Joe Baca

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor William E. Leonard, of the Inland Empire of California, on the occasion of the dedication of the William E. Leonard Interchange (the Interchange of the 210 and I-15). Mr. Leonard was instrumental in the design and funding of this freeway (extension of the Foothill Freeway). William has a long history of involvement in California transportation issues. He served as a member of the California State Highway Commission from 1973 to 1977 and on the California Transportation Commission from 1985 to 1993. He served as Chairman of the California Transportation Commission in 1990 and 1991. He also currently serves on the state's High-Speed Rail Authority. William received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley. He served his country during World War II in the Philippines and Japan with the First and Seventh Cavalry Divisions, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. William's productive career includes founding and operating the Leonard Realty and Building Company since 1946, as well as developing, owning, and operating various city auto parks, apartment complexes, land subdivisions, and the San Bernardino public golf course. William also has served his community and state as a member and chairman of the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation; a trustee of the St. Bernadine's Hospital Foundation; and member and past chairman of the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation; a member of the board of the Water Commission of the City of San Bernardino; a member and past director of the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce; a member and past director of the San Bernardino Valley Board of Realtors; a past director, president, and chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Orange Show; a founding member and president of Inland Action; a member and president of the San Bernardino Host Lions; a member of the Bank of America Inland Division Advisory Board; a member and past chairman of the Security Pacific Bank Inland Division Advisory Board; and a member, treasurer, and elder of the First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino. William was honored by the Valley Group with its Excellence in Infrastructure Award; by the East Inland Empire Association of Realtors with its President's Exceptional Service Award; by the Boy Scouts of America's California Inland Empire Council with its Distinguished Citizen's Award; and by the Historical and Pioneer Society with its Citizen of the Year Award. As the California State Legislature noted, as a result of his tireless hard work and unwavering commitment to the State of California and to his local community in San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire, William E. Leonard has succeeded in compiling an impressive record of personal and civic achievement, a record that has earned for him the admiration and respect of those persons who have the privilege of associating with him. It is a pleasure to salute William and to join with his family in offering congratulations and good wishes on this happy occasion. This interchange dedication is something that William has earned over a lifetime of achievement, distinction, and public service.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment to increase funding for USDA grants for Hispanic-serving institutes for agricultural research. Hispanic-serving institutes, or HSIs, are the backbone of Hispanic college education. These schools have great research capabilities and have much to offer, but because they do not have a land grant or are not necessarily historical, they sometimes do not receive all of the resources they deserve. I salute the efforts of the chairman, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla), on behalf of the Hispanic-serving institutions on his work towards allowing HSIs to gain a foothold into agricultural research grants. Yet I am certain that the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla) would agree with me that these schools merit more funding, especially to increase the growth and development of Hispanics in our institutions. Mr. Chairman, 41 percent of all USDA research project proposals for HSIs are funded. Forty-one percent is a remarkable success rate for proposal acceptance. We obviously have a great resource here that we are not using nearly enough, and we need to tap into that. In addition, I would like to ask Secretary Veneman and the administration to understand that these institutions are important to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and we will work and fight for more resources.

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for her comments. We all realize that it is important to support institutions such as the HSIs, and I appreciate the lead that the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla) has taken in the past years ensuring funding, and I look forward to working with him in the future in conference committee to increase funding for this wonderful grant program. Mr. Chairman, I understand that my amendment is subject to a point of order. I concede to that point of order, and I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).

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

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Berkley amendment to the Energy and Water FY 2002 Appropriations bill, H.R. 2311. We must study the problems associated with the transportation of nuclear waste and protect our communities. The likeliest routes will truck much of California's radioactive waste along Interstate 15 and along train tracks straight through San Bernardino County. It has been said that used fuel is so dangerous that the nuclear plants must isolate the fuel from human contact for 10,000 years. So why would we run the risk of shipping it through our backyards without the proper scientific research and before we have weighed all our options? Congress has spent billions of dollars on the Yucca Mountain storage site and it is still unknown whether this site is environmentally sound or not. Why should our tax dollars be spent and our health be put at risk without finding out all aspects of this issue? Scientific studies show that transporting such material has potential risks that could end in catastrophic disasters and yet no other option has been proposed. We must ensure the security of our community. Nuclear waste is a serious issue that must be handled very carefully and thoroughly. I am committed to protecting the health and environment of the 42nd district of California along with all the districts in the United States.