Henry Bonilla

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Madam Speaker, I am aware of that, and I am sure that that is something we would want to do in a bipartisan way.

Mr. BONILLA. I am happy to yield to the gentleman from Kentucky.

Mr. BONILLA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to stop attacking Mexico. I cannot quite understand what the motivation is. If we look at the issue, we are talking about trucks coming into our Nation that would be held at the same standards that American trucks would be held by. There is absolutely no discussion here about trying to put the same restrictions on Canadian trucks, for example. This simply seems to be an effort to try to discriminate and target Mexican trucks. Again, let me emphasize that, in the State of Texas, like in my area that I represent spans 800 miles of the Texas-Mexico border. We want the trucks. We are prepared to have them come in and bring their cargo through in a safe manner, complying with American law. Let me also tell my colleagues what free trade has meant to some of these border communities that used to have unemployment rates at 40 to 45 percent. Free trade has dropped the unemployment in border communities drastically. In some areas, like in Laredo, Texas, it has now caused it to be the second fastest growing community in America. It is a boom area, and we enjoy the fruits of free trade. Allowing these trucks to come in would help those folks as well. So to try to talk about offering an amendment to stop these trucks from coming in not only discriminates against Mexico, but it discriminates against a lot of minority communities along the border that want these trucks to come through because it has improved the quality of life. Trade has improved the quality of life. This is part of free trade that would improve it even more. So leave us alone. Let the border communities, the high Hispanic populations along the Texas-Mexico border, benefit from free trade. Stop discriminating against us and stop discriminating against Mexico.

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. (Mr. BONILLA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, I stand in strong opposition to this amendment. Here we go again, attacking Mexico, singling out Mexico for some reason that I cannot understand. What a farce, for anyone to argue that these trucks coming in from Mexico would not be forced to comply with the same standards as American trucks on our highways. This is simply a ploy, a naked ploy now, because it is not masked as an earlier amendment was trying to be masked as some kind of effort that is actually behind a safety issue. This is just a clear effort to try to stop these trucks from coming in all together. Let me also say to many of my colleagues who are supporting this amendment, this is an attack on many border communities who have seen an incredible economic boom as a result of free trade over the last 20 years. To support this amendment stops the progress, stops the jobs from being created in many of the communities close to the border. I do represent almost 800 miles of the Texas-Mexico border and have seen incredible opportunities come to these neighborhoods because of free trade. These people want more opportunity that would come with allowing these trucks to drive through these communities. And we know that they would not be held to any less a standard than an American truck driving through the community. So let us look at this for what it is, it is a discriminatory attack against Mexico. It has already been pointed out that no one else is being forced to comply with this standard. No one else would fall under this amendment. Our friends from Canada would not fall under this amendment. This is simply another effort to discriminate against our friends in Mexico who have been good trading partners and have helped create thousands of new jobs in this country. I urge defeat of this amendment for those reasons.

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pastor Freddie Garcia for his hard work and contributions made throughout Texas, New Mexico, California, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Puerto Rico. Pastor Garcia's hard work and commitment to God has improved and affected many lives. Pastor Freddie Garcia was born June 10th, 1938 in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up, Pastor Garcia faced many difficult situations; his largest obstacle was drug addiction. Pastor Garcia overcame his addiction to drugs upon finding and devoting his life to God. In June 1966, Pastor Freddie Garcia married his wife Ninfa. The two have been happily married and are committed to a life with God. Pastor Garcia graduated from the Latin American Bible Institute in California in 1970. In 1972, Pastor Freddie Garcia and Ninfa founded Victory Fellowship Outreach. The program provides teachings on issues such as: family, education, discipline, the church, and community while also focusing on individuals in need of reconciliation and rehabilitation. Victory Fellowship Outreach has cured over 13,000 people from drug addiction. Within Victory Fellowship Outreach there are many other ministries that reach out to help troubled individuals. The Victory Home-Christian Rehabilitation Center is open 24 hours and located in drug infested areas of San Antonio. The Center feeds and houses women and men in need of shelter and healing from life-controlling addictions. The Center has expanded across the United States and abroad. The Victory Leadership Academy has a two-year curriculum designed to equip workers with the skills necessary to run Christian rehabilitation centers. These centers also exist across the United States and throughout the world. Campus Outreach is a Youth Task Force comprised of former gang members who confront and challenge both junior high and high school students with lectures, discussion panels, classroom participation, and one on one interaction to discuss the evils of gangs and drugs. Victory Fellowship Outreach also offers Drop-In Centers which are located within housing projects offering emergency housing for troubled individuals and Jail and Prison Ministries which provide inmates with personal visits and Bible Correspondence Courses. In 1988, Pastor Freddie Garcia published Outcry in the Barrio, an autobiography. In 1990 former President Bush presented him with the Achievement Against the Odds Award. Pastor Garcia is a model citizen helping others with troubled pasts and troubled lives become model citizens. I would like to thank Pastor Freddie Garcia and his wife Ninfa for all they do, have done and will continue to do in the name of God and a better America.

