Xavier Becerra

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to believe that today as the Senate moves to vote to help workers left unemployed by September 11, this House chooses to vote to reaffirm last year's massive and imprudent tax cut bill. Knowing what we know today, how can we vote for tax cuts that are tilted towards big business and the well-to-do? Last year we were told in 2001 that we would have a surplus of $300 billion into the year 2002. Now what do we know? That there is a deficit of $100 billion in the President's budget. Last year we were told that Social Security would be protected. We all voted for the so-called lock box. What do we know today? The President's budget raids Social Security over 10 years of $1.5 trillion. Last year we were promised that we would pay down the national debt of $3.5 trillion. What do we know today? The Bush budget increases the debt. Last year we were told prescription drug benefits would be available for all seniors. What do we know today? Only some seniors will get it. Last year we were promised we would support public education. Today what do we know? The Bush budget eliminates all funding for class-size reduction. It eliminates all funding for school construction. It cuts drug prevention programs. It cuts money for drop-out prevention programs. Education came first? Today we also know that September 11 left us with the need to fund homeland security and to address our terrorism needs. By the way, the President said it is costing us about $1 billion a month, $12 billion a year to fight terrorism. Extended out for 10 years, that is $120 billion. Why are you taking $1.5 trillion from Social Security? Stop showing those charts. We also know today that we have lay-offs and unemployment as a result of September 11. American workers in need. We know today the corruption and greed of big business commands the attention of the American public because of companies like Enron inflicting real and heavy hits on our American workers and their pensions. We also know that the Enrons of the world and the executives like Kenneth Lay who used to run Enron are the ones that would benefit from these tax cuts more than any of Enron's workers. You cannot claim innocence. You cannot claim ignorance. You know what you are doing if you vote for this. Vote against it. Help the Senate in doing the heavy lifting in helping American workers, not this.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I have three words for the gentlewoman: Grit, guts and grace. I think the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) does a tremendous job of demonstrating what an elected official should represent. I have had nothing but pleasure in seeing her operate and seeing the gentlewoman just move forward an issue, whether it is an issue on trade, or an issue of a woman's right to choose, or just her campaign to become historically the next Democratic whip here in the House of Representatives. I think we have someone who handles herself in a way that makes all of us proud. For a Californian, for someone who is a minority, for someone who believes in progressive politics, we have a great deal of pride seeing that the next whip for the Democratic Caucus here in the House of Representatives will be the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi). I wish I could claim she was from Los Angeles where I hail from and represent instead of San Francisco. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in saying not just to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) and Paul Pelosi, who deserves a great deal of the credit as well for supporting the gentlewoman, but to all the world, let it be known that we are very proud of the Member that we elected as the next whip in the House, and very proud to be able to display her, because what we will do now under the gentlewoman's leadership will demonstrate that we knew how to choose right. I say congratulations once again.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, due to official business on Wednesday, January 23, 2002, and Thursday, January 24, 2002, I was unable to cast my floor vote on rollcall numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4. The votes I missed include rollcall vote 1 on the Quorum Call of the House; rollcall vote 2 on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 700, to Reauthorize the Asian Elephant Conservation Act; rollcall vote 3 on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 2234, the Tumacacori National Historical Park Boundary Revision Act; and rollcall vote 4 on Passage of S. 1762, the Higher Education Act Amendments. Had I been present for the votes, I would have voted ``present'' on rollcall vote 1, and ``aye'' on rollcall votes 2, 3, and 4.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, January 29, 2002, I was unable to cast my floor vote on rollcall Number 5, on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 335, a resolution honoring the contributions of Catholic schools. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote 5.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, December 18, 2001, due to business in my District, I was unable to cast my floor vote on rollcall No. 499, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 3379, the Raymond M. Downey Post Office Building; and rollcall No. 500 on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 3054, the True American Heroes Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall votes 499 and 500.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with utmost honor and pleasure that I rise to recognize Mr. Jesus Burciaga, a gifted leader and outstanding firefighter from La Habra, California. Today, Jesus achieves another milestone in an already storied career. In the process, he affirms our belief that devotion, determination, and discipline still pay handsome dividends in life. This 20th of December, the Los Angeles County Fire Department elevates Jesus to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief, third in command of the second largest fire protection agency in America. His promotion highlights a career of exceptional public service which began more than a quarter century ago. As a young man who once shined shoes on the corner of First Street and Gage Avenue in East Los Angeles, Jesus saw his hard work and perseverance take him from the lowest position in the Los Angeles County Fire Department, suppression aid, to fire fighter, then inspector, to Captain by 