Joe Baca

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Bruce Anthony Casella, who will be appointed as Brigadier General in the Army Reserve and is an individual of great distinction, and we join with family and friends in honoring his remarkable achievements and expressing pride in this recognition that has been afforded to him; Whereas, Bruce is a remarkable individual who has devoted his life to serve his country and to proudly protect the citizens of the United States and his unyielding energy and passionate spirit render him a key member of his community and a vital resource to our country; Whereas, since his graduation from Colfax High School, where he graduated second in his class and lettered in Football and Track, Bruce has worked in varying capacities, providing crucial support to the military community and from his appointment to West Point by Congressman Harold Johnson, where he graduated with honors and received a B.S. degree in engineering and the rank of First Lieutenant, to his tours in Germany and Korea as a regular Army Captain, he has fought tirelessly for our country and its people through his contributions to the management and administration of the U.S. Army; Whereas, in addition to these contributions, Bruce has received Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and Systems Management and currently works for Agile Communications, Inc. as the Principal Systems Architect and his specific efforts are focused on providing information to the Army on system engineering, communications, networking, and modeling and simulations; Whereas, I join today with his wife, Catherine, his daughter, Heather, and his sister, Paula, in their joy at this wonderful honor he will receive, knowing he is an inspiration to our country and a patriot in every sense of the word: Now, therefore be it Resolved, Mr. Speaker, that we salute Bruce Anthony Casella and express admiration he will receive this wonderful and well-deserved honor and hope that others may recognize the immense service he has provided for the people of the United States.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1, the Medicare Prescription Drug & Modernization Act of 2003. This Republican plan is bad for seniors! It's bad for Hispanics! And it's simply bad for the American people! For millions of Americans, this plan will replace traditional Medicare with vouchers that won't guarantee benefits. It forces seniors into risky HMO plans and new private fee-for- service plans that will not cover all of seniors' costs! Forty-seven percent of seniors in Medicare will have a $1,900 gap in their drug coverage. How are our seniors supposed to make up for that gap? How are our parents and grandparents going to afford that! Most seniors are on fixed incomes with nothing to spare! Forty percent of poor and disabled seniors won't get the additional help they need to pay deductibles and premiums. 40 percent. This plan will not give taxpaying pregnant women and children benefits! It will not help the twenty million Hispanics without Health insurance! And it will not help our parents and grandparents pay for their medicines! We must take care of our seniors! We must not gamble with their health and well-being. Seniors deserve to be protected in a safe and fair healthcare plan. In my district, San Bernardino, California, seniors are boarding buses to Tijuana so they can afford to buy prescription drugs. Our seniors have to go all the way to Mexico to get the life-saving medicine they need. Mexico! This is not safe and it is not fair. I am angered when I think about all of the people that the Republicans are leaving behind in this plan! Why are we letting this happen to our abuelos? Our parents and grandparents? How can we be so heartless? When I think about this plan, I think about all of the seniors who can't afford life saving prescription drugs. I think about the senior who has glaucoma and prostate cancer and makes only $8,000 a year. Like 750,000 other Hispanics, he won't get help paying for his prescription drugs, because he is lucky enough to have assets and owns a car. According to Republicans, that is wealthy! They will give tax breaks to millionaires, but under their plan, a man who makes $8,000 a year and is lucky enough to own a car, is too wealthy to get medicines that will ease his pain and save his life! This is an outrage! Under the Republican plan he would have to sell his car and pass an assets test to be poor enough to receive aide for low-income seniors. When I think about this plan, I think about the senior who might make $10,000 a year. That senior will pay one-fifth of his or her income to cover the Republican coverage gap. One-fifth! This won't get him off the bus to Tijuana! Like 63 percent of Americans, seniors in my district want and need the security of Medicare. Under the Republican plan they may start in Medicare. But after a couple of years, Medicare will only be a voucher program and where will seniors be? In an HMO plan and still in a pharmacy in Tijuana buying medicine. My constituents deserve better than the Republican plan! They deserve more! They deserve the Democratic plan that we have been fighting for for years! A plan that cares about the health and safety of America's seniors! A plan that actually works for America's seniors! A plan that offers coverage to all seniors--even Hispanics! It's time to take seniors off the bus to Tijuana!