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute a constituent of mine, the Reverend David Kalke, recipient of a 2001 Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Award, for his work in creating a ``safe zone'' for our youth. The award is the nation's highest honor for community health leadership and includes a $100,000 program grant. The Reverend Kalke has done remarkable work with teen health and education programs in an area of San Bernardino, CA, known to have the state's highest teen pregnancy and STD rates and marked incidents of violence. The original core of 12 teens has since grown to over 100 youths a year. Because of these efforts, he is one of 10 outstanding individuals selected this year to receive a $100,000 Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Program award. You know, Mr. Speaker, it is important that we give the children hope. That we give them a chance. A helping hand up. A chance to have a mentor, to have someone believe in them. Because through that confidence in them comes confidence in themselves. The Reverend Kalke has done that. I think we must all remember the role models in our lives, and remember those who inspired us to see the possibilities. So we can all understand what it is for a child to have the sort of opportunities, the sort of chance that the Reverend Kalke has given them. The Reverend Kalke has a long history of public service and involvement with serving our youth. His deeply held beliefs that the church should be actively involved in the community began with a mission to Chile during the 1970s. He eventually returned to New York City where he led a Lutheran church congregation and initiated a broad array of community programs in the South Bronx. In 1996, he was asked by the Lutheran church to revive a struggling church in a poverty-stricken section of San Bernardino, CA, known to have the State's highest teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease rates, as well as one of the highest incidences of gang-related violence. From the beginning, his vision faced obvious risks. His church, the Central City Lutheran Mission (CCLM), was abandoned with no established community ties and a regular risk of violence from area youth gangs. To gain the neighborhood's trust, Kalke hired local teens to help clean up the site, offering to pay small salaries while they undertook peer HIV/ AIDS health educator training. The original core of 12 teens has since grown to over 100 youths a year, working, learning and volunteering in what has become a gang-free, safe space in the midst of a devastated neighborhood. Admirers have observed: ``Not since Escalante worked his magic in teaching calculus to poor minority kids in East Los Angeles has anyone witnessed the dedication, caring, knowledge and skills of David Kalke in assisting `throw away' kids in a `throw away' neighborhood to learn ways to improve their own and the neighborhood's existence.'' CCLM's programs now include: an adolescent health program which employs peer educators to teach HIV, STD and teen pregnancy prevention; an after school program for 50 children between the ages of 5-12 to help with homework and nutrition; and, a teen day-school for suspended, expelled or home-study students. CCLM's cultural programs include art, writing and photography. Teens publish a newsletter of poems, drawings and photographs on the realities of inner city life. The Reverend Kalke has also raised federal and city funding to rehabilitate abandoned homes and turn them into transitional housing for homeless HIV+ persons. In order to create these programs he has effectively pulled together numerous partners including other churches, California State University at San Bernardino (Cal State) and the city council. Cal State's Social Work, Public Health and Communications Departments regularly send interns and nursing students to conduct 9-month internships at CCLM. The CCLM programs have transformed hundreds of individual lives, giving food, shelter, education, safety and hope where there was none. And so we honor the Reverend Kalke, and we salute him, for his achievement and his commitment to our youth.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum) for yielding me this time. I appreciate her strong support for Native American issues, and the personal interest she has taken in this legislation. She is well-informed on the issues, and Congress will benefit from her scholar and commitment. Mr. Speaker, I sponsored H. Res. 168 to ask schools to honor Native Americans for their contributions to American history, culture, and education. This resolution is a first step in seeking a Native American holiday similar to the legislation I carried in California legislation. Native Americans have given so much to this country. Freedom, justice, patriotism and representatives of government have always been part of their culture. Long before the voyage of Christopher Columbus and the development of the first English settlement at Jamestown, Native American groups and tribes had developed their own language, literature, history, government, dance, music, art, agriculture, and architecture. That is why I am proud to be a member of the Congressional Native American Caucus. Native Americans have shown their willingness to fight and die for this Nation in foreign lands. They honor the American flag at every powwow and at many gatherings and remember all veterans through song, music and dance. Native Americans love the land that has nurtured their parents, their grandparents, and their elders since the beginning of their recorded history. Native Americans honor the Earth that has brought life to their people. We need to educate and sensitize our Nation to all that Native Americans have done for this Nation. We need to take up the cause of Native American sovereignty. Mr. Speaker, I experienced poverty firsthand as a child, so I recognize the hardship that Native Americans have faced for shelter, for health, for care, and schooling. Native American reservations have a 31 percent rate of poverty, as well as unemployment rates 6 times the national average. Since we have provided Native Americans with a means of self- sufficiency, they have been able to provide food, basic health care, and modern conveniences that most of us take for granted. They have moved people off welfare and reduced unemployment. Mr. Speaker, this resolution is about justice. It is about schools respecting Native Americans; and it is very important when we say respecting in schools. When a child goes to school, he or she wants to make sure that they are honored and respected with dignity. Many times it was very difficult for a Native American to identify that he or she was Native American based on the materials that existed. This resolution honors Native Americans for their contribution. It honors the different tribes that exist throughout our country that we recognize as well. There are a combination of tribes, and the history in our books do not reveal the many, many tribes and their contributions to the land that we love so much. We enjoy the dances, we enjoy the music, we enjoy the culture. We enjoy the heritage. This resolution is about Americans respecting Americans. Mr. Speaker, it is time that we honor and recognize those who have given so much to enrich our country; and Native Americans have for generations and generations. I salute Native American tribes that have worked to make this resolution a reality, and to them I say this is just the beginning. We will continue the struggle. Fight the fight. We will not stop. We will not rest until there is a Native American holiday, and this is the beginning of recognizing our neighbors, people who have been here and respecting one another. We owe that to them. We owe it to our country. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Members on both sides of the aisle for coming forward with this resolution and honoring Native Americans. It is important that we recognize the people that were here, the land that we enjoy so much, and the land that we take for granted. It is this land in America where they have taken that land and made it very valuable in each area, whether it is a reservation, whether it is contributions back to our communities.