Joe Baca

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on the budget rule. I am totally against the budget debate and the budget rule. I think it is wrong for America. We just heard the debate right now, and we talked about keeping the budget balanced. It is not just about keeping the budget balanced today. We are talking about a solvent budget, a budget that will be there for the future as well, protecting our children for today, investing in our future, protecting Social Security, taking down the debt, taking care of drug prescriptions, taking care of what we need to do. It is easy to get up here and talk about a balanced budget. Yes, we can talk about it today, but what is the impact it will have on the future? That is what is so important right now. It is being fiscally responsible, taking that budget and doing what needs to be done. We are not doing that. The Democrats have a budget proposal right now that deals with taking care of the American people, working families; taking care of investing in our future, protecting as well what we need to do, and that is to make sure that we have good education, quality education, scholarships that will be available. It is investing in the future. I ask my colleagues to vote against this rule.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the remarks made by the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons). I really think he touched base on a lot of things that are really very important to all of us. It is about safety and it is about protecting our communities. The gentleman talked about a fair process, a process that should have been done and a process that was not, and that process did not allow individuals to give input. This is a bad rule. This is a bad rule for America; this is a bad rule for our Nation. In a democracy we allow individuals to give input. We did not allow individuals to give input based on what is going to happen in our immediate area. I state this because this impacts my area in California. This is a route that goes directly through an area that is going to impact thousands and thousands of people without a specific plan that deals with safety, that deals with regards to what happens in the immediate area. I am appalled when I think in terms of what may happen if there was a catastrophe in that area where the freeway in that area, which is Freeway 10, there is a lot of trucking that moves in from one area to the other that goes into Las Vegas, if in fact there was a major accident in that area like there was about a month ago where 70 cars were derailed. There is no emergency plan that would deal with nuclear waste, radioactive waste in that area, if it were to spill. How would it affect the people in that area? How would it protect our children in that area? We recently had a hearing about a month ago in this area. The people of my district rejected this. I believe that we have the responsibility to make sure that we put amendments that have the safeguards, that we put amendments that take care of what needs to be done, that we look at alternatives as we decide. It is easy to come up here and state, this is nice, this is good that we should do this. But out of sight, out of mind, as long as it does not affect their districts. But it affects my district. And let me tell my colleagues, when you are talking about transferring through the routes of California into Nevada and the effects it could have on many of the individuals, our area is very well populated. California has 34, 35 million people and will continue to use these routes. We have got to look at other alternatives. It denies the people of my district a voice. I believe the people in my district should have a voice to voice their opinion. I urge everyone to vote no on this rule.

Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, first of all I want to recognize the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) for his efforts and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley) for fighting very hard on an important issue that is impacting not only their districts but the districts throughout the Nation. I commend them for their effort in bringing this awareness to a lot of us. All of us care about legislation. We care about good legislation. This is not good legislation. It should not be done just for the sake of creating legislation and having a nuclear waste dump in Yucca Mountain. It should be legislation that is positive, legislation that has taken in every safeguard. It should have allowed the input. It did not allow the input. We have many people that are going to be affected. This is a bad bill, especially for my district and Members from Southern California. This bill does not accurately address the serious issues of highly radioactive nuclear waste being shipped to Nevada. Currently it is estimated that transportation of spent fuel to Yucca Mountain will involve over 100,000 shipments by trucks and trains. Can we imagine 100,000 shipment of roads and highways and rails through at least 43 States over the next 30 years? Can we imagine if there was a derailment in the area? I know that in California not too long ago we had a derailment in that immediate area with an explosion that affected many individuals. We recently had some of the trucking industry that had a derailment in that area that had the trucks and traffic that was delayed for some period of time. Can we imagine how many people would be affected in that area without a safety plan, without an emergency plan? It is important that we also know that the Americans and individuals are informed as to what are the safety precautions if, in fact, something was to happen. Many individuals utilize our freeways and our highways. If, in fact, they could not get to work, what alternate plans or routes would be there? How would we be working with the communities in the area with the fire chiefs, with the police department, with the emergency response team, to notify them of this shipment? We need to begin to address this issue. It is important for all of us to make sure that we protect our children, we protect our communities but that we do have good legislation that impacts us not to have legislation for the sake of putting legislation before us.