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of pride that I rise today, on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, to pay tribute to the memory of Ray Abril, Sr. Ray Abril, Sr. was a pillar of the community, a surrogate father, a molder of character, a counselor, a coach, a builder of men. Mr. Abril passed away Sunday, May 18, 2003. He was 93 years old. To the youth of Boy Scout Troop 45 of south Colton during 1942 to 1962, he was their mentor and Scoutmaster. On May 17, 2003, former Scouts, members of the Abril family, and community leaders gathered to pay tribute to this great man of honor. They came from near and far, over 300 strong to honor him and to provide the testimony to the positive impact Mr. Abril had on the young people of San Bernardino County. To Ray Abril, the Boy Scouts of America and the organization of his troop was paramount. His patrol leaders were as older brothers, who taught and quizzed the new members on their way to the rank of ``Tenderfoot.'' They learned knot tying, how to roll up sleeping bags, and how to pitch a tent. Through all of this, he did not coddle them; he let them move forward at their own pace and make mistakes. But he was always there to guide them when necessary. And guide them he did, but always in a clear direction and the young boys always admired and respected him. I will remember Ray Abril, Sr. as a man who left his mark on history as a devoted and supportive husband, father, statesman, community leader, Boy Scout leader, mentor and a man of irrefutable wisdom. His remarkably full life is a model to all as an embodiment of the vibrant and dynamic spirit of a true American. My Barbara and I extend to the Abril family the thoughts and prayers of a grateful Nation.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Supreme Court decided to support the hopes and dreams of millions of Hispanic children. It tells them they will have the same opportunities, the same choices, the same future that others will. The Court was loud and clear when it said that diversity can be used by colleges and universities in their admissions policies. This is a victory for the American people and for everything our country stands for. And we have this victory despite President Bush's efforts to undermine minority access to higher education. While saying he supports diversity, President Bush has actively worked to outlaw affirmative action at the University of Michigan and across the country. We cannot accept excuses. We cannot justify smoke and mirrors. The President says that considering race or ethnic background is unfair, but affirmative action programs are forward-focused to combat discrimination and promote diversity. I know that, the military knows that, corporate America knows that, and the 39 million Hispanics in this country know that. Today, the Supreme Court has said that it knows that too. The Supreme Court ruled over 25 years ago that diversity in admissions policies added to the educational and social experiences on our college and university campuses. The Court reaffirmed that decision today. This ruling also sends a strong message to colleges and universities in California. At the University of California, the percentage of black and Hispanic students in medical and law schools has dropped since race-conscious admissions were eliminated a few years ago. This year, black and Hispanic students make up only 16 percent of first-year students at California's five state-run medical schools and public law schools. In contrast, in the final years of race-conscious admissions, black and Hispanics consistently accounted for more than 20 percent of enrollment at these same schools. Acceptance rates for Hispanic applicants in the entire University of California system has dropped from 64 percent in 1997 to 47 percent in 2002. What is happening to those other students? They are not just numbers!!! They are people whose lives will be changed forever. Today, fewer than 10 percent of college-aged Hispanics go on to higher education. Only 16 percent of Hispanics between the ages of 25- 29 have Bachelor's degrees. What do these numbers tell us? It tells us that we do not have the same educational opportunities that others have. President Bush says that we should not be satisfied with the current numbers of minorities on American college campuses. He's right. But other than nice words, what does he offer? He says one thing, then does another. He has followed budget cuts and funding freezes of programs that benefit Hispanic children with an attack on Hispanic educational opportunities. The Bush Administration tried to find yet another way to hinder our children's chances to an equal and quality education. We are fortunate that he failed in his effort to leave even more children behind. This loss for the Bush Administration and for its policies is a victory for every child that wants an opportunity for a better education and a better life.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1528--the Taxpayer Protection and IRS Accountability Act. This bill contains an amendment that will hurt the thousands of workers entitled to the health benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act. These benefits were created so that workers who lost their jobs to overseas labor could have access to healthcare. But instead making sure that American workers are protected or that our working families are protected, Republicans are cutting those few benefits workers have to help them during times of unemployment. Don't they care about the hardworking Americans? Why are Republicans passing tax cuts for the wealthy and cutting benefits that help those that need it most? One of the most devastating effects of job loss is the loss of health care coverage. These health credits pay 65 percent of the cost of health care premiums for unemployed workers. The McCrery amendment allows workers to keep these health credits, but only if they surrender all consumer protections. This is wrong! Workers need consumer protections because the health credits are useless otherwise. What about the middle-aged welder with a heart condition who will be deemed uninsurable because he has a ``pre-existing'' condition? What about the engineer who will have to pay twice as much for his health insurance? What about the foreman whose routine illness is no longer covered? This is part of the Republican plan to leave American workers behind. American workers deserve better! They deserve to have jobs available here in America and they deserve access to healthcare! Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to please join me in opposing this bill unless the McCrery amendment is taken out.