Joe Baca

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my support and deep concern for H. Con. Res. 177, a resolution honoring Dolores Huerta for her commitment to the improvement of working conditions for children, women, and farmworker families. As a community leader, civic activist, and lobbyist, Dolores Huerta has struggled to bring justice and equal opportunity to immigrant farmworkers and their families for nearly three-quarters of a century. Mr. Speaker, I have to question why House Concurrent Resolution 177 has not been brought to the floor when there are 91 co-sponsors including myself who believe it is time to pay tribute to Dolores Huerta, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month. So far this month the House has heard and passed 3 Concurrent Resolutions that have had no more than 8 co-sponsors combined. In one case, a concurrent resolution was introduced and passed in a matter of months. And this week alone we are scheduled to hear another 6 concurrent resolutions, two of which have only 1 co-sponsor. All the while House Concurrent Resolution 177 has been waiting since June of 2001 with overwhelming support to be heard. Mr. Speaker, it is time for us to show our support for this resolution and bring it to the floor. Let us not delay any longer in paying tribute to Dolores Huerta. Her story deserves to be told and her contribution to Hispanic American culture celebrated.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. Today, we mourn, cry, and with clenched fists restrain the raw emotions that are pulsing through our hearts. We look to the ground in sorrow and to the sky in prayer, trying to understand this senseless tragedy. More times than I can remember, I have bowed my head and prayed, asking our heavenly father for spiritual and emotional comfort, for those of us that still cannot understand why. We know the names and details of the actions of those terrorists, but that still does not fill the void in our hearts. To the families of those who died last year I can only say, you have the heartfelt sympathy of an entire nation. And, to our heavenly father I would ask to please guard the souls of the dead and let the comfort of His love ease the pain in the hearts of the living. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to cosponsor this resolution because it accurately captures the emotions in our hearts. We all desperately wish it could be September 10th forever. Yet, I take solace in knowing that nothing endures but change. Things will get better. We have punished those responsible and exacted that punishment with judicious caution, and not unmeasured rage. America has proven that power in defense of freedom is greater than power on behalf of tyranny and oppression. We have demonstrated that power with spirit and resolve. One year ago, for the second time in our modern history, our nation was attacked. War was thrust upon us. Undoubtedly, this day will forever live in our memories. Three of my constituents lost their lives on September 11, and my community will never forget their sacrifice: Cora Holland, Mother of three and grandmother, Rhonnda Sue Rasmusen, who died at the Pentagon, and Navy Yeoman second class Melissa Rose Barnes, who remains unaccounted for at the Pentagon. We as a nation have pulled together to build our courage and strength, for we are united and our faith will guide us. I salute those brave individuals, police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and others who sacrificed of themselves for their fellow Americans. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the prayers of the American people for those whose lives have been lost. May God grant us the wisdom to continue to steer our great nation. God Bless America! On behalf of the people of the Inland Empire of California, I join my colleagues in full support of this resolution.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to the life of Esther Mata, a beloved community member. Esther took much pride in her cherished San Bernardino community. Being a long time resident of San Bernardino she attended San Bernardino High School and San Bernardino Valley College. Her love for the city and its people was deeply rooted. She was the quintessential community activist for despite challenges, she continued to fight for services to be implemented in the community. Her presence and efforts in the community was a vital source in motivating people and enhancing the community. Esther devoted her life to improve the livelihood of her fellow community members through her civic engagement and involvement. Some of her accomplishments include serving as President of the Inland Empire Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President of Sinfonia Mexicana, and President of the Inland Counties Hispanic Roundtable. She was San Bernardino's catalyst to progress. Her passion enabled her to make great contributions that will never be forgotten. One of her most memorable contributions was garnering an $87,000 grant from the county to assess Hispanic business in the area. Esther passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2002. She is survived by her son, Malcolm Mata; three daughters Sylvia Zicafoose, Bernardine Leutz, and Desiree Forshay; two brothers Raymond and Louie Lopez; and sister Braulia Ortega. Her family, innumerable friends, and the entire community will miss her greatly. And so Mr. Speaker, I submit this memorial to be included in the archives of the history of this great nation, for individuals like Esther are unique in their generous contributions to this country.