1984. Five years later he was promoted to Battalion Chief, and by 1994 he had become Assistant Fire Chief, serving for a time as Los Angeles County Fire Marshal. Chief Burciaga has accomplished many ``firsts.'' He became one of the youngest firefighters to qualify for Captain at the age of twenty-five. He became the first Fire Marshal of Latino descent in the County's history. And he is certainly the first fortyseven year old father of five daughters whom I have witnessed retain not only his hair but its natural dark color. I met Jesus more than thirteen years ago at a ``Career Day'' session at a local elementary school where we both were presented before a class of fifth graders. Captain Burciaga was dressed in uniform; I, Deputy Attorney General Becerra, wore my suit. There was no contest: he glittered, I gawked. He told the kids of his battles with fire, I battled to keep their eyes on me. It would not surprise me if some of those young students today are firefighters. Chief Burciaga has a passion for service and a devotion to our youth. As President of the United Hispanic Scholarship Fund he has helped raise $500,000 to make the dream of college a reality for more than one thousand students. He volunteers his ``spare time'' to support his brethren internationally, delivering surplus but valuable firefighting vehicles and equipment and teaching the latest fire fighting techniques to firefighters in countries like Mexico. But, without question, his greatest passion and devotion, which has earned him our undying respect and affection, belongs to his family. Ana Burciaga has fought every one of her husband's fires. In her eyes you see the values that have made the Burciaga family so strong. Ana and Jesus and their five accomplished daughters--Elenor, Catherine, Luz, Natalie and Sarah--have every right to be proud today. Mr. Speaker, on this day, December 20, 2001, family, friends and colleagues gather at Descanso Gardens in La Canada, Flintridge, California to witness the official appointment of Jesus Burciaga as Deputy Fire Chief for the County of Los Angeles and to celebrate 28 years of courage, integrity, and consummate professionalism. It is with great pride that I ask my colleagues in this beloved House of Representatives to join me today in saluting Jesus Burciaga, an exceptional man and cherished friend.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it's deja vu all over again. Nearly 2 months ago, the House narrowly approved a partisan, budget busting economic stimulus package laden with tax cuts for corporations and the affluent that failed to meet the dramatic needs of those suffering the worst effects of the current economic downturn. Now, here we are again, for a second-go-round with largely the same package of misguided tax cuts and insufficient unemployment and health care assistance for recently laid-off workers. On all counts--tax relief, emergency unemployment benefits, and health care coverage--this bill is inadequate and should be defeated. The Democratic leadership of the House and Senate have time and time again made good-faith, fiscally responsible offers on the tax, unemployment, and health care provisions in this bill. But, in each and every case, the White House and the Republican congressional leadership have resisted these attempts to reach a middle-ground and instead have insisted on the inclusion of their partisan proposals. I am extremely disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle are bringing up this legislation today. It is clear to me, and clear to so many of our constituents who desperately need the help promised to them by the President and Congress earlier this fall, that this bill will never become law in its present form. We should not be wasting either the time or the effort on this wholly political enterprise. House and Senate leaders, Republicans and Democrats alike, should return to the negotiating table and craft a balanced and responsible bill, one that stimulates the economy and deals with the immediate economic and healthcare needs of my constituents in Los Angeles, the citizens of California, and all those suffering throughout the Nation-- without threatening the Social Security and Medicare surpluses, without jeopardizing our ability to meet our homeland and national security needs, and without endangering our long-term economic recovery. While most others may have given up hope that such a consensus, bipartisan agreement can be reached, I continue to believe that it is possible. I say this because broad support exists for a significant number of provisions that could be the basis of such a bipartisan agreement. For example, both Republicans and Democrats have included in their stimulus packages language that provides for bonus depreciation, more generous small business expensing, extended carryback of business losses, and extension of several expiring tax benefits. Beyond these tax items, there are several others that have bipartisan support and would contribute to an economic turnaround, but, regrettably, were never considered for inclusion in the bill before us today. For instance, I believe the House should have considered a proposal to allow a life insurance company that merges with a nonlife insurance company to file a consolidated tax return. Congress long ago recognized that while an affiliated group of corporations consists of multiple legal entities, it is, in economic reality, a single business enterprise and should be permitted to file a single consolidated tax return so that the income and losses of the entire economic unit may be considered as a whole for tax purposes. However, groups that include life insurance companies--indeed, only such affiliated groups--are unable to take advantage of this common sense tax policy and cannot fully consolidate their income in a single tax return. These limitations not only add enormous and unjustifiable complexity to the accounting requirements of these companies, but they also hinder their ability to compete with other corporate financial services groups. Even more frustrating, these restrictions will disrupt the economic recovery of an industry so dramatically impacted by the terrorist attacks of September 11 since most corporate groups with life insurance affiliates will be unable to offset their losses against total net income from the current year or carry the losses back to prior years. I hold out hope that we will be able to address these limitations before this Congress adjourns. The time for leveling