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 220, a resolution commending the life and accomplishments of Medgar Evers and his widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams. History sometimes overlooks great Americans and forgets amazing accomplishments. The actions of Medgar Evers and Myrlie Evers-Williams are too great, too significant to be forgotten. Their accomplishments and sacrifices should not only be footnotes. Their lives should be celebrated and honored. H. Con. Res. 220 lets America remember the names of these civil rights heroes. Medgar Evers was field secretary of the Mississippi State NAACP and after Medgar's death Myrlie Evers-Williams became chair of the board of directors of the NAACP. They fought for civil rights. They fought for human rights. They fought for someone like me to be considered equal in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of my fellow Americans. They set up economic boycotts of Jackson, Mississippi businesses that discriminated against African Americans. They worked for school desegregation, helping James Meredith become the first black student at the white-only University of Mississippi. Perhaps most importantly, they fought to secure voting rights for African Americans in the South. Medgar Evers and Myrlie Evers-Williams suffered greatly for their courage. They endured shouts, jeers, and threats of violence. And then on June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers was assassinated by white supremacists. Unfortunately, it wasn't until after his death that Medgar Evers won the NAACP's prestigious Springarn Medal in 1963. And it wasn't until 1970 that Medgar Evers College was founded as a senior college of the City University of New York. But today we will start singing his praise. And we will not stop. Today, we can place Medgar Evers and his widow Myrlie Evers-Williams on the list of civil rights heroes. Their names should be spoken in line with Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. People will know their stories. Know their deeds. And know their accomplishments. It is time. It is time to remember and never forget these two great civil rights heroes. These two great Americans.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, Head Start is a time-tested program that has improved the lives of children and their families for 38 years. I am proud to say that Head Start has improved the lives of those in my home district of San Bernardino County, California. I recently received a letter from Ms. Brenda Clayton, a Head Start staff member in San Bernardino County. In her letter, Ms. Clayton says that she sees first-hand, every day, what a difference Head Start makes to children and their parents. Ms. Clayton writes, ``I generally see the parents at initial application or enrollment process, then I'll see these same parents 2 to 3 months later and they are excited to share with me all the good and wonderful things their child is now able to say and do, how their child has a zest for learning.'' As we face the Head Start reauthorization process, Ms. Clayton has asked me that I do everything in my authority to see that her program does not become block-granted. Unfortunately, I must face the reality that this Republican-led Congress will impose these block grants, leaving less money, less oversight and leaving even more children behind. Under a block grant system, Head Start is not guaranteed to receive funding. We must make sure that Head Start receives funding and receives it directly so that what little funds that are given to this highly important program are not diluted even further. It simply doesn't make sense to put the fate of Head Start into the hands of the States. Our States are bankrupt! My State of California faces a budget shortfall of $35 billion. But once again, we are forcing our cash-strapped States to pick up the tab at our children's expense. We have already forced States to pick up the tab for the unfunded mandates of No Child Left Behind. And we're now forcing States to take over what the Federal Government has proven is a success! Republicans are taking an essential program and completely dismantling it. It just doesn't make sense! My Republican colleagues are at it once again--trying to limit the role of the Federal Government in public education under the excuse of ``accountability'' and better State and Federal coordination. If accountability was such a huge concern, then why does the Head Start reauthorization bill remove standards and requirements? And if States are facing such drastic budget shortfalls, then why are we tempting them with the opportunity to reduce services and transfer funds from Head Start to other services? It just doesn't make sense. The only thing that makes sense is to bring Head Start back to its original, bipartisan state with the same strong, Federal accountability standards and increased funding so all eligible children can benefit from Head Start services. That is a program that makes sense.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1115, the Class Action Fairness Act of 2003. H.R. 1115 is just another attempt by Republicans to deny people their fair day in court. Once again, they are siding with Goliath at the expense of David. They are siding with the big corporate interests at the expense of the public interest. They are siding with their campaign contributors at the expense of the American people. This legislation is unfair to consumers. It wrongly limits the authority of State courts, bogs down Federal courts, and makes it more difficult for consumer claims to be heard. This is a deliberate attempt b7 conservatives to protect big businesses like WorldCom, Arthur Andersen and Enron. When a company violates the rights of consumers, consumers are entitled to have their claim go before a judge and jury in a timely manner. Republicans would love to be the judge and jury in these cases, siding with and protecting their corporate friends. But that's not the way it works. In my home state, the University of California pension plan lost $353 million as a result of the WorldCom accounting scandal. Like many other Americans, they were victims of the fraudulent activities of Arthur Andersen. Under H.R. 1115, the University of California would have been prevented from having their day in a State court. Instead, the suit would have been moved to Federal court, causing terrible delays and hurting those Californians who depended on their pensions. The people of California and all across this nation deserve to have fair and easy access to a speedy judicial system. This legislation places huge barriers in the path of consumers. It limits the rights of consumers, undermines the authority of state courts, and increases the burden on federal courts. That sound you hear is the sound of big business applauding this legislation. They appreciate the additional time this bill would give them to shred documents, destroy evidence and cause harm to hard- working Californians and to all Americans. It simply isn't fair and we must do more to protect our consumers.