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to the life of Shirley Mae Green, a beloved community member. Shirley was born July 22, 1924 in Bristol, Virginia. She moved to Dayton, Ohio when she was a teenager, and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1943. Shirley was a caring, pro-active, and self-giving individual. She was very involved in her beloved community of Bloomington, California. From her involvement in various organizations such as the Parent Teacher Association and the Norton Air Force Base Chapel she only wanted to be of service. Her wholehearted efforts to improve the community made her a prime candidate to serve on the Parks and Recreation and the Colton Unified School District Boards. Her desire to improve and motivate the Bloomington community was visible from her involvement in Bloomington's Christmas Tree Lighting, Clean-Up Day, Easter Egg Hunt, and numerous parades. Furthermore, she was an advocate for the Senior Center and walking trail at Ayala Park. Shirley's contributions to her Bloomington community have been recognized through her citizen of the year award in 1987, her two awards from the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce in 1986 and 1988, and her award from the California Jaycees in 1987. Shirley passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2002. She is survived by her husband Jerome Green, daughters Sharron, Jerri-Lynn and Laurie, sons Dennis and Joe, and seven grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. Her family, innumerable friends, and the entire community will miss her greatly. And so Mr. Speaker, I submit this memorial to be included in the archives of the history of this great nation, for individuals like Shirley are unique in their generous contributions to this country.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to the life of Robert Wade Byars, a beloved community member. Robert was born and spent his early childhood in the small town of Byars, Oklahoma, which was founded by his great grandfather. His family moved from Byars to Ardmore, Oklahoma when he was a young teenager in search of business opportunities. In 1941, faced with the tragedy of Pearl Harbor, he selflessly enlisted in the U.S. Army and was shipped out the next day. He was stationed at various locations in the South Pacific, including Guadalcanal and the Philippines. Throughout his service he found himself in the midst of combat and still continued to fight for his county. In addition, he served as a member of a special U.S. Army unit that worked with the Marines. He received several decorations in honor of his service to his country. After serving four years in the Army, Robert returned to Ardmore in 1945. He married his long-time sweetheart, and they remained married for over 50 years. In 1948, Robert and his new bride moved from Oklahoma to San Bernardino, California to look after and support his mother-in-law. He was to later serve several years as a Commissioner on the San Bernardino County Commission on Senior Affairs. He also served his San Bernardino community as a part-time Congressional Aide for Congressman George Brown from 1992-96, specializing in senior issues. Robert passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2002. His family, innumerable friends, and the entire community will miss him greatly. And so Mr. Speaker, I submit this memorial to be included in the archives of the history of this great nation for individuals like Robert are unique in their generous contributions to this country.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Kildee-Hayworth amendment. This amendment strikes a provision that would create a Commission on Native American Policy to conduct more studies related to Native American communities. This provision violates House rules that prohibit legislation on an appropriation bill. We talked earlier about needing a study. The problem with this bill is it does not appropriate additional dollars. It does not appropriate additional dollars. The studies have already been done. We know that. What we need to do is provide more funding. What we are doing right now is we are taking Federal funding away from Indian bureaus when we should be providing the additional funding for education, for housing, for law enforcement. Yes, that is what we should be doing right now, but we are not doing it. All we are asking for is an additional study with no appropriation monies. We all have the information in front of us. What we should be doing is providing the funding. Yes, I have been to Indian reservations. I have visited the schools. When schools are going on, we see a child who does not have a computer, does not have the technology; and when we look at people who do not have the clothing, we need to make sure that we provide the funding. This study does not do anything for us. Let us make sure that we provide the assistance and support for the Kildee-Hayworth amendment right now that strikes this provision.