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with much sadness that I inform my colleagues of the passing of a great individual, a person who graced our world and our lives with so much love and compassion. Leocadia V. Valencia, the mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother passed away, on her Sabbath day, Saturday, February 19, 2000 in California. She was 98 years of age. Born in Matehualia, Mexico, wife of Felix G. Valencia, Pastor in the Church of God 7th Day. She was a long-time resident of Sacramento, California. Leocadia lived a very full and very fulfilling life, a life graced by her husband, who passed away four years ago (December 12, 1995), with whom she has been blessed by sixteen children: Survived by Carrol Cervantes, Sophia Rivas, Felix Valencia, Hope Brocklehurst, Matthew Valencia, Ruth Gomez, Mary McAuliffe, Paul Valencia, Lydia Hanzalik, Ruby Valencia, Rachel Sidhu, Sam Valencia. Survived by two sisters; Margarita Garnica, Micaela Perea. Extended mother to the following grandchildren: Yolanda Velasquez, Steve Valencia, Linda Macias, Terry Adame, Ernest Valencia and numerous grand children, great grand children, great-great grandchildren. These children and many grandchildren brought tremendous joy and inspiration into their lives. Leocadia was and remains so much a tremendous person in our thoughts and in our memories. We appreciate so much and will long remember the many good and positive things she brought into our lives, and most of all her faith and love for God. I join with Leocadia friends and family members in honoring such a truly remarkable and outstanding person, a mother, grandmother, a great-grandmother and great-great grandmother, to all of those who loved her so much. Leocadia gave so much to those she loved, and each of us is better and more fortunate for what she unselfishly gave to us and gave to our world, a world made so much brighter and more gentler by her life and her presence. Mr. Speaker, we are all gifted by the lives of mothers and grandmothers who do so much in guiding our lives and providing us comfort and proper direction. I join with all of those who loved Leocadia V. Valencia in extending our prayers, knowing that God's heaven is blessed and graced by one of his most beautiful and loving Angels. I ask God's peace and comfort on the family during this time of sorrow.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), for giving me the opportunity to speak on this important issue. I appreciate the leadership that she has taken on this issue, especially urging and demanding an accurate count on the 2000 Census. This is not about political wedges. This is about improving the quality of life. That is what this issue is about. It is not about political wedges. It is about improving the quality of life. This issue affects all Americans. This issue affects every man in America. This issue affects every woman in America. This issue affects every child in America. During the census of 1990, nearly 18,000 residents of my congressional district were not counted. I state 18,000 residents of my congressional district were not counted. The undercount resulted in a loss of Federal dollars and funds that would have benefited, nearly $50 million in revenue, that would have gone over the past 10 years. Because we failed to do an accurate count, we lost $50 million over the last 10 years. $50 million could have gone a long ways in providing much needed resources to my congressional district. $50 million would have brought the Inland Empire roads and infrastructure. $50 million could have brought the Inland Empire housing programs and projects and educational services, law enforcement for cities, parks and recreation, senior citizen services, youth centers, educational services. Overall, the State of California has lost out on more than 2.2 billion Federal dollars, and I state overall the State of California has lost out on more than 2.2 billion Federal dollars due to the 1990 census undercount. Last week, the lieutenant governor of California, Cruz Bustamante, warned that our State could lose $5 billion, and I state $5 billion, in Federal funding if the undercount this year is similar to the 1990 undercount. That is why I commend our colleague from New York for urging for an accurate count and demanding an accurate count, not only what it means to my State but what it means to many other States across the Nation. As Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante said, we will have less than we deserve, and I state we will have less than what we deserve. This is not just a matter of loss of Federal dollars. People are being overlooked. Millions of Americans are being overlooked. It is a shame that California will not get its fair share of dollars if we do not do an accurate count. That is why it is important that we do an accurate count, not only for California but for others. Ten years ago, millions of Americans were not included in the census count, a count that would have placed them equally alongside each and every other American. In 1990, 2.7 percent of people of California were not counted, 2.7 percent. 2.7 percent. That means one out of every 37 people in California were not counted. Yet our population continues to grow. We have 34 million people or more in the State of California. It would be a shame if California did not have an accurate count and it did not receive its fair share of dollars back into our State. The census undercount does not affect all Americans in the same way. Again, during the 1990 census, 7.6 percent of the black population was overlooked in that counting; I state, 7.6 percent. That means one out of every 13 black residents of California were not being counted. Also, during the 1990 Census, 4.9 percent of Hispanic residents of California were not counted. That is 4.9 percent. That means 4.9, roughly one out of every 20 Latinos in California were not being counted. Imagine what it is going to be like this year if we do not do an accurate count. It is a shame if we do not do that. It is a shame that the leadership on the other side does not want to do an accurate count. I am appalled that Governor Bush does not want to do an accurate count. I think it is important that we all do it in the State of California, that we do it in every State. I am truly appalled. 4.9 percent equals nearly 400,000 Latinos in California not counted the last 10 years. 400,000 is more than the population of Fresno, California; 400,000 is more than the population of Sacramento. It is more than the population of Oakland. 400,000 people not being counted is 400,000 too many. However, it is not just a matter of blacks and Latinos not being counted. Millions of children also were overlooked over the last 10 years. Nationwide, more than 2 million children were not counted 10 years ago. In California alone, 342,000 children were not counted in the 1990 Census. That is 342,000 children. Imagine the services that could have gone back to our schools, to our communities, to our State. This represents 4.2 percent of the children of California not being counted in 1990. This represents nearly one of every 24 children in California not being counted. I join my colleagues here on the floor this evening in urging all Americans to stand up and be counted this year. I join with those who have been undercounted in the past in stressing the importance of being counted during the year 2000 Census. All Americans should be counted this year. If we do not do an accurate count, the Federal dollars do not come in and the taxpayers will have to pay for the services that we want and deserve. I urge all of us to stand up and be counted. Whether we are white or whether we are American Indians, African Americans, Hispanic, Asian Americans, we should all stand up together and be counted. We are one Nation, a great Nation; and we are one people together unified and inclusive, and I state inclusive, and that is important that we are all included in this process and that every one of us is counted. Filling out the forms and mailing them back is important. As the Chair indicated that April 1, everyone has received it, we urge everyone to return those back and to participate in the process. It is the responsibility of a partnership between all of us. It is not just the legislature's responsibility. It is a partnership for the total community, for businesses, for schools, for churches, for our communities to come together and do what is necessary for our States. If we come together collectively, we will put our political wedges aside and we will do what is good for America. We will do what is good for our country. We will do what is good for our State. I thank my colleague for providing me the opportunity to speak on this important issue, and I yield the balance of my time back to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), who has done an outstanding job, who is a true fighter and a true leader leading us in this important issue that is affecting all Americans.