Joe Baca

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for the time. I think we have put together a good bill. It was a bipartisan bill. It addressed a lot of the concerns that a lot of us had about affordable housing for minorities, low-income individuals who have an opportunity to obtain a home, but with the poison pill that has been put in in its final package, it makes the bill very difficult to support. All of us believe that affordable homes should be available for individuals. This does strengthen regulatory oversight on Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the Federal home loan banks. I think that is positive, and it presents an opportunity for many individuals, especially in my area, San Bernardino County, the Inland Empire, where we have a lot of growth in the area. We have people that are moving from Orange County, L.A., San Diego. They are looking at buying affordable homes. This bill would give many individuals, low income, an opportunity to do that, especially when the average cost of a home in L.A. is $475,000, and in San Bernardino it is $352,000. Many individuals cannot afford to buy a home. Now that they have that first opportunity, I know what it is like because I came from a family of 15, and I know for the very first time when we were able to buy a home. Had we not bought a home, I would not have had stability in my roots in the immediate area. That is why provisions of this bill are great. What I do not like about the bill is a poison pill that has been put on there, which I believe it is unconstitutional and restrictions aimed at suppressing the civil rights engaged in by poor minorities for voting. We believe that every person should have the right to vote and to participate, and we say that that does not preclude them, and you have to put a priority whether it is for affordable housing or whether you will be involved in engaging, encouraging individuals. America has always encouraged individuals to participate in our American democracy, and that is the democracy of voting. We have our veterans who have fought for this country and are now fighting in Iraq, are fighting for the freedoms that we enjoy today. One of those freedoms is the right to get out and vote, to allow every individual to participate and vote, not to restrict individuals, but to allow them to vote. This would restrict these individuals who are getting funded for the housing to say you are not going to participate in this American democracy by registering individuals to vote. We should allow them. It is part of democracy. This is anti-civil rights, especially when we just have Rosa Parks who just died and fought hard for civil rights. We have Alice Paul who fought for the suffrage of women and others to encourage to make sure that women had the right to vote. Now what we are saying is, minorities, you are voting in higher numbers; we are not going to include you in part of that process because if you do, and if you get involved in part of that process, we are going to cut out your funding. I believe this is not fair. That is why the National Council of La Raza, NAACP, NALEO, LULAC, Puerto Rican Association, faith-based initiatives are all opposing the restriction of this anti-poison pill that has been put into this bill. I hope we can make a correction in the Senate and do justice for every individual. We talk about Leave No Child Behind. Now we are saying leave every individual who wants to participate from low-income minority families behind because we do not want them to participate in our American democracy. This is about America. We are proud Americans, and we should allow every American to participate. We should not deny one organization from going to them and asking them to participate in that process. What we are doing is saying, you will not be involved in that process, you will not be involved in that process. No, that is unfair. It is un-American. As an American and a Member who served in the Armed Forces, which we fought for many individuals, we have that responsibility, Mr. Chairman. We have the responsibility to make sure that every American has that right. Let us not go backwards. Let us go forward. Together we can make a difference. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 1461 to strengthen the regulatory oversight of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. I comment my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee for their bipartisan approach and hard work in drafting this important bill. This bill keeps the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) safe, sound and focused on their mission while preserving their mission to support financing for low- and moderate- income housing. Also, this bill includes provisions that will increase housing opportunities for low income families by: establishing a specific requirement for GSEs to serve underserved areas, enhancing the GSEs affordable housing goals and increasing loan limits for high cost areas. This bill includes an affordable housing fund that will increase affordable housing for low income communities. This fund is particularly important to me because of its potential to increase affordable housing for many hard-working families in my district. Housing costs in Southern California have skyrocketed. Many families have moved to the San Bernardino area where housing is considered less expensive. But even here, we have seen home prices rise quickly, and I am concerned that many working couples cannot afford a home. Last week, the Los Angeles Times reported that the median price paid for a Southern California home was $475,000 in September, up 16.1 percent from a year earlier. In San Bernardino County, the median price has risen 32.8 percent in the past year to $352,000. This issue has great meaning to me personally. I grew up in a family with 15 children without a lot of money. I have been fortunate enough to have worked hard and been able to achieve the American dream of owning a home. But I know that this dream remains unattainable for millions of families. Hispanic families especially face difficulties buying a home as their incomes on average are lower, and they might not have the same access to or understanding of financial institutions. I hope the Affordable Housing Fund will increase rental and homeownership opportunities for these and other working class families. As a Catholic, I have learned of our obligation to serve the poor. I am proud of the work that Catholic Charities and other faith-based groups engage in. Their mission to help those in need includes providing shelter and also helping citizens fully participate in America's political process. While I support the bill for its merits, I am strongly opposed to the restrictions added after it passed the committee that place severe restrictions on nonprofit entities and faith based groups applying for affordable housing grants. The language inserted would undermine and severely limit the fund by excluding nonprofits involved in non-partisan voter registration efforts. Republicans are trying to prevent church groups and other respected non-profit organizations from providing important services. They are engaged in yet another backdoor scheme to sneak in unconstitutional restrictions aimed at suppressing the civic engagement of working class and minority families. These non-partisan community groups often serve as the main point of contact and, in many cases, are the only local groups addressing the social, civic, and educational needs of the people they serve. Yet Conservative Republicans want to force these trusted organizations to choose between providing civic education and affordable housing. Why? Why do Republicans want to deny low income and minority voters participation in the political process? What do they fear? Do they fear democracy? During the presidential campaign, Republican leaders made aggressive efforts to woo Black and Hispanic voters who have historically supported Democrats. Now Republicans are determined to deny affordable housing to these same minority groups. Is this payback? I hope that we would all agree our country is stronger if more Americans register to vote and show up at the polls, whichever party or candidate they support. We need to encourage participation in our great democracy not limit it. I want to mention an American hero, Alice Paul, who made our country better, fairer, more Democratic by leading the struggle for women's rights--including the right to vote. By the way, she was a Republican, but she was committed to promoting political participation. So we should encourage community organizations to help register voters and praise them for doing so, not penalize them or prevent them. The restrictions added by Republicans serve no other purpose than to reduce access to voting by low income people, and I urge my colleagues to vote against the restrictions. If however, they pass, I am committed to working with my colleagues to strip away these horrible provisions as the bill goes through the Conference Committee Process.