Mario Diaz-Balart

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate and honor a young lady from South Florida, who has achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in her community. Danielle Colson, 18, of Pembroke Pines has been named one of the top honorees in Florida by the 2011 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in each state and the District of Colombia. Ms. Colson, a senior at American Heritage School in Plantation, is being recognized for distributing 4,500 backpacks filled with school supplies and toiletries to needy children and people living in homeless shelters since 2007. Danielle, who volunteers at the shelter and has also collected other items for its residents, encourages members of the community and students at local schools to make donations to support her backpack project. In light of numerous statistics that indicate Americans today are less involved in their communities than they once were, it's vital that we encourage and support the kind of selfless contribution this young citizen has made. People of all ages need to think more about how we, as individual citizens, can work together at the local level to ensure the health and vitality of our town and neighborhoods. Young volunteers like Ms. Colson are inspiring examples to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow. Prudential Financial created the program that brought this young role model to our attention in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 1995 to impress upon all youth volunteers that their contributions are critically important and highly valued, and to inspire other young people to follow their lead. Over the past 16 years, the program has become the nation's largest youth recognition effort based solely on community service, and has more than 95,000 young volunteers at the local, state, and national level. Mr. Speaker, I heartily applaud Ms. Colson for her initiative in seeking to make her community a better place to live, and for the positive impact she has had on the lives of many. She has demonstrated a level of commitment and accomplishment that is truly exemplary, and deserves our sincere admiration and respect. Her actions show that young Americans can, and do, play important roles in our communities, and American's community spirit endures and holds promise for the future.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate a young student from South Florida, who has achieved national recognition by excelling in the classroom and in her community. Odalmy Molina, from Cuban descent and a student at Hialeah High School, received the Youth Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, which recognizes the most impressive Latino High School seniors. Ms. Molina's family history is a sadly familiar story to many of us, that of losing a loved one to cancer. I too, have experienced the same loss, but know that family suffering can strengthen our passion to succeed and become better individuals. Ms. Molina's deep desire to one- day find a cure for cancer is fueled by her passion to replace the hurt and suffering of those affected by cancer with hope and solace. Her desire has led to a constant quest for knowledge, by either assisting scientists in performing lab work at the Miami project to Cure Paralysis; co-publishing original research presented during the Annual Neuroscience Research Day; or serving as the youth co-chair for the American Cancer Society. These extraordinary accomplishments at such a young age are an inspiring example to all of us. The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is a national non-profit that inspires, identifies, prepares and positions Latino leaders for classroom, community and workforce. After receiving 10,000 applications annually, HHF honors more than 150 students at ceremonies with partner universities in ten regions across the country. Mr. Speaker, I heartily applaud Ms. Molina for her accomplishments, for she is a fine example of the best and brightest in South Florida. She has demonstrated a level of commitment that deserves our sincere admiration and respect. I am confident that she will continue to accomplish great things for our community in South Florida and our country.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This bill reauthorizes the predisaster mitigation program for the next 3 years, as the gentlewoman from Washington, D.C., has just stated. I'm pleased to be a co-sponsor of this legislation, along with Chairman Oberstar, Ranking Member Mica, and Chairwoman Norton, who is on the committee that I am the ranking member of. The predisaster mitigation program was created by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 as a pilot program to study the effects and the effectiveness of mitigation for those grants given to communities before a disaster may strike. Prior to creation of the predisaster mitigation program, hazard mitigation primarily occurred after disaster through FEMA'S Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. We know that every disaster costs us a lot of money--and, obviously, more than money. In many times, even human life. It damages homes, businesses, and infrastructure. And, again, potentially loss of life. Mitigation measures have been shown, Madam Speaker, to be very effective in mitigating the damage that occurs during a storm, and frankly, also in saving lives, which is, we would all agree, even more important. In fact, the investments that we make in mitigation actually saves taxpayer dollars. I think that deserves being repeated: It actually saves the taxpayer money. Both the CBO, the Congressional Budget Office, and the National Institute of Building Sciences have determined that for every dollar invested in mitigation, $3 are actually saved in actual future losses. In addition, H.R. 1746, as amended, includes a clear prohibition on earmarks. Now, the bottom line is, mitigation works. It's been proven to work. It saves lives, it limits future damages, and reduces Federal disaster costs. In other words, it saves the taxpayer money. The predisaster mitigation program is an effective program that advances these goals that I just mentioned. So I support the passage of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Madam Speaker, I would at this time, since I don't believe there are any further speakers, just mention two things. First, I want to once again thank Chairwoman Norton. It has been a privilege, an honor and a pleasure to be her ranking member. She has really, really been a great champion on issues of disaster mitigation. While she represents Washington, DC, except for that big snowstorm, it is an area you would hope would have no hurricanes