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I commend the leadership of the government of Bulgaria for its ongoing interest in and support for modernization of the Maritza III East thermal plant. I urge the sitting Parliament in Sofia to express their support for this project by granting, all necessary government approvals before their scheduled dismissal prior to the upcoming, general elections. This will ensure that this important project can move forward expeditiously and successfully. The Maritza III East thermal plant project has benefits that are well documented and widely-acknowledged at the local, regional and national levels. When the refurbishment work begins, more than $75 million in local goods and services will be purchased and more than 600 construction jobs will be created. Regionally, refurbishment of the Maritza III East power plant will reduce sulphur dioxide emissions by as much as 90 to 95 percent. The refurbished power plant will meet the emissions requirements of the World Bank, European Union, the Bulgarian government, which in turn, will fulfill important criteria for Bulgaria's ultimate entry into the European Union. Also at the regional level, the joint venture (Entergy & NEK) company that will operate the rehabilitated power plant will provide direct and indirect tax revenues to Bulgaria and to the Galabovo municipality in the Stara Zagora region. On a broader scale, modernization of this power plant will have several positive impacts on Bulgaria's national economy. Long-term, modernization of this power plant will move Bulgaria closer to competitive energy independence.

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Ronald McDonald House Charities for their contributions to the health and well being of Hispanic communities around this nation and the world. I would also like to recognize the CEO of the foundation, Ken Barun. Mr. Barun recently received a leadership award from the National Hispanic Medical Association. This award is but the latest of many accolades granted to this outstanding organization. Just last spring, the Ronald McDonald House Charities were recognized by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund as ``one of the top ten corporate citizens . . . for the Hispanic community.'' The Ronald McDonald House Charities address a variety of health care needs. Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles provide free medical, dental, and remedial care; as well as medical referrals and health education programs. The Changing the Face of the World program funds reconstructive surgery for children in developing countries with facial deformities. In addition, the Hand-in-Hand Saving Sight Program provides eye care to children around the world and the Kinship Center serves the needs of adoptive and foster families throughout predominantly Hispanic communities. The generous and innovative programs of the Ronald McDonald House Charities also aid communities in furthering the education of their students. The Hispanic Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to promising Hispanic American college-bound students. To date, it has supported more that 6,000 students. In addition, the National Latino Children's Institute promotes policies and programs that value Latino youth and help build healthy Hispanic communities. Whether it is providing quality, innovative health care to Hispanic families or encouraging students to pursue educational goals, Ronald McDonald House Charities are making a difference in Hispanic communities around the nation and world. I am pleased to commend Ronald McDonald House Charities and Mr. Barun on their many accomplishments.

