Xavier Becerra

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Sixty million children under the Democratic alternative will qualify for the child tax credit. Under the Republican plan, 39 million. Twenty-one million children in America will not qualify under the Republican plan that will under the Democratic plan.

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Chairman, I see one of the gentlewoman's colleagues is also interested and I will recognize the gentlewoman from Michigan [Ms. Kilpatrick] in a second. If I can just mention this child tax credit we have been talking about all day, 73 million children in this country under the age of 18. Under the Democratic alternative, 60 million children will be provided with a tax credit. Under the Republican plan, 39 million children; 21 million children will not.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, on May 1, 1997, I was unavoidably detained during rollcall vote No. 98, the vote on agreeing to House Resolution 129, providing amounts for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the 105th Congress. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, on May 5, 1997, through May 7, 1997, I was officially traveling with the President on his first state visit to Mexico and was therefore unable to vote during four rollcall votes. This includes two rollcall votes, numbered 103 and 104 on H.R. 2, the Housing Opportunity and Responsibility Act; one rollcall vote numbered 108 on the Boehlert amendment to H.R. 478; and one rollcall vote numbered 109 on House Resolution 143, providing for consideration of H.R. 3, a juvenile justice bill. Had I been present for the votes, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall votes numbered 103, 104, and 108. I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote numbered 109.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize the internationally acclaimed musicians Los Lobos for sharing their remarkable talents and their spirit of generosity with the people of America. The quintet has steadily gained fans internationally and earned a place as one of music's most uncompromising innovators. What is less known but equally as valuable about Louie Perez, Cesar Rosas, David Hidalgo, Conrad Lozano, and Steve Berlin is their roles as Ambassadors of goodwill. Los Lobos have become inspirational role models for the greater Los Angeles community, especially for our children. Messrs. Perez, Rosas, Hidalgo, and Lozano were born and raised in east Los Angeles and were friends at Garfield High School. They came of age during the 1960's rock movement but have never abandoned their Mexican folk music heritage. The band's 20-plus-year history incorporates traditional rhythms, American folk, rock-and-roll and R&B among its influences. However, the strongest pull for Los Lobos derives from their east Los Angeles roots. Los Lobos have released 10 albums and collaborated on numerous film, television, theatrical, and commercial productions. In 1985, the group received the distinction as ``Band of the Year'' by Rolling Stone. It was their hit ``La Bamba,'' one of eight Ritchie Valens remakes recorded for the namesake movie soundtrack, that thrust them into America's eye and brought the band international acclaim. The song was Billboard's No. 1 pop single in 1987. In 1988, Los Lobos received a Grammy Award for ``Best Mexican- American Performance'' for ``La Pistola Y El Corazon.'' They have received other accolades ranging from MTV Music Video Awards to ``L.A. Times Album of the Year.'' All of what I have just recited explains the fame. But, one of Los Lobos' most recent perhaps most cherished achievements has been their support of Broadoaks Children's School in Whittier, CA. The group has raised considerable funds during three sold-out benefit concerts at Whittier College. All of these funds have enabled the school to expand its services to children, families, and teachers throughout Los Angeles. In 1996, Broadoaks dedicated its newest building the ``Los Lobos Learning Center,'' honoring the groups commitment to this first through sixth grade elementary school. The Los Lobos Learning Center includes two classrooms for fourth through sixth grade students, many of whom require special education services. All students in this center are required to participate in public service projects to instill the value of volunteerism--a reminder and tribute to their benefactors. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, April 11, 1997, friends and family will gather at a dinner to pay special tribute to Los Lobos to acknowledge the group's commitment and generosity toward the children at Broadoaks Children's School. It is with distinct pleasure that I ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting these exceptional individuals for their outstanding contributions to the music world and for their lasting gesture of goodwill toward our community.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Chairman, the proponents of this bill, H.R. 1, argue that employees have choice, and that is why we should pass this bill. We are further admonished that we should read this 2-page bill. Mr. Chairman, I read the bill. An employee has an opportunity to earn comp time; an employee is given flexibility in the workplace if, if, the employer chooses; if the employer chooses, not the employee. Page 3, paragraph 2, conditions: Employer decides who gets comp time, not the employee. An employer can offer one employee comp time and an employee that lives and works under the same circumstances can be denied comp time. An employee can be offered comp time 1 day, and on another occasion under the same circumstances can be denied comp time. The employer chooses. Page 4, paragraph B, compensation date: An employer has the right to hold an employee's accrued comp time for up to 1 full year before disbursing it to that employee. Page 5, line 11, the policy: An employer may withdraw his agreement in writing with an employee to offer comp time when he chooses to do so. So you could start off with some comp time, but if the employer decides, no, I wish to change my mind, the employer has the right to do that. Page 7, paragraph A, general rule, listen to this. I do not know if it was meant to be this way, but an employee cannot cash out his or her money if he or she leaves. Under the way the bill is written, the language, it appears to say that the employer can actually give you comp time at the same rate that you have earned that time. So if you earn $10 an hour and you have 200 hours of earned comp time, that is about 25 days of paid comp time, it could take up to 25 days for you to collect your money that you earned, that is in comp time, even after you have left that employer. That is the way the bill reads. It seems to say that. Mr. Chairman, I read the bill. It is not a good bill. Please defeat this bill.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Bentsen].

