 2003 that created the National Museum of the American Latino Commission. Five years later, in 2008, Congress passed the bill and it was signed by President George W. Bush. Once appointed by Congress and President Barack Obama, the Commission began its work in 2009 with the support of the Department of Interior and Secretary Ken Salazar. The Commission's final 2011 report and recommendations can be viewed at http://www.americanlatinomuseum.gov. The bill we are introducing responds to the Commission's call for the creation of a national museum in Washington, DC that illuminates the American story for the benefit of all'' by preserving, presenting and interpreting American Latino history, art, cultural expressions, and experiences. Specifically, the bill: (1) Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution a museum to be known as the ``Smithsonian American Latino Museum.'' (2) Designates the museum's site as the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall, at 900 Jefferson Drive Southwest in Washington, DC. (3) Authorizes the Smithsonian Board of Regents to prepare a plan of action for the museum, as referred to in the May 2011 Report to Congress submitted by the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino, in consultation with the Secretary of Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission and federal and local agencies. (4) Authorizes the Regents to identify and evaluate viable funding models for both the construction and operation of the museum, within 18 months after the bill is enacted. (5) Authorizes the Regents and Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement that allows for the planning, design and construction of an underground annex facility, in a manner harmonious with and to protect the open space and visual sightlines of the Mall. Today marks a key moment in our effort to ensure that the contributions of Americans of Latino descent receive the respect and recognition earned by a patriotic community of Americans who have served this nation since its inception and now number over 50 million. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and to supporting the Smithsonian Institution in an important new chapter of its work to increase understanding of the American experience.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, on October 26th I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall vote No. 812. If present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 812.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the American people are way ahead of the politicians. They have been telling us over and over again: We want a balanced approach to reducing our deficits. One in five Americans has said very clearly: We support the Republicans' slash-and-burn default plan that we see before us that only cuts services to Americans to try to help us balance our budget. But nearly three times as many Americans have been saying over and over again: We want to see a balanced approach between those cuts to very important services, a little bit of pain, but also tax increases on all those folks who have been taking advantage of those tax loopholes and making a ton of money. The American people don't think it's a good idea to cut Medicare and Social Security and to cut Medicaid to protect tax loopholes for special interests. They've been saying that over and over. But here's the biggest clue that our Republican colleagues aren't listening to: The American people have said over and over that the biggest deficit our country faces today is a jobs deficit. After 204 days as the majority, Republicans have only given us slash-and-burn politics that have created not one single job for hardworking middle class families. In fact, instead of creating jobs, their major pieces of legislation could potentially cost 2 million more Americans to lose their jobs. The worst thing about this whole charade is that every single person here in this room today knows that this bill that we're discussing today won't go anywhere. We face the very real possibility of an historic default in under a week, and here we are spinning our wheels. We all agree that our Nation must not default on its past obligations. The Republican Members here must abandon their ``my way or the highway'' approach and work across the aisle on a balanced, bipartisan agreement to reduce our deficit, create jobs, and protect our seniors and our middle class. I say to my Republican friends: America is not short on work ethic; we're short on jobs. It's time for us to get to the business of America and create those jobs.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall vote 630. If present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote 630.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Once again, the public is way ahead of the politicians. By nearly three to one, Americans reject this Republican budget scheme. In fact, nearly 70 percent of Americans disapprove of how Republicans are handling this deficit and default crisis. Even 51 percent of Americans who are registered Republicans disapprove of how congressional Republicans are handling these negotiations. And by wide margins, Americans have sent a very clear signal to us in Congress here: Do not cut Medicare to pay for deficits that were caused by things like the Bush tax cuts to the wealthy and two unpaid-for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, millions of Americans are living through tight budgets. As they sit at the kitchen table, they don't have the luxury of walking away from the tough choices as some in Congress have done. They know that they must balance today the needs that they have with the investments of tomorrow. That's why Americans would see straight through this cut-and-paste budget scheme. Under this budget scheme, if an American family wanted to buy a house, guess what? You better have cash to pay for it, because you cannot borrow if you have to live under this budget scheme. No mortgages. If you want to send your child to college, you better have every single cent you need to send your child to college today to pay for the full cost of that tuition. No student loans because you could not borrow. So much for the American Dream for the American people. Two hundred days into this Congress and not one bill yet from this House is enacted to put Americans back to work. And this proposal would eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs almost immediately. How are we going to get past the next 14 days if today, on this floor, we're debating a bill that we know will not pass in the Senate, that the President has said that he would veto? And in 14 short days, it's not an issue of paying our bills. It's a matter of watching the interest rates on people's mortgages skyrocket. It's a matter of watching the value of the dollar plummet. And it's a matter of watching People's retirement accounts or their 401(k) or IRA all of a sudden drop simply because people here in the House of Representatives decided to play politics. That's what this is about. And that's why, once again, the public is way ahead of the politicians. Let's get to work. Let's stop leaving the negotiating table. Let's get this done. The President has said he is willing to go with a balanced approach. This gets us nowhere. We need to go somewhere, because America still has a long way to travel.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Madam Chair, earlier today I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall vote 599. If present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote 599. Stated against:

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. I thank the chairman.

