Henry Cuellar

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment to the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009, which I believe is acceptable to the chairman, Chairman Miller. I surely want to thank Chairman Miller for the leadership that he has provided, and the ranking member, Mr. Kline, for the work that he has been doing in the committee. Madam Chair, at a time when our Nation's students need it the most, this legislation makes significant changes to student lending, one of the biggest changes that we have seen in years and years. While this bill makes tremendous investments in education, too many potential college students may be unaware of it. Unfortunately, today, there are many students, especially those who may be first in their families to apply to college or who may come from disadvantaged communities, who are ill-informed about Federal student loans. Many students aren't aware of the opportunities available to them or of the responsibilities that follow from taking out a loan. This lack of information will range from students deciding that college is too expensive to those who default on their loans after graduation. When you look at some of the States that have been impacted, this particular amendment will call on the Secretary to work with colleges and universities to educate students about the repayment of Federal direct loans, and this amendment will help cut excessive default rates that threaten the eligibility of some of the schools from participating in this student aid program. My home State of Texas has one of the highest student loan default rates in the country, and financial aid directors in my district have cited a lack of information and outreach as a primary cause. As we make college more accessible to all Americans, we need to make sure that students and their families have the information so they can make reasoned and informed decisions. This simple but important amendment will lead to increased student awareness, financial aid opportunities, help prevent student loan defaults and increase our country's production of talented graduates. I urge all my colleagues to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CUELLAR. I yield as much time as he may consume to Mr. Andrews of New Jersey.

Mr. CUELLAR. I yield back.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to publicly celebrate 30 years of service in law enforcement by Chief Richard A. Jamison. Richard Jamison joined the Converse Police Department on August 23, 1979. Within just 1 year, he was promoted to Corporal in Patrol. Through his hard work and dedication to the job of protecting the citizens of Converse, Mr. Jamison was promoted to Chief of Police on April 24, 1999. He has shown such a devotion to Converse that he does more than just act as Chief of Police; he also serves his community. Chief Jamison was voted citizen of the year by the Converse Lions Club 2003-2004, for his many service contributions to the community. He has also supported Project Graduation at Judson High School for 21 years, to protect our high school graduates from the dangers of drunk driving. He has been instrumental in fundraising efforts to support this program. Madam Speaker, it is a great honor to recognize 30 years of service from Chief Richard A. Jamison. I am proud to be here today to publicly honor this great citizen of the 28th district of Texas.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to share with you and celebrate the life of Eloisa Coronado from Zapata, Texas. Eloisa will be turning 100 years old this 31st of July, making her the oldest registered voter in Zapata County. Born in 1909, she lived in a time when you still had to ride in a mule wagon to go into town for groceries. At age 9, her father died of Tetanus, leaving Eloisa to drop out of the third grade to help her mother raise her 4 younger sisters. On January 1, 1926, she married Benito Martinez and eventually had 9 children. They ran a farm together raising cattle, planting corn and selling milk and eggs. Living to be 100 naturally comes with hardship. Mrs. Coronado has outlived 4 sons, her 4 sisters, a half brother, 1 grandson and 3 daughters-in-law. As one can imagine, such pain has been difficult. But Eloisa's faith as well as the joy of her family of 27 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 43 great-great-grandchildren has kept her spirits up. As a devoted believer, Eloisa has taught her family to have a strong faith, to be honest and to love one another. About her age and her life, she tells family members, ``These hands will reach out for the Lord's hands when He calls me Home.'' Madam Speaker, it is my honor to publicly celebrate the 100th birthday of Eloisa Coronado of Zapata Texas.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this bill, H.R. 2920. I rise because there are many Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck, dollar to dollar. As I traveled around my south Texas district from Laredo through the Rio Grande Valley, my constituents, like those around the country, are gathering around the kitchen tables to figure out how to make those hard financial decisions. They're making tough choices about which basic needs they can afford. Many live by a very simple principle. If you have $5, you spend $5. We should expect Congress to do the same. So, today, I stand in support of the statutory pay-as-you-go legislation because it will rein in national spending and help reduce our national debt during these very difficult times. If we return to the fiscal responsibility philosophy that we had in the 1990s when PAYGO spending created record budget surpluses, we would change our economy. Americans can't spend their money recklessly right now, and Congress shouldn't either. Our children deserve more, and the people in Texas and the Nation deserve better. Today's consideration of PAYGO is a golden opportunity to start getting this country's bank account out of the red. It's time to stop the borrow-and-spend mentality. It's time to return to pay-as-you-go, especially as we consider the health care reform bill. It's important that we spend taxpayers' dollars wisely. I've always been supportive of good government efforts to increase fiscal responsibility to make sure that we have an accountable and effective government. This is why the Blue Dogs have been supporting the performance-based budgeting bill to make sure that we have effective, accountable government. That increases government transparency and efficiency in spending. Americans and Texans are doing their share to be fiscally responsible. Now it's time for Congress to do our part, and this is why we need to pass pay-as-you-go.

