Joe Baca

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate four decades of the creation of a federal agency with the noble mission to protect human health and the environment. The founding of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 2, 1970, represented the start of remarkable environmental achievements for our nation. Their mission and valuable accomplishments have been well captured in EPA's 40th anniversary theme: ``Healthier Families, Cleaner Communities, A Stronger America.'' In this anniversary celebration, we should honor EPA's dedicated employees who during 40 years have worked hard to keep our land, air, and water clean and protected. Thanks to their efforts, expertise, and enthusiasm, this and future generations will be able to enjoy better environmental conditions in the places they work, live, and pray. I take pride in representing a unique and diverse ecosystem in California's 43rd District. I particularly thank EPA for developing regulations that will assist the studies of water resources and groundwater conditions needed in potentially contaminated sites in my District. Sound environmental protection policies not only promote American security through better use of our natural resources, but they also ensure the vast beauty of our nation is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. Throughout its existence, EPA has developed different programs that effectively respond to public concerns about their water, air, and land. These programs ensure public safety and support to local communities struggling in a difficult economic environment. Efforts that ensure that polluters pay, such as the Superfund Program--that addresses the cleanup of toxic waste sites--provide important tools that help identify the parties responsible for contamination. The Superfund Program has successfully required identified responsible parties to pay for the cleanup of their contaminated sites which has saved taxpayers billions of dollars. As a Member of Congress, I am committed to continue fighting for legislation that allows EPA to protect our treasured resources-- including ensuring clean air, safe drinking water for everyone and promoting cleaner, more efficient uses of America's natural resources. Let us commemorate this milestone anniversary of the EPA by recognizing its people, its programs, and the progress they have made since the day the agency was founded 40 years ago. This celebration of EPA's legacy and accomplishments should also serve as a reminder of the work we still have ahead of us to protect the health and the environment of everyone in our communities and our nation.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, we must remind the American people when President Obama took office, he inherited a $1.2 trillion deficit, the recession, and mounting job losses. In the last 2 years we have worked hard to end the outsourcing of jobs overseas and lay the groundwork to create new jobs here at home. But with the unemployment rate at 9.6 across the Nation and over 14 percent in my area in California, we must do more. If Congress does not act to extend the unemployment insurance benefit, 2 million Americans stand to lose benefits during the holiday season. Yet, instead of working with us to provide assistance to struggling families, Republicans--I state Republicans--continue to obstruct and push for budget-busting tax breaks for America's millionaires. We must extend unemployment benefits, and we must approve the Obama middle class tax cut plan without the deficit-increasing tax breaks for America's richest few. Let's work together to help families through these tough times and create the jobs the American people need.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts, and I thank the gentleman from Florida and wish him the very best of luck in his future. He has been a good friend and a terrific legislator, too, as well here. I rise in support of S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Too many families are struggling to put food on the table. There are 40 million people going hungry in the United States right now. We recently passed the SNAP program. We recently put stimulus money to increase the SNAP program to provide food for many individuals. There is 9.6 percent unemployment in the United States, 14 percent in my district alone. These are individuals that are struggling to put food on the table. Can you imagine a child that does not have the ability to put food in their stomach? One in four American children are currently at risk of going hungry. You have to feel what a person who is actually going hungry and doesn't know where their meal is coming from. And one in three American children are either overweight or obese. When we talk about it's going to cost the taxpayers money, no, it's actually going to save the taxpayers money in the long run because it's costing us, right now, $147 billion in what we are paying for obesity right now. It would reduce our health costs in that area, reduce our costs overall. As chair of the House Agriculture Committee on Nutrition, I chaired hearings both in Washington and in California to explore ways to fight childhood obesity and increase access to healthy food. Today's legislation offers a step forward in addressing both child hunger and obesity. This bill expands the after school and summer meals programs, better connects eligible children with free meal benefits, improves and expands the school breakfast programs, extends the WIC certification period for children, and puts more fresh fruits and vegetables into our schools. We passed the No Child Left Behind. Well, can you imagine a child going to school and having to pass a test?