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Thomas N. Jacobson, who recently won the Rabbi Norman F. Feldheym Award for service to our community. Mr. Jacobson is an individual of great distinction, and we join with family and friends in honoring his remarkable achievements and expressing pride in this recognition that has been afforded to him. Thomas is a remarkable individual who has devoted his life to helping people throughout his community. His kindness and passionate spirit render him a vital resource to his congregation and beloved community member. For the past 25 years, Thomas has dedicated himself to the Congregation Emanu El, serving as Commission Chair, Legal Counsel, member of the Board of Managers of the Home of Eternity Cemetery, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President. In these capacities, he has been an integral contributor to the management and administration of Congregational affairs, as well as a participant in raising crucial funds for the Congregation. In addition to these contributions, Thomas has been a partner in the firm of Gresham, Savage, Nolan & Tilden, receiving the highest possible evaluation of his profession for integrity and performance, and has taken a proactive approach to leadership in the community. Through his participation in countless activities and committees, Thomas has exhibited kindness, love, humility, and a deep resolve to ameliorate all aspects of community life, so it is only appropriate that he receive Rabbi Norman F. Feldheym Award. I join today with his wife, Lorie, and his daughters, Jolene and Gretchen, in their joy at this wonderful honor he has received. He is a symbol of all that is good in his profession and an inspiration to his community. And so, Mr. Speaker, we salute Thomas N. Jacobson. We express admiration he has received this wonderful and well-deserved honor and hope that others may recognize his good works in the community.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question. Defeating the previous question allows us to discuss H.R. 2286 introduced by Congressman Rangel to grant the Child Tax Credit to the thousands of needy families wrongfully ignored by the Republican majority. When the conference report on the Republican tax cut was finished, the dividend tax cut got bigger and tax credits for working families got smaller. It is unconscionable that we are willing to sacrifice Child Tax Credits for the poorest in our society, so that we can give more money to the wealthiest. Six and a half million families in this Nation earn $10,500 to $26,625 per year. If we do not pass a child tax credit for these families, 19 million children will be ignored. In my home State of California, nearly 1.3 million families alone, will not receive a child tax credit under the Republican's plan. These families need tax relief. By not passing a child tax credit, 250,000 kids of active duty military families, many of whom are right now fighting overseas, will be ignored. Military families need tax relief. Our economy is in desperate need of stimulation. Unemployment across the Nation has risen to 6.1 percent. The Hispanic unemployment rate alone is currently at 8.2 percent. America's families are suffering. They need immediate relief from the burden of a weak economy. During this time of economic downturn we must not leave out those who are working harder for less pay or those who have recently joined the ranks of the unemployed. It is time to put working families back into the equation. America's families need our help. They need a child tax credit. The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Florida is as follows: Previous Question for H. Res. 263--Rule on H.R. 2143: The Unlawful Internet Gambling Prohibition Act At the end of the resolution add the following: Sec. 2. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution the House shall be considered to have taken from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 1308) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to end certain abusive tax practices, to provide tax relief and simplification, and for other purposes, with Senate amendments thereto, and a single motion that the House concur in each of the Senate amendments shall be considered as pending without intervention of any point of order. The Senate amendments and the motion shall be considered as read. The motion shall be debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to final adoption without intervening motion or demand for division of the question.

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this unlawful Internet funding prohibition act and in support of the Sensenbrenner-Conyers amendment. I oppose this bill as a strong defender of tribal government, a strong advocate for tribal sovereignty, a strong believer in fairness and equity. I state, a strong believer in fairness and equity. This bill does not treat solvent tribe governments with the same level of respect it does States. Section four of this bill provides for a carve-out for States that allows States to license Internet gaming operations for lottery, horse track, and corporate gambling operations. Although the bill grants States with this exception, it does not provide tribal governments with the same exception. Have we not learned that it is wrong to treat our Native American brothers and sisters as second class citizens? One would think that we would know better. Let me be clear, I will not be standing here today in opposition to this bill if tribal governments were treated equal, if tribal governments were treated equal. I do not disagree with the principle behind this legislation, but I disagree with the effects on Native Americans and their economy. H.R. 2143 gives an unfair advantage to private gaming enterprises, and it treats tribal governments and their industry as inferior. Just when we think that the centuries of mistreatment and discrimination are ending, something like this comes up or shows up. Once again, Congress is trying to put tribal government at a disadvantage. Once again, Congress is trying to put tribal government at a disadvantage; and once again, I will stand up and defend the sovereignty of our tribal governments. I will stand up and make sure that our government lives up to its responsibility, lives up to their responsibility. Gaming provides the financial resources the tribes need to survive and bring economic development to their people. It provides resources. The tribal governments need to provide health, education and hope for their people. It is the livelihood of our Native American brothers and sisters. I will not stand by and watch Congress put tribes behind the eight ball once again. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 2143 and ``yes'' on the Sensenbrenner amendment.