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this amendment. This amendment strikes a provision that would limit a historical accounting of Indian trusts. The accounting would only cover the period from 1985 to 2000. How can we limit the accounting to such a short period when the accounting practices in question date back over 300 years? At a time when we are trying to increase accounting responsibility in the corporate world, can we really say that these standards apply only to them, and I say, only apply to them, Native American Indians? Can we really be that unfair to Native American brothers and sisters, once again, to our Native American Indians being unfair? The President and Congress has made it clear that the proper accounting goes hand in hand with high moral standards. Should we not expect the same standards to be applied to the Federal Government accounting Indian trust funds? Morality and ethics should be applied to all of us. Mr. Chairman, this provision undermines a Federal law that this House passed requiring a full accounting of all trust funds. It also undermines a Federal court decision requiring an accounting of all funds, regardless of dates deposited. Most importantly, it undermines our moral and ethical values. We cannot argue for fairness in corporate accounting and act in such a way which is unfair today, as we are to Native Americans who have made a contribution, who are the first Native Americans of this country, who have contributed so much to our society. We have a trust responsibility and a moral responsibility to provide full and fair accounting of all Indian trust funds. I urge Members to support this amendment.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 448. I believe that The First Tee program is an excellent kind of a program that will allow many individuals to participate in golf, especially when we look at the number of minorities that we have throughout the United States. Over 27.6 percent are minorities, and only 6 percent participate in golf. I can relate with my own personal story. I come from a large family of 15, being the 15th child. I did not have the opportunity to participate in such sports as these. The First Tee was not available. I wish it was available at the time that I was growing up. So I was involved in basketball and baseball and football and track and other sports. I did not get into golf until later in my years, until after the age of 32. I wish I was able to have played golf at the earlier stages, because what it does is not only teaches one character in education, which is very important. Character is important in terms of learning, and it also teaches us the importance of self-esteem and confidence. Not only do we learn responsibility, not only do we learn about our colleagues, but it also has parental involvement, which is very important when we look at The First Tee program. It is important when we have our children that are participating and we have parental involvement. It takes a child, and that child begins to learn the skills of the game, or being competitive in another area. It presents opportunities for many kids to get into a program they would never have had an opportunity to have gotten into. The First Tee provides that opportunity for many minorities to get their hands in and play the game of golf. Golf is important to many individuals, not only in terms of leadership skills, but integrity and honesty on the golf course, as well. Many individuals who play the game of golf sometimes forget how to count. It is excellent in math. It teaches good math skills because we learn how to count, as well. Some people happen to overexaggerate their handicap. This way the child knows exactly what the handicap is, and they do not have to exaggerate like most adults do to try to keep their handicaps low. Adults will learn the emphasis of the importance of establishing a handicap, which is very important. As I said, the fundamental skills, the social skills are very important, the self-esteem, the confidence an individual will have. Most of all, it keeps kids off the streets, which is very important. It gets them involved, and we have got to find activities for many of our students to be involved. This presents an opportunity for many of our kids to be involved in another activity that maybe they would not have. They now will have an opportunity that they know that they can afford to play. Like most of us, it becomes so expensive to get out and play the game of golf. We say we cannot afford the game of golf. We do not have the equipment, cannot afford to buy the clubs. First Tee provides the individuals with golf clubs. First Tee provides the instructions that are necessary. These are the obstacles that many of us, minorities that do not have the money, would love to play the game, but say is there a vehicle for us to get that kind of service? The vehicle is here through First Tee. It gives them an opportunity to go out there and participate without having to worry about the cost on themselves or their parents; and especially as we look at now, it is becoming so costly for anyone to play any kind of recreational activity. Parents who want to be involved in little league, now they have to pay X amount of dollars for the kids to play or participate. It has become a lot more difficult. We have got to provide avenues for our children to play. This is an excellent avenue for them to develop their skills, to build their self- confidence, stay in school, which is more important, and educate our kids. I believe in the program. We should all support it, and I ask all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 448.