Susan Davis

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in support of the principle of open conference committee meetings that are bipartisan as well as bicameral, as required in H.R. 1904. It is past time that this body return to the basic principles of democracy in its own practices. Yesterday, I had the privilege of leading the entire bipartisan House delegation from California and many members from other states in honoring those firefighters and other public servants who worked so heroically to fight the devastating wildfires which we have just experienced in Southern California. That was the time to focus solely on the celebration of human courage and sacrifice. Today, it is time to come together to find the best possible legislation that will finally focus on how to protect our urban environments from wildfires--whether they are frequent seasonal fires or the massive, historically destructive fire we suffered last week. First, it is important for everyone to be clear that the Cedar fire in San Diego County was initially and primarily fueled by the chaparral which covers the mesas and foothills of Southern California. Later, it also moved into our national forest lands, where many of the trees had been affected by the beetle infestation. As I toured the Cedar Fire area in San Diego by helicopter, it was stunning to realize the speed with which the firestorm driven by the Santa Ana winds overtook hundreds of thousands of acres of our open lands, much of which are public not private lands. This fire was not about environmental laws preventing logging that would have prevented this fire. It was not about lack of roads that hindered fighting the fires. It was about the failure to prevent the build-up of fuel by using authorized funding for removal of hazardous material which is adjacent to urban areas and the failure of the federal government to supply funds to deal with the pest infestations in these forests, as the Governor requested last spring and FEMA declined to do. While it may or may not be possible to find the best legislation and also meet the deadline included in this bill, there are several basic principles that must be in the final conference bill. Many of them are found in the bill just passed by the Senate. First, we must prioritize the protection for urban areas. Second, there must be significant money authorized for this purpose. While there may be authorization in other bills for ``such sums'' as may be necessary to address hazardous fuel reduction, we in Congress have inadequately appropriated these funds because they are not specified. Instead, the funds which have been allocated for treatment and prevention have been required to fight the fires that result from inadequate protection. Real funding must be clearly identified and available to begin the needed protection. It must not be based solely on the sale of logged trees because so much of our land needing fuel reduction is covered with chaparral, which has no logging value. We must also be sure that this legislation will continue to protect old growth timber. I believe that the members of the committees going to conference can and will be able to fashion a conference report that can be a model for returning this Congress to open, bipartisan, bicameral conferences that reach appropriate, compromise legislation. I look forward to this result.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, throughout our history, the freedom we enjoy has faced serious threats time and time again. But because our courageous military personnel were willing to go into battle and risk all they had, our independence and our liberties have remained strongly intact for over 200 years. It is crucial that we take time to pay tribute to those responsible for our freedoms and I am proud to stand on the House floor today--as Veterans Day draws close--to recognize America's 25 million living veterans and their fallen brothers and sisters. In Congress, I am honored to serve over 61,000 military veterans from California's 53rd Congressional District. It is truly a privilege to represent so many of America's greatest heroes and to spend so much time working on their behalf. As I meet with my veterans, I am always amazed with their stories and to learn about their heroics on the battlefield. Just last month, I heard from a constituent, who as a young man, enlisted in the Army in 1941 and was immediately sent to the South Pacific to fight the Japanese in World War II. His name is Chief Warrant Officer Michael Campbell, and now 86 years old, he lives in San Diego with his wife, Priscilla. Mr. Campbell's experiences illustrate what millions of our veterans had to endure when they were sent to war. The Army deployed him to a region where the fighting was extremely intense and the Japanese inflicted severe casualties on our soldiers and took many as prisoners. Warrant Officer Campbell fought courageously as both a rifleman and a machine gunner in the Philippines, but in 1942, his unit was captured and he too was taken as a Prisoner of War. This brave young soldier spent the next three years in the harshest conditions you can imagine. He was transferred to several different internment camps and was forced to perform slave labor in a steel mill building supplies for the Japanese Army along side hundreds of other allied soldiers. By the time the war had come to an end and he was liberated, Warrant Officer Campbell felt lucky to have his life. Hundreds of his brothers who were taken prisoner starved to death or died from other causes. It took several weeks of medical care in a San Francisco military hospital before Mr. Campbell could recover from what he had experienced. However--despite what he had endured--this courageous young man quickly