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in behalf of the working families. I am speaking about the $1 increase in the minimum wage over the next 2 years, and I oppose the passage of the tax scheme provision, the Republican tax bill, H.R. 3081, that benefits the wealthy. We are talking about a cost over 10 years of $122 billion. That is not being fiscally responsible. We are talking about the need to be fiscally responsible, and we have that responsibility. We have the responsibility to do the death tax reduction. This bill is not dealing with the death tax reduction. We have the responsibility to working families, families right now that need an increase. There are many individuals that are struggling right now. I myself come from a poor family and know what it is like to struggle, when one is just making minimum wage. Many of our students that are up in the gallery and others are saying look, we need an increase right now. We want to make sure that we can afford to put food on the table. We want to enjoy the same things that other individuals enjoy. We want to enjoy the quality of life. We want to make sure that we do not have to struggle like many others. We are very fortunate in our country that we have the ability for those of us who earn the money, but for those individuals that are poor and disadvantaged, we need to help them. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of working families across America. I am speaking about a one-dollar increase in minimum wage over the next two years and opposing the passage of the tax provisions of the Republican tax bill, H.R. 3081. The minimum wage proposal would benefit millions of families and allow them some comfort and economic dignity. 40% of minimum wage workers are the sole breadwinners in their families. It is our responsibility to allow everyone--everyone--a chance at the American Dream and opportunity to bridge together and help improve the quality of life for all Americans. The working people of America--the ones who built this country-- deserve the opportunity to provide for themselves and their family. You can't raise a family on $5.15 an hour. You can't house a family on $5.15 an hour. And you certainly can't put a decent roof over their heads for $5.15 an hour. Parents who are forced to work two jobs are unable to spend much time with their children. That is wrong. Democrats have been pushing for an increase since January of 1998 and it has taken the Republican leadership too long to respond. How can they give themselves a $4,600 pay raise last year and then deny Labor a $1 pay raise over two years? Republicans have used up all their excuses. Now is the time to give these Americans a raise. This issue is not about politics but about women . . . about children . . . and most importantly . . . about fairness. Why should we vote for open markets in China and then deny the American worker his overdue benefits? Why should we vote for a tax bill that will benefit only the wealthy and do nothing for the working class? These votes are simple . . . yes to minimum wage and no to the tax. I say we pass the minimum wage bill and change the slanted tax bill . . . and give laboring Americans the dignity to live. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of working families across America. I am speaking in behalf of a $1.00 increase of the minimum wage over the next 2 years and opposing the passage of tax provisions of the Republicans' H.R. 3081. The minimum wage proposal would benefit 11.8 million families and allow some comfort and economic dignity. Forty percent of minimum-wage working families are the sole bread winners in their families. Raising the minimum wage would not cost additional jobs. It is our responsibility to allow everyone, I state everyone, a chance in America to have that dream, that opportunity, to enjoy life, an opportunity of quality of life by earning wages that are so important to a lot of us. Raising the minimum wage, increasing it from $5.15 an hour, is our responsibility. We have the responsibility to assure that people can afford a decent living. We have individuals who cannot afford to pay for food to put on the table. We have the responsibility to make sure that America enjoys life a lot better. Let us increase the minimum wage.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with much sadness that I inform my colleagues of the passing of a great individual, a person who graced our world and our lives with so much love and compassion. Domitilia Dominguez, the grandmother, and godmother, of my dear wife, Barbara, passed away yesterday, on Valentine's Day, at Victorville Hospital in California. She was a long-time resident of Barstow, CA. Domitilia lived a very full and a very fulfilling life, a life graced by her husband, who passed away 20 years ago, with whom she was blessed by eight children: Ted, Flora, Margaret, Frank, Albert, Fabiola, Liz, and Larry. These children and many grandchildren brought tremendous joy and inspiration into their lives. Domitilia Dominguez was and remains so much a tremendous person in our thoughts and in our memories. I appreciate so much and will long remember the many good and positive things she brought into my life and into the life of my wife, Barbara Dominguez Baca, our children, Joe, Jr., Jeremy, Nataline, and Jenifer, and our grandchildren, Katie Baca and Anthony Baca Ramos. I join with Domitila's friends and family members in honoring such a truly remarkable and outstanding person, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and great-great- grandmother, to all those who loved her so much. Domitilia gave so much to those she loved, and each of us is better and more fortunate for what she unselfishly gave to us and gave to our world, a world made so much brighter and more gentler by her life and her presence. Mr. Speaker, we are all gifted by the lives of mothers and grandmothers who do so much in guiding our lives and providing us comfort and proper direction. I join with all those who loved Domitilia Dominguez, in extending our prayers, knowing that God's heaven is blessed and graced by one of his most beautiful and loved angels.