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Bart Stupak. (Mr. STUPAK asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Ackerman].

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Sanchez].

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Bilbray]. (Mr. BILBRAY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas, [Mr. Barton]. (Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me begin by first thanking the chairman of the Committee on International Relations and also the ranking member for having yielded me time for this debate. Mr. Speaker, let me also take a moment to give appreciation to all those who have risen today and spoken against the political Goliath that is decertification. Let me begin by saying that our goal, I hope our goal here, is to keep the drugs off of the streets and out of the homes of America. Decertifying Mexico, however, dampens our cooperation with Mexico, and I fear will do just the opposite of keeping those drugs out of those homes and off of those streets. Let me call Members' attention to some statistics and some studies. Almost 13 million Americans today use illicit drugs, and they spend, by most estimates, somewhere between $50 billion to perhaps as much as $150 billion to satisfy that desire. According to a 1994 Rand Corp. study, if we want to reduce the consumption of drugs, we are going to have to spend a ton of money, but for every $1 million we spend on trying to reduce the demand on our side, drug rehabilitation, trying to keep kids off of drugs to begin with, to do the same amount of work we do with keeping the demand down, we have to spend $23 million to try to stop or help do the eradication in some of the foreign countries that are producing the drugs in the first place; $1 million to try to curtail the demand, $23 million to try to do the eradication. If Members think that is bad, how much do they think it costs to eradicate, as opposed to trying to reduce the demand? For every $1 million you spend to reduce the demand domestically, you have to spend $11 million to try to interdict those same drugs that otherwise would be used. Certainly it is more cost-effective for us to try to reduce the demand, make sure they never hit the streets, those drugs never hit the streets, and that we do the best job we can to rehabilitate those who are using drugs. Third, a former DEA official has been quoted to say that the average drug organization can afford to lose between 70 to 80 percent of its product and still be profitable. With that type of losses being sustainable, it is going to take a lot to stop someone from producing and shipping drugs into this country. When you can lose fully 70 to 80 percent of your product and still come out ahead, you know there is going to be a big supply. Well, what helps make that supply so efficient? There are estimates that somewhere between $10 billion, or 60 percent, of the annual proceeds that drug cartels receive is placed by them into corruption financing, buying off elected officials, buying off law enforcement, buying off business people to help them launder the money, $6 billion available to drug cartels just to buy people off. Is it any wonder that on both sides of our border and not just the United States-Mexican border but the United States-Canadian border, we find that there are so many people willing to help allow these drugs to flow into our borders. Mr. Speaker, I think the problem is one that goes beyond the issue of who is right, who is wrong, who is helped, who is not helped. Let me talk for a moment about the issue of cooperation. I know many folks have cited already some of the work that has been done by the Mexican Government and of course our own Government to try to stop the flow of drugs. But I should note for the record that, since President Zedillo took office in 1995, the Attorney General from Mexico has dismissed more than 1,250 Federal law enforcement officers and technical personnel for corruption or incompetence and placed those individuals' names on a national register to ensure that they would not be rehired by any other agency. Further, Mexico has eradicated per year more hectares that have marijuana than any other country in the hemisphere. Those are all statistics that point out that cooperation is necessary, not attacks. If we go the route of cooperation, what we will find is that we will be able to do a better job of interdicting the drugs that come into our country.