reenlisted in the Army and dedicated another 30 years to his Nation. He said he did this because he loved the military and loved serving his country. It is this kind of amazing resolve that has defeated our enemies and has kept the United States strong. I am pleased for the opportunity to thank Warrant Officer Campbell and his fellow veterans for dedicating their lives to protect our freedoms and our liberties. Now that we are about to observe another Veterans Day, I ask my colleagues to seriously consider what we owe to them. Are we repaying the debt? Mr./Madam Speaker, I strongly believe we could improve our treatment of our greatest heroes. Just recently, we have had the opportunity to increase funding for Veterans' Affairs health care. Unfortunately, though veterans nationwide expressed their strong support, we failed to provide VA health care with the increase it needs. We all know in this body that the health care system veterans rely upon will go under funded in 2004 because we did not act properly. We currently have another opportunity before us, Mr./Madam Speaker, to end what has come to be known as the Disabled Veterans Tax. I remain hopeful that during the 108th Congress, we can pass strong concurrent receipt legislation and provide the veterans who have made the most unimaginable sacrifices with both the disability and retirement payments they earned and deserve. I am afraid that any proposal that provides concurrent payments to only a small portion of veterans is not good enough. I ask my colleagues to speak directly to their veterans about this issue and let them decide what kind of legislation will be fair for their brothers and sisters. Finally, Mr./Madam Speaker, I would just like to take a moment to reiterate my dedication to our Nation's retired military personnel. We can never take for granted the sacrifices our brave men and women in uniform have made on our behalf.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, with the support of my colleagues, Representative Jim Greenwood, Representative Greg Walden, Representative Henry Waxman and Representative Sweeney, I rise today to introduce a resolution calling on Health and Human Services Secretary Thompson to remove dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids from the marketplace. Medical literature indicates that there is a connection between ephedra use and heart attacks, strokes, seizures and death. The American Medical Association has long held that the risks associated with ephedra far outweigh any possible benefits and that the weight of the available clinical evidence supports the removal of dietary supplement products containing ephedra from the market. In addition, the FDA has received at least 16,500 reports regarding adverse experiences associated with ephedra use and 155 deaths have been conclusively linked to ephedra. But, after you wade through the reports and understand the statistics, what it comes down to is that individuals are being hurt by what they don't know. Consumers don't know that dietary supplements on store shelves have not been tested for safety. They don't know that the ephedrine/caffeine combination that Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler used last spring was taken off of the shelves by the FDA as an over the counter drug, but it continues to be available as a dietary supplement. I have heard from doctors whose busy days are made more difficult by patients taking dietary supplements. One doctor in San Diego wrote: Ephedra reports have been going on for years. I think it is the responsibility of the FDA to do something about this since the public cannot respond to new information regarding serious side effects reported in medical journals. My patients ask me why these products are on the market and why they are not regulated by the FDA? Why are these products on the market? Many people would like to know the answer to this question. With the support of my congressional colleagues, I hope we can soon resolve this issue. I would like to tell you about another person. ``Margaret,'' as I will call her to preserve her privacy, is a 24-year-old woman in California who walks with the assistance of a cane. Two years ago, she suffered a serious stroke that left her on life support and without much hope of survival. But Margaret overcame the odds. Her long road to recovery included surgeries and countless physical therapy sessions, helping her progress from a wheelchair to a cane. How could someone as young as Margaret suffer such a life-threatening event? According to her doctor, a reaction between her prescribed medication and some over-the-counter diet pills containing ephedra caused her stroke. I hope the FDA will use its present authority to safeguard our loved ones from the risks of unregulated and untested dietary supplements. Our families depend on it.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for managing House Resolution 425, and I also want to thank and let the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), my colleague from San Diego, know how much I honor working with him on this, as well, as we honor brave firefighters with this resolution. We all sympathize with our colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), for he was one of the victims of this devastating fire. He exemplifies the thousands of families whose homes were leveled. He celebrates the resilience of families whom we heard over and over again say, We will rebuild. I am proud to welcome every member of the California congressional delegation as cosponsors of this bill, as well as Members from around the country, including those States which sent firefighters to help. As I had an opportunity to visit the burned-out communities, streets, and neighborhoods