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. Workplace injuries over the last decade in this country are down. Workplace injuries are down in large part because ergonomics rules are already in place at most of America's workplaces; and employers, believe it or not, do care about keeping workers safe and productive on the job. This is the copy of the new rule we are talking about showing up on the doorsteps of bakeries and of auto parts stores and small restaurants and grocery stores and dance studios and farms and ranches. Every small business employer in America would get this big fat 600- page regulation to try to have them not only implement a policy, but to change a policy that is already working, that is causing workplace injuries to go down. Union membership has not asked for this. Small business in America has not asked for this. At town meetings that we have across the country, there is no request for this to show up on the doorstep of America's small businesses. This is simply a power grab by certain special-interest leaders in this country; and we will not name them, but we know who they are. They want this so they can have a bigger grip on America's small business employers. That is what it is all about. This, in itself, delivered to the small businesses in this country is enough to cause a workplace injury to the post office delivery people who will be sending this to small businesses across the country. And, by the way, the post office does not want it either. Nobody wants it. Why are we doing this? Thank goodness we have this opportunity to stop this and to watch workplace injuries continue to go down, because of ergonomics policies that are already in place in America's workplaces. Mr. Speaker, today we have a chance to show the American people whose side we are on. A vote for this resolution is a vote for small business, jobs and sound science. A vote against it is for one-size- fits all regulations and government-knows-best bureaucrats. There are many of us who came to this body to fight for the driving engine of America's economy, small business. Small business produces 90 percent of all new jobs in America. These are the people who work hard, people who are fighting for raises and better benefits, people who are creating higher-paying jobs in their community and expanding opportunity for people across the country. The Clinton OSHA ergonomics regulation has a mammoth price tag. And America's workers are going to foot the bill. OSHA itself is willing to concede a $4.5 billion cost to the economy. the food distributing industry predicts its initial cost would be upwards of 420 billion. Furthermore, their recurring cost could be 46 billion annually. And that is just for that industry alone. What does this really mean? It means fewer jobs and fewer opportunities for American workers. We all support safe workplaces. That is not what this debate is about. Let us review the statistics put out by the Clinton Labor Department. Workplace injuries are down consistently over the last decade. In fact, the injuries we are talking about today, repetitive stress injuries, are down 24 percent over the past three years. Grocery stores, bakeries, bottling companies, florists, computer manufacturers--all of those job creating businesses that are creating out tremendous economic growth have voluntarily dealt with this issue and it is working. Some have argued today that this resolution kills ergonomics forever. That is simply not true. Yesterday, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao stated that she intends to address the issue of ergonomics, if given the chance. Let's give her that chance to get the job done right. This rule is unprecedented in its breadth and unprecedented in its complexity. OSHA doesn't even understand it. The rule is already in effect and OSHA has yet to provide compliance guidelines to businesses. Unfortunately, they probably have not because they cannot. That I call on my colleagues to look at whose side they are on. There is no gray. I urge them to stand up for the people out there in the heartland who are working hard and want to keep doing so. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the resolution.

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 24) and I ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BONILLA. I wish I could. At this point, the remainder of the schedule has not been determined.

Mr. BONILLA. It is possible that nonsuspension bills will be held as of 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Mr. BONILLA. Yes, we do expect votes at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Mr. BONILLA. That is correct.

Mr. BONILLA. The Committee on Rules is meeting on Monday night, and we hope to have the Foreign Ops bill ready for Tuesday.

Mr. BONILLA. If the gentleman will continue to yield, the Foreign Ops bill is expected to be filed Monday evening. In terms of additional suspensions, is that specifically what the gentleman is inquiring about?

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the House has completed its legislative business for the week. The House will not be in session tomorrow. The House will next meet on Monday, October 23, at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour and 2 p.m. for legislative business. The House will consider a number of measures under suspension of the rules, a list of which will be distributed to Members' offices tomorrow. On Monday, there will be no votes in the House. Any requests for recorded votes on Monday will be rolled until Tuesday after 2 p.m. On Tuesday and the balance of the week the House will consider the following measures: H.R. 4656, the Lake Tahoe Basin School Site Land Conveyance Act; H.R. 4577, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Conference Report; H.R. 4942, the District of Columbia Appropriations Conference Report; H.R. 2614, the Certified Development Company Program Improvements Act of 2000 Conference Report; And the Foreign Operations Appropriations Conference Report. Mr. Speaker, the House will also consider any other conference reports that may become available throughout the week.

Mr. BONILLA. At this point that has not been determined.

Mr. BONILLA. At this point that has not been determined.

Mr. BONILLA. Same answer.

Mr. BONILLA. Same answer.