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Jesus Javier, a recipient of the 2001 Adelante Eagle Award. Adelante and the California Migrant Leadership Council is dedicated to empowering the Latino community in California by developing opportunities in education, economic development and the political process. The Adelante Eagle Award is presented annually to individuals who have made a commitment to California and have made positive contributions to the betterment of our community. Past Eagle Award recipients include Congressman Joe Baca, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Educators Mario Muniz, Carolyn and Jim Bartleson, Jim White, Business persons Mary Lou Gomez and Maria Dolores Andrade, just to name a few. Jesus Javier currently serves as a news anchor for television station KRCA-TV Channel 62 in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Javier's media career originated as a general assignment reporter with KPIX-TV, the CBS affiliate in San Francisco and as news anchor with KDIT, the Univision affiliate also in the City of San Francisco. Mr. Javier's experience continued in San Antonio, Texas as news anchor for Univision's KWEX-TV. In 1983, Jesus Javier joined Telemundo as news anchor for KVEA-TV Channel 52 in Los Angeles, California. In 1993 Mr. Javier rejoined Univision as news anchor for the largest Spanish-language television station KMEX-TV Channel 34. Mr. Javier's journalistic work has been recognized by various organizations. He received a Golden Mike Award from the Radio & TV News Association of Southern California for his series ``Infernio Bajo Cero'' a special investigative report on the false promises of high wages and abundant jobs that lure Latinos to the State of Alaska. He was also awarded the Silver Medal at the New York International Film and Television Festival for Best Documentary with ``De Leys y Papeles.'' His program ``Destino 90'' won an Emmy Award for Best Public Service. Mr. Javier's dedication to the Latino community has been recognized by various organizations. He volunteers his time and has served as Master of Ceremonies or Keynote Speaker at various community functions. Most recently he was recognized for his work with the American Diabetes Association's ``Diabetes, Como Afecta A Su Comunidad'' an information conference targeting the Spanish speaking communities in the San Fernando Valley. Mr. Javier has also served as Master of Ceremonies for the City of San Fernando Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative Committee. An outspoken advocate of education, Jesus Javier has volunteered countless hours visiting elementary and secondary schools, Community Colleges and Universities always encouraging the youth to take advantage of the educational opportunities made available to them. Mr. Jesus Javier is a native of Techaluta, Jalisco, Mexico. He received his degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. Mr. Javier has three adult children and lives in Northridge, California. For all he has done on behalf of the Latino community, we salute Jesus Javier.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Irene Tovar, a recipient of the 2001 Adelante Eagle Award. Adelante and the California Migrant Leadership Council is dedicated to empowering the Latino community in California by developing opportunities in education, economic development and the political process. The Adelante Eagle Award is presented annually to individuals who have made a commitment to California and have made positive contributions to the betterment of our community. Past Eagle Award recipients include Congressman Joe Baca, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Educators Mario Muniz, Carolyn and Jim Bartleson, Jim White, Business persons Mary Lou Gomez and Maria Dolores Andrade, just to name a few. Ms. Tovar is Executive Director of the Latin American Civic Association, an organization she co-founded in 1960. Since then Ms. Tovar has dedicated herself to empowering a strong Latino community. Her efforts have led to the establishment of various programs and services, which have provided a strong foundation for the advancement of Latinos not just in the San Fernando Valley but also throughout the State of California. Her commitment to community issues has resulted in the founding of the San Fernando Valley Neighborhood Legal Services and serving on various boards, task force and commissions. These have included serving on the State of California Public Employees Relations Board, the Los Angeles Mission College Community Advisory Board, Latino Advisory Committee to LAPD Chief Bernard Parks, Valley Economic Development Center, LAPD Police Commission Warren Christopher Commission Reform Task Force, SFV Hispanic--Jewish Women's Task Force, Rebuild L.A. Board of Directors, LAPD Foothill Division Community Advisory Board, State of California Advisory Commission on Compensatory Education. In 1975 Ms. Tovar was appointed by then Governor Edmund G. ``Jerry'' Brown Jr. to the California State Personnel Board where she served until 1981. Ms. Tovar was not only the first Chicana appointed to the board that required California State Senate confirmation, but she also served as President of this most important body. Recognizing Ms. Tovar's leadership abilities Governor Brown appointed her as his Special Assistant a position she held from 1978-1981. During her tenure Ms. Tovar was responsible for the identification and recommendation of Latinos for appointment to State Boards and Commissions. This included the recommendation and appointment of Cruz Reynoso as California Supreme Court Justice. Ms. Tovar was also responsible for the establishment of the Governor's Chicana Issues Conference first held in 1980. Ms. Tovar's accomplishments have been recognized by various state and city agencies as well as community organizations. She has been the recipient of many honors and awards including the City of Los Angeles City Council Pioneering Woman Award, California State University, Northridge Distinguished Alumni Award, Comision Femenil's Woman of the Year, Los Angeles County Commission on the Status of Woman ``Woman of the Year'' Award, KLVE Feria de la Muier Outstanding Latina of the Year, L.A. Times ``Newsmaker for 1999'', Cal-State Northridge La Raza Alumni Association Outstanding Alumni Award, USC El Centro Chicano Cuauhtemoc Award, MALDEF Employment Award, U.S. Congressional Commendation, and the Los Angeles City Employees Chicano Association Recognition Award, just to name a few. For all she has done on behalf of the Latino community, we salute Irene Tovar.