the playing field for life insurers is long overdue. In addition, the problem of runaway movie and television productions continues to threaten the well being of many sectors of the American economy. When moviemakers come to town, hotels are filled, restaurants and caterers gain new business, air and ground transportation provides and travel agents experience increased demand for their services. It's no wonder that several foreign governments have adopted tax and other incentives to attract motion picture and television production projects--and the jobs and spending that come with them. Now, more than ever we must counteract these off-shore incentives. The same businesses most affected by runaway production have also been those most dramatically impacted by the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11. I cannot overemphasize that this is not just about Hollywood or the State of California. Runaway film and television production hurts states and cities across the country--from Illinois to Arkansas, and North Carolina to Washington. We must stop the hemorrhaging of American jobs and businesses to foreign shores. Unfortunately, legislation to keep movie and television production in the United States and generate jobs and revenue in communities throughout the country by providing wage-based tax credits for productions of films, television or cable programming was not considered as a component of the economic stimulus package. Again, I am hopeful that Congress will consider this proposal of such importance to so many Americans in the very near future. Finally, three pillars--the bull market, unparalleled consumer confidence, and a robust housing market--supported the historic economic growth of the last decade. Over the course of the past year, however, we have seen dramatic declines in both the stock market and in consumer confidence. Of the three, only the housing market has remained unbowed and continues to support a teetering economy. With this in mind, I believe it would have been very constructive to include proposals to ensure the strength and vitality of this sector. We could have stimulated the economy by putting the dream of homeownership within reach of more and more Americans simply by expanding the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers. For little cost and tremendous and proven return, we could have updated the low-income housing tax credit to encourage additional private sector development of valuable housing stock. These, too, are issues Congress and the President should address next year. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I must reiterate my profound disappointment that we have spent so many hours tonight debating for the second time an economic stimulus package that should not have been considered by this House the first time around. Time is short, I know, but there is enough for the bipartisan congressional leadership to go back to the negotiating table and craft a bipartisan, fiscally responsible economic stimulus and worker assistance bill that truly lives up to its name. We need a bill that will give families, workers, businesses, and the whole economy a shot in the arm--and we shouldn't go home until we do.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a heartfelt tribute to Bonnie Scanlan, a dear friend and civic-minded individual who worked tirelessly for the community of Echo Park in the City of Los Angeles, California. On Sunday, October 7, 2001, we lost Bonnie after a characteristically valiant fight for life following a massive heart attack. Bonnie was laid to rest Saturday, October 13, 2001 at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, California; we are comforted knowing that today she rests in peace. Bonnie Susan Gerzofsky was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 28, 1946 to Molly and Leonard Gerzofsky, already parents to toddler Stan. When she was in the fifth grade her family moved to Alhambra, California. From All Souls Catholic School and San Gabriel Mission High School, Bonnie went on to graduate from Pasadena City College and then become a social worker for the County of Los Angeles. She later married John Scanlan, together raising their three children Johnna, John and Stephan. Bonnie was a very hands on mom; she passed on her family's love of baseball to her boys, teaching them how to catch. She passed on the importance of community involvement to her children, as Bonnie's mother had to her, serving as Troop Leader during her daughter's days in the Brownies and the Girl Scouts. Bonnie was very proud of her family, especially her grandsons Christopher and Tommy. Perhaps the only love equal to that for her family, baseball and helping others was Bonnie's love for her ancestral homeland of Ireland. Ownership in a Domino's Pizza brought Bonnie to the community of Echo Park in the late 1980's. Even though Bonnie remained a resident of the nearby city of San Gabriel, she felt that as a business owner in Echo Park she had a responsibility to the community and its people. Bonnie's contributions are countless: helping to organize the Echo Park Pride Day, donating a monthly ``Pizza Night'' to the Chris Brownlie AIDS Hospice, holding a food drive at her pizza establishment every year during the holidays, feeding hungry police and firefighters during times of tragedy and crisis, and bringing the Los Angeles Philharmonic Musicmobile to the children at Mayberry School. It seems you could always count on her to support any cause that helped young people in the neighborhood and, of course, to dole out those pizzas whenever and wherever the need arose. In 1998 Bonnie was elected President of the Echo Park Chamber of Commerce, a position she held at the time of her death. She invigorated the Chamber: reviving the community Holiday Parade, instituting the Jackie Finer-Reed Scholarship, starting the Echo Park business district's ``Face Lift'' program, and organizing the yearly Echo Park Night at Dodger Stadium. And, yes, there were always pizzas at every event. I feel deeply privileged to have known Bonnie. She was a trusted friend. She was blessed with a kind, honest heart. And, as all who knew her will attest, she spoke her mind. How I miss that . . . On December 9, 2001, the community of Echo Park paid tribute to Bonnie Scanlan by dedicating this year's Holiday Parade in her memory. Bonnie served posthumously as Grand Marshal with her family riding the parade route in her stead. The people of Echo Park may not realize it, but Bonnie always felt that the community did more for her than she ever did for the community. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride, yet profound sorrow, that I ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting Bonnie Scanlan, an exceptional human being. She left us too soon, with so much to do and so much to say. I will forever remember this beloved friend fondly.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 2107.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, we could have had a very good bill that would have received a very large vote in support. The majority did the right thing by removing a provision in from the bill that would have unfairly cut the pay of our Customs officials, our front line at our borders to prevent terrorist activity from entering into our country. It has provisions which provide for automation for a computer system which is outdated and which must be replaced so we can track what comes into this country. But yet this bill instead chose to sacrifice privacy under the guise of security. Regarding this immunity that the Customs Service so-called requested, first in committee, they could not explain why they needed it. But, more importantly, we know that the Customs Service has a terrible record when it comes to racial profiling. Our own auditors, the General Accounting Office, has found that while black female U.S. citizens are nine times more likely than white U.S. citizens to be the subject of x-ray searches by our Customs Service, they are half as likely as white female U.S. citizens to actually be carrying contraband. Let me repeat that. Even though African American women are found to carry contraband, U.S. citizen African American women are half as likely to carry contraband as white U.S. citizen women, they are nine times as likely to be searched. Yet we want to give the Customs Service more immunity from lawsuits for having done that? It is crazy. Then we talk about inspecting mail. We inspect mail that comes into this country because we do not know what it might contain. Good. But mail going out, our privacy invaded? Right now, Customs Service has every right to inspect that mail by getting a search warrant. They can hold mail. If they believe there is some contraband there, if there is money laundering occurring, all they have to do is hold it. They have the power to get a judicial order to hold it and inspect. What we are saying in this bill is forget about getting the judicial order, let us let them inspect without that. This is wrong. We should not sacrifice privacy. We should pass this bill if we could, but we cannot. Let us defeat it.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I would support Fast Track legislation that meaningfully addresses the areas of labor and the environment, and provides an effective mechanism for congressional participation. This bill does not. I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 3005. Mr. Speaker, article 1 of the Constitution empowers this body, Congress, to regulate commerce with foreign nations. Over the past 250 years of our Nation's existence, for only 20 of those years, from 1974 to 1994, has this body granted the President authority for fast tracking any trade agreement. In those 20 years, five agreements were signed. In contrast, during the 8 years of the Clinton administration, 300 agreements were signed with countries from Belarus to Japan to Uzbekistan. We can do this without Fast Track. We should have Fast Track, but it should be a Fast Track that gives us a clear road map of where this authority will take us. We owe it to the American people not to abandon the American worker or consumer. Until we have Fast Track legislation that guarantees where we will protect our workers and consumers, we should not support Fast Track legislation. Vote ``no'' on H.R. 3005.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, November 30, 2001, I was unable to cast my floor vote on roll call number 465, on Agreeing to the Conference Report for H.R. 2299, Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations for FY 2002. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted ``aye'' on roll call vote 465.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for his support and for his management of this time and the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), a good friend and someone who has been a champion of not just these issues but other issues of international affairs. I want to thank him for his efforts. We have had an opportunity, as he mentioned, in the past to work on issues that are important to Korean Americans, but important to relations between the Koreas as they make efforts to try to reunify the two countries. I wish to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) for all of his efforts and certainly for the support and his cosponsorship of this particular resolution. If I may also thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) for helping us expedite the hearing of this particular concurrent resolution on the floor today. I want to make sure I do acknowledge their efforts to bring this before us quickly. Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 77 is a resolution that I authored in conjunction with the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) for the express purpose of expressing our country and our government's firm support for family reunification opportunities between Americans of Korean descent and their North Korean relatives. Being separated from family at some point in our lives is something that we can all identify with. It is universal and we have gotten accustomed to it with all the travel that we do and separation that goes on between families. That separation is what makes holidays like Thanksgiving, which we just celebrated, a very special time. These are occasions when families gather to give thanks for their blessings. But unfortunately for many Americans, especially Americans of Korean descent, this separation from family has not been temporary, but prolonged and painful at times. Nearly one-third of the more than 1 million people of Korean ancestry who live in the United States have relatives, mothers, brothers, grandmothers, uncles, many of whom they have not seen in more than half a century. Nongovernmental travel and communication between Korean Americans in the U.S. and family members in North Korea is difficult if not impossible. The year 2000 was historic because it was the year that marked the