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 485. Red Ribbon Week is the annual campaign to prevent illegal drug use and to promote drug-free communities. All of our children have so much potential. All of our children deserve a chance at life. Caring for our children and making sure they do not get addicted to drugs is all of our responsibility. Mr. Speaker, 81 percent of teenagers ages 14 to 20 have used drugs. One out of every four high school seniors has used illegal drugs in the past 30 days; almost 30 percent of young adults have used marijuana in the past. This must change. Our children deserve better. Better treatment and policing are essential to winning the battle against drugs, but prevention is the foundation. Red Ribbon Week uses community action to educate and help prevent drug abuse. This community led movement started in Imperial Valley, California and is changing lives across the Nation. Throughout the United States, many of our schools are participating in this program, informing our children to stay away from drugs. As a father and a grandfather, I would like to state my personal commitment to Red Ribbon Week, and to saving the lives of our children. That is why I sponsored a bill supporting Red Ribbon Week in the 107th Congress, which passed unanimously. I urge my colleagues to support Red Ribbon Week in the State of California, and I ask for their support for Red Ribbon Week throughout our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 485.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute and pay tribute to Sergeant Hector R. Feliciano, a 22-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. Sergeant Feliciano is receiving an honorable mention commendation for the annual TOP COPS Award Ceremony, from the National Association of Police Officers. This is a great honor, and reflects the substantial respect and recognition accorded to Sergeant Feliciano by California and national law enforcement. Sergeant Feliciano represents the very best of our outstanding law enforcement officers, previously being selected as Rampart Sergeant of the year 2004, for distinguishing himself as an exemplary leader as well as a tactical expert. Among his many achievements include developing game plans that targeted narcotics violators who utilized the Mac Arthur Park as a base of operations. He also planned operations to address quality of life issues in and around the park. His operations focused on such concerns as drinking in public, illegal street sales, and gambling. He was also tasked with developing and writing operations plans for special events in and around the park. According to superiors, his operations plans were outstanding, covering all aspects of the event from manpower to street closures to tactical considerations. The reduction in crime and improvement in the quality of life in and around the park has been remarkable. The efforts of Sergeant Feliciano, as well as those officers he supervises, has been the topic of crime strategy seminars throughout the Los Angeles Police Department. Hector is a highly sought after and well-respected supervisor. Even under great pressure, he has repeatedly proven that his is steadfast and levelheaded. Hector has stepped forward to take command in many situations, thus ensuring the welfare of his officers and the citizens of Los Angeles. A notable example of this occurred on November 9, 2004. Sergeant Feliciano employed decisive and heroic actions during a hostage crisis at the Mexican Consulate. His lifesaving intervention resulted in the successful rescue of a pregnant female who was being held hostage by a gunman. Mr. Speaker, Hector Feliciano has served our community with great distinction. As a husband, father, and grandparent, I feel secure knowing the safety of my loved ones is entrusted to such a fine individual. An officer's work is never done, and because of that, our families are secure. And so, we thank Hector, with gratitude and respect for his distinguished service. We wish the very best to him, and his wife, Jeanette, and their other family members who are here this month in Washington, DC. God bless, and congratulations on this great honor.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3824, the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act. I commend the gentleman from California (Chairman Pombo) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza) for this legislation. This legislation modernizes the Endangered Species Act, or ESA, to allow for more scientific review, better conservation plans, and to focus on a recovery process that is based on collaboration and not conflict. After more than 3 decades, the ESA has failed. This legislation is a bipartisan effort to fix the flawed law. Less than 1 percent of endangered species have recovered, less than 1 percent. The ESA has only helped 10 of 1,300 species listed under the law. Thirty-nine percent of the species are unknown. Twenty-one percent are declining, and they are declining, and 3 percent are extinct. This law has a 99 percent failure rate. We need to update. We need to update and modernize the ESA to strengthen the species recovery by turning conflict into cooperation and allowing the use of sound science. In the Inland Empire, the ESA has prevented or increased costs for freeway interchanges, economic development, and things as simple as trash removal. There are certain areas that are blighted in portions of our communities. It is like walking into a mine. You have got to watch every step that you take because you are afraid you are going to step on an endangered species. In my district, we have two infamous endangered species. I want to point to one, the Delhi sand flower-loving fly, and of course, the other one is the kangaroo rat. Look at this fly. If anyone were to see this fly, we would swat it. It is our first, immediate reaction, and we have always heard the buzz at night when we hear a fly. We do not stop to look at it to see if it is an endangered species. Immediately we react; we swat it. Now, when we look at this fly, and it was buzzing around, I would swat it. What would happen if a cow swatted this fly? Would we fine the cow or the owner? It seems pretty ridiculous, I say. ESA has many ridiculous examples. As we can see in these posters next to me, the fly costs San Bernardino County Medical Center $3 million to move the hospital about 200 feet when the fly was found in the property. That is about $600,000 per fly. Can my colleagues imagine what it would do to our communities, $600,000 to move a hospital? They reserved a certain area that is full with blight that is overlooking the hospital. Also in my district, ambulances driving to this emergency room at Arrowhead Medical Center need to slow down so that the endangered flies will not hit their windshield. Can my colleagues imagine someone who needs emergency services cannot get to the hospital, has to slow down because they are afraid this fly might run into the windshield? That is ridiculous. It is about a life that we need to save, not a fly. It has even been suggested that traffic be slowed down on Interstate 10. Interstate 10 goes into Palm Springs. It is a route that moves traffic back and forth. It is ridiculous. They are saying, all right, this fly only comes out between July and September. So people are suggesting when we travel on that freeway that you should reduce your speed limit from 65 to 25 miles an hour because we might endanger this fly and hit this fly. Can my colleagues imagine the traffic congestion in the area, the impact it would have in that area, on the flow of goods and others that would not be able to be moved? That is ridiculous. The Inland Empire is indeed species rich, but we have been hit hard by jobs lost by ESA. That is why we need to take into account the human cost. For example, in the cities of Colton and Fontana, California, a handful of flies, yes, flies are responsible. The city of Fontana alone has spent $10 million in legal fees associated with the ESA and has been forced to put aside $50 million worth of land that has been intended for development. A scrapped commercial center with a supermarket would have generated $5 million in revenue. Can my colleagues imagine what this would have done to the area, better schools, more police officers, new fire stations, teen centers, paving the streets, fixing our potholes? Yet we have not been able to generate the kind of revenue that we need. The ESA is related to the development that led the city to default on bonds. Will the Federal Government restore the city's credit rating? No. It has hindered us. Imagine if endangered species suddenly thrive in the areas flooded by the hurricanes. Do we stop the hurricane construction? This law affects more people than what we think. Think of the farmers not able to harvest their crops because an endangered species is found in the field. Local cities have offered land for habitat, changed development plans and tried to partner in that process; but ESA, as written, will not permit that. I support this legislation, and I think this is good legislation. I ask my colleagues also to support the passage of this.