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Frank].

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to a good friend, the distinguished gentleman from California [Mr. Lantos].

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Reyes], a distinguished new Member and a good friend.

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Ortiz]. (Mr. ORTIZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Guam [Mr. Underwood]. (Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with utmost pride that I rise today to recognize and honor one of this country's finest journalists--Mr. Frank del Olmo--as he celebrates 25 years of service at The Los Angeles Times. For over two decades, Frank has written for Los Angeles' awardwinning daily and has delivered more than just a story and a byline. Frank began his career at The Los Angeles Times as an intern in 1971 and was hired as a reporter upon completion of his apprenticeship. After spending a year reporting local news, he soon became a staff writer specializing in Latin American affairs--a stint which lasted nearly 10 years and distinguished him as one of the best writers at his hometown paper. Frank rose to the rank of editorial writer and held the position for 9 years before beginning his 6-year tenure as deputy editor of the editorial pages. Today, Frank is assistant to the editor at The Los Angeles Times. He holds the highest position of any Latino at the newspaper, and he continues to be one of the few high-ranking Latinos in newspaper management in the country. Frank has earned a reputation for being a journalist with integrity-- a risk-taker who knows how to thread the needle--a man confidently anchored as much in his words as by his deeds. Perhaps one of the most defining moments in Frank's career was born in a dissenting opinion he wrote a few years ago while deputy editor of the editorial pages. When The Times issued a gubernatorial endorsement with which he strongly disagreed, Frank put his pen to work despite the brewing tension that many believed might lead to his permanent departure from the paper. For Frank, expressing his opinions publicly was a matter of conscience. He could not sit back while the official Times opinion so offended California's ethnic and immigrant communities. His efforts brought him greater respect from journalists in the newsroom; and management fully realized the talents and crucial voice that Frank brings to its pages. As assistant to the editor, Frank continues to write an insightful column for Sunday's opinion page, and he has greater input in what the paper will run each day. Frank earned this responsibility because he worked hard, because he was vigilant on behalf of his paper and his principles. He earned it because he dared to speak his mind-- legitimately, constructively. The quality of Frank's work over the years has earned him public acclaim. In 1991, he was a co-winner of The Los Angeles Times ``Editorial Award'' for pieces written on the Rodney King/LAPD/Darryl Gates case. In 1984, Frank received the prestigious ``Pulitzer Gold Medal for Meritous Public Service'' for a series of articles on Southern California's Latino community. While Frank is highly regarded in the Los Angeles newsroom where the has worked for over 20 years, the story is no different outside the newsroom. Frank, the highest-ranking Latino at The Los Angeles Times, serves as a role model for Latinos and other minorities, especially young aspiring journalists. His commitment to advancing the lives of young people and desire to see more Latinos blaze the journalist path inspired him to join with his colleagues to establish the California Chicano News Media Association (CCNMA) nearly 25 years ago. Today, the 500-member organization serves as a valuable resource for working journalists and aspiring journalists alike. Frank was a principal architect in the designing of the summer high school journalism workshops that are synonymous with CCNMA. The workshops allow participating students to acquire--through one-on-one training with professional journalists in actual newsrooms--the necessary tools to report the world. From covering the local beat as a rookie reporter, to reporting the violence and bloodshed of civil disturbance in Central America, to writing commentaries and helping students, Frank has surpassed the expectations and standards of a journalist. In a time when so many take liberty to belittle and bash members of the media, it is with great pleasure that I honor Frank today and share a piece of his life with you. Mr. Speaker, as friends and associates gather to congratulate Frank for his 25 years of outstanding work, I ask that my colleagues and my country join me in saluting this exceptional individual--An individual who is a tremendous journalist and an active community leader--an individual who, until I memorialize it in writing, may never understand just how proud he makes so many of us feel. Mr. Speaker, Frank del Olmo is a humble and thoughtful man who carefully conceals the passsion and determination of a warrior. He is most deserving of our words of tribute. How I only wish that my pen would sing like his.