first-ever summit conference between South Korean President Kim Dae Jung and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Il in North Korea. Both leaders agreed to resolve humanitarian issues, such issues as exchange visas for families that have been separated for decades. As of the third reunion, as we have heard, there have been three reunions to date of family members, the fate and addresses of more than 6,000 members of separated families have been confirmed and more than 3,400 families from South Korea have had an opportunity to reunite with relatives in North Korea. The three family reunions have taken place only between South and North Korea, unfortunately; and these reunions have been closed to date to Korean Americans in the United States. According to discussions with Korean officials, it is right now unfortunately the policy of trying to help the families from South Korea unite with North Korean family members probably more than anything else because there is such limited time and space available for families to reunite, and there are so many families who are hoping to have that opportunity in the future. But time is of the essence. We have seen more than 50 years go by since those separations first occurred; and for many family members who reside here in the United States, they now know of family members in North Korea who are in their seventies and in their eighties and in many cases they are not even aware of what the status and the fate of their family members in North Korea may be at this time. In the district I represent in Los Angeles, we have a very vibrant Korean-American community. I happen to be the Representative who has within his congressional district most of what is considered Korea Town in Los Angeles. I am committed to making family unification a reality for my constituents and for the people of Korean ancestry who are Americans here. The Korean-American Family Reunion Council has been working tirelessly to collect signatures, more than 100,000 signatures to date, which urge the President of the United States and the Congress to urge the two Koreas to allow Korean Americans to participate in these family unification opportunities and to visit their loved ones. I have heard many personal stories from Korean Americans who have not seen their family in decades. In that opportunity that the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), I and other of my colleagues had in an interparliamentary session in South Korea to meet with our South Korean counterparts, we had an opportunity to hear from them on this resolution, on this particular provision, and they indicated their support in having the United States advocate to have Korean Americans participate in those family unification efforts. But, despite those efforts, right now we currently see that there have been stops and starts in the inter-Korean talks that have been taking place, but we must still support these efforts. Especially in these times of uncertainty in the world, it is vital that Congress support efforts to strengthen family bonds and build civic ties. Certainly since September 11, the community of nations has worked earnestly to bring the people of the world closer together, to break down barriers, and to help peoples live in peace as brethren. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank those individuals, the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach); the ranking members, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega); the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce); as I said before, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), all of those that made it possible to have the resolution before us. I would be remiss if I did not mention the individuals who made this resolution possible, individuals like Hyepin Im of the Korean American Family Reunification Council; Mr. Sue Hee Kang of the Advisory Council on the Peaceful and Democratic Unification of Korea; Mr. Ki Whan Ha of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles; Mr. Mike Hong of the Advisory Council on the Peaceful and Democratic Unification of Korea; Dr. Young Seok Suh of the Korean American Family Reunion Council; and Mr. Chul Choi, the President of the Federation of North Korean Provinces. I would also like to add to that Reverend Tae Hwan Park, President of the Korean American Sharing Movement, who has been a great inspiration, and those who told me their personal stories of how they hope that before they expire they have a chance to see their relatives, and especially to my staff, Denise Lee, former staff member Susie Ahn, and certainly to the staff of the majority and minority on the Committee on International Relations, thank you very much for helping us bring this resolution to the floor of the House of Representatives. I hope to convey a message to the two Koreas and to the people of the two Koreas that we wish to work with them as they work to reunify, and we also hope that the Korean Americans of this country will have an opportunity to participate in those family reunification efforts.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, due to a commitment in my district on Thursday, November 15, 2001, I was unable to cast my floor vote on rollcall number 444. That vote was on Suspending the Rules and Passing as Amended H.R. 2887, the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act. Had I been present for the vote, and having weighed the voices of support from people and institutions I respect, including the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote 444.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, due to a commitment in my district on Thursday, November 15, 2001, I was unable to cast my floor vote on rollcall numbers 441, 442, 443, and 445. The votes I missed include rollcall vote 441 on Agreeing to the Amendments to H.R. 2269; rollcall vote 442 on Passage of H.R. 2269; rollcall vote 443 on Suspending the Rules and Agreeing to H. Con. Res. 228; and rollcall vote 445 on Suspending the Rules and Agreeing to H. Con. Res. 239. Had I been present for the votes, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall votes 441 and 443, and ``nay'' on rollcall votes 442 and 445.