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, while our Nation is defending ourselves from attacks from abroad, we are facing another battle here at home. We are in a battle for the hearts and the minds and souls of our children. We must address the cultural issues that are influencing the behavior of our children. They are being drowned by the flood of sex and violence from the video game industry. When four out of five kids walk into the neighborhood stores and buy video games that show people having sex with prostitutes, killing police officers, using drugs, and attacking our senior citizens, it is time to take action. These games are brainwashing our children. They teach them the skills and the will to kill. I am a parent, a grandparent, and I have had enough of violence that we are experiencing amongst our youth. From Columbine, from Texas, to Germany we have seen the tragic consequences of youth violence. The video game industry is a $9 billion industry. But it is not about money, it is about our children. As an adult, you can shoot a gun, you can drink a beer, you can smoke a cigar. But if you are giving these substances to a child, you are a criminal. When it comes to video games with violent or sexual content, the same should be true. The pornography industry, the gun industry, the tobacco industry, and the alcohol industry all accept regulations on their products when it comes to kids. And so must the video industry do the same. We, as parents, need to take responsibility for our children. We have to monitor where and what they are learning and the type of behavior. We are the first and last line of defense. But stores also have a responsibility. Parents cannot be undermined by stores that are only looking to make a profit. Nine out of 10 parents want the stores to prevent our children from buying these games. The fact is that these stores are not enforcing their own policies. When stores have to decide whether to sell a game or make it quick, they do not enforce the policies. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I have introduced H.R. 4645, the Protect Children from Video Game Sex and Violence Act.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3130. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to commend the minority chairman and the chairman for a bipartisan bill that really addresses the needs of our Nation. And I say the needs of our Nation because when we look at technology, we look at our future and we look at a vision of where we need to be, and that is preparing students in the area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We all realize it has declined, but yet the priorities were set there because a vision is there for our Nation, and that is to make sure that we prepare our students to make sure that they can guide us, because they are our future. This bill addresses the problem by funding a program at the NSF to provide grants to institutions of higher education. These grants will be used to increase the number and quality of graduates from physical science, mathematics, engineering and technology degree and transfer programs. Just as importantly, this bill recognizes that the institutions that serve unique purposes also have unique needs. Hispanic-serving institutes, historically black colleges and universities, Alaska- native-serving institutions, native-Hawaiian-serving institutions, and tribally controlled colleges and universities serve that special purpose. These institutions educate and train underserved and often overlooked segments of our population. But this segment of the population will not be overlooked by this bill because this bill addresses those needs. And I want to commend the chairman for doing that, because it is about inclusion of everyone; and this bill includes everybody in this process. Inclusion and making sure that no child, whether it is an adult, is left behind, and this includes that. Today, we are establishing a program that would accomplish two things. First, the program would award grants to minority-serving institutions to enhance the quality of undergraduate science, mathematics, and engineering education at these institutions. These grants also increase the retention and graduation rates of students pursuing bachelors degrees in science, mathematics or engineering. Mr. Speaker, I ask that we consider this unique role and this unique need of minority-serving institutions when we consider this important piece of legislation. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bipartisan bill that is good for our Nation and good for our country.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I stand in opposition to this shameful decoy that creates the illusion that it covers all seniors, when we know that it does not cover all seniors. It only covers someone as long as it only reaches a certain limit. We have to make sure that all seniors are guaranteed coverage, make sure that they are able to get the kind of services that they need. Currently right now, they cannot even buy or put food on the table, and they have to decide between buying prescription drugs or not. This is like an insurance plan in California, telling drivers they have the coverage, when in fact they have the coverage as long as there is no accident. The minute there is an accident, the premiums go up, and you lose the coverage. They are afraid. They are afraid to file a claim. This is the same situation that we are going to have here. We are going to have seniors that are afraid to buy drug prescriptions because their coverage will go up. They will continue to go to Tijuana and buy it cheaper because they do not have the coverage. This is shameful and a decoy. We should support the Democratic plan that covers all seniors and all individuals.