of San Diego City and County, I was struck by the velocity of this fire storm. In the community of Scripps Ranch, the eucalyptus trees did not burn. The fire moved so quickly that the trees did not ignite, yet almost every home on several streets on the ground turned to ash. As I toured in a helicopter, I was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the 280,000 acres in San Diego that burned and the capriciousness of the fire that leveled 2,232 residences while, in some places, neighboring houses remained standing. Yet, the mission of the firefighters was clear: saving lives first and then property. That is what they did; that is what they always do. They were joined by law enforcement, who handled the evacuation of tens of thousands of families. This bill is just a small way to say thank you, thank you to people whose bravery, whose courage and perseverance went so far beyond the ordinary. Many of my colleagues have read the individual events and acts of heroism. I know I join with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) in honoring the firefighter from her district, Steven Rucker, who volunteered to go to San Diego along with thousands of firefighters from throughout the State and the country and gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life. We remember also his colleagues who remain seriously burned from the fire that swiftly overran their position. In addition, we have read of numerous, just numerous unnamed firefighters who performed way beyond their own safety. Responding to a 911 call, firefighters, choking from the smoke, entered a home to find an elderly woman. When they pulled her to safety, she told them that her husband was still inside the house. It took three attempts to enter the burning home to find him. He was trying to move in his walker toward safety. And then they brought him out and worked to get the couple air-lifted to a hospital. We learned of firefighters overcome with frustration and sadness in the early-morning darkness when the fast-moving blazes prevented them from reaching secluded homes to warn the residents and to try to help them escape. Four of the residents of one community died. There were 22 fire-related deaths in Southern California, and we join in expressing our condolences to their families for their losses. The stories, I say to my colleagues, are legion, and all San Diegans hold great appreciation for the dedication of the Julian firefighters who, with so much determination, saved the historic mining town that is home to all of our fantasies of the world's best apple pies. So dedicated were they that many of them lost their own homes on the neighboring hillsides while protecting the village. I talked to a firefighter who saved many homes, only to learn that his own home was taken by the firestorm. The simultaneous fires throughout Southern California put extreme stress, not only on the resources that we are all committed to share in mutual response, but in overwhelming all of those resources. The coordination of so many agencies and equipment was indeed a critical, critical effort. We thank, in particular, the firefighters from Northern California, the central valley, and neighboring States. I saw fire trucks lined up not only from Novato and Milpitas, but also from Fresno and Sacramento, from Arizona and Nevada, all different colors of firefighting equipment. It was impressive, and we knew of their efforts. We are proud of our servicemen and women who are at the ready to offer their support and to supply backup resources to meet this implacable foe. There is another whole story of neighbors helping neighbors, strangers helping the tens of thousands of evacuees, and the dominant spirit of victims who have committed their will to rebuild. There will be many, many days to contemplate the lessons from this tragedy and many will be focusing on lessons learned. San Diego has learned much about the preparation, coordination, and effort needed to be prepared to respond to seasonal fires, as well as homeland security threats. We will have much to offer, I believe, our country in that search for answers. But today, we have one very simple message: from the bottom of our hearts, we thank each and every one of you, the firefighters.

Mrs. SUSAN DAVIS of California

Mrs. SUSAN DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1720, legislation to provide funding for a project crucial to the veterans' community in the San Diego region. The Veterans' Affairs Medical Center in La Jolla, California serves one of the largest veterans communities in the nation. Nearly 240,000 retired military personnel in the San Diego area receive treatment from at the La Jolla hospital and nearby VA medical facilities. I can't stress enough how important it is to ensure these facilities can provide veterans with the treatment they need even at times of disaster. Just this week, the dedicated medical staff at area VA medical facilities worked hard to care for our veterans--despite the poor air quality and other dangers caused by the horrible wildfires burning in Southern California. It is crucial that they have the resources to continue their important work during such difficult times. H.R. 1720 will help the VA prepare in case another type of disaster strikes. This legislation provides 50 million dollars to make necessary seismic corrections to the La Jolla VA medical center. Mr. Speaker, this project will help ensure that both our veterans and the medical staff will be safe if a large earthquake strikes. And it will ensure that the hospital can continue treating our veterans in the aftermath. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation on behalf of our veterans' community and dedicated VA medical personnel in San Diego.