Mr. CUELLAR. Sure. And again, thank you very much. I appreciate the comments of the gentleman from California, a good friend of mine. First, to answer this question, we have to look at history. When the PAYGO was implemented back in the 1990s, it expired in 2002. The majority at that time decided not to put it back again or reimplement it. We saw from history in early 2000 there was a surplus that we got. And I believe part of the reason was because we had a statutory pay-as- you-go provision. When this was let go, and it expired in 2002, you saw that the deficit--and again this deficit that you're talking about, and I'm concerned about it just like you are, but this deficit didn't occur on January 20 of this year. It is something that has been happening for the last 4 or 5 years. So if I can just finish my thought, what we need to do is, I know that we have some differences, but I hope we can get both the Democrats and Republicans and both sides of the aisle working together to come up with a way that we can go ahead and stop this deficit. Because as you very well know, if I can just finish this, look, this is what we have. We have over $11 trillion in debt that we have right now. Forty percent of that is owned by foreign countries. And again, the gentleman from California, if you had a business, imagine what would happen if one day you woke up and your neighbor, your friendly competitor, suddenly owned 40 percent of your mortgage. That would put us in a very difficult situation. And this is what we are facing in this country.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of the Arguindegui family, of AOC Holding Company. The family has truly worked towards and achieved the American dream. This American success story begins with Peter R. Arguindegui Sr., who founded Arguindegui Oil Company in August of 1942. His sons put education and service to our nation first, before later joining the family business. So, after serving in the military and graduating from Texas A&M, Peter Jr. and Carlos Arguindegui joined their father in the late 1950s. With the additional help, the company was transformed into a corporation which then focused on wholesale commercial fuels. Within 20 years grandsons Carlos Jr. and Alfonso Arguindegui joined the family business after graduating from college, bringing with them new ideas. AOC Holding Company, as it is now called, has expanded into convenience store marketing by converting a dozen existing stations into convenience stores under the ConocoPhillips and Valero brands. It also runs four bulk warehouse operations in South Texas. This company is on track to become the leader in retail and wholesale fuels in the South Texas area. An admirable quality of the Arguindegui family is they do not reserve success for themselves. They have engaged in philanthropy by staying involved with local charities such as the United Way, the Boys & Girls Club, and other organizations that are too numerous to mention. They have also provided scholarships to area students. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize a true American success story. I am pleased to have such a valued family in my district.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. I thank the chairman for yielding to me. Most of the claims from veterans of my district in south Texas are processed at the Houston VA Regional Office. A recent article in the Houston Chronicle, which I will submit for the Record, notes that nearly 18,000 veterans are waiting for their disability applications, and 26 percent of these claims have been pending over a year and a half. The number of claims on appeal from Houston are about 11,389, which is the highest in the country. I have written a letter to the Secretary of the VA that brings attention to this problem, which I would like to be submitted into the Record. Mr. Chairman, I ask for your help to address this very serious problem so we can provide service to our veterans.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of this bill and Chairman Price's manager's amendment, which includes an amendment that I coauthored with my friend, Mr. Martin Heinrich, to reduce government waste, abuse, and inefficiency. This simple amendment, commonsense amendment, ensures that no taxpayer dollars will be used to purchase first-class tickets for the employees of agencies funded by this bill, except in special circumstances, as allowed by law. Madam Chairman, it goes without saying that the Federal Government should never use taxpayer dollars for extravagant luxuries and excessive spending. To say that these are difficult economic times is an understatement. There has never been a more important moment for the Federal Government to demonstrate that it is a careful steward of taxpayers' dollars and that it would not engage in frivolous and wasteful