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution. Until recently the very existence of Sioux and Navajo code-talkers had remained yet another classified war secret. These proud code-talkers lived with the quiet dignity of knowing that they did a great service for their nation, but could never speak of their heroic deeds. These Sioux code-talkers worked under some of the heaviest combat conditions and worked around the clock, often without sleep, to provide coded information that saved the lives of countless American soldiers. The Sioux code-talkers were so successful that military commanders credit the code for many victories in battle. These brave and heroic men deserve our deepest respect. We owe a debt of gratitude to these men. We must honor them and teach our children, so that their quiet dignity is silent no more. So we may now honor them as what they are--American heroes. It took an act of Congress to honor the Navajo code-talkers, we should at least pay the same tribute to these other defenders of our freedom. Let us never forget the 44,000 Native Americans who served in World War II. They fought for a nation that has mistreated historically their people. That is the ultimate sign of valor and sacrifice.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, the administration decided last week to privatize our air traffic controllers by executive order. So why are we spending millions on transportation security, federalizing baggage screeners, if we are going to commit ourselves to unsafe air travel? Our Nation's air travel problems were on the ground with the security screeners, not in the air with the traffic controllers. Why are we penalizing them? These men and women take pride every day in keeping their fellow citizens safe as they travel America's skies. On September 11, the controllers landed 5,000 planes in less than 2 hours without an operational error. My question is, Where is the problem? Why are we privatizing it? The President's recent steps toward privatizing air controllers is a step towards disaster, and I state, towards disaster, literally. On September 11, we quickly realized that using private companies to handle airport security was a mistake. We federalized airport security because private contractors could not do the job. Why would we lock the windows, only to open the doors to potential disaster? Privatizing has proven to be a mistake in most prominent nations. I say this is wrong. Let us not privatize our system. Let us allow the controllers to do the job, to keep our airlines safe.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I stand in support of a comprehensive prescription drug plan. We need to do something for our seniors. Seniors are the ones that made our country great, and too often we forget their contribution and what they have done. We have a responsibility. Today many of them are faced with a crisis, and I say with a crisis, because now they have to pay an abundance of dollars on a fixed income. It becomes so difficult for our seniors to put food on the table when they have to decide what to do: ``Do I pay for medication that will relieve the pain and agony that I have?'' Some of these seniors have 15 to 30 prescription drugs that they have to pay for. It is too high. It has gotten ridiculous. This is not about profit, this is about taking care of the American people. This is about taking care of our seniors. We need to make sure that we come up with a comprehensive medical plan that covers them. We owe it to our seniors and we owe it to Americans, we owe it to this country. I say, let us get behind a good, comprehensive plan that covers our seniors. They have suffered enough. Let us help them.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. I'm a proud American. We stand together in defense of our nation. I come to the floor today in full support of our troops fighting terrorism here and abroad. House Democrats are fully committed to winning the war on terrorism and once again making America safe from harm. Unfortunately, House Republicans are using the war to pass a dangerous and cynical provision that allows the Federal Government to break its own spending limit and take hundreds of billions of dollars from the Social Security Trust Fund. The war is not what we are arguing about today. What we object to is the effort to use this supplemental spending bill to increase the national debt and hide that increase with gimmicks and deception. In short, Republicans spent all their money before they paid their bills. Would you write a check before you put money in the bank. The Republican budget used up 100 percent of the projected surplus. It left no margin for error, and put us on a course to run up our debt. Now the Republicans are trying to increase the debt without any debate or vote. Most importantly, the increased debt would be paid for from Social Security trust fund. Every dollar in additional debt incurred is another dollar taken away from Social Security and Medicare. How is this increase in debt going to affect seniors, children, and other Americans who depend on us to protect them. This is like taking your families hard earned money to a gambling facility and hoping you come away with enough to pay for your future. Our friends on the other side of the aisle and the president need to understand that we can defeat terrorism without destroying Social Security. I am staunchly opposed to the Republicans' plan to raid social security to pay for other programs that they didn't consider when they passed their tax cut for corporations and the wealthy. Members on the other side were very willing to stand up and take credit when they passed the tax cut bill that put us in this mess. They should be willing to stand up and be counted now that it has come time to pay the bills by raising the debt limit. I would like to see four things happen: First, I want a responsible, honest, and bipartisan budget; second, I want to protect and strengthen Social Security; I want to ensure that we meet our obligations today so that our children are not burdened with debt, and; I want a budget summit called so that we can begin to fix this fiscal nightmare that we find ourselves in. Congress must work with the Administration to put the fiscal house back together again. If American families ran their finances the way the Republicans have run the nations, they'd be living in the dark and taking showers in the rain. America can be strong militarily without becoming weak economically. Let's work toward achieving that goal. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, our country is aging. The baby boomer generation is retiring soon. I am part of that generation, and more will be retiring. Social Security will become a necessity for our seniors. Republicans are trying to bankrupt Social Security, so we will have no choice but to privatize, I say privatize; but privatizing forces benefit cuts, increases risks, and removes the guarantee that Social Security will be there for seniors when they need it. I believe that working families have earned a secured retirement. Without Social Security, how will our seniors pay for medication, rent, food? They are on a fixed income. Privatizing Social Security breaks a promise to working families that if you work hard and pay into the system, no matter how rich or poor, Social Security will be there for your retirement when it is necessary. Privatizing Social Security, especially for hard-working minorities, women, and working family folks will mean less savings for them. It is time that we start caring about the 95 percent of the population that do not have a trust fund, who live on a check-by-check basis, feed their families, and pay for expenses with no money to save or invest.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great friend of the Inland Empire, Rudy Favila. Rudy will be awarded the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Democrat of the Year Award for 2002 this Sunday, May 19th at the California ScienCenter in Los Angeles. This honor is being given to Rudy for his dedicated leadership in supporting the Ontario community and the Democratic Party. Rudy is a California native, born in Sacramento, California, where he got his degree from Sacramento State University in Criminal Justice. Rudy and his wife of 33 years, Claudia, moved to Ontario in 1978. They have two children, Colleen and Cristel, who grew up in Ontario, and now have two young grandchildren. Rudy has served as a dedicated community servant for the past 25 years. He held positions as both Health and Safety Officer and Treatment Team Supervisor of the California Youth Authority. In these positions he worked to safeguard the health of our youth in correctional facilities and to shape their daily experiences. Through this work he was able to provide these youth with opportunities for a positive future. Rudy made a mark on Ontario by serving as a Council Member of the City of Ontario. He worked hard on efforts to create the Ontario Teen Center, to build the Ontario Convention Center, the Mills Mall and to expand the Ontario Airport Terminal. He was also instrumental in implementing Neighborhood Watch Programs, Community Policing, and programs to recycle and conserve water resources. Although Rudy recently retired, he has continued to work to improve and support the Inland Empire by promoting outreach, health and wellness. The American Red Cross recognized Rudy's work coordinating resources and funds to rebuild the Red Cross facility in the wake of September 11th by awarding him their Dedication and Leadership Award. Rudy has also been active in the Ontario Democrats, Kiwanis International, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, and as a member of the Special Education Community Advisory Board. I extend my heartiest congratulations to Rudy. I thank him for being a model of community service and for contributing so much to improve the quality of life for all the residents of the Inland Empire.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with regret and deep sadness to announce the passing of Inland Empire community leader and dear friend Mary Elizabeth Parker Collins who died at the age of 73 on May 6th. I first got to know Mary when I was elected to the California Assembly. Mary volunteered in my San Bernardino office as I was beginning my political career. Her enthusiasm and wisdom were an inspiration to me and all who knew her. Mary was a great advocate of equality and humanitarianism her entire adult life. Her experience as a single mother of five children in the 60's instructed Mary on the inequalities in society and was the catalyst for her commitment to social change. She became active in the Urban League of Indianapolis, where she dedicated herself to motivating the disenfranchised. Mary was involved in a wide variety of crucial movements such as tenant strikes, community based programs for at risk teens, and voter registration and participation programs. While continuing to seek a better life for her family, Mary moved her family west to Southern California. She spent time in Los Angeles before moving and settling in the Inland Empire. Mary continued her commitment to civil rights while in the Inland Empire, by participating in the ``Gates Must Go'' and ``Tyisha Miller Justice'' campaigns. She then served as President of the Fontana/Rialto NAACP, where she fought to reinstate the jobs of countless people of color who had been arbitrarily laid off. Mary also spearheaded the establishment of a Police Review Board in Rialto, which helped reduce the number of civilian shootings by Police and led the way for the first Black Police Chief of Rialto. Mary had a clear political gift, and she later served as President of the Inland Empire Democratic Club. She was not afraid of hard work and contributed greatly in my office by volunteering during my years as a newly elected California Assembly Member. Mary is survived by her only son, Stephan Collins, four daughters, Karen Collins Lewis, Remelle Lumpkins, Terry Hunter and Carolyn Gullex, 15 grandchildren and 9 great grand children. Mary has left behind a wonderful legacy of social justice and community activism. She will be missed by family and friends alike. Mary touched us all with her kind deeds and leadership in our community. Barbara and I extend our deepest condolences to her family and may God bestow his comfort upon them at this time.