Mr. BECERRA. I yield to the ranking member.

Mr. BECERRA. I thank the ranking member and the chairman, and I look forward to working with them. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment Offered by Mr. Flake

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. BECERRA. I rise to engage in a colloquy with the chairman and ranking member on recruitment and outreach at the military service academies. Mr. Chairman, some areas in the U.S. have been harder for the military academies to reach for recruitment purposes than others. To ease this problem, the Congress should work to ensure that the military academies have the ability to reach out to men and women from underrepresented rural and urban areas. Past outreach efforts have been effective at the military academies. For example, in the U.S. Naval Academy's increased outreach efforts, we have seen results that show that some 19,145 applicants have come out for the class of 2015, an increase of 25 percent over the past 2 years. The Navy has been able to conduct recruitment blitzes in parts of the country that were traditionally underrepresented. In my home State of California, the Navy increased their applicants by 25 percent, from some 2,400 for the class of 2013 to over 3,000 for the class of 2015. I believe it is important for the academies to have the resources to continue building upon this success. This critical investment would help America find the best and the brightest for our military and for America's future.

Mr. BECERRA. I yield to the chairman.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall vote 479. If present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote 479.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall votes 408 and 409 on June 2, 2011. If present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 408 and ``no'' on rollcall vote 409.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a distinguished American, Mr. Eddie Palmieri, the recipient of this year's District of Columbia's Jazz Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Palmieri, renowned for his unique fusion of Jazz and Latin rhythms, has blazed many trails in his remarkable career. ``El Rumbero del Piano,'' a title which reflects his magic on the piano, has earned his place among the great ones for his dedication to Jazz and the cultivation of its creative soul. Having grown up in Spanish Harlem to Puerto Rican parents, Latin beats were a part of Eddie Palmieri's life from an early age. He began his lifelong passion for creating music at the tender age of eight. By age thirteen, Eddie had joined his uncle's orchestra playing the timbales. From his early exposure to the music instruments of the South Bronx, was borne the beautiful medley of Jazz and Latin music that is now firmly weaved into American life. A musical trailblazer, Eddie Palmieri received the first of what would be numerous Grammys in 1975 for the recording ``The Sun of Latin Music''--marking the very first time in the history of the Grammys that the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences recognized Latin music. In 1988, the Smithsonian Institution recorded two of Mr. Palmieri's energetic performances for the catalog of the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. In a sign of changing times, in 1993, he was appointed to the Board of Governors of the New York chapter of National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences. Twenty years after placing Latin music on the Grammys map, Eddie once again chartered new territory, opening the door for the new category of Latin Jazz. More recently, in 2009, his widely popular composition ``Azucar Pa' Ti'' was inducted into the National Recording Registry of the United States Library of Congress as a significant and compelling American sound recording. Mr. Palmieri shares this honor of induction into the National Recording Registry with other titans of American music like The Band, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, The Staple Singers, Patti Smith, Cliff Edwards, Little Richard and R.E.M. A nine-time Grammy Award winner with a musical career spanning more than 50 years and 36 recordings, Mr. Eddie Palmieri is an inspirational pianist, composer, arranger, and a celebrated leader of Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras. For his numerous contributions to the American musical landscape, but more for his brilliant work in introducing the world to the rhythms of Latin Jazz, I ask that the House of Representatives honor and commend El Rumbero del Piano for a lifetime of achievement.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a truly remarkable member of my community, Dr. Ho S. Bae, the medical director of the Asian Pacific Liver Center at St. Vincent's Medical Center. Dr. Bae has dedicated his career as a physician to improving the lives of people in my district. As we have just completed celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it is fitting that we recognize the significant accomplishments of our AAPI community leaders. In 2007, Dr. Bae founded the Asian Pacific Liver Center after noticing a disproportionally high incidence of Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) in Asian American communities in Los Angeles. Rather than be a passive witness to this growing public health problem, Dr. Bae took action to educate the public regarding CHB and increase the availability of treatment for this life threatening disease. Since founding the center, Dr. Bae has been providing comprehensive services ranging from free screening, vaccinations, education and treatment for people afflicted by and at risk of contracting CHB. Dr. Bae has screened over 10,000 individuals and provided free hepatitis and liver cancer education to several thousand others at community venues. He has also been a leader in ensuring that information and strategies on how to protect individuals from the disease are communicated to patients in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. This has vastly improved the value of his center's work by helping individuals make better lifestyle choices to effectively treat the disease and erase the stigma associated with it. Dr. Bae's emergence as a leader on this issue provides true inspiration to all who hope to be a positive influence for the next generation of Americans. I am proud to have such a wonderful leader in my district and honored to recognize his service as we celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and honor that I ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting Dr. Ho Bae and the countless Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent who are making a difference in their communities and throughout our country.