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Amory Ramirez, a recipient of the 2001 Adelante Eagle Award. Adelante and the California Migrant Leadership Council is dedicated to empowering the Latino community in California by developing opportunities in education, economic development and the political process. The Adelante Eagle Award is presented annually to individuals who have made a commitment to California and have made positive contributions to the betterment of our community. Past Eagle Award recipients include Congressman Joe Baca, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Educators Mario Muniz, Carolyn and Jim Bartleson, Jim White, Business persons Mary Lou Gomez and Maria Dolores Andrade, just to name a few. Amory Ramirez serves as the Executive Director of Quality Children's Services (QCS). Prior to leading QCS, Amory's professional experience began with the Encinitas Union School District where she served from 1975 to 1990. Her positions included Bilingual Community Aide, Migrant Statistical Aide, Preschool Teacher, and Center Director. Amory served as President of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) for six years. During her 15 years of service in Encinitas she was known as an advocate for children, migrant families, employees and community issues. In 1990 Amory accepted the position of Associate Program Director with the YMCA of East Bay. Ms. Ramirez supervised two Child Development Centers and five after school child care programs and managed a budget of over $1 million. After two years of proven leadership, Amory Ramirez was promoted to Manager of the Child Development Department and was responsible for 12 childcare sites. By 1998 Ms. Ramirez's department was responsible for 43 sites located throughout the counties of Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Fresno, Los Angeles, Placer, Sacramento, Santa Clara and Yolo and managed a budget of over $7 million. Amory received recognition for her leadership skills, fiscal management, staff development, outstanding teamwork and quality child development programs from the YMCA of the East Bay and the California Department of Education. In 1998 Amory and four colleagues had a dream to establish a non- profit organization that would provide quality services for children and families and empower child development staff while maintaining a fiscally sound program. This dream came true with the formation of Quality Children's Services. Since 1998, QCS has operated the Encinitas Migrant Child Development Center serving 72 infants, toddlers and preschool age migrant children. Within two years QCS added five afterschool programs in collaboration with the Encinitas, Poway, and Oceanside School Districts serving over 450 students. In 2001 QCS in partnership with SELECO-WIB of Los Angeles and the Madera Coalition for Community Justice will be establishing five additional State Preschool Programs and Child Development Centers. Under Ms. Amory's leadership, QCS has begun the development of Casa de Ninos in Oceanside, California, which will serve 112 preschool children. Ms. Amory Ramirez is also serving as the Associate Executive Director with the Redlands YMCA and is utilizing her area of expertise to develop strong kids, strong families and a strong community. For all she has done on behalf of the Latino community, we salute Amory Ramirez.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Assemblyman Tony Cardenas, a recipient of the 2001 Adelante Eagle Award. Adelante and the California Migrant Leadership Council is dedicated to empowering the Latino community in California by developing opportunities in education, economic development and the political process. The Adelante Eagle Award is presented annually to individuals who have made a commitment to California and have made positive contributions to the betterment of our community. Past Eagle Award recipients include Congressman Joe Baca, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Educators Mario Muniz, Carolyn and Jim Bartleson, Jim White, Business persons Mary Lou Gomez and Maria Dolores Andrade, just to name a few. Assemblyman Tony Cardenas was first elected to the California State Assembly in 1996 to represent the Northeast San Fernando Valley. The youngest of eleven children, Tony is the product of a modest upbringing, rich in the values of hard work and discipline. As a result, he achieved scholastic, professional, and political success. Assemblyman Cardenas graduated with an Electronic Engineering degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara where he was on the Dean's Honor List. After graduation, he worked at Hewlett Packard as an Engineering Specialist. Later he owned and was president of a real estate company in the San Fernando Valley. During his first term in the Assembly, Assemblyman Cardenas was the only freshman member to serve on both of the influential Assembly fiscal committees: Appropriations and Budget. He also chaired the Budget Subcommittee on Transportation and Information Technology and the Select Committee on Indian Gaming. In his second term, Assemblyman Cardenas was elected Chairman of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, which is one of the top leadership posts in the Assembly. His duties included maintaining a Democratic majority and formulating a public policy agenda for a productive California. He served on Assembly Committees on Utilities and Commerce; Budget; Banking and Finance; Governmental Organizations; Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments; and Budget Subcommittee on Resources. Assemblyman Cardenas continued to chair the Select Committee on Indian Gaming. In June of 2000 Assemblyman Cardenas was named Chairman of the Assembly's Budget Committee. As Chairman, he is responsible for overseeing the State's $100 billion budget. In recognition of his hard work and success in the California Assembly, Cardenas received numerous awards including Legislator of the Year from the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, California Indian Legal Services, High Tech Legislator of the Year, American Electronics Association, and Humanitarian Awards from the Valley Family Center and the City of San Fernando. Assemblyman Cardenas envisions government as a tool to assist citizens on the local level and believes it can serve as a platform to enhance the quality of life, as evidenced by his legislative agenda. His priority issues include reforming our juvenile justice system, developing strong local economies by encouraging community businesses and assuring our children greater access to education for both immediate and long-term success. He has also sought to streamline government, allowing agencies to improve their services for people statewide and address the quality of healthcare for Californians. For all that he has done on behalf of the Latino community, we salute Tony Cardenas.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Ron Stark, the outgoing President of the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce, and a leading citizen of our community. Ron is admired in the Inland Empire community for his strong record of business success and public service. He is the owner of Star Kreative Services, a full-service Marketing and Advertising Agency, specializing in budgeting, planning, media purchases, and complete corporate identity design. Ron's leadership this past year is indicative of a Chamber President who continuously gives of his time and finances to promote a business friendly environment that enhances the quality of life and the economy of Rancho Cucamonga. He has served on the Board of Directors since 1995 and began his term as President July 1, 2000. Some of the accomplishments under Ron's leadership were: Increased the image and visibility of the Chamber to its members and the community by moving into the historic Thomas Winery Plaza. Reorganized the community's 61-year-old Grape Harvest Festival to a true premier community event. Established a monthly