Ms. DAVIS of California

Ms. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, with the support of my colleagues, Representative Henry Waxman and Representative John Dingell, I rise today to introduce the Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act of 2003. This legislation presents a balanced, reasonable approach to improving the safety of dietary supplements while maintaining market access for responsible supplement manufacturers. Hallie Bechler looks almost exactly like her father. She was born in late April, almost two months after her father, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler, collapsed from a heatstroke during spring training. A county medical examiner linked his death to the use of a dietary supplement containing ephedra. Steve Bechler was 23 years old. Like any person interested in losing weight, Steve Bechler may have been lured by the dietary supplement's claims of ``rapid and extremely dramatic results.'' In fact, for an athlete like Steve Bechler, playing baseball in the Florida heat, ephedra did not cause rapid and extremely dramatic weight loss, but rather contributed to a rapid and extreme heatstroke, which killed him. Dietary supplement use is not limited to adults. Teenagers are certainly vulnerable to pressures regarding weight and athletic expectations. Teenage athletes are especially vulnerable to these pressures. Last year, Illinois high school student Sean Riggins took an ephedra product to improve his football performance. He had a heart attack and passed away at age 16. The ephedra crisis has raised public awareness about dietary supplements and the absence of accurate information concerning risks and benefits. Much of the confusion surrounding dietary supplements can be attributed to the changes made in 1994 by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). Cited as the greatest removal of FDA jurisdiction in the history of the agency, DSHEA has greatly curtailed its authority. Simply put, this legislation deregulated the supplement industry. Consequently, there has been an explosion of herbal remedies. Moreover, natural, yet risky, stimulants have also entered the market. The FDA, however, is prohibited from screening out any of these potentially dangerous dietary supplements. What if ephedra is only the tip of the dietary supplement iceberg? Former FDA director David Kessler wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine, ``Congress has put the FDA in the position of being able to act only after the fact and after substantial harm has already occurred.'' This is because DSHEA shifted the burden of proof from dietary supplement manufacturers to the FDA. Consumers have no way of learning about reported side effects and the FDA does not possess the authority to require such reports. As a result, American consumers have been unwitting victims of a multibillion-dollar industry! Today with my colleagues, Representative Henry Waxman and Representative John Dingell, I am proud to introduce the Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act. This bill will address the gaps created by DSHEA through greater information exchange and accountability. Our legislation contains commonsense provisions requiring dietary supplement manufacturers to provide the FDA with a list of their products and reports of all serious adverse events. These actions will alert the FDA to problematic dietary supplements and will give the FDA access to information it needs to take action more swiftly. If the FDA determines that a specific supplement may have serious health consequences, it can require the manufacturer to do a postmarket surveillance study to ensure that the product is safe. The ephedra tragedies have shown us that proving a dietary supplement to be unsafe requires a Herculean effort and mountain of evidence. Sadly, the evidence is often a growing body count. Our legislation engages manufacturers in determining the safety of dietary supplements. By providing their studies and other related data, manufacturers and the FDA would come together to make a comprehensive and accurate decision for American consumers. Our legislation gives the FDA the authority to prohibit sales to minors of dietary supplements that may pose significant risk. Many young athletes emulate the practices of their professional sport heroes. Their developing bodies are especially susceptible to the effect of stimulants and steroid-like products such as ``andro.'' Numerous supplement products have emerged in the market in the last ten years. They range from vitamins and minerals to herbals and hormones. This boom has created an uncertain situation as to the quality and safety of dietary supplements. According to Bruce Silverglade from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, ``the challenge for most consumers is to determine which supplements are beneficial and which are nothing more than 21st-century snake oil--or even dangerous.'' That is why this legislation includes authorization of funds for physician and consumer education programs regarding adverse reactions. Certainly, some dietary supplements offer benefits. Folic acid intake by women, for example, has been shown to reduce birth defects in unborn children. We are all familiar with the benefits of taking vitamin C and monitoring adequate calcium intake. Despite claims to the contrary, the Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act will not take away vitamins and minerals from consumers. In fact, my colleagues and I included language to specifically exempt them from this legislation. The FDA has its hands tied behind its back. Limited funding and manpower has made the FDA's efforts to protect the public scattershot. The measures and education programs in this legislation will enable the FDA to gather solid data about the dangers some dietary supplements pose. With this information in hand, the FDA can make sensible, informed decisions and policies about dietary supplements. Consumers can have greater assurance than they currently have about the safety of the products on the market. We cannot continue to stand on the sidelines and let this insidious public health threat go unchecked. The health and well being of our young people and loved ones are at risk. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of California