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2123, the School Readiness Act of 2005. The goal of the Head Start program is to give at-risk children all across our Nation a fair chance at succeeding in the educational system. Head Start is especially important to Latino children. Latino children make up more than one-third, 34 percent, of all those eligible for the program. In my home State of California, 65.8 percent, which is almost two-thirds, of those enrolled in the Head Start program are Latino. As the Hispanic population experiences rapid growth, Head Start services must be strengthened to reflect the unique needs of Latino families. Head Start's ability to improve the educational skills and opportunities of Latino children will be an important component of America's future success. Head Start has long lasting effects on those most in need. Head Start graduates are more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to need special education, repeat a grade, or commit crimes in adolescence. This bill improves the program in several key ways: It increases funding for underserved children: for the children of migrant and seasonal workers, it will allow approximately 10,000 more children to leave the agricultural fields and enter the classroom; it expands the Native America Head Start programs; and it also works towards ensuring that parents can get information in their native language, when possible. This bill was passed unanimously out of the Committee on Education and the Workforce in May. It is important that we pass this legislation as a bipartisan effort to help American youth. Unfortunately, the Boustany amendment would jeopardize this important bill by allowing for employment discrimination based on religion. That kind of partisan politics has no place in a bill that is about increasing educational opportunities for our children. Many of our Latino parents and children already face a number of barriers in accessing the Head Start program. We must not add additional barriers or sacrifice their futures. It would place tens of thousands of already at-risk children in danger of losing their Head Start teachers. And in doing so, it would block countless low-income and minority parents from climbing the ladder out of poverty. We should not make it more difficult to participate in a program that enables thousands of parents to make the life-changing transition from being a parent volunteer to being a trained and paid Head Start teacher. This amendment is inconsistent with American values of tolerance and respect for all religions. Instead of trying to tack on a partisan amendment, we should pass a bill that maintains Head Start's high standards and allows Head Start centers to hire the most qualified teachers. That is what's best for our children and for our country. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the Boustany amendment.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Madam Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. Madam Chairman, I am a strong supporter of American manufacturing and think this bill can be a good step in the right direction. For too long, this administration's trade policies have led to a hemorrhage of manufacturing jobs out of Main Street and into Mainland China. There is one particular program authorized by this bill that is important to my constituents in California--that is the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MEP. The MEP provides our manufacturers with the tools to compete in a competitive marketplace. It helps maintain our country's manufacturing productivity and competitiveness. A survey of just one-third of MEP customers found that they had created or saved more than 35,000 jobs, and that is just one-third of the customers, thanks to this program. And the MEP centers help more than 18,000 small companies each and every year. Assistance to manufacturers is more important than ever due to this administration's misguided view that sending American manufacturing jobs overseas is good for the economy. We need more American jobs, not less. We need expanded economic activity and an enhanced tax base, not residential communities with nothing but service sector jobs. Madam Chairman, I strongly support H.R. 250 for these very reasons. I hope that as the bill moves to conference, that Chairman Gordon will include Mr. Honda's proposal to extend the authorization of the Advanced Technology Program for an additional year.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, for more than a week we have all watched television coverage of Hurricane Katrina, transfixed by the devastating impact of the storm on the Gulf Coast, especially in and around New Orleans. Although the full extent of the damage is not yet known, it is clear that thousands of Americans have died, and many more have been injured, shaken and displaced. The wind, rain and flooding has destroyed homes, businesses, farms and crops, causing immeasurable suffering. The destruction has significantly scarred the people and the economy of the region and even beyond. Rebuilding the area's infrastructure will probably take years. Rebuilding the lives of our fellow Americans will also take time and require assistance. Many people in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama lack basics such as food, water, clothing, sleeping materials, medicine and first aid. We must help provide for their critical immediate needs so they can survive. I am heartened that my constituents in the Inland Empire of California have heeded the call to help. I am not surprised by our response; however, because I already know that our communities are generous. We have shown great compassion responding to those in need, as we did following September 11th and other tragedies affecting people thousands of miles away. And we must do so again when so many Americans are suffering. My immediate concern has been the effort to rescue and assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina, making sure that we do all we can to help those in need. Congress is taking a first step by approving more than $10 billion of funding for emergency assistance to help. We all recognize that the costs of rescue, recovery and rebuilding will be substantially higher, and I am confident that Congress, and the American people, will support additional funding. However, we in Congress must also focus on determining what needs to be done to minimize devastation from future natural disasters or other emergencies. So we must ask difficult questions about the Federal Government's preparation and planning prior to the storm and the response following it. One of the fundamental responsibilities of government is to protect our citizens. So we must investigate fully whether the Administration did all it could have, and should have, to protect Americans. Katrina was a powerful and deadly natural disaster, but we must ask whether hundreds, maybe even thousands of Americans, died because of the failure of officials to prepare and respond effectively.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to pay tribute to the Sinfonia Mexicana, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. This important institution, located in San Bernardino, has been thrilling audiences since 1985, when Mario Porras and Charles Eisenhard inspired members of the Inland Empire Symphony Association, local civic leaders, and then Consul of Mexico Emerenciano Rodriguez, to form a committee to present a unique concert of Mexico's symphonic masterpieces. Consul Rodriguez was selected to chair the committee for this exciting endeavor. The concert was a tremendous success! Enthused, the committee continued to present annual state-of-the-art musical and culturally enriching programs for the enjoyment of the entire community. The purpose of this organization is to present the finest music compositions of Mexico to the Inland Empire. In addition to its outstanding music programming, the group has committed numerous volunteer hours and financial contributions throughout these many years, with participation of organizations and individuals that shared in the identical goal of program development and other auxiliary components. The current success of the Sinfonia Mexicana has been recognized as an outstanding achievement in the Inland Empire and beyond. It is a well-established fact that Mexican folkloric music is enormously popular and world-renowned; however, what was relatively unknown to many people locally, was Mexico's veritable treasure of classical and symphonic music created by notable composers and arrangers--many of whom Sinfonia showcased over the past 19 years. They included: Carlos Chavez, Pablo Moncayo, Manuel M. Ponce, Silvestre Revueltas, Miguel Bernal, Blas Galindo, Juventino Rosa, Enrique Mora, Manuel Enriques, Ricardo Castro, Candelario Huizar, Felipe Villanueva, and others. To be sure, Chavez's ``Sinfonia India'' is a fine example of the unification of Yaqui and Seri indigenous melodies into a symphonic masterpiece. A typical Sinfonia program of Mexican classical music often features a guest conductor and/or artists from Mexico performing with the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra at the historic California Theatre of Performing Arts in San Bernardino. Guest conductors have included Abraham Chavez, Sergio Cardenas, Francisco Savin, Guadalupe