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, today in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles International Airport will lose more than $1 million, as it has since September 11. Half of that loss is due to the fact that it had to increase security and half of that loss is due to lost revenues. Today in Los Angeles, our hazardous material crew within the Los Angeles Police Department is operating in cruisers, regular cruiser vehicles, where it has to put all of its equipment in the front and back seats of its vehicle and the trunk because it does not have the appropriate vehicles to carry all of its equipment to safeguard, to be the frontline defense against anthrax and all hazardous materials, biological or chemical. And today, Mr. Speaker, the Mayor of my city, along with just about every other Mayor in this country, is meeting with the Bush administration to figure out what we do about security. Today, I say to my colleagues, what are we doing? We are talking about giving away $159 billion over the next 10 years, and what will that do to address the concerns that those mayors are talking to the Bush administration about today? Not a thing. Not a thing. I say to my colleagues, we owe it to the American people to provide them security. I say to my colleagues, we owe it to the American people to provide the confidence to buy again, to fly again. I say to my colleagues, we owe it to the American workers to tell them we will do everything possible to get them back to work, because that is all they want. They do not want a handout, they just want their jobs back. They just want to work. We owe it to the American people to tell them, if you are a senior, we are not going to use your Social Security, and if you are not yet retired, we are not going to raid your Social Security Trust Fund. How are we paying for this $159 billion? Through the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds. I say to my colleagues, we owe it to the American people to tell them we are going to get them to work today. One of the first things that are most important on the minds of the American people are security, safety, and economic security as well. We can do that. We can do it in a bipartisan fashion. This bill does not do it. First things first. Security for America, economic security as well, and truth to the American people. We will not use your Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds to pay for something which will bankrupt us in the future. Our kids do not deserve to have to pay for this today. Let us take care of this war, let us take care of this effort to combat terrorism, and let us do it without going on our children's dime.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, the aviation industry is in need of a lifeline, and we are all trying to find it. The bill today provides $15 billion in taxpayer dollars to give a bailout, but there is no reason why this legislation could not have included the real face of the aviation industry: the pilots, the mechanics, the baggage handlers, the fight attendants, and ticket agents. The airlines could not run without them. This package contains nothing for the industry's reportedly 100,000 displaced or soon-to-be-laid-off workers. This $15 billion package spends nothing for the greater safety in our airlines as well. Mr. Speaker, I want to make clear that we need to support legislation granting much-needed relief to our beleaguered airlines; but without help for workers, without real money for enhanced security, without real guaranties for air service to small communities, I cannot support this.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. And this is a fitting time to say it. In the 9 years I have been in this Chamber, I have never seen the gentleman from Michigan take on a task, an assignment, without giving it his all, his commitment and his conviction. And I think all of us stand very proudly with the gentleman from Michigan in this case because oftentimes there are populations in this country that do not have people standing for them. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting in this House at 1 in the morning that as we send out some powerful messages what has happened over the last few days, that we do not forget to send this message as well. This resolution is important, and I thank the gentleman from Michigan and all those who drafted this resolution. It is important because, as we know, a house divided cannot stand. We have demonstrated tremendous resolve in this Congress in the last few days, issuing resolutions which have committed this country and our young men and women to things that perhaps we will not want to think about as days pass, but we have done it in unanimous votes or near-unanimous votes. As we send those messages, I think it is appropriate that one of the messages that is sent will be a message to all Americans that we will stand united, that we are not a house divided, and we want everyone to know that within our house that we call America, our neighbors deserve to be treated equally, whether the individual is of Arab-American descent, whether South Asian American, whether American Muslim, we are all Americans and everyone deserves to be part of that house united. I believe it is so important that we conclude this day's session by giving not just this message that we are prepared to take on with resolve those who chose to try to plunder this country, but also send the message that all of us recognize that this will be done as a team; that when we take on this task that Congress has set forth with the President, that it is recognizing that we are a fabric made up of so many different people. This Sunday we will be holding memorial services for one of our Americans who perished on one of those flights that was destined to a life of infamy. We will be honoring Mrs. Tooran Boloorehi, who happens also to be Arab American. I hope that when we have these services for all of the Americans who perished, we will remember that we are honoring them for their service, for their life, and more importantly, for the dignity that they showed in this country. It is time for us to recognize that the more we come together, the more we will be that house that not only is not divided, but is a house that will portray to the rest of the world what we can do when we bring the diversity of the world together. Mr. Speaker, that is why at the end of the day, our resolve through these resolutions that we pass will demonstrate not only that we will defeat terrorism, but that we will bring the world together, because in America we have proven it makes no difference being hyphenated as an American or not, we will come together. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand with the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior) and all of my colleagues who have taken the time after a very long week to say to all of our American brothers and sisters, we stand together with them because they deserve it, and we will prove to them when they decided to come to America, they were right.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, 3 days ago, on September 11, our Nation suffered a grave terrorist attack that challenged not just America but democracy itself. Today, the American family gathered in churches, mosques, and synagogues to remember and pray for the victims of this unforgivable act. As generations before us, we will rise as one Nation behind one flag to defeat a common enemy. It is with this unity of purpose that we consider this joint resolution authorizing the use of all necessary and appropriate force against those responsible for this barbarous attack. My colleagues, today is only the beginning. This power we are about to entrust in the President is essential to ensure that our Nation is able to eradicate a vile weed all the way down to its roots. We too, as the elected representatives of the men and women of America, are responsible for the successful prosecution of this endeavor. In the weeks and months ahead, we must act and work as one with the President as he consults regularly with Congress about the status and progress of our great Nation's efforts against those who planned, perpetrated or were complicit in the infamy and inhumanity of September 11, 2001. Mr. Speaker, God speed to all of us as we prepare to undertake this dramatic struggle to restore the peace and security we as Americans cherish.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise, as has my country, to pray for loved ones, to embrace our valiant rescuers, and to condemn the heinous and cowardly acts of abject terrorism that we witnessed yesterday. We, the American family, have lost fathers, mothers and sons, our brother the firefighter, our sister the police officer. Mr. Speaker, Carolina, my wife and I, extend our sincere condolences to all who have suffered a loss, and our hearts and prayers are with those yet to be saved but for whom the candle of hope remains lit. To Clarisa, Olivia, and Natalia, my three daughters, and to all of the children of America, how do we explain this barbarous act of terrorism? I will not try to make sense of it. That is not possible; but from my words and deeds, from the way our country prosecutes this unconscionable crime, I hope they will remember and learn how this country lives and breathes its freedom and relentless search for justice. Perhaps then as our children grow older and wiser, they will be better prepared to preserve life and defend America's values. Mr. Speaker, Godspeed to the heroes who rushed to the disaster to aid victims and, instead, became victims. Godspeed to the courageous and tireless rescuers who work as we speak, temper our sorrow with pride and redemption, strength our resolve. And Godspeed, Mr. Speaker, to our government as one Nation, as an American family, for with us reside the power given by the people to vigorously prosecute this horrendous and unforgivable crime to its end. Justice, democracy, and the will of a freedom-loving people demand no less. Let us represent the people well.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. My wife always tells me that as she was going through medical school, the axiom that they always were told to remember was ``do no harm.'' If you are going to go out there and be a physician and treat people, remember that if nothing else, you try to do no harm. I do not understand why, if that is what doctors rely upon as they continue their career and their practice to try to heal and help, why we all of a sudden have to go against all those good physicians, all those good health care providers who are saying, please, do no harm to the Patients' Bill of Rights that we had, the same bill that last year got some 270 votes from the same Chamber. Why did we have to go into the back room and do this harm through these damaging three amendments that we have here before us? Why is it that we have to strip the accountability from the bill that would make sure that HMOs and insurance plans provide what patients want, the accountability. If you do harm to them, they have the right to go after you to get a remedy. Why is it that we strip away from those patients who are injured or perhaps even killed the ability to go after those who committed malpractice? Why? This is our chance to tell the American public that we believe, just as doctors do, that we should do no harm. We have a great base bill before us. We should follow what we did last year. We should have the bipartisan vote that gave us 271 people in this same House of Representatives to vote for it and move forward and have what the American people want, a bill that will do no harm. Unfortunately, these amendments are killer, poison amendments. Please vote against all three of these amendments that are coming up and vote for the Dingell bill which is the true Patients' Bill of Rights.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Chairman, let me thank the gentlewoman for yielding time to me but, more importantly, for her longstanding and abiding concern and help in areas of Latin America, and for understanding the issues so well. I would also like to make sure I recognize the chairman of this subcommittee from the Committee on Appropriations for his long-standing work in the area as well. Mr. Chairman, this is not just help, but it is an investment. This is a chance to help Salvadorans get on their feet and back to work. It is a chance to help them rebuild their homes and businesses in El Salvador and not have them think about going to other places to have those opportunities to feed the family and have an opportunity to grow. Let us help them in their home country. Remember, El Salvador is a nascent democracy. It is a fragile democracy that 15, 20 years ago did not exist. Rather than forget it and let it go back to the old days when they did not have a chance to let their people make decisions for that country, let us help them get back on their feet. Salvadorans are doing their best to get back on their feet, and Americans of Salvadoran descent are doing their fair share. More than $1.7 billion on an annual basis goes from Americans of Salvadoran descent to family members still in El Salvador to try to help them in their home country of El Salvador. We should be there to help as well. We can do more; we should do more. This assistance is not a handout; it is an investment with a partner to say to them we will help you roll up your sleeves and with your own hands rebuild your country. It is the right thing to do. I join my colleague and friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), in supporting this request. I know we have limited dollars, but I believe that the good work of the gentleman from Arizona, who has been so demonstrative in his efforts to try to help so many people around the world, and with the good efforts of the gentlewoman from California we can get this thing done and show the people of El Salvador we are ready to help them; not with a handout but to let them, with their own hands, rebuild their country with the good assistance of a partner like the United States of America.