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. I thank my friend for his kind remarks. Members of the Tejeda family, mother Lillie; children Marissa, Sonya, Frank, III; Members of the US Congress; Governor; Colleagues of the Tex. Legisl. Distinguished guests, friends. It is a great honor to be able to speak about Frank M. Tejeda, Jr. Frank Mariano Tejeda, Jr. was born to loving parents Frank and Lillie Tejeda Oct. 2, 1945, on his dad's birthday. He was born at 708 Pleasanton Road, on the south side of San Antonio. A baby boomer, born to a WWII disabled combat veteran, and his wife. From his dad and his loving mom, Frank learned an intense love of service to his country, his community. Since childhood Frank's dream was military service, as his dad had done before him. His parents were loving and very involved in his upbringing. Guiding him in his faith and his daily living. His mom Lillie was and till his death continued to be the heart and hearth of the family. His dad taught Frank about the love of country, about discipline, about loving the land and by example, Frank's dad and mom taught Frank determination, and self-sacrifice. Frank's mother and dad were by Frank's side, teaching, guiding and reinforcing the values of love of family, respect of self and of others, dedication to God, family and country. The Tejedas sacrificed and sent Frank, Jr. to St. Leo Catholic grade school (the very school across the street) to be followed by his sister Mary Alice, and brothers Juan, Ernest and Richard. A natural leader, he was respected and admired by his classmates and the teachers. Back in the ``old days'' the teachers were mostly nuns. Frank was developing his strong spirit and character. He was bright and he did well in his studies; yet, he also managed to get into mischief. He was not allowed to attend the eighth grade picnic because he had lead a group of students who showered the hallways with the fire extinguishers during an evening PTA meeting. Frank was raised by his father to love the outdoors, and the military. The home on Pleasanton Road had pens for the dogs that ``Big Frank'' raised for hunting. Frank, Jr. learned about caring for the animals that they raised. Responsibility and love of the outdoors were among the values he learned. Frank was devoted to his Catholic faith. As an altar boy, many mornings he would be here bright eyed and ready to serve the 6:00 AM Mass. Here in this church, on this altar, we served Mass for Priests like Fr. Ruiz, Fr. Ebisch, Fr. Singelton (no doubt they will recognize him in heaven) his devotion to the faith continued to his death. Frank was much influenced by his father and other members of his family who served in the military. Many of us remember the pride and great pleasure he took in his toy soldiers and particularly the pleasure he enjoyed with the Fort Apache set. The Tejedas loved music. Frank grew up listening to his father Frank senior and his uncle Rogelio (his padrino) play guitars and sing the ``corridos'' (ballads) about Mexican heroes and the old songs about men defending their rights, defending their pride. ``Las Polkas adding to the spirited evenings. We all shared many gatherings, ending with breakfast at one of the family homes. The Tejedas were and to this day remain a closeknit family. They help each other, stand by each other and their extended families and friends. The importance of family, a value learned from good example. All the Primos were athletic. Usually playing baseball or softball. Frank and his cousin Robert became legend in little league and pony league. His Primos Aurelio Jr., Roger and Henry were excellent athletes and were the stars of the show at the donkey-ball games. Junior (Rodriguez) was among the family athletes. Frank played baseball for the St. Mary's baseball team, there too he was accepted as a leader. Surrounded by aunts and uncles that were loving and supportive, Frank was rooted in the values of respect for self, respect for others and love of family and service to church and country. After St. Leos, Frank attended Harlandale. He was often involved in fights with the elements of the school district that gave voice and action to bigotry. The intercom frequently called for A, B, C, and D, students and the ``Tejeda boys.'' Frank was always ready to defend himself, even against a counselor who ``called him an impudent trouble making Mexican.'' Teachers and counselors urged Frank to study the trades since he ``was intelligent and good with his hands''--the same Frank who earned a BA, a JD, and two masters degrees-- St. Mary's, Berkley, Harvard, and Yale. Frank was out of place in a school like Harlandale was then. He left high school in his senior year, just seventeen (17) years old. Frank's strong spirit had not been harnessed. He had dreams he had to fulfill. He decided to accept the challenge of ``joining the Marines.'' We all laughed when Frank candidly told of his enlistment. He