Flores, Eduardo Diazmunoz, Enrique Diemecke, Jose Hernandez, Stewart Robertson, and Jeff Nevin. On two occasions Sinfonia had the distinction to host the ``Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Mexico'' in San Bernardino. On their first visit, Maestro Francisco Savin served as musical director. Sinfonia has presented a variety of special performances by outstanding ensembles from Mexico and Southern California. Sinfonia is now organized as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and yet maintains its volunteer-driven mission to foster the awareness of Mexico's symphonic musical masterpieces, and educate the public of the fine music and culture of Mexico. Mr. Speaker, that is a resume of the substantial achievements of this important cultural institution. My family and I enjoy this music. We encourage everyone in the community to partake of this great resource. I ask that a more detailed history of Sinfonia be included in the Congressional Record, for public display and historical preservation. And again, I say: thank you to Sinfonia, for preserving these important musical traditions! Sinfonia Mexicana--A Historical Overview Sinfonia Mexicana has been thrilling audiences since 1985 when Mario Porras and Charles Eisenhard inspired members of the Inland Empire Symphony Association, local civic leaders, and then Consul of Mexico Emerenciano Rodriguez, to form a committee to present a unique concert of Mexico's symphonic masterpieces. Consul Rodriguez was selected to chair the committee for this exciting endeavor. The concert was a tremendous success! Enthused, the committee continued to present annual state-of-the-art musical and culturally enriching programs for the enjoyment of the entire community. It is a well-established fact that Mexican folkloric music is enormously popular and world-renowned, however, what was relatively unknown to many people locally, was Mexico's veritable treasure of classical and symphonic music created by notable composers and arrangers--many of whom Sinfonia showcased over the past 19 years. They included: Carlos Chavez, Pablo Moncayo, Manuel M. Ponce, Silvestre Revueltas, Miguel Bernal, Blas Galindo, Juventino Rosa, Enrique Mora, Manuel Enriques, Ricardo Castro, Candelario Huizar, Felipe Villanueva, and others. To be sure, Chavez's ``Sinfonia India'' is a fine example of the unification of Yaqui and Seri indigenous melodies into a symphonic masterpiece. A typical Sinfonia program of Mexican classical music often features a guest conductor and/or artists from Mexico performing with the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra at the historic California Theatre of Performing Arts in San Bernardino. Guest conductors have included Abraham Chavez, Sergio Cardenas, Francisco Savin, Guadalupe Flores, Eduardo Diazmunoz, Enrique Diemecke, Jose Hernandez, Stewart Robertson, and Jeff Nevin. On two occasions Sinfonia had the distinction to host the ``Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Mexico'' in San Bernardino. On their first visit, Maestro Francisco Savin served as musical director. On their second, Maestro Enrique Diemecke directed the Orquesta as part of a national tour of seven U.S. cities in honor of the 100th birthday celebration of Mexico's premier composers Carlos Chavez and Silvestre Revueltas (Diemecke is currently the artistic director of the Long Beach Symphony). Instrumental guest soloists have included Carlos Prieto, cello; Jorge Juarez and Maria Teresa Rodriguez, piano; Miguel Alcazar, guitar; Roman Revueltas, violin; Elena Duran, flute; and Manuel Arpero, trumpet. Sinfonia commissioned Maestros Mateo Oliva and Mario Kuri-Aldana to arrange into symphonic form romantic ballads by beloved Mexican composer, Agustiin Lara. The world premiere of the concert in San Bernardino was an international sensation. That cutting edge program was the most popular classical concert ever presented in the Inland Empire--drawing audiences from Mexico City, Los Angeles, San Diego, and beyond. Special guests included Lara's widow and famous contemporary songwriter, Roberto Cantoral, and numerous luminaries. Sinfonia has presented a variety of special performances by outstanding ensembles from Mexico and Southern California. They featured the West Coast premiere of ``Navidades'' by the internationally acclaimed Ballet Folklorico de Amalia Hernandez from Mexico City. And, from Baja California, Sinfonia presented ``Bastian y Bastiana'' Mozart's comic opera performed by a student group, Grupo Juvenil de Tijuana. Moreover, Sinfonia presented the West Coast premiere of the first Chicano opera, ``Esperanza'' composed by David Bishop and the libretto by Carlos Morton based on the classic cult film, ``Salt of the Earth.'' The opera was performed by the Euterpe Opera Theatre of Pasadena, which featured soprano Ariella Vaccarino and tenor Eric Castro. Quintessentially popular mariachi performances have included the legendary Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, Las Reinas de Los Angeles, Mariachi Mujer, Mariachi Divas, and Mariachi Champana. Other diverse artists included Latin jazz great, Tito Puente, the romantic trio, Los Tres Reyes, famed folklorists Tlen Huicani (Veracruz), and the brilliant Ballet Folklorico del Pacifico. The famous pop artist, Vikki Carr graced Sinfonia's portfolio, as did Alicia Juarez (widow of Jose Alfredo Jimenez), Lalo Guerrero, Mayor Judith Valles, sopranos Maria Luisa Tamez and Florencia Tinoco; tenors Alejandro Guerrero, Pedro Rey, Raul Hernandez, Dennis Meade, Daniel Hendricks, and the West Coast debut of tenor Daniel Rodriguez performing with a symphony orchestra (the former New York police officer who awed the nation with his rendition of ``God Bless America'' in the aftermath of 9-11). Sinfonia endeavors to help promote the musical careers of local young aspiring artists such as Elizabeth Quintero and Desiree Flores. Sinfonia supported the very first youth mariachi in the region, Mariachi Estudiantil and founder Lou Herz, whom Sinfonia sponsored for several years, and supported the debut of the region's first all-girl, Mariachi las Princesas. Sinfonia is now organized as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and yet maintains its volunteer-driven mission to foster the awareness of Mexico's symphonic musical masterpieces, and educate the public of the fine music and culture of Mexico. The board of directors and staff invite interested members of the community to become involved in Sinfonia Mexicana programs.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute the Little League Western Region, and its contributions to the youth of the Inland Empire, through its Western Regional Tournament. Little League is the foundation of good values and sportsmanship. Some of us may be bigger than others, or faster, but in team sports, as in life, it is the effort that counts! Through perseverance and teamwork, one can succeed! Here in the Inland Empire, we like to be known for historic firsts. Did you know that San Bernardino was the first site of Little League, west of the Rocky Mountains? Did you know San Bernardino had the first team from the West to advance to the World Series in 1951? So, when you play here, you are a part of history! This is a special place! We should stop to honor those who have made this facility possible. The Western Regional Headquarters was constructed in 1969. The property on which the headquarters was placed was made available to Little League Baseball by the City of San Bernardino. Al Houghton Stadium and the Thomas C. Boyle Administration Building were built first, and the balance of what is here today has been gradually added. Warner Hodgdon, a local businessman, contributed heavily to the swimming pool, which is now such an important part of the Headquarters. Local firms pitched in with donated building materials, equipment and labor to gradually complete the complex. Many District Administrators and other local people labored hard and long. Western Regional Headquarters as it stands today has been a ``labor of love.'' On the grounds of the Headquarters Complex is a Junior Olympic size swimming pool. For other recreation and practice there are table games, batting cages, practice fields and a recreation hall. There is also a Senior Division field. The Western Regional Tournament is the culmination of hard work by parents, fundraisers, volunteers, and the business community, as well as these talented players. Twelve teams, and 10 days of play! An audience of 50,000 to 60,000! A Tournament Committee of over 125 volunteers from 11 Western States! Recognition of all teams at the Inland Empire Sixty Sixers home game! The involvement of Team 14, a group of local businessmen and women who volunteer to host a team and take the players to other Southern California events! An annual Golf Tournament! In addition, Little League Leadership Training Clinics are offered for League Officials, District Administrators, Managers/Coaches, scorekeepers and volunteer umpires. Included in the training sessions are two one-week Umpire Schools along with weekend rules clinics. And so, I salute the young people who participate, and those who support the game. Play ball!