Mr. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I am very honored to join with my colleagues today, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline), and particularly the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) for his dedication in this area. I am pleased to join with my colleagues in expressing deep gratitude for the valor and commitment of the members of the Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia in 1993. I think that we need to be reminded, all of us, of the lessons learned from Operation Restore Hope, and keep that in our hearts and in our minds as we move forward in this Congress.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution introduced by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes). The resolution before us expresses our Nation's gratitude to those who served in the Armed Forces and were deployed in Operation Restore Hope to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia in 1993. What began as a humanitarian relief operation in December 1992 to distribute food supplies and prevent the starvation of thousands in Somalia, turned into one of the most intense and bloody battles for U.S. troops since the Vietnam War. On October 3, 1993, Task Force Ranger, comprised of Army Special Forces, Navy SEALS, Army special operations helicopter forces and Air Force Special Tactics personnel, headed out that fateful morning to search and capture the Somali warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid. As the conflict began to escalate, the soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division provided additional quick reaction combat support for the 17- hour battle of Mogadishu. That evening, Americans would watch the news in shock and horror as the bodies of American soldiers were dragged through the streets of Mogadishu that tragic day. Over 100 of our Nation's brave combatants were wounded. Eighteen warriors made the ultimate sacrifice, and two of those who died showed uncommon valor and courage and were awarded our Nation's highest honor, the Medal of Honor, and one became a prisoner of war. Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart were both posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions above and beyond the call of duty. Master Sergeant Gordon and Sergeant First Class Shughart volunteered to secure a helicopter crash site and protect its critically wounded crew, despite the intense gunfire and growing number of enemy personnel closing in. They embodied the bold courage and self-sacrifice of America's soldiers, and, ultimately, willingly gave their lives to protect their comrades in arms. Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant survived the helicopter crash and was pulled from the wreckage by Master Sergeant Gordon and Sergeant First Class Shughart. Chief Warrant Officer Durant was the only one to survive, and was captured by enemy forces. He was held nearly 2 weeks as a prisoner of war before being released. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the battle of Mogadishu and Operation Restore Hope. I am very pleased to join with my colleagues from New York and North Carolina in recognizing the brave and courageous actions of the Special Forces and the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division and members of the Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those who lost a loved one or were wounded in the battle of Mogadishu. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in expressing our appreciation to all those who volunteer to defend our Nation's freedom and to remember the sacrifices of all those who serve. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to correct an inequity facing America's disabled veterans. Many brave men and women, who sustained permanent injuries while defending our nation and the liberties we cherish, must spend extended periods in hospitals because of their service-connected disabilities. When they do require extended hospital stays, disabled veterans must take time away from their jobs, causing them to lose out on the salaries they rely upon to pay their rent or mortgages and to care for their families. Because extended care can cause financial hardships, veterans who are ordinarily rated at less than 100 percent for their service-connected disabilities qualify for a special 100 percent rating to help them compensate for their temporary financial losses. An inequity exists in the current law, however. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not begin the temporary total disability compensation until the beginning of the month following their admission. That is, if a veteran is hospitalized on the 15th, their special compensation does not start until the first of the next month. Even though they are incapacitated, veterans must sometimes wait almost 2 months to receive payment at the 100 percent level. Unfortunately, they still have bills due during this time and cannot always wait for several weeks for their compensation. Today I am introducing the Hospitalized Veterans Financial Assistance Act of 2003 to correct the flaws in the law and to give America's disabled veterans our full support throughout their convalescence. Under this legislation, the VA would begin the special 100 percent disability rating on the day they are admitted to the hospital. By making this adjustment to the law, a disabled veteran may not be faced with the difficult decision of declining medical treatment because of their financial concerns. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting those who have made the most tremendous sacrifices on our behalf by correcting this inequity.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 564, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which commemorates the numerous contributions that Latinos make to our country. It is my privilege today to recognize an extraordinary individual who shapes the future every day through his valuable work, San Diego Community College District Chancellor Augustine Gallego. In his 14 years as Chancellor, Augustine ``Augie'' Gallego has earned a reputation as a national leader in higher education. He is the immediate past chair of the American Council on Education (ACE). Change Magazine recently named him as one of the 21 most influential higher education senior leaders in the United States. Locally, he is known for bringing together business leaders, community members, and politicians to find solutions for challenges within the educational system. Chancellor Gallego is a positive role model for young people within the Latino community and beyond who are unsure about pursuing post- secondary education. The story of Augie's decision to go to college is inspirational. As a young man, Chancellor Gallego found work digging ditches. One day while digging, he looked up and noticed college students nearby. That moment served as an epiphany; Augie realized he did not have to dig ditches for a living. He decided to attend college. Chancellor Gallego truly embodies the mission of the San Diego Community College District of providing an accessible, high quality learning experience that responds to the unique needs of local communities and student populations. In his capacity as chief executive officer of one of the largest community college districts in the United States, he led the development of numerous innovative programs, including public and private partnerships to more effectively and efficiently