thought that when he enlisted he would have weeks or months to relax, visit and proudly boast about joining the Marine Corp. He recounted that instead he was handed papers and a ticket to board a flight to California that very same afternoon. He laughed and reported that he felt lonely on that flight to Camp Pendleton, in Calif. Again his bearing and leadership became evident, despite the rough going during boot camp. He related how on one occasion his platoon was marching and a crusty old T.I. yelled that everyone else was out of step except for Tejeda. For a brief moment Frank swelled up with pride until he realized, too late, it was he who was out of step. The language with which he was told of his error can not be quoted here. After boot camp, Frank embarked on what could have been a career in the Marines. He was the youngest marine staff sergeant to serve in Vietnam. He distinguished himself and earned the Bronze Star with ``V'' for valor and also earned the Purple Heart for his wounds. Frank subsequently pulled to safety, a wounded fellow marine. He was under fire; yet, he courageously tried to save his fellow marine. Frank pulled him out of peril and protected the wounded marine until further support arrived. This fact was not reported until recently, when one of the witnesses to this event saw Frank on national media. The witnesses who verified the event all thought Frank had been killed. Frank, has posthumously been awarded the recognition he earned. The Silver Star for gallantry in the face of enemy fire. During his service in Vietnam, Frank and I corresponded. He reported that he and his fellow troops were very saddened by the fact that the ``folks back home'' were demonstrating against the war and heaping insult on returning soldiers, soldiers who had ``put their lives on the line.'' I encouraged him as much as I could and encouraged him to return home and go to college to develop that sharp mind even more. After Vietnam Frank was offered officer training school. The Marines had recognized his worth and were anxious to have him as one of their leaders. Frank, instead, opted for a degree from St. Mary's U. Upon his attempt at admission I had to keep Frank from ``mopping the floor'' with the director of admissions who was more interested in technicalities than in Frank's merits. In 1968 Frank and I worked for the S.A.N.Y.O. we became aware of rules that were unjust, e.g., if you spoke Spanish you were sent home for the day. Frank organized a protest and as a result the exec. director (a Priest) fired all eight (8) of us on Good Friday 1970. This was the beginning of Frank's activism. We next worked for an organization known as the S.N.A.C. a 60's war on poverty program. Here Frank met many activists. Some he befriended, some he distanced himself from, but he respected them all and they in turn respected him. At S.N.A.C. he met Edmundo M. Zaragoza. A Harlandale I.S.D. school teacher and thus began a close friendship that lasted until 8:25 p.m. on Thursday Jan. 30, 1997. Frank then guided Zaragoza to victory as the First Mexican American elected by the Mexican-American community in the Harlandale school district, thus began the ``southside coalition.'' This name was given to a group of young men who shared strong, personal friendship, shared many, many hours working for the common good of the southside. And more than anything else, they shared values and dreams. The continuous collaboration among friends was built on mutual respect. Each friend (or relative) brought a different perspective or added a new element to the melting pot that became what is referred to as the ``southside coalition.'' Frank used his considerable leadership skills in keeping the community united. A community that shared his views, worked with him and ultimately gave life to common hopes. Frank recognized that he needed additional education, so he earned the doctor of jurisprudence from Boalt Hall, in California, the masters in public administration at Harvard, and the masters in law at Yale. At Berkeley, Frank befriended Tony Jimenez, at that time a long-haired radical who became the roommate of the conservative marine. ``Talk about the odd couple. Tony has been quoted on first seeing his roommate, as saying ``Holy mackeral, I made a mistake.'' Frank's reaction was ``just as stunned.'' They began a longterm friendship Tony, the Loyola grad, had requested an ``out of state Chicano'' roommate. He got one. During law school Frank related taking his first sample test. He wrote his answer and tried to be humorous by adding at the end ``besides that's life.'' Frank recalled that the professor was not amused noting that Mr. Tejeda was not welcome to add commentary. No question Frank learned from this ``sample'' he was the only Hispanic that earned an honors grade his first semester. Tony was the ``eager beaver'' student who raised his hand too often and answered questions, which caused the