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 360, a resolution commemorating the 60th anniversary of V-J Day and the end of World War II in the Pacific. Sixty years ago today, Japanese offIcials formally surrendered and by doing so concluded the bloodiest war in modern history, The United States entered the Second World War in December 1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and over the next four years Americans participated in the greatest national endeavor in our Nation's history. The casualty toll of Americans in the Pacific Theater during World War II was approximately 92,904 killed, 208,333 wounded, and tens of thousands missing in action and prisoners of war, with civilians and military forces of the Allied Powers suffering equally devastating tolls. Mr. Speaker, the people of the lnland Empire are grateful to this greatest generation for their sacrifice and we honor them for their courage. Courage of people like Frank Sandoval of Ontario, California who bravely stood his ground as a landing crew machinist during battles with Japanese forces off the Island of Leyte, Philippines. Courage like that of former Congressman Jerry Pettis, who fought in the Pacific and then returned home to dedicate his life to his community. Indeed, our local VA Medical Center in Loma Linda is named after him. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this resolution so we may appropriately acknowledge the countless number of Americans who sacrificed their lives in World War II. The contributions of these brave Americans have allowed us to live in the prosperous and free America we know today. It is our duty not only to recognize and remember their example, but also to courageously follow it.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in loving tribute and memory of my sister Anastasia ``Annie'' Saiz, who passed away over the August congressional recess. Beloved wife of Seferino Saiz, beloved sister of Florenio, Maria ``Lupe'' Napier, Morris, Tanny, Raymond, Joe, and Theresa Perez, and the late Abiflio Baca, beloved mother and mother-in-law of Robert Saiz and Lisa; Elsie Giron and husband, William; Sefe Saiz Jr. and wife, Liz; Dorothy Johnston and husband, Johnny; Lorraine Marquez and husband, Carl; and Charlie Saiz and wife, Rose, all of Belen. She is survived by 16 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Annie lived life to the fullest, reaching the mark of 78 years young. She and Seferino had just celebrated their 60th anniversary with a family dinner at their home on August 5. They were married in 1945 in La Joya. Annie was widely admired by family, friends, and colleagues. She was hard working, dedicated, committed, disciplined, loving and supporting. She was everything one would want in a sister, daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was employed by the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School, working with mentally challenged children. She had a big heart and compassion for the less fortunate. She would bring home children during the Easter holiday to enjoy the picnics; she couldn't see them being alone. She was a devoted Catholic, and active in our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, and she volunteered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She participated in civic causes, volunteering her time, getting up at 7 a.m. to drive voters to the polls. When she believed in a cause, she would work her heart out. She loved to shop. During the holidays she always gave out presents to strangers and her friends. She enjoyed listening to Mariachi music, going dancing at the senior citizen dances with Seferino and friends. She enjoyed listening to Jennifer sing Mariachi songs. When we would visit she was always so thoughtful and kind to give me and Barbara and my children a little gift. We will always remember her kindness and love for family. Annie enjoyed spending time with her family. She always supported her children and grandchildren, cheering them on at baseball games; she was their No. 1 fan. She defended her family, as she stood by their side. She was all about ``familia.'' On her children's birthday, she would call the local DJ and dedicate songs to her children. She would tell them to turn on the radio, and there is a special song, chosen from her heart. She was a great cook. Everyone would go to her house, and even if you were not hungry, she would make sure that she gave you a plate and made you eat. The food was always so delicious, how could you refuse. We loved her tortillas and atole. She had special Mexican food remedies for our colds. Annie's life was dedicated to family, friends, and community. Her memory lives on in our thoughts and prayers. We say, ``Goodbye. God bless you, we love you, and we miss you.'' We all loved her with all our hearts. She is now in a better place with her heavenly Father and at peace.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report for H.R. 3, the Transportation Reauthorization. The sad fact is that American transportation infrastructure is not keeping pace with population growth, traffic, the increase in the movement of goods, and the basic need to have better freeways that connect us as a Nation. Our freeways and transit systems have been key components of American society. They enable us to exercise our fundamental freedom to travel, explore and move cross-country with ease. Just as important, our freeways allow for the movement of goods and interstate commerce. That is why this bill is such an important federal priority, and why we should have funded it more generously. We know that the United States of America is the single largest exporter and the single largest importer on the face of the earth. We have an $11 trillion economy. The region I represent in California, called the Inland Empire, is growing by leaps and bounds. The Inland Empire is among the few remaining areas with affordable housing within driving distance of Los Angeles. The Cities of Fontana, Ontario, Rialto, Colton, and San Bernardino stand to nearly double their populations by the end of the decade. The Inland Empire will grow by another 1.6 million people by 2020, bringing the population to 4.8 million. The growth in my district outpaces that of 45 States. This growth requires a significant investment in transportation infrastructure to allow our residents to commute safely through our roads, rail and highways. My region also has a constant flow of traffic and rail to and from the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, two of the busiest ports in the entire world. Trucks from all over the nation travel Interstates 10, 15 and 215 to deliver their goods to port or to a warehouse. Because of the high volume of movement in my region I understand the challenges we face in improving our roads and freeways to make them safer, cleaner and less congested. This conference report includes funding for important grade separations that are badly needed in my district so we can improve the safety of rail traffic and rail crossings. Also, this conference report invests in freeway interchanges and overpasses in the fast-growing region I represent. I am also glad that this bill contains funds to do the final upgrades to the Santa Fe Depot. Mr. Speaker, our Nation has waited long enough for these overdue infrastructure investments. I urge my colleagues to support the conference agreement.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5, the Republican Medical malpractice bill. This bill is bad medicine for American consumers. It is a bitter pill for our seniors, our children, and the middle class. The Republican majority will stop at nothing to prevent access to the legal system for those who are hurt. First they said that all they wanted to do was limit class action lawsuits to Federal courts. Now that they have succeeded, they are back again, to take more rights away from American patients and consumers. Mr. Speaker, the majority will distort the facts, but the American people will not be deceived. The bill places a $250,000 cap on pain-and-suffering awards in medical malpractice lawsuits. $250,000. Is that what a lifetime of pain and suffering at the hands of malpractice is worth? Would you want your mother, grandfather or child to be in that situation? As the bills pile up, and the Republicans say, sorry, but we have sold out to the special interests? The bill makes it much harder for patients injured by medical errors to seek redress. It shortens the time for patients to prove they were hurt by malpractice. It gives legal immunity to drug makers, those same companies that have already killed and maimed people with products that were prematurely released on the market. Many of us are alarmed at the skyrocketing cost of medical care, including patients, who are the consumers. However, medical malpractice is not the reason for these increasing costs. It is medical mismanagement and corporate greed. The Washington Post had an article this past weekend about the health care system for our seniors. The frightening truth? Some health care providers deliberately, or indifferently, provide bad medical care, so that they can increase the costs of treatment, while patients become even sicker. Wounds become infected, equipment is covered with dust, and sterile techniques are not used. It sounds like the plot of a bad medical thriller, or medical practice in some remote corner of the globe, but it is happening, right here in America, to your father or mother, grandmother or grandfather. So, I say, stop picking on the legal system, which fights for the rights of the poor, the sick, the elderly, and the injured. Many of the rights that consumers enjoy today are the result of path- breaking legal decisions and the lawyers who were willing to stand up and fight. The Republicans would like to take us back to a darker time, when corporations ruled and the underserved had no rights. We must say, no; we must oppose this bad medicine. Enough is enough. We must oppose this bad bill.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report for the Energy Bill. Americans need an abundant supply of energy to maintain a high quality of life and sustain our economy. This comprehensive bill helps provide for our Nation's energy needs by encouraging domestic energy production. America has become too dependent on foreign oil, making our consumers subject to volatile prices and the whims of often hostile, antidemocratic leaders. We have seen the consequences as oil and gas prices continue to rise. The price of imported oil recently reached record levels of $60 a barrel. That is a full $10 more than six months ago and nearly $20 more than two years ago. I am well aware of the hardships this causes for consumers, workers and our economy. In my district in California the cost of gasoline has risen to $2.89 a gallon. Many of my constituents commute to Los Angeles, which is 60 miles away. Many others are truckers who depend on stable gasoline prices to put food on the table. These hard-working people are affected daily by our country's dependence on foreign oil. Nobody should make false promises that gas prices will immediately be lowered. This bill is not a quick fix, but it includes important provisions to help meet our country's energy needs, while also promoting energy efficiency, conservation and diversification, including incentives for alternative sources like ethanol, solar and wind. By decreasing our dependence on foreign oil and expanding production of alternative sources, we are not only protecting consumers and protecting our national security, but we are also protecting our economy by creating perhaps one million jobs. Improving our Nation's energy efficiency and cost efficiency is a bipartisan issue. I am pleased to support H.R. 2419 for the economic and national security of our country.