excesses. Just as every American household has gathered around the kitchen table, finding ways to cut costs and reduce waste, the Federal Government has the responsibility to do the same. Fiscal responsibility should be a primary objective of every Member. And as a member of the fiscally responsible Blue Dog Coalition, I will continue to work with my colleagues to address the increasing national debt that we have. However, it is important that we tackle every cost-saving opportunity, large or small, to meet that goal. I am pleased that Chairman Price included this amendment in his manager's amendment. I would also like to thank my colleague from New Mexico, Mr. Heinrich, for working with me on this issue, and for his dedication on cost- saving issues. I don't see Mr. Heinrich here, so I would conclude my remarks.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First of all, I want to thank Chairman Mollohan for the leadership that he has provided on this particular bill, along with the ranking member on this particular bill. I rise today in support of my amendment to ensure long-term taxpayer savings. This amendment will make certain that no lightbulbs will be purchased using funds appropriated under this bill that do not meet the ENERGY STAR or the Federal Energy Management Standards. As you know, Mr. Chairman, this amendment would ensure that the Federal Government makes a long-term investment in lowering costs to taxpayers on inefficient technology. ENERGY STAR lightbulbs have been proven to use less electricity and last longer, saving taxpayers dollars on both counts. Americans know that regular lightbulbs waste almost 90 percent of the energy on generating heat instead of light. ENERGY STAR lightbulbs, which use compact fluorescent light, provide the same light as a standard bulb but use 75 percent less energy and last 8 to 12 times longer. I know this amendment was approved in past appropriations, and this House accepted this amendment included in the fiscal year 2008 Legislative Branch Appropriations. I want to thank Mr. Upton, Ms. Harman, and Mr. Inglis. Both Democrats and Republicans have supported this particular amendment. Mr. Chairman, at this time I yield to the chairman.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CUELLAR. If there is no opposition, I will stand with the chairman's recommendation. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Thank you, Mr. Lynch. I appreciate the leadership that you've shown not only on this bill but on the committee also. We thank you for the work that you've done. Mr. Bilbray, thank you also for the work that you've done; and thank you, again, for serving in a bipartisan way on the Oversight Committee. I rise in support of H.R. 2325 to name the post office at 1300 Matamoros Street in Laredo, Texas, as the Laredo Veterans Post Office. When you look at the history of Texas, the State of Texas, the city of Laredo, you will see that in that history, the veterans have played a very important role. The veterans of Laredo, Texas, have served in a very distinguished way in many of the wars we have had. Many of them have sacrificed in World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War and Korea, and in other conflicts we have had, up to the latest war we have. I think it is only appropriate that we name the post office, which is in front of a plaza where it is also recognized as a way that we have recognized the veterans. It is placed in an appropriate place. Madam Speaker, I would ask Members to please join me in support of H.R. 2325, where we name the post office at 1300 Matamoros Street after the brave men and women that we have in Laredo, to be named as the Laredo Veterans Post Office.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank first, of course, our chairman, Mr. Oberstar, for his leadership on this bill. My amendment will assess the effect of the FAA's radars and alternative technology development especially on wind farm development and when appropriate direct the administrator to develop a process for the relocation of those radars if a suitable alternative site is identified. This bipartisan amendment was bourn out of conversation with the FAA and the Transportation and Infrastructure's Aviation Subcommittee. I certainly want to thank the chairman also. Mr. Chairman, I want to be clear that nothing in this amendment shall be construed to constrain the issuing of a determination of no hazard to air navigation for wind construction projects while the study is underway. I have included clarifying language in my modified amendment, and I intend to work with Chairman Oberstar and the Senate in the conference to ensure that the legislative intent of this amendment stays there so we don't halt the issuance of permits for wind technology.

Mr. CUELLAR. I would like to yield 1 minute to Mr. McCaul.