or earthquakes. She has been a huge champion. She has visited areas. She has gone down to south Florida and has visited the hurricane center and has held hearings down there. So she has been a great champion. I would just tell you, on a personal note, that she has been wonderful to work with. I didn't know we were going to be on the floor together again, Madam Speaker, but as I said the last time, I will no longer be on the T&I Committee. I will now go to the Appropriations Committee. I would be remiss if I didn't mention, though, what a privilege it has been to work with my chairwoman. Also, one of the true gentlemen in this process and one of the people I have grown to respect and admire is the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Oberstar, a person who has served this country with dignity, with honor and with great integrity, and who has been exceedingly fair. I can tell you that there have been not a couple of occasions, but many occasions, that I've gone to him because I've seen things that, well, frankly, I didn't like, most of which were driven by just passions. I would go to him and say, Mr. Chairman, this is what's going on. Frankly, you could see it in his face. He just did not tolerate anything that he believed was not fair on his committee. Again, he is a public servant, one who has served this country and who has shown all of us, whether we agree with him or disagree with him--and I've had multiple disagreements with him--what public service is all about. So I just wanted to make sure that I put that in the record. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, let me once again thank the gentlelady from Texas for bringing up this bill. As I mentioned before, not only is it going to help solve a problem where you have a Federal agency that didn't even know it had a piece of property that it owned, but as she eloquently stated, it is solving that problem and replacing it with a very meritorious thing, which is a museum for our fighting men and women who have kept us free for over 200 years. She very generously mentioned lots of names that she thanked, but I would be remiss if I didn't thank the gentlewoman from Texas for her leadership on this issue. It may have been a frustrating issue at times, but she has brought it to the finish line here in the House. Also, I want to thank the chairwoman of the subcommittee I have had the privilege of being the ranking member of for 2 years; first for working so closely with me and for, once again, bringing this bill, and also just for being a great partner for the last 2 years, working together on a number of issues, always with great generosity and a spirit of cooperation with me. And that is something I will never forget. This may or may not be the last time I am on the floor as a member of this committee because I am moving on to the Appropriations Committee, but I wanted to thank the chairwoman for her many courtesies to me. I have really enjoyed, and it has been a privilege, working with you, Madam Chairwoman. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me add my words to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia. This bill would direct the GSA to transfer property in Houston to the Military Museum, as the gentlewoman just said. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas, Sheila Jackson Lee, for bringing up this bill. This would, as well as what the chairwoman just talked about, also solve an issue that is really an unfortunate symptom of poor management of real Federal property. In 2004, the museum leased this property, as we just heard, in good faith from the State of Texas, which had used the property since 1972; and the State had actually even made improvements on it. Now, at the time GSA didn't even know that it owned this property. So it was only after due diligence from the folks at the museum when they started researching the property and the tax records, that is when it was discovered that GSA actually owned or, let me say, likely owned the property. GSA didn't even have a record of its ownership interest, but subsequently confirmed its interest in the property. Now, the chairwoman and Ranking Member John Mica of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and I have been working to cut wasteful management of Federal real estate property and to save taxpayers money. Unfortunately, this is yet another example, Mr. Speaker, of the type of poor management that has plagued Federal real property. This case raises serious questions as to whether Federal agencies frankly even have accurate data about which properties they even own, the taxpayer even owns, let alone how to manage those properties. But now we are where we are. That is why I thank the gentlewoman from Texas. The Military Museum of Texas, which is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 by military veterans, operates with a voluntary staff and displays military vehicles, as we have heard; and they draw a significant amount of visitors each year. So the GSA, after finally realizing that they did own the property, that the taxpayers own the property, has determined that there is no Federal use for this property. So this bill would provide an opportunity, I think a very good opportunity, for the Military Museum of Texas to continue using the property as a museum; and it will ensure that the taxpayers will be compensated appropriately. I am pleased to be a cosponsor with the gentlewoman from Texas. I want to thank her again for her leadership on this issue. I clearly support the bill. I just wanted to make sure that everybody understood the issue that we are dealing with here at the Federal level. When you have an agency that doesn't even know that it owns a piece of property, it tells you that we have issues up here that we need to deal with. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, for 4 years, the Democratic majority has promised to fix our broken immigration system. The President promised to pass immigration reform in the first 12 months of his administration. Just another broken promise. Instead of passing meaningful legislation to secure our boarders, to protect our national security and to address the millions of people who are here undocumented living among us, this Congress has refused to do so, Madam Speaker, and now, in the final hours of their majority, they now bring up this bill. Just another example of why the American people overwhelmingly rejected this majority. Now, on the merits, those who stand to benefit from this bill include thousands of young adults who were raised in our country and really know no other country but America. They simply wish to pursue the American Dream and have the opportunity to study, to work hard, to serve in our Armed Forces. They are exactly the type of people that we want in this United States of America. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to support this legislation today.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Before I recognize the following distinguished Member, I do want to just mention, I don't know how many other opportunities as ranking member I'm going to have here on the floor, and I just want to mention what a privilege it has been to work with my chairwoman. She has been, frankly, wonderful to work with. We have enjoyed a great working relationship, and I think that working relationship has really grown into a bit of a personal friendship. And I want to thank her for always being exceedingly courteous to me. And I also need to mention Chairman Oberstar. I was able to speak to him at length a couple days ago, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I've enjoyed working with him. With that, Madam Speaker, I'd like to recognize--she's already been mentioned a couple of times--the gentlelady from the State of Illinois, Representative Biggert, for such time as she may consume.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in qualified support of H.R. 6184, to authorize an extension of the Army Corps of Engineers' section 214 program. As was just described, section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 allows the Army Corps of Engineers to accept and, frankly, to expend funds provided by non-Federal public entities to hire additional personnel to process regulatory permits, something that we had heard time and time again was quickly needed. Now, most Members of this body support a permanent extension of section 214, Madam Speaker. I'm not quite sure and I've yet to understand what makes this program so different and so special that it requires temporary extensions and not just a permanent program. So, Madam Speaker, I say that I offer qualified support of H.R. 6184 because, while this legislation is needed--and there is no doubt that it is needed--my colleague from Texas (Mr. Olson) has offered a much better piece of legislation. Mr. Olson's legislation, H.R. 4162, will authorize a permanent extension of the program, not a 5-year temporary patch or a temporary extension offered by this bill. Congress has been forced to temporarily extend this program six times since it was authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2000. Yet the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has heard from Members on both sides of the aisle--this is not a partisan issue-- supporting a permanent extension of the section 214 program. Again, I have heard no Member object to a permanent extension of the section 214 program. The Corps of Engineers has now the adequate experience in running the program, and recent Government Accountability Office observations concur with this assessment. Yet here we are again on the House floor, moving a temporary extension of an excellent, proven, tested program. Authority for this program expires on December 31 of this calendar year. So, obviously, if this program were allowed to expire, the Corps would not have the ability to process permits in a timely manner as they need to. I want to thank Representative Olson and Representative Larsen for their efforts on this issue. I urge all Members to vote in favor of H.R. 6184; but I must tell you that I do wish we were passing a permanent extension of the section 214 program today, not a temporary one. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I rise to honor one of South Florida's finest community leaders, Sergio Massa. Sergio was born in the historic Port of Callao, Peru and completed his studies at the Colegio Militar Leoncio Prado. At an early age, his family instilled in him the value and importance of service and activism, and it is one that he has carried with him throughout his life. He came to the United States when he was 18 years old and first lived in San Francisco. He later moved to New York and in 1979 received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Accounting from the New York Institute of Technology. Sergio then began his community involvement as a board member of Club Peru New York, the oldest Peruvian organization in the United States. He later moved to Miami, became the president of Club Peru Miami, and established his own company, Business Authority Corporation, which provides accounting services and development for small and midsized businesses. In 1994, Sergio established the Peruvian American Coalition (PAC), which has brought together Peruvians from across the country and serves as a venue for its members to engage in politics and the legislative process, while promoting issues important to the Peruvian American community. Today, PAC has chapters in Los Angeles, Washington, DC, West Palm Beach, Atlanta, Utah, Idaho and New York City. For years, Sergio has also been involved in an issue critical to our nation and that is immigration reform. Through the establishment of the Latin American Foundation, he has helped and guided countless immigrants as they transition and settle in the United States, enter the workforce and tackle language and cultural barriers. Sergio continues to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, coordinating with other community groups and elected officials at all levels of government and working for the passage of that legislation. Aside from the PAC and the Latin American Foundation, Sergio is the founder of the Peruvian American Political Organization USA (PAPO USA), the Peruvian American Coalition Foundation, the Tumi USA Award, the Latin American Voters League, Inc., the Convention of Peruvian Institutions in the USA, and AIPEUC-the Association of Peruvian Institutions in the USA and Canada. Throughout his impressive career as a successful businessman and a selfless leader in our community, he has counted on the unconditional support of his wife Flor and his children, who have understood the value and importance of his service and have joined him in putting the needs of their community first. Sergio has earned the respect and admiration of many in our community and has been honored and recognized by local governments and organizations. Today I join all of them in thanking my good friend Sergio Massa for his undying commitment to seeing the success of the Peruvian American community and all Hispanics in South Florida and across the United States. He values the principles of democracy and works each day to ensure that they are preserved for all to enjoy.