serve students and the community. Among his many accomplishments, Chancellor Gallego has facilitated community college transfer to California's four-year public colleges, and developed opportunities for students to intern and work at local businesses. All of Chancellor Gallego's endeavors show a profound appreciation, understanding, and passion for community colleges and their role in the economic development, work force training, and education of a community. He respects the unique backgrounds and needs that each student brings to the classroom. The diverse community college population includes ``breakthrough students'' who are the first in their family to go to college, nontraditional students returning to school to obtain skills to help them either re-enter or advance in the labor market and students experiencing financial hardship. Community colleges represent hope and provide opportunities for many in San Diego County. Chancellor Gallego has helped turn those hopes into reality for thousands of San Diegans. A vocal advocate for students, Chancellor Gallego has brought attention to the impact of California's education budget reductions. Funding decreases translate into increased class size, fewer classes, less financial assistance and, ultimately, lost potential for the community. As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, I am proud to recognize Chancellor Augustine Gallego's steadfast commitment to improving the quality of education. Through his service in the San Diego Community College District, he has opened the doors of opportunity to a generation of students.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), and I wanted to thank him particularly for his leadership on this trip. Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant support of the supplemental appropriations. Had I not been to Iraq and seen for myself the extent of their needs, I may not have supported it. But I cannot begin to describe the images there of Third World conditions in hospitals, the decay of infrastructure, the lack of drinkable water, the pervasive sense of insecurity and more. Mr. Speaker, I opposed our unilateral invasion, but now I see that as liberators and occupiers we face an overwhelming challenge to craft the environment that will allow the Iraqis to create a viable future by drawing both on their innate and natural resources. As I spoke to several of our commanders in the field, it became clear that the needs of the military for better force protection and the need to fund major infrastructure projects are linked. And, in fact, security and reconstruction are inseparable. To be sure, as conditions for Iraqis improve, it will impede the efforts by militant forces to recruit young men and destabilize the country. And also better living conditions will increase trust and motivate more Iraqis to provide friendship to security forces. However, we cannot continue to go it alone. A recent RAND report states what we all know: Building a democracy, a strong economy and long-term legitimacy depends on striking the balance between international burden-sharing and unity of command. The U.S. cannot generate the required resources and endurance relying principally on the limited coalition that fought the war. The U.S. portion of the cost should be a sacrifice shared equally among all Americans, including the wealthiest. Now it is our military and their families who bear the burden and face the ultimate sacrifice. That is why I will support an amendment to help fund this effort by freezing the tax brackets for upper incomes. Further, had the Committee on Appropriations not adopted the accountability measures offered by the minority whip, I might have opposed the legislation. The President would do well to allay the concerns of a skeptical public and Congress by endorsing and accepting these accountability standards. In a town hall meeting I sponsored in San Diego this past weekend, I heard voices, voices of outrage that echo those of many of my constituents who have contacted me. And what I learned mirrors my own reaction setting foot in Iraq: we have not well prepared our constituents and all Americans for the aftermath. That is why this legislation is difficult to swallow. But to be sure, we should have better applied the lessons of our most recent history. Having opposed the invasion, I question where we are today and the final cost in dollars and lives, but walking away now is simply not an option. With the approval of the $87 billion, we may or may not succeed in our efforts. But without it, Mr. Speaker, we are guaranteed failure.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished minority whip, for leading this trip and also for tonight's opportunity to share our thoughts with our colleagues and the American people. It was my third trip since I had lived on a kibbutz in 1965 during what was then the infancy of the State of Israel. Each time I set foot there I am reminded of the rich history of the land. The way you drift from present to past and back again is simply indescribable. One is constantly reminded of the biblical origins. It is a place where time is measured in millennia, not decades, which helps me keep a perspective on everyday headlines. On this trip, I had the opportunity to go to the Golan Heights. As our bus climbed the corkscrew roads I looked down upon the kibbutz where I had lived 38 years ago, and I was struck by its proximity. It was much closer than I ever thought. That geography reminds me of my own City of San Diego. There people live on bluffs, on mesas overlooking valleys, yet no one in the valley is concerned about being shot by their neighbors above. This highlights the stark differences in everyday life in the U.S. compared with everyday life in Israel. In Israel, normalcy is a challenge. But it is achieved every day. Life continues, but not without adjustments. Families have learned to live with the prospect of violence. Just like here, parents worry about getting their kids to school. Adult and youth join their friends at coffee houses, and families go shopping. Though it may look normal, there is much going on that one cannot see. Just take the example of going to the store. Here we might be thinking about the traffic and the availability of parking. In Israel, one would worry about security at the store, about which routes to take, and about the wisdom of taking public transportation. On recreation choices, I am reminded of the accomplished physician, the Israeli-American who went to the coffee house with his daughter the night before her wedding. A suicide bomber went also. When I learned of the 19 people killed in an Arab-managed restaurant in Haifa, I recalled the afternoon that we all lunched at an Arab-owned restaurant feeling safe. The differences extend beyond such day-to-day choices. As diverse as this body is, the Knesset's diversity impressed me. Though Democrats and Republicans joust in a war of priorities, our experiences are nothing like those of Jews and Arabs serving together in a Knesset while their brothers and sisters might be fighting one another. And while the challenges we face are important and the problems we address are critical, again, they seem shadowed by the complexity of those in the Knesset. Finally, despite the grave security situation in Israel, I observed a free and open press. The plight of those living in the West Bank and Gaza was discussed and important questions were asked of the government. Surely the freedom to debate such sensitive issues is symbolic of the great potential for understanding and cooperation that exists in Israel. A free and open press underpins a free and open society. Israel is a democracy, a democracy that refuses to be handicapped by its dangers and a democracy that needs our continued attention and our support.