Mr. CUELLAR. I just want to thank Mr. Oberstar and Mr. Costello for their time and Mr. McCaul, Mr. Ortiz, and Mr. Rodriguez, who also cosponsored this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I ask for unanimous consent to modify the amendment with the modification at the desk.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CUELLAR. Yes, sir.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I am proud to have this opportunity to celebrate the retirement of Mauro Luna from the U.S. Probation Service. His 22-year career in Laredo exhibits his native and lifelong dedication to the city and its people. It was at Mary Help of Christians School that Mr. Luna developed his high standard of morals and ethics that he later exhibited as an officer and supervisor. He brought this leadership to his job everyday, and positively impacted those he interacted with through the course of a day. Mauro Luna found education to be the cornerstone to any successful life and career, so after graduating from J.W. Nixon High School he went on to earn his degree from the University of Texas-Austin and his MBA from Laredo State University. During this time Mr. Luna married Maria Martinez and had two children, Marcos and Massiel Melinda. Madam Speaker, now after 11 years with the Juvenile Department and 22 years with the U.S. Probation Office I find great pleasure in wishing Mauro Luna a long deserved retirement so he may spend more time with his family and hunting.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this important amendment to help school districts hit by the economic downturn or by natural disasters so they can recover faster. To paraphrase the gentleman from California, Chairman Miller, school construction is the economic stimulus for struggling communities. It achieves two key objectives: creating jobs and laying out the educational foundation for future prosperity. As the chairman of the Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response Subcommittee of Homeland Security, I have seen firsthand how challenging it is to rebuild a school after a disaster, a problem that is only magnified in those difficult economic times. As communities pick up the pieces after a disaster, many students are left with damaged schools or no place to learn, leading them to fall farther and farther behind. We cannot erase the pain and suffering, but one of the things we can do with this particular amendment that we are all cosponsoring is that we provide American students a decent place to learn.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Carlos Mejia for his dedication to the Laredo community and the State of Texas. Mr. Mejia has given so much of his time and effort in order to make his community a better place. After graduating from Texas A&M in 1963, Mr. Mejia attended the University of Southern California where he earned his Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. In 1978, he became the City Engineer for the city of Laredo, Texas. He served this post until 1981 and has since then been instrumental in many of Laredo's major infrastructure projects. He was the civil engineer for the design of the main runway, parallel taxi ways, airplane parking apron, and all landslide improvements for the Laredo International Airport. He was also the lead civil engineer for the preparation of the Master Plan for Texas A&M International University. His constant dedication to his work and his community have led Mr. Mejia to be honored with the Community Partner of the Year Award for 2008 presented by Habitat for Humanity. Just this past year he was selected to the Laredo Junior Achievement Hall of Fame for 2009. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring a great resident of Laredo and a great American in Mr. Carlos Mejia. Through his hard work and tireless dedication Laredo has seen significant improvements over the years and for that we recognize you today Mr. Mejia.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the induction of Encarnacion ``Carny'' Guerra into the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. Carny Guerra has always been hard working, ambitious, a knowledgeable businessman, and it has shown through his work in Laredo, Texas. Carny Guerra's business know-how first emerged while attending a dance in Laredo, Texas. While waiting in line and watching a great number of people pay their entrance fee he got the idea that he should enter the ballroom business. Soon after he purchased a building and with the help of his five daughters Cynthia, Sylvia, Judith, Belinda, and Elaine the Casa Blanca Ballroom was born. As every new business encounters initial problems Carny had trouble booking bands and he decided that the best way to solve this would be to use local South Texas bands. As he found new bands he began to record their music and promote them to local radio stations. These local bands soon became celebrities in the area, thus selling out the Casa Blanca Ballroom performance after performance. Working with bands and radio stations on a daily basis Carny saw his next step to be the purchase of a radio station which furthered the popularity of both his ballroom and the bands. Now some years later Carny Guerra's business has flourished and become Guerra Communications, which now owns a Tejano, hip-hop, and country radio station. In Addition, Carny is credited with giving many of today's popular bands their start. Carny, after many years of hard work, is now enjoying his retirement and the company of his 5 daughters, 17 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Madam Speaker, I am proud to have had this opportunity to recognize the accomplishments and honor the inductee to the Laredo Business Hall of Fame Encarnacion ``Carny'' Guerra.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Norbert Dickman. As the General Manager of Fasken Business, Mr. Dickman has contributed so much to the Laredo community and the State of Texas. Norbert Dickman was born in 1943 in Chicago where he would grow up and attend Quigley Preparatory Seminary. He would later move to California to attend St. Joseph's College where he earned an AA Degree and then a B.A. Degree in Philosophy from St. Patrick's Seminary. After traveling and attending school in Europe, Mr. Dickman settled again in California where he would study law at Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. After practicing in Larkspur, California he dedicated his service to Mrs. Barbara Fasken and made numerous trips to the Laredo and Midland areas to help her with her oil and gas companies as well as her ranch. In 1988, Mr. Dickman moved to Midland and became the General Manager of Mrs. Fasken's business where he continues to serve today. He is a valued member of the community who dedicates numerous hours of his time to non-profit boards in the area including the Samaritan Counseling Center, the Executive Council of the Boy Scouts, UTPB Advisory Board, Permian Basin Area Foundation, Trinity School (where he was Board President from 1995 to 1997), and Casa de Amigos, where he was Board President for three years and is currently resident of the Endowment Board. As the General Manager of Fasken busines interests, Mr. Dickson currently oversees many oil, gas, aid ranching operations in Webb County. He and his business have made many contributions to the city of Laredo and the state of Texas. His foundations have donated nearly 600,000 to the area over the past few years and his business has helped to revitalize the community. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Mr. Norbert Dickman for his contributions and hard work over the years to the State of Texas.