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my concerns about the effect that Diabetes is having on the Latino Community. Right now, 16 million people in the United States are suffering with Type 2 Diabetes. About 3 million of them are Latinos. Due to diet and genetics, Latinos are twice as likely as the rest of the population to contract Type 2 Diabetes. I am horrified by the statistic that one in ten Latinos will contract Diabetes at some point in life, but I am even more horrified by the fact that most often the disease is preventable. Both of my parents died from complications related to Diabetes. As the parents of 15 children, I believe that they didn't have the time or the resources to adequately care for themselves. With all of those mouths to feed, I believe that they were too busy trying to simply put food on the table to worry about proper nutrition. While that is undoubtedly noble, stories like this must change. My parents, because they did not have the proper care, suffered loss of vision, amputations, and eventually death. We must make sure that Latino families are educated about prevention and have the resources to combat the disease. Prevention is key to fighting this disease but we cannot ignore the fact that eleven million Latinos still lack health insurance. How can a person get tested for Diabetes when they are uninsured? How can a person seek out a doctor when they can't even pay for the visit? This is something Congress must fight to change. If we want to combat Diabetes, we must focus on prevention, education, and cultural changes. No one is saying that as a culture we can't enjoy our frijoles and tortillas. We simply must learn and teach our children, that moderation is the best approach. We must educate our communities. We must spread the word about prevention. And we must help the uninsured. If we do not make these necessary changes, we won't have to worry about one in ten Latinos having Diabetes, we will have to worry about one in five.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 4 to protect our nation's flag. Our flag is a symbol of pride to all of the veterans who have bravely fought for this nation. It is a symbol of hope and prosperity to the many immigrants who have traveled to this land seeking a better way of life. But most of all, it is a symbol of freedom to all Americans. We must ensure that our symbol, representing all of the things Americans hold sacred is respected. We must stand up and protect our flag from destruction. Just as no one has the right to take away our freedom and democracy, no one should have the right to burn our flag. Many soldiers have died protecting our freedom and democracy. The rights and freedoms that we enjoy today are because of the courage of our brave soldiers. Our flag, flies as a constant reminder of our military's victories. We must not forget that all of our soldiers have not yet returned from war. Many of our men and women are still in the Middle East trying to safeguard Iraq. Many of our soldiers are still in Afghanistan, searching for Osama Bin Laden. The battle for peace in the Middle East is not over. Our soldiers are still risking their lives and dying in the name of this nation. Now is not the time to question patriotism. We must be united and stand behind our soldiers and our symbols of freedom. When a soldier or a veteran dies, his family receives a flag honoring the loss of their loved one. We proudly drape the flag over their coffins. We must make sure the families know that their loved one did not die in vain. The American Flag is the symbol that represents the soldier's sacrifice and a nation's respect. Many people come to this land seeking religious freedom, freedom from oppressive governments, economic prosperity and a better way of life for their children. Many people come to this land and join the military because they know America is a land worth protecting. To them the flag is a promise of liberty, security, and opportunity. Our flag flies high symbolizing the hopes and dreams of immigrants all over the world. We must keep our flag sacred to welcome those believing in the American Dream. Just as you would not melt the Liberty Bell, tear up the Declaration of Independence, or destroy the Statue of Liberty, we must protect our nation's flag. I stand in support of this legislation for the soldiers and veterans who have fought to protect it, the immigrants who believe in its promise, and all of the Americans who pledge their allegiance to it. We must keep our flag flying high.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, the Federal Communications Commission voted along party lines to put more power in the hands of a few corporate giants at the expense of the American people. If the FCC's goal was to line the pockets of Disney, General Electric, AOL-Time Warner, Viacom, and News Corp. then I say to them ``congratulations!'' because they have succeeded. By allowing these corporate interests to own more newspapers, more TV stations, more radio stations, and more of our public airwaves, we are taking this country down a dangerous path. We all learned at a young age that knowledge is power. But now, the flow of knowledge will be controlled by a handful of media giants. They will have almost total control of our news, information, and entertainment. They will determine what we get and when we get it. They will determine what we see, read, and hear. That is unacceptable! And why have they done this? They say that the rise of cable TV and the internet made the former rules obsolete. That's the kind of conclusion you reach when the only people you listen to are media moguls. Who is listening to the American people? We have been shut out of the process. In its haste to protect these company's financial interests, the FCC has failed to defend the public interest. We must take action to right this wrong. If we do not, our media will have less local content, less diversity of opinion, and fewer opportunities for minority ownership. It is time for the American people to stand up and be counted. It is time for those who represent the American people to do the same.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 231. The resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the Peace Officer's Memorial Day. One hundred and forty eight law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty this past year, including ten officers from my home state of California. Their names are inscribed upon the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial, in Washington, D.C., forever visible, to the public in recognition of the sacrifices peace officers make for our safety. We must not forget that law enforcement officers are vital to our Homeland Security. Like our veterans, law enforcement officers are involved in a battle to protect our communities. Like our veterans, peace officers deserve our continued support and recognition for their sacrifices. Our law enforcement officers deserve respect and gratitude for protecting our communities. We must honor and remember the sacrifices that they make, especially if they lose their lives in the line of duty. We must preserve their memory and let their families know their deaths were not in vain. I support H. Res. 231 in honor of the many men and women who have lost their lives enforcing the law and preserving the safety of our nation.