President's Roundtable of nine Inland Valley Chambers, which discusses regional economic development and legislative issues. Encouraged the creation of a West End Community Calendar on the Chamber's Website, which enhances special event planning among the Chambers and service clubs. It offers the community and visitors a complete calendar of events 24 hours a day. Continued the Annual Spring Swing and Vintner's Dinner as pre-eminent events in the Inland Empire. Formed an effective Business Advocacy Group that tracks all legislation impacting the business community. This enhanced the Chamber's image as a true watchdog for the business community. He also wrote letters to various legislators urging either support or opposition to various legislation that would have an impact on the community. Increased ``Shop Rancho'' promotion activities encouraging the residents to ``Shop Rancho without leaving the home or office.'' Continued the popular one-on-one counseling and Small Business Workshops for businesses that provided various management and marketing tools for the 21st Century. Reached a three-year goal (set in 1999) of establishing a six-month operating reserve of $145,000 one year early. Attained a three-year goal (set in 1999) of reaching 1,000 members, for first time in eleven years, one year early. In summary, Mr. Speaker, Ron Stark has set the bar high for future leaders of the Chamber. We salute him for his outstanding work, and wish him well in his future endeavors.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, Congress needs to adopt a Medicare prescription drug benefit, rather than making false promises to American seniors. The Republican plan will not guarantee affordable prescription drug coverage for our seniors. The Republican plan takes its first step toward privatizing Medicare, forcing seniors to deal with private insurance companies. Those of us can remember what happened in California when they said that we would have plenty of energy. We deregulated, and yet we do not have the energy, yet the prices continued to go up. We do not want prices to go up for a lot of our seniors. More than one-third of the 35 million Medicare beneficiaries currently have no prescription drug insurance coverage. I did a study in my district that shows that seniors are being impoverished by drug prices. San Bernardino seniors pay an average of 90 percent more than seniors in Canada and Mexico. Individuals should not be sacrificing their fixed income for the sake of protecting themselves instead of spending it on leisure or other items. What they have to do now is budget themselves. It becomes very difficult, and yet they do not want to continue to suffer. I plan to have a press conference on prescription drugs on June 18 at the Rancho Cucamonga Senior Citizens Center from 8 a.m. to 12 noon to address these needs. I ask that we adopt affordable, voluntary, reliable Medicare prescription drug coverage for all seniors. It is our responsibility to protect them. It is America's responsibility to see that they can all afford medical coverage.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I wish to elaborate on my vote in favor of final passage of H.R. 1, The Leave No Child Behind Act (Roll #145) I strongly support the increased education funding this measure provides. Education is the number one priority for the American people, including under-served populations, such as Hispanics. We recognize that education is our path to the American dream. Unfortunately, Hispanic children remain among the most educationally disadvantaged of all public school students, suffering from high poverty, high dropout rates and language barriers. With significant increases in the number of Hispanic children attending our nation's schools, we must, as leaders of this great nation, remain committed to their unique educational needs. We cannot allow the final conference education bill to leave our nation's children behind. I would like to emphasize, though, that I remain deeply committed to bilingual and migrant education programs, and I was disappointed that the version of the bill brought to the House floor did not sufficiently address adequate funding for those programs. I urge the Conference Committee to safeguard these programs. Seventy-five percent of the 4.1 million Limited English Proficient (LEP) children are Hispanic and speak Spanish as their first language. These students face the daunting challenge of learning a new language (English) while also keeping up with academic subjects like math and science. I therefore strongly support increased bilingual education funding but without instructional time limits, parental notification and consent requirements. I furthermore strongly support increased funding for the Migrant Education Program. Roughly 800,000 Hispanic children in our schools are from migrant families. These migrant children move from farm to farm, place to place, constantly interrupting their education. The Migrant Education Program must have a national focus that transcends those geographical barriers that form the educational systems for most children. The final ESEA reauthorization coming out of conference is an excellent opportunity to address these unique educational needs of Hispanic school children. Hispanic children, migrant children, are our nation's children, our nation's future. We must live up to our commitment to ``Leave No Child Behind.''

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, It is with great sadness that I note the passing of Leamon King, of California. A lifelong educator in the Richgrove and Delano Elementary School Districts, Olympic Gold Medalist, World Record Holder in the 100 yard dash and Delano High School graduate, Leamon provided a positive role model for the local youth. He made significant contributions to the improvement of education opportunities for Latino Children in California. Leamon was born on February 13, 1936 in Tulare, California. His parents were Loyd King and Beatrice Wallace King. They owned a farm in Earlimart, and Leamon lived there the first year of his life. His father, Loyd King, sold their farm in 1937, and the King family moved to Delano, California where Leamon completed his elementary and secondary education. Leamon began his education at Ellington School and later transferred to Fremont School. His mother wanted him to learn music and to play the saxophone. The only elementary school in Delano with a band at that time was Cecil Avenue Elementary School, so he transferred to this school. While attending Cecil Avenue and learning music, Leamon began to excel in track as a sprinter, and was ultimately elected student body president. Upon graduation from Cecil Avenue, Leamon transferred to Delano High School. He attended and won his first state meet at the age of fifteen during his freshman year in high school. During the next four years, Leamon King continued to excel as both a student and as a runner. This outstanding athlete provided a positive image for Delano High School and the City of Delano, as well as being a positive role model for students to emulate. Following graduation from Delano High School in June 1954, Leamon began to pursue higher education at University of California, Berkeley. He was the first child in his family to pursue a college education. The April 10, 1956 Delano Record stated, ``DELANO SPRINTER READY FOR