Mr. BACA

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I ask permission to address the House for 1 minute. I wanted to make sure that I followed the rules and procedures that are here. Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) lowering this podium. I used to be 6 foot 5 as a paratrooper, but I made a lot of jumps; that is why I am only 5 foot 6. It is really an honor to be here. I would like to thank the leadership for their support, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), all of the Members, the DCCC individuals who are very helpful. I want to thank God because God gave me the courage to run and to serve. Too many times we forget that it is the strength that we have, and God provided that strength to give us that courage. So I want to thank God. I want to thank my family. I wish my mom and dad were here to see this. They are both deceased, but I know it is a proud moment in their lives. I know that somewhere up above they are seeing this even though they cannot be here right now. But I know very well that they are proud of their son, because I am one of 15. I am the 15th child. Like a lot of us, I come from a poor family, an individual, the only one that graduated from high school and college. My other brothers and sisters graduated, but I was able to pursue that. I know that they are very proud. I wish my wife were here right now. She is watching this right now. She is Barbara Dominguez Baca, with whom I will be celebrating 31 years of marriage next week. On November 23, it will be our anniversary, so it will be 31 years of marriage to one wife, not two wives or three wives, but one wife. I would like to also thank my children, because my children were supporters. I believe in strong family values, because family values are the core of what makes America great. It is what makes our country. I would like to thank my family, because they have been very supportive. I would like to thank Joe, Jr. That is my first son. He is now 30. Then Jeremy Baca; that is my second son. Then my daughter, first daughter, and that is Natalie. Then, of course, my daughter that is 13 years of age. She is the reason my wife cannot be here because we believe it is important to have our children in school and to obtain that, and we did not want to take her out of school during that time. It was important for her to be there. My wife realizes that, because she is also a great student, a 4.0 student, doing well in school, so we want to make sure she continues to receive those grades. Of course, Mom is always there to help her. So I love my family very much. I want to thank them. But I also want to thank the voters, the voters of my district who made it possible for me to be here. Without the voters' support, I would not be here today. I look forward to working in this House. It is going to be an honor for me to work on a bipartisan basis. I look forward to working with my colleague directly associated with me, and that is the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis). I look forward to working with him on issues that are important to all of us, the issues that are important to the State of California, because all of us care about the economy. All of us care about education, public safety, protecting Social Security, Medicare, drug prescriptions, areas that are important to a lot of us, health reform. But most of all, we want to make sure that, as I look at the 52 Members of California, that we work together on a bipartisan basis to make California, like everybody else wants to make their State, a lot better. But I also look forward to working with the 52 delegates from California in assuring that we get our fair share of revenue coming back to California. No offense to the rest of the Members. But I believe, in reference to California, it is pretty big in population. We have over 34 million people in California. But it is important that we address those issues. I want to work with them and also work with you on a bipartisan basis on other issues that are important with us as well that impact all of us. What we all want is to improve the quality of life. We cannot do it by ourselves. We have to come together collectively. It has to come from a compromise, individuals willing to come together and do what is necessary to make our State and our Nation a lot better. It is not going to happen if we have political wedges that divide us. There are times that we have to come together to address those areas. We need to address those areas. I want to thank you. I want to thank my family. I want to thank the leadership. I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) very much for coming and getting all of the colleagues, the whips, you know, that raised all of the funds that were necessary. I look forward to additional help from the other side in giving me additional monies. So it is very important for your support as well as we begin to work on a bipartisan effort. Again, I thank the Speaker and my colleagues very much.