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 195, a resolution to congratulate Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs for hitting 500 major league home runs. I am proud to honor Sammy because he embodies the Latino values of family, hard work, and perseverance, and for being a great role model for all children, Latino and non-Latino alike. Sammy has overcome tremendous obstacles to achieve greatness. He was born the fifth of seven children in a poor family. When his father died, Sammy was only seven and he had to support his family by selling orange juice and shining shoes to help his family keep food on the table. He learned baseball like most kids in his poverty stricken neighborhood, fielding with gloves made out of milk cartons, batting with a tree branch, and hitting a tightly rolled and taped sock. Who knew that he would grow up to be the baseball star that he his today? Sammy demonstrates what we can do when we try hard enough. Despite being sent back to the minors several times, he worked hard to improve himself. In 1989, he batted .238 an only hit 2 home run in 84 turns at bat. But just four years later, he showed us that hard work pays off when he hit 33 homeruns, 93 RBI's and made the All-Star Team. Today we congratulate Sammy Sosa not only for being a great ball player or for his great story of personal triumph, but we also give tribute to him as a humanitarian. In 1998, he worked with Red Cross to send those suffering from Hurricane Georges 60,000 pounds of rice and beans and barrels of potable water. He helped rebuild countless homes with his financial assistance. Moved by the suffering in his homeland, he created a charitable foundation to further the education and health of poor children in his native land of the Dominican Republic and in his new home, the United States. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I stand in strong support of this resolution. We must congratulate Sammy for what he is--a model of hard work and perseverance first, a distinguished humanitarian second and a stellar baseball player third.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, since January 2001, 2.7 million people have been put out of work and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are doing nothing to change it. H.R. 2185 is an unemployment package that will not help our Nation's economy or our Nation's unemployed. In just the last 3 months, nearly one half million people have lost their jobs. Our unemployment rate is at an astounding 6 percent. That is the highest unemployment rate we have experienced in 10 years. And in response to this, all the Republicans can do is extend unemployment benefits for merely 13 weeks. 13 weeks. This is intolerable. We need legislation that is going to stimulate growth and create jobs. We need to invest in research and technology to try to get this economy moving. We need to find realistic solutions that help the working and unemployed people of this Nation--not merely the wealthiest 5 percent. We need to help the people that have been out of work for more than 6 months or more because this job market simply has nothing to offer. By the end of this month, it is estimated that well over 1 million people will have exhausted both State and Federal unemployment benefits without finding jobs. As Democrats, we want to start passing legislation that creates jobs. We want to make sure that the unemployed have benefits. We want to make sure that people can feed their families and clothe their children. But the Republicans simply will not let us do it. Under our plan, we would strengthen unemployment benefits offering a permanent solution not merely temporary aid. Research shows that each dollar dedicated to strengthening unemployment benefits would boost the economy by one dollar and seventy-three cents. But the Republicans have closed their door on this plan and will never let it reach the House floor. This is a tragedy. I am tired of temporary solutions. We need to fix this problem and make sure that the hard working people of this Nation get the help that they need.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Goode amendment. The United States is battling the forces of international terrorism. This amendment hurts this battle by reallocating resources that already exist in our border patrols. The Department of Defense opposes this bill. Why? Because it is not intended to secure our border, it is intended to affect immigration and to intimidate the millions of Mexican-Americans and Latinos that live in our Nation's border region. Let us remember little Ezequiel Hernandez who was shot dead by Marine snipers while he was herding his goats. I am deeply concerned that by placing combat ready troops at our borders, our borders will become a war zone. Our Nation will be perceived, and rightly so, to be engaging in a war against Latino immigrants. This is nothing new. We must take urgent measures to protect our Nation, but we cannot do so at the expense of our values, traditions, and freedoms. We cannot do so at the expense of ending what little goodwill exists with our border neighbors. Our challenge is to keep out terrorists who want to destroy this country while welcoming the newcomers who want to help build it. Putting troops on the border will not make our borders safer. Putting troops on the border only guarantees more accidental deaths of Latinos like little Ezequiel. This child deserved to grow up, graduate from school, marry, have children, and live a long fruitful life. He definitely did not deserve to be shot dead. It is certain that others like little Ezequiel will die if we pass this thin-veiled anti-immigrant amendment. Military personnel are not trained for border patrolling they are trained for war and combat. They are not trained to be sensitive to civil liberties. They are trained to fight terrorists and we need to let them do their job--abroad. The U.S. military does not police civilian populations lest we forget the lessons of history from the Soviet Union and its satellite nations. If we really want to secure our borders, we should increase funding for local law enforcement. We should not divert funds and shift the focus away from the war on terror. Our enemies are terrorists, not immigrants.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, we have only three more days to provide an extension of unemployment benefits before millions of hard working men and women lose their only remaining way to put food on the table. Congress created the temporary extension of unemployment benefits last year in response to continuing poor economic performance. The need has only increased since then! The total job loss in the Bush economy has risen to a staggering 2.5 million private jobs since the President took office. Instead of doling tax cuts to the wealthy and allowing corporations to steal their employee's pensions, our government should be granting another extension of unemployment benefits. These are benefits that millions of Americans are depending on to pay for groceries, utilities, and rent. The unemployment rate is now at 6 percent, and still climbing. In many states, like California, the rate is even higher. Yet, many of these hard working Americans have already exhausted their unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. Americans are finding themselves without jobs! Without health insurance!! The only thing they are finding is a growing sense of frustration, despair, and fear of their government. Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my disappointment at the administration's and the Republican Congress' economic policy, a policy that leaves the working class and our nation's minorities behind. We need an extension of unemployment benefits now!