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge this body to seriously consider our treatment of those who sacrificed nearly everything for our country. I am referring to America's disabled veterans and the archaic law that prevents them from receiving both their retirement pension and disability compensation, two payments that they earned. Unfortunately, across our Nation, hundreds of thousands of veterans are denied their full retirement pay because we have yet to correct a senseless law passed 112 years ago. In California's 53rd Congressional District, a district that I am very proud to represent, 2,659 disabled veterans collectively lose out on $13 million in VA benefits each year. Since coming to Congress, I have heard from my veterans and I can tell you many of them struggle to get by each month because our government withholds so much from their pensions. Please understand, Mr. Speaker, we are talking about the brave men and women who sustained the most severe injuries to defend this Nation and to protect our liberties. Take, for example, a 69-year-old Air Force lieutenant colonel from San Diego who has a 100 percent disability rating from exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. After 28 years of dedication, he retired only to learn that it was true. His hard-earned retirement pay would be offset dollar for dollar from his disability compensation. This proud veteran wrote me just recently and told me that he has finally given up on this government. He has communicated with his elected leaders about this inequity ever since he retired, and unfortunately, he has been told the same thing over and over again. Do not worry. Legislation is pending. We will pass concurrent receipt soon and take care of this for you. Well, Mr. Speaker, it has been 17 years since he retired and nothing has been done. It is time to show our disabled veterans that we value the incredible sacrifice they made and are making for us. It is time to repeal the disabled veterans tax and end this mistreatment once and for all. Right now, this Congress is faced with the ability to finally deliver meaningful concurrent receipt legislation to the President. We need only a few more signatures on the discharge petition to bring the Retired Pay Restoration Act to the House floor. I urge my colleagues to sign this petition and take us a step closer to overturning this inequity. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for bringing this forward.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, we come together to reflect on the anniversary of September 11, 2001, a day like none other in our history. Leading up to this anniversary, I have been thinking much about the tragic events of that day and their significance. At first, I felt I had a grasp on what happened two years ago, but now after going to memorials, visiting the sites, and watching the footage, I am not sure if any of us have fully absorbed the events of that terrible day and realize how they have changed our nation and our lives. This anniversary is important because it gives us an opportunity to consider the lasting impact of the events that altered the course of our nation. The shock of September 11 for those who witnessed the horrible events firsthand or lost a loved one remains incomprehensible. For me, the events of that day were extremely powerful at a personal level because my son, my daughter-in-law, and my grandson live in New York City. All I could do was hope and pray my family was safe. As a mother and a grandmother, there is no feeling worse than such uncertainty. To all of us, the threat of terrorism is still very real despite the relative normality of our lives. On this occasion, we should take a moment to ask the questions that still need to be answered. I ask today, Mr. Speaker: Have we properly prepared if another attack takes place? Have we harnessed the amazing energy and the great spirit that saw us through the days and weeks following that day? Have we mobilized our citizens to take on the other problems we as a nation are facing? I truly believe, as we look back and remember those who tragically lost their lives two years ago, that we take the time to really think about what those events mean to us. We also need to consider what the legacy of September 11, 2001 will be 10 years from now and even 100 years from now. Though it has been two years, I am still amazed at how our nation came together to cope with the crisis and to comfort those who suffered unimaginable losses. I think about the epic effort of the steelworkers and engineers working around the clock to clear rubble from the World Trade Center, and our brave service members who went to Afghanistan to hold accountable those who planned the attack. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, though the Pentagon has been rebuilt and the steel beams and concrete cleared from the World Trade Center, the unspeakable acts of September 11 continue to impact several areas of our lives. Though we have made progress over the last two years, I believe we can build upon the energy and spirit we displayed after September 11 to become a stronger and more generous nation than before that day two years ago. Whether the cause is to create new jobs for Americans, improve education, fight poverty at home and abroad, or increase our understanding of foreign cultures and languages, we have missed some opportunities but it is not too late to build upon our resolve and better ourselves, our families, and our communities. I would like to conclude today, Mr. Speaker, by remembering those who were tragically killed two years ago. Those who lost their lives were truly the innocent, and because of the cowardly acts of a few, more than 3,000 loved ones were taken from their families. It is crucial that we remember them and continue to offer these brave families our support.