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I stand in opposition to H.J. Res. 87. We need a coherent national strategy dealing with nuclear waste, but this decision is about local control. It is inappropriate for us to be micromanaging Nevada on something that is so important. We should allow the governor to do his job. He has decided that the Yucca Mountain proposal is too dangerous to pursue any further and we should not intervene in what is a State and local decision. I am also concerned about the issue, not just about the Members of Congress, but as neighbors of hundreds of thousands of people who could be harmed by the transportation of this through an accident that could occur. The Department of Energy may be way too tightlipped about the transportation routes that waste would travel across the country on its way to Yucca Mountain, but two things are certain. One, a very large percentage of the waste would travel through my district, the Inland Empire. Two, accidents will happen while transporting the spent nuclear fuel. If you look at the map, virtually all the rails and routes would be used through San Bernardino County, California, my home. Half of the country saw Spiderman this weekend. Well, we are in the center of a nuclear transportation web. The thought of it makes me angry. The thought of it scares me, and it should scare my colleagues on both sides of the aisle from the Inland Empire. I call on all the Members from Inland Empire and Southern California to come together and oppose Yucca Mountain. Why should our constituents be forced to face so much more of a risk of danger and other activities that may affect them? Even the most conservative Energy Department studies say that many accidents will occur and it is more likely it will occur in transportation hubs like my district where we had recently a derailment of a train that caused a lot of the homes in the areas to start burning in the immediate area. With this proposal, we will create thousands of moving targets for terrorists. We know what happened on September 11 with the airplanes crashing in the World Trade Center. Terrorists would not need a dirty bomb because we will have thousands of them crawling across the Nation just waiting for a fuse to ignite them, killing hundreds and thousands of people. People are already living in fear. We do not need to put additional people in fear. I ask all Members to oppose this resolution.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support to the Farm Bill Conference Report. We owe Representatives Stenholm, Clayton, and Chairman Combest a great deal for their leadership. This bill provides $6.4 billion in nutrition programs. Restores food stamp benefits for legal permanent residents, children, and the disabled. Includes provisions to simplify and streamline the Food Stamp Program so needy families can get food with less red tape. As opposed to what some have claimed, this bill is good for California. California is the largest agricultural State, but we mostly produce fruits and vegetables, otherwise known as specialty corps. The conference report provides for the largest investment in conservation ever--$17.1 billion--fully 80 percent above the levels of the Boehlert conservation amendment to the 1996 Farm Bill. Let us also remember that farmers are workers too--equally deserving of good wages and benefits. They are the soul of our Nation. They feed us. They keep our Nation alive. Support farmers, the working poor, and our dairy and cattlement-- support the conference report on the farm bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. First of all, I thank the gentleman from Virginia in reference to the debate, but I think he has not really read the bill and does not have his facts together. The bill itself and the instructions do have a work requirement. Apparently he opposes the President's proposal that actually states this, and it does have a work requirement. And no individual is eligible unless they have demonstrated that they have worked. So a lot of false statements have been made here. And these people have contributed to our society. They have. These are legal, permanent individuals who have contributed to our society, who have worked, are working citizens, are taxpayers who have contributed. These are individuals who are veterans and children who deserve assistance. This is about meeting our needs. This is about allowing legal immigrants who are in the United States for 5 years or more to have the opportunity to apply for food stamps if they are low income. This is the President's proposal. It allows children eligible for food stamps regardless of when they enter the United States. So we talk about not offering to children, yes, we are offering to children. Yes, we are providing assistance to them. And then it does cover the work requirement, too, as well. This restores the disabled opportunities to apply for food stamps, regardless of the date that they entered. I believe that we have the responsibility to all of us in America to provide assistance for many of our children. We want to make sure that our children are not starving and that our children have an opportunity to go to school on a full stomach. This is the right course. We should support the restoration of the 5-year plan, the plan submitted by the Senate that basically tells us what we should be doing in complying, in helping and assisting many individuals throughout our country.