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question. Defeating the previous question will allow us to bring up today legislation on Temporary Extension of Unemployment Compensation (TEUC) authorized by Ways and Means Ranking Member Charles Rangel. Thousands, if not millions, of hard working Americans stand to loose their only lifetime in just 6 days. And, what do Republicans do? Where is the compassion? Thousands, if not millions, of hard working Americans stand to loose their only lifetime in just 6 days. And, what do Republicans do? Where is the compassion? Congress created the temporary extension of unemployment benefits later year in response to continuing poor economic performance. The need has only increased since then! The total job loss in this Bush economy has risen to a staggering 2.5 million private jobs since the President took office. Instead of doling tax cuts to the wealthy and allowing corporations to steal their employee's pensions, our government should be granting another extension of unemployment benefits. These are benefits that millions of Americans are depending on to pay for groceries, utilities, and rent. The unemployment rate is now at 6 percent, and still climbing. In many states, like California, the rate is even higher. Yet, many of these hard working Americans have already exhausted their unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. Millions of American families are working hard to succeed, but they need relief to help them find new jobs, save for the future, and invest in their family's future. While the shelves at food banks are empty Republicans are cutting back on government programs like food stamps, welfare and others that help people during difficult times. While school districts are suffering from a nationwide state budget crisis, Republicans aim to deny states the money owed to them from the No Child Left Behind act. On top of that, President Bush is looking to privatize a significant portion of the Federal workforce and prohibited legal immigrants from working many Federal and civilian jobs, for example: airport workers. President Bush parades around the nation telling working class families that he cared for them. Yet, it is his policies that are increasing working class tax burdens, taking away their right to overtime pay, and making it so employers can take back their employees retirement pensions. President Bush's disastrous economic policies and risky tax schemes are coming straight from the Enron playbook--deceive those at the bottom, so those at the top can prosper. This is a tale of two Bushes. One is gentle and caring for the workingman. The other takes away our right to unionize, endangers our retirement pensions, and wants to privatize social security. This administration seems intent on saying one thing, and doing the exact opposite. Yet this much is clear, unemployment is growing and it is hitting our community the hardest. Americans are finding themselves without jobs! Without health insurance! The only thing they are finding is a growing sense of frustration, despair, and fear of their government. Mr. Chairman, I wish to express my disappointment at this administration's and the Republican Congress's economic policy, a policy that leaves the working class and our nation's minorities behind. We need an extension of unemployment benefits now! I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition of H.R. 1000, the so-called Pension Fairness Act. Congress adjourned last year after failing to address the faults in our pension system. A pension system that has been laid bare by catastrophic losses for thousands of workers, the tumbling stock market, and corporate abuse of retirement plans. We are now setting ourselves up to make the system even worse with this bill. Proponents of this bill claim that the bill will prevent future Enron's and increase retirement security for workers. That is completely false. Despite the recycled and tired rhetoric, the bill would do nothing to prevent the kind of devastating retirement losses suffered by millions of employees and retirees at Enron, WorldCom, and other companies. In fact, it would weaken and even eliminate existing safeguards. To make matters worse, this bill combined with the Treasury Department's decision to all conversions from traditional pension plans to cash balance plans, is a deadly two-hit combination against our Nation's workers. I thought the purpose of this bill was to benefit workers, not to leave them poor and with a black eye. Evidence shows that older workers who are employed at companies that have made this switch have seen their retirement nest eggs shrink by 20 percent to 50 percent. In other words, these regulations would undermine a relatively safe retirement benefit and add to households' retirement security woes. This proposal does not address the three primary problems with today's pension system: lack of coverage for half the workforce, inadequate pension income for low- and middle-income workers, and an unacceptable risk of pension losses for all workers. Clear strategies exist to address each of these issues, but the Pension Security Act of 2003 and the proposed regulatory changes miss the mark entirely. Only half of America's workers have pension coverage at any given time. Just 50 percent of private sector workers had pension coverage in 2000, a level that has increased only slightly since 1970. In 2000, 73 percent of our Nation's highest earners had pension coverage, compared with just 18 percent of our Nation's lowest earners. Hispanic workers are covered at a startlingly low rate of 29 percent, compared with 43 percent and 55 percent for their African American and white counterparts, respectively. Like pension coverage, levels of retirement wealth depend on several factors; however, our retirement income level is still primarily determined by race, income, and gender. Hispanic retirees are far more likely to experience poverty in retirement. As of 1998, a startling 43 percent of Hispanic workers age 47-64 could expect retirement incomes below the poverty line, compared with 13 percent of whites. The Federal Government spent over $89 billion in 2000 alone, to subsidize employee pensions. Under current law, employers that receive these Federal subsidies must pass a ``non-discrimination test,'' under which firms can exclude some lower-income employees from coverage, but not all. But H.R. 1000 will effectively destroy this already thin layer of protection for low-income workers. Under the guise of the now-familiar refrain of ``increased flexibility,'' a goal that has meant more money for employers and less money and fewer rights for workers, the House bill would allow companies to exclude more of their employees from pension coverage and avoid the test for fairness. This bill is not flawed; it is deliberate. Deliberate in its intention to destroy what few pension protections exist for workers. H.R. 1000 deliberately intends, like the tax cut, to deceive the working class by claiming to work in their favor, but instead shift those benefits to the wealthy. I urge my colleagues to defeat this thinly veiled effort to legalize Enron pension scams. I urge my colleagues to stand up for workers and vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please support S. 870, a bill by Senator Harkin that will continue funding the Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program until the end of 2003-2004 school year. This is a great pilot that the Agriculture Committee strongly supported, and I fully intend on fighting to extend this project in the Children's Nutrition Reauthorization. The pilot provides fresh and dried fruits and fresh vegetables to children in 107 schools. Of the 105 schools that have reported back results, 100 are asking USDA to keep the program. This program is popular with schools and nutrition advocates, in light of the growing problem of childhood obesity. But, more important, the program is popular with the kids! Eighty percent of the students were very interested. Parents are excited about the program since 71 percent of the students are now more interested in eating vegetables and fruits. Mr. Speaker, this is a successful program for which we need to extend funding until the end of the next academic year. It would be a pity to take these nutritious and healthy foods away from the children halfway through the school year. I urge my colleagues to please support S. 870.