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I would ask my colleagues, where are these 1,000 slots in our private schools? I rise in support of school choice in the District of Columbia, but public school choice. The District of Columbia, as we know and as Members have spoken to, has been a national leader in supporting charter schools to provide alternative choices for its families. In 1996, the D.C. Council passed the Public Charter Schools Act. That launched this decision as the best method to improve the public schools. Not only have they instituted a large number of charter schools for the District of Columbia enrollment, but they have also supervised these programs and they have closed those charter schools that have not been successful. I support the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) to back this local decision. If the majority wants to appropriate additional funding for children in D.C., let the sum be appropriated to increase funding for the charter schools, to expand that program so that charter schools can have the resources needed to provide adequate and safe facilities as well as the programs of choice. Mr. Chairman, I believe we must support D.C.'s children, but we can do that by continuing to support successful alternatives in the public school system.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I must regretfully rise in opposition to a bill which I believe has many good elements. I see the Head Start program, as my colleagues do, as a successful and long- standing effort to engage low-income children in the preparation for kindergarten, that we know is readily available and enjoyed by children from more financially secure families. In fact, I have two of my current staff members who are graduates of the Head Start program, and so I know that the program indeed does work. I am pleased to support the requirements for relevant training for staff members, but the problem is that we really have not done the job of providing loan forgiveness for those staff members. We really have not done the job of finding a way for them to get the professional development that they need. We have talked about the religious discrimination introduction into this bill, and that is a real problem. But let me just talk about another problem. We have targeted title II, and we have targeted that for a very good reason, because in reality the bill fails; it fails to secure guarantees and require that States not supplant State or other Federal funds with Head Start funds. We know about the current budget crisis in my State of California. States will find a way to find opportunities to supplant when they are in fiscal crisis, and the bill does not really prevent that. There is another thing that the bill does not do. It only says that States must generally meet the requirements, not meet or exceed those requirements, and all the special programs in Head Start, we need them to meet those requirements.

Mr. DAVIS of California

Mr. DAVIS of California. I rise to object to the rule on consideration of H.R. 2210, the Head Start reauthorization. Once again, thoughtful amendments that address core issues were not ruled in order by the committee. As has been so widely discussed this week, I believe it is important that this legislative body be able to give the proper consideration to this reauthorization--which is so critical to the most vulnerable among us, low income children. I valued the opportunity to participate in considering this measure at the subcommittee and the committee levels. In that process, I was able to offer significant amendments for consideration and in one case for adoption by the committee. Happily, the reauthorization now before us recognizes the central nature of the social and emotional development of young children as well as their cognitive and physical development. Nonetheless, other core issues were not adopted during the committee consideration. However, only 10 percent of the members of this body had the opportunity to consider those issues. The public deserves a full consideration by other 90 percent of their representatives. I would particularly point to these major areas of concern: (1) providing financial support and loan forgiveness for the increased educational levels which will be required of teachers and staff members; (2) requiring performance standards of curriculum, developmentally appropriate accountability processes, personnel education, and professional development opportunities to be at least as high as federally required standards; and (3) assuring that any state- operated programs would be required to provide the comprehensive health and family services that are integral to Head Start. Mr. Speaker and members, 100 percent of the members of this representative body have the right and obligation to consider how these issues should be resolved in order to enable the most vulnerable children to enter kindergarten closer to the levels of preparation enjoyed by more economically advantaged children.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2210 should be strengthened and not weakened for families and their children.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel).

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 212, as amended.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House concurrent resolution 212 and commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), our chairman, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), our ranking Democratic member, for bringing this important measure directly to this body for consideration on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice. The bill calls on American citizens to thank those who served in uniform during that difficult time a half century ago. Often called the Forgotten Veterans, it was a generation that served in a war wedged in time between the jubilation from resounding victories over tyranny in Europe and the Pacific, and a war in Southeast Asia whose unpopularity and length seized the subsequent 2 decades. Having served, they silently, without fanfare or formality, slipped back into civilian clothes and resumed their lives. The courageous individuals who stepped forward into the Korean War left their jobs, schools, homes, and families to respond to an especially daunting threat to freedom on the other side of the world. While all wars are horrific, their battlefield brought forth a particularly ruthless enemy and a unique brutality, including an unyieldingly harsh climate. I am proud and privileged to serve with several colleagues who emerged from that unimaginable experience, including the distinguished author and original cosponsors of this bill, as well as those who served in uniform elsewhere in that era. I wholeheartedly endorse the measure, and I urge its swift passage, not only in recognition of the Korean War heroes who stand among us, but also for those who are with us in memory only. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.