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking the Congressional Hispanic caucus, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton) and a bipartisan group of colleagues for working so hard within the conference committee to restore food stamp benefits to working, taxpaying legal residents, and I state, to taxpaying legal residents. We all agree that the time has come for Congress to ensure that all legal residents are eligible for food stamps. America provides aid to hungry people all over the world, yet we do not take care of everyone who needs it right here at home. Children of legal immigrants to our Nation are starving. It is as simple as that. With the passage of welfare reform in 1996, almost all legal immigrants lost food stamp eligibility. In 1998, Congress realized it had gone too far. But it only restored food stamps to benefit kids and elderly who arrived in our country before 1996. Thousands of immigrants who arrived here in the last 5 years will never receive any help from us for their nutritional needs. The current law does nothing to help them feed their children, many of whom are United States citizens. Let me say that again, many who are United States citizens. Kids who are United States citizens are starving under the current law. This must stop. It can stop with us. This motion instructs the 2002 Farm Security Act conference to restore much-needed food stamp benefit to legal, permanent residents. I state, to legal, permanent residents. It would allow legal residents who have been in the United States for 5 years to apply for food stamps if they are low income. This is what the President has proposed. I state, this is what the President has proposed. It would allow children to be eligible for food stamps, regardless of when they entered the United States. This provision is also contained in the farm bill that the Senate brought to the conference committee. It would reduce the current requirement that an immigrant accrue 10 years of working history to qualify for food stamps to 4 years of work to qualify. Why should all of us support this motion? Because it makes sense, both fiscally and morally, and because strong bipartisan support already exists for restoring food stamps to legal immigrants. Support for restoring benefits crosses ideological and partisan lines. President Bush's 2002 budget includes a proposal to restore food stamps to legal immigrants, and I state, to legal immigrants, who have lived in the United States for 5 years. Newt Gingrich even stated that the restrictions on legal immigrants' eligibility for food stamps were one of the provisions in the welfare law that went too far; that went too far. Members from both sides of this aisle in both Chambers support restoration. Also the children's restoration is very inexpensive. It is already built into the $6.4 billion allotment for the nutrition title. The cost is $200 million. That is a small price when compared to the entire $150 billion farm bill. Restoration of the food stamps to immigrants with significant work history costs nothing. CBO scored the enhancement at zero. It will simplify the process and help people at no cost to the taxpayers, at no cost to the taxpayers. Immigrant children need food stamps. Children, more than any other group, need access to healthy diets. I state, children, more than any other group, need access to healthy diet. Research indicates that children who do not receive adequate nutrition have poor health development. We talk about imposing performance standards on kids in school, but how can kids perform when they go to school with an empty stomach? It is very difficult to perform if you have an empty stomach. Section 452 of the Senate farm bill and the alternative of the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) include this provision for children. Immigrant children are twice as likely to live in homes where parents pay more than 50 percent of their income in rent. We will make sure that poor kids receive the nutrition they need to one day lift themselves out of poverty, and I state, to lift themselves out of poverty. Restoring benefits to immigrant children will help with this effort to reach citizen children. Over 85 percent of immigrant families have mixed status, households that include at least one citizen child. Confusion about eligibility and fear about their immigrant status has caused these hard working parents to stay away from the program, even when these kids are eligible, and yet it affects their daily lives as they are going to school. Our current anti-immigrant food stamp program causes that fear. These are American citizens, American children we are talking about, yet they do not have access at the same time that kids who are born citizens. According to USDA from 1994 to 1998, 1 million citizens of immigrant parents left the food stamp program, representing a 74 percent decline for this group. It is time that we helped these American children. Working immigrants need food stamps. Low-wage working immigrants should be granted access to food stamp as work support. Legal immigrants are just as likely as natives to work, but they are two times as likely to be poor. Forty-three percent work in jobs paying less than $7.50 an hour, and wages have risen more slowly for immigrants than natives over the last decade. This motion builds on principles already established under the current law. Currently legal immigrants, individuals or couples that can show a combined work history of 10 years, are exempt from food stamp restrictions on legal immigrants. The notion behind this exemption was that no family with a demonstrated work history should be prohibited access to critical work support. The Senate bill builds upon the principles of fairness, and so should we. I state, the Senate bill builds upon the principles of fairness, and so should we. It would allow low-income individuals or married couples that can demonstrate, and I state, that can demonstrate, a combined workforce history of 4 years, to begin food stamp eligibility. Four years of work is measured by earning 16 quarters of earnings under the Social Security system. It is time that all hard-working, tax paying, and I state, hard- working, tax paying residents of this country, are eligible for the same benefits in times of difficulty. Many of our veterans who served are legal permanent residents. This would allow them also to be eligible as well. When tax day rolls around, it just is not for us to ask people, are you a citizen or not?

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on my motion to instruct on H.R. 2646.

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct conferees.