Mr BACA

Mr BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in oposition to this bill. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in standing up for America and our working families by rejecting CAFTA. CAFTA is a bad deal: bad for workers and businesses in my district, bad for America, and bad for workers in Central America. CAFTA would cause more job losses, more poverty and more hardship for workers both here at home and in Central America, while expanding the gap between rich and poor. We all should have learned from the mistakes of NAFTA, which was passed 12 years ago and has hurt American workers. Let's all keep in mind the saying, ``Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.'' After NAFTA, there should be no CAFTA. When NAFTA was passed, many believed it would lead to higher wages and economic development in the U.S., Mexico and Canada and less illegal immigration. Those hopes turned out to be false: Instead of helping American workers, NAFTA took away jobs. Instead of helping American businesses, many were forced to close down or move out of the country. As we work hard to strengthen the American economy, we cannot afford a bad trade bill that is unfair to American workers. CAFTA does not hold companies in other countries to the same standards. Workers in those countries do not have the same rights or protections. They do not have a voice and do not have safety standards. Central American workers will be exploited. They will be expected to work like elephants and if they are not producing enough to satisfy their bosses, their jobs will be eliminated and replacements brought in. We must not help or reward companies that prefer to exploit Central American workers in sweatshops instead of creating jobs in the U.S., hiring American workers and increasing wages. It seems every day we read in the papers about another factory closing down. Since President Bush took office, 2.5 million manufacturing jobs have been lost. At least 750,000 American jobs have been lost directly due to NAFTA. And they are not coming back. My constituents know about the impact of offshoring. We remember when Kaiser Steel closed its factory in Fontana, California, resulting in devastating job losses that hurt hundreds of workers, their families and their neighborhoods. I am especially concerned about the harmful effect that CAFTA would have on Hispanic communities in the U.S. because we have seen that almost half (47%) of the American workers who lost jobs due to NAFTA were Latinos. In addition to protecting American jobs, I want to protect our homeland security and I am concerned that CAFTA would make us less secure. Our ports and borders are already vulnerable. Many shipments of cargo enter our country without inspection. Increasing shipments of goods from Central America could pose additional threats to our security. I am disappointed that the Administration did not work closely with my colleagues in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to propose an agreement that protects American workers and businesses. Instead, the Administration is proposing an unacceptable trade deal that I cannot support.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, since the days of the pony express, the USPS has become a part of the American family. Consider the special place of the Postal Service in our society and its importance to Americans: to the teenagers waiting by the mailbox for the college acceptance letters, to families waiting for letters from loved ones serving abroad, to businesses reaching out to new customers and to so many others. The Postal Service delivers mail six days a week to nearly 140 million addresses. Every year this number increases by 2 million. The Postal Service's unmatched ability to reach every household and business in America six days a week is a vital part of the nation's infrastructure. The Postal Service needs tools to modernize and compete. That is why today I am a cosponsor of H.R. 22, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. This legislation will not only ensure survival of the Postal Service but also help preserve universal service at affordable rates for American mailing consumers. We need to ensure the long-term viability of this $900 billion industry and its nine million employees. I only wish that we could also pass H.R. 147, the Social Security Fairness Act. We need to correct the Windfall Elimination Provision, which lowers Social Security benefits for retirees who receive a Civil Service Retirement System annuity and Social Security benefits from other jobs. Too many Postal Service employees have seen their Social Security benefits reduced by as much as 55 percent because of the Windfall Elimination Provision. We also need to fix the Government Pension Offset, so that spouses and survivors do not have their benefits reduced. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 22 is a good first step and I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, since the days of the pony express, the USPS has become a part of the American family. Consider the special place of the Postal Service in our society and its importance to Americans: to the teenagers waiting by the mailbox for the college acceptance letters, to families waiting for letters from loved ones serving abroad, to businesses reaching out to new customers and to so many others. The Postal Service delivers mail six days a week to nearly 140 million addresses. Every year this number increases by 2 million. The Postal Service's unmatched ability to reach every household and business in America six days a week is a vital part of the nation's infrastructure. The Postal Service needs tools to modernize and compete. That is why today I am a cosponsor of H.R. 22, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. This legislation will not only ensure survival of the Postal Service but also help preserve universal service at affordable rates for American mailing consumers. We need to ensure the long-term viability of this $900 billion industry and its nine million employees. I only wish that we could also pass H.R. 147, the Social Security Fairness Act. We need to correct the Windfall Elimination Provision, which lowers Social Security benefits for retirees who receive a Civil Service Retirement System annuity and Social Security benefits from other jobs. Too many Postal Service employees have seen their Social Security benefits reduced by as much as 55% because of the Windfall Elimination Provision. We also need to fix the Government Pension Offset, so that spouses and survivors do not have their benefits reduced. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 22 is a good first step and I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3283, concerning trade with China. I join with millions of American workers in saying no to this ill- conceived Republican gift to the Chinese government. This bill does nothing to address the growing unfair trade gap between China and the United States--an imbalance purchased with China's exploitation of political prisoners, oppressive jail-like working conditions, child labor, and suppression of basic freedoms. Products made in China are cheap through the exploitation of the workforce. Every time we shop, we are driving the nail further into the coffin of American manufacturing jobs. This bill does nothing to address artificially low prices. It does nothing to stop manipulation of currency to drive the United States further into a trade imbalance. It does nothing to save honest American workers from losing their jobs. This bill weakens the ability of the United States to apply sanctions against China for unfair trade practices. Democrats have offered several much stronger proposals to deal with this issue, and the Republicans have refused to let them come to the floor. Not a single one has been considered. To help U.S. workers, farmers and businesses, and America's long-term economic security, Congress should take decisive action to bring about fair trade with China, instead of squandering this opportunity on a weak Republican bill. If Congress wants to take real action, it should pass comprehensive legislation to end currency manipulation; allow U.S. companies to challenge subsidized imports from China; and fix China safeguard statute and other import remedies to protect U.S. manufacturers against surges and other unfair imports from China. I support American workers in saying, let's combat China's unfair trade practices by providing us with the tools to save American jobs. It is an insult to American workers that, in the same week that Congress is considering CAFTA, it is bringing forth a weak China trade compromise bill. This demonstrates the majority's anti-worker agenda, that gives priority to Chinese workers instead of American jobs.