professor to take note of those in his immediate area. Frank informed Tony that if Tony raised his hand and brought the heat one more time, Frank would break Tony's hand. Tony did not bring the heat again. During their studies at Berkeley, there was a madman who was hacking people to death. He was killing nonminorities only. Tony and Frank would on return to their apartment late at night sing Mexican songs, loudly if not well, to make sure that the ``hacker'' (who would pounce from alleys) did not make a mistake. Frank was courageous, but not foolish. During law school Frank married Celia Gaitan, who lived across the street from the Longorias. He had been spending much time at the Longoria home obviously it was not just to see his friend. Of this marriage came his pride and joys: Marissa, Sonya, and Frank, III (Frankie). Frank and Celia gave their children love and guidance. The children are beautiful and were a special source of joy for Frank. The many hopes that Frank had for his children (his deep hope to see all his children finish high school and college) must be realized. Sundays were family day. Special days for quality time as a family. Frank had sharply honed his mind and as a former marine kept a sharply honed body. He launched himself into pubic service with the help of trusted friends and relatives. On the first meeting between Frank and Tony Dramburger (the well financed incumbent) Frank bluntly and confidently told Dramberger, he was going to beat Dramberger. His style was ``no brag just fact.'' And he did. Frank served the southside community honorably and with distinction. He fought eloquently against parimutuel betting. His vision of a better community, did not include gambling. He wanted better things for the people of the southside and worked for it. Frank made his mark in the legislature. He championed bills that served veterans (the Veterans Land Act, the Purple Heart licenses among many bills) victims rights bills and other crime bills that helped make our communities safer. In the Senate he continued to hold steady his course. He fought for the issues that were important. He would stand along and always held his ground, regardless of power of money. During parimutuel battles twice Frank was offered briefcases and suit cases full of cash if he would vote his conscience but not speak his conscience. We all know that Frank refused to waver or give in to the temptation of money. While Representatives at time spoke ``to hear themselves speak,'' Frank carefully listened to (a la E.F. Hutton) because he was respected and his fellows knew he was determined, courageous, honest and Christian. In the Senate and in Congress Frank served as always, with honor and distinction. Honest and motivated by his true love of church, family and community. Frank was generous with his time and with what material goods he had. He was generous to family, friends and community, placing community interest before person gain. No festival, no Pop Warner team, no baseball team would suffer if Frank knew about their need. Families who couldn't bury their dead did not suffer if Frank knew about their need. School bands, fund raisers all of us knew about Frank. Flags for schools, PTA, Frank did it all. Many young people have college educations today because of Frank. Many more are assured of college educations in the future, because of Frank. God gave Frank to his parents and family. They raised him, nurtured and helped develop his character and then shared him with us. In turn Frank gave his family, friends and community love, caring and generosity. He gave leadership, hard work and hope. His generosity was uncommon in character. Saint Matthew (Ch22 V34 speaks about the scholar of the law who tried to test Jesus and asked, ``Master what are the greatest commandments?'' Jesus replied, ``Love God above all else. And the second is love thy neighbor as yourself for the love of God. Then in C25 St. Matthew speaks of the judgment of nations: ``When the Son of Man comes in, His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit upon his glorious throne and all the nations will be assembled before Him.'' Frank Tejeda, Jr. son, brother, father, U.S. Congressman did many acts of kindness that will be unreported, will be uncounted. He lived his faith. He loved and served his God. Where he found hunger, he provided food, where he found thirst, he gave to drink, he welcomed the stranger, he cared for all those the least of our brothers. He earned the respect of all his peers for his devotions to ``duty, honor, country.'' He personified the motto of his beloved Marine Corps. ``Semper Fidelis.'' He demonstrated the finest qualities of the Christian. He did for the least of God's brothers and he did so with love and caring. He will never be replaced; but he will forever stand as an example to be followed. God blessed him now he has inherited the kingdom prepared for him. May Frank rest in peace.