OLYMPICS. Sophomore Leamon King, Delano High School graduate, a young man with wings on his feet, is California's newest hope for ``World's Fastest Human'' honors, and the Bear sprint sensation will have ample opportunity to earn such acclaim this spring.'' The Delano Record dated May 15, 1956 stated the following: ``KING'S 9.3 DASH BRINGS ANOTHER RECORD TO CITY. Delano became the home of two world champions Saturday when Leamon King, local resident and former Delano High School track star, ran the 100 yards dash in 9.3 at the Fresno Relays to tie the world record. King's victory brought another world record to Delano, making it the home of one of the fastest sprinters and the residence of Lon Spurrier, holder of the world record for the 880. There is no other city in the United States the size of Delano, which can boast two world champions.'' Both Leamon King and Lon Spurrier were selected to participate in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. Delano became the only city of its size in the United States to have two representatives make the 1956 Olympic team. Because of the fame the City of Delano had received due to the athletic accomplishments of these two track stars, Leamon King and Lon Spurrier were the Grand Marshalls of the Eleventh Annual Harvest Holidays Parade on October 6, 1956. During the October 1956 United States Olympic camp practice meet at Ontario, California, Leamon King set his second world record vhen he tied the 10.1 time for the world record for 100 meters set by Ira Murchison and Willie Williams in Germany the previous summer. Following this splendid achievement, Leamon traveled to Australia to represent the City of Delano and the United States. Dr. Clifford Loader, Mayor of Delano, also traveled to Australia to give support to the two Delano Olympic participants. Delano High School Educator Gary Girard, who was serving as a staff writer for the Delano Record, stated in his article dated November 23, 1956, ``KING'S EFFORTS PULLED U.S. TO VICTORY IN 400-METER RELAY AT OLYMPIC GAMES. Dr. Clifford Loader, Mayor of Delano, believes that it was the running of ex-Delano High star Leamon King that pulled the United States to victory in the 400-meter relay at the Olympic Games in Australia. The U. S. had stiff competition from Russia. Loader said that after the relay, Thane Baker, another member of the U. S. relay team ran over to hug King, realizing that it was his leg on the relay team that had won the race. King received a gold medal for his effort on the winning U. S. 400-meter relay quartet.'' Following the Olympic Games, the foursome set a New World record. In a meet with the British Empire, the U. S. team of King, Andy Stanfield, Thane Baker and Bobby Morrow set a new world mark of 1:23.8 for the 880 yard relay. The old mark was 1:24. According to Leamon King, when he first arrived in Melbourne, he ran on grass and set a grass record. It appeared as though every time he ran, he would break a record. Bakersfield Californian Staff Writer Kevin Eubanks stated ``King's omission from the 100 meter team certainly didn't affect his moment in the spot light. The news that the world's fastest man was not competing in the 100 meter race was received as something of a shock by the rest of the sporting world.'' For his outstanding attributes as an athlete, Leamon King served as Grand Marshall for the Delano Cinco de Mayo Parade, was inducted into the University of California, Berkley Hall of fame, and the Bob Elias Hall of Fame in Bakersfield, California. During the past twenty-nine years, Leamon King served as an educator in the Delano area. Mr. King taught for two years in Richgrove prior to transferring to the Delano Union School District where he served as educator for the past twenty-seven years. Mr. King taught the sixth grade at both Terrace Elementary School and Almond Tree Middle School. During his tenure as an educator for the Delano Union School District, Mr. Leamon King proved to be an extraordinary educator and was highly respected. This educator served as an excellent example for his peers, as well as our youth. On his sixty-fifth birthday this year, during Black History Month, the Delano Union School District named in Leamon's honor the athletic facilities at Almond Tree Middle School, which include the school gym and outside athletic facilities, including a track and basketball courts. Leamon King will be missed by family, friends, colleagues, and the community. I offer my condolences to Leamon's family. And we say to Leamon, ``goodbye, we miss you, we know God will bless and watch over you.''

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, this June, we will be honoring Father Howard Lincoln, on the occasion of his leaving the Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, and also on the 10th anniversary of his ordination for the Diocese of San Bernardino. Father Lincoln was ordained a Catholic priest in 1991 for the Diocese of San Bernardino. He served as Associate Pastor for Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church, Riverside; Priest Moderator for Our Lady of Fatima and Saint Bernardine's Churches, San Bernardino; and as Pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Church, in Rialto for the past six years. He has been the Director of Communications and the Spokesman for Bishops Straling and Barnes for the past nine years and has served on numerous diocesan committees for the Diocese of San Bernardino. Father Lincoln is a friend, a mentor, a guide to my family, to his parish, and the community of Rialto. He is known throughout our area for his outstanding sermons and his work as a fine educator, counselor and community leader. I have been privileged to know Father Lincoln, and have found him to be a mentor, a scholar, and an inspiration. But Father Lincoln is also very down to earth, enjoying recreational pastimes. His golf game is so exceptionally good that he was appointed Official Golf Pro for the Vatican in 1997! A highlight for me was when we had a chance to play the Congressional Golf Course and Robert Trent Jones. In furthering the mission of his parish to build the community through worship, education and service, Father Lincoln has been a gifted spiritual leader, a man of vision, virtue, and wisdom. His sermons have inspired and uplifted, causing me to reflect on the words of the Scripture: Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 24-25 Many times, we seek guidance, so that we may know the right way in our personal lives, our careers, our public lives. This has been true for me as a husband, father, grandfather, and public official. Father Lincoln has always been there in times when I have sought spiritual guidance, so that I might know the power and the comfort of the Lord in making decisions that are fair, just, and right. I am very pleased to have known Father Lincoln over the years, and wish him every success in his new posting. I offer my best wishes, and ask for the blessing of God to mark this occasion.