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition of H.R. 525 and the association health plans it creates. There are 44 million Americans who are uninsured in this country and this bill will not even affect 1 percent of them. Not 1 percent. CBO found that only 360,000 uninsured Americans would join AHPs. This bill in fact hurts those who enroll in the plans and will even cause healthcare costs to go up for many other Americans. There has to be a better way to help 44 million uninsured Americans. AHPs will not be accountable to State health regulations. This will leave consumers who enroll in these plans without protection or a right to appeal if their cancer or diabetes treatment or medicines are denied. We cannot let AHPs become bargain basement plans that enroll only the healthiest Americans. What will happen to our sick, elderly and those with severe health conditions? Twenty million Americans will face higher healthcare costs. Twenty million. Health insurers will give breaks to the AHPs and charge other consumers more. Studies show that these higher healthcare costs could cause up to 10,000 Americans to become insured. There is a better way to help small businesses and the uninsured. H.R. 525 will not help small businesses or their employees. This is a shortsighted plan that does nothing to cover the 44 million uninsured Americans who cannot afford to get sick.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 376, to ask the FTC to look into the misrating of the ``Grand Theft Auto'' video game. I have been working on this issue for the last five years, since 2000, and have been working also with Representative Wolf and others to ensure that members and the public understand the importance of this issue to our children. It's good to know that other members are becoming aware of the problem and together we can work in a bipartisan effort and make a difference. Through our hard work, and that of those who are with us, the ESRB, the Voluntary Industry Rating Board, has now changed the rating of ``Grand Theft Auto'' from an M to an AO. That is not enough, because there are literally dozens of games out there that have the same type of offensive content, and the burden is now on the industry to explain why all of those games should not be rated AO, also. But we will not wait for the industry. We must take action now. We must step up the pressure. For this reason, we have asked the FTC to scrutinize all video games, including ``Grand Theft Auto'', to make sure they are properly rated. We appreciate the continued expression of support by the Congress. Together we can make a difference. My legislation, the Software Accuracy and Fraud Evaluation Rating Act or Safe Rating Act (H.R. 1145), would empower parents, by calling upon the FTC to look at all video game ratings. Parents are the gatekeeper for what their children watch or play, but how can they do that, if the ratings are not accurate? How can they do that if the ratings are confusing? We must empower parents! The decision to rate ``Grand Theft Auto--San Andreas'' as adults only represents a small victory for those of us who have been calling on the video game industry to clean up its act. However, the industry's self-regulation is a case of the fox guarding the hen house--and American children are at risk because of this. Although the ratings board has decided in July of 2005 that San Andreas should be rated adults only, it has already been sold for at least 18 months, earning millions of dollars for its producer. In fact, it was the best-selling game of 2004! And that means that millions of American children have played it, being exposed to graphic violent and sexual content. Parents are confused by the ratings and angry that their kids are being exposed to filth and violence. I hear from concerned parents in my district in California and from all over America. The most important step we should take now is to pursue an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission into the video game rating system as my legislation calls for. I have recently met with the FTC chairwoman Deborah Majoras to press for changes in how the games are reviewed and rated. This is a $25 billion worldwide industry that makes much of its profits by targeting teenage and younger boys. The industry can give a game an M rating with a wink because it knows that any kid can buy a game even if it has an M rating. There are several problems with the M Rating: The wording on the label (in the small print on the back of the package) does not give parents a full and honest understanding of what is really in the game. The M rating is confusing because the criteria that the industry uses to determine an M rating is almost identical to what it uses for the adults only rating. Kids are buying these games! This month CBS News reported the results of a recent study: Despite the warning labels, 50 percent of boys age 7-14 have bought a game rated-M, for mature audiences, and a stunning nine out of ten of the boys have played them. These games are harmful to children. Playing a violent or graphic video game hurts a child even more than watching a violent movie or TV show or listening to an obscene song because the child is role playing. The child assumes the identity of a criminal or a gang member. Too many video games glorify and reward violent and criminal behavior. Why don't the video games feature heroic characters? Instead of having a child act like a cop-killer, why not make him a police officer? Instead of someone who kills, why not make him a lifesaver, like a fireman or a doctor? It's time that the video game industry acted responsibly. It's time to take a hard look at their ratings. We must support this legislation on the floor today, and I urge all members to give their full support to my bill, H.R. 1145, to have the FTC look at the ratings of all video games.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion to Instruct Conferees by Representative Capps. Our greatest obligation is to protect the people we represent. That means protecting their health and wellbeing. Therefore, it is important that we do not let those responsible for MBTE contamination of our water off the hook. Clean and safe drinking water is vital to our health, not a luxury. So I want to make sure that chemicals that cause cancer or other illnesses that threaten the health, even the lives, of my constituents are not able to contaminate the water we drink. That is why I have been working hard to gain funds to pay for the removal of perchlorate from groundwater in San Bernardino County. And that is why I am concerned about MBTE and its impact on the communities I represent. MBTE is a dangerous chemical that has contaminated the groundwater in thousands of sites across the country. Unfortunately, instead of holding the manufacturers of MBTE accountable for the harm their products have caused, some Republicans in Congress want to make the American people pay. I believe in being accountable and responsible. This Administration has talked about accountability, but now Republican leaders are now trying to pass the buck. The cost of cleaning up MBTE-contaminated water nationwide is estimated to be $29 billion. It is wrong to ask the county and city governments and local water agencies to pay. Their budgets are already under a lot of stress, and they would have to raise the funds from taxpayers and ratepayers. We must reject provisions that give corporate polluters a free pass. MBTE manufacturers must be held accountable for the harm they have caused and clean up their own mess.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my extreme disappointment in the mediocre efforts of the Republican administration and leadership to adequately fund the Veterans Administration. Their lack of consideration and foresight led to an enormous shortfall in veterans' health care funding which we must immediately remedy. Time after time, the Republican majority has shown our beloved veterans where their priorities lie. For the 2005 and 2006 budgets, they were unwilling to listen to Democrats who have consistently fought for increases for veterans' health care. More than a year ago, my distinguished colleague from Illinois, Mr. Evans, made it known that the funding for the VA would fall immensely short of what is required for proper health services--over $1.3 billion short. Despite these figures, the Administration and Republican leadership continued their indifference towards helping our veterans. They were reluctant to admit any shortfall in VA health care funding until recently, when they reversed their position by asking for supplemental funding of $975 million. Still, my Democratic colleagues and I were dissatisfied because it still fell short of the $1.3 billion total that was necessary. Finally, just yesterday, the Bush Administration admitted that an additional $300 million was needed to secure veterans' health care for FY05. While it is nice to see that the Republican leadership has finally decided to take care of our veterans, this delayed and belated action is unacceptable. Many VA medical facilities have already been affected by the lack of funds. They have begun cutting nursing and medical staff, closing operating rooms, and not scheduling medical appointments. Though many speak of acknowledging the contributions of our veterans, actions speak louder than words. It is not enough to thank our veterans for their contributions and then fail to provide them with the fundamental right of access to health care. We must continue the work we have seen from the Senate and supplement the budget with an additional $1.5 billion in funding for veterans' health care. It is the least we can do for those that have sacrificed to defend our country.