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with utmost pleasure and privilege that I rise today to recognize a wonderful American, Mr. Jose Mariano Castillo, for his admission into the Order of Queen Isabella the Catholic with the rank of Officer's Cross by His Majesty the King of Spain. Through his selfless work in providing valuable assistance, counseling and legal services for the protection of citizens of Spain residing in Los Angeles, Jose Mariano Castillo has earned this distinction. Achievement and accolade have followed Jose throughout his life. Born in San Jose de Colinas, San Barbara, Honduras he graduated high school Suma Cum Laude and received the National First Place Honor gold medal presented by the President of the Republic of Honduras. Jose continued his studies in the United States at Los Angeles City College, learning the language of his newly adopted home. The next stop on his educational journey was the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he pursued general undergraduate studies in Political Science and Public Administration. Jose interrupted his studies to serve in the United States Army for two years. He continued his military service in the ready active U.S. Army Reserves Control Group for four years, all the while completing both his undergraduate and law degrees. Following graduation from Southwestern University School of Law and passage of the California Bar Exam, Jose embarked on an impressive law career. He counts among his major clients the governments of several countries and numerous national and international companies. In addition to a thriving law practice, Jose has been involved in many professional associations and community service activities including service for two separate terms as the President of the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Commission. Rightfully, Jose has earned a multitude of special honors and acclaim for his many accomplishments. He has been honored by the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and by the countries of Argentina Ecuador, Guatemala and Honduras. Of course, for Jose being husband to Nancy and father to Yvonne are the most cherished honors ever bestowed upon him. Mr. Speaker, as family and friends gather in Los Angeles to witness the presentation of the Order of Queen Isabella the Catholic to Jose Mariano Castillo by the Consul General of Spain, it is with great honor that I ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting this exceptional American and cherished friend.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, because of family medical reasons, I returned to Los Angeles on May 23, 2001, and remained there for the balance of the week. Therefore, I was unable to cast my floor vote on roll call numbers 146-149. The votes I missed include roll call vote 146 on the Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 1836, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act; roll call vote 147 on Approving the Journal; roll call vote 148 on Agreeing to H. Res. 153, Waiving points of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 1836; and roll call vote 149 on Agreeing to the Conference Report accompanying H.R. 1836. Had I been present for the votes, I would have voted ``yea'' on roll call votes 146 and 147; and ``nay'' on roll call votes 148, and 149.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with utmost pleasure and privilege that I rise today to recognize Mr. Larry McCormick for his 30 years of dedicated service to the people of Los Angeles as a news broadcaster with KTLA-TV. Truly a multi-faceted, multi-talented, media professional, Larry has worked for over 40 years in the field of broadcasting--33 in television news. Joining KTLA in 1971 as a weatherman, Larry now serves as anchor of the station's ``News at Ten Weekend Edition,'' and as weekday feature anchor for ``News at Ten.'' He also co-hosts the highly- regarded ``Making It: Minority Success Stories,'' seen every Sunday morning. As the first African American news anchor in Los Angeles, Larry has served as a role-model for a generation of television journalists. His years of experience and reputation for honesty earned him the prestigious ``Governor's Award,'' the highest honor presented annually by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Over his long journalistic career, he has also been nominated for many Emmy Awards and has been the recipient of a number of Golden Mike Awards for news excellence. Although very busy with career and family, Larry has always made time to give back to the city that has been the starting point of his success. Every year, this dedicated individual hosts the local United Negro College Fund and Muscular Dystrophy Association telethons and serves as ``quiz master'' for the Los Angeles Unified School District Academic Decathlon ``Superquizzes.'' Emceeing nearly 2,000 programs in the greater Los Angeles community over the past 30 years, Larry also serves as a member of the board of directors for numerous community, as well as professional organizations. In addition, he has been the recipient of over 100 awards, citations and honors from government, civic and community organizations for his tireless devotion to the people of Los Angeles. Mr. Speaker, on May 30, 2001, colleagues, friends and family will gather for a special evening to salute Larry McCormick's 30 years with KTLA. It is with great pride that I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring this exceptional individual for his outstanding contributions to the broadcast industry and his ongoing commitment to serve the communities of Greater Los Angeles.