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, President Bush and Vice President Cheney have turned their backs on the people of California. What we need them to do is to step up to the plate and swing the bat. Millions are suffering because of their indifference, their protection of oil big businesses versus the people of California. We need to protect our consumers. Instead of making out-of-State generators play fair, they are letting them lead America. We are hemorrhaging. Our seniors should not have to choose between electricity and food. Our schools and factories should not have to suffer or close their doors. This is about children in San Bernardino crosswalks. This is about protecting jobs, having the lights turned on. This is about working families. This is about individuals who are suffering because President Bush has failed to take on the responsibilities. It was said earlier that it was Governor Gray Davis. No, deregulation was started by Pete Wilson who actually had the State of California deregulate. We are suffering because the Republican Party thought there would be enough energy. We do not have the energy. We need the President to step up to the plate. A tax cut will not make up for the skyrocketing bills. Let us put on a price cap.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Chairman, I stand in strong opposition to this voucher educational amendment. We have the responsibility to educate every one of our children. We have the responsibility to make sure that all of our children have access to education and not to deny children. This does not guarantee that a child will have access to private schools. What it will do, it will simply drain our resources from those schools most in need of help, while providing minimum benefits to students. It will raid the system, bleeding and hemorrhaging, when we should be funding education at the highest level. I say we have that responsibility to make sure that every child receive that education. We owe it to our children. This voucher system will not guarantee that. There are different standards that are being proposed. Standards that are being proposed to the public schools that are asking us to give a test; at the private schools, they will not be held. When we talk about accountability, there will be accountability in our public schools. When we talk about accountability in our private schools, there will not be accountability. When we say that the parents have accountability, parents have the same accountability to be involved in our public schools, to make sure that our public schools are the best schools in the systems. We have that responsibility. Mr. Chairman, I urge everyone to vote against the voucher system because we want to make sure that every child has access and ability to go to school and learn and be all they want, and it can only happen by providing assistance, helping our schools become a lot better. Let us help our public schools. Let us improve our public schools. Let us get involved with public schools. Let us make them the best. Let us make sure that everybody has the same quality of life to enjoy, to be all they want to be, and we can only do that by affording that every child has access to our schools.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an individual, a friend, and pay tribute to the late Richard Romero from the Inland Empire, a businessman, a philanthropist, a dreamer, a community leader. Richard was a pillar of the Inland Empire. From his humble beginning in New Mexico, Richard received great success in business and in life, but Richard's greatest satisfaction came from helping others. Recently I talked to his wife, and she said that one of the most important things about Richard was that he cared about people in the community. He felt that it was important for people to learn about reading, writing and arithmetic. Richard touched the lives of many individuals in the community by giving unselfishly. He rescued the University of Laverne from the brink of extinction; he turned it around and helped the University of Laverne in southern California. I know, because my son will be graduating from Laverne University on Saturday of this week, and I want to thank Richard for taking the leadership and helping the University of Laverne, a private institution. Mr. Speaker, Richard Romero reached out and touched the lives of many individuals in the Inland Empire, contributing to a variety of programs to support education of the disadvantaged. Many times he had events at his dealership. He continued to do that. The Romero dealership continues to provide scholarships for students. The Romero family is here, his son, R.J. Romero is here, and I am sure that they will continue the same tradition to improve the quality of life for all Americans.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I note the passing of Margaret Villagran (Sierra) Melendez, the mother of Ruby Ramirez on my staff. Margaret was born to Milton Villagran & Juanita Palacios on June 10, 1910 in El Paso, Texas. She was the 15th child of a family of 17. Her father was employed for Santa Fe until he died in 1917. Her mother was a housewife for the most part, and followed her husband wherever he was sent. She did the laundry for the work crews at the different sites that they were assigned to. Margaret came to California at the age of 10 with her sister who was 17. Her brothers were working at the Jurupa Quary in South Fontana and her sister came to work as a housekeeper for one of the owners of a winery in Guasti. They had to leave their mother behind until they had enough money to relocate them to California which was about two years later. She attended an elementary school named ``Wineville'' later changed to Guasti. Margaret dropped out of school at 14 and went to live with her brother, Albert Villagran in Orange, CA. She was bilingual and went to work for Woolworths as a sales girl. Later she worked at the Hunts Co. and Sunkist Packing House. She came back to Fontana when she was 18 and met her husband, Pete Sierra. They got married and moved to Colton in 1927. They bought a house at 965 Jefferson Lane and she lived there until she was hospitalized. Tragically, her first husband was killed in 1956 by a drunk driver. She was a widow for 19 years and then she remarried Frank Melendez in 1977. Frank and Margaret had dated before she married Pete. 32 years later, they met and got married. He died in 1999. Margaret was a loving caring mother to everyone. Everyone that came to her house was welcome and the first thing she did was feed them. She was active in the Heart Association and once a year took care of collecting funds for the Heart Foundation. She volunteered for the Cancer Association, VFW, PTA, and was a member of San Salvador Catholic Church. She liked to work in her garden and cook on her wooden stove whenever she had a chance. Her house was a regular soup kitchen. Her house was located between the Union Pacific and the Southern Pacific Railroads. Every person that got off the train came knocking on her door and they never went away hungry. Margaret never missed an election. She made sure that she had her absentee ballot. She was a good listener, helped wherever she was needed and never complained even with all the hardships she encountered throughout her life. Everyone called her ``Grandma Margaret.'' Margaret leaves behind five daughters, Tillie Rodriguez, Ruby Ramirez, Mary Ramirez, Lorraine Chavez, JoAnn Beckman; and five sons, Pete Sierra Jr., Charlie Sierra, Amador Sierra, Johnny Sierra, and Joe Madrigal; sixty-five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. I extend to the family my condolences and wish blessings to them in their time of mourning. We say, ``goodbye, we miss you, God bless.''