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the previous question on the rule. We need to allow for Democratic amendments, namely one to increase the federal minimum wage. While Republicans demand up or down votes on controversial appointees, why are American families denied an up or down vote on the Miller-Owens bill to raise the minimum wage. The Miller-Owens bill would gradually raise the minimum wage by $2.10--from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. The minimum wage has been frozen at $5.15 since 1997. The inflation- adjusted minimum wage is 26 percent lower today than it was in 1979. If the minimum wage had just kept pace with inflation since 1968 when it was $1.60 an hour, the minimum wage would now be $8.88 an hour. The number of Americans in poverty has increased by 4.3 million since President Bush took office--and the minimum wage is part of the problem. Nearly 36 million Americans live in poverty, including 13 million children. This is a travesty that must end. Increasing the minimum wage would help lift a half million workers rise out of poverty and would not have any impact on jobs, employment or inflation. In the four years after the last minimum wage increase passed, the economy experienced its strongest growth in over three decades. Nearly 11 million new jobs were added, at a pace of 232,000 per month. There were ten million new service industry jobs, including more than one and a half million retail jobs. Mr. Speaker, a fair increase in the minimum wage is long overdue, and I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can vote on the Miller-Owens minimum wage bill.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 740 and the three other OSHA bills under consideration today. Republicans are suggesting that our laws are hurting American jobs and productivity. How can that be so when we continue even now to push for CAFTA that would outsource additional jobs outside of this area, not to mention many of the other jobs that we have lost? It is untrue. It is bad enough that millions of Americans are being shipped overseas. We cannot afford to lose any more jobs. We have got to keep them here in the United States. Now the Republicans want to weaken the protection that exists for our Nation's workers, our Nation's workers, working families and others who deserve the right. Last year, Republicans passed FCC and ETI, a bill that gave tax breaks to companies that moved to China and India, and I state that, moved to China and India. Half the time the consumers do not know who they are talking to when they pick up the phone because they are from some other company. Republicans need to stop confusing people on the reason why jobs are leaving the mainstream and are being sent to mainland China. We should put the blame for losses in California and across the country where it belongs, and I state where it belongs. They failed, the policies of this administration, the President's so called compassionate conservatism has cost us 3 million jobs, and I state, 3 million jobs. That is American jobs that we could put on working families. Please end this compassion. Remember that it was the President Bush's top economic advisors who claimed that sending American jobs overseas is a good thing. Well, we know it is not a good thing to American workers here and what it does to them. Weakening American labor standards and allowing American workers to be exploited as they are in third world countries is not the solution. That type of thinking would put boys and girls out of the classroom and into the coal mines? These four bills are anti-worker, and I state, anti-worker, anti-safety, and they weaken the health and safety laws. And they hurt the American workers and working families. H.R. 739 weakens enforcement of the health and safety legislation by dragging out the debate for imposing penalties. H.R. 740 weakens worker protection by packing commissions with partisan appointees who agree with the President's anti-workers agenda, and I state, partisan appointees who agree with the President's anti- workers agenda. H.R. 741 encouraged frivolous challenges to labor law rules and interpretation. H.R. 742 requires OSHA to pay attorneys fees for employers that win cases against OSHA. However, these companies do not pay OSHA when they lose. Therefore, employers have nothing to lose by challenging those violations in court. The real losers under this legislation are the American taxpayers, American workers, American families in this country, American people who work to make our country great. As you can see, all four bills are antiworker laws, and the only way to justify them is to trump up charges that worker protection laws are costing American jobs and hurting American productivity. That is not true, because it is American families, American workers who have made this country great. We need to keep them here, and we need to protect them here in the United States. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose all four of these anti- OSHA bills. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 740 and the other three OSHA bills under consideration today. Republicans are suggesting that our laws are hurting American jobs and productivity. This is untrue. It's bad enough that millions of American jobs are being shipped overseas. Now Republicans want to weaken the few protections that exist for our Nation's workers. Last year, Republicans passed the FSC/ETI bill that gave tax breaks to companies that move to China or India. Republicans need to stop confusing people on the reasons why jobs are leaving Main Street and being sent to mainland China. We should put the blame for job losses in California and across the country where it belongs: the failed policies of this administration. The President's so-called compassionate conservatism has cost us 3 million jobs. Please end the compassion! Remember that it was President Bush's top economic advisor who claimed that sending American jobs overseas is a good thing. Weakening America's labor standards and allowing workers here to be exploited as they are in third world countries is not the solution. That type of thinking would take boys and girls out of the classroom and into the coal mine. These four bills are anti-worker and anti-safety. They weaken health and safety laws and hurt American workers. H.R. 739 weakens enforcement of health and safety regulations by dragging out the date for imposing penalties. H.R. 740 weakens worker protections by packing the commission with partisan appointees who agree with the President's anti-worker agenda. H.R. 741 will encourage frivolous challenges to Labor Department rules and interpretations. And, H.R. 742 requires OSHA to pay attorney fees for employers that win cases against OSHA. However, those companies do not pay OSHA when they lose. Therefore, employers have nothing to lose by challenging most violations in court. The real losers under this legislation are American taxpayers and American workers. As you can see, all four bills are anti-worker laws. The only way to justify them is to trump up charges that worker protection laws that are costing American jobs and hurting American productivity. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose all four of the anti-OSHA bills.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I pay tribute today to the life of Frank Ting-Kuo Chen, a man whose contributions to family and community cannot be understated. Frank was a man of great compassion and character. He will be deeply missed, but always be fondly remembered. Frank's life is a true example of the achievement of the American Dream. Mr. Chen was born on January 1, 1941, in Taipei, Taiwan, the seventh child in a family of five sons and three daughters. In 1965 he married his love, Cha Cheng Chen, and they went on to celebrate 40 years of marriage. Frank began his own company in Taiwan in 1970, where he manufactured and traded products that were distributed across the United States. He went on to hold several positions in public office, including serving as District Representative for the Chung Shan district in Taipei from 1976 to 1977. Frank had a passion for reading and worked for the newspapers China Post and the Stars and Stripes. In 1977 Frank moved to the United States to give his children a better education. He settled in Moreno Valley, California, where he expanded his business and went on to achieve his lifelong dream of sending his children to college. Even with Frank's successful business career, he always made time for his wife and family. He is survived by Cha Cheng Chen, and his children, Suzanne, Ping and Lee. Frank tirelessly devoted himself to his community, and in particular to facilitating the cultural exchange of Chinese Americans in the greater Los Angeles area. He was involved with numerous civic organizations in Southern California, and in particular the Chinese Students Association of the University of California at Riverside. He was later appointed as an official delegate of Taiwan's Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission, where he dedicated himself to providing assistance to immigrants and new residents in the Inland Empire. In 1988, he founded and served as President of the Inland Chinese Association, which has since grown to over 1,000 members. In 1989, he spearheaded the establishment of the first Inland Empire Chinese Language School. He later also led the movement to establish the Chinese Pavilion, a major landmark in downtown Riverside, to commemorate the early Chinese immigrants who inhabited the area in the late 19th century. Although Frank is no longer with us, his legacy will never leave us. He dedicated his life to his family and his community, and in doing so improved the lives of thousands. His life is an example to all of us of how one person can make a difference. We are all truly better for having known Frank Ting-Kuo Chen.