Mr. BECERRA. To the family, let me also add my appreciation to the fact that they have been here, they have been very strong. To all the relatives who have taken the time to say a few words about Frank, I thank them as well. I will close by saying the following. As we were driving in the bus to go to the funeral and on our way back to catch a plane to go to Washington, D.C., we drove through streets that reminded me a great deal of home. The neighborhoods that I saw in south San Antonio were very much like the neighborhoods in which I remember growing up. To me it sent a very strong signal: This is a man who, modest in his ways, was doing a great deed and a great service for a community that oftentimes has never seen that type of champion. As much as he never boasted about going to the Harvards and Yales and Berkeleys of this world and getting educated, though he never boasted about the fact that he went out there and risked his life to save the life of another soldier, he was there. To me, seeing the context of his district sent home the message that this was really a man who knew his place, and I suspect he knows his place now that he is up there with the Lord. On behalf of all those who had an opportunity to say some words and for those who were perhaps unable to have come but would have loved to have said some words, I say to Frank, we will miss you. There are many here who would like to speak for you in the future and we look forward to being able to do the words and deeds as well as you have done them for so many years.

Mr. BECERRA. I think, Mr. Speaker, that the gentleman has just epitomized Frank Tejeda. This is a man who could have been in the worst of pain, who could have been told moments ago that he had no more than 3 months to live, who could have known that the marine he was about to go run out there during rapid-fire, go out to save, had actually already perished, but yet he still went out there; who never had to really worry about expressing himself, because there was so much about him to express, but yet he never took it upon himself to say to anyone, feel sorry for me, be honored by my presence, recognize what I have accomplished, never once. This is a guy who would, as you said, he would walk in, and that is the way I think we all remember him, he would come in and take his seat right next to you, and there we would see him, the gentlemen from Texas [Mr. Ortiz] and Mr. Tejeda. As the gentleman from California [Mr. Martinez] also mentioned, you would see someone come in and sit next to you, then someone else would come, another person would leave. You were there, you were the anchors, and folks would come. We knew that the House of Representatives had a House that was righted because there was always that anchor there by the name of Frank Tejeda. I think we can all learn a great deal. I know I have learned because I know he was not the friend to me as he was to you, but just in his silence you learned so much. I believe the word service takes on such a grand meaning when you look at someone like Frank Tejeda because in his modest, unassuming way he served, and he served so well. He did not have to tell people that he served so well. He just did it.

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, at this stage, if I may, I would like to take the final moments of our time that we have to just engage in some final remarks. I know that my good friend, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Ortiz], could easily have used up the hour, I know I could have used the hour just to praise the man we know as Frank Tejeda. But in the short time that we have, I think it is only fitting and perfectly fitting that Mr. Ortiz and I have an opportunity to just reflect now, just perhaps more personally about the man that we are so trying to honor today.

Mr. BECERRA. I thank my colleague from California for his words. Let me now turn to a good friend and a distinguished Member of this body, the Representative from American Samoa [Mr. Faleomavaega].

Mr. BECERRA

Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this special order in honor of the late but great Congressman Frank Tejeda.