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the largest city in my Texas congressional district, I want to welcome the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Fall Assembly of States to the City of San Antonio, for their November 9-12, 2000 meeting. The 28,000 member AANA will bring to downtown San Antonio Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) from every State and the District of Columbia to review issues in anesthesia and health care. These include improving patient safety, expanding educational opportunities to meet workforce shortages, and examining health care policy in Washington, DC, and the States. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS and Education, I know that the taxpayers are making major investments in health research, in health professions education, and in providing quality health care to seniors and to people who are disadvantaged. The value of each of these depends on individual health professionals like CRNAs to carry out this important work through continuing professional development. In addition, this meeting will mark the final association gathering for AANA's longtime executive director, John Garde, and the debut of the association's new executive director, Jeff Beutler. Mr. Garde, of Park Ridge, Illinois, has enjoyed a distinguished career as a CRNA, an educator, an officer and past president of the AANA, and for the past 17 years he has served as the association's executive director. His successor, Mr. Beutler, is a past AANA Deputy Executive Director, a distinguished leader in health care and anesthesia care in his own right, and for the past decade has run a successful anesthesia care practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Speaker, the people of San Antonio are happy to welcome the AANA Fall Assembly of States during this time of change and growth in this important health professionals' association. I congratulate Mr. Garde on his life's work, and Mr. Beutler on his task ahead, and wish them and their fellow CRNAs from around the country a successful and enjoyable assembly in the shadow of our historic Alamo.

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Bill Cheney, the President and CEO of Xerox Federal Credit Union, headquartered in El Segundo, California, for his recent election to the board of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU). I have had the pleasure of knowing Bill for over 16 years, many of which he spent in my congressional district at Security Service Federal Credit Union in San Antonio, Texas. During that time, we spent many years working together on issues that affect the citizens of the 23rd Congressional District of Texas. Bill also shares my life-long commitment to supporting all athletes at the University of Texas at Austin. Even though Bill left San Antonio to become President and CEO at Xerox Federal Credit Union, he continues to keep me updated on credit union views. He even makes it back to Texas from time to time to visit Xerox Federal Credit Union offices. Xerox Federal Credit Union, which has over 73,000 members, serves employees of Xerox Corporation and related companies nationwide through 16 credit union offices in 9 states including California, New York, Illinois, and Texas. His election to the NAFCU board culminates 15 years of dedicated work in the credit union industry. I congratulate my friend Bill Cheney on his recent election to the NAFCU Board and look forward to continuing to work with him and America's credit unions. I know Bill will be an outstanding voice for credit unions everywhere.

Mr. BONILLA

Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this agriculture appropriations bill. I think we all have to be reminded constantly that this is a bill that helps agriculture first and foremost. But before I mention a couple of specifics, Mr. Speaker, I think for the record this Member at least has considered it a tremendous honor to work under the leadership of the gentleman from New Mexico (Chairman Skeen) in this process. He is a person who sets the highest standard of integrity and brings to work every day the highest commitment. The character and the determination that he brings every day to work for the betterment of agriculture in America is something that I will always, always remember. He is not going anywhere. But I think I speak for many of us on the subcommittee who just cherished the time that we have had working under his leadership on this subcommittee. I want to specifically mention that this bill, again, does deal with a lot of important aspects of agriculture assistance and relief, drought, other natural disasters. Commodity prices over the years have dealt a bad hand to many of our producers in this country. There is a lot of assistance in this bill for that; $3.5 billion in economic assistance that does not need to be held up in Washington any longer. I know that there are Members who do not like that certain commodities have received assistance in this bill as well. We have attempted to do the right thing and address all commodities that have suffered. We should not sit here and pick and choose who we help and who we do not based on whether or not we like what we grow or the farm programs that they operate under. They did not set the programs. Congress did. Now we must help all areas of rural communities survive in this very difficult time. The bill also goes the extra mile to support farmers and ranchers. Agriculture credit programs are increased by $14 million over fiscal year 2000, and agriculture research has increased by $86 million. The boll weevil eradication program is funded at $79 million. These are just a few examples of how this bill will help our farmers and ranchers and all of us who have large rural agriculture communities. The word ought to get out that there is a true commitment in a bipartisan way to help these folks who were really the salt of the Earth, the producers of this country who were trying to compete in international markets with other countries sometimes that subsidize their producers in unfair ways. There is a tremendous commitment by many of us, again, in a bipartisan way to do what is right in this Agriculture appropriations bill. I stand in strong support and would urge all of my colleagues to do the same.