Mr. BACA. Many children have a difficult time passing a lot of these tests because they're going hungry. None of us are pleased with the cuts to the SNAP program made by this bill, but I am committed to work with the administration and my colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee to ensure that we fully fund the SNAP program. I urge my colleagues to stand up with our children and pass this much-needed legislation. I ask you to support this.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. When President Obama took office, he inherited a $1.2 trillion deficit, two wars, the recession and mounting job losses that pushed our economy to the brink. Since then, we have made steady progress towards recovery and have laid the groundwork to create new jobs. But during these tough times, we must act decisively to extend tax relief for middle class families. If Congress does not act soon, 98 percent of Americans will face a tax increase in January 1. For the typical middle class family, this means the loss of $2,000 next year. Two thousand means an awful lot to middle income families. Republicans must stop holding these tax cuts for the middle class hostage. I state, Republicans must stop holding these tax cuts for the middle class hostage. Extending the tax cut for the rich will not create jobs and stimulate the economy, but it will add--I state, it will add--$700 billion to our national deficit--$700 billion to our national deficit. The time for simply saying ``no'' is over. Let's work together to create jobs.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Yes. Would you like to join? We would love to have you join and be part of the sponsors as well. Because we also have, from your side, a member of our board that's on that board as well.

Mr. BACA. That's correct.

Mr. BACA. Thank you.

Mr. BACA. No, it's not. It's really thinking about someone who has contributed, someone who has done an awful lot. And it's bipartisan individuals, both Republican and Democrat, that belong to the CHCI board as well. We welcome the new Members that were elected to become part of that board that will say, you know what, we have got to honor individuals. It's not about a conflict of interest, it's not about anything else. It's about doing something that's positive for individuals. When someone is going to receive something in return, then it becomes a conflict of interest. But we are not receiving anything in return. All we are doing is honoring an individual.

Mr. BACA. Thank you. Again, this is about children.

Mr. BACA. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BACA. We would love to honor other foundations and other individuals as well. This is only one of many that we should recognize, just as I am honoring Arnold Palmer that we gave the Congressional Gold Medal. And at one time I hope you are here to celebrate when we have the actual gold medal that we will present under your leadership that we will be able to do here on the floor later on next year because it won't happen now.

Mr. BACA. Yes.

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1430, honoring and saluting golf legend Juan Antonio ``Chi Chi'' Rodriguez. First, I would like to thank Chairman George Miller, Ranking Member John Kline, Subcommittee Chair Carolyn McCarthy, Ms. Woolsey, Ranking Member Todd Russell Platts, and Mr. Roe. I want to take the time to thank all of my colleagues for their support. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1430, to honor Juan Antonio ``Chi Chi'' Rodriguez. In 1935, Chi Chi Rodriguez was born into a poor family in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. He was one of six siblings. His father used to earn only $18 a week as a laborer and cattle herder. His mother was a housekeeper. Their family struggled. When Chi Chi was only 7 years old, he helped families by earning money as a water carrier on the sugar plantation. He soon learned that he could earn more money as a caddy. At that time, he also taught himself how to play golf--and that is very difficult for anyone who is playing golf. I have been playing golf for some time, and it's still very difficult, and I am still trying to learn--by using tree limbs and a metal can hammered into a ball. With unyielding determination and discipline by 9 years of age, Chi Chi could play and win. Boy, that's difficult. You know, we wish we could play and would have played when we were young like that at the age of 9. His uncompromising sportsmanship resulted in a lifetime 38 professional wins, including eight PGA wins, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1973 and 1979, and 22 senior PGA Tour wins. Chi Chi Rodriguez was inducted into the PGA World Hall of Fame in 1992. However, his legacy does not end on the links. And I want to remind everybody, this resolution is not about his golf and what he did for golf, but it's about what he did as a human being and his contributions and scholarships to many individuals, and that's why we are honoring him. I want people to remember that and my colleagues to remember that. This is not about a golfer, this is about an individual who was willing to do as much as he can to help other individuals. Chi Chi Rodriguez's robust charitable contributions for the benefit of at-risk and underprivileged youth have helped thousands of young people. He and his wife, Iwalani, have changed lives, and can you imagine many individuals lives that are changed because someone cared, someone touched their lives, someone gave them direction, someone gave them confidence in themselves and said, you know what, there is a better way of life. Chi Chi wanted to make a better way of life for many individuals, and that's why we are honoring him and that's why we are recognizing them. They have strengthened self-confidence and fostered stellar discipline in many young people by founding the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy. The mission of the academy is to assist at-risk children by improving their self-esteem, character, work ethic, social adjustment, and academic performance, using the golf course as a living classroom. In addition, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute honored Chi Chi Rodriguez with a CHCI Service Award for his ongoing commitment to providing opportunities for Latino youth to succeed. His support of CHCI's fiesta, which is a bipartisan Fiesta de Golf Scholarship Challenge, has helped raise more than $824,000 for CHCI's Scholarship Awards Program over the past 3 years. These are a sample of many of the 430-some scholarships that have helped many of our kids, Javier Acolan, Ranier Gonzalez, Ashley Garcia. These are a few of many that I could name here tonight but when you look at the faces and you look at individuals who had an opportunity to pursue their education, become successful, contribute to our society, this is what Chi Chi is about, improving our communities, making sure that they become productive in our communities. Chi Chi has received many other humanitarian awards due to his giving nature and leadership. He has received the Salvation Army Gold Crest Award and the Good Sport Award from Sports Illustrated for Kids. He was inducted into the World Sport Humanitarian Hall of Fame and received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Georgetown College in Kentucky. He also received the American Education Award from the American Association of School Administrators. With his support, The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation earned the National Golf Foundation Award for the Best Youth Program in the United States in 1986 and the Robie Award for Humanitarianism presented by The Jackie Robinson Foundation in 1996. His success on the links has earned Chi Chi Rodriguez a special place in history. However, his work, and I state, however his work in helping many disadvantaged children has earned Chi Chi a special place in each of our hearts, because it's about giving, it's not about receiving, it's about helping others, not about what you get. He wasn't about me, myself and Irene, it was about what can I do to help others. And that's what Chi Chi wanted to do. He wanted to touch those lives. He proved that humble beginnings do not define a person. He has shown us that with hard work and determination that you can be successful, but you can be caring and you can give back. Because the Lord gave him something, and he wanted to return something back to others. By giving back to help our youth, he taught us. Please join me in honoring and saluting Chi Chi Rodriguez. I urge all Members to support the passage of H. Res. 1430.