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I rise to honor one of south Florida's finest community leaders, Zoila A. Quinones. Zoila was born in the city of Cabana, Peru and completed her studies at the prestigious Colegio Nacional Mercedes Cabello in Lima, Peru and graduated as a Commercial Accountant. She then went on to work at one of Peru's finest engineering and architecture firms, Grana y Montero, S.A., for 26 years. In 1986, Zoila came to the United States from her native Peru to join her mother and brother in Miami, Florida. She started a career in the cargo industry and eventually founded her own company, Cabana International Corporation. She also began her activism within the Peruvian American community of south Florida and is today one of its most influential leaders. She is involved with various civic and business groups including the Peruvian American Coalition, the Chamber of Commerce of Florida, the Ancashina Association and the Peruvian Civic Unity. For nearly 23 years, Zoila has also taken an active role in the democratic process by educating policymakers at all levels of government about issues important in the Peruvian American community, working to ensure that the United States and Peru strengthen diplomatic ties, and helping shape legislation and policy towards Latin America. She has also been instrumental in fighting for small businesses, advancing economic growth in the United States and working towards free trade with Peru. Zoila has earned the respect and trust of many in our community, dedicating herself to advancing the needs of the Hispanic community in the United States. I ask that you join me in honoring and thanking my good friend Zoila A. Quinones, a true leader who loves and values freedom and works so that others may enjoy it.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Republic of China as it celebrates its 99th National Day on October 10th, 2010. This festive holiday, known as Double Ten Day, celebrates the start of the Wuchang Uprising in 1911, which led to the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in China and the establishment of the Republic of China. The Republic of China has become a model of economic and democratic success in Asia. Through the diligence and ingenuity of the Taiwanese people, their economy continues to flourish and has become one of the strongest in the region. In the last few decades, the Republic of China on Taiwan has held several democratic elections and peaceful transfers of power. The Republic of China continues to serve as a shining example of a free and democratic nation in Asia. The United States and the Republic of China remain close friends and allies through their mutual commitment to democratic principles, freedom, and entrepreneurship. Madam Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Republic of China as it celebrates the 99th National Day.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the National Waterways Conference on their 50th anniversary. The United States Army Corps of Engineers operates and maintains more than 12,000 miles of commercial inland channels--12,000 miles. The Corps of Engineers maintains waterways leading to 926 coastal, Great Lakes and inland harbors, which are things that we take for granted every single day regarding our economy. So I am actually pleased to be here today, speaking on behalf of this recognition and, again, of this 50th anniversary.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of H.R. 5591, introduced by my colleague from Washington, Representative McMorris Rodgers, which, as the gentleman has just said, designates the airport traffic control tower located at Spokane International Airport as the Ray Daves Air Traffic Control Tower. Again, I urge all our colleagues to also support it.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Congressman Miller of Florida for his leadership and hard work on this bill to correct the designation of this building, which was named after Judge Arnow. Now, we could say so much about the judge, but Mr. Speaker, I would just like to highlight one part of his career, which is something I try to do whenever possible whenever anybody serves in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. I think, as much as his record is meritorious, it is something I always like to highlight. Judge Arnow was in the private practice of law, but he also served as a U.S. Army major in the JAG Corps during World War II and served as a municipal judge in Gainesville, Florida. Again, I could go on and on, but I always try to highlight when someone has a military career in order to make sure that it is something we will never forget.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. This resolution recognizes the fifth anniversary of the devastation caused by Rita. Madam Speaker, as a Floridian, I understand the impact that storms like Rita have on individuals and families and on communities. It's so important that we do remember, that we do not forget. This resolution was introduced by Representative Boustany of Louisiana and is cosponsored by the entire Louisiana delegation. I want to thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his work on this resolution and, frankly, on all issues related to Louisiana's recovery from this disaster. He has been a great leader on issues for his State, and this is one more example of that. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, Mr. Ball served as Commissioner of Social Security during the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon administrations, and even in 1981, he served on the Greenspan Commission that was created by President Reagan to examine the Social Security system. So I think it speaks obviously very well for him; his expertise was tapped by both Republicans and Democratic administrations. It seems fitting, Madam Speaker, that we name a Social Security building after him in recognition for his dedication to that agency. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, again, this is an important piece of legislation, and I would urge its support. With that, I would yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, we are a very young Nation, but it is so crucial that we remember our history and that we honor our martyrs. This is one of those examples when we have a great opportunity to do both. These individuals gave their lives for the rights that we, frankly, take for granted now and that we hold so dear. Special Agent Moore ensured that the rule of law was enforced and that those murderers were brought to justice, so I think that it is fitting and appropriate to honor these men by naming the FBI building in Jackson, Mississippi, after them. I also support the Senate amendment, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.