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I note the passing of Timothy Sechrist, formerly my Press Secretary and Senior Legislative Aide, who died of a heart attack in Los Angeles this past weekend (May 13, 2001). In addition to working on my staff, Tim also worked for Congressman Doug Applegate (OH 1984-94); and the Honorable Ron DeLugo (PR). He also served on the staffs of the Honorable Bart Stupak and the Honorable Marcy Kaptur and did some committee work. Tim was from the old school, a different era, when the institution of Congress was perhaps a little bit smaller, a little bit more collegial, a little more productive. I think he sought to capture that quality in all that he did. As a new Member, who was still learning how to get around the Capitol, I found Tim's guidance indispensable. He knew everything from how to advance briefings with the President at the White House and legislative meetings, to how to further a complicated parliamentary maneuver on the floor. Tim was a walking reference of the rules and procedures of the House, a mentor to staff, a tutor to Members. As a long-time staff member on the Hill, Tim lived and breathed this institution. To walk around the Capitol with Tim was to be steeped in the history and lore of the place. One could not help but feel a sense of reverence, and even a little intimidation at the shoes one must fill coming to this great institution. He could make history come alive by describing the origin of a bullet hole in the Senate Chambers, and the story behind the portraits on the walls. A gifted raconteur, Tim entertained us with legends about larger- than-life Members who have graced the Chambers and walked the Capitol grounds. Listening to Tim, one got the sense that this is the people's House, and it belongs to each of us who live in this wonderful country. We are temporary stewards with a mission that is almost sacred--the preservation of our democratic institutions. Tim was a wonderful writer, turning out copy that was to the point and incisive. As a staff member handling appropriations and selected legislation, he was indefatigable, demanding nothing less than working to his highest potential, and seeking to bring the institution and his colleagues to increasingly greater heights of achievement. Tim brought a confident and professional bearing to his work. And yet, lurking in all that seriousness was a man with a great sense of humor, who was not above playing a practical joke or laughing with his friends and colleagues at a particularly amusing story. It was wonderful to all of us to see that side of him, to counterbalance his seriousness and sense of purpose. It is from those happy times that we know Tim as a kind and humane man, one who was liked and loved by his friends and colleagues. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and a native of California, Tim loved government. He was a public servant in the humblest and best manner. He genuinely liked what he did, and you got the sense that there really was no other calling he would prefer. Even when Tim left the Hill, it was to work in a position advocating for transit for the disabled. He never tired of working for the betterment of society, forgoing many lucrative opportunities that would have embraced him had he chosen such a path. In summary, Mr. Speaker, Tim left the institution a better place for his having been here. Many Members and colleagues on Capitol Hill mourned his abrupt passing, and have recalled the friendship they enjoyed with him. He is survived by his wife, Connie Jillett, his father, and two brothers. There is nothing so fitting for--Tim, as a man who loved this institution dearly, that we salute him on the floor of the House of Representatives. He will be missed. And so we say, ``God Bless, we cherish your memory and your good works.''

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise in memory of Francisca Garmon, of my district, who passed away on Mother's Day, May 13, 2001. Francisca served as vice president of the local union, United Steelworkers of America Local 7600, which represents approximately 4,000 Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Employees in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. A woman of great faith, Francisca was known for her resilience and tenacity. A gifted communicator, she was asked by the union to serve as a spokeswoman because of her speaking abilities. A talented singer, she made a recording last year at the request of the Steelworkers International. Francisca is survived by her husband, James Garmon, a physician's assistant at Kaiser Permanente's San Bernardino Clinic. She is also survived by her mother Virginia; Children Johnny, Troy and Anna (Sey), who is a customer service representative at Kaiser's Corona Call Center; grandchildren Dana, Kaleb and Jacob; brother, Richard; sisters Evelyn, Jeannie and Rosie; and many other relatives. Francisca had worked for Kaiser Permanente for 18 years. Prior to becoming a grievance officer she served as an assistant grievance officer. In the year 2000, Fran became vice president of USWA Local 7600. She served as co-chair of the Legislative and Education Committee, was active in the Labor Management Partnership and was a political activist for State and Federal labor laws. Francisca's presence, along with her efforts and hard work, will be missed tremendously by all her Brothers and Sisters of Local 7600, and indeed, all in our community, but our comforting memories of her will live on. Francisca also served her country in the armed forces, in the Air Force from April 4, 1970, through September 11, 1970, being honorably discharged due to pregnancy; and also in the Army for two years, being honorably discharged on April 17, 1979. Francisca made a lasting difference in her community. Our hearts go out to her family and loved ones. With God's grace we know she will have peace.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, this week is the week of Cinco de Mayo, a time to celebrate the courage and bravery of Mexican Americans. Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, commemorates the defeat of the French Army, which outnumbered the Mexican Army in 1862. Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the foundation of this Nation was built by people from many nations and diverse cultures who are willing to fight and die for freedom. The celebration is a symbol of pride, tradition and cultural awareness, a day telling our Nation that we need to come together and learn to respect each other's cultures and traditions in order to understand one another. I have introduced House Concurrent Resolution 85, which calls for a Presidential proclamation recognizing the struggle of the Mexican American people. To raise awareness of Cinco de Mayo on Capitol Hill, I have invited the Inland Empire Mariachi Education Foundation of Southern California to perform at the U.S. Capitol. This organization is dedicated to inspiring young people to achieve leadership potential and teaching mariachi music to young people after school and instilling pride in their culture and tradition. My daughter, Jennifer Baca, is one of the performers; and I am very proud of her. They have traveled from Southern California, and they will be performing here. We will learn more about the cultures and traditions of the Mexicans on Cinco de Mayo as we all celebrate together.