Mr. BACA. I yield to the gentleman from Utah.

Mr. BACA. Once again, I would like to state for the record that this is not a conflict of interest. This is about bipartisan individuals who sit on the board who continue to want to provide assistance to many individuals who are in need of help. Whether it's this organization or whether it's any other organization, I think it's important that we do recognize individuals that are willing to give of their time and their effort to make life better for someone else. And this is a humanitarian individual.

Mr. BACA. I know we are on the subject of recognizing the sports individual, and I would like just for the record to state that my colleague that just spoke actually supported a resolution to support a sports individual as well, and that was H. Res. 942, for the record. So if we are going to be consistent, let's be consistent on both angles. With that, I would like to, once again, state that many corporations and many individuals give because they're good corporate citizens, because they want to make our communities a lot better. They want to provide an opportunity for individuals to enhance their education, further their education, be productive citizens. And sometimes many individuals cannot afford to go on to a college or university. It's that assistance that we give to individuals that will allow an individual to further their education, thus for becoming productive individuals. This is an individual that has helped in that endeavor to make sure that we raise the additional money, whether it's for this institution or whether it's for other institutions. I belong to a variety of different institutions that raise money on a bipartisan basis to make sure that we allow many individuals to be productive individuals within our communities.

Mr. BACA. It wasn't wrong. It was a good thing you did.