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2. This is simply another tax cut for the rich that will have no real effect on the economy. Its only effect will be to put more Americans out of work, and leave more Americans out of luck. Let's be honest with the American people, this bill is about overhauling the Tax Code bit by bit until working families pay the lion's share of the taxes. It has nothing to do with getting the economy moving again. This package fails to create jobs or create the conditions for an economic recovery. Ironically enough, this bill that the Republicans are calling an economic stimulus plan actually does the exact opposite. It fails to extend the unemployment benefits that millions of Americans are depending on to pay for groceries, utilities, and rent, and makes it more difficult for Americans to get back to work. And it pushes us into the abyss of deficit spending, which will only create more drag on the economy. It just doesn't make sense. Four hundred economists, including eight Nobel Prize winners and FED Chairman Greenspan, have all expressed severe doubts about whether this bill will do anything other than jeopardize Social Security and increase the deficit to $1.4 trillion. While school districts are suffering from the nationwide State budget crisis, Republicans aim to deny States the money owed to them from the No Child Left Behind Act. While the shelves at food banks are empty Republicans are cutting back on government programs like food stamps, welfare and others that help people during difficult times. How is this bill going to stimulate the economy? Only 9 percent of the tax cuts would take place this year. The rest of the plan centers on the President's dividend tax cut. It cuts the tax on stocks and dividends by more than 50 percent. American working families don't live from dividend check to dividend check; they live from paycheck to paycheck. Last, we should remember that the war in Iraq didn't cause the massive budget deficit. The deficit is due to the millionaire-only tax cut that Congress passed 2 years ago. The deficit has only grown worse because of the Bush economy, the war, and corporate scandals in the last year. We cannot afford to make the same mistake twice. American working families deserve better. Mr. Speaker, I will not vote for this, and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to call for a real economic stimulus plan and a budget that will help put American working families back on their feet.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1261. H.R. 1261 is a flawed proposal that cannot be fixed. There are too many unemployed Americans today that need services and support for their families to pass this bill. With a suffering economy and rising unemployment, the workers under this proposal would be called upon to work harder than ever before, yet receive fewer benefits and support when they are down than ever before. The administration and GOP have adopted the reckless policy of kicking American working families when they are down. The GOP seems to think that during this time of high unemployment, we should cut back on employment assistance and training. This bill eliminates the Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs and the Employment Service State Grants and substitutes them with a block grant. While the total amount for the block grant would be the same as the sum of the individual programs, the administrative changes will actually result in a net loss for beneficiaries. Our national unemployment rate is 6 percent, but these numbers don't account for the millions that have been forced off the labor force or are not considered ``active'' enough in their job search. Also, Republicans would have us believe that when a person's unemployment benefits expire, they are then magically employed because they are not counted as unemployed! All of you here know how bad it is out there. We all have constituents who need work, need resources to take care of their families, and who need a helping hand. I call on my colleagues that remember the legacy of Cesar Chavez to oppose this bill that eliminates the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Programs. I call on my colleagues that care about our children to oppose this bill that starves the Youth Opportunity Grant program to death. I call on my colleagues to oppose this reckless $700 million dollar cut to Title I programs. This is about people! This is about the economy! This is about our children! This is about American working families, families that have to eat and take care of their children, but that barely earn enough to pay for food, shelter, and clothing. This piece of legislation is not an acceptable or responsible proposal to provide needed services to our Nation's unemployed. Please join me in voting no on final passage.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the DeMint and Musgrave amendments. These are thinly veiled efforts to privatize special education in our public schools by means of vouchers. Not only would vouchers divert much-needed funds from our public schools, but children with disabilities who attend private schools with these vouchers will be enrolled selectively and that is discriminatory. The DeMint and Musgrave voucher amendments drain resources for special education costs. Under these amendments, federal funding for special education services for all disabled children would instead be siphoned off to pay for private school tuition. These amendments would take away Federal dollars from public schools, and place additional burdens on schools and communities to serve more children with less funds. These voucher amendments would allow discrimination by private schools and fail to provide real parental choice. Worried mothers of disabled children from across the country have called my office concerned that this bill and these amendments will make it harder for them to educate their very dear and special children. These children ought not to be ignored because of their special needs. How can we justify to a mother of one of these beautiful children that their kid is not deserving of an adequate education? No child with a disability would be entitled to go to a private school of their choice under the DeMint or Musgrave amendments. These voucher amendments give veto power to private schools. The schools choose which students they will accept, not the parents. Children with multiple disabilities and those that require high cost services would likely be excluded from the program. Further, the DeMint voucher program will not pay the entire cost of tuition at a private school, meaning that some families could not afford for their disabled child to go to private school. For these reasons and the fundamental unfairness of these amendments, I urge my colleagues to oppose these amendments that deprive our Nation's disabled from the education they deserve. Mr. DeMint. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.