Mr. BACA. I appreciate your doing it in the past, and I look forward to your continued support.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of House Resolution 1622, legislation I introduced to honor the historic contributions of veterans throughout all conflicts involving the United States. Every Veterans Day, Americans come together to remember those who have served our country in the name of freedom and democracy. It's important that all Americans reflect on the sacrifices made by men and women in uniform from all conflicts involving the United States, from the Revolutionary War to current wars and conflicts. Regardless in time of peace or in the time of war--the service and sacrifice of generations of men and women shaped America's history and transformed our society. A great example of this courage is one of my constituents from Fontana, California--CPL Ernest Gonzalez, who received the bronze star for actions against Cambodian armed and hostile forces in 1970, including bravely exposing himself to enemy fire to retrieve his platoon leader. For most veterans, their contributions extend well beyond active duty, and include their service as valuable members of our communities. Another constituent of mine, Robert Allen Bartleman, from San Bernardino, California recently received military decorations for his courageous service as a combat Marine in Vietnam. He is now active in the legal community in my district. Pete Martinez, an Airborne Paratrooper during the Korean war, is currently active in the Inland Empire Airborne Association in my district. He continues to work on behalf of veterans and is a great asset to his community. After serving his country, Marine Col. John Kazalunas--formerly of the Rialto Unified School Board--went on to obtain his Ph.D. in Education to further contribute his talents and hard work in the field of education. John Weininger, a proud Marine and Army veteran, and formerly a member of my district staff, remains a dedicated supporter and true champion of veterans after his service to this country. Two additional veterans I'd like to mention are Mike Trujillo, a former member of my district staff and Jess Vizcaino, currently on my district staff. Both have been valuable assets to me by providing outstanding public service to the constituents of my district. Another dedicated veteran is Anthony Acevedo, a World War II veteran who was 1 of 300 captured American soldiers held prisoner at a Nazi slave labor camp. Through his courageous work as a medic, Mr. Acevedo kept a detailed diary of his imprisonment. Decades later he worked tirelessly to obtain the recognition of the U.S. Army for this group; his diary is now part of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. This resolution: Urges all Americans to recognize and encourages schools to educate students about the historic contributions of all veterans; and makes a request to the President to issue a proclamation for Veterans Day. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 1622. As a Vietnam- era veteran, I am committed to ensure America keeps its promises to our nation's troops and the 23 million plus American veterans.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for H.R. 4783. I want to thank the congressional leadership, Mr. Rahall and the White House for their commitment to ensure justice for those individuals and communities we have wronged in the past. The treatment of minority farmers by the USDA remains a dark stain on our Nation's history. When I first came to Congress, I worked extensively on the Agriculture Committee with our former colleague Eva Clayton to bring justice to African American, Hispanic, Native American, and female farmers. We hosted several meetings; wrote letters; and chaired numerous subcommittee hearings on this very issue to address past discrimination. Today, I am pleased to say that we are taking an important step forward in righting those past wrongs of injustice by this country. H.R. 4783 provides the additional funding required to settle the Pigford lawsuit brought by the African American farmers. It also includes funds to settle the Cobell case and to finally provide justice to Native American communities whose trust accounts were mishandled by the government. Thousands of people have been affected who still bear the wounds of past discrimination. They have waited too long. This legislation also includes important measures to settle the water rights claims to many tribes, including the White Mountain Apache, the Crow Montana, the Navajo Nation, the Taos Pueblo, and other southwestern Pueblo tribes. We still have a long road ahead before we bring justice to all groups discriminated against by the USDA, including Hispanic farmers and female farmers, but we are moving in the right direction.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. When President Obama took office, he inherited a $1.2 trillion deficit, two wars, the recession, and mounting job losses that pushed our economy to the brink. Since then, we have made steady progress by preventing economic catastrophe and laying the groundwork to create new jobs. The Democratic ``Make It in America'' agenda has closed tax loopholes that allow for outsourcing of jobs overseas. And the recently passed Small Business Jobs Act provides $12 billion in tax cuts and $30 billion in new lending for American small businesses. But with the unemployment at 9.6 percent across the Nation, and over 14 percent in California's Inland Empire, we must do more. I urge my Republican colleagues to come to the table and work with Democrats and the administration. The time for simply saying ``no'' is over. We must pass new tax cuts for the American middle class families without the deficit-busting break for the wealthy.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Last week, this Chamber passed another measure to move America's small business forward, the backbone of this country. The Small Business Jobs Act provides $12 billion in tax cuts for America's small businesses and creates a $30 billion lending fund to increase available capital and spur small business lending right here in America and not overseas. This bill was one of many that congressional Democrats worked on to provide relief for hardworking Americans. That is why we passed the Recovery Act, which boosted SBA funding to authorize loans. That is why President Obama has already signed into law eight separate small business tax cuts. Republicans don't seem to get it. Instead of working for the people, they would rather work to obstruct and continue to be the Party of No. On the other hand, congressional Democrats and the President have constantly supported the American economic backbone. We didn't create this economic mess, but I am confident that we will be the ones to lead us out of it.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, when President Obama took office, he inherited a $1.2 trillion deficit, two wars, a recession, mounting job losses, and a disaster like Katrina that pushed our economy to the brink. While the Republicans continue to push the same failed policies of the past, Democrats are fighting to help America recover from the Bush recession and move forward. This Congress, our President, and the Democrats, have fought for middle class tax cuts, boosted small businesses with job creating investments, fought to protect Social Security, worked to create new jobs at home, fought to end the outsourcing of jobs overseas, and have given patients, not health insurance companies, control over their health care. The choice is clear. Support the Party of No with no solution or the Democrats who will work with working families, the middle class, and will work to strengthen our economy. Republicans threaten to take us back to the failed policies of the past. We must continue to move America forward.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I along with Representatives Doris Matsui, Laura Richardson, Grace Napolitano, Ciro Rodriguez, Charles Gonzalez, Judy Chu, Solomon Ortiz, and Linda Sanchez rise to pay tribute to a great citizen, civil rights leader and humanitarian, Mario Obledo. A long time crusader for justice, Mario died of a heart attack on Aug. 18, 2010 at the age of 78, in his home in Sacramento, California. Mario was a trailblazer, some referred to him as the ``Godfather of the Latino Civil Rights Movement.'' A symbol of activism, he took on employment discrimination, advocated for affirmative action and encouraged bilingual education. Mario was committed to ending all forms of racial injustice, and served as a respected advocate for his community. Throughout his legal career Mario desegregated schools, reformed jury selection, integrated swimming pools, and took down signs barring Mexicans from entering businesses. In one famous case, he defeated a utility company with a height requirement that prohibited hiring anyone with an accent. Mario was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1932 to Concepcion Guerra and Jesus Obledo, immigrants who migrated to the United States during the Mexican Revolution. As a child he grew up in a tiny house off a dirt road and slept on the floor with his 12 siblings. Mario's father died when he was five. His family often had to hustle to support itself, but Mario was encouraged by supportive adults to stay in school. His mother repeated to him, ``teachers are second to God.'' The pharmacist he worked for since the age of 12 urged him to go to college. Mario served in the Navy during the Korean War and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1957 with a pharmacy degree. Working as a pharmacist, he put himself through law school and graduated from St. Mary's University in San Antonio in 1960. Mario believed his greatest achievement was opening doors of employment to Latinos. He taught law at Harvard University and is credited with encouraging Latinos to enter state government. Mario served as President of the National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations before he passed. He had a long and illustrious career in public service, working as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas, and later appointed head of the California Health and Welfare Agency from 1975 to 1982. In this capacity he served as the first ever Hispanic chief of a California State Agency. In 1982 Mario was the first Hispanic citizen to mount a serious campaign for governor of California, despite losing he never lost his passion for justice and equality. He never tired of fighting for and advocating on behalf of the poor and underprivileged. Mario successfully challenged discriminatory electoral systems and registered hundreds of thousands of Hispanic voters. He addressed candidates when they ignored issues affecting Latinos. Mario cried foul against Taco Bell in the late nineties, when it depicted a Chihuahua speaking with a stereotypical Mexican accent in national advertisements. Mario along with fellow veteran Pete Tijerina, co-founded the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). Mario was responsible for MALDEF's litigation program, he organized legal seminars and disseminated legal information to the community. He lectured at colleges and universities and encouraged dialogue as a panelist at conferences and seminars. Mario was co-founder of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations. He served as president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) from 1983 to 1985, was Chairman of the National Rainbow Coalition from 1988 to 1993, and also served on the Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Commission. Mario holds many honors and awards recognizing his contributions to the advancement of civil liberties for people of color. In 1973, he was awarded the National Urban Coalition Distinguished Urban Service Award. In 1985 he was given the Ohtli Award, Mexico's highest civilian award to a foreigner. In 1998, Mario was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton. In 1999 he was awarded the National Hispanic Hero Award by the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute. Madam Speaker, we join today to express our gratitude to Mario for his life work and philosophy. A belief in helping others, a love of community, and patriotism compelled him to lead a tremendous life of service. It